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Book reviews for "Ditchburn,_Robert_William" sorted by average review score:
The Best of Robert Service/Illustrated Edition
Published in Hardcover by Running Press (1990)
Author: Robert William Service
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Great Poetry
Robert Service was the common man's poet. Even if you don't normally read poetry, you will find some that are enjoyable. He is best known for his poems about the Yukon such as "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" ("A bunch of the boys were whooping it up in the Malemute saloon..."), but the collection contains much more. It covers the poet's Yukon period, but also World War I and Bohemian Paris. Robert Service's poems ranged from dark humor such as "The Cremation of Sam McGee," to sad and sentimental poems such as "Muguet." Some of his poems addressed particular topics such as taxes ("Resentment"), dieting ("The Battle of the Bulge"), etc. His collected poems are recommended for any age group. I first became acquainted with his poetry when I was a child and someone read one to me.

An astonishing bargain!


They say that Robert Service was not a 'poet's poet'. The effete literati sneered at his work, and accused him of writing doggerel. But, the people have always loved his work. He was truly a 'people's poet.'

His first volume of poetry, The Spell of the Yukon and Other Verses, sold out while it was still on the presses. Two of his ballads, The Shooting of Dan McGrew and The Cremation of Sam McGee, are among the most memorized poems in history.

The Shooting of Dan McGrew alone made him a half-million dollars, which was a sizeable fortune in his time. He never had to do manual labor for his bread again, after its publication.

This volume of his work contains not only all of his best-known poems (those contained in both The Spell of the Yukon and his second, longer collection, Ballads of a Cheechako), but also many of the photographs of the famous Northwestern photographers, Clarke and Clarence Kinsey -- famous not only for the photography of the Klondike gold rush, but also for Clarke's later photographs of Pacific Northwest logging, some of which were included also in my father's book, When Timber Stood Tall.

This is a high quality coffee table book that you will not only delight in reading before the fire on a winter's evening or when that confining office job is getting you down, but it will also display well on your coffee table, where it will draw friends' attention like a magnet.

For Robert Service is, without a doubt, one of the best-loved of the world's poets. His poetry stands alongside that of Kipling, Coleridge and Poe in the public's affection.

Joseph Pierre

Don't miss reading his poems about WWI
Often people read Robert Service and only read his stories about Alaska and the Yukon. For moving poetry about WWI and the loss of his brother, read all the way to the end, very moving.

Success in IT
Published in Paperback by The Foundry Works (02 April, 2000)
Author: Robert A Williams
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Not your average "Success" book
Would you jump at the opportunity to meet with the top people in your industry and chat to them about how they got there? That's pretty much what this book offers, and although the contributors all work in IT, their experience and advice can be applied anywhere.
Williams asks all the questions you would want to ask, and arranges the responses so you can easily flip through and make comparisons for like topics. It's not a book you have to read all at once - each interview is like a short story that you can revisit whenever you get the urge for some inspiration, management advice, or whatever. Each individual has something different to offer.
Because it's straight-from-the-horses' mouths, so to speak, it avoids any the preachiness of other 'success' books.
It's well-structured, reader-focussed and filled with thoughtful little touches like facts pages and useful quotes.
An excellent read, great to keep by your desk or bed for ever-refreshing insights into work and success.

First rate reading!
Just prior to my return from a recent vacation in Australia, I was browsing in a bookstore looking for some reading material for my return flight. I picked up the book, "Success in IT" which was in a prominent display at the front of the store, partly because of my interest in information technology and partly because of the very positive title in these days of "dot.com" problems.
I was impressed by the lay-out of the book, the fact that it was not highly technical and looked easy and interesting reading for my flight home so I purchased it.
Although, of course, being a visitor to Australia, I was not familiar with the names of the CEOs, I was very aware of the status of the company each represented. The book proved to be much more than "success in IT" - it was certainly success in every one of life's endeavours and proved that the companies selected have the "cream of the crop" to lead them to success.
The chapters are in the form of personal interviews conducted by Robert Williams and the success he has achieved in eliciting the many ways these people have led their companies with integrity and vision is clearly established.

