Freeman's book is an excellent look at the 8th Air Force in England - from its first arrival in late 1942 to its departure at the end of the war. He writes so well that you actually feel as if you are there, riding along with the crews at 25,000 feet, in the harsh subzero atmosphere. The stories are remarkable - the fighter pilots; the Fortress gunners; the pilots remarkable duties while flying crippled ships - all fascinating. When the last of the planes and crews leave England at the end of the war, you can almost see the tears at this bittersweet end. Definitely recommended. My only complaint: I bought the British version - the font is smaller and as a result, more print is crammed onto a single page as opposed to American books. (But, I'd still buy it again and read it!)

This is the book to get if you want to really know the activities of the Eighth Air Force during World War II. It covers the Mighty Eighth from its inception all the way through the war. Arranged pretty much chronologically, the book is not a quick read by any means. The tiny print and comprehensive detail would make slow going for someone just trying to get a general overview of the Eighth Air Force. This is a book for the serious aviation history reader. Written by one of England's top authorities on the US Eighth Air Force, Roger Freeman, this book is crammed with excellent photographs and stories of all the major missions and developments in the war. It also has a beautiful color section showing all the planes of the Eighth, with an illustrated example from each bomb group and fighter group. This is followed by a brief unit history on every group. There is another color section on assembly ships, which have always reminded me of rodeo clowns with their gaudy paint jobs. This is followed by a short selection of vintage nose art, an illustrated listing of all the aces of the war, and another illustrated list of Medal of Honor Winners. The index is quite good, though at first a bit confusing as it is broken up according to names, places and aircraft and the listings are very specific (for example, it doesn't work for finding something general such as Switzerland). This is a high quality book, actually more of an oversized book than a standard trade paperback. It has been wonderfully put together. It is a masterpiece, the result of much painstaking research, full of excellent photographs. Anyoone with a serious interest in the Mighty Eighth would find this book to be one of the cornerstones of his or her collection, along with Ian Hawkins' books on Munster and the 95th. I highly recommend it.

If you ever knew, or know anyone who served in the 8th Air Force in Europe during the period 1942-1945, this book will asnwer the question, "What Did You Do During World War II? If a member of your family flew with the 8th during that period, this is a must to keep as part of your family history, for generations yet to come. It deserves a prominent place on the family tree. It is well illustrated, and tells it like it was. I know, for i was there, and this is the way it was.

In 1477 Roger the Chapman has enjoyed his second marriage for four months, especially the birth of his second child. However, Roger still feels restless as he senses that he is needed in Plymouth. He hitches a ride with Peter Threadgold who is traveling to see his daughter Joanna.

Roger learns from Joanna that someone viciously beat her neighbor Master Capstick to death with witnesses having seen the victim's great-nephew leaving the scene of the crime. However, when the King's men came to arrest Beric, he had vanished with many locals superstitiously believing that witchcraft through the application of THE SAINT JOHN'S FERN was used to make Beric invisible. Roger begins to investigate and that leads to attempts on his life and the insinuation that he was involved in a second homicide.

Perhaps this time Roger will appreciate home sweet home as his latest adventure turns quite personal and readers must accept his latest wanderlust. Though the mystery elements are cleverly written and nicely tied together in the climax, the story line belongs to graphic perusal of fifteenth century life in England. Roger remains a strong detective, but it is the historical elements that make Kate Sedley's latest who-done-it a winner for series fans and those readers who relish a resplendent look at medieval times.

Harriet Klausner

It's murder most foul. And Roger the Chapman, Kate Sedley's ubiquitous pedlar
cum sleuth, finds himself deeply involved in a most perplexing case.
Master Capstick, an aging but wealthy man, is found brutally murdered and his
great-nephew, who'd just been cut out of the will, has been charged with the homicide.
Alas, the nephew, young Beric, has disappeared! Locals are quick to point out that he has
eaten of the Saint John's fern, which makes a person invisible at will!
Thus, for half a year the chase has been on and no one is able to locate Beric.
But, of course, along trods Roger and before a day's wages can be made, he's completely
involved in this mystery.
It's 1477 and the war of the Roses is heating up. Author Sedley neatly weaves in
this historical setting to enhance the suspense that her plot has generated. In this, the
ninth installment of the Roger the Chapman series, Sedley is in fine form, perhaps with the
most exciting of all the episodes. "Saint John's Fern" is a quick and absorbing read, as the
book deftly dabbles with issues that are time-worn and time-laden. Sedley never misses a
beat! ...

For me, "The Saint John's Fern" turned out to be one of better Roger the Chapman mystery novels. The atmosphere was chilling and haunting and the murder mystery a gripping and intriguing one. However, I will own that I'm biased as Kate Sedley's Roger the Chapman mystery series is one of my all time favourites, and is always an auto-buy for me (I actually fork out for the expensive British Hardcovers).

