Rarely has a non-fiction book riveted me this much. Excellent Cadavers is a story so amazing that it would seem to be the invention of a European social novelist extraordinaire. Shockingly, every word that journalist and writer Alexander Stille puts to paper is tragically true. It is the story of Italy, a beautiful and legendary part of post-war Western Europe. Home to the Vatican, of the Renaissance, and some of the most extraordinary artisans and writers in all of western history, Italy seemed relatively well suited to succeed after World War II. However, these dreams were quickly snuffed out by an organization that would use any means necessary to protect their vast international criminal empire, which brought in millions upon millions of dollars. This book tells the story of this group of murderous thugs that managed to corrupt an entire country, effectively creating a shadow government, which enabled them to profit from the hard working taxpaying citizens. It is also the story of two men who decided that it had gone far enough, and they, with the help of a precious few band of brave men, would cure the cancer that had afflicted their country and province for the better part of a century.

The group of course was Cosa Nostra, a shadowy group of professional criminals that formed a tightly knit family of crime. Their ranks were highly structured, with bosses, captains, and soldiers. Originating from the violent land of Sicily, La Cosa Nostra quickly took advantage of the turbulent world of Italian politics and the rising worldwide narcotics trade. Their access to narcotics gave them almost limitless wealth, which enabled them to bribe and corrupt whole swaths of the Italian government and the justice system. Judges, prosecutors, police chiefs, ministers, and even governors were not safe from the mafia's reach, as they would kill literally anyone to make sure everyone else followed orders. Soon, mafia wars sprung up, where hundreds upon hundreds of people would be killed. The narcotics fueled group spread to every city in Italy and even into Europe. The mafia was allied with the Gambino and Genovese crime families of New York, the Asian triad gangs, and the Colombian cartels. Their power was limitless, and few dared challenge them. As the 1980's progressed, and thousands were killed, two prosecutors, Giovanni Falcone and Paulo Borsellino, took up the challenge.

Falcone and Borsellino were not just fighting against the mafia, they were fighting against a society where organized crime was a way of life. Many of their superiors did not want to rock the boat and constantly impeded the work of the two prosecutors. At the same time, the two men were under constant death threats, as the mafia sought to kill both them and their entire families. Even with these obstacles, Falcone and Borsellino managed to bring many mafia chieftains and soldiers to trial. Surprisingly, they were initially successful, sending thousands of them to prison. However, the wheels of corruption quickly turned, releasing many of the prisoners and destroying Falcones reputation. At the same time, the infamous boss of bosses, Toto Riina, consolidated the entire Sicilian organization by murdering anyone who stood in his way. Soon, the violence and political changes forced the government to make changes. However, the only real change came when both Falcone and Borsellino were tragically murdered. Then, the people rose up and demanded justice. Soon, most of the government had been thrown out, and thousands of mobsters found themselves in jail for life. It was too late for Falcone and Borsellino, but they triumphed in death.

Stille provides just an amazing amount of knowledge as he deftly narrates an amazing range of crime and politics. It really is a general history of Italy at the time, with many different mentions of Italian society, politics, and economics. The differences between Northern Italy and Southern Italy are explained, as is the maddening bureaucratic nightmare that is European socialism. Millions of taxpayer dollars disappeared into a black hole of corruption and incompetence, and the voters had little power to do anything about it. Stille provides a great history, and one of the best examples of personal bravery I have ever read.

This book is great read. very informitive, If your interrest lies in the American Mafia then this is a great insight into the rest of the family. hard and cold and deadly "men of honor". you get to see them for what they really are. Personal terrorists. The true hero's being Giovanni Falcone, paolo Borsellino and the sicillian people.

Mr Stills makes it all easy to understand and feel the tenison that must swirl in the very air of Sicily. My admiration goes out to those involved in this strugle. and to Alexander Stille for recording it so well.

