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Book reviews for "Osenenko,_John" sorted by average review score:

Book of Nightmares
Published in Library Binding by Bt Bound (1999)
Author: John Peel
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JUST PLAN GOOD
HELLO?? John Peel! Get back to writing some more Diadem! I've gotten to # 6 and can't find any past that!! The adventure can't end there! How about the castle? I demand more books on the Diadem series because all the others were great! How about some new gems for some new magic? Well I wanna see more books! Who who Helanie sweeter on, Score or Pixel? I also noticed the book is recomended for 9-12 ages, um..I'm 15 and I love em! I think it's great for all ages, just a little short and more series please!! Don't think your too young or too old! Get em! Read em! Cause they are great!

I Have Read A Lot Of Books But This Is The Best!!!!!!!
This is the best book I have ever read! I is great I recomend this book to any one!! this book is good for all ages 8-80 the diadem series ever!!!! My favoret book is the book of thunder. it is a good book. mr. peel please write another diadem book.

13/male andrew starfox932

DiaDem's the Best!
Dear Mr. John Peel,

I love your books! I think it's interesting having a new fantasy book series that incorporates some of the less widely used characters, like the centaurs, the sphinx, and the ice dragon, to the unicorns, wizards, and kids with magical power. It always interests me to view how writers portray the opposite sex in characters, and I approve of Hellaine. They are all believable, lovable, human characters, and that is perhaps your major selling point. I also like how all the book covers mold together to form one design! However, the suspense is killing us! Keep writing, Publish those books faster! We'll be waiting at the bookstore.

Kids who are reading this, if you like this, you'll probably be interested in another book series I've read. Patricia C. Wrede's "Dealing With Dragons". It's about a teanage girl who is a very improper princess, who like Hellaine, is bored with her royal duties of curtseying and needlepoint, so she voluntarily becomes a dragon's princess, and aids the dragons in their battle against the evil magic-stealing wizards.


To Sleep With the Angels: The Story of a Fire
Published in Hardcover by Ivan R Dee, Inc. (01 January, 1990)
Authors: David Cowan and John Kuenster
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To Sleep with the Angles the story of fire
My family grew up in this neighborhood. My uncle's father was registering his son for school on the day of the fire. He was catching students who were jumping from the burning building. We lost family friends in this fire. I am a public school teacher. I don't know what I would do if I ever lost a student in a fire. Because of this event, fire prevention week, fire drills, smoke detectors, and other fire awareness is in exisistence. This book brings home the importance of what fire can do, due to ignorance. It is a book of science, spirituality, education, sociology, and history. It is a well researched and well written book. A must read for anyone who finds these areas important.

You Are There
This book was well written and it recreated the horror of this famous 1958 Chicago fire. I liked the "you were there" feel the authors created by following the events as they unfolded, through the eyes and voices of the survivors and witnesses. I am surprised a book like this didn't come out before 1996. I was in my second year of high school when this occured and it really was a major event that people not connected to the fire talked about for quite some time. Maybe a majority of the participants just wanted to put this behind them. The authors really put together a clear story of what happened on that day. You could feel yourself inside some of the burning classrooms. I am surprised at how quickly the authorities became apathetic about all the death and suffering. I was facinated to read about the judge who went against the evidence and didn't bring charges against the prime suspect. I highly recommend this book for those interested in a rather dark day in Chicago and elementary school history.

