If the true mark of a great work of literary art is the schizophrenic reaction of the reader to want to burn it one minute, then install it on the upper tier of their bookshelf the next, then The Elementary Particles is an astounding, I repeat, astounding accomplishment.

Social anlyisis of late 20th century's moral and spirtual decay has never been fictionalized so vicously and so well, and it took several weeks for me to recover from the cloud of gloom it left in its wake.

If there is comedy in the book, it is of a peculiar type of humour which leave one feeling guilty and sour after the chuckle. And while some have commented on the spark of idealism which inhabits the tale -- the two anti-heros eventually both finding a version of love they're capable of coping with -- I found no idealism whatsoever in the work. It is dark, unfriendly and intellectually briliant.

Neither politically left or right, as it has often been labelled due to its scathing attack on hippies and New Agers, this book is unhealthy, brutal, but must be read. Good luck.

Atomised poked at me and I had to finish it in one night. The attacks on the 60's generation, youth culture, the state of modern day relationships, the effects of divorce, the effects of feminism, et cetera, enthralled me. Houellebecq points out our obsession with youth and tries to point out a history of where it started and how it was aggrandized through the latter part of the 20th century. I couldn't help but laugh the following day when I walked into a gym and saw all the middle aged men and women trying desperately to look 21 again. The attacks on individualism and materialism were a sad and entertaining read respectively. Its a harsh look at modern society, and although written for France, I feel that the ideas about the present situation apply to the US also. Divorced parents who look at their children as a burden or reminder that they are growing older exist in the states as well as france. Not everything in the book is magnificent, as I found most of the sex scenes a tad mechanical and the charcter Christiane seemed weak. I give it 5 stars because I cannot stop thinking about the issues brought up in the book, and I am sure that I will read it over and over to get a better grasp on it.

This is the best book I've read all year (still, it's only May- and hope springs eter... well, no, actually, not after reading this book, hope does not spring. It just lies there, with a neat little hole in its forehead). At times hilarious, and at time devestatingly poignant, The Elementary Particles is an angry denunciation of, well, just about everything- from the degeneration of decadence and libertine sexual values, to the violence and cruelty innate in nature and humanity, to the cult of youth and physical beauty, to the hope of ever finding lasting love or underlying meaning in the world...

Beautifully written, with great twists and turns. The sex scenes are handled deftly, as are the myriad (and I mean myriad) analogies for the human condition taken from phyiscs, biology, quantum mechanics, chemistry...

I don't know. Language fails me. I wanted to provide some ballast for the more negative reviews here. People are entitled to their opinions, but how anyone could not be moved by this book- I could almost hear Barber's adagio for air (yes, the one from Platoon) luminously echoing through many of the scenes.

Like the book says, in its final lines, it is dedicated to mankind. I think it lives up to that ideal, and is a worthy monument and testament to humanity.

But let's be clear right up front. My 5-star rating of this book applies only to the original unabridged version in Johann Wyss' own words. The modernized versions are watered down, time-wasters for word wusses.

When I was nine years old I spent months struggling through this book for the first time. The old style language made for rough going, but I persevered. In the end I was rewarded with more than a classic tale marvelously told; I discovered a love of books and earned self-respect for tackling a tough read.

If I was a teacher whose task it was to introduce students to classic literature, I would skip Dickens and use this book. Kids love adventure, animals, and action. Swiss Family Robinson has it all. It's really a thriller disguised as a literary classic. All book lovers should read this one at least once.

And please don't watch the Disney movie and claim you've "been there, did that" on this story. The movie is totally different and in no way compares.

Never mind the film versions; the original unabridged Swiss Family Robinson is an exciting epic with a lot in it for the whole family.

Our third grade teacher read to us from this book every day and I could hardly wait for the next installment. Finally I got my own copy for a birthday gift, sat on the couch and read it cover to cover in one go. I still have this book, decades later.

From the opening, thrilling tempest scene to the very end and the "rescue", this book has plenty of action as well as creative solutions to problems. There is a lot of material for discussion, how the family solved problems, how they handled disagreements, adversity, disappointment, building of character.

This book definitely teaches values along with the adventure and the values are linked in such a way as to be an integral part of the story.

And Swiss Family Robinson is never boring. There is always an exciting new beast to be discovered, a new plant to use for food or clothing, a new machine or tool to be built, a new part of the island to explore. This is a wonderful book to read out loud to kids until they are old enough to enjoy reading it themselves. If you are bored with re-runs on TV, turn off the box and spend a half-hour or hour every evening reading this aloud. Everyone will have a great time, and kids who are read to, become readers themselves.

