I started reading this book becuase I read "Lord of the Manor", also by Anton, first. Oops! It pretty much gives away the climatic moments of this book, but nonetheless, a wonderful historic novel worthy of reading.

I am glad O Henry escaped from his Texas prison, because his period of exile in Honduras provided him with beautiful fodder for this book. Actually, it is a series of linking vignettes about a mythical town (Coralio) in the mythical Central American "Banana Republic" of Anchuria. The protagonists are American and other foreign misfits who have formed a colony along the disease ridden coast of Anchuria. Achingly funny stories populate Cabbages and Kings, especially the one about an Irish Soldier of Fortune who gets swindled by a Guatemalan general and seeks revenge. Although extremely humourous, Cabbages and Kings is historically valuable as well. It provides an accurate representation of turn-of-the-century life in Caribbean Honduras.

"A California Dreamer in King Henry's Court" is the story of adventurer Harold Hurgood who journeys back in time from twentieth century London to the year 1535 during the tyrannical reign of King Henry The Eighth and his Tower of London horrors. From chapter to chapter the reader travels along with Hurgood along a circuitous and sometimes dangerous route meeting interesting characters along the way. Who could not forget "John The Large" and little "Annalisa?"

And who could not be amused at times by Hurgood himself as a bard and then a knight, and then not fear for him when he comes to realize his tenuous place as a subject to the tyrant King.

The historical details and splendid dialogue of the time are well researched, from the major events and people true to life down to little things like unwashed boards for plates, and to own a Bible risked the stake.

As an author, Robert L. Plunkett is on a par with the likes of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells. "A California Dreamer in King Henry's Court" is a "must have" for science fiction and history buffs. You won't be disappointed.

This book provides a whole new look at The Christmas Story. It is a wonderfully written, well illustrated account of a camel's view of the birth of the Christ Child. Highly recommended

This book was spellbinding and yet, utterly heart wrenching for me. I found Michael D. Miller's efforts in regressing 102 people back to the time of Camelot a compelling force as though he had written for me to read. Having stumbled upon the title of this book while on the internet I felt compelled to purchase it. (As a side note, I want to confide to all readers of this review that I checked all my local bookstores and libraries and could only locate this book through Amazon.com) What makes this story seem so "realistic" and "full of truth" is that the authors background seems doubtful that he would make something like this up. But beyond all that is the fact, that I, having gone through my own past-life regression can attest that all of his regressions with these people "ring true" within my experience. Sure, my doubtful and skeptical side wondered out loud how he manages to gather 102 people who all seem to have a connection to Camelot but as I began to think these thoughts the very next chapter answered my questions. Maybe Merlin was collaberating with the author on the writting of this book but it was a magical experience to read and "re-live" these experiences from an era of when time was enchanted and the dream of a perfect existence was realized. A time when love was pure.

This book is replete with information, making it a very good read. The author goes into much detail here, giving coherent and plenary information on canopic jars, etc. It may prove a bit dry for the neophyte, but even an avid amateur will enjoy the descriptions.

This book details the history of the settlements on the Cape Cod peninsula in the first eight decades of the English period. It covers the establishment of the towns, the social structure, the political and religious controversies, the economics, and a whole lot more. It's a scholarly work, extensively documented; but unlike a lot of academic historians, this author can write. It is, therefore, highly recommended for anyone with an interest in Cape Cod history. If your interest in Cape Cod is genealogical, there's a wealth of detail about many of the early settlers that I've seen nowhere else.

This is a must reading for people who were around in the 20s, 30s 40s and 50s and anywhere near the Ohio river. It's a true to life story of the TJ Reynolds family who brought old time showboat entertainment to thousands of people along the river. I found it to be a fascinating glimpse of life aboard showboats and the trials and tribulations of this Reynolds family. What's interesting is that after reading the book, one can actually experience seeing a play on the last showboat, Reynold's Majestic,even today in Cincinnati, Ohio.

I haven't actually read the book, but I'd be happy to if someone who has would please summarize it for me and anyone else who checks out this site! I'm giving it five stars because I'm going to assume it's good-everything else I have read so far by Stephen King is! But I'll read the book and give a fair judgement. I'll go look for it at the library, read it, then give a real review!

The series certainly has gone downhill since the glory days. "The Case of the Silk King" is among the best CYOA ever produced.

I don't know if Shannon Gilligan ever wrote another CYOA book, but this one rivals Edward Packard. It loosely takes the real-life story of Jim Thompson, an American silk magnate who disappeared in Thailand, and has the reader pretend to be a young detective asked to track down Thompson years later.

There no real reason tendered for why so many people don't want you to discover the truth, but this minor quibble never distracts from the general quality of the book. It takes the hoary conventions of CYOA books -- especially the use of the exotic locale -- and plays them to the hilt. If I recall correctly (I'm nineteen...it has been years...), you can get killed off by everything from a Bengal tiger to a flash flood if you make the wrong choice.

This is rather unique in the series, in that it takes off on an actual historical happening. CYOA doesn't get any better than this.

(P.S. -- Check out my review of "Your Code Name is Jonah" -- another classic CYOA book. E-mail me...we can talk about the strange hold this series has on the imagination...)