On Writing

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Short and snappy as it is, Stephen King's On Writing really contains two books: a fondly sardonic autobiography and a tough-love lesson for aspiring novelists. The memoir is terrific stuff, a vivid description of how a writer grew out of a misbehaving kid. You're right there with the young author as he's tormented by poison ivy, gas-passing babysitters, uptight schoolmarms, and a laundry job nastier than Jack London's. It's a ripping yarn that casts a sharp light on his fiction. This was a child who dug Yvette Vickers from Attack of the Giant Leeches, not Sandra Dee. "I wanted monsters that ate whole cities, radioactive corpses that came out of the ocean and ate surfers, and girls in black bras who looked like trailer trash." But massive reading on all literary levels was a craving just as crucial, and soon King was the published author of "I Was a Teen-Age Graverobber." As a young adult raising a family in a trailer, King started a story inspired by his stint as a janitor cleaning a high-school girls locker room. He crumpled it up, but his writer wife retrieved it from the trash, and using her advice about the girl milieu and his own memories of two reviled teenage classmates who died young, he came up with Carrie. King gives us lots of revelations about his life and work. The kidnapper character in Misery, the mind-possessing monsters in The Tommyknockers, and the haunting of the blocked writer in The Shining symbolized his cocaine and booze addiction (overcome thanks to his wife's intervention, which he describes). "There's one novel, Cujo, that I barely remember writing."

King also evokes his college days and his recovery from the van crash that nearly killed him, but the focus is always on what it all means to the craft. He gives you a whole writer's "tool kit": a reading list, writing assignments, a corrected story, and nuts-and-bolts advice on dollars and cents, plot and character, the basic building block of the paragraph, and literary models. He shows what you can learn from H.P. Lovecraft's arcane vocabulary, Hemingway's leanness, Grisham's authenticity, Richard Dooling's artful obscenity, Jonathan Kellerman's sentence fragments. He explains why Hart's War is a great story marred by a tin ear for dialogue, and how Elmore Leonard's Be Cool could be the antidote.

King isn't just a writer, he's a true teacher. --Tim Appelo

Book Description

"Long live the King" hailed Entertainment Weekly upon the publication of Stephen King's On Writing. Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical view of the writer's craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have. King's advice is grounded in his vivid memories from childhood through his emergence as a writer, from his struggling early career to his widely reported near-fatal accident in 1999 -- and how the inextricable link between writing and living spurred his recovery. Brilliantly structured, friendly and inspiring, On Writing will empower and entertain everyone who reads it -- fans, writers, and anyone who loves a great story well told.

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For years I dreamed of having the sort of massive oak slab that would dominate a room.... In 1981 I got the one I wanted and placed it in the middle of a spacious, skylighted study in the rear of the house. For six years I sat behind that desk either drunk or wrecked out of my mind.... A year or two after I sobered up, I got rid of that monstrosity and put in a living-room suite where it had been....In the early nineties, before they moved on to their own lives, my kids sometimes came up in the evening to watch a basketball game or a movie and eat pizza....I got another desk -- it's handmade, beautiful, and half the size of the T. rex desk. I put it at the far west end of the office, in a corner under the eave....I'm sitting under it now, a fifty-three-year-old man with bad eyes, a gimp leg, and no hangover. I'm doing what I know how to do, and as well as I know how to do it. I came through all the stuff I told you about ... and now I'm going to tell you as much as I can about the job.... It starts with this: put your desk in the corner, and every time you sit down there to write, remind yourself why it isn't in the middle of the room. Life isn't a support-system for art. It's the other way around. --

Customer Reviews:

Book Review - ON WRITING by Stephen King .......2007-09-26

I picked up On Writing because you can't do it much bigger than Stephen King has. Most books on writing are by grammarmongers or literary types, and I was interested to get the perspective of a writer of popular fiction. Previously, I'd only skimmed through Terry Brooks's Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life, but I don't think Terry Brooks is a very good writer, so that was the end of that.

Half the book is King's autobiography, and he focuses on the points in his life that he feels helped shape him as a writer. I felt like I didn't need most of this, although it was nice to know even Stephen King worked at some terrible jobs before he made it big. Those reading this book just for the writing lesson, and who care not for Stephen King, can skip this whole section, although there are some interesting tidbits on the publishing process.

King's points are several. The two keys to good writing, he says, are mastery of the fundamentals and hard work. A good writer should write all the time and read all the time. I agree with this.

King's strategy for writing is this: to come up with a foundational situation, not worry about the plot, and make it up as you go. There certainly is something to be said for this kind of writing, and it has a very romantic ideal, but I think this also explains why quite a few of King's otherwise-amazing novels have lame, deus ex machina endings.

On Writing is written in King's distinctive, conversational, foul-mouthed style, which is just as engaging in non-fiction, although he runs a bit long-winded at times. The book is pretty short, though, and it's a fairly quick read.

I can't say I learned anything new about writing, but I did have some concepts reinforced (like don't use dialogue attributions), and it was nice to hear it from the most popular novelist of our time.

King says you can't make a good writer great, and you can't make a terrible writer competent, but you can make a competent writer good. If that's you, then to you this book might just be

RECOMMENDED

A Way With Words.......2007-09-17

Stephen King has the gift. The gift is a way with words that makes readers of his novels (and his non-fiction) FEEL what he is trying to convey.

It's no different in this wonderful writing guide. One of the most important points he makes to aspiring writers is that "most writing books are full of bs."
(Listen to that one, and learn, constant reader, especially if you want to be a writer!)

Part autobiography, and part instruction manual, this oh-so-fine guide to the writing craft will give astute readers the confidence and tools they need to become the writer THEY were meant to be.

