this book was exciting and interseting...it lost my attention at some points...going on and on on little things....overall this is a great book...:-)

When I borrowed this book from a friend's younger sister, I thought it would be an easy read to take my mind off things before I did my homework. Well, I read it.. and then I read it again. While the plot could be a little contrived at times, the characters were vivid and real, and the relationships between them left me wishing for a sequel. I bought the book for myself, and it has a permanent place on my bookshelf for those rainy lonely days when I need some cheering up.

This book is set in post-apocalyptic times, after a Nuclear Holocaust called the Flash. It is about six children who are living on a paddle wheel steam boat. To make a living, they play Rock-and-Roll from before the Flash and carry mail. Absolutely No Passengers! The kids rescue a man out of the river who is being pursued by a band of men who think he has something they want. This book may sound to you like the classic "Kids on their own", adventure story, but, it's not. Even though the plot becomes a bit unrealistic at times, it is still enjoyable. The characters come alive, and not only are they believable, sometimes you can even identify with them. It is as if you're on the boat yourself. Also, you're being told the story in the first-person by one of the kids. I enjoyed his descriptions and his thoughts. I highly recommend this book, and if you read it, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. By the way, I've read about four (Sherlock Holmes, Watership Down, The Goats and this.) really great books in my time, and I consider this to be one of them. Yours, Dogspaw

I think the best part was when Iola's keys were stolen, and how Joe reacted. It was great because he'll never forget her, no matter how many girlfriends he has. I loved this one.

It was an interesting mystery filled with excitement, romance and a good mystery. I would recomend this book to anybody who likes mysterys, treasure hunts, islands of mysterys and romance.

It wasn't the best book, but it was pretty good!!! I would recommend it to anyone who likes Carolyn Keene's books.

I read a book called the Twisted Claw. It's a fery good book. Frank and Joe Hardy help their dad track down a gang of smugglers,and discover a secret island kingdom.This book was great,lots of mystery.

This review concerns the revised 1969 edition. Frank and Joe help their father with his case concerning the thefts of pieces from a pirate treasure that had been on display in various museums. The investigation leads Frank and Joe to a mysterious ship called The Black Parrot. This is a very good book; although, I preferred the original edition. I thought that the best part of both books was when Frank and Joe disguise themselves and sail aboard The Black Parrot. Unfortunately, in the revised edition it lasts for only about 25 pages, while in the original version, that part lasted for a number of chapters. The revised edition is an exciting book and I think that most fans of the series would enjoy it.

This review concerns the original 1939 edition. Frank and Joe help their father track down a gang of smugglers and discover a secret island kingdom. This book was great; lots of mystery, lots of action, lots of suspence. The first 15 chapters are good, but the final 10 are excellent. At that point, Frank and Joe are hired on as crew members aboard the smuggler's ship. This book was very exciting; a must-read for all Hardy Boys fans.

This volume had a poor cover art and horrible internal artwork. However - the story was like no other - very good plot for the most part. It reminds me of a Star Trek episode that Trekies may recall in the original 1960's series involving "L'Andrew". The villagers in that show and in this book are all acting "wierd" and there exists a strange presence in the air. I never liked the swift paced higher volumes as well as the lower volumes - and this book written 30 years earlier may have become much better. The brothers travel to England - become involved in the pusuit of witches and is the only volume of it's kind. The criminals remain undisclosed until the very end - something I rather liked. A definate worth read. RATED C+

Mr. Hardy asks Frank and Joe to go to England to help an old friend when his witch museum is robbed. This book has a very intriguing mystery; it's exciting and it grabs your attention right away. The book features witches, curses, a strange disappearance and an old castle. Frank and Joe travel to London, Stonehenge, Ireland and the Isle of Man, but the book never sounds like a tour guide, as in many of the other high volumes when Frank and Joe travel. This is one of the few higher hardcover editions with which the reader won't be disappointed.

I don't remember all that happend because I read this book a long time ago. All I remember is the exciting parts. When in the fog a wierd cult was looking like they were worshiping the moon. And also the part when the boat was suddenly starting to sink and didn't know why; 'till later. Also the part when they were questioning a man when suddenly an arrow strucked the table that they were sitting in. It was most interesting when they explained the way the cults on the island was arranged. There were only two witch cults on the island called the white witches and the black witches. Of course the white were the good ones. ...

Rubbish. Semi-autobiographical meanderings by aged communist writer trying to work out where communism went wrong and too stupid to see. One of those books better forgotten.

Frank Hardy is one of Australia's most important writers ever. This is his undoubted masterpiece. It surpasses any other stories and novels that he wrote during his career. It is a book that deserves wider acclaim and should be read by all lovers of fiction. It is expertly crafted and is guaranteed to reward the reader who is willing to search the book out. Shame to the publishers who have let this masterpiece slid out of print.

Well, says an intrepid net-surfer, who for some reason is reading this review to a somewhat obscure book writen by a not-terribly-prominent-and-now-dead Australian author. One review good and one bad. I suppose it falls to me to tip the scales. I thought this book was superb. But then again, Im the ruminating, disenchanted unmade teenage bolshevik type that the book was (implicitly) written for. If you fit that even vaguely, this book will be all you have asked for. A fitting epilogue from a great Australian writer.

