The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Gift Set

Customer Reviews:

Books are great..........2006-11-21

I have all the parts (Fellowship of the ring, Return of the King & The Two Towers). I have loved the audiobooks.

I only have 1 problem with the audiobooks and that is when I converted the discs so I could listen to them on my ipod, the names of each track varied.

On some it ists the name of teh chapter and followed by a number(part of the chapter, others it names the book and the track number without the chapter title name, and on others it says the track number...

They should have been consistent with the track names.

Lord of the Rings for car trips?.......2006-11-19

It's hard to add more than other reviewers have done. Most of the comments are right-on, but I think it's nice for a potential buyer to hear a lot of people voicing their opinions. This is a long set but perfect for a devoted fan. I love listening to it while doing other things or in the car on the way to work, probably also for an airplane. Rob Inglis did a great job, and while a few of the female voices are a bit odd, you soon forget about such things when you get wrapped up in the story.

He adds the right emphasis to the right parts and I think his voice is well-suited to this work. For hardcore LotR fans, it's hard to find something that meets our high expectations as this is a simply amazing work of art that will last for years - it's hard to find a voice that meets every (somewhat unreal, I think) expectation. But Rob Inglis comes extremely close.

It's a Good buy.......2006-06-03

It is a nice audio book. It does have it's flaws though.

1. It does not offer maps or any drawings. I have searched online for some, but only find blurry copies. Considering the maps and drawings are held so highly in admiration... it kinda sucks not to have them

2. the acting of the narrator is not the greatest. There were parts when the book notes "he yells" and the narrator speaks in a calm and clear character voice. It's kind of funny sometimes.

3. many of the narrator's "attempted" character voices sound alike. All the elf kind sound the same, even the women sound like males. All the hobbits pretty much sound the same, except Sam who has this manly deep voice, which often sounds like Aragon. Often the narrator accidentally mergers one character voice into another by accident. So a hobbit will be speaking then all the sudden he sounds like Aragon or Gandolf.

But outside of that the audio book is great. These "problems" are small. Since the un-abridged reading offers the names of who is talking and their emotions that go along with it, you can make out the story just fine. It just takes a little more imagination and you can alter their voices in your head to sound like what you want to hear. I would highly reccomend it, that is until someone figures out they can get a better actor or has the mind to hire multiple actors to fulfill the part.

There is nothing funnier than hearing a deep manly voice trying to immitate a woman singing

Brilliant, and well worth the money!.......2006-04-15

I am not a "Total Ringophile", like some out there, but I have read the books three times and loved them. I lashed out and purchased this 46 CD set as I spend a lot of time on the commute to work. It is brilliant! Each CD has approx 15 "tracks" on it so that if you miss a bit as your mind wanders (as it does in the car..) you can just bounce back one track and hear that bit again, no problems. Rob Inglis does a great job, no question. It has added a new dimension to my experince of Tolkien's masterpiece, and I highly recommend it to all. BRILLIANT !

Ingles does a fantastic job.......2005-11-26

I did not realize what a wonderful job that Ingles had done in this reading until I began listening to other audio books. Ingles manages to give each character a distinct voice and as you proceed, you recognize immediately who it is that is speaking.

After many years, Tolkien's work stands alone as the only sci-fi/fantasy story that puts the subtlety of language and culture equal to, if not above, the drama. Ingles interesting voices and care with the language of Tolkien make this a most worthy represenation of the timeless classic.

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KCS: how to live with a neurotic sibling
Terrific!
An Important Novel
Wonderfully compassionate and complex
Special Siblings

Rules (Newbery Honor Book)
Cynthia Lord
Manufacturer: Scholastic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0439443822

Book Description

Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life. Which is near impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. She's spent years trying to teach David the rules-from "a peach is not a funny-looking apple" to "keep your pants on in public"-in order to stop his embarrassing behaviors. But the summer Catherine meets Jason, a paraplegic boy, and Kristi, the next-door friend she's always wished for, it's her own shocking behavior that turns everything upside down and forces her to ask: What is normal?

Customer Reviews:

KCS: how to live with a neurotic sibling.......2007-10-09

KCS: How to live with a neurotic sibling

Looking closer can make something beautiful.

Sometimes people laugh when they like you. But sometimes they laugh to hurt you.

Some people think they know who you are, when really they don't.

Catherine would rather live like a normal person. It's hard enough putting up with her autistic brother, but with a potential friend next door, she feels even more embarrassed about him. And there's Jason, another potential friend. Do you think Catherine can make friends with them without letting her brother get in the way of her? (you have to read Rules to find out)
Rules takes place somewhere on the mainland close to the ocean, during recent times. Catherine is an artistic person and is used to covering up for her brother, David, but only to a certain point. She is patient enough with David but isn't willing to take full responsibility over him. Catherine doesn't really like going out in public with David because she hates the funny looks people give him (he goes around quoting Frog and Toad and his rules). however, she feels all right about him in the end. Catherine has made a bunch of rules for both her and David to follow.
David seems to always be shouting out random things, but what he says has some hidden meaning that only Catherine can understand. David goes to a therapy class/OT. He needs constant reminding to "chew with his mouth closed" or "keep his pants on in public". David doesn't understand that some people are trying to tease him and aren't laughing with him.
Jason is paraplegic and can't speak. He has to use a communication book with words in it so he can converse with others. He's pretty much like "normal" people his age in personality, but is probably more observant than others due to his disability. Jason goes to the same therapy center as David.
Jason has been going to OT before David, but only then did Catherine really notice him. His mom caught her sketching him, and that is how they got to be friends. Kristi, who would probably become really popular, moves in next door to Catherine. Catherine really doesn't want her to know about David, but she finds out anyway and their relationship doesn't get to a good start. She makes an effort to make friends with Kristi but she seems to like this guy who Catherine dislikes. Catherine gets closer to Jason but when the community center holds a dance, she uses her rules as excuses to hide behind.
I really enjoyed this book, and in some ways I could relate to the characters in it. Being an older sister, I knew how Catherine felt dealing with david. I learned not to judge people by the way they act or look because they could be a totally different person on the inside ("don't judge people by their covers") and not to restrain yourself with tons of rules. David couldn't understand what to do or what not to do, so Catherine made all those rules for them (kind of like The Giver, where if you broke one of their many rules you'd get in big trouble). But then she made unnecessary rules for herself that took away some of her freedom. Cynthia Lord's writing style included lots of details and I was able to understand everything. It had some Christian perspective in it, with Catherine opening a lot of opportunities for Jason and showing him the world in a different perspective. She learned that she didn't have to follow all those rules that she made. The pacing is a steady medium with some fast parts. The title is what it is mostly because of all the rules Catherine made. I would recommend this book to anyone in general, because there's not really anything inappropriate in it and I think everyone can relate to at least one character.

