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Book reviews for "Vaughan-Whitehead,_David" sorted by average review score:

All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono
Published in Paperback by Griffin Trade Paperback (08 December, 2000)
Authors: John Lennon, Yoko Ono, David Sheff, and G. Barry Golson
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Primary source
John Lennon gave two interviews in particular that were extraordinary for their length, depth, and honesty. One was his famous "Lennon Remembers" interviews with Rolling Stone in 1970, and the other was this one, shortly before his death in 1980. Lennon was a complex man, and it is interesting to compare his attitudes among the two milestone interviews. Yet this one (conducted over several days) stands alone for its insights into Lennon's personal life, his relationship with Yoko, his philosophising, and his song-by-song discussion of his work, both with the Beatles and afterwards. It offers an unprecedented glimpse into his mindset and outlook at the time of his death, filled with the usual engaging Lennon wit and wisdom. Lennon comes across not just as a vital source of information about his own life and career but as an interesting conversationalist, period. We are also treated to Sheff's brief glimpses of Lennon and Ono at work on their "Double Fantasy" album. This book is an important document for anyone interested in the man or his music.

Very moving
Right before his death in 1980, John Lennon gave his most open and candid interviews. In 1980, Lennon was out of the public limelight for 5 years, was happily married, had a son, and his comeback album Double Fantasy was selling well. Previous interviews were usually marred by his overhwelming sense of anger, cynicusm anbd political activism that almost got him deported in the early 70s. With that behind him, Lennon was ready to move forward with life, and candidly talked about his troubled youth, his inspiration from rock and roll, his time with the Beatles, his solo career, Yoko, and his plans for the future. You read htis and think "oh how nice, he has finally found himself, and he's finally happy," but then unfortunately you feel sad at the same time, considering the events that happened right after these interviews. It's very sad and a letdown because he was so optimistic with quotes like "and I'll continue to do what I'm doing until I'm dead which hopefully won't be for a very long time."

Even though his bliss was tragically cut short, these interviews with John Lennon serve as a good epitaph of his life, and even serve him better than most of his uneven solo career.

As close as we'll ever get to a Lennon Autobiography
Actually I have the original version of this book, The Playboy Interviews, but since I'm an avid collector of "all things Lennon" I'll probably buy this newer version as well. But man! What a great read this book is! I learned so much about John here in his own words. Do people remember when he was shot, and the current issue of Playboy had just come out with the John & Yoko interview? Man, I clutched that thing like a bible in those sad sad days of December 1980. That interview turned out to be just a portion of the whole interview, and now that is published in this book. A cautionary note: reading this book can re-awaken your love and feelings for John and the Beatles, and this can lead to some pretty serious melancholia. Twenty-plus years later! I still ponder the what-ifs of it all, if John had been allowed to live - for instance, how would that Beatles Anthology thing on Tee Vee had been with a living John? And would there have ever been a Beatles reunion? ( I doubt it.) Not to mention how the politics of the Reagan-80s if John had been there to help out! Anyway, buy this book. It is still very valid and even timeless in its depth and scope.


When Harlie was one
Published in Unknown Binding by AEonian Press ()
Author: David Gerrold
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A great book from David Gerrold
When Harlie was One was an enjoyable book, with quite a bit of thought given to "its" character development. Unfortunately, I've looked for "When Harlie Was Two" or "The God Machine" - both titles that were listed as a sequal and have not found either. Were either actually published?

David Gerrold is quite prolific and has done some great TV scripts and a number of series books (Star Wolfe) and (Chtorr). I would also like to see more in these series.

Mr. Gerrold, if you're listening. Please consider the many fans of these series and WRITE MORE PLEASE!

Wow!
I read this book for the first time when I was 14 years old (back in 1976) and was hooked on the works of David Gerrold. My dad even liked the book, saying that Harlie did things that were plausible! I read the revised edition (version 3.0) and it looked like Mr. Gerrold had matured in the same ways that I had. A great read, an enthralling story. I highly recommend this book to anyone!

When H.A.R.L.I.E. Was One (Release 2.0)
Simply one of the best pieces of speculative fiction I've ever read. It has flaws, but it still takes the breath away, the sheer audacity of its vision. Warning, this book will make you think and could change the way you see yourself and others...

Once read, never forgotten. It's a crime it's out of print, track down a copy and see for yourself.


