October 13, 1998 For those into quick reviews: This is the best anthology I have read in ten years, perhaps closer to twenty. From the jacket copy, "Each section of the book takes its impulse from a particular theme, and these themes are linked within the manuscript in a renga-like fashion." After reading the book, I went back to a book (Renga: A CHAIN OF POEMS) which Octavio Paz and three others did in 1971 which seemed an analog, of sorts. Aside from the chain aspect, the books have little in common, but, as usual, Paz' introductory essay is valuable: The element of combination consists in the making of a poem by a group of poets; following a circular order, each poet in succession writes his stanza in turn, and his intervention is repeated several times. It is a movement of rotation, which little by little, delineates the text, from which neither calculation nor chance I will go further: It is a movement in whichis excluded. " calculation prepares for the appearance of chance. I underline that the renga is not a combination of signs, but a combination of makers of signs: of poets. At another point, Paz, obliquely suggests that the linking is a westernization of an eastern idea, despite his own version of the convention. QUINTET, given both themes and variations, is perhaps closer to western Baroque music than the original concept of renga. Enough yap about theory. Let a mid-book selection speak as synecdoche: "If Only If only I had a name like Born-With-a-Tooth. If only I, too, could enjoy a remarkable Indian summer. If only my diary could replace my life. If only my diary were not replacing my life. If only I lived between the lines of a pastoral poem. If only I lived between the lines of any poem. If only I could pull myself up by my bootstraps. If only I had bootstraps. If only I could understand the deep structure of my computer, of myself, my children. If only I could remember the meaning of ‛strange attractor.' If only most of the men I love were not dead white males. If only God were watching me. If only God were not watching me. If only I could remember Indo-European roots. If only postmodernism would go away. If only ism would go away. If only I had written , La chaire est triste, hélas, et j'‛ai lu tous les livres. If only an angel would appar to me as one did to Caedmon and command, 'Sing me something.' If only I knew how Sir Thomas More really pronounced 'custard.' If only I could be mad and eloquent like Kit Smart-but then I'd be put away, as he was. If only I could write "‛Heighho', yawned one day King Francis"and not be thought precious and archaic. If only there were some way to end and open-ended poem." -Jean Mallinson J. Michael Yates

I read "Reading Athena's Dance Card: Men Against Fire in Vietnam" expecting a well reasoned, well written study of American soldiers and Marines in Vietnam but found much more. This book delivers alot more than the jacket comments promise. It contains the expected analysis of Americans under fire in Vietnam and compares findings with the earlier landmark study by S.L.A. Marshall, but doesn't stop there. The book examines core issues using examples taken from historical depth and geographic/national breadth. Comments taken from surveys of American Vietnam veterans are used as a cordon bleu chef uses fine seasonings, with the ultimate result that the human factor, the face of the soldier under fire, is always to the fore. The book also gives great attention to factors such as training and rotation policy, among other things, essentially leaving no stone unturned in this thorough, well paced work. I highly recommend this book for students of military history in general, and those with an interest in Vietnam in particular.

We had several questions and concerns as we prepared to setup, design and start small group ministry in our church. We listed the questions and began to look for resources that might help us. When we read The Small Group Book we found answers to our questions. We discovered information and many insights that will help us implement a successful small group ministry. All our leaders received and read a copy of the book and found it helpful.

My 11-year-old niece loved The Spy in the Alley! She laughed and laughed at all the funny parts -- and said she found the story a good plot-twister besides."

I picked up this book when I heard Dale talk at a conference years ago. I ordered a few and handed them to people who needed a lift. I had to replenish my supply one time and I am going to do that again. I have given this book to hospitalized patients and counseling clients. I like the short concise concepts and so have some of the people who have read it because I had given it to them. I plan to hand out more. I am a Christian professional clinical counselor and the book matches my beliefs.

This book kept me reading, it is packed with everything. Recommend this one to all.

Platoon: Bravo Company by Robert L. Hemphill served in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1989, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel of Infantry, receiving a Silver Star (for Gallantry in Action), Bronze Stars with "V" (for Valor in Ground Combat - 4 awards), a Purple Heart (for Combat Wounds) and several other citations and awards. He was a captain in charge of a combat platoon in Vietnam and found that his combat infantrymen to be like American combat soldiers everywhere: some were very good, some not so good, but most took their job and service seriously and did the best they could with what they were given to do. Platoon: Bravo Company is a candid, revealing, eye-witness record of merican troops in an Asian ground war -- a superb contribution to the growing body of literature on the American military experience in the Vietnam War. Highly recommended.

