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Young Jeremy Jacob is plucked from obscurity while innocently constructing a sand castle and is thrust into a brand-new life as a pirate. Captain Braid Beard and his crew recognize Jeremy as an exceptionally talented digger and they happen to be in desperate need of a digger to help them bury a treasure chest. Jeremy thinks a pirate life sounds like fun, as long as he's back the next day in time for soccer practice, and so he goes along with the ragtag group of seafaring thugs (with hearts of gold, naturally). And while Jeremy adores the pirates' lack of table manners and opposition to vegetables, he comes to realize that a life away from his parents lacks some of the niceties to which he's become accustomed. Nobody tucks him in at night, for instance, and the only book available to read is a treasure map. Melinda Long's story, narrated with a sense of boastful exaggeration by Jeremy, is full of a sense of high adventure that's lovingly evocative of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tales. David Shannon's illustrations, full of a goofy vibrancy, are a perfect accompaniment to the story. (Ages 4 to 8) --John Moe
Book Description
When Braid Beard's pirate crew invites Jeremy Jacob to join their voyage, he jumps right on board. Buried treasure, sea chanteys, pirate talk--who wouldn't go along? Soon Jeremy Jacob knows all about being a pirate. He throws his food across the table and his manners to the wind. He hollers like thunder and laughs off bedtime. It's the heave-ho, blow-the-man-down, very best time of his life. Until he finds out what pirates don't do--no reading bedtime stories, no tucking kids in. . . . Maybe being a pirate isn't so great after all.
Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator David Shannon teams up with witty storyteller Melinda Long for a hilarious look at the finer points of pirate life.
Customer Reviews:
Great illustrations and totally entertaining story.......2007-09-27
I bought this for my 3 1/2 year old grandson and he loved it. Whenever Grammy comes to visit I try to have scoured Amazon.com for what look like the best children's books and as he had loved David Shannon's books I bought this one as I knew the illustrations would be colorful. It is a fun story but the best part, it lends itself so well to playing imaginatively. Immediately after reading it, we went outside and I played cartographer helping my grandson draw our own treasure map with instructions how to get to the tree in his backyard where we buried a seashell. He was so excited to show his Mommy and his baby brother how well the map worked and where our treasure was buried. Great little story and we read it several times over the next few days...always noticing something else in the pictures we hadn't seen before and then making up our own stories about what we saw. So I bought "Pirates Don't Change Diapers" also and pirate tattoos to continue the saga. Lots of scope for the imagination here!
Great Pirate Book.......2007-09-19
My boys have two books from this collection and LOVE them both! Great photos and funny story.
great fun.......2007-07-16
Jeremy, probably feeling a little neglected on the beach, goes off with a band of pirates. He feels his parents won't mind as as long as he is back in time for soccer practice the next day. Initially, he finds this adventure to be exciting, liberating and great fun. Soon he realizes a pirate's life is not exactly ideal. There's no tucking in, no books, and no goodnight kisses! Of course, a storm must swoop down on the ship and the treasure is in peril. Jeremy has the ideal solution, which you'll love. This is a truly fun book for children ages 4-9. My students really enjoy this as a read aloud and then being able to revisit it on their own.
Away My Hearties to a great read.......2007-07-07
This is a great adventure book for younger kids. Our family has really enjoyed all the Pirate books and look forward to more.
great book.......2007-06-13
My son (4 yr) likes this book. It is illustrated well and entertaining.
Book Description
Byzantium, 1096. A mysterious assassin releases an arrow aimed at the emperor---but he has more than just a man in his sights. A keystone of a crumbling empire, the emperor is the solitary figure holding all the enemies in check. And if he falls, the mightiest power in Christendom will be torn apart.
Demetrios Askiates, unveiler of mysteries, is hired to catch the would-be-killer. But he is entering an unknown world; a babbling cauldron of princes, slaves, mercenaries, pimps, and eunuchs. Not all enemies are within the city walls, however, and with the Turks running rampant across Asia, the emperor has sent to the west for mercenaries to reinforce his position. When a great army, tens of thousands strong, appears before the city gates---the emperor gets more than he bargained for. From the depths of the slums to the golden towers of the city palace; from the sands of the hippodrome to the soaring domes of Ayia Sophia; Demetrios must edge his way through a glittering maze of treachery and deceit before time runs out.
Intent on making their fortunes in war, and with no allegiance to this empire, the first crusaders have arrived with eyes full of jealousy and suspicion. As the armies of the east and west confront each other, and with the assassin creeping ever closer to his prey, Demetrios must untangle this golden web of intrigue that surrounds the emperor---before the city, and the empire, are drowned in blood.
“His portrayal of the Byzantine city and the intrigues that threaten its destruction is vivid and convincing.”
---The Sunday Times (UK)
“It’s a world that Harper brings exuberantly to life, clearly revelling in its teeming, tumultuous extravagance. But he also has a sharp eye for an intriguing mystery.”
---Yorkshire Post (UK)
“Tom Harper writes with strident clarity in this epic tale of murder and betrayal, bloodshed and romance. Gripping from the first page, the reader is swept up.... Well researched and cinematic in its imagery, this is a fast-paced and exciting debut.”
---INK (UK)
“A gripping tale...I look forward to Demetrios’s further adventures.”
---Elizabeth Hawksley, Historical Novels Review
“A lively adventure.... The imperial palace, with all its splendor and intrigue, is brought vividly to life.”
---Good Book Review (UK)
“An engaging romp---Byzantine not only in time and location but the ins and outs of the plot.”
---The Advertiser (Australia)
Customer Reviews:
Very fun story that will actually take you to Byzantium.......2007-07-30
No spoilers.
I'll have to agree with another reviewer here who noted that the immediate flaw in this novel is that there is little introduction or background given about the protagonist, Demetrios, until about a quarter of the way into the book. Having said that (and overlooking it because you eventually find out about him), this is definitely a book I recommend.
Although I began to suspect who the Emperor's true enemy was before it was revealed, even that, which is something that I usually hate when reading a mystery, didn't take away from the quality of the story. Harper, with ease, immerses the reader into eleventh century Byzantine society to the point where you almost believe you are reading these events unfold in the present, right outside your window.
I fully recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and who wants to be transported into their story.
Conspiracy, Spies, Betrayel, Epic Battles - Medieval Times.......2007-01-23
Medieval Times. What a...mysterious time in our (human) past. After the fall of Rome, the world dived into a 1000 years of turmoil, wars, Crusades, and so much more. How much fun!
Set during the time of Emperor Alexios, we have a great, huge story which brings the reader right into the story from the first page, to the very end. Our hero is Demetrios. Former mercenary, turned "investigator" there is a plot to assassinate the emperor, and take over the empire.