There's not many classic books that are more well known than "The Swiss Family Robinson." A Swiss family is stranded on an uninhabited island and there doesn't seem to be any rescues that are lingering around the corner for many years. Soon the family is taming tons of new pets, fighting off animals such as anacondas and lions, and learning how to basically survive off the land the best they can. The Robinson family must keep an eye out for danger while also starting a whole new way of life for themselves.

I thought "The Swiss Family Robinson" was a spectacular adventure/survival book. You can say that the book is pretty much a long diary that is kept by the father of the family of everything that happens to them on the island. The book I read did have many references to God unlike some of the abridged editions. The only thing I didn't like about "The Swiss Family Robinson" is that when the family starts collecting and taming many animals that they find on the island, it gets a little tough to keep up with all the animals' names, but that wasn't bad enough to take anything away from the book for me.

I recommend anybody who likes survival or adventure books, especially if you like reading the classics, to get "The Swiss Family Robinson." I would recommend getting an unabridged version of the book if you can so you won't miss a word.

This book describes General Fred Franks' life and especially his experiences during Desert Storm, the war in the Persian Gulf to kick Iraq out of Kuwait.

To really like this book you need to be a bit of a military fanatic. Fred Franks repeats so many times how wonderful it is to be a soldier, and how great the "warrior ethos" is, that you realize that for him the military is practically a religion.

The thing in this book that I found the most interesting are the descriptions of the magnitude of military might that was fielded during Desert Storm.

The VII Corps (commanded by Gen. Franks) included 146,000 soldiers, 50,000 vehicles (incl. 1,600 tanks) and 800 helicopters. Not only are these numbers huge, but the logistics involved are mind-boggling: the soldiers need food and water, and the vehicles and aircraft burned an incredible 3.2 million gallons of fuel each day. When fighting the VII Corps expended 2,500 tons of ammunition every day.

And VII Corps was only part of the military forces involved. There was another Army corps, there were Marine units, there was the Air Force and the Navy. An amazing marshalling of military forces, and all under the command of General Stormin' Norman Schwarzkopf (more about him later).

I found the book interesting, but it does have a lot of problems. It's way too long, mostly due to repetitiveness. With some editing it could have been cut down by at least 30% with no loss of information.

Another problem is that there are no useful maps. There are a lot of small maps, about 1/3 of a page each, but they simply don't show enough detail. Again and again you find the text referring to some town or road or river and they simply aren't on the maps.

Another major problem is the lack of a glossary with definitions for all the military abbreviations that are used.

And then we have General Schwarzkopf, who is not thanked in the acknowledgements. Gen. Franks is very careful to thank everyone from his parents to his family to all of his subordinates, and then goes on to thank Colin Powell, Sec. of Defense Dick Cheney and President Bush. But not Gen. Schwarzkopf.

It turns out that Gen. Schwarzkopf wrote an autobiography, "It Doesn't Take a Hero", and in that book he criticized Gen. Franks for the way he commanded VII Corps during Desert Storm.

Gen. Franks uses this book to return the favor. I won't go into extensive details (and Gen. Franks keeps his criticism fairly low-key), but Franks basically claims that Schwarzkopf liked having his butt kissed by his subordinates, was prone to throwing temper tantrums, wasn't competent to understand or command armored (tank) operations and made several tactical errors. In particular, not giving VII Corps more operational room to the north, not using the Air Force to prevent the Iraqi Republican Guards from escaping northwards and declaring "victory" a couple of days prematurely were big mistakes. The result was that Washington decreed a ceasefire and a large portion of the Republican Guards avoided destruction.

I actually found this dispute between Franks and Schwarzkopf to be quite interesting, and it's so very human to want to get back at someone who's done you dirt. So whether Franks or Schwarzkopf is right, the dispute does add flavor to Franks' story.

