David Potter's work has been rightly called "magisterial" by some historians. He examines whether "Southern Nationialism" truly existed prior to 1860, and whether a mere impassioned defense of slavery was solely capable of inciting some Southerners to contemplate exercising a revolutionary right (or as Southern constitutionalists saw it, immediate secession). This chapter, coupled with his thorough understanding of the political dimension of Nativism, is sufficient alone to recommend this book. This book (20 years to complete) is the product of serious reflection on the part of the author. Professor Potter's work is a testament to his skills as a historian and writer.

For those who studied history in the 1960's. David Potter's IMPENDING CRISES brings back memories of a time when political history dominatd the study of America's past. For students who grew up in the age of new social history, Potter's work is a unique opportunity to broaden their perspective and experience the genre of another generation. A synthesis and a commentary, the book analyzes political developments in the United States From the outbreak of the Mexican War to the firing on Fort Sumter, a period that Potter sees as vital to an understanding of the causation of the American Civil War.

The cast of characters is composed of white males, be their politicians or the electorate. Female names are virtually absent from the index. Other than Dred Scott, the only other individual black person mentioned is Frederick Douglass, and it seems that Potter stretches his research to include Douglass as opposed to giving him agench. Potter's work, completed after his death by friend and associate, Don E. Fehrenbacher, is the story of the interaction of white men who made political and sometimes moral decisions and how those decisions influenced the American people.

One of the significant aspects of the book is how Potter weaves the interralated events into the pattern of socail turmoil that culminated in the Civil War, often attempting to put the reader intothe mental framework of 19th century America. Stressing slavery as the most significant contribution to the tensions leading to the war, Potter de-emphasizes the significance of Nat Turner's Rebellion and John Brown's Raid. However, he demonstrates their importanc when viewed in combination with other events and thier impact on contemporary thought. As Potter points out, "Historians customarily write about past events as if each one occurred in isolation, neatly encapsulated in a sealed container, or chapter." (P. 177) A work such as Potter's brings the student who has done indepth readings on events such as John Brown's Raid or Nat Turner's Rebellion into the reality of the larger spectrum of events.

In telling his story, Potter goes about his task ina meticulous manner, particularly when one considers the voluminous footnotes. In several instances he offers revisionist interpretations of certain characters. He shows John Brown's Raid as a futile act, a publicity stunt by contemporary standars. He attempts to rehabilitate the image of President James Buchanan, a man most historians have not held in high regard. He demonstrates the hypocrisy of many abolitionists and how Republicans maniputlated their platforms to win over Know Nothing and nativist voters. Lincoln is shown as the practical politician that he was. Piercing homes in the myths that have evolved during Lincoln's early career and campaign the presidency.

In offering his revisionists views however, I believe that Potter goes too far in his attempt to ggive a seemingly unbiased view of Justice Roger B. Taney. This is especially true when he states that "Taney's valuable contributions to American constitutional development remained unrecognized because of the Dred Scott decision." (P. 290) Granted Taney severed longer than any chief Justice other than John Marshall. In addition, he made favavorable contributions to America's economic development by reaching decisions that favored emerging industries. However, his opinions in Groves v. Slaughter (1844), Prigg v. Pennsylvania (1842) and Strader v. Graham (1850) were decidely proslavery, offering no protection to free blacks or the free states that opposed slavery.

Regarding the Dred Scott decision, Potter says "Probably no other major judicial decision in history affected the daily lives of so few people" (P. 290) While conceding in th next paragraph that the decision had indirect results, it is still difficult to understand Potter's view. Taney found that Blacks were not citizens and delineated bifurcated citizenship between federal and state government which would have significant ramifications in subsequent rulings of the court. For the first time, the Supreme Court found unconstitutional a major piece of fderal legislation. For the first time, every justice of the Supreme Court wrote an opinion on a case, a decision that takes up 248 pages of the Supreme Court Reports. Had it not been for the Civil War, the Dred Scott decision would have dictated federal policy on slavery in the territories until the nation was able to end slavery or amend the constitution and yet potter downplays its importance. The evidence is clearl that the adoption of the 14th Amendment was an attempt by Congress to overturn the Dred Scott decision, but yet Potter feels that it did not affect the daily lives of individuals.

