Yes, this book is engrossing, well-constructed, and meticulously researched (the fact that the author personally trekked the same route as the characters is undeniably impressive). Yes, it's got all the traditional requirements for quality novels. However, the most striking thing about it is how resonant it is in 2002. It's a book written in 1978, about events in the 13th century, yet it somehow accurately depicts the pitfalls of liberal reaction to post-September 11th issues. I could not help thinking of the CNN footage of activists and students and artists marching across Iraq on a peace mission, while I read this book, simultaneously applauding their courage and belief in love and diplomacy, and cringing at their naievete. The book is unsettling and unresolved because the forces it depicts, the beauty of idealism and youthful self-confidence, the dual power of religious fervor as a life-force and a death-force, are powerful and transhistorical. It does what good modern books should do -- depicts with accuracy and complexity and invites the same diversity of opinion that the thing it depicts would provoke in real life. I'd be interested to reading other reader's thoughts.

I first picked this book up when I was 13 years old. Ironically, Sting had released an album that year with a song track called, "Children's Crusade" -- I believed it to be divine providence. The book focuses on the Children's Crusade of 1212 AD. After several failed attempts to take the Holy City of Jerusalem by force, thousands of children deluded themselves into thinking they could take it by love. Approximately 30,000 children set out from both Paris and Cologne under the leadership of a child called Stephen, who self-styled himself a prophet. He swore the seas would part for him at Genoa and that they would walk the rest of the way to Jerusalem.

The story focuses around two characters - a Christian and a Jew - who follow on crusade for varying reasons. One by one the friends they make fall prey to the rigors of travel - crossing the Alps, Starvation, hostility, and the reality of slave traders in the Middle Ages. It's truly an astonishing book that weaves hope together with fear and faith.

I have one of the first copies of this book when my husband attended a college bookstore convention. He got it and brought it home to me. I read it and then waited for the next book and then the next book and then I could not find any more. I think this series is a good series and should continue throughout and up to the present. Thank you for writitng these books Mr. Rhodes. I had thought you had abandon the ideas of finishing the American Palace Series. I encourage everyone to read this series, it is educational as well as very very good writing.

I cannot even rember how I got "Bless This House", but I have reread it several times and lent it to family and friends. All say the same, "where are the followups" Tonite is the first time I have found any club or book store that has even heard of this book or Mr. Rhodes. If anyone knows of followup books to this Great book, please let me know.

I'm an American living in France and this book has been used in various French classes of my children. It's always a big success because in French literature there are so few real "heroes" - normal people who take their lives into their own hands, overcome difficult circumstances, succeed because they didn't submit to all the rules. It's a pity it's out of print.

Back when I was in junior high school (that's "middle school" for you Easterners) in California, I picked up this book out of curiosity, and read it. It's an extremely fun read. Since there's no synopsis, I'll give you a quick one: J.J., the protaginist, is an orphan who decides to live in Central Park when he runs away from his foster mother. The book is mainly an adventure story along the lines of "The White Mountains" or "Huck Finn." The book brought my imagination to New York for the first time, and never did I dream that years later I would be living just a few blocks from J.J.

This is one of those "sleeper" books that was so enjoyable, I've re-read it several times! The subject matter is, at the same time, both factual and make-believe; it is the ultimate dark fairy-tale! JJ, the orphan "prince" is a wonderfully courageous and self-reliant character--any pre-teen-to-early teen boy will find himself held in the grip of danger along with JJ as he fends for himself in the "wilds" of Central Park. My son and I enjoyed reading this book together. But, beware--there are subjects in the book not suitable for young children (i.e., JJ's foster mom is a prostitute). Altogether a wonderful, fun read!