I Books

Great book and I am waiting for the next one.
The author is very talented to keep the reader on the go.

The author gives us a connection to Lexielle and her role in Von's life. It's wonderfully written book, well worth the time to read. I guarantee that you'll have fun reading it.

I found Wireless In The Fabric Of Time a very good read and would recommend it to my friends (35-55 yr. age bracket), as well as my chidrens' generation (16-25 yr age bracket) . I was pleasently suprised at the depth of interests that this book touched upon. It was described to me as SI-Fi, but I found it more akin to historical-fiction. This book is an engaging and fresh approach to weaving a plot through the past, the present,and the future. It touches on life styles and technology in both present day America and early 1900's England. With a plot that moves at the speed of light, the book is laced with lots of spicy diologue, which developes its characters and their personal connections through generational family ties, similiar interests, and historical occurances. It is a curious study of 'what if?' and 'reality' as we know it.

Great reading, kept turning the pages to see what could possibly happen next. Author knows how to entertain and keep the audience's attention. Great book for all readers, but most specifically, young adults. Highly recommended. Great use of technology. Good job on dialect of early twentieth century England also! Great use of historical and futuristic ideas. Great book cover. All in all, supreme. Can't wait for more books from E.I. Johnson.

This book was a great blend of past (Oxford, England circa 1900s), present (University setting, 2008), and future (2048). Well-written for the young-adult reader. Captivating knowledge and wordplay with reference to technology, history, the contemporary college-student, both male and female. I recommend highly. Watch out for more from E.I. Johnson!!

There is an inexplicable fascination around relationships and the dynamics between people. There is something bizarrely enjoyable about watching or learning about other people's lives - perhaps as a means of escape from our own or better yet a subconscious desire to compare and contrast or even live our lives vicariously through others. This is why we are so drawn to reality shows in today's day and age.

This book doesn't quite satisfy the latter part of my hypothesis but I did pick it up because I was immensely intrigued to read about the dynamic between the all-American Irene and the pure-bred Palestinian Khalid. I was very pleasantly surprised to learn that the "differences" referred to by the author were not of the generic and expected nature referring to the current political state of affairs between the superpower and the defenseless rapidly dying country but rather a story about a boy and a girl who fall in love and happen to endure their own set of ups and downs.

Not to say there is no reference to the political state - as there absolutely is - but it is cleverly and nonchalantly folded into the story as no more than a backdrop as opposed to taking center stage. This book is so engrossing, so rich and so dramatic in description, symbolism and in the simple construction of words. It is like prose on a treadmill.

The author tackles a lot of significant and very deep issues in her story thereby setting the stage for a mesmerizing and culturally enlightening ride. As a Palestinian, I can attest to the accuracy with which she captured the political and social mood, the exile, the emotions and the passion and fire with which Khalid lives his life. The events in this story are so intense that you will experience love in its purest form and anger in its most raw and ugly state. This book has the power to rock your emotions in a state of frenzy - like a rollercoaster - your emotions will soar and then plummet in a matter of minutes.....It is a book of rare proportions - not to be missed.

This book started out poorly, built a crescendo and finished interestingly. It is a noble effort for a first time book and throughout, presented some interesting concepts for the reader to think about.
In a sentence it is the story of a secular young Palestinian man living in America and his romance with a well to do, Caucasian college woman. It is told from her perspective.
The weaker aspects of the book primarily arise in the beginning. There is too much reliance of stereotype when describing the "enemy". There is also a simplistic use of popular culture to make a point. Having tyrannical bosses at the bakery use a double standard or informing the reader that BMWs are referred to as "Beemers" made me wince but they occurred early and the story got better.
There is an underlying beauty to this mid eastern culture. Historically there was a beacon of art and science shining from that part of the world. Fundamental religious/political leaders of course have used the last several centuries to suppress that, but lore and poetry and music can survive even if relegated to the underground.
The protagonists, Irene and Khalid are presented very believably. Their relationship is tempestuous and it is largely due to the significant cultural variance in their lives. It is thought provoking throughout. Two of the several questions posed to the reader are:
-"Is there a reason or faith that humans can best make sense of their painful experience?"
-Which is a stronger human trait-The will to power or Desire? Which compels us to respond in this world?
Jensen makes several points in the book that particularly interested this reader. Her Palestinian characters were secular. This suggests that within this culture so demonized here in the US for its radical fundamentalism, there are free thinkers and perhaps there are millions of them.
She also rips into the lazy sort of Post Modern thinking that suggests we are incapable of making value judgments because we are bound by the fetters of culture. Khalid, in one of his rages suggests to Irene threat "You are so liberal here, everything has the same exact value, which comes down to NO value whatsoever"
Jensen introduces skeptical thinking when Khalid states that "Getting Real" means maintaining an attitude of deep suspicion. Though not stated in the book, it is important that the suspicion be based on some identifiable causes and also not be understood as cynicism.
Finally the author's characters voice atheism in the face of the experiences they have had and shared. In lament, Irene imagines "...a god crucified for nothing...there was a real god named No God; and she lived in the center of its expanding absence."
Ms Jensen has a good running start on becoming a great novelist. Those of us who may desire publishing their own first novel hope to do as fine a job.

