i really like penguins, and i've read a lot of books about them. in this book, i learned a lot of stuff about penguins that i didn't know before (which is surprising). i would gladly read it again!

I enjoyed this book, Death in the Afternoon, Hear No Evil. I started reading it with my classmates and teacher. We read a chapter almost every night and learned more and more facts about the characters. This novel was about a teenage girl, Sara Howell who is deaf, and lives with her older brother Steve. Sara's mother wasn't mentioned in the novel, but her father was killed in a hit and run accident. Sara and her brother become suspicious for who killed their father. Sara is being followed, and soon gets messages sent to her by a mysterious person. There are much more facts to what happened in this novel. If you want to know what happens next, you should read the novel for yourself. I liked the author's stile of writing. I especially liked how the author wrote,"gooseflesh," instead of,"goosebumps." The suspense of the book became pretty intense for me at times because you don't know what was going to happen next. I basically enjoyed this book at all times, if you are the kind of person who enjoys reading mystery books, I would definatly recommend this book to you. Sarah, age 12

For my Reading class we read the book Death in the Afternoon (Hear no Evil 1) by Kate Chester. It was pretty good book. Some of the parts were very exciting while other parts were not. The characters of Sara & Steve were very intelligent thinkers. The plot was planned out very well by Kate Chester. It was very differnet to who the killer was then who I thought it was. The book almost seemed like it took place over a long period of time but it did not. But, If you like a a mystery stroy that is not to intense then this is a great book for you!

"Haven't you buried enough Howells in Riverside Cemetery?"

Sara Howell is smart, savvy, beautiful...and deaf.

For Sara and all of Radley, things get frightening when the Shadow Point Bridge collapses. Five people die. Then one more: Sara's father, in a hit and run accident.What happened the day her father died?The accident was mysterious. No witnesses. No arrests. Was it more than what it seemed?

Now someone 's following Sara. Taking pictures of her. And those threatening messages her older brother Steve , a rookie police detective , receives are terrifying.

Sara Howell must find some answers, or she could be the next victim.

I adore this series and look forward to the next two trilogies associated with "Chronicles". I was surprised at the twists and turns in the book...I thought after Crimson Claw, the ending would be entirely predictable, but not so...Even though the series has "borrowed" heavily from myth and history (from Harriet Tubman to Exodus to possibly in the next 3, Remus and Romulus?) I love it just the same. A must read. My only complaint...I wish the SKEKS were finally found to be sentient beings with rights as well, which was hinted at in the Gladiator's ring of book 2 but never fully realized. Mr. Lucas...NEW TRILOGY PLEASE!!!

This is the BEST series i've ever read. As an avid STAR WARS fan, i stumbled across previews from The Golden One and The Crimson Claw. Immediately, i was hooked and began searching to find them. When i finally got my hands on The Golden One, i couldn't put it down, and BEGGED my dad forever to order The Crimson Claw. Finally i got The Crystal Eye. This has been the BEST series i have ever read, and thats outta hundreds of books! I just wanna know what happens to Ampris' half-Viis cubs, Nashmarl and Foloth. Deborah, pleeeeeeeeeeeze write a sequel! we all wanna know what happens!

I really enjoyed this book! I bought the first one because the plot sounded interesting but then I was hooked. Although The Crimson Claw was my favorite, I think that the Crystal Eye is an equal to the other two. I'm not a sentimental person and I almost never cry over movies or books, but this book made me cry! Ampris is my favorite character in any book I've ever read. I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of science fiction books.

Ruark's book conjures up memories of my own Old Man. The same guidelines on handling guns and how to shoot are still valid today. Some of the more important parts of this book deal with just going hunting, fishing , etc. not with the results of the day, but why we go do these things. Learn why fishing isn't about catching fish. Learn why some dogs are made to hunt and some aren't. The last chapter "All He Left Me Was The World", is not to be read by the tenderhearted. It strikes a chord with any of us who have lost our Old Man. I too went hunting the day of the Old Man's funeral, I know that's what he would have wanted, and so does Ruark.

My husband received this book for a gift right after we married. I had very little understanding of a real hunter and how holidays and seasons joyfully dictated whether he would be on a dove shoot or freezing cold in a duck blind. He and I read this book countless times and always shed a few tears. Ruark's stories and the sage advise of the old man made this young bride appreciate the land and to love and respect a fine bird dog and the desire to make a bird, fish or venison dinner into a Southern culinary delight. His description of Miss Lottie and her fruitcakes and hams at Christmas are so beautifuly written, that without a doubt,you would give it all up to spend one Christmans with the boy,the old man, and Miss Lottie! A hunter's dream of a way of life.

