WOW!! This is my first visit (finally) to Amazon.com, and the very first thing I did was to search for the three investigators. What a wonderful surprise to have found them -- I'm so flooded with memories I don't know where to start.

I was introduced to them as a kid in Buffalo in the early '70s by my best friend's copy of "The Secret of Terror Castle." The first one I owned was a scholastic book services paperback of "The Mystery of the Green Ghost," and I can actually remember exactly where and when I received my first hardback, "The Mystery of the Talking Skull." Sadly, my set disappeared when my parents moved. The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew are fine in their own way, but they were NEVER a match for Jupe, Pete, and Bob!

Any one of the books in this series is the perfect gift for a child these days -- it will capture their imagination and help infuse them with a lifelong love of reading. The writing and pacing is just right, there are funny and scary parts that any kid can relate to, and the characters are developed in a way that really makes them come to life. I know Alfred Hitchcock is gone from the new versions, but his presence in the original issues as a real person had us convinced that if we could only get to California we could find Rocky Beach and the Jones Salvage Yard! I don't know how many 3x5 cards we went through as we made business cards for our own detective agency!

Thanks, Random House!! I can't wait to give every book in the series to the kids in my life (and I'll have to get copies for myself, too). I'd love to see a re-issue in hardback of the old versions with Hitch in them, but I guess I'll just have to keep searching used book stores for those. It's sure great to see The Three Investigators back!

At one time I used to own the first 23 titles of AH & The Three Investigators. As I've grown older, I've lost titles until I recently realized I only had two left. I've lamented to my wife, after searching used book stores high and low for the other titles and not finding them, that this was a great blow against childhood reading. I was so glad that they are still being printed and read! The format may be different and Alfred Hitchcock is lamentably missing, but they are still as readable and enjoyable as they were when I was a child!

I highly recommend this series for young readers who dream of adventure and suspense. They invigorated my youth and helped interest me in reading and writing. I hope to God that there are more coming out!

And for those of us who remember Alfred Hitchcock, maybe Random House could put out a collectors series of the books as they were originally released - covers, illustrations and all. I would certainly snap them up!

Wow. I'm 33 years old and thought I am probably the only adult who would pick up a Three Investigator's book and read it. I am here looking for some of The Three Investigator's books for my girlfriend's son. I saved a few of the books I had as a child, a couple of them in hardback, with the intent of saving them for my children. Most of the books I read in the series I checked out at the library. Reading these books provided some of my fondest childhood memories. The young man I am buying these books for has just discovered a love for reading and I believe that these stories will hook them just like they did me. Amazon, please act upon the suggestions of others and release the entire series if possible.

"The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear" is about an adorable mouse who has just picked a strawberry and is warned about the big, hungry bear who loves red, ripe strawberries [especially ones that have just been picked] and will stop at nothing to find one. The rest of the story is of the little mouse trying his best to hide the strawberry from the bear, doing such things as burying it and disguising it. But his decision of what to do with it in the end is great.

This is such a cute and funny book! It is also easy to read for young children. The illustrations are wonderful, too. Very colorful and vivid. Highly recommended for kids 2-6.

Someone gave us this book when our oldest son was born. We had a rather rough time getting him interested in books and one day when he was about 28 months old I got this book out (I'd been saving it) and he actually sat still long enough for the whole story. That was what finally gave him an interest in books. He soon had the book memorized and had something funny to say at every page. Now our 18-month old son brings this book to me at least three times a day and enjoys it as much as his brother did (whose main interest is now Winnie-the-Pooh books). I enjoy reading it myself; it doesn't bore me to read it over and over like some children's books because there are so many different things in the illustrations that you can point out something new to your child every time you read it. I recommend this book for any new parents.

