I used this book for a course on Digital Electronics. Its great. The book has a great typeset, clear and crisp fonts that go easy on the eyes, well structured (such that you read what you need in order to understand the next chapter). The book is illustrated with apt diagrams. I would consider this book to be beginner-intermediate. This book is a good starting point for learn digital stuff, and a good reference after you learn digital stuff. Its hard to find a book as good as this one.

This is the book for you. I am a 32 year old U.S. Army leader. I instruct at the U.S. Army Signal Center. I have no time for traditional education. This book is a masterful work and well suited for anyone who desires an intimate knowledge of digital systems, but has no prior background. If you don't have time
to take a traditional college course. GET THIS BOOK! Better than any classroom instruction this book will give you all the fundamentals in a clear and concise manner. Wonderful book.

Thank you Mr Tocci, for a job very well done!

I use this book for a digital course im taking. Its GREAT at conveying information in a manner that you can understand. It starts of SIMPLE (things like number systems), and takes you to the basics of circuits (AND, OR, NOR, NAND, NOR, gates), and then takes you into some very detailed things. By the time your done with this you will be able to design your OWN circuits and impress your friends :-)

I hadn't actually heard of the Hildebrandt brothers,but got this book for the simple fact that it bore the name of Tolkien.I opened it up and there it was,scenes I pictured in my head were now right in front of me,in richly painted acrylic colors,with moods of sadness,fear,peace,and courage.I recommend this book and give it five stars!Get it come on you know you want to....

The Bros. Hildebrandt were *the* Tolkien artists of my youth, and even today, when I find my own artistic interpretion of the scenes varies so much from theirs, I still deeply appreciate what they did, and am thrilled to see their calendar work -- with the associated sketches and model photos -- reproduced here.

The childhood anecdotes by the author -- son of one of the Brothers -- are occasionally interesting, more often annoying. But the art itself remains glorious.

this book cotains hundreds of photo's of paintings, drawings and refrences photo's of tim hildebrants artwork. It also cotains the original sketches of the paintings of lord of the rings paintings. highly recommended.

Kelly O'Kelly receives a late night call from his lover, William, just before the man ends his life. A victim of the teachings of the Light of Christ Ex-Gay Ministries, William had joined the ministry program to be transformed into a functional heterosexual. Instead, he's dead. Kelly can't get over William's senseless suicide nor can he exorcise the anger he feels at the holy rollers who promised his lover a "cure" for his gayness while filling the young man with shame and impossible expectations. Nine months later, still bitter and lonely, Kelly decides to go undercover to expose the chicanery of the church's ex-gay recruiting program.

In the heat of summer, Kelly and ten other men arrive at the Lion's Mouth Christian Ranch in New Mexico's Guadalupe Mountains for the 18-week program. And so begins a compelling and gripping story as Kelly attempts to maintain his individuality and common sense in the face of religious fundamentalism, inadequate nutrition, brainwashing, and predatory behavior by some of those in charge.

The epistolary narrator gradually draws the reader into the the bizarre rules of the camp, a world where mostly miserable, self-hating men try to squelch their natural inclinations. They're watched closely as they eat poorly prepared meals in a mess hall, sleep in a tent together, and work in small teams like prisoners or soldiers. At 35, Kelly is one of the oldest recruits. Earlier in life, he had been in the military, but the contrast between Army life and this experience is remarkable, and he writes, "Free time in the army was not gloomy. Guys played cards, cursed and laughed, wrestled, slapped each other on the shoulders, or fought loudly. Here, except for the scratching of pens on paper, the turning of a page, or the sniffling of a runny nose, I can almost hear the thoughts of the recruits like a continuous whispering, or a sibilant stream of rushing water, washing over rocks. No one is happy."

Even in the mind-numbing and restrictive environment, and despite rules against getting close to the other men, Kelly makes friends. This includes Michael, who is only a minor character, but is very endearing and further raises Kelly's feelings of protectiveness toward his fellow recruits. As time goes on, Kelly suspects that some of the men are being maltreated after hours and while on certain isolated work details. Sure enough, a series of events occur that verify his suspicions, and along the way, the author ramps up the tension. Will Kelly be a victim, too? Will the camp officials (particularly "Paul, the chipmunk Nazi") discover that Kelly is a spy? Are they all in danger? Who will get out alive?

