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Book reviews for "Maysles,_David" sorted by average review score:

All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono
Published in Paperback by Griffin Trade Paperback (08 December, 2000)
Authors: John Lennon, Yoko Ono, David Sheff, and G. Barry Golson
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As close as we'll ever get to a Lennon Autobiography
Actually I have the original version of this book, The Playboy Interviews, but since I'm an avid collector of "all things Lennon" I'll probably buy this newer version as well. But man! What a great read this book is! I learned so much about John here in his own words. Do people remember when he was shot, and the current issue of Playboy had just come out with the John & Yoko interview? Man, I clutched that thing like a bible in those sad sad days of December 1980. That interview turned out to be just a portion of the whole interview, and now that is published in this book. A cautionary note: reading this book can re-awaken your love and feelings for John and the Beatles, and this can lead to some pretty serious melancholia. Twenty-plus years later! I still ponder the what-ifs of it all, if John had been allowed to live - for instance, how would that Beatles Anthology thing on Tee Vee had been with a living John? And would there have ever been a Beatles reunion? ( I doubt it.) Not to mention how the politics of the Reagan-80s if John had been there to help out! Anyway, buy this book. It is still very valid and even timeless in its depth and scope.

essential reading
This book is basically a re-issue of 'The Playboy Interviews With John Lennon & Yoko Ono - The Final Testament" (Berkley Books, New York, 1982, ISBN 0-425-05989-8) with a new preface. It contains the last interviews with John & Yoko conducted in September 1980 (first published in the December 1980 issue of Playboy) and is absolutely essential reading for any Beatles fan.
The interviews stand out for their honesty and frankness and provide (among other things) a very good insight into John's views of The Beatles. The part where John discusses almost every released Beatles' song is a joy to read and read again.
Of course John's relation with Yoko also gets ample exposure.
If this book is still missing from your collection, get it now!

Primary source
John Lennon gave two interviews in particular that were extraordinary for their length, depth, and honesty. One was his famous "Lennon Remembers" interviews with Rolling Stone in 1970, and the other was this one, shortly before his death in 1980. Lennon was a complex man, and it is interesting to compare his attitudes among the two milestone interviews. Yet this one (conducted over several days) stands alone for its insights into Lennon's personal life, his relationship with Yoko, his philosophising, and his song-by-song discussion of his work, both with the Beatles and afterwards. It offers an unprecedented glimpse into his mindset and outlook at the time of his death, filled with the usual engaging Lennon wit and wisdom. Lennon comes across not just as a vital source of information about his own life and career but as an interesting conversationalist, period. We are also treated to Sheff's brief glimpses of Lennon and Ono at work on their "Double Fantasy" album. This book is an important document for anyone interested in the man or his music.


When Harlie was one
Published in Unknown Binding by AEonian Press ()
Author: David Gerrold
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A great book from David Gerrold
When Harlie was One was an enjoyable book, with quite a bit of thought given to "its" character development. Unfortunately, I've looked for "When Harlie Was Two" or "The God Machine" - both titles that were listed as a sequal and have not found either. Were either actually published?

David Gerrold is quite prolific and has done some great TV scripts and a number of series books (Star Wolfe) and (Chtorr). I would also like to see more in these series.

Mr. Gerrold, if you're listening. Please consider the many fans of these series and WRITE MORE PLEASE!

Wow!
I read this book for the first time when I was 14 years old (back in 1976) and was hooked on the works of David Gerrold. My dad even liked the book, saying that Harlie did things that were plausible! I read the revised edition (version 3.0) and it looked like Mr. Gerrold had matured in the same ways that I had. A great read, an enthralling story. I highly recommend this book to anyone!

When H.A.R.L.I.E. Was One (Release 2.0)
Simply one of the best pieces of speculative fiction I've ever read. It has flaws, but it still takes the breath away, the sheer audacity of its vision. Warning, this book will make you think and could change the way you see yourself and others...

Once read, never forgotten. It's a crime it's out of print, track down a copy and see for yourself.


Wolf in Shadow
Published in Paperback by Random House of Canada Ltd. (1987)
Author: David Gemmell
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Excellent.
Don't be confused by the "Stones of Power" heading this book is under. The Stones do show up in this book, but otherwise this is a completely different story than the first two books. Jon Shannow is one of the best protagonists I've ever read about. Gemmel gives us a tortured hero who doesn't enjoy killing, but is extremely good at it and has to do it far more than he'd want. Shannow is a man whose faith isn't fooled by religion: he stays true to the spirit of the law while everyone else blindly follows rules. It's refreshing to see a character that's so honest and so human. We need more authors like this!