This book is part biography, part history and part modern combat command handbook. General Fred Franks commanded the US VII Corps during Desert Storm and therefore had direct operational responsibility for the success or failure of the ground offensive against Iraq. This book offers what I think is an insightful analysis of modern warfare and the mentality of some of those who wage it.
The book initially charts Franks' career in the army, including his tour in Vietnam where he suffered the loss of a leg. Turning to the Gulf war, we discover Franks' involvement in the planning and organization of the operation. His most difficult task initially involved the movement of VII Corps from Germany to Saudi Arabia and its change in doctrine from a defensive to an offensive role.
Through his own first-person accounts we quickly gain an appreciation of the complexity and difficulty of mounting an operation the scale of Desert Storm in a modern military context. The sheer size of the force involved and the logistics necessary are staggering. The book then presents an hour-by-hour account of the actual battle, which coherently describes Franks' decisions and influence on the outcome. Through all this he comes across as a thoughtful and dedicated professional, as committed to safeguarding the lives of the men under his command as much as achieving his objectives.
Desert Storm was controversial due to the feeling in some quarters that the ground operation was somewhat mishandled, leading to a partial rather than complete destruction of the Iraqi Republican Guard. Since he occupies a key position in this debate, Franks therefore clearly presents his reasons for conducting the offensive the way he did, i.e. to achieve the Coalition's stated aims and objectives without unnecessary casualties to his own forces. Time and again, Franks stresses that although it would have been possible to perhaps to push his command faster and harder, the higher risk of heavier casualties would not have been justified. Victory in a sense was inevitable, therefore in Franks' view it was his responsibility to ensure needless loss of life was averted. In pursuing this argument, Franks is also responding to certain accusations of hesitancy made by General Schwarzkopf in his own autobiography. It is hard to tell if this issue ever had any real substance as, like Schwarzkopf, there is an element of shadow boxing on Franks' part on paper.
As General Franks went on to command the US Army's Training and Doctrine Command after the war, the book therefore could be viewed as a unique insight into the mentality of the modern US Army, as well as a fascinating and enlightening portrait of modern technological warfare. Hence this poses some interesting questions in today's current events context. Has the complexity of modern full scale warfare, and the ethos of minimum casualties as propounded so graphically here, been significantly responsible for the preference for only using small, specialized, mobile forces or air power alone to decide campaigns, as in Kosovo and Afghanistan? What are the implications for a possible US invasion of Iraq? Will the logistics prove to be manageable? Will the casualties be acceptable? Will a reluctance to incur heavier losses inhibit the commanders? Perhaps we should ask General Franks.

With Into The Storm, Tom Clancy brings to the public a very necessary study of the unique qualities of Operation Desert Storm. As the First of an intended five books on the subject, Mr. Clancy decides on a successful format to tell the story of a war that surprised soldier and spectator alike.

By discussing the military career of General Franks, and having the general contribute to the book, Tom Clancy provides an effective picture of how the events of the Gulf War unfolded. Some may criticize the inclusion of General Franks' military career as filler, but I see it as an insightful and key element if we are to fully understand what really happened. What makes the man does contribute to what made this war.

I am a veteran of the Gulf War, and when I heard about this book being written I was truly excited. I saw a very small piece of what happened. I missed television coverage, the parades, and all of the speculation. With this book, I finally saw into the rationale of modern war craft from a commander's perspective. I knew what me and my unit was doing, and why, but not how we fit in to the larger plan. With this book I could see what I was missing at my level of operations.

This book may never be required reading at the Army War College, but who knows, it just might. Tom Clancy has succeeded in providing a practical view of command which anyone can understand. given the unique nature of the Gulf War, this series of books promises to help explain why the war happened the way it did.

Clearly this book was intended to coast on the attendant hype of Daniel Silva's acclaimed debut novel, The Unlikely Spy. I haven't read that book, so I won't go into comaparisons, but, viewed on its own merits, The Mark of the Assassin is a decent book, that probably should have been a lot better. The characters are exactly the sort of people you'd expect to inhabit this sort of book; the right-thinking CIA operative, his smart, tough attorney wife, the rumpled CIA spymaster, the slightly dotty, sixtysomething Republican President (who reminded me of a similar character in the movie Clear and Present Danger, the manipulative White House Chief of Staff, the shadowy, Christian conservative defense contractor, and on and on and on... no surprises there. Silva's writing style, though, is clean and economical; it reminded me of Frederick Forsyth. And he does come up with one memorable character: international assassin Jean-Paul Delaroche, code name "October". I didn't buy his techniques all of the time, but his motivations and character quirks were never less than convincing. All told, an unspectacular second effort.

Some writers run aground as there careers progress, while others find greater depths. Having discovered Silva's writing through "The Dead Artist" and "The English Assassin," I've come to expect subtlety and nuance, with sympathetic characters. Silva is one of my new favorite authors.

Going back to read "The Mark of the Assassin," for me, was a disappointment. While Silva's concepts and characters match those of his later books, he seems less focused here. We watch political maneuverings, clandestine meetings, brutal attacks, yet never really doubt what's going on. We see little of the main characters within the first hundred pages, and when Michael Osbourne and his wife do take center stage, they are puppets in a less than credible play.