We are weaved through a fine tale, based on much fact, of betrayel, loyalties, and much more. Who tried to kill the Emperor, and why? With a barbarian army from France marching towards the city, the turks lurking just a few hundred miles away, we are setup for a final scene unlike more others. Will Demetrios find out who and why tried to Assassinate the Emperor?
The book is extremely well written. Great characters, again, many based on actual events and people. Tom Harper shows his knowledge of the times, with a very convincing story.
Whether you are a fan of the times or not, this book will entertain you. Not for a minute was I counting the pages left.
A Fascinating Read.......2007-01-06
Tom Harper is a pseudonym of Edwin Thomas who grew up in West Germany, Belgium and America before returning to England to study history at Oxford university. The mosaic of Shadows is about a period of history that I enjoy reading about very much, but even if I am slightly biased I believe that the book is a really good read for anyone interested in historical murder mysteries.
The book takes place in Byzantium, the year is 1096, 30 years after the bastard Norman, Duke William had captured the throne of England from the grasp of Harold at Hastings.
When an attempt is made on the life of the emperor by a mysterious assassin, whoever sent the killer to try to murder the emperor knows that it was not just a man who would have been killed by the assassin's arrow but an empire in decline. If the emperor should fall then the mightiest force in Christendom will be torn apart. Only too aware of his precarious position the emperor hire the unveiled of mysteries, Demetrios Askiates to catch the would-be-killer. But even for one such as Demetrios the task of finding the killer is all but impossible. An unknown world of prince's and paupers, slaves mercenaries, harems and eunuchs. From the slums to the golden palace, enemies are lurking in the shadows, but not all are within the wall of the city.
The first crusaders have arrived and are intent on making their fortunes. They hold no allegiance to an enemy they eye with suspicion. As they armies of the east and the west confront each other across a barren landscape, the assassin prepares to make another attempt upon the life of the emperor. Can Demetrios untangle the web of deceit and intrigue that surrounds the emperor and his city before it is too late and one of the greatest empires of all time crumbles into the dust . . .
A fine first.......2007-01-01
Mr. Harper certainly knows his Byzantine and Crusader history and culture, and has stuck close to the reality of the times. He can also spin a detective tale. There may be scenes the reader will doubt, but it's all true. Mr. Harper does not invent the mechanical lions that bristled and roared next to the Emperor's throne to frighten barbarians.
A nice mix of personal/family issues and detective work, as well as great historical events. The mix of the first two might remind one of Lindsey Davis's Falco, but unlike either Davis or John Maddox Roberts in their top-notch Roman detective series, Harper is not also a humorist. The book is a straightforward historical mystery, but unlike Rosemary Rowe's Libertus series, it isn't just a non-stop series of clue-unraveling. Harper is never dull reading.
Enjoyable story by young author.......2005-12-03
After the disaster at Manzikert, the great Byzantine Empire calls for help from the 'barbarian' west. Emperor Alexios Komnenos appeals for mercenaries to help him re-capture his Asian province (modern-day Turkey). Instead, the west responds with the First Crusade. The Crusaders are anxious to confront the Turks who occupy Jerusalem, but they have no interest in helping Alexios regain his lost province. When Alexios demands their oath that any conquests within his former territory be returned to him, they refuse. Political hardball? Perhaps. But when an assassin's bolt nearly kills the Emperor, the Emperor's eunuch hires ex-mercenary and now detective Demetrios Askiates to uncover the truth.
Pieces of the truth are easy enough to discover. The bolt could only have been fired from a western crossbow, the kind the Franks outside the city carry. And a monk who seems to follow the western rites is clearly responsible. But the eunuch knows that a foreign monk cannot be the center of the plot. Some 'Roman' must be involved--one with enough power that he would be in a position to have himself proclaimed Emperor if the current Emperor falls.
Author Tom Harper does a fine job describing the city of Constantinople under siege, the Greek intrigues that so frustrated the western Crusaders, and the various groups of mercenaries who defended the Empire while the mob often controlled its fate. Demetrios Askiates makes an intriguing sleuth, with his concern for his daughters and his ambivalent feelings toward the beautiful doctor, Anna. We can, perhaps, forgive 26-year-old author Harper for believing that a man in his mid-thirties is over the hill and unable to carry weapons effectively.
Fans of historical mystery will want to pick up MOSAIC OF SHADOWS--and hope that we soon see more by Tom Harper.
Book Description
First and foremost, this is virtually an exclusive story that few media outlets or the American public know about. Hard to believe when you read the below summary, but lucky for us:
In addition to being the vehicle for the author to become a major media force in the national debate on the war, this remarkable memoir will introduce the public to Captain Robert McGovern's inspirational rise as a boy who was one of nine children who rose to become a New Jersey high school football phenom and then a major NFL star as a linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the New England Patriots. Following this success, McGovern chose to leave football and receive his law degree from Fordham University in order to work in the New York City district attorney's office in the late 90s. Subsequently, he was a witness of the WTC attack on New York, which led to his decision to leave public life and join the U.S. Army as a prosecuting attorney for the military, resulting last year in his conviction (and death penalty sentencing) of the Middle Eastern but American–born Army Sergeant Hasan Akbar, who threw live grenades into the commissary tent of his fellow soldiers fighting the war in Kuwait.
Customer Reviews:
a moron for the ages.......2007-09-23
This simpleton of a jerk-off & his ilk are EXACTLY what is wrong with my country. I cannot f+cking wait to leave this country & never return. Enjoy your fascism.
Autobiography and Apologetic.......2007-09-20
Several reviews I have read have come down hard on the author for his stand on the war in Iraq. But this is his autobiography, the story of his life, and his opinion of the war is just one part of it. It is a well-written account of his childhood, his family, his education and his aspirations, and continues into his adulthood to the present time. He lets us know how he was trained by his parents to be unselfish and give back to the community some form of service, and this was undoubtedly the motivation for joining the Army Reserve, and eventually finding himself on active duty in Iraq.
A good part of his story comes before that. He was competing with his older brothers in athletics, trying to be as good as they had been in high school football, and then in college football. He received an athletic scholarship from Holy Cross, an enormous accomplishment in his eyes, and he was grateful for the opportunity. And then came pro football, four years of it on three different teams. He was pretty good at it, but not outstanding. He simply was not big enough (hefty, bulky) to be a great linebacker. He was thankful for this chance to make the big league, but took the advice of one of his coaches to give it up. From there he decided to study law and with his law degree took a job as an Assistant DA in New York City. Then came 9/11, to which he was an eyewitness. In his role as a US Army Reserve officer he volunteered to help. Immediately following, he applied for active duty, leaving his job as assistant DA, and became a prosecutor for the Judge Advocate General Corps, and then deployed to Afghanistan and later to Iraq. His experiences there were extraordinary because he was involved in the trial of Hasan Akbar, the US Army Sergeant who killed two Army officers and wounded a number of others when he threw hand grenades into the tents of the soldiers.
