One of the more intriguing little sub-plots of Lucy Maud Montgomery's novel "The Story Girl" and its sequel "The Golden Road" was the relationship between the disdainful Felicity King and the hired boy on her family's farm. It was made clear through the prophecies of the Story Girl herself that Felicity for all her pretensions towards high society was going to marry a minister for love (remember, Montgomery herself was wed, rather unhappily as it turns out, to a minister). Consequently, those who had already devoured Montgomery's stories about life on Prince Edward Island at the start of the last century before becoming fans of the television series "Avonlea" and the novelizations of its episodes published as the "Road to Avonlea" series, know there is more than meets the eyes to what happens between Felicity and Peter in "Conversions."

A visiting missionary comes to Avonlea's church and inspires Sara Stanley to try saving someone's soul and the particular soul she has in mind is Peter Craig, the young hired hand who works at Rose Cottage for Aunt Hetty. Peter has never really been to church but if that would get Felicity to stop thinking about him as just a hired hand who is beneath her notice, he would certainly be willing to give it a try. Of course, Felicity is too busy trying to wrap Edward Ray around her little finger to do anything more than use Peter to make Edward jealous. Not even the compassionate Sara Stanley has an idea of how lonely it is for Peter at Rose Cottage. But when Peter comes down with virulent influenza it is not only Felicity who has cause to reexamine her recent behavior and a terrified Hetty King finds she is not above accepting help from Peg Bowen if only Peter gets well.

Of course, those who followed "Avonlea" to its dramatic conclusion know that while Felicity King did indeed marry someone she would have considered common in her callow youth, it was not Peter Craig. Still "Conversions," written by Gail Hamilton from Patricia Watson's screenplay, begins the slow but steady descent of Felicity from her high and mighty pedestal.

This exquisite book will delight all readers, and especially charm Road to Avonlea fans. After reading this book, one definitely wants to watch the TV series. The author did her best and wrote this book with love and passion. The setting is picuresque Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. The season is Automn, apples are being picked, the temperature is getting colder and the germs are spreading. The main themes in this book are: appearance, love, charity, haughtiness, tolerance and friendship. Peter Craig, the Kings' hired-hand stars in this book. His dedication, ambitions and perserverance lead him to great heights. At first he is looked-down upon by everyone (except Sara Stanley, who is his accomplice throughout his struggle) but proves to them that he is as good as them, even better. I liked this book because it taught me that even if others don't have much esteem for you, it is possible to eventually make them see you with the same brilliant image that you have of yourself. Through Peter Craig's story, we are enriched and enlightened.

This book does not hit the Bob Woodward standard of a blow-by-blow account covering all participants, but it does offer an interesting view of the situation. I would have liked more discussion of the economic issues, but maybe there just was not the focus on them by Carter (that may explain the outcome of his administrations economic record). The author does write in an easy to follow method and comes off as more of a conversation between friends in place of a heavy political review. This is an interesting book that is worth the time if you are interested in the political environment during the hostage crises. There are better reviews of the election process namely by Elizabeth Drew.

Maybe not the absolute best, but what a wonderful book. Hamilton's writing is simple, yet incredibly engrossing, moving, and entertaining. I cannot wait for his upcoming book - everyone should most definately check it out when it is released. Thank you.

Lots of twists and turns, very good storyline.

Matt Helms old buddy, Doug Barnett, is in trouble and Matt has to help him out. This means protecting Doug's daughter who isn't as innocent as she seems. But Matt is up to the job as always and manages to tackle the villians as well as catch the girl in this outstanding mystery by Donald Hamilton.

Chambers, Schnoor and Hamilton have put together a concise non-technical book on some very technical issues.

Their research is detailed, accurate and extensive. The book is well written.

In these days of rapid change in power generation technology, this book will be outdated within 10 years, though the issues raised here will not be.

Regardless, it's a great read full of great information on a subject that is important to us all.

This book by Ann Chambers depicts the growing Distributed Generation Energy industry with an impressive and wide-ranging command of the facts but with little in the way of hard-to-understand "under the hood" technical lingo. Effects of this burgeoning technology is documented for both the national and international markets; case studies describe the relative successes of DG installation. I cannot think of a better way to start -- as a company owner, as an investor, as a policymaker -- to begin than with this book.

