FO Books

Hop On Pop was always a favorite of my three children for the rhymes , theme and pictures. Now that my children are grown, I continue to delight other children with the purchase of this book. There is something about it that makes them clamor to hear it over and over and over again.

This is only one of many excellent choices of books to start a youg childs new library out with.

Our 16-month-old twin girls have a vocabulary of four words: Ma-ma, Da-da, ba-ba (bottle), and "Pop!" That's what they say when they see this book come out for their bedtime story. They love the pictures and the sound of the words. They look and listen with rapturous interest, and often scream like banshees at the end until I read the book a second time.

The book is fun for parents, too. It's a disconnected, almost surreal series of vignettes. The ever-popular segment featuring the flying Mr. Brown is longer than most, and the recurring character of Pup provides a hint of continuity. Not that kids will care about any of this; it's just a fun ride with the inimitable Dr. Seuss.

Suggested follow-up: "Ten Apples Up On Top" (again by Dr. S), which is our girls' second-favorite book.

Let's note first that this book isn't actually intended as a readaloud book, nor is it intended for children much younger than the age of six.

The format of the book reflects this. It's a bit long for toddlers (who aren't known for having great attention spans), and the different spreads are disconnected - when a kid is at the age where they struggle to read "All, Ball, We All Play Ball", the last thing they need to worry about is what they read two pages before!

Can it be used as a readaloud? No doubt! But don't be disappointed if it doesn't work for you and your kid that way.

That said, this is a wonderful early reader. Simple rhyming text, with the main words in large print at the top of the page; and really funny illustrations.

I really suggest this one.

My 12 month old's favorite book is "The Foot Book" by Dr. Seuss. So I bought her several other Dr. Seuss books for her birthday. She really likes this book. The other Dr. Seuss books that I purchased are a little long and wordy for her for right now, but "Hop on Pop" is perfect for this stage-and it's nice that it comes in board book form.

If progress in human rights continues, and history offers no guarantees, then slavery will remain one of the USA's most nefarious legacies. Though no timeless ethical absolutes seem to exist, the statement "American slavery was wrong" feels beyond question. Unfortunately, the insatiable demand for cheap labor wreaks havoc even today. Witness "sweat shops" and the appalling treatment of some immigrant laborers. What strikes us as wrong about such exploitation is its fundamental drive to reduce human beings to mere "things." 19th century slavery followed this ideology, though on an institutionalized and far more ghastly level. In 1845, Former Maryland slave Frederick Douglass eloquently described what it was like to have his dignity ripped out from the roots. This, his first autobiography, should stand as a permanent reminder of what exploitation does to the exploited and also to the exploiters. Nobody wins. And as exploitation continues at home and abroad, we find that Frederick Douglass still has much to teach us.

This short book chronicles Douglass' murky birth (his father's identity remains a mystery) to his eventual escape to New York City. Graphic depictions of slavery fill each chapter. More than that, Douglass offers reflections on how such events shaped his self-image. These passages evoke slavery's psychological brutality. They also help the reader stand in Douglass' coarse linen shoes, which considerably adds to the work's persuasive power. One such climax arrives in Chapter X, where Douglass lashes back at the infamous "slave-breaker" Mr. Covey. "I did not hesitate to let it be known of me," Douglass writes with evident fury, "that the white man who expected to succeed in whipping, must also succeed in killing me." After one failed escape attempt, by the final chapter he finds his way to New York city. Since slavery was still very much a reality in 1845, he judiciously leaves out the details of his escape route. Then his fianceé appears as if out of nowhere, and with the help of abolitionists the newlyweds make their way to New Bedford. There he labors as a freeman until the anti-slavery movement appropriates him as one of their most eloquent spokespeople. Here he finally finds community and hope. The book's introduction outlines Douglass' life after 1845.

Some of the most intriguing passages involve Douglass' reflections on the psychology of slavery. Keeping slaves busy, illiterate, full of self-reproach, and constantly on guard against physical punishment helped keep them in thier place. Not only that, Douglass describes his slave master's holiday tradition of forced drunkenness or surfeit to the point of sickness. He suggests that this sleight-of-hand attempted to give freedom an icky aftertaste. It was a trick. Give your slaves a taste of freedom (a week off) and make it the worst experience of their lives. Douglass even claims that, following such horrors, some slaves were almost relieved when they returned to their back breaking forced labor.

