A saga of three women who flaunted the rules of protocol
to obey the unwritten law of love. In a growing town on
the Erie Canal, they dared to follow their dreams and choose
love instead of prestige, passion instead of pride.

I have read most of the writers other books as well as this, and let me say that she adds such reality to her books. Each story is written from actual accounts from the people that have had the experiences, or have been researched to the validity of the story. She tells it with such clarity that you can almost see the images. You can feel the hair on the back of your neck start to perk up. But just when you're feeling your nerves at the end of one story she throws a light little comment at you to calm you enough to get ready for the next story. This truly is wonderfully written you'll enjoy every minute of it

Can't believe there are no reviews here for this amazing book. It is a hacker's classic. The book that came out of nowhere in the mid-70's when people were just becoming aware that you could build real stuff using digital circuits. The object of this book is to build a serial terminal from really low level components, such as TV tubes, parallel keyboards (or even a home-built keyboard), using the most basic, low-level chips and circuits. Covers things like character encoding schemes, making your own character and graphics ROMs, simple bus design, and modifying TV sets and Selectric keyboards to work in these devices. The book also systematically documents most of the important digital chips that were available on a commodity basis at that time. This book pretty much defined what was meant by the term "home-brew." Well written and still a useful reference even today, and always fun to browse.

"A work of meticulous detail, bounded by academic discipline, that still manages to scream off the page and impart a burning passion for its subject. ... A prose style that stays thankfully close to good storytelling. ... mark[s] Kurt Lancaster's arrival as a welcome presence ... Will surprise the most inventive thinker." -Neil Nixon, Fortean Times

"The Weimar Republic" is a quick read into the complicated history of Germany's first attempt at parliamentary democracy. Henig focuses on domestic political and economic developments to provide students and the general reader with an overview of the period.

Such issues discussed are domestic responses to the Versailles Treaty, the failure of the left to deal realistically with the problems of liberal and mass government, the inability of the bourgeoisie parties to find mass support for party rule, and the designs of the right to undermine the parliamentary system altogether. Within this framework Henig includes all the major points such as nationalism, patriotism, workers unions, the landed class, and the successive economic crises that plagued the Republic. At the same time, the book also provides clues to the rise of parliamentary government in post-1945 West Germany.

Today when the authority of scriptures across religions is being touted as the reason why a people must go to war, Lancaster's book could hardly be more timely. Although she writes specifically to engage some feminists' tendency to locate authority in the subject, her work has much broader application. After grappling with the concept of revelation, she launches into an extensive analysis of authority based on the work of philosopher Richard T DeGeorge. A feminist herself, Lancaster, sensitively navigates the twin shoals of absolutism and relativism and anchors the reader in a compelling appreciation of scripture's unique authority. A must read by anyone who sees this issue as central to what is going on in today's world.

This book is about the adventures of Stephen Rudd, a 15th century boy who served in the household of William de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk. Stephen is orphaned early on in life, and lives with his sister and stepfather in the village of Ewelme, in Oxfordshire. Stephen¡¦s capability as well as his reading and writing skills, gain the attention of his liege lady, Dame Alice, who makes him a member of her household staff and introduces him to the Earl. Although Stephen enjoys rising favor, he feels that a shadow is cast on his future in the Earl¡¦s household because of his friendship with kind-hearted Old Meg, who is rumored to be a witch. When the Duchess of Gloucester is accused of witchcraft, Earl William is ordered to scour his lands of any witches connected to her, and Stephen is ordered to lead the way to capture Old Meg. Torn between the Earl¡¦s trust and Old Meg¡¦s many kindnesses to him, Stephen must make a choice of loyalties between the Earl and Old Meg.

Although this is categorized as a children¡¦s book, it is extremely well-written with characters that stand out, and it gives the reader a real-to-life picture of life in the fifteenth century. What made this book stand out for me, was the attention to historical details, and the way the in which each character, however minor, became very ¡§alive¡¨. I first read Cynthia Harnett¡¦s books when I was a teenager, and a fan of the Middle Ages. I am now a thirty-something mom, and I still find her books as engaging and wonderful as when I first read them. For any of you who enjoy medieval fiction, Cynthia Harnett is a master of her art, and her books are a must-read!

I truly enjoyed this book and the first book in the Heritage of Lancaster County series. Lewis makes the community come alive for the reader. I felt as if I were a member of the community attending church meetings and baking bread. I can't wait to read The Reckoning.

I had the pleasure of visiting Lancaster Co. this summer and then the pleasure of reading not only The Confession but The Shunning and was really suprised to find that alot of what I saw of Lancaster Co. was true and as I read each book I could imagine being right there with the characters. I can't wait to read The Reckoning.

When I bought these books as a set from Guideposts, it seems like I took a chance. But then I have wanted to read about the Amish. And I'm glad that I did. When I finished The Shunning, I could not wait to start reading The Confession, and then The Reckoning. The Confession taught me to find where your heart is at, even if it means that you have to make sacrifices. In all, it took me four days to read all three books. If there are more fictional books about the Amish, I like to read them. However, I would like to close by saying hello to the Amish and God Bless Them. They are wonderful people.