Highly recommended!

Book review of "On Writing".......2007-09-16

Review of "On Writing"

Stephen King's book, "On Writing", is a fascinating and informative read. The beginning of the book is a short memoir of his life and soon evolves into some helpful rules of advice for writers.
In the beginning of his book, he tells the brief story of his childhood leading up to his first novel. We are introduced to his mother, a single parent of two young sons and their life moving from one place to another. Then his wife Tabitha, who is truly the love of his life and best friend. I found parts of his memoirs to be humorous, sad and full of determination. One realizes that King's desire to write began at a young age and his determination to continue what he enjoys was never halted. His creativity is fantastic and extremely suspenseful. His passion for writing fiction is truly unmistakable. The second part of the book, King shares techniques on how to become a good writer. This
interested me because I enjoy writing fictional stories. I was able to relate to a few of the techniques and welcomed every piece of information he had to offer. Although, some people may not look at him as a true writer, I am inspired by his works and amazed with his talent.
I would highly recommend this book. This is a great book for fiction writers just starting out. Stephen King's memoir's were inspiring, and his lessons on writing were vastly informative.

From writer to writer.......2007-09-14

As the title suggests, Stephen King's novel "On Writing" is a descriptive look into the writing process from one writer to another. Part auto-biography, part composition course, King skillfully weaves together his experiences in becoming a writer with advice for the reader on the do's and don'ts of good writing practices. Reminiscing about his childhood and adolescence in the first part of the book, King takes the reader back to a few experiences with a horrific babysitter, excruciating ear infections, critical old-maid teachers, and his growing fascination with the weird and fantastic through sci-fi books and movies. Through his various encounters with writing for home, school, and town newspapers, King develops his early literary framework that eventually becomes the basis for his famous fiction. He elaborates upon his college days, his family, and the publication of his first books, Carrie, and The Shining, as well as exposing the sensitive issue of his drug use and alcoholism while still early into his career as a writer. In the second part of the book, King gives the reader the necessary 'tools' of the craft including vocabulary, grammar, structure and style. He then goes even further with the lesson by inserting various pieces of writing which have been reviewed and edited and he also gives the reader exercises to practice with. The last part of the book is a detailed account of King's terrible accident in 1999 followed by a long recovery and rediscovering the strength to keep writing because "sometimes you have to go on when you don't feel like it." "On Writing" is a valuable piece of work for all writers of all stages to have in their collection. King's dark humor and sarcasm flow nicely with his practical, to-the-point approach. He does not intend to hurt the reader's feelings but he speaks the truth when pointing out not all writers are good writers; but with the correct tools, a little revision, and self-determination, a decent writer can look forward to becoming a good writer.

A Great Read.......2007-09-11

Part memoir, part guide to writing, Stephen King's On Writing is an enjoyable, fast paced, and easy read. King tells his life story in a frank and funny manner which is almost certain to coax laughter from readers. Near the end of the book, when King recounts his near-death experience, the tale is almost heartbreaking, but it is a tale of survival, love, and determination. Even readers who have never read any of Stephen King's work before can appreciate this book. I had never read any of Stephen King's work before, other than a wonderful short story entitled "The Reach," but I found On Writing to be interesting and informative. King's life story is fascinating, and his instruction on the art of writing is invaluable.

This book is a must-read for anyone who has ever dreamed of becoming a writer or who is currently an aspiring writer. On Writing has great tips about the writing, editing, and publishing process. King gives readers a rare look at his creative process, discussing changes he has made in his work and his struggles to complete some of his stories. His advice about the art of writing is simple. If you want to write, you have to be committed to writing. Becoming an author does not happen overnight, and it does not happen without a great deal of effort. Do what you love, and if that happens to be writing, then read and write to your heart's content. Writing should be for enjoyment. If writing reaps greater benefits that the sheer joy of writing, then so be it, and welcome.

A Tale of three Kings: A Study in Brokenness

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A Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness
Been thorugh at lot a church
Must-read for anyone who wants to understand leadership and authority better
very healing and touching book
Elucidating truths about King David's life

A Tale of three Kings: A Study in Brokenness
Gene Edwards
Manufacturer: Tyndale House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0842369082

Book Description

Those facing the pain and brokenness that result from unfair treatment by other believers will be encouraged by this powerful story of David, Saul, and Absalom.

Customer Reviews:

A Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness.......2007-09-05

After living life for many years this book even makes more sense about the necessity of self being broken in order to be the obedient instrument God uses to accomplish His will. We pray "in Jesus name". If we believe this is proper, then the pecking order about all things belonging to the Father show we are only renters here which can easily be recognized from the attitudes of God's anointed that Edwards describes. A valuable plus by growing this insight can impact your own life with a deeper understanding of the acceptable approach to God. After reading this study it can make you more cognizant how to be a better follower of Christ, releasing us of perceived obligations that actually belongs to God alone. Our only job is to love God and do His will, anything else is vanity.

Been thorugh at lot a church.......2007-08-05

This book is an excellent book for any one that has ever been hurt through a church experience. If you have been involved in a church break up, youth pastor or asst pastor leaving, or have set under a "spear throwing " Pastor ( if you read the book you will understand). Get this book. If you work closely, to the Pastor get the book. if you will ever become a Pastor get the book. I read the entire book in one day. It is a real easy read.

