On-the-tape

Now I am not one that tends to go in for sentimental claptrap. After reading the reviews of this title, it was with trepidation that I took this book off of my "to read" shelf (it had been sitting there untouched for almost two years). The book was gift from a friend of mine - a writer that had been trying to sell me on its virtues and finally just decided to buy me a copy.

I see why my writer friend enjoyed this book so much. Beginning the read, I quickly became engrossed in the fate of the Chance family. This book is immensely sprawling and well written, following a large family through multiple decades of their lives and bringing everything together in a large string of climaxes near its end. The narrative is complex in that it is told through multiple people, through letters, newspaper articles, etc. I get the feeling that it was wonderful fun for Duncan to map this behemoth out before "setting pen to paper."

Admirably, most of the time "The Brothers K" is heartfelt without getting overwraught or feeling forced. Even though some of the circumstances will test your credulity, in general they seem "just likely enough" to be possible. The central family is diverse, colorful, and alternates between being dysfunctional and supportive of each other, just like almost every family I know.

This is a book for folks that like their fiction down to earth, rustic, and with eminent faith in that great American institution known as "the family." If you like books like "A River Runs Through It" or find yourself attending epic large-budget movies (and enjoying them) this could be the story for you.

I'm a former Engilsh teacher, so I've had occasion to read plenty of books from many eras, and I have to say that this is my favorite of all time. The reader may never experience vivid description, complex, well-drawn characters, or a compelling plot to match The Brothers K. David James Duncan will soon be coming to Grand Rapids, my home town, and I am extremely excited to meet him. My first question will be, "When is your next book coming out?" I hope the answer is, "I have a copy of my latest book right here!" Do yourself a favor and begin reading this book immediately!

The Brothers K is a masterpiece to say the least, for a single man to put into words the insights of another mans life would be miraculous undertaking in itself. In this case the author David James Duncan not only undertakes such a task, He goes well beyond. His Epic journey weaves us through the dynamic progression of an entire family. Involuntarily immersing you on a level so personal you can't help but align your self to the novels humanity. This book is a chronicle of not only the progression of its characters souls on their path through life as it is a glimpse into a time still to close commentary. The way in witch this book is written is unlike any I have ever read but it does not strike you as radical in any way, Until you have read and can fully begin to comprehend and understand its power. It is almost as if one man some how channeled the energy of an age that could not express its self in history books. There is not much that can be said to really pitch this book except maybe that if you lived in the time of Beethoven you probably would not have heard of him or his music but if you were ignorant to such and integral part of a culture as Beethoven now it would be at the least a personal loss, I'm not trying to say Duncan is a genius. But as a writer he is a master and this is his masterpiece his 9th symphony.

This is one of the most wonderful books ever written. James Allen explains in his "easy to read" way, how we are the ones responsible for the present state of our own lives (not someone else or some circumstance in our life). As he says, "Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself". That's why two different people can see the same event and view it in a totally different way. He also stresses that fighting the outer circumstance or "effect", will not help, since the real "cause" is in our hearts. He makes it very clear that if we wish to change the world, we will have to start with ourselves. And a big part of the work, will be to realize that we aren't usually even aware of our thoughts (which means we don't know what we're asking for). If you truly want to change your life, for the better - this book is a good place to start. James Allen wrote several other books, that are sometimes difficult to find, but well worth looking for. "Out From the Heart" is one of my favorites, as it gives "more basic" instuctions for those of us who have a lot to learn about ourselves. If you like James Allen's books you may also like books written by Vernon Howard, Guy Finley, Maurice Nicoll (who studied with P.D. Ouspensky and G.I. Gurdjieff), and J. Krishnamurti.

