The Children of Húrin

Amazon.com

The first complete book by J.R.R. Tolkien in three decades--since the publication of The Silmarillion in 1977--The Children of Húrin reunites fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with Elves and Men, dragons and Dwarves, Eagles and Orcs. Presented for the first time as a complete, standalone story, this stirring narrative will appeal to casual fans and expert readers alike, returning them to the rich landscape and characters unique to Tolkien.

Adam Tolkien on The Children of Húrin

How did a lifetime of stories become The Children of Húrin? In an essay on the making of the book, Adam Tolkien, grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien (and French translator of his History of Middle-earth), explains that the Húrin legends made up the third "Great Tale" of his grandfather's Middle-earth writing, and he describes how his father, Christopher Tolkien, painstakingly collected the pieces of the legend into a complete story told only in the words of J.R.R. Tolkien. "For anyone who has read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings," he writes, The Children of Húrin "allows them to take a step back into a larger world, an ancient land of heroes and vagabonds, honour and jeopardy, hope and tragedy."

A Look Inside the Book

This first edition of The Children of Húrin is illustrated by Alan Lee, who was already well-known for his Tolkien illustrations in previous editions (see our Tolkien Store for more) as well as his classic collaboration with Brian Froud, Faeries, and his Kate Greenaway Medal-winning Black Ships Before Troy, before his Oscar-winning work as conceptual designer for Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings film trilogy brought him even greater acclaim. Here's a quick glimpse of two of Lee's interior illustrations for The Children of Húrin. (Click on each to see larger images.)

Questions for Alan Lee

We had the chance to ask Alan Lee a few questions about his illustrative collaboration with the world imagined by J.R.R. Tolkien:

Amazon.com: How much of a treat was it to get first crack at depicting entirely new characters rather than ones who had been interpreted many times before? Was there one who particularly captured your imagination?

Lee: Although it was a great honor to illustrate The Children of Húrin, the characters and the main elements of the story line are familiar to those who have read The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales, and these narratives have inspired quite a few illustrators. Ted Nasmith has illustrated The Silmarillion and touched on some of the same characters and landscapes. This was the first time that I ventured into the First Age; while working on The Lord of the Rings books and films--and The Hobbit--I've had to refer back to events in Middle-earth history but not really depict them.

I'm drawn to characters who bear similarities to the protagonists in myths and legends; these correspondences add layers and shades of meaning, and most of the characters in this story have those archetypal qualities. However, I prefer not to get too close to the characters because the author is delineating them much more carefully than I can, and I'm wary of interfering with the pictures that the text is creating in the reader's mind.

Amazon.com: The Húrin story has been described as darker than some of Tolkien's other work. What mood did you try to set with your illustrations?

Lee: It is a tragic story, but the darkness is offset by the light and beauty of Tolkien's elegiac writing. In the illustrations I tried to show some of the fragile beauty of the landscapes and create an atmosphere that would enhance the sense of foreboding and impending loss. I try to get the setting to tell its part in the story, as evidence of what happened there in the past and as a hint at what is going to occur. My usual scarred and broken trees came in handy.

Amazon.com: You were a conceptual designer (and won an Oscar) for Peter Jackson's film trilogy of The Lord of the Rings, which I think we can safely say had a bit of success. How does designing for the screen compare to designing for the page?

Lee: They both have their share of joys and frustrations. It was great to be part of a huge film collaboration and play a small part in something quite magical and monumental; I will always treasure that experience. Film is attractive because I enjoy sketching and coming up with ideas more than producing highly finished artwork, and it's great having several hundred other people lending a hand! But books--as long as they don't get moldy from being left in an empty studio for six years--have their own special quality. I hope that I can continue doing both.

Amazon.com: Of all fiction genres, fantasy seems to have the strongest tradition of illustration. Why do you think that is? Who are some of your favorite illustrators?

Lee: A lot of excellent illustrators are working at the moment--especially in fantasy and children's books. It is exciting also to see graphic artists such as Dave McKean, in his film Mirrormask, moving between different media. I also greatly admire the more traditional work of Gennady Spirin and Roberto Innocenti. Kinuko Craft, John Jude Palencar, John Howe, Charles Vess, Brian Froud ... I'll stop there, as the list would get too long. But--in a fit of pride and justified nepotism--I'll add my daughter, Virginia Lee, to the list. Her first illustrated children's book, The Frog Bride [coming out in the U.K. in September], will be lovely.

More Tolkien Favorites

Visit our J.R.R. Tolkien Store for a complete selection of Tolkien classics, including deluxe editions, young readers' editions, and more.

The Lord of the Rings
50th Anniversary Edition
The Hobbit
Collector's Edition
The Atlas of Middle Earth

Book Description

The first complete book by J.R.R. Tolkien in three decades -- since the publication of The Silmarillion in 1977 -- The Children of Hurin reunites fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with Elves and Men, dragons and Dwarves, Eagles and Orcs. Presented for the first time as a complete, standalone story, this stirring narrative will appeal to casual fans and expert readers alike, returning them to the rich landscape and characters unique to Tolkien.

The Children of Hurin, begun in 1918, was one of three 'Great Tales' J.R.R. Tolkien worked on throughout his life, though he never realized his ambition to see it published. Though familiar to many fans from extracts and references within other Tolkien books, it has long been assumed that the story would forever remain an unfinished tale. Now reconstructed by Christopher Tolkien, painstakingly editing together the complete work from his father's many drafts, this book is the culmination of a tireless thirty-year endeavor by him to bring J.R.R.Tolkien's vast body of unpublished work to a wide audience.

Having drawn the distinctive maps for the original The Lord of the Rings more than 50 years ago, Christopher has also created a detailed new map for this book. In addition, it will include a jacket and color paintings by Alan Lee, illustrator of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Centenary Edition and Academy Award-winning designer of the film trilogy.

Customer Reviews:

Tolkien fans rejoice!.......2007-09-27

This one takes a while to get started but once it does, it's wonderful. Just don't expect a happy ending. Great for Tolkien fans who are interested in some of the history of Middle Earth. Probably not good choice for someone who is not thoroughly entranced by Lord of the Rings.

Did you like the Silmarillion?.......2007-09-23

Then yeah, you'll like this. If you thought the Silmarillion was a tough nut to crack, then this is only slightly less so. Great stuff for Tolkien obsessives.

