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Kingdom of Fear is billed as a memoir, but in essence, all of Hunter S. Thompson's books could fit into this category since his life and work have always been tightly bound together by a mythology largely of his own making. (After all, this is the man who, before earning a single dollar as a writer, began meticulously saving a copy of every letter he ever sent.) Still, this is certainly an unconventional memoir, but then what would you expect from the father of gonzo journalism? In these pages Thompson manages to dig deep and reveal a few "loathsome secrets" without offering the kind of personal details he has always avoided. His childhood, for instance, is basically summed up in a sentence: "I look back on my youth with great fondness, but I would not recommend it as a working model to others." He does, however, reflect upon his considerable legacy, including his well-known, and admittedly exaggerated, use of controlled substances ("The brutal reality of politics alone would probably be intolerable without drugs"), as well as offer assessments of his own work, such as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas ("It's as good as The Great Gatsby and better than The Sun Also Rises").
In this collection of twisted parables and outlaw adventures, Thompson writes about his early run-ins with agents of authority and the lessons learned; his stint in the Air Force and the beginning of his journalism career; his unsuccessful, though illuminating, bid for Sheriff of Aspen, Colorado in 1970 as the Freak Power candidate; the casualties and unintended consequences thus far in the War on Terror; and numerous examples of present-day injustice and hypocrisy--all with his characteristic mix of brutal frankness laced with humor. He also offers his own take on state of the Union: "The prevailing quality of life in America--by any accepted methods of measuring--was inarguably freer and more politically open under Nixon than it is today in this evil year of Our Lord 2002." Thompson continues to make even the most deadly serious subject matter endlessly entertaining. --Shawn Carkonen
Book Description
Brilliant, provocative, outrageous, and brazen, Hunter S. Thompson's infamous rule breaking -- in his journalism, in his life, and under the law -- changed the shape of American letters, and the face of American icons. Kingdom of Fear traces the course of Thompson's life as a rebel -- from a smart-mouthed Kentucky kid flaunting all authority to a convention-defying journalist who came to personify a wild fusion of fact, fiction, and mind-altering substances.
Call it the evolution of an outlaw. Here are the formative experiences that comprise Thompson's legendary trajectory alongside the weird and the ugly. Whether detailing his exploits as a foreign correspondent in Rio, his job as night manager of the notorious O'Farrell Theatre in San Francisco, his epic run for sheriff of Aspen on the Freak Power ticket, or the sensational legal maneuvering that led to his full acquittal in the famous 99 Days trial, Thompson is at the peak of his narrative powers in Kingdom of Fear. And this boisterous, blistering ride illuminates as never before the professional and ideological risk taking of a literary genius and transgressive icon.
Customer Reviews:
Not his best.......2007-03-18
Mr Thompsons autobiography is somewhat lacking compared to his other works. It seems, that he in his later years didn't have that much new to say, and this volume shows it very clearly. It deals with the legend of HST, not the man Hunter Stockton Thompson, and only plays the same tune that we've been hearing since F&L in Las Vegas, only in a strongly diluded form.
A great drawback is that he recycles a lot of stuff from his earlier work, which if you're a fan/reader of his you can't help but feel a bit cheated about. The book isn't that long as it is, but when half the material already has been printed before, and therefore probably, for fans at least, is on your shelf already, it gives the feeling of the good Mr Thompson not really making an effort writing this volume.
It's not all bad though. There are highlights in the book. His description of his childhood is enjoyable and very biographical. The last chapter is also very enjoyable, although not that good as biographical material, it does for a good reading.
It starts out legitimate enough, but quickly turns to his rambling and at times incoherent style of writing. Worth reading if you're a completist. I would recommend the compilations of his letters "The Proud Highway" and "F&L in America" as biography instead. They are much better.
Significantly Better Than "Hey Rube".......2007-03-16
This book (2003) and "Hey Rube" (2004) appear to be the last of HST's books. While "Hey Rube" contains lengthy discussions of gambling on professional football and basketball (including "March Madness"), this book is more far-ranging, containing everything from Thompson's reminiscences of his youth to his (highly negative) thoughts on George W. Bush. There's even a chapter from "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail 1972," one of the finest political books ever written.
The quality of the writing on the recent pieces is not quite up to that of his best from the past, but is still infinitely better than the mindless slop produced by other contemporary "writers." The man was an artist.
As always, one of the disturbing things about Thompson is his ability to assess politics correctly in real time. Reading back, you think "Why didn't people take this man seriously at the time?"
"Indeed," as Doc would say.
The best collection.......2007-01-19
It's true, there are lots of parts of this book that can be found in other books, but this is still the best HST book I've read. It's sort of like a greatest hits. The new parts however, are the best part of this book.
