I have read this book many times and it never fails to capture my attention and makes me want to travel to Scotland each time I read it. Sharon Gillenwater is truely a gifted writer. I highly recomend her to anyone who likes Christian-Historical fiction.

Highland Call is a spectacular book filled with adventure, romance, and suspense. I have read books of all kinds and I must say this is one that I come back to time and time again. Ms. Gillenwater develops the characters in such a way that you feel like they are your good friends. You care about what happens to each and every one of them. Unlike secular romance, Highland Call enforces good morals; but unlike many other Christian novels, the relationships are not dry and boring. The characters are Christian without being unrealistically good. They struggle with right and wrong just as each of us do. The book is well written so you can follow it easily and you don't get characters mixed up. I highly recommend it for anyone and everyone looking for a great read.

I am not a reader. When I picked up this book and started to read it, I didn't think that I would get very far. After only a few pages I was hooked. Sharon Gillenwater is a fantastic writer. I have read quite a few of her books since and have loved everyone of them. I can't believe how fast I am going through them. She knows how to get your attention almost right away.

I purchased the earlier edition of this book many years ago to
use as a guide book in our kennel. We here at Kemperland Kennel use it often. It is underlined and marked and used. There are even Betadine stains on it from being close at hand when we were dealing with an emergency. It has helped us through thick and thin of Westie grooming, health, breeding, puppy raising, etc.

When the author came out with an updated book in 2001, I bought it as well because I didn't want to miss out on ANY of her knowledge and expertise that she had gleaned from working more years with this wonderful breed of dog than I have had.
We recommend this book to all of our Westie clients. It will answer your questions and upgrade your knowledge like no other
book on them I have found. It, like the Westie, is the "BEST OF THE BEST".

In Westies From Head To Tail, Ruth Faherty draws upon her considerable experience and expertise as a former Westie breeder and exhibitor to present a detailed, informative, comprehensive, and descriptive introduction to all aspects of this charming and popular canine breed. Each "reader friendly" chapter is profusely illustrated with black-and-white photography and illustrations. Westies From Head To Tail is essential and rewarding reading for anyone who owns, or is contemplating owning a Westie.

I purchased this book 18 years ago when I had my first Westie. Out of all the Westie books I have this book is by far the most informational for new owners as well as seasoned Westie owners. I just got a new Westie puppie this January and went to get my book, which unfortunately was falling apart from overuse. Luckily I found the book on the secondary market. I am anxiously awaiting the updated version coming out this fall. The book is a true winner and to be enjoy by all Westie enthusiasts!!

I'm hesitant to leave a review because some of the locations listed in this book are still peaceful and unknown, but this book is so invaluable when hunting for a good paddle spot that I felt compelled to sing it's praises....as long as it's just canoers who purchase this great book and not power boaters! The directions are easy to follow and accurate. The camping information is extremely important when traveling with children, like we do.The lay out of the book is perfect in helping to select drive times and specific locations. I came back to Amazon to purchase the book for a friend but see that it is out of stock. Hopefully this is just temporary. If not, buy it used!!

Coale goes into just enough details so that you get a feel for the area and its surroundings. He also gives suggestions for where to camp. There are advisories for a variety of items: seasonal accessibility, powerboats, potable water, overcrowding, campground closures, etc. Each lake description also comes with high quality images and a map. The images are very impressive. I don't see any bylines for the photographs, so I'm assuming they were taken by Coale. In the back of the book there is a spreadsheet of all the lakes with the following columns: Natural Lake, Paddle-In Camping, Lakeside Camping, Winter Access, Long distance Paddling, No Motors/Speed Limits, Exquisite Beauty. I have no complaints about CTCH and I think it will be very helpful in designing some 4 day trips this summer. I give the book 5 stars ***** :)

dear john coale-congradulation on creating a book that anyone not even interested in paddling would enjoy. the pictures are breathtaking and succeed in capturing the feelings of the moment,such beautiful scenery. i wish your book great success. sincerly, lia medina,mill valley

The McDuff stories are so much fun. The illustrations are so unique and rich. My 6 year old daughter really loves to read these books. Not only are they about a really adorable dog, but they are fun to read, too. After your second or 3rd McDuff story, you really get attached to this dog! We're on a mission to collect all the McDuff stories, so this is a great book to start with!