Another great book!
You've done it again Gemmell. Not only did you get me totally immersed in your story-telling again, but you did with a novel set in a post-apocolyptic world unlike any I've ever read about. The way you could jump from ancient times to a world thousand of years in the future and manage to mesh them together without conflicts or confusion is truly commendable. Loved the book, and Jon Shannow is a memorable hero

A heroic fantasy western done by one of the greats!
I became an instant David Gemmell fan after reading the last book in his 'Stones of Power' series, and have not looked back since. Every single book he has written has more or less been fantastic. None however overshadow this classic book which I highly suggest to all who read this.

'Wolf in Shadow' takes place in the far-flung future where an accident has toppled the earth, nearly destroying life and turning most of the world into a wastland. It has also released the magical Sipstraasi stones back into the world. Civilisation has worked it's way up to horse and buggies, but there exists a great evil who has built a satanic army thirsting for dominance.

There also exists The Jerusalem Man, a noble gunslinger who walks the world searching for the city of the Bible. This is Jon Shannow, one of Gemmell's greatest creations. He is a good man, but a hardened violent one who's morality is edged with a murderous quickdraw. And when he meets with Abaddon, lord of Hell and the mysterious gaurdians of the Sipstraasi, it creates one of sci-fi's under-appreciated jewel's.

Gemmel, as he is known to do, writes a strong adventure book but lines it with deep philosophical debates on the nature of evil and morality, one of those rare books that'll keep you turning pages and thinking as well.

Just a great novel from a great writer.


Alex Haley's Queen: The Story of an American Family
Published in Hardcover by William Morrow (1993)
Authors: Alex Haley and David Stevens
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A triumphant story of hope and glory.
Alex Haley & Dave Stevens' QUEEN is a rare gem---the story of an american family that touches many lives. Queen is the main focus of the book but her story spans past & future generations from Ireland to America. Some of the characters are tragic but all have hope for a better tomorrow. The heartbreak of Easter's love for her "master", Queen being taught to read by her grandpa and the Haley family's quest to get a better education for their youngest son are just some of the heartbreaking stories in this novel. I enjoyed the book very much and I now hope to finally read ROOTS.

Alex Hailey: The Legend
Alex Hailey is one of the greatest writers known to man. He truely displayed his writing ability in his book Queen. By reading Roots, I was able to follow along as if I was there. The book was truely heartfelt and encourages me to read all the rest of his books.

PHENOMENAL BOOK! Well worth finding it!
I absolutely loved this book and have read it many times. It starts with Ireland and goes through the slavery struggle and family life inbetween. The characters are amazing portrayed and presented. Not only does it inspire thought emotion and passion, it makes you wish you could express life so creatively on paper. BRAVO Mr. Haley! I can't wait to read Roots!


Anger Busting 101: The New ABC's for Angry Men & the Women Who Love Them
Published in Paperback by Bayou Publishing (01 March, 2002)
Authors: Newton Hightower and David C. Kay
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Helpful program for those with rage problems
In "Anger Busting 101" Newton Hightower provides a framework for change that anyone can use. The author starts by establishing his credentials - he is not only a professional therapist but has had an anger problem that nearly ruined his life. He tried the therapies that were thought to help but was not successful. In fact, he found that many of the traditional therapies actually made his problem worse.

In this text he goes over the techniques that he found actually worked to change his life. These techniques came out of a whole new approach to anger, this approach is to treat anger as a recovery situation. This brings me to the only item that I had a problem with in the book. In chapter 3 he discusses how to respond to questions of "why" from a spouse, sibling, or other person. For example, if asked why you got so angry and threw the lamp against the wall then you should use one of the answers given in the text. The basic idea of the answers is understandable as they focus on the angry person taking responsibility for their anger and actions. However, the way they are worded is highly questionable. For example, one response is "I'm crazy" or another is "I'm stupid". Current traditional psychotherapy would say to word it more along the lines of "What I did was a crazy thing to do" or "I did a stupid thing". Taking responsibility for your actions is one thing but taking it to the point of putting yourself down and endangering your self esteem when angry people often already have low self esteem does not seem like a good idea to me. Then again it is hard to argue with results. From the cases listed in the book and the comments from other people that have used it successfully it does seem to work.

