History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Knights of the Black and White (The Templar Trilogy, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

Tedious? Hardly!
The Secret Brotherhood
Stick with Camulod
Loved it!
Dull and Rambling - Quite Disappointed

Knights of the Black and White (The Templar Trilogy, Book 1)
Jack Whyte
Manufacturer: Putnam Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0399153969

Book Description

A brother of the Order-a medieval secret society uniting noble families in a sacred bond-Sir Hugh de Payens has emerged from the First Crusade a broken man seeking to dedicate his life to God. But the Order has other plans for him: to uncover a deadly secret that could shatter the very might of the Church itself.

Customer Reviews:

Tedious? Hardly! .......2007-09-27

Not only does Mr. Whyte spin a good yarn, his attention to detail is amazing. He lays out the factual data about life, politics and such in vivid detail while not turning it into a history text and the characters are "real" people not just superficial cut outs stuck into a story. He makes great use of the literary license to combine several of the "possible" theories regarding the Knights into an engrossing story centered around the historical facts.

Be warned, this is one that causes you to forget things like dinner (be there in a second), bed (just a few more pages) and other non essential activities while you ride, fight and live alongside Sir Hugh and his brothers.

The Secret Brotherhood.......2007-09-27

First the basics, this is a fictional novel that tells the tale of the origins of the Knights Templar or as known in this book as the Order of the Rebirth in Sion. The Order's mission is to unveil the "truth" about the Catholic Church, which is that Jesus was not the son of God, but just another Jewish rebel. The Catholic Church was later created by a gentile that wanted to change the Jewish teaching to something more popularly acceptable (mainly to the Romans). This really is not a spoiler since you find this out near the beginning of the book with continuous discussion on this throughout the book.

I had mixed emotions from reading this book. A couple of disclaimers, I have not read any of Jack Whyte's books before this and I am Catholic. I do however have an open mind, love history, and find the mystery of the Knights Templar interesting.

The book is obviously not for anyone that is Christian and unwilling to allow the author some creative margin. Nevertheless, if you can get past that, the premise is an interesting twist on the Knight Templar theme. There are parts of the book that are gripping and entertaining and show that the author is talented.

However, the novel seems to stall in the middle. The author abandons the development of the main character and his friends. Only then, to pick up the story of the young knight and the princess which seem unnecessary and ridiculous. I would hope that the author has some greater purpose for them later on to justify the excessively vulgar relationship. In addition, the constant church bashing does get tedious. I realize the Church abused their power during the middle ages, but we got the point the fifth time and didn't need another fifty examples. The perverted bishop was more graphic than necessary for an adventure novel.

The "treasure" that the knights find make you want to find out how the knights will use it and what events will be triggered. However, to find out in the next book, I suspect I would be forced to wade through more of the same rhetoric. I don't recommend this book, but I am compelled to see what all the praise is about on Jack's other books the Camulod series.

Stick with Camulod.......2007-09-03

I had just finished the last book in the Camulod Series, and was thrilled to find more works by Jack Whyte. I wanted to like this book so much, but after reading 200 pages I gave up. I swear one of my most favorite authors did not write this book!

I decided to see what other readers here thought of the book, just to make sure part of my brain wasn't missing or something. It looks like readers either really liked, or really didn't like it. The readers who liked it found it riveting and interesting, while I found it neither. The only explanation I can imagine for this is that the other half of us got a different book.

At any rate, if you have not read Jack Whyte before, and are interested in the Templars, you might like this book. However, if you hungrily read every book of the Camulod Chronicles and found the writing to be some of the best you've ever enjoyed, you probably won't like this book. If you are in the latter category, stick with Camulod and cut your losses. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Loved it!.......2007-08-23

Hardcore Christians will no doubt be offended. People who take weeks to read a mass market paperback will find it tedious. But for those people who like a good thick book (one that takes more than a few hours to consume) or anyone interested in the Templars, it's a great read.
Sure, some characters could have been developed more. I suspect they will be in the next two books of this planned trilogy. This is my first Jack Whyte book. I hope his others are half as good, because I've found a new favorite author.

Dull and Rambling - Quite Disappointed.......2007-08-21

A long, tedious book at times, lacking in focus and populated by undeveloped characters. Many characters are stock stereotypes but the princess is ludicrous. The entire plot involving her and one of the monk-knights is bizarre and just wrong. I actually enjoyed the theory behind the Temple Mount monks but most of this novel was poorly written and wandered all over the place with no real point.