Alex Haley's Queen: The Story of an American Family
Published in Hardcover by William Morrow (1993)
Authors: Alex Haley and David Stevens
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Come Up With Serene Responses to Today's Suttle Racism
I just finished reading this book, this morning. And, I read "Roots," 2 weeks ago. In both of these books, I was able to vicariously be there, and emotionally travel with each person in these stories.

And it gave me a sense of peace that I had not had before about being African-American. It helped me to come up with the most empowering responses to not only suttle racism from Euro-Americans, but also suttle responses to African-Americans who seem to be bound by expecting to just get by (who also believe that empowered African-Americans somehow owe them endless worthiness).

To me, even though this book is titled "Queen," it has many stories: politics; narcissism; racism; boys growing into manhood; belonging; the price of not having someone to verbalize your pains to; and, how whites turned their outrage over their motherland into what drove them to do the same to blacks, in this country.

During the entire time that I was reading these 2 books, as I conducted my day to day responsibilities, I felt like I had a secret weapon against being held back. And I saw things that I might not have seen before in what I could do to turn suttle racism into my opportunity to expect mutual respect between myself and my interlocutor.

I recommend this book, and "Roots" to any who is looking for a means to grow beyond your wildest expectations. You will cry with these stories, laugh, and feel every possible emotion, knowing that you are breathing new life into your life. vjudo@rmi.net. www.femcourage.com

Great Book!
One of Alex Haley's greatest works, another branch to the history of his family. At the end of the book you want to know what happened after the story ended. A great book for people who want to know more inside the life of a a mixed race slave, who faces many tragedies in her life but learns to trust and let people love her. Every time you reread the book you find something new. Exceptional even for children to read. If you loved Roots you'll absolutely love this book. And you will love the movie.

PHENOMENAL BOOK! Well worth finding it!
I absolutely loved this book and have read it many times. It starts with Ireland and goes through the slavery struggle and family life inbetween. The characters are amazing portrayed and presented. Not only does it inspire thought emotion and passion, it makes you wish you could express life so creatively on paper. BRAVO Mr. Haley! I can't wait to read Roots!


Anger Busting 101: The New ABC's for Angry Men & the Women Who Love Them
Published in Paperback by Bayou Publishing (01 March, 2002)
Authors: Newton Hightower and David C. Kay
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For people who suffer the effects out-of-control anger
Written by Newton Hightower (Director of The Center for Anger Resolution), Anger Busting 101: New ABCs For Angry Men And The Women Who Love Them is a solidly written, immediately accessible, highly recommended psychological self-help guide for people who suffer the effects out-of-control anger. Using the "Recovery" approach to end destructive patterns and improve the quality of life for oneself and one's family, Anger Busting 101 is filled from cover to cover with tips, tricks, and techniques that can prove useful for everyone (since just about everyone has lost their temper at least once in a while, with disastrous effects) and in severe cases, can even be life-saving when combined with the wisdom and personal care of a professional therapist. Individual chapters address the basics of anger management, how a woman can tell if she should help her mate or if she has no choice but to leave him, step-by-step instructions to improve communication, and a great deal more.

A Lifesaver
This is one of those books we all need to read whether or not we or a partner have a problem with anger ourselves. It's very state-of-the-art in terms of psychological insight--the kind one needs to get along in the present climate of stressed-out people. I've recommended this book to several friends coping with various stages of anger in marriage, and they've thanked me for it. Newton Hightower is onto something important with his practical, straight-from-the-hip help. Women with the "learned helplessness" of battered/verbally abused wives will see their way out in this book. Both men and women are sure to benefit. Newton Hightower is a true peacemaker, and bless him for it.

Hightower has done it again!
Hightower has done it again! Anger Busting 101 is a must-read for therapists as well as angry men and their partners. This book is loaded with practical suggestions for healing relationships. Hightower's lighthearted approach manages to both enlighten and entertain. With self deprecating humor(rare for therapists), Hightower places himself on a level playing field with his readers. Hightower's personal journey in battling rage addiction remains an inspiration to angry men everywhere.
Rebecca Strick LMSW-ACP


Arms and Armor of the Medieval Knight
Published in Hardcover by Crescent Books (1993)
Author: David Edge
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A fine book for those into Armour
This book is really great--full of pictures and medieval art concerning armour. The chapters each cover a century in the development of armour. It takes a very archeological, historica approach to arms and armour. That's good because it makes an informative text, but I think the language a bit confusing at times, and not enough detail at other times. But it is a great book, for its pictures if nothing else.

