For a fan of great science fiction art this is a great find. Featuring the likes of Chris Foss, Peter Elson, and others it has beautiful work in it. The framework of the book is a history of important and memorable wars and battles in the past of a great Galactic Empire. It's a conceit that works very well. Highly recomended.

This book was published first in 1835 but as 19th century novels go I found it fairly well-done, and holding my interest. There is a lot of melodrama, and the Indians are portrayed with some balance. There are some racist-like views, and a silly scene where Hector, a slave, begs his good master not to set him free. But the account is fast-moving and event follows rapidly on event. The scene is 1715 in South Carolina, and involves an Indian insurrection which actually happened, tho it is pretty hard to find much about it in history sources. Some of the speeches put in the mouths of characters in the extremely stressful situations in which they find themselves are not without humor to today's reader. It is said this is the best of Simms' novels, and knowing that makes me think some of his other novels might be fun to read--this one is.

I strongly recomend this novel, with the understanding that it's far too graphic and mature for young children. This is an adult novel that deals with spiritual themes in a thoughtful, graphic, honest fashion. What's unfortunate is that some people seem to feel the need to protect other Christians from a mature exploration of the faith. I'm both a Christian and an adult and I don't want every novel written about Christianity to be G-rated, both in content and intellect. Becoming a Christian did not require a lobotomy, but all too much Christian fiction and writing seems to think that that is a requierment. I'm thankful that Mr. Caldwell has finally given us a Christian novel that we can give to non-Christians without making apologies for the poor writing, unrealistic characters, and juvenile philosophy. This is a great book for adults. Keep your children away from it, but buy it for yourself.

I was talking to a friend of mine who had just finished this book yesterday and he hated it. I was surprised, because I thought it was one of the best books I've read in years. I spoke to a few other people I knew who had read it a month or so ago and found the exact same response. Three loved it, two hated it. The people who hated it didn't have a problem with the writing, which they thought was excellent, but with the whole tone of the story.

I can understand that. We All Fall Down is a fairly depressing story. That was actually what I loved about it. My thinking is that, if you're going to show what earth would be like without spirituality, it's going to be a pretty depressing picture. The main character falls deeper and deeper into a Hell of his own making and it's not always pleasent to watch. Caldwell ups the ante even more, by describing Caldwell almost wholey from the outside. Even though its the main character himself who narrates the whole book, that narration is done in a detached voice, describing what's happening, but almost never indulging in introspection. It can be off putting, because we want to know why he's making the choices he is.

But I think it was a wise choice, because as the character says at the end, "What else is left to say? It would all be excuses. We just use words to hide the truth." Instead, we have to view Jimmy though other people's eyes and through his exterior actions. It forces us to be more active as readers, to become more involved in the story if we're going to judge it.

This is a spiritual book, but it defines its spirituality by its very absence. We are taken on a guided tour through a world without God and through the life of a man who cannot accept God. Caldwell doesn't flinch from showing the ramifications of that absence, and it's hard to watch sometimes. But in showing the evil that arises without spirituality, he very effectively defines spirituality as its opposite. It's an interesting literary choice, but one that works spectacularly.

I can understand why people wouldn't like this book. It tells us something about humanity that a lot of people would rather ignore. I can see why people wouldn't want to read about a world without God. But I found it to be an illuminating and thrilling read. And in my opinion, any book than can polarize people into such strong feelings, be they love or hate, is a succesful piece of literature. Novels are suypposed to evoke feeling, and this one succeeds. Try it yourself and see which side you fall on.

For many years now, there have been an awful lot of books produced about Revelations. The emphasis is on awful. For whatever reason, those books have often been poorly writen, preachy to the point of offensive, and completely lacking any real spiritual insight. Finally, in the last few years, two authors have produced amazing books about Revelations. Brian Caldwell's We All Fall Down is the first truly mature look at Revelations. It's not a book for people looking to stand at a distance, as it is an emotionally devistating piece of fiction. It is raw and uncompromising, a book that will grab you by the throat and shake your soul. I don't think I have ever read a book that challenged me to examine my faith so strongly. BeauSeigneur's Christ Clone Trilogy is equally impressive, if in a different way. While Caldwell's book focuses on the spiritual psychology of a single character, Beausigneur tackles the big picture. His novels are intellegent and incredibly well-researched. His novels make you believe that the end of the world could happen, not just spiritually, but intellectually as well. The two authors complement each other quite well, with BeauSigneur tackling the big picture and Caldwell zeroing in on the personal.

