On-the-tape

Because I generally select books based on at least two rave reviews, I read this book as soon as it hit the book stores almost 20 years ago. And I was thrilled to find it every bit as engrossing and entertaining as promised. The Invisible Man may be a shop-worn theme, but certainly not this invisible man nor this treatment of his life. As I read, I was continually mesmerized by the amount of thought that went into this book: what happens to the food he eats; how does he pick up objects with no relative depth perception. . . I just reread the book last week and was again affected by its magic. One of my favorite reads ever, and I'm an avid reader. What happened to Harry Saint? I heard an interview with him from, I believe, 1987 in which he said that he would be writing a new book -- nothing having to do with invisibility -- that would take place in New York. Please let us hear from you, Harry! Don't be put off by the abysmal, nay criminal treatment of your book in the horrid Chevy Chase movie. How could they! Hollywood is really missing the boat if they don't remake this movie with current technology, forgetting the neanderthal comedic bent of the first effort.

I first read this book when it was published in the mid-80s and have read it again and again. One of my favorite books, and a consistently enjoyable read. The author weaves together elements of comedy, sci-fi and thriller effortlessly into one great story. One question, though: do any of you out there know who the REAL writer of this novel is? As another reader mentioned, I too have heard that "H.F. Saint" is a pseudonym, and that the writer is actually quite well-known under his (her?) real name. I'd like to know the true identity of the writer if only to read some of his/her other books!

I have also been following all the hoopla over exactly who Mr. Saint "really" is. It now appears that all evidence suggests exactly what weas originally stated - this is a first time effort, he was not a professional writer and he does not wish to write any more books. The second fact is what really got to me. I am a voracious reader and the trash put out by so-called professional authors is unbelievable.

Everyone knows the story so we'll skip that. Needless to say the movie was a disaster with everyone in the theater laughing at every opportunity, not believing that Chevy Chase could play a serious part. The folks who produced this film knew exactly what they wanted, though, and besides (their thinking) who cares about the .05% of the audience that actually read the book? Stick to the text, avoid the "film" and have a good time.

This little book and CD are inspirational, deeply touching and heart-warming. They will reach out to your soul, your spirit and bring out the best in you. The song is no stranger to music lovers; it captivates and is so true to life, it leaves the reader with the feeling the song must have been written just for them. The book contains some beautiful photos and a poignant message. This would make a perfect, all-occasion gift for that very special person in your life - lover, family, friend, or yourself. Be good to you and pamper yourself, you deserve it! It is a memorable treasure that can be kept and cherished for many years to come, and I do, indeed... "hope you dance."

I bought this book for myself when I found out I was pregnant and having a little girl. I played the cd that accompanies it, and was not familiar with the song. To date I have heard it in the supermarket, sung at a beauty pageant, and played numerous times on the radio. I ended up ordering more books for my friends. If you have children OR parents - this is a great book and gift. I am now almost 9 months pregnant and read the book and play the cd for my soon-to-be-born daughter Nikole. It is a beautifully told "lesson" in life, meant to be passed on generation to generation. The lyrics are so sweet and the pictures beautiful. Buy or give - and enjoy!

Since the first time I heard Lee Ann Womack's song "I Hope You Dance" I wanted this to be the message I gave to my son, daughter and granddaughter. I told my husband and children that I wanted this either sung or read at my funeral for them. Then I found this book. I gave a copy to my daughter for her 23rd birthday and she was both deeply touched and excited that I gave this tribute now. Since there is a place in the front of the book to give a short special message and the bonus of the CD in the back I found this to be a perfect gift not only for my children but also to anyone who needs encouragement. I am now ordering a copy for my son.

Marguerite Henry took great license in telling the story of the Godolphin Arabian, but it's likely there were two reasons she did so; first, because she based the majority of her novel on heavily romanticised reports like that which appeared in Western Horseman in 1949; second, to illustrate to young children what could happen to perfectly good horses that were considered worthless because of prejudice or unwillingness to see what was there.

The real Sham was born in Tunis and given by the Bey of Tunis to King Louis XV with a group of other horses. But there's no evidence that he was reduced to pulling a cart in the Paris streets before rescue by Edward Coke. Coke probably got him from the Duke of Lorraine, who'd gotten him from the King.

A contemporary described Sham as "beautiful but half-starved", so the rough sea voyage with the greedy staff is likely true, even if the cart-horse story is not. He also said that Sham (he spelled it Shami, and other accounts have "Scham") was temperamental and generally disliked by the stable hands. A vet who cared for Sham in his last years said he was built to sire champions: "his shoulders were deeper, and lay farther into his back, than those of any horse ever yet seen. Behind the shoulders, there was but a very small space ere the muscles of his loins rose exceedingly high, broad, and expanded, which were inserted into his hindquarters with greater strength and power than in any horse I believe ever yet seen of his dimensions, viz fifteen hands high."