A Fire Chief Comments................
For some unknown reason I keep being drawn back to this book and a related book that is out of print. The out of print book is " The Fire That Will Not Die" by Michelle Mc Bride. Ms. Mc Bride was a fire victim suffereing severe burns. Her account of that horror is as prolific as the accounts of this book. I read the book many years ago and then found it again while a student at the National Fire Academy. Again I could not put it down nor could I for this book. I was a student in a Catholic grade school just several hours north in Wisconsin in 1958 and yet vividly remember praying for those students when the news was made known in school the following Monday. No wire services or CNN back then. I also "survived" two school fires in my own parish school just a few years after the 1958 Our Lady of Angels Fire. We were out of our building, similar in construction, for several weeks each time. I don't understand the connection but after secondary school years and college I was drawn back to my interest in the fire service and became a volunteer firefighter, then career firefighter, and then Fire Chief in Wisconsin. I now serve as Fire Chief in the WI bordering community of Menominee, MI. I had the chance to get near the Chicago tradgedy site this past winter during a hockey tournament but could not find the site nor the cemetary mentioned and shown in this book. MAybe sometime in the future.......... As a fire chief people need to be aware that there are still many school buildings in many small communities that could yet suffer the fate of the "Our Lady of Angels" fire. Many school buildings do not require sprinklers systems. These fire protection devices certainly would've made a difference in Chicago. The fire sprinkler technology was readily available with a successful history of "saves" over the past 100 years! Enjoy the book! Pray for the children, their parents and the scarred survivors. Their lives were changed forever by the euphemism of hell , FIRE. If anyone has a copy of the Michelle McBride book please advise if you want to part with it. Ted J. Pagels, Fire Chief Menominee, MI firepros@aol.com


Dry, Up, With a Twist: The Humor, Irony and Chaos Behind Fine Dining
Published in Paperback by Gardenia Press (2003)
Author: John Galloway Jr.
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A survival guide to fine dining written from the trenches.
After serving overbearing...customers for a year and tolerating more than my share of difficult situations, all I can say is... If you have any questions or doubts about fine dining and what is expected from you as a patron, PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!
Dry, Up, With a Twist should also be mandatory reading for anyone who has ever taken a dinner order that took longer to write down than to prepare.
Filled with sharp humor and dry wit, John Galloway's accounts of life from the other side of the serving tray will keep you laughing until the very last page. Don't be surprised when you find yourself smiling as you read and agreeing with just about every line. The motto: Been There, Done That may apply to some of you.
Written for lovers of both nonfiction and true-life stories, Dry, Up, With a Twist leaves the reader with a sense of purpose when we close the back cover. We can cheer not only for what John Galloway has accomplished in his life but what we can accomplish with our own if we take just a second to consider the possibilities.

Chef and Writer Give Dry, Up - Two Thumbs Up!
Having had a past career in fine dining myself for over 10 years (I'm a certified chef), and being a writer myself, I whole heartily concur with the experiences as depicted in John Galloway's account of the pit and pratfalls of fine dining. A must read for any of those in the business or those who have the layman's dream "wouldn't it be nice to open a restaurant some day." Don't even think of going into the business until you've read Galloway's "bible" on the subject! This book is also a deep and insightful philosophical look into human nature as a whole. An enjoyable read even if one is not affiliated with fine dining. Galloway should keep writing more, even about other subjects, his style is gripping and he knows how to write a real page turner.

Dry, Up, With A Twist
John Galloway, Jr. gives a delightful perspective of not only the life behind fine dining, but also life through the eyes of every hard working American. Everyone will enjoy his humorous depiction of working with the public, fellow co workers and everyday life situations. The best therapy for the overworked is laughter and what better topics for us to enjoy than our everyday trials and the tribulations of those around us.
Through humour the author takes you through a journey of the perils of his career in food service which leads him to life changing decisions of how to reach his goals in life.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever re-examined their goals in life, chosen a career they were not happy with or would like to learn the do's and dont's of fine dining from a man who has experienced it all. You will laugh with each turn of the page.


Tears of Rage
Published in Mass Market Paperback by Pocket Books (1998)
Author: John Walsh
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The book is intense, honest, inspiring.
TEARS OF RAGE is the compelling story told by John Walsh of the trauma he and his wife Reve and family experienced when their 6-year-old Adam disappeared from a store. Walsh describes the agonizing days of the search for Adam; the torture of knowing Adam had been kidnapped and murdered; and the frustration of inept law enforcement agencies to coordinate their efforts. The reader is taken through the saga of the Walshs' struggles which finally led John Walsh to host the highly successful "America's Most Wanted." Few books have captured the intense emotion experienced by the family of a murdered child. Walsh pulls no punches. His raw honesty is refreshing. He attacks apathy and hypocrisy with ample justification: we cannot ignore the needs of helpless children. The reader is drawn into the realism of a world where evil co-exists with good, and anyone naive enough to ignore that fact may become a victim. He clearly shows that the efforts to work for the benefit of children and other victims has paid off and is continuing. Walsh is clearly a fighter who will not give up his battle to get murderers and other criminals off the streets. He urges support for victims' rights laws and support of various organizations that are helping victims. He advocates support for the proposed "The Crime Victims' Rights Constitutional Amendment." The reader is left with the feeling that in spite of everything, good people can make a difference.

