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Book reviews for "James_I" sorted by average review score:

What Government Can Do: Dealing With Poverty and Inequality (American Politics and Political Economy)
Published in Hardcover by University of Chicago Press (Trd) (2000)
Authors: Benjamin I. Page and James Roy Simmons
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The case for income redistribution
This book is for people who believe that greater economic equality is a good thing, and one that government should seek to achieve. This is, of course, a politically incorrect view -- government policy for the last two decades has increased economic inequality.

The authors make a relatively brief argument in favor of greater equality but it won't change anyone's mind. If you don't agree with that view now, don't waste your time with this book -- you'll hate it. The bulk of the book is devoted to an examination of programs, past and proposed, to accomplish this end. It's a book for policy wonks.

I found it somewhat dull. I guess I'm more interested in the "clash of ideas" than in the details of implementation. But two things stood out:

First, the authors point out that (false) claims of the impending "bankruptcy" of Social Security have been used to increase the Social Security tax to a level far above what is needed to pay benefits. The Social Security surplus -- over $100 billion a year -- has filled a large part of the hole in the general budget, which was created by the Reagan tax cuts. What we have done is substitute regressive Social Security taxes, which fall heaviest on the working poor, for progressive income taxes, the Reagan cuts having benefited mainly the wealthy.

Second, the authors point out that while the major social benefits programs spend relatively little on administration -- less than one percent for Social Security, for example, far less than any private pension plan -- the food stamp program costs about 12% to administer. They attribute this, and the 4% to 8% error rate, to the complexity of the eligibility rules, and suggest abolishing the means requirement, making food stamps available to all. This is not a new idea but it's a very good one -- Bill Gates would be delighted with his stamps, I'm sure. I wonder, though, after reading through descriptions of program after program, why we can't apply the same idea to the whole mess? Abolish the lot, and replace them with a guaranteed income for everyone. We could even tie it to community service -- Bill and I could then rake leaves in the park together!

A must read for concerned citizens.
This book is very informative about a whole range of social issues. Although it specifically deals with the American social scene it has an universal appeal. It dissects problems and situations like poverty, income inequality, lack of a fair electoral system, prevailing taxation policies, basic needs and "rights" of people, educational opportunities, homelessness, etc., and proposes possible solutions for them. This book dispels many myths associated with the poor and the needy. This book was a very agreeable experience for me and I will be promoting it among my friends. This detailed and thoroughly researched book will delight you if you are for Justice, Fairness and Equality. The book has a Reference section that is a treasure for progressive thinkers. Enjoy this book.


Ancient Mysteries
Published in Hardcover by Ballantine Books (Trd) (01 November, 1999)
Authors: Peter James, Nick Thorpe, and I. J. Thorpe
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Ancient Mysteries--Destoyed!
This book presents itself as an encyclopedia of the mysteries of the ancient world. First of all, the authors of this book tale a very rational view towards the subject matter. They present all of the theories for each ancient mystery side-by-side. When you see them this way, you can start to tell which ones are reasonable and which ones are just pure speculation. To be honest, the authors really dig into and destroy a lot of theories, but when you look at the evidence, you have to agree with the authors. If you're a true believer type, this book may not be for you, but those who are just interested in an overview of the unsolved mysteries of the ancient world will find this a very informative and interesting book to read.

Excellent source of scientific and factual information
I decided to read this book as a way to understand what "mainstream" scientists say about Graham Hancock's theories about ancient civilizations, and how these scientists would counter his arguments. This book is excellent for that because it addresses some of his ideas and writings point-blank.

As a whole, this book is truly fascinating. In addition to shedding a sober light on the Egyptian pyramids, Mayan culture, and other Hancock favorites, the book addresses quite a few other intriguing mysteries like "Who was the Minotaur", "Who was King Arthur", "What was the Star of Bethlehem" and Stonehenge.

Each subject is approached in a rational, scientific manner, and is discussed using facts and commentary from respected sources. This book very much reflects what today's respected academic field believes. The breadth of the book is truly amazing when you consider that each subject is discussed in adequate detail to prove or disprove certain hypotheses. And finally, it is well written and easy to follow.

So for its research and ambition in addressing so many fascinating subjects, the book is a gem. For people interested in ancient history, this book will be invaluable.