Incredibly awesome!
I have forever been a fan of medieval arms. Most books on the subject simply do not give them justice. They go into very simple, sometimes non-acurate descriptions with little details (like one book I read saying a single-handed sword weighed as much as a bicycle - WHO's bike is only 2-3lbs, I have no idea!). David Edge is curator for the Wallace Collection of weapons and armor, and if anyone whould know anything on the subject, it's him. He even writes well! Full of incredible, acurate descriptions of the true weight, length, and terms of weaponry - and I love his description of early viking pattern-welding. You begin to see how increadibly efficient these tools were, dull, heavy choppers indeed! On the contrary, Edge shows how incredibly light swords and full plate were, and how they were perfected throughout the ages, constantly shifting to outmatch the other, pure elegent, efective, artistic lethalness. A must have for anyone with any interest in knights, weapons, and armor.

THIS BOOK SLASHED IT'S WAY INTO MY HEART!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, this has to be the best, and about the only book you need to have on this subject. I have always loved medieval stuff, and have always been wondering what makes the knight tick. Well, now I know it all(and then some). The authors of this book really know what they're talking about. They start with a general desription of a knight for the preview, then they go from century to century and tell about how the knight evolved. They explain every detail with great discription. This book made it easy for anyone(even me) to understand everything they talk about. They have so many awesome pictures to look at from armor to old paintings, they even tell about all of them. This one is worth the money, in fact I think I'm ripping them off after reading it. This was the first real book I bought on the subject and am asking myself if I really need to buy any more. Well, I guess what I'm trying to say is this is a MUST HAVE & THE BEST BOOK for anyone with any questions about knights and medieval times up to the renassance. Pro's and Amateur's alike will love it to death. In my opinion, it needs 10 stars and not just 5.


Barchester Towers
Published in Audio Cassette by Penguin Audiobooks (1998)
Authors: Anthony Trollope and David Timson
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Immortal Trollope
Despite the criticisms levelled at Trollope for his "authorial intrusions" (see Henry James for example) this novel is always a pleasure to read. The characters take precedence over the plot, as in any Trollopian fiction and this is what makes a novel like BARCHESTER more palatable to the modern reader, as compared to any of Dickens's. Some readers may find the ecclesiastical terms confusing at first but with a little help (see the Penguin introduction for example), all becomes clear. What is important, however, is the interaction between the all-too-human characters and in this novel there are plenty of situations to keep you, the reader, amused.

Do yourself a favour and take a trip back into Nineteenth century where technology is just a blink in everyone's eye. What you will discover, however, is that human beings have not really changed, just the conventions have.

Delightfully ridiculous!
I rushed home every day after work to read a little more of this Trollope comedy. The book starts out with the death of a bishop during a change in political power. The new bishop is a puppet to his wife Mrs. Proudie and her protégé Mr. Slope. Along the way we meet outrageous clergymen, a seductive invalid from Italy, and a whole host of delightfully ridiculous characters. Trollope has designed most of these characters to be "over the top". I kept wondering what a film version starring the Monty Python characters would look like. He wrote an equivalent of a soap opera, only it doesn't take place at the "hospital", it takes place with the bishops. Some of the characters you love, some of the characters you hate, and then there are those you love to hate. Trollope speaks to the reader throughout the novel using the mimetic voice, so we feel like we are at a cocktail party and these 19th century characters are our friends (or at least the people we're avoiding at the party!). The themes and characters are timeless. The book deals with power, especially power struggles between the sexes. We encounter greed, love, desperation, seductive sirens, and generosity. Like many books of this time period however, the modern reader has to give it a chance. No one is murdered on the first page, and it takes quite a few chapters for the action to pick up. But pick up it does by page 70, and accelerates into a raucously funny novel from there. Although I didn't read the Warden, I didn't feel lost and I'm curious to read the rest of this series after finishing this book. Enjoy!

