In my view, Lane Fox’s book on Alexander is the finest in the field (followed by the works of Tarn and Hamilton). Reconstructing any ancient hero is always a daunting task and Lane Fox himself writes, ‘It is a naïve belief that the distant past can be recovered from written texts, but even the written evidence is scarce and often peculiar’, yet I find his picture of Alexander very sensible and convincing.
From the modern perspective Tarn can be criticized on many counts but among the writers on Alexander - Griffith, Hammond, Badian, Wilcken, Schackermeyr, Green, Engels, Bosworth - he stands as the tallest due to his deep understanding of both the West and the East. Lane Fox’s scholarship is an extension of Tarn’s and even though he is not aware of many hard facts about Palibothra, Chandragupta, or the rewriting of the altars by Asoka, his intuition carries him through. Lane Fox takes great care while addressing Indo-Iranian history and religion and a fine sense of balance prevails throughout the book. Although the discovery of Alexander's altars...dramatically changes the scenario his evaluation of Alexander still remains valid.
In the New York Review of Books Lane Fox was once harshly reprehended by Badian as having all the qualities of an Etonian aristocrat who missed the true Alexander but this can be brushed aside as a harmless fib. He was the Gardening correspondent of the Times and probably this has added that hidden dimension to his Alexander – something absent in all other works. In a sense Alexander’s breach with his compatriots had something to do with a garden (probably in Seistan) where our ancestors opted for knowledge in preference to perpetual happiness. In this garden, as the Bible tells us, there was homonoia, not only between men and women but even among other beings. On the negative side I can point to his awkward system of writing notes which only the very determined readers would be able to master. But then who else could write that there is something fishy in Diodorus’ account of Bagoas the elder’s death? This in a sense opens up a Pandora’s box. Again, to my horror, he is almost sympathetic to Harpalus.
I would recommend this book to all.

I devoured "The Unauthorized Version" and "Pagans and Christians", two towering works by the same author at a later period in his life. This work on Alexander gives us a glimpse of the evolution of Fox's writing as well as his views on the subject which are still fresh and surprisingly valid after all these years.

As usual, Fox examines and refers to numerous ancient document, customs of the times, differences in languages and somehow makes clear to the reader even the most confusing of subjects, such as the interplay between clans, tribes, family and nationalities. What is so remarkable about this writing is the universal quality of the prose along with the surprising but perfectly valid conclusions.

Many historians seem afraid to offer conjecture or opinions but Fox has deliberately gone out on a limb several times - for example, his conclusion that John, the last Gospel penned, was actually the closest to the the original sources. In this book we are given a picture of the life and times of one of the most influential person in history - as much for what he stood for as what he accomplished. This is history at its finest.

This is an extraordinary history. Anyone expecting a conventional biography will be disappointed, since the biased and fragmentary nature of the primary sources makes modern biographical treatment for Alexander impossible, even more so than for other ancient heroes. However, one thing about the peripatetic conqueror that seems to be known with some certainty is the itinerary that defined his brief life. Starting from this, Mr. Lane Fox applies his own intimate knowledge of the middle and near-eastern landscape to create a book which, at its most basic, reads like a highly literate travelogue. This is all backdrop, though, for a kind of detective story as the author picks apart the tantalizing fragments of information and disinformation that, once boiled down, reveal for us Alexander's character. The bold military prodigy is clearly apparent here, but that's the standard textbook part of the story. Rounding out the picture, we see him as the cosmopolitan diplomat, beloved egalitarian leader-of-men, bisexual libertine, respectful supplicant to his gods, forgiving victor, gallant defender of women, ostentatious potentate, superstitious fool, charismatic orator, fearless in-the-trenches combat commander, wily tactician, boyish adventurer, child-like animal lover, sophisticated Greek intellectual, reckless gambler, visionary strategist, loyal and generous friend, bloody mass killer, and drunken lout. And the truly remarkable thing about the history is that all these persona somehow hang together, creating a believable portrait that makes it clear why Alexander has fascinated politicians, soldiers and scholars for twenty-three centuries. Stylistically, this book is dense and will deter casual readers. However, some patience through the early pages gives enough time to get into the exotic poetry of place names and the flow of the story. The turgid logic of the character study takes over from there, and the case unfolds majestically. This is a brilliant historian at work and I highly recommend the book.