Douglass ultimately escaped that hard labor, but he never forgot those he left behind. His back viciously scarred and his feet gashed from frost, he became a beacon for anti-slavery. This brief but passionately written autobiography will serve as a permanent reminder of just how horrible human beings can be to one another. Though its final chapter also relates some of humanity's good side. On both fronts, may this little book continue to inform the past as well as the future.

Interesting, but can get dull fairly fast. Somewhat strange to read in a slave's own word the life and times of his bondage in such a matter of fact way. with that said, good read overall.

Frederick Douglass was a born slave. Although he was self-educated, he acquired an almost unparalleled level of education. He was a Christian, but a fighter - a fighter for freedom. He was the real kind of Christian. He not only fought for his freedom and escaped from slavery, but he fought relentlessly to aboliish freedom in the United States.

Though I am skeptical about most 'history,' this book was written by a man who felt oppression and fought it. This book as well Douglass' other writing should be the primary source on slavery and the civil war.

This book, as well as its excellent forward, serves to warn that slavery could happen here again disguised as something else. It reminds us that slavery is not an institution but a crime.

This edition is the best as far as size and print quality. It has also best foreward and the best afterward. I hope Signet continues to keep this edition available.

I wrote this review to mention the Kindle Edition. Many lower-priced Kindle editions of books have bad formatting problems that make the book difficult or even impossible to read. Not this one! I found the formatting was excellent throughout. In two places the footnotes were slightly misplaced, but it was easy to figure out from context what the text was. In general, the Kindle formatting was better than many more recent (and expensive!) books.

The content was also excellent (as other reviewers have noted), hence the 5 stars. I've read of Frederick Douglass' life from other sources, but this was the first time I'd read his account.

The introduction by other authors was written in a style that now feels very anachronistic. It was hard to get through those.

Frederick Douglass' account, however, was fresh, engaging, and direct. I found it hard to put down. Descriptions of the atrocities of the time were very personal and not couched in the melodrama of the introduction. I think that made his account even more powerful. His description of his self-education in Baltimore was absolutely stunning and inspirational.

This autobiography, from such a pivotal figure in American history, would already be required reading at any price. But the accessibility and readability of this edition make it a must-have for a Kindle.

Lowis Lowry has a few special qualities to her work, having read most her work which could qualify for adults. This books opens with two sisters in a spat, drawing a line across their shared bedroom with chalk. That side yours, this side mine.. But as you can imagine from the name of the book, such differences fall to the way side.

Meg's family moves to a small house in the country so her father can finish his book - and Meg faces many changes: sharing a room with her older sister Molly, making new friends. Her new friendships with an elderly neighbor and a young couple are just introducing her to newfound photography skills when Molly falls ill, and Meg must confront developing her friendships and skills and saying goodbye to her sister. A poignant, warm story evolves.

I read this book in school than we moved and I lost it, it was like meeting an old friend again

Yes, this book was well-written. However, it wasn't believable that a 13 year old read it. This book was very bland in lacking. It was bland and lacking because Meg never grew. Nor did she ever bond with her sister. She didn't learn anything from her life. I kept wanting her to learn more about herself or learning something from her sister. But her sister was just more of a subplot. The book mainly focused on Meg's photography and friendship with the neighbors.

Even when she told Will she thought she was ugly, he made her promise that she would come back to a certain plant grow into its beauty. I thought that finally Meg would learn something from that plant and about her own beauty. When she came back, Will simply showed her the plant and how it pretty it was. He never connected her and the plant together.

The book never went into Molly's funeral or how Meg felt about losing her sister. All she cared about was returning to the house the next summer to visit the neighbors again! Then all of a sudden in the end, there's suddenly a picture of Meg that had been taken at the funeral! Where did that come from!?!? This book was lacking and boring. Nothing is learned from it. It's just about a selfish girl who likes to take photography with her old neighbor. Her parents also never really pay attention to her. Do they get closer at the end? NOPE!

