Book Description
Delta Force Major Charley Castillo returns in the third crackling adventure in Griffin's #1 New York Times-bestselling series.
The first two novels in W. E. B. Griffin's exciting new Presidential Agent series, By Order of the President and The Hostage, immediately raced up the bestseller lists-The Hostage debuting at #1. Told in "punchy prose that connects like a right hook" (Chicago Tribune), they were further proof that "Griffin just keeps on getting better" (Booklist).
The Hunters picks up right where The Hostage left off. Two brutal murders and millions of missing dollars in the growing UN/Iraq oil-for-food scandal have lead Castillo and his team to an estancia in Uruguay, where, to his shock, the man they are seeking is himself murdered right before their eyes. Who is responsible? Most likely, the people higher up in the money chain, those willing to risk anything to keep their secrets from being revealed. They've left just enough of a trail, though, for Castillo to pick up the scent, and, with carte blanche from the president, to follow it wherever it takes him, he ends up . . . well, not exactly where he expected . . .
Brimming with rich characters, strong action, and cutting-edge drama, this is Griffin writing at the height of his powers.
Customer Reviews:
Don Juan Does it again!.......2007-09-06
This was another great read by Griffin. I hope he plans to continue the series as I am still getting over the end of The Corps. and needed this new thriller.
Griffin uses his ability to take people from extraordinary backgrounds and make them seem almost plausible. Carlos/Karl goes from being an orphan to multi-millionaire stud pilot/special operator/ presidential fix it man. Amazing.
The ending of this one was kind of open ended and I thought flatter than the other two. In By Order of the President (1st book in the series) the ending was conclusive. Book II, The Hostage, was less so. This was OK as you knew there was a sequel and the purpose of The Hostage was clearly to set the stage for the third and final book, The Hunters. Understanding this, I was a little disappointed at the ending of The Hunters and wished it had been more developed. Over all though, still a great read!
Another W.E.B. Griffin Classic.......2007-08-28
Another novel in the series from the master story teller of military and special operations branches. A must have for the fans of Griffin, Clancey, Higgins and Walter j. Boyne.
Another good Griffin read.......2007-08-03
It would be nice if he could just bring us up to speed once, at the start of the book, to refresh our memory of where we left this set of characters. Then he would not have to keep going over it as the story progresses.
The action is pure Griffin and much better than that in the books he writes with his son.
Overall, hard to put down - plan on some late nights of reading as you get involved with the plot.
Dissapointing.......2007-07-15
After really enjoying the first two books in this series, The Hunters is a big let down. I stopped reading it half way through because I was tired of both Griffin summarizing the previous 2 books for those readers who hadn't read them, and I was tired of Castillo continuing to fill every new character in on the "presidential finding." It is as if Griffin is so proud of his Castillo character and his nifty lifestyle that he has to continue to pound it into the readers skull how special he is. WEB: we don't care, we want some action, and action does not involve reading for the 18th time how Castillo does indeed hold dual citizenship, answers only to the president, and flys around the world in a G3. Good lord there was no reason to turn the pages accept to hope that the author would actually start putting some suspense in the story as opposed to a grocery list of people that Castillo had to fill in on the story. Did I mention the book is repetitively dull?
Want more books in the Corps series.......2007-07-13
Mr Griffin -- I hope you see this and think about it. Some of us would like to see a continuation of the Marine Corps series. They were the best. I liked them because they usually featured obscure but interesting tidbits of history. Good stuff!
Book Description
Now the inspiration for the CBS Television drama, "The Unit."
Delta Force. They are the U.S. Army's most elite top-secret strike force. They dominate the modern battlefield, but you won't hear about their heroics on CNN. No headlines can reveal their top-secret missions, and no book has ever taken readers inside—until now. Here, a founding member of Delta Force takes us behind the veil of secrecy and into the action-to reveal the never-before-told story of 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-D (Delta Force).
Inside Delta Forece
The Story of America's Elite Counterterrorist Unit
He is a master of espionage, trained to take on hijackers, terrorists, hostage takers, and enemy armies. He can deploy by parachute or arrive by commercial aircraft. Survive alone in hostile cities. Speak foreign languages fluently. Strike at enemy targets with stunning swiftness and extraordinary teamwork. He is the ultimate modern warrior: the Delta Force Operator.
In this dramatic behind-the-scenes chronicle, Eric Haney, one of the founding members of Delta Force, takes us inside this legendary counterterrorist unit. Here, for the first time, are details of the grueling selection process—designed to break the strongest of men—that singles out the best of the best: the Delta Force Operator.
With heart-stopping immediacy, Haney tells what it's really like to enter a hostage-held airplane. And from his days in Beirut, Haney tells an unforgettable tale of bodyguards and bombs, of a day-to-day life of madness and beauty, and of how he and a teammate are called on to kill two gunmen targeting U.S. Marines at the Beirut airport. As part of the team sent to rescue American hostages in Tehran, Haney offers a first-person description of that failed mission that is a chilling, compelling account of a bold maneuver undone by chance—and a few fatal mistakes.