What's a little, strawberry loving mouse going to do to keep a big, hungry, strawberry loving bear from eating his fruit? Especially when "the big, hungry Bear can smell a red, ripe strawberry a mile away..." Well, with a little clever help from the reader, this turns out to be an easy problem to solve..... Don and Audrey Wood have authored an entertaining, interactive treasure that's sure to charm and delight kids from 1 to 91. Their simple text is joyous and engaging, But this is really a story told through the marvelous illustrations. Mr Wood's bold, bright, and amusing artwork stars a most endearing little furry friend, and youngsters will love all the captivating facial expressions and wonderful, humorous detail in each two page spread. The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, And The Big Hungry Bear is a masterpiece little ones will beg to read again and again, and a timeless classic to share with friends, family, and future generations.

Of all the books I've read, this one probably makes me think the most, but then all of Mr. Pike's books make me think. I agree with Mr. Pike when he says that me believes Sita herself wrote the story and not him. Although you are a talented author, I don't see how you could have come up with so many different twists in this book, but then what do I know?

I cried at the end of this book, like I did with Evil Thirst. Mr. Pike made me question everything I believe in. And I thank him for that. I would like to see another author try and make a believable character as well as Mr. Pike did. I doubt it will ever be done. Sita seems so much a part of life, that you would expect to find her if you looked for her. But I think there is a little bit of her in most people, because she shows human nature: which is to fear and hate what it does not understand. I wish this series was made into a movie, so that we could really see Sita.

I've read the whole series. It was soooooooo good. I felt like I'm so close to God. I felt like Sita is someone so close. It just made me my fantasy more wild. It made me realized positive things aren't always right, but that's no the point. Not only Sita is my favorte person, I don't want to say charecter because to me they're not charecters. Yaksha, Krishina and Seymore are also too. Although Seymore is more like a nerd. To me He's not a nerd from my point of view. The way how Sita had suffer. Her blood, her loves, her joy means a great deal but it's like you can't have all things at once. Pike is my favorite author. And you just can't miss any of his books. If you got his email adress please tell me. Oh and one more thing. I love the ending but it's killing me!

I love the last vampire series with all my heart and soul!!! when i am in a bad predicament i just think about what sita would do and it ALWAYS helps. I dont think that the last book should have ended like it did. i didnt want seymor to die, wishing he had sita to make his pain go away. i think that the series should be made into a movie, if not that, then the series should continue. my favorite parts in the series is when the people say they dont want to die and she says, "the you should have never been born" since i have read her books, i have bought my own dagger and have always been searching for a time to say her words. Alisa Perne, Laura Adams, Sita, whatever you want to call her, rulz!!! also, since then i have tried to become the great writer that christopher pike is, i have publishe 3 poems and i am working on publishing a book called Loves Fury, without C>P, i wuold be lost. Thanks.

The Eagle and The Rose takes us on one woman's adventures into her experiences with the "spirit" world. Whatever one's thoughts are in regards to life after death, this book will certainly get your mind pondering about the realm of possibilities that each of us will one day encounter.

Rosemary simply tells us what SHE has seen throughout her life. This book is not meant to sway one into believing that they too will be visited by a "ghost" or "lost soul". The purpose of this book, I believe, is to get in touch with one's own spirituality.

The Eagle and The Rose is an enlightening adventure for all of us to read. There are no right or wrong answers, but as individuals we have the power to change our lives and start on a new path towards spiritual healing. Read with an open mind and truely enjoy the journey that Rosemary shares with her readers.

I could not put this book down. The book is very easy to read and to understand. It makes you realize paths that are unknown to us in the living world. I lost my best friend, my husband, on July 12,1996 and felt that my world had crumpled before my very eyes. After reading this book I realized that he is still with me and watching over me. Maybe he will become my guide as Grey Eagle was for Rosemary Altea. I know that he is still on a journey but on a different level. She has helped me realize that life is a gift from God and that we all have a purpose.

After watching Rosemary Altea work on the Leeza Show on a couple of occasions, I became interested in her books. I read "Proud Spirit" first, and I couldn't put it down. I read "Eagle and the Rose" as soon as I finished "Proud Spirit" and was again riveted to it. After reading the books, I actually began searching for a spiritual church to learn more. This is pretty amazing, considering I was pretty much an agnostic prior to this. Although I still reserve some skepticism about spiritual churches, I truly believe Rosemary has a gift. Thanks for sharing it Rosemary.

