I'm a budding short story writer ,myself, and no course, no workshop, no amount of instruction can subsitute for the lessons one learns leafing through and ingesting these exquisite paragraphs of John Updike. I find myself, in this volume, more than other Updike works, reading and re-reading the prose, even emailing sections to friends, like a fine restaurant I want to tell people about. Like a band that plays exceptionally well live which you get to catch on a great night, Updike, here , is "on", he is at the absolute peak of his craft. I only wish there were more collections of short stories written as well as these.

There is little, if anything, one is able to say that can possibly capture the beauty or majesty of a great Updike story. The gentle yet exact measure of his sentences, the bewilderingly complex yet infinitely fluid (and eventually near-epiphanic) weaving of narratives, his control of internal characterization--few are masters in the manner that John Updike is a master.

And this volume contains his greatest story--possibly what I feel to be the greatest piece of literature in all of latter-half 20th century American literature (and we're including it all here, not just short stories). The last story of the volume: Packed Dirt, Churchgoing, A Dying Car, A Traded Car.

Enough with the theoretics and generalities here. This story can change your life. Or, at the very least, it can alter the way in which you interact with literature--what you can expect out of literature.

One piece of advice, though: read it in one sitting.
Seriously.
Don't get up, even just for a little while to fix something to eat. Don't read it bit by bit (it's long, so you may be tempted). And, whatever you do, don't look at the last page before it's time.

It may seem disjointed. It may seem an odd accumulation of narratives. Don't stop reading.

Two years, and a hundred readings later, I still haven't gotten over that first experience. What I wouldn't give to have it again...

These stories are sublime. Read "Flight" and try not to grunt with pleasure! And let Archangel take you on a trip through the magic of words. Updike is at his best here. "Pigeon Feathers," the story for which the book is named, will astound you. Each story is a gem. If you want to read fiction that is beyond the assembly-line garbage...far, far beyond...read this book. See for yourself that America is still producing world-class literature. If you are a writer of short stories, make this your Bible.

In the alternate history genre, David Westheimer's "Death is Lighter than a Feather" is relatively obscure, which is a shame because it is among the most accurate, well-written offerings available. In detailing the events of an American invasion of Japan in the absence of the use of nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Westheimer shows a firm grasp of strategy, tactics, weapons and geography. However, unlike many alternate histories that focus on the military to the exclusion of all else, Westheimer has simultaneously produced a rich novel full of fascinating characters that truly captures the fundamental essences of the Japanese and Americans, as well as war in general.

Westheimer begins with a prologue that deftly weaves actual events into a world in which nuclear bombs are never brought to bear. Written in the manner of a history text, it quite effectively conveys the events and players that dictated the course of events without bogging down the fiction reader in historical minutia. At the same time, the matter of fact transition from reality to fiction sets the stage quite nicely for the heart of the novel.

Rather than attempting to follow a primary cast of characters through the entirety of the novel, Westheimer has instead strung together snapshots of the lives of average people on both sides of the fighting; an American frogman, a Japanese colonel, a young Japanese girl, an American Marine, etc. The only link between chapters is the occasional return to the history book approach of the prologue in order to detail the larger course of events, and set the tone for the next chapter. In less capable hands, this approach could make for a disjointed reading experience but Westheimer effectively carries through common thematic elements that allow him to cover an array of experiences and concepts without destroying the flow of the novel.

First and foremost among these elements is Westheimer's focus on the common man or woman. By and large, the big power brokers are completely absent. Neither MacArthur nor the Emperor (nor any of his generals) makes an appearance after the prologue. Instead, Westheimer focuses on low ranking officers, and even more so, on enlisted personal. The overall effect of this approach is a ground level view of the fighting that compliments the big picture portions of the text. At the same time, this close-in approach allows Westheimer to consider issues that would be discordant with a book focused on grand strategy. For example, the author considers a Marine who becomes convinced that he is killing the same Japanese soldier over and over again. Westheimer forces the reader to consider whether this is due to shellshock, or if it is a way of rationalizing the horror of killing one's fellow man.

Which brings me to another fascinating element of this novel: Westheimer's intuitive understanding of the causes of war, and particularly, the mindset of the American soldier. His ability to capture what unremitting hatred does to the Japanese, and the consequences that it has on the American soldier is remarkable. His writing is made even more profound in the light of 9/11 and our recent war against Iraq as he eloquently captures the motivation for fanatical, even suicidal, resistance, and the conflict that resistance causes in American soldiers who are at heart disinclined to kill unless it is absolutely necessary.

