I have never written a review for a book before, so bear with me. This is truly a book about some of the greatest heroes our country has seen. Not only Michael Durant, but every last one of those young men who were there. I was anxious to learn more about Durant's captivity than I had from Blackhawk Down, and I was not disappointed. I felt like I personally knew each of the people involved by the time I was through. If some parts of this book don't bring at least a small tear to your eyes, then you must not have a heart at all. Michael Durant and the others (especially the Delta guys) are the strongest, most courageous, and most patriotic men I have ever read about. If these traits are as strong in the rest of our military personnel, then our country should have no fears.

I was stationed at the Pentagon, when Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart's names were placed during a ceremony on the wall in the Medal of Honor room. I remember seeing men at the ceremony who were tough as nails with tears rolling down their eyes as the citations were read. The bravery of these two men always struck me because they truly lived and died for the creed that all in the service strive for, to not let their buddies behind and to risk their lives for those they served with. People wonder why people in the military put up with the lousy pay, the god forsaken bases, and the long periods of separation from families and loved ones. The answer is simple, we put up with those indignities because the military allows us to serve with some of the finest people it has been my privilige to have served with on active duty. Michael Durant's book pays the proper homage to these men. He makes them come alive as human and individuals, not as mythic warrior gods. When he describes their deaths, along with their lives, you truly mourn for them because you, too, feel the sense of loss. It should be a must read for our nation's leaders. That way, when they order our men and women into harm's way, they know the human cost of not properly supporting our troops with a clear mission and the right resources to carry out that mission. Well done, Mr. Durant!!!

IN THE COMPANY OF HEROES, by Mike Durant is an exceptional read ... heartbreaking and heroic and stunning in its honesty and humility. For those who don't remember (how could you not?), Durant was the Blackhawk pilot shot down over Mogadishu in 93 and held by Adid for 10 days. Although he contributed to Mark Bowden's BLACK HAWK DOWN (an exceptional piece of journalism, to be sure), this is the first time Durant has gone public with more than a perfunctory detailing of the events of his capture and his time as a POW in Mogadishu. It is an exceptional story of courage and the Human capacity to survive, as well as an extraordinary testament to the worth of intelligence, integrity, training and psychological/emotional strength under the most intense of circumstances.

Mike Durant, as he has proven time and time again, is a 100% class act with absolutely no delusions of grandeur. Though never shy about acknowledging his own skills and talents, Durant doesn't indulge in a single self-serving statement throughout the narrative, which includes extensive material on other special ops missions, as well as the Somalia fiasco. Neither does he lavish praise unduly on folks who were doing what they are trained and paid to do. What he does do is call it exactly as it happened to him, avoiding undue political rhetoric and unfailingly giving credit to those who kept him alive and brought him home.

Through his eyes, we see the men Donavan Briley and Cliff Wolcott and others lost in Somalia were -- not only as soldiers, but also as friends. By showing us the loss these men are to Durant personally, we begin to feel the loss such men always are to the country they serve at cost of life and limb. In recording this incident from an unprecedented POV and refusing to pander to the sensationalism that marked the media coverage or succumb to the self-aggrandizing agenda that usually mitigates such personal accounts of horrific events, Mike Durant offers insight into the unimaginable; and in doing so, creates a testament to both his own heroism and to the unsung heroism of others who willingly lay their lives on the line to protect our way of life.

Mike Durant doesn't consider himself a hero: The real heroes never do.

I loved this book! If you want a cool {get it? She lives in Alaska} author to come to your scool,get Shelley Gill! I loved Kiana's Iditarod because it told me a lot of things.

I like this book because if you have a dream to be a dog racer I would recommend this book for you to read. I loved the illustratons. This is a great book because I like to learn about dogs.

I like this book because there were really good illustrations. I would recommend this book to my brother because he loves animals. I also liked that it was about dogs, and I love dogs! I am excited about her coming to my school.

In the words of Rush Limbaugh, "War is about killing people and breaking things." Personally, I think Rush Limbaugh is a jerk. And I assumed that John Carl Roat's book, CLASS-29: THE MAKING OF U.S. NAVY SEALS would be about training a bunch of 20-something jerks with inflated egos and terminal testosterone poisoning. I was wrong.

The candidates for SEAL training may well have started out that way, but by the time the few survivors had graduated (a minescule percentage of the original applicants) they were very different men indeed.