Terrific!.......2007-09-30

This is an award winning book that tells what it's like to be the normal sibling in a family with a special child. The protagonist is realistically drawn and her difficulties protecting her autistic brother from the harsh realities of prejudice and small-minded cruelty will touch your heart. Although targeted for the upper elementary or middle school audience, readers of all ages would benefit from the expressive and moving portrait Cynthia Lord paints of the conflicts faced by the members of families with special kids.

An Important Novel .......2007-09-08

After seeing Rules in countless Scholastic classroom book orders, I purchased the novel to read to my fifth grade students, wanting to expose them to a worthwhile piece of children's literature. I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome; they enjoyed the story (and the different rules included throughout the book) and seemed to really look at the way people treat others.

Rules not only deals with autism, but with disabilities in general. The main character, a twelve year old named Catherine, frequently accompanies her younger brother (who is autistic) to his occupational therapy clinic where she befriends a boy her age named Jason. Although Lord never specifically names the disability, Jason is in a wheelchair and is unable to communicate through speech, he instead points to word cards. The two develop a friendship, although Catherine continues to struggle with how the world views her relationships with disabled people. These situations provoked some very interesting, touching discussions with my students that I hope have helped them become more compassionate young people.

Rules is a very important books for kids to read or hear. Many children are not exposed to people that are different than them, and it seems that this lack of information often leads to bullying. This is an interesting, funny, touching read for kids, probably best for those ten and up.

Wonderfully compassionate and complex.......2007-08-25

I finally got my hands on RULES by Cynthia Lord, and I read it in one sitting. The narrator, Catherine, genuinely seems twelve. Her mannerisms and thoughts ring true, especially her artistic view on life and her lists of rules to help both herself and her autistic brother David. Catherine has more than shallow run-of-the-mill problems to deal with, and yet she's easy to identify with. In less capable hands, the story could have come across saccharine or depressing. Lord pulls it off in a way that seems effortless. She does a great job with pacing as well. From the premise of the book, I expected it to be a slower read, but the story strides along confidently.

I loved Catherine's blossoming relationship with wheelchair-bound Jason, who can't speak, beautifully shown in the vocabulary cards she makes him. At the start he has only a standard, bland set of cards. She's the first person to recognize his need to express himself through joking, sarcasm, and teen slang. I laughed when Jason's mother said, "Don't 'whatever' me, young man!" and felt a bit of shared triumph. As Catherine helps Jason communicate, she in turn reveals her own hidden thoughts and emotions. I even became a bit misty-eyed when I read the end, a rare occurrence. Catherine's life and the people in it are neither predictable nor perfect, but her compassion remains constant, and that's the beauty of this book.

Special Siblings.......2007-07-29

Catherine is between a rock and a hard place...like most siblings of special children are. Somewhere between protecting her autistic brother and protecting herself from embarassment of his behavior, she creates a list of rules for him.

This deeply moving story examines many facets of lives with challenges. Catherine is able to see the heart of the matter through the eyes of a physically challenged boy at her brother's therapy office. He can only communicate by pointing to words. She empathizes with his limitations and gives him new words to expand his options - like "Whatever"! They build a special bond together.

Meanwhile, outside of the world of doctors and therapists, Catherine longs to make friends with her new neighbor. She is concerned that the new friend will not understand her brother's behavior or her wheelchair-bound friend's challenges. Struggling with her own opposing feelings, she avoids bringing these two parts of her life together.

My favorite part of the story was the way that Catherine's brother was able to communicate through the words of Loebel's Frog and Toad Together story. Absolutely precious!

I was so touched by this story, because we have special needs children in our own family. The lives of our other children have been both challenged and blessed by dealing with the reality of a sibling with medical and mental differences. Of course, we tried to make sure that the hearts of all of our children were nurtured, but there was inevitably an impact on our other children. They have had extra responsibilities and sometimes felt that their needs were neglected to meet the demands of their sibling. Yet, in the end, their character was deepened and their maturity was advanced by living beyond themselves in a self-seeking culture.

This is an important story that EVERY child should read. Autism is growing at an alarming rate. It would benefit every child to get in the shoes of special children and that of their family.

