On-the-tape

This is the finest novel about the Vietnam War I have read. I wonder why Mr Leib stopped writing. I found this book in a box of give away paperbacks in a funky little store on the Sacramento River Delta. I have been hooked ever since. With some books I look back in laborious effort to keep track of characters and actions. With this book, I eagerly review sections for character connections and to review the "lay of the land".

Mr. Leib provides us a compelling view of Vietnam, how the conflict ebbs and flows and the believable and extremely insightful story of the lives of the men. He gave me a perspective I never had even though I lived through this time in our history. This should have been a NY Times bestseller.

I read this book when it was published in 1989, and was so moved by it I am compelled to write a review 8 years later. An outstanding story about duty and honor that will be a real treat to anyone who was part of the war or is interested in military fiction. Navy Lt. Stuart, on assignment with the Army as a land-based "spotter" for Naval gunfire, is a rich character through whose eyes one sees the drama, intrigue, and emotional anguish experienced by those who served with honor and dinstinction in this unpopular conflict. This is remarkable and serious book -- not simply an "action" novel -- a book that will fill the reader with many of the same emotions as experienced by Lt. Stewert. Although the novel apparently was not commercially successful, Mr. Leib has done a great service to those who served by writing this book. I have not been as moved by anything I have read in the past decade, and regard my mint condition, hard-cover copy as a prize possession.

I am unable to put into words how touching this book was. I have never read a book that portrays that era in our history in better form. His writing on combat could only be written by experience. It also discribed the protesters in proper form. I wonder as these people approach their waning years why they are not very quick to recall their years of student protest. The good and valored men were dying in those paddys. They sometimes admit it with some educated statement of how they were trying to help their poor brothers in Vietnam. The facts were well discribed in this book they were in most opinions traitors. anyone that served would feel this way. Yes, there are 50,000 names of American Patriots on that wall, they gave all so the protesters have had a good life.This book should be mandatory in High School but would never be because the protesters are the academic leaders. Semper Fi.

Into the Rising Sun takes the reader even further into the minds and hearts of WWII veterans than his previous book "Beyond Valor." The stories in this latest book are unbelievably intense and honest. Revealing incidents that have gone unspoken for almost 60 years, the story tellers really underscore the horrific nature of the Pacific theater during WWII. The stories at times made me wince. The description of the jungle warfare that took place and the suicidal nature of the japanese soldiers really brought out a lot of the "unglamorized" nature of war in the Pacific. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who wants to learn the true nature of war and understand the complete human side of it.

Reading "Into the Rising Sun" takes one to places of great emotion and leaves the reader's mind going over and over what those courageous Forces went through and had experienced. If you want the truth of battle and just what took place, this is the book to read. Mr. O'Donnell's book "Beyond Valor" is emotionally charged reading. Now, "Into the Rising Sun" gives oral histories a new and deeper perspective. The variation of Airborne, Rangers, Marine Raiders, Paramarines and Merrill's Marauders' stories go to the heart. From bloodshed, cannibalism, distribution of body parts on the battlefield to the compassion of Marines taking care of a crying baby are just a part of what can be found in the author's expertise of drawing out the many stories of these great men. For those that returned -- their lives went on building families and careers, but feeling and knowing that they had done the job of their country's call. They are the forerunners of our Elite & Special forces of today of whom we can be so very proud.
Mr. O'Donnell, thank you for bringing to 'life & lite' one of the greatest wars of time and introducing us to yet, more of it's 'heroes' as no other as done.
Recommend: Beyond Valor, Author Patrick O'Donnell

Well, if other reviews don't say it already, this book was one of the more brutally honest books written about war against Japan. Its honest because its brutally politically incorrect. The American soldiers who relates their stories, tell not only of the horrors that the Japanese troops committed but additional horrors of what they did to the Japanese troops. This was no-hold bar combat, where there were no "good guys" or "bad guys" per say. The stories related in this book was all about killing, surviving and living on. In doing so, anything goes and there were no rules. It may be that many general readers may be kind of shock to read so honest account. Some of them may not like the read how the Americans in these pages acted with certain amount of brutality that almost mirror their enemies. But then, what is war after all, right?

This is a wonderful and exciting book. It was written by J.R.Tolkien. The main characters in this book is Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf Grey, and the twelve dwarves. The fourteen creatures go on a treasure hunt to get their gold back from an evil dragon. I reccommend this book because it's exciting and very unpredictable. Also many fantasy authors have read this book to get an idea on what to write. This book us the first fantasy epic and is loved by many readers.

