Sniper on the Eastern Front: The Memoirs of Sepp Allerberger, Knight's Cross

Book Description

Josef "Sepp" Allerberger was the second most successful sniper of the German Wehrmacht and one of the few private soldiers to be honoured with the award of the Knight's Cross.

An Austrian conscript, after qualifying as a machine gunner he was drafted to the southern sector of the Russian Front in July 1942. Wounded at Voroshilovsk, he experimented with a Russian sniper-rifle while convalescing and so impressed his superiors with his proficiency that he was returned to the front on his regiment's only sniper specialist.

In this sometimes harrowing memoir, Allerberger provides an excellent introduction to the commitment in fieldcraft, discipline and routine required of the sniper, a man apart. There was no place for chivalry on the Russian Front. Away from the film cameras, no prisoner survived long after surrendering. Russian snipers had used the illegal explosive bullet since 1941, and Hitler eventually authorised its issue in 1944. The result was a battlefield of horror.

Allerberger was a cold-blooded killer, but few will find a place in their hearts for the soldiers of the Red Army against whom he fought.

Customer Reviews:

Great history, great prose.......2007-09-26

This is an amazing story that is amazingly well written. We should all thank the stars above that we will never experience what Sepp experienced, and that we will never be in his cross-hairs. I just read this book (I have read many books on WWII, the Wehrmacht and the Eastern Fronrt) and it was such a good read that I bought four copies to send to friends.

Tale of a Wehrmacht sharp-shooter.......2007-09-05

An unexceptional account of a young Gebirgsjager (mountain-soldier) on the Eastern front. Realizing his status as a machine-gunner would very likely result in his early demise, Sepp Allerberger established himself in the role of a self-taught sniper.
Despite the success that sharp-shooters had seen in the first World War, and the German tradition of respect for marksmanship, it is surprising that the Wehrmacht had largely over-looked sniper-training. The Soviet Union did not.
Allerberger had experimented with a captured Soviet scoped Mosin-Nagant rifle, and devised some useful tactics. It was not until later that he was sent to a formal sniper school, as a student with a prolific record of battlefield experience.
Within one will read the usual accounts of battlefield savagery, gore, and mayhem so common to the Eastern front in World War II. There is much hysterical hype in other reviews, implying Allerberger was "a cold-blooded killer!". No, he was merely a proficient soldier perfoming a specialized skill. He did what he had to do to survive, and to aid his comrades. The style of writing is a bit mundane and ponderous, but never the less, an interesting story.

A good read and a sadly entertaining story.......2007-08-30

I don't know the facts on this soldiers story. I didn't do the homework and investigation to tear it apart or build it up. I just read it, and I liked it. It wasn't great. If you want to see some great 1st person accounts of the eastern front read "My Loyalty is My Honor" and I am sure there are others out there that other reviewers have mentioned. It definetely brings to light the attrocities of the eastern front, and the trials the soldiers go through. Even if he wasn't real, and his memories were a bit lost after all the years, I still don't doubt they are quite representative of what it was like to be a German soldiers fighting for survival during the long retreat. If you are interested in the ground war in Europe, especially the eastern front, then I recommend it. If you are looking for a super detailed account of sniper tactics, techniques, and proceedures, then it might disappoint. It has some, but not to the level of other sniper books like "One Shot, One Kill" does.

A different few of war. .......2007-08-03

I found this book to very interesting. I enjoyed how the book really proved the point of how important Snipers are to any army. Sepp Allerberger was a true hero of the German army and I find it hard to believe others who have read this book want to doubt his story being that they were not the ones fighting on the Eastern front but only sitting in their house reading books most likely never having been to war and having no understanding of it. The accounts of how out numbered the Germans were is dead on and you can read any book on the Eastern front and you will always find the same mentions of 10 to 1 or even 50 to 1. Sepp does not spend the whole book bashing Hitler and the Nazi Party he only tells his tale like a proud soilder who was proud of his Unit and keeps the politics out of it. If I had one thing to wish the book had more of it would be Characters, not that Sepp did not mention any of them just that there were very few main ones and when someone was mentioned it was usually only pages before they met their fate. Still a good read.

Not what I expected..........2007-06-17

I am in agreement with some of the other reviewers in that this book was a bit of a disappointment. I was expecting a memoir written by a sniper, I got an account taken from the said snipers recollections. Already I was annoyed the old myths regarding the Eastern front coming into play, 'we were outnumbered 10 to 1, 20 to 1, and 50 to 1' that's right, the author even uses '50 to 1' which sealed the deal for me. The atrocities recounted were sometimes just too much, as if this was one big nightmare repeating itself again and again. Somehow I have never encountered such tales in any other memoir that I've read from the Eastern Front, and I've read dozens. They might be true, anything is possible in a war, but the author, a sniper who was to keep his victims at a distance, again and again is face to face with the enemy and recounting story after story, some of which he heard from his comrades. I was also annoyed by the fact that again and again enormous casualties are inflicted, yet still he and his men have to retreat. And the usual "NKVD troops standing behind the Red Army soldiers as they rush the field to pick up weapons" combined with the recollection that the German troops attacked and took no prisoners because of logistical difficulties, the same was never said for the Red Army's forces. The book is more a cold war type read than anything else. It was definitely a change from the usual memoir literature out there today regarding the war, and not a good one in my opinion.

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

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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.

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For princesses young and old
Cute Book
A Princess Prmer
princess 101
Great gift for a little girl

A Princess Primer
Stephanie True Peters
Manufacturer: Dutton Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0525477659
Release Date: 2006-09-21

Book Description

For ages the fairy godmother has helped make young girls' dreams come true. Now, for the first time, she reveals her closely guarded secrets in one wondrous volume. Everything a girl needs to know about being a princess is presented in this facsimile of the fairy godmother's personal journal, from how to wear a sparkling tiara and choose a fancy gown to what to expect at a royal ball and how to recognize a true prince. In addition to her advice and tips, the fairy godmother offers stories and personal reminiscences, all illustrated with breathtaking paintings of rich landscapes, marvelous castle interiors, and princesses from around the world. This is an incomparable gift for girls who dream of having a little fairy godmother magic in their lives.

