The book was absolutely gripping. It is hard to believe that the writer of the Fairy Godmother books could produce such an emotionally overwhelming book of the horrors of the Vietnam war. You know the book is fiction, but you wonder just "how much" is really ficiton. E. A. Scarborough pulls you kicking and screaming through desperate war situations that you know, deep inside, must have been real, yet she makes it bearable with her "healing hand" of magic and mystery. Had I known beforehand what the book was about, I would never have read it. I was sick of the Vietnam war ages ago when it happened. But, Scarborough made me relive it with her, sometimes sobbing, sometimes livid with fury, and I wound up reading all night a book that years ago, I would have scorned. She is quite a lady, and a genius to have pulled *me* into her coils.

Being born in the early '80s, I never experienced what the Vietnam War was like for Americans, military and civilian. To me, Vietnam was "just another war"; another chapter in my history textbook. Until I came across The Healer's War. The Healer's War is pure fiction, set in the war-torn jungles of Vietnam. The plot revolves around a mysterious amulet that the main character Kitty "inherits" from one of her patients. (She's a nurse in Vietnam.) As time progresses, Kitty realizes the true healing power of the amulet. Although fiction, this book paints a vivid picture of Vietnam during the war. The conditions the soldiers had to tolerate, and the daily battles is described in excruciating, almost explicit detail. The Healer's War gave me a view on Vietnam that no textbook or history class could offer. I will never look at the Vietnam War the same way again, and I now hold a respect for those that served in it. This book is a must-read.

This is an excellent novel about a nurse serving in Vietnam during the war (the author was also a nurse in Vietnam). A Vietnam veteran myself, I recommend it highly. The main character, Lt. Kitty McCulley, is having a difficult time with her nursing responsibilities and with her interactions with others. An elderly Vietnamese holy man gives her an amulet which allows her to see the "auras" of others. It helps her guide herself through the war and helps her find herself in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and Ms. Scarborough's writing (note the five stars I awarded) and I recommend the book to everyone (the publisher should be shot for letting it go out of print). However, I do have a bone to pick! What makes this novel so different can be seen by the fact that it won the 1988 Nebula Award for best science fiction novel of the year, the Nebula Award being given by the Science Fiction Writers of America. I loved the book; but, it was not the best science fiction novel of 1988. It's excellent speculative fiction and I'm certain that is the reason the members voted for it; but, I'm sorry Ms. Scarborough, every few years the SFWA seem to go off on a tangent. Nevertheless, because it has won the Nebula, it is now incumbent that all serious students of science fiction literature read "The Healer's War." But then, they should read it anyway.

This was without question one of the most gripping novels I've read in many a day. I first ran across this work in a brief mention by British travel writer/popular historian James Morris, where he thought it akin to the gulag novels of post-Stalinist Russia in subject matter and philosophical content. Add to that a wealth of striking narrative detail, immensely memorable characters (Maurice Frere, Sarah Purfoy, and particularly James North leap to mind), some truly transporting (no pun intended) and incredibly creepy passages, mind-blowing plot twists and turns, and a persistent refusal to provide too pat solutions to characters' problems... Clarke wasn't better than Dickens or Eliot, but neither of the latter could have written this book.

Clarke's masterpiece was published in 1874, after being serialized in 1870-72. Critics have lambasted a few of the less believable elements and some of the pat characterization of a number of supporting characters, but these are flaws to be found in most novels of that time (and ours). Clarke redeems himself by taking the cliches and mannerisms of the nineteenth-century English novel and using them to illuminate a whole new society, one practically mythical to the metropolitan consciousness of the Victorian Anglophone world. This work is a great counterpoint to all those English novels of the day where the hero or villain gets packed off to the antipodes and returns mysteriously changed. The main thrust of the novel, though, was the need to tell the true story of (white) Australian society's beginnings. Clarke, in telling the story of the unjustly convicted Rufus Dawes (aka Richard Devine), provides a panoramic view of early Victorian Australia, from the hellish convict settlements of Macquarie Harbor and Norfolk Island to the nascent frontier towns of Hobart and Melbourne, from the aging memories of the "First Fleeters" (the original convicts who arrived in 1788) to the controversial Eureka Stockade Uprising of 1854. The narrative frequently moves at a deliciously whirlwind pace to accomodate the exciting interaction of characters and history.