Heartbreaking
John Walsh is a man of tremendous courage. He has helped countless victims, and in this book, he gives his own heartbreaking story. I cried when I watched the movie on TV, but the book gives all the details that a movie simply cannot. Everyone who cares about children should read this book, whether you are a parent or not. Reve Walsh went shopping at a local mall, and let Adam play in the toy department while she quickly went to pick up something. That is when a pedophile got a hold of Adam and took him. John takes us through this miserable journey of searching for Adam, and then the horror of learning about the way he was killed (they only found Adam's head). We find out how little law enforcement did in those days for missing children, and how one man, John Walsh, fought to change those laws. Many people would have had nervous break-downs if they went through what John Walsh did, but he chose to fight for all missing kids instead. He also gives advice to parents about keeping their kids safe. For instance, he said that parents should never hire a male babysitter, no matter how nice he seems. I thought this was a bit extreme, but he had a point. Since most child molesters are male, he feels it is best to always hire a female to take care of your children. John also gave advice on how to deal with extreme grief. He said that you should take care of yourself, eat right, work out, get enough sleep, etc. Too many people neglect themselves physically when they are in the midst of a tragedy. It is uplifting to see how John came out of the depths of despair to be the crusader he is today on America's Most Wanted. John Walsh won't rest until every last criminal and pedophile are behind bars. He is an inspiration to people everywhere.

A Must Read for any Parent
I Especially enjoyed this book because I remember when Adam was taken, my son was 3 at the time and from that time on I was always so careful not to EVER let him out of my sight anywhere. I really feel John Walsh will never really know how many children have been saved by his story being told, but it's definitely worth telling, and hearing. I feel you can never be TOO careful where our children are concerned. I appreciated especially hearing Reve's side of the story as I had never known just what she went through. I've always had alot of respect for John Walsh from what I'd seen of him on Television, but now I feel so MUCH MORE respect for him and his wife. THanks for giving us all an insight into just how horrible it was, and helping us see just what one (or two) people can do to make a difference for children! I spent most of the time reading the book with tears running down my face, but it was definitely worth it!!


SOG
Published in Hardcover by Simon & Schuster (1997)
Author: John Plaster
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History Of Some of the Bravest Men to Serve In Vietnam
As a former SOG helicoper gunner (20th SOS Green Hornets) it is truely amazing that the story can finally be told on what went on so long ago in the skies and ground areas of Cambodia and Laos. To us who served, it is a tribute to an operation that to most in the military at that time did not exist. To those of us who were there, and saw the bodies returned, this was a war that will forever be in the forefront of our memories. After 28 years of putting the war behind me, this book (the first I have read on Vietnam) has helped me come to terms with my Vietnam service. I would recommend the reading to anyone unfamiliar with SOG operations. The book truly is the stuff movies are made of!

A fast-paced, excellent book...
I haven't written a review in a while, perhaps because my search for more engaging literature on the military and special forces has not been fruitful lately. This is the first piece of writing in some time that I read cover to cover without putting it down. I first heard of Plaster's work when I heard of Robert Howard, the most highly decorated living soldier. I have the utmost respect for men who have more medals than their age, and so I decided I needed to find out more about Howard and his unit in the Special Observation Group (SOG) during the Vietnam War. I was told that this book was the best on the subject, and now I can safely say that I completely agree. Plaster has the unique perspective of an individual who served side by side with men like Bob Howard and Frank Zabitoski, two winners of the Congressional Medal of Honor. All of the men of SOG are truly the epitome of heroism. They were deployed deep behind enemy lines in teams of two and three, along with a group of indigenous Montagnards who were resisting the NVA. Though outnumbered in almost every fight, these SOG squads were able to wreak havoc upon the North Vietnamese. Plaster's work is commendable because it is a full look into this unit which was only recently declassified by the Department of Defense. It gives the reader extremely interesting details through an insider account of SOG's actions in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The book does a great justice to a group of individuals who have yet to be appreciated by the general public.