Although having an older sister that's pretty and also can wear makeup and is attractive can be frustrating, sisters should try hard to like each other. In the beginning of Lois Lowry's fictional novel A Summer To Die Meg the youngest sister is a smart kid with the normal big glasses. Her older sister Molly is your normal popular teen that likes to ware makeup and all the boys like her she is messy and hates to clean up after herself. Meg is sick of this so she takes some chalk and draws a line In the middle of their room. She states this side is mine and I can do what I want with it and the other side is yours you can keep it as messy as you want.
Even though this book title sounds interesting at the beginning, it's very boring. More in the middle it is more interesting because the blood and death happens. The ages I would recommend for this book is eight and up because young boys like blood and like to read about girls dieing, I would think both boys and girls could read this book but more boys because boys are more interested to read about blood and death.
I know brothers and sisters can be annoying but you should appreciate them because you don't know if they will die or get sick. My opinion of Summer To Die is it is very boring at first then again so are all books but if you keep reading it gets sad and exiting and it teaches you to appreciate your family and annoying siblings. ENJOY!
Although having an older sister that's pretty and also can wear makeup and is attractive can be frustrating, sisters should try hard to like each other. In the beginning of Lois Lowry's fictional novel A Summer To Die Meg the youngest sister is a smart kid with the normal big glasses. Her older sister Molly is your normal popular teen that likes to ware makeup and all the boys like her she is messy and hates to clean up after herself. Meg is sick of this so she takes some chalk and draws a line In the middle of their room. She states this side is mine and I can do what I want with it and the other side is yours you can keep it as messy as you want.
Even though this book title sounds interesting at the beginning, it's very boring. More in the middle it is more interesting because the blood and death happens. The ages I would recommend for this book is eight and up because young boys like blood and like to read about girls dieing, I would think both boys and girls could read this book but more boys because boys are more interested to read about blood and death.
I know brothers and sisters can be annoying but you should appreciate them because you don't know if they will die or get sick. My opinion of Summer To Die is it is very boring at first then again so are all books but if you keep reading it gets sad and exiting and it teaches you to appreciate your family and annoying siblings. ENJOY!

Often taught along side Frederick Douglass's Narritive of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Jacobs' Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl offers an important incite into the abuses that female slaves faced. While Douglass's narrative stresses house slavery emasculated male slaves, Jacbos shows how slavery robbed female slaves of their womanhood. Jacobs' alter-ego, Linda Brent, was never physically beaten, like Douglass; the horrors of slavery for her were sexual horrors. Linda must try to ward of the sexual advances of her master while simultaneously dealing with the sexual jealously of her mistress.

This text is important because it shows how the experience of slavery was gendered and how the experience of womanhood was different for people in different classes. Linda's mother, grandmother, and first mistress all believed in the cult of true womanhood, a prevelant ideology in mid-nineteenth century America that said that women should be "pure, pious, domestic and submissive." Linda was raised with these ideas, but failed to live up to them. While Linda feels shameful and guilty for failing to live up to the standards of the cult of true womanhood, she realizes that slave women cannot be judged by the same standards as middle-class white women because their cultural context is so different. This is, perhaps, the most radical and important message in Jacobs' text.

From the time that the narrative was published (anonymously) until the 1980s, the authenticity of Jacobs' narrative has been called into question. For over 100 years, scholars and historians assumed that the narrative was false, either ghost written by the editor (Lydia Maria Child) or completely written by her without a grain of truth. Thanks to the work of historian Jean Fagan Yellin, we now know that the narrative was written by Jacobs herself and that all the major events in the narrative are true. There is no reason why this book shouldn't be read as an authentic slave narrative.

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl: This book is diffficult to read because of the horrible reminders of
the wretched life of American slaves. The book is so
well written, beautiful prose, detailed descriptions
of rememberances that I am sure were difficult to
relive. I highly recommend this wonderful book to any
one.

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl / 0-674-44746-8

It is amusing to note that Jacobs' autobiography was published just prior to Stowe's famous Uncle Tom's Cabin. Stowe's work, for all it's virtues, is (to modern eyes, at least) painfully didactic, frequently breaking the narrative to tell the reader what they are meant to take from a scene. Jacobs' Incidents, however, is written freely and easily, relating the salient points of her life, rarely breaking narrative to tell the reader what to think. It is merely presented, as is, and is immensely more readable than other contemporary works. Unfortunately, Jacobs' work was passed over as too salacious - she actually includes men in her novel, and not all her encounters are strictly 'forced', in the sense that some liaisons are contracted for convenience and safety, if not always for love.

Amusingly, these "flaws" in Jacobs' character make her narrative that more interesting and insightful to read. It is relevant and worth knowing that slaves sometimes felt obligated to please certain men in order to secure safety or basic necessities. Jacobs determination to survive and thrive within the system that oppresses her causes us to admire her and to enjoy her narrative as we hope for some kind of happiness and success in her life of few options, none of them good. If you have any interest at all in slavery or the American Civil War, I highly recommend this narrative.