From fighting guerrilla warfare in Honduras to rescuing missionaries in Sudan and leading the way onto the island of Grenada, Eric Haney captures the daring and discipline that distinguish the men of Delta Force.
Inside Delta Force brings honor to these singular men while it puts us in the middle of action that is sudden, frightening, and nonstop around the world.
From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
wisdom in defeat and humility in victory.......2007-07-12
David Mamet, in my edition of this book, now more than three years old, long before 'The Unit' came along, writes at the beginning:
"The great military novels have about them an ineffable air of sadness. [They] seem, both in scenes of combat and in the scenes of rest, depictions of a life heightened to the plateau of regret, longing, and loss. The great military memoirs, similarly, are a record of loss and its transmutation into compassion. [...] in Eric Haney's Inside Delta Force, we are welcomed into the curious, moving and persuasive philosophy of the soldier trying to find wisdom in defeat and humility in victory."
It's a comment that reflects the spirit of the contents, and which ultimately translates into the very cool TV series based on the book. I also admit, quite without shame that the characters of 'Phantom Strike Team' in my novel 'Fontaine' were definitely inspired by this account, which I found fascinating and quite un-put-downable; much like Michael Durant's 'In The Company of Heroes'.
I have no idea how 'real' and 'true' the things depicted here are, because I have no real evidence to back up whatever I believe. However, I would like to think--possibly wishfully, but why not?--that Orwell's 'rough men [who] stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm' aren't just a bunch of thugs, who just like to shoot people, but that they are like those guys; that they are grounded and have a sense of purpose, and that Mamet's comments are on the mark.
Again, without evidence for the 'truth', whatever that may be, I cannot tell; but I choose to think that Haney has done more than just show them in the best light; that even in the harsh light of day, it all basically holds true.
How Delta Came to Be.......2007-07-09
I read a few other reviews of this book before buying it and find they were accurate. Haney tells about how Delta force came to be in interesting detail. The people that submit themselves to the Selection process really can only truly truly want the job. If you watch or have seen any episodes of "The Unit" you can see where story plot lines came from, but don't expect any detailed past mission stories.
Excellent book........2007-06-08
As usual, the same excellent quality and service that I have come to expect from Amazon. Book was great and recommend it to anyone thats interested in this type of stuff. Great compliment to "The Unit".
Best 1st Person Spec.Ops. Account I have Read to Date.......2007-05-19
I initially was drawn to this book after seeing it credited as the inspiration for CBS's drama "The Unit". (I'm a sucker for marketing, huh?) This book was to be the first in a long line of military non-fiction works that I read recently and for me it's still one of the best. Haney isn't the GREATEST writer in the world but his style works well for the subject matter at hand and thankfully lacks some of the irritating macho-ness that plagues many other ex-military authors. What made the book great for me was the fact that because Haney was a recruit in Delta as opposed to one of the organizers, there is a sense of mystery and the unknown as he chronicles his progress through Selection and his early days in the unit. I also read Charlie Beckwith's book on Delta and thought this was the better read. The only thing I didn't like about the book was that Haney retired so many years ago that you are left wanting to know more about current ops, but that's not a criticism of the book itself, simply a lament on my part. Overall I'd highly recommend this to anyone interested in learning more about what drives these incredible individuals.
Excellent book. .......2007-05-18
Great read. I spent 28 years in the Army, many of them at Bragg and retired in 2003. Mr Mercer's comments about what he believes are fact and fiction as it pertains to the contents of this book are inaccurate and I would recommend he go back and do his research correctly this time.
Book Description
This history of the largest block women's organization in the United States is not only the story of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (DST), but also tells of the increasing involvement of black women in the political, social, and economic affairs of America. Founded at a time when liberal arts education was widely seen as either futile, dangerous, or impractical for blacks, especially women, DST is, in Giddings's words, a "compelling reflection of block women's aspirations for themselves and for society."
Giddings notes that unlike other organizations with racial goals, Delta Sigma Theta was created to change and benefit individuals rather than society. As a sorority, it was formed to bring women together as sisters, but at the some time to address the divisive, often class-related issues confronting black women in our society. There is, in Giddings's eyes, a tension between these goals that makes Delta Sigma Theta a fascinating microcosm of the struggles of black women and their organizations.
DST members have included Mary McLeod Bethune, Mary Church Terrell, Margaret Murray Washington, Shirley Chisholm, Barbara Jordan, and, on the cultural side, Leontyne Price, Lena Horne, Ruby Dee, Judith Jamison, and Roberta Flack. In Search of Sisterhood is full of compelling, fascinating anecdotes told by the Deltas themselves, and illustrated with rare early photographs of the Delta women.
