There are certain phrases that the families of soldiers never want to hear: "wounded in action", "missing in action", "killed in action", and "prisoner of war." But every time the United States enters a conflict, it is almost inevitable that some wife or husband, some mother or father, or some child will hear those words. They are words that many of us will never really understand. Even with the advent of imbedded reporters and glamorized battle coverage on television, there are some aspects of war that the average American simply cannot comprehend. But in 1993, the family of CW4 Michael J. Durant would learn about the true horrors of war.

For those who have read Mark Bowden's BLACK HAWK DOWN or seen the movie, Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. Durant is a familiar character. He was one of the Black Hawk pilots shot down in the United Nations' peacekeeping effort in Somalia. Fortunately for Durant, he was not killed in the crash or the frenetic firefight that ensued. Rather, he was dragged through the streets with a fractured leg and broken back, loaded into a pickup truck, and held hostage by a Somalian militia. During his ten days of captivity, Durant was held in filthy "prisons", shot by angry militiamen, and given only aspirin for the pain caused by his wounds. But during his entire ordeal, Durant and his positive attitude survived. In fact, even his captors were eventually mesmerized by him in a somewhat reversed kind of "Stockholm Syndrome." They gave him a radio through which he kept up with the peacekeeping efforts and received dedications from other soldiers in his unit. They fed him more food than he could eat, bathed him, and allowed him to read his Bible. It was in that Bible that Durant first wrote IN THE COMPANY OF HEROES, scribbling codes in the margins so that he would remember all of the harrowing details.

IN THE COMPANY OF HEROES is much more than Durant's story of being a prisoner of war. While that would have made an excellent book in and of itself, Durant goes further, giving the reader insights into the rest of his military career. IN THE COMPANY OF HEROES is exceptionally written and gives the reader profound insight into the ugliest parts of war. It is a story that everyone should read and learn from --- not only about war, but also about the human spirit and its willingness to survive in even the harshest of situations.

--- Reviewed by Melissa Brown

Blackhawk Down, the book by Mark Bowden, was almost impossible to put down and this book is no different. But if you read Blackhawk Down, then you haven't read the whole story until you've seen Michael Durant's book. It's a pleasure to read. It's also refreshing to see an author who isn't trying to smear or damage those with whom he worked. On the contrary, Michael Durant does a noble job of telling the true story without attacking any specific person. NSDQ.

I have never written a review for a book before, so bear with me. This is truly a book about some of the greatest heroes our country has seen. Not only Michael Durant, but every last one of those young men who were there. I was anxious to learn more about Durant's captivity than I had from Blackhawk Down, and I was not disappointed. I felt like I personally knew each of the people involved by the time I was through. If some parts of this book don't bring at least a small tear to your eyes, then you must not have a heart at all. Michael Durant and the others (especially the Delta guys) are the strongest, most courageous, and most patriotic men I have ever read about. If these traits are as strong in the rest of our military personnel, then our country should have no fears.

This is a great book written by Michael McClay. It has many pictures (a lot of them in color). He gives a lot of information. If you want to know about Lucille Ball's life before, during, and after "I Love Lucy", then this book is for you. I especially loved the 35 classic episodes.

I received this book as a Christmas gift in 1996, and I go back to it again and again. McClay was an insider in the I LOVE LUCY family, the son of Lucille Ball's long-time publicist. The thoroughly written and illustrated volume was prepared in cooperation with Lucille Ball's family, and carries an introduction by her daughter Lucie Arnaz. I thought that I had seen and read all there was about my favorite 1950s TV program, but this book contains many new photos, from both on and off the sets, including several original color photos of the family at home. McClay's narrative contains many interesting anecdotes about the cast. The summaries of every single plot are well-written, and accompanied by numerous photos. See if your favorite episodes are contained in The Classic 35 Episodes (I'm glad that McClay did not limit it to something like 10 or 25--remember that there were 179 shows altogether!) Also included is a summary of the 13 hour-long Lucy-Desi Comedy Hours ! programs. A must-have for any Lucy fan!

