I'm the surviving author. We wrote the book in the early '60's as a reaction to the street English grammars that were being written then. We wrote it somewhat tongue in cheek, with the purpose of a student's enjoying the sentences even if he or she did not learn any grammar. It is now being published by Wayside Press, and has been in print for nearly forty years. I still think that it is good.

The author is a theological professor, news reporter and free lance editor...book has solid material-brief, quick and easy to read...recommended most for those getting started in this field. As a "how to" writer about writing, Moore performs well.

Published in 1996 this book addresses issues first raised with the book which initiated postcolonial theory, Edward Said's Orientalism. While challenging some of Saids methods and conclusions Bart Moore-Gilbert and his colleagues present a much more focused and nuanced approach to postcolonial theory.
As Moore-Gilbert writes in the introductory essay:
For too long now, colonial discourse analysis, as derived from Orientalism,has assumed that identical regimes of power and knowledge organised both the political management of empire and all the varied literature which represented it.
Writing India thus practices postcolonial theory("informed by questions of gender, sexuality, and psychic effect in colonial relations") and presents an ongoing critique of it concurrently.
The nine essay include analysis of work by following authors: Kipling, Forster, Scott,as well as material from eighteenth century and Romantic period and the writng of British women on India. It concludes with a chapter on Salman Rushdie "to suggest the complex relation of continuity as well as conflict between colonial and postcolonial constructions of India". Also in 1997 Moore-Gilbert published a concisely written study of the three main postcolonial theorists (Said, Spivak, Bhabha)along with a detailed analysis of the criticism of their work called Postcolonial Theory, Contexts, Practices, Politics.

This author did not disappoint me in his second novel. Your attention is held from beginning to surprising end. Once again his knowledge of the subject matter is extensive and his ability to pull you into the scene and the action is excellent. Yoshiwara gave me new insight into pre WWII Japan, the caste system, it's people and their way of life. I look forward to more.

This book is excellent; it provides the motivation and reasoning for good manners. Practical and readable, it spans all aspects of living a well-mannered life that pleases the Lord, your family, and your world.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in their physical and spiritual health. Its approach is refreshing in that it explains health related issues in a language that can be understood by laymen as well as, professionals. The author emphasizes simple changes in lifestyle that may lead to a better quality of life. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the book is the way he uses passages from the Bible to inspire his readers. Each chapter contains quotations from the Scriptures which relate to good health. Dr. Moore maintains that God wants us to have good health and he has painstakingly given Biblical references which coincide with his recommended treatments for the improvement of patients suffering from conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. He also suggests ways that healthy people can better maintain their health. The recipes, exercise plans, case studies and good old common sense alone would make this book worth buying. The spiritual insight which is included makes the book worth it's weight in gold. YOUR BEST WAY TO HEALTH is a prescription for your body and soul.

Despite being a comic fan for many years, I had never read "The Watchmen" until recently. It's routinely called one of the best stories ever published in the comic book genre. For those of us who didn't fall in love with it all those years ago, does it live up to the hype? Not quite in my eyes, but it's an excellent story that is well worth buying, reading, and re-reading.

"The Watchmen" is set in a unique universe where superheroes have been banned and the world is on the brink of nuclear war. The story starts off as a murder mystery and grows into a tale of truly epic proportions. Alan Moore paints a largely dark picture of humanity and weaves a story that is so intricate it absolutely demands your full attention. The characters are far from stereotypical or shallow. Everyone from the heroes to a street vendor seems real and three-dimensional.

At the same time, what was very edgy and groundbreaking in the 80's isn't quite as revolutionary today. It's thought provoking and an excellent story that runs much deeper than almost anything else you can find in comics today. Just don't buy it thinking this is the ultimate thing you could ever read... it's "only" excellent.

I just recently got into graphic novels, but so far have read books from the SANDMAN series, The MAUS books, and of course, THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. Needless to say, I've been sucked into the genre by these amazing stories, and I'm simply going down the list of highly acclaimed cult classics. Of course, when I got to WATCHMEN, I was skeptical. I'd heard of Batman and Sandman, but who the Watchmen? Sounded kind of obscure, and fraknly, a bit phony. Of course, after reading countless positive reviews claiming this book to be one of the absolute best in the history of comic literature, I had to pick it up. Right off the bat, I could tell there was something special about this one, which maybe wasn't so noticeable in the others I'd read.

The story starts out simple enough, with the murder of a "superhero," called The Comedian. He was evidently a member of a team, but only one of his former comrades, Rorschach seems to care about his death in the slightest. The others all remember him as a bad, immoral man, and therefore, a terrible hero. At first, you'll be wondering why the others don't grieve for him as Rorschach does, but as you see what foul deeds he committed, you'll start arguing the other way. Why is it that Rorschach is scouring the streets, searching for clues as to who may have killed The Comedian? Why is Rorschach the only one who cares about the ex-superhero's falling?

