Walk Two Moons

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Thirteen-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle's mother has disappeared. While tracing her steps on a car trip from Ohio to Idaho with her grandparents, Salamanca tells a story to pass the time about a friend named Phoebe Winterbottom whose mother vanished and who received secret messages after her disappearance. One of them read, "Don't judge a man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins." Despite her father's warning that she is "fishing in the air," Salamanca hopes to bring her home. By drawing strength from her Native American ancestry, she is able to face the truth about her mother. Walk Two Moons won the 1995 Newbery Medal.

Book Description

"How about a story? Spin us a yarn."
Instantly, Phoebe Winterbottom came to mind. "I could tell you an extensively strange story," I warned.
"Oh, good!" Gram said. "Delicious!"
And that is how I happened to tell them about Phoebe, her disappearing mother, and the lunatic.

As Sal entertains her grandparents with Phoebe's outrageous story, her own story begins to unfold--the story of a thirteen-year-old girl whose only wish is to be reunited with her missing mother.

In her own award-winning style, Sharon Creech intricately weaves together two tales, one funny, one bittersweet, to create a heartwarming, compelling, and utterly moving story of love, loss, and the complexity of human emotion.

Customer Reviews:

Very thoughtful twisted.......2007-09-05

Walk 2 moons was a very thoughtful book adding details everywhere. and the book misleads you in a good way which i not going to give away how and why. its also twisted but in a good way as well. for example you think one thing and you are so sure its true but then at the end it hits you "wait! thats not right." and then BAM the next sentence tells all. and it just surprises you. I would recommend this book to and boy or girl grades 3-7.
you are never 2 young or old to read this book.

A review.......2007-08-11

My name is Laura and I go to JMS. I am writing this review for my English pre ap course. I liked this book because it was well written and keep my attention from begining to end. It had a little of everything happy parts, and sad parts. Its a real tear jerker. It is a awesome book and I would recommend it for anyone no matter what age.

My opinions on Walk Two Moons.......2007-08-01

My name is Karina and this review is for my pre-ap summer project for Jarman Middle School.I thought this book was great.I really liked the characters. And the author did a great job on creating a mental picture.I would definitely recommend this book for people my own age.The characters are very likeable.And almost everyone is able to relate to losing someone dear to them.And those are some of my wonderful opinions on this great book.

Teen finds her way.......2007-06-10

After getting used to the style of writing, I truly enjoyed this book. The organization was scattered using flashbacks and present story telling, but kept the pace pretty quick. It was interesting to see where the Phoebe storyline was going and how it all tied together in the end. I don't want to give anything away, but I think Sam's way of dealing with situation will help the young reader to deal with theirs.

Jordyn's Reveiw.......2007-05-25

There once lived a girl named Salamanca Tree Hiddle. Her nickname was Sal, a thirteen year old girl that once lived with her mother and father on a farm in Kentucky.
One morning Sal woke up to find that her mother had disappeared. She was very sad to what could have happened to her. Sal's dad didn't know where she had gone either. They were both very frightened at the thought of where she could have went. They thought for a little bit where she may have gone. They assumed that she went to Lewiston for some apparent reason. They still weren't positive though. Her dad drove her three hundred miles to Ohio.
Sal stayed in the car while her dad visited. She saw a face pressed up against the window next door. Sal could tell it looked like an afraid girl. She then noticed it was the face of Phoebe Winterbottom, a girl that would become Sal's friend.
Later that day Sal's grandparents came up with the idea to drive from Kentucky (where they lived) to Ohio so they could pick up Sal and drive two thousand miles to Lewiston for a nice get away. While on their way to Lewiston Sal told them some of Phoebe's stories and stories of her own. For instance, Phoebe's mom also disappeared, and she received letters saying different things. Phoebe and Sal had many things in common. One thing that they always wondered was will they ever find their moms? I personally think Walk Two Moons is a great book, but it is also very sad in parts. I would recommend this book to anyone, boy or girl.

Two Sides of the Moon: Our Story of the Cold War Space Race

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Dueling Autobiographies
Dueling Autobiographies
The Eagle & the Bear.
Parallel evolution of two individuals during the space race
The moon race from vastly different perspectives...

Two Sides of the Moon: Our Story of the Cold War Space Race
David Scott , and Alexei Leonov
Manufacturer: Thomas Dunne Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0312308655
Release Date: 2004-09-23

