I first read this book when it was published in a Reader's Digest Condensed book, I myself was about 16. My sister shared this book with me and it has become a yearly read ever since. I have read this book more than 100 times since then. Between my sister and myself we read the book so much it caused the binding to break and that selection to separate from the the book. It wasn't until I was in college, when I recommended it to a young man in the Air Force that I actually read the uncondensed version of the book. He enjoyed it so much he purchased a copy for me, as my sister and I shared the other copy for several years. Now has come the time to share this book with my own daughter. She recently saw the movie Pearl Harbor and remarked how she enjoyed the story, of course I thought of A Distant Summer. This is a story you will want to read several times, and pass on to your daughters.

I read this book almost 20 years ago and loved it. I've kept my copy and have enjoyed re-reading it many times over the past years.

This is the story of a 16 year old girl who finds love with a rear gunner during WWII. He won't allow himself to trust, to love. He knows he's a dead man walking and she should have her whole life ahead of him. She's a little self centered (who isn't at 16?). Through love and patience Kate grows up and teaches Johnny that his life is worth living and she is worth the risk of love.

This is a beautiful story infused with information about the RAF, the war, England's war effort.

These are star crossed lovers, haunted by the external forces keeping them apart.

If you get a hold of this book, read, enjoy. Kate's story will become part of you and Johnny's pain will stir your soul.

A definate keeper!

I read this book when I was in high school for the first time. It is a wonderful book, as mentioned in the previous review this character has stayed with me for 20 years. I highly recommend this book for teenage girls. My copy is a tattered mess, so I'm very pleased I'll be able to replace it. Thanks amazon.

John Crowley is a great talent, but this is not his best effort. Every SF/Fantasy writer is compelled to write a post-apocalypse novel, a simpler people living in the aftermath of a future world technology-driven disaster precipitated by man upon himself - and this is Crowley's contribution. Within this sub-genre, there are better efforts to recommend (Miller's 'Canticle for Liebowitz' immediately comes to mind). It is an interesting story crafted by a gifted storyteller but it is not a compelling novel in a literary sense. This book by Crowley reminds me of several of Philip Dick's alternative history books, albeit more lyrical and sentimental and less philosophical and/or psychological than Dick. The comparison with Dick is an interesting one. Crowley the superior literary talent is almost completely out of print. Dick, appealing to the mainstream SF community with several movie take-offs to sustain him ('Blade Runner', 'Screamers', 'Total Recall') is available en masse - almost all of his novels and several collections of short stories are immediately available. Dick was not capable of anything along the lines of Crowley's masterwork 'Little, Big', although Dick was a creative, intelligent talent that went unappreciated for too long. Hopefully, Crowley will earn his due recognition in his lifetime.

If Little, Big is supposed to be his absolute masterpiece then I'm really looking forward to reading it (it's next on my list) because this book was one of the most lyrical and poignant books I've ever read. Crowley is one of the most poetic writers to grace the SF/fantasy genres, the only comparsions that come even close are Tim Powers, Michael Moorcock and Samuel R Delany and even then they're nothing like Crowley. This book here is his major contribution to the SF canon, but because of its out of print status (my edition was printed in the early eighties, how long ago did it go out? and why?) it's mostly stayed relegated to cult novel catagories, leaving people like me and others to sing its praises and get his name out there. But about the book. A riff on the theme of post-war America, this is completely unlike any of the books I've ever read on the topic. It's not surprising plot wise (in fact the plot is rather straightforward, progressing from point A to point B quite easily) and the idea of people growing up in the shadow of the end of the war, it having happened so long ago that nobody can even remember the old days, surrounded by pieces of machinery created by the old civilization (the angels) and just basically living. But I don't know, because of the way he writes, the entire novel is given this pastoral feel, like it takes place in an endless summer, I can vividly picture Rush That Speaks and his people frolicking in the lost land not even knowing what it all used to be. It gives it this dreamlike quality and sometimes the action borders on the surreal, but it's always gentle and lyrical. Simply put this is one of those books that has to be read, and slowly, to let the images develop in your head and lounge around there for a bit. And the ending is one of the best and most satisfying that I've seen in a long time and a little sad at the same time. Enough with the plaudits, this is one of the most distinctive SF books ever written and more than deserves everyone's attention.