Customer Reviews:

For princesses young and old.......2007-07-30

Just for the record, I happen to be 24 years old. A coworker brought this book in to show the office, and all of the women adored it. I bought two copies - one for my little cousin and one for myself just for fun (at five years old, I was utterly convinced of my regal status).
I read all of the reviews posted prior to buying, and I think most are pretty accurate. The book itself is beautiful - loaded with inserts, envelopes with surprises and lovely illustrations (some more beautiful than others).
I was aware of the criticism of the books alleged "insensitivity" and pettiness. But for a children's book, it does a great job of interjecting some multiculturalism (has a Princesses of the World section) and a nice message at the end that "being a true princess is about treating all living creatures with kindness and generosity and about accepting people for who they are...."
As an adult, I was especially fond of the "How to Recognize a Fairy Godmother section" and the book's advice about good and bad princes. This is definitely a fun little book I'll treasure.

Cute Book.......2007-07-12

I bought this book for my granddaughter's 8th birthday. She just loved the activities and the pictures. Any one that likes princess stories will like this story book.

A Princess Prmer.......2007-05-07

Everyone has been so pleased with this book. Saturday it was actually being passed around the family with lots of ooos & ahhhs. Very worthwhile book.

princess 101.......2007-04-04

any girl who wants to be a princess will love this book. just like the ology books but for little girls. gave this book to a 7 yr old and she drags this book everywhere.

Great gift for a little girl.......2007-03-23

My almost-5-year-old niece adores everything princess, so I bought this along with "Fairyology" for her birthday, as well as "Fancy Nancy" and "Pinkalicious." This book is her favorite of all of them. She sits and makes up stories based on the things in the pictures, and tells them to her parents!
I have to agree to some extent with the other reviewer, regarding the "shallowness" of some of the things in the book. I would have loved to see more about learning how to be responsible and a good leader..but it's a bit difficult to work that sort of thing into this type of format. My niece adores the flip-dresses, and the different jewels and things, and let's face it, that's the appeal of the whole princess thing anyway! And at least there are some bits and pieces about manners and politeness.
If you're looking for something fun to entertain your little girl who likes princesses, then this is a great book that can really stimulate some creativity. If you're looking for something to teach life lessons, then you might want to look elsewhere.

LAbyrinth: A Detective Investigates the Murders of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G., the Implication of Death Row Records' Suge Knight, and the Origins of the Los Angeles Police Scandal

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Mindblowing Information
Great book, very well-written
Mindblowing!
Biased author, unsympathetic characters
Outstanding

LAbyrinth: A Detective Investigates the Murders of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G., the Implication of Death Row Records' Suge Knight, and the Origins of the Los Angeles Police Scandal
Randall Sullivan
Manufacturer: Grove Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Murder & Mayhem | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 080213971X

Book Description

Flaunt magazine declares LAbyrinth "absolutely impossible to put down" -- a book whose stunning discoveries are nonetheless "incredibly thorough and surprisingly credible." Acclaimed journalist Randall Sullivan follows Russell Poole, a highly decorated LAPD detective who in 1997 was called to investigate a controversial cop-on-cop shooting, and eventually discovered that the officer killed was tied to Marion "Suge" Knight's notorious gangsta-rap label, Death Row Records. During his investigation, Poole would come to realize that a growing cadre of black officers were allied not only with Death Row but with the murderous Bloods street gang. And incredibly, he began to uncover evidence that at least some of these "gangsta cops" may have been involved in the murders of rap superstars Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur. Still more shocking is what happened when Russell Poole became lead investigator in the murder of Notorious B.I.G.: as his shrewd detective work pointed to crooked cops such as David Mack, who orchestrated one of the biggest bank heists in Los Angeles history, Poole found his investigation stifled by a police chief wary of doing further damage to a department already sullied by the O. J. Simpson trial, the Rodney King beating, and the Rampart corruption scandal. Could it be that the Rampart scandal -- in which dozens of officers were implicated in a conspiracy of robbery, brutality, drug dealing, and false imprisonment -- was only a smokescreen for a far more damaging debacle? Igniting a firestorm of controversy in the music industry and the Los Angeles media, the hardcover publication of LAbyrinth helped to prompt two lawsuits against the LAPD (one brought by the widow and mother of Notorious B.I.G., the other by Poole himself) that may finally bring this story completely out of the shadows. Entertainment Weekly insists that "no single source presents so complete or damning a record" of this "compelling" epic tale of L.A. noir. "[An] engrossing, damning tale of widespread unchecked corruption in one of the nation's largest police departments, one that deserves attention." -- Renee Graham, The Boston Globe " "A deftly told, immensely relevant, true-life potboiler from the streets of urban America." -- Kirkus Reviews " "LAbyrinth is a jeremiad, leveling everything in its path." -- R. J. Smith, Los Angeles Magazine "You don't have to know anything about any of this to love this book." -- Carolyn See, The Washington Post "You haven't got the goods on any of these notorious cases until you read this intricate show-biz true-crime thriller." -- Mike Tribby, Booklist "Sullivan's reportorial writing style accurately reflects the investigative work ... while building the drama within the truly labyrinthine political cover-ups." -- Publishers Weekly

Customer Reviews:

Mindblowing Information.......2006-10-12

This book is one of the main reasons I could not bring myself to vote for former LAPD police chief Bernard Parks, in our most recent mayoral race. Seems we were so worried about more negative press in this city, we too often just looked the other way. One of the better documented works on the subject; the background info on L.A. street gangs, Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. are worth the cost alone. Will keep you glued to the pages.

