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

Book Description

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Quiet American (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)

Average customer rating:

A Good Read
Excellent Read on Geopolitics/Foreign Policy
This is what I've been missing!
Global Politics Writ Small
Good listen. . .

The Quiet American (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)
Graham Greene
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0143039024
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Book Description

Starring Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser, The Quiet American is already gaining incredible buzz -- including a Golden Globe nomination for Caine (Best Actor, Drama). This enchanting film is directed by Phillip Noyce (Rabbit-Proof Fence; The Bone Collector; Clear and Present Danger) and is adapted from one of Graham Greene’s best-loved novels. Into the intrigue and violence of Indo-China comes Pyle, a young idealistic American sent to promote democracy through a mysterious “Third Force.” As his naïve optimism starts to cause bloodshed, his friend Fowler, a cynical foreign correspondent, finds it hard to stand aside and watch. But even as he intervenes he wonders why: for the sake of politics, or for love.

Customer Reviews:

A Good Read.......2007-09-21

I read this novel on a cross-country (U.S) flight. It is fast paced and evocative of a time now lost. The book is remarkably prescient, not so much in predicting subsequent events, but more in characterizing the forces that would play a decisive role in the later twentieth century evolution of Vietnam.

Fowler, a cynical journalist in French-occupied Vietnam, has his life disrupted when Pyle, and idealistic, impractical American comes on the scene and not only steals his girlfriend, but, fronting for the CIA, backs a Vietnamese general to establish a third force, democracy, to counter the communists and the French colonials, with terrible results. A key subplot involves Fowler's loss and subsequent recovery of his mistress, Phuong. To some degree, the characters and their relationships to one another mirror the stances and actions of their respective countries.

One of the book's interesting dynamics is Fowler's introspective dialogue. He views Pyle with cynical disdain. Pyle, on the other hand, wants Fowler to accept him as a friend (he continually presses Fowler to call him by his first name; Fowler resists) and understand and respect his motives.

With the Vietnam/French conflict as background environment, the novel seeks to explore the conflict between Fowler and Pyle. Greene provides a realistic description of Vietnam in the early fifties: of Saigon, Haiphong, the villages, the Viet Minh and so forth. The book also contains several descriptions of the casualties of war.

The Quiet American is set at a time when revolutionary forces were adopting a Marxist model based on China's successful Communist revolution. The French and British were both trying to maintain a grasp on crumbling empires by resisting revolutionary forces. The Americans opposed the Soviet Union, and the spread of communism throughout the world. The Americans viewed communism as monolithic at the time, and believed in the "Domino Theory," which stated that once Vietnam became communist, the other nations of Southeast Asia would also do so, like a line of falling dominos, each one tipping another. Subsequent events would disprove that theory and prove nationalism to be the more relevant factor.

Robert Stone provides an insightful introduction to the Penguin Classics Deluxe edition.

Excellent Read on Geopolitics/Foreign Policy.......2007-05-24

Normally I prefer to read non-fiction books. Literary "masters" i.e. Virginia Wolf, James Joyce, etc often write pieces so convoluted, often which are supposed to be representative of a greater theme that they become out of touch with even the most educated readers. Not so with The Quiet American. A tale of a jaded expatriate contrasts that of a bright eyed American who tries to "make a difference" in Vietnam. You will easily be able to draw comparisons with the themes of this novel to any modern US foreign policy, i.e. the failures of the CIA, communist intervention, the war of terrorism, Iraq, Colonialism, etc etc. On a more literal, as in real, level, The Quiet American offers good picture of Vietnam before its rapid modernization.

This is what I've been missing!.......2007-05-16

This novel was a breath of nostalgic fresh air to me, and I realized this is what I've been missing. I'm tired of overwrought prose (some literary fiction feels like it tries so hard) and plot twist after contrived plot twist (Dan Brown et al) and laundry lists of trendy shoes and boutiques (chick lit in general). What I want is a good story, believable, well-told, with enough characterization and well-placed description to transport me somewhere and make me believe that something interesting actually happens. This reminds me of when I was a child and a book was so good you stayed up late to read it. I'll be looking for more Graham Greene for my bookshelf.

Global Politics Writ Small.......2007-02-21

The Quiet American is my favorite Graham Greene novel, despite "The Power and the Glory" being widely held as his masterpiece. In typical Greene style, Vietnam of the mid 50's is painted vividly as seen through the eyes of Fowler, a British journalist covering the war when the only western power involved was a crumbling colonial France.

Fowler is a vestige of what our Rumsfield might have called "old Europe". He is old, tired, urbane but practical. His world weariness also makes him corruptible. He shares a flat with a Vietnamese national named Phuong, Vietnamese for Phoenix. He is good to her and she enables him, but to call what they share love would be rather too strong a word.