I was recently lucky enough to work with an excellent cast in a production of this "Dracula" play this past October 2002. The show was incredible. This adaptation of Bram Stoker's original is as close to perfect as can be, keeping all the fright. Some of the characters and the order of some events are re-arranged to allow for for an easier understanding for an audience. There is also enough comedy to break the tension of a truly scary tale. I recommend this play for anyone interested in the story of the world's most infamous vampire.

I was pleased to find when I read this play that it followed the Bram Stokers dracula story quite well, which is sometimes very dificult for a play to do. The characters are described very well also so you can almost see who you are reading about. The book also gives alternate stage directions for different productions. I dont want to give anything away that would take away from your enjoyment of this book so all I have to say is that if you read this play you will be plesently surpprised with it's quality.

Race separates the message of the poetry, and I don't like that. I have seen that often with Ms. Giovanni's work. I don't like to read something and feel like I am being pulled into a debate of slavery and hostility. I think that Ms Giovnanni is a very talented poet, and very accomplishes scholar, but I find it annoying to see race such a mainstay in her poetry.

The more we try to remain together, teh further apart we drift....

My mother gave this book to me when I was 11 and it had a profound impact on my life. I have recited the EGO-Tripping poems more than I can remember. My greatest joy came when I heard Nikki Giovanni recite it in person. I would reccomend this book to any young African American boy or girl as an introduction to poetry, it is truly a work of art!!!!!!!!!!!!

The annual Harvest Party is around the corner and Felicity King is determined to win the prize for best costume. However, her competitive nature gets the better of her when she makes a bet she can transform Clemmie Ray into not just a princess, but a popular princess at the party. At stake is Felicity's tiara, although Sara Stanley warns her that she is risking much more than that. The part of "Felcitiy's Challenge" that strikes home most with me is how even someone as vain and pretentious as Felicity could care what Sally Potts and Jane Spry think about her, Clemmie or anything else under the sun. There are few things more vicious than young teenage girls turning on each other and if there is anything missing from the lesson of this Road to Avonlea tale, it is that Sally and Jane do not get the comeuppance they so royally deserve. Certainly Felicity learns a lesson, but it is Clemmie who come out ahead in the end, despite the efforts of her friends. Meanwhile, in the book's main subplot, a modern politician descends upon Avonlea with a neverending series of schemes and ploys to win the upcoming election. Of course, all he manages to do with his syrupy flattery and bold attempts at bribery is make Felciity mad at her father. There is a nice scene between the pair towards the end of the book, which only serves to remind me why Alec King was my favorite character on "Avonlea." This storybook was written by Gail Hamilton based on the Sullivan Films Production written by Lori Fleming adpated from the novels of Lucy Maud Montgomery. But do not ask me to explain exactly who is responsible for what here.

It is Autumn in the heartwarming little town of Avonlea. Everyone, including Felicity King is excited about the upcoming Harvest Party held every season. This season however, Felicity, after some mean spirited girls, Jane and Sally tease her, vows to win the costume contest and make Clemmie Ray the most popular girl at the party, even at the wager of her beloved tiara, and at the loss of her cousin Sara Stanley, who refuses to be apart of this charade. But as the city election draws nearer, her father Alec King and much the rest of Avonlea have questions about the electees. When Alec makes a hard decision that affects all, including Felicity, Felicity will have to make her own choice that will more than affect a few townspeople, and most likely the rest of her life. . .

Mollenhoff and Hamilton have done a great job doing research for this book. The background on how Monona Terrace came to be is fascinating. The people and relationships important in Madison's architecture and politics eventually get discussed in this book. About the only thing you could possibly criticize is the rehash of FLLW biography which doesn't need to appear here. This is a minor criticism, as I realize that for some readers this may be the only FLLW book they own.

The story of Monona Terrace, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and updated by Taliesin Architects (led by Wright apprentice Tony Puttnam) to conform to current code and requirements, here receives the sensitive and perceptive treatment it deserves. The book's many excellent features include clear and graceful writing, beautiful illustrations integrated aptly into the text, and balanced consideration of controversial subjects. The authors' account of the life of Frank Lloyd Wright and their treatment of the political history of Madison provide the context that make the Monona Terrace story so fascinating. This is a valuable book indeed.

