Lloyd Kaufman, President of Troma Studios and creator of the Toxic Avenger, has written a book about the history of the world's oldest (and one of the last remaining) independent film studios. All I Really Need to Know About Filmmaking I Learned from the Toxic Avenger is not just a how-to guide for young filmmakers, it is a humorous, witty, and often touching story about the creation of a B-Movie Empire, and the people Mr. Kaufman took with him on the way up (or down, whichever way you want to interpret it.) Not only does it touch on the history of the studio itself, but it also hits on some of Kaufman's more human sides: His relationship with his three daughters (Who, from my personal experience, he treats like queens) and his relationship with his wife, Patricia, who is the New York State Film Commissioner. Fart Jokes and other forms of crude humor aside, All I Really Need to Know about Filmmaking I Learned from the Toxic Avenger is the story of one man's dream, an! d the obstacles he had to overcome to fulfill it.

This book is, in a word, Tromatic. All I Need To Know About Filmmaking I learned from The Toxic Avenger is both an indespensible rescource and holy book for the true Troma fan, as well as being a wonderful introduction for non-Tromites into the wonderful, hairy world that is Tromaville. But that's not all. All I Need To Know About Filmmaking I learned from The Toxic Avenger gives both instruction and hope to enterprising independant filmmakers. Instruction in the form of such pearls of wisdom as "Make sure there are enough toilets" and "The MPAA sucks" and hope in that once you realise Troma Studios can make movies and be reasonably successful at it, there's no reason why you or your sock puppet Merv can't be. In truth, All I Need To Know About Filmmaking I learned from The Toxic Avenger, is an extremely funny, well written tome filled with wry humor, studio anecdotes, graphic discriptions of vomiting green toxic ooze (complete with directions to do so yourself) and great photographs. It is also very thick, and perfect for use in fixing uneven chair legs or stacked with phonebooks as a step stool. After reading this book, you too will be shouting "Long Live Troma!"

I'm an avid reader of HOW TO MAKE FILM books as well as BEHIND THE SCENES OF FAMOUS MOVIES books. I wouldn't be exaggerating to say I've read over a hundred in these genres.

Without a doubt, ALL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMMAKING I LEARNED FROM THE TOXIC AVENGER was the funniest, most insightful and informative book in this area I have ever read.

Lloyd Kaufman manages to be the jester and the sage from moment to moment (often at the same time), as he hysterically and with sensitivity, recounts his early filmmaking mistakes, hardships and triumphs on the road to creating the TOXIC AVENGER, TROMEO & JULIET and the TROMA world.

His scathing, sometimes shocking anecdotes of his work on ROCKY and SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER have forever changed how I will view these films and the people connected with them.

From the wild, over the top cover art, I thought the book would be complete fluff, but was surprised to find a depth and honesty most "tell all books" could only dream of achieving. To say it was a page turner would be putting it lightly. One simply cannot stop reading this comic masterpiece until completion.

I was moved at the handling of his personal life and simultaneously found myself laughing out loud. I read a portion of this book on a long plane trip and people kept looking over at me as if I were crazy as I repeatedly burst into laughter.

This is a book I will keep, re-read and wish to share with others.

When I was in my late teens and early twenties, I was moved by Vonnegut, Kesey, and Robbins. Now I am in my forties and those books don't elicit the same sort of response. This book does. It's the best of the late sixties and early seventies literature with the added maturity that twenty five or thirty years of experience brings. Reading The Brothers K has been a most entertaining reminder of the way things were, the way things still are, and the fundamental values of family life. It has affected my attitude and perspective, even my behavior. I've actually become more tolerant of the day to day foibles of my own three sons (at least temporarily) since diving into the world of the Chance brothers (thank you, David Duncan for that above all). The other readers' comments can fill you in on the plot and characters; I'll just say this -- if a 700 pate book seems too long, just read Book One -- 110 pages. Chances are, you'll be hooked on the Chances, and be the better for it.