As the owner of an adorable Westie puppy, I couldn't resist this book. Even tho' I'm an adult, I enjoyed this book immensely, because of the cute little stories and the incredibly cute Westie drawings. I could be a little biased (that could be my little Katie!), but I think it's the cutest children's book I've ever seen! It's quite obvious the author & artist are Westie owners, and they've put their experiences to good use!

Being the owner of a Scottie, Westie and a Cairn, I am so impressed with how the expressions and nuances of the Westie are so realistic and well captured. This is a story/picture book for children of all ages. I am a 39 year old child and I just love the pictures as I have seen the expressions in my own real life "McDuff" - actually his name is Bentley.

Rubenstein seeks out the Scottish course that he enjoyed 25 years past, and discovers much more than he bargained for.

This eminent, wordcrafter contributes a delightful tale of golf, not "cart-ball" as the game as become on the NA contienent. Here, it's not booming drives and high stick shots, but more the relaxation and wide open spaces with the tranquility and sereneness the game has had in these Highlands.

One gets somewhat the feel that golfers rave about in Scotland, and this fine book helps those of us who have never been closer than say London in my case to get a taste of what it's like to be near the sea in sand formed links.

Golfers will reverberate to his find wordsmithing such as: "Golf, not marriage, is the triumph of hope over experience. I don't konow why I shuld feel hopeful after playing dreadfully for thirteen holes and now facing the most comfounding hole on the course. That's golf. That's a golfer."

Such charming writing about what every golfer that I know has ever played speaks of Dornoch, it is the essence of Donald Ross and links golf and everything the game is about.

What the season life at Dornoch gives Rubenstein he also passes on, the Clearances and the plight of this people of pipes and drams and links and books. Sounds like the perfect village life many of us dream of living in.

I bought this book for my husband. We loved Scotland and he loves golf so I thought this was the perfect book. It took us back to our time in Scotland and Denny's first view of St. Andrews. I recomment this book for any avid golfer. It was a hit at my house.

Lorne Rubenstein has scored a literary "Hole in One" with this book. How so? - He has successfully tackled that most difficult of subjects - a community and its local characters, as seen by an outsider (or "incomer" as known locally in the Highlands) who is living slap bang in the middle of town. Not only this, but the landscape and its people are seen in an historical context that is dominated by land ownership and the forced clearances of tenants.
Pretty heavy stuff, you might protest, but no - a charming, light hearted insight into Dornoch life that really tells you something about the Highlands of Scotland, its history, its romance, its golf.....and Madonna! Lorne does this by getting seriously involved in the heart of things - he doesn't sit around on the sidelines and ponder - He gets his boots muddy by psyching himself up & competing in the Carnegie Shield golf championships at Dornoch; sharing the excitement of playing the ancient, traditional links of nearby Brora & Golspie; tramping & cycling around the countryside and most of all by meeting as many local folk as possible, downing a dram and recording their philosophy of life, love & the golfing universe.
We also learn something about Lorne & his wife Nell, a partnership which has true romance peeking out between the pages.
If you have ever dreamed of spending a summer in the Highlands of Scotland, read this book - Rubenstein has got it spot on .. an Ace in all respects.

In Dec 1966, I was privileged to have been picked by the Div G2 to assist Capt James as the team leader for an experimental team which if successful would evolve into the development of more teams. In 1966, Capt James and I were the only two individuals in the Cav's Lrrps. As I read this book, I was amazed at how the author put this all together and as I continued to read, I wondered where I had been during all that time when I and James were the first two soldiers in the Lrrps. This book describes a unit that I did not serve with nor did I have anything to do with yet my name is mentioned in the book. If this is the unit I helped James form, then this book is a novel and should not be considered a nonfiction. I would like to however, compliment the authors writing abilities.

Read the book - thought it was well written and fairly accurate. Jorgenson scores again! Despite what some "wanna be's" say about the book, the professional leadership of Capt James, LT Hall,1st Sgt Kelley, and OPS Sgt Campbell, made the 1st CAV LRRPS a reality. Team members shared the same risks and dangers regardless of their team number. Recommend reading!