However, the emphasis of the book is on the history of political events and not legal history. All in all every page of Potter's work is extremely worthwhile. The discussions of the development of both political parties is "worth the price of admission."

David Potter's masterwork addresses all the sticky questions about America's descent into civil war. He navigates the thicket of personalities, historical forces, and contemporary events without trying to shoehorn them into a Grand Unifying Theory.

Why did compromise fail? What was the role of slavery? How did the South think it could get away with it? Potter addresses all these and more in intensive detail, written in a fascinating, engrossing style. Potter delivers a convincing and fair account of events that is bound to complicate the opinions of those who read it. Potter will undermine the complacency of the reader, regardless of which "side" of the debate he or she thinks she's on.

_The Impending Crisis_ is a masterpiece of the historian's art, and should be required reading in any college class that includes the Civl War in its curriculum.

These are children's books with a lot of action and dialogue-- perfect, easy reading for the non-native speaker, well and carefully translated...

I found it great! I'm taking French currently and although I had to ask my dad for a lot of the words, I found it funny! Great translation, and as usual, the best book. Read the English version before you read others to get the real J.K. Rowling. But still a great substitution for non-English speakers.

Harry Potter is with his uncle, aunt, and cousin, who he hates so much, he would give almost anything to get out of there when his Aunt Marge comes to vist with her pit bull-Ripper. He loses control over his magic, and blows her up. Harry is on the run, but not for long. The Ministry of Magic finds him, and acts like they are thankful to find him, alive, and he soon finds out why.First, a strange dog scares him, and Harry almost gets killed. He is being treated very weired, until he finds out why. The infamous prisoner of Azakban, the wizard prison, has escaped and is after him. Harry is not safe anywhere, even at his school, Hogwarts. This book has an ending that you will never guess and is funny, with a lot of mystery in it. It is one of the best books that I have ever read in my life and I think that you will love it too!

Quién dijo que este libro es sólo para niños?. Yo tengo 32 años, soy fanático de la lectura, especialmente todo lo referido a ciencia ficción y realmente la lectura de éste libro me fascinó. Realmente se trata de una joya de colección y con razón ha ganado una gran cantidad de premios, habiéndose convertido en todo un best seller y traducido a practicamente todos los idiomas. Es un libro imprescindible para cultivar en los pequeños el hábito de la lectura, especialmente en éstas épocas en donde los juegos de computadora , la televisión y los videos se han apoderado de nuestros pequeños y dejan poco a la imaginación. Y para los grandes es retroceder a la infancia e introducirnos en un mundo mágico y maravilloso. Pronto tendremos para beneplacito de los pequeños la pelicula de Harry Potter, realmente esperamos que mantenga el espiritu del autor, pero lo que es seguro, es que promoverá aun mas las ventas de este cuento, que permite a las familias una sana unión a través de la lectura.

Harry Potter is back at Hogwarts, his wizarding school, and thankful for it. He had the worst summer with the Dursleys, his aunt, uncle, and cousin, whom he hates. He met a house elf, who caused him to be locked in his room for 3 days, with next to no food at all. Then the Wesleys come to rescue him, in a flying car. But that is not all that happends, Harry and Ron can't get through the wall to the Hogwarts train that awaits them on the other side. Then they remember the flying car. After a rough journey to his school and an even rougher landing, Harry Potter thinks that it can't gets worse, but it does. A cat is found hanging on a lamp post in front of Harry, Ron and Hermione, not quite dead, but not really alive, it was Stunned. Then, even worse, a student is next. Everyone, but a couple of his friends thinks that Harry did it. And when people keep getting Stunned, no one belives that he is innocent. It is up to Ron, Hermione, and Harry to find out who is really doing it, before the Hogwarts students get killed off one by one......

