I first bought these books for my husband and myself to serve as reminders that the little things we do or don't do for eachother really can make a difference in someone's day. I have since purchased them for married friends, newly engaged family members and even as part of larger wedding gifts. They are sweet little books. Easy to breeze through in one sitting. We keep them on a shelf in the bathroom so that anyone can enjoy them.

I am an EMT-B instructor in West Virginia and have used this edition to teach my classes. I have found it to be a great improvement over previous editions. The text is easy to read, comprehensive and all-in-all an excellent text on EMT-B. My only gripe with the book is that it makes prehospital patient assessment somewhat confusing for new students. The book breaks patient assessment up into several chapters, giving the reader the impression that assessment is both difficult and complicated. This lack of single-chapter continuity coupled with the trepidation many new students bring to this module creates the impression that patient assessment is a disjointed, randomized activity. I have to tell my students that for patient assessment, these chapters are a good reference, but that I will tell them just how easy assessment is; TAKE NOTES!

If Brady would spend a little more time examining this module, I feel as though they can make it a little less imposing and a little more readable.

I am a student interested in becoming an EMT. I know the people at the local fire station so I asked them for a resource book and they gave me a 6th edition of this manual and it is proving to be an excellent resource. It has many pictures and at the beginning of each chapter, it gives a real life scenario for you to focus on for the chapter and explains objectives you should know by the end of the chapter. I've found it very informative and hope that the 8th edition follows in its footsteps. Well done Brady!

Excellent book, and extremely informative; I just completed the EMT-Basic course and the National Registry exam. The book was a wonderful source of knowledge, and reference. What I would like to see is perhaps a cheaper, paperback version of the book come out; we completed the course and had to return the book, and I just think that if it was more accessible, more students would have purchased it, instead of signing it out.

I agree with another reader in that it is unfortunate we don't have similar biographies of the later Roman emperors such as Hadrian, Trajan and Marcus Aurelius; but here in the book of twelve Caesars Suetonius captures at least some of the various emperor's characters including Julius Caesar, Augustus, Claudius and Vespasian as well as others up to and including Domitian, the last of the twelve. Some histories are quite detailed such as that of Augustus whereas the relatively short reigns of Otho, Galba and Vitellius are quite short by comparison. The interesting thing about this book is the way Suetonius writes about the emperors in the "warts and all" style letting the public know every detail of their, at times, dubious habits and cruelties. No one gets away scott-free not even Augustus. The account is very honest with little held back no matter how crude. The emperors' greatest weaknesses and strengths are laid bare. It is written in a less formal style to that of say Cassius Dio or even of Tacitus and as such is enjoyable by itself. It also brings to mind how similar the Empire was to the lifestyle of today especially when it comes to public servants and government officialdom and responsibility. It is obvious Roman law is carried over to modern versions very easily forming the backbone of later centuries. There are telltale differences such as the incredible power emperor's wielded, especially as regards their ability to execute or defame anyone at will. The collapse of Roman values becomes glaringly obvious as the emperors themselves no longer provide an adequate example to the people. Former titles and honours which meant something in earlier times are progressivley demeaned by emperors such as Nero or Domitian at their worst and upheld by Titus or Vespasian. Yet another excellent classic text in the Penguin range.

Suetonius, one of the great Roman historians, gives a detailed account of the lives and follies of twelve of the Roman Caesars. He goes not only into their political lives but their personal lives as well, looking at the faults and their sometimes humorous shortcomings. It is a very vivid and racy history, but that is what good history does, it exposes the innermost facets of the past, and like Suetonius, without being bias. This is an excellent book, not just for history students, but for any who would like a more personal and informative look at the men behind the deified personalities of Imperial Rome. Not only does it include the histories of the Caesars but also maps, genealogical tables, an index of names, and a helpful little key of names and places of the past and where the present day location is located. Overall this is a very good book that is well translated and very fun to read. It is both informative and amusing at the same time. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, and am glad to see that a high school student has read and taken the time to give a review. Not many high school students get a chance to read, let alone such authors as Suetonius and the like. I hope others will continue to read and encourage others to do the same.

If you have a fascination with Imperial Rome and its Caesars, this book will keep you enthralled. For anyone who's seen the visual performances on television of I, Claudius, this book will give you a greater insight as to what exactly happened. Keep in mind the style of writing is dated, but then again, the author Suetonius lived almost 2000 years ago, still, if you can see through the translation, there's a lot of interesting tidbits here.

This book is wonderful and MUST be read by anyone interested in Roman history. It's focused on emperors life, reported annedocts and facts.

Just beware: not all the facts are considered to be true.