In an odd sort of way, Roat's CLASS-29 is a love story. We watch as the young trainees learn from their own experience that no matter how tough they think they are, they can only survive with help from the guy beside them. Soon this evolves into a sort of reliance, as they learn that they will only survive as a team; and then into genuine affection and respect. These kids come in all puffed up and clueless, and they come out as men who would lay down their lives for the good of the team, for the survival of their teammates. That they are superbly conditioned fighting machines is secondary - vitally important, but secondary none the less. Now that macho attitude has a vital core of respect and integrity.

It's a wonderful story. Roat spins a good yarn. The physical challenge of the training will make your hair stand on end. That these guys were able to joke in the midst of it is a tribute to their resiliance. That they came out of it imbued with absolute respect for another as well as love of country is a tribute to the training.

Too many times we have heard the stories of impossible jobs done by incredible men. John Carl Roat's "Class-29" is not the newest story or version of such. Roat's book is the unabashed and almost unbelieveably unbiased truth about the creation of a U.S. Navy SEAL. Roat's ability to write honesty and forthrightly about himself and those members of Class-29, keeps you on the edge of incrediblity as to just how much stamina and drive one can find to keep themselves going.

Most know and understand a Navy SEAL is, at minimum, most celebrated for his ability to face any and all odds and serious adversity and still successfuly complete a nasty, impossible assignment; survive, and be immediately prepared to begin and complete yet another dirty outrageous assignment.

We have all heard and read of the many stories of SEAL valor, courage and various abilities under fire and against any and all odds. But, until now, we did not have the opportunity to understand just how one becomes eligible to be a SEAL, or what testing is necessary to assure a SEAL candidate will be able to give all, take the unpredictable and indeterminate punishment, and still complete almost any and all assignments.

John Carl's book clearly demonstrates basic truth a SEAL must face to become fortunate enough to earn the right to wear the "Trident."

Roat writes in a passioned and understanding way, remarkably remembering clearly, despite his tender age during that time, the obstacles and comraderie experienced by himself and his Class 29 mates. He is able to make the training, testing and truth finding experience come alive, facilitating the reader's ability to understand how a mere man can become a U.S. Navy SEAL and the most highly trained and dangerous warrior in the arsenal of any armed force.

Roat lets the reader see that the SEAL starts with an individual's basic interior framework, and continues to test his strength with the harsh truths from which the SEAL is trained.

John Carl Roat writes from the heart and in truth. I personally vouch for his characterizations of himself and his teammates as although I did not have the honor to serve with John, I had the opportunity and honor to serve with other members of Class-29. I was fortunate and lucky enough to become a member and graduate of Class 40, and serve with Underwater Demolition Team 21.

SEALS are still created from TRUTH.

The author's retelling of what he and his fellow teammates wentthrough during U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Team training is anexcellent account of determination and teamwork. This book is not a typical special warfare, shoot-em-up, Rambo-type story. It's just the real deal, no BS description of what it takes, and what kind of person has what it takes, to make it through the world's hardest training program. Alot of what John Roat describes about what he and his fellow teammates had to do, has parallels with many other aspects of everyday life; not just military training. Having the motivation, ingenuity, and just plain guts to tough it out when the going seems impossible, and you could just as easily quit. A great read!

Dr. Walter Lillehei's last name is atually easy to pronounce. When reading G. Wayne Miller's newest non-fiction thriller, "The King of Hearts," just read his name as 'Lilla - High.' Almost like the name of a high school . . . Lilla High.

But Miller's quest for the truth about 'Lilla High" turns into a reader's quest for the true story about the almost unbelievable account of how heart surgery began on this planet. Most of us remember or have heard about the Dr. Christiaan Barnards's headlining heart transplant in 1967. Maybe the recipient's name - Louis Washkansky- would be a good trivia question on 'Who Want's to be a Millionaire?' or 'Jeopardy.' But it might be better to learn about or remember the name of this maveric medical pioneer by the name of Dr. Walt Lillehei (prounounced like the high school!) who began the heart surgery revolution.