I had no idea that this book would be as compelling as it was. Really, it was a bit of a pleasant surprise. I bought it because it was required reading for a class, but ended up liking it... Who knew?

I am a slow to moderate reader, but read this in 3 days.

Jacobs compiled something of which I did know existed, a real first hand account of slavery. She depicts the plight of her life in North Carolina, and also that of fellow slaves.

The depictions of the owners shows some to be generous and others to be horrible, such as when her mistress makes a point to spit in all the dinner pots when they are empty as a means to detract the slaves from scraping anything of them together to eat themselves. When I first read this I was thinking, 'what's a little spit to a hungry malnourished person?' but to think of the contrast of Southern gentility with the effort this horrible bitch put into dragging out the most horrendous mucous she could just to detract another that she claimed from nourishment is beyond me.

Furthermore, there is another scene where Jacobs' aunt passes away, and the mistress, whom the aunt raised and raised the children of, does not know what she will do without her sleeping outside her door any longer. The inhumanity and the lengths that happened over 3 generations of ownership is a must know for all Americans.

I recommend this book highly and hope that this review does bring it into new hands.

Michelle wrote with a simplistic view yet so biblical and profound this could have only been God breathed revelation on how preparing yourself as a single is so important to becoming a Godly wife. She's explains how to use this season to enjoy your time with Jesus and fall in love with him. This book has helped me further my walk with Jesus and fall in love with him all over again. Thank you Michelle!

I did not like this book at all. I am a Christian, but I do not like these kinds of books (hence why I have gotten rid of them). Ladies, the truth is this, there are tons of men out there that would be great for you. You just have to do what is best for you! You do not have to wait around for a man to pursue you - This is 2008, empower your womanhood. Unfortunately, I had to at least give this book a one star (required, I guess!?), but it really sucked.

Michelle Hammond puts it all on the line in this book. With her good sense of humor and close to home examples she uses, i recommend this book to anyone who wants to find love in Jesus

I love how "down to earth" Mrs. Hammond is and she really "breaks it down" for you. I found it very useful.

I was 26 yrs old when I read this; fresh out of a hell bound relationship.
Granted that now, I need more depth in my walk, but for those of you who need a foundation and direction and have little to no one to guide you, this book is FOR YOU!
I mailed this book to another single friend after being blessed by it.
Line up everything you read with the word. All knowledge/guidance/wisdom may not speak to your particular situation but don't 'throw the baby out with the dish water'! Glean from the book what you can. This book prepared my heart not to think as if I was an old maid, missing out on something great, but how to focus on MY King, Jesus Christ.

Thomas Paine's Common Sense did, in fact, make sense. It gave the reasoning as to why the colonies should revolt against the British Empire. Easily a favorite.

Common sense was at the right place at the right time, written by the right person. It created an inflection point that changed the world!

Most major changes in life are cause by events called inflection points. An inflection point is an event that changes how you view the world, who you are, or your life in general.

Think 9-11. People in the United States felt safer before that day. After 9-11 we realized our vulnerability to terrorists. There are many inflection points in our history.

Tomas Paine's Common Sense created a major inflection point in history!

In early 1776 Thomas Paine published a 46 page pamphlet called Common Sense. It helped inspire the writing of the Declaration of Independence and motivated a nation to start a revolution.

The book was written for the common man and was estimated to have sold 120,000 copies within three months of publication and 500,000 copies within a year. It is worth noting that this was in the United States when there were only 3 million people--and many couldn't read!

John Adams and others had been arguing for the United States to become an independent nation. The release of Paine's Common Sense was the inflection point that caused the nation to become independent.

Thomas Paine used his Critical Thinking skills to determine that the time was right to inspire the people to take action. He argued convincingly that the young nation had to make a choice for independence now--not later. Paine explained that within fifty years the personal interests of individuals who would acquire status and money by then would resist such a change. And, the colonies would be more established and would resist such a change.

"A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right." ~Thomas Paine

The Re-Discovery of Common Sense: A Guide to: The Lost Art of Critical Thinking

This was an excellent point of view that is very straight to point when it came to how to deal with the british and some very practical advice on how a democracy should be run. It even goes as far to give an alternate view on how the constitution should be written, and some of faults of the draft at the time which ultimately went on to be ratified.

