By Peter Lathan - It Happened on Broadway is a collection of interviews with 107 Broadway luminaries, including Carol Channing, Betty Buckley, Joel Grey, John Kander, Fred Ebb, James Hammerstein (son of Oscar), Mary Rodgers (daughter of Richard) and Kitty Carlisle Hart (widow of Moss). It tells the story of Broadway from the point of view of those who were deeply involved in its development as the centre of American theatre. It takes us behind the public faces and into the private thoughts and feelings of the stars, writers, composers, directors, producers, designers, press agents, playwrights, and even the restauranteurs (Vincent Sardi Jr. is there, too). It tells about the great successes (and some of the spectacular flops). It reveals much about the great writers - Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Moss Hart, Irving Berlin, Cy Coleman - and the performers - the portrait of Carol Channing in her own words is stunning. And we see the great directors and choreographers - my own favourite, Bob Fosse, is talked about at length - through the eyes of those who worked with them. I thoroughly enjoyed it. What this book shows very clearly is the deep love of theatre, of live performance, which these Broadway luminaries share with the rest of us. In their words I could hear echoes of myself and all of my theatre friends.

It Happened on Broadway: An Oral History of the Great Whire Way by Myrna Katz Frommer and Harvey Frommer. A husband and wife team of Professors in the Masters of Arts in Liberal Studies at Dartmouth College, the Frommers have gathered together the living memories cf over one hundred actors, directors, producers, lyricists, playwrights, critics, designers, publicists, and stage managers to create a volume filled with the light and magic of Broadway itself. These collected memories take us from the enduring dramatic successes of the years~ before and after World War II, through the golden age of the American musical, right up to today's megahits. It Happened on Broadway offers priceless recollections of Broadway hangouts, such as Sardi's and Lindy's; performing with Brando in "Streetcar," the collaborations of Kaufman and Hart and Rogers and Hammerstein; and countless encounters with the likes of Mary Martin, Carol Channing, Jerome Robbins, Tennessee Williams, and Steven Sondheim. There's enough theater lore here - from back stage to the orchestra pit - to entertain the most devoted Broadway aficionado.

"It Happened On Broadway" is nothing short of living, breathing theatre history. Carol Channing's first appearance on stage at a grammar school in San Francisco; Patricia Neal's subsistence jobs cutting pies and scooping ice cream while waiting for her career to bloom (which really didn't take all that long by today's standards); the advent of the Theatre Guild; Celeste Holm and John Raitt on creating the grand-daddy of musical theatre, Oklahoma; Kim Hunter on Marlon Brando; Donna McKechnie on Michael Bennett; Linda Lavin on Neil Simon and Len Cariou on Stephen Sondheim, it's all in there. With vintage photos, drawings, posters and Playbills the Frommer's provide us with a look at theatre history from a time when $1.50 would buy you a movie and six or eight vaudeville acts to the impact of the AIDS crisis on the theatre community to the vast corporate culture now responsible for many of today's Broadway shows. An invaluable and engrossing book for anyone interested in an insiders perspective on the business of the Great White Way. .*******************************************************

I recently discovered (upon reading Syrup by Maxx Barry) that a unique writing style can do wonders for a book. This book was defintely unique, with the story being told through letters, notes, interviews, programs, and various correspondence between the characters of the story. I really enjoyed that aspect of it, but I also quickly realized that this book was more than just a novelty.

About a third of the way through the book, I formed a pretty strong impression of what I thought was going to happen at the end, but instead of that making me less interested, it made me more interested. I kept reading until I was finished to see if my impression was right. I didn't know if I wanted to be or not.

Along with the unique perspective, this book provides a compelling story about growing up when it must have been a very difficult time to grow up. It really made me appreciate my relatively easy childhood of the 70's and 80's. It also shows, however, that even in such a difficult time with so many bad things going on in the world, there are good things too. And if you work hard enough to achieve your goals, then anything is possible.

I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone.