Enter Pyle, young healthy CIA buck from the States. Pyle is idealistic as he is naive. Like a baby gorilla, he seems to be wholly unaware of his strength. Acting on a wave of badly informed idealism, Pyle wreaks havoc on the tenuous equilibrium of those trapped in a war zone. The helpless Phuong is particularly vulnerable, but like her namesake, she and her country will rise again from the destruction ravaging the land.

At publication, this novel was perceived as anti-American and roundly criticized in this country. Like the Vatican's denouncement of the whisky priest in Greene's "The Power and the Glory", one tends to think that the offences were caused by Greene's rendering of a cowardly priest and naive American being dead-on. The irony is that the American backlash to the perceived slight did cause Greene to dislike Americans: a case of life imitating art imitating life.

This is an outstanding book, and the last 50 years has only made it more powerful. It is the drama of global policy played out by sympathetic and flawed humans.

Good listen. . . .......2007-01-03

The story is excellent and very timely. The reading is very good EXCEPT when the narrator does the voice of the Quiet American, who is a Bostonian. The reader uses an annoying pseudo-Texas accent that is totally wrong and completely detracts from the story.

The Isle of Stone: A Novel of Ancient Sparta

Average customer rating:

A good effort but...
Not Duke Wayne at Thermopylae
A Novel of Ancient Sparta
Yawn
Vivid images from history

The Isle of Stone: A Novel of Ancient Sparta
Nicholas Nicastro
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451217128

Book Description

It is a tale of two cities--the legendary duel between haughty, democratic Athens and brutal, unbeaten Sparta. After seven years of bloody conflict, a barren island in a remote corner of Greece becomes the stage for what promises to become a second Thermopylae. Four hundred Spartan soldiers are cut off by enemy ships on a narrow strip of land, starving, without supplies, yet sworn to uphold their indomitable heritage. Meanwhile, all around them, the powerful Athenian Navy masses for the inevitable assault.

As the war of nerves wears on, Spartan nobles and Athenian demagogues maneuver in the background--and two estranged Spartan brothers serve together for the first time. The eldest, Antalcidas, is a legendary warrior hobbled by a damaging secret. His brother Epitadas is envied, popular, and cruel. Together they must overcome a lifetime of hostility to survive the battle of their lives.

Customer Reviews:

A good effort but..........2007-10-02

Unfortunately I don't think Nicastro really presents us with anything new. If he does, it is in the interactions between Spartans and helots, which are largely undocumented and, where examples exist, bias casts a strong shadow. The affection bewteen Antalcidas and Doulos was nice, as well as the moral issues presented when the Messenians tried to liberate some of their fellow countrymen on the island, mistakenly killing them in the process. My real gripe with Nicastro is that he didn't show us anything we didn't already know. I suppose, for someone not as well-versed in Greek history, this would be an exciting story with a suspenseful ending. However, I suppose I expected a bit more: more insight into the character of Epitadas and Antalcidas; more politics perhaps, or maybe just a more focused story that didn't seem to jump forward and back in time. It is confusing when, in Book II, we jump forward 30 years, to introduce the setting of Sphacteria, before coming back to the Rearing. The confusing sense of time and the lack of depth made this book stand out as an example of lackluster historical fiction. Also, the details of the earthquake's immediate aftermath, as well as some discussion of the future would have been welcome. Nicastro takes a great story and retells it, just not well enough for my taste. Gates of Fire is a far superior book about the Spartan Rearing and their view on war.

Not Duke Wayne at Thermopylae.......2007-09-22

I love good fiction the more believable it is. I love authors who respect my intelligence, but don't write like they're trying to overpower me with theirs. I love ANY book, or any other form of entertainment for that matter, that entertains me while taking me out of all the usual ruts.
This book does all that, and much, much more. After exhausting Mary Renault's books, I've been been waiting for an author to take her place.
Nicastro has my vote.

A Novel of Ancient Sparta.......2007-09-17

This is the first book that I have read by the author and I enjoyed it very much. I love books on ancient history, both fact and fiction so I suppose I am a little biased in that respect. The book is a story of two cities on the Greek mainland. The city of Athens, home to some of the finest minds and the finest writers of the period and the fierce and unbeaten Sparta.

The book tells the story of four hundred Spartan soldiers who are cut off by Athenian ships on a narrow strip of land. Although they are almost starving and have no hope of receiving any supplies, they vow to uphold their tradition as warriors and never give in. Meanwhile the Athenian navy make ready for the inevitable assault . . .

Yawn.......2007-07-07

It's very very very rare that I don't finish a book. I did not finish this book. The story drags on and on and on. This is truly a bore and one to pass up. There's other books out there that deal with ancient Sparta that are much better reads.

Vivid images from history.......2007-06-12

The fact that the reviews of this book are all over the place says it all. "Isle of Stone" is the kind of novel that divides people. I think it is because Nicastro writes without compromising his vision, without trying give certain readers what he thinks they want. He doesn't give you a nice battle scene every twenty pages. He doesn't care if you like his characters, any more than real people particularly care if you like them. (For the record, I found the story of Damatria and Antalcidas very noble and very sad.) No argument here: if you're looking for propaganda about comic book Spartans, look elsewhere. If you want something like the truth, backed up by intense research, this should be your choice.