Must-read for anyone who wants to understand leadership and authority better.......2007-07-26

This book is a revelation: very insightful and challenging, but incredibly easy to read. You'll be amazed at how easily Edwards can rock your world. I particularly recommend it to anyone who aspires to Christian leadership and, even more so, to anyone who has been burned by Christian leaders before. I first read this book coming out of a difficult situation on the mission field and this book really helped me to understand God's perspective on spiritual authority, service, humility and his own will. Actually, I wish every Christian would read it. It'll take you a few hours at most I'd guess.

very healing and touching book.......2007-07-05

I read this book when a friend gave it to me as a gift. The insight through the three kings' lives was very new for me. And every page takes you step by step to the healing process, helps you see the healing throughout the scars of Biblical characters... If you know someone hurt, offer this book to that person...

Elucidating truths about King David's life.......2007-04-08

A Tale of Three Kings contains helpful information about how we can thrive in spite of being under the leadership of someone who abuses authority. Succinct and easy to read. Powerful.

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles: Dealing with Dragons / Searching for Dragons / Calling on Dragons / Talking to Dragons

Average customer rating:

Whimsical and Humourous
Great books for a wide range of ages
dealing with dragons review
decent fantasy
4.5, actually, for a set of cute stories

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles: Dealing with Dragons / Searching for Dragons / Calling on Dragons / Talking to Dragons
Patricia C. Wrede
Manufacturer: Magic Carpet Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0152050523

Book Description

Collected together for the first time are Patricia C. Wrede's hilarious adventure stories about Cimorene, the princess who refuses to be proper. Every one of Cimorene's adventures is included in its paperback edition--Dealing with Dragons, Searching for Dragons, Calling on Dragons, and Talking to Dragons--in one handsome package that's perfect for gift giving.

Customer Reviews:

Whimsical and Humourous.......2007-09-12

these stories are wonderful. i laughed through half of the books, and then i had some of my elementary age cousins read the series as well. they were able to comprehend them easily, as well as finding them enchanting.

Great books for a wide range of ages.......2007-08-03

This is a great collection of books with a strong heroine and a good sense of humor. They are an excellent choice to read out loud due to the fun characters and the whimsical nature of the writing, and the recurrent message of non-conformity is carried out well without feeling too didactic.

Other reviewers have given capsule summaries, but I would recommend against reading them if you can resist. Part of what was delightful about reading these books for me was seeing the story and Patricia Wrede's pattern unfold.

That being said, I will immediately contradict myself, and note that the third book is, in my opinion, the weakest of lot. I think this is because when I read the books, I was reading out loud. The third book has more fractured conversations and irritating voices popping up all over the place, and the pattern gets in the way of the narrative. Additionally, compared to the other books, the ending is unsatisfying, merely setting up the action for the fourth book. For what it's worth, my wife (who also loved this series) recommends skipping the third book altogether and allowing the story of the fourth to slowly fill you in on what happened in the third.

One other note that I will add is that the vocabulary used in these books is advanced enough to make them a better pick for 10+ year olds, in my opinion. I mistakenly recommended them to the 8 year old daughter of a friend and she struggled to read the first couple paragraphs. The first couple of pages use: philosophers, fashionable, periodic, prosperous, etiquette, etc. Nothing unheard of, obviously, but these are probably better read out loud to early readers. These younger kids will still love the story and the characters, though I guess they may miss some of the humor.

With the discounted Amazon price, this box set is a lot of story for the dollar. I highly recommend it.

dealing with dragons review.......2007-04-19

I like this book because of the adventure. it was interesting, the dragons are cool.if you like dragons and olden time books then this is the book for you. I liked when the wizard made the parts of the clif disipear . I liked the partwhere cimorene ment the dragon.

decent fantasy.......2007-03-09

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles is a decent fantasy novel that turns everything upside down, and wrongside up, and will more than once make you laugh out loud. A good read for any dragon and wizard fan.

4.5, actually, for a set of cute stories.......2007-02-16

I originally bought each of these books individually, and it was quite a pain finding all of them. This is a convenient way to purchase these very cute, very fun fantasy stories.

The first book, "Dealing with Dragons", is a very witty, very cute book about the improper princess who decides to live with dragons rather than get married to someone she doesn't even like. Cimorene becomes the dragon Kazul's "princess", doing her chores for her, cleaning out her library, and cooking for her. The story has a lot to do with the relationships between wizards and dragons and in a sense, everything mocks the "real" view. Throughout this book, Wrede is practically laughing at every fairy tale ever written, and it is hilarious.

Book two, "Searching for Dragons", introduces a new character. Mendanbar, King of the Enchanted Forest, needs to go talk to the dragon king (and there's a new one from the last book!). Unfortunately, the dragon king has been kidnapped, so he and Cimorene go looking for her. It's more action filled than its predecessor and has a lot more magic going on.

"Calling on Dragons" is clearly the weakest book in the bunch, though it's. It's least memorable of them all, its new characters are the most boring, and the plot is more of a preview for the final book, "Talking to Dragons".

And speaking of, "Talking to Dragons" once again brings us the fun and excitement the first two books brought. While each of the other books had a gap of time that stretch across a year or so, the gap between COD and TTD is much bigger... Sixteen years! We've got a whole new generation of characters, whether its the cats, the fiery girls, or our (!) narrarator! Yes, TTD is written in first person, which is a first in this series. We truly get into Daystar's head, which is fun and enjoyable. In a sense, TTD continues where COD left off, but obviously much later, and many things have changed.

So if you like rather mocking fantasy stories that are both fun and cute, you'll love this. If you love witches, evil wizards, cool dragons, and awesome characters, than this is a great set to pick up. Just remember that COD is more of a transition book and all will be well.

So go join Cimorene, Mendanbar, Kazul, Daystar, Morwen, the cats, those evil wizards, and the lot by buying this great set!