This is a well-written account of the life of a man who became a soldier in the US Army. Why would anyone find it strange that he has strong opinions in favor of the war in Iraq ? It is his contention that we are there as part of the war on terrorism. The patriotic feeling that he had on 9/11 was something that almost all of us shared at that time. For him it continued; for many of us it disappeared.
Should we still be in Iraq? That is a matter for debate, which has been ongoing for some time now. Captain McGovern feels that we are making a difference, and that is why we are still there.
This book is certainly worth reading, if only to gain some insight from a different perspective.
RICK SHAQ GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "YOU AND I ARE THE "ALL-AMERICAN'S" THAT CAPTAIN McGOVERN IS TALKING ABOUT!".......2007-07-25
The life story of Captain Robert McGovern, is almost "Forrest Gump" like. Rob is one of nine Irish Catholic children, born to Howard and Terry McGovern in New Jersey. Though born in New Jersey, if I were to describe his morals, character, and upbringing, I would describe it in the highest of terms, that most Americans would consider as "mid-western". One of the many, emotionally uplifting themes in this book, is the absolute, enduring, love, and respect, that Rob, constantly proclaims for his parents. He was raised from the beginning, to have high goals, and his older brothers got football scholarships to Holy Cross, as Rob also did later on, but with less fanfare. Just as importantly, he and his siblings were raised to "service" the community. To give something back, and Rob continued this process in college at Holy Cross and while in the National Football League, with outreach programs. When Rob graduated college, no one gave him a chance of making it in the NFL. But he was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, as an undersized, underdog, linebacker, and special team's player. He lasted a few years with numerous teams, making the most of his non-star ability. The way he accomplished this, is with dogged, determination and dedication. To quote Rob: "Being the best at what you do has to be more important to you than partying or chasing girls or hanging out with your buddies. It has to be worth sacrificing the comforts and pleasures of an undirected life and replacing them with long hours of sweat and tears. In football, it also helps to be one tough character." At the end of Rob's short NFL career, he attended law school, and upon graduation, became an assistant D.A. in Manhattan. In keeping with his personal goal, of giving service to his community/country, he also joined the Army Reserves.
Then, on the forever-fateful day, of September 11, 2001, Rob was on the way to work in Manhattan, when he saw the smoke, and the planes, at the World Trade Center. He couldn't get to work, so he went home and put on the TV, and heard an announcement, that military men were needed at "ground-zero" to help look for bodies. Even though he was in the reserves, he donned his uniform, and went to "ground-zero", and helped recover the remains of victims for days. Rob, happened to be there, when President Bush arrived, and shook the Commander In Chief's hand, and was so moved, he decided he wanted to go on active duty and help America fight back. Because Rob was 38 years old, they wouldn't let him go on active duty. He persisted in every way possible, and was finally accepted as a Judge Advocate General. (JAG) He proceeded to go to Afghanistan and Iraq and assisted in "Rules Of Engagement" (ROE) enforcement. From there, he went in to criminal prosecution. He wound up on the successful prosecution team, that convicted Sergeant Hasan Akbar, probably the worst, United States Military criminal, in the last 30-40 years. To refresh your memory, Akbar, was the traitor, who the night before, we were going to launch Operation Iraqi Freedom, attacked his comrades, with grenades and small-arms fire. He wounded more than a dozen troops. Two were dead.
There is much more, to the life story, of a man who loves his country, loves his family, loves God, and has dedicated his life to enforcing freedom throughout the world, but let me conclude my review, by having Rob tell you why he named his book "All American". "You might wonder about the use of "All-American" in the title. First of all, let me say off the bat that I'm not talking about myself here. What is an "All-American" anyway? I've met some real "All-Americans- quiet, unassuming, heroic people who inspire students, protect us from crime, and defend our values. They are "All-American" in every sense of the phrase. I chose this title in part to pay tribute to these "All-American", I've been lucky enough to meet and work with through the years. I also chose it to pay special tribute to the men and women of our armed forces, especially those in the 82nd Airborne Division. That famous unit happens to be called the All-American Division."
Extraordinary.......2007-06-08
An extraordinary account of one good man standing tall for the best of American values.
I wanted to like this book, but..........2007-04-29
I am also a Captain in the Army, so I was excited to come across a written account of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan written by one of my peers. I thought this book would be interesting and relevant to my own experiences in Iraq. However, I was very quickly disappointed by the book's one-sidedness and lack of insight.
One of McGovern's main themes is that the positive stories from Iraq and Afghanistan are seldom reported, while violence and strife always make the nightly news. While there is truth to this, McGovern takes the opposite approach to the extreme. He cites children waving at soldiers and Iraqis voting as proof that US policies in Iraq are working and progress is being made, but he completely ignores any and all evidence to the contrary (worsening violence, Iraqi political ineffectiveness, millions of refugees fleeing the country, a steady decline of electricity and other services, children throwing rocks, etc).
By far, the biggest flaw in this book is that McGovern never addresses or acknowledges the negative impact of having an occupying army living and operating for years within a civilian population. In the effort to catch the terrorists, soldiers kick in doors, round up detainees, seize and destroy private property, create collateral damage and civilian deaths, etc. These are the unavoidable side effects of fighting a war. Add to that the unscrupulous actions of the soldiers at Abu Ghraib and Haditha, and you'll find that the longer we stay, the less popular we become, and the more support the insurgency receives from the local population. A recent poll indicated that over half of Iraqis now support attacks against American soldiers. By ignoring half of the issue, McGovern abandons a reasoned, balanced appraisal in favor of blind ideology and wishful thinking.
I haven't mentioned McGovern's career in the NFL or as an attorney, because the autobiographical aspect of this book is actually rather secondary to his promotion of US policy in executing the War on Terror. In this regard, none of his points are new, original, or insightful. Conservative ideology is haphazardly sprinkled throughout the book whether or not it is relevant to the ongoing story. For example, here is a quote from the NFL portion: "Of course, the hate [Vince] Lombardi was talking about was the football kind, not the hate that drives people to fly airplanes into buildings." By the time you reach the end of the book, it starts to sound like a White House press release from 2003. If you are primarily looking for a good inside account of the NFL, life in Iraq/Afghanistan, or the DA's office, this isn't the right book for you. If you're hells bells behind the war in Iraq and want to read something you're sure to agree with, then you might want to pick this up.
Book Description
Stochastic processes are necessary ingredients for building models of a wide variety of phenomena exhibiting time varying randomness. In a lively and imaginative presentation, studded with examples, exercises, and applications, and supported by inclusion of computational procedures, the author has created a textbook that provides easy access to this fundamental topic for many students of applied sciences at many levels. With its carefully modularized discussion and crystal clear differentiation between rigorous proof and plausibility argument, it is accessible to beginners but flexible enough to serve as well those who come to the course with strong backgrounds. The prerequisite background for reading the book is a graduate level pre-measure theoretic probability course. No knowledge of measure theory is presumed and advanced notions of conditioning are scrupulously avoided until the later chapters of the book.