Manaconda: Sacred Eden, Knight Stalker, Devilish Dot

Average customer rating:

SO HOTTT
Ellora's Cave - that says it all. . .
Manaconda

Manaconda: Sacred Eden, Knight Stalker, Devilish Dot
Sherri L. King , Lora Leigh , and Jaid Black
Manufacturer: Ellora's Cave
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1843609320

Customer Reviews:

SO HOTTT.......2007-04-07

So I dont know why there so few reviews about this book it is unbelievably hot, there is also drama, humor and action. Seriously all three authors did an AWESOME job. You wont regret checking this one out!!!

Ellora's Cave - that says it all. . . .......2006-10-24

Manaconda
Sherri L King , Lora Leigh , Jaid Black

Trek Mi Q'an - Devilish Dot By Jaid Black
Part of the Trek Mi Q'an series

Dorothy "Dot" Araiza is a sex-toy maker by trade. One would think she has an active social life, but on the contrary, her existence is a rather boring, staid one. Dot dreams of finding her happily-ever-after, of being swept off her feet by Prince Charming - not to mention getting laid after eight pathetic years! A lightning storm later, all Dot's fevered fantasies will come true.

But Prince Charming isn't quite what she'd been expecting...

Knight Stalker By Lora Leigh
A centuries old vampire, or is he? Bliss St. Clair comes upon the man of her dreams as his lethally sharp teeth are biting into another woman's neck. He's a vampire. But this one can walk in the daylight, a cross doesn't harm him, he's not dark and brooding, merciless or tortured. He's a charming bad boy with a rakish sense of humor and a wicked smile that heats every nerve ending in her body.

And he wants her. Not for the blood that runs in her veins, not for the essence of her soul which makes her a perfect candidate to enter his world, he wants her because the passion she arouses in him sets his heart and his soul on fire.

Now, Cadan Gaelan must protect the woman his heart has chosen, from the menace of the world he lives in. The Dark Knights who would tear her from him and use her from their own evil plans...Unless he can convince her to accept him and the secret of his vampirism.

The Horde Wars - Sacred Eden By Sherri L King
Book 4 in the series The Horde Wars

Cady and Obsidian, two greatly revered Shikar Warriors, know they share a love like no other. A love that will last forever. A love not even Death could interrupt.

And now it's time to put that love to the ultimate test...for Death is on its way.

Manaconda.......2006-09-09

If you like futuristic you would probably think this is a 5 star book however, the first story in this book I didn't like, felt like it kept you hanging.. However, Leigh & Black did an excellent job of writting.. Both very good stories..and very EROTIC!!

Average customer rating:

4 1/2 Stars
Not my cup of tea but not bad
romantic page turner
The Black Knight
An exciting adventure

The Black Knight
Connie Mason
Manufacturer: Leisure Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0843946229

Customer Reviews:

4 1/2 Stars.......2007-08-15

I enjoyed this book. It was written in typical Connie Mason style. Starts right off and goes.

Drake thought himself in love with Raven's sister; however, Raven thought herself in love with Drake.

Since Drake is not considered the "legitimate" heir he goes off to become a warrior for "the King" and earns the fierce title of The Black Knight--because (LOL) he wears black armour.

This was actually a nice story of love, distrust/betrayal, steamy...

Not my cup of tea but not bad.......2007-05-22

Honestly, I didn't finish reading the book. It's not that it was bad but the emotions and basics of the relationship were pretty much resolved long before the end of the book and the rest was just finding a legal way to be together and other loose ends that held no interest for me. For me, once all emotional and intimate issues are resolved and if the story itself is not truly gripping, I end it.

romantic page turner.......2006-01-17

I thought this book by "Connie Mason" was truly a page turner. The characters of this book truly draw you in from start to finish. I read this entire book inside of one day. Very steamy and romantic love screens. If you are a true romantic this book is definitely a good read for you......."Connie Mason" has done it again.

The Black Knight.......2005-09-08

Connie has always been one of my favorites. This was a very good book. I took it with me on travel and could not put it down. This is just another of her books that give you luscious dreams of your Knight in shining armor! Loved it!

An exciting adventure.......2005-04-06

Twelve years after being banished from Castle Chirk, he returns atop his warhorse, exuding arrogance and superiority. But as the Black Knight crosses the inner bailey, painful memories come back to him - of the time when he was a mere sixteen-year-old who dreamed of being a knight and protector of women, a mere squire who bore the mark of his illegitimacy, and a young man who fell in love with the daughter of the Lord of Chirk. Along with the memory of the only girl he had ever love is that of the betrayal of a jealous twelve-year-old.

As she looks down at him from her bedchamber, the sight of the magnificent knight impresses Raven of Chirk. Who is this great knight whose praises are sung all over the kingdom? And to her utter shock, the Black Knight removes his helm and reveals who he is - Drake, the man she loved when she was but a mere slip of girl; the man who once fancied himself in love with her sister, Daria; the man who hated her because he thought she betrayed him.

