Book Description
The Collected Stories of Amy Hempel gathers together the complete work of a writer whose voice is as singular and astonishing as any in American fiction. Hempel, fiercely admired by writers and reviewers, has a sterling reputation that is based on four very short collections of stories, roughly fifteen thousand stunning sentences, written over a period of nearly three decades. These are stories about people who make choices that seem inevitable, whose longings and misgivings evoke eternal human experience. With compassion, wit, and the acutest eye, Hempel observes the marriages, minor disasters, and moments of revelation in an uneasy America.
When Reasons to Live, Hempel's first collection, was published in 1985, readers encountered a pitch-perfect voice in fiction and an unsettling assessment of the culture. That collection includes "San Francisco," which Alan Cheuse in The Chicago Tribune called "arguably the finest short story composed by any living writer." In At the Gates of the Animal Kingdom, her second collection, frequently compared to the work of Raymond Carver, Hempel refined and developed her unique grace and style and her unerring instinct for the moment that defines a character. Also included here, in their entirety, are the collections Tumble Home and The Dog of the Marriage. As Rick Moody says of the title novella in Tumble Home, "the leap in mastery, in seriousness, and sheer literary purpose was inspiring to behold.... And yet," he continues, "The Dog of the Marriage, the fourth collection, is even better than the other three...a triumph, in fact."
The Collected Stories of Amy Hempel is the perfect opportunity for readers of contemporary American fiction to catch up to one of its masters. Moody's passionate and illuminating introduction celebrates both the appeal and the importance of Hempel's work.
Customer Reviews:
As a collection stands this is excellent!.......2007-10-01
As with most collections, instead of selections, the work of the author can be somewhat marginal. I would say that the first two collections, " Reasons to Live," and,"At the Gates of the Animal Kingdom," show an author with extreme talent, yet is still in the midst of finding her voice. "Tumble Home," and ,"The Dog of the Marriage," really show you what Hempel can do. She's very original so I struggle with thinking of a name to compare her with. Hempels' work reads like poetry. She is imagistic. She can be called minimalist, but no other minimalist I know of can pack a life into so few pages, with such grace. And she is always, ALWAYS, funny. I will say that she is not for most, her work should be read more than once, as often enough the true beauty of the story will not be accesible the first time. If you love Nora Roberts then steer clear of the Hempel! A true enjoyment to read.
Completely Overrated.......2007-09-25
I read the rave reviews and decided to give this a try and I was very disappointed. I think she tries a bit too hard to be funny and there does not seem to be a theme at all. She goes for 'sophistication' beneath 'simplicity' and I guess it worked for the reviewers. But I see nothing fresh here and the entire thing is contrived. I stopped reading at page 247 after three grueling evenings. The style, the content, the sentences... nothing in here was worth it for me.
Interesting mind.......2007-09-03
Amy Hempel writes about what goes on in our imagination but we don't usually say out loud. She has an enchanting style, a unique point of view and a very intelligent approach and way of looking at otherwise average situations. I experienced a few laugh out loud moments reading this, recommended it to friends and family and they all recognized a similarity to my strange imagination and somewhat silly, introspective mind.
Pure narration............2007-06-27
It's all in that word. If you like reading stories - every kind of story - this is THE book for you. Amy Hempel's writing style is simply perfect.
Hugely overrated.......2007-06-12
I believed the hype about this author. Her books were impossible to find and going for huge prices on the Internet, and Chuck Palahniuk said she was great, so she had to be good, right? Nope. I read the collection shortly after it became available, and again recently, thinking I might find it better with re-reading. As several others have said, these stories are disappointing. Frankly they remind me of the pretentious horse pucky a lot of us turned out in college creative writing classes.
Average customer rating:
- Interesting little book
- Fascinating book
- Lots of fun
- Short, Easy to Read Snipits from World History
- Good gift for history buff
|
The Greatest Stories Never Told: 100 Tales from History to Astonish, Bewilder, and Stupefy
Rick Beyer
Manufacturer: Collins
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Binding: Hardcover
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The Greatest War Stories Never Told: 100 Tales from Military History to Astonish, Bewilder, and Stupefy (History Channel)
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ASIN: 0060014016
Release Date: 2003-03-18 |
Book Description
History isn't always made by great armies colliding or by great civilizations rising or falling. Sometimes it's made when a chauffeur takes a wrong turn, a scientist forgets to clean up his lab, or a drunken soldier gets a bit rowdy. That's the kind of history you'll find in The Greatest Stories Never Told.
