My son was fascinated with the story he read about Robert Goddard in school. He was twelve at the time. I wanted to see how this book portrayed Robert Goddard. I found that Mr. Goddard had the true spirit of adventure with no age limitations. Now I know why Roger felt that this was a hero and that dreams can become a reality.

I bought this book at a used book store because dust jacket art caught my eye and it was a first edition. It sat on my shelf for several years until I moved. While I was unpacking I procrastinated by opening it up and flipping to the photo section. Then I sat down and started reading. I read it from cover to cover. Thomas Keirnan is an engaging author and his subject matter is facinating. The chapters alternate between Polanski's biography starting with his childhood in a Nazi occupied Polish ghetto and the suspenseful development of the child rape charges against him during the 1970's. The cinematic 'parallel editing' style makes reading this book like watching a movie. Anyone who enjoyed Tess, The Pianist or any other Polanski film will love this book. Several scenes from The Pianist echo moments from Polanski's tragic childhood. While I abhor the crimes he easily admitted to, this book reveals the development of both his creative genius and his justifications for his criminal actions. The author knew Polanski and many of his famous friends. His insider's view is deliciously intimate.

Sorrentino is one of the few alive Argentinian writers who catches the spirit of the sarcasm on contemporary customs. Very recommendable!

At times, sad. At times, funny. But always beautifully written. This collection of short stories covers much ground and leaves you wanting more when it ends. Few writers work so hard these days at making their words work.

I came across this book in a used book store a decided to read it. I had some interest in the story behind the discovery of King Tut and this book was full of information. It traces the beginnings of Howard Carter's search, the discovery,and the events that followed. I had no idea of the problems that Carter was faced with after the discovery. Perhaps there is some truth to the legend of "Tut's Curse" after all. I suggest that the book be read if you have any interest at all in the history surrounding one of the biggest archeological finds ever.

I read this book many years ago and have not been able to forget it nor what this man went through. This is a true story of how Mr. Thomas was misdiagnosed and abusively treated in the mental institution. A must, must read for those involved in the care of the emotionally disturbed.

In these overlooked early stories, the great German Novelist Thomas Mann, best know for his novella Death in Venice, and his massive novel, Magic Mountain (set in Switzerland), experiments with the character of the sensitive (sometimes sickly) artist skittering on the outskirts, or being powerfully pulled in, to romantic and philosophical infatuation. Said to mark the introduction of psychology into romantic fiction, the stories (such as Fallen, 1898, and The Will to Happiness, 1896) were written in the so-called Gay Nineties (the 1890s)--the decade which took with it Oscar Wilde and Friedrich Nietzsche. In these short stories Mann is playful but works with a precociously masterful touch. His themes are romance, deception, and the limitations of previous literary convention. In one story a desirable actress turns out to be a prostitute, in another a homely woman admired for her mind turns down the artist after he changes his about her desirability,and in perhaps the most powerful story, a most desirable spouse is revealed to be the exact opposite--perhaps. Nietzsche's preoccupation with surfaces, the infinite artistic allure of deception, and the gulf separating the outside world from that of the human mind are deftly handled in these early stories by an acknowledged master of the fictional form.

Sleds on Boston Common makes history come alive by focusing on a fictional group of children who want to go sledding during the tension-filled days just before the start of the American Revolution. The story moves beyond the normal heroism of the patriots and the perfidy of the British to put a warm human face on everyone. Reading this story can be the precursor to a wonderful visit to the Boston Common to locate where the best sled runs might be. It can also help ignite an interest in American history.

Henry Price lives in Boston, where his father runs a small toy and map shop. Because of rebellious activities, the port of Boston was closed by the king on June 1, 1774. This hurt commerce and everyone was suffering economically. Despite this, Henry's father had made Henry a new sled for his birthday which fell on December 22, 1774. During the two hour break from school at lunchtime, Henry and his siblings head for the Boston Common with the new sled. They are discouraged to find that thousands of troops are setting up camp there, and the troops block all the best sled runs!

What to do? When Henry sees General Thomas Gage, the British Governer of Massachusetts Colony, Henry decides to speak to him. But first, he and his brothers and sister count the troops, horses, and anything else that the patriots want to know.

General Gage turns to Henry and says, "Let this boy have his words."

After listening to Henry, General Gage says, "I'm a father as well as a soldier for my king . . . ." " . . . I know my own children would like to sled this hill if there were here." "He shook my hand, man to man." "My eldest son is named Henry."

In this fictional story, General Gage tells his troops to allow the children to sled, to clear a good run, and to keep the ice in one pond undisturbed for skating.

The children were able to return again and again. "Because General Gage was a man of his word."

The war started in April 1975, and General Gage was ordered to return to England in October 1975.

The illustrations in the book build from splashes of watercolors with inked outlines and details. The images are done in kaleidoscopic form that suggests movement by the figures.

The author also provides an end note that describes more about the events described here, in order to help create that bridge into interest in American history.

The book is also done in blank verse, which gives the style an elegance and crispness that make it a pleasure to read.

I suggest that you also read the poem, The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, to your child as a follow-on. If the interest continues to build in your family, there are many fine fictional stories about the early days of the American Revolution that you can also read to and with your child.

You should also use this book to reinforce the point that even those who oppose you are usually well-meaning.

Have a good run!

As with almost any J. T. Edson book, this one is well worth seeking out on the used market. Although Edson's books used to be for sale all over the United States, for some reason they seem to have vanished. This is a major book about Dusty Fog who has been one of my favorate Edson characters since we've both been about the same age. Edson spent many long, hot Texas afternoons collecting the details for this book, driving miles of Texas' backroads & talking to a lot of cowboys in 'watering holes'. (Including some that hadn't changed in over 100 years. If you can get your hands on a copy of 'JT's Ladies' you really have something.

This is my "all time favorite" book. As the cover review says, you will enjoy this novel - unless money, art, power and sex bore you. I have read it a dozen or more times. I can open it at any page and find myself unable to put it down. I won't take it out of my house in case I loose it, although, thanks to Amazons' out of print service, I now have a second copy.

Michael Thomas, with his background in art and banking has written a most wonderful novel linking these two subjects. The banking and Wall Street angle is ruthless and cynical, whilst some of the passages describing the (imaginary) Watteau paintings, move me almost to tears whenever I read them. So compelling was his, or rather his character Nick Revery's, praise of Watteau that I journeyed to Berlin, principally, to see "Pilgrimage to the island of Cythera" in the Charlottenburg.

I can't understand why books as wonderful as this can be out of print. Although written in 1982, it would be accurate and prophetic if written today, such was Michael Thomas' foresight.