On-the-tape

Pillar of Fire is very good. I love it, and can hardly wait for the third one to come out!!! I saw it at a store and asked Dad to get the two (he likes Church historical fiction too), which he did. I think I read the two in a day or two (I'm a voracious reader, and had a lot of time on my hands at the time, although I suppose it wouldn't have been much longer even if it was during the school year). Everything is so alive, and makes the scriptures come . . . well, alive! However, I think Gerald Lund and David G. Woolley are equally good.

I really like this book, it brought out a great imagination of what it might have been like for Lehi and his family. I really recommend it!

Pillar of Fire is not only a good read but also an important fictionalization of a period all but lost to the Western world. There are scores of doctrinal and historical treatments of the Book of Mormon, but no other author has succeeded so well in characterizing the historical setting of the text. The historical elements of the story are instructional and the fictional elements provide the rich background so often missing when we remember those who sacrificed to preserve our sacred scriptures. The Promised Land series is great for LDS and non-LDS audiences and will become a classic in LDS literature.

Most sequels stink. A lot. George MacDonald, the first fantasy master, managed to buck that trend with the sequel to "The Princess and the Goblin," with "The Princess and Curdie." If anything, this book is even better than the first -- a bit more mature, a little bit darker, but with the same haunting prose and likeable characters.

In the time since the defeat of the goblins, Curdie has gone back to his life as a miner. Unfortunately he also begins to stray from the pure actions he showed in the first book, pushing aside thoughts of Princess Irene's grandmother and trying to convince himself that the more supernatural events of "Goblin" were just imagination. Until he needlessly wounds a pigeon with his bow and arrow, and takes it to the stately, mysterious Grandmother.

As Curdie regains his innocence and his faith, the Lady sends him on a quest, with a weird doglike creature called Lina who was once a human. She also (by having him stick his hands into burning roses) makes his hands able to feel a person's soul when he touches them, if a person is "growing into a beast" on the inside. Now Curdie and Lina set off for the capital, where Irene's father is physically ill, and falling prey to the scheming of his sinister officials.

If the first book was Irene's, then this book is undeniably Curdie's. The focus is on him almost constantly through the book, and it's his internal struggles that we are fascinated by. Every person (well, most of them, anyway) eventually loses their childlike faith and innocence, as Curdie has begun to do at the beginning. He's naturally a more skeptical person than Irene, and so time begins to fade whatever he thought he saw; also, being "one of the guys" in the mine requires a seemingly more mature attitude. But with the loss of innocence also goes some of the faith and internal beauty, and so MacDonald brings Curdie back to the gentle, trusting kid he was in the first book.

The Lady (also known as Irene's great-great-great-grandmother, Lady of the Silver Moon, and Mother Wotherwop -- don't ask about the last one) is also a more prominent figure. She's still both maternal and supernaturally distant, very warm while also seeming to know everything. Precisely who and what she is remains a mystery, but we see more of her subtle, awe-inspiring powers here.

The writing is, as the first book was, immensely dreamy and haunting. MacDonald let rip with the surreally beautiful descriptions of the Lady's room and appearances, and of scenes like Curdie sticking his hands into the rose petals. Like in "Princess and the Goblin," the plot takes awhile to get moving, but it's so well-written that you probably won't notice.

"The Princess and Curdie" is currently harder to find than the first book, which strikes me as a little odd. (Especially since this duology is just screaming to be compiled in one book) But anyone who enjoyed the first book, or even just enjoys a gorgeously-written fantasy, will definitely want to get this sequel.

'The Princess and Curdie' is a superb sequel to the brilliant children's fantasy 'The Princess and the Goblin'. In both books, MacDonald displays his incredible talent as a story-teller for children, by crafting a tale that makes great reading aloud material for children. Curdie, a miner's son, is sent by a magical princess on an urgent quest to save the king and his kingdom. His companion is Lina, an ugly monster of a dog who proves to be a steadfast, powerful and courageous companion. Curdie discovers that evil and wickedness threaten to overthrow the good kingdom of the king and his daughter Irene, and it is only when Curdie and Lina escape perils and dangers and marshal together the forces of good that the dangers can be overcome.

