On-the-tape

Anglophiles who are historical fiction buffs will enjoy each of Cynthia Harrod-Eagles' Morland Chronicles. They tell the story of the Morland family of northern England as it struggles to prosper as the world changes. Characters are not static and are interesting. Historical facts are well researched and provide a real background for this ongoing story. Read them all!

I have all twenty one books of this series from volume one upto twenty one. I started collecting them approximately sixteen or seventeen years ago. The stories are great the characters are facinating, but it is her historical bases for these novels that is so brillant and makes them very readable. I look forward to every new episode of this story that comes out, and I am waiting with baited breath for the next installment.

They start off set in the Wars of the Roses and in the most recent book the American Civil War has just ended. Ms Harrod-Eagles must be one of the most talented and dedicated authors around as the historical detail is impeccable and when you couple that with the characters it makes for compulsive reading. These are my favourite books ever - I try to read the whole series at least once a year. What I love most about it is the way the author creates such strong female characters - Eleanor, Nanette, Annunciata, Jemima, Lucy, Charlotte, Mary - they're wonderful and I love reading about them. Volume 22 is coming out soon and I can't wait for it. The only bad thing about these books is having to wait a whole year for the next installment!

If anyone wants to email me to discuss the books go ahead - I don't know anyone else who reads them.

I found once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. What wonderful information and wisdom for vocalists and/or their teachers. This should be a must read for anyone involved in singing.

As a singer and a teacher of singers, I found this book a great resource. It is written in common sense and easily understood terminology, which is very useful. I highly recommend this book as a superb addition to every serious singer's bookshelf.

McKinney is the direct descendant--vocally speaking--of the great pedagog, William Vennard. His technical bent and his ability to communicate in easy-to-understand language has made him indispensable to an increasing number of voice teachers, choral conductors and singers. His systematic approach to the subject, as illustrated in the table of contents, makes the book a resource to keep handy. I use this as the foundation for teaching vocal pedagogy to college music-voice majors. If you are looking for fundamental and thorough knowledge of singing; how to spot and correct vocal faults, this is the resource to have.

This book has been in my collection since its publication and has been read many times. It's still difficult to believe that this beautiful, young princess is no longer on her earthly sojourn but has moved on to a much better place.

The forward is written by The Reverend Tony Lloyd who is The Executive Director of The Leprosy Mission. The following quote is taken from the foreward on page 11: "Leprosy may not be mentally and physically damaging, but it is often erroneously seen as a curse from the gods, and the 'victims' then become outcasts. Since Diana herself was the frequent victim of pain and anguish, she had a special empathy for those who suffered in the same way. It is not a coincidence that five of her six remaining charities are associated with stigma.

"She was charismatic, witty, and, above all, a womain of extraordinary compassion. This was demonstrated both in the limelight and, more often, when there were no cameras or reporters present." So many times, one tends not to read the preface or the forward of a book and, often, valuable information can be gleaned from these. I, for one, feel that the last sentence of the above quote is crucial since there are still may people who think that Diana did everything in full view of cameras.

If one collects books on Diana, this book is a must. There is not any new material, there are several pictures not seen before; however, as with all books, it is presented in a different format and style. One is taken through Diana's life as a toddler, as a small girl, as a teenager, as an adult, and lastly, through her funeral service and to her final resting place on the small oval island at Althrop - her ancestral home.

Following are three quotations of Diana's: "I shall get married when I am sure that I am in love, so that we will never be divorced," said by Diana as a small girl - page 15. On page 30, "I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world when I looked at Charles through my veil. I had tremendous hope in my heart." On page 72, "I think the biggest disease this world suffers from in this day and age is the disease of people feeling unloved, and I know that I can give love for a minute, for half an hour; for a day, for a month, but I can give. I'm very happy to do that and I want to do that."

This is a great, but sad tribute to the late Diana, Princess of Wales. This book contains many beautiful pictures in color and a few in black and white. This book is a must for anyone who collect books on Diana, Princess of Wales.