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John Welte's Review
required reading for teens
Rather "Piggy" then "Fatty" indeed...
Linguistic tour de force
complete recording of a tedious novel

Lord of the Flies
William Golding
Manufacturer: Perigee Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0399501487

Amazon.com

William Golding's classic tale about a group of English schoolboys who are plane-wrecked on a deserted island is just as chilling and relevant today as when it was first published in 1954. At first, the stranded boys cooperate, attempting to gather food, make shelters, and maintain signal fires. Overseeing their efforts are Ralph, "the boy with fair hair," and Piggy, Ralph's chubby, wisdom-dispensing sidekick whose thick spectacles come in handy for lighting fires. Although Ralph tries to impose order and delegate responsibility, there are many in their number who would rather swim, play, or hunt the island's wild pig population. Soon Ralph's rules are being ignored or challenged outright. His fiercest antagonist is Jack, the redheaded leader of the pig hunters, who manages to lure away many of the boys to join his band of painted savages. The situation deteriorates as the trappings of civilization continue to fall away, until Ralph discovers that instead of being hunters, he and Piggy have become the hunted: "He forgot his words, his hunger and thirst, and became fear; hopeless fear on flying feet." Golding's gripping novel explores the boundary between human reason and animal instinct, all on the brutal playing field of adolescent competition. --Jennifer Hubert

Book Description

14.5 Million copies sold to date

The classic, startling, and perennially bestselling portrait of human nature-now available as a Premium Edition with a stunning new cover and re-set, easy-to-read text.

Customer Reviews:

John Welte's Review.......2007-08-18

The Lord of the Flies was a book that I was required to read at the start of tenth grade. When I started reading the book I wasn't interested right away. I thought the book lacked any action, and I couldn't identify with any of the characters, personally. Honestly, I kept reading because of obligation. Eventually I realized it was a good book. Towards the second half of the book the author added action and the characters evolved. Arguments took place among the boys which started fighting and drama. When the story started picking up it had me excited until the very end. Overall, I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a great adventure book.

required reading for teens.......2007-07-08

Like most everyone else, I read this book because it was required reading in ninth or tenth grade. I recently reread it with my thirteen year old son and discussed it with him. For him, as I suspect it would be for most young readers, it was a magnificent introductory illustration of the distinction between the literal and the metaphoric in literature.

Rather "Piggy" then "Fatty" indeed..........2007-07-02

I'll admit i'm a late fan of this novel, never having the enjoyment of being assigned this in school. However i'm pleased in my adult life to possibly have a greater appreciation of it. This is truly a timeless story of the savage within us all and how even without a civilization, all different aspects of a society can be portrayed, even in the innocence of shipwrecked children. Ralph serves as our center, imperfect at best, yet constantly trying to do the greater good. Jack is his id, a leader by worth but not in ideology or action, our ego. Piggy is our brain and conscience, however fragile and annoyingly persistent. Roger is our wrath. An unleashed, unsympathetic, unbridled purely sickening rage. Simon is our curiosity and independence, He carrys our emotions and our feelings.

The story itself begins with Ralph as the elected leader of the group of young children, however, the lead hunter, Jack eventually finds no solice in this decision and it becomes 2 camps at odds on an island. Thats the short version, which does no justice to the complexity of the story nor the incredible imagery given by the author. In this story, children do terrible things to children, yet the degeneration into savages is so gradual you can understand there blind lust for adventure and victory overall else, especially when that same idea has been behind every war known to man.

I titled this review after a line from the novel, because i think it secretly underlined alot of what the story was about. Some Rules may not be fun, but the consequences without are far worse. This can be applied to so many aspects in life. As i think i will carry this with me a long time coming.

Linguistic tour de force.......2007-06-30

As many already know, this book contains a vast number of symbolisms and has many allusions to foreign themes (eg. ideological, other novels, biblical) and ideas. But what is it other than its allegorical and abovementioned quality that makes it remarkable? Here, I attempt to elucidate the work in other aspects other than its dark theme and storyline(which countless other reviews have already touched upon).

One of the strongest qualities of the book is its language. In the story, the sheer vividness of the landscape is written with great intensity, movements are described with precision and in between are interspaced events and dialogue that many times, because certain events are not directly mentioned or written, requires much effort to infer. That is why I suppose many have found it frustrating and a tedium to read.

As an example of description, when Golding describes the waves and how looking towards it sometimes creates a mirage, 'Strange things happened at midday. The glittering sea moved apart in planes...Sometimes, land loomed where there was no land and flicked out like a bubble...'. Despite the work's linguistic difficulty, especially for younger readers, the language is a work of art, and much concentration is required. Younger readers, however, will enjoy the story's quick pace and narrative.

With its combination of linguistic complexity, far reaching symbolism and allegory etc., the strength of this work lies in its depth and power. The bleak, pessimistic portrait of humanity is brought about through the boys and their virgin attempts at civility on a remote island and as the struggle of Ralph and Piggy against Jack and his gang is played out, many philosophical questions are raised. Is humanity innately fallible to primitism? How does society establish order? Does youth affect all this?

All said, Lord of the Flies is a brilliantly bleak, lustrously prosed, deeply discomforting portrait of mankind. No wonder it is recommended reading for so many high schools and colleges.

Note: Lord of the Flies may be a great piece of dystopian work, but there are some which will inevitably exceed it, notably the first two below:
Nineteen Eighty-Four Brave New World Gulliver's Travels (Penguin Classics) Utopia (Penguin Classics) Herland, The Yellow Wall-Paper, and Selected Writings (Penguin Classics)

complete recording of a tedious novel.......2007-06-29

Listening to this novel doesn't improve it. You get the added bonus track of Golding groaning on and on and on about how he got the inspiration for this overly simplistic morality tale. With so much good literature out in the world, if the house catches fire, leave this one behind. Sucks to my as-mar.

