On-the-tape

Churchill probably ranks as one of the most enigmatic world leaders of the century: bordering on manic-depressive, at once reckless and calculating, egotistical and completely convinced of his own place in history, Churchill seems to defy definitive analysis. But William Manchester makes the best attempt yet. His biography is readable and entertaining as well as profound in its analysis. He brings a wide range of tools, deftly handled, to the work: psychology, history, political and military sciences, and sensitive cultural understanding. With refreshing penetration, he re-examines critical successes and failures, such as the Dardanelles, the invasion of Norway, and the evacuation from Dunkirk. Manchester writes with critical compassion, and rarely excuses Winston's faults without providing evidence. The prose is, if mildly archaic like Winston's own, heroic and rolling. It is a book that will be greatly enjoyed by those who love William Shirer's "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" and similar historical works which challenge a wide range of intellectual faculties

William Manchester (1922 - ), one of the GI generation's finest writers, has written about everything from the Kennedys to acid-tongued reporter H.L. Mencken. But in this book he presents his greatest work - a superb biography about one of the twentieth century's greatest heroes - Sir Winston Churchill. This volume, which includes the first fifty years of Churchill's crowded life, is written with a Victorian style and passion for adventure that Churchill himself would have admired. (What other biography uses the word "Array", instead of "Table of Contents", to list the chapter headings)? Churchill's life does read like something out of a Hollywood script - he was the scion of one of England's most prominent families - his father was a member of Parliament and could have become Prime Minister, had he not developed syphillis, which eventually drove him mad and killed him at an early age. He was often cruel to his son Winston, harshly criticizing even his smallest mistakes. His beautiful American-born mother had extramarital affairs with many handsome men, including the King of England. Largely ignored by his wealthy and famous parents, Churchill was a "problem child" in his youth, and was expelled from several boys' schools until he made a career in the British military. He fought in a number of small but bloody wars in Britian's colonies in Africa and India, and he often was in the thick of the fighting, recklessly exposing himself to bullets and cannon fire. In the Boer War in South Africa in the late 1890's he was captured by enemy forces and placed in a prisoner-of-war camp, but made a daring escape and returned safely to his own forces. Elected to Parliament at the age of 25, he quickly moved up the political ladder, even changing political parties when it suited him. By World War One he was the head of the British Navy, but here things began to go wrong. In 1915 he proposed to invade and conquer Turkey, a German ally, thus knocking it out of the war and allowing the Allied forces to attack Austria and Germany from the south. The plan was sound, but the invasion was so bungled by incompetent British generals and admirals that it was a total failure, and Churchill was forced to take the blame and resign in disgrace. He then spent some time as a military commander in the front lines in France, and in the 1920's enjoyed something of a political comeback as the Chancellor of the Exchequer (a position similar to our Secretary of the Treasury). However, his poor handling of Britain's economic woes led him to fall out of favor, and by the end of the book in 1932 Churchill is an outsider in Parliament, with little real power or influence. Yet this book is far more than a simple biography. True to form, Manchester offers an engrossing account of the Victorian era that Churchill grew up in - the glories of the British Empire, the racist "raj" system in British-ruled India (where white Englishmen were encouraged by hotel signs "not to beat their (Indian) servants" in the hotel lobby); the terrible conditions which Britain's poor lived under; and the peculiar social mores and customs of the British upper class to which Churchill so proudly belonged. Although Manchester clearly admires Churchill (and who couldn't, after reading this book), he isn't afraid to note that in many ways Churchill was a very flawed man, and must have been difficult to live with. An open snob, Churchill had all of the prejudices of his class - he treated his servants poorly, insulted his secretaries and others who couldn't keep up with him mentally or verbally, disliked strong women and wasn't above making chauvanistic remarks about them in public, and he had a huge ego and seemed to think that the rest of the world revolved around him and his needs. And, while he expressed sympathy for the lower classes, he regarded Britain's middle class with aristocratic disdain, this despite the fact that they paid most of the nation's bills and taxes. Yet his genius, as Manchester copiously notes, was genuine - his brilliant skills as a writer and orator, his political and personal courage, his genuine committment to personal freedom and liberty, all these and more made him one of the great historical leaders of all time. Quite simply, not only is this Mr. Manchester's finest work (out of many), but it reads more like great literature than a simple biography - "The Last Lion" is a larger-than-life book about a larger-than-life man. My only regret is that due to his recent stroke Mr. Manchester will not be able to complete this series - a real tragedy for anyone who loves great biography.