This is one of J.K. Rowlings best. And if you like this book, she is writing 3 more! I also suggest Harry Potter and the Sorcers Stone, the first book, the third book, Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban, and the fourth, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. There is going to be 7 books in all. So far, each book is even better writen than the next. This is a great series!

Tengo que confesar , que me he vuelto una fanatica de este personaje. Se que es un libro recomendado para ninos , pero ....Que les puedo decir???? la nina que hay dentro de mi se mantuvo muy entretenida mientras devoraba una tras otra pagina de este hermoso cuento lleno de fantasia y emocion. Soy una mujer de 27 anos , casada que esta en planes de tener familia muy pronto.Y desde este momento como parte de la herencia les dejare a mis hijos la coleccion de libros de Harry Potter.Comence oviamente con el de la piedra filosofal(pasta dura), me encanto y facino. Dejenme contarles que al siguiente dia de haberlo terminado compre el #3 ( oviamente estoy comiendo ansias por que no lo he leido mientras consiga pronto el #2) , que espero recibir. Lo que mas no me deja dormir, es que recien me entero que ha salido el #4( ese si esta dificil de obtenerlo , y no me quiero quedar atras.

Ya quisiera tener a mis hijos en la cama y poder revivir el dia que conoci a Harry Potter y sus amigos , mientras leo las facinantes aventuras, con las cuales algun dia mis hijos sonaran y pediran que empiece otra vez.

Reading this book wasn't just fun, but it really helped me in my French. I learned more in reading it than I have in all of my classes combined. There are some little changes in it, but that is because of the language difference and my over-reading the English version led me to know its wording too well. Still, that only made it more fun. I'd recommend this to any French student.

I bought the French translation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire for my son who began his first year of French this year in Middle School. It has been great fun and encouragement for him. His teacher found it fun as well, reading short excerpts from it to the French class. Everyone loves Harry!

I never really liked to read. It was just too boring. Reading all those pages that had no effect on me. Then I heard about Harry Potter. Everyone really liked it. I wanted to see what the big deal was. I read the first book. I thought to myself how imaginative it was. The creatures, the characters, and the plot. They were all like a puzzle fit perfectly together. It made my mind run wild. I had to read the second book. I went through that like a person going after 1 billion dollars. It was so amazing. The third book was next. That was better than the first and second books. Finally the forth. Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. That was the best of all. My favorite character is Ron. He reminds me of me. All except the looks. I look a lot better than him. This book is filled with creativity, mystery, fantasy, and love. All in one. Thats why I got hooked on all these things.

Then, Harry and the Weasley's go to the train station. Then they say goodbye to everyonne and get on the bus. They meet their new teacher and their best (not) friend, Malfred. Their is a special game instead of quidditch this year and only people over 18 years of age can enter to win. Three schools are coming to play but only 3 people, one from each school, can play. Harry plays. But he's not 18 so a lot of people get mad. I won't tell you what else happens, so get the book and read it!

I gave this a 5 'cause this is a grat book and it lets out your imagination!

The development of quality software has proven to be one of the most difficult tasks ever to arise in the brains of humans. With so many ways to fail and so few paths to success, there is not a single software shop without a great deal of room for improvement. However, determining that a shop needs to improve is about as difficult as hitting the ground if you slip on ice. The hard part is identifying where the changes should be made and making sure that real change is done rather than some simple shuffling of resources or pointless changing of names.
That point is where this book becomes valuable. It is a concise document, describing in broad, but not excruciatingly fine detail how to improve processes for managing the construction of software. The names of the chapters summarize the basics of any well-constructed process: developing a plan, implementing the plan and checking progress. It also gives you sound advice as to how to track the changes in the process, so important to convince those doing the changing that what you are doing is in their interest.
I recommend that all managers of software development projects examine this book. It will also show you how to stay on track, as it is all too easy to find excuses to significantly deviate from any plan.