This is history candy -- the good stuff. Here are 100 tales to astonish, bewilder, and stupefy: more than two thousand years of history filled with courage, cowardice, hope, triumph, sex, intrigue, folly, humor, and ambition. It's a historical delight and a visual feast with hundreds of photographs, drawings, and maps that bring each story to life. A new discovery waits on every page: stories that changed the course of history and stories that affected what you had for breakfast this morning.
Consider:
- The Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock because they ran out of beer
- Some Roman officials were so corrupt that they actually stole time itself
- Three cigars changed the course of the Civil War
- The Scottish kilt was invented by an Englishman
Based on the popular Timelab 2000® history minutes hosted by Sam Waterston on The History Channel®, this collection of fascinating historical tidbits will have you shaking your head in wonder and disbelief. But they're all true. And you'll soon find yourself telling them to your friends.
Customer Reviews:
Interesting little book.......2007-06-21
I enjoyed this little book, it has interesting little pieces of history not well known. I didn't sit down and read the whole thing I read one story a day until I'd read the whole thing. The book is in sequence by years and it goes back to the beginning of some of the things we take for granted today I liked learning those little details about the people who were important in those days. I just wish there were more stories I looked forward to reading a little piece of interesting history everyday.
Fascinating book.......2007-05-07
A great book for someone with a short attention span or people who can only spare a second or two here and there to read. People interested in history will love this book, as would those interested in trivia. Also would recommend for kids who are working on oral reading fluency.
Lots of fun.......2007-04-11
This book has been a lot of fun to read and share with friends. I usually think history is boring, but this book makes it interesting.
Short, Easy to Read Snipits from World History.......2007-04-05
"The Greatest Stories Never Told: 100 Tales from History to Astonish, Bewilder, and Stupefy" by Rick Beyer is a fun little book with some fascinating tidbits from history.
I must admit I was disappointed by the size of the book. It's pretty small, so although there are 100 entries, each entry is only three to four paragraphs long. You can easily finish reading the entire book in an hour or two.
Anyway, the stories are very interesting and range in subject, from historical events to great moments in sports, medicine, science, and so on. Examples of subject matter include the first dog in space (before man, mind you), the restructuring of the calendar as we know it, the creation of microwaves, the inventor of the guillotine, Thomas Edison's introduction of the electric chair, the death of Attila the Hun, how a Booth saved the life of a Lincoln (as opposed to assassinating him), the most powerful pirate ever (hint: she was a woman), and the origins of penicillin. A majority of the stories seem to concern Unites States history.
To me, this book is a teaser, wetting your appetite to find out more. That's what I did. As soon as I finished "The Greatest Stories Never Told," I started looking up books on some of the topics that intrigued me (sadly, I couldn't find anything on Louis Braille).
All in all, "Greatest" is a good gift book, especially for younger people. The text is easy to read, the stories are enjoyable, and there are plenty of photos/pictures to help the imagination. It really helps history come alive.
Good gift for history buff.......2007-01-09
I struggled to find the perfect gift for my love for Christmas. He knows quite a lot about history and I wanted something he would be sure to find "new". HE LOVES THIS BOOK. It is full of much trivia-like facts about many different hints of the past dating back to the 1800's. I think I scored big on this one! He was enthralled. Not being such a lover of this type of reading material, I actually found this book quite enjoyable myself. Each story about an historical event is about 2 pages in length. Not too much, but right to the point. Entertaining.
Book Description
The body of the Masters rules committee chairman is found floating in the pond in front of the 12th green on the morning that Sam Skarda arrives at Augusta National Golf Club to play in his first Masters. Skarda, a 37-year-old police detective on medical leave from the Minneapolis police department, is an accomplished amateur golfer who won the U.S. Publinx and an invitation to play in the Masters while rehabbing a shooting injury suffered on the job.
Evidence left at the crime scene suggests the murder might have been tied to the ongoing protest by a women's group that has been demanding that the club admit women members. Then a crusading New York Times columnist is murdered on the grounds of the club two days later. Local police suspect the murders might have been committed by a member and begin pressuring the new Augusta National president for access to the club's membership information.
The club chairman asks Skarda for help finding the killer before the police thoroughly invade Augusta National's legendary privacy. Skarda looks for answers from members, veteran journalists, longtime caddies and ex-employees who may know why someone is determined to bring this year's Masters to a halt.
He also falls for Caroline Rockingham, the soon-to-be ex-wife of one of the pre-tournament favorites, a former college golf teammate of Skarda's. Sam and Caroline themselves become targets as the murders continue and pressure to cancel the tournament builds. Meanwhile, the killer methodically prepares for a spectacular and deadly Sunday climax.
