I'm a Balzac's french fan.
"Cousin Pons" is one of my favourites Balzac's novels.
This novels speaks about art (music, paintings, ...), social relationships in a family and in a flat, and over there of FRIENDSHIP.
The friendship between Pons and Schmücke is the most facinating aspect of this novel (may be it's more than a frienship : a platonic love ?).

This novel (Cousin Pons) for some reason is my favorite Balzac novel. Touching, perceptive, melancholy, and filled with brilliant characterization. You might try this if you have never read Balzac, and find out what happens to a "poor relation" who is suddenly discovered to be a "rich relation" by the relatives who have been treating him shabbily for the past three decades.

Then of course it's on to "Lost Illusions" and its sequel, "A Harlot High and Low" (Splendeurs et miseres....)

"Dr. Thorne" is the third in the series of Barsetshire novels by Anthony Trollope. But unlike the first two, this has little to do with the politics of the Church of England. It is the tale of two lovers from different classes, and their struggle to keep their love alive in spite of social pressures to go their own ways. Unlike the first two novels, the plot starts out very slowly, with long descriptions of the history and conditions of the fictional "Greshamsbury" estate. The author even apologizes about 30 pages in for trying the patience of his readers.

While "Dr. Thorne" lacks the crispness and economy of the first two novels ("The Warden" and "Barchester Towers"), it builds to a satisfying conclusion, and the author paints his usual precise characterizations.

If you are a fan of Anthony Trollope, be patient with this one. You will be rewarded.

Mary Thorne, orphaned (and illegitimate) niece of Dr. Thorne, has long been a favorite at Greshamsbury House--until Lady Arabella Gresham learns that her only son Frank is in love with Mary. The unhappy Mary is banished forthwith, because the Gresham family fortunes are so depleted that Frank must marry money.

Frank, however, is one of the few completely honorable young men in Trollope's novels and remains stubbornly true to his love. Well, he does propose to another woman, at the insistence of his mother, but only with the virtual certainty that he will be rejected--as indeed he is. The lady is Miss Dunstable, one of Trollope's most delightful characters, a fabulously wealthy thirtyish heiress of an ointment company. She is a bold, witty woman, not beautiful, but attractive in her way, whose wealth invites countless proposals.

After the rather complicated plot unfolds, the tables are completely turned, and Mary is eagerly welcomed by Lady Arabella (who, of course, has always loved her) as the savior of the family.

I concede that "The Last Chronicle of Barset" is the best of the Barsetshire novels, but I dearly love "Dr. Thorne." The character of the doctor himself is strong and sympathetic. Frank, Mary, Miss Dunstable, Lady Arabella, Sir Roger Scatcherd, and such minor characters as Dr. Thorne's rival, Dr. Fillgrave (one of Trollope's punnily named characters), form a superb cast. And the outcome is thoroughly satisfying. I probably enjoyed reading this novel more than any of the others.

Rascals and confusion, Trollope wrote with all the elements that excited that of readers from the Victorian Era, and that can also excite ones from our age.

One of the brightest lights of the Palliser novels is extinguished in the first chapter with the death of the Duchess Glencora. Bereft of her vivacious influence the grieving Duke, already reserved and traditional, sinks into stodginess. Far worse than this, he is left with three young adult children whom he fails completely to understand. To say that they cause him many heartaches is to greatly understate the situation.

The eldest, heir to the title, Lord Silverbridge has already been booted out of Oxford for a silly prank. Now he goes into horse racing with questionable companions and winds up as the victim of a major scandal, which costs his father a huge sum. Next he deserts his father's choice for his bride to woo an American girl whose grandfather was a laborer.

The Duke's daughter, Mary, wants to marry a commoner, son of a country squire, a good man, but with no title and little money. The outraged Duke is adamantly opposed to such a match, but Mary vows to marry no other and is constantly miserable.

The youngest son, Gerald, who plays a relatively minor role in the novel, is forced to leave Cambridge because he was away without permission attending a race in which his brother's horse was running. Later he loses several thousand pounds in a card game.

The Duke bemoans his children's foolishness and their lack of respect for the traditions of their fathers. He pays for their mistakes, but vigorously opposes the two unwise marriages. But although he is a strict, authoritarian man, he is also a compassionate and loving father. Will he yield to the fervent desires of his rebellious offspring? The resolution of this clash of generations brings the Palliser novels to a satisfying conclusion.

As always, it is Trollope's great gift of characterization which makes THE DUKE'S CHILDREN an outstanding novel. From the outwardly firm but inwardly doubting Duke to the very sincere but frequently erring Silverbridge to the tragic Lady Mabel Grex, who has the young heir in her grasp only to let him slip away, these are well-rounded figures with whom the reader lives intimately and comes to understand thoroughly. With the perfectly depicted ambience of upper-class Victoriana as the setting, this novel is an absorbing work of genius.

I picked up this book randomly at the book store when I saw the title and was intrigued. This has turned out to be the best book of poetry I have ever read! If you like Rilke, you will love this book as well. Margaret Gibson has an amazing gift with language and a very insightful view of the world and her own experiences. Her poems are filled with longing and love. "I want the faith that moves mountains. / I want the bright force that keeps them still." ("Keeping Still") This is the kind of book that you keep near you and pick up again and again whenever you want comfort or inspiration.