Donaghe is a talented author with a deft touch. He does a frighteningly convincing job showing the sincere and pious surface the camp preacher and the main henchmen project while Kelly subtly describes the angry, hateful, homophobic underpinnings of their tactics. The minister is a caricature of a preacher, not really a bad man, just misguided and too stupid to see the evil two feet beyond the edge of his vision. Nor does the preacher see that the real evil does not come from the recruits, but from his own trusted camp leader.

At times violent, gritty and rough, the novel is increasingly intense, but it is not entirely without humor. Kelly has a wry way of looking at the world. Still, the Salvation Mongers is not a book for the faint-hearted. The violence, brainwashing, and shaming that occurs hurts one's heart while, at the same time, it mirrors the internal struggles that the men are faced with. It is Kelly's optimism, his belief in his own goodness, and his strength of heart that carry this book through to the end, at which point the reader will have completed a journey with him. That journey ultimately affirms that the acceptance of one's sexual orientation--and that of others--should not be shame-filled and full of pain.

Lori L. Lake is a reviewer for Midwest Books Review and the author of GUN SHY, UNDER THE GUN, and RICOCHET IN TIME.

For those fans of Ron, this book is the third in his Common Threads series, but it's very different. The links to the previous books (Common Sons and Blind Season) aren't apparent at first, but they do show up. This book is pretty hard on fundamental religionists, who use their religion as an excuse to hate and exploit people that they are afraid of being. It's not a love story. But it's a story that needs to be told, and I wish that everyone would read it. Maybe one or two might reexamine their practices of hate and bigotry. You need to read this.

Ronald Donaghe, the author of Commons Sons, offers a look inside the bastion of bigotry and self-loathing that many people know as "the ex-gay movement."

Though The Salvation Mongers is a work of fiction, it builds its suspenseful, engaging plot upon the philosophies of that actual movement, and the ordeals of its actual victims.

Most people assume that these groups mean well and couldn't possibly hurt. This novel suggests otherwise; the book's afterword (a non-fiction essay) proves otherwise.

From my research into the ex-gay movement, and from my conversations with people who have seen the rotten fruit of its labor, I know that this work of fiction bares more truth than any of the promises that so-called "reparative therapy" makes.

Donaghe creates believable, tortured characters. I've met all the "types" he portrays in The Salvation Mongers, including some of the more sinister characters. I've also seen the beauty of the New Mexico landscape that provides an effective contrast for the ugliness that Donaghe exposes.

This book is both alluring and repulsive in its accuracy. Please read it before you join or fund an ex-gay group.

A continuation of a very sweet story. I have a few stray cats around my home and even though my inside cats aren't as willing to share as Ginny (LOL), I make sure to feed them and give them shelter. I highly recommend this book and also the one that came before it! (Not sure of the exact title).

Just as I feel about their first book, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this one too! Let's hope these true stories inspire others so be so kind. Enjoy.

This book is my first introduction to Ginny, the canine cat rescuer! I will now have to read Ginny's first book, The Dog Who Rescues Cats. All I can say is amazing and remarkable! This book is a delight for anyone from 5 to 95! This book will leave you laughing and crying at the heartfelt stories told by Ginny's "dad", Philip Gonzalez. Gonzalez claims that Ginny is an angel sent by God and I could not agree more! Ginny's rescues are incredible and the bond she shares with ALL the cats that she rescues is just as incredible.

Ginny gave Gonzalez a new lease on life, as he did for her. He rescued her from a shelter and she taught him about love and living again. Along with their friend Sheliah, these three are tireless in their efforts to rescue, feed and provide medical attention to homeless cats in Long Island, NY.

Ginny is a "love mop" as described by the author and this story is an absolute delight! Ginny has also been described as "the Mother Teresa of the cat world."

The rescue stories are amazing and will sure to tug at your heartstrings! This book is a gem!

Having been on every diet in the world,I finally came to my own conclusion that diets simply don't work. I was delighted to find that "Choose To Lose" not only agrees, but encourages you not to weigh yourself and simply eat generous amounts of good, whole, naturally low fat nutritious food. Since I threw my scale out and began following the basic guidelines of "Choose To Lose", I've lost weight, gained back my self-respect and have enormous energy with a steady stable mood throughout the day. Throw out all your diet books and choose to live right now!!

I am a community health educator within a nonprofit health promotion organization. We utilize the Goor's Choose To Lose program as a cornerstone component in our cardiosvascular disease prevention campaign. The book provides a simple and logical understanding concerning diet and diet-related topics. As an instructor, I find the book and program very effective in educating people about the importance of proper eating habits and the effect of eating on weight and overall health. I tell my class participants that the program ensures success, the only question is their willingness and ability to follow the guidelines. Simply, put Choose To Lose works!