Last Days of Summer is one you could finish soon because you don't put it down (sorry about that cliche). The author Steve Kluger's writing can take you back to the 1930's New York.
The story involves a young Jewish kid named Joey who lives in New York during the 1930's and on. He's a streetsmart kid who's precocious and smart-talking. The first part is hilarious as he warns the president about Hitler's plan to invade various countries, but of course he's disbelieved. Joey is a very likable kid, he's got a dirty mind sometimes, especially how he treats his school crush, though eventually he's sweet to her. His best friends a Japanese-American boy whom he plays games with. Joey is a baseball nut, loves to play,watch,talk about it. His favorite player's a young star named Charles Banks, also a smart-talking New Yorker. Though they first flame each other in the mail, they eventually become good friends. The second half of the book is much more emotional. Charles is drafted into the war, Joey's Japanese friend is interned, and Joey is generally forced to grow up. Though the end is predicable, it is nonetheless sad, and touching.

The book is written in a series of letters and other written materials, making the format an intriguing read. The book is generally a humorous one, until the end, though it still maintains that charm. Recommended to Jews/non-Jews alike.

This is one of the best books I've read in years.

The format is *fresh*, with letters, telegrams, notes, transcripts, and the like. I could not put it down. I usually read Mary Higgins Clark, and various popular novelists; yet this one jumped out at me, and it was worth every penny.

This novel isn't mainly about baseball; it's about a boy and his hero. There were some surprising twists and turns, with each of the main 2 characters trying to outwit the other, yet all they do is love each other more.

Not only do you get to know Charlie and Joey, you get to know their friends and family as well, even though the majority of it is written from Charlie's and Joey's points of view. This helped me to love this story.

I did not laugh out loud, as the cover suggested. However, I was touched by the poignancy of the story. It was very believeable, and harkens back to the days where you could believe that a 3rd baseman for the NY Giants baseball team WOULD write a kid back.

I came to care about the characters in this book, and that is no easy task. I did cry, of course, due to being so touched by certain parts of it.

I would recommend this book to men, women, teenagers, anyone. There is some foul language, but in the context that it would fit. Enjoy!!!

I read Pastor Synballa's book over a year ago-still to this day his message comes across loud and clear.My church is like many today-they rely on programs to get people to fill our pews-I don't think there is anything wrong with programs but I believe if we had more Faith in God we would see a dramatic change in our church,and I'm not just talking in numbers. Prayer to me is the biggest part of ones spiritual walk-thank God for pointing this out to Pastor Symballa and blessing him(and Me) with this book. I have attended two of Pastors Symballas Prayer meeting and I was so amazed at how many people came together on a Tuesday night to pray.it gave me new found hope for my church.

Many religious books tend to be lengthy and dull. Not so with "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire." Written under 200 hundred pages, the material will capture one's mind, convict one's heart, and challenge one to move beyond the dullness of religious experience. The experiences of the Brooklyn Tabernacle church remind me of the experiences the Jewish people experienced when Hezekiah "re-opened the doors of the Temple" as recorded in II Chronicles 29. Through repentance and prayer the people of the Brooklyn Tabernacle have experienced and continue to experience God's breath of spiritual awakening. The book is a letter of hope to all churches that are trapped in dullness, tradition and complacency. It is a book of hope because it is soundly based upon the spiritual principle and promise that God initiates and maintains revival when God's people pray.

This book set our group on fire for the Lord!!! We have been experiencing many of the situations that are discussed in this book. One of the most stirring comments was that many churches are following the ABC's (attendance, building, and cash). If churchgoers are asked how their church is getting along, many usually discuss how much attendance has gone up, how many buildings have been erected or renovations have been made, and how much they have monetarily. Reverend Cymbala exhorts us to put prayer back in the fore-front of worship and not to worry so much about rituals and formats, but to pray unceasingly for the lost souls and to feed the sheep. He also urges us to seek to look at the heart as God sees and not at the outward appearance as man sees! If pastors would follow the principles discussed in this book, we would see a different America. If you love your church and your pastor, give him/her this book as a gift today, and pray the Lord will use it to start a revival in the hearts of His people everywhere!

