Marshall's strength as an author of fiction lies in her ability to write rich, detailed characterizations. Throughout "The Chosen Place, the Timeless People," the variety of ages, races, class identities, and cultural backgrounds is woven into a fascinating narrative about a fictional Caribbean island in the early throes of multi-national post-industrial capitalism. How the characters react to these outside influences of globalization on them is the focus of the struggles: in their interpersonal relationships, in their determination to remember and re-enact the history of oppression and liberation from slavery, and in the larger struggles between nations and nationality.

As a metaphor for colonialism, this book is stunning. Harriet, the American woman who finds herself so out of place in the West Indian world, so unable to understand the "laws" by which this world operates (as seen in the arrogance she displays by taking the eggs meant for trading and making omelets for the children, which go uneaten), gets swept away by the force of a carnival crowd. She feels the power and feels the fear of that power as she falls to the ground. Without understanding, she watches the recreation of the past and senses its full force, then becomes overwhelmed by it-but she is unable to comprehend it or stop it. This representation of the local history is too much for the American to take in, and she is ultimately undone by its power. Although she never understands why, the force of this collective memory changes her life forever, and her incapacity to understand it forces her to her final end.

Merle Kinbona is one of the most memorable and interesting protagonists in all of West Indian literature. She is one of the strongest characters in all of the literature that emerged from the 1960s, and she reflects what was going on politically not only in the Caribbean, but also in the United States during that time. American social anthropologists have been sent to a West Indian island, Merle's homeland, with plans to help the residents. With this as a backdrop, Marshall explores race, politics, and cultural differences. She addresses the issues of immigrants, outsiders, and all those living outside of their cultures. Particularly effective are her portrayals of white male characters, proving that cross-race, cross-gender writing can work. The book may be too long, but the text is accessible, and the novel features a very real sense of place. Subtle and well-handled issues of homosexuality show that Marshall was, indeed, a woman ahead of her time.

Ever since the toy market exploded, the cost of action figures has gone through the roof. That's why this "toy collection on paper" is so great--for only thirty bucks, I can look at every toy I ever had or WANTED to have. John Marshall and I must be close to the same age (early-to-mid-thirties), because a lot of his color commentary mirrors experiences I had owning and playing with toys. A fun and funny book, one that's sure to stir up lots of memories.

John Marshall is THE toy guru, and his opinion is highly respected. His love for comic toys shines through in this highly entertaining collector's guide. Don't miss it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the pitch-black humor of this book, which flips a verbal bird at everything from mental healthcare professionals to white trash to the arrogant wealthy. At times, the snarky attitude verges on overwhelming, but read in several moderately sized portions rather than wolfed down in one sitting, The Concrete Sky is as pitilessly/pleasurably sharp-tongued as Robert Schimmel's stand-up routines or Gore Vidal on one of his more misanthropic days. The noir-tinted plot keeps fingers turning pages fast, but it's Moore's singularly pissy narrative voice that leaves the deeper papercuts...on your brain.

The author is the child Oscar Wilde and Dorothy Parker never had together. I haven't read anything this witty in years. THE CONCRETE SKY made me laugh, it made me mad, it made me think, it got under my skin. I was rooting for Chad and Jonathan and I wanted to slap them both too. I couldn't put this one down. It made me late for work because I stayed up late reading. This is a debut novel? What's he going to write next?

This book is an interesting look at the nuclear testing the U.S. did in the Pacific Islands. It is a great book when you must write a paper on the subject, because of its understandability. I would recommend that anybody who wants to know about the horrors that the Islanders went through during the testing and the aftermath of testing should take a look at this book.

I read this book several years ago. Excellent, but extremely thought provoking. Be warned, it is very upfront and to the point, in regards to what the U.S. government did to the people in the Marshall Islands.

A great book freaturing many great photos of Dylan during his first "prime". The photographs by Marshall and Kramer have been in print since the dawn of time, a big disappionment from those two photographers. Barry Fienstein was along for most of the 5/66 tour and his pictures are mostly brand new and very very exiting. I was a little disappionted by the lack of preformance pictures included, but that's a minor gripe. Overall an essential picture book for any Dylan fan, new or old.

Note: Barry Feinstein's pictures graced the booklet that went with the CD "Bob Dylan, Live 1966". He could have easily made a much, much more exiting book if all the "standard" pictures from Kramer and Marshall were replaced by more of Feinstein's unseen amazing photographs.

I agree with the other reviewer about this book. I've seen most of the work by Marshall & Kramer. Not to take away from them but the work by Feinstein was primarally new to me(except for the Live 66 photography) and i only wish there was more of his work. All and all, though, a great book of photographs of a true artist.

This book was originally published under another name in England in 1920, then in American in the twenties. Now, reprinted again.

Almost put it down at the beginning first forty pages or so. Just wasn't going anywhere, setting up this arrogant, pompish, stuffy British guy who excels at everything, and thinks he can do the same with golf.

Stay in there as I did, until the golf begins, and it becomes a good read. Then, I kept waiting for some twist or such, and none came.

Almost quit again before the last chapter, but am glad I continued and encourage you to do the same. The outcome was unexpected, and I resonated to it, as a golfer.

You know, golf is about life. What other games calls penalties on themselves?

Golfers, you'll enjoy this Scottish tale!

originally published (and still available as) The Haunted Major, this is a minor comic masterpiece. The narrator is Major Jacky Gore, the self-proclaimed 'greatest sportsman living'. He excels at all sports but despises golf on the grounds that it is not dangerous enough. However, in order to win the hand of a rich American widow he finds he has to defeat the US Open golf champion... With the aid of a ghostly and vengeful 16th century Scottish Cardinal Jacky goes head to head... Despite Jacky being pompous, vain, disdainful, arrogant, he is an attractive character. This is the kind of paradox that masterpieces are made of, and this is certainly one.

