Fleming adds the detail and the smashing debonaire of oo7 together and comes up with the incredible novel: On Her Majestey's Secret Service. The high adventure, the beautiful Bond girls, and James Bond's "save the day" attitude make On Her Majestey's Secret Service a must read! I've written several books myself but none compare to this. I stayed up late until one in the morning reading the wonderful descriptions of the exploits of Bond, James Bond. It, along with Casino Royale, The man with the Golden Gun, Goldfinger, and You Only live Twice, are ranked high on my favorite novels list and should be yours. The head of SPECTRE and his Number Two man torment the spy but as always, Bond defeats the evil plans of Ernst Stravo Blofeld but for him to only fight another day!This book is so good it should come with popcorn!

One of the last of the original Bond Books, On Her Majesty's Secret Service is also one of the best. Picking up a year after the end of Thunderball, this book finds James Bond again battling the nefarious schemes of Ernest Stavro Blofeld and SPECTRE and, most importantly, falling in love with the beautiful, resourceful, and ultimately tragic Tracy. Though the usual intrigue is well-presented by Fleming, he also makes it clear that Blofeld's plan is hardly meant to be taken all that seriously. (Without ruining it for those who might never have read the book or seen the surprisingly faithful film adaption, it all comes down to Blofeld hidden away in Switzerland, pretending to be an allergist, and brainwashing English farm girls. No, it doesn't make a lot of sense but Fleming obviously had so much fun presenting it that most readers won't take offense.) The heart of this book -- and this Fleming treats with an admirable seriousness that should take his critics by surprise -- is the love story between Bond and Tracy. In Tracy, Fleming has created perhaps his most fully realized "Bond girl." Vulnerable yet resourseful and more than capable of taking care of herself (and, at times, perhaps even more so than Bond himself), its hard not to fall in love with this character and when Bond finally does decide to reject all others for her, its impossible to disagree with his logic. Its a compelling, rather touching love story and, even though most Bond films know how its going to end, the ending still packs a heavy impact.

As for Bond himself, after being a rather predictable presence in Thunderball, he's back in full form as a full realized, interesting character in this novel. On Her Majesty's Secret Service was written after the release of Dr. No (Ursula Andress even makes a cameo appearance at the time) and one can sense that, with this book, Fleming is reestablishing his claim on the character. From the intentionally ludicrous evil scheme to the frequent excursions into Bond's head (revealing him hardly to be the ruthless, unflappable killer that filmgoers though him to be), Fleming comes across as a reenergized writer in this book -- determind to let all the new Bond fans out there know who is really in charge of their favorite secret agent's destiny. The result is one of the best of the original Bond books and one of the best spy thrillers I've read in a long time.

Without a doubt, Ian Fleming's finest James Bond Novel. Mr. Fleming neatly round out the character of James Bond as the reader sees the complete person behind our favorite government operator. The book begins with Bond begining to becomed bored with his assignment and meeting the love of his life. Due to the nature of his work and the emotional scars from previous relationships, Bond is always reluctant to engage in a serious romance with a woman. However, this time, Bond is willing to take his chances to find someone to fill the void in his life. Aside from the romance, Bond also has a job to do. Reinvigorated by progress in his once moribund assignment, Bond tackles his arch enemy Ernst Stavro Blofled through Fleming's engaing narrative. References to Bond's childhood memories, past assignments, and his dreams are particularly effective. Fleming's rich imagination transports the reader from Bond's old haunts on the Northern French coast to the Swiss Alps, where 007 once again takes his licks for "Queen and Country." Hats off to Fleming for his gutsy ending, which unfortunately for Bond, underlines the fact that 007 will always belong to "Her Majesty's Secret Service."

Man in the Middle is a fast paced thriller that not only weaves a tale that leaves ones' heart pounding but also gives you an inside look into the life of a trader on Wall Street. It left me wondering just how much was fiction and how much was fact? Looking forward to Ken Morris' next book.....

It isn't often that a first time author--and fiction, no less--is important enough to merit a front page feature article on the cover of the NY Times, so when I saw Mr. Morris picture and his book cover splashed on page one of the Sunday Times biz section, I had to read the book.

