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Books to read if you're planning a vacation in "James", sorted by average review score:

The Daily Walk Bible: New International Version
Published in Paperback by Tyndale House Publishers (January, 1998)
Authors: Bruce H. Wilkinson, Paula A. Kirk, John W. Hoover, and Bruce Wilkerson
Average review score:

Strengthening your Daily Devotional Reading
My mom told me about this Bible so I purchased it. I've been telling everyone that I know to get it. I've only had it for a week, but it has inspired me to want to read the Bible daily. This Bible is written so that everyone can read & understand it. I can see this being a very important tool to help me become a mature Christian. If you are looking for help in your daily devotional reading, don't wait any longer, get the Daily Walk Bible!!!!

Wonderful, easy-to-understand translation of the Bible
I purchased this particular bible based upon "Power for Living"'s praise for the New Living Translation, and the other reviewer who said I'd be glad I bought it in less than a month. They're both right. I'm sorry to say I had never sat down and read the Bible at any great length until now (at age 51). Now I've read most of the New Testament, and plan to finish the whole Book within a year. The "Daily Walk" introductions for the various pieces are very informative and well done. I think anyone who gets this version will be well-pleased.

Excellent Spiritual Habit Builder
This is my 4th year in going thru this Bible. It has been an excellent tool in helping me be consistent in my quiet times.
The notes (Overview, Your Daily Walk, Insights) are wonderful, filled with lots of great illustrations and insights into the Scriptures.
As a Pastor for 25 years it has been a refreshing well of living water. I've personally purchased and have given away over 40 copies to those I've counseled and discipled. I want everyone in our church to start reading it! You can start any time/date!


Jackie: Her Life in Pictures
Published in Paperback by Griffin Trade Paperback (May, 2001)
Author: James Spada
Average review score:

This is such a wonderful book!
I really loved this book! It's an amazing tribute to Jackie, and the pictures are incredible. I've never seen most of them, and so many of the ones with JFK and John Jr and Caroline are so touching. Most picture books have a smattering of photos, but this one seems to cover just about every month of Jackie's life! It's really something to see her as a lovely little girl, maturing into a young woman, and then going through all that she did. The captions are very interesting too, and well-written. If you remember Jackie fondly like I do, you will want to get this book!

A before unseen view of Jackie
I was captivated by this book. James Spada has compiled several well-known photographs with many photos I had never seen. He does not try to analyse or to delve into the behind the scenes. He presents the photos with a paragraph or two, and lets us glimpse into Jackie Kennedy Onassis's life. I was entranced by the pictures of her youth and the pure beauty and joy in several ungarded moments. A beautiful tribute.

A remarkable and reverent look at a very human icon.
I really adored this book - it is so much more than yet another reprinting of the famous pictures of Jackie. The photos chosen by Spada are remarkable in their ability to portray both the remarkable strength possessed by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, as well as her frailties that we can all relate to. While many people have seen the countless photos that have been published of Mrs. Onassis from her birth to death, Mr. Spada managed to select mostly photos that are little-seen, as well as photos that needed no text to give the reader a better sense of the people portrayed in the book. The text that does accompany the photos is well written and restrained. Purchasing "Jackie: Her Life in Pictures" will be money well spent.


The Lyons Roar (Lyon Saga)
Published in Hardcover by Chicken Soup Pr (May, 1997)
Authors: M. L. Stainer and James Melvin
Average review score:

Excellent historical novel for ages 10 up about Lost Colony
Excellent historical novel,ages 10 up, about The Lost Colony of Roanoke Island abandoned in 1587, who disappeared without a trace. What happened to them? Author, Stainer, answers this 400-year-old question mark in American colonial history with an intriguing possibility, that they joined the friendly Croatoan Indians on their nearby island. An accurate, fast-paced account told through the eyes of 14-year-old Jessabel Archarde. Middle school readers will be swept up in the fascinating story of these brave colonists who were in the New World 33 years before the Pilgrims. A must read!