Manchester's work is extraordinary and a journey into the making of a great leader of the world that was the 20th century.

Churchill was a man of vision and he was molded in his early years. Manchester makes a case for his growth coming in the Boar War period.

There is a beginning of greatness. Manchester introduces us to the world that formed this great man.

An avid fan of historical fiction, I must say that while I am impressed with the historicity Rivers provides, I was displeased with the pervasive, American evangelical (almost charismatic) interpretations of cultural "things." Many of Rivers characters are good and fairly believable and her historical facts seem well researched, accurate and detailed. However, the philosophical style and interpretation of people and events seems inconsistent with the perspective of a Jewish girl in the first century (or anyone of any other culture, as there were many in the book). It might have been much more believable if Rivers had succeeded in thinking a little more outside the box and less like a modern American. I wasn't sure if she was trying to make a point about the similarities (ie: moral degeneration) between American culture and ancient Roman culture...?

I was also disappointed by the frequent, direct quotes from scripture-especially from "books" that may not have been in wide circulation at that point in time. There are places that also seemed slightly preachy. Some of the "miraculous" happenings (more in book 2) were also a little unbelievable. When I first read this book I didn't know that Rivers was a romance author (outside of my usual genre). A consistent and slightly disappointing theme in the entire series was the good "Christian" girl winning over the bad pagan boy with her virtue. In modern terms: missionary dating. It might have been more realistic if Hadassah had a few character flaws. Her emotional/spiritual/mental battles are little bit weak and she always makes the "morally correct" decision. I would have liked to see some deeper grapping with the life-and-death issues, some sincere mistakes, deep doubts etc. I didn't find it very romantic or realistic, it was difficult to relate with Hadassah on many levels because of her flawless character, but Rivers has definitely crafted a "feel good" story with good endings for all of the likeable characters.

The year is 70 A.D. A Christian teenaged-girl named Hadassah, (who is the only one left of her family at the fall of Jerusalem) is taken to Rome. Sold as a slave, she is to serve the wealthy Valerian family. The Valerians are having problems of their own. The parents, Pheobe and Decimus are very traditional but their children Marcus and Julia embrace all the plesures of Rome. Hadassah is torn by her faith: she wants to share it's wonders and love with her new family, but cannot find the courage to do so. Also, Atretes has been captured from Germania and is brought to Rome as a gladiator. As their lives intertwine, they will face problems that will change who they are and what they believe in.

Francine Rivers has truly created a masterpiece. The characters are so real and believable. The plot is remarkable, and the detail given to ancient Rome makes history come alive. I call this an inspirational, dramatic-historical love novel. The way that the author shows the love of God is beautiful.

I give this book 5 stars. It's a must-read, and I can't say enough about it. It's an amazing story that captivates you and touches your heart. It changes you as a person, it makes you think, and that's what I call worthy liturature. I give it my full recomendation, which is reserved for very few books.

Let me set the record straight.

"A Voice in the Wind" is Christianity. It is history. It is romance. It is action. It is about people, and how they are interacting in arena of Ancient Rome. It displays all kinds of people. It brings out the best traits known to mankind and the worst traits known to mankind.

"Voice" is centered around two different stories: that of Hadassah, the Hebrew/Christian girl sold into slavery, and her masters, the Valerian family- stern but fair Decimus and gentle, loving Phoebe; and their children, Marcus, whose feelings for Hadassah run high over, and Julia, the girl who Hadassah serves, whose only care in life is for her own pleasure.
The second is that of Atretes, German warrior-turned-Roman gladiator. All brawn and beauty....but also vulernability and anger. The object of Julia Valerian's affections. Draw your own conclusions.

Francine Rivers is a masterful story teller, and the way she draws you into this book is amazing. It is life changing. Literally.

You love some characters- Hadassah [the obvious!] and even the vulernable Atretes and the lustful Julia. You also hate some- Caius Urbanus, Calabah Fontaine; and feel pity for some, such as Arria and Octavia, God help her.

In short, this is one of the best books of the decade...no, century...no...how about millennium!!!!!! You will be supporting one of the most talented authors on the planet by purchasing "A Voice in the Wind" and its magnificent follow-ups, "An Echo in the Darkness" and "As Sure as the Dawn".

God Bless!