Man in the Middle was wonderful. I always wanted to know what it was like to walk into a trading room and make mega-trades. Also, I wondered how all these brilliant people were capapble of making such large amounts of money out of thin air. I felt, when the protagonist first walked into the trading room (and in the author's words) "like an unarmed Don Quixote surrounded by fire breathing dragons, knee deep in trash." It was fun to wake up to the fact that many of these so-called geniuses had nothing more than access to information going for them. In other words, many of them were no more intelligent than the average person, only they had a total lack of morals. Welcome to today's headlines!

Anyway, this book is well-written and travels at the speed of a roller-coaster without brakes. It is fun and informative, but mostly just pure fun.

After reading in the Wall Street Journal about the thiefs and thugs who infest Wall Street and are heads of major corporations, you'll find this book scary and all too believable. With fast action throughout and unpredictable plot twists, it's a natural for a thriller movie. It makes you want to cry out "Don't go there" to the hero. I stayed up late at night on this one.

Golf, Tennis, Weight-Lifting, Skiing, Running... no matter what sport you participate in, The Mental Edge can help you!

I'm a race car driver (wannabe), and though Ken Baum makes no reference to race car driving, I can apply his techniques to my preferred sport.

Did you know that at the upper echelons of most sports, it's all mental? If you don't have the mental advantage, or the Mental Edge, you will lose to someone who does.

Step-by-step instruction makes Ken Baum's program easy to understand, and easy to apply. Yes, it may have "New-Age" stuff that some athletes despise, but backed with facts and factual anecdotes, one can't deny the advantages of upping one's mental game.

Besides, Ken Baum takes this "new-age" stuff to a scientific level; a methodical approach to improving the mental game.

Just ask Tiger Woods, or even Michael Schumacher; it's all mental, and that's where the battle really is.

If you want to improve, if you want to be better, no matter what sport (and indeed, no matter what endeavour), then you better read Ken Baum's the Mental Edge...

The Mental Edge is the mind body connection! I am a girls' high school volleyball coach in CA and the team uses Mr. Baums techniques religously. These techniques never allow the mind to get in the way of the body. The athlete learns to bombard his/herself with positive thoughts of previous success! The book is a must for any serious athlete. I have had the pleasure to work personally with Mr. Kenneth Baum and I am a better person, coach, and athlete because of our association! Results come quickly!

I originally purchased The Mental Edge for my two children, ages 11 and 13.I also purchased The Mental Edge AUDIO TAPES so they could follow the exercises easier. I was pleasantly surprised when their play improved immediately and more importantly they had more fun! I was absolutely amazed when at their parent teacher conference, the teacher commented on their ability to focus longer than before. She wanted to know what happened! Even though I proofed the book and read parts of it to them, I never did the exercises myself. So I decided to try them out on myself and see if they could help me stick to my exercise rouitine. THEY WORKED! After years of trying to enjoy exercise, I finally look forward to working out. Now my husband has jumped on the band wagon and used The Mental Edge to quit smoking.We found even though its a book about sports performance it is so valuable in other areas of life.

If you've read 'Silverwing,' then you are familiar with the magic that is used to enthrall readers inside the book's depths. 'Sunwing' is no different. You just want to read it again and again, and each time, you find something new to be excited about.
Shade and Marina are on another journey, but this time, they're not alone. Frieda, Ariel, and even Chinook, are accompanying them in order to find Cassiel, Shade's father, at a mysterious Human building near Hibernaculum. Once they reach the building, however, harmonious bat voices lure them inside, where they are trapped in a man-made 'paradise' filled with other bats.
Naturally, Shade is struck with questions. Why are the Humans doing this? What was this forest made for? And, most importantly, where is his father? On a quest to find the answers, Shade and Marina encounter the vampire bat from their nightmares: Goth, a descendant of Cama Zotz. The plot deepens as Shade is 'captured' by the Humans inside the building, and sent to the worst place imaginable: Goth's homeland, where thousands of cannibal bats like Goth, the Vampyrum Spectrum, make their dwellings.
Now, Shade must strive to rescue his father, help his colony, and save the sun from an eternal night.