A Great Start to a Must-Read Saga
"'I will take care of you," he says quietly. 'This..I promise...For does not the Great Spirit love us both?' It's then that I know I'll be safe....for surely I believe, in my heart of hearts, that what he has spoken is true." Or as so the Lyon's Roar says. This excellent work of historical fiction captivates its readers almost instantly with a likeable character Jessabel Archade. Jess, a 14 year old girl makes the history of the ill-fated colony come to life. Jess witnesses some of the horrible grieves, such as the lost of the only other girl child in the colony, besides little baby Virginia Dare. She witnesses other historic moments. You must read this book. I can't wait to read the other books that will complete the saga. As I said READ IT!

Fascinating Story
As a Social Studies teacher, I'm always concerned with getting my poor readers to want to read more about history. This is the perfect book, and the series promises even more.The mystery of the Lost Colony is an intriguing one and I find my students turning pages and devouring the story. A remarkable accomplishment! I would recommend all the books to any teacher who wishes to motivate his or her students.


The Neandertal Enigma : Solving the Mystery of Modern Human Origins
Published in Hardcover by William Morrow (June, 1900)
Author: James Shreeve
Average review score:

Good book worth for those interested in human evolution
I really enjoyed this book. I am a meteorologist with an interest in evolution in general. The sections on DNA and how to trace our roots was fascinating. The book is written from a story telling perspective as the author attempted to put together a picture of how "we" evolved. The author showed how different scientific disciplines have converged on some key concepts about our evolution. What better way to improve and build upon a theory. Like all science, it pays to be skeptical at times. The author presented the case for our evolution from several perspectives. The center piece was the Neanderthal man, how like us, share a common ancestor in homo erectus, as I understood the book. As a kid I read about human evolution and was surprised how the theories of what species are in our lineage have changed. The fact that different species of "homo" co-existed is fascinating. The fact that our early ancestors co-existed for thousands of years was also interesting. I found it tragic to see how the Neanderthal's attempted to emulate us before flickering out of existence about 28K years ago. The DNA evidence suggesting an out of Africa evolution was probably a key underlying theme to the book.

Science writing at its best
I started this book with no interest in human origins whatsoever, and finished it with a keen interest in the field. This is due to the skill with which Shreeve presents the vast and confusing field of paleoanthropology.

What sets this book apart from others in the field is that Shreeve focuses on modern-day humans--the scientists involved in these debates--and lets us discover the ancient world through their eyes. It's easier to relate to the confusion, jealousy and occasional triumphs felt by these scientists than to a bunch of dusty, silent skeletons. The book doubles as both a great overview of paleoanthropology as well as a primer on how scientists really act. These are not cold, detached people in white coats--they really care about what they're doing, and really take it personally.

This is the best science writing I've read in many years.

Good book on current theory of human evolution
I enjoyed this book and found it well worth the read. I especially enjoyed learning how the theory of human evolution in itself has evolved. I can recall reading books as a kid on this topic which showed the state of human evolution in the 1960s. Much has changed.

The DNA and fossil record point to multiple branches in our "family tree". This has lead to the the author speculating on the existence of multiple human species at various times.

The book seems to focus on the homo hablis and homo erectus part of the family tree. The cement is the Neandertal. If I got it correct, Neandertal's evolved out of homo erectus. But later, another species evolved and slowly replaced the Neandertal's.

Despite being a well writen story about the current state of human evolution, the story of the Neandertal is both interesting and tragic. It ends with them disappearing about 28K years ago, attempting to emulate our direct ancestors.

The DNA sections of this book are interesting and well written. Additionally, the interactions and ego collisions of leading scientists in the field is an interesting side bar. Our knowledge of human evolution hinges on their hard work and skeptical nature.