As far as Hancock debunkery goes, in some areas they completely debunk him, in other areas the hypotheses and evidence they present is good and insightful, but not necessarily any more persuasive or powerful than what Hancock presents. In some areas, I still believe Hancock has it right. In the end, hypotheses are just that, and it comes down to your own beliefs.

At any rate, this book is fascinating and I couldn't put it down.

Balanced View of Ancient Controversies
This book accurately compiles the various arguments for and against the ancient mysteries that it covers. The Orion controversy is well handled (for example) as it puts forth a good summary of the theory that the ancient Egyptians aligned the pyramids at Giza with Orion's belt. The authors cover the arguments against the theory and point out that no other pyramid structure aligns with the rest of the stars in the Orion pattern. Then the authors point out that the ancient Egyptians often used the belt alone to designate the constellation Orion. The writers let us know that the Orion theory goes too far in its claims that many pyramids align with the stars of various constellations, but may be right on point with the necessity to look to the stars to explain a lot of what the ancient Egyptians were doing. Current scolars of ancient Egypt simply do not use astronomy to try and understand how the dwellers along the Nile in 3000 BC may have been thinking.

Thus, according to Ancient Mysteries, both sides have good points to make.

The entire book is filled with the pro and cons of those proposing the theories and those holding to the traditional ways of viewing history. It is the balance the authors bring to the discussion that makes the book so noteworthy. Direct quotes from key passages of the various books supporting or opposing the theories help bring home the essence of each point of view.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the theories of the past being proposed by Handcock and others as a fair view of the proposed theories (summarized of course) and their opponents attempts (often successful) to undermine them.


The Bostonians
Published in Paperback by McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages (01 September, 1964)
Authors: Henry James and I. Howe
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A simple, well-written, North/South love story.
Henry James's, "The Bostonians," is a simple, but increasingly entertaining love story set in the years soon after the end of the Civil War. Basil Ransom, a true Southern gentleman from Mississippi, has moved North (specifically, to New York City) to try and start a career away from the impoverished South of the Reconstruction days. Shortly after moving North, he pays a visit, at her behest, to the Boston house of his distant cousin, Olive Chancellor. Olive, a stalwart in the women's rights movement of the time, invites Basil to her home in order to offer help and assistance to her Southern cousin, but she also wishes to save him from the flawed ways he certainly must have taken on growing up in the South. Her self-seeking, ulterior motives fail miserably, of course.

It is through Olive that Basil Ransom meets Verena Tarrant, the young woman who has left her lower middle-class family to move in with and be molded by Olive. Verena has a tremendous speaking ability which caught Olive's (and the other women's (womyn's?) movement leaders') attention. But ultimately, Verena also catches Basil's attention... not for her feminist diatribes, but for her beauty and the passion of her speeches. Basil is instantly struck by Verena, and from this point onward the plot focuses as Basil attempts to seek out his love interest who is highly guarded by Olive, Verena's parents, and several others.

The dialogue between Olive and her friends with Basil Ransom, is a constant back and forth that is civil on the surface, but boiling with hostility underneath the social niceties. While Basil is always cool and focused as he tracks the object of his love, Olive Chancellor only becomes more paranoid as she sees that she is gradually losing her young charge... to a Southern Neanderthal. "The Bostonians" meanders through the first couple hundred pages with witty dialogue between the alien Basil and his new peers, but as his focus intensifies, so does the plot. James draws all this circling and stalking into a final, climactic scene that many will be cheering, but one that many modern-day feminists and their sympathizers will be cursing.

James' Satiric Vision
Though James is certainly not known for his sense of humor, he displays a keen sense of satire in this novel. The two senses are not identical--many readers expect satire to make them laugh out loud, and those readers will be disappointed in this book. James' satire is more likely to make readers feel uncomfortable. He repeatedly mocks the two main characters and their struggle to control a young woman who hardly seems worth the effort that these two egoists put into her pursuit. James allows Olive Chancellor and Basil Ransom (whose names evoke the satiricomic tradition in which he is writing) to take themselves seriously while allowing the readers to see them as stereotypes. While satire depends on such stereotypes, James' fiction typically delves into the psychological. At times, he is able to keep this balance, but often the tension is too great and the characters seem to fall flat. Verena Tarrant--the object of Olive and Basil's affection--is virtually absent psychologically (as others have noted), but her lack of character is built into the novel. She begins as her father's possession, and the novel hinges on whether Olive or Basil get to own her next. While the novel is certainly not without faults, it is interesting to watch a novelist as self-conscious as James attempt to write a novel of this type. While he wasn't destined to become a comic genius, this novel is a step toward the psychological, satirical and comic success he was to have in a novel such as "The Ambassadors."