J.R.R. Tolkein has wrote the best books and the hobbit is
certintly one of my favorite books and want to read it agian.
It's full of adventure and has to do with magic. Even though it is not true. The best thing about it is there realy is no love story behind it and if it did, you would not read it any how. If your into books filled with adventure and magic you gotta check this book out. I would give this book to my friends and tell them to read it and it is a good book and said I enjoyed and so will you. It is a book for just about any age. I realy enjoy the books J.R.R. Tolkien writes,and in my opinion he is the best book writer out there and look forward to seeing new books hit shelves at the book stores and hope that he keeps on continuing to write more books to enjoy . If this Is going to be your first time reading any J.R.R. Tolkien books, you"ll want to read more of his books.

This is the book that began it all. Everyone who likes the whole goblins, wizard and dragon deal, then you should read this book. The Hobbit is published by Ballantine Books and can be found at most book stores. The author is the very famous and honored J.R.R. Tolkien. It is an excellent read for anybody who's looking to read a book of adventure and magic.
Follow the mystical journey that Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, travels on in the book. Bilbo, 13 brave, heavily bearded, and stout dwarves accompanied by a wizard named Gandalf, barely escape many dangers along their journey. They fight every kind of middle earth creature that comes to ones mind. There's goblins, wargs (which are special wolves), trolls, dragons, elves, giant spiders, monstrous eagles, and a fiendish creature named Gollum.
Along the journey they face such dangers as goblin caves, which is one of the most exciting parts, giant spiders that try to eat 12 out of 13 of the dwarves, and a terrifying dragon of the name of Smaug. They also face many other dangers along there journey. Many of the events may seem a bit confusing, but stick with it and the book will be a pleasure to read.
Bilbo is a very key part of the story and is the most eccentric of all the characters. Though Bilbo non-willingly set forth into the journey, he proved himself as a worthy character to the plot of the story. During the story, Bilbo holds back the group, but later in the story he actually leads the group to save there lives on multiple occasions. Bilbo's character is one of trickery and of knowledge, and he puts it to good use throughout the story.
The characters are seeking revenge for their ancestors that were brutally slaughtered by the dragon Smaug. They also desire the massive riches that the dragon protects. With the armor that the dragon possesses, they will have a terrible time defeating him.
Follow the magic that J.R.R. Tolkien has written and experience it for the first time. With the dangers that the motley crew face in front of them, will they be able to survive long enough for help to arrive, or will they perish within the fiery depths of the dragon's belly.

This is the first Heyer book I've read--some bookstore clerks insisted I had to try it. In many ways, the book seemed like fake Jane Austen to me, but it was written with so much humor and good will that I ended up really enjoying it. The opening scene is rather tedious, but it's clear sailing once heroine Kitty Charing makes her appearance. Heyer excels at creating memorable and unusual characters, and enjoys playing with her readers' expectations.

This is quite possibly my favorite Heyer, which is saying something, because the competition is fierce. The author plays with the usual ingredients of her books, and reverses them (the man who appears to be the hero is actually the villian.) Everybody is slightly absurd, including the heroine. In books by numberless imitators of Ms. Heyer, the heroine is always perfect. Not here. Kitty Charing is bright and good-natured. She is also very innocent, very impulsive, a crusader, a match-maker, and the despair of her putative fiancee, Freddy Standen. Freddy himself is one of Ms. Heyer's happiest creations. The plot is tightly wound, and fits together with satisfying clicks. Great scenes: Dophinton's proposal to Kitty; Freddy's ditto; Kitty meets Freddy's family; Freddy and Kitty go sight-seeing in London; Freddy discusses the Elgin Marbles with his father; Freddy discovers why Kitty is seeing Dolphinton; Kitty and Olivia encounter Olivia elderly admirer; the masquerade; the elopement; and Jack's comeuppance at the hands of Freddy.

If you have never read this book, prepare for a treat.

Not only is this story light and frothy, it is also full of well written, funny characters. Kitty Charing is told by her step father, Mr.Pennicuik, to choose a husband from his great nephews as a condition of her inheritance of his large fortune. As she had always been kept under his close supervision, she is determined to spend some time in London, trying her wings in Society before committing to a marriage and so forces Freddy, the most affable of the nephews to take her to stay with his married sister. It's a witty,funny story with a lot of charm and good humour.

