Tony Campolo is a compassionate, thinking Christian, who has the Lewisian knack of communicating with the average guy on the street. Repeatedly he directs his thoughts to what the Bible says, and what he thinks Jesus would have done- irrespective of what his culture, or any other culture, might say. He may not always get it right- but that's what is so great about Tony- he in all humility admits that- but he truly tries to get to the center of the issues. I particularly enjoyed the last two essays on the situation of the poor, and the Christian response to both the poor, and Poverty. Other great essays on this cassette are

*Do Christians Promote Gay-Bashing?
*Are Christian Talk Shows Christian?
*What About Prayer in Public Schools?
*Is Television Demonic?
*Is that Preacher Who Killed the Abortion Doctor Guilty of Murder?
*Should Christians Support Gun Control? and
*Do Christians Have a Right to Take Over America?

I rate the book down to four stars only because it turns out the audio version is abridged, and this is not revealed until the conclusion.

In all of these essays Tony speaks in a very disarming manner, freely discussing how has views were changed and formed. And it is always an added bonus in an audio book to get to hear the author's true voice. It is almost like a fireside chat rather than a dry rendition.

Tony challenges the reader to critically analyze why they hold certain opinions. In doing so, he makes you think about aligning your faith with political/social belief systems.

Don't let the title keep you from buying this book. Only one chapter is on the title. Tony ask and answers questions that many are afraid to even look at. I recomend to all.

Boston, with its many districts, is a city that welcomes exploration by foot. Boston: Mini Rough Guide (though not a walking guide per se) gives you enough concise information to launch your pedestrian journey. Each district highlighted in the guide contains the necessary information to discover all the worthwhile sites. Impressive, are the twelve pages of colored maps at the back of the guide. Accommodations, eateries, drinking, night life, performing arts and other listings normally found in a travel guide are adequate. The uniqueness of this guide is its size and concise and accurate listings.

However, a few noticeable shortcomings need to be mentioned. In this day and age any guidebook should have a listing of the top web sites that are worth viewing prior to your trip. The Boston Mini Rough Guide does not. Also, this Rough Guide tries to be all things to all people, where in today's world, differentiation in audience focus is critical. It states that the Boston: Mini Rough Guide is designed for, travelers of all ages and all budgets. For such a small condensed guide this spreads its coverage too thin. The Boston: Mini Rough Guide has failed to find a distinctive marketing niche.

In SUMMARY: Boston: Mini Rough Guide is an adequate, informative guide that is very a reasonable price and packaged in a convenient size. Conditionally Recommended.

Customers may wish to learn that this book won a prestigious Lowell Thomas award from the Society of American Travel Writers -- I think the only Rough Guide to do so. The writing evokes the city well and the listings are kept current. Good format. A great buy for all those who need a few tips for making the most out of Boston, what the authors say is "as close to the Old World as the New World gets." And how.

I have found more terrific places from this guide,,from the Marliav restaurant to shopping tips. I can tell alot of reseach went into this comprehensive book

Explore the deep sea with famous Holmes. Fishy fishy, is that my wishy?

This audiobook collection is terriffic. The stories are amazing and get you on the edge of your chair or wherever your listening to it. I think that if youu want a good story or stories get this collection, it's worth it.

Being a fan of rathbone and bruce just adds to the incredible enjoyment these tapes gave me. if you always wanted to see this great pair perform their holmesian magic your wish has come true. each story is entertaining and very original. i am new to old time radio but this tape has totally converted me into a great fan. your imagination can really be activated with these tapes. dont hesitate to try them especially at this price.

Anthony Bouza, the former Chief of the Minneapolis Police Department, the former second in command of the New York Transit Police and a retired senior commander with the New York Police Department, weighs in with ascerbic comments linked with thoughtful ideas on policing, society and public administration.

The book confirms Bouza's reputation for confronting issues in a unique manner - a blend of liberal compassion and conservative pragmatism - while attempting to "tell the unvarnished truth". His opinions are certainly unique among senior police administrators, consider these excerpts:

Police Integrity:
"The mafia never enforced its code of blood-sworn omerata with the ferocity and enthusiasm the police bring to the Blue Code of Silence."

Selection Process for Police Chiefs:
"Political figures who appoint the nation's chiefs have a dismal record of selection, invariably opting for the safe, familiar and predictable choices."