I loved this book almost as much as I loved reading "Love,Lucy" (I've reviewed that book as well). Some of the pictures are in color, and a lot of them are "never-before seen". This book takes an inside look at the fascinating lives of both Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, the complete history of the I Love Lucy show, and how life was for everyone after I Love Lucy ended. It even has sort of a scrapbook chapter in the end with pictures and descriptions of the plots from the 35 "best" Lucy shows (I think all of them are the best! ). "I Love Lucy: The Complete Picture History of The Most Popular TV Show Ever" was written by Michael McClay, the son of one of Lucy's former publicists, so a great amount of information is accurate. I am a die-hard Lucy fan who has taped every episode of I Love Lucy and owns A LOT of books and videos on the lives of Lucy and Desi, so take my word for it: This is a must have for everyone who loves Lucy.

A hundred or so ways to some up with more, and thus better, ideas. The creative methods detailed in this book are new and excellent tools for any business or creative person. Michael goes through ways to change your view of a problem, dozens of idea generating methods, sorting and weeding techniques, and group and individual methods. The number and quality of surprising, startling, practical, usable, and results-generating ideas was a shock. And despite the 335 pages, it is not over written, as many large books are. This is a tight, easy reading, tool chest for innovation. And this collection of "Thinkertoys" will be part of your intellectual and problem-solving arsenal for years. As long as there are problems to solve, fun to have, and profits to make (through customers to serve) this book will be a heavenly gift and asset to anyone who reads and uses it

This book is everything it's advertised to be. It's a creative thinking workshop in a book. I can't imagine how the author could have written a better or more useful book on creativity in business. Wonderful job, Michael!

Do yourself a favor: buy this book for yourself, your friends, and your family. Then if you get the chance, go to one of Mr. Michalko's speaking engagements! You will be miles ahead of the pack in your creative thinking skills! Then go buy a puzzle book by Terry Stickels called "Mind-Bending Puzzles - Volume 2 [ with a forward by Michalko}... then you'll be on your way to being a guru in both creative and critical thinking skills!!!!

This is a great book for the general public as well as naive health care professionals to learn about Natural Medicine. EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A COPY OF THIS BOOK AND STUDY IT. YOUR LIFE MAY DEPEND ON IT. I have learned that I am eating totally wrong and am setting myself up for a cardiovascular disaster. And I'm a doctor and should know better! Now I can set things straight.

Yeah, I'm an M.D. and have been trained to treat my patients with chemicals (Allopathic Medicine), but I have been trying to expand my knowledge base about the practice of medicine and luckly stumbled on Dr. Murray's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine.

I will integrate what I have and will learn about Natural Medicine in my everyday practice (and my own life!). I feel that, with certain exceptions, Natural Medicine should be tried first. Only when that fails or is inappropriate should Allopathic Medicine be used.

There is a growing trend for M.D.'s to use Natural Medicine in their practice. ...

As a student preparing to enter into the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine provides a wonderfully interesting, informative and easy-to-reference guide to natural medicines. What I enjoyed most was the fact that this book avoids giving a simple "run-down" of the natural treatments used for specific conditions. Instead, it teaches the reader the philosiphy behind how those natural treatments work (for example by promoting the healing power of our body), and therefore why they are used to treat certain conditions. The authors also do a great job of "backing-up" what is written with solid scientific evidence. This addresses a major concern readers have, namely, the validity of natural treatments. While there is still a multitude of research yet to be done, the authors utilize the available research and combine it nicely with the wisdom of centuries-old medical practices from various cultures around the wor! ld. Finally, the applicability of this book is widespread. It is a complete and comprehensive guide for both the everyday person as well as doctors and students (of both Traditional and Naturopathic/Complimentary Medicines).

