I had just finished reading this incredible novel and I was blown away by the book... It truly touched me in a profound way.

I was too young to remember what happened 20 years ago, but from talking to a friend of my mother's, she was telling me about this book and the controversy behind it. From what I had heard, the Catholic church bought the right to the book and movie and the book was never to be seen again. I was shocked and of course went online and searched nationwide for the remaining copies of "The Second Son" and I got one for her, and one for myself.

After reading it, I just had to know more about Mr. Sailor. Has Charles Sailor written anything else after this? If so, I, along with many, would love to read them for I am now one of his biggest fans.

Can anyone tell me if the rumors about the book being boycotted by the church were true? Why was the movie never made? What really happened? What is Charles Sailor working on now? I can't seem to find any other books of his. I have passed this book among my close friends and have converted them into Sailor fans as well, and all of us would really love to hear more about Charles Sailor. My friends and I would often wonder what really had happened to Mr. Sailor. A few of us believed Charles Sailor was on the run because the church, the government and the establishments are all after him like they were to Joseph Turner. And some thinks that Sailor was paid not to write anything ever again. But I would like to think that the movie was never made because it did not do the book justice and Mr. Sailor terminated the movie rights and never wanted to write again...(sort of like Salinger). Can you see that Charles Sailor is beginning to become a mythical figure himself? LOL

Where is Mr. Sailor now? Why did he sell the rights over to the Catholic church if he did so? Was he forced to? What really happened? Since all of us were all too young to remember, we need someone to set the rumor straight. If not, from the looks of it, we are starting a few rumors of our own...LOL.

When this book was still "on the drawing board," I had the opportunity to read the first "rough draft" manuscript. It was the first time I had been asked for my opinion of a possible book, and quite frankly, I was amazed at the incredible style of the author and the wonderful story line. When I had completed reading the pages that had been sent to me, my comments to my wife were ... "this is incredible; if he publishes this, it will certainly become one of the "classics" of our time ... and to think ... he is my younger brother - and ironically - he is the "second son" of our wonderful mother!" I have now read the published version "at least twice," and each time I do, I discover something new about life and about the world we live in. The insight that is offered by the book can give hope if hope is needed - can give encouragement if encouragement is needed - and can give all who read it a true sense of what it is like to "help others to the greatest degree." I am proud to say that I know CHARLES SAILOR, and that I watched him grow and develop into the man that he is today. To those many people from around the world who have wondered about other books by this incredible author ... the "mystique" must continue, for if he has ventured into the world of novel writing for a "second" time ... it is a fact that I am not aware of.

I believe if the Second Son were indeed to come today that the public and organized religion would act as Sailor has written. This book stirred me to my core. I read it in 1980, and a few times after that. Then I lent it to someone as a "must read" and never got it back. For over ten years now I have been trying to get a copy of it as a PERMANENT addition to my library. I hope that Amazon can locate one for me.

As good as this book was (IS!!), I can't help but wonder why it has disappeared from the shelves. It certainly should have gone into reprint many times over. It is truly such a classic.

I cannot help but wonder who owns the rights today? Forgive me for what I am about to say, as I do practice a particular religious faith, but I cannot help but wonder if possibly an arm of an organized religion bought the rights so as to stop its further dissemination. Also, what ever happened to the proclaimed "look for the movie soon to come out?" Was someone anxious to kill the message!

The book's goodness couldn't help but make me think of the movie "Amazing Grace." It happens to be about a Catholic pope, but his desire for simplicity and avoidance of bureaucracy reflected the same kind gentleness seen in Sailor's lead character.

I remember reading The Mad Scientists' Club for the first time when I was only about eight years old. I must have read and re-read that book from cover to cover over a dozen times since. It is a collection of stories about the escapades of six boys in the town of Mammoth Falls who use their wits and scientific knowledge to get in (and out) of all kinds of fun mischief, including "haunting" a house, creating a lake monster, and entering a hot air balloon race. Essentially, these six young men dive head-first into all the kinds of adventures that I longed to have as a young man. Brinley's book influenced my own adventures and ideas as I grew up, and my own stories and writings have been heavily influenced by the memories I have of this book. If you ever get a chance to read this book - DO IT!!! You will discover the adventures you always wanted to have become real in The Mad Scientists' Club.

