I'm a budding short story writer ,myself, and no course, no workshop, no amount of instruction can subsitute for the lessons one learns leafing through and ingesting these exquisite paragraphs of John Updike. I find myself, in this volume, more than other Updike works, reading and re-reading the prose, even emailing sections to friends, like a fine restaurant I want to tell people about. Like a band that plays exceptionally well live which you get to catch on a great night, Updike, here , is "on", he is at the absolute peak of his craft. I only wish there were more collections of short stories written as well as these.

There is little, if anything, one is able to say that can possibly capture the beauty or majesty of a great Updike story. The gentle yet exact measure of his sentences, the bewilderingly complex yet infinitely fluid (and eventually near-epiphanic) weaving of narratives, his control of internal characterization--few are masters in the manner that John Updike is a master.

And this volume contains his greatest story--possibly what I feel to be the greatest piece of literature in all of latter-half 20th century American literature (and we're including it all here, not just short stories). The last story of the volume: Packed Dirt, Churchgoing, A Dying Car, A Traded Car.

Enough with the theoretics and generalities here. This story can change your life. Or, at the very least, it can alter the way in which you interact with literature--what you can expect out of literature.

One piece of advice, though: read it in one sitting.
Seriously.
Don't get up, even just for a little while to fix something to eat. Don't read it bit by bit (it's long, so you may be tempted). And, whatever you do, don't look at the last page before it's time.

It may seem disjointed. It may seem an odd accumulation of narratives. Don't stop reading.

Two years, and a hundred readings later, I still haven't gotten over that first experience. What I wouldn't give to have it again...

These stories are sublime. Read "Flight" and try not to grunt with pleasure! And let Archangel take you on a trip through the magic of words. Updike is at his best here. "Pigeon Feathers," the story for which the book is named, will astound you. Each story is a gem. If you want to read fiction that is beyond the assembly-line garbage...far, far beyond...read this book. See for yourself that America is still producing world-class literature. If you are a writer of short stories, make this your Bible.

This book is a sleeping giant. It is so profound. Like Thoreau said, "It's not what lies before you or behind you but what lies within you that is important." As the author was enduring all the horrific events in his life, he always possessed a positive spirit and never gave up, no matter what obstacle was placed before him. It is truly an amazing story that almost everyone can relate to for we all have had to deal with adversity of one kind or another. Reading this book was a healing experience for me and helped to bring closure to issues in my own past. I encourage everyone to read it. It would make an excellent movie about child abuse, religious cults, and extreme control of others, bordering on the demonic. But most important of all, it is a story about hope shing out from the darkness of pain and suffering, both physical and emotional. The message it left me with is that no matter what we have to endure, we can survive and become loving positive people as well.

For those readers who struggle with abuse this book will bring hope. For those readers who are conselors it is inspirational.Church leaders, ministers, and youth directors can be enlightened to what may be going on in their parishes. I highly recommend this book to all age groups. It is a book you will not be able to lay aside until you have read it to its completion

I am a close friend of one of Dr. Hall's daughters. Before even learning about the book, I knew Dr. Hall to be an amazing and wise man. I knew nothing of his life or his personal storyAfter his daughter told me about the book, I admit, I read it out of respect. However, by the second or third chapter, i knew that this was not an ordinary biography of an ordinary man. Instead, I found this to be the story of a man, given extrodinary grace by God to overcome obstacles that many would not be able to overcome. Through his life, he was faced with barriers, but through a deep faith in Jesus Christ, he overcame all obstacles placed in front of him. I recomend this book to any who seeks inspiration in times of trials, or encouragement in times of trials. Definitely one that you can't put down.

Melissa is urged to compete in Westdale High's first homecoming in 25 years by her friends, Izzy and Celeste. At first, Melissa's anxious to start campaigning, however, her spirits are dampened when the news of why Westdale hasn't had a homecoming until now gets around to her. Apparently, homecoming queen Brenda Sheldon had an accident on the night of homecoming. Rumor has it that her ghost is still seen around town, wanting to reclaim her crown. After a brief scare, Melissa overlooks the talk, until terrible accidents start occurring to the others running for the title; two barely missing Melissa! Who's doing this, and why? The answer is revealed in the exciting conclusion!.....