Customer Reviews:
Golfers will love the courses, and the murder.........2007-06-05
Sam Skarda is a Minneapolis homicide detective and an excellent amateur golfer. A bullet to the knee while on duty requires long rehabilitation and a lot of walking--which for Skarda means golf. His dedication to practice gives him a shot at the U.S. Publinks championship--and when he wins an invitation to play in the Masters.
And this is a Masters like no other as he runs into his old Duke roommate, Shane Rockingham, now a star of the PGA tour and recently separated from his wife and caddy, Caroline. He connects with an old Augusta caddy, Dwight, who has caddied for former Master's champions, and who will be on the bag for Sam--if he's healthy enough. And there's a group of women protesting the Masters because the National doesn't allow women members.
But then things turn ugly. First one person critical of the "no-women" policy turns up dead at Amen Corner, and scarred into the green are the words "this is the last Masters." When a second turns up dead, the authorities are forced to look at the possibility that it is someone from the National's membership that is responsible for the murders. Augusta's chairman retains Skarda as a private advisor to work alongside of--and if possible, ahead of the police to find and stop the killer. No stone is to be left unturned, even though the chairman is convinced that no member could be behind the murders.
Though Shefchik identifies the murderer early in the book (and I prefer to keep guessing), he does lead the book's characters on a merry chase through a series of logical (and wrong) conclusions. Any avid murder mystery reader will enjoy watching he various characters follow the false trails and will admire Skarda's commitment to finding the truth--regardless of the cost.
Any golfer who's been to the Masters (and I have) will delight in the accurate descriptions of the course, the town, and the event itself.
Armchair Interviews says: Murder, intrigue, romance, a balancing of the books, and a moral to the story (several in fact) will leave the reader hoping that Shefchik has another book in the works.
For Golfers ............2007-05-29
OK, for golfers who enjoy a light read after playing 36, this is a fun little book. While I was looking for a little more details on the structure of the Augusta National club and membership, the book gave me enough details to hold my interest. Some day I'll get to Augusta to see the sights and walk Amen Corner .... but until then, this book can take gives a glimpse, and a different perspective.
Enjoyed it!!! You will too........2007-05-17
Greatly enjoyed Mr. Shefchik's work which weaves wit, action and knowledge into a tight, believable plot. Really enjoyed the main character, Sam Skarda and look forward to his apprearance in other books Mr. Shefchik hopefully has planned.
Father's Day Gift.......2007-05-12
Wonderful story referencing many things that golfers will be familiar with. A great Father's Day gift!
Amen!.......2007-05-07
Fun read. Well crafted story that takes many surprizing turns. Don't need to be a golfer to enjoy the drama but the National and its April tourney are so well known to golfers worldwide, the story acquires added richness to many. A good gift to a golfer. I have no doubt that we will see more stories from Shefchik. All to the good.
Book Description
Now featuring new research and the most current information on the science of happiness, this book presents an outline of the nine choices happy people consistently make.
Also included are tools for self-assessment to allow readers to measure happiness-and to find out what might be holding them back from having more of it. Insightful, intimate, and inspiring, How We Choose to Be Happy lets readers learn by example, and take substantial steps toward joining the ranks of the extremely happy.
Customer Reviews:
Sharing Nine Secrets to Ensuring a Happy Life.......2007-09-17
HOW WE CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY dispels the myth that we have emotional set points and are stuck with whatever level of satisfaction we normally feel, in lives primarily influenced by luck of the draw.
Authors Foster and Hicks traveled the world to interview the happiest people referred to them in each town they visited, discovering that the happiest people in the world have made nine life choices in common. Significantly, it became clear that when these nine principles are adopted, they radically improve peoples' happiness in life regardless of what is going on around them.
The realizations in HOW WE CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY are so clearly stated with abundant examples of people who are merely cheerful, or in denial, rather than genuninely happy that their nine principles become more clearly outlined.
The big idea here is that happiness is a choice, or more precisely a series of choices, and when we choose to move our lives toward happiness by making changes to ourselves from the inside out, we can experience tremendous improvements in feelings of increased inner joy, peace and health.
Our health and wellbeing lies in our happiness... and when we realize that our happiness is a new way of life, this book becomes a much-needed guide to finding out just how good life can be. I give this book my highest recommendation.
best book read in years.......2007-08-01
please read this book and do the exercies! it will help you and make our world a better place for everyone to live in. thank you.
Reality.......2007-04-09
Not some made up set of rules. The research in this book is thoughtful and can be applied. Easily.