I sincerely believe that The Mad Scientists' Club was the reason I started reading voraciously as a kid and that the trend has continued into my adulthood. A series of stories first published in the popular 60's magazine Boys' Life, the words practically leap off the page with thier exuberance and brilliant ingenuity. The club is comprised of six 'junior geniuses', with our narrator as one. Each is given a distinct personality, and by the end we know (and in the case of former club-member and now sworn arch-enemy Harmon Muldoon, despise) each one of them like they were old friends. I still have my copy, completely tattered though it is, because I've re-read it at least 100 times. Even now as I write this review, I have to be careful not to start reading for fear of being swept up in the fun.

And each tangled situation our boys find themselves in (or in fact, help to create) is more outrageously inventive than the last. The real kicker is how authour Bernard Brinley keeps the prose totally accessible to youth but throws in enough engaging characters, thrilling action sequences and hilarious dialogue to entertain even adults sick of reading thier kids sugary-sweet Disneyized junk. He even sneakily gave me an education in basic mechanics by expertly describing the various machinery the boys build to wreak their harmless havoc on the citizens of little Mammoth Falls.

And I see here on Amazon.com that Brinley has continued the series with other books. If he brings even 10 percent of the sheer brilliance he displays in the first one, no adult should have a problem inducting thier children into this club.

I sincerely believe that The Mad Scientists' Club was the reason I started reading voraciously as a kid and that the trend has continued into my adulthood. A series of stories first published in the popular 60's magazine Boys' Life, the words practically leap off the page with thier exuberance and brilliant ingenuity.

The club is comprised of six 'junior geniuses', with our narrator as one. Each is given a distinct personality, and by the end we know (and in the case of former club-member and now sworn arch-enemy Harmon Muldoon, despise) each one of them like they were old friends. I still have my copy, completely tattered though it is, because I've read and re-read it at least 100 times. Even now as I write this review, I have to be careful not to start reading for fear of being swept up in the fun.

And each tangled situation our boys find themselves in (or in fact, help to create), is more outrageously inventive than the last. The real kicker is how authour Bernard Brinley keeps the prose totally accessible to youth but throws in enough engaging characters, thrilling action sequences and hilarious dialogue to entertain even adults sick of reading thier kids sugary-sweet Disneyized junk. He even sneakily gave me an education in basic mechanics by expertly describing the various machinery the boys build to wreak their harmless havoc on the citizens of little Mammoth Falls.

And I see here on Amazon.com that Brinley has continued the series with other books. If he brings even 10 percent of the sheer brilliance he displays in the first one, no adult should have a problem inducting thier children into this club.

One of my great joys in life is reading short stories. I love science fiction and fantasy. My special joy, however, is the fairy tale. In "The Mole and the Owl" I have found the pure essence of fairy tales. The true and pure love of the mole and his selfless heroism, the sacrifice of the owl and the actions of the wolf are magical. This story tells about all things noble and makes me believe I can be just that noble. A great story is a great story but there is something that can be added to the telling. The lyrical use of prose in this story is almost unbelievable. It sings to me like a favorite song. Ray Bradbury is the only writer I have read with an idea of prose that even comes close to comparison. I am rarely moved the way I was moved by this story. I cried. I never cry when I read. It's just a story. But still I cried.

I found this little book by accident, visiting somewhere, and read it only because I had nothing else to do at that moment. I don't normally even read much fiction anymore and am not given to sappy love stories.