From Sea to Shining Sea
Published in Hardcover by Random House (July, 1984)
Author: James Alexander Thom
Average review score:

A Close-up Look at American History
Thom fleshes out American history with real characters, and an inside look at one of early America's most influential families. Although some of the Revolutionary War and Indian War sequences drag on a bit long, it was well worth the trip as a launching pad for the famed Lewis & Clark exploration. In fact, I hated to leave them as they reached the Pacific, and would like to see how they faced those same challenges on the journey home. It paints a less than flattering picture of our nation's early history, while at the same time celebrating the bravery of those who made it happen. Readers who enjoy historical fiction will enjoy even more this piece of history that Thom embraces like a story.

brings American history to life
Although I'm not much of a history buff, I read this book at the advice of a friend. By the end of the first chapter I was hooked. Thom brings the adventures of the Clark family to life. The book is accurate from a historical perspective and leaves the reader with a new appreciation of the courage and sacrifice behind our country's westward expansion. A must read.

Great Revolutionary era history from the Frontier
This is the best novel of Revolutionary American history I have ever read. The story of the Clark family is incredible, especially that of two particular sons, George and William. Perhaps the main theme of this book is leadership. George Rogers Clark was a phenomenal leader. He almost single-handedly won the western frontier during the Revolution. In the end, he was ruined rather than rewarded, for his efforts. As his inner fire dies, it is momentarily rekindled by his young brother, who departs to co-lead the greatest adventure in American History. Thom's depiction of George's brutal marches on Kaskaskia and Vincennes, and the Journey of the Corps of Discovery, is a masterwork.


PowerSkills : Building Top-Level Relationships for Bottom-Line Results
Published in Hardcover by Nimbus Press (01 June, 2000)
Author: James P. Masciarelli
Average review score:

A must read!
"PowerSkills" will change your life and change your business. Whether you're at the top of your company or determined to get there, you'll learn practical tips and techniques -- a sustainable process for becoming more savvy and successful in managing relationships for results.

Tons of practical ideas to implement right now
Jim Masciarelli's book is great for those who are looking to improve the quality of their professional relationships. Not surprisingly, his advice spills over into personal relationships as well. I particularly like his ideas on cultivating and sustaining a "Nifty 50" - the fifty most important professional relationships in your life.

Call To Action
Jim has captured the spirit of networking to its fullest. I had to read it with a pen in hand so that I could immediately start making lists of potential renewed acquaintances or simply an acknowledgement of key professional and personal relationships and why they are important.


Fortune Favors the Bold: A British Lrrp With the 101st
Published in Paperback by Ivy Books (May, 1998)
Authors: James W. Walker and Dan McIsaac
Average review score:

A book that affected another Limey - a masterpiece
James W Walker presents you with the story of his time in Vietnam and allows you to be transported there as if you were watching yourself.

He starts the story by describing how he managed to get to the States - via Hull, UK and through various schools in the area before moving with his mother to the USA, volunteering for the Army and shipping out to Vietnam.

Walker's description of his time in Nam is written so clearly that he betrays the fact that so many years have passed between the Tour and the book. His writing is not in the style of a list - like so many other books in this genre - but of a well-structured novel by a clearly talented author.

Fortune Favours the Bold - Walker was certainly bold. A number of tales in this book must have taken sheer courage to undertake. But Walker does not flaunt this - there is no ostentatious hint that he was the best, nor did he even think he was anything other than an average young man.

The book has, as all Nam books do, a fistful of photos taken of the author and his friends. The dipped head of Walker in one of the photos underlines my earlier statement - Walker is a real person. One with whom you can associate and befriend.

Being British myself it could be understood that out of the endless Vietnam books I have read this one would stay in my mind more than others, but Walker has a style that allows you to become him, to understand him and to like him. I would recommend anyone to read this book, regardless whether they are interested in Vietnam, war, fear and courage or not because it is a good read that will transport you from noon to night as you glide through the book, living your own war. I think you should buy this book - you will read it, love it and recommend it to your friends.

Mr Walker, Sir, when will you bless us with another book?

An outstanding story that you will never forget!
Limey's account as a 101st Airborne LRRP in Vietnam will keep you riveted to your seat and you immediatly feel yourself being transported to the action! Fortune Favors the Bold is extraordinary. Step into the lives of tough, rugged, professionals who performed their jobs well and with pride,under extremely difficult conditions. One you start this book, be prepared - you can't put it down!