The book can be used for either a one or two semester course as given in departments of mathematics, statistics, operation research, business and management, or a number of engineering departments. Its approach to exercises and applications is practical and serious. Some underlying principles of complex problems and computations are cleanly and quickly delineated through rich vignettes of whimsically imagined Happy Harry and his Optima Street gang’s adventures in a world whose randomness is a never-ending source of both wonder and scientific insight.
The tools of applied probability---discrete spaces, Markov chains, renewal theory, point processes, branching processes, random walks, Brownian motion---are presented to the reader in illuminating discussion. Applications include such topics as queuing, storage, risk analysis, genetics, inventory, choice, economics, sociology, and other. Because of the conviction that analysts who build models should know how to build them for each class of process studied, the author has included such constructions.
Customer Reviews:
Review of adventures in stochastic processes.......2007-03-17
In advance I would like to apologize for my poor englisch.
The book is pretty good. Not for light reading, because it is advanced probibility theory and because the book is very heavy ;).
The explanations are clear and the examples are good to understand the theory. With regard to advancement it is a standard American study book.
Good luck in your course stochastic processes,
kiss Daniëlle
Not a beginner's book!.......2005-07-12
I used this book in both my "introduction" to stochastic processes course as well as for a more advanced Markov chains class. The book was VERY difficult to understand, and the notation does not aid in the explanation at all. I found the material to be presented in an odd order and NOT AT ALL friendly for a beginner! The material is very dense (I think that I covered perhaps 4 chapters during the course of my two semesters using this class), and does not reconcile intuition with the proofs. The Markov chains portions of the book are more understandable than the stochastic processes portions (point processes, Poisson processes, etc). I'd suggest both books by Sheldon Ross instead (the Introduction to Probability Models for beginners and the Stochastic Processes book for a beginning graduate student or beyond). I now use my copy of this book for a doorstop.
Very good math textbook.......2004-05-16
I will give separate rate to Chapter 1, 2, 6 since I have only learned these 3 chapters in class.
Chapter 1. Preliminaries --- 5/5 very well written
Chapter 2. Markov Chains --- 6/5 superbly written
Chapter 6. Brownian Motion --- 3/5 could have been explained in a simpler way
This book is very accessible to beginners who have a good math sense, but it's not recommended for non-math major.
Pretty good........2002-04-18
This book gives the basic essentials of stochastic processes in a rigorous yet very readable way. The standart subjects (Discrete time/continuous time Markov chains, renewal processes, Poisson processes) are treated in good detail. Some more advanced subjects (Brownian motion and general random walk) are also given.
The presentation is very organized, and the author gives many interesting (and mostly, fun to read) examples. The introductory material in chapter 1 is very detailed. Chapter 2 on discrete time MC's is excellent. (I especially enjoyed seeing the interplay between convergence of time-averages and distributions).
This book is obviously more advanced than some other texts in this area (e.g., S. M. Ross - Stochastic Processes), and it emphasizes the technicality behind the proofs a bit more. I think that after learning the basic ideas in some undergrad level course, it is easier to read. One drawback of the book is that in some places the treatment is a bit dry (e.g., in the beginning of chapter 3 - Renewal processes).
Overall, I give it 4.5 / 5 stars.
Average customer rating:
- Ordinary Heroism
- Yes -- a Bad Ending CAN Cost You a 5-Star Review
- Curious
- When Life Deals You a Bad Hand...
- An enjoyable experience of Ethics and Modern Literature
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I Am the Messenger
Markus Zusak
Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers
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ASIN: 0375836675
Release Date: 2006-05-09 |
Book Description
Meet Ed Kennedy—underage cabdriver, pathetic cardplayer, and useless at romance. He lives in a shack with his coffee-addicted dog, the Doorman, and he’s hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence, until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery. That’s when the first Ace arrives. That’s when Ed becomes the messenger. . . .
Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary), until only one question remains: Who’s behind Ed’s mission?
Winner of the 2003 Children’s Book Council Book of the Year Award in Australia, I Am the Messenger is a cryptic journey filled with laughter, fists, and love.
From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
Ordinary Heroism.......2007-09-20
Though many people dislike the book's ending, I found it quite fitting. Zusak inspires readers with his creation of an ordinary hero. Ed motivates adults and teens alike to save the world. Just as Ed receives minimal information outlining his mission, we too must emerge from our lives of self-absorption and extend ourselves.
How does Ed save others? He watches, waits, and delivers. Though the action may be small, the kindness is powerful. This taxi-driving youth's understanding of people's need is astounding. Telling a young runner she possesses beauty. Bringing an old woman a past love. Reuniting a friend with his lost child. And, ultimately, giving himself the greatest gift of all.
This book is a fast read, not only because of the simple writing style, but also because of my lack of patience in awaiting Ed's next mission. Few can read this book and not be encouraged to create their own lives full of LIFE.
Yes -- a Bad Ending CAN Cost You a 5-Star Review.......2007-09-20
A very good concept, tight writing, interesting characters -- and an absolutely awful ending. That's a shame -- the idea of a young man being forced by a mysterious stranger to engage with the people around him and become an active participant in his own world is marvelous. The characters are crisply drawn, the plot is novel and charming, and the prose is quite well executed. So: the author couldn't sustain it, and didn't really know how to end it. Big deal? Yes- when the cop-out is of this magnitude. Don't bother with this one -- it's just too long a book and too compelling a mystery to invest your time in for such a terribly misguided denouement.
Curious.......2007-09-07
I really enjoyed "The Book Thief" by Zusak. I was curious about this "I am the Messenger" and really enjoyed it. I am always pleased to see that an author is diverse and not writing the same book over again. I am not sure why his books are classified as YA. There is a lot of sex in "Messenger" for a 9th grader. I like his style and ability to insert prose.
I thought is was a good ending - one to discuss with others.
When Life Deals You a Bad Hand..........2007-09-03
Australian YA author Markus Zusak's I AM THE MESSENGER is a likable little production wherein lovable loser, Ed Kennedy the Taxi Cab Driver, ultimately makes the fare of his life by figuring out, then fulfilling, the strange missions left in his letter box. These cryptic tasks are written on playing cards -- the aces, to be exact -- and all involve helping others to find their Frank Capra moments (It's a Wonderful Life meets Oz). Ultimately, "the messenger" (the original title, by the way), delivers a moral which is uplifting, even if the plot used as a vehicle is not entirely believable. Nevertheless, endeared readers will willingly go along for the ride and feel all the better for it once they arrive.