Journey in to the minds of the biggest names in IT
A fascinating journey in to the minds of some of the leaders of Australian IT including "big names" from companies such as IBM, CISCO, Andersen Consulting, Sun, Oracle, EDS, Compaq etc. Mr Williams talent (aside from the sheer dedication it must have taken to get time from these busy people) is to tease out of each leader, some unique aspect that led to success in their particular situation. This book always gets taken down from my bookshelf whenever I need inspiration for the next step in my career or need to work through some problem such as how to balance a challenging job and still have a life! An excellent read for anyone aspiring to move ahead in any industry, and particularly fascinating for those working for any of the companies where the leaders serve...I'm sure you'll find out some surprising things about your bosses boss!

Are You Dumb Enough to Be Rich? The Amazingly Simple Way to Make Millions in Real Estate
Published in Paperback by AMACOM (2003)
Authors: G. William Barnett II and Robert G. Allen
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A great read AND a great roadmap to wealth
Have no illusions about this book -- Bill Barnett delivers on his promise! We tend to make life more complicated than necessary! Bill strips away all the fluff and gets to the point on what works in the real estate investing business. This book is
truly a manual to get you on the road to wealth.

Thank you, Bill
for this wonderful book. It is written in a light and entertaining way, I didn't want to put it down until I was through. Each chapter contains valuable warnings about pitfalls from the school of hard knocks which are also repeated at the end of each chapter for easy review. There are many great concepts about real estate investing out of which I particularly like the ABC offer strategy and the lockbox idea. To launch your career in this exciting business, the book concludes in a 120 getting started plan with lots of hands-on assignments.

Are You Dumb Enough to Be Rich?
Best Real Estate Book I've Ever Read.
Two Thumbs Up, a must read for any Real Estate Investor.
Thanks Bill
Sam

The Cats of Seroster
Published in Hardcover by MacMillan Pub Ltd (1995)
Authors: Robert Westall and Sophy Williams
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One of the best books ever written !
This is one of my favorite books of all time ! The first time that I read it, I loved it so much that I bought a copy. This is a book I would recommend to Sci-fi fans or cat lovers any day of the week. Some other books of his that I would recommend of his would be BLitzcat, Futuretrack 5 and the Devil on the Road. All of these books are worth reading ! My absolute favorite book though would still ( for three years in a row, and probably for years to come ) be The Cats of Seroster.

My Favorite Book of All Time...
It's interesting to note, other books by Robert Westall are not as great as this one; although Blitzcat is definitely worth reading. This is most definitely the best young-adult reader I've ever come across, but it's not just for kids!! (I'm 20 years old and it's been my favorite for almost 3 years). If you have a special place in your heart for animals and otherwise enjoy fantasy or mideval stories, this one is definitely worth your time! Enjoy!!

Entrancing, even for adults!
I read The Cats of Seroster several months ago, and I still feel the magic. I am NOT a cat lover, but after this book I wanted to go right out to the pound and adopt one! This book is a riveting fantasy with great adventure and dark threads running through that make you think. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it highly.

