Skylark (Sarah, Plain and Tall)

Book Description

In this stunning sequel to Newbery Medal winner Sarah, Plain and Tall, Anna and Caleb travel with their new mother, Sarah, to Maine to take refuge from the prairie drought, a journey that teaches them the power of family to transcend distances.

Ages 8 – 10

Customer Reviews:

Skylark Takes Off.......2007-06-18

This well written sequel to Sarah, Plain and Tall is a page-turner. Readers can't wait to find out what happens next to their beloved family on the plains. The dreaded drought causes much hardship; no water for the livestock, wells going dry, families leaving their farms, and the barn fire. Sarah and the children flee to Maine, her birthplace, to wait out the drought in safety. Luckily, the drought ends and Jacob goes to Maine to retrieve his family, including the newly pregnant Sarah! Patricia Maclachlan's writing is beautiful; full of imagery and feeling. It's easy to identify with these well-rounded characters.

Skylark.......2007-03-13

Sarah came to the prairie from Maine to Marry Papa.But durring that summer,a drought turned the land dry and brown.Fires swept across the fields and coyotes came to the well search of water.So Sarah took Anna and Caleb back east,where they were safe.But on the other hand Papa would not leave his land.

Maine was beautiful, but Anna missed her home ,and Papa.And as the weeks went by she began wondering what would happenif the rains will never come.Would they all still be a family.

acceptance.......2006-10-29

With the companion books Sarah, plain and tall skylark represents acceptance for love, tradition, value and companionship for other as well as yourself. As student read this book it will deal and discussion separation, love of ones illness, plant history, and cultural values of others and they deal with real life situations.

More about Sarah and her family.......2005-08-02

Hi, I'm Paulina and I'm one of Patricia's biggest fans. I read the book, Skylark. It started out as a story about family and life in the frontier land. A week had passed and there had been no rain. It was very hot, opening windows was no use. The cow had her calf and then the barn burned down, meanwhile Sarah's aunts had sent her a letter inviting her to come to Maine, papa wouldn't go because he wanted to take care of the land, so he sent Sarah and the children. After a month without papa everyone was getting homesick and missing him very much, finally they saw papa rushing toward them yelling "it rained!" Papa had come to take them all home.

If you like stories about life in the country, this is the story for you. You can easily imagine the sights and landscape in this novel. I would recommend this book for kids between the ages of 8 and 10. I think this was a very good book. The problem in this story was that there wasn't any rain for a long time. This problem was very bad in the days before farmers could water thier crops with machinery. When the rains finally came, it saved the farm and the family. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by Patricia MacLauchlan!

Skylark.......2005-05-16

If you are into books about droughts, fires, and other things like that, then this is the right book for YOU.This book is the sequel to "Sarah, Plain and Tall" when a young woman named Sarah traveled from Maine to the Prairie to marry a widowed man named Jacob and his two children, Anna and Caleb.In the book "Skylark" there is a drought and during the drought there was a huge fire that burned down their barn.So Jacob told Sarah to take Anna and Caleb to Maine while he rebuilds the barn.Will they ever be together again?To find out read the book "Skylark."

Average customer rating:

Heart-wrenching story, beautifully written
Poignant reading
Skylark Farm

Skylark Farm
Antonia Arslan
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Italian | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1400044359
Release Date: 2007-01-23

Book Description

A beautiful, wrenching debut novel chronicling the life of a family struggling for survival during the Armenian genocide in Turkey, in 1915.

At the center: Yerwant, who, at thirteen, left his home in the Anatolian hills of Turkey to study at an Armenian boarding school in Venice. Now, in May 1915, after forty years, he is planning a long-awaited reunion with his family at their homestead, Skylark Farm. But while joyful preparations for Yerwant’s arrival are being made in the town of his birth, Italy enters the Great War and closes its borders. At the same time, in Turkey, Yerwant’s family begins a brutal odyssey of forced marches and prison camps, hunger and humiliation at the hands of the Young Turks who are determined to rid their nation of minorities. In the unfolding story we follow Yerwant’s family as it struggles to survive and as four of its children set out on a dangerous and daring course of their own: to reach Yerwant, and safety, in Italy.

