This is a very nice reference text. A must for any serious apologist or, for that matter, anyone who simply loves to read apologetics texts.

The text is mapped out in such a way that it divides the various apologetic 'tasks' into 4 areas or parts. First, apologetics as 'proof.' Second, apologetics as 'defense.' Third, apologetics as 'offense.' And fourth, apologetics as 'persuasion.' Each part carries its own weight when dealing with certain areas or aspects of the task of apologetics. For instance, apologetics as 'proof' takes various thinkers, approaches, and worldviews and delineates them in detail for the reader. Further, a thinker is given, say, B.B. Warfield, his thoughts, writings, and methods are examined and exposited, and then his approach is described and demonstrated for the reader. This is the trend in all four parts.

The authors also cover the role of philosophy in apologetics, which I might add, is a very important role. Thank you for its inclusion, this makes for an important read. Moreover, once all the various thinkers/scholars are examined, the authors take their reader to what is called the 'integrated approach.' It seems interesting that the integrative approach is applied predominantly by/to reformers or those who adhere to what is known in philosophical circles as reformed epistemology. Nonetheless, this approach is examined along with its adherents.

Finally, the book also includes a few very nice extra features such as apologetic web sites, a further study section, lists of tables and charts, a name index, subject index and Scripture index. I have enjoyed reading this text, and it should be pointed out that it is written in a style of a reference text, so the reader can read 'at' it if the intent is to find a particular thing, or the text can be read from cover to cover. Either way, the book makes for good reading, I highly recommend this text.

A reviewer claims that Boa and Bowman's book tries "to take the strengths of each approach and put them together into one apologetic system." He then claims that the authors twist the approaches of other apologists to fit their categories and that the authors claim that their own integration is the best one.

Frankly, the reviewer could not have been more wrong. Boa and Bowman defend each of the four approaches as valid and helpful in their own right. They go out of their way to point out ways in which various apologists do not fit neatly into one category. For example, they suggest that William Lane Craig is a classical apologist with evidentialist leanings, and that Alvin Plantinga is a Reformed apologist with classical leanings.

When Boa and Bowman come to discuss the integration of the four major approaches, they state very plainly, "we do not claim that our proposals should be accepted as _the_ final integrative approach" (p. 509). Or again, "We do not wish to be interpreted as proposing a 'new approach' or a comprehensive approach that definitively unites them. Indeed, we are not sure that this is possible or even desirable" (p. 535). Instead, the authors recommend that apologists take whatever approach they find most compelling and then strengthen that approach by learning from the other approaches.

This is the first book that presents sympathetically the apologetic thinking of such disparate thinkers as C. S. Lewis, Richard Swinburne, Cornelius Van Til, Karl Barth, and Francis Schaeffer. There simply isn't another book like it.

Boa and Bowman have put together a lengthy survey on apologetic methods within Christianity. In the process, they have surpassed all other comparative apologetic works by cogently and thoroughly examining apologetic methods and the great thinkers who have subscribed to the various methods.

This book is extremely useful for a number of reasons. It's obvious strength is its thorough treatment of four major apologetic methods; classical, evidential, presuppositional, and fideist. This book is the best in print in dispassionately presenting each view, its strengths and weaknesses, and how each view interacts with various apologetic issues and objections. The reader will gain a solid working knowledge of apologetic school of thought to reflect upon and possibly incorporate in their own approach to apologetics.

Second, this book provides one of the best summary level examinations of many prominent Christian thinkers throughout church history. Anybody who wants a good summary treatment on the thinking of folks like Pascal, Kierkegaard, Van Til, Clark, Kuyper, Barth, Craig, Plantinga, Geisler, Aquinas, and many others will find it here.

Third, their demonstration of how each apologetic system interacts with key issues such as science, theology, the Bible, Jesus Christ, etc is very informative. I found these examinations to be very insightful, since it impressed upon me the reality that evangelical Christianity is not at all monolithic in how it views the relationship of apologetics to these vital issues. Through this diversity of thought, I have found my own approach to apologetics expanded and challenged in a very healthy way.