He really hated his home town.
When he says the "Bostonians" he means "the lesbians." I was pretty interested in the story of a Boston marriage, but it got increasingly mean-spirited toward the end, when the dashing right-wing Mississippian convinces the young woman to leave the older one and a full suffrage lecture-hall and run away with him-- she finds it seductive to be told she must have no will of her own.

I went looking for criticism of this book and found little in Gale, but two essays from 1990s by Wendy Lesser and Alison Lurie. Lesser argues against the feminist line that the book is a misogynist polemic; she responds that Olive (the lesbian) and Basil (the Mississippian) are both complex characters, sometimes weak, sometimes strong and sympathetic. (She quotes Hardwick that James is our best female novelist because his women are powerful and interesting.) Lurie looks at the novel as more about politics than gender: James came home from Europe and found he hated America; showed the South re-conquering the North in Basil's conquest of Verena.

I disagree with Lesser: Basil is shown as naive and occasionally weak but dashing and full-hearted -- I'm sure he is an idealized self-portrait of James. Olive is honest and principled but so bleak and unhappy that her love is purely destructive. Her strength lies less in her principles (Mrs. Birdseye after all is equally principled but utterly weak) than in her vaulting ambition. She reminds me of Dixon's Thaddeus Stevens in The Klansman -- passionate, scheming, perversely principled, but essentially evil. Both come from Milton's Satan, seen as a Yankee.

Which brings me to Lurie's version. I agree with her that the novel is about politics, but disagree that he was writing against America -- I think he was just writing against Boston. The hostility the novel met at the time stemmed from his nasty portrait of the old transcendalist Elizabeth Peabody (his minor character Mrs. Birdseye); this is a less irrelevant reaction than critics portray it, since she's a stand-in for everything he despises about his own Boston roots, a hatred which drives the novel. An equally weak but even more despicable character is Verena's father, a mystical fraud whose nomadic career has certain resemblances to James's father's -- resemblances strengthened if Verena is modeled on Alice James. The Boston reform tradition is alternately weak-minded and hard-edged, and basically loveless -- a spirit of drafty wet lecturehalls. Where Basil is hot-blooded -- he feels about Mississippi a tragic love he can't bear to speak of in conversation -- Olive's New England feeling is only cold philosophy.

How real is the political alternative which Basil represents? We see much less of him than of Olive; James knew Boston but not Mississippi. But I think James like some of his peers yearned for a certain reactionary romanticism which northern intellectuals associated with the South -- a Burkean spirit of cavaliers and kings. (Basil's name means "king," and his emerging career is writing political essays said to be hundreds of years out of date.) Basil's defeat of Olive to marry Verena -- he imagines his own seizure of her from the podium of Fanuiel Hall as a political assassination, with shades of John Wilkes Booth -- is clearly a re-conquest of the North by the old South. What he offers for an American future is less Enlightenment, more Middle Ages -- less rights, more responsiblities -- less cold charity, more warm friendship.

James/ Basil reminds me of Henry Adams in the "Education." On the one hand, Adams saw the warm (mildly homoerotic) friendship of exceptional men (modeled on himself and John Hay) as a strategy for national progress. On the other, Adams developed a similarly St. Gaudensian aesthetic of the medieval -- the cathedral against the dynamo. This was the first, aesteticist reaction of the northern elite to the soullessness of postbellum America, which we forget because it was replaced by Teddy Roosevelt's more muscular alternative.


The Portrait of a Lady : Part I (Scribner Reprint Editions)
Published in Hardcover by Augustus M. Kelley Publishers (1977)
Author: Henry James
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I guess I shouldn't read tragedies
This book made me want to scream, or cry. The characters are beautifully rendered, and some of them are dispicable people. That's what made it so unenjoyable to read for me.

The heroine, Isabel Archer, begins her adventures with much vitality and promise, yearning to see life and the world and not to settle prematurely into marriage and domesticity. Although James shows she's not perfect -- she's naive and somewhat conceited -- it's still pretty easy to fall in love with her. You look forward to seeing what great things her life will bring.