Antonia Arslan draws on the story of her own family to tell the story of Skylark Farm. She has transformed the “obscure memories” that are her heritage into a novel as lyrical and poignant as a fable.

Customer Reviews:

Heart-wrenching story, beautifully written.......2007-08-28

I believe I have read all the novels about the Armenian Genocide, and have been touched by all of them, but this was the only book that made me cry. Ms. Arslan's description was heart-wrenching, painful to read, and I couldn't bring myself to put it down. Knowing that this is based on Ms. Arslan's own family, made it all the more moving. Sadly, the reader clearly comprehends that the events depicted were not a singular episode, but multiplied tens of thousands of times. A beautiful book that should become required reading for schoolchildren, starting in middle-school.

Poignant reading.......2007-05-12

I had ordered this book and received it very quickly. The moment I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I think it is well written and extremely sad, but not overly dramatized. A story of tremendous courage and family love in the face of unimaginable brutality. I have just returned from a visit to Armenia and visited the Genocide Museum in Yerevan and some of the horrible photo's on display, made me think of the family in this book and what they suffered.
If ever another book comes out written by Antonia Arslan, I will buy it immediately.

Skylark Farm.......2007-04-29

I am always reticent when I pick up a book that discusses the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1917. Being the offspring of parents who survived the Genocide in Marash, Turkey, I've lived in a cocoon--my cocoon being the United States. On the other hand my reality is that my parents went through these atrocities.
Professor Arslan must have faced many of the same issues that I have in dealing with her families tortured past. Her book truly reflects the depth of her emotions in committing her families' story to paper.
I could not put her book down although I was tempted to do so many times particularly during the forced march to Aleppo, Syria. Although I knew the outcome, I still wanted to live the experience despite that fact that none of it was new to me. My families' story parallels Professor Arslans as would undoubtedly be true of many other Armenian families that were subject to this tragic period in history.
This is a book for everyone. One does not have to be Armenian to become a member of the family as they lived and loved in their city in Turkey.
Skylark Farm is a story of love, passion, sacrifice, hope and the will to go on despite the evil that was perpetrated.

Skylark: The Life and Times of Johnny Mercer

Average customer rating:

I took a trip on a train ...
Skylark
The Heart & Soul of Savannah
A Skylark he was!
THE MAN FROM SAVANNAGH

Skylark: The Life and Times of Johnny Mercer
Philip Furia
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Entertainers | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0312287208

Book Description

Raised in Savannah, Johnny Mercer and his elegant, evoca-tive lyrics took New York and Hollywood by storm. Part of a golden guild whose members included Cole Porter and Irving Berlin, Mercer put words to some of the most famous tunes of the time-like 'One for My Baby,' 'Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive,' and the immortal 'Skylark.' His life was contradictory-Mercer was a chivalrous and kind Southern gentleman, but also a bitterly frustrated man, depressed, aggressive, and alcoholic. His lone marriage, to a woman he bested Bing Crosby for, was long and turbulent, and led Mercer to an intense affair with Judy Garland, who was the secret love of his life and the inspiration for his greatest songs. Based on interviews with songwriters, singers, and composers who knew Mercer-as well as unpre-cedented access to Mercer's papers,letters, manuscripts, and an un-finished autobiography- Skylark is a landmark book about one of the great and dramatic characters in twentieth-century popular music.

Customer Reviews:

I took a trip on a train ..........2005-08-18

Reading this book was like taking a long train ride through Johnny Mercer's world full of love, laughter and most of all music. I've always loved old Hollywood black and white movies and most of these are filled with the songs of Johnny Mercer. Skylark: The Life and Times of Johnny Mercer was a book I read in one weekend and look forward to reading again and again. The touching love story between Johnny and Judy Garland tugs at your heart as only star crossed lovers can. The heartache, firey passion and longing that pours out of his songs tells the whole story of their ill fated love affair that didn't stop even with her death. How bitter sweet must it have been for her to sing those beautiful love songs that he wrote just for her. And how deep was the pain for him to listen to her records when he knew she could never be his. I've enjoyed his music for many years and now to know the life behind the words makes it even more meaningful. No wonder the Angels Sing!

