This is filled with inspirational stories. Would recommend it
as a gift. After finishing, I was relieved to know that failure
can be turned into something dazzling. Thanks, Mr. Tresnioski!

I just finished reading this book...it has given me new insite on life.I loved all the stories,my favorite was the "hot dog" king! I'm going to give this book as a stocking stuffer this year!!!

AFTER READING THIS BOOK YOU CAN'T HELP BUT TO SEE THAT OUR LORD WORKS THUR PEOPLE LIKE ALEX EVERYDAY. I READ THIS BOOK IN ONE NITE NOT BECAUSE IT'S SHORT BUT I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. THE STORIES THAT HAPPEN ARE SAD , FUNNY, BUT MOST OF ALL INSPIRING!
BUY ONE FOR YOURSELF AND BUY ONE FOR A FRIEND . ALSO IF YOU GET A SHOT AT SEEING ALEX SPEAK BE SURE TO GO.

The book was excellent and very thought provoking for my 4 year old i would recommend it highly as a way to teach your child to be forgiving and understanding of others who are less fortunate

Thos book about Alex Rodreguez was very good for youngerchildren. It has cololrful pictures of Alex, and is nice as a paperback. If you are looking for a book about about a good guy for your son or daughter, than this book is perfect.

F.E. Maning was one of those Englismen who arrived in New Zealand before its being integrated in the British Empire. He became a Pakeha Maori, the personal « property » of a Maori chief, trading with his tribe in many articles particularly muskets and gunpowder. The book is interesting because it describes the Maori civlization before its being completely destroyed by colonialization. But it is of great interest in its showing the direct influence of European culture, particularly of the musket, on the fate of the Maoris from the very start of the European presence. Before, this warlike people was living in forts positioned on hilltops and on cliffs, that is to say in dry and healthy places. Only their agriculture was concerned by the low lands that were cultivated. This location of the forts and villages was perfectly well adapted to the use of the spear to defend them. With the musket everything changed. It was necessary, for it being used in best conditions, for the Maoris to move their forts and villages to the lowlands. This made them live in swamps, in very unhealthy territories. Their wars were changed, some of their customs were also changed and their habitat was changed. This last element caused the propagation of serious diseases among the population, causing its reduction over a few decades. This book is thus a perfect testimony about the changes colonialization brought to those populations, those people who some like to describe as primitive.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

I frequently look for positive ways to talk about my son's special needs with his sister. She sometimes has a tough time accepting his differences. "Way to Go, Alex" is a great way to open the conversation about trying to do our best, and being proud of what we can achieve. This story helps my daughter understand that feelings of frustration can be turned around to a more positive approach to the challenges she faces having a brother with learning and physical disabilities. The story accurately depicts how difficult it is for a child to understand and cope with a sibling's disabilities. It is a wonderful introduction to Special Olympics. I hope many parents share the story with their children and discuss how important an encouraging, supportive, and accepting community is for people of all abilities.

The disturbing, thought-provoking autobiography of one of the most influential American black leaders of the 1960s. The book essentially comprises four sections -

1. Alex Haley's long introduction, describing the events leading up to Malcolm X's death;

2. Malcolm X's description of his childhood and youth, which were marred by social deprivation, racial intolerance, the violent death of his father, and his descent into the criminal underworld;

3. Malcolm X's account of how he built his Muslim faith via Elijah Muhammad, and his consequent work with and split from the Nation of Islam;

4. Malcolm X's Hajj to Mecca and the effect that had on his views.

Being white, non-American and non-Muslim, of course this book was difficult for me to appreciate in full. Nonetheless, I found it to be at times a very unsettling read, as no doubt it was meant to be. The descriptions of Malcolm X's childhood and youth give an insight into small-town intolerance and the shady nether-world of the big cities (especially of the hypocritical "respectable" whites who sought black people for sexual favors, yet wouldn't be seen anywhere near a black person in a "normal" social context).

The account of Malcolm X's conversion to Islam and the growth of the Nation of Islam was the most difficult part for me. Notwithstanding Malcolm X's arguments to the contrary, I consider that his view that "all whites are devils" was pure reverse-racism. To state that he was referring to whites as a whole, not as individuals, was disingenuous, and directly contradicted by both his own constant referral to individual whites in those terms, and by the shift in his views after the Hajj. Trotting out a cocktail of genetic/racist/religious intolerance is symptomatic of the worst and most destructive parts of human history in the twentieth century - it should be challenged from whathever source it comes, as it offers no positive future. Added to which, I find the "my-God-is-bigger-and-better-than-your-God" argument utterly demeaning.

To be fair, Malcolm X ends the book on a hopeful note. He did pause to reflect upon his experiences in Saudi Arabia and challenged his own beliefs. His view that we should all work for non-racist societies, unfortunately, still remains a vision rather than a reality. Surely Malcolm X was right in his consistent point that there must be a re-learning and re-contextualisation of world history, and of the need for a greater awareness that the socio-economic power of the West also brings with it great obligations to use that power fairly and contructively.

When I was first told by my Ethics teacher (I'm a high school Junior) that our syllabus would include The Autobiography of Malcolm X, I questioned why. Why in a course of ethics, would we study Malcolm X? As we delved into the book, I realized that it was an integral part of our studies. Malcolm's plight was a slap in the face, especially from my point of view. My first reaction to his "rants" on white america, was pure anger, I felt his vast generalizations to be demeaning and insulting, and if it had not be required reading, I would have probably put the book down. I am thankful that I didn't, because it has opened my eyes, and I believe that every person, regardless of religion, race, or creed, needs to experience this book, and examine Malcolm's life as a hustler to a martyr. My views will forever be changed by the words of Alex Haley, and the amazing story of Malcolm X.