I lost 84 pounds in 13 months using this diet along with exercise. I have kept it off for more than 4 years without feeling deprived. Food is no longer the constant focus of my life but something I use to fuel my body. It's great advice and uses real food not bars and powders!

There are times when words alone do not do justice. This is one of those times. I have never read a book so uplifting and righteous. Simply put; if you did not appreciate Ronald Reagan when he was the leader of the free world, you now have an opportunity to look back at the wit and truthfulness of the greatest president to grace the oval office. This is a fast read; excerps from speeches, etc. If you read only one passage, let it be the chapter on Leadership. You will truly understand the greatness of this American hero.

This is a great gift book for your Republican/conservative friends. It's title tells all--it is a charming little quote book of ideas from our fortieth president. Biographies by family members are always superior to biographies written by distant observers, and this non-exception proves the rule.

It is a great gift book, meaning that it has dainty fonts and stunning pictures. It is organized topically, but is not indexed so you may have to hunt a little for your favorite quote. The cover is a nice balance of a thoughtful black and an autumn rust, reminding us that Reagan is in the autumn of his life and slowly heading to black. However, the cover has a border of gold remind us of the gold ofg life after death.

We need politicians with wit--Kennedy and Reagan both had the Irish blarney, but the silver-tounge seems to be scarce among the current chain-gang in Congress. This book should be a manditory study gude. We need to eradicate the superficial smashmouth so common on the Sunday shows!

Favorite Quotes:

"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." (p. 111)

"What American needs is a spiritual renewal and reconciliation-firt man with God, and then man with man." (p. 75)

"Since I came to the White House, I've gotten two hearing aids, had a colon operation, a prostate operation, skin cancer, and I've been shot. Funny thing is, I never felt better." (p. 22)

I've been doing my own little research project on Ronald Reagan, and this book was great. It describes some things about him that only a family memeber could describe. You can definitely tell it was written by an adoring son, but it gives insight that no one else has, and reminds us of what a patriot, team player, and forward thinker Ronald Reagan was.

A Review by Eric F. Newell
April 10, 2002

An insightful understanding of interpersonal dynamics, this writing affords an insightful look at relations in the church. Using as a point of reference, the author describes two churches that meet a situation within the church from two opposite positions. Using the Family Systems Theory as a basis for the writing, Richardson tells that the dynamics of relationship, "specifically in the church, are based in cultural, structural communication, decision, and economic systems. These systems are fairly easy to change if necessary. The system most difficult to change is the emotional system." (p.29)

Using the model of a mobile, he speaks of the delicate balance with which it hangs. There will always be times of imbalance in the churches emotional system. "What is important is how these times of imbalance turn out. The out come as to whether they are positive or negative depends upon the action and reaction of the church leadership as well as the lay leadership." (p.30). Differences in these emotional systems are more difficult to address as persons begin to personalize the issues. "The skill for learning how to deal with these systems is the ability to be a good observer. Stepping outside of what we feel is happening and being able to see what is actually taking place."(p.31)

Anxiety can bring unbalance to the system. This is intensified in proportion to sense of threat that persons feel within a given situation. When there is the sense of not having control, the feeling that one does not know what is going on, there is a higher sense of anxiety. As the leadership is able step outside of the subjective to the objective side of the situation, they will be able to bring a sense of calm to people around them. Anxiety spreads from one person to another. It is the place of the leadership to as much as possible minimize levels of anxiety and create the sense that church is a safe place.

Apparent differences in people bring differences in the way that they relate to each other. To this the author tells that individuals have their own comfort zones. Abandonment and Engulfment are two terms used for the opposite ends of the spectrum of these comfort zones. As persons move up and down this continuum toward or away from the other person, there will be acceptance or rejection. Differences in others are met with patterns of reactivity. There is the pressure for sameness. Richardson in one of the four patterns of reactivity identifies this: compliance, rebellion, power struggle and emotional distancing.