I had the joy of meeting Margaret Gibson at a literary festival and was pleased to put a face and warm personality to the beautiful works I have read. Earth Elegy is a wonderful book, with a mix of new poems and selected old favorites. "Dia De Los Muertos" and "Fire Elegy" are strong works, along with the other poems. She has a good grasp of language and I'm glad to have become acquainted with both her as a person and her as a poetess.

Meredith's masterpiece has been unjustly neglected in recent years, although it is one of the funniest novels in the English canon. If you like the comedies of Trollope and Austen, Meredith is a real treat (although his style is much more mannered, and his approach more difficult to appreciate, than either Trollope's or Austen's). The genius of THE EGOIST is not only in exposing Sir Willoughby's faults, and Clara's mounting panic as she can't maneuver her way out of her engagement, but in its serious appraisal of the difficulties faced by Victorian women in their limited possibilities after childhood. Meredith was an enormous influence on the later modernists, such as Woolf, Joyce, and particularly Forster, but although they more often mention THE ORDEAL OF RICHARD FEVERAL as Meredith's keystone text THE EGOIST is the one to enjoy.

This novel was written, and takes place in, 19th Century England. 'The Egoist' is Sir Patterne, a well to do gent in search of a wife. After being jilted once, he pursues Miss Clara Middleton. The majority of the novel takes a look at their engagement, and her doubts about it. There is a wealth of clever dialog to be found in this novel, much of which stays with the reader (or at least this one) well after the last page is turned. Most of the comedy comes from Meredith's exposing of the Egoist (of which there is more than one in this novel).

Miss Middleton actually has the attention of a few men, and this adds to both the drama and comedy of the novel. A sample of the witty dialog should be provided so you may decide whether to get this book. A friend of Clara's gets wind of her doubts. He can't come right out and let her know, but he hints at it. He starts off by informing her that he 'has written half an essay on honeymoons'. She responds by asking 'whether that is the same as a half written essay'. He tells her 'that it is, except that my essay is completely told, but just from one side.' 'And which side is that' she asks. 'The grooms' he replies.

So I would suggest that you give this novel a try, especially if you like 19th century writers.

I first read it when I was at the military aviation school in Venezuela and I was fascinated. It is very well written and you actually feel the intimacies of the bomber pilot. I recommend it to everyone who is interested in WWII history.

This story of 617 Squadron's Dams raid in WWII was written by the original leader, who won the VC for his leadership , skill, and bravery in battle. You won't put down this insider's look into the plan and attack on the dams, at night, using custom rotating/ bouncing bombs at 60 feet in the fog !! Also read The Dam Busters, on the same squadron, continuing the story to the end of the war, with even more harrowing ops to follow, including the great raids , and final sinking, of the Tirpitz.

I read this book from front to back in one sitting. I felt compeld to listen to these 14 former clergy members bare their testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This was a good read for anyone considering joining the church and for anyone that just wanted information about it.

I read this book a couple of years ago and it still hasn't left me. The conversion stories contained in this book are inspiring and insightful. They are well written and well thought out. They leave you with your own desire to gain a stronger testimony and be stronger in the faith

I loved it. I couldn't stop reading it

I have almost no earthly idea why this book is out of print. It is one of the best books I've ever read. When I was in fifth grade, out teacher was giving away very old books from her bookshelves and I was just lucky enough to get one. This book tells Bob Gibson's grips and how he threw his pitches. And his accounts of major events in his career. If you can get ahold of one, lucky you!

A very informative book for lovers of jazz guitars, - or to be more eksact for Gibson jazzguitar freaks. I keep on looking in this little book for informations I didn't catch when I first read it from the start, keep looking at the wonderful collection of pictures of L-5's, old advertisements and pictures from catalogs.

This homage to the Gibson L-5 guitar is written with deep knowledge and love by Adrian Ingram, and I thank him for sharing it with the rest of us.

This book covers the evolution af the L5. It will be of interest to anyone interested in archtop jazz guitars. The book contains many beautiful pictures of L5 guitars and the players that made it famous. I highly recommend it to the jazz guitar enthusiast.

The Association of Space Explorers is a unique group of individuals whose only requirement for membership is that one has to have journeyed into space. The goal of the ASE is to bring the excitement and wonder of space exploration to the general public. This book, "The Greatest Adventure" is their second book dedicated to this ideal, and is an excellent companion to their first book, "The Home Planet."

This coffee table book presents some of the best photographs taken of the Earth and a few of the Moon by both astronauts and cosmonauts, from the early days of the space race till the mid-1990's when this book was published. Due to the coffee table format of the book, the high resolution, color photographs are extremely impressive. Accompanying these wonderful photographs is a small piece describing each astronaut's voyage and impression of being in space which includes the entire range of astronauts, from commanders, pilots and mission specialists.

New printings of this book are common, so if it is listed as not being in print, check back frequently, because a new print might be out soon.

Ive read over200 books about Project Apollo to the Moon, and I have to rate this book as one of the best ever on moon landings, and all involved with this miraculous adventure of mankind! The book tells just about everything, covers it all about the missions and has many good excerpts from all the great astronauts from past to present! This is one of the few Apollo/Moon books that deserves an extra special place on anyones coffee table!This book deserves not to be merely looked at, but can be read many times over! I do not own it yet, but have read it twice, and cant wait to purchase it! Ed Gibson and The Association Of Space Explorers have done a wonderful job on this fantastic book of just what the title implies: Going to The Moon was in fact, and still is mankinds greatest adventure to this day, and probably will be for many years to come yet!