On-the-tape

THIS BOOK IS THE BEST I HAVE READ IN A WHILE. I THINK I LIKE STAR TREK DS9 THE BEST. THE CHARACTERS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED MORE THAN ANY OTHER STAR TREK SHOW CHARACTERS. THE BOOK HAS A LOT OF GOOD DETAILS SUCH AS THE VARIOUS DESCRIPTIONS OF THE "UNFINISH INTERIOR" OF THE PHOENIX. THE STORY IS ONE OF A KIND. THE CONTINUAL JUMPS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN DIFFERENT TIMES BEFORE THE CARDASSIAN WITHDRAWL AND THEN JUMPING TO DIFFERENT TIMES IN THE TIME AFTER THE CARDASSIAN WITHDRAWL.

THIS IS THE BEST BOOK I HAVE READ IN A WHILE. I AM A SOPHOMORE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAD EVER READ. I RECOMMEND IT TO ANY STAR TREK FAN OF ANY OTHER PERSON WHO WANTS TO READ A GOOD BOOK

If you are a fan of any Trek series, this book is for you. If you especially like DS9, there is no frinxing (I hated the way Quark used that swear-word) way you should miss this trilogy.

To date, this trilogy combined in one book is my favorite Trek (not just DS9) novel! Time-travel, religion/philosophy/science, alternative timelines, the War of all Wars, the End of the Universe, the destruction of DS9, False and True Emissaries, THE Sisko... there is simply soo much to this book that it is amazing the authors didn't lose focus. In fact, all the plots are handled well and very few plot holes emerge.

The novel starts off investigating a simple murder and quite simply takes off from there. Once the Red Orbs are discovered I found I literally could not put down the books. I read the whole trilogy in just over a week, making this my fastest read trilogy ever (faster than the Lord of the Rings, which admittedly is slightly longer).

The characterizations in this book are spot on perfect. There is subtle foreshawdowing to events that occur in season 7 of DS9 and the last episode of Season 6. The events in this book take place after Sisko et al try to save the dying woman Captain from the planet but before the season 6 finale... which means we get to see Jadzia Dax in action! Some of the subtle hints to her death are quite sad, yet never do they or other allusions become overdone.

Also, Admiral Picard makes an important appearance in this trilogy... Yes, he is finally an admiral, with QUITE an important mission! Other characters, notably Voyager ones, make short appearances. In the alternate timeline we also get to hear what has happened to most of our beloved characters like Riker. And hey why not bring back Thomas Riker for some fun? Vic himself plays quite an important role and his philosophical inquiries are intriguing.

The authors know much about Trekdom and share that knowledge well, though they limit it so as not to make the book ridiculous like some other Trek books. They are also experts in nonlinear time and time travel. Real explanations for why I can or cannot kill my grandfather are given, something I immensely enjoyed.

How can a book that sees the return of Vash and Garak confronting himself (literally two Garaks!) fail to grab a reader's attention? It had mine continuously.

If you'd like to know what I thought about each individual book, please look to my individual reviews for books 1-3. It is best to read every book in this series, although the authors try to make it so one can pick up book 2 or 3 without having read the previous one(s). I strongly recommend reading all 3 because you'll get a more full and rich understanding not only of DS9 and the books, but of your own life.

Trilogy definitely deserves a hardcover release.

Well worth a look. Magical realism at its best. Not for everyone, as the protagonist is a feminist, strong woman, with opinions. Most enjoyable.

...to describe how this book made me feel. It is poignant, it is bittersweet, it is joyful, and it is more. The descriptions in this book were exquisite, the characters were well-drawn, the lessons were apropos to any society at any time but even more so to today's American society -- and the book was filled with cats, which is always a plus in my eyes. If you've ever felt like an outsider, I think you will appreciate this book, and I hope you will love it as much as I did. And if you've never felt like an outsider, then, in my opinion, you definitely need to read this book. It will open your eyes. I recommend this book to absolutely everyone. And their cats. :-)

This is an incredible book on love, life and the unfairness and stupidity of history. And cats fascination with tuna. I don't often get emotional when reading a book, although a good movie can bring me to tears if well done. This book made me cry with happiness, with anger and it made me laugh out loud and smile one heckuva lot. I cannot recommend this book enough. Although this is the only book I have ever read by Ms. Dexter, I truly enjoyed it and look forward to other books by her. If this is the best she has ever done, well, that's fine, because this book is masterful.

