Like most fans, I first saw Michael on 2Gether. I loved the concept and went to work on finding out more info on Mike and the show. Of course, Mike was my favorite, not just be cause he was cute, but I loved his personality. Once I learned that he, in fact, did have cancer, I was shocked. I ordered his book and read it. I am only 14, but I could only imagine the pain that he must have gone through. I had signed up for many fan newsletters and egroups that involved him and I was even thinking about starting a website dedicated to Mike. One day, I signed on to AOL and read that Michael had died. Even though I had never met Michael, I felt grief for him. He was very strong and his light will live on forever. I have a sort of tribute in my locker at school which is dedicated to Michael. I also gave magnets that I made to all my friends to put in their lockers so everyone can see what an impact he had on others. He prooved that you CAN fight something that's going against you. I reccomend you all to buy this book and learn the story.

I've been a big fan of Michael Cuccione since he appeared in the TV movie 2Gether. When I found out he had cancer, I decided to buy this book since some of the profits go to his charity. Having read it, I'm amazed at how he managed to stay focused on helping other people when he was going through the suffering of chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and the other painful treatments for cancer. I think it's wonderful that he started the Michael Cuccione Foundation to find a cure for cancer. I'm definietly going to have to donate to his foundation now. He's a great person, and he's working for a great cause, a cure for cancer.

This book Is the best book you will ever read! Michael Cuccione touched my heart with this book. WHen I first saw him on 2gether I thought, "man he's pretty cute." Then I found out more about him. My heart didn't break when I heard he had Hodgkin's Disease because he survived. My heart broke when I heard at 4 am when I was sick laying on the couch and heard on MTV news that Michael Cuccione died 8 days after his 16th birthday. Well anyway We love you Michael and we miss and Any one who is reading this go buy this book and read it!

Grover is more than a little nervous - after all, there's a MONSTER at the end of the book. So, he enacts all kinds of zaniness like gluing the pages together in order to keep (protect) YOU (not him!!) from the monster at the end of the book.

This is the only book I remember my dad reading to me - EVER. (Probably because I asked for it a million times!!) He would act the parts out and change his voice and I would roll on the floor with laughter. When it came to Grover's antics, my dad would pretend that the pages really *were* stuck together. He'd grunt and groan and s-l-o-w-l-y turn the pages.

I read it to my kids - my children and students alike - in the same manner. And you know what? Everyone rolls on the floor giggling. Everyone has a good time.

I highly recommend this one - it is a great story about the wacky ways we devise to avoid what we think we fear. BUT, it is also a great way to build memories that will last forever with your children.

This is the greatest book ever. My parents read it to me when I was a child. Every night I had to have it read to me. It was the first book I learned to read. Unfortunatly my Mom had to throw it away because it was so worn. For years I looked for this book. I finally gave up a few years ago. Well, a couple of weeks ago I found a copy in my cousin's toy box! I was so excited I decided to look for it again. Now I've found it. I would reccommend this book for every child (and even a few adults) It is a wonderful story with a wonderful surprise ending

I wandered into the room of my best friend's three-year-old son, preparing to read him a book before he went to bed. When I saw this book among the pile on his floor, I got nostalgic. Really nostalgic. My mom read me the same book when I was his age, and I love, LOVE this book.

Not only does it teach you that sometimes the answer to all of your questions is right in front of you, but it does so by giving you pages of Grover, one of the most hysterical, lovable Muppets. The rattling of Grover's nerves, and the actual building of suspense in a picture book, keep the reader turning the book's pages -- even though Grover BEGS you not to do so. The reader is actually included in the narrative, for the book involves only Grover talking to the reader. The book thus becomes involving very quickly and entertaining throughout it.

Plus, the final punchline is a great payoff.

If you have children, this is an absolute must. Unlike other books from children's shows, this one's intelligent, maintains proper values and isn't beat-me-over-the-head annoying.