In the process of telling the story, MacDonald entertains a few curious notions rather surprising for a Christian. Especially surprising are the ideas of a mountain being bubbles of heat thrust from the center of the earth (p.2), and the earth being a cooled body that flew off the sun (p.3) ' ideas more akin to evolutionary thinking than Christian faith in the Biblical teaching about creation. This book is also somewhat different from 'The Princess and the Goblin' on a literary level, because in this book MacDonald's story-telling at times employs vocabulary and sentence structure that is overly complex for children, and at times he waxes overly philosophical.

But those weaknesses aside, it's a thrilling and captivating story of an exciting quest, enhanced by deeper underlying Christian themes. MacDonald describes the king as 'a real king ' that is, one who ruled for the good of his people and not to please himself.' (p.5). True citizens of this kingdom, such as Curdie's parents, are those who 'always loved what was fair and true and right better, not than anything else, but than everything else put together.' (p.35) In contrast there are many false citizens who have open doors but closed hearts, and who live a life of wickedness, chiefly characterized by lying, drinking, stealing and unkindness. These seeds of corruption also contain the seeds of destruction, and threaten to overthrow the kingdom. The morality is clear and solidly Christian.

Particularly fascinating is the concept that all humans are either noble human beings, or else slowly turning into animals on the inside. By putting his hands into a magical fire, Curdie is given the ability to perceive the inner layer of man by means of a handshake: 'you will henceforth be able to know at once the hand of a man who is growing into a beast.' (p.73) One cannot help but wonder if MacDonald has too much faith in human nature, since he does not spell out that it is only the regenerating Spirit that makes a heart true and noble. But the underlying truth is valid: all men's hearts are inclined to be beastly because of sin, but by the grace of God some hearts are changed to be noble and truly human. It echoes the truth of the teaching of Jesus Christ: where your heart is, there your treasure is, and ultimately you cannot serve both God and Mammon. Those who are overwhelmed by wickedness and by love of Mammon, are eventually destroyed, whereas those with a pure heart and love of God establish the kingdom of righteousness. The pessimism of the final ending raises many questions, but perhaps can be best explained as a growing wickedness among men leading to a complete and final judgment, similar to the flood and the end of the world. MacDonald's tale is in the end very reminiscent of the Biblical pattern of the Judges and Kings: in times of wickedness, God raised up judges and kings to ensure the establishment of a kingdom where justice and righteousness reigned.

Just as in the 'The Princess and the Goblin', Irene's great-great-grandmother plays a central and decisive role. She is also known as 'The Mother of Light', 'the Lady of the Silver Moon' and less affectionately as 'Old Mother Wotherwop'. MacDonald attributes to her both omniscience ' 'I am always about' ' and a measure of omnipotence (p.53). She is the Light that guides the way in darkness (p.50), and she it is who commissions Curdie for his quest and ensures its success.

These timeless tales contain enduring truths, as well as delightful stories. What they've done for over 100 years is something that they are still doing today - pleasing imaginative children and adults with a tale of lasting significance.

George MacDonald has the gift of expressing a deep theological idea through the form of a story.I grew up with his fairy stories,as a Adult,I am still affected by the skillful and beautiful portrayal of the quest for wisdom of a pure heart.The Princess and Curdie,is a story of just that.Curdies own journey is a story of the Christian walk and if one wishes can learn much from it.Do not get the idea that The Princess and Curdie is dull however!This book pays tribute to George MacDonalds fantastic imagination,as a child and as an "grownup" once picked up this book is difficult to put down.Perhaps the deepest things are also the most interesting.

Unlike the technical, detailed Ranger books written by Col. Black, this one is from a personal standpoint and draws you into the story from page one until the last word is read. The book starts with Col. Black as a child and the desire to be a Ranger is obvious; to what it takes to qualify for Ranger training; what it takes to endure the training and what drives a Ranger to stay a Ranger. A story about being an American in the war ravaged country of Korea and Viet Nam. You read about betrayal, unrequited love, the guts and glory of war; the survival of war, and at times with a sense of humor. You laugh, you cry. It grips your heart; it grips your soul, but most of all it makes you proud to be an American; proud to have men of his calibar fighting for your freedom and that of our Country.