This book was definetly one of the best books I've ever read, and I strongly recommend it. It was so true when Khalid said of Irene, but it applies to every American, she has an inborn, cultural arrogance that makes her blindto other ways of acting,perceiving, thinking about the world.This explains the bumper stickers, Proud to be an American and flags everywhere. Americans don't see the pain they are causing because they are all blind with arrogance. I learned, and laughed and cried from this book! It was hard to put down and I hated to finish reading it, I wanted it to go on but I would like to see Israel end it's occupation of Palestine!

After reading this wonderful book I find myself compelled to write a review in an effort to encourage others to read it as well. It really is an intelligent piece of literature keeping you enthralled to the point that when it finally comes to a conclusion you want nothing more than to pick it back up and start reading it again. I cannot say enough about this book and urge you with great sincerity to not only read this book, and love it as I am sure you will, but to also tell others about it and share it with them. This is a little known piece of literature that I really believe will stand the test of time and deserves national recognition.

The very best qualities of Kim Jensen's spicy first novel "The Woman I Left Behind" must be experienced for one's self. From the vivid descriptions of historically-accurate war-torn vignettes of a life forever lost in Palestine & Beirut to the airy coast of California, the setting frames the tumble of fast-paced emotional events. I couldn't put it down!

The freshness of youthful experience merges into resolution of distinctly different personal histories of a rocky intercultural relationship to create new threads of connectivity between Irene & Khalid in unexpected ways. Although from two very different worlds--she a child of White Western Privilege & a recovering rape victim; he a displaced Palestinian refugee who has forever lost his home & family through violent injustice of the IDF Occupation, each brings their unique pain & universal struggles to the relationship. Each has experienced forms of oppression which define their identitities. While they endure & sometimes transcend so many obstacles in their path, they are stunned to discover they are each capable of taking on the role of the oppressor as well. As their sense of social justice grows, they become more aware of this tragic possibility.

This is a perceptive first novel--it is about paying attention to details & listening to the signals around us. It is about building bridges, not tearing one another down. Its analogies hold a greater message involving the causes of suffering & redemption, between will-to-power & desire.

"The Woman I Left Behind" contains an elusive key to peace--within ourselves, within our culture & the greater world around us. If we would only listen.

Whether this work perfectly parallels the expoits of the character's real lives, should not be of concern. This book is beautifully written, with a literary gem on almost every page. It is one, if not the best book I have read in 10 years. What a shame it has not gotten more attention.

I have had no interest in literary interpretations of the world until I read this book. Here I found other lives struggling with the same staleness of mathematics and logic and their implications that I could not escape. I found lives exemplifying the difficulties of pitting one's factual evidence against human assumptions. I found, that is, that my own life is not so different as it's felt.

Well done, Duffy.

I bought this book in 1988. It then got buried under tons of other books until I unearthed it this weekend. What a great find. Rich characters, engaging prose...a thoroughly satisfying read. At 500+ pages, I'll admit it's a bit overwritten, but once you get going it's difficult to put down. Ranks up there with "In the Memory of the Forest" as gripping and memorable. Go work out really hard, take a hot shower, then grab an herbal tea and melt into its pages.