I have read the autobiography, I Am Jackie Chan.This book is some three-hundred pages long but good from page one.I liked this book because it was very well written by the person who actually lived it.This book takes you all through the life of a small poor Chinese boy who worked his way up and went on to become a well known movie star.It all started with his living in the emporer's castle, his dad being the cook and his mom the maid.On ascale from one to ten I give it a ten because it kept me interested the whole time and I never wanted to put it down.Jackie Chan had many experiences in his life that we will never have. He attended the school of the Peking Opera in his days as a child.Also a student at the opera was NBC's hit show Martial Law's star, Samo Hung.Jackie started out as a stuntman, constantly searching for work. He became known for his stunts and began getting bigger and bigger pieces of movies,and in more famous movies themselves.If you look carefully you can find Jackie Chan in Bruce Lee's famous movie, Enter the Dragon.(My personal favorite)To sum this all up I'm just going to say that this book is great and beyond a shdow of a doubt well worth reading.

I have been a big fan of his movies, but I did not know much of his personal life other than that he was a former Chinese Opera performer. This book describes his life, from his childhood growing up as the child of a cook and maid to an ambassador in Hong Kong, getting into trouble and having problems with school. It then goes through his ten years of life at the opera academy, and went into great detail to explain the tough life of exercise, training, and rehearsals that went into this. The book goes on to describe his rough start in the movies as a stuntman and his climb to the top, ending with his then current project at the time--Rush Hour.

At first, I wasn't sure how much I'd like this book, but Jackie's honesty and openness about his feelings throughout his life and hardships that he had to go through was very endearing. He admits to being a cocky person when he first tasted success, causing him to lose one of the loves of his life. I really enjoyed reading about his evolution from that person to a more humble, yet ambitious veteran actor which he is now.

For fans of his movies who have seen his bloopers and mistakes at the end of the film, we read how all of the work through his childhood to early stardom to the present has gone into it. I almost felt that I could truly understand what went behind the movie and stunts that we might take for granted.

In any case, this book is a must for any Jackie fan, and is also inspiring as Jackie shows that hard work and a dream can often lead to great things.

I am a fan of Jackie Chan and I read this biography one year ago. When you read this book you almost have a feeling like you are watching a Jackie Chan movie. Normally I do not read so much but when I started to read this biography I could not stop it because Jackie Chan's life was and still is full of action. It is fascinating how he grew up from a stuntman to a very famous filmstar. And it is also interesting how he managed the problems he had in his career when he was younger and not so famous. So if you are a Jackie Chan fan you must buy this biography because it is a "crime" :D if you do not so. Have fun reading the book!

I read 2-3 books a week, and this is without a doubt my favorite of this year. No, I'll go further: it's one of maybe 8-10 books I'd choose to take to a deserted isle. I've put The Kite Runner directly into the hands of perfect strangers in book stores and said, "Read this one."
In a nutshell, Amir, the son of a well-to-do Afghani , has a best friend, Hassan, who is the illiterate child of Amir's father's long-time servant. Both children are motherless. A horrific event, a secret kept, the loss of personal honor, and a lie come between the boys. From that rift, the story moves forward as Amir and his father emigrate to California, where Amir matures, marries, and becomes a successful writer, but is still plagued by those old sins and lies. Then comes a revelation of still one more long-held secret that sets Amir on a return trip to Afghanistan (now under the worst years of Taliban dominance) to rescue Hassan's child. Author Hosseini doesn't shy from one iota of unpleasantness, and the result is a book with a perfect narrative arc, a sterling story line, unforgettable characters, and and and and... I had the opportunity to meet the author very briefly (just to shake his hand and gush a bit about his extraordinary book) at Books by the Bay in San Francisco and am delighted to report that he is charming, approachable, and thoroughly engaging. He deserves all the accolades that are coming his way.
Buy The Kite Runner. Read it. Then go back to the store and buy 2 more signed 1st editions - one to keep as an investment and one to give to your best friend.
...what a fine book!

THE KITE RUNNER is a stunning, brilliant novel that easily rates as one of the best books I've read thus far this year. I became so enthralled in the story of Amir that I finished it in two days and I'm normally not a fast reader. Set primarily in Kabul, this book follows the complex and strained friendship of Amir and Hassan from their birth to adulthood. It is not easy to like Amir since his treatment of Hassan is disrespectful and neglectful. Amir's relationship with his father is also strained as he consistently fails to win the affection of his father. One of the strengths of THE KITE RUNNER is the convincing character development. As he grows up Amir's conscious is much bothered by his past, and he seeks to redeem himself of the past. Even after immigrating to California he finds it difficult to bury his memories of Hassan. The only path to salvation is to return to Afghanistan and "be good again." The descriptions of Kabul (its society, food, history, and landscape) are powerful and realistic. I was easily transported into the daily life of Kabul. Also, the passages pertaining to kite running and competition were excellent. I could easily envision the kite battles and the children chasing the kite through the streets. It's difficult to believe that THE KITE RUNNER is Khaled Hosseini's debut novel, and I sincerely hope that it is not his last. It is apparent that Hosseini has a talent for writing and demonstrates great potential for the future. This novel sheds much needed light on life inside Afghanistan - beyond what is covered on the nightly news. Highly recommended.