Great book, very well-written.......2006-09-02

I recommend this book for several reasons. First off, it is extremely well-written. There's no rambling, it's very well researched, and the way the stories and facts are expressed are not dry at all. The writer, Randall Sullivan, writes for Rolling Stone magazine, so it's presented in that style. Even if you aren't interested in the Tupac/Biggie story, this book still goes deep into the origins of the Bloods and Crips, East coast and West coast rap feuds, and especially, just how corrupt the LAPD was(and probably still is). I've read other books on these subjects, including the recently released book by "hip-hop cop" Derrick Parker, but this book is by far the best. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Mindblowing!.......2004-07-21

If ur a fan of either tupac or biggie GET THIS BOOK .....russell poole blows the lid on how death row was really run. He explaines the level of corruption within the LAPD, and how and why the investigations into their murders remain unsloved. After reading this book, and watching the Nick Sullivan Biggie and Tupac dvd, its plain and obvious to all who was behind their murders!

Biased author, unsympathetic characters.......2003-08-28

As a fan of both Tupac and Biggie, I was very interested in learning more about what really went down. Former Officer Poole seems to think he has the answers so I was eager to learn what he knows draw my own conclusions. I was very disappointed.

First of all, to my absolute surprise, nobody else seems to have picked up on the author's extreme bias. For example, on page 14 of the hardcover version, Sullivan notes that "[In the early 1960s], as now, black males committed a hugely disproportionate amount of crime in Los Angeles and across the country." WHAT? I can't even believe that went to print. Question: do black males commit a disproportionate amount of crime in this country or are they accused and convicted disproportionately? At the very least, if you're gonna make such outrageous comments, back it up. With no statistical data, I consider Sullivan's comment to be hearsay. Then, just a few pages later, on page 18, Sullivan gets a little diatribe going about how the LAPD hiring process has become less stringent over time, noting that "liberals had successfully argued that [baring applicants with juvenile records] limited the number of blacks and Hispanics who could join the LAPD." I'm not even 20 pages into the book, and my reading of the author is that he really doesn't like minorities or "liberals," whatever the latter term means to him because he sure doesn't define anything. Yet I decided to take these and similar comments with a grain of salt and press forward with the book.

If one-tenth of what's written in these pages is true, Biggie and Tupac were just as despicible as Suge Knight, the LAPD, the affiliated gangs, the attorneys and just about everyone else who graced the pages of the book. And that made me really sad because it's hard for me to listen to the music the same way. Tupac and Biggie were not innocent; they were just greedy [...] who courted violence successfully. Truthfully, none of the stuff about the LAPD or any of the other authority figures surprised me. Money and testosterone--bad combination. Lest you think I'm a man-hater, the women in this book are appalling, too. I hate to say it but Tupac and Biggie got what they deserved.

I do think that Sullivan's style is extremely readable and engaging. I also like the way he attempted to provide background on the LAPD history, the history of the Crips and the Bloods, etc. If you're not likely to be critical going into this book, it's not bad for escapism. Unless you were living in a plastic bubble or don't keep up w/ current events, I doubt that you'll be blown away by the overall picture Sullivan paints.

Outstanding.......2003-07-26

An outstanding book. Very well researched and a methodical investigtion of the underworld that the rap music business has become. To the few people who thought that this book was a waste of time I can't imagine that you read the same book. There is so much evidence that the top brass of the LAPD covered up certain investigations that it is overwhelming.

Laci Peterson The Whole Story: Laci, Scott, and Ambers Deadly Love Triangle

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This Revised Edition is Excellent
The worst of the lot
Hard Read!
Outstanding Read - I was really moved.
The Book That Resulted in 10 More on the Subject

Laci Peterson The Whole Story: Laci, Scott, and Ambers Deadly Love Triangle
Brad Knight
Manufacturer: iUniverse, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0595347509

Book Description

Finally, here is an in-depth analysis of the most important factors surrounding the Laci Peterson murder case. Brad Knight discusses with candid frankness and sharp clarity the deadly love triangle of Laci, Scott and Amber, as well as many of the pivotal issues that were brought into the original investigation. Since then, much of this key evidence has been overlooked by the general media.

In Laci Peterson The Whole Story, learn answers to questions that you would never have thought to ask, but will wish you had. The author, intriguingly, lays out and compares several powerful new theories that the trial lawyers could have effectively worked to their advantage. Inside you will find the best legal, analytical, investigative, and most of all—descriptive literary work available until now on the subject; all put into a wholesome, down-to-earth, and common sense perspective.

Knight presents:

Rare interviews with primary but discreet participants.
The reason why prosecutors should've called Cory Carroll as a witness.
His own more powerful version of prosecution and defense closing arguments.
Plus a whole roller coaster ride of fascinating incidents throughout the case.

Customer Reviews:

This Revised Edition is Excellent.......2006-06-23

I've now read the revised edition of this book. I thought the original edition was good, but now it's been more professionalized with better editors, etc. It provided deep insight into most of the participants as well as plausible causes and effects of the event. I don't know who ladyJmeow"bad kitty" is, but she was talking about the wrong book here. Those pages she brought up were from the unrevised edition. Anyway, this one's a good solid read on the Laci Peterson case.