I find this book essential not, as most readers see, a simple history of Rome, but rather as a grim example of the excesses possible when democracy fails and absolute power is contained in one human being(Rome beginning its career as a wonderfull Republic). Although most see Suetonius' vivid descriptions of lust and other deviant vices as mere gossip, I propose that is exactly what he is trying to elucidate for the ages to see. These same excesses gave rise to almost the entire fundamental ideas of the religion known as Christianity and their whole hearted opposition to orgies, torture, crucifictions, feeding to the lions and the like, all due to the whims of deranged monkeys who called themselves Caesar. Read for yourself, for example, the history behind St. Valentine's day.

In historical study there are two types of literature. Secondary sources are written based on the original writings which are known as Primary sources. If you want to lern about the earliest Roman Emperors this source is indispensable. True, some of it is not historical and Suetonius is somewhat of a gossip monger at times, seeing as he explains in detail the various sexual appetites of each Caesar as well as other deviant behaviour. Still, this is one of the foremost primary sources about those famous Romans and most of the history books written on the Caesars are standing on Suetonius' shoulders.

This book is very accessible for someone with a strong interest in Roman history, but little background in the subject (like myself). Like the other reviewers, I agree that "History of Rome" is more of a primer to Ancient Rome than a detailed scholarly analysis.

But, as primers go, it is very thorough. Grant discusses the political, economical, and military aspects of Roman life relatively equally. His timeline encompasses the entire span of Roman history (a breathtaking era).

Furthermore, unlike many historians, Grant includes the cultural side of Roman life. He gives almost equal weight to Vergil, Horace and Ovid as to many political/military figures. This gives a more human aspect to ancient Rome, which, though like modern society in many ways, still seems so remote to us.

Grant's writing style can get a bit dull, but the book flows well
and is hard to put down. History may be more exciting than drama at times, but telling it is often more difficult. Grant can hardly be blamed for not keeping the reader at the edge of his seat all the time.

Before exploring the depths of Roman history it's important to grasp the sheer breadth of it. As one of the few one volume histories of Rome this book is a great starting point for the study of Roman history. Obviously, detail has to be sacrificed in an overview (which is really what this book is). But, Grant sneaks a surprising amount of details into this one. Due to the structure of the book and the reader friendly narrative style he employs it's easy to miss many details. He often mentions a battle in a single sentence (just date, location, victor). But, such a clipped pace is required when writing a history of this magnitude. Of course, I have a few qualms. Like most historians, Grant can't help but pass judgement on the Romans for their brutality. He would have been better off including a few lines describing a particular incident of brutality, instead of moralizing. Also, he falls into another common trap, near the conclusion losing the narrative thread, and focusing more on the reasons for Rome's fall. Lastly, the book includes a mix of narration and analysis. Grant's narration is some of the best writing in a history of Rome. However, his analysis stands in stark contrast. He's at his best when he weaves (social) analysis in with straight narration. Early on he does this. Later, he slips up a bit. While the majority of the book has a definite cinematic feel, the last quarter or so is rather choppy and (on occasion) dry. Despite its faults, this is by far the best book covering the whole of Roman history. Buy this book before you buy any other history of Rome. Then, use it to find the periods you'd like to explore in depth. From there, you can choose from many modern and classical sources. But, without first reading through a history of Rome from founding to fall, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the many histories out there. Grant's book is the perfect introduction to Roman history. Nothing more. Nothing less.

With some persistence, I found a used copy of this volume. I am new to the Roman History field, and this book provided a much needed overview. Scholarly and well written, Grant's book provides a strong but workable entry into a fascinating and intriquing field. At times, he moves quickly through the various stages, and I found myself wanting more information, but the design of the book was to provide an overview. After reading this work, a student can move on to more advanced reading with some degree of confidence. Don't let the price put you off. Look at the used additions.

First of all I foundt this translation to be clear and readable, something that I have come to expect from Michael Grant.
But the material is what baffles me. Cicero is considered the greatest Latin orator and writer, having a concise and interesting style. Personally, I find him to be very long-winded, and I realize this is due to a shortened attention span, but nonetheless, he could have made many of his points with two examples instead of ten.
I also find it ironic that Cicero paints himself to be the epitome of Republican Roman values, a man who stood completely for the decrepit and dying Roman Republic. Yet, he was a great friend of Pompey, a man who's goal it was to acquire dictatorial power, albeit within the confines of Republic. Yet he despises Caesar for aspiring to the same goal. Caesar was simply a better general, shrewder politician and a more charismatic man than Pompey, and he deserved to win.
So, I give 2 out of 2 stars for the translation, but 1 out 3 for the material. It is instructive if one is interested in the ancient world (which I am), but the average reader will no doubt find it dull.
Mildly reccommended.