This is one of those books that you'd think would be common sense knowledge, but isnt. I've been working in process improvement for 22 years and this is the first book I've found that collects all of the strategies I've found successful in one place!

The book starts by showing how easy it is to get "lost in the trees" (and kill a bunch of them in the process) if you try to "do CMM" like most people do the first time around. The authors do a great job of showing how to keep the main thing (delivering better quality software) the main thing and avoid creating mountains of useless documentation.

I would recommend that anyone looking at achieving higher levels of maturity in CMM, SPICE, or ISO 9000 read this and take a reality check on their plans.

The numerous examples, cases, graphs, and templates give the reader the tools to start the improvements in his or her own organization. Furthermore, the book is fun and easy to read. To me and my colleagues, it'll be very useful!

It is extremely difficult to find someone who has not read or did not like the Harry Potter books. And why should that be surprising? These action and magic-filled books are completely original and spark the imagination. The zany school Hogwarts, so much like regular school (teachers, homework) and yet so different (magic, Quidditch) is an amazing setting. The characters are realistic enough to be the kids you sit across from on the school bus. I do have one question, though: Does anyone else out there think that by now, with fourteen year-old characters, someone should have a crush on someone?

It'll be a long wait for the 4th book, and I STRONGLY recommend checking out other fantasy books written by either Philip Pullman (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife) or T. A. Barron (The Lost Years of Merlin epic). Pullman's books are more thrilling, darker, and with more danger and less of Rowlings colorful, flowery magic, so for all you older readers... T.A. Barron's Lost Years of Merlin books are about Merlin as a spirited teen just discovering his magic and the history of his past. I actually liked T.A. barron's books better, because they seemed more serious about magic, and the action was really exciting (not that HP-3 wasn't exciting). ....

There's a reason the Harry Potter books are so popular with an adult audience--they're wonderful! And Jim Dale brings Harry's world to life in the audio versions--I pity readers who have ignored these outstanding tapes. Thankfully, they're unabridged. You won't want to miss a word.

The third installment in the series is far and away the best (so far), full of surprises and twists. The first two books follow a pretty simple formula and felt like children's books--I was beginning to fear the entire series would follow the same predictable format. But Rowling's readers are growing older along with her protagonist, and the plot of this one is subsequently more sophisticated.

Like the rest of the world, I am eager for the fourth book, but willing to wait the extra time for the audio version. Mystery readers should try this series--although the books are known as "fantasy" novels they are also cracker-jack mysteries, complete with clues, surprise revelations, and adventure.

Those of you who are too embarassed to be caught reading a "children's" novel have probably also missed out the best fiction of C.S.Lewis and Madeline L'Engle. Don't deny yourself these literary pleasures!

Here's the perspective from a parent educator who is also a mother of four: I've read all three Harry Potter books to my older children (ages 8, 10, 12) and I think that Harry's a worthy Hero. He's an everyday kid - a bit unsure of himself, he makes mistakes, but he also makes good decisions. He has friends, but there are also kids who don't like him. He's average looking, a bit clumsy and wears glasses. He has courage, but he also gets scared. This ordinary kid gets to have extraordinary adventures. And even after goof-ups and enemies along the way - he always ends up successful in reaching his main goals - which are always for the greater good. These books are also packed with creative imagination that kids love: life-sized chess pieces that move themselves, invisibility cloaks, magic pets, secret passageways with mysterious passwords. Harry Potter books have enough mystery, intrigue and adventure to keep my 8-year-old ball-of-energy enthralled enough to sit still no matter how long I read - and always begging for more. Yet the books are fascinating to my 12-year-old bookworm who re-reads them numerous times.