After the destruction, little BelAir is a community of truthful speakers who have survived and built a unique city- a microoculture with deep roots in the recovering earth and a rich emotional life. Crowley's young protagonist goes on "Walkabout", in search of their version of sainthood and finds far more than he envisioned. He achieves his goal, but in a terrifying and poignant way that he (and you) never dreamed of. This powerful little masterpiece has remained in my heart for 30 years. I take it out and reaquaint myself with it often.

This is the second book in the trilogy I've read and I must say it's a bit bleak. It was assigned to my 10 year old's class (mainly because we live in "Genesee Country") and I'm glad I read it first. Although rich in historical accuracy, Mem's mother's depression is a real turn off for some younger children. I found both this book and "The Journey To Nowhere" quite morose with little joy to redeem them. I did enjoy it as an adult, but they are written with kids in mind and their harshness can be quite unsettling.

The book Frozen Summer is sad, eventful, and exciting . It's about a girl named Rememberance Nye. Her family had moved to New York the year before, and her mother had just given birth to a baby girl named Lily in the middle of an unusual blizard in the middle of June. A summer frost killed all of their crops, and all that remained were sweet peas. Rememberance's (Mem's) mother started having unusual spills. She wasn't in the proper condition to take care of a new baby. Mem had to give up going to school so she could take care of her mother, brother, and little sister.
My favorite part was when Mem's teacher came to live with mem's family and helped take care of baby Lily. I hope you will read this book by Mary Jane Auch, I believe you will enjoy it as I have.

Have you every thought about how life was like back in the 1800's? Well, if you would like to experience that, then you should read Frozen Summer. The story is about a family that face hardships after hardships. The family's first hardship is when they leave from their family. Then a baby girl is born and the mother gets sick. She can't tend for the baby and the little boy so the main character has to take care of her sister and brother and also the house work. This is truly a good story if you are up to reading a story that will make you like your life 100% more.

I absolutely loved this book! It was completely different from the movie, but i find it better. It was a little slow but it still kept me turning the pages in antisipation. But the movie is a MUST SEE! It's a little gory but it keeps you on the edge of you seat and biting your nails the whole time!

THIS IS A TOTALLY DIFFERNT STORY COMPARED TO THE MOVIE.BUT NONETHELESS IT IS STILL AGREAT BOOK.IT IS WORTH THE 4 DOLLARS AND 50 CENTS.

Usually when reading a novel that is made into a movie the novel is better. I enjoyed this novel but it began slow. I didn't begin to become interested until the middle of the book. The climax was too late into the novel. Other than that I enjoyed the novel. I enjoy all of Lois Duncan's book's I've read

A frenetic, funny & memorable book of short stories about the life & times of Jeremy Theodore Grabowski, the summer the girl next door decides to liberate the women of the world & gets a crush on Jeremy; he gets noticed by the neighborhood bully & his parents think about re-locating to Arizona.

Kevin Carlson's maps of Jeremy's street, yard & room & all his illustrations add delightful images to the crazy stories.

This is one book you'll be reading under the covers in the brightness of your flashlight!

1978 in Stormville, New York finds Jeremy Grabowski wondering if he's going to survive another crazy summer. Absolute frustration with his brother and sister leaves Jeremy wishing that he'd been born an only child. His mother cautions him to be careful what he wishes for. Worse, now he finds out that his family might be moving to Arizona. Jeremy doesn't want to move, even if his dad promises they'll have their own swimming pool. Stormville's a fun place to live, even if a girl likes him, his brother and sister drive him crazy, and the worst bully ever lives just down the road.