What both writers have in common is a perfect ear for dialouge, a scathing intellegence, and an insight into spiritual matters that was exciting to read. After suffering through so many second rate novelists tackle revelations, it was an incomparable pleasure to read these magnificent books.

Donald Caldwell is one of the few American writers that have attempted the monumental task of writting about German military units during WWII. He brings to life the actions of JG 26, the best flyers of the Luftwaffe. When you read this book, you feel like you are in the planes and in dogfights over the Channel. This is the unit that Adolf Galland commanded before he became the General of the Fighter Arm of the Luftwaffe. The First and the Last by Galland, Fighter General (biography of Galland) and JG 26 should be the recommended trilogy for anyone interested in German air combat on the Western Front during WWII. A good read

If you study WW-2, in particular, the air war in Europe, then this book is a must. To study war means to look at both sides and this book accurately traces the birth of JG 26 from it's nobal beginning as just another Luftwaffe unit to being the most feared fighter unit by Allied airmen in the world. Then, as war would have it, it accurately traces it's tragic destuction at the hands of not nessessarily superior pilots, but superior numbers, better tactics, and much better upper leadership on the part of the Allies. As you read the book, it, at times, seams like the same old stuff. For example, on this mission, they shoot down this many Spitfires or this many B-17's at a loss of this many of their own pilots and this seams to go on forever, however, the more you read, the you will begin to feel their unselfish and unquestionable devotion to not nessessarily their leader, Adolf Hitler, but their country and fellow pilots. In the face of devastating losses and iminent defeat, they continue going up to meet the increasing number of Allied bombers and fighters with no hope of stopping them or even sometimes surviving the battle. By the time you get to the end of the book, you will actually feel a note of sarrow for the brave men of JG-26, as well as what the air war was like on the losing side. Caldwell hits it right on the mark with this book and I highly recomend it to any war historian or aviation buff. At the end, I'm sure you will agree with one of the surrendering pilots of JG-26 when he said, "That was the end of all our dreams."

Don Caldwell wrote an amazing book about one of Luftwaffe's most capable and well led fighter units of WW II. With an insight look through the files, he takes us on a six-year journey of dogfights against RAF and USAAF bombers and fighters, in a fighter group full of skilled aces and dare-devil pilots, which, like all Luftwaffe, suffered terrible losses in the end. If there was one such book for every famous fighter group of WW II, history would be well served!

Flint the King is certainly one of the better preloud books, but it has a way of portraying a totally different story of Flint's capturing then it was in the original chronicles. The Gully dwarves that were potraid as annoying untrustful creatures that held Flint prisoner against his own will, but in this book they are actually potraid as kind, naive and honest creatures that Flint becomes extreamly attached to unlike the hated dwarves described in the chronicles by Flint. Beside that though, this is a funny book, with an awesome villian and alot of charector that explains a little bit more of everybody's favorite grumpy yet caring Hill Dwarf, Flint FireForge.

My, my... Where do I start? I can say that this is the best book I've read in quite a long time. Like a lot of Dragonlance books it had twists and turns behind every corner, but it also contained some great comedy, action, and even a little romance. If you've read the origonal series and liked it, you really should read this.

I really enjoyed this book. It takes place in the years before the reunion. It was very humorous and showed a side of Flint you dont normally see. I know when i read the cronicles Flint seemed more a or less just a grumpy old dwraf, this shows that theres more to Flint that you thought before

i have read some cool vampire books in my lifetime(i am only 20) but this one is awesome. Strahd is the coolest vampire he is mean but very just in the way he rules. but i can relate to the story cuz Strahd would do anything to win the love of tatyana and he does. he kills his brother, sells his soul to death, and right after that she freaking dies and now he is vampire with cool powers but he doesn't have his woman. but he is always looking for her in barovia but will he find her again? read the book. if u like vampires and magic set in a gothic land then u will love this book. my friend jonathan would be scared by the magic and vampires but it's not really a scary story for me. it's just an awesome book.

With any vampire novel the great danger is that of imitation: no matter what the protagonist, when the era, where the setting is, there will always be a question of how well it stands up next to the 'classics'.