Like the main character in the book, Amir, the author was brought up in Afghanistan in the peaceful 1970s. Later, as war tore apart his beloved country, he immigrated to the United States with his family. This novel is set during these tumultuous times and gave me a full appreciation of the one particular Afghani family's experience. But this novel is much more than that. The political setting is just the background. The real story is a classic drama of sin and redemption, relationships between fathers and sons, and the impact of one very personal act of cowardice.

Amir grows up in a privileged household, yearning for acceptance from his rather distant father. Hassan is about his age, but Hassan is a servant in his house, of the Hazara ethnic group, and Asian in appearance. This means that Amir, a Pashtan, can never really be his friend, even though they have common childhood experiences.

A major local sport is kite flying and each year there is a huge kite competition is attended by the entire community. Kite strings are covered with glue and glass and the idea is to cut the strings of competing kites. Some young boys are kite runners, which mean they chase the fallen kites. The most coveted kite of all is the last kite that is cut by the winner. Competition is fierce and the kite flyer's hands are always cut and bloody from the sharpened kite strings. But victory is something of a rite of passage and Amir is determined to win. His young servant and childhood companion, Hassan, in an act of love and loyalty, runs after the last fallen kite and becomes the victim of a cruel act of violence. Its aftermath changes their relationship forever.

Later, we share Amir's journey to America and the fear and terror of traveling in a oil truck to escape the Russian army. We see him grow up and watch his father struggle to adapt and learn how to make a living in the flea markets of California. The years pass and Amir falls in love and marries and we see how strong his identity is to the Afghan culture is in his new American homeland. And then, suddenly, in the summer of 2001, when he is in his late thirties, he is called back to Afghanistan and begins a dangerous adventure, which requires not only great physical courage. It is also a voyage of self discovery..

This book is a page turner and I couldn't put it down. I learned about Afghanistan, its people, and its rich traditions. But most of all I learned about one particular young man and how an act in the past can affect the present and how it is possible to right old wrongs.

I loved this book and give it one of my highest recommendations. Read it if you can.

I became a somewhat fan of Dale Jr in his rookie season, so this book was a boon to me. I read all of Dale Jr's Nascar insights before ever knowing that he had written a book, and was impressed by his ability to convey emotions and humor in his writing. Now, this book is not about sappy emotion by any means. Dale Jr seems to write just as he seems to live. He's a young man with much potential. He loves to party, flirt, and drink with his buddies. But he seems so down-to-earth in his telling of it, that you can't help but get drawn in. He does a wonderful job in this book of revealing a little more about Dale Jr, the young man and race car driver, all the while dispelling everyone's notion that he is going to be a second Dale Earnhardt. He tells in this book that he is his own man in his own right, paying tribute to his dad for getting him there, but not taking over his personality.

This book is one of the best I have ever read. It is definitely a must read for any NASCAR fan, especially one that is a fan of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. This book is extremely captivating, and I completed it in two days. There is not a bad spot in the book, although he does tend to focus on Bud Girls...there are hilarious moments in this novel, one of them being the 2000 Winston and it's tale about a man dressed as a giant Oreo. Although it was penned by Jade Gurss, you can tell that the stories are entirely Dale Jr.'s, and his personality comes shining through. You feel closer to him somehow after the completion of this book. Dale manages to use colorful language to his advantage; it's an easy read, but definitely makes you think. The photo inserts in the middle are a great addition, as is the epilogue covering the events of 2001 and how he coped with his father's death. He is very candid about everything, and it's refreshing. Overall: it's just a great, great book and can definitely be reread numerous times.

This book was one of the most entertaining books I have ever read. I laughed and cryed and could not put it down. Dale Jr. has a nack for writting and seems to really speak from his heart. I hope he will continue to give us more to read on his exciting journey through the NASCAR spotlight. This book is a must read for any NASCAR fan.

As a foreign student, I lived 2 1/2 years in North Carolina. Jan Karon's book series describes so well the atmosphere in a Southern town. I can relate to people like Uncle Billy or Father Tim and Cynthia, because I met people like them myself during my time in the United States. Also, in my opinion, the Mitford series can be a spiritual guide. It makes one think and evaluate own experiences in life differently. I hope, there will be another Mitford book soon. I cannot wait.