This review concerns the original 1943 edition. An elderly scientist comes to the Hardy home to seek Mr. Hardy's help in finding out who is stealing valuable silkworms from his lab. Mr. Hardy is busy on a case of government supplies being stolen from road construction sites, so Frank and Joe tackle the case for the scientist. Of course, the Experimental Farm where Frank and Joe had summer jobs is near the scientists home, and, oddly enough, a road construction site is also nearby. The book was a little slow going to start and I imagine many readers, after reading the first couple of chapters, would feel like giving up on the book, but it ended well. There is a moderate amount of action and the writing is good. One thing I didn't like about this book was that, aside from Aunt Gertrude and Mr. Hardy, none of the other main characters of the series played a prominent role in this book. This isn't the most thrilling book, but most readers would probably not feel like they wasted their time reading it.

This review concerns the revised 1971 edition. Frank and Joe investigate the deaths of two pilots after the planes that they were flying crashed into the cliffs at a nearby airport. This is a very interesting book with a really good plot. I enjoyed learning what the flickering torch really is and how it was connected to the rest of the case. This book is loaded with action and it kept me interested from the first page to the last. Ignore the awful cover on this book and read it anyway; you won't be disappointed.

This is one of the greatest Hardy boy bnooks. It is about a scientist who comes to the Hardy's house and wants Fenton to find his stolen silkworms. Fenton however has tpo got away on another case and so Grable reluctantly lets the boys on the case. The boys are also working at the Experimental Farm where they meet some suspicoous characters. Then the Hardy's chum Dick Ames (who does appear in the Secret of Skull Mtn.) may come under suspiciion for a crime he didn't do. Read the rest to find out!!!!

Sam Radley, Mr. Hardy's assistant, is found wandering in the woods, dazed and confused, and is later kidnapped from the hospital. Is it because he is the only one that can identify the criminal, who is a master of disguise, that Mr. Hardy is after? And just how do the mysterious new tenants of the creepy Sayers mansion fit into the picture? The mystery comes to a climax as Frank, Joe and Chet are trapped in the mansion during a hurricane and must outsmart their enemies before they escape. I really enjoyed this book. It has quite a bit of action and starts off very well; the Hardy's have already had a couple of confrontations with the crooks by the end of chapter 2. The story is rather interesting and the book is fairly well-written (particularly from about page 90 until almost the end of the book, while the hurricane is going on). One thing that I especially liked was that many of the characters of the series were included in the book: Mr. and Mrs. Hardy, Aunt Gertrude, Jack Wayne, Chief Collig, the Mortons, even Ethel Radley was included. Unfortunately, though, none of the Hardy's friends, except Chet, were included. I was a little disappointed with the end of the book as I thought that the crooks were ultimately caught with not that much difficulty, but this doesn't really ruin an otherwise good story. I liked this book and I think that other fans of the series would enjoy it as well.

My son Zack (10 years old) read this for a school assignment. He loves reading this book.

The book's interesting from the start, It starts out that Sam Radley a friend of there's has lost his memory. Then their's a break in at their house. People buy an old mansion and then Sam Radley is kidnapped from the hospital. Good book an suspenseful. The conclusion is great.

Thomas Hardy writes about adventure, romance, anger, and sheer happiness in Far From the Madding Crowd. The story takes place in the beautiful England countryside. From the beginning of the story the reader can tell that in some way or another, Bathsheba and Gabriel Oak will come together as a couple. The story is a good book because just when you think you know what will happen next, some other event will take place, that will cahnge your prediction.
Gabriel, the strong, patient, and chivalry-like character falls in love with a beautiful girl he meets. Before he took time to think towards the beginning of the book, he sees a fire on a farm and immediately rushes to put it out. This shows his courageous side. Bathsheba, as the total opposite if Gabriel Oak, is weaker than she likes to admit. This is shown when she finds out about the affair of her husband, Troy. As a result from her knowledge, she goes into what seems to be a mental breakdown.
In the book the reader either really loves the characters or really despises them. Gabriel is hard not to like. Again with his strong, patient, and chivalry-like characteristics, it makes every girl want to meet a guy who is actually like him. The total opposite in the book is Sergeant Troy, the antagonist of the novel. In a way he seems really whiney and likes to have his own way. It seems that he was put on Earth just to create havoc between peaceful people. Throughout the book his character flaws unfold, making him an unlikable character.
I would highly recommend the book. In some way or another it reaches out to anyone who will read it. Although the ending is somewhat predictable, it still has a few twists and turns to set the reader off. The book teaches the reader a lesson-that love can conquer all. Through all their trials and tribulations, I think that all characters and readers discover this in the book.