The worst of the lot.......2006-05-23

I have read all the books on the market that covered this case.
Brad Knight's is the worst of them all. This book is loaded with factual errors and nonsense, but what was most troubling was his obvious contempt for single women with children. That mindset is archaic, egotistical, politically incorrect and derisive to the point of disgust. As for the errors, where was the publisher's fact checker, on vacation? By the time I was halfway through it, I kept a pencil and highlighter in my hand for the duration of the read. Here are some of my findings:

page 31: the author states that Laci told her friend Heather in December, 2002 that she was disappointed that she and Scott couldn't make it to Heather's Xmas party because of his work, and it was the last time Heather spoke to her friend. However, in reality, Laci did make it to the party sans Scott and to boot, the media showed photos OVER and OVER again of Laci at the party by herself. One book even juxtaposed the photo of the solitary Laci with the photo of Scott and Amber at another party the same night.

page 74: asserts that a woman of "lesser moral fiber" than Amber could have crossed to the "dark side" and not gone to the police. Yet, on page 181 he opines of Amber's "loose morals", even going so far as to say if it wasn't for her loose morals, Laci would be alive today! Pinning Laci's murder on Amber's conscience! More later on his disgusting characterization of Amber and her societal role as a single woman with a child.

page 118: discusses meeting some young girls at a Laci search and how he got one of their phone numbers. The book is supposed to be about the Laci story, we could do without the little personal asides throughout, such as this one where he boasts of getting a phone number..what's clearer is that he used a search and rescue effort to pick up chicks! And refer to the little aside on the bottom of page 138, his perverted curiousity of this woman. Again, we could have done without a window into his soft-porn thoughts.

page 120: one of two references to his bafflement that the police seized the white Dodge pickup Scott bought when he traded in the Landrover. It was common sense for those of us who watched the Larry King and Greta V coverage (including the author), that they took it in order to install the GPS tracking device for surveillance purposes. But even if that wasn't known, why is he questioning the cops using the truck, as he thought, to look for evidence. Why shouldn't they? It's not far fetched that Scott could have stored/hid something in there as soon as he got it, something that could be evidence in the case.

page 121: assumes that the police think the UPS driver should have known not to deliver a package in Laci's name to her home. DUH, I don't think the cops are that dense. If you have any clue as to how a delivery service works, and as a business owner that the author claims to be, there is no excuse not to, obviously there are policies that packages must be delivered to the shipping address on record unless the delivery service is told otherwise. And obviously, Scott didn't have the wine of the month membership stopped. No doubt the driver was under company orders to "attempt delivery". What was UPS supposed to do? Decide for themselves to return it, not ship it or ship to an alternate address? Hello, not a decision they are empowered to make.

page 143: states that Sharon Rocha called Scott to ask him to come to Richmond to identify the bodies, and goes on to paraphrase a phone conversation between them. This is innacurate. Sharon had not spoken to Scott for several weeks prior to the discover of the bodies. When she did call him after hearing the news, she left a message asking him to call her, which he did not do. The only conversation that Sharon actually had with a Peterson during this week was one she had with his mother soon after the discovery.

page 148: states that with the news of the discovery of the bodies, police immediately began tracking Scott's whereabouts..that's misleading..in fact, the police had been tracking him all along, what they did at that point was pinpoint his location to get men near him in order to pick him up at a moment's notice when the positive ID came in.

page 201: "turns up missing" Do I really have to point out the oxymoron?

page 210: provides an excerpt of a cultural anthropologist's assertion that the Laci murder was racially motivated, pointing to Laci's half "Hispanic" background. In this theory, Scott murdered Laci to destroy the 1/4 "Hispanic" baby he helped create because he preferred the white caucasion Amber. If the author had done his homework, he would have hopefully realized that this whole theory is moot because Laci's father's family was Portuguese, and as far as I know Portuguese are not Hispanic. They may be considered latin, or their language is derived from latin, but the people are not Hispanic. Further, the author suggests Scott was upset upon hearing about Laci's ancestry at a late stage in their courtship. How on earth does the author know at what point in their courtship Scott found out Laci's ancestry? If the author got this info from a source, he sure didn't say it. If Scott was upset by it, then why did he marry her if it was such a problem? Forget Scott "finding out" late in the courtship. Any joe schmoe would have recognized that there was some type of latin persuasion in her family tree if not from her looks, than from the pronounced vowel that serves as the last letter of her maiden name. Also, Scott and his mother had similar features as Laci..they were all three olive skinned, dark eyed and raven haired. Who's not to say there isn't a latin persuasion in Scott? Further, on page 213, he allows for the anthropologist's assertion that race was the reason Dennis Rocha let the caucasion Ron Grantski do all the talking. Apparently the author and the anthroplogist believe that to have kept Laci's disappearance at the forefront of news, you need to have a white caucasion spokesperson..the author assumes that was a Rocha family strategy. Talk about narrow scope. The anthropoligist may live in a racial fishbowl, but the author, if he was responsible, should have put forth that there are many possible explanations for Dennis having stayed in the background. Perhaps he felt he wasn't a confident public speaker, though the times I heard him speak, his words packed a very powerful, concise punch. Perhaps his grief was so overwhelmingly private to him he didn't want people watching it all of the time. To find a sociological explanation, the author should have looked deeper than the color of Dennis' skin. For instance, why not look at the type of man he was and his lifestyle. It was obvious from any cursory research on the family that Dennis was a farm man and spent his entire life tending to his farm. It could be said that Dennis was a simple man (and I do not mean in terms of intellect) but rather, that he lead a simple life, far from the busy, technology saturated corporate life of a more urban environment. The dairy farm was his life, not the hustle and bustle of a media drenched society. He'd probably never even seen a TV camera let alone have had to address one in his life. And finally, if the author had so many intimate, close-to-the-family but private sources, why didn't he just ask one of them for an explanation?

page 228: refers to Sharon as Ron Grantski's wife. Um, we didn't have to wait for evidence at the trial to know that Sharon and Ron were not married...the author could have clued himself in by his own hundreds of references to Sharon ROCHA and MRS. Rocha throughout the book. Or perhaps this offends his high level moral standard he sets for women.

page 270: refers to OJ, Nicole and Ron as a comparative love triangle to Scott, Laci and Amber. This is innacurate. It was not proven that Nicole and Ron had a romance and the speculation that OJ murdered Ron out of jealousy was ultimately superceded by the more sensible theory that Ron was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time.

page 318: lays out this whole long-winded perspective on why Sharon shouldn't have filed the wrongful death suit as early as she did, only later to realize that the law at the time had a one year statute of limitation from the time of the murder. If he ultimately knew this, why were we subjected to his 5 page armchair legal strategies? (all of which throughout this book must have been extremely offensive to any lawyer-readers, because they actually went to law school)

page 306: first reference to many cases of mis-spelling defense attorney/Greta panel-regular Geoffrey Feiger's name. He even claimed to love Greta's show, but he must not bother to read the big words on the screen ever, they always spell Geoff's name with a G.

