In his memoirs, Albert Terhune said that he'd been surprised by the number of children who had read and loved Lad: A Dog, as he did not write the book for children or try to tailor it to a child's understanding. Just the same, happy is the child who discovers this book, as I did, close to fifty years ago. It will put in his or her bones a lifelong love of good books--at least it did for me.

I first read Lad: A dog, when I was 9 years old. The collie takes a place in the heart of the reader and never leaves. I am now 50 years old and have read the book 10 times or more. I have shared Lad with my friends and my children. I believe this book instills something in the reader that today's literature does not. I highly reccommend it for young and old.

The best dog book ever written. A simple but striking story of fidelity between a man and his dog. Originally a tribute to Lad and the many other dogs who shared Terhune's estate, it is now a tribute to the ethical reality of Lad's life.

You can still visit a portion of the Terhune estate in Wayne, New Jersey. The Place (house)is gone, but the grounds remain. You will see Lad's grave marker, along with the grave markers of many other dogs made famous in Terhune's books. You can visit the shore of the lake and stroll the grounds. You can feel Lad's eerie presence as he lives over and over again the stories from the pages of Terhune's books. Or perhaps he is still there. Look -- is that ...

The Truth of Racism Speaks Out Billy, by Albert French Racism is seen everyday and is avoided. Not many people take action in racism. If most people heard a racism comment, they would ignore it like nothing happen. Albert French goes straight to the point and tackles the problem in the great novel Billy. French joins the elite writers and stabs racism in the back with Billy. French draws up a masterpiece in Billy with his plot, characters and setting. This book shows the reality of racism, and it is a book that everyone should read and learn about the tragedies of the past. No one will walk away after reading this book and not be disturbed. That's how powerful this novel is. "May be the best novel by a black author since Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye." For the price of $9.95, it is a true steal. Billy takes place in Banes County, Mississippi, in 1937. Billy, who is 10, and Gumpy, who is 12, are the main characters and live in the shacks of a small town. Racism is a common occurrence in this town. The blacks live in small shacks and are separated from the whites. One day, Billy and Gumpy pass the forsaken line, that splits the blacks from the whites. No black person is suppose to pass this line. Billy and Gumpy are looking for turtles in the nearby pond. Two angry white girls come and beat and chase the boys off. Billy takes out a knife and stabs one of the girls, and the girl shortly dies later from the stab wound. The whole town hears about this and "all hell brakes lose". The newspaper hits the town, with articles saying, "Two Niger boys killed a young innocent white girl". Billy and Gumpy get caught by the local Sheriff and are placed in jail for later trial. This outrageous event affects the entire community. The white townspeople burn Gumpy's house. The white people just increased their racism ways. It's amazing how this event changes the whole town. Billy is found guilty of first- degree murder and is sentenced to death by the electric chair, but Gumpy is place in an all boys camp until he is an adult. It's amazing how much trouble, two boys get for just using self-defense. It is real disturbing. French picks the perfect setting for this story. It's hard to find a place with more racism than deep in the South, in a state like Mississippi. French chooses a small town located in the central Mississippi. The United States has a lot of racism in 1937 and has not yet healed this problem. It is a perfect setting for a great disturbing racism novel. The characters are just well written. Billy, a ten year old, is a young innocent black child living in a white's world, who looks and acts too innocent to do anything wrong. Billy never realizes what he has done or what he is going to get until the very end. Billy keeps on thinking that he is going home during the whole time he is held in jail, "Mama when do we gits to go home. I wanna to go home, Mama". Gumpy, is a perfect angel that never does anything wrong. He is always paranoid that he will get in trouble, "Come on Billy lets go home, I don't want to git in any trouble." Gumpy mixes in with Billy, which is the wrong crowd for him. Gumpy never takes any blame for any of his actions, because he never admits he did anything wrong and blames the whole thing on Billy. "Billy, I never did the killen, you did the whole thing, I'm a good boy". The plot is just well written and keeps you in the edge of your chair for the entire story. It is a definite "page turner". "Billy's strength is not strictly as a novel; it lives as theater. It is a folk opera that moves with unfaltering pace to its shattering climax". The writing style fits the story perfectly like a true masterpiece. Albert French uses the South accents in dialog during his novel. Even though during the middle of the story it tends to drag on a little bit, French's novel truly over comes this problem with great writing style. In conclusion, French wrote a masterpiece. "Although you only know Billy Lee Turner for an all too brief 214 pages, you will mourn his death for the rest of your life. That's how powerfully and dramatically written this book is". This book is a definite buy and is a crime if you do not. It teaches the truth and sadness of racism of the early 1900's. "A work of art, Billy never lets up, not for a minute. The images rush straight to your brain". Billy is relentless, powerful, and should not be missed. This author deserves congratulations for this masterpiece.

