Dear friends. After twelve and one half years of loving life, Dickens died this past April. Fortunately,he had only one sick day at the end. I'm lucky to have had this wonderful five star cat's company. I'm grateful that his charm lives on and that so many people got to know him through his book. Thank you. Tom Bianchi

I collect cats books and this is absolutely the best! The black and white pictures are taken with superb skills and perspective. The text carries an elegant sense of humour. It is a complete visual entertainment for a cat lover.

I picked up this book on a whim -- and am ever grateful I did! The pictures of Little Dickens make me not only want to take up photography, but buy an Abyssinian also.

How did he catch that shot of sweet little Dickens in mid sneeze, I can't help but wonder!

Buy this book if you need a pick-me-up, or know someone who does, it's like comfort food for the eyes. Even if you believe you are a "dog person," you won't be able to avoid being delighted by the candid images Tom Bianchi shares in this book.

Back in college I took a course entitled "Vietnam: An American Perspective", this opened me up to a wealth of literature on the Vietnam experience and the impact it has had on our nation as well as our culture. Therefore, when a friend of mine told me about this book, I had to get it. There are many books about Vietnam, each with different perspectives. Some discuss the historical or political issues, others may discuss the theological, moral, or philosophical issues. This book doesn't do any of those things. It goes one better, it deals with the human condition and how the horror of war impacts it. "West Dickens Ave" tells the story of one young marines experience in Khe Sanh during the height of the Vietnam War. This first person account is an incredible story of what our soldiers went through. Corbett's narrative and style submerge the reader right into the action, you feel like you're there, but you thank God you're not. Once I started reading I was unable to put the book down, I was so captivated that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I highly reccommend this book, and would like to thank the author for sharing his story with me.

As a country we seem to forget all of the men, woman, and children who's lives are drastically changed or taken by war. History repeats itself, and this book should be an inspiration to our youth to change the pattern. I am proud of my Uncle Jack for putting his thoughts and emotions out there for the whole world to judge. Honor all of our brothers and sisters who stand up for your rights by giving up their youth or holidays with their children. My Grandma passed away only 7 months prior to the books release, but those who knew her loved her. She and my Grandfather raised 8 childern, all who I am proud to know.They are surely smiling down on Jack now!

This is the first Viet Nam book that I have read and it has opened my eyes. An excellent 1st person account of what it was like to be on a fire base. Jack is a friend of mine and he has hit the nail squarely on the head with his depiction of what it was like for American kids growing up in Viet Nam. Just because you were on a fire base, didn't mean you were safe. Shelling, sappers, friends, stupidity, sleepless nights, the overlooked heroism, were all a part of it. Large bangs still make me jump. I used to feel guilty about having "only" been on a fire base. No more. I whole heartedly endorse this book.

Charles Dickens almost singlehandedly rescued what we in the early 21st Century consider "traditional" Christmas celebrations from extinction. His crusade against the Industrial Revolution's Utilitarianism, and Mammonism (Scrooge is the archetypal Utilitarian) is part of the reason behind this story. Some folks who know something of early Victorian England see that when they read this classic. But for most of us this underlying theme, plus the colloquial 19th Century English are a mystery.
The "Annotated Christmas Carol" neatly solves this issue by fully explaining the story behind the story, and defining some of the more obscure contemporary references. Dickens basically wrote the story because he needed money quickly: his previous novel was only lukewarmly received by the public. Additionally, his desire to awaken a social consciousness in the British upper-class led him to a short story format. Given his long standing committment to keeping the celebrationsn of Christmas alive, the result is, for the English-speaking world anyway, as much a tradition as a tree and presents.
The format is exactly as that for the first edition published in 1843, along with reproductions of Leech's original illustrations. Well researched and written notes in the columns allow the reader to follow along with explanations of terms, identification of likely locations, and the development of the ongoing theme. The book could likely benefit with a new edition, as the commentary seems to be written around 1975 or so. Even so, this is a book that any Dickens enthusiast will want to own, any Christmas Carol enthusiast for that matter...
Highly Recommended.

A Christmas Carol is one of the greatest works of the 19th Century and is easier for most Americans to read then most of his novels. However, American English of today is vastly different from the English prose of Dickens. Also Dickens often makes references to events or historical figures that most Americans are ignorant of. Open up the first page of one of CD's most brillant works, MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT, and see if annotated Dickens isn't a product whose time has come. Well, there was one product out there under this category and it is now longer in print -- THE ANNOTATED CHRISTMAS CAROL. The book unlocks the brillance and reality of CHRISTMAS CAROL almost as well as The ghost of Christmast Past unlocks Scrooge's long supressed childhood memories. I am not much of a writer and sometimes am not much of a reader, but I recognize the value of annotated Dickens and am amazed that this wonderful edition of A CHRISTMAS CAROL is no longer in print. Please, let's get this out in paperback, along with annotations of all of the novels of CD. I am currently struggling through DOMBEY AND SON, and the footnotes that PENGUIN provides are just not enough. Please let's make the great literature more accessible to everyone. MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT and A CHRISTMAS CAROL should be read and UNDERSTOOD by every member of Modern Civilization.