A real story, by a real man, telling it like it really was.
Do you think that life in Lurps was all guts and gore and glory?

If so, you're wrong. If you're looking for a book about these things, look elsewhere. If you want to know what Lurping was REALLY like, read this book. It tells it like it was, warts and all. As you read it, you'll meet a gamut of emotions. You'll laugh, and you'll cry; you'll be angry and you'll be frustrated.

Just like Limey Walker and the men who made up the famous recon unit of the 1st Brigade/101st Airborne Division in Vietnam: LRRP--Long Range Reconaissance Patrol, The Foul Dudes, The Eyes of the Eagle.

This is the story of the life of an unusual man, one who was a hero, but not the Audey Murphy type.

The Limey was born in Britain and spent the first two decades of his life looking for something truly meaningful. His search took him 3 continents to come to an end. He found what he was looking for when he wound up in Lurps, in Vietnam, the only subject of Her Majesty, the Queen of England, to serve with the Foul Dudes.

FORTUNE FAVORS THE BOLD is the story of his search, and the record of what he found at its end. It tells how he grew from a child into a man, and then grew as a man. It tells of his mistakes and the trouble he got into along the way. It tells of the remarkable men he served with, in great honor.

It's a Lurp's-eye view of one phase of the War in Vietnam, in the rear, and on the line as a member of a 6 man recon team creepy-crawling in Mr. Charles' backyard.

It's the story of a common man who joined with others like himself, and together created created an uncommon legend of uncommon courage, valor and gallantry that was acknowledged even by the enemy, who feared them more than a B52 raid.

This made them--and him--a shining part of the history of a war without luster.

Read it, and learn what Lurps was really like. And learn what the Limey was really like at the same time--a very brave man with a big heart, who epitomized a "Band of Brothers" who never let their friends down, nor failed to do their duty.

If LRRP history interests you--read FORTUNE FAVORS THE BOLD. If courage interests you--read it. If men who put honor first interest you--read it. If you just want a good read--read it.

The Limey's book has them all, and is worth the effort. It's plain and unvarnished truth, told by a heck of a soldier, and told very well indeed.

It's a keeper.


Hollywood Bad Boys : Loud, Fast, and Out of Control
Published in Paperback by McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books (10 June, 2002)
Author: James Robert Parish
Average review score:

"HOLLYWOOD BAD BOYS" ¿ A (VERY) GOOD READ
Everything you always wanted to know about bad behavior -but were too afraid to ask (or didn't know where to find it). Well, here it is! Spent all weekend reading Parish's lively tome about the Silver Screen's most famous rogues - from scoundrels to rascals - & truly, couldn't put the book down. In just under 300 fascinating pages, found out WHO did WHAT to WHOM. What's more, the author tells you HOW and WHY. A phenomenally fun read, and highly recommended.

A must buy
What is good about this book is that it not only covers the familiar bad boys like Bogart and Mitchum but also such lesser known but nonetheless fascinating men like Tom Neal and Lawrence Tierney. And it covers the entire history of Hollywood from Wallace Reid of the silent era to Robert Blake who is in today's headlines. Anyone who knows Parish's books will want this one. And anyone who doesn't better start.

Getting Past the Tabloids
This is a fascinating look at Hollywood history. Bad behavior is as old Hollywood and bad boys go back to the earliest days. But this is not a simple recap of tabloid stories; this is an indepth look the backgrounds and careers of these bad boys. It also traces the consequences of this bad behavior. The book could also serve as a cautionary tale; much of this bad behavior is the result of booze and/or drugs and in many cases derailed or completely destroyed promising careers. I recommend this highly interesting book.


The One Page Business Plan: Start With a Vision, Build a Company!
Published in Paperback by One Page Business Plan Co (May, 1998)
Authors: James T., Jr. Horan, Jim Horan, and Rebecca S. Shaw
Average review score:

I hadn't purchased this book because I thought it was a joke
I had seen this book around but hadn't purchased because I didn't think a one-page business plan, even if possible, could be of any practical use.