Skylark.......2005-01-05

This book was a good read, very informative, but contains a bit too much psychoanalysis. And I found the misspelling of Al Capp's name to be quite offputting.

The Heart & Soul of Savannah.......2004-12-19

I attended Kevin Spacey's sold out concert at the new Jazz At Lincoln Square Theater here in NYC last Tuesday (Dec. 14) and listened to his incredibly beautiful voice sing not only Bobby Darin songs, but classic Johnny Mercer songs. Not everyone remembers Bobby Darin & Johnny Mercer's album from the 60s; Two Of A Kind, but I do.

Johnny Mercer's business manager, Marshall Robbins, sent me a photo taken at one of their rehearsals, which is framed on my living room wall. Uncle Johnny (he was my godfather) and Bobby Darin (and Mr. Robbins) are eating Eskimo Pies as they look over sheet music.

Johnny Mercer was not only an American original, but a good human being. Savannah continues to hold him up as 'First Son' and probably always will. This is a wonderful book that makes him human with all the happiness, sadness and life's ups and downs. As I get older (I'm in my 60's now) I find myself going back to those glorious, sunny, happy days of Savannah where I grew up, and those wonderful Mercer songs we used to sing at cookouts on Tybee Island and Wilmington Island. This book brought back the old Savannah that lives only in the hearts and memories of those who are old enough to remember.

It is incomprehensible to me that we are only five years ago from Johnny Mercer's 100th Birthday. He and my dad grew up together. This book is for music lovers and people who want to know more about America's greatest song writers. It does not disappoint.

A Skylark he was!.......2004-08-04

If you've lived a while and remember the music of the '30s through the '60s, hum a tune and the chances are it will be one of Mercer's -- either lyrics or lyrics and music. The man was a phenomenon! Furia gives an even-handed account of Mercer's life, including the good, the bad, and the ugly. When he was sober, he was a prince, a genius. When he was in his cups, he was someone else. Furia gives us Mercer's Savana upbringing as a "southern boy," and that was always part of his persona. This is a book you will want to read and to skim as an encyclopedic account of his myriad works. "Skylark" is the perfect title.

THE MAN FROM SAVANNAGH.......2004-04-02

Upon reading this biography,one is incline to think that songwriting at the time was a lonely job.Most songwriters became alcoolics.It is quite ironic to think that JUDY GARLAND and JOHNNY MERCER were so well acquinted together.I always thought that nobody sang BLUES IN THE NIGHT and THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC the way JUDY used to sing them in the forties.Now i know that she was the inspiration for these songs.The book does well in trying to presents MERCER's life in good perspective but of course,it is not perfect.It is for instance hard to deal with the reasons why his wife GINGER could stayed with him such a long time.After all,he was rather nasty with her.Security was probably the key word in keeping the marriage alive.Like the author,i also think that JOHNNY's child years really played an important part in his songs.As he became older,JOHNNY becomes almost obsessed in recreating the imagery of his youth.This is almost like MARCEL PROUST and his famous A LA RECHERCHE DU TEMPS PERDU.I enjoyed the book because i learned things about him that i didn't know.The story of JOHNNY paying his father's bankruptcy with his share of CAPITOL ,and then forgetting to sign the big check is really something.His BROADWAY failures are sad but are unfortunately true.Still,JOHNNY MERCER remains the greatest lyric writer of his generation.No one will never argue over this.Between 50 and 75 of his songs are classics of the repertoire.What a feat!Thanks JOHNNY for the pleasure you provided for us music lovers.

Average customer rating:

LAME
Widow and Politician solve blackmail crime
I really loved this book -- 4.5 stars
So Bad...
I Was Reluctant To Speak Out...

Skylark
Jo Beverley
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0451211839
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Book Description

She'd risk everything to save her son. He'd risk everything for a second chance...Not a day has gone by without Stephen Ball thinking of the alluring girl who stole his heart and then married another. Now that Lady Laura Skylark needs his help, he plans to protect her son-and then seize the fiery passion that still burns between them. As Laura and Stephen embark on a daring quest, they will find themselves on a dangerous journey into their most secret and sensual desires...

Customer Reviews:

LAME.......2007-07-10

I have found this author to be hit or miss and this one was a definite MISS. I spent .25 on it at a used book sale and feel that was a waste of money.