Worse than useless........2007-01-16
This half-truth of a book is fundamentally flawed -- and its flaws are such that they exacerbate the difficulties and problems that people who are attempting to deal with unhappiness and become more happy must deal with. Its formula, simply put, does not work. What's worse is that when the authors' suppositions about how to make oneself happy fail, their recourse is to blame the victim ... an activity that serves only to make bad situations worse for the people who would be most inclined to look to this book for assistance. In short, this book is worse than useless. It fails in its stated goals and, in failing, inflicts more harm than good to those it purports to help.
Wow! I Love This Book!.......2006-09-24
What a wonderfully enriching book that gives us nine reasons why people are happy. Brought a wonderfully certain sense of clarity to an elusive dream for most but a core life principle for the lucky few. I would recommend this book to anyone but especially those who need a sunny book for a rainy day.
Book Description
The hilarious sequel to Rick Reilly’s beloved bestselling golf novel Missing Links
Life is going pretty well for Raymond “Stick” Hart. He’s happily married to the former Ponkaquogue Municipal Golf Club assistant pro, the beauteous Cajun firecracker Dannie, raising his rambunctious son, Charlie, and getting by writing smart-mouthed greeting cards for fifty bucks a pop. Best of all, nothing has changed at Ponky, the worst golf course in America. You still have to hook it past the toxic waste dump on No. 1 and under the billboard on No. 8, the fried-egg sandwiches are terrible but cheap, and his pal Two Down is always up for a sucker bet.
Then, one disaster of a day, Stick’s world does a ten-car pile-up. The cheapskate bastard owner of Ponky announces he’s retiring to a nudist camp in Florida and selling the club to the Mayflower Club next door, a bastion of blue-blood snobbery that plans to pave Ponky over. Worse, its membership includes Stick’s hated father.
Who promptly drops dead.
Just before Stick’s pal Two Down loses $12,000 to a golf hustler who turns out to be funded by the Russian mob.
Which is about the same time that Hoover, Ponky’s worst golfer and the owner of an impressive array of useless golf gadgets purchased with his wife’s money, learns she’ll cut him off if he doesn’t break a hundred in one month.
Then a practical joke makes Dannie believe that Stick’s been stepping out with the gorgeous new clubhouse girl, the eye-popping Kelly, and he’s soon living on the forty-year-old couch in the Ponky clubhouse.
Luckily, Stick has a solution to all his problems.
He’ll qualify for the British Open.
Customer Reviews:
A "Missing Links" Sequel that's missing..........2007-09-23
Shanks for Nothing follows the author's fantastic comedy "The Missing Links." While Missing Links was terrific, this book was a tired sequel. Material felt "warmed over" from the prior book. The story was amusing in many parts and moved along nicely. I also found it a little far fetched in some areas (sneaking on plane by distracting board gate attendant). If you are a golfer and looking to kill a few hours and don't want to stretch your mind and get a few kicks, this book is for you.
Funny Golf Book.......2007-08-23
A really fun and funny book, especially if you're a golfer/golf fan. Reilly is very witty, and his books are page turners.
Not bad, for a sequel........2007-07-11
"Shanks For Nothing" is the sequel to "Missing Links," which follows the trials and tribulations of a former touring pro turned greeting card writer. The hijinks begin when Stick learns that he will only get an inheritance if he qualifies for the British Open, and he needs the money to buy Ponky, the public course where he and his buddies make a home away from home. Aside from the really unfathomable sequence where Stick and a friend sneak onto a flight from Boston to the UK for the qualifying event, the story is enjoyable and moves right along. (I have a minor issue with completely unreasonable events unless I'm reading a true fantasy story, and sneaking on a plane after 9/11 qualifies.)
In general, the plot twists are easy enough to swallow, and the ending, while a bit trite, wraps up the story as well as any happy ending could. Overall, it's a pleasant diversion and a worthy companion to "Missing Links."
If you liked Missing Links..........2007-06-27
You'll like this sequel. Its laugh out loud funny and I read it in a few nights. Rilley's sense of humor reminds me of Bill Simmons', which I'm sure he gets a lot. Anyway, pick this up for an easy, summer read.
Double Bogey effort.......2007-06-07
As much as I liked Missing Links and almost all of Reilly's books, this one was disappointing. The characters are great but they need to be updated with new material. MKissing Links was a great read that this sequel does not do justice. Funny in spots but mostly contriveed. I think Rick missed on this one...