In this book, much like in THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, superheroes are not seen simply as idols and virtual gods through the eyes of the public. They're seen as a rebellious vigilante who disregard the police and take matters into their own hands. This is the story of an alternate 1985 where the world is rapidly turning into a hell which humans are creating for themselves, where superheroes struggling for internal-order are hated and ridiculed for their valiant actions. The superheroes themselves aren't all that important here--they simply represent the steriotypical masked figures in tights; a group of "normal" citizens fighting to change matters which may very well be out of their control. Alan Moore masterfully creates a multilayered epic sporting a fantastic script, filled with controversial dialogue and an interesting plot which changes the way people think about superheroes and comic books in general.

Rorschach's search for truth, along with the reader's search for explanation is explored through a series of flashbacks, side-stories and subplots. The 417 page graphic novel is split into 12 chapters, each with little tidbits in-between, providing some interesting background information on the characters. WATCHMEN is kind of a mini-series of comic-books, and was entirely original. The characters had never appeared in any other comic before, and never appeared in another again. When compared to THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, I say that WATCHMEN is slightly superior. While THE DARK KNIGHT was an exciting and moving tale of Batman's aging and eventual returning to the superhero life, where he was needed most, it was very short (about half the length of WATCHMEN) and left open ends, which were covered in some not-as-good sequels. WATCHMEN is simply a great solo-story which requires no background information or further reading, and boasts a strong, recurring theme: "Who watches the watchmen?" Compared to other graphic novels, ranging mainly from 100-200 pages, WATCHMEN is significantly longer, not only giving you more of a bang for your buck, but increasing the amount of pleasure you'll experience from reading this book.

My only real gripe about this book is to do with the art. Don't get me wrong--It's amazing stuff, filled with vivid colors that you wouldn't expect to see in such a dark story--but the action sequences leave something to be desired. Compared to THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, filled with tons of cool blurs, lines and other cinematic goodies you'd expect to make a comic book feel more animated, WATCHMEN is severely lacking in that department. If you try to see the book as a cartoon, like many of us do, it will look like a poorly animated one. Or, simply a series of stills, which is what a comic book is, but almost all comics successfully create the illusion of animation and movement within their pages. Nevertheless, the art is still amazing to look at, it will just require more imagination to see the characters moving.

If I were you, I wouldn't read any other reviews or check any futher into this great graphic novel. If you do, you might back out, thinking that it sounds too corny or not your type of book. Some people are turned off by the whole superhero idea, but Watchmen basically handles it in the most intimate and unconventional manner, bringing a whole new light to those imaginary masked-defenders of the Earth. If you enjoyed THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, this should be right up your alley, delivering more of what the former excelled in. If you aren't into comic books, then you should probably just head over to your nearest book store and read the first 10 pages or whatever. Chances are, you'll find that you love this and then you can buy it on the spot.

Of all the books in my collection this ranks as my favourite. Yes, that's right, I said 'books'. The Watchmen, although released as a series of comic books, still tells one of the most inventive and intriguing stories of any I have ever read. To describe the plot completely would detract from the pleasure of reading it for oneself but, in a nutshell, it concerns the loves and lives of a group of non-superpowered superheroes struggling to come to terms with a world that no longer wants their help. This and other plot threads are told against a backdrop of one mans insane quest for world peace. The artwork and rhetoric blend together to form a seemless collage of story-telling genius and with characters that are so alive you'll want to start again from the beginning when you've finished, this is a book I defy you to dislike. I must have read The Watchmen over 10 times and still I find subtle nuances in the storyline and artwork that I hadn't noticed on previous readings. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

This book is absolutely wonderful. I wasn't "forced" to read it as some readers here said. It's a timeless classic and I recommend it to everyone who wants to have a glimpse of the Holocaust.

I read some negative reviews and for christ's sake, she was only 13! You can't expect her to be a Pulitzer-winner kind of writer. I think she was pretty smart for a girl in the 40s, in the dawn of her puberty and also during such a hard time as the Holocaust and WWII. You can't compare teenagers today with teenagers in the 40s, that's plain stupid.

Try to put yourself on her shoes: imagine to be hiding from the Germans with the constant fear of being caught. She never left the Annex for 2 years, what do you expected her to do besides writing? I would probably do the same. She never thought her diary would become a book someday. Everything there is based on her thoughts and feelings. If you want something more serious, get some history textbook and read the boring and dull stuff you can read anywhere else.

I'm 21 years-old now and I read this book when I was 14 and I understand her urge to write her feelings on a diary. Most girls need this kind of comfort and to let our feelings out on paper. During late childhood till I was 18 I wrote everything I felt on a diary. Most girls did it and it's easier for us to understand why Anne started a diary.

