A superbly-well written, compelling spiritual journey of the most talented, prominent individuals of our time. The narrative expertly weaves a unified spiritual connection between the contributors, offering the reader a glimpse of personal conversations with the most diverse, talented, gifted people of our time. Through discussions of personal loss, creativity, and soul-searching, INSPIRED reaches deep within ourselves, offering the reader comfort, while inspiring spiritual renewal and awareness. INSPIRED is a creative, touching work!!!! BRAVO!!

Where most books focus on the differences of people's faith, this superb book focuses on the similarities in a completely non-judgmental way. The stories and the writing impressed me deeply. After reading this book, I am buying copies to give to my friends and family members for holiday gifts. I was so moved and inspired that I want to share my experience of reading this book with others.

It's been more than thirty years since I first read "Lydia Bailey" and I'm glad to see it available again after years out of print. Kenneth Roberts was a terrific writer and he has a terrific story to tell, with action ranging from New England in the early 1800's, to Haiti during Toussaint L'Ouverture's rebellion, to the Barbary Coast. This novel is a little bit detective story, a whole lot of rousing adventure and just the right amount of romance, mixed in with plenty of pointed observations along the way about political shenanigans and the highs and lows of human nature. They really don't write 'em this way any more--which is a shame. Very highly recommended!

I got this book through Amazon's out-of-print book service after reading Kenneth Roberts books Arundel and Rabble in Arms. March to Quebec is history as a primary source, and it is amazing. The volume consists of the journals of then Colonel Benedict Arnold and several of the patriots who accompanied him on his ill-fated march through the Wilderness of Maine during a sneak attack on quebec. The idea, which Arnold and his mentor General Washington cooked up, was to take Quebec and add it as a 14 colony/state. There was much adventure and intrigue. Some famous names invloved on the March are Nathaniel Green, Daniel Morgan, Dearborn, and even a young Aaron Burr. These journals leap off the page and are probably the best journals available outside those of a genration later, Lewis & Clark. Highly recommended.

Everyone who's traveled from one place to another has probably noticed how one city might have a different "feel" to it than another, and if fairly alert, it might even seem clear that clusters of experiences tend to occur in the same place. This book will tell you why.

Well-written with the clarity one might expect from Jim Lewis and Kenneth Irving, novice and experienced astrologers alike will delight in finding this important addition for their astrological toolbox. The techniques outlined here will explain issues that a regular chart might not, and flesh out those issues that were only partially shown in the natal, transit, or progression chart.

Tracking my own travels across the country, the map (one can purchase these from professional astrologers, or use the ones available in many software packages these days) brilliantly outlined the details of my life--marriage where Venus was prominent (an elopement, no less--Uranus was also a factor here), the death of friends near Pluto influences, a cluster of burglaries and muggings where Mars held forth (with a little help from Pluto).

More interested in why some countries fight wars in certain parts of the world--sometimes over and over? Lewis and Irving delve into history, and show how the charts of countries and their leaders can predict trouble-spots using these same techniques.

Buy this book. It will enrich your astrological understanding of your own life, and the lives of others. It's a real gem.

The Truth About Sacagawea has a wonderful story to tell about Sacagawea. Kenneth Thomasma worked very hard on it. This story is adventurous and it makes you want to keep on reading on and on. You always need to believe in yourself like Sacagawea, Lewis, and Clark did when they were going through tough times. Sacagawea was very brave to go on an expedition with her young child. Sacagawea went on this expedition because she was hired as an interpreter and guide person. Lewis and Clark went up the Missisippi River and then traveled on the Snake River.

While this book is a bit short (96 pages) it is also filled with fact, as written by Lewis and Clark themselves. This is a testament to the value of Sacajawea to the expedition. A crucial part of the success of the exploration of the Louisanna Purchase.

Sacajawea proved very valuable in finding food, acting as an interpreter for the exploring party and guiding them through lands that she remembered from her younger days. She was a Shoshoni girl who was captured at age 11 and married to another tribe.

This book serves as a good introduction (it was mine) to a fascinating woman who's place in history, while assured, probably is not as esteemed as it actually should be. She is too often overlooked in the school books or her contributions minimized. I barely remember anything (other than her name) from my days of learning history in school. And I was astonished to find that William Clark was the guardian of her two children after her death (before the choice of her husband).