As a high school student reading this play for educational purposes, my first impression was that it would be long and boring. I was, however, corrected within the first few pages as I encountered the hilarious discussions between Jack and Algernon. The language and wit is so dry its hard not to find something amusing. This line said by Algernon is one worth saving, "The truth is rarely pure and never simple. Modern life would be very tedious if it were either, and modern literature a complete impossibility!" Contrary to popular belief, this play is not one thats difficult to get into. Right from the start there is a conflict that grabs the readers attention and carries them through the mix up of fiances with Cecily and Gwendolen, also a scene that is sure to amuse even the most serious of readers. Lady Bracknell could seemingly be a thorn in the readers side in the beginning, but not to worry, the old woman set in her ways becomes if nothing else a source of comic relief. This play is not only a quick read but also has the perfect combination of characters that makes it delightfully funny.

One of Oscar Wilde's most famous works, this play is a must read for anyone that is even remotely interested in English theater at any level.

"Comedy of Manners," Wilde's play is on the very shallow surface, a funny play that is full of some of his greatest epigrams.

At a deeper level, this play is full of political commentary, social satire and a look at the upper class British of a hundred years ago.

Using his world renound style and wit, Wilde, wrote a play that brought to light the majors flaws of the idle rich and the hypocracy that lived right on the surface of their every day lives.

Often immitated but never surpassed, Wilde had a way with words and an ability to get to the heart of matters while protecting himself; by making the people he was pointing his finger at, laugh at themselves.

This play should be bought, even if one has seen one of the many film versions, or a live revival of the show. The jokes are piled so thickly on top of each other, that in real time, it is imposible to catch everything, or to digest all of the deeper meanings that this play attempts to expose.

That's right - if it isn't the single wittiest, funniest play ever, it's as close as you can get. Oscar Wilde had a great talent for dialogue and writing, but the real fun comes in the ingenious plotting and the side-splitting comments. "The Importance of Being Earnest" is absolutely filled with insightful, humorous barbs that take jabs at society - you'll literally be laughing out loud every page.

Not only is the play brilliantly ironic and witty, it's quite cheerful and good-natured. The characters are likable, the plot never takes itself too seriously, and the ending is happy. It seems that Wilde knew exactly what he wanted: to write a light-hearted, amusing play without serious overtones, and he succeeded wildly. This isn't to say that he sacrificed any literary qualities, as the play is recognized for the marvelous writing, but it is considerably more fun and entertaining than many other literary works.

In sum, Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" is a classic in every sense of the word, and it's tremendously fun to read. I can't recommend any comedy more highly.

Though I have heard much praise of Jane Austen, this is the first time I've actually sat down and read one of her books. I was impressed. Though the plot would seem shallow now (it centers around marriages); then that was central to most women's hopes and desires. Besides the plot, the characters are amusing and Elizabeth is finely drawn. She is very self-confidant and will not allow others to look down on her for her ill upbringing. I don't believe men would enjoy this book, because the male figure is not drawn very realistically. I seriously doubt that all men thought or talked about were marriage and love. Walter Raleigh phrased it correctly by saying that "Austen's men wouldn't be allowed in any club in England!". I didn't find it to be at all boring, rather, a page-turner to see how everything was going to turn out (though in the end it became predictable). The formal language is confusing at times, but provides a bit more color with it's detail. Though many parts of the book are obviously contrived, and I feel as if Austen is trying a little too hard to invoke emotion within me, in many ways the book is ahead of it's time, and for that, it is commendable to be certain.

I have always loved the style and social politics of the Regency period (the time of Jane Austen.) But when I read "Sense and Sensibility" in 7th grade I found the first few chapters lifeless, dull and hard to read. Two years later I was encouraged by a friend to give "Pride and Prejudice" a try. I did and have since become a complete Janeite. I am now able to peruse joyfully through "Sense and Sensibility" with a new understanding and appreciation of Jane Austen. The reason? "Pride and Prejudice" is fresh, witty and is a great introduction to Jane Austen's writing style without the formality of some of her other novels (unlike S&S and Persuasion Austen does not give us a 10 page history of each family and their fortune.) If you have never read Jane Austen or have read her other novels and found them boring, read Pride and Prejudice. The characters, and the situations Austen presents to them, are hysterical and reveal a lot about Regency society and morality. This book perfectly compliments a great writer like Jane Austen and is essential to every reader's library. The Penguin Edition of the book is stellar and I personally recommend it not only for the in-depth and indispensable footnotes, but also for the cover that is non-suggestive of any of the characters' appearances. In summary "Pride and Prejudice" is a great book for beginner Austen readers and seasoned fans, and Penguin Classics is a great edition for fully enjoying and understanding the book.

I always have trouble reviewing my very favorite books on Amazon. It always seems as if nothing I can write does the book justice. Pride and Prejudice is one of those novels. I don't remember a time when I've enjoyed a read so much (and I read a lot).

It's a well known story. Of course, it's that Jane Austen world (which Austen pokes endlessly at) with the social artifaces, the endless gossiping, and clever schemes on how to get married, particularly to someone rich. Here, it is the Bennet sisters trying to get themselves hitched, and the central character is the spirited Elizabeth who clashes with (sometimes) arrogant, stuffy Darcy.

Pride and Prejudice is so entertaining on different levels. It is so funny! The characters (especially Mr. and Mrs. Bennet) are so eccentrically funny, and some of the situations Elizabeth gets into are hilarious. Austen's little asides about the local society are subtly cutting, too. Then, there are all of the brilliant characterizations and their changing relationships. Also, I'm always drawn to Austen's little theme of love's ability to break through the mess of a shallow society. I truly love everything about this little novel. It'll certainly alway keep a special place on my bookshelf (or by my bed).