As a child born during the Vietnam war, I was embarrassed that I knew little about it. I could not have picked a better teacher. Learning about this time in history was decorated with the amazing story of one extraordinary man. I could not have picked a better character to guide me through the US military and Asian conflicts of my childhood. As the words of Robert Black carried me into worlds of the misunderstood, I came out of the the autobiography with an educated understanding of a troubled time in our history. Robert Black is the "Dr Phil" or our US Armed Forces. He tells it like it is, whether you are ready or not. In A Ranger Born, he writes for all those who care to learn and laugh on a journey that explores an unsafe time in history escorted by a Ranger that will protect and entertain you through the entire tour.
I hope Col. Black is deciding who will play him in the movie. I have a few suggestions...does anyone else? Read the book and you will see unforgetable characters come to life. Col. Black is the man everyone wants in their foxhole!!! Reading his book is as close as you will get!

This is the best book yet in Robert Black's series about the U. S. Rangers. It is the remarkable story of a young boy who knew exactly what he wanted to be when he grew up and who worked toward that goal from then on. Black has revealed in his series that he is a true soldier/scholar. This book traces his story through triumph and sadness. His love for his fellow Rangers shines from the story as does his love for his country. He writes with compassion and wit. The man who is the soldier and the soldier who is the man will live with you for a long time.

THE RETURN OF THE SOLDIER, published in 1918, may be the most carefully conceived novel I've ever read, and I've read a fair amount of exquisitely executed fiction. Told from the first person perspective of a spinster whose entire life revolves around her cousin, his life and country mansion, it is the story of an English gentleman who goes off to World War I only to be returned not in a body bag or physically injured but with a severe case of amnesia. He does not recognize his pretty, socially correct wife; he has retreated to a hidden youthful romance with a poor woman. The woman, also married now, comes forth in the interest of helping him. The balance of the plot hangs in the implications of recovery. The balance of the full experience of the novel is to watch characters change or not change their class prejudices and worldview in light of their experiences on this country estate. Though only 90 pages long, much is packed into this book, much that is analogous to the English national experience as it moved from the Victorian era into the 20th century.

The critical introduction, which should be read as an afterward so as not to rob you of the surprises in the novel, does a good job of reviewing the analogies between the tightly closed world of the country estate and the national experience. There is much more to be mined from this novel, including a window on the then new science of psychoanalysis and how it was understood. For me, the narration was a particular revelation. At first I thought the voice a bit melodramatic in a 19th century way, but it became clear that the tone was all part of the author's plan, and that it changed as the narrator's vision changed. The specter of spinsterhood hangs thick in the air, itself a comment on the social condition of the era. Here is the perfect selfless, lonely narrator who knows everything about the lives in her tiny circle. The woman who would be ignored becomes the ideal articulator of how England at home received the war.

This relatively unknown work, deceptively short, operates on many different levels and works on all of them. In a brief 87 pages one sees the class divisions in England during World War I, the impact of the Industrial Reolution on the countryside, a conflict between love and duty, family expectations and one's own desires, a frightening picture of amnesia, the pain of unrequited love and the joy of mutual love, a marriage without a soul--I could go on and on. I read it once just because I couldn't wait to see what happened, and then again slowly to enjoy the language, the beautiful descriptions of nature, and to find the hints the author sows from page one on that this beautiful world that these people have created for themselves is not what it appears to be.

West's "little book" was written right when England was leaving the Victorian Era and becoming embroiled in the Edwardian. If you pay attention, you can see the countryside changing as "the red suburban stain" creeps across the landscape. Of all the books we read in my ENG 442G class (Modern British Lit), this book was by far my favorite. It has a gripping story with lots of twists that make it interesting. It's not just about the war, it's not just about an unhappy marriage, it's not just about childhood opportunities lost--it's about a changing nation and a changing world. This book can be read on so many different levels. I have seen the movie as well (the book's much better).