My friend told me of these books after a book signing that occured in town and now; I am sorry to have missed meeting Jan Karon! I have read all 5 books in less than a couple of months! I absolutely loved each and every one of them. Everyday I would transport myself to the town of Mitford and the interesting people in it. It was so wonderful to read something pleasurable and wholesome. I found them quite humerous at times. Father Tim is such a wonderful example of a good friend and just a giving person. Cynthia becomes a strong aspect of his life, revealing another side of him. Her love for life just grabs you! Dooley transforms into a wonderful new person because of all the unconditional love and support that Father Tim and all the people in Mitford give him. It broke my heart to finish the last book, yet I am glad to have "known" the people of Mitford. I so impatiently wait for Jan Karon's next masterpiece and that is what led me to her children's books "Miss Fannie's Hat" and "Jeremy." I have read these with my children time and time again. We look forward to more Jan Karon books!

I was encouraged to read these books by a few people. Normally a British police procedural mystery reader, I found myself to be hooked with the first book. I very much enjoyed the characterization employed by Jan Karon as I had clear pictures in my mind of all the people and animals. Also, the town of Mitford is charming and I think it exists in each of our 50 states. While we all might aspire to be citizens of Mitford, certainly many events occurred which probably wouldn't in the "real" realm of things. But I very much enjoyed Father Tim's unfettered faith in God; something I am exploring myself these days. I am not Episcopalian nor do I know much about it but Karon provided enough information for me to understand the basics and kind of wish maybe I was one. The town residents ranging from Miss Sadie to Louella to Coot to Percy to Esther, etc were all clearly presented and there was a great deal of humor involved with their antics. There was also alot of emotion involved in this series...but not all cries are bad ones, some of them are refreshing. Pick up the first book in the series, you will be hooked.

I have read the first 4 books of the Mitford series. I am in the middle of the 5th. They are very fun and easy to read. You get caught up in the every day lives of the Mitford residents. I really enjoyed reading how Father Tim's life changed from the minute Barabus "adopted" him. I have laughed out loud and cried while reading. I feel as if I know all the chacters in the books personally. I think all us would like to live a small town such as this one, where people watch out for each other and really care for one another. I would recommend these books to anyone.

One cannot over state Robert Moses' impact on New York's very landscape. Nor is it possible to underestimate his almost rapacious ability to amass political power, his skill at manipulating the political system, nor the degree to which he was able to out maneuver and bully elected officials to his will. As someone who has spent ten years making a living in politics there can be no doubt that Moses was the maestro of politics with an unmatched ability to call the tune. For this reason, this is a must read for those interested in politics.

That said, Caro goes too far in attacking Moses on a broad front, often on charges that are spurious. At the same time, he does not sufficiently acknowledge the contributions Moses made to the City and the Nation. This book follows a problematic habit of Caro of needing to paint his subjects in a purely negative light, attacking them viciously and always underestimating their positive contributions.

On the unfair attacks, Caro charges Moses with ruining NYC riverfront by running highways along them. While that is true as a matter of fact, he fails to explain that, at the time, driving was seen as recreation and every American city followed the identical path. On another score, Caro criticizes Moses because his highways generated traffic thus requiring the creation of more highways. Again the charge is unfair. Traffic studies were at best primitive and the effects of traffic multiplication were little understood.

At the same time, Caro fails to appreciate the sheer scope of Moses vision and the works he built. Nor, while he attacks Mosses' manipulation of the process, does he ever deal with the really tough question of whether another way to build great public works exist other than with a man like Moses.

For all that, Caro's book is still an essential read for those interested in the art of politics and power as well as urban planning. While the book is long, occasionally over written, and shares with Caro?s other works a rather unfortunate tendency towards melodrama. it still offers the reader much that they cannot learn elsewhere. Moses was an artist who used America?s greatest city as his canvas. Sadly, his masterpiece showed signs of early wear and mistakes by the artist.