And lastly, only fellow macho egoists would appreciate his opinions on pages 222-223 of Amber's life situation and how HE, big man, would have picked a woman with a "clean slate" without THAT (italicized in the book) kind of mileage. Oh it's mileage is it, to bear a child? That inference is disgusting and misogynistic. And his juxtaposition of a young woman with no children versus a woman with a child from a previous relationship who owned her own home..how he would certainly choose the young woman with nothing, but many guys would choose the latter, believing the home-ownership value outweighs the child from a previous relationship! Gee Brad, I guess nobody looks inside a person huh? The marital worth of a woman is based on outer, tangible elments, no man can go deeper than the surface it seems, to love a woman for their character and heart. Decent men out there with depth of character should be very offended by this book. And for all its unschooled legal ramblings, this book really just made a good "case" for women to stay single.

Hard Read!.......2006-05-03

I never even finished this book! I have read most of the books about the Laci Peterson case, and this was one I bought before the others, such as Catherine Crier's or Sharon Rocha's, which I must say are the two best books written about the case, especially Sharon Rocha's, which I finished in three days, during my college midterms! Anyway, when I bought this book and started reading it, I got lost and bored with all the author's personal stories, which he somehow tried to relate to the case. I even tried skipping over his personal jarble to get to the actual parts about the Laci Peterson case, but that was hard also, so I just put the book away! In my opinion it would've been an okay book, if the author hadn't included all the personal stories and references about himself. I wouldn't suggest wasting your money on this one!

Outstanding Read - I was really moved........2006-04-01

I'm not that much into reading, but I couldn't put this book down. In some ways I hoped this book wouldn't end, there was so much good stuff. I was really enjoying parts of it and just couldn't help getting deeply involved in the story, as well as the incidents and participants. This author lived nearby and participated in much of the activity generated by the case early on, and then continued following it through from Modesto onto Redwood City. With all the material available on the case, this one was a new and, for me, a more likeable point-of-view of the biggest case in the nation. It was well written, going into more elaborate detail on the most intriguing parts of the case. The parts of the case we hear so little about, but want to know more, this author is very gratifying here. I've already recommended this book to several friends and family members.

The Book That Resulted in 10 More on the Subject.......2006-01-21

Once Brad Knight wrote a book about this case, everybody wanted to do it. The Knight book was about the third to be released. This book seemed to give all other books on the subject a major kick in the butt. The other authors found themselves buckling down because now they knew they had a hard act to follow. After reading the book, I'll admit, for some reason all I could think about was wanting to write a book about this case too. If nothing else I can give Mr. Knight credit where credit is due: He's the most inspirational writer I have ever read. And, I say that having read a lot without being too outspoken before. I read two other books on the subject that weren't bad, but man, all I can say is that I wish I could write like Brad Knight.

Sassafras: The True Confessions of a Poodle Princess

Average customer rating:

Magical Illustrations
What a great new addition to our book shelf!
One of the best children's book illustrations I have ever seen... BRAVO!!
Sassie is fabulous
Terrific Charmer

Sassafras: The True Confessions of a Poodle Princess
Lynn Hirshfield , and Dena Fishbein
Manufacturer: Price Stern Sloan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Humorous | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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

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

Picture Books | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0843121254
Release Date: 2006-10-05

Book Description

When an exceedingly scruffy poodle is groomed after being rescued by an animal shelter, she is found to be a very rare breed of poodle thought extinct long ago—the Royal Bedrosian Long-Necked Spotted Poodle! Sassie quickly becomes accustomed to the high life as a Princess and turns unbearably snotty and demanding: Regular dog food does not fit her standards, and she simply cannot be seen on an ordinary leash . But when all of Sassie's preening goes to her head, she ends up back in the animal shelter . However, in the end, Sassie learns a little lesson in humility—and friendship and loyalty . (Although she knows that once a Princess, always a Princess!)

Customer Reviews:

Magical Illustrations.......2006-10-26

Dena's illustrations are so captivating. The personalities really come thru with the wonderful expressions of the Poodle Princess. If you are a fan of Dena's artwork this book will not disappoint you.

What a great new addition to our book shelf!.......2006-10-20

As a mom of a pink princess obsessed 4yr. old, this book is right up her alley! The story is fun and well written. I love this Sassie character! The illustrations are bright and eye catching, such a fun and whimsical book that my daughter hasn't let out of her sight! (let alone, let her younger sister even touch!) We've even decided we're going to buy another copy to donate to her preschool so they can fall in love with it as well!

One of the best children's book illustrations I have ever seen... BRAVO!!.......2006-10-19

I have been a fan of Dena's work for years. Sassafras's illustrations manage to capture the emotions of the spoiled pink poodle perfectly. The illustrations are colorful, whimsical, and utterly delightful. Some of the best children's book illustrations I have ever seen, and it is now my two children's absolutely favorite book.

