A well written book. The author paints an informative picture of an American woman who learns to cope with living in Mexico under difficult and sometimes frightening conditions. She had the courage to withstand adversity and move on to a better life for herself and her children back in the USA. She worked hard for everything and found a soulmate in her new husband.

I read this book while reading Clinton on Clinton at the same time, and found this one to be much more negative. The pyschology of Clinton is interesting, but at time it get a little to in-depth for somebody wanting to know about politics and not childhood lessons that were learned. It talks about Clinton's mother, which is interesting to hear. If you want an overview of Clinton, don't read the book, if you feel like you need to know evrything, read it.

I had never head of this book before I spotted it on the shelf of my local bookstore. But after reading it, I was surprised that it hadn't received more attention and praise. As far as the Clinton books go, this is the few non-partisan works you will find. Further, it is packed with information and original analysis. David Maraniss's biography is still the best on this subject but Mr. Renshon's book is close behind. He complements Maraniss by offering psychological insights and then applying these to Clinton's first term in office. The result is a clever book that will leave the reader more informed and enlightened about this enigmatic president.

I bought this book because I heard a talk by the author on C-Span summarizing the book, and I had been puzzled by Bill Clinton's behavior. This book gets to the root of his behavior and why he does what he does, and why he does it the way he does. Part of the book is devoted to the real history of Clinton's young life, and part to the analysis of recorded behaviours in his political life. The combination truly clarifies what is going on. Stanley Renshon is Professor of Political Science at CUNY with a specialty in Psychology of Political Behavior, and does a fine job in this book.

Just finished reading John Wright's book called "Traveling the High Way Home: Ralph Stanley and the World of Traditional Bluegrass Music."It was published in 1993 by the University of Illinois press. I think all of you would enjoy this interesting look into Ralph Stanley's world and should add this book to your library. The book is not a personal biography. Rather, it starts with one chapter of biographical information, but the bulk of the book is testimony from people in Stanley's world to provide a portrait of him. Most of these transcribed statements are from interviews that John Wright conducted in the mid-80s. I enjoyed reading these insider views from musicians, record company executives, promoters, producers, and fans. This oral history compilation includes statements, in their own words, from individuals like J.E. Mainer, Ruby Rakes Eubanks, George Shuffler, Melvin Goins, Larry Sparks, Curly Ray Cline, Jack Cooke, Dick Freeland, Junior Blankenship, Charlie Sizemore and many others.

I personally would have liked the author to further research and explore Ralph and Carter's upbringing and life. Reading all of the interviews is another approach to gain an insight into Stanley's life, but it does require the reader to assimilate a large quantity of information and draw their own conclusions.

After reading this book, my basic conclusions are pretty much what I already knew: that Ralph Stanley is a man of much integrity and high ideals who adheres to the code of the mountains. His own interview in Chapter 5 of the book is actually a composite of material from eight interviews conducted by various people between 1966-1987. This chapter should be required reading for everyone involved in bluegrass music.

The subtitle of this book ("Traveling the High Way Home") is based on a classic Molly O'Day song which Wright feels could "easily serve as a theme song for Ralph Stanley, personally as well as artistically." This book paints a picture of Ralph Stanley as a man who is an astute and confident professional, who "holds himself up and respects the music." Stanley is still presenting his art, which he calls "the old-time style of what they call bluegrass music." Wright's book is an important and fascinating look at the man and his old-time style. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

"Red Mars" is the best contemporary straight-science fiction novel I've read. As far as plot, structure and style go, I don't have enough space to praise Robinson. It's an EPIC (in capital letters). Granted, he is often a bit long winded, but most of the time "Red Mars" is a page turner with substance. His introductory vignetts at the beginning of each section of the book, in particular, demonstrate his literary muscle. You'll be sold after the first three pages!

The story is excellent, but as or more impressive is Robinson's portrait of the socio-economic/cultural conditions which develop on the planet. Coming from the rather arrogant post-modernistic attitude of "we've invented everything that can be invented" insofar as culture, politics, etc. is concerned, this book is a refreshing surprise. From the environmental Marsfirst movement to the Neo-marxism, the world Robinson has created is rich and interesting.

His characterization is even better. Normally, I would resent the obvious plot device, longjevity (sp?), Robinson uses to allow his characters to live through Mars' entire evolution. However, his characters are so different and engaging that I was easily able to grant him that crutch.

Finally, "Red Mars" also has convincing (at least for a lay person like myself) science. Their scientific gadgets which allow them to make Mars more Earth-like are giddily exotic while staying real enough that I wouldn't be surprised to read about them in the morning paper.

Ultimately, "Red Mars" accels at characterization, story, style, scope and science stuff. It's simply magnificent. (Sorry for the bad pun in the title.)

Considering I'm both a Mars-head and a futurist, five stars was a very easy call.

Red Mars fanned my interest in planetary exploration to a blaze. KS Robinson's detailed prose about the Martian landscape and well-formed depictions of the people and technologies that would pave the way for exploration made the dream of extraterrestrial human settlement tantalizingly real.