The writing is fine. Dialogue moves along. But the improbabilities and coincidences begin to mount quickly. Even as the pace picks up in the last quarter of the book, I found myself doubting the scenes. One example: the KGB trained, world-renowned assassin moves in for the kill by taking the disguise of a bicycle courier(even getting multiple piercings to look the part), but as soon as our erstwhile hero sees him from a distance, the cover is blown. Ah, too bad--all that effort for nothing.

For a fast-paced story and streamlined writing, "The Mark of the Assassin" surpasses many second-rate novels. Clearly, though, with only his second book, Silva was fine-tuning his storytelling, and I had a difficult time getting lost in this tale. Having been spoiled by his newer, richer work, I finished this one with barely a mark.

A good friend introduced me to Daniel Silva with his first book, The Unlikely Spy. While that was a fictionalized account of how the Allies deceived Hitler as to the location of the D Day landing, this is pure fiction. Or is it? A CIA operative who has a strong moral code and a highly competent professional assassin who serves a secret group made up of the worlds movers and shakers are destined throughout the pages of the book to end up in a confrontation that ends up raising more questions than it settles. Entertaining writing, fast paced action, believable characters and enough allusion to actual people or events to keep you wondering where the fiction blends with the present day. It's a dangerous world out there; especially if you are letting Daniel Silva describe it to you.

Bruni reveals nothing new or very interesting about George W. Bush. By now, his nicknames and mangling of syllables are legendary. We all know how much he values loyalty, how his campaign--and now administration--remained tightly focused on its message, how his deep faith influences him. But anyone who has watched the evening news, even off and on, for the past several years knows all this. There are no really penetrating insights, no revelations or new understandings of Bush as man or Bush as president.

Still, it is nice to have these stories in one place, told and strung together by good reporting. Bruni does cover a broad (though not necessarily deep) range of Bush, and his attempt to show some sort of continuity or progression from candidacy to presidency is mostly successful--but, again, not too groundbreaking. Bush easily steals the show, and the laughs in the book come from him rather than from Bruni's sometimes strained efforts to be humorous. The book also provides fascinating insights into the lives of reporters on the road, as they follow candidates and presidents all across the country and the world, trying to meet deadlines, trying to tread a middle ground between honest, fair reporting and remaining on good terms with the subject.

Overall, Ambling Into History is too much retelling, too little analysis.

He refuses to travel anywhere without his cherished feather pillow. He has a habit of addressing individuals around him by affectionate pet names-even those he has only known for a short time. He enjoys drinking non-alcoholic beer, having given up the real thing over fifteen years ago. Once, he almost lost his temper at a reporter for accidentally eating his peanut-butter and jelly sandwich.

Observations and anecdotes such as these are the focus of New York Times reporter Frank Bruni's "Ambling into History: The Unlikely Odyssey of George W. Bush". Bruni was among a select group of journalists who had been permitted to accompany Bush on the 2000 presidential campaign trail. Wherever Bush traveled, whatever rallies and events he attended, Bruni and his colleagues were there, notepads and tape recorders at the ready. They rode with him on the campaign bus, flew with him on his chartered plane, and slept in hotel rooms close to his. Being in such close proximity to "Dubbya" over such an extended period of time gave Bruni a rare opportunity to study the man up-close, providing him with insight to the finer details of Bush's character that few outside of his family and campaign staff ever got to see. Thus, rather than offer an examination of Bush's campaign strategy or revisit the election scandal that will forever remain an unpleasant footnote in our nation's history, Bruni instead chose to make his work an exploration of "the personality behind the policies and the often offbeat character that flickered through the frippery and pomp."

"Ambling into History" is certainly less interested in the politics than in the politician. Bruni is particularly fascinated by the little quirks exhibited in Bush's behavior throughout the campaign, character traits that in Bruni's view simply beg interpretation. Hence, Bush's frequent bouts of homesickness while on the road equate to a longing for traditional and familiar values. His recovery from alcoholism and fondness for daily exercise makes him a model of personal discipline and self-improvement. His penchant for mid-afternoon naps and insistence on a certain amount of "personal time" each workday indicates an inherent understanding of the need to properly pace oneself to get through the long haul.

Not that Bruni's observations are always flattering. Indeed, the overall portrait Bruni paints of Bush resembles something of a cross between a frat boy prankster, an overly sensitive man-child and an uncultured yahoo. That is not to say that Bruni dislikes Bush. In fact, when compared to Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore-who Bruni portrays as "someone so intent on success that he would shift shapes and betray his principles to achieve it"-Bush comes out looking downright wholesome. It is quite apparent that Bruni has developed a certain affection and respect for Bush after spending over a year in his constant presence. He describes Bush as "fetchingly down-to-earth", someone who can often seem childishly playful but also serious and focused when the situation (such as Sept. 11) demands it. He describes a man with commendable family values, a solid display of integrity, and yes, even a strong sense of compassion. And if he isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, well, at least he gets points for trying.