A totally first rate work of reporting and writing. stille's book never drowns in its detail, but remains readable and informative, even for someone who doesn't know the ins and outs of italian politics. he really brings anti-mafia investigators borsellino and falcone alive, and comes as close as anyone can to trying to explain what drives former prime minister andreotti. if you are interested in italy, this is a great historical document. if you aren't, treat it as a great crime thriller, except that it's all true.

This is the book you want to give your Protestant and Catholic friends. It will detail for them just what Lenten Liturgical Worship is? (page 86, 87) and Looking for the Spiritual behind the formal (page 88) What Lent is & how it works? (Page 88) Along with What Christian Fasting is and is not, How to fast and the different kinds of fasting? (Pages 97, 98, 99)

Fr. Alexander's exposition of the mindset of Lent is indispensable. He demonstrates clearly how Lent is more than following rules and giving up "the good stuff" until we can indulge oursleves at Pascha. Lent is, rather, a time to rediscover who we are and why we are here. I recommend any serious Christian reread this book every year when Lent approaches.

Fr. Alexander knows his triodion (i.e. the liturgical book of Great Lent and Easter in the orthodox church). I fully agree with my co-reviewers that his book is indispensable for people who want to deal with the orthodox practice of great lent. Fr. Alexander as a passionate liturgical theologist takes us by the hand and helps us exploring the beauty and richness of this most wonderful of all liturgical books of the eastern church. lent - the way the tridion tells about it - is less a "what to do when and how" it is a spiritual journey from the acknowlegment of how far from God we live our lives to the mystery of the risen Lord who reaches out to us.
When singing the triodion I often have the impression that this book an the journey it takes us to are a microcosmos of the christian religion. Fr. Alexander's unique gift is the way he manages to show us it's beauty and the hope that lies within it.

I have never read anything of the Civil War that so delineates the war from the perspective of the "man in the ranks...the Private." The author has allowed time to temper his writings so that what he writes of gives a real sense of honesty...it is what happened, not from the pen of the "generals'" but of one who carried the fight personally to the foe as well as living the reality of the war day to day...a rare find, indeed!

This is a good book and an interesting first person story from another time and place. However my copy abruptly ends while he is taking a prisoner down south. He stops at a farm house for the night and then the book just ends. Did the author never complete the book or did I just get a bad copy? Despite this I would still highly recommend reading this book.

Wonderfully told autobiography and provides great insight into the life of the common soldier in the Cival War. Well written, descriptive accounts, what an era.

Carrie Alexander, known for sensual and light romances, debuts stunningly in the Harlequin Superromance line with THE MAVERICK, an emotion-packed story with strong protagonists.

Throughout the story, Sophie remains honestly unapologetic and thoroughly sympathetic. The reader will cheer for both Sophie and Luke as they are caught in a deepening web of deceit and intrigue. Author Alexander rivets the reader right down to the surprising conclusion. A memorable read. Highly recommended.

In a departure from her usual light romantic comedies, author Carrie Alexander stretches her creative wings with The Maverick. It had been over a decade since Sophie Ryan had last seen Luke Salinger-the day he left her behind: alone and [unknown to him] pregnant. Over the years, Sophie has managed to keep memories of Luke at bay and get her life back on track. And she's done all right for herself and her son, Joe. She's a sheriff's deputy with her ultimate goal to finish getting her degree and say good-bye to Sheriff Ed Warren, a man whose ideas of women leave a lot to be desired.

But her peace is shattered the day a silver-and-black Harley sped past her doing well over the speed limit. And riding it was none other than Luke Salinger.

Alexander takes two people, who never fell out of love with each other, and throws them into instant turmoil and intrigue: Heath Salinger, who has more than one secret to hide, the mysterious killings of wild mustangs and the lingering doubt over the parentage of Joe Ryan.

There were so many times I put this book down because I couldn't read through my tears that it's a wonder I finished it. Poignant and, at times, heartstring-tugging, The Maverick is one of the best stories I've read. And I hope that Ms. Alexander plans on giving us more along this line.