And then it all falls apart. After 200 pages of building her up, James marries her to a scoundrel and spends the next 300 pages suffocating her, one liberty at a time. Others have described this book as "uplifting" and spoken of Isabel's strength and courage; I honestly can't see what they could mean. I found it genuinely painful to see such a beautiful character destroyed. With all credit to James's writing skills, this book made me miserable. I couldn't wish it on anyone.

a master and his mistress.
this, my first novel by henry james, was recommended to me by a trusted friend privy to my affection for the work of austen, the brontes, wharton, bowen and hall. i must admit to having had reservations about a victorian novel with a female protragonist written by a man, but was pleasantly surprised to find that james had depicted the female perspective, in isabel archer, with notable aplomb. i was a little disappointed that, in spite of the book's length, i felt there was a huge leap from the first half of the book, which firmly establishes the young miss archer as a woman intent to never marry and the second half, which finds her rather abruptly married to the third of three men who have made the appeal to her. still, this is a classic work of literature that deserves all the praise it has received. it is far more dense than works by the aforementioned authors and, as such, makes awful subway reading--unless, of course, your train breaks down and there are no crying children or blaring boom boxes in your car.

Beautiful, Heart-rending, Poignant, and Tragic
Henry James has truly outdone himself with this book. While it is no longer my favorite James' novel, I still think it among the best novels written in the English language. The character of Isabel Archer is an indelible part of literature. The story begins with an American woman, left parentless and penniless, being discovered by an expatriate Aunt. The Aunt convinces her to go England with her so that she might meet her cousin, Ralph. Isabel eagerly agrees. She is idealistic and has always wanted to see Europe. Her aunt agrees to pay for the expenditures. Once there, Isabel falls in love with their house, Gardencourt, and grows to enjoy her frail, sweet, ironic, and funny cousin. Before Isabel knows it, she has become ensnared in a one-sided love affair with a handsome English nobleman, Lord Warburton, little knowing what to do. Despite the urgings of her aunt, Isabel rejects his proposal in the desire to wait for something better. Soon, her elderly uncle dies, but not before she charms him with her intelligence and subtle beauty. Ralph insists that his father leave Isabel a substantial fortune, so that she might be able to live as she wishes. When the uncle dies, Isabel is left with 70,000 pounds, or about 200,000 dollars. From here is where the true story begins. I will not reveal more of the plot, which unwinds slowly and with assurance. James, being a master of prose, knows how to manipulate a sentence in a multitude of ways. His lilting, ironic, verbose writing style lends class and charm to Isabel's ultimately tragic tale. Some modern readers aren't able to handle James' subtle style. Unfortunately, many of us have had to fight the effects of shortened attention spans. Reading a slow-paced and brilliantly conceived tale like this will surely help cure short attention spans. Once you begin the story, it grows on you and affects you greatly. James is difficult getting used to, but he grabs you with his excellent descriptions of passionate people. Finally, the brilliance of this book lies in its tragedy. Even though many readers can predict early on where Isabel's confidence and naivete will lead her, James makes the journey bumpy and fascinating. He also slowly injects the story with dread, as we begin to sense the true malevolence of Madame Merle's and Osmond's vicious plans. Their acts are pure Machiavellian glee. Only in the final third of the book does it become clear of the true nature of the scheming M. Merle's plans. James also leaves several important plot points until near the end of the novel. All of this leads to a long, engrossing, and sad story of a young woman "affronting her destiny", as James puts it. Rarely has so romantic or so devastating a book been written. The ending is the final kicker. Unlike the happy ending we suspect, James leaves readers with open interpretations and many possible questions regarding Isabel's TRUE feelings about men. It also most vividly presents her sexual repression and fear that dominate the entire book. James knew the reserves of the time dictated that such topics not be discussed, and he cleverly uses this theme discreetly. However, he also uses it as a sort of indictment on the times, with their lack of passion and sensuality. Many readers expect a conclusion to the story, but, as with real life, stories simply go on. The ending is perhaps the most modern thing about the book. It also makes certain readers know that Isabel's life will never be one of happiness. This is an exquisitely haunting masterpiece.


Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 4)
Published in Hardcover by Turtleback Books Distributed by Demco Media (2001)
Author: James Luceno
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Kinda feels like Star Wars again....
The Agents of Chaos series kicks off with a rousing Han Solo adventure that brings some much needed levity to the New Jedi Order proceedings. Han may be dour and grumpy, but he's far more entertaining that the brooding Jedi we spent the last two books with. Luceno puts the focus back on the core characters (Han and Threepio especially), and as such, the book just feels more...Star Wars-y.

If you're an Expanded Universe junkie, though, fret not! There are more references to the Pre-Jedi Order books than you can shake a gimer stick at. It's almost as though Luceno's editors asked him to throw these tidbits in to assuage fan worries that those books were being ignored. Believe me, those worries are no longer justified.

Hero's Trial also resolves some long-standing issues from Vector Prime (think Mara Jade) and ends on a pseudo-cliffhanger. I'm not sure I like Han's questionable familial ethics here, but I'm sure he'll redeem himself in the next book...or not. That's really the beauty of these NJO books: long character arcs where anything can, and usually does, happen.

All in all, if you dig the New Jedi Order, you'll dig Hero's Trial. It's good, swashbuckling fun for geeks of all ages.

Han's back.....but is he the same?
For all those readers of the New Jedi Order series that began with Vector Prime, many will recognize that Han Solo has been somewhat absent from all the other novels that had followed this new direction in the Star Wars universe. He has only been briefly around since the death of Chewbacca and this has allowed authors to invent new characters and breath depth to many others that were previously second stringers or were only supporting characters in earlier exploits.

However, for those that missed your favorite Corellian, he's back, but not exactly the same scoundrel that the princess was so coy about. This novel explores the pain of Solo's loss and a rejection and rebirth of his core beliefs. I thought the novel was a bit slow in the beginning when it came to the memorial service back on Chewie's home planet. Han's feelings were re-hashed over and over again for what seems to be filler material, and you get to feel that Han is now whining. It is understandable to a point, but I soon tired of the lengthy flashbacks. I felt his treatment to Leia and Luke was a bit out of character, but events that eventually unfold probably allow for this justification.

As the story revolves mainly around Han, he finds himself in trouble as always, and it is an entertaining read as he moves from one situation to the next. What he does discover is a situation that places him in the same shoes as his son Anakin, and for the first time really comes to terms with dealing with Anakin as he relates to Chewie's death.

A new character is introduced into this story and he seems like a perfect fit as the new partner for Han. Though he may not replace Chewie immediately, the seeds are sown for a great pairing down the line. This character is very rich in depth and was written very well. He displays a sense of humor that compliments Han's dry wit and sarcasm.

Some interesting turns take place in the New Republic government, somewhat reminiscent of the Empire as it came to power first in politics prior to its militaristic stance that the Rebellion fought against. Other notes: C-3PO contemplates his mortality. Lando is absent. Very little is dealt with the Solo children.

Finally the Vong....I feel that they (as a whole) who were described as an all powerful force to fear from the 1st few books, has suddenly became not only passive, but softened up. I was really excited about their potential as a new threat, but it looks as if they aren't so bad after all. A real shame if the initial intent of the New Jedi Order was to add shake things up and bring back some fun filled tension to a huge galaxy. Hopefully the next books will re-focus this effort. Overall, it was a good book for Han Solo fans.

The Return of Solo
Well, the New Jedi Order keeps on truckin' and so far it doesn't seem to be running out of steam. While not as good as the Dark Tide series, I'm still having the most fun reading Star Wars since Heir To the Empire came out! This new installment features Han like we all love him, gambler, scoundrel, and master pilot. After all the pathos Han's been going through since Vector Prime, I was pleasantly surprised to find this book brimming with humor, most of it from the interaction between our smuggler and his new Ryn buddy, Droma.

Also interesting is the reappearance of Vergere, the Jedi that Obi-Wan and Anakin (Skywalker, not Solo :) were serching for in Rouge Planet. I hope more comes out of this storyline in the future. I mean, wouldn't it be great if Vergere could hook up with Luke and tell him about the Jedi of old and how his father was as a kid? Great possibilities!

James Luceno does a bang up job continuing the series and I, for one, can't wait to see what he puts Han, Droma and the gang though in the next installment.