As the Star Trek Universe got bigger, with more spin offs, movies, books, and alien races, so did the base for its Star Trek fans, so it is no surprise that the standard and definitive one volume work on the subject should get bigger too. The newest edition of THE STAR TREK ENCYCLOPEDIA is a monumental reference book that is as comprehensive as it is physically imposing. In its more than 700 pages of a continually snowballing phenomenon that was the birthchild of the late Gene Roddenberry, the rabid Star Trek fan (who else would read this?) can cross-reference every human, alien, planet, creature, ship or any other proper noun that was mentioned even once in any of the Star Trek series or its descendants. Michael and Denise Okuda, the married duo who did most of the writing acknowledge in the Introduction that a large cast of helpers were required to painstakingly find and correct errors from past editions. This book is loaded with hundreds of beautiful photographs and drawings, each of which illustrate one item in the Star Trek universe. As in most encyclopedias, this one is in alphabetical order, with each entry given a complete description/analysis. Bold-Faced terms indicate they are further defined under their own names elsewhere. For example, do you remember the episode from the original series about the mirror universe with an evil Kirk and bearded Spock, where unreliable crew members were put in the 'agony booth?' Well, the term 'agony booth' is listed and fully described with appropriate cross-references. Unlike other reference texts, this one has a separate supplement to include references to episodes in the various ST reincarnations after the 1996-1997 seasons. Finally, it contains additional helpful sections on historical timelines of major events, complete listing of all episodes from each spinoff, and a cast of all characters who ever appeared in any show.
Exactly, what is the purpose of such a text? I know why I use it. When I see an episode that mentions even off-handedly a minor reference to a singular event, I flip open this book to see if it is there. And it always is. Now if I could only be so motivated about the mundane details of my non-Star Trek life. And that perhaps best defines who likes Star Trek and why.

I can't imagine being a die-had Trekker without this book: the ultimate reference to people, places, things, events in the entire Star Trek universe from the original series of 1966 through all the movies and series right up to Voyager. This updated edition is not quite as smoothly integrated as previous updates--the last couple season's worth of shows and Star Trek: Insurrection are all treated in a separate (but extensive) section at the back, but a decent cross-referencing system lessens the inconvenience. I find it the ultimate can't put-down book-start to look up a subject of interest and you'll find yourself drawn from entry to entry until you've forgotten exactly what it was you were looking for but find yourself seized with the intense desire to rewatch several episodes. Unless you're the most serious Trek fan, you probably don't need the updated edition if you have an earlier one...but for those who do, it's a wonderful guide.

I am a "part-time" fan of Star Trek, having always been interested in the world, but not exactly a know-every-registry-number-of-every-ship kind of fan. But, having bought this very rich and detailed book, I must say my interest in Star Trek has multiplied tremendously. As an encyclopedia, it doesn't quite bear reading page-to-page, but flipping through it makes for very interesting reading. I am grateful to the authors for additional notes made to many entries, attempting to explain side-points or discrepancies; also, the many diagrams, pictures, dates, episode references, and even the occasional off-beat entry like, well... "mashed potatoes" for one! The appendixes, including gorgeous pics of the ships of Star Trek, episode timelines, historical timelines, and so on, are absolutely wonderful.

The best way I can summarise my rating is: the dedication and love for Star Trek demonstrated by all the writers/contributors in this book is ample and obvious. Congrats.

My bookshelves are filled with books on many topics, including death and dying and spirituality -- this book might be the only book I really need.

For years I have thought I must read the Tibetan Book of the Dead -- but whenever I tried, it was much too complicated for me to understand.

Sogyal Rinpoche has written this book so that it is easily understood by anyone, even us Westerners, without compromising any of the Buddhist teachings it offers.

In essence, we begin to die the moment we are born. We spend this life preparing to die well. Nothing is permanent, but we spend much of our lives filling our time with activities and pursuits that help us elude ourselves into thinking that what we see and touch is all that matters.