I grew up in St. Louis and was familiar with Elaine Viets' funny Post-Dispatch columns about city life, so when I saw she had written a mystery I was eager to see what it was like. I wasn't disappointed. It was fun to read a mystery with references to my home town, and the satire about the newspaper where her heroine works was especially funny since I've worked on newspapers for quite a number of years. My only criticism is that it was fairly easy to figure out who the killer was, but I still enjoyed the book immensely and highly recommend it.

Viets gives us savy, sharp witted Francesca Verling and a great read! An inside look at the world of the newspaper game, suspense and characters to easily become attached to/or despise. They are honest, gritty and her descriptions are priceless!

Francesca Vierling, an in-your-face, sharp-tongued, "St. Louie Woman" is someone you'll want to get to know. "Rubout," the second of her adventures, following "Backstab," is a cleverly written, fast-paced mystery that takes you on a wild ride from St. Louis's biker culture to its cultured elite in search of a brutal killer. A great read that's hard to put down.

The shipment was rec'd in brand new packaging. The cassettes are clear and easy listening. I purchased this for listening in my car and it is perfect.

This reading of the King James Version Bible by Alexander Scourby is a treasure! I own or have listened to most of the other audio Bibles out there and there just is no comparison. Scourby reads in a transparent manner that allows the Bible to come alive. With some audio Bibles I have a hard time listening through the reader's radio-announcer inflections to the underlying message. Not so with Scourby, he justly earns his title of the "Voice of the Bible".

I recommend this Audio CD highly. I don't believe you will be disappointed with it in any way.

I wonder when this will be available in CD format? My tapes have had it!

The antics of the angels kept me laughing through the whole book. I was so impressed I ordered the entire series. I look forward to the further adventures of these unique angels.

I truely enjoyed this wonderful Christmas Story. Shirley,
Goodness and Mercy are up to their devine enterventions.
I read this book in one day. It really gets you into the
true spirit of Christmas. Greg Bennett really finds out
how important it is to do the right thing.

Three inept angles find their latest project to be a man much disliked. When he finds himself on the bottom, about to lose everything, he asks for help but does not really believe he will get it. Shirley, Goodness, & Mercy find a warm, and satisfactory way to help him. I liked this book because it reminds me that everyone needs a little kindness and we often find it in unusual places. There are both tears and chuckles in this book. It is short, sweet, and a wonderful read aloud book.

I read this book in 1977 & still remember it as a great book. It is quite long, 658 pages but it is very hard to put down. It is intertaining & interesting. I know I will be reading it over & over again.

Howatch puzzles me, her novels look like run of the mill pulp fiction best sellers to judge by the covers but once you start to read them you discover a formidable intelligance. Why doesn't this author have the reputation her skills entitle her to, she is easly up there with Drabble, Murdoch and other Doyens of the British novel.

I've ready this book about 6 times for the past 10 years and it always delights. It didn't hit me, until I started studying ancient Rome that it is the very story of Caesar and Cleopatra, but set in Wall Street, New York (as powerful as ancient Rome!) The story begins identical to the first meeting of Caesar and Cleopatra...just as Cleopatra was brought to Caesar rolled in a carpet and carried by her faithful servant...so is Diana Slade brought to Paul Van Zale concealed in a cart and rolled in by her trusty Geoffry. Paul's wife is barren, just as history says that Caesar's wife Calpurnia was barren. Guess what else? Paul has epilepsy - who else can you think of that historians believe ALSO had epilepsy? Paul's right-hand man Steve is described exactly as Marc Antony...burly, surly and with dynamic charm - guess what? Diana and Steve find an even greater love than Diana and Caesar...oops I mean Paul Van Zale...Paul is assasinated by the son of his ex-mistress (If you know your history...you know that Brutus is the son of Caesar's ex-mistress Servilia...) Paul leaves his fortune to his cunning, clever, sickly nephew Cornelius. Who also mirrors Octavian (Augustus Caesar in later years) Octavian becomes Diana's bitter enemy and vows to take from her the one thing that she holds most dear...Mallingham her ancestral home... Just as Octavian vowed to take Egypt from Cleopatra. Steve is hounded by Cornelius much as Antony was hounded by Octavian and finally dies a virtual suicidal death...When Cornelius tries to take Diana back to New York (mmmh, seems to me that Octavian wanted to bring Cleo to Rome...) Diana gets the last laugh. Paul's son also dies in his early years just as Caesarian did...I can go on and on, but you get the picture. In my youth, I considered this a truly original masterpiece...but I now know that the entire story is the most famous in history and that it did not come from Ms. Howatch's incredibly imaginitive mind. It does not mean this book isn't worth reading...It Is!! We'll just have to forgive her for borrowing from history. I have ready many of her books and they are all wonderful. I usually read them many times.