This book is a well written biography that also presents many lessons of leadership. Starting with how Nimitz "conceived the image of an ideal officer and consciously molded himself to conform to that image;" to his introduction of the circular formation to the fleet; to the way he ran planning sessions for World War II Pacific Theater operations. Nimitz was a master storyteller who used stories to convey knowledge and share humor. His political acumen in handling disputes between the Army and the Marine Corps on Saipan and, later, as Chief of Naval Operations testifying before congressional committees over unification of the services provide case studies in executive leadership. Although Nimitz's service in World War II is widely known, I was surprised to learn of his efforts in the late 1940's to mediate the dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir---an area that remains a hot spot today!

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, a down to earth kind of guy. The kind of man who gave credit where credit was due. Unlike General Douglas MacAurther, he did not insist on "hogging" all the glory. He wasn't seen as much as a "hero" in the public's eye, like General MacAurther was, because of it. Unlike MacAurther, he did not complain about having to share part of the Pacific Theater. He made sure that the NAVY got the credit it deserved. That the NAVY and the NAVY's Marine Corps fought most of the war in the pacific. I think if you are interested in WWII, Pacific Theater, that this is a book you should read.

I read this book this past year and enjoyed learning about Admiral Nimitz. By all accounts, he was a real leader of men-self-effacing, competent, inituitive, confident, and by example. Unlike General MacArthur, Admiral Nimitz was not flamboyant or showy. He was a matter-of-fact officer who truly cared for his men. He had the knack for picking the right man for the right job every time. He knew when to employ a aggressive commander like Bull Halsey and when to use a cautious commander like Admiral Raymond Spruance. He was a sailor's Admiral and an Admiral's Admiral. He was Chester Nimitz.

Okay, the good points first. Harry Potter is an above average fantasy for young readers. The wonderful details are probably the best point about the story. (Take the game of Quidditch for example, the owls, the centaurs, the wands and broomsticks, the giant motorcycle that appears only once, and try reading the inscription around the Mirror of Erised backwards.) It is also funny at times in Roald Dahl's style (though inferior to his books). It is even a bit exciting, especially towards the end. I can understand the way all the eight-year-olds, even 13-year-olds are all crazy for it, but adults? What did they see in it? I was a bit disgusted to see all the reviews by adults saying this was their favorite book ever. (They must not have read The Golden Compass.) It really is no more than a slightly above average, rather amusing fantasy. It started out well, but as stereotype after stereotype and cliche after cliche of character and plot were introduced, I began to be turned off. Take Malfoy for example, the 100% evil and cruel bully who has henchmen to stick up from him and teases the other kids about being poor (and of course you can tell he's bad just by looking at him). How ridiculous and boring. Hermione. Another genius/nerd that studies all the time and can solve all the technical problems for the heroes and be groaned at for being so stuffy. She is also nearly the only female character. Hagrid, the big strong giant who turns out to be nice, though a bit stupid, and has a soft spot. I really agree with the reader called Magda from Neptune who said, "I didn't like the idea of Slytherin. It seems like the author just wasn't thinking when she decided there would be a whole house for the "bad guys". I think that's a shallow idea and also kind of cruel. Could you picture standing there and finding out from the Sorting Hat (which NEVER lies) that you're evil? I think Slytherin was probably the biggest mistake in Harry Potter." Go ahead and read Harry Potter, because if all these other people liked it there must be something there, and you might get it too. But read critically. Don't just blindly adore it (or any book, for that matter.) And I'm warning you, if you haven't read The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife yet, you're wasting your time with anything else.