"Homecoming Queen" by John Hall was amazing! Mystery and suspense seems to wrap you up in an exciting blanket, nonstop! It was one of the few books that actually gave me chills. It is nicely descriptive, with a killer-surprise ending! The only flaw for me personally, was that I had previously read a book, "My Bloody Valentine," that was similar to this book, which took a little originality out of it for me! If you haven't read that book, though, you should be fine! Enjoy!

Also recommended:
a.) "Someone at the Door" by Richie Tankersley Cusick
b.) "Starstruck" by Richie Tankersley Cusick
c.) "April Fools" by Richie Tankersley Cusick
d.) "The Train" by Diane Hoh
e.) "The Invitation" by Diane Hoh
f.) "Slay Bells" by Jo Gibson
g.) "My Bloody Valentine" by Jo Gibson
h.) "Double Date" by Sinclair Smith
i.) All R. L. Stine young-adult thrillers
j.) All books by Joan Lowery Nixon

Home coming Queen is about a girl called Mellisa, who moves to a new school called Westdale. She gets nominated to run for Home coming Queen, until she finds out about Brenda Sheldon. Thats when Mellisa starts getting weird phone calls and strange stuff begins to happen to her, and one by one the nominees who are also running for home coming queen, have very fatal accidents. I think that Home coming Queen is a really excellent book and it's never boring. It is very well discripted and thet helps you to imagine the events taking place. The book is written by John Hall. I would give it 10/10 because it's the best book I've ever read.

WELL IT IS ABOUT THIS GIRL NAMED MELLISA BRADY IS IN THE TWELTH GRADE AND SHE IS RUNNING FOR HOMECOMING QUEEN BUT WHEN SHE RUNS FOR THE QUEEN STRANGE THINGS START TO HAPPEN TO HER FRIENDS AND HER AND SHE DOSENT KNOW WHY IT IS HAPPENING

NYU's Stern School Of Business uses this book and its a well-crafted introduction to financial accounting. While taking accounting at the other New York business school, I deep sixed my assigned accounting book and instead borrowed my wife's. It coverage of topics and pedagogical flow are quite approachable and manageable. Struggling friends begain to purchase it for themselves. An excellent book. An interesting book as well. Case examples and references keep things interesting. Not just dry rules.

An Introduction to acconting, Assets, The time value of money, Liabilities and equities, financial Investment, Analysis, Role of accounting and Debits and credits

Accounting is the type of subject that can ramp up quickly in difficulty, and this text plots a nearly perfect learning curve in getting the reader well-grounded in the fundamentals. I purchased this text as a requirement for a course, but it is a definite keeper and I would recommend it without hesitation to anyone interested in learning about accounting.

Anne is the Bronte we never read in school and most of us don't read afterwards, which is a big loss for those who don't, because she's at least as talented as her two older sisters. "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" can hold its own against "Jane Eyre" or "Wuthering Heights" any day in the week, but it was panned in its own time, in large part because of its "unladylike" topic of alcoholism. Anne Bronte knew alcoholism first hand through her brother Bramwell who drank himself to death, and her revulsion of the alcoholic personality is central to this book. The heroine of "Tenant", Helen Graham, is a headstrong and independent young woman, who marries Arthur Huntington against the advice of her family. She is one of those who loves not wisely but too well, because Arthur, a selfish and irresponsible womanizer, cares about nothing but satisfying his own wishes and desires. Helen wants to help Arthur turn his life around, which Arthur couldn't care less about, and his drinking and adultery right under her nose eventually repels her to the point where she despises him as much as she once loved him. It is only when she sees him attempting to influence her young son to become a chip off the old block, that she realizes her responsibility as a mother to save her son from his father trumps her duty as a wife to stand by her husband. With the help of her brother, she runs away with her son to the anonymity of life in a small village. Here she meets Gilbert Markham, who falls in love with her, but realizes that their relationship has no future as long as her husband is alive. Arthur's ultimate death from alcoholism not only frees Helen from an abusive and degrading marriage, it also leaves her free to find happiness with Gilbert. Anne Bronte pulled no punches in writing this book and that is probably what so perturbed readers of her own era; too bad for them, because they were unable to appreciate this book for what it is, one of the unrecognized classics of English literature.

I read "The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall" by Anne Bronte for my review of personal reading in English last year and I thought it was really gripping. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it.