In"Platoon: Bravo Company", Mr. Hemphill's account of the 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, Bravo Company's Vietnam war experience, while under his command as Captain is unflinching, candid, and necessarily detailed. The author takes the reader with him from the very first day that he takes the helm of Bravo Company for the duration of his command. The author carefully pays attention to battle site, historical, and factual detail, and weaves sufficient prose to pique the readers interest by describing the surrounding elements of experience, characters and survival. This book is recommended for the military enthusiast or avid reader who appreciates excellent non-fiction.

The book Platoon Bravo Company contained it all. From the missions all the way down to the soldiers. An awesome book! The best part of the book is how it takes us to the front lines and lets us experience what the war actually may have been like. This is an excellent book for schools to refer back to and show what it was really like to fight in Vietnam. It is also a book that keeps you interested from beginning to end. A good element of the book is how Hemphill tells us his story from the day he takes over Bravo Company and until the day he leaves his command of the Infantry. This is a great aspect because it was meant to show us how Vietnam took drastic measures on American soldiers.
The book showed us how Vietnam really was, rather then what it has been portrayed as. It also shows us why the madness takes over the soldiers. Hemphill's explanation of the Tet Offensive is tremendously helpful to get an understanding of its effect in this book. The book over time gives a basic understanding of how these men not only had to save their lives and lives of others; but also save men from the madness brought to them by the war. This book to me portrayed the realistic madness of Vietnam as well as the surroundings Americans were forced to fight in. It gives a great understanding on how hard it was to fight in a place like Vietnam. The explanation to me was so great that I now have a totally different feeling about Vietnam. In my opinion the best Vietnam book out there.

I used Galloway's advice to comfortably run the Portland (OR) marathon three times. The concepts and suggested training schedules are unlike other plans presented elsewhere but they make eminent sense: if you want to run 26.2 miles you need to build your longest runs (every two weeks) to distances very close to that. But you don't need high weekly mileage. This book is full of sound information and is unique in many ways for those who wish to train for the marathon distance and survive the training without injury to body or family time. I did not experience any significant performance drop-off after the 20 mile mark in any of my marathons. I hope to use the program again for the 1999 Portland Marathon. (Fred Delgado)

I wish I'd read this book BEFORE my knee injury. Galloway writes as an experienced runner and coach. He provides training programs for most levels of fitness and experience. If you want to run, or continue running without injury, take the time to read this book.

The first section of the book, "Starting," provides a brief history of running, then moves into five stages of running development (Beginner, Jogger, Competitor, Athlete, Runner).

The second section, "Training," considers the physiology of running, planning a training program (including "running slow in order to run fast"), and keeping a log. This section concludes with an discussion about the need for rest and training programs.

The third section, "Racing," talks about how to run faster, how to adjust your pace on the race day, how to handle different lengths of races (these include specific training programs), and how to prepare for a marathon. A final chapter considers issues for the advanced competititve runner.

Section four, "Tuning," presents augmentations to a strong running program, including form, stretching & strengthening, running drills, will power, and a chapter on women' running, written by the author's wife.

The book continues with shorter sections, on injuries, nutrition and diet, shoes, and age issues. An appendix contains references, a reading list, and race pace charts. The book has an adequate index.

If you read Runner's World for a few years, you'll encounter much of this information. But it's more handy in one place. Don't pass on this book, your knees will never forgive you....

I have recommended this book to at least 15 people who have expressed an interest in starting to run or just to learn more about running. I don't know of any other book that covers so clearly and to the point what most runners need and want to know. Everything from starting to run all the way through the marathon. I can't tell you how many times I return to Jeff's book to refresh or re-learn the material. The book is written for any level of runner...there is something for each person. I am always amazed at how I can go back to this book and uncover one more idea/tactic for running that produces a tangible difference. I love the sport of running. Jeff's book, although published some time ago, continues to be the sole source for myself and for those that I come in contact with when the subject is running. As a corporate trainer, I know the importance of having a solid source for workshops I facilitate...get the book and I think you will also understand why I feel so strongly about the power of its content!

We Were Soldiers Once... and Young: IA Drang--the Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam is an extraordinary account of one of first major engagements in the Ia Drang Valley in the infancy of the Vietnam War. This book written by General Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway is just an incredible book that tells the story of 450 men of the 1st Battalion, 7th cavalry, under the command of Lt. Col. Hal Moore. They were dropped into a small clearing in the la Drang Valley where they were immediately surrounded by 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers where one of the fiercest and significant battles of the Vietnam War was fought.

I've had the pleasure of meeting General Moore and hearing him speak several times ... about this book and the battle and it instantly becomes apparent why he is a legend and how lucky his men were to have him as their commander. His affection for the men under his command is very apparent and NY Times said it best when they said 'the men who fought and died in Ia Drang could have no finer memorial than this one'.