This book is a suspensiful portrait of a fascinating man and his incredible determination, at any cost, to forge ahead where no doctor had before. We take for granted that our relative, friend, neighbor, even ourselves! can now go through a simple open heart surgery procedure and recover gracefully to enjoy a long life. But do you remember history just 30 or 40 years ago when heart disease at any age meant almost instant death? Do you know how many children just died from what we know demand from doctors to routinely fix?

G.Wayne Miller answered so many questions for us through an amazing eight year project which is now titled "King of Hearts." Miller's project has become this 245 pages of reading that one WANTS to read all at once. Filled with suspense, drama, intrigue and the always-present element of actual human life and events that makes for a non-fiction, the reader is torn between what makes this book such a page-turner. Is it because it reads like a literary 'E.R.' or 'Chicago Hope,' or is it the because it is a fascinating medical story of real life with all the suspensful parts? Motivated, almost possessed doctors. Desperate people and parents of dying children. A doctor on an emotional roller coaster who pushed life to its fullest - both personally and professionally.

This is the story of one of life's greatest accomplishments by a pioneer doctor, who like most pioneeers of anything - took great risks, pushed the limit, and believed in breaking the rules. He was the doctor who began what we all now call heart surgery. He was the doctor whose student, Christiaan Barnard, made worldwide headlines by performing a heart transplant - something we now take almost for granted, but what is it really?

Doctor Walt "Lilly High" deserves more than 245 pages of drama and suspense. He dared where no others would - both professionally and personally. But the chances he took, the new opportunity he pioneered for all of us, and the personal life he led gave author Miller more than he needed.

Miller's ability to chronical his eight year study of Walt Lillehei's life into this page-burner that you'll want to reread to catch all those facts again is why I recommend "King of Hearts" to all readers. Whether a thriller reader, non-fiction master, medical fan, or Miller follower, you'll find a great read about trail-blazers who made a real difference in this life.

Enjoy it!

Being an adult patient with a congenital heart defect, I was looking for some kind of hope that surgery would be promising for me. After reading "King of Hearts" not only was I amazed at how far surgery had came and how much safer it is now than then. I could not put the book down for wanting to know more about the peoples lives that went through the surgeries and the young Dr.s that performed them. Looking at the faces of the people in the photo's in the book made me feel even more like a part of that history. But what astounded me most was the determination of Dr. Lillihei to continue with reasearch after all his set backs. I can honestly say that G. Wayne Miller has made what some would consider to be an educational history book so interesting that I wasn't able to put it down.

"King of Hearts" is an engaging adventure into the world of heart repair 50 years ago. Mr. Miller tells the story of Walt Lilihei, one of the pioneers of open-heart surgery, with spirit, accuracy and compassion. He is ever sensitive to both the goals that Dr. Lilihei had and the lives that were lost in the process. Instead of viewing these lives as just statistics, we see how they were people, loved and valued by their families, who had no alternative but to try surgery. Their deaths are respected and honored, as they went before the world knew what it knows now about open-heart surgery. But they were instrumental, as was Dr. Lilihei in teaching the world what it knows now about repairing the heart.

Although some stay away from biographies, "King of Hearts" stands alone. It is a fast-paced, exciting exploration of one man's search to radically alter the surgical options for heart disease. Once one picks up this book, it is difficult to put down. I confess to reading it straight through the moment I received it. The reader wants so very much for Dr. Lilihei to triumph, to find a way to save his patients. And Mr. Miller's style of writing is enough to keep any reader engaged. He writes with energy and with a no-nonsense portrayal of this great man. He skillfully avoids the overtly technical and instead writes for the layman reader, though I have no doubt that those in the medical field will also enjoy reading the story behind the facts they learned about Walt Lilihei.

I am reminded of Grisham and Turow in the reading of this text, yet Miller stands quite by himself as well, marking out an aggressive and fast-paced style of writing which tells both the facts and the emotions but never dips into pathos or excessive sentimentality.

As Mr. Miller points out, Lilihei was essentially as human as any of us. His faults and virtues are both explored in this excellent text. He is in essence the quintessential hero, and his story could easily be taken from the great Greek tragedies. As portrayed by Mr. Miller, Dr. Lilihei is man against nature, sometimes trapped by his own failings, and sometimes triumphant in his earnest attempt to better the human race.

And the fact that Dr. Lilihei succeeded in his efforts makes this book both triumphant and glorious. As with the modern day film "Rocky," one gets to cheer the accomplishments of someone who fought against the odds, while at the same time recognizing that these accomplishments were sometimes overshadowed by a questionable personal life.