In addition to ways that people act and react to situations, because of their own comfort zones, the author also identifies the triangles in relationships that can happen as a result of these differences which are allowed to because threats. "It is difficult for any two persons to maintain a one to one relationship for any period of time." (p.115) When one person has an issue with another, and first person seeks support against the opposing person a triangle is formed. "Generally triangles serve two purposes: (1) absorbing anxiety, and (2) covering the basic differences and conflicts of emotional systems." (p.116). "Whenever one takes a side in the triangle, regardless of how righteous the reason, they become part of the problem."(p.123). It is necessary to notice warning signs which could help to identify these possible triangles; "The best clue is our own sense of confusion. When you find yourself in situations that do not seem to add up, there is an issue that is missing. Another warning sign is when someone talks to you in a negative way about someone else in the church and you have not particular need to know."(p. 119)

Richardson's approach to those things that bring balance and imbalance deal with structure, systems, leadership styles and personal comfort zones. The terms used for the explanations of moving in and out of these different systems seemed to be a bit redundant. The strength of his writing however was his identifying and defining of the personalities involved in the given setting.

A review of Ronald W. Richardson's book,
Creating a Healthier Church: Family Systems Theory, Leadership and Congregational Life.

Richardson does a fabulous job of applying Bowen's theory (family systems theory) to church congregations. He illustrates the differences between two congregations dealing with similar problems. In 1986, Richardson offered courses for clergy based on the Family Systems Theory (FST) after clergy reported how his application of FST was revolutionizing how they dealt and thought about problems within their own congregations. Yet, the most notable change that they reported was "their own role in relation to these problems" (22).

Richardson clearly states that his book is not about the one and only correct way for leaders to lead. Instead, he suggests that his book can be a tool to assist clergy in thinking about their function within their churches and how they relate to others. Leadership is any kind of decision-making position or role and therefore, FST is not just for the top clergy or leaders (20).
The questions Richardson addresses are:
1)What is happening when a church gets into difficulties and the leadership seems to be making things worse rather than helping resolve the problem?
2)How can we explains things going well at one church where leaders are able to avoid the emotional outbursts and turmoil that is common in another church?
3)What in our human nature including our strengths and liabilities, and in the way we organize ourselves in groups make things go well or poorly as we deal with difficult situations?

Richardson addresses these questions and offers the reader the following resources. First, he provides a theory about human behavior that will enable the reader to understand how situations can get out of control in the faith community, resulting in emotional outbursts and turmoil. Second, he offers a practical set of leadership ideas, guidelines and behaviors as a plan to prevent situations from becoming negative and instead turn out positive. Thirdly, he provides guidelines for how to behave in the midst of upsetting and conflictual circumstances. And, lastly, he gives personal steps so that the leader can become more positive and cooperative in assisting healing and developing a healthier faith community (20).

Richardson has framed the book specifically either for personal study or for group discussions. He has incorporated thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter, in order to guide the readers into an in-depth examination of themselves and their congregations.

Richardson identifies two unspoken theories of human behavior: the individual model and the systems model. In the individual model people have little sense of their interconnectedness, or of how their own behavior affects that of others. In the systems model, there is "a recognition of the connection between people. Where no one lives or acts in isolation, and we are all affected by each other's behaviors" (25).

One key to "functioning in a healthy manner as a church is for the leaders to look at the church as a system rather than as a collection of isolated people"(26). Thinking systemically is very difficult, because we are taught to think linearly, and systemic thinking is more circular. Richardson uses the illustration of delicately balanced mobiles to prove his point. "Any movement by any part of the mobile, toward or away from the center of gravity, affects the balance of the whole mobile. This is most true of the parts closet to the tope of the mobile (the leadership), and only somewhat less true of the parts closer to the bottom" (30).

While each part of the mobile is an individual component, it is still connected to the mobile as a whole. Richardson sees this as a metaphor for the two deep and basic life forces: individuality and togetherness. Although, these forces are at the core of our emotional system, they are not at the opposite ends of the continuum. Instead, they coexist within us, each having it is own level of intensity at different times. The togetherness is the force that drives us to want to be connected to and affiliated with others; whereas, the individual force impels us to become our own person, to become emotionally independent, and to act in ways that make sense to us.
What unbalances systems? Anxiety. Richardson says anxiety is different from panic attacks. Anxiety is threats of the unknown.

Anxiety is an uncomfortable feeling. Anxiety is less tangible and more amorphous than fear. And just like individuals, churches experience different levels of anxiety. Therefore, anxiety, collectively and individually, is a powerful force for the church and leadership to understand and deal with. Therefore, the task for church leaders is to slow down the process before it gets out of hand. Effective leaders help people minimize their levels of anxiety so they can accomplish their goals. Leaders do this by managing their own anxiety by simply bringing their own calmness to the situation.

I highly recommend this book for anyone in a position of leadership, for it is an excellent resource.

