Megiddo's Shadow

Book Description

Fueled by anger at the death of his two brothers in World War I, 16-year-old Edward abandons his ailing father on their farm and leaves Canada to enlist. After proving that he can tame any wild horse, he's is sent to Jordan to fight with the Cavalry.

Luckily, his horse is the extraordinary Buke; in battle, a trooper's horse is the key to life and death, and his true companion. In the harsh desert, Edward is grateful for the camaraderie of his tent mates, Cheevers and Blackburn,and letters from Emily, a nurse he met at base camp. As they close in on the enemy Edward finds that the glory and noble vengeance he seeks is replaced by the horror of war and the realization that he must fight not only to survive, but also, to kill.

Customer Reviews:

Historical fiction at its finest.......2007-07-30

Arthur Slade dedicates this novel to the memory of the five Slade men who served in World War I, his great grandfather, grandfather and great uncles. The dates of the youngest one jump out at the reader, "Private Percy James Slade, 1897-1918 (KIA.)

If my memory serves, I do not think there is a village or town in France and England that does not have a memorial to the fallen of The Great War. World War I does not loom as large in the memory of Americans. In Megiddo's Shadow, Slade takes the reader to a lesser known front of that war, to Palestine in the Middle East.

Sixteen-year-old Edward Bathe leaves his farm in Saskatchewan, Canada and joins the army after receiving the news that his beloved older brother Hector has been killed in France. All he wants to do is get to the front and kill the Hun who took his brother's life but upon arrival in England he is transfered to the Fifth Imperial Remount unit to break horses. He chafes at the assignment but does meet a horse who will be part of his future when he is reassigned to the Lincolnshire Yeomanry. Slade describes the role of these units on his website :

"Yeomanry were different than cavalry--they were trained to be foot soldiers and mounted soldiers. The idea was that they could ride quickly to their destination and dismount and fight. Or they could charge. They were even taught to get their horses to lay down, so they could use them as cover. The regiment was also trained to use the sword or lance in a charge."

Edward and his horse, Buke become part of the British Expeditionary Force in Palestine. The description of desert warfare is unforgettable.

"A month later, in July, I was sent to hell...

...We fed and watered our horses, working through the night because the day would be too hot for us to lift a finger. As the sun rose, it revealed a desolation only the Devil could've dreamed up: a low, flat valley of white marl and salt, spotted with swamp, stony plain, patches of dense scrub, and a thin layer of dry grass. The land had never know rain. Lumps of dried flesh--dead camels--lay here and there as though dropped from the sky, a sky that had never seen a cloud. A hot breath of wind drove the salty dust into my eyes. Occasionally, a thirteen-pounder gun would roar just to let the Turks know that His Majesty's troops were still here."

Very much a classic boy-goes-to-war novel in the tradition of The Red Badge of Courage (Tor Classics), All Quiet on the Western Front or Fallen Angels, Edward experiences the comradeship of soldiers, a first love and the grim reality of warfare. He faces the loss of those he loves and his faith in God as he struggles to find meaning and survive.

Slade relates his grandfather and great uncles' true stories on his website. They are as gripping and heartfelt as the novel and are very much the inspiration for this book. The letter Edward and his father receive about Hector is taken almost verbatim from the real letter the Slade family received about Percy Slade.

Moving, emotional and wrenching at times, this is historical fiction at its finest. I will be reading more of Arthur Slade's writing in the future.

A well told story for any age.......2007-01-22

A sobering story, well told. It follows the journey of 16 year old Edward Bathe, from the Canadian prairie, who joins the army to fight the Huns in France in 1917. Instead, he finds himself in the cavalry on his way to the Middle East. The story is well researched, full of details about army life, and also chronicles the emotional turmoil and growth of Edward. There are a few twists in the story and Slade's writing propels the reader forward. While intended for the young reader, Megiddo's Shadow was very much enjoyed by this 'mature adult'.

Average customer rating:

Margaret Peterson Haddix is a genius!
among the barons
Among the Barons
Awesome 4th entry in the Shadow Children Series
Awesome 4th entry in the Shadow Children Series

Among the Barons (Shadow Children)
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0689839103

Book Description

Luke Garner, an illegal third child, spent his first twelve years in hiding. For the past four months Luke has lived among others, using the identity of Lee Grant, at the Hendricks School for Boys. But just as things are finally starting to go right, Lee's little brother Smits arrives at the school and Luke finds himself caught in a tangle of lies that gets more complex with every passing day.

Can Luke trust Smits to keep his secret? And can he trust Smits's menacing bodyguard, Oscar?

Customer Reviews:

Margaret Peterson Haddix is a genius!.......2007-03-30

This series is brilliant. I bought them as a "future read" for my child and decided to try them for myself. I got completely hooked and passed them to my mother who also got hooked.

This series is a must read on so many levels. Warning for the future "DO NOT SURRENDER YOUR FREEDOM!"

Very strong characters. Beautifully written. Story is intense and gripping. Each book in series is a true page turner. You will not want to put them down.

among the barons.......2007-03-10

i thought this book was good its about luke garner and he took over lee grants name and he had met lees little brother smits and they lee and smits always hung out and smits was so sad.