Book Description

Growing up on either side of the Iron Curtain, David Scott and Alexei Leonov experienced very different childhoods but shared the same dream to fly. Excelling in every area of mental and physical agility, Scott and Leonov became elite fighter pilots and were chosen by their countries' burgeoning space programs to take part in the greatest technological race ever-to land a man on the moon. In this unique dual autobiography, astronaut Scott and cosmonaut Leonov recount their exceptional lives and careers spent on the cutting edge of science and space exploration. With each mission fraught with perilous risks, and each space program touched by tragedy, these parallel tales of adventure and heroism read like a modern-day thriller. Cutting fast between their differing recollections, this book reveals, in a very personal way, the drama of one of the most ambitious contests ever embarked on by man, set against the conflict that once held the world in suspense: the clash between Russian communism and Western democracy.Before training to be the USSR's first man on the moon, Leonov became the first man to walk in space. It was a feat that won him a place in history but almost cost him his life. A year later, in 1966, Gemini 8, with David Scott and Neil Armstrong aboard, tumbled out of control across space. Surviving against dramatic odds-a split-second decision by pilot Armstrong saved their lives-they both went on to fly their own lunar missions: Armstrong to command Apollo 11 and become the first man to walk on the moon, and Scott to perform an EVA during the Apollo 9 mission and command the most complex expedition in the history of exploration, Apollo 15. Spending three days on the moon, Scott became the seventh man to walk on its breathtaking surface. Marking a new age of USA/USSR cooperation, the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project brought Scott and Leonov together, finally ending the Cold War silence and building a friendship that would last for decades. Their courage, passion for exploration, and determination to push themselves to the limit emerge in these memoirs not only through their triumphs but also through their perseverance in times of extraordinary difficulty and danger.

Customer Reviews:

Dueling Autobiographies.......2006-11-15

"Two Sides of the Moon" is a fascinating addition to the library of any space historian, whether casual or professional. The book, written by American Astronaut Dave Scott and Soviet Cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, focuses on personal and professional struggles set within the political framework of the 1960s (and early 1970s) cold war.

Although I would have preferred more technical detail in the book, I still enjoyed it very much though more from the human interest angle. I liked the technique of alternating narratives from the American and Soviet points of view: the book was skillfully written to reveal the emotions and perceptions of both sides of the space race during key points in the race to the moon (Sputnik, the Apollo 1 fire, Apollo 11, etc.) I found both authors to be likable and appreciated their willingness to share credit with people unknown to the general public, from important organizational keys like Bill Tindall's famous (within NASA, anyway) Data Priority Meetings (and their resultant "Tindallgrams,") to the awe with which Leonov held Sergei Korolev, the Soviet Chief Designer, whose death all but dashed Soviet attempts to land on the moon prior to the Americans.

The book has an upbeat and optimistic tone, and is good-natured throughout. I enjoyed the behind the scenes trivia the pair provided. Did you know that the first animals to achieve circumlunar flight were a pair of Steppe Tortoises on the Soviet Zond-5 mission? The were recovered safe (but probably confused) in the Indian Ocean on September 17, 1968. Little known facts like this made this book a treasure for readers who traditionally focus on the more technical aspects of the missions.

The book boasts an excellent Foreword by Neil Armstrong, Scott's commander from Gemini 8. Scott gives Armstrong ceaseless praise for his judgment during the emergency they shared, and it seems clear that Armstrong holds Scott in equally high esteem.

The book is a great telling of a compelling tale. I particularly found the travails of Leonov's youth to be astounding, and admire him more after reading this book for overcoming them to become one of the great names in spaceflight. Likewise, Scott is a high achiever and role model for generations of spacefarers for generations to come. I recommend this book highly.

Dueling Autobiographies.......2006-11-15

"Two Sides of the Moon" is a fascinating addition to the library of any space historian, whether casual or professional. The book, written by American Astronaut Dave Scott and Soviet Cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, focuses on personal and professional struggles set within the political framework of the 1960s (and early 1970s) cold war.

Although I would have preferred more technical detail in the book, I still enjoyed it very much though more from the human interest angle. I liked the technique of alternating narratives from the American and Soviet points of view: the book was skillfully written to reveal the emotions and perceptions of both sides of the space race during key points in the race to the moon (Sputnik, the Apollo 1 fire, Apollo 11, etc.) I found both authors to be likable and appreciated their willingness to share credit with people unknown to the general public, from important organizational keys like Bill Tindall's famous (within NASA, anyway) Data Priority Meetings (and their resultant "Tindallgrams," page 194,) to the awe with which Leonov held Sergei Korolev, the Soviet Chief Designer, whose death all but dashed Soviet attempts to land on the moon prior to the Americans.

The book has an upbeat and optimistic tone, and is good-natured throughout. I enjoyed the behind the scenes trivia the pair provided. Did you know that the first animals to achieve circumlunar flight were a pair of Steppe Tortoises on the Soviet Zond-5 mission? The were recovered safe (but probably confused) in the Indian Ocean on September 17, 1968. Little known facts like this made this book a treasure for readers who traditionally focus on the more technical aspects of the missions.

The book boasts an excellent Foreword by Neil Armstrong, Scott's commander from Gemini 8. Scott gives Armstrong ceaseless praise for his judgment during the emergency they shared, and it seems clear that Armstrong holds Scott in equally high esteem.

The book is a great telling of a compelling tale. I particularly found the travails of Leonov's youth to be astounding, and admire him more after reading this book for overcoming them to become one of the great names in spaceflight. Likewise, Scott is a high achiever and role model for generations of spacefarers for generations to come. I recommend this book highly.

The Eagle & the Bear........2005-12-02

From all reports, the Cold War was competition between America and Russia to see who could get to the moon and win the "Space Race." Actually, it was who could design and manufacture nuclear arms to blast the other country off into space. So, this book has an odd coupling: an old Soviet astronaut, the first man to "walk in space," and a younger NASA Apollo commander who piloted Gemini 8. I watched all of those missions faithfully until the fatal explosion; after that, it was too traumatic to hear those words, "Go with throttle up."