Lastly, the authors truly invoke a spirit of Christian love throughout this book. The authors clearly hold to the view that great Christians can and have held to each apologetical method, and the authors have properly resisted any attempt to use apologetical method as a litmus test to judge the level of anyone's Christian walk. This is very refreshing, and is definitely a step in the right direction. While properly pointing out where certain thinkers in each camp have strayed from acceptable evangelicalism (Barth and his errant view of Scripture, Pinnock and his god of limited omniscience, etc), they affirm the value of each apologetic method and the thinkers who hold to each view.

At the end of the book, the authors attempt an integration of each method which I found helpful and balanced. The authors properly note that pure integration may not be possible, and might not be desirable either. I felt that the biggest strength of their integration approach was the belief that each apologetic method is useful for reaching certain people who hold certain objections or presuppositions, and that these apologetic approaches can be integrated somewhat with certain methods being more emphasized than others based upon the beliefs and views of the person we are in dialogue with.

The only weakness of the book is that while it does attempt to deal with tangible objections such as in the inspiration of Scripture, the deity of Christ, and the problem of evil, readers who are looking for comprehensive apologetic responses to these issues may not be satisfied by what's here. This is a book that deals with apologetic method, and while it does show how each method generally responds to these kind of objections and issues, the reader will not really find a systematic treatment here, although I should stress that what is covered in these areas is very helpful.

But since this is not really the thrust of the book, I do not see it as a weakness of the book worthy of demoting the 5 star rating I've given it. This is a thoroughly researched book which in my view, presents the best contemporary treatment of apologetic methods in a spirit of Christian love that will hopefully serve as a model for further development of respectful apologetic method in the future. A well done book that is highly recommended.

I first read Arundel over 30 years ago and it helped make me into a history teacher. Seemingly unimportant incidents in the narrative have proven, upon further research into non-fictional sources, to have actually happened. Kenneth Roberts was THE greatest historical novelist in American History. He proved that a wholesome romance can keep the reader's interest. The main characters do not have to perform in bed for us in order to keep our interest. And yet, he does not wince from the reality of treachery, betrayal and sexual immorality. It is simply done with style and good taste. Why this book was never been made into a movie is incomprehensible, except that Roberts' NORTHWEST PASSAGE was hopelessly butchered by Hollywood in 1939 and he vowed never to release the rights to his works again (I think). Does anyone out there know the reason?

I loved this book from the day I read it in in 1971. This is the way historical fiction should be written. Historically accurate, good dialogue, sound character development woven with a personal voice of the narrator. In this case it is Steven Nason a young inkeeper and blacksmith from Maine who takes us from a kidnapping of a young woman in 1759 to the gates of Quebec on the snowy night of December 31, 1775 as a small army of American revolutionaries lead by Benedict Arnold attempt to take the greatest citadel in North America from the British.

The book's understory is the attempt by Nason to find the young woman in Quebec and wreak revenge on the man who took her. Will Nason find his long lost friend and redeem her? Will his personal redemption come from something or someone more unexpected?

Roberts paints his historical characters and events with great accuracy and fullness. You feel like you know Arnold, Daniel Morgan, Aaron Burr and others as they endure a grueling 600 mile journey through the wilderness of Maine and Canada in their attempt to seize Quebec. The march to Quebec, siege and assault on Quebec are told in riverting detail. If you want a great understanding about this campaign, I recommend this book highly. If you want a great read, I recommend this book even higher. Enjoy!

This book was excellent. Not only is it reputed as having very accurate historical content, but the ficitonal stories running through it were very interesting as well. It is still hard to believe this was Roberts first writing foray. It is very easy to feel for the characters and want to know how everything turns out. I have to say that their plight was often very difficult - to the point where I was feeling quite cold and hungry myself. I live in Vermont and felt quite badly for them travelling during winter under very harsh conditions without polypropelyne, fleece, or wind-blocking layers. Plus a bunch of power bars for emergencies. I will be getting Roberts other books in this series. I'm sure I will enjoy them as much as Arundel. It is easy to tell Roberts has true writing talent.