Among the Barons.......2007-01-18

When we last left Luke Garner (or Lee Grant), he was happily planting garden's at Hendricks' School for Boys. He was content with his new surroundings and had openly chose Hendricks' as his new home where he would learn and grow. That was before we met Nina, Matthias, Percy, and Alia and this time around, Haddix decides that it is time to get back to Luke's story.

Luke (Lee) is treated like a god at Hendricks' School for Boys, and quite frankly, he should be. He introduced physical education to their daily schedules. He helps the students overcome their fears of the outdoors by letting them help in his gardens. He helps the students study so that they learn as much as they can from their classes. His life is changed drastically however, when Smits arrives at school. Smits is the real Lee Grant's (the name on Luke's false I.D. card) brother and this threatens Luke's situation at Hendricks'. Can he trust Smits with his secret and what exactly does Smits know?

Haddix cranks up the suspense and plot twists in this fourth installment, helping create in my opinion, the best of the series so far. While there are big things happening outside in the world she's created, Haddix very carefully decides not to tread there quite yet. She instead focuses on the somewhat smaller mystery of who the real Lee Grant actually was.

Through reading this series aloud to my class of fifth graders, I've discovered why these books are so appealing. Haddix creates characters that children can relate to. At times I find them predictable but they're by no means paper-thin either. My students love getting to know each new character and then invest a lot of emotion into watching that character survive in this world. Smits is no exception. He's initially unlikeable, but something draws children to him and the rest of these characters.

And Luke, this is not the same timid Luke we knew and loved from books one and two. This Luke is more seasoned. This Luke has seen things. This Luke has been places. Without having actually stepped foot in the outside world, he somehow has a sense of what it is like. I felt a strange chill when I realized that Luke is educating his fellow classmates and by doing so, creating an army of third children. Luke has clearly stepped forward as the hero of this series and if anyone is to save the day in this somewhat bleak setting, my bet is on Luke.

Tight suspense and clever plot twists aside, there's a reason this book has emerged as my favorite of the series. Something happens in this book that will change the remaining chapters of this series. A very simple scene that didn't actually cause my jaw to drop, but did cause me to pause and take in what was really happening. A scene in which you realize that nothing will be the same ever again for Luke. Haddix has now forced herself to venture into unseen territory and this is where this series will really be tested. She's created an interesting premise and it would seem that with book 5 coming, she's given herself an even bigger canvas to explore her world. Now lets see what she does with the paint brushes.

Awesome 4th entry in the Shadow Children Series.......2006-11-09

Among the Barons was a great and invigorating sequel to the second book in the Shadow Children series. Among the Barons is the third book in the series. Luke, Lee Grant under his fake identity, has to endure obstacles with Smits the real Lee Grants brother. Lee is forced to go live the Grant's but does not know their intentions. He finds out that they want Luke to stage Lee's death and if he doesn't will be punished.

Awesome 4th entry in the Shadow Children Series.......2006-11-09

In My Brother's Shadow: A Life and Death in the SS

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Don't let the title fool you
history, memory, guilt
great book

In My Brother's Shadow: A Life and Death in the SS
Uwe Timm
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Accessories:

ASIN: 0374103747
Release Date: 2005-03-31

Book Description

A renowned German novelist's memoir of his brother, who joined the SS and was killed at the Russian front.

Uwe Timm was only two years old when in 1942 his older brother, Karl Heinz, announced to his family he had volunteered for service with an elite squadron of the German army, the SS Totenkopf Division, also known as Death's Heads. Little more than a year later Karl Heinz was injured in battle at the Russian front, his legs amputated, and a few weeks after that he died in a military hospital. To their father, Karl Heinz's death only served to immortalize him as the courageous one, the obedient one, the one who upheld the family honor. His childhood was marked by the mythology of his brother's lost life; his absence-the hole he left in the family-just as palpable as if he were still alive. His mother's sadness and his father's rage over the loss of Karl Heinz ultimately defined Uwe's relationship with his parents. But while they eulogized the boy, Uwe wondered: who really had his brother been?

The life and death of his older brother has haunted Uwe Timm for more than sixty years. His parents' silence was one of the most painful aspects of his family history. Not even after the war ended, and details of unspeakable horrors emerged, did his parents ever acknowledge Germany's guilt and Karl Heinz's role in it. They simply said: We didn't know. After the deaths of his parents and older sister Timm set out in search of answers. Using military reports, letters, family photos and cryptic entries from a diary his brother kept during the war, he began to piece together the picture, discovering his brother's story is not just that of one man, but the tragedy of an entire generation. In the Shadow of My Brother is a meditation on German history and guilt, one that is both nuanced and measured.