Strengths of Zusak's novel include characterization and suspense. Among Ed's card-playing band of not-so-merry losers are Marv, a money-hoarding loner; Ritchie, a ne'er-do-well, lazy, professionally-unemployed type; and Audrey, the requisite, sad-eyed beauty who calls Ed her best friend while calling many other males her lovers. Man's best friend is amply represented by the Doorman -- Ed's smell-to-the-high-heavens German Shepherd -- and heavies Keith and Daryl, who put the hurt on him in their own inimitable style, giving the novel a twisted comic kick. Ed's mom? She loves to hate him. His brother Tommy? He gets all the girls and attention. And his alcoholic father? Alas, he took his last mortal swig a year before the story's first page.
Zusak pulls the ensemble together for a predictable conclusion (though you best leave logic at the door when it comes to the "mystery character"). Young readers will love the book's brisk style which includes many, many one-sentence paragraphs. And teachers will want to stock this for classrooms of high schools only -- despite the cheerful life lessons, the book is heavy with the sort of profanity that might raise all but the most liberal middle school parents' (or the school committee's) eyebrows. Adults as well as teens can enjoy the book, however, as its winsome style and free-wheeling protagonist will make all but the most hard-hearted reader want to cheer Ed on as he finally plays the winning card...
An enjoyable experience of Ethics and Modern Literature.......2007-08-09
I admit it took me several discs to get into "I Am Messenger." The accent of the narrator put me off for quite a while... and the story seemed to be going nowhere.
Then suddenly I found myself HOOKED by the characters, the story, the extraordinary thread running through an apparently ordinary story. It has that hypnotic effect that a good soap opera has when you simply must tune in to the next part of the story to find out what happens. The writing is sharp and starts piercing ethical expectations without warning.
As a writer I count this book as one that has changed my own short story writing technique. So, in that sense I count it as great contemporary literature... for me.
Average customer rating:
- Speechless
- Excellent Read!
- Incredible Story Written with Heart
- Finely Drawn Portrait
- Fabulous
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The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B.
Sandra Gulland
Manufacturer: Touchstone
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Binding: Paperback
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Katherine
ASIN: 0684856069 |
Amazon.com
Since completing high school history, few of us have managed to keep straight the details of the French Revolution. Beyond suggestions of eating cake and the effectiveness of the guillotine, this sordid time period has remained--for many--somewhat obscure. Now, through the novel The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B., not only do we learn of the many differences between Robespierre and Rousseau, but we gain insight into the marriage of one of history's greatest political couples: Napoleon and Josephine.
Standing beside the charismatic Napoleon, Josephine's own importance and fascinating history have often been overshadowed. In a fictionalized account of Josephine's diaries and her correspondence, author Sandra Gulland has shed light on Josephine's pre-Napoleon life. This, the first of three books about Josephine, covers her childhood in Martinique, her first marriage, the birth of her children, her life during the revolution, and her marriage to Napoleon.
A poor Creole outsider as well as a rising socialite, Josephine experienced both the horrors of imprisonment and the privilege of connections. Utilizing these different perspectives, Gulland takes special care to bring forth the reality of life in late 18th-century France. Though she can only theorize on Josephine's emotions and desires, Gulland's talented writing and the restrained use of footnotes keep the reader properly informed on pertinent details, whether they be obscure political events or voodoo beliefs. While professional historians may bristle at the artistic license Gulland employs, most readers will find her novel a satisfying and engaging introduction to this dramatic period. --Nancy R.E. O'Brien
Book Description
In this first of three books inspired by the life of Josephine Bonaparte, Sandra Gulland has created a novel of immense and magical proportions. We meet Josephine in the exotic and lush Martinico, where an old island woman predicts that one day she will be queen. The journey from the remote village of her birth to the height of European elegance is long, but Josephine's fortune proves to be true. By way of fictionalized diary entries, we traverse her early years as she marries her one true love, bears his children, and is left betrayed, widowed, and penniless. It is Josephine's extraordinary charm, cunning, and will to survive that catapults her to the heart of society, where she meets Napoleon, whose destiny will prove to be irrevocably intertwined with hers.
Customer Reviews:
Speechless.......2007-06-27
I just finished reading the trilogy (took four days and I have been working too) and I am amazed at how incredible these books were. The history is incredible and told in a way that makes you feel that you are there. I laughed, I cried and now I feel empty. I will miss Josephine.
Excellent Read!.......2007-01-08
I couldn't put this book down. It is filled with so much history during Jospehine Bounaparte's earlier years up to when she meets Napolean. I am not sure how this woman survived all that she lived thru in this book. It is some very good reading.
Incredible Story Written with Heart.......2006-12-21
Let me just say that I am not normally a fan of historical fiction based on a singular character. When I received this book as a gift, I was a bit nervous about reading it. However, Ms. Gulland's talent and gift for storytelling has changed my opinion. I started out expecting not to like it - I ended up loving it.
Josephine's story is a compelling tale of a young Creole girl who eventually becomes queen. But it's more than that - it's a story of a woman caught in a loveless marriage, in impossible situations and how she managed through her own strength of character to rise above her tribulations. Ms. Gulland made me forget that I was reading fiction. She also made me love the intimacy of this story. Thank you!
Finely Drawn Portrait.......2006-09-02
I'm not sure how Gulland does it, but her dialogue, journal entries, and letters let us get to know Josephine and keep the pages turning. An artful solution to the challenge of setting place, voice and character.
A great read for those who like historical novels and/or French culture...
Possibly addictive, I had to read the next 2 books in the series after finishing "Lives and Sorrows."
Fabulous.......2006-06-29
This is the way all historical fiction should be read. It was fun to read and great to see the life and times from a woman's perspective. Josephine is so real and you cry for her to find the joy she deserves. Fabulous read, I am on the third of the series now. BUY ALL THREE!!
Average customer rating:
- Great reader; poor editing of material.
- The Hundred Days
- spoilers here; but DONT read other reviews if you haven't read this book
- Masterfully Told Adventure
- Wonderful, but not as
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The Hundred Days (Aubrey/Maturin Series)
Patrick O'Brian
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Company
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ASIN: 0393319792 |
Amazon.com
The year is 1815, and Europe's most unpopular (not to mention tiniest) empire-builder has escaped from Elba. In The Hundred Days, it's up to Jack Aubrey--and surgeon-cum-spymaster Stephen Maturin--to stop Napoleon in his tracks. How? For starters, Aubrey and his squadron have been dispatched to the Adriatic coast, to keep Bonapartist shipbuilders from beefing up the French navy. Meanwhile, one Sheik Ibn Hazm is fomenting an Islamic uprising against the Allies. The only way to halt this maneuver is to intercept the sheik's shipment of gold--because in the Napoleonic era, as in our own, even the most ardent of mercenaries requires a salary.