Kenneth Roberts was one of America's best-known nonfiction magazine writers back during the heyday of the Saturday Evening Post. One of his best-known articles was a profile of Hitler following the Beer Hall Putsch, which became a book in its own right at a time when no one in America knew who Hitler was.

Beginning in the mid-1930s, Roberts wrote a series of brilliant but erratic historical novels about America in the late 1700s, set in his beloved Maine or in neighboring Boston and Portsmouth, NH. "Northwest Passage" (which was serialized by the Post) was his masterpiece and the most popular book in America for two years during the 1930s, although it's barely remembered today (or, if remembered, known only as the source for a mediocre Spencer Tracy movie of the same name).

The book is the story of a real person, Major Robert Rogers, a miltary leader from pre-Revolutionary America whose unit, Rogers' Rangers, was America's first to fight "Indian-style" (in other words, to fight battles the way we fight them today). Rogers' great success in warfare led to him becoming one of the colonies' first published authors, a star in London, and later the royal governor of Michilimackinac (the fort at the tip of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan ... and the land westward), but his unwillingness to join with pluderers who wanted to loot the British and colonial treasuries in the name of the Crown led to his arrest and unwarranted disgrace ... and to his ultimate decision to side with the British during the American Revolution, like Roberts' other main hero, Benedict Arnold ("Arundel" and "Rabble in Arms").

This novel is made up of two very different but intricately-plotted books. Book 1, which ranges in place from Harvard College to the British Army during the French and Indian Wars and the New England art world, tells the story of a young man, Langdon Towne, who becomes Rogers' personal secretary during Rogers' Rangers' expedition to destroy the town of St. Francis, home of the native group most hostile to the New England settlers. Book 2, which begins in London, crosses back to upstate Michigan and the Dakota lands, and then returns to London, tells the story of Towne's advancement as an artist and his involvement with Rogers' plan to discover the Northwest Passage.

The reason that this book rates 4 stars instead of 5 has to do with a writing issue that must be mentioned. Roberts' friend Booth Tarkington served as "editor" of the first three-quarters of the book, and the Roberts-Tarkington prose is stellar. However, under severe time pressure to finish the second half of the book (due to its smash-hit status), Roberts wrote the last quarter without Tarkington's help, and the change in writing quality is jarring -- especially as it comes right during the most historically-important and dramatically-important section of the book, Rogers' betrayal by his Northwest Passage expedition commanders and by his British and American enemies. Roberts had offered Tarkington co-writing credit, which Tarkington refused, but this justaposition of styles shows just how critical Tarkington's help was. The plot continues smoothly, though, even if the writing doesn't.

One more point: in researching and writing this book, Roberts uncovered (after two years of searching, and just before publication of Book 2) the actual court-marshal transcripts of the two court-marshals with which Rogers was involved, which were believed to have been destroyed by Rogers' enemies -- and both supported Roberts' sympathetic treatment of Rogers. Thus, not only was this book incredibly popular, but it was significant for historical research as well. What more can you ask from one book?

Kenneth Roberts was one of America's finest writers of historical fiction- mainly because he actually really knew the history into which he placed his fictional characters.

"Northwest Passage" is arguably his most popular work, and its Book I was made into a pretty good 1940 movie with Robert Young as the fictional Langdon Towne and Spencer Tracy as the legendary Robert Rogers. (I must admit that everytime I read Rogers' dialogue in "Northwest Passage" I hear the voice of Spencer Tracy.) Anyway "Northwest Passage," the novel, is actually made up of two very different books.

