This book is deceptively small and simple, yet has a wealth of wisdom and practical ideas for everyone who wishes to grow as a human being living on this Planet Earth. Dr. Lee's vision for humanity is that all become enlightened because this is the solution to the current global problems of war, hunger, and Western society's poverty of the soul. Enlightenment is not an obscure, mystical path reachable only for those who sit for 20 years meditating on a mountaintop, but a choice we can make for ourselves today. Like most anything worthwhile, enlightenment is a process of spiritual maturing. Dr. Lee points out that healing our souls and coming closer to our own divine nature is the true purpose of our lives here on earth. How does one go about recovering our divine selves and awakening spiritually? There are as many paths as there are human souls in the world. As the founder of "Dahn Hak", a holistic method of exercise, breathing, and meditation, Dr. Lee has done our homework for us. In "Healing Society", he explains the fundamentals of "Dahn Hak", and how this practice initially benefits the individual. From my own practical experience, the practice of "Dahn Hak" has enabled me to step out of the confines of my small self, and create a life full of meaning and purpose for myself and my family. And, as Dr. Lee so concisely points out, the true purpose of enlightenment is the betterment of society. In order to experience the immediate benefits of "Dahn Hak", one must first understand simply what it is. The purpose of Dr. Lee's book is to invite us all to the feast, for that is what is within every one of us. Once we understand Who we truly are, how we treat each other and ourselves changes. And this knowledge is what will heal the world. Get this book, read it, and learn "to play well with each other."

In his new book "Healing Society", Dr.Lee seeks to illumunate the pathway to one's spiritual nature, thereby experiencing oneness with all of humanity and the great cosmic universe. His DahnHak program proposes that each individual is to first achieve physical and mental health and improve their energy balance. Dr.Lee explains these ideas in his book in a positive and encouraging manner that is direct, understandable and in an easy to read and enjoyable format. Instead of trying to solve problems only by war or violence, we must bring on a new wave of understaning, or mass enlightenment, and learn to love unconditionally to create a lasting world peace. Dr.Lee talks about losing touch with one's True Self, who is naturally divine and give us health, happiness, and joy, instead of hate, fear, anxiousness, struggle, and conflict. Listening to our heart and soul will lead to trust and harmony. Using the Ki-energy that surrounds and is available to us, and using Brain Respiration as a training tool, enlightenment can be achieved. An "Enlightenment Revolution" through a Spiritual-Cultural Movement is Dr. Lee's inspiring proposal to start up our collective human consciousness.

Dr. Seung Heun Lee wrote Healing Society: A Prescription for Global Enlightenment because he wanted "to call upon the world to embark on an Enlightenment Revolution" and "to let everyone know of their own right to enlightenment." Dr. Lee has written sixteen previous books and lectures extensively. He also founded "Dahn Hak Movement," which is designed to help in spiritual awakening, and helped establish the New Millennium Peace Foundation with Neale Donald Walsch. The United Nations has recognized Dr. Lee as a preeminent spiritual leader of the world.

He emphasizes throughout the book that enlightenment is not just for a select few, but available to everyone. He defines enlightenment as "a simple choice that you make to live your life for the betterment and benefit of all those around you." One needs only to make that choice, and then develop the discipline to live out that choice.

Part of becoming enlightened involves training your life energy, or Ki. Dr. Lee explains exactly how to do this. He has also developed a technique called "Brain Respiration" as a "realistic and everyday form of spiritual training" for all those people who don't have the time or inclination to go live on a mountain top or join a monastery.

Once people achieve personal enlightenment, the next step is global enlightenment. Dr. Lee says that we once all lived together as enlightened beings in harmony, and that we have deep spiritual longings to regain this world. In order to do that, "we need to recover the sense of Oneness and harmony that we have lost." That requires making both a personal and a collective choice to be enlightened. He wants at least one hundred million people to be spiritually enlightened by the end of this decade. "The healing vibration of their choices and determination will cure the Earth of the ills we have caused," he says.