If anger is controlling you in any way and you want to start living a postive and fulfilling life then this book is for you. I would use caution with the wording in Chapter 3 and feel that you could take responsibility without the self-deprication, but other than that this book seems to offer hope to people who have been unsuccessful in controling their rage in the past. A highly recommended read.

Hightower has done it again!
Hightower has done it again! Anger Busting 101 is a must-read for therapists as well as angry men and their partners. This book is loaded with practical suggestions for healing relationships. Hightower's lighthearted approach manages to both enlighten and entertain. With self deprecating humor(rare for therapists), Hightower places himself on a level playing field with his readers. Hightower's personal journey in battling rage addiction remains an inspiration to angry men everywhere.
Rebecca Strick LMSW-ACP

Moving beyond anger
Newton pulls it all together in a highly readable and well researched book that describes the dynamics of anger and how men can move beyond anger in relationships. What works for some people in expressing anger becomes a deadly trap for others and Hightower exlains how men can recognize their dilemma and reestablish a more positive relationship with the women in their lives. A must read for psychotherapists, men with anger control issues, and wives of men whose predominant mode of expression is anger.


Arms and Armor of the Medieval Knight
Published in Hardcover by Crescent Books (1993)
Author: David Edge
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Wow!
Wow!

That is all I can say. This book is the one that proved that good visuals do matter in history books. Arms and Armor of the Medieval Knight has it all: types of armor, weapons, historic data of where and when the weapon was used... but most important of all , VISUALS! Hundreds upon hundreds of page-size, full color photos of actual suits of armor, not crude drawings and diagrams that other books on the subject offer.

Also, I have to say that the texts is incredibly well-written an precise, the data is vast and accurate, and all the sources are quoted perfectly. This is the definitive book on the subject.

An excellent resource - well-written and richly illustrated
If you buy just one book on arms & armor, this should be the one. This authoritative work is an excellent resource and reference tool. The author gives comprehensive, century-by-century coverage of the development of arms and armor. In addition to the informative text, the rich illustrations make it a pictorial archive of immense value. These not only depict surviving museum pieces, but also medieval battle scenes. The illustrations alone make this book worth the price.

THIS BOOK SLASHED IT'S WAY INTO MY HEART!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, this has to be the best, and about the only book you need to have on this subject. I have always loved medieval stuff, and have always been wondering what makes the knight tick. Well, now I know it all(and then some). The authors of this book really know what they're talking about. They start with a general desription of a knight for the preview, then they go from century to century and tell about how the knight evolved. They explain every detail with great discription. This book made it easy for anyone(even me) to understand everything they talk about. They have so many awesome pictures to look at from armor to old paintings, they even tell about all of them. This one is worth the money, in fact I think I'm ripping them off after reading it. This was the first real book I bought on the subject and am asking myself if I really need to buy any more. Well, I guess what I'm trying to say is this is a MUST HAVE & THE BEST BOOK for anyone with any questions about knights and medieval times up to the renassance. Pro's and Amateur's alike will love it to death. In my opinion, it needs 10 stars and not just 5.


Barchester Towers
Published in Audio Cassette by Penguin Audiobooks (1998)
Authors: Anthony Trollope and David Timson
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The great Victorian comic novel?
"Barchester Towers" has proven to be the most popular novel Anthony Trollope ever wrote-despite the fact that most critics would rank higher his later work such as "The Last Chronicle of Barset","He Knew He Was Right" and "The Way We Live Now".While containing much satire those great novels are very powerful and disturbing, and have little of the genial good humor that pervades "Barchester Towers".Indeed after "Barchester Towers",Trollope would never write anything so funny again-as if comedy was something to be eschewed.That is too bad,because the book along with its predecessor "The Warden" are the closest a Victorian novelist ever came to approximating Jane Austen."Barchester Towers" presents many unforgettable characters caught in a storm of religious controversy,political and social power struggles and romantic and sexual imbroglios.All of this done with a light but deft hand that blends realism,idealism and some irresistible comedy.It has one of the greatest endings in all of literature-a long,elaborate party at a country manor(which transpires for about a hundred pages)where all of the plot's threads are inwoven and all of the character's intrigues come to fruition."Barchester Towers" has none of the faults common to Trollope's later works -(such as repetiveness)it is enjoyable from beginning to end.Henry James(one of our best novelists,but not one of our best critics) believed that Trollope peaked with "The Warden"and that the subsequent work showed a falling off as well as proof that Trollope was no more than a second rate Thackeray.For the last fifty years critics have been trying to undo the damage that was done to Trollope's critical reputation."Barchester Towers"proves not only to be a first rate novel but probably the most humorous Victorian novel ever written.

