This book was required reading for a college course I took in 1976. How I wish I had read it during High School, it certainly would have helped me in life and in the SAT's. It is so much easier to learn word roots the way Lewis teaches, than memorizing words, that way you will always know the words. My son is now in 6th grade and is studying Greece. In conjunction, his English teacher had the class learn the Greek roots. I found my old copy of Word Power, which really impressed upon my son how beneficial learning vocab this way is. I am delighted that the book is still in print and have purchased my son his own copy.

The methods Norman Lewis uses to teach vocabulary are fun, refreshing, and LASTING! As a senior in high school, I found this book every bit as interesting as one might expect from a novel. To this day, I remember the chapter on the various medical practitioners. But even more amazing, when I see them in print, I can, to this day, remember whether I learned them from WORD POWER MADE EASY. The most helpful hints for me were the foreign language roots. Learning those helped me uncover the meaning of other words based on those roots. Also Lewis' little vignettes for each word are memorable. My favorite, even now, is the one describing a 'phrenologist'. Try it! You'll love it!

This book is not only very effective for building a strong vocabulary, but it also teaches the reader the etymology of words, their usages, and how a person can determine the meaning/usage of a new word just by examining the word itself. This book was given to me by my ninth grade English teacher many, many years ago. I wore the copy he gave me out and had to buy a new one. It has been an invaluable tool for me not only when I write but in conversation as well. Norman Lewis will teach you how to know if you are using corrects words in your sentences, how to pronounce and spell words correctly, and how to speak with grammatical accuracy. This is a book that you will refer to for many years to come. Furthermore, it is a book that is actually a fun tool from which to learn. To give you an idea of the contents in the book, it consists of a section that tests your current vocabulary to see where you are right now, another section deals with building a vocabulary database, there is a section that deals with how to talk about personality types, actions, Doctors, various practitioners, science and scientists, liars and lying, actions, and various speech habits, etc. Each section is vital to your overall vocabulary strength (even though this does not seem to be the case). Every chapter/section has exercises that force you to put into practice what you have been learning (this is a must). Thus, overall this is a very effective vocabulary builder (as the front cover totes).

I have had the good fortune to live and travel in Newfoundland, so I was excited to read Wayne Johnson's unforgettable book, The Colony of Unrequited Dreams. I loved the book for its amazing characters and its haunting landscapes. I was particularly fascinated with Smallwood and Fielding, and find myself wanting to know much more about the real life and history of Joey Smallwood. I grew up in Nova Scotia and knew of Smallwood only as some mythical person, the Only Living Father of Confederation, who dragged Newfoundland kicking and screaming into Canada. This book gave me a sense of the real man behind the myth, and Smallwood is as unforgettable as his province. Even though I lived at one time in a remote outport on White Bay, I never fully understood the outporter's perspective on Canada until I read this book. The book is beautifully sad and desperate, but it is also hilarious in places. It holds its own with other recent books I have read about this special place: Howard Norman's The Bird Artist and E. Annie Proulx's The Shipping News. For the reader interested in reading more about Newfoundland, I would recommend Ray Guy's humorous You May Know Them As Sea Urchins, Ma'am and Claire Mowat's The Outport People. My all time favorite Newfoundland book remains Cassie Brown's Standing into Danger. The Colony of Unrequited Dreams portrays the generosity and courage of the ordinary Newfoundlander, but Standing into Danger captures the spirit of a people who have nothing and who are willing to give everything.

Describing this novel will almost certainly minimize its tremendous power. A fictionalized first person of a key Newfoundlander's life, coupled with intercalary chapters which are a satiric history of Newfoundland, sounds like one of those heavy tomes worthy of a Canadian TV mini-series rather than a good evening's read. But this book is a powerful, solid read, the kind of read one imagines cannot be obtained in a modern novel. Smallwood, Newfoundland's first premier upon its confederation with Canada, is portrayed in a variety of situations throughout a long life, some historical and some fictional. But this novel does not bear the cobwebs of the "fictional history" genre. Instead, the book's two major characters--Smallwood and Sheilagh Fielding--seem as real as life, flawed and fascinating.