This book is one of the best books I have ever read in my life. There is never a dull moment. In the book, cannibal bat Goth, who was struck by lightning in 'Silverwing', flys off in search of the jungle, his homeland. Southern bat god Cama Zotz heals his scars and burns, and tells Goth to go back to the Humans. At this place, Goth and enemy Shade meet again. When Goth gets back to the jungle, he finds out he been crowned King of all the Vampyrum Spectrum (cannibal bats). An eclipse is coming up, and sun-lover Shade Silverwing must come up with a way to stop Goth from stealing the sun forever.
It is a beyond amazing book, so don't delay and read it now! I stayed up all night reading it, and it was all I could think about. Don't hesitate! Read 'Sunwing' today!

I remember a few years ago that i purchased the book "silverwing" from my school's book order, not expectly that the book would turn out the way it was. It was so captivatng, i really am still wondering how Oppel can see through the eyes of a bat the way he does.
Once I finished "silverwing" after not being able to put it down and vowing to buy "sunwing" right away...I didn't. These books seemed a lot more than just books, it was more like a life of Shade.
About 3 years had passed when one day I saw "sunwing" at my school library...I grabbed it right away and was done it just as fast as Silverwing. It was just as captivating and answered all the un-answered questions from "silverwing". I've never really read a book from an author that writes the same way as Oppel, his writings are full of twists and turns that leaves you guessing and best of all reading to find out!
Now if I can just get my hands on "firewing"...

By far the most realistic of the Bond books. Fleming's description of the MGB (later KGB) headquarters in Moscow's Dzherzinsky Square, where the plot to lure British agent James Bond to his death is first revealed, is reputedly based on information to which he was privy in his capacity as a WWII officer in British Naval Intelligence -- likewise the recruitment and training of the psychopathic killer Red Grant, one of the most formidable of Bond's enemies (and the only one in the films who looked for a while about to kill Bond for sure! 007 meets his match in Grant!) This is the book behind what in my opinion is the best of the Bond movies, steeped in the atmosphere of the Cold War into which the Bond series was born. 007 travels to Istanbul in pursuit of the bait, a Lektor decoder which can read top secret Soviet military and intelligence signal traffic. Another form of bait is the beautiful Tatiana Romanova, an MGB cipher clerk allegedly in love with Bond, willing to defect with the Lektor if only 007 will come and fetch her. (Fleming takes yet another jab at the Reds by choosing this name for Bond's love interest -- Romanov was the family name of the last Czar of old imperial Russia, the family doomed to extinction by the Russian revolution.) Kerim Bey adds a bit of panache, mischief and mystery as "Our man in Istanbul," Head of Station T (for Turkey). A truly great and suspenseful plot!

Fleming seemed to have used his first four novels (Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, and Diamonds are Forever) to warm us up to the Bond character and used the same plot style for the first four novels. In From Russia, With Love, Fleming takes Bond and his writing style to a higher, more intellectual level. Fleming is masterful in setting the scenes without being too boring. Bond doesn't appear until the second part of the book (Part II-The Plan) and you hardly even notice. Another interesting note is that of the James Bond movies, From Russia, With Love the movie follows the novel pretty well, even in lesser scenes such as the gypsy fight. This, perhaps, is due to the fact that Fleming was alive only for the filming and release of Dr. No and From Russia, With Love. This book is clearly Fleming at the top of his game and an outstanding entry to the series.

Considered by many to the be the best James Bond 007 book of all time, From Russia With Love delivers the perfect formula for a James Bond novel. Originally, Ian Fleming's tales of 007 were not going so good, so he intended with this book to kill off James Bond once and for all. The end of this novel is quite a surprise to a first time reader.