Average customer rating:

The Goose Girl
Enjoyable read
A Lovely Princess Tale
Not Princess Fluff
One of the Most Magical Books I've Read

The Goose Girl
Shannon Hale
Manufacturer: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1582349908
Release Date: 2005-04-21

Book Description

A New York Public Library "100 Titles for Reading and Sharing"
A Texas Lone Star Reading List Book
A Josette Frank Award Winner
A Utah State Book Award Winner
A Utah Speculative Fiction Award Winner

Customer Reviews:

The Goose Girl.......2007-10-05

The Goose Girl is an inspiring book. It is a journey for both the character and the reader, who experience change in their own lives. Never before have words so easy and enjoyable to read, strike me. That have uplifted me, and left me wanting more.

In the beginning, Ani is not confident about herself, and the position that she is asked to fulfill, like almost anyone. As she faces her future with the prince of a neighboring country, is betrayed by those she thought she could trust, and having to make an entirely new life out of something that did not seem possible, the reader is enticed into the companionship between Ani and her new friends, the suspense and loveliness of the blending of experiences. The life changes of the "Prima Dona" to a servant is not an easy task, for anyone. Whether you are going from junior high/middle school to high school, or raising your own children and trying to cope with the new challenges of being a parent. Everyone wishes that they could have the opportunity to hear the whisperings on the wind, listen to animals and have a bond tighter then humans do with each other.

This book for me was revealing, relaxing, enjoyable, and invigorating. It is not everyday that you are able to be pulled into a book that grabs you by the shoulders, and makes a mystery, suspense, love and comedy into an enjoyable book for any and all ages.
I've met Shannon Hale, and she is an amazing author. She is so "intone" with herself; as a woman, wife, friend, daughter, mother, etc. She is aware of the need for good, wholesome literature that makes you want to run through the fields and experience and view life as you've never seen before.

Enjoyable read.......2007-08-31

I read this book because I have three daughters and someone told me they would like it. Actually I really enjoyed it, so much so that I bought and read Enna Burning as well.

A Lovely Princess Tale.......2007-08-22

"The Goose Girl" may be looked at as two things. It is a tale about a princess, a retelling of an old Grimm tale (one that I have not yet encountered). It is also a sort of fantasy book including speech with animals and magic control.

And yet, "The Goose Girl" does not fall into the common, stereotypical traps set by these genres/types. It is a book that is remarkably enough not stale, with twists, excitements, and constant changes. It may be the simple story of a princess going through hardships to achieve her goal, but it has so much more than that. It has side characters that spice up the story, plot turns that make things different, and a comfortable pace. The magic and fantasy of the story do not control it, which means that lovers of reality will still be pleased by this story.

It's a well-written book with an interesting plotline and some very fun characters. But it has its flaws as well. "The Goose Girl" is an almost 400-paged book, and it certainly feels it at times. While there is an unobstructed flow, there are many points in the book where it grows tedious and begins to drag. This book could do with a good edit.

If you don't mind that it drags on a bit, it's really a great book. You don't have to love princesses or fantasy to enjoy this book. It's not that kind of a book. It's eloquent, enjoyable, and for any reader who can handle a bit of bulk. Enjoy.

Not Princess Fluff.......2007-07-15

Hale has a lovely writing style and the ability to create characters you can really rally behind. Ani's tranformation from shy and insignificant to regal was not done in a cliche way, and she remained true to her character (her slightly anxious character) all the way through. I enjoy introspective characters and Hale is excellent at creating them. Do not pass off Hale's work as "Princess Fluff" as all of her YA novels have a rich writing style, moral conflicts, and even a dose of uglyness (murders, battles, abandonment) that keeps her books feeling real, despite the magical elements.

One of the Most Magical Books I've Read.......2007-06-13

At first, I was skeptical of a book titled THE GOOSE GIRL, but I borrowed it from the library anyway. Little did I know that this magical debut would become one of my favorite books and Shannon Hale my favorite author.

To keep peace between two nations, Princess Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, first daughter and jewel of Kildenree (Ani for short) is sent to the kingdom of Bayern to marry the prince. On the way, she is betrayed by her lady-in-waiting and half of her guards. Alone, Ani finds her way to the capital of Bayern where she gets the job of watching the king's geese, all the while waiting for her chance to regain her name.

Though a fantasy, THE GOOSE GIRL seems realistic. There is magic, but a believeable sort. Ani, too, is a believable and likeable heroine, and the supporting characters are three dimensional as well.

THE GOOSE GIRL'S biggest fault is that it's slow-moving. Not boring, but it is long and the story could have been told in less pages, which might be a turn-off to some readers. The first part is especially slow. There is also some violence, though certainly not as much as the sequel ENNA BURNING. However, Shannon Hale's writing is absolutely beautiful. Wonderful metaphors and imagery and vivid word choices make this one of the best debut novels that I've read and certainly one of the most magical books.

This is a novel that I strongly recommend to all, especially those who love retellings of fairy tales. Though certainly not perfect, THE GOOSE GIRL is truly a lovely book that definitely does not disappoint.

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

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Calculations are only as good as your numbers
Pants on fire?
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
Very Interesting
History as Science Fiction

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2913621058

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Puffin Classics)

Average customer rating:

Retold one time too many?
Best compilation
do you like a stories inside a greater story?
Everything you needed to know about King Arthur but were afraid to ask!
AWFUL ARTHUR!!!

King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Puffin Classics)
Roger Lancelyn Green
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140366709

Customer Reviews:

Retold one time too many?.......2007-08-28

I had to overcome having read one too many retellings of these tales in reading this book.
I think the major flaw is taking the late middle ages Christian approach.
On the plus side the author pretty much sticks to the classic story lines and even puts in the Tristam legend
(his undoing here as the Cornwall Kingdom is where Arthur's mother conceived him, not a a place out of time ).
He changes Vivian to Nimue and calls magic the deceptions of Merlin and Morgan le Fay making everything as the Christians of later times would have it.

