32% Off Discounts: Purchase Cheap Travels with Charley in Search of America: (Centennial Edition) Review

Are you looking to buy Travels with Charley in Search of America: (Centennial Edition)? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Travels with Charley in Search of America: (Centennial Edition). check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Great Deals

Travels with Charley in Search of America: (Centennial Edition) Review

In 1960 John Steinbeck decided to reacquaint himself with America after being away because, in his own words, "I've lost the flavor and taste and sound of it. I'm going to learn about my own country." So he set out on a 3+ month journey with his dog to do just that. Along the way, he met people and made conversation, observed the state of the country, and let his mind wander as he made his journey. Then he returned to his mobile cabin at night and recorded the day's events. These journal entries became "Travels with Charley."
Overall, Steinbeck seems to paint a pretty picture. While driving through New England in the fall, he is taken with the brilliant foliage on display. He is much impressed with Wisconsin, and says about Montana, "I am in love. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love." Later, Steinbeck also speaks glowingly of the California Redwoods.
Steinbeck also has nice things to say about the American people - sometimes. He notes that midwesterners are openly friendly, and again praises Montana, for its inhabitants "had time...to undertake the passing art of neighborliness." However, interspersed throughout his journey, Steinbeck encounters many things which are not so delightful. In fact, some were quite upsetting. He talks of waste - "American cities are like badger holes, ringed with trash" - and of miserable people - "(some people) can drain off energy and joy, can suck pleasure dry and get no sustenance from it. (They) spread a grayness in the air about them." (This was his opinion of a waitress Steinbeck had just met in Maine.) And the waitress wasn't the only one.
Along his journey, he met many close-minded, opinionated, bigoted and rascist Americans, and it made for depressing reading. I don't think Steinbeck was quite prepared for it. I believe he had an idealized vision of a great trip, but in reality, it wasn't, and it took a lot out of him. By the end Steinbeck was burned out and wanted nothing more than to get back home. After California he went straight through to Texas, and then to New Orleans, where he encountered rascism at its worst. That seemed to be the last straw for him. After that, he blew off the rest of the southeast US and went back to New York. He had had enough.
Jay Parini, who wrote the introduction, notes this ominous feeling. He states that the book is filled with "whimsical vignettes, charm, etc., but beneath its surface there is a sense of disenchantment that turns to anger." He goes on to say that Steinbeck "is never quite able to bring himself to say that he was often disgusted by what he saw." But there's no question that he was.
Still, this was a very good book. And it's not demoralizing from start to finish. There are many humors adventures as well - his discussions with border guards near Canada being the most memorable. But one can't help but feel that Steinbeck was sorry he'd gone. He had a pre-conceived notion of what America was, and when it didn't meet his expectations, he was crushed. "Travels with Charley" brilliantly captures what Steinbeck reluctantly learned - that you can't go home again.
Four stars.

Travels with Charley in Search of America: (Centennial Edition) Overview

With his dog Charley, John Steinbeck set out in his truck to explore and experience America in the 1960s. As he talked with all kinds of people, he sadly noted the passing of region speech, fell in love with Montana, and was appalled by racism in New Orleans.--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Want to learn more information about Travels with Charley in Search of America: (Centennial Edition)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

42% Off Discounts: Purchase Cheap Life of Pi Review

Are you looking to buy Life of Pi? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Life of Pi. check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Lowest Price Offers

Life of Pi Review

With over 1250 reviews already registered for LIFE OF PI, I first thought there could be nothing more to say about this marvelous novel. But after scanning the most recent 100 reviews, I began to wonder what book many of those reviewers had read. Had I relied on 98 of those reviews, I would have expected a far different book than the one I actually read.
Let's begin with what LIFE OF PI isn't. It's not a Man against Nature survival story. It's not a story about zoos or wild animals or animal husbandry. It's not ROBINSON CRUSOE or SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON. It's not a literary version of CASTAWAY or OPEN WATER, and it's not a "triumph against all odds, happily ever after" rescue story. To classify it as such would be like classifying THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA as a story about a poor fisherman or MOBY DICK as a sea story. Or THE TRIAL as a courtroom drama, THE PLAGUE as a story of an epidemic, HEART OF DARKNESS as a story about slavery, or ANIMAL FARM as an animal adventure.
Martel's story line is already well-known: a fifteen-year-old boy, the son of a zookeeper in Pondicherry, India survives a shipwreck several days out of Manila. He is the lone human survivor, but his lifeboat is occupied by a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, an injured zebra, a hyena, and an orangutan. In relatively short order and true Darwinian fashion, their numbers are reduced to just two: the boy Piscene Molitor Patel, and the tiger, Richard Parker. By dint of his zoo exposure and a fortuitously positioned tarpaulin, Pi (as he is called) manages to establish his own territory on the lifeboat and even gains alpha dominance over Richard Parker. At various points in their 227-day ordeal, Pi and the tiger miss being rescued by an oil tanker, meet up with another shipwreck survivor, and discover an extraordinary algae island before finally reaching safety.
When Pi retells the entire story to two representatives of the Japanese Ministry of Transport searching for the cause of the sinking, they express deep disbelief, so he offers them a second, far more mundane but believable story that parallels the first one. They can choose to believe the more fantastical first one despite its seeming irrationality (Pi is, after all, an irrational number) and its necessary leap of faith, or they can accept the second, far more rational version, more heavily grounded in our everyday experiences.
LIFE OF PI is an allegory, the symbolic expression of a deeper meaning through a tale acted out by humans, animals, and in this case, even plant life. Yann Martel has crafted a magnificently unlikely tale involving zoology and botany, religious experience, and ocean survival skills to explore the meaning of stories in our lives, whether they are inspired by religion to explain the purpose of life or generated by our own psyches as a way to understand and interpret the world around us.
Martel employs a number of religious themes and devices to introduce religion as one of mankind's primary filters for interpreting reality. Pi's active adoption and participation in Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity establish him as a character able to relate his story through the lens of the world's three major religions. Prayer and religious references abound, and his adventures bring to mind such Old Testament scenes as the Garden of Eden, Daniel and the lion's den, the trials of Job, and even Jonah and the whale. Accepting Pi's survival story as true, without supporting evidence, is little different than accepting New Testament stories about Jesus. They are matters of faith, not empiricism.
In the end, however, LIFE OF PI takes a broader view. All people are storytellers, casting their experiences and even their own life events in story form. Martel's message is that all humans use stories to process the reality around them, from the stories that comprise history to those that explain the actions and behaviors of our families and friends. We could never process the chaotic stream of events from everyday life without stories to help us categorize and compartmentalize them. Yet we all choose our own stories to accomplish this - some based on faith and religion, some based on empiricism and science. The approach we choose dictates our interpretation of the world around us.
LIFE OF PI bears a faint resemblance to the movie BIG FISH, also a story about storytelling and how we understand and rationalize our own lives through tales both mundane and tall. Martel's book is structured as a story within a story within a story, planned and executed in precisely 100 chapters as a mathematical counterpoint to the endlessly irrational and nonrepeating value of pi. The book is alternately harrowing and amusing, deeply rational and scientific but wildly mystical and improbable. It is also hugely entertaining and highly readable, as fluid as the water in which Pi floats. Anyone who enjoys literature as a vehicle for contemplating the human condition should find in LIFE OF PI a delicious treat.