After a long,cold winter of reading alot of Oprah's suggested books, I found such a nice change of pace in Mitford.. I'm suggesting my husband and my daughter read them . Anyone who is tired of the foul language and depressing violence found in most bestsellers, should read all four of Jan Karon's books. I am anxiously awaiting for her fifth book .

This is by far the most enjoyable book I've read in the Mitford series and the others were all five star in my opinion. Jan Karon has such a terrific sense of humor and this book shows it at its very best. I especially enjoyed getting to know Harley, Lace's friend from the Creek area. I almost fell off my chair laughing at some of his language, being from the South I have heard people speak just as he does but it was still hilarious to read it. There were so many other enjoyable storylines : the mayoral race between Esther Cunningham and Mack Stroupe, Andrew Gregory and his wonderful surprise, Buck Leeper's return to town and of course the ever-deepening relationship between Dooley and Fr.Tim. Overall a highly satisfying visit to the village of Mitford.

I recieved this book as a gift then it was first published in the 1970's. I have read it at least five times. Each time I read it I am delighted all over again.

This is an animal lover's delight - but it's much more than that. Follow the young James Herriott as he starts his adventure as a country veterninarian. You feel his pain and joy as he experiences failures and successes. His courtship with his wife-to-be Helen is poignant. Herriott tells it like it is: there's no fancy stuff. Don't let that make you think this is dull. Herriott's descriptions of the landscape and characters make you feel like you're there: the sights and smells he describes tantalize your senses. You can smell the fresh country air, the hearty farm meals, and so much more.

This is a book that will delight young and old alike. Read a chapter and it's a mini-book in itself, or curl up for the long haul. I found it very hard to put down.

You'll be enchanted by Herriott's adventures (and misadventures) and find yourself laughing and crying. Even after 5 reads, I'm ready for another. This stuff never gets old.

It's been six years since I first bought one of James Herriot's novels, and far longer since I read his picture books (e.g. Bonnie's Big Day). Even now in my last year of high school, it's a choice I have never regretted making. All Creatures Great and Small is just one of the most heart-warming and touching books written by someone who was truly blessed by God. This book is serves as an inspiration and companion for the soul of any animal-lover, one whose stories will never fade with the passage of the years. It brings every facet of life and love into being, and is a calling for all animal-lovers around the globe. I have James Herriot, my idol, to thank for helping me choose veterinary medecine as my future career, a choice I have stood by for eleven years!

This is where it all started with James Herriott for me - a paperback tucked in with 3 or 4 other books I received for my birthday a long time ago. I couldn't tell you what the other books were, but this book, and its sequels, have become dear friends. I can tell you the stories from memory (and from my heart) and I have read the paperbacks so often I've had to replace them with hardbacks just so they'll last longer.
James Herriott was a vet practicing in Yorkshire (England) from the end of the Depression until about 20 years ago.
The stories are charming, happy, glorious, tragic and tear-jerking. It was a wonderful but brutal time to be practicing veterinary medicine. It was before many of the surgeries we have now and Herriott was there for the introduction of antibiotics and many other medicines. Think about it - how often have you had your cat or dog treated for infections - 60 years ago there was nothing to kill the bacteria that brought death to so many. How impossibly hard it must have been for him to lose so many of the animals he treated, and how wonderful when he knew he saved them either for the farmers who needed their stock or the families who loved their pets. And the people he writes about! What characters!
I have pets and love to read the stories about cats and dogs and horses. I teach medical students and use more than a few examples from these books about the PROCESS of thinking which is so essential to any practice of medicine. His stories here and in later books about diagnosing hoof and mouth disease or husk or heatstroke or nettlerash are fascinating reading about the mind of a physician as it works while the seconds of life tick away.
This book is great, the series of books is great - curl up somewhere and get to know them.

This Review lead me to Raymond Austin. (It is right it is.)

BOOKLIST AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION Fans of the classic British television series The Avengers and The Saint may recognize the author',s name: as Ray Austin, he directed episodes-of-those serve; as well as many other British and American shows, This is his first novel, and it's ideally suited for the small screen. An armored car is hijacked, seemingly snatched out of thin air, and Virginia's Beauford Sloan, retired-cop-turned-private-detective, is hired to find out whodunit. Sloan, who closely resembles the actor Wilford Brimley, is a remarkably likable character. (The resemblance is no coincidence: Brimley and the author are friends, and Brimley has expressed his desire to play the detective in the anticipated television movie based on the novel. He has also written an introduction to the book.) In fact, everything about the novel is remarkably likable; perhaps because he spent decades in the world of moving pictures, Austin knows how to create detailed characters, dialogue that is both memorable and realistic, and an exciting plot. An excellent debut and a real find.