Billy is a must read! It tells a heart tugging story about a young boy on death row. This book is well written and will leave you thinking about Billy long after the last page is turned. I highly recommend this book. This would be a great choice as a book club selection.

I felt every breath of emotion that Albert French's characters experienced. Mr. French has crafted an incredibly powerful story with a precision of language and structure. Every scene builds on the one before it. Characters and their situations evolve into a heart wrenching crescendo of emotional devastation. The screams of Billy's mother still resonate -- echo in my mind and spirit... three years after initially reading this story. Also, Mr. French brings the ignorance and prejudice of the time period alive. He masterfully bludgeons us with the brutality of it through desciption and dialogue. The reader must grapple with his/her own perspective of racism and its history. There is no easy way out. I highly recommend reading this book aloud. Many of my high school students from years past, still talk about this one book, read aloud to them in class. Like Toni Morrison's Beloved, Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God, and Ernest Gaines The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, Albert French's Billy becomes a part of the way you view the world.

When the name "Albert Einstein" is mentioned, most people think of his Theories of Relativity, his knowledge in Theoretical Physics, and generally his contributions to the field of physics.

But Einstein was a great man, a great thinker, and his intelligence and wisdom reached far beyond that of just physical science. He was a man with lot of ideas and opinions, and his knowledge covers areas such as politics, equality, spiritual matters and relationships on a personal level. In this book he shares this knowledge in his writings, which are easy to read and follow.

This is an excellent book that shows the other side of one of the greatest figures in history, and is a must for all who are interested in his thoughts on many aspects of life.

Ideas and Opinions expresses a wide range of Einstein's thoughts throughout his life. The subject matter includes comments on freedom, politics, pacifism, education, religion, Germany, friends, and scientific issues. Whereas Einstein had a specific goal in writing each of these addresses, speeches and articles, the editor of this collection by combining Einstein's writings in this manner paints a picture of the man and his time. The most profound impact upon the reader is not the individual message of each writing, but rather how the whole body of work illuminates the dedication and fierce determination of one scientist to make himself a "harmonious personality" (64). One of the features of this collection is that it attempts to present each article in a straightforward manner. Each article is titled by what it attempts to say, for example one article is called "My First Impressions of the U.S.A." (3). This accurately reflects what Einstein says in this article, but so much more than what this title describes is also reflected in the essay. Einstein's political attitudes are best expressed not in his many essays on politics, government and pacifism, but instead in his First Impressions of America. One of his many observations is that "nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced" (6). Understanding this aspect is of immeasurable value when encountering Einstein's essay where he prescribes a program of action against atomic weapons. The greatest fault of this compilation is that it tends to be repetitive. However, this often helps to drive home the point and complete the overall picture of this man and his time. This text should be read by all persons everywhere. No other collection could possibly contain a better view of America, international relations, scientific issues and advances, religion, and humanity. For use in Honors Science, only certain readings would enhance the goal of the course, but including them would be invaluable not only for scientific perspective, but for an enriched experience of life itself.