The Sling and the Stone: On War in the 21st Century

Average customer rating:

The 4th Generation of Warfare
A breath of fresh air
Essential
sling and the stone
Put this in each military academy curriculum

The Sling and the Stone: On War in the 21st Century
USMC, Colonel Thomas X. Hammes
Manufacturer: Zenith Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0760324077

Book Description

4GW (Fourth Generation Warfare) is the only kind of war America has ever lost. And we have done so three timesin Vietnam, Lebanon, and Somalia. This form of warfare has also defeated the French in Vietnam and Algeria, and the USSR in AfghanistanAs the only Goliath left in the world, we should be worried that the worlds Davids have found a sling and stone that work.Chapter 1, The Sling and the Stone: On War in the 21st Century. The War in Iraq. The War on Terror. These types of asymmetrical warfare are the conflicts of the 21st centuryand show how difficult it is for the worlds remaining superpower to battle insurgents and terrorists who will fight unconventionally in the face of superior military power. This change in military conflict may seem sudden. In The Sling and the Stone: On War in the 21st Century, Thomas X. Hammes, United States Marine Corps, details how Fourth Generation Warfare or 4GW has evolved over decades, with powerful military forces from economically advanced nations being defeated by seemingly weaker opponents.

Customer Reviews:

The 4th Generation of Warfare.......2007-08-24

Colonel Hammes' book is about the 4th generation of warfare (4GW). 4GW differs from the other 3 in that it intends to defeat the enemies' will to fight (hearts and minds) rather than his means to fight (armies, communication and industry). Hammes provides numerous examples of conflicts where 4GW has been used around the globe with varying degrees of success. Where the book loses some focus is in detailing changes necessary to the government and military of the United States to implement 4GW. Very little attention is given to either the Navy or Air Force. The book also does not try to show how a 4GW strategy could have been used effectively by the United States in Vietnam, Afghanistan or Iraq or even if we would have become involved in these conflicts if we knew they would take decades to resolve. Overall the book provides an excellent primer on how superpowers can be defeated and the future of war in general.

A breath of fresh air.......2007-07-08

If you're both confused and annoyed by the endless cacophony since September 11, 2001 by politicians, pundits, columnists, and tv and radio talk show hosts proclaiming to be experts on modern warfare, then this book will come as a real relief. This is a level-headed, unbiased, rational, in-depth, and intellectual tour de force that takes a good hard look at the reality of modern warfare. Unlike so many other commentators on the subject who are so blinded by ideology that they are incapable of making an honest examination, Colonel Hammes sweeps all that aside and delivers a highly credible assessment of the nature of the enemies we face today, why our current military structure is incapable of dealing with it adequately, and what we need to do to correct that situation. I never once got the impression that he was rooting for any particular political party, philosophy, or ideology. Instead, he comes across as truly detached from political debates and concerned solely with doing what is necessary to prepare the United States to deal with the enemies of today and tomorrow.

Hammes begins with a solid (though perhaps too brief) examination of the history of fourth generation warfare (4GW), which I found to be highly enlightening. Not being a military history scholar myself, I learned a lot from that part of the book alone. That history lesson is a very good lead-in for his assessment of the current state of threats around the world, and then finally a discussion of what steps we must take to deal with those threats. What he calls for is nothing short of a revolution in the way our military is structured and the way it operates, from the lowest levels all the way up to the Dept. of Defense and indeed the entire federal government. It's not a simple solution by any means, but that's what makes Hammes' assessment even more credible. In an age when we are constantly inundated with simple-minded "solutions" to complex problems, this book, while quite sobering, is refreshing to read.

I did feel like Hammes probably goes a bit beyond his area of expertise toward the end of the book when he discusses several topics outside the realm of military affairs, but overall this is a solid performance that everyone would benefit from reading.

Essential.......2007-05-07

One can hardly understand the war against terror and the conflict in Iraq without understanding the ideas articulated by Col. Hammes. An essential read.

sling and the stone.......2007-02-26

Very informative book by a former USMC officer. Provides insight into long term insurgent plans in the middle east, and reasons for the neccessity of continued persistence. Begins with a short review of the evolution of modern warfare into forth generation war, and the adaptation of 4GW in the twentieth century by various revolutionary groups. Also gives a brief but very good history of the Jewish and Palestinian conflict. If you think its time to just get out of the middle east this book might change your way of thinking. The book gets a little boggy toward the end, but overall an excellent read.

Put this in each military academy curriculum.......2007-02-16

And in OCS and Officer Basic Course and wherever future military leaders are trained. Then get the policy wonks on the staff of each member of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to read it. This is the future of war for DOD and Homeland Security and the sooner they recognize that fact and start retooling from the Rumsfeld technocrat philosophy and flatten the hierarchies the better chance our military personnel will not fight another Vietnam or Iraq with pollyanna expectations. If we had gone into Iraq with Col Hammes prescription...well.I believe he was on the advisory staff in the Baghdad and saw close up what was happening. Good book, a little tiresome in detail for a lay reader, but absolutely essential for understanding where we made (and are still making)our mistakes and what we need to do to fix them.