Well, move over Bram Stoker! Dracula, with all its nineteenth-century patriotism, stake-wielding self-righteousness, and gun-slinging 'technology' is gone: Strahd von Zarovich has arrived. Although not the very first of its kind, 'I, Strahd' is easily one of the best see-it-through-the-Vampire's-eyes gothic novels I have ever read. P N Elrod's style is fast without being rushed, passionate without being sentimental, and her anti-hero Count Strahd is immediately memorable to any reader.

His story, too, is similar to that of the Transylvanian Count, but the first-hand view of Strahd's life (unlife?) and the atrocities he is driven to commit strikes a rapport with the reader. Here is a vampire who is evil, who kills without remorse, who has no feelings for life except his own (imperfect) facsimile...sometimes. Yet he is repentant, pining for a lost love, and loyal to his people's safety, willing to give his life to their protection and unification...sometimes.

It is this double-nature of the protagonist which makes 'I, Strahd' a compelling read and stands comparison with 'Dracula' and 'Interview with the Vampire'. Enter if you dare...you will be smitten!

Strahd, you got to love him. He was the "bad guy" in the first Ravenloft book, "Vampire of the Mists", but comes accross in a much different light this time around. I absolutely recommend this book. I've read 10 Ravenloft books so far and this is easily one of the very best, if not thee best. If you read "Vampire of the Mists" or "Knight of the Black Rose" and liked either of those, you will love this one as much or more.

...This is considered by many to be the Classic Handbook on Dispensationalism, and it is a Revised Version of his original work entitled "Dispensationalism Today".

It serves as a Curriculum Resource for Doctrine courses at Philadelphia Biblical University, and, therefore, it comes highly recommended.

Charles Ryrie served as the President of Philadelphia Biblical University and he continues to serve as a Professor at this Institute and Dallas Theological Seminary.

As for the book itself, it provides the Basic Doctrines of Dispensationalism as understood by C.I. Scofield, and as reinterpreted by Charles Ryrie himself. As such, it is essential to a Proper Understanding of Modern Dispensationalism.

However, it is NOT a proper assessment of the Original Dispensationalism that was taught by J.N. Darby and the Plymouth Brethren. It neglects the Essential Doctrine of the Apostasy, which was the Foundational Doctrine for the Original Dispensationalists.

It also does not consider the excellent and profound insights provided by John Master and Brian Toews, concerning the New Covenant. Nor does it do justice to some of the arguments brought forth by the Progressive Dispensationalists.

Overall, this book serves as an excellent Primer for Dispensationalism....

Shalom - Soror Samhain

I decided that I needed a primer on dispensationalism after reading a commentary on Romans by William Newell. His work was thorough and insightful, but it assumed some background in dispensational thought and history. Having been raised in a covenant-theology church, dispensational thought came to me as a revelation on how to understand the Bible. However, I wanted to understand what was the basis for dispensational beliefs and how it fit together. Charles Ryrie's book seemed like an easy way to get some background.

Much about Ryrie's book was helpful. It defines dispensations (a particular method and revelation by which God interacts with the world), lists the 7 commonly accepted dispensations (Innocence, Conscience, Civil Government, Patriarchy, Mosaic Law, Grace, and Millenium), the hermeneutics (grammatical-historical), the historical development of these beliefs and the justification for approaching Scripture this way. He also discusses eschatology, salvation, and the nature of the Church from a dispensational perspective. These chapters answered most of the questions that I originally had in mind and put into perspective other popular literature based on the same system. If you weren't raised in a dispensational church, this book can help you understand the allusions in modern evangelical culture.

On the other hand, if you weren't raised dispensational, you will still miss allusions in this book. For instance, the author refers to the 144,000 of Revelations in discussing church doctrinal statements. Why? I feel as if the author assumes a minimum level of exposure to dispensationalism which many folks just don't have. Some other downsides: the author sprinkles objections from covenant and amillenialist positions throughout the book. Ryrie tends to take exteme objections and either show that they are based on faulty logic or that the same objections can be made to the objector's own system. Perhaps these are comments that dispensationalists can expect to hear, but I was left wondering if all theologians of other systems sound so shrill. However, while Ryrie can be critical of other belief systems, he seems respectful and not emotional, keeping the tone of the book civil. Also there are chapters on Progressive dispensationalism, Covenant theology, and Ultra-dispensationalism, which provide a background for other beliefs but are presented more as straw men. Again, I imagine that the author meant to be helpful but should have stuck to his strengths.