Yet this book reached in and grabbed my heart like nothing I've ever read. It's the kind of soul-level writing that once in a great while an author is a conduit for... I'm not sure writing at this level is really a brain thing of the person, more an internal thing of the spirit. I can't talk about the plot or the information or things I would normally review in a book. It is just a story; it is a story for a person of any age; it is a better story for those who have ever known love, or known longing, or found themselves the outcast, or found inside themselves the powerful dharma of being what one is as "I AM"... in this case, he was in love.

Not only did the book hold me in a poet/dreamer thrall throughout, and make me cry in sadness and joy, and laugh out loud at many small insights or comments, but hours and even days later, my whole interpretation of my world had more... poetry to it. More color, more eloquence; as if for a time, that love and energy gave ME more poetry; a new way of looking at all things with love. (I know. This is embarrassing. But read in the right state of mind, it's a very cool book.)

I'm buying the book now so I'll have my own copy. I want to suggest to people that I love that they read it. It's like a gift I want to give. I recommend the book very much.

This book must be in every house, in every hotel, restaurant, kitchen, bathroom, on the street, school, bus... all over the world. It's a book that goes so near to the heart that I'm smiling and crying together.

I first read this book as a teenager in one of my mother's Reader's Digest Condensed Books. It was the catalyst for my interest in Napoleon and the French Empire. I now have a library full of titles regarding those two topics. The book is very well written, Ms. Selinko is able to have Desiree grow from adolescence to middle age without losing the intrinsic parts of her character. There is a lot of fictional license here, but it is still an entertaining, well written, well researched account of life at the French court. It makes historical figures come alive and you can sympathize with their personal struggles. All in all, a old fashioned good time.

Desiree is a historical novel. The author wonderfully combined history, romance and fiction. All the elements worked very well together. Desiree's personality is descibed vividly in a subtle way. Although she's a historical figure, I can still associate her with modern women today. That's part of the reason this book is very fun to read. It is also a classic, and it is worth reading over and over. I first read it in Chinese because this book in English was out of print. The story was so good that I invested a good amount of time to track and bought the edition published in 1953. (It's worth it!!)

I'm 42 years old. I'm originally from Caracas, Venezuela. I read this book when I was 14 years. It is a Spanish version that belonged to my grandmother. It was printed in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1954. I have read it maybe 20 more times. It's my favorite book, and Desiree has been my favorite character ever. Recently I went to Paris and thought that maybe there it would be easier to find a copy, but nobody seemed to know what I was talking about. That's is why I'm hoping that Amazon can get a copy for me, I want to give it to my sister. It can be in Spanish, English or French. I have read all the reviews and I think everybody feels the same about this wonderful book.The copy I have is one of my most beloved treasures.

Written in the early twentieth century, this indigenous Japanese novel recounts the life & times of old Japan's greatest swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi -- a man who began life as an over-eager and rather brutish young lout but who, through the discipline of Japan's "way of the sword," turned himself into a master of his chosen weapon. But this tale is not only one of a life spent in training to perfect the art of killing with a sharpened piece of steel. In the venerable Japanese tradition, it is also about a man's search to conquer himself, to become a better man. The Buddhist view cultivated by the Japanese warrior class allowed for a spiritual dimension to their very bloody enterprise of warfare and killing. And it is this aspect of his training that consumes Musashi, to the detriment of the people he encounters and who seek to attach themselves to him. Unable to settle down in the ordinary way, or to simply join a particular clan as a retainer to some noble lord, Musashi embarks on the life of a ronin (masterless samurai) as he wends his way through the feudal world of medieval Japan in his seemingly endless search for perfection. In the process he finds a young woman who loves him and many enemies who seek his destruction, at least in part in repayment for the damage he does them while on his quest. He also crosses swords with many other experts in Japan's martial arts, but it is his encounter with a Buddhist priest, early on,that ultimately puts him on the right path. In the end Musashi finds his grail in a duel to the death with his greatest opponent, the sword master, Kojiro, famous for his "swallow cut" -- a stroke so fast and deadly that it can slice a swooping, looping bird out of the air in mid-flight. This alone is a challenge worthy of the master which Musashi has become -- and a match which even he may not be up to, for this opponent is surely the finest technician in his art in all Japan. But there is more to swordsmanship than technical skill, as Musashi has learned, and more to living one's life than merely following rules. Musashi attains a sort of peace in preparation for his climactic bout, for he is willing to risk all and even die in order to win against the master of the swallow cut, while applying all the strategy he has learned throughout his tumultuous career to unsettle the man who will oppose him. In the end Musashi lived to a fairly ripe old age and, unlike many of his contemporaries, died in his bed after composing the famous Book of Five Rings -- his own contribution to the art of strategy. I had originally rated this book at four stars only but on re-thinking it I find it continues to live vividly in my mind so that, alone, suggests it had a more powerful resonance than I originally gave it credit for. Certainly there are many levels in any continuum of ranking and many ways of placing anything ranked on that continuum. But in one very serious way, this book deserves a five star ranking, not a four so I am correcting for this now.