Growing up in a home where Martin Luther King, Jr. was considered the closest thing to a saint, I was not aware of much about Malcolm X. He was the ONE who was too radical, too opinionated, and too controversial for my parents to accept.

However, when I saw Spike Lee's masterful motion picture autobiography, I had to find out more about this man. I was led to read the life story in his own words and am I glad that I did.

Malcolm X was an individual who encompassed the rage and the determination of the black man of the 1960's. He began, as have so many struggling to survive in the inner city, as a hustler involved in the numbers game. This led to an incareration which brought him into the "light" of Islam.

His views changed and he spearheaded much of that movement designed to faciliate black economic survival and pride. He was misquoted, misunderstood, and underappreciated by the very people that he sought to uplift.

The book will bring the reader greater insight into this most complex human being. Previous biases about him should be placed aside and take him for what he was: a Black man with a mission, a mission to instill integrity and self-sufficiency in a people long denied many of America's basic principles.

"The People of Many Faces" was very interesting. I liked reading about making the mask. It was interesting how they carved it right out of the tree.I suggest this book if you are interested in the histry of the Natives.I enjoyed this book and hope you will to. :)

..who need a little help with their manners.

Written in a simple and easy to understand format, it instantly grabs your attention and holds you. Depending on the teen, it may or may not make a difference.

In severe cases of 'fashion disasters' and 'that punk rock look' not to mention 'pig manners' this book may not help much. Teens who pierce themselves repeatedly and die their hair to look like a Easter egg will probably not benifit much from this book.

On the other hand, teens who are activly interested in changing their behavior could very well get a wealth of use out of this book! =)

A great book for teens. It answers tough questions on friends, family, and school. It teaches good manners and proper behavior and has many great stories. Altough it was very basic.

Though the research is great, the writing isn't. There needed to be more editing on many parts of the book. The information is great but a lot of Prince die-hard fans(like me) already know his biography except for the later years. As for the later years of Prince I wanted more info especially in his marriages. I think the author was afraid to be labeled as a "tabloid" writer and didn't dwelve more into how his view of women and the lack of showing emotion hurt his 1st marriage. And some typos in the book as his older half(or step) brother Alfred and then his name is incorrectly turned into "Albert". Though there are fantastic reading moments in the book, also great research and marvelous insightful moments in Prince's life that many fans may have not known. However, it's an average to mediocre completion. It could had been done better and also I wish the pictures in the book were in color too!

*Possessed: The Rise and Fall of Prince* generated controversy (pun intended) even before its release. The word 'possessed' in itself conjures a negative connotation. Prince's most ardent fans question if Prince has had a 'fall.' There has also been speculation on the author's intent. Was it to write a salacious and tabloid like bio bashing Prince?

Hahn has answered these last two points quite well in my opinion. Before reading the book, I myself wondered how Prince had 'fallen.' Now I realize I felt that way because I am interested in Prince and have paid attention to him all these years. For the fan who left the fold in the late eighties/early nineties never to return, "the fall" may be much more apparent. In the context of commercial viability, Hahn has undeniably proven Prince has taken a fall. Whether he proves that Prince has also fallen musically is highly subjective and debatable.

As far as salaciousness, I found very little offensive. Hahn does get involved in Prince's personal relationships, but doesn't delve as deeply as other biographers might, pretending they're flies on the wall. While he does occasionally make great assumptions on what Prince is specifically feeling, Hahn doesn't try to recreate private conversations no one could possibly be privy to. Hahn uses quotes from those he's interviewed and his own inferences to paint pictures. In that sense, he is totally respectful.

Situations that were already public knowledge are expanded on, but nothing appears here for sake of titilation.

Although this book is written with much care and in-depth analysis, it still falls upon the reader to make an informed decision to take everything with a grain of salt. In particular, the passages about Prince's personal life. When something doesn't have the ring of truth to it, one has to let it go by.

I found Hahn's description of Prince's transformation from that of rebel to man of apparent increasing conservatism quite fascinating. His point that Prince may never continue to grow as a musician because he does not surround himself with people who challenge him is made as saliently as the notion that his fan base will never increase if he limits himself to his NPGMusicClub alone.

Some want their heroes to be flawless. Fans reading should prepare themselves that the tale told is not a pretty one at times. All humans are flawed and Prince is no exception.

Do I get upset when I read accounts of Prince treating people badly? Not particularly. I recognize that there are psychological issues going on underneath. Hahn makes it very clear that control and manipulation cover for Prince's own vulnerabilities and insecurities that he wishes for no one to see, perhaps even himself!

I am of the opinion that no biography can ever truly be definitive without the input of the subject. However, Alex Hahn has done his homework, and admirably so in my opinion. While some die-hard fans and "Prince apologists" will probably find much to be upset about, the fact is, Hahn makes his points incredibly well. I find no appearance of deliberate malice towards Prince in this book.

How will fans react to *Possessed*? Depends on what kind of fan they are. If they are fans that refuse to believe anything negative about their idol, they will hate it. If they are fans that have objectivity, they will probably find it very interesting. I fall into the latter category.

I loved this book. I have been an avid (artist formally known as) Prince fan for years, and I found this the best book on him to date. I got so much insight into Prince's life, music, and psyche! It is well written and riveting. Its clear that it was very well researched; I feel even with everything I already knew about Prince that I was learning new information. Excellent read!