Agba was real; there are portraits of the little horse with a handsome dark-skinned young man in flowing Arab dress and turban. Whether or not he was mute is debatable. Again, many of the later accounts have been greatly romanticised. But Grimalkin the stable cat was real too, according to early records which report his presence in the famous portrait.

There is no record of the apocalyptic battle with Hobgoblin. We can look at that, and Sham's subsequent exile to Wicken Fen, as symbolic of the prejudice felt by the complacent English toward this relatively small, strange-looking newcomer. The truth is that Sham did mate with Lady Roxane and sired Lath. He sired 116 others in his long lifetime.

With all the interest in Seabiscuit of late, one would like to point out that as a direct descendant of Man O'War, he was also a direct descendant of the Godolphin Arabian. Just another horse who seemed worthless, but was not, and came from behind to prove the superiority of Arabian blood.

Look up "Davenport Arabians" to learn more about this proud line.

I decided to read this book because I have heard about this book from my friends. I also read this because it had been awarded a Newberry Honor award. The day I was introduced to it, I thought it was boring. How I was wrong! Instead, the book was very interesting.
The main character of this book was a young, mute boy called Agba, but the most important main character is a horse called the Godolphin Arabian, or Sham. Agba is a kind boy who took care of Sham from when he was born, and after Sham's mother died. Sham becomes known as the fastest horse in his stables. Sham is a spirited horse that only listens to Agba, and no one else. I feel sorry for Agba because he ia a mute.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was fun reading about Sham and his descendants. The story plot was great. It also talked about what happened to Agba and Sham, and about their trip to France, and then England. This story was told by the owner of Sham's descendant. That's why this book received a Newberry Honor Award.

King of the wind is a great book. I am not a hores book person but I really liked this book. Sham was born with a singh of bad luk witch was the weat ear but he was also born with a white spot on his hind leg withc was good luk and that he would be a fast running hores. Sham, Agba,(is the mute boy who takes care of him) and a cat. Thoes three go through many things to gether and live many places. The book has a pretty happy ending and you should read it. I am going to give you about ten words of advice, GIVE THIS BOOK A TRY AND GO READ IT.

Randy Alcorn has written his BEST novel ever!!! I have read all of his novels and "Safely Home" has climbed to the top of my list and is neck to neck with "Deadline" also by Alcorn and in my top ten list of best Christian Fiction books. I too was initially skeptical by the title of the book "Safely Home" and also was distracted by the Chinese Characters written on the cover of the book. PLEASE DO NOT let that stop you from reading this LIFE CHANGING novel!!!!

The story centers around two old college friends who were once roomates and bestfriends. Ben is an American living in the US and is now a promonient, wealthy business man and a divorced father of two. Li-Chen is Chinese, who after studying in the US, moved back to China and has been living there as a locksmith's assistant with his wife & son in a one-room cottage. The two men are reunited during Ben's business trip to China. Ben, who originally introduced Li-Chen to the Lord, has grown cold in his faith and his life focus has shifted to wealth and material things. Li-Chen has grown tremendously as a Christian in China where Christianity is illegal and punishable by the law. When the two friends reunite after many years, the Lord works miraculously in both men's lives and they are changed by their experiences and the work of the Lord in their lives forever.

This book will make you angry and will also bring you to tears...but most importantly- this book will really make you examine your own personal relationship with God and what true "SERVICE TO THE LORD" is really about.

If we are not living each day in light of Christ's return, we need to step back and re-examine our lives. The characters in Alcorn's novel will stay imprinted in your heart and mind forever. This is truly a deep and life-changing novel! Run, don't walk and get a copy of this book and read it! When you finish, pass it on to someone else who is not saved or who needs a "kickstart" in their walk with God. Hopefully, this book will encourage all of us to live our lives in light of eternity, with the goal of making it "Safely Home."

When I first started reading this book, I thought that Ben Fielding's character was rather one-dimensional. "Christian 'outgrows' his faith, then rediscovers it" can be rather formulaic and poorly-written. But Fielding's transition is gradual; there isn't one defining moment that makes him realize he's chasing after nothingness. In perhaps the strongest example of this, while Fielding's pursuit of human channels to correct problems is noble, his *reliance* on them (and not God) is vain. Li Quan knows this immediately and intimately; Fielding takes the whole book to discover this.

Li Quan's friendship is incredible. He truly loves Fielding, not with just phileo, but with agape. Although it takes him a while to realize that Fielding has abandoned his faith, when he does, nothing changes (except the emphasis of Li's prayers).

