As a person who reads constantly, I can tell you first hand that this book has put together one of the best collection of stories in one book that I have ever bought, it is well worth [the amount].

By the time I got to page three, I knew I would be up all night, every night, till I read this book to the end. An arresting plot twists around characters so real you fight to catch your breath with them on a rollercoaster ride of conspiracy, betrayal, and murder. These are real people with ideals, hopes, nightmares, and regrets which are tried by fire in the crucible that is White Flame. No one, not even the reader, is left unchanged by the end. Jim Grady's insider knowledge of Washington politics lends a chilling reality to it all. This story is so plausible, you almost expect to read about it in your morning paper. I won't give away any of the plot; you must experience that for yourself. If you like John Grisham, Tom Clancy, or any other writers in the genre, you'll LOVE White Flame. I read one of Grady's previous books, Thunder, when it was first released. If that was thunder, this is lightning!

This book is a necessary addition to the bookshelf of anyone interested in american literature. Jim McClintock is an athority on London and this book demonstrates his vast knowledge.

This is a simply fascinating book for anyone interested in colonial Africa, murder mysteries and just plain good writing. The author James Fox, an erudite Eton graduate, does much more than simply describe the wild African setting, the fascinating murder involved and the absurdly decadent lifestyle of the characters involved. He also tracks the process of his research and the input of the quirky British author, Cyril Connelly who simultaneously studied the events at hand.

Fox uses the murder of man-about-town Lord Erroll as a backdrop to chronicle the deterioration of a British subculture in the early 1900's. While war was being waged in Europe, this group of moneyed and titled hedonists (who left their kiddies back home) lived a surrealistic life of partying, drinking, drugging and partner swapping. Such a detached lifestyle virtually requires a murder or two as a logical conclusion.

Although the accused, Lord "Jock" Delves Broughton, is aquitted in an African trial (with lots of perjury involved) Fox makes no secret of his opinion that Boughton was the culprit. That does not dampen the book one bit because it is the cast of characters and how they talk about each other that is the best part of the book. The only problem I had with Fox's ultimate theory is that he bases it upon an interview with an eccentric, elderly woman who was only 15 years old at the time of the crime. Although she claims the suspect confessed the crime to her immediately after its commission, she did not reveal that alleged fact to anyone until Fox interviewed her in the 1980's. As a legal professional, I find that kind of evidence inherently not credible. This woman had plenty of opportunity to reveal the alleged confession on many prior occasions and Fox's reasons for her failure to do so are a bit far-fetched.This slight criticism does not in any way demean the entire book however as the rest of Fox's research and conclusions based thereupon seem sound.

All in all, this is a fascinating book that is hard to put down. The peripheral characters such as Alice de Janze and Lord Soames are equally as intriguing as the main characters.

I am so impressed by the mysterious story of the white tiger with white stripes and its profound spiritual meanings revealed in a stunningly elegant language that I finished reading it from cover to cover without taking a break!

I experienced an unusual calmness and peace of mind while reading "God is source" ... "Sustaining Grace, Salvation and Guide" (p. 10). I enjoyed a great satisfaction and encouragement while reading "If someone has done good yesterday, be thankful, goodness endures" (p 50). What a beautiful truth it is that "Good like a flower, gives joy today, and fragrance tomorrow"! (p 50).

I couldn't help laughing while reading "Some try to perfect the world around them, others themselves" (p 51). What an insightful philosophy of wisdom and life!

I had no words to express my appreciation for the understanding of Superior Being by the author's highly talented statement: "A voice from deep within spoke, ...". Only those who could hear the voice from deep within are able to live a life of love and grace.

I have White Tiger White Stripes right on the top of my desk and tried several times to put it away with my other books, but failed to do so. I feel I need to read several lines of it every now and then. It gives me inspiration and peace of mind every time I read it. It helps me to lead a life of wisdom and peace. Oftentimes, people tend to forget that there is a deeper layer of reality which serves as a source of spirit, happiness, and true meaning of life and relationships. Healing begins with realization of this source. Life is so busy and rush that people don't have time to stop and ponder. As a " postman", the author delivers such a hopeful message to help people recognize this great source of life within themselves. It is a very powerful message! People reach their maturity at very different ages. Once an individual encounters the experience of maturity, she or he will certainly enjoy and appreciate the messages delivered by such a wonderful messenger like this author!