When Drake sees her, he was astounded to find the scrawny child turned into a stunning beauty. But he reminds himself that she is the same woman whose betrayal cost him his love and turned him into a hardened knight. The one who made him vow never to lose his heart again and to only use women for pleasure.

THE BLACK KNIGHT is a sensual and exciting story of betrayal, deceit and love. Set in the medieval era, it is a very exciting read with sizzling love scenes, knights in shining armor and tournament battles. You will enjoy the romance that develops between Drake and Raven. I enjoyed how Drake tried so hard to resist Raven but ends up saving her from a life of misery and pain from his evil half-brother and consequently putting his own life in danger along with the risk of losing the King's favor for his actions.

Just like THE LION'S BRIDE, I was glued from the start. This is one exciting adventure that I enjoyed reading.

Black Knight Volume 3: (Yaoi) (Black Knight)

Average customer rating:

Continuation of an Intricate Story
Very good
Very happy with this installment.

Black Knight Volume 3: (Yaoi) (Black Knight)
Kai Tsurugi
Manufacturer: Blu
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1598165240
Release Date: 2007-02-27

Book Description

Eager to prove his worth to his kingdom, Prince Christian has taken cover in Brigadoon's caravan as a hostage to infiltrate the Dundalk Empire. Negotions for peace between the kingdoms is all the young prince yearns for, but the rebellious Falcon's Talon group has something else in mind...Now Zeke's loyalty as Christian's knight and lover will be put to the test in this heroic quest for justice!

Customer Reviews:

Continuation of an Intricate Story.......2007-05-21

You should read all the volumes in this series if you want to understand the intricate relationships going on between all the characters.

Very good.......2007-04-05

A great series and wonderful graphics, a complicated story in many ways so you need to read all the volumes to understand all the different relationships. I look forward to the next book.

Very happy with this installment........2007-02-28

I get now why we were given all that backstory in volume 2 about Chris' father. There is a ton of stuff going on politically and that side story really helped keep it straight, even though it monopolized half the volume. I really have to say that this story is very deep and intricate and if you are not paying attention you are going to get lost fast. This is not your typical yaoi storyline. I actually had to go back and reference previous volumes several times to keep all of the plotlines and characters straight.

One thing in particular that made me do a doubletake was Prince James' character. In volume 2 all of the Falcon's Talon stuff was completely confusing and I had a hard time understanding the dynamics of the characters involved, particularly as it concerned James. I was at that time left very suspicious of him, thinking his motives to be a lot more sinister than they turn out to be at the end of volume 3. I went back and reread those scenes in the previous volume and discovered that a lot of my assumptions must have been based on some kind of personal bias that made me read into things too far. You have to be careful with this series and pay close attention or you'll miss the subtle details or see things that just aren't there.

As for the content of volume 3, there were no graphic scenes this time around, but Zeke's character seems to be deeper than it appeared at the end of volume 2. In volume 2 I just felt like I had a handle on him and he was the steady one and utterly devoted to Chris, but now we're seeing his limitations and flaws and insecurities. It's refreshing in a way that did not require some compicated plot twist to pull off. It flowed very naturally from the events of the previous volumes.

Chris as well continues to grow as a character. He is still human and flawed, but it is nice to see him becoming more of an adult and taking on responsibilities. Volume 4 promises to continue this progress very nicely. I can't wait to see how their plot to infiltrate the Empire turns out when they actually arrive there. It's such a strange change of pace when I am just as interested in the universe of a BL title as I am in the BL themes of a BL title. A mark of an excellent series, I would argue.

In all, I do not recommend starting Black Knight with this volume, but I do recommend reading this series. It is wonderful, and while light in its BL/yaoi themes, very beautifully expressed.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (Prima Official Game Guide)

Average customer rating:

Useless for Xbox version

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (Prima Official Game Guide)
David Knight , and Fletcher Black
Manufacturer: Prima Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 076155193X
Release Date: 2006-03-07

Book Description

First into any conflict, last to retreat

·Advanced team tactics for urban combat
·Tips and tactics for all multiplayer classes and game modes
·Detailed multiplayer maps
·Complete maps and campaign walkthroughs

Customer Reviews:

Useless for Xbox version.......2006-06-06

I used Prima's guide for Ghost Recon: Island Thunder and found it an invaluable resource in getting through the tough spots of that game. So naturally when I picked up Advanced Warfighter for Xbox, I got the Prima guide too.

What a disappointment. There is absolutely no useful information contained in this book to help you get through the game. None. How the authors manage to ramble on and on for dozens of pages with dozens of pretty screen shots and tell you nothing useful is beyond me.