This book is vibrant and alive, straightforward, believable,and wholly warm and human. The parts of the book based on actual history are much more fantastic than the parts of the book which are pure fiction. The book explores some interesting ideas--the twin pursuit of compassion and ambition, the persistence of love over time, and the effects on the protagonists of constant self re-invention. The reader comes away with a sense of place as to Newfoundland, with that feeling of having "known" the characters,and with an abiding respect for a gifted novelist. This is one of the truly great novels I've read.

Perhaps I'm a little bit biased towards this novelization of the life of Joey Smallwood. No, I'm not from Newfoundland. No, I'm not a historical fiction buff. No, my name's not Joey.

But as I read along, a sneaking suspicion entered my mind. I did a little bit a family research, and it turns out that I am distantly related to the character of Prowse, who could be loosely described as Smallwood's arch-enemy. Admittedly, it is a tenuous relation (three generations by marriage), but still, very cool. And of course, it helps that the novel is one of astonishing quality.

COLONY tells of the slow rise of Joey Smallwood, from his very humble beginnings to his eventual election as Newfoundland's first premier. Now, I don't know anything about the history of Newfoundland. I don't believe the book is meant to be a technically accurate representation of Smallwood's life. This is not a biography.

What COLONY is, is a vastly entertaining look at the twists and turns that can occur in the life of one man. As in John Irving's best novels ( I kept thinking of THE CIDER HOUSE RULES as I read along), COLONY is an epic view of a tiny subject. As Smallwood's life progresses, the story becomes more and more enriched with characters and themes and regrets and promises. What Smallwood does with his life is miraculous, and sometimes awe-inspiring. I don't mean to imply that Smallwood is a saint. But his flaws and delusions only serve to heighten his triumphs and failures.

As I said, I don't know how much of COLONY is factually true. Did he have an ongoing unrequited love affair with his childhood friend and nemesis Fielding? Are the motivations behind his actions accurate? In the end, it doesn't matter. This isn't meant to be a treatise on the political background of a premier. This is a story, and a damned fine one. And it is obvious after reading it why, for all his mistakes, Joey Smallwood is a widely beloved figure in Newfoundland.

I am still reading this but, it has been just as fun to read as all the others I have read. The short stories are good for me and my hectic schedule and short attention span(I am 25 years old and getting better on the attention part). If I need a little laugh, I go to the funny part,and, every section has a different type of short stories in it. Of course, some will make you feel like crying or touch your soul, some will make you giggle or maybe even burst out laughing if you have had the same experience. The "Family Circus" cartoons are light-hearted ways to look at important things as well. You gotta buy this book!

Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul paints a beautiful picture of true Christian love. The book does exactly as the title implies: warms the heart and rekindles the soul. The stories are very touching and moving, and they are all the more remarkable because they are true. Chicken Soup leaves the reader feeling very loving towards others and wanting to follow many actions of the people in the book. Chicken Soup's many themes include love, friendship, and devotion. Most of the stories in the book are based on one of these ideas. Often the stories show how love and friendship impacted or changed the author's life. People come to value these things much more when they have really been involved with the feelings of love and friendship. Chicken Soup makes a point to impress these values on the reader. The stories in Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul are all drawn from personal experience or the experience of a friend. This makes them seem quite real to the reader and leaves a very lasting impression. Many of the stories in the book question the power of Christ in one's life. Every time, His power holds true. Other times, the stories of devotion show just how rewarding love can be. These two things really give the reader something to think about. Also, the reader doesn't take so many things for granted. The Chicken Soup stories have all been very well written. They are worded in a way so as to touch the reader with everything they say. The book argues and defends its title very well and answers all questions posed in any of the stories. Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul proves to be very accessible to just about any reader of reasonable age, although the book probably has a more lasting impression on Christians. But, being a Christian isn't necessary to understand and enjoy the book. The point of view varies throughout the book, which makes it a little more interesting to read. The strengths of the Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul include the wonderful Christian-like themes it addresses throughout the book. Also, the book's ability to leave a lasting impression and make the reader truly grateful is definitely very important. As for weaknesses, none were noticeable. This book really contributes to the reader's understanding of life in general and how a little love and caring can go a long way. Reading Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul would definitely be a positive influence on just about anyone. The book proves its capability to cheer someone up when the soul feels blue. This is a wonderful book that plenty of people would enjoy, should they take the time to understand the feelings of the authors. Chicken Soup can certainly change the way one looks at themselves and others and make the quality of life much richer.

