Book Description
Over the past century, America's Eagle Scouts have earned a reputation for service, virtue, and leadership that is recognized throughout the world. But few people realize the full extent to which Eagle Scouts have made a mark on American history. They have served as astronauts, soldiers, politicians, and businessmen, but they have also been the fathers, brothers, Scoutmasters, coaches, and other role models who have played an integral part in American life.
Alvin Townley set out across the country to hear the stories of these Eagle Scouts. He spoke with individuals from every region, of every age and every background, some of whom have risen to fame as public figures while others have left a lasting impact outside of the spotlight.
The Eagle Scouts who share their experiences include Bill Gates, Sr., Bill Bradley, J. W. Marriott, Jr., Ross Perot, Michael Bloomberg, Richard Lugar, Michael Dukakis, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, coach Chan Gailey, and Capt. Jim Lovell of Apollo 13. The book also explores the virtues of a Tuskegee Airman, a Vietnam War POW, a September 11 NYPD hero, a crew of Hurricane Katrina relief workers, and a host of others from every walk of life.
During his journey, Alvin discovered stories of character, courage, and inspiration that belong not only to Eagle Scouts but to all Americans. These stories form the heart of Legacy of Honor and offer us a chance to appreciate the profound impact that Eagle Scouts have had on American history and the lasting role they will play in our country's future.
Customer Reviews:
Scouting- This country's last, best hope.......2007-10-02
This book is more than a collection of stories told by old men about their youth. Rather, it is a cry for America to wake up and see that its young men are confused and lost today amongst political correctness and gender neutrality. Listen carefully to what the Eagle Scouts are trying to say. The values of scouting and the friendships made during a young man's formative years remain with him forever. Scouting is the only place in most boys' lives where exposure to these values can be obtained and put into action while working with others. Parents are often too busy trying to make ends meet to spend time with their boys and besides that, boys listen to other adults before their parents anyway in most instances. As a scoutmaster who regrets he never made Eagle, I thank God for Scouting and Scouters and I thank Alvin, for this book.
Legacy of Honor: The Values and Influence of America's Eagle Scouts.......2007-08-02
This book is filled with inspirational true stories. If you have a scout close to becoming Eagle, but has lost his desire to finish, reading this book could fill him with enough motivation to finish his Eagle work. I can tell you, anyone who had a chance to make the rank of Eagle and gave up -- regrets that decision for the rest of their lives. And for those few that do make it, they enjoy a special global recognition unique to the brotherhood the have joined, also for the rest of their lives.
An Inspirational read !!!!.......2007-07-12
I bought these books for my two grandsons , who just earned the rank of Eagle. I flew from the East Coast to Hawaii for the Honor Court and presented the books to them. I had read some of it first and was quite impressed by the stories of other Eagle Scouts. I highly recommend the book to all young men pursuing the rank of Eagle Scout. It is a wonderful book.
The Best Support of the Boy Scouts I EVER Read!!!.......2007-05-14
It is often that one wonders what makes true heroes. Are they made or born? Then you read a book like this. About Heroes and the common man, and how he started like the average boy in your neighborhood, and just 'went to Scouts every week', and 'had fun' But after six years of energy, leadership and being mentored, many become Eagle Scouts and then they pursue a measure of excellence that leads them to 'paths greater than any imagined' Astronauts, Political Leaders, Firemen, Rescuers, Saviors of Youth, and Military Escellence. 50 stories of folks just like us that become 'the top of the heap', and move others to join the heap, not to step on others less fortunate. Start anywhere, any part of this book, no plot, no difficult passages, just tear jerking reminders of men and boys who would strive to 'achieve' and did as youths and then as adults, with outstanding results. A must read for teachers, clergy, and psychologists who deal with youth who need role models.
:Must Reading".......2007-05-08
This book should be requied reading for all Boy Scout leaders and all Scouts with a goal of attaining the Eagle rank. Both will get a valuable insight into what defines an Eagle Scout. Adults will find themselves more knowledgeable and better able to explain the value of earning the Eagle. Youth will better understand just what attaining the Eagle means and the legacy they are expected to continue once they have earned it.
Amazon.com
As grippingly as any novelist, preeminent World War II historian Stephen Ambrose tells the horrifying, hallucinatory saga of Easy Company, whose 147 members he calls the nonpareil combat paratroopers on earth circa 1941-45. Ambrose takes us along on Easy Company's trip from grueling basic training to Utah Beach on D-day, where a dozen of them turned German cannons into dynamited ruins resembling "half-peeled bananas," on to the Battle of the Bulge, the liberation of part of the Dachau concentration camp, and a large party at Hitler's "Eagle's Nest," where they drank the madman's (surprisingly inferior) champagne. Of Ambrose's main sources, three soldiers became rich civilians; at least eight became teachers; one became Albert Speer's jailer; one prosecuted Bobby Kennedy's assassin; another became a mountain recluse; the despised, sadistic C.O. who first trained Easy Company (and to whose strictness many soldiers attributed their survival of the war) wound up a suicidal loner whose own sons skipped his funeral.