Whoa! I stumbled across this novel as I was glancing at the "Modern English Library's 100 Greatest Novels of the 20th Century." I have never been as involved in a book as I was in this one. Dickey, a tremendous author and poet, literally warps his readers into the story. Great characterization and vivid details make this novel a chiller. This is the perfect novel for a rainy weekend... It takes a hold of you and doesn't let go until you turn the final page. Read it!

This remarkable book was James Dickey's first novel. The story is familiar to everyone who has seen the John Boorman-directed movie for which Dickey wrote the screenplay. I reread this recently after reading it over a decade ago and was stuck by how little action there actually is this the quintessential adventure story. Much of the novel is Ed Gentry's inner monologue. He thinks about his life and his dissatisfaction with his job. The canoe trip of this story is taken at the instigation of Lewis Medlock, the character played in the movie by Burt Reynolds. Ed regards it almost as a chore to be endured in order to please his friend. He goes through the motions without any passion until placed in a kill or be killed life threatening situation. You could say that Ed's ordeal is a rite of manhood. Despite being a man in his late thirties, he has not yet proved his own worth to himself. Like a manchild of a primitive tribe, he is sent out into the wilderness and must survive by his owns wits and courage or die trying.

a spell-binding book, much better than the movie. I was particularly enthralled by the character development. The description of Ed as he visually tracked the killer from his treetop perch, with fully drawn bow, the target framed within a frame, waiting for the right release moment is particularly memorable with its detail. The other main character Lewis is similarly developed by a wealth of descriptive detail that is a joy to read. These are ordinary people you can identify with from your own life, yet they are tempered by the extraordinary events they experienced on this canoe adventure. It left me with a desire to read more of Dickey's works. Unfortunately there is only one other novel that I know about.

The Color of Water is dual biography documenting the stories of both James McBride, the author and his Mother Ruth McBride Jordan. Ruth, a Polish Immigrant was raised as a white Jew in rural Virginia. An abusive father, however, caused her to flee to the sanctuary of New York City. There, defying all expectations, she married a black man, converted to Christianity, and raised 12 successful biracial children. James then tells his story of his confusion over his racial identity and his falling into drug and alcohol abuse. His mother prevailed, however, and James started once again on the right path. It is now, though, that he desires more than ever to discover the roots of his heritage and in doing so finds, for the first time, himself and his mother.

The Amazon.com book review describes this book as "a success story, a testament to one woman's true heart, solid values, and indomitable will." Amazon.com emphasizes the address of racial identity found in the book and also the remarkable odds of racism and poverty through which one woman not only survived, but thrived. Their story is said to be, "in a word, inspiring." It will give you, they say, an "unalloyed admiration for a flawed but remarkable individual."

I agree. This truly is a success story. A story of perseverance of one who has all stacked up against her. Even when faced with poverty and racial oppression Ruth still manages to raise 12 children. And not only that, but put them all through college, and some even graduate school. She is certainly the remarkable person the reviewer described. And also flawed. Her struggles lead her through plenty of mistakes and at times the reader may even goes as far as to question her sanity. Indecision and irrational decisions seem to flow from this woman's mind, yet her strength is never doubted. I find the word "inspiring" to be true of this book. After reading, one feels ready to take on the world in all its imperfection. Reading this will give you the desire to carry on and make the very best, whatever the hand life deals out.