And You Thought the Navy SEALs were the best.
Actually, Navy SEALs are undoubtedly the best. But unfortunately, they were underused in Vietnam because their existance as a guerilla warefare unit was still relatively short at that time. This book gives us continual action throughout the book because green beret operations were frequent and consisted of an unlimited supply of Montangard volunteers to keep the fight going. Also, unlike the SEALS, whose area of activity existed mainly in central Vietnam, the Green Berets were almost indegenous to areas such as Laos and Cambodia where the NVA possessed its most heavy concentrations of fighting forces. As a result, the Army Special Forces activty in Vietnam as described in this book gives a whole new meaning the term "suicide missions". Before I read this book, I knew only of the SOG missions that were portrayed on the syndicated television show "Tour of Duty" if you can remember. On the show, a regular army infantry platoon eventually ascends to the status of "SOG" team probably as an attempt to revive the shows falling ratings and bland plot line. As a "SOG" team, I don't believe the TV soldiers ever set foot in hot spots like Cambodia or Laos; and, as with every TV show, noone ever really dies. That is not the case as you will come to realize after reading this book. I don't think you could show what real SOG mission was like on TV not because of the SOG's secret nature, but because SOG mission were gorier than gory and would probably look like something out of Saving Private Ryan. What strikes me as most peculiar is the fact that the son of the owner of Walgreen's served three (or was two tours) as a SOG agent in Vietnam when he could've stayed home with his family's millions. That's dedication. Not to say that everyone else wasn't dedicated, but I'm sure that not everyone had that kind of option waiting for them back home.


All of a Kind Family
Published in Hardcover by Taylor Productions (1994)
Authors: Sydney Taylor and Helen John
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Engaging story of close-knit Jewish family, in 1912 NY.
I read this series multiple times as a secular Jew growing up in Queens in the late 1950s, and loved them for their "Jewishness" and their inclusion of cultural details missing from most of the many books I read. I also loved the depiction of the sisters, as we were also a family of girls - each sister was distinct and treasured. I was eager to share these books with my own daughter, and we read this one together about six months ago, when she was just-turned-six. She adored it, and kept asking for "just one more" chapter. A couple of months later, she spotted the book in a bookstore, grabbed it, and clutched it to her chest. "But we've already read that one. Don't you want to pick something else?" "No, I *love* this book. I have to *have* it!" I was thrilled - this was the first time she actually coveted book-ownership, and am now shopping for the other books in the series, now out-of-print. One caveat - although the book deals beautifully with Jewish immigrant life on the Lower East Side, it also contains stereotyped references to other ethnic groups that were current when it was written. For example, non-Jewish "good" characters tend to be tall, thin, and (yes!) blond, and there are offensive descriptions of Poles and Italians. I found myself editing while reading (and still felt it necessary to discuss stereotypes and prejudice) - you might want to initiate a conversation with your child before or during the reading of this book. Enjoy!

Required reading for Arab-Israeli peace talks!
I'd like to completely agree with and expand on Amanda Quick's review of this book. I return to it again and again (I'm more than twice her age, so that's a lot of re-readings), and expressions like "library lady" have become part of my family vocabulary. Like Amanda, I was raised Protestant; I never knew anyone Jewish until I went to college, and although I had some idea of festivals and food (my family was very international in its speech: for example, we used the word "tuchus" all the time, but I didn't know it was Yiddish until years later), I learned a LOT from all of Taylor's books. I have been teaching people from all over the world for years, and without exception, the Israelis and Jews from other countries are thrilled that I know about holidays and rituals, and all want to read the Taylor books when I tell them how important they were to me. The story of Succos alone is worth the entire series--magical. I truly believe this series could contribute to international understanding and peace. Meanwhile, read them all--they'll make you feel good about life

One of the most wonderful books I have ever read.
I first read this as a child, growing up in the south in a pentacostal holiness church. This book was my very first introduction to the Jewish Faith, what it means and how it impacted day-to-day life. I found that this family was a very loving family who encouraged their girls (then baby boy) to learn and to grow up strong. I remember wanting to be Jewish so that I could be a member of their family. There was so much fun and love.

