Sir Gibbie is an exquisitely written children's classic, depicting in poetic,vivid detail a country of lush beauty as viewed from the eyes of a small city waif, whose father has perished, leaving his young son with nothing more than a full, loving heart; a gracious, generous nature; and a warm, open personality bent on doing good for others by every means in his power. The adventures of the ill-clad child begin as he travels the open road, in response to his father's constant words "Up Daurside!", where he befriends the herdboy Donal, is taken in by his parents, Robert and Janet Grant, and rescues the young lady Ginevra from a natural catastrophe. Sweet, tender Gibbie automatically floats into one's heart as one follows him from town vagrant to benevolent gentleman, and remains there long after the book's pages are closed. His growing awareness of the world in both materialistic and spiritual matters holds the reader captivated. Geroge Macdonald has compos! ed a nineteenth century story in true Scottish style, where one may observe everything in the universe from the grace of the mountaintops to the wonder of human beings through innocence, peace, and love. Written in an almost angelic manner, Sir Gibbie transports one to the realm where nature and piety and loveliness are intertwined, and produces a magical air which no one can fail but love, and desire to experience over and over again.

The author, George MacDonald, was a prolific Scottish writer who lived from 1824 to 1905. He knew Mark Twain, Charles Dickens and Lewis Carroll. He was the favorite author of C.S. Lewis (author of the Narnia books). This book is thought by many to have provided inspiration and several plot elements for Twain's "Huckleberry Finn". It is an excellent story and is especially good as a read-aloud. The adventures of this ragged, barefoot street urchin as he finds his destiny are truly compelling. Little Gibbie is mute (unable to speak) but has a heart of gold and his greatest joy lies in helping others. After the tragic death of his titled but penniless father, Gibbie is the horror-stricken witness to a violent murder. His faith in humanity shaken, he flees the city in hopes of discovering a new life in the highlands.

Royal Flash

In this Flashman novel, G.M. Fraser takes a while to get Flashy, our cynical and salacious anti-hero, into motion. But once he does, the book zips along, giving us an adventure that Flashy claims Anthony Hope ripped off to write "The Prisoner of Zenda," as well as the scoundrel's view of the European revolutions in 1848.
As usual with the Flashman books, there are patches of wonderful descriptive writing. For example: "We were rolling slowly up a long avenue of trees towards a huge, bleak house, half mansion, half castle; in the fading light, with the wintry sky behind it, it looked in silhouette like the setting for some gothic novel, all towers and spires and rugged stonework. There were some lights in some of the windows, and a great lantern shone yellow above the pointed archway of its main door, but they served only to exaggerate the ancient gloom of the place. Childe Flashy to the Dark Tower came, thinks I, and tried not to imagine what lay within." A fast, light, fun read.

Talk about swashbuckling, this book(and series)has it in droves. Flashman may be fictional but, he is a real hero. He isn't doing it for queen and country though, he's in it for a quick buck and a roll in the hay with a maiden or two, or three... Written in memoir form it is not the usual autobiographcal self-glorification you would expect. No one is more critical of him than Flash, himself. He's a self serving coward and proud of it. A hero by default, Harry tells it warts and all. Booze, broads, and stealing the crown jewels. Anytime you think he has escaped unscathed he blunders into an even bigger mess. I promise you will enjoy this.

After reading the first book in this series, I was hesitent to read number two. Hesitent because I was afraid it would fall short of its excellent forerunner. But, it is just as good. Flashman is just as much of a cowardly, weak-kneed, lilylivered, lying, braggart, womanizer as he was in the first book. Thankfuly, the good times and adventure roll! We even learn a little about German history. It is hard to imagine a series as well done as this. Braavo Flashy! A scoundrel for all seasons!

FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON is the third "Flashman" book I've read. Previously I had read ROYAL FLASH and FLASH FOR FREEDOM. Of those three, I liked FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON the best. The historical setting during the Taiping Rebellion and the British/Mancho conflict is fascinating. Compared to the other two Flash Harry novels I'd read, this was heavier on the history, a "HISTORICAL novel" if you will, while the other two were more "historical NOVELS"... and FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON it is better for it.

If you have never read a Flashman novel, by all means read one. Better yet, I recommend listening to the unabridged audio versions read by David Case. I listen to 25+ books a year and David Case is one of the best. Since I am an American Yank, it helps to hear Case's perfect Brit accent flesh out the English colloquialisms... they read funny on the page, but sound even funnier on tape. If you've only read Flashman, check out an audio version at your local library... it will add a whole new dimension to the Flash Harry experience. Long Live Flashman!