"King of Hearts" stands as a contribution to the wonderful texts which tell of the indomitable human spirit, of the need for man to reach out and better man. It is as much a study of human nature as it is a retelling of the field of cardiology in the early days and the frustrations which doctors encountered when they had to let their patients die because no surgical options existed. This book surpasses a mere retelling or biography and instead becomes an example by which other biographies should be judged. In other hands, this subject might be dry and overly technical, but in Miller's telling it comes alive and teaches us all a little bit about ourselves and the human condition. Bravo to G. Wayne Miller for his extraordinary talent and for this extraordinary book!

Who wouldn't want to be Derek Jeter? The money, fame, and women. The truth is, Jeter never really had it this good. This book, The Life You Imagine: Life Lessons for Achieving Your Dreams, talks about Jeter's struggles growing up, and his inspiring life-long dream he fulfilled when he reached the major leagues. In this book, Jeter talks about setting goals no matter how high, and striving hard to accomplish those goals. This is a book about life lessons, and using perseverance to get passed any stumbling blocks that may occur in one's life. Jeter encourages kids to dream, and believe they can accomplish their dreams. Even Derek Jeter faced difficult problems he had to overcome. In this book, Jeter gives a positive message to everyone, to believe in yourself, and you can do anything!

This book is unlike any other. Sure other books give positive messages about life, but this book gives lessons about life also. Anyone could tell a person that the problem they're facing is common and will work out, but it helps to hear from a professional athlete that experienced that same problem. Another thing that sets this book apart from others is its mood. The mood in this story is changing often. One chapter the story could be sad because of a bad situation Jeter faced, and the next chapter of the story could be happy because Jeter overcame his problem. The story goes back and forth, with Jeter facing a problem, then solving a problem. In the end Jeter is always able to persevere enough to get past whatever situation he faced, big or small. This book gives positive messages to everyone, but especially to kids. It talks about not using drugs, making right decisions, and being a good person. Derek Jeter is a great role model for any kid, not because he's a great baseball player, but because he's a great person.

Derek Jeter is young by most all standards. At 26 years old he has his whole life ahead of him, but the story he has lived so far is incredibly rich in inspiration. As an athlete in the dawning of the 21 st century the way he chooses to live his life in the spotlight is even more commendable considering the alternative routes he could have chosen to go down. Instead of a money hungry, media blasting, bitter ball player, Derek Jeter has become a man we all can admire because of the little boy with a dream that he was... someone we can all identify with. This story solidifies his standing as a great role model for young and old alike. In this book you will see Derek's childhood and his ongoing journey through this life he has imagined. You will find out how deeply his family has grounded him and how wonderful a job they did. This story is great if you want to be inspired by a truly wonderful young man!

If you love Derek Jeter, the Yankees or baseball, you will love this book. If you don't but you have a dream, you will still love this book. Derek Jeter explains the steps to take to achieve your dreams. The steps can be applied to any goal in life not just baseball. I would highly recommend this book to young people with a dream. Well written with lots of great color and b&w photos.

I was originally turned off by the title of the book. However, it had been recomended to me by a friend. I have to say that it turned out to be the most thoughtful, well reasoned, documented accounting of just how far out of control the Federal Government has gotten over the years that I have ever read. The point is driven home over and over again in this book that every Constitutional protection you thought you had can be abused, with no consequences, by the Federal Government. Think the money you worked hard for all you life is yours? Think again. Federal police, with local police support can seize it and any other property they covet with impunity. And the cop that takes it gets to profit in the transaction. Think you have a right to a trial by a jury of your peers? Wrong again. Jury picking has become an art, designed to eliminate anyone who may be sympathetic to your views. Think the Constitutional guarantee in the 2nd amendment means what it says? Well, you are probably breaking one of the 20,000 gun laws already in affect, directed against honest Americans like you and I, and don't even know it. And if you are caught by one of these "Special Militia" ( ATF, DEA, FBI that we were warned against over and over by the founding fathers) you will spend more time in jail than a bank robber. Think you cannot be murdered by the Federal Police without justice being done to the ones who murdered you or your family members? You are living in a dream world. This book should be required reading by every 9th grade civics class in America. But of course, as is pointed out in this book, these "Government Schools" will do everything in its power to ensure that your children will NOT understand the true meaning of our Constitution.
This is a Must Read.

