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Book reviews for "Francis,_James_A." sorted by average review score:

Dead Cert
Published in Audio Cassette by HarperAudio (1990)
Authors: Dick Francis and James Fox
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With this novel...
Dick Francis didn't save the best for last. I have read all the DF novels except Blood Sport, which I have ordered and expect it anyday. I have loved every single one, but Dead Cert is my favorite, although Bonecrack and Whip Hand are close favorites.

Dick Francis is an excellent author because he is a master at combining three elements into his novels. Horses:), danger and mystery, and romance. If anybody reading this reveiw has never read a DF novel, please do so, you won't regret it!

Dead Certain to please mystery lovers...
In yet another gripping story of mystery, murder and British steeplechasing, Dick Francis continues his amazing streak of hit novels.

His real appeal is not racing or mystery however, it is his ability to create characters who are admirable, honorable and self-reliant. If you're looking for troubled, self-loathers who "somehow" overcome their weakness and become unwilling and unwitting heroes, don't look here. Francis' heroes revel in their abilities to withstand evil, overcome it, and end up smiling in spite of it all.

Kudos once again for Dick Francis and Dead Cert!

The First Dick Francis Mystery
This is the first Dick Francis mystery and I like it the second best. I like "Nerve" slightly better, but only slightly. This "Dead Cert" contains several impressive scenes. The most impressive is the climax in which the star horse "Admiral" plays an unexpectedly spectacular role. It is definitely THE MOST SPECTACULAR scene in ALL Francis mysteries. Highly Recommended.


Mobile Guerrilla Force: With the Special Forces in War Zone D (Naval Institute Special Warfare Series)
Published in Hardcover by United States Naval Inst. (1996)
Authors: James C. Donahue and Francis Kelly
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A stunnigly real look into the minds of our Special Forces
I have read "Mobile Guerilla Force", "BlackJack 33", and "BlackJack 34" All three of the books are an amazing read, not the typical blood, mud and tears, hovever there is unfortunately a historically real amount of that as well. Not only do you get a sence of what life was like as a special operations operator in VietNam, but the laughs as well as the sorrows of day to day life in VietNam. The author also opened a porthole into the relationship that was built with the indiginous peoples that fought along side the Mobile Geurilla Force whose heroism is nothing short of legondary. As a reader, one can see the author settle into a comfortable writing niche' and progressively make each page seemingly more personal and real ("in the first person" if you will) to the reader. More stories like these need to be told of the triumphs of American Gi's in VietNam.
POW, MIA, VFW, Thankyou, you are not forgotten!
Sincerely Jc

MGF - What you would expect from Mr. Donahue
I have read at least 2 dozen books on combat in Vietnam and this is one of the best. The book is very well written. The author really makes you feel as if you are walking in the jungle of Vietnam side by side members of the mobile guerrilla force.

The Forbidden Zone has been penetrated.
This is one of the most exciting books that I've read about the war in Vietnam. Donahue puts you right there amongst the brave and loyal Khmer soldiers and the cunning and equally committed Viet Cong. Having spent some time in the area written about, I can attest to the accuracy of his brilliantly portrayed environment. This book is going into my permanent collection along with Blackjack-33 and Blackjack-34. Well written book that you can't put down until the end.


The Hidden Sea: Ground Water, Springs, and Wells
Published in Paperback by Geoscience Pr (1997)
Authors: Frank Chapelle, James E. Landmeyer, and Francis H. Chapelle
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A grand example of popular science writing
Through examples of our use, abuse and mystical ties to groundwater, Mr. Chapelle gently eases the layman into a greater appreciation of this vital resource. He doesn't spew politically correct nonsense---one of his chapters deals with a woman who, despite all evidence to the contrary, is convinced her well is poisoned by a toxic dump. Cautionary tales, groundwater mystery stories, even a little history; this book's got it all. It should whet the wistle of any future hydrology or geology student, while at the same time educating the casual reader.

Pretty good reading for class
The Hidden Sea is wonderful, low-tech introduction to ground water. I used it as part of an informal discussion class made up of a variety of students ranging from undergrads to PhD's. Everyone was able to understand and enjoy the book. For the novices it was a good introduction to typical field problems. For the experienced student it provided a unique historical review to put their studies into perspective. If you use it as a class text, try to have at least one discussion period on it. It will be an eye opener.