Joe, Fred, and Sam find themselves in the land and time of King Arthur, fighting a black knight, a giant, and a dragon. And it all started with a simple present at Joe's birthday party - a book from his uncle the magician that the boys "accidentally" used. But how will the trio get back???

This first book in the Time Warp Trio series is an imaginative, humorous, adventurous book for kids (not just boys) ages 7-11. Everything about the book spells pure fun! The only problem with starting the Time Warp series? You'll want to read them all. So why not do just that?

55 pages with illustrations

We suggest The Time Warp Trio, Knights of the Kitchen Table to you because it is funny and interesting. There was a magic book called "The Book" that sent Joe, Sam, and Fred back in time. An evil Black Knight wanted to hurt them. A powerful magician named Merlin was jealous of the three boys. It's so fun and exciting; you'll want to pop into the story, just like they did. It's a mix of fantasy and funny history. The author, Jon Scieszka, is extraordinary, he makes the story seem like you're part of it. It will take you off to a magical land. This book is so exciting that you won't want to put it down. The pictures are so hilarious; you'll laugh your head off.

I am a third grade teacher, and every September I start off the new school year with The Knights of the Kitchen Table. I use the Time Warp Trio to ease my students into sitting quietly, while listening to a story for pleasure. After each chapter the children beg me to read another! Regardless of the academic abilities of my students, every one of them seems to truly enjoy this series. Although it is certainly not worthy of a Newbery Medal, I feel it is a fantastic easier chapter book that serves as a springboard to reading. In fact, The Time Warp Trio books are rarely sitting on the shelves of our school library. They are always in a child's hands. To me that makes it worthy of 5 stars.

Harriet Tubman was a wonderful women and this book hits the highlights of her life. This book explains her life while she was still conducter on the Underground Railroad but it also goes into detail about her life after she was a conducter. It is a wonderful story too! It did not seem like a factual novel but actually seemed like a wonderful story. I hope everyone will try to read this book.

I read the book Harriet Tubman. This book was about a young girl who is raised on a plantation. She passes a very difficult life on the plantation.The master always contracts her out and the people who get her treat her very bad.Then when she grows up, she hears a story of a slave who was running away and he suddenly takes the underground railroad and gets to freedom.So she decides to go to the North to freedom by the under ground railroad.When she gets to the North she decides to help out the rest of the slaves by the underground railroad.Then she helps more than 300 slaves get to freedom.

The book is about a girl who had an unusual life as a child. Harriet Tubman suffered a lot during her life time. She risked her life to help slaves and take them to the North. If you like adventure and a very descriptive book you should read it. You learn and experience what it was like during her time.Harriet Tubman never gave up. I especially liked how the book had historical facts at the end of each chapter to explain what was going on during her events. It was an interesting and exciting book, a page turner. You don't have to like history to read this book. You'll get hooked anyway.

Yes, Jodie Foster starred in the 1976 movie. But the book by Laird Koenig is really worth a look. Rynn, 13-year-old daughter of an english poet, is instructed by her departing father to SURVIVE. That shouldn't be hard on a civilized New England island very like Nantucket, especially if you have a three-year lease paid in full and a semi-inexhaustable supply of cash in a safe deposit box...should it? Frank Hallet, a filthy rich blue-blooded pedophile doesn't help Rynn's chances. Neither do a couple of bodies under a trap door in the parlor. But believe me, you will cheer for the witty Rynn as you turn each page of this efficiently crafted little page-turner. The writing is spot-on, and the ending is so wonderfully surprising and subtle as to invoke thoughts of Henry James and The Turn of the Screw. Read it by the fire, in one sitting, preferably on a rainy October evening. I bought my copy (a fine, well-preserved, pretty little black hardback) for 25 cents at a book sale. Even if Amazon can't match that deal, the book is pure enjoyment.