Sir John Mortimer is an excellent author of legal mystery/comedy, and this book is well worth the investment, but make no mistake about it, side-by-side with his ambition to entertain is Mortimer's ambition to shame conservative (including Christian) thought and practice.

For example in this title's fifth story, a young, attractive immigrant girl who finances her pursuit of an acting career by working as nude dancer in London nightclub, is murdered. The accused is a fanatical Christian known to have publically chastised the girl owing to the nature of her nighttime employment. In Mortimer's worldview anyone with Christian beliefs is always suspect.

Enjoy the book, but don't ever lose sight of the fact that Mortimer, like all liberals worldwide, has an agenda, and revels in the power he has (through fiction) to advance it.

Alas, Leo McKern died in 2002. I have to say that the PBS rendition was one dramatization of fiction that I thought was superior to the original. But, thank god, John Mortimer lives!
Much of RUMPOLE AND THE PRIMROSE PATH has to do with Rumpole's return to chambers after a heart attack. The old codger is still as cantankerous as ever. We see him resisting SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED'S efforts to force him to lead a more healthful existence. At one point she has him riding a stationary bicycle at a health club. Imagine Leo McKern on a stationary bike!
I've always been impressed with the ensemble cast in the Rumpole stories and they're all back. SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED is the epitome of the scold. Soapy Sam Ballard, leader of chambers and a Q.C. (Queen's counsel, Queer Customer to Rumpole) illustrates England's strange hierarchal legal system. They have law clerks, solicitors, barristers, queen's counsels, all on an ascending scale. Rumpole is clearly superior to Ballard as a lawyer and one of the stories shows Rumpole upstaging his so-called leader. Then there's the pathetic character, Claude Erskine-Brown, married to Phillida. He leads a delusionary existence where he's some sort of Don Quixote-like Casanova and of course Rumpole is his unwilling confidant. Liz Probert has taken Phillida Erskine-Brown's place as Rumpole's junior. There is also a new character, Liz Gribble, director of marketing and administration at chambers. She's an annoyance but as the stories progress she becomes rather of an Rumpole ally.
Part of RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY'S allure is the humor involved. Rumpole's relationship to the Timsons crime family, his lust for Chateau Thames Embankment, and his never-ending feud with SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED are sidesplittingly funny.

In "Rumpole and the Primrose Path" we find our favorite claret-swilling elderly junior barrister in fine form. As anarchic as ever, in the short story that lends its name to the collection, Rumpole stages a break from the nursing home where he is recuperating from a mild heart attack. This story sets the tone for the collection, proving that not even a brush with his own mortality (and when everyone in his old chambers has begun plotting his memorial service) can dampen the Rumpole eccentricities.

To show that he keeps up with the times, Mortimer has Rumpole deal with a case involving wayward e-mails; we cheer as Rumpole evades the body tyranny of fitness clubs. Add to this the odd bit of passion that erupts like a boil (affairs that could be as messy and painful to those involved) among the barristers and judges of the Old Bailey.

The mysteries are slight. The main joy is reading Rumpole's exploits as he again makes the rounds of the Old Bailey while living under the benevolent despotism of She.