Some of his best work ever!.......2007-01-13
By far simply one of his best collections. It seems the good doctor saw what was on the horizon and unforunately he was right. The world is a lesser place without him and we should all cherish every word. His insight was frightening an accurate. BUY THIS BOOK!
Just what you would expect from a drunkard.......2006-12-04
Paranoid drivel is the best I can come up with ZZZZZZZZZZ.
Book Description
The Children of Now is a groundbreaking work that shows that a large number of kids come into the world bearing inherent gifts that are beyond strange--they are telepathic, understand subtle energies, and/or have amazing psychic abilities. Many of them remember where they were before they came to Earth and often can describe past lives.
Many doctors mislabel them as autistic, ADD, ADHD, or suggest other behavioral difficulties. More than half the time, these doctors are wrong. The Children of Now are not defective--they are differently functional. We are doing ourselves and the world a great disservice by not acknowledging these amazing children and their special gifts.
A surprising percentage of these children carry within themselves wisdom far beyond most adults. The phenomenon is very real, and more and more of these highly evolved children enter our world every day.
The Children of Now offers not only genuine stories of many children who have brought amazing talents into our world, but also practical, easy solutions to assist society in supporting and nurturing these gifted--not defective--children and their families, rather than labeling, segregating, and condemning them.
Fascinating to anyone with an open mind, and life-illuminating for parents with these incredible kids, Meg offers detailed answers derived from counseling real kids in real families.
The Children of Now is a must-read for every parent, teacher, caregiver, and child advocate. In it you'll discover:
- Why our children's DNA is different from previous generations'.
- The traits and needs of the Crystalline Children.
- The Children of the Stars and why they are here.
- Real stories of real children as Dr. Meg helps them and their families search for answers.
- Why these kids are exhibiting telepathy, telekinesis, healing abilities, and more.
- How to help the Children of Now at home, at school, and socially.
Customer Reviews:
anecdotal, thought inspiring, does not totally convince.......2007-10-08
This book was a little new agey for me. However the points the author makes about human institutions not serving the person, the mis/diagnoses of kids who operate other than from a linear, blind obedience paradigm were well worthwhile. The author's experience with kids was interesting to the point i could not stop reading. However her categorizations of star kids, crystalline etc I could not buy into. I also hold these children have always been, although we may have more recognition of it. I would call these children "mystics" although i use the term a little loosely here. The author is an excellent writer and well worth reading---critically.
The Children of Now.......2007-09-20
I found this book very interesting. Dr. Meg's evolution and her description of her development and how it dovetailed into working with these kids was fascinating.
Fascinating book!!!.......2007-04-29
This book is a definite must for anyone around gifted kids,be it an overnight sitter or a parent.Meg describes the phenomenon in a believable,down to earth style without the New Age hype and sentimentalism that is characteristic of so many others who write about the gifted kids.The author also mentions valuble tips on how to support and nurture these kids in the last chapter.Overall, I believe this will be a major step forward in the upbringing of these children.The only part which I felt was somewhat lacking is the despcription of the aura,the differences between each energy type in it and what traits a certain type might cause in a child.
This book is a must read!.......2007-04-21
I got it from the library, read it in one evening, and promptly came here to get one in a hurry. It blew me away! Some of the information was familiar but the new information was tremendous. She explained what is going on with the most compassion. And she speaks from personal experience, not just from research. This should be REQUIRED reading for anyone in charge of kids.
The Children of Now.......2007-03-29
Hello: This information explains the behavior and unique giftedness of what is perceived as abnormalilties in children. Children are our hope for the future.
The institutions which are in place to serve our children are antiquated and disempower the children rather than nurture and educate them; this being schools and medical system alike.
A must read for both professionals and parents.
Average customer rating:
- Good book for WWII history
- Survival of a little star
- Child Survives the Holocaust
- I am a Star: Child of the Holocaust
- deeply moving
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I Am a Star: Child of the Holocaust (A Puffin Book)
Inge Auerbacher
Manufacturer: Puffin
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The Cage
ASIN: 0140364013 |
Customer Reviews:
Good book for WWII history.......2007-08-30
of the Holocaust. The poems in this short biography are so inspiring. I read this as part of a unit study for the Holocaust and we enjoyed the message the author brought through her life experience and poems.
Survival of a little star.......2007-05-31
Inge Auerbacher was only three years old,in 1938, when the massive pogrom called Kristallnacht, or the Night of the Broken Glass took place.
At the age of seven she was sent to Terezin concentration camp in Czechoslovakia.
In this incredible little book, Auerbacher tells of her experiences of being a little girl in Terezin concentration camp, one of the few young children who survived the death camps.
As she recounts:
"Of fifteen thousand children imprisoned in the Terezin concentration camps in Czechoslovakia, between 1941 and 1945, about one hundred survived. I am one of them. At least one and a half children were killed in the Nazi Holocaust. The reason most of these children died is that they were Jewish".