This book is one of its kind, and one of the best! EVen Anthony Robbins takes quotes from this book and recommends it to his listeners. It's amazing, such a tiny little book, yet it contains the most important believe that each of us must have in order to succeed. "Success is caused by successful thoughts!" Bad thoughts can never produce right results. I have already seen how this works in my life. Years ago I was sick with negative self sabotage and thinking. Then I came upon some books especially Harold SHerman's "TNT-The Power Within You", Joseph Murphy's "The Power Of Your Subconscious Mind", etc and this one. Read this one and you'll be convinced why you can't wish things to go right when your thinking is wrong. Like the ignorant saying "Hoping for the best but expecting the worst".... break out of that my friend. Stop poisoning your mind... learn why and how with this book! You'll soon see that this world is but a mirror, reflecting to you what you think and do.

The greatest invention of all time - started in someone's brain. The visionary.

What is amazing is that we are all visionaries. However because a negative visionary is not called a visionary, we don't perceive ourselves to be visionaries. This book shows you that you too are a visionary. You do create your own future. That said, what type of future do you want in your life?

Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works: How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated

This book is one of those rare novels that offers more to the reader after each read. Many delightful, inspirational little nuggets are tucked into the passages. All of the characters are 3D creations that breath off the page: Christy, the eager, passionate, idealistic young teacher, Fairlight, the homespun princess, Little Burl, the lovable student, Dr. MacNeil,the enigmatic physician, David, the confident preacher, Miss Alice, the woman with quiet depth and wisdom, and so many more. By book's end these characters are flesh and blood, their stories being spun out beautifully, but never cloyingly, against the proud, stubborn, hard, life of the mountains. Christy is so many things; a suspense, romance, adventure, religious, and biographical book, yet not one of the plot lines ever seem strained or outrageous. Perhaps because this story is rooted in fact and Catherine Marshall handles her characters and their actions lovingly. The TV show did not hold true to the book in so many ways, Christy was not given the "desire to grab life" as she had in the book, Miss Alice was turned into an officious, plow-ahead kind of character, David fell short of his vigorous, charming, confident portrayel in the book (what happened to the "booming voice"?). All together I felt disappointed when the show would veer into sentimentality and cheesiness, although I'm sure the director never meant it too. But I love this novel and have read it again and again. I will also continue to do so whenever I am in need of a good book.

While reading Christy, I couldn't help but wish I could be as bold and courageous as this nineteen-year-old missionary teacher. Christy, a young woman beginning her journey in faith as she moves from a well-respected town into a mountainous chaos, has always felt she was more than just a nice dress at fancy tea parties, and proves herself true in this inspirational story. Defying her parent's wishes, Christy leaves her home and moves to Cutter Gap, a crude community in which the children are in deep need to learn. The people of Cutter Gap are extremely proud of their heritage and wonder about this new woman from the city coming to teach their children. Ms. Alice Henderson, a woman who helps with the mission, is Christy's inspiration to keep going even when she believes failure has beaten her. David Grantland, the preacher of the town, is immediately drawn to Christy's courage and independence. Dr. McNeil, the only doctor in the community, is also drawn to Christy and the light that shines through her as she finally becomes an accepted part of Cutter Gap. As she teaches a classroom full of encouraging young faces, she also learns herself that you have to keep trying and never give up on your dreams. When tragedy hits her with all its might, the love for one man will bring her back to the world, to him. This tale of courage and love will pull at your heart!

I read Christy when I was in fourth grade. Even so young, I think enough of
my personality had formed to enable me to recognize myself in her. I
had the same relentless desire to fight injustice, and, like Christy, I
sometimes went about it the wrong way (such as arguing with my teachers,
parents, and principals:)). Fervor is difficult to reason with. I am now
nineteen years old, the same age as Christy was when she left Ashville. I
have recently picked up the book and reread it, and I am astonished to
find all my feelings and thoughts perfectly mirrored in those incredible
pages. True, I am not a teacher in the Smoky Mountains. Instead, I am a
philosophy major attending college. But the story always seemed to me to
be about the elemental feelings and changes in Christy, not merely about
what happened to her. Millions of different circumstances play out in the
millions of different lives every day. But there is unity in humankind's
response to a situation. My best friend has never died, but I've known
sorrow. I don't battle moonshiners, but I've known struggles. I've never
seen the Smoky Mountains in the morning, but I've known joy. I've never
sewn buttons onto a little girl's coat, but I've known growth. When I read
Christy, I don't focus on the events that changed her. I find my greatest
bond to the book to be those very human feelings Christy experiences,
those very human feelings that we all share. All the emotions I
experience when taking in the events of my life, I find echoed back to me
through Christy. And that is why it is the story I will always return to.

