This is an amazing book worth giving any Marine or former Marine or any of those many people who are interested in the story of the United States Marines. On top of the navy blue canvas cover features the ornate United States Marine Seal that buldges up in its nooks and crannies and has the feel of a metal that provides this feeling of pride for the Marines and ownership of the history of such a exceptional military institution. However the good stuff is inside with informative information of the Marines from beginning of their formation to what is expected of them in the 21st century and its tied in with a multitude of pictures in which most I never seen before (despite me being military enthusiast) that explains the text perfectly and will wow you.

This book is one of the most impressive I've ever seen. Very well put together with a wealth of easy-to-read information concerning the "World's Finest" United States Marine Corps. Designed with the class and style in which only the Marine Corps is capable of inspiring. (Thank you mom for this Christmas treasure!) Semper Fidelis!

This book is a meticulously compiled, beautifully crafted history of our nation's finest military force. It goes beyond the battles and looks at the minutiae that made Marines what they are - from weapons and recruiting posters, to sea stories and folklore, to the heroism and valor that have been hallmarks of the Marine Corps since 1775. Of the many books on this almost mythical institution that I have read, the best by far is this unique and all encompassing volume by one of the Marine Corps most prominent and loving chroniclers. Heritage is the thread that makes the Marines what they are - the tangible link between the first Sea Soldiers and the current Marines even now serving the flag in dangerous places like Kosovo. For those who hold the Corps sacred, this book should become the Holy Grail of Marine Corps histories.

Hi Linda, Like hundreds of viewers I couldn't put the Mackenzie family books down and have re-read them over and over. I would like to add my voice to the request for Chances story. hope it will come soon.Lots of friends here are also asking

Elizabeth Rainbird Perth Australia

I've been a Linda Howard fan for years, and my favorite stories center around the MacKenzie family. I fell in love with Wolf, the patriarch in "MacKenzie's Mountain" (I knew this book was "keeper". I wasn't disappointed with his son Joe's story "MacKenzie's Mission" ... another "keeper". I was curious about Joe's siblings, and prayed Linda would write their stories too, especially Zane's and Joshua's. At that time, there was no Chance MacKenzie in the family. Zane and Joshua were first introduced at ages 13 and 16 respectively in their big brother Joe's book. I instantly wanted to learn more, just based on the little "tidbits" Linda dropped about each of them. Well, look out world! One out of two "ain't bad" and she gave us Zane MacKenzie's story. Zane turned out to be everything and MORE than his big brother Joe. Please Linda, write Chance's story next! After all, he caught Maris' wedding bouquet! I can't wait to see who captures the heart of tall, dark and dangerous Chance MacKenzie. I have a feeling his story is going to be even hotter and more sensual than sexy Zane's.

Linda Howard is by far my favorite author. I will pick up a book just because she is the author because I know that I will absolutely love it. I have read every MacKenzie story from Wolf to Maris and I can't wait for Chance's story to come out. Linda Howard's books grab you and won't let you go until you have finished the book and then you want to read it again.

In preparing our list of Christmas books to share with others, we had to search far and wide on amazon to find this particular book, a paperback edition of the classic Night Before Christmas.

This is the book I've used for years when reading this story to my own children, passing on Tasha Tudor and other illustrators. Why?

Although we can find the same poem and pay a lot more, with award winning illustrators, the illustrations provided by Douglas Gorsline are surely the best. They are quite colorful, and offer details little children love looking into...cats lie sleepily on the window sill, we see an overview of the town, the presents spilling from the open sack are intriguing and plentiful, and Jolly St. Nick is -- well, quite Jolly (as you can see by looking at the cover!)

The story is an "abridged version" - I'm not sure about other parents, but we read this on Christmas Eve, and we only have so much time and energy. Everything we remember from the classic poem by Clement Clarke Moore is in this version.

(From "'Twas the Night Before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse" to "He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,"HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!" In between we have everything, from the names of the eight tiny reindeer, to a belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly, including dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky".

