This story is, well, brillant. It's a saga of brotherly devotion, high adventure, scary places, and glorious times. It's through the looking glass, over the next mountain and around the corner to the place in time where you most want to be, with the people you love the best. It fills a space in your heart and leaves an ache at the same time. And it's good. You know those books that you can't BEAR to have end? The ones where you want just one more page? Well, move this to the top of the list - because the ending, while absolutely perfectly satisfying, leaves you on the edge of your seat wondering what happened next. That's one (of a long list) why it's such a perfectly brillant children's book - your imagination takes it from there. This is not a story to read just once, but over and over, and to share with the people that you love the best.

When I was a little boy, my mother read this book to me and my little brother. The story took us to the wonderfull world of fantasy and beyond. I'm in my twenties now, and I haven't heard the story since. But the book lies safely stored in some old box back home. Like a treasure. Because that's what it is. A hidden treasure, known only by a few. Many consider Tolkiens contributions as the greatest portals to the world of fantasy there is... If they only knew. I can understand why people feel frustrated about the fact that this pearl is out of print. But on the other hand, that just makes it more treasured and valuable to those lucky enough to have a copy. Easy for me to say:) But to all of those who actually manage to obtain one; Enjoy it! Read it slowly and enjoy...

The Brothers Lionheart led me to a magically real fantasy world of fairytales and regular human life. It tells about death in a comforting way. This book is about death, but yet it teaches that there is no death at all. Read it to a child, mother, father, grandmother- anyone with an open mind will more than enjoy it. Amazing, enchanting, wonderful.

I found this book in my Aunt's house when I was a young child, 12 - 15 years ago. "David and the Phoenix" made a lasting impression on me. I never liked to read much, until I read this book. My family lives at the base of a mountain and we did and still do a lot of hiking. Hiking and my love for all animals helped me relate to this book and I have loved to read ever since. My Aunt can't find this book anymore, probably one of her grandchildren got a hold of it, but I wrote down information about the book when I was a kid, hoping to find a copy for myself. I just happened upon that piece of paper and found that it was a 1958 Edition - Selection of the Weekly Reader, Children's Book Club - Education Center published by Follett Publishing Company, Chicago. Manufactured in the United States of America by American Book-Stratford Press, Inc., NY. Published simultaneously in Canada by Ambassador Books, Limited. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 57-8280. I recently tried to find a copy and had no luck. This is my last hope of finding the book so that the children I hope to have someday soon can enjoy it too.

I first read "David and the Phoenix" in 1958 when it became a selection of the Weekly Reader Chilren's Book Club. I loved it then and I love it still. I cannot think of another book which quite so filled me with a sense of wonder. Edward Ormondroyd's vivid descriptions paint bright scenes of characters and places in the reader's imagination. It is the kind of book that a child takes to heart, where it very well may remain ever after. I know that, even before reading the recently reprinted edition, I could recount virtually every episode in the tale, with Joan Raysor's simple pen sketches still providing the framework for my mind's eye recreation of the story. The book is full of humor, adventure, wonder, and gentle wisdom. This is a genuine classic of imaginative children's literature.

I'm so =glad= to see that others have read and loved this book as I have! My parents subscribed to the WRBC for many years, and that is how I first met David and his beautifully eccentric feathered friend, when I was about 8 or 9 (I'm 47 now). The family copy disappeared, and I was frantic to find another. Finally I spotted it in a restaurant, of all places, in the room they called The Library, and they let me keep it. This is an incredible little story, unpretentious but delightful, on one level an adventure children will love and one another a parable about change and moving on. I know it was out in paperback a few years ago (with a hideous cover), and I really wish someone would reprint it so I could give it to my goddaughter and my grandnieces and ... every child I can think of!