I almost never read books of this genre - they're usually way too sappy for me. I'm more of a historical novel kind of person - I like a lot of real characters and angst and war and to learn a little something while I'm reading. But for some reason, this series really started to grab me, especially after the second book. True, the characters don't seem to have any real problems and they all care for each other equally and live in an impossibly idyllic little village. But then again, maybe that's WHY I like this series so much. It's a vacation from my typical reading list - if I want to take a breather and read something that makes me happy and calm and transported to a fantasy-land that almost crosses over to reality, I take a trip to Mitford.

As a Catholic, the whole "we're all happy Protestants in this town" can get to be a little wearing after a while, but it's also a nice reminder that there are still people of faith and moral uprightness out there. That might be another reason this series appeals to me - I live a basically religion-free existence, thanks to popular American culture, and that's okay for the most part. But at the end of the day, I often find myself longing to reassociate with religion in a non-invasive way, and these books do that for me with their gentle spirituality.

If people are expecting to read books with depth and underlying tensions and hidden hatreds, you're not going to find that here. I consider these books "vacation" from everyday life, and the heavier fare that I typically read. They are sweet and simple and take you to a place that you just might be able to create for yourself someday.

I have read the first 4 books of the Mitford series. I am in the middle of the 5th. They are very fun and easy to read. You get caught up in the every day lives of the Mitford residents. I really enjoyed reading how Father Tim's life changed from the minute Barabus "adopted" him. I have laughed out loud and cried while reading. I feel as if I know all the chacters in the books personally. I think all us would like to live a small town such as this one, where people watch out for each other and really care for one another. I would recommend these books to anyone.

Three cheers for the Mitford series! There are not enough superlatives in the dictionary to praise Jan Karon's writing enough!
If you're the type of reader who enjoys reading about good old time church stories about preachers and his congregation and life, then you'll be sure to fall in love with this series of books.
Basically Father Tim is the main character, and it begins with him as a good old preacher who has been a bachelor all of his life. The first book introduces you to his life as it was then, about his congregation, the cranky old Emma Newland, his church secretary,and his new dog whom he takes in as stray, Barnaba. There are many events and happenings through the story as you'll find reading along.

Once you start this series, you'll read nothing but for awhile, it is hard to put down. I would HIGHLY recommend it even for teenagers and older.

I found this book absolutely wonderful. This was the fifth Malory novel I've read and I loved it. This is the story of James Malory, the family ex-pirate, and Georgina Anderson, a heartbroken American. Did I mention James is English? Ms. Lindsey has brought to life two very lovable characters. I laughed at the antics of James and his brother Anthony. And when Connie, friend of James, is added to the mix it is downright hilarious. The love scenes between James and Georgina are without a doubt superb. There is so much tenderness between the two. You will fall in love with them as they fall in love with each other. Tender Rebel, the Malory novel with Anthony as the main character, is closely tied to Gentle Rogue. Some parts of the story overlap with Tender Rebel. The parts are so entertaining though I'm sure you won't mind. Oh, one other thing, once you read one Malory novel you'll be hooked and have to read them all!!!!:o)

I've read a lot of duds lately, so I was thrilled while reading "Gentle Rogue." It never got boring. I read the entire 426 page book in a day, because I could not put it down.
James Malory is a terrific hero. His wit keeps you grinning through out the story. He's also big, strong, brave, and all man. Although he has a dark past, he has a soft heart for the women in his family.
Georgina Anderson makes a great heroine, too. She is strong- willed, but not nasty like some heroines turn out. She has guts and is willing to work to make her way home, to America, from England. She's intelligent and witty, as well.
The families of both James & Georgina are also a good source of humor. James has 3 brothers, Georgina has 5. All enjoy ribbing one another in a way that makes the whole story fun.
Great love scenes, that are steamy without going over the edge.
This is my first book by Lindsey. I'm definitely going to look for more of her work.

