I love this book. It was as good as "Moll Flanders" and has a very happy and satisfying ending.

I read "Robinson Crusoe" as a young boy, and never forgot it (55 years later); then, as a mature adult I read "A Journal of the Plague Year" and "Moll Flanders", both of which were execellent reads; and a few days ago I finished "Roxana", so let me share a few thoughts about the book.
First off, when you read Defoe, it is essential to realize that you are dipping into the very beginnings of English literature. Anything that is three centuries removed from the present has to be put into its historical context in order to make sense of it, and contemporary values must be held in abeyance. If you are capable of doing that, you are in for a heck of a good story, as are all of the books mentioned above.
"Roxana" concerns the rise and fall (mostly rise) of a woman left destitute, along with her five children, by her fool of a husband. Circumstances eventually lead her to prostitution as a means of survival, and as luck would have it, her "gentlemen protectors" are uniformly wealthy, and by means of careful marshalling of her earnings Roxana becomes independently wealthy. But what she lacks is social status, which leads her to her final alliance with a Dutch merchant who knows nothing of her past.
Along the way, Roxana begets and abandons about nine offspring here and there(this being the days before birth control), and one of them, Susan, figures in the downfall of Roxana. This novel pays great attention to the psychological aspects of living a life that is generally condemned by society. Defoe shapes Roxana's psychological health around his own ethical views, and, as such, makes Roxana suffer for her choices in the long run. Thus, the novel does not end happily for its central character, an interesting fact, in that this is the only novel of Defoe's that does not end happily for the protagonist.
All told, "Roxana" is a great read. Defoe certainly reflects his ethical biases, but at the same time does a good job of objectively fleshing out charaters who forcefully express points of view that differ from his own.
For me, everything worked beautifully in the novel until the last paragraph, but that happens a lot in literature.

For over a century, admirer's of Susan Fenimore Cooper's "Rural Hours" (1850) have been dependent on a heavily abridged version dating from 1887 -- the only one to be reprinted in modern times. Though "Rural Hours" is generally accepted both as good reading and as a major contribution to American nature writing, it has not previously been available as the author originally wrote it -- and as others, including Thoreau, read it. Susan Fenimore Cooper, long overshadowed by her novelist father, is today becoming recognized as an important writer of the 19th century; this new text will make her most important and influential work fully available again both to scholars and to a new generation of readers.

This is a beautiful book, from the painting of Cooperstown on the cover to glossary where historical references, or the names of birds or other words that have changed over time are explained. Cooper's prose is insightful and charming, and, given the book's historial prespective, makes me think about present and future environmental concerns for our country. Rural Hours makes the chain of small mill towns we have here in the Blackstone Valley region of Massachusetts come alive--Cooper saw the quiet commerce of the canals give way to the noise and pollution of the railroad industry and realized that the land and species of bird and animal life surrounding her were threatened. However Cooper's response to these feelings of peril was not to preach, but rather to praise the countryside and the life forms she witnessed. As a woman reader, I must also say that it right and just that the parts of Rural Hours that were omitted from all editions since 1870 should be brought back to us to now think about, appreciate, and learn from. Since reading, this book has stayed with me--the many beautiful images of nature that Cooper portrays, but also her quiet voice of urgency that encourages me to continue positive action in my own community, to not only save what land is left, but also to restore urban and other environments that have been abused. I highly recommend Rural Hours--it's a great read, a book to cherish.

I bought this book today and read it all in one reading, could not set it down one moment. So now I'm on Amazon.com to buy his other book. As I can best describe it, Reveles stories are warm but realistic, light but insightful, and each with their own points of wit. Having lived in Mexico for 7 weeks this summer, I could appreciate the brief inclusions of Spanish vocabulary tidbits and "culturalisms", but Reveles writing brings these cultural pieces to life equally for the American reader unacquainted with life south of the border. I absolutely recommend this book to all ages and both genders alike, and I'd say buy it since those around you will be curious after you laugh out loud while devouring each story in this book. Enjoy!