I am not a big believer in alternative medicine, but after an MRI showed a ruptured L-5 disk, (and the doctor suggested surgery)I chose to explore other options. Luckily, my internet search led me to Amazon's reviews of Dr. Brownstein's book and I decided to try his methods before pursuing surgery. I can only say that the results are miraculous! After six months of mild to excruciating back and leg pain, I am now 95% pain -free; off all painkillers; and I've resumed walking 3.5 miles daily. The idea of these simple stretching exercises as a "cure" seems so far-fetched to me that I can only urge back-pain sufferers to give this a try! I felt significant results in a matter of days! Thank you, Dr. Brownstein (and Amazon, too!)

I was skeptical when I first heard about the book, but had nothing to lose by trying it out. I'm so glad that I tried it out. It has been 17 days now that I have been using the suggested stretching exercises, every day since day 1 I've improved noticeably. Less pain, more flexibility. More strength, less hesitation to try things (bending, moving, etc.). I feel more like me again and it has only been 17 days. I'd say I'm 90% back to health. I have had several back and neck injuries during my life, and this summer they all flared up again....I spent the last several months with pain in my lower back, legs and arms. Not fun. I'm only 34, but was feeling more like 104. Although I was doing the exercises prescribed by my physical therapist and doctor last year, they weren't really completely effective. I was doubtful whether this book's exercises would be much different, but started them anyway, in addition to my existing exercises.

Let me tell you...start off slow and do only the first set of exercises as recommended in the book. I was surprised that they do work, and if you take your time, you will be able to start adding stretches from section two shortly. I am doing all of section one, and most of section two every day now, and feel wonderful. Can't wait to start adding in section 3 exercises, but I need to keep going slowly as the book advises.

The othe element that I am finding essential is to alter your state of mind, and way of thinking. Dr. Brownstein does give meditation suggestions/instructions in the book, and I am following those too. They are amazing. I also began reading books by Norman Cousins who documents the postive effects meditation and postive thinking can have on a body. It is factual, not just mumbo-jumbo. It's like this: you know that stress can cause ulcers and all sorts of nasties...turn it around and you'll realize that happiness can lead to all sorts of good health. No joke. It takes some work to get yourself turned around, but if you keep working at your attitude and your feelings toward life in general, you'll soon find it easy to be more cheerful, and that you will be able to have confidence in your body's ability to regenerate itself. When you're not deeply stressed out, your body can do some serious healing. This book helps us average people realize how much we can do for ourselves. Take it easy and slow and I think you'll be shocked how beneficial this all is. What do you have to lose? Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

If your back hurts a little or a lot, try this book. It is very helpful, to the point, no non-sense. I tried physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs and was ready for cortizone injections because the pain was still bad (all recommendations of my back specialist, which I saw for 3 months). After a week of doing 45 minutes of daily stretching shown in this book, I felt a lot better. In two weeks, I quit the drugs. I am in my fourth week, almost pain free, feeling great and starting to exercise again. Thanks, Dr. Brownstein!

This is one of the few books which caused me to enter my accelerated-reading-mode, finishing the book in just under four days. Vinge creates a startlingly complete, complex, interwoven universe filled with characters so realistic a reader doesn't recognize his surroundings when he wakes up the next morning.

The quick and savvy Cat fends off many troubles in his life, going from the bottom of the trashpile all the way to the top, with several ups and downs in between.

I liked this novel so much I started "catspaw.com" many years ago, to be dedicated to sci-fi novels. (alas, the site never got past its domain name.)

This was an amazing story, and when its all said and done isn't that what writing novels is all about? I haven't read either the first or third novels in the series yet, (but I have ordered them) but I know that Cat has now joined Ender who is at the pinnacle of my all time favorite characters list. What is it about wounded child-men?
This was an incredibly poignant tale told with just the right amounts of everything. I feel like I know Cat. I can't stop thinking about him. I want to know what happens to him next. I want to know if he ever finds happiness, and if not happiness, at least peace. I laughed when Cat laughed. I hurt when Cat hurt. Like Ender, Cat is now a part of my world. He is like a friend that I will go back to visit time and time again. Vinge just gives him so much life. Character driven stories are the best can. You'll like this book. The science was simple enough so you don't get lost trying to figure out what is going on. Vinge also doesn't assume the need to define everything in this futuristic world (She may in Psion, Book 1). Cat is a very introspective character but Vinge doesn't let him just THINK for chapters at at time, as other SF authors, who shall remain nameless, often do. There is emough action to appease those who must have it, there's even a little sex. Not too much, just enough. Also, there are so many wonderful characters in the story, with some of the most eccentric eccentricities. Come on, you just gotta read this book.