Well, I have since learned about the "Jewish" stereotype. However, I was not suckered in by the error because my first experience with Jews came about through the All of A Kind Family books. I am convinced that I knew the truth about the Jewish people because of these books.

I strongly recommend that these books be added to all reading lists, as they help to teach kindness, love, and tolerance for all people, just like they helped to teach to me.


The House With a Clock in It's Walls
Published in Library Binding by Dial Books for Young Readers (1984)
Author: John Bellairs
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Fun, scary read for fright fans!
Louis Barnavelt, recently orphaned, goes to live with his UncleJonathan, whom he's never met. When his arrives in New Zebedee, UncleJonathan picks him up at the airport and takes him to his home--a huge, spooky mansion with secret passages and mysterious rooms.

Uncle Jonathan's best friend, Mrs. Zimmerman, is in the house, and as Louis walks in, he finds her listening to the walls. To his astonishment and delight, Louis discovers that Uncle Jonathan is a wizard, Mrs. Zimmerman is a witch, and they both love poker and chocolate chip cookies.

Louis also discovers that Uncle Jonathan's house was once owned by an evil wizard--a Mr. Izzard who has hidden a magic clock somewhere in the walls of the house--a clock that will bring about the end of the world if it's not found and silenced.

To make matters worse, Louis tries to impress his new friend Tarby by stealing a spell from one of Uncle Jonathan's magic books. They perform the ceremony in the graveyard Halloween night, and succeed in resurrecting the truly evil Mrs. Izzard from the dead.

Can they stop the clock in time, or will Mrs. Izzard succeed in resurrecting her husband and bringing about the end of the world?

I was afraid to read this book as a child--the cover looks really scary, and I was a nightmare-prone child who avoided scary books like the plague. Most kids like scary books though, and this one is perfect for your 5th grade fright fan. Louis is a wonderful character, who goes from being a timid outcast, worried about impressing the kids at school, to a brave young man who summons up courage when he needs to act to save the people he loves. The friendship between Uncle Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmerman is funny, and they are both eccentric enough to be interesting, but not so eccentric as to become annoying.

Bellairs wrote other books about these characters, and they are worth reading, but are not as good as this book. ( )

In reading the tributes to Bellairs by his fans, I thought it was interesting that several people mentioned that they hated reading, and were not good readers until they discovered one of Bellairs' books, and that experience turned them into avid readers. END

A "timeless" story!
I first became acquainted with "The House With a Clock in Its Walls" around the age of eight. It was made into a kids' TV show (an "After School Special", perhaps? I don't remember), and I immediately checked the book out from the library. Over the years I read several other of Bellairs' books, but my favorites were always the books linked with (and continuing the story of) "The House With A Clock In Its Walls". The stories were especially fascinating for me, as they all took place in Michigan, my home state (in fact, "The Letter, The Witch, and The Ring" - book three of the series - takes place in no small part near Petoskey, Michigan, which is only 25 miles from my hometown). When I was in college, I found that the college bookstore had some copies of T.H.W.A.C.I.I.W. for sale, so I bought one. I found the story was just as enjoyable then as it had been 16 years before. I'm now 27, and I STILL enjoy these books! These are truly stories for young and old alike.

For All you Harry Hordes...
I read this book because it was on the "If you liked Harry then read this" list. The story line is great, and the last several chapters are compelling and scary. Bellairs does a great job of blending suspense and fantasy, just as Rowling has done with the Harry Potter series. This is a must read for all harry potter fans (I recommend to read it while waiting for number 5) This is a great book because of its storyline and setting. The story is typical for a boy Lewis's age- trying to fit in,but failing. The setting is the greatest creation of the author. A house filled with fireplaces, a clock(or clocks?), and secret passageways. Another 5 star classic for anyone


Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Published in School & Library Binding by Simon & Schuster (Juv) (1989)
Authors: John Archambault, Lois Ehlert, and Bill Jr Martin
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Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
This is hands down the best book for children age 3 and under that I have ever encountered (and we have over 1,000 children's books in our home!). I began reading it to my oldest child when she was 2 months old, and by 16 months, she could recite the alphabet AND identify all 26 letters of the alphabet-- upper AND lower case! I give most of the credit to this wonderful book (but keep in mind, we read it EVERYDAY, often times, several times a day!) My youngest child picks this book out of the shelf first and foremost. He is only 13 months old, but he absolutely loves this book and prefers it over most toys. Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault have more than a classic here, not to mention the great illustrations by Lois Ehlert. If you're looking for the perfect book to teach your children the alphabet or you just simply want an entertaining book that is sure to be a hit, look no further. This is it!