Sassie is fabulous.......2006-10-12

I absolutely LOVED Sassafrass. It perfectly captures in a comedic way how success can change and warp a personality, and how when a person (or a dog) starts to believe her own publicity, she can lose track of who she really is. Staying true to yourself and keeping your head on straight in good times and in bad is a great message for children and adults. And this tale is told with such a light touch--that it's like eating a chocolate souffle! Brava Sassie! You are adorable!

Terrific Charmer.......2006-10-12

This is a must-read for your kids! They will be enthralled by the story, with characters you too will enjoy!

How the Cold War Began: The Igor Gouzenko Affair and the Hunt for Soviet Spies

Average customer rating:

Half the story, but a well-written half
riveting, relevant and hard to put down...
Revisionism

How the Cold War Began: The Igor Gouzenko Affair and the Hunt for Soviet Spies
Amy Knight
Manufacturer: Carroll & Graf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Russia | History | Subjects | Books

20th Century | World | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Espionage | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

True Crime | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0786718161

Book Description

On September 5, 1945, cipher clerk Igor Gouzenko severed ties with the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa, reporting to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police allegations of extensive Soviet espionage in North America, providing stolen documents detailing Soviet intelligence matters to back his claims. This action sent shockwaves through Washington, London, Moscow, and Ottawa, changing the course of the twentieth century.

Using recently declassified FBI and Canadian RCMP files on the Gouzenko case, author and Cold War scholar Amy Knight sheds new light on the FBI’s efforts to incriminate Alger Hiss and Harry Dexter White in order to discredit the Truman Administration. FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover seized upon Gouzenko’s defection as a means through which to demonize the Soviets, distorting statements made by Gouzenko to stir up “spy fever” in the U.S., setting the McCarthy era into motion. Through the FBI files and interviews with several key players, Knight delves into Gouzenko’s reasons for defecting and brilliantly connects these events to the strained relations between the Soviet Union and the West, marking the beginning of the Cold War.

Customer Reviews:

Half the story, but a well-written half.......2007-05-09

The book is a gripping account of espionage investigation and the political fallout from Igor Gouzenko's defection to Canada in September 1945. Knight argues that the Gouzenko case triggered a change of public perception of the Soviet Union, from that of a wartime ally to that of a deceitful enemy. This change of perception, and the political outrage in the West over Soviet espionage, precipitated anti-communist hysteria in the US and became the opening act of the drama of the Cold War.

Knight's analysis is certainly interesting, placing her clearly in the ranks of revisionist historians (those inclined to blame the US for the Cold War). Her research is very impressive; recently declassified Canadian materials are consulted at great length. On the other hand, the Russian side of the story is inadequately covered. Knight resorts here to a few articles or interviews by former Soviet intelligence officers, omitting archival evidence altogether.

Granted, as she quickly points out in the beginning, archival access in Russia remains problematic, and Gouzenko files at the GRU archive are certainly out of reach. But other archives (e.g. the Foreign Ministry, RGASPI) are more or less open to researchers, and Knight's omissions are regrettable.

As matters stand, only half Gouzenko's story is told in the book; the other - the Russian half - still remains to be written. Still, Gouzenko's life and times are examined in great detail. Knight shows something of an ambivalent feeling towards Gouzenko's personality, admiring him for courage but censuring him for egoism and arrogance.

The one important problem that is barely mentioned in the book is Stalin's policy in the early years of the Cold War. Only once does Knight offer her opinion about the underlying motivations of Soviet foreign policy - i.e. that Stalin wanted to cooperate with the West *before* Hiroshima - but this important observation is not buttressed by any evidence, except for a reference to the Zubok/Pleshakov book (Inside the Kremlin's Cold War).

And yet, Stalin's side of the story is exceptionally important, for if he ruled out cooperation with the West in the aftermath of Hiroshima, then did it really matter what Gouzenko did, or what Washington witch-hunters thought - the Cold War had already begun! The book's title is "How the Cold War began", but certainly without a greater examination of the Soviet side of the Cold War, we can never really tell how it all began. Nevertheless, it is an interesting book, well worth reading, well-written, full of insights and pertinent information.

Also, towards the end the author defends Alger Hiss (arguing that he was not a Soviet spy), though she does not really offer much evidence to undermine the well-known public prejudice to the contrary.

riveting, relevant and hard to put down..........2006-09-08

(had to enter this in "kid's review" as i don't want to sign up for an amazon account (sorry, amazon!)
Picked this up as it hit the store this week because of my fascination with the cold war era and the red scare. The case of Gouzenko, who defected in Canada, is riveting. I learned about his case in a history class, but had never read the details of this young man who decided to defect - setting off the most unbelievable chain of events. Knight's research is meticulous, and the case she builds about the lives ruined in the spy hunt makes this book a must for anyone who likes history and a good spy story. I finished it in two days, and it's still making me think....

Revisionism.......2006-07-31

I looked this book over at Borders and decided not to buy it when I saw that the author claims that the jury is still out on whether Alger Hiss was a Soviet spy. Frankly, it's my opinion that the Venona decrypts of KGB messages during the World War II era have pretty much settled this issue. Hiss was a spy and so were a number of other people that Ms. Knight seems to assert "reasonable doubt on."

Also, the assertion by her that the Gouzenko case marred amicable relations with the Soviet Union after World War II is ludicrous. To use Marxist terminology, that alliance collapsed of its own contradictions (democracies allied with expansionist totalitarian regime). Also, setting aside the Hiss and Harry Dexter White Cases, Venona indisputably proves that the Soviets were running an extremely aggressive intelligence collection program in the West of a scope and nature that is not normally associated with friendly intent.

So I would give this a pass, but if you have to read it, you should also check out a book called "the FBI-KGB War" by Robert Lamphere. Lamphere was an FBI agent deeply involved in many of the cases that this book discusses and in my opinion, he has a lot clearer view of reality than Ms. Knight.

