5 comments about Donnie Brasco.

1. Agent Pistone is a hero. His willingness to go deep undercover for years to clean house on organized crime is amazing. I wouldn't have done it and salute his willingness to put this mission ahead of his own life.
   
   Joe Pistone got and grew a unique assignment for the FBI. Starting with car theft rings, he was able to penetrate and become a made member of an organized crime family. As his association and the opportunity for deeper penetration grew, he had to live more and more of his life with the mob. This entailed no dinners at home, missed children's birthdays, weeks without seeing his family and the stress of always being in character for long, long periods of time.
   
   Through this book, the reader gets a day-to-day view of the mob. Often bored as only guys with too much time on their hands and nothing to talk about except cars and girls can be, his existence is enlivened by the sudden forays to steal and kill (he was able to avoid involvement in any murders, helped save many and avoided direct involvement in theft). Playing on the greed of Mafioso and the seeming ability of Donnie to connect them with money making scams in Florida, the mob lets Donnie in and eventually become an insider. Along the way, the reader gets to see mob guys at work, at play (particularly eating and spending money until they were broke), scheming against other made family members, and living the life with all the swagger and pride having "made" the mob gives these hoods.
   
   Pistone was incredibly successful. His wires and testimony lead to the arrest, conviction and deaths (through mob killing of some of those who had vouched him up the organization) of many mobsters. This is a fascinating story.



2. I'd put money that you've already seen the movie. What you wanna know is if the book is any good/better/different, right? I'd say different. For example in the book "Donnie" is much older, perhaps over forty - his kids are in high school, whereas as I recall Jonny Depp's Donnie was late twenties/early thirties perhaps, with pre-school-ish kids....Maybe that's not a big deal. A bigger difference is much of the tension in the book comes from one of Donnie's early connections and sparring partners, Tony, who feuds with Lefty over "control" of Donnie - this is a very important strand in Donnie's rise in the Mafia, and as I recall wasn't in the movie at all. Bottom line is there is far more in the book than the bare bones story told in the film, and it's a well told tale. Forgettaboutit, just buy it....



3. Gripping story of Joe Pistone posing undercover as Donnie Brasco for 6 years (!) to infiltrate the mob. As I read the story, I couldn't help but keep thinking how brave and street-smart this guy is. One slip and he's a dead man! Pistone thoroughly covered all his bases to maintain his fake identity. In the end, after the FBI agents announced to his mob ties that Donnie was actually an undercover agent all this time, they doubted it could be possible, and told the agents their was no way Donnnie was working undercover. That's how good this guy was!



4. like it much better that movie- so much more insight- get it if you are interested in this topic!



5. than the mob. Congratulations to anyone who does anything to reduce its influence and send its members to prison. Criminal trial attorney inner-city courts in a very large city, 30 years, state and fed prosecutor, and in my estimation this FBI agent is about as heroic as they come. Talk about role models. Forget about sports stars and pay attention to this former FBI agent and what he did for all of us.

5 comments about The Kid: What Happened After My Boyfriend and I Decided to Go Get Pregnant.

1. I felt I had to respond after one person failed miserably in reading comprehension. First, in the beginning of the book Savage made the point and he and Terry had discussed infidelity and were committed enough to their relationship that that would not be enough to break them up. As to the claims about the birthmother being mentally ill, they took care to show that she wasn't. She was able to care for herself, make logical decisions and was sane enough to know that her chosen lifestyle made it impossible to be a good mother to her son, hence choosing adoption. And they didn't relocate to get away from her. They lived in Seattle and used an agency there. She was currently living in Portland, but since she regularly moved from city to city, it wasn't an issue. In fact, those who bother to read the whole thing will discover a chapter in which they flew to L.A. to meet with her after the birth and to allow the birthfather to see the baby. (And according to the legal agreement they signed, they can't keep her from seeing the kid a certain number of times a year, and Savage himself deplored the fact that some adoptive parents don't follow the signed agreements.) A lot of the other complaints seem based on the fact that the reviewer could not tell sarcastic humor from genuine sentiment. Savage is not a hearts&roses style writer. He's a hardcore cynic and likes making shocking jokes, like his fake birthmother letter in which he jests about having drug addicted friends babysit. For every time he made a joke about a baby as an expensive hobby, he also mentioned looking forward to being able to teach him to walk and talk and later watching his Little League games. Plenty of other writers have made similar jokes about their children - Erma Bombeck said she wanted to trade hers in for dogs, Bill Cosby has written about wanting to send his to jail for being annoying. It has nothing to do with how they actually parent - they're just trying for a laugh. Plus, if he really thought it was just a lark, would he and his boyfriend have gone through so much to adopt?
   