Average customer rating:

Okay Book
Holocaust Affects Italians
Stones in Water
Stones In Water
A touching book not just for kids

Stones in Water
Donna Jo Napoli
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0141306009

Book Description

When Roberto sneaks off to see a movie in his Italian village, he has no idea that life as he knows it is over. German soldiers raid the theater, round up the boys in the audience, and pack them onto a train. After a terrifying journey, Roberto and his best friend Samuele find themselves in a brutal work camp, where food is scarce and horror is everywhere. The boys vow to stay together no matter what. But Samuele has a dangerous secret, which, if discovered, could get them both killed. Lovers of historical fiction will be captivated by this tragic, triumphant, and deeply moving novel.

"A gripping, meticulously researched story." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"An intense, gripping tale." --School Library Journal, starred review

"An affecting coming-of-age novel with a vivid and undeniable message about the human costs of war." --The Horn Book

* A Puffin Novel
* 224 pages
* Ages 10-14

* An ALA Notable Book
* An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
* New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
* An NCSS Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies

Customer Reviews:

Okay Book.......2007-03-27

Stones in Water
Alex Machado
This book was about a boy named Roberto in Venice, Italy. One day he decided to see a Western style movie. One of Roberto's friends was a Jew, but nobody knew that. In order for Samuele (Roberto's Jewish friend) to see the movie Roberto's brother had taken the arm band that all Jews were supposed to wear and hid it under the table of a restaurant, thinking he would be able to come back and get it.. Two of his friends and his brother came. Right when the movie started German soldiers came in and took them away They took them to Germany to work on building an air strip. Soon Roberto was caught steeling raw eggs from the chicken coop. One of the chapters was about when two of the German soldiers died after getting drunk on Vodka, passing out, and freezing to death. Roberto and Samuele took the boots off of their dead bodies. Whenever a person froze to death the first person to spot them got the first choice on articles of clothing, so he took the boots. That night two kids tried to steel Roberto's boots, be Samuele protected them with his life. Literally. Before they had disturbingly talked about Samuele's shriveled penis and how if anyone saw it they would be in big trouble. That's why Roberto tried to not let anyone take his clothes. But they took them any way.
From then on every one looked at him funny because they knew that he was friends with the Jew. So he just ran away, thinking that he would get shot trying. But he survived to eat the small animals from under rocks from the frozen river. When he came to a village that had been ransacked by the Germans he found food, supplies, and someone to take along on the journey. After being shot and getting it cured with Vodka Roberto runs away again, this time ending up on the beach. He meets an Italian soldier there. The Italian makes him row him, because he says that he is a very bad rower. And when Roberto gets a fever and can't row, it turns out that he is very bad. This book ends with them still rowing in the Black Sea.
I liked when the Italian soldier and Roberto were rowing together in the Black Sea. I didn't really like much else of the book though, so if I could rate this book one to five I'd probably give it a two.

Holocaust Affects Italians.......2007-02-12

This story is set during World War II. Roberto is an Italian Catholic. One day he goes to a movie with his older brother and two friends, one of them a Jewish boy named Samuele. At the movie, soldiers gather up all of the boys and send them off to work camps to help the war effort. Roberto and Samuele are separated from the other two, and are sent to work digging ditches and building holding pens for Jewish prisoners. Roberto and Samuele, now calling himself Enzo because it is a more Catholic-sounding name, are terrified that their guards will find out that Samuele is Jewish.

Conditions in the camp are bad, especially after another boy finds out Samuele's secret and takes all of his food in exchange for keeping quiet. Roberto's first priority is keeping his friend safe. His next priority becomes finding a way to escape and get back home again.

I hadn't known until I read this book what was going on in Italy at this time and how the people there were affected by the war. I liked that the end of this book isn't happy. The author tried hard not to spare you from knowing some of the difficulties of living at this time.

Stones in Water.......2007-01-18

The book I read was Stones in Water by Donna Jo Napoli. Stones in Water was a historical fiction book because it was about World War 2.
Stones in Water was about two boys who got taken to a work camp. While they were there they would only eat and work from day to day. One night some boys tried to take Roberto's boots, and Samuel got beat up trying to get Roberto's boots back. The next day Samuel died from all the broken bones he got. Roberto then escaped and went to a town where he met a boy whose town had been destroyed by soldiers. The boy and him got food and went out trying to find more people. They got to another town and the people there thought that Roberto was a German soldier because he had German boots on. Roberto ran away from the town without the boy, found a boat and went down the river till he met u with a Russian soldier who shot at him and skinned his neck.
I thought this was a really good book because it was about World War 2. It is best suited for people who like to read about war.

