Tony offers realistic remedies in which individuals can directly participate. We must understand that the government is interfering with every aspect of our lives! Soon we will have absolutely no freedoms, making us prisoners in our own country! Tony provides real solutions! A must addition to anyones library!

Tony Lamia is brilliant in his ability to actually understand America's constitution, what it was intended to do, and what has happened to it and therefore our freedoms. Acknowledging that American's enjoy the best system in history, Tony goes on to show how our liberties are being destroyed. The stories in the book are examples of these. Then remedies! The comprehensive nature of this book is amazing.

Giles Goat-Boy (or the Revised New Syllabus) By John Barth (or maybe WESCAC) "A-Plus!"

This tremendous book opened with a "message from the publisher", declaring that two of their five associate editors quit over the decision to publish this book and included a written statement from each editor about their opinion of the book. Even though that set up the book (in my mind) to be much more raunchy and heathenistic than I thought it actually was, it was an extremely amusing addition to an already great book.

The story begins in a goat barn and we meet our hero Billy, George and GILES, alternatively. Max, an old Moishian (Jew) brought up Billy as a goat intentionally in order to shield him from human misery. After meeting a human woman, Billy decides he wants to become learned.

This story uses a university as an allegory for the Universe and everything within - religion, politics and literature - follows that same allegory. One is "passed" instead of "saved" and "flunked" instead of "damned". The political leader is, of course, the Dean. God is the Founder and Satan is the Dean O' Flunks. Oedipus Rex and the Emperor's New Clothes (which both figure strongly in the story) are, respectively, Taliped Decanus and the Chancellor's New Gown.

Throughout the story is mention of the "Quiet Riot" New Tammany College is having with their neighboring Student-Unionist College. Both have Super computers, one WESCAC and the other EASCAC, that can EAT (steal the vital energy) of humans.

It turns out the goat boy decides he is the next Grand Tutor (messiah) and travels to New Tammany College to declare himself as such. There he meets a handful of memorable characters (including another Grand Tutor) and must complete a list of assignments given him by WESCAC to "commence" and "graduate" so he can go on to graduate others.

This book includes bestiality, rape, incest, homosexuality, and many other things some may consider objectionable, but it is amazing how normal it sounds coming from George's viewpoint.

This is an amazing book once you've committed to it. The energy in the prose comes from the clash between a forced, post-apocalyptic perspectives and rosy-eyed romanticism. The most twisted, most brilliant reworking of the mythological paradigm, tackling along with it the cliches of authorship and modern society.

I absolutely love this book. I have owned several copies. I always have to buy new ones because I know of someone who could benefit from the passages and I give it to them. I have purchased about 15 copies of this book.

This book is wonderful for fellowship, especially if you feel that you have no one to talk to or no one would understand what you are going through. As a Christian I find it a blessing to pick up and leaf through. The passages are reminders of the Father's love for me.

If you are not a Christian I also recommend this book. Everyone needs to hear affirming words that are true and timely.
The passages are in a simple, easy to read style and will give you an insight on things and situtations in this complicated workd in which we live that can be life changing.

BUY THE BOOK!!! I will always have a copy. I will always buy more to give away. Every one that I have ever given it to has thanked me later, mentioning something that they read that really meant something to them.

BUY IT. IT WILL BLESS YOU.

Love in Christ,
Ady

This book is a special collection of insights and stories which successfully reminds us to "keep first things first" in the daily living of our chaotic lives. "Keeping First Things First" is the perfect gift for graduations, weddings, holidays, and special occasions. I highly recommend this book!

This story is presented in an amusing way. It captures "real life" scenarios through its illustrations that most students can relate to. However, the message of this adventurous character is a serious one. The little boy ,without a name, could be any boy or girl that experiences difficulties in everyday life because he or she cannot read signs, messages, etc. Thus, the meaningful message is that reading is really necessary. The "bad dream" of not being able to read does not have to become a "nightmare". The ending leaves the listener and the reader with a sense of empowerment if they can already read and leaves the emergent reader with purpose and hope for learning to read.

Teacher Note: This book is a must for your classroom library. Place it on your beginning of the year reading list. Preschoolers, kindergarteners, first graders, and struggling second graders can all benefit and be encouraged from the practical uses of knowing how to read. The author and illustrator study of Mr. Gile and Mr. Fiorello will lend themselves to positive classroom discussions.

I really liked this book because it shows children, in a fun way, why it is important for them to know how to read. To be safe, children need to know how to read signs, to know where there is potential danger. That's only a small part of the importance of functional literacy, but a very important one.

This book brought back many fond memories of my youth. Back in the pre-Castro years I had many Americans friends who lived in Cuba. The list of essays by John Parker presented in this book are very informative. They relay the romance, humor and wonderful Zest for life of the Cuban people before the tragedy Castro's revolution. I have enjoyed reading this book. I will never forget my American--Cuban friends.