On could say that this book is like hearing something straight from the horses mouth and that is definetly true for this book in question, i.e.,The Fire Inside: Firefighters Talk About Their Lives by Steve Delsohn. In this wonderful book we are given an opportunity to hear the stories straight from these brave sould whom put their lives on the line veryday to make life easier and safer for the rest of us. Highly Recommended.

This book is an uncensored snapshot of primarily paid firefighters and their jobs. The book is best for more mature audiences as the material discussed is sometime quite graphic and disturbing. Of course, this is a real strength of the book as readers disturbed by the contents are only then able to begin to understand the emotional stress of being a firefighter. The book has its 'high' points as well as firefighters recall the many successful and rewarding endeavors they face daily. As a business professional AND volunteer firefighter, I found this book to be the proverbial 'pat on the back' that we firefighters occasionally need. I do wish the book had more snip-its from volunteer firefighters.

One of the best books about firefighting by firefighters. Reading the stories of theses heros really brings their job into perspective.

I have read all the books by mack maloney, the wingman series specifically. The chopper ops were good, too. I just new there had to be a continuation with the Wingman books. The Starhawk series is an awesome continuation of these. The Fourth Empire was awesome..... I was literally on the edge of my seat throughout the book. I am just waiting because I have a feeling that the villain Victor from the Wingman series might surface.. I could be wrong, but that is my theory.... as it seems as Major Hawk Hunter is coming closer to discovering his roots.. I hope that Mack Maloney releases a new book really soon.. I will definitely be on the list for ordering it'
Good job Mack.

I must say that if I were to review this series I would have to give it 10
thunbs up and 10 thumbs down.

Why?

For the same reason.. :)

10 Thumbs Up -
I bought all three books at the same time. I could not put them down!

10 Thumbs Down -
Now I have nothing to read for the next 6 months, and have to go see if
there are any good books OTHER than Mack Maloney's at the book store! :) :) :)

The best of this series, the development of the plot is well drawn and set into motion. Found the same play and modeling of the earlier WINGMAN series coming thru with the full power of the science fiction genre. The exploration of the Fourth Empire sets a vehicle to explore all manor of the human experience. I have been fortunate to read some of the ancient classics and actually even more fortunate to have some smart folks explain a lot of what was written. This author explores the human experience in much the same way in his well crafted style in this book. War, struggle for life, deep dives into the face of evil that man will rain down on his fellow man, tie ins with classic literature set to fast paced science fiction. Well conceived scientific developments abound. Tie ins to religous mystery and faith. I can not but help project some of the recent events the United States and the world has faced against the fabric of this book - it is just that good. The action was solid, well paced and placed. As a military aviator not enough flying scenes from the cockpit, but you can not have everything. The battle scenes and the relentless drive through future history excellent. The probing of the mysteries excellent. The connections and lacing to the authors other works continues and is a great part of these books. Again I credit the well developed writing style and intelligence to allow the reader to start with this book and read any other book in the various series without being frustrated or lost. Enjoy, this is a great read and primes the reader for the next one. When will these books and the rest of the series come out on audio tape and CDs? One can only hope soon.

Cross Creek is located just south of Gainesville, Florida, and in spite of the urban sprawl the community is today almost as isolated as it was in 1928, when Marjorie Kennan Rawlings and her first husband Charles Rawlings purchased a farm house and citrus grove in the area. At the time of the purchase, Rawlings was a failed novelist in a bad marriage, and both farm house and grove were neglected. A decade later she was a respected writer on the eve of her most popular novel and happily divorced, and the farm and its citrus groves were very much going concerns.

Rawlings would eventually remarry, and both her second marriage and her literary success would gradually lead her away from both her farm and the Cross Creek community--but she would never leave them entirely, always returning for the inspiration that fed her best works. The property was still in her possession and still in use as both a citrus grove and occasional residence at the time of her sudden death of cerebral hemorrhage in 1953. Rawlings left the it to the University of Florida, and in 1970 the property was turned over to the State of Florida for restoration and management. Restoration was completed in 1996, and while the large citrus grove that once surrounded the farm house has been reduced to a representative portion, visitors can now see the property as it existed in the 1930s and 1940s.

Although Rawlings won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel THE YEARLING and would publish several other novels and short story collections, today her literary reputation rests largely on the book CROSS CREEK, in which she details both her own struggle on the land the lives of the community as she knew it during the 1930s. While the book is clearly autobiographical, it is not autobiography per se; she gives little attention to her personal history, preferring to focus instead on the landscape and the individuals that surround her. The stories she offers are by turns funny, sad, thoughtful, each informed by an intensely felt observation of her environment. And while critics may accuse her of having been excessively sentimental in her fiction, no such sentimentality besets this particular work. It is brilliant from start to finish.