Harry Potter thought he had a fairly normal life (aside from living with his aunt and uncle who hated him), but he was very wrong. On his 11th birthday he learned that he was a wizard and had been invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Suddenly, Harry is plunged into an entirely new world of magic. At Hogwarts Harry has friends for the first time in his life. Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are his best friends at the school and they are the ones who help Harry through all of his troubles. From the very beginning though, Harry is slightly aware of something strange going on at Hogwarts. Harry pieces together the mystery slowly throughout the school year in while he isn't busy working on schoolwork or Quidditch (a magical game played on broomsticks).
My favorite part about this book was the world that J.K. Rowling created. While it would have been easy for her to just set the story in a school where the kids learn magic, she didn't. Things like Diagon Alley, which is where all of the students go to get school supplies, allow her to add so much more to the magic world just through descriptions of things Harry sees. Quidditch also makes the world seem much more real.
I originally read this book because I needed a young adult book for class, but I ended up enjoying it far more than I thought I would. I can't remember the last time I actually read much outside of school, but after reading this book I read the other three and am now anxiously awaiting the fifth book. I would recommend this book to pretty much anyone. It's obvious that it was aimed at younger readers, but I found I enjoyed it as much at 17 as my sister did at 11.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a fascinating read for children and adults alike. You will be pulled deep into the story of young, orphaned Harry and his many escapades at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

This story, and the ones that follow it, are superbly written. The vocabulary is perfectly suited for its intended target audience, children ages nine through twelve, but still not so simply worded that it becomes boring in the least for its adult readers. This is a perfect book for reading aloud to your children. The hardest part for most parents will be resisting the urge to cheat and read ahead after the kids fall asleep.

In the Harry Potter series, J. K. Rowling has created a masterpiece that will stand for all time beside such notables as C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia and Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Rowling blends reality and fantasy with a deft touch, making the reader wonder whimsically if Hogwarts truly exists, if wizards and Muggles are real, and maybe, just maybe, if you look hard enough, you might see wizard children playing Quidditch in rural fields.

Even those readers who do not typically enjoy fantasy will love this book. There are elements of nearly every genre in existence flawlessly woven throughout the story. Suspense, humor, mystery, Rowling does justice to them all.

I cannot recommend this book, indeed this whole series, highly enough. This is one of those stories that, at the last page, leave you both satisfied with the conclusion to the story and frantic to read more about the characters involved.

I would, however, like to leave you with a warning about the Harry Potter series. They are highly addictive. Once you read one, you will want to read them all. This reader, for one, is counting the days until the next volume is released.

The great strength of Rowling's works is her conscious effort to never let the messages in her stories overshadow their readability and sense of fun. All books should first and foremost tell the story, and Rowling never forgets that. That said, her latest installment, The Goblet of Fire, takes us back to Hogwarts for another year of magic, danger and intrigue. This book is the pivotal part of Harry's seven year tale, and ends on a note that many readers may find unsatisfactory, as the issue of accountability and leadership in the Ministry of Magic comes to light.
Goblet of Fire reads on many levels; younger children will delight in the fast and inventive pace of the plot and storytelling, and older readers will find themselves waiting to see how the issue of Voldemort's true return and the Ministry of Magic's reaction are resolved or expanded in book five.

Well, I must start this review by saying that I am not 9 or even 12. I am a twenty-seven year old who recently returned to grad school.

I started Year 4 on Saturday morning. I read, almost non-stop, all day long literally glued to the book (resenting any of the banal trivialities of life--i.e. food, commitments, etc. that took me away from it) until at 9:30 p.m. Saturday night I reached the riveting last page.

In my opinion, this is the best book of the series (I recently re-read books 1-3 to regain a sense of continuity). Rowling continues to grow and develop the characters--Hermione becomes an object of desire for both new and old characters; Harry and Ron struggle with the awkwardness of growing boys to develop new relationships with girls and to deal with the expression of their feelings for the girls around them. Fred and George begin to prepare for life after Hogwarts in a way which provides a lot of fun and amusement. Draco Malfoy gets a come-uppance in one of the funniest ways impossible (I laughed out loud delightedly).

In this book, Harry Potter struggles with his fame--he almost loses friendships because of it, and he has to deal with the vicious press. He encounters an unscrupulous reporter who attempts to destroy both his reputation and the reputations of others close to him.