Vladislav Tamarov is barely nineteen when he is drafted into the Soviet army and sent to Afghanistan. His immersion in Soviet propaganda does not prepare him for what he will find there. His training has little to do with his assignment as a mine-sweeper. He serves his two years, somehow survives, and returns home to Leningrad. His life becomes chaotic. Somehow his Afghan experiences seem more real than the life he is living. Later he emigrates to the United States where he lives now, thirty-eight years old. But really, he never comes home from Afghanistan. In his spirit, he is still trapped in that war.

As luck would have it, Vlad (as he likes to be called) is a talented photographer and writer. Somehow he manages to keep a journal and take pictures during his entire tour of duty. Now he shares the pictures with us. Plain pictures of grim, haunted young men. Men who will never go home. Men who will die within hours of being photographed. Men resting briefly before the next battle or ambush. The book is built around these photographs, with accompanying text that is simple and spare.

Vlad serves his time, but really, he never comes home. In his spare, simple writing, his consciousness wanders back and forth between "home" and Afghanistan, never at peace. For him, only the war experience is real. The only people he can really feel at home with are Afghan veterans, and--interestingly--veterans of Viet Nam.

Afghanistan is not a sentimental book. It is a simple, plain-spoken account of a very bad time. It is a powerful statement about war, all war, yet it does not lecture the reader. It is not a book you enjoy, but it will make a deep impression on you. It is exquisite photo-journalism. I recommend it highly. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber

This is the extremely poignant story of a young Russian from Leningrad by the name of Vladislav Tamarov who at the age of nineteen was conscripted into the Soviet Army knowing full well his destination upon completing his basic and airborne training, Afghanistan. Rarely if ever have I read a story such as this, told with the full depth of emotions over what someone has seen and been forced to participate in.

After his conscription, Vladislav went to basic and airborne training, where by his description the training was wholeheartedly inadequate to the task at hand. But then, armies can train basic trainees in the very basics of soldiering but they can never fully prepare them for the realities that lay ahead when facing actual combat. Of note is the fact that he and his fellow trainees spent a lot of time on the airborne training only to never use it in Afghanistan.

Armed with this most minimal of training, Vladislav and his fellow basic training graduates headed off for Afghanistan. Landing in Kabul he saw the first of many dichotomies where the people of Afghanistan attempted to continue to live their lives the best they could despite rocket attacks and a constant shifting between the Afghanistan government's forces and the Mujahadeen. To add to his already cumbersome load of trying to learn how to survive in combat, he was also immediately picked out to be a minesweeper, the job that few soldiers of any army wants to have.

Vladislav goes on to tell us of the many strife's and hardships that both he and his fellow soldiers endured and some which who did not survive. I found the style in which he told his story to be quite compelling as he tells it with a great depth of emotion to include areas where he seems to almost be in a dream/nightmare state where in one paragraph he's home, he's made it and in the next paragraph he's still in Afghanistan running for his life or attempting to save a friends life.

Of interest is how for quite some time at the beginning of this war the Soviet people were not told what was happening and why young soldiers were coming home in zinc coffins. To us, as Americans, it would seem unthinkable for our government to commit so many assets to a combat action without telling the general populace. To think that the USSR attempted to do is almost inconceivable.

Overall this is a story in pictures and words that is very telling of the experiences young men go through in war and the author deserves high praise for bringing it to print and those of us fortunate to have read it! I myself am in the Army and I found that I learned a great deal from this person that today I call a friend but back in my early days in the Army I was told he and his fellow soldiers were my enemy, thank God that's a war that never happened. I hope for him today that the demons of this war do not still haunt him for he and his fellow Afghansti have seen enough demons!

I highly recommend this book to any and all for it will certainly enrich your knowledge of the Soviet Afghan war and bring you in touch with the author who a truly honorable man who when he was but a mere teenager was forced to grow old before his time. {ssintrepid}

Vladislaw Tamarov, the author of "Afghanistan: A Russian Soldier's Story" was a mere 19 years old when he was drafted to Afghanistan. Once there, Tamarov was 'selected' to be a minesweeper, and he served almost two years before returning home to Leningrad. Tamarov was one of the lucky ones; he returned to tell the story of his time through photographs and journal entries.