I should preface this review by telling you I have four brothers (and a sister) of my own. Whether that had an impact on how well I related to the work, I do not know. However, don't let the thickness and small print get to you. Anyone with a family (meaning the vast majority of people) should find Duncan's anecdotal style strangely easy to relate to and very funny at the same time. The novel traces the lives of the members of the appropriately named Chance family. The brothers, though very different from one another, share a love for baseball and for one another. Duncan lends a specific voice, body and depth of character to each individual in the novel. Each person is a vivid, breathing archetype. There is Everett, the rebel; Peter, the seeker of Truth; Irwin, the oaf with the personality of a Teddy Bear and many more whom we see in various lights and perspectives as the plot progresses. Should you read "The Brother's K," prepare to laugh out loud, shed a tear or two, get a little silly and a little nostalgic. For Duncan, nothing is trite; no sentament is wasted and no emotion untrue. He made me miss my brothers, kiss my mother and shake my father's hand. It was the best therapy a human can buy...and it was only 700 pages.

I was never a fan of baseball until I read David James Duncan's The Brothers K. However, this is a story that is not just about a sport, but an extraordinary family of four brothers, twin sisters, a 7th Day Adventist mother, and a father who had to forego his dream of pitching to provide for his family. What sets this novel apart aside from the wonderful characters, is the author's ability to weave a good yarn. Anyone familiar with John Irving's a Widow for One Year or The World According to Garp will adore this book. It charts the course of a family through a lifetime of ups and downs, pain and growth. Read it! It may be long, but every page is worth it.

One of the best historical novels -- romance or otherwise -- of all time. KATHERINE opens a door into the past and introduces us to people separated from us by seven centuries who nevertheless are brought to life by Anya Seton until they are as vivid as our next-door neighbor. Like so many of the other reviewers, I first read Katherine's story as a teenager; then I sympathized solely with her; as I grew older, and re-re-re-read the book, I have found myself appreciating the other people -- such as poor Hugh Swynford! -- far more. This book is one of the half-dozen I always recommend whenever a reader asks for a good historical novel. And it's amazing -- and informative -- to count up the number of VIP's descended from the glorious Katherine and the haunted John of Gaunt.

"Katherine" is Anya Seton's finest book, which is high praise considering her talent. She is a very fine writer with excellent attention to detail and historical accuracy, as well the ability to make the characters come vividly alive.

This is of course a very fine and entertaining story. There is our heroine Katherine, with all of her trials and tribulations, and who finds herself unexpectedly thrust into a turbulent life with a turbulent royal family! It is interesting to note that through the children she had with John of Gaunt, she is a direct ancestress of all of ruling Kings and Queens of England from that time on (and a great many members of European royal families as well)! Katherine made her mark on history in many, many ways.

This is an utterly charming and beautiful book. I was about 12 when I first picked it up and was immediately enchanted by the writing, the adventure and the history, and return to it time and time again. The book is peppered with other interesting historical characters - for example Geoffrey Chaucer was married to Katherine's sister, and appears from time to time full of wit and stories.

So read it for yourself, and introduce it to a young lady in your life. You could not bestow a finer gift.

One April morning of 1366, a young girl rides to join her sister at court in Windsor. The young girl was Katherine. There, a boorish knigh, Sir Hugh falls madly in love with her, but Katherine isn't interested. She is persuaded to marry him for her own security, but she has no love for him, nor even any affection.

Katherine has also caught the eye of the King's third son, John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster. Something in the handsome duke's kiss on her wedding day, arouses in Katherine feelings she had never known and she seeks out the duke at every opportunity.

In the laws of God and man, their love is forbidden, but the seed of passion has been sown which will change the course of English history...

This was a brilliant book, difficult to put down. All the history is there, but told through the eyes of the characters, making it that much more real. There's even a cameo appeareance by Goeffrey Chaucer! (Who wrote the Canterbury Tales.)