The scores of short stories contained within this emotion-impacting book span a wide range of life-affecting topics that include love (15 stories), giving (11), parents and parenting (15), faith (12), levity (11), overcoming obstacles (11), perspective (11), and death and dying (15). The carefully selected stories (from thousands submitted) provide insight into the person God has called us to be, the actions God expects us to take, and the faith and attitude God expects us to adopt and profess. Scattered between the selections are both comics and thought-provoking quotations relevant to the section that they appear in.

Contributions for this outstanding 375+ page work were supplied by individuals such as the late Norman Vincent Peale, Corrie ten Boom, Dick Van Patten, Charles W. Colsen, Gary Smalley, Joan Wester Anderson, and Dick Van Dyke.

All stories are presented in a very readable level in which the reader can relate to the themes discussed and are short enough that single stories can be read in a session and then pondered. Your life will be more spiritually fulfilling and be more positive upon completion of reading this book if you take these stories to heart.

Do yourself a favor... A MUST read!

The late great Princeton philosopher Walter Kaufmann does yet another fine job of translating and defending Nietzsche to a 20th (and 21st?) century audience. Kaufmann deserves a great deal of credit for bringing Nietzsche out of the ranks of taboo books for the (unfortunate) association with Hitler after World War II.

This association is ironic when one considers how Nietzsche extols the Jewish race on pages 187 & 188, describing them as

...beyond any doubt the strongest, toughest, and purest race now living in Europe; they know how to prevail even under the worst conditions...by means of virtues that today one would like to mark as vices - thanks above all to a resolute faith that need not be ashamed before "modern ideas"....

Can anyone seriously contend that Hitler was inspired to commit genocide upon the Jewish people because of Nietzsche with passages such as this in mind?

If I have one bone to pick with this book, it is Nietzsche's unwarranted misogynistic tirades in the chapter called "Our Virtues." These attacks on woman's intellectual acumen are not only wrong, but completely unnecessary and contribute nothing to Nietzsche's overall philosophical thread of thought. His dictum of the "eternally boring in woman" (a verbal joust to Goethe's "eternal feminine") is nothing more than an adolescent, shallow cheap shot. Personally, I think his hatred of women has much more to due with his psychology (the fact that he was such a very lonely man + the inaccessiblity of Cosima Wagner) than any serious intellectual analysis that he devoted to the issue. In any case, given the accomplishments of women in the 20th century (as well as the "hidden" triumphs of historical women from before this century) any educated person today would be compelled to dismiss the idea of men being mentally superior to women as hogwash.

With the exception of the anti-woman chapter, the rest of this book is quite good. It is in many ways a re-writing of his "Also Sprach Zarathustra" via a non-poetic medium. Most of Nietzsche's more important ideas are incorporated into the book at some point or other. Also, Kaufmann furnishes the reader with helpful footnotes which elucidate the allusions that Nietzsche is making. A profound book. To give you a taste of why this book is worth reading, I will leave you with one of my very favorite passages of Nietzsche. It appears on page 153:

"Measure" is alien to us; let us own it; our thrill is the thrill of the infinite, the unmeasured. Like a rider on a steed that flies forward, we drop the reins before the infinite, we modern men, like semi-barbarians - and reach "our" bliss only where we are most - in danger.