The book begins by telling of the commanding rule of SMERSH. The leader of this organization is General Grubozaboyschikov. Also working is Colonel Rosa Klebb and director of planning Kronsteen, who treats real people as if they were chess pieces. The muscle of the group is a homicidal madman, who follows orders, and is in practically perfect physical shape, Donovan "Red" Grant. These evil minds have planned the perfect way to destroy the life and reputation of James Bond. Their plan is to lure 007 with the beatiful Tatiana Romanova and a Spektor cipher decoding machine as bait. Then Grant will meet up with them eventually and kill them both. However, SMERSH will take it a step further to lie to the public that Bond and Tatiana were in an affair, and that Bond commits suicide. It's a perfect plan.
Bond indeed does travel to Istanbul, believing that this girl wants to defect, and will give him the Spektor machine only if he personally helps her. 007 meets Darko Kerim, and a wonderful gypsy fight adds to the fun of the story. Bond and Tatiana travel on a train back to Europe, where he meets Red Grant and is told of the plan to kill him. An extremely bvrutal gun and fist fight breakes out between the men with 007 shooting Grant. 007 goes to Paris with Tatiana to catch Rosa Klebb in a meeting. However, Klebb releases a poison knife from her shoe and kicks 007 in the leg, before being taken away by the police. The story ends with 007 lying on the floor of the hotel room...

Perhaps the finest story of Ian Fleming, filled with the excitement and adventure to give this book it's reputation as on of the best 007 novels ever!

This book is a vital book to read for those in search of an inner strength. The true story of Claude Brown growing up in the tough streets of NYC makes you think how well you have it going for all those living in a quaint sheltered life that doesn't have to deal with guns and murder everyday.

I read this book a little while before Claude Brown passed away. I loved this book. I also read his book, Children of the Ham, and I found this book in my closet. Truly a lost treasure. I loved this book. It was so real. It's like I could see him living his life just the way he described it. I suggest everybody- no matter whether you're black, white, purple, green -read this book. Youwill not be disappointed. Trust me.

This was without doubt the most important book I read as a teenager. I moved to NYC from California when I was twelve and was pretty naive in the workings of the city. Reading this book when I was 13 helped me immensely. It was a street-wise primer for survival at the time (we're talking 1964). But I would hold that the subject matter is just as relevant today. If you don't know about a "Jones" or what makes a three-card-monty mark want to come back for more, then I suggest you are just as vulnerable as I was. It's also one of the all-time cautionary tales (without being preachy) about drug addiction. I did a lot of drugs in the late 60's, early 70's, but never touched heroin, primarily from reading this book. The writing, while maybe not on the level of Richard Wright, surpasses Malcom X's and Eldridge Cleaver's memoirs, and that's saying something, as those were both powerful works as well.

I was recently asked by someone who had read some of my reviews which study Bible I recommended. Such a hard question, since there are many excellent ones available! My answer to him compared the NIV Life Application Bible and the NIV Study Bible. Here are my thoughts on these two, plus comments on the Quest Study Bible as well.

The Large-Print Edition of the NIV Study Bible doesn't have HUGE print - just a bit bigger than most Bibles. I still use that Bible a LOT and it's just comfortable reading. It is a bit bigger and heavier than my LAB, but not by a lot. I really like the larger type. You can get REALLY large print, but that's not what this is.

The Quest Study Bible doesn't go as deep. I think it's perfect for someone who is just beginning to study the Bible and has lots of questions like those that are answered in the Quest Study Bible. However, that's not to say that I already know all the answers to those questions! ;-o It just doesn't go much deeper than those questions.

I have in front of me the NIV Study Bible and the Life Application Bible NIV. They are both excellent - either one would go deeper into the Word than the Quest Study Bible.

The obvious differences to me are as follows:

Text The Life Application Bible (LAB) has the text straight across the page - the NIV Study Bible has the two-column layout. I think I prefer the two-columns. It is easier to get through some of those Old Testament books such as 1/2 Chronicles! ;-o However, this is very much a matter of personal preference.

Notes The notes, while excellent in both Bibles, are different in tone. The NIV Study Bible notes are very objective and purely informational. One of the downsides to the LAB, for me anyway, is that sometimes the notes in the LAB get rather preachy and sometimes go far afield of the text. I'm not saying asking personal applications is a bad thing, but if you're doing a lot of reading in that Bible, it might get to be a bit much. The tone of the notes is is the reason I gave the Life Application Bible 4 stars instead of 5! A note might ask "Do you believe that God can help you? Do you really want his help?" (note for Matt 9:27-30).