Perhaps the most surprising revelation in the book, however, is Bruni's observation that Bush may not have been as zealous in his quest for the presidency as one might imagine. Bruni contrasts Al Gore's near-obsessive drive to win the election with Bush's at times almost "half-hearted" attitude about becoming president. Bruni furtively suggests that Bush's decision to run was not so much driven by political ambition but rather by a desire to gain approval from his parents (who, it is hinted at, had always thought of brother Jeb as the brainier, more motivated one out of the two) and restore a sense of pride to the family name-specifically referring to the elder Bush's defeat to Bill Clinton in the 1992 presidential election.

But the most important question of all is whether Bush has the makings of a great president, for as we currently enter into a protracted war against a new kind of adversary and our homeland security is under constant threat, we cannot accept anything less than greatness from our Executive-in-Chief. Bruni's answer is indecisive at best. He demonstrates that at times Bush can be a lot smarter than he appears but, more often than not, when the media suggests that he is doing a good job, it is merely a euphemistic way of saying he hasn't screwed up, that he has exceeded the expectations of his detractors. He may be competent, but is George W. Bush capable of leading our country in these uncertain times? Bruni is content to let history decide that. Meanwhile, the fate of our nation sits in the hands of a man who is decidedly decent and respectable but, ultimately, is still untested in his potential for true leadership.

George W. Bush has plenty of his presidency left, and there is much history ahead of him. How great of a president he will have been is yet to be seen. However, in Frank Bruni's chronicle of GWB, in "Ambling into History: The Unlikely Odyssey of George W. Bush," we get a look on the stupidity, and at the greatness. GWB has lived a paradoxical life, and we've gotten the good with the bad. Bruni helps us sort through some of it.

There is a fair chance the conservatives will cheer this book, but a similar chance the liberals will love it as well, for entirely different reasons. Like in the extremely popular "Bias: A CBS Insider Exposes How the Media Distort the News," this book gives us insight on how presidential campaigns are covered.

This might be a great tool for high school teachers to help bring to life the current occupant of the Executive Office.

Regardless of differing views, Gore and Bush probably get along better privately than their supporters would like to admit. And Bush might come across plain-spoken, but he is far brighter than his occasional spoken fumblings.

Buy "Ambling into History: The Unlikely Odyssey of George W. Bush" and benchmark Bush. Go back in five years, and see if Bruni was on target, or full of baloney.

I fully recommend "Ambling into History: The Unlikely Odyssey of George W. Bush," by Frank Bruni.

Anthony Trendl

The books are brilliantly conceived, flawlessly developed, and perfectly executed. The scholarship is incredible. They are so believable and so true to life and scripture, you'll keep saying to yourself, 'It could really happen this way!' Okay, no, I'm not talking about the Left Behind series, I'm talking about The Christ Clone Trilogy by James BeauSeigneur.

I've read Left Behind from book one through nine even though every time I picked up one of the books I'd scratch my head and ask, 'Why can't these guys write a better story? Aren't they aware that their portrayal of the Tribulation is so flawed it makes Christians look like mental midgets and real losers?' But still I read. Then I saw several of the reviews (like this one) talking about how much better The Christ Clone Trilogy is than Left Behind. I wasn't too sure I wanted to start another series about the end times, but I figured at least there are only three books, and I was desperate for something better. I went in with only moderate expectations of The Christ Clone Trilogy, but I had no idea what I was in for. I was TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY! Do yourself a BIG favor. See for yourself.

Life doesn't get any easier for the Tribulation Force. These Tribulation Christians are again in the middle of Bible prophecy, and just trying to survive.

Buck and Chaim have gone to Jerusalem to lead believing Jews to the refuge God has prepared for the rest of the Tribulation. But to do that, they must face Nicolae as he plans to defile the temple. Rayford must carry out the plans to ferry these Christians to their refuge, placing himself and many others in danger along the way. Chang has to deal with the ramifications of having both the mark of God and the mark of Antichrist. And Chloe investigates a strange site near the safe house, which leads to great danger for everyone in the Trib Force. Meanwhile, God starts to unleash his wrath on those who have taken the mark of the beast.

People seem to be divided by these books, either loving them or hating them. Personally, I enjoy the story while finding the writing and character development shallow. Still, for fans of the series, this book is a must read. It's fast paced, with many jaw-dropping scenes. And the cliffhanger is the worst of the series to date.