I had heard of Alzheimer's on the news but never read a novel about it until The Graduation of Jake Moon. When Jake's lively and heroic grandfather Skelly is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, it changes everything, though his mother says she will try to keep his life normal. At first it seems like nothing can harm Skelly, but bit by bit Jake's life is spun around, reversing the roles of grandfather and grandson. This is a read which will make you feel for those who live with Alzheimer's patients and the utter helplessness which accompanies it.

I feel this is a very good book it is about a kid who has a very weird and lively grandfather. Then he finds out his grandfather has Alzheimer's. This Changes everything in jakes life especially because he has to live with him. Jake's mom say she will make his life as normal as everyone else's. But it just doesn't work out every time he has a friend over something weird happens and Jake doesn't play sports because he is embarrassed to take his grandfather anywhere. This book will make you want to help other with the Alzheimer's Diseases.

Graduation of Jake Moon
By Barbara Park
Date published 2000

This book is about a little boy who has a mently challenged grandpa.

An good part of this book is when this little boy who is walking home from school one day with some friends and he finds his grandpa in the dumpster eating out of it.Then the grandpa yellls out to the boys "HEY!".then the boys start to laugh at him except for one little boy who just stands there.

People who like true stories would like to read this story because this story is based on a true story.

If there were 100 people voteing for two books 80 people would vote for the book The Graduation of Jake Moon.

It was soincredibly interesting and fun. not only did I enjoy reading the hella cool stories, i learned that Greek mythology does affect our language today. i learned how alot of things now, came from what we learn in mythology. the stories are so entertaining and fun toread, Sime are sad, some are happy but all of them kept me flipin' pages. I'm happy I read this book because it gave me knowledge about history and it made me know cool stories and I liked Disneys Hercules alot more. I felt smarter watching it. it a great book, props to the auther who wrote it in a non boring way. Thanks!

I found this book browsing in a bookstore. At first glance it looked like a cheap knock-off under the guise of mythology. However, I was captivated by the authors introduction, in which he explains how as a child the myths were read to him in Greek, and much was lost in the English translations he later heard- so this book is his way to communicate the myths as comprehensive and story-like as possible. He succeed on all levels.

I have read many English versions ancient Greek texts, and this one has an excellent flow that is not acheived by mere translation. This book helped me to learn about the characters in the Greek myths and legends better than any other, in the sense that the stories are presented in a MEMORABLE way. Now I can read other texts with a real sense of knowing who everyone is.

The book is a quick and captivating read, could be done in one day. I thank the author for his outstanding job. He has acheived a book which compliments the myths of the Greeks, and other translations can compliment this book.

I first met this book through a series of LP records in my local library as a child; I later read the book. It's still my favorite telling of the Greek myths, and it spawned a facination for the folklore and mythology that has been a great source of pleasure for my entire life (I'm now in my late thirties). I can't recommend this book enough, regardless of the reader's age; Evslin's telling of them gives life and personality to the characters that can't be found in any other version of the myths.

It is good that someone write about Robert E. Lee's final years after the U.S. Civil War. Charles B. Flood has written a fitting summary of Lee's final years (1865-1870) from the surrender at Appomatax to his final years at Lexington, VA. Lee is portrayed as a silent, thoughtful, regretful, gentleman who may have chosen to rebel against his former army, but still is a proud and dignified man. Flood is to be commended in bringing out the characteristics of the private, distinguished gentleman that Lee was. From his dealings with his family to the students at Washington University, his thoughts, motivations and insights are given with honesty and clarity. This is the definitive work of the last quiet years of Robert E. Lee, and is highly recommended for all U.S. History/U.S. Civil War History enthusiasts.

Lee the last years is a great read on the life of ROBERT E LEE after the war between the states.
My only complaint is that I would have liked just a little more reaction to lee's death around the South,and north ...

Flood has produced a masterpiece that reveals the personality and character of Lee more than any book I've read. Lee's tremendous contribution to society after the war is presented in such an enjoyable, readable manner that each revelation unlocked about the inner man becomes a delight to the reader. I read this book in two sittings because I was so entranced by it. The author does not write from a hero-worship perspective but rather allows the facts and anecdotes of Lee's family life speak for themselves. It is for the reader to conclude that Lee had one of the most fully integrated characters a man can possess--honor, self-discipline, love of his Creator, humility, regard for all people, and an innate sense of fairness and reason. Lee lived only five years after the war but these years were spent performing maximum service to the South and to the US at large. It's a shame that so many books about Lee focus mainly on battle strategies and have the agenda of supporting the lost cause or revisionist view of why the South lost. If you are interested only in battle statistics and strategies, this book may not excite you, but if you want to really know the man himself, don't miss this treasure of a book.