The clear, informative and objectively stated notes in this NIV Study Bible earned it 5 stars in my book!! I would, however, have appreciated lengthier personality profiles. But no study Bible has everything!

Other helps In the back of the LAB, there is an "Index to Notes" which includes the maps, charts, personality profiles, and the notes. It really isn't a concordance, but it is helpful.

The NIV Study Bible has an Index to Maps separately, an Index to Subjects, and a Concordance. The Concordance isn't exhaustive, of course, but it is much better than the one in the LAB.

The LAB wins the contest in the "Personality Profiles" category. They have quite a detailed description of all the key people you'll meet in the Bible - they often cover about 2/3 of a page!! In the NIV Study Bible, these personality notes are relegated to just a few lines in the Notes section! The LAB definitely is the winner in this category.

Both Bibles contain a Harmony of the Gospels, something I find really helpful. The LAB, however, numbers each event in the Gospels, and before the section in the text, it gives this number and then gives the passages in the other gospels that tell the same story. I found the number to be really helpful. The NIV Study Bible doesn't have such numbers.

I could go on and on, but you get the idea! Those are the main differences, I think!! Both Bibles are excellent. I haven't found any others that are better. I also have the NIV Living Insights Study Bible that has Chuck Swindolls notes, but the notes aren't as complete. Also, the "Word in Life Study Bible" is chockfull of different kinds of sidebars and articles and is just wonderful as well.

I had purchased the Large-Print Edition of the NIV Study Bible because of some temporary vision problems. I hope this is helpful! Please check out my other reviews of Bibles and other Christians books and contemporary Christian music!

The NIV Study Bible has been an excellent source of information and interpretive help in studying scripture, for my husband and myself.

The charts, timelines, maps and chapter overviews and outlines provide rich groundwork for the reading and study of the Word.

It is my first choice when re-reading and researching a passage that is not clear.

The NIV Study Bible is a must for the library of any student of the Bible, and every believer.

I have had an NIV study Bible for several years. I originally purchased one to enhance my own study time. During discussions with friends or family, however, I saw a need to share the information contained within the Study Bible. Therefore, I always keep one here to study with, but I never put my name in it. I keep it "unassigned" until someone I know needs one, then I give them mine (but, of course, I still have my regular NIV and KJV, too). Invariably, this kind of "opportune giving", that is, giving the Study Bible after a frank discussion of its contents, leads to eager reading. I gave one to my sister-in-law recently, who forgot to bring her KJV Bible while visiting. I lent my NIV Study Bible, and her eyes were opened to a whole new understanding. She was so enthusiastic about "not having to translate" what she had read (as she was used to doing with her KJV), that I offered her the Study Bible to take home. When she protested, I explained that I always kept one for expressly that purpose. It has become her study Bible of choice. Anything that brings a clearer understanding of God's word is worth having and sharing.

Shade, a young bat of the Silverwing species, is very curious, and when he dares a fellow Silverwing to come with him and see the sun (which has been "illegal" for so many bats since practically the beginning of time), they are chased back to Tree Haven by an owl (well, actually it happened a little differently, but oh well). The owls return and burn down Tree Haven, which happens to be a hollowed out tree where the Silverwings roost for the summmer, and the Silverwings depart for Hibernaculum, their Winter roost, early.

During a fierce storm, Shade is blown off course and clear over the ocean to another place where he meets Marina, a Brightwing bat with a band on her forearm, Zephyr, an albino bat who can portend future events, and Goth, the main villain in this story, who is a huge cannibalistic Vampire bat. As Shade and Marine are being chased by Goth and Throbb (Goth's bumbling cannibal assistant bat), they get in mixes such as getting captured by pigeons, rats, nearly freezing to death, and almost getting eatin.

Personally, I really thought "Silverwing" was a good book, it has like 285 pages or so, but in that, Kenneth Oppel unleashes a world of characters, and uses his imagination to create Shade's surroundings, and Shade himself. And he describes the whole book how a bat would see it, he did not mention a single color. So, "Silverwing" is an excellent book for readers young and old to sit down and enjoy.