Average customer rating:
- First read of a Rick Beyer work
- Great bathroom reading
- A good read
- You Can't Read Just One
- Interesting short stories
|
The Greatest War Stories Never Told: 100 Tales from Military History to Astonish, Bewilder, and Stupefy (History Channel)
Rick Beyer
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Reference
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Military History's Most Wanted: The Top 10 Book of Improbable Victories, Unlikely Heroes, and Other Martial Oddities (Brassey's Most Wanted Series) (Most Wanted)
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Product Features:
- Color(s) - Black
- Compliance, Standards - UL/cUL Listed
- Cutter Features - Hardened steel alloy
- Electric/Manual/Battery - Electric
- Receptacle Features - Large
ASIN: 0060760176
Release Date: 2005-11-01 |
Product Description
The Greatest War Stories Never Told: 100 Tales from Military History to Astonish, Bewilder, and Stupefy (History Channel)
Customer Reviews:
First read of a Rick Beyer work.......2007-08-28
I usually stick with known writers like David McCullough, Walter Isaacson, and Stephen B. Oates. This time I went for a new name and I'm glad I did. I had read about the little known reason why Mr. Lincoln had ordered a raid on Libby Prison in Richmond, but it had never been so interestingly explained as Mr. Beyer does in this book. It's by far one of the best books on military history that I've read. I'll describe it as having a good sense of drama with a scholar's meticulous attention. Unlike my newest one, "Kill Me If You Can", Beyer's book is one that anyone interested in military history will enjoy. No, this is not a veiled commercial. I'll assure you that unless you're an exception, you'd hate my book. Truthfully, I'm beginning to believe my motive for writing it was to see just how many people I could alienate. Bob Miller
Great bathroom reading.......2007-05-22
This book is full of interesting little tidbits that are only a page spread long each, perfect for the coffee table or bathroom. It's great for whetting your appetite for a particular historical event, which, in my case, usually sends me to other books or online to find out more detail.
A good read.......2006-03-09
Short and to the point.
"Slightly" biaised to the winners point of view
You Can't Read Just One.......2006-03-08
This little book might be called a bathroom reader of military trivia. Just some of the little tidbits to be learned include: America's Worst General (Commander in Chief of the Army in 1796), the American traitor who led the American Army to victory at Saratoga, the origin of the song Taps, the word Bazooka, the Battle where 32 american soldiers and more than fifty wounded and there was no enemy, the invention of G.I. Joe.
I could go on, there are a hundred tales here, but you should be able to get the idea. One thing though, like with peanuts, after you read one, you're unlikely to be able to put the book down.
Interesting short stories.......2006-03-05
Book gives small snippets of interesting stories of war. Some are commonly known, and others are 'different'. Wish there was more info on some of the stories though...
Book Description
Praise for Johnny Bush and
Whiskey River (Take My Mind):
"Johnny Bush and I started out together... The story contained in this book is gospel."
—Charley Pride
"From the crown of his western hat down to the tips of his needle-nosed James Leddy cowboy boots, Johnny Bush is pure-D Texas from the get-go. His telling reads like a honky-tonk song, only real; you can hear the hurtin', heartache, cheatin', and pain in every word and feel the boot-scootin' shuffle with every turn of the page."
—Joe Nick Patoski, author of
Selena: Como La Flor and
Stevie Ray Vaughn: Caught in the Crossfire and writer for
Rolling Stone and
No Depression
"Through his talents Johnny Bush has made a significant contribution to country music, and has given to his many fans the joy of magnificent music. You will enjoy meeting this creative man through this book."
—Ralph Emery
"I am as proud of Johnny Bush as I am of Willie Nelson, Roger Miller, and Johnny Paycheck—all Cherokee Cowboys alumni. I am especially proud of his triumph over his debilitating voice problem. This is the real story, told in his own voice."
—Ray Price
"From hard-time hungry Houston childhood to Nashville hit-making, from scuffling honky-tonk sideman to king of the Texas dancehalls, from victim of a strange career-killing illness to comeback kid, Johnny Bush has a Texas-sized story to tell about his life and times in country music. He tells it honestly, with humor and humility. Listen up when he speaks."
—John Morthland, contributing editor,
Texas Monthly, and former associate editor of
Rolling Stone,
Creem, and
Country Music
"Johnny Bush is one of my oldest and dearest friends. He and I started out together in music, and we're still together. Everything that's been said about me in this book, good or bad, is pretty accurate."
—Willie Nelson
"I love Johnny Bush. He is classic Texas honky-tonk, one of our state's treasures. Every honky-tonker out there has tried to sing like him, myself included. Thanks, Johnny, for being a true Texas original, and for your friendship."