Auerbacher takes the horror of these years, and imparts a message of hope. She has created an account for young readers of her experiences, in a book filled with moving poetry and with the aid of haunting illustrations by Israel Bernbaum. There are also several photographs of her home town and of Inge as a child and her family life.
Auerbacher explains that the silent voices of the innocent children who died in the holocaust must be heard, and that is why felt compelled to trace the historical events that made this great evil possible and to tell her own story.
The author talks about her home town, Kippenheim, a village in southern Germany, where she was born in 1934.
She recounts the iddylic existance of her family and community in Kippenheim, until the horrific events of Kristallnacht.
She traces the roots of anti-Semitism for young readers, and summarizes the rise of Hitler, and the holocaust, before talking about her own story.
"We still feel the pain and we weep.
This nightmare will not let us sleep.
A page in history; one must learn.
Yesterday us, and tommorow your turn?"
She talks of her experiences of being forced to wear the yellow star at the age of six years old, the harsh circumstances of deportation, and the horrific conditions for children in Terezin in crowded and filthy cells infested with rats, mice, fleas and bedbugs, and of the other children who she befriended in the camp, such as Ada, a German Jewish child who longed to go to the Land of Israel, as did so many hundreds of thousands of Jews trapped in the Nazi inferno.
Ada taught her a song about the Holy Land, and promised Inge that they would soon go to there, "Just hold on a little longer" she used to say.
Ada's dream never came true-she died at the age of nine in Auschwitz.
Another friend was Ruth, a beautiful blond little girl of mixed Jewish and Gentile blood, who was brought up as a Christian, and who loved to draw. Ruth died in Terezin because her Jewish heritage, even though she never considered herself Jewish.
The final two chapters are about Inge's liberation from Auschwitz, and her hopes and afterthoughts:
She closes with a wonderful poem about the horrors and deaths and the hopes and dreams of those who survived and their descendants entitled NEVER AGAIN:
"Minds were dulled by bombs of hate,
Only the hero cared about our fate,
We saw the truth, it began to unfold,
You may kill the body but never the soul.
Here we are with honour and pride,
a new generation at our side,
the silent voices join us today,
Never, never again we hope and pray".
Child Survives the Holocaust.......2007-03-22
Inge is just a child living in a small village in Germany when Hitler rises to power. Like so many other Jewish families, her family did not escape from Germany soon enough to be safe. By the time they think to get out, it is too late. They are sent from place to place until they are finally deported to Terezin, a concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. Conditions there are horrible, and people live in constant fear of being shipped off to Auschwitz, where the gas chambers are.
Because Inge's father is a disabled war veteran, shot in the shoulder in World War I while fighting for Germany, the family has special priveleges in Terezin. Inge is able to stay with her mother and father, instead of being separated. However, the family is still fighting for survival, just like every other family in the camp.
Miraculously, Inge and her parents survive the Holocaust in Terezin. They live to be liberated and to start a new life in the United States after the war. This is one of few stories about the Holocaust with a relatively happy ending.
I liked that there was so much history included in this story. It isn't only Inge's story, but the story of the Holocaust in general. She tells of Hitler's rise to power and the other things that were going on right before she was sent to the concentration camp. I didn't like the inclusion of the poetry in the book. I felt like it broke up the flow of the story, because it often was in the middle of a page where the narrative was.
I am a Star: Child of the Holocaust.......2007-03-21
This book is a neccesity if you would like to get background on the Holocaust while reading a young girl's journey through it.
deeply moving.......2004-05-27
"deeply moving and true...i cannot think of any book on this topic which i could recommend for this age group as i do this book." -Bruno Bettelheim
Book Description
Shirley Temple was a phenomenon, a child star whose talent and personality earned her a permanent place in Hollywood history. The extraordinary six-year-old entertainer struck a chord with audiences all over the globe. Her career sparked a marketing sensation, spurring the production of anything and everything bearing her image-from dolls to tin whistles-in all corners of the globe, both authorized and unauthorized. Despite the decades-long interest in everything Temple, never before has there been a lavishly illustrated art book examining the phenomenon that was Shirley Temple as a child star in the 1930s. Many of the rare and unusual Shirley Temple collectibles have never been featured in print. Along with an informal, concise history of the childhood career of Ms. Temple (featuring film stills, many never-before-seen photographs, and personal snapshots of Shirley as well as several taken by her), this book is a visual treat befitting the magic of the most famous child star of all time, as well as the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Customer Reviews:
A GREAT BOOK .......2007-08-25
This book couldn't be better! The pictures of Shirley Temple are absolutely gorgeous and they are all throughout the book in both color and black and white from the time she was a baby until her later teen years. If you want pictures of the best child star ever, this is the book to have.