It tells the story of a young woman's struggle for independence, against law and a society which defined a married woman as her husband's property. The novel, which uses extracts from her diary and narration from her neighbour, is very interesting and quite realistic.

It seems to me that the most interesting thing about the novel, is the build up of tension Bronte uses to sustain the reader's attention. It is stimulating and creates a little excitement in the book.

Helen Graham moves into Wildfell Hall with her son. She is a single mother and earns her living as a painter. Her neighbour, Gilbert Markham, takes a sudden interest in her and wants to find out everything about her. Although she is quite content being friends with him, she wants nothing more. As soon as he becomes too personal, she reminds him that friendship is the principal of their relationship. As they spend more time together, though, she learns to trust him and reveals the truth about her past. She is living at Wildfell Hall under a false surname, hiding from her husband who is an adulterer. The only other person who knows of this is her landlord, who Gilbert learns late in the novel, is in fact, her brother.

One thing which I found gripping about this story, was the build up of tension Bronte used. She took her time, revealing one thing, building up the tension again, then revealing another. She continued to do this throughout the story, and this is what kept me interested. It is a story, in which two people who love one another, are prevented from being together by society and their own natural reticence. We know romance often has this, but Bronte creates a strong desire in the reader for them to be together. She puts real obstacles in the way of their love for each other, such as the fact that Helen is already married and has a child to her husband. This therefore, causes the reader to understand the story more.

Charlotte Bronte was the productive sister. Emily Bronte graced us with one powerful, brillient masterpiece. What about Anne, the forgotton Bronte sister? The Tenant of Wildfell Hall proves Anne Bronte has no trouble matching her sisters in talent. Brilliently executed, this novel engrosses your mind, leaving it immune to distractions.

This novel begins through the eyes of an English countryman, Mr. Markham, and continues switching to the viewpoint of Helen, a mysterious newcomer to Mr. Markham's small gossip-ridden community, and then back to Mr. Markham. The entire book is in first-person narrative- an excellent oppertunity for Bronte to flex her descriptive muscles. I found the characters to be well-developed and symbolic, especially Arthur Huntingdon. At first we are led to despise him, even wish for his death, yet as the story unfolds we pity him, even understand why Helen once loved him.

Bronte's message is clear- society torments women. This book is bold in it's suggestions, considering it was created in 19th century England. I suggest you buy it; it is a book to read more than once

In _Halls of Fame_ John D'Agata exudes the confidence and free-spirit typical of a twenty-something, while at the same time he has the sharp analytical skills of an older more experienced writer. Someone has compared this young man to Anne Carson and indeed the influence of poetry over this work is obvious, but I kept thinking about the razor-sharp writing of Joan Didion's essays as I was reading _Halls of Fame_. The way this author fashions his words is unlike anything I've read recently, certainly unlike anything I've read by any writer near John D'Agata's age, and definitely unlike anything else that calls itself a collection of essays. Poetic, poignant, evocative, smelling of the underside of American life, _Halls of Fame_ tells the story of a young man but does so through the stories of others. If for anything else, THIS is what sets the book, and its author, apart from its peers: raised on memoir and the "Real World" and "Jerry Springer," generation x seems convinced that navel-gazing makes for great literature. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. But this book wants to at least offer a sparkling glimpse at the alternative.

What the essay can do is this: "Halls of Fame"--a book that I think changes everything in the field that people call "nonfiction." Forget about melodramatic memoirs with fancy sequined blinders on or investigative journalism that's as formulaic as the New Yorker's past 500 issues or critical expositons on mundane intellectual trinkets, "Halls of Fame" by John D'Agata is as "fact" driven as all of those forms but as entertaining as a circus. (A bad analogy, but there in fact truly is something circus-like about the subjects D'Agata pursues and his attempts to combine them oddly, juxtaposing at times the absolutely absurd with the wonderfully sublime.) I've been waiting for a writer to turn our attention back to the disciplined sensibility of the classic American essay; this guy does it by taking tradition of the essay and spinning it anew for the 21st century. If you love nonfiction and want to know where it's likely to be heading, I recommend this book more strongly than anything else out in this genre at the moment.

any writer with d'aagata's talent would turn to poetry or fiction, or maybe even screenwriting these days. it's rare to find a writer so young with already the finely honed skills of a journalist turning to this obscure form of essay writing, the 'lyric essay', in order to make art. it's risky and it pays off.

you need to sit for a long time with the book, give it space in your head to stretch. i would even recommend starting at the back of the book, and moving backward, for thats where his 'easiest' work is. however difficult the essays seem however, at every turn they pay off. my friend said he recently booked himself into the luxor hotel in las vegas just because he wanted to see this place that d'agata wrote about.

he's got a knck for combining research, witt, and empathy that makes the voice in this book something truly extra-ordinary.