I would just like to Thank You, Kregg, for telling our little part of the war, which was now so long ago, and so far away. We improvised, adapted and overcame and did what we could with what we had.

He, who on this field, this day
Sheds his blood with me
Will be my brother

Edward F. Murphy, Dak To: America's Sky Soldiers in South Vietnam's Central Highlands (1993, New York: Pocket Books edn., 1995)

The appearance of this marvelous little book is deceptive. Its pocket-book format might suggest a brief regimental history or narrow personal account, but author Edward Murphy's text is, in fact, a captivating and relatively sophisticated narrative of the 173d Airborne Brigade's five-month campaign in 1967 in the dense jungle of South Vietnam's Central Highlands. The fighting around a small hamlet called Dak To proved to be especially hard for two reasons: the first concerned the physical conditions and the second was in the nature of the enemy. Daytime temperatures were in the upper 90s, with humidity in excess of 90 percent, and the moisture brought out mosquitoes and leeches. At times, it rained hard practically every day. According to Murphy, "frequently [the American paratroopers'] clothes rotted in the damp jungle," so, about once a month, fresh fatigues were delivered by supply helicopter to the field. The jungle was so thick that visibility often was limited to a few meters, and nearly every foot of ground was covered by vegetation. Sometimes the paratroopers had to carry chain saws to cut through the jungle and to make landing zones for their supply helicopters. (It could take two hours of hard work to hack a landing zone out of the jungle.) Enlisted men carried their weapons, ammunition, and personal gear on their backs in rucksacks which weighed from 75 to 90 pounds. During the rainy season, marching 1,000 meters through the jungle in a day was considered "good progress."

The physical conditions often negated the United States' vast superiority in weapons technology. For instance, according to Murphy: "Artillery [could] be ineffective in the jungle...[because] shells [had] the tendency to burst in the tops of tall trees, scattering shrapnel harmlessly about." "Too often, airstrikes and gunships could not effectively penetrate the thick jungle canopy." Furthermore, according to Murphy: "To prevent U.S. air strikes and artillery from decimating its ranks, the [North Vietnamese and Viet Cong] 'hugged' the Sky Soldiers, closing to within ten to twenty meters of their perimeter." In addition to the difficult conditions, and in contrast to the combat farther south, which was mostly against Viet Cong irregulars, the paratroopers, many of whom were still teenagers, battled elements of the North Vietnamese Army, "professionals who [knew] how to fight." The fighting often was brutal. One of the favored weapons of the North Vietnamese was the RPG, a Soviet-manufactured antitank rocket used as an antipersonnel weapon against American infantry. Furthermore, there was nothing chivalrous about the war at Dak To. After one fierce firefight, Murphy reports, a medical specialist "could hear the wounded screaming for mercy as the NVA walked among them, executing those paratroopers still alive." On another occasion, when the paratroopers returned to the site of one battle to recover their dead, they found that "corpses had been mutilated, their features destroyed, ring fingers cut off, and ears removed." Early in the book, Murphy writes that the "173d possessed great morale. All its men were volunteers for airborne training and most had volunteered for South Vietnam." During the Dak To campaign, however, the paratroopers' frustrations mounted. At one moment, when a "friendly" artillery round landed too close for comfort to an American captain, he grabbed his company's radio handset and screamed: "Send another round this way and I'll kill the son of a bitch who fires it." One of Murphy's clearest themes is the gradual erosion of the paratroopers' confidence in their superior officers. According to the author, the generals' "grand plans meant little to the average Sky Soldier. All he knew was that he was out in the boonies, humping day after day in the monotonous mountains and valleys of the Central Highlands." Furthermore, Murphy writes that when Gen. William Westmoreland, the American commander in Vietnam, flew to Dak To on June 23, 1967 to talk with the survivors of one fierce battle, "You took on a tough NVA unit and whipped their asses," a sergeant whispered to a buddy, "Wonder what he's been smoking?" Murphy offers many glimpses of the cruel ironies and inequities of war. In one instance, after a Marine jet dropped a 500-lb. bomb directly on an aid station for wounded American paratrooper, an American officer on the ground pleaded into a radio: "No more f------ planes. Please no more planes. You're killing us up here. Stop it." The bomb wounded over 80 men badly enough to be brought to the aid station, but nearly all the medics were dead. Meanwhile, the pilot returned "to his base at Da Nang with its air-conditioned officers' club, ice-cold beers, hot showers, and clean sheets," The ongoing controversy about the accuracy of "body counts" is on display here. At one point during the Dak To campaign, when North Vietnamese dead were reported as 1,644, Gen. Westmoreland stated in a press conference: "I think [the battle was] the beginning of a great defeat for the enemy." According to Murphy, however, "these figures are suspect,"and the actual number probably was closer to 1,000. (After one battle, the 173d's after-action report stated that 513 NVA had been killed even though the best estimate of men engaged in the battle was that the number of enemy of killed in action actually was 50 to 75.)