I Kissed Dating Goodbye: A New Attitude Toward Relationships And Romance
Published in Paperback by Multnomah Publishers Inc. (1997)
Authors: Joshua Harris and Rebecca St. James
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This books biggest problem? Terminology.
In "I Kissed Dating Goodbye," Harris demonstrates perfectly the reasoning behind the old quote, "don't fix what's not broken."
Harris takes the normal routine of teenage dating and attempts the impossible. Removing all temptations that come along with it.
The process seems simple enough. First, take a caveman approach with labels. Dating bad, courtship good. He presents dating as an activity teenagers are obsessed with. Going from person to person, with no long term goals in mind, and ultimately feeling empty in the end.
Courtship is presented as this holy, pure thing where the couple avoids being in any tempting environment such as being alone with each other, or getting too physical. All the while keeping marriage as being the ultimate goal.
The problem with the "courtship," mindset is that it eventually destroys more relationships than it helps. By avoiding personal time in order to reduce temptation, newlywed couples quickly realize they don't know as much about each other as they first thought. Ask any married couple and one will quickly find out that the way someone acts in public and around friends can often be quite different from the person they are when alone with them. I personally would have gone through a few divorces myself if I had taken this approach. Girls who seemed normal in public were suddenly people I didn't want to be around when alone with them.
While Harris makes a good attempt, he needs to realize a few things. The first being that temptation can never be completely removed. If teenagers want to mess around, they will. All the rules in the world won't stop that.
Second, Harris needs to realize that to a teenager, dating and courting is essentially the same in terms of the end result. Anyone who has witnessed a high school breakup knows that they were not just "dating" for fun. Even though marriage probably isn't the first thing on their minds when they start dating, they do ask themselves if a long term relationship is possible with that person.
Where this book gets dangerous is when parents read it. Let's face it. The idea of a form of dating where your child doesn't get physical in any way is very appealing to the parents of teens. As a result many churches, and expecially youth group leaders, have grasped onto this book as if it were a new revelation straight from the Bible. I've personally witnessed teenagers in relationships suddenly leave the church because they don't feel comfortable bringing their boyfriend/girlfriend there since they get glares everytime they hold hands.
While I give Harris credit for making an attempt, reality shows us that the real answer is teaching kids right versus wrong along with what's expected of them, and then trusting them. Not saying we trust them and then slapping them with a million and one rules and regulations that must be followed since we really can't trust them.
This book had a good idea. However it should be kept in the fiction section due to it's near impossible expectations for teens.

Truly Life-Changing and Inspirational!!!
Though this book is admittedly geared towards teenagers, I recently read it as a 22 year old recent college graduate and found every single page immeasurably applicable to my life. Anyone who has a strong desire to have a passionate, loving relationship and to please God can find comfort in knowing that the two don't have to be mutually exclusive.

Josh does an incredible job of opening up your eyes to the bigger picture - living a life that reflects God's glory and details that in following his plan your earthly desires will be more fulfilled than you can even imagine. Of course, many of the ideas that he suggests for guarding yourself require tough choices that will turn off more than a few people - but those who are willing to offer up every area of their life to the Lord will find in this book an excellent blueprint for finding happiness and fulfmillment in every single one of your relationships.

Quite a challenge, but well worth it!
I am 25 years old, and I have dated since I was 16, moving from boyfriend to boyfriend as soon as possible. I always felt lonely if I didn't have someone to hold hands with, kiss, snuggle with, etc. But every one of my nine relationships ended in someone getting hurt because one of us was not ready to make the big commitment. I also ended up having intimate relations, as it is very difficult to say no when you are in a relationship for a long time. (I know of only a handful of 20+ people who have accomplished this.) After ending my most recent relationship, this book looked very appealling. I read it and I was all set to give up dating. Now that my hurt and anger have diminished, the books advice gets hard to follow, especially being the holidays...however...

I have never been so happy with the direction my life is taking, and it's getting easier every day. For anyone reading this review, please take heart and give this way of living a chance. The bad reviews sound like they are coming from people who do not have the conviction or will power to give up intimacy. You will meet many, many men/women like this, and they make it very hard to stick to your guns. And others make it sound like living like this makes it impossible to meet people - not true! You meet people of the same sex and become freinds, don't you? Just treat the opposite sex the same way while you are getting to know them! (Very hard, but not impossible!) And just let me say - for those who think that Joshua Harris did not have enough experience or was old enough to know what he was talking about, I believe it is God's message, through Josh, we are hearing when we read I Kissed Dating Goodbye. Please give it a chance - you will not regret it! I've gotten so many rewards already.