Marcus Tullius Cicero is one of the most well known Romans and probably the one who has influenced the course of Western intellectual thought more than any other. Cicero was a lawyer, philosopher, statesman, and defender of Rome's republic. He was not a member of the Roman elite but fought his way into gaining their acceptance and respect by the power of his mind and by mastering the ever important art of rhetoric.

This particular compendium of Cicero's works is a good starting point to get to know the man Cicero. Included are two of Cicero's most famous philosophical treatises, "On Duties" and "On Old Age", selected letters of Cicero ranging on topics from his son's studies to his worries about Julius Caesar and Pompey, and his second Philippic against Marc Antony.

The weakest selection has to be the Philippic against Marc Antony. What we are introduced to here is the public, unpolished Cicero engaged in the fine art of mud slinging. This is not in and of itself a problem as I am a big fan of the political brawl; however, a rant such as this seems beneath a man of such great intellect as Cicero. What this tirade does show though is Cicero's genuine love of his country and its republican institutions. Cicero lived at a time when the Roman republic was being destroyed by ambitious men, like Caesar and Antony, who sought to make Rome their personal empires. It was over his struggle against these forces that Cicero eventually lost his life.

What really recommends this particular issue of Cicero's works is the translator, Michael Grant. Grant pens a tremendous introduction to these works that fully explains the difficulties of translating 2,000 year old Latin into modern English. It's Grant's introduction which really sets up these selections to be enjoyed as the work of art that they are.

Michael Grant has done it again with this wonderful translation of some of Cicero's finest work. Designed to give the reader an overview of this great master it shows you just how diverse a writer he really was, and why he cast such a shadow over European prose for the next thousand years.

The works that comprise Michael Grant's rendition of Cicero's "On the Good Life" are: "The Tusculum Disputations (V)", "On Duties (II)," "On Friendship," On the Orator," and "The Dream of Scipio." These works expound upon the very essence of the highest good--namely the highest morality--and lay down a clear system of practical, applied ethics for the aspiring youth, statesman, orator, or sage. Cicero, furthermore, attempts to use these virtues to the direct benefit of the individual citizen and ultimately to the dignity of the Commonwealth. The sheer stateliness of these treatises will be enough to attract and excite scholars and, in a word, enlighten students seeking to grasp a general view of the works of one of the greatest philosophical popularizers in history, the immortal Marcus Tullius Cicero.

This review refers to the work, -Cicero: On the Good
Life-, translated and with introductions by Michael
Grant (Penguin Classics).
What is to like about this collection of sections
of essays by Cicero? I personally favor very much
the excellent introductions by Michael Grant, as well
as the excellent thought and expression by Cicero.
Be aware that this volume contains parts of whole
works. The parts themselves are complete, but if one
is looking for the whole work, then one should look
to the Harvard/Loeb editions of Cicero. Michael
Grant has piloted several Penguin Classics volumes
of Cicero parts, so one will have to purchase several
volumes in order to get the benefit of Mr. Grant's
insights and translations.
But those introductions, the main "Introduction" to
this volume itself, as well as the "introductions"
to each of the selections are excellent. Michael
Grant not only gives you the historical and cultural
context for Cicero himself, but he also in the main
"Introduction" (as he does in other volumes he
superintends) gives you the historical and cultural
influence which follows after Cicero, the influence
of his works on later generations. In this particular
volume, Mr. Grant says that he starts first with
"indicating how important [these works] still are
for us today." "For Cicero, through these treatises,
has been the greatest of all conservers and trans-
mitters of cultural values, the greatest unifying

force of Europe, the shaper of its civilized speech."
That is tall praise indeed. And, when he gets
to the historical influence itself, Mr. Grant is
no less emphatic. "One of the very strongest forces
contributing to the ideals of the Italian Renaissance,
and thus to the whole intellectual, scientific, and
social development of western Europe, was Cicero's
thought as interpreted by Petrarch (d. 1374)."
So, if you have ever scratched your head, and/or
your mind, and/or your soul, and wondered just
what DOES constitute the good, moral, worthy,
excellent life, then Cicero is an invaluable
companion to help you quest in search for an
answer to that most important of quandaries.

Although "On the Good Life" is a hodgepodge of Cicero's essays, there are a few reasons why this book is a must buy. First, these are Cicero's words, some of the best writing to come from ancient Rome. Second, the essays are a great introduction to Cicero's immense collection of essays, speeches, and letters. His literary productive output was vast. Finally, Michael Grant's translation and introduction is of the highest quality.