The Easy Company survivors describe the hell and confusion of any war: the senseless death of the nicest kid in the company when a souvenir Luger goes off in his pocket; the execution of a G.I. by his C.O. for disobeying an order not to get drunk. Despite the gratuitous horrors it relates, Band of Brothers illustrates what one of Ambrose's sources calls "the secret attractions of war ... the delight in comradeship, the delight in destruction ... war as spectacle." --Tim Appelo
Amazon.com Audibook Review
The men of E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne, volunteered for this elite fighting force because they wanted to be the best in the army--and avoid fighting alongside unmotivated, out-of-shape draftees. The price they paid for that desire was long, arduous, and sometimes sadistic training, followed by some of the most horrific battles of World War II. Actor Cotter Smith--a veteran of numerous TV movies and Broadway plays--spins Stephen Ambrose's tale with almost laconic ease. Anecdote by anecdote, he lets the power of the story build. By the time the company has gotten through D-day and seized Hitler's Eagle's Nest in Bavaria, we feel we know as much about the men and their missions as we do about our own brothers. (Running time: 5 hours, 4 cassettes) --Lou Schuler
Book Description
As good a rifle company as any in the world, Easy Company, 506th Airborne Division, U.S. Army, kept getting the tough assignments -- responsible for everything from parachuting into France early D-Day morning to the capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden. In Band of Brothers, Ambrose tells of the men in this brave unit who fought, went hungry, froze, and died, a company that took 150 percent casualties and considered the Purple Heart a badge of office. Drawing on hours of interviews with survivors as well as the soldiers' journals and letters, Stephen Ambrose recounts the stories, often in the men's own words, of these American heroes.
Download Description
Band of Brothers is the account of the men of the remarkable Easy Company, 506th Airborne Division, U.S. Army. Responsible for everything from parachuting into France early D-Day morning to the capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden, these men fought, went hungry, froze, and died, taking 150 percent casualties and considering the Purple Heart a badge of office. Stephen Ambrose tells the stories, often in the men's own words, of these American heroes, drawing on hours of interviews with survivors as well as the soldiers' journals and letters.
Customer Reviews:
BAND OF BROTHERS.......2007-10-01
It is an awesome book! It makes me so proud of what every soldier does for our country and so thankful for what they give up for our freedom.
Review of BAND OF BROTHERS.......2007-07-23
The strength of this book is the knowledge and expertise of Stephen Ambrose regarding the history of WWII. Through countless interviews, vistits, letters, books and his travels, Ambrose writes the story of a close knit group of ordinary men who accomplished extraordinary things in the face of fear, cold, starvation and of course, death. By reading this book you will learn what an incredible group of men these guys were and it will make you proud to be an American. For me, this book really reinforced the fact that the freedoms that myself, along with my wife and kids enjoy did not come for free. It was paid for by the sacrifices of brave men like these.
I must say that I thought the effort involving the research in this book certainly deserved five stars. Unfortunatly the actual writing of the book was far less than that, perhaps three stars at most. I found myself having to reread things more than once trying to figure things out. I think this book may have been written for people with military experience, not the average citizen like myself. He uses a lot of abbreviations which were confusing, he never really explained the different companies, platoons, divisions, regiments,etc. so I never quite figured out who was where and why. Also the maps at the front of the book were far from adequate, which has been pointed out in previous reviews.
I still believe this is a definite four star book worth reading. It certainly could have been better if there had been more and better maps and if Ambrose would have taken his time and explained things better. He even admits in the acknowledgements at the end of the book that he had a deadline for when he wanted this book to be completed. I hope this helps you decide whether or not to read this book.
One final note: check the book for blank pages before you buy it especially the pages that come right after the pictures. I had three sections of four pages each that were left blank which resulted in missing about 12 pages of text.
Powerful.......2007-07-21
I have nothing negative to say about this book. It's very easy to read and I would recommend it to anyone who is just starting their journey to be a history buff as well as those already well read on the subject. I also own the mini series on DVD (probably the best WWII "film" that I have EVER seen) and have found that the two really work well together. I would read a chapter and then watch the corresponding episode. By the end you feel really close to these extraordinary men to sacrificed so much for the betterment of our country and the world. They are the definition of heroes and because they refuse to call themselves heroes makes them even more so. They, and all of our soliders, make me extrememly proud to be an American.
Salute to a great author!.......2007-07-09
Stephen E. Ambrose is probably the best history writer of our time. His documentation of Easy Company men and their extraordinary leader, Major Dick Winters is a fascinating read. Reading through the pages, is as reading ones diary. You believe you've come to know these men and a part of their experience and you become changed with the realization of what they lived through for the cause of freedom in WWII. Thank you, Mr. Ambrose for following your instincts on doing this remarkable story so that Easy and the 506th PIR, 101st Airborne will never be forgotten. Mr. Ambrose and his passion getting history down in books will be truly missed. This book is a must in any personal library collection.
A must read.......2007-07-08
This is a great book. Stephen E. Ambrose was a great historian who recently passed away. This is his time period and this is one of the best World War II books I have ever read. It was eventually adapted into an HBO miniseries so if you don't want to read the book, watch the miniseries because the miniseries sticks very close to the book. The book is not that long, nor is it that dense but the reader comes to know and love the 101st Airborne Easy company. Those men were so brave and did so much for our country and that shows through this book.
Book Description
Talons of the Eagle offers a vivid portrayal of the last two hundred years of U.S.-Latin American relations, casting new light on issues such as economic integration, environmental protection, drug trafficking, and undocumented migration. Rather than concentrating only on US policy, as many texts do, it addresses the structural relationships of both regions. Focusing on international systems, the distribution of power, and the perception and pursuit of national interests, Smith uncovers recurrent regularities in the interaction between the U.S. and Latin America and offers a compelling analysis of the continuity and change in their relations, as well as provocative insights into the possible future of these relations. With an entirely new introduction and thorough revisions of the last four chapters and conclusion, as well as completely updated bibliography, this continues to be the ideal text for students in general courses on Latin American history and politics as well as courses on U.S. and inter-American foreign relations.