Beautiful memoir by a gifted musician and writer, offering a hymn of praise to his Jewish mother (Orthodox, born in Poland, abusive childhood, etc.) who married two remarkable African American husbands, gave birth to a passel of kids, and refused to discuss issues of race with her many children. She answered their question, Am I Black or White?" by telling them, "You're a human being. Educate yourself or you'll be a nobody!" How this remarkable woman succeeded in raising what? about 11 kids in a crime ridden, all-black ghetto, instilling in them respect for religion and education, is at the core of this book. Told in a linear format, alternating chapters of his childhood with his mother's story (told in her voice), it sucks the reader along like riding the rills of a swiftly-moving stream. When the author asked his mother what color God is, she replied, 'The color of water,' i.e. colorless. But this novel is anything but colorless.
Must reading for all thinkers, people of all races and religions.

This book is an amazing voyage of discovery. McBride unravels a life forgotten and buried by a mother, who was born in 1921 to a Jewish Rabbi and his wife in Poland, and found Christianity and love in the arms of a black husband and her 12 children. The book tells two stories. The author tells of growing up in the projects of New York with a white mother and she tells her story of a young Jewish girl growing up in the south and then Harlem, always an outsider wanting only what all girls want, the love of her family and to be accepted.

It was early on in life that Ruth Shilsky realized that this would never happen. She found herself up against some of the greatest odds a person could face in an era of blatant racial prejudice and a family that turned their back on her because she dared to be different. The life she made was a remarkable one and the children she produced are all extraordinary people, to put it in the words of the author. An inspiring read of warm languid prose, I couldn't put it down, nor could I stop rooting for "Mommy" who just never stopped moving forward. Kelsana 6/3/01

As in classic tragedy, Master Operator (bus driver) Jack T. Oliver's fatal flaw - his attraction to a "white widow"- causes his inexorable fall from grace. Jim Lehrer's easy-going pace does not prepare the reader for the catastrophic events which ultimately occur. I highly recommend this not-too-long novel to fans of the classics and fans of suspense

After reading and enjoying Lehrur's new title, "The Special Prisoner," I read "White Widow," a book about a bus driver obsessed with a beautiful, mysterious and unknown female passenger.

The bus driver let's his imagination get carried away to the extreme. My wife, who read the book, could hardly accept that a happily married man could become so obsessed.

I guess I would characterized "White Widow" as a story about ordinary, average folks living in South Texas, struggling with the same challenges we all face -- especially who we are and can we accept our ourselves and live in peace with ourselves.

"White Widow" is a great read which will generate a great deal of thought and conversation.

High recommended

I was very pleased that I picked up White Widow --it was not the type of book I usually read --it was very small town and a subject that would ordinarily not interest me --but Jim Lehrer tells a wonderful and compelling story and it left me with a good sense of post-war rural texas and what Lehrer experienced working for a bus company

The Forgotten Trinity is an excellent treatment of a bedrock doctrinal truth. It is simple and direct and easy to understand. White furnishes his readers with three basic biblical truths which formulate and safeguard the doctrine of the trinity - 1. There is one God, 2. There are three Persons in the Godhead, and 3. The three persons are equal. These points are established and defended from exegesis of Scripture. Several key texts are looked at indepth including the prologue of John and Phil. 2:5-11. Much attention is given to establishing the Deity of Jesus Christ. This is an excellent book for refuting the heretical doctrines of the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses. White sticks to the basics about the doctrine of the Trinity and avoids the more metaphysical speculative aspects of the subject. Excellent for those wanting a basic overview of this important truth!

In this book, James White does an excellent job of surveying the entire range of Scriptural data concerning that which is related to the doctrine of the Trinity.

The first three chapters introduce the argument of the book, and seek to establish the Biblical case for monotheism.

By my count, there are six chapters that deal with the person of Jesus Christ (chapters 4-9), and all of them are outstanding. The various passages that are covered in these chapters deal with topics such as the following (using my language, not White's): John's view of Jesus; Old Testament passages as they are applied to Jesus by the New Testament writers; and a look at how Paul and the other writers of the New Testament viewed Jesus.

The chapter on the person of the Holy Spirit (10), and the chapter on the "three persons" (11) both help to round out the study.

