This is not a bad book, it explains in detail everything you need to know that's important in Buddhism, emphasizing, as the title suggests, the heart of the Buddha's teachings. Any one who reads this book and puts its teachings into practice in his daily life will surely be a better person.

However, I must confess that I am often distracted from the teachings by the teacher's choice of language. We all know that Buddhism is suppose to make us happier, more gentle, content, people, so we expect writers on the subject to of course write in a spirit that reflects these qualities; but Thich Nhat Hanh takes this to an extreme level, in my opinion, making me think of him as the Mr. Rogers of modern Buddhist teachers. I'm sure that in real life he is a sincere, kind, loving Buddhist, but when I read his books I can't help but think that he's catering to middle-aged women who frequent New Age stores. Maybe I'm just showing my own mean-mindedness, a lack of feeling, but, to put it frankly, I just get "turned-off" sometimes by all his talk of flowers, clouds, blue skies, dewdrops, and smiling children.

As just one example of what I'm talking about, in one chapter he says, "When was the last time you looked into the eyes of your beloved and asked, 'Who are you, my darling?'" and tells us not to be satisfied by a superficial answer. That's fine, I have no problem with that, but among the questions that follow to find out the "true" nature of your beloved, is this one: "My love, why aren't you a dewdrop, a butterfly, a bird?", which he says you should ask with your whole being. I'm sorry, but who talks like this in real life? The book is overflowing with this kind of talk from the "heart", with the result that my mind rebels and wants to read something written by an adult for adults---not some PBS programming for kids.

So I give the book three stars for good intentions and explaining Buddhist essentials in detail, but take off two stars for all the superfluous flowery language I had to sift through for those details.

I agree with one of the other reviewers here in recommending
"What the Buddha Taught" by Walpola Rahula as a better introduction to Buddhism for the beginner. It manages to be inspiring and no non-sense at the same time.

Of all the books I have read and enjoyed by Thich Nhat Hanh, this is the one of the most comprehensive, inspiring and practical. His introduction to the Four Noble Truths is simply written, easy to understand, and yet lacks not one bit in depth. Like all his books, this one helps us to integrate Buddhist ideas into our everyday life without becoming too encumbered with terminology. Although Thich Nhat Hanh does tend to repeat himself in subtle ways, within this book and across his other books, The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching seems to integrate many of his ideas into one very coherent and practical treatise on the nature suffering as one of the most basic human conditions we spend our lives trying to accept, or possibly escape.

He makes the Buddhist concepts of attachment to objects and people very clear in relationship to human suffering and then highlights the path of well-being, peace and liberation from it.

If I was stuck on an island and could bring a few books, this would be one at the top of the list. It's a reminder that much our our suffering is self created and an illusion. In the same way we imprison ourselves mentally, is the way we begin to liberate ourselves. Freedom and liberation come from within and are possible even under the most extreme, excruciating and trying conditions.

I highly recommend this book, and especially to those who are having difficulty dealing with the loss of a loved one (or loss in general) and those who are imprisoned mentally (with fear), or even physically incarcerated.

I have read a number of books by Thich Nhat Hanh--while I enjoy most of them, I find this one most inspiring. His simple but profound introduction to the Four Noble Truths helps us to integrate Buddhist ideas into everyday life. His analysis of life and Buddhism is so rich that Buddhist or not, you can easily relate to the examples he gives or the reflection he makes. As he teaches us how to transform suffering into peace, he also tells us that we can deepen our serenity only by endeavoring to refine our character. I would like to thank him for showing me the way to become a better person, and for bestowing on me so much comfort in the course of my life.