The diary of Anne Frank is an outstanding book written by Anne Frank, a girl of thirteen years of age. This book is chronologically written, starting on Sunday, 14 June 1942. The Diary of Anne Frank is a true story that tells how the Frank family, the Van Daan family, and an elderly dentist, Albert Dussel, lived while they were in hiding during the Second World War.
The diary of Anne Frank expresses to the reader the innermost thoughts and shows how she matured and grew in knowledge from the age of thirteen to fifteen. She spoke her mind and did not fear to tell the truth. Anne explains in her diary how she was forced to leave her Montessori school and attend the Jewish Lyceum. She tells when and why they went into hiding.
Anne's diary, which she called "kitty," tells of a life of Jews waiting in fear of being captured by the Nazis. She tells of her love and first kiss to Peter Van Daan. Anne's diary ends on August 4, 1994, when a Gestapo raid on the secret annex exposes their hideout. In March of 1945, Anne died in the concentration camp of Bergen-Belsenk, two months before the liberation of Holland.

Why does this little diary written by a young girl confined to an attic continue to fascinate the world more than fifty years after its writing? I think I know.

The diary of any young girl might have some appeal, if only at the level of the voyeur or gossip in us. The diary of a remarkably intelligent and articulate young girl like Anne Frank is interesting because she paints her reality with vivid hues and subtle shadings that bring us deeply into her experience.

The nature of Anne's experience, sadly, is what makes this work so enduring. The diary of this young girl in the hurricane's eye of one of history's most notorious and inhumane political regimes and cultural upheavals is fascinating.

We admire Anne for her courage and her Faith in humanity. We grieve the loss of this bright young life. We shed tears at the tragedy this little book lays bare for the world to read --- a Truth hidden from the world while the diary was being written.

This little book also reminds us of Anne's suffering and death in a concentration camp. Though Anne was not able to chronicle that time --- or if she did, it did not survive --- we feel we know her there, too.

Anne reminds us, finally, to move beyond the tragedy of her life to live fully. That, not despair, is the central theme of this little classic.

I was introduced to Dracula as a child watching Bela Lugosi portray the Count on the late night horror show "Shock Theater". This began a semi-fascination with vampire movies which continues to this day. I've not seen all the Dracula movies, but I'd seen dozens before I read the novel after graduating college. Nothing I've ever seen on the screen compares to Bram Stoker's original story. The story, which is told in the format of journal entries, letters, and newspaper clippings, engrossed me and carried me headlong to the final chapter.

The power of Stoker's written masterpiece exceeds the power of any screen production by a power of 10. Film isn't even the second most powerful medium for Dracula. The Naxos Audiobooks production of Dracula features a full cast but retains the format of the book. Different actors speak the journal entries of the various parties, with dialog and action being dramatized. Audio plays have been called "the theater of the mind", and that description well suits the Naxos production of Dracula. All in all, the audio play gives a satisfying way to experience the legend of Dracula.

Dracula is a masterpiece of Horror fiction, undoubtedly a classic and a necessary read for anyone who would consider him/herself a Horror fan. The title character has been forever imprinted on the minds of the world as the true name of the Vampire, and almost anyone who you could possibly ask could give you a pretty good description of the framework of the story.

A rich, reclusive count from the dark land of Transylvania tires of his homeland and searches for a home abroad to quench his thirst. Not for riches, not for glory, but for blood. For this count is a member of the damned breed, the Nosferatu, the Vampire. A demon condemned to live off of the blood of the living, while being neither alive, nor dead. It is a sad and frightening tale, filled with action and suspense.

Dracula is not only famous for its introduction of the mythology of Vlad the Impaler (in somewhat diluted form) to Western culture, but also for its formula. The inescapable evil (Dracula) to be confronted by a small, yet wary band of people lead by one who knows all of the creature's secrets and weaknesses (Van Helsing) has become a Horror staple. And folks never seem to get tired of it. The subject of Van Helsing, a character who almost, but not quite, overshadows Dracula in popularity is long overdue for a novelization of his own. Van Helsing's encounters with the supernatural would most definitely draw a fanbase.

If you're a Horror fan, or just like good old storytelling, Dracula is a book not to be missed. In fact, this novel should be required reading. It just might help increase the literacy rate!

Note: this edition has an awesome cover drawn by Boris Vallejo and it claims to be unabridged (abridging this story ought to be illegal!)