Books numbering to nearly 1000 pages daunt me-- as you can tell, I don't read very much, even though I should. Of course, knowing vaguely of the legend of Musashi prompted me to pick up this book-- and I haven't regretted it. I am only 60% done with it, but just for that first 60% I'd still give it a five-star rating. Not only was it true to Japanese culture, it was entertaining. (Shogun, the film, was true to form but not very entertaining for me.) What is very fun about the book is the way that Yoshikawa uses characters who existed at that time, and events that took place at that time (mostly the duels), and swirled them into a semi-fiction novel. The character personalities are simply intriguing. For vernacular purposes, "cool" describes many of the ronin portrayed in the book. I enjoy the mixture of arrogance, honor and skill that characterize the samurai-- especially Sasaki Kojiro Ganryu's references to his thirsty Drying Pole.

As a last note, the translation was exemplary. Not only was it technically correct, but Terry managed to transfer Yoshikawa's humor into English so that it was understood, and generally captured Yoshikawa's intentions throughout the book-- it seemed that things which are easy to describe in Japanese, yet having no literal translation in English, were recognized by Terry and converted into understandable English.

After I finish the book, chances are that Amazon.com had better establish a 6 star rating.

Written in the early twentieth century, this indigenous Japanese novel recounts the life and times of old Japan's greatest swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi -- a man who began life as an over-eager and rather brutish young lout but who, through the discipline of Japan's "way of the sword," turned himself into a master of his chosen weapon. But this tale is not only about a life spent in training to perfect the art of killing with a sharpened piece of steel. In the venerable Japanese tradition, it is also about a man's search to conquer himself, to become a better person. The Buddhist view cultivated by the Japanese warrior class allowed for a spiritual dimension to their very bloody enterprise of warfare and killing. And it is this aspect of his training that consumes Musashi, to the detriment of the people he encounters and who seek to attach themselves to him. Unable to settle down in the ordinary way, or to simply join a particular clan as a retainer to some noble lord, Musashi embarks on the life of a ronin (masterless samurai) as he wends his way through the feudal world of medieval Japan in his seemingly endless search for perfection. In the process he finds a young woman who loves him and many enemies who seek his destruction, at least in part in repayment for the damage he does them while on his quest. He also crosses swords with many other experts in Japan's martial arts, but it is his early encounter with a Buddhist priest that puts him on the path which will forever after guide his life. Musashi ultimately finds his grail in a duel to the death with a man called Kojiro, who will become his greatest opponent, a sword master famous for his "swallow cut" -- a stroke so fast and deadly that it can slice a swooping, looping bird out of the air in mid-flight. This alone is a challenge worthy of the master which Musashi has become -- and a match which even he may not be up to, for this opponent is surely the finest technician in his art in all Japan. But there is more to swordsmanship than technical skill, as Musashi has learned, and there is more to living one's life than merely preserving it. Musashi attains a sort of peace in preparation for his climactic bout, for he is willing to risk all and even die in order to win against the master of the swallow cut, while applying all the strategy he has learned throughout his tumultuous career to unsettle the man who will oppose him. In the end Musashi became a legend to his countrymen, composing the famous Book of Five Rings -- his contribution to the art of strategy. But what he and Kojiro must do when they finally face each other is a tale in itself -- and a denoument towards which everything else in this book ultimately leads.