Tamarov describes the history--official and unofficial--behind the Soviet presence in Afghanistan, training prior to deployment, and the four types of military action that took place there. Weapons are also described, and there are also photographs of unexploded mines, minesweepers at work, and many photographs of the other young men who served with Tamarov.

The one thing that struck me over and over again as I read this book was the word "WASTE." The photographs of the young soldiers who never returned home stand as a monument to the utter ridiculous waste that occurred under the name "Afghanistan War." What difference did it make to the world or humankind? Has anything changed as a result? Did the world improve immeasurably or even measurably for that matter? The answer to those questions is a single, loud resounding 'NO'. And the only message that can be drawn from this book is the utter futility and madness of war. I would like to commend the author for creating a memorial through his marvellous photographs for the men who seem to be destined just to become empty statistics. The young men memorialized in Tamorov's photographs did not belong in Afghanistan, and neither did they deserve to die. I am glad that someone was there to record their short lives before they were stolen away forever--displacedhuman

Of course we've all grown up with so many fiction characters from DC/Marvel comics, Disney, Archie's`etc., each of them with its own appeal and flavour ...

What sets Tintin apart from all the rest, I feel, the brilliant quality of the artwork. The level of detail, right from the wheels of flight 714 about to land on that tiny island (flight 714), to the shadow effects of walking in a hidden passage to the Inca empire (prisoners of the sun), to the shape of the waves on which Tintin in a coffin is floating (cigars of the pharaoh), or the jaguar in which Tintin chases the gangsters (the calculus affair), the details are just fantastic and the right amount, without creating too much noise and distraction - as is the case with many of the DC comics - iron man, the incredible hulk, etc.

The stories range from contemporary to looking ahead in the future - swing wing planes, rockets to the moon, hidden cameras/espionage. The subject matter is political, and in my opinion slightly controversial at times. Especially the way Herge stereotypes native people in India (Cigars of the Pharaoh, Tintin in Tibet), or in the jungles of Amazon (The Broken Ear). But even here, Herge is way above the shady and simplistic plots of the like of Phantom and Flash Gordon.

The collection is more readable towards the later comics, some of the earlier ones contains situations which are too improbable and rely far too much on luck for Tintin to get himself out of danger.

I loved Tintin books when I was a kid, and I love them now at age 37. I know I'm not alone, because a Tintin store in San Francisco sells Tintin coffee cups and ties and key chains (grown-up's items!) I myself have a Tintin tie and key chain! THE LAND OF BLACK GOLD is my favorite Tintin book. It has all the best characters, humor, and an intriguing plot. (That's why adults can like them, because many of the books have reasonably sophisticated James-Bond type plots.) Tintin forever!

I am only 11, and I have only read some of the Tintin books, and the reason I'm at Amazon.com is to buy all the others. Out of the one's I've read so far, I think "Red Rackham's Treasure" was my favorite. I loved the way Herge made Calculus, and thought he was extremely funny, even when he did get annoying! I love the Tintin books, and look forward to reading every single one again! If I could go over 5 stars, I would, definatly!

This book was unbelievably refreshing. In fact I was so impressed with the level of honest reflection and emotional depth in Raising Fences that I have discussed it with almost every man I know. Datcher's willingness to let us see inside his soul had provided a context
for Black men and women to discuss the issues that are plagueing our relationships. He gave me hope for Black Love and also set a new standard for communication between the sexes. I may start a book club just to keep talking about how good it is. The icing on the cake is the beauty of the poetry and prose throughout the book. I predict that this is a classic that will keep people coming back again and again. Beyond the love story, we have a basic "coming of age" formula within a battleground of tumultuous experiences that could easily have shaken the foundation of anyone's belief system. Yet, Datcher captures the struggle and creates a jewel for his readers to enjoy. Buy two. Read one and share the other.

Without a doubt this is the best book I've read in the past 2 years or so. Everything from the characters, to the plot to the writing style was a great gift delivered by the author. His writing is poetic without needlessly waxing poetic. Vibrant words drifting from a very good Queen's English to a very real street Ebonics brought this memoir to life.

