A long review is pointless. This is a gripping translation of a great work. Fagles has accomplished the difficult task of rendering the formal language of the Odyssey into a form of modern English that apparently preserves the poetry of the original. Very easy to read and quite powerful. Though I have not looked at the popular Fitzgerald translation for many years, I would have to say that I prefer this one. This edition comes with an excellent introductory essay and notes by Bernard Knox. Readers who enjoy this book and translation should immediately pick up Fagles' translation of the Iliad. The latter is an even greater epic and probably harder to translate. The Fagles version of the Iliad is outstanding.

Merely reviewing the Odyssey would be superfluous: it is, quite simply, the greatest adventure story of all-time. Its age and long endurance have only served to increase its reputation. There have been countless translations - including Alexander Pope's famous one, as well as the standard Oxford text - and this is the most recent major translation. It is also an essential purchase for any fan of the Odyssey, and, I think, the best place to start for those who have never read the epic in any form before. Fagles has given us a startling new modern verse translation, for which he has been widely acclaimed and given numerous awards, and it helps to restore the epic poem to some of its original Hellenic splendor, while, at the same time, being extremely exciting, immensely readable, and highly commendable. Fagles's translation is a masterpiece in itself. Aside from the masterful translation, the book is a deluxe must-own: complete with library binding, it also includes a long (60+ page) introduction from Bernard Knox, which is scholarly and interesting, while also remaining immensely readable. Knox has also provided deluxe notes for the edition, and it is further rounded out by such bonuses as a series of maps depicting Homeric geography, a pronunciation dictionary, and several other sections giving you background information on the Odyssey, Homer, and the translation. Certainly the definitive version of The Odyssey available to the mass market today, I cannot fathom why it isn't more popular here at Amazon, as it is the version that you most consisentently see on bookshelves across the country. Let us help change that by making this the version of The Odyssey you purchase, if you are at all interested in it, Homer, or ancienct Greek epics.

I first read this book a few years ago and was impressed by the author's detailing of Robert Cormier's career intertwined with his novels (much is devoted to The Chocolate War). Well worth reading. Hopefully the author, Patricia Campbell, will write a revised version soon.

This is NOT your typical biography. I read it this morning, expecting it to start out: Robert Cormier was born on January 17, 1925 in Leominster, Massachusetts... Not so! Quite the contrary. The book began intriguingly and held me to the last page. I learned a lot about Robert Cormier, who is my favorite author. I hold him in very high esteem and this book made me love him more. There were also chapters about his books, and the ones about I am the Cheese and After the First Death were very helpful in getting me to understand those two very confusing novels. 'Presenting Robert Cormier' was also very funny at times, such as when it described Robert deliberately tripping and falling flat on his face in front of an audience of high-schoolers so they could see that he was human and not be afraid of him. I can see Robert doing that, and it is very funny. Another thing I liked: the part in the back about the movie versions of his books I am the Cheese and The Chocolate War. Did you know that Robert Cormier himself played a role in one? In conclusion I find this a very interesting, funny, informative book. Well done!

The authors have done a phenomenal job with their introduction of Godwin/the Boy Magician, the new children's book series with its first book, "The Rainbow Builders." This intergalactic fantasy children's tale is not only a fun read, but it raises the bar on fantasy adventures... this is not your average heroes and villains story. This is a magical and timely journey which unfolds in a whole other galaxy. A mixed wizard's brew with an exceptional line-up of original characters. The best part is discovering there are no limits in Godwin's open playground, the Universe. A must read for both young readers and the young at heart!

The Rainbow Builders is one of the most enjoyable books I've read in recent years. It has some of the best qualities of the Harry Potter series combined with the Lord of the Rings trilogy fantasy, and yet it has unique characters and story of its own. What's more, it has a terrific sense of humor. Some of the parts are laugh-out-loud funny. Even most of the villians break me up. The best news about this is the fact that it's the first book in a series. I can hardly wait for the sequels.

'Soup's Hoop' is a wonderful,charming and above all hilarious story, and I can't believe it's out of print! Peck has a special way of writing his books so they always make you smile, and 'Soup's Hoop' fully lives up to that. A fantastic book to read aloud. Horray for Soup!