This book is the ultimate reference to the celebrated Siege of the Alamo, February-March 1836. It is not only nourishment for the mind and imagination of every Alamo buff, but also a feast for the eyes. Alan C. Huffines has created a vivid picture of those thirteen desperate days by weaving together the accounts of actual eyewitnesses. Despite his Texan heritage, he has handled the material with utter objectivity, as seen in his treatment of the death of Davy Crockett. He also provides evidence that fifty or more Texans tried to escape the doomed fort after the Mexicans scaled the walls, only to be cut down by enemy cavalry. There are plenty of examples of Texian bravery in this book, but none of the ethnocentric cover-ups that have marred so many other Alamo studies. Among the book's many selling points are the more than 50 sketches by Gary S. Zaboly. Zaboly is not only a gifted artist, but also a widely renowned, prize-winning Alamo historian. His thorough knowledge of the weapons, equipment, and uniforms (or lack thereof) of the opposing sides, plus the Alamo and its environs, allow him the recapture important moments in the siege with undisputed mastery. _Blood of Noble Men_ will bring the modern reader as close to the fight for the Alamo -- as it actually happened and as it actually looked -- as he or she is likely to get. Bravo!

Alan Huffines has done an excellent job of putting the events of the 13 day siege in context. It is a pleasure to read and have at my fingertips a reference that allows me to easily look up the events of a certain day. His approach of using the known accounts, Anglo and Hispanic to tell the story and guiding the reader through those accounts with his footnotes is informative and entertaining.The artwork by Gary Zaboly is superb, giving viewpoints of the siege never illustrated before. Gary has the ability to see things most of us dont and luckily for us he has the talent to draw those scenes so they can be shared with all. In my opinion this is an excellent book for both the most dedicated of Alamo historians as it is for those just discovering this Texian saga.

Of all the books I have read about the Alamo battle, "The Blood of Noble Men" is the one which I find most engrossing. Alan Huffines' book derives its excitement from two sources: the words of the men (and women) who were actually there, and the vivid drawings by Gary Zaboly. Huffines gives us a day-by-day chronicle of the siege and fall of the Alamo which is constructed almost entirely from excerpts from first-hand accounts by Texians and Mexicans, soldiers and civilians. After a brief introduction to each chapter devoted to a single day's events, the participants speak for themselves. Sometimes the excerpts are only a sentence long, sometimes several paragraphs. Occasionally, multiple accounts from the same witness are given. What emerges is a fascinating picture of what happened, albeit a picture often with multiple conflicting layers. Disagreement among sources must be expected. Different persons will often come away from the same incident with wildly varying perceptions of what actually occurred. And the passage of time and inaccurate reporting will add their own distortions.
Through all of this, Huffines lets us read what the sources had to say and allows us to form our own ultimate judgments about their reliability, although in footnotes he does provide background for source authenticity (or the lack of it) and to problems of accuracy - this is one book where the reader should definitely not skip the footnotes. Because these accounts are drawn from both sides of the conflict, a good balance is achieved in telling a story which has often been reduced to a simple fairy tale of good versus evil.

Complementing these primary sources are the Gary Zaboly illustrations. Each chapter is accompanied by a large aerial view of San Antonio, with a numbered key to the points of interest relative to the action described. More dramatic are the drawings of various incidents mentioned in the text, realistic images of the people and place, based upon careful research. Combined with the participants' words, these pictures give a real "you are there" feeling to the book.

Although other books, such as J.R. Edmondson's "The Alamo Story", may better provide a larger context for the events of March, 1836, none of them in my opinion matches Huffines' work in making those events come alive.

Noble House is undoubtedly Clavell's greatest work. Although Tai-pan, Shogun and King Rat are excellent books in their own right, Noble House keeps the reader enthralled to the last page. Tai-pan makes good reading in itself and serves as a prequel to Noble House. However, it is not necessary to read Tai-pan before Noble House. I did not but I still found this work exciting. The plots - CIA versus KGB versus PRC Intelligence versus MI-5/MI-6, Gornt versus Dunross versus Bartlett, Orlanda versus Casey and a variety of characters (other than those already mentioned), makes the 1400 plus pages light work - it is truly a classic by an author with deep insights in the culture and international relations of Hong Kong and its neighbours and trading partners. The boardroom drama is intense and Clavell leaves the reader guessing who will emerge winner until the end. I recommend this book to anyone.