In other words, don't be scared off by 'abridged'!)

Perhaps a hardcover edition might be more appropriate if you're giving a gift (unless you're giving to more than one child), but this book is one of the best offers we've found!

A classic done simply and inexpensively!

We have an inexpensive paperback version (see our reviews) of this classic poem, and we said that's enough for us. That was before we looked through this beautifully illustrated (by Bruce Whatley) edition of The Night Before Christmas.

The lyrics are the same, from book to book, but the fanciful illustrations in this one are enough to engage adults and children as they read this book together.

The perfect gift for any family whose Christmas tradition includes reading this classic!

This beautiful book was in my family as a hard cover edition for many years and was a Christmas Eve tradition for my four sons when they were growing up. It's poor battered body disappeared some time after the last of my little ones went off into the adult world. I am so delighted to see it back again, though this time as a nicely affordable soft cover. Clement C. Moore's enchanting story poem already provides an atmosphere filled with warmth and joyful expectation and with the addition of Tasha Tudor's quaint, nostalgic water-colors from an antique New England the Christmas magic is complete!
The winter landscapes fill our senses and Tasha's own gray tabby cat and Welsh Corgi welcome us into this charming world.
Tasha's Santa that you will meet in this book has been portrayed as the poem describes him...a right jolly old elf. He's not that much larger than the corgi and his team really consists of eight "tiny" reindeer. His pointy ears and his Eskimo mukluks add to the delightful ambiance of the book. He dances with the toys and with the happy animals and we can truly believe it will be a happy Christmas for all.
I hope this book becomes a Christmas Eve tradition for many, many more families.

Fans of Civil War literature who are weary of reading the many books out there about major military leaders and their campaigns, battles, weapons, tactics and strategies will discover something of great value in "Black Flower: A Novel of the Civil War." The author, Howard Bahr, applies his narrative skills to a haunting and memorable depiction of the slaughter and carnage of war and its harrowing effects on the common soldier. We briefly discover Bushrod Carter, a 26-year old Confederate soldier from Mississippi and his "pards" preparing for the 1864 Battle of Franklin, Tennessee and then find them again after the battle is over, changed forever. Descriptions of the horrors of war, the wounded and their medical treatment, the nightmare scenes in the plantation house commandeered as a hospital, the tragedies of the lives affected, all serve to make "Black Flower" a most powerful and emotional novel

This book is sheer poetry masquerading as a Civil War novel. No matter how gruesome the subject matter of the moment, Howard Bahr manages to take it beyond your mind and into your heart -- you understand what he's writing with your soul. His description of the army as a living breathing entity unto itself as it goes into battle, is masterful and helps those of us who have never experienced battle to have an inkling of what makes normal men able to fight and kill. The interactions involving Bushrod and the other characters who have such a strong effect on his life are beautiful and touching. The Black Flower truly brings the horrors of war and death to life, you can virtually feel the characters' pain and smell the smells that surround them. But the beauty of the writer's language pulls the reader on and on no matter what the horrors may be. You care so much about these characters that you must go on. This book will be right up there on the top of my all time list of recommended favorites. If I could give it higher rating than a ten I would.

I don't know how this one slipped through the cracks. I am a student of the War and fairly widely read, yet I have never encountered a work of Civil War fiction that moved me the way "The Black Flower" has. Truly a masterpiece. The language is exquisite, the characters well drawn and believable. Unlike in "Cold Mountain," I have been unable to find any historical inaccuracies. Bushrod, Jack, Virgil C., and Anna became as real to me as my best friend. They made me laugh, cry, and love them all, and I was immensely sorry when this well-crafted book ended. Surely someone should turn this story into a feature film. After reading this, I will read anything by Mr. Bahr, no questions asked.