If you are in for a light-humourous novel which lack drama and all that emotional stuff, then this is the book u are looking for. The Malories and Andersens are two eccentric families who are devoted to their own blood with fierce determination. Georgina is the sister of 5 Andersen brothers. Surely, u know wat that small detail suggests=) Their protectiveness toward George will be put onto test when James dared to touch their baby sister. Of course, we can't deny the additional fact of the presence of the Malory clan. It will be chaos when the two families meet. I didn't recognize Lindsey's writing in this novel. She absolutely did a good job and this is probably her best. If she's not good with drama, I assure u, it is because she's better on making people laugh than crying and thank God for that!

David Schwartz's classic success book "The Magic of Thinking Big" is one of the top ten all time best proactive success books. After you have read it you will begin to refer to the earlier part of your life as "before I read the book." Even before you finish reading it the first time, you will be a changed person - it's that incredible. I say first time because you will want to read it again and again. My copy is well read, well read, and well marked. It has been a treasured part of my library and I've recommended it to others countless times.

I consider David Schwartz to be one of the earliest "proactive thinkers" in the world. If you haven't read this book before, get ready for profound wisdom. Schwartz makes it easy to understand that our thoughts are things and have God given powers, far beyond what is commonly taught by others. I can tell you from my own astonishing situations and experiences that, "your success really is most definitely determined by what and how you think."

Schwartz covers all of the proactive bases: smart thinking, system thinking, futuristic thinking, and positive thinking. If you are truly seeking the kind of success and abundance that makes your life 100% livable - you must read this book. Many of his ideas are found in SUCCESS BOUND, another book built on learning how to live a proactively life that is God centered and fulfilling.

You will find that this exciting book becomes a part of you. Don't hold back - let it happen. In fact, you should spend 10 to 15 minutes every morning focusing your thoughts on the truths of this book, thereby allowing them to seep deep into your subconscious mind. If you do this I guarantee this wisdom will most assuredly bring you the success and abundance you deserve.

Enjoy the book and your new proactive success life!

This book should probably be read every two or three years. It's a wonderful, effective motivational tool. It stresses finding success, happiness and peace of mind at the level you believe that you can achieve. Although THE MAGIC OF THINKING BIG has been deemed a management tool, it could also be a personal development and life skills textbook because it works on the mind, not just the business.

According to the author, the differences between the successful people and others include confidence and positive thinking and reinforcement.

You actually feel empowered and worthy after you've read this. These are powerful concepts. I highly recommend this book

At first I was sceptical when my business associate Arthur Goldstuck gave me this book. After reading the first few chapters I realised this book is very sound in it's advice and very practical at the same time. Like Think and Grow Rich this book contains many practical examples of how to put the ideas into action and how it has worked wonders for others. Written in the 1950's the advice is now needed more then ever to get ahead of the pack.

Inner Harbor was my least favorite of the four in this series. Though Phillip had his moments, he seemed the less connected to Seth. Not quite as committed as the other two brothers. And Sybill grated on my nerves through most of the book. She was simply too cold. However, the last third of the book she began to shine when she jumped on the Quinn's bandwagon and did everything she could to help them. And I began to understand why she was like she was. But I thought Phillip was a bit too pushy with her and I thought she was too frigid. I did, however, enjoy her interaction with Seth and their storyline together. I would have liked to see and waited to see a private conversation between Cam and her ending with his final acceptance of her into the family and Phillip's and Seth's life. It did bring tears to my eyes a few times, like they all did. And you have to love Anna. She was the perfect rock that held the family together. All in all, the entire series is one not to miss. I was captivated from the very beginning and couldn't read fast enough to find out what would happen next.