I own the hardback copy of this book...actually I have owned it for a few years now. It is one of those books that become a literary treasure in your bookcase. I was so hooked on this book when I first got it, I read it from cover to cover in one day...I just couldn't put it down!

Dr. McCormack in the US can be likened to James Herriott of England. His stories of animals that he treated and the start of his career in the 1960's makes the reader feel they are right along side him assisting in whatever procedure needs to be done to his animal patient.

I am a person of great compassion for animals and as a reader, I was truly appreciative that the love and compassion that Dr. McCormack has for his animal patients shines through to the reader's soul. I laughed with this book..I have cried with this book...I have pulled for the sick animal in this book...I have rooted Dr. McCormack through as he treated tough cases in this book.

There are books about animals and then there are the special books about animals because the respect, compassion from the writer is there and the animal patients become real as one reads along the journey in the book.

If you are a James Herriott fan or an animal lover who is a reader, I highly, and I stress highly, suggest getting this book and reading it!

My people are not from Choctaw County, but we're from "around there." This is not only a sympathetic and heartfelt account of a rural vet practice in the sixties; it's a very accurate look at the folks you were likely to meet then and there, both the good and the bad. I have met most of the folks he talks about, or at least their near relations. Dr. McCormack's extended meditation on the verbal mangling of his job description by his neighbors is alone worth the price of admission, although the account of his visit to the Governor's Mansion driving the "rounds vehicle" and a too-long-delayed boar cutting run it very close. Excellent book.

I really enjoyed this book. It had good detail, and you really felt like you were going on the rounds with Dr. McCormack. I have read it several times since I bought it, and it is hard to put down each time, even though I know the outcome!

I enjoyed reading how tough it was to convert some of the farmers to the methods of modern veterinary medicine, and it was interesting to read the different methods the farmers had preferred to treat the illnesses in their livestock and pets until their was more modern help available.

This book when first opened looked long and daunting, but one you get started there is no way to put it down! It chronicals two families, the Hazards and the Mains, through the build up to the Civil War. The Hazards are from the North while the Mains call the South home, and that often threats to break their friendship apart. It follows generations of the two families through the turblent Civil War, and even has correct historical references. It keeps the reader entertained through all 800 pages, and is worth reading for anyone interested in history, or just wanting to read a good book. I can often not read books longer than 400 pages without getting bored, but this one transended those boundaries and made me want to read it till the last page, and then i was disappointed it was over.

Jakes combines romance and history in this tale of two families, one Northern and one Southern, tied by friendship but almost torn apart by the turmoil the US experiences prior to the Civil War. I admire Jakes for beginning this book in the 1840s and tackling the pre-war era that is so important for fully understanding the war. So many historical fiction writers begin their works just as the war begins and the background is not properly set. Jakes' charcters, especially those of Orry, George, Charles, Madeline, Ashton, Brett and Billy are well drawn and capture the reader's sympathies. The television mini-series didn't do this book justice; it is an excellent read.

North and South is the story of the Hazard and Main families. George Hazard and Orry Main meet on the way to West Point. The two form a strong bond and become lifelong friends. In fact, the families become quite close. The bond and friendship of the families are tested by the events of the world and by family members. North and South tells us the events leading up to the Civil War and the impact they have on the two families.

This book is very well written. Mr. Jakes conveys many emotions during the 800+ pages. There is humor, sorrow, pity, anger, confusion, and love just to name a few. I couldn't help but feel sorry for the families and all they went through. Reading this book I think I got a great understanding of what the country must have been like during this time. There is a lot of detail put into the story. It makes it very interesting to read.

North and South is a book definitely worth reading. It will put you on the edge of your seat and keep you turning the pages to find out what will happen next. It doesn't matter if you're a history fanatic or not, this book is excellent. Definitely worth the time reading it.

Comprehensive, accesible and updated with great Web resources. Highly recommended!