Sogyal Rinpoche says, "To follow the path of wisdom has never been more urgent or more difficult. Our society is dedicated almost entirely to the celebration of ego, with all its sad fantasies about success and power, and it celebrates those very forces of greed and ignorance that are destroying the planet. It has never been more difficult to hear the unflattering voice of the truth, and never more difficult, once having heard it, to follow it: because there is nothing in the world around us that supports our choice, and the entire society in which we live seems to negate every idea of sacredness or eternal meaning. So at the time of our most acute danger, when our very future is in doubt, we as human beings find ourselves at our most bewildered, and trapped in a nightmare of our own creation."

He writes about the importance of realizing the interconnectedness of all living beings (including nature), of meditation (and gives instructions and advice), of finding and being devoted to a good master (something very difficult for Westerners to accept -- he acknowledges that there are fraudulent ones about), of learning to live and learning to die, of letting go of egos and becoming egolessness. Throughout the book, he tells of female masters as well as males, something female readers may greatly appreciate.

Sogyal Rinpoche is from Tibet, and speaks of the cruelty of the Chinese to the Tibetan Buddhists (very similar to the persecution of the early christians, and later the Jews by the Nazis -- when will we ever learn, but then that's the point of this book!)

In the last section of the book, he speaks of "The Universal Process" which is about spirituality, living and dying of all humans, regardless of race, spiritual beliefs, gender or national origin. There are in the back two mantras with explanations and he shares photographs of his beloved masters. Throughout the book are inspiring poems from such poets as Rumi and St. Francis of Assisi, as well as Buddhists. In the very back he gives suggested readings, and offers phone numbers and addresses of Rigpa National Office, where those who are interested can find referrals to cources and study groups in the US, Canada and around the world.

This book is a very good place for the seeker to begin. For those curious about Buddhism, or seriously interested in becoming a Buddha or a Buddhist, or just looking for more thoughts and information on death and dying, this book is excellent, easy to understand, thought-provoking.

This book is like an armour for those like minded people that want a deeper understanding of life and the nature of mind. Sogyal Rinpoche takes lengths to explain in detailed chapters, the MEANING and PURPOSE of life, death and dying; how we can use our true nature of mind to overcome difficulties, and use compassion and meditation to become enlightened in this life. This is a serious book for those that want to follow the spiritual path, of believing and listening to the inner self and overcoming obstacles by healing one's self first. Sogyal Rinpoche has a lot of wisdom to teach and share through his words, and you will find that the end of the last page, you had everything to gain.

This book should be read by or to everyone at some point in their lives. It not is not just for the buddhist. As His Holiness, the Dalia Lama explains, no matter what religion you practice the goal is the same: happiness. This book can be an inspiration at all times in life. Once you have read it through once, it is organized in such a way, so one can go back and read certain sections to help along the way. Sogyal Rinpoche captures the essence of his purpose of creating the book when he writes: "to learn how to die, is to learn how to live." That simple statement is a social commentary on the development of modern society and the direction it is heading in. The ageing and dying are quickly isolated and doctors are rarely educated in emotional or spiritual care. Sogyal Rinpoche's proposes a new attidute to those who are in a stage that we all will reach at some point. His beautiful writing style and comforting compassion radiates from the pages themselves. I do not associate myself with any one religion, but consider myself a wanderer following my own road in search for answers, for all those who feel the same, this book can illuminate some of the darkness that surrounds us all who have not yet awakened.

In all the best selling novels sold today; there is love, lost love, hope, hopelessness, dispair, tragedy, and hope again.

These elements (in whichever order the author chooses to give them to the reader) are essential to good character development and indepth plot construction. In "The Egyptian" Mika Waltari not only manifests these 'essentials' with the gifted hand of a Houdini; he weaves them into a historical setting that virtually brings ancient Egypt alive.