I'd recommend this book for those who are ranging from 3rd grade and above. My first time I read it, I wasn't really interested. But I tried it again and found it to be extremely humorous and an interesting story. Its about two kids, Soup and Rob who are in love with the game of basketball. They meet this plummer named Piffle Shootensinker, a basketball star from Pretzelstein, some where in Europe. He is unstoppable. Soup and Rob have an idea: have Piff play for city basketball team and play in the biggest game of the year. But Piff has a few drawbacks, he is homesick, misses his dog, and can only sink a basket when he listens to the music of his homeland. So Soup and Rob come up with a another facinating idea: make a SPITZENTOOTLE. What's that? You'll just have to read "Soup's Hoop" and find out what happens and read how clutzy these two kids are.

Peter and Annie Garret are climbing a mountain in Utah with their father. Suddenly, two amateurs come falling onto them, and sent them dangling in midair, hanging by a few cams. The two amateurs eventually falling onto the desert ground hundreds of feet below, laying motionless. Then, the father asked Peter to cut the end of the rope, from which he was holding being held. Peter eventually did, to save his sister and himself. This opening is only the beginning of this exciting and suspenseful story. People who like action will definitely enjoy this story which also teaches the reader some aspects about mountain climbing.

Three years later, Annie is climbing K2 of the Himalayas in Pakistan. She is caught in a storm with her boyfriend who turns out to be evil and selfish. Peter, who hasn't climbed since the Utah incident, sets out to save his sister.

The Garrett family climbs mountains chosen by the patriarch Royce who treats his two adult children (Annie and Peter) as if they are still teens. However, In Monument Valley, Utah, two amateurs drop into a freefall with their pack knocking Royce and Peter off the side of the mountain. Only the Garrett?s last belay with Annie still clinging to the side keeps all four men alive. However, the weight of gravity takes it toll and the two amateurs crash to earth. Royce makes Peter cut the rope, which leads to the former dying, but saves the lives of his two children.

Three years later, Peter and Annie remain haunted by the tragedy. Peter, already an accomplished photographer when the accident occurred, turns completely to nature shots to hide from his pain. Annie blames Peter for their father?s death and continues Royce?s dream of climbing the world?s toughest peaks in search of solace. However, this time on K2 something goes wrong and Annie faces certain death if Peter, who has not touched a mountain since Utah, fails to rescue her.

VERTICAL LIMIT is an adaptation of the movie. As with the picture, the story line is incredibly exciting and filled with nonstop action. Readers will feel the pain suffered by the siblings, who never found closure with the death of their beloved father. Mel Odom does a great job of bringing a powerfully scenic movie onto the printed page so that those readers who enjoy a heart-pumping thriller will climb K2 along side the lead cast.

Harriet Klausner

William O'Brien believed in the British Parliament's capacity to give good government in 19th Century Ireland. His attempts to secure liberal reform were largely unsuccessfully, and he entered the 1840s with a growing conviction that the Irish Members were wasting their time at Westminister. In 1843, his political campaign for "justice" in Ireland prefigured the tactics of Parnell, but the effort ended in disappointment and O'Brien joining the Repeal Association in October of 1843. For the next five years he was a major political figure, and finally, a leader in the 1848 Irish rebellion. In William Smith O'brien And The Young Ireland Rebellion Of 1848, Robert Sloan provides the reader with a remarkable and informative political biography, as well as a "window in time" to the events that led up to Ireland's doomed rebellion against an unresponsive and exploitative British rule. Scholarly, informative, and highly recommended.

OK, slight admission - I've never read the book. Frankly, failed Irish rebellions (of which there seem many) are not really my interest. However, the author is my history teacher at school, and a really good bloke. He deserves to do well out of this book, so even if you don't like the subject, buy it and give him a nice supplement to his teacher's salary!

I am not a book reader, probably to my discredit. But not only did I read this one, I read it twice. It is a truly fascinating account of how Woodstock came to be. After reading it, one will be more amazed than ever that the event happened at all, once one sees all that these two guys overcame or endured to bring it about. It is a captivating and entertaining book.

I was at the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair. I was young.

This book is an amazing, and surprisingly humorous, inside look at the machinations I never saw. The sometimes bizarre efforts that made Woodstock possible.

Even if you don't agree with the Woodstock sentiment, you should buy this book as a reference to THE icon of 1960s America.

this is the sixth edition of a classic that just gets better. it is a fountain of ideas. croft presents each activity with care and precision listing materials needed, the procedure and variations on the theme. the book is rich with resources...books, records and software. as a teacher of young children for 35 years I eagerly recommend this book to anyone serious about early childhood education.

This was an ultimate book about Einstein's life.

I love Amados work and think that everything the guy stands for is worthy of a brother artists. Being an artists myself I can relate to the educational background and the teaching experience that he has . We love him!