Customer Reviews:
Very solid analysis.......2007-09-19
Very good analysis. Well written. An excellent read whether you are a beginner or somewhat versed in LatAm and US relations. It serves as a great review of history as well.
First rate interdisciplinary approach to history........1998-09-15
In this very readable historiacl survey of U.S.-Latin American realations, Smith develops a template which demonstrates the logic of U.S. policy and Latin American response within the context of the global situation. To accomplish this, he breaks history into three general time periods: 1790s-Cold War, The Cold War, and the post-Cold War. In each of these periods, Smith develops the global context or "rules of the game", then moves on to the resulting U.S. policy. He finishes each historical era with an incisive analysis of Latin American options for response. This book is a must for students of Latin America and certainly for those individuals whose activities, whether they be commercial or official in nature, are shaping the book's next chapter.
Average customer rating:
- To Carlos, with gratitude
- absurd and not absurd
- Least favorite
- Eagles and other bogies
- Amen to that...
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The Eagle's Gift
Carlos Castaneda
Manufacturer: Washington Square Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Contemporary
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Castaneda, Carlos
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Similar Items:
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The Second Ring of Power
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Fire from Within
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Tales of Power
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Power of Silence
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Separate Reality
ASIN: 067173251X |
Book Description
Carlos Castaneda takes the reader into the very heart of sorcery, challenging both imagination and reason, shaking the very foundations of our belief in what is "natural" and "logical." His landscape is full of terrors and mysterious forces, as sharply etched as a flash of lightning on the deserts and mountains where don Juan takes him to pursue the sorcerer's knowledge--the knowledge that it is the Eagle that gives us, at our births, a spark of awareness, that it expects to reclaim at the end of our lives and which the sorcerer, through his discipline, fights to retain. Castaneda describes how don Juan and his party, left this world--"the warriors of don Juan's party had caught me for an eternal instant, before they vanished into the total light, before the Eagle let them go through"--and how he, himself, upon witnessing such a sight, jumped into the abyss.
Customer Reviews:
To Carlos, with gratitude.......2007-06-22
Carlos Castaneda was one of the most controversial writers of the twentieth century. Some in academia branded him a fraud for claiming his stories were biographical rather than fiction, while lauding him as a great novelist for exposing a mass audience to otherwise inaccessible philosophical abstractions they claimed were largely plagiarized. Each of his works is a piece of a larger puzzle, which makes it impossible to critique any one book without addressing the larger context into which it fits.
His first two books, "Teachings of Don Juan" and "A Separate Reality" describe experiences induced by ingesting psychotropic hallucinogenics prepared by a Yaqui Indian shaman from Sonora, Mexico he called don Juan Matus, and accounted for his becoming a guru to a generation seeking short cuts to spiritual enlightenment, as well as his lifelong interest in the relationship between perception and reality, a theme now explored in many popular books on consciousness and quantum physics. Unfortunately, these books remain his best selling works, in spite of Castaneda refuting their importance in his later works. Readers would be best served to skip these and avoid the risk of being turned off to Castaneda and missing the more stimulating works that followed.
His third and fourth works were "Journey to Ixtlan" and "Tales of Power." In Ixtlan he admits to over-estimating the value of his drug experiences, which caused him to overlook the more profound teachings of don Juan which became the focus of future writings. What emerges is a spiritual discipline dating back to the Pre-Colombian Toltec sorcerers of Latin America, culminating with don Juan's departure from our world, effectively ending Castaneda's direct affiliation.
In his fifth and sixth works "Second Ring of Power" and "Eagles Gift" Castaneda suffers strange flashbacks of what seem to be memory fragments of events he is unable to fit into any logical time sequence. In his seventh and eighth works, "Fire From Within" and "Power of Silence," Castaneda succeeds in reconstructing his lost memories, which derive from teachings previously administered by don Juan while Castaneda was in a "heightened" state of awareness.
In books nine and ten, "Art of Dreaming" and "Active Side of Infinity," Castaneda focuses on what he describes as inorganic predators from another dimension, some having the power to imprison humanity in "ordinary reality" so they can feed on the dark emotional energies we produce when succumbing to the negative thoughts they insert into our minds.
In later years several seemingly substantiating works appeared by two of Castaneda's female apprentices, Taisha Abelar and Florinda Donner-Grau. In addition, two scathing exposés were also published by two of his ex-wives. The first, "Magical Journey with Carlos Castaneda" by first wife, Margaret Runyon, offers little corroboration, since her marriage pre-dates the time when the bulk of Castaneda's adventures were claimed to have occurred. While steadfast that Castaneda was a sorcerer, she doubts the existence of don Juan, even claiming authorship of many of the concepts Castaneda ascribed to him.
The second, and more credible work, is "Sorcerer's Apprentice," by well-known writer Amy Wallace, daughter of the late best selling novelist Irving Wallace. Here again, we find little corroboration since the time of the events she describes is well after the period when Castaneda's relationship with don Juan is alleged to occur. What the book does provide is a troubling look inside Castaneda's final years, a picture of descent into what seems sexual addiction and possibly madness, leaving one to wonder if Castaneda was just one cup of cool-aid short of a Jonestown.
Many have asked why I put any stock whatsoever in Castaneda. A story from my autobiography, "The Vortex" may shed some light. A year before Castaneda published his first book I had an experience that would remain a mystery until Castaneda published "Power of Silence" twenty years later.