Set 120 years after the events of Tai-Pan, Ian Dunross is the latest in Dirk Struan's line to head Struan's, also known as the Noble House. To survive, Struan's always skates the financial edge, and Quillan Gornt, descendant of Dirk's enemy, Tyler Brock, is quite happy to push it over the edge.

Even though we meet many fine characters, from American businesswoman Casey Tcholok to smuggler's son Paul Choy, Hong Kong itself is really the star of this novel. Seeming almost anarchic at times, the colony (as it then was, the novel is set in 1963) and its people, Chinese and British, seem to worship one god, Money.

Clavell ties in references to his other novels--characters from King Rat show up and relive their wartime hatred, many of the characters discuss and live out the heritage of Tai-Pan, and a Japanese character mentions briefly the events of Shogun.

This is the sort of book that will keep you up reading until 4 a.m.

What I didn't like: I found the character of Peter Marlowe most annoying. He shows up all the time, acts like a know it all, and is really Clavell's way of writing himself into the book. Also, about six different times, it is mentioned that the U.S. is starting to get involved in Vietnam, and each time, a precient character chirps (or at least thinks) that the U.S. will regret it. Hindsight is 20/20, the novel was published in 1981.

A good read.

Like all of Clavell's books since 1980, I bought Noble House the moment I knew it was available. Unfortunately, that was during a week of law school finals. Although I finished the thousand pages in a few days, my grades turned out to be a full level below all my other semesters. That's how spellbinding Noble House is. This book is certainly top rate in terms of plot, suspense and characters in its own right, but what bound me to it during all my spare time was the interrelationship with the characters from Clavell's previous Hong Kong novel, Tai Pan and, to a lesser extent, King Rat. The same was true later with Whirlwind and Gai Jin, neither of which gathered a speck of dust in the bookstore before I bought it. Even today, I mourn over the fact that Clavell didn't live long enough to write another 2 or 3 books in his series. I have never read any other author who leaves so many questions unanswered and so many critical issues unresolved, but does so in a way that feeds the curiosity so strongly rather than disappointing. It is a tribute to Clavell's monumental skill as a storyteller that this is a strength of his novels rather than a major irritant to his readers. Very few of those readers stopped at one Clavell novel and, as far as I know, almost everyone who has read one goes on to read all the rest. Unlike so many of today's authors, he writes about heroes who aren't made of cardboard and who hold genuine mystery no matter how closely they are observed.

Thank goodness Marthe Arends is back, writing now as Katie MacAlister! Her first book, The Lion's Shadow, was excellent--and I've been waiting for a second book by her and was not disappointed! I only found out by accident that they are the same people!

I surfed right over to Amazon and bought my copy of Noble Intentions--which is a wonderful romp rife with humor and romance. I can't wait for her next book!

After reading the other reviews which so aptly describe this hilarious book by this new author, I predict she definitely has a very bright future. Good Lord, all I could think of while reading book was that it could be the most hilarious comedy of errors since "Tootsie"! I have NEVER laughed so much since I read Lynsay Sands - "The Deed".

Noble Britton, aka, Lord of Lips, Loins, Kisses, etc. fell in love at first sight with the oh so tall, oh so ACCIDENT prone, and oh so delightful half-American, Gillian Leigh. Nothing shy and retiring about this lady! You see, she definitely has this 'problem' with speaking EXACTLY what pops into her mind - no holds barred.

For Gillian, the attraction was definitely mutual, when she first spotted him, her Lord of Magnificence. The author has such a way with dialog that is just so precious you can just picture all of these scenes. I could not put this book down and read it in 5 hours - less if I didn't have to pick myself up from the floor so often from laughing.

Definitely put this book on your list to buy - read and enjoy - then wait anxiously for the next offering from this delightful new author!