I too read this book shortly after it came out. At the time, I had just graduated from college and was working at a series of odd jobs while I tried to figure out what to do with my life. I happened upon this book and was swept away. By any measure, it sets a standard that few writers can hope to equal (and Caro himself may go the rest of his career without ever writing another book as good as this first effort). Whether read as a work of biography about a larger-than-life, repellantly fascinating character, an engrossing history of New York, or a penetrating critique of politics and urban planning, you will eat this book up. "In New York City, in the postwar era, the discretionary power resided principally in Robert Moses, and like filings to a magnet -- or, more precisely, like flies to a sugar bowl -- the corrupters, the men who possessed influence over the city's political or governmental apparatus and who were willing to sell that influence for money, were attracted to Moses, and to the seemingly bottomless sugar bowl for which he possessed the only spoon. And Moses did not send them away disappointed." (p. 718) If you like to read, it simply doesn't get any better than this. I've never read anything like it.

This massive work, published in 1975, is unfortunately just as timely today as it was a quarter century ago. It is the story of Robert Moses, arguably one of the most important and influential men of the second half of the 20th century. He, for better or for worse, gave us our models for the modern highway transportation system and wielded enormous power in the city and state of New York -- without ever being elected to a single public office.

At 1,162 pages, Caro's work will undoubtedly always face the charge that it needed editing. But to address large themes, a writer needs to expand, and Caro does, brilliantly for the most part. "The Power Broker" takes on the question of whether democracy in America really works. Using Moses' life as a model, the answer is "no." Moses began as a passionate believer in reform, a man who wanted to end favoritism and corruption in New York. Yet early on he concluded that to "get things done," he needed to beat the power-wielders at their own game, and he did. He built an enormous network of influence that included politicians, unions, banks and big business. And he used that power to build the most enormous transportation system in the nation, often over the objections of elected officials.

But the book also makes clear the cost of power. For one thing, there were political losers. Moses was ruthless in his attacks on those who opposed him, often lowering himself to attacking character. Mass transportation was a loser during the time Moses wielded power. He considered the automobile the premier mode of transportation, and he steadfastly refused to accommodate plans for subway, bus, and train improvements. And the poor and working class were losers in Moses' power game. He had no respect for the poor, particularly those with dark skin, and he ruthlessly destroyed their neighborhoods in his grand building schemes.

In the end, we have all lost because of Moses' vision. His idea that we can solve transportation problems by building more and more roads, bridges and infrastructure to accommodate commuters who live farther and farther from the places they work has carried the day, and those of us who live in medium-sized and big cities continue to suffer for it with every minute we lose in traffic.

Tremendous book -- grand in its vision, grand in its documentation, grand in its achievement.

Colin Channer's "Waiting in Vain" is an incredibly insightful look at romance in the post 90's era. From the first meeting between Sylvia and Fire the reader is drawn in and kept on the edge of their seat eagerly anticipating the next move. If you have found that someone who makes you believe in soul mates you will find yourself smiling and nodding your head unconsciously at the interaction of Sylvia and Fire - you have so been there. If you have ever loved the wrong wo/man and hoped beyond hope that s/he will change just to be with you - you will totally understand Margaret and Ian.

What I also love about this book is that the writer stays true to his characters , there are times when you wish he doesn't but he does. This I think is a defining trait of the true artist. I love the Jamaican scenery!!! I could actually identify the places, the scents, the accent. This is truely Jamaica portrayed with love but without sentimentality.

All around this is a feel good book that leaves you wanting more - a must read for the romantic in all of us.