Clarke's novel is generally cited as nineteenth-century Australia's greatest and points the way towards more nuanced examinations of the colonial experience in the twentieth century (Peter Carey's JOE MAGGS, about the "off-stage" life of Dickens antihero Abel Magwitch, is apparently very much in this vein). Don't read it just for this reason, though. Please be sure to find the longer, original version, as I was fortunate enough to do. Clarke was forced to produce a revised, shortened version for the original publication, one dictated by his editors that turned the novel into a much more "conventional" Victorian literary production (and has a longer title--FOR THE TERM OF HIS NATURAL LIFE). I understand a TV series was made in the mid-80s with Anthony Perkins as North. If this was the case, then it badly needs to be remade on celluloid, because I can't seem to find the series. It's a magnificent novel whose flaws, I think, are amply counterbalanced by its unexpected joys.

The well-known phrase 'for the term of his natural life' is used by Marcus Clarke to bring home the horrors of transportation and the Tasmanian penal system in the 19th century.
Richard Devine, an innocent man (under an assumed name of Rufus Dawes) convicted of a crime he did not commit, is sent for transportation and assumed killed in a shipwreck. In reality, he is heir to a vast estate (unbeknown to him) and the convolutions of the tale that evolve from this are wonderfully written; the gradual demolishing of Dawes, the unspeakable duality of Frere, the calculating guile of Sarah and the gullible innocence of Sylvia are woven together in a plot that does not end happily ever after. This I think, serves to underline the barbarism and futility of the transportation system.
Based on actual events, Clarke uses his 'hero' to illustrate the depravation and privations that prisoners (and their guards) had to endure. Graphically showing how degradation degrades and power corrupts, the narrative never dwells on gruesome details, instead it relies for effect on the imagination of the reader, which can be more terrifying.
A book that deserves a wider readership.

It's a collation of events by various persons involved in the penal settlement of early Australia. Marcus Clarke has interwoven these events into a novel of fiction. These are stark facts; and show, as far as I've researched, very detailed. L.P. Hartely said it all,in this case.."The past is a foreign country.They do things differently there." The more you read on, the more you want to know..

OMG!!!!! This book had me in tears. It was so great, but so sad.
In the book, the main characters are Christy and Jake, who used to be best friends, until they went on a date with each other in seventh grade, that ended in disaster.
Christy's mom has been sick with cancer for a long time, and Christy knows that her mother would love to see her go to prom in a gorgeous dress and everything, and the perfect guy, whom her mother believes is Jake. Because Jake's mother is Christy's mom's best friend, he knows this, and asks Christy to the prom, to make Christy's sick mom happy.
The thing is they are so perfect for each other. Christy is one of those girls who don't accept that women are the weaker sex. Her and Jake are always bickering, but it's so funny and cute that it doesn't get annoying. Also Christy is a deep person, who is suffering from a lot of pain, cause she so close to her mother.
At the prom they have a great time, and even do some seventies dance moves that make you laugh. And just as her and Jake are really starting to realize how perfect they are for each other, Christy calls home to check on everything. The sad part is at the end. I cried so hard. I felt Christy's pain.
The book was great. IT had good characters, a good plotline, and a real tearjerker.
A+++++

This book was so good. It was cool how the author had each character (AKA Jake & Christy) tell the story from their point of view. I really liked this book because it was told in the first person, and most authors dont write like that. But when I got to the end, I was in tears because I could totally relate to the situation Christy was going through. The only bad thing about this book that it took to long for Jake and Christy to finally get together. Also, this book mentions the other couples in these triology (Max & Jane; Justin & Nicole). You have to read this book.

I love this book. This was the only Love Stories book that has actually made me cry! It is so sweet and sad and I had to read it again and I cried all over! You gotta read this book!

As an English teacher, I'm ashamed to admit that I knew very little about either Elizabeth Barrett or Robert Browning before picking up this book. The story of their maid, Lily Wilson, gives an interesting perspective on the private life of Elizabeth and Robert. And I admired that Forster depicted the two famous literary figures as she saw to be accurate, rather than glamorizing and glorifying them as there might be a temptation to do. The two poets are very human, often fussy, melodramatic, and given to self-aggrandizement. That made me all the more interested in the story of Lily and the difference in their lifestyle and hers, and of course their indifference to the way they treated her. It's been a while since I read something like Jane Austen, so it was refreshing and fascinating to dip back into a world with social codes so different from ours today. This book must have taken years to research, and Forster's depiction of Victorian life shows the evidence of that research.

There was a page-long afterword that explained which parts of the book were true, but I wanted more. I wish Margaret Forster had written more books like this! You won't be sorry you picked it up.

I knew next to nothing about the subject matter of this book when my mother lent it to me (she loved it as well). Forster is able to completely personalize the social constrictions of Victorian society through the eyes of Wilson, Lady's Maid to the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Honestly enjoyable and a treat to read. I couldn't help noticing all the 5 star ratings here - well deserving of this fine author. Bravo!