A deeper look into the man who changed science forever! This book reveals Einstein as the philosopher, humanitarian, educator, and politician most people never knew. I haven't finished the book, but I pick it up all the time to read an essay or two. A great insight into a great mind!

This is one of the best autobiographies written by a non-writer that I have ever read. Despite its simplicity and straightforward style (or perhaps because of it), this book held me spellbound every moment that I was reading it. I recommend this book highly to anyone who has an interest in the human condition, the pioneer spirit, Australiana, politics, or just life in general! A B Facey is an Australian treasure, and his book should be required reading for all Australian schoolchildren

Just over a year ago my girlfriend Catherine, and I were in Australia. Luckily a few friends gave us a present of this book. We were heading off on our tour of the country and thought it would be a pleasant time filler. It was so much more. Mr Facey's description of his childhood was a vivid portrayal of humanity and cruelty. The love his grandmother showed him was balanced by the physical abuse of the farmer to whom he was hired. His mother's abandonment of him and his siblings deeply affected him, and his search for her was a theme throughout his life. The country we were reading about in the book was just outside our bus window which made it seem all the more real. We were in awe of how he survived after getting separated from his co-workers on the cattle run. As we alked around Uluru we wondered how a young boy could manage. I felt I was a spectator in Man's most hideous hour as Mr Facey took us into the trenches of WW1. It was not hard to realise how the whole event had scarred his soul. Even when we learned of the deaths of his close friends and family his humility and optimism lifted the gloom. Back to the reality then of life after the war and how his fight continued for better rights for workers on the Sydney transport system. He rose to emminent heights in the bus company but just when things would threaten to go well some tragedy would knock him and his family. Again and again throughout his life he faced adversity with honour and courage and to share in this remarkable life through these pages was a privilege neither of us will ever forget.

I was truly in awe of the writer of this autobiography for his perserverance, attitude about life, adapting to his circumstances and the fearless way in which he faced his problems and was able to learn from the often horrible and the sometimes exciting and treacherous situations he faced. I was almost spell-bound and once I became used to his style of writing, it was an easy to read book. I would recommend this book to all young adults who think that they have it rough.

February 10, 2002, I wrote a review about "If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It". I titled my review, "l SURE WISH I'D READ IT SOONER" ...Five months later, it's still true. "I SURE WISH I'D READ AL's BOOK SOONER." Thank you, Al Thomas, for being an easy to read author AND a great teacher. Thank you for being honest. Thank you for your concern for average investors; those who don't have money to lose.

I couldn't believe my profits during the bull market of the 90's. Then along came 2001 and I ate humble pie. During 2001, portfolio values continued to decline while Wall Street pundits and professional advisors proclaimed that Buy and Hold was still the best way to make money on Wall Street. I'd been investing long enough to know this wasn't true. But, I didn't have the courage of my convictions. By late summer of 2001, losses began to add up. Taking advice from my cousin, I decided to read, "If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It!" by Al Thomas. I wish I'd read it sooner.

DESPITE the market's downward spiral this year, 2002, MY portfolios are in the green. MY PORTFOLIOS ARE MAKING MONEY while the Wall Street continues to lose money for most investors during one of the most difficult times in history. I could not have acomplished this if I hadn't read Al Thomas's book and newsletters.

Al's book and newsletters, written in an easy to read manner, added needed structure to my own investment techniques. He's given me the tools I need to invest WHILE the bear is ruling and while the bull is leading us once more. And, he's given me courage to conserve my capital.

If you're a novice or an experienced investor, investing on your own or using the services of brokers or investment advisors,even if YOU are an investment pro, you will profit from investing in reading Al Thomas. "If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It". Be sure you read his newletters, too.

I have read many investment books since I started investing around 1968. This book titled "If It Doesn't Go Up Don't Buy It" is the best one ever. The investment method outlined in this book is simple to understand and easy to follow. You may be one of those people who lost alot of money during the bear market that started with the year 2000. If so, this book is a must to help prevent heavy losses in future bear markets. Al states it like it is and makes reading this book very interesting. Buy it, you will like it.

