Clay Blair has written a masterful account of the German submarine war in WWII. While it is extremely thorough, the level of detail can become cumbersome to the amateur historian. Mr. Blair outlines every mission undertaken by a German submarine during the entire war; a blessing for other researchers in naval history but a curse to the lay reader. The author does a commendable job outlining the major campaigns and summarizing the effects of the submarine war. He even comes to the conclusion that the feared "wolf packs" and the submarine war in general never posed the serious threat that the Allies believed it did. Perhaps the most interesting portion of the book is the chapters devoted to describing the development of submarine/ASW technology and the encryption/decoding efforts of both sides. The author does an average job as far as the "characters" are concerned. For most people he simply describes their military careers and follows their progression through various commands and notes the awards they receive. Very few players get the background coverage that makes them come alive and seem like real people.

I highly recommend this book for any reader of history interested the German submarine war. However, the casual or amateur reader will do well to skim through the endless details.

A detailed history of the U-boat war in the Atlantic from 1939-1942. Virtually every U-boat patrol in that period is covered. Blair's theory is unique: that the U-boats were much less effective than conventional wisdom portrays and that the Germans never came close to cutting the Allied sea lines of communications. In Blair's in-depth assessment, even the vaunted U-boats and their commanders seem weaker, more vulnerable. The book does get a bit slow toward the end, perhaps a bit buried in detail. Blair does a superb job integrating the role of intelligence into this story. He has a wealth of new details about ENIGMA and other intelligence operations. This is the definitive history of this campaign.

This is a very comprehensive work! The author is not only meticulous in describing practically each u-boat sailing during this period, but he tends to keep the reader's interest in what could be a dull assignment, by explaining pertinent background information and providing in-depth detail on various crew members, making many of them "come to life" in the words on the page. At the same time, he keeps the reader informed on what is going on in other parts of the war that could affect u-boat and ASW (anti-submarine warfare) operations and practices, such as code breaking, Hitler's rash decision-making, Operation Torch, dropping off of secret agents, sabateurs, and/or commandos into enemy territory, development of radar and sonar and HF direction finding, u-boat activity on the U.S. coast, military officials involved, etc. This book is important historically since it not only provides an extremely detailed account of operations, but it reviews it from an American standpoint based on the author's incredible current research and his reading of British historians, and then commenting on divergences of viewpoint or, in some cases, the lack of British commentary on certain embarrassing happenings. - As some reviewers have noted, Blair tends to "stick with the facts" instead of sensationalising, and in the process gains the reader's trust. Excellent u-boat history, engrossing reading.

Streams to the River River to the Sea was an interesting book. It's a very adventurous story about a 14 year old native American girl. I liked how it revealed real American history from Sacagawea's point of view. It made it seem more believable. From how she started in the Shoshone tribe to a long story of how she went on the journey with Lewis and Clark connected well. Although I did get a little bored through some of the chapters, if you like books with real history and adventure, read this. But, be prepared for a disappointing ending.

This story took place in the Louisiana Territory during the early 1800's. The main character is a thirteen year old girl named Sacagawea. Other main characters are people in the Lewis and Clark expedition, her French husband, and her baby boy Meeka. Her husband, Charbonneau, was an ugly, cruel man who she was forced to marry because she was a Minnetaree slave. Clark, on the other hand, was handsome and kind and she loved him at first sight. Sacagawea went with the Lewis and Clark expedition so she could help guide them through the Louisiana Territory. They wanted to reach the North Pacific Ocean. Their journey held many difficulties including near starvation, floods, and frost bite. Do they make it? Does Sacagawea marry Clark? This is a great book. You should read it. Scott O'Dell is a wonderful writer. Out of all the Scott O'Dell books I've read, this one is my favorite.

Lewis and Clark's daring journey through the Louisiana Territory to the Pacific Ocean and back was created anew in the wonderful Streams to the River, River to the Sea. The book describes how Sacagawea, a young Shoshone woman, provides invaluable assistance and guidance to the Lewis and Clark expedition. When Sacagawea was a young woman, she was captured by the Minnetarees, an enemy tribe, and taken from her native village. She made a bold escape only to fall into the hands of Charbonneau, a cruel and ugly French trader whom she is forced to marry. Sacagawea has a son named Meeko soon after their marriage. Even though Sacagawea was a good wife and devoted mother, she was mistreated and abused by her husband.