This book was originally written as a pamphlet in 1776. It was crucial in advancing the thought and spirit of the American Revolution to the masses. I found this book to be amazing in how forward thinking the author was. Declaring "The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind". He spends the first part of the book logically explaining that Monarchy is wrong and having heirs to a throne is ridiculous. He uses the bible as part of his argument that kings and kingdoms are man made and the origin is corrupt so they should be done away with. He goes on to explain how a fair practice of representation in government could take place in the colonies after independance. He writes that America had no logical need to submit to Great Britain's dominion any longer and that after the treatment America received, she had every right to independance. Paine predicts that America would emerge as a powerful nation with its natural resources and location. He says that the pride of kings results in wars. He states that in a monarchy the King is law, in a democracy Law is king. This book is a wonderful trip into logic and reason concerning Americas independance, I enjoyed it. Thomas Paine's vision of America came true, and you can read that vision in this book.

Larkin's treatment of Thomas Paine's COMMON SENSE is one of the finest I've ever read -- and I have virtually everything ever written about Paine on my shelves. Superlatives don't really measure up to the full usefulness of this text, ESPECIALLY for educators.

Examples of the extraordinary contents include:

A cogent and accurate introduction to Paine and COMMON SENSE.

The text of COMMON SENSE itself is profusely annotated by Dr. Larkin.

A timeline for Thomas Paine.

A solid Works Cited section

Appendices that include Jefferson's notated version of the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE that shows which words and phrases were edited OUT of the declaration and what was put in place of them.

Important antecedents to COMMON SENSE by Jefferson, Adams, and John Dickinson.

Key replies to Paine's COMMON SENSE by Charles Inglis, James Chalmers, William Smith, and the redoubtable John Adams.

The full text of Paine's AMERICAN CRISIS No. 1.

In my opinion, Larkin's work is simply the best single treatment of Paine's COMMON SENSE in existence. He makes it look easy to bridge the gap between readability, accessibility, and scholarly excellence. Were I asked to teach a class on this topic or even on the Revolution itself, this would be a first choice for a text.

By the way, Larkin is just the most recent of a distinguished group of English literature scholars who have contributed some of the finest work in the field of history. Lit professor Alfred Owen Aldridge is another distinguished contributor to Thomas Paine historical studies.

If you're interested in the subject matter, this book is a MUST HAVE.

Gleaning insight from this book is sort of like getting meat from eating a rattlesnake or very bony fish.
It's there, but not much, and you have to do a lot of picking around unwanted stuff to get at it.

I find the book to be unbalanced. I believe it could be truly damaging to many people to hear and practice the do-nothing teachings contained in this book. That doesn't mean its not a good book for its genre. Possibly I'm like a Buddhist reviewing a Christrian book for example--just because I disagree doesn't mean that I should rate the book lowly. However, I have practiced the highly-related Tolle teachings with some success and lots of hardship. I believe a more balanced teaching would include both active and passive principles--I felt I could not sell this item in good conscious without reviewing it in this way first.

This book really is a diamond. If you are seriously looking to find out who you truly are, then this is the book for you. Easy to read, simple (as it needs to be) and at the same time deep, and worthy of investigation. If you follow the signposts and guidance, then you will be your true self, and never be the same "you" again. If you are looking for freedom and peace then this is for "who you are" .

This is probably the best book I have ever read. Truth, more truth and more truth, any way you want to look for it, Gangaji's intentions to draw out the truth in the reader is just that, truth. Like attracts like, enjoy.
Jayne

I purchased a book from this company and they shipped it to me very quickly. They are a wonderful company to purchase from.

Well I am sure it would have been good and helpful reading, but it never did arrive, not a good book to buy used

The Big Book for NA tells us everything we need to know to work the steps. A great way to start for those wanting help.

this is a must-have resource for those whose drug of choice is not alcohol, but some other drug (cocaine, meth, marijuana, Rx meds, etc.) Like the book Alcoholics Anonymous, it explains the foundations of recovery for those starting their journey into sobriety and recovery.

After reading this, I would encourage the person to read other recovery materials, especially from the Hazelden organization, and GWC Inc. (Look them up on the internet). You will find a wealth of recovery materials there to continue the journey.

Recieved Wrong Book. Got (AA) Alcoholica Annonymous, not (NA)Narcotics Anonymous. Poorer condition that was stated

Contacted sender 3 times with no response.

Very disapointed. Purchased book elsewhere.