Customer Reviews:

Don't let the title fool you.......2006-08-13

This book is by far not about, as the title suggests life in his brothers shadow,as much as it is about life in his fathers shadow, or the shadow of a defeated Germany!
Herr Timm seems to be searching for his personal share of Germanys collective guilt. The writings of his brother might at most contribute 1 full page to this book! Herr Timm seems to be full of self-pity calling himself over and over again "the afterthought" where I would think his father instead planned him to be his brothers replacement. My father grew up in this same Germany and I have good insight into his thinking. I would suggest because of Herr Timms fathers position he knew a war would happen, and most likely consume his oldest son, that is what brought Uwe into being, not some accident or afterthought.Also his insistance that the 3rd. SS was an elite unit that the camp guards were drawn from is also a factual error. The 3rd SS began as the "Totenkopfverbande" they were the camp guards before the war! After the Polish and French campaigns they were re-organised into the Totenkopf division. The original members and leaders of the organisation Todt were all involved in the German camp system, not as Herr Timm suggests "elite soldiers from which guards were drawn" but rather camp guards that were formed into a front-line fighting unit!Herr Timm also wants to take small obscure entries in his brothers diaries and contort them into some evil or sinister act! A louse hunt is a louse hunt plain and simple, fodder for my MG is just an expression of the daily exposure to the horrors of front-line service. Herr Timm is searching so hard, it seems also hoping to find some act of brutality or inhumanity that he might link to his brother as to justify the feeling he has inside of himself! This book is a waste of time if you are seeking 1st hand accounts of the war, but if you want to read of the guilt placed on the German people and the effects of defeat on a family and country, it might be of some helpful insight.

history, memory, guilt.......2006-01-09

This is less an account of Uwe Timm's brother's life and death in the SS -- though it is that -- than it is a reflection on memory and history, specifically on what they mean in postwar Germany. Timm's brother's diary, kept against regulations ("it ought not to exist," Timm writes), is brief and ambiguous. And in those ambiguities lie the greatest turmoil and conflict, with no real answers. What did the brother mean when he referred to a "big louse hunt"? Clearly, he was involved in criminal activities ("plenty of loot!"), and clearly, he was coarsened by the war ("fodder for my MG"). But was he involved in atrocities? Did he murder civilians? Those are the questions that Timm can't answer with any certainty. They point to the doubt and guilt of an entire people, a people who still struggle to come to terms with the war. Sixty years: still no answers, still no resolution.

great book.......2005-10-27

I was born and raised in Germany. Even though my parents were born after the war and both my grandfathers were dead by the time I started asking questions I can still relate very well to the unease when it comes to talking about WWII.

Where I grew up we had a neighbour whom I only knew as a mild mannered older guy, who loved us kids, would give us sweets and let us play in the big old trees in his garden. At one point I discovered that he was a member of the SS in WWII and had fought somewhere in Russia. He had no family. When he was in his eighties, he started opening up to a few people in the neighbourhood, among them my family. He would talk about the war, his comrades and generally the hard life they lived. He would always start crying. He would never mention fighting, killing civilians and all the other things he most likely saw and did. We all knew about those things, but we also felt sorry for the old guy and nobody pressed questions. He was a neighbour, not close family after all.

Timm's book perfectly captures the conflict of the - very normal - desire to love and admire a brother (father, uncle, grandfather, neighbour) while at the same time knowing that that person must have consciously participated in something unspeakably atrocious.

Obviously there is no easy solution and that conflict is one that generations of Germans had to deal with after the war. It is impossible to excuse what happened, but it is equally impossible to condemn all these people around you who all might have participated to various degrees, and be it just by keeping silent.

The Shadow Within (Legends of the Guardian-King)

Average customer rating:

A definite Improvement
The best Christian fantasy adventure story in many years
Loved It!!
The Shadow Within
My New Favorite Author

The Shadow Within (Legends of the Guardian-King)
Karen Hancock
Manufacturer: Bethany House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764227955
Release Date: 2004-08-01

Book Description

Legends of the Guardian King, book 2, from the award-winning author of Arena. Karen Hancock brings to imaginative life the supernatural battle between good and evil, the preconceptions that keep us from embracing truth, and the distortions that trick and trap us. Four years have passed since the conclusion of The Light of Eidon. Abramm has been living peacefully abroad, but when he hears of trouble in his homeland, he returns to claim the crown he thought he'd never wear. But he has many enemies, including his murderous brother. The only thing that will save him is the Light that lives within him, but to appease his critics, he hides this. Before he can fulll his kingship, he must reveal the truth and be reminded, painfully and powerfully, that his destiny can only be realized through humbly acknowledging his own weakness and the utter sufciency of the One who created his destiny in the rst place.

Customer Reviews:

A definite Improvement.......2007-09-17

Overall, this book is MUCH better then the first in the series. The Author still has a tendancy to make me speed read through long winded descriptions but most of the time the story held my interest. I actually started to like the chara's more in this story.

A new female chara is both good and bad. Madeleine is not a perfect Goddess but described as plain a number of times. PLAIN. I think God is proud of that. I have yet to read a novel (faith based or otherwise) where the main female chara is NOT descibed as beautiful. Although we do stray into stereotypical waters...I half expected a new girl to show up in this book or the next that might win Abramms heart. It seemed very Brother/sister to me. No actual chemistry was described until the last second, being rather predictable. I think I am just high maintence though, when it comes to love in stories. *sweatdrop*

The only other drawback is the ending. It feels as though it should have lasted longer.

Other qualities make up for the faults greatly. I was anxious through most of the the book to find out how Gillard would react to his return, along with every one else. After that, its the ball that makes you anxious, and then the monster, ect. We dont really get any relaxing time which is nice. It kept me reading!