On oversight this is a good book for a history buff or for someone interested in Native American History. It is also easy to understand and read and would benefit children from, say, 12 and up.

As Lewis and Clark began their journey to the Pacific Ocean, the two captains found it necessary to find a guide in order to pass over the mountains and to communicate with the Natives. As Thomasma says, "The hiring of Charbonneau and his young Shoshoni wife would prove to be a stroke of good fortune and good judgement."(p.15) As the reader progresses through the book, he or she may discover that the good luck wasn't referring to Charbonneau. In fact, the journal entries prove just the opposite. Throughout the book, it is very interesting to find the irony of hiring Charbonneau. As it turned out, this French-Canadian Trapper was nothing but a nuisance to the party. The irony shows when Sacajawea essentially becomes the guide, when she wasn't even hired, but brought on for sympathy reasons. In this view of the Charbonneau family, Charbonneau and his wife (although they are considered one with the other) are foils of one another. This biography well describes the voyage with the young mother and her husband, and their trials and helpful guidance given along the full voyage.

Those who are into history should read this book without any hesitation. This book falls into different categories of history, including American History, Native American Heritage, etc. This very informative narrative would easily be liked by history fans, as well as other ordinary people. Personally, I have never been a fan of history, but this book was very fascinating to me. The structure of this account "allows readers to experience what the explorers wrote about Sacajawea." (P. 11) Thomasma presents summaries of journal entries, along with a description of the points made out by that entry. In between each entry is a summary of the other events between the respecting passages. This structure gives a very effective way of helping the reader understand Sacajawea's importance and value along the Lewis and Clark Expedition. I highly recommend this 92 page narrative not only for the historical aspect, but also for the great story line it gives to the reader, and for the respect developed by reading this account of Sacajawea, the young mother who set a good example for all people.

Ten years ago I discovered an old hardcover copy of BOON ISLAND in my fathers closet. After having read it I desired to read more of this authors work but was regretfully delayed due to my formal scholastic pursuits. Last month I was in a Kennebunkport bookstore and discovered a section abundant of KENNETH ROBERTS' work. I selected ARUNDEL, read it and can't wait to move to the next one. Being an historian I had but little defense and was drawn-in by Roberts' vivid imagery and very accurate historical timeline. Having just visited Arundel I could envision Phoebe sailing along the rugged Maine coast while Steven Nason and Cap Huff prepared to answer the call for troops. The journey up the Kennebec to Quebec was never without adventure; this is where Roberts' talent for his craft shines the most: where other authors would falter, allowing their story to slow, Robert's provides his characters with dynamics that are realistic and not hard to follow. This is a book not to put down for if you do you may not know if Stevie finds Mary Mallison, if revenge is achieved over Gurelac, or what Cap Huff may do next.

This book was excellent. Not only is it reputed as having very accurate historical content, but the ficitonal stories running through it were very interesting as well. It is still hard to believe this was Roberts first writing foray. It is very easy to feel for the characters and want to know how everything turns out. I have to say that their plight was often very difficult - to the point where I was feeling quite cold and hungry myself. I live in Vermont and felt quite badly for them travelling during winter under very harsh conditions without polypropelyne, fleece, or wind-blocking layers. Plus a bunch of power bars for emergencies. I will be getting Roberts other books in this series. I'm sure I will enjoy them as much as Arundel. It is easy to tell Roberts has true writing talent.

I first read Arundel over 30 years ago and it helped make me into a history teacher. Seemingly unimportant incidents in the narrative have proven, upon further research into non-fictional sources, to have actually happened. Kenneth Roberts was THE greatest historical novelist in American History. He proved that a wholesome romance can keep the reader's interest. The main characters do not have to perform in bed for us in order to keep our interest. And yet, he does not wince from the reality of treachery, betrayal and sexual immorality. It is simply done with style and good taste. Why this book was never been made into a movie is incomprehensible, except that Roberts' NORTHWEST PASSAGE was hopelessly butchered by Hollywood in 1939 and he vowed never to release the rights to his works again (I think). Does anyone out there know the reason?

Kenneth Roberts was one of America's best-known nonfiction magazine writers back during the heyday of the Saturday Evening Post. One of his best-known articles was a profile of Hitler following the Beer Hall Putsch, which became a book in its own right at a time when no one in America knew who Hitler was.