Secrets of the Maya
Published in Hardcover by Hatherleigh Pr (2002)
Authors: Archaeology Magazine and Peter A. Young
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Southern Humor, Wit, and Charm At It's Best
My North Carolina grandmother, born in 1888, read the 12 Miss Minerva series books to me when I was a young child in the 50's. She brought the antics of William Green Hill, Jimmy Garner, Frances, Lina, Wilkes Booth Lincoln, Aunt Cindy, Pilljerk Peter, Aunt Peruny Pearline to life, and I can still hear the words ringing in my ears as she read this book in the dialect of the southern Negro. Some feel that these aren't politically correct books for today's youth, but I feel that there are some innocent truths to be learned from reading these books, that come from the mouths of the children in them. They show how easily children of all races get along when the prejudices of their elders aren't present. The real life character upon which these books are based is William Green Hill who died at 64, the son of a prominent Tennessee physician Dr. Lafayette Hill. His sister, Mrs. S. A. Hamilton had not seen her brother in 15 years when he died of a heart attack alone and penniless in an empty railroad coal car on the outskirts of Pueblo, Colorado. My grandmother clipped the small article from the newspaper about Mr. Hill, which I have kept in my copy of the first of the books which were written about his life. The first book, Miss Minerva and William Green Hill, was originally written by Frances Boyd Calhoun who died, and was continued by Emma Speed Sampson, who wrote the sequel Billy and the Major, Miss Minerva's Baby, Miss Minerva on the Old Plantation, Miss Minerva Broadcasts Billy, Miss Minerva's Scallywags, Miss Minerva's Problem, Miss Minerva's Vacation, Miss Minerva's Neighbors, Miss Minerva's Mystery, Miss Minerva Goin' Places, and one other title. There also is a book named Miss Minerva's Cookbook which was so rare that a copy of this book is going for $1,000 at rare out of print used book stores. I certainly love to see that the University of Tennessee has brought back the first of this series, and I would love to see them bring back to print the rest of the series for a new generation of children to enjoy and understand the happiness and delicate, intricate balance that exists in childhood play between children of all races.

Wonderful book read to me when I was a child.
This book is written about a real little boy who lived in Covington, Tennessee. It was written in the dialect of the time but can still be read with enjoyment. The writer, Frances Calhoun died after writing the first book. Emma S. Sampson wrote the rest of the series. William Green Hill is buried in Covington, Tennessee. He was a distant relative of mine, making the books that much more interesting to me.

The "Miss Minerva" series was one of my favorites as a child
I read all 9 books in this series and enjoyed the humor of Billy's exploits with his Aunt Minerva and the neighborhood children. The children of this era made their own entertainment, played "pretend" and spent a lot of time outdoors-life was rather pastoral. However, Billy managed to keep everyone hopping. I'd describe the book as an early "Little Rascals" of the South. Well written, humorous and filled with the innocence of the era. Billy and his friends seem to have to learn everything the hard way!! Historically, it occurs in an era of segregation; however, it also demonstrates that children accept each other far more easily than adults do.

The Mouse and the Motorcycle
Published in Audio Cassette by Bantam Books-Audio (2000)
Authors: Beverly Cleary and William Roberts
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Join Ralph for the ride of his life!
Beverly Cleary's books have entertained kids for nearly 50 years, and this wonderful introduction to Ralph S. Mouse is no exception. Ralph is a young mouse living between the walls of the Mountain View Inn. He and his family always depend on the crumps of food that are dropped by the vacationers who stay at the Inn. It is critical that they remain hidden from human eyes lest the hotel sprays the Inn. One summer day, Ralph hears a boy making the sounds that all young children make when playing with toy motorcycles, so Ralph stealthily investigates the cycle when it's owner, Keith, is out of the room. When Keith discovers Ralph on the motorcycle, he makes a new friend by showing Ralph how to get the contraption to "go." "Pb-pb-b-b-b," goes Ralph, and away he goes on the "motorized" motorcycle, finding the freedom he has always yearned for in his young life. Now Ralph has endless opportunities for adventure, sometimes fun, sometimes scary, but always exciting. This is a special book. Kids adore it, and adults frequently love this journey back into childhood fantasy. I know I do!

Audiotape version entertains children
This reviews the audiotape of the "chapter book" that is read in my child's 2nd grade class. It is more exciting to listen to the audio version than reading the book silently or out loud (though it's big stuff to be able to read a chapter book). The storyteller was well picked for this task. He has wonderful sound effects and different voices for each of the characters and uses them well and consistently throughout all three stories in this series. The class especially loved the sounds Ralph, the mouse, makes to get his motorcycle to move. If your child likes this tape, then I recommend you try all three audiotapes in the "Mouse" series. My child listens to them constantly, especially when travelling in the car, and though I enjoyed listening the first few times, there are occasions when I'd rather not hear them again. However, I still recommend this series for young children, and it is still fun to see my child's imagination captured by a small talking mouse and his adventures.