Widow and Politician solve blackmail crime.......2007-06-22

Jo Beverley's Historical Romances are usually a cut above the rest with interesting characters, varied plots, more historical realism than most and well-written locations. However Skylark was rather a disappointment to me.

Skylark is one of the Company of Rogues series, a group of twelve men who formed a club at Harrow school and are slowly getting married off. Sir Stephen Ball MP, mentioned in several of the other books, is the hero of this story. "Skylark" his his nickname for Laura Gardyne, a widow with a young son, Harry. When Laura first got engaged to Hal Gardyne, Stephen tried to persuade her to marry him instead but she was betwitched by Hal and Stephen was disappointed. Now, six years on, Laura's mourning is nearing its end and Stephen has decided to court her.

However, when he arrives at Caldfort House, the home of the Gardyne family, he discovers Laura is no longer the carefree woman he remembers but is in fear for the safety of her son, heir to the Viscountcy. Her late husband's brother Jack seems to be rather more interested in the Viscountcy than he should be and Laura is afraid he will harm her son, particularly as the current Viscount is ailing. So Laura takes the opportunity to visit her family but before she leaves she finds evidence that the Viscount is being blackmailed and she and Stephen agree to try to stop it.

Much of this story involves Laura and Stephen staying at an Inn and trying to find out information about the two strange characters living there, one a mysterious Arab named Farouk who is apparently the blackmailer, another a young man who seems very ill. Laura is there in disguise but she chafes under the restrictions of looking like a spinster cousin when all Stephen's attractions are becoming more apparent to her. Do either Stephen or Laura actually know each other now, six years on from when they were friends, and can they rekindle the friendship and perhaps more.

Somehow this book lacked emotional force and interest. Laura's love for her son was well portrayed and the disappointments of her marriage to Hal but somehow Stephen and she always seemed rather remote, Stephen particularly. I suppose it's hard for modern people to find any politician a sympathetic character and Laura also had her moments of shallowness but somehow I couldn't care enough about their relationship. Jo Beverley often partly redeems her 'baddies' and in this book that also happened, it's hard to feel that anyone is genuinely evil in her world.

This book doesn't have to be read with the rest of the Rogues stories as the Rogue information isn't necessary but on its own it feels like a rather thin story without enough to recommend it for it to stay on my keeper shelf.

I really loved this book -- 4.5 stars.......2007-02-21

I don't understand those who have reviewed this book with less than four stars. This is a wonderful story.

I loved Sir Stephen Ball. A cerebral man would fall in love and express his love in just that way -- with quiet intelligence. It is a complete character study for both him and Laura as they fall in love with the individuals they have become as adults ... not as they remember each other in their shared youth.

Sexual tension? Plenty of it! My God, how anybody can say there is not enough passion for them in this book should just go out and rent a porn video. These two -- Stephen and Laura -- are perfectly matched, and I got hot reading the author's description of their shared passion. Well done!

All in all, a very well-written and cerebral love story. I enjoyed it very much, and would recommend it to those with the intelligence to appreciate it.

So Bad..........2005-01-14

This story went round and round with dialogue on several pages of the same conversation. It was very frustrating. I always liked Stephen, but he couldn't possibly shine here.

I Was Reluctant To Speak Out..........2005-01-14

But now that I've read the reviews, I can see I'm not the only one who thought this a boring book. I was like, get to the point of it already.

Average customer rating:

Skylark

Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0395732581

Average customer rating:

A Quality Adventure Featuring A Half-Wild Dog
Revisiting my youth
adventure in the north
So Beautiful..
exciting until the end

Snow Dog (Bantam Skylark Book)
Jim Kjelgaard
Manufacturer: Yearling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0553155601
Release Date: 1983-05-01

Book Description

The steel-gray Husky Chiri was just a puppy when he watched the black wolf kill his mother and two brothers. Left alone inthe snow-covered land oof the coyote, caribou, and gizzly, Chiri learned to fend for himself, to hunt and survive by his keen instinct and natural intelligence. Now full-grown and full of courage and cunning, Chiri forms a tentative bond with trapper Link Stevens, the only human he's ever learned to trust. But the Husky knows that one day soon he will have to face the black wolf again--and this time only one of them will survive.