If you aren't already a fan of these books, there's nothing here to change your mind. If you're already a fan, this book will entertain you and leave you anxious for the next, due out in 2002.

After reading "Conquest of Paradise" by Britt Gillette, I was instantly turned on to biblical end times literature, and I quickly began reading the Left Behind series. From book one, I was totally hooked, and I've read up through book ten in less than a couple of weeks.

In "Desecration", LaHaye and Jenkins move the story of the Great Tribulation forward as the resurrected Nicolae Carpathia begins an unhindered campaign of murder in his kingdom of evil. The first two bowls of wrath from the Book of Revelation are poured out upon the earth, water turns into blood, and sores break out on people across the earth. At the height of his godless rebellion, Carpathia desecrates the Temple in Jerusalem by proclaiming himself to be god. As the world fights to overcome his rule, the Tribulation Force must deal with the greater problems of the world as well as their own personal problems. This is a great continuation of the overall series. Fans will not be let down...

I can't wait to find out what happens next. I look forward to reading books ten through twelve, and I encourage other Left Behind fans to pick up "Conquest of Paradise: An End-Times Nano-Thriller" as additional reading. That book got me interested in this series, and what a great book! What "Left Behind" lacks in realism, "Conquest of Paradise" adds in abundance. The prose is much more advanced and the international politics are identical to the current world scene and the war on terror. Peppered with biblical verses, "Conquest of Paradise" will turn even the most hardened skeptics into believers, or at least it will make them think twice. It's one lovers of end-times fiction shouldn't miss.

Book ten, "The Remnant" continues the adventures of the Tribulation Force, and thousands of God's witnesses rise up against Carpathia in the days before Armageddon and the Glorious Appearing. Can't wait to read the rest!

My opinion of House Harkonnen is very similar to my opinion of House Atreides (see my review there). Like its predecessor, House Harkonnen is slow and has too many plot threads. Some of the most interesting ones (the fate of House Vernius; Abulurd Harkonnen's fight with his half-brother) are muffled in the huge number of stories being told -- we see Gurney Hallack and Duncan Idaho growing up, Duke Leto and Lady Jessica coming together, the birth of Feyd-Ruatha, etc. And like House Atreides, this book suffers from our knowledge of the future (spoiler warning) -- we know Leto, Gurney and Duncan aren't going to die and that Shaddam IV will still be emperor in the future.

Still, it's a decent read -- especially for Dune fanatics like myself. It fills in the history of the Imperium. And the fight between the Tleilaxu and Vernius; between the Grumman and Ecaz -- are interesting. In fact, the book might have been better had it focused entirely on these conflicts -- with Leto and the others serving merely as secondary characters.

The narrative style is improved and the higher rating I give this book is mainly due to the incredible villainy we get to see in House Harkonnen. This actually *improves* your appreciation of Dune. (Spoiler warning again). You smile knowing these monster will eventually get what's coming to them.

And, of course, I'm buying the next book -- which tells my real opinion of this one (3.5 stars).

I came into this series with a lot of preconceptions that these would not be worthy successors to the originals. And they aren't. But after a second reading, I realized they're not supposed to. "House Harkonnen" is a prequel, not a sequel. It's supposed to "fill in the blanks" of what happened before the greatest book in science fiction history. NO book can ever hope to live up to that kind of hype. But I believe Brian and Kevin do a masterful job of setting up things that we =know= are going to happen in later books without killing the suspense. Now they've started to explore the new storylines they created, and they do a good job. I, for one, can't wait to see "House Corrino". So Brian's not Frank. But he's working from Frank's notes, with the aid of an author who is used to working in other people's universes. If you like "Dune" give this series a chance. I believe if you come into it with an open mind, you'll find it almost as entertaining as the original.

If "Dune: House Atreides" and "Dune: House Harkonnen" had been written by Frank Herbert and predated his Dune books, we would look at these two books as good starting points that grew into a wonderful series. If the Dune series had never been written, I think the two prequels would have been better received. If, if if. However, to stand in the shadow of one of the greatest science fiction series ever written is indeed a daunting task.

Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson might not be quite matching the philosophical depth of the original Dune books (especially the first three or four), but they are doing a good job. This is enjoyable reading with well-developed characters and some depth to the plot. They are also not just backtracking in entirely predictable ways, as they do pull out a surprise or two. They are laying a very credible groundwork to the Dune series (in fictional future history terms).