Stones In Water.......2006-12-20

The book Stones In Water by Donna Jo Nappoli is a good historical fiction book about a boy and his friend that get drafted into the war. Roberto goes through many hardships to try to get back to his family and doesn't now how he is going to do it. He follows his sense of direction and might just be able to get back to his family.
This book is a good book for people who are interested in history and don't care about reading bloody stories of a war book.I thought this book was a good book because it kept me interested and made me want to read it and at the same time I was learning about what people had to go through if they where a Jew during the time of Hitler.

A touching book not just for kids.......2006-11-10

My daughter loved this book. It moved her a great deal and taught her a lot about the hardships people faced durring WW2. Touching, moving and sometimes frightening this book had something in it for everyone plus its educational to boot. But, you would never know it because its hidden in a gem of a story that had her rivited from start to finish. She loved it and learned a lot and she reads at a very advanced level. So, go for it.

Brokenburn: The Journal of Kate Stone, 1861-1868 (Library of Southern Civilization)

Average customer rating:

Stone versus Chesnut
An Extraordinary Lady in Extraordinary Times

Brokenburn: The Journal of Kate Stone, 1861-1868 (Library of Southern Civilization)
Kate Stone
Manufacturer: Louisiana State University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0807120170

Customer Reviews:

Stone versus Chesnut.......2007-02-07

Like Mary Boykin Chesnut, Kate Stone wrote her diary during the Civil War. They were both members of the slaveholding planter class and at the start of the war both were surrounded by servants who met their every need. But twenty year old Kate Stone's life would be more directly affected by the war. Her young uncles and brothers went to join up at the onset and before the war ended several were dead of injuries or disease. Kate Stone's Louisiana home was occupied by the Yankees forcing the family to flee to Texas. Both describe the deprivations of the war years, lack of shoe leather, lack of cloth and the unavailability of new books, and both were at times cheered by false reports of great southern victories. The two diaries complement each other.

An Extraordinary Lady in Extraordinary Times.......2001-03-26

Kate Stone is one of my favorite Civil War diarists. She is an admixture of a great privilege, passionate beliefs, lover of literature, keen social observations and amazing fortitude. Her Civil War was dangerous, turbulent and life changing.

Brokenburn was a large plantation containing over 150 slaves in Madison Parish, LA. From 1862 on, it was in the center of the Union Army's fierce assault to gain control of the Mississippi River and divide the Confederacy in half. Plantations were commandeered and slaves were encouraged to revolt. The civilian population was helpless before the demands of military control. Madison Parish had a population of approximately 9,000 of whom 7,000 were slaves. After 1861, the Parish was emptied of able-bodied white men, most of whom had been sent to far-off Virginia and Tennessee, leaving none to protect the civilians.

In 1861, Kate was 20 years old, her immediate future being beaus, courtship, and a gay social life before she settled down to become a proper southern matron. She was unsure whether this route was ideal, as she remarked, "women grew significantly uglier in wedlock and ignored and abandoned their former female friends." This comfortable world was turned upside down, never to reappear again. With great enthusiasm and some trepidation, she watched her three older brothers go off to war. Her widowed mother made it clear that 14-year-old James was now in charge of the running of the plantation and the protection of the rest of the family. I was amazed at the serene assumption that a young teenager was thrust in this role, but it seems that was the custom of the times. If you had to grow up fast, you did. Yellow fever was a constant in the area, and longevity was not a norm. Both Generals Grant and Lee wanted their troops out of these areas during "the seasons of pestilence." This was not to be, and both armies suffered devastating losses to disease. Kate treated the "fever season" as a fact of life, and planned around it with remarkable briskness.

By 1862, the Stone family was desperate. The Federal leadership demanded that they stay on their property; yet there were serious slave insurrections that threatened the lives of the plantation holders. Those slaves who were not hostile were running off, and there was no labor to farm the crops. Many southerners could not believe that their "loyal" slaves would run away. Kate was not among them, saying, "If I were in their place, I'd do the same." She was by no means sympathetic, just practical.

The family finally escaped through the bayous in a rickety canoe with nothing, not even underwear, and finally made it across the border into Texas. They were refugees along with many other prominent Louisiana families. Kate was convinced they had arrived at "a dark corner of the Confederacy." Upon noting the barefoot but hoop skirted frontier ladies, she sniffed "there must be something in the air of Texas fatal to beauty."

Kate agonized over the increasingly bad war news and was devastated by Lee's surrender. Kate is one of the most vivid, perceptive diarists of the Civil War. Her diary is one of social history, a time of calamitous change and invaluable for understanding this crucial time in American history. Kate is a natural writer and observer. A highly enjoyable read.

Average customer rating:

Great Supplement!

Races of Stone: Really cool!!

Fluff anyone?

Not enough races of stone

Dwarves and Gnomes would be pleased...This one's a gem.