While Sacagawea and her family journeyed through the Louisiana Territory, the expedition confronted many challenges such as severe cold, intense heat, sickness, and fierce enemy tribes. While the expedition traveled near the foot of the Rockies, Sacagawea met up with her blood brother and her Shoshone tribe helps the expedition in a vital way. In this story, Sacagawea learns about the true meaning of love and her place in society as a Native American. The author describes these difficulties in a vivid and adventurous way. Sacagawea's courageous and resourceful character is portrayed beautifully in this exciting and suspenseful book.

This book is chock full of terrific ideas for those who want to do some creative dating. The suggestions from the book that I have tried are fun and imaginative. Anyone planning a date or groups wanting to plan a party will have fun using the great, yet inexpensive ideas in this book.

This book gives great ideas on dating. Given, some are corney but most are really good. You will definitly have fun with this book. And remember to have an open mind because once you tri it you will have fun!!!

I feel this book gives kids in the dating years a list of great things to do to have fun besides sitting in a dark car or theater contemplating what is beneath the clothing. Kids learn to interact with each other in a positive, fun and unintimidating setting where they can be theirselves and get to know that way others relate in a social setting. Teens do not need to deep think a relationship at an early age, they just need to have fun. The games and ideas are for this purpose and have been around for ages making them a valuable item in the teen arsenol. I would recommend this book to any parent that is worried about their kids spending too much time 'talking' with their girl or boyfriend and not enough time having good, clean, honest FUN! Isn't that what dating is all about, it is $9.95 well spent in my opinion.

Stern's book is unquestionably a device by Haxan to milk the undeniable popularity of the movie, and if there were no web sites devoted to the film, it would have some value to the Blair Witch curious. However, an excellent web page DOES exist, and it contains 99% of everything of value in this book, such as the historical timeline, the background stories, Heather's journal, the details of the finding of the camera bag and film, the "search" for the missing students, etc.

The only features of the book which cannot be found on the web page are the mostly-worthless interviews (all "frustrating" dead ends to our intrepid team of private investigators) and the preposterous involvement by the so-called psychic, culminating in an offensively derivative "seance" scene at the Parr house. The latter I found distasteful principally because the author teases us with the prospect of the results of a down-to-earth investigation, just to deprive us of the relevant portions of the transcripts of Buchanan's experience at the site. Thanks for nothing.

Bottom line -- if you want background on the movie, visit the web page for free. This book answers no questions and provides no information of value. Anyone who ever read one of the Star Wars novels will be familiar with the goal of this book -- provide a taste of the movie but without any effect on what the filmmakers will do next time (assuming there's a sequel/prequel).

This book is a must-read for anyone who has seen the movie... and perhaps even better for someone who hasn't yet seen the movie. It's a well-written investigative account by noted occult journalist D.A. (Dave) Stern (whose work I have often admired in other arenas), and makes the mystery of the Blair Witch project leap out of the pages in the very human accounts it relays... from the personalities involved in the investigation to the cover-ups by local police. Alternately heart-rendingly impactful, chilling, and even amusing... like the movie. Interestingly, the book is not just an account of what happens in the movie (in fact, reading the book will not spoil the movie's surprises), and the movie is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of what is described in the book. The book itself is in a very unusual form, not a typical narrative, more like a dossier of investigative accounts and historical background. Despite the book's substantial length and content, I sat down and read the book in one sitting, something I rarely do these days, although I ended up going to sleep at about 4AM... and I didn't want to turn off the lights.

The Blair Witch Project: A Dossier is a LOT more than just a movie tie-in- It's a very scary experience in it's own right. Author D.A. Stern uses the same "It's all true" approach as the movie, often to chilling effect. The book starts out as a compendium of facts about the missing filmmakers, but soon becomes a semi-sequel, as the investigators whose reports and interviews we've been reading decide to set off into the Black Hills themselves.

The characters are vividly rendered by Stern, which is amazing, considering how there isn't a normal narrative structure to work with. I was truly worried about the Investigators by the time they made their way to the ruins of Rustin Parr's house. Stern also provides some much-needed insight into the film that makes repeat viewing MUCH more rewarding, and the entries from Heather's journal shed a whole new light on her character. The book is well-done all around, and I especially appreciated the little spot-varnished handprints all over the cover. Nice touch! Overall, I highly recommend this book to any Blair Witch fan; I think even non-fans will appreciate Stern's storytelling style....

