This is a terrific book for a child just learning to read. It has enough repetition to aid in reading without getting boring. The pictures are great; up-close of snakes and lizards. It also focuses on the differences between snakes and lizards. It's just a good book that I would highly recommend!

This is perhaps the outstanding book this year on black life and culture in the U.S. during the depression years. I am drawn to it because i was born in the time frame and my parents, although in Chciago, lived a life similar to those depicted in these stories.I heard stories about how they had to make a living in those days. These stories also help me reach back to a time when my favorite aunt was living in New York during that time frame. She and her husband were black people who were not out of work (she a nurse, he a prison guard) so that I suppose they fit into some sort of "upper crust" Their honeymoon in 1939 took place in Bermuda!) With the help of these stories I can imagine in my mind's eye, my aunt and uncle in the Harlem clubs and on the scene in those days. I loved the tales of Vivian Morris and wonder who she was and what became of her. This book is why I think the one by L.O. Graham is so shallow as this reflects on where people came from, prior to being placed in some sham "elite": Bravo to the author and more! more!

My hat is off to the author. I learned a wealth of history and I laughed out loud when reading some of the short stories. This book was well researched and presented. A lot of the stories reminded me of langston hughes writings. I am awaiting more from this author.

LIONEL C. BASCOM PRESENTS LOST WRITINGS OF THE "TRUE" HARLEM RENAISSANCE IN A RENAISSANCE IN HARLEM, JUST PUBLISHED BY BARD

"Bascom challenges standard versions of the Renaissance's dimensions -- everything from when it began and ended to its content and style...the pieces resound not with the voices of the glitterati but with a vernacular chorus about everyday life during the Great Negro Migration...this important book promises to shift discussions about Harlem, the Renaissance, New York and Depression-era America in popular culture, literature, history, and folklore." Library Journal

"A unique chronicle ... the range of material is impressive ... the real life characters here stand out as vividly as any in fiction writings by Renaissance writers." Emerge

"The Harlem writers produced hundreds of slice-of-life vignettes that provide an intriguing view of ordinary African-Americas as they struggles to cope with the Great Depression and the pervasive racism of the times... they include works by young luminaries-to-be-published, such as Ralph Ellison, Dorothy West, as well as talented unknowns like Vivian Morris ... Bascom has produced a delightfully engaging and diverse portrait of an almost legendary black urban community. Publisher's Weekly

"A unique and valuable addition to the literature of the Harlem Renaissance..." Kirkus Reviews

"The real significance of this collection is it delivers what was really in the hearts and minds of the people of Harlem," says Lionel C. Bascom, editor of A Renaissance in Harlem: Lost Voices of an American Community, just published by Bard. Bascom, an internationally published journalist and professor of English, brings together works that wre part of the Works Progress Administration's Writer's Project -- writing lost for generations in the vaults of the Library of Congress and published for the first time in A Renaissance in Harlem. The essays, including early writings by two masters of American literature, Ralph Ellison and Dorothy West, create a vibrant record of Harlem's daily life, nightlife and intellectual scene. In assembling this collection, says Bascom, he shares authentic black storytelling, reawakening the voices of ordinary people, voices which were drowned out by the celebrity and the "unofficial litetary program of the Harlem Renaissance." As noted by Booklist, "the collection represents a grittier image of Harlem than that of the celebrated Renaissance writers, who adopted a mission of uplifting the image of black people by avoiding dialect and any porttayals they thought might be viewed negatively."

Mr. Bascom is currently collecting materials for a book about Dorothy West. He is available for interviews, appearances and speaking engagements.

Books rarely hold my attention. Can't tell you how many I've started and put down. I started Larry Gatlin's book a few days ago and can't stop reading. Half-way thru the book, his re-telling of successes and failures have me grabbing for a kleenex every few pages. His reliance on God and coming back to God's grace are touching/inspiring. He gives God the credit for every moment that counts in his life that will connect to another open door (try to count how many times he writes, "another God moment.") His writing style is energetic, to the point, down to earth, honest - just as his personality is on stage. (I saw the Gatlin Brothers in concert in Kansas City 12/28/02). This book makes the reader rejoice as we watch him overcome alcoholism and substance abuse. Who wouldn't want Larry to win over these addictions, for his sake and his family's sake back home. He doesn't overdo the details but gives the full picture in few words. Keep the music coming Gatlin Brothers!

I'm a Larry Gatlin fan. His book is written as well as his songs. I was captivated by his life story which he described in such down to earth, honest words. And it is so funny.
What a talent!

I've been around the music business for the past 30 years, I have NEVER seen an artist be this honest and open about the rise and the fall of ones career. Larry lays it ALL on the line and this should serve as a wake up call for those that can not handle "life in the fast lane". Larry's story is 24KT solid gold. A real must read from someone who has certainly been there, done that.

Hi, I'm a screenwriter, story consultant, and former studio executive and I have found Script Magic helpful and entertaining. I'm at a place in my writing where I need lots of creative stimulus and the exercises and the breezy writing style were right for me. Sometimes you have to trick yourself into avoiding cliches or into opening up the deeper, truer sources of good work, and the book was good at giving some concrete ways to do that. This will become a classic for screenwriters but the creative way of thinking about writing will be useful for any form of storytelling. There's also a lot of practical info about the business end and some common sense about how you integrate writing into your life. It's worth reading just to shake yourself up!

"Script Magic" is an amazingly fun and easy way to let your creativity run free. After reading and trying Marisa D'Vari's techniques you'll be chomping at the bit to put pen to paper or fingers on keys. I recently sold a screenplay and became a member of the Writers Guild. I wish I had this book a year ago, I'd have probably sold three by now. You'll never think about writing the same way again.

