The Eye of the World: Book One of 'The Wheel of Time' (Wheel of Time)

Book Description

In one short decade, Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time has become the bestselling American fantasy series of all time-comparable in depth and scope to J.R.R. Tolkien's legendary trilogy, The Lord of The Rings. Now, the first two titles in the series, The Eye of the World and The Great Hunt, are available unabridged on CD.In the THE EYE OF THE WORLD three young friends; Rand, Matt and Perrin are attacked by subhuman monsters,bestial Trollocs. With the help of Lady Moiraine, an Aes Sedai, a woman who can wield the One Power and her Warder, Lan--the young boys flee their homeland. But they are pursued relentlessly by the forces of the evil Dark One--and begin an adventure across an imaginative, fantastical world of strange wonders and deadly horror--where goodness stands on the brink of destruction--for the Wheel of Time is weaving a web in the pattern of ages, a web to entangle the world.

Customer Reviews:

Great Book, fast delivery.......2007-10-11

Just as ordered. The book was well packed and in good shape. Let the reading begin.

enjoyable start.......2007-10-11

Very enjoyable high fantasy story about three boys who are forced to leave their village by the forces of evil which are pursuing them.

When I started 'Eye of the World' and the plot became clear I was rolling my eyes a bit - not another "save the world from the Dark Lord" book -hasn't that been done to death already? But I found myself getting caught up in the story. Jordan has done a good job in world building, although I think he introduces too much backstory too quickly. The first few chapters take a lot of digesting. Also I had heard that Jordan has a problem concluding plots so I was expecting an ending and not a conclusion. The ending was abrupt, but it was satisfying, although obviously setting up for the next in the series. On the merits of "Eye of the World' I am ready to go on to the next book, but I am a little afraid; everything I've heard says that the first few books are good but that they really go downhill after that, and nothing gets resolved (and may never since Jordan recently died).

An excellent start...........2007-10-01

to a captivating series. The audiobook is well done with readings by kate reading and michael kramer.

An Epic Fantasy.......2007-09-20

Robert Jordan's The Eye of the World, part of the Wheel of Time series, is an epic fantasy. He creates a Tolkien-ish world, full of strange creatures. Rand, a simple farm boy from an out-of-the-way village believes most of those creatures to be travelers' tales, until about 100 of them attack his village. With the help of Lady Moiraine and her companion Lan, they defeat the minotaur-like Trollocs, and their leader, and evil Myrddraal. Rand and his two friends are forced to flee the village, with Trollocs hunting them down on the orders of the Dark One. Moiraine reveals herself as an Aes Sedai, with strange and powerful magical abilities. She uses her amazing magic to get them away from the Trollocs, while Lan helps with his own fighting powers. He is her Warder, one of many mythical fighters sworn to protect a certain Aes Sedai. They journey through a land full of perils, to discover why the Dark One is after Rand and his friends.

This book has filled me with delight, as it is so well described. I might as well have been there, pushing my way through the crowded streets of Caemlyn, or riding as fast as I could to get away from the Trollocs. I am already reading the prequel, then I'll move on to the 9+ books that follow The Eye of the World. If you enjoyed Tolkien, or any other typical fantasy book, you will like this one. The traditional band of good guys, pursued by the servants of some evil guy, combined with some of the best wording and use of magic I have ever read, really makes this book hard to put down. I find myself reading late into the night, even when I am drop-dead exhausted, just because I want to know what happens next. This is a must-read for readers who enjoy fantasy.

Ava W.
Grade 6
Ms. Kawatachi

Eye of the World by Robert Jordan.......2007-09-19

I tried. I gave it over two years of my life and I still couldn't keep going till the end. Of course, the real end will probably be book fifteen or twenty or, heaven forbid, twenty-five and up. I'm talking about Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Currently there are eleven books in the series, the latest, Knife of Dream, came out last October. The first book, Eye of the World, started out really well and I felt like I'd discovered a great new epic fantasy series similar to that of Lord of the Rings. The first book proved this and I thought it was great; I was also very excited at the notion of there being so many books in the series, with the story still incomplete. The second book, The Great Hunt, while not as mind-mashingly great as the first book, was still a great read, as was the third, The Dragon Reborn, where we find out that the main character is the guy prophesied to save the world, essentially. Eight books from th ere and the big showdown still hasn't come, while Jordan has continued to drag out into the hundreds and thousands of pages scenes, descriptions, and characters bickering at each other about the same thing while repetitively employing their annoying habits, to the point where I feel like I'm reading a children's nursery rhyme. Then there's the whole deal with the main character, Rand, having his undeniable love for three of the women characters, which he is okay with, and which they are okay with, apparently, and are quite willing to share him amongst themselves. I may have kept sloughing through the series better if there'd been a lot less purple prose and books four to ten had been condensed into say books four to six, which would've made more sense and made the stories move along better. Around book five I began spotting the routine the books go through: a few hundred pages of sitting around talking, explaining and regurgitating what's happened in the past books, bitching at each other; then about four hundred pages of people painstakingly crawling from a starting point to a destination (and bear in mind that these people can "travel" through vortexes real fast), and then the last hundred pages is a big action scene. At book seven, Crown of Thorns, halfway through, I decided I'd wasted enough time on Mr. Jordan and his wordiness, so I employed a slow speed-reading method which got me through them a lot faster. In about three days I reached the end of book nine and decided I'd had it and it just wasn't worth any more of my time. At this point I'd been able to summarize each book into three or four sentences, and I'd decided that if I can do that, maybe it's just not worth it and I should put my reading time to something more important that I'd enjoy reading more.