No one can read this book and not experience the strength of true love; the foolishness of the human heart; the dreams men have dreamt throughout the ages; or fail to see the insight with which one man perceives himself, and those he comes in contact with. This is a must book for all:

Physicians, lovers, dreamers, and psychologists alike will walk the streets of ancient Thebes and smell the fish broiling on open braziers as the sun slowly settles into the Land of the Dead.

Walk the Black Lands. Flee to the Red Lands. Love the beautifull Nefernefer. Stand beside Pharoah. Savor the best life has to offer, then shiver at the bitter taste of misfortune. Learn life as it has never be taught before, or since.

Published originally in 1945, The Egyptian was an instant international success. It has since been translated into at least five different languages. It's time for you to find out why

Mika Waltari's "The Egyptian" tells us the story of one physician of ancient Egypt, Sinuhe, set against the background of the reign of the fourth pharaoh Amenhotep, whose attempt to impose monotheism on his polytheistic country was one of the strangest and most fascinating experiments of early civilization. Sinuhe is a foundling, adopted by a lowly physician, and in the tradition of ancient times, trained to follow in his adopted father's footsteps, coming of age at the same time a decisive event is about to take place: the death of the reigning pharaoh, Amenhotep III, around 1380 BC, and the accession of his son, Amenhotep IV, who styled himself Akhenaton.

Sinuhe is a loner and a wanderer, whose self-imposed exile from his native country takes him to Syria, the ancient Hittite kingdom of Hatti, and Crete, before finally returning to Egypt, at the same time that Akhenaton attempts to overthrow the reigning god Ammon and his priests, and install his own vision, Aton, the one and eternal god, in Ammon's place. As a political move, trimming Ammon's power in Egypt may have been a wise idea; the priests' power had grown so great that it was challenging that of pharaoh himself. But as a religious experiment it was a disaster, especially in a country as rigidly conservative as ancient Egypt where change of any kind was anathema. We see Akhenaton as a visionary out of touch with reality and with his people, a tragic figure doomed to failure. And we share Sinuhe's ambivalence about this enigmatic figure, intrigued by pharaoh's vision of one just god who brings equality to all mankind, but repelled by the spreading social chaos this vision brings with it, especially when it threatens his own security and the lives of those he loves.

Waltari bring us some of the people that have only existed in the pages of history books -- Akhenaton himself, his incredibly beautiful wife Nefertiti, his scheming, conniving mother Queen Taia, the boy king Tut, and Horemheb, the military general who became pharaoh after Akhenaton's death plunged the country into near anarchy. But "The Egyptian" fortunately doesn't read like a history textbook; Waltari makes ancient Egypt and his characters come vibrantly alive. And Sinuhe himself is wholly believable; a man of his own time and all time, sometimes wise, sometimes foolish in the extreme, trying to find his own place in his world, sometimes succeeding and sometimes not. Waltari is not only a great novelist but a fine historian, and he kept the background scrupulously accurate. The book is true to its time and its location, and Naomi Walford's excellent translation into English keeps the reader moving along effortlessly from the first page to the last. "The Egyptian" is Waltari's masterpiece; it's one of the best historical novels ever written.

"The Egyptian" came about as a result of Mika Waltari's experiences during WWII. Published in Finland in 1945, this book is truly a commentary about the terrible social upheavals experienced by Europe during the war years. The abomination of war, the waning belief in religion, and the unravelling of society are some of the themes that resonate from ancient Egypt to mid-20th Century Europe.

This historical tie notwithstanding, the real beauty of this book lies in the way Waltari uses small details to transport the reader to a bygone era. The period that starts with rise of Amehnotep IV (later Akhenaten) and concludes with reign of the great general Horemheb is one of the most compelling chapters of Egyptian history, and this book succeeds in making it into a gripping tale of idealism, stupidity, courage, and politics.