Lords of the North (The Saxon Chronicles Series #3)

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Lords of the North by Bernard Cornwell
Just when you thought the saga could not get better...
The Best of Uhtred's Saga, Not to be missed
NOOOO!!!!! 6 months wait for the next book. This was GREAT!
Another great book in a fun, fast-paced series

Lords of the North (The Saxon Chronicles Series #3)
Bernard Cornwell
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060888628
Release Date: 2007-01-23

Book Description

From Bernard Cornwell, the undisputed master of historical fiction, hailed as "the direct heir to Patrick O'Brien,"* comes the third volume in the exhilarating Saxon Chronicles: the story of the birth of England as the Saxons struggle to repel the Danish invaders.

The year is 878, and as Lords of the North begins, the Saxons of Wessex, under King Alfred, have defeated the Danes to keep their kingdom free. Uhtred, the dispossessed son of a Northumbrian lord, helped Alfred win that victory, but now he is disgusted by Alfred's lack of generosity. Uhtred flees Wessex, going north to search for his stepsister, who was taken prisoner by Kjartan the Cruel, a Danish lord who lurks in the formidable stronghold of Dunholm.

Uhtred arrives in the north to discover rebellion, chaos, and fear. His only ally is Hild, a West Saxon nun fleeing her calling, and his best hope is his sword, Serpent-Breath, with which he has made a notable reputation as a warrior. He needs other partners if he is to attack Dunholm, and chooses Guthred, a seemingly deluded slave who believes he is a king. Together they cross the Pennines, where fanatical Christians and beleaguered Danes have formed a desperate alliance to confront the terrible Viking lords who rule Northumbria.

Instead of victory Uhtred finds betrayal. But he also discovers love and redemption as he is forced to turn once again to his reluctant ally, Alfred the Great. It is Alfred who sees opportunity in Northumbria's chaos, and Alfred who looses Uhtred and his stepbrother, Ragnar, onto Dunholm, the invincible fortress on its great spur of rock. A breathtaking adventure, Lords of the North is also the story of the creation of England, as the English and Danes fight against each other, but also find common cause and create a common language. In the end they will become one people, but as Uhtred will discover, their union is forged through the white heat of battle.

* The Economist

Customer Reviews:

Lords of the North by Bernard Cornwell.......2007-09-19

In Lords of the North (coming January 23rd), the wonderful writer of great historical periods and characters brings us the third in his increasingly popular Saxon Chronicles series, as he tells the story of King Alfred the Great's life and his work in unifying the many kingdoms into the country we know today as England.

We continue with our hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, who has just helped Alfred save and maintain control over the land of Wessex, therefore preventing the complete invasion by the Danes. Angered with Alfred's piousness and making every decision according to God, Uhtred flees north to Northumbria, still hoping one day to defeat his uncle and take back his beloved Bebbanburg. It is here that he meets old Danish friends and before he realizes what's going on, a deal has been brokered to maintain peace in Northumbria in return for Uhtred's enslavement. With his blood-stained blade - Serpent-Breath - the many lords of the region are happy to get rid of this formidable warrior.

Uhtred, stripped of his title and power, then spends most of the book suffering the abuse and torture of a slave on a trading traveling along the Flemish coast, and back and forth between Britain and the mainland. On a number of occasions they face off again this "red ship" that is a trader like them. Upon returning to the original place where Uhtred was sold - so that more slaves can be bought - the red ship appears out of nowhere and beaches the shore. Foreign Danes stream out and Uhtred soon finds himself face to face with an even older friend who raised him.

Eventually he discovers that it is thanks to Alfred's help that he has received his emancipation. With his title, weapons, and armor restored, along with more allies from the south forming a considerable army, they set out to defeat these lesser heathen lords and regain control of the kingdom of Northumbria. The book ends with the reader contemplating what is next for Uhtred in the further Saxon Chronicles: Will he regain control of his land? Will he remain a lone pagan among the many determined Christians? Sadly, we will have to wait another whole year before we can read more about Uhtred of Bebbanburg, slayer of the great Ubba Lothbrokson, and his adventures with the pious Alfred the Great.

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

Just when you thought the saga could not get better..........2007-09-18

It gets better. This book finds Uhtred as not only a man and a warrior, but as a humbled (as much as the Dane in him will allow) crafty leader. He has recovered from his trials and is on his way to his destiny. His allegiance to Alfred has him hamstrung a bit...regarding his goal of re-taking his rightful lands of Bebbenburg...but he can see the future, and he knows that the tide is slowly turning in his favor. He will crush his enemies, and reign triumphant. This book is about Uhtred the man...and I believe is the FIRST step into his world as a Lord and warrior...with the first 2 novels having been merely an exciting prologue.

The Best of Uhtred's Saga, Not to be missed.......2007-08-11

If you've read books one and two in the Saxon Chronicles, it goes without saying that this is not to be missed. This is also the best of the series, and that's saying quite a lot. No, we're not talking literary masterwork -- although as always Bernard is engaging, often amusing, certainly disarming as a writer -- but there's just something about he way Bernard can bring to life the dark ages. Sure, I enjoy Sharpe novels, but where Bernard shines is in the dark ages, the time before we have "reliable histories." He manages to make everything from King Arthur to the "Vikings" -- which he explains just means "raiders" not Northmen -- come alive. It feels right. Sure, the dialogue is very twentieth-century, but it has to be for us to stay interested. Uhtred is, perhaps, his best hero yet, larger-than-life yet human and vulnerable at times, and Uhtred is a hero for both men and women to relate to, where perhaps some of Bernard's other protagonists are "macho man" heroes. This is a period in history very rarely touched in literature, and perhaps that's the charm of it. There are moments of satire as well, (anyone familiar with my work will know I thrive on satire), humor, adventure. What more can you ask in a yarn. Who else can make a slave a king, and a hero a slave then back to a hero all in one story? Who else can come across as a lover of all things British, yet create a character who is more Danish and Northman than Saxon or British? Just a lot of fun, great pace, humor, characters that you'll want to come back to. I'd say his best yet.