Mary Gordon's book Spending was a pleasant surprise for me since I have never read a book that realistically maps the inner space of the painter's process. I am a 50ish painter who fits the profile of Monica except I left NYC in 1973. I been painting since I was 12, nearly 41 years but in those years women have won the right to pursue art beyond teaching and child rearing. My self indulgent creative process--the dance of food, sex, and painting--has never been so clearly represented in words. My circumstances are certainly different (this is a piece of fiction) but the struggle of inclusions and disinclusions, the mecurial insight into the subject that erupts at the most unexpected moment--total dispair, and the detachment from people as subjects of art was too real. The material distractions and yo-yo self esteem issues were based on surviving an era and culture that embedded residual guilt like a Y2K glitch waiting to rear it's ugly head at the most inopportune time. Certainly, I wondered how a writer could present a visual process with such clarity without painting herself.

This is a fabulous read, a sexy, smart novel about a woman artist's favorite fantasy - that someone will be so moved by her art that he offers to support her financially and in every other way so that she can create. The man who wants to be her "muse" turns out to be the closest thing to Mr. Right I've seen in fiction (or in real life, for that matter)in a long time...of course, it's a fairy tale, but in Mary Gordon's talented hands, it's also a witty, provocative, erotic and deftly told one. The author has taken some heat from PC fundamentalist feminists who have no sense of humor, but ignore them and enjoy this delicious novel, which would make a great selection for a women's book club.

This was quite simply the most enjoyable book I've read in years. Don't judge this one by its cover - it's not erotica in the usual sense, but an exploration of art and life with the senses and the intellect. The unconventional narrator tosses off incredibly pithy, occasionally cynical observations on money, fashion, and sex in the provocative tradition of Wilde. Best of all is the insightful portrayal of the artistic process, written about painting but equally identifiable by anyone who writes, sculpts, composes, etc. and finds both pain and ecstasy, fear and pride, in the labor of creation. I highly recommend this novel as a thoroughly entertaining, exuberantly feminist* yarn.

*that need not be an oxymoron, folks

A Long Fatal Love Chase was interesting because it was just recently published when the author has been deceased so long & also because Ms. Alcott is known for more happy stories like Little Women. I rarely read mysteries but I saw this novel in a used book store and when I saw the author I had to have it and the mystery part really did sound good.My prediction was right.This story of a young woman being stalked around the world by her lover who emotionally abused her was excellent. It showed determination on the character's part & each time I thought I would put it down something else came along so I had to keep reading.It showed another side of Ms. Alcott that I really liked--she broke out of her shell!!!

Louisa May Alcott's A Long Fatal Love Chase was an interesting and entertaining book. It is about a young girl, Rosamond, who gets swept away by a charming and worldly man, Tempest. Tempest also brings along his friend Lito, a little boy who becomes Rosamond's best friend. Together the three travel Europe, stopping when they wish and staying as long as they please. This is until Rosamond finds something shocking out about her husband and leaves Tempest. The rest of the story is Tempest stalking and trying to get Rosamond back. I liked how this showed the strength of Rosamond, taking on whatever challenge faces her. Alcott writes of the love, hatred, courage, and determination of a woman's spirit. I can see why it was not published in 1866 when written. Although a very entertaining book, sometimes it became slow for short intervals. Also, there are many references to European cultures I don't know much about. I think young women especially would enjoy this book. Also those who have traveled Europe to understand the references and be able to appreciate the beautiful scenes Alcott describes.

I just finished this book last night, 8 hours of laying in bed and I never wanted it to end. I devoured it like a rabid beast and at the end I cried like I've never cried before. I fell in love with Rosamond Vivian, an innocent, beautiful girl who doesn't give in to the temptations of the charming yet deceitful devil-like man she is still in love with. She forces logic to rule her heart while the 35-year-old Tempest grows ever-the-more obsessed with a selfish love for this angel of a girl who is the first one to ever resist his spell.
He hunts her like a wild rabbit-- in a convent, a mental institution and all over Europe. He is cunning and shows up at the most incredulous moments (if it were a movie you wouldn't believe it) but Alcott explains how these impossibilities happen and it all makes sense.
This book is intriguing, will have you breathless and literally on the edge of your seat, and will make you cry. If it's the last thing you do, buy this book.