For a brief time, in my youth, I became a practicing Muslim, meticulously performing the complex prayer ritual five times a day. Then one night, sitting in my car, frustrated and complaining at not being able to find the address of my next sales appointment, something inside me snapped. It was as if some part of me had disconnected from my body and assumed control, lecturing me about my lack of discipline. A profound calm settled over me, rendering me simultaneously detached and engaged. For two days my sales figures soared. It was as if no one could say no to me. On the evening of the second day I decided to put my new state of being to the acid test by visiting my parents. Their behavior was so uncharacteristically supportive I hardly recognized them. It was enough to convince me that I was now living in an altered reality. But by the following morning I had returned to "normal." So distracting had this event been that I completely forgot to perform my Muslim prayers, and in fact, never did so again.
Twenty years later, in a chapter of "Power of Silence" entitled "Place of No Pity" Castaneda describes a very similar experience. In the aftermath of the event don Juan explains that humans are like televisions stuck on a channel called "self-preoccupation," lacking the energy to tune into any of the vast array of other channels available to us. To change channels, he explains, we first need to accumulate energy, by practicing rituals that are deliberate, precise and repetitious. Do this long enough and eventually our stored energy precipitates a shift to a channel where self-importance and self pity become impossible. Once this happens we connect with the force that controls the entire universe, a force don Juan called "intent," and everything can be bent to our will and even more channels can be opened, assuming we remember to keep practicing the rituals that save our energy.
This one realization alone was enough to inspire me to dedicate my autobiography "To Carlos, with gratitude."
Maxwell Austin van Lack, Author of The Vortex: A True Story of Passion and Karma
absurd and not absurd.......2006-01-13
of course to any everday rational person, the world of castenda is absurd. how could it be otherwise? nevertheless, read this book with disbelief suspended, and its a great read. for those who have persevered through the previous volumes of carlos' introduction to the ways of 'power', now comes the nub of the argument. the heart of the matter. all that power-plant taking, ally-mongering and what not of the previous volumes is left behind. what was the purpose of don juan's elaborate rituals in the ways of 'power', painstakingly taught to a dense, exasperating carlos? nothing less than a quest for freedom. the practices are not important; what is important is the effect on the practitioner. the world of don juan is entirely re-interpreted for the reader. a completely new framework must be understood. not familiar with the world(s) of don juan and carlos? never mind: this volume, more novel-like and fast moving than the others, reads well as fiction in and of itself, whether or not the reader cares to believe casteneda. comprehending the framework of what casteneda describes is a bonus. casteneda is a quietly skilled writer, who bears re-reading. i recommend reading and understanding all the books in this series, in order. the payoff is for thos who persevere. as for the now eternal question of whether this is true, real, logical, etc., how can the average reader ever know? why worry? as carlos himself was led this way and that by his benefactors, always in a certain direction, tending towards a finer understanding of their realm, so can the reader be led by casteneda.
Least favorite.......2003-06-09
While i was inspired by all of other castaneda books (i have not yet read second ring of power) this one was my least favorite. It did not have any of the great quotes of don Juan Matus or commical actions of Don Genaro, and it was not inspiring. it did have a few interesting parts here and there, but overall was kinda [crummy] compared to his other books
Eagles and other bogies.......2002-05-27
Whether or not Casteneda's yarns are authentic representations of what is alleged to be Toltec is beyond comment. However, it is rather curious to reflect that in this system there is an image of the Creator as an Eagle that seems intent upon devouring what it produces. In purely psychological terms, that's an image of the Evil Mother. Besides being a useful go-get-'um, i.e., reason for doing for all the occult gymnastics, the Eagle, in other words, the Mother Complex, is indeed a major challenge in every man's psychological development. However, is the Mother Complex the same as the Creator, or, God? Which brings us to the other side of this Toltec coin: the so-called Human Form, which, don Juan assures us is our idea of God. This may, indeed, be a common idea of God, but it is altogether misleading to call this God, because what is commonly thought of as being God is not God, God having no image or form or name or whatever you want to ascribe to God unless, of course, you are talking about a god. It might be instructive for the credulous readers and fans of this very fascinating writer, Casteneda, to study such sources of the ancient wisdom tradition of the West as the writings of Plotinus or, God forbid, the Kabbalah. Perhaps, in the light of such readings, the wisdom and occult exercises of this don Juan character will appear in a richer and more balanced light. As for occult exercises, it would behoove the serious student of magic to look into the Golden Dawn system or something comparable. By the way, don Juan's virtuoso feat of disappearing into the void is not the exclusive property of the Toltecs or Aztecs. This technique is known in other cultures, even ones that know nothing about devouring Eagles and such. Attachment to such images is a bigger obstacle on the way than the devouring Eagle itself. All that said, there is much that is valuable in Casteneda. Let his readers sort that out for themselves.
Amen to that..........2000-05-04
Well put to the person from Germany in summing up not only the "spiritual", "magical", and "philosopical" sides of Castenada's, such as the Eagle's Gift, but also a very logical and scientific side of Don Juan's teachings. The more I think about reality and existance and my place in it, the more I realize just how exacting Don Juan's descriptions of the world are. Instead of experimenting on or guessing about the nature of reality, Don Juan simply sees what is and you really can't get any more exact than that. I encourage anyone with any sort of vague interest to pick up and read one of Carlos Castenada's works. While reading it is easy to disregard what you're reading as fiction, but I encourage you to discretly read between the lines, so to speak, lay down pre-conceived notions and personal dislikes, and discover just how marvelous and profoundly intelligent Don Juan's teachings can be...
Average customer rating:
- avid reader
- A Strong Conclusion to the Series
- It is what it is...