Of course, I can only speak confidently of my experience with the Xbox portions of this guide. Maybe if you have an Xbox 360, that portion of the guide actually is helpful (that wouldn't surprise me). My recommendation for Xbox players is to enjoy GRAW (it's awesome) but don't bother with the guide. Xbox 360 players, judge for yourselves.

Black Knights: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen

Average customer rating:

Black KnightsI
review for my class, part 2
review written for my class, part 1 of 2
Depth of research: 5 stars. Quality of editing: 3 stars.
Good job, could have been better......

Black Knights: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen
Lynn M. Homan , and Thomas Reilly
Manufacturer: Pelican Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Aviation | Military | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1565548280

Customer Reviews:

Black KnightsI.......2007-09-26

I have only read half of the book to date. My review based on what I read so far is that the book seems to be accurate, according to my understanding of the History I've read on the subject.

review for my class, part 2.......2002-03-31

The middle of the book is a detailed record of significant air battles in which the Tuskegee Airmen were involved. At this point, the reader becomes less compelled to read every sentence of every page as the book makes a transition from being a presentation of the Tuskegee Experience's fight for existence to more of a day-by-day record of many of the missions the airmen flew. Certain phrases become cliché in the telling of each story, and the reader gets somewhat lost in the seemingly endless listings of names and how many kills were becoming associated with each. While the special care taken to preserve detailed historical accuracy is impressive, the book could greatly benefit from including more personal accounts by the airmen themselves. The preface tells of the many interviews that the authors conducted to gather information for their project; the reader is disappointed to find out that virtually none of these interviews are described in detail, let alone even directly quoted. Including detailed firsthand accounts of the pilots' individual experiences would certainly have helped to break the monotony of this part of the book, and unquestionably would have made it more interesting.
One thing that the book does very well is to give credit not just to the pilots who saw combat action in the war, but also to all of the people that made it possible for them to get there. It should be noted that, although initially it was not the case, the Tuskegee Army Air Field was staffed almost entirely by black soldiers at every level. Everyone from mess hall workers, to entertainers, to mechanics, to weather observers was black. White soldiers only held assignments there temporarily while black soldiers were being rotated into their positions. Chapter XVII, titled "The Unsung Warriors," is dedicated entirely to presenting the foundation of the Tuskegee Experience. This is a very important piece of the Tuskegee puzzle because, for example, if there were no ground crews, the planes would never have flown. Other works tend to give all of the glory to the combat-seasoned pilots, while this book does a very complete job of evenly distributing the credit. Another example of the completeness of Black Knights is Chapter XIII, which deals with the 477th Bombardment Group (Medium). Although these bomber crews never saw combat, they were another part of the on-going story of blacks' struggle for equality. Lastly, the roster of Tuskegee graduates in the appendix of the book further supports the authors' mission to create a concise historical record of the Tuskegee Experience.
Black Knights also gives a clear view of the original intent of the Tuskegee Experiment. For the most part, the higher powers responsible for the creation of a black training facility approved the program with the intent of proving its failure. The book does a good job of showing how certain people at the slightly-lower levels were the saviors of the whole program. Besides the efforts of Colonel Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. to promote the program, certain other benefactors are given appropriate mention as well. Colonel Noel F. Parrish is one such example, who, after taking over command of Tuskegee Army Air Field, did so much to boost morale at the base that he is given almost as much recognition as Colonel Davis for helping to save the program.
The book's timeline seems to break up in the last chapter of the book. In Chapter XIX, entitled "Black Birds," a brief overview of the history of black fliers is given. While one can appreciate the contribution those pilots made to aviation, it did not have a direct effect on the creation of the Tuskegee Experience. The authors would have done well to simply omit the last chapter; placed at the end of the book, it seems out of place and its spotty detail is a bit awkward to follow simply because it seems out of sequence. This material would carry more meaning if it was instead placed at the beginning of the book, and also perhaps if it was simply integrated into the first chapter.
All in all the authors did a fine job of recounting the story of the brave men who came to be known as the Tuskegee Airmen. As the title suggests, Black Knights: the Story of the Tuskegee Airmen accurately illustrates the fierce crusade that was fought against racism and segregation. While certainly a very complete work, Black Knights is not about drama. It presents the facts for what they were; for that, it deserves appreciation, but it has little to offer as far as gripping tales of fast-paced dogfights and personal experiences.

review written for my class, part 1 of 2.......2002-03-31

Well, I had to review it for my class so I thought I'd put it up here too(broken in half to stay in the 1K word limit).