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.

I know that the title of this review may seem over the top but this little work has in fact changed my life. A friend of mine recommended this book during my first year of college. I had been struggling through my literature and history classes, bogged down with reading. In the book Mr. Adler taught me what it means to really read and listen and to extract meaning from a work. I have applied my reading skills not only to books but also my relationships. My GPA rose a full point after reading this and my critical listening skills were greatly enhanced. The book may seem a bit dry at first but it is well worth reading. Every high school student should have a copy.

Wow. This book is 346 pages of instructions on how to properly read a book. Add the two appendixes, the first giving a list of books to read to further stretch your mind, the second testing your understanding of the material, and you get a great book.

Unless you have read the book, you probably wonder how it could take 346 pages to instruct you on how to properly read a book. However, the book shows that each page is necessary, and the fact you wonder that shows what little you know about how to read a book properly. Most people are only familiar with the first stage (which must be known to read this book) of reading, Elementary Reading. Few people understand the true activity involved in properly reading a book.

The book is broken into four parts.

The first part starts off with defining some terms, and analyzing different objectives for reading. It also shows that reading is an active effort that cannot be undergone passively. He also explains the beginning two levels of reading. Which are Elementary, and Inspectional Reading.

The Second part deals with Analytical reading. This is by far the meat of the book. It is also the most rewarding. Since it is here that people need the most guidance. Adler explains each of the rules necessary for analytical reading very well. So not one point is missed, or misunderstood. He starts the section off with how it relates to the first stages of reading. He than continues to the instructions.

The third part gives clearer instructions for particular types of reading material(ie. Social Science, History, Philosophy etc). It analyses each type of reading matter individually, first defining it (as best it can be) than giving either variations to the rules, or rules that are primary or more relevant.

The last and final part, talks about the ultimate stage of reading. This part describes Syntopical reading, and gives the rules for it. Syntopical reading involves reading several books for the purpose of understanding a certain topic, than giving an objective analysis of the topic based on those books. This part ends with a short explanation of what reading does in your life. How it is needed to grow, and how the mind, like all other muscles can quickly waste away unless properly used.

Such things that add to the books easy readability is the author's ability to structure the book so that each section coherently fits in your mind. At the same time, repeating certain principles that cause you to remember each instruction correctly. And the summary at the end of the chapters makes it easy to go back and review what you have learned.

One thing to remember about this book is that Adler is obviously gearing this book for the novice as well as experienced readers who share one thing in common. The fact that neither knows how to read a book properly. Because of this, you sometimes get the feeling that Adler is over explaining certain topics. Or that he thinks you have absolutely no common sense when it comes to reading. However, I think this is an inherent risk when writing a book like this. As you will soon find out when reading this book, as the author himself says ,"there is nothing arcane or even really new about what we have to purpose. It is largely common sense" (pg.29). Because of this, there are two factors that may cause one to over explain certain topics. One is that you can't assume the reader knows too much. You have to supply what is necessary for the reader to understand what it is you are trying to teach. The second is that the Author has to know what is common "common sense" for the reader. Because Adler is so knowledgeable about this topic, he may lose that ability to know what needs to be explained and what doesn't.

With this in mind, I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to get more from the books they read. This book will forever change your reading ability.

This book picks up where your reading instruction in school most likely left off. In school you probably learned only the first, elementary, level of reading. In How To Read A Book Mortimer Adler and Charles Van Doren explain that there are actually three levels of reading beyond the elementary level (inspectional, analytical, and syntopical) and they demonstrate how to develop each of these levels of reading within yourself. In so doing they instill in the reader critical thinking skills that can be applied not only to the written word but to the spoken word as well. And after reading this book you will discover that you are not only a better reader you will find that you are a better communicator. In short, this book will provide you with the tools necessary to live a more fulfilling life.

