I visited Londolozi in 1997. I ordered and received the book almost a year after I returned home. It captured everything I remember from the animals and the landscape to the wonderful people themselves. I am able to pick up the book, now 2 years later, and still get the same feeling.

After visiting Londolozi and purchasing this book there, it was wonderful to learn about the background and evolution of this very unique game reserve from the founding family. This book is a must for those planning a trip to the "bush" as well as for those fortunates that have been to Londolozi or anywhere to share space with the magnificent animals of the transvaal.

Guy Johnson, once again, has written another un-put-downable novel. The plot is so intricate and compelling that the reader reflexively considers the various permutations of the plot-lines as if the story is reality. I am grateful to Johnson for writing about strong, black male characters. He has reinvigorated my interest in black literature. His research is extremely thorough because he creates multilayered and textured settings. From a technical standpoint, Johnson needs to work on his dialogue. No one, especaily not in the '80s, talked with such high-handed vocabularies. His prose remains outstanding, but the characters often sound like talking dictionaries. For instance, instead of saying that a person is preachy, a Johnson character will say "He's didactic." And that's another criticism of the book --Johnson preaches constantly about how blacks should be and what they should be about. His messages -- while true -- are not subtle and, ultimately, off-putting. Dialogue and didacticism notwithstanding, Johnson has shown that he is without question his mother's son. This is a must read for black men everywhere.

If you read the first book "Standing in the Scratch Line", then you will be familiar with the saga of King Tremain. This book picks up where the last one left off. It is now 1982 and King Tremain's orphaned grandson, long estranged from both of his grandparents, is pulled back into the family fold when King is assisnated. I won't give it away, but many characters from the first book return in this one, and this book also fills in the gaps from 1947, where the last book stopped. It's a long read but you will not be disappointed. Johnson has a rare talent for character and plot development, and it's a shame that he is not a household name like his Mother (Maya Angelou).

This sequel to Standing at the Scratch Line is as good as, if not better than, Standing.. It is superb!! For those who have read Standing At The Scratch Line, this novel continues with the saga of the Tremain family. This story picks up with the adult grandson, Jackson, who has been estranged from his grandfather King Tremain for several years. As King is near death, Jackson flies to Mexico to see his grandfather and leaves with a mission and desire that proves he truly is the grandson of King Tremain, whether he likes it or not.

Although this is a lengthy novel, the auhtor uses every word, phrase,page, etc., to draw an in-depth, complete and wonderful picture of who Jackson is, but more importantly the Tremain legacy and past that King has left to his grandson...whether he wants it or not. Although King is assassinated very early on in the book, through well placed, smooth and poignant flashbacks to the 1950's and 1960's, the reader gets much more insight into King Tremain and his life and legacy. Finally, to sum it up "you better ask joe 'cause you sho' don't know" what you are missing if you miss out on the chance to read this wonderful novel.

I really enjoyed this book, and read through it quickly. It was great to see a strong, Black protagonist, who was willing and able to stand up to racism and brutality. I thought however, that King Tremain's showing up at many critical points in the book, repeatedly saving vulnerable people, or repeatedly destroying his enemies, was a bit too convenient. After a certain amount of reading, one could assume King was going to come out on top or show up at a critical moment. It would make for a great movie certainly.

I also wished the author, Mr. Johnson, or his editors, had been more careful with historical references, as there are a number of historical mistakes in the book. Some examples: there were no jeeps in WW 1, the Red Ball Express was also WW 2. The hand held machine guns mentioned so often as being used by King and his enemies immediately after WW 1 would have been nearly impossible to have as John Thompson's submachine gun was brand new and not widely distributed until later in the 1920's.

All in all, Standing at the Scratch Line is worth reading and is a good writing debut for the author. For those put off by violence, beware this book has a very high body count. It does however offers a slight break from the relentless violence at the end of the book. I look forward to a sequel.

This work is an amazing tale of King Tremain. I was completely captivated by this book from the start. I spent several nights lying awake wondering what was going to happen next, so I turned the light back on and continued to read... As King moves from Louisiana to Germany to NYC to the Midwest to Frisco, his sense of self and family develop into fierce psychological imperatives. King gains quite a bit from his military training, enabling him to get almost everything he wants out of life. Except his firstborn son. His wife will have hell to pay for her involvement in keeping King from this son.

My book club read this on the heels of Cider House Rules and we were AMAZED that the subject of an orphanage resurfaced in such a completely different genre of book. We were pleasantly surprised. At least I was.

This was a well written novel about a fantastic hero. The book could stand to lose a few hundred "had"s. The book could also stand to come into the active voice on a number of accounts. Nevertheless, it is well written.

Thank you Guy Johnson.

I was hesitant to even pick up this book, yet alone read it...the cover doesn't do the contents justice. So glad am I that I decided to open the cover and read the synopsis. After that, there was no doubt in my mind that I had to have it and from beginning to the end I simply could not put it down. It was the best read and I simply could not believe that this was Guy Johnson's first work of non-fiction material. I have raved about this book to all my male friends...it simply is required reading for all African-American males. It instilled in me such a sense of pride...King Tremain does unto White Americans what they have long done to us without retribution! Finally, some payback! Alas, too bad that King Tremain is only a fictional character! If this book is not movie material, what is?

I think this book would be great for "tweens", 9 to 12 year-old readers, because it is highly insightful. However, as a high school student, I found the book lacking in novelty. Perfect for the guy/girl perspective contrast.

This book helped me to understand the way a guy thinks when becoming a teen and also how to talk to them and maybe even start a relationship. I read this in sixth grade and think every parent should get this for their son/daughter.

I am 13 years old and I borrowed this book from a friend of mine who got it from a christian bookshop. I think this is a very good book which really helps you with relationships and dealing with the opposite sex. This is also a very interesting book - I couldn't put it down when I started reading it! :)

What better way to prepare your child for Halloween then with Barney and Friends! My child loves to open all the flaps to discover what might be hidding behind each object. Although the book is about Trick or Treating, we read this one together all year round.

We picked up this book at Toys R Us when our daughter, then 1 1/2, spotted Barney on the cover. The book is a small paperback that is meant to be a companion to the Braney's Big Adventure Move. However, it has become a bedtime favorite for us. The book takes about 3 minutes to read and recounts the adventure of Barney and his friends as they chase all around town after a "magic egg." They finally catch the egg and it hatches Twinken, an alien that looks like a white teddy bear. Demerits for this absurd ending (although if you believe a dinosaur can talk...), and also for having a negative character, namely a snobby waiter. Barney generally is all positive, and I didn't think it was necessary to introduce a snobby person to 2 year olds. Anyway, an inexpensive, light, quick, and portable book for any preschooler.

There's not much more to say. Beevis and Butthead, the Cheech and Chong of the 90's. Although the comics can't do the TV show justice (no funny noises or anything) they still are pretty cool. If you're a B&B fan I suggest you pick these up.