Most people have forgotten that we are all part of One. Forgetting that has led to the state of affairs that exists today. If you'd like to meet your Creator Within and become a part of the solution rather than continue as part of the problem, then I highly recommend reading Healing Society.

Do you believe in faeries? After reading this you'll want to. There are plenty of books about faeries out there - what makes this one unique is that it is written as a field guide and it is full of beautiful (and I do mean beautiful) paintings and drawings of the creatures described. The book is titled Faeries, but it also contains goblins, witches, selkies and the like. Not only is it fun to read and look at, but if you draw, it's a great artistic reference. (Many of the illustrations in Faeries are used as tattoos today.) Brian Froud is an amazing artist himself and he helped design the creatures in movies such as the Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. Buy this book if you loved fairy tales as a kid.

This was the book where I first encountered the artists Froud and Lee, and also where I discovered that faeries are indeed either ugly or beautiful, old and young; everything I had ever hoped and imagined, and more. Froud and Lee's breathtaking and altogether masterly portrayal of the intrinsic, metamorphic world of fantasy forever hovering at our fingertips, is truly masterly, and I have never encountered another yet which rates quite as highly as this. I would definately recommend this book to anyone who loves faeries, and/or queries the 'pretty' flower-faeries we tend to be bombarded with today. s This book has all my dreams, nightmares and fantasies woven together in it's intricate, detailed illustrations, the thick, scrawling lead pencil script... I cannot find the words to speak highly enough of this simply unique, marvellous book. I am an avid admirer of Froud and Lee's works, the faery-kingdom, faery poetry, stories, tales, photographs, illustrations, and can never have enough information on that mystical kingdom where people such as Thomas the Rhymer and Tam Lin vanish to, where a cup of wine can bind you a prisoner, where the young are old, and the old are yound, where anything is possible whether you believe or not. I for one, do strongly believe in faeries, and wish that I could see one. This book is - where are the words to describe it? Magnificent/Fabulous/Beautiful/Moving/Terrifying/Fantastic/Eye-opening - they are only some... I would like to congratulate Lee and Froud on their admirable skill for illustrations, the publishers for - well - publishing this book, and all the readers out there who fell in love with this book, which is a gift from faeryland itself.

My mother gave my a copy of "Faeries" for Christmas 1980, when I was 11. I was instantly enchanted with the idea of faeries as real beings, and accepted much of the text as truth. I fantasized about spotting faeries in the woods and rocks surrounding my childhood home, and made many (sophomoric) attempts to copy Brian Froud's illustrations. As an adult I even had a flower faerie tattooed on my ankle in homage to his art

My origional copy of "Faeries" is tattered and dog-eared, most of the pages have fallen out, and are hopelessly out-of-sequence, but I can't bear to throw it away. I count "Faeries" as one of the most influential books I had as kid growing up, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to any child (or adult) interested in faeries or mythology. The book is incredibly well-researched, and beautifully illustrated. The hand-written text can be difficult to read at times, but adds to the wonderful illusion of illicitly reading someone's journal

Bravo for reissuing this book, I am ordering my new hardcover copy today

The biggest danger posed by this book will be your inability to put it down and the immediate need for another fix of Liaden Universe novels! I don't know how this series escaped my attention back in the 80's, but I started with Partner's In Necessity (omnibus of the first three novels, Conflict of Honors, Agent of Change and Carpe Diem) and was instantly in love. I read the whole book in under a week and immediately had purchase all the available books, including Plan B, which follows hard on the heels of Carpe Diem. I spent a weekend reading them all together in order, and even though I think Plan B is well-crafted enough to be read on its own, the background information and hints that you pick up in the earlier books makes it worth your while to start at the beginning and work your way to Plan B.

I was impressed that Plan B fit so seamlessly with the previous novels. The action picks up right where it left off, and the characters words and deeds are so consistant with what has been written before you never would have guessed there was a ten year publishing gap between them. The strengths of these books is in the wonderful cast of characters. Val Con, Shan, Nova, Anthora, Priscilla, Miri, Edger...they are all so well drawn with their own mannerisms and speech. Part of the dramatic tension in Plan B is getting the various members of Clan Korval all in the same place/space at same time since many of them haven't even met each other. You just know that Shan will approve of Val Con's lifemate Miri, but you want them to meet and talk to each other and interact, though perhaps it would be better to save Aunt Kareen for later...