The Hundred Days is the 19th (and, we are told, the penultimate) installment of O'Brian's epic. Like many of its predecessors, it features a fairly swashbuckling plot, complete with cannon fire, exotic disguises, and Aubrey's suspenseful, slow-motion pursuit of an Algerian xebek. Yet it never turns into a mere exercise in Hornblowerism. Partly this is due to O'Brian's delicate touch with character--the relationship between extroverted Aubrey and introverted Maturin has deepened with each book, and even Aubrey's reunion with his childhood companion Queenie Keith is full of novelistic nuance: "They sat smiling at one another. An odd pair: handsome creatures both, but they might have been of the same sex or neither." Nor does the author focus too exclusively on his dynamic duo. Indeed, The Hundred Days is very much a chronicle of a floating community, which Maturin describes as "his own village, his own ship's company, that complex entity so much more easily sensed than described: part of his natural habitat."
Finally, O'Brian shows his usual expertise in balancing the great events with the most minuscule ones. Other authors have written about battles at sea, and still others have recorded the rapid rise and fall of Napoleon's fortunes after his escape from confinement. But who else would give equal time--and an equal charge of delight--to Maturin's discovery of an anomalous nuthatch? --James Marcus
Amazon.com Audiobook Review
In this, actor Robert Hardy's fourth reading from Patrick O'Brian's celebrated historical novels, series heroes Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are in very different circumstances from when we first meet them. In Master and Commander, the first of the series, Aubrey is young and full of himself, and through Hardy's performance we can practically hear Aubrey's puffed-out chest. But in The Hundred Days, Aubrey is a commodore, famous throughout the British Empire for his naval exploits, and Hardy reflects the confidence that comes with those accomplishments. Meanwhile, his best friend, surgeon-spy Stephen Maturin, is wasting away as the audiocassette opens, in deep mourning for his recently deceased wife. But soon enough, both are pulled into great adventure again--in this case, Napoleon's final campaign--and the fate of the Empire rests on their ability to stop the fitting out of a new French fleet and to keep a shipment of gold from reaching a mercenary army. (Running time: three hours, two cassettes) --Lou Schuler
Book Description
Napoleon, escaped from Elba, pursues his enemies across Europe like a vengeful phoenix. If he can corner the British and Prussians before their Russian and Austrian allies arrive, his genius will lead the French armies to triumph at Waterloo. In the Balkans, preparing a thrust northwards into Central Europe to block the Russians and Austrians, a horde of Muslim mercenaries is gathering. They are inclined toward Napoleon because of his conversion to Islam during the Egyptian campaign, but they will not move without a shipment of gold ingots from Sheik Ibn Hazm which, according to British intelligence, is on its way via camel caravan to the coast of North Africa. It is this gold that Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin must at all costs intercept. The fate of Europe hinges on their desperate mission.
Customer Reviews:
Great reader; poor editing of material........2007-02-20
We made the mistake of buying this ABRIDGED version of The Hundred Days, not noticing the FINE PRINT. The reader was very good, but the material truncated, choppy, and not "up to snuff." If you are a devoted fan of the Aubrey-Maturin stories, hurry up and read, yes, read the book. There's not a moment to lose!
The Hundred Days.......2007-01-18
Overhelming view of England day to day life during the last months of Napoleon power.
spoilers here; but DONT read other reviews if you haven't read this book.......2006-11-23
I have criticisms of many of the reviews here. Reviewers, type 'spoiler' for gosh sake. Have some decency; presumably review perveyors haven't read the damn thing. Anyway, to answer a few:
Dianna's death was absolutely necessary. Cripes, it sets up the next novel. You can see her death coming books ago.
I too have a problem with Bonden's death; I guess he felt the character tragic, and it was time to die. I think it was a stupid move. Bonden has as much right as Killick to continue on.
I think from some researching that O'Brian WAS ill through much of this book. However, it is still eminently endorsable.
The last two chapters I thought are very well done (O'Brian finishes a book better than anyone). And Jacob is a great character.
Masterfully Told Adventure.......2005-01-22
Patrick O'Brian's capacity to carry off nineteen installments in the Aubrey/Maturin series is nothing short of astonishing. There is no faulting O'Brian's ability to craft a richly detailed and captivating tale combined seamlessly with subtle plot twists and turns. The Napoleonic wars and the escape of Napoleon from Elba provide the backdrop to this incredible tale filled with action and political intrigue that completely captives the reader.
The personalities of the families, friends, and enemies left ashore by Aubrey and Mautrin permeate their lives at sea. If not considered in this light, the death of Mautrin's wife, Diana, would be a meaningless detail. This is also what allows the reader to become intimate with Aubrey and Mautrin, almost as if they are old friends. O'Brian is never callow or derivative. You should not expect these sea-going tales to be filled with swashbuckling adventure of which the singular point is action.
This nineteenth installment takes you across the Mediterranean and the Adriatic, and into combat against the French navy. It also takes you ashore into North Africa to intercept caravans carrying gold. This gold is intended for Muslin mercenaries who are disposed to support Napoleon. This is an outstanding installment to the series and most definitely can stand on its own.
Wonderful, but not as.......2005-01-08
I very much admire Partick O'brien's style and books, and I cannot say that this is even a mediocre book, but it is below his rest, merely for reasons of the plot. It is rather a shock to discover, in the first few pages, that Stephen's beloved Diana has died. At first I was annoyed that we heard about it from a complete stranger, but then I realized that it was really kinder than being with Stephen when he learned of it. I was and am still frusterated with Bonden's curt death, but in the next book there is somewhat of a recompense. As I said, a good book, one worth reading, but not as spectacular as the others in the series.
Book Description
Seeking a tropical paradise that's also an outdoor-adventurer's fantasy island? Come to Kaua'i, where nature lovers, water babies and beach bums alike come to escape. Whether hiking the velvety green Na Pali cliffs, helicoptering over the blood-red Waimea Canyon or floating in the blue bliss of Hanalei Bay, the very best of Hawaii's colorful Garden Isle is revealed in this in-depth guide.
o FOLLOW THE LEADER - our expert, Native Hawaiian author provides insider tips on the top beaches, hideaways, tour operators, luau, shave ice
o BE INSPIRED - full-color themed highlights, custom itineraries, thorough directory and 43 detailed maps
o GET OUT! - unleash your inner adrenaline junkie with the best outdoor-activities coverage of any Kaua'i guide
o EAT WELL, REST EASY - opinionated reviews of accommodations and eateries, from campsites and plate lunches to five-star resorts and five-course feasts
o KAUA'I 101 - extensive coverage of local culture, arts and language, and specialist-written history and environment chapters
Customer Reviews:
Not as good as other lonely plaent books.......2007-09-30
This book is thin and not as well done as other lonely planet books. For a trip to Kaua'i, I'd recommend another publisher's travel book. I purchased this book along with "the blue book" on Kaua'i. I found the blue book to be much more comprehensive as well as more entertaining to read.