I love the New King James Version, put out by Thomas Nelson, but I loath Thomas Nelson Bibles. This is how I happened upon the Thompson a few years ago as I was relieved to find a NKJV not made by T.N. I first bought an NKJV in bonded leather. After 2 years of very heavy use, I bought an NKJV in genuine leather, and later a handy size KJV in genuine. All three of these Bibles are wonderful in every way.

The Thompson Study system is very helpful and they've graciously spared us from a myriad of religious cliche and personal opinion. The page layout is smart. The Bible text actually fills the page and all study helps and references are relegated to the side margins. There are so many ways to use the studies and references, I am unable to number them here. The concordance is as extensive as any I've seen. The 14 maps are colorful and very well done. Simply put, it's a complete, Jesus-exalting study Bible designed with excellence.

The construction of these Bibles is equally impressive. The paper is just right--not too thick, not too thin. The print is dark and sharp. Their font is subtil and very appropriate for the Bible, if you ask me. The red words of Jesus are RED. They're not muddy brown; they're bright, deep, beautiful red. They are printed consistantly page to page, not some pages lighter or misprinted, as the Thomas Nelson folks are plagued by.

Now that I own three Thompsons, I feel about them the way a good ol' boy down in the South feels about shotguns. "I have more than I need, but not as many as I want!"

I use the Thompson NASB and it is great. I will just echo other sentiments that the layout of this Bible is great. This Bibles greatest strength is that it uses Scripture to teach Scripture. There are no notes on the page. If one wants to dig into a specific passage or specific book the references will take the student into the Bible as deep and as far as they want to go. This is my main Bible, along with the Dickson New Analytical KJV, to read and study God's words. There are too many specialty and study Bibles on the market. All the major publishers bring them out each year like boxed cereal. I too own and use some specialty study Bibles for specific purposes. These are great if you want to study from a specific point of view, like Dispensational or Charismatic, or understand what an interesting teacher of the Word may have to say like Tim LaHaye, John MacArthur, RC Sproul, or Henry Blackaby. But on a daily basis the Thompson Chain Reference is the one that can bring the best out of the student of the Word.

I purchased my first Thompson Chain Reference Bible as a new believer back in the 70's. It was and continues to be the best study Bible for those who desire to search out the Word for themselves and compare scripture with scripture. And, the extensive Bible study helps in the back of the Bible do add a rich dimension in addition to the topical chain references.

I was a little concerned about the "new" TCR's as several reviewers mentioned degradations in quality and I certainly didn't like the thin glossy paper I saw in the hardbacks in the bookstore. I was delighted today when I received my large print deluxe leather edition Bible.

The Bible I received has excellent flat, opaque Bible paper perfect for note-taking. And, the binding appears to have stitching in addition to the glue, so I'd say the quality of the binding is fine and should serve one well for years.

One caveat in regard to the large print edition--It is LARGE! Not the print (it's 9 point instead of the regular 8), but the Bible itself. It's not so unwieldy that I would think twice about using it, but if size is an issue for you, check the dimensions and choose accordingly.

I can't say enough good things about this Bible. It has my highest recommendation; you won't be sorry in choosing this Bible.

This is actually a presentation on de Tocqueville's life and times, centered on a general analysis of Democracy in America, but including much background on his family's history, his political career and accomplishments and a look at the historical context of France, Europe and the US in the mid 19th Century. The themes of DiA are reviewed with many quotes from the book and from commentaries by de Tocqueville's contemporaries. He is presented in all his glory: his hits (the brilliant insights into social character, the nature of democracy and his devastatingly astute, timeless analysis of our American identity) and his misses (his advocacy of war and his surprisingly traditionalist views of society's class structure). An occasional cheesy French accent in some of the characterizations is the only flaw. This is a _great_ commute tape, I look forward to "reading" more in this series on other great writers!