Alexei Leonov starts with "Temperatures drop to below -50 deg. C in the small village of Listvyanka, Central Sibreia, USSR, where I was born on 30 May 1934." When he was four years old, his father was declared a subversive during the Stalin purge, so they lost everything and had to live in one room with eleven occupants.

David Scott came from a military family, born at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas, USA. Before his father became a "fighter pilot," he had an administrative job in a Hollywood film studio in California. David followed in the footsteps of his dad, acted as a technical advisre on the film, 'Apollo 13.'

These two military "commanders" from warring countries have nothing in common, except the moondance in space, as it is more an illusion. Their experiences were not even close. Granted, Leonov was the first man to "walk in space," securing a place in history. Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon in actuality; he was the commander of Apollo 11. After spending three days on the moon, David Scott became the seventh to hop around up there collecting souvenirs.

The photo sections speak a lot louder than the words. I'm not sure the average American citizen is ready to be reminded of all the personal terror and pain we endured for so long by their bullying and threats. The title should be called 'Opposite Sides on Earth," opponents to the end. You would think that, by now, USA would realize that trusting one's former enemy can backfire even in defeat.

Parallel evolution of two individuals during the space race.......2005-05-19

I bought this book just a month ago while in a business trip and I must admit that my first impression was that the book was a sort of commercial best-seller, rather hollywood-like. So I was not expecting serious really serious content. But the more I read, the more I came to the conclussion it was a really good book.

I had not the kind of tech-focused expectations of Thomas Moody (see useful review above), but I think it is serious enough for the non-tech or specialized public, whithout been arcane. It's rigorous and at the same time, very readable. A real page-turner.

I think that the book is worth the money. Provides a smart picture not only of space race but also of cold war in a wider sense, from a special and interesting point of view.

Overall, the point with the book is that it is based on two different careers and lives, wich brings a richer depiction of the evolution, both professional and personal of this two outstanding men, astronaut and cosmonaut, at the same time that their respective space programs in Soviet Union and USA.

My congratulations to the authors, the journalist, editors and all people involved in the project. A very well balanced approach on how to present the story and how to narrate it. They've got a great result.

I really enjoyed this book.

The moon race from vastly different perspectives..........2005-02-23

In his seminal work "A Man On the Moon", author Andrew Chaiken describes the quintessenal American astronaut: "Even in a pack of overachievers like the astronaut corps, David Scott stood out. He seemed to have come straight from Central Casting, a six footer with All-American good loooks and built like a decathlon champion. In some circles there was a joke that if NASA ever came out with an astronaut recruiting poster, Scott should be on it." This glowing testament and the providence of being on the most ambitious lunar mission up to that point (Apollo 15) made Dave Scott seem somewhat a hero to young Apollo-crazed 5th grade students like myself (in 1971). That feeling really never went away, so it was with great anticipation that I undertook this dual auto-biography with Alexei Leonov...and the result was mild disappointment. I suppose I expected more in-depth discussion of the technical aspects of Apollo 15 and the training for it, but got a rather pedestrian telling of that mission and the events leading up to it. True, "Two Sides of the Moon" doesn't promise to be a comprehensive account of any particular mission, rather an overlay of two perspectives of the moon race between the Soviet Union and the U.S. If looked at from that perspective, this work is a useful addition to the mountain of literature on the space race...indeed Leonov exposes much new information on the Soviet program that essentially carries this book.

Thrown together for the symbolic Apollo-Soyuz joint mission in 1975, Scott and Leonov established a shaky initial relationship that prospered following the demise of the Soviet Union and this book is the result of the many story-telling sessions that followed. From Sputnik to Gagarin's ground-breaking manned orbital mission and on to the Leonov commanded Apollo-Soyuz, the reader is treated to the beginning of the Soviet Space program, now with the perspective of over 40 years. The successes and failures were surprising revelations to me...as was the leadership and vision of Sergei Korelov, the "Chief Designer" and the true leader of the Soviet program.

The American program, certainly well documented to date, is rather blandly described by Scott...although useful discussions of Gemini 8 (Scott's first mission), Apollo 9 and of course Apollo 15 make the Scott sections worth the read. Again, when compared to Chaiken's work, Scott's first person rendering of his initial training for and prosecution of this fabulous mission lacks much verve and emotion...many humanistic tidbits, like Scott's iron command of the mission and the resulting embarrasment of the "stamp scandal" are given relatively short shrift...for that matter so to is his mission to the Appenine Mountains. Hadley Rille, Mount Hadley and Hadley Delta exploration points were argueably the most scenic and scientifically important (i.e. the Genisis rock) spots that astronauts visited on the moon, but Scott just doesn't get that emotion across. He tries, but I constantly had to reference Chaiken's book to reinforce that grandeur...a real shame.

What does work with this book however is the integration of the two stories and the disclosure of the initial cooperation between the two programs. Many readers, unaware of these details, will surely find this interesting, as did I. The post space program paths that both men took is also interesting and relevant, although some more personal details from Scott would have rounded out the story-line a little better. For example he mentions his former wife Lurton, but does not go into the cause of that break-up...was it the space program that caused it as happened with many of his peers, or something else? Sadly, one gets the impression that both men are rushed to get their story published, so these important details are left out.