Best compilation.......2007-03-26

I have read many versions of the Arthurian legends, and revisited them again in three different books recently. Of those, this version was the best. It was compiled from several different sources, and manages to flesh out some of the legends of the lesser knights and Merlin the Enchanter more than many versions.

Despite being a Puffin Classics edition, it does not condescend to the reader, nor read as a diluted telling, as is so often the case in educational publishing. If you are looking for a clean, coherent telling of the Arthurian tales that won't require wading through archaic language, this is the version for you.

The paperback pricing is nice too.

do you like a stories inside a greater story?.......2006-08-24

The story King Arthur, which was written by Roger Lancelyn Green, is a truly exhilarating adventure set in the middle ages, and it contained many fascinating characters such as King Arthur, who was the king of Logres and who was one of the most important characters in the story; another character is Lancelot who was one of the best Knights of the round table and went on many quests, bringing much honor to Logres, and was quite important through out the book; another character would be Queen Morgana le Fay, she was not only a witch, but also the sister and nemesis of King Arthur, she often tried to capture or kill him and his knights, but in the end she makes peace with him; last but not least is Merlin, he is one of the best know characters, he is a wizard who saves King Arthur life twice, and foretells the future many a time; eventually he is buried alive by Lady Nimue until he is needed once again.

King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table was a collection different quest within one larger story, mainly telling the history or King Arthur and how the knights of the round table came to be, and there many legends; the majority of the book was sort of like the exposition, it was getting us accustomed to the characters and the vibe of the story so that the reader could get understand the end of the book when they searched for "The Quest of the Holy Grail" and the "Final Battle" which are the two main conflicts. This book is so good, because anyone can take something away from this book, R.L. Green's stories all have a theme to them whether it is about jealousy, integrity, kindness, forgiveness, or honor, the lesson of chivalry is always stressed, and there is always something for the reader to relate to making the book overall very satisfying.

Everything you needed to know about King Arthur but were afraid to ask!.......2006-07-07

This was the first King Arthur book I ever had. In more recent years I've read Le Morte D'Arthur, the Mabinogion, Bulfinch's Age of Chivalry, and a hundred other collections, some for children and some for adults. This is still the best-written, most comprehensive version I've found.

It tends to read a little like King Arthur's Greatest Hits--no bad thing, really. The story of Geraint and Enid is in there from the Mabinogion, Germanic legends are plundered to discover a bride for Sir Perceval, and Gawain fans will be pleased to know that his spotless character has been restored. He even gets to find the Grail!

There are many other children's collections out there, but none of them as comprehensive as this. As for the old classics, they can be hard to get and, like Mallory's , do unforgivable violence to favourite characters and then spend half the book on the story of Tristan and Iseult.

AWFUL ARTHUR!!!.......2006-04-19

This book was the worst!!! I usually enjoy reading books, but I didn't enjoy one little microscopic segment of this book!!! It was really hard to understand, and it felt like that all Roger Lancelyn Green cared about was death!! I mean really in one chapter I counted that 12 people died!!! In one single chapter!!!!!

Average customer rating:

A wonderful version on Snow White
Fairest: Snow White in Ayortha
Snow White told with adventure, grace and excitement!
Fantastic retelling
Another Homerun for Levine

Fairest
Gail Carson Levine
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060734086
Release Date: 2006-09-19

Book Description

In the kingdom of Ayortha, who is the fairest of them all? Certainly not Aza. She is thoroughly convinced that she is ugly. What she may lack in looks, though, she makes up for with a kind heart, and with something no one else has–a magical voice. Her vocal talents captivate all who hear them, and in Ontio Castle they attract the attention of a handsome prince – and a dangerous new queen. In this masterful novel filled with humour, adventure, romance, and song, Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine invites you to join Aza as she discovers how exquisite she truly is.

Ages 8 – 14

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful version on Snow White.......2007-09-17

I'm 30 years-old and loved this book. A wonderful version of Snow White complete with Levine's own personal style and touches. Levine writes so fluidly and gives so much humor to her heroines. I love how everything in her "make-believe world" still makes sense even though it isn't like our world. It's not hard to follow without Levine having to "talk down" to her readers. I loved that this book took place in the same world as Ella Enchanted!

Why only 4 stars? Although I really liked Aza and her character development, I was a bit disappointed in the development of the Prince. We never really got to know him. The relationship between Aza and the Prince never seemed to evolve, it just happened--Nothing like Ella and Prince Charmont. I just didn't fall in love with him, myself, like I did with Prince Charmont.

Other than that, I completely loved it. I've already lent it out to friends and family telling them, "you have to read this!"