The movie The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane is my absolute favorite ever, and the book is, of course, certainly worth reading. Here is a tale of murder, secrecy, and survival. Intertwined between all this is a touching love story between 13-year-old Rynn and 16-year-old Mario. One might question the age difference between the two, but upon reading the book (or seeing the movie, which I also highly recommend), we see that Rynn is far surpassed the usual maturity level of a person her age.

Rynn lives in a small, secluded house at the end of a lane in a small New England island town with her English poet father, Leslie Jacobs, or so she says. The only problem is no one ever sees him.

Survive. That's what her father told her. Don't play their game. And Rynn won't, not even when she is badgered my Mrs. Hallet, the real estate lady that rents the house to Leslie and Rynn and who insists on knowing where Leslie is at all times, no matter what it takes; or her son, Frank Hallet, who is notorious in their town for taking an unhealthy liking to girls much younger than he.

Rynn's only friend in the world is Mario Podesta, an amateur magician who is crippled. Only Mario knows Rynn's terrible secret, and he soon becomes her co-conspirator.

I won't give any spoilers, but I will say that this book is absolutely amazing. It is unfortunate that it is out of print at this time. If you can get ahold of a copy, however, read it. You will not regret it.

Although the film adaptation is fine (Jodie Foster was perfect for the part) it does not come close to the haunting power of this chilling novel. Thirteen year old Rynn lives at the end of the lane with her recluse father, or does she? Mrs. Hallet, her landlord, is getting suspicious of Rynn and her lifestyle just as her child molesting son (who is far older and creepier in the novel than in the film) is begins harrassing the little girl as well. Complicating matters further is Rynn's growing attraction to the equally curious Sheriff's son Mario.

Laird Koenig masterfully weaves these plot threads togehter into an icy spider web that Rynn may or may not get herself free of. Watching it all come together (and apart) creates one of the truly great cult classic novels of the seventies. Required reading for psychological thriller fans and those with a taste for gothic imagery. Highly recommended.

Andy Lane's unauthorized guide is a book that covers a wide spectrum of interests: plot breakdowns, references to history, mythology, religion; who's who with both characters and the people portraying them; not to mention occasional opinions or behind the scenes tidbits only insiders know about.

The book covers not just the TV show but related novels and the comic series as well, intertwining all the information and cross referencing when needed. It has over 400 pages of easy to read information, and even has a 14 page index (very small print). I don't think I have read through a book so quickly that still kept my interest on each page.

So whether you are a die-hard Babylon 5 fan, or are just curious as to what the upcoming hoopla is all about, this is a very good choice for reference material. Makes a better gift!

Not much to say. Just a superb job. It covers eve- rything a fan would like to know. This book makes the best sidekick and combined with the "A-Z Guides" should be the BABYLON 5 bible. Only a small complain Mrs. Lane: You could have waited a little bit more for the release of the book in order to have a full Season 4 guide, since now that Season 5 kicks in and with the new bias of the series the book would be something more than a required reading: it would be the ultimate purcha- se. What about a new updated version ?

I thought this was a really great guide. I love Babylon 5 and enjoy reading anything I can find about it. Andy Lane did a really great job. If you had to stop somewhere, right after they won the Shadow War was the perfect spot. I have found a few errors, but those are only in the beginning where you can see what episodes each character was in. For example: The book says Delenn wasn't in episode 311, "Ceremonies of Light and Dark." In truth, episode 311 was almost totally about Delenn. If you are a really dedicated fan like I am, you can catch these mistakes. I still thought it was a great book. I really liked the Ivanova's Life Lessons and Koshisms part of the book. The book really helps illustrate how great the series realy is. I give it two thumbs up.