CROSS CREEK was published in 1942, and while it is very much of its era in its depiction of rural society and racial considerations, it also proved very much ahead of its time. It is profoundly concerned with ecology long before the term was popularized, and not only are its characters vividly alive, they move against a landscape that is as alive as they, a landscape that at once harsh and nurturing, at once giving and indifferent, and throughout the text (and most particularly in its final chapter) Rawlings repeatedly takes the point of view that we are not the owners of the earth, but its trustees; its care is in our hands.

I have read CROSS CREEK several times, and I returned to it in the wake of a visit to the Rawlings farm in 2003--and while it is not necessary to actually visit Cross Creek in order to fall in love with this book, they each inform the other. The book is somewhat obscure; the community of Cross Creek is difficult to find on the map and awkward to reach, hardly a place you would stumble upon by accident. It must be reached in deliberation. The guide at the Rawlings farm told me that in spite of this they received some forty thousand visitors from around the world each year--visitors drawn by the power of Rawlings' work and a determination to share in the environment she so loved. That is both testament and recommendation enough.

--GFT (Amazon Reviewer)--

Cross Creek is one of the finest memoirs ever written, filled with the grace and beauty of fine writing from one of America's greatest writers, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Perhaps no other writer has so perfectly and honestly captured a place and time like Rawlings did in Cross Creek. It will transport you to that small acreage of backwoods Florida and cause you to wish for a life such as this.

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings purchased a seventy-two acre orange grove in this remote area and fled her aristocratic life in the city to perfect her craft and get published. It is here all her beloved books would be born, including this memoir covering the years of hardships and beauty at the creek. Rawlings herself would become a part of the earth and land as she was reborn here in Cross Creek and would leave behind literary achievements such as South Moon Under, Golden Apples, When the Whipporwll, Cross Creek Cookery, and of course, her Pulitzer winner, The Yearling.

Her close relationships with her neighbors at the creek, both black and white, are told with humor and humanity. Their lives were often filled with hardships but serenity as well, for all of them had chosen to live this kind of life rather than conform to society. Especially poignant are Rawlings's observations of a young destitute (even for the creek) couple who would be portrayed so movingly in her short story, Jacob's Ladder.

Rawlings's recollections of her friendship with Moe and his daughter Mary, who was his reason for living and the only one in his family, including his wife, who cared when he came or went, are told with such beauty we feel pain ourselves when he takes his last breath at the creek. Her deep friendships over the years with Tom and Old Martha are told with humor, honesty and a gift for description few have ever had. Tinged with sadness is Rawlings's relationship both as employer and friend to 'Geechee. Rawlings would attempt to help her to no avail as this sweet personality slowly became an unemployable alcoholic, her mistreatment at the hands of a womanizer unworthy of her love at the heart of her problem. It is perhaps at the bottom of a few bitter comments from Rawlins.

But Cross Creek is about the earth and our relationship to it. When we stray from it we become less because it is a part of us. Rawlings came to believe over time that when we lose this connection to the earth, we lose a part of ourselves. The great and wondrous beauty of nature, from magnolia blossoms and rare herbs to Hayden mangos and papaya, are as much a part of this memoir as the people. Particularly hilarious are Rawlings's descriptions of a 'pet' racoon of mischievious nature and such cantankerous disposition as to almost seem human. Rawlings's world at the creek is perhaps her legacy, a gift given to the reader we can never forget.

In order to enjoy this memoir, however, one must read the entire book, taking into consideration a number of factors. Published in 1942 and covering many years prior in a backwoods area of Florida, at a time when racial equality was a distant dream, some may be offended by Rawlings's casual, though never mean spirited observations. Rawlings honestly relates actual conversations from this time and place between blacks and whites, and blacks to other blacks. Rawlings treated everyone fairly but a long string of farmhands prone to drink and violence, including the one who would destroy her friend and employee 'Geechee, prompted her to lump an entire race into one group, her friends at the creek being exceptions.

Her thoughts on the matter, which are included in one of the 23 chapters, do not really fit in with the rest of this memoir. Having first read this over twenty years ago I did not recall it, and it certainly gave me pause. It is only proof, that even someone as intelligent and literate as Rawlings, can intellectualize a misguided view until it sounds right. Taking everything into consideration I do not feel it should keep anyone from reading this most beautiful and heartwarming of memoirs. But others may feel differently, and have a right to do so.