One to re-read again.

Reviewed by Annette Gisby, author of Silent Screams and Shadows of the Rose.

This is by far one of the best books that accompanies a blockbuster movie. The glossy pages of text and fabulous photos are incredible. It is a must for TITANIC fans alike. The book appears to have been written prior to the December 19, 1997 release of Cameron's film. It shows some interesting tidbits about the struggles to get each scene historically accurate and it also illustrates Cameron's wisdom to change the "corset scene" with Rose and her mother, Ruth, discussing Rose's future with Cal. It was interesting to learn that the original script called for Rose to lace-up Ruth's corset but the scene having been reversed (Cameron's genius at play again)gives this scene the right amount of 'tension' to let the audience understand the restricted lifestyle Rose would lead if she were to marry into high society.

This book features some very lovely pictures of Kate Winslet as Rose (DeWitt-Bukater) Dawson. She was the perfect choice for this role. Kate draws your attention with her luminous features and those gorgous eyes. She is proof that people like Kate Moss are for posterboards anyday. Kate Winslet exemplifies beauty in its most natural and glorius form.

The movie is certainly going to make the headlines when it finally becomes released as a video but in the meanwhile, for TITANIC fans like me, the book helps to ease the excitement as we all anticipate the release of this wonderful 90's grand epic.

A wonderful book...it's a winner! Can we rate it higher than a 10? I think it's a definite 100! Thanks to Ed Marsh, James Cameron, et al.

"James Cameron's Titanic" helps to show why this movie is indeed an epic work. Movie buffs and Titanic-ophiles alike will enjoy the behind-the-scenes look at the sets, stars, and the ship herself. Inside information about the production process (such as the fact that the whole boarding scene in Southampton was shot "backwards"), evokes admiraton for Cameron's achievement. The text underscores the film's committment to bring the humanity of the sinking home to the audience -- a committment that the film honors. The determination to make the film something special comes through with comments from stars DiCaprio, and Winslet. Like the movie itself, the book is highly recommended.

I think that this book was very well put together. It was filled with behind the scence pictures and information. It explainded the process of making the movie "Titanic," and how much hard work was put into it. The people that had to put every thing together are very talented and I admire them a great deal. The book includes many pictures of the set of Titanic and it's cast and crew. It looks very tiring to have to do all that work that is shown in the photos. It also includes some interesting quotes from Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio on their thoughts about the movie, and the real Titanic. If you saw the movie and really enjoyed it, I think that this is a great book to look at after. After you read this book you can understand the real effort that goes into making movies, especially this one.

By means of correspondence between two devils, Lewis describes the invisible reality of spiritual warfare, as well as the temptations facing believers in a hostile well. The variety of temptations gives much food for thought about the spiritual warfare that is going on in the reader's own life (Eph. 6).

The premise of this novel has been used by Randy Alcorn in his recent book "Lord Foulgrin's Letters". Although I haven't read Alcorn's book personally, it's my understanding that this is a readable and successful contemporary version of the Lewis classic.

Nobody, not even Alcorn, however, can expect to surpass the shining literary and theological achievement of C.S. Lewis in "The Screwtape Letters." An essential classic!

C.S. Lewis has said that he found it painful to write this book since it required him to spend days on end thinking upside-down. But it is lucky for us that he did, since the result is a book that both delights and enlightens.

THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS documents the correspondence between Screwtape, a senior devil, and his nephew Wormwood, a novice tempter. Wormwood's mission is to win a soul for the underworld, and Screwtape offers him the accumulated iwdom of Hell on how to accomplish it. The result is a well-laid out map to the pitfalls to which we humans are all-too prey. Lewis' had great insight into human weakness, especially the uncanny way ou pride pops into almost every thought we might have. He is also alert to the ways our unquestioned assumtions can lead us astray. As Socrates said, the first step towards wisdom is to "know thyself" - and the tempters in this book do all they can to prevent that from happening.