Black Knights: the Story of the Tuskegee Airmen is a concisely written historical account of the struggles faced by young black men during World War II to establish themselves as pilots in the U.S. Army Air Corps, though it leaves something to be desired. The concise details and statistics show an obvious effort to preserve the accuracy of the records kept of the events surrounding the Tuskegee Experience. With that in mind, it should also be noted that when describing certain controversial issues, the authors offer a mostly unbiased perspective. However, certain areas of the book are somewhat lacking. Some elements seem slightly out of place, almost as if they were thrown in solely for the purpose of increasing the bulk of the book. It can be appreciated that the authors took considerable effort to give credit not just to the fliers that saw combat, but also to the entire support structure that gave them that chance. On the other hand, this may have been slightly overdone. Overall, Black Knights is good source of factual history, but is not an overly compelling piece of literature.
The authors, Lynn Homan and Thomas Reilly, wrote this book as a sort of rewrite of a previous work of theirs, The Tuskegee Airmen, with the intention of creating a more complete historical account. Out of respect for the airmen, the Tuskegee Experience is a term used throughout the book in reference to the social experiment that was formulated by the United States War Department to prove that black men could not fly advanced warplanes. Having previously been referred to as the Tuskegee Experiment, the term Tuskegee Experience has been requested by the airmen themselves as an alternative to the former term which has been confused with an unrelated government medical research project, as explained in the preface. This is the ninth book that Homan and Reilly have written together during their time together in which they have traveled across the country giving lectures and organizing museum exhibits on the Tuskegee Experience. Black Knights is simply an extension of their work, intended to present the Experience as a whole.
The first part of the book is a chronological account of how the Tuskegee Airmen came to be. Two distinct views are presented; while blacks were finally being given the chance to fly, there were some who were against the idea of an all-black flight training facility. Besides the obvious racist opponents, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was among those who did not want to see a segregated airfield. The supporters of the idea believed that the young black soldiers would thrive in an environment of their own, kept isolated from the hardships that would be imposed upon them in an integrated military. If segregated, they would not have to be subject to cruelties dealt them by fellow soldiers that would have been detrimental to their morale. Others argued that it only added to the problem of ending segregation and opposed the creation of an all-black airfield on the grounds that separate training facilities and unit organizations would be more costly than an integrated military.
The authors seem to express a slight leaning towards being in agreement with the NAACP's standpoint on the issue, that is, anti-segregation. What they fail to point out, however, is that while segregation is inherently evil, the effect it had actually benefited the outcome of what was to become the Tuskegee Experience. An analogy can be made to illustrate this point. A wall representing racial segregation had to be taken down to make integration possible. If the military integrated black fliers into the white ranks, they would have been subject to unknown cruelties by racist whites and would have had nowhere to turn. One could compare this to attempting to disassemble the aforementioned wall piece-by-piece. On the other hand, as one united, all-black unit, all obstacles in their way were faced by the group as a whole. By having been given the chance to prove themselves in war, they acted as a battering ram to demolish the barrier of segregation. The authors seem to present the arrangement as a failure as far as the battle for integration was concerned; rather, the Tuskegee Experience provided unmistakable proof that black pilots could perform admirably, and effectively paved the way for future desegregation.

Depth of research: 5 stars. Quality of editing: 3 stars........2001-10-18

You have to appreciate the amount of effort that went into assembling this book. Even the casually interested reader will finish "Black Knights" with a greater appreciation for the young men who completed the Tuskeegee Experience and went on to serve their country in WWII and beyond. Archival detail is impressive, down to an appendix that offers a roster of all Tuskeegee graduates. Can a future reprint offer the service history of each individual as well?

The book itself presents exhaustive research into the the origins of the program, testimony for and against its development, and records of Tuskeegee-trained airmen in combat and in the post-war USAF. But two-thirds of the way into the book, once the title material is exhausted, it begins a survey of pre-WWII black aviation pioneers. This material is also well-researched, but a bit awkward in its sequence and given the title. Should this have been published as two separate books?

Voluminous research presented the authors with a great challenge: how could all the information be made readable? The authors often succeeded at this task. Note the story of the 99th squadron's first air-to-air kill, and how that is woven back into the discussion of the Army Air Corps' resistance to establishing the squadron in the first place.

This is a good read, if not always compelling. Youth in search of heros need to look beyond the sports and recording industries to discover the Tuskeegee Airmen. Excerpts from this book may provide that introduction.