Black Like Me is a powerful, startling book that shows the severity of the discrimination that the Blacks went through living in America in 1959. John Howard Griffin, the narrator and author, who goes through multiple procedures to become a Black man, writes the book in a form of his diary entries as he lives like a Black man-oppressed and categorized.
To me, this book is more than it seems. Although short, it delivers messages that are deep and inspiring. As I read, I realized the extent of the prejudices were much more severe than what I have been taught. Griffin's writing is emotional and thought provoking. He tells you what he is seeing and what he is feeling so fluently and detailed that you forget you're reading a book and you feel as if someone is reciting a poem or maybe just speaking to you.
Black Like Me is a book that should be read by all not only for the controversy, but for the historical value it possesses.

Black Like Me was not written in the interests so much as to move and startle the reader as it was to inform him; yet it has accomplished both. I know it has touched millions, and the common feeling of these readers, including me, is that this story needed to be told. I believe it didn't need to be shared just with the people of that time, to help them understand, to begin closing the gap between races. I feel it was meant to be shared with those who have come later, and those who have yet to arrive. It is often said that if one doesn't learn from history, it is doomed to repeat itself, and this book will be needed to remind generations far beyond of the tragedies of that time, and how never to let them happen again. John Griffin wrote Black Like Me in working for the dream of black and white equality, in the hopes of getting the truth to people everywhere. He needed to uncover the real story behind racism in the South for himself, but with his quest came persecution and hatred of another kind; anger directed towards him and his ideas and truths, not senseless anger like the racism he encountered in his travels. I admire and enormously commend Griffin for taking such a great task on himself, in spite of the fires he knew he would spark with his enlightenment.

... ...
09/07/02
Core 8
Book Review
Black Like Me
Book Review

For my summer assignment, I read the novel Black Like Me by John Griffin. It is an autobiography about a white man who explores The Deep South as a black man by changing the pigment of his skin. This is a terrific book and I strongly recommend it.
Mr. Griffin's purpose is to find out how African American's are treated compared to Caucasian American's. To achieve this, Mr. Griffin travels to The Deep South. He finds himself in the middle of two cultures who accept or reject him merely because the color of his skin. He finds the discrimination gets worse as he travels farther South.
The book takes place in the late 50's and early 60's. It is set mainly in New Orleans and The Deep South. The mood of the book is depressing and poignant.
I think Mr. Griffin proved his point by telling America and the rest of the world how badly black people in society were treated. His writing is fairly easy to read with a few difficult words. I would have liked the book more if Mr. Griffin was not so verbose. Overall, the novel is very moving and John Griffin vindicates himself. I would recommend this novel because it tells a lot of history and Mr. Griffin speaks very eloquently and from his heart.
The novel taught me some history along with how African American's were restrained from having a normal life.

"Hostile Waters", by Peter Huchthausen, Igor Kurdin and R. Alan White. Thorndike Press, Thorndike, Maine, Large type edition, 1997.

An excellent book, dealing with the loss of the K-219, a Soviet Nuclear submarine, off the east coast of the United States. This book is non-fiction but it reads like a fast moving, modern day thrill novel, thanks, probably, to the efforts of author R. Alan White. The book also reads like a "you are there!" recitation of the events of the sinking, undoubtedly due to the efforts of Igor Kurdin, of the Russian Navy. Finally, there are some pointed comments about higher-level actions and reactions, probably due to the efforts of Captain Peter Huchthausen, USN, Retired. It is impressive that three different writers from such disparate backgrounds could produce a book that is such a well-written story of the events in the sinking of the K-219. It all comes together in such an interesting fashion that it was difficult to put the book down.

As we watch the world react to the aftermath of September 11 2001, we wonder why the CIA and the FBI did not have better communications with each other agency. The provincialism and secrecy of the USN submarine service is well documented in this book. In some ways, this is a theme of this book; rivalry between service branches and within each service hinders cooperation and communications. On page 225, for example, you can find: the U.S. Navy's "... number one enemy: the United Sates Air Force". Personally, I can recall working as reliability engineer on a small Navy project in 1987, and I referenced an Air Force document as substantiation for my calculations. I was told, "Wrong color blue". Navy Blue versus Air Force blue.