Life of Pi Overview

Want to learn more information about Life of Pi?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Purchase Cheap Eternal Eden (Eden Trilogy, Book One) Review

Are you looking to buy Eternal Eden (Eden Trilogy, Book One)? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Eternal Eden (Eden Trilogy, Book One). check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Eternal Eden (Eden Trilogy, Book One) Review

I finished the book just this morning and I got to tell you people, you are missing out if you skip over this book! The story begins with Bryn Dawson, as she begins a new but sad start at an Oregon college. Bryn is trying to move on from her past tragedies, but isn't really moving on at all until she has the "misforuntate" meeting with William. William is a new student who pretty much demanded a tour of the school, and Bryn hates everything about him. He's confident, arrogant, and surrounded by members of the opposite sex that are vying for his attention. Is William all he seems though? He may be just the person to smash down the walls around her heart whether she wants him to or not. Bryn is confused why someone like William would show any interest in her at all, but unfortunatly for Bryn, William isn't the only one who shows interest. I really feel it would be an injustice to reveal the plot of this book, but it's truly a love story through and through. It's character driven, so the supernatural elements blend in nicely but don't over power the purpose of the book. The backdrops and settings are very well written without being overly wordy. You can picture the surroundings in your head very well without the author taking 10 pages to do so, which in my opinion is a great art in and of itself. It's written for a YA audience, but I'm a 30 something and loved it! There are some small editing flaws with misplaced words or spelling but not enough to really be distracting. You will feel like you've been on a journey right alongside the characters, and grow to love Bryn and William! I am excited for Fallen Eden! Come on Summer!!!!

Eternal Eden (Eden Trilogy, Book One) Overview

College sophomore Bryn Dawson is a self-proclaimed poster child for normal. However, the day William Hayward enters her life, normalcy is the last thing Bryn will be able to count on if she wants to be with him. Too mysterious and appealing to be good for a girl, Bryn feels drawn to him in a way that seems out of her control-as if fate is orchestrating it. Despite every red flag and warning siren going off in her head telling her not to, Bryn falls hard for William, knowing he's categorically different from anyone she's ever met. She never imagined how right she was. When William takes her deeper into the rabbit hole of his world, Bryn must decide just how much she is willing to sacrifice to be with him, knowing no matter what, fate always finds a way to have the last laugh.Spinning a new twist on star-crossed lovers, Eternal Eden will put Bryn through a gauntlet of turmoil, challenging her to find the power within herself to become the heroine in her own story. Newly edited version released on 8/26/11. If you purchased a version that contains incorrect grammar or missing words, please call 1-866-216-1072 to request the updated version free of charge. Or for the UK call 1-206-266-2992.

Want to learn more information about Eternal Eden (Eden Trilogy, Book One)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Lowest Price The Sirens of Titan (Kurt Vonnegut series) Review

Are you looking to buy The Sirens of Titan (Kurt Vonnegut series)? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on The Sirens of Titan (Kurt Vonnegut series). check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Cheapest Deals

