This is a beautifully written book, in which the author recounts memories of his childhood in West Country England at the end of World War One. Laurie Lee's mother struggled to bring up a large family on her own, as they were abandoned by her husband, who chose to live his life away from them in London.

Lee paints an evocative picture of rural life as seen through a child's eyes: the everyday trials, the local characters, humerous and moving incidents, even the colours and smells are conveyed to the reader.

This type of writing is part of a powerful and enduring image in English popular culture - one of a pre-modern rural "ideal" England, now forever lost. I suppose you could read "Cider with Rosie" with that kind of romantic eye, but in truth this is a far more honest work: Lee states that "our village was no pagan paradise, neither were we conscious of showing tolerance". Crime, and other social problems, did exist. Infant mortality was high by modern standards (Lee's early life was punctuated by serious illnesses and one of his sisters died in early childhood). Education was barely minimal. Living conditions were often poor (I doubt that many people would think that finding a dead mouse inside their loaf of bread was a quaint event).

A very good read, not only for the delightful prose and insight into a child's life, but for the realities it reveals.

I happen to live in the Cotswolds, the setting for this beautiful book, this Monet of literature. And, complying with the below reviews, I have to say that Stroud has become a concrete river, choked with litter, sidelined with Burger Stars, neon lights; a MacDonalds is in the blue print stages. Hills are lined with new developments. It's like, and I quote my mother, "A disease is spreading."

Yet there are places untouched by Americanisms, consumerism, electricity (and here I apologise, as this becomes less of a review, more an account of personal experience). But there are still rivers afloat with leaves, valleys deep that welcome sunsets. They frost the sky in winter, burn it by summer.

"There's beauty in decay," as someone said. Haven't got a clue who. But there you go. Although dying of shallow needs and commercial interests, snippets of the old way can be found. And in all their glory, too.

This book was required reading during my childhood and, of course, I couldn't have dragged myself more slowly through it. How wise we become with age. This is an astonishing book. Lee is such a master of description that, after only a few pages, you slowly start to smell the fresh country air and hear the languid sounds of summer as you are inescabably drawn into the world of his childhood - a world that you realize has already faded into the mists of history. But this special time has not been lost - it has been captured forever in this irreplacable series of pictures. The people in these stories become more real than seems possible with only pen and ink: his characterizations are as clever as anything by Dickens or Dostoevski, and he catches the very essence of the sights, sounds and people around him with a charm unmatched by any other English writer. But this is not a story-book universe: the people in his young life have all the frailty, vanity, delight and tragedy that you would expect in any small community - but what other has been crystallized with such talent and wisdom. A wonderful work of art.

Echoes from the Hills: A Defined Guide to Country Sayings by Roland Lee Netzer is an fun and informative guide which is packed cover to cover with colorful country phrases and their practical definitions. From "A difference of opinion is what makes horse races" meaning "let's see who has the best idea by putting them to a test" to "Your mouth doesn't run on shutters, it runs on biscuit cutters," meaning "shut up and eat; you talk too much", Echoes from the Hills is an extraordinary guide to rural sayings and language which is especially recommended reading for "city folk" who need a brush-up on country lingo, as well as writers looking for an extra dash of zest or authenticity to add a rural dialogue.

I, being from the Ozarks, found "Echoes From the Hills" hitting really close to home. You flip through the book seeing phrases you've heard all your life, not even thinking about what they mean! Although it's not a book that you sit down and read from front to cover, it's interesting to think about some phrases you've heard lately and look them up. I think it's an excellent book that's very well researched and broken down. Definitely on my Good Book List!

If you are planning to live a long life or know someone who has, then this is the book for you. This author is what my mother would have called "feisty". She has some definite ideas about aging gracefully: "Aging sucks a lemon." The rest of the book is just as blunt. She advocates "aging with attitude." A survivor of 74 years, she has paid her dues and seen her share of sorrow: she has outlived her husband and an only son, has endured surgeries and other infirmities and indignities that come with advanced age. This book provides a thought-provoking look at aging in our society. Specifically, it calls attention to how we treat our elderly, something we should all think about; after all, people are living longer these days, and we'll most likely be elderly one day. The book is full of short entertaining snippets that can be read at one sitting or piecemeal, as time permits. A very engaging, witty, and truthful read that would make a good gift for anyone who plans to live a long life.

In Grace Lee's "On The Way to Over the Hill," she uses wisdom and witticisms to scale life's upward slopes. Whether gentle or steep, the journey through life's pathways provide Lee with the opportunity for humorous revelations. Lee takes a serious subject into the fun zone and her crisp style makes her book a joy to read. A series of short essays reveal how coping skills have much to do with attitude. This is a book that should be read before coming anywhere near the top of the hill because so much of how we handle the later part of our lives starts very early. As Lee suggests, attitude is a process that begins before reaching life's apexes. If frugal when young, for example, chances are you won't be an elderly spendthrift. However, the danger of frugality spilling over into cheap can lead to the deprivation of pleasures in later years. As Lee suggests, if we have to suffer the drawbacks, we may as well dip generously into a smorgasbord of treats. Rather than dwell on pitfalls, which she tackles with lighthearted aplomb, she points out the many perks you pick up along the way to over the hill. Yes, perks. For example, having more time to travel, to try new experiences, to make new friends, to be open to new ideas, to tackle new hobbies and generally to expand one's realm. Above all, to gain wisdom and joy along the way. For Lee, humor is a mainstay; the life force necessary for survival. It is especially evident when she reveals her own experiences with the aging process. It is the soothing balm easing the ascent, the descent and all the hills and valleys encountered along the way. I loved the book and keep it around for reference when I have my own experiences.