Surprisingly readable, given the subject matter, and from an author who obviously loves to write. This quality seems less than apparent in many books, but Duffy, I felt, took great time and applied careful skill in making his characters emerge on the page as recognizably full-fledged people. Whether the clumsy and appealing, if fanatic and mysterious Max; Ottoline's bony limbs; Wittgenstein's trench nemesis Grundfeldt; Russell's liberated flapper DD and her dentist father from the Illinois prairies the philosopher visits in a wonderful chapter; DH Lawrence's fulminations about blood knowledge; Moore's gustatory enthusiasm when dining at Hall; or Russell's attempts to write an article for Parents' Magazine on "Are Parents Bad for Children" while trying to seduce yet another lissome lass and take care of his failing marriage, faltering children, and chaotic progressive school--this book's most engrossing.

Especially noteworthy are Duffy's depictions of trench warfare as Wittgenstein might have experienced it in WW1. I didn't expect that the relatively brief part of the philosopher's life would be so much a part of this novel. It serves, once you finish and can see the whole work completed, as the titular centerpiece and the fulcrum for so much of his subsequent reactions to the middle of the 20c. I had recently read Sebastian Barry's Booker Prize-nominated novel "A Long Long Way From Home," and while Duffy spends less than his whole novel on the hell endured on the Western Front, he gives a variety of vividly rendered scenes that match Barry at his best--no mean feat for Duffy's not a professional full-time writer, apparently, and this was his first novel. The depictions of war are simply and terrifyingly superb.

While I had difficulty even with the simplified explanations of Wittgenstein's thought, I confess, full comprehension of them may well be beyond any of us. W's own battles with his homosexuality, his family history of suicide, and his Christian ideals vs. his Jewish heritage make for engrossing material that eases the challenge of keeping up with W's ratiocinations. Duffy shows dramatically W's refusal to start a circle of fawning disciples or imitators of his notoriously challenging thought-experiments and investigations into what does and does not underly logic. Perhaps even Moore and Russell, as shown when they conduct the viva voce doctoral exam of W., cannot understand their candidate either.

The novel is not perfect; the latter chapters especially after WW2 appear rushed and the author seems winded by so much previous exertion on behalf of his complicated characters. The first section takes place around 1912; the wartime is largely early in WW1, and the latter part is around 1938 for the most part. Appended to this are detours back and forward in time that expand W's family history. It may sound cumbersome, yet it gives you enough of a context for each period to feel that you can find your way around.

Somehow over so many thousands of sentences, Duffy manages to avoid cliche, to write fresh and efficient prose, and to take the reader into a series of realms that would have seemed the least likely areas that a novelist would want to explore, let alone re-create over 500 densely printed pages. It took me most of a week's free time to read this, and it flows best when you have a few hours straight to immerse yourself in it. It's a novel that works by association, accruing patiently the rewards that pay off for the thinkers if not always their long-suffering supporting casts of lovers, relations, colleagues, and spouses.

The reason for so much reasoning gradually grows as the novel continues; you will begin to understand at least a bit how everyday life impinges upon and stimulates rarified speculation. This happens subtly, as it does in reality, and may take the space of hundreds of pages to connect, but it will cohere--for the most part, which is quite an accomplishment for a book that aspires to not only enlightenment but sophisticated entertainment. The novel does take its slow time to warm up; get beyond the first hundred pages, and know that with the middle section, part two, "The World as I Found It" will start to deepen its spell.

I certainly wasn't hampered in my enjoyment of this book by a lack of familiarity with (or, until now, interest in) twentieth-century philosophy. "The World as I Found It" taught me what makes a great fictional characters: such compassion and detail that I feel I know them as I know myself. Duffy's Wittgenstein, Russell, and Moore are forged from such different materials and live such different lives. But their struggles and motivations are painted in such rich detail that I intimately recognized the humanity in each of them. Great writing.

My son and I borrowed both this reissue with new illustrations and the original (Bundle Book) from the library; I came to Amazon to shop for both editions. The original is has a very vintage feel -- the illustrations are two-color and sketchy, the mother wears a 3/4-sleeve sweater, the verbal constructions are a bit dated ("I think I'm sure I don't need Humpty Dumpty"). The text is the same in the newer edition also, but the illustrations are new. In both editions, the illustrations convey the strong bond between the mother and the child (the gender of the child is unclear).

The biggest difference is in the content of the illustrations -- the older edition concentrates on mother/child relationship, illustrating the mother and her blanketed child (my 2-year old son loves to imitate the mother's poses as she ponders what might be under that blanket). The loving illustrations of mother and child in the newer edition are really lovely, but I don't much care for the fantasy illustrations interspersed (monkeys, bundles of carrots, Humpty Dumpty, etc.) -- yes, they illustrate the text, but to my mind, they are distractions from the game that the mother and child are playing and don't advance the story. (A petty quibble -- I couldn't figure out why the mother, who was in a bathrobe, is wearing earings.)