While Plan B isn't strong on technological details, it is big on heart. The driving force is to preserve Clan Korval from the evil Department of the Interior, a xenophobic and power-hungry shadow organization within the Liaden government. They fear and resent Clan Korval's power and influence and the current clan members' partial Terran heritage. This sets the stage for planetary invasion, conspiracy, sabatoge, family reunions, long-lost heirs, galatic mobs, eccentric ancestors, talking tress, truces with enemies and a host of other difficulties to be overcome and it all makes for great reading.

By my measure, any book that makes you want to buy the sequel and/or prequel(s) sight unseen must have something going for it, and for all the faithful readers who had to wait 10 years (!) to get Plan B in their hands, well, they have my deepest sympathy. Right now I'll be re-reading my copies until I Dare makes its appearance. Thanks to Meisha Merlin Publishing for picking up this series, and let's hope there will be many more adventures yet to come!

First full disclosure: I have fallen in love with the Liaden universe! All these wonderful stories have been a godsend and a comfort. Marvelous tales of adventure, romance and daring do! There isn't a bad one in the bunch.

Now specifically lets look at "Plan B," the third in the Agent of Change series. But maybe it would be better to look at them as two parts of one story separated into two sections each. "Agent of Change" is nothing without "Carpe Diem" and "Plan B" is nothing without going on to "I Dare." "Plan B" is the continuation of "Carpe Diem" so you know where it's been. By the way if you haven't read "Agent of Change/Carpe Diem" do it now! Don't wait. In fact you can buy both of them along with "Conflict of Honors" in one volume called "Partners in Necessity", without a doubt the best buy around. Anyway the whole cast is there as you follow them throughout their various exploits.

I will grant you that my two favorites are "Carpe Diem" and "I Dare" but you can't skip "Plan B." You just can't! You can't skip tot he middle of a book and that's what you would be doing!

Given the total Plan B/I Dare, they really should have been one novel, you just can't beat it. Not only do I recommend this book but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it.

"Plan B -- Speak to me of danger, do!" has become a watch-word among certain groups of readers. And now we finally know what Plan B IS----- sort of. After reading (and re-reading) the first three books in this universe, and hooking many of my friends on them, I was thrilled beyond words when the newest edition hit the stands. Action, most certainly. Honor, excitement, romance, intrigue, curious abilities and of course, ten foot tall talking turtles....what is there not to love!?! Val Con and Miri, Shan and Priscilla, all of our favorites from Clan Korval are here, and THIS time, some of them in the same places! If there is anything wrong with this book (besides the fact that it ENDED!), it is the way the chapter-lets, or segments, really, jump from character set to character set. You could get motion sick, if you're not careful, trying to keep track of where you are when. But much can be forgiven where so much pleasure is delivered. And of course, nothing whets the appetite better than knowing there is more to come! "I Dare" isn't THAT far away.... Keep on writing, Steve and Sharon!

My love of westerns prompted me to read this novel. I generally stay away from "Made for TV movie" novels, but I had heard from many of my friends that this was a novel that couldn't be passed up. I am very glad I took the time to get into the novel. It is a fabulous epic that I will read again and again. Not only that, but I have gone and purchased the other three books of the series, and am anxious to begin reading them.
"Lonesome Dove" starts out kind of slow. You are introduced to the main characters early on, but the story line doesn't really pick up until the journey to Montana begins. Lorena's capture was the clincher of the novel. From that point on I was hooked. I could not put the book down until I finished it. I liked the development of Lorena's character, but unfortunately McMurtry puts it to an abrupt ending as soon as they reach Nebraska. She immediately went from a major character to a background character.
I am also wondering a bit why McMurtry decided to leave Woodrow Call's character such a secret until the very end of the novel. Like Clara, I don't particularly like Call, and wonder why McMurtry made him the character who rides into the sunset. I guess I will have to read "Streets of Laredo" to find out.
Augustus McCrae is by far my favorite character of the novel. His character is so well developed that you feel like you know him personally. He is fun, playful, sensitive, caring, skilled, and opinionated. What a great guy! What a hero.
My second favorite character of the novel is Newt. You can see him mature before your eyes. I hope that some day a novel is written about him.
Using myth, mystery and superstition, I believe that Blue Duck is an awesome character. He is crude and devilish, and his ending is so grand. McMurtry gave us just enough information to keep us in suspense, but not enough to form the whole picture of who this villan was.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is in for a great epic tale of the American west. I think McMurtry is one of the best American authors we have ever had. I cannot wait to pick up his other novels.