NOOOO!!!!! 6 months wait for the next book. This was GREAT!.......2007-08-06

Book three in the Saxon Chronicles is the best book by Bernard Cornwell that I have read. I had read his "Grail Quest Trilogy" before coming to this series, which I thought was a trilogy, but now know could go on much longer (it will be at least 4 books and I certainly hope for more).

"Lords of the North" continues the fantastic, emotional tale of Uhtred, the fictional Saxon-born, Dane-adopted and raised warrior, that is fated to fight for England and a king that he does not like, Alfred.

Uhtred lost his family when he was a boy and was adopted by a Danish Viking warrior, Earl Ragnar, who he loved as a father, and from whom he learned of the pagan deities, especially the spinners, the three mythical creatures that weave the fate of every man; hence his repeated statement through the entire series, "Fate is inexorable".

Uhtred, after assisting Alfred the Great with the defense of Wessex against the Danes, marches north to regain his birthright which was taken by his uncle when Uhtred's birth father died in battle. But fate has other plans for Uhtred, including assisting another king, killing priests, killing Saxons, killing Danes, loving a woman who becomes a nun, loving another woman who is betrothed to another, betrayal, slavery and revenge. Not bad for six months in the life of a Saxon/Danish warrior in the ninth century.

The author admits in his historical note at the end of the book that this tale is more fiction than fact, mainly because not much is known about the history of the Northumbria, the northern Saxon province. Using the name of the king, Guthred, and the characters he created in books 1 & 2,(which I highly recommend you read before coming to this; not because you need to in order to understand this book, but because the entire series is fabulous and why skip the salad and appetizer to get to the main course when the entire meal should be savored?) to weave a more fictional tale that is still most definitely anchored in fact, so far as the customs, trials, dangers, life, religions and battles would have been in the ninth century; that is to say that, despite the fact that none of the characters are real (except Guthred of whom not much is known) the entire story is told in accordance with the period and should be taken as an authentic description of fictional people. The world which Cornwell writes is wonderful, historically accurate and vivid.

This book is the best of the "Saxon Chronicles" by far and I eagerly await the release of book 4, "Sword Song" which is slated for release early 2008.

Another great book in a fun, fast-paced series.......2007-08-02

Lords of the North is the third volume of Bernard Cornwell's "Saxon Tales", set in ninth-century England, and is every bit as enjoyable as the preceding books in the series.

In this entry, Uhtred goes north to settle a long-standing bloodfeud. With his customary flair for the dramatic, he disguises himself as the Dead Swordsman and heads toward Dunholm, the fortress of his enemy, Kjartan the Cruel. Along the way he frees a slave who turns out to be Guthred, king of Northumbria. Uhtred swears loyalty to Guthred and soon learns that, despite his congenial manner, Guthred will do whatever is necessary to preserve his kingdom.

While Lords of the North does not deal with any significant historical event, it does have political intrigue, betrayal and lots of swordplay. As always, Cornwell's battle scenes are visceral. Having been bitten by a dog as a child, I found his descriptions of attacking dogs particularly unsettling.

The book's main strength is Uhtred, an extremely likable and unexpectedly complex character. Born English, but raised by Danes, he is continually torn between his adopted people and his oath, given unwillingly, to King Alfred. Irreverent and insightful, Uhtred tells his story in the first person, describing moments of brutish violence and tender emotion with a slightly sardonic flair.

I really enjoyed this book, and I look forward to the next installment in the series. Thank you, Mr. Cornwell, for helping me release my inner Valkyrie!

The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life

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One of my favorite books.
Profound
sermon on the mount
An analysis of Jesus' famous sermon
Quintessential Spiritual Guide

The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life
Emmet Fox
Manufacturer: HarperOne
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0060628626

Amazon.com

The Sermon on the Mount--now passing its 65th birthday--remains a vital and provocative introduction to the ideas at the heart of Christian Science. At heart it means to be entirely practical, as the "Science" of the name would indicate. Denying any interest in theology (there is no theology in the Bible, Fox argues), the author instead suggests that what Jesus was after was results: "Jesus explains to us what the nature of God is, and what our own nature is; tells us the meaning of life and of death; shows us why we make mistakes; why we yield to temptation; why we become sick, and impoverished, and old; and, most important of all, he tells us how all these evils may be overcome, and how we may bring health, happiness, and true prosperity into our lives."

And the Spiritual Key? Fox puts it quite simply: "The Truth turns out to be nothing less than the amazing but undeniable fact that the whole outer world--whether it be the physical body, the common things of life, the winds and the rain, the clouds, the earth itself--is amenable to man's thought, and that he has dominion over it when he knows it." --Doug Thorpe

Book Description

Fresh with contemporary relevance, this classic of positive thinking from one of the world's great motivational writers offers galvanizing insights on self-transformation. Based on Emmet Fox's simple message that "thoughts are things" and all potential lies in their creative and constructive use, these thirty-one inspiring essays how to have it all -- health, healing, happiness, and a liberated spirit -- through the power of constructive though. First published in 1940, Power Through Constructive Thinking has been a never-failing source of strength and renewal for generations of readers.

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorite books. .......2007-10-10

My first copy I obtained through a friend in AA back in 1998. After having read this book, it was a turning point in my life. My life dramatically turned for the better. I appreciate Dr. Fox's insights on the Lord's Prayer and the Sermon on the Mount.