Letters, letters, here we go!
Living in a book filled with books and kids is heaven. We read aloud every day here in our house, and letter books have been favorites for years and years when the kids start learning to read. We live in Norway and speak Norwegian, so most of our children's books are also in Norwegian. Still, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is among the favorites. The text, by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault is so simple and still so filled with rhymes and humour. And Lois Ehlart's colorful illustrations go perfect with the words.

Learning the letters and learning to read can be a hard task for a child, and the book captures this perfectly. The letters live their own lives, climbing up the coconut tree, falling down again, bending, looping, having fun.......exactly what letters do when you are a newbie and try to sort them out. Any child will laugh of the way the letters act, and the sometimes hard task of learning the letters will be a wonderful game the child wants to play over and over again

We love this book in our house, and can recommens it to any young readers.

Britt Arnhild in Norway

WOW! Fast and fun (and educational too)!
"A told B and B told C
I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree."

Thus begins Chicka Chicka Boom Boom's bouncy romp through the alphabet. The cadence is quick and the rhyming is fun. One can't help but read it aloud just to bop along! This book has captivated every child I've seen "read" it from 1 month (no kidding, the bright colors and simple shapes really grab 'em) to 5 years.

As for its learning potential, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom clips through the alphabet twice, and in a brilliant move portrays the child-personified letters as lower-case and the "adult" letters as upper-case. The "kid" letters are rambunctious and accitentally get hurt (resulting in "skinned-knee d", "black-eyed p", and "loose-toothed t"), but the "adult" letters are there to help them up, dust off their pants, and feel better.

In short, this is a book that's so sweet and fun, I'd have bought it even if it didn't have it's additional benefit of learning the alphabet! Chicka Chicka Boom Boom comes highly recommended!


Once a Runner
Published in Paperback by Cedarwinds Publishing Company (1998)
Author: John L. Jr. Parker
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Captures the Runner Mentality
With his character Quentin Cassidy, John Parker captures the mentality, work ethic, satisfactions, and frustrations of what it is to be a runner. He delves into Cassidy's non-running antics which include highly elaborate pranks, law school aspirations, and romantic relationships. In addition, he shows the amazing lack of understanding that non-runners have for runners. There is an excellent scene where Quentin is at a social function and is assaulted with all the customary runner questions and comments. People ask him what he thinks about when he runs and mention how they don't drive as many miles as he runs.

Parker also excellently depicts the daily grind and competitiveness of running. His book includes passages that berate Runner's World and, instead, focus on the quest for glory that running can become. He makes Quentin a very real and believable character. This book is a running classic and rightfully so. It has an excellent story, great characters, and great discussions on running. To be a runner and have not read this book is equivalent to blasphemy.

The BEST book I've ever read!
I'm a sophomore in highschool and I'm also a extremely dedicated cross-country and track runner. This book has changed my life! The inspirational story of Quenton Cassidy's runner career left me breathless! The first chapter gave me goose-bumps because it decribed the start of a race perfectly. I read chapters from the book every night before a big race. Reading about Cassidy's determination gives any runner a boost. This book has to have the most accurate description of a runners mentality ever written. This is the best book about running I've ever read!

The Incisive Wit of John L. Parker
American novelist Wright Morris, in "The Huge Season," wrote: "Old man, a book can have Chicago in it and not be about Chicago. It can have a tennis player in it without being about a tennis player." Similarly, John L. Parker's "Once A Runner" chronicles the exploits of stellar collegiate miler Quentin Cassidy, but is about more than just running. On one level, it is a light read, full of surprises and funny anecdotes, but moving steadily towards an exciting climax. On a much deeper level, however, it is a story about overcoming adversity, dealing with lost love, and coping with failure. Parker's novel will be loved by avid runners and non-athletes alike, if not for its incisive insight into the nature of collegiate competition, than for its compelling storyline.