I want to thank everyone in the fellowship for showing me how to stay clean for more than 14 years to this date of my review. I rarely go to meetings today due a new direction in spirituality, however, the foundation of this program has been grounded in my life to have kept me clean for this long. If you are new to recovery, do what I did. Go to the meetings for the coffee. I say this cause it really doesn't matter why you go to meetings in the beginning as long as you suit up and show up. You will go for the right reasons eventually and they will make you get this book. It worked for me thus far and I hope you find recovery as I did utilizing this book and my sponsor for the answers to stay clean ONE DAY AT A TIME. God Bless!

Great price $01. plus shipping! This is a timeless classic for all mutual fund investors.

If you're going to read one book on investing and one book only, this is the one! Really, you won't need any other - it's that complete and that good. Not everybody can invest in index funds, but you can and you very probably won't get a better result any other way.

One of the best books about mutual funds in the market even though it is over a decade old.

I thought that this was a very thorough book on mutual funds. Bogle brings to light many things that I wouldn't have known. The only problem is it requires good concentration to get through parts of this book as it can be a bit dry at times. Very good source of information overall. I would recommend it for someone to have as a reference.

"There are intelligent ways to go about investing and less intelligent ways." So says John Bogle, one of the most influential money managers of the last 50 years.

Bogle was one of the leaders in making index mutual funds available to ordinary investors. Bogle's index funds, and others that followed his example, helped turn very, very ordinary investors into very, very rich investors. This book essentially explains why Bogle's investment philosophy succeeds so well.

The book concentrates on the three basic types of mutual funds: stock, bond, and money market funds; describes the three important characteristics that all investments have: risk, return, and cost; explains why different categories of assets -- stocks versus bonds, for example -- have different risk and return characteristics; and shows how to construct an intelligent, balanced portfolio that will help you meet your investment goals.

One of the keys to Bogle's strategy is the idea that, while investors don't have direct control over risk or return, they do have direct control over cost; and by choosing low-cost funds (index funds are very low cost!), investors can dramatically improve their results. One of the other keys to Bogle's strategy is the efficient market theory, which, among other things, supplies an important part of the theoretical justification for relying on passively managed index funds. Those aren't fun, sexy concepts, and Bogle's methodical discussions don't do much to make them more entertaining. On the other hand, they will help you make money if you understand and apply them, and making money through investing is both fun and sexy!

This book is over ten years old now, so it doesn't have much to say about exchange-traded funds, sector funds, or some other, recent developments in financial management, but the basic principles it describes can easily be applied to those new-fangled inventions too.

This is one of the best books I've ever read about investing.

Dean Koontz in this story keeps the reader riveted to the twists and turns of the characters. Class Act writing as always, even in this period of his career.

i liked the book the ending was a little bit of a let down. itfelt like he left some of the characters hanging, but overall it was a good book as all dean koontz books are. i love his work

Joanna and Alex are a great couple of characters. They spring to life! The backdrop of Japan, with Joanna being a club owner makes for a very dark, mysterious, but not quite seedy existence. The story is suspenseful and the resolution is not one you're going to see coming.

Edge of your seat suspense with a very interesting mystery. I've been known to skip a page or two here and there. I don't recall skipping any part of this book. I remember quite vividly hanging on every word!

I have only been reading DK for about three year now. So I am more familiar with his newer work. I have been trying to read the old stuff and this was pretty good. I thought the twists and turns were almost hard to keep track of, but for the most part "classic" Koontz.

Back in the 1970s and early 1980s, Dean Koontz was a struggling writer of paperback novels. In order to make a living, he wrote under a variety of names that was not his own. Koontz's most successful pseudonym was "Leigh Nichols" -- under this name, he wrote five bestselling romantic suspense novels. THE KEY TO MIDNIGHT is the first of these books, and was re-released in the 1990s under Koontz' own name.

THE KEY TO MIDNIGHT is a highly enjoyable romantic thriller. It mainly takes place in Japan, and Koontz does a great job of describing Japanese culture, which he obviously has a lot of respect for. The two main characters are likable and complex, and the plot is fast-paced and interesting.

This is not a horror novel at all, although there are a few graphic violent and sexual scenes. Still, there is very little in this book that is truly gross or disturbing.

THE KEY TO MIDNIGHT isn't a masterpiece, but it's a fine entertainment by one the best genre writers working today. This book is easy to read and is a nice way to spend an afternoon. If you're looking for classic Koontz, though, my advice is to try one of his later novels, such as WATCHERS, LIGHTNING, INTENSITY or ODD THOMAS.