Newly married to Adela (his first wife's cousin) and basking in the glow of his newly merged family (that includes Adela's young son, his own daughter, and his mother-in-law from his first marriage), one would think that Roger the Chapman would be content never to leave his new home at Lewin's Mead in Bristol. However it isn't too long before Roger feels the pull to travel (much to his mother-in-law's disappointment and chagrin). Fortunately for Roger, Adela understands her husband completely, and refuses to stand in his way. For Roger has one talent: the ability to solve knotty problems (i.e. apparently unsolvable murders). And Roger (who happens to be an ex-Benedictine novitiate) feels strongly that it is God who directs him to travel to wherever there is a wrong that needs to be put right, or a murderer brought to justice. And this time God (and his feet) sends him to Plymouth, where happenstance takes him to Bilbury Street, where Roger learns a particularly vicious murder took place a few months ago.

Five months ago, retired and wealthy fisherman, Oliver Capstick was brutally bludgeoned to death (while he slept) by his young grandnephew, Beric Gifford. Beric (and his older sister Berenice) happen to be Master Capstick's only surviving relatives, as well as his heirs. But they are also quite poor and quite dependent on the old man. And when Master Capstick tries to arrange a match for Beric with a glassmaking heiress, all hell breaks loose. For Beric happens to be in love with his sister's lady's maid, Katherine Glover, and he refuses to countenance the match his granduncle is proposing. The two have an angry and ugly falling out, with Master Capstick threatening to make Berenice his sole heir. And on the morning following this altercation, it is alleged that Beric rode over to his uncle's house and beat him to death while he slept. That Beric is guilty of the crime is not the issue -- far too many people saw him leaving the house mere minutes before the hue and cry was raised. No, the chilling bit deals with the posse's inability to apprehend Beric, and his quick disappearance from the scene of the crime. Many people believe that Beric ate an herb known as Saint John's Fern, and herb that is able (or so people claim) to render the consumer invisible. Roger, however refuses to believe in this supernatural explanation, and is sure that there is a logical explanation as to why Beric has not been found yet. And confident that that is the reason why he is in Plymouth, Roger begins his investigation, gently questioning witnesses, trying to figure out where Beric Gifford is hiding and uncover the secrets that the Gifford family is hiding.

This latest Roger the Chapman installment turned out to be a rather chilling and haunting one. (Esp haunting were the bits where Roger was sure that he was being stalked by the murderous and seemingly invisible Beric). And while it did take a while for the mystery to unfold, the story proved to be such a perplexing and intriguing one that I didn't really notice this 'flaw.' Adding to the ambiance of the novel is Kate Sedley's excellent depiction of the everyday life of the common folk in the fiftenth century -- their hardships, they generosity and their clannishness. "The Saint John's Fern" proved to be an excellent and entirely engrossing read. Not only was the mystery a puzzling and involving one, but Kate Sedley had also strewn clues all over the place so that the reader will also be able to solve the mystery along with Roger. And that made reading "The Saint John's Fern" a lot of fun as well.

A book like this should be mandatory reading for everyone. Particularly people who represent other people's interests for a living, such as World Leaders, Presidents, Kings, etc., would find it absolutely useful; a kind of constant tool, a compass that keeps them on the right track once and again. This is a book that shows not only Franklin's wit and wisdom, but also his vulnerability, that wonderful human quality, thus making it enchanting and insightful. Buy this book, learn and practice these principles, and enjoy the new breath of fresh air you'll experience in your life.

I saw this book one day when I was browsing Franklin Covey planners in the mall. It had been awhile since I read something not business related so I thought I'd give this a shot. I'll be honest when I tell you I enjoy a good read but this book took me about one year to read from beginning to end. The first few chapters weren't too bad but then it got into a section about a debate between two philosophers on the definition of virtue and why one should practice a virtuous life. I've never read anything that mentally straining in my life (my degree is in Mechanical Engineering BTW). I enjoy the arts but that one section took me about a month before I could fully digest what the philosophers were saying in the span of less than 2 pages. This one section proved so enlightening that my head hurt for about 2 days after I had a chance to chew on the content. If you had any doubts that the founding forefathers of this great nation were anything but geniuses, this should dispell any and all myths. I must say that I even had to break out the dictionary for some of the diction used in this book in that it was definitely not your everyday conversational english. If you enjoy mental challenges of a higher level and your mastery of the English language is proficient enough to understand the fine nuances of sentence structure and double, sometimes triple meanings, I would recommend this book. If you're looking for something a little more entertaining and easier on the mind, then definitely look somewhere else. But I will admit, when I did finally complete this book one year later, I actually felt a major sense of accomplishment. I guess that makes me just a little more virtuous?