The last two chapters (a historical sketch of the Trinity [13], and a practical look at the devotional elements of the Trinity [14]) essentially serve as appendices to give extra force to the position advocated throughout the book.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Take the time to follow the arguments (it would be helpful to follow the passages in your Bible) and it will be apparent that the Trinity, in all of its complexity and majesty, is a doctrine drawn from the consistent teaching of the Word of God.

James R. White shows that the Trinity is not just an abstract notion, and that the concept of divine Trinity is as clear as day in Scripture.

White clearly demonstrates that the historic Christian doctrine of the Trinity is fully and inescapably biblical; and I found his refuation of Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons very useful.

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit - the blessed Trinity - is the foundation of all being, and I believe God has never been "forgotten", as the title of this book strangely implies. If He has, then it must be due to the outward focus of society and science, which has been the main influence of the 20th century. I believe that society and scientists will soon start realising that the answers are to be found within.

The Ultimate foundation of all being will never be forgotten. Praise be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

I imagine most Americans would think the above title reflected historical fiction rather than fact.

The fact is that most contemporay Americans thought the Burning of Washington would live on forever in the American mind as an ignoble moment of shame and humiliation. That it has largely been forgotten is a testament to how America has changed and grown since 1814 -- rendering what has become one of our "little wars" largely to the history books with an occasional reprieve when the Star Spangled Banner is considered. It is worth considering that President Madison is remembered today as the father of the Constitution, and not as the rascal who allowed the White House and the Capitol to be burned by a foreign army during a war so ineptly fought by our side. I imagine that had this occurred in any number of other countries, his moment of singular presidential humiliation would attach itself more largely to his name. We remain an optimistic people.

Anthony S. Pitch has written a very good account of the British occupation and sacking of Washington, D.C. in his book "The Burning of Washington. The British Invasion of 1814." The author makes good use of contemporary sources and observations from American and British combatants as well as civilians. The background is sketched well enough to allow the reader to understand why the British stood at the mouth of the Potomac River ready to invade our capitol city. Personalities of American and British commanders as well as President Madison and especially Secretary of War John Armstrong - to whom can be attributed the immediate blame for Washington's unprepardness - are well summarized to give the reader a good feel for how individuals affected the events covered in the book.

The story covers the Battle of Bladensburg, the march on and occupation of Washington, the burning of the public buildings (focusing on the Capitol and White House), as well as the British attempt to take Baltimore, which failed before the walls of Ft. McHenry. Francis Scott Key's penning of our national anthem is also covered, as well as the British retreat. The book ends with summaries of the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the war, as well as Jackson's incredibly lopsided victory over Gen. Packenham before New Orleans.

All in all this is a good and interesting book. The author keeps the pace moving while giving enough detail to both satisfy curiosity as to why events are unfolding as they did as well as add the flavor and feel that can come from a judicious use of diary entries and contemporary accounts. I recommend this to any history buff who would like to know more about a now overlooked -- but still astonishing - part of American history.

Based on countless personal stories that Anthony Pitch uncovered in his extensive research, this book reads almost like a novel. It races along through familiar territory; marches through the Maryland countryside, incursions on Capitol Hill and the President's House, Baltimore and Fort McHenry. By focusing on eye witness accounts and the lives of private and public figures (both British and American) and their roles in the handful of days of the Washington campaign, the narrative has an intimacy and immediacy that involves the reader, placing him or her in the midst of the historic seige. There are heroes and scoundrels on both sides. It's a fascinating read and a wonderful way to absorb history.

Anthony Pitch has written a memorable account of a seminal event in American history. His portrayal of the British burning of our nation's capitol is an exciting, fast-paced description of events which catch and hold the reader's attention from the first to last page. Pitch's suspenseful story captures the essence of what is best in historical nonfiction - the ability to depict events in an accurate and yet dramatic style, painting word pictures in a crisp, authoritative fashion which entrances the reader. This book is a must for the library of every history buff, and for that matter, for every civic-minded citizen. There is no doubt in my mind that it will be made into an intriguing motion picture.