I can't say enough about this novel. It mysteriously came into my possession at a used book fair. I picked it up because the futuristic cover appealed to my sci-fi tastes. Upon reading the novel, I was pleasantly surprised, in fact that's an understatement. This book is so masterly written, one forgets there's an author at all behind it, but that her beautiful character Cat himself is writing it. The whole Cat series is an amazing read for it contains just the right formula. The plot is well thought out, it has universal themes of society, and the discriptions seem entirely accurate. Joan D.Vinge has created a universe and characters that are incredibly realistic. The reader gets inside Cat's head. His thoughts and emotions make him easy to love, scars and all. I know I fell in love with him. I recommend to anyone who likes Sci-fi, Futuristic stuff, or political insight to read this book.The whole series, in my opinion, is the best sci-fi tale ever written.

(Ps: Mrs. Vinge, please write a 4th book!)

This is a book that has been entertaining to all family members from the age of 9 to 78 years of age. Each person who picks it up cannot bear to part with it. The colors and photo layouts of each page are filled with warmth and depth. Even without close scrutiny the immediate "feel" of the photos is that you are glimpsing into a moment of time long gone. There is an "old world" feel to the pictures. Upon closer review you are repeatedly amazed at how your eye first deceived you. Absolute creative genius is what makes this book one to purchase-for any age. Especially wonderful for those who love puzzles and DETAIL. No detail is left out and no detail is left to its own nature. A twist on reality that delights you with every turn of every page. A must buy for sure.

I purchased this book 4 days ago and my 3 children (5, 9 and 11) haven't put it down. They keep finding more and more look a likes everytime they open the book. It's brought them closer together also by sharing with eachother what they found. I'm hoping Joan Steiner will write a sequel.

This is a wonderful book. My ten year old son loved it! He spent hours looking at all the pictures and trying to figure out how they were made. You can see something new in each incredible picture every time you look at it! Our school library has ordered several copies. The creativity in this book is just too much fun.

This was really a great book. It had a interesting plot. It lagged only once when Frances,the oldest,did something for her job requering going on the streets. I thought it was page turrning when the children were being seperated. I liked the fact that the charicters were going through such in intence situation that i could never relate. I will warn you that I think the book "stops short". I wouldn't let that stop you from reading it. Infact I read it in the car dispite the fact it made me car sick. I recomened this to anyone who likes books on slavery or the west. I congradulate Joan Lowery Nixion on a job well done!

I thought that A FAMILY APART was a really good book. It helped me to understand what a poor teenager's life was like in the mid 1800's. The story was mainly about a thirteen year old girl named Frances, who lived with her mother and five siblings in New York. After Frances' father died, the family lived in poverty. The mother worked at all hours of the day to support her family. Therefore,she never had time to properly care for her six children, so she sent them on an orphan train to St. Joseph's, Missouri to live with farm families who could feed them and care for them. The children were very upset to leave their mother. They were upset because they would be separated from their brothers and sisters also. Frances did however get placed in a home with her six year old brother, Petey. Frances learned to cope with, and love her new family. Frances had some very exciting adventures while she was living with her new family in Missouri. This book helps the reader understand love, sacrifice and trust. If I were you, I'd sacrifice a little bit of time to read A FAMILY APART.