Clanbook: Tzimisce
Published in Paperback by White Wolf Publishing Inc. (2001)
Authors: Lucien Soulban, James Stewart, Jess Heinig, and Alan I. Kravit
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This clanbook is full of information . . .
The Fiends have long been a source of hardship to play, mainly because no one understood them. I think this book goes a long way in helping you get a total grasp on your character and it's clan. Personally, I have always liked to play the Tzimisce, even without insight from white wolf. I enjoyed this clanbook more than the first version they put out, it certainly seemed better thought out. I recommend it.

The creation of a classic vampire clan
Clanbook Tzimisce springs from a truly warped, yet incredibly creative mind. The twisted brainfolds of Mr. Hatch are in full glory throughout the book; from the opening short story, to the amazing character templates that bring the most evil of the vampire clans to the widened eyes of the players. The book is sharp, fun, and horribly, wonderfully deranged. It is clear that clan Tzimisce is to be feared and revered, as well as marveled. Highly, highly recommended for all vampire enthusiasts!

Tzimisce, anachronistic or just damn lazy your choice.
This is by far one of the most excellent clan books that white wolf has written. It gives full detail as to the Tzimisce rising up and participating in the vaulderie for the first time, the destruction of their antedelluvian(even though he ain't gone)and the sadistic trappings of their homes and unlives. If you want to make a really fleshed out charachter with an interesting hobby/discipline then the tzimisce are perfect. The book also had some very interesting artwork. Even though some would call it revolting I found it pleasing that they didn't hold back from what the Tzimisce do, they're not kine or kindred but something darker and even more twisted than you can imagine.


She's Having a Baby : And I'm Having a Breakdown
Published in Paperback by Quill (1998)
Author: James D. Barron
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A cute book, but not a great pregnancy resource.
Although this book is very well written and will definitely elicit laughs from the reader, I was disappointed in the formatting and lack of real medical information. For example, my husband wanted to find out exactly what an amnio was, and tried to find out in this book - there is no index or guide, and he had to thumb through the book until he found it among random second trimester advice. The book is rather small, and is divided into 3 sections, one for each trimester. Maybe I'm just looking at it from a female standpoint, but both my husband and I were frustrated that there is really not any true medical content. This is a great, quick read (very funny and some sweet suggestions for every hubby) as long as you are just looking for a break from medical jargon and a humorous approach to each trimester.

Fun to read, great for Dad-to-be
I was searching for a pregnancy book that my husband would enjoy reading when I discovered She's Having a Baby. Since we were expecting our third child, being pregnant was nothing new for us. James Barron provides an accurate and often homorous look at pregnancy through the eyes of a father to be. As I read the book, I found myself laughing at the thought of my own husband musing about my ever-changing body, mood swings, enormous appetite, and fascination with the size and shape of my belly. Gene laughed harder than I did at many of the comments and smirked a time or two when I asked if he really had thought the same thoughts Mr. Barron described. This book won't give you much medical information but it will provide an insightful look at pregnancy from the viewpoint of a dad-to-be. A Child is Born is also an excellent resource as it contains detailed pictures of the unborn baby. We're Pregnant! is another good resource as it contains a down-to-earth look at pregnancy from the viewpoint of both an expectant mother and expectant father.

Very funny and right on target
She's Having a Baby is an excellent book for both fathers and mothers-to-be. It is funny and accurately captures the many thoughts and emotions that couples tend to experience during their pregnancy. I laughed out loud many times as I read the book. I knew exactly what Mr. Barron was talking about more times than I would like to admit. From a father's viewpoint, my two favorite pregancy books are this one and a book called We're Pregnant! - written by an expectant mother and father and also very candid, funny and true-to-life.


Wild Jasmine
Published in Paperback by Ballantine Books (Trd Pap) (1992)
Author: Bertrice Small
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I loved it!
Bertrice Small has outdone herself again. The story of Jasmine deMarisco has been engrained into my thoughts. It was so good because Jasmine falls in love over and over again, then she couldn't wed Prince Henry and that's what made it a tragic love story...and what happened to Rory Macquire? Well I hope I find out in the sequel, since I didn't like the ending too much, but on the other hand, I think Ms. Small was always planning to make the sequel. And using Catriana and Patrick Leslie's son Jemmie (which I love the book "Love, Wild and Fair") I haven't read enough of Bertrice Small's books and I have a feeling that many of the characters link together some way or another, which is great since when I read a story, I don't forget, and it pleases me for her to mention another heroin/hero from one of her previous novels. Bertrice has a way of drawing you in and keeping you enthralled with her stories.