Carrie Alexander is known for her sensual romances in the Temptation and Blaze lines. Her foray into Superromance is her first...and a wonderful debut it is. She tempered her ability for comedic scenes a little to show she could write a book that is both serious and heartwarming. She did not have to temper too much her brand of sensuality, but in comparison to her Temptations, this would be rated warm, rather than hot. The story is a tale of a familiar theme... bad boys and secret babies. How she tells it is different.

Sophie Ryan is a deputy sheriff who originally came from the wrong side of town. When she was a teenager, she was deemed unworthy of ever making it, and seemed to prove it when she got pregnant and gave birth to her son Joe. Sophie had never publicity named the father of her son, but the rumors abound.
But she has risen above all the rumors to become a respected citizen and deputy of Treetop, Wyoming...the reader will have to learn the reason and answer of who is Joe's father by reading the book.
The story is heartwarming and seems to come from the author's heart. Carrie Alexander is known for her colorful characters and lively play on words...she continues that in The Maverick. She took the cliches of bad boys and secret babies to a new level that is believable and created a winner of a book. Pick this up and read it and you will see what I mean.

I bought this book for my son 12 year old to compose a career report and so he could understand this area of interest. The writing is clear and simple. Sections of the book need more development and updating. That aside the book provided a clear picture of what is required to start a career and what is possible. If you know little about the industry this is a great place to start. The material is basic but the book does contain good references for follow up and more detailed reading.

Judy's upfront approach and honest opinion gives her readers an advantage not given by others. Not only does she instruct you on how to become successful in your aviation career, she also helps you to avoid the MANY pitfalls made by other aspiring pilots before you. Also included were valuable references to related services, publications, and other tools used in the airline industry. If you only buy one book about a career in aviation, let it be this one!

I am considering a career in aviation, and Ms. Tarver's book was the perfect place to start. She's realistic, practical and encouraging at the same time. No one should consider a career in aviation before reading this book through at least two times. Thanks for the help, Ms. Tarver.

Another slendidly written masterpiece from Mr. Kent. Bolitho again sets his sails into thundering actions, a bit of romance, some nefarious villains, crisply-written battle scenes that almost deafen the reader. The age of sail is clearly defined in this ninth Bolitho adventure that is one of the best in the series. Plenty of historical flavor, the workings of a British warship (HMS Hyperion) at sea are marvelous to read. Wonderful character development and splintering decks and freezing sea spray for the nautical buffs. An outstanding addition to the series.

Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray! The feel of the deck, smell of the gunpowder, the roar of the cannon. Makes you feel like you were on the HMS Hyperion. Richard Bolitho rocks! This is set during the Wars of the French Revolution. Bolitho gets command of the Hyperion, a British two-decker. The Revolutionary forces of France had just beheaded Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Toulon is under attack and British and allied forces are in full retreat. Bolitho and Hyperion are blockading Toulon while evacuating the French port. This book is reminiscent of Vietnam. The evacuation of Toulon's like the evacuation of Saigon in 1975.

The title really tells it all in this one. Kent is at his best delivering naval action after naval action. It's all here; cutting out actions, land assaults, night actions, fire ships, nasty sword play and ships of the line delivering thundering broadsides. Nobody delivers the action like Kent did at his peak. Form Line of Battle is one of the best of the first 9 (in chronological order) if not the best.

Form Line of Battle was the second Bolitho novel published following To Glory We Steer. Kent put 10 years between the 2 novels and then filled in the gaps over the next 2 decades with novels of varying quality. Not surprisingly Form Line of Battle flows relatively seamlessly from the earlier novel and is consistent with the stories in between. None of the action from its immediate predecessor, With All Despatch, is even hinted at. That's just as well as With All Despatch is one of the weaker between the wars novels. The Richard Bolitho of Form Line of Battle is a much less tragic figure than the one in With All Despatch..

