T. William Evans has written a novel that combines the terror of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania flood of 1889 with a wonderfully sweet love story of two young people. His story is full of well researched, historically accurate details of the area and the events that inevitably led to the horrendous flood. The romance of James, a young boy from a wealthy family and Mary, from a hard working family will touch your heart. The conversations between them alternate between realistic language and an extreme poetic nature which is a bit distracting. There also seems to be a switching back and forth of the story being told in a present tense and the past tense, which feels more like an editing problem than a writing detail. Even with those distractions, T. William Evans dramatic writing pulls you into the heart of the story and drags you along like a swift current. This book was very difficult to put down, you feel a need to stay with the characters and to know what is going to happen and how! Mr. Evans is a promising new author with the ability to grab and hold his audience.

T. William Evans has written a novel that combines the terror of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania flood of 1889 with a wonderfully sweet love story of two young people. His story is full of well researched, historically accurate details of the area and the events that inevitably led to the horrendous flood. The romance of James, a young boy from a wealthy family and Mary, from a hard working family will touch your heart. The conversations between them alternate between realistic language and an extreme poetic nature which is a bit distracting. There also seems to be a switching back and forth of the story being told in a present tense and the past tense, which feels more like an editing problem than a writing detail. Even with those distractions, T. William Evans dramatic writing pulls you into the heart of the story and drags you along like a swift current. This book was very difficult to put down, you feel a need to stay with the characters and to know what is going to happen and how!! Mr. Evans is a promising new author with the ability to grab and hold his audience.

The author does a good job bringing the game into the book -- complete with most of the dialogue and quotes you hear with the game and the book adds a great dimension to the events happening on Halo.

However - just as the game - it's very action-oriented with a majority of the book being about how he tosses a grenade and sidesteps. Focusing on the action instead of the story or characterization gets a little boring. The first book really lets you get to know the characters AND lets you get in on the action.

Also, the other difference from the first book is that in "The Fall of Reach", the Covenant are tough and mysterious, making them interesting. "The Flood", the Covenenant are pretty dumb and easy to kill, which... well, which makes them dumb (regular marines puts them down with a bullet). Master Chief is inexplicably a lot less strong here also. It's like "The Fall of Reach" was played on HEROIC or LEGENDARY level, while the setting for "The Flood" was EASY level.

This is still a good read (unlike other series such as the STARCRAFT line), and you'll love it as long as you don't get your hopes up.

I've beaten Halo multiple times. No, i don't own the game. Yes, i've read the "Fall of Reach", yes, "The Flood" isn't perfect. I like this book, but it doesn't deserve a 5. The Master Chief seems...weak. The battles aren't written "right". IT skips thru verrrrrrrrrry important levels in diologue like "he ran through many corridors filled with covenant and flood. He took them out. After the 20th corridor..."
It bugs me. I like it. i don't love it.

On to the good:
"the flood" has a MUCH deeper storyline than the game. You learn things that weren't in it, and it make you want to play the game through parts that you already have beaten, just to hear "that one crucial line". The Master Chief is shown as an emotionless person, good or bad? You're choice. The ending about the marines is simply breathtaking. Cap'n Keyes is strict, and Cortana is funny. The flood are...well, they're the flood. Freaky creatures that need phsyciotrists. And food. The twists in this book are nothing new if you have beaten the game, but it makes you gasp if you haven't. A great companion with the "Fall of Reach", a completely awesome 5 star official prequel to the book and the game.Although "the flood" is slightly dissapointing, it's an awesome read. Buy it.

The first Book is better then the second book becuse the second book is slower and William C. Dietz could of don better on it. I think this Book would of ben the best if Eric Nelond Did it.

This large picture book had some interesting photos of true cowgirls, but mostly it was just old 1950's artists' reditions. Not really what you might hope for. Like the cover? That is pretty much the entire book. Really no inforamtion about true American cowgirls, just some over used pictures.

Full of great pictures and stories of rebel girls and women who wanted to go where their interests and talents took them. Brave and daring with remarkable athletic skills these "gals" were not only pioneer athletes, but genuine living liberated women.
Wish this was taught in the public school system.