Gwyneth and the Thief (An Avon True Romance)

Average customer rating:

Cute ^_^
I Can't Believe Anyone Liked This Book!
A bit disappointing
A Total Page Turner!
an enjoyable read...cheesy and romantic! :D

Gwyneth and the Thief (An Avon True Romance)
Margaret Moore
Manufacturer: HarperTeen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Historical Fiction | History & Historical Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

Love & Romance | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0064473376
Release Date: 2002-07-02

Book Description

Gwyneth

With her hand in marriage and the security of her beloved Haverleigh at stake, Lady Gwyneth is desperate. So when she comes upon a young man who might be the solution to her predicament, she does not hesitate to act, though it means entering into a dangerous deceit and inviting a thief into her castle.

The Thief

All Gavin has known is a life of lawless poverty. Left for dead and taken in by a very young, very determined lady, he has little choice but to entertain her request. Posing as a squire, he begins to train the farmers and craftsmen of Haverleigh in the art of combat. In doing so, Gavin begins to know a far different life -- and to crave all it has to offer.

As Haverleigh is secured through their labor and collusion, sparks fly between Gwyneth and her thief. In a moment of rash indiscretion, a kiss nearly undoes them both. Love between a lady and a thief is unthinkable...unless the truth can remain hidden.

Customer Reviews:

Cute ^_^.......2006-06-23

Gwyneth and the Theif is my favorite Avon True Romance so far. The concept is the most alluring, and the story is the most fulfilling. The romance is light but cute, and the characters are likable and relatable.

The story is about Lady Gwyneth, who is supervising her father's land while he is ill, and a not-too-common Theif. Gwyneth's lands are threatened by an unwelcome suitor who wishes to gain only power and land. Gwyneth rescuses the Theif, shelters him, and asks him to train her people. Happy ending indeed! Quite an enjoyable Read! The romance is the best attribute of the book.

I do believe there is one flaw though: believability. The rash and somewhat unlikely decision of Gwyneth to use the Theif to train her people, and her people's unquestionable acceptance of her decision detract from the book. Things work out so well, if not too well, for the heroes and heroines of the Avon True Romance series, but I believe this is to be expected in a teen series.

Regardless, Gwyneth and the Theif was enjoyable, cute as ever, and relaxing to read. I believe any young historical romance lover will find this book to their satisfaction.

Happy Reading! ^_^

I Can't Believe Anyone Liked This Book!.......2005-12-21

I started reading the Avon True Romance for Teens series just this year and I loved what I read. I had read Anna and the Duke (my favorite) Emily and the Scott, and Victoria and the Rogue. I loved all three of them.
Little did I know they ALL weren't that way.
I had read an exerpt from one of the other books and tried hard to get this book. I finally do. I begin reading... yada, yada, yada. When I got to almost the end of the book, I was stunned: I just couldn't believe any chemistry between the two main characters. The book disappointed me so much that I just stopped reading it. What was the point? These people weren't believable and the plot looked so predictable. Why read something that we can easily see the ending to? The other books made you wonder, but even if there was a good climax in this one, I doubt it would save this story!

A bit disappointing.......2005-07-20

I was a little disappointed in this book. It seemed like nothing really exciting happened...the romance seemed a little dull, as did the plot: Gwyneth sees Gavin, a thief, get beat up by his fellow thieves and left for dead, so she takes him back to her castle to teach her village how to fight and protect themselves against an evil neighbor who wants Gwyneth's land and her hand in marriage, which he thinks will be easy to gain since Gwyneth's father is sick. Gwyneth and Gavin fall in love, but Gavin thinks she won't want a thief, so he stays away from her, while in the meantime the village fights against the evil neighbor's forces. A knight comes and stops the fight, and says Gavin can be his squire, so someday he can marry Gwyneth. Gwyneth's father gets better, everyone lives happily ever, the end. I was disappointed with such an unoriginal plot.

A Total Page Turner!.......2005-06-06

I couldn't put the book down! It was exciting, and Moore made sure to write about characters that the reader could relate to.
Gwyneth is at the mercy of horrid DeVillers who intends to take over her land. She is unlike most girls of her class at that period of time since she runs the land because her father is ill. Gwyneth fears that DeVillers will take her home by force but she cannot afford mercenaries, so she has no way to protect her land...until Gavin came into the picture.
Gavin is thief. He is very handsome, clever, and acts more like a gentlemen then most thiefs. He is rescued by Gwyneth and agrees to help her.
As the old saying goes, opposites attract, and this romance novel is full of adventure, love, and humor. I very much enjoyed this, and all of the other Avon True Romance books, and I highly reccommend them all!

an enjoyable read...cheesy and romantic! :D.......2003-12-12

Gwyneth and the Thief is a fun historical romance about a lady and a thief. gwyneth, 15, is left in charge of her father's castle when he gets sick. she enlists the aid of gavin, a thief, to pose as a squire and train the villagers to fight in case her neighbour [a baron] tries to take over her castle. obviously, she falls in love with gavin and him with her. they know that a love between a thief and a lady can never take place. what will happen next?!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i really enjoyed this book. the plot is quite unbelievable and the lines are cheesy and very modern [not at all medieval], but the book is still very enjoyable. as long as you don't go in expecting too much, you will enjoy this!

Average customer rating:

great book!

A justified historical novel

Meet Hermann Goering

A Fine Novel
The Knight, Death, and the Devil
Ella Leffland
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Personal Narratives | World War II | Military | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0140145370

Customer Reviews:

great book!.......2004-12-29

Im a person who reads many books but doesnt write many reviews.Im writting this one in gratitude to the writer.Orinally I had trouble in choosing a book to read on Goring.A subject I found interesting and wanted to learn more about.Im pleased that this was the book I choose.Im pleased in the style and how well Leffland tells it.This is historical novel with great deal of facts but is told in a fictional way that I found more entertaining then alot of biographies.She did give me quite a feeling of what it was like in the Riech and in Germany at that time.She did such a good job of this I thought It would be only fair of me to take a minute of my time to write this.I have read a great amount of books on world war II and this is one of the best.