The best Christian fantasy adventure story in many years.......2007-05-14

I have enjoyed the whole Guardian King series by Karen Hancock more than any of the other contemporary Christian fantasy stories I have read over the last several years. Of the four books in the series, this is the one I keep coming back to read again and again. With the background and character development of the first book to build upon this one starts with a bang right in the first chapter. I like the way the author portrays the lead character in his role as king - not a king to be served by his people but one to serve and protect them no matter what the cost to himself. Our world has long been missing that kind of role model in a king figure.

Loved It!!.......2007-05-14

Karen Hancock has a way of weaving a story with intrigue, a hint of romance, and life lessons that is amazing. I'm hoping to read a lot more from this author in the future.

The Shadow Within.......2007-03-14

How can I count the ways I love this book? I can hardly wait until the next in the series is released. Karen Hancock creates a wonderful world that I can get lost in. I read her books slowly so I can savor them. I know they will end all too soon. I love the allegory and hope that her book will make a difference in other people's lives, as it has in mine. I pray that more Christian fantasy authors like Karen will be raised up soon. I believe there is a great demand for them.

My New Favorite Author.......2007-03-01

Just adding my 5 stars to the average. Enjoyed this series more than Lord of the Rings, and at least as much as Dune and Ender's Game. Karen Hancock is now at the very top of my list.

The House of Shadows (Sorrowful/Brother Athelstan 10)

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The House of Shadows
Brother Athelstan's back in the pulpit!

The House of Shadows (Sorrowful/Brother Athelstan 10)
Paul Doherty
Manufacturer: Headline Book Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0755307771

Customer Reviews:

The House of Shadows.......2006-11-08

This is the tenth book in the Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan series. This novel combined with the early books in the Hugh Corbett series is one of Paul Doherty's earlier offerings and he has since written many more books and is now an established author of medieval novels and has also added a number of novels on Egypt to his ever growing list of titles. Having said that it is one of his earlier offerings does not mean that it is inferior to his current books, quite the opposite. The Hugh Corbett mysteries were and are extremely popular and Paul Doherty has found another winner with the Brother Athelstan series.

Christmas is coming and Brother Athelstan has his hands full with the parishioners of his little parish who are practically coming to blows over who gets what part in the annual Christmas mystery play. Athelstan is wracking his brains as to how he can hand out the parts without hurting the feelings of others. His dilemma is brought to a temporary halt by a series of brutal murders that have taken place at a Southwark tavern.

He resolves to solve not only these brutal and grisly deaths, but also what he believes is the cause, a robbery that occurred over 20 years ago in Southwark, the great Robbery of the Lombard treasure. Brother Athelstan is convinced that the two are related and is determined to solve the mystery once and for all.

Brother Athelstan's back in the pulpit!.......2004-07-17

It's quite good news to find yet another episode of the "sorrowful mysteries of Brother Athelstan"--he's been gone far too long for my taste! Now, Paul Doherty, prolific as he is, has returned to this series, my favorite of all of them.

In "The House of Shadows," we find the good brother all involved with his parish and their annual mystery play for Christmas.

In past episodes we've shared not only his sorrows but his triumphs and joys, and most importantly his sleuthing skills. He loves a murder--to solve. And, once again,
he has not only one murder, but a series of them. What's a simple friar to do? Well, for starters, to solve them. And with his usual finesse and brilliance, he does.

Refreshing, too, is Doherty's depiction of Athelstan's Southwark, where, in addition to being the parish priest, he is secretarius, friend, and super sleuth to the Crown's
coroner Sir John Cranston. We are treated, too, to his beloved St. Erconwald's parish, with his cat Bonaventure, his horse Philomel, and the wide assortment of parishioners, all more than human! But this is also what endears his legions of fans
to him. England simply wouldn't be the same without the Good Brother!

Doherty has provided us another good read; let's hope he now has picked up this series for more episodes! (Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)

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From an AP English student

Phenomenal

An English Student

Shadow Patriots

Loved it!

Shadow Patriots: A Novel of the Revolution
Lucia St. Clair Robson
Manufacturer: Forge Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Ride the Wind

Ghost Warrior

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Walk in My Soul

The Tokaido Road

ASIN: 076530550X
Release Date: 2005-04-28

Book Description

From the New York Timesbestselling author of Ghost Warriorcomes a novel of the espionage that helped win America its independence I n July of 1776, the American colonies are ablaze with passion. In the streets, those who would be free boldly read aloud the newly written Declaration of Independence. It is a time of critical confrontation, both on the battlefield and off as the people of a new nation choose between their king and an uncertain future.

Customer Reviews:

From an AP English student.......2007-05-29

After reading books like Heart of Darkness, and Benito Cereno, Shadow Patriots was happily read. I loved the character Lizzie, her strength and personality was humerous. I also enjoyed how this book was fictional, yet didn't stretch the truth very far.

Phenomenal.......2007-05-24

After being able to hear Robson speak at my school, I was overjoyed to be given the opprotunity to read her novel. Not long after reading the book I became enthralled and unable to put the book down. Every second of the book was fascinating. The way Robson wraps the historical figures in with her fictional plot is remarkable. As far as I know the book is historically accurate and has all the great names in American history such as George Washington, Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamiliton, and much much more. The main character Kate Darby is truely unique and sensational. She tears down the stereotype of a damsel in distress and proves that women can do whatever they put their minds do. Incredible Novel and quick read.