Customer Reviews:
More than you can Imagine!.......2007-07-09
I am a memeber of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. I read this book the Summer before my Sophmore year at Texas A&M University-Commerce for enrichment. I was interested in Delta and wanted to know the background, history, and legacy. As a Delta I feel this book spreads more knowledge than you anticipate. It's informative, interesting, and beautifully written. I reccommend this book to everyone who is a Delta and anyone aspiring to become one, because this will broaden your horizons and give you and extended perspective and appreciation.
A Book To Keep.......2007-02-18
I loved this book. I went to the web site for Delta Sigma Theta Inc and learned that you should read this book if you are interested in the organization. I read this book and I did not put it down until it was completed. My sister who is a member of this organization was impressed to know that I was doing my homework and truly was interested in joining her organization. I can say that I have looked at all the other organizations out there and I have met members of them all but I know with out doubt that Delta Sigma Theta is the one for me. This book was well written easy to follow and had great photos detailing the history of the organization through out the 1900's. I also learned so much about how Delta Sigma Theta applied to become incorporated before AKA and was actually created by members of AKA and so many other details. This book is the best source of information for a person that is an outsider to this organization and though I have a sister who is a member she will not tell me anything , as she wants me to learn it for myself.
Looking into history.......2007-01-04
I thought this book was a very easy read. I really enjoyed the content. i highly recommend this for those just wanting to look into history.
Great book if your interested.......2006-06-23
This book is great if you're interested in how Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. came into existence, especially if you are interested in becoming apart of the organization. Another good book is The Divine Nine. Many people believe that there is animosity between DST and AKA because of the creation of DST. That is not so, and if you read this book you will find this to be true. Also, to dispel the complexion/color myth, if you look at the founders of both organizations you will see various, beautiful shades of brown, ranging from tan to sepia. There are pictures in The Divine Nine.
A wonderful Account of the History of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc........2006-01-25
The first time I read this book was Sophomore year of college at Clark Atlanta University. Once I began reading this book I realized that Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is an excellent example of what a sorority should be. The foresight of the founders to chart their own course and to consistently strive for excellence shines through even in the modern day activities of the sorority. Paula Giddings put her heart and soul into this book and it is a must read for anyone who wants to learn about sisterhood at its best. Although I am not a member, I will certainly make Delta Sigma Theta my first and only choice. Kudos to Ms. Giddings for a job well done!
Book Description
The complete handbook for the world of the concierge. This book was written from first hand experience and addresses all situations involving a hotel concierge from the philosophy to the the paper clips. It is a comprehensive guide to the hotel concierge. It can be used as a textbook or for training purposes as it has lesson plans and workshhets included.
Customer Reviews:
A "Must Read" for the "Five-Star Minded" hospitality professional (or, future professional)!.......2007-09-13
I found this book by chance as I was browsing titles and was very taken by its title. I was very pleased with its content. I found it to be textbook-instructional regarding concept and practice, as well as a general guide for setting up one's own concierge operation - whether that be in a hotel, corporate office building, or other high-profile "hub" service environment. After having spent more than 20 years as a NYC hotel manager, I found this book a refreshing read. It helped me reaffirm within myself the reasons why I pursued a hospitality career in the first place. I was additionally pleased to have discovered that I had actually worked with some of the hospitality professionals given credit by the author during my own career!
OK for beginners...........2007-07-12
This is a good "starter" book for a new Concierge. I have been a Concierge for 10 years and purchased this book to keep me "fresh". It was not useful at all. If you want to become a Concierge, you can't learn what you need to know from a book - it takes A LOT of hands on experience in a busy hotel to be able to adapt to any Concierge situation. But, if you are starting up a new Concierge desk, the forms are helpful.
a very useful book for people in hospitality industry.......2007-01-12
The book is very useful especially for the professionals in the hospitality industry and guest services. Easy to understand and follow, full of real case studies. Can be referred in trainings of concierge clerks.
Comprehensive Guide. Price Varies: from 30 to 3,000.......2006-12-22
I bought this book for my brother who is a Chef Concierge. As I was looking for a title, I came across some interesting findings about "Ultimate Service", which I share in this review. I am not a professional in the field, but this handbook seems indeed very comprehensive and effective. It is not about setting up a small business, but what the profession actually is and how it is managed on a daily basis. My two main points are as follows.
First, nowhere on the internet I could find the content list showing the book structure. So, as I now have the book, regrouping its 17 chapters, these are the main topics in panoramic view: 1) philosophy and ethics; 2) the profession in general; 3) relationships and mentality; 4) routine management (huge part); 5) dealing with the press, and coping with stress and angry customers; 6) industry, technology and the future of the profession; 7) appendix with management forms.