Excellent Kauai guide book.......2007-06-09
I'm just back from my first (and not my last) trip to Kauai. I bought 7 Kauai travel guide books to plan my trip (yes, I was overly excited). Of the 7, this and one other were head and shoulders above the rest. I strongly recommend it.
Almost completely useless.......2007-01-10
Please relate to my comments on the other guidebook about Queensland.
Kauai Guidebook was not as deceiving as that one, may be because being so thin, we didn't expect very much from it, and... come on!!! Hawaii anyway!!
We got an address for a place to stay, the rest was decided either thanks to comments from colleagues who had been there already, or from the REAL guidebook series for Hawaii, the blue series. A colleague loaned it to us. At the beginning, being so used to Lonely Planet we thought we will sticked with it. Truth is we, never used it there, only the blue book which offers detailed descriptions, interesting comments and very useful maps.
Book Description
This Irish bad-boy thriller -- set in the hardest streets of New York City -- brims with violence, greed, and sexual betrayal.
"I didn't want to go to America, I didn't want to work for Darkey White. I had my reasons. But I went."
So admits Michael Forsythe, an illegal immigrant escaping the Troubles in Belfast. But young Michael is strong and fearless and clever -- just the fellow to be tapped by Darkey, a crime boss, to join a gang of Irish thugs struggling against the rising Dominican powers in Harlem and the Bronx. The time is pre-Giuliani New York, when crack rules the city, squatters live furtively in ruined buildings, and hundreds are murdered each month. Michael and his lads tumble through the streets, shaking down victims, drinking hard, and fighting for turf, block by bloody block.
Dodgy and observant, not to mention handy with a pistol, Michael is soon anointed by Darkey as his rising star. Meanwhile Michael has very inadvisably seduced Darkey's girl, Bridget -- saucy, fickle, and irresistible. Michael worries that he's being followed, that his affair with Bridget will be revealed. He's right to be anxious; when Darkey discovers the affair, he plans a very hard fall for young Michael, a gambit devilish in its guile, murderous in its intent.
But Darkey fails to account for Michael's toughness and ingenuity or the possibility that he might wreak terrible vengeance upon those who would betray him.
A natural storyteller with a gift for dialogue, McKinty introduces to readers a stunning new noir voice, dark and stylish, mythic and violent -- complete with an Irish lilt.
Download Description
"This Irish bad-boy thriller -- set in the hardest streets of New York City -- brims with violence, greed, and sexual betrayal. ""I didn't want to go to America, I didn't want to work for Darkey White. I had my reasons. But I went."" So admits Michael Forsythe, an illegal immigrant escaping the Troubles in Belfast. But young Michael is strong and fearless and clever -- just the fellow to be tapped by Darkey, a crime boss, to join a gang of Irish thugs struggling against the rising Dominican powers in Harlem and the Bronx. The time is pre-Giuliani New York, when crack rules the city, squatters live furtively in ruined buildings, and hundreds are murdered each month. Michael and his lads tumble through the streets, shaking down victims, drinking hard, and fighting for turf, block by bloody block. Dodgy and observant, not to mention handy with a pistol, Michael is soon anointed by Darkey as his rising star. Meanwhile Michael has very inadvisably seduced Darkey's girl, Bridget -- saucy, fickle, and irresistible. Michael worries that he's being followed, that his affair with Bridget will be revealed. He's right to be anxious; when Darkey discovers the affair, he plans a very hard fall for young Michael, a gambit devilish in its guile, murderous in its intent. But Darkey fails to account for Michael's toughness and ingenuity or the possibility that he might wreak terrible vengeance upon those who would betray him. A natural storyteller with a gift for dialogue, McKinty introduces to readers a stunning new noir voice, dark and stylish, mythic and violent -- complete with an Irish lilt. "
Customer Reviews:
intriguing Irish Author.......2007-05-07
Lots of insight to the emigres of Northern Ireland. Too much graphic gore, but action keeps the pages turning. If his character could show a bit of remorse for his formulaic killings, the product would be better.
unputdownable.......2007-05-03
I bought this book primarily because it was a recom either here on Amazon or from someone who had read Declan Hughes' novels. I can't remember any longer. But boy, I am ecstatic that I ordered this book.
McKinty has a gift for both dialogue and plot movement. In this, the first of the Michael Forsythe series (I believe there are two other books in the series, both of them even now waiting for me in an Amazon box at home, if package tracking is to be believed), the reader follows Forsythe on his journey from Ireland to New York to Mexico and then back to New York.
He leaves Ireland because he has no options available to him; he can not afford to stay there and has prospects in New York. Upon arriving in New York, he becomes a very low-level gangster whose life hardly sounds much of an improvement over what he had in Ireland. McKinty does a sterling job of showing us what Forsythe's circumstances are (think mega cockroach heaven and continued poverty) at the same time that he develops Forsythe's character through the descriptions the first-person narrator provides.
This novel is done in Forsythe's voice, and that's a plus. Not only do we get to "hear" him speak to others, thereby getting a sense of how he communicates; we also get all the action filtered through his humor, intelligence (in many things, but not all--the boy simply can not pick a good woman to save his life), and philosophical bent.
I found several parts of this book particularly fascinating. The one that sticks out most in my mind at the moment is the part of the book that takes place in Mexico, after Forsythe has been jailed in a truly horrific Mexican prison. (Don't hurt me! I'm not revealing anything that's not on the book jacket!) I absolutely loved getting into Forsythe's mind here; he created movies with which to occupy his intellect so that he would not die both mentally and physically. He literally reconstructs wars and childhood events, creating "films" that allow him to survive the days when he is chained to the ground for 23 out of 24 hours.
Forsythe is an appealing character even when he is at his ugliest, and he can be ugly indeed. He's no hero, not really. He's capable of doing terrible things because they seem right to him at the time or even because he doesn't see an easy way out of them. But he's also got a conscience (even if it does seem a bit convenient) and a sense of honor that help balance the other side of him. And he's utterly hilarious. You'll find yourself snorting laughter at odd times.
You'll love the view you get of a New York that isn't quite so obvious any longer. This is the New York that existed before different areas got "cleaned up" and the crime rate began to go down. It's a New York you'd be hard-pressed to want to live in. And Forsythe's circle of "friends" is one you'd never want for your own. Hell, you might not want Forsythe anywhere near you or anyone you loved. The man has serious issues.
All in all, this is a wonderful first novel in the series. I can't wait to read the other two.
Belfast confetti, Big Apple machete.......2007-01-10
I've owned this book since December of 2004, which makes it quite pathetic that I'm just now writing this review for the book. But with Adrian McKinty's new novel seeing its release in just two more months, I figured that this may help with the build-up of that new Michael Forsythe vehicle.
Speaking of Michael Forsythe; typical young Irishman coping with the political and religious hardships in Northern Ireland, out of work and shipped off to New York for a dire means to an end; his own survival. He didn't want to work for Darkey White, but when opportunity knocks...