Larry McMurty created a true masterpiece when he wrote Lonesome Dove. This is the best book that I have ever read. From the bar fights over cards to the killing of horse thieves, this novel has every aspect of the old West in it. Detailed descriptions of each character, along with in depth descriptions of the work the do, brings this book alive while you are reading it. As the characters travel throughout the West on their many journeys they start to realize how they are all strangely linked in some unique way. This is how Larry McMurty helps you to understand the entire book, while leaving no questions left unanswered.
Augustus McCrae and Woodrow Call are two ex Texas Rangers who have dreams of driving horses and cattle north from Texas all the way to Montana. However, they can't this task alone. They must find willing and capable men to work for them on the drive. The outfit of men must endure many hardships if they are going to reach their goal of Montana with their herd. You must read this great book to find out if they will make it to Montana alive with their entire herd.

When fellow book lovers ask me to name my all-time favorite novel, Larry McMurtry's magnum opus impulsively rises to my lips. Upon reflection, this answer might not be fully accurate, as I've clutched many great books to my soul in the years since I first read Lonesome Dove. Nevertheless, I don't think this instinctive first response will ever really change. From the opening sentence, when Gus exiles the disruptive pigs from the sanctuary of his porch, I was pulled into this book like a starving prairie orphan longing to trail after these powerful characters and find companionship, sustenance and adventure in their midst.

While McMurtry tells a great tale, Lonesome Dove is essentially a story about love -- bedrock love, that is, in all its bittersweet, complicated immutability. It's about a friendship between two men who share a bond so strong, forged of history and loyalty, that it bridges large disparities of individual character. It's about a true but unfulfilled love between a man and woman that really wants to stay precisely there, deriving energy from the protracted state of tension. And it's about the unrequited love of a son for a father, who so naturally inhabits his role as leader, but remains achingly unable to breach the isolation of his dominion.

Of course, Gus is my favorite character - a man so full of courage, humor, verve and effortless passion for life that I half-wanted to be kidnapped by a passel of seedy outlaws so that he would come riding to my rescue. When Gus died, I put the book down for weeks in angry bereavement, and almost didn't forgive McMurtry. When the book itself ended, I grieved for months, and it was a good piece of time before I could break into another work of fiction with any satisfaction. I did move on to love other books, and I'll go on to love countless more. But Lonesome Dove is the book by which I will always instinctively judge others, from the standpoint of raw, visceral emotion and psychological resonance.

I bought this book for my 9 (soon to be 10) year old and was impressed by the head-to-toe body care topics it covered. It touches on everything from hair care, to face cleansing, to washing your hands, to exercising and nutrition. I was wondering how I was going to broach the topic of starting her period with my daughter and this sure helped relieve my anxiety. It covered it honestly, straightforward and not intimidating at all. I think it helped because it was only a minor focus of the entire body-care book. (A brief introduction to what a period is and how to handle it and the fact that it is completely NORMAL and all girls go through it). I told my daughter that she was now in the "girls club" and could talk to me anytime about any of these topics she had questions about...she carried the book around for hours and immediately started cleaning her face, brushing her hair and being more conscious of her overall body care.
I highly recommend this book for preteens and am happy I bought it.