This is a book about a young boy and his relationship with his grandfather. A simple story, but it's mixture of good old fashion common sense, decency, repsect, love and childhood magic teach lessons that many people today would put to rest. This book will leave you yearning for America of old, wise elders, a fishing reel, a duck blind and a simpler yet more fulfilling life. This book is a treasure that should be used to teach children of today that family, nature, honor, and the simpler things in life are more important than anything today's society tells them. And if you ever looked upon your grandfather as a god, like I did, you may shed a tear or two from missing them so much. And yes, I'm a city boy.

The lengthy title for the 1598 printing was "The History of Henrie the Fourth, With the Battell at Shrewsburie, between the King and Lord Henry Percy, surnamed Henrie Hotspur of the North, with the humorous conceits of Sir John Falstaffe".

Surprisingly, Hal, Prince of Wales, (later Henry V) was not even mentioned in this verbose title although many would consider him to be the central character. This play is clearly the dramatization of a struggle for a kingdom, but it is equally the story of Hal's wild and reckless youthful adventures with Falstaff and other disreputable companions.

Shakespeare did not write his plays about English kings in chronological order, but these plays do have a historical unity. It is helpful (but not essential) to read the tetralogy Richard II, Henry IV Part 1 and 2, and Henry V in chronological order. Whatever route you take, I highly recommend buying a companion copy of Peter Saccio's "Shakespeare's English Kings", an engaging look at how Shakespeare revised history to achieve dramatic effect.

A wide selection of Henry IV editions are available, including older editions in used bookstores. I am familiar with a few and have personal favorites:

The New Folger Library Shakespeare is my first choice among the inexpensive editions of Henry IV. "New" replaces the prior version in use for 35 years. It uses "facing page" format with scene summaries, explanations for rare and archaic words and expressions, and Elizabethan drawings located on the left page; the Henry IV text is on the right. I particularly liked the section on "Reading Shakespeare's Language in Henry IV" and Alexander Legget's literary analysis (save this until you have read the play). The fascinating article "Historical Background: Sir John Falstaff and Sir John Oldcastle" adds a religious dimension to the play that I had not previously noted.

The Bedford Shakespeare Series provides an excellent study text (edited by Barbara Hodgdon) titled "The First Part of King Henry the Fourth". It is a little more expensive, is about 400 pages, and provides a broad range of source and context documentation. It would be excellent for an upper level course in Shakespeare. The context documentation is fascinating and informative; it ranges from the Holinshed Chronicles to Elizabethan writing on Civic Order to detailed cultural studies of London's diverse populous. Other chapters address the OldCastle controversy and the "Education of a Prince".

I also like the Norton Critical edition (edited by James Sanderson), "Henry the Fourth, Part 1", particularly for its extensive collection of literary criticism. The essays are divided into two parts: 1) the theme, characters, structure, and style of the play and 2) a wide variety of interpretation directed toward that roguish character, Sir John Falstaff.

Having just completed Henry IV Part I, I must say that I came away delighted and impressed with Shakespeare's genius once again. Shakespeare's ability to intertwine the arduous dichotomy of the impcomparable comedy of Falstaff and the meaningful history of Henry IV, Prince Hal, & Hotspur is impressive to say the least. It comes as no surprise that this was one of Shakespeare's most popularly staged plays during his day and enjoyed an unusually long stage run.

Falstaff is undoubtedly the most infamously famous literary comic character in the history of English literature. The scenes of him being robbed by Prince Hal, feigning his death, stabbing the already deceased Hotspur in the leg while claiming victory, and his employment of beggars as his foot soldiers galvanize the comic aspect of the play and make for a hilarious & farcical sublot. Interestingly, in the bar in Eastcheap, Prince Hal alludes to his future persecution of Falstaff when he is crowned king.

I strongly recommend Henry IV Part I to all Shakespeare aficionados seeing as I deem it in the top five of all Shakespeare's works along with Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, & Henry V. Now on to Part II. Adieu.

