The key chapter is a long article by Demause that reviews the history of childhood pretty much for the last 2000 years. This is a very useful and disturbing overview, replete with quotations and citations. Demause has a specific psychological theory to explain this history, but even those who may be less sure of the reasons for the historical developments will find the article exceptionally useful. Personally, I didn't find the other articles in the book nearly as useful as Demause's--but his piece is so long and good that it could be a book itself. Really an eye-opener.

This book should be REQUIRED reading by every adult the world over. This author is painfully revealing about the TRUTH of sexual abuse throughout "human" history (many "humans" don't deserve the name). He speaks of the utterly unspeakable in ways the average, innocent reader would rather not believe. Do not allow Denial to get in the way of your Intelligence. Read this book with a heavily open mind and TAKE IT IN. It is tough but the truth revealed is better than a lie hidden.

I bought the trilogy as 3 books in one. And that is how you should read them, as 1 book. The 3 books are the 3 main chapters in the life of the main character, Tora.
There is so much pain in the book(s), so much suffering and loneliness your heart will sometimes break, but together with the maincharacter you will fight back, still too many pages to go/read, you can't give up, you have to go on and hope there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
So I suggest if you decide to read the story of Tora,( how she fights back, being a bastard child of a german soldier and norwegian islander, how she tries to connect with her mother, how she tries to avoid her stepfather of coming in her room at night, how she copes with an unwanted pregnancy, ... ) you buy the 3 books or the omnibus ... because when you start reading about Tora, you won't be able to let her go. You'll become her, and she'll become you.

Wassmo's spare and lyric prose is a joy to read. In unabashed language she tells the story of Tora, a young girl growing up on a remote Norwegian island a decade after World War II. The illegitimate daughter of a German soldier, Tora lives in a poor household with her drudging mother and a brutal step-father who subjects her to repeated sexual abuse. Fiercely silent, Tora deals with her ordeal alone, groping blindly for safety and an understanding of her predicament--and, at last, she becomes strong enough to overcome it. Her tale is set in the context of life in a small island village where the economy is based on fishing and small everyday dramas constantly unfold. This is the first volume in a trilogy about Tora; unfortunately, the other books in the series seem not to be available yet in English translation. I, for one, having also read "Dina's Book" with immense admiration for the author's talent and skill, will be waiting impatiently for them. Wassmo is a splendid writer and "The House with the Blind Glass Windows" is an excellent way to make her acquaintance.

My Grandson, at age 2 years and 9 months picked this out because of the picture on the cover. I thought he wouldn't understand and enjoy it because of the British expressions. Was I ever wrong! He loves it and I love reading it to him. After two days he was playfully using the expression "I'll be in a pickle for sure" and telling his mother he had swallowed some thunder after eating some corn. Now two months later, I was surprised that he has practically memorized the book (the first six pages completely - and there are a lot of words, many of them quite unusual, on those six pages. He often suggests we "tidy up the cottage". Mother Holly is a great help with learning good behavior and, even after all the excitement, he usually goes to sleep when the cat does.

Cat lovers, rejoice! Here's another paean to our favorite feline pet. Schachner's illustrations are hysterical as cat gets into all the mischief anyone can imagine - from tangling in the thread of his mistress's spinning wheel to climbing into the cupboard and creating chaos among the crockery.

Never one to clean up his own messes, cat considers housework and pushing a broom "weary" work (we agree). Nonetheless, in Mother Holly's absence he spills the soup, and while trying to clean up turns the kitchen into a duck pond. He also releases feathers from a quilt, and makes a myriad of messes.

Nonetheless, Mother Holly dotes on her pet, just as we do on ours. Animal lovers have found a kindred soul.

