This wonderful book will feed your soul and all your senses!
Nostalgic and informative, You are "There" with The Family!
You will see, taste, smell, touch and feel their experiences.
A Must Read!!!

The Big House on Cape Cod was built more than a century ago by the author's great-grandfather. It weathered 2 world wars, joy and tragedy, the changing seasons and fortunes of two families, and the transition from the simpler life-styles of past times to our own modern 'very fast is still too slow' culture. When the house becomes financially untenable for family members to maintain, Colt returns for one last visit before it goes on sale...and there the story, a touching and wistful memoir, begins. Don't miss this lovely book.

Terrific book! A wonderful, truthful, sometimes sad story written with great skill and compassion about a world so appealingly (strangely) far from today. Couldn't put it down.

As Gary Spence puts it "Fathers are just boys with whiskers" and lest the reader fear that Spence is ignoring girls, he intends to write another book for fathers and their daughters. A Boy's Summer is a delight, guaranteed to awaken the boy lurking in every man and to inspire boys to find pleasure in timeless pursuits, loved for generations - from walking on stilts to building box traps.
I bought several copies of this one to give as "new baby" gifts - for the fathers of baby boys, because so many new baby gifts include the new mother, but not necessarily the new father. This one reveals what fun can be had in the years to come, activities which can be shared not only by boys and their fathers but perhaps a kindly uncle or big brother). From hiking to fishing, making fire the way the Indians did to rafting, you won't find a better guide to adventuring together.

What delightful change, and a pleasantly remarkable book. Gerry Spence, the great trial lawyer, who has wowed us with his brilliance in the courtrooom and his rustic biting commentary on Larry King and the Geraldo Rivera televised shows gives us a book on parenting. It is humorous filled with tips for fathers and sons to spend quality time together. This legal giant shares his own brand of fatherhood and revisits the "boy" in himself.Enjoyable reading.

A great book for fathers and sons. This is a great gift for Father's Day and should be read by Fathers and Sons on Father's Day. It is motivational as well as heart warming. My son loved the book and related well to the various chapters. I have purchased 20 copies to give to my employees with sons. It's excellent.

BUTTERFLY GARDENING is a collection of interesting essays about butterflies. Chapters cover gardening tips, including an annotated list of plants that attract butterflies, and various other butterfly related topics such as: "What do butterflies see?"; "The struggle to survive"; "The life cycle of the large white butterfly"; and "Moths in the garden at night." If you love butterflies, you will probably enjoy this book but it won't go a long way toward helping you identify the Red Admiral you spotted on the Frikartii Aster yesterday. Another reviewer referred to this as a starter book, but I don't think of it as that at all although it does introduce a number of important topics.

The book includes a few "designs" for butterfly gardens, but they are general, and you would do better to use the garden designs in THE AUDUBON BACKYARD BIRD WATCHER. Let's face it, where the birds are is where their dinner is and dinner for birds is often the larval stage of moths and butterflies. The plant lists in BUTTERFLY GARDENING are adequate. Certainly the best thing to plant is Buddleia..the butterfly bush. This morning I saw three Monarch butterflies on my lavendar flowered Buddleia. The bush also supports a Grandpa Otts morning glory vine which produces flowers that are a dark bluish purple which changes to a purplish magenta. The butterflies were flitting from flower to flower and the color combo was a knockout.

This little book has much to recommend it. From BUTTERFLY GARDENING I learned the value of Parsley for larvae and that no matter how many butterfly boxes one hangs the little critters are visitors not tenants.

This book actually takes you past the very basic of plant lists (primarily US native plants) and arranging your garden (although it has all that too). It gets into things like a chapter on what butterflies see, their life cycles, butterfly watching tips, conservation, photography,pictures of caterpillars, etc. The photos are fantastic - not just pictures of butteflies on flowers but really close-up pictures of the wings, and butterflies in flight. They also include information on moths which is neat. This book is above and beyond the best book I've seen on butterfly gardening. For those who want to not only attract butterflies but also know what's going on and understand some of their world, this is a great book. I'd buy it all over again!!