A Dark Tale From the First Age of Middle Earth.......2007-09-18

'The Children of Hurin' - in many ways an expanded chapter of 'The Silmarillion' - is the dark and tragic tale of Turin, the great Hero of Men in the First Age of Middle Earth.

Thousands of years before the events of 'The Hobbit' or 'The Lord of the Rings' the race of Men is proud and the Elves have yet to start their long decline which culminated with their leaving Middle Earth at the end of LOTR. The struggle between Morgoth and the Free Races in 'The Children of Hurin' is the struggle between great powers at their height. There are no reluctant heros in this tale.

After 'The Battle of Unnumbered Tears' Hurin, Human King of Belirand, was captured by Morgoth. When Hurin refused to give Morgoth the location of the hidden Elven city of Gondolin, Morgoth cursed Hurin's children. 'The Children of Hurin' is their tortured story.

Other reviewers have recounted the basic plot and I won't bore you by rehashing it. Instead, I'll give you my impression of the book.

'The Children of Hurin' is Tolkien at his darkest. You imagine this Middle Earth as a dark and frightening place, where even the power and fierceness of those on the side of 'good' is terrifying. This is the story of a cursed man. There are no bright spots, no comic turns, no Samwise Gamgee or Pippin to lighten the mood. This is a story where every character is some version of Boromir, Farimir, and the Last Steward of Gondor. Pride, deceit, struggle, violence and defeat dominate.

The language is slightly more archaic than that of 'The Lord of the Rings' but far less so than 'The Silmarillion,' giving us a very readable story. 'The Children of Hurin' is full of all the same detail and history that we are used to from Tolkien's other works. This story is every bit as good as the rest of the Tolkien canon. The Dragons, the swords, the magical cities and power of fate that Tolkien gave us in 'The Lord of the Rings' is here in spades.

For any true Tolkien fan, 'The Children of Hurin' is unmissable. For those who enjoyed 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' but failed to get through 'The Silmarillion' this new posthumous release is a great inroad into the history of Middle Earth.

Tolkien Jr........2007-09-14

This story is not as good as Lord of the Rings, however it is nice to revisit the same world in an earlier time. This story was written by a younger Tolkien and it is amazing to see how much he improved in Storytelling. You can see the seeds here, but his storytelling is, in this tale, a work in progress. It is actually refreshing to know that Tolkien wasn't simply born an exceptional writer, but rather through craft and practice developed his skill, opened it up. It is here though, as I mentioned, the seeds. You can see a glimpse into his elegant way of understating details to make them even more engaging. The story itself is nice. It doesn't flow and engross like LOTR, but it is nice. It's a nice little story. I don't know if this book is worth the hefty price. The illustrations are nice, and the index is nice as well, however the story is so short. I wish that they had included the other lost tales in with this one and made it an all encompassing book. This is definitely one of the better ancient, or lost tales, but it is almost clear that they should, and could be put together in one book. I enjoyed it. I love the world of Tolkien, and revisiting it. Do not expect LOTR, but it is a seed of the story, and told with a glimpse of that later beautiful story telling, and word craft. His son does a nice job in presenting all of his father's work. I like how he leaves it very raw, even the map.

A dark and tragic story.......2007-09-14

J.R.R. Tolkien's The Children of Hurin is a dark and tragic story. A tale of faerie it might be, but this is certainly no fairy tale! Too grim to be enchanting, it does however enthrall with horrific fascination as it draws the reader forcefully to the inevitable, terrible conclusion. So, a warning: if you're looking for an experience akin to reading The Hobbit, don't fool yourself: as you read the Children of Hurin you'll probably only ever crack a smile in appreciation of the prose. There's not a laugh in it.

Having said that, you'll be doing yourself a favour if you do seek out this refashioned jewel from Tolkien. For those who tried reading The Silmarillion but found it impenetrable, this could be the way back into what is universe building at its very best.

The story of the Children of Hurin occurs in the First Age of Middle Earth, some six and a half thousand years before the events recounted in The Lord of the Rings. So remote in the past is Hurin's tale that by the time Frodo sets out on his journey to destroy the One Ring the very land known to Hurin and his children has long been drowned beneath the sea; the ring does not yet exist; and its creator, the Dark Lord Sauron, is just the servant of Morgoth. Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, and mightiest of the godlike Valar, has fallen from grace through pride and arrogance and the desire to bring all life under his sway. A brutal war (depicted by Tolkien without any romantic delusions) is waged between the Elves and Morgoth. Men at this time are new to the world and some, though not all, have aligned themselves with the Elves against Morgoth. The Children of Hurin is the story of one man's refusal to bend to the Will of Evil and the curse that is visited upon him and his children in consequence. As Christopher Tolkien observes in the introduction to the novel, Morgoth's curse is unlike the curse of lesser beings; Morgoth does not invoke evil on Hurin and his family for he is Evil incarnate - there is no higher power to call upon:

"Upon all whom you love my thought shall weigh as a Cloud of Doom and it shall bring them down into darkness and despair."

What hope then for Hurin and his children, Turin and Nienor?

Not much. But some.

The tale focuses primarily on the exploits of Turin, although his fate and that of his sister Nienor are inextricably and tragically entwined in consequence of their wilful, unbending, often heroic, sometimes arrogant and misguided choices, human choices that are twisted and turned against them and all they love under the influence of Morgoth's Will.

Hurin's defiance of Morgoth promises the destruction of his family - Morgoth is a god, Hurin just a man - but there is nonetheless a wonderful tension between the seeming inevitability of their destruction and the heroic stature of Turin who we feel (and Morgoth fears) might just rise above the curse.

Grim stuff indeed, though not surprisingingly as the story had its inception in the dark days of World War I - the first so called Great War with its innovative methods for destroying lives en masse. Tolkien experienced the trenches first hand and lost his closest friends to the machinery of war and it's not surprising that this grimmest of stories took root in his imagination at that time. The story was nonetheless unfinished at the time of his death, although various versions had been published, most fully realised (in print at least) in The Silmarillion. Some time though it is since I read that work it doesn't seem to me that there is any significant difference between the plot in that version and this latest offering. The difference is that the earlier version is merely a sketch in comparison to this fully realised novel which has been edited from various sources into a seamless whole by Tolkien's son, Christopher, over the last 30 years.