If you can find a copy of the earlier edition, take a look!

I have been reading this book to my lil girl since she was 10 months, she loves it! At the end, when the lil girl pops up from the blanket, my little girl smiles every time! LOVE IT, there needs to me more mother/daughter books like these!

One morning a mother sees a strange bundle under the blankets on her bed. As she wonders aloud what it might be--a monkey? A bundle of carrots? Or Humpty-Dumpty?--the bundle proclaims "No, no, no, no, NO!" until finally it reveals itself: "It's ME!" cries the tousle-headed little toddler.

If you're a baby boomer, you might remember this book from your childhood. It was originally published in 1951 under the title "The Bundle Book." Here it is updated with a new title and brand new illustrations.

Purists, who flinch every time they see remakes of Disney classics like "The Absent-Minded Professor" and "The Parent Trap," will no doubt cringe when they hear that old books are being redone with new pictures. But, as nice as the original pale chalk and charcoal drawings were, they were not irreplaceable illustrations along the lines of Garth Williams' pencil sketches that accompany the "Little House" books. The story doesn't suffer at all, and the updated look just means a new generation of children will be exposed to a tender little story.

Noonan has illustrated the new book beautifully. The cover alone, a touching portrait of mother and child, makes this book stand out from others on the shelf. The rich pastel colors are as warm and inviting as the chenille bedspread under which the child hides.

I think this would make a nice gift for a new mother on Mother's Day and will be a book that toddlers want read over and over again.

My 20 month old son has a very eclectic taste in the books he enjoys. I was surprised when he pulled this off of his book shelf amidst many other books. It is now the favorite book and we read it over and over and over again. The text is simple; the illustrations are realistic yet warm; and, we never grow tired of discussing the illustrations on each page. I think he enjoys it because of the above reasons, and because it is predictable, yet the "surprise" ending never becomes boring. This book is truly a "find."

A lovely story of a toddler girl hiding under a blanket and playing a game of "what is under the blanket"? Mother makes many guesses as to what it can be and each response is "I don't need (the item)". At the end the girl pops out and declares the lump was "me" and then mother states that is just what she needed. This is very cute and shows love and typical interaction between a loving mother and adoring daughter. I have the board book version and I am sure it will get much repeated use. The theme of love between parent and child is not seen often enough in children's books and I am glad to see it in this book. Often books focus on the child, the child's activities, or objects (cars, trains, toys, etc.) rather than focusing on the expression and communication of love between parent and child.

Henty, that scarily prolific writer of historical "boy's books," is splendidly fun reading and may be quite different from your expectations. Though this novel begins rather poorly, with various tortured exposition-heavy conversations and stilted dialogue, it improves rapidly and actually gets quite suspenseful in its last third.

A "story of the times of Hannibal" but not the story of Hannibal, the novel follows the first three major battles--all victories--of the Second Punic War: the Trebia, Lake Trasimene, and Cannae. Although Hannibal is a character and appears in several scenes, the novel centers around the "young Carthaginian" Malchus, a cousin of Hannibal serving as a captain in his army. Malchus ships out with his fellows who believe in Hannibal's fight against Rome (contrasted with the self-serving, pacifist and greedy policy of Hanno "the Great," a powerful statesman in Carthage) and demonstrates his courage and ability in a variety of actions, including the three battles above but also the siege of Saguntum, a Rome-allied city in Spain, and the perilous crossing of the Alps. In what is perhaps the book's best episode, Malchus is sent back to Carthage by Hannibal to plead for reinforcements so that Rome may be conquered, and falls into a web of suspicion and betrayal, seriously compromising his faith in his homeland. Eventually Malchus will also visit Rome, allowing the novel to contrast the dynamic and vital Rome of republican years with the leisure loving, flabby and deluded Carthage.

Henty weaves his history with his fiction in a relatively odd manner, usually relating the details of an event up front in a solid chunk of historical reporting, then back-tracking to detail Malchus' involvement within the event. This may prove too distracting to readers looking for a well-rounded novelistic treatment of the times (as might be found in Robert Graves, for instance), but it succeeds perfectly in achieving what Henty set out to achieve: namely, interesting young readers in history by making it seem real and exciting.

