This book can only be described as pure, magical reading. Athough set in the period of the second world war, the focus of the story lies on the two title characters Daniel and Esther, and their relationship which developes amidst the uncontrollable circumstances they find themselves in. Although it may appear to be the usual story of childlike love developing against all odds, do not be misled. It is written with such insight and delicate, spellbinding ease - you cannot help but become totally involved in this story.The characters are so real and their developement (personally and in their relationship)throughout the story is tenderly orchestrated to perfection. The only thing that I regretted after I finished this book was that it wasnt any longer and that I didn't have my own copy. It will enchant and surprise anyone and i highly recommend it.

In this beautifully organized book, the old story of Mordecai and Esther's successful plot to defend their people from destruction is given new perspective. Recognizing an intolerable evil in the new vizier, Haman, Mordecai takes decisive action when he calculates he has a good chance of succeeding. The book analyzes from the original text the political situation in ancient Persia and the predicament of the Jews. Explaining the motivations of the participants in this extraordinary twisting of fates, the author breathes new life in a story whose details many people take for granted. Realpolitik, idolatry and faith are interwoven themes in all history and play a major role in the Esther story. The lesson to be learned is that one must recognize evil and take a proactive, though thoughtfully planned, stance against it. The sense of empowerment one learns from this commentary makes this required reading for any student of history, especially those familiar with the Megillah. A pity this sense of empowerment was so lacking in the Holocaust period.

DEAR ESTHER should be required reading in every public school in America, and a staple in every college course in political science and history. Author Richard Rashke has fashioned young Esther Raab's escape from eastern Poland's Sobibor death camp into the quintessential survival tale of World War II. In this evocative narrative, Rashke has created an artistic coup as well as a powerful epiphany for freedom seekers today in this mesmerizing account of the human condition under siege. Letters from children deeply touched by Esther's story reveal inspiring love, empathy, and cogent responses to the cruelties she endured and overcame. Splendid five-star achievment by Rashke!

The twelve stories that make up DEATH AND THE LIBRARIAN AND OTHER STORIES are, for the most part, either ironic or satirical or both, but with one exception, always amusing fantasies. Esther Friesner is at her irreverent best skewing the universe with classic short stores like "How To Make Unicorn Pie", "In the Realm of Dragons", and "Jesus at the Bat", etc. The only new story "Illion" is atypical of Ms. Friesner as this takes a more somber tone than usual as the author provides her perspective to 9/11. The uniqueness of this collection is the writer's ability to wink at the genre for its excessive rigid formulaic characters and themes yet also parody modern society in the same story. With the well written reverent "Illion" aside, fans who relish humorous skewing of fantasy stereotypes that also encourage the audience to "thine own self be true" will delight in this swift reading anthology. Just because the woks are a parody, one must not think for a moment that the author does not take her work seriously. Each story is finely crafted and appeals to something primal in the reader. This is a great introduction for someone not familiar with the works of Esther Friesner.

Harriet Klausner

This book was hilarious, and the plot was as good as the humour. The demons (unintentionally at some points) fill the whole book with action, sarcasm, and a lust for their funky lifestyles. I loved this book, but then I'm a sucker for a laugh, especially when it's in my favourite genre.

The title means "Taboos at the Turn of the Millennium".

This book can be described as a summary of Esther Vilar's most important essays. She wrote it in 1998, looking back upon her own publications in the past three decades. It's so convincing it can almost be called the "world formula" in the fields of psychology and sociology. It's an eye-opener, enlightening, also witty, entertaining, and some passages will shock you! It deals with many different subjects, like religion, crime, the battle of the sexes, the modern phenomenon of "beautism", and a phenomenon the author calls "pleasure in non-freedom." What fascinates me most is the author's ability to explain the logical links between her theories in the different chapters; that's why you can only understand each chapter when you see it in the context of all the others - when you see the book as an integrated whole.

Too bad it's only available in the original German (BTW there's a new version now titled "Denkverbote : Tabus im 21. Jahrhundert") and in Spanish ("Prohibido Pensar"), but, seemingly, not yet in English...

...you American people (especially males) don't know what you're missing!

Dr. Dalton give the true reason for PPD. She understands that PPD is a physical disorder of the hormones rather than a mood disorder that psychiatrists treat with suppressive drugs and electroshock. My sister had severe PPD. If I had had this book, I could have saved her life. Instead, she was put on drugs that actually made the problem worse. Dr. Dalton has respect for women and their unique hormonal biology and gives real answers to very important questions.

I highly recommend "Dollhouse Decor: Creating Soft Furnishings in 1/12 Scale" to anyone interested in furnishing dollhouses or just at looking at pictures of how others have furnished theirs. The Forder's book is arranged by periods of style, and goes into a bit of detail about what makes each period's style unique. The projects are designed for all skill levels, from those who work best with a bit of glue and a pair of scissors, to those who enjoy doing their own weaving. Each project is preceded by a symbol to let the reader know the level of skill required. Yet regardless of the level, all the projects are well explained.
Equally enjoyable is the photography. There are none of the grainy pictures that are so annoying in some dollhouse books. Each photograph is large and clear, and shows the meticulous level of detail that the Forders put into their work.

Esther Freisner is an author who makes me laugh. Do you ever laugh out loud when your reading? It's a little embaressing, but her books make me do it.

In this story Esther takes you to a world where Magic is real. England has been ruled by Druids for centuries. Britian is surround by a magical shield which keeps out all commerce England does not want.

Brithric Donne, is the Sherlock character, a logical man stuck in a land where magic precludes logic. He and his faithful companion Dr. John H. Weston who has a secret of his own, solve crimes without the help of magic.

The Queen is in danger and Donne and Weston rush to her rescue. Weston has a more then patriotic interest in helping the queen.

Each chapter has a title based on an Authur Conan Doyle story. Esther refers to a couple of stories that Conan Doyle just allued to.

This novel is a clever tribute to Sherlock Holmes, but it also gives Watson or Weston a chance to tell his own story. I would highly reccomend this story. I'd have to give it ten stars!

The Dwarf Dinosaur, by children's author Esther A. Barnes, is a youthful, adventure-packed tale sure to appeal to the young ones. Norman is a dwarf dinosaur. That means he is very, very tiny, much smaller than any other dinosaurs he knows. But Norman's size has its advantages too. For one thing, he is able to escape from huge man-eating dinosaurs and other creatures because he can hide in tiny crevices where his enemies can't reach him. But Norman is also very lonely. He longs for a friend his own size. In his search, Norman stumbles upon an adventure he'd never dreamed of -- but can he still find a friend like himself?