On Community Policing:
"So when the Chiefs trot out their community policings, charts, graphs and other props, you'll pardon my skeptical yawn."

Chief Bouza terms his relationship with policing as a "love affair of heightening intensity". His unique personal perspective provides the reader with a richer and more complete understanding of the dynamics of modern urban municipal police administration.

I guarantee that at some point in this book he will challenge each reader's core beliefs and basic assumptions. This book is special blend of autobiography, public policy criticism and advocacy. It is worth both your time and money.

This is a tremendously important book concerning the macho culture of the NYPD (and police departments in general), dealing with the multiple ways in which machismo and prejudice bolster each other. Police officers constantly find themselves in hostile and dangerous situations and it is no wonder that they deal with this by slipping into a "them vs. us" mentality. Bouza illustrates the many ways in which this attitude is counter-productive and offers constructive alternatives.

A man from a terribly poor and disadvantaged background, Mr Bouza has - admirably - gone to great lengths to educate himself. However, his determination to present himself as educated and urbane results in some of the most dense and, frankly, unreadable prose I have ever ploughed through. For example:

"Inwardly, I swelled with pride over my sesquipedalian talents, a reaction that makes me wince with embarrassment today as I contemplate how bureaucratese and dead Latinates crippled whatever talents I might have developed as a writer. If brevity was the soul of wit and simplicity and clarity its very sinew, I had furnished the very antithesis of communication in that orotund work."

Precisely.

Bouza's book is an awesome *GEM*. Incredibly interesting, insightful, informative, at times irreverant, always enlightening and refreshing. Anthony V. Bouza is one of a kind--defying any ideological label, he calls it as he sees it. Most of all, he is a person of unwavering principle and integrity. Two qualities all too rare in public officials. His book is replete with examples where his devotion to "what is right" "cost him."

Part autobiography, part sociology, part managerial science, part police history, part advocacy, POLICE UNBOUND should be *required* reading for everyone involved in any aspect of law enforcement or governance. Indeed, I recommend the book to EVERYONE.

Bouza's book is eminently readable. Here's why:

**Bouza is an accomplished *wordsmith* whose love and knowledge of the English language is evident in every sentence he writes.
His vocabulary is gargantuan; have a dictionary nearby when you read his book. His syntax and style are refreshing, stunning and
compelling; the words just fly off the pages.

**The book is arranged in a highly readable fashion. Topics such as: mass demonstrations, police brutality, corruption, women cops
war on drugs, etc. are clearly marked so that you can start at virtually any page.

Bouza exibits a keen understanding of organizational bureaucracies based on both his academic training and wide-ranging experiences. Most important, he knows HOW TO MAKE BUREAUCRACIES WORK and be EFFECTIVE instruments for goal attainment.

Not afraid to rock the boat in order to get it moving on course, Bouza was the initiator of myriad police innovations which have become the norm. Among them were:

**Incorporating minorities in police forces.
**Use of name tags.
**One officer patrol cars.
**Allowing police women to wear slacks.
**Sting and decoy operations.

It is a tribute to Bouza that while ALL of these initiatives were initially strongly resisted by most cops (including his superiors), police unions, politicians and others, he staked his reputation on them and did not retreat from his conviction regarding their benefits and justice.

Bouza loves cops and police work but doesn't love some aspects of police culture such as the "blue wall of silence", cops being enforcers of *punishment* and "convenience lying." He has made his views on such crystal clear to the rank and file when he was in command. Most crucial, he knew how to oppose them *effectively* while still retaining the respect of the cops he commanded.

Bouza is a person who marches to his own drummer. One that beats to the tune of honesty, respect, the rule of law, decency and integrity.

While clearly not a person who diminishes his many and significant accomplishments, Bouza also displays a sense of modesty and commitment to public service as manifested in the last sentence of his book:

"...my humble desire is for my family, friends, colleagues and the many people I've been fortunate to encounter in my life to remember me not only as a cop but as a PUBLIC SERVANT."

If you are looking for a fairly short, easy to digest introductory guide to Ulysses and Finnegan's Wake, this is it. Anthony Burgess, in addition to being a witty novelist and critic, also had the chutzpah to publish an abridged version of Finnegan's Wake, so you know he knows his stuff! This is not a page by page explication of Joyce's complex works, ala Gifford or Gilbert, but more like a defense for the intelligent reader who may be wondering if these novels are worth the time.