Good job, could have been better.............2001-08-29

A mixed bag to me, this book was an ordinary book about an extraordinary subject, those brave black men whose more subtle enemy was the pervasive racism back home. When he authors stick to the stories told about the racial obstacles placed in the "Black Knights" paths in such AAF bases as Alabama, Michigan, and Indiana, a compelling story is told. The Army wanted and expected black fliers to fail, and they not only didn't fail, they were superb soldiers and pilots. But, when the book moves into their combat experiences, the pace of the book slows down, instead using a day-to-day litany of the various units, culled directly from daily unit reports. This section of the book could have used more personal reminiscences from the many old fliers interviewed for the book. It's just page after page of mundane, "flip through" stuff. And the book suffers from spotty editing(Thurgood Marshall never was Chief Justice; the famous and versatile German flak gun was the 88, not the 188, for example). For a better look at combat conditions in the Italian Theater in '44-'45, read Stephen Ambrose's new book "The Wild Blue", about the men who flew the B-24s. Feel the absolute admiration that young B-24 pilot(and future Presidental candidate) George McGovern felt towards the Tuskegee Airmen, who got his crew home safe and sound every time. The excellent last chapter is curiously a history of early black aviation. I would have opened the book with it, rather than closed. The best chapter to me was about the 1945 Freeman Field Mutiny, when over 100 officers risked court martial because they were denied entry to the segregated base Officer's Club; early civil disobedience. The Army, faced with an uncertain outcome to the Japan Theater, backed down eventually. The hero of the book? Colonel Benjamin O. Davis Jr, a superb officer and a great leader.

Black Knight in Red Square (Felony & Mayhem Mysteries) (Inspector Rostnikov Mysteries)

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Porfiry Petrovich is a man of unusual skills
Back in the USSR
Black Knight In Red Square
Book 2 in the Rostnikov Series

Black Knight in Red Square (Felony & Mayhem Mysteries) (Inspector Rostnikov Mysteries)
Stuart M. Kaminsky
Manufacturer: Felony & Mayhem
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Police Procedurals | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1933397586
Release Date: 2007-02-15

Product Description

The Moscow Film Festival may lack Cannes' boats, bikinis, and gentle breezes, but it has nevertheless attracted scores of international actors, directors, and deal-makers. For some, the festival represents Moscow's re-emergence as a world-class city. But for a gang of zealots headed by a beautiful brunette, the festival represents a target, and they have been attacking the "film people" with frightening efficiency. Desperate to avoid embarrassment, the Kremlin is trying to cover up the killings. And desperate to stop the killers, the KGB has put Inspector Rostnikov on the case. With his Jewish wife and his suspect taste for American crime novels, Rostnikov is hardly the KGB's favorite cop. But he's their best hope to catch the woman with brown hair, complicated motives, and a really big bomb.

Customer Reviews:

Porfiry Petrovich is a man of unusual skills.......2006-07-20

In this the second of the series, our hero, Chief Inspector Porfiry Petrovich not only foils a terrorist cell that is planning to blow up major historical sites in Moscow, stop a gang that has been beating and raping old women; he also manages to win a weight lifting trophy (for people over 50), and most importantly to fix the toilet of his bulgarian upstairs neighbor. The idea that his home has been bugged by the KGB could never scare a man who knows how to use a wrench.

The most interesting thing that happens during this book is that Rostnikov and his wife (who is jewish) decide to emigrate from the Soviet Union. This book was written in 1989 just before the fall of the Berlin Wall and jewish migration was at it's easiest.
But, once they put in their papers, they will probably both loose their jobs and the effect on Josef in the army in unfathomable. How Porfiry handles this problem is in itself worth the time to read this book.

Back in the USSR.......2003-12-23

Kaminsky is an incredibly prolific writer, but I'd never read anything by him until now. This second book in his long running series starring Russian police inspector Porfiry Rostnikov blurs the line between detective fiction and international spy thriller. What begins as a poisoning case linked to the prestigious Moscow International Film Festival soon ties in to a terrorist plot to set off remote control bombs at Soviet landmarks in Moscow. The result is a book that's partly excellent and partly silly. The silly part is this idea of a fictional international terror cell seeking to destabilize both the U.S. and U.S.S.R. It may be the distance of some twenty years since the book was written, but the whole presentation of their aims is laughable.

However, when Kaminsky sticks to his hero detective and his capable underlings (especially Ivan the Vampire), the book is outstanding. It's a common enough trait of police procedural series that one of the key obstacles the detective faces is his own bureaucracy. This is certainly the case for Rostnikov, however the novelty of the Soviet system keeps the book interesting. Not only the political machinations, but the day to day corruption and seedy underbelly of the socialist capital make the book well worth reading. There's just enough of the private lives of the Soviet cops to round things out nicely. On the whole, an intriguing book despite the laughable villains, and one that'll have me seeking out others in the series.