I am somewhat surprised based upon the negative reviews. Especially those who either explicitly or implicitly state they are in a 12 step program. I have been sober for 19 years and I found this to be an excellent book.

For me it chellenged my flawed view on God and God's Will. This book has motivated me to ernestly seek God's Will. For if God is boundless Love who is my true Father, then how could God's Will be anything but joyous and in my best interests.

I did not find this book challenging Christ's sacrifice on the cross for our sins. For me one of the best lessons learned from this book can be stated "As within, so without". I am ultimately responsibile for the conditions in my life. The conditions presently in my life are an outpicturing of what I hold in my heart. This follows Jesus's words that "every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit" (Matthew 7:17-18).

This book as well as Dr. Fox's other books have emphasized that the more of a conscious contact that I make with God so shall my conditions improve. For if I dwell and abide in God I can only experience the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

I pray that all those who read this book come to accept Christ as their saviour and find a relationship with God that results in an abundant life.

Warm regards,

Brendan

Profound.......2007-09-04

This book is easily one of the most important books I have ever read. I have been studying spirituality and metaphysical books for over 10 years and have read many books from some of the greatest teachers there are, but I have not found any that have had such an effect on my life and my family's as well.

Emmet Fox just slices through some of the most difficult texts (especially biblical ones) and speaks right to your heart. The truth of his words is so powerful that it brought me to tears. I have the first copy of this book that is almost completely worn out, but I buy several every year to give to friends and try to read it again yearly, as it really does continue to teach with every reading.

sermon on the mount.......2007-07-03

I purchased this book for a friend we have both read and feel empowered! Forget about the secret, this is the real deal.

An analysis of Jesus' famous sermon.......2007-05-27

Fox analyses the famous Sermon on the Mount. His observations are very detailed and his conclusions are inspiring. Jesus was never superfluous with his words on the sermon. Because of this every single word has a deep meaning and a reason for being. Emmet Fox attempts to give us that reason and in so doing lays out a way of life that is easy to understand.

Quintessential Spiritual Guide.......2007-05-21

This book is a gem for meeting life's struggles both externally and internally. The author is a Christian, I am not, but his words transcend religion and speak directly to faith in God and how to apply it to powerful affect.
He breaks down and defines the spiritual meaning (not necessarily the popular meaning) behind some of the greatest words Jesus ever spoke in his Sermon on the Mount. His honesty and faith shine through in every sentence. By the way, Mr. Fox doesn't waste a word pontificating or proselytizing. His objective is to articulately convey his personal and educated understanding of a faith that works, purposely setting no boundaries on belief. Powerful stuff.

The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar (Prima Official Game Guide)

Average customer rating:

Useful, but needs an update
Very Usefull
A Basic Helper only
A Basic Reference Guide
Lacking

The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar (Prima Official Game Guide)
Mike Searle
Manufacturer: Prima Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0761553304
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Book Description

Your Main Guide to the World of Middle-earth

·Middle-earth's mysteries revealed with labeled maps of all nine regions.
·Master the art of fellowship play so you can conquer the most dangerous foes!
·Complete guides to the Burglar, Captain, Champion, Guardian, Hunter, Lore-master, and Minstrel classes!
·Crafting charts for all 10 professions to help you become a master craftsman.
·Exclusive strategy from The Syndicate, one of the world's largest and oldest online gaming guilds!
·Basics, crafting, classes, maps

Customer Reviews:

Useful, but needs an update.......2007-07-25

It's always useful to have these Prima Guides for complicated games like LOTRO - the only shame is that I didn't get it until just around when the new expansion (Evendim) came out - I wish they would release a free supplement for people who have already bought the book.

Very Usefull.......2007-07-24

This book is a real time saver for LOTRO players. The maps are very usefull as are the descriptions of player classes, traits, deeds, etc. It gets the beginning player off to a fast start, and is still usefull at level 50.

The game has a well developed PvP, in Monster Play. Any review that says that LOTRO does not have PvP is suspect.

A Basic Helper only.......2007-07-16

This book is basic, as others have said. It's a good source for gamers just starting to play LOTRO, or entering regions for the first time.

I find it useful for the maps and craft and class quests. Sure there are online sites with more in-depth information and more detailed maps. Do a google search and make your pick. But unless you have a second computer or monitor (The game in full view is too awesome to shrink) next to you, the book maps are a decent reference, especially when first entering a region for the first time. The game map is empty, only showing where you are and some adjacent locations. The book gives you cities and landmarks.

As far as quest and boss locations, isn't that part of the discovery fun? Okay, okay, not always, and that's where online references can offer cheats to get past those sticky situations.

LOTR is an awesome game. Just starting the game? This book is very useful to you. Otherwise, as others have said, you may want to wait for a new edition. Of course by the time that happens will that be of any use to the veteran LOTRO user?

A Basic Reference Guide.......2007-06-30

There are no cheats, spoilers or walkthroughs in this guide. It is a basic reference guide with handy information on each class, the skills each class receives at each level and maps of the areas. It isn't great but I find it handy as a reference for my gameplay, unlike volume II, which is a complete waste of money.

Lacking.......2007-06-21

Overall, this book seems unfinished, as if it was rushed to release to coincide with the release of the game. Sports decent crafting and character guides for planning your professions and class, but the atlas section severely lacks. Many maps do not have any notations at all, or inadequate notations, which makes them next to useless when you are looking for a mob/mob boss, area, or point of interest. My advice: Wait for the 'revised and updated' edition.