Book I is one of the finest pieces of historical fiction that I have ever read. It's the story of Rogers' Rangers attack on the Abenaki Indian village of St. Francis during the French and Indian War. The story revolves around a fictional character, Langdon Towne, an upper middle class lad who wants to become a great artist by painting "true life" subjects such as Indians. Fleeing a dispute with local crooked politicians, Towne joins Major Rogers and his Rangers on the eve of their departure for St. Francis. What happens next is a thrilling story. Roberts' descriptions of the northern New England terrain, the agony of fatigue and starvation, and the gruesome depiction of the barbaric nature of war are stunning to read. Also amazing is the depiction of Major Rogers as seen through the worshipful eyes of Towne. The reader will finish Book I with a heroic image of Rogers as an indefatigable, courageous, clever tactician and born leader.

Book II, though, is a disappointment. Of course, it is very understandable that Book II is a let down, since Book I can hardly be topped as a historical adventure. Roberts' spends most of Book II tearing down the heroic image of Rogers that he built-up in Book I. Alcohol, debt, political enemies, a bad marriage, and his own vices reduce Rogers to a rather pathetic character. Book II also suffers from a lack of focus- we follow Towne as he develops into a famous painter from New England, to England, to the Upper Great Lakes, to Canada, back to England, and then to New England. Unlike Book I, which dealt with just a few short months of time, Book II is all over the place. However, the biggest problem with Book II is that nothing really happens in it- just Rogers' long decline and Towne's search for fulfillment.

Finally, Kenneth Roberts' books usually contain some extremely well developed and strong female characters, but "Northwest Passage" is lacking in this department. The interesting character of Jennie Coit disappears quickly. And Anne Potter, who had the possibility to be extremely interesting, is just too thinly drawn.

"Northwest Passage's" Book I is a terrific piece of historical fiction. I cannot speak more highly of it. However, Book II drags, and is really only interesting in that illustrates what happens to the characters introduced in Book I. Book II is actually just a very long and detailed epilogue to Book I.

Set in Colonial America during the French and Indian War, historical novelist Kenneth Roberts' Northwest Passage is an epic work about the larger-than-life Major Rogers and the artist Langdon Towne who joins Rogers' Rangers. As Langdon gradually draws strength, wisdom, and experience from adversity, Major Rogers slowly crumbles before hardship. A powerful story of enduring the fire for better or ill, Northwest Passage is a gripping read and a standout recommendation on the historical fiction shelf.

"You will be haunted by Three Spirits." So forewarns Jacob Marley's ghost to Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge, a miser of stingy, unfavorable traits. And so begins the enduring Christmas classic distinguished by almost everyone. Come along on an erratic journey with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, all of whom attempt to point Scrooge onto a virtuous path. Meet the most notable characters ever introduced in literature: Bob Cratchit, angelic Tiny Tim, and good-natured Fred. With vivid descriptions of Victorian England and enlightening dialogue, 'A Christmas Carol' will enrapture both the young and old throughout the year with a vital lesson on hope and benevolence for humanity. This, I find, is treasured most of all in this brief story marvelously crafted by the creative Charles Dickens. No matter how many adaptations of the book one has seen on television or as films, the real source is highly recommended and should not be missed. For if you do pass the book up, you are being just a Scrooge (metamorphically speaking, of course!).

It's hard to think of a literary work that has been filmed and staged in more imaginative variations than Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"--there's the excellent George C. Scott version, the delightful Muppet version, the charming Mr. Magoo version, etc., etc. But ultimately true "Carol" lovers should go back to Dickens' original text, which remains a great read.

"Carol" tells the story of cold-hearted miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who despises the Christmas holiday and scorns all who celebrate it. But a visit from a series of supernatural beings forces him to reevaluate his attitude--and his life.

With this simple plot Dickens has created one of the enduring triumphs of world literature. It's a robust mix of humor, horror, and (most of all) hope, all leavened with a healthy dash of progressive social criticism. One thing I love about this book is that while it has a focus on a Christian holiday, Dickens puts forth a message that is truly universal; I can imagine this story resonating with people of any religious background, and also with more secular-oriented people.