Al Thomas has documented a very interesting system for making money under both bull and bear stock markets. He uses simple buy and sell rules for trading mutual funds. The system always has your money at work in the best funds when the market is moving up. In bear markets you are safely in cash!

The thing I liked best about the book was his honest remarks about the Wall Street System. Brokers and analysts do not have your best interests in mind. With Al's book in hand you can grow your portfolio with limited down side risk.

His book covers other trading venues such as commodities, individual stocks, and stock options. The book is a collection of his wisdom from many years of market experience. You will also receive his e-mail newsletter, "Over My Shoulder" to supplement the strategies in the book. I have many books on investing and this one is by far one of the best in terms of practical know how.

--- Steve R.

I will not repeat what other reviewers have said about this classic learner's dictionary. It has been a valuable reference for ESL students for many decades. I own several learner's dictionaries published recently (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 4th Edition, Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, and Collins Cobuild 3rd edition) and some of them have features this one does not have. But I still use this dictionary a lot and will continue to use it. I hope a new edition of it will come out soon.

No other book on my bookshelf is more worn out. I use it all the time. When I started to study English I used to use an English / Portuguese (my first language) dictionary but I could only actually improve my English when I started using the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

The dictionary has lots of pictures (over 1700) for words that can be explained but for which a picture is much more effective like "hinge". The words have a pronunciation guide with a mark (') showing the main stress. There are many useful appendixes like irregular verbs conjugation, usage of numbers, punctuation, family relationships and a few colorful maps.

Over 220 usage notes clarify the subtle differences among words such as dealer trader and merchant. Although it's mainly a British English dictionary the differences in spelling, use or pronunciation between American English and British English are stressed.

By far the most interesting feature is the extremely reduced defining vocabulary constituted of 3500 words. The great majority of definitions are written using that reduced defining vocabulary. This simplifies the definitions and it's a great starting vocabulary for the beginners. The use of such a small defining vocabulary rules out the use of this dictionary as a thesaurus but the advantages compensate this drawback.

My copy is a paper back that has been reinforced with adhesive tape. This makes the dictionary lighter and handy. I used to put it on my back pack and take it to all my classes when I started college in USA.

The drawbacks are the need of an additional thesaurus and the fact that the entries are not syllabified. Nevertheless I would give it 10 stars if I could.

Leonardo Alves - December 2000

I have recently bought the millenium edition (hardbound) of this book. In my scientific studies (I study Scientology which uses a precise study technology that demands a good dictionary to look up misunderstood words) a good dictionary is vital.
This one has been very helpful to me as it gives precise yet comprehensible definitions. This is maybe the most important point of all.
I found it very easy to look up a word i did not understand and gain a conceptual understanding of that word after a short period of time. The definitions just make sense and are not too complicated and confusing.
It also includes example sentences and idioms and information for the further usage of a particular word.
It also has a section with colored pictures (maps, categories such as clothing, food, animals etc.) that provide a picture of the real thing that the word represents - a quite useful tool for foreigners and non native speakers like me.

If you are currently studying english, reading english texts (but have a limited vocabulary) or just don't want to run into too many complexities when using a dictionary and don't want to be too confused but you just want to know the meaning of a word and understand it, then this is the right dictionary for you.

As it is a dictionary for "learners" it does not include things like etymology and syllables (the only negative points), technical definitions (although it includes some where their appearance is reasonable) etc.

But it includes phonetic symbols at the bottom of each page and has, as all dictionaries, a section wich explains each symbol and abbreviation that can appear in an entry.
If there would appear some symbol or abbreviation in the entry that you wouldn't understand, you would find it easy to find its meaning as everything in this dictionary is exactly where you would consider it to be.
So you don't fool around loosing time and getting frustrated. I think the editors of some dictionaries assume that you already know all these symbols but include their definitions anyway in a very complicated way.

Not with this one.
I highly recommend this dictionary. You can buy it without reservations.
But...you should have a second one with etymologies at hand.