This book covers the world's fastest motorsport from its inception right up to the present day, with excellent photography, and is a must for any drag racing fan. But there is one man who isn't in this book and deserves to be above all other drivers. A pioneer, a lasting influence, an ingenius innovator, whose name has become synonymous with Top Fuel racing, and he is of course "Big Daddy" Don Garlits. He designed the rear-engined dragster which is the fundamental basis for every Top Fuel racer competing in the sport today, and he set the stage for the 4 second, 330 mph runs seen in the USA today. When the book is reprinted the NHRA must rectify their mistake by including Don.

The moment I saw "The Fast Lane", I knew this was the book for me. Upon leafing through the pages, I decided that I could and would spend hours pouring over every scrap of information and detailed photo inside. This is exactly what I did, when I wasn't proudly showing it off to my racing enthusiast friends and a few friends who may become more interested in racing thanks to the book.

More than just a coffee table book, here was an in-depth history of the NHRA like a vibrant vision from childhood. I found myself awash in memories of speed demon heroes with names like "Snake", "Mongoose", and "Big Daddy".

I loved it. There isn't enough I can say about it. Please, take my advice, get the book for yourself and see if you don't have the same reaction.

This book is phenomenal and a must have for racers, fans and car enthusiasts. Wally Parks and the NHRA should be commended for this wonderful compilation of history and excitement all packed into the colorful pages of "The Fast Lane". When I first opened it up I got goose bumps and was suddenly transported to a place near the starting line. With each new page I could hear the raw horsepower of the engines rumbling the pavement, the smell of fuel filled my nose and the ground shook under my feet. The adrenaline pumping and the memories of my days of racing and watching the pros run overtook me.

Being a female that has had cars and racing in my blood since I was a child, I was so happy to get this book and learn all about the history and the people behind the sport from the beginning. So guys and gals alike will love this one. I highly recommend it.

This book was great! This is the only book where the Time WARP Trio travel forward in time. I liked the way that the authors described the future. I also thought it was funny because the Time WARP Trio meet their grand-grand-daughters. I won't tell any more because you'll just have to read it to yourself. I rate this book five stars because it was funny like all the other Time WARP Trio books.

The Time Warp Trio books are an excellent series for young readers. My 8-year old son has read every one and is now re-reading his collection! Each story deals with time travel - forward or back. 2095, like the others in the series, is a fast-paced, funny, and well written story. So far, these are my son's favorite books and I highly recommend them to any parent who wants their child to discover the joys of reading.

The book 2095 was great! I bet you'll love it. I didn't like it at first, but once I started to read it(or when I was at chapter two)I just couldn't stop because it was so funny. My favorite part was when they go in the future. Other books you will probly like are books by Jon Scieszka. And remember I liked it and you'll like it to.

The Ten Thousand returns author Harold Coyle to high-tech warfare since Bright Star. In it, the US with the cooperation of Russia confiscate nuclear weapons from a belligerent Ukraine. The weapons are then placed in Germany for safekeeping where a Chancellor sees the opportunity to steal them and threaten the world. Suddenly, Germany is not a good place for Americans to be in and they must fight their way and get the nukes back.

In this book, Coyle introduces even more women and in different aspects of the war. The infantry leader, medic, reporter/soldier's wife and the commander-in-chief. They are credited to giving a more humanizing effect on the male soldiers. It may not be realistic but it's definitely idealistic portrayal.

Most of the American characters are back. And for those who've read Coyle's previous books, it's a treat to see two Russian characters return. It's also interesting to see that a Russian finds himself in command of a group of American Rangers. The German characters could use some more depth however. None of them are very memorable unlike most non-American characters in previous books (except Bright Star). They're either against the war or are anti-American. I do wonder what Coyle thinks of the US military's future. In one chapter he mentions that the Airborne Division is being scrapped as part of the "new model Army". Yet, they are used in the book for a vital operation. A re-evaluation is sorely needed.

Overall, Harold Coyle has another winner.