This is a tale of greed, selfishness, regret, redemption, family, and community, and is enlivened by some of the most memorable characters ever created for English literature. Even if Dickens had never written another word, "A Christmas Carol" would still have, I believe, secured his place as one of the great figures of world literature.

Well, I finally read it (instead of just watching it on the TV screen).

This is what you can call a simple idea, well told. A lonely, bitter old gaffer needs redemption, and thus is visited by three spirits who wish to give him a push in the right direction. You have then a ghost story, a timeslip adventure, and the slow defrosting of old Scrooge's soul. There are certain additions in the more famous filmed versions that help tweak the bare essentials as laid down by Dickens, but really, all the emotional impact and plot development necessary to make it believable that Scrooge is redeemable--and worth redeeming--is brilliantly cozied into place by the great novelist.

The scenes that choke me up the most are in the book; they may not be your favourites. I react very strongly to our very first look at the young Scrooge, sitting alone at school, emotionally abandoned by his father, waiting for his sister to come tell him there may be a happy Christmas. Then there are the various Cratchit scenes, but it is not so much Tiny Tim's appearances or absence that get to me--it's Bob Cratchit's dedication to his ailing son, and his various bits of small talk that either reveal how much he really listens to Tim, or else hide the pain Cratchit is feeling after we witness the family coming to grips with an empty place at the table. Scrooge as Tim's saviour is grandly set up, if only Scrooge can remember the little boy he once was, and start empathizing with the world once again. I especially like all Scrooge's minor epiphanies along his mystical journey; he stops a few times and realizes when he has said the wrong thing to Cratchit, having belittled Bob's low wages and position in life, and only later realizing that he is the miser with his bootheel on Cratchit's back. Plus, he must confront his opposite in business, Fezziwig, who treated his workers so wonderfully, and he watches as true love slips through his fingers again.

It all makes up the perfect Christmas tale, and if anyone can find happiness after having true love slip through his fingers many years ago, surprisingly, it's Scrooge. With the help of several supporting players borrowed from the horror arena, and put to splendid use here.

Have you ever wanted to do something so badly you would go through the harshest weather to do it? Then you must read the most exciting book there is, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham. Mr. Mole wants to see Mr. Toad, who is the richest animal in town. So Mr. Rat takes Mr. Mole to see him. Mr. Toad and Mr. Mole became friends. Now Mole wants to see Mr. Badger. Rat doesn't want to take him, but Mole leaves over the night to go see Badger.
Then it started to snow, so he found a hole in a tree and he slept there for the night. Rat went after him and succeeded. Soon they found Badger's house. Suddenly Otter came and told Rat and Mole that everyone was looking for them. First, Otter, Badger, Rat, and Mole sat down and had dinner. Then Badger led them through a tunnel that took them almost to Rat's house. Rat protected everyone with his handguns. Everyone was safe and happy that day.
When they got to the surface they saw that it had stopped snowing while they were walking home. They soon thanked Badger for letting them visit at his house and for giving them shelter when they were there. They thanked him dearly for showing them the way home. Soon Badger left and went back home to eat dinner. Everyone had a fun day and at the end of the day they all went home for bed. To find out more about what happens you must read the book titled, The Wind in the Willows.

Kenneth Grahame wrote this for his son and published this in book form in 1908. He has simply created a masterpiece, not just in children's literature, believe me many adults read this one with pleasure. The chapters follow the doings and adventures of Mole, Rat, Badger, and of course Toad. The prose is lyrical at times, the stories hilarious, and charm and wisdom flow from Grahame's pen. There has been many illustrators for different editions of this over the years. I like Rackham and Shepard and recommend the editions that have one or the others illustrations, or get two copies of "The Wind in the Willows" and you can have both of these fine illustrators work to enjoy. I read this book when a child and I come back to it again and again.

I doubted if a children's book could command my interest at this advanced stage of my life, but I have to say that "The Wind in the Willows" completely enthralled me. It is the story of four personified animals, the eponymously named Mole, Water Rat, Badger, and Toad, who live on or near a river that runs through an idyllic countryside obviously modeled on Edwardian England. In their world, physical size with regard to objects and other animals doesn't follow any kind of common logic or consistency; the animals seem to be simultaneously as big as humans and small enough to live in their own natural habitats.