I thought that this novel was extremely well written. I actually did some research about orphan trains and I could tell that Nixon didn't just dream up the orphan train riders lifestyles. I think that Frances Mary Kelly (the main character) was very lucky to have a mother and a shelter. Most poor children at that time didn't have parents or a shelter. Until Charles Loring Brace founded the Children's Aid Society in 1853, children were living on the streets making their living as pick-pockets. He established the orphan trains to send homeless children west to find new families. In my educated opinion, I think that this book is great for a historical fiction report and also a good curl-up-with kind of book.

Let me start this review by confessing that I am biased. One of my letters from Vietnam is included in the book. I therefore view the book differently from the average reader.

I also got an advance copy of the book a week before the official release date, and have been able to read it.

Andrew Carroll produced this book by reading through almost 50,000 letters and selected roughly 200 that best show what everyday life in the military - and in war - are like from the viewpoint of the average soldier, sailor, marine, and airman.

Andy was able to get these letters by persuading Dear Abby to publish an appeal in her column on Veteran's Day in 1998. The column urged readers to contribute these letters so that the sacrifices of the writers would not be forgotten. The result was a flood of 50,000 letters - some faded, some muddy, some blood-stained, and one pierced by a bullet. One letter was written on Hitler's personal stationary by an American sergeant who worked in Hitler's personal quarters in Germany just after WW II. What could be a better symbol of justice?

The letter writers' views are very different than the views you will get by reading the memoirs of a general or an admiral. When I was in the Army, there was a wonderful comment that explained life in the Infantry:

"The general gets the glory, The family gets the body, and We get another mission."

Your view of the military - and of war - changes depending on your position in this food chain.

Overcoming an enemy machine gun is an interesting technical problem when you are circling a firefight in a helicopter at 1,000 feet. You take a very different view of the problem when you are so close to the machine gun that your body pulses from the shock wave of the muzzle blast.

These letters were written by soldiers while they were in the military. They are describing events that happened that day, the pervious day, or the previous week. Their memories are very fresh. Their views also are very different from the views that someone might have when writing his memoirs thirty years later. In thirty years the everyday pains, problems, and terrors could very well be forgotten or become humorous.

The book groups these letters by war or police action. There are sections for letters from the Civil War, WW I (the war to end wars), WW II, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and Somolia/Bosnia/Kosovo.

Some things never change. The Civil War letter writers grumble about poor food, tiresome marches, mindless sergeants and incompetent officers. The Vietnam letter writers (myself included) grumbled about the same things.

One anguished letter was from an officer in Vietnam who was torn by his need to hide his opposition to the war for fear of demoralizing his men. At the end of the letter is a brief comment explaining that the officer stepped on a mine and died shortly after writing this letter.

Welcome to life in the military. Welcome to war.

You should read this book if you want to see what life was like and is like in the military and in war.

Let me start this review by confessing that I am biased. One of my letters from Vietnam is included in the book. I therefore view the book differently from the average reader.

I also got an advance copy of the book a week before the official release date, and have been able to read it.

Andrew Carroll produced this book by reading through almost 50,000 letters and selected roughly 200 that best show what everyday life in the military - and in war - are like from the viewpoint of the average soldier, sailor, marine, and airman.

Andy was able to get these letters by persuading Dear Abby to publish an appeal in her column on Veteran's Day in 1998. The column urged readers to contribute these letters so that the sacrifices of the writers would not be forgotten. The result was a flood of 50,000 letters - some faded, some muddy, some blood-stained, and one pierced by a bullet. One letter was written on Hitler's personal stationary by an American sergeant who worked in Hitler's personal quarters in Germany just after WW II. What could be a better symbol of justice?

The letter writers' views are very different than the views you will get by reading the memoirs of a general or an admiral. When I was in the Army, there was a wonderful comment that explained life in the Infantry:

"The general gets the glory, The family gets the body, and We get another mission."

Your view of the military - and of war - changes depending on your position in this food chain.