A justified historical novel.......2002-06-11

If you are interested in German/European history, then get yourself a copy of this book. It seems to be out of print, and no I won't sell mine, but its still worth finding. Leffland took the approach of a historical novel because she felt that this was the best way of making you understand the times and how heroic Germans could be seduced by Nazism and Hitler. Leffland certainly researched her subject well enough to have written a biography of Georing, but this approach had to be more fun for her and her readers. Sure, its kind of a cop out approach when comparing this to Kershaw's biography of Hitler, but then Kershaw does not make me feel like a German caught up in the rush of the early 20's in Germany either.

Meet Hermann Goering.......2001-05-09

Leffland brings the complexities of Hermann Goering to life with clarity and vivid detail. Her descriptions of Castle Veldenstein and Carinhall (Goering's estate named after his first wife) are fascinating, and are quite accurate, probably the best ever written. Although this novel is fiction, the bulk of the material is taken from exhaustively researched facts. (Leffland actually went to Germany to visit places in the book firsthand and met with Goering's relatives.) The Knight, Death and the Devil is a wonderfully tragic tale that can be savored like a fine wine.

A Fine Novel.......1999-05-02

Leffland is an exquisite writer. This novel explores the humanity of a monster, the banality of evil personified. It is a very rich and enlightening journey that illuminates a life yet can not answer the mystery behind its horrifying outcome. The writing is superb, the character of H.G. richly ambiguous. As with any villain, there are more questions than answers, and Leffland beautifully dramatizes the puzzle of the nature of evil and how it can take root in the human soul.

The Way of King Arthur: The True Story of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Adventures in History)

Average customer rating:

LookingThe Way of KIng Arthur
Simple but well done
A King who sought peace for his people

The Way of King Arthur: The True Story of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Adventures in History)
Christopher Hibbert
Manufacturer: I Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Book Description

A fascinating and vivid depiction of the actual life and times of the real-life sixth-century British warrior who was to become known and loved as the legendary King Arthur.

Download Description

The true story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, in the tradition of The Way of the Gladiator and The Ways of the Samurai.

Customer Reviews:

LookingThe Way of KIng Arthur.......2004-09-29

Though the book provides an intresting look at ideas concerning Arthur and his possible origins it provides no expansion on therories already proposed by other historians. I found the Chapters on the Medieval mindset about Arthur fascinating but over all there was no definite conclusions. The book lacks a cohesive form and near the end is nearly entirely given to speculative archeology. Finishing up with an amazingly lacking Bibliography the book provides very little in the way of expanding the field of history. It is best left to the amature historian or curious lay person.

Simple but well done.......2004-09-23

In this book the author searches for the beginnings of the King Arthur legend and trys to determine if there is any actual historical basis for the character of Arthur himself. The book is short - only a bit more than 100 pages and my copy is in what looks to be 14 point type - so BIG PRINT. It reads VERY fast. I finished it on a flight from Minneapolis to Detroit with time to spare.

I'm a HUGE King Arthur fan and I found myself very intrigued. However, don't let this be your only reference into the legend - there are many many versions of the legend (as the author freely admits). If you have read an Arthurian legend or two and wonder about the history of the tale - this will quickly turn you onto other sources for further research. If you are well versed in the legend already - look for something more in-depth. This is really for an Arthurian beginner.

A King who sought peace for his people.......2004-07-19

This beautiful and eloquent search for the kernel of truth that gave birth to the glorious legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table is probably the finest and most cogent account available.

Hibbert understands two elements needed to make sense of the Arthurian legend -- the factual basis of history, and the enduring significance of what develops when fact grows into an expression of the ideals of a people. Originally published in 1969, this somewhat typographically sloppy edition looks to have been hastily re-issued to cash in on the publicity for the much derided 2004 film version of King Arthur.

"The search for the man himself has become a continuing quest for what lies hidden in the hearts of all men," writes Hibbert, the perfect guide to legend and fact. It's a concise book, less time to read than attending the film, but of far more value and meaning.

His closing tribute is to T. H. White's masterful "Once and Future King", in which King Arthur was "not a distressed Briton hopping about in a suit of woad in the fifth century" but a true knight with "an open face, with kind eyes and a reliable or faithful expression, as though he was a good learner who enjoyed being alive . . . . ." Like White, he fully understands the significance of the legend.

So, who was Arthur? Well, legends are expressions of the ideals a society want to attain. In today's world, President George Bush wants to be "a war president." In contrast, King Arthur was a leader who defeated the ruthless terrorists of his time and sought to be known as a man who brought peace to the English people. The Round Table was an expression of the equality of all who upheld, in the words of White, "the idea that force ought to be used, if it is used at all, on behalf of justice, not on its own account."

Hibbert leaves no doubt that a real Arthur once existed, but he is not so foolish as to proclaim any specific legend or locale as the true Camelot or any specific man as the original Arthur. He carefully illustrates how church and civil authorities have used the legend to bolster their own selfish causes. It is a marvelous exercise in the study and application of history, illustrating the contrast between legend, fact and what we know to be true. After reading this book, even the movie may make sense as more than a woad and weird action adventure.

"But the quest for Arthur of Britain never can destroy the beauty of the works that his legend has inspired or the fascination of the legend itself," Hibbert writes. This book is a perfect introduction to those ideas and ideals. You won't do better, even though you may later plunge into the wonderful depth and detail of other accounts of the Arthurian legend.

It is a great book. Anyone interested in anything from early England to Camelot will love it.

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