I'm an up and coming butterfly gardener. This book had a great deal of information to share not only regarding what species of flowers to plant, but also about the life cycles of the butterfly and the importance of planting your garden for the entire life cycle - from egg, to caterpillar, to butterfly Discussion focused on butterfly/larva predators and how important they are to the cycle. Tips on photography, particularly in the dark were helpful. The pictures of the butterflies and flowers were exquisite! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and the information in it will go a long way in helping me create my dream garden.

Forget Shakespeare, Emerson, Plato and all. Bob Greene is the greatest writer of all time. It wouldn't make a difference if he published a grocery list, it would be perfect prose. This review could be interchangeable with any book he writes. Greene has the talent to find a story and then write it so the rest of us know why it is important to him. I've been a journalist for 20 years and hope and pray I'll get to be a 10th of Green's level. Quit reading this and go buy all his books.

Bob Greene gifts his reader with a compilation of articles that evoke a myriad of emotions. Each story has a point to be made, and that point could uplift you, enrage you, provoke you, encourage you, surprise you, or just make you exault life. Diverse in topic, they are poignant; they are inditing; they are sentimental; they are little gems of this most gifted writer's archives. I read one story nightly, before bed, and I looked forward to that ritual with great enthusiasm....our media is interested only in the sensationalist aspects of news, and at times it becomes exhausting. Bob Greene says there is another side and "the proof is in the pudding" of this fine book. It is good to know their is a reporter who cares about the "small story" that packs a big wallop.

Excellent style of clear, precise writing. Bob Greene bequeaths us back our pride in America, our belief in inherent good, and our desire to exhault everyday heros. If you are media weary, restore yourself with this infusion of hope, courtesy of one of the best newpaper columnist of our times.

When the subject of conversation is a Bob Greene book you hear many cliche's. Finger on the pulse of America aside, he's just a damn fine writer. Bob Greene is quite simply, a man you trust to get it right and give it to you straight.

George Nipe proves himself with new information never published on the movement of the SS Panzer Corp during/after the battle of Kursk. Detailed analysis of actual strength, too.

His book "Last Victory in Russia" is another 5-star!

I was a bit undecided about buying this book. By page 25 I was ordering his other book "Last Victory in Russia". Mr. Nipe is a new breed of historian, namely one who serves up the FACTS and respects the readers intelligence and his right to make up his own conclusions. I was always wondering why most books on Kursk spent over 70% percent of their pages talking about preparations and leaders and the glorification of the russians, but when it came to the actual battle they would just skim over it; there would be a lot of empty spaces and very unconvincing statements. Now I know.
The beating we gave the russians at Prochorovka was something to behold. The limited German resources were not only outnumbered but contary to popular legend were not lavishly equipped with Tiger and Panther tanks (in particular the Waffen SS Divisions).I won't go into details, for this is one more allied lie finally exposed. Read the book. I would like Mr. Nipe to tackle the battle of Falaise. I've always wondered why I always see the same photos about the "carnage" inside the pocket over and over, and why the allies with their overwhelming superiority (in particular in the air) were not able to close the pocket completely. Either somebody is lying or the Germans fighting them were indeed fighting men of a very special breed, or both. As a greater part of the world realizes that we've been spoon fed with lies about the Axis part in WWII in particular the Germans, more of us will seek answers.

This book is a serious, military study of the fighting in the Ukraine during the summer of 1943. When I first purchased the book, I thought it was yet another account of the battle of Kursk. While the Kursk battle is covered, the book's primary focus is on the battles which occurred immediately after the Kursk offensive was called off by Hitler -- namely, the fighting along the Mius river in late July and early August and the fighting in the area west of Kharkov in August. The maps are excellent, allowing the reader to follow the action day by day. The book is also well-written, apparently originally in English (not translated from German) which makes for an easier read. I am definitely looking forward to the author's next book. .........

A sultry summer...A young woman's struggle. She was young, she was naive. Her upper class upbringing didn't prepare her for the reality she would face. In her journey, she struggled, she learned and she grew strong. As I read this book, I couldn't wait to see what came next. When I finished it, I didn't want to let the characters go. I can't wait to see what comes next from this fresh, new author - there has to be a sequel!