An inspiring book written by an amazing author. Ok, so he is my dad, but he didn't pay me to say any of this stuff:)

This is a good book, but not great. If you are like most people, you are probably only aware of Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress". There may be some justification to why most people are not familiar with this book. It is not bad, but it is not in the same league as other classics.

Of course, I like Frank Peretti's more modern tone, but I also allow adjustments for a book over 300 years old (many excellent classics are even older). But, this book goes over and over the same material much too often. Yes, repetition can be good for the soul. But, at some points, I was thinking it was a bit too much. Some of the applications, though, were well presented and in a way you rarely see in books and sermons today. That made it worth reading.

The names given to the individuals were very creative. They get your mind to think how the wiles of the Evil One work their way even today. The end summary is still very accurate: the Evil One will not be contained until God does it, much like God did not take away Paul's "thorn".

I have read this novel before, and it is as good as "The Pilgrim's Progress." John Bunyan shows how Satan constantly tries to keep our souls, and uses all of the tricks in the book to try to keep our souls. This book is for Christians and Non Christians alike, the same is true with the Pilgrim's Progress. John Bunyan knows how to keep you entertained and thinking about what kind of shape your spirit is in. This book is a true masterpiece and is the best book about Spiritual Warfare that I have read so far.

Forget Frank Perretti! Bunyan's allegory on spiritual warfare is absolutely profound. The old tinker of Bedford (a true independent Baptist!) knew whereof he spoke. The chronicles of Mansoul and the great battle for its mind, heart and spirit make difficult reading to be sure, but you will be rewarded for your perseverance a hundredfold!

BONUS: Bunyan uses real army strategems and tactics in his descriptions of the symbolic battles. He is believed to have picked up these details while a soldier in Cromwell's New Model Army.

A nice read, but having kept bees for about 4 months now I found it a little weak. Prior to Vivian's I have read a book by Dadant Publishing which gave a good foundation. Also talking with other beekeepers has also helped conciderably. At times I found the book a little on the quaint-side which for me wasn't of interest. Also found his section on Africanized bees (so-called Killer bees) weak. Presently I am in Brazil working with these bees. Certainly they require a different approach a little more protection and a larger smoker, etc. I've been working with them since I started and am still at it. Certainly they can be aggressive, but one learns to adapt and they are a good producer of honey. An excellent and well informed article on the Africanized Bee can be found in "ABC and XYZ of Bee Culture" by A. I Root. The article gives a balanced and much more positive picture of our little Africans. They tend to be more disease and mite resistant, and build up quickly, etc.. So don't worry to much they might even bring some positive aspects to their weaker European cousins.

This was my first book on beekeeping, and I whole-heartedly recommend it to any beginning beekeeper. I now have some 20+ beekeeping books but this is still my personal favorite. The information on bee diseases is a little old, but the clear concise explanations of all other aspects of small scale beekeeping and his warm writing style more than make up for this. Mr. Vivian obviously enjoys his bees and his affection for them only serves to foster the same in the reader. If you are thinking of beekeeping, or introducing the subject to a friend then this is the book to buy.

I lost this book (maybe a jealous competitor took it), so I bought another.

I am now taking IB Biology now, and my sis gave this book to me hoping it will help me. The book gets to the point in what they are trying to say. For instance the chapter on cells, the book gets to the point the structures and functions and also at the same time state it in a very easy way. It does not give you pages and pages of nonsense. Getting this book give you an opportunity to have a quick review each day on what is said in class and also gives you a detailed information in a quick way. IF you think you are the type that cannot catch up in either your IB biology or AP biology i recommend getting this book. THis book also goes well with the college review series for Chemistry if you are taking higher lever chemistry.

This book was instrumental in helping me grasp details as well as concepts. It was inclusive of all the of the topics covered in my General Biology class, and helped reinforce the material with well-drawn diagrams. It's well-written, organized, and easy to comprehend. I intend to buy the Organic Chemistry book as soon as possible.

This is a great book for researchers or natural history fans. Finally a book which describes cephalopod behaviour and not just neurobiology. Great content in an easy to read manner. Good pictures & behavour photos and a large section of references.

A well written - highly informative - book for those who want to know more about the fascinating cephalopods. Easy to understand even if you are not a marine biologist. I own over 450 books related to the marine environment and this is definitely among the top ten.

Not the best Avengers tale but a good read nonetheless. Buscema and Palmer have always drawn the Avengers well and this is no exception (wonder if they'll get around to reprinting their great 60s and 70s stories in Essential).

If you want to see a tale where the Avengers come close to the edge of existance...this one's a keeper! It has everything from Captain America under attack by some great classic villians to the all the Avengers doubting their chances of ever coming out alive from this attack! The art by Buscema is what drives the story right along at a breakneck pace. It's a must have of any classic Marvel fan

This is definitely one of Marvel's Finest. The Avengers get overwhelmed one by one. The odds are against them. Baron Zemo proves to be a ruthless, conniving villian. The heroes eventually do triumph, but at the loss of their mansion. The story has great suspense, action and excellent characters. A must for any Avengers fan!!