This is a fun and easy to understand book for a often-tedious though important subject --corporate finance. Wachowicz takes pain to update the book through his web page. Excellent!

This book is used in the Applied Capital Budgeting at University of Massachussetts Dartmouth. It's a very helpful and useful book. In order to understand time value of money, financial statement analysis , capital budgeting and risk , return , I am strongly advise you to buy this book.

Princess of Mars is a fantastic, wild ride. I think everyone makes a mistake though of saying it's just a guys book. I'm a woman, and it was my mother who recommended Princess to me! I think any girl who's interested in science fiction or fantasy would really enjoy this book. Yeah, it was obviously written with adolescent boys in mind but I think anyone can enjoy this wildly imaginative page turner.

The characters are all extremely likable. John Carter is the perfect southern gentleman. Honorable, loyal, incredibly brave, respectful to women, extremely handsome; a perfect hero who is never boorish or conceited. Then there's Sola, one of the few green Martians to show compassion and kindness, and Tars Tarkas(aren't these names so cool?)a ferocious green martian warrior with a tragic past who is also able to feel compassion and love. And I dare anybody to tell me that they wouldn't want a Woola of their very own! Dejah Thoris though is mainly for the guys. Carter's love and devotion for her was really sweet. I didn't even know that this was part of a book series until I read it on amazon and now I am really eager to read the other books of the series. And wasn't the end cool? I don't think I've ever read an ending quite like that before. What Carter found in the cave at the end was very creepy and intriguing. (I won't give out a spoiler)

Although this is pulp fiction and sort of like a comic book in a way,(I can see mothers in 1912 scolding their kids, "That Edgar Rice Burroughs is going to rot your mind if you keep reading it!") it's still light science fiction at it's best! (I'll warn you right off though, please don't expect something deep and complex like Dune or Darkover and post a review whining about it. Princess is purely for fun.) And am I the only one that thinks Princess would make a really awesome movie?

John Carter, Dejah Thoris, Tars Tarkas, they are all here! This is the totally unbelievable story of a man who got transported to Mars basically, because he thought it would be cool to go, so he wished it, and POOF, he's there. Then, there's the fact that the planet itself and the life on it are also completely ridiculous. FORGET ALL THAT! Read it to be swept up in one of the greatest adventure series of all time. John Carter goes to Barsoom (Mars, to the Martians) rescues the most beautiful woman in the universe and (later in the series) conquers an entire world through the power of his will and the strength of his right arm. Handsome, powerful heroes, beautiful half naked captive princesses just panting to be rescued, Villians, so evil you want to go back in time to strangle their parents, Big ugly friends, (What are you laughing at, remember Chewbacca?) strange beasts, stranger aliens, wierd science, epic battles, betrayals, great reunions. This one's got it all. The best of Burroughs' body of work, the most action packed series from the true master of the action story. Edgar Rice Burroughs is the creator of Tarzan. Don't ever pick up his work expecting an intellectual workout. Just get in and hang on for the ride

You want imagination?..adventure?..a few dabs of science(remember it was written in 1912)?..an ageless hero?..an absolutely beautiful damsel in distress?..a whole new world?..with a language all it's own?..inhabited with strange new creatures?.. friends and foes?..battles royal?..This book, and all 10 or 11 sequels, have it all! ER Burroughs was the early master of science fiction, adventure, and imagination; a man ahead of his time, and he gives the reader a roller-coaster ride of incredible adventures. Join with us now as John Carter meets, rescues,and captures the heart of the INCOMPARABLE Dejah Thoris, Princess of Mars!, and eventually, along with his friend Tars Tarkas, follows suit with the entire red planet, Barsoom to its wild and whacky inhabitants.

Is this intellectual literature?..of course not. Is it non-stop fun and enjoyment, the original page-turner novel?...You bet it is! Pick this book up, start reading, and I guarantee: you won't put it down until you're finished!..and then you'll run out the door and be hunting for the 2nd book in the series, The Gods of Mars, and then # 3, The Warlord of Mars, and on through the series. Be warned: make sure you have access to #'s 2 and 3 before you start The Princess...you'll be sorry if you don't!

I first read the Burroughs Martian novels(there were 10 known to me then) as a graduate student studying Physics, some 40 years ago. They provided the perfect escape from the rigors of courses like Quantum Mechanics and E & M. Now I reread them,and I continue to enjoy. You will too.