Everyone, it seems, has heard of Hannibal bringing his army,including the elephants,through the Alps, right to the doorstep of Rome. However, a readable account of Carthage vs. Rome is not easy to find. I've been very happy to find this fascinating historical novel as the best way to teach my two sons, ages 11 and 14, about this time in history. There are some valuable lessons for us all in the book--valor, honor, and how corruption destroys great nations.

Who would have thought that a book written in the 1800s could be so appealing today? Doing a little internet research, I have found that G.A. Henty lived from 1832-1902, and the books he wrote were historical fiction "for boys". He was called "The Prince of Story-Tellers" and "The Boy's Own Historian", which certainly may have been true, but I'm an adult female who loved this tale! The style of writing sounds a little formal and old-fashioned, but it actually helps create a feeling of antiquity, appropriate for its ancient setting during the Punic Wars.

The fictional and lovable hero, Marchus, a relative of the famous Hannibal, accompanies him on the Carthaginian campaign against Rome. I learned so much about Hannibal through this book, yet the majority of the plot involves other adventures that Marchus gets into. He has near escapes from bears, wolves, lions, treacherous tribesmen. In two instances, he escapes with the help of an elephant, and a raft in the subterranean reservoir of Carthage. This was fun stuff, and I am so impressed that this book I found, that is so old it doesn't even have a publication date in it, could be so delightful. Someone could make a great movie out of this!

G.A. Henty was a Victorian gentleman who wrote historical fiction for young people. I learned of him in reading Arthur Schlesinger's autobiography "A Life in the Twentieth Century". Schlesinger credits Henty with awakening an interst in history that was to last a lifetime. I see why. Henty's approach is to imagine a young lad and thrust him into interesting historical periods. The young man possessed of courage, pluck, honesty and compassion finds these attributes necessary to his success in the novel. Much like the Horatio Alger novels of a somewhat later American time, Henty was also conciously teaching the manly virtues. In "The Young Cathaginian" Henty pulls off a slick trick. Our young hero Malchus is a relative of Hannibal the great Cartaginian general who dared to cross the Alps to attack Carthage's great rival, Rome. While Henty admires Hannibal and presents Malchus as virtually flawless, it is clear that Carthage was a corrupt entity and that her deserved defeat was crucial to the growth of Western civilization. This is not a dry history, merely laden with moral overlays. It is also good fun. There is a lion hunt in Africa. A wolf hunt in the Spanish mountains. Escapes through the underground reserviors of Carthage. And countless vivid battles. And a charming little romance. I am glad I stumbled across the Henty output. Sclesinger is right: Henty makes history fun!

A simply outstanding historical novel set in the age of ancient Rome's legendary conflict with the city of Carthage, The Young Carthaginian by G.A. Henty is a totally thrilling historical action/adventure tale that will rivet the listener's attention from beginning to end. Superbly and dramatically narrated by William Sutherland, The Young Carthaginian is written with detailed attention to historical accuracy and truly brings to life a long-lost time of Hannibal, the legions of Rome, and the absolute destruction of a great maritime empire. A confidently recommended addition to any personal, school, or community library audiobook collection, The Young Carthaginian is complete and unabridged on eleven compact discs, offering 12 hours, 30 minutes of an impressive, "theater of the mind" quality entertainment experience.

From the back cover:

Adorned with twinkling lights and plastic reindeer, glowing with good old-fashioned Christmas cheer, and swarming with eager merrymakers, Susan Carpenter's house is truly a sight to behold--but one that Angel Fall's resident Scrooge absolutely lothes.

Luke Potter can't stand carols, crowds, or any kind of commotion--and he's determined to put a stop to Suzi Christmas's holiday hoopla. But before his case gets to court, he gets to know the surprisingly charismatic woman he's up against. Suddenly the season seems much more joyful--but Luke's reasons for rejoicing are about to run out because he's met her under false pretenses...pretending his name is Nicolas Claus. But when Suzi learns that Nick is really Luke, will she still love him?

And my review:

Wow! This was the first book I read by Sheila Rabe, but it certainly won't be my last. I borrowed it from the library and devoured it in a day. I just couldn't put it down. (I read about 200 novels a year, so a book has to be really good for me not to be able to put it down!) As soon as I finished reading it, I ordered it off Amazon. I just had to have my own copy, because I've already re-read it, and will probably read it every year.