An English Student.......2007-05-23

I read this book in my 11th grade English class not too long ago and it was so much more than I expected. The way the historical figures are mixed in with fictional characters makes it so interesting, and the mixing is so well done, you find yourself wondering who is made-up and who is not. On more than one occasion, I found myself unable to put the book down late at night. When I finished reading, I looked into some of the historical figures in the book, and Ms. Robson was very accurate with her information. All in all, this book makes history come alive!

Shadow Patriots.......2007-05-17

This book was absolutely incredible for its detail. I loved reading the description of how life was in the time period. Robson's little tidbits-perfectly placed throughout the story- were so fascinating and knowing they were true added to the story. Robson made me feel as though I were there in the war and knew all the characters. It was not a typical book about the Revolution. It was captivating; I could not put it down. Its plot kept getting better and better with each page, and the ending, although sad, was perfect. The book was suprising and entertaing from the first to the last word.

Kate and Lizzie were characters I adored. Kate's bravery to help her brother, and Lizzie's devotion to Seth were fantastic attributions to each character and helped me identify with them. While reading, I didn't feel as though I was learning about history, which is a perfect way for historical fiction book to be written.

Loved it! .......2007-05-14

If you have interest in revolutionary times in USA this is a must read. The role that Quakers played in the war was very interesting to me. You will not be sorry you bought it.

Average customer rating:

Shadow Fields
A gem--read it!
Shadow Fields
A Great Read
Shadow Fields

Shadow Fields
D. F. Whipple
Manufacturer: BookSurge Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1419645498
Release Date: 2005-12-28

Book Description

Book Review by New York Times Best Selling Author Ellen Tanner Marsh Shadow Fields By D. F. Whipple What happens when you wake up from the American Dream to find that you are actually living in an American nightmare? Can reality ever be as good as all you had hoped for? In D. F. Whipple's wild original debut, Shadow Fields, we're about to find out. Jack Maguire has it all: charm, power and enough money made on Wall Street to live like a king. But things are definitely not what they seem. His wife Jennifer, for instance, is so plagued by her past that she soon sinks into the brink of madness. His daughter Anne is depressed and suicidal. And Jack's favorite anodyne, work, just isn't doing the job for him all of a sudden. How can Jack live when the only dreams he has now are broken ones? As satirical as Thomas Wolfe's Bonfire of the Vanities and as inventive as Nabokov, Whipple has great fun poking holes into Wall Street sacred cows. His prose is diamond-hard and shining with meaning, and his characters are so alive and rich, you'll swear you know them personally. But Whipple is after more important things than creating mere satire. This is a tough reexamination of lives in the balance, careers on the make or break, and the casual way in which we sell our souls to achieve what we only think we want. Blistering, funny and deeply moving, this cautionary tale tells us to be careful for what we wish for, because getting it may not make us happy. At least not as happy as this richly satirical novel does.

Download Description

Control. Jack wanted it back. It was ripped away long ago. So this life of Wall Street-a realm where reality and myth intertwined-had taken its toll. On his body. On his soul. After December, he felt besieged, and it was all random and meaningless, and Jack knew he was falling into the abyss.

Jack Maguire has it all: money, power, charm, and the ability to overcome any challenge. Until today.

Suddenly Maguire, the CEO of Taylor Drake and one of the most powerful businessmen in America, finds himself helpless-desperate for bearings. Working ninety hours a week is no help; in fact, the harder he works, the deeper he sinks. His wife, Jennifer, has grown distant. Anne, his teenaged daughter, is depressed. And worst of all, a tragedy struck on Christmas Eve. After years of camaraderie and laughter, Jack now suffers alone-a winner overwhelmed with loss.

Wry, heartfelt, and deeply poetic, Shadow Fields explores the nature of opposites-life and death, success and failure, hope and fear-but ultimately asks whether these are opposites at all. Indeed, Jack Maguire cries out for an answer, and in the process, he speaks for everyone.

Customer Reviews:

Shadow Fields.......2007-05-29

From the moment I opened this book, I knew I would want to know everything there is to know about Jack's life. I felt every pain and victory with him. The writing is truly glorious. Thank you D.F. Whipple!
Stephanie D.

A gem--read it!.......2007-05-28

If you have ever heard someone describe seeing Springsteen at the Stone Pony *before* Greetings from Asbury Park, or saw LeBron play basketball in high school, you can get a sense for how I feel having read D.F. Whipple's Shadow Fields. The book is beautifully written, not just engaging but engrossing. That it comes without the hype of a major publishing house makes it even more delicious.

Shadow Fields tells the story of Jack Maguire, a man on the fast track who gets to the top and wonders what he has sacrificed and whether he should change course. But this is a fresh take on this not uncommon story.

I'm no literary critic, so I can't delve too deeply here, but the highlights of the book for me were the characters and their conversations, which are vivid and oh-so-real; the examination of the marriage, which will have anyone in a relationship doing some soul-searching; and the fact that I did not want to put this book down.

The book also passes my other tests: I will give it to friends confidently; and I will read it again myself to delve deeper into some of the important themes.

Look--I'm rooting for Whipple, in part because he is not backed (yet) by the big publishers. I just ordered Snooker Glen, his second novel, although I wonder if an author who scores big with his first novel can possibly nail the second as well.