Lewis, of course, is a Christian, but THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS are useful to any person who is seriously engaged on the spiritual quest. I read this book about once a year, and am always chagrined to find that Screwtape is still one step ahead of me! (And he is unfailingly eloquent to boot.)

This volume includes "Screwtape proposes a toast" which employs the same technique to discuss modern education. I find this a weaker part of the volume. It seems Lewis could have done more with the concept, but his arguments about the failings of modern education are much sharper in his book, THE ABOLITION OF MAN.

Still, this is an invaluable volume. It is the book that I most often give away to people - it is laugh-out-loud funny, and sadly all-too true.

"The Screwtape Letters" is one of those books that teaches you a lesson without you even realizing it... or even if you do, it's in the most non-threatening manner imaginable. It's akin to learning about duty and loyalty from watching "Star Wars." The work takes the concept of "the Devil's advocate" to a whole new level. By a strange set of circumstances (covered in the book's Introduction/Forward), we are privy to private written correspondence from one devil to another devil on the finer points of directing their "patient" to think evil thoughts and to commit evil deeds.

The concept of a little devil sitting on your shoulder is magnified by the dubious fiends whose ultimate goal is consume the souls of those they lead astray as though they were food. Lewis brings forth several ways of re-thinking how we think and addressing the real heart of the matter. The book is an easy read and is entertaining to boot. Lewis intended this work (as his other books such as "The Narnia Chronicles" and "The Great Divorce") to be a fantasy that teaches, not a dramatized version of doctrine. Regardless of your background or your beliefs, the book's underlying themes concern the true nature of good an evil and how we use our will to apply good or evil onto those we care about and onto those we don't.

Having only the cursory knowledge of Iwo Jima from the immortalized "photograph" and monument near Arlington National Cemetary, reading "Flags of Our Fathers" was an eye-opening experience. Born in the late 60's, I grew up in with war and its after-effects having little impact on my own personal life (somehow my immediate family escaped any time in the military). In this deeply personal account of the events surrounding Iwo Jima, James Bradley gives the reader a detailed account of the famous battle that no high school history class lesson could do justice to. From the "underground city" of Iwo to the facts surrounding the quite accidental photographic capture of the incidental second flagraising, the book is both educational and fairly quick read.

I was a little put-off early in the early stages of the book. In leading up to the actual battle, Bradley seemed to have already elevated the six flagraisers to godlike status. But having finished "Flags," one can easily forgive the author for the high reverence he holds for these individuals now knowing how each of their stories ended. Having recently visited Washington, I stopped at the US Marine Corps Memorial near the end of my trip. I did not know the names or stories of the men behind the impressive statues. Reading "Flags" made me initially regret what, at the time, had been a fairly unemotional visit to yet another DC monument. While that changed as I read "Flags" (I pulled out the photos I had taken several times while reading), I ultimately believe that the surviving flag raisers (particularly the author's father, John Bradley) would be quite happy that I did not associate them with the celluloid or bronze images that dogged them for the remainder of their lives.

It is heartening to see the success of this book. While not a scholarly historical work, Bradley has done a great service in recording these men's stories and the brave efforts of all who have ever fought for their country.

As this is my first review in Amazon.com, I'd like to greet to all fellow reviewers. I think that's a great place for us to help each other as reviews is a invaluable resource to help us choose a suitable book. I haven't read the reviews below but I'm sure there're lots of 5-star reviews and i assure you that it's well deserved.

A bit history : on December 7, 1941, Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto gave the fateful coded message climb Mt. Niitaka which signalled the attack by Japanese carrier-based aircraft upon the U. S. Pacific Fleet, peacefully anchored at Pearl Harbor. On February 23, 1945, U. S. marines climbed another mountain - Mt. Suribachi on the volcanic island of Iwo Jima and planted an American flag (the pic on the front cover).