The thing that sticks with me a fortnight after finishing this book is the wire jacket. Eurgh! It makes me squeam to think about it.
GMF adds another episode to the life of Harry Flashman that takes our (un?)fortunate (anti?)hero to China during the Taiping Revolution and the shenanigans at the Summer Palace. As always, Flashman sees history occuring onhand, and barely escapes with his life. He's a coward and he's a liar: he calls himself a monster and he is, but he's also a public hero and his Victorian counterparts can't prevent themselves lauding everything he does.
Don't know anything about the history? Don't let it put you off. In fact, it should encourage you to read this book. As much as I've enjoyed all the Flashman books, the greatest legacy they've left me has been a far greater understanding of 19th century history. Little facts are sprinkled in along the way, such as when the americans fight alongside the british for the first time in their history.
Without giving too much away, the plot is a bit straggly: we start with Harry getting mixed up with the Taipings, and then spending some time at the Summer Palace. To me it seemed like one short story and one novel spliced together, but this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.
It wasn't the greatest in the Flashman series that I've read, but it was great fun and I would recommend it, although I'd suggest starting with the original "Flashman" as reading the books in order has added to the value I've gained from them.

To say that this book makes history come alive will probably put off all potential readers, but really, I mean it in the best possible sense. As a novel, it's OK, although the plot's a mess. It's the historical bits that are fascinating - someone wrote that late 19th-century China attracted the largest ever group of eccentrics and scoundrels, and they are all here!

Who is weirdest? - the cello-playing English general who later inspires an aria by Gilbert and Sullivan? the mercenary soldier from the American Deep South who defects to fight for the Chinese Taiping Christian rebels? the evil Empress Tzu Hsi, later known as Old Buddha? Even more fascinating (and moving) is the description of Lord Elgin ("Son of Marbles")'s expedition to enforce the Sino-British treaties. The author has researched this thoroughly, and much of the detail comes from the narratives of H B Loch, one of Elgin's assistants. The descriptions of Chinese torture and the gruesome results may be found in Loch's "Personal Narrative of Lord Elgin's Second Embassy to China" - do whatever you can to find a copy of this, it's worth it!

The great thing about this story is that the excellent historical notes allow you to make up your mind about the rights and wrongs of the whole affair. This book really ought to be included in Amazon.com's listing for "Taiping Rebellion" - it's certainly more engaging and readable than Jonathan Spence's tedious "God's Chinese Son".

Treasure Island, a story about a boy who goes on an adventure of a lifetime (a treasure hunt!), is an action packed book for young adults to enjoy. Though the book had too much description to get to the point, it was a good read. From good guys, to bad guys, sailors, to mutineers, friends to enemies, Treasure Island has it all. The authors' word choice for this book is incredibly sophisticated and makes the book a little more descriptive, ( though I was not always sure what the words meant). Using "ship slang" and having the characters say just what they need to say at the right time. The theme in this book is one we always need to keep in mind "be careful who you trust, people aren't always to be what they appear to be". So if ever you need a good book to read I definitely recommend Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island.

Giving Treasure Island five stars is like declaring Helen of Troy homecoming queen. It's too little,too late. This is the classic tale of pirates. Its' themes have been worked and worked again,but it remains untouched. Stevenson is a master storyteller at the top of his form. From beginning to end the plot never lags,and the characters possess a richness and depth rare in an adventure story. Every reader of English ought to make their acquaintance--Jim Hawkins,Billy Bones,Old Pew,Silver,and the rest--at some time in his life,preferably when he is young,and his heart still believes it can find that treasure. Treasure Island has been francised,moppetized,filmed,and abridged,but never bettered. Accept no substitues! Read the entire book. There is plenty here for children and adults. Like all great literature,it works on more than one level. Dominating the whole Story is the figure of Long John Silver. As his name implies he has a lunar quality. He is attractive,facinating,powerful,but with a dark side. Again,he is murdering,lying,and infinitly self-seeking,yet like Jim we cannot help liking him and wanting him to like us. At this level Treasure Island is a study in criminality that asks: Why is it that the best,the most full of natural power, often turn their gifts to evil? And why do we find evil so attractive? A word about editions. There are many,but by far the best is the hardcover featuring the illustrations of N.C. Wyeth. No one has succeeded as he has in capturing the spirit of the tale. If you are looking for a cheaper paperback edition that won't blind you with cramped layout, or ruin the whole experience with goofy illustratons,choose the Puffin Classic. It's unabridged,sturdy,and features a beautiful cover illustration.

"Treasure Island" is the classic adventure novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. Set on the high seas amid treasures and pirates, it is the story of a young boy's adventure. "Treasure Island" has been done by everyone from Disney to the Muppets. It's been imitated many times and influenced countless books and movies.