For the first half of the book, I looked at all of the technology and thought, "We can DO this!" From their spacecraft to their environment suits to their settlements, everything seemed so close that with an ounce of political will, it could all happen. For those who prefer more futuristic (but also supposedly feasible) gadgets from their scifi authors, Robinson makes a couple of assumptions about materials science and biotech, and gives us a carbon-filament space elevator (built by self-replicating "von Neumann" machines) anti-aging treatments, and organisms that can survive the harsh Martian climate.

Although some may disagree, his extrapolation of the sociological implications of these advances is also compelling. Some have sneered at the "Red" in Red Mars with the scorn of a true McCarthyite. Those reviewers ignore the fact that the bulk of the people in spacefaring countries on Earth (not to mention scientists in general) are a bit to the left of most Americans. Seen from this perspective, the mildly socialist viewpoints expressed in the book are not only explicable, but an insightful prediction of future progressive cultures.

To explore all of these grand ideas, KS Robinson creates a fairly large cast of fascinating characters. While it is apparent that some of them exist mostly to advocate one viewpoint or another (Sax - the scientific wonder of terraforming, Anne - the bare grandeur of the original "Red" Mars, Arkady - the sociological possibilities of another world, Phyllis - crass commercial exploitation) they are given fleshed-out personalities and their relationships with each other are still a good reason to read the book.

Drawbacks: Some are upset that rather than having an adventure-story plot, Red Mars is half an Audubon Guide and half a historical narrative about the trials of the First Hundred, then the first hundred thousand settlers on Mars. Others, as I have said, dislike his politics. Most comment on his lengthy descriptions of geological formations on Mars. Personally, I liked these (but make the next edition with a glossary, please!) Still, if these had been replaced with panoramic, full-color artist's renderings, that would probably have helped most readers.

In all, one of my favorite books of all time and truly deserving of all the awards and praise it got.

The three books in Kim Stanley Robinson's "Mars Trilogy" are my absolute all-time-favorites. He is truly gifted at writing about advanced science and technology and equally adept at creating "real" characters, because he understands psychology. This is a rare talent: to be scientifically knowledgable and a master at creating believable characters. The books are part action, part scientific explanation (like Michael Crichton of Jurassic Park fame), and part character development.

In "Red Mars" (the first in the series) Robinson paints a totally believable picture of what our future might be like as we get ready to explore and colonize Mars. Mega-corporations, earthly power struggles, and the selection process for determining who might get to be the first to go to Mars, are all very possible and Robinson crafts a story around these topics with ease.

In the second book, "Green Mars," Robinson portrays the struggle to get vegetation growing and to create a breathable atmosphere. He also describes more political struggles between those on Earth and those on Mars. This was probably my favorite of the three, but mainly because I am more interested in the science that would be needed in this phase of colonization.

In the third book, "Blue Mars," the planet become more Earth-like. The atmosphere is more developed, water travel becomes possible, and more. (I don't want to give it all away!)

The books can be kind of scholarly at times, but I was so impressed with these books that I gave them to my teenage brother. He was so impressed with them, that he gave them to one of his very best pals. And we all had a blast discussing them together. If there is a teenage male in your life -- or if you love sci-fi and have always wondered what it might be like to go to Mars -- then this trilogy is definitely for you. Very highly recommended!

This book is interesting and almost reads like a mystery. It is a good start for Mr. Graham. Although some of the things that happen to the novice teacher seem impossible, teachers will tell you that anything goes and does happen.

I found Country Zoo so interesting that I finished the 400+ pages in a few days. While the volume and persistence of the students' disruption, harassment and abuse seem almost unbelievable, I know that it exists, especially for teachers who choose to live in the same district in which they teach. Country Zoo is graphic, not for the faint of heart, but very interesting.

I wish I'd read this book before I began my teaching. It would have alerted me to much of the trouble I experienced. Many of the incidents struck nerves as I recalled my own painful memories. Bill Grant's confrontations with his disruptive students and his principal were similar to mine. As I read this enthralling story which I could hardly put down, I wondered what I would have done if I had been in Bill Grant's shoes. Probably the same. His reactions seem natural and very human. His belief in the innate goodness of people and his consequential vulnerability make him appear to be very naive, something of a wimp, and putty in the hands of his tormentors. But his determination to succeed, in spite of the "pranks" of his vindictive students, is admirable. It took sheer guts for him to remain at his job the entire year. Also, the author's other point-of-view characters are interesting and reveal the family life and background of the "bad" students and the atmosphere of the school and community; originally it was a small village, surrounded by farms, which is now being transformed into suburbia. Still largely untainted by modern technology and computers, the village and school--an oasis of cultural deprivation--seem out of touch with the modern world. Inevitable conflicts in values which occur are well handled by the author. I admire the way Bill Grant was able--after tremendous difficulties--to solve his disciplinary problems.