It's been more than 20 years since I first read Inherit the Stars, and yet I still rank this book #1 of all my favourite SF books. Like other reviewers have already mentioned, how do you possibly explain a 50,000 year old corpse on the moon? Hogan spins an interesting and believable tale and the result is a page turner you can't put down. Three sequels followed this novel, and although all enjoyable reads, they can't match the freshness and originality of this hard SF classic. Read Inherit the Stars - you won't be disappointed.

My 6th grade homeroom teacher, Mr. Ed Silcox, opened my eyes and changed the way I saw the world and science by recommending this book in a "book show-and-tell" session. Believing that anything that Mr. Silcox recommended *had* to be pretty good, I ran out and bought it and never looked back! This is the single best science fiction book I have ever read -- I cannot give it better praise. Like a good mystery, you'll never guess what plot twist is coming around the next corner and like a good puzzle, each piece builds upon the last one. You'll want to read this again after you're done.

This is real science put into a narrative format - if you've never been into science before, you'll see it in a new light. For you science buffs out there, this is what you've been waiting for - smart, educated people doing exciting things with their minds, not lazer guns and rocket ships!

The sequels are also very good -- let's just say at the end of Inherit the Stars, there's still a lot to be learned about the mystery astronaut from the moon!

Thank you, Mr. Silcox!

A 50,000 year old Astronaut found dead on the moon? Hogan makes the story and the science understandable and plausable. One of the best Hard Sci-Fi books I've ever read!

Having visciously ensnared every opinion as yet posted upon this board, I am inclined to agree.

I also am of the opinion that this is the greatest book that I have ever read only just after the beastly beatitudes (also by JPD). And, I too wanted to be like Mr Smith the thought that he can have everything that he wants was at first, inconcievable that JPD can have created a character who can be capable of all success and ambition, so unlike Balthazar B.

So I pondered, what does he want and can he have it?

What does he want? He wants Miss Tomson and gets her in a way. He wants to be able to handle himself and he gets this. He wants to feel power and will once he dies but until then, he has to make do with the sound of thirtyfive thousand cheers.

So, yes I now agree that he can have most all which he desires. Naturally one wants to feel welcome, now I feel awkward Sorry for spouting I feel;

all dog all dead

I wish I had written this book, but I didn't, so I'm glad he did. On the rare occasion I bring the title up I am not surprised to find that no one's ever even heard of it's author. I wish someone had so we could say to eachother "god, that's a freakin great book. Straight right man." and laugh inside our souls.

It's a perfect story, but not the kind I would read to my nieces or buy for my grandmother. I still recommend it to anyone who has ever thought that something's not quite right and they can't decide if the people they meet are really as convoluted and arrogant as they think, or if maybe it's just them.

Anyone wants to read the greatest book of their life, well this might be it, so don't think too hard and try it.

Hail to the King J.P. Donleavy

Donleavy's humor insists there is something to laugh about in this world, but then you realise that what you are laughing out-loud at is, at best, something disgusting, or rude, or utterly insane... chicken soup for the soul.

Balthazar B. is an aristocrat bewildered at every turn by life. His picaresque journey from Paris to Trinity College Dublin and visitations to country estates and among women of high and dubious social standing is hilarious to behold. The randy foil figure of Beefy may stand as one of the greatest comic figures since Shakespeare's Fat Jack Falstaff. The literary style of Donleavy is itself richly laden with lyricism and poetry and comedy. It is a uniquely pointillistic style in which brush strokes are applied to the canvas with precision and clarity in truncated and non-traditonal but accessible syntax. Like most truly great writers Donleany evokes all of the reader's senses in his work. He also succeeds in arousing sympathy, hilarity, tenderness, grief -- a full range of sensibilities that engage the reader. Each character is roundly drawn and speaks with a unique voice and range of experience. Donleavy's Ginger Man is named among the Random House Top 100 Novels of the 20th Century. He is a supremely talented story teller with an enchanting narrative style that will leave you wanting to read more. Don't miss this novel, The Destinies of Darcy Dancer, Gentleman and the Singular Man -- they are all pleasant and richly satisfying literary treasures.