Don't get me wrong, this book is by all means exhastive. My main problem is that throughout the book Jackson seems to prance around the sensitive issues so as to not piss off the members of the inner circle of the band. And even though he documents Garcia's drug problem, in every case he includes some sort of disclaimer like, "although it's not really clear whether it had a negative impact on the music or not, there were still stellar shows," blah blah blah. The fact is, drugs, mainly heroin, ruined Garcia's life and at least part of his career. We were all there in the early-mid nineties when Jerry was catatonic on stage, giving embarrassing performances slumped over his guitar. The serious problem he had was ignored or at least tolerated by those close to him throughout his life; for Jackson to downplay the negative impact drugs had on Garcia in anyway is ireesponsible. And for that I think the book can be nothing more than mediocre.

The Dead were Garcia and Garcia was The Dead. They are inseparatable. Jackson's book digs deeper into Garcia's life and that of the band than any other book on the same topic. Reaction to the dead was binary -- you either loved them or you hated them. This book is clearly for the former. The latter won't care and won't get it. We all still miss Jerry and The Dead. Jackson has forged an earnest and winning attempt so that we can remember him, and them outside their music -- which will live forever.

This biography of Jerry Garcia, called Garcia: An American Life, by Blair Jackson, is a great accountment of Jerry Garcia's life and death. His life mainly took place in California in the 60's and 70's and on tour with the Grateful Dead (and his various other bands) until 1995. The Grateful Dead with Jerry as lead guitarist, made Garcia legendary along with the band. The Dead's following in the hippie era, led to many problems and addictions, ones that cost him his life. Jerry received his first electric guitar for his birthday at the age of 13. This was the same year that he was also introduced to pot. He felt that drugs was a way to "leave all his troubles behind." Soon after Jerry turned 16, he ran away from home and moved to Palo Alto, which is just south of San Francisco (where he grew up). Apparently Jerry was unhappy with his life and Jerry seemed to only express himself through his music. Later on, Jerry got into bluegrass music and bought a banjo. Although Jerry soon realized that bluegrass wouldn't get him anywhere, so he turned back to the electric and acoustic guitar and formed a band, the Grateful Dead. With the Dead, Jerry began using phsycidellics such as LSD, shrooms, and other acids. With "no troubles" and the ability to express himself, Jerry's life went easy. The author, Blair Jackson, informed, persuaded, and entertained his readers throughout the whole book. He focused on Jerry Garcia's interesting life which was expressed through the music of Jerry and the Grateful Dead. Unfortunately, he died from a heart attack (due to his diabetes) in 1995 at the age of 53 (although it is said that he ate too much pizza!). It is a shame that he had to die so young, but his legend lives on. This biography is "A wonderfully balanced, insightful life story of one of rock's most enigmatic heroes" (~Robert Santelli) and I deeply recommend this book to anyone that is interested in the 60's or the Grateful Dead. I give this insightful book a 10/10.

Dark Horse was not a bad book, but it did take me an awful long time to read, which in my terms basically means that the story wasn't intriguing enough for me to not want to put it down. I liked the main character, Elena Estes, but it also seemed like more of the same as in many of her other books...female in a role of law enforcement that did something that has turned all her colleagues against her so she is now an outsider and must try to do her job while dealing with their animosity.. does anyone else feel like this formula is getting kind of old in her books. I'd like to maybe read something a little different for once. Aside from that fact, the story wasn't bad, it just wasn't that intriguing; and the ending was not very satifying to me. I'm still a fan of Tami Hoag, but I really did not find this to be her best work.

This is another suspense story by Tami Hoag. In this story Elena Estes is still trying to9 get her life in order after the terrible accident and loss of her job with the sheriff. She is staying with a friend from her childhood and acting as a horse exerciser, basically doing what she wants to do and loosing herself with the horses.

Then her friend gives a picture of her and says she is a private investigator to a local horse magazine. A little girl see t his and decided that she is the one who can help her find her sister that no one else seems to care about.

She at first refuses and then decided that after asking a few questions that maybe she is the only one taking this seriously.