I thought I would hate Luke, but I didn't. He grew and changed until you loved and understood him. Even the fact that he was lying to Suzi for most of the book couldn't make you hate him, because the author showed you how much it tore him up inside to do it. You could see that underneath all the crust, he was a good person. And Suzi--she was awesome!

There was no actual sex in this book, but it was sensual, which was the perfect balance for me. Also, there were two other romance subplots going on, which were also well written, but didn't detract from the main storyline at all. And there was also humor woven in there. There were many laugh-out-loud moments. Romance, drama, laughter and Christmas. What more could you ask for?

And this was one of the few Christmas romances where the Christmas part was an integral part of the story, not something that felt tacked on afterwards.

A definate keeper. I don't give out many five-star ratings. A book really has to earn one, but this one did! I can't wait to read more stuff from this author.

Jump start into the spirit of Christmas with this witty, fun, cleaver tale. Ms. Rabe has provided me with a delightfully entertaining book, that kept the candle burning long past midnight. Truly a feel-good read, which would make a great Christmas time movie or play.

What a wonderful book Sheila Rabe has written! She wrote Regencies years ago, but while they were good, I think she's truly found her niche with this warm, funny story. The clash between Luke, who hates Christmas, and Suzy, who loves it, kept me reading well past my bedtime. I'll probably re-read it before Christmas, just for the smile.

This romance is a bit of a cross between a modern day It's a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol and How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Susan Carpenter, widow and mother, teaches a modern-day Grinch Scrooge, Luke Potter, the true meaning of love and the spirit of Christmas.

Sweet romance, a couple of kisses. Good to put in someone's stocking this year.

In Angel's Fall, Luke Potter is irate at Suzi "Christmas" Carpenter. Her incredible holiday display makes Times Square seem deserted, but even worse to Luke is that her activity chased away his renters. No one warned Luke about Suzi's Christmas extravaganza when he bought this property a few months ago. As he crawls through the tied up traffic to get to his rental property, Luke has since learned she has done this overkill for almost a decade.

Luke's godfather Don Rawlins lives near Suzi and detests her Yuletide show. Don offers Luke a deal. If Luke shuts down Suzi, the latter will fund, with no interest, the capital to open up a video arcade earlier than Luke planned on doing it. Luke agrees and sues Suzi. However, as he becomes acquainted with Suzi Christmas, he begins to fall in love as she melts his heart. However, he failed to inform his beloved he is the complainant in his suit and not Mr. Claus.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS is a lighthearted romantic romp with an underlying social issue. The story line is amusing though it provides insight on the complex issue of whose individual rights take precedent in a dispute between neighbors. Suzi is a warm, somewhat nutty eccentric who brightens up a neighborhood while Luke is not sure what he wants for Christmas after meeting her. Sheila Rabe illuminates the pre-holiday season with a humorous tale.

Harriet Klausner

This was a great book. My daughter loved it and all her friends have since read it. Very funny. This author has found a new fan in my daughter and her friends.

This humorous story, written like a diary, is about Jamie Kelly, a girl not-so-happily attending Mackerel Middle School. In her diary, she writes about stuff like the perfect girl, the number eight cutest boy, her ugly lump of a dog, and disgusting meatloaf. With Isabella, her weird best friend, she tries to win Hudson, a.k.a. the "Eighth Cutest Boy" from Angeline, the perfect girl. Isabella is known to be pretty gullible sometimes, or even makes up some stuff of her own. One day, Jamie makes a comment about the horrifying meatloaf, and Miss Bruntford, the cafeteria lady hears, and tries it. She then has to leave school for a while, and handsome Mr. Prince substitutes for her. Suddenly, love notes are appearing for Jamie, and she spends days thinking of Mr. Prince writing out his affection... but it is really him?

Do you like dumb books? Dear dumb Diary [Am I the princess or the frog?] is for you. In this book Kelly doesn't want to eat her meat loaf but Mrs. Bruntford said she had to. You will have to read the rest to find out. Recommended for 7 year olds thru 13 year olds.
by; Morgan

Am I the Princess or the Frog is a funny book. It is a girl named Jamie Kelly and her diary. In the book she goes through many obstacles. Her mother is a very bad cook, but she doesn't know it. Jamie Kelly also has a friend named Isabella who tends to be a little mean sometimes. They both go to "Mackerel Middle School". Their enemy is Angeline who is pretty and perfect. Jamie Kelly has a crush on Hudson (the seventh cutest guy in school). In the book she gets notes from a secret admirer. Who could it be? You'll have to read the book to find out. This book is for girls ages eight and up. It is a great book.