Vin Suprynowicz in "Send in the Waco Killers" exposes many of the establishment's pet ideas as frauds, as unconstitutional, as immoral and illogical. He also does it with a style, a readability and a sense of humor that makes him a modern day Mencken. I've long enjoyed Vin's no nonsense approach, and his ability to smash the hollow arguments of statists with wit, logic, and occasionally, well-deserved scorn.

"Send in the Waco Killers" deals mostly with subjects other than Waco: the war on drugs; public schools; jury selection; gun control; etc. To be sure, Vin discusses Waco and its aftermath, and draws some conclusions from that tragedy that do not bode well for freedom.

For anyone interested in a view of the current political landscape unfiltered by the national news media, "Send in the Waco Killers" provides a refreshingly different perspective: it shows government does not have solutions to all our problems, and that, in fact, government itself might be the cause.

Heck, I thought I was a die-hard libertarian, "right-wing-extremist", gun owner who knew it all. Then I read this book and my eyes, which were pretty well wide open already, were really opened.

Vin has has done something that I thought was impossible in a single book: he has nailed down exactly what is wrong. He has done us the greatest service by defining the problem in America today. And then he hammers it home with example after example. This is not a book about Waco (though Waco is a theme that runs through the book, since it was the most dramatic and pivotal example of government murder and tyranny in recent memory), it is a book that shows just how far we have allowed the hard-won freedoms and liberties we inherited get trampled upon in the 20th century.

My favorite example of how contemptuously _We The People_ are held by government is from the state I live in. The title of the book is derived from the incredible frustration and desperation of a North Carolinian man simply trying to live his life and get ahead (..."and tell That Woman to send her Waco killers."). This one story alone is worth reading the entire book. It is breath taking -- you just can't view the government the same anymore if you have any humanity or compassion for the American people.

On the other hand, if all you want are your material comforts and to "feel good" about life like any pinhead, then don't bother to read this book. Flip the TV on and keep your head in the sand. Or, if you hate the American people, don't read this book. You are already an active part of the problem and Vin has shown us your little game and just how nasty you little tyrants are. You will find that spotlight disquieting. :-)

Boston Jane was a great book. It is about a girl named Jane Peck. She is asked to be the wife of a man named William Baldt. On her voyage out to the wilderness her best friend Mary dies and she is left with a man named Jehu Scudder who happens to have a crush on her. Jane tells us that life isn't about being popular it's about being yourself and not letting bully's control your life. Read both the books to find out about what happens to her.

While searching the teen shelves at my local libarary, i came across this very exciting read....

The story starts off with Jane Peck, the main character in the story, in Philadelphia around the 1850s. She is a rather tomboyish, improper child, who adores her father and is interested in his job as a doctor.But, as she grows into a young lady, she is teased because of her behavior, especially by a wealthy bully, and decides to attend Miss Hepplewhite's Young Ladies Academy to improve her manners and apperance.
In the mean time, she falls in love with her fathers's apprentice, William Baldt, who has dreams of sailing, exploring the frontier and starting a lumber business. He leaves Jane, and keeps in touch with her by letters. Finally, he proposes, and she decides to leave for Washington Territory, much to the disapproval of her father.
At the moment she starts her journey, she encounters many hardships, and as she arrives in Shoalwater Bay, set to start her new life right away with William. But things do not go as smoothly as she expected, and through self exploration, her life takes a unexpected twist of fate!
Read Boston Jane to find out!

I don't think I've spent a more enjoyable two days while reading this book! Unless you count the one day it took to read it's sequel Boston Jane: Wilderness Days! A combination of historical fiction, adventure, and romance you come to know Jane so well, she becomes one of the family. It's truly a book for all ages, so girls (ages 12-15), when you finish it, please pass it on to your mothers! It's going to be tough to wait for the third installment due Winter of 2003!

