From the author of John Brown's Body, Stephen Vincent Bene't, with the help of Rosemary Bene't have compiled a beautiful book of poetry. All of the poems are about Famous americans. Before each poem in the book is the year the American was born and the year the american died. Truly great poems about Americans like Christopher Columbus, Nancy Hanks, and poor James Buchanan. He didn't know what to do! I understan that this book is no longer made in hardcover, just papercover, I hope the publisher will always have it available, as I would like to purchase a copy for my librarian.

With its beautiful photographs and the variety of music discussed, this is the perfect music appreciation text for the high school level!! It covers a variety of musical careers and performers/composers. The music is not approached in the traditional "boring" way, and students get excited about what they are learning about. A must-have for any high school!!!

Evans is a fascinating man to listen to. He is a decorated veteran, but shuns the recognition he rightly deserves. He admits that some of his actions during the heat of combat "might have been foolhardy." Evans was not interested in medals, only in trying to keep his men alive. As Evans' Third Army Com mander, General George S. Patton remarked, "No one ever won a war by dying for his country. He won by making the other poor bastard die for his country."

Evans met several truly historical figures. First and foremost was Patton. After the first day of the Battle of Arracourt, Patton visited Evans' command post to commend him on a job well done. That was just the first of many encounters with General Patton. After hostilities ceased in 1945, Evans was assigned to a Prisoner of War camp near Landshut, Germany. There, while interrogating prisoners, he briefly met General Vlasov, another larger-than-life individual. Vlasov was a former White Russian officer who was convinced (some say coerced) to help the Nazis against the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front. Later, in Switzerland, Evans was able to get a glimpse of a compound full of Nazi war criminals, most notable of whom was Herman Goering.

Evans was also fortunate to have been able to participate in the design, testing and eventual combat deployment of the M18 "Hellcat" tank destroyer. The United States Army found that its antitank capabilities were woefully inadequate against the masses of German armor, so a new tank destroyer was desired. Evans, along with a handful of other armor officers from various posts around the US, was invited to Detroit to the Buick Division of General Motors, to offer suggestions for the design of this new vehicle. There are precious few times in a soldier's career that he is given the opportunity to impact upon the equipment he will use in the performance of his duty. Evans and these other officers seized the moment and helped to design one of the most effective combat vehicles ever. In ju! st a few short months the M18 went from the drawing board to the maneuver field and then the European Theater of Opera tions.

This was the first book I read and it was definitely the Ultimate. It displays the life of Mafia in Italy and is very knowledgeable as regards to the terms of the Mafia and how it operates. The story is about a Mob Leader who turned into a legal witness of the law. this Book Is SIMPLY AMAZING....... (_)?

fascinating book of how it really was. UPDATE>>>>>>> Vincent Tersea died with his family by his side...still in hiding in 1989

i have been tring to find this book, it has to do with my family. (munge) was my grandfather. I called him dado. I would really like a copy of this book if i could find it. i would like to to a family history on the rossettis' I barely remember him. But i remember he would sit me on his lap and i would smoke his cigars.

"If this was not a proper case for the death penalty, no case ever would be." In that one sentence, Vincent Bugliosi sums up exactly how horrific, senseless and sadistic these murders were. This is definitely not a case study for the squeamish, and Bugliosi leaves no stone unturned in his prosecution, as well as his investigation, of the Manson murders.

Co-author Curt Gentry narrates the first half of the book in the omniscient third-person, informing readers of the stark facts. On August 9, 1969, 10050 Cielo Drive went from being Sharon Tate's "love house" to a slaughter house where 5 victims (Tate, her friends Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Voytek Frykowsky, and an unknown bystander, Steven Parent) were stabbed repeatedly, and in some cases, shot. The most horrifying image is the death of Sharon herself, who was nearly nine months pregnant, and in her most vulnerable state. The following night, August 10, Rosemary & Leno LaBianca were the victims of the massacre. Aside from the graphic nature of the crimes, messages had been printed in blood. Among them was a mispelled one: "Healter Skelter".

Gentry gives details on the LAPD investigation. At times, the police come off as the Keystone Kops with their obvious mistakes (for instance, an officer presses the gate buzzer at the Tate residence, obliterating the bloody fingerprint originally left there). In other instances, some officers are shown to be thorough in their interviewing techniques and investigations (most notably Dianne Lake, a former member of the Manson family).

When Gentry begins to unravel the horrors of one Charles Manson, a small-time pimp and criminal who had spent most of his life in federal prison, the narration is at its most compelling. Eventually, one of the perpetrators of the "Helter Skelter" murders, Susan Atkins aka Sadie Mae Glutz, blabs to her cellmates once too often, and (thankfully) gets the killers arrested. Bugliosi gets assigned to the case.