- Torn between one star and five stars...confusing book
- Disappointment
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The Eagle (The Camulod Chronicles, Book 9)
Jack Whyte
Manufacturer: Forge Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Contemporary
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Historical
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Arthurian
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Whyte, Jack
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ASIN: 0312870078
Release Date: 2006-12-26 |
Book Description
Beginning with The Skystone, the first in his riveting Camulod Chronciles, Jack Whyte has embarked on an ambitious and remarkable re-telling of the Arthurian cycle, giving us a fresh and compelling take on a story that has been beloved for centuries.
The Eagle brings us at last to the heart of the tale, the creation of fabled Camelot and the love story that enshrined its glory. Whyte takes us into the minds and lives of Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot, three astonishing but fallible people who were bound together by honor, loyalty, and love. Three who created the glory that was Britain’s shining dream…and, some say, caused its downfall.
The Gaulish nobleman Clothar—known in our time as Lancelot—is drawn to the young High King’s court by tales of honor and nobility, where he meets a man whose love of law matches his own. More, he finds in Arthur a life-long friend whose dream of uniting the people of Britain in peace Clothar embraces. And Clothar meets Arthur’s queen, a wondrous beauty whose passion and ideals match her husband’s. Together they work to bring Arthur’s dream to life.
But dark forces rise in opposition to Arthur’s plans for creating this noble island nation and it is hard to tell friend from foe in the swirling chaos that ensues. Many tales have been told of the dream that shined and died. This one will astonish even the most jaded.
Customer Reviews:
avid reader.......2007-09-10
If Jack Whyte decided to write nine more books I'd read them all. I have followed this series from the The Skystone to The Eagle and it is one of the very best Arthurian sagas. I have read them all and this is definately the most believable tale. I could actually believe this is how it all happened. I wish Jack Whyte would consider writing more. I have started rereading already. I just can't get enough.
A Strong Conclusion to the Series.......2007-03-28
Having read all the other books in the series of course I HAD to read the concluding volume. I was apprehensive, because of all the Amazon reviews rating "The Eagle" average at best. I couldn't disagree more. If you read this book, or any of the series as "another King Arthur book", you're going to be disappointed. Most of the fans of the series already know that. The last two books written in the voice of "Clothar the Frank" or Lancelot as we've come to know him, are going to be compared both to the earlier books in the series, which don't touch much upon the Traditional Legend of King Arthur, AND the myth itself which has been done and redone countless times. "The Eagle" is a page-turner from beginning to end. It is full of action, and the characterisations are the best in the whole series. Jack Whyte has probably saved his best for last. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because I can think of books I like better ... although not that many.
It is what it is..........2007-03-08
I certainly don't think the last two books in this series were necessarily on par with the first seven; however, they are still decent historical fantasy novels and frankly it confused me why they've caught the amount of flak they have. Whyte originally planned to end the series with book six (and possibly with book seven as a stand-alone title, I'm not sure). However, at the time many, many fans (including myself) complained that the series COULDN'T POSSIBLY end with Arthur's youth. So Whyte went back to the drawing board and came up with two more books just because people asked for them. Then, when the books come out, (most likely) the same people complain that they should never have been written. It just confuses me. I would have done these two books differently, but then again, I'm not the one writing them. They're not bad books, they're just what a lot of the fans of the series thought they wanted, and now that they have them, they don't want them anymore.
Torn between one star and five stars...confusing book.......2007-02-08
The Good:
The book in general is well written. Obviously Whyte took a lot of time doing his research into the Dark Ages and writing the book itself.
The Bad:
The book has little to do with King Author himself. Its told from the viewpoint of Lancelot galloping around Gaul for most of the time.
The Ugly:
The book skips around like a really bad 45 record. After the first 200 pages we leave Arthur behind in Britain and follow the footsteps of Lance in Gaul, setting up a new fighting force for King Pellas. After 200 more pages I got the distinct feeling that Whyte was tired of writing and started shoveling in bits and pieces of story because he wanted it over with, putting together a story that looks more like a broken jigsaw puzzle than anything else.
I really hope Whyte goes back and tells Arthur's story. This is just as much a flat tire as The Lance Thrower. Wait for the paperback, or buy used.
Disappointment.......2007-02-06
This book is a deep disappointment. Whyte focuses on Lancelot and gives King Arthur and Camolud short shrift. What's the point of endng the series this way. Recent scholarship indicates that an Arthur character existed and defeated the Saxons at a place called Borum Hill appparently ensuring peace for Britons for about a generation. Rich material there but given one sentence in Whyte's finale. I don't see why Whyte bothered. This book is more like the second act of Lancelot's life than the finale of King Arthur's.
Book Description
The Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division (fictional Private Ryan's unit) were ready for some well earned rest and recuperation. Following their combat in the Normandy Invasion, the division had been mauled during Field Marshal Montgomery's ill-fated Operation Market Garden, the campaign for the bridge too far immoratalized by Cornelius Ryan.
Customer Reviews:
Great book, buy the series of 4.......2007-08-10
Donald Burgett gives a great view of WWII through the eyes of a 101st airborne paratrooper.
Should get six stars.......2007-06-15
It has taken me far too long to review this book. But what I should say is, this book was single handedly responsible for sponsoring my adoration of military history books and the history of the Second World War.
It is very well written, easy to read, accurate to the finest detail without ever losing the story. It stands alone as one of the finest examples of a first person account of the war by an American paratrooper of the 506th PIR of the 101st Airborne. It would have been a classic by itself, but it the companion piece to a priceless series of four part series by Burgett.
I really enjoyed the descriptions of battles so clearly written I'm sure you could find the streets today. The story of destroying German tanks in the dead of a fog is gripping as anything that happened during the epic Battle of the Bulge.