Rawlings's graceful prose, whether describing a chorus of frogs singing at night as a Brahms waltz, the scent of hibiscus drifting through the air at dusk, or a myraid of dishes meticulously prepared and labored over for hours, is delightful and unforgettable. Cross Creek will make you hungry for succulent fruits, cornbread an hot biscuits with wild plum jelly, and most of all, life. Reading this lovingly written memoir will leave you with a wistful desire to walk away from society as Rawlings did and live the life we crave in our very being, even if it is not possible, and can only be lived in our hearts.....

"Cross Creek belongs to the wind and the rain, to the sun and the seasons, to the cosmic secrecy of seed, and beyond all, to time."
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
(1896-1953)

As a native Floridian (although transplanted now to South Carolina), I have found the works of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings to be a welcomed homecoming and a delightful insight into the "frontier" Florida life of the 1930s and '40s. Rawlings' words are timeless because they animate a timeless period in Florida history--when things were still largely rural, natural, and undisturbed by capital investment and the tourism boon of the last thirty-plus years. "Cross Creek," moreover, is the perfect introduction to Rawlings for the uninitiated, a moving narrative of her life and career amid the backwoods and streams of a bygone Florida. Yet "Cross Creek" is not simply an autobiography; it is a lavish tale in itself. I highly recommend it.

I also suggest the motion picture version of "Cross Creek," starring Mary Steenburgen and Peter Coyote (1982?). It has recently been re-released, so you should be able to find a copy easily. The movie is perhaps "even better" than the book, with its stunning cinematography of the natural beauties of Florida woods, creeks, rivers, and swamps. It stays fairly true to the book, as well, and Steenburgen and Coyote are endearing as Rawlings and Norton Baskin. Rip Torn is another wonderful addition to the cast.

Pick both of these up today!

Alvin Kernan's "Crossing the Line: A Bluejacket's World War II Odyssey" is a wonderful memoir of the life of a young Navy sailor during World War II. Written in a humorous and sophisticated writing style, it provides the reader with a strong sense of what it was like for a young boy to leave his home and spend four years growing up in the midst of a war at sea. I am sure that Kernan's experience parallels that of my grandfather, who left rural Arkansas for the first time ever as a young 17-year old to take part in large Pacific invasions. If only young people today could understand the sacrifice and hard work that these young men faced. Kernan vividly makes his youth come to life with "Crossing the Line." A must read for avid readers of Navy and World War II subjects.

The modesty and intelligence of this amazing book are equalled only by the gripping story it tells. One of the best memoirs of youth, war and manhood I have ever seen.

Kernan says the most with the least words. This is the mark of a truly great writer; and the fact that I clearly remember every single scene and event in Crossing the Line -- after several years -- tells me that this is a truly great book. I lack the words to express my admiration of the author and my awe of his past.

The reviews explain this short book very well. I really enjoyed the first few chapters. His transition into more philosophical healing ideas in the later chapters didn't do as much for me, but if your a fan of Weil or even Chopra you'll appreciate them.

Dr. Fulton really makes the reader consider Osteopathy as a medical alternative.

This is a must read for anyone interested in non-conventional medicine.

Medicine has taken a lot of turns turns away from effective treatments (and this is why the medical profession had to admit in June of 2000 doctors are the third leading cause of death in the U.S.) but there has never been any excuse for turning away from a safe, gentle treatment that even if it couldn't help some certainly couldn't hurt any. The stories in this book are amazing. It is a good, indeed wonderful thing are more and more doctors are turning toward "alternative" medicine (which actually is a bit of a misnomer--"modern" medicine is the alternative, mostly to good health). I guess many doctors consider it easier--and more profitable--to prescribe often dangerous drugs as bandaids rather than take the time and patience to learn treatments such as Fulford's. What a shame, and what a disgrace.

I picked this up in a bookstore because I recognized Tom's name (probably like most of America) and had no idea what a great story teller he could be. The book takes different stories and weaves them together in a most clever fashion. Makes me wonder if it wasn't composed as separate books - then combined - Ha! Caught Ya! That's the secret! I certainly didn't guess what was coming next and that made the ride even more enjoyable. The characters had depth - no broding overwrought fatalists - and they were living very real lives. The humor that is 'snuck in' is great and adds to the whole experience. Good stuff here.

this book was a great read and so very fun. It follows many charcters and then shows how they all converge at the end, it's just a great story and a beautifully written novel.