Races of Stone (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying Supplement)
Jesse Decker , Michelle Lyons , and David Noonan
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Races of Destiny (Dungeon & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying)

Races of the Wild (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying Supplement)

Races of the Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying Supplement)

Player's Handbook II (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying)

Frostburn: Mastering the Perils of Ice and Snow (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying Supplement)

ASIN: 0786932783
Release Date: 2004-08-12

Book Description

A new D&D sourcebook detailing various mountain-dwelling races.

Races of Stone provides Dungeons & Dragons® players with an in-depth look at races that live on, under, or around mountains in the D&D world. There is extensive information on the classic races of gnomes and dwarves, including new rules, information for interaction, new spells, and new magic items attuned to each race. In addition, there are new races, over 20 new prestige classes, over 40 new feats, new equipment, and new magic items.

Customer Reviews:

Great Supplement!.......2007-07-20

There are some neat feats and build variations in this book. I also like the in depth description of dwarven culture. Oh, I'm sure the gnome and goliath are good too, I just haven't read them yet.

Races of Stone: Really cool!!.......2006-01-29

Races of Stone brings insight into the lives and social structures of dwarves and gnomes. It also offers the same insight new races such as the goliaths that are great for pcs and npcs alike. This book offers great information for both players and DMs.

Fluff anyone?.......2006-01-04

This book is pretty pathetic. There are a few feats and a few prestige classes I might use in it, but its mostly a waste of time. The only thing I think that stands out for me are the racial substitution classes. The new race, the Goliath (can anyone think of a better name? Yeah, just about anyone could)is a waste of time.
I've seen where you can get all three of the race books in one box set. I can't imagine the shock of the buyer after picking up these three books and realizing how much money he wasted. I bought this one used for $7, so I figure its worth that much for the pictures and little I'll use.

Not enough races of stone.......2005-10-08

This is a somewhat typical WOC title. It tries to flesh out something and bring something new to the table. It focuses on 2 main D&D races and introduces a 3rd. You get dwarves, gnomes and the new goliaths.

While not a huge fan of dwarves or gnomes, it was nice to see a newly fleshed out race. The sections are formulaic, as most WOC books are. There sections on life, habitat, more gods for an already crowded pantheon. But face it, everybody in a pantheistic universe, is going to have their own god of something. However a little gem appears in there, a dwarven language section. It's only a page long, column style, with one work and its equivolent. Could be more, but I've learned to take what I can get.

I did enjoy the section on the goliaths. I like them. It was a nice change from the established races, complete with the same sections as dwarves and gnomes. I just felt as it was new and not something we've read before it had a fresh perspective. It gives a goo frame work on how they work, live, play (include game mechanics for playing goatball) and move around as a good nomadic people do. The sample settlements helped me as I was able to have a nice village to stumble into for my game and a larger place down the way to send them to.

Unfortunately the monster's section was too sparse. A lot more could've gone in there as most places of stone, are usually mountains. Although I found the dire eagles a nice toy to pair with a hill giant attack.

There are sections on prestige classes as usual. I didn't find any to grab my interest, nothing I'd wanted to put a few levels of my regular classes off for. The magic items didn't interest me too much either I'm afraid. It happens.

Overall, it's a useful book. If you can, borrow and use it, it'll probably be better that way.

Dwarves and Gnomes would be pleased...This one's a gem........2005-01-09

While Races of Stone isn't quite on par with say Libris Mortis: The Book of the Undead or Frostburn, it is certainly one of WotC's best 2004 releases. Considering some of the dreck that saw print last year (Player's Guide to Faerun, Planar Handbook, Complete Divine) I would say this was one of my favourites. Of course, it basically boils down to whether or not you like Dwarves and Gnomes (I do) or have use for a new mountainous race called Goliaths (I can take them or leave them).

The breakdown of the three races in terms of culture, philosophy, religion, history and so forth can add a nice touch to your characters (or your campaigns), particularly if you're building only on what you have from the core books. The assortment of Prestige Classes and Feats is relatively good, but you'll probably come away with the sense that the Goliaths receive just a bit more attention than our traditional rocky friends.

There's been much debate over the newcomers in the Races series and most of it deserves saying. While I don't mind the Goliaths (in fact, I might use them in upcoming campaigns) I feel that their presence ate up space that could have given a bit more depth to the Dwarves and Gnomes. (This problem, which isn't quite so noticeable in this volume, returned with a vengance in the follow-up: Races of Destiny, in regards to the book-hogging Illumians.)

All said Races of Stone is, if you'll pardon the expression, solid as a rock. It gave me great hope for the other books in the series and, indeed, hope for the future of WotC's products. While I can't say that hope lingered long, I still feel Races of Stone is a strong addition to the D&D library and I'm glad it's on my shelf. If Races of the Wild is as good as this one I'll be most pleased.