It is truly amazing to see the historical figures fulfill their appointed roles, acting before the background of the first monotheistic religion (doomed to fail through good intentions), a war of conquest, political manipulations, love and loss, and ultimately, fate. In the best tradition of Waltari, the male characters are richly three-dimensional, with moments of courage and moments of cowardice, with hints of idealism and hints of opportunism, and above all, with human frailties.

Truly a delightful read, even if it forces the reader to ponder issues well beyond the action that takes place on the written page.

As the director of the Child Support Reform Network I have found this war is an example of government and politicians at their worst. While they exploit the same old tired rhetoric "its for the children" we have seen family's distroyed, children drawn into drugs and distribution, corruption at the highest levels while at the same time inadvertantly creating the richest of the richest, the drug barrons. Mr. Grey does a good job in spelling out the disasters of the current laws and "how we can get out of this mess."

If I could, I would give this book a 10 star rating for its content, bibliography and is well written.

I would urge every person to read this book and get involved in changing the laws. It would be wishfull thinking if every politician would read this book, they may start to realize what their policies are doing to this country. Newt, Bill, Al, Trent, Barbera are you listening??

Jim Mountford csrn.com

This book should be a real eye-opener to the average citizen.

It is an easy read of only 240 pages, so even the most time-pressed will be able to get through it in a week or two of spare moments.

Mike Gray takes us through the past 90 years of the American drug war and also parallels it with the alcohol prohibition of the 1920's.

Some has expressed disdain over the author's lack of detail on a solution to the status quo. The purpose of this book appears to focus mainly on what is wrong with the current situation -- an example of what not to do. He does call for reform of drug laws and policies, and it's up to the reader to realize that the solution is not too far off from the solution of the alcohol problem during the prohibition era -- to repeal prohibition.

Buy it. Read it. Get all your friends to read it.

While you're still fired up over it... write a letter to your local congressperson expressing your feelings... well, maybe you should write the letter after you cool down a little -- but not too much.

This book is an excellent companion to Smoke and Mirrors : The War on Drugs and the Politics of Failure, by Dan Baum. While Baum's history of the Drug War starts with the Nixon administration and focuses on the domestic consequences, Mike Gray's history lesson goes back to Harry Anslinger, who headed the Bureau of Narcotics (the precursor to the DEA) for decades and engineered mountains of bogus evidence about the national "drug problem" in order to build and sustain his empire. Gray examines the history of alcohol prohibition as well as the horrific effect that the Drug War has had in South and Central America.

Both Baum and Gray spotlight the soaring prison population and the shattered lives of drug war prisoners. Gray's book illustrates the shear impossibility of an interdiction based approach by pointing out that the ports of entry are countless and border guards can double their yearly incomes by turning a blind eye for two minutes.

Mike Gray wrote the screenplay for The China Syndrome, and he brings his talents as a story teller to this project, which makes it extremely readable.

I really enjoyed reading Jacob's Rescue. It was a great book with a lot of exciting happenings that keep you on the edge of your seat. This story takes place during World War II. Jacob is separated from his family when he goes into hiding. I have read many books about the Holocaust but this by far is my favorite. I highly recommend that you read this book! I hope you enjoy it!

Jacob's Rescue was about a rich Jewish boy who gets put in the Ghetto with his Aunt Hannah and Grandma. Then Alex (a Polish man with a wife and two two kids) decides to hide him. Jacob has two brothers David and Shalom. There are many problems but in the end it all turns out well. Read the story to find out the true story of Jacob's rescue. It is a very good book about World War II and the Holocaust which lasted from about 1939 to 1945. I liked the way it was always exiting and kept me on the edge of my seat.

Jacob Gutgeld a 8 year old Jewish boy that lived in Warsaw, Poland. In 1939, Nazis soldiers invaded Warsaw, Poland. Being Jewish wasn't safe anymore beacasue the soldiers were out searching and killing Jews.