So here I am Mr. Jordan, signing off on your series that held so much promise and crashed and burned like a planet falling into a sun. Oh, and you know what, I'm not the only one who thinks this way. There are other people I know who've given up earlier than me, and others who've not even bothered to start because they know it's going to end bad.

On the plus side, I get to sell all my Robert Jordan books and make money off him!

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

Close Your Eyes (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards))

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Great Illustration
Wonderful bedtime story....
Purrfect for putting your little one(s) to sleep!
Simply Wonderful
A wonderful book!

Close Your Eyes (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards))
Kate Banks
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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And If the Moon Could Talk
Mommy Hugs
Daddy Kisses
Mommy Loves
The Cat Who Walked Across France

ASIN: 0374313822

Amazon.com

A mother tiger wants her baby to go to sleep, but the little tiger resists. "'If I close my eyes,' he said, 'I can't see the sky.'" She assures him that he will not only see the sky when he sleeps, but will float among clouds and be cradled by the moon. Not in the least assured, the little tiger complains that if he closes his eyes, he will miss seeing the tree and the bird with blue feathers. With each concern, his mother consoles him with a comforting thought. If this gentle give-and-take were not calming enough for a bedtime story, Hallensleben's lovely dreamscapes (And If the Moon Could Talk) will surely do the trick. Double-page paintings of cloud animal shapes (with the little tiger cozying up with the moon), the "big mountains where the rain lives," and of mother tiger licking her baby are utterly hypnotic. Young children who are afraid to go to sleep will learn that "Dark is just the other side of light. It's what comes before dreams" and that mom is never very far away. (Ages 3 to 6) --Karin Snelson

Book Description

A little tiger takes an imaginative journey

The little tiger lay on his back in the tall grass.
"Close your eyes, little tiger," said his mother, "and go to sleep."

But the little tiger is worried about what sleep might bring.
His mother reassures him that once he closes his eyes, he will dream of magical places. And when he awakens, she will be right there, waiting for him.

Alternating between real-life scenes with the baby tiger and his mother and enchanted dream scenes of sleep's possibilities, Kate Banks's simple, comforting text and Georg Hallensleben's bright, colorful illustrations make this a charming bedtime story for small children.

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Customer Reviews:

Great Illustration.......2007-08-22

I first discovered this book at the library. I liked it so much that I've checked it out multiple times and have now purchased it.

Kate Banks' writing is a parent telling a story to a child. The words are soothing, but become more poetic with each reading.
Georg Hallenleben's art fills the page and takes you into the imagination of the writer.

I am a new mom and have received lots of books as gifts. I buy books used or on clearance as I see them. This is the first book I have purchased for my son at full price - I love it and would recommend as my top choice to anyone. I like it for naps.

Wonderful bedtime story...........2007-07-04

This book is one of my daughter's favorite bedtimes stories and mine. The little tiger is adorable and I love how all the illustrations complement the storyline. I absolutely LOVE this book and recommend it highly.

Purrfect for putting your little one(s) to sleep!.......2007-03-09

The beautiful illustrations and words of comfort help our two children, ages 2 and 4, at bedtime. The baby tiger expresses his fears of bedtime while mommy tiger provides words to calm and soothe.

Simply Wonderful.......2006-05-31

The writer and illustrator of "The Cat Who Walked Across France" team up again in another simple yet totally winning story. This time, our protagonist is a baby tiger--so innocent looking that he resembles a cuddly soft toy--who just can't go to sleep. With the enormous curiosity of any infant, this little tiger doesn't want to close his eyes and miss the sky, the trees, abright blue bird--all the wonderful, wondrous things around him.

In time-honored style, his wise mother counters all his objections with a parallel in his "mind's eye." In fact, she suggests that closing your eyes can bring you an even more varied and rewarding experience:

"The little tiger rolled onto his belly and listened to the leaves quiver overhead. 'If I close my eyes, I can't see the tree.' he said. 'But you can, said his mother. 'You can see many trees, where you can play hide-and-seek until the night finds you and brings you home."

This book was just made for quietly reading to your child as he or she gets into bed! ALong with the quieting possibilities offered in the book's beginning, Kate Banks also soothes the "what ifs." WHen the tiger imagines he's a bird, he suddenly acquires a fear of falling. The mother, who may have read some kids' books herself, answers "I will be there to catch you." IF he gets lost, "then I will find you." Banks knows no fear herself, she even tackles the dark: "'Don't be scared,' said his mother. 'Dark is just the other side of light. It's what comes before dreams.'" (Awwwww...) The sleepy tigers imagines what he might dream of, and illustrator Hallensleben shows us a panoramic view of snow-capped mountains shaded blue and purple, sand dunes with purple-topped palms, and a giant orange fish jumping out of a deep blue sea, a seagull, an orange-billed penguin-ish bird, and the tiger dancing merrily on its back.

Hallensleben draws his typically rich oil colors here, and brush strokes and saturated, unusual color schemes (there's a bit of the Fauve here) are almost too visually exciting for a bedtime book. Still, a darkened room will dampen the colors, and Banks' ever-present, always reassuring mother tiger will undoubtedly work as well with your young audience as it did with her tiger cub.

A wonderful book!.......2005-07-18

This is a beautiful book about going to bed and having wonderful dreams! The story is simple for toddlers to understand and the illustrations are impressive. It really shows young kids' imaginations and that "mama tiger" is always there for her baby.