Another in a long recent line of biographies of the Apollo program, this work should stand out somewhat as it gives an interesting new perspective of this well-told story. Scott and Leonov are not great story-tellers, but by combining their career stories, the reader is given a useful look at both programs...but with just a little more effort, this could have been so much better.

And the Cow Jumped over the Moon: Over 650 Activities to Teach Toddlers Using Familiar Rhymes And Songs (For Toddlers and Twos)

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And the Cow Jumped over the Moon: Over 650 Activities to Teach Toddlers Using Familiar Rhymes And Songs (For Toddlers and Twos)
Pam Schiller , and Thomas Moore
Manufacturer: Gryphon House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0876592965

Product Description

Over 650 Activities to Teach Toddlers Using Familiar Rhymes and Songs With more than 250 songs, rhymes, and chants, this book is a fun way to enrich toddlers language experiences. By incorporating songs, chants, and rhymes into the classroom, teachers provide opportunities for children to develop every aspect of reading readiness and literacy. Includes follow-up suggestions for story time, outdoor play, music and movement, and literacy extension activities. 256 pages.

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Johann Sebastian Boop...
Laugh Weirdly
.
Kayaks or Tortillas or what?
B.Kliban rules!!!

Two Guys Fooling Around with the Moon
B. Kliban
Manufacturer: Workman Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0894801988

Book Description

From the author of Never Eat Anything Bigger than Your Head, Whack Your Porcupine, Tiny Footprints, and, of course, the legendary Cat, here is a Kliban doubletake-over 100 line drawings, plus the illustrated serial thriller Cornish Game Clams. Brilliantly drawn and bitterly funny, these cartoons thoroughly demonstrate better living through plywood, reaffirm that what's good for business is good for America-even if Your Government in Action has taken to the streets-the Madonna is out of order and Yoga has been made silly. 122,000 copies in print.

Customer Reviews:

Johann Sebastian Boop..........2004-06-18

Kliban was not a typical American cartoonist. Most of his work is for adults (a lot of his work was printed in Playboy) and includes obscenities, nudity, and adult humor. This book has all three in droves. What makes Kliban special is his ability to utilize adult humor in a non-gratuitous way. It's not just "dirty humor" for the sake of it, typically the joke calls for "something inappropriate". Consequently, don't look for the politically correct or for comforting status-quo affirming jokes here. One of the salient examples of this (that happens to be quotable) involves two people who look like hippies confronting a leathery man in an alley. The man holds a handful of pills out to the leathery man and says "Hey brother, like we feel awful about how the white man ripped off your land, so we want you to have these dangerous drugs." There's more than humor going on here. Expect the profound along with the ridiculous when reading Kliban. This book also includes: "Barf Bold, A Decorative Typeface", "Better Living Through Plywood #66 and #75", "Fecal Matter Burgers", "Inside a Modern Balloon", "I go for a man in a thick suit", "King Malcom IV was hamstered on the steps of Pewksbury Cathedral, June 11, 1058", "What's good for business is good for America", "Brassiere full of Nickels" and loads more indescribable and unquotable toons. Not to mention that very few of Kliban's books remain in print for some incomprehensible reason. So grab them while you can. This one is still readily available. Hopefully that won't change.

Laugh Weirdly.......2001-09-27

Buy this book, put it where it can be found, and wait for giggles from your guests. Kliban's humor is off-center, but hilarious for those who see the joke in life. Another Kliban book: Never Eat Anything Bigger Than Your Head, contains my all time fav: Genghis & Sylvia Khan, Genghis show with his arm around his wife, who's dressed in a pants suit, fashion glasses, and big hair.
This is funny, funny stuff. dm

........1999-08-30

Damn it people! GO out and get intimately aqquainted with B. Kliban

Kayaks or Tortillas or what?.......1998-09-07

Laugh out loud and know not why with the undisputed King of Cartoon Comedy. If you like Larson then that's no guarantee you'll like Kliban. However, if you take the time to investigate, you will enter a strange and enchanting new world. If you are lucky, you might meet 'Roger Wilco', or learn how to identify classic 'Fool Traits'. You may even be let in on the secret behind the 'Old Rabbit Hoax'.

Buy all of his books now.

B.Kliban rules!!!.......1998-09-02

I've been a huge fan of this cartonist since 1981, when I first acquired some of his books. He is absolutely hilarious - spot on in his social critique, and outrageously funny in his more fantastic pieces. I heartily recommend any of his books.

Sharon Creech Box Set: Absolutely Normal Chaos, Walk Two Moons, Chasing Redbird

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Best Book Ever!!

Sharon Creech Box Set: Absolutely Normal Chaos, Walk Two Moons, Chasing Redbird
Sharon Creech
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0064410080
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Amazon.com

Absolutely normal Mary Lou is all set for a boring summer, trying to find something, anything, to say in her school-assigned journal. Salamanca is a not-so-normal girl, on the road with her eccentric grandparents to find her erstwhile mother. And Zinnia is on the path (literally) to adulthood, seeking her identity in an old overgrown trail behind her family farmhouse. Three girls, three stories--Sharon Creech is the well-loved and award-winning author of these three novels, pulled together in a handy boxed set for her many fans who won't want to wait to get their hands on the next Creech title. Absolutely Normal Chaos, Walk Two Moons (a Newbery Medal winner), and Chasing Redbird are each sensitively drawn, witty, complex, and unexpected looks at young girls in that strange and bumpy land of adolescence. (Ages 9 to 14) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

Selected novels by Newbery Award winner Sharon Creech -- Walk Two Moons, Absolutely Normal Chaos, and Chasing Redbird -- now in a boxed set.