The BEST Shirley Temple book!!!.......2007-02-11
An EXCELLENT book about Shirley Temple full of FANTASTIC photos and history of the greatest child star! Kudos to Rita for a fantastic job!
A beautiful book!.......2007-01-16
This book is a must for anyone who is a Shirley Temple fan. Those not familiar with her work might find it interesting as well. Rita Dubas has done a wonderful job here. The layout is beautiful, showcasing many photos of Shirley (some of which I'd never seen before!) along with oodles of photos of Shirley Temple memorabilia from all over the world.
It's a fascinating glimpse into the world of yesteryear, when a sweet little girl was the most popular star in Hollywood.
A Little Slice of Heaven.......2007-01-10
Representing all the children of the world, Shirley Temple gave us the Silver Screen View of the Divine Child, the closest thing to Heaven. She spoke for us who became aware of her as children, felt our child like feelings and made us feel that no matter the circumstance, Love would conquer all. And we loved her for it. How could anything be wrong when you looked at that Angelic face, with her sparkling eyes and precious dimples. How can you not smile at all those bouncing joyous curls.
She was not just a face on the screen but our friend, our secret playmate. Besides that Shirley grew into a beautiful woman, skipping anything wild or rebellious, always full of grace. She opened her heart to the welfare and humanity of all peoples. Her whole entire life has been about enriching this wonderful world we live in. The ideal child became the ideal role model. However rare that is, her light still shines through, warming every heart, young or old, benefiting every new generation.
This book honors Shirley like no other. Adorable photo after photo, exquisitely designed and written. Rita Dubas treats us with her vast knowledge and love of this tiny star. Rita shares rare collections of past memorabilia, not usually seen in the typical collector books. She displays them, so that your eyes dance over them and you feel lost in a wonderland, not unsimular to the way Shirley makes you feel when watching her movies. All your troubles dissapear for the moments paging though this book . . . . . this tribute. Bravo Rita! Bravo Shirley!
Connie Marshall, Artist
Gorgeous Book.......2006-11-30
This is a gorgeous book by designer/collector Rita Dubas. Breathtaking images presented in such a beautiful fashion. This book does the little legend proud. This is one for your library. Bravo!
Book Description
One of the most beloved child actresses of all time, Shirley Temple continues to delight fans of all ages with her timeless classic films. Shirley made her movie debut at the age of three and became a star in the 1934 film Stand Up and Cheer. Her ability to draw an audience to her films some seventy years after they were made speaks volumes for this child star.
Customer Reviews:
Shirley Temple: Child Stars.......2006-02-21
Great book. My 2nd grade daughter used it for her book report and loved it. Great information. An easy read.
A rare biography of the child actress geared to grades 3-4.......2005-01-03
John Bankston's Shirley Temple appeared some time ago but deserves ongoing mention as a rare biography of the child actress geared to grades 3-4. Plenty of books on Shirley reach adult audiences: this 32-page title is a delight for kids who want to read about a notable successful child star. There could be more illustrations, but the value here is the information which is suitable for a report.
Product Description
THE STAR: A STORY TO HELP YOUNG CHILDREN UNDERSTAND FOSTER CARE is an easy-to-read, short story with beautiful, watercolor illustrations. The book follows a fictional young girl, Kit, who is taken from her mother to the safety, and different world, of a foster home. On Kit's first night in foster care, she becomes friends with a star outside her bedroom window. The star tells Kit about other foster children it has seen. Through the story, the star is a source of comfort for Kit as she experiences many emotions and adjusts to all the new things in her foster home. To get the most out of this book, the author recommends also reading QUESTIONS & ACTIVITIES FOR THE STAR: A HANDBOOK FOR FOSTER PARENTS.
Customer Reviews:
Awesome Book..........2005-05-14
My two foster daughters have been placed with us for over a year and they LOVED it! They said some things made sense to them now. Awesome book! Graphics could be better...but it's not too bad. I think this book should be given to every child when they enter into the foster system...even the teens!
The Star.......2001-09-06
My husband and I are foster parents. Inspiration from this book prompted me to decorate the bed room, where our foster child sleeps, with stars. It turned out really cute. It is very easy for these children to "give up hope", but if we continue to remind them of their inner strength, and that there IS hope for their future, remarkable things can happen. Sometimes all they need is for someone to believe in them.
A comforting story for foster children.......2000-11-10
We received this book yesterday and I read it to my two foster sons (aged 7 and 8) at bedtime. The asked me to read eat over again until I got too tired! It follows a girl named Kit from when the social workers arrive at her mother's house to pick her up, to feeling more settled in her foster home. My sons felt less alone in their experience when the story explained that there are other children feeling the same things (sometimes happy, angry, confused, sad). It ends on a positive and personal note that they will be okay. I did think it odd that a star speaks to and comforts the child, but one of my sons said he especially liked hearing about the star. One caution: they were not familiar with the name "Kit" and thought she was being called "Kid." I recommend this book.