Bugliosi apologizes for the abrupt change in the narration, since he picks it up in the first person singular. However, his ability to relate the details of the case, the personalities of the killers and victims, the forgotten clues, interviews with understandably frightened witnesses, and his analysis of the dynamics of the Manson Family will soon make the reader forget this change in the "voice". Bugliosi is a trial lawyer who puts 150% into his work, and to read his account of why he had to prove motive, how he got the maximum amount of information from his witnesses, etc., is to read a masterpiece. It's rare to see any lawyer that dedicated to his job. Bugliosi not only has an eye for details that are seemingly unimportant at first, he also has the ability to articulate the main points of the case in a manner which is easily understood by someone unfamiliar with criminal law--a rare combination. The trial was almost as bizarre as the murder, with the defendants behaving as if they were unruly students in a classroom, and laughing at inappropriate times. The most unforgettable moment would have to be Manson's attempted attack on the judge, as his co-defendants admiringly looked on. Those 3 women, as well as the other Manson family members (including the prosecution witnesses), believed that Charlie had magic powers. Considering that he and his four co-defendants were found guilty and got the death penalty, only to have the death penalty overturned by the U. S. Supreme Court, it would seem that maybe Manson DID.

In the afterword, Bugliosi goes on to name other unsolved murder cases in which the Manson family members are suspects (there are possibly about 40 victims in all, or even more). His eloquent trial arguments are a reminder of what could have happened if this case had been assigned to a lawyer who DIDN'T always have his eye on the ball. The scariest thing about these cases is that Manson could have easily walked, given the initial lack of concrete evidence. Bugliosi is probably the all-time champion prosecutor when it comes to circumstantial evidence cases. For another one of these books, check out another one of his books, "Till Death Us Do Part". His final argument is so concise and thorough in the way it covers every possible issue, it must certainly rank among one of the finest arguments in U. S. history.

Helter Skelter is the #1 best selling true crime book ever because of three things: It is the story of one of the highest profile murder cases in the world's history, even 30+ years after the fact, it is still an amazing and unique story, and finally, Vincent Bugliosi is a fabulous writer. Most books written by non-writers might tell a good story but not in a dramatic way that a true author otherwise might. Bugliosi has no problem doing that with his books.

I thought I had a pretty good idea of most everything that had happened during this whole ordeal that ended the era of "peace and love," but I didn't know the half of it. Bugliosi needs over 700 pages to vividly recount every second of what led up to the Manson murders and every detail of what was done to bring the killers to trial and put them away. This is without question the fastest and most intense 700 page book I've ever read (and I've read a few), and that can be credited to the sheer madness of this case and the brilliance of the deep-thinking, amazingly-talented prosecutor who closed the case and then wrote this book to tell everything about it.

One of the best true crime books ever written. Helter Skelter tells the horrific story of the Tate/LaBianca murders. In grim detail Bugliosi takes the reader on a journey to find and bring to justice lowlife maniacs who killed innocent people for no reason. "The story you are about to read will scare the hell out of you", that's an understatement. I have seen Leslie Van Houten on "Court TV" looking like a librarian who stamps children's books and tells them to bring it back in two weeks. Yet she is nothing more then an evil woman who viciously murdered two people. You will get to know each one of the killers and be thankful you never get to meet them. And of course, you will read about Sharon Tate and how she called for her mother before she fell to her death (truly heartbreaking). Then there is the part that tells the twist of fate that had each "Tate" victim somewhere else if only.....

I did enjoy this book, and there were some really moving stories and some funny stories, but i didn't find it too terribly filling. Honestly, i personally can't say i'd recommend it. The problem i had with it is that it lacks substance. The stories, while are mostly very nice, do not even attempt (for the most part) to tell the Gospel. And (too) many of the stories had themes that were doctrinally and biblically unsound. I am critical only because it is named "Chicken soup for the CHRISTIAN soul." As a book, it does not bring forth a world view that is terribly Christian. I believe a more apt title would have been "Chicken soup for the God-believing soul." Some may not see a difference, but it's definately there...

"Do you still think it's enough just to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror!" James 2:19 (NLT)

I think a MUCH better book is Joni Earickson Tada's "When God Weeps." That book is also quite moving, but it also contains much Godly wisdom, and makes a conscious effort to show what the bible says about life and death and suffering.

I love your book and i recommend it to anyone who is devoted to Christ and loves to read inspirational stories about things from the Bible.

I am still reading this but, it has been just as fun to read as all the others I have read. The short stories are good for me and my hectic schedule and short attention span(I am 25 years old and getting better on the attention part). If I need a little laugh, I go to the funny part,and, every section has a different type of short stories in it. Of course, some will make you feel like crying or touch your soul, some will make you giggle or maybe even burst out laughing if you have had the same experience. The "Family Circus" cartoons are light-hearted ways to look at important things as well. You gotta buy this book!