Eyes of Time: Photojournalism in America

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Eyes of Time: Photojournalism in America

Manufacturer: New York Graphic Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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American Photojournalism Comes of Age

ASIN: 0821216570

Behind A Convict's Eyes: Doing Time in a Modern Prison

Average customer rating:

Well worth doing the time to read

Behind A Convict's Eyes: Doing Time in a Modern Prison
K. C. Carceral , Thomas J. Bernard , Leanne Fiftal Alarid , Bruce Bikle , and Alene Bikle
Manufacturer: Wadsworth Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Contemporary Corrections (with InfoTrac)
About Prison (Wadsworth Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice)
Essentials of Corrections (with Online Study Guide and InfoTrac )
Hard Time: Understanding and Reforming the Prison (Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice Series.)
Behind Bars: Readings on Prison Culture

ASIN: 0534635172

Book Description

This unique book provides accurate descriptions of prisons and prison life, written by a prisoner sentenced to life, who uses the pseudonym "K. C. Carceral" to hide his identity for protection. With the assistance of editors Thomas Bernard, Leanne F. Alarid, Bruce Bikle, and Alene Bikle, this book presents a gripping, and often graphic, portrayal of life in prison. This narrative presentation of such topics as prison violence, friendships, sexual mores, and serving time includes graphic language and situations. Through the powerful personal experiences of the author, readers are better equipped to develop informed opinions about the American prison system. Inspired to write about his experiences in prison, Carceral sought the help of noted academics, including Thomas Bernard, to create a powerful and informative narrative. This is the first textbook written by a life-sentenced inmate. Bernard, along with editors Leanne F. Alarid, Bruce Bikle and Alene Bikle developed the manuscript to ensure its suitability for classroom use in colleges and universities. The wide range of topics covered includes entrance into prison; prison life, including violence in prisons; dealing with time; prison politics and economics; sex, racism, retaliation, and gangs.

Customer Reviews:

Well worth doing the time to read.......2005-03-01

It doesn't seem like it would be easy to have an impact on society from behind prison walls, but, easy or not, that is what K. C. Carceral has achieved. "Behind a Convict's Eyes" is tangible proof that even a convicted felon may make an important and positive contribution.

Carceral (the name is a pseudonym meaning "belonging to a prison") is a convicted murderer serving a life sentence who has created a series of vivid word portraits of inmate life. These capture not only his own experiences, but the politics, economics, and culture of prisons as well.

The portraits done, Carceral follows with a scholarly effort that builds on an existing theory of "toxic shame identity" to suggest why people become criminals.

His own work is supplemented throughout by "discussions" from the four editors of the book.

Carceral says little about the crime that brought him to life in prison. Reading his book cannot help but make one wonder what he could have achieved had he not committed his crime -- or if his contribution to society would have been as great as the one contained in this slim volume.

A book that seems aimed less at the general public than at students and those who work for or deal directly with the criminal justice system, "Behind a Convict's Eyes" deserves a wider audience that it is likely to get.

To The Blight : Part Two of 'The Eye of the World', The Beginning of 'The Wheel of Time' (Wheel of Time (Starscape))

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To The Blight : Part Two of 'The Eye of the World', The Beginning of 'The Wheel of Time' (Wheel of Time (Starscape))
Robert Jordan
Manufacturer: Starscape
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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From The Two Rivers: The Eye of the World, Book 1 (Wheel of Time (Starscape))
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The Hunt Begins: The Great Hunt, Part 1 (The Wheel of Time, Book 2, Part 1)
Knife of Dreams (The Wheel of Time, Book 11)
New Spring (A Wheel of Time Prequel Novel)

ASIN: 0765342219

Book Description

An American Library Association 'Best Books for Young Adults'A VOYA 'Best Books for Young Adults''Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.' -The New York TimesPursued by Trollocs and Myrddraal, Rand and his friends find refuge in the deserted city of Shadar Logoth. But their wandering-and the many dangers they face-are far from over. For from the lips of a dying Aiel girl they learn that the Dark One means to blind the Eye of the World. Having barely escaped capture and death, Rand finds himself face to face with Aginor: a wielder of the One Power and an ally of the Dark One.In the battle that follows, Rand will discover his true identity...and destiny.'The most ambitious American fantasy saga [may] also be the finest. Rich in detail and his plot is rich in incident. Impressive work, and highly recommended.'-Booklist'Recalls the work of Tolkien.'-Publishers Weekly'This richly detailed fantasy presents fully realized, complex adventure. Recommended.'-Library Journal'The definitive American fantasy saga.' -Chicago Sun-Times

Average customer rating:

In Times Eye
Time's Eye II
An enjoyable read
Awsome experience
Fantasy, not science fiction

Time's Eye (A Time Odyssey)
Arthur C. Clarke , and Stephen Baxter
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Sunstorm (A Time Odyssey)
The Light of Other Days
Transcendent (Destiny's Children)
The Time Ships
Evolution

ASIN: 034545247X
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Amazon.com

Sir Arthur C. Clarke may be the greatest science fiction writer in the world; certainly, he's the best-known, not least because he wrote the novel and coauthored the screenplay of 2001: A Space Odyssey. He's also the only SF writer to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize or to be knighted by Her Majesty Elizabeth II. This god of SF has twice collaborated with one of the best SF writers to emerge in the 1990s, Stephen Baxter, winner of the British SF Award, the Locus Award, and the Philip K. Dick Award. Their first collaboration is the novel The Light of Other Days. Their second is the novel Time's Eye: Book One of a Time Odyssey.