A must-read book for anyone who has ever traveled or lived in Cuba in the pre-Castro years; as American "colonistas" (as we were called) I returned to my heartfelt memories as a child who grew up as an American living in Cuba. The personal vignettes, as described by John Parker, celebrate the way we ALL should remember Cuba for its customs, traditions, and -- most importantly -- how those young, patriotic men gave their lives for their attempt to "free Cuba" from the dictatorship of Fidel Castro. This book has been donated for the "Brothers to the Rescue" (Hermanos al Rescate) effort towards the continuing effort to see our return to Cuba someday.

The impact of such a small book has been evidenced by reviews we have seen in Latin quarters around major U.S. cities, resulting in requests for finding this book (privately sold by Golden Quill Inc. through the efforts of Giles Gianelloni now reachable at "gilesg@gte.net"). Books & Books in Coral Gables, Florida, had carried the book until sold out.

This book is scholarship at its best. He examines this little know tradition in Christian history with insight and in a way that makes it a resource for current cultural struggles and questions. This is not just a book for academics but good reading for anyone who is concerned with human loving and knowing. This book helped me to clarify and challenge some of the assumptions of traditional theology particularly as formulated by Aquinas.

A magnificent achievement, thoroughly researched, easy to read, sensitive, tragic, heroic. Blends grand strategy with how it was for the troops doing the hard fighting at the platoon and company level. Full of historic photographs of the battlefields with photos of the same areas taken in more recent times. The contrast between the devastation and the tranquility brings out the futility and waste of it all. When old men fail at their jobs, young men die.

This is not one of Barth's greater works, but it thoroughly exploits his many gifts.

The reduction of the American Cultural Revolution to a Campus is a "nifty" idea - one which almost succeeds due to Barth's overwhelming prose and typically complex plot, but ultimately falls into the same philosophical category as a couple of stoners theorizing that each atom of their finger is a world of its own.

Ultimately, this novel is dated in a way that Barth's other works are not (which is ironic, considering the specificity of some of the other works' temporal settings). One cannot separate this work from the 60's. The whole metaphor upon which the book is based is fairly trite. Of course, if you like "Earth in the Balance," "The Population Bomb," or "The Sirens of Titan," then you'll probably absorb "Giles Goat Boy" into your own worldview and then go off on a pacifist riot through San Francisco.

Perhaps it is somewhat disappointing to see Barth lay aside his precious nihlism in favor of sweaty luddite pot-philosophy. It is certainly nice to see Barth avoid this tendency in his later works.

Compared to the disappointing "Letters: A Kind of Novel," which is artistic to the point of unreadability, or "Chimera," which is lacking in anything but the curiosity of being a Playboy pick, "Giles Goat Boy" is irresistably entertaining. The intricacy of the plot is vintage Barth (and of course, the whole "heroic cycle" thing is present, if you choose to reflect upon it). At moments (as in The Sot Weed Factor), Barth reveals glimpses of the perversions that he is to reveal more fully in later works (Somebody the Sailor, for example), but they are not as central to the story as they might have been.

All told, I would agree with other reviewers and suggest that those new to Barth steer clear of Giles Goat Boy until they have digested some of his other works. It is a fairly useful thing to understand Barth's structural tendencies when reading GGB, and an introductory reading of this book first is too likely to convince the reader that Barth is just another 60's type who writes a good piece of filth.

It took me a couple of starts to get past the first twenty pages of this book, but the persistence was well repayed. Over the course of a few works (Sot-Weed, End of the Road, Letters) Barth was one of the great powers of modern literature. Goat-Boy finds him in peak form. The longevity of his computer/campus framework, and the wisdom of his "if it ain't broke" philosophy are subject to worthy discussion, but anybody who can get away with slapping a Lord Buckley styled hipster take on Oedepus Rex right in the middle just to show off his emense skill is beyond bold. Brazen in all the best ways.

This was my first exposure to Barth but based on this it certainly won't be my last. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but what I can understand I find myself liking quite a bit. For those who have no idea about this book, it's basically the "quest" of Giles to reprogram the evil WESAC computer that is messing with the New Tammany College campus and even that brief blurb isn't enough to give this book ample justice. The plot is mostly straightforward, to me at least but the layers of satire that wrap around everything give the book greater depth, just when you think you've got it pegged as one thing, Barth gives a sly clue and it all shifts. Is it merely a big joke on the Cold War, or a comment on our culture in general. Or neither. The novel encompasses religion, sex, culture, war, just about everything you can think of and the humor is dark and bitter and at the same time hilariously funny, Giles is the perfect narrator and his observations are both hugely innocent and slyly subversive. The ultimate quest of stopping the computer becomes unimportant when you consider the events that it takes to get there and if there's any book with a more real yet wildly fantastic set of characters, I haven't read it, just when you think that he's treating them all as one big joke, a stray comment or an action reminds you that these are supposed to be real characters. As you can probably tell, this is a novel that you can't go in with any preconceptions, and if you do a lot of it will probably be lost on you. It's a massively dense read and took me almost two months (not because it was difficult, that weird time thing you see) but never once did I think of not finishing it. Definitely worth the time put into it and you can get the time, don't hesitate!

I liked the book The First Forest, by John Giles because it told a story about why trees loose their leaves. Some trees were greedy for the sunlight. The greedy trees got punished for fighting and the nice trees were rewarded. They got to keep their leaves. I liked how the Tree Maker put bandages on the trees after they had a fight. The story rhymes and the pictures were colorful. Great story!