Very good writing and style, intriguing story. However, I guess I just didn't expect to feel somewhat sickened and a bit depressed by the story. If you want to be AFFECTED, than this book is for you. It'll grab hold of you and won't let go. It just wasn't what I was expecting. If I want to feel disgust at the actions of human beings, I'll go ahead and buy a book about Ted Bundy.

Updike at his effortless best in this profound yet brilliantly flowing novel that explores the alkward relationship between religion and science...

The story is narrated by Roger, a morally dubious yet entertaining and witty doctor of divinity at an Eastern university. Roger is approached by a gangling, spotty computer scientist (who is also a born-again Christian) seeking a grant to "scientifically" prove the existance of god!

Things get complicated when the student begins having an affair with Esther, Roger's wife, while he himself begins an affair with a distant relative who lives across town in a housing project. Within this simple yet touching quadrangle of relationships come excepts from Roger's lectures on heretics, and comments on modern cosmology...

Add to this Updike's effortlessly telling descriptions, from the feel of cold streets to the elaborate rituals of academic board meetings and you have a very fine novel indeed.

One slight critisism - the computer technology so lovingly described is virtually obsolete already. This makes Roger's Version an unusally dated Updike work.

I thought that this was a very enjoyable novel - indeed, shades of "Rabbit Redux". The plot centres on Roger Lambert, a Professor of Divinity, his wife Esther, his half-niece Verna, and Dale, who is convinced that he can prove the existence of God by scientific analysis.

The book is really a paean to uncertainty. Is religious faith or faith in science a sure way of explaining the meaning of life? Are human relationships as certain as we should think or wish them to be?

Updike devotes much space to a fascinating analysis of the struggle between the scientific and traditional Christian explanations of the Creation. The question arises of whether the theory of evolution has in fact become a new religion, demanding faith rather than reason, and complete with its own zealots and heretics.

Running parallel to that is Roger Lambert's own views of the lives of the other characters in the novel. And here the reader is not sure how much is real and how much is Roger's fevered imagination. Is Esther really having an affair with Dale or is it just "Roger's version" of what might have been happening?

I felt that Updike was at his challenging best in this novel - exploring many interesting themes in an entertaining way, for example the uncomfortable interaction between Roger's middle-class world and the underworld occupied by Verna is particularly disturbing, and exposes latent tensions in society.

G Rodgers

If it was not for the fact that this book was assigned for the course, I would have thrown it onto the wall in utter frustration for the periodic-style prose in which it was written. Yet in that moments of painful reading I never let my intellect be neglectful of the realization that what lies before my eyes belongs to the highest canon of ethical philosophizing. Mill's ornate style of writing most probably was appropriate for his time, but to the modern reader it sometimes takes several readings to understand a difficult passage.

I agree with the reviewer who noted that Chapter IV, unlike the rest of the book, is singularly almost intelligible, not only for its long paragraphs, but also for its rambling diversions. Nevertheless, Mill's Utilitarianism should be a required reading for anyone with pretension for interests in issues of morality and social policy.

Now that Amazon has changed the product description and recognized that it is soft cover, I can, perhaps, give a decent review.

The text is, as are all Mill's writings, quite good. Regardless as to your agreement or disagreement, it cannot be argued that Mill does not present his points clearly, logically, and understandably. The editor's introduction is nice, though short. It is also nice that Mill's speech regarding capitial punishment was included as an appendix.

The actual binding is rather flimsy, but for this low price, I'll not complain too loudly.

As usual, Oxford put out another great edited classic work. J. S. Mill's Utilitarianism can be sometimes confusing, and as Roger Crisp notes, even scholars disagree on what Mill thought. Nevertheless, this book gives you a good introduction to Mill's thought prior to reading the actual text, Utilitarianism.

For example, I was able to converse with friends in the philosophy program about Mill's ethical theory without even reading his text; but I did read Crisp's edited notes about it. So I applaud Crisp for doing a good job on that. He also includes a summary of each paragraph for every chapter in outline form (located before the text). This was extremely helpful to me.

Located in the back of the work, like other Oxford editions, were text references that clarified persons who Mill spoke of, referred to, etc. It also clarified difficult passages (most of them anyways).

About Mill's ethical theory, you will have to read him yourself to come to a conclusion. I think the guy was totally wrong, but I'm not criticizing him; I'm reviewing this book :) But I should add that Crisp tries to deal with most of the criticisms (some of which are good responses) so that you can read Mill as charitable as possible.

Because of the work put into clarifying Mill, I highly recommend this book.