Beginning in the mid-1930s, Roberts wrote a series of brilliant but erratic historical novels about America in the late 1700s, set in his beloved Maine or in neighboring Boston and Portsmouth, NH. "Northwest Passage" (which was serialized by the Post) was his masterpiece and the most popular book in America for two years during the 1930s, although it's barely remembered today (or, if remembered, known only as the source for a mediocre Spencer Tracy movie of the same name).

The book is the story of a real person, Major Robert Rogers, a miltary leader from pre-Revolutionary America whose unit, Rogers' Rangers, was America's first to fight "Indian-style" (in other words, to fight battles the way we fight them today). Rogers' great success in warfare led to him becoming one of the colonies' first published authors, a star in London, and later the royal governor of Michilimackinac (the fort at the tip of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan ... and the land westward), but his unwillingness to join with pluderers who wanted to loot the British and colonial treasuries in the name of the Crown led to his arrest and unwarranted disgrace ... and to his ultimate decision to side with the British during the American Revolution, like Roberts' other main hero, Benedict Arnold ("Arundel" and "Rabble in Arms").

This novel is made up of two very different but intricately-plotted books. Book 1, which ranges in place from Harvard College to the British Army during the French and Indian Wars and the New England art world, tells the story of a young man, Langdon Towne, who becomes Rogers' personal secretary during Rogers' Rangers' expedition to destroy the town of St. Francis, home of the native group most hostile to the New England settlers. Book 2, which begins in London, crosses back to upstate Michigan and the Dakota lands, and then returns to London, tells the story of Towne's advancement as an artist and his involvement with Rogers' plan to discover the Northwest Passage.

The reason that this book rates 4 stars instead of 5 has to do with a writing issue that must be mentioned. Roberts' friend Booth Tarkington served as "editor" of the first three-quarters of the book, and the Roberts-Tarkington prose is stellar. However, under severe time pressure to finish the second half of the book (due to its smash-hit status), Roberts wrote the last quarter without Tarkington's help, and the change in writing quality is jarring -- especially as it comes right during the most historically-important and dramatically-important section of the book, Rogers' betrayal by his Northwest Passage expedition commanders and by his British and American enemies. Roberts had offered Tarkington co-writing credit, which Tarkington refused, but this justaposition of styles shows just how critical Tarkington's help was. The plot continues smoothly, though, even if the writing doesn't.

One more point: in researching and writing this book, Roberts uncovered (after two years of searching, and just before publication of Book 2) the actual court-marshal transcripts of the two court-marshals with which Rogers was involved, which were believed to have been destroyed by Rogers' enemies -- and both supported Roberts' sympathetic treatment of Rogers. Thus, not only was this book incredibly popular, but it was significant for historical research as well. What more can you ask from one book?

Kenneth Roberts was one of America's finest writers of historical fiction- mainly because he actually really knew the history into which he placed his fictional characters.

"Northwest Passage" is arguably his most popular work, and its Book I was made into a pretty good 1940 movie with Robert Young as the fictional Langdon Towne and Spencer Tracy as the legendary Robert Rogers. (I must admit that everytime I read Rogers' dialogue in "Northwest Passage" I hear the voice of Spencer Tracy.) Anyway "Northwest Passage," the novel, is actually made up of two very different books.

Book I is one of the finest pieces of historical fiction that I have ever read. It's the story of Rogers' Rangers attack on the Abenaki Indian village of St. Francis during the French and Indian War. The story revolves around a fictional character, Langdon Towne, an upper middle class lad who wants to become a great artist by painting "true life" subjects such as Indians. Fleeing a dispute with local crooked politicians, Towne joins Major Rogers and his Rangers on the eve of their departure for St. Francis. What happens next is a thrilling story. Roberts' descriptions of the northern New England terrain, the agony of fatigue and starvation, and the gruesome depiction of the barbaric nature of war are stunning to read. Also amazing is the depiction of Major Rogers as seen through the worshipful eyes of Towne. The reader will finish Book I with a heroic image of Rogers as an indefatigable, courageous, clever tactician and born leader.

