If ever there were the opportunity to grasp the scope, meaning and lessons of history, The Chronicle affords the conscientious reader that opportunity. Despite divisive passions and ideologies, humankind's search for their own identity and concept of justice finds expression and definition here. In Dr. King's vivid and incisive description of our resourcefulness, creativity and developing humanity, we awaken to a transhistorical sense of universal human destiny. The Chronicle not only provides acute analyses of humankind's collective conscience, it shows humanity's capacity for intelligent survival across the millennia. To read The Chronicle is to assimilate the significance of history through the matured insights of a true historian.

This book should be on the self of every historian for a proper orientation into his research. It is a gifted work providing unknown historical details with a flowing narration, connecting the passing of people andevents. Perhaps a quote from its pages will relate its value. Who wouldthink the brutal Vikings of old would destroy the beautiful inland Paris,illustrating their long extensive game of warfare in the "dark" period:"854: the Vikings burned the new city of Hamburg and looted Paris."
Comments by D. Moore, Roman Historian

in these pages is a massive amont of information. this book can lead one to much more research in a very timely manner. if one had any idea of a date, they can find out much about the subject and then be able to research further.

This work summarizes Dr. King's philosophy, as a historian, reflecting upon thoughts covering a lifetime of study. It is well-written in an easy flowing manner with a little wit and much wisdom. It seems to serve the purpose of a double-edge sword, cutting through humor with deep thought.
I enjoyed his lively portrayal of modern history given in item 66: "What fine people we are until we consider what our history has been. Take the 20th century, another century of devastation."
Comments by D. Moore, Roman Historian

Frank P.King's "Strange Comments" are reflections based on his own experience of life,passing abruptly from idea to idea,subject to subject, "on topics most of us are concerned about." At whatever page the work is opened the reader will find some wise thought expressed in vivid and memorable gnomic sentences. There is no systematic composition; the arrangement of themes or ideas is haphazard,and the subjects dealt with have little connection with the title. An insightful and delightful little book.

I find the content of the book Strange Comments to be extremely stimulating and thought provoking. It is the type of book that can be used in the classroom as well as by scholars and entrepreneurs to stimulate thought in assisting one to face reality when making efficient business or lifelong decisions. This is the first book that I have seen that does not only provide the student or reader with a wealth of profound knowledge of situations, but it also provides insight into many historical notions that can actually be used to enhance decision making in planning a course of action.

Due to the method in which the book is laid out and the numerical accounting of phrases, one can easily annotate ideas in which he or she may wish to use or revisit in those moments of question. The book contains a wealth of knowledge for centering situations to be viewed in their true essence. On numerous occasions the book gives one the comfort of knowing that he or she is not alone in many conflicting situations and that much of what confronts us today is but a daily dose of history. I would definitely recommend the reviewing of this book by students, scholars, and business professionals.

Who would have thought that a movie of this caliber would have derived from the mind of Stephen King? What's just as profound is the movies ability to maintain and expand upon the integrity of the original story. This screenplay contains the entire shooting script as well as many scenes that didn't not make it past the final rewrites. Frank Darabont also reserves a couple of chapters to explaining his process of getting the movie made. Stephen King also lends his thoughts on Franks vision for the movie, an outstanding achievement for a first-time director.

The shooting script contains forewards (by Stephen King by Frank Darabont), the screenplay, changes from the screenplay to the movie, some final thoughts by Darabont, and the credits.

It's fascinating reading the screenplay after seeing the movie, then reading the changes made in to the screenplay and why. For example, in scene 36, Andy approaches Red to buy a rock hammer and they agree on ten dollars. In the movie, it just happens and we overlook the question on how Andy would have gotten the money in the first place.

In the screen play, we find out in scenes 40 and 41 where he got the money (brought in with him ... internally). However, later, the book explains how the scene read well, but didn't work well on the screen. In retrospect, we don't really *care* that he had money anyway, so the scene is easily dropped without sacrificing clarity.

The book adds some interesting "inside" information. For example, when we first see Red meeting with the parole board, the file has a picture of him when he was younger. This photo is actually a cameo by Morgan Freeman's son, Alfonso, who also provided some of the background voices during the "Fresh Fish" taunting in the early part of the movie.

Overall, the book adds depth to an already excellent cinematic experience.