The author has the talent to converse to the young reader and hold them captive in her exploration of bridges. She uses simple language so as not to overpower the pictures themselves. Adults will enjoy this as a read aloud book to share as it invites a relook at bridges we 'thought we had looked at' in our passings. I'm sure this will book will create future Architects, Engineers and Builders. Enjoy it and I look forward to many more in her series.

Our company, like many others, has gone through merges, acquisitions, downsizings, and other transition. Marks, who is an independent consultant based in San Francisco with experience in over 100 organizational transitions, has written an outstanding book that tells how to revive employee morale, workteam performance, and organizational effectiveness following difficult transitions. Marks knows his stuff--his approach is well grounded in organizational behavior theory, but he presents it in a straight forward way. And, he offers numerous case studies from companies like Pfizer, Seagrams, Qualcomm, and Kyocera.

Marks presents a model for helping employees let go of the baggage they gathered from mismanaged mergers and difficult downsizings, so they can look forward to "charge up the hill" and achieve desired business results. This book is a must for any senior executives who has led a company through a difficult period--or for one who has taken over a firm after a merger or other tough period. It also is very helpful for middle managers and other employees. Marks shows them how to focus on what they can control over their work situation rather than fret about what they cannot control.

The book is enlightening, helpful, and not jargony. Am I gushing too much? Let me just say that after I read it, I bought ten copies of the book for my team!

i havent read the book yet but will be very glad if u could send me a review of the book , especially details about competency building through assessment centres. i am writing a researc paper on the mentioned topic and have been unable to get this book by david beard. i will be grateful if i am send the information at the earliest. thanking u , sincerely yours aparna my email address is aparnadhingra@usa.net

Lee - It's me! I've been trying to locate you in cyber-space (or elsewhere) for months!

Write back...

Warren Kinsella wkinsella@mcbinch.com

This book received the 1998 Ohio Farm Bureau Women's Award for Children's Literature which is given each year to the book which is the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children with an agricultural theme.

A brief overview of many types of homes in several cultures, it includes a photo index that documents where the homes are located. It also touches on careers related to building homes such as painters, carpenters, architects. Would be a helpful book in the elementary grades for comparing different cultures' living styles, and the construction of homes.

Lessa ,werwoman of Benden, and dragonrider to a young dragon queen. Thus begins the incredible 'Dragonriders of Pern' series. A tale that takes you out of this world to let you expierence this striking novel. Four hundred years has passed since the last Threads have fallen... but they return. The dragonriders must work together to save their beloved Pern from destruction. But only one person, who will be rememberd through ballads and poems, will risk life itself. That person went BETWEEN to bring back people from long ago to help save Pern...

This is a well written novel. Although it might seem slow at first once you get into it you will fall right in love with this book. This book might be a little too complicated for younger audiences. If you get stuck on an unfamiliar phrase, term, or name refer to the glossary at the back of the book. This is a must read for any fan of Anne McCacfffrey or science fiction/fantasy fans. {Also you may look for the reprinted cover version of 'Dragonflight' at a local bookstore near you.}

I was very hesitant to read a book based upon dragons, a fantasy element I was never interested in, but after some encouragement from my friends, I picked the book up and never put it down! The reading is fun and the story really pulls you in. I identified very much with Lessa and Ramoth, and have been buying other Pern books ever since, and can't wait to get through them all!

Anne McCaffrey brings to life a very real and reader friendly world where one needn't be concerned about magic and mythical beasts in order to enjoy a good heartfelt story of life on another planet. This story and the rest in the series are more Science Fiction than Fantasy, and I most enjoyed the contrast, despite my early misgivings. Highly recommended.

I first started to read Anne McCaffery's books towards the end of grade 8. I had a goal to read all of them. I started to read the HarperHall Trilogy first ans i was totally amazed! Ms. McCaffery's writing style was so different from the other author's I read. She can make the book so interesting and keep developing the main plot while interwining the sub plots. Well, if you don't understand what I said, her books are just plain good! She builds up the characters, making you feel like you've known them alll your life. The chapters flow nicely into each other and once in a while something romantic about the characters. I literally couldn't tear my eyes off the book.

Dragonflight is about a girl named Lessa. When she was about ten or so, this ambitious man named Fax took over her hold (A settlement of people) and murdered her family. She was the only surviving member of the Ruathan bloodline. She went into hiding for ten years and when Fax died, she was ready to claim her birthright to Ruathan Hold. As it turns out, F'lar a dragonrider was on Search (a search for able woman to impress a queen dragon) and he told Lessa she could become a weyrwoman (female leader of a settlement of dragonriders). Lessa agreed and became weyrwoman of Benden Weyr. THus begins a fantastic plot of developing romance between Lessa and F'lar and threatening thread!

I never had a favorite author before but now it's for certain Anne McCaffery! As for a favorite book, there's too many of her books to choose from! I really recommend this book to others who would like to get themselves lost in the midst of dragons!