This was an enjoyable read. Some funny, interesting stories. I recommend it!

This book was fun and easy to read. Jim Chenoweth has a great sense of humor, and I really enjoyed reading about his relationships with the stars. The golfing tips are great!!

A Tale of Troy is the easy way of reading Homer's Iliad. It's the same story, but under 300 pages and is more user friendly. A Tale of Troy describes the beginning and end of the Trojan War. It retells from the Iliad the stories of Achilles, Hector, Odysseus and his later adventures home, and many other fascinating stories. The only downside to this book is that since it is a simplified version of The Iliad, to fully understand some of the dialoue and references a reader mus know some backround of Greeks and Roman mythology(You can still enjoy the book without even heard of Zeus before, but the story goes better when you know about The Olympian War etc.)This book is great for any young teen between 13-15 who likes adventure and action.

In this fantastic, beautifully-crafted story, mythology expert Roger Lancelyn Green weaves the tale of the last big "Hoorah" of the Heroic age. Green's colorfully-written portrayal of the fantastic battles fought by Greece against the wicked Troy is a must-have for any avid reader! He describes in vivid detail the bravest heroes of the age, from clever and cunning Odysseus to brave and strong Achilles, who fight zealously to win back the tender Helen, told to be the most beautiful woman in the world, but stolen by the evil city of Troy. Sit back and marvel as you witness the ongoing struggle between cities, each fight sequence written to put you right in the action in this absolutely fabulous book that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

The theme of "Ben Hur" is:"Presentation and dramatization of the dichotomy regarding the nature of the Christian concept of the Kingdom of God,the ultimate purpose behind the coming of Jesus Christ and the means by which the Kingdom of God can be established on Earth."

The jist of the plot,or the plot-theme is:"The story of a man who is a victim of injustice of the Romans and consequently,filled with growing hatred,bitterness and vengeance,seeks to overthrow the Roman empire by waging war with the much-awaited Messiah,or the Son of God-and establish the Kingdom of God on Earth."

The dichotomy is this : one view is that the Kingdom of God is a political concept-which will replace the mighty Roman Empire-and that war and bloodshed will establish it.
On the contrary,the truth (the other side of the dichotomy) is that the Kingdom of God is a purely spiritual concept and that it can be established on Earth only through love,faith and good works.

It is difficult to decide who is the protagonist-Jesus Christ or Ben Hur.
Since Wallace's objective was to clarify the meaning behind the coming of Christ,we may say that Christ is the protagonist-though not many pages have been devoted to Him.

Ben Hur represents the erroneous side of the dichotomy. It is through his role we are made to understand what actually IS the Kingdom of God and what means can make it possible.
The story primarily deals with WHY Ben Hur follows the wrong path(how he is blinded by a strong sense of hatred and vindictiveness).

Laudable is the literary skill with which the story of Ben Hur has been inextricably interwoven with the life of Christ to bring out the purpose of the novel.

The dominating element in the novel is the heightened sense of suspense.Besides making it an action-packed thriller where events suceed each other with amazing rapidity,Wallace has infused into every chapter a stong element of suspense-from the very first to the very last.
Despite the neck-breaking speed with which the story proceeds,one never feels that the novelist has compromised on delineation of his characters' motives or psychology or the explanation of their actions or the events.

Another merit is the brilliant language.Without being over-detailed,vaguely metaphorical or losing track of the plot,Wallace's descriptions are characterised by an evaluative vividness,lucidity,clarity and charming poetry.
They do not,as in the case of many other novels take away from the story its tautness.

"Ben Hur" has it all-a tight,taut,economized plot-structure;thrilling,suspenseful action;historical and religious value;a wide cast of inspiring,lovable heroic characters;an enthralling sense of drama and a rich,poetic style of writing.

All I can say,at the end,is: Read it and revel in a major literary achievement of the Romantic genre.

In one of the most unique parlays in human history, Lew Wallace was not only a significant Union General during the Civil War, he also wrote one of the best selling novels in all of literature. After the war, posted to a deadly dull Western fort, Wallace began writing to fill the empty hours. Prompted by a casual discussion about the life and times of Jesus, he set this great story of revenge against the backdrop of Christ's mission.

Judah Ben-Hur is a Jew of Jerusalem. Arriving at manhood, he has become estranged from his childhood friend Messala, a Roman noble. The two exchange bitter words and when Ben-Hur later accidentally dislodges a roof tile which strikes a Roman official, Messala has him sent to the galleys and his mother and sister, Tirzah, sent to a leprosy infested prison cell. As he is being led to the ship on which he will be enslaved, Ben-Hur is offered a drink of water by an unforgettable stranger. Onboard ship, Ben-Hur befriends the Roman admiral Arrius and, after saving his life, is made his heir and a citizen of Rome.