The animals have vivid human personalities. Mole is timorous and meek, Rat is adventurous and poetic, Badger is unpredictable but protective and mean when he needs to be. Toad, however, is the most salient figure; he is wealthy, greedy, conceited, and clumsy, and he lives in a stately manor called Toad Hall. Mole and Rat's interests are simple; they enjoy boating down the river and socializing with other animals, including otters, field mice, and a seafaring Rat who regales the Water Rat with eloquent tales of his voyages around the world. They even encounter the god Pan, in a strangely ecclesiastical moment.

Toad's picaresque adventures throughout the book provide a counterpoint to Mole and Rat's more pastoral activities. Toad is so captivated with the idea of faster and faster transportation that when a motor-car overtakes and wrecks his horse-drawn cart in the road, he can only watch the departing vehicle in avaricious rapture. So then he buys car after expensive car, wrecking each one with his incompetent driving. Despite his friends' attempts to cure him of his obsession, he steals a car in a frenzy and is consequently thrown in jail. However, he escapes by means of a ridiculous ruse and, after many more adventures, finally returns to his native river-bank only to find that Toad Hall has been taken over by gun-toting stoats, weasels, and ferrets. (Note the parallels to Homer's Odyssey here.) Fortunately, his friends rise to the occasion to help him reclaim his home, after which he resolves to learn some modesty.

A great thing about the book is that Grahame uses many words that may be new or unfamiliar to young readers, but they're used in such a way that kids may be able to figure out their meanings by context. Also, while there are lessons to be learned through the animals' (especially Toad's) examples, there is no heavy-handed moralism to dilute the book's enjoyability. Clearly this is a work of the utmost creativity and imagination and demands the adult reader expand his or her mind to the realms of childlike wonder.

RABBLE IN ARMS focuses on the Northern army during the Revolutionary War, and describes a lot of incidents -- the retreat from Canada most prominent among them -- that are not often taught to today's schoolchildren. It also has a flattering portrait of Benedict Arnold, showing him as a man of action nearly destroyed by the sniping of his inferiors in Congress.

I'm not particularly knowledgeable about this era of history; I'll leave that aspect of the novel to the judgement of people who are. As a novel it's very fine. The structure of the book allows us to gain snapshots of the war, which also enables us to access the war -- another way to say it is that Roberts never drowns us in detail. The protagonist is not the hero of the book -- Arnold is -- but by showing him always second-handedly Roberts manages to avoid the "hero pulp" trap. The style is sturdy and workmanlike, and because Roberts doesn't seem to be stretching for poetry it remains readable, while a lot of books from this period have dated badly.

It's faults are few. A sidetrip to the Sac nation could probably have been cut with little damage to the main narrative -- it feels like padding. The final climax seems like it could have been played out on a much bigger scale, but this may just be attributed to changes in taste. (A lot of classic "swashbucklers" are not action-packed in the sense that a modern reader would understand the term.)

And in some ways the distancing that works so well for Roberts also hurts him, in that nothing in the book is ultimately engaging the way the best of Dumas, say, is. Still, a very interesting, readable book.