Just when you think that you've read all there is about the late POW, along comes this well-written volume. It wasn't just the same old text with a few changes of words to make you think it was all new. I really found this book refreshing in content. One of the best coverages of the funeral I've read to date! Also pictures that I had not seen previously--and I have an embarrassingly large collection of them! However, while you're waiting for this book at Amazon.com to be released, I purchased mine at Waldenbooks on the clearance table for $2.99. I was shocked to see such a great book at such a steal, it's definatly worth the asking price here!

I have a few books about Diana, but this one, A Tribute to the People's Princess, I found to be very excellent. It shows Diana in many pictures in her different roles in life:Princess of Wales, mother, wife and humanitarian. I recommend everyone who wants to learn more about Princess Diana, to read this book, you'll be glad you did.

Joseph Banks was a head of my LDS Stake in Cincinnati. Often he would tell this tale live from the pulpit. As a youth, I somewhat 'checked out' as this is not the type of tale I wanted to hear, but kept it lodged in the back of my mind.

I read this book at the beginning of July, 2002. At month's end, Joe was back in Cincinnati to tell his tale once more to the congregation. How amazing that, even after all this country has experienced in recent years, the people there were only half-tuned. One even had the courage to question its Truth.

Want to get the Royal Hell scared out of you?! Read this one. Be sure and pray that this Never occurs to you.

A book I will never forget. I could never imagine experiencing the hell that this man went through. I am so grateful that we have men like this hero who protect us. In light of recent national catastrophe's, this book is not only topical, but a story that will stay with me forever

We bought the unabridged audio version and put it in the tape player in the car on a long trip. My 13 year old daughter and 11 year old son were both "glued" to their seats. Every time we stopped, they were the first ones to make sure I started it again. A very gripping story that holds your attention from the very first page. The man had incredible faith. His life was spared numerous times. I definately recommend the book.

Before reading this book, I had read 'Brave New World' and a few other essays of Huxley.My image of him and the tone of his writing was that he was more concerned with issues that link man to the society(the immediate one he interacts with, which also exerts an influence on him like town, city, country etc). While Huxley in these pieces, is no doubt, extremely clear and has convincing arguments, the entire tone of his writing and philosophy was to look for solutions from 'The Without'. All his earlier works have the tone of objectivity or externality.

The 'Doors of Perception' on the other hand is completely different from anything that Huxley had written before. For the first time, possibly, Huxley looks for answers to the riddle of the human predicament from 'The Within'. The classical mechanics led tone of impartiality/ objectivity is not there. It has been replaced by the subtler quantum mechanics treatment of the observer being as much involved(if not more) in the process of self-realisation and understanding of experience.

The book is brilliant and takes one into what possibly lies in the realm of 'The Transcendental Country of the Mind' - but the reader should get into it..and to realise the full potential of the book one has to suspend existing precepts in our limited consciousness.

There is an oft quoted zen koan which might make my point clearer. A professor of a university once wanted to know what Zen was all about. So he went to this famous Zen teacher and asked him to teach Zen. The teacher invited this prof for a cup of tea. He placed a cup before the prof and continued pouring tea into his cup even though it was full. After sometime, the prof got completely agitated and told the Zen Monk, "Why are you still pouring into the cup? Don't you see it? Its already full".
The monk replied, "Exactly. How can I teach you Zen when you are so full of yourself in the same way as this tea cup".

The same koan applies to reading 'Doors of Perception'..

This book simultaneously sythesized everything in my life and changed everything. It is a guide for understanding man's place in the world. enjoy its beauty.

If there ever should have been a person to experience and report on the higher states of consciousness that the use of psychedelic chemicals permits access to then this is he. Huxley expresses his 'sacramental vision of Reality' like no other could hope to, merging science and religion into a completely logical whole, and divulging to the reader the secret of Being, Existence, and the Not-Self. Readers experienced themselves in these states will possibly discover a meaning of Life. A timeless masterpiece.

I am a hugely ardent fan of the movie... and I think I have to admit that is even better. It goes into a lot more depth- this is apparently what Pogue really wanted to do with the screenplay but couldn't. You get tons more about character here too and the whole story is somehow filled out. There are some very funny bits (Gilbert's first encounter with Draco par example...), and some haunting dark passages - a lot of Einon's thoughts...
And everything describing Draco and his thoughts is just beautiful... There's a bit near the end where he wants a last flight and sunshine which completely breaks my heart *sob*.
It's the sort of book I will gladly stay up all night reading... beautifully written... just amazing!!!