While Form Line of Battle is a classic action romance, Kent does include the realism one would expect from a World War II veteran writing at the height of the Vietnam War. The battle scenes are exciting but violent and realistic. Men die horribly or are mutilated painfully and Kent doesn't hide it. He does not glorify the war or its deeds.

The story itself is set against the backdrop of an invasion of Toulon which the reader knows is going to fail. The futility of this invasion and the diversion that Bolitho leads must have struck cords with Vietnam era readers. Other Vietnam era references are apparent such as "peace with honour" although In Gallant Company had more obvious allegories.

Kent is not great at characterization or dialogue. If you want them in the Napoleonic era then you have to steer to O'Brian. However, he does manage to provide a thoroughly unlikable commanding officer with some depth and some sympathy. But primarily Kent is read for the action at sea in a bygone era and in Form Line of Battle he delivers in spades.

At times gentle and beautiful and other times shocking, this book of personal, spiritual, and ecological discovery is a real eye-opener. It presents what I believe is the best portrait of Gaia I've ever read. It brings up a lot of questions and a lot of answers, and will probably shake up your belief system a bit, no matter what that belief system is. If you like this one, try "Conversations with God" (book 1) and the Seth books of Jane Roberts.

... You'll love to read Karen's account of her journey into Spirit. Daniel's teaching helps us tear down the limitations we place on ourselves and remind us of the magic and the majesty of Life, Earth, and Heaven. This is an important book, which should not be missed by anyone who is searching for who they really are. You might just find that you can bring miracles into your own life.

I just finished reading this book, and I was amazed. A friend encouraged me to read it, insisting it could change my life. I was pretty skeptical, since this whole "new age" thing hasn't really impressed me much. Mostly crystals and empty fluff. Not this book. Not by a long shot. Extremely well-written and very, very powerful. This book is worth the time for just the quality of writing alone. Anyone who has ever wondered "why are we here?" or "is this all there is to life?" needs to read this book. Not just tired old rhetoric, this book gives entirely new insights to our lives, our spirituality, and who we really are. I can't recommend this book enough. Read it. Then read it again. It WILL change your life. It has mine

I read God.com last year and found it interesting...very
interesting. Naturally, I had to peer into God.net, the
sequel. I found this new foray into the spiritual/poetic
journey an indefatiguable page turner. Sure, it may not
compare to James Langteaux's earlier work on the Taxidermy
Today Program, but none-the-less, it took me on a similar
"preserved for the ages" trek toward a fresh understanding of
what it means to have my synapses fully flexed. For those of us with kids...jobs...hobbies, I found God.net not too big--and not too small...it was JUST RIGHT! It took me but a few weeks to read
this nugget from cover to cover. Actually, once I got past that
hypnotically mezmerizing cover, I was able to breeze through it in just 45-minutes--thanks to the Evelyn Woods speed reading course I completed this summer. Very hip book. Creative insights into a dynamic relationship with God. Again...I must say, "Interesting...very interesting"--Nice job, James! I look forward to your next book...undoubtedly,
"Spirit.org". Keep writing! Keep the faith!

I find James Langteaux to be a breath of fresh air. It takes a lot of faith to be so honest. God often leads us all through a desert wilderness to help us find the oasis of His rest. James helps us to better realize that if it were not for the desert place, we might not be able to recognize the oasis when we find it.

Thanks, James. I look forward to what God will lead you to share with us next.

Too many of us who started the adventure of "Believe" have wound up losing our bearings in the "desert" of life's journey. We hit the struggles and then try to use our own wits to no avail. Inevitably we become as dry as the desert itself; even cynical. "Was this a trick"? "Did God just bring me out here to dump me"? By revealing the intimate struggles of his life and his relationship with the living God, this author shows himself to be an apostle called by God to lead those of us who have wandered in the wilderness back to rediscover the Source.