Mention should also be made of the beautiful and evocative illustrations - paintings and sketches - by Alan Lee, long time illustrator of Tolkien's work and conceptual artist / consultant on Peter Jackson's movies of The Lord of the Rings. To be sure, Tolkien's evocation of landscape is so detailed and compelling that it does not require visual assistance to be realised in our mind's eye, and so it is tribute to Lee's artistry that his work is itself a compelling and worthy companion to the text.

In conclusion, the Children of Hurin is highly recommended - it is a truly moving tale, often beautifully written, evoking the harsh beauty of the landscape with the artistry of a great painter and the cruelty of fate with the unflinching eye of a realist. This is fantasy as it should be.
(This review first appeared on www.sffmedia.com)

The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?

Average customer rating:

insightful, filled with truth
Great Book!
Purpose Driven Life
ONE OF THE BEST!!
Outstanding

The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?
Rick Warren
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0310205719

Amazon.com

The spiritual premise in The Purpose-Driven Life is that there are no accidents---God planned everything and everyone. Therefore, every human has a divine purpose, according to God's master plan. Like a twist on John F. Kennedy's famous inaugural address, this book could be summed up like this: "So my fellow Christians, ask not what God can do for your life plan, ask what your life can do for God's plan." Those who are looking for advice on finding one's calling through career choice, creative expression, or any form of self-discovery should go elsewhere. This is not about self-exploration; it is about purposeful devotion to a Christian God. The book is set up to be a 40-day immersion plan, recognizing that the Bible favors the number 40 as a "spiritually significant time," according to author Rick Warren, the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, touted as one of the nation largest congregations. Warren's hope is that readers will "interact" with the 40 chapters, reading them one day at a time, with extensive underlining and writing in the margins. As an inspirational manifesto for creating a more worshipful, church-driven life, this book delivers. Every page is laden with references to scripture or dogma. But it does not do much to address the challenges of modern Christian living, with its competing material, professional, and financial distractions. Nonetheless, this is probably an excellent resource for devout Christians who crave a jumpstart back to worshipfulness. --Gail Hudson

Book Description

The #1 international bestseller! This 40-day spiritual journey will help you understand why you are alive and God’s amazing plan for you both now and for eternity. Winner of the Gold Medallion Book Award and Christian Book of the Year Award.

Download Description

Another Landmark Book by Rick Warren. You are not an accident. Even before the universe was created, God had you in mind, and he planned you for his purposes. These purposes will extend far beyond the few years you will spend on earth. You were made to last forever! Self-help books often suggest that you try to discover the meaning and purpose of your life by looking within yourself, but Rick Warren says that is the wrong place to start. You must begin with God, your Creator, and his reasons for creating you. You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense. This book will help you understand why you are alive and God's amazing plan for you-both here and now, and for eternity. Rick Warren will guide you through a personal 40-day spiritual journey that will transform your answer to life's most important question: What on earth am I here for? Knowing God's purpose for creating you will reduce your stress, focus your energy, simplify your decisions, give meaning to your life, and, most importantly, prepare you for eternity. The Purpose-DrivenT Life is a blueprint for Christian living in the 21st century-a lifestyle based on God's eternal purposes, not cultural values. Using over 1,200 scriptural quotes and references, it challenges the conventional definitions of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. In the tradition of Oswald Chambers, Rick Warren offers distilled wisdom on the essence of what life is all about. This is a book of hope and challenge that you will read and re-read, and it will be a classic treasured by generations to come.

Customer Reviews:

insightful, filled with truth.......2007-10-02

this book is full of quotes from the Bible, telling how God wants us to live. i especially appreciated the use of several different translations and paraphrases- it really firmed up my understanding of passages i had just heard many times, but not totally grasped.

Great Book!.......2007-09-29

If your willing to devote a few minutes a day for 40 days, Rick Warren can lead you to a better life. Other than the Bible this is the best book I have ever read. If you feel your life is missing something this may be your answer. This book shows that it's all about God, no one is an accident, we were made to be part of God's family, we are shaped for God's service, we have a mission and only through seeking God can we know why we are on this planet. Rick Warren is uplifting, comforting, and this book changed my life. I hope 40 days from now you can say the same.

Purpose Driven Life.......2007-09-04

This cd was purchased as a gift. The cd is well formatted and enjoyed by my mother.

ONE OF THE BEST!!.......2007-08-28

"Everything happens for a purpose..." "Glorify God...." This book strengthened my faith in God. After the Bible, this book is the best. Thanks God for giving me the oppurtunity to read this book =)

Outstanding.......2007-08-24

Rick Warren has hit the nail on the head. The question for every believer is whether or not they are "doing" what they were created to "do." What is the purpose of each individual. The Purpose Driven Life advances that in a great way.

Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop: The Basics of ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo Updated for ArcGIS 9 (Getting to Know series)

Average customer rating:

Good book
ArcGIS
Worthwhile
The perfect guide to learn ArcGIS
Not with Vista

Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop: The Basics of ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo Updated for ArcGIS 9 (Getting to Know series)
Tim Ormsby , Eileen Napoleon , and Robert Burke
Manufacturer: Esri Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 158948083X

Book Description

With revised material and new exercises based on ArcGIS version 9, this updated work acquaints geographers and GIS professionals with the principles of GIS as it teaches the mechanics of using ArcGIS software. Conceptual material is followed by scripted software exercises. Necessary GIS skills are presented in a variety of areas--map symbology, data overlay, map projection, and data conversion--as the making of maps and the analysis of geographic data is conceptualized. Spatial modeling exercises using the Model Builder technology of ArcGIS version 9 are also provided. Other topics covered include organizing data, planning a GIS project, creating derived data, and presenting results.

Customer Reviews:

Good book.......2007-10-10

The book is good for working with GIS, I especially like the CDs that come with it that allows you to practice at home...any college taking GIS would be lucky to have this book!!

ArcGIS.......2007-09-28

The Book is perfect. I received activation and registration from the publisher the next business day for starting use the software. I am perfectly satisfy with the product.

Worthwhile.......2007-09-14

Very through tutorial. Successfully completing the lessons in this book would probably be worth 4 semester units if it were a college level course.