Democracy in America by Alexis De Tocqueville is by far an in depth view of America as seen by the traveling Frenchman. It is written so well that even today almost one hundred and fifty years later it is still apropos.

The translation flows very easily and is not distracting. De Tocqueville has a wonderful writing style that could pass today even though it was written long ago... so well readable and quotable that you get the picture of American life, morals, and an astute view of politics all rolled into one.

You get a view and meaning of American civilization, for America herself, and also for Europe. You can tell from reading. that this view is ever-present in De Tocqueville's mind as if he is a comparative sociologist. Yet reading this book you get the impression that De Tocqueville had generations of readers in mind.

As De Tocqueville noted, "It is not force alone, but rather good laws, which make a new govenment secure. After the battle comes the lawgiver. The one destroys; the other builds up. Each has its function." So true even for todays war. After you defeat your enemy you have to build up the infratructure just as Marshall and Truman both realized.

Reading this book you see the skillful eye of the author noticing and recording what he sees and he is impressed. I found this book to be of great import for the observations of America and hope that our educators use this book for teaching our children about the great country we live in.

De Tocqueville is every bit as brilliant and insightful as he has been said to be. The book is as relevant now as when written and is a must read for every american who is serious about understanding his country. What one realizes in reading the book is how novel and radical was the american experiment in creating a state that was both a republic and a democracy. De Toqueville's research was amazing, as well, he read the laws and constitutions of the various states, he didn't just observe the manifestation of american government and society. His assessments of the plusses and minuses of our government forms was incredibly astute and it is interesting to reflect on the changes that took place in the government after his time and how accurately he foresaw the advantages and disadvantages of those changes, as well. Given the short period of time that he spent in this country and the distances that he travelled one stands in awe of his work. His writing style is, of course, dated but one gets accustomed to it and learns to follow the rhythm.

My buddy said "here, read this book" so I did. I loved it ,I read the whole book in one day. This was the first book in a long time that actualy made me laugh out loud.I've read a lot of his other books since and felt the same way. Charles was a total lush, and it all started in this book, when he told of his first glass of wine.Be careful, reading his books makes you wanna drink(a lot more if you already do)a lot. Charles bukowski was heavily influenced by Celine,and if you have ever read DEATH ON THE INSTALLMENT PLAN by Celine, you will notice some huge similarities in the way they were constructed,the short and abrupt sentencing, and tastful vulgarity and shameless self criticism. Read this book, then read WOMEN, then watch the movie BARFLY,(which is about Bukowski's life) then read HOLLYWOOD(which is about the making of the movie). Then read everything else. Bye, I,ll be home soon

I am a poetry man, and as such think that Bukowski is the best American poet ever. I have read almost all his writings, and truly, although I liked them and laughed, I dont think his novels are half as good as his poetry books. I laughed with WOMEN and with HOLLYWOOD, FACTOTUM and POST OFFICE. PULP was a wonderful change. But I think that HAM is his best novel, it's the story of Chinasky from his childhood until the last days of his virginity. It's much more delicate and sensual than his more sexual prose, and we can really see the good and bad in Chinasky's mother and father, and a great description of the 30's, and the depression era.

Yes, read this and you'll want all his books, Bukowski is a genius and his fame will only grow in years to come. Now the man is not here phisically to prevent it from happening. And as Buk says: "some people never die and some people never live." Buk will never die.

Bukowski's greatest achievement... of a great many excellent works. If you read this book you have all the information you need to know to understand what made Charles Bukowski Charles Bukowski. From the opening pages, Bukowski sets the tone of loneliness, apathy and sadness that prevailed through most of his work. Sprinkled throughout is that old Bukowski humor, the flair for the surreal that's made Bukowski and his alter ego, Henry Chinaski, a hero to millions.

I love his poems, but this bittersweet story of a young man coming to age is a classic. Highly recommended for Bukowski fans and any who are curious just what the hell the fuss is all about.

Hank Lebowski