The characters are fully developed and intriguing. Once I began reading, I was drawn in completely to the world of Memphis in 1878. An interesting literary device and plot twists make this book a great read. I'll be first in line to buy the next Ericcsen novel!

Read this book and could not put it down! I look forward to the next one. Great background in history and I thought of some of the characters as real Memphis folk!

If the famous altarpiece of Hieronymous Bosch , similarly titled the Garden of Earthly Delights, could become words, those words would probably read much like Reinaldo Arenas' last volume. As with any fine writer (and make no bones about it, Arenas is one of the best of the Latin writers), the act of drawing an audience into a book is part enjoyment but also part labor. Plan on working to catch all the subtle metaphors and references as well as the obvious in-your-face slapstick that flows continously from these pages.

Arenas' bifurcated feelings about his native Cuba are well know to the readers of his other novels: Cuba he adores - Castro he loathes. And as the author was dying from AIDS in the US he was able to concentrate all of his ambiguous responses to his native homeland into a grand guignol carnival Farewell Party. The precis for the story is the preparation for the celebration of Fifo's (thinly disguised name for Fidel Castro) "50th" anniversary of dictatorship. Arenas very cleverly separates his personality into three faces - Gabriel, Reinaldo, and Skunk in a Funk - in order to give us the many facets of view of living in Cuba now and before Castro. His characters are hilariously drawn campy creatures in an endless pursuit of earthly delights (aka gay sex) and if the interchange of gender pronouns (him/her) at times gets a bit overused, the premise is sound and keeps the stew bubbling. Even the atrocities attributed to "Fifo" are handled in sure polished slapstick that we are drawn more to laughter than to loathing. Cuba is finally liberated by being separated from its mooring to the sea floor to float out blissfully toward Europe..or....

Arenas was a brilliant writer who died too young, but as this final translation of his output proves, his was a significant voice not only as a gay writer, but as a revolutionary thinker under the duress of loss of freedom that still plagues Cuba. Highly recommended book....just plan to work some and to take your time.......

Wow! I just finished reading "The Color Of Summer" by the late Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas--and what a challenge it is for me to describe or assess this extraordinary work of fiction. It seems to be a hybrid of memoir, satire, and wild, hallucinatory magical realism. Maybe I should de-emphasize the term "realism." Historical events are exaggerated or transmogrified by the author--often with hilarious and irreverent results. The relentless pursuit of pleasure is constantly at odds with the pursuit of power. In one chapter entitled "The Garden Of Computers" Arenas brilliantly satirizes the bureaucracy of informants. "...denunciations, backstabbings, and betrayals of friendship were the nourishment the machines lived on." This is as brilliant as anything Dickens ever wrote about corrupt institutions. Other authors that came to mind as I read "The Color Of Summer" were Gabriel Garcia-Marquez, William Burroughs and, especially, Salman Rushdie. The amazing word-play in this book(in which 30 tongue twisters are interspersed)is delightful. Credit for this must surely be shared by the English translator Andrew Hurley. Sex(especially gay sex)is an obsession with most of the characters in this book-including the central tyrant Fifo(Castro). This is not a book for the timid or prudish. However, underneath it all there is a powerful affimation of the human spirit. Arenas expresses profound sadness, frustration, and anger--which cuts right through all the raucous humor. But, more than that, he imparts a sense of real joy through his characters' acts of defiance and creativity. I thoroughly recommend this book. A masterpiece.

The translation of this work is amazing - no way would you know that this delightful queen, Arenas, didn't originally write this in wickedly idiomatic English. He had to write this story, what?, seven times? It was confiscated, stolen, and lost over and over. And he re-wrote it over and over, until he could escape to freedom and finally see it in print. The story is a scream of queer humor atop the most tragic background of brutal state repression. Yet, in a way that only imprisoned Cubans seem to know how to do, his pride and dignity survive.

The title tells it all. This is a fun book to read and it got my wife and me all excited about our trip way before we even packed our bags. All the suggestions were very good.