Average customer rating:

Super informative memory book!
My 1st Communion
Wonderful resource
simply wonderful
Mom in San Diego

Today I Made My First Communion
Dianne Ahern
Manufacturer: Aunt Dee's Attic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0967943728

Product Description

What happens when an affable parish priest is confronted by a pair of curious second graders who want to help him solve the Mystery of the Eucharist? Why, he turns it into a teaching opportunity for the entire First Communion class. The book is a wonderful combination of storybook, reference book, and keepsake book. The storybook section mixes a bit of 'who-done-it' drama with traditional religious education to uncover the mystery of faith. Father Hugo challenges the children to look throughout the church for clues to solve the Mystery. Then he and the parish staff together explain how the things they find, the prayers they say, and the music they sing all relate to Jesus Christ and the Eucharist. The reference section of the book contains a rendering of 'our church' that identifies the sacramentals and other items the children find. It also includes information children should know when making their First Communion. The last section of the book allows the First Communicant and his or her family to record the events of this special day, making it a lasting keepsake.

Customer Reviews:

Super informative memory book!.......2007-05-13

I bought this book for my daughter's First Communion. I also bought 4 other copies to give to my niece and some of my daughter's friends who were also making their First Communion. My daughter and I have filled out the back memory section which is such a nice reminder of her special day. There is room for comments, feelings and pictures and mementos. I began reading the story to my daughter, but haven't finished it. She enjoyed looking at the map of the church and discussing it. The only reason I'm giving this book 4 stars instead of 5, is because the story didn't keep my daughter's interest. However, I believe this is because we have really discussed all aspects of the sacrament before Holy Communion. The children in the story are searching for the mystery of the Eucharest. My daughter already understood the mystery. This would be a great book for preparation and then used as a memory book.

My 1st Communion.......2007-05-08

Great! My niece loved this Book and couldn't put it down the entire day. We wrote in it together the day before and then on the day of she read it with other girls her age at her party. It will be a great memory for us to share in years to come!

Wonderful resource.......2007-02-12

I bought this book as a gift for my daughter's birthday so she would have it before she made her First Communion. We read one or two chapters a week as a review of her CCD program (to ensure we covered any gaps). She enjoyed the story and loved filling in the memory pages at the back of the book. What a wonderful Catholic resource! Highly recommended. Also consider getting the companion book Today I Made My First Reconciliation.

simply wonderful.......2003-09-26

This book is a must read not only for children who are about to make their First Communion, but for the parents of the children as well. It's an easy to read book that takes you step by step through the process of this special day in their lives. Children will love it not only for the writing, but for the beautiful illustrations. Parents will love it because it's a wonderful refresher course as they recall their own First Communion.

Mom in San Diego.......2003-05-10

My daughter received this book for her First Communion. We just finished reading it together and I don't know who learned more. The story kept us both entertained. She could identify with the children in the story and loved the 'mystery' aspect. The explanation of things found in the church and the Mass, though detailed, are kid-friendly. I just love everythning about this book and highly recommend it.

Barcelona and Modernity: Picasso, Gaudi, Miro, Dali

Average customer rating:

Beautiful, but confused

Barcelona and Modernity: Picasso, Gaudi, Miro, Dali
William H. Robinson , Jordi Falgas , and Carmen Bellon Lord
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0300121067

Book Description

During the years after the September Revolution of 1868, Barcelona experienced tremendous industrial growth and emerged as the most politically and culturally progressive city in Spain. Barcelona and Modernity examines this remarkable seventy-one-year period, when Barcelona also reigned as one of the most dynamic centers of modernist art and architecture in Europe. Focusing on the Catalan Renaixença, Modernisme, Noucentisme, avant-garde movements of the early 20th century, and artistic reactions to the Spanish Civil War, essays by an extraordinary international team of scholars offer new insights into the work of such Catalan artists as Antoni Gaudí, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, and Salvador Dalí, among others, by setting them in context with the art of their teachers, colleagues, and rivals.

With approximately 350 works in a variety of media—painting, sculpture, photography, furniture, decorative arts, and architectural design—this intriguing book also explores how Catalan artists derived inspiration from local traditions while contributing their own innovations to international modernism. Broader in scope than any previous treatment of the subject, this book is sure to alter popular perceptions of Catalonia and become a fundamental text for years to come.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful, but confused.......2007-04-28

The catalogue for an exhibition held at the Cleveland Museum of Art in 2006 and at the Met in NY in 2007, this book is beautifully illustrated and very well written. It is a treasure trove of information on the history of Barcelona and enables the reader to discover some great and overlooked artists like the painters Ramon Casas (a sort of Spanish Manet) and Santiago Rusiñol, or the architect and designer Josep Puig i Cadafalch and many others, responsible for the intellectual growth of this city between 1868 (the September Revolution) and 1939 (the power seizure by Franco), which is the period the exhibition covers. Obviously, the most famous personalities are not forgotten (Picasso, Miro, Dali and Gaudi whose names appear on the front cover).

Now, the organization of the book is somewhat confusing. Divided into 9 chapters, from the Rebirth ("Renaixença")in the late 1860's to Modernism (seen through painting, sculpture, graphic arts, society, architecture and design)and "Noucentisme" (the classical renewal) up to the Avant-Gardes and the Civil War in the late 1930's, it follows a more or less chronological logic. However, the checklist of the artists, at the end of the book, is very confusing: it is very difficult to know the location of the paintings or works of art illustrated and you constantly have to refer to that list to have the dimensions of the works. Instead of a list by artists, I think a list by works displayed in the exhibition and illustrated in the book would have been more suitable.

On the whole, a scholarly publication, but a little difficult to follow.