This book is really funny, because there are a lot a twists. (A lot of things that you would not think would happen) I have never read a series that is so funny! So if you do get ths book you might want to get book # 1,2 first. This is a great book!

The writing is straightforward and the story is fast-paced. The book furnished me with a far greater appreciation than I had of the difficulty and complexity of conducting a national campaign and of the demands made upon the candidates and the many workers, mostly volunteers, who surround and assist them. The personality and character of the narrators comes through quite clearly and with considerable honesty and self-knowledge (although I must add that Mrs. Lieberman's insights are often the more interesting ones). The narrative makes clear that these are real human beings with real children and parents and problems. When their lives are stirred into the soup of arguably our most chaotic Presidential campaign, a very interesting tale emerges.

The reviewer below - An.McCracken - is a fake. He reviews countless books each day but he does not read the books, just paraphrases other people's reviews. REPORT THIS TO AMAZON. Click on (Report this) link under the review, next to the voting buttons.

One cannot possibly read this book and not develop a greater appreciation for the sacrifices, courage, determination and faith that the Liebermans made throughout the campaign and throughout their lives.

Not only is this a "biography" but it is also an excellent book on the political process, namely the campaign process. Throughout the book, the reader becomes acutely aware of the amount of work, energy and choregraphing a national campaign requires.

In the last election, I did not know much about Joe Lieberman and that is because I did not give my self the opportunity to do so. When this book first came out, I scoffed at it, because it looked so "light" and yet after reading it I was taken aback, not only on what an interesting look it is into a presidential campaign, but also into the man himself.

Suffice it to say I agree with much of the man's politics, but that non-withstanding, this book was an interesting look at a family who lives their faith while working on the campain trail. It was touching as well as eye-opening.

In addition this book was able to tell its tale without totally stomping on the opposing party. It was obviously written by a man with good character and ethics. Perhaps it was released to coinside with his run for the presidency, but it has made me take a second look at this man and boy am I impressed!

It's a light, quick, fluff read. If you liked Gore/Lieberman in 2000 you'll like the book. Lieberman falls all over himself emphasizing his religion while feigning shock that it could be an issue. He also sidesteps any criticism from fellow Jews that his positions are decidedly unorthodox. He emphasizes that everywhere his wife ever went and everyone she ever spoke to always loved her. If something went wrong in the campaign, it was because he didn't follow through with his instincts. He even quoted an editorial where someone said that Lieberman can make an attack not feel like an attack. Hardball politico, but with a smile.

I really liked this book. It was about a girl that lived on the island Rass. Her sister,Caroline, was so perfect. They treated Caroline better than they treated her. This book was so awesome! I definitly reccomend it for young audiences or for old audiences. This is an all around good book. You might think its boring at first but you have to hang in there, because the end is GREAT!

Jacob Have I Loved, by Katherine Patterson, is a book that I highly reccomend to all readers around in the world. It is a great book that has several themes such as: love, jealousy, and goals. These were the themes that were shown most in the book. It explains the pros and cons of having a twin sister. It also shows the love between Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw towards each other. What I mostly love about this book is, how Lousie realizes that she is not in her sister's shadow and she dosent feel hate towards her. Lousie matured and finally accomplished her goal, which was to leave Rass and have a great life. The thing that keeps you wanting to read this book without putting it down, is how Katherine Patterson makes you wait for eveything. She lead you to Louise accomplishing her goal in life, but she made you wait. Thus, making this book one of the best books I have ever read. I thank Mr. Rome, my reading teacher, for picking such a great book out, for us to read. In closing, i would just like to say that this book helped me in many ways realize how my life could be, how it could turn out, and what i can do to make my life better. I am postively sure that this book will help me in my future, and I know I will never forget the book JACOB HAVE I LOVED!

Jacob Have I Love was a very intellegent book. It was very realistice. At times it gets confussing, but after awhile it all comes togethger. The book is sad at parts, I feel sorry for "Weeze." She seemed so lonley. I liked the ending, it proved that people really do get good things, no matter what they have done.

I really liked this book. It was about a girl that lived on the island Rass. Her sister,Caroline, was so perfect. They treated Caroline better than they treated her. This book was so awesome! I definitly reccomend it for young audiences or for old audiences. This is an all around good book. You might think its boring at first but you have to hang in there, because the end is GREAT!