The author is the son of John Bradley, a navy corpsman who who has received the Navy Cross. The book is about the life stories of the six men that raised the flag on Iwo Jima, before and after Iwo Jima, as well as the story of the ferocious battle of Iwo Jima in February 1945 - savagery, courage and sacrifice. The author's voice is moving, poignant and provoking.

I wonder if anyone has questioned why they were there and for what they were fighting. They only treated them as heros in their minds. But now, thanks to James Bradley as he described the war in details. Well actually he wanted to know why his father kept so many secrets and in trying to find out, he discovered who these men were and why they were such a big part of his father's life during that deeply and unforgettably shocking time in history. It shows the love between father and son, doesn't it?

This book is a must in your shelves. I'm gonna let my father read it too and I'm sure he'll enjoy it.

I was only 5 when the attack on Iwo Jima took place. My own father, by virtue of age, good luck and a naval officer's commission escaped conscription into this particular hell. My personal wartime experience is a vague one of watching free movie musicals at the Ottumwa Iowa Naval Air Station, squashing and saving tin cans for the war effort and finally weaving red white and blue crepe paper into the spokes of my junior bike in celebration of VJ day. Thanks to a new book about World War II, I am discovering what it was really like back then to feel true patriotism. It is a bittersweet revelation, but a very valid one.

"Flags of Our Fathers" is a book which appeals not only to the die-hard WWII buff but to any person, male or female, with an interest in a teeth clenching, powerful and poignant story. It describes a horrible battle, the incredible selfless sacrifices of young men and the angst of their families.

James Bradley & Ron Powers have brought to vivid life the real people behind the famous flag-raising mythos, the surreal war in which they so valiantly fought and the survivors' eventual reentry into civilian life. This is an adventure story of true horrific experiences. On the surface it is a "good guy-bad guy" saga in which our good guys finally triumph. The good guys lucky enough to come home are quiet, self effacing and seemingly forever linked to the ghosts of those who did not survive. In an age before psychologists had discovered and mined "survivor's guilt" and Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, the luckiest of these largely teenaged boys trained, fought, were wounded, came back and resumed living to the best of their ability. I defy any woman not to bleed for the mothers and fathers who waited and any man not to cry for the "uncommon valor" of these very young sons. Bradley's personal experiences with his own hero father, his intimate interviews with families of these sons and his own quiet faith are melded with the poetic prose of Ron Powers into a seamless whole.

This is a meticulously researched, lovingly crafted and stunning battle book, written by exceptional men about exceptional men. It is sure to become a classic.

With communication being the number one factor in making relationship work, this is a must read for both spouses. Chapman hits the "nail on the head" as he uncovers the five languages of love: Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch

Chapman clearly explains each language in a five chapters. Along the way, he includes experiences from real-life couples. After uncovering each language, Chapman uses the next couple of chapters to help the reader discover his or her own love language as well as the spouse's.

Whether you are newlyweds or have been married for years, this book is highly recommended above any other book on marriage. More than likely, a reader will discover they have misunderstood a mate because they were using the wrong language! I'm seeing my mate in completely different light now. :)

--- reviewed by Ty for Christian Bookshelf

People express and recieve love in different ways. Dr. Gary Chapman identifies these as the five languages of love:

Quality Time* Words of Affirmation* Gifts * Acts of Service* And Physical Touch

If you express love in a way that your spouse doesn't understand, he or she won't realize you've expressed your love at all. The problem is that you're speaking 2 different love languages.

Perhaps your husband needs to hear encouraging words, but you feel cooking him a nice dinner will cheer him up. When he still feels down, you're puzzled. Or, maybe your wife craves time with you-time away from the kids and television. The flowers you gave her just don't communictae that you care.

This book is designed for marriage survivalists. If you have intentions of surviving out your marriage instead of living with the consequences of divorce, this is a good book.