At the very beginning of Stephens' travelogue, he explains to the careful reader the methodology he used to validate the legitimacy of his writing. I thought it brazen of him, and since he falsified this "rationalization for writing" under such a guise, at times I did not know whether to believe him or not. He did have a quaint deadpan, tongue-in-cheek demeanor.
I thought it funny that just after our returning from Poughkeepsie, (New York) I was reading about his traveling through Poughkeepsie!
Little nuances such as "... with all the extravagance of Eastern hyperbole..." (page 233) dot the pages.
Throughout the book, there are many wonderful learning experiences such as "...I remember I had a long discourse about the difference between the camel and the dromedary. Buffon gives the camel two humps, and the dromedary one; and this, I believe is the received opinion, as it had always been mine; but, since I had been in the East, I had remarked that it was exceedingly rare to meet a camel with two humps. I had seen together at one time, on the starting of the caravan of pilgrims to Mecca, perhaps twenty thousand camels and dromedaries, and had not seen among them more than half a dozen with two humps. Not satisified with any explanation from European residents or travelers, I had inquired among the Bedouins; and Toualeb, my old guide, brought up among camels, had given such a strange account that I never paid any regard to it. Now, however, the sheik told me the same thing, namely, that they were of different races, the dromedary being to the camel as the blood-horse is to the cart-horse; and that the two humps were peculiar neither to the dromedary nor the camel, or natural to either; but that both are always born with only one hump, which, being a mere mass of flesh, and very tender, almost as soon as the young camel is born a piece is sometimes cut out of the middle for the covenience of better arranging the saddle; and, being cut out of the center, a hump is left on either side of the cavity; and this, according to the account given by Toualeb, is the only way in which two humps ever appear on the back of a camel or dromedary. I should not mention this story if I had heard it only once; but, precisely as I had it from Toualeb, it was confirmed with a great deal of circumstantial detail by another Bedouin, who, like himself, had lived among camels and dromedaries all his life; and his statement was assented to by all his companions. I do not vie this out as a discovery made at this late day in regard to an animal so well known as the camel; indeed, I am told that the Arabs are not ignorant of that elegance of civilized life called "quizzing." I give it merely to show how I wiled away my time in the desert, and for what it is worth.2 In spite of Stephens' information, zoologists still classify camels as Dromedary (one hump) and Bactrian (two humps)." (Pages 241-242).
I never quite understood the evacuation and continuous abandonment of Petra until Stephens stated: '...in reference to the interpretation of the prophecy, "None shall pass through it for ever and ever,'I can say that I have passed through the land of Idumea..."(Page 306)."...because the Bedouins would always be lying in wait for travelers..." (Page 266.)
Do absorb the explanation and vivid description of POOLS OF SOLOMON on page 327 and The traditions of prayer at The Wailing Wall on pages 368-369.
I had just gotten half-way through this book the night (5-27-02) my father own died, and how I wished that I could be able to share my findings, my questions I need answered, and discuss this book with him!

Mr. Sthepens was a great traveler and writer too, he made easy to follow his travels and gave his very personal point of view ot those days. In particular I like his graphic description of the conditions that people lived in the past. I recomend it to everybody all ages.

Ignore the weak title; this is no I LOVE NEW YORK booster club travel guide. Written nearly half a century ago, this chronicle of the city's gutter life and gilded society will offer any new (or not so new) student to Gotham's history an informative and entertaining look back at what is arguably the most explosive 100 years in New York's history. This book deflates the charming gaslight and horse-and-buggy nostalgia that we associate with old New York but doesn't just dwell on the Plug-Ugliness of the slums either. What it does is give New York the contradictory and human voice the city's history deserves, and few books have done that since.

A book for anyone who has lived in, thought about or heard of New York. Wonderful details combine with solid prose to give the reader a real feel for New York as it grew up. Lots of pictures, too. I'll always think of Broadway and 14th Street as "Dead Man's Curve" now...

For a book that contains equal parts text and illustration, INTRODUCING THE ENLIGHTENMENT is surprisingly helpful. There is perhaps no better place to look for a better initial orientation to the main figures and ideas of the Enlightenment. One will definitely want to read other, deeper books about the era after this one, but this is an excellent starting point.

This little gem of a book is chock full of facts, personages, and events contained within the marvellous phenomenon known as The Enlightenment. It could rightfully be considered an encyclopedia of sorts.

The book begins with the first stirrings of the Enlightenment (17th century), and ends with the French Revolution. In between is a treasure trove of information, with all subjects brought into discussion adequately addressed.

If you are curious about the Enlightenment, if you have a scholastic assignment pertaining to same, or if you (like myself) need a solid yet entertaining beginner's stepping-stone to further Enlightenment studies then THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU.