"The better part of valor is discretion." - Falstaff

henry iv is misnamed since the play isn't really about king henry but about his son, prince hal, and his enemies, especially henry percy (aka 'hotspur') who is a rival to hal. hotspur is one of the leaders of the rebellion against the king and, at a tender age, is already an accomplished soldier. his story provides the drama of the play. hal, on the other hand, has fallen out of favor with the king, and is whiling away his days in the company of dissolute company, led by sir john falstaff, one of shakespeare's great characters. his adventures with sir john provide the comic relief. fortunately for the king, hal sheds his prodigal ways in time to save his father and his crown in the battle at shrewsbury, where, coincidentally, hal meets and slays his rival, hotspur.

this is one of shakespeare's best plays. the story of the rebellion is intriguing, and the adventures of hal and falstaff are laugh-out-loud hilarious. the culmination of the two stories in the final battle scene is wonderful. this is a fitting sequel to richard ii.

note that there are some historical inaccuracies and even outright inventions in this play. foremost is the character of falstaff who is pure invention (and genius). the story of hal's adventures stems from his reputation, enhanced by legend, as a playboy. falstaff was the perfect foil for a carousing prince. the biggest inaccuracy is hotspur's age. he was actually of the generation of henry iv, and not as young as he's depicted in the play. shakespeare made him younger to enhance, maybe even create, the rivalry with hal. there are other inaccuracies here, but better for the reader to consult 'shakespeare's kings', an excellent book by saccio that explains the history of the period and the discrepancies in the play.

"Orthodoxy" is described by Chesterton as "a slovenly autobiography", a description that's really not too far off the mark. Instead of depending upon rigorous logic, the contents of this work are rather "mental pictures" of a sort, which is what the author states at the outset. This sort of approach is easy to attack by any contrarian skeptic, but I can't criticize Chesterton, as he and I are really cut from the same cloth. Loath to state the obvious, we both prefer to *illustrate* the truth via induction. This is a perfectly valid method of presenting ideas, it's just that it's easy to misunderstand and misrepresent. It's for this reason that this book probably wouldn't change someone's mind-kind of a litmus test for the open-minded, which, it turns out, self-proclaimed 'skeptics' or 'freethinkers' are anything but.

Chesterton makes two really good points throughout the book: 1) sanity lies in maintaining seemingly opposed extremes in a kind of dramatic tension. It's not balance, it's both at once. It's not a contradiction, it's a paradox. Christianity fits this like nothing else: singularity/plurality, freedom/servanthood, individuality/assimilation, etc., all are fused together in seeming contradiction of common sense. But don't we always find truth to be stranger than fiction? In contrast, monomania is a kind of insanity, like total belief in oneself, or the belief that one unfalsifiable human construct, like evolution, completely illuminates everything. 2) The importance of maintaining a kind of humble childlike wonder about the world, the universe, about existence itself. What if you saw a four-inch-long fully-functional helicopter hovering about? Wouldn't that be delightfully incredible? Not too long ago, after reading this book, it dawned on me, upon observing a dragonfly, that that was precisely what I was looking at. I'm not even talking about creationism, irreducible complexity, any of that. It is in fact, neither here nor there. Just the fact that such a marvelous thing should exist, by any means, is truly stupendous. It should inspire deeper thought about fundamental issues. The modern-day 'scientific' priesthood is perpetually at pains to systematically dismantle the ability to see things this way even as they proclaim it superficially.

The funny thing about Chesterton's writing is that he gets so wrapped up in his ideas that rather strange-sounding, apparent non-sequiturs come up every so often. A sample Chestertonism: "As a fact, anthropophagy [cannibalism] is certainly a decadent thing, not a primitive one. It is much more likely that modern men will eat human flesh out of affectation, than that primitive man ate it out of ignorance." Well, duh!? As in his Father Brown mysteries, Chesterton loves to toss off sweeping statements, and is a bit too shy of explicating his ideas with the utmost clarity sometimes; chalk it up to slovenliness, I guess.But for the most part his ideas are sound and his writing thought-provoking.

I think this book is one of the greatest apologies for the Christian faith ever penned; possibly even better than C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity". Rather than attempting to build an airtight logical argument from the ground up in which the reader is forced to accept the premises of Christianity or be logically inconsistent, Chesterton builds his apologetic on the idea of wonder and imagination. He attempts to show that anyone who enjoys an imaginative, romantic, adventure filled life owes it to themself to look into the Christian faith, because this is exactly what it offers. He offers a frank disclaimer at the beginning of the book in which he says that anyone who does not want this kind of life need not read this book because it has nothing to offer them. He constantly attempts to make the reader see the mystery and the glory of normal, everyday things and then argues that Christianity offers the best possible scenario for holding together the mysterious with the mundane. The fact that the book is focused on mystery, romance, and imagination, however, is not to say that Chesterton rejects logic or good critical thinking altogether. To the contrary, he delightfully skewers, slices, and dices the inconsistency and ridiculousness of a great deal of worldly wisdom and the popular thinking of his age, which, as it turns out, does not look all that different from a great deal of the accepted wisdom of our own. Chesterton, however, recognizes that logic has it's limits, and that it cannot fully appeal to or account for all that makes us human. The book is filled with many wonderful passages, and there are parts of the book where it seems like every line you read is a quotable quote. So, with Chesterton's disclaimer in mind, if you are looking for an eminently readable, and unique defense of the Christian faith you owe it to yourself to get this book.
On a final note, I feel the need to respond to the reader who accuses Chesterton of being racist and elitist in this book. I'm wondering if the reader read the same book I did, as I found nothing that I can recall that was racist or elitist at all, and anyone who knows anything about Chesterton at all will know that he was neither of these things. Chesterton was one of the greatest spokesmen of all time for the importance of ordinary people and common values and morality, and, especially in his later life, was an outspoken opponent of racist practices and groups like eugenics and the Nazi party.