It is wonderful that the cover of this June 2000 paperback reissue has features an image of Joyce looking away, his face hidden from the reader. Joyce remains an enigma-- a sparkling inspiration to readers who enjoy thinking about the questions and don't care about definitive answers.

If you've read A Clockwork Orange or Nothing Like the Sun and are curious about Anthony Burgess' critical work, this is one of his best performances.

Author on author, linguist on linguist. A great read for, if nothing else, to see how one great British mind interperts another. Reissued for a good reason.

Without a doubt, an attempt to read the works of James Joyce, one of the most demanding authors to live (and one of the best as well) comes with no small amount of trepidation. But thankfully, the Joycian disciple Anthony Burgess has written the book for both the neophyte and the seasoned lover of Joyce's work. ReJoyce features pretty much all that is needed to tackle his canon. The fascinating autobiographical sketch and the analysis of the early works are merely a fitting prelude to the bulk of the book, which is devoted to Joyce's dizzying last two novels, Ulysses and Finnegans Wake. The critical analysis of the last two is both brilliant and eminetly approachable, and more than any of the other volumes of scholarly work on Joyce's last two novels, Burgess's analysis helps to make them both understandable and enjoyable. Without a doubt, ReJoyce is among the best guides to Joyce out there on the market now, and well worth it for both the longtime reader or the newcomer to Joyce

Piers Anthony is one of my favorite fantasy authors. I'm a fan of his Xanth series, so naturally I felt compelled to pick up this book.

Penn & Chandelle are grandparents of a wild teenage girl, so they rent a house where they could spend some time with their granddaughter. The house is quite unusual.

The backdoor opens up to different worlds, the house is conscious and stocks itself with stuff that Penn & Chandelle like. Everything from food, clothing, hobbies, interests, tv, internet, anything that they need and want.

There is a holographic window that changes setting, and the house can "travel" to different locations in the world.

Soon their wild granddaughter Lynn joins them, along with her cousin Lloyd and his dob Obsidian. Penn, Chandelle, Lynn, Lloyd & Obsidian are soon discovering the house's many secrets and mysteries...

What's the house for? What does it want from its occupants? Well I sure am not going to tell you, your going to have to read to find out. I really liked how Piers Anthony weaved the story. He doesn't give anything away and the house's purpose is revealed in the last pages.

This book is somewhat risque with sex references, its not dirty but its somewhat risque. Kinda like when movies have sexual jokes, references, etc. I'd recommend it for older teens & adults.

Piers Anthony is one of my favorite writers, and I don't think I have read anything by him that I disliked. This book is great, a chance to solve intriguing puzzles along with the characters in the book, which I enjoy. As he does frequently in other stories, Mr. Anthony shifts points of view between chapters, to round out the story. I volunteer with teenagers, and I kept thinking that this would be a great book for them, except for one part which gets a little explicit about some sex and torture. It's not "dirty", it's not tawdry, it's realistic and gritty, and I would think twice about letting young teenagers read it, which is really a shame. Otherwise, this would be a great book to read at the same time as teens and could start some great discussions.

Chandelle and Penn have moved to Philadelphia for the summer so they can give their daughter some relief from her rebellious fifteen-year old offspring. They rent a house unlike any other anywhere on the planet because the home contains unique features. The back door leads to different times in earth's past while the front door enables travel to almost any city on the planet. When their granddaughter shows up, she is so enchanted and curious by the house that Lynn reveals the secrets of the house they know and love.

Since Chandelle is uneasy about being alone in the house or outside it, they arrange for Lynn's first cousin Lloyd and his Doberman Obsidian to stay with them. In the attic they find alien artifacts that allow them to understand any language and transmit a sound so if anyone goes missing it will be easy to find them. They keep finding out something new and vital about the house every day. The only questions left to answer are what is the purpose of the house and what does it want with them.

Adults and teens will definitely enjoy reading REALITY CHECK, a work that is pure entertainment. Readers will delight in solving the riddles of the house and empathize with the characters, as they stumble the hard way into learning the different facets of the house. Piers Anthony has written a work that is fresh, original and fascinating, but readers need to check their reality prior to entering the front page.