One veteran master sergeant, who fought in three wars, told the Murphy that, in 25 years as a paratrooper, he had never seen anything approaching the death and destruction at Dak To. The author leaves no doubt about the paratroopers' bravery or the 173d Airborne Brigade richly-deserved reputation as one of the elite units of the United States' armed forces. But the answer to the larger question - What were American fighting men doing in the jungles of Vietnam in the first place? - remains unanswered.

This book was fabulous, my brother was the FNG written about. It was the first I ever knew about his experiences in Vietnam and I knew he was wonderful, but I never imagined the experience he and the other soldiers had. For whatever reason, he never discussed his tour with us and after reading this book I know why. It is just so much to bear for so many, so young. They really were heroes. A must read for anyone interested in the Vietnam war.

This is one of the best volumes about a desperate, bloody battle during the Vietnam War. Fought between the veteran paratroopers of the 173d Airborne Brigade and North Vietnamese Regulars in the Central Highlands of Vietnam in late 1967, the author demonstrates through graphic prose and primary evidence just how savage and vicious the fighting in Vietnam was. This legendary fight took place almost immediately before the TET offensive of January 1968 and ruined some of the NVA units that were to take part in that offensive and helped ruin the chances for the Comminists to gain victory. Victory in this fight came at a heavy cost, and this book chronicles just how savage and desperate, and how heart-breaking the American losses were.

For me personally, this book means much, as my brother was a company commander in the 2d Battalion of the 503d infantry, one of the four infantry battalions of the 173d Airborne Brigade, and he was killed in action leading his company on Hill 875.

This book is as good as We Were Soldiers Once And Young, and it is one of the best books I have read on the war in Vietnam. It shows the courage and skill of outnumbered Americans who fought, died, and never quit-something that never really came out of the general media coverage of that unpopular war.

This volume is highly recommended and the author is to be congratulated for he has told a story of high valor and much suffering, and of the ongoing skill of the American soldier doing his duty, appreciated or not, in foreign lands fighting and defeating a skilled and determined enemy.

Virtute et Valore

I'm surprised Boden didn't die during some of his battles. The poor guy probably has more slashes than a cutting board. I enjoyed this book very much but I didn't give it 5 stars because I had trouble with all of the evil encounters. There were plenty of very amusing parts that made me chuckle but many that were also frustrating. This couple attracted trouble like magnets. For a knight who constantly felt he was a coward, I would sure like this "coward" on my side. I'm not much into sorcery and amulets, etc. but had I known how the story would go before I read it, I still would have purchased it. It is worth the read.

This was the first of Lois Grieman's books that I ever read and it was wonderful. The characters were funny and real. They made sense, which is more than I can say for most romance novels.

I actually bought the book because of the hero's name. Boden is not what one would expect from a typical hero, where usually the hero is named after some fierce beast (exp: Lyon or Griffyn) However, I'm glad, whatever my reasons, that I bought the book.

Sarah and Boden were wonderful. They were funny and they didn't hate each other on sight like in most romances. Each of them had a good reason for doing what they did, and Sarah had a beleivable reason to keep her secret about the baby. Boden was gentle and kind and his dealings with the Tilly the goat were hilarious.

The plot is the weakest part of the book, it is somewhat jumbled and wanders off quite often on its own little course; but it is followable and in no way distracts from the lovability of the book.

I always know when a book is truly romantic because my heart squeezes and I get all happy feeling, and this book made me feel that way. The hero and heroine falling in love made sense, and for once their love wasn't based around their mutual lust for eachother.

