MY favorite part is When Kevin got the sword with the carving of flame on the handle.
You should read this book if you like horror and adventure so I would give it 100%.

"The Aramaic Bible" is an outstanding reference work which is indispensible for any serious student of the Hebrew Bible. The Targums were Aramaic translations of the Hebrew Bible interspersed with rabbinic commentary. The Targums, which date to the middle of the first millenium and earlier, provide insights as to how the Jews (and some early Christians) actually interpreted the texts. Until now, it was difficult for someone not versed in Aramaic to have access to these documents; thus the appearance of not just a translation, but a scholarly edition is most welcome.

I used several of these volumes (including this one) in seminary while doing exegetical papers and found them informative beyond belief.

I am a Kindermusik teacher and just used this book for the first time in my 18 month-3 year old class and they LOVED it! The text is great for repetition of animal sounds/walking sounds, the illustrations are uncluttered and colorful. It is just the right length and the recap at the end gives the kids a chance to repeat everything that we've done before. It will be great fun adding movements to the book in the upcoming weeks. Great book for scaffolding ideas.

What a wonderful book. You would expect a book by a comedian to be full of laughs (and this one is definitely full of laughs), but there is a serious note to many of the stories; it's the kind of book that puts you into a state where you don't know whether to laugh or cry. Jonathan Winters writes like O. Henry; you never know how his stories will turn out, but you know there will be a twist in the end. These stories beg to be read aloud; I hope that someday a spoken-word version will be released.

Except for the end of the book, which is clotted up with the Norton Critical Editions usual stinky baggage of festering academic critiques--except for this, the book's a fine one.

There are unquestionably people who won't appreciate Swift's style (check out the customer comments for Gulliver's Travels); but there will also be people who don't appreciate good food, good drink and healthy exercise--all you can do is leave them to their folly and continue apace.

No English language writer has ever matched Swift's chainsaw tongue. His misanthropic rage, vented in Gulliver's Travels, hacks away at the tender, maggoty, easily severed parts of pretense and hypocritical morality.

Nor does Swift anywhere ask for quarter, as he gives none. Those who don't like his reading are free to continue in their superficiality or their ignorance, and his definition of satire--a looking glass in which people see every face but their own--remains the definitive statement of the art.

Swift's lessons on writing are also direct and easy to grasp: write simply. His acid wit eats through everything it touches: academia, politics, literature, modernism...it's a bitter pill, especially if you are one of the few who sees your own face in the mirror.

The collection of Swift's poems are needless; his poetic skills were forgettable. The inclusion of Tale of a Tub, and the Battel of the Books, as well as his major essays, definitely makes this edition worth buying.

The Beak of the Finch by Jonathan Weiner is a very mind-expanding, scientific, yet descriptive and intriguing book. It presents evidence behind the theory of evolution in an easy-to-understand format. It summarizes a twenty-year study of Darwin's finches on the Galapagos Islands. It also incorperates Darwin's life and research into the finch study by Rosemary and Peter Grant. The descriptions and diverse experiments explained make this Pulitzer Prize-winning book very enjoyable to read. However, there are parts where there is too much repetition of ideas. There are also parts in which Weiner unneccessarily delves into religious beliefs and dismisses them, though they often have nothing to do with evolution, the topic of his book. Overall, the book is well-written, informative, and interesting.