Harriet Klausner

A nice novel that revolves around the history of Vietnam from 1925 to 1975. Anthony Grey spins a nice story that is hard to put down. His books have been quite popular in Asia with "Peking" being another one of his fine works. It's a shame his books haven't received as much attention as James Clavell's. A very enjoyable book that I need to re-read as it's now been years since I last read it. Hopefully, a movie director will find a way to put this on the big screen in the future.

Grey's tale of love and betrayal in Indochina is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It's almost seven years since I read it for the first time, but I still remember being transfixed by the atmosphere in this epic tale.

Saigon begins in the French colonial days of the early 1900s and explores the often cruel relationship between imperial master and servant. There then begins the rebellion and the central love affair between the Vietnamese and Americans that moves in parallel throughout the book until the French are expelled and then when the last American chopper lifts off for freedom. Grey's descripton of the final moments and the fight to board is breathtaking.

What makes this a truly memorable read is Grey's ability to carry a complex theme with a such light touch. Never do you feel bored or weary. Five Stars.

Historical fiction at its best. Grey presents Vietnams complex history and people simply and effectively. His work provides the reader with thorough knowledge of a land whose history is complex, passionate & explosive. His characters bring Vietnam alive through their intense feelings of anger, oppression, desire and tenacity. This book has love, hate, greed, betrayal, gluttony, violence...and will leave its reader with a deeper understanding of country whose spirit continues to reach far beyond its remote borders.

I read this book and thought it was pretty good but not as wonderful as everyone says. I don't have any complaints but it didn't seem extraordinary. Read it if you are interested in the subject (I am!) but it will not capture you if your interest is only mild.

My copy was even missing a page (page #57/58). Why knows why?

Mr. Burgess knows his Shakespeare and shares his wealth of knowledge in a very fascinating way. Almost every aspect of the Bard's life is analyzed and it creates a very entertaining story.

Not much is known about William Shakespeare himself. This often forces Burgess to make educated conjectures as to what the truth may have been. When Burgess puts forth his opinion he supports it with so much fact that you almost feel that if it wasn't the way Burgess said it was, it should have been.

All-in-all, if you are a Shakespeare man and want to know what inspired and influenced him, this book is for you. Burgess knows Shakespeare like no other person.

I have to admit that I was not such a big fan of Shakespeare, before reading Mr. Burgess book. I had only the information I got in school, where most of the things we learn are dry and not interesting at all. Well, this biography has nothing to do with it. Its full of history, literary analysis, facts about Shakespare's private life, England at that time, all written with a lot of common sense, a great and intelligent sense of humour. If you dont like Shakespeare or if you think he is not such a big deal, read this book, and I promise you, you will want to read again all his works and see them in a different light.

I have loved the sea and its stories my entire life, so when I received "To the Sea" I was elated. From a photographic point of view, this book is, in my opinion, unequaled. The pictures are astounding... wonderful color, great action, and there are many several-page fold-outs. I enjoyed very much the inclusion of ancient and modern excerpts from the works of many varied authors-- from Edgar Allen Poe to Joshua Slocum, from Coleridge to Hal Roth-- each with a unique perspective on the sea. But there is a downside to this in many ways amazing book. There are so many grammatical and technical errors that it makes the reader (at least this reader) wonder if it was ever edited. Spelling errors, begun-yet-not-completed-sentences, bad grammar, and a generally poor grasp of engaging writing left me, while spellbound by the pictures and poems contained within, more than a little upset. Instead of becoming lost in the stories or accounts, I found myself anticipating spelling mistakes or wondering when the next run-on sentence would occur. Meisel obviously knows what he is talking about, but presents it in such a "research paper" fashion that it is difficult to really appreciate the end result. In addition, he sometimes seems rushed to get his ideas down, and in the process does not develop them as he should. His descriptions of voyages and sagas on the sea throughout history are short and lack a depth someone so versed in the sea could have brought across. I was constantly left thinking, "man... if only there were another paragraph or two on this topic..." If Meisel would have taken the time to expand his thoughts further, the reader would be that much more taken. "To the Sea" could easily have been 50 to 100 pages longer, and would be better for it. On the whole, though, it is worth reading, and in many areas quite memorable. And, as said before, the photographs are unbelievable. If you love the sea, it is a worthwhile addition to your library. If you are an English professor, stick to the pictures.