A splendid book about one Balthazar B, gentleman at large. Donleavy's writing sparkles with wit, humor and charm, and yet he never shies from the experiences that make Balthazar (and all of us) human: the pursuit of sex and the loss of true love. Balthazar is no cardboard hero for whom everything goes right.

This book was my introduction to J. P. Donleavey and I didn't know quite what to expect. Early on the book had me laughing out loud, yet throughout there is a strong undercurrent of sadness.

The portion devoted to Balthazar's time at Trinity reminded me of both "Lucky Jim" by Kingsley Amis, and "The Water Method Man" by John Irving. Donleavy uses the academic setting to create situations with a tremendous amount of humor and a profound sense of loneliness and alienation simultaneously.

This introduction led me to pick up four more by Donleavy. The emotion of the book stayed with me for a long time afterward.

Jonathan Toomey is a sad and lonely man, living alone in the little village after his wife and little baby child died. Nobody talks to him, and he wants nobody. But then, one day a widow and her seven years old son come to see him, asking if he can make them a manger with all the traditional Christmas figures. The little boy, Thomas, loves to watch Jonathan when he works, and Thomas' mother brings small gifts in her very silent way, while Jonathan is working. In a beautiful told story Jonathan Toomey is helped by Thomas and his mother to look at his grief and by that he is helped through it.
Perfect for anybody who has lost somebody, and also perfect for anybody else as a Christmas story.
I am very happy to have this book, with the beautiful illustrations of P.J.Lynch in my growing collection of Christmas books.

Britt Arnhild Lindland

The writing of this moving story shows true artistic mastery. Even with a few rhythmic, well-chosen phrases which echo in the reader's heart, the author helps us really KNOW her memorable characters. This is a beautiful, beautiful book, worthy of the season which inspired it, and of the audience of children and adults which will surely be deeply affected by it. A life-altering experience, because it makes its mark on one's soul. Susan Wojciechowski and P.J. Lynch deserve the highest honors for this exquisite work.

I started reading this book to my now-seven year-old daughter two years ago. Clueless about the plot, I read on and on; by the end we were both sniffling away the tears. Jonathan Toomey has since become de rigeur holiday reading in our family. I think we like it so much not least because it seamlessly combines the religious message of Christmas with a very down-to-earth story about love, loss, and love - again. Also, the illustrations are pretty extraordinary. My only suggestion: The author and illustrator should immediately publish a dozen books like it!

This book is wonderful, it creates a tale that holds a childs interest right through to the end and leaves them feeling happy. I have read it to my own 12 and 10 year old as well as a class full of second and third graders, all of them loved it!

Catkin, the small kitten that can be held in the palm of a hand was an innocent cat just trying to help his owner/friend out! Oneday when he was out with his owner he left for a second to chase a butterfly. Little did he know that at that very same moment his friend had been captured with the dreaded little people. Now Catkin is on a mission to find, and save his beloved friend! The question is, will Catkin ever see her again? You will just have to see by buying the book, I strongly incourage this book to be bought! My all time favorite! Especially for the little ones(good bedtime story)

Catkin is the smallest kitten in the litter of cats belonging to the Wise Woman, who names him for the tiny catkins growing outside her window. She takes him to the home of a farmer and his wife to watch over their new-born daughter Carrie, but little does anyone know how great this tiny cat will soon become.

Carrie and Catkin are inseparable until one day Catkin is distracted by a butterfly and leaves the baby to her sleep, and in his absence the child is taken away by the Lord and Lady of the Little People and their followers, leaving a changeling in her place. The farmer and his wife are devastated, and the Wise Woman sends Catkin to the underground world of the Little People to win the child back, giving him some valuable advice - never reveal his name to the fairies, for with the knowledge of his name they could bind him to them forever.