If you're looking for a book that glorifies war, this is not that book. I think the authors want to portray the realities of war and all of the death and destructions that it lays in its path. General Moore also wants to highlight the American spirit and how the friendship and love soldiers in the field develop for each other and how it keeps them going and fighting.

This book has also been turned into a movie called We Were Soldiers staring Mel Gibson.

I read this book in 1993, right after it first came out. It was the marine commandant's choice for Marines who wished to read in their field of concentration. Joe Galloway, a war correspondent and Col. Hal Moore, the commanding officer in this horrific battle in the Ia Drang valley in Vietnam, co-wrote this superb depiction of one of the first set piece battles of the Vietnamese war. That these men survived this battle at all is mute testimony to their irrepressible fierceness, to their dogged determination, and to the fearless efforts of their air and artillery support. They fought a courageous enemy who was bent on one purpose, the annihilation of their American foe. It's a brilliantly told tale of military heroism and perseverance. The recent death in the WTC bombing of one of the primary participants in the battle, Rick Rescorla, and the articles dedicated to his selfless display of bravery as he made certain that his charges were evacuated from the WTC, caused me to review this book once again.

Most Americans are sadly deficient when it comes to any knowledge of military history and its impact on the course of civilization. It seems too often that we are a nation of full stomachs and empty heads. However, the emotional trauma of the recent Taliban attacks on our soil has shaken us loose from our stupor and an interest in affairs military has been thusly ignited. As one who remembers WWII, and whose family is filled with men who went to every war this country has ever fought, my fervent wish is that our citizens will one day wake up to what actually happened in SE Asia in the mid to latter part of the 20th century. My second wish is that people will grow to understand that terrorists are not patriots, and that they are not leaders of their people. Cromwell, Bolivar, George Washington, all of whom refused the crown, they were leaders of their people. Mao, Lenin, Stalin, Ho Chi Minh, Castro, they were and are killers of their people. America fought a cold war, rebuilt Western Europe and Japan, and liberated South Korea from the Communists like the aforementioned. Vietnam was a battle in that Cold War.

The Taliban, who have taken many lives to further a fanatical agenda, are merely the latest iteration of terrorists who seek to do what our constitution was written to prevent. This book is a great story about men who fought and died for principles that too many know too little about to understand. Perhaps now that the country is on high alert we'll gain back some ground form the empty heads that have presided over the media and academia in America. Buy this book and read it, you'll be very glad you did.

Although I grew up in the 60s and 70s, Vietnam didn't touch me personally. I'd watch the honor roll nightly on t.v., taps playing in the background, feeling vaguely numb as the names of dead soldiers scrolled across the screen. Read this book if you want to feel and smell the battlefield and get to know the men who served. This is a poignant, well-written account that provides a lot of historical information without being dry and difficult to follow. It is an incredibly personal account without being sentimental. The author occasionally and very subtley gives insight into his own view on the war and the politics that kept it going, but focuses on his soldiers and their struggle to survive the deprivation and slaughter of a meandering war without end. You will get to know the soldiers by name. You'll learn about the lives they left and, if they were lucky, the lives they went home to. You will not be spared the carnage of the battlefield, but this is no Rambo-esque mythology of the glories of war. It is a sad paen to the slaughter of so many young men.

I had preconceptions about the kind of book a Lt. General might write. Harold Moore and Joseph Galloway shattered them. This book will haunt you.

This being my first David Poyer novel, I truly did not know what the expect. I picked this book up because I am a fan of Benchley and Alten who both write thrillers about the deep. The first thing I found refreshing was that Poyer did not go to deep in past Tiller Galloway stories. You can pick this book up and not feel that you are missing anything.

The wonderful thing about this book about cave divers, is Poyer's ability to make you feel "closed in" almost out of breath, during the cave diving scenes. I enjoyed most of the characters including Galloway's son, and group of friends.

The ending is somewhat dissapointing. It is exciting, but it gets a little too far fetched at times. I do recommend this book, despite the ending and it's shortcomings.

If your a Tiller Galloway fan this is a must have.If you are a cavern or cave diver even more so. The descriptions Poyer uses in this cave diving thriller are awesome.I've read all the Tiller Galloway novels and I feel this one is the best.As an active diver and a North Carolina native {Tiller's homestate} I highly recommend this book.

As a Clive Cussler/ Dirk Pitt fan, I gladly welcome Tiller Galloway to my library. I couldn't put this book down (and donated it to the dive shop in Truk). This is a must read, action thriller. I am not a cave diver, so I can't judge how "hokie" some of it may be. Definitely a fun read!

StrongDiver