I just finished reading this wonderful book and felt my heart warmed over. Tom Bodett's writing took me into his characters lives with such grace that they became like my own family. Funny,sweet and thought provoking. I am off to read more of Tom Bodett today!

These folks have done a really great job in creating a really cool series about what it might be like to live in New Orleans. And unlike most of the stupid movies this one seems real, and the people talk like normal people. I've only been there once (spring break) but this really did make me think of the city when I was listedning to it. The music is a lot of fun too.

I listen to a ton of audio books when I'm working out and this one is just about the best I've heard (although it's totally unfair to call this an audio book because it has dozens of actors, and sound effects, and music, and it's more like a play than a book). I went to the website minds-ear.org and learned more about the show and the cool people who did it -- anyone interested in this series should visit the site to learn more if you have questions. (I bought mine there,sorry Amazon) It's cool, and fun, and sad, and addicting. Even if you'd never think you'd like something like this (but that's not the case because your HERE, right?) I think you should try it. The packaging is nifty too.

My teacher leant me her copy, as I am an exchange student from China learning English. She said this would be a good way for me to hear the language spoken by native speakers. I admit that I viewed this first as a textbook of English language in America. But fast, I found myself pulled in to the storys and people. I never knew that a story with sounds only could ever be interesting. I have not to be in New Orleans, I want to go now. I find movies in English can be hard to follow as I am distracted by images. This allowed me to concentrate on the language. If this story is similar to the life in this place I want to see it for myself. I think that anyone who is trying to learn English should know about plays like this. I think a person who is interested in being very entertained should get a copy of this play in specific. It is fun, sad, drama, good, sounds very nice, action, nice music, and the people are very real. The storys are interesting. It is excellent. I enjoyed this very much. I think you would too.

I heartily recommend Joel and Dana Pierson's "French Quarter" for consumption by anyone who loves audio, relishes theatre, and possesses a sincere sense of living and humanity. I will warn you, however, that once you open this tale, you cannot extract yourself from it until its end. And even then, you will not be able to stop yourself from thinking and feeling for the characters and the circumstances they find themselves in. It is with a tremendous love and awareness of life and all its quirks that the Piersons have written this tale ... and it is with pure hard work and dedication that they, along with their wickedly talented and equally understanding cast and crew, brought this superb "baby" to life for all of us to hear. Take it from someone who fell in love with "George" and cried through his greatest sacrifice. And the tale of "Jorge and Rachel" which speaks volumes for the agelessness and racial blindness of true love. Along with its dazzling array of human beings, "French Quarter" also delves into some important social issues such as adoption and women's rights, and does great justice to their significance by treating them with common sense and realism. Let's not forget the biting humor and a sharp eye (or should I say 'ear') for the cultural idiosyncracies of N'Awlins. In all, I found "French Quarter" to be much like an excellent jambalaya! I just couldn't wait to sink my teeth into another beautifully crafted character, a well-written line, or a carefully engineered sound. And left me wanting lots more.

After being released from her vows, ex-nun Christine Bennett volunteers to investigate a forty-year-old murder case long since closed. Christine has to bring the past into the present in an effort to exonerate a pair of retarded savant twins, now senior citizens, while she is also adjusting to her new life as a contemporary woman. Lee Harris has made the characters in this book come to life! This was the first but definitely will not be my last time reading a Lee Harris mystery!!!

Christine Bennett is in the process of readjusting to "normal life" after spending 15 years as a cloistered nun. At a town meeting, she speaks in defense of disabled twin brothers accused of killing their mother 40 years before and to her surprise is put in charge of researching the case. As she starts to dig into the past, she meets a helpful (and smitten) police officer who helps in her search for the truth.

Christina does not run around accusing people of the murder without evidence, judge suspects harshly for their past actions or deliberately place herself in danger which is a refreshing change. This is a refreshing cozy mystery with likeable characters and an engrossing mystery.

If you can read (or listen to the audiobook version) this story and not be in tears by the end, you are a stronger reader than I am. This was one of the most moving stories I've ever read. Ms. Harris is able, in the guise of telling the simple tale of a nun who left the convent and gets involved in a mystery simply through the process of living her everyday life, to create characters who are so sympathy-engendering as to make them part of your life. They become like family--and their deaths had me sobbing.
Add that to a well-crafted mystery story, and you have the beginning of a mystery series of books which one will want to read, and re-read in later years.
May Ms. Harris be able to keep on writing Christine Bennett
mystery stories!