This book was recommended by our pastor at church. My husband and I both read the book and refer back to it often. He actually finished reading the book before me. And while I was reading, he was over my shoulder reading along with me (his second time). Reading books like this open up communication in a relationship and in turn, opens up your heart to one another. Friends of ours were asking how and why we seem so happy these days and I would tell them it was because this book helped us become a happier couple together. Since then a number of our friends have borrowed my copy, read the book,and then bought their own copy for future reference. What a wonderful book this is! I'm now working on The Five Love Languages of Children and I love it as well. My 10 year old daughter reads it with me. Both of these books have been 'bonding' books; you read it with the one you love and it brings you so much closer! You can't go wrong with that!!

I read the Phantom Tollbooth as a child and loved it. I loved the story of Milo, a kid who is bored and dislikes life who receives a gift completely out of the blue (what kid wouldn't like that). I liked the fact that the gift was a gateway to an adventure in another world. I liked the dog he meets who is gruff at first but becomes Milo's best friend. I also loved the strange characters Milo met on his adventures, and I was scared of the monsters he met near the end of the book.

As I grew older, I started to learn all of the puns and double meanings strewn throughout the book. I still loved the adventure story, but now I began realizing that the book was very funny as well.

During some move or other, I lost the book, but now I look forward to buying it when I have kids and rediscovering the world Norton Juster painted in the Phantom Tollbooth with them.

Phantom Tollbooth Written By Norton Juster Reviewed by Adam

Milo is a kid with no opinion about anything. He never likes what he is doing, but sees no point in doing anything else. As he says, "It seems to me that almost everything is a waste of time. There's nothing for me to do, nowhere I'd care to go, and hardly anything worth seeing." One day he receives a strange package containing one genuine tollbooth, one set of instructions, and one road map. Expecting this to be just a dumb activity, Milo puts the tollbooth together and drives through it in a small electric car. He travels through a strange land to a city called Dictionopolis, on the way picking up the Watch dog Tock, who has a watch for a body. Once in Dictionopolis, Milo, Tock, and their newfound friend the watchdog and the Humbug are caught up in a quest to save the princesses Rhyme and Reason and restore order to the world. On the way he meets strange people like the Whether Man ("for after all it's more important to know whether there will be weather than what the weather will be") and Alec Bings who sees the other side of things and is born in the air and grows down to the ground. Milo and his newfound friends Tock the watchdog and the Humbug are caught up in a quest to save the princesses Rhyme and Reason and restore order to the world.

Norton Juster does a great job making The Phantom Tollbooth enjoyable and humorous. He combines clever puns and real pieces of literature and math to make an extremely interesting story.

" I read [The Phantom Tollbooth] first when I was 10. I still have the book report I wrote, which began 'This is the best book ever.'" --Anna Quindlen, The New York Times

"A classic... Humorous, full of warmth and real invention." --The New Yorker

I rate this book 10/10 stars.

First of all, this is one of the most wonderful books I have ever read! It is about a boy named Milo who is bored and doesn't see the meaning of things. One day, he comes and finds a toll booth went to him in his room. He takes his car and pays the toll and begins his remarkable journey. He journeys through Expectations where he meets the Whether Man. He dozes off and comes to the Doldrum and meets the Lethargians and a watchdog named Tock that goes Tick. Tock sets off with him for Dictionopolis, the city of words, where he meets the troubled King Azaz the Unabridged and Fainly Macabre. He decides to save the Princesses Rhyme and Reason, because without them, there is none. The lovable Humbug, Tock, and Milo set off. The come to the Forest of Sight and see the orchestra play the colors. They travel through the barren Valley of Sound and meet the Soundkeeper. They get to Digitopolis, the city of numbers, and meet the Mathematician. This is where the real difficult part of their journey begins as they venture into the Mountains of Ignorance to rescue the princesses from the Castle in the Air. This book shows you the meaning of knowledge and reminds you to never rush and see and hear the bueaties of the world.