—George Strait
When it comes to Texas honky-tonk, nobody knows the music or the scene better than Johnny Bush. Author of Willie Nelson's classic concert anthem "Whiskey River," and singer of hits such as "You Gave Me a Mountain," "Undo the Right," "Jim, Jack and Rose," and "I'll Be There," Johnny Bush is a legend in country music, a singer-songwriter who has lived the cheatin', hurtin', hard-drinkin' life and recorded some of the most heart-wrenching songs about it. He has one of the purest honky-tonk voices ever to come out of Texas. And Bush's career has been just as dramatic as his songs—on the verge of achieving superstardom in the early 1970s, he was sidelined by a rare vocal disorder that he combated for thirty years. But, survivor that he is, Bush is once again filling dance halls across Texas and inspiring a new generation of musicians who crave the authenticity—the "pure D" country—that Johnny Bush has always had and that Nashville country music has lost.
In
Whiskey River (Take My Mind), Johnny Bush tells the twin stories of his life and of Texas honky-tonk music. He recalls growing up poor in Houston's Kashmere Gardens neighborhood and learning his chops in honky-tonks around Houston and San Antonio—places where chicken wire protected the bandstand and deadly fights broke out regularly. Bush vividly describes life on the road in the 1960s as a band member for Ray Price and Willie Nelson, including the booze, drugs, and one-night stands that fueled his songs but destroyed his first three marriages. He remembers the time in the early 1970s when he was hotter than Willie and on the fast track to superstardom—until spasmodic dysphonia forced his career into the slow lane. Bush describes his agonizing, but ultimately successful struggle to keep performing and rebuild his fan base, as well as the hard-won happiness he has found in his personal life.
Woven throughout Bush's autobiography is the never-before-told story of Texas honky-tonk music, from Bob Wills and Floyd Tillman to Junior Brown and Pat Green. Johnny Bush has known almost all the great musicians, past and present, and he has wonderful stories to tell. Likewise, he offers shrewd observations on how the music business has changed since he started performing in the 1950s—and pulls no punches in saying how Nashville music has lost its country soul. For everyone who loves genuine country music, Johnny Bush, Willie Nelson, and stories of triumph against all odds,
Whiskey River (Take My Mind) is a must-read.
Customer Reviews:
Country Music Veteran .......2007-03-29
Not everybody can be Garth Brooks, and thank the Good Lord for that. Johnny Bush is the real deal in country music, he's been laying down good music for years both as a songwriter and singer, primarily on that Texas circuit where the fans demand high quality and will go to the wall for you if they love you. But you have to earn that respect and Bush did. He cut his teeth playing in small time Texas bands like that led by uncle, minor honky tonk legend Jerry Jericho. He then moved up to Ray Price's glorious Cherokee Cowboys. Frustrated in Nashville, he headed back to Texas and built a career based around strong songwriting (he wrote Whiskey River, made famous by Willie Nelson) and solid performance. He tells most in this open, honest autobiography. The text is engagingly written and the stories well told. There is no better insider look at the world of honky tonk music.
Average customer rating:
- A Book Review from a Spiritridge Third Grader
- Mini Mysteries: 20 Tricky Tales to Untangle
- Great Book
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Mini Mysteries: 20 Tricky Tales to Untangle (American Girl Library)
Rick Walton
Manufacturer: American Girl
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ASIN: 1584858710 |
Customer Reviews:
A Book Review from a Spiritridge Third Grader.......2007-03-22
If you love to uncover clues look inside Mini Mysteries! Well if your wondering why it's called Mini Mysteries it is because this is one book with a lot of mini mysteries.
All of these mysteries have the same main characters. Their names are Marie, Hailey, Noelle, Brook, Hope, Meagan, Sage, Faith, and Rose. These girls make sitting in the house on a rainy day seem like going on the fastest rollercoaster ever!
I absolutely adore this book! If you're wondering why it is because these mysteries are so exciting and because the author is so creative and makes this book glued to your mind.
I recommend this book to someone who loves mysteries and to elementary schools. I hope you enjoy this marvelous mystery.
Mini Mysteries: 20 Tricky Tales to Untangle.......2006-03-26
My grandaughter picked this as her favorite of the 4 books I got her for her birthday.
Great Book .......2006-01-28
I love mysteries I got this for Christmas last year and LOVED it!
Average customer rating:
- A gorgeous book, from presentation to content.
- too esoteric to feed my apocalypse-hungry soul
- These Zombies Are Not A Metaphor
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The Apocalypse Reader
Manufacturer: Thunder's Mouth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1560259590 |
Book Description
These are the ways the world ends.
Thirty-four new and selected Doomsday scenarios: an enthralling collection of work by canonical literary figures, contemporary masters, and a few rising stars, all of whom have looked into the future and found it missing. Across boundaries of place and time, these writers celebrate the variety and vitality of the short story as a form by writing their own conclusions to the story of the world. Obliteration has never hurt so good.