A lot can be said about the selection of the essays - why would Michael Grant pick a Book Five (Discussions at Tusculum) and a Book Two (On Duties) instead of a complete collection of each? Where's the rest of these works? Frankly, it didn't matter to me. Once I began reading "On the Good Life" I was hooked. This book converted me into a lifelong Cicero fan and Grant's translations (through Penguin Classics) are my primary sources for his works. I have five Cicero books from Penguin Classics so far.

My favorite essay was "On Friendship." I would recommend it to anyone. It is wise, philosophical, and applicable to everyone even today. The rest of the essays were also fantastic with the exception - my opinion only - of "On the Orator." That I could have done without. It was a little too long and way too dry. I wish Michael Grant had squeezed in some other essay of Cicero's.

There are more comprehensive translations of Cicero but "On the Good Life" is a wise choice as a Cicero starter. If you enjoy classic literature and you haven't read Cicero, start here.

Making HIStory is a great book for big M.J fans like myself. It has some briliant colour photographs but it is not exactley a litery classic. I does however have a great interview in it conducted by Adrian Grant. A not bad book all round but it is not one of the greatest M.J books around

I've followed Michael Jackson's Career for a Long time.No Other Artist in the Past 20 plus Years has Brought the Hype&Interest like Him.Now the Interview was cool I tend to like more detail stuff&Grant has done better Books on MJ still this one has some cool Commentary.I enjoy Reading on MJ's Creative Process Period.Adrian Grant sheded Light on that in another Book.

This book is great for MJ-fans like myself...You should buy the other books that Adrian Grant has writen too...He's a great author...There are very many beautiful pictures and a GREAT interview with Michael himself... There's an great A3 poster...(the book cover is pictured) You really should buy it.... From an REAL Michael Jackson fan...

"The Last Full Measure" has a much more difficult task to undertake than did the original book in the series, "The Killer Angels" by Mr. Shaara's father, Michael Shaara. This book covers the Civil War from the close of the battle at Gettysburg until shortly after the surrender of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, some 3 years, whereas "The Killer Angels" covered only a period of 4 days. Nonetheless, the author does an outstanding job of taking us into the heads of the major players in the war, and as always, does a particularly outstanding job with Confederate General Robert E. Lee. As in his other books, the author writes from the viewpoints of several of the critical individuals who were around at this point in the War.

I read this book after having read "Personal Memoirs" of Union General and former President Ulysses S. Grant, and was somewhat concerned that the sections written from Grant's point of view would be redundant. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were not, and in the end these were some of my favorite parts of the text. It is amazing how informative this book is, and how much effort the author makes to accurately portray the characters and educate the reader about the many interesting aspects of the war. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the Second Battle of the Wilderness, the description of the earthworks and the men who guarded them around Richmond and Petersburg, VA and the fast-paced action that led to Lee's ultimate surrender.

This is a very well-written conclusion to this series. The author covers a lot of ground, but manages to not overwhelm the reader and keep them very engaged. I highly recommend this book.

The Last Full Measure is a must read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction. It is the sequel to Jeff's father's classic, The Killer Angels. The Last Full Measure picks up right after Gettysburg and follows Lee, Grant, and Chamberlain to Appamatox and to the end of their lives. Sharra does a fine job portraying the key figures of the Civil War and helping us to get into their minds to understand why they did what they did. I'm a Southern boy but through reading all 3 of the father/son trilogy (Gods and Generals is the other one) I have become a huge fan of Joshua Chamberlain. While I don't think that Jeff Sharra is quite as good a writer as his father was, (The Killer Angels won a Pulitzer prize) this is nonetheless a fine work and I really enjoyed it!

Often in historical fiction, the writing style leaves the reader believing that the author wasn't there, and that the story isn't very interesting. Not so here. Mr. Shaara has mastered the art and is worthy of following in his father's footsteps.

This book deals with the post Gettysburg peroid of the Civil War, and continues into the 20th Century. Having read the trilogy completely, I was sad to see my Civil War friends fade away. But their stories live on, and wonderfully told by Mr. Shaara.

The book doesn't dwell much on fighting, but goes into great depth discussing the people in important roles, Grant, Lee, Chamberlain, etc. After reading all the books, these figures become close to the reader, and their trials, successes and failures have a great effect on the reader. It was a very pleasent experience getting close to these men whom I have studied for years, but in a different fashion.

The conversations are real enough, and even the legends are present in common dialog. I actually came to feel that Mr. Shaara might have actually been there. Also, his insight into the personalities of the major players I feel is right on.

A very good read, although not a 5 star, but good none the less. If you can, take all three members of the trilogy in sequence. The results will be very rewarding. If not, this is still a book well worth the time to read it. Thanks Mr. Shaara.