I have long been a proponent of taking my own health into my own hands. Murray's reference book was first given to me by a friend. It encompasses a diverse array of health concerns and treatments that WE, the people, can access on our own. With sites like Amazon where we can peruse books on alternative health as well as one my friend recently recommended, Papanature, which has a substantial stock of natural supplements and vitamins. etc. I was pleased with the information, the documentation links, the products and the prices which Papanature provided so I ordered. Many of the items covered in Murray's Encyclopedia can be found from this source.

In this wonderful book, Mr. Modzelewski reverses the saying that "A picture is worth a thousand words." With the style of a poet using compressed, precise sentences the author gives us vivid word pictures of northern nature. You don't read this book as much as see it unfold with great force and beauty across the mind's eye. In the days since finishing "Inside Passage" I've come to the conclusion that Mr. Modzelewski is really a modern shaman, drawing direct power and grace from the land and animals. That's why the prose pictures are so clear, for they are unfiltered by Ego. By surrenduring himself to the wilderness (instead of trying to dominate it like most men that write this type of book), the wilderness rises up to show itself directly through him.

Inside Passage is a book for the ages. An awe-inspiring piece of work that has left me both breathless and wanting more. Each image is created with such care and heart, the spirit of a "warrior" and the heart of a "man" shines through in each page. Inside Passage will leave an idelible mark on both the reader and the readers soul. A must read for anybody who has ever had a dream or a person seeking refuge in the majestic landscape of the Alaskan wilds. Modzleweski presents a totally-balanced account. Unlike many authors who've left the city for the wilds he doesn't "deify" Native Americans. He describes each Kwakiutl he meets as an individual with different life-styles, education-levels, and manners of speaking. Inside Passage brings out the raw and harsh natural laws man must live by in the wilderness, but intertwined within that plot is a story of unharnessed adventure and a life worth living. Having visited the Inside Passage the past two summers, I can say that the author brought the area totally alive! In the economical and passionate-style of a poet, Modzelewski goes far-beneath the surface of an awesome place. Most of all, he takes the reader on a spiritual VisionQuest-where as he describes it:"The Inside Passage is real dream country. Even on land you are moved. The tides that carry the great whales move the bulk of your thoughts just as effortlessly. On the islands, the surrounding sea enters your subconcious, creating a rippling mirror that reflects reality from many perspectives. There is no concrete to fix attitudes, harden dreams. The world around you constantly flows in many levels, swirling deep fathoms into you, loosening holdfasts and safeguards, stirring up sediment, provoking protean change." Reading this book changed my life. Now I see the world through un-biased eyes. Life is a challenge and a blessing, I accept it with passion and un-dying gratitude. Mr. Modzelewski has opened my eyes to a world I never knew existed, and for that I am forever en-debted to him. This book will change you; I guarantee it!

After reading Inside Passage,I felt my soul was baptized by the beauty of Alaska and the author Michael Modzelewski was the minister who administered the baptismal ceremony for many poor polluted souls. My outlook of life has been changed since then. Every day and every minute I live is full of beauty and purity like Alaska's blue sky. I would like to live in inside Passage every summer!

The first thing I have to say is that this book is the most extraordinary book I have ever read. I began reading these books as a very young child. I am now 25 and it has left a wonderful impression on my soul. As a young child I was so amazed at Pippi's spunk and ability to do things on her own free will. It wasn't until I was older that I was able to reflect on her influence on my life. Pippi shows children the value of self esteem and the power to do anything once you set your mind to it. Pippi never cares what people think of her and speaks her mind adamently. She is so loved by everyone that the effect of her quirky personality is above everything you could imagine. There are so many "lessons" in her stories that are hidden in little bits and pieces. I fiercly believe that Pippi allowed me, as a child, to open up to my imagination and become a strong individual. As I said, I am now in my twenties and am scavaging all her books in hopes of showing my "future" children the delights of her incredible behavior. I HIGHLY suggest these books to adolescents-you wouldn't believe the magic enclosed. Pippi did to me what Harry Potter is doing to the world now. Harry, unfortunately is just a little late.