Delightfully ridiculous!
I rushed home every day after work to read a little more of this Trollope comedy. The book starts out with the death of a bishop during a change in political power. The new bishop is a puppet to his wife Mrs. Proudie and her protégé Mr. Slope. Along the way we meet outrageous clergymen, a seductive invalid from Italy, and a whole host of delightfully ridiculous characters. Trollope has designed most of these characters to be "over the top". I kept wondering what a film version starring the Monty Python characters would look like. He wrote an equivalent of a soap opera, only it doesn't take place at the "hospital", it takes place with the bishops. Some of the characters you love, some of the characters you hate, and then there are those you love to hate. Trollope speaks to the reader throughout the novel using the mimetic voice, so we feel like we are at a cocktail party and these 19th century characters are our friends (or at least the people we're avoiding at the party!). The themes and characters are timeless. The book deals with power, especially power struggles between the sexes. We encounter greed, love, desperation, seductive sirens, and generosity. Like many books of this time period however, the modern reader has to give it a chance. No one is murdered on the first page, and it takes quite a few chapters for the action to pick up. But pick up it does by page 70, and accelerates into a raucously funny novel from there. Although I didn't read the Warden, I didn't feel lost and I'm curious to read the rest of this series after finishing this book. Enjoy!

A great volume in a great series of novels
This is the second of the six Barsetshire novels, and the first great novel in that series. THE WARDEN, while pleasant, primarily serves as a prequel to this novel. To be honest, if Trollope had not gone on to write BARCHESTER TOWERS, there would not be any real reason to read THE WARDEN. But because it introduces us to characters and situations that are crucial to BARCHESTER TOWERS, one really ought to have read THE WARDEN before reading this novel.

Trollope presents a dilemma for most readers. On the one hand, he wrote an enormous number of very good novels. On the other hand, he wrote no masterpieces. None of Trollope's books can stand comparison with the best work of Jane Austen, Flaubert, Dickens, George Eliot, Tolstoy, or Dostoevsky. On the other hand, none of those writers wrote anywhere near as many excellent as Trollope did. He may not have been a very great writer, but he was a very good one, and perhaps the most prolific good novelist who ever lived. Conservatively assessing his output, Trollope wrote at least 20 good novels. Trollope may not have been a genius, but he did possess a genius for consistency.

So, what to read? Trollope's wrote two very good series, two other novels that could be considered minor classics, and several other first rate novels. I recommend to friends that they try the Barsetshire novels, and then, if they find themselves hooked, to go on to read the Political series of novels (sometimes called the Palliser novels, which I feel uncomfortable with, since it exaggerates the role of that family in most of the novels). The two "minor classics" are THE WAY WE LIVE NOW and HE KNEW HE WAS RIGHT. The former is a marvelous portrait of Victorian social life, and the latter is perhaps the finest study of human jealousy since Shakespeare's OTHELLO. BARSETSHIRE TOWERS is, therefore, coupled with THE WARDEN, a magnificent place, and perhaps the best place to enter Trollope's world.

There are many, many reasons to read Trollope. He probably is the great spokesperson for the Victorian Mind. Like most Victorians, he is a bit parochial, with no interest in Europe, and very little interest in the rest of the world. Despite THE AMERICAN SENATOR, he has few American's or colonials in his novels, and close to no foreigners of any type. He is politically liberal in a conservative way, and is focussed almost exclusively on the upper middle class and gentry. He writes a good deal about young men and women needing and hoping to marry, but with a far more complex approach than we find in Jane Austen. His characters are often compelling, with very human problems, subject to morally complex situations that we would not find unfamiliar. Trollope is especially good with female characters, and in his sympathy for and liking of very independent, strong females he is somewhat an exception of the Victorian stereotype.

Anyone wanting to read Trollope, and I heartily believe that anyone who loves Dickens, Austen, Eliot, Hardy, and Thackery will want to, could find no better place to start than with reading the first two books in the Barsetshire Chronicles, beginning first with the rather short THE WARDEN and then progressing to this very, very fun and enjoyable novel.