A Princess of Mars
Published in Audio CD by Tantor Media Inc. (01 February, 2001)
Authors: Edgar Rice Burroughs and John Bolen
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Not just for guys!
Princess of Mars is a fantastic, wild ride. I think everyone makes a mistake though of saying it's just a guys book. I'm a woman, and it was my mother who recommended Princess to me! I think any girl who's interested in science fiction or fantasy would really enjoy this book. Yeah, it was obviously written with adolescent boys in mind but I think anyone can enjoy this wildly imaginative page turner.

The characters are all extremely likable. John Carter is the perfect southern gentleman. Honorable, loyal, incredibly brave, respectful to women, extremely handsome; a perfect hero who is never boorish or conceited. Then there's Sola, one of the few green Martians to show compassion and kindness, and Tars Tarkas(aren't these names so cool?)a ferocious green martian warrior with a tragic past who is also able to feel compassion and love. And I dare anybody to tell me that they wouldn't want a Woola of their very own! Dejah Thoris though is mainly for the guys. Carter's love and devotion for her was really sweet. I didn't even know that this was part of a book series until I read it on amazon and now I am really eager to read the other books of the series. And wasn't the end cool? I don't think I've ever read an ending quite like that before. What Carter found in the cave at the end was very creepy and intriguing. (I won't give out a spoiler)

Although this is pulp fiction and sort of like a comic book in a way,(I can see mothers in 1912 scolding their kids, "That Edgar Rice Burroughs is going to rot your mind if you keep reading it!") it's still light science fiction at it's best! (I'll warn you right off though, please don't expect something deep and complex like Dune or Darkover and post a review whining about it. Princess is purely for fun.) And am I the only one that thinks Princess would make a really awesome movie?

GET THIS BOOK! Read the whole series!
John Carter, Dejah Thoris, Tars Tarkas, they are all here! This is the totally unbelievable story of a man who got transported to Mars basically, because he thought it would be cool to go, so he wished it, and POOF, he's there. Then, there's the fact that the planet itself and the life on it are also completely ridiculous. FORGET ALL THAT! Read it to be swept up in one of the greatest adventure series of all time. John Carter goes to Barsoom (Mars, to the Martians) rescues the most beautiful woman in the universe and (later in the series) conquers an entire world through the power of his will and the strength of his right arm. Handsome, powerful heroes, beautiful half naked captive princesses just panting to be rescued, Villians, so evil you want to go back in time to strangle their parents, Big ugly friends, (What are you laughing at, remember Chewbacca?) strange beasts, stranger aliens, wierd science, epic battles, betrayals, great reunions. This one's got it all. The best of Burroughs' body of work, the most action packed series from the true master of the action story. Edgar Rice Burroughs is the creator of Tarzan. Don't ever pick up his work expecting an intellectual workout. Just get in and hang on for the ride

Imagination & Adventure!--WOW!..A must read!
You want imagination?..adventure?..a few dabs of science(remember it was written in 1912)?..an ageless hero?..an absolutely beautiful damsel in distress?..a whole new world?..with a language all it's own?..inhabited with strange new creatures?.. friends and foes?..battles royal?..This book, and all 10 or 11 sequels, have it all! ER Burroughs was the early master of science fiction, adventure, and imagination; a man ahead of his time, and he gives the reader a roller-coaster ride of incredible adventures. Join with us now as John Carter meets, rescues,and captures the heart of the INCOMPARABLE Dejah Thoris, Princess of Mars!, and eventually, along with his friend Tars Tarkas, follows suit with the entire red planet, Barsoom to its wild and whacky inhabitants.

Is this intellectual literature?..of course not. Is it non-stop fun and enjoyment, the original page-turner novel?...You bet it is! Pick this book up, start reading, and I guarantee: you won't put it down until you're finished!..and then you'll run out the door and be hunting for the 2nd book in the series, The Gods of Mars, and then # 3, The Warlord of Mars, and on through the series. Be warned: make sure you have access to #'s 2 and 3 before you start The Princess...you'll be sorry if you don't!

I first read the Burroughs Martian novels(there were 10 known to me then) as a graduate student studying Physics, some 40 years ago. They provided the perfect escape from the rigors of courses like Quantum Mechanics and E & M. Now I reread them,and I continue to enjoy. You will too.


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