Through my work as Exec. Asst. to the Exec. Dir. of the Navy League of the U.S., I met member Peter Huchthausen when he introduced Igor Kurdin to the NLUS as an associate member. I became their liaison. Through this I have worked with young hero Sergei Preminin's high-school teacher, who created a small museum to his heroism. Then on 8/4/97 at a dinner in his honor at the Officers Club of the Naval Academy in Annapolis, I was privileged to be seated at the head table with and to meet the brave Russian sub commander, Igor Britanov, who saved our East Coast from a Chernobyl, and probably thus headed off WWIII. I was honored to be made a member of the St. Petersburg Club of Sailors and Submariners that evening. Peter Huchthausen did painstaking research, as did his coauthor Igor Kurdin to create this book. It is riveting, utterly compelling, heart-wrenching, and true. Although I have read it three times and highlighted much, plus viewing the HBO slightly-altered and less grippingly true rendition, I still weep for these brave men. This is the sign of a well-written book! It captures vividly the heart and soul of these men, and what they courageously endured. To read of them and meet them in person is to love them for their bravery and decency. I have never seen a face radiate more goodness than Captain Britanov's. I highly recommend this book to everyone I engage in conversation on the subject. I only wish that it had received much more publicity, in hard and soft cover.

"Down three thousand fathoms deep, Deaths of millions in her keep; With her, in eternal sleep -- Sergei Preminin." With these words begins Russell Hoban's poem immortalizing an extraordinary deed of an ordinary Russian submariner. "Hostile Waters" also recounts Seaman Preminin's selfless sacrifice, which saved the lives of countless unsuspecting Americans. But this is only one of the riveting episodes of desperation and courage chronicled in this true story about a doomed nuclear submarine. Authors USN-AWS Capt. (ret.) Huchthausen and Soviet Capt. 1st. Rank Kurdin were participants in the ongoing Cold War events which led to the tragedy of K-219. Written with the assistance of accomplished novelist Robin A. White ("Siberian Light", "Ice Curtain"), their book reads like a spellbinding adventure of disaster and heroism on the sea. In 1986, the Soviet Navy, in its futile attempts to match its superior American counterpart, was sending its fleet of obsolete boomers to patrol the eastern coast of the US. Capt. Igor Britanov knew that his noisy, decrepit boat was being tracked from the moment she left her home port, and that once in American waters, he was being shadowed by a state-of-the-art hunter-killer. Following an unintentional collision by the USS Augusta, K-219 sustained severe damage which left her flooding and burning, with an open missile-hatch, on the surface. In a cascading chain of catastrophe, her nuclear reactor began to overheat. As the US military went on DEFCON alert, K-219 foundered in her desperate and dangerous death-throes. You, the reader, will intimately experience the Soviet crew's minute-by-minute struggle for survival. You will bond with the Russian Captain, whose fatherly affection for his men inspired their loyalty and dedication to the point of personal sacrifice. You will be astonished by the attrocious actions of the American Captain, which alienated his own crew and ultimately cost him his career. You will be disgusted by the competative uncooperativeness between the American armed forces, and the open hostility between individual branches of the Navy. You will be dismayed by the utter callousness of the US and Soviet governments whose disregard for human life imperilled the world. And you will never forget Sergei Preminin, who voluntarily entered the hot reactor and manually cranked down the stuck baffle-plates, thus preventing a meltdown mere miles off the American coast. For an eye-opening and disturbing view of US Cold War politics, and an even-handed and compassionate portrayal of the Opposition, read this "ten-star" story!