The revolution I refer to is the one that followed in the wake of the original publication of this book in 1961. Ellis formally introduced his REBT therapeutic model in 1955, but at the time, few knew and fewer cared. However, this book would change that forever. No longer would we have to settle for self-help pablum like "The Power of Positive Thinking", because now we had a piercing book for the masses that explained both clearly and thoroughly three things that no popular work had ever told us before. First, we don't just "get" upset, we "do" upset. Or, in other words, we make ourselves emotionally disturbed. Second, the authors plainly explain how we make ourselves upset. We create our own emotional disturbances mainly through our irrational (aka, unhealthy, self-defeating) thinking. And third, Ellis and Harper give us many effective techniques to combat these thinking patterns. The techniques suggested are divided into cognitive, emotive and behavioral categories, although in fact there is significant overlap for the simple reason, as the authors point out, that we don't just think or feel or behave in a vacuum. Rather, we are thinking/feeling/behaving beings, and this interplay, luckily enough, offers us many ways to a "profound philosophic change" in our outlook, which is the goal of this work. Easily, the most influential self-help book ever written and rightfully so!

Albert Ellis is the grand-daddy of modern psychology, and this book is the classic. While many psychologists and authors focus on one or several "pet techniques," Ellis and this book show you how to adapt an integrated set of rational (cognitive), emotive, and behavioral tools to your personal situations. And Ellis writes this and many of his other books for us non-psychologists...not just for "professionals."

The book starts by briefly summarizing the results of Ellis' ground-breaking work on what we do that causes us to feel and behave differently than we want. The author then teaches his general cognitive system...which includes very specific instructions...on how to change these feelings, behaviors, and thoughts. Ellis terms this system the "A, B, C, D" method of "disputing" irrational thoughts that are "irrational" because they (i) are not true and (ii) produce results that we don't want. The book then moves beyond this general system and shows you how to easily use cognitive, emotive, and behavioral tools to effectively stop your unwanted patterns. While the methods are extremely user-friendly, they do require work...beyond the reading.

Because this book shows how to effectively tackle a wide variety of patterns...the following is a partial list of chapters:
1. Overcoming the influences of your past
2. Refusing to be desperately unhappy
3. Tackling dire needs for approval
4. Eradicating dire fears of failure
5. How to feel undepressed though frustrated
6. Conquering anxiety
7. Acquiring self-discipline
...and others.

While many other psychologists/authors, such as David Burns in his "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy," use cognitive methods, Ellis shows how to use many of them far more effectively than most others. And he also includes emotive and behavioral tools, many of which he created years ago and that his non-for-profit institute has used successfully for decades. While Burns' book has some excellent additional tools, I strongly suggest that you start with "A Guide for Rational Living" and then move on to Burns' book if you want.

I've gone back to this and a few others of Ellis' books several times during the last 10 years or so. After working through a new situation, I keep realizing how much this one volume still does for me.

In my opinion, the book's only weakness is its stlye of writing. It's older style is less interesting than that in some of Ellis' newer books. I strongly recommend it not for its literary value, however, but for what it can do for you.

I have in my short life have read maybe 200 or 300 self-help books. Thse books vary from "The Power of Positive Thinking" to "How to Win and Influence People." Throught all these books, I have never seen a real good method to be happy. TO be really happy.

This book is the excpetion. This book can help almost any person to be happy.

The basic idea of the book is this: People have certain beliefs about things. For example you might have the belief that you must be liked by everybody. Beliefs like this cause you to become very upset when you realized that this belief is being broken and twisted by the world in which you are living. For example, if you believe that the world should be fair, then anytime the world treats you unfairly, you will very depressed. Or if you believe that you must be liked by people, then anytime somebody insluts you, you might become depressed.