American College of Physicians Complete Home Medical Guide (with Interactive Human Anatomy CD-ROM)
Published in Hardcover by DK Publishing (1999)
Authors: David R. Goldmann and American College of Physicians
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BEST OF THE BEST
I have over the years purchased the FOUR top rated home medical guides in my quest to find the best. By best I mean the one that meets all of my families needs. I tried to be as unbiased as possible in examining all four books, concentrating my efforts by comparing them for organization and content. Sadly all four have their own shortcomings. All provide solid a reference for home/family health. But some are far better than others. I rated all based on a max. of five stars possible. I compared all as to content and completeness of info provided. Actually comparing the info provided for various illnesses and diseases.

NUMBER ONE
I can not say enough about this book by far the best of the best at 4.65 stars. The nearest competitor came in at 3.9 stars. Very good graphics (color) and photos. Lots of extras, including contacts and web sites to further info. Very well organized and lots of info. Is by far the most complete and most comprehensive.

American College Of Physicians Complete Home Medical Guide
I am a frequent buyer of updated home medical books, and have pretty much seen them all. This one is quite superior! It is easy to find various medical conditions, complete in its coverage, and written in a way that the average layperson will understand. The illustrated color pictures are very well done, a rare treat, and contribute well to one's understanding of the copy. In short, it's the best home medical book I've ever seen. I recommend it without reservation.

A must for every home library...
It's difficult to review something so extensive in just a few paragraphs so I'll keep it as simple as possible.....

...Bought this book for my parents and am going to buy one for myself right now. Will probably give a copy to my cousin who's just starting college. An extremely helpful and informative medical reference guide - over 1000 pages. Very well organized. The information is presented in many different ways so that all types of readers can understand - photographs, illustrations, charts, graphs, tables - simple and thorough. If this book doesn't have the answer - it will point you in the right direction to find it.... In my opinion a must for every home reference library like a dictionary or a thesaurus.

If you have reservations about purchasing it on-line, this book is worth checking out at your local bookstore.


Blind Love : The True Story of the Texas Cadet Murders
Published in Mass Market Paperback by St Martins Mass Market Paper ()
Author: Peter Meyer
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Very captivating!!
I read this book before the I had ever heard of the case..If it hadn't been for this book I probably never would've watched the trials or got interested in the case at all

Peter Meyer captures the truth in his book Blind Love
Blind Love is factually correct. I have read the books, seen the movie and watched both the Zamora and Graham trials on video tape. Peter Meyer's book puts it all together as best can be presented from all the evidence available.

inredible story,incredible book
I*ve been fascinated with this case and watched more of this trial than OJ.I actually feel sorry for Diana and Adrienne*s family. This was the fastest I*ve ever read a book, and I really found out alot about David and Diana .I hope that Mr Meyer does a follow up after the graham trial


Blott on the Landscape
Published in Audio Cassette by Chivers Audio Books (1996)
Authors: Tom Sharpe and David Suchet
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supreme silliness; rude humour at its best(/worst)
No need to look at of Tom Sharpe's novels if you are looking for refined literature. The man simply pumps out farcical stories which polk fun at the establishment and wealthy folks in particular. As with most farces, the reader can either find it all to be hilarious or simply stupid. Fortunately this reader found it to be hilarious.

'Blott on the Landscape' is about one woman's fight to keep her ancestral home at all costs, with the help of her gardener (Blott). We are exposed to the most improbable characters and actions imaginable, with rude behaviour and language in abundance. It all has a 1970s British television sitcom feel about it. Still I think most Brits will enjoy this book, and fortunately it is still in print over here.

Bottom line: Tom Sharpe in fine form. I'm still giggling.

First rate humor
This was the first book by Tom Sharpe I've ever read. Blott OnThe Landscape is a wonderfully funny, campy book that is hilarious!The contrived situations... A hysterical plot for a hysterical book. Read this in the summer when you want to feel light and bubbly. Have plenty of Gin and Tonic on hand! END

One of the few authors that REALLY make me laugh
Tom Sharpe, Christopher Brookmyre, P.J. O'Rourke, Stephen Fry, P.G.Wodehouse - they all fall into the category of authors who REALLY make me laugh. If you mix up Billy Connelly and John Cleese, you'll get the idea. In Blott on the Landscape (which was turned into a BBC television series), Sharpe's humour is as sharp as ever (pun intended) and his characterizations are an absolute scream. Of course, it helps if you appreciate British humour which, at times, can be quite black. (A woman getting a lion to eat her own husband?)

Tom Sharpe's 'Wilt' books were comical enough but, in Blott on the Landscape and Porterhouse Blue, he excels even his own high standards of comic writing.


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