I was fortunate enough to have been able to borrow this book from a friend, He suggested it for research use into the figure of Marley's Ghost which I am playing in a local production. This book is full of everything you might want to know about "Christmas Carol". It is broken into five chapter's, four of which deal with each of the spirits contained in the story. Picture's and drawing abound in this text, making it invaluable to me as an actor trying to create a character. Right down to an original drawing of Dicken's on his death bed and re-prints of sketches from the very first printing of the book, it's all there and by the author himself...what could be more diffinitive? If you can procure a copy I highly recommend it.

I was fortunate enough to be able to borrow this book from a friend. He suggested it for research into the ghost of Jacob Marley which I am playing in a local production. Amazing book! All the information you could want on this Christmas Classic. The book is broken into very informative sections begginning with "Marley's Ghost" and continuing through all the spirits and other background information. I highly recomend it, if you can find it that is!

After reviewing all of the books available on tassel making, this was the ONLY one I found with easy, illustrated instructions. There is some history, background, etc.--but reading from beginning to end will have you ready to make the most decorative of tassels. It is a beautiful book--almost coffe-table quality. The split pages which allow the reader to pick and choose styles from many tassels to make an original design are effective and clever. Great list of sources for materials, too---it's all there!

The best source for instructions and samples of glamorous tassels. Complete and easy-to-understand instructions for creating and designing all sections of tassels, from cord to skirt. Thanks to the authors for providing this book for tassel lovers.

THIS IS THE COMPLETE STORY of what go's on in every Business that is MUL-

TICULURAL . So true to form.

This is an excellent book. It does an excellent job of identifying the frustrations faced by minorities in Corporate America. It provides pratical soultions to many of the problems faced, as well as the underlying cause for the problem. Every Human Resource/Organizational Development Manager should have a copy of this book. This book should also be required reading for Managers participating in their coporate mentoring programs.

Dr. Lawrence Frank's exploration of the social, ethical, psychological, and philosophical diminsions of Dicken's work is utterly delightful and highly readable -- a must for any Dickens affcianado or burgeoning scholar! You'll find a whole new level of meaning to all of Dicken's most endearing characters like Mr. Dick (from David Copperfield) and Master Bates (from Oliver Twist).

Egad! It's a pitiful reflection of the almost savage intellectual torpor that has settled upon academia and our nation as a whole that this fine work is out of print. I suggest you try Amazon's execellent out of print books search and order yourself a copy today!

As far as I am concerned, there was ne'er a book on Dickens penned prior to Mr. Frank's superb treatise. I have never been so proud of Mr. Chas. Dickens, a fellow Brit (and, I might add, a fellow writer)--or of Engerland, my home and native land. A true boon to mankind, Mr. Dickens was, and likewise this blessed text. I weep for joy.

I just really love Charles Dickens old tale. And this young readers edition is perfect, the drawings are beautiful. This is the story of the old miser Scrooge, who on Christmas Eve are visited by the gost of Christmas past, present and yet to come. And so he finally discovers the real meaning of Christmas.

There is something for everyone in this book. It contains the story of a mean man who receives redemption. Ebeneezer is able to change only with the intervention of three ghostly visitors. They come to him and show his past, present, and future. Throughout the journey, the reader has a chance to see possible mistakes that Scrooge made and how he has suffered from it. This is not only a Christmas classic, but a human nature classic.

What a wonderful story! I highly recommend it to anyone, regardless of age. It's a good, fast-paced book about kids with cancer and is done in a light-hearted, light-handed way. It will appeal to mature kids and teens because it's written from the point of view of an eleven year-old who has leukemia, and it will appeal to adults who are seeking an entry-level piece into the subject of childhood cancer. There's plenty of mischief and humor, as well as some somber moments. Like the quote on the back of the book says, it gave me tears and smiles. For those looking for more information about this book, I found a brief summary of the story on the publisher's website (1stbooks.com).

This is one of those rare, wonderful, young readers books for everyone - both young and old. It deals with an energetic, young girl who has leukemia and her miserable, aristocratic neighbor who doesn't care about anyone. This light and upbeat awareness piece about kids with cancer is a fast read and you walk away learning something about a very difficult subject. An enjoyable book for all to read, Mrs. M will be particularly helpful to families, friends, and relatives of those young people diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

Chesterton is at his best in his criticism, and this is no exception. His novels show something o the Dickensian flare, but nowhere is he more apreciative of the master than here.