I first read this book, along with all the other books this author wrote, back in 1960 and 1961 and wrote a term paper on this author's works. Book reviews contemporary with the writing of Kenneth Roberts' novels noted that there was more history packed into each of his novels than in an entire college course or two. The book describes actual historical events through the eyes of several colorful fictional characters. This novel describes the birth of the United States Navy, where, in 1776, the American Colonists under command of General Benedict Arnold built a fleet of ships in Skenesborough (now Whitehall) at the foot of Lake Champlain. It describes the subsequent battle of Valcour Island, where this tiny fleet of ships took on a much larger British force sailing south on Lake Champlain enroute from Canada to Albany. Although the American Fleet was eventually dispersed, this first US Navy successfully delayed the British by a year in their march to the south. This year allowed the Americans to recruit a large enough army to defeat Burgoyne's British Army at Saratoga. This book tells the stories of Jennie (or Jane) McCrea's massacre by the indian allies of the British, the use of the story of her massacre to encourage enlistments throughout New York and New England, the massing of Rebel forces at Saratoga, and the defeat of General Burgoyne's Army at Saratoga. It also covers to a degree the battle of Oriskany, which halted the advance of Col. Barry St. Leger who was advancing down the Mohawk Valley from the west, with the intent to join forces with Burgoyne at Albany. During one winter, it delves into the lives of the western Indians who allied themselves with the British. It does all this in a very entertaining way. I found it to be a very enjoyable way to learn a great deal about the history of the American Revolution in the Champlain, Hudson, and Mohawk Valleys of upstate New York. I am purchasing this book to read it again for perhaps the fifth or sixth time.

I have read "Rabble In Arms" several times and have liked it better each time I (re)-read it. Many years ago as a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy I wrote a paper about the naval battle of Valcour Island, fought by the Continental northern army under Benedict Arnold against the British on October 11, 1776. While Arnold's small fleet was defeated and almost totally wiped out, the strategic importance of the battle cannot be overstated. This is because Arnold succeeded in forcing the British to forego until 1777 their plan of moving down Lake Champlain and Lake George to link up with another force moving up the Hudson, cutting New England off from the rest of the Colonies. When the British did move south in 1777, they were defeated and forced to surrender at the Battle of Saratoga, and it was this battle that convinced the French to join with the Revolutionary forces to fight against the British. Kenneth Roberts' history is exact, and in fact his researches made clear some very fundimental but unknown facts about the Battle of Valcour Island. This is an outstanding book!

Without doubt, this is one of the best historical novels I have ever read. Since there is always 2 sides to a question, this book gives you the other side of the American Revolution -- the side you never read in history books or are taught in school. Roberts doesn't have an axe to grind -- he just tells the story like a "Tory" or "Royalist" sees it. This information is long overdue.

Kenneth Roberts is, in my mind, the finest writer of the American Revolutionary War period. He seems to have total recall of that time, as if he had just lived a lifetime there and has come back to tell us all about it.
Told from the Loyalist perspective, this is a fascinating acount of the period from 1775 to 1783, a viewpoint that you won't find anywhere else. The Amazon reviewer did a good job of explaining what is in the book, I need only add that it is a real page turner. I read this book 20 years ago, but the impression it made upon me then is still with me.
I found that this book, like all Robert's books, communicates to me not only a history of the period, but also a feel for the period. That is a very difficult thing to do! In Kenneth Roberts we are in the hands of a master.
This is a very entertaining and informative novel that will serve to give you a more balanced perspective of the Revolutionary War period.

Unlike most books about US history, this one is told from the POV of a Loyalist and the terrible injustices suffered under the hands of the "Rabble In Arms" in their fight for Independence. Kenneth Roberts preciseness in researching US history adds all the color and background necessary for even the most inscrutable history buff while weaving wonderful characters whose every word hangs in the readers minds months after the book has been closed. It clearly illustrates the way neighbour turned against neighbour, even brother against brother, all believing in their cause, all willing to fight to the death to win. The opening scene shows the senseless brutality committed by many when obcessed with a cause and blind to justice. Tom Buell is my favorite character because of his resourcefulness and precousesness. Oliver Wiswell has the true character motivated by truth and honor that should be a roll model for all Americans. This book is a MUST READ on anyone's list and should be required reading in all schools. BRAVO, KENNETH ROBERTS! and, THANK YOU.

This textbook is excellent. It has an in-depth theory part, that explains everything and lots of challenging exercises and problems. I strongly recommend it for Engineering and Science undergraduates.

I used this text for my undergraduate freshman year physics course. This was a recommended text and pretty soon I found out why it was popular with students. I have come across few books with such clarity and depth as this one.