   This book has left me much more optomistic about gay adoption, but pessimistic as to the literacy of people on the internet.



2. This is an incredibly honest recounting of how the author and his boyfriend adopted a child. It was fascinating to read about "open adoption", at the time of the book only legal in three states, Washington, Oregon and New Mexico. This system is where the birth mother is allowed to choose the adopting couple and continues to visit the child after giving birth. Worried that no young mother would choose a gay couple, they still go through with the grueling application and review process and are rewarded by being the first couple in their orientation group to be picked. The mother is truly a fascinatingly real character and Savage does a wonderful job portraying her. The scene at the hospital when they finally take the baby is heart wrenching and the author beautifully explains how experiencing the mother's grief completely validates the open adoption approach. This simple book encompasses so much about the human condition it becomes a spiritual beacon of tolerance and compassion.



3. This is such a cute, humorous and honest story; a very entertaining and easy read.



4. I love adoption stories and after hearing Dan Savage on "This American Life" talk about the impact of TV on his young son I wanted to read this book. "The Kid" reminded me of Clara: The Early Years: The Story of the Pug Who Ruled My Life, in which the author relates the tale of adopting her son from Russia (despite the title). Adoption stories are often as long, complicated, and painful as stories of recovery from addiction. There is always a beginning of tenuous hope, a middle riddled with nagging fear, and finally, an end of joyful success which is only the beginning of a new life. Dan Savage writes with wonderful honesty and humor about an authenically scary life decision. His true talent as a writer shines forth in this book. It's a fun read and informative as well if you're planning to adopt.



5. The book was totally amusing - I found myself having to stop reading in several places to laugh out loud.
   
   Dan expressed so well the urge of all humans - gay and straight - to leave something of themselves behind in their children.
   
   For us straight people, it was a nice introduction to the world of gay people. Explaining the lifestyle - and how very much the same we all are.
   
   I'm very much looking forward to reading his other books now.

4 comments about The Gospel and Epistles of John: A Concise Commentary.

1. This concise commentary on the Gospel and epistles of John, at less than 130 pages, packs in an immense amount of Father Brown's unparalleled scholarship while retaining his typically fresh and readable style. If Fr. Brown's work is the perfect way for Christians to delve deep into Catholic and Orthodox biblical studies, this book is the perfect introduction to his work. If you've read one of his massive tomes (which themselves are highly recommended, but be prepared for an intellectual commitment), this one may seem a bit thin, but even so it will be worthwhile.