Second, you need to consider buying this book asap. I phoned Prentice Hall (publisher) to get the content list (above), and found out that the book is out of print, and that they no longer have rights over it. I then realized why the publisher has no memory of the book, when I came across one of Holly Stiel's websites: a very elegant, New Agey business project focusing on customer service, now selling a repackaged version of the same ideas in a book with CD-ROM for $3,000 (no typo here). So, think hard and answer: why pay $3,000 if you can get the essence for $30 (while it lasts)?
In sum, I recommend this book, both for its substance and price.
Excellent .......2006-11-04
I feel that this book was exactly what I was looking for in relation to pursuing a career as a concierge in a hotel. It was very thorough and is already saving me a ton of time on research and gives a great feeling of authenticity and enthusiasm in how to deal with the public.
Product Description
DeltaÕs Key to the Next Generation TOEFL¨ Test is a new series of high-quality practice materials for students preparing to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language¨ after September 1, 2005. Components of the series include: Advanced Skill Practice ¥ A complete TOEFL preparation course for high intermediate and advanced students ¥ 36 skill units in reading, listening, speaking, and writing ¥ Four full-length practice tests ¥ Over 1,200 questions in the format of the next generation TOEFL ¥ Complete answer key and audio scripts ¥ Charts to record progress on quizzes and tests ¥ Enough material for 15 weeks of study Advanced Skill Practice Audio CDs ¥ Companion audio texts for all listening activities in the coursebook ¥ Over 9 hours of material on 10 compact disks Practice Tests ¥ Supplementary software with test questions not duplicated elsewhere ¥ 8 complete practice tests in the format of the next generation TOEFL ¥ Automatic scoring in reading and listening ¥ Review feature to check answers and explanations ¥ Complete scripts for all audio texts ¥ Option to quit at any time and save work for later ¥ Single-user and network versions Intermediate Skill Practice ¥ An introduction to the TOEFL for intermediate students ¥ 36 skill units in reading, listening, speaking, and writing ¥ Four full-length practice tests ¥ Over 1,000 questions in the format of the next generation TOEFL ¥ Complete answer key and audio scripts ¥ Charts to record progress on quizzes and tests ¥ Enough material for 15 weeks of study Intermediate Skill Practice Audio CDs ¥ Companion audio texts for all listening activities in the coursebook
Customer Reviews:
A good book but don't forget order your CD .......2007-09-14
I bought this book because my friends told me this one is the top preparation book for TOEFL test. Yes, it's pretty good in organization. The only problem is that it's not sold together with CD so that when I place order, I forgot to order CDs with the book. In addition, because IBT is based on Internet that require a computerized platform, the biggest disadvantage of this book is that it didn't simulate the true enviroment of test. So you should consider to buy another one to practice test.
A must have book for TOEFL iBT.......2007-09-07
This book and CDs is the only one you will need to score in TOEFL iBT. I have used Kaplan, Longman, Princeton but Delta stands out. Though this is a bit expensive it is worth the price. You will get the real benefit of this book with the CDs.
Good book for TOEFL.......2007-03-25
I bought this book for my mother as she is taking TOEFL class. She told me that this is a very good source for her studying.
It helps you a lot!.......2007-01-20
This book seems to be an old book, published in March, 2005.
However, this provides really awesome contents. It provides general but useful strategies of each section.
In spite of being a student, I already five iBT books. I felt this is really helpful, esp. listening section. This is because talking speed is almost same as real iBT test. Other books... sorry, not fast.
'course, this book does not include Audio CDs. If you want to practice listening section, you should pay little bit more. It is worthy of buying.
I guarantee that if you complete this book, you might be able to get more than 61 for beginner, more than 79-80 for people who are familiar with iBT TOEFL test.
Real PRACTICE Book.......2006-08-03
The most valuable thing offered by this book is PRACTICE without which it is fairly difficult to get a high TOEFL score.
I have read through 4 or 5 other books that aim at helping to get ready for TOEFL, and I really found it frustrating that a good half of such 'test guides' is always, or almost always, stuffed with long explanations of the structure of the test and some other theoretical points, which can be easily found in TOEFL bulletin or on the official TOEFL site. Delta's Key to the Next Generation TOEFL test is really a practice book. Its short practical advice on test taking strategies and a lot of exercises and quizes make an effective combination.
N.B.: Pay attention that the CDs, which contain listening material for different sections of the book, are offered as a separate item and if one wants to get the most of the practice guide, I think it is a good idea to get the CDs too. However, I must add that it is possible to work with the book without the CDs because all the audioscripts are given in the book.
Average customer rating:
- Good book on the unit, but Haney's is better...