The Star: Sensitive and Encouraging.......1999-12-20
The Star: A Story to Help Young Children Understand Foster Care, by Cynthia Miller Lovell, is a refreshingly sensitive book that affirms and encourages children who have been taken from their homes and placed in foster care. The author addresses feelings and questions that children typically have and supportively lets them know that they are not alone. Examples of some issues that are broached include the following: "What does being a foster child mean?", "Am I a foster child because I did something bad?", "Can I eat an apple from the table?" These simple questions are emotionally charged and are of utmost importance to children who ask them.This easy to read book with beautiful watercolor illustrations of children from various cultures and socio-economic groups, is a non-threatening medium to address this sensitive topic with foster children. It indirectly inspires hope, comforts,and affirms each child's uniqueness. The handbook that can be purchased in addition to the book, is a must for adults who wish to indirectly ease children's transition into foster care. This user friendly book provides questions about the main character of The Star and fun activities for the children who read this book. By engaging in these short activities, caregivers can help nurture the bond between themselves and the children whom they help. Because they can also gain insight into the foster child's psyche, they have more tools to effectively help each unique child. In addition to helping foster children and foster parents, The Star can be useful in building sensitivity of this issue and eroding at the stigma of foster care,for peers,educators, social workers,nurses, churches, communities and occupational therapists. As a professional advocate of children in urban and rural areas, this is the only children's book that I have seen available for foster children. It is a must for school and private libraries.
Average customer rating:
- I tried to like it
- Great Fantasy Reading!
- Fourth Book, a bit weaker than the previous
- A solid take on fantasy with a twist
- From Fire to Embers
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Child of Flame (Crown of Stars, Book 4)
Kate Elliott
Manufacturer: DAW
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Elliott, Kate
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Crown of Stars (Crown of Stars, Vol. 7)
ASIN: 0756400147
Release Date: 2001-11-07 |
Book Description
The fourth volume in Kate Elliott's Crown of Stars series, Child of Flame takes us far beyond the borders of Wendar and Varre...as Alain is drawn into the heart of an ancient conflict between humankind and their dread enemy, the Cursed Ones; Liath faces her most difficult trial in a land of exile; and Sanglant struggles to warn Henry about a dark conspiracy of sorcerers.
"High fantasy...entirely captivating."(Publishers Weekly, starred review)
Customer Reviews:
I tried to like it.......2007-05-05
There is nothing worse than starting a series only to find halfway through it that you do not like it. It is even worse when you loved the first few books. I always find myself hoping that either the author had a temporary setback or that I am wrong in thinking the series is not living up to its promise. So, one can do one of two things: 1) give it up as a loss and try to purge the existence of the series from your mind (nothing worse than not knowing the conclusion!) or 2) grit your teeth and buy the next book. Sometimes my optimism rewards me with a satisfying conclusion to a series while other times, I kick myself for not listening to my misgivings. From my rating, you can conclude I am kicking myself.
Why didn't I like it? The author started giving more of a dissertation on the whole religion system (which I only tolerated in the first place) and class system rather than moving the plot along. Oh, people are doing things... but mostly the doing involves thinking inanities or speaking banalities. Also, the author focuses a lot on what appeared to be secondary characters in the first few books, but who are given more importance at this juncture (inducing a lot of head-scratching by this reader). Of course, there may be some future reason for their development but I was so bored reading those sections because the characters were barely interesting. I think it's time for me to give this series up as a loss.
Great Fantasy Reading!.......2006-11-02
Elliott is a great storyteller. She shows the heart-wrenching tale as seen through the eyes of many types of characters, from peasants to kings to elves.
Fourth Book, a bit weaker than the previous.......2006-08-01
Lost and alone in an unknown country, Alain struggles to survive as he is unwittingly drawn into an ancient conflict between humankind and their old enemy, the Cursed Ones. Separated from her husband and child, Liath must undergo her greatest test in a land of exile. Only here can she hope to discover the truth of her parentage and learn the extent of her remarkable powers. Mourning the loss of his wife, the [...] prince Sanglant seeks his father, King Henry, to warm him about the conspiracy of powerful sorcerers who wish to destroy the Aoi, the Lost Ones, once and for all - no matter how much destruction their magic will unleash. But King Henry's gaze is fixed on the throne of Aosta and the imperial crown left vacant for two generations. As a Quman army, sweeping in from the eastern steppes, ravages the Wendish countryside, Henry marches south, ignoring the pleas of his beleaguered subjects. The great cataclysm, foretold in the stars, is approaching.