In Creating a Healthier Church, Ronald Richardson used the late Dr. Murray Bowen's family systems theory to present a formula for encouraging pastors and congregations to grow in spiritual health. Its application has to be intentional, but the formula is simple to express: Understanding + Re-Patterning = Spiritual Health.
The first key element, Understanding, is a process of education and self-analysis. The question that must be answered is: 'Who am I as a member of the emotional family structure in the church?' The second key element, Re-Patterning, is to respond in a positive way to the question: 'What must I do to re-pattern my interaction and relationships with others in order to promote harmony and well being in the church?' Then, as a result of such Understanding and applied Re-Patterning, the Spiritual Health of the church will flourish.
Richardson used as an inciting incident, a description of two churches who react very differently to the same bleak December flood and cold, which threatens the well being of the imminent Sunday morning worship service. In case #1, the people involved apparently worked well together to cope with the emergency. In case #2, the people reacted poorly. Richardson used the rest of his text to examine the: who, what, where, why, and how, which were illustrated by the very different reactions to the same crisis.
To be a "non-anxious presence" is one factor essential to the 'Understanding' of what it means to be an effective church leader. Re-Patterning, then, becomes possible. Richardson wrote: "The goal of this work is for each leader to improve his or her own level of emotional functioning in relation to each other member of the congregation and particularly in relation to other leaders" (1996:177). The formula, now, can be re-written:
Non-Anxious Presence + Sensitized Emotional Relationships = Spiritual Health.
Creating a Healthier Church is practical, thought provoking, personal, objective, and clear. I found aspects of myself objectively held up in the light of truth, and was challenged accordingly. I found aspects of my church revealed in both the positive and the negative scenarios. I know there is still work to be done in the vineyard, if the harvest is to be bountiful. This book is insightful and timely. I highly recommend it.

Could you ever imagine a gorilla having a pet cat? In the book Koko's Kitten by Dr. Francine Patterson, there is a gorilla named Koko and she has a pet cat. In the book, Koko learned over 500 words of sign language. I never knew that a gorilla could learn sign language. This is a really interesting non-fiction book. Will Koko be a good pet owner? Read and find out!

The story of Koko, the gorilla who knows sign language, and her kitten, Ball, is told by Penny Patterson, her owner and mentor. Koko loved books about cats, and one day, she got a little gray, tailess kitten of her own. Koko named the kitty All Ball. There are wonderful photos of Koko cuddling and playing with Ball. Looking at them, it's easy to see that humans don't have a monopoly on love. A sad part leads to a happy ending for the wonderful Koko, who is now 31 years old. This book is especially recommended for anyone learning sign language!

I loved this book as a child, and now, as a first year teacher, i plan to use this book in my classroom. The book is informative and sweet, and the pictures are adorable.

My emotions, while reading this book, ranged from disbelief to outrage. Do not read this book on a full stomach.

For me, Ronald Wright exposed the faulty notion of America's 'virgin wilderness'. Before I read this I did not appreciate the size or sophistication the Native American nations he has profiled in 'Stolen Continents'.

Though this is a tragic history, it is one that should be told. The section on 'Rebirth' is encouraging, for some nations. For others it seems like the relentless attacks, that have deprived so many of so much, will never end.

I hope Mr. Wright profiles other aboriginal nations with this all too rare perspective.

Although the material in this book is probably covered in greater detail elsewhere, it is pretty unique that the experiences of indigenous groups as diverse as the Iroquois and Incas, are presented here with equal detail. One learns interesting facts about each of them. While I knew about Manco Inca's revolt and establishing a mini-Inca state in the jungle, I had no idea that this was followed by a sort of "Inca Renaissance," with plays, histories and poems written in Quechua. In addition, the five groups that Wright chose either had their own written language or quickly learned one after European contact (and the Cherokee even had their own newspaper), so this history is genuinely "through Indian eyes." The unifying thread (in addition to the resilience of all 5 groups) is that the colonization of the New World by Europeans was not significantly different that of Africa and Asia- without the disease factor, the Americas might today be wholly governed by their original inhabitants.

On re-reading "STOLEN CONTINENTS"

I recently gave a copy of STOLEN CONTINENTS to a colleague who came to the United States from Cuba. Before giving her this as a gift, I thought it a good idea to re-read it ... to make sure she would not be offended by its content. Reading the author Ronald Wright's comments in the Introduction is instructive. Originally British (now living in Canada), the historian Wright writes that as a schoolboy in London he became interested in North and South American Indians by frequent trips to the British Museum. He was "bored to tears" by the schoolboy's dry history of England and found these strange, un-European like people, the Indians fascinating. Searching hard as he could, young Wright found virtually nothing written of their history. There was a plethora of history by Europeans of the "conquest" of the New World. But what did the "conquered" people themselves have to say about their lives before and since having been "conquered" by the Europeans?