(Pls. note: this review was written by me about the BOOK - I don't know how much the tape has been abridged, but I strongly suggest you read the book anyway cos, as I said, it's brilliant!!)

I read this book because of an article I read in which Charles Edward Pogue claimed that his screenplays for Dragonheart & Kull were savaged by their Directors. To give the man a fair shake, I read his Dragonheart Novel. I can see why he was so upset! Wherever the film takes a wrong turn, the Novel goes in the right direction. Everything that is wrong about the film is RIGHT in the Novel. The writing, while now and then a little spare [which is better than overwriting] and a little too modern, is, overall, exceedingly literate [some of the dialogue is close to Tad Williams level]. The characters are believable and involving. The story explains itself and it's world. I HIGHLY recommend buying a copy of Dragonheart!

Ijust have to say that I love this book!! Also the movie is Awesome!!!!

This is one of my favorite audiobooks. Milton is very pragmatic and focused on real life. Everything he says can actually be applied to your life and your situation. I think my two favorite concepts are the career concept and the flinch, though I totallylove the entire thing. I really love the flinch because it's this great thing you can just bring out when you're having motivation problems. It's much better than "Come on I can do it!" It's "Don't flinch!' To my than makes it this great challenge or a game. So much better than when most motivational speakers say "See every problem as a challenge."

Gently, but without mincing words, this author delivers a matter-of-fact message that cuts through the psychobabble of finding out "why" something is. Then he tells you how to pursue your dreams and to get unstuck from wherever it is you ARE stuck. It works for young and old, scholars and teachers, slow or warp-speed minded. His methods apply to all. I've listened to it three times and will do so again. And I've bought the book! I want to change my life!

I have listened to the tape 3 times so far; in turn I have bought this for four people. Having read numerous books on making lifestyle, career, and relationship changes -- all of which have helped me considerably -- I can tell you that the advice Milton Katselas gives us as "average Joe" citizens (instead of the actors & actresses he has coached) is what I want to follow more than any other book I've read. I am buying the book because this time, unlike with all the other authors who have said basically the same things without the hard-hitting succinctness that Milton uses, I want to write it all down. I want to follow through. I want to change my life for the better. I'm going to do it with more gusto and fervor than I've ever done it before. It's time to REALLY GO AFTER what I want in a career, not just "make my life better" as I've done to date. Many things have improved in my life, but the clock is not turning back. If ever there was a launching pad, this is the book to use.

Maranne MacDonald's Dido and her father are terrific characters, and the reader is happy to follow them anyplace. Especially back to Dido's really interesting antiquarian bookstore. The crimes could be more tightly developed, but MM is finding her way and you can only wish her luck. Might as well come along for the ride; the authors' characters are so good.

Have you made the acquaintance of Dido Hoare? If not, I highly recommend you do so straightaway. You won't regret it. Dido is a modern young woman, newly divorced, daughter of a former academic at Oxford (who seems to have had other assorted former careers, as well) who now owns an antiquarian bookshop in London's Islington area.

Coming home late at night after having purchased a privately-owned library some eighty miles from her home, she is menaced by a white car. Eventually, however, the other driver loses interest, and Dido arrives home, nerve-wracked but otherwise unharmed.

The next day, her father, Barnabas, recovering from serious heart surgery, receives an anonymous letter, and from then on, the pace never lets up. We meet several of London's other antiquarian book dealers, plus Dido's former husband Davey. Briefly, that is, for in just a few days time, Davey and the white car fall victim to a bomb.

The police officer assigned to the bombing, Paul Grant, bids fair to becoming an important part of Dido's life, if only she can figure out why Davey had to die. What does she have that she doesn't realize she has? Neither Davey's new friend, Ilona, nor his mother, Sally, are much help either.

One clue is a book about a possible forger. Or has the forger been forged? This is a wonderfully well-written book that works on several levels. I cannot recommend it highly enough to those who enjoy truly intelligent books. How can you not love a book that includes this line "She continued to watch her drink as closely as though she were waiting for it to change colour and play the National Anthem." You won't regret the acquaintance, I promise.

This first Dido Hoare mystery is the most complex of the four so far; but just as interesting and intriguing.