The Sirens of Titan (Kurt Vonnegut series) Review

I've read many of Kurt Vonnegut's novels, and this is perhaps his best one of all (quite a high complement indeed, when considering the man is, in my opinion at least, one of the foremost writers of the 20th century.) Vonnegut's wit is acerbic and as on-target as ever; this time he expells on us about the meaning of life... or the meaninglessness of it. While this is perhaps not his most profound and meaningful novel (which would probably be Cat's Cradle), and not his most purposeful one (undoubtedly Slaughterhouse-Five), it is perhaps his wittiest and one of his funniest, and works the best as satire. It is astonishingly well-written. Quite a bit leap over his already very good first book, Player Piano. This has more of a plot than later novels would, without using much of the non-linear storytelling format that Vonnegut would later make famous use of.
At this point, I also feel the need to comment on the review titled "whence..." The reviewer is taking the details of this book too seriously. The point of this book is not the plot or the details; it is the principle, the style. The reviewer goes to pains to point out scientific inaccuracies and plot holes in the book (yes, the escape maneuver from Mercury is implausible; yes, things happen in the book without any apparent logic or reason; but neither of these matter in the larger context of the book.) This book is not meant to be hard science fiction; nor should it be compared to scientifically stringent fiction by writers such as Arthur C. Clarke (whom the reviewer referenced.) In fact, I would say that this book is not science fiction at all. It is satire, pure and simple. The scientific ideas and elements in the plot are not meant to be taken seriously (as is often the case with actual hard science fiction; for example, the aformentioned Clarke's "The Fountains of Paradise", in which he propagates his vision for a space elevator.) Vonnegut uses these only as means to an end. This is seriously-intended satire (albeit highly enjoyable to read) put into a science fiction framework. This is actually, I would argue, what makes the book great.
The genius of Vonnegut is that he takes highly serious subjects and puts them into a context in his books that puts them in a universal light where they can be examined: through satire, he places deathly serious subjects in improbable situations where we can all laugh at them, be entertained by them, but also examine their reality in depth. All books by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. work on two levels. The first is the "skin deep" level, on which the books appear to be merely rough-and-tumble, hilarious, little entertaining adventures. However, there is also the deeper element that is always there, the hard themes that resonate beneath the surface. Many writers treat such things entirely seriously, which is fine, but Vonnegut's style puts it in a format that everyone can relate to. This is why he is such a great and important writer, and why so many of us relate to him and have learned so much from him. Perhaps our most acute AND entertaining social critic, Kurt Vonnegut is an author that we are lucky to have, and this is one of the brightest shining gems in his canon.

The Sirens of Titan (Kurt Vonnegut series) Overview

This improvisational tour de force - THE SIRENS OF TITAN (1959), Vonnegut's second novel -was on the Hugo final ballot with Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers and lost in what Harlan Ellison has called a monumental injustice. A picaresque which almost cannot be synopsized, an interplanetary Candide (lacking perhaps Voltaire's utter bitterness),THE SIRENS OF TITAN follows Malachi Constant, a feckless but goodhearted millionaire, through the spaces of the solar system on his search for the meaning of existence. Constant is aided by another tycoon, Winston Rumfoord, who with the help of aliens has discovered the fundamental meaning of life (the retrieval of an alien artifact with an inscribed message of greetings). With the help of Salo, an alien robot and the overseeing alien race, the Tralmafordorians (who are also prominent in SLAUGTERHOUSE-FIVE), Constant attempts to find some cosmic sense and order in the face of universal malevolence. Constant and Rumfoord deal with the metaphysics of "chrono-synclastic infundibula", they deal with the interference of the Tralmafadorians; the novel is pervaded by a goofy, episodic charm which barely shields the readers (or the characters) from the sense of a large and indifferent universe. All of Vonnegut's themes and obsessions, further developed or recycled in later work are evident here in a novel slightly more hopeful than most of his canon. It is suggested that ultimately Constant learns only that it is impossible to learn, that fate (and the Tralmafodorians) are impenetrable. On the basis of this novel Vonnegut was wholly claimed by the science fiction community (as the Hugo nomination demonstrated) but he did not reciprocate, feeling from the outset that to be identified as a science fiction writer could only limit his audience and trivialize his themes. His recurring character, the hack science fiction writer Kilgore Trout (prominent in SLAUGHERHOUSE-FIVE) was for Vonnegut a worst case version of the writer he didn't wish to become.Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007) is perhaps the most beloved American writer of the 20th century. His audience has built steadily since his first pieces in the 1950's. Vonnegut's 1968 novel, SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE has become a canonic war novel - with Joseph Heller's CATCH-22 the truest and darkest of all to have come from World War II. Vonnegut began as a science fiction writer and his early novels PLAYER PIANO and THE SIRENS OF TITAN were so categorized even as they appealed to a young audience far beyond science fiction readers. In the 1960's he became the writer most identified with the Baby Boomer generation. Like the novels of Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut's large body of work is now understood as unified. There is a consistency to his satirical insight, humor and anger which makes his work synergistic. The more of Kurt Vonnegut's work you read, the more the work resonates and the more you wish to read. Vonnegut's reputation - like Twain's - will grow steadily through the decades to come as his work grows in relevance, truthfulness and searing insight.

Want to learn more information about The Sirens of Titan (Kurt Vonnegut series)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Buy Cheap Mageborn: The Blacksmith's Son Review

Are you looking to buy Mageborn: The Blacksmith's Son? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Mageborn: The Blacksmith's Son. check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Mageborn: The Blacksmith's Son Review

At first, I was somewhat worried about reading this novel; the synopsis is pretty brief, and many of the other reviews at the time (shortly after publication) were short, "this is the only review I've written" types that I always assume are shills. At less than a buck though, I was willing to take a risk, and was pleasantly surprised. Manning's produced a novel that is an example of good, traditional fantasy. The writing is consistently fun and vivid, the pacing quick while still filling in the necessary detail, the dialogue scans well, and you can both believe in and empathize with the characters. The plot is also pretty decent; Mordecai, the protagonist, is the sole survivor of line of mages and nobles killed by assassins. Eventually his own magical powers develop, and over the period of a couple weeks he gets up to deeds of daring-do, somewhat predictably saving himself, friends and family in the process. While there isn't anything particularly inspired or new in Manning's magical system, plot, or worldbuilding, this is as good as most traditionally published fantasy novels and is well edited. Overall, a very solid effort, and well worth the price. I'd recommend this book to fantasy readers in general, and will read the sequel.