Customer Reviews:

Best Book Ever!!.......2003-01-25

You definitly should read this if you dont you are missing out .....!!

The Pool of Two Moons: Witches of Eileanen Book 2 (Witches of Eileanan)

Average customer rating:

Incredible!
Tale of politics, love, magic, and adventure
Now that you're hooked on Eileanan...
Great book!
Great Follow-up

The Pool of Two Moons: Witches of Eileanen Book 2 (Witches of Eileanan)
Kate Forsyth
Manufacturer: Roc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451456904

Customer Reviews:

Incredible!.......2004-04-08

I loved this book! I feel like these characters are my friends. I find myself rooting for them. An excellent read! Highly recommended!

Tale of politics, love, magic, and adventure.......2003-09-02

What I loved about this book was that the protagonists were very intelligent and resilient (but of course faced insurmountable odds). There was no cheesy evil god or some such like you'll see in some epic fantasy, and that is but one of many ways in which this world seems so believeable and real. Its detailed tapestry of a world in turmoil yet still beautiful is surpassed only in the emotions and depth of the characters.

Now that you're hooked on Eileanan..........2003-02-16

In this second book, Isabeau takes a bit of a back seat, recovering from her ordeal in delivering the talisman, and learning humility and obedience as a servant in the Righ's palace. There is a shift of interest to her twin sister, Iseult, whom Meghan discovered when she visited the Dragons. Iseult, raised by her faery kin on the icy Spine of the World, seems as different from Isabeau as night is from day. where Isabeau is laughing, impetuous, and headstrong, Iseult, raised by a tribe of fierce warriors in a dangerous, snowy land, is solemn and disciplined. Meghan convinces Iseult that she must leave her tribe and seek out her destiny among her mother's people. Meghan and Iseult meet up with the lost prionssa who has been hiding for years, since escaping from his brother's treacherous wife. He is a bitter young man, passionate in his desire for revenge against the Banrigh, Maya the Ensorcellor. Guided by Meghan, he and Iseult set off on the dangerous quest to unite the rebels, depose the Banrigh, and restore the Coven. To do this, they must rescue the Lodestar, an ancient magical scepter which has been locked away since the day the witches were betrayed, and which is dying from lack of contact with the royal family. The character of the prionssa is delightfully complex. Just because he's supposed to be some kind of hero to the people and to us doesn't mean they or we always like him, and it doesn't mean he always does everything right. Some people prefer cardboard cutout characters that are some kind of archetypal representation of an idea of a hero or a villan or a leader or an ingenue. And some people like characters who are made from their experiences, with a dash of nobility of character which makes them strive to overcome their experiences to be and do more. The latter should be pleased. When you finish The Pool of Two Moons, I know you won't be able to wait for The Cursed Towers (so maybe order them both together).

Great book!.......2002-04-15

This series is great, and this book is my favorite of all the others. I love the way the author suddenly switches scenes and we are left wondering what happened to the character, but then we forget about them as we become entrapped in the plot of what's going on with everyone else. Overall, this is my favorite book.

Great Follow-up.......2002-04-13

I was impressed that the Witches wasn't a one hit wonder. This second book was well planned if not a little on the slower reading side. The first book truly focuses on the relationship between Meghan and Isabeau, whereas this second book deals with the relationship of Meghan and Iseult, and Iseult and Lachlan. Again praise for the research of pagan traditions.

The Serpent and the Moon: Two Rivals for the Love of a Renaissance King

Average customer rating:

Lackluster depiction of a menage a trois
Biased, superfitial, hardly a true Historic account.
A Splendid Review Of An Historial Love Triangle
Even my teacher thought this summer reading was boring.
History at its most entertaining

The Serpent and the Moon: Two Rivals for the Love of a Renaissance King
Princess Michael of Kent
Manufacturer: Touchstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0743251067

Book Description

Set against the stunning backdrop of Renaissance France, The Serpent and the Moon is a true story of love, war, intrigue, betrayal, and persecution. At its heart is one of the world's greatest love stories: the lifelong devotion of King Henri II of France to Diane de Poitiers, a beautiful aristocrat who was nineteen years older than her lover.

At age fourteen, Henri was married to fourteen-year-old Catherine de' Medici, an unattractive but extremely wealthy heiress who was to bring half of Italy to France as her dowry. When Catherine met Henri on her wedding day, she fell instantly in love, but Henri could see no one but the beautiful Diane. When Henri eventually became king, he and Diane ruled France as one. Meanwhile, Catherine took as her secret motto the words "Hate and Wait" and lived for the day Diane would die and she could win Henri's love and rule by his side. Fate had another plan.

Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent, herself a descendant of both Catherine and Diane, imbues this seldom-told story with an insider's grasp of royal life. The Serpent and the Moon is a fascinating love story as well as a richly woven history of an extraordinary time.