It can be a little obtuse at times therefore 4 stars not 5.

The perfect guide to learn ArcGIS.......2007-08-27

Complete, easy to use and with a lot of color illustration step by step, the best guide for a software i have ever read...

Not with Vista.......2007-08-10

This is a good book for learning ArcGIS. Just don't expect to run the provided software, ArcVIEW 9.1, on Windows Vista. Some features work fine, others crash the program.

Average customer rating:

Lovely!
Magical!
Wonderful gift for first time parents!
On The Day You Were Born
Book is AMAZING, CD is so-so

On the Day You Were Born
Debra Frasier
Manufacturer: Harcourt Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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

General | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0152579958

Amazon.com

Inspired by Debra Frasier's enormously popular On the Day You Were Born, this charming photo journal invites families to celebrate the arrival of their loved one into the natural world. A star-spangled blue sky, crossed by a swath of sunshine yellow with gold birds, introduces the reader to "the very first day you arrived." Baby's picture and name go right in the middle of all the cheery yellow. Turn the page: "You were born on the round planet Earth. Was it day, or was it night?" is printed with another space for a picture and a line to write the date and time of birth against the backdrop of more starry sky with that old blue and green globe plopped in the middle and a figure of a child frolicking across the ocean. On another page, the jubilant child dances across a beach: "On the day you were born waves washed the beaches clean for your footprints. How little were your fingers? How tiny were your toes?"

By adding eight photographs and filling in a few details, parents can create a very special journal for their child, rejoicing together in all the natural wonders of the universe. Here is an ideal gift for the new parents with a vibrant connection to nature. --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

In simple words and radiant collages, Debra Frasier celebrates the natural miracles of the earth and extends an exuberant welcome to each member of our human family. Accompanied by a detailed glossary explaining such natural phenomena as gravity, tides, and migration, this is an unforgettable book. “A book filled with reverence for the natural order of the world and the place of the individual in it.”--School Library Journal

Customer Reviews:

Lovely!.......2007-09-05

I got this book because it was on sale and I am so glad that I did. Seeing it now I would definitely pay full price for it.

It is well-made, adorable, and will make a great keepsake to share with our son.

Magical! .......2007-09-03

This is a book I've given as a birthday gift many times - to new arrivals and those celebrating more birthdays as well. The text is simple yet beautiful and the illustrations provide a warm, magical layer of feeling when reading this book. Highly recommended.

Wonderful gift for first time parents!.......2007-08-31

I received this book from a good friend when my baby boy was born (our first). I thought the poetry of birth and the natural world was amazing. And the ending where a circle of loved ones welcomed the new baby whispering "We're so glad you've come," reminded me of all the love our family and friends showed our new baby. I can't read it without tearing up. It's a wonderful reminder that all life is sacred and beautiful.
While the art is tribal, not fluffy, and some of the language is advanced for a developing child, I still love this book. Not every board book should be pastels and one syllable words. But I hope this book will be a keepsake that we can read together and remember what a miracle it was that he was born. I want to foster in him the spirit of this book... that all life is connected and we need to try to live in balance with the environment that sustains our lives.

On The Day You Were Born.......2007-07-27

This is a wonderful book to give to any new child or to the grandparent of a new child. I was given one for our new grandson and immediately bought three to give as gifts. The book is something that can become a family tradition to be read on each child's birthday!

Book is AMAZING, CD is so-so.......2007-05-15

I bought this for my son before he was born, and I read it to him all the time - and never with a dry eye! I always buy it as a baby gift for anyone I know who's having a baby of their own. However, unless you find this set for a good price, I might just get the book. My husband calls the CD "hippie music" and he's right - the music is a little, um, groovy and repetitive. Though if you have a sappy friend, get it - books like this and the Giving Tree always make me cry, and if I can have the CD finish the story for me when I get choked up, so much the better.

The Rapture: In the Twinkling of an Eye--Countdown to the Earth's Last Days (Before They Were Left Behind, Book 3)

Average customer rating:

Just one more book in the all-encompassing, enthralling, and utterly absorbing Left Behind Series
The best of the 3 prequels, by far!
GOOD
Big disappointment
El Rapto

The Rapture: In the Twinkling of an Eye--Countdown to the Earth's Last Days (Before They Were Left Behind, Book 3)
Tim LaHaye , and Jerry B. Jenkins
Manufacturer: Tyndale House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Biblical | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1414305818

Book Description

The final prequel will have the Rapture three-quarters of the way through the book and then following characters such as Irene and Raymie (and others) up to heaven and being able to see events in the Tribulation from heaven’s perspective. The book will alternate between focusing on events on earth immediately after the Rapture (covering lots of things the authors wished they could have covered in the original volumes) and focusing on characters in heaven and how they view the chaotic events on earth. Now available in trade paper.

Customer Reviews:

Just one more book in the all-encompassing, enthralling, and utterly absorbing Left Behind Series.......2007-09-14

From the very first letter of the alphabet that my eyes looked upon inside this series of books, until the very last period of the very last sentence, I was hooked. Each one of these books absorbed my attention like no other book has ever done in my life. Biblically sound, theatrically entertaining, and brilliantly written, the Left Behind books will inspire you to dig into God's word and take the pieces of news from your T.V. screen and match them right smack-dab up with the prophecies of the Bible. Your hair will stand up, your heart will race, and you will find yourself helplessly caught in the suspense. Once you finish one of these books, you will desperately race to your computer screen or your local library to pick up the next one!

Carrie Lynn Jones
Author of It All Began... When Jesus Gave Me Sneakers

The best of the 3 prequels, by far!.......2007-09-10

I picked this book up expecting to be disappointed; however, that was far from what actually happened! I feel that Mr's LaHaye and Jenkins redeemed themselves with this book, after the travesties that were the first two prequels and Kingdom Come. The Rapture actually drew me back into the Left Behind series--I literally couldn't put it down--and I found it moving in a way the aforementioned installments completely lacked.

I definitely suggest that even if you disliked the first two prequels, you read this one. Although it does get a bit annoying in that, toward the end, it repeats a lot of what happened in the beginning of the original Left Behind, if you have not read the first book in the series in quite a while the repetition really isn't so bad.

GOOD.......2007-07-22

I have not yet read this book because my son is reading it first, but if it is as good as the rest of this series, it is bound to be great.