Book II, though, is a disappointment. Of course, it is very understandable that Book II is a let down, since Book I can hardly be topped as a historical adventure. Roberts' spends most of Book II tearing down the heroic image of Rogers that he built-up in Book I. Alcohol, debt, political enemies, a bad marriage, and his own vices reduce Rogers to a rather pathetic character. Book II also suffers from a lack of focus- we follow Towne as he develops into a famous painter from New England, to England, to the Upper Great Lakes, to Canada, back to England, and then to New England. Unlike Book I, which dealt with just a few short months of time, Book II is all over the place. However, the biggest problem with Book II is that nothing really happens in it- just Rogers' long decline and Towne's search for fulfillment.

Finally, Kenneth Roberts' books usually contain some extremely well developed and strong female characters, but "Northwest Passage" is lacking in this department. The interesting character of Jennie Coit disappears quickly. And Anne Potter, who had the possibility to be extremely interesting, is just too thinly drawn.

"Northwest Passage's" Book I is a terrific piece of historical fiction. I cannot speak more highly of it. However, Book II drags, and is really only interesting in that illustrates what happens to the characters introduced in Book I. Book II is actually just a very long and detailed epilogue to Book I.

Kenneth Roberts' "Northwest Passage" is one of the great novels of the 1930's. Little remembered now, it is the story of Major Robert Rogers and the early Rangers of the French and Indian War. Most of the book is an accurate description of what occured during that time period, and one gets an incredible feel for the hardships and calamities that befall these men. The book is written in the first person as the narrator is one of the Major's trusted associates; the story involves both men and their lives together in the wilderness and much later when their paths cross once again near the end of the 18th Century. Rogers himself commanded the first real "commando" unit and he is the father of all subsequent outfits like the Green Berets, the Navy Seals etc. Kenneth Roberts was one of the great historical fiction writers of his day and anyone who is interested in this time period would be wise to read this book. It is truly a classic.

It is not just the incredible story--the struggles of a few brave men at the birth of a nation--it's HOW it is about these men that makes this book a masterpiece. You will want to read this as part of the series which began with "Arundel" and continues with "The Lively Lady."

Roberts brings the tale to life, and shows far more insight into the actions of the Northern Army at the beginning of the Revolutionary War than you ever learned in public school. Men like Benedict Arnold who have become cardboard cutouts in glossy history books leap out at you, grab you by the shirt and drag you delightedly through the travails and untimate success of the Continental Army. Read the whole series!

I first read this book, along with all the other books this author wrote, back in 1960 and 1961 and wrote a term paper on this author's works. Book reviews contemporary with the writing of Kenneth Roberts' novels noted that there was more history packed into each of his novels than in an entire college course or two. The book describes actual historical events through the eyes of several colorful fictional characters. This novel describes the birth of the United States Navy, where, in 1776, the American Colonists under command of General Benedict Arnold built a fleet of ships in Skenesborough (now Whitehall) at the foot of Lake Champlain. It describes the subsequent battle of Valcour Island, where this tiny fleet of ships took on a much larger British force sailing south on Lake Champlain enroute from Canada to Albany. Although the American Fleet was eventually dispersed, this first US Navy successfully delayed the British by a year in their march to the south. This year allowed the Americans to recruit a large enough army to defeat Burgoyne's British Army at Saratoga. This book tells the stories of Jennie (or Jane) McCrea's massacre by the indian allies of the British, the use of the story of her massacre to encourage enlistments throughout New York and New England, the massing of Rebel forces at Saratoga, and the defeat of General Burgoyne's Army at Saratoga. It also covers to a degree the battle of Oriskany, which halted the advance of Col. Barry St. Leger who was advancing down the Mohawk Valley from the west, with the intent to join forces with Burgoyne at Albany. During one winter, it delves into the lives of the western Indians who allied themselves with the British. It does all this in a very entertaining way. I found it to be a very enjoyable way to learn a great deal about the history of the American Revolution in the Champlain, Hudson, and Mohawk Valleys of upstate New York. I am purchasing this book to read it again for perhaps the fifth or sixth time.

There are three kinds of historical fiction: the bad, the good, and Kenneth Roberts. No one else's novels in this genre are as readable or as real. In fact, few novelists in any genre do such a good of engaging the reader. It's not flashy, it's not gimmicky, it's just good writing. It's you-are-there and you want to gobble it up. And in the process you feed your mind. What a deal.