Frank J. Finamore has pieced together a rather enjoyable read. His selection of authors could only be outdone with the inclusion of a few others(such as Robert Louis Stevenson("Markeim" would have worked well here)and Lovecraft), but what might have worked even better for this collection would be a progression of stories through the ages. Most of these tales are from authors who lived in the 1800's, which in itself is a pleasure to read tales written in a time less centered on foul language and gory depictions. However, Mr. Finamore, in his introduction, advises that as we near(ed) the millenium, society's fascination with the devil may have an impact on us individually. To back this up, he provides us with tales of devilish deals sealed within the jaws of rats, the devil in the guise of a minstrel and a gambler, and bargains gone awry. Some of the stories I had never read before(such as the re-telling of the legend of Kathleen O'Shea), but most were old favorites, such as the infamous "The Devil and Daniel Webster", in which a patriot abuses old Scratch so badly you almost feel sorry for him. The best thing about this collection is that it brings together some old favorites, and adds a few to the list. Most compilations, however, progress(see any of the Greenberg/Weinberg collections), while this one starts classicly great and stays that way. The only disapointment is in the introduction, where you think that maybe Mr. Finamore was trying to assemble a classroom ready tome and not a study on the literary fascination with the devil. Then again, any collection that includes Caballero's "The Devil's Mother-In-Law", in which we see a demon fearing something more than every married man on earth has feared for centuries, has to be good.

For the younger reader exploring Charles Dickens, this abridged version will not be intimidating. It'll help open the door to classic literature, and challenging ideas.

"Oliver Twist" is a complex story about the English welfare system for orphans, overlayed by a story of love, family, and the pursuit of each.

What is missing from this version is Dickens' long descriptions and thorough presentations of a situation. What makes Dickens great, in part, is his multi-woven characters, filled with color and excitement. Some of that is lost here.

That said, this is an excellent choice for an older child having trouble reading, or the younger, aggressive reader. The story about Oliver Twist is strong enough to endure an adaptation, but, later on, it is a thrill to read the original version.

I fully recommend "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens.

Anthony Trendl

This book surprised me, not by the quality of its writing, which one can expect from Charles Dickens, but by the violent, lusty primal quality of the story. This is no dry musty tome, but a vital novel that arouses both passion and intellect. A literal page turner, I found myself having more than one sleepless night when I just couldn't put it down.

Inside are some of the major characters in the realm of fiction; Fagin and his gang of child thieves, including the Artful Dodger. Nancy, the proverbial hooker with a heart of gold. Master Charles Bates (was this a pun even then?) Bad Bill Sikes, who shows the darker edge to all of this dangerous fun, and the innocent, pure Oliver Twist, who is the very definition of nature over nurture.

A great book, and one that I am glad to have finally read.

Like so many of Dickens' novels, Oliver Twist is a fantastically crafted and engrossing novel. Dickens follows the life of a young orphan boy, Oliver, who grows up amidst desperate poverty in London in the early 19th Century. Dickens leads the reader on a delightful and engaging romp, as Oliver escapes his orphanage, gets mixed up in the wrong crowd, and ultimately comes out on top.

The story within Oliver Twist is very engrossing, replete with many twists, turns and surprises that are occasionally tragic but more often witty or flat out hilarious. The characters are all superbly developed, and the multiple story lines are intricately and cleverly woven together. Oliver Twist is an excellent introduction to Dickens, and patient readers will find this novel accessible. The intricate plotline does require some concentration, while some readers may be annoyed by Dickens' notoriously lengthy sentences.

This is an important book to read for it is heavily engrained in Anglo-American culture and most first-time readers will recognize many of the names (Fagin, Artful Dodger) and scenes from previous cultural references. While clearly enjoyable at the superficial level, the novel also makes a powerful statement about poverty and the power of the human spirit in the face of depravity.

Problems with book:

1) Book should've mentioned up front they were focussing on COM/DCOM with MFC support. Focuses heavily on the MFC side of COM/DCOM, which we do not use.

2) Treatment of ATL does not exploit all the work VC6 can do for you.

3) Book spends two chapters covering C++ and OOD, which they expect you to already know at anyways. Why not omit those chapters and spend more time talking about what the book truly is about.

However, this book did give me a good overview of COM/DCOM. Having read Inside COM and looked at a few others, this book left out a great deal. A good intro book but be sure to have Inside COM side by side with this one.

The examples had too much MFC/GUI code. Should focus on COM rather than explaining how MFC works. They also omit how to set up your projects in VC6. VC6 can do a lot of the prework ahead for you and they consistently failed to utilize it.

this book is probably the most understandable that i've read about COM. Chris Corry writes about this subject so well that anybody could understand and comprehend COM.

Not as good as "Inside COM" which I also rate as a 5 star book but is simpler to understand and can be used very effectively in conjunction with the above named book. Very reasuring to the reader.

Over the years I've been an avid collector of every museum or exhibition catalogs on North American Indian Art -- but this one is the biggest disappointment. While provenience histories can be of importance for the reader, here it provides little meaning and appears to primarily satisfy the collectors/dealers' vanities. Oftentimes provenience entries are incomplete. The lengthy caption reveal very little new or interesting information and for the most part contain meaningless blah-blah just to pad the space around the pictures.

Layout and design is pedestrian, and for that price one would have expected to find all items in color.

A missed opportunity, too bad!

This is no mere exhibition catalogue. It is a superb book- thoroughly researched, well-written and beautifully photographed- really a one-volume encyclopedia of Native North American art. The inclusion of provenance is essential and an important ethical model that others in Native American studies should follow.

A major achievement.