Big disappointment.......2007-07-10

This third prequel to the Left Behind series moves the story up to the time of "Left Behind," the first in the original series. Jenkins is creative in his description of what life is like in heaven, but this novel is extremely padded - he could have covered the same ground in 100 pages less, and probably should have.

El Rapto.......2007-06-13

The Book arrived in very good conditions and the date of delivery was correct

Average customer rating:

Different
Rip Off of "Wuthering Heights"
Not exactly a love story
Terrible!
Here on Earth

Here on Earth (Oprah's Book Club)
Alice Hoffman
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0425169693

Amazon.com

In this first-rate "tape turner" Hoffman once again proves her powers as a storyteller. Dialogue rings remarkably true in this reading by Susan Ericksen, which also brings out the incisive details and keen observations on nature, both human and otherwise, that Hoffman carefully deploys in this masterful narrative.

When March Murray travels East with her teenage daughter to attend the funeral of the beloved housekeeper who looked after her when she was growing up, March's past comes rushing up to meet her. The present is quickly dominated by the lurking presence of her former lover, Hollis, who has patiently awaited her long overdue return. The tale is populated by those for whom love brings more sorrow than happiness: a woman afraid to commit to a relationship, a husband in love with someone other than his wife, two young people who fall for each other only to find they are close relatives, and the self-destructing love of Hollis and March. While love has the power to transform those who fall under its spell--devotion to an old racehorse turns March's daughter, a sullen teenager, into a strong young woman--the love March herself suffers robs her of nearly all sense and goodness. Hoffman deftly weaves her characters' stories against a vivid New England landscape where the past always has a grip on the present. And the listener is left at the end both satisfied and longing to hear more. --Anne Depue

Book Description

The bestselling author of Turtle Moon and Practical Magic tells her most seductive and mesmerizing tale yet--the story of March Murray, who returns to her small Massachusetts hometown after nineteen years, encountering her childhood sweetheart...and discovering the heartbreaking and complex truth about their reckless and romantic love.

"A sound addition to an impressive body of work."--Boston Globe

"Sumptuous prose."--Denver Post

"Here on Earth is Hoffman's twelfth novel, and the spell she casts is stronger than ever."--Orlando Sentinel

* Includes a Reader's Guide

The New York Times bestseller and Oprah's Book Club selection...with a Reader's Guide included.

Customer Reviews:

Different.......2007-09-19

Hoffman's book is a great introduction to her writing style.

I enjoyed this book more than I originally thought.

The story takes a twist, which I did enjoy.

Rip Off of "Wuthering Heights".......2007-06-11

Do yourself a favor: read the beautifully written classic "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte instead of "Here On Earth". The first is a work of genius; the second is a BLATANT rip off without the talent !! There is a slight difference in plot,a "what if" question one which every "Wuthering Heights" fan probably wondered, but that's it. Note the dedication page : "To E.B." I think Ms. Hoffman should have paid a TRUE homage to EMILY BRONTE , and the original story WUTHERING HEIGHTS. How can you basically take someone else's idea and not give them proper credit or homage????

Not exactly a love story.......2007-05-21

I've read many of Ophra books and generally you cannot go wrong, but this was a frustrating book in a lot of ways. It begins by talking about how scary a certain part of the town is. Maybe it's going to be a ghost story. Then it talks about a family, not exactly happy where the daughter, who becomes the main character doesn't particularly like her friends, hates her brother and adores her lawyer father. Maybe it is going to be a coming of age story. It goes on where Dad brings home a juvenile delinquent who sculks about but eventually begins sleeping with the daughter. The brother and his bully friends stalk the jd, tie him to a tree, beat and abandom him. Maybe it's a story about hard life and hate crimes. That is getting closer. The two young lovers, the daughter and the young boy become obsessed with each other and then the dad dies leaving an old will which gives the evil son everything. (I guess the author didn't realize that a testator cannot disinherit by fiat, but that's another story.) The brother sends the young boy to live in the attic, where he and the sister are having plenty of sex and becoming more obsessed than before. The boy leaves and makes a ton of money in various illegal ways, but doesn't stay in touch. The girl waits for him by her window for several years before marrying and moving to California. One of the characters, who I think isn't given a large enough role to care about her, dies and the young girl, who by now is a woman with a teen age daughter, returns to the spooky town. The young boy, who has grown older and bitter has returned to the town to buy up most of the property. He marries, beats and maybe or maybe not, kills his wife. The old girlfriend and he meet once again and renew their obsessive relationship. The story evolves into a stupid woman being brutalized by a psychopathic man. The brother becomes the town's drunken failure. Most of the characters are despicable but they all get their comeuppance. Pretty predictable.

I realize that this is an oversimplication, but the book really doesn't deserve more.

Terrible!.......2007-05-11

I was stuck with this audiotape on a long trip, otherwise I would not have bothered to finish it. Dull plot, flat characters, and uninspired prose characterize this book. Annoying writing, too, like continuously calling one character "The Coward" instead of by his name. As an exploration of abuse and doomed love, this falls way, way short.

Here on Earth.......2007-02-25

I found this book to be very boring. The main characters were not very interesting with the exception of the daughter. I just never really felt very invested in the plot. It was a very slow and forgettable read for me. It was also a bit too simple for my tastes, it belongs in the young adult genre.

The 12th Planet (The Earth Chronicles, Book 1)

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Ignorance isn't bliss!!
The 12th Planet
Bringing Forth An Unknown
The 12th Planet
An Interesting Theory...

The 12th Planet (The Earth Chronicles, Book 1)
Zecharia Sitchin
Manufacturer: Harper
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 038039362X

Amazon.com

Zecharia Sitchen's The 12th Planet is the starting point on a quest that spans six books and 20 years worth of ancient aliens, genetic manipulation, and scrutiny of linguistic minutiae. If we trust Sitchen's translation abilities, we must be prepared for the imminent return of an alien race who created us some 300,0x00 years ago. The 12th Planet is perhaps the best written of Sitchin's Earth Chronicles series; full of example after example of ancient Sumerian passages, astronomical observations, archaeological finds, and technological coincidences supporting his theories. The price we pay for all this evidence is a bit of a dry read at times, but the ideas Sitchin proposes are more than scintillating enough to make up for the overtly scholastic tone of his text. --Brian Patterson

Book Description

Over the years, startling evidence has been unearthed, challenging established notions of the origins of Earth and life on it, and suggests the existence of a superior race of beings who once inhabited our world. The product of thirty years of intensive research, The 12th Planet is the first book in Zecharia Sitchin's prophetic Earth Chronicles series -- a revolutionary body of work that offers indisputable documentary proof of humanity's extraterrestrial forefathers. Travellers from the stars, they arrived eons ago, and planted the genetic seed that would ultimately blossom into a remarkable species...called Man.