Mageborn: The Blacksmith's Son Overview

Mordecai's simple life as the son of a blacksmith is transformed by the discovery of his magical birthright. As he journeys to understand the power within him he is drawn into a dangerous plot to destroy the Duke of Lancaster and undermine the Kingdom of Lothion. Love and treachery combine to embroil him in events he was never prepared to face. What he uncovers will change his understanding of the past, and alter the future of those around him.To learn more about the book and upcoming novels in the series visit the author's page on facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-G-Manning/214166875287100

Want to learn more information about Mageborn: The Blacksmith's Son?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Purchase Cheap Shattered Dreams Review

Are you looking to buy Shattered Dreams? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Shattered Dreams. check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Cheapest Deals

Shattered Dreams Review

I am a little torn with this review - between 3 ½ and 4 stars.
Lady Elyssa Prescott has a limp from a childhood accident and is painfully aware of her `imperfection' thanks to the reaction of `society'. Her siblings are fiercely protective of her and want her to be happy. Her sisters create a correspondence romance, realise it is a mistake and then Elyssa's brother Harrison decides to distract her by inviting someone to charm her for a 2-week party at their country estate.
He calls upon an old school friend with a reputation for the ladies, Brentan Montgomery, Earl of Charfield and offers him a foal from one of his Arabian horses for simply escorting his sister socially - warning him to keep proper distance.
Before the ploy can even begin Brent meets Elyssa out riding and is enthralled by her. She is an outstanding rider and shares his love of horses. His attraction is genuine and he truly sees her wonderful qualities. For the first time in her life, she is made to feel desired and attractive. However, the agreement with her brother hangs in the air above them like a hatchet waiting to fall.
Alongside the development of their story, there is a parallel story of Harrison and Lady Cassandra. They meet again after 4 years, following a terrible scandal and betrayal, only to realise that they were unwilling pawns in a game and so much time has been lost. Real danger now puts all of their lives at stake.
I liked the story and very much liked the 2 main characters, but the secondary plot could have been a story in its own right.
Overall a good read, but not quite up there for a 5 star rating.

Shattered Dreams Overview

Brentan Montgomery, Earl of Charfield has one love - his stable of Arabian horses. When he is offered breeding rights to the Marquess of Fellingsdown's prize Arabian, El Solidar, if for two weeks he acts as companion to Fellingsdown's sister, he doesn't care if the reclusive Lady Elyssa has three chins and a dozen hairy moles, the prize at the end is worth anything he has to endure. But when he meets the elusive Lady Elyssa Prescott, all thoughts of gaining a prize Arabian colt disappear. He realizes he's met the woman of his dreams - if only he can keep her from discovering the deceit that brought them together and convince her that her imperfections don't matter to him. Lady Elyssa Prescott knows what it's like to be ridiculed and shunned. But when Brent Montgomery lets her glimpse a world where her limitations aren't important, she believes it's possible for her dreams to become a reality. Until she discovers the man with whom she's fallen in love was ‘hired' to offer her everything she's always dreamed of having.The cruel reality of a love built on deceit shatters both their dreams and threatens to destroy their lives forever.

Want to learn more information about Shattered Dreams?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Best Buy for Awaken the Highland Warrior Review

Are you looking to buy Awaken the Highland Warrior? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Awaken the Highland Warrior. check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Great Deals

Awaken the Highland Warrior Review

Awaken the Highland Warrior by Anita Clenney
Paranormal Romance -May 1st, 2011
4 stars
Inventive and charming, those who love Karen Marie Moning's time travel Highlander series will be sure to delight in this book!
After all these years, Bree finally thinks she has found a real treasure. But she is in the shock of her life when open the hidden vault and unearths a hunky highlander instead of gold! At first she can't believe she found a man inside, especially one named Faelan, who claims to be 150 years from the past! Even if he is handsome, he doesn't quite make up for loosing a whole lot of riches. And his outrageous claim that he comes from the past makes her doubt his sanity. However, when she discovers her Grandma's secret book and reads about fearless warriors with magical talismans who hunt demons to save humanity. She slowly starts to believe that he may be speaking the truth, no matter how fantastical it sounds. And he bears a striking resemblance to an old painting of a handsome rogue that she has often fantasized about. But according to her Grandma's book, these vaults are actually `time vaults' and used to hold demons until Judgement. So is Faelan an evil demon in disguise or the warrior of her heart?
I really liked the instant attraction between the two main characters and found myself quickly getting involved in this story. Bree is bright, mischievous and plucky. Faelan is determined to try to find the demon he hunted 150 years ago, but first he must learn this new world. It was fun to read him explore our modern times. Even though some of the story is a little outrageous, it made me only want to read more. The time vault particularly fascinated me. When it was opened many characters were very interested in it and this really adds mystery of the story. I also liked this book because Bree really grows and learns that she has more depth than even she believes. Girl power!
Surprising, entertaining and adventurous, I can only hope the author plans future books with more highland warriors!
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

Awaken the Highland Warrior Overview

Historian Bree Kirkland has always been in love with the past, but when she accidentally wakes an ancient Scottish warrior who's spent the past 150 years sleeping in her backyard, her present is suddenly fraught with danger. Faelan has awakened from the time vault ravenous--in more ways than one. He grieves for his lost family, wondering who sent the woman to wake him. If she's a demon, Faelan will have to kill her. If she's innocent, she's unleashed the gates of hell in her backyard. Either way they must rely on each other to save their future.