Indeed, South American Indians in particular had a written language, books and libraries, Wright learned. These were the first to be destroyed by the advancing European clergy whose mission it was to impose European religious literature on these "savages." After giving my Cuban colleague the gift of this books several weeks later she contacted me to say, "I have lived over 55 years but had no idea of the true history of my country and its people. I have had to revise EVERYTHING in my mind!" Such is the power of Wright's book.

The reason a use the term "re-read" is that I visited this site before in 1997. I'll re-edit some of my remarks: ' ... Wright's "Stolen Continents" is a seminal classic which replaces Eurocentric mythology with documented observations. The author spent many years tracing the original histories of North and South American natives as they themselves observed and recorded it. This is the material that the descendents of the conquering Europeans and their modern day American cousins were never supposed to see. The murderous adventures of the gold seeking and land grabbing cutthroats is documented. It serves as a shameful monument to men who called themselves Christians, and who violated every basic Christian principle for the sake of gold, land, and enslaving nations. These documents also make it clear why there is so much trouble today with native North and South Americans who resist the ongoing genocide that began five centuries ago. Wright is an indignant and angry writer; which in the context of his discoveries seems appropriate. '

There is a common cause for the present "Indian problems" in North and South America. Leonard Peltier, the Chiapas of Mexico and the Shining Path in Peru come to mind. Wright makes these problems understandable in the context of THEIR history. To begin understanding where the Americas came from and likely where they are headed, STOLEN CONTINENTS is indispensable.

As a 5th Battalion Ranger reading Ron Lane's true story, memories of the first days of the Normandy invasion come alive as if they happened yesterday.

As the 2nd and 5th Ranger Bns. interacted on many missions of WWII, this vividly written account of the assault on the French beaches - and the awesome task of gaining a foothold from which to advance into Europe - brings that time alive to all Rangers.

Lt. Col. Ronald Lane captures the emotions and pride of all of us, as he sees that time through the eyes of those he interviewed for his book. As a later Airborne Ranger in Viet Nam, he better understands and narrates the stories of the WWII Rangers and relates them so realistically that they are absorbing and meaningful to soldiers and civilians alike. In this book, you will put yourself into the body of each Ranger making history at that time. USER-LOCATION: REVIEW: As a 5th Battalion Ranger reading Ron Lane's true story, memories of the first days of the Normandy invasion come alive as if they happened yesterday.

As the 2nd and 5th Ranger Bns. interacted in many missions of WWII, this vividly written account of the assault on the French beaches - and the awesome task of gaining a foothold from which to advance into Europe - brings that time alive to all Rangers.

Lt. Col. Ronald Lane captures the emotions and pride of all of us, as he sees that time through the eyes of those he interviewed for his book. As a later Airborne Ranger in Viet Nam, he better understands and narrates the stories of the WWII Rangers and relates them so realistically that they are absorbing and meaningful to soldiers and civilians alike. In this book, you will put yourself into the body of each Ranger making history at that time. END

I found this to be an excellent and authoritative book with detailed accounts of the 2nd Rangers on D-Day. I know a number of Rangers veterans who recommended this book to me as a well written and accurate account. This is by far one of the best D-Day books I have in my growing collection. If you are a D-Day buff, then I recommend it to you without hesitation. Your D-Day collection will be incomplete without it!

From the very start of this book, you're pulled in. You're on the English Channel with the young, brave, terrified Rangers as they make their way towards Omaha Beach. You'll hear the whine of the Landing craft engines. You'll watch as the men struggle to keep their landing craft afloat, or as they sink helplessly to the bottom with all their heavy gear, drowned before their mission really started. You'll recoil from the geysers of water shooting into the air from German artillery. You'll duck - knowing it's futile, that once you hear it, it's already past you - as bullet after bullet pings off your craft. It's an incredible ride, and an incredible story. "Saving Private Ryan" was fictionalized, but the first thirty minutes of that movie realistically portrayed the horrors of that day. Read this book to find out the rest of the story, from the men who were there. One of the main persons in this story is Leonard "Bud" Lomell, who has a chapter in the "Heroes" section of Tom Brokaw's best seller, "The Greatest Generation." If you're hungry to find out more about him and the rest of his Ranger buddies - all heroes in my eyes - read this book!