This novel starts when a mysterious white car follows Dido on her way back home from a book buying trip, late at night through the deserted M40 highway. Soon after Barnabas, her father, receives a mysterious postcard alluding to the incident. Next, Dido's ne'er-do-well ex-husband, Davy, turns up and tries to persuade her that she needs his help to maintain the bookstore. Then her store is burglarised. Barnabas is sure that Davy is somehow responsible for all these events but Dido refuses to consider that possibility. And then Davy's car is blown up with him in it. The police seemed stumped and cannot quite see the connection between all these events. However Dido comes to the reluctant conclusion that Davy was involved in some way. But how? And what can all this possibly mean?

This book is intriguing and complex and I think that if you have the patience to follow all twists and turns of the plot you will be more than amply rewarded. An amazing first installment of an equally amazing series.

It was my privilege to have known Frank Johnson while serving with him in Vietnam. There were many times we set across from each other on our bunks and thanked God we were still alive. Frank indeed was a warrior and a man of great courage but there was also another side that was warm kind and gentle. A man that would take the time to listen to your problems, to help you when you were down and to support you when you needed a friend. This book is an accurate accountant of places and events that took place as seen through the eyes of Frank Johnson.With great pleasure I recommend you read this book. It is a supreme insight into what it was like for a 19 your old to have been exposed to the horrors of war. Burgess Wetta

This book really gives you the first hand account on what happen day by day to this soldier. What a great history lesson. It isn't soften down by someones memories of the Vietnam War but gives you the actual feelings that happen on that day. I find that when I am reading I get lost in the moment and feel like I am right in the jungle with this soldier. I was only 10 yrs old little girl when this was taking place. I looked up my birthday because I wanted to see what this guy was doing on that day when I was celebrating my birthday. Gave me a strange feeling. Thank you to ALL the war veterans who have fought for our freedom.

A LRRP'S YEAR IN A COMBAT ZONE...This was an excellent book. I just bought the book 2 days ago, and just finished it tonight. I had to read it every chance I got. The hell these guys went through, detailed explicitly in this book, is amazing. The honor and courage that these men showed, went above and beyond the call of duty. Definitely a must read, especially for those who have been in the military, and especially for those who have seen combat...it has certainly brought back memories for me.....

At first glance, when you look at this title and the picture on the book of this very different trilogy and look at the category (fantasy)it's placed in, you might think that this is a book about a shining, knight that lulls dragons to sleep, kills them, and gallops off to marry a maiden in her rich castle. Or, you might think that it's a story about a funny, assertive girl that jus "happens" to discover that she has the power to make legendary creatures come to her. But, it's neither. Instead of reading boring old books that are versions of old fairy tales, this is a completely new plot. In the story, Menolly, the main character, finds that she has a talent for playing instruments, and singing in a Hold where everyine, except her teacher, Periton, shuns her for not being a hard-working woman whose life revolves around fishing. She discovers that her teacher wasn't just a grumpy old hermit halfway to the middle of nowhere, but he used to be a highly respected MasterHarper of the acclaimed Harper Hall, where all musicians first start learning. He sends word to his son, the current MasterHarper, and the whole musical world starts searching for Menolly, expecting an amazing, boy apprentice that even grumpy Periton praised. If you want to find out more, you'lll have to read the trilogy of the Dragons (Dragonsinger, Dragonsong, and DragonDrums). Oh, and why does it have dragons in it? Beacuse, Menolly just happens to own nine fire lizards, which are small, miniature, dragon-like legendary creatures. I would highly recommend it!
-school project

Anne McCafry has written a great many books.My personal faverites inclued,Dragonsong,Dragonsinger,and Dragondrums.The chareters of Sebbel,Pimmier ,and Menolly [my favorite]have great personallitys. The animals in these books are creativly made the firelizards expesially.If I could pick the world's nexted
fantsy story it would be this seiries.

Anne McKafry has written a great many books.My personal faverites inclued,Dragonsong, Dragonsinger, and Dragondrums.The chareters of Sebbel, Pimmier, and Menolly [my favorite]have great personallitys. The animals in these books are creativly made the firelizards expesially.If I could pick the world's next
best fantsy storys it would be this seiries.