Meeting a Christan man name Alex Roslan one day. Alex helped out Jacob by being his new uncle. Since he is moving in with the Roslan he has to leave the rest of his family behind. He might never see them agian. But now he has to live with danger everywhere he goes. To find out if he can managed to stay alive with the Roslan's read this excellent book about Jacob's Rescue, a Holocaust Story.

I would recomend this book to kids of all ages. This is a really good book, it has loads of action in it, and has a very good storyline. I liked this book because you learn lots about the past and how life was in 1939. But I hope that you enjoy this wonderful book.

It is the mark of an outstanding book that in today's postmodern culture, a book can grip both the reader's attention and imagination until the very last word. Mike Yon's prose shows the talent of a budding writer with vast potential. His book offers the layman a unique opportunity to understand the mentallity and lifestyle of an actual Special Forces soldier. Mike Yon lends true insight with what is probably the first contemporary objective account of the Special Forces Qualification Course and the larger than life figures that made it and Special Forces the one of a kind elite unit that it was and still is today. This is definitely an excellent read and Mike Yon is a writer to keep an eye on.

I didn't use to read a lot, I was surfing the net when I heard of this book. I got it shipped to Sweden from the nice guys at AppliePie, by e-mailing (!) them.

Seeing the fun and joy of the beginning of his life is like looking at my own at a certain age, you become one with the book. The very good descriptive way that he (Mike Yon of course) tells you his life, is amazing. The feelings coming through reading this book is tough, I had to lay the book down for a week.

The hell he went through after his first 7 years was amazing, the whole book is amazing if you ask me.

The book gives you faith, it makes you wanna fight. Parts of my life has been hard. I've had times when I thought seriously about suicide (planing it and all), then I thought it was weak and that I was a fighter so way would I do it? But then I was bouncing between those options becuz of the question "why live?". Now I can truthfully say that I won't help death dealing with me. This book gave me faith, strength and something that I really need and needed, a big brother. The brother I never had. Someone to look upto. Someone you in a way you wanna become, but in the end you don't. You realize the pain that is everywhere, in your life, and his life. Why try to get his when you can change yours? Lot's of questions like this came up but more about confidence. Now I can say "I won't give up!" "I will never give up, I will make it!". That is something I couldn't do before.

I think that everybody either needs help or some kinda encouragement. In my case encouragment. This book won't tell you you're the best and that he is a super-man-invincible-green-beret rather it will make you stand up and see how horrible life can be, and at the same time there is a away out. I guess it's not the same thing as making Special Forces training and it's not telling you what todo, it's showing you that you can make a good thing out of bad experience. That's my point of view.

A review can't justify this book, it will teach you, make you grow up, make you human, learn you not to give up. and a lot more.

Description of book: Astonishing.

Military have always been in the back of my head, now I know I wanna become a special forces soldier.

This book took me by surprise and held me captive. I expected to encounter a masculine story about military life and Special Forces. The author delivers this- plus a much broader message straight from his soul, which is profoundly moving. Woven into the ongoing saga of his escapades as a Special Forces trainee, are colorful tales of growing up in the perfect family changed by dramatic tragedy. Those early experiences molded this young soldier, who faces extraordinary adult difficulties with the kind of human spirit we all hope to muster should we ever be so challenged. His early days are described through the innocent eyes of a child, utterly hilarious and sweet. The adolescent stories, sometimes dark and heartbreaking, often turn into laugh-out-loud situations when the author confesses some teenage pranks that he and his friends pulled. You will see a little bit of yourself in Mike Yon, and in recognizing that, will find a message of inspiration. His storytelling style is honest and very entertaining- I look forward to his next book!

I've read a lot of Christian fiction, and Father Elijah has some of the finest writing of this kind that I've ever seen. He is a humble man whose vulnerability to self doubt strikes a chord in many of us who question too much. Then again, his holiness shines through, particularly in some of his dialogues with nonbelievers. The conversion of the evil old man who at first tested him in every way then finally called him for his deathbed confession was, for me, the highlight of the entire book. This book holds a strong message; at the same time, it offers much more than theology--it is also great literature. I thought the ending was superb. It begs for a sequel....let's all hope one is forthcoming! Father Elijah is too good a character to not follow through with his further battles with the antichrist as one of the two witnesses from Revelation.