I love this book SOOOO MUCH! I read it a lot!
1,000 Stars! I like the part about female hygeine, periods,
ETC. Its changed my life. This book will tell you what to do
and what NOT TO DO. AG [ American Girl] has great advice.
I've read the magazine and they have answers to questions girls from around the USA sent. In The care and keeping of you they have the same thing except with body changing.
Some of the sections in the book:
. Belly Zone
. Reach!
. heads up!
. on the go

. big changes
. the girl inside
. body basics.


Note: In this book it says when you get your period
don't freak, it's natural. See the book for more things. AG Mgazine I also give 5 stars, Its fun + helpful= super fun!
Have Fun! =^..^=
ENjoy!
Rachel =.^^.=

Okay, since I was growing up pretty fast, I was looking for a book that would give me advice and information about the changes I was going through. My mom kept on buying and suggesting book after book, but I just couldn't find the right one. Then she brings me "The Care & Keeping of You; The Body Book For Girls." Alright, i have to admit that at first I was a little hessitant about reading the book cuz I thought it would be just like the other book I had read in the past. Boy was I wrong! Once I started, I couldn't put it down! It has absolutely everything! From tips on facial care to braces. It still is helping me a lot! I reccommend this to any girl who's undergoing puberty and can't just find the right book to help her. Congratulations to AMERICAN GIRL! :)

Lessa ,werwoman of Benden, and dragonrider to a young dragon queen. Thus begins the incredible 'Dragonriders of Pern' series. A tale that takes you out of this world to let you expierence this striking novel. Four hundred years has passed since the last Threads have fallen... but they return. The dragonriders must work together to save their beloved Pern from destruction. But only one person, who will be rememberd through ballads and poems, will risk life itself. That person went BETWEEN to bring back people from long ago to help save Pern...

This is a well written novel. Although it might seem slow at first once you get into it you will fall right in love with this book. This book might be a little too complicated for younger audiences. If you get stuck on an unfamiliar phrase, term, or name refer to the glossary at the back of the book. This is a must read for any fan of Anne McCacfffrey or science fiction/fantasy fans. {Also you may look for the reprinted cover version of 'Dragonflight' at a local bookstore near you.}

I must say that this book is one of my ABSOLUTE favorites! I have read it so many times that I almost know it all by heart! This book tells the story of Lessa, (my fav. character) who Impresses the last golden-queen dragon of Pern, Ramoth and how, basically, they defy all and, against all the odds against them, the save the world. This was the 1st Pern book I have ever read, and I say you should definetly read this one first. It makes understanding the different ranks and colors of the dragons easier...it makes you understand the real, emotional bond that the dragons and their riders have...how their minds are linked and how they understand everything about the other... This world is so believable that it makes me want to go to Pern and Impress a dragon! (lol) One of my favorite parts would have to be when Ramoth rose in flight to be caught by Mnementh, whose rider is F'lar, who was the only bronzerider who believed that the ancient menace of Thread would fall once again in the skies of Pern. And lo, was he ever correct! He and Lessa and Ramoth and Mnementh make the BEST couple, and their fierce wit and sense of knowing make the story fast-paced and wonderful! You get to really know all the characters like you are actually standing there, with them...its great! This is a TOTAL read for dragon fans and even sci/fi and fantasy fans! Its great for all ages, though I do warn against the 10 and under year olds-they might not get the concept. PLEASE READ! ITS SO WORTH A HARBACK VERSION! (I have all these books, so trust me!) :OD

Lessa waited 10 long years in hiding for her chance to reclaim her birthright. As the last of the Ruathan blood, she must hide her true identity or be killed by Fax, the usurper who killed all of her kin and claimed Ruatha Hold for his own. When the dragonrider, F'lar, comes on search for some likely candidates to impress dragons, Lessa knew that her time had come. Unfortunately, her plans did not go quite the way she wanted them to and she ends up in Benden Weyr, where she impresses the Queen dragon, the beautiful Ramoth. Even though Lessa is now Weyrwoman and dragonrider, her troubles are far from over. The dragons live to kill thread, deadly spores that fall from the sky and eat every living thing in their paths. But thread have not fallen for over 400 Turns and the people of Pern no longer want to support the dragonriders, of which few are left. F'lar is convinced that the thread will fall again - and soon. Can F'lar and Lessa mobilize the forces of Pern to fight the deadly forces of thread and survive?