This was my second Linda Howard book. I figured, no way could she outdo the passionate fire of "After the Night" but by Gum she did! Not only was it steamy and sexy, but also the characters were real. Usually I read about a strong, bold woman who is very self confident and eventually falls in love with the hero. I loved the fact that Roanna was helplessly, hopelessly in love with Webb from the outset and that she suffered from self-doubt like we real women do. Webb was an awesome hero. I loved the way he protected Roanna even when he doesn't quite trust her. Many times when I finish reading a book I'm left with the feeling that the characters would have done just as well with anyone, but in "Shades of Twilight" the only man for Roanna was Webb Tallant, and the only woman in the world for Webb was Roanna Davenport.

I won't bother to tell the story because it's explained in a lot of the other reviews. I felt I had to review this book for one main reason. Shades of Twilight is a wonderful story, the best Linda Howard book I have read and I can't understand the fuss about Webb and Roanna being related. Incest is a relationship between parent and child, brother and sister, but nowhere at all, in no religious book or oterwise does it say a relationship between cousins is incestuous. I thought Webb and Roanna's story was beautiful because they truly love each other and by negatively judging their relationship because of a mistaken idea of who should and should not love, I think you belittle the depth of that emotion (no offence to anyone). I think the book should just be taken as a beautiful example of enduring love and not be tainted by any prejudice. Oh and for the readers who seemed to think it was an example of Southern life, I think you should try and remember that the South was the setting but it could happen anywhere.

Mystery, Romance, and Sensuality this book has it all and is written by a great author that keeps getting better and better.

Roanna is raised on her grandmothers estate in Alabama when her mother and father are killed. Her life is a torment and her torment is in the form of her perfect cousin Jessie who is cruel and mean to Roanne. The only bright spot in her life was Webb. He stood between the imperfect Roanna and the spoiled Jessie. Roanna finds herself falling in love with her hero. Webb eventually marries Jessie but finds out to late what a mistake that was. Webb's wife and Roanna's cousing Jessie is killed and the finger is pointed to Webb.

Webb leaves the area and years pass and Roanna goes and finds him to bring him back to their grandmother who needs him now. Webb comes back to the house that his wife was killed in to a killer that was never caught and to the feelings that he is starting to have towards Roanna.

This book really sizzles and is a great story by one of my favorite authors.

THE BEST AVAILABLE GUIDE TO LUCID DREAMING!

Although this inspiring book presents a new model of dreaming and consciousness, its approach is primarily practical, covering methods for inducing lucid dreams, and a variety of applications. LaBerge also includes a brief history of his scientific research; all is presented in an engaging and comprehensible manner. Reading the book gave me an appreciation for his dedicated pioneering in the field of mind/body mapping and the ingeniousness of his lucid dream induction methods and devices.

This book offers the most extensive collection of step-by-step techniques for increasing consciousness during sleep. It also includes accounts of what a variety of lucid dreamers have done with their dream lives. For me, the most important point was how the same skills and mindfulness developed through learning to lucid dream can also deeply enhance one's waking life.

Why sleep through dreams (and sleepwalk through waking life) when lucidity is a learnable skill? This excellent, easy-to-follow guide is essential reading for dream explorers of all levels of experience.

Lucid dreaming, i.e. dreaming with full awareness, is one of the most ecstatic experiences open to human beings. Yet creating this state of bliss has traditionally been difficult - the naive approach of autosuggestion produces only very low success rates.

In "Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming", Stephen LaBerge discusses far more efficient techniques, including one pioneered by himself - MILD, or Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams. He explains how to create conditions conducive to lucid dreaming, how to prolong a lucid dream once one has one, and how to use lucid dreams for creative problem solving, health, entertainment and spiritual growth.

I should point out, however, that there is no miracle method for having lucid dreams instantanously. The techniques that this book offers still need to be exercised, patiently and diligently over a period of weeks if not months before results will start to materialize. But if you are willing and motivated to invest the necessary work and effort, this book will be one of the best guides there is. For those readers who prefer a simple, step-by-step approach, I would also recommend "Lucid Dreams in 30 Days" by Keith Harary and Pamela Weintraub.

