Great book, Tells story of a brave balloonist in the civil war. One of my all time favorites.

OK, you can't rate this book on the level of literature, cuz it's not. From that point of view it's horrible. But you can rate it on what it might teach you if you let it "speak to you." This is a book that can easily be taken two ways. 1) An inspiring look at theater and at life, and 2) the cheesiest, corniest, campiest thing ever. I myself have wondered at times how I really feel about this book. I have had it read it throughout this past quarter for my Stagecraft class, and it can say a whole lot or it can say nothing, depending on how you read it. The author's absolute passion for all aspects of theater often comes across as wishy-washy, but if you set that aside, you might, if you love theater, find that you can relate to what he is saying. Or you might make fun of it incessantly! Which I have done a few times. But seriously, it's the kind of book that if you tell yourself you'll take a lot out of it, you will. And in several ways, I have.

my set design professor described this as the book to read when one is disillusioned with theater and need to restore faith, and I have to agree. It reminds us of the total art of theater, where poetry is expressed verbally, visually, and through the _presence_ of actors in a setting. It describes the curious not-reality that theater should create. It was written in 1941, so some of the references ring a little false and the language can wax florid, but the essence of what theater should be is described here.

A wonderful dip into the world of classic pulp noir. The hero is, of course, a wise-cracking, smart guy who strays into trouble not of his own making that involves a traveling carnival, a sexy woman, an ex-wife and murder. And crocodiles. And a midget. Tarzan's tree house. Rubes and Carnies. Cops and Bad Guys. This is a definite must-read for both Raymond Chandler and Mickey Spillane lovers. Alter has all the swing and poetry of the classic mystery noir thrillers and he reels it off like one of his own carnival barkers selling the bearded lady show. Buy the ticket: The ride's worth it.

Forest Health and Protection is an excellent book which include an actual vision the three aspects very important in forest ecosystems. It is a contribution in the forest protection.