So point A= Our beliefs cause our distresses and emotional problems. Eg. if I want everybody to like me, I will feel depressed when someone doesn't

To stop these "irrational beliefs" you have to put in place of them "rational beliefs" such as "I want people to like but if they don't it's ok and I should rather accept myself as I am." When you have rational beliefs than you will not feel depressed at all.

The book talks about ways to refute your irrational beliefs and uses examples from case histories on how this can be done.

The point of the author is to make you understand these irrational beliefs and dispute them using various methods. Once you do that, then you'll be happy.

The authors, want you to be rational in your living.

I also recommend that you read; Feeling Good, books by John Sarno, and books by Aaron T. Beck and other Cognitive Therapists.

Speer is an intriguing personage in the Nazi hierarchy: was he really the only "good Nazi", as he was called, or merely a master manipulator? I read his "Inside the Third Reich" many years ago and found him to be unafraid of his history in Hitler's cabinet. Although "Inside" was published before "Spandau", the diaries had to be written before he could write "Inside". Speer struggles mightily trying to comprehend his role in Hitler's agenda and subsequent responsibility for its actions. This alone is interest enough, however, Speer's anecdotes about life with his fellow inmates, first at Nuremburg, then at Spandau, give a different view of such historical figures as Goring and Donitz. Speer even manages to humanize the odd and remote Rudolph Hess. Alone of the men convicted at Nuremburg, Speer sought and accepted personal accountability. His writing provides a deeply introspective view of how ordinary men are caught up in extraordinary circumstances. That he sought to understand this in himself was his redemption. The casual reader will enjoy the book for its human insights, however, some passing familiarity with WWII, Hitler, and European politics will add depth to the reader's experience. Speer may have longed for an abiding fame as an architect, but I believe he has built something much more lasting and significant with this work than he could have imagined.

This is the prison diary of Hitler's pet boy-genius architect Albert Speer - the one person whom Der Fuehrer looked up to and regarded as the closest friend he ever had. A supremely talented controversial figure (the world is still undecided whether he was a sole Good Nazi or whether he survived because he was a consumate actor who managed to swindle the International Tribunal in Nuremberg!) who served an even more controversial figure (Hitler), secretly wrote these diaries when he was serving out his 20 yrs jail term. Many curious and personal observations about the life of Third Reich's Best in prison routine, including Fuehrer No. Two, Adm Doenitz, Deputy Fuehrer Rudolf Hess, Reichbank chief Funk, Hitler Youth Supreme Leader Baldur von Schirach etc. Many many unique 'first person view' accounts of life at the pinnacle of the infamous Third Reich, as Hitler's favourite courtier. An invaluable historical document and a Must Read for the serious historian. At a personal level, this counts as one of history's foremost prison diary. Speer shines with his deeply insightful observation and analysis of the characters imprisoned in Spandau with him, and touches the reader with his effort at maintaining his dignity and sanity confronted with the dehumanising reality of a 20-year imprisonment. Speer was in turn analytical, psychological, poetical and soulful. One finishes reading this book greatly puzzled how such a magnificently talented man with such a beautiful soul could have collaborated with Hitler. This adds to the paradoxical mystery of Hitler as - in turn - maniacal dictator and art patron. You draw your own conclusions whether Albert outsmarted everyone of the Nuremberg judges (save the Soviet one). I myself found it superbly entertaining, highly illuminating and deeply moving from one who not only was THERE, but there at the very TOP. A unique historical First person account.

This is an excellent book which gives a brilliant account of the day to day life of the Nuremburg men at Spandau. While Albert Speer's thoughts on the 'Third Reich' are interesting, I much prefer his diary entries which incidentally cover his time spent at Nuremburg too. Some entries are only one or two lines long but they make a very sensitive and moving account of himself. I loved reading about the various dreams he had in Spandau (some of which were very vivid) the attitude to him of the other prisoners are interesting too. Referrences to Rudolf Hess make fascinating reading but for a full picture of Hess I suggest that reliable back up information of a sympathetic nature be read as well such as the book by one time Spandau Director Colonel Eugene Bird (The Lonliest Man In The World) now sadly out of print but worth seeking second hand through the internet. Albert Speer could not have known that Rudolf Hess was genuinely ill with an undetected stomach ulcer when he wrote how Hess complained so much of being in pain. The reality of Hess's very real illness was only discovered after Speer had been released from Spandau. The book also highlights the sometimes harsh treatment meted out to Rudolf Hess. The diary entries show a sensitive and intelligent man who wondered how he was going to get through his 20 year sentence. It is an extremely human and moving account and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the Third Reich and in particular anyone who is seeking to know what the men at Spandau were really like and who are willing to put any pre-conceived prejudices they may have or have heard about Nazi's aside.