Bram Stoker's tale of terror, 'Dracula,' is just as chilling today as it must have been to readers a hundred years ago. Stoker's original story, which has been told many times since in film and book, is the tale of Johnathen Harker, his love, and his friends, and their horrific experiences at the hands of Count Dracula. The book begins with Harker traveling to Transylvania to meet with the mysterious Dracula. Aquainting him with English customs and traditions when the Count buys land all over London from his firm, Harker soons learns of Dracula's true nature- that of an unnatural fiend who causes destruction wherever he goes. When Dracula travels to England Harker's friends enlist the aide of Dr. Van Helsing, the only man who understands just what evil the Count is capable of. The story that follows is one of love, hate, maddness, and adventure as Dracula seeks to destroy Harker and his friends. As well as being a great work of literature, 'Dracula' is a wonderful tale of horror that modern readers are sure to enjoy!

Let me preface this review by saying that I absolutely LOVE Steinbeck. I would consider him one of my five favorite authors. I think East of Eden is one of my favorite books of all time. I especially like Cannery Row and Tortilla Flat. I even liked The Wayward Bus.

HOWEVER, having said that, I must say that I cannot handle The Grapes of Wrath. My tolerance for pain is not nearly high enough. I have to be honest - I've never actually read the entire book. It's much to difficult to read through the tears in my eyes. I am sure that it is, like most of his other novels, a well-written, fascinating account of the lives of some very interesting people. I simply cannot willingly subject myself to such abject despair. I read novels for enjoyment, and I don't enjoy the feeling of having my heart pulled apart piece by piece, page by page.

Undoubtedly it is to Steinbeck's great credit that he is able to draw that kind of emotion out of a person through simple words on a page. Only one or two books have ever been able to move me in that way. Unfortunately, it is not a feeling I desire. Perhaps I'm overly sensitive. The book made me want to open up a vein, but apparently millions of people loved it...

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These are the values upon which our country was founded. Yet history has shown that this has not been the case for many people living in the United States. Americans have been restricted from these rights because of unalterable circumstances such as race, sex, religion, or in the case of Grapes of Wrath, because of economic status. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck takes place during the 1930's, a time of nation wide economic hardship. Many books have been written about the great depression but this book is unique in its focus on another great tragedy effecting the country at the same time. The great dust bowl caused the migration of thousands of people from the Midwest US to the state of California in search of a better life for their families. This book addresses the hardships suffered by those families. This book is very effective in portraying these struggles both generally and personally. Steinbeck chose to alternate chapters between general descriptions of the country's struggles and the story of one specific family by the name of Joad. The general descriptions display the widespread difficulties people everywhere were suffering by describing the people as a general, family unit, "And the man, the leader of the family, leaned from the car. Can we pull in here an sleep?" (Steinbeck, p268) These chapters addressing the "big picture" were followed by chapters that brought the issue to life by displaying the struggles of the Joad family. This alternation of big picture, small picture story telling resulted in a well-rounded image of a time period in American history. So much can be gained from this book it is a definite asset to anyone's reading list. Not only is it a great chronicle of history, it is a story about the American dream, and the quality of life. The length of the book shouldn't provide an obstacle for a reader seeing as how it is neither exceptionally long nor short and it maintains a good amount of excitement and adventure throughout the novel. The only thing that may be distracting to some readers is the periodic breakaway from the main story line. However, if one can see this as a valuable literary device instead of an obstacle, it will actually provide a greater understanding of the time period. The Grapes of Wrath provides a great insight into a period of history. By reading the book, the reader is left with greater understanding and empathy for those who lived during the dust bowl of 1930. The bravery and strength that is demonstrated by the Joad family is both phenomenal and inspiring. It is a good example for people today who are suffering through difficult times. When these people where faced with hardship, they did not roll over and die. They picked up their lives and their families and they set out determined to find a way to protect and provide for themselves. At a time when everyday people in our country are turning to drugs, gangs, or crime as solutions to their problems, a great lesson can be learned from these families: The world is not perfect but that is no excuse to give up on life. And life was the picture John Steinbeck was trying to relay in his book. A raw, honest look at life during a time of great hardship and trial. The Joad family was an excellent portrayal of a typical family from the Midwest in search of the better life they had been promised elsewhere. Steinbeck characterized the family through dialogue that depicts both the diction and accent of a typical Midwest family in the 1930's, " 'You jus' goin wes'?' 'Jus' on our way.' 'You ain't never been in California?'" (278). Choosing to maintain the dialogue in this natural state adds to the authenticity of the novel and creates a better picture for the reader.

I will never forget how this book captivated me in so many ways. An American classic that will stand the test of time. I got the pleasure of being assigned this book in 10th grade as part of literature class. I was forever changed by this book, and helped fuel me to read more challenging books.

John Steinbeck helped me to realize the poverty, the trangressions, and some hope of the Depression. It helped put me in focus with the pride problems that the family had during the collapse of an entire society during America's most trying times. It is well written and very captivating. It had me in tears more than once. It also reads much like The Bible at times, in its prose and style. It catalogs a family's journey from farmers to migrant workers that is easily readable and a classic that helped define a generation.

A great book- and a must have.