The real beauty of this exceptional story is twofold: first, that although it reads like a traditional fairytale, it is completely original. Yet despite this, it turns to real folktale elements and styles to blend into the narrative, making it vaugely familiar - ideas such as the hollow hills of the fairies, the changeling baby, the power of a simple name, the threefold riddle competition, and the nature of the waters of the two powerful trees - the willow for forgetfulness, and the hazel for wisdom. Added to this is the perfect melding of all these components, for instance the Wise Woman advices Catkin to drink only from the hazel tree waters to obtain great wisdom, whilst Carrie has already drunk from the willow waters and forgotten her home. These two elements are echoed as the answers to the the first two riddles that the Lord asks of Catkin, and Catkin's own name as the answer to the third, tying in the warning that the kitten must never utter his own name. I'm explaining this very clumsily, but my point is that all themes and story lines come full circle, creating a perfect whole. It is simply beautifully crafted storytelling.

The second part that makes this story so wonderful is P. J. Lynch's exceptional watercolours. If you are a fan of Alan Lee (best known for his Tolkien illustrations) than nothing will delight more than Lynch's images of green hill and dark cave, the sun-lit visions of Carrie and Catkin, and the green tinted shades of the Lord and Lady of the Little People. Only two small quibbles come to mind - when the faerys first appear the text describes the Lord as riding on a pony, but the picture shows him walking hand in hand with the Lady, and in one scene baby Carrie's head looks far too big for her body. But don't take any notice of these, for the painting and skill are exceptional - make sure you look out for this artist's other books.

My highest recommendation - all ages and both genders will adore this story and its ideals of courage, sacrifice and love. The pictures delight, and the echoes of it stay with you for a very long time.

I purchased James Murphy's book in 2000, we just completed our financials and I am pleased to report that we doubled our revenues. We contribute this increase to a single statement we found in the book, Business is Combat. "All of our resources in the Air Force are alligned like a shaft of a spear, pushing the "pointy end forward". We did that in our business and the results were dramatic. We have become great planners, we execute efficently and we now debrief, all of this we learned from Mr. Murphy's book. I keep it on my desk and refer to it often because it makes us money.

Many business books are long on theory, but short on providing any insight about actually executing. And face it, theories come and go, but getting things done is never out of style.

James Murphy has written a book about getting things done. His style is informal and accessible ... he writes as if he's sitting across the table talking to you. And he remains focused on his message: the planning, execution and debriefing required to build a successful business or organization.

Getting into this book requires the reader to accept that the skills taught to fighter pilots apply to business. The amazing thing is that they actually do. I've not received this training, but I have been in business for a long time. And the information imparted in this book can help anyone run a business better. From handling 'task saturation' to staying focused, this book provides useful insights in an entertaining way.

If you're looking for a book on the latest theory on business, skip "Business is Combat." If you want to pick up some ideas you can start using immediately to get things done, I highly recommend it.

Jim Murphy's book is dead on. As an entrepreneur, one can tend to overlook planning on a day to day scale... this book brings the necessity of a plan back to the center of your business. The best thing you can do for your business or life... finally something that you can read and then put into action RIGHT AWAY. Just what I needed.

This was the second Donleavy novel I read back in 1980. Since then I have read all of his novels and biographies. This book is also the reason that i stayed at the Shelbourne Hotel.

Full of gratuitous sex, violence drunken ribaldry, indeed it is almost a training manual for students.

It opens the door to positive thinking and instils in one that when things are really bad, they are not as bad as they are going to get, but never give up.

Learn negotiating skills, if a fist in the gob doesn't work, buy your man a drink.

Sex education, from aristocrats, whores, artists, teachers, plebean masses.

In all an excellent life changing book in which Donleavy displays true comic genius and has caused me hours of laughter.

Darcy Dancer live's among the Irish aristocracy. This seems to be something of an oxymoron, like jumbo shrimp as the aristocracy is disorderd, drunk and badly behaved. That said, J.P. Donleavy manages to take havoc and add order, excellent writing and a good plot to a fairly slender novel that had me weeping with laughter throughout. His father chasing him through the house, only to crash through a rotted floor to the waist was perfect and only to be outdone by the fox hunt.

