"Hannah and Her Sisters" remains my favorite Woody Allen film simply because I cry my eyes out at the end, which, you must admit, is not a reaction you would expect to have to a Woody Allen film. When you watch the film you pay attention to the performances of the actors, especially since Michael Caine and Diane Wiest won Oscars for their "supporting" roles. But when you read the screenplay you can pay more attention to the structure of the story and how Allen sets up his greatest punchline. As the character of Mickey explains at the end, it is a great story when a guy marries one sister, it does not work out, and many years later he winds up married to another sister. But what makes this really great is that for almost the entire film we have been thinking this was going to be in regards to Hannah and her sister Lee, not Hannah and her sister Holly. When Mickey says, "I don't know how you are going to top that," we are totally floored when Allen gives Holly something to say that absolutely does top it. My only complaint, albeit a minor one, is that the screenplay does not note when in the final scene the background music changes to "I'm In Love Again," which adds another element of poignancy to the wonderful ending of this film.

If you want to read a screenplay written by someone who really knows how to write one, Woody Allen is your writer. I've read many of his and they are all superb. The huge difference with this one is that this is his most commercially successful film. Thus, you are reading both a high level of creative screenwriting talent coupled with commercial audience know-how. This is a very unusual combination in show business. His other published screenplays are every bit as good as this one but they have never found as large an audience when made into film. I've read screenplays by other writers too and one huge difference in Allen's is that he records everything in it. If a character stammers, you get every nuance of the stammer. Allen leaves absolutely nothing out. If you've never read a screenplay but only read novels instead, I'm not sure how you'll like the experience. I love film so reading the screenplay is another way of experiencing something I already love in another creative format. I've read that most of the major literary awards have been criticized for not including screenplays in their categories. It is usually Allen's work that they want included in the prizes. Allen usually is nominated for an Oscar for his writing by his peers though even if he is shut out of every other category by the many who turned against him in the USA because of his personal life. Finally, if you decide that you may want to try writing a screenplay, you must start reading them. Any screenplay by Woody Allen is an excellent place to start.

The Hero of Ticonderoga is an important book for children of all ages to read. It teaches us that if we work hard, w ewill start to like what we are doing in school.

I thought that The Hero of Ticonderoga is a great book. The author of this terrific story is Gail Gauthier. My favorite part is when Theresa first did the oral report on who the hero of Ticonderoga was and she had to learn all about him. She has all the information that is not needed. She ends up having to do the report over and over again. Each time she gets more information. The oral report is supposed to be given to the person that scores the highest on a test. Then the teacher has to leave, so a substitute comes in and picks a name out of a hat. It is Theresa's name. That is how all the trouble starts. If you want to find out more, read The Hero of Ticonderoga.

Many of the samplers in this book are reproducctions stitched on linen. Each has a brief history of who stitched it and when, a sharp color photo of the framed sampler (original or new), size, materials, directions, symbols and a black and white chart. The samplers feature assorted alphabets, verses and formal motifs. There is a page of locations of the original samplers, with addresses and phone numbers to arrange visits. Each has a note of what collection it is in. Many of the samplers are perfect as beginning projects, and others require a higher level of skill. There are 2 pages of the variety of stitches used, including: cross, eyelet, rice, star, rococo, slant, buttonhole, chain and working with a tambour hook. The motifs are quite inspirational to stitch from the charts or create individual samplers from a combination of ideas.

I bought "Historic Samplers" when it was first offered. So far, I have stitched three of the samplers. The photos are truly great, and the directions are clear enough for most beginning stitchers.

The historical notes concerning each design are worth the price of the book, especially to one who is interested in antique samplers.

The photographs in this book are awe-inspiring,although I have one eensy-weensy complaint.Where were the Charlton Heston photographs?I've seen more photographs of him in man-to-man interaction that have been the very embodiment of homoeroticism than anyone else.He had a way of interacting with other man that was in my opinion akin to homosexual desire.

I first got this book as a present, and thought that it would be a picture book about beefy gym-bodied men with little substance. Upon reading and looking through the book, my impressions were quickly turned around. This book has a wonderful collection of pictures dating back to the 1800s that show how men have been portrayed by various photographers through the years. Some images are very striking and almost appalling, while others accentuate male form. The text that accompanies the pictures is very informative and critical, making the reader think while he looks upon the images. This is a book that I now enjoy returning to in order to see that the male body has so many possible portrayals. I was even impressed to see my own college professor's work in the book!!

It is a good thing to serve one's country, but to be denied the chance to reenlist due to fear and ignorance is entirely another matter. SFC Edward Carter was a military man who wore his uniform and duty proudly. As a child of missionaries in India and later in China, where he first helped the Chinese with the Japanese, as well as served in the Spanish War's U.S. Abraham Lincoln Brigade, he exemplified that he was willing t fight for a country that didn't give him a full fair shake. In the closing days of WW2, he was involved in a attack of a small town,despite heavy losses from his unit and even though he was injured himself, he wouldn't leave the scene until the job was done. Although his superiors felt that he deserved the Congressional Medal of Honor, they felt at that time, that due to his color, it would be denied which was rightly so. After the war, he reenlisted and helped to establish a California National Guard base in Los Angeles, and later served at Fort Lewis, Washington, where, he was cited for being an excellent soldier. Despite of his glowing records, he was denied reenlistment and no reason was never given. He appealled constantly for years, but to no avail, and he died in 1963 without justice being served to him. In 1997, after checking on conditions of African American soldiers in WW2, he was finally honored to received the Congressional Medal of Honor. His daughter in law, Allene, who wrote this book,also started to checking into his military and other files to see why he was denied reenlistment, which ended up into a full apology by the Army and President Clinton, as well as coverage in the media. It is an excellent book and highly recommended.