I have been involved in several successful startups and have done a fair bit of business planning. I had even won prestigious awards for it. Currently I am involved in another startup, Worldlingo.com, an internet startup focused on language translation.

So what changed my mind - why did I purchase it?

I saw the author speak and he made a lot of sense, so I thought I had better get his book and check it out once and for all. If half of what he said was right - this one page business plan was going to be a big help.

It so happened I had a long 14 hour flight in front of me and took the book along to read. Its friendly style, graphics, and plain good sense (frankly the book is more like a kids coloring book then a traditional business planning book) enticed me to do the exercises as I went (which I never usually do). Answering the questions for my business and me.

Not only had I finished the book by the end of the flight, but I also had time to type up the final product on my laptop. I guess having already done a full blown traditional business plan for the business helped.

I have to say I was feeling pretty pleased with what I had produced. I felt more focused and had a much clearer picture of what the most important things were that needed to be achieved next.

But the most thrilling part was when I tabled it our staff meeting - they loved it. They could clearly see where we were heading, what we had to achieve, and it gave them a clear framework in which they could make the many decisions they have to make everyday.

The language translation business has been around for centuries, but the opportunities for it on the internet are changing and evolving very fast. This one page business plan is easy and quick to update, and the staff can quickly understand any refinements to our goals.

But actions speak louder than words, since I have purchased another 10 copies to give away to my product managers (so they can do a plan for their products) and the CEOs of other businesses I am involved in.

I think the one page business plan is a great management tool that will have a very positive effect on our business. I am already seeing the benefits.

I guess the joke was on me.

The Best book for practical B-plan in your organization
There are books on how to design business plan, and there are books. Sure, you can have a thick book, that will take weeks to read and understand. But if you have a need to not only understand the essense of a business plan, but the essense of your business, your vision, your goals - this is the book for you! Don't miss it! Ronen Ben-Naphtali, NY

The Right Brained Persons Guide To Writing a Business Plan!!
Being a severely right-brained person, the thought of actually having to sit down and put to paper a plan for my business was painful. When my coach sent this book to me, I was reluctant to even open it. But, when I did and saw the graphics and journal style layout, I couldn't put it down. I now have a vision for my business that stretches much further than I ever thought possible. What a tool!


The Reason Why
Published in Paperback by Atheneum (November, 1982)
Author: Cecil Woodham-Smith
Average review score:

An excellent introduction to a fascinating topic.
The Charge of the Light Brigade on the 25th October 1854 was one of the three famous engagements that formed the Battle of Balaklava. The Charge, the most famous of all military blunders, was barely over before the process of transforming it into myth began. Accusations, counter-accusations, legal actions and patriotic poetry created more obscuring smoke and dust than the infamous Russian guns. Cecil Woodham Smith traces the careers of two of the major players: Lords Lucan and Cardigan, the brothers-in-law from hell, whose vanity, arrogance and (at least in the case of Cardigan) incompetence, inexperience and crass stupidity, contributed to the fatal Charge. Almost 40 years of peace, and the reactionary influence of the Duke of Wellington, had left the British army in a parlous state of unreadiness and bureaucratic confusion when the call came to defend Turkey against the Russians. The choice of the aged, gentle, inexperienced and unassertive Raglan, as leader of the expeditionary army, only made a bad situation worse. (For a rather more sympathetic portrayal of Raglan, as victim of an inefficient military system, criminally disorganised commissariat and unreasonable government, see "The Destruction of Lord Raglan" by Christopher Hibbert.) A more recent study, "The Charge" by Mark Adkin, provides a detailed and well-illustrated account of the events leading to the Charge of the Light Brigade. Adkin challenges traditional views , including parts of Cecil Woodham Smith's account. Particular attention is given to the role played by Captain Nolan (the messenger). Adkin suggests that Nolan may have deliberately misled Lucan and Cardigan as to Raglan's real intention. Whatever the truth, which is of course unknowable, "The Reason Why" is a genuine classic and an excellent introduction to a fascinating subject.