Even the ever-unromantic Rumpole finishes the collection by bending enough to admit that if he outlives She Who Must Be Obeyed he would feel a certain loneliness. She Who Must grudgingly admits that she, too, inexplicably wants to keep Rumpole around for a while longer.

I can second that sentiment. Should any of his fans outlive Rumpole there would be a decided literary void. By all means, let's keep Rumpole around for quite some time to come.

The Silent Bride is the latest (when I wrote this) in the April Woo Series. April Woo is an ABC (American Born Chinese) NYC PD Police Sergeant. As usual this story is fast paced and a great mystery thriller. You are given enough clues to figure out who did it but not until the very end does it all come together, as the writer cleverly steers you down a few other paths along the way.

In this one you again have Lt. Mike Sanchez and April working together. You also get to see a bit more about "Skinny Dragon" Mother and sister cousin "Ching".

Mike and April are trying to figure out who would kill a bride on her wedding day (in the church at that) is it a hate crime? A crime of passion? But, wait before we get to far into solving the crime there is another wedding murder across town. And while the way the bride is again shot there appear to be no similarities in the families. But, there are a few things that link them together and there is a possibility a few of these things might also put "Ching" in danger. Not to mention that "Skinny Dragon" says this is bad luck for Chings wedding.

Along the way April and Mike also hit some rocky patches in working together. But this is not a romance book.. This is a Mystery Thriller with a little romance thrown in on the side. (I.e. My Dad even likes the series)

While this books stands along I also recommend going back and starting with the first one so that you get to really know the characters!

Leslie Glass improves with every April Woo novel. April has developed into a unique character, her stories show increasing depth and excellent research, and even her romance with the long-suffering Mike Sanchez is finally showing some sparks of maturity. With a myriad of colorful characters "The Silent Bride" is her best yet.

April and Mike are called upon for a high profile murder of the bride at an Orthodox Jewish wedding. The well-to-do, deeply devout family are not obvious suspects, nor is the groom who 1) was standing at the other end of the aisle when the shot was fired and 2) barely knew his bride to be. (This was an arranged wedding.) A hate crime is suspected, but less than a week later another bride is shot and killed entering St. Patrick's cathedral. This high society wedding had almost nothing in common with the first murder except the wedding planner, gown designer and florist. The planner is light-fingered and a crack marksman, the florist has a flamboyant lifestyle and likes to "adopt" boys from Third World countries, and the gown designer is enough like the real-life Vera Wang to make me take her off the suspect list immediately. The problem is why would any of them do something that would probably destroy their businesses?

I had a soft spot I didn't know about for brides. It was almost as shocking to think of a bride being killed as it would be a child. And the author does not let you off easily. Bride #1 was totally innocent, had never been on a date, a dreamy quiet girl. Bride #2 was spoiled, but likeable and had her whole life in front of her. April's sister/cousin who was to be married in a week was perhaps a designated third victim. This ratcheted up the sense of urgency nicely. The florist's "boys" came under observation, and the author gives a chilling picture of young men who have suffered horrible psychological damage, seen their whole family destroyed, made to serve in an army at 10 years of age, then being "rescued" and sent to the U.S. by well-meaning people, but with very little desperately needed guidance and help.

I hope this is the big breakout for Leslie Glass. April Woo has grown up and is ready to take her place among the big boys.
-sweetmolly-Amazon Reviewer

First I'd like to thank Leslie Glass for continuing the fine April Woo series without using "Time" in the titles--now my friends and I will be able to buy them immediately without having to check to make sure they're not ones we've already read! This one's an excellent addition to the series, with some real progress in the April/Mike relationship, and a wonderful twist to help make Skinny Dragon at least a little accepting of it. Very interesting to see how the characters' extensive varieties of cultural differences and ways of thought contribute to this plot. This should have a warning label that it is not to be read the night before your wedding! The book is very intense and suspenseful; if you enjoyed the other April Woo books, you won' t be disappointed with this one, and will be glad to know another is on its way.