Dragonflight is the first book in Anne McCaffrey's highly acclaimed Dragonriders of Pern series. She carefully eases you into the world of Pern and the reader has no trouble visualizing the planet and its people. McCaffrey also has a nice, easy to understand writing style that will make this book popular among young adults and adults alike. Her characters are engaging and anyone will root for the stubborn, opinionated Lessa and her all-too-perfect mate, F'lar. Readers will also love the fact that this book is the start of a long series and that, even though F'lar and Lessa are not the main characters of all of them, they figure into most of them so feel free to get attached to them! If you have not yet read any books by McCaffrey then you are in for a real treat!

As a beginning Java Programmer, I was looking for a reference for all the java packages. This book contains all objects which changed since the JDK 1.1. I continue to use it daily. The one dissapointment I had, was my own missunderstanding of the nature of the book. As the title implies this is a supplement, if you want a complete reference you must buy the vol 1 and 2 of the java reference. The index in this book will refer you to the other volumns for an object which did not change in 1.2. The organization is well thought out and the coding examples are helpful to me as a beginner. The completeness and index make this a superb reference manual.

This book (and the Volume 1 companion) are required for any Java programming. Every class, field and method is covered in detail. Novices will need other material (like the online tutorial) for language syntax, and how to program. But all Java programmers need these books within arms reach.

Maybe it's unhelpful to say every java programmer needs this book Period, but it really is indispensable, at least in the first few weeks. When programming, nothing should really be vague, and this book has the advantage over the online Javadocs (at java.sun.com/products/jdk/1.2/docs/) for having the little implementation notes. For example, it mentions some tiny, fairly interesting things about Enumerations that aren't mentioned online.

On the other hand, the advantage of the Javadocs is that they are newer. I just looked at Enumerations while typing this, and noted that the Iterator interface may be a halfway interesting replacement. Important? I don't know, but much of programming is the accumulation of little things that strikes one in little ways.

And you can't cut & paste from the book, which is a much more reliable way of entering text than typing. But the examples are nice, and you can lug the thing around pretty well.

"I'll try and do anything and be anything you want if only you'll keep me." This is how "Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery begins.
Anne Shirley is a twelve-year-old girl who is brought to Green Gables only to find they were expecting a boy. The Cuthberts however, are one over by this queer, imaginative girl with bright, red hair and decide to allow her to stay.
Green Gables is a lovely, little farm just outside of a small town on Prince Edward Island called Avonlea. It is surrounded by fields and forests, which hold many surprises for adventurous Anne.
Throughout this book Anne's fierce temper and wild imagination often get the better of her, but she usually manages to squeeze out of these scrapes.
Anne's melodramatic nature and fiery temper keeps you interested as you read this marvelous book.
Montgomery's humorous writing style gives life to the characters so that you feel like you are meeting them in person.
I think that this was a wonderful book filled with humor, drama and tears. I would recommend this book to anyone that has ever had a dream and loves a good book.

first of all, let me begin with I LOVE THIS BOOK! I have read this book more times than I can remember...easily more than a dozen...thus, I am going to set my mind to write a glowing review of it.

This book portrays a stunning sketch of Canadian History and Culture in the late 1800s to early 1900s. The character personalities are so real and so amazingly "human" that one cannot help but fall in love with them. You really get a taste of PEI in its glory.

This story is set in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island (Canada), a fictional settlement which is really Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, the place where Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author grew up.