And I recommend this book highly. You will enjoy reading it, and it will get you thinking. And someday, we'll all boast about how early we were aboard Whipple's career.

Shadow Fields.......2007-01-27

Who can recall that vivid, altering moment when the confluence of events converge to define one's life course? The trajectory is announced, crystallized...defined. When is that second when the whispered voice of encouragement and self affirmation adjusts to an audible volume, undismissable with its intent? It morphs into a propellant for self confidence...self belief...an embracing escort to the next test. It becomes the impenetrable fiber woven for the vicissitudes of life...not dismissable! D.F. Whipple conducts those pivotal Doylestown scenes with a musical mastery...balancing the "turn of the phrase" with the staccato of anticipation and a sensitive , controlled tempo, until the accelerando vibrates towards its ultimate , exuberant release. I felt present for Jack Macguire's defining moment on those Doylestown Shadow Fields, realizing at once the transforming message of self insight and self affirmation. An invaluable read for life students, who approach the raised bar...no matter what the goal....n'importe! A Shadow Field is there for us all.

A Great Read.......2007-01-10

Shadow Fields is a great read!! Jack is a captivating character with struggles that are well storied by D.F. Whipple. The flow of the story was excellent and the writing superb. No part of the story was left unfinished and I was left with a seamless vision of the characters portrayed. I'd highly recommend buying the other book by D.F. Whipple, Snooker Glen.

Shadow Fields.......2006-08-09

D.F. Whipple's poetic development of a young man in total control of his environment, effortlessly setting and achieving his goals, is eloquent and beautifully constructed. Jack Maquire's fast-paced life and meteroric rise in the most demanding pressure cooker, Wall Street, contrasts sharply with his almost melancholy awareness of 'the true meaning to love and life.' While his inner struggle for Balance ensues, his values and beliefs are shaken to the point of collapse.
Wonderful insight from Mr. Whipple; I loved all the switch-backs; a great read!

The Prince of Shadow (Seven Brothers, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

Good story, acceptable writing
So much potental, wasted
An Entertaining Start...
Excellent. Completely engrossing.
I don't get it....

The Prince of Shadow (Seven Brothers, Book 1)
Curt Benjamin
Manufacturer: DAW
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0756400546
Release Date: 2002-09-03

Book Description

This first novel in the Seven Brothers series draws upon the rich legends, cultures, and traditions of the East to create an epic tale.

Llesho was only seven years old when the Harn invaded Thebin, slaying his father and selling the boy into slavery.

On Pearl Island, he was trained as a diver-until a vision changed his life completely. The spirit of his long-dead teacher revealed the truth about Llesho's royal family-his brothers were alive, but enslaved, living in distant lands.

Now, to free his brothers-and himself-Llesho must become a gladiator.

He must go face to face with sorcerers.

And gods.

And more.

Customer Reviews:

Good story, acceptable writing.......2007-09-17

This is a review and rating of the entire series, not just this volume.

The oriental theme is very refreshing and a great change of pace from the pseudo-medieval-Europe and SF settings found in most fantasy works. The plot is engaging, as well, and does not develop nearly so slowly as some other reviewers would suggest. I've given the book 4 stars on originality, story, and "enjoyablility" alone.

The writing is, with some degree of generosity, average at best. Those who have criticized this series due to lackluster writing are correct in their assessment of that point. I am fairly forgiving in that regard: so long as the writing is neither so poor nor so high-literary as to distract me from my enjoyment of the tale being woven, and the tale is itself intellectually or emotionally engaging, then I am quite content. (Which is not to say that excellent, non-artsy writing does not add substantial enjoyment to that experience.) The particular literary deficits described by the other reviewers of these volumes were not so severe as to put me off this series but one heretofore unmentioned problem came very close: the author occasionally uses modern idioms which are severely anachronistic or culturally inappropriate. One which I particularly remember, though I can't recall the exact context or volume, was a reference to a physically attractive character as being "hot." While those usages were fairly rare, there were at least a couple per volume which absolutely screamed from the page. (And the word they screamed was, of course, "Editor!") If the reason you read fantasy is to enjoy great writing or if you are easily put off by so-so writing, this series is not for you.

Nonetheless, I could not bring myself to rate this series less than three and one-half stars. Given the choice between three and four stars (since half-stars are not available), I thought it worth rounding up rather than down because I did enjoy the cultural novelty of this series quite a lot and do warmly recommend it for that reason.

Namárië! Nai hiruvalyë Valimar!
(Farewell! May it be that thou wilt find Valimar!)

So much potental, wasted.......2006-06-07

This book is really... well... bad, actually. Who on earth was the editor who allowed this to be published? And who approved matching this book jacket with this book?

It started out just fine. The cues that this book is indeed a fantasy novel were a little abrupt and poorly handled, I thought, but easy to forgive. And for the first hundred pages or so, the story proceeds well enough. But around that hundred page mark, things start going badly. Very badly.
From the begining the author resorts to happenstance and unseen forces manuvering around the main character to advance the plot. For a certain amount of time that's great, the reader expects the writer to keep a few secrets -but this author never learned to quit while he was ahead.