As the subtitle indicates, Time's Eye is the first book of a series intended to do for time what 2001 did for space. Does Time's Eye succeed in this goal? No. In 2001, humanity discovers a mysterious monolith on the moon, triggering a signal that astronauts pursue to one of the moons of Jupiter. In Time's Eye, mysterious satellites appear all around the Earth and scramble time, bringing together an ape-woman; twenty- first-century soldiers and astronauts; nineteenth-century British and Indian soldiers; and the armies of Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great. The characters march around in search of other survivors, then clash in epic battle. It's not until the end that the novel returns to the mystery of the tiny, eye-like satellites (and doesn't solve it). In other words, the plot of Time's Eye is a nearly 300-page digression, and 2001 fans expecting exploration of the scientific enigma and examination of the meaning of existence will be disappointed. However, fans of rousing and well-written transtemporal adventure in the tradition of S.M. Stirling's novel Island in the Sea of Time will enjoy Time's Eye. --Cynthia Ward

Book Description

Sir Arthur C. Clarke is a living legend, a writer whose name has been synonymous with science fiction for more than fifty years. An indomitable believer in human and scientific potential, Clarke is a genuine visionary. If Clarke has an heir among today’s science fiction writers, it is award-winning author Stephen Baxter. In each of his acclaimed novels, Baxter has demonstrated dazzling gifts of imagination and intellect, along with a rare ability to bring the most cerebral science dramatically to life. Now these two champions of humanism and scientific speculation have combined their talents in a novel sure to be one of the most talked-about of the year, a 2001 for the new millennium.

TIME’S EYE

For eons, Earth has been under observation by the Firstborn, beings almost as old as the universe itself. The Firstborn are unknown to humankind— until they act. In an instant, Earth is carved up and reassembled like a huge jigsaw puzzle. Suddenly the planet and every living thing on it no longer exist in a single timeline. Instead, the world becomes a patchwork of eras, from prehistory to 2037, each with its own indigenous inhabitants.

Scattered across the planet are floating silver orbs impervious to all weapons and impossible to communicate with. Are these technologically advanced devices responsible for creating and sustaining the rifts in time? Are they cameras through which inscrutable alien eyes are watching? Or are they something stranger and more terrifying still?

The answer may lie in the ancient city of Babylon, where two groups of refugees from 2037—three cosmonauts returning to Earth from the International Space Station, and three United Nations peacekeepers on a mission in Afghanistan—have detected radio signals: the only such signals on the planet, apart from their own. The peacekeepers find allies in nineteenth-century British troops and in the armies of Alexander the Great. The astronauts, crash-landed in the steppes of Asia, join forces with the Mongol horde led by Genghis Khan. The two sides set out for Babylon, each determined to win the race for knowledge . . . and the power that lies within.

Yet the real power is beyond human control, perhaps even human understanding. As two great armies face off before the gates of Babylon, it watches, waiting. . . .

From the Hardcover edition.

Download Description

TIME’S EYE

For eons, Earth has been under observation by the Firstborn, beings almost as old as the universe itself. The Firstborn are unknown to humankind—until they act. In an instant, Earth is carved up and reassembled like a huge jigsaw puzzle. Suddenly the planet and every living thing on it no longer exist in a single timeline. Instead, the world becomes a patchwork of eras, from prehistory to 2037, each with its own indigenous inhabitants.

Scattered across the planet are floating silver orbs impervious to all weapons and impossible to communicate with. Are these technologically advanced devices responsible for creating and sustaining the rifts in time? Are they cameras through which inscrutable alien eyes are watching? Or are they something stranger and more terrifying still?

The answer may lie in the ancient city of Babylon, where two groups of refugees from 2037—three cosmonauts returning to Earth from the International Space Station and three United Nations peacekeepers on a mission in Afghanistan—have detected radio signals: the only such signals on the planet, apart from their own. The peacekeepers find allies in nineteenth-century British troops and in the armies of Alexander the Great. The astronauts, crash-landed in the steppes of Asia, join forces with the Mongol horde led by Genghis Khan. The two sides set out for Babylon, each determined to win the race for knowledge... and the power that lies within.

Yet the real power is beyond human control, perhaps even human understanding. As two great armies face off before the gates of Babylon, it watches, waiting....

Customer Reviews:

In Times Eye.......2007-09-04

General Outline:
After a series of strange events people from several different parts of history find themselves inhabinting the earth at the same time. Astrounats form 2037 meet with genghis kahn and UN peace keepers meet with Alexander the Great along with sevral other people that were important in the past. The race is on to see who can reach bayblon first and find out why they have become castaways in time.

--
This was a pretty good read, its not really hard scifi more a mixture of fantasy with a few explanations of physics and time travel thrown in. the book does move at a pretty good pace, which means that it does skimp on the background a little (years are skipped and at one point three main characters are caputred out of nowhere)which can make it seem like the historical characters are there just for show, quite a few made me scratch my head at the end wondering why they were even included. But all in all I would recomend this book to any one who like alternate history with a bit of scifi thrown in.

Time's Eye II.......2007-03-08

Not nearly as fun and entertaining as the first in this series. The story is an almost decent read. Read "A Time Odyssey" I again instead.

An enjoyable read.......2007-01-26

I have long been a big fan of Arthur C. Clarke, one of the greats of science fiction. He is a master of that genre of sci-fi in which one takes A Big Concept and works through the consequences. This is such a novel, but with an odd twist - you get a historical drama as well. In this story, an alien race, whom we never actually meet, messes around with earth such that bits of the planet from different time periods suddenly find themselves coexisting - a prehistoric humanoid finds herself abruptly in the same world as a British fort on the Northwest Frontier in the times of the Raj and they are startled by the arrival of a military helicopter from the early 21st century. Simultaneously, some astronauts due to re-enter the atmosphere find that the world they knew has ceased to exist.

