DUTIES, PLEASURES and CONFLICTS is a fine collection of essays and short stories by Jamaican-American political activist and scholar, Michael Thelwell. Thelwell is the author of the justly reputed novel, "The Harder They Come" based on the more widely-known cult film. In these essays Thelwell's experience as a Civil Rights organizer in Mississippi, and a founder of SNCC (The Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee; later to be transformed by its more radical chairman, Stokely Carmichael into The Black Panther Party) is brought to bear in some eloquent commentary on the nature of the early 60's civil rights movement in the deep South. His excellent, powerfully ironic short story, "The Organizer" (about a Klan bombing of a church and the "pragmatic" decision by Organizers to capitalize on the tragedy by manipulating its "shock-stock" in the National media) is also included. The quality of writing in these pieces warrants the observation that Thelwell's superb command of irony illuminates rather than masks or trivializes insights into the the battle for humanity and freedom for men, women and children of all races and ethnic backgrounds. The book is graceful and literary without dry pedantry. It is also "living literature"...not a PC tract or shrill political manifesto. The last essay...."God aint Finished with Us Yet"... concerns the presidential campaign(s) of Jesse Jackson. Here a bluntly vitriolic tone does occasionally overwhelm Thelwell's characteristic skill in understating what he may, in fact, regard as most urgent and attention-deserving themes. To readers who might be critical of this final piece as lacking the grace evidenced in the other, demonstrably excellent essays and stories comprising the collection, author Thelwell might retort...to both Democrats and Republicans alike..."So what! Look at...ponder if your sensibilities permit...what you've got running for President now..." Or maybe not. Thelwell is writing what is proposed as the definitive biography of Stokely Carmichael...who repudiated his western/Christian name to assume the name Kwame Ture. I have seen a substantive draft of this work-in-progress and assure the reader that the story of this well-known (loved, despised or dismissively ridiculed) civil rights leader deserves to be read. Thelwell's "DUTIES, PLEASURES, and CONFLICTS," makes it manifestly evident that he is the man to tell this story and make it accessible and moving to any reader interested in intelligent, political discourse.

With so many things going through your head during the time of divorce it may be hard to focus, but if you can remain focused, the information and legal papers included in this book will save lots of money, thereby alleviating the added stress brought on by financial pressures (legal costs).

If you are seeking a divorce you will save thousands of dollars on expensive litigation and wrangling. All the forms and instructions are clear and easy to understand. This is one of the best investments you can make if a low conflict/low cost divorce is what you seek. I recommend this book!!!...

Michael Thomas Ford's take on gay life are so dead on that the humor is undenibly real. I laughed for days after reading this book. And it is the type of book that you will always remember with a certain fondness for its great humor. I can't wait to read other work by Michael Thomas Ford as well!

I came across this book while visiting Washington, D.C. at Dupont Circle's "Books & Books". I wanted something to read for the boring flight back to Miami Beach. My boyfriend and I had a very nice experience sharing stories, reading to each other and laughing like idiots. I think his work helps us to look at our many problems objectively in a digestable way, he is rediscovering the plain gay life. Now I have to buy every book Michael Thomas Ford puts on the market and even reccomend them to our friends. Having recently moved to Boston, I hope I can attend a lecture by the Author.

Loved from cover-to-cover. Once again I was made to feel that I'm not the only one who thinks like that, does that, and has a thing for Olivia Newton-John! The further in the book I went, the more of a crush I developed on this guy. If I were to sit down now and start my own book of essays, it would be mirrored by the thoughts and experiences of this very talented humorous man. Such a quick read, laugh-out-loud, book to never lend out to others (cause they might keep it themselves! )! Thank you, can't wait to read more...

A Separate Peace is a book with a deep message for all the people about the real meaning of friendship, values and consequences of the World War II in American teenagers. It is easy to read, because Knowles places the time and settings with a particularity as he knows how to do.It is sad and dramatic story, however you learn the real meaning of FORGIVENESS with Finny and Gene friendship. We really recommend the book, but it is necessary to get time and patience for a good comprehension of the message that Knowles wants to transmit it. Give a chance and create your own opinion about the book. We give it four stars, thanks Mr. DeMaria!

I read A Separate Peace when I was in eigth grade. It touched me then, and now -- nearly twenty years later -- it is still one of my annual reads. The characters of Gene and Phineas are so well-developed that you feel you know these two boys and the special relationship they share. Despite the terrible thing Gene does to Finny, it is virtually impossible to dislike Gene, just as it is impossible to dislike Finny. If you're looking for cars exploding, guns blazing, and curse words every other page, the book is not for you. However, if you're trying to take a realistic peek into the workings of the adolescent male mind in 1942, then you would not want to miss this book. It is truly tragic, and I recall twenty years ago that when I read the words, "Your friend is dead" from the novel, I had to put it down and did not read the last few pages for nearly two weeks. It's a sensitive subject addressed in a sensitive manner.

This book is an absolute work of art. I'm 16 and had to read this book for my english class and loved every minute of it! I spent hours reading at a time. If you want to read the most incredable book ever written, this is the one for you. A Seperate Peace is a more complex novel than it first appears. It makes for good reading taken simply as a story about two boy growing up; but the novel, if read by an attentive, critical, active reader, says much more about life than human condition. I have seen people rate this book very low, obviously they did not pay any attention to what they were reading, and if they had actually sat down and read the book, and try to understand it, they probably would of gotten way much more out of it. Please, if you are going to read this book take note of everything that is happening in the novel, and I can garantee you that you will not be sorry. Personally when something tragic would happen in the story, I felt like throwing that book accross the room because of the fact I was so p.o. But that is what made the book so good, it kept me reading, and eaven though to be honest I don't like to read, this book just kept me reading, and I WANTED to read!!!!

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