There are a lot of books written about relationships. A lot of them are bad, some are offensive most are shallow and one-dimensional. Colin Channer's Waiting in Vain is one of the few exceptions. Channer's story is full; it's about more than a lovelife it's about a love of life, of life outside of love and finding the love of your life. The cast of characters expands on some familiar stereotypes giving them more appeal and greater depth and believability. The main characters are an interesting contrast of personalities. Fire, artistic, intelligent, sensitive, sexy and sensual, is more of an ideal - a composite of the very best a flawed man could ever be. Sylvia, however, with her insecurities, hopes and fears is very much real - painfully so. Channer plays the ideal against the real with great success. One of the few criticisms of the novel is that Channer's overall portrayal of women is stark, wounds are laid open for all to see. There is no one to redeem them. No one sets a goal for them to attain. No one is more or better than ordinary and everyone is dealing with the pains, betrayal and limitations of life.

The content of this novel is expansive. The issues covered are skillfully woven into the story lines. The reader doesn't feel rushed, overwhelmed or cheated as Channer's characters deal with racism, classism, sexism and the complex results of mental, physical, sexual and drug abuse. Channer intelligently presents discussions on the black diaspora, the black literary scene and the current state of black art circles. Channer's style is such that the things that would horrify or shock us as readers are deftly removed from us and presented at a safe distance but not lessened in intensity. In this Channer's style is reminiscent of Ellison's handling of the harsh issues found in the Invisible Man. Throughout the novel regardless of the situation the writing is lyrical. The reader gets the desire to read certain passages aloud, so strong is the feeling that Channer is writing for the ear and the sound and flow of the words.

We found this an ideal selection for our book group as the possibilities for discussion were so abundant. We called back and forth between us with updates and comments long before our actual meeting date. Several of us had the pleasure of attending a reading and were able to meet Mr. Channer. If you are ever presented with the opportunity to hear or meet Colin Channer we strongly urge you do so.

As I start to write this review, I am worried that I will not find the words to adequately express how much I loved this book! I have read books where I have loved and rooted for characters as friends. This was the first time I saw myself and my thoughts in characters, and felt understood. It was great to read about characters who were well-traveled, enjoyed learning, loved music and books, yet were down to earth.

Waiting in Vain is a beautifully poetic novel about love, loss, self-discovery, and fulfillment. Mr. Channer provides emotional and academic stimulation; he also touches on class and political issues. I was so engrossed with sitting in on the lives, feeling the breeze, and tasting the fruits that I forgot I was reading.

The book also gave me hope, in that if a man could write with such passion, love, and sensitivity there is a chance I will find my fire. Buy this book! You will not regret it, most likely you will thank me.

The Basketball Diaries
By Jim Carroll

The Basketball Diaries is about a boy who throws a promising life away for drugs. Its set in New York in what I believe is the 70's. Jim Carroll, who is also the author, is the star of this book. He and his few friends go out to seek drugs and get caught up in the stuff that he would regret later on and for the rest of his life. I thought that it was the same thing over and over again. The story had no high points in that it was very depressing. You got to know the characters very well and the author was great at setting the scenes and getting you to picture them in their own world, the drug world. I would not recommend it to anyone under the age of 13 because it's hard to understand and you learn a couple things about drugs during the course of the book. I recommend it for people who are interested in what could happen to you if you continuously use drugs. I also recommend it to the people that are big fans of biographies and non-fictions.

I got this book as a gift an I was interested cause I had seen the movie, by within the first 5 pages, I was hooked. I read the entire book right away. It was so intense at times and so well worded that i fell in love with Jim Carroll. This book was about his life growing up in the cruel streets of New York exposing himself to prostitutes, drugs, and more drugs. He let us all deal with hard times with him by writing down his experiances in his diary. I loved this book. And for all of you people who think Leonardo DiCaprio has something to do with this book--forget it. He's not. They just put him on the cover and that's ALL.