As a young professional single woman, I find Eric Jerome Dickeys writing style of the "90's" to be very fresh, provacative and totally realistic. His style of writing such as in "Cheaters", gets you very involved with the characters from the get go, which makes this book very difficult to put down! You can't wait to find out what is going to go down in the next scenario between Chante and Stephan, or any of the other characters for that fact. I appreciate EJD and his ability to write about such personal and sexual feelings. Coming from a man, this is rare, but he has mastered the art of combining pleasure, entertainment and lust into a meaningful story that we can all relate to. I really enjoy how he individualizes each character within their own chapters, as if they themselves have written it. This gives you great insight on what each character is thinking and how they see and feel about the situation at hand. It is as powerful as Milk In My Coffee, his last hit novel, which amazingly lent a positive and realistic imagery towards interracial realtionships. As a person involved in interracial dating, this really hit home for me and made me look at mistakes I have made in my own dealings. EJD is a great author because he writes REAL stories about REAL characters that everyone can relate to. Keep up the great work ERIC,...cos we all love ya out here and think you are da bomb! I will buy any book you write because I already know it will be great!

I just finished Cheaters and I must say once again Eric Jerome Dickey has done it! The characters are so real and true. You know someone like them somewhere.Jake was long overdue for his lessons and that Dawn. Girlfriend was a piece of work.Toyomi needs a doctor BIG TIME and a life.Guess she heard me.Chante' and Stephan make a wonderful couple and I hope we see them again soon in another book.Charolette, my girl needs someone who's real and true. She wasn't as blind as we thought. The book kept me on the edge, when I wasn't laughing or tesifying. I had the opportuinty to meet Mr.Dickey at his booksigning recently here in Houston when my book club attended and it was a sheer pleasure to have him autograph not only Cheaters but,also milk in my coffee and friends and lovers. He's a wonderfully,warm,funny,plesant man, with a gift for giving us both the male/female point of view I can't wait to see the movies based on his books and I'm looking forward to his next two novels already. If you haven't read the book yet,what are you waiting for? I along with all the members of my book club have been eagerly anticipating our book discussion, since it's release. Continued blessings and success to Eric Jerome Dickey and thanks for sharing your talent with us.

Coming from a person that reads a lot of novels, I feel that I am in a position to rate EJD's lastest novel five stars plus. The thought, and effort entered into the writing of this book, comes through loud and clear. Others should keep in mind, it's only a novel to be enjoyed, and not taken seriously,or equated with anyone's personal situation. The love for another's talent should be met with gratitude. It's stated in other reviews that the author belittles black women. It's just a story born in the author's head, and not necessarily his personal views. How about for entertainment purposes only? That's is why we have choices in what we choose to read. I appreciate good literature, and an author with an imagination. One that can make the reader laugh, cry and feel all of the emotions that are written within the pages. An author that allows his characters to have an imaginable life, would prove to be, in my opinion, talented.

Shogun is one of those rare books that you wish would go on forever. Indeed, I know people who re-read it every year. The story follows the adventures of marooned English sailor John Blackthorne in late medieval Japan during the tumultuous years when Tokugawa Ieyasu (here called Toranaga) was uniting all of Japan under his rule by any means necessary. It's truly an epic tale of war, honor, trechery, masterful manipulations, tragic heroism, and star-crossed love.

The characters come alive completely and the plot is absolutely gripping. Be warned that you probably won't be able to put this one down - Somehow I read this 1000+ page book in only five days, ignoring all my schoolwork. I can't say enough good things about this book - it never lets up, always keeps you thinking, and can be quite moving emotionally too. The other thing that's cool about this book is how amazingly accurate it is historically, considering it's fiction. One of my only complaints about this book is that Clavell changed all the names even though almost all his characters were real people - even the main character, Blackthorne, was based on a real guy. It would have been cool to get the real names.