While I don't worship Nietzsche as I did when I was young, I think this is a very challenging and worthwhile book. Even people who don't accept Nietzsche's basic approach to life can learn much from it, if they read it with an open (but skeptical) mind. All of Nietzsche's key ideas are here and are presented more lucidly than in Zarathustra and more sanely than in his last works. Even better than the big ideas are the seemingly random insights that can illuminate a whole new area of thought. There are also, it's true, some really stupid passages, such as the comments on women, but overall the gold far outweighs the dross.

I'm a newbie to Nietzsche's works, though I'd come to Beyond Good and Evil through the proverbial back door. After having read prominent 20th century texts from Camus to Derrida, I figured it was time to read something by Nietzsche, perhaps the most famous first figure to doubt what was "knowable." Nietzsche, anticipating the cynicism and angst that would become the hallmark of existential texts, was equally scornful of religion AND science (both, which he argued, were reductionist and misleading). The ultimate skeptic, Nietzsche warned readers about believing to deeply in "certain truths" often framed within the dichotomy of binary opposites (good vs. evil, black vs. white, heaven vs. hell; in short, everything the Western world bases its moral framework on).

I've given Beyond Good and Evil five stars, but there are some problems with the book that the unintiated may want to know. First, although this is the most straight-forward and accessible of Nietzsche's works, it's still a difficult read. Second, although Nietzsche's writing style is full of verve and gusto (or, to use N's own word, "brio") and although this style makes for delightful anti-philosophic reading, his points do become burdensome after a while. After reading the introduction and the first 30 pages or so, I found myself saying, "Okay, okay, I got it." Nietzsche's misogyny, his failure to provide concrete examples (occassionally) and his belief in a human two-level caste system ("...life itself in its essence means appropriating, injuring, overpowering those who are foreign and weaker" (152-153)) may challenge (or turn off) some readers. Neverhtheless, at 180 slim pages, Beyond Good and Evil accomplishes its task before it becomes tiresome.

Harlot's Ghost has more going on in it than a dozen ordinary novels. Stylistically Mailer has resolved the old tension between his straightforward narrative style (The Naked and the Dead, The Executioner's Song) and his sometimes over-the-top commentary style (American Dream, most of his essay writing). Similarly, he has brought together his best qualities as a journalist and his best qualities as a novelist. Harlot's Ghost is factually informative and intelligent, yet it maintains the attention to literary subtlety and individual characterization that are usually lost in big books about big social issues. It should be a pleasure to read the remaining portions of the book once they appear.

I had pretty much given up reading novels because my wife and I purchased an old row house in the District of Columbia, and the renovation, which we did ourselves and which took about seven years, left little time for reading. If the book didn't have to do with stripping paint or laying tile, it had to wait until next year or the year after, or the year after that. When that year finally came, I mentioned to a friend, Kathleen Burns, that I was ready to tackle a novel and she said to start with Harlots Ghost because it was wonderful. Not 2 weeks later, while vacationing in the Smokey Moutains, I happened to be browsing in a discount book store in Pigeon Ford, and there it was, this huge book for next to nothing, maybe 5 bucks. Well I bought it, started reading, and low and behold, my passion for reading was reborn. Thank you Mister Mailer and Kathleen Burns. It's great novel, impossible to put down, though you'll have to from time to time due to it's length. I recommend to anyone who enjoys good writing.

I understand there has been a lot of criticism of this book by some of Mailer's old counter-culture enemies. His Nixon hate list rivals, hired by some angry politician who will stop at nothing to absolutely destroy Norman no matter what and oh goddamnit, get him out of my sight oh get him out of my sight--his vision burns me!

Well, anyway, this is some of the sense of horror of the seeming, ultimate motivation for writing this book--Mailer has always loved to cause trouble. And what we get is a wonderfully written book, smoothly plotted along with twists and turns and about faces and it goes on and on and on--now we know what Norman was thinking when it he made it so long. He had taken many years off--his previous book Tough Guys Don't Dance, a so-so take on tough-guy, crime drama. Some hard-boiled plot that's really violent and goes off to--really nowhere. This book, on the other hand, is endless. Mailer finished in on page 1410 with "To Be Conti! nued . . ." A frightening thought I immensely look forward to.