It has been quite a while since I read a series and thought "damn, it's over!" at the end. The author has built a vast number of interesting characters but, despite the number, one is able to know and relate to each. Each of the characters has their own remarkable flaws and imperfections, and you actaully have opportunities to sympathize with each throughout the series (even the remarkably "evil" ones you think you would never agree with). Unlike the Robert Jordan WoT series which seems to go on and on and on without resolution, Elliot has squeezed a sweeping epic into a (mere) 7 books, and I found myself disappointed when I finished the last of the third book. Fortunately, there are enough open issues, unanswered questions and unresolved conflicts in the end that Elliot could forseeably write another series to "fill in the blanks". I, for one, sincerely hope to see more from this author in the very near future.
A solid take on fantasy with a twist.......2004-06-18
Kate Elliot's ability to intertwine several story lines makes this a good read. As with the other books in this series, she follows several interweaving story lines in different times to present a believable world. The only problems I have with this book are
1) One of the main characters in the book keeps doing stupid things. Certainly heroes (or heroines in this case) can be humanized, but I still prefer that they be intelligent, especially in classic fantasy. The choice between power and family is a great theme, however.
2) She stresses the lack of sophistication of medieval society. This is a somewhat biased vie. There where certainly uneducated folks, but at the same time it was not hard for many kings to field armies in the thousands.
Certainly a good read, I liked it a lot more then the Jaran series.
From Fire to Embers.......2003-09-30
I ordered this book when it first came out, then sat it on the shelf for three years while I delved into other books in my to-be-read pile. So when I did finally haul this down and began reading, I found I had great difficulty remembering all that had gone before in the prior three volumes. Elliott does not help very much in this regard, as the opening section of the book begins with a totally new situation in a much earlier time-frame (about 13,000 years earlier), and takes one of the major characters of the first three books and transports him into this era. When she does return to the time and place of King Henry and Wendar, she still does not provide any summary of earlier actions but picks up the action from where she left off in The Burning Stone. So for a quite some time, I found myself very confused and lost.
But as I read a little further, I found my memory of her characters, Sanglant, Liath, Hanna, Anne, Hugh, Stronghand, Alain and several others, coming back to me, which says quite a bit about these character's vividness and uniqueness. It is in fact just such strong characterization that is Elliot's strong suit in this saga, which she continues to display with the new character of Adica, vibrant and personable, in this volume, along with continued development of all her former people.
What is not so good is the seemingly interminable plot line of the war for succession of the Wendar realm, with King Henry out to solidify his claim to the title of Emperor, Sanglant off fighting the latest invaders of the realm, and Hugh and Anne busily scheming to prevent any possible reconciliation with the Aoi. Liath is off on her own personal journey of self-discovery, with very little interaction with the other plot threads, though there are some revelations about her history near the end that promise some fireworks in later books of this set. It seems to take forever for Elliott to present the origins of the war between the Aoi and humans and how the current situation developed, although these points once presented finally start to give her world a logical, consistent framework. At the same time, some of the mystery and magic of these works is lost with this explanation. The story arc with Adica and Alain is the best thread in this work, fresh, original, and with its details of daily living and technological level well thought out, but once again I felt this story was stretched out too long, with too many incidents that have little relevance to main story.
Also missing is the cross-cultural viewpoints on religion and the reasons for living that added so much depth to the earlier works, these items seeming to now be taken for granted and with nothing new added by this volume.
At over 900 pages, and with so little real action, this book was in obvious need of some severe pruning. As it is, it is an overlong bridge book in which the fire and excitement of the first three has died down to embers, which hopefully can be re-ignited in the next book.
--- Reviewed by Patrick Shepherd (hyperpat)
Book Description
ith the same warmth, sensitivity, and depth that made her books What's Heaven? and What's Wrong with Timmy? so successful, bestselling author Maria Shriver delves into another difficult issue confronting families across the country-Alzheimer's disease, and the onset of memory loss in the aging. Through the inspiring story of young Kate and her grandpa, adults can teach and comfort children trying to understand what's happening to their elderly loved ones. Kate, the same young heroine of the New York Times bestsellers, What's Heaven? and What's Wrong With Timmy?, has always adored her grandpa's storytelling-but lately, he's repeating the same stories and asking the same questions again and again. One day, when he forgets Kate's name, she knows she must find out what's happening to grandpa. Her mother's patient explanations open Kate's eyes to what so many of the elderly must confront. Determined to support her grandfather, she explores ways to help him-and herself-cope with the changes. Together, they create a photo album, and Kate writes down the many stories of her grandpa's incredible life. The memories, and the bond they've forged, will be in their hearts forever. With special insight that derives from her own father's struggle with Alzheimer's, Maria Shriver offers a touching and optimistic story that encourages awareness, acceptance, and dialogue with family and friends. Her characters' positive solutions lead readers to discover something that everyone needs-a ray of hope during troubled times.