A refreshing tapestry of groundwater and related environment
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's "bite-sized" chapters and smooth flow made it hard to put down. It's narrative style made it easy reading, but it brought out some useful scientific concepts. It took a lot of ideas and looked at them from a new perspective. After thinking about it, I found myself thinking, "Hey, I knew that, but never thought about it from that angle." This would be a good supplementary text for any aquatic studies course. There are even some math problems you can develop if you like quantitative stuff.


The English and Scottish Popular Ballads
Published in Paperback by Dover Pubns (2003)
Author: Francis James Child
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English & Scottish Popular Ballads Vol 1 by Francis James Ch
Superb. For anyone interested in either the words or origins of English & Scottish folk music this is essential. You can settle those arguments (over a beer) as to who has the correct words or the origin.

The biblography needs some getting used to but when you understand it you will find this book a good companion.

It's alive ...
The English and Scottish Popular Ballads are, as noted here, out of print in their Dover edition ... but fear not, they are being re-issued (in 5 volumes, 2 of which are actually done) by the folks at Loomis House Press. (I am not affiliated with Loomis in any way; do a Google search if you want to find 'em.) The books are authoritative and complete, and it's disappointing that Amazon doesn't list them.

Another One Bites the Dust
Had I the time, I'd write my own ballad here - a tragic song mourning the fact that Dover Books has apparently let the anchor of any decent Anglo-Celtic folk music collection go out of print. I take comfort in the fact that I've got mine, but those just building their libraries will have to search used bookstores and haunt the bookfinding services of the Net. Meanwhile, one more brick is placed in the wall of time that separates us from the ancestral voices.


F. Scott Fitzgerald: Trimalchio : An Early Version of 'The Great Gatsby'
Published in Hardcover by Cambridge Univ Pr (Trd) (2000)
Authors: F. Scott Fitzgerald and James L. W. III West
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Beautiful & fascinating / A must-read for "Gatsby" fans
"The Great Gatsby" is my favorite book. This early version is absoultutely fascinating to me. I've read much about the history of the manuscript and the changes made to it, and with "Trimalchio" we get to read for ourselves one version. I was thrilled to have this unusual opportunity; I felt privileged. (Only one complaint in this review is in my last paragraph.)

Aside from the sheer thrill of witnessing at least part of the transition and revision, the book itself is a wonder--to one end--to be viewed along with "The Great Gatsby." Things I've been bothered by in "Gatsby" are different in this book, and it's interesting to read that they had indeed been altered - most notably, the mid-section in "Gatsby" when Nick tells the reader in a near omnicient narration Gatsby's true story; this happens entirely differently in "Trimalchio" and in my opinion does not break the narrative flow the way it does in the final "Great Gatsby."

Some unanswered questions, some debated items become clearer after reading this. Is Gatsby a good guy or a bad guy? Is Nick? Who is Jordan Baker really? Is Nick the agent of the action or an observant/removed narrator? "Trimalchio" presents the answers to some of these questions differently than does "The Great Gatsby," or in a more straightforward and clear fashion. In a sense, this could be a truer-to-Fitzgerald's-soul account, as many of the changes were suggested to him from the outside. Many of the characters underwent changes from this version to "The Great Gatsby," though some changes more major than others.

I'm trying, in this review, not to write what would be a book's worth of my opinion about which is a superior book. Gatsby is such a part of me I could write forever. I will mention that typos and other necessary changes were made from this to the final, as well. And although some things I've questioned and have bothered me simply because I do love the book so much are different in this early version, I don't know how I'd feel if this were the *only* version of the book, as what we have here is an early version of a book I'd always thought brilliant.

The language is beautiful; the characters amazing, sad, complex. I'm infinitely impressed by this book, whichever level of "completion."

I've got one complaint about this edition of "Trimalchio": at the back of the book, there is a list of changes made - galley version, holograph, 1st edition, etc. They are laid out in such a way that they are hard to follow and hard to study. I nearly know "The Great Gatsby" by heart. While reading "Trimalchio" I noticed tiny, tiny differences. But, after I finished, I wanted to truly study the changes at each stage of Fitzgerald's writing, and the lay-out and lack of explanation made it oppressively uninviting. It's too bad, too, because I am ceaselessly (as FSF might say) interested in this - this book, the revision process, its history, everything Gatsby.