Customer Reviews:

A Quality Adventure Featuring A Half-Wild Dog.......2007-08-05

This book was one of my favorite childhood reads when I was growing up. I loved dogs, and I loved it when dogs bit back and had their own little adventures. Years later, and now a young adult, I still cherish this book, however, I now love wolves as well as dogs, and although I love how Kjelgaard describes the harsh wilds style a la Jack London, it is clear that Jack London has come first, and did something a bit better when it came to wild wolves.

Meet Queen, a Husky/Irish Wolfhound mix that is supposedly The Dog to get and a lucky trapper Link Stevens had gotten her from a good bargain. However, Queen is weary of man after being mistreated by past owners, and even more so when she is due with pups. So fleeing Stevens' cabin and his dogs, she goes off into the wild to raise her puppies in peace. Of course, as the summary already supplied, we already know Queen and two of her pups will die to a vicious black wolf with a grudge against mankind and the beasts who are slaves to men. The black wolf is the main villain in the story, the leader among a great pack of bloodthirsty wolves who follow their leader in the joyful act of killing for the sake of killing. Of course, the strongest, darkest, and bold pup survives the black wolf's vicious killing of his family by hiding deep in a hole and fighting back as the black wolf tried to dig him out. After that, the gray pup grows into a strong, wild dog who is soon captured by Link Stevens. Link names the dog Chiri and despite his many tries to break the dog in, Chiri proves to be too wild for the man to handle. After Chiri runs away from Link, the man gives up and tries to leave his cabin along with his other dogs when the weather proved too harsh to stay. However, the black wolf and his bloodthirsty pack await in the next corner, and after tense moments, Chiri comes out of nowhere, slays the bad wolf and saves the day.

The action is very well-written, the suspense there, however, the author does not seem to know anything about wolves. Given the time period that it was written in, I can't be too rigid about it, but let it be known that wolves do not travel in such a large pack, even if food is scarce. If an outside wolf ventures into their territory, they will do their best to chase it out, but they will not go out of their way into territories to make sure that tresspassing wolf is dead. They also do not kill their young if they prove to be too weak or worthless to hunt down game. Wolves also do not blunder into the snow when chasing prey. Their paws are flat, large, and they are able to walk across snow. Reading this when I am now a lot older was a bit painful because there were so many false facts about wolves in this story. Although the author had tried to give the reader that it was only the black wolf's pack who killed for the sake of killing, I couldn't help but think that he was also labeling all other wild wolves. Despite these mistakes, I'm sure you can stomach down this helping of a wild dog facing the harsh wilderness in one sitting, unless you're a rabid wolf lover, to which I think you should avoid this book like the plague.

Revisiting my youth.......2006-12-30

I am a 50ish woman and Jim Kjelgaard was my favorite writer when I was a young reader. I found I could get his books and ordered Snow Dog and Wild Trek. As an adult I still find the writing to be better than average compared to many current best selling authors. I enjoyed reading Snow Dog and am looking forward to reading Wild Trek (which was my favorite book).

Reading Kjelgaards books, and other books about the outdoors and wilderness adventures, probably contributed to my life long love of the outdoors and my interest in the environment and conservation.

I am glad to see young readers are still enjoying his books

adventure in the north.......2006-05-12

The trapper Link and his snow dog Chiri are my favorite characters in books by Jim Kjelgaard. Link and Chiri are both natural loners who are steadfast and competent in the far northern wilderness. Chiri's mother is a big pack dog that Link had just bought. Her first litter of puppies had been killed on the trail by a cruel master. With a new litter on the way, she cleverly runs away and bears her three puppies in a windfall in the territory of a fierce black wolf that hates man and dog alike, having been shot early in life. Chiri is the biggest and most promising of her pups, and the only one who escapes from the black wolf. His mother and siblings dead, the lonely pup learns survival by necessity, and being a superior animal, becomes a strong and able hunter. The trapper Link is also strong and competent, but like the orphaned dog, he is lonely. He has dreamed of having a special dog who can be his companion in the wilderness. How he tames the great dog and together they live in nature, experiencing beauty and danger, and hunger and plenty, should make dog lovers and nature lovers of any young person who reads the book. There is a sequel that is just as good, maybe better, entitled "Wild Trek". If you liked these two books of adventure in the north, you would also like "Lost in the Barrens" and "Curse of the Viking Grave" by Farley Mowat.