In this conclusion to the trilogy, Roberts once again makes us laugh till our sides ache and cry our hearts out, often within the same page. She has a wonderful knack of getting to the core of each character and placing them directly into our view. I see Ray Quinn, the recently dead father, so clearly in my mind, and he only makes about 5 appearances. That's what she does best--makes all of the characters real. However, I did note that in this book, and also in "The Reef", Roberts is repeating a few of her characters. Sybill Griffin reminds me of a cross between Dr. Rebecca Knight in "The Fall of Shane McKade" and Sydney Hayward in "Luring a Lady". Not that I didn't enjoy both characters in each of their stories, but it was definitely a touch of deja vu when reading this story. I can also tell there's a fine line between the explicit descriptions of J.D. Robb and the sexual abuse described in the trilogy. Nonetheless, I will still continue to recommend her to every person I know and continue to haunt every bookstore until I have every book she has ever written. They, as is she, are exceptional.

= Wonderful!!!! NR has done it again!
Reviewer: Jojo from Oklahoma
Wow, I really needed this one after the heavy stuff I've been reading lately. I enjoyed 'Inner Harbor' immensely. It's a very well written, heart-warming family story. Well.... ok, maybe you wouldn't want your kids reading the sex scenes! ha! Those were pretty hot... (that wasn't the focus of the book though)! :) I had read the first 2 in this trilogy (Sea Swept & Rising Tides) quite some time ago; Not sure why I didn't finish up with this one. I remember really enjoying this whole family in those 2 books also but, if I remember correctly, this is the best of the series. This had a great story for Sybill (our leading lady). Watching her come to terms with her own past & self-defense mechanisms was just great; She surely wasn't perfect in some of her past decisions, but she did a lot of growing, admitted her own mistakes, & worked to correct them as best she could. I loved the way Phillip kind of just pushed her along in this relationship; It was fun & the relationship obviously wasn't going to happen any other way. I also love the secondary characters (as with most of NR's books); They add so much to the story. I won't say this is exactly a light read - there are some real hard truths about real lives in it, but the focus of the book is not about that, it's about growing past it. Once again, NR could make me fall in love with the main characters & really want to spit at the bad ones! :) I do suggest, however, that these books be read in order, the story builds from one to the next. Happy Reading!

I got this book as a gift an I was interested cause I had seen the movie, by within the first 5 pages, I was hooked. I read the entire book right away. It was so intense at times and so well worded that i fell in love with Jim Carroll. This book was about his life growing up in the cruel streets of New York exposing himself to prostitutes, drugs, and more drugs. He let us all deal with hard times with him by writing down his experiances in his diary. I loved this book. And for all of you people who think Leonardo DiCaprio has something to do with this book--forget it. He's not. They just put him on the cover and that's ALL.

Jim Carroll started to write this diary when he was only 12 years of age. At this time, he was finding every drug he could could get into his hands and took his first shot of heroin when he was only 13 years of age. A dark book, in the juvenile sense, but in the poetic sense, a book about a excellent book about searching for something pure. A reviewer wrote, "I think that this book was written to tell other teenagers not to use drugs." That's not true. It's a true story and merely a diary of truth. It became known as a biography for the rock star Jim Carroll. Another reviewer wrote, "This book is dark and vulgar." It is. It is really. But if you look at the book this way, there's no reason you should be reading it. Think of it this way, Puke and Pure. At the last entry of the diary Jim is in the headquarters a place where junkies from all over hang out, totally zonked and saying, "I got to go in and puke. I just want to be pure..." To me, the diary is about a lost young poet trying to find redemption through writing and finds that, not at the end, but at the end of when he becomes pure. This diary is vulgar and dark. Many swear wrods come into place, and many sexual indescence is in this book. But in the end Jim, the young poet is looking for redemption through his writing and searching for something pure...