I was refered to this book after reading THE LOSERS' CLUB by Richard Perez. That other book was also set in New York City, and was gritty and dark -- while being a fast, fun read. THE BASKETBALL DIARIES is a darker book than THE LOSERS' CLUB in many ways. While the main character of THE LOSERS' CLUB is addicted to the Village Voice personal ads, the protagonist of this novel is addicted to heroin. Big difference. THE BASKETBALL DIARIES is an amazingly tough book, and the junkie it depicts stays a junkie at the end -- unlike the bogus, "uplifting" ending of the movie with Leonardo DiCaprio. The addiction in THE BASKETBALL DIARIES is a true-life drug addiction, without character arcs and any real redemption. The character starts off in limbo and stays there, because in fact he's damned. This is a very tightly written book, wholly unsentimental. A true urban classic, worth its great reputation. Highly recommended.

Life Magazine, for as long as it has been in existence, has been known for its vivid portrayal in words and photographs of life's events, both joyous and tragic. This book is no exception. How could anyone read about the devastating events of September 11, 2001 and not be moved. Throughout "One Nation" the reader will recapture the events as they unfolded, meet both survivors and courageous rescuers, and still be left with that plaguing question, "in this century, in a time of peace and prosperity, how could this horrific event possibly have happened?"

One need not be an American to appreciate this book, for the tragic events pictured here could happen anywhere. Where, is only a matter of geography. It is not appropriate to say it is an enjoyable book to read, for it is not. The events revealed here defy description and are so horrific they will stay with you forever. However, the book is a compelling one to read. For those who do not live near New York, it puts the reader in touch with the reality of the events. Life Magazine has produced a moving and impressive account, both in words and photographs, of what will become an unforgettable time in history. "One Nation" shows through the eyes of endless rescue workers, from all walks of life, that the world with all its tragedy, unpredictability and despair is also still a world filled with tremendous compassion and love for one's fellow man.

I picked this book up to read now, 9 months after the attacks of September 11th and found myself becoming choked up all over again. The photos are of course of the highest quality of composition and emotion, as you would expect from Life Magazine. The illustrated timeline brings the day back into focus, and now that time has given some distance, allows us to look anew at how the day unfolded. But of course, in any kind of tragedy, it is the human elements that have the most impact - and this book presents that excellently. Stories of heroism, tragedy, chance, determination and sadness brought tears to my eyes. The overwhelming shock of the events have worn off for the most part, but these stories remind us of what the day meant to people. The section of photographs of individuals against a stark white background drives home the smallest human element of an overwhelming tableau. The people focused upon are there for a reason, and even though just being there and taking part in the aftermath should be reason enough, most of the subjects have additional connections that ties them all together in a web of tragedy and redemption. This is a book to treasure and to use to show those that come after us what this day meant to America.

The editors of LIFE magazine have put together a splendid testimonial to all of the victims of September 11th. This is a volume that should be on the coffee table of every American household and in every school library.

In great detail, LIFE recreates that day with pictures, eyewitness reports, and graphics, that will further enhance your knowledge of exactly what happened. The pictures are stunning and at times they bring the action rushing back into your mind.

This is not the kind of book that you can just pick up and read. This is a book that you thumb through on a periodic basis to remind yourself that we are a target. It is the kind of book that you have to buy so your kids and grandkids will be able to understand what happened.

We are the only nation that could have come through this attack with renewed patriotism. This book does everything it can to remind the reader that we are truly the land of the free and the home of the brave.