In all, The Lady and the Knight was a lovable, fun, and very romanitic novel. I enjoyed it greatly.

I confess I only bought the book because I was curious that Boden had such an odd name. Well, after reading ten pages I couldn't put the book down. Louis Grieman's writing was witty and wise, and had just the right amount of heartache in it. Not only was this a wonderful romance novel, it was a beautiful book as well. Congradulations on a masterpeice Louis Greiman!

The Land I Lost, by Huynh Quang Nhuong.(Reviewed by a 7 year old girl) This is a well written book, but still not my favorite book in the world. These stories from the author's childhood memories are fun, funny and sometimes heartbreaking. The book takes place in a small hamlet in Vietnam before the war. The author remembers adventures with the villagers and with various animals, particularly a special water buffalo named Tank. The several pictures in the book help to bring out the story. There is a great scene where the author and his sister catch some little birds. I won't tell you any more. Oh, if you are not comfortable with the death of animals and some villagers from snake bites and wild boar attacks, then I wouldn't recommend this book. All in all it's a pretty good book.

The Land I Lost

By: Huynh Quang Nhuong

Review by: Mary Cheung

The Land I Lost was a very interesting story. It reflects on the authors' memory of his childhood in Vietnam. It was well written and each chapter seems to be a section or story in the authors' childhood. It really showed some of his thoughts and feelings towards many things. Some of the chapters in the book were quite exciting, such as the snake and wild boar hunts. The descriptions were quite vivid and the stories were beautifully told. I give this book, five stars.

"The Land I Lost: Adventures of a Boy in Vietnam" is written by Huynh Quang Nhuong, and includes illustrations by Vo-Dinh Mai. A short author bio at the end of the book notes that Huynh was born in Vietnam and eventually moved to the United States. This book is a wonderful account of growing up in rural Vietnam.

Huynh describes his life in a village on a riverbank, with a jungle and mountains nearby. The book is divided up into several short vignettes that describe the lives of the people and animals of this world. Although the danger and violence of some sections may be upsetting to some readers, I get the sense that the author is trying to present a truthful portrait of rural life.

There are accounts of many interesting people, such as Huynh's opera loving, karate fighting grandmother. But I was particularly fascinated by the many accounts of the domestic and wild animals of Huynh's homeland. I loved the descriptions of animal behavior and the accounts of the interactions between animals and people, between animals of the same species, and between animals of different species. We meet monkeys, otters, a fearsome crocodile, and many other creatures. It's a rich tapestry of life that is described vividly by the author. One of the most memorable animal characters is Huynh's water buffalo, Tank, a creature of great strength, loyalty, and courage.

This is a wonderful book that is written in a very effective, straightforward style that is ultimately quite poignant. It's sort of like a Vietnamese response to Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved "Little House" books. I recommend "The Land I Lost" to readers of all ages.

What a wonderful, wonderful book! I can't believe it is out of print; I bought it two months ago from....ummmm....well, not from Amazon. The (unnamed) store had several copies in stock.

What I liked about it, more than the romance, which is quite sweet but rather commonplace to novels, was the evolving story about Clare finally finding a "home." Made me wish I could move right over there and find a village just like that, where people care about each other and are willing to be honest with one another. So rare nowadays.

Being from the same area of Scotland as the setting of the novel, yet currently living in London, I was able to identify with the story immediately. Alexandra Raife has an enormous capacity for enticing you into the very heart of a story and sustaining your interest until the very end. A welcome story-teller, whose enthusiasm and vitality comes through with every word. The title of this novel here in the UK is "The Larach" - the next novel (available here now) is "Grianan" - watch out for it - I am told it's another great book.

This is the first book I read by this author. She has a very light humourous prose. This is not a typical *romance* novel. The characters are well-developed and by the end of the book you feel like you know them and that you might drive around the little town where this takes place (outside of Fort William in Scotland) and be able to point out key landmarks. Donald and Clare, the main characters, are very human and likeable. Clare makes a journey to find herself and finds love, family, and a sense of inner confidence that she was lacking. This is a very rewarding and satisfying read. Many readers may find their own journeys and struggles mirrored in Clare's.