Contributors include Grace Aguilar, Steve Aylett, Robert Bradley, Dennis Cooper, Lucy Corin, Elliott David, Matthew Derby, Carol Emshwiller, Brian Evenson, Neil Gaiman, Jeff Goldberg, Theodora Goss, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Jared Hohl, Shelley Jackson, Ursula K. Le Guin, Stacey Levine, Tao Lin, Kelly Link, H.P. Lovecraft, Gary Lutz, Rick Moody, Michael Moorcock, Adam Nemett, Josip Novakovich, Joyce Carol Oates, Colette Phair, Edgar Allan Poe, Terese Svoboda, Justin Taylor, Lynne Tillman, Deb Olin, Unferth, H.G. Wells, Allison Whittenberg, and Diane Williams.
Customer Reviews:
A gorgeous book, from presentation to content........2007-09-19
"THESE ARE THE WAYS THE WORLD ENDS--THIRTY-FOUR NEW AND SELECTED DOOMSDAY SCENARIOS"
This is a gorgeous book, from presentation to content. The selections are humorous, serious, simple, complex, and much more--thirty-four stories, some short, some long, make for a wide spectrum of apocalypses. Taylor, in the foreword, expounds on his conception of an apocalypse:
"It's worth pointing out that the word Apocalypse comes from the Greek, and literally means "a revelation" or "an unveiling." It can be used to describe cataclysmic changes of any sort. Revolution, for example, or social upheaval. [...] There are micro-Apocalypses that mark moments in our lives: childhood's end, a relationship's sudden implosion, Death."
The selections do span the gamut--some were written so long ago as to be in the public domain, and some were freshly minted in the late 2000's; some focus on religious upheavals, some macro, some micro; there are personal upheavals, student rantings, surreal recountings of madmen; and of course many take the reader through more conventional "end of the world" scenarios. And even with all that diversity, perhaps guided by the introduction, the theme of the anthology runs strong.
If there were a criticism I could make of this volume, that, ironically, would be it. I consider myself a bit of an Apocalypse afficionado--I particularly enjoy reading such stories, along with dystopias--and I would have thought that I could never grow tired of reading well-wrought incarnations of such--and these stories were all well-wrought and well-edited, there is no doubt about that--but this volume overwhelmed me. I was tired, even weary, by the time I had wended my way through the collection (and that in the course of several "sittings")..
The lead story, a piece of flash fiction by H. P. Lovecraft, starts the anthology out elegantly, and slowly. It warns you, implicitly, that you're in for some heavy reading, even if you're a fan of Mr. Lovecraft's writing (and not just his mythos, which more people are familiar with, and is much easier to get into third hand). On that end of the scale, there's also a piece from Edgar Allan Poe that is ponderous but worth an examination, entitled "The Conversation of Eiros and Charmion".
Some of my favorites included:
"The Apocalypse Commentery of Bob Paisner" by Rick Moody -- This is an essay detailing the allegorical depths of the Book of Revelation with regard to Bob Paisner's life. The tone is both erudite and a bit delirious, and the piece as a whole is both informative and immersive--I found myself eagerly wondering where Moody was going to take us next, what dark or clinical humor would next be presented.
"Fraise, Menthe, et Poivre 1978" by Jared Hohl -- Another piece of meta-fiction, this follows a group of people through the more traditional trope of being the last survivors in a ruined post-apocalyptic city. What makes this piece stand out is the manic bent of the narrator and the push for the show to go on--the story weaves the primary narrative with a small handful of abbreviated stageplays that emphasize much about human nature, hope, and despair, while retaining a very human humor.
"An Accounting" by Brian Evenson -- An "honest" accounting of how one explorer fell into becoming a reborn Jesus and how he helps his flock survive. I don't want to say too much about this, but the voice is clear, the narrative is well woven and unrolls at a compelling pace, and other than, perhaps, the initial fanaticism he encounters, it is all quite believable.
"Some Approaches to the Problem of the Shortage of Time" by Ursula K. Le Guin -- This is a clever set of abstracts that are ever timely and consider a novel scenario for the end of the modern-day universe. The shortage of time is pervasive, and this story is brief to give you a maximum pleasure for what it takes.
"Think Warm Thoughts" by Allison Whittenberg -- A bite-sized slice of apocalypse that is poetically poignant; every word counts.
"When We Went to See the End of the World by Dawnie Morningside, age 11 1/4" by Neil Gaiman -- This is the end of the world, everyone and everything together, through the playful, somewhat naiive eyes of an eleven year old. It's told in the vein of "What I did over Summer vacation", and is very evocative, sweet, and strange.