Five years ago Noble Britton's wife mysteriously died. Unable to resist putting a scandalous label to events without supporting facts, the Ton "logically" concludes that Noble was involved in the death. Dubbed the "Black Earl" by his peers, Noble rusticated for the last few years, but now seeks a new wife, one who is mousy and behaves with proper decorum.

Gillian Leigh does not want a coming out, but though too old at twenty-five, too American by a half, too tall by a head or more, and too accident prone she has no choice. So why does Noble want to meet and marry this amazon paragon who literally sets the Ton on fire if he seeks an unobtrusive spouse? Love works in mysterious ways.

NOBLE INTENTIONS is a very amusing Regency romance that will delight sub-genre fans especially since Noble lives up to his name as he is the victim of Gillian's pratfalls. The lead couple is a delightful pairing whose story line remains true to its basic slapstick like theme. Fans who enjoy a jocular look at the foibles of the Ton will want to read Katie MacAlister's humorous tale - just keep ice packs and bandages handy in case one falls while laughing.

Harriet Klausner

I very much enjoyed this book because it was full of pure fun reading. Some books drag from the very beginning, but this children's story didn't. There were surprises from the start. This book is an all original example of using your imagination. Lewis Carrol was gifted enough to let his imagination go wild, and to write it down on paper. This book inspires me to write any sort of crazy thing that is worth writing. This book is about Alices adventures from the time she saw the peculiar White Rabbit with a waistcoat and watch. She meets thrilling but very arguementive creatures and charectors such as the caterpiller who smokes, the Duchess and her baby which turns into a pig, a Mock Turtle, a gryphon, and the most famous the Chesire cat and the Queen of Hearts. This book is a bit different than the Disney movie. There are other charecters in the book that are not mentioned in the animated movie. and I think the book is more bizarre.

I, like almost every other kid I know, grew up with the Disney movie. Although a rather accurate depiction of Wonderland, it cannot compare to the book (plus it muddled things together, mixing Alice in Wonderland with things originally in Through the Looking Glass). I never really took much attention to this very strange movie, but one day decided to read the book.

Enter Wonderland.

Absolutely no plot, no direction, no point. Lot's of silly nonsense but in spite of, or maybe because of this, it is very enjoyable. You literally never know what's going to happen next. After reading this book, I realized just how much my own dreams... Unforgettable characters, who can ever forget the cheshire cat or the caterpillar, jokes, interesting supplementary drawings, and puns keep you on your toes.

This is really not for kiddies. Sure they can read it and maybe even enjoy it, but cannot fully appreciate it. A masterpiece, a classic, but more importantly, an enjoyable experience.

Don't forget to read Through the Looking Glass! Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum, the Walrus and the Carpenter, and "Jabberwocky" don't pop up in Alice in Wonderland but Through the Looking Glass. Although "Jabberwocky" didn't appear in the movie, it's still a classic. Finally, an explanation of this ever-puzzling poem! And of course, "I am the Walrus" is one of my favorite all-time songs...

One of those books that you can read over and over again and find something new each time. Definitely an essential. The most fun I have ever had with a book. If you've ever been cursed enough to watch the movie but never read the book, PLEASE READ THIS BOOK! (and for those of you who have read it, READ IT AGAIN! )