Fairest: Snow White in Ayortha.......2007-08-06

I bought Fairest a while ago, but I didn't read it for a long time. Finally, with my friend's encouragement, I picked it up and began to dive into the Snow White re-telling.
This is unlike other fairy tale re-tellings, yet in a good way. It's not totally obvious until you get near the end of the story that this tale was made to resemble Snow White. This leaves a wonderful surprise that has you thinking, "I never saw it coming!" The Snow White puzzle just slowly pieces itself together, and you probably won't realize it until some of the final pieces are played.
Aza was never attractive. She was left behind in a hotel when she was a baby, and the owners graciously took her in despite her appearance. With paper-white skin, blood-red lips, and hair as black as a frying pan, Aza is certainly not the fairest of them all.
Yet...she can sing. Beautifully, as a matter of fact. She's simply spectacular! Aza also soon discovers the gift she has of "illusing" - throwing her voice across rooms so it seems that someone or something else is speaking. Despite her voice, though, Aza does not believe she has a real future ahead of her...that is (spoilers begin here), until the Duchess arrives. The Duchess befriends Aza after meeting her cat (the Duchess loves cats) and when the Duchess's companion fails to accompany her to the King and to-be Queen's wedding, it is Aza she asks to go.
This soon changes Aza's life. After discovering her gift of illusing, Queen Ivi "befriends" Aza and asks her to be her lady-in-waiting. But Aza soon discovers that Ivi wants to take advantage of her gift of illusing. Ivi cannot sing, so she makes Aza illuse to make it appear as if she is the one singing.
This and a developing relationship with the Prince, Ijori, complicates Aza's times in the castle. Still, despite all of what she has, Aza still wishes to be pretty. Soon, she finds her wish granted after her illusing fails during a Sing.
This and Aza's dangerous desire to be pretty fly the story into a suspenseful mode (spoilers end here), though I'm not going to give away any more spoilers. Anybody who likes Snow White should definitely read this book; it is one you won't be able to put down. Other fairy tale re-tellings pale in comparison to the bold story of Aza.
All in all, Fairest truly proves to be the "fairest of them all" in the world of these re-tellings. If you read this book, you won't regret it.

Snow White told with adventure, grace and excitement!.......2007-07-15

Gail Carson Levine's style shines through once again as she breathes life into the overtold predictable fairytale of Snow White. Very similar to Ella Enchanted, Fairest takes place in the same world and has (as is Levine's style) a very unconventional twist to a well known story. The characters of Fairest will capture your heart and make you want to read Ella Enchanted again. A fantastic story for children and teenagers alike. Even the adults will enjoy this well told tale.

Fantastic retelling.......2007-07-05

Despite the professional reviews written above, I think that their association with fairy tales may be a little out of touch. This book is not the classic retelling of Sleeping Beauty but that of Snow White. As any Disney Classic Movie connisseur or for that matter fan of fairy tales will know.

This novel is a beautiful retelling set in the kingdom of Ayortha, one kingdom over from the Kingdom ruled by the well know woman Ella of Frell from Ella Enchanted. This is an amazing novel, written in beautiful prose and described fantastically. It is an excellent follow up to Ella Enchanted, even if that heroine does not herself appear in the novel. I can only hope to enjoy more novels of this caliber from Gail Carson Levine and I must find more novels by this author to read. I could not put this novel down, I stayed up all night to finish it.

I sincerely hope that you take a chance on this novel and enjoy it as immensely as I have.

Another Homerun for Levine.......2007-06-30

This book was so captivating. From the first lines to the last, I was so overtaken by the creative storyline and personal (yet sometimes insecure, and therefore more human) characters. I was excited to see into the world of Ella Enchanted once again. Even though both girls (Aza and Ella) are from different kingdoms, Aza's sister is Ella's only friend from finishing school: Areida.

Although I didn't realize how many aspects of "Fairest" were mentioned in "Ella Enchanted" until I re-read the latter, I was so pleased to see how they were linked. Areida and Ella became friends at finishing school in the Kyrrian town of Jenn. Areida tells Ella of her parents, the inn where she and Aza live, and the "Sings" that are held monthly in her home province of Ayorthia. At the end of "Fairest", the author clues you in on the detail of Areida and Ella's friendship, in case you were wondering if the two Areidas were in fact the same person.

I am an accomplished singer at my school (I'm 16), and I was so happy to read a book that focused on it and talked about a land where singing was part of their culture. I even tried to illuse a couple of times, with no success obviously, since it's something only gnomes can do. <3

Average customer rating:

Creepy made real
Buy it for "The Mist"
Some Classics!
Love Stories from King.
This collection of short stories was.......just......'eh........

Skeleton Crew (Signet)
Stephen King
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0451168615

Amazon.com

In the introduction to Skeleton Crew (1985), his second collection of stories, King pokes fun at his penchant for "literary elephantiasis," makes scatological jokes about his muse, confesses how much money he makes (gross and net), and tells a story about getting arrested one time when he was "suffused with the sort of towering, righteous rage that only drunk undergraduates can feel." He winds up with an invitation to a scary voyage: "Grab onto my arm now. Hold tight. We are going into a number of dark places, but I think I know the way."

And he sure does. Skeleton Crew contains a superb short novel ("The Mist") that alone is worth the price of admission, plus two forgettable poems and 20 short stories on such themes as an evil toy monkey, a human-eating water slick, a machine that avenges murder, and unnatural creatures that inhabit the thick woods near Castle Rock, Maine. The short tales range from simply enjoyable to surprisingly good.

In addition to "The Mist," the real standout is "The Reach," a beautifully subtle story about a great-grandmother who was born on a small island off the coast of Maine and has lived there her whole life. She has never been across "the Reach," the body of water between island and mainland. This is the story that King fans give to their friends who don't read horror in order to show them how literate, how charming a storyteller he can be. Don't miss it. --Fiona Webster

Book Description

Twenty-two stories from the "wildly imaginative" #1 Bestselling Author

In this brilliant collection of stories, Stephen King takes readers down paths that only he could imagine....A supermarket becomes the place where humanity takes its last stand against unholy destruction...a trip to the attic turns into a journey to hell...a woman driver finds a scary shortcut to paradise...an idyllic lake harbors a bottomless evil...and a desert island is the scene of the most terrifying struggle for survival ever waged.

Customer Reviews:

Creepy made real.......2007-08-22

King's at the top of his game with many of the stories in this collection. The Monkey is probably my all time favorite of his works, but many stories are excellent.