Wow. This is the first word that came to my mind after finishing reading this screenplay. Now, everyone knows how good the movie is, but reading this takes it to a whole different level. Included in this screenplay is extra scenes not seen in the final cut of the movie, a scene-by-scene analysis of the film, storyboards of important sequences, character photos, and last but not least, 2 forewords - one by Stephen King and the other by Frank Darabont, both giving insightful comments on the making of the movie and the novella 'Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption'. All in all, this is one of the most worthy purchases i've made as far as screenplays are concerned, and I recommend it to one and all - especially those interested in film analysis and movie making.

According to a survey of Presidential historians by the Chicago Tribune, the top five Presidents were:

1)Abraham Lincoln
2)Franklin D. Roosevelt
3)George Washington
4)Theodore Roosevelt
5)Thomas Jefferson

Another national study I read found the same results, except with FDR and Washington switching places.

I disagree with the premise that Dwight D. Eisenhower and Harry S. Truman deserve to be ranked as great Presidents. I am not sure if they even make the top ten. I think there is too much emphasis here on wars.

I do think they rank above the mixed records of the most recent Presidents of Jimmy Carter (peacemaker but troubled economy and Iran), Ronald Reagan (cold war warrior but massive budget deficits for handouts to top 1%), George Bush (successful coalition against Iraq but massive budget deficits and no plans to improve anything), and Bill Clinton (balanced budget and strong economic policy but sex and pardon scandals).

James K. Polk belongs ranked below them all.

What distinguishes a history book beyond chronology, composite portraits and the factual description of political careers? Beyond such journalistic basics, a memorable history book takes on a life of its own. Such is Professor Frank King's book. He makes clear what greatness is in men and in historians. Two representative chapters illustrate this. King's masterful resurrection of Lincoln in "Latter Day Founder" makes us sense the humble but noble soul of the President, whose words still echo across history. As to the object of government, Lincoln declared "We proposed to give all a chance; and we expected the weak to grow stronger, the ignorant, wiser, and all better, and happier together." p-195

King's own style is in keeping with Lincoln's character, yet it is an excellent, abrupt, truthful, no-nonsense statement about the facts of American life. King's intelligence radiates through sentence after sentence, sound judgement after judgement. His analysis of Lincoln and his opponent Douglas is superbly sharp and incisive.
King's intellectual passion pours through the pages. His quotes epitomize the President. "Lincoln did all he could, all that anyone could to destroy the heresies of (national) fragmentation and slavery while re-educating the people." p.227. King sums up the President's achievement: "He accomplished all with compassion." p.236

King's in-depth probing of historical fact reveals the true historian--as if in flesh and bone he himself had lived through the events. King situates man and event in a sphere of significance made intelligible by accurate knowledge and a kind of visionary wisdom.

In the chapter "Apostle of Freedom" King's opening sets the scene of Jefferson's intelligent and forthright rebellion against Britain's violations of Americans' fundamental political rights. King enumerates Jefferson's greatest achievements. From Jefferson's "Ordinance of Religious Freedom,"1779, cometh the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. He believed man's reason could be trusted, thus neatly separating the state from all religious groups. Moreover, he advocated the gradual emancipation to end slavery in Virginia. He introduced decimal coinage, an enduring contribution. As President, he appropriated funds for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which led to "results bountiful and timely." King also remarks that The Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon was "the most sensational real estate deal in world history."

A sample of King's style and insight makes clear that, rather than being debased colonials, the Americans were "cosmopolitans in business, skills, attitudes and learning. They were prosperous overseas Europeans: rugged, innovative, aggressive, practical immigrants or their offspring. They were up to world par. They knew as much as the British knew." Of the Declaration of Independence, King noted "It clarified men's minds--their own unarticulated political philosophy." It also reflected Jefferson's credo "every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle."

King defined Jefferson concisely. "He was systematic, methodical, tireless, and he advanced in a very real, thankless and practical manner what later would be called the progressive agenda."

It is abundantly clear throughout the book that Frank King has mastered his materials in a fresh and genial way. The more one reads it, the more one respects his enormous, loyal, compassionate intelligence--the integrity of his mind and feelings. King's insights are sharper, more meaningful, and-wiser than those of many well known historians. Most assuredly his book will leave an imprint on the writing of historical biography and on the mind of modern Americans seeking guidance to our future greatness. Frank King has given us an indelible understanding of the great men a democracy can produce. He has done us all a memorable service in reminding us all of who we are.