I wrote this book because I was an American living in Ireland, and saw a way of life dying in front of me. And nobody was doing anything about it. So I interviewed about 40 or 50 older people about their lives, their dreams, their sorrows, and weaved some history around it to bind it into a book. But basically it's a collection of different voices adding to a portrait of an Ireland that's now gone. It's a colorful collection, I think, and fairly easy to read. But I also wanted it to be very human and touching. It has been some time now since I've read it, but I picked it up the other day, and read a few pages. I think it's a good book, not a great book. But I did the best I could at the time, and I think my efforts to honor this passing age were fruitful. If you buy it, I hope you enjoy it. Good luck.

In the Outback town of Barrow, Alaska the Inupiat Native American relish the annual Nalukataq, a festival giving thanks to the whales. Ninety-seven-year-old Aana Clearwater strongly believes in the traditional ways. She opens her door to the gala attendees, but one of the revelers knocks her down and threatens her with a whaling knife. Her nephew Justin sees the wide open door, enters, and finds a trail of blood, a broken amulet, a swatch of his aunt's dress caught on the doorjamb.

Inupiat officer Raymond Attla receives Justin's call. Raymond finds a murdered Aana stuffed upside down in a wheelbarrow inside the victim's shed. The culprit sliced off Aana wedding ring finger. Evidence points towards Ronald Pilchick as the killer, but Ray arrests him only after seeing Aana's finger in a jar next to the prime suspect's bed. Soon Ray begins to believe Ray is innocent and investigates with renewed vigor even if it places his life in danger.

Torn between two worlds, the Inupiat straddle both taking what they need from both cultures to survive. Raymond Attla is an honest likable hero who is a modern person who scoffs at the old ways while unable to totally let go of them. Through him and other strong characters, Christopher Lane describes the whaling community so that the reader feels more like a participant rather than a watcher. Though reminiscent of the works of Dana Stabenow, SILENT AS THE HUNTER has a freshness of its own that will provide much pleasure to fans of Alaskan police procedurals.

Harriet Klausner

This is a book about a skunk who befriends a tramp. I thought it was a sweet book, and the length was satisfactory. The author is award-winning (in fact, he has won awards for other books). If you like animal stories, or dislike long books, then I would recomend this book.

Soap is different from Ponge's other work. He is best known as the author of many brief, well-crafted prose poems which take the form of minute observations on natural and manmade objects. This book, as the title implies, is also an observation on a common household object.

This work is not merely a prose poem, although it contains elements of prose poetry. It is comprised of (fictional?) radio addresses, a short dramatic piece, correspondence, notebook extracts and other narrative forms culled from twenty years of occasional writing on one topic: the nature of soap.

The whole work is a metaphor on the relationship between soap and language. There are affinities between language and soap, their artificiality, their cleansing power, their slipperiness, etc. But these metaphorical connections are not explicitly expressed by Ponge - they are everywhere implied. The fragments of writing here are like bubbles, containing the same substance but constantly changing form ever so slightly. The form relates quite well to the content.

What Ponge has found here is a subject whose nature corresponds almost exactly to his writing style and his narrative method - perhaps this is what motivated him to linger over this particular piece for twenty years and to elaborate and refine it to an extent unfamiliar in his other works. This work, more than any other, displays the virtues and the virtuosity of Ponge.

I give the book four stars mostly because of the presentation. It's a handsome edition and the translation is quite good. But it is a slim volume (about 75 pages of text) and it would have been extremely worthwhile for the publisher to have included the French text on facing pages. Most prospective purchasers of this volume have probably more than a nodding acquaintance with French, since Ponge is known to American readers largely through the influence he has had on other writers and thinkers like Robbe-Grillet or Derrida. Because Ponge relies so much on wordplay and etymological affinities, the French text would have been useful.

As individual musicians, each practicing alone, their neighborhood provides cacophony. But, almost by accident, they find that by cooperating they can produce beautiful music.

This compilation was very interesting. It lacked a little in the plays with many characters. If you are looking for a book of one acts to use for directing experience or for intermediate acting experience, then I highly recomend this book.

An interesting overview from the eyes of women. At times uneven, but satisfying overall. In particular, Sheila Eichenblatt's work is impressive. It could prove a good look back for future generations, as well as perhaps transcending the times.

Willow Carey and her twin sister, Brooke, shared a mental bond. However, when Aunt Willow died, she left the house and land only to Willow. Brooke was furious! Even though the first born always received "Indian's Sorrow", Brooke felt it should have been divided between them or left only to her. It caused a rift between the sisters and Brooke closed off her bond. Once grown, Willow became a pediatric nurse. She moved away when she found out the man she had become serious with, Dr. Reid Talbot, was married! Brooke had become wild. No one ever knew where she was or with who. It all remained that way until the year 2000.

Willow had been having nightmares. In them, it was the year 1755. Willow Who Bends had been away from the camp when Dubois and his men kidnapped her twin sister, Willow By The Stream, and a few children. All the others had been slaughtered. Through their bond, Willow Who Bends knew everything that happened. She and her white lover, Hair Of Fire (a.k.a. Jonathan Reed) was able to find them, but too late to keep them from dying. Every time she woke up, Willow could never recall the nightmares.

When Willow's father and step-mother are killed in a car accident, Willow returned to Indian's Sorrow. Her half-sister and brother were both under the age of seven. Willow had been made their sole guardian. Reid Talbot was now a widow with two sons. The flames between Willow and Reid still blazed hot, though Willow still could not trust him. Worse, Brooke showed up with her abusive fiancé, Barry Dubois. He intended to take the children, the house, and the land away from Willow, no matter what!

**** As you can tell, a lot is going on! The author ties the past and present together to show that love will conquer all, including death and time. This is a book that readers will have a very difficult time putting down! The story has all the needed ingredients to make a winning tale. Full of romance, tension, betrayal, and danger! Especially recommended for those who love Gothics! Janet Lane Walters is one fabulous writer! ****

My thirst for knowledge of the beautiful game means that a chance to learn more about the team I support is too good a chance to turn down! This indispensable guide to a club with a glorious history is packed with equally glorious information. From Hoddle to Tottenham High Road, from Greaves to Klinsmann, this book has all the information you could want. A treat for long suffering fans and newcomers alike.

Kelly Ryan is a female Alaskan Bush Pilot and she is pretty good! She was trained by her grandpa and he was one of the best.

Jake Drummond is a business man on a fishing holiday. Of course he is impatient, business oriented and a man. [grin]

It has been 19 months since his beloved wife, Ann died. He is still grieving. With a couple of lays under his belt.

Kelly has her own problems. And she sure didn't appreciate the storm coming up. When the storm takes the wind out of her sails she makes an almost decent crash landing. At least they were both alive. As her passenger was her responsibility she must see that they get out of the bush alive. Them bears not withstanding.

Some mixed up time was spent getting to the attraction they felt for one another. But Kelly kept pushing Jake away. Knowing that he would eventually leave. His life is based in Seattle.

Kelly sent Jake away twice [back to Seattle] and he still couldn't find another woman [not that they weren't trying]. It took an eagle to show him the way.

I can't believe all that angst but then I have never had to go that route, Kelly left me as confused as Jake. Never could understand why they use sex as a quick fix and then try to walk away.

Ah well, it had a satisfactory ending and I didn't have to plow through it. Almost recommended but you be the judge. I thoroughly enjoy stories set in Alaska.