This review refers to the hardcover edition of "To The Sea" by Tony Meisel....

This by far is the most beautiful book I own. Open this book to any page and you will find exquiste stories, ageless poems, epic adventures, breathtaking pictures and informative pieces on anything and everthing to do with the seas and boating. It's big, beautiful and heavy, and your arms might tire from holding it, but you won't want to put it down.

Voyages from the 15th century through present day are covered.Routes and charts used, the progress in navigational instruments are shown, photographs and stories of the world's great sailors from Captain James Cook to America's Cupwinning helmsman Dennis Conner is just a small sampling to be found here.
You'll get lost in the classic stories and poems to be found throughout the book. Excerpts from "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift, "The Perfect Storm" by Sebastian Junger, the entire seven parts of "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Coleridge, and "On the Sea" by Keats among them.

Sections on Knots, Boats, Sea Shanties, Disaters, Triumphs, stories of Mermaids and many beautiful photographs and paintings(some that pull out to a three page view), all will keep any enthusiast of the sea or boats totally enthralled. There's even sections dealing with the technical aspects (gear, ropes and rigging, etc) for the serious sailor.

The book is packed with nautical facts and inspirational stories,and printed on high quality paper.It would look beautiful on the coffee table, but you may want to keep it away from an accidental spills.

"Those who live by the sea can hardly form a single thought of which the sea would not be part"....Hermann Broc

Permission to board.... and enjoy.....Laurie

I liked this book a lot, because you get so many different things in it! Excerpts from classic books about the sea and sailing, poems, etc, plus practical knowledge such as knot tying and signalling, plus stories about famous sailors, both modern-day and of olden times. For an excellent all-around look at ships and the sea, get this book. Plus...check out the size of the wave on the cover!!

When the Trees Held Their Breath By Anthony James Donnelly Antix Press Incorporated

Man is known for technologically advancing his world and not giving a damn what the consequences may be. In his debut illustrated children’s novel, “When the Trees Held Their Breath,” Anthony James Donnelly presents the future landscape of a dying world and the drastic measures nature takes in seeing to its survival.

The story begins with the planet battered by acid rain, pollution contaminating our land and water and debris littering our cities. Man’s ignorance causes Mother Earth to rebel. Nature would no longer be silent. Unwilling to end their time upon this earth, the trees forced their roots deeper in search of water. All matter of creatures cried out to Mother Earth sharing her torment.

And man walks through his life as if nothing is wrong. He does not see the permanent destruction his advancements are causing. How days are lost in darkness, lakes are turning into toxic waste pools.

The trees wonder how they can end the suffering? Will anything survive? It is decided throughout nature’s realm that the animals will nest in the earth, that birds would refuse to sing and that the trees would hold their breath. Surely, someone would take notice.

As in most books written in the past and today, only when man is near that “no-turning back stage” does he take notice? In Donnelly’s book, it was only when the temperature of the planet rose did the people look to the trees and pray for forgiveness.

“When the Trees Held their Breath” is a book that needed to be written. The illustrations by Larry Whitler are haunting. He presents the dark cloak we cast upon our world and in the end the beauty of hope. Put aside the animal character tales and read this book to your children. Having already educated them on the subject of recycling, conservation, long-term planning for the future, this book will serve as a bold reminder of what we are capable of. We must teach these future developers, scientists, and parents of the world, for we are the voice of nature.

--Denise Fleischer, GWN Online, editor ...

A timeless and timely environmentally awakening book which
once read cannot leave the mind of the reader! The illustrations
accent well the written words of Anthony Donnelly in conveying
one man's opinion of what "progress" has done to our fragile world. A small book with a powerful message that needs to be read often , and to many. Though this book is said to be written for the young adult, I for one, as an adult , became engrossed quickly with all that it had to say. I would recommend this book to all readers especially Christian people who care about the environment. The ending is so refreshing and caused me to feel I was taking a deep, fresh breath of clean air.

What a wake up and smell the coffee kind of book. Not only is it well written, but it makes you stop and THINK. This book, though it appears to be small, is packed with a punch! Bravo to the author! Beautifully written with some of the best illustration I've seen in a long time! I'm getting copies for all my friends and family! I suggest everyone go out and get a copy or two! I have a feeling this is a book that will be around for a very long time!