Buy it for "The Mist".......2007-07-23

I recommend this book because it includes my favorite King short story, "The Mist". A film based on this story is coming out this year. The other stories are pretty good too but "The Mist" totally rocks.

Some Classics!.......2007-07-22

If your not sure you want to read Stephen King, read these short stories and I'm sure you'll love his books. It has everything. It starts out with the Mist, which is a very freaky story about people locked in a supermarket because a strange Mist is outside that kills anyone who goes out. The Monkey is a scary story about, you guessed it, a monkey. My favorite story in this is The Jaunt. It is the only Stephen King story that I have ever been scared of. It's about a device(The Jaunt) that teleports you from one place to another.

Cain Rose Up is scary because you draw connections between it and the Virgina Tech Tragedy. The Raft is about 4 friends getting on a raft in the middle of a lake, only to be attacked by a dark monster in the water.

Word Processor of the Gods is about the only story to have a happy ending. The Man who would not shake hands is a strange tale about its namesake. The Reaper's Image is an excellent story about a painting. I also Highly Reccomend: Uncle Otto's Truck, The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet, and Gramma.

Love Stories from King........2007-07-12

The Monkey is a great love story about a father and son. It is. Stop laughing. Yeah, there's some stuf about death and guilt, too. And The Mist is a love story too. Why are you laughing?
Here's hoping Darabont does what he did with Red and Andy in Shawshank Redemption and makes The Mist about two people. Drayton and his son.In other words, a love story. Focus on a dad trying to make sure his kid survives interdimensional goopiness instead of an action flick about a cross section of Americans under surreal attack in a grocery store. Otherise, the audience won't know what to concentrate on.

This collection of short stories was.......just......'eh...............2007-02-23

Okay, first of all I love Stephen King. The man can do no wrong in my eyes and dispite my rather (how should I put this) "one sided" title of my review, that still holds true even for SKELETON CREW. This book is yet another collection of his short stories, put together over a period of time. SKELETON CREW starts out on a strong note with a horrifying little tale called "The Mist." Basically, the story is about a small town being taken over by a fog that blankets everything after a thunderstorm the night before. People don't think too much about it until terrifying creatures come out of the fog and start dragging people away and killing them. What makes this story so great is the brooding atmosphere that Stephen King unfolds for the readers with every page turn. He creates such stunning visuals in the story that by the time it's over, your wanting more! "The Mist" is truely one hard story to top in terms of classic Stephen King Horror. Which is part of the problem with the over all book SKELETON CREW. Starting things out with such a "wham bam" Horror rocker like "The Mist" makes almost everything else seem weak in it's shadow. Don't get me wrong, thats not to say SKELETON CREW doesn't have it's fair share of interesting stories. Key word, "interesting." Most of the other ones don't seem like Horror stories but rather bad and unpleasent situations. Other note worthy stories from this collection are "Survivor Type", which is about a man lost at sea and nothing to eat......but himself. "The Raft" is yet another classic Stephen King story that is almost on the same level as "The Mist." Anyone who has seen the Horror movie "Creepshow 2" knows all about it. "Nona" is a dark little tale about a man and a woman in the middle of a horrifying, killing spree. Truely dark subject matter but it never reaches the level of "The Mist." Another interesting story is one called "Mrs. Todd's Shortcut" which is about a woman with an undying desire to find the fastest way through the back roads of Maine and eventually discovers areas never seen before by man. Other good stories are "The Jaunt" and "Gramma", although nothing seems to match the power and grace of "The Mist." The rest of the book just didn't grab me like some of his past collections of short stories. So far I think his best work (in terms of short stories) are FOUR PAST MIDNIGHT, EVERYTHING'S EVENTUAL and NIGHTMARES & DREAMSCAPES. In my opinion, SKELETON CREW is a mixed bag, much like the other collection of short stories called "Night Shift." Over all, I still think Stephen King is an amazing author with a natural gift for story telling. Something about the way he details his stories and add's small bits of off the wall humor, makes it a hard match for other authors in the same business. I've read alot of Horror books in my day and I think Stephen King is miles above the rest, even with a book like SKELETON CREW which I feel is a mixed bag of stories. Anyways, this is still a great book and is perfect for anyone's ever growing Stephen King collection. New comers to the world of King might want to start with something like EVERYTHING'S EVENTUAL or his classic novels CARRIE, THE STAND and CUJO. On an end note, I'll say this much about Stephen King over all. Once he's got his "hooks" in you, it's hard to "let go." He is truely an amazing author.

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Ella Enchanted ROCKS!!!!!
A New Spin on Cinderella - Bookwyrm Chrysalis Review
A Sweet Cinderella Story
Still my favorite....
Better than the Movie

Ella Enchanted (Trophy Newbery)
Gail Carson Levine
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0064407055

Amazon.com

At birth, Ella is inadvertently cursed by an imprudent fairy named Lucinda, who bestows on her the "gift" of obedience. Anything anyone tells her to do, Ella must obey. Another girl might have been cowed by this affliction, but not feisty Ella: "Instead of making me docile, Lucinda's curse made a rebel of me. Or perhaps I was that way naturally." When her beloved mother dies, leaving her in the care of a mostly absent and avaricious father, and later, a loathsome stepmother and two treacherous stepsisters, Ella's life and well-being seem in grave peril. But her intelligence and saucy nature keep her in good stead as she sets out on a quest for freedom and self-discovery, trying to track down Lucinda to undo the curse, fending off ogres, befriending elves, and falling in love with a prince along the way. Yes, there is a pumpkin coach, a glass slipper, and a happily ever after, but this is the most remarkable, delightful, and profound version of Cinderella you've ever read.