Want to learn more information about Awaken the Highland Warrior?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Special Prices for A Matter of Choice Review

Are you looking to buy A Matter of Choice? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on A Matter of Choice. check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Cheapest Deals

A Matter of Choice Review

It is so very reassuring to know that authors like Laura Landon will continue to bring beautiful, original stories to those of us who love English Regencies and Victorians. In A MATTER OF CHOICE, Allie and Joshua battle their very powerful magnetism for one another, certain that giving in to it would be a betrayal of every promise they've ever made to themselves. But in giving in, they fuel the fury of a man who would rather see them dead than happy. This is a great read, a great story, a great love.

A Matter of Choice Overview

Joshua Camden, Marquess of Montfort, will do everything in his power to save his precious Graystone Manor - even take a wife he doesn't want. But he isn't prepared for the one demand the woman who holds the power to save his precious Graystone makes - that he remain faithful forever. Lady Allison Townsend would rather go to her grave a spinster than marry a man who embarrasses her with his string of mistresses. But when she's given no choice but to marry one of London's most well-known rakes and womanizers, she refuses to go to the altar without a stipulation of her own - that the man she marries never share his bed with another woman.But neither Allison nor Joshua is prepared for the dangers they're forced to face and the choices they're forced to make to protect their happiness - as well as their hearts.

Want to learn more information about A Matter of Choice?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Best Buy for The Norton Anthology of Western Literature, Volume 1 Review

Are you looking to buy The Norton Anthology of Western Literature, Volume 1? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on The Norton Anthology of Western Literature, Volume 1. check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Great Deals

The Norton Anthology of Western Literature, Volume 1 Review

I purchased this book for a class, but was delighted to discover that I will definitely want to hang onto it afterwards. The translations chosen for the 'Ancient World' portion are, for the most part, delightfully vivid and capture the spirit of the original language. I also like the layout - the margin size is just perfect for taking notes.

The Norton Anthology of Western Literature, Volume 1 Overview

Read by millions of students over seven editions, The Norton Anthology of Western Literature remains the most trusted undergraduate survey of Western literature available and one of the most successful college texts ever published.
Firmly grounded by the hallmark strengths of all Norton anthologies-thorough and helpful introductory matter, judicious annotation, complete texts wherever possible-the Eighth Edition features a significantly expanded selection of literature (37 new authors and over 150 new pieces) as well as three new pedagogical features designed to enrich students' understanding of the historical and cultural context of the literary works.

Want to learn more information about The Norton Anthology of Western Literature, Volume 1?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

38% Off Discounts: Buy Cheap How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines Review

Are you looking to buy How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines. check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Cheapest Deals

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines Review

The author is an English professor at the University of Michigan and it becomes apparent quite quickly that he is one of those popular professors who is chatty and has lots of students signing up for his introductory courses on literature. The language is friendly and the examples are entertaining as well as informative. If I lived in Flint, I'd take his classes.
There have been many times I've read a book and just *known* the author is trying to impart more than I am taking away from the prose, and I hear about symbolism in literature, yet I have very little success finding it on my own. One time in high school I had a very good English teacher who would point out the symbolism in stories and novels, but he never told us how to do it, as this book does. With chapters on a wide range of topics (journeys, meals, poetry, Shakespeare, the Bible, mythology, fairy tales, weather, geography, violence, politics, sex and illness, among others) and a wide variety of examples, I found myself learning A LOT. Certainly this would not be of much value to a literature graduate student or professor, but for the rest of us this is a great introduction to getting more out of our reading (or viewing, as the author also touches on film, though to a lesser extent).
The book concludes with a test, in which you read a short story and interpret it using the principles put forth by Professor Foster, then interpretations by several students and Foster himself -- delightful and illuminating! Finally, the author gives a suggested reading/viewing list and an index.
Two problems with the book: first, as I mentioned, the style of the author is conversational, but sometimes to the point of being distracting; secondly, the topics covered are quite idiosyncratic, leaving out as many as are included, though the author addresses this. Still, I give the book 5 out of 5 because it was entertaining, accessible and it has improved my understanding and appreciation of subsequent books I've read and even films I've seen.

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines Overview

Want to learn more information about How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

41% Off Discounts: Purchase Cheap Nineteen Eighty-Four Review

Are you looking to buy Nineteen Eighty-Four? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Nineteen Eighty-Four. check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Nineteen Eighty-Four Review

Eric Arthur Blair was an important English writer that you probably already know by the pseudonym of George Orwell. He wrote quite a few books, but many believe that his more influential ones were "Animal farm" (1944) and "1984" (1948).In those two books he conveyed, metaphorically and not always obviously, what Soviet Russia meant to him.
I would like to make some comments about the second book, "1984". That book was written near his death, when he was suffering from tuberculosis, what might have had a lot to do with the gloominess that is one of the essential characteristics of "1984". The story is set in London, in a nightmarish 1984 that for Orwell might well have been a possibility, writting as he was many years before that date. Or maybe, he was just trying to warn his contemporaries of the dangers of not opposing the Soviet threat, a threat that involved a new way of life that was in conflict with all that the English held dear.
Orwell tried to depict a totalitarian state, where the truth didn't exist as such, but was merely what the "Big Brother" said it was. Freedom was only total obedience to the Party, and love an alien concept, unless it was love for the Party. The story is told from the point of view of Winston Smith, a functionary of the Ministry of Truth whose work involved the "correction" of all records each time the "Big Brother" decided that the truth had changed. The Party slogan said that "Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past", and they applied it constantly by "bringing up to date" the past so as to make it coincide with whatever the Party wanted.
From Winston Smith's point of view, many things that scare us are normal. For example, the omnipresence of the "Big Brother", always watching you, and the "Thought Police" that punishes treacherous thoughts against the Party. The reader feels the inevitability of doom that pervades the book many times, in phrases like "Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed forever. You might dodge successfully for a while, even for years, but sooner or later they were bound to get you".
Little by little, Winston begins to realize that things are not right, and that they should change. We accompany him in his attempt at subversion, and are unwilling witnesses of what that attempt brings about. This book is marked by hopelessness, but at the same time it is the kind of distressing book we all NEED to read...
Why do we need to read "1984"?. In my opinion, basically for two reasons. To start with, Orwell made in this book many observations that are no more merely fiction, but already things that manage to reduce our freedom. Secondly, and closelly linked to my first reason, this is a book that only gets better with the passing of time, as you can read in it more and more implications. One of Orwell's main reasons for writting this "negative utopia" might have been to warn his readers against communism, but many years after his death and the fall of communism, we can also interpret it as a caution against the excessive power of mass media, or the immoderate power of any government (even those who don't defend communism).
Technological innovation should be at the service of men, and allow them to live better lives, but it can be used against them. I guess that is one of Orwell's lessons, probably the most important one. All in all, I think you can benefit from reading this book. Because of that, I highly recommend it to you :)
Belen Alcat