Interesting for what it is and what it isn't
For all the talk about the many differences with The Great Gatsby, Trimalchio is still essentially a rough draft of the classic it became rather than a separate and distinct novel. Only the final two chapters are appreciably different beyond the point of reading both novels side by side a page at a time (and as much as I admire Fitzgerald, I'll leave that task to someone else!). Nonetheless, there are enough slight changes in character development and imagery throughout the book to make it interesting.

In one sense - especially in the little-changed early chapters - this version of the story is interesting mostly in that it demonstrates the improvement brought about by the relatively few changes that were still to come. For example, Jordan Baker's climactic recollection of seeing Daisy and Gatsby together during the war is quite a bit less scandalous here than in the final version, so that the plot still advances but much of the tension of the scene is lacking. Some of the party scenes are also less detailed than they would become. None of this is to say these parts of the book aren't still enjoyable, especially if you haven't read Gatsby recently; it's just that the changes Fitzgerald made really did improve the story in small but noticeable ways.

Although the end of the story is largely the same, the last two chapters do hold several surprises for those who are already familiar with the final version. Gatsby is portrayed at least slightly more sympathetically, Nick is less of a shadow, and the past events leading up to the currently unfolding plot are both different and somewhat less vague. This takes away some of the mystique of several of the characters, but it's not necessarily better or worse; in any case, it's fascinating to see Fitzgerald's original approach and how it changed. One thing he arguably didn't change enough is Nick's bleak outlook in the closing pages; life doesn't end at 30 just because of a lousy summer! I've always considered that the weakest point of the novel, but this version at least offers a slightly different context and narration of the ending.

Imperfections and all, it's still brilliant. Recommended for all Gatsby fans.

A Must-Read for Gatsby/Fitzgerald Fans
I first encountered "The Great Gatsby" in 11th grade and its sheer lyric beauty has transfixed me to the point of at least 4 readings per year ever since. Therefore, "Trimalchio" was a joy for me to read and I believe it will bring the same amount of happiness to fellow Fitzgerald fans. The book is a brief read at only 146 pages of actual text,( as opposed to "Gatsby's" 189 in the most recent Scribner paperback edition) but the opportunity to read the rough draft of a genuis like Fitzgerald is an invigorating experience- reading passages from "Trimalchio" and then looking at their equivalent passages in "Gatsby" allows you to enter the mind of Fitzgerald through his revisionary decisions and enchances your appreciation of the sheer amount of work which Fitzgerald devoted to crafting his masterpiece. That being said, do not expect incredible differences between the two texts: the most notable changes are minor details and the chronilogical order of events and revelations. Reading "Trimalchio" is ultimately like watching deleted scenes from a movie on a DVD- they are of comparatively minor significance, but they enhance one's appreciation of the work as a whole. If you loved "The Great Gatsby," take the time to read "Trimalchio."


Institutes of Elenctic Theology
Published in Library Binding by P & R Press (1997)
Authors: Francis Turretin, George Musgrave Giger, James T., Jr Dennison, and Francois Turrettini
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Volume 3 of a Reformed SUMMA
Francis Turretin (1623-1687) was a pastor and taught at the Academy of Geneva. This is the final volume of his magnificent and spirited defense of Reformed doctrine. This volume has indices to all 3 volumes and biographical information. It also includes the funeral message that Benedict Pictet preached at Turretin's funeral. In this volume Turretin covers: the Church, the Sacraments, and last things. To give you an idea of how thorough Turretin is, he takes 31 questions to discuss the sacraments. These books are excellent and highly recommended.

Volume 2 of a Reformed SUMMA
Francis Turretin (1623-1687) was a pastor, and taught at the Academy of Geneva. This is the second volume of his spirited and exhaustive defense of Reformed Theology. Samuel Alexander called Turretin "the best expounder of the doctrine of the Reformed Church" (high praise when you remember that John Calvin did a little exposition of Reformed dogmatics himself). This volume covers: the Law of God, the Covenant of Grace, The person and state of Christ, the mediatorial office of Christ, calling and faith, justification, and sanctification and good works. The section on God's law (which has a wonderful exposition of the 10 commandments) is worth the price of the book alone. This volume and its companions are a must in any serious theological library.