Review of Pippi Longstocking

Pippi Longstocking has no family to look after her, but she's not alone. She lives in a big house, with her horse and a monkey, and has other friends, both human and animal, to play with. She's an unusual child. She's very unruly, but has a giving nature and enjoys giving things to her friends. She has great strength, both inside and out. As a character she's remarkable, strong in body, mind, and spirit. She has a cheerful disposition and likes things to be fair. Since she's lived alone for a time, she doesn't always know how to behave around adults, which gets her into trouble, most of the time without her intention. If you like reading about children's adventures, this is the book for you!!!

These books (this hardcover edition is actually the three original books in one!) were some of my favorites when I was a child. I first encountered Pippi when my grandma took us girls to the movies to see the original film (starring Inger Nilsson - VERY hard to find!). Despite the painfully bad special effects and overdubbing from Swedish to English, I was enchanted by the story...naturally had to run out to the library and check out all the books! The "Pippi Longstocking" books transcend time - children today can still enjoy them. Only the finest children's books (Walter Farley's, Laura Ingalls Wilder's and Margurite Henry's come immediately to mind) can continue to captivate today's jaded youngsters.

I was fortunate enough to come across a copy of "The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking" as a Christmas present for my 9 year old niece. It's wonderful to see her enjoying Pippi's adventures with Tommy, Annika, Mr. Nilsson, and the rest of the characters as much as I did (more years ago than I wish to remember!)

I read the book the first time for enjoyment. Then I read it again to help me start implementing solution selling. If you sell high value high dollar software or services this is a must read. In fact, I work with several sales people in my company that use the techniques in this book and they have been extremely successful. The book is easy to follow and you will notice changes right away if you implement solution selling. It is really focused on controlling the buying process.

It is often said that "people buy people" and Michale Bosworth's book "Solution Selling" explains why. Can you remember buying a big ticket item and not having to be "closed" on the deal? Well I can, and Solution Selling explains exactly how that happened. Michael Bosworth crystalizes the process that all great sales people use every day to become one of the 20% that make 80% of the sales. Once you have read this book, you will recognize "Solution Selling" techniques being used by the sales masters to effectively create relationships that close the sale. These techniques can be used to create win-win relationships in the workplace, or to make increased sales. I have benefitted greatly from reading this book and I say "Don't let this one get away without reading it!" Thanks Michael Bosworth for demystifying the sales process and letting us know why sales people are, and should be, the most highly paid people in the world.

Bosworth sells us all on solution selling. He teaches us how to sell everything from shoes to software. IBM recommends this book as the definitive guide to their sales strategy. Bosworth provides numerous examples, case studies, and most importantly he explains and analyzes each of them. But perhaps the best example of solution selling is the book itself -- it solution-sells the concept of solution selling, from catching our attention, demonstrating that a problem exists, asking us questions, and finally prescribing a solution: solution selling. A must read for anyone in sales or business in general

You guys have got it all wrong! There is a trilogy: These Old Shades, Devil's Cub and The Infamous Army. I love the dialogue. "I am not considered dangerous until after the third bottle" or "No sir, not a gentle man, a noble man." Infamous Army is about the Battle of Waterloo and one of the heroines is the daughter of Vidal and Mary Challoner.(She has her parents and grand parents traits: Red hair, gold painted toenails, compelling sexuality, great rider, supremely unconconcious of the attention she attracts in the ball room, no physical fear). I was reared on these books: I remember Dad and Mum and I all struck down with flu fighting over who would get to read Frederica, the Grand Sophy, Sylvester or Venetia. These and the Avon family series are our favourites.

This is the second book in the trilogy. We first meet Justin, Duke of Avon, in These Old Shades. (He is NOT the Duke in The Black Moth.) These characters are delightfully developed and sustained in The Devil's Cub with the introduction of Justin and Leonie's son, Dominic. It is marvelous! The Infamous Army is the third book and introduces Dominic's grand-daughter during the war with Napoleon.