Just when I thought I couldn't cram any more Beatle lore into my cranium, I read Philip Norman's biography of the four lads. The story of the Beatles is known worldwide and I'll not repeat any of it here, except to say that Norman gives each phase of the group's life and career equal time and equal detail. Showbiz bios too often linger on an act's childhood and background (to prove that they've researched extensively?) or are simply a cash-in on current success and add nothing to the story that one couldn't get from People Magazine (see bios of Selena, etc.). If the book has a fault, it is that Norman has obviously joined the "John was the real leader and only decent songwriter" camp and takes swipes at McCartney's personality and music early and often. This is another subject that has been covered ad infinitum, and I will add only that this bias detracts my overall rating of this otherwise excellent and detailed work.

The Beatles were still recording when the first major book appeared about their lives and careers, and a two-disc record album by Capitol Records ("The Beatles Story") pre-dated even that opus.

I've read several Beatles books, and Norman's book remains my favorite. It is well-written, wears well (I have read it cover to cover more than once), and it's a fascinating story. Norman's clear interest in scholarship and accuracy allows him to present the Beatles sympathetically, but he never stoops to deification/iconography. He appreciates the humanity of his subjects; he does not worship them.

The book is divided into segments that parallel the career of the Beatles. I learned much I did not know. I was very touched by Norman's literary treatment of the late Brian Epstein, the Beatles manager who pursued a "tormented, double life" and found precious little happiness even while the world celebrated him as the entertainment impresario of his generation.

This book will make you think, make you laugh, make you cry and make you wonder. If you are too young to remember all the hoopla surrounding the Beatles in the early and mid 1960's, this book will tell you what all the shouting was about. More importantly, it shows you the humanity of the four young men who, as the Beatles, helped shape a generation.

This is an excellent book for both die hard Beatles fans and those who are simply interested in the phenomenon that swept the world in the 60s and still continues to exert influence over modern music today.

The author frankly admits that he has never actually iterviewed any of the Beatles, but many great historical books have been written without access to their subjects, and in my opinion this has given him a unique view of the group's influence on the era, rather than a perspective from inside it. All the interesting things are there - Paul meeting John, the American tour, Apple, break up etc, and fasinating it is.

If you like their music or damn them as madness from the 60s, the fact remains that they were hugely influential in areas ranging from pop music to advertising, and this book paints the picture very well.

This is the first fiction book I've read in a long time, and I have to say I'm not too disappointed. Fathers and Sons relates not only the generation gap in 19th century Russia, but also shows how fragile and fake the entire Russian system was in that time period. Every character symbolizes an important facet of Russian society. Paul Petrovich is the old slavophile nobility, convinced that Russians and their ways are the best in the world while they wear English clothing and speak and read in French. His brother Nicholas is the bridge between the old world and the new world, trying to fit in with the new ways while he only understands the old customs. Arcady, who represents those in society who outwardly follow the latest trendy beliefs but can't shake their emotions or their humanity. And Barazov, who represents youth, with its eternal promise of new ideas and ways, but who are blind to their own naive hypocrisy. Certainly there are other characters, but these major figures shape the plot of the book.

Turgenev manages to leave no stone unturned, casting withering attacks on peasants, psuedo-intellectualism, government officials, corruption, and conventions. The book mentions that Turgenev alienated and angered many in Russia with this book, and the reader will quickly see why.

Turgenev recognized the backwardness of Russia, and that it must change if it were to survive in a new world. The big question was how, and Turgenev shows that while idealists like Bazarov may have new ideas (Bazarov's idea was nihilism, a belief in nothing), those ideas mean nothing if not backed up with solutions to the problems.

An excellent book, and very readable. The price is low enough that most people really don't have an excuse to give this one a shot.