That said, Westheimer doesn't limit himself to consideration of combatants. His chapter covering a day in the life of a chaplain's assistant perfectly illustrates the contradictory nature of war in general, and the almost perverse naiveté with which America sometimes goes to war. At the same time, his descriptions of ordinary Japanese citizens, particularly women, and the dichotomy of what they see versus what they are told is superbly handled. Westheimer considers what it would be like to live in a world where the "divine" word of the Emperor is at direct odds with what one sees in their everyday life.

Ultimately, Westheimer has produced in "Death is Lighter Than a Feather" the rare alternate history that is historically accurate even as it is good fiction. From his descriptions of the ferocity of hand-to-hand combat, to the serenity of two lovers in a bamboo grove, the author displays a talent that is rare in authors of any genre. At the same time, he successfully ties these fascinating snapshots into a larger picture. Westheimer writes with authority on the invasion that never was, but he also considers war in general, and given the world in which we live, where kamikaze attacks have once again become the norm, it is perhaps more pertinent today then ever.

Jake Mohlman

A very compelling book that reads much like a series of interconnected short stories. The author sets up the "big picture" nicely then zooms down to describe the experiences of individual soldiers. Using this device, we see the invasion of Japan from both sides. The Japanese outlook is perhaps the most interesting as their belief in their eventual victory, despite the obvious evidence to the contrary, is alien to the Western mindset - as is their blind devotion to their superiors and their total dedication to a type of honor that requires death over surrender. Ironically, books such as this tends to make one think that atom bombs probably saved Japan as a nation for the death and destruction caused by an invasion would have killed millions of the Japanese population.

David Westheimer has written a superb, fact-based novel that covers the first six weeks of Operation "Olympic", the intended invasion of Kyushu in October 1945. Of course in actuality, the invasion did not occur because the atomic bomb raids precipitated a Japanese collapse. Westheimer invites the reader into a very-possible world where the atomic bombs have not been dropped either for political or technical reasons. Given the continuing debate over the morality of the a-bomb attacks, this alternate world is well worth examining. The book begins with a prologue (in earlier versions of the book, this was actually the epilogue) that provides the historical detail behind "Olympic". Eighteen chapters follow, each detailing the experiences of one or more Japanese or American characters in the invasion.

The title is taken from the Japanese expression that, "while duty is heavier than a mountain, death is lighter than a feather." The real strength of this novel lies in the depictions of combat from the Japanese point of view, which is atypical for American readers. Having lived and gone to college in Japan, I can attest that Westheimer strikes many a true note in these depictions. Characters include resolute warriors, including a veteran fighter pilot, a determined corporal in a bunker and a fanatical battalion commander, but also cover Japanese civilians as well. One Japanese sergeant complains about some of the new recruits called up to face the invasion: "in his own regiment there was a private who had been a teacher in the middle school but it was known that he entertained subversive ideas and was not to be trusted with authority. It was a measure of the Army's desperate need that he had been permitted to serve at all. His proper place was prison, with other traitors and weaklings."

The combat scenes are very well done and these scenes evoke a sense of hopeless futility at times. The writing style is rich and detailed, but without irrelevant diversions. Westheimer also has a knack for focusing on interesting characters and situations, which is particularly true of his American characters. There is the UDT (underwater demolition team) frogman who bets that he will be the first American on Japanese soil and a B-29 pilot who affects a heroic attitude while concealing his cowardice. There is even a Japanese-American college girl who was visiting relatives in Japan when the war broke out and desperately wants to be "liberated" by the invading GIs. My particular favorite is the combat-happy US marine who believes that the Japanese are "playing a game on him" and that every Japanese soldier he kills is the same one.

The main point of the novel is to flesh out what most people with common sense could anticipate: the Americans will win but at great cost. Again and again, the fanaticism of the Japanese defense astounds the Americans. The novel ends by anticipating a Japanese surrender in January 1946, after many thousands have died on both sides. This novel should be read by anyone interested in the Pacific War or the atomic bomb controversy.

The book is crisply written, and gives some remarkably clear insights and advice on reengineering. It also provides some useful, applicable tools (process maps, LP diagrams) to make an effort more effective. Advice includes service quality design, organizing a reengineering effort, and implementation. All is invaluable.

I stongly recommend this book.

Where's the great editorals from some leading authors and experts in the field ? Just started to re-read. Great stuff for those spearheading a re-engineering project. Still awaiting your next text/book from the trio of Kelvin, Rich and John.

In Fly Tying: Adventures In Fur, Feathers And Fun, experienced angler John McKim presents a complete "how to" a one-volume workshop covering every aspect of creating flys including tools and materials and fly tying techniques. This "fisherman friendly" compendium of advice and instruction is wonderfully illustrated by McKim's line drawings. Very highly recommended for the serious fly fisherman, the informative and practical text is enhanced for the aspiring angler with a glossary of fly tying terms, sources, and an appendix of fly diagram plates.