- Not quite as good as Haney's book, but still good
- Delta Force: the Army's Elite Counterterrorist Unit
- High Level Overview
- Delta Force: The Army's Elite Counterterrorist Unit
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Delta Force: The Army's Elite Counterterrorist Unit
Charlie A. Beckwith , and
Donald Knox
Manufacturer: Avon
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Book Description
The only insider's account ever written on America's most powerful weapon in the war against terrorism
Customer Reviews:
Good book on the unit, but Haney's is better..........2007-06-27
I really enjoyed this book. It gives a great history of the formation of Delta Force, but if you are only going to read one book on the subject; INSIDE DELTA FORCE by Eric Haney is much better. That said, this book is a page-turner and well written. There's a bit of self-congratulation; but Beckwith was an impressive individual.
Not quite as good as Haney's book, but still good.......2007-05-19
If I had not read Eric Haney's book "Inside Delta Force" before I read this one, I probably would have loved it. The inherent problem is that both books cover roughly the same time frame, with Beckwith's book beginning earlier (going back to Vietnam inspirations) and ending while Haney was still in Delta. Both books provide detailed coverage of Operation Eagle Claw, which can be a little redundant, but that's no one's fault really. What I liked about Beckwith's book was the understanding it gave about where the idea for Delta came from, what his operational credibility was, and the intense opposition he faced in birthing this elite unit. Some folks will be bored with the various political machinations at work, but I found it interesting to see how something like this comes to be. Less interesting to me was Beckwith's account of Selection and the like because he didn't have to go through it like Haney did. I'd definitely recommend this book, but if you only want to read ONE book on Delta, I'd recommend Haney's first. And while there is certainly some overlap in information between the two works, I read them back to back and still enjoyed them.
Delta Force: the Army's Elite Counterterrorist Unit.......2007-05-12
The book was in excellant condition, arrived on time.
High Level Overview.......2007-03-10
A great story about the birth of Delta Force from the founder himself. Beckwith takes you from the original idea, based on his experience with the British Special Air Service (SAS), through their first mission (to free the hostages in Iran).
Because of his rank and the role he played in this story, you get a high level overview instead of the view from an operator on the ground (as in Eric Haney's book - Inside Delta Force). One item that was particularly interesting to me was the test (based on the SAS) they ran prior to their first real mission to determine if their operators would actually engage the terrorist. Although it was successful, they later decided to not use this test again and surmised that the British needed to determine if their operators would fire their weapons but the US needed to create rules on when to not fire their weapons. Not sure what that says about the two cultures, but it was interesting none the less.
Beckwith is definitely a strong personality who does not compromise. You learn much about the man and the government bureaucracy he fought for so many years. In the end, he was successful and we are a safer nation because of his efforts
Delta Force: The Army's Elite Counterterrorist Unit.......2007-03-08
I read this book years ago and just had to read it again.
Book Description
The creator of Animal House at last tells the real story ofthe fraternity that inspired the iconic film--a story far more outrageous(and funny!) than any movie could ever capture.Animal House, the film adaptation of stories Chris Miller published inNational Lampoon about his experiences at a Dartmouth fraternity, is amongthe most beloved and successful comedies of all time. In fact, itsportrayal of college party life is still imitated on campuses across thecountry--toga party, anyone?Now, nearly 30 years after the movie hit theaters, there are no taboosleft, and Chris Miller can finally answer the fans who all want to know onething: Was it really like that? The answer: Yes--but much, much more out ofcontrol! Here, for the first time, are the real stories of Alpha Delta Phi.Like the one about the frat brother who entertained the house by lightinghis hair on fire--not the hair on his head, however. Or about the pledgewho trick-or-treated around campus in a very revealing jack-o-lanterncostume. Or about initiation night when a frozen hot dog became verypainful for two rushes.Wild and hilarious, THE REAL ANIMAL HOUSE is a must-read for any fan of thefilm and anyone who remembers their college days as a blur of great partiesand solid friendship.
Customer Reviews:
More Quaint Than Depraved.......2007-05-03
I discovered National Lampoon in 1987, at a time when the magazine was in decline and well on its way to becoming a brand tag for C-grade movies starring Paris Hilton. But there was enough residual genius left in the magazine to change my life. That year, at age 15, I read a story by Chris Miller with the ever-subtle title of "C--k Tales." It was so fabulously wrong that I sent in my subscription card that same day.
Connoisseurs of gleeful depravity might get a chuckle or two out of this book, but it doesn't pack the same punch as his early NatLamp material. Maybe it's a matter of context -- in the '70s and '80s, d-jokes and target vomiting weren't as overmined as they are today. But compared to South Park and the amazing first "Jackass" movie, Miller's stories appear more quaint than depraved.
More Pathetic than "Depraved".......2007-04-29
The very fact that "awesomely" appears in the subtitle as if it were an acceptable adjective of the English language should have been enough to dissuade me from picking up this book. I am somewhat ashamed to admit that I compounded that error by reading the entire book.