"Jacob Have I Loved" was most definitely the best book I have ever read. It is an amazing novel. Katherine Paterson is a wonderfully honest author with a dazzling sense of creativity. I recommend this book to almost any good reader, ages 10 and above. It is a book that should not be missed.

This is a wonderful book combined with an extraordinary collection of plates. The only problem is that virtually all the references in the text do not refer to the correct plates. This is really disappointing is such a fine, and expensive, book.

The Anatomy of Glory is a wonderful account of Napoleon's Guard, from its beginnings during the Revolutionary Wars to its end after Waterloo. The text is highly readable and engaging. The accompanying prints are wonderful, as are the useful appendices. I would recommend this to any student of Napoleonic history. The Tondu and his Grumblers seem to march across the pages of this seminal text.

I concur with the supportive opinions expressed here that this book, The Anatomy of Glory by Commandant LaChouque, et al, is the ultimate reference material for serious students of the History of the Imperial Guard.

I first came upon this wonderful book as a Senior at the University of Minnesota in 1984. My senior thesis was a study of Anglo-French Diplomacy during the Napoleonic period, and I find this book to be a wonderful source of information, not only information concerning the History of the Guard, but also more generalized history of the period itself.

This book, as stated, has a fabulous collection of artwork from the Anne Brown Collection at Brown U., and also does a wonderful job getting down to the nitty gritty concerning the Marshals, the Campaigns, the Politics of the Period, etc. Commandant LaChouque leaves no stone unturned in this hugely successful documentary on the Era.

The fact that this book centers the majority of its attention on Napoleon's Guard specifically is especially attractive to me since even now with the advent of the Internet it's still a bit of a tooth pull to get so complete an analysis of the history of one of the most courageous, loyal and dedicated organizations of professional soldiers the world has ever seen...La Garde Imperiale! These hardcore heroes richly deserve to be remembered, and this book does their memory ultimate honor.

The day I lost my original copy of this book was a sad one, and I'm very pleased I have now had, thanks to Amazon.Com, the opportunity to get a replacement. I most highly recommend this book for any gung-ho student of Napoleonic History...Vive L'Empereur!

The glory of the Imperial Guard resounds above all others in the annals of war. Created, built and nurtured as a bodyguard for Napoleon, it grew from a brigade of fewer than two thousand men into a virtual army, and became 'a human fortress which no one but [Napoleon] could dominate and no enemy could penetrate'. And, on such battlefields as Austerlitz, Jena, Friedland, Wagram and Waterloo, it won the laurels of undying fame. Written by France's foremost historian of the Napoleonic Wars, Commandant Henry Lachouque, and translated and adapted by Anne S. K. Brown, this sumptuous work is enhanced by over 180 illustrations, including 86 plates in full colour. This new printing from the second, revised edition of Lachouque's masterwork will be especially welcomed by students of Napoleonic history. The plates alone are uniquely valuable as a source of uniform colours and style, and the text provides the definitive history of an elite body of men. With its vivid narrative and lavish illustrations, The Anatomy of Glory can lay justifiable claim to be one of the most magnificent books on military history ever published. The critical acclaim that greeted it upon its first publication provides ample testimony to its reputation. The Anatomy of Glory is both informative and entertaining: a work of unquestionable quality - termed a masterpiece by Elting - and a monumental contribution to Napoleonic literature.

I first saw this book and read it in high school. Since then, it has been an indispensable part of my Napoleonic library. It is full of information unobtainable eslewhere in English. The superb illustrations, from the Anne S.K. Brown Collection at Brown University, greatly enhance the presentation, Mrs Brown also being the translator. The book traces the Guard from its inception during the Revolution, its emergence as the Guard of the Consuls, and into its final evolution in 1804 as the Imperial Guard. The personalities who populate it are a truly talented and colorful group, from Pere Roguet, to Napoleon himself. The book almost appears as a personal narrative of the author, Commandant Lachouque, and while he has been accused of being somewhat biased, his references used for the book itself are impeccable. That the book has already stood the test of time is a virtue in itself. The new Introduction to the latest edition is by Col John Elting the noted suthority on the Napoleonic period, and new information on the Guard was discovered by him for this introduction. It not only enhances the Guard's formidable combat reputation, but the book itself. This book is a must for every Napoleonic enthusiast.