A REFORMED SUMMA
Francis Turretin (1623-1687) was a pastor and taught at the Academy of Geneva. An "elenctic" theology is one that trys to demonstrate the truth of a doctrine while refuting false doctrines. Volume 1 covers Theology, Scripture, God in unity and trinity, the decrees of God and predestination, creation, the providence of God, Angels, the state of man before the fall and the covenant of nature, Sin, and, finally, the free will of man in a state of sin. There is nothing else like these books in the realm of reformed dogmatics. The closest thing to them that I can think of is Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica except that Turretin upholds a sounder form of doctrine (Roman Catholics would heartily disagree with me there). Charles Hodge used Turretin in teaching Theology as did John Gerstner. Dr. James M. Boice hits the nail on the head when he says of Turretin's Institutes: "If ever a great theological work has been unjustly neglected it has been Francis Turretin's masterful volumes on the whole of Christian doctrine... I heartily commend [them] to preachers, theological students and lay persons everywhere." These are not easy reading but they are well worth your while.


Appaloosa: The Spotted Horse in Art and History
Published in Hardcover by Printed Horse (1986)
Authors: Francis Haines and James Fillis
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Appaloosa's Through Time
Written by one of the founding fathers of the Appaloosa Breed, this book provides a great historical narrative of this colorful American breed. Illustrated with marvelous color prints, it recounts the travels of Appaloosas across the world from early times to the present. A must for any Appaloosa fancier!

Perfect for appaloosa lovers!
A magnificent book, full of gorgeous full color photos of ancient and modern artwork depicting the appaloosa. This book is also a well-written history of the evolution of the appaloosa and the attitudes towards the color. For example, did you know that spotted Lippizans and Lusitanos used to be prized and not prohibited? Highly recommend for those who love spotted horses!


Danger's Hour
Published in Digital by Onyx ()
Author: James Francis
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Sherrie Sontag - co-author of BLIND MAN'S BLUFF writes:
"Submarine tales that live up to real life on the boats have been all too rare. Even rarer are gripping stories built around what men and machines can and cannot survive. Danger's Hour does both, and does it with a deployment that is as unforgettable as it is chilling."

-- Sherry Sontag, co-author of Blind Man's Bluff - The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage.

Sherrie Sontag - co-author of BLIND MAN'S BLUFF writes:, Ap
"Submarine tales that live up to real life on the boats have been all too rare. Even rarer are gripping stories built around what men and machines can and cannot survive. Danger's Hour does both, and does it with a deployment that is as unforgettable as it is chilling."

-- Sherry Sontag, co-author of Blind Man's Bluff - The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage.

Sherrie Sontag - co-author of BLIND MAN'S BLUFF raves
"Submarine tales that live up to real life on the boats have been all too rare. Even rarer are gripping stories built around what men and machines can and cannot survive. Danger's Hour does both, and does it with a deployment that is as unforgettable as it is chilling."

-- Sherry Sontag, co-author of Blind Man's Bluff - The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage.


The Village
Published in Paperback by Univ of Wisconsin Pr (1985)
Authors: Francis J. West and James R. Schlesinger
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small unit action at its best
I first read this book in jr. High school in the 70s and I never forgot it. I later reread it while serving in the marines in the 90s. This book tells of small 5 man squads seeking out the enemy often w/o artillery support. These marines were not recon they were ambush patrols. The chapter where the squads fort is overran is unforgetable. The books author was at the village but he writes about the men and not himself. While in the Corps a Lt. O.West asked me what was the best book on Vietnam I had read I told him "The Village" Only than did I find out it had been written by his father. Later, while serving as a raid instructor I told my marines that this was the book to read if they want to know about patrols and ambushes.

Gripping. Action-packed. Top-five book on the Vietnam War.

This book tells the story of a village and the marines and militia who defended it during the Vietnam War. It is filled with first hand accounts of fast paced fire-fights and battalion-sized battles. The action is riveting, and the story is endearing and heart-wrenching. A squad of marines and platoon of PF militia men fight night-after-night against local guerillas, and at times, VC main force battalions. The Americans become members of the village, eat in families' homes, play with their children, attend weddings, funerals, and holiday festivities. Their emotional ties hearten them, motivate them, and ultimately betray them.