By far the best in the "Introducing" series published by Icon/Totem. The author made only one mistake in the book: A section entitled "The End of the Enlightenment." To the contrary -- the Enlightenment is still alive!

Long live the Enlightenment!

This was one of the most beautiful gifts that we recieved upon the birth of our baby girl! A delightful book that I'm sure will give her much joy in the future.

This book captured my heart as well as my 2 year-old daughter. She was delighted with the many flaps and richly toned warm illustrations outlining the Bible stories she loves. I was impressed with the darling details of illustrations and loved how each Bible story was briefly narrated in a story format in a toddler-friendly tone. References for where the story can be found was another thoughtful detail. The quality of the book, glossy-coated yet sturdy, is a wonderful treat in comparison to the many cardboard-like flap books in the market.

Extremely entertaining with a dash of looking over your shoulder paranoia, Reminds me of what David Lynch would do if he was a cartoonist!

The "Lloyd Llewellyn" stories are some of the funniest and sharpest stories iv'e read in comics.Clowes is a man that has no problem making his stories flow seamlessly in terms of his narrative and art. It is always interesting and enjoyable. this book is seconded only by one of his other books "like a velvet glove cast in iron". this is a lighter story about and out of luck writer and his adventures. Its feels honest and, like so much of Clowes' work it has a strange haunting quality that only Clowes can get.

This book is a classic..it has it all; from Marvin Gaye to LL Cool J...from Boxer Sugar Ray Robinson to our today's Michael Jordan, Men of color have a history of fashion that is detailed throughout this tabletop book.

The different types of suits, hats, styles of the periods are examined. Black men have always taken pride in their dress and appearance. This is revealed in all the remarkable pictures and the editorials and interviews. The pictures are Excellent! A combination of black & white, Sepia and some color. You have different poses, camera angels of men like Sam Jackson, Lenny Kravitz, Billy Dee, Ed Bradley...and so many more!!

This is a great investment....for yourself or as a gift! With all it has to offer, there is much to appreciate about Men of Color.

I bought this book for myself and I've truly enjoyed it. I received a second copy from a co-worker as a Christmas Gift. I think that it's very interesting to look at the different styles of Black Men of years past.

I loved the Different Profile Commentary from Byrant Gumble, Bill Cosby, Ed Bratley, etc. I really respect each one's own personal sense of style.

I was given my second copy from a White Female Co-worker, who simply loves the book. I really think that she hated to give it up. Perhaps I'll buy her her own copy in the future.

I had forgotten such books as this do come along every now and again. I haven't been so mesmerized by a piece of fiction since I first read Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" in 1963. Lenard doesn't rely upon lurid sex scenes, violence, profanity or drugs to attract and hold the reader. But these basest of human failings come through loud and clear. All this said, Lenard weaves a theme of hope and faith in miracles in our daily lives, and demonstrates that this theme is universal.
Would that I long to live in a world where I can lie down to sleep at night without the fitful walking triggered by buried fear in a world seemingly gone mad. Lenard keeps the suspense in this book building, which literally pulls you through its pages until the final word. Its sweeping power lures the reader into the story and never lets him go. The hero, Dr. Dwight Church, is a baptist minister who is doubting his own faith. We observe his vulnerability when the forces of evil block him repeatedly from consummating his mission for God. This is when the Miracle on the 13th Hole occurs. Dr. Church's wife, his children and even his football playing teammates from Louisiana State University, rally to his aid. I found my own faith, hope and belief in miracles renewed as I identified with Dr. Church, vicariously joining him on this perilous mission. Nominated for a Pulitzer, this is an outstanding and fascinating read.

Lloyd Lenard has written another timely story. Few will dispute that our cynical world needs a revival of faith.

"Miracle on the 13th Hole" is not just a timely story but it is true. While a fiction, it accurately presents the opposition and tensions pastors face. I know, I've been a pastor for thirty years! As a matter of fact I'm quite sure that Dr. Church's antagonist, Hansen Blake, has been in several of the churches that I have served.

If you're looking for recreational reading, with more twists than Augusta National, where the good guy wins look no further than the " ... 13th Hole."