Did you ever wonder why some trees stay green all year round and others lose their leaves? This book tells a wonderful, interesting tale about how the forest was created, how the trees got to be what they are and about how they fought for the sun. It shows us that we need to get along, share, and be kind to one another so that we can all survive and be happy. Bullies are punished, but still are loved and encouraged to improve. This is a great legend filled with colorful illustrations. Please read The First Forest, by John Gile and enjoy

I recommend the book "The First Forest" written by John Gile. The story explains how greed is not good and it caused fighting among the trees.
The story also explains how and why the evergreen trees got their name and why they are green year round.

"Farmer Giles of Ham" is a fast paced fantasy adventure by the same author of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings." However, don't expect an epic like the ones of the other two books here. Tolkien here gives a fantasy adventure in a long ago Britain that is inhabited by supernatural beasts such as giants and dragons. The book is very short and can be read in one sitting.

Farmer Giles is a farmer of Ham, just as the title of the book suggests. When a huge giant comes into the village that he inhabits one night he fights it off and is recognized by the King. Farmer Giles is given a sword, named Tailbiter, and was used by a long ago hero that was a dragonslayer. When the giant spreads rumors of there being nothing in the lands that he came from to dragons, a curious dragon wanders down toward Ham. It is Farmer Giles' job to take care of the dragon. Read this fun filled fantasy adventure to find out the fate of the dragon and Farmer Giles.

This book is basically one very long chapter as it is not broken down into parts and can be thought of as a little part to a much bigger story. This is what differentiates this book from the classics "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings." At the end of the book there is an original text of how the original story was told. There is also a section of notes that were put together for people that are extra curious. The book also has many cute pictures that will get you along through Farmer Giles' adventures.

This is a super short read that can be enjoyed by adults as well as children, who I'd say this book would be liked by most. This simple tale was originally written for J.R.R. Tolkien's children and is like a fun fairy tale. This is a wonderful read that would be enjoyed by fans of Tolkien's other works. Just don't expect another "Lord of the Rings."

Happy Reading!

"Farmer Giles of Ham" (in the vulgar tongue) is an entertaining little tale, maybe the first real comic fantasy novel (actually, more like novella). It's certainly not on par with his tales of hobbits and elves, but it's still cute, funny and very well-written.

Aegidius de Hammo (or in the "vulgar tongue," as Tolkien archly tells us, Farmer Giles of Ham) is a pleasant, not-too-bright farmer (a bit like Barliman Butterbur) who leads a fairly happy life. Until the day his excitable dog Garm warns him that a giant (deaf and very near-sighted) is stomping through and causing mayhem. Giles takes out his blunderbuss and takes a shot at the giant, and inadverantly drive him off.

Naturally, Giles is hailed as a hero. Even the King is impressed, and sends him the sword Caudimordax (vulgar name: Tailbiter), which belonged to a dragonslaying hero. By chance, the not-so-fierce dragon Chrysophylax Dives has started pillaging, destroying and attacking the nearby areas. Can a not-so-heroic farmer drive off a not-so-frightening dragon?

It's a fast, fun little adventure story with blundering giants, greedy dragons and unlikely heroes (the last one is what Tolkien always does best). It's not epic and it's not deep, but it is entertaining, especially for people who enjoy comic fantasies. You'll like this if you enjoyed the cuter moments of "The Hobbit" and stories like "Roverandum."

Tolkien's writing always seems to be winking at the reader. There are a lot of in-jokes for people who know Latin (the "vulgar tongue" comments) and a lot of cute moments, like the young dragons exclaiming that they always knew "knights were mythical!" And the illustrations resemble old tapestries and paintings, but they usually have a funny sort of twist to them.

"Farmer Giles" is not the deepest or most riveting of Tolkien's works, but it's a straightforward, cute little adventure that kids, adults, fans and non-fans of Tolkien will enjoy.

This is a great little book. I can just see that grand old man Mr. Tolkien throwing bottles at his hound & Edith telling him forthrightly to drown the poor thing on the morrow. I'm going to go off-path a bit:Lots of folks say not to read this, that it makes you some kind of mindless Tolkien junkie if you appreciate his non-Middle-Earth material; I simply read on. I haven't spent a fortune on Tolkien: I bought the Hobbit & the Rings Trilogy when I was in sixth grade for $7. Everything else of his, including this, I've gotten at the local library. Smith of Wooton Major, Leaf by Niggle & Roverandom are just neat books worth reading in and of themselves. I read the Silmarillion & enjoyed it. I won't wade through Unfinished or Lost Tales because I'm not a junkie, just an enthusiast. The movies haven't been the most faithful adaptions, but I think Tolkien would have gotten a kick out of them. I'm not a mindless automoton addicted to capitalistic Tolkienia. I just like him because he was a man of faith, a lover of good beer & old yarns, a friend of C.S. Lewis, a fan of Robert E. Howard, & a great writer; he wasn't the smartest, the quickest, or the most academically prolific man, but was expectionally kind, thoughtful and enjoyably creative. Just give his non-Hobbit works a chance; they're good stuff.