This book was sooo super. It was very nutso to read and I'm a crazy guy. When he sodomized his teacher in that giant tub of potato salad I was like WHOA

I have read this book thrice and intend to read it once more after my exams get over. I highly recommend this book for the age-group 15-45. This book is undoubtedly the best FICTION book I have ever read. Apart from a few a few erotic pages, this book is ideal for fiction or mystery loving book-readres. The story can be divided into 2 different parts; one about the prison life of a young girl named Tracy Whitney alongwith her revenge over a couple of mafia members and the second about her fantastic theft adventures all over the world. The 2nd part of the book has been imaginative- ly written with lots of intelligently planned thefts. It is very similar to other Sidney Sheldon writings especially the "Doom's Day Conspiracy". If any of the parents wish to lure their children into literature, this book is the one they should start with

Sidney Sheldon has been my favorite author since I first started reading his books (my first three were Nothing Lasts Forever, The Other Side of Midnight, and Master of the Game), and If Tomorrow Comes is probably my favorite book out of his library of best-sellers. The romance, drama, and intrigue of this book make it an unbeatable read for any Sheldon fan (and many fans of Jackie Collins or Harold Robbins, also), and my personal favorite scene is when the two crooks (Tracy and Jeff {I think that's his name--I haven't reread the book in a few months}) trick the two best chess players in the world even though they'd never played a play of chess in their lives. They end up swindling a lot of money on these crooked games, and all through the book make high security museums and personal residences seem like unlocked cars--easy to open up. I like the romance the best though, since I'm the biggest romantic EVER.

A woman is framed for a crime she didn't commit and left to rot in prison with no hope for release. She is abused and forced to act "tough" and learn the ways of the criminal to survive. She is able to engineer her escape and get back at those who wronged her. Having been "soiled" of character, revenge on those who wronged her is not enough. She then proceeds to become a super high-class con artist. The book goes on to tell one sting after another. An interesting one involves conning to chess masters into thinking she if playing each, where in fact they are playing against each other.

The woman decides to do one last score and then retire. This will turn out to be a real tough thing to accomplish.

I have read about 10 Sheldon books and this is by far my favorite. It raises the question, does a person's environment determine whether they will become a criminal or does the genes?
Sheldon goes for the former in this book.

This book is a must read for Christians in general, but most importantly for Catholic lay people like myself. Before entering into the heart of his work, Dr. Hahn presents a Biblical perspective on the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist that every Catholic should read and understand. But the most significant contribution of this book is the way in which it exposes the relationship between St. John's Revelation and the Church's celebration of the Liturgy. While Hahn claims that these truths have been held by the Church since the beginning of Christianity, almost all of this information was new to me as a cradle Catholic. This book has truly transformed the way in which I approach every Mass. With the possible exception of some poorly chosen subtitles, The Lamb's Supper is nothing less than 5 stars!

I'd like to respond to the critic from Drexel Hill. I'm no dogmatic theologian, but I don't need a doctorate to see that the reviewer is wrong -- VERY wrong. Though it's been months since I read the book, I had no trouble finding ample evidence. Several times, Hahn makes the statement the reviewer says he "fails to mention." And he uses, almost verbatim, the language the reviewer uses! Consider this from page 150: "The Mass is the 'once for all,' perfect sacrifice of Calvary, which is presented on heaven's altar for all eternity. . . . There is only one sacrifice; it is perpetual and eternal, and so it needs never be repeated. Yet the Mass is our participation in that one sacrifice and in the eternal life of the Trinity in heaven, where the Lamb stands eternally 'as if slain.'" And this from page 28: "It was the Eucharist: the re-presentation of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the sacramental meal where Christians consumed Jesus' body and blood." And this from page 36: "Justin . . . explained that the Passover sacrifice and the Temple sacrifices were mere foreshadowings of the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ and its re-presentation in the liturgy." Moreover, chapter 2 is pretty much devoted to the very idea that the reviewer says is absent! I'm amazed that a fellow Pennsylvanian would post such a petty and irresponsible review. Perhaps the reviewer should have a dogmatic theologian read his literary ruminations before he races to the Web.

Do you find Mass boring, blase, dull? Then this is THE book for you! Dr. Hahn has written a wonderful, inspiring book that will open your eyes to all the beauty and power of the Eucharist.