What is most striking, though, is Li's faith (and that of his friends and family) in the face of increasing adversity. The book reveals the (real) snowjob that the Chinese government is giving the rest of the world. Life for Christians in China is *not* getting better; if anything, it's getting worse. "Safely Home" gives a jarring, thought-provoking picture of what it means to be a Christian in China, and the opportunities we are squandering on a daily basis in America.

I have never been so moved and changed by a book (other than the Bible itself!)

Superb writing and an amazing story of faith that left me drenched in tears. I have never had an eternal perspective while living my life.... that has changed forever.

As the title says, this is one of the best books I Have ever read. A Clarevoyant told me I had the psychic ability and it needed developing, he said I should read every book on mediumship I could get my hands on and this was the first book I read, it truely inspired my and answered many question. Rosemary is a wonderful gifted person and you feel as if you know her personally by the end of the book, she really opens her heart up to you. A must read for everyone, my husband and children would enjoy me reciting some of the storys from this book and it even got my 8 year old son interested in the spirit world

What a wonderful way to confirm my belief in life after death. I now am a believer that modern-day miracles are indeed real. Anyone who had any doubts must read this book. Rosemary has given the world proof that our loved ones who have passed away are safe and happy. I am confident that one day, with the help of a sincere medium, I will be able to contact my beloved son who died at the age of 19. Rosemary, thank you for sharing your gift with the world and giving us peace. Please contact me if possible.

When I was a young teenager I could read a book straight through without putting it down. I've been missing that and then when I came to reading this book it re-occured; I couldn't put it down and there was that wonderful feeling again.

Most of the time I am not on good terms with religion, it creates war if you ask me and therefor I also normally have a hard time reading books that mention God continously through out. However Rosemary has managed to get around my defenses when it comes to that and I could read this book openmindedly.
Reading openheartedly is quite easy for me, but keeping an open mind about things, can be hard sometimes. I found myself respecting her description of what she felt was a God, it was opened enough for me to think of it as something else, anything that my mind wouldn't despise so much. Maybe it helps that her descriptions of certain happenings reminded me of my own experiences. In particular I liked her description of the ether body and then when she went on to tie that together with the "out of body experiences" when you are looking down on your own body - I thought it was phenomenal how well she described it.
-If my words are different than the words used in the book, it's because I have read the Swedish translation of the book..

This is a book to discover yourself in, or to accept and respect yourself for who you are!

After several readings of this book over the past few years, I can conclude without any hesitation that it is the most moving and unforgettable memoir I've ever read. It is relevant to note that all 29 of the other ... reviewers (at the time of my own writing) rate it a solid 5 stars... it really deserves a sixth. Not only for it's amazing true content, but for the beautiful way in which the author lays it all out. This book will literally captivate your imagination, sweep you away, and tug you towards a deeper understanding of the depths of "inloveness" (a Vanauken term) possible in God-ordained marriage.

Sheldon and Jean Vanauken were living the dream of togetherness that most people only.... well, DREAM about... until they came face to face with the fact that perhaps "perpetual springtime is not allowed." Those words were from their personal friend, the Oxford don C.S. Lewis and addressed to Sheldon as he tried to make sense of his overwhelming grief.

This is the story of a profound love between two people... a love that has its genesis, consummation, and terminus in heavenly places. If your eyes are dry all the way through this book... well, never mind... they won't be.

A Severe Mercy is a masterfully crafted autobiography and the story of an intensely deep love relationship, a profound introspective on their path to finding God, and the utimate bereavement the author experiences as his thirty-something wife dies of a terminal illness.

Along the way, their paths cross with C.S. Lewis; personal correspondence with him peppers the book, as does a collection of superb poems written by Vanauken. It explores complex theological, philosophical and aesthetic issues with deep insight and profoundly sharp perspective. I can't recommend it highly enough, it's truly one if the best books I've ever read - a work of art which crosses many dimensions.

Practically speaking, A Severe Mercy explores a number of crucial life issues with breathtaking clarity. First, the second chapter, "The Shining Barrier" distills more insight into the true workings of a wonderful marriage relationship than a dozen garden-variety relationship books from the self-help section of a bookstore. Anyone who wants to understand why their romance has cooled off after five or ten or twenty years of marriage (including myself) could use this chapter alone as a manual for re-kindling the fire.

Secondly, it explores the nature of a difficult spiritual journey in a most articulate way - the emotional, philosophical, theological and personal implications of the claims of Jesus Christ. This book is not in any way a Bible-thumping promo for Christianity; rather it examines the claims of Christ and their implications from logical, historical, aesthetic and personal viewpoints -- in a way that no thinking person can easily dismiss.