Several years later, wealthy and well educated, Ben-Hur returns to Judea to look for his mother and sister and wreak his revenge on Messala. Vengeance comes when he vanquishes Messala in a chariot race, but his family, freed from their squalid cell and suffering from leprosy, hide from him. Meanwhile, Christ has come to Jerusalem preaching to increasing crowds and Ben-Hur, recognizing the kindly stranger who once helped him, becomes a leader of a group of armed guards bent on protecting him. His devotion becomes all the more complete after Christ heals Tirzah and his mother. But when the time comes, Ben-Hur heeds Christ's wishes and does not intervene. He does manage to return the long ago favor and give Christ a drink and remains to bear witness to the crucifixion. The story concludes with the increasingly wealthy Ben-Hur using his riches to fund the catacombs of Rome from which Christianity would emerge to conquer the Empire.

It is no mystery why this is one of the most beloved of all American novels. The savage revenge theme, worthy of The Count of Monte Cristo, intertwines with the story of Christ to produce a story that is thrilling, uplifting and timeless.

GRADE: A+

Ben Hur is a great book. It deals with Christianity and one man's jouney to finding the Lord. Ben Hur is a rich young Jewish man with a perfect life. Then his life is shattered by an unfortunate accident. He is sent to be a galley slave for a crime he did not commit. The rest of the book deals with his quest for revenge on the boyhood friend who betrayed him and his desperate search for his mother and sister. Though the book he moves closer to the Lord. Ben Hur is very long and not an easy read.

I found this book to be a very, and perhaps TOO, in-depth look at C.S. Lewis. Though he is probably my favorite author of all time, the book itself seemed to concentrate on little details that were unimportant in the scheme of things and it was at times hard to keep an interest in the book. I chose it for a report, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone below high school because of its difficulty level. If you are interested in taking a very detailed look at the life of a fascinating person, however, and you have the time, this book is probably worth your trouble.

Although I think George Sayer's JACK the best of the C.S. Lewis biographies available, Green and Hooper's book is also good, with the added advantage that both men knew their subject personally. Their book complements Sayer's and is worth obtaining for Lewis fans. It is certainly better than Wilson's biography of Lewis, though without quite the achievement of Sayer's book.

This is a hobby for me, and Hill's book has all the answers. He has been a professional grower for many years. He covers all the details: planting, weeding, pruning and selling.

Easy to read and reasonably priced.

This work, Silence of Snakes, is an extremely well crafted piece of prose. Set in the North Carolina mountains early in the 20th century, the sense of place is incredibly strong and faithful to the land and the people. This is a beautiful combination of a study of mountain folk, the redemption of a drunken newspaper man, and a gruesome murder. Mr Green's voice is true and steady throughout the book and he does not disappoint. The story and the images will stay with you for a long time, like a disturbing, comforting, gritty echo of long ago.

There is an enormous amount of detail in some apparently unimportant topics (for example on how to get a green card for your maid) and very little on very important ones (for example on labor certification). The topic of labor certification is a subsection in the chapter for "Live-In Domestic Workers" !

This book may be good if you are trying to get a green card for your maid, though.

i wish going to usa to be with my brother hosam

I believe this book may be of interest to many readers.
First of all, it explains how visitors from abroad can legally prolong their stay in the USA. It's possible to apply for an extension of one's visitor's status without leaving the USA. And this book guides well through this procedure.
Secondly, those who are interested in applying for a green card, should find the most suitable category if they want to succeed. The book describes qualifications and outlines the application process for each of them.
Many people don't know that they may be inadmissible for one or another reason even if they otherwise meet all the green card applicant requirements. Someone already in the US, and still may not be allowed to proceed if he or she falls into one of the inadmissible categories - as a violator of immigration rules in the past or for health reasons, for example. Some people find this out only after passing a medical exam. But you may want to learn about the regulations in advance. The book covers this issue in detail, including who and how can apply for a waiver of inadmissibility.
Another sensitive chapter is on cancellation of deportation. How and in what cases this may be done...
Also, you'll find some important information on how and who is eligible to claim status as a refugee or political asylee.
In all, I think the book is pretty informative and filled with practical advice. It's also easy to read and understand.

Martin W. Lewis sets out in his book "Green Delusions" to give an overall critique to the radical environmental movement, but his critique totally misses the target. The book was published in 1992 and feels out dated and irrelevant. So much have changed in the world and so has the environmental movement. "Green Delusions" seems far left behind in its arguements and view upon the world. Critique is always necessary when dealing with any question, especially environmental issues, but "Green Delusions" is with no doubt NOT the book to buy, if you're looking for good critique.

Extremely well researched and informative book detailing the case against radical environmentalism and its belief that our only future is to revert to small communities, abandon any form of capitalism and revert to tribal-like simplicity on a global scale. These ideas are prevalent throughout the ecological movement and throughout "green" political parties. The author argues that these ideas, apart from failing to appeal at all to "the mainstream", if enacted would actually lead to global environmental catastrophy. A very down-to-earth but extremely wide ranging book giving a positive vision to those searching for a practical vision to cope with both local and global environmental problems. Written by a respected geographer, it ranges from tribal agriculture to critique of Reagan freemarket economics in its efforts to show that the way forward is by working practically with and bringing changes within, the existing capitalistic system rather than the utopian ideals of returns to pre-modern era, rural communities. A real vision for the future by someone who used to argue those very utopian visions and now is absolute in our need for realistic "now" solutions. An absolute must especially for those involved in environmental politics or academia.