If you read the prefaces, you will know what they are also doing. The original Dune series was not finished. While some fell (with some validity) that the last two Frank Herbert Dune books feel a little short of the standards set by the earlier ones, "Chapterhouse: Dune" does not end cleanly. Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson are immersing themselves in the Dune zeitgeist in preparation for the truly daunting task of finishing Brian's father's work. I look forward to that book in a way I haven't looked forward to a book in a while. We have at least one more prequel to go, though ("Dune: House Corrino" is my guess).

Stephen Crane has written an excellent work in The Red Badge of Courage. This book takes place in a period of two days, giving Crane plenty of room to expand on his themes and go into great detail. This book catches the reader's attention by presenting the Civil War in such great detail that the reader cannot help but picture the scenes in their own mind.

The Red Badge of Courage tells the story of a youthful boy, Henry Flemming, who goes to war. After many rumors of battle cause Henry to doubt his courage when faced with battle, Henry's group finally goes into battle. Henry does not run away during the fighting, and gains confidence. However, the second battle that he sees causes him to flee. The rest of the story tells of How Henry comes to terms with his fear, and eventually returns to the battle line.

The only complaint that any reader could have is that Crane uses almost too much detail. Because there is so much detail, the reader could loose track of the plot. The great detail is, however, what makes this such an outstanding book. Any reader that can get "into" a book will thoroughly enjoy The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane.

The Red Badge of Courage is interepted as many as being an anti-war novel: it is not.What it does do is present the horrors and psychological aspects of war war without glory, but not without heroics and courage.Henry Fleming is in many ways an every-soldier: he joins the army out of patriotism and to prove his manhood; when the time comes to fight he doubts himself and runs away out of fear. It is at this point Henry comes to the crossroads of his young life: instead of completely deserting his unit he returns to his regiment and the battlefield out of a sense of duty and also out of shame and anger at himself. Once he returns he peforms heroically on the battlefield. I feel Crane's purpose in this books is not to make some overblown anti-war treatise like All Quiet on the Western Front, but to portray what he believed( and may soldiers who read the book agreed with him) to be the emotions and feelings of a soldier in war and also the true motivation behind courage and heroism. Crane shows through Henry, that heroism and courage in war is not something that comes naturally to man(or any animal, as shown by the squirrel scene in the forest) or can simply be conjured up out of blind obedience or extreme partiotism. Crane in fact argues the opposite: courage in war(or in and courage in reponse to violence) is something unatural, something that must be accomplished by overcoming our own natural fear and flight instincts.Henry is able to perform herocially because of anger, his sense of duty, his feeling of brotherhood toward his regiment and out of something deep inside himself that even Crane ( and nobody) could not totally understand . This is a great book about heroism, courage , brotherhood, duty and the psychological aspects of war. It is not a books that glorifies war ,nor it is it an anti-war treatise. It simply tells a story about war in a world where war exists.

Peace is a rare circumstance among major nations in the last 150 years. When war pushes peace out, everyone quickly realizes why peace is so important and desirable. When peace returns, the next generation can quickly fail to grasp its significance. In extreme cases, this can lead to romanticism of war.

Books like The Red Badge of Courage and All Quiet on the Western Front are important ways to pass along the message of how undesirable war is.

The Red Badge of Courage offers another benefit. Stephen Crane takes us into the mindset of mid-19th century America. At that time, the spiritual and the tangible were closely entertwined in peoples' minds. You will find a lot of religious metaphors in this book, that a modern writer would be relatively unlikely to use.

Another benefit of reading The Red Badge of Courage is that it helps to understand the profound effect that the Civil War has had on the United States. The significance of these events remains fresh for many Americans, while others ignore the events totally.

Although it is certainly not an easy book to read, it can be a rewarding one. You will find that you can discuss this book with a high percentage of all the people you will ever meet who like to read. That's a pretty nice benefit from reading a fairly short book.

I also recommend that you also think about where in your own life you have developed misconceptions that could harm you.

The basic idea of this book is indisputably neato. I found myself really looking forward to how the tale might unfold, once I got the basic idea of a race of not-quite-human-beings having existed alongside us for 35,000 years. However, there really could have been a lot more research put into this. The science just didn't make sense to me, compared with, say, a Michael Crichton novel. It was very, VERY skimpy to say the least. Anyone with the slightest scientific background will probably feel kind of insulted on that point.

That said, the book isn't without its redeeming features. There is a lot of tension built up, as we wonder which of the hero's friends are human, and which... aren't. There are a few flaws... I think the very last few pages were probably supposed to be an unexpected "twist" ending, designed to give the reader that certain, satisfying jolt, but for me it didn't exactly work. I probably shouldn't go into it here, really, so suffice it to say that it concerns the hero's son.