Nineteen Eighty-Four Overview

Want to learn more information about Nineteen Eighty-Four?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Purchase Cheap The Rose Killer Review

Are you looking to buy The Rose Killer? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on The Rose Killer. check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Lowest Price Offers

The Rose Killer Review

We've all been lured by the description of the idyllic small town, where everyone you meet is friendly and helpful. Where you can walk a few blocks to the Post Office for a chat while you mail a package, or drop into the local diner for a quick lunch with friends. Where everyone you meet on the street gives you a warm greeting. But how would you react if you found out your next door neighbor, that great guy you knew growing up, might be a serial killer? Or the mailman you've chatted with over the years and even given your fresh-baked cookies, suddenly acts far more menacing? This is the small town Ms. Gragg writes about with such authenticity. Best friends might not be your friend at all, the babysitter down the block might turn out to be your worst nightmare. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be looking for more from this author.

The Rose Killer Overview

What readers are saying:"The Rose Killer is clever, chilling and deliciously disturbing.""I read at work, at Lunch, Home anywhere I could because I didnt want to put it down.""In the tradition of Hitchcock and Capote, this book is all the more chilling because of the intrusion of terror into ordinary small-town life." A small Kansas town. A serial killer.A young widow tormented by unanswered questions. Was Valerie Yates' late husband, a police officer, hunting for the Rose Killer on his own? What was his relationship with the beautiful young woman who was the Rose Killer's third victim? Valerie's search for the truth uncovers the dark secrets of her idyllic little town and puts her squarely in the Rose Killer's path. The question now is: Will she survive?

Want to learn more information about The Rose Killer?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Buy Cheap George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle: A Song of Ice and Fire Series: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and A Feast for Crows Review

Are you looking to buy George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle: A Song of Ice and Fire Series: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and A Feast for Crows? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle: A Song of Ice and Fire Series: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and A Feast for Crows. check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Great Deals

George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle: A Song of Ice and Fire Series: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and A Feast for Crows Review

I stumbled across this page and saw a handful of 1-star reviews that left me puzzled. Then I realized that all of them were regarding the supposedly-poor quality of the Kindle version. Well, I can't tell you anything about the Kindle version. I'm one of those old-school guys, so I bought the paperback set, and it's undoubtedly worth the money. Obviously, the content is 5-star worthy (see the reviews for each individual book), so I'm going to limit my review to the box set itself. This set contains each of the first four books in the Song of Ice and Fire Series (that's A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and A Feast for Crows), with all-new cover artwork. Out of all the versions released, this is the most visually enrapturing artwork yet. The novels are brightly colored and contain designs that are brilliant in their simplicity. The outer box contains some high-quality shots from the upcoming HBO series.
Highly recommended for:
-Someone who's never read A Song of Ice and Fire. This is the place to start, and a great value too (4 loooong books for $23).
-Longtime fans whose old paperback copies are worn from reading and re-reading in anticipation of A Dance With Dragons.
-Hardcore series collectors who want to own the best versions.
I lent my older copies of this series to my ex-girlfriend, and since I never got them back, I decided that this box set was a worthy purchase. I'm so satisfied with it, I can honestly say that I don't miss the books I lost, not even one bit. I've posted some pictures of the box set so you can decide for yourself if you like its look enough to drop the money.

George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle: A Song of Ice and Fire Series: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and A Feast for Crows Overview

George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series has become, in many ways, the gold standard for modern epic fantasy. Martin-dubbed the "American Tolkien" by Time magazine-has created a world that is as rich and vital as any piece of historical fiction, set in an age of knights and chivalry and filled with a plethora of fascinating, multidimensional characters that you love, hate to love, or love to hate as they struggle for control of a divided kingdom. It is this very vitality that has led it to be adapted as the HBO miniseries “Game of Thrones."This bundle includes the following novels: A GAME OF THRONES A CLASH OF KINGS A STORM OF SWORDS A FEAST FOR CROWS

Want to learn more information about George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle: A Song of Ice and Fire Series: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and A Feast for Crows?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Best Price Once a Princess Review

Are you looking to buy Once a Princess? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Once a Princess. check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Cheapest Deals