If your interested in Dream Research and the different stages of sleep, check it out, it has some good info for you. And it is presented in a better language than most of the Dream Research books, written so any one can understand it.
If you want to learn how to dream lucidly (I was able to do dream lucid before reading it I discovered) its worth every penny.

You might not be a biologist like me, privy to scientific journals and cutting edge research in neurology. But I bet you are a human (hey, some dogs can read) that has to eat and is susceptible to the various diseases that are being spread right now by the practices of mass-producing animals for human consumption. Like me, you should READ HOWARD'S BOOK to learn about what you are exposing yourself and your loved ones to with every bite of hamburger,etc. If you want to eat meat, great. Just don't dig in like a fool thinking that "USDA approved" means that your food doesn't contain deadly microorganisms of too many types to mention here. Don't depend on Oprah to fight for your life, because even she has been intimidated by greedy monopolies to surrender her freedom of speech.

Finally, we have a book to share with people who can't understand why meat is poison. I've been a vegetarian for 13 years and my 5 year old son has never eaten animal corpses (and he's never been sick!). Mr. Lyman has provided us with some heavy-duty ammo in our quest for good health. Someday, the burger comglomerations will wake up and put some meatless items on their menus (besides salads) for those of us who don't wish to poison themselves. Mr. Lyman's book was an excellent read and I hope there's a follow up. He presents some totally convincing arguments as to why one should NOT consume animals. Buy it now and educate yourself!

Former cattleman and Oprah Winfrey co-defendant, Howard Lyman, blows the whistle on what might be described as the single most exploitive industry of our time - commercial meat production. Lyman's prior experiences as a cattle rancher and a feedlot operator give the reader a rare, behind the scenes look at the dirty business of factory animal farming. With an unquenchable thirst for profit, Lyman exposes an industry that shares a mutual disdain for its own employees, the animals it abuses, the environment it exploits, and the consumers which unknowingly defend it. Backed by big budget congressional lobbying, advertising blitzes, and intimidation tactics, Lyman portrays a greed-bent industry that rivals big tobacco in its capacity for human destruction. Fasten your seat belts; this is a must read for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.

Even though I don't read romance books that often, i have to admit this one was kewl. I used to belief romantic books were about some barbaric men using women, and calling it love,while the heroes are empty headed females who cry at the slightest thing. But this one had a very strong female character who had her own mind. I loved both of the characters and laughed at the struggle Ben had to go through to get Jillian.This the third book by Linda Howard I have read, and I enjoyed them all with the exception of A Game of Chance.

Linda Howard is my favorite romance author and this is her best book. Recently re-released, this is a must read. Jillian Sherwood is the most competent heroine ever, an archaelogist who is looking for a lost Amazon warrior city. Ben Lewis is a brash river guide who leads the expedition. Together, they sizzle in the rain forest. Worth re-reading.

Heart of Fire is the first book by Linda Howard that I have read and it will be the first of many, if this book is any indication of her talent. From the beginning, the legend of the Empress diamond and the lore of the Amazons grabs your attention and you are hooked. I found I could not read fast enough, to find out what would happen next. I think it is proof of Howard's writing abilities that she makes this story believable... it's an adventure, plain and simple, but it also has an amazing love story, that of Jillian and Ben. To me, Ben seems the ultimate in masculinity: strength, confidence, a surprising sense of caring, everything you could want in a male lead character and then some. His determination to win Jillian begins as a plot to bed her but slowly he realizes he's attracted to her mind and strong sense of purpose as well as her body. Jillian is also a great character. She has brains, strength, and a wonderfully saracastic sense of humor. Her love for her father and desire to prove his professional credibility, even though he has been dead for years, are what drives her to seek out the Anzars and the Empress diamond... and this trip in the jungle is what draws she and Ben together. The sexual tension between them can only be described as electric. And when this tension finally becomes something more... all I can say is that you'll need a fan to cool yourself down! Linda Howard has written a great story, and if you are a reader of romance, you should read Heart of Fire. You will not be disappointed.