"The Beak of the Finch", subtitled, "A Story of Evolution in Our Time", is a truly amazing book. Its principle topic is the work of Peter and Rosemary Grant, who have been studying the finches of the Galapagos Islands ("Darwin's Finches") in great detail since 1973. They have collected and analyzed data on 24 generations and close to 19,000 individual birds. The result of their work is empirical proof of Darwin's theory of evolution, along with a tremendous amount of new data concerning the mechanisms of evolution and life. The author (Jonathan Weiner) quotes liberally from Darwin. Of course Darwin was not right in every detail, but modern work is validating much of the speculation of "Origin" and other works. Some points I gleaned: (1) Natural selection works much more quickly than Darwin or anyone else had, until recently, realized. Under extreme selection pressure the finches were recorded evolving in one direction, then another. The reason the pace has been misjudged by several orders of magnitude is that the effects follow environment, and tend to net out over long periods of time, leaving the impression of a much slower pace. (2) The theory of evolution has been rigorously proven through the traditional scientific method of exact hypothetical predictions confirmed with experiment and observation. (3) Stephen J. Gould mentions frequently that the observation of evolution is neither unknown or even rare. I learned from Weiner that observed incidents are not necessarily subtle or obscure, and learned about many fascinating specific cases. (4) American farmers have never realized a net gain against insects by use of insecticides. When the cotton fields were cleared of "pests" in the forties, adjacent species began invading their crops almost immediately. Pesticides, of course, select for pesticide resistant insects. Before pesticides were introduced farmers lost 7% of their crop to insects. In 1993 the number was 13% and has risen steadily since the first pesticide was introduced. The irony is that the farmers being destroyed by the inevitable forces of evolution are deep in the cotton/bible belt, where they are simultaneously (not all of them of course) trying to keep their schools from teaching evolution, thus crippling the chances of saving their crops. (5) Antibiotic resistance is, of course, taking the same course as pesticide resistance, threatening everyone's health. I had missed the point that the same fundie saying s/he doesn't "believe" in evolution is likely aware of one of it's most immediate effects, bacteria surging ahead in our ongoing war. (6) I gleaned a pretty good grasp of how divergence and speciation occur in the absence of geographical barriers. This has been a stumbling block to understanding for me, because the geographical separation requirement seemed too rare for the effects attributed to it. Very briefly, when a species is severely stressed by changing environment, there are commonly two or more survival niches best addressed by different evolved configurations (beak shape and overall size, in the case of the finches). Offspring suited to a niche survives, and by staying out of each others' niches, the separating groups survive and prosper. Speciation can occur if the conditions favoring the separation persist long enough. (7) "Preserving a species" is an almost meaningless statement. Species are constantly in evolutionary flux, and the descendents of animals we preserve will likely not be the same species, especially if we introduce or reintroduce them to the wild.

Weiner's The Beak of the Finch is a positively brilliant work on the topic of evolution. A great introduction for the student of evolutionary biology, or the layman. Weiner's book destroys two of the greatest myths about evolution. 1. It's slow. 2. It can't be observed. The study of the Galapagos Finches not only proves the importance of evolution as a contemporary subject but as one that can be observed RIGHT NOW in the world around us. It's almost astonishing to see how simple evolution truly is, how it occurs in quantifiable baby steps that we can see, if we only take the time to carefully observe. Weiner not only demystifies evolution, but makes it as a topic, thoroughly accessible to the interested layman. His prose is neither dry nor technical and in fact, makes for quite an enjoyable read. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

The power of the written word is nowhere more evident that Jonathan Carroll's Land of Laughs. Take a child-like imagination, develop a real world around it, and you will begin to understand the Jonathan Carroll genius. At the start of the introductory character development, even the casual reader will want to collect and forever keep this amazing menagerie that features unforgettable drama, action, coincidence, and fright. No one who reads Land of Laughs will ever again underestimate the power of one's imagination, or the ability of a writer to make words become real. I recommend acquisition of this treasure, and caution the book's owners not to let it too far out of sight.

The Sur-REAL World

Having already read of Jonathan Carroll's novels ("Sleeping In Flame"), I was better prepared for the bizarre (and mind-blowing/bending) turns it would take in the latter half. "Land" chronicles the journey of a young teacher, Thomas Abbey, who decides to use his off-time to write a biography of Marshall France, an reclusive/mysterious author of children books that have been an obsession of Thomas for all of his life. The fun begins when Thomas and his newfound girlfriend Saxony (also infatuated with France's works) arrive in the author's hometown of Galen, Missouri. The town hold many secrets that would be cruel to unveil here - but let's just say the residents of Galen are not quite they seem, nor the town's pet mascots - some friendly bull terriers.