What Happens Next makes for fascinating reading. Attached to that British garrison is Rudyard Kipling. And at the climax, the greatest captain the world has ever seen, Alexander the Great, faces off against the most ruthless conqueror the world has ever seen, Genghis Khan. All a bit contrived, to be sure (the manner in which Genghis gets his comeuppance is especially hard to believe, but then I am a devout coward by religion, so what would I know?). However, it's all good fun. And all of this is observed by aliens in the form of shiny spheres, which hover around, observing what happens.

In a way, this book is a rerun of themes explored in the Clarke classic "2001; a space odyssey", and those who have read "2001" will enjoy the quotes and references to it in this book.

Awsome experience.......2006-11-10

For all the people that have enjoyed the fiction of Sir Arthur C. Clarke from other books and all of us that enjoy the smart action adventures, this book (and its sequel) is a very good example of novel, sci-fi and adventure

Stephen Baxter has a long trajectory (I reccomend the trilogy of Time, Space and Evolution) on time traveling and along with the experience and creativity that Sir Arthur has shown and captivated audiences for a long time, the collaboration has paid off with a very intelligent novel

This one (and for me was both) will keep you wanting to know what comes next and not allowing you to sleep for many nights untill you finish it, and after that, your friends also know that you're reading this book, because you will want to share the concepts and the plots with someone else

Definetly something we also would want to see at some other point, another collaboration of this calibre; you will put these books along with the other good stuff like all the trekkies and space oddities and the foundations

Fantasy, not science fiction.......2006-10-31

This entertaining offering from Arthur Clarke and Stephen Baxter basically asks, `What would happen if the armies of Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan fought each other?' Unfortunately, the involvement of a few soldiers from the 19th century and even fewer from our own near future complicates interpretation of the answer. It is clear that the authors have brushed up on their history. Nevertheless, Alexander and Genghis were such unique men that there is really no historical precedent for knowing what they would have done in this strange situation. Other reviewers have called this book hard science fiction. That it most certainly is not. Alien forces rearrange the earth into a patchwork of different times from the last 2 million years, bringing into contact flora, fauna and people from different eras. No explanation of how or why this was done is offered. Instead, we are presented with hovering spheres, in the typically enigmatic style of the mysterious monoliths in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Actually, the book reminds me more of Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama series, by virtue of the strong central female character and the sense of being castaways from home. As fantasy, it's not bad. Incidentally, the book does have a sequel, but apparently it does not deal with the world described in this book.

Lovers: Great Romances of Our Time Through the Eyes of Legendary Writers

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the grandmother speaks, herself a photographer
Great coffee table book
Great Romances? More like, Great Disappointments
Lovers

Lovers: Great Romances of Our Time Through the Eyes of Legendary Writers
Aaron Kenedi
Manufacturer: Bulfinch Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Photo Essays | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

Each of the fifty profiles is an intimate pairing: Lauren Bacall on her relationship with Humphrey Bogart; Katharine Hepburn on her stormy life with Spencer Tracy. Lovers also includes contributions from George Burns, Dylan Thomas, and Jimmy Carter. Every written piece is accompanied by a lush full-bleed portrait of the couple. Lovers is a book about the fire of true love, the undeniable longing that makes two people the desire of each others life.

Customer Reviews:

the grandmother speaks, herself a photographer.......2006-07-09

I think that for every moment that people love one another, we are ahead. I find this book beautiful, for it captures couples who were in that moment, deeply attached to each other. The book is called Lovers, not Marriage. And the moments caught in this book are priceless. There are a thousand ways to photograph a single individual, and these photos are in rich black and white with dark darks and light lights and strong midtones.

I was taken by not just the faces, but the textures: the look of happiness in two men's eyes who are dressed in their rough tweed winter coats; the sophisticated poets standing ironically in a disheveled farmyard, just the curve of her breasts alone so alive; a close-up of a woman of legendary beauty with perfect skin and her lover's face close by with its deeply ravaged and pitted skin; and one of the most haunting photographs ever of a man and woman in an all white room with nothing in it but a white bed, and her long black rough and wavy hair flowing over the side of the bed to the floor, and her lover lying atop her like a child at fullest peace...this picture is grainy and atmospheric and perfect also.

I tend to look at photographs not just for the subjects, not just for the postures and gestures, not even just for the technical skill of the printing, but also for what emanates/ed in that moment the camera eye snapped closed and opened again. In this sense, even the more posed photos with fine grain, are poignant. This is why I did not name the famous people these photos are of and about. The photos stand for themselves and are not images of faces and bodies, but a stop motion in time in a great story. Those who know at depth the fore and after stories of the subjects are even more enriched in viewing these moments of time when the loved also loved in return.

It is true that there are many forms of love, tired and grim love, tenacity with disappointment love, dedicated love without care, forever love and cherishment, tender and awake love, and also there is a kind of true love that is fleeting, but nonetheless real, just like the camera's eye snapping closed and then open again... imprinting a deep image on each lover for all life...regardless of longevity, regardless of all else. I think that for every moment that people love one another, we are ahead.

Great coffee table book.......2005-11-01

This is the type of book that people will actually pick up and delve into. Photo books don't have the same punch, and longer articles are too much to invite the casual brouser to read. Each profiled couple is one page worth of commentary and the facing page a black and white photo, so that your guests can read one or two entries easily. Yeah, the Anne Heche/Ellen Degeneras entry is a bust, but most of the rest are classic couples. As a coffee table book it is 5 stars -- among the best -- but I'll take a star off since as a regular book you would probably want more photos and details.

Great Romances? More like, Great Disappointments.......2003-08-13

For me, I was disappointed in my copy of "Lovers." Mostly, because I consider 'true lovers' to actually stay together. Many of the couples featured in this book became separated or divorced. Sorry, not my idea of true love, or romance either.