Customer Reviews:

Ignorance isn't bliss!!.......2007-09-19

I can't understand why people put some much negative engery into someone else's work such as a legend as Dr. Sitchin. As much as time they spent writing their negative reviews they could have perhaps written their own book. Anyways......it has been a true pleasure studying the works of Dr. Sitchin a true "Einstein" in our midst. Please see youtubedotcom for more on this "magnificent" scientist.

-Drah Cenedive

The 12th Planet.......2007-09-13

An enlightening look at how mankind came to be on this planet while explaining why a missing link cannot found. It molds together the ideas of creation as explained in religious manuscripts and theories of evolution into a feasible chain of events.

Bringing Forth An Unknown.......2007-06-29

I have to thank Sitchen for writing this book because it was an incentive for me to research and validate what I read. I have enjoyed all of his books.

I can say that almost of the information he has given can be validated if one has the desire to know.

Sitchen introduced me to Ninhursag, the chief geneticist and the co-creator of the human body as we know it today. I did not say she created the mind or the spirit that inhabits the body. I just write she co-created the human body as we know it today.
Bettye Johnson, author, Secrets of the Magdalene Scrolls

The 12th Planet.......2007-03-09

This book was the start of a different thought process for me and Mr Sitchin "I THANK YOU SO MUCH" What a change in my life since I 1st read this book in 2002 and since I have read everything Sitchin and I must say I believe in what he writes.

An Interesting Theory..........2007-02-07

This book is interesting. The theory makes some sense, and I would like to see the material cited as "proof" backing up the theory.

A lot of the "pictures" are just drawings, which leaves room for questioning their authenticity. Being the skeptical believer I am, I really wish I had access to more reliable information that would confirm some of the things this book claims. It held my attention enough that I not only finished it, but also started to read the second book "The Stairway to Heaven" (which lost my attention after the first 20 or so pages... I'll get back to it at some point).

I do have to say, though, that towards the end I was a little turned off, mostly by the fact that:

- the book claims the 12th planet approaches Earth every 3,600 years
- the book uses its own interpretation of ancient texts to support its claim and says that ancient people described the periods when the planet approached Earth as times when the climate would go crazy due to the gravitational pull caused by this huge planet's proximity to Earth
- the book says the planet was near us at about 3,800 BC
- if the planet had come by us at about 3,800 BC, the actual last time the planet was near Earth was at about 200 BC, a time when such incredible event would have been clearly recorded by people, who had already developed pretty modern languages, and kept records of everything
- I never read anything from approximately 200 BC saying there were huge climatic changes on earth, big earthquakes, tsunamis, volcano eruptions, etc. around that time...

Another event that didn't make sense was that the writer tells the "gods" decided to let humanity perish by orbiting the planet in their spaceships while Earth was flooded by the deluge. The writer goes on to say that the aliens (gods) were crying in desperation in their ships because it was so horrible that earth was being destroyed and they regretted not saving men, and that they were starving in the ships because the food they brought wasn't enough.

Well, while the author says everything mentioned on the paragraph above, he also says that the 12th planet was near Earth when this happened. If they were starving and desperate, why didn't they just fly back to their planet? They could have come back in another 3,600 Earth-years (which, by the way, were just the same as one of their years) to check out how we were doing if they missed us too much.

On the other hand, it would make sense that such a messed up race (humans) would have come from such a messed up family of aliens. But, then again, we may just be making god to our own image, as usual...

All in all, it's an interesting theory for an interesting subject, definitely worth reading if you don't expect it to reveal all the secrets of the universe.

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

Average customer rating:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers
Pants on fire?
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
Very Interesting
History as Science Fiction

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2913621058

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.

A Wizard of Earthsea (The Earthsea Cycle, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

A Wizard of EarthSea
My favorite book.
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin
Just Great!
Not Free SF Reader

A Wizard of Earthsea (The Earthsea Cycle, Book 1)
Ursula K. Le Guin
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0553262505
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Amazon.com

Often compared to Tolkien's Middle-earth or Lewis's Narnia, Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea is a stunning fantasy world that grabs quickly at our hearts, pulling us deeply into its imaginary realms. Four books (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, and Tehanu) tell the whole Earthsea cycle--a tale about a reckless, awkward boy named Sparrowhawk who becomes a wizard's apprentice after the wizard reveals Sparrowhawk's true name. The boy comes to realize that his fate may be far more important than he ever dreamed possible. Le Guin challenges her readers to think about the power of language, how in the act of naming the world around us we actually create that world. Teens, especially, will be inspired by the way Le Guin allows her characters to evolve and grow into their own powers.

In this first book, A Wizard of Earthsea readers will witness Sparrowhawk's moving rite of passage--when he discovers his true name and becomes a young man. Great challenges await Sparrowhawk, including an almost deadly battle with a sinister creature, a monster that may be his own shadow.

Book Description

Ged was the greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea, but once he was called Sparrowhawk, a reckless youth, hungry for power and knowledge, who tampered with long-held secrets and loosed a terrible shadow upon the world. This is the tale of his testing, how he mastered the mighty words of power, tamed an ancient dragon, and crossed death's threshold to restore the balance.

Customer Reviews:

A Wizard of EarthSea.......2007-09-26

This is a fun story for the younger crowd to enjoy (8 years and up). There is good character development in this story of a young boy growing up that sweeps you into the high adventure of wizards and magic and dragons that is sure to keep one riveted to this page turner.

My favorite book........2007-09-21

This book is better than Harry Potter, it has a much more immersive story, with infinite possibilities, the characters are very solid, and clever, Ursula Paints the very image of Earthsea in your mind!