Honoring Sergeant Carter uncovers an important yet esoteric chapter in American WWII history and gives balance to The Greatest Generation. You may only come across a book as fine as this once or twice in a lifetime. If your budget allows only one book - this is the one. It is "intellectually honest," informative, passionate, and if you don't have ice water running through your veins, you will feel it!

While reading I reminisced of my late father who served in very close proximity with Sergeant Carter during and after WWII. They never knew each other. My father saw Sergeant Carter after the war - how could he miss him - the sharp and deadly soldier that Carter was described to be and one of the very few African Americans holding the Distinguished Service Cross. My father understood all too well what happened to many good men during this era. I look back on living in Germany as a youngster during the Cold War with my avid interest in WWII. I explored bunkers and shopped flea markets searching for relics. Most had the dreaded swastika on it. My father observed my hobby and explained to me in great detail how it was dangerous and in bad taste, but I could keep the collection. He then told me in no uncertain terms: "If you come across anything with a Communist marking on it ......etc, etc, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME SON!!!" I shook my head yes - I was speechless. Honoring Sergeant Carter provided clearer understanding of why I couldn't speak that day.

Sergeant First Class Edward A. Carter, Jr., affectionately known as Eddie, was one of the seven African American soldiers honored at the White House with the Medal of Honor. This long overdue tribute (over 50 years) took place on January 13, 1997. When you read Eddie's story - that is backed with strong research and solid documentation - you will see how fact (in this situation) is stranger than fiction.

A must read for WWII historians and buffs who are sincerely interested in balancing their understanding of WWII. Honoring Sergeant Carter is a great companion book that will complement Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation.

I bought the trilogy as 3 books in one. And that is how you should read them, as 1 book. The 3 books are the 3 main chapters in the life of the main character, Tora.
There is so much pain in the book(s), so much suffering and loneliness your heart will sometimes break, but together with the maincharacter you will fight back, still too many pages to go/read, you can't give up, you have to go on and hope there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
So I suggest if you decide to read the story of Tora,( how she fights back, being a bastard child of a german soldier and norwegian islander, how she tries to connect with her mother, how she tries to avoid her stepfather of coming in her room at night, how she copes with an unwanted pregnancy, ... ) you buy the 3 books or the omnibus ... because when you start reading about Tora, you won't be able to let her go. You'll become her, and she'll become you.

Wassmo's spare and lyric prose is a joy to read. In unabashed language she tells the story of Tora, a young girl growing up on a remote Norwegian island a decade after World War II. The illegitimate daughter of a German soldier, Tora lives in a poor household with her drudging mother and a brutal step-father who subjects her to repeated sexual abuse. Fiercely silent, Tora deals with her ordeal alone, groping blindly for safety and an understanding of her predicament--and, at last, she becomes strong enough to overcome it. Her tale is set in the context of life in a small island village where the economy is based on fishing and small everyday dramas constantly unfold. This is the first volume in a trilogy about Tora; unfortunately, the other books in the series seem not to be available yet in English translation. I, for one, having also read "Dina's Book" with immense admiration for the author's talent and skill, will be waiting impatiently for them. Wassmo is a splendid writer and "The House with the Blind Glass Windows" is an excellent way to make her acquaintance.

This is the ONLY children't book available on the market teaching the importance of water safety. It's beautifully illustrated;children immediately identify with the lively, fun fruit characters. Louie and his friends are delightful, but more significantly, underscore a crucial message about the importance of water safety. This book should be 'required reading' for any small child exposed to open water. This beautiful little book makeslearning fanciful and fun, while imparting a potentially life saving message.

Written by Jeana Thomas, Camp Of Champs is a children's picture book about water safety, illustrated by Lisa Allen Triefenbach in vivid color. Since drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children under age 14, the message of SAFE - Stop and Find an Adult before you Enter the water is a welcome "must" for every young child, regardless of whether he or she already knows how to swim. Camp Of Champs teaches children to wear a life vest while learning to swim, to always have someone good at swimming watching, and never to chase after a toy that falls into the water. The eye-catching, playful, full-page illustrations help drive home the potentially life-saving message of water-safety. Camp Of Champs is a superb gift book excellent for being read aloud to very young children, and more importantly, carries the highest recommendation for its contribution to child safety.

The book gets to the heart of investing, particularly in mutual funds. Dollar-Cost Averaging Plus, as detailed in the book, is, I believe, an excellent way to invest in funds.

The book is a clear and comprehensive guide to investing in mutual funds. It explains everything an investor needs to know about mutual funds. The Dollar-cost Averaging formula detailed in the book is a good idea and could increase an investor's return on a fund.

The Idea Brokers is an excellent chronological exploration of the evolution and impact of think tanks on U.S. public policy. The reader is presented with a comprehensive history of these obscure institutions that have spawned dramatically since the start of the 20th-century. The author adequately provides a thorough and detailed account of the personalities that were responsible for establishing these research institutions, their intended purpose, their area of expertise, their advising successes and their implementation failures. At the end, you will agree that these research insitutions will only play a much larger role in shaping government policy and public opinion in the coming years.

The Idea Brokers is a thorough and lucid chronological examination of the evolution and impact of the modern day research centers known as 'think tanks'. These obscure research centers have spawned dramatically over the past century and their significant contributions in shaping the policies of the United States are revealed.