I bought this book with plans to begin tying flies. After watching me tie McKim's "Just a Bug" pattern, my partner had to try it too. Within a few days she, I, our two youngest children (ages 8 and 11), and her father had all tied flies. In addition, with the author's directions, I made two of the tools I now use for tying. The book has loads of information beginners like my family and I need regarding tying techniques, tools, materials, and fishing techniques for new patterns. After tying my first 100 flies (15 patterns) based on the instructions in this book and one other, I was able to examine the fly that gave me an hour of non-stop fishing action last summer and figure out how to tie it. Now I'm ready to return to the stream with a dozen of my favorite pattern fresh off my own vise.

This is a book no-one could forgot. The adorably cute story about a young goose called Borka who, when born is without feathers. She is very unusuall so her parents call the goose doctor and his mother ends up knitting some feathers for Borka. Borka becomes upset and is teased and ignored by the other geese. The time comes when all the geese fly away and forget and leave Borka behind. Later on she comes across some boats and becomes friends with one of the Captains. She travells far with him to London were she is placed in a park with geese that like and love her and she lives happily ever after! .

This is a book from which practitioners of all levels can pick up something useful. It contains the transcription of Master Sheng Yen's talks in the first retreat he conducted in Wales. Master Sheng Yen used the poem by Wang Ming as a starting point to help participants navigate their practice. Not only does the material clarify the practice of Chan (Zen) in very concrete terms, it also serves very well as a practical guide in daily life. His comments are insightful and in many occasions--moving. The editor povides a brief description of the daily routine as well as the rituals and chanting materials used in the retreat. Practitioners will also find the retreat reports interesting.

John Clarke has has gone night-swimming with the myths of the ages...he provides us with absolutely useful and inspiring notions of the mysteries of our archetypal past...how they relate to our present condition and how they ultimately define us as beings in progress. This work provides crucial insight into the language of possibility and senseless pathologizing which would interest psychologists, poets, priests, politicians, medical doctors, and particularly theoretical physicists. This is a work of unimaginable richness and possibility. John Clarke was a visionary the likes of which I have not seen or heard of in our time. --Mark Bottita

Talk about scary! This book freaked me out! I loved it! Feathers is one of the most original books i have ever read. Each chapter is told in the point of view by a different character. It works nicely and i compare it to the style of the movie Momento. The story goes forward then back a little then forward then back a little. The killer is nasty and evil, reading his chapters from his point of view makes the reading in the position of doing the killing. It twisted my mind and rattled my brain. The only reason why i wouldnt give this a perfect rating is because i found the main characters rather dumb. "except for the killer" It was also cool how each character in the book perceives the killer with a different identity. It was disturbing, but a good one!

Several years ago, co-author Patricia Sierra sent me a rough draft of this book. I couldn't put it down. Philpin and Sierra have great insight into "what makes people tick." I was thrilled when the second book in this series, "Tunnel of Night" was released. Keep 'em coming. Philpin and Sierra are a fantastic writing team. This book is a must read.

From the very first page, Prettiest Feathers is an eminently readable book. The smooth prose is comfortable to read. John Philpin speaks directly to the reader using the unusual device of first person narrative from the deviously brilliant mind of a serial killer, John Wolf. Building a complex scenario of seduction and murder, the reader is guided through the maze of deception by a master of murder and impersonation. I found the author's use of cultural and counterculture references a secondary pleasure to identify and interpret. Probably revealing my age, I will say I felt a twinge of pride having recognized most of what Philpin is alluding to. The music of Julian Cope escaped my knowledge, prompting me to delve into some pretty weird stuff to discover what John Wolf was really listening to. Prettiest Feathers contains enough mental challenges for even the most discerning intellectual. It is also possible to read the story just for the marvelous plot twists and turns. The ending reads like the climax of a motion picture. The pace quickens and excitement mounts. I was left breathless at the conclusion to what seems the final act of a killer seeking acknowledgment of his successful career from his able nemesis. But, is it really over?

Exciting mystery book about rare birds. The ending was less surprising then the prior for books in the series.The author introduced two new characters: Grace Lockwood and Doc Henry.

I liked the Falcon's Feather because Josh likes to draw the birds and I like to draw too. He likes birds and so do I. I like A to Z mysteries because you always have to find out who the criminal is. But I'm not going to tell you who the criminal is in this story! I'm in second grade and I think this book is really cool.

Quest for the Eagle Feather is a good book. I liked it because it was very interesting to me. This book is about three eagle clan brothers that set out on a quest to see an eagle fly. Only this way can they learn the greatest secret of the eagle clan. This is a book I enjoied and am pretty sure anyone else would enjoy it to.