This book is Chesterton's defence of orthodox Christianity. It is partly autobiographical, in the sense that Chesterton describes various insights into the nature of reality, and various puzzles about reality, and then shows how (to his astonishment) the Christian faith accounts for the insights and answers the puzzles.

The following quote expresses this idea:

"This, therefore, is, in conclusion, my reason for accepting the religion and not merely the scattered and secular truths out of the religion. I do it because the thing has not merely told this truth or that truth, but has revealed itself as a truth-telling thing. All other philosophies say the things that plainly seem to be true; only this philosophy has again and again said the thing that does not seem to be true, but is true. Alone of all creeds it is convincing where it is not attractive; it turns out to be right, like my father in the garden."

But don't just take my word for it! You can read it online from the G.K.Chesterton web page and then buy the book!

Wonderfully crafted storytelling. This novel tells the story of two principle characters, Ampris and Elrabin - Ampris being the real focus. Both characters are members of subjugated species within the Viis empire. Ampris' early years are pampered, while Elrabin's are impoverished. Yet fate brings them together. However, they are not united till the very end.

The great strength of this book is the character development. All of the characters' thoughts and actions develop naturally from their circumstances and backgrounds. Deborah Chester has done a wonderful job of creating three dimensional, and believable, characters. Additionally, when a crisis develops, the characters' responses, and the story line, remain believable. Ms. Chester never relied on tricks or unlikely interventions to rescue a character in distress.

The main flaw of the book is that it ends with a cliffhanger. The story is no where near completing the story line. I grant that given Ms. Chester's richly detailed telling, 344 pages are just not enough to get us there - but I want resolution. I've read that book two in not due to be published until October - I can't wait. To her credit, Ms. Chester does provide some resolution. We see Ampris' character develop, through experience, the psychology that will bring her to greatness and we see how she and Elrabin will be thrust together. But, I don't want to wait nine months to find out what happens next.

All in all, I recommend Alien Chronicles The Golden One without reservation.

This is the best way to start a trilogy, but then again, the companies Gorge Lucas ( unsure of spelling ) know all about trilogies. Star Wars... but this one is different. This is a story about a once beautiful society, the Viis, who are now degrading. The story is from the two main characters, Ampris and Elrabin. Although the speices in this book are similar to creatures of earth, very unlike starwars, they are well described and explored. This is a story that will leave you waiting for the other two books, as it did to me... I have asked quite a few times at the local bookstore, but it isn't out yet. I can't wait till it is. Like one of the other reviewers, i wish i wouldn't have found this book till after the trilogy was out, thatway i could read them all as one big story. This is the best book i have read in a long time.

I was captured by the story and read the entire book in just a few sittings. I liked the way that the characters were introduced and developed, and enjoyed the contrasts between the rich and leisurely lifestyles of the ruling race with the utter filth and disgust that the subservient races could never escape. There is a George Orwell slant to the story, with the underlying message that absolute power corrupts absolutely. I look forward to justice being served in the next two books. I did not know that the remaining books in the trilogy had not yet been written, and I was not happy to learn that I would have to wait several months for the next book. I wish that I had waited until all the books were in print before I started reading The Golden One. I do like the author's style of writing, and commend her on her ability to tell an interesting and captivating story. I strongly recommend this book, but would advise that you wait until all three books are in print before you get started. I hate having to wait for the rest of the story!

The things I like best about looking for Chester's, Michael's, Tom's, and even Toni's books are that I find both that most of the books are still available and surprisingly, a number of old friends are still lurking about. Amazon is going to have start serving coffee and small loaves of black bread if this continues.

After Chester, Michael, and Tom left Ave D, and Jamie left 6th St., the Ave D, 6th fl walk up apartment was turned over to one of the walk-ons from Butterfly Kid; a person I soon joined, sharing it and life and thus being able to attest to Jamie's history. However an added comment is relevant that Chester's recorder music comes alive to me as much from this tale of Blue Lobsters and culprits named Lazlo, as from the live listenings enjoyed on the street or in the Rienzie, and that is a clue to the readability of this work.