Every single solitary major character behaves as if he or she posesses some special secret knowledge about the main chararter, and exists for the sole purpose of serving and educating the hidden prince. One or two of these mysterious, inscrutiable mentor figures is fine. An entire book FULL of them is rediculous!
And after a hundred fifty pages or so we are pounded over the head with tired, overdone cliche's. The child prince is programmed from birth to kill with a knife. The little gladiator becomes violently ill at the thought of actually killing. The main character unexpectedly gains some skill that alienates him from his friends. Harsh treatment early in the book causes such psychological trauma that the main character crys and becomes sick on demand -IN A FANTASY NOVEL! It wasn't even "Asian flavored"; the only thing Asian about the book was the names of SOME of the characters. It was, in all respects, generic, pre-procesed and uninteresting.

Yuck. I gave up. Thank god I was able to return it.

Don't buy this one, folks. Get it at the liberary if you feel compelled to read it. Maybe a young teen might like this book, but I expect he or she will leave the book feeling somehow insulted.

An Entertaining Start..........2006-04-06

Curt Benjamin in The Prince of Shadow starts off the Seven Brothers Series quite well. The writing flowed incredibly easy from page to page and chapter to chapter, allowing me to immerse myself in the Eastern style world for long periods of time. Benjamin's unique style, enjoyable characters, and entertaining conclusion creates an entertaining mixture in a book that I rate highly on my fantasy bookshelf.

As a slave, Llesho dives for pearls day in and day out. He knows nothing different in his world until his mysterious tutor dies and leaves him a message. Lleck, his teacher, tells him to find his brothers and restore his lost Thebin Kingdom. But as the youngest of seven brothers, Llesho doubts his teacher's words. How can he leave if he slaves away in the pearl beds and why him and not one of his other brothers? Llesho decides then that his only way out of slavery will be to fight, to fight as a gladiator. Thus starts the impressive journey of Llesho's restoration of the lost Thebin Kingdom. Along the way he will meet Gods, find unlikely friends, and be chased across the lands by a ruthless sorceror. He has the skill and the talent to complete his quest, but will he have the courage?

The style and entertaining plot made The Prince of Shadow a fun read. Benjamin tells the story only in the eyes of Llesho, so I never knew which people were Llesho's friends and which were enemies. I heartily enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any fantasy lover out there. Enjoy!

Excellent. Completely engrossing........2006-02-03

I mostly read fantasy. Maybe I'm not too choosy, but I would guess I am. I like (among many) David Farland, Eddings, Goodkind, Jennifer Roberson, Robin Hobb, Garth Nix (probably my favorite fantasy author of all time), J.K. Rowlings (yes, I admit it, I do like the Harry Potter books), Simon Brown, Trudi Canavan, and most recently, Curt Benjamin. The world of the Seven Brothers series is exotic (but not so exotic as to exceed comprehension), filled with fresh perspectives on typical fantasy settings/characters/etc, and so much more. It is a very rich reading experience. Personally, I loved it. As if you couldn't tell. I'm thinking about driving down to the bookstore before dinner to pick up the next one. It is easily one of the kind of riveting books that I hate putting down and slays the rest of my life because I just want to read it all the time. An outstanding, thoroughly entertaining read. Enjoy!

I don't get it...........2005-12-14

I can't connect with this author's style. It's like he has confused points of view. He's taken 3rd person omniscient and bled some of that omniscientism into the supporting cast of the protagonist (but leaving the protagonist unscathed by this external blessing of knowledge). What this means is that there is alot of internal dialogue by the protagonist with mysterious unsolocited answers by characters in the book that are taken for granted. Because they all (ok not all... a large portion) share this "line-of-reasoning" with the protagonist, it is hard to define the edges, boundaries, and distances between the different characters. It's still good enough to want to know how it ends, but the experience is not as fun as it should be.

Shadows In The Sun: The Experiences Of Sibling Bereavement In Childhood (Series in Death, Dying and Bereavement)

Average customer rating:

Shadows In The Sun: The Experiences Of Sibling Bereavement In Childhood (Series in Death, Dying and Bereavement)
Betty Davies
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Death & Grief | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0876309112

Book Description

Shadows in the Sun covers the immediate, short- and long-term responses and subsequent generational effects of sibling bereavement and discusses sibling responses in the context of the variables which influence them. The final chapter synthesizes all that has gone before into a comprehensive model of sibling bereavement. Practical guidelines are offered for those who seek to help grieving siblings, children, and families.

Mad House: Growing Up In the Shadows Of Mentally Ill Siblings

Average customer rating:

Astounding!
madhouse
I cried when I read it....
From the author
Maelstrom of Mental Illness

Mad House: Growing Up In the Shadows Of Mentally Ill Siblings
Clea Simon
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Schizophrenia | Mental Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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Mental Illness | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Family Relationships | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

Siblings | Family Relationships | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

Accessories:

ASIN: 0385478526
Release Date: 1997-02-17

Amazon.com

Tales of family dysfunction have become so commonplace that a postcard witticism suggests that a conference for children of functional families would be sparsely attended. Certainly Clea Simon, whose two older siblings were gripped by schizophrenia in their teens, wouldn't be there. She lays out a bleak, affecting story of growing up in a family where the spotlight necessarily shone on the insistent dissociations of a brother she remembers as once gentle and brilliant and a sister whose screeching, violent terrors sent young Simon scrambling for safety. Cogent explanations of mental illness and slices of therapy interweave with Simon's stories and those of similarly besieged families and siblings who must dismantle huge emotional barricades in order to live fully as adults. Sometimes this mix is uneasy, such as when a professionally cool distance too swiftly replaces the white heat of painful memories.