In short, I'd say this is a good introduction to dispensationalism for someone who knows a little about it already. If you are completely new to the topic, this book is at least short and succint. I'd recommend getting something more in depth as a second source.

Although I do not consider myself a dispensationalist, I see Ryrie's work here as an excellent primer for dispensationalism. It is well-written, very readable, and to the point. I was also pleased with his conciliatory tone, especially manifest in his closing chapter. He extends a hand of fellowship to non-dispensationalists who stand upon the authority of God's inerrant Word.

I really cannot identify any weaknesses in this book. While there are certainly weaknesses in the dispensational position, Ryrie does a very thorough job of accurately describing this ever-popular theological viewpoint. I applaud his efforts.

I recommend this book highly to clergy and laity who want to gain a better understanding of classic dispensationalism from an esteemed dispensational scholar.

A wonderful book for any child who has had to make big adjustments in his or her life!

Elizabeth Lawson is a foster child, and the warm, vital, and noisy Sheridans are her third family placement. When she agrees to let them adopt her, she knows that she will eventually be sent to another home, but the Sheridans have something she wants: a chance to see the ocean. She travels with the family to their grandmother's and is soon swamped by the profusion of siblings and cousins around her who, for reasons Elizabeth can't comprehend, seem to think she's one of them. The brood is presided over by Iron Woman, a disturbing and perceptive threat to Elizabeth's armor of emotional distance. As the summer advances, Elizabeth resists the Sheridan's efforts to make her a part of their family, because she knows that caring for any family when you will eventually have to leave them is a mistake. It is only with Iron Woman's firm and persistent kindness and discipline, and the friendship of the youngest Sheridan, Petey, that Elizabeth's shell begins to crack. This is a wonderfully written book. Caldwell captures exactly the need of a child to protect herself by refusing to connect, as well as Elizabeth's genuine bafflement at the loving way she is treated. The prose is easy to handle and the descriptions of the Sheridans make them very real and three-dimensional to the reader. A definite must-read for older kids, this book can be handled by anyone in 4th or 5th grade up to 12th, depending on their interest and reading ability.

5 stars! * * * * *

This was another one of those book discussion books. Reccomended to me by a close friend, I picked up The Ocean Within by V. M. Caldwell. This book tells the wonderful story of Elizabeth, an orphan who has been shipped around from foster family to foster family. Finally, Elizabeth meets the Sheridans, a family who wants to adopt her. However, Elizabeth shuts out all the love that the family gives her, when she spends a month with all the kids of the family, because of the great emotional loss that she has suffered. Even 4-year-old Petey, who calls her Turtle to remind him of her shyness, can't completely break down the barrier that stands between Elizabeth and the rest of the world. Even the ocean, the one thing Elizabeth always dreamed of, doesn't make her happy enough to break through her shell. This was the first book I had read about this type of experience, and I found it to be quite touching and revealing. Caldwell wrote this book in a fantastic fashion, showing the true emotions of Elizabeth and all of the Sheridans. This book was phenomanal, and I would openly recommend this book to any and all young adults looking for a good read.

The Ocean Within is an amazing story about a young girl who knows what it is like to be givin up. When Elizabeth is sent to another foster home she has givin up all hope that she will ever have a real family again. Elizabeths summer vacation starts when she is sent by her new parents to meet her new cousins and new grandmother. Her grandmother lives near the ocean. When she first arrives at the ocean she is quiet and unliked by her brothers and sisters. But that doesn't matter to her because she wants to see the ocean. Through out this book Elizabeth will live through many events that are breath taking and dangerous.

If you are looking for tragedy and a dark bloody drama then I recommend Macbeth with no reservations whatsoever. On a scale of 1-5, I fell this book deserves a 4.5. Written by the greatest literary figure of all time, Shakespeare mesmorizes the reader with suspense and irony. The Scottish Thane Macbeth is approachd by three witches who attempt and succeed at paying with his head. They tell him he will become king, which he does, alog with the aide of his ambitious wife. Macbeth's honor and integrity is destroyed with the deceit and murders he commits. As the novel progresses, Macbeth's conscience tortures him and makes him weak minded. Clearly the saying "what goes around comes around," is put to use since Macbeth's doom was similar to how he acquired his status of kingship. He kills Duncan, the king of Scottland and chops the head off the Thane of Cawdor, therefore the Thane of Fife, Macduff, does the same thing to him. I feel anyone who decides to read this extraordinary book will not be disatisfied and find himself to become an audience to Shakespearean tragedies.