David Pitt

A great summer read, fast paced, with characters that you care about. I liked Sloan so much, I want to see what else he does. A third book is coming out soon, can't wait! This would make a great movie!!

I was totally captivated right from the start how the incredible "Eagle Heist" went down. You'll have to read to know what I mean! This book was fabulous! Right until the end I could not figure out who masterminded this incredible heist. Raymond Austin does an amazing job of creating a visual masterpiece in his first book. It must be made into a movie! I'm looking forward to the next in his series, "Dead Again."

This book has changed my entire perspective on daily living. I suggest it to any parents or even any women involved with children (I am making my mother read it as she does the majority of babysitting), I also suggest any person involved with any child at any time should read this book. If it were made to be mandatory reading I believe the crime rate would drop across the globe. I also believe the lessons in this book should be taught to children in school. "safety" should be a class as any other "math", "english" etc. out of all the lessons this would be the most valuable. Gavin writes in clear concise layman terms that don't leave you to ponder what he meant. I like the way he gives examples and walks you through each tragic event. (making them tragic helps you to remember). Starting these lessons today can greatly improve your childs future and I suggest anyone with any age child should read (my boy is 8 months old!) Definately worth every cent (and I paid $34 for it as I am in Canada!)

This is such an timely topic right now, and this book addresses the most important aspect of keeping kids safe: Understanding that instincts are the key to staying safe. Often, we're taught in childhood to disregard our gut-level feelings, yet this is what helps us survive. This book tells you how to teach your kids to listen to theirs -- and for YOU to listen, too. It also addresses the scary fact that most kids who are abducted actually know their abductors. You learn not only what parents should look out for, but what to teach kids to look out for. Yes, you should talk to your kids about abduction and the dangers that lie in wait, and this book tells you how to do that. "Protecting the Gift," along with "Be Alert, Be Aware, Have A Plan: The Complete Guide to Protecting Yourself, Your Home, Your Family," are the two most important books you can read to protect your kids -- and give yourself peace of mind.

Parents,Teachers,Doctors...everyone. This is the best book to teach how to keep our children safe. Wish Someone could have read the book and kept me safe as a child. I ant to also recommend two books, Nightmares Echo and Beauty For Ashes. Both of these books are told from the sexual abused child's point of view. Each offering thier own way to survive.

Fans of Civil War literature who are weary of reading the many books out there about major military leaders and their campaigns, battles, weapons, tactics and strategies will discover something of great value in "Black Flower: A Novel of the Civil War." The author, Howard Bahr, applies his narrative skills to a haunting and memorable depiction of the slaughter and carnage of war and its harrowing effects on the common soldier. We briefly discover Bushrod Carter, a 26-year old Confederate soldier from Mississippi and his "pards" preparing for the 1864 Battle of Franklin, Tennessee and then find them again after the battle is over, changed forever. Descriptions of the horrors of war, the wounded and their medical treatment, the nightmare scenes in the plantation house commandeered as a hospital, the tragedies of the lives affected, all serve to make "Black Flower" a most powerful and emotional novel

This book is sheer poetry masquerading as a Civil War novel. No matter how gruesome the subject matter of the moment, Howard Bahr manages to take it beyond your mind and into your heart -- you understand what he's writing with your soul. His description of the army as a living breathing entity unto itself as it goes into battle, is masterful and helps those of us who have never experienced battle to have an inkling of what makes normal men able to fight and kill. The interactions involving Bushrod and the other characters who have such a strong effect on his life are beautiful and touching. The Black Flower truly brings the horrors of war and death to life, you can virtually feel the characters' pain and smell the smells that surround them. But the beauty of the writer's language pulls the reader on and on no matter what the horrors may be. You care so much about these characters that you must go on. This book will be right up there on the top of my all time list of recommended favorites. If I could give it higher rating than a ten I would.

This novel, centering around Hood's petulant attack at Franklin is, at once, depressing and uplifting. The depression comes from the futility of the battle while the uplifting comes from the spirit of the American soldier and his willingness to endure despite the hardships he must encounter. This book is worth the read, if only to understand somewhat the ultimate weariness that comes from protracted hardship and war.