The impact of this book was one that made me want to be a paratrooper, helped spawned a life-long (over twelve years at this point) love affair with history, one trip to Europe and lead to my BA in History. My copy has been dog eared, read three times and kept in a place of honor among my over 250 World War Two history books.
My only regret is I haven't met the author.
Winner take all.......2006-11-04
The real story of how a few ill equipped, but determined Allies held the line and were victorious over one of the greatest war machines ever assembled. This truly was the "Greatest Generation"!
The Siege of Bastogne.......2006-06-29
"Seven Roads to Hell" is paratrooper Donald Burgett's memoire of the defense of Bastogne by elements of the 101st Airborne and 9th Armor Divisions during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. Burgett, a member of A Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, has captured the foxhole-level details of the heroic defense of that key Belgian crossroads.
Burgett picks up the story as his unit goes into a rest area after the fierce fighting of Operation Market-Garden in Holland. His unit has been decimated by weeks of combat, and desperately needs rest and refit; instead, the tired and poorly equiped paratroopers are rushed to the front in the Ardennes to help stem a sudden German offensive. The paratroopers lack winter clothing, food, water, and ammunition, but with the elan of the airborne, undertake the defense of Bastogne against German tank and infantry units.
Burgett has provided some commentary on the larger picture, but sticks largely to telling the story as it was visible to him. Burgett is nothing if not honest in his telling and graphic in his details. He and his fellow paratroopers freeze, starve, fight, and strive to make sense of the chaos that is ground-level combat. Burgett's prose is straightforward and he has a terrific eye for details. There is no sense here of the false heroic; Burgett and his mates are fighting for each other.
This book, like Burgett's earlier book on D-Day, is highly recommended to the reader with an interest in the Second World War and especially in infantry combat. Those present and former members of the 506th Infantry may find it an especially inspiring piece of regimental history.
'Going amongst them' with Able Company.......2005-09-06
This is the finest account of paratroopers in the Bulge that I have ever read, barring none, including Ambrose. That is not to say that Burgett is a better writer - Burgett does a fine job for a former free-lance roofer - but Don's story in Seven Roads to Hell is so utterly captivating, so riveting that I found myself unable to stop reading and read the entire book in a single night.
Burgett will help you feel the overwhelming futility of brave men, who after the Battle of Noville, after their unspeakable losses, being told just two days later that they must go into action again. Burgett will stab you with the lonely bitternes of exhausted men, scrambling for a hot meal over a small cooking fire, being ordered out to clear the Bois Jaques Woods of a battalion of Germans and then returning the same day, with more losses of heroic men - the dead men's un-claimed mess kits by the cold fire.
Surely these are some of the most touching images ever laid to paper.
I should add, that if you have never read an account of the battle of Noville and Bois Jaques Woods, you must buy this book. Buy it for this reason alone, and love it for so many others.
The personal heroism of the American paratrooper looms into full focus in these pages, framing the phrase, "The greatest generation" like nothing else can.
The sacrifice of these great Americans is more carefully and painfully detailed here than in any other book I have read.
We all indebted to Don Burgett. And not just for his fine book.
Book Description
This exciting Eagle's View edition includes all you need to know to make powerful and attractive Native American bows with an easy-to-follow text together with numerous illustrations and photos. The reader is shown how to use both primitive and modern techniques of bow and arrow making.
The book explores in detail acquiring tools and woods; designing the bow to fit your purposes; how to cut the wood and shape it to your design; how to bring the bow to a perfect arc; methods for recurving and/or reflexing the bow for added speed; backing the bow with wood, rawhide, intestine or sinew; dozens of ideas and photos for finishing the bow; photos and instructions for applying a snakeskin back; making quivers and cases with hides, beads and more; arrowsmithing from natural or modern materials; making bow strings with techniques that are understandable to even the beginning bowyer; and shooting the way that Native Americans did years ago.
Written for the beginning craftsman with over 200 illustrations, photos, charts and diagrams, this book will be invaluable to anyone interested in traditional weapons of the American Indian, their material culture and/or early Americana.
119 illustrations; 116 photographs; 5 charts.
Customer Reviews:
Good Book.......2007-02-23
When I first got this book, I was a bit fooled by the thin size but it has a great store of information in the thin size. Highly recommended for anyone that wants to learn more about making bows, arrows, and equipment the old way
Native American Know How.......2007-01-11
This is a very detailed book on how to make authentic Native American Bows & Arrows, and it's very easy to understand.
Informative.......2005-08-25
Informative book, pretty deep insight into how NA bows and arrows were made, used, decorated, etc. Some good photos, descriptions, worth the money and read. I keep mine for reference, as it has loads of specific info in the book. Advanced bowyers would likely not like the book, folks who are just starting or want to learn the NA way that these things were done will like it.
Thank you for the criticism.......2003-01-27
I'm the author of the book, and appreciate the criticisms and praises. I *would* like to let folks know that I wrote this book when I was 19 years young, and had a lot to learn. I wrote it in response to a very bad, and misinformative book that was considered the 'bible' of indigenous archery books at the time. Now, there are many books available on this wonderful subject.
Jim Hamm's book, video, and classes are invaluable. So is TM Hamilton's book, and DC Waldorf as well.
Don't miss my "Voices of Native America" music book as well.
arrows are included !.......2002-10-03
The other title of the same author "making arrows the old way" has its text already fully printed within "making indian bows and arrows the old way". Amazon gave me a discount so I could get both titles at once, and I end up having twice the same text and pictures on arrows... Do not do like me, buy only this title, not the arrow one. Nice book by the way...