This book is what travel guides are supposed to be: informative, interesting, and most of all--fun. Great research and the author's warm writing style make planning a leisurely holiday a pleasant experience. Great suggestions for romantic getaways, but there's plenty here for the whole family, if you really want to bring the kids.

Living in Chicago, I'm always longing for summer. Now I'm also longing to go to the Cape area. Enchanted Summer paints a great picture of what should be a great summer vacation. The book is well written, well organized and well..enchanting. Can't wait to check out the recommendations.

This audio book really got to me. It started out slow, with Nick, the main character trying to sort out how to deal with the death of his father in a car crash, and hearing a variety of "voices,"as he seems to wander in and out of reality. I found myself wondering where this strange beginning was going, but very quickly I was caught up in Nick's predicament. Several things take place later in the story that will break your heart. It is masterfully told by an outstanding narrator and I found myself wiping tears from my eyes on several occassions, as the story came to a close. Although the two-tape audio book is an abridgement, it is very powerful. I also like the way animals are strangely "drawn" to Nick. A real keeper...don't miss it.

"The End of Summer" is an awesome story, handling grief and loss realistically yet strangely...after all, how many people find solace and wisdom from puddles? Yet I could picture a lonely meadow where an injured soul could sort out their thoughts and receive "advice" from nature. Don't long walks often clear our minds and help us put life into a better perspective? This story is for someone who is trying to understand life and death, love and hate, gain and loss, or for someone who is just trying to reafirm or understand their spirituality. And what a powerful message for those who are intent on destroying all that is around us - "...everthing is part of the dance...do not break the beautiful rhythm of the universe..." Thank you John Lowry Lamb for your insight and images.

I am a reader for a french publisher. I read this book some years ago and I loved it, but it was not bought by my boss. I did regret it, and I have since look for it in vain. Now I am so pleased to find it on Internet. It's one of the most heart breaking story I ever read, and I wish to share my admiration with my sons and you ! Do read it if you like poetic and realistic story. I'd like very much to let the author know much I appreciate his book. I never forget it, trough I read so many books a year. Thank you M. Lowry Lamb

Haddassah (Dossi for short) is a Jewish girl lives in a cramped apartment in New York City. Her sister (Ruthi) signs her up for a Fresh Air Fund which sends poor children too the country for 2 weeks in the summer. Dossi leaves excited and yet afraid to go on vacation with a family she doesn't know in Vermont for 2 weeks. She is stunned by things in the country and doesn't even know what fireflies are. This is one fault that I found with the book, she seems to know NOTHING of the country, now I can believe she's never milked a cow, but some of the things she had never seen are unbelievable. Anyway during the book she sprouts friendship and learns new things of her trip. She meets new people and learns what the lovely countryside is like. This is a really fast paced book, you should be able to finish it within an hour or so, but nonetheless it is worth reading.

Dossi is a poor girl who lives in the city.Her parents and younger sister,Velvel have passed away.Dossi's sister,Ruthi is the one who will take care of them.She works in the factory.When Ruthi signs Dossi up to be sent to the country,on a Fresh Air Fund vacation,Dossi is terrified and surprised.Soon,the day had come to go to the country.Dossi packed her bags and brought along a library book which was a new one.She and her friend,Mimi, didn't tell the librarian that Dossi was taking it away.Dossi prommises Ruthi that she will send a postcard to her as soon as she reaches her destination.In the country,she meets the gentile Meade family.Nell and Emma are around Dossi's age.Mr. Meade and Mrs. Meade also have two sons,Timothy and Edward.Nell chats nineteen to a dozen.Emma doesn't.There are a lot of things that Dossi hasn't seen.Like fireflies,cows,two yolks in one egg and many other things.She learns about a man named Snowflake Bentley.He is mad about snowflakes.Snowflake Bentley also takes photos of snowflakes not people.Dossi likes Nell but she wants to befriend Emma too.But Emma treats her like if she is not there.Will Dossi be able to befriend Emma before her holiday in the country ends?

This is a good story about a girl who spends a few weeks with a family that is very different from her own. Dossi learns other people have alot to offer her and she has alot to offer in a friendship,too. Hurwitz is a wonderful author; she makes the characters and situation come alive.