Author Richard W. Carlson Jr draws from his own childhood experience of living in Stormville, New York to create JEREMY GRABOWSKI'S CRAZY SUMMER IN STORMVILLE! Written from the perspective of a ten-year-old, this fun tale will be immediately appreciated by that age-range, though the rest of us may have to remember being ten to "get it." But once you've got it, Carlson has a knack for sweeping you away in the madcap adventure with extreme enthusiasm, when living for the moment was the only way to live. Jeremy's friends and family are vividly realized, with political and historical background that will keep adults entertained as well as preteens. JEREMY GRABOWSKI'S CRAZY SUMMER IN STORMVILLE! is highly recommended.

I really enjoy this author's talent for capturing youth at its best. We desperately need more books and authors such as this one to keep our children in good, wholesome, yet enthrawling books. Can't wait to see what else Mr. Carlson has to offer!

One can't just watch the recent watered-down television movie and think they've experienced the magic of "Love Letters." This is a piece that must be seen live. One of the definitive productions of this great play by A.R. Gurney starred Barry Morse (The Fugitive) and June Lockhart (Lassie) in an absolutely moving, funny, and heart-wrenching performance. Barry Morse will re-team with actress Barbara Bain (Mission: Impossible) for a re-staging of the piece in Los Angeles. Read the play, then find a live production to see! You won't regret it.

I am involved in a production of this play right now, and I have to say that when I read it before I auditioned, i cried, and the same was true in both call backs and the read through. This is a moving piece that proves that two people do not have to be married to be truly in love and live for each other. This play helped me inspect my own life and treat those around me with more thought as to the rest of our lives together. An excellent read, for the layman and the professional...

This is the only play that I have seen in my Forensics (speech and debate) career that has brought tears to my eyes. But it has to be done properly or it will bomb.

Having read several of her books based on No-Eyes, I had to read this one... I was slightly disappointed as it missed the familiarity that was felt in the No-Eyes books. However, for those who are looking for charts on dream interpretation, or some basic herbals, this is a good reference book. Based on its reference value, I find it great. However, if you are looking for the familiarity she shares in her other books, you too will be disappointed.

I had purchased this book a few years back in hopes of finding an "easy fix" for my chronic psorasis. I guess, at the time, I was not ready for extensive information easily "reminded" and provided to me on many more subjects. About three months ago I re-discovered the book amongst others in my attic. Once I begun reading from the beginning I could not put it down! Summer Rain's accounts of the visionary No Eyes were so touching and real. Has there been a time in your life when you were sitting quitely in the woods, amongst the stars and feel the wind calling? Did you feel safe, as if your finally "home"? If you've ever wondered why you love fresh veggies from your own garden or thoroughly enjoy long serene walks of solitude in the winderness then THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU! While speeding our man made information super highway of technology, we have taken for granted the enormous world that still exists. We've grown so accustom to our electronic accomidations that we forget to embrace the beauty of natural simplicty. The "real time" connections we make should not be exclusively fiber optic but more importantly with our senses and each other, right? In other words, take time to smell the roses and while your there, read this book. You won't be disappointed!

Kudos to Mary Summer Rain! A very informative guide...Excellant read, easy to comprehend. Will walk with you down the path...a true friend. Recommended to all who need inspiration, or want to learn from a very wise soul. Loved it.

Ghost of Summer is breezy read and a perfect choice if you're looking to de-stress after a hectic day. It's a bit light on conflict but features one of my favorite romance plot lines: two childhood friends who rediscover love. Also helping this story along was the fact that the couple were regular, down-to-earth people and not super model heiresses and millionaire playboys.

The heroine's mother died when she was a child but because she loved her husband so deeply her soul remained alive and she returned to him in the form of a ghost. She will not find eternal rest until Kate finds her true love. Kate's parents scheme to bring her back home to the man they believe she is destined to love.

After receiving a very strange phone call from her father, Kate returns to her hometown to make sure that he's not losing him mind. The first person she encounters is Luke Rodgers, the man who broke her heart many years ago when he moved away and ignored her letters. Kate is now engaged to a man she doesn't love because she can't bear facing that type of hurt again. When she sees Luke all the old feelings return.