"The Escape--a Tale of 1755" by Grace Aguilar -- This is an elegant tale of a woman's love for her husband, religious persecution, and a prison escape. It is written with a very modern feel despite its age (originally published in 1844).
That's not to say I disliked the other stories; and on another day I would have different favorites, though there were some pieces that didn't work for me. But I hope this selection will help give you a feel for the collection as a whole, beyond my simple regard for it. In all, it's a beautiful collection, and I recommend it strongly, with the caveat that you may want to take it in small doses.
too esoteric to feed my apocalypse-hungry soul.......2007-09-12
I was initially excited to discover the collection and didn't see how such a broad-based compilation could go wrong. I'm an avid reader of post-apocalyptic fiction, science fiction and futurism, so I'm no slouch, but this turned out to be quite different from what I was hoping for.
While a few of the pieces are good reads, so many of them are abstract, esoteric, or even reminiscent of the scribblings from slightly disturbed angst-ridden teenage diaries. There's no good "meat" here, no concrete scenarios, suspense or drama to drive fear into your heart and make your mind race. The circumstances under which "apocalypse" occurs are rarely even revealed. Even the subject matter is open to interpretation - "apocalypse" is made to mean many things, not simply the end of the world. Which it does, of course, but that's not what I was hungry for when I picked up this book. The book description should have done a better job of managing those expectations.
Perhaps if you are looking for a broad literary "treatment" of the subject, that kind of interpretation will appeal to you (or if you enjoy the just plain bizarre) then this collection is for you. It was not for me.
These Zombies Are Not A Metaphor.......2007-05-16
This is a fun collection of stories from some well known and serious talent (Gaiman, Lovecraft, Poe) and some newly minted authors. I found myself particularly amused by "These Zombies Are Not A Metaphor," the work of one of the new authors named Jeff Goldberg. I'll be keeping an eye peeled for future work from him.
Book Description
Ashley Pond was only twelve years old when she vanished from a school bus stop in a town south of Portland, Oregon. As a shocked community came together and police began a frantic search, another tragedy was just about to take place.
Miranda Gaddis was Ashley’s best friend. Just two months after Ashley’s disappearance, Miranda was on her way to school when she, too, was abducted. Nobody knew the scandalous, unspeakable secret that the two girls shared…except for one man who lived just one block away.
The police and FBI managed to overlook the girls’ neighbor whose daughter was a friend of Miranda and Ashley’s—and who had a catalog of sexual-assault allegations behind him. Author Linda O’Neal was a private investigator intimately involved in this shocking case. Now, she and her co-authors—also participants in the case—tell the chilling story of one town’s devastating loss…and how the murderer was finally found.
Customer Reviews:
awful rewrite of history.......2007-08-19
The entire narrative concentrates on how the author was the "only" one who was capable of finding the truth. In some deluded wanna be V. I. Warshawski way, writing with hind sight being 20/20, she was obviously correct and always on the right trail... Or maybe just cashing in on the fact that she lived in the area at the time that it occurred and therefore can claim some fame. It is a poorly written recap of news articles available to everyone.
Okay, but could have been better.......2007-05-13
I tackled this book with relish, but found that it was too drawn out alot of time, and should have been condensed a little. Ms. O'Neal, while to be admired for her efforts, did seem to overplay her role in this case. Also, being a family member, she was very "soft" on her comments on Ashley's mother, who should've never allowed her daughter to be near that man. At least the man was found and convicted, so the family has some closure. A recommended read if a true crime fan, but not for the reader just looking for a good story.
Horrid writing! .......2007-05-12
I picked this book up because I remembered the story of the two missing girls, but I never knew the outcome. I was very interested in what happened. Unfortunately this book is so poorly written I don't think I can finish it. Whoever was the editor/ghost writer for this book was either blind or an idiot. Don't waste your money or your time. I really hope a talented person or even semi-talented person decides to write this story over, anything would have to be better than this book.
WAS EXPECTING BETTER.......2007-04-02
THE STORY WAS O.K., BUT HER HUSBAND SOUNDS LIKE A SAINT!! IF I HAD MY DRUTHERS, I WISH I HADN'T BOUGHT THIS BOOK.
DON'T BUY IT!!.......2007-03-05
I am a big true crime fan, but I agree with every other negative reviewer about this book - it is the worst I've ever tried to read. The writing is disjointed and terrible, but what is worse is that the author seems to use this story to inflate her own oversized ego. The book is more about her and her husband than those poor little girls. I am used to professional writers like Diane Fanning, Dale Hudson, Kathryn Casey, Corey Mitchell and an old favorite, Ann Rule. I hope this woman has another job because she'll never make it as a writer.
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