Overcoming an enemy machine gun is an interesting technical problem when you are circling a firefight in a helicopter at 1,000 feet. You take a very different view of the problem when you are so close to the machine gun that your body pulses from the shock wave of the muzzle blast.

These letters were written by soldiers while they were in the military. They are describing events that happened that day, the pervious day, or the previous week. Their memories are very fresh. Their views also are very different from the views that someone might have when writing his memoirs thirty years later. In thirty years the everyday pains, problems, and terrors could very well be forgotten or become humorous.

The book groups these letters by war or police action. There are sections for letters from the Civil War, WW I (the war to end wars), WW II, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and Somolia/Bosnia/Kosovo.

Some things never change. The Civil War letter writers grumble about poor food, tiresome marches, mindless sergeants and incompetent officers. The Vietnam letter writers (myself included) grumbled about the same things.

One anguished letter was from an officer in Vietnam who was torn by his need to hide his opposition to the war for fear of demoralizing his men. At the end of the letter is a brief comment explaining that the officer stepped on a mine and died shortly after writing this letter.

Welcome to life in the military. Welcome to war.

You should read this book if you want to see what life was like and is like in the military and in war.

This book, War Letters: Extraordinary Correspondence from American Wars, by Andrew Carroll (Editor) is a touching book. With the recent release of the movie Pearl Harbor, the questions that my generation wants to ask the veterans of war are rising out of the ashes once again. Carroll did an excellent job of putting together a collage of soldier's letters which portrays the true emotions of our freedom fighters. Recently having studied many of the wars included in this book, War Letters pulled everything into one book; from the Civil War all the way through Bosnia/Kosovo. The letters in WWI and WWII seemed more hopeful, and 'the great generation' seemed more patriotic. While the soldiers fighting Vietnam had more of a sense of urgency, kind of 'get this over with already' attitude. A common theme with all the letters was they were writing to loved ones, and would claim they would see them soon. Unfortunately, many of these letters were the 'last letters' to the families, some even written on backs of photographs, on scratch paper, or on Hitler's personal stationary. Also, these letters are written a few hours, days, or weeks after the events happened. The soldier has no opportunity to hear what the media said, or how the nation reacted to such a horrific event. They write with their souls, spilling their guts to their families, and shedding their blood for their nation. Granted, having just completed one year of US History helps me understand these events just that much more, but all in all, this book was everything from terrifying to heart warming.

I had purchased 3 or 4 books on tarot before finding this one. It is by far the best. Don't buy any other books until you get this one. It has an easy to read format with enough detail to keep you interested without getting confusing.
There's a great section on querent question forming and keyword charts for each of the 78 cards. It also contains lessons, with answers, where you can test your insights. An invaluable tool for anyone interested in learning the art of tarot reading.

This book is a great jumpstart to using the Tarot! The friendly, modern tone makes it easy to read and the "lesson" format helps the new tarot reader tie together the meanings of cards in layouts.

The section of this book that most impressed me is the card descriptions. Instead of just giving one or two sentences on possible meanings for the cards, Joan works the cards' meanings into vivid descriptions of the illustrations on the Rider Waite deck. For me, this made the daunting task of memorizing the meanings of the Minor Arcana practically effortless.

This is an excellent, all-purpose introduction to the tarot. The material is presented in lesson form, complete with exercises (optional) and suggested "answers." These give an overview of the tarot and many suggestions for approaching the cards for divination and personal growth. The book, however, would be most suitable for people working with traditional or Waite-derived decks, and less so for esoteric decks like the Crowley Thoth Tarot.

There is an excellent section on all card meanings, with extremeley thoughtful and descriptive key words and summaries. I personally appreciate the upbeat approach that Joan takes, not shying away from negative card meanings, but illuminating the underlying forces at work. Her viewpoint is slanted toward utilizing the challenging aspects of our personalities and fate for growth and clarification, via the tarot.