Gail Carson Levine's examination of traditional female roles in fairy tales takes some satisfying twists and deviations from the original. Ella is bound by obedience against her will, and takes matters in her own hands with ambition and verve. Her relationship with the prince is balanced and based on humor and mutual respect; in fact, it is she who ultimately rescues him. Ella Enchanted has won many well-deserved awards, including a Newbery Honor. (Ages 9 to 14) --Emilie Coulter

Amazon.com Audiobook Review

Every child longs for the day when he or she will be free from meddling parents and bossy grownups. For young Ella, the heroine of Gail Carson Levine's Newbury Honor-winning debut novel, this is more than a fanciful wish; it could be a matter of life or death. Placed under the spell of a blundering fairy, she has no choice but to go through life obeying each and every order--no matter what the consequences may be. "If you commanded me to cut off my own head, I'd have to do it."

Eden Riegel (As the World Turns, Les Miserables) uses her youthful, energetic voice to lead the listener into a familiar world of fairy godmothers, wicked stepsisters, and handsome princes. But this imaginative retelling of the Cinderella story comes with a welcome twist. Instead of a demure heroine patiently awaiting a prince who will carry her off, this Ella is a feisty ball of fire with the courage and ambition to take matters into her own hands.

Riegel narrates in a youthful, energetic tone that is perfectly suited to Ella's character. Her voice adds charm and immediacy to a wonderful story already rich with excitement, adventure, romance, and mystery. (Running time: 5.5 hours, 4 cassettes) --George Laney

Book Description

How can a fairy's
blessing be such a curse?

At her birth, Ella of Frell was the unfortunate recipient of a foolish fairy's gift--the "gift' of obedience. Ella must obey any order given to her, whether it's hopping on one foot for a day and a half, or chopping off her own head! But strong-willed Ella does not tamely accept her fate. Against a bold backdrop of princes, ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, and fairy godmothers, Ella goes on a quest to break the curse--once and for all.

In this incredible debut novel comes the richly entertaining story of Ella of Frell, who at birth was given the gift of obedience by a fairy. Ella soon realizes that this gift is little better than a curse, for how can she truly be herself if at anytime anyone can order her to hop on one foot, or cut off her hand, or betray her kingdom'and she'll have to obey? Against a bold tapestry of princes, ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, and fairy godmothers, Ella's quest to break the curse once and for all and discover who she really is is as sharply funny as Catherine, Called Birdy and as richly poignant as Beauty, and has all the marks of a classic in the making.

Customer Reviews:

Ella Enchanted ROCKS!!!!!.......2007-09-06

I really like this new twist of Cindrella! I don't like the fact that Dame Olga, Hattie, & Olive force Ella to be their slave! My friends & I read it all the time! Really good choice for girls & boys of all ages(that can read chapter books)!

A New Spin on Cinderella - Bookwyrm Chrysalis Review.......2007-08-12

Ella of Frell received a fairy gift as a baby, the gift of obedience.

Anything she is ordered to do, she must do, as result of the gift. If she is ordered to jump into an ogre's pot, she will. If she is ordered to kill the prince that she loves, then she must.

Ella Enchanted is the story of Ella's journey to find a way to break her curse, to find the fairy who gave her the "gift," and most of all, to find herself. Filled with ogres, elves, a stepmother and stepsisters who just might be of the evil variety, or at least the self-indulging kind, and a prince who might just be charming, this book puts a new spin on the old Cinderella tale.

This is a classic book in the retelling of fairytales genre, humorous and containing a strong heroine. Ella is kind-hearted and independent, fighting against her curse in every way she can think of. Ella will delight readers of all ages and surprise them as they discover everything that leads up to the famous ball and glass slippers.

Now in its third edition, Ella Enchanted has just been re-released again as a hardcover. The new cover (above) features a real girl and shining gold trim, which matches the other re-releases of Levine's books. All the books have been re-done in honor of her newest book, Fairest. Personally, I like my beat-up copy that comes from the movie release, with Anne Hathaway on the cover. She makes an excellent Ella, and her picture tends to attract an older reader. Even though Ella is fifteen for the majority of the book, the two non-movie covers feature girls who look about twelve. Personally I find this misleading, and I originally avoided the book because it seemed to young for me.

A Sweet Cinderella Story.......2007-07-26

I read this book for a class I took on fairy tales and really really loved it. This is a fantastic read for children and young teens and a great way to give young people a different, more empowering fairy tale heroine story.

The book follows the daughter of a travelling salesman, Ella, who is under a curse from an unpredictable, showy, fairy that 'blesses' people with her poorly thought out birth or marriage greetings. Ella is blessed with the task of obedience, meaning whenever someone gives her a direct command, she must respond to it - although she can find loopholes to get out of doing what people ask her to.

The plot of the story mirrors Cinderella, but also gives explanations for all those things you were ever wondering about the original Cinderella story. After her mother's death, Ella's father realizes he is quite poor and needs to either marry Ella off, or get married himself before other people figure it out as well. He charms a widowed woman with two daughters and they make plans to get married - meanwhile, Ella is sent off to charm school with her stepsisters, one of which figures out Ella's condition. Ella realizes she needs to find a way to not only break the spell, but find a way to save her father from his marriage by entering into a relationship with someone she already has romantic feelings for - the local prince, Char.

Plenty of excitement and drama unfolds as Ella escapes charm school and is united with all sorts of magical beings, Char himself, and the workings of her family. Again, a great telling that adds a bit of logical (if you can suspend your disbelief in the magical setting) sense to this classic fairy tale!