Not my typical fare, whether in classics or in modern literature. The beautiful heroine of this 19th century novel, Bathsheba Everdene (naming of characters evidently isn't one of Hardy's foremost strengths), is pursued by three men. Their personalities remind me of the movie "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly". Gabriel Oak is the Good dependable and reticent hero, Francis Troy is the Bad dashing soldier, and you find out towards the end that the handsome Farmer Boldwood is actually quite Ugly inside, though not Bad like Troy. Bathsheba is a somewhat unconventional woman for the time: confident in her ability to deal with men in matters of business, able to endure jarring emotional setbacks, and not afraid of confrontation. Naturally, since this is a romance novel the heroine must also possess some deeply feminine qualities: she's an emotional roller coaster, has a keen yearning to be desired, and feels great empathy for others' sorrows.

The characters' personalities and the numerous coincidences and accidental events that drive the plot all smack of "soap opera." The story may have been a groundbreaking achievement in its heyday, but today it just feels overused because many dramas, whether in novel or film form, recycle this work's themes and plot devices. However, Hardy displays extraordinary skill with the English language and I was delighted with his word choice numerous times throughout the novel. As an example, Hardy's way of describing a pocket watch whose hour hand is broken: "...though the minutes were told with precision, nobody could be quite certain of the hour they belonged to." Now imagine virtually everything in the settings described in witty fashion like that and you'll understand why the prose can be relished on its own merits, quite aside from the generally lackluster plot. The shocking climax did surprise me though.

Due to Hardy's formidable descriptive powers, I got a clear picture of all people and events and my attention never wandered. Also, as an avid amateur astronomer I greatly appreciated Hardy's evident knowledge of the night sky. He makes numerous references to actual constellations and asterisms, by which Oak has incidentally learned to tell time at night.

We can hardly blame Hardy for writing a romance that was unique and original 100 years ago but not today. But it does keep this novel from rating five stars, in my opinion, for a reader *today*. Nevertheless, it's highly enjoyable and I'm still savoring the many brilliant moments of prose contained in this novel.

This has to be my favorite of all Thomas Hardy's many classic works. "Far from the Madding Crowd" was published in 1874 when the novelist was 34 years old. It is one of the earliest works of English literature I can think of which has a fully rounded, fully independent, fully human female protagonist. Bathsheba Everdene runs a farm, is only semi-aware of her own extraordinary beauty, and is pursued by three very different men throughout the course of the book.

"Far from the Madding Crowd" may, in some sense, be the model for every cheapo drugstore romance novel ever written, but it is a classic for the very simple and very good reason that it transcends the genre it may have helped to start. Bathsheba's trials, in love and elsewhere, are completely realized, with terrific detail. Hardy has a powerful understanding of human nature and makes each of the characters both deep and broad, both simple and complex, both good and filled with fault. The result is a story with many characters, each of whom is as full-blooded and human as a reader could hope. It's a book which bears reading again and again, as each new reading shows the reader new detail and new depth not previously seen. A more three-dimensional character study may not exist in novel form--and the beauty of it is that all this terrific character examination is done against the backdrop of a wonderful plot as well. You really couldn't ask for a more richly satisfying novel.

Pretty good cover artwork - horrific internal artwork, fairly decent story about the brother's in Jamaica. Good amount of action and swift paced. Lots of interaction with the criminals as a large amount of the book is spent with the Hardys in pursuit. Nonetheless - it cannot hold a candle to the earlier volumes in quality, writing style and suspense. RATED C-

Frank, Joe and their friends are vacationing in Jamaica when an ancient death mask washes up on the shore near their beach house during a storm. A group of treasure hunters take an immediate interest in the mask. Frank and Joe believe that it is because of the mysterious Arabic words concealed in the mask which they believe may lead to a treasure. This book wasn't bad; it is probably one of the better books of the 50s; although that doesn't neccesarily mean anything. The book has a moderate amount of action and they run into the criminals quite often. The mystery is fairly interesting and the book moves at a good pace. During the course of the book, Frank, Joe and their friends are in Jamaica and Morocco; however, unlike many of the higher volumes, the book didn't come off as a geography lesson instead of a mystery story. The book isn't one of the best of the series, but it won't bore the reader either.

I think this book was cool because I learned some French and Arabic, the mirage in the last chapter, the landfall of rocks in the same chapter, and where Chet might have thrown up. He was wrong about being poisoned, but it was sort of funny. Also, it did seem a little real, but now it dosen't, because the waiter was friendly, and probably would never poison anybody, unless nessicary. So the rest of the parts may have been four stars, but this book was pretty good. The plot especially. So if you're 8-11, read this suspense-filled book.

Frank, Joe and Chet travel to the Adirondack Mountains to help a family that has a history of werewolves in its ancestry and to aid their father in a case concerning sabotage at construction sites. The book starts well and ends well, but it gets a little off track in the middle. It could have been better, but was still worth reading.

This book was the average joe-smoe mystery book that made you ask it to stop or to continue. The book was fast pace in the middle when Joe fights the bad gue on the roof of a 24 storie building! Read another book.

If you like mystery books, you will like Night of the Werewolf. In this book, the Hardy boys, Frank and Joe are trying solve a big mystery on a vacation to the Adirondack mountains. There, they hear howls every night! Who is making them? Read the book and find out!