When I was assigned Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass to read for my Victorian Literature class, I was excited. Even though I had heard Alice's Adventures in Wonderland referred to countless times throughout my youth, I had never read the story or seen the movie. I had never heard of Through the Looking Glass, but while reading, I realized that many people who think they are talking about AAIW are actually referring to TTLG. The two texts seem to be conflated in a way that makes them indistinguishable from each other. It is for this reason that I enjoyed reading this edition of the texts. There is only a page separating the two stories, which allows the reader to easily make the transition between them. This small separation also allows the reader to recognize the undeniable connection between the texts and to understand why many people combine them in their minds.
AAIW is about a young girl named Alice whose boring day with her sister is interrupted when a white rabbit runs by her saying, "Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!" Alice's curiosity is aroused, but surprisingly not to a great degree. This is the first hint to the reader that Alice is not an average child, as she seems to believe that a talking rabbit is quite normal. She does become intrigued, though, when the rabbit produces a clock from his pocket, so she follows it down its hole and enters a world of wonder. I loved the story from this point on. It is filled with such unbelievable creatures and situations, but Carroll's writing style made me want to believe in a world that could be filled with so much magic and splendor. There was never a dull moment in the story, and each page was filled with more excitement. I will offer a warning, though. This story is not for those who like a neatly packaged plotline. It is written in a somewhat discontinuous nature and seems to follow some sort of dream logic where there are no rules. However, I enjoyed the nonsensical pattern. Without it, a dimension of the story would be lost. It offers some insight into the mind of a young, adventurous, fearless girl, and Carroll seems to be challenging his readers to be more like Alice.
The second text in this book, TTLG, is again a story about Alice. In this adventure, Alice travels through a wondrous world on the other side of her looking glass. As in AAIW, Alice again encounters absurd creatures, such as live chess pieces and talking flowers. The land she travels through is an oversized chessboard, which gives this story a more structured plot than AAIW. The chess theme provides Alice with sense of what she must accomplish in the looking- glass world, and it provides the reader with a sense of direction throughout the story. Alice's goal is to become a chess queen, so the reader knows that when she becomes queen, the story will be over. However, just because the story has some structure does not mean that it is not just as wild and marvelous as its predecessor. I enjoyed all of the characters. They seem to have an endless supply of advice that people in the 21st century can still learn from. My favorite example is when the Red Queen says, "Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!" Maybe what Carroll is suggesting is that if we read more nonsensical, unbelievable stories like his, we won't be so afraid to be adventurous and fearless like Alice; so that the next time a white rabbit runs by us, we might just see where it leads us.

This book has been in print for a considerable length of time - and for good reason. Sally Swift has a knack of generating useful mental models that help the learner rider grasp the elusive essentials. Riding is full of concepts that are difficult to convey to novices. It's rather like learning to ride a bike or swim - once you can do it you can't see what all the fuss was about.

Sally Swift's book should prove a useful adjunct to other instruction - whether had from an instructor or gained from books like those of Cherry Hill. The book, as its name implies, deals with the basics. In essence it aims to help you establish a "deep seat" and a "long leg" - the two basic requirements for more advanced instruction yet things that prove surprisingly difficult for most people to achieve.

I would rate this book a "good buy" rather than a "must buy".

This book may not help the advanced rider who is experienced in the dressage type seat. BUT for people who are new to it from other forms of riding such as huntseat (that were taught to grip and never taught about balance)or have been struggling with the 'seat' this book will be a great help in opening the doors to new ideas.

I got this book when I was 15 and it helped me greatly make the transition from a huntseat-grip dependent seat to a relaxed balanced seat.

Someone had said riding involves muscles, and yes it does. You can not sit like a sack of potatos, but the body must learn to relax and follow the horse and get a grasp of a center of gravity. I believe the type of muslce contraction the book wants to avoid are the types that are the result of rider pain, fatigue or fear. It is foundation work to using the proper muscles in good riding. There are also 'thought' techniques to achieve a good frame of mind.

To this day I still use the breathing and vision techniques when I ride. I have kept this book on my shelf for over 14 years and have had countless new riders read it.

Sally Swift encourages you to visualize the cartoons in the book that range from legs looking like fire hoses to hands caressing birds. These pictures really help one's riding.

I love this book, but its even better if you get the accompanying video and here Sally's voice. A rider with back problems she overcame them by learning how to center and balance.

This is a fine book for gaining a really solid seat. It covers the basics of English riding - walk, trot, canter, jumping - but also describes how to do half-halts, circles, turns, leg yielding and more advanced dressage movements.

The book is a classic reference and if you only buy one riding book this might be it. It leads you from head knowledge to the feel of riding.