I have to start out by saying that it has been 9 years since I read this book, but even now it stands out as one of the most telling books I have ever read about a genious writer named Elizabeth Barret Browning. In Lady's maid the story of Elizabeth Barret Browning is told from the eyes of her Maid servant. This unusual perspective gives the reader the ability to see the writer(Elizabeth Barret) from a third party focus instead of a introspective focus. The book is sooo good that you are instantly transfixed after the first page. If you are wise you will buy the book and read it when you can literaly sit down and read it cover to cover and enjoy it. It is that good! Enjoy and be edducated. Remember to have lots of tissue at the end, you will need it!

Ver dala Ven were a race of magical beings. They were high in numbers. They lived among the Ordinary Ones. Their eyes bespoke of the race in which they belonged. They helped the Ordinary Ones by using their abilities as healers, advisors, seers, and even as servants. It all ended when Daka Redd's love of war caused Betnoni to prophecies before ending her life. Beginning with Redd, one child from each generation of dakas would die. The Ver dala Ven race would dwindle and only one would be born each generation instead of millions. The spirit guide, known as the Massing Star, would fall silent. Her name would be as a curse to the world, until the day the truth became known. To her son, she left a prophecy. He was to pass the prophecy to his children and children's children. They were to remain alert for the signs that told of the prophecy's possible ending. To end it, the seven steps in the prophecy must be fulfilled.

After 2000 years the signs began. This was Ver dala Ven Cobo's generation. He had one son by a daka, who was to be the next Ver dala Ven. But the son was untrained and greedy. As the prophecy signs began, it would be up to Ver dala Ven Cobo, the slave race of Shodites, and a select few others to fulfill the seven steps without fail or all would be doomed.

***** This is a HUGE book! Over 700 pages and every single one held me engrossed! Non-stop action, intrigue, and strategies! I hated to see the book end!

The best measuring rode of the quality of a good book is that when the last page is turned and you come to the final word of the last sentence;you will regret ending of the book.It is like
saying goodbye to a friend.I thought that way when I finished this unforgettable achievement of the imagination:The Last Gate!
Merz's debut novel has all of the assurance of a master storyteller and her world-building skills are incredible as she takes you to the world of the Ver dala Ven, a magical race who's purpose is to guide people in wartorn world.You will enter a world of memorable cast of characters who's dreams, loves, conflicts and hatred will be as real as your own or as real as the latest tragedy on the evening news. You will enter the powerful country of Jantideva who rules this planet. You will fall in love with characters like freedom-fighter Shonti, Shelon who battles Jantideva to free his people from slavery.Coba-the Verdala Ven who is prophecized to finding the massing star that will heal his world. Gella, the Shonti woman that loves Shelon and shares his dream of freeing their people. Bail and Jishni
the dakas,which are the rulers of Jantideva who can make decisions that affect their citizens but cannot stop the fragmentation of their family. Taen-the son of Coba and Jishni
a cruel and ruthless young man who seek power and revenge against his own family.Bailin, the son of Bail and Jishni who falls in love with Shonti bid of independence that will put him in odds with his family.Merz's imaginative world is so realistic and so like our in it's age-old conflicts, hatred and tragedies I could almost swear I felt like she visited there herself and chronicled all of the scenes in this book! Another I loved about this novel is that the author's ability to have you sympathize with some of the more villianous characters of the novel and have characters you might admire say or do something that will shock you.The Last Gate's plot twists, action sequences and heartwarming romance with have you turning pages through the night! Unforgettable experience awaits you between the pages of this book so enter Coba, Shelon, Gella's world of intrigue, romance, adventure!

This excitement packed novel will take you on a science fiction journey beyond your own imagination. You must be quick however as this lengthy book is crammed with never ending adventure. Loved it and would recommend this book to anyone with a curiousity for worlds beyond the one we currently live in.

This book was great. this was the first first love stories book ive read so far, and its great. It made me laugh, cry and think.
Max and Jane make a great couple. I reccomend this book to anyone who likes love stories.

I've read several Elizabeth Craft books and find *Max and Jane* to be her very best so far. It's a wholesome, solid romance that was realistic. Max and Jane are very likable characters and they are so fun together. There aren't the childish, silly games being played, just an innocent evolving of their relationship. I really hope there is a sequel!

This was the first Love Stories I ever read,a nd trust me, its kept me coming back for more. It's so sweet and romantic, I practically feel in love with Max!

OKay, Jane is ordinary-or so she thinks- she has 2 really close friends Christy and Nicole. She has blonde hair in a ponytail and a make-upless face. But she does have an unordinary crush on Charlie-the most popular boy in school. She convinces Max, her sorta friend to help her out. He's popular, so she figures he's her sort of key in. Anyway, as he tries to teach her to be "cool" and what "every guy wants' he realizes that she's what HE wants. And as Jane gets to know Charlie a little more she discovers that he's not the one that she wants anymore. She wants Max. Anyways, you have to read the book to find out what happens-even though I'm sure you can guess!!