It was not that the book is in any way compelling, fascinating, or even humorously entertaining. I continued reading it far beyond my usual tolerance for a dull narrative and poorly developed characters, and despite the persistence of the author's infantile egocentrism which, unfortunately, pervades the entire book from beginning to end.
The book recounts Miller's supposedly "depraved" college fraternity experience. Far from being "awesomely depraved," the characters mostly stand around in the fraternity house basement... talking. Miller describes this standing around talking business as wildly entertaining, something that he finds so compelling he can't wait to get back to that basement so that he can, well, stand around talking again. And again.
This standing around talking plot goes on and on, literally ad nauseum, since he also tells us how important it is to copiously vomit on demand, and how proud he was to have mastered this dubious social skill.
Miller recounts for us the thrill of drinking beer to intoxication, as if getting drunk were a wildly perverse activity that he and his band of fraternity brothers alone-unlike all the rest of the obviously sober college students the world over- had discovered, tested, and perfected for the good of all mankind.
There is nothing "depraved" here, unless your idea of depravity includes the severly upset stomachs of fledgling alcoholic narcissists so sadly dysfunctional they wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting into a good school if they had to compete with the high school class of 2007.
I suppose I kept reading because I was waiting for the turning point in which the author would describe his transition from childish egocentric to integrated human being. That payoff is never delivered and I was left to assume that Chris Miller sincerly looks back on his happy days of drunken vomiting with wistful nostalgia.
This memoir lacks even the skimpiest scrap of insight. The author never offers us even the slightest wince of regret at having spent his entire college career in what he himself describes as an intoxicted obsession with booze and... more booze.
This memoir is neither "depraved" nor the slightest bit funny. It is wiltingly sad and pathetic.
Don't waste your time.
Jovial and Depraved.......2007-03-13
Well, I certainly laughed, but I was also disgusted. This is not a book for the faint of stomach. Miller uses composite characters and features many stories that sound exaggerated, begging the question - how much of this 'real' version of the animal house saga is actually r e a l? Ultimately, it does not necessarily matter, because the content is engaging and funny either way.
As a current member of a Dartmouth fraternity I was able to relate to the setting, and some of the plot-lines This actually accounted for much of my enjoyment of the work as a whole. I would therefor note that those not connected to Dartmouth and not interested in perverse college humor should stay away (Dartmouth was the draw for me, not the perversion).
Excellent Book!.......2007-03-08
I loved this book from front to back. It is truly an amazing read; I suggest it to anybody who's looking for a good read and laugh!
Really Funny, With Broad Appeal.......2007-02-20
I strongly recommend this funny and important book. Chris Miller parts the Big Green curtain to reveal a hitherto unknown world.
This possibly true memoir recounts the 1960-61 academic year at Dartmouth College, the only Ivy League school in the woods. Popular culture was taking a breather between the Beat Generation and the Hippie era. Undergrads were not yet politicized. Female students were over a decade away. As author Miller writes, "...there was nothing to do but get drunk and break things."
Actually, there was a lot more to do as the book reveals. This is a must read for fans of
* The iconic film, "Animal House." This is Holy Scripture to that film.
* White male college behavior. Miller is the Godfather of Frat Lit.
* The memoir genre. Think "Running with Beer."
* Screenplays. "The Real Story of Animal House" demonstrates source material that one can mine for that million-dollar screenplay. Cheaper than going to a Robert McKee seminar, too.
* Understanding why your man still behaves the way he does.
This Coming of Age novel sits on my bookshelf next to "Catcher in the Rye," Kafka's "Metamorphosis," Dylan Thomas' "Adventures in the Skin Trade" and Phillip Roth's "Civilization and Its Discontents." (This last novella was expanded by Roth and renamed "Portnoy's Complaint.")
Average customer rating:
- Spellbinding!!
- Amazing New Biography
- The Ultimate Man of the Delta
- Phenomenally intriguing, accurate, and detailed.
- AN AMAZING MAN
|
Holt Collier: His Life, His Roosevelt Hunts, and the Origin of the Teddy Bear
Minor Ferris Buchanan
Manufacturer: Centennial Press of Mississippi, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
African-American & Black
| Ethnic & National
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Roosevelt, Theodore
| ( R )
| People, A-Z
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1893062376 |
Book Description
On November 14, 2002, the 100th anniversary of the world famous Teddy Bear will be celebrated. The origin of the Teddy Bear stems from an occasion when President Theodore Roosevelt visited the wilderness of Mississippi in hopes of killing a black bear. He was guided on this hunt by Holt Collier, a former slave, Confederate veteran (yes-amazing though it sounds), Texas cowboy, Mississippi lawman, and noted pioneer. He is known to have killed over 3,000 bear in his lifetime, more than Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett combined. Roosevelt, who also hunted with Collier in Louisiana in 1907, called him "the greatest hunter and guide I have ever known."