So Beautiful.........2005-08-24

This story has delicate explainations of many things for instance, the beautiful nature, the sign of each season, and the animals behaviors especially the humorous doing of the mask face puppy, Chiri. Moreover, The story has shown the relationship between dogs and men that is very impressive.

exciting until the end.......2005-04-10

This boook was and is still my favorite book in my collection. This is a thrilling story about a trapper named link stevens who traps in the "Black Devil's" territory.The black devil is a black woulf who was shot by a Chirikov as a puppy and in time the black wolf has killed him.
Link lost ha dog named Queen who was about to give birth to a litter of puppies.She dose and is killed by the black wolf protecting her puppies . Only the masked face puppy or Chiri survives .
This story is one of the best

Average customer rating:

Outlaw Red
son of big red
OUTLAW RED
Not this author's best
Outlaw Red by Jim Kjelgaard

Outlaw Red (Bantam Skylark Book)
Jim Kjelgaard
Manufacturer: Yearling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0553156861
Release Date: 1984-12-01

Book Description

He was Sean, a champion, the biggest, handsomest son of Big Red, the famous Irish setter. Bursting with hunting instincts, he fretted under his pampered kennel life, and longed for the wilds. Then suddenly his life changed. He found himself on his own in the Wintapi wilderness, lost, his human protectors gone. An outlaw, he was hunted and shot at by the hill men. How Sean learned to survive amidst constant danger, how he challenged a coyote killer to save his mate, is a stirring tale of bravery and an exciting wilderness adventure. It is also the heartwarming story of another unwilling outlaw--the boy who loved Sean and wanted him for his own.

Customer Reviews:

Outlaw Red.......2007-02-02

I am animal and nature lover by heart. I first read this book about 35 years ago, and then, as now was still fascinated by the visual perceptions that the author presented. I feel the story is one that will keep the reader engrossed until the end. While I feel the intended audience is for late elementary and junior high aged readers, I ordered it because it was one of my favorites. I have read this author's entire line of books, and while I enjoyed them all, I feel this is my favorite. The book, itself, is larger than I remember the original being, but even after all these years, the story is just as vivid and compelling as it was then.

son of big red.......2006-05-21

There are three books in the "Red" series. The first one is "Big Red". The second one is "Irish Red", about Mike, the son of Big Red. This is the third one, about Shaun, Big Red's son who is the ultimate show dog, and can't have a life outside the show ring for fear of damaging his looks. Danny, the hero of the earlier books, has hired Billy, another boy from the mountains to work in Mr. Haggin's kennels. Billy is the best person in his family. His relatives are thieves and trouble makers, and his uncle shows up Mr. Haggin's ranch looking for trouble. Even though Billy is a civilized young man, he is forced to protect the ranch against his uncle, and becomes a fugitive in the wilderness. Then the beautiful dog Shaun is lost in the wilderness, and his mate. They all join up for companionship and survival. There is a lot of coincidence in this story, which stretches credulity. It is best just to accept that this is a story and suspend judgement. In spite of this, "Outlaw Red" is definitely one of the best of Mr. Kjelgaard's books.

OUTLAW RED.......2005-11-04

Far out in the Wintapi Wildness there is a breeding farm for Irish Setters. The top dog on the farm is Sean, a big flawless red Irish Setter. Running the farm is Ross his son Danny and a kennel boy named Billy. Late one night Billy has a argument with someone he has known his whole life. Then something happened were Billy has to run away and become a outlaw. Shortly after that Sean is sent to another farm to breed with their top dog Penny. On the trip miles into the wilderness the cage falls off a truck. Sean has never been on his own without the care of his friend Billy. Sean soon learns that without man, food will be his first challenge in the wild. After many months in the wild he finds his way to his original destination and his mate to be Penny. Where his adventure into the wild continues and he meets up with an old friend. My thoughts are that the book was one of the best I have ever read because it deals with some one who has been tossed into the wild and has to learn to survive on his own. I give it 5 stars.