Customer Reviews:
A SENSITIVE AND WELL WRITTEN BOOK.......2007-03-05
This is a very sensitive book addressing the horrible problems when a loved one is diagnoses with Alzheimer's Disease. The book is seen through the eyes of a child, a questioning child and the answers provided are quite good. This is a well done work and covers issues which, at times, can be diffiult to address with the young child. I not that this paricular work is probably being down graded somewhat due to the fact that the author is a celebrity, of sorts. I will be the first to state that many of the "celebrity written books" are indeed pure garbage and that just because they look good in front of a camera, does not make them an expert on just about any thing. (Actually, generally speaking, as a group, they are just about the most clueless folks we have in our society). In this case though, Shriver has indeed done her research and does indeed pull it off and the work shoud not be judged on just what the author does for a living. All in all, recommend this one highly.
Thoughtful and very touching.......2005-08-06
Families can struggle with teaching children about aging and illness, especially when it hits so close to home with grandparents. Ms. Shriver has succeeded in putting all the sensitive feelings and thoughts that naturally occur when a loved ones develops Alzheimer's.
Soft watercolor pictures accompany meaningful text to describe families from all backgrounds as they begin the long and sometimes painful journey with seniors as their memories fade, they repeat themselves, can't remember things, and ask the same questions over and over.
Meant for older children, this book is a wonderful starting point to begin discussions of this topic with classes and/or your children at home.
So thorough is the coverage in this book that it even includes a wealth of additional resources in the back pages with websites and 800 #'s for further information on Alzheimer's education and aging.
Another Resource for Alzheimer's Families.......2005-04-29
Maria Shriver's tender story is a gift to the millions of families who are struggling with a family member's diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Shriver does an excellent job of guiding us through that initial shock and showing us ways to cope. I know from experience that the months and years that follow such a diagnosis provide innumerable opportunities for continued struggle and growth. For this reason, I wrote "Flowers for Grandpa Dan: A gentle story to help children understand Alzheimer's disease." This beautifully illustrated picture book follows a family through the entire disease process. Faced with the daily realities of the disease, Danny and his family find ways to adapt to Grandpa Dan's changing needs. Through it all, Danny learns that there is one important thing that never changes. An informational page, provided by the Alzheimer's Association, St. Louis Chapter, offers adults suggestions for helping children cope. "Flowers for Grandpa Dan" is available on Amazon.com. A portion of the proceeds is donated to the Alzheimer's Association.
Connie McIntyre, M.Ed.
Author of "Flowers for Grandpa Dan"
What happens to Grandpa.......2005-03-09
It is a great book for the whole family. It tells how a family deals with there Grand father who has alztimers. The girl named Kate who helps her Grand father remember things by a photo albume, the way she helps is write the stories that went with the pictures. I would give it three stars because it is not really a kids book it is more a family kind of book. But it is still a great book. And the pictures are great they are watercolors.
ANOTHER GREAT RESOURCE ABOUT ALZHEIMER'S FOR CHILDREN.......2004-07-02
Contrary to popular belief, Ms. Shriver's book wasn't actually the first book that was geared toward children in an attempt to help them have a better understanding about Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Ann Frantti wrote a book entitled "Grandma's Cobwebs" several years ago on this same topic. Not only does her book explain the workings of this dreadful disease, it also has a supplementary booklet that has FAQs to help parents with any questions their children may have.
Unfortunately, Dr. Frantti doesn't have the benefit of Ms. Shriver's "star power" in terms of getting publicity about "Grandma's Cobwebs," but her book is excellent.
Book Description
Rosemary Wells shares ten proven principles sure to help any child succeed in school and in life. These principles (Listening, Honesty, Patience, etc.) guide parents to build a home that's harmonious and supportive, fostering self-esteem and good habits in children. The message is timely and direct -- and absolutely essential for every family and every classroom.
Customer Reviews:
"Give Me a Child Who is Ready to Learn, I'll Give You a Shining Star in Return!".......2006-12-22
In "My Shining Star: Raising a Child Who is Ready to Learn," it's parents who learn what's important when it comes to raising their kids and getting them ready for school. This book features ten simple, but very important lessons that can be a cornerstone for raising kindly, well-mannered children.
The book starts right off with Rule #1 --- Respect. It says basically that when children are treated with respect, they will have self-respect and will learn to have respect for others. Another great rule is #6 --- Honesty, which says that children need to be taught to respect the truth and see justice used at home.
Never heavy-handed, but plainly put, these lessons are golden. The book of the book contains endorsements from Robert Coles (a child psychologist at Harvard University) and Jason Kamras (2005 Teacher of the Year.) But I think after you read it, one if its biggest endorsers will be you. The book is illustrated in the familiar Rosemary Wells style, using her classic rabbit characters seen in book such as "Read to Your Bunny."