This was required reading for my Russian literature class because it is considered a classic. My favorite part of this book is the fact that it gives the reader a glimpse of what life was like for the average nobleman of the day...(in the 1850's) It has some interesting descriptions of Russian family life, the life of the peasantry and how the younger generation interacted with the older generation (hence the title, "Fathers and Sons" although the original Russian is called "Fathers and Children"). One of the main characters, Bazarov, is a self proclaimed nihilist who rejects all forms of authority, causing problems for the older generations (his parents & his friend's parents), but attracting the attention of the people of his (the younger) generation. This book has no real plot...it is merely the story of how one man brings his nihilist ideas into other peoples' lives & it gives accounts of everybody else's reactions to these nihilist ideas. It is an interesting book & a pretty quick read, but it can drag in places...especially if the reader is waiting for something interesting to happen. All in all, I believe this book is worth reading, if just to get a taste of "Old Russia", but if you are looking for an exciting "can't-put-it-down-sitting-on-the-edge-of-your-seat-page-turner", you won't find it in this book.

In Turgenev's Fathers and Sons, as in most of Chekhov, nothing much really happens. People talk a lot and that's about it. Should be dull, right? But it isn't. The talk, and the characters revealed, reflect the profound changes that were being felt in Russian society at the end of the 19th Century; changes that would set the stage for much of what was to happen in the 20th Century. But more important to a modern reader, the ideas and the real life implication of those ideas are as current and relevant as when Turgenev wrote. Bazarov, the young 'nihilist', sounds just like the typical student rebel of the 60's (or of the Seattle WTO protests just recently). He has the arrogance and the innocence of idealistic youth. He is as believeable, and as moving in his ultimate hurt, as any young person today might be confronted with the limitations of idealism and the fickle tyranny of personal passion.

I loved this book when I first read it as a teenager and I enjoyed it even more on subsequent rereadings. It makes the world of 19th century Russia seem strangely familiar and it gives many a current political thread a grounding in meaningful history.

A very good book about General Schwarzkoph"s life. This book tells of his youth in New Jersey. We next get to read about his stay in Iran while his father is stationed there. The next phase of his life is West Point and his graduation. His tour of duty in the Army also makes for interesting reading. The general's tour of duty in Vietnam tells of his experiences serving in this conflict. The next war that he serves in is very well detailed. His time of service in the Gulf War saw him becokme one of the major and dominant person- nalities of this conflict. The decisions made by the General saw the nation of Iraq brought to it's knees by the U.S. and their allies. This book was a very good read. I enjoyed it immensely.

While it's been many years since I was in the army, reading this book, as I followed the details of both Schwarzkopf's personal and public life, I felt as though I was there with him. And I was comfortable metaphorically traveling through the life of a born determined soldier.

Regardless of what you may think of the Gulf War, or of the military, this is a wonderful story about someone who is determined to live the life that he has been sent here to live.

"It Doesn't Take a Hero," reflects his message, "No matter your history, or the history of the organization in which you most identify with, you can still reach your highest dreams."

This book will make you laugh quite a bit, as you follow his determination to avoid politics, and remain true to his basic soldiering identity. This is not to say that he would be less of a leader, nor less of a person to have aimed for a political position. He became the soldier that all of his life experiences led him to be.

As I read this, I could almost hear his voice, jokes and all.

Enjoy!

One of the things that stood out, and something most probably don't know about Gen. Schwarzkopf, is what a truly interesting life he had. Living all over the world, he absorbed a lot of the culture which certainly helped him later in life, and especially during the Gulf War.

Having been in the military, I was struck at his absolute love and admiration he had for the "grunts" in the field. He loved every one of them....something you don't often see much of.

I lent my copy of this book to my father to read, and have never gotten it back. I only wish I could have gotten a hardcover copy when it first came out. Go ahead...spend the money and read a book which is truly worth reading.