If you are looking for something totally different to read and like to keep an open mind - there is no need to look any further than Jonathan Carroll. Although I enjoyed "Sleeping in Flame," I had trouble passing it along to friends just because it was SO different. Not the case with "Land," it is a perfect introduction to Carroll's Twilight-Zone-ish world (which makes sense since it is also the author's first novel). Carroll will probably never be a wide commercial success, but his growing cult following is certainly well deserved.

So, I'm a moron. For years I've seen this author's work on the shelves and never bothered to pick it up. Then I'm in the store and someone has turned the book so that the cover illustration id facing outward and, being a man who likes pitbulls, I found myself intrigued.

This is a GREAT book! Carroll weaves a story that, if he were from the correct part of the world, would be called magical realism. Ok, maybe I'll just call it that anyway. It's always bugged me that critics like to pretend that little phrase only works for the certain authors of a region...But, what do those critics know? You can't learn anything about literature that truly matters in a college classroom, you just have to read. Seriously, this is a fine book and a truly compelling story that hooks you right off the bat and won't let you go until the very end.

I, for one, plan to read all of Mr. Carroll's books that I can find.

I disagree with the comparisons to "Longitude"--this book is much, much better. "In the Heart of the Sea" defies expectations. In just 300 pages, Philbrick covers in engaging fashion everything from the whaling industry to early 19th century Nantucket society. Without preaching (thank goodness), he raises issues of race, the role of women in business and society, and man's impact on the environment, among others. At the same time, the book is, to use the cliche, a real page-turner. The narrative never slows, and the action is almost continuous, from storms to killing whales to the battle for survival and the ultimate resort to cannibalism. Again, not something I expected from the National Book Award winner for nonfiction.

Still, Philbrick finds time to take the occasional interesting detour: for example, discussing other instances of cannibalism, or the harvesting of Galapagos tortoises, or the mariner's custom of "casting lots" to determine who will survive. These sidelights further illuminate, rather than detract from, an already compelling story. The book also contains helpful maps, diagrams of the Essex, and just enough photographs to flavor the story. History readers should put this book at the top of their list.

Subtitled "The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex" and published
in 2000 to critical acclaim, this true story was written by Nathaniel
Philbrick, a leading authority on the history of Nantucket. Carefully
researched, and extremely well written, this early 19th century
incident has been brought to life with exquisite descriptions. Not
only does Philbrick tell the long sad tale of the Essex's tragic
sinking in 1820 and the sufferings of the few survivors who were
forced to resort to cannibalism in order to stay alive, it is also
the story of the whaling industry, the social and religious community
of Nantucket, and the influence this incident had on Herman Melville
in the writing of Moby Dick some 20 years after the
event.

Originally, it was thought that the diary of the first mate,
Owen Chase, told the whole story. But in the 1980s, another document
was found which was written by the cabin boy many years later and shed
even more light on what actually transpired. Interwoven in this story
are the details which make this book come alive.

With the eye of a
novelist, the reader is brought to the town of Nantucket, watching the
ship make ready for its voyage, and making comments about the green
crew as they struggle to make a good impression as they raise their
sails. We meet the young boys as well as the seasoned crewmen and
feel their seasickness as the captain orders them to climb the masts.
We feel the conflict in authority between the captain and the first
mate. We see the racial and religious hierarchy and the role of the
African American crewmen. Our muscles twitch as we read about the
hard work on ship; our hearts race with a sense of adventure at the
hunting and harpooning the whale; our nostrils crinkle as we read
about the process of killing, dismembering and extracting the valuable
oil.

And then we are thrown into tragedy when a whale attacks the
ship and the twenty men are set adrift in small boats with few
provisions. We cringe as we learn all the details about the
biological effects that depravation from food and water have on a
human body. We get to know the crew as individuals and understand the
hard choices they had to make. And then we see the rescue and we
follow the few survivors for the rest of their lives.

We also follow
the voyage on the well drawn maps and scrutinize the photographs of
some of the men, ships and woodcuts depicting the event. Then we read
about what happens when a whale dies on a Nantucket beach in 1994 and
find out how difficult it was to dispose of its remains.

After all
of this, we are forever changed. We have a greater appreciation for
this small bit of American history and we are even more thankful for
the ease in which food is available to us.