A brilliant read!

Louise Brown

I found the 2e of "Principles of Biochemistry" by A. Lehninger, one of the most exciting books written in the field of Biochemistry. The book should be a treasure, especially, for undergradute students who have interest in the field. I have already adopted it as the main text book for the Biochemistry, a 300 level, course that I teach. Concepts are clearly and cleverly presented.

I found the 2e of "Principles of Biochemistry" by A. Lehninger, one of the most exciting books written in the field of Biochemistry. The book should be a treasure, especially, for undergradute students who have interest in the field. I have already adopted it as the main text book for the Biochemistry, a 300 level, course that I teach. Concepts are clearly and cleverly presented.

Lehninger's book remains the best single text in biochemistry, at least in English. A fine book for undergraduates, it is also the one volume that you may keep on your shelf for years to come, and the best biochem text for those whose primary specialty is not biochemistry (e.g. medicine, p-chem, microbio). No text is ever a substitute for the journals if you work in the field, but this book gives a sense of the whole discipline that is beneficial for anyone who may become too narrowly fixed on one topic. Its clear writing is also a blessing, both for those using English as a second language, and for native speakers with some affection for their own language

Al DeMeo's 'For the Sins of My Father' offers the other side of Roy DeMeo as portrayed in the book 'Murder Machine'. Young DeMeo describes in vivid detail growing up in adulation of his father, gradually facing the reality of life in the Mafia but never quite coming to terms with the extent of his father's sins. It's understandable why Al doesn't believe the accounts of his father's bloody butchery in the 'Murder Machine', considering that he grew up seeing the fatherly side of Roy DeMeo and was never subject to his father's blood-curdling brutality. Al's account of his life growing up as the son of one of Mafia's most notorious killers is sometimes heart warming, usually sad, and always suspenseful. All in all, this book is well worth the read. It is different than any other 'Mafia' book; Al was not only the son of a vicious killer but a victim of his father's deeds. For greater effect, I recommend reading 'Murder Machine' before reading this book. Good luck to you Al DeMeo.

I am by no means a big book reader but when I got my hands on "For the sins of my father" I couldn't put it down! Albert, son of a mobster and devoted father Roy DeMeo does a masterful job of showing the other side of mobster life. The side where the "sins" commited by his father were far surpased by the loving relationship he had with his family. I would highly recommend this book! A+++++

Al DeMeo has lived two lifetimes before he turned forty, and this book tells his story. He has warm memories of his father, and can somehow seperate his father's crimes from the havoc it caused on his family. It was stunning to read that he carried a gun to elementary school to protect his sister. The auther equivocates about the number of people his father killed -- "Murder Machine" puts the number at 200, but that's somewhat unreliable. The only one Al is certain about is the one I remember reading about growing up -- his father mistakenly identified a door-to-door salesman as a hitman and killed him. This killing of an innocent (or a "civilian" in Soprano's-speak) seems to have broken his father's spirit somewhat, and led to a downward spiral. After his father's death, Al Demeo carries on outwardly strong, but eventually the stress of holding it all inside nearly culminates in suicide. The two most powerful scenes in the book are the desciption of Al's mourning for his father and his near suicide. I believe the book was ghost-written, and much of it has that breezy, second-hand feel, but those two scenes are very intense and the reason I give this book the highest rating.