Wild Jasmine made me laugh and cry as well as dream. I ! wish they could make movies of her books. Keep them coming and I look forward to the sequel of Jasmine deMarisco's adventure with Jemmie Leslie, Earl of Glenkirk..the Glenkirk Chronicles.

Kalaniku

Took me to another world
This novel got my attention because of it's setting in India (I am of Indian descent). It was my very first historical romance, and it was not a disappointment. I was initially taken aback by Small's descriptive sex scenes, but I quickly found that I enjoyed them. Jasmine is an intriguing character, although spoiled and not a very attentive mother. Since I had not read any of Small's previous novels, I took this one for the story itself, and I truly loved it. After reading the other novels in the O'Malley series, I do find Skye to be a much more likeable character, but I loved Wild Jasmine all the same. Since I read that, I have read about seven of Small's other novels, and I liked each one for her ability to tell stories so wonderfully, making me feel as if I were actually there. I strongly recommend any of her novels.

I have read it twice!! - Laura Taylor
Yasamin Kama Begum, later angelicized to Jasmine de Marisco comes to life in this edition to the "Sky O'Mally Saga." While this book is decidedly more mild in comparison to Bertrice Small's other erotic writings it is no less tame. The story opens with our heroine narrowly escaping an incestious relationship with her brother. Later Jasmine becomes involved with the future king. In between there is much love and lust and scandals to keep you turning pages. "Wild Jasmine" touches all my emotions. If you like to laugh, cry, and yell in anger at the characters in the books you read then "Wild Jasmine" is for you!


Warriors of God: Richard the Lionheart and Saladin in the Third Crusade
Published in Hardcover by Doubleday (17 April, 2001)
Author: James, Jr. Reston
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A Good Crusades Book, but....
I have always been interested in the era of the Crusades or the Middle Ages if you will.

I don't pertain to be an expert on the topic, but I do know a fair bit about the historical events surrounding this era.

First off I did enjoy the book. It gave interesting insight into the main figures of the third crusade. (Richard and Saladin)

I have seen reviews were people lambaste the author because at times he appears to overly fawn over these two characters, but then again both had traits worth admiring.

Saladin whom had inherited the lands of Zangi and Nur'al Din, had managed to cohesively control both Egypt and Syria. An amazing feat in itself aside from the Sunni and Shi feud.

From there he was able to unite Islam and nearly expunged the Crusaders and extinguish the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Had it not been for Richard he would have completely succeeded.

For a good read this book is fine, for a history student I find this book to be lacking in that area. I also found it to be overly expensive for a relatively short novel and would have preferred that it be a hundred pages or so longer.

A Well Told Account of the Third Crusade
Not many history books deserve to be called 'page turners,' but Warriors of God certainly qualifies. The author used some of the dramatic elements of fiction in his writing, without sacrificing historical accuracy. (The only bias I could find in the book was anti-French!) Saladin and Richard are are fully developed individuals, and Mr. Reston often imagines what they might have been thinking during a given situation. This is not the realm of the historian, but it did not detract from the history. He often quotes from the Koran and the Bible, which is entirely appropriate concerning a time period based, at least on the surface, on religious differences. The book is also spiced with Mr. Reston's wry wit. I found this to be an engaging story and part of the important historical context for today's world of tension in the Middle East.

Thoughly Engrossing
Reston weaves a spectacular tapestry of the Third Crusade by following the heroics (and frailties) of Richard Lionheart and the great Muslim Sultan Saladin. While describing the campaign and his protagonists in detail so realistic that the reader almost feels like he is a participant, the suthor also provides the background of the politics and intrigue of 12th century Europe with its heroes and villains. The storis of Eleanor of Aquitaine would have made this a fascinating book by themselves, but intermingled with the other characters and adventures, the story reads almost like fiction. Reston is a formidable researcher and writes in a clear and flowing style that brings both the period and the individuals to life. I didn't learn a lot of new facts, but the texture provided gave ne a much clearer picture and greater appreciation of this epic period.


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