This is where the really weak conflict kicks in. Luke and Kate grew up together and were closer than two peas in a pod. When they were twelve Luke moved away, never to be heard from again. Because of this devastating loss at the ripe old age of twelve, neither has been able to trust themselves to love again and both have shut off their emotional wells. I really wasn't exaggerating about the weak conflict bit, was I?

Despite that plot quibble I did enjoy this love story very much. The book concentrates on the couple as they rebuild their relationship and never gets off track or bogged down by extraneous subplots. This is one couple who plainly enjoy each other's company and it was refreshing to read. The love story between Kate's parents was also well done and very touching.

If you're looking for a sweet, old-fashioned love story and are tired of villains who take up too much of the plot you'll want to give this book a try.

Sally Steward is a wonderful author! I have not read many books and I plan to read more, but so far, this is the best book I have read! Kate knows that she is falling in love with her old friend, Luke. It spokes her when her dad talks about her mom all the time, she had been dead since Kate was 2.

With Ghost of Summer, Sally Carleen has proven herself as a writer of supernatural romance. Ghost of Summer has all the charm and appeal of her Silhouette romances with all the spice and mystery of her Scarlet novels. As I read this novel, I found myself riveted to the story, cheering the characters' victories and feeling their sadness and sorrows.

A fabulous read! Sally Carleen doesn't have it in her to write a bad novel! This one will appeal to readers of both traditional and supernatural romances.

Isn't one Stephen King enough? This is horror (and horrible) and not science fiction.

I discovered this collection of stories after first reading Waking the Moon (also amazing). Elizabeth Hand uses words like an artist uses paints; they evoke textures and colors and feelings when you read them. Her descriptions are like none that I've ever read before - as well as her storylines. One or two of the stories presented didn't do much for me, but the rest more than made up for them. The title story and Snow on Sugar Mountain were favorites, the latter being particularly interesting (about the strange connection between a shapechanging boy and an ailing former astronaut). I also highly recommend her novels Waking the Moon and Black Light (read them in that order).

I wish these stories were longer. In "Last Summer at Mars Hill", Hand continues her journey through Magic, twilight, and Mrs. Byrne's Dictionary. She speaks from different points of view in each story, exploring dark purposes and good, varied enough that the collection could have been written by four or five different writers. Her stories are palpable and audible, and quite frequently, as in the case of "Prince of Flowers", you can smell them too.

This book is basically based on the story of President Kennedy who lived and died so tragically. Why did he die? He was murdered by people. Summers clearly explains with words and many pictures that many people are wondering who did it? Or will we know. In our lifetime? The average lifetime for me is 80 years. Longer for Asians who are sadly killed in wars. Its part of this book that people wanted to kill Kennedy over Vietnam War which was started by Kennedy. Perhaps overlooked is Kennedy himself. Maybe he wasnt sure. Mr. Bojangles. A song written about KEnnedy cant come up with my answer. Lets just forget about what Summers said anyway. Why does he know how Kennedy did anything. Come off it Casper.

A good book for passing the time in a vacation with your best girl. Like it could happen Frank. Kennedy, my lifetime is all about The true story. I suppose this really could happen to anybody/

This work is certainly one of the best investigations into the murder of President Kennedy.
It is a new version of his former book 'Conspiracy'.

Although the author admits that he could not find the ultimate truth, he believes that Lee Harvey Oswald was framed by an alliance of anti-Castro militants, the Mafia and members of the CIA. He could not find out if or not Oswald was a low level CIA agent himself. The author believes however that Oswald was used by U.S. intelligence without his knowledge.

The author also proves convincingly that the version of the killing proclaimed by the Warren Commission is untenable.

This book is a real thriller about a diabolic masterstroke. The real protagonists behind the curtain could load all the suspicions on one person, whom they then ordered to be killed. The whole plot was buried by the Warren Commission.

A masterly investigation.