I recommend all Roberts' novels. This one concerns the Battle of Valcour and related events during the revolutionary war -- told from a completely personal perspective. By the time you're done this book you'll not only understand the military maneuvers, you'll empathize with the cold toes and fatigue (and more) of the people maneuvering. A highlight of Rabble in Arms is its presentation of more about Benedict Arnold than most people know. He's not just a caricature, he's a real guy, and here is what's behind his scenes.

Buy it, read it! Excellent book.

Kenneth Roberts is, in my mind, the finest writer of the American Revolutionary War period. He seems to have total recall of that time, as if he had just lived a lifetime there and has come back to tell us all about it.
Told from the Loyalist perspective, this is a fascinating acount of the period from 1775 to 1783, a viewpoint that you won't find anywhere else. The Amazon reviewer did a good job of explaining what is in the book, I need only add that it is a real page turner. I read this book 20 years ago, but the impression it made upon me then is still with me.
I found that this book, like all Robert's books, communicates to me not only a history of the period, but also a feel for the period. That is a very difficult thing to do! In Kenneth Roberts we are in the hands of a master.
This is a very entertaining and informative novel that will serve to give you a more balanced perspective of the Revolutionary War period.

Wow. I wish I could give this book six stars. I wish I could demote every five-star rating I've given to a book or a CD or a DVD so that I could give OLIVER WISWELL a unique five-star rating, thus marking its place as one of the best books I've ever read, period. Reading this book was an epiphany. Having an undergraduate history minor, and having taken courses in historiography, I was used to the idea of reading history while keeping in mind that it was written by the victors and by people with their own agendas; but never has that principle been so real, and so vivid, as in the reading of this book. In all my years of school I never learned so much about the Revolutionary War, never cared so much about the war, and never read a book that made me want to visit New Brunswick, Canada.

The novel begins in April 1775, when the protagonist is ejected from his home by American rebels, and ends in 1783, when the war has ended and he and other Loyalists leave their home country to establish roots in Canada. In between, the author manages to have Oliver plausibly meeting some of the most interesting characters involved (General Howe, John Vardill, John Cruger, etc) and at the scene of many of the war's most interesting events (the Battle of Bunker (Breed's) Hill, the rebels' surrender of New York, the intrigue-ridden courts of Paris and London, the trek to Kentucky by fleeing Tories along Boone's Wilderness Trail, the siege of Ninety Six and Benedict Arnold's campaign in the south, and the Loyalists' post-war settlement in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Gibralter, Bermuda and the Bahamas). Furthermore, we become involved in the personal lives of several main characters: the young Mr. Wiswell, his resourceful and loyal friend Tom Buell, Sally Leighton -- the rebel girl Oliver leaves behind, and the irascible Mrs. Belcher Byles. In the course of the novel we come to have genuine affection for these characters.

I hated for this book to end. I teared up through the last ten pages, more fully comprehending the pain and torment of America's first civil war and more fully appreciating the suffering and loss of people on both sides of this horrible ordeal.

If you are willing to read 800+ pages you will be rewarded not only by a remarkable personal story, but you will undoubtedly know more about the Revolutionary War than you dreamed possible. Kenneth Roberts was a remarkable author.

Unlike most books about US history, this one is told from the POV of a Loyalist and the terrible injustices suffered under the hands of the "Rabble In Arms" in their fight for Independence. Kenneth Roberts preciseness in researching US history adds all the color and background necessary for even the most inscrutable history buff while weaving wonderful characters whose every word hangs in the readers minds months after the book has been closed. It clearly illustrates the way neighbour turned against neighbour, even brother against brother, all believing in their cause, all willing to fight to the death to win. The opening scene shows the senseless brutality committed by many when obcessed with a cause and blind to justice. Tom Buell is my favorite character because of his resourcefulness and precousesness. Oliver Wiswell has the true character motivated by truth and honor that should be a roll model for all Americans. This book is a MUST READ on anyone's list and should be required reading in all schools. BRAVO, KENNETH ROBERTS! and, THANK YOU.

This book, while not one of Roberts's finest, is still a well-researched mini-masterpiece. It's depiction of real people in seemingly unreal conditions instead of themes on several levels works well for what it sets out to do.

This is a must read book for those of you who like historical novels. It is about a ship that has wrecked on an island off the coast of Maine and how the crew survives. This book is written with the historical preciseness that Arundel and Northwest Passage are written with. This is one of the greatest historical novels