This book talks about Epilepsy in plain language and explains the treatments and alternative therapies available. It is approved by both the British and American Holistic Medical Associations.

Although I use the book as an adjunct to medication therapy, the book also discusses complementary and alternative treatments available to those unable to take medication.

This book helped me understand the relationship between everyday living and my seizures. My questions were answered by this book and so were other questions that I never even thought to ask my Neurologist. The author made me understand that I should do practical things: take my medication at the same time everyday, eat and sleep regularly and use relaxation techniques for stress reduction. I had never realized that there might be a connection between stress and my seizures and the subject never came up in my visits with my neurologist.

My advice is to get this book for a better understanding of Epilepsy and how you can improve the quality of your life while living with it.

What can I say? As a person, affected by epilepsy, I was looking for a book like this one for a long time...For a mere $5, it gives you all the info you need about the disorder in a handbook format (which what I was specifically looking for). It covers both trad. and non-trad. methods of control. It has a few charts (medications, etc.) and aslo a few useful addresses of organizations, who help people suffering from epilepsy. So, I think, you REALLY NEED TO HAVE THIS BOOK as an every day guide.

This 48-page book is divided into three episodes dealing with our hero, "Fox." In the first story Fox reluctantly accompanies his sister to the park, when he encounters the pretty white fox "Raisin." The next day, he practically bribes his sister to go with him so that he might meet Raisin again. In "Fox and the Girls," Fox goes to a fair with Rose, then Lola ("On Wednesday Fox and Lola went to the fair."), and finally Raisin, who discovers Fox's previous "dates" ("And on Saturday, Fox went to the fair...all alone."). In the final story, Fox and his sister win second prize in a dance contest ("They did the boogie. They did the stomp."), after Raisin turns him down--perhaps still upset about Fox's fair dates described in the previous story. While the first two stories have some clever humor, the final one is a bit flat. The pictures, while simple and cute (somewhat similar to Sandra Boynton's style), are chiefly limited to green and orange colors. A good book for Fox fans, but I can't imagine most children getting too excited over the stories. However, children may enjoy a "chapter book" geared for the early reader (perhaps grades 1-2). The publisher (Dial) lists the reading level as 1.8; the book is one of several in its the "Easy-to-Read" collection.

My son loves to read all of the Fox-series of books. He is in kindergarten and just past the first level of readers. This is just the right level for him, and he loves to hear about fox's latest goof up. I enjoy them too for their droll wit. For some reason (a combination of being the right level and their funnyness...we can't wait to hear what happens next), he reads these books extremely smoothly.

This book addresses reasons for kids who cant make friends because they are unaware of non verbal 'rules' between kids. They just dont catch on. The authors list about 6 clear areas to address that can be gone over with children to help remedy that. Each section has about 2 pages of suggested activities to try . I liked that while many other books offer psychobabble, this book goes into another dimension -of body language and actual body presentation. Real and practical stuff. I didnt like that the book felt as though the important information wasnt quite long enough for a book so it was padded to make it thick enough to be commercially viable. I'd bet this and their other book could be combined into one really worthwhile book.

Gives understanding of the problems faced when someone does not have the ability to "get" non-verbal communication. Most of us know instinctively, by body language, what others are trying to convey. Not so with children and adults on the autistic spectrum. This book explains it all and better yet - gives concrete examples and exercises that you can do with your child at home or suggestions for the professionals to use in a school setting.

this is the pure basics... they cover everything... doors, windows, BACEMENTs... from locks to clocks and electronics its in here... a very good book... not like the USSR is invading secure but most of you arnt like me... when i liberary got this book (if anyone wants to buy it for me thats cool thanks LOL) i fliped after i read it... it was soooo good... i learned sooo much about my house that i had never thought of.. great book... not the best but all of the basics

I confess: I am carpentry impaired. But when I thumbed through this book and then read it thoroughly, I was impressed by the fact that many of the techniques in it are easy and require minimal tools, supplies and skills. "Home Security" also has very good color illustrations (and some photos) that show you exactly what the text is saying. As a visual learner, I appreciated that very much!

The real gold in this guide, however, is the sheer wealth of information. For instance, I personally didn't know one lock from another (other than a deadbolt is better), and "Home Security" has a whole page full of illustrations with pros and cons of each type of lock and where they are best suited for in your home. It gets down to details such as shape of the lock's bolt, and how far into the doorjam it should go. "Home Security" also answered the simple question of which way should the door swing --in or out -- to provide the best security. (It's in.)

This book is a great way to get you started. The information is basic and shows you in which direction to go, and how to think about the most common ways thieves get in and take things. In fact, I am in the research stages of building my own house, and for others like me, this will prove invaluable, because we can build the security in as we go along instead of doing a "quick fix" to badly secured features later.

Subjects covered by the book, in no particular order, are:

Do a home inventory and a "security tour" to determine what you have and the weak spots in the home
Childproofing
Insurance
Alarm systems -- the biggest single section of the book
Securing windows and doors all over the home, including basement
Locks
Fences and lighting
Fire safety, including types fire extinguishers and smoke detectors
Apartment and condo dwellers
Securing special targets (guns, jewelry)
How to convert a regular closet to a security closet
How to get into the habit of security
Vacation security
Security when you are at home
Some thoughts on handicapped-accessible home design