Black Knight In Red Square.......2003-05-08

This book is a very suspenseful book. When you first start to read the book you are instintly wraped up in the book. It gives a great information on Russian history, along with the famous buildings in Moscow. This book is about a Chief Inspector named Porfiry Rostnikov would is put on a case that involves 4 men all posined on the same night in the same Moscow hotel. He learns that these murders are done by a darked eyed women who is a terriorst and has many more plans into embarassing Russia. It is up the the Inspector to stop this women before she commits more harm.

Book 2 in the Rostnikov Series.......2001-03-20

It starts out as a not so simple poisoning of four during the Moscow film festival. Not a good thing and it gets worse when Rostnikov determines that one of the victims is an American investigative journalist. Further digging brings in the KGB, an international terrorist brigade and more deaths. And, as expected, Rostnikov and his assistants, work in and around the system to solve the crime(s).

I enjoyed this story a great deal though not as much as the first book - Death of a Dissident. What I like most about the Rostnikov series is how a generic, could happen anywhere, crime story is altered when seen through Soviet eyes. Dissident was a 100% Soviet story and that was part of it's charm. The introduction of a number of international players in this book somehow blurs the distinctiveness of the earlier book.

Book Description

The shadow of the Dunalk Emprie once again looms over the peaceful kingdom of Aran, and at the suggestion of his cousin James, Prince Christian agrees to visit the neighboring country as a representative...under the guise of a hostage! Such a bold move is completely unheard of for the sheltered prince, and his overprotective lord father and faithful knight Zeke strongly opose. But will their disapproval be enough to stop a man who loves his kingdom more than his own life? And more importantly, will the turmoil of the kingdoms bring turmoil to the prince's love?

Customer Reviews:

Excellent!.......2007-04-05

I have all 3 volumes of this story and look forward to reading more. Well worth buying.

A beautiful manga series..........2006-11-07

I like that the story in Black Knight is so rich and well developed, but I wish they'd spend more time with the main love story between Zeke and Chris. Things are very confusing right now. There are so many characters and a lot of sneaky stuff going on that not everyone is aware of and it is sometimes difficult to keep track of who knows what, who is on what side, or even who is who at times.

I do like Chris' character a lot. I like Zeke as well, but after you understand Zeke's background and accept his total devotion to Chris, there isn't much more to see. Chris is an evolving character. He is unsure of his position and very aware of his weaknesses, though he has a clear interest in improving himself and making himself worthy of the position that he knows he was blessed to be born into. He might be terribly naive about certain things, but at least he's trying.

My only real complaint, and the cause for my four star review, would have to be the fact that the second half of the book is completely taken over by a side story about Chris' father and how the kingdom of Aran was founded. This is a very engaging story, don't get me wrong, but this is supposed to be a BL manga, and half of this side story is devoted to how Chris' parents met and fell in love. It was sweet and everything, but I think it's a little bold of Tsurugi to insert a straight love story in here in only volume 2. Perhaps including this later in the series would have been more appropriate?

If you read volume 1 and liked it, I highly recommend continuing the series. I know the end of volume 2 is unsatisfying, but it is unsatisfying in a way that makes you impatient for volume 3. If you're just browsing I think you might like to check this series out from its beginning. The characters and names alone will give you a headache if you don't start from volume 1.

Nzingha: Warrior Queen of Matamba, Angola, Africa, 1595 (The Royal Diaries)

Average customer rating:

The Royal Diaries: Nzingha
Sooooooo SHORT!!!!!
Nzingha, Warrior Queen of Matamba
Phenomenal
An excellent new addition to the Royal Diaries!

Nzingha: Warrior Queen of Matamba, Angola, Africa, 1595 (The Royal Diaries)
Patricia McKissack
Manufacturer: Scholastic Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Royalty | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0439112109

Amazon.com

In 1595, Nzingha is the strong, intelligent daughter of the Ngola (leader) of the Mbundu people of Ndongo (in modern-day Angola), loyal to her people and willing to fight for them. Unfortunately, because she is a girl, her brother is the favored child, in training to become the next Ngola, even though he is whiny, stupid, and slow (according to Nzingha). But Ajala, a respected seer, believes that Nzingha is destined to be the leader of Ndongo, and begins preparing her for this future. Nzingha's father fights to keep the Portuguese from taking over their homeland, yet it is Nzingha, ultimately, who acts as the go-between for her people and the Portuguese, negotiating acceptable relations in order to keep peace and power for the Mbundu.