The main character is Anne Shirley...and eleven year old, enigmatic, imaginative, sparkling, highly intelligent orphan who is sent to Green Gables, a farmhouse in Avonlea, under the impression that she was to be adopted by a pair of elderly siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthburt. But, apon arrival to Green Gables, Anne discovers that there had been a horrible mistake...the Cuthburts never wanted a girl...they wanted a boy who could do the chores and help Matthew with the farm. Anne was was in the "depths of dispair". Matthew, on the drive home from the train station had taken a great shine to Anne and had his heart set on keeping her, regardless of any mistake. Marilla, however, was not so easily enchanted. She agreed to let Anne stay at Green Gables on trial, to see if she would behave herself and lend a helpful hand to Marilla. After the trial, Anne is welcomed to Green Gables and flourishes under the love of the Cuthburts and all Avonlea folk. Anne, however, has one big problem. Her Hair. It is a hopeless shade of carrotty red and Anne felt that it was the ugliest hair anyone could imagine. She was extremely sensitive about it and she was horribly embarrassed about it. On her first day of school, Anne's hair was made fun of by Gilbert Blythe, the smartest and handsomest boy in school. "Carrots! Carrots!" he said. Anne's temper got the better of her and she was so angry she broke a slate over his head. After that, for many years, she snubbed Gilbert every time he spoke to her and he developed a boyhood crush on her.

Ah, but to keep this review interesting and the book mysterious, I will stop telling you the story and begin reviewing. The characters in the book are so well-defined that it seems to you that you know every character personally, like an old friend or neighbour.

And by all means, don't let the age recommendation fool you either...this book can be read by all ages alike...and I have no doubt that this book will still be my avid favorite at the age of 85.

The book is not boring, contrary to many opinions of those who read the first chapter of small print and historical settings. The discriptions will place you right into the heart of the story and you find you will laugh and cry while reading this story. Every time I read it I cry at a certain part which I'm not sure if I should reveal to you for fear of spoiling the good parts in the story, but it is dreadfully sad. If you read the book, then you will know what part I am talking about. The one saddest part in the whole story.

Although this book has some old ideas and ways of expressing them, you will learn a great deal of Canadian history through them and there's no doubt in my mind that this book will still be popular decades and most likely even centuries to come.

Anne of Green Gables is one of my all-time favorite books. Anne is a person almost everyone can relate to in some way or another. Anne is launched into the "depths of despair" as soon as she finds out the horrible truth that the Mathew and Marilla really sent for a boy from the orphanage. Her fiery temper gets the better of her at some of the worst possible times. Such as when she vows that she will never forgive Gilbert Blythe for calling her carrots, as if smashing a slate over his head is not enough. This is a wonderful book that L. M. Montgomery has really shown her skill as a writer and novelist in. I have read the entire Anne of Green Gables Series and am also, like another reader, saving them all for my daughter some day. If you want a book that you can thoroughly enjoy, this is the one, although I have one warning that you may have a hard time putting it down.

I first read this book at the age of 16, the age our heroine Jane is in this story; it was almost eerie the way I identified with the character. Even after 16 years I still consider this my favorite book of all time. The story is beautifully written to the very last line. The characters of Jane and Silver are painted so realistically that you can believe this poingnant love story actually happened.This book also puts an emotional element into the sci-fi genre that is usually not there. Tanith Lee is my favorite author; many of her volumes are in my personal library, and I believe "The Silver Metal Lover" is the apogee of her writing career.

At a self-conscious 14, I was embarrassed borrowing a love story about a girl and a robot from the school library. That this book became one of the very few books to make me ache inside and bring me to the brink of tears even 13 years and 20 rereadings later is a testimony to Tanith Lee's skill as a writer. There are so many wonderful elements in this book: her eerily beautiful future Earth (especially Jane's mother's house in the clouds), the characters (Clovis is glorious), and the sensitive depiction of Jane and how falling in love with Silver changes her life. This book, written in the first person, is so well-written that it sounds convincingly like a sheltered 16 year old girl yet never patronises her emotions. The Silver Metal Lover will always be one of my all time favorite books.

Before I started reading this book, I expected it to be an amusing and maybe kinky sci-fi romance. The more I read, the more I was impressed not only with the well-written love story, but also with the heart-warmingly poetic writing, and most of all with the thought-provoking philosophical themes that lie just beneath the surface.

This book raises ideas about what the personality of a perfect human might be like. Silver is programmed to act human, but he is not programmed for negative emotions such as pain, fear, or anger. His kindness and eternal patience help Jane, the highly sensitive and sometimes paranoid protagonist, to come to grips with her life and her attitudes. Tanith Lee blurs the line between humans and robots, giving insight by comparison on what makes humans tick and what potential we have to better ourselves.

