Beautifully -- in places lyrically -- written, this small volume makes a compelling case for preservation of the natural beauty that once prevailed throughout North America, and which now has become all too rare. Never straying far from her main theme (the life of Grey Owl), Jane Billinghurst draws us into the passion and dedication of her subject, leading us reflect on environmental questions not as dry policy issues, but as ones that can relate to an almost spiritual connection between the individual and his natural surroundings. Must reading for historians, environmentalists, and those with an interest in Canada, this insightful book is thoroughly rewarding for the general reader as well. Very highly recommended.

This is a wonderful book. Well researched and balanced. Jane Billinghurst tells the story of Archie B. and I could not put it down. Other's have borrowed it and have praised it also. I am off to check out what else Billinghurst has written!

It has been said, "one cannot judge a book by it's cover", however, we must also keep in mind that there are no absolutes as this book is a story which is depicted, in large measure, by the cover. Sensitive, warm, and poetic presentation of the life and contributions of Grey Owl. The photos exceptional in quality, and accurate as to life and times of the era. These are real people, places, and times that were a part of North American history. The manner in which sayings and aspects of Grey Owl are available as the story unfolds are done in such a manner I think you get two books for the price of one. I read the book from cover to cover the first time then re-read the white pages only, and then followed by reading the tan colored pages. Either way it is easy, fast, and enjoyable. I think the author did an excellent job in demonstrating the efforts of Grey Owl. He was an interesting fellow who had a vision and purpose in life which is so unique that a major moving picture has been make about him as well as four documantaries. Jane Billinghurst has created a work which makes possible an interpretation of the content, by the reader, as it is a factual and well documented treatise. There have been several books published about Grey Owl, in my opinion this is, like the Land of Shadows (Don Smith), is a must read for a deeper appreciation of this most remarkable fellow, Grey Owl.

Inevitably writers will receive the stinging "slap in the face" of rejection. Its imprint will leave a touch of pain and a slight bruise but don't despair. Welcome to the distinquished club of Charlotte Bronte, Ernest Hemingway, Jules Verne, and other literary icons who were rejected. Elaine Borish presents us with the inspiring stories of English literatures' most famous authors who experienced rejection of their works which have become classics.

Starting with Jane Austen to Zane Grey, you will be astonished at the reasons why editors, publishers and literary readers rejected the works of literatures' greatest writers. If these writers believed these "nuts" such works as Atlas Shrugged, The Wizard of Oz, Peter Rabbit, Uncle Tom's Cabin and other gems would remain in their imaginations never to see the light of day.

What I found most interesting about the authors was their response to such harsh criticism and disparagement of their works. Find out about those who revised their work and made it into print. Share in the risk of those who decided to self-publish rather than allow the opinions of others to keep them down. Regale in joy with those who persisted in sending their work in after numerous rejections until it was published.

If you are despondent about your work being rejected you will learn from these authors that rejection is never the final word. Ayan Rand says, "Don't ever give up what you want in life. The struggle is worth it."

Each chapter is short and easy to read. You can dip into the book for fun without making a major commitment and still find the dip rewarding. Each chapter not only tells of the travails of the chapter's subject, but also provides some insights into the writings of the author. You'll get a feel for the author's place in literary history even if you haven't read any of his or her works. What's more, you may find yourself sufficiently intrigued by an author's adventure that you'll want to read one of his works. I did for several of them.

'Unpublishable' should not only be published but, more importantly, read. It is a gem and, like all good gems, it is multi-facetted. Firstly, it gives an accurate, historical cameo of the lives of noted, deceased authors. Secondly, it describes, without sentimentality, their epic struggles to be published. Thirdly, it generates an enormous respect for their tenacity of purpose and determination to see their dreams realised. Each chapter of 'Unpublishable' gives an intimate glimpse into the lives of those who can surmount all obstacles to achieve their aims and, thereby, leave us a literary inheritance. Read it. It's fun, fascinating and enriching!

A wonderful book I enjoyed it very much I thought it was a happy spin on such a trajic life. Much better than the movie.

This book is perfect! I wouldn't change a thing about it. Find a copy and by it!

Excellent! Very well written and a charming story about Jane and the love for life. Somewhat mature for younger children. The TRUE story of Jane`s tragic life with a bit of a romantic twist. A wonderful book!

Jane Aiken Hodge is a talented writer. This book follows Daphne as she finds her way to the island and her fears and problems that occur on the island. This book is suspenseful and is an excellent read.

This is one of my favorite books. The details and life of the court of Henry VIII are masterfully recreated in this book. Lady Jane was the grand neice of Henry VIII, and was third in line to the throne. The heads of states illegally pronounced her queen on the death of her cousin, Edward VI, and eventually she paid with her life after ruling only 9 days. This book takes place from the time Jane is a young girl, through her life at court with Henry and his sixth wife Catherine Parr, to her execution in 1553, when she was only 17 years old. I highly reccomend this book. The reading level is not too difficult, as it is with some historical biographies. I managed to read it in grade 8 with no problems. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have.