A mysterious pirate shows up at an inn owned by Jim Hawkin's mother. The pirate is killed by a gang of rogues, but Jim finds a treasure map belonging to the pirate. Jim then embarks on a journey to far away island to find the treasure. Of course, nobody can be trusted - especially the cook, Long John Silver. With his peg leg and parrot, Silver is the stereotypical pirate. Once the island is reached, sides are chosen - the mutinous pirates against the ship's crew. Jim goes on a journey within a journey on the island, going from one side to another, as the treasure is hunted for.

Everyone should read this book at some point. It's especially good for young boys, due to the fact that the main character (Jim) is a young boy. It's well crafted, and easy to read. And it's hard to put down once you get going. What else can you ask for?

Wonderful, rousing, and educational - you have to read this with a bookmark in the footnotes section, and you'll probably enjoy doing so - the historical research Fraser does is astounding, and exposes much of the hypocrisy of John Company's stay in "Indja".

This is the second book of a two-part novel. Don't bother to read this book unless you have already read the first one "The Fisherman's Lady". That's where all the characters and their stories are really developed. This second book just continues on with Book 1 without really identifying or explaining who and what is going on. That said, it was as interesting as the first book, worth reading, a good adventure with a spiritual twist. The ending was a bit flat but overall, it was a good read. (Still think Malcolm is too good to be true though. Too bad.)

This book displays some amazingly insightful looks at human hearts and motivations. It is a beautiful completion to Malcolm (republished as The Fisherman's Lady).

Here you will see how there often are times in our lives where to follow the laws of God are to guarantee failure in all that we wish to accomplish in life...but that those who, against all reason, place their trust in God, God is able to bring about the deepest desires of our hearts. But sometimes He does not. Sometimes, God brings to light even greater things, though at greater cost.

I love this book.

As a dedicated Flashman fan since discovering the first in the series in 1974, I was disappointed. I had, of course, both to read it and have a hardback copy for my collection, but I hope Mr. Fraser isn't running out of steam or humor. Neither of the two immediately previous books (Dragon and Mountain of Light) were especially funny, but they were both fascinating and satisfying without being as contrived as this one is. I think I disliked (relatively speaking) this one for the same reason I disliked (relatively speaking) Royal Flash: it was very contrived. One great thing about the Flashman series has always been the ease and seamlessness with which Mr. Fraser has inserted our protagonist into history. Perhaps this is a preliminary to his book about Flashman in the Civil War, which I've been waiting for for what seems like forever, probably since reading Flashman's Who's Who entry in the first book. I hope Mr. Fraser writes that book next and that he does all he can to make it worth a twenty-three-year wait.

Another great Flashman read, although certainly no where near as clever or funny as some of the early in the series. Some very interesting historical information as always, and Flashman is inserted into history rather well. But the scope/focus of the book is a little to narrow, and the main focus of the book really not all that interesting from a late 20th Century reader's perspective. Flashman's ideaology seems to come out rather more in this book, and its a bit of a worry from an experienced Flashman reader's point of view that he *has* one! :-) I'm looking forward to the book which details Flashy's exploits (or lack of them) in the US Civil War - I hope that will set the standad as a real Flashman classic.

Flashman and the Angel of the Lord was my introduction to writer George Fraiser and "his" character, Harry Flashman. I was impressed and pleased. Impressed with Frasier's scholarship (the fictional Flashman's interactions with real historic persons and events is accurate, as his extensive endnotes demonstrate). Pleased with the irreverant, wholly unconventional and most certainly un-PC character of Harry Flashman.

In the Angel of the Lord, Flashman - a scandalous character "resurrected" from the 19th century novel Tom Brown's Schooldays and a self-described "bully, poltroon, cad, turncoat, lecher and toady" - finds himself aiding John Brown in his raid at Harper's Ferry. Conspiracies abound with several factions enlisting the "assistance" of Flashman to either foil the attempt or help pull it off. The misadventures of Harry Flashman as he navigates the intrigue and double-dealing combined with the Fraiser's rapier-like wit and irreverant style had me riveted to the story line while laughing out loud. I will certainly read the remainder of the "Flashman Chronicles" and I recommend this one highly.

The Gentlewoman's Choice is a sweet story of one woman's devotion to God in spite of the cultural pressure of her day. I enjoyed the story and admired Hester's courage, though the ending wasn't at all what I had anticipated. The ending was perfect for the author's point, however, and made the reader respect and admire the character even more. Hester Raymount provides an excellent example of one willing to obey God by caring for His children in spite of their social or financial standing. A story with a message that's just as relevant today as it was in MacDonald's time.