Customer Reviews:

Lackluster depiction of a menage a trois.......2007-04-22

Every now and then, I get to find out something new in history, and a story that had not made sense before falls into place. Such was the case when I read this biography about one of the most unusual ménage a trois in history.

This biography by the wife of the British Prince Michael of Kent focuses mostly on the passion between one couple of this three-way relationship. Set in 16th century France, it's a story that can be taken several different ways -- as a scandal, a story of a great love, a scheming older woman and a much younger man, or that of a spurned wife.

The story opens with a marriage, that of two fourteen year olds, Henri of France, the second son of King Francois I, and Catherine di Medici, the 'niece' of the Pope, and potential heiress of several wealthy Italian duchies. He was a sullen, quiet boy, still traumatized by several years imprisonment in Spain as a hostage for his father. Catherine, having been deprived of her parents in infancy, had been passed around an assortment of relatives and convents, unsure of where she would be from day to day. It was a magnificent wedding, and both young people performed their parts, including Henri consummating the marriage.

The surprise came after the wedding -- when Henri promptly returned to the company of his Lady. She was Diane de Portiers, a highly placed lady of his father's court. She was also eighteen years older than Henri, very beautiful, educated and possessed of a dignified courtesy. In short, she was everything that Catherine was not. She also had the confidence of both of Henri's parents, and ever since her husband's death, she had worn nothing but black and white, and young Henri had adopted those colours as his own, playing the part of a chivalrous young knight to his lady.

It was Catherine who suffered for ten years, enduring rejection by her husband and having to treat his mistress with grace and courtesy. But on the inside, it appeared that she was seething. She adopted a secret motto for herself --- "Hate and Wait" -- and had a peephole placed in the floor of her bedchamber so that she could spy on the amourous couplings of her husband and her lover. It must have been humiliating to know that Diane and Henri eventually gave into King Francois' demands that Henri get his wife with child, and Diane sending her husband upstairs to get his wife, suggesting that he make love to her like a greyhound, and then as soon as the deed was done, return to Diane's arms. Evidently the suggestion worked -- Catherine would have nine children by Henri. Despite this horrible behavior, Catherine would love her husband, still as besotted as when she was a new bride.

When Henri finally became King, Diane remained at his side, recieving properties and becoming his closest confidant and advisor. Henri in turn, championed her, placing their intertwined intials throughout the royal palaces, and having her continually at his side. Diane played her part, creating herself as the goddess of the hunt and the moon, and clearly delighting in the role of uncrowned queen of France. But there was one problem in the relationship -- she was much older than her lover, and what would happen when the years finally caught up with her?

The biggest problem that I had with this was that the author is more than smitten with her leading lady. Continually, she refers to how beautiful, how talented, how good, how noble, how beloved Diane de Poitiers was by everyone. This adulation leaves little room for faults, and the story is certainly one sided -- very little is mentioned if she had any enemies, or if she did anything at all that was wrong. After a while, it does get a bit nauseating to read about. No one likes a perfect person.

Unfortunately, the luckless Catherine de Medici is reduced to the stereotypes of a jealous, bitter wife in this. Little is mentioned of her life after Henri II's death, her elegance and polish, and her love of art and fine living. Instead, Princess Michael doesn't miss an opportunity to refer to Catherine as a dumpy, fat, wife, and how ugly and unattractive she is. Very little is mentioned about Catherine's talents in the arts, or that she was extremely graceful with a sharp wit.

And then, what about the third person in this marriage? Henri II comes across as one of those men who is certainly attractive and charming, but also extremely selfish. His callous treatment of Catherine is certainly dispicable, ignoring her while he went chasing after a woman who was old enough to be his mother.

As far as historical writing goes, this is a very average book. Princess Michael's style is pendantic and repetitious, going over the same track again and again. By the end of the book, I was bored, and very glad to see it end. While there are black and white illustrations throughout the text, and an insert of colour photos, along with the usual notes and bibliography, there's not much that can really save this work.

Instead, I would suggest Leonie Frieda's excellent biography of Catherine di Medici which is much more even handed and sympathetic to read.

Over all, despite some good information and insights, this one gets an average, three star rating for the banality and dullness in this work. Somewhat recommended.