I bought this book as a gift for my flower girl, who had never been to Idaho and was making her first trip. I read it and liked it, and there aren't many books set in Idaho for kids her age. She was absolutely absorbed--read it at the rehearsal, then at the rehearsal dinner, and there are even pictures of her with it in the pew at the wedding! Clearly it captures the attention.
I think the book has three terrific strengths. First, unlike many kids books that attempt to beat kids over the head with the message of tolerance (and become boring doing it), this book deals with class tensions, gender differences, difficulties with blended families, etc. without any preaching or beating you over the head. This is the best of showing, instead of telling, and it gives a great message to kids: why you shouldn't tease those who are different, etc.
Second, the narrrator's voice is convincing. We can believe that this is a boy telling the story, and his observations are consistent with his age and his understanding of the events around him.
Finally, the book has an unusual setting and therefore gets the attention of kids. Very few children have ever been to a place like Eden, Idaho, which is convincingly portrayed here. Those who have been will recognize it, and many of those who haven't will be interested just by so different a world.

The Garden of Eden Motel...

This is a well-written, well-plotted book about an almost-adolescent boy and his new step-father in the 1950s...

The author--Morse Hamilton--nails it dead-on just how it was to be a kid during the S-L-O-W, innocent, and unenlightened Eisenhower era.

He also put the words down exactly right about what it's like to have a new step-father, what it's like to be a new step-father, and what it's like to suddenly meet the very first girl who makes your stomach feel all funny...

I suppose that some folk with 1990s style short attention spans might the piece slow going, but he's talking about a different time, and a different place.

The dialogue rings true, really true.

So do the characters.

I don't have time or patience with most of the books written for children, or worse, for "Youth Ages 12 & Up". They're usually pretty silly stuff, and nowadays, they always seem to have some sort of MESSAGE that's kinda like the Moment Of Crap on TV, where the sit com writers let you know that AIDS is a "serious problem", or that one shouldn't be hateful, or sexist, or prejudiced.

Thanks so much for tellin' me!

There's none of that heavy-handed moralizing in The Garden of Eden Motel. It's old-fashioned good story telling, the kind that seems to have gone out of style, unfortunately...

Confession: Morse Hamilton--and I went to junior high school together. As I write this, an image from the sandlots has just flashed before me.

We were playing in a championship game, and the real Jimmy Beard (not the one mentioned once or twice in the book) fielded a hard-hit ground ball at shortstop and flipped it to me at second.

I caught the ball, stepped on the bag, pivoted, and then made THE PERFECT THROW to Morse at first, which should have gotten us out of the ball game. I could almost feel my fingers wrapping themselves around the trophy.

I can still see the ball going into his glove.

And now I see it popping out and dribbling behind him.

"Yah booted it, More-Ass," I grumbled to myself later. "And we lost the game, YA JERK!"

I didn't forgive him for three weeks, by which time he was out with his father in Idaho, which provides the back drop for this book.

Now, I wouldn't say the Garden of Eden Motel was a good book if it wasn't, especially since Morse committed the error that cost us the championship forty-something years ago.

But, believe me, he didn't muff this story. The piece is right on, and I'm glad he was able to finish it before he died.

So, sail on, old friend. Sail on.

I found this book very enjoyable and it moved well, its not slow on the get go, I also liked the ending, very different from his other books, which usually end with the guy getting the girl in the end, this time they.... enuf said (: And I liked the mention of a New Zealander, Cheers Bova...:

This was a book I just happened to look at because it had a cool cover and decent premise, so I decided to give it a shot. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised by how entertaining and how fast-paced it was - the kind of book you can read in one sitting. In addition, the book has a good, surprising ending - I don't want to spoil it for you. Peackeepers is the kind of book that should be made into a movie - although maybe they should wait a while because, on the surface, the plot seems similar to the movie The Peacemaker with George Clooney and Nicole Kidman (although the Peacekeepers is a much better story, trust me). Either way, even though this isn't Bova' most popular book, it's worth checking out.