Book Description
Winner of the 1995 Christopher Award "Books for Young People" Category. This best seller by the innovative team of Matthaei, Grutman and Cvijanovic is a visually stunning fictional account of a young nineteenth-century Sioux warrior's quest for knowledge that takes him from the plains of his childhood to a far-off boarding school where he learns the ways of the white world and the value of his own traditions. A hand-calligraphed tribute to the narrative pictographs recorded by Plains artists in the ruled ledgerbooks they acquired in trade, the weaving of Cvijanovic's richly detailed original illustrations in the "ledger" style into a simply written story inspired by actual events holds appeal for young readers and those who wish to learn about American Indian art and history.
Customer Reviews:
Timeless beauty,timely story.......2000-12-15
What an extraordinarily beautiful and moving book this is. The text is simple and moving, as it limns the story of a 19th century Lakota Sioux boy through "his own" words and sketches. Although fictionalized, the book has the power of truth, and the "Ledgerbook" style illustrations are filled with vivid and unsentimental-though completely captivating-life and power. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, for children or adults.
A superb, multilcultural, timeless, educational masterpiece.......1997-08-05
Of the many excellent reviews of this book - starred in PW, for example - why did you choose the Kirkus Review's? The Ledgerbook was supervised, vetted and blessed by Arthur Amiotte, a Sioux Elder, with more credentials than you can count. A leading advocate of the power of education, Mr. Amiotte 's approval of and great delight in the authenticity of this book has obviously been overlooked in the KR reviewer's research. Throughout the entire country, this book has been cited again and again by educators and parents alike as being the most powerful, interactive teaching tool they've come across in years, not to mention being an extraordinry feast for the eyes. Please research your reviews before choosing the one that will (incorrectly in this case) represent the book to your many readers. Subjecting an extraordinary book to bad PR out of ignorance should be beneath you
1995 winner of the Christopher Award for best children's.......1997-02-17
Won the Christopher and International Readers Awards in 1995 because it is an authentic history, fictionalized, with stunning illustrations in the style of Plains Indians. We found it in the museum stores of the Southwest, where it was a favorite of the librarians. There is also a cd-rom called Journey of Thomas Blue Eagle, done by the illustrator.It is a favorite gift book of ours and hugely appreciated by the recipients
Average customer rating:
- Truth in Historical Fiction is Imperative!
- Another vote for "not accurate"
- What do you teach your children?
- Do you care about truth?
- Brother Eagle, Sister Sky
|
Brother Eagle, Sister Sky
Susan Jeffers , and
Chief Seattle
Manufacturer: Dial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0803709692 |
Customer Reviews:
Truth in Historical Fiction is Imperative! .......2005-11-05
All those who are applauding Jeffers for her misguided protrayal of Chief Si'ahl's words should rethink what you are proclaiming. I would be enraged -- as you would -- if I were blatantly misquoted. Perhaps you should be sensitve enough to check out how Native Americans feel about this book on www.oyate.org -- or -- clear your facts by reading the website posted by his own people www.duwamishtribe.org. We are doing our children an injustice by continuing to pass on misconceptions as history. I would perfer to give this a 0 star rating but since that was not an option -- I guess the pictures are attractive -- even though the drawing of Chief Si'ahl are actually an exact copy of the Cheyenne Two Moons -- try googling it and you'll see. Oh -- did you notice that the ghost on the last page is carrying a empty cradleboard? I find that appalling.
Another vote for "not accurate".......2005-08-14
Text aside, Susan Jeffer's book on Chief Seattle has inaccurate illustrations of historic Northwest Coast tribal costume, dwellings and landscape. I also use this book with my third graders every year - but only to show the kids how some authors have not done adequate research before publishing. There are other great children's books on the subject from lesser known authors and smaller publishers. It may be worth your while to look them up.
What do you teach your children? .......2005-07-06
Lets see... Betsy Ross did not make the first flag.
...George Washington may or may not have
a) chopped down a cherry tree,
b)thrown a coin across a river,
c) been a great leader.
...George Bush may or may not have told a lie about Iraq.
...All computer programmers may or may not have souls the size of a mouse's.
What do you teach your children?
I cannot believe people are squabbling over whether Chief S* (*for those who may or may not want to use the Anglicized name) in fact said something like or unlike the lovely verse in this book.
This book is for young children. If you are interested in presenting profound and beautiful words to your kids along with interesting pictures, both of which might very well incite conversation BUY THIS BOOK. If you want guaranteed facts, read them the newspaper. No Wait. That won't do either. Then read them MCSE Guides and Cram Course material. Raise children who think XP is a good idea.
Really folks, get a life and remember the target market for this book is not historians. REMEMBER that to a 4 to 8 year old you CANNOT subtract a larger number from a smaller one.
Heck, I read my children books about talking mice. This is a lovely book. Five Stars.
Do you care about truth?.......2005-02-13
This book was on the New York Times non-fiction bestseller list for 17 weeks before that newspaper (April 1992) felt compelled to run a FRONT PAGE story explaining that "Chief Seattle" never spoke the words attributed to him in this book. Only one kind of reader will care, those who love the truth. Others (read Liberals and God-haters) will have no problem with this book, which is why it still sells well. Read all about this subterfuge in Reader's Digest July 1993, volume 143, issue 855 pages 100 to 104.
Brother Eagle, Sister Sky.......2004-12-18
When I retired from teaching, I gave most of my books away. "Brother Eagle, Sister Sky" is one I dearly held on to. The translated words of Chief Seattle from the 1850's are just as applicable to our environmental concerns today as they were so long ago. This is not only a book for children, but one for all adults. I've often quoted excerpts in letters I've written regarding environmental issues. Every politician or person in the position of making decisions regarding our environment should have this book on his/her desk!