Book Description

When the Boston Globe first published Clea Simon's cover story on growing up with her two schizophrenic siblings, the response was overwhelming. "Healthy" siblings constitute that silent majority of people who have grown up in dysfunctional families and, largely due to their age have often stood on the sidelines as the tragic consequences of a mental disorder claimed either the health or life of a brother or sister. For Clea Simon, the experience was shattering as first her beloved, older brother Daniel, the brilliant Harvard freshman started hearing voices and dropping out of school when his schizophrenia made functioning impossible. And then again as the same illness claimed her sister Althea, who has bounced around from one state institution to another after her parents eventually gave up on helping the daughter who refused their help.

The issues "well" siblings face run the gamut from guilt (why do I deserve to be OK?), fear (what are the chances that I have this disease, or that my children may inherit it?), to the burden of caring for a sibling (am I my brother's keeper?), and overcompensating in the family, or its converse, acting destructively to get attention. In talking to hundreds of other siblings and experts in the field, Simon has written a comprehensive book that combines the best of memoir writing with the kind of practical advice that should ease the pain of any brother or sister who has felt helpless in the face of a sibling's mental illness.

Customer Reviews:

Astounding!.......2007-09-07

My older brother carries a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. I could easily relate to the author's family dynamics and the effect that her siblings' mental health conditions had on her family. This book combines the author's personal experiences juxtaposed with research and reports from others who have siblings diagnosed with a mental health condition.

This book also helped me better understand my own family's dysfunction, why I relate to people and situations in particular ways, and it allowed me to forgive myself for some of the ways in which I treated my brother. I cannot recommend this book enough for anyone who has a member of their family diagnosed with a mental illness or provides family therapy. Reading this book helped me to gain insights into myself and into my family. It's a must read!

madhouse.......2005-11-09

When Clea Simon was growing up, her otherwise pleasant childhood was marred by odd outbursts and eccentric frightening behavior of her older brother and sister, both of whom would be diagnosed with schizophrenia. Simon, an intelligent and resourceful young girl turned to friends, books and fantasy games to distance herself from the chaos in her home. When she became an adolescent, her brother was hospitalized for mental illness, and she put pressure on herself to be the good, high-achieving child in the family. She was accepted into Harvard and on the outside looked like a wholly successful, confident person. However, years of suppressing her fears about her siblings began to take its toll, and she decided to enter therapy in order to find out who, apart from a high-achiever, she really was. Mad House is not just her story, however, but the many others' who she interviewed and whose accounts are smoothly woven into the book. It will almost certainly reassure readers with mentally ill siblings that they aren't alone.

I cried when I read it...........2004-09-03

My brothers aren't schizophrenic, like Ms. Simon's siblings. They are autistic, however, and the impact of their condition on our family dynamic was much the same. I am the only normal one of three children, and during my life I've felt rage, grief, loneliness, and the dreaded "I-wish-they-would-die-and-free-us-from-this-illness". Because of my brothers I have problems with intimacy and my single greatest fear is that I will bear a child with autism.

The guilt that accompanies my feelings is overwhelming. Ms. Simon's book showed me that I'm not alone, that my feelings aren't illegimate, and that a sort of emotional peace can be had when there's no cure (or even effective treatment) in sight. Thank you for writing this book--I needed it more than any other book I've ever read (and that includes my cherished Bible).

From the author.......2001-09-25

Hi Folks,
I just wanted to say thank you to all the readers who've read Mad House and either posted here or contacted me. So many of you are also siblings, and I am gratified that many of you have found your experiences reflected in my book. I've tried to show, through my experiences and the dozens of you interviewed, that while our story may be one of the quieter ones in our family, it is still valid and deserving of space. Strength and health to you all!
I've used the same combination of memoir and interviews (more than 70) in my new book, "Fatherless Women: How We Change After We Lose Our Dads" (Wiley). If any of you read that, please let me know what you think.
peace,
Clea

Maelstrom of Mental Illness .......2000-08-28

Clea is the luckiest of her siblings. Her older brother Daniel, a brilliant boy, showed signs of psychosis in early adulthood. He somehow managed to attend Harvard and upon leaving the renowned university, succumbs to his illness. He marries a woman from his halfway house and they have a daughter. The brother commits suicide and the baby remains unheard from. Clea was in college at the time of her brother's death and her parents curiously give her a false account of how her brother killed himself. That is never explained.

Clea's sister Katherine/Althea appears to be the most unstable. She, too, started showing signs of the illness in late adolescence and was barely able to fight her psychosis and finish high school. She lived from hospital to halfway house, never really finding her niche. Her erratic behavior precluded her from staying at halfway houses and in one memorable account in the book, a landlady requested that her parents come and collect her after she defecated on a mattress. She remained a "living" casualty of mental illness; at the close of the book, Clea did not even know where she was.

Clea is a strong voice, a strong advocate for the families of the mentally ill. Her poignant book is yet another reminder that mental illness is often a family illness because of the tragic impact it has on non-mentally ill members.

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