For starters, this could easily be the best Dave Barry's collection of columns ever.
His account on the Very First Thanksgiving, his solution to the Drug Problem (thru the use of modern packaging) and his depiction of the fears that bees inflict upon him, are just some of the bits that really make this one of his best books.

Dave Barry is the master of humor synthesis. And in "...from Venus and Mars" he demonstrates it again and again. He also goes back to the typical use of hyperboles (the closing of an article re-taking a priorly referred subject) and also is great again on his "mind" and "I.Q." level comparisons.

His keen (real keen) sense of observation it's poured easily and with grace on these pages. You cannot avoid laughter. But it's a laughter with a sense of "familiarity": I'm laughing at this, yes. But, oh, my gosh, this is also SO TRUE!.

If you don't know the works of Dave Barry you are just missing the works of (as the New York Times once put it) "the funniest man alive". Read this book. It's a great start for a great addiction. And, in the end, you'll be experiencing the same consequence than me: mainly, the need to have, read. and re-read ALL of his books.

By the way, a piece of advice on the picture that appears on page 143. The person shown on the left IS Stephen King, and it's not a fake picture. The caption in this picture is funny, as the rest of the captions in the other black and white Dave's pictures that appear randomly thru the book. It's great to see a younger Dave Barry (and to see even a photograph of his Catholic Confirmation certificate) to feel closer to the life and circumstances of one of the finest humor brains ever: the brain of the author of "...from venus AND Mars", Mr. Dave Barry.

Believe me. It's impossible (absolutely IMPOSSIBLE) not to laugh reading him! Get this book and ...enjoy!

This book had me laughing out loud. I especially liked the bit on consumer packaging. If you've never read any of Dave Barry's works, this is a good place to start.

This book made me laugh outloud. I highly recommend it.
This book, along with Bruce Cameron's "8 Rules for Dating my Teenage Daughter" and Debbie Farmer's "Don't Put Lipstick on the Cat!" will make a perfect gift for anyone.

A typical L'Amour book - a dashing, trustworthy protagonist, just trying to live in peace but able to defend himself if and when necessary. Jubal Sackett is loved and trusted by all except the villains, who themselves have absolutely no redeeming qualities at all. In other words, the characters are very flat and monochromatic, and as a result, they come across as very artificial.

One thing you have to hand to L'Amour, though - he writes book easily read in an evening.

Wow! I really enjoyed this book. The character of Jubal Sackett was very well developed and set in a historically correct period. I found myself walking in his footsteps as he went further and further west. The story arouses the explorer instinct in all of us. I intend to read more of the Sackett sagas.

I have yet to read many of his books, but I must say that all of Lamour's books are great. Jubal Sackett is a special character. I appreciate that Lamour spent more time on this book (or at least made it longer than usual) in order to give us a full scope of Jubal's transcending years in his migration to the west. The Sacketts are successful because they are well learned in many a trade and they don't take things for granted. They nurture their friendships when they can and comfront their enemies just as readily. You feel this story, you root for the characters and you feel as though you are among them. I guess this is more of a mountain man book than a western, but it still sets the setting for the Sackett's pushing west. A great book.

This is my favorite author in all the world. I was thrilled to see the beginning of another series. All too soon I finished it. This book gives you an idea of what it would have been like to live during the time of Christ's ministry on the earth. I gained new understanding of how some of the Jews of that time would have felt, and what they were expecting from a Messiah. I can't wait for the next book and reccommend this book to everyone. Christians of all denominations will find this book very worthwhile.

I LOVE LONG BOOKS AND GREAT HISTORICAL NOVELS AND THIS QUALIFIES AS BOTH. LOVED THE CHARACTERS AND THE STORIES. I FINISHED IT IN A WEEK READING ONLY BEFORE AND AFTER WORK AND CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE NEXT ONE.

Gerald Lund tapped into the mind of Messiah YaHSHUA in this masterpiece. Like many other readers I only put it down when my eyes could read no longer. I too finished reading it in less than five days. I was like a happy puppy when I discovered his second of the series was available. IF you want to be absolutely transported to the time of YAHSHUA -READ THE BOOK- FISHERS OF MEN. I also enjoy good historical novels ; and having read Plato, Socrates,and Homer at the age of twelve - and, I am now 57- I am a very discriminating reader. To paraphase Thomas Manns' brilliant pen in "Joseph and His Brothers", he picked words like angels pick flowers from the fields of heaven.SMJ.