The way the material was presented, and the way the ideas were pushed through as well as the pace was as if this book was written with someone like me in mind.

An indispensable book for any physics student...

As a holder of physics degree and I used to teach physics in high school, I have many textbook in physics. I found this book is the best one explaining the concept of physics. The examples and the solved problems cover most of the principals and concept of the explained material. If you're a beginner just pay more attention to what is the book said and you will increase your skills and ability to understand physics. If you use the book as a reference in my opinion this is the best textbook in introductory physics courses you can get.

An excellent book that focuses on the positive sides of good management and offers solid suggestions to putting management practices to work. This is an especially good "must read" book for those managers who believe in using a hard-line approach to their employees and who are facing the consequences of such tactics, i.e. high turnover, low productivity, etc.

If you want practical down to earth advice, read this book. You will learn what it takes to be successful. By making small changes that created big results, I am now the manager I always wanted to be.

Almost everyone who reads the One Minute Manager loves the book, both for its simplicity and clarity. One minute goal-setting, praisings and reprimands soon abound. Gradually, all of this good communication can begin to tail off.

The One Minute Manager process needs to become a new habit and to expand the skills both of the one minute manager and the people who work for her/him. That's where Putting the One Minute Manager to Work comes into play.

This excellent sequel to the One Minute Manager provides more guidance on how to combine goal-setting, praisings and reprimands. This is combined in the Price System. Price stands for Pinpoint where performance should be improved, then Record the current performance, Involve the person involved in setting goals and how reviews and coaching will occur, Coach people to improve results, and Evaluate the performance to reinforce the good and replace the not so good.

This is basically the classic Skinner model on behavior modification, and it works well.

The key limitation of the approach is that it does not go far enough to determine where and how much performance should be improved, learn what is possible, and use best practices to transfer knowledge.

In terms of the 2,000 percent solution process, this just covers part of the first two of eight steps. But it does cover what it covers well.

If this process improves you from where you are today, by all means use it. If you are already a great communicator and motivator, then you are beyond this book.

My guess is that almost everyone in their first managerial role would benefit from this book. Communications are the biggest source of stalled performance in most companies, and this book provides solid information for overcoming that stall.

If your company has other stalls, like avoiding the unattractive, disbelief, misconceptions about customers, helplessness, and so forth, you will need additional help. But with improved communications skills, you will be in a good position to attack those stalls as well.

Well-written and an easy read.........
But just another book attempting to prove what others have tried to do before....show that the nations leaders knew about the Pearl Harbor attack and just let it happen so the US was forced to join WWII. Anyone well read on the subject will see that without a list of sources with footnotes all of the "facts" given here can't easily be traced to their source. So you have to believe what you read. I've seen all this info before elsewhere.

Ain't history great...you can write whatever you want if everyone you drag down with your "proof" is dead and gone.....well thats show-biz.

Most would agree that Kimmel and Short, especially Kimmel, got a raw deal by taking the brunt of the blame for the attack, when the leaders in Washington should have shouldered as much or more of the blame. But why can't people just accept that the Japanese completely fooled everyone and carried out a bold and successful attack??
But I guess that won't sell many books.

Ken Landis, being the lone survivor of Adm. Kimmel's staff is in a position to know what Kimmel knew and what Kimmel did not know. Ken was Kimmel's communication officer and encoded/decoded all messages to Kimmel. More than that, extensive research by Landis has recently revealed some incredible facts about what Roosevelt and Churchill knew well ahead of the attack.

This book goes beyond Pearl Harbor and delves into Naval Intelligence and how various Admirals did and did not respond to this information. Battles were won or lost on intelligence.

This book is a powerful piece of history and a must read for anyone interested in World War II and the Pacific Theater of Operations.

Ken's book is a fascinating narrative from an actual eye witness to history. His book is easy to read and understand and gives a true gut feeling of what Pearl Harbor was really all about. How Ken and his staff cracked the Japanese codes to the great photos taken by the author during WW2, this is a great read.