Mouse on the Motorcycle
VROOM VROOM! Went a little motorcycle going down a hotel floor. If you like adventure stories then Mouse on the Motorcycle is the book for you! This book is about a little boy who goes to a hotel. And he happens to stay in a room where a little mouse and his family live. Keith, the little boy, and the mouse Ralph became great friends. Keith collects little toy cars and Ralph loves to ride them.
He has a lot of adventures on them. Ralph finds the motorcycle and during the night drives it down the hallway and has the time of his life! When Keith and his family leave the hotel, Keith asks Ralph to go home with him. Should Ralph go with Keith to be his pet, or should he stay with his family? You have to find out by reading the book.

The Machine-Gunners
Published in Paperback by MacMillan Pub Ltd (1995)
Authors: Robert Westall and Sophy Williams
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Magic !
I read this book a long time ago, as part of my schooling. Even at that age, I did not want to put this book down. This is a good one to pass on to young'uns, and alot of adults too. A must for the bookshelf me thinks.

This book was excellent
this was one of his best books. when Chas Mcgill and his friends find a German Machine gun along with 200 rounds of live bullets. they wanted their chance of revenge on the Germans,after all it was the second world war. They build a tripod for it and they capture a german pilot but grow very fond of him and let him go back to germany. he doesn't want to. if I say any more I'll spoil it for you. All i need to say is that it is my favourite book

Evocative Novel of Wartime Britain, for Children and Adults
I first read Westall's book as a youngster twenty years ago, and again as an adult just recently. I must say the book has withstood the test of time, and my own growing up -- I'm not sure if I enjoyed it more as a boy or as an adult! I recommend this book most highly, as well as Westall's [apparently out-of-print] "The Devil on the Road".

Inner Harbor (Nova Audio Books)
Published in Audio Cassette by Bookcassette Sales (1998)
Authors: Nora Roberts, Guy Lemonier, and William A. Owens
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Last in the Quinn Trilogy! 4 1/2 stars!
A nice end to the trilogy. It began in 'Sea Swept', 'Rising Tides' and now finally 'Inner Harbor'. The last brother Phillip finds his true love and alot of other things along the way in this installment. All the loose ends are finally tied up and the story of Ray Quinn's son Seth is finally revealed. I enjoyed this one the most of the three. Both Phillip and Sybill were strong characters and I like what Ms. Roberts did with Sybill's character and who she was. It was a nice twist.

~The third and last novel in the Quinn trilogy tells the story of Phillip Quinn, a high powered ad exec living in Baltimore and the last of the Quinn brothers still single. The Quinn family saved him from a life a crime of theft and street running when he was a boy. One fateful night he nearly died and Ray and Stella Quinn saved his life. He never forgot them or their selfless generosity. The only way he sees fit to somewhat pay Ray back is to help stop the blackmailing his now dead 'father' experienced by a woman who literally sold her only son Seth to him. The trick was, was to find the elusive woman who was wrecking havok on their lives.

Sybill needs to find the little boy she remembers from 6 long years ago before things completely fall apart. Did the Quinn's really steal Seth from his mother? Who were these people? Sybill is about to find out. She is on a personal mission and when she sees him, things aren't what they seem. The Quinn brothers are gentle with him and seem to love him...as she is seeming to fall for the Quinn brother named Phillip. When her identity is revealed, the tenuous grip she has on him falls apart as she now must defend herself against the protective family and find the truth.

Can Phillip trust her knowing who she is? Can he look past it to find love? Can they together save Seth from an uncaring mother who wants him for money? Will Fate solve their dilemma? Sybill finds out that blood can indeed be thicker than water and Phillip finds that he can learn to trust again and life will be good again, just as Ray and Stella planned it.