Though this book is not as well-known as many fantasy classics, I consider it right up there with the best. If you enjoy fantasy or science fiction that has an interesting storyline *and* some deep meaning, do yourself a favor and read this book.

Lord of the Rings reads like one very long book that the reader finds themselves unable to put down. It goes without saying that you must read "The Fellowship of the Ring" and "The Two Towers" before you read this one. This, the third segment, is the climax to what the other two stories built up. This was astonishingly real for a book about wizards, hobbits and elves and I loved it. It is the only book that I have ever found myself crying when it was over. It was a sad sort of ending, (I won't spoil it), but it wasn't because of that. These vivid characters whom I had come to know and love for the months that it took me to go through "The Hobbit" and the other Lord of the Rings books were abandoning me. They would go on with their lives and have glorious new adventures of which I could not be a part of...I miss Sam most of all. The afterward of this book is a gem as well, since you can learn to read and write in Elvish and in runes, and find out histories and afterwards behind the epic. This is a must read for anybody. You are missing out if you do not read this. (And I might add that if you haven't, you are among a shrinking number of people, since the series continues only to grow in popularity.)

Having read all the Lord of the Rings series, we have now come to the end of the road where the destinies of our lead characters are revealed.

The battle of Gondor is vividly narrated & you feel the fear, pain & sadness of each character. Likewise, you witness Frodo & Sam's difficulties & sacrifices away from the battle field but fighting their greatest battle inside the tower where the evil Sauron resides.

All stories come to an end & it is expected to be of a happy ending. However, successful as they may be in their quest, the story does not end there. Instead, their lives has just begun for a new age.

I am certain, after having read this book, you cannot stop thinking what would happen next to Frodo Baggins while the rest of the hobbits are happily residing in the Shire. All I can do is wish him the best on his next journey.

The Return of the King, by J.R.R Tolkien, is a wonderfully written book concluding the three part trilogy of The Lord of the Rings. This book takes place in the world of Middle Earth, during the Third Age (there are 4 Ages in this book). The book starts out with Gandalf and Pippin riding towards Gondor and Minas Tirith. When they arrive, they find that the Grand Steward, Denthor, morning the death of Boromir, his oldest son, and trying to figure out what to do about the impending attack from Mordor. Meanwhile, Frodo has been captured and Sam goes into the land of Mordor to save him. After the rescue, they run into Gollum, and he tells them he will help them to the Crack of Doom and destroying the Rings. They begin the journey, but soon they realize that Frodo is getting weaker because the Ring is getting stronger. At the same time, in the land of Rohan, the Riders of Rohan are mustering to help Gondor in the desperate struggle. Along with them is Merry, who helps them. In the land of Rohan, Aragon is now revealed to be the heir of a great power. He goes into the land of the dead, (No, NOT MORDOR!) There, he gathers an army of dead, now, he is revealed to be the King of Gondor! Back in Gondor, all the forces are colliding, the forces of Mordor, led by the King of the Ringwraiths (Given power by Sauron, the lord of Mordor and the true owner of the Ring), the Riders of Rohan, led by Theoden King, the Men of Gondor, led by Gandalf, and the army of the Dead, led by Aragon. Who will prevail? Back in Mordor, Sam, Frodo, and Gollum are making progress towards the Crack. Will they make it in time and save the day? The writing style of Tolkien is WONDERFUL. Many fantasy novels are based on this trilogy, as is The Chronicles of Narnia. " There were long hairy breeches of some unclean beast-fell, and a tunic of dirty leather. He drew them on. Over the tunic went a coat of stout ring-mail, short for a full-sized orc, too long for Frodo and heavy. About it he clasped a belt, at which there hung a short sheath holding a broad-bladed stabbing sword." This book is AMAZING!!! The trilogy is well written, and I was brought into this trilogy, that I thought that I was actually IN Middle Earth!!!!! If I could give a higher rating of this book, I would give it 2 thumbs up and 100 stars!!!!!