This is the sequel to Heyer's 'These Old Shades' which was my introduction to her Regency writings. I liked 'Devil's Cub' almost as much as 'These Old Shades'. There are a lot of un-PC things that both Mary and Vidal do but at the time these books were written, a lot of un-PC things happened every day in normal life. Mary has her morals, Vidal is a charming rake, and they manage to fight more often than not in the first 7/8ths of book. The writing is superb and the plot moves along briskly. It would be wonderful to read the two books consecutively but it's almost impossible to find 'These Old Shades' nowadays.

My reaction to this book was extremely mixed. I ordered it by mistake, after confusing it with another book that had "Everyday Life" in the title. The section about the involvement of the various states in the war was generally excellent--and provided a good reminder that the Civil War didn't affect only the eastern seaboard states that tend to get the most attention. Details about country and city life, military organization and insignia, the war's timeline, shortages in the south, and events leading up to the war were extremely helpful. This information is concise, well organized, and well illustrated.

What concerns me in books that are supposed to serve as a factual resource for others is when I find obvious errors. The women's fashion section perpetuates Hollywood myths about Civil War-era fashions. Mr. Varhola would have done well to consult Juanita Leitch's well-researched "Who Wore What," considered the Bible for those involved in living history depicting the 1850s and 1860s. Instead, he leaves the reader with the impression that most women dressed like Scarlett O'Hara. The two pictures he selected to portray women's fashions are a ruffled ballgown, reminiscent of Scarlett's white dress in GWTW, and a Zoave jacket/Garibaldi shirt combination favored by less-authentic Civil War reenactors. Experts on 1860s fashion consider the latter a high-fashion item that most average women would not have worn. Terminology and descriptions about underpinnings also do not ring true.

I would give the overall book four stars, but the fashion section and some disappointing information about my home state two stars, thus my rating is an average. Someone just learning about the period would find the book quite useful--as long as they ignored the fashion section. Those more familiar with the period likely would regard it as a less useful rehash of information they have already read.

Varhola's book has been quite useful to me. A far cry from the usual recounting of battle minutiae, the book has cleared up several of my misperceptions about what life was like during the Civil War era. Chapter 8, "Slang and Idiom," is a must for any writer hoping to create believable--and accurate--period dialogue; and the book as a whole is loaded with the type of information that would interest anyone remotely interested in this aspect of our country's history. Bravo!

This is a great book for Civil War buffs and novices, alike. It's a wonderful trip back in time with details that allow the reader to really experience what life was like during this important era in our history.

Peter Pan is a good adventure/fantasy that kids and adults can enjoy alike. With much exaggeration, it is something kids can enjoy and read into. It's a page-turning book that once you started you can't stop.

Wow! What a great story this is! I picked it up on a whim years ago having enjoyed the Disney cartoon, and when I finally got around to reading it, I couldn't put the darn thing down. This is really exciting stuff! Peter is ten times as irrascible as he is in the toon. One line has always stuck in my head - its where Peter is faced with certain death (I forget exactly what). He thinks to himself that its quite possible he could die, and thinks `That would be the greatest adventure of all!' That line sums of the feel of this book. Imagine being a kid who can never grow up who has the power to fly through a world woven of dreams and fairytales....I learned later that this was probably the sincere wish of the author, James Barrie, who was afflicted with a disease which made it impossible for him to grow. Though an adult in mind, he was the stature and semblance of a child. The warmth of this story has a deep heartfelt resonance in the heart of any boy who has grown up having adventures in his mind. It can't really be described -it has to be read and appreciated. If you love fantasies in the vein of The Never Ending Story and The Wizard of Oz, you will love this book.

Driving with young children in the car quickly convinced me that it was unsafe to not give them something to listen to. After ten years I have collected a large (30+) bag of books-on-tape. I have also loaned them to others and asked for opinions. Peter Pan (read by Wendy Craig) is not only my favorite, but also the favorite of my wife and most of my friends. It is excellent for all ages (4 to 80) and even most hardened teenagers. Humour, presentation, ... a prefect 10.