So please read the book, even if "romance" isn't your thing. Just give it a try! I hoped i help convince you! Oh, and read "Justin and Nicole" and "Jake and Christy"-the other two books in this triligoy.

This book is better than any beauty magazine! I have tried to get this kind of stuff from Teen People and Teen, but Seventeen's How to Be Gorgeous is truly packed with good information. I used to be totally in the dark, now I feel very makeup-wise. However, it tends to be a little too much -- it seems like it limits everything. All of a sudden, I can't do anything that I used to do that I sort of liked. My lip gloss is fine and I've had it for seven months! Then they told me I had to trash it. I like it and I'm not breaking out! So it's a little prissy in that way. But it's still so awesome and cool and I love it!!

I checked out this book from the library, and I absolutely loved it! It had something for everyone. I would definitely reccomend this to every teen girl!

THis is the BEST BEST book for teen girls--it tells you everything about lokking and feeling good. The chapter on hair is awesome--I got so many cool ideas. And theres a ton on makeup, skin care and cool nails. The book is really colorful and fun to read. You gotta get!

This book was wonderful! I've been reading all of the Spy Girls series until I finished this one. I'm now reading them ove and over and over agian... I really want another book to come out! This is my favorite book series, and I'm getting pretty impatiant. I just want Elizabeth Cage to see this! If you're reading this, Elizabeth Cage, I want to let you know that all your books are great, and we REALLY want you come out with another one!

I love the Spy Girl books, I have them all! But I hope the nextone comes out soon! So Elizabeth Cage, if you read this, could youplease write another one!

I have read all the books in the Spy Girls series & loved them all. Jo was my personal fav. Its just like Charlie's Angels but better, I only wish that the next book would come out. I've looked everywhere 4 months but I havent found it!

This book covers all the key pediatric health topics that are likely to have you losing sleep in the middle of the night. It's a solid reference book, but it could be better organized. I found I had to do a fair bit of flipping around to find the information I needed. Still, it's a very good book and one that I have found very useful for my family.

The KidsHealth Guide for Parents is a comprehensive and user-friendly guide that is a must-have for parents (the grandparents like it, too). It's filled with practical information that cover everything from basic baby care, breastfeeding & sleeping to routine health care and safety for kids through age 5, common illnesses, behavior and development, play, parenting tips, and more. A pleasure to read, and nicely organized - lots of interesting sidebars, charts, and brief sections that make the book easy to browse through and read in between feedings and changings (and the occasional nap!). Thank you!

As a father and a physician I have seen many guides written for new parents. I have been disappointed in most because of their redundancy and, often, lack of practical informatioxn. This book stands out as absolutely unique both in the quality and clarity of the writing but also because of its intuitive and almost uncanny relevance to the actual experience of being a parent. I would recommend no other resource to people who find themselves in this joyful and terrifying situation.

This story centers around Oliver Pascal, who returns home from a pilgrimage in the Holy Land, only to find that he has lost his lands to Flemish Mercenaries, in the pay of King Stephen of England. He becomes a hearth knight for Robert of Gloucester, illegitimate brother to Empress Mathilda, hoping someday to regain his lands. He is a widower who lost his wife in childbirth. He rescues Catrin from a razed village and brings her and young Richard, illegitmate royal son and half-brother to Robert of Gloucester, to Bristol. He and Catrin eventually fall in love, lose each other and come back together in time. But not before they undergo many adventures during the turbulent times of Prince Henry II and King Stephen. This was a wonderful story, and I couldn't wait to read it at every opportunity. It portrays not only what life was like for the nobles but also for the common people in great, descriptive detail. A fantanstic read! I found this book in a used book store and I'm very glad I bought it. Even though this title is out-of-print, it is worth finding! If you like/love medieval stories, this book is for you!

This was the second book of Ms. Chadwick's that I had the pleasure to read, and it surpassed the first one by far. The characters had the depth that is sometimes lacking in historical novels, everything was brought vividly to life, from the danger of childbirth in the middle ages to the romance between the characters.

An excellent curl up in your favourite armchair book.

Summer of the year 1140, Oliver and Catrin are drawn together through the horrors of civil war; their love grows but is then threatened. Oliver is taken prisoner and Catrin returns to the husband she mistakenly thought had died in battle. Torn between love and loyalty this is a story that will have you turning the pages quickly wanting to find out what happen If you love medieval historical romance this is definitely the book for you.