The great Victorian comic novel?
"Barchester Towers" has proven to be the most popular novel Anthony Trollope ever wrote-despite the fact that most critics would rank higher his later work such as "The Last Chronicle of Barset","He Knew He Was Right" and "The Way We Live Now".While containing much satire those great novels are very powerful and disturbing, and have little of the genial good humor that pervades "Barchester Towers".Indeed after "Barchester Towers",Trollope would never write anything so funny again-as if comedy was something to be eschewed.That is too bad,because the book along with its predecessor "The Warden" are the closest a Victorian novelist ever came to approximating Jane Austen."Barchester Towers" presents many unforgettable characters caught in a storm of religious controversy,political and social power struggles and romantic and sexual imbroglios.All of this done with a light but deft hand that blends realism,idealism and some irresistible comedy.It has one of the greatest endings in all of literature-a long,elaborate party at a country manor(which transpires for about a hundred pages)where all of the plot's threads are inwoven and all of the character's intrigues come to fruition."Barchester Towers" has none of the faults common to Trollope's later works -(such as repetiveness)it is enjoyable from beginning to end.Henry James(one of our best novelists,but not one of our best critics) believed that Trollope peaked with "The Warden"and that the subsequent work showed a falling off as well as proof that Trollope was no more than a second rate Thackeray.For the last fifty years critics have been trying to undo the damage that was done to Trollope's critical reputation."Barchester Towers"proves not only to be a first rate novel but probably the most humorous Victorian novel ever written.


American College of Physicians Complete Home Medical Guide (with Interactive Human Anatomy CD-ROM)
Published in Hardcover by DK Publishing (1999)
Authors: David R. Goldmann and American College of Physicians
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BEST OF THE BEST
I have over the years purchased the FOUR top rated home medical guides in my quest to find the best. By best I mean the one that meets all of my families needs. I tried to be as unbiased as possible in examining all four books, concentrating my efforts by comparing them for organization and content. Sadly all four have their own shortcomings. All provide solid a reference for home/family health. But some are far better than others. I rated all based on a max. of five stars possible. I compared all as to content and completeness of info provided. Actually comparing the info provided for various illnesses and diseases.

NUMBER ONE
I can not say enough about this book by far the best of the best at 4.65 stars. The nearest competitor came in at 3.9 stars. Very good graphics (color) and photos. Lots of extras, including contacts and web sites to further info. Very well organized and lots of info. Is by far the most complete and most comprehensive.

A must for every home library...
It's difficult to review something so extensive in just a few paragraphs so I'll keep it as simple as possible.....

...Bought this book for my parents and am going to buy one for myself right now. Will probably give a copy to my cousin who's just starting college. An extremely helpful and informative medical reference guide - over 1000 pages. Very well organized. The information is presented in many different ways so that all types of readers can understand - photographs, illustrations, charts, graphs, tables - simple and thorough. If this book doesn't have the answer - it will point you in the right direction to find it.... In my opinion a must for every home reference library like a dictionary or a thesaurus.

If you have reservations about purchasing it on-line, this book is worth checking out at your local bookstore.

American College Of Physicians Complete Home Medical Guide
I am a frequent buyer of updated home medical books, and have pretty much seen them all. This one is quite superior! It is easy to find various medical conditions, complete in its coverage, and written in a way that the average layperson will understand. The illustrated color pictures are very well done, a rare treat, and contribute well to one's understanding of the copy. In short, it's the best home medical book I've ever seen. I recommend it without reservation.


Blind Love : The True Story of the Texas Cadet Murders
Published in Mass Market Paperback by St Martins Mass Market Paper ()
Author: Peter Meyer
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Very captivating!!
I read this book before the I had ever heard of the case..If it hadn't been for this book I probably never would've watched the trials or got interested in the case at all

This is the best book I have EVER read in my life!
I bought this book at a grocerie store just to have something to do when I was bored. I found myself hooked on the book and I finished it in 3 days which is pretty amazing for me(and my mom!). It had great details and it makes you want to follow up on the trial until is over.

inredible story,incredible book
I*ve been fascinated with this case and watched more of this trial than OJ.I actually feel sorry for Diana and Adrienne*s family. This was the fastest I*ve ever read a book, and I really found out alot about David and Diana .I hope that Mr Meyer does a follow up after the graham trial


Wolf in Shadow
Published in Mass Market Paperback by Random House of Canada Ltd. (1994)
Author: David Gemmell
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Blott on the Landscape
Published in Audio Cassette by Chivers Audio Books (1996)
Authors: Tom Sharpe and David Suchet
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