Biased, superfitial, hardly a true Historic account........2006-11-26

This book is a waste of time and a major disapointment . After the recently discovered documents of the period by accredited Historians like Ivan Cloulas you'd expect Kent would deliver a renovated and accurate account of this strange "love" triangle.Nevertheless, Kent gives a biased vision of the story, proving her mediocrity as a Historian.
First of all, I don't understand why the author gets out of her way to prove she is related (very distantly and indirectly if I may add) to Diane and Catherine.How is that relevant to the book? Does that make her a good writer? evidently not.From the beginning she seems to be fascinated by Diane.She even decorates her aparment with black and white colors (the colors of the concubine).The fact that her mother told her about Diane and other "ancestors" instead of using the traditional fairytales is preposterous and out of place.
Long story short, Kent's portrayal of the so called love story is as black and white as her london apartment:Henri II was devoted to Diane because she was a gorgeous woman, inside and out, and Catherine and a fat ugly bitter Italian social climber. First,most sources describe Catherine as a slender princess, pretty much an athlete and a gracious dancer.She was loved by the Valois family upon her arrival in France.It was her close relationship with king Francis I that antagonized her with the future Henri II.It was no secret that Henri hated his father.
Furthermore, Diane's "love" for Henri was a very convenient one: she took countless benefits from him, such as jewels, land and titles.In order words, Diane was a real social climber, very interested in money and improving her political influence.
Finally, Henri was NOT entirely devoted to Diane.He took many other lovers during his life notbaly Filipa Ducci and Lady Fleming.
Catherine belonged to one of the most aristocratic French families on her mother's side; she had land and many titles in France.She didn't need to prove anything to anyone.Diane had a great influence on Henri, but I would hardly call theirs one of the greatest love stories like Kent intends to call it.Diane de Poitiers was no different than other royal mistresses such as Agnes Sorel, Anne d'Etampes, Pompadour and Du Barry, whose "love" for their king was very much conditioned by their love of money and power.
Kent doesn't seem willing to explore such considerations, and that's precisely what makes her book a falsification of History.

A Splendid Review Of An Historial Love Triangle.......2006-10-31

After reading the novel "Courtesean" by Diane Haeger, I was thrilled to discover The Serpent And The Moon. Princess Michael of Kent did an extraordinary job of researching and writing her book, and presented her facts in a nice and easy-to-read manner. Although most feel that she was biased against Catherine de Medici, I found this, in my opinion, to be the opposite. I think Princess Michael was able to present the facts, and she pointed out many attributes of Catherine, such as her ability to become a "quick study" when circumstances called for it. She was noted as being highly fashionable, cultured, and a woman of brains, overall. The proof that she was able to run a country for many years shows Catherine's skills and brilliance. Princess Michael pointed out that Catherine knew balance and how to maintain this when needed, as well as how to be resourcesful. For such a time as Renaissance France, Catherine was no more evil or viscious than anyone else at that time. The author also indicates that she did not exonerate or uphold Diane de Poitiers' behavior or choices in her relationship with King Henri, but wished to present the facts, which she nicely did. I loved this book, and after reading "Courtesan", found that it wrapped up this time in history with an informative overview of how events occurred and the people that influenced them. A "Well Done!!" to Princess Michael.

Even my teacher thought this summer reading was boring........2006-09-11

This book was very boring.

As is obvious from the very start, Princess Michael does nothing but glorify Diane and denounce Catherine on everything from intellect to fashion sense to appearance. It is tremendously biased and one pities Catherine for putting up with her husband's love affair and then, in a book about her own life, being reduced to three words: "Hate and Wait." Henri doesn't even play a large role: he is reduced to the smitten prince of a goddess, his own personality succumbing to the exemplified virtues of his mistress.

HRH has obviously done her research and knows an immense amount of detail on the time period, but that doesn't mean all of it (or any of it) is relevant. Fashion, architecture, and religion are interesting details, but the author wastes whole chapters discussing Henri's grandparents and his father's favorite chateaus. More annoying than the intense prejudice against Catherine is the excruciating detail and redundancy of the beginning and middle chapters. The result is a supernaturally boring account of noble life in the 1500s, not specifically the lives of Henri, Catherine, and Diane. There are so many other minor characters that the reader must constantly flip back to the family tree to get all the players straight--and if you're not familiar with French, forget about it. I think this is Princess Michael's first book, so she hasn't learned how to be concise yet.

Overall, the book is really not worth buying. If you borrow it from the library, read the jacket, the first chapter, and the last chapter and you will get the best part of a supernaturally tedious read.

History at its most entertaining.......2006-07-17

This is one of the few books in English about the intriguing life of Diane de Poiters, mistress of Henri II. Princess Michael handles her material very deftly, giving the reader background of the childhoods of Henri II including his 4-year imprisonment in Spain, Catherine de' Medici his future wife and Diane de Poitiers. The stage is thus set for Henri's strong attraction to Diane and his almost complete lack of interest in Catherine, who, tragically, fell hopelessly in love with Henri at 14 when they were wed. The rivalry between the two women was intense and Princess Michael's treatment of it makes for a page-turning read. A real plus are pages of beautiful color photos of the main figures and places, as well as many black and white pictures of other key persons interspersed throughout. This is an exceedingly well-researched, and as importantly, well-written and engaging book. It rivals popular historical novels for pure entertainment value.

Moon Take a Hike Los Angeles: Hikes Within Two Hours of the City (Moon Outdoors)

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Serious Hikes for Serious Walkers

Moon Take a Hike Los Angeles: Hikes Within Two Hours of the City (Moon Outdoors)
Ann Marie Brown , and Julie Sheer
Manufacturer: Avalon Travel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1566917646

Book Description

With hikes that lead you to forget the stress of the bustling city, Moon's first edition of Take a Hike Los Angeles gets you out there, exploring and experiencing amazing places just minutes from your driveway. Local California authors Ann Marie Brown and Julie Sheer show you the best hikes in and around LA. All hikes within the guide take less than two hours to reach by car, with details on public transportation options and clear directions on how to reach each trailhead.