In THE VEIL, Diane Noble re-tells the tragic story of the massacre of a wagon train at the hands of the Mormon church back in the early days of Utah.

The story here is based upon events that actually occurred. Noble's writing flows well and is convincing, though it won't win any literary awards. She succeeds in taking what could be just a textbook tragedy and turning it into something more human and empathetic. THE VEIL not only un-veils the truth about the massacre, but it gives you a fascinating glimpse into what life in the early Mormon church was like (with the pioneer spirit, the hierarchy, and the polygamy -- a practice that is no longer preached). If early Mormon history interests you at all, you'll want to pick this one up, and even it doesn't this should be an interesting read on its own. FOUR STARS.

Diane Noble's THE VEIL is a magnificent story, very compelling and even sometimes painful to read. Including atrocities done by the early Mormons, its much more than that. It is a history lesson, a story of faith, a story of strength and perseverence and a love story. Well written and inspiring, it is a must read for anyone who likes stories with strong women characters. I'm looking forward to more stories like this from this author.

Diane Noble's novel "The Veil" is a masterpiece of historical fiction based on grim-but-true historical fact. As you trek across America with this band of pioneers, you'll feel every pebble in your shoe, taste every mouthful of prairie dust, and grieve with every disappointment these characters face as they journey toward their inevitable fate. And yet, despite the sorrow, there is a shining redemption that comes through in "The Veil." Only Diane Noble could find hope and glory in such a story, and bring it to life with such dramatic detail. In a word...I loved it!

This book is destined to be a keeper. OF NOBLE BIRTH pulls out all the stoppers, pulling in the reader from the very first page. A fast-paced tale of high seas adventure, revenge, and a wonderful romance full of walk-off-the-page characters sure to steal your heart. Ms. Novak is a masterful wordsmith who has created a story-world so vivid, characters so real, you'll cheer and cry for them, and breathe a great sigh of satisfaction when you close the book. This is one of the best, don't miss it.

Although romance novels are not usually the type of book I read, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. From the moment I picked it up I felt compelled to keep reading. It grasped my attention from the first page. It had great and varied story lines with interesting and exciting characters and the story just flowed. One of the best features I felt was the uniqueness of the writers ability to provide sensuality without providing graphic details. It provides the reader a very sensual experience without bombarding your senses. I would recommend this book highly to anyone and I look forward to reading her next novel. Brenda Novak is a very talented writer!

Brenda Novak's stunning debut novel, OF NOBLE BIRTH, is a fast-paced historical romance, a High Seas adventure with walk-off-the-page characters so vital they'll steal your heart from the first page! This is one I could not put down. Ms. Novak pulls out all the stoppers, proving herself to be a most skilled wordsmith with her vivid portrayal of characters, time and place. Darkly handsome but marred Nathaniel Kent comes boldly alive, making our hearts race as we follow him along the path to attaining his life-mission: exacting revenge on his noble but utterly cold father. Seamstress Alexandra Cogsworth is his ideal match, and as with Nathaniel, Ms. Novak has created an endearing character, one you'll root for from the moment she walks onto the page. This is one novel without any flaws, everything works just right, casting a magical spell as you read. Ms. Novak sweeps you so thoroughly into her character's lives and world, you'll imagine yourself right there with them. I could almost breathe in the tangy salt air, picture myself aboard Nathaniel's ship, even half-expected to see his shipmates standing in the shadows as I read -- so real are these story-people. Yes, this one has it all: superb characterization, excellent motivation, worthy goals for her hero and heroine, and a fast-paced and gripping plot. OF NOBLE BIRTH offers a vivid story-world to escape to, a romance that will make you believe in love again, and an ending in which everything comes together so beautifully you'll close the book with a great sigh of satisfaction. Don't miss this one --- it'll be sure to win a place of honor in your heart and on your keeper shelf.

Briefly speaking, I really enjoyed the information because I have not read this in other dog books. I would recommend this book for all dog lovers :).