Of course, Voldemort is again back trying to regain power. The whole book has a sinister undertone because of the question about who in Hogwarts in helping him. The clues are sparse so the reader is left with a sense of dread.

This book does contain death, but the impact of the death is mitigated by Harry's nobleness in dealing with it.

The best part of this book is that it leaves me hungering for another. Late developments in the book with Cornelius Fudge and Severus Snape leave plenty of chaos to be mopped in the next book. In fact, at the end of book four, the future looks very bleak for good wizards and witches.

Like the others, the rich description and humor of the book as well as the real-life parallels make the place and time come alive. Hagrid, Dumbledore, the Weasleys, Sirius Black, and all our other favorites are back, better than ever.

This book is the greatest of the series! I can't wait to read the next 5,6,and 7!

Every harry potter fan should read it. However if you have just started reading harry potter, I recommend that you read the first 3 before this.

If you think that this book is anti christian or if you think that it makes fun of religion, than you are very wrong.

I am an 11 year old kid from St. Petersburg, Fl and before I started to read the Harry Potter books, I hardley read any books.

In this book, harry wakes up with his scar hurting one night after haveing a dream about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. He sends an owel to Sirius Black (his godfather). That very day, Harry receives an owel from Ron inviting to come to the Quittage world cup with him. Uncle Vernin reluctantly accepts.

Harry goes to the mach between Ireland and Bulgaria. Ireland wins, but later that night they wake up hearing marching Death Eaters (the dark loards followers) rioting. Harry, ron,

Hermione, Ginny, Fred, and Goerge flee while Mr. Weasly, Bill, and charlie fight off the death eaters. Later they see the Dark Mark (a symbol that the dark loard conjouin after a murder).

You'll have to read more to mind out more, but one thing you should know is; The Dark Loard, he-who-must-not-be-named, Loard Voldimort, Comes back to Power!

What positive values can be derived from JK Rowling's second Harry Potter book besides "fun"?

Well, as compared to the first book, the treatment of Muggles by the magical folks were less stereotypical. Arthur Weasley, father of Ron Weasley, best friend to Harry Potter, offered an alternative perspective. The Muggles, unable to do any spells, came up with non-magical solutions to handle problems in life. An example was the development of lock-picking skills - something which apparently never occurred and a source of facsination to wizards who had become accustomed to using spells to overcome obstacles.

The author also showed the prejudice is a prevalent human nature that exists not only by Muggles like Harry Potter's guardian family against the magical folks, and vice versa, but also among magical folks between those whose antecedents were magical and those whose antecedents included Muggles.

For those who had read the first Harry Potter book, they might appreciate that JK Rowling added further development to her characters in the second book. The principal characters showed either they learnt from the experiences from the earlier book, or revealed characteristic weaknesses in failure to wise up.

Plot-wise, unlike other authors who tried to re-use the formula of an earlier success, JK Rowling took the story through a different plot. In reminiscent of good old traditional mysteries, more clues compared to the first book were scattered through the book on the identity of a mysterious adversary who plagues Hogswart, the school of magic.

What is similar to the first book was that the school staff at Hogswart maintaining an official denial to the source of the threat. In the first book, the Philosopher's Stone (renamed the Sorceror's Stone in the movie) was a closely guarded top secret. This time, it was the Chamber of Secrets which was relegated to the classification of myths and legends. Harry Potter and friends must track the mysterious monster released from the horror by a mysterious Heir of Slytherin which threatened to exterminate students whose antecedents included Muggles.

New characters along for the ride was the flamboyant new teacher Lockhart who taught Defence Against the Dark Arts, younger sister of Ron Weasley, Ginny, who adored Harry, and Lucius Malfoy, father of Draco Malfoy who antagonised Harry and friends in the first book.

Harry and friends had a hard time tracking the elusive culprits, and things never looked more bleak when the greatest defender of Hogswart, Dumblemore, was suspended and sent away from the school. Rowling managed to weave dramatic suspense into the finale.