Just as "Moby
Dick" has stood the test of time as a picture of the whaling
industry as well as a literary gem, "In the Heart of the
Sea" is destined to become THE authoritative book on the subject.
Mr. Philbrick has done the world a favor by bringing this fascinating
subject to light. I applaud his work and thank him for it. Highly
recommended.

Nathiel Philbrick's superb In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex, deservedly nominated for the National Book Award, looks at the true story which forms the backdrop for Melville's Moby Dick. On November 20, 1820, in the mid-Pacific, Nantucket whaler Essex was rammed repeatedly by a sperm whale, and sank. Over the next several months, the survivors attempted to sail 4,500 miles in open boats to South America. All did not make it, and at least one willingly became food for the others after lots were cast to decide who would be killed to feed the starving remainder. Philbrick ably describes the work of a whaler, and the backbreaking - - and at times terrifying - - tasks of its crew in harpooning and later processing whales at sea. Drawing on many original sources, particularly journals of several survivors, Philbrick convincingly describes what happened to the unfortunate men of the Essex, and places the reader at sea with them. .

This timeless classic was created in a time gone by and yet it's spirit captivates readers of today as easily as it did when first published. A credit to Richard Bach's insight, this simple and absorbing story is an any age read. I first read this book 16 years ago. I have read it as a bed time story to youngsters, and like John Bertrand, in "Born to win" the story of the 1983 America's Cup campaign (Forward by Richard Bach) have worked with Jonathan as an inspirational model for team building and one-on-one coaching. Courage and persistance in the pursuit of personal excellence are tenants of this tale which is underpinned by values which support the personal development of individuals and of society. Our hero is a seagull, with an unlikley scenario in which to provide the reader with a prescription for personal insight and growth. This books descriptive prose allows the reader to be alongside Jonathan as his adventure unfolds ("he eased out of the dive and shot over the waves, a grey cannonball under the moon."). The book also contains a myriad of photographic illustrations, further entrancing the reader throughout this epic journey. This book should be in every bookcase. Thank you Richard Bach, for bringing characters such as Jonathan Livingston Seagull and Fletcher Gull from your imagination to ours, for providing an opportunity to bring the magic of imagination to useful personal creation and individual reality.

If there is anything that this book teaches, it is that we have the ability to change reality with the power of our own thoughts. This is one of those books that no matter how many times I read it, will never fail to amaze me. It's the kind of book that leaves you speechless, unable to do anything but think, and wonder.

Presented in the form of a charming parable about a seagull's education in flight, Jonathan Livingston Seagull is about far more than the life of one seagull. It is about each and every one of us, struggling to find the answers, to reach something higher that we are not even yet aware of. We are all a little bit like Jonathan, and when we read Bach's story, we realize that we all have the same power inside. That we can do anything, be anything that we want, if only we can believe in ourselves. Bach's message is a powerful and timeless one that stretches across all barriers to reveal the simple truth that we all, at one time or another in our lives, knew: the most powerful force that exists is that of belief, especially in ourselves.

I can't tell you exactly why you need to read this book. It's not about something as simple as plot or writing style. There is a rare magic in the words that cannot be conveyed by any other means than the experience of reading the book. All I can say is that once you read this book, you will understand.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a timeless tale about a seagull seeking perfection in flight, and, along the way, learns something about loving and transcendence.

Okay, that sounds weak the way I say it...

Really, it is a touching story about being the best you can be, while not letting others stop you in following your dreams. From Jonathan's beginnings of becoming an Outcast of gull society for the love of flying to his return to the Flock, the reader is swept away by the charming parable and empathizes with Jonathan's plight. You will gush over this book (as I probably am in this review).

Who should read this? A better question is "who shouldn't?" It's short enough to read to your children at night (it may take two or three nights), or for an adult to read in an afternoon. The powerful message to "be the best you can be and live true to your dreams" carries across generations and cultures and is always worth hearing.