Ann Marie and Julie have compiled lists of their favorite hikes including Best Coastal Hikes, Best Summit Views, and Best Hikes for Families. Let Ann Marie and Julie show you all the worthwhile hikes, from short, flat routes suitable for families to day-long, steep treks for more advanced hikers. From the summit of 10,064-foot Mount Baldy to the brayed tan sands of Malibu, this book covers all the best trails in the Los Angeles area. Trail profiles contain practical information including point-by-point trail navigation, facilities, fees, parking instructions, and an easy-to-use map for each trail.

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Serious Hikes for Serious Walkers.......2006-03-13

Los Angeles has a lot of neat countryside to explore if you know where to look. When I first came to the LA basin from Idaho, I was overwhelmed by the suburban sprawl, but I quickly found lots of nice outdoor experiences nearby. This book will help anyone else looking to escape the city for a few hours (or days). It features over 80 hikes all within 2 hours of LA.

I've hiked about a third of the trails described in this guide and all are nice. With time off in April, I expect to explore more. By way of a warning though, you will need to be reasonably fit to do many of these hikes. Most are 5 to 10 miles long, often with substantial elevation gain. Several are shorter, but a few are quite challenging. Happily, the authors also provide options for shortening (and sometimes lengthening) your walks. The bulk of the hikes listed are in the San Gabriel Mountains and Santa Monica National Recreation Areas. A few selections from Orange County, Palos Verde and Catalina Island round out the book. On the whole, this book is an excellent investment in fun and exploration.

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Review - The Two Moons by James P. Hogan
Back in Print!!!
This is not a new book!!!

The Two Moons (Giants)
James P. Hogan
Manufacturer: Baen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 1416509364

Book Description

Inherit the Stars: When they found the corpse on the Moon, wearing a spacesuit, lying in a grave of moon rocks, his identity was a complete mystery. The spacesuit was of a completely unfamiliar design. Then analysis showed that the corpse was 50,000 years old-meaning that he had somehow died on the Moon before the human race even existed. . . .

The Gentle Giants of Ganymede: On another moon, Jupiter's Ganymede, another mystery was found: a wrecked spacesuit, which had been there for millennia, and which obviously was designed for beings larger than the humans of Earth. The mystery seemed insoluble until another ship, manned by the strange humanoid giants arrived, and were very surprised to find humans inhabiting the Solar System. . . .

Customer Reviews:

Review - The Two Moons by James P. Hogan.......2007-05-18

These are very good stories by my favorite science fiction author.
Little did I know that this book is a combination of two books I have had for many years from Hogan's earlier works "Inherit the Stars" and "The Gentle Giants of Ganymede".

Back in Print!!!.......2006-08-21

I was sooooooo happy to find this reprint: I would not have to damage the 1st edition paperback of this novel by reading it, risking breaking the spine.

And what a great story -- I agree with the first review posted (by SF Fan "RO"): "Inherit the Stars is one of the best SF books ever written..... If you haven't read the Giants Novels by all means buy this book."

Why SF Fan "RO" had to dis the reprint escapes me. I feel his disappointment yet know that large sales of this novel would bring additional reprints which would further the appreciation of James P. Hogan.

This is not a new book!!!.......2006-04-14

James P. Hogan is my favorite SF author and Inherit the Stars is one of the best SF books ever written. I was excited to see a 'new' book in the Giants series offered on Amazon. However, THIS BOOK IS NOTHING BUT THE FIRST TWO GIANTS NOVELS re-released in a single cover with a new title and a new copyright date.

If you haven't read the Giants Novels by all means buy this book. If you are looking for a new `Hogan' this isn't it!!!!!

THE SCIENCE FICTION HALL OF FAME - Volume (2) (ii) Two B: The Moon Moth; The Big Front Yard; In Hiding; E for Effort; The Witches of Karres; The Midas Plague; The Machine Stops; The Spectre General; Rogue Moon; Earthman Come Home; The Martian Way

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Titles in this Volume_ Two-B

THE SCIENCE FICTION HALL OF FAME - Volume (2) (ii) Two B: The Moon Moth; The Big Front Yard; In Hiding; E for Effort; The Witches of Karres; The Midas Plague; The Machine Stops; The Spectre General; Rogue Moon; Earthman Come Home; The Martian Way
Ben (editor) (Jack Vance; Clifford D. Simak; Wilmar H. Shiras; T. L. Sherred; James H. Schmitz; Frederik Pohl; E. M. Forster; Theodore Cogswell; Algis Budrys; James Blish; Isaac Asimov) Bova
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: B000GW0PKM

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Titles in this Volume_ Two-B.......2007-02-22

The Greatest Science Fiction Novellas of All Time: Titles as follows: SF Hall of Fame, The: Vol Two B
Asimov, Isaac Martian Way, The
Blish, James Earthman, Come Home
Budrys, Algis Rogue Moon - Psychological thriller
Cogswell, Theodore Spectre General, The
Forster, E.M. Machine Stops, The
Pohl, Frederik Midas Plague, The
Schmitz, James H. Witches of Karres, The
Sherred, T.L. E For Effort
Shiras, Wilmar H. In Hiding
Simak, Clifford D. Big Front Yard, The - a clever tale
Vance, Jack Moon Moth, The

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