Not this author's best.......2005-09-07

Personally, I can only read so many stories about Irish Setters that exceed all realistic performance expectations, and this book somehow cheapens its predecessors.

By putting Sean on the same pedestal that Big Red himself already occupies, Kjelgaard does a disservice to Big Red.

That being said, this is still a pretty strong book. I enjoy Kjelgaard more when he tackles other breeds (such as Snow Dog, Lion Hound, and Desert Dog), but there's no question that he brought all of his considerable writing skills to this exciting novel.

Fans of Kjelgaard know to expect taciturn human characters with hearts of gold, exciting encounters with local wildlife, and vivid descriptions of the natural setting. They will not be disappointed here. While the plot is pretty predictable, I think most readers will enjoy the journey.

An established Kjelgaard fan will certainly want to read this book, but if you're trying this author for the first time, start with Big Red or Snow Dog.

Outlaw Red by Jim Kjelgaard.......2004-04-01

This book was much better than I expected, even though I knew about its critical acclaim. The story of a dog in the wilderness takes the reader into a world that you may have thought you could never go. But it's not just about dogs, it's about all the emotions of life and adversity for animals as well as people, and it helped me understand dogs better for it. It's no wonder that Outlaw Red won the prize for best peaceful book. Wonderful read. I recommend it.

GM Grand Am/Achieva/Calais/Skylark/Somerset 1985-98 (Chilton's Total Car Care Repair Manual)

Average customer rating:

Info

GM Grand Am/Achieva/Calais/Skylark/Somerset 1985-98 (Chilton's Total Car Care Repair Manual)
Chilton Editors
Manufacturer: Haynes Manuals, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Trucks & Vans | Automotive | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Automotive | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Transportation | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Nonfiction | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0801991064

Book Description

The Total Car Care series continues to lead all other do-it-yourself automotive repair manuals. This series offers do-it-yourselfers of all levels TOTAL maintenance, service and repair information in an easy-to-use format. Covers all models of Buick Skylark, Somerset and Somerset Regal; Oldsmobile, Achieva, Calais, and Cutlass Calais; Pontiac Grand Am. :Based on actual teardowns :Simple step-by-step procedures for engine overhaul, chassis electrical drive train, suspension, steering and more :Trouble codes :Electronic engine controls

Customer Reviews:

Info.......2005-08-03

Knowing more about what is going on in your car is a good ideal. If you know some they will out to make you look dome. I found out that I should take better care of me car.

Average customer rating:

Classic space opera
Giant Computers do it ALL!
Weakest of series
The Master of Space Opera
a set of books that are fun to read

Skylark Of Valeron (The Skylark Series)
E. D. Smith
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0425089533

Customer Reviews:

Classic space opera.......2005-06-12

Seaton and Crane blast off again into the infinite unknown, with their coiffed wives and their trusty Asian houseboy at their sides, ...

and, oddly enough, turn out to vastly superior to any of the other creatures in this big, dark universe. They whup the goobers out of beings of pure intellect, millions of years old (out of pre-emptive self-defense). They beat the tar out of beings from a higher dimension who, for some peculiar reason, seem to fall apart pretty easily (but spare the poor innocent shark). They send scurrying the evil green beings - Our Kind aren't green, you know. They are cast adrift in the infinite darkness of space. Good thing it's not a very big infinity, and it turns out to be full of people like Seaton and Crane (Anglo faces, pretty much, and they keep their women-folk invisibly tucked away somewhere), in desperate battle against the lesser races of the universe.

It's big, it's bold, and it's a 1930s view of women, race, and unbridled technological optimism. They guy in the white hat (white guy in a white hat, one may assume) creates new laws of nature almost as often as he violates the old ones. They're peaceable folks, and they'll bring your your star system down around your pseudopods if you say otherwise.

Lots of people will find this stuff thoroughly offensive. Fine. It wasn't written to offend, it was written for the sensibilities of a different era. If you can take it in the spirit it was meant, it's wonderful, swashbuckling space adventure, as devoid of reason and physical plausibility as it is of political rectitude.