There's no religious spirit here. As a matter of fact Mr. Langteaux's refreshing honesty and humor might just wrankle some who have become pious desert dwellers. Hats off to Multnomah for publishing a voice that speaks for a generation that can smell hipocracy a mile away and won't stand for anything less than the genuine.

Let the reader beware, there is truth and life in this book.

Born in 1895 in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, Madame Beatrice Alexander was the daughter of Russian immigrants who rose to become America's premier doll maker. As a child she was known as Bertha, but soon took what she considered to be a more socially acceptable name - Beatrice. This name change was but a harbinger of her determination to excel, to rise above what she considered to be humble surroundings.

Her story is well documented and lavishly illustrated in this keepsake volume. Included are numerous full-color photos of the famous Alexander dolls.

Early on Madame Alexander adored her step-father, Maurice,emulating his love of doll making and doll repairing. He is responsible for this country's first doll hospital located on the Lower East side of New York City. The family lived above this business.

With the outbreak of World War I and America's ban on German goods, including the dolls which were the family's best sales items, it seemed their business was doomed. But Beatrice and her sisters would not accept this. They put their heads together to try to determine how to make dolls without porcelain or kilns. The answer was, of course, cloth toys. Their first success was a Red Cross Nurse doll. Beatrice was the creative member of this team, coming up with ideas and issuing instructions on making her concepts a reality.

Building upon their success the Alexander Doll company moved to a large space in the late 1920s. It was not long before their efforts were rewarded with an order from FAO Schwarz.

The Alexander Alice In Wonderland doll debuted in 1930. Today, in an updated incarnation, Alice is still one of their most popular items. There were soon Scarlet O'Hara dolls, bride dolls, Queen Elizabeth II dolls, Eloise dolls, and more.

Today, the original issues of many dolls are prized items in collections throughout the world.

"Alex" is among the latest creations - she's a very modern miss in an extravagant gold gown or capris and crop top. Her wardrobe is extensive as is her following. But, to many, a Madame Alexander doll is the Mercedes of toys.

BEAUTIFUL BOOK! WONDERFUL PICTURES! IT WAS GREAT HOW MANY SCARLETT O'HARA DOLLS THERE WERE! BUT THIS BOOK COSTS TOO MUCH, IT SHOULD COME IN PAPERBACK!

The photos of Lia Sargent's dolls in this book are, indeed, beautiful, but the real draw is the way Ms. Finnegan, the author of the book, relates Alexander's life to what was going on in the world at the same time. Wonderful historical perspective, which is very unusual in a doll book!

With hundreds of high-quality pictures, this atlas stands out. It is hard-to-beat!
Together with their sound descriptive texts, the figures of this book will serve as indispensable guide for both beginners and advanced learners alike. The print-resolutions of all the photographs are fine. As a result, each culture-colony was well-defined and represented.
This atlas is a significant visual lab, which would assist students in honing their understanding. As well, practicing laboratory scientists would cherish the complementary knowledge it provides. And given its fair price, there is no reason why I should refrain from recommending it. It's cute!

I loved this book. It's a very helpful companion to your microbiology/parasitology book and class. It has a beautiful paper and photos that will be hard to find elsewhere. Also the price is great, compared to other books or atlases. Don't think twice and get it!!. You'll be amazed by Mr. Steve K. Alexander et al.

this is by far the best atlas if you are taking a college level microbiology course. the lab section of the course moves very quickly and normally you're lab experiment book will not tell you what your results should be or what they will look like. every page of this atlas is high glossy quality color photos and the text is laid out in an easy to read format. every diagnostic test that is done in the lab is covered in this book not only in text but with color photos that show how each different microbe reacts under those conditions. i can not say enough about this atlas and you could spend a lot more money on other books that are far less informative. the publisher and the author must have been out of their minds when they set the price for this book. believe me you will be so pleased with this purchase, i use it every day. FYI i am pursuing a masters degree in microbiology and i have gotten a solid A in all of my microbiology courses, thanks to this book