Much of Datcher's world is far from mine, but as a black man living in my own skin, I really felt him as he moved in and out of the different situations brothers have to move through just to make it through each day. I like how he showed how some black men hate, how some black me love, how we can carry our fear and can show our courage, and most of all how sometimes we get beat down (physically, psychologically and emotionally from both endogenous and exogenous factors - often at the same time), yet often times manage to get up and carry on.

Thanks for the words Mr. Datcher, but more importantly thanks for the story behind them (for some reason I wanted your wife's book to be a better read than yours - think I just liked her jacket picture better), but I think you edged her out a bit. Hope you pen another piece of prose at some point.

I must admit, I was going on a book buying spree and picked this book up because: 1) the title was intriguing, and 2) the book store had nothing else at that time. It took some time for me to pick up the book, and finally did so on a recent vacation. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. Michael Datcher brings so much emotion and reality about growing up fatherless and facing the near-reality of bringing a child into this world, and having her grow up fatherless as well. He tells the story of so many young Black men in America, yet gracefully adds his artistic side (through poetry) to bring the point home. I must say, toward the end of the book, I nearly cried... but had to hold my emotions back because I was on an airplane! This book is a must-read!

"Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space" is a further installment in this clever series of books by Dav Pilkey. Captain U is a spoofish superhero character not unlike the Tick or the Powerpuff Girls. Pilkey combines subversive humor with engaging cartoony illustrations.

Captain U's true identity is that of an elementary school principal. But after being hypnotized by unruly fourth graders George and Harold, he acquires his superhero persona. Captain Underpants is probably the silliest spoof superhero yet; he runs around wearing no more than his underpants (hence the name) and a cape. In this installment, the good captain faces a trio of devious extraterrestrial fiends.

Much like the popular TV show "The Simpsons," this book mercilessly satirizes school and authority figures. Pilkey includes many clever touches, such as the incorporation of comic books allegedly written by George and Harold, as well as a "Flip-o-Rama" gimmick by which the reader can manually animate key action sequences. Overall, a lot of fun.

This comic is totally hillarious, but make sure to buy it before big brother says you can't! Check out the following:

'Captain Underpants' lives to see another day ORFORDVILLE, Wis. - Dav Pilkey's book, Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies From Outer Space (and the Subsequent Assault of Equally Evil Lunchroom Zombie Nerds), came under scrutiny after a student's parents asked that it be reviewed. The story's main characters ridicule and disobey their school principal, bury some dead lunch ladies by the school and write comic books riddled with misspellings, among other things. The Parkview School District committee voted 5-0 to keep the book in the school's library. The district's curriculum director said children probably would be best served if someone read or discussed the book with them to point out misspellings and intolerance issues.

Captain Underpants And The Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafateria Ladies From Outer space (and the Subsequent Assault of the Equally Evil Lunchroom Zombie Nerds) by Dav Pilkey is a fiction story with exciting characters that keeps you reading until the end of the book. The main idea of the involves George and Harold who tricked the Cafeteria ladies made them mad. So they stopped making lunch and went to other school. Then an evil cafeteria ladies started to make lunch and made the students into zombie nerds with their potion. But George, Harold, and Captain Underpants destroy the evil and helps everybody. You should read this book because it's very exciting.

Henri Nouwen has a way of making us look into the places that we would rather not look. When we are drawn into this study of the Rembrant painting we find a darkness that leads us to an illumination of our own lives. In this book it is with great joy that we discover love and forgiveness as well as hope. This book is a must read for all Christians. In going to the place that I did not want to go I found the place that I needed to go. This is the best spiritual book that I have read in years. I wish we had published this book.

The Return of The Prodigal Son is one of those books with a special message that made me want to be a better person. If only it was that easy.