For those wanting to wander down the real fantasy streets of the Middle Ages of the Village or, for those wishing to refresh some memories, "Butterfly Kid" will romance and entertain you. Yes, many of us have read it and reread it again, but not just for the nostalgia. The tale is fun; the prose bringing the fantastic to bright color and the characters very much to life.

Pick up the next copy; read it quickly; check on its whereabouts regularly; and just hope who ever whisks it away enjoys it as much as we all have.

When Chester, Michael and Tom -- Anderson, Kurland and Waters -- were living at 63 Ave. D, I lived around the corner on Sixth Street. I read the Book when it first came out and was charmed. I knew everybody in the thing, which is a strange place to be. When it was nominated for a Hugo -- and lost to Zelazny's "Lord of Light" -- I was amazed. That book? Written by friends of mine? A Hugo? Wow!

The remarkable thing is that most of the book is true, with names slightly changed to protect the guilty. I know people who saw the Blue Lobsters. Really! The funny thing is that no one I know who knew Chester could keep the book on their shelves. You'd read it and then go look for it to loan to someone else to read and it would be gone! We figured that Chester recalled them to resell to new readers.

I was also surprised to learn that my girlfriend -- a charming woman, if a bit young for an old bohemian like me -- read it in high school. As an assigned book! Wow, the Eighties must have been strange!

If you can find it, read it. Search it out. It will reward you with the wonder of Chester's use of language, 'cause even tho' it's all true, Chester tells it better than it was!

And, yes, it was part of a sort of trillogy. The other parts by Michael -- and never, under any circusnstances Mike -- and Tom did exist. They weren't quite as wonderful to me as Chester's part, but worth reading if you find them.

Chester is gone, sad as that is. I haven't heard anything about TA in a while. Michael is still around and writing, good as ever, both SciFi and mystery.

A hue and cry should go out to the people who hold the rights demanding that they reprint it. It deserves to be easier to find even if the search is worth the effort.

If you do get your hands on a copy of "Butterfly Kid" don't expect it to stay on your shelf after you read it. I suspect Chester is still redistributing the wealth of his words.

First in a series of three loosely linked novels (Michael Kurland "The Probability Pad" and Tom Waters "The Unicorn Girl" are the other two in the series. All three books are among the funniest I've ever read, as well as complete with allusions to 60's culture and other science fiction. The Waters book, for example, begins in Berkeley in the 60's, and segues neatly into Randall Garrett's Lord Darcy universe. Please God (and publishers!), introduce a new generation to the glories of reality pills, lobsters with attitude, and slipping universes.

I highly recommend this definitive work on architects Delano & Aldrich. The book is amazingly well-researched and well-written as well as beautifully illustrated with both historic and contemporary photographs. It's a must for the library of anyone interested in architecture!

I have been interested in the work of Delano and Aldrich for a number of years, and this book provides the best information I have been able to get so far.

The descriptions are deep and serious. I also liked the great pictures. The impact of their work is historic to say the least.

This is a must read.

What a fabulous insight into the Architecture firm of Delano & Adrich. This book with its beautiful photographs and engaging essay provide an invaluable tool for all architectural enthusiasts: from the average architecture buff to those involved in scholarly research.

I'm most impressed that the authors not only sought to perform research on the buildings themselves, but moreover, examined the partners and the social influences of the times. I feel we gain so much from the writers thru their experience of having read Delano's letters in archive at Yale!

This book should stand as a model for future chronologist of architectural history. It is truly a wonderful presentation - the best that I've seen published to date.

Congratulations.

I read the summary on the back of the book and was greatly interested so I bought it. When I actually sat down and read it I found that it could not hold my attention. The plot was a really good one but the characters lacked depth and I just couldn't picture in my mind that these people were real (which is what I do with any good book). The only reason I finished the book was because I wanted to know what happened. Unfortunately, I discoverd that this was just the first book with more to follow. My advice would be to go to the library instead of buying it.

This was reminiscent of the movie Gladiator at the latter half of the book so if you liked the movie you will like this book.

I found this to be a captivating novel. The female character was my favorite, being a woman myself. Elandra fights to survive in this whole triology. The story is intelligent and extremely creative, a perfect fantasy. The plot makes sense and though the next two books are not quite as good as the first they all still make a good read. I would recommend this book to any sci-fi/fantasy reader though I would warn that I found myself skipping through the chapters of the male character in order to get back to Elandra.