Plus, I'd prefer more photos than just the single one per couple. The lowercase font used as a title for each bio was really annoying, and the format (one large photo and an essay), tedious. Also, there were few contemporary 'lovers.'

Since its publication this book has become obsolete. (As the ill-fated Anne Heche and Ellen deGenerres romance will suggest).

Overall, I've seen books which handle this subject much better. I'd give this one a pass, or pick it up at the library before purchasing.

Lovers.......2000-01-28

I thought that this book was very captivating was full of emotion

Eye of the Needle (The Best Mysteries of All Time)

Average customer rating:

A spellbinder
Sharp, smart, well written!
I see why this book is on all the lists of the best suspense novels
My Favorite
Love the book and movie

Eye of the Needle (The Best Mysteries of All Time)
Ken Follett
Manufacturer: Impress Mystery
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

The Key to Rebecca
The Pillars of the Earth
A Dangerous Fortune
Night Over Water
The Man From St. Petersburg

ASIN: 0762188618

Book Description

This classic WWII thriller from one of the world's bestselling authors, Ken Follett, has been repackaged for a new generation of intrigue seekers.
Code named, "The Needle", a brilliant, ruthless master German spy is on the run with secrets that will annihilate the Allied chances for victory. He seduces a beautiful Englishwoman into helping him escape, but her loyalty to the Allied cause may be his ultimate downfall...

Customer Reviews:

A spellbinder.......2007-08-28

Ken Follett is among the best at writing thrillers that hook you and never let you go.

In interviews, he acknowledged that "Eye of the Needle" was his breakthrough novel. It surely deserves all the praise it has received.

In 1940, the The Abwehr, (German Intelligence), has planted their finest agent in Great Britain---code name "The Needle." Using the name Henry Faber, he works as a railway clerk and attempts to be invisible.

Using his bicycle for transportation, he observes all the war preparations and anything that would be helpful for the German bombers.

As the war progresses, Faber continues his adroit undercover work---radioing the info back to The Fatherland.

Meanwhile the Allies are utilizing a disinformation campaign designed to convince the Germans that the European Invasion (D-Day) will take place at Pas de Calais. Ships and tanks that are merely rubber and timber, barracks that were a movie set, etc. were utilized to persuade the enemy that Patton had a huge Army ready to invade.

Double agents that MI5 had turned churned out radio reports furthering the deception.

If the Germans learn of the great ruse, thousands could be lost. The Needle chances upon the phony barracks and tanks and knows this info must be delivered in person to the Fuhrer.

However, he has to eliminate some Allied soldiers who spot him as he leaves the fake army base. Their discovery leads to cat and mouse chase.

His escape via U-Boat 505 off the North Sea coast is hampered by a violent squall grounding all sea and air transportation. Faber is shipwrecked on a remote rock island with four inhabitants. There he must perpetuate his counterfeit persona until the weather clears.

Meanwhile, MI5 is closing in while working on the scant clues Faber leaves in his wake. They too are hampered by the weather.

The novel moves at a measured pace that heightens the suspense with each turn of the page. Faber is great villain whose cunning keeps him a step ahead MI5. The crew from MI5 are dogged in their pursuit and thorough in the procedural methodology. It is a remarkable match up.

Using an economical cast, all the characters are fully fleshed out. You know everyone quite well.

While the last 48 hours before the weather clears are intensely gripping, the entire narrative is mesmerizing and attention grabbing. This is a breathtaking "what if" take on an important slice of history.

Since we all know how WWII turned out, the outcome may never be in doubt...but how MI5 closes the trap is a superb ride.

Sharp, smart, well written!.......2007-08-16

Intriguing and breath-taking as Ken Follett is, a great thriller, with a very charismatic and well outlined woman character, and a realistic spy whose personality unfolds as the plot proceeds. A must read.

I see why this book is on all the lists of the best suspense novels.......2007-08-05

I can certainly see why this book is on all lists of the best suspense/thrillers ever written. The pacing is amazing. and the characters are flawed and believable.

My Favorite.......2007-07-30

I have never read a better book I could not put it down. Ken Follet has a great way of pulling you in.

Love the book and movie.......2007-07-20

Ken Follett can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned. This is a terrific book and I urge you to check out the movie with Donald Sutherland.

Unsolved Mysteries of History: An Eye-Opening Investigation into the Most Baffling Events of All Time

Average customer rating:

Thought provoking but...
Very Intriguing
True, Authentic Facts
A Fascinating Tour through World History
History as Detective Stories

Unsolved Mysteries of History: An Eye-Opening Investigation into the Most Baffling Events of All Time
Paul Aron
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Reference | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Curiosities & Wonders | Fun Facts | Reference | Subjects | Books

Controversial Knowledge | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Unsolved Mysteries of American History: An Eye-Opening Journey through 500 Years of Discoveries, Disappearances, and Baffling Events
More Unsolved Mysteries of American History
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National Geographic Mysteries of History
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ASIN: 0471442577

Book Description

Who built Stonehenge?
Why did the pharaohs build the pyramids?
Did Richard III kill the princes in the tower?
Could the Titanic have been saved?
Did Hitler murder his niece?