Based on true historical events, places, people, and customs, this novel portrays the fascinating details of a remarkable young woman's strength and courage in defending her world against subterfuge, spies, and the onslaught of the Portuguese. Historical notes, photos, illustrations, maps, the Ngola family tree, and a glossary and pronunciation guide are included for a comprehensive understanding of a complex era. Patricia McKissack is the well-respected and award-winning author of over 100 children's books and historical novels, including the Newbery Honor book The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural and Color Me Dark: The Diary of Nellie Lee Love (from the Dear America series). (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter

Customer Reviews:

The Royal Diaries: Nzingha.......2007-08-13

For both young and more mature readers, this is the story of 12-year-old Nzingha. The year is 1595, and Nzingha is the independent and intelligent daughter of the ngola of the Mbundu people. She hunts with her sisters, prepares for her coming of age ceremony, struggles for her father to notice her, and faces conflict throughout the book. This book is a great read. Fantastic for all ages. I suggest it to anyone who likes historical fiction, for it is an interesting spin on royal life, and appropriate and easy enough for the young reader, but has enough drama for the adult crowd. I wish it was longer, however, at 90 pages this is a quick read!!! Two thumbs up!!!

Sooooooo SHORT!!!!!.......2006-12-03

i read this book a few days ago and i thought i would be good after reading the first few pages. But after reading for a while, after about 90 pages, the STORY ended and went to Epilouge. The Epilouge is just talk talk talk. Very boring, and the rest of the book is all like pictures.

I might have made the book sound very bad but i would recommend it for people who want to read a liite short story. There are also some very funny lines in the book that made me laugh! haha

Nzingha, Warrior Queen of Matamba.......2006-05-17

Nzingha, Warrior Queen of Matamba
By Patricia C. McKissack

"I wondered what it must be like to be on a ship flying over the water to Brazil. The horror of it was beyond my understanding. Suddenly, there was noise at my door. The Pombeiros and several guards entered. 'Come with us.' Then speaking to several guards, one said, 'Hold her tight. She is a young leopard.'" (McKissack, 79)

The old saying "never judge a book by it's cover" is one truth I have never had a problem with, until I came across this one book in particular. When I first saw the Royal Diaries book "Nzignha, Warrior Queen of Matamba," I thought for sure I would have not liked it. With the front cover depicted of an African girl holding a bow and arrows, and the background that of a barren desert, I presumed the layout of the book would be anything but royal and fancy. However, little did I know, stories can sometimes be very different from one's assumption.

One out of nineteen books in the Royal Diaries series, "Nzingha, Warrior Queen of Matamba" by Patricia C. McKissack, sets in Angola, Africa, in the year of 1595. Nzingha is an adventurous, bold thirteen-year-old girl, and second heir to the throne of Ndongo. Throughout the book, which is written in diary format, Nzingha talks about the war with Angola's bitter enemy, the Portuguese, as well as what she would do to improve the land of the Mbundu if she were Queen, though does not discuss anything too exciting in which to capture your interest. At 136 pages, the plot of "Nzingha, Warrior Queen of Matamba" is somewhat dry and tedious, and tends to quickly move on to other subjects without a thorough explanation. I must admit however, it pleases me that the authors of the Royal Diaries series are starting to represent girls in royal families, but with cultures and backgrounds much different from that of, say, Elizabeth I or Marie Antoinette.

As an avid reader of the Royal Diaries, I am not sorry I read the book, but am rather disappointed with the complete layout of the story. Mrs. McKissack could have done a better job adding clarification and activity to the real life character of Nzingha, one of the greatest women monarchs of African history. Unless you are new to the Royal Diaries series, and are anxious to learn about the lives of various queens in history, I would not recommend reading "Nzingha, Warrior Queen of Matamba."

Overall grade: C + (or 3)

Phenomenal.......2005-09-19

This book is my introduction to the Royal Diaries series, it has propelled me to seek out more from this line. I loved the story of a strong, independent, and determined young girl growing to become a woman in a male-dominated time. I feel this book was very informative and am truly disappointed by some of the reviews for this book. I do wish it was longer, as I found the story quite intriguing. Young Nzingha learns that not all your enemies are your enemies, with friends among the foe. I love the insight into the Mbundu people. I feel it was meant to give you a view into the people, not of the land of Angola. I will definitely be adding this one to the shelf for my daughter.

An excellent new addition to the Royal Diaries!.......2005-08-14

The year is 1595, and princess Nzingha is living a life of luxury in Angola, Africa. Her father is the respected ngola of Ndongo and many predict that he will be suceeded by his first son, Mtambi. Nzingha writes about her life in Africa as an important royal in the African Royal family. Nzingha lives an active life as she goes hunting with her friends and learns about the evil Portugese. She earns her say in court and is pretty much happy with her life, until she learns that her people are being enslaved by fiendish Portugese slave-traders. Eager to gain the leadership of Ngola and respect of all, Nzingha sets out on an important mission to save her people from the realm of the Portugese Slave-traders.

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