Average customer rating:

A Valuable book for the serious photography collector
Deeds of War; gruesome, but enlightening
EXCELLENCE ACHEIVED WITH DEEDS OF WAR

Deeds of War
James Nachtwey , and Robert Stone
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Open Wound: Chechnya 1994-2003

ASIN: 0500541523

Customer Reviews:

A Valuable book for the serious photography collector.......2002-11-24

James Nachtway is arguably the best war photographer working in the past two decades. His remarkable vision trandscends mere news photography into a personal expression of a true artist, not unlike Goya. This early collection of his work is a must for any follower of Nachtwey.

It is a tribute to his spirit that he continues to work, bearing witness to some of the most horrific wars of our times. He does so without being a voyeur, but as a gentle and compassionate witness to a world where most of us would fear to tread.

Deeds of War; gruesome, but enlightening.......1998-02-26

Only saw it in a bookstore back in '90 --- didn't buy it then, but picked it up and flipped through it. Was very impressed, and am sorry it is out of print. Have been looking for it ever since.

EXCELLENCE ACHEIVED WITH DEEDS OF WAR.......1998-02-12

DEEDS OF WAR WAS MADE BY ONE OF THE TOP PHOTOJOURNALISTS ALIVE AND STILL WORKING TODAY. ROBERT STONE DECISIVELY DESCRIBES THE REASONS FOR WAR AS NEVER EXPLAINED BEFORE WHILE JAMES NACHTWEY REVEALS SIMPLY THE BEST IMAGES OF MODERN WAR.

Stones of Jerusalem: A Novel of the Struggle for Jerusalem (Thoene, Bodie, Zion Legacy, Bk. 5.)

Average customer rating:

Nicely Woven Tales, Read Luke First
Confused
Five stars again!!!
Stone me, please!
More Stories from the Life of Christ

Stones of Jerusalem: A Novel of the Struggle for Jerusalem (Thoene, Bodie, Zion Legacy, Bk. 5.)
Bodie Thoene , and Brock Thoene
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0142001880
Release Date: 2003-02-25

Book Description

The latest novel from bestselling authors Bodie and Brock Thoene continues the extraordinary story of faith and love in the first century a.d. that they began in their previous book, The Jerusalem Scrolls. The Old City has fallen and Moshe Sachar, the courageous Israeli leader, remains hidden in an underground tunnel, guarding the ancient sacred scrolls that tell of his people's long, heroic history. Following an elder rabbi's instructions, Moshe opens a scroll and again becomes immersed in the ancient biblical tale of Marcus, the Roman centurion, and Miryam, the troubled young woman he loves. Combining superb storytelling with an enchanting historical setting, this thrilling episode presents the gripping plight of a striking cast of biblical characters amid a rich tapestry of romance and intrigue.

Customer Reviews:

Nicely Woven Tales, Read Luke First.......2007-07-09

Having been broken in by the last book, I was all braced for a first century soap opera...and got it. Yet this time, it was less painful and more fun a transition.
Still not a huge fan of these ancient history books. Avel takes the place of the young Arab boy from the first 3 books, so far as emotional searcher goes. The accounts of Jesus's miracles in the gospels are nicely brought to life and woven into a wonderful story with fictional characters. I highly recommend reading one of the gospels before reading this book, that way you can know which account's they're alluding to.
One cannot accuse Miryam of being a flat character at least in book 4...the changes wrought in book 4 were deep, and she proves it in this book. Now she's slightly skewed as the do-gooder, but the point - that the changes wrought by her encounter with Jesus were radical - is well made.
I'm not sure what certain words Jesus spoke to Marcus ended...the book just sort of ended before they were fulfilled. Odd. Anyway, a nice summer read.

Confused.......2004-04-04

I did like this book, as I liked the others in the series; however, I am a bit confused. The authors seem to join Mary (Miryam)of Magdala with Mary (Miryam), sister of Martha, to make one character. The Bible has quite a bit of info on Mary Magdalene, but less on Mary of Bethany, who was the sister of Martha and Lazarus. I realize that this book is fiction, but I was disappointed that I could never figure out which "Mary" they were referring to.

Five stars again!!!.......2004-04-02

It's amazing how these writers continue to create a piece of work that is so incredible. The story of Marcus and Miryam continues as more of Jesus and his story unfolds. In this edtion more fascinating characters are introduced to help in creating a picture of what life was like for those who witnessed Jesus and his miricales. As I read along, I felt like I wanted to be in their shoes. I wanted to witness these miracles for myself as I never before have. In this way, the Thoene's really outdid themselves in producting a quite memorable book.

Stone me, please!.......2003-09-24

Having been pleasantly surprised by the plot switch to ancient Israel in the previous Zion Legacy novel, I was hoping Stones of Jerusalem would pick up the baton. Not so. Unfortunately, the Thoenes went to the Biblical-plot well one too many times.

Whereas in Jerusalem Scrolls biblical events were feathered seamlessly with the "real" plot of the novel, this current installment tries to bash you over the head with them, as if they're popping off the page to say, "Look, here we are, you can't miss us!" Of course, that's not inherently a bad thing. The book falls flat, though, because these run-ins with Biblical events are awfully contrived, and happen at the expense of the rest of the story's development.