This is a quick reading non-fiction look at the life of Lady Jane based on letters and documents of the period. It gives good insight into the lifestyles of the period and the effect of the Reformation in England, though the editorial p.c. comments can make your teeth grind at times. (The author is definitely biased.) She often does well, though, in pointing out the differences in the way of thinking between our time and Lady Jane's time. I recommend reading this to give you a good feel for the time period if you have interest in Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, Elizabeth I and/or Lady Jane.

RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE An american western By Zane Grey 280 pp.New York Penguin Books 9.95 This book from Zane Grey embodies the american west almost perfectly. There is a homesteading woman that needs help, a dogooder cowboy, a mysterious gunslinger, and an array of villains that range from rustlers to officials of the mormon church. Almost every western archetype ever used shows up in this book except the town drunk and the almost always present indian. It's a great relief not to see the indian used as a scape goat once again in a western. Originally published in nineteen twelve this book helped set the tone for and developed character archetypes for the entire western genera. What exactly makes up the western genera and why did it happen. The western genera is full of larger than life heros who's only flaw might be an overzealous for bring a bad guy to justice and an inability to speak to a woman. The heroin in these stores is usually a single homesteading woman with a farm or land to protect. The heroin almost always looks to the good guy for support and by the end of the story they have come to depend on each other and generally ride of into the sunset together. The bad guy in the typical western usually has some reason for forcing the heroin into something she doesn't want to do. Examples of this are unwanted manage, selling or leaving her property, or he puts her in danger (usually the indian). The hero will more often than not already know and dislike the villain, or sometimes the villain is made an enemy because he is doing something to the heroin. In some cases the villain comes to town looking to call out the hero and the heroin isn't involved much if at all. One or a few of these situations in play add wide open spaces, horses and guns and you've got yourself a western The story is situated Utah and the description of the landscape is beautiful. Grey utilizes his setting, the story isn't just set out on the plains of utah because it seemed like a good place to put it. With all of the changes in landscape that occur in this book the characters have endless places to explore and hide. The part of the book that appealed to me the most was the character of the gunslinger lassiter. Of all of the westerns that I have ever read lassiter probably has the strongest presence of any cowboy character that I have ever come across in my reading. he dresses in black from head to toe and gives the impression of being an unthinking tool of justice that exists to fight for what he feels is right and destroy anything he feels is evil. The character of lasiter and the image that he is given especially early on in the book reminds me of my favorite hard nosed western hero of all time. The Gunslinger Roland from Steven Kings book The Gunslinger. I feel that this book is almost a kind of surreal sequel to Riders of the Purple Sage, Both mysterious gunslingers clad entirely in black are on a quest for revenge following a mysterious man that had ruined there life and the lives of the people around them. Stephen kings version of lasiter is a much more violent man in a much more violent land. This may just be a sign of the times seeing that Greys book and kings book have about seventy years between there publishing dates. Riders Of The Purple Sage is much more unpredictable than the average western. The characters in this book develop differently than average western characters because of the setting and plot twists in the story. The characters in the book are amazingly much less static than the average characters in a western. The story is made much more interesting by the characters ability to change throughout the story. Making it a book that is fun to read from cover to cover. As westerns go this book not only fits the genera perfectly but adds a couple of different twists and is entertaining through the entire book.

Zane Grey is one of the best-known and most prolific writers in the Western genre. Riders of the Purple Sage is perhaps his most famous novel. And deservedly so. The story starts rather slowly by today's fiction standards, and has a meandering story line that leaves one wondering what the book is all about--or whether it's actually about anything particular at all. But then with Dickensian brilliance he weaves a series of seemingly unrelated tendrils into one complex, exciting, and satisfying conclusion.

Rich and beautiful Jane Withersteen has inherited her father's ranch and cattle herds on the Utah frontier border. She resists the demands of church elders to marry Tull, a fellow Mormon, instead showing interest in Gentile sage-rider Ventors. This insubordinate behavior causes high tension in the Mormon town of Cottonwoods, already edgy from an insurgence of Gentiles and years of cattle-rustling mayhem led by the legendary Oldring and his mysterious Masked Rider. At the moment that Mormon ire peaks over Jane's intransigence, Grey adds the catalyst to a chain reaction of violent drama: the arrival in Cottonwoods of Lassiter, the infamous Mormon-killing gunman. The plot plays out with plenty of surprising revelations on the true identity and intentions of the various parties.

Grey's style is heavy on scenic description, with almost redundant recitation of the virtues of the purple prairie. But the book has a classic, literary quality to it, something the genre sorely missed until Larry McMurtry brought it back with Lonesome Dove. And horse-lovers will appreciate Grey's knowledge and detailed rendering of everything equestrian. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead.