Once a Princess Review

Once upon a time there was a baby princess born in the small European country of Cardinia. Her name was Tatiana Janacek and her father was the king. Her life should have been an endless parade of balls, cotillions and fairy-tale dreams, but before her first birthday her world shattered. Her entire family was killed in a blood-feud that destroyed the royal house of Cardinia and her own life was threatened before it even had a chance to begin. So, the new king, Sandor, held a ceremony to betroth Tatiana to his son, Stefan, and then the only remaining Janacek was spirited away to the wilds of America. Unfortunately, the bad luck she'd faced in Cardinia followed Tatiana to the new world and the woman who accompanied her on the harrowing journey died the moment they reached America. Tatiana never had the chance to learn of her noble ancestry or even to know her own birthday. Left in the care of a tavern-owner and his wife, Tatiana grew up as Tanya Dobbs. In her formative years she suffered greatly at the hands of the man she believed to be her father. Beatings and emotional abuse were Tanya's constant companions. Now in her 20s, the man who abused her so grievously must depend on her for his care. With his incapacitation, Tanya is finally able to take control of her life and the tavern where she was barely better than a slave will soon be hers. Thus, the woman who should have been the queen of a country finally becomes ruler of her own destiny.
In the land of Cardinia, king Sandor's health is failing. The rigors and responsibilities of ruling are taking their toll on him and he feels it would be in his country's best interest if he turns the reins over to his son, Stefan. His last wish as king, and possibly the last wish of his life, is for his son Stefan to journey to America, find the now-grown Princess Tatiana, bring her back to her homeland and marry her. Stefan is completely against the idea. Not only does he have no desire to marry a woman he's never met, he's sure the pampered princess will turn out to be extremely beautiful. Unlike most men who would be thrilled at the prospect of a beautiful bride, Stefan suffered an horrific accident when he was younger. While trying to save his younger brother from a pack of rampaging wolves, his face was disfigured. Left scarred physically and emotionally, Stefan has resigned himself to a life of scorn from beautiful women. Though reluctant, Stefan decides to honor his father's last wish and journeys to America with three of his friends.
What follows is one of Johanna Lindsey's best stories as Tanya becomes accustomed to the idea that she's actually a lost foreign princess and Stefan learns that not all beautiful women are shallow and self-serving. I've always found everything about this book engaging. The plot, the dialogue, the characters, the setting all come together for an amazing read. Tanya is probably one of Ms. Lindsey's most likeable heroines. Tough, sassy, brave and completely capable of taking care of herself, Tanya's had to work for a living her entire life. Stefan is a unique hero, with deep emotional scars and he's the perfect compliment for Tanya, who has also suffered greatly in her young life. Together their love story is tender and touching. You'll cheer when they finally get together!
Not only are the main characters some of the best in Ms. Lindsey's outstanding career, the secondary characters in the form of Stefan's personal guard are all intriguing, highly likeable men. You'll be thrilled to know that his cousin Vasili gets a story of his own (the sequel to this book, _You Belong To Me_) and you'll wish, as I do, that Ms. Lindsey would continue the story of Cardinia with the stories of Serge and Lazar.
I've been a fan of Ms. Lindsey's work for over a decade. I've read each of her books numerous times and still savor each book like it's brand new. In fact, most of Ms. Lindsey's work is some of my all-time favorites in this genre. Such is the case with _Once A Princess_, the classic fairy-tale story of Tanya Dobbs, a European princess turned Mississippi barmaid and Stefan Barany, the arrogant king who wins her heart.

Once a Princess Overview

Once Upon A Time...In a rustic Missiissippi tavern, a beautiful exiled princess was forced to dance for the pleasure of others--unaware of her regal birthright...and infuriated by a magnificent golden-eyed devil who crossed an ocean to possess her.From A Far Off Land...
A bold and brazen prince came to America to claim his promised bride. But the spirited vixen spurned his affections while inflaming his royal blood with passion's fire...impelling virile Stefan Barany to take in sensuous and searing conquest the love Tatiana vowed never to yield.




Want to learn more information about Once a Princess?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Purchase Cheap I Love the Earl Review

Are you looking to buy I Love the Earl? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on I Love the Earl. check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

I Love the Earl Review

I truly enjoyed the book, the plot was a bit predictable but even so it had me laughing and intrigued non the less.
The Heroine is a 30 year old spinter that recently had the "luck" of having her brother become a Duke. Her brother settles an exuberant dowry on her making her a heiress an obviously the desired wife of any penniless men. The hero is of course one of the penniless man in pursuit but boy is he charming, sexy and just down right lovable. The brother of course dosn't want a fortun hunter for his sister and there comes the conflict...The premise of the book is not unusual but the dialogs are fun and you get to feel the story and the romance in it, which is what I most enjoy in a book. So yes I would recommend it for an afternoon read. Note: this is not a full length novel (11 chapters) it took me about 3 to 4 hours to read...

I Love the Earl Overview

A single ladyin possession of a good fortunemust be in want of a suitor

Margaret de Lacey has accepted her unmarried statewith dignity, if not delight. She had no suitors when she wasyoung and starry-eyed, though regrettably poor,and it's unlikely any man will court her now that she's older,wiser, and still just as penniless. Until, that is,her brother unexpectedly inherits the dukedom of Durhamand settles an enormous dowry on her, making herthe most eligible heiress in town.

No gentleman in London is more in need of a wealthybride than Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling. He contrives anintroduction to Margaret because of her dowry, but sheswiftly sets him right: no fortune hunter will win her heart orher hand. Far from put off, Rhys is intrigued. Interested.Entranced. And soon the only thing he needsmore than Margaret's fortune . . . is her love.