This is one of the best kept secrets of eloquent writing. I've finished this book in one breath. Since I live in San Diego and have been in Tecate, I can relate to a lot of the descriptions. Reading this book makes me want to visit Tecate again and really look for some of the things described. The style of the book is such that Reveles seems to compose music with his words. The descriptions are original, complex and show a command of the english language like no other. The suspense makes this book a first rank page turner. Great book worth to buy several copies of to send to friends.

PS. I can't believe I found a autographed copy in the dumpster, thrown away by one of my neighbors. What a sin.

Read this to the five-year-old twice already, and expect to r3ead it lots more. The ten year old was delighted: she joined us and reread the book when we were done.

Recommended. You got to love those cows.

Those loveable Santa Cows take their human friends on a magic carpet ride to the islands! Tropical fun to keep the holiday spirit alive. You'll love the whole Santa Cow Series!

This is a lovely book-- especially as it was written by a contemporary, or at least someone who grew up with these traditions, even if he seems to have left them behind in the haskalah. The translation also seems to be very well done.

An excellent book for someone looking for less-known view of jewish communities in the 19th century in 'west' Western Europe.
Enjoy!

Remarkable primary source account of small-town Jewish life and customs in Alsace 150 years ago. Writer and translator-editor combine to offer uncommonly literate first-hand detailing of family and cultural routines, with one of the finest succinct explanations of Jewish holidays available. I began to read it out of curiosity and ended genuinely moved. Remarkably rich!

I live in Culpeper County, Virginia and am extremely familiar with local history. I live a half mile from Amissville and 1 mile from Waterloo, two communities that are mentioned in the book.

This book is well documented and right on the money in virtually all aspects; historical content, accuracy and sequencing. This book is highly recommended for those wishing to get an unvarnished perspective of the impact of the Civil War on a typical community caught in the crossfire of the Lost Cause.

Excellent reading.

This book is a great find for anyone desiring to get the southern civilian's perspective on the Civil War. Professor Sutherland deserves praise for his efforts in finding an incredible depth of resources to tell the story of a Confederate community, which, by virtue of its strategic location, found itself in the heart of this enormous conflict. The perspective Professor Sutherland brings to his subject gives this book a "readability" that easily separates it from many other civil war histories. The book really shines in its depiction of the affect the war had on the civilian population. In addition, this book details the beginnings of the concept of "total war" as created and put in force by the Union General, Pope (a new book is due soon from Sutherland on just this subject). This book shares the side of the conflict that is not normally exposed. Tales of unionists, free blacks and slaves in the area during the war are depicted along side the narrative of a proud Southern community as it anticipates victory only to see the inevitable conclusion. Located close to many battlefields, as well as being home to significant battles at Cedar Mountain and Brandy Station, Professor Sutherland points out that Culpeper was, perhaps, the community most affected by the war. A great book - easy to read and informative. When you are finished, you will have learned a bit more about this nation and the forces that have made us what we are today.

This book is wicked humerous. The main character is FlashFleetwood (his real name is Fred). There is also an ape and his nameis Phil. ... this book for me and I'm glad she did. If you read ityou'll feel like me.

Our 7-year old daughter Selene read this book to my wife and I. When she was done, we said "Read it again!" You'll see...

If you're like me and keep crying at inopportune times, you may have a mixed up load of emotions to sort through. This book helped me do so, with readable short sections on different emotions and story illustrations. I plan to keep a copy around for reference and another for giving.

As Wayne Oates suggests, if you have to sell your shirt to buy this book, then do it! This book describes the various meanings behind our tears and emotions. While reading this book, I could not but help remember an American Indian tribe saying, "the soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears." I thank the author for opening up my soul and blessing me with the meaning behind tears.

"A remarkable and helpful collection of the dialogues begun by Jung and his followers with the great teachings of the East. These are visionary papers which raise profound questions about human wholeness in the spiritual and psychological world. I hope that this book sparks continued and deepening discussions."

"It is an urgent necessity that Eastern and Western intellectual traditions be bridged in order to establish a new spiritual foundation for the one world to come. This book is an excellent anthology which pursues this very task in its focus on C.G. Jung -- a unique and originative Western thinker in the field of depth psychology -- and Buddhism."