Lord, I Want to Know You: A Devotional Study on the Names of God

Average customer rating:

LORD, I Want to Know You
An excellent study guide
Great for group use
Awesome Study
A disappointment

Lord, I Want to Know You: A Devotional Study on the Names of God
Kay Arthur
Manufacturer: WaterBrook Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1578564395
Release Date: 2000-11-21

Book Description

Enjoy the expanded and updated editions of the best-selling "Lord" Bible Study Series from Kay Arthur.  The "Lord" study series is an insightful, warm-hearted Bible study series designed to meet readers where they are--and help them discover God's answers to their deepest needs.

Discover the Limitless Power of God's Name.

        So much of our confusion and pain results because we don't know God -- who He really is, how He works in our lives.
        But with Lord, I Want to Know You, that will all change. When you know God more fully by studying His names -- Creator, Healer, Protector, Provider, and many others -- you'll gain power to stand strong. You'll find strength for times of trial, comfort for pain, provision for your soul's deepest needs. And your walk with God will be transformed.
        Let Kay Arthur guide you through the Scriptures in this deeply insightful study. Your daily time with God in His Word will introduce you to the limitless treasure available to you as His child. And these are truths you can share easily with others, individually or in small groups.

Customer Reviews:

LORD, I Want to Know You.......2007-10-05

An excellent book that helps us know God more deeply and intimately and to know exactly how He works in our lives. Kay Arthur takes us through all of the names for God and teaches what those names mean to us in this day in which we are living. She breaks the study up in small daily "doses". She is an exellent teacher and this book is more proof of that. I learned a lot from the book and I highly recommend it for anyone who desires to know God better.

An excellent study guide.......2007-06-01

We are using this as a group study for a ladies' Sunday School class. The content and questions have profitable depth and insight.

Great for group use.......2007-01-17

If your small group, Sunday school, or other group is looking for a great study that keeps you in God's Word and applies everything discussed to the real-world, this is a great book. I went through the study with a group of 7th and 8th graders and thoroughly enjoyed it. Packed with Scripture and great discussion questions, there should be no lull in the interaction among your group members. And what could be more beneficial than studying the names of God and delving into a deeper understanding of His character and attributes? Highly recommended.

Awesome Study.......2005-10-03

Great study---I have always enjoyed the teachings of Kay Arthur. Understanding many (but not all)of the facets of God, His names shows He cares for me in evey area of my life. In studying the Names of God, I can now pray and believe using specific names knowing that God is my salvation, peace, provider, healer........

A disappointment.......2002-04-23

This book is a study of the names of God. However, I found some of the commentary and discussion points a stretch - discussing sexual abuse when studying the account of Hagar.

Average customer rating:

Well worth the money
Thoghprovoking and challenging
trinitarian life
New Insights on an Old Topic
A pleasing mix of scholarship and devotion

Lord and His Prayer
N. T. Wright
Manufacturer: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0802843204

Customer Reviews:

Well worth the money.......2006-12-29

This little book is well worth the money. Wright has brought out the Lord's prayer and put it both in its original context and has shown its application for today. The already/not yet aspect of praying for the Kindom to come. Wright correctly states that the Kindom is the rule of God that has come about in Jesus and that will be consumated at his coming. Every aspect of this prayer has powerful meaning for us today and Wright in no way trivializes the prayer into some nebulous Kingdom idea. I highly recommend this book for every Christian.

Thoghprovoking and challenging.......2006-06-30

The Lord's Prayer has been with me from childhood. In my language (Norwegian) we have a hymn with some very powerful words that sound about as follows: "With the Lord's prayer in covenant, thou shalt never shudder". - All the same it may be difficult sometimes to really appreciate what Jesus meant with the different parts of the prayer he taught us. For instance, what does "thy kingdom come" really mean? And why should God potentially "lead us into temptation"? Those and many other questions have come to me throughout the years.

Tom Wright's book answers many such questions. Based on a thorough study of the culture in Palestine at the time of Jesus and Jesus' native language (Aramaic), the author explains what he believes Jesus really meant, and he also manages to make Jesus' message alive to us in such a way that it may change the lives of many people.

I really hope many of you will read and contemplate on "The LORD and His Prayer" by Tom Wright. It is a book that should be read slowly - maybe a chapter a week or so.

trinitarian life.......2005-10-16

Fantastic discussion of how the Lord's own prayer is accessible, relevant and worthy of our time and practice. Great for lay-readership. Could have had more discussion of the historical aspect of the prayer, but then again, Wright has done that in other places.

New Insights on an Old Topic.......2005-08-29

In spite of so many other commentaries on the Lord's Prayer, Wright manages to refresh our view of the greatest of prayers. In this small book, you get the benefits of the insights of a first-rate scholar without having to plow through his much longer works (although the longer works are indeed worth plowing through with determination). Wright emphasizes two themes that we tend to forget. The first theme is that the Lord's Prayer is about asking God to transform this earth and our earthly desires, not about pie in the sky. Secondly, the Pater Noster is about our "signing on" to the Kingdom, a Kingdom full of unpredictable transformations and exoduses. Wright reminds us that in the Our Father we put our entire selves, with all our earthly desires and concerns, in the hands of the Father. The book is more than worth the small expenditure of time it takes to read it.

A pleasing mix of scholarship and devotion.......2004-12-15

I am in the process of preparing a series of retreat talks on the Lord's Prayer, so I have read more than a dozen books on the topic in quick succession. Of all of these, I have decided to use Wright's book as the book for those on the retreat to read because it is a wonderful mix of scholarship and devotion, offering the intelligent reader a lot to chew on but speaking on a non-technical level. (This mix is harder to achieve than most people think, as I well know.) If you are going to read only one book on the Lord's Prayer, I suggest that you make it this one.

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