//wiredweird

Giant Computers do it ALL!.......2004-07-25

If you're a computer geek, this is probably the best of the 4 books - I mean, just imagine a computer that's a mile in diameter and then think about how big a website THAT could host ;).

I don't know - the very first SF book I ever read was Skylark 3 (bought it at Woolco in Dover DE in probably 1972/73, maybe? anyway) so I'm a sucker for Doc's "style" anyway (and now you know why I'm not a published writer either - oh, wait, I am - but just boring programming books ;)).

Anyway - I'd have to recommend this book for anybody that likes blowing up planets and stopping time and ethereal omnipotent 6th dimension entities or just a really cool book that'll take you away from the troubles of the day.

So buy it already!

Weakest of series.......2003-10-16

Superscientist Richard Seaton is lost in intergalactic space. His archenemy Marc DuQuesne plans to kill Seaton and conquer Earth. Space opera battle and excitement? Well, no. In this, the weakest of the Skylark series, DuQuesne's plotting and scheming mesmerizes the reader, but Seaton is lost in conflict with three sets of increasingly boring aliens. The long-awaited showdown becomes an anticlimax. (Smith, to his credit, realized that his villain had stolen the show when it came time to write the next book.)

The Master of Space Opera.......2003-06-22

E.E. "Doc" Smith wrote space opera better than anyone before or since. Leave your sense of disbelief behind and hop aboard the "Skylark" series!

Personally, I liked "Skylark" better than Smith's other top series ("Lensmen") because it was just plain more darned fun, less pretentious, more focussed on heroic heroes and dastardly villans, and didn't reach so much to cosmic concepts.

In both series, Smith tries to top his previous book with even greater heroics (last time we blew up a planet, so this time we'll blow up a star and next time a galaxy!) This can lead to problems in the later volumes as he runs out of superlatives ... but have no fear! In "Valeron" Smith tries adding the FOURTH dimension to play in (which makes his one-dimension characters two-dimensional, almost.) It ends up being a lot of fun.

Don't read this expecting anything as deep as, say, "Star Wars" but do have a good time!

(But I STRONGLY suggest reading the other books in the series first, starting with "The Skylark of Space" because the background will help.)

a set of books that are fun to read.......2002-09-07

i first read the skylark and lensmen books in 1959, i was 19 years old. i have saved them and reread them every 8 to 10 years and i enjoy them as much today as i did 43 years ago.

Average customer rating:

Most Different? Best? Worst? All of the above?
Grand conclusion to the Skylark series!

Skylark Duquesne
E. E. "Doc" Smith
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0425091481

Customer Reviews:

Most Different? Best? Worst? All of the above?.......2004-07-25

This was the last of the Skylark books and it goes WAY over the top - I mean atleast 2 unstoppable alien races, discussions of why people are people, sex, love, witches, mining, ESP, Fenacrome, world domination, how to run a civilization - it's got it all! They even blow up not one but TWO galaxies! talk about bodycount!

Personally, I could never imagine this as a live-action movie but there's any number of japanese anime directors I'd love to have do this - but that's just me.

Anyway, this is the last and possibly the best from one of the first in the field and he put his heart and soul in it and it's well worth the price at any price! And best of all, even if you absolutely hate it; compared to today's foot-crushing books this'll be a real quick read - it's only afew hundred pages, and boy, will it suck you in when you start reading them!

Grand conclusion to the Skylark series!.......1999-01-19

This is the last of the Skylark books, and in true Smith style the scale is grander than ever. Seaton and Duquesne, who have long been enemies, must pool their resources and work togeather against the most formidable opponent either has ever seen - not a hostile ship, or ruler, or even a planet, but an entire galaxy militarized by the Chlorians! This has all the qualities readers have come to identify as E.E. "Doc" Smith - powerful weapons, powerful enemies, and unstoppable heros, but in this novel the character of Duquesne assumes more complexity than any other Smith character I can recall. He is definitely the most interesting - a criminal, power hungry, brilliant, yet at the same time he will never break his word, even when it could mean achieving his goals. Cold and heartless, logical to a degree unapproached by any other human character Smith wrote save Fernidad Stone, yet possessing no hatred for even his archrival, Seaton. This book is very highly recommended!

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books