The book was written by Francis J. West, a marine officer and RAND Corporation researcher sent to the village in the late 1960's to study its marine defenders. The marine squad -- seldom numbering more than a dozen -- was known throughout the Marine Corps. It encountered communist units more often than any other unit in the Corps; its members often fought twenty to thirty engagements a month, more than most U.S. battalions.

I've recommended this book to several men in the military, including my brother, a captian in the 10th SF group. All of them, in turn, recommended it to their friends, commanders, and subordinates.

"The Village" is as good as "Bravo Two Zero," "A Bright Shining Lie," and "We Were Soldiers Once, and Young." You won't put this book down until you're finished, and then, you'll read it again and again and give copies to your friends for Christmas.

An historical account of the defense of a Vietnamese village
This was one of the first books ever written about the Vietnam War (I have the paperback reprinted in the mid-80's), and it should be viewed as an incredible piece of history. It is about a small group of Marines living, defending, and perishing in a Vietnamese village. So many books written on the War have tainted baggage, either pro- or con- on the War, but West has put together an amazing account of what transipred, and leaves the reader to draw his/her own conclusions. So many people seem to be consumed with "what really happened over there"- I think The Village should be on the list of 3 or 4 books that captures the truth. Plus, the incredible fighting scenes and ultimate ending for the Marines is very dramatic, whether West had intended it to be or not. This should be required reading in college history classes; for the writing, the historiography, and the essence of what happened in Vietnam.


Peter Pan (Children's Classics Series)
Published in Hardcover by Outlet (1988)
Authors: Flora White, Francis D. Bedford, and James Matthew Barrie
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Review for Peter Pan
You will laugh, cry and be confused when you read this book. This book can teach you that what you think is good is not always good.

There is a boy named Peter Pan. He sprinkles fairy dust in Wendy and her two brothers. Then he shows them how to fly. He takes them to Neverland and shows them to the Lost Boys who live there. Wendy becomes their mother. She makes up rules, like any other mother would do. The boys have to follow these rules. Everything was fine until Captain Hook came with his crew to where the boys and Wendy were. While Wendy and the boys were at the lagoon, where they go every day after dinner, they see a girl named Tiger Lily, princess of her tribe. She was captured by Smee, one of Captain Hook's men. Then Peter saved her. A few days later Wendy and the boys were on their way to Wendy's house when they too were all captured by Captain Hook. Then Peter saves them. Then the lost boys, Wendy and her brothers go home. All except for Peter.

It is mostly about what the people in the book think is right with childhood. The kids in the book think that if you grow up it is bad, but in our case it is actually good.

Peter Pan is a violent book not really made for children under the age of 10 but people 10 and up can read it. It is violent because of the language that is spoken and the idea that killing could be fun. Also, the vocabulary is very difficult for children under 10 to understand. Even if you're older it is difficult to understand.

Overall, it is a good book but watch out for the violent ideas if you are reading it to little children.

A classic
This is an utterly charming work. It has been retold myriad times, but nobody else has done it as well as the original teller, J. M. Barrie.

It's difficult to know what to say about a book like this... everybody knows the story. But I guess that unless you've read this book (not just seen a movie or read a retelling), you don't really know the character Peter Pan, and without knowing the character, you don't really know the story. So read it.

By the way, if you enjoy this, you probably would also like "Sentimental Tommy" and its sequel "Tommy and Grizel", both by Barrie. There are differences (for one thing they're not fantasy), but there are also compelling similarities. Anybody who found Peter Pan a deep and slightly bittersweet book would be sure to enjoy them.

-Stephen

Best Audio Book in my ten year search
Driving with young children in the car quickly convinced me that it was unsafe to not give them something to listen to. After ten years I have collected a large (30+) bag of books-on-tape. I have also loaned them to others and asked for opinions. Peter Pan (read by Wendy Craig) is not only my favorite, but also the favorite of my wife and most of my friends. It is excellent for all ages (4 to 80) and even most hardened teenagers. Humour, presentation, ... a prefect 10.


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