Book Description
The most dangerous mission of their military careers awaits two heroes of the Roman army in Britain.
In the epic fourth novel of Simon Scarrow’s series, it’s ad 44 and Vespasian and the Roman Army’s Second Legion are forging ahead in their campaign to seize the southwest. Centurion Macro and newly appointed Centurion Cato are ordered by Vespasian to provide Verica, aged ruler of the Atrebates, with an army. They must train his tribal levies into a force that can protect him, enforce his rule, and take on the increasingly ambitious raids that the enemy is launching.
But open revolt is brewing. Despite the Atrebates’ official allegiance to Rome, many are wary of the legions and want to resist the Roman invaders, and Macro and Cato must first win the loyalty of the disgruntled levies before tackling the enemy without. Can they succeed while surviving a deadly plot to destroy both them and their comrades serving with the eagles? In the midst of this highly volatile situation, Macro and Cato face the greatest test of their army careers. Theirs is a brazen tale of military adventure, political intrigue, and heroism, as only they stand between the destiny of Rome and bloody defeat.
“A relatively new master of the genre.”---Booklist
“Simon Scarrow’s stories of Roman military action . . . have gathered quite a fan club. Plenty of bloody thrills and spills. . . . Scarrow’s latest book will prove irresistible.”---Living History (UK)
Customer Reviews:
Military Romance.......2007-09-24
The series from which this book comes is a military version of the kinds of romances purchased by the pound by women romance fans. The writing is pedestrian, and the kinds of military details and references to Roman history are cliched and repeated in each book of the series for the sake of new readers. The unimaginative use of an older centurion sponsor of a younger, ambitious sidekick can be found in any "buddy" novel or moview. Unless you're really hooked on this kind of men's romance novel, give it a miss.
Enjoyable though light read.......2007-07-22
Simon Scarrow's The Eagle & The Wolves is an enjoyable light read, worth reading to the end but not worth rereading. It is what it is.
Scarrow's series of Roman military history has been well received, as more people develop an interest in the time period. It helps in the case of this book that Scarrow, a British teacher and writer, bases the action in Britain during the time of Caractacus' uprising, meaning English readers in particular may be more drawn to the topic. Besides the historical character of Caractacus, here spelled alternatively `Caratacus', who did in fact lead a guerrilla campaign against the Romans after the Claudian conquest of 43 AD, there is also Vespasian, who will go on to become Emperor himself (the final victor during the civil wars in the Year of the Four Emperors, 69 AD. The main protagonists are Cato and Macro, who are tasked with training a small allied local tribe, and have to wend their way through tribal politics, successions, murder, guerrilla attack, and the like.
Scarrow is best in describing camp and village life on the micro scale, topics not often brought up in books on the time. I liked the training regimen, learning to handle the weaponry, and teaching some typical legionary tactics. The author displays his depth of knowledge for his subject without writing condescendingly, and I thought this was the best of the work. Also nicely done is the sense of the action taking place in a very dangerous and uncertain part of the world, far from Rome, with inadequate communications and constant danger outside the walls. Less well done were the internal politics of the village, the conclusion of which seemed pretty predictable and not especially deep or complicated. The book is not strong on plotting. It's okay, it's just not Scarrow's strong suit. Finally, what to me was least interesting was the dialogue. Writing good dialogue can be very difficult; when one is replicating dialogue from almost 2000 years ago one has to decide just how modern or contemporary to write. Scarrow's choice has been to write as though his characters were speaking to one another in British English, especially slang, about 15 minutes ago. The story line is clear, he gets his point across, but for this reader anyhow it detracted from the period feel he is trying to get from the rest of his narrative. "Bloody" this, and "f-ing" that; no doubt the Roman legionaries had their phrases to describe precisely this kind of thought. But it just seems a little bumpy.
The book makes for enjoyable reading. When it was done I was ready to move on to something a little deeper.
Hot Space.......2007-01-15
Oh yeah, this one has the good's. It's like what Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme) said about Queen's Hot Space album; they have the proper spacings of space between the pulse of the music. Scarrow's tale has the grist turning throughout counterbalanced by the ominous silence of future developments. Forgive another simile so soon but it's like the third album of a favorite band: the first album is heavy, the second album incorporates a horn section and 20 backing vocalists as the artists want to 'explore', and then the artist return to their straightforward format of undiluted music on their third attempt. Scarrow strips it down to guitar, bass, and drums here. They instruments know when to thunder and when to restrain. Read this book for sure.
Great History of Romans in Britain.......2006-03-27
Simon Scarrow has written a great novel based on history. At first, I was somewhat surprised with the rough language he used during conversations between Macro and Cato, both Centurions of the Second Legion of Vespasian. Mr. Scarrow's writing style is very similar to Bernard Cornwell's. The plot is quite straight forward. This novel is also very easy to read. I did not find heavy issues poured into either the plot or characters. If you are looking for a "heavy" historical reading, this is not the book.
Other than the Roman cultures being exploited by the author, Britain's cultures were also described in (gory) details. The Romans in this novel was depicted to be a highly advanced civilization, compared to Britain. Thus, a reader can vividly imagine all the livelihood of people in his novel.
A four-star read. Keep up the good work, Mr. Scarrow.
Life in Roman occupied Britain.......2005-08-14
Well researched view of Roman army life and conditions in first century Britain. The characters are interesting and the plot moves quickly. I would recommend it to students of Roman history and to those who just like a good story.
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- Painting Sharp Focus Still Lifes: Trompe L'Oeil Oil Techniques
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