J.P. Donleavy may well be the most hilarious writer on the planet. Darcy Dancer is a Bildungsroman about the coming of age of a young, educated member of the landed gentry in Ireland. He learns about love first- and second-hand through the auspices of a broad range of tutors including the brilliant Mr. Arland, a stablehand named Foxy, the sublime Miss Von B, the artist Clarissa, school chums, butlers and Rashers Ronald. Kildare wanders from one total fiasco of his own making to the next from the hunt and the stables to the mansions of the gentry and private schools and Dublin high society. He always emerges through chance and pluck and the kindness of others none the worse for wear and perhaps slightly wiser. What are we to make of this dubious young "gentleman"? As Kildare correctly surmises: "Every madman thinks everyone else is mad." Donleavy writes with a unique pointillism, using words as brush strokes, that is engaging, endearing and even breathtaking as each chapter ends on a brief poetic note, a pithy line of stacked type. The dialogue is outrageously real and human and uproarious. The character development is precise and each character lives and breathes with a separate unique identity that only a supremely talented writer can render so credibly. Having real nearly all his books, Darcy Dancer is his best: it's truly a well-written, literary comedy. Discover J.P. Donleavy -- possibly the most under-rated writers alive. You'll laugh your head off.

I remember this book from middle school. I told people the story, and everyone thought I made it up! I'm glad to see that it's in print, and not just a figment of my imagination. If you love fairy tales, you'll like this book. A little strange, but worth the read.

From one irritated, uninvited guest comes the gift of baldness. From one poorly worded wish comes out of control hair. Add one prince determined to find the solution. Mix in Melisande's need to rescue her island home. How does it turn out? It adds up to an enchanting tale that delights both young and old. I've used the book in elementary classes as well as college classes--both were mesmerized.

...Nesbit writes beautifully and is clever and unpredictable enough that without going over the kids' heads, the reading adult can enjoy it too. The illustrations are excellent; I just wish the hardcover version was available!

This book is excelent. Reading this, I really got a feeling as to what it was like on a submarine in World War II. It includes action sequences that really make it feel like you were there, on the sub. Calvert is a genius. I highly suggest this book for ANYONE who is interested in submarines, WWII history, or Naval History. I really think you will love this book as much as I did.

Silent Service was a true page turner for me and I found it difficult to put down in the two days I spent with it. Admiral Calvert does an excellent job in conveying the realities of life aboard a WWII attack submarine; the boring day-to-day routines, various navigational methods, the extraordinarily complex relationship between the submarine and it's crew, the adrenaline charged excitement of an attack, the terrors of a depth charging and the courage of the men who went into this exhausting, claustrophobic, unforgiving world with it's ever present threat of a ghastly death (twenty-five percent of American WWII submariners never returned from their last mission). Calvert's prose is engaging, informative and lucid; The book is divided chronologically into fourteen chapters of roughly twenty pages per, each addressing an aspect of his wartime experiences; from the USS Jack's commissioning in January of 1943 to his (mis)adventure in Tokyo immediately following the surrender. A brief afterword follows up these retrospections. I highly recommend this book to those interested in submarines and/or WWII.

The author takes you through his experiences during WWII from the Naval Accademy To VJ day. The events flow from one period to another in an orderly manner. I read this book in three days, not wanting to miss a line. Sometimes reading fast to find out what was happening next. He keeps you in suspense through each chapter and joins each in an orderly transition. As a WWII submarine man, I found the action accurate and reported with sincere modesty. I served with Vice Admiral Calvert in the USS SKATE SSN 578 including two cruises to the North Pole. It was an honor to serve with him and he is a credit to the Navy and the American tradition "get the job done." I would recommend this book to any WWII history buff. Raymond L. Aten, LT(SC) USN(RET)