Shogun is Clavell's masterwork - if any author writes a book this good even only once in a lifetime he or she has suceeded. Everyone should read it, not because it will incredibly enrich your life (its only fiction after all), but simply because this book is so damn good it would be a shame for anyone to miss out on it.

For sheer narrative power and immersion in another world, few have done it better than Clavell in Shogun. The book grabs you from the first page and never seems to let go. It's an easy read, too, since you barely notice you're reading. (I read it in three days back in the seventies, hardly stopping for air, and have needed bifocals with reading lenses ever since.) A tale of a shipwrecked English ship's pilot in 16th century Japan, this book sweeps the reader through a murky world of political intrigue and bloody violence as the English protagonist, Blackthorne, encounters an alien culture and a world quite unlike any he had known before. Yet, for all its rich evocation of the medieval Japanese nation, the book has some unfortunate blunders including an allusion to a samurai using judo (not invented until the 1880's, while this book takes place in the 16th century) and another shaking off his sandals to kick at an enemy (quite out of character for such warriors since they were predominantly weaponed soldiers who would never choose to kick an enemy if they had access to one of their traditional instruments of war as this one manifestly does . . . and besides so-called karate kicking wasn't introduced into Japan, from Okinawa, until the 1920's). The worst error, however, had Lord Toranaga, Blackthorne's captor and mentor, playing chess, a western game, when it would have made more sense for him to be playing the indigenous Japanese game of go instead. But the Japanese warriors did have jiu-jitsu, the forerunner of modern judo, and kicking could have been a part of what they did (however unlikely) and Toronaga could have taught himself chess since he is portrayed as a quick study with a keen and very deep mind. And besides, these are minor quibbles. Basically, this is a powerful tale of intrigue and maneuvering as the players move about on the chessboard of feudal Japan, never certain who among them is really moving the pieces and who is just being moved -- at least until the end. The sense and feel of the culture, if not the details, also ring remarkably true and you do feel as though you've lived the entire experience when at last you close the book on the final page. The characters themselves are based on real people; the events on things that really occurred -- though Clavell granted himself literary license to manipulate and recast what he found in the histories to make his tale a more dramatic one. It's not a true story in that sense, but it's a great one and well worth a pair of glasses.

For sheer narrative power and immersion in another world, few have done it better than Clavell in Shogun. The book grabs you from the first page and never seems to let go. It's an easy read, too, since you barely notice you're reading. (I read it in three days back in the seventies, hardly stopping for air, and have needed bifocals with reading lenses ever since.) Still the book has some unfortunate blunders including an allusion to a samurai using judo (not invented until the 1880's, while this book takes place in the 16th century) and another shaking off his sandals to kick at an enemy (quite out of character for such warriors since they were predominantly weaponed soldiers who would never choose to kick an enemy if they had access to one of their traditional instruments of war; besides so-called karate kicking wasn't introduced into Japan, from Okinawa, until the 1920's). The worst error, I thought, had Lord Toranaga playing chess, a western game, when it would have made more sense for him to be playing the indigenous Japanese game of go instead. But the Japanese warriors did have jiu-jitsu, the forerunner of judo, and kicking could have been a part of what they did (however unlikely) and Toronaga could have taught himself chess since he is portrayed as a quick study with a keen and very deep mind. And besides, these are minor quibbles. Basically, this is a powerful tale of intrigue and maneuvering as the players move about on the chessboard of feudal Japan, never certain who among them is really moving the pieces and who is just being moved -- at least until the end. The sense and feel of the culture, if not the details, also ring remarkably true and you do feel as though you've lived the entire experience when at last you close the book on the final page. And the characters, as the reviews following mine point out, are also based on real people; the events on things that really occurred -- though Clavell granted himself literary license to manipulate and recast what he found in the histories to make his tale a more dramatic one. It's not a true story in that sense, but it's a great one and well worth a pair of glasses. -- Stuart W. Mirsk