Harold Coyle, a master of military fiction, has created yet another vivid and all too possible scenario: A reunited Germany with a fanatically anti-American chancellor has seized control of nuclear weapons, and intends not only to threaten Germany's neighbors but to humiliate the American army in the process. Not only does Germany intend to keep the nukes, but he intends to disarm the American Forces in Germany and send them home in disgrace. So, the commanding general of the American army in Germany decides to march through Germany to the sea, taking on anyone who stands in their way. Several characters from Coyle's previous books are back, including the irrepressible captain Nancy Kozak and the unforgettable Scott Dixon, as well as Ed Lewis, the former National Guardsman now congressman, and General "Big Al" Malin (all five foot three inches of him). Moving skillfully from the battlefields of the inner chambers of power within the two opposing governments to the actual battlefields on the plains of Germany, the triumphs, tragedies, and horrors of sustained modern armored combat are described in vivid and sometimes graphic detail. This book does an excellent job of putting a human face to a tale of modern warfare.

Most days, I don't think Harold Coyle could write his way through a Dick & Jane story.

But this time... wow. Taking some ancient Greek history and twisting it into a modern plot, Coyle has written one fine military page-turner. I dare ya not to laugh out loud when a German officer states, "My position has become untenable..."

Great stuff.

If you have have ever read any Roald Dahl books or even just heard he is a real good author, trust me you need to buy this book! It has bits from ALL his childrens books and some whole books em selves! Such as Esio Trot about the love between a man, a woman, and a TURTLE???!! You'll love this book!!!

My kids love Roald Dahl. I have to admit that I love his books too. Dahl tells wonderful, magical stories in such detail that you believe that those things actually could happen and you feel that you're right there with the BFG (Big Friendly Giant)or spying on real witches. To have all these delightful stories in one book, it's like a dream come true. Now we don't have to stand in the library debating on which of Dahl's books we have or haven't read. I really recomend this book for young children-and adults.

Roald Dahl is one of my favorite authors, and this is one of my favorite books. From his Histerical, fictinial poems, to vivid, Beutifully told story's from when he was young. When you read this book you will see he writes more than funny fantasy's, but also serious tales Of a young boy named Danny and also himself and his family. If you read this book, you will see how books will range from subject to subject, plot to plot. I think you will love this book!

What Armistead Maupin spent three books building up, he spends three books knocking down. I was made to care so much for these characters that reading the final three books in the series is like listening to someone bad mouth your family. Everything that I loved about the first three books (the absurdity, the strange innocence, the surrogate family the characters have created for themselves) is gone. In all honesty, my main problem is that the story and the characters simply don't do what I want them to do. The characters simply don't seem to like each other anymore. I realize Maupin was in a very different place in his life when he wrote the final books, but I just didn't enjoy reading them. It's remarkably childish, but in my mind the series ends with book three.

The first three novels get five stars from me, straight across the board. The final three novels with this collection, get about a three. "Babycakes" is pretty good, "Significant Others" is just okay, "Sure of You" is quite bad.

I read the each of the 3 "Tales" books when as were published, wishing that I could be old enough to run away to San Francisco to live the wonderful, zany life on Barbary Lane. The final three books are excellent, but not as easy to read. Armistead Maupin is a writer, not a panderer. He doesn't give us necessarily what we want: he gives us an acurate account of the times. The characters that we grew to love suffer the fates that real people do in their adulthood. Marriages crumble, lovers die, friends drift apart. While we might hate Maupin for reflecting a reality that we wish were'nt true (and boy, I hated him for "Sure of You"), you have to give him his due.

These are excellent books- true must reads. But keep a stiff drink and a lot of kleenex handy.

These books, these masterpieces of words, feelings, and emotions. . .Do you enjoy getting angry, laughing, and feeling enobled all at the same time? Read these novels. After V.1 (Tales), you begin to know the characters-maybe even like them (Especially Mouse). By V.2 (More) these people become part of you-you begin to envision being part of the converstation-the proverbial fly on the wall. By the last, I wanted to take Michael in a basket and bring him home with me. Please read these novels, you gain a new understanding of the indulgent 70s and the 80s-the decade we paid for all that indulgence. Thank you Mr. Maupin!