PRAISE FOR UNSOLVED MYSTERIES OF HISTORY

"Like a sleuth, Aron pieces together the possible answers . . . It's an engaging way to learn more about history and the new evidence that sheds light on long-standing theories." --Daily Press

"Aron has produced a fascinating and judicious description of historical mysteries from the Neanderthals to Gorbachev. His entertaining account of historical controversies will leave every reader the wiser about the past." --Jack F. Matlock Jr., former U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union

"With unerring good sense and in well-paced prose, Paul Aron solves as best he can the major who-done-its, did-it-happens, and did-it-have-to-happens of world history. Unsolved Mysteries of History should keep readers engaged well into the night."-- Adam Potkay, author, A Passion for Happiness

Customer Reviews:

Thought provoking but..........2006-10-31

Histories mysteries... Paul Aron delves into brief chapters (usually less than 10 pages each) on topics like Neandertal evolution, Who built the likes of Stonehenge and Easter Island heads, why were the pyramids built, mysterious surrounding deaths with Richard III, Romanovs, and Hitler, historical figures of Captain Kidd & Joan of Arc, as well as a number of other bafflers. I truly enjoy these books by Paul Aron but they do little to give you any more of an answer than before. He offers forth a few more popular theories but gives few 'conclusive' answers, still leaving the mysteries unsolved.

Overall, quite enjoyable reading material but doesn't help give you many answers. Certainly wouldn't use it for research paper material. However, I do like the "For further investigation" lists he gives at the end of chapters.

Very Intriguing.......2006-08-26

This is a great book that stimulates thought. In 25 chapters, Paul Aron explores some of the most baffling mysteries in our past, e.g. the resurrection of Christ, the statues on Easter Island, the Neanderthals, Stonehenge, the Pyramids in Egypt, the Nazca lines, Columbus, Shakespeare and many more. Explanations are not always offered. The book is great in that it offers synopses of the controversy/enigma surrounding many historical wonders; however, it lacks in detail by nature of its design (being a collection of many mysteries). This is actually a good thing in my opinion as the book stimulates curiousity, i.e. many chapters just provide a taste of their respective topics. As a result, I have read further on many of the subjects presented.

Caution: If you're a faithful Christian, you may find the chapter on the ressurection offensive, as a few of my acquaintances have.

True, Authentic Facts.......2005-12-23

Paul Aron has compiled some interesting stories based upon research in a number of areas. But for me, the greatest mystery is his editor's obvious lack of literary competency. The book's title, 'Unsolved Mysteries of History', is the most baffling, eye-opening example of tautology I've ever seen. By definition, a mystery is something 'unsolved' and historically placed. Perhaps when the book was proof-read, the editor was overseas in a foreign country at a particular time.

A Fascinating Tour through World History.......2005-11-16

This is an excellent and most enjoyable book. In 25 chapters, the author guides us through thousands of years of human activity, focusing on various unsolved historical mysteries. The fact that these mysteries are unsolved should not lead the reader to assume that this book offers solutions - it doesn't. However, in each of the 25 cases presented, the author brilliantly provides background information, describes the contentious issue, presents all (or most) sides in the debate and, where possible, indicates what the general consensus is today - all breathlessly condensed in less than 10 pages. In some cases, I was not even aware that there were any unsolved issues. The writing is clear and very engaging. At the end of each chapter, references are provided along with the author's comments on each one. What more can one ask for? This is a book that can be enjoyed by everyone, especially those interested in mysteries and detective stories - except that these ones are real. I now intend to seek out other similar books by this author with the expectation that they will be as fascinating as this one.

History as Detective Stories.......2005-08-30

Paul Aron is an award-winning reporter for the "Virginia Gazette" and an editor at Anchor Press and Simon and Schuster. The table of contents lists the 25 chapters, and the index. It covers many historical events from the Neanderthals, Stonehenge, and the legend of Theseus , to Freud, the `Titanic' and the Romanov dynasty. Reporters show up after an event, and reconstruct it from eyewitness accounts. Historians perform similar actions. So read these stories and be entertained. Each chapter has references for more information.

Chapter 1 discusses the relationship between Neanderthals and Cro-Magnon humans. Varied theories conflict, and show that scientific belief is as constant as a weathervane. Chapter 2 explains the controversy about Stonehenge. If it was built to record the times of the year, Gerald Hawkins' book explains his findings. If the pyramids were built as tombs for the pharaohs, why do they lack a body (Chapter 3)? The different accounts of the four Gospels is typical of eyewitness accounts when there is no collusion to get their stories straight (Chapter 6). Using the Nazca lines to record the solstices of the year makes sense (Chapter 7). Extra lines could have been added to conceal the secret. Chapter 9 asks why the Mayan civilization collapsed leaving no traces of a disaster. It seemed due to "endemic warfare", drought, and disease.

What "sign" was given to the Dauphin by Joan of Arc (Chapter 11)? Joan was condemned in 1431, but posthumously rehabilitated in 1456. There is no mention of Giles de Rais ("Bluebeard" and his sponsorship of Joan. Could some magic trick have impressed Charles and then raised the morale of the French troops? Chapter 13 discusses Richard III, the last Plantagenet. [Is he missing the tips of two fingers in that portrait?] If he murdered the two Princes in the Tower that would follow the royal habits of those times. Chapter 14 discusses whether Columbus expected to discover a New World. Aristotle and Seneca discussed sailing west to the Indies. Chapter 15 teaches the unreliability of eyewitness identification, even in a small town. Chapter 16 tells of the Casket Letters, an example of forgery for political purposes. But Mary Queen of Scots wasn't fit for the throne (her bad judgment). Chapter 17 considers whether the little known owner of a theater company was the true author of all those famous plays. It shows how those with a point of view can find evidence for their positions. Was Captain Kidd a pirate or a political pawn (Chapter 18)?