Overall, this is an extremely uplifting, clever, and wonderful book. Just be warned: do not buy just one copy! This book is guaranteed to be one that you will want to share with your friends, family, and coworkers. I'd hate to see you to be without it while your book was on loan. You never know when you might want to "gush over a gull" yourself...

I have trouble reading classic literature. I am an avid reader and I want to enjoy the classics, but just find it difficult to understand the meaning in some of the writing.

This, however, was a pleasant surprise. Although written in the early 1700s, the story itself was fairly easy to follow. Even towards the end, I began to see the underlying theme of the satire that Swift has been praised for in this work.

Being someone who reads primarily science fiction and fantasy novels, I thought this might be an opportunity to culture myself while also enjoying a good story. I was correct in my thinking. Even if you can't pick up on the satire, there is still a good classic fantasy story.

Essentially, the book details the travels of Lemuel Gulliver, who by several misfortunes, visits remote and unheard of lands. In each, Gulliver spends enough time to understand the language and culture of each of these land's inhabitants. He also details the difference in culture of his native England to the highest rulers of the visted nations. In his writing of these differences, he is able to show his dislike with the system of government of England. He does this by simply stating how things are in England and then uses the reaction of the strangers as outsiders looking in, showing their lack of respect for what Gulliver describes.

I found it very interesting to see that even as early as the 1700s there was a general dislike of government as well as lawyers.

I would recommend this book to anyone who reads the fantasy genre. Obviously, it's not an epic saga like so many most fantasy readers enjoy, but it's a nice break. I would also recommend this to high school students who are asked to pick a classic piece for a book report. It reads relatively quick and isn't as difficult to read as some of the others that I've tried to read.

Swift's classic satire of English and European governments, societies, and cultures should be required reading of every college student. (Except for those who appear to be in law school as is the earlier reviewer who referred to Swift as being an "18th century Unabomber." Swift may have been conservative in his beliefs and not cared much for individuals such as Robert Boyle, who is satirized in the book, but he was not violent. Perhaps our "law student/reviewer" is offended by Swift's biting satire of lawyers and politicians in part four.) The version I read was an annotated edition by Isaac Asimov and contained many passages that had been deleted by previous publishers. Asimov's comments enable the reader to more fully appreciate Swift's satire. In part one of the novel, a ship's surgeon, Lemuel Gulliver, is shipwreaked and finds himself on the island of Lilliput, the inhabitants all being only six inches high. This section is great satire of English politics and wars. Royal ponp, feuds amongst the populace, and wars are made to look rediculous. In the second part, Gulliver finds himself in Brobdingnag in which he is only six "inches" tall (relatively speaking). This part forms another satire of European governments. In part three, Gulliver visits the flying island of Laputa where shades of ancient scholars can be called up. This section is a satire on philosophers and scientists. Scientists are portrayed as men so wrapped up intheir speculations as to be totally useless in practical affairs. Absurd experiments are described (for example, extracting sunlight from cucumbers (but, extracting energy from cucumbers and other plants is no longer so absurd Jonathan)). Also described in this third part are the Struldbergs, men and women who are immortal but who turn out to be miserable and pitiable. In part four, Gulliver travels to the Land of the Houyhnhnms, horses with intelligence but who have no passion or emotion. The word "Yahoo" originates in this part. READ IT!

Gulliver's Travels is an excellent book. In it Swift satirizes what he thought were the foibles of his time, in politics, religion, science, and society. In Part One Lemuel Gulliver is shipwrecked on Lilliput where the inhabitants are only 6 inches tall. The rivalry between Britain and France is there satirized. In Part Two he is marooned on the subcontinent of Brobdingnag where the inhabitants are giants. The insignificance of many of mankind's achievements are there satirized. Next in Part Three Gulliver is taken aboard the floating island of Laputa, where Swift takes the opportunity to satirize medicine and science altogether - incredibly Swift did not make up the crazy experiments he describes; all were sponsored at one time or another by the Royal Society. Finally in Part Four Gulliver is marooned by mutineers on the island of the Houyhnhynms, in which Swift takes his parting shot at human society - presenting them in degraded form as the Yahoos. Most people read no further in the book than Brobdingnag - I urge you to read the rest.