I got the book "Hooker" over a year ago. It came in the mail at 4:30 p.m on Tuesday and I had read it completely by 6:00 p.m. Wednesday. I could not quit reading it. It is one of the best books I have ever read. Lou Thesz is one of the greatest wrestlers that this business has ever produced. I promoted several towns out of Nashville booking office and I had the privilege of having Lou wrestle for me several times. On one occasion we started selling tickets at 5:00 p.m. and was completely sold out at 6:30 p.m. The matches did not start until 8:30 p.m. and the fans sat there for two or more hours waiting for that match. We turned several thousand people away. Anytime Lou would wrestle in a town for me;the attendance would stay up for several months eventho he was not on the card. He had that kind of impact on wrestling. After the matches we went out to a nightclub in Memphis and Lou had all the respect of everyone there. He has been an inspiration to me for all my entire wrestling life (45 years in the wrestling profession as wrestler and promoter). If you have not read this book;be sure and purchase it as it is one of the best and informative books I have ever read.

If you think the WWF is all there is to pro wrestling, prepare to learn a thing or two. Lou Thesz's life story not only takes you through his career, which lasted from the 30s to the 80s, it provides a history of pro wrestling. He tells you how the game was played inside and outside the ring. A fascinating, behind the scenes look at wrestling before the term "sports entertainment" was coined. Set aside a few hours and get a bedside book light, because you'll need them. "Hooker" is one of those books you won't be able to put down...and you'll find yourself reading it over and over again. Lou Thesz and Kit Bauman are the tag team champions of wrestling writing!

Professional wrestling is caught in a paradox. On the one hand, the matches are not genuine contests but pure performance, with the winner decided by the promoter in advance. On the other hand, though in these days of absurd gimmicks and sensationalism this is difficult to realize, wrestling is a high and difficult art. No one who had the good fortune to see Lou Thesz, usually ranked the foremost wrestler of the past half-century, can be in any doubt on the latter point. Thesz's mastery of technique, together with his phenomenal speed, made him a wrestler of surpassing excellence. As he reveals in Hooker, his skill was carefully honed in years of training. He draws sharply etched portraits of his mentors George Tragos and Ad Santell. He learned from them holds of devastating effect, enabling him quickly to dispatch any wrestler so foolish as to challenge him to a real contest. As Thesz recounts his wrestling career, which lasted from the 1930s to the 1970s, the reader gains a clear impression of his strong character. Thesz is fiercely loyal to his friends. He reacted sharply when Buddy Rogers made a slighting reference to his hero, Ed "Strangler" Lewis, and rushed to Lewis's defense. He is a man of strong likes and dislikes. He conceals neither his contempt for those, e.g., Primo Carnera, whom he views as incompetent, nor his admiration for those few who meet his exacting standards. Readers who want an account of professional wrestling by the ultimate insider should immediately secure a copy of this excellent book. Those who do so will encounter a genuine Amercan original.

I have finished reading Mr. Andrade's book and must state that he possesses a true talent for writing! This book is an extremely well-written tribute to all on-board the Leopoldville that night. Mr. Andrade has managed to bring respect and remembrance to those who survived, and to those who perished in this disaster. It is evident that Mr. Andrade has placed a tremendous amount of personal time and effort into his research. I have spoken to the author on several occasions since reading his book. He is truly a very warm person, who takes a personal interest in each survivor/victim story. He plans to attend a Leopoldville Reunion in Georgia this October to pay his personal respects to those lost and to those surviving this tragedy. I can also appreciate the manner in which Mr. Andrade deals with the personal, human aspect and impact of this disaster. He also states many facts and statistics, but does not make this the book's sole purpose. Reading this book, even if you are not personally involved in it by being a survivor, or family member of a survivor or victim, is most certainly worth the time. I sincerely hope that Mr. Andrade will publish a second book on the Leopoldville. He has continued to acquire much new information from people connected to this tragedy who were unaware of the cover-up or the publishing of his firdt book. These newly-found families deserve to have their loved ones also remembered. I am one of these. My uncle died on this ship. His body was never recovered. I would like to have him remembered for his sacrifice.

This book is a compelling memorial to the men of the S.S. Leopoldville. Mr. Andrade describes the lives, the loves, the hopes and dreams of some of the young men who found themselves on the ship that fateful day. He describes the self-interest of the crew and the self-sacrifice of many of the soldiers. He details the terror as the vessel slowly began to sink and soldiers had to leap from the Leopoldville to rescue ships, only to jump at the wrong time and fall to their deaths in the frigid and choppy Channel that evening. The book brings home the terrible price of that tragedy and reminds us of the lives that were given in the struggle to enable us to continue to live in a free country.