Also, it seemed to me like the Thoenes' writing sort of hit a wall in this novel. The past novels had been closely toeing the line of formulaic (I don't want to use the term 'bad') fiction, but the writing in Stones scoots past that line faster than creamed corn through a baby. Metaphor for the sole sake of metaphor (see previous sentence for an exaggerated example), anachronisms, and some overly ooey-gooey description make you want to stop and pick up a Philip Roth novel just to wash your brain out. I am pretty sure that people in Jesus' time wouldn't be using expressions like "seeing the bigger picture." Also, read the description of the storm while Deborah is sick and try to keep a straight face. C'mon, I dare you.

While not their best effort, I'm still looking forward to reading the final installment of the series, as I really did enjoy the first four. Maybe in the sixth one, Alfie will smack Moshe around a little bit for subjecting him to this lame story.

More Stories from the Life of Christ.......2002-04-11

Picking up where The Jerusalem Scrolls left off, this book starts on the night of Purim. It's been six months since we last saw these first century characters. Marcus has been in the wilderness searching for rebels, but has been called to Jerusalem for the holiday. After the trouble caused by Herod, he's relieved to head back to Galilee to observe Yeshua for Pilate. But he's not the only one. Also searching are Nakdimon of the Sanhedrin, El'azar, notorious rebel bar Abba, and the orphan Avel. When they find Yeshua, things start to heat up even more.

Once again, the Thoenes have written a moving novel that shows God's love and grace at work. They weave Biblical stories so seamlessly into the narrative it's almost a shock when they appear. In doing so, they offer a fresh insight into these familiar tales from the life of Christ. The characters, as always, are well developed and bring the story to life. I especially love their portrayal of Jesus. You can feel his love and compassion flow off the page. While this book has a moving and satisfying conclusion, they have also left things open for another novel in this time period.

Book Description

As an animal-talent fairy, there’s nothing Beck likes better than speaking Bird, or Chipmunk. So when a conflict breaks out between the hummingbirds and the chipmunks, she steps forward to act as a mediator, but nothing she says seems to help. Will Beck be able to bring peace to the animals?

Customer Reviews:

Beck and the Great Berry Battle review by StoryMaker.......2007-06-01

Never Land is a magical island very far away from this planet. You probably have heard of it before. You probably have seen movies about it or read books about it or both. As you should know, in Never Land you never grow old. And you probably have heard something about fairies living there, or something of the sort. Well, now you can learn more about the mystical Never Fairies. Learn their talents, abilities and personalities in the Disney Fairies chapter book series!

So far this is the first and only Disney Fairies chapter book I've read. However, I plan on reading as many as I can! Usually books don't hold my attention span very long and after the first few chapters, I stop and forget it. However, this was very captivating! I read it in a single sitting! Lots of things happen in the plot. Speaking of plot, I think I'll summarize it.

Beck is an animal-talent fairy. She understands the twitters, chatters, squeaks, and wimpers of animals and recognizes them as a language. She is one of the best animal-talent fairies there is, in fact. One of her friends is a hummingbird named Twitter. Twitter has a frantic personality and often calls for Beck, saying it's an "emergency". Almost always it turns out to be nothing alarming. However, not this time. A nest disappears - and the birds suspect the chipmunks nabbed it. Soon, every time a chipmunk walks by a blackberry bush, hummingbirds are flinging juicy berries everywhere and splatting everyone (not just chipmunks!) with dark purple juice. Finally the chipmunks decide to fight back. A huge war broke out! Can Beck help them to be at peace once again?

Pretty exciting, huh? Well that's not even the half of it. Lots of other things happen - you'll just have to read it yourself! The illustrations are also quite splendid. The animal pictures are touching and the expressions are great! This book is really good and even if it's not selling for cheap, it's worth the price! Signed, StoryMaker. "Gotta trust the kid's review!"

Not a Beck Story Yet.......2006-10-22

I like animal stories. When I found out Beck was an "Animal Talent" fairy I wanted to skip straight to this book. I controlled myself instead and read the first 3 in the series. They were GREAT!
Then I read "Beck and the Great Berry Battle". I kept having to check the title to make sure I was reading the right book. This book should have been called "Beck is Around When Stuff Happens."
Beck is the weakest character so far. The artwork for this book is excellent, but it is wasted on a ho-hum story where everyone gets to be a hero or solve the puzzle or do cool stuff except Beck. Oh and by the way, "Animal Talent" is a secret Disney code for "Good With Children".
Go ahead and read the story, don't let me stop you. But I'm still hoping someone will write a story about Beck who actually WANTED to write a story about Beck.

Fairies! back on track with this book........2006-01-10

I gave Fairy Dust 5 stars. SO far the book I have read in this series deserve at least 6 then. I LOVED the magic started in Fairy dust, but they have stepped it up and made a wonderful world of fairies most people will love. I found this book to have more personality and character then Fairy dust. They elaborate more on the characters, the talents and everything. The fairy world just got more magical!!

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