Darkey White's caste-level system crew of Irish mobsters run the rackets in Harlem and the Bronx, reluctantly sharing the streets in a nefarious relationship with rival Dominicans. Michael is young but he's poised, the only real leader among the low level paddy mobsters, a rag tag crew found in Scotchy, Fergal, and Michael's new mates. Living in a tenement and attempting a mum's the word relationship with the boss' number one girl, Bridget, Michael gets in over his head, and not even his monumental skills with a Belfast six-pack will keep him from what awaits.
A passive-agressive reprimand of the deportation sort.
Michael must overcome the Mexican heat, shanks, hallucinations and depreivation and torture, only to see that the light at the end of the tunnel is a return to life that led him blindly, in the city that took him in and spit him back out. Once on the warpath, heads roll and loyalties are revealed that Michael and his six-shooter must learn to cope with, setting personal feelings aside and digging into what he's endured, and who has forced him to do so.
Knick-nack, Paddy whack, crime fiction will never be the same. McKinty's writing is clever and nothing short of inspirational to writers of the genre. Michael's voice is naive but then again seasoned, shaped in Irish slang and Belfast lilt. Told tough and noirish, Dead I Well May Be serves up gritty revenge stone cold, leaving you full and famished for more of his stylish work. Buy into McKinty's whole catelog. I did.
An outstanding Listen.......2006-12-15
Combine a great writer and an equally great reader and you have the ultimate in storytelling pleasure. Gerard Doyle's talent makes you believe the protagonist himself is seated in the chair next to you and is telling you his story. I cannot praise Mr. McKinty's prowess enough either. Every bit of his tale melds so seamlessly you never notice the wheels and pulleys and other writerly mechinations. My only problem -- where to find another such book?
excellent crime thriller .......2006-12-11
In Belfast, Michael Forsythe is unemployed, has no prospects (or ambition), and is no longer a state recipient of a stipend. In 1992 with little to keep him in Ireland, he decides to go to New York where he anticipates opportunities will abound for a young healthy teenage Irishman, but first he must pay back his airfare debt which includes expediting an illegal entry. Thus Michael quickly obtains employment in construction in Harlem as an enforcer for Irish mobster Darkey White who is at war with encroaching Latino gangs.
Michael soon proves adept at killing the enemy especially construction competitors and the Dominican gangs. However, loyal to Darkey when it comes to eradication, Michael cannot resist the lure of his boss' girlfriend Bridget in spite of his brain telling him he is dead if he gets caught. He is not stunned when a drug deal in Mexico proves a setup that leaves him forgotten in a Mexican jail. He vows to join Darkey's enemies when he returns to the mean streets of Manhattan.
Having read and enjoyed THE DEAD YARD several months ago, this reviewer wanted to obtain the first Forsythe tale, DEAD I MAY WELL BE. It is worth the effort as the fast-paced thriller focuses on the dichotomous antihero's thirst for vengeance. Forsythe in this novel in some ways will remind the audience of Alex star, of Burgess' A Clockwork Orange though Michael's violence is not random; in THE DEAD YARD he seems more like Bourne. Crime thriller fans will appreciate this fine tale and its sequel, but recommend reading this one first as fans will have a better understanding of what makes Forsythe tick during THE DEAD YARD escapades.
Harriet Klausner
Average customer rating:
- Perfect for your own "little stinky face!"
- Wonderful bedtime story!!!!!
- So darling
- our favorite stinky face book
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I Love You Stinky Face
Lisa Mccourt
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ASIN: 0439634695 |
Book Description
"But Mama, but Mama, what if I were a super smelly skunk, and I smelled so bad that my name was Stinky Face?"Mothers love their children and this unconditional love is truly tested in I LOVE YOU, STINKY FACE. Lisa McCourt and Cyd Moore beautifully weave a reassuring tale of the love and affection of a parent. The imaginative son turns himself into a meat-eating dinosaur, a swamp creature and much, much more before being satisfied with the fact that no matter how stinky he is or how slimy of a creature he could possibly be, he is loved and nothing will change that.
Customer Reviews:
Perfect for your own "little stinky face!".......2007-09-14
This book is adorable! It is a perfect story for a mom to read to her son. The illustrations are very detailed and the message is that a mother would love her child no matter what. I would highly recommend it.
Wonderful bedtime story!!!!!.......2007-08-28
This is a great bedtime story. Talks about all the things that could happpen to the child (e.g. turn into a skunk, into a swamp monster, etc) and how the mom will ALWAYS love him. Wonderful illustrations! Also highly recommend her other book "I miss you Stinky Face".
So darling.......2007-08-17
I bought this book at a yard sale, not having heard of it before. After I read it I instantly fell in love with it. I have read many children's books. I have many favorites, such as Goodnight Gorilla, The Foot Book, Jamberry, and Goodnight Moon, but I think I may have a new favorite. It is so very cute. One of the best.
our favorite stinky face book.......2007-07-08
This board book is smaller and easier for my granddaught to handle.. but just a warning it is a condensed version of the hardback book. OUR #1 favorite stinky face book even though it is condenced.. it travels in the car well for little fingers!
Great Message.......2007-04-10
This is one of my favorite children's books. Children love the rhythm of the words and wonderful illustrations. The message of the book is that a Mother's love for her child is unwavering. Even when her child turns into a horrible monster, Mom just adapts to her childs needs and love goes on. I highly recommend this book.
Books:
- How to Beat 1 D4: A Sound and Ambitious Repertoire Based on the Queen's Gambit Accepted
- I Spy A Penguin (Level 1) (I Spy)
- Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre
- It's Not About the Truth: The Untold Story of the Duke Lacrosse Rape Case and the Lives It Shattered
- Led by Their Dreams: The Inside Story of Carolina's Journey to the 2005 National Championship
- Making Polymer Clay Beads: Step-by-Step Techniques for Creating Beautiful Ornamental Beads
- Mastering the Chess Openings: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Modern Chess Openings, Volume 1
- Match Wits With Mensa: The Complete Quiz Book (Mensa Genius Quiz)
- Merce Cunningham: Fifty Years
- My Best Mathematical and Logic Puzzles (Math & Logic Puzzles)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Wisdom of Crowds
- Outdoor Kitchens: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Design and Construction
- Inside the Worlds of Star Wars, Episode II - Attack of the Clones: The Complete Guide to the Incredi
- KISS and Make-up
- Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot
- Spitz And Fisher's Medicolegal Investigation Of Death: Guidelines For The Application Of Pathology T
- Microbiology And Biochemistry Of Cheese And Fermented Milk
- The Accounting Cycle: A Debit and Credit Approach
- Monopsony in Motion: Imperfect Competition in Labor Markets
- Red Cell: Rogue Warrior II
Pirates Don't Change Diapers
Do Pirates Take Baths?
What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? (Caldecott Honor Book)
Diary of a Worm
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