Noble Macbeth and the story of his decay due to the seduction of the forces of darkness - I liked it. The play sets off with an impressing scene, the chant of the three witches, a perfect use of language, I dare say. It takes only about a page and I knew it by memory after two times reading. We used to quote it during the breaks, and actually still do so sometimes. "When shall we three meet again...and so forth. After this promising start the language gets quite hard (I'm not any native form Enland, the US or any other english speaking part of this planet). One can follow the action though and every five or six pages there's a reward for your patience, at least for anybody who likes the power Shakespeare's language is able to display in their good or best moments: "Have we eaten on the insane root?" and the likes. Of course there's also the famous "It is a tale, told by an idiot...". It's for these moments, where Williams knew how to transfere a feeling of one of his caracteres into the realm of a universal significance, that I enjoyed the play...

Shakespeare's shortest and bloodiest tragedy, MACBETH is also possibly the most serious. Macbeth is a warrior who has just had his greatest victory, but his own "vaulting ambition," the spectral promises of the three weird sisters, and the spurring on of his wife drive him to a treason and miserable destruction for which he himself is completely responsible. The ominous imagery of the fog that hovers over the first scene of the play symbolizes the entire setting of the play. Shakespeare's repeated contrasts of such concepts as fair and foul, light and darkness, bravery and cowardice, cut us to the quick at every turn. MACBETH forces us to question "what is natural?" "what is honor?" and "Is life really 'a tale/ Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury/ Signifying nothing?'" Few plays have ever illustrated the torments of Guilt (especially how it deprives one of Sleep) so vividly and stirringly.

I have read this play curiously as a child, excitedly as a teenager, passionately as a college student, and lovingly as a graduate student and adult. Like all of Shakespeare's writing, it is still as fresh, and foreboding, and marvelous as ever. As a play it is first meant to be heard (cf. Hamlet says "we shall hear a play"), secondarily to be seen (which it must be), but, ah, the rich rewards of reading it at one's own pace are hard to surpass. Shakespeare is far more than just an entertainer: he is the supreme artist of the English language. The Arden edition of MACBETH is an excellent scholarly presentation, offering a bounty of helpful notes and information for both the serious and casual reader.

If you're looking for a warm and fuzzy romance about a woman meeting the man of her dreams and living happily ever after, then this book is not for you. However, if you want a book filled with real emotions, real conflicts, and a hopeful (not overly romanticized) outlook, then read BURNING THE MAP.

I get so sick of reading things that have absolutely no basis in the reality of the human condition. Laura Caldwell must feel this same disdain, for instead of insulting my intelligence with a nice fluffy fantasy, she provides the story of three very different women who used to be close friends and are trying to find that friendship again. Casey is the heroine, and she's let her relationship with her boyfriend supercede that of her closest friendships. Looking for an opportunity to change that, she invites her two best friends on a trip to Europe. But beyond reconnecting with her girlfriends, Casey reconnects with herself, her own desires. It's a bittersweet yet hopeful tale of self-discovery that proves sometimes the love of a man isn't enough to make you happy.

I initially looked at this book because of the "Big Ten" connection, as well as the travel aspects, having been to Greece and wanting to go to Italy. I thought it would be mostly about the trip and scenery, so I started it on a Saturday evening with TV going in the background. I got so caught up in the character development and relationships, that I turned the TV off and sat there reading it until I finished. Very rarely do I find a book that I literally can't put down! Caldwell made me feel as if I was one of the girls and was right there with them. It's a fascinating character study of Casey Evers and her 2 best friends who are trying to regain what they've lost, as well as a look at Casey's relationship with her boyfriend, her family and her chosen career field. I highly recommend this book and can't wait until Caldwell's next book is released.

I think young professional women have finally found a voice to champion our cause. While being realistic, Laura Caldwell accurately portrays the ups and downs of a single woman in this slice of life drama.