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin.......2007-09-19

If you call this a work of classic fantasy meaning it's like every other fantasy series with its magic and wizards and made-up worlds, you would be wrong. If you call this a work of classic fantasy meaning it's a great piece of work that set the foundation - like Lord of the Rings - for a lot of other series, you would be right.

A Wizard of Earthsea is the first book in the Earthsea series and as all fantasy series should, it begins with a young wizard, Ged, who knows nothing of magic and the ways of being a wizard, other than his innate ability promising him a career as a great wizard. First he lives with a wise mage, and learns much about the simple things in life and magic and that everything has a cost. He soon discovers this when he performs a dark spell from a book he shouldn't have touched. A deadly shadow is summoned and then banished by his teacher, but Ged knows he will be facing it again.

Ged then travels to the isle of Roke where he spends years becoming a master wizard. Upon his graduation, he faces the dark shadow once more but is unable to hold against it and flees in terror. As a renowned wizard now, he travels around the islands helping those less fortunate, battling dragons and other monsters. Then again he faces the shadow and barely survives, fleeing once more. He returns to his old master, unsure what to do. The wizened wizard tells him he must face the shadow and in turn face his greatest fear. And so Ged heads out into the deep sea where none have gone before and there faces the shadow and wages a great battle, finally defeating him. The book ends with Ged returning to land with his friend, now a true and accomplished wizard with the thousands of islands of Earthsea before him.

What makes LeGuin's fantasy series more meaningful than most is that all the magic performed here comes at a cost, which the main character has to deal with throughout the book. It requires time and energy, afterwards one is tired; to create illusions is much easier than to actually change or create matter. Unlike the world of Harry Potter, here there are rules; not everyone can be a wizard. Along with this is the magical world of Earthsea with the many many islands of different peoples, a lot of which know little of each other. And for a wizard to travel from one island to another is a great adventure. The next book in the series is The Tombs of Atuan.

For more book reviews, and other writings, go to www.alexctelander.com

Just Great!.......2007-09-15

Growing up with the Harry Potter series, I am so surprised that it took me so long to even hear of this writer and series, but I am glad I finally did. It is a wonderfully paced beginning to what proves to be a fantastic tale of Ged of Earthsea. It combines all the good stuff you would want in a fantasy; dragons, magic and dark shadows with the clean, rich and guiding (not pushing like some other series) writing that Leguin seems to be so good with. Just Great!

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Easily the best of this series of books. A Wizard of Earthsea is the story of a young boy named Ged, who becomes a wizard.

Earthsea is a world of island archipelagoes, so a lot of boating and shipping goes on. Everything has a public name and a secret name, as knowing the names of things can give them power.

Ged, or Sparrowhawk must master magic, fight demons, and work out what his role is in life.

An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis of Global Warming

Average customer rating:

This one's for you, kids!
Nonsense
Science, or hysteria ?
Have they made Gore a saint yet?
A must read!

An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis of Global Warming
Al Gore
Manufacturer: Viking Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0670062723
Release Date: 2007-04-10

Book Description

Former Vice President Al Gore's New York Times #1 bestselling book is a daring call to action, exposing the shocking reality of how humankind has aided in the destruction of our planet and the future we face if we do not take action to stop global warming. Now, Viking has adapted this book for the most important audience of all: today's youth, who have no choice but to confront this climate crisis head-on.

Dramatic full-color photos, illustrations, and graphs combine with Gore's effective and clear writing to explain global warming in very real terms: what it is, what causes it, and what will happen if we continue to ignore it. An Inconvenient Truth will change the way young people understand global warming and hopefully inspire them to help change the course of history.

Customer Reviews:

This one's for you, kids!.......2007-10-08

The book is broken down into fifteen chapters, culminating in a very optimistic "Crisis = Opportunity," and throughout the text Gore is trying to motivate and encourage the next generation to take up the cause of saving the planet. Gore's optimism makes the reader feel that every chance to turn off an unused light or refill your water bottle is going to make a difference. Peppered with historical facts and dates, and infused with quotes from Mark Twain to Carl Sagan, this effort at educating young adults about the effects of lifestyle choices will make an impact on future generations. I think it is important to empower young people with choice - and the ability to affect change. This would make for excellent required reading.

Nonsense.......2007-10-04

Al Gore has a miserable academic record. For all those still swooning from his "masterful" presentation, I suggest that anyone who flunks divinity school (all 'F''s) is hardly a guy whose opinion I would want on a topic as incredibly complicated as climate theory. Earth's climate is an infinitely complex nonlinear system that some human beings (in their pomposity) suggest that we can "model" and "solve" for the future. ANYONE who has worked with greatly linearized Navier-Stokes equations, that is, coupled integro-differential equations knows the folly and nonsense behind this blatantly political tripe. Al is just an ignorant mouthpiece for the political scientists of the UN IPCC. All of you that buy this nonsense need to go get an education and leave science out of this clearly politically motivated rant for attention by a guy disappointed that he lost the Presidential race. The science in this book is single sided nonsense.

Science, or hysteria ? .......2007-09-28

One core of Gore's position is that the oceans will rise by up to 20 feet, swamping coastal areas like Miami and New York.

This data is wildly off. Even the UN IPCC report states that oceans might rise by up to 17 inches (i.e., less than two feet). Where did Gore get his data ?

Gore has shown pieces of Antarctica breaking off and falling into the ocean. This looks dramatic, until you realize that this part of Antarctica has always done that, (grown and then broken apart), and represents the 3 % of that continent, which is not 1-mile + thick ice that is actually gaining in mass. 97 % of Antarctica is actually gaining mass. Gore chooses the 3 % of the continent that is not stable and then basically says "We did this with our SUVs and materialistic lifestyle".

The reality is that global warming is NOT the main issue of our times. Things like Africans dying of AIDs and malaria is, and can be dealt with far more efficiently, than throwing $ 5 trillion into the Kyoto Treaty, which would result in the global climate changing by about 0.3 degrees in 50 years (i.e. having almost no effect).

If you want a picture of the real state of the world, read the books by Prof. Bjorn Lomborg. Gore is a politician. Lomborg is a researcher.