A MUST read for all families.......2006-04-28
Rosemary Wells is known for her commitment to children's literacy. Her "Read to your Bunny" campaign rolled out across the country a few years ago. Wells addressed a group of librarians recently and passionately discussed the education challenges facing our schools and our nation. Young children are struggling more than ever in school. The reasons are numerous and familiar to most of us. Rather than continue to bewail the whys and wherefores of the issue, she used a brilliant analogy to explain what we need to do.
She pointed out that if a building was on fire and hundreds of people needed to be saved it would take the clear voice of a fireman, issuing simple commands to evacuate everyone to safety. (Instead of dithering about discussing why the fire started and how fires really are a problem for certain kinds of structures, the important thing is to get safely away.)
Her book "My Shining Star: Raising a Child who is Ready to Learn" was written with input from teachers and librarians all around the country. Wells lists ten virtues which parents should promote to prepare their child for the most wonderful adventure of all, education.
She addresses parents in the preface:
"All children bring to school what they learn at home.
This book is about creating a home full of harmony
and the preparation of a successful child.
You are your child's first teacher."
Her virtues include Respect, Listening, Patience, Trust, Work, Honesty, Time ("Children spell love T - I - M - E,") Reading, Writing, and Habits.
This little book is only 13 pages long and only has about 25 words (at most) per page. Wells's lovely rabbit drawings warmly illustrate each virtue. She lays out a path for raising a child who is ready for school. It seems so simple and so obvious but so many children arrive in Kindergarten ill-equipped to learn.
If you know a family with young children, present them with a copy of this tiny treasure.
This little book is going to be my gift to new parents along with Goodnight Moon and a Mother Goose book.
During her speech she also related a story about a principal she knows who works tirelessly to awaken parents to the needs of their children. He tells them to "Grow up! Pay attention! Be Responsible for your child!" I did not know that, nationally, only 26% of all parents attend their kids' Open House or Back to School nights.
The alarm has sounded and Rosemary Wells has given us ten simple steps to help children get ready to learn.
Book Description
Children eight and up will enjoy this conversational but information-packed introduction to astronomy and stargazing, which includes the achievements of the great scientists, the history of space exploration, the story of our solar system, the myths behind the constellations, and how to navigate the night sky. Whimsical color illustrations on every page and handy definitions and sidebars help engage younger readers and develop their interest. The special star wheel helps locate stars and planets from any location at any time of year. This is the third in Black Dog & Leventhal's successful series including The Story of the Orchestra and A Child's Introduction to Poetry.
Customer Reviews:
Beautiful book - out of this world.......2007-09-20
My 6 year old son had a class project about the night sky, I purchased this book and was blown away by the detail and artwork, the viewing wheel was a great addition to the book used to great effect by young and old. I gave the book to his Teacher and she was so impressed with it that she used it as a teaching resourse and took inspiration for some lessons out of it, if you only buy one book for your child on astronomy let it be this one
Very Educational.......2007-07-08
I must have flipped though 20+ books about the solar system & stars before I found this one. Once I had this in my hand, I would not put it down. This book has more details, than all the others. It's more like a child's science book. I learned things I did not know or had forgot.
Can be a great book for elementary age with adult/older child's help.......2007-04-25
We purchased this book for my daughter as a reward for a good report card. Her 1st grade class has been learning about space. While the book may seem a little advanced for first graders it is definitely a book that they can used to reference with an adult's help. The book is broken down in and way and written so that the common person without astronomy knowledge can learn from it and transfer that to the child. This book can also be used as a great resource for teachers teaching younger kids about our universe. Included with this book is a glow in the dark star chart that helps anyone find the constellations. This book provides an easy way to have quality time with a child that is also educational. If you are looking for a one stop shopping book about space that a child can used for a while then this is it!
great astronomy 101 for the middle school and older child.......2007-01-28
The subtitle of the book is the Story of the Stars, Planets and Constellations -- and How You Can Find Them in the Sky. It should read The Stars, The Planets, the Astronomers, the Universe and Everything. The books has definitions, factoids, readable text, stories, illustrations, pictures, a star wheel/star finder, stickers and everything that has anything to do with our world and our universe. Not for small children (too much text/ too much information), but the best introduction to astronomy I have seen for middle school and older children presented in a very very approachable/ user friendly format. Well done!
excellent gift.......2007-01-09
I purchased this book as a gift for my 9 year old nephew. He absolutely loved it! He enjoys reading the book with his mom and loves the fact that it came with the glo-in-the-dark stars.
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- Lotto How to Wheel a Fortune, Third Edition
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- Magic Item Compendium (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying)
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- Mao's Last Dancer
- Masters of War (Mechwarrior: Dark Age, No. 25)
- Meaning, Medicine and the 'Placebo Effect' (Cambridge Studies in Medical Anthropology)
- Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time: The Historical Jesus and the Heart of Contemporary Faith
Books Index
Books Home
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