I'll be honest. Apocalyptic literature has not been my number one interest. Much of what I've read in this genre has seemed to be unbelievable; relying overmuch on the "fantastic". "Father Elijah" is different. Very different.

Item: The author has a good grasp on the apocalyptic books of Scripture -- better, even, than many "Bible Christians".

Item: The author has a good grasp on the inner workings of the Church.

Item: The author has a good grasp of current events. Because of this, he is able to posit believable scenarios.

Item: The author has an excellent grasp of the human heart and soul; what it means to serve God; what it means to live in obedience; and what it means to be a priest.

Item: Finally, the author has an excellent grasp of God's overwhelming desire for the redemption of all His creation -- and the free will to choose to accept -- or deny -- the redemptive offering.

"Father Elijah" is a must read. I give it my hearty endorsement.

Father Elijah is perhaps my favorite book in apocalyptic literature. The world needs great Catholic writers like O'Brien to influence society and shed some Light on a dark and depressed globe. The Catholic undertone is remarkable. One may think this book has the main character of Father Elijah, but he is really merely an instrument of Christ. I grew in faith and respect for the Papacy and priests in general. This book even increased my prayer life and made me a pumped up Catholic ready to take on the world. It gave insight to the spiritual realm which needs to be known these days. This book is great for the faithful and for anybody who wants to see the power of prayer through a fiction novel. The EUCHARIST is life.

This book is truly one of Harold Keith's best books. He has made Jeff Bussey seem alive when he takes you through his adventures in the Civil War. Jeff constantly came into perils in the book that made me want to keep reading and not stop. He made the battle scenes and the towns seem so real in my mind. This book is a one of a kind. Jeff has been on both sides of the war, seen both side's point of view. He had to make up his mind on which side he stayed on. I was really thinking that he was going to stay with the rebels just because Lucy Washbourne was on that side, but I was wrong. He made friends on both sides of the army and they took him in as their own. His name had a lot to do with it. Jeff's father fought in a war with the south. His name was well known there. I think that if he didn't have that name he wouldn't have been able to get into the rebel front lines. I loved this book and I urge everybody else to read it. It is truly a great book. I will have to get my own copy very soon.

Jeff Bussey is only 16 when the Civil War breaks out, but he immediately leaves his home in Linn County- after two bushwhackers's break into his house - to join the Kansas volunteers. After his first battle, he discovers war isn't just glory. He sees his friends die and knows that he may be next. He has to cope with a mean officer, Captain Clardy, and his love for a rebel girl, Lucy Washbourne.
Then he is sent on a scouting mission,behind enemy lines where he makes an important discovery. The rebels are just boys like him, only they are fighting for a different cause. He is left with a tough decision to make. Should he join the enemy or betray them?
I loved this book because it was so suspenseful. Harold Keith does a great job describing everything. This book is difficult to read so I recommend it to 5th Grade and up.

Rifles for Watie is an excellent book. I never realized that there was so much going on in the Civil war. I first read this book in 5th grade and I loved it. Rifles for Watie is a facinating book about a boy called Jeff who joins up in the army and gets more than he expected! He is a infantry man, a cavalier, a cannonier for two hours and a spy.While Jeff is a spy he finds out that his enemy ,the confederates, are not a bad bunch. He falls in love with a girl called Lucy and she wants him to join the confederates. Will Jeff stay with the Unions or will he betray them to join the confederates?
In all I have given Rifles for Watie for it is exciting and full of adventure. It has deserved the newberry award. If you haven't read it yet then I would recommend you go to the libary or to a book store and read it!!! But be warned once you red this you will not stop until the end!!! --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.