As a non-fiction writer recently finishing up an article on bats I felt myself drawn to this book simply by its cover. I read this story first before rereading it with my daughter (as I do with most books). Parents with young readers will certainly enjoy sharing this spellbinding story with their children. Shade is a delight as he struggles to show those around him that he is more than a runt. As we travel with Shade in search of his mother and their colony, we see his abilities shine brightly; his intelligance, skillful flying, ability to adapt and his great wit. Shade is an excellent model for children 9 to 90. Silverwing is cleverly written using actual bat behaviour, mixing in wonderfully creative images to keep you riveted to each page. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!

The book Silverwing is a book I could not put down! It is about a silverwing bat named Shade who gets separated from his colony in a storm during their migration to Hibernaculum from their summer home at Tree Haven. During the storm Shade is blown to an island where he meets a Brightwing bat named Marina who goes with him to try to find his colony. Through out their journey they encounter two vampire bats who plan to capture his colony and take them to the jungle to be their slaves. Will Shade and Marina excape from them and warn his colony in time? To find out what hapens you have to read it yourself.

A friend recommended Metabolize.It seemed so logical that we all are different and have different nutritional needs.I tried the diet and look and feel wonderful.Its easy to follow,lots of tasty menus and food choices.The unexpected bonus is the 7 no sweat energy movements my back feels great my energy is high and my motivation has never been higher.Metabolize has changed my life!

My husband had a special surprise for our 15th anniversary, a trip to the Bahamas! I was excited and nervous. Excited because it was my dream vacation, nervous because I was so fat. I started looking at bathing suits and just wanted to cry! Nothing looked good on me, NOTHING! First for Women magazine had an article about a new book that came out in Jan. of this year called METABOLIZE. I bought it out of desperation having tried everything else. The information is so good and easy to read. The diet is not a diet at all but a unique way of sensible eating for your body. I have lost 58lbs since Jan and the sexy bathing suits that made me cry now make me smile... because they fit! Our vacation turned out great and I didn't put the weight back on after we got home. Meatbolize is a wonderful book. Thank you for helping my dream vacation be all I ever hoped it could be.

I took one look at this book and bought it immediately. The idea that one person's metabolism is probably different than another person's makes a lot of sense to me. And why do all these fad diets assume that they work for every type of person on the planet?

First you take a self-test in this book to determine your type. Then you can figure out a diet based on relative amounts of certain nutrients you need. Apparently, certain nutrients have exact opposite effect in some people--a high protein, low carb diet may be absolutely WRONG for you. I sure would like to know that BEFORE I decide on a diet plan.

I also like the fact this book includes exercises, breathing exercises and recommendations for supplements and vitamins. The calorie levels are also set so you can pick one that suits your size and sex (not everyone should eat an extremely low calorie diet.) Of course the book also has sample menus, which are always helpful. Finally, the paperback edition is a reasonable size to fit in a purse or in a briefcase, meaning it can go with you anywhere.

I wasn't sure if I was Atkins, Pritikin or NO KIN to any of these (turns out I am mixed, so that is why I had trouble) This book is really excellent and I can recommend it to anyone who wants to lose weight and eat right.

One os Sandra Brown's early romances, "Tiger Prince" is light read perfect for escaping the rut of everyday life. Derek is a perfect hero, and Caren is a charming heroine. The storyline is so romantic, the love scenes so steamy and sensual, that the book is impossible to put down. This is one of those books that cheer you up when life is difficult.

What an excellent excape! It's the type of book you can read on a long flight and before you know it you're there. It was such a page turner that I couldn't put it down. This was the first book I've read from Sandra Brown - now I can't wait to read her others - she could be my new 'favorite author'. I highly recommend this book.

I received the Sandra Brown book Tiger Prince from a very good friend after I returned home from the hospital. I had to be home from work for 7 weeks and she said this was a good book to be home with. WOW was she right. I loved it. Derek and Caren were the most romantic couple. It was sensual and will certainly hold your interest page after page. I've began my second Sandra Brown book, The Witness, recently and once again she's captivated me with her writing. I can't wait to finish this one and begin another. Sandra Brown is a wonderful romance author!