In Riders of the Purple Sage, Zane Grey takes the reader to the small Mormon town in Utah called Cottonwoods. The novel is set in the 1870's. The novel is centered on the life of Jane WIthersteen, whose father was the founder and center of the town. Jane faces many troubles in Cottonwoods. The main one is that her cattle have been stolen by Oldring and his gang. Another is that Jane is pressured by the townspeople because she allows Gentiles to live there. She is torn between her feelings and her religion until a stranger, Lassiter, comes riding into town searching for the answers to a secret that only Jane knows the answer to.

Jane is the main character in the book. This book is different because most westerns do not center around the life of a woman. Most westerns are focused on the rough, tough, cowboy who shoots people and lives on the edge to survive. Jane is different. Her father founded the town she lives in and she keeps the town going. She is like the head of the town. She owns almost everything in the town and the landscape around it. She is very wealthy and has no biases. She likes who she likes because of who they are, not what their religion is, like the rest of the town does. The town hates that she acts like that. Jane takes Lassiter in and answers his questions about the secret. I really like that the author uses a woman in this novel because it gives a whole different perspective to a western. Most westerns focus on the cowboy and his journeys, but this book focuses on a woman, Jane, throughout the book and the troubles she encounters living in the West. It gives us a perspective of what women may have been like in the West. It still has the rough, tough cowboy, but he is not the only focus in the book. There is more happening than just the journey of a cowboy.

This book was also a pleasure to read because it does a good job of describing the landscape around Cottonwoods and in the sage. Some westerns give the reader an idea of the landscape, but this book focuses on the landscape and uses it in the book. For instance, Venters travels into the sage and hides behind the rock and in holes in the mountains and terrain around him. The landscape is used throughout the book when the characters are faced with problems such as the one described above with Venters. The landscape helped to hide him. I think it was clever to bring the landscape in and use it as part of the story. Alot of westerns do not use the landscape, they just describe it to give the reader a setting and an idea of the landscape in the book.

The book is a typical western though, because Lassiter is a typical cowboy. He has a deep secret and is in search of answers to that secret. He is a stranger that comes riding into town. He sleeps in the sage under the stars and will not sleep inside. He is on a mission and is not going to let anything or anyone get in his way. Most westerns have the cowboy meet a woman as in this story.

Overall, I think this is a good book for all sorts of readers. Zane Grey is a good writer who includes aspects for all kinds of readers. Riders of the Purple Sage is an action pact, mystery solving, all around good book for anyone who is in the mood for a western.

This book concentrates too much about Lady Jane Grey. I know it is called "LADY JANE GREY and the House of Suffolk", but the parts about Jane aren't detailed enough to be a biography, and the rest is too short and foggy to be read as an equal family saga.So close,yet so far.

It is really helpful in describing and understanding the Tudor period,but it's unbalanced.1 page on Mary Grey,2 chapters on the French Queen,Mary Tudor,1 paragragh on Frances Brandon.There's this uneveness.

Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, was not only the brother-in-law of Henry VIII but also his best friend; after the king's own children, Brandon's descendants were named heirs to the crown. The duke's granddaughter, Jane Grey, died for her legacy at the age of sixteen, a Protestant intellectual challenging the accession of the Catholic Mary Tudor. Jane's sister Catherine subsequently ruined her chances to become heir-presumptive to Elizabeth I by her unauthorized marriage to the earl of Hertford -- and then by presuming to give birth to a healthy son (seven of whose close relatives lay buried headless under the chapel in the Tower where he was christened). The Suffolk drama would have been a fitting subject for a Shakespear-ean tragedy.

This isn't a bad book, but it must be emphasized that it is a novel. Fiction. Not the result of research done by a historian. It should not be read by anyone looking for the "true" story of Lady Jane Grey, any more than one should read "Gone With The Wind" to learn the history of the Battle of Atlanta. The author should not have used the words "The Story of" in the title (maybe "A" instead of "The") and Amazon should not list the book under biographies.

The book does say she was beheaded and that she reigned for 9 days, contrary to other reviewers claims. I do wonder at why every fictional account of Jane feels inclined to give her some sort of great love of her life, differing only in who it is. This one gives us someone before she was forced to marry another. This is a very entertaining story, however, and not too bad in its historical fancies.

It was pitiful to see how this little 16 year old was over shadowed by her hated cousin Mary I and her other powerful and beloved cousin Elizabeth I. I have been searching far and wide for a book on this fasination female, hanged to death at such a tender age...beated by parent to marry at 14...sad thing is that there is no surviving picture of this strong headed intelligent being...she only survives in ones who give her the spotlight she hid from so long ago when she was alive. This fabulous and colorful nonfiction will break the hearts of the average human on earth, including teenagers.

Just like Anne Frank, Jane Grey was a female foresaken and taken for granted, this girl lived far more long ago in history, in a world we will never be able to comprehend or understand. This is a fabulous book, by a new talent!