This is certainly one of Shakespeare's greatest works. Every individual character has been perfectly planned before the play was written, and each has his/her own unique characteristics. The plot is well-known, but Shakespeare adds the themes of betrayal, love, and distrust into the mix, making it a nonforgetable story. This is definately a masterpiece to be reread over and over again. LONG LIVE JULIUS CAESAR! GO SM!! WE ARE HIS #1 FANS!!!

"Cowards die many times before their deaths. The valiant never taste of death but once." - Caesar

Just one of the many brilliant quotes from this powerful and enduring tragedy, which happens to be amongst my very favorite Shakespeare. How could anyone not enjoy Marc Antony swaying the weak-minded and feeble-minded plebians with his vibrant and rousing speech? Julius Caesar is unquestionably quintessential Shakespeare, a monumental work that perhaps is surpassed only by Hamlet and rivaled by Othello, Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet, & King Lear.

Julius Caesar teaches us about the dangers and pitfalls of ambition, jealousy, power, as well as the sacrifice for the greater good - even if it is another's life. Amongst the bood-thirsty traiotors, only Brutus genuinely believes in the assassination of Caesar for the greater good of the Republic. Julius Caesar galvanizes the brain and awakens the spirit from within with scenes such as when Marc Antony proclaims, "Cry Havoc and let slip the dogs of war."
Countless amounts of quotes and passages throughout the play rank among my favorite Shakespeare. Needless to say, this book should be on the bookshelf of any and all with any semblance of intellect and enough cultivation to appreciate such superb literature.

The modern perspective following the text enlightens and should be read by anyone seeking more knowledge about this amazing tragedy and time in history. An irrepressible 5 stars.

This superb play by Shakespeare somehow reminded me of Antigona, the first play which directly examined the always complex interplay and usual confrontation between political reason and moral reason. This play is an excellent account of the immediately previous and subsequent days of Julius Caesar's assasination by Brutus, his best friend, and other conspirators. Brutus is persuaded by the resentful Cassius that Caesar has betrayed Rome by abandoning the Republic and turning to Dictatorship. Brutus gets to be convinced that, in order to save the Republic, Caesar must be killed. This puts him in a great dilemma, for he loves Caesar and he's his closest friend. Here we see in an acute form the way in which political power gets in conflict with morality and feelings. Friendship, power and betrayal are the basic subjects of this excellent piece of work.

Some people say the movie was better, some people say the book was better. I'd say in terms of quality, they're about equal. The book is a bit different (for example Norman being a fat sweaty nervous guy and not a tall, thin, nervous guy). There is a little less about Mary in the novel, but I think there is more about Sam and Mary's sister. Unfortunately, as I was born long after Psycho become engrained in our culture, the end didn't surprise me, or really even disturb me, though I liked the way it was presented in the book more than the movie. It's a good, quick read if that's what your looking for, but I admit that watching the movie gives you the same disturbed feeling.

Psycho is a great read, made even greater by the fact that the book is 40 years old! Extremely groundbreaking in the use of a pathology for the killer, it seems that Norman Bates is as much a household name in American culture as Ronald McDonald. The Alfred Hitchcock film version seems to have used the book for the script, with only minor deviations. A short read, it's impossible not to finish this in one sitting. While reading I took down four pages of quotations from this book, it's that good and inspiring. I do think this book could have been longer and bloodier provided it had been written 10-15 years later. The ending was great and overall the book was awesome. Reading it was like watching the Hitchcock version of the movie, and vice versa. A must read Horror novel. On a scale from 1-10 I'd rate this novel a 10, for its historical significance, the intensity of the story, the quote factor, and characterization.

Come on, everyone knows Norman Bates!

In another review of this book someone said that this book was exactly like the movie. It is not. Not to say it is any better or worse. Any fans of Psycho the movie should read the book. It gives many insights into the true nature of Norman Bates' frame of mind. It is also more involved in the relationship between Sam and Marian. I personally liked the movie better because it is easier to think of Norman Bates as being good-looking (as in the movie) than fat (as in the book). I also think there are more and better quotes in the movie. It is very interesting seeing the psychological comparisons between the two. I highly recommend this book.