Read this as a thriller, if you enjoy thrillers, especially thrillers heavy on chase scenes and police work. But the science really isn't too well done, so please be prepared for that if you are in the market for science fiction.

I just finished this book, my first Frank Robinson novel and found it a classic page-turner that I have already highly recommended to others as a fun, fast, innovatively-premised, and suspenseful read. I can't wait to read another Robinson novel! "Waiting" is just a very good book that has a well-plotted story with a credible protagonist. This is not a science book nor should it be. It is just good science-fiction wrapped around a 'who done it' suspense novel that I found most entertaining.

"Waiting" takes place in San Francisco, California, where Artie Baker, a middle-aged TV newswriter, and a handful of his friends (dubbed The Suicide Club since young adulthood--long story) are trying to solve the brutal murder of one of their members. Not only that, but Artie's wife and stepson have suddenly disappeared, just at the crucial moment when someone has been trying to kill him, as well as the people he associates with because of what they know.

After some time, what Artie and his friends soon discover is that a centuries-old species of human (called the Old People) have been waiting all this time for Homo sapiens to exterminate themselves off the planet. But for fear of being revealed and destroyed themselves, the Old People decide to declare a covert war on Homo sapiens in order to reclaim domination of the world.

When I started reading "Waiting," I checked out a few reviews at Amazon beforehand to see what others thought of it. I was only a few chapters into it, but I really liked it so far and was quite surprised by all the low reviews of it. When I picked the book back up, I kept expecting it to get worse like several reviewers had said. However, it didn't. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. It's not very high on action, but it is quite thought-provoking on our existence in the next century or so, as possibly the next endangered species on Earth.

"Waiting" reminded me a little of something Dean Koontz would write, minus any sci-fi nonsense, which I kept expecting since it was published by Tor, a sci-fi-heavy publisher. It's a well-written thriller, and if you like such novels, then you'll probably like "Waiting."

I have been to China several times in the 1980s. I know exactly what Annie Wang talks about in her book Lili. It is such a realistic book, full of imagery. When I was in China in the 1980s, people stared at me as I walked. What amazes me is that, although Lili is Annie Wang's first book in English, it is so complex and multi-layered a novel. It contains many different scenes of Chinese experience: a rite in a Taoist temple, the life of peasants in rural China, an idyllic tour through inner Mongolia, the underworld of gangsters, avant garde artists, cabdrivers, etc. These scenes mainly take place in Beijing, Lili's hometown. Lili has a love and hate relationship with her hometown. In Beijing, Lili falls in love with Roy, an American journalist who feels passionately about freedom and about China, and is also rather naive and opinionated about what the Chinese people should do and what direction they should take. They disagree and argue a lot about China and the roles of foreigners in China. I know people held strong bias agianst interracial relationship in China back in the 1980s. But the two carry on their love relationship despite of all kinds of bias. Tiananmen Square is a transforming event for Lili, leads her to reconcile with her parents, and fills her with hope and love. I have to say I don't get a chance to read such a powerful book often. Lili is a book with a lot of depth in it and it needs to be read twice at least.

I love Chinese culture! I have read many books about China. The authors I have read include: Pearl Buck, Yutang Lin, Ling Ting, Nien Cheng, Jung Chang, Amy Tan, Ha Jin, Lulu Wang, and Annie Wang. From these wonderful authors, I have gained insight and become more familiar with modern Chinese history. LILI is the newest book. As insightful as other books I have read, LILI offers a fresh perspective from a new generation which I have not found in other books. I would like to read Annie Wang's early books if they are available in English.

I can't say why I chose this book. Looking for something to read on the New Releases Table, I suppose. Something for the weekend by the pool. The cover photo showed only one lili in a dark pond, alone. I have no particular interest in China per se, but I was captivated by the story of this woman Lili, nonetheless. It is always astonishing to me how very different from me people can be. I know this novel is fiction, but I also know that somewhere in China the story of Lili has been played out in the real lives of an untold number of individuals. The authenticity of the narrative is very palpable and brings me to wonder just how autobiagraphical this story is. The tormented soul of Lili, and her struggle for understanding is touching. Her situation is uniquely Chinese and foreign to me, a citizen of the U.S. I learned much of a world and a people, that I previously never took the time to know.

Written in simple, short sentences, and narrated in the first person, in present time, the style is brisk and clean. The quick, sticato presentation of the passages punctuate the main character's perception of the world. She lives in the present. She quickly recoils from her memories of the past, and doesn't allow her mind to conjure fantasies of the future. This keeps the book moving and the 300 pages read like a short story.

I reccommend this short novel to anyone interested in current China in general, and women's role in the emerging China in specific.