No doubt, impressionable minds (which included more than just children) could be heavily influenced or seduced by lure of the supernatural, as charged by Anti-Harry-Potter activists.

Whether Harry Potter is a brilliantly packaged trap to lure the innocent to ungodly witchcraft is probably a question which JK Rowling knows the answer best.

However, the ultimate responsibility is on the reader to develop his or her own discernment and this is not likely to happen by banning of books and failure to expose or to prepare the mind to face new challenges.

Harry Potter is orphaned as a baby and raised with a mean aunt and uncle and their incredibly spoiled son. However, his parents were a witch and a wizard, and he is destined to be a wizard. Despite the attempts by the aunt and uncle to suppress Harry's magical side, he ends up going to Hogwarts School of Magic. In "The Chamber of Secrets", Harry survives another awful summer and finally gets to return to Hogwart's for his second year. However, evil forces are out to either destroy or vilify Harry, and adventures abound.

"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" has the makings of a genuine classic, although it is a little more sinister than the first book in the series. What I found surprising is the fact that I, at age 41, enjoyed it as much as I did. The writing is nearly flawless and, while reading it, the only thing that reminds you that this is a children's book is how quickly the pages fly by. Some of the humor is also definitely aimed at ages 9 to 12, content-wise, but not to a point of being a distraction.

While I would not automatically endorse a book that is widely read by children and has generated as much interest in reading as has the Harry Potter series, I would definitely be predisposed to liking such a book. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" fulfills the hope that started in me when I saw hordes of children lining up to buy books. This is good fiction, and can lay the groundwork for later introduction of more mature mythical reading, like "The Lord of the Rings".

Some adults are concerned about the Harry Potter books because of the magical, supernatural content. This surprises me, as children are routinely bombarded with fictional characters and unreal stories, without adults organizing protests. Parents need to sit down regularly (not once) and discuss what the difference between fiction and reality is, including the much more realistic-appearing but fictional violence children see frequently on television and in movies. If a child reads a Harry Potter book and believes the magical content, then his or her parents have inadequately addressed the fiction-versus-reality issue with them. And, such a child, who believes the fiction he or she sees is real, is going to be harmed much more by other fictional content available to him and her than he or she is by Harry Potter and his very fictional-appearing magic. My recommendation: Relax, explain the concept of fiction to your children, label Harry Potter as clearly fictional, and let your children enjoy good, imaginative writing.

I thoroughly enjoyed Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets! There is still a magical charm that lures you in, and keeps you begging for more. Reading this second book has definitely set my determination in reading the remainder of the series. After Goblet of Fire, I will anxiously await the release of the new books.

This book starts with the same scene as in the first book...Harry Potter is staying with his relatives, The Dursleys, over summer break. They treat him the same, while fearing his magic at the same time. During the summer, Harry doesn't receive any letters from Hermione, Ron, and Hagrid, and believes his friends to have deserted him. Then, a little house elf named Dobby comes to Harry and begs him not to return to Hogwarts because he is in danger. Dobby also reveals that he has been intercepting Harry's mail. After Harry stays firm on returning to Hogwarts, Dobby causes havoc with the Dursleys, causing them to lock up Harry. The Weasley boys rescue Harry and they start off the year together.

Right off there are some mishaps, and changes that everybody has to deal with. Some include the flying car that crashes, the arrogant new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and Ron's broken wand.

Then, something terrible starts happening. Students (and a cat) have been turning up...petrified; practically turned to stone! People begin suspecting Harry as the Heir of Slytherin, who can open up the Chamber of Secrets and release whatever is attacking the students. Harry finds a diary from 50 years before, and it turns out to explain much more than first appearance.

Truly marvelous tale! Rowling has such a unique and intrigueing imagination, and she shows it through this wonderful, fictatious boy named Harry Potter.