I gave this book to friends of mine, a highly educated married professional couple, before they went on a camping trip. They were struggling mightily to reconcile Christianity with their modern worldview and the book was instrumental in helping them accomplish a breakthrough.

Third, it delves into the difficult interior world of a person who is bereft of the love of his life and who must feel the sorrow and loss and yet go on.

A Severe Mercy plumbs the depths of all of these issues via beautiful prose, expertly crafted perspective, and provocative poetry. Highly recommended.

A story about love, the shining barrier, between a pre-WWII American couple that leads to a life of deep living and true struggle with what life and relationship bring to each other. CS Lewis, God, and intellectualism all mix in a very well thought out and true to life way that make this a most timely and peculiarly important book. Three big events: the love of a couple, their conversion to Christ, and death all mix with how God must be faced in our lives. Touching, sentimental, yet truthful to the greater truths of what it really means to be a follower of Christ.

War of the twins, second book of the legends trilogy finds Raistlin, Caramon and Crysania in a even tighter spot than that of the first book. Caramon, no longer wanting to kill Raistlin and Crysania falling for Raistlin, it's looking pretty good, for, Raistlin. So you think. Some problems arise, so Raistlin, Caramon, and Crysania head out to fix the problems. On their way Caramon becomes a general of this giant army and there's this huge build up for this one giant battle. Every chapter leads up to this one battle, so I'm reading as fast as I could to 'see' what happens and I can't wait. Then I finish one of the chapters and figure there has to be at least one or two chapters before the battle, so I decide to read some more. The next chapter, the battle is over! Hickman and Weis don't every describe the battle, except the very end. I know the legends trilogy is not a hack and slash series, but if your going to build something up that much and flake out at the end, why bother even building it up? I was pissed at this and I would have given this 2 stars, but the ending of the book was extremly awesome. good character development and emotion, well written too, had me on the edge of my seat. If they describe the battle this would have been a five star book forsure.

This book is a must for Raistlin fans. It shows his human side. I loved the love plot with Crysania. I loved the way Caramon finally began to accept and understand his brother. Although it is not as "exciting" as the first trilogy, it is so much more deep and dramatic. It more explores emotions than battling dragons. A very excellent book, especially if you love Raistlin like I do.

It is simple. Either you have read the earlier books and liked them enough to continue, or you haven't read them yet.

If you have read all the earlier ones (including the first book of the series), then I highly recommend this book and the final, concluding, work. The story is quite good and the rest of the dragonlance stories (Summer Flame) hinge on what happens in "Legends."

If you have not read the first "Legends" book, but you have read the "Chronicles," then I recommend reading the first book in this series "Time of the Twins" unless you absolutely had no interest in Raistlin (in which case I wonder if you breath oxygen).

If you have not read _any_ dragonlance books, then the question of whether you should start is a bit of a more complex one. The truth is that the writing is not that great (especially those parts dominated by Tracy Hickman). The charactes are simple and do some pretty stupid things. However, the actual story is excellent, and for many people that is enough. I have read the entire saga twice and can appreciate the interesting story while only cringing a bit at the characters.

Amazing, Bold and Emotional! CW4 Mike Durant is a testament to the American fiber that makes this country great. I am not a usual reader of war books but In the Company of Heroes came to my attention after doing some research about Somalia and seeing Mike Durant recently on the Fox Network's Hannity and Colmes. I expected the book to be exciting and informative after my interest was peaked by the movie, Black Hawk Down. This book far exceeded my expectations. I became obsessed; I could not put it down and I read it in one day.

The feelings that this book stirred up in me was powerful, a proverbial "emotional rollercoaster". I beamed with pride about all the successful missions and the excellent job the military was doing as related by Durant. I was depressed when things did not look favorable for Mike during his captivity. I cried when he read the letter from Stephanie Shughart, the wife of a Delta Operative KIA Somalia.

Mike took me along with him on this mission of Operation Gothic Serpent, I felt like I was right there with him in the cockpit of "Super Six-Four", fighting off the "skinnies". During his captivity, I felt like an observer in time. From the time we got the word that the mission was a go, "F----- Irene", to reaching for the power levers just prior to crash landing, to toasting the return of Mike Durnat, I was right there. Mike introduced me to some of the finest fighting men this world has ever known. I felt I knew these brave men, their memory lives on in all who read this book. Never before has a story of such heroic men and their families been told, at least not to my knowledge. I was heart broken when we learned that Cliff, Donavan, Randy, Gary and the others did not make it home alive.