If I were to nitpick, it would be to say that I wish she had covered card reversals more extensively. Many books avoid the subject entirely though, as it is a difficult and often confusing aspect of divination that may be considered beyond the range of the beginner. I also got the feeling that she has a lot more to say, but perhaps that is what second books are for! All in all, I highly recommend this as one of the very best beginning books on tarot, and equally valuable for the more seasoned tarotist as a refresher course.

1. Sarah Darnell is a thirteen-year-old girl who used to live in Texas. When she was living there, she almost drowned in a lake nearby her house. Ever since the incident, she had been hearing whispers in her house. She later finds out that the whispers are coming from a ghost that had been following her around ever since her incident. Years later, she moves to a new state, and the ghost moves with her. Soon after she moves, she hears whispers again, only they're in Spanish. She believes that this ghost could bring her great danger...
2.I liked this book because it was exciting and it kept you guessing until the end.
3.This book is kind of related to "A Murder in the Doll House" because they both have ghosts following people around in both stories.

Mystery, excitement, and intrigue, this book has it all. It's about a teenage girl named Sara who has a life or death experience. Soon after she starts hearing noises, whispers, and odd sounds when she is alone in the house. Sara quickly separates herself from her friends after telling them her insane secret. After going to several shrinks, her parents move her to a different town so her dad can get a job. Sara and her family are often looked at strangely. They soon find out the truth behind the under priced, beautiful house. Someone was murdered in it! Her parent's forget about the strange murder but Sara finds it to odd not to investigate. Sara's just a teenager from a different town trying to unravel the secret of a mysteries murder. She turned the town upside down only to find that the true murderer is right under her noise and he's as angry as ever. Will she excape? To find out, you'll have to read " Whispers from the Dead " now showing at a library near you. I recommend it. Bye-bye.

This Book was Terrific!!!!! It was REALLY good!!! It was the third book i have ever read of Joan Lowery Nixon's books. I say it was probably the second best!!!! (my favorite was "The Other Side Of Dark" so far, check it out, it is the BEST) This book contains some scary parts so if you get scared easily, please don't read this book (unless you can concer not being scared).
This book is about a sixteen-year-old girl named Sarah. When coming close to death in the water, she believes some sort of shadow is following her. The docter says that it is a "hauted feeling" and that she needs to concer her fear (in this case of drowning). But, for Sarah this isn't easy. But, finally the feeling starts to wear off and one day she thinks it is gone. Her father has been given a promotion that involves them having to move to Houston, Texas. When looking for a house he was for some reason giving a low payment on a big one. So, they move into that house. As soon as Sarah sets foot in the door, she knows something is weird about this house.Pretty soon she hears a voice saying "help me" in Spanish. Sarah's father comes home one day and tells them why they had gotten this house for such a low price...two years ago a murder had taken place in the very house they are living in. Read on as Sarah unravels the mystery about what REALLY happened at the house that day of the murder. But, will history repeat itself, this time involving Sarah as the next victim?
This book is REALLY GOOD, and I suggest that you read it and find out what happens. It is full of suspense, and keeps you on your toes.

Like many, I've become and avid fan of the PBS show, Antiques Roadshow. And I've always enjoyed whenever Leigh or Leslie Keno give their evaluations. They both seem to really enjoy what they do and they are quite knowledgeable. So it was with anticipation that I picked up this book.

I'm happy to say I was not disappointed. Leigh and Leslie Keno have wanted to be antique dealers since they were both 12. They interweave their story of growing up in upstate New York along with stories of furniture masterpieces they've uncovered during their careers. At times the stories are almost like detective stories as they chronicle finding "treasures" in out-of-the-way places. Such as a magnificent Newport-school secretary found in a Parisian west-bank apartment. They then take us behind the scenes at Christies, Sothbys, and the prestiguous New York Winter Antiques Show to show how these mega-million dollar pieces are sold to serious collectors. There is also a fine story about how one woman found a table at a yard-sale for $25.00. After bringing it to the Antiques Roadshow where the brothers appraised it she eventually sold it through Sothbys for half a million dollars.