If not the best, it is one of the best dog books I have read and I have read several. The book is written with the reader in mind and flows as you read. I read cover to cover as soon as I opened it and now go back to get answers to questions that pop up. I just reread the chapter on Dog Allergies and while I had the book open took another look at Expensive Gifts to Buy Your Dog. Most dog lovers on my gift list this year will find this truly fun and educational book in their stocking. I hope there is a new one in the wings.Be sure to take the Dog Nut quiz at the end.Your dog will love you for buying this book.

I am a first time dog owner at age 50. 277 Secrets Your Dog Want You to Know is a fantastic book to read for it contains secrets that are absolutely essential for this inexperienced owner. My only regret is that I didn't read it before I got my puppy. However, this book is not just for new dog owners, as it contains a wealth of easy to read information. Every secret is great, but some of the ones that I read first were about massaging your dog, about the behavior of Nicole Brown Simpson's Akita, how to take you dog on an airline flight, which breed the celebrities had, and too many others to mention! The book will make a wonderful gift for any dog owner. Run to your nearest bookstore and ask them to order it if it's not on the shelf. And, while you order one, better order two because everyone that sees it, will want one! It's no secret that I give it a 10! Halen Foste

Plutarch's Lives is one of my all time favorite books. I especially enjoy the "gay windows" in Alcibiades life and the description of Archimedes defense of Syracuse. My three star rating has nothing to do with Plutarch and everything to do with the terribly outdated translation "update" by Sir Clough. Sure, as another reviewer points out, it is vocabulary enhancing, but Plutarch was not a Victorian English gentleman. If you like Victorian prose, read a Victorian novel or something. I would actually prefer to read Dryden and company's undoctored original than wade through Clough's train wreck, as I find 18th century prose an easier read, and Dryden was a better writer.

If someone were to do a modern translation of the Lives, more people would be able to enjoy it. Unfortunately, the sad truth is that you can probably count the number of good classical translators on one hand, and how many of them have the time to translate Plutarch?

Plutarch's Lives is a book of epic proportions. Essentially, it is an encyclopeadia of the biographies of famous men in the history of Ancient Greece and Rome. With over 50 biographies and comparisons, this book covers the most important people in the history of Greco-Roman civilization. The impact of this book is phenomenal. Shakespeare read it, Dante read it. Its influence is evident in their writing. The book transcends simple biography though, and contains a wealth of information about ancient cultures such as Sparta. Plutarch also compares different historical figures to one another for an interesting study of comparative politics and virtue. Some of Plutarch's information is questionable, but it remains one of the best sources available. If you are interested in classical history then this is a great reference and it's enjoyable for pleasure reading as well.

Noble: imposing in appearance; stately; magnificent; exaltedmoral character; excellence. Some of the men Plutarch wrote about - itcould be argued - fit none of the words or phrases above; but most of them fit one or more. Some of them fit all. Books like PLUTARCH'S LIVES become easy targets (in any era, not just our own 'modern' era) for derision. The thought that statesmen or military leaders would necessarily have anything going for them that would distinguish them in any way as 'noble' (as compared to anyone else in any given society) is easily seen as naive or worse than naive. I mean, think of some of the characters that pass for statesmen and military leaders in our own time. We might just have a good laugh if we thought people 1000 years from now were reading about them and gleaning impressions of exalted moral character and magnificence and excellence from it. Yet, putting all that in perspective, there is something ennobling about this great book. Plutarch chose his subjects from, roughly (depending on where you place Theseus in time, I suppose), a span of 800 years. He didn't choose any of them as examples of perfection but for those parts of their nature he thought worthy of emulation. The acts and parts of their character one might find appalling (even in the context of their own times) are instructive as well and make the picture whole. There are high and ennobling impressions in these biographies, and the effect of the book as a whole, upon reading it through, is something like taking in and experiencing a great and sublime Greek or Roman temple, and feeling that a part of that primary and sublime architecture has become a part of you.