Mike Durant had to write this book, he had to tell this story, no question about it. More than a book, this work is a record of history. It gave us a glimpse of what it is like to defend this great country. I had the utmost respect for our service men and after reading this book all I can say is I have never been more proud to be an American. Mike Durant, "I'm Lucy!"

This book was hard to put down. Durant's writing style and sense of humor make it compelling, as if you're hearing a story from a good friend.

The slices of his life besides his captivity in Somalia also give insight into this man and show how they forged his will and gave him the ability to survive his 10 days in captivity and keep his mind intact.

I'd reccomend this book to anyone who has read Black Hawk Down; especially if you think Bowden came off as a Clinton apologist. Durant expresses the feelings of every red-blooded American Serviceman who has served durring the past 10 years!

I found one small error in the book and even it was probably just an oversimplification and not crucial to the plot, itself. Other than that, it's earned a place of honor on my bookshelf. One that is increasingly becoming more "Army" than "Marines". I left the Corps 10 years ago and I'm going into the Army in the next 10 days!

All we need now is for this story to be turned into a movie and done well. The small piece of it shown in Black Hawk Down does not do this man any justice.

Thank you, Michael Durant. God Bless you and your family! Semper Fi! Hoo-Ah! NSDQ!

I loved this book, I had pre-ordered it and when it finally came I read it in 24hours...yes I stayed up all night and day!! This book was heart wrenching at times, I cried some, smiled some. What a great book. Everyone should read it. It was a very realistic(I felt I was there). I was in the military during this time period and I had no idea what was actually going on over there. Support the troops! Come home safe, we all appreciate your fighting to keep America safe and FREE!!!

Sorry, but I don't have a lot of empathy for jewel thieves! And it's hard for me to like characters that I can't respect. If this doesn't bother you, then you will probably enjoy this book. She has written much better ones, however.

I have read about 15 of Nora Roberts books and this is my favorite. The story is written differently than her other books - it takes you through the characters lives starting about the age of 8 to their thirties. I could almost feel the sexual tension sparking off the characters. And, I felt like I knew the characters due to the wonderful character development that Nora Roberts is famous for. I would suggest this book to anyone - it was majestic and enchanting!

This was also the first one i read,lots of work to do that nite ... but i could not put it down. i'm one of those ppl that borrow books just because and never read past the first chapter when they are boring - this book was not boring from start to finish. It's not too romanatic although very (love luke and roxy!), not too mushy, it's got lots of plot and suspense. Very creative and original! I guess this is the first romance book i've ever read without the submissive innocent woman and hunky muscular man (although luke is hunky and muscular!) and the ever typical happy ending. it does not go on for pages and pages about her silky hair and skin, and his beautiful not quite green eyes. Nora Roberts is the first author's name i think of when in a library book shop amazon.com etcetcetc! i just love it so much!

The characters in Chiefs are without a doubt some of the most interesting and well-developed characters that have ever surfaced in any novel to date. Woods does a great job creating such a diverse group of people all the while keeping them realistic and life-like. He paints a very accurate picture of what the south was like in the early 1900's and the 1950's. Since he created such life-like and believable people, I found myself either hating or loving the characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading. The three Chiefs that are the focal point are all very different, and they all have amazing qualities that make them come alive. Aside from holding the same position at one time or another, they also were committed to solving one of the worst series of crimes the south had ever seen.

"Chiefs" is the story of three police chiefs in a small Georgia town: one was the town's very first Chief of Police in the 1920's, the second in the 1940's, and the third in the 1960's. The common thread among the three is a series of disappearances of teenage boys who were traveling through the vicinity of the town when they disappeared.

The book isn't really a mystery, since the reader knows the solution to the crime fairly early in the book. What sets the book apart is the well-drawn characters and the unerring and evocative portrayal of the evolution of a small Georgia town from the 1920's up to the middle of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's.

Woods has perfect pitch when it comes to dialogue. Every conversation, every confrontation, every characterization rings vividly true. Politics, on a local, state, and national level, is a sub-theme of the book, and the author has obviously done his homework on those topics as well. But the book's most noticeable strength is in its ability to transport the reader almost physically into a sultry Georgia town. Even if you read this during a winter in North Dakota, you'll feel the heat, the tension, the passion, and the fears of a sleepy Georgia town during the mid-20th century for as long as you're reading "Chiefs".

This is a novel that I have been wanting to read for quite sometime, and it was well worth the wait. Stuart Woods has managed to incorporate a history lesson about civil rights with a fantastic mystery. Woods develops Will Henry and Billy Lee's characters remarkably well, and ties father and son together in the history of the town of Delano. This novel also shows just how delicate racial tensions were in the south.