My father-in-law's brother perished in the sinking of the Leopoldville. I married into the family 20 years ago and never really knew what happened to Uncle Waldo. Now I am filled with a great sense of loss at never having known him--and that loss is compounded as I think of the nearly 800 families who lost sons, husbands, fathers, and uncles.

I am also filled with a great sense of appreciate and reverence for all those on board--for those who gave their lives and for those who survived the terror.

Allan Andrade did a great job of presenting the story and introducing those who involved. They are very real people to me now. I finished the book with tears streaming down my cheeks. This is a must read for anyone who had family involved in the sinking. It is an important piece of history for everyone. It reminds us of the price others paid for our freedom, but it also raises important questions about the mistakes or errors that contributed to the loss and the failure to acknowledge those problems.

Thank you, Mr. Andrade, for writing this important book.

Written in 1985, this classic text from an American icon contains timeless principles of quality that still apply in many ways to today's eBusiness world. Deming is insightful and even humorous in his description of what he considered the diseases plaguing this country's quality issues at that time (constant comparisons with the Japanese, who, of course, in his mind were doing it right). He teaches that most quality issues are systemic (process related) and, therefore, the responsibility of management. His message is summarized in his 14 points and the usage of six-sigma control charts. These concepts are expanded in the text The Deming Route to Quality and Productivity - Roadmaps and Roadblocks by W. W. Scherkenbach

What impresses me most is that Deming's principles have not been forgotten over the last few decades - they have been assimilated into the language and beliefs of today's quality and success leaders.

With that said, the book is dated - both in language and, of course, in technology. Deming smothers you in examples of production line issues and basic management mistakes.

While it may no longer be a must read, Out of the Crisis remains a treasured part of our technical history.

With my current research interest circling 'Total Quality Management (TQM)', this book came to my attention. Upon reading it, followed by six seminal sessions and a three-day conference with the British Deming Association (BDA) in the UK, I felt totally disgusted with the way the society, in particular people who call themselves 'Quality Consultants' preach the gospel of the term 'Quality'. This book and BDA exposed to my then propagated mind, the true meaning of 'Quality'. Many organisations and academic institutions tend to pervertise and manipulate the term for marketing and other strategic purposes which is despicable... as most societies around the world will inevitably embrace the stigma-ridden myth to the term.

Deming highlights the essential roots to performance in his now famous 14 pts. for management. He attested that management is the key that allows quality improvement to occur within organisations and stated that the function of management is not supervision but leadership; which must work on sources of improvement, the intent on quality of product and service and on the translation of that intent into design and actual product.

When Deming went over to Japan after the Second World War to assist in the restoration of the Japanese economy, he conducted an empirical prognosis on the general economic situation using an SPC method which he had perfected while leading the American census. Deming then met up with 80% of the country's leaders and told them that the only way to revive their economy was to enhance their competitiveness in the international market by focusing on quality productions via stringent manufacturing standards. Most Japanese leaders scorned at Deming's idea and demanded for him to feel the reality of their situations then. However, the leaders heeded Deming's advice in the end, as they felt that "... having lost all, they have got nothing else to lose."

Forty years later, Japan became an international economic giant with an economy twice the size of all other East-Asian economies combined, including China. Her current GDP value is the second highest in the world after the USA's, despite a much smaller national population. Japan's financial prowess remains stable despite the current economic slump in Asia, as President Clinton said in Shanghai (1998),

"We (America) cannot see growth restored in Asia until it is restored in Japan."

This book is a superb guide not only to prodigal management principles, but also Deming's personal philosophies regarding life and effective leadership. Although considered an essential read personally, I would recommend to those who are new to Deming's ideas to check out "The New Economics", Deming's last book prior to his death in 1993, as an actual managerial guide, as it will be easier and more effective for them to realise.

When I first saw this book a few years ago at a friend's house I never imagined that I would enjoy reading it. However, somehow my opinion changed recently while I was looking for a good book about manufacturing quality control. This book agrees with all that I believed to be true based on my limited manufacturing experience--the plant worker is very rarely to blame for quality problems, rather problems are usually the result of system issues.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and couldn't put it down. It is a great overview of quality control methods and control charts. I also have Mary Walton's "The Deming Management Method", but I would strongly recommend to just read Deming's masterpiece.