Gore has admitted that he wants our generation to have a "mission". This issue, global warming, fits that. But that doesn't mean I have to go along. I personally think that global warming is a "rich man's issue". It is the kind of thing that people in Santa Monica and Martha's Vineyard and Boston care about, because they think that their beach villa might be swamped. The reality is, while we think about this, Africans are dying of AIDs. And we can help them today, by spending some money on it.

Is global warming an issue: yes. Is it the main issue of our time ? No. Of course, we should do what we can to help the planet and reduce our CO2 output. Lomborg suggests cost-effective ways to do that.

But claiming that New York City will be swamped when the ocean rises "20 feet" is just ridiculous. Trust me, land prices in 25 years along the coasts will have risen even higher than today (if Gore were right, we would see land prices plummet, because who wants to buy land that is under water) ?

By the way, I read someone that Gore's personal "carbon footprint" is something like 20 times higher than the average American. Liberals live under the motto: "do as I say, not as I do".

Have they made Gore a saint yet?.......2007-08-29

I have seen the DVD and obviously was impressed. I got the book because I wanted to be able to get more details on the information Al Gore presents on the DVD, and the book provides that abundantly.

This one lone man courageously and determinedly crusades on and on, in the past with little encouragement, to research global warming and the warn the world, at least those who will listen. Where are the scientists that (probably because of money under the table, so the speak) denied global warming for so long? Hard to do so now. Now the corporate-motivated trick is to deny that at least part of global warming is man-made, this in the face of mounting evidence.

If you have children, or grandchildren, my advice: Don't hide your head in the sand. You owe it to them to become informed.

Get this book or the DVD. Very well written, very well made.

A must read!.......2007-08-21

My first impression upon reading this book was utter amazement and fear. In fact, "An Inconvenient Truth" is billed as the scariest book you'll ever see. Could it be that life on Earth as we know it will end within the next 50 years? It did not take me long to feel that this may be the most important documentary of all time (and the scariest one)!

In this book, Al Gore draws attention to the crisis of global warming. Gore blames CO2 for the temperature hikes we are experiencing worldwide. This documentary is basically a filmed version of the lectures that Gore has presented over 1,000 times to audiences all over the world.

Gore left me no room for doubt regarding the reality of global warming as Earth's ultimate environmental crisis and eventual doom. I was fascinated and convinced by his thorough presentation. And I am not alone to feel this way. Here is what other reviewers on amazon.com have said about this book:

A. A must see; a must think.

B. The most important film I have ever seen.

C. Very important; watch & watch again.

D. What in the world are we waiting for?

E. Required Viewing.

F. Save this planet by individual action.

G. Eye-opening!

H. Al Gore is the smartest man on this doomed planet!

I. Great inspiring movie. Please see it and let's change the way we live.

J. The truth is very disturbing, but you need to see it.

K. Don't Blow it! Good planets are hard to find.

L. Spread the Truth.

M. A must see for every resident of planet earth.

N. Stunning! Seeing this film is one of the most important things you can do all year.

O. Only 50 years from now... If you LOVE your CHILDREN, do you part to help NOW!

Al Gore's message is quite clear: Our planet is dying due to the fact that the world is steadily getting warmer. The question is what does this mean for all of humanity and what can we do about it? This film argues the case that the effects of global warming will continue, and indeed steadily get worse.

As I was reading the reviews on amazon.com, I found more and more people disagreeing with Al Gore. Some accused him of political manipulation. He is instilling fear in us in order for us to vote for him on the next presidential race. In other words, unless we vote for him, global warming is going to get worse and the icecaps are going to melt and we are all going to die by drowning!

Some mistrust Gore. Some have exclaimed, "Isn't this the guy who said he invented the internet!?" Others believe that he is selling snake oil and that there is no truth in his claims. After all, they say, he is not a scientist. Shouldn't this documentary have been presented by a scientist? Furthermore, why did Gore not do something about Global Warming when he was vice-president and in a better position to do so?

Many scientists in fact argue that his facts are not sound and that there is no correlation between CO2 and global warming.

So which is it? Is Al Gore right and doomsday is within 50 years from now, or is this just an exaggeration and unsound science?

Now I am not a scientist and am very new to this subject. With that said, here is the other side of the coin:

(1) Gore says that Earth is heating up because of man-made pollutants, which are raising the level of CO2 in the air. This CO2 traps the radiated heat from the Earth, thus warming up our planet. However, not only is Earth heating up, but all of the other planets in the solar system as well. If this is so, then our man made CO2 emissions aren't the major reason for the heating of the planet. If you visit the NASA website, you'll see that the Martian ice caps are melting too! So what could be the reason for this global warming? The primary source of heat on Earth, or anywhere in our solar system, is the Sun. If it wasn't for the sun, Earth would be a ball of ice. Our Sun goes through cycles. The Earth warms or cools with increased or decreased solar activity in the sun. This is not hard to visualize since a slight change in the Sun's angle turns summer to winter or winter to summer, a difference of several degrees! Our sun could therefore be the main reason behind our global warming.

(2) The earth has had many cooling and warming cycles for thousands of years, long before man could possibly contribute to it. The planet has seen far more severe climate changes than what we might experience and such changes have neither destroyed the planet nor the life upon it.

(3) One volcanic eruption (such as Mt. Pinatubo's volcanic eruption in the 90's) causes far more pollution and Co2 gases than our industries. During the Gulf War in 1991, when Saddam Hussein set fire to the Kuwaiti oil fields, more pollutants had been released in the air in one go than in any other time in history.

(4) We exhale CO2! Does this mean in order to have less CO2 in the air we must have less people on our planet? We are presently 6 billion people on Earth, and this number is rapidly increasing.

(5) Sea level has been rising at a rate of 1.8 mm per year for the past millenniums. Many scientists believe that the worst case scenario is a 2 feet rise in sea level within the next 100 years! Gore believes that we will be seeing a sea level rise of 20 feet in the next 50 years.

In a nutshell, no one really knows enough about the global climate to really say what definitively will happen within the next 50 years. In fact, no one really knows what the weather will be in the next few days (`This will be a sunny weekend,' exclaims the weatherman, only to have a rainy weekend).

The best we can do is to listen to all sides of an issue and then come to an educated opinion of our own. We should not let others do the thinking for us. This doesn't mean we can keep polluting the air we breathe. Everyone should do their part in trying to keep the environment clean.

I certainly enjoyed reading this book. At least it got me thinking!

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