You don't' have to know much about horses to be able to enjoy this story. TH does a good job giving you enough background to be able to follow the story and even learn a few things along the way.

there is suspense as well as mystery with this story.

"Dark Horse" was the first Tami Hoag novel I have read---and I will be back for more.

It is deeply plotted and richly written. The characters are well defined. You get to know them all extremely well.

It is written in the first person. That allows the reader to learn plot point before the protagonist (ex cop Elena Estes.)

Elena was let go from the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office after her aggressive action on a bust got a fellow cop killed. So, she has her demons to wrestle and begins the healing process of personal redemption in a kidnapping case.

There are enough twists and turns and false leads that at one time or another I was certain of whodunit and was wrong on all occasions. Great deceptions.

It is a great thriller set in the world of competitive horse jumping and dressage. I have zero interest in those equestrian sports, but the book is so well written I could not put it down. A solid "Bee Plus."

The book is good at keeping your attention. It is the second Patterson novel I've read (both in the last three weeks). The first was Kiss the Girls and Jack and Jill is not as intense. The Truth School Killer storyline reveals the author's need to infuse the life of black low income Washington D.C. residents into his novels. In Kiss the Girls, you had some description of Alex Cross's home and neighborhood. Although good background for that novel, Patterson goes too far with the Truth School Killer storyline. He should have stuck with Jack and Jill as a solo storyline. The ending was too abrupt and cliche'd in dealing with the conspiracy angle, perhaps because of the overall length of the book. I was disappointed when he cut off the story in the last few chapters. The entire novel would have been much better off focusing solely on Jack and Jill and their killing spree. In fact, more development of their motivation would have been better.

Overall I enjoyed the book very much. Throughout I kept wondering why child murders were needed and how they interfaced with a plot to assassinate the president. Still not sure of the answer, but I guess Patterson was trying to bring to the forefront how humans are valued or de-valued based on race and societal standing. I think Dr. Cross should have had a larger role in solving each crime. He had very little involvement in the child murders and only played a part in the Jack and Jill case late in the book

First let me start by saying I love Patterson. I have read 4 so far and am looking for his older books. I think Jack and Jill is the best yet. It is an original story line that keeps you glued to the book. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Both stories going at the same time keep me reading through the each chapter to get to the next. I thought they should have made a movie out of this book. I agree the Denzel Washington would have made a better Alex Cross or maybe Larence Fishborne! I can't wait to see who will be Samson.

Joe Klein, no not of NBA infamy, takes a poke or two at the political foundation of America - in a humorous manner. Told in 1st person narration by Henry Burton, a young African American with political and civil rights lineage, Primary Colors proves to be a satirical look at the election process, the genuineness of the political candidate, the many faults of the system itself, as well as the intricacies of running a campaign from the inside - the staffers' points of view.

Having read All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren, I felt compelled to pick up Primary Colors and have a look-see. Although not on the Pulitzer Prize winning level of its predecessor, Primary Colors provides for biting political satire and insight as well as just pure entertainment. I must admit that despite the lack of redeeming value that the book provided, I read it tirelessly as I found it entertaining & humorous.

If you've ever held or desire to hold "any" public office, this is a must read! A book wonderfully written and extremely well-paced by Anonymous (now we know, Joe Klein from Newsweek). The author takes us on an almost surreal chronological adventure of a strapping Presidential Candidate by the name of Jack Stanton. The vibes from the book will shake your bedside nightstand as Anonymous describes and annoints the book's characters which appear to be so close to the Clintons and their band of political animals from Little Rock. At various intervals throughout this fun read, the story-line is not only sad, funny, insightful, but also "so damned real", you wonder if you're really reading fiction. Although "Primary Colors" has a predictable ending, we still don't know how the non-fiction "real life" book will end

I really don't think you need to be a "political junkie" to read this book in my opinion! I certainly am not and I thought the book was excellent! A very entertaining account of one man's run for the big office. Of course, before I even picked up the book, the press had already suggested that this book was based on Clinton and I can certainly understand why after reading it. Anyway, it was an account of day to day happenings as Governor Jack Stanton hits the campaign trail. So much of the book reminded me of Bill and Hillary that I began to imagine them as the title characters. I'm giving the book five stars for the enjoyable read, not for the topic.