Good trilogy, worth the read!!!

Great Book!
I loved this book. It is such fun to read and I enjoy the sense of humor the characters have and it is written is such a way that is very true to life. Phillip is a hunk! I have read many Nora Roberts books and this is one of her best. I enjoyed all three books in this trilogy. I also recommend: The Reef, Hidden Riches , River's End, Private Scandals.

A great ending!
This is the third book to a wonderful Trilogy. Philip the last of the Quinn brothers finds his true love. All the loose ends are finally tied up. Is Seth really Ray Quinn's son? This is revealed in this installment. This was the best, the most intense and most emotional of all three books.

Phillip Quinn, a high powered ad exec living in Baltimore and the last of the Quinn brothers still single. The Quinn family saved him from a life a crime of theft and street running when he was a boy.

Sybil needs to find the little boy she remembers from 6 long years ago before things completely fall apart. Did the Quinn's really steal Seth from his mother? Who were these people? Sybil is about to find out. She is on a personal mission and when she sees him, things aren't what they seem. The Quinn brothers are gentle with him and seem to love him. Then she seems to fall for Phillip. When her identity is revealed, the tenuous grip she has on him falls apart as she now must defend herself against the protective family and find the truth.

Can Phillip trust her knowing who she is? Can he look past it to find love? Can they together save Seth from an uncaring mother who wants him for money? Sybil finds out that blood can indeed be thicker than water.

Great Trilogy read each installment in order and you will be very delighted!

Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior (Shambhala Lion Editions)
Published in Audio Cassette by Shambhala Audio (1998)
Authors: Chogyam Trungpa and William Converse-Roberts
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The jury is still out
I've read this book three times and took Shambala Training. Many years ago, I saw a young girl sitting on a park bench reading this book. I thought "uh-oh!" Chogyam Trungpa was considered one of the greatest meditation masters in American Buddhism. The Karmapa approved of him totally. He was a brillant man who understood the inhibitions and neurosis of Westerners possibly better than any teacher who has taught Tibetan Buddhism in the West. He helped me a great deal. I no longer became embarrassed about being a human being. His books are and were great. But sadly enough, we have to face facts. I have talked to many many people in the last twenty years who knew him. His conduct was, to say the least, deplorable. He constantly violated four out of the five Buddhist precepts. Buy the book. All of Trungpa's books and his teachings were fundamentally kind and compassionate. Just do what the Dalai Lama suggests. Be wary with any personal teacher. Best of luck.

not as good as his other works,
such as 'Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism', which is a very good read. His words in this book are not very concise and he never goes deep into his topics. It is much like a cliff notes for 'The Road Less Traveled' - by Scott Peck. If you want to read about how to live everyday life, go for Scott Peck. If you are looking for a book on Zen or meditation read 'Zen Mind, Beginners Mind'. Shambhala wasnt a terrible book, but it wasnt a life changing, thought inspiring one either. Hope this review helped!

If you are reading this now then your search is complete.
"The Shambhala teachings are founded on the premise that there is basic human wisdom that can help to solve the world's problems. This wisdom does not belong to any one culture or religion, nor does it come only from the West or the East. Rather, it is a tradition of human warriorship that has existed in many cultures at many times throughout history". - Chogyam Trungpa

The book looks at the principles of warriorship, and this is non-aggressive, no swords and daggers here.

I read this book and it was like having spent my whole life walking from place to place. Then one day being given a bicycle to travel around. And one night, whilst asleep, dreaming of the awesome speed I was now able to travel at, someone sneaks into my garage and fits a turbo charged, jet powered, rocket engine.

I would recommend this book to anyone, and have been doing, if you are reading this now then your search is complete, there is no need to go any further. Put it in your shopping basket and get ready for the rollercoaster ride of your life.

The Old Boys: The American Elite and the Origins of the CIA
Published in Paperback by Tree Farm Books (01 September, 2001)
Author: Burton Hersh
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