Collier killed many white men, several in Mississippi. One exciting incident in his biography is a detailed description of the gunfight at Washburn's Ferry where Collier out-drew the notorious Louisiana outlaw Travis Elmore Sage. He was prosecuted only once-for the murder of a Union captain after the Civil War-but he was acquitted. Collier was famous nationally during his lifetime, but the racial atmosphere in Mississippi for the last eighty years kept his remarkable story from being told. There is no detailed and authoritative work on Holt Collier or the origin of the Teddy Bear other than this book.
Customer Reviews:
Spellbinding!!.......2003-07-15
This is a must-read book for anyone interested in any of the following topics: African-American History, hunting, Theodore Roosevelt, Southern History, the Civil War, and William Faulkner. As an avid Faulkner reader, I cannot help but conclude that Holt Collier is the real-life person upon which the pivotal character of Sam Fathers is based. Beyond this observation, the book is well researched and is an excellent read. You will not be disappointed. HOLT COLLIER deserves a wide audience and should be assigned reading.
Amazing New Biography.......2002-12-24
Brilliantly written non-fiction biography using countless primary sources. An amazing new character never before presented to the general public. If this book had not been sent to me as a present I would have never heard of it. Apparently it has been sold only as a regional book, but I can assure any reader, it will have a national following in due course. Very highly recommended. Well worth the read. You will come away from this book thinking about it for weeks, and frankly, you will soon pick it up to read it again.
The Ultimate Man of the Delta.......2002-12-10
As a history major in college I developed a taste for the truth that can only be found in biographies. Over the years I have kept a small library in my home and under my bed to read at night, prior to retiring. The book by Mr. Buchanan is a detailed, accurate account of this man and his relationships to the men around him and his world. Being a product of the Mississippi Delta, I can see Holt Collier in the deep bayou's of the old Delta, hunting the bears. I admire the writer's style in his ability to place me there beside Holt all along the way in this book. There, in the realities of Holt's world, the reader walks his paths, thinks his thoughts, and feels the anger he feels.
Finally I would like to thank Mr. Buchanan for this effort and look forward to seeing more of his work in the future.
Phenomenally intriguing, accurate, and detailed........2002-11-07
Minor Ferris Buchanan excells in this historical document of Holt Collier: an ex-slave, Confederate soldier, and excellent big-game hunter. I found the portrayal of this very accomplished individual more intriguing and inspiring than any other Afro-American biography I've ever come across (including those of Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X)
I loved it!
AN AMAZING MAN.......2002-10-19
I have never written a review before, but here goes....
I had never heard of his name before this book was recommended to me, but this fellow Holt Collier is one of the most amazing men to come out of the American scene in years. Just think, to have been born a slave, to have become a runaway--to seek out his master and fight for the confederacy--unbelievable. And then he out-fought his master during the entire conflict, and it is all backed up by detailed research. Amazing.
Then to become an independent hunter in the lower Mississippi delta where he made a small fortune every year, ultimately becoming a hunter of legendary status, a cowboy and a lawman as well. And those white men he killed in duels--and not to be prosecuted in Mississippi of all places.
Then, when he was getting pretty long in the tooth, to be selected to take Roosevelt on two hunts, arguably the most famous hunts ever on American soil, it seems like it must be fiction, but it is not.
And for this man to be the sole person responsible for the event that gave us the teddy bear. Why has his story not been told before?
Anyway, I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in southern history, hunting, Theodore Roosevelt, black history, teddy bears, and the civil war.
Product Description
DeltaÕs Key to the Next Generation TOEFL¨ Test is a new series of high-quality practice materials for students preparing to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language¨ after September 1, 2005. Components of the series include: Advanced Skill Practice ¥ A complete TOEFL preparation course for high intermediate and advanced students ¥ 36 skill units in reading, listening, speaking, and writing ¥ Four full-length practice tests ¥ Over 1,200 questions in the format of the next generation TOEFL ¥ Complete answer key and audio scripts ¥ Charts to record progress on quizzes and tests ¥ Enough material for 15 weeks of study Advanced Skill Practice Audio CDs ¥ Companion audio texts for all listening activities in the coursebook ¥ Over 9 hours of material on 10 compact disks Practice Tests ¥ Supplementary software with test questions not duplicated elsewhere ¥ 8 complete practice tests in the format of the next generation TOEFL ¥ Automatic scoring in reading and listening ¥ Review feature to check answers and explanations ¥ Complete scripts for all audio texts ¥ Option to quit at any time and save work for later ¥ Single-user and network versions Intermediate Skill Practice ¥ An introduction to the TOEFL for intermediate students ¥ 36 skill units in reading, listening, speaking, and writing ¥ Four full-length practice tests ¥ Over 1,000 questions in the format of the next generation TOEFL ¥ Complete answer key and audio scripts ¥ Charts to record progress on quizzes and tests ¥ Enough material for 15 weeks of study Intermediate Skill Practice Audio CDs ¥ Companion audio texts for all listening activities in the coursebook
Customer Reviews:
Very Good for speaking and Writing in Toefl iBT........2007-09-05
Getting a good score in Toefl iBT is all about practice. These 10 CDs have a lot of exercises to get you better. I was weak in speaking and writing. I had to get a minimum score of 26 in speaking and 24 in writing. The first time i attended a 2 week training classes and used a number of books and i only got 89. Then i bought this book and CDs and all i used was this one. I got a score of 108. Though it is expensive, I would certainly recommand this book and CDs.