Though I'm not really an antiques collector I really enjoyed reading this book. It's written in a breezy style and the photographs are outstanding. I highly recommend this book.

The Keno twins of PBS's Antique Roadshow fame first fascinate you with their unusual growing up and then sweep the reader along, making their very real enthusiasm contagious as a summer cold. Their exciting detective work becomes your own and there is even almost instant gratification. When the elusive piece is found, then authenticated, there is the very real reward of seeing what price the customers put on your sleuthing and expertise. It may be millions if you are as expert as the Keno brothers.

The boys grew up in upstate New York with part-time antique dealer parents. They found treasures as soon as they were old enough to dig them up. They started with antique hardware and went on to glass and stoneware. Soon they were in business for themselves at flea markets and auctions. As soon as they graduated from college, they found places with dealers in their specialty, 18th century American furniture, and quickly found employment at Christies and Sothebys respectively. Leigh has subsequently gone into business for himself as a dealer.

The frame of the book centers around a unique secretary (combination two-piece desk) created in Newport R.I. by the famed Townsend family. The secretary has silver fittings, almost no "secondary" wood and no detail too slight to have anything but expert craftsmanship. The piece had been "hiding" for 150 years in a modest French apartment. The secretary was auctioned at Sothebys for $, the highest price ever paid for an American piece. With tax, handling added in, it was actually $.
There are many other stories in "Hidden Treasures" just as exciting if maybe not quite so costly. I found out that Americana antiques lose value if they are "cleaned." If there is any old paint or rags of upholstery, leave it as is or the price will go down. This seems strange to me; surely it must be prettied up before it is displayed.

This is a beautiful book with lavish color photographs very sharp and clear. The Keno brothers are extremely likeable and never put the reader at a distance. They seem to want you to enjoy their story as much as they do. This is a good book for the general reader; I found I could not put it down. You will never look at your great-aunt's sewing table quite the same way again!
-sweetmolly-Amazon.com Reviewer

If you are familiar with Leigh Keno and Leslie Keno, the charming, identical twin brothers who often appear as appraisers on the popular "Antiques Roadshow" television program, then you will undoubtedly enjoy this audio book.

While authors do not generally make good readers or narrators of their own works, the Keno twins are the exception to the rule. Just as they do on the "Antiques Roadshow", the twins convey their unbridled enthusiasm for antique American furniture. Their passion is contagious and makes one a truly captive audience. I had purchased this audio book for a road trip and could barely tear myself away from the car until I had finished the audio book in its entirety, as it is so interesting and entertaining.

Born in rural, Mohawk Valley in upstate New York, the twins developed their passion at the feet of their parents who had dabbled in this field. At a very young age, searching for old objects with a history was a hobby that developed into a passion. As teenagers, flea markets were their stomping grounds. As they grew up, they developed by inclination and education into worldly and sophisticated connoisseurs of beautiful rare objects, specializing in antique American furniture, a niche in which they are now foremost experts.

The audio book takes you on the hunt of some of their most prized acquisitions. With an insider's look at the wonderful world of collecting antique American furniture, the twins take the listener on a journey that few would otherwise be able make, as many of their most prized acquisitions bring in six and seven figure sums. The excitement of the hunt, the thrill of the discovery of a valuable piece of antique American furniture, the history of its provenance, and the loving description of the beauty of that piece, all provide a fascinating peek into the rarified world of antiques in which the twins work.

The tone of the book is conversationally chatty and educational. The twins have a wonderful, innate ability to draw the listener into their exclusive world. Their down to earth charm is a delicious counterpoint to the exquisite and rare pieces that they have come across, all of which they share with the listener in detail, lovingly describing the craftsmanship that went into making these beautiful pieces that are so collectible today. This audio book comes with a full color pamphlet that pictorially details the pieces that are the focus of this abridged audio book and serves to enhance this most enjoyable listening experience.