This short novel is about a guilt driven man, his non-Christian religious order, his pet snake, three women associates, long contemplative patrols in space and a project to define and control time.
***
Kadmon had once led warriors onto a comet to dispossess malevolent invaders of his star system. He worked out a truce but then was recalled for consultations by a vaguely political, thinly omnipresent ruling body called  "The Order". Meanwhile the comet disappeared. Confused, Kadmon left the military and became a novice of The Order. Much of his life was then spent aboard spacecraft making patrols. These assigned patrols taught novices techniques while testing their readiness to rise higher in The Order. Kadmon strove to understand time so that he could travel back in it and rescue his men from the comet. 
***
He was pledged to celibacy but was allowed by a curious Order to be tempted by three women who show him an outcropping on their home planet where time-related phenomena manifested themselves. Kadmon also carried everywhere a small, docile, pet serprent--whose skin color patterns had fascinated another woman in another time. During assigned patrol after patrol, some in the company of three women, Kadmon came closer to understanding time. Eventually he rescued his troops from the comet and evacuated their enemy as well. He had recollected at crucial moments the wisdom of Albert Einstein, Ignatius Loyola and the Jewish kabala. Kadmon and The Order also found connections linking time warps and black holes to Qumran, the Dead Sea Scrolls and Qumran's Teacher of Righteousness.

What's past is prologue. Kadmon and the woman Gelda made ready to accept The Order's final assignment to ride the comet back to radiation-sick, manhating mother Earth, to repopulate Earth's flora and fauna and replant the human race as well. The serpent, too, would play a role. 

In the novel's surprise ending author Lewis W. Green has us wondering what comes next. All we know for sure is the novel's leit motif: that what goes around, comes around--this time with ten times previous mass and velocity. 

This book is perhaps best understood by students of the Jewish kabala or freemasonry. Readers who prefer their science fiction mystical will also love THE  KABBALAH PILLARS. Loyal fans of Lewis Green will clamor for  their copies. As with his other novels, some fans may find this one on first reading tantalizingly complicated and baffling yet at the same time seducing into rewarding second and third re-reads
.
-OOO

"Anarchism: Left, Right and Green" is a nice idea and could have been an excellent book. In it Ulrike Heider attempts a brief survey of three major strands of Anarchism in the United States:

(1) Anarcho-syndicalism (Left Anarchism)
(2) Libertarianism (Right Anarchism, Anarcho-capitalism)
(3) Eco-anarchism (Green Anarchism)

In each of these three sections, Heider discusses the writings of important contemporary figures (such as Sam Dolgoff, Noam Chomsky and Murray Bookchin) as well as interviews that she conducted with many of them in the late 1980s. She also provides a bit of historical and theoretical background in each section. In the introduction, Heider stresses that criticism, especially self-criticism, is necessary in order for any philosophy to adapt and evolve. She therefore adopts a critical approach to her subjects - an approach which I can appreciate in the abstract.

Although this is a nice idea, "Anarchism: Left, Right and Green" falls flat. There are many things that I didn't like about it, and I will try to hit on the most important ones. First of all, the book was crippled by its shocking brevity. At ~150 pages, Heider is obviously not going into very much detail at all, considering the vast and interesting topics she is addressing. Most of her biographies of historical figures such as Bakunin and Kropotkin are only a few pages long. Noam Chomsky gets about 10 pages, Sam Dolgoff about 15, Murray Bookchin has about 40, far less than is needed for a thorough introduction to their respective philosophies and writings.

This brevity has even worse effects on her critical approach. Heider, a German Anarcho-syndicalist, seems determined to criticize everything in the Right and Green sections of the book - she does criticize the Left Anarchists, but to a lesser degree. However, her criticisms are usually superficial, and occasionally degenerate into nothing more than snide remarks and name-calling. At several points, she subtly denounces her targets as Fascists by (for instance) noting that their words sound "frighteningly familiar" when translated into German. Constructive criticism is all well and good, but there is very little serious analysis or discussion in the book that that can be put to any useful purpose.

Murray Bookchin was so outraged by Heider's treatment of him that he wrote a response, "A Meditation on Anarchist Ethics" (available online at the Anarchy Archives), defending himself. In it, he accused Heider of selectively quoting his work out of context, misrepresenting his statements and writings, slandering and caricaturing him, and even flat-out lying. This was the first thing I had ever read by Bookchin (being syndicalist myself), and I'm relieved I stumbled across it. It prompted me to increase my suspicions of Heider's criticisms and conclusions and not be so quick to adopt her caricatures of various figures.

In addition, several authors have criticized Heider's scholarship, claiming that her footnotes and citations are often incorrect and she occasionally misspells important names that she should know perfectly if she has done any research whatsoever. I have not checked her citations myself, but have little reason to doubt these accusations.

I have other, less important criticisms, but will end at this point, in the interest of space and time. I'll conclude by suggesting that "Anarchism: Left, Right and Green" be read at a library (if possible), if at all. In its place, I suggest Guerin's "Anarchism" and "No Gods, No Masters," which I have not yet read, but have heard good things about. Rocker's "Anarcho-syndicalism" (which I have read) is also useful, although dated.