The Price of Aristocratic Obsession
Woodham-Smith presents, in minute detail, the wages of placing social rank over experience, and even competence. British military history follows a disturbing trend. War starts, Brits get trounced upon, influx of fresh talent and new ideas comes (along with, sometimes, timely intercession by allies), British return to triumph. Woodham-Smith attributes this pattern to the notion in the higher ranks of the army (a notion espoused by the Duke of Wellington himself, pip pip!), that nobility ensures, if not competence, at least loyalty.

The price of this notion, is, of course, massive death, but because the massive death does not happen to the nobility, nobody important really minds. This is one reason the Charge of the Light Brigade, with which _the Reason Why_ primarily deals, was so different, and worthy of eulogizing in prose and song (Alfred, Lord Tennyson, by the way, appears absolutely nowhere in this text)--those dying, those paying the price for the Army's obsession with aristocracy, were aristocrats themselves.

Woodham-Smith manages to trace the careers of two utterly unsympathetic characters--Cardigan and Lucan--in a fascinating manner. This is no small feat, considering the reader will probably want, by the end of _the Reason Why_ to reach back in time and shake both of them, and maybe smack them around a bit.

Again, Cecil Woodham-Smith proves herself a master of the historian's craft, and produces a well-researched, thorough and driving account of what is probably the stupidest incident in modern military history.

The Crimean War changed so much about how war is waged--the treatment of prisoners and wounded being tops on the list of reforms brought about in the wake of the debacle. _The Reason Why_ is an excellent account, and should be required reading for anybody with even a remote interest in military history, or European history in general.

Still the best account of the Charge of the Light Brigade
The Reason Why remains the classic study of the intriguing and sadly ludicrous episode in military history known as the Charge of the Light Brigade. The author, coming from an Army family and relying heavily on the writings of officers, largely neglects the experience of the private soldier and concentrates on the main characters in the drama. The story is dominated by these extraordinary personalities, serving as a reminder that war is an inherently human drama. On a second level, it is a criticism of the privilege system of the British Army of the mid-nineteenth century. In retrospect, one is hard pressed to believe such a purchase system could have ever won a victory at Waterloo. Intolerant aristocrats with no experience in battle, paltry leadership skills, and maddening unconcern for the soldiers under their command, bought their commissions. The Charge of the Light Brigade illuminated all of the faults of the system and proved that bravery alone was insufficient for victory. While human blunders led to the debacle that was the Charge of the Light Brigade, the British military system was intrinsically to blame.

The heart of this book concerns the relationship between society at large and the military. Military leaders feared nothing so much as public scrutiny, for widespread discontent could lead to political interference and, indeed, political control of the army. Whether in dealing with the incorrigible personalities of Lords Lucan and Cardigan or in covering up the series of blunders that resulted in the sacrificial ride of the Light Brigade, the military leadership acted with the overriding principle of preserving the Army from governmental control.

The embarrassments of the Crimean campaign proved uncontainable. A great source of difficulty was the incompetence of the Army staff; rank and privilege were held to be superior to actual experience. When these difficulties led to humiliation and defeat, the commanders' concern was not with the men they had lost nor the future of the war effort; to the exclusion of these, their main concern was that bad publicity would appear in Britain, that the public would hear of the lack of success, that the House would begin to ask questions of the military leadership, that the press would begin to criticize the Army. This great fear of political interference was realized in the aftermath of the Crimean War. The author portrays this as the one positive effect engendered by the War effort. A new era of military reform was born in Britain, Europe, and America. Experience now became a prerequisite for command, and officers were trained in staff colleges. The author's final point is that, above all, the treatment of the private soldier changed as the military system was humanized to some degree. Her assertion that at the end of the Crimean War the private soldier was regarded as a hero seems rather bold, but it is clear that he was no longer seen as a nonhuman tool of his commanders' designs.


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