As the writer of several award-winning screenplays, I try to devour every screenplay book that comes on the market. Unfortunately, too many books on screenwriting concern themselves with format and structure. Well, geez, there are computer programs that can do that for you now. When I read Script Magic, I said to myself, "Finally! Someone GETS it! A book that helps me be CREATIVE, which is the reason I got into the crazy mess in the first place!" Buy this book, and start enjoying life again!

I am a sophomore in highschool taking an AP class with this book. It has a lot of information, which I guess is a good thing if you are reading this for your own personal gain rather than being tested on it. However, it is so dense that it is difficult to pick up key ideas. Every piece of information is important on some level, and the tests I take, which my teacher got along with this book, also treat every fact as important. I wouldn't mind reading this book if I wasn't expected to have a photographic memory but it just doesn't do a good job of helping me understand key ideas in history. Well, if you have to read this in your history class I hope you have a good teacher to guide you along in the reading. Otherwise.... I hope your memory is better than mine!!

Excellent book for senior high school-college-undergraduate studies, covering the broad field of world history. The text is structured in such a manner as to suit both brief studies of various areas and times, as well as more in depth, long term programs. A fascinating assortment of primary source excerpts have been included, from earliest human societies to issues facing humanity in the contemporary period. Though the text has a slight Western emphasis, it covers non-Western civilisations quite well.

Be prepared though for extensive reading. The complete set is very large, but shouldn't be an obstacle for those with a passion for both general and obscure history!

This dreadful film--amateurish to the point of laughter--is an example of the inferiority of Twentieth Century Fox Chan films. For real style and laughs, watch the cheapie Monogram Chan movies with Mantan Moorland and Willie Best. The fact that these films are politically incorrect, adds to their appeal.

Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) and son Jimmy (Victor Sen Yung) travel to Rio to arrest a woman accused of a murder in Hawaii--but before the killer is taken into custody she becomes the victim of foul play herself. Chan films frequently ask the viewer to suspend disbelief re various plot devices, but this particular episode requires one to accept a particularly unrealistic plot device and as such seems more than a little silly; fans will find it mildly enjoyable, but RIO is not the film I would use to introduce a newcomer to the series.

Although the Charlie Chan films are sometimes accused of perpetuating racial stereotypes, they were in fact no more stereotypical than other serial-style films (Blondie and Dr. Kildare come to mind) of the era--and as the series progressed the patronization found in the earliest films was rapidly discarded. Regretfully, many of the best Chan films are not available on video, much less DVD, and fans of the series who want to see such classics as CHARLIE CHAN AT TREASURE ISLAND or CHARLIE CHAN AT RENO(my own favorites) must hope for a showing on television.

CHARLIE CHAN IN RIO is one of two Chan films turned out by 20th Century-Fox in 1941. Sidney Toler plays Charlie who is chasing a killer in Rio. Sen Yung is again cast in the role of Jimmy Chan and Victor Jury also appears in the movie. I liked it - particularly the Brazilian atmosphere and the cabaret scenes.

This is the first Alice Hoffman book I've read. I like the way it was written...I hate the way it ended. I thought the main character had no back bone and should have broke off the relationship And listen to her daughter. If you still want to read the book to find out for youself get it at the Library.

The story seemed very familiar to something I had read before...oh, that's right, Wuthering Heights. (Emily Bronte) The author has admitted to basing "here on earth" on Wuthering heights and no, this isn't a 'crime' of any sort. The fact she so cheaply based it on a beautiful, haunting love story about a weak man and a manipulative girl (Classic) and ripped the plot twists to oomph up her fickle story is [weak]. The characters are so NOT Heathcliff and Catherine...if you're going to copy an old novel (Bridget Jones did it terrifically with Pride and Prejudice...and dare I say Clueless the movie with Emma) then at least make the character of the same bloody characteristics. Heathcliff was not a soulless monster; Kathy wasn't some pushover who lived for Heathcliff. It's criminal. Hollis is a horrible man and March is a stupid woman who actually abandons her daughter. Who cares if it's 'haunting' and set in New England and has phrases like, 'the moon was full' and the plot is Wuthering Heights: 2000? It's awful! I give it two stars because it is well written, but I don't think I've ever been so disgusted by a novel which has so blatantly ripped off a classic.

The novel "Where The Heart Is," an Oprah's Bookclub, and the movie "Practical Magic," based on a novel written by Alice Hoffman, were the source of encouragement for me to read "Here On Earth." Although the first couple chapters of this book bored me, I continued reading any way, only to find out that it was truly a great novel. Despite my minor disappointment with the ending, I thought that over all that "Here On Earth" is a terrific book. I really wish that Gwen would have taken Hank with her, and for someone to put more effort into trying to be there for Alan. Although I felt bad for Hollis at the beginning, I hated the character he transformed into. It's a twisted love story that really pulls your interest. The whole time I read the book I felt as if I was there with the characters because Alice did a great job with the descriptions. I would get so caught up with the book I wouldn't go to sleep until three in the morning so it's definitely a book that you can't put down.

I thought that this book had difficult wording and was more a college-level book rather than a high school-level book. However, it covers a wide range of civilizations and concentrates on a fundamental theme to compare different times, places, and societies: the interaction of human beings and the environment. Emphasis is placed on technological development and how technology underlies all human activity. It also caught my interest because it included a unique phonetic guide to unfamiliar words.