Delta's TOEFL Audio CD's.......2007-05-12
As I did not hear these CD's, but were sent to an English Major in eastern Europe, I will go by her outstanding ratings. They are a perfect match for the Delta's workbook; the CD's were specifically asked for because of the high rating. Since purchasing these CD's, I continually hear this student's high praise for them.
Book Description
“Beautiful…provocative, arresting reading.”–USA Today
KURT VONNEGUT is a master of contemporary American literature. His black humor, satiric voice, and incomparable imagination first captured America’s attention in
The Sirens of Titan in 1959 and established him as “a true artist”* with
Cat’s Cradle in 1963. He is, as Graham Greene has declared, “one of the best living American writers.”
Galápagos takes the reader back one million years, to a.d. 1986. A simple vacation cruise suddenly becomes an evolutionary journey. Thanks to an apocalypse, a small group of survivors stranded on the Galápagos Islands are about to become the progenitors of a brave new, and totally different human race. Here, America’s master satirist looks at our world and shows us all that is sadly, madly awry–and all that is worth saving.
“Vonnegut is a postmodern Mark Twain...
Galápagos is a madcap genealogical adventure.”–The New York Times Book Review
* The New York Times
Customer Reviews:
Big Brained Humans Enjoy!.......2007-09-10
As usual Kurt Vonnegut's novel is filled with delightful creatures, strange personalities, and psychological messiness yet hope. Apart with providing an interesting description of the Gallapagos Islands, Darwin's original get-away, the book delves into the psychotic nature of human behavior, be it fiat money systems, evil minded power grabs, and destruction of the entire species. It's a delightful quick read, recommended to everyone who wants to enjoy reading.
Once again, Vonnegut ends the world........2007-08-05
I wouldn't usually presume to review Vonnegut, as he is among my favorite authors and my bias would tend to get in the way. That said, I was surprised (pleasantly so) by this book. It is the logical middle point between Slaughterhouse Five and Timequake, stylistically, and I would venture to say that it is in this book that Kurt perfected his nonlinear narrative style.
Vonnegut keeps no secrets, through the entire book, as to the sequence of events portrayed. However, the knowledge of impending events does nothing to ruin the book and everything to heighten suspense. The most fulfilling parts in this book are not in the sequence of events, but in the absurd fashion with which said events are reached and in the almost let-down quality of some of the major events when they do eventually occur.
Fans of traditional storytelling: beware. This book goes in every direction at once. No loose threads are left, but not every thread is tied in the same knot at the end... which is, of course, the end of the world.
My Last Vonnegut For Awhile.......2007-06-30
I've read a lot of V in a short time & it's time to take a break. How many different ways can an author say the human race is a disgrace to all creation? After awhile it starts to seem repetitive. V's point in Galapagos is not much different from his point in many other of his works. We humans think we're so smart but all we do is make ourselves and each other miserable and wreck the place. A good book. Clever and sardonic with equal amounts of scorn and kindness.
Ya know what? I liked this book.......2007-05-12
Vonnegut is awesome. I've only read this and Slaughter-House Five, but I'm very impressed. I liked this book a little less than Slaughter House...but it was still really interesting to me.
I liked the way that this book told you everything that was going to happen in the story right away. Maybe I've been entrigued by the way the book was written in both past and present. It jumps all over the place, but that's not bad...just unfamiliar. It was a good book.
I'd give it 4 1/2 stars.
Classic Vonnegut.......2007-03-20
Big brains are our problem! Given the mess the world is in today, Vonnegut's message is more on target than when he wrote the book. Excellent reading.
Books:
- The Intention Experiment: Using Your Thoughts to Change Your Life and the World
- The Last Dance: Encountering Death and Dying
- The Leader's Shadow: Exploring and Developing Executive Character
- The Listener's Bible NIV
- The Plan of Chicago: Daniel Burnham and the Remaking of the American City (Chicago Visions and Revisions)
- The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less
- The Red Tent
- The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You (2 Volume Set)
- The Soul of a Doctor: Harvard Medical Students Face Life and Death
- The Story Teller (Arapaho Indian Mysteries)
Books Index
Books Home
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The Double Agents
The Saboteurs (Men at War)
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By Order of the President
Act of Treason (Mitch Rapp Novels)