The Count of Monte Cristo is the kind of book that the author has a wonderful idea, but has the thought spread too thin over the novel to keep the reader's attention. Alexandre Dumas is an excellent writer but seems to accentuate too many subplots that are unimportant. He also focuses on numerous small and confusing characters.
The basic plot, is about human nature, particularly revenge of a young man named Edmond Dantés. At the age of nineteen, Dantés has a series of important events happen to him. He is convicted of being a Bonapartist by two jealous rivals. He is unable to marry the lovely Mercedes and he is no longer capable become captain of the Pharaon, the merchant ship, on which he used to work on as a first mate. He is thrown into the notorious dungeon, Chateau d'if, for fourteen years. He escapes with a large secret: the map to the famed treasure of Spada. Naturally, he'll use it for his revenge. As they say, the rich can do anything.
The book has so many intricate subplots and minor characters that the real plot seems to be lost in a hurricane of court intrigues, treasonous affairs, and numerous social gatherings. There are at least nine chapters concerning meals and balls, ranging from brunches to dinners, suppers to breakfasts, from a mere ball to a summer ball, and everything in-between. If you understand the difference between a baron and a count, then these things would obviously make sense, and may even be interesting to you. If you don't know the difference, prepare to be a little confused.
Getting to the action takes a while, but when it comes, Dumas gives you a good read. From being captured by bandits, meeting Dantes's old fiancé (who is now married to his arch rival and has a child), to getting even with all those evil men who planned his imprisonment. Although, if you're not at the action yet, get ready for a long, not-so interesting read. Dumas, still manages to throw in some unimportant details and small talk in-between the action. You can't just go skipping around the book, because there are too many important details embedded in the small talk. If you don't read every word, I guarantee you'll get lost.
This book is jam-packed with murderous action, so if that sounds good to you, you should consider reading this book. If you are looking for a challenge then this is a book for you. We recommend this book to older, more advanced readers.

The Count of Monte Cristo is the best book I've read in quite a long while. I wasn't expecting it to be. Frankly, I tend to have low expectations for 19th-century European novels in regard to sheer readability. Like vegetables and trips to the dentist, they tend to be more good for you than simply good. Add in the fact that the unabridged version is over 1000 pages, and I felt sure that the Count would be a somewhat difficult companion.

Nothing could be farther from the truth! Edmond Dantes' adventures kept me fully engrossed from beginning to end. I was disappointed to turn the final page, left longing for more.

If you've seen a movie version of Count of Monte Cristo, expect surprises. I had seen both the Richard Chamberlain and Jim Caviezel versions before reading the book (mmmm . . . Jim Caviezel), but neither were entirely true to the storyline or the mood of the original.

Edmond himself is a thoroughly satisfying and seductive hero. (The reader must take with a grain of salt the numerous references to his drug habit; at the time, opium was unfortunatly de rigeur for a Romantic hero.) The secondary characters are equally engrossing, from the admirable Maximilian Morrel to the villainous Danglars; and the ingenious machinations by which Edmond contrives to reward the deserving and doom the guilty make the chapters fly by.

I would encourage everyone to be sure and get the unabridged version of this masterpiece. It is by no means slow or ponderous, and the thought of what must be left on the cutting room floor to reduce this book to half its size makes me wince.

After watching the movie and then finding myself compelled to read the book, I wrote a review for the DVD version of this great classic by Alexandre Dumas. I did give the adulterated movie 3 stars, even with its deviation from the far superior storyline of the novel (this story does not lend itself to being told in a 2-hour movie). But rather than 3 stars, the book is well deserving of 5, and then some. The tale of the Count is one of heavy, dark intrigue. This is not light reading, and the story will tax your patience and demand of you significant time and concentration if you are to mine its riches. Those with an attention span of a six-year-old need not apply, although any person, young or old, who yields to the lessons being lived out will come away from this book with impressive knowledge regarding the pitfalls of willful ignorance, deceit, and pride; and hopefully a better appreciation for justice, compassion, and love. As for the story itself, Edmond Dantes, a young man of considerable good character, finds himself wrongly imprisoned under dreadful circumstances. He eventually is tutored in prison by a man with extraordinary wisdom-just as the reader is tutored without realizing it as he reads the unfolding chapters. Edmond loses all, gains eternal wisdom and insight, and then begins his true journey into lands where friends and foes experience his heavy influence. The story is one of desperation and deliverance, defeat and despair, and ultimately of triumph at an awful cost. Spiritual applications abound throughout as learned from within dungeons to palaces, and our notions of justice and mercy are sorely tested as a wronged man loses all and then begins to execute what he considers to be, and may well be, God's judgment. If you dedicate the time and attention that this book deserves, you will not be disappointed. If you want to speed-read and add another title to your library card, save your efforts and do not insult the worthwhile messages that this book can bring to the soul. I say soul, but for those with spiritual understanding, the better term is spirit, for this is above all a spiritual book if you have that kind of understanding. The movie alludes to it; the book embodies it. Having now read the book and carefully endured the more tedious portions to ensure that I missed little, I can only say that we do ourselves much disservice by not committing the time to study works such as this. Love, hate, revenge, mercy, justice, and forgiveness are explored in detail in the lives of Edmond Dantes (the Count) and his friends and foes. This complicated novel is unbelievably rich in its timeless spiritual lessons.