Want to learn more information about I Love the Earl?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Best Price A Proper Mistress Review

Are you looking to buy A Proper Mistress? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on A Proper Mistress. check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

A Proper Mistress Review

Theodore "Theo" Winslow is a second son. A young man who hero worships and does his best to emulate his elder wastrel of a brother. Their father uses threats and intimidations to keep them in line by disinheriting and then re-inheriting the elder as a means of control. Theo, thinking to put an end to their father's controlling tactics sets out to have himself disowned in order to have his elder brother reinstated. His plan is to bring home a thoroughly crass and totally unsuitable `bride' and so goes to Sallie Ellis' brothel where he negotiates for one of her `working girls' to pose as his intended. Sallie, not having any `working girls' to spare, coerces her cook, the very young and beautiful virgin - Molly Sweet to take on the position. Molly, born a lady but through a twist of fate, found herself employed in the brothel as a cook had a dream of one day buying and cooking in her own inn. Sallie knew this and used that knowledge as a bargaining chip. So with the tempting offer of fifty pounds for a few days work - Sallie convinced Molly to think of the next few days as a holiday `posing and dressing' as a doxy without having to do any of the physical requirements.
Initially, both Theo and Molly agree to this as nothing more than a business arrangement, but as Molly began slipping in and out of a doxy -like character, Theo finds he is beginning to want a few more liberties. His sweet Miss Sweet is beginning to worm her way into his devil-may-care heart and he finds he just may want to get a little more personal. And, after a few of Theo's kisses, Molly who'd never been kissed before, wouldn't have minded a few more of those kisses herself!
This Regency novel by Shannon Donnelly's is a wonderfully satisfying, deftly plotted delight. The excellent characterizations of the lead protagonists are handled in a way that will endear the sweet "Miss Sweet' into the readers heart. The humor of the double entendres that Theo whips past Molly is really cute and superbly handled by this author. Molly is a sweetheart and under her tutelage Theo finally grew up! If I have any complaint at all, it is that it ended too soon as it was such a warm and fuzzy read one just wanted it to last forever. --- Marilyn, Official Reviewer for www.historicalromancewriters.com ----

A Proper Mistress Overview

Want to learn more information about A Proper Mistress?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Special Prices for Buenas noches a todos / The Going to Bed Book (Spanish edition) Review

Are you looking to buy Buenas noches a todos / The Going to Bed Book (Spanish edition)? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Buenas noches a todos / The Going to Bed Book (Spanish edition). check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Lowest Price Offers

Buenas noches a todos / The Going to Bed Book (Spanish edition) Review

"The Going to Bed Book" is a favorite of my little nephew. I've read it to him since he was an infant ... but he doesn't know almost any English. So you can imagine I looked forward to the Spanish version, so that I could read both to him for some bilingual cuddle time. BIG MISTAKE! This translation is one of the worst I've ever seen in terms of capturing the spirit of the original.
Sure, in literal terms, the following express the same dictionary meaning:
(English) "They hang their towels on the wall / and find pajamas, big and small."
(Spanish, back-translated) "They hang their towels on the wall / and look for pajamas, big and little, as you can see."
(Cuelgan las toallas en la pared / y buscan piyamas grandes y pequeñas, como se ve.)
Gone is the rhyme. Gone is the use of small, familiar words so the child can pretend to "read" along. There's an occasional rhyme ("resquicio" / "ejercicio"), but for the most part it's a charmless and clumsy butchering of the text we loved so much.
You may think it's asking too much to expect a translated version to be as good as the original. It's not. Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham is delightful in Spanish. Sandra Boynton's own Moo, Baa, La, La, La has a Spanish translation that's as precious and easy to read as you could ever want (see my review of Muú, Beee, Así Fue). It's tricky work and requires careful substitution, but it can be done if a company does what is necessary to secure a good translation. This time they didn't -- maybe next time they will.

Buenas noches a todos / The Going to Bed Book (Spanish edition) Overview

Want to learn more information about Buenas noches a todos / The Going to Bed Book (Spanish edition)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Lowest Price Tradición y cambio: Lecturas sobre la cultura latinoamericana contemporánea (Spanish Edition) Review

Are you looking to buy Tradición y cambio: Lecturas sobre la cultura latinoamericana contemporánea (Spanish Edition)? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Tradición y cambio: Lecturas sobre la cultura latinoamericana contemporánea (Spanish Edition). check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Great Deals

Tradición y cambio: Lecturas sobre la cultura latinoamericana contemporánea (Spanish Edition) Review

Book was for a class my son had this summer in his hometown. He is back at school now, but he seemed to like the book OK.

Tradición y cambio: Lecturas sobre la cultura latinoamericana contemporánea (Spanish Edition) Overview

A standard text in Latin American culture courses, this unique collection of diverse readings and exclusive interviews focuses on the dynamic tension between tradition and change in contemporary Latin American culture from the Caribbean to Central and South America, including Brazil. The thematic approach of Tradición y cambio highlights key issues in Latin American culture; the selections explore how those issues (such as urbanization or the changing role of the family) alter, enrich, or confound the traditional cultural values and institutions.

Want to learn more information about Tradición y cambio: Lecturas sobre la cultura latinoamericana contemporánea (Spanish Edition)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

21% Off Discounts: Purchase Cheap Realidades 3 (Spanish Edition) Review

Are you looking to buy Realidades 3 (Spanish Edition)? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Realidades 3 (Spanish Edition). check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Lowest Price Offers

Realidades 3 (Spanish Edition) Review

Purchase arrived in timely manner. No problems. No disappointments. Great way to save some cash.

Realidades 3 (Spanish Edition) Overview

Want to learn more information about Realidades 3 (Spanish Edition)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

1% Off Discounts: Buy Cheap Realidades 3 (Spanish Edition) Review

Are you looking to buy Realidades 3 (Spanish Edition)? here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Realidades 3 (Spanish Edition). check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Cheapest Deals

Realidades 3 (Spanish Edition) Review

The book is in excellent condition and we are very satisfied with the book and service.

Realidades 3 (Spanish Edition) Overview

Want to learn more information about Realidades 3 (Spanish Edition)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...