Chapter 19 discusses Mozart's death and his `Requiem'. The movie `Amadeus' was Hollywood History. Chapter 20 tells of the faulty basis for Freud's "science of psychoanalysis". Did Freud invent the memories recovered from his patients (p.164)? Is the popularization of Freud's theory meant to distract from the science of Pavlov? Chapter 21 asks if the `Titanic' could have been saved if it didn't speed through the ice field. Why didn't they have enough lifeboats? Blame was given to the captain of the `Californian' for not going to the `Titanic', even though it would have been too late. Chapter 22 explains why none of the Romanovs survived. Chapter 23 tells of a young woman found shot in her uncle's home with her uncle's pistol. Was it suicide? Her uncle's alibi was a speeding ticket, but there were rumors about their relationship, and the uncle's strange sex life. Did this affect the uncle? Chapter 24 discusses Rudolf Hess's surprise flight to Scotland. Most likely the British Secret Service lured Hess to embarrass Hitler, just weeks before Hitler attacked Russia. Chapter 25 discusses the August 1991 attempted coup in Moscow and what Gorbachev did or didn't do. Did Gorbachev stand aside and plan to profit from the success or failure of this coup?

From The Two Rivers: The Eye of the World, Book 1 (Wheel of Time (Starscape))

Average customer rating:

Adults and Kids!
From The Two Rivers
A book to get lost in 2 jmeascsKeinnon
A. D. Tarbox, Freelance Reviewer for Midwest Book Review
manageable size

From The Two Rivers: The Eye of the World, Book 1 (Wheel of Time (Starscape))
Robert Jordan
Manufacturer: Starscape
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books

Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books

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

To The Blight : Part Two of 'The Eye of the World', The Beginning of 'The Wheel of Time' (Wheel of Time (Starscape))
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Knife of Dreams (The Wheel of Time, Book 11)
New Spring (A Wheel of Time Prequel Novel)

ASIN: 0765341840

Book Description

An American Library Association 'Best Books for Young Adults'A VOYA 'Best Books for Young Adults'For Rand al'Thor and his pals, life in the sleepy village of Emond's Field has been pretty dull. Until the appearance on festival night of Moiraine, a mysterious woman who claims to be an Aes Sdeai-a magician who can wield the One Power. Soon after, the village is attacked by Trollocs-a savage tribe of half-men half-beasts. Rand's father is nearly killed. But for Rand, the news gets worse. It was not the village the Trollocs were after, Moiraine tells him. It was you, Rand. Rand and his friends are forced to flee. But his escape will bring him face to face with the Dark One...the most powerful force of evil in the universe.

Customer Reviews:

Adults and Kids!.......2007-10-06

My 15 yr old son and I just finished this book. The book itself is a little slow through spots, but overall, is wonderful! The story starts out in a small farm area with the goings on of small farm area life but before very long, we learn of ominous stories and tales that seem unimaginable to many of the townsfolk. Before long, the kids we have gotten to know find themselves deeply rooted in those very tales that had earlier seemed so unimaginable and are all in a great deal of danger. Worse yet, some of the people they have feared much of their lives are the very people they are having to turn to for help. They aren't quite sure who to trust. This is a magnificent tale that will have you reading late into the night just so you can find out what happens next. If it were not for the few slow moments in the book, this would be perfect. If you liked Eragon, you will like this one too.

From The Two Rivers.......2007-10-01

At first i thought it was an addition to the new book. I started WoT when I was 12, I don't see why a normal (ok, very smart) person couldn't read the normal books... Who would trade pictures and big font for the real story, not an edited addition! If you are 10 years old or younger you should read this book though, the normal books are sortov advanced and you may not understand everything.

A book to get lost in 2 jmeascsKeinnon.......2006-12-29

From the Two Rivers is a GREAT book. In this book Robert Jordan uses descriptive words and realistic speech. You may think the beginning is dry, but it gets BETTER!!!

Many people think splitting up The Eye of the World into two books(From the Two Rivers and To the Blight) is a money-making scheme. But trust me, I never would have dreamed of tackling an 800 paged book, like the Eye of the World.

P.s If you don't like lots of detail, I'd advise you to go search for a different author. Try my 2 favorite authors, Gerald Morris(Arthurian tales) or Tamora Pierce(Fantasy,magic)

A. D. Tarbox, Freelance Reviewer for Midwest Book Review.......2005-11-02

I decided to read this book after my eleven-year-old son told me he liked it. This book is for adults too. Jordan is a wonderful writer and he has created a very believable fantasy world. The adventure, drama, and characters are fascinating. My personal favorite was the warder in the story. Jordan could not put him in the plot enough for me. In fantasy the world has to be believable and Jordan achieved this. I thoroughly enjoyed the several evenings I spent reading about the Two Rivers, its people, and all the unusual places Rand al Thor and his comrades went. The villians were also interesting and added enough conflict to keep me reading more. Jordan has written several books in this series which will undoubtedly please those that get a chance to read this book. And don't skip the Earlier Ravens chapter or the Prologue Dragonmount chapters on pages xi and xxxv. Many readers do, opting to begin reading at chapter one. In this book those chapters include some of the book's best and most powerful writing. Don't skip over those chapters. They are very good.
A. D. Tarbox, author of ALREADY ASLEEP (fall 2006)

manageable size.......2005-08-18

So... I got this book because I was out of Diana Wynne Jones books to read and it was beside her books on the shelf. I'd heard that this series was great but didn't want to carry around the huge hardcovers that you see at the library.

I enjoyed the book. It took a few chapters for me to be won over but by the end, I cared about the characters and their fates. I *really* appreciated the glossary. The book became much more comprehensible for me after I discovered it. I also appreciated not having to lug a huge book around!

Try David Eddings and Terry Brooks, and of course Diana Wynne Jones...they're my favs

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