In Mario Puzo's The Godfather, he uses the crimes of a family and their Italian heritage to show how it affects a large loving family. I thought this was an excellent book, because the plot sequence was amazing with constant twists and suspense. The irony of this book comes through the crime boss Vito Corleone who is a kind-hearted and loyal friend of all who come to him with a request. However, he makes his living off of corruption and death which really doesn't affect the reader's attitude towards this loving character. The vicious side of the mafia comes through Vito's son Sonny. Sonny's rage leads to the death of many mob-related characters as well as to the his own death which is another irony evident in this novel. The Godfather uses masterful description of each member's life and how mob-life affected them. Another example of irony in The Godfather is the youngest son Michael's situation. At the beginning of the novel, Michael is returning from World War II and has no part in the family business. However, when his father nears death after gunshot wounds, Michael is drawn into the family business and chooses to pay back the antagonist Solozzo by spilling his blood for the sake of the family. Michael becomes the leader of the family after his father and Sonny die and he returns from Italy after things die down about his assasination of Solozzo. This transformation from an upstanding servant of the country to a crime boss looking out for the wellbeing of his family alone is the ulimate irony in this novel. Women and children are not major characters in the novel, because Puzo uses them to show how the mobs goal was to keep the innocent free from encountering their violent troubles. Puzo incorporates the lives of everyone involved in this crime family to show how much love and loyalty lead to their success and rage and deceit lead to their downfall. After reading the novel, I gained a greater appreciation for the movie which I had seen earlier and an understanding of how loyalty leads to power in the world.

If you've seen the movie The Godfather, then Francis Ford Coppola, Marlon Brando, and Al Pacino struck you with greatness. Now its time to buy and read Mario Puzo's all time classic and be blown away all over again. But if you're expecting a peaceful read that you can relax at night and read before sleep you'd be sadly mistaken.

Puzo's classic novelization of the mafia saga of Vito and Michael Corrleone is a must for every literate in the world. Between these covers are tales of crime, corruption, savage murder, love, drugs, Las Vegas, triumph, tragedy, and Vito Corrleone's rise as the nation's greatest Mafia kingpin. And all these stories are written with fiery intensity and passion that brings the characters to life in ways few authors can. Puzo writes this book so well that you will cringe in horror at the savage and corrupt ways of the Sicilian mafia, and all the terrible things that the members of these Mafia families will do.

So if you've seen the movie and was simply blown away or if you're just a fan of good reading that brings the characters out of the pages of the book and leaves them stamped in your mind then here is an offer you can't refuse; buy it now, and enjoy some of the greatest literature EVER!

The Godfather by Mario Puzo is about an Italian Mafia family, the Corleones, who live in New York, and it gives an inside look at how the Mafia runs. The many characters include Don Vito Corleone, the Godfather, and his three sons, Santino, Fredo, and Michael. The first main event happens when a man by the name of Virgil Sollozzo enters Don's office and asks if Don would help him import drugs into the United States. Don rejects saying that even though the profits from drugs are high, so are the risks. A couple days later, when Don is getting into his car, he is shot by two men. Even though he is severely wounded he is not killed and Santino is forced to take over the business. I won't give away the rest of the book, but I will tell you it kept me on the edge of my seat. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys nonstop action in the novels they read. I found Mario Puzo's writing style to be very good with lots of unexpected twists and turns. This helped make the book very exciting. I also recommend it to anyone interested in the Mafia. This book provides an inside look about how the Mafia is run. Overall, I enjoyed this book very much.