Henri Nouwen used his experiences and feelings surrounding the Rembrandt painting "Return of the Prodigal Son" coupled with time as the father at a group home for the severely handicapped as a back drop for this book. But it is not a book that is about his time at the home, nor it is a book that really reflects that he is a catholic priest. It has a universal message and is based squarely on scripture revolving around the story of the prodigal as well as insights gained from Rembrandt's painting

The pleasant yet challenging surprise of the book is how Nouwen takes the logical path from rebellious son through older brother and landing finally at the role of father and how the Father Himself calls us to become as He is. It is the first time I have read or heard a teaching that moves from the unrelenting love that the father has for the son in the story to the idea that God is calling us not just to accept His love as the younger son does once he realizes how lost he had become, but how God is calling us to become like Him and love the rebellious and lost as He does.

I found it very interesting how Nouwen see parts of Rembrandt's work as being reflections of or symbols of something great and true. These insights made the book more interesting than just a simple bible lesson on an old and familiar story.

Whether you find yourself in a foreign land or just outside the Fathers House, or whether you tend to feel a bit resentful that you're "following all the rules" and yet things just don't seem quite right this book has something important and powerful to say to you. If you are a leader in the church and want to be compelled to try a little harder and move a little closer to being the accepting and loving father that God calls you to be; this book has something for you.

I enjoyed reading this and can highly recommend it.

This book: Nouwen simple faith in a God who loves his runaway childern brings great insight into the life of Grace and being a follower of Christ. A must read for anyone who struggles with pushing too hard to be a "good" Christian. This book delevers to all Christians regardless of background and spiritual walk...Grace and love are the lessons of this text...and a hard one at that...based on the teachings of Christ and Nouwen's meditations of the famous Rembrant painting housed in Russia titled " Return of the Prodigal Son". It is also a good read because it gives us a look at the life of Henri J. M. Nouwen, he eagerly shares his own personal trials and how he has related to the parable of the Prodigal Son. This books is on of my top ten.

This book is a delightful story about a young girl and the many different emotions she is feeling. Curtis does an excellent job of portraying a wide array of emotions, from jolly to confused to frustrated, making this a book that almost any child can relate to. The best part about thsi book is that Curtis not only lists different moods felt by the little girl in the story, but she also explains what causes those moods, which provides young children with a better understanding of their own emotions. For example, Curtis writes "Today I'm excited there's so much to do. I'm going to sell cookies and lemonade too. I'm starting a club to go clean up the park. And I've got a big crush on my teacher named Mark." Another strength of this book is the way Cornell uses the illustrations to enhance the written text. She does an excellent job of creating pictures that conv ey the emotions Curtis is writing about. On each page, you'll find a jpicture which shows actions or facial expressions related to the mood being described. Her vivid illustrations are not only present thoughout the story, but actually go from end paper to end paper, even on the title and publishing page. Finally, the only downfall of this book is the inconsistency in text layout. On each page, the text is placed in a different location and in a different pattern. This can make the story difficult for young children to read themselves, which makes this book more ideal as a read-aloud for young children.

This is a beautiful book to share with young children who have difficulty to identify or recognize their own feelings and moods. I happen to live in the country where one's emotions and feelings are seldom addressed directly. This book helps me to show my daughter that it is ok to feel what she feels inside. My daughter wants me to read this book to her every night before bedtime. After reading it , she would tell me if today is a good day for her and why. The illustrations are beautiful and humorous. It really teaches the children that no matter what the mood is, life can still be fun and full of surprises.

This is a book about feelings and emotions. The main character is a little girl. The book follows her daily experiences, along with charting how she feels throughout these events. Feelings such as silly, angry, sad, confused, and excited are mentioned, along with events which trigger these emotions. At the end of the book, there is a page which says, "How do you feel today?" On the page opposite this, you will find an interactive page, in which the child can change the eyes and mouth of the picture to depict his/her feelings at that moment. It is an absolutely wonderful book. The illustrations are OUTSTANDING! They really bring the book to life! You will find yourself reading this book over and over again. It discusses family life and everyday events, which happen on a daily basis. Children can relate to this book because of this. They can use their background knowledge to relate the events in the book to the events in their lives. They can also compare her feelings to their own, and realize that everyone has feelings. This is a wonderful book to share with children and adults of all ages. I would definetely recommend this book to anyone.