2. While I can't quite place this book of Father Brown's on the same level as his "Crucified Christ In Holy Week" or "A Once and Coming Spirit At Pentecost," this book of Father Brown's is still well done and presents some things we should know as Christians. One of the most airheaded things I have ever heard about the Gospel According to John was that she didn't like it because of its hostile tone. Well, she apparently didn't know that at the time this 4th Gospel was written, the early Christians were being persecuted by the Jewish authorities. It was NOT my priest who made this airheaded comment, but it was someone in authority. She apparently doesn't read much about why the Gospels were written. What Father Brown does in this book is that he gives you the text from the Gospel According to John as well as the Epistles from John. And he provides his commentaries beneath the passages. (It's virtually a sermon on the the whole Gospel According to John as well as his epistles.) Some interesting points Father Brown raises is that John the Baptist is foreshadowed in Isaiah 40:3 as well as Malichi 3:1. Also, he points out that the reason Jesus may have chased out the money changers was to emphasize that burnt offerings were outdated. (Amongst other things, why waste money or kill the animals if there is no point?) We all have heard the story of the Good Samaritan. In this book, Father Brown explains that a Samaritan is a Jew who only acknowledges the first 5 Books of the Old Testament and to some extent follows some Pagan beliefs. (Today, we could see that as perhaps saying that the most religious person is not the most holy. A moderate church goer who knows some things and tries to be a good person may come off better than someone who knows the Bible inside and out.) As Christians, we know that Pentecost is the Descent of the Holy Spirit. Father Brown explains that this goes back to a Jewish tradition. 50 days after Passover, the Jews would have a feast that renewed their covenant with Moses. He also brings up how many people who don't like Christians consider the communion cannibalistic. (My priest actually brought that issue up recently.) If anything, the Eucharist is MUCH CLOSER to a wedding. (2 becoming one flesh) As most of us know, Jesus had his clashes with the Jewish authorities, and he would often defeat them by throwing their questions back at them. If we are willing to see the side of Jesus' enemies, we can understand their position. They had been taught (and not without some elements of fear) that strict adherence to the letter of the law was required. Now Jesus comes along and starts pointing out the flaws in their religion and contradicts their way of life by saying that it's alright to bend the law if it means doing a greater good. So we can easily understand the divided opinions of the religious authorities. This will mount to not only hostility towards Jesus, but hostility between the authorities who like Jesus and the ones who oppose him. Interestingly, only John mentions the Palms during Jesus' march into Jerusalem. (Hence: Palm Sunday) John makes Jesus more powerful by deleting Jesus' agony at Gethsemane; there is also no Simon of Cyrene to help Jesus carry his cross. Jesus also almost seems in full control of the crucifixion. Father Brown also presents an interesting interpretation of Pilate. Pilate could NOT have been ignorant of Christ. Interestingly, Father Brown explains that if we had any sympathy for the religious authorities who opposed Jesus, it disappears when they apparently accept Caesar as their king to have Christ crucified. Even if not voluntarily, Pilate seems to accept Jesus in a way. The sign he has hung on the cross ("This Is the King of the Jews") almost indicates this. As Father Brown says, this: "...ironically indicates that the Gentiles will ultimately uphold the kingship of Christ." After the resurrection at Easter, John makes Jesus more powerful by having him breathe on the apostles to give them the Holy Spirit. (In "Luke" they have to wait for some time.) One final thing worth pointing out is that Father Brown points out that the biggest weapon against our own imperfect natures it to recognize our wrong doings. He could very well be saying that being a Christian does not mean being without sin. Rather, it is to recognize our faults and try to rise above them. While I can't quite hold this book as vital as Father Brown's "A Crucified Christ In Holy Week," this is still a great book to read and study.



3. Excellent tool to expand my knowledge and to know a more precise perspective of the gospel and epistles of John.



4. A clear and concise exploration of the New Testament Traditon of John in the exegetical method through exploration of themes and overarching messages of the Jesus tradition as portrayed in John. Primarily using accurate historical consideration (ie. geographic, class, and other differences of the time)to explain the written and translated text in an understandable way.

5 comments about A Treasury of Great American Scandals: Tantalizing True Tales of Historic Misbehavior by the Founding Fathers and Others Who Let Freedom Swing.

1. There seems to be a side of Americans that they do not want to believe the mud being slung at every election since it's birth. The message is not so much how horrible some of the icons of our history have been but how there really is nothing new under the sun. They were as human and as prone to use their power for selfish purposes as any modern day leader. Mr. Farquhar tastefully avoids recent history in an attempt to remain objective and not bring in the emotionally charged scandals of our own day. The stories he tells can garner a chuckle now because they are all relatively distanct memories to us at the most. If you would prefer to keep your heros on pedastals, you probably want to avoid this book. Some of the stories leave a lot to interpretation in determining if it was true or if Mr. Farquhar is telling only parts of the story that make it seem true - those you will have to judge on your own. For the most part though, Mr. Farquhar appears to offer dissenting opinion on matters and avoids pronouncing historic dogma. Most of the stories are rather petty familial disputes unrelated to matters of real corruption in government and such. Perhaps avoiding the more weightier matters of government is best in a light-hearted treatment of history like this one. The serious matters are perhaps better served in a serious history. Like it or not, this book is purely for a light-hearted escape at the expense of a few public families in our past.



2. Some of the scandals in the book aren't exactly scandals by today's standards or are so well known we regard them as hardly shocking. And indeed, some stories we already knew.
   But the lay out of the book is in such a way that it provides an ease with reading. A book with short stories on scandals is always a fun read. I'm often traveling on public transportation and find that it's nice to read when I have the chance, but find it frustrating to leave a good story in the middle of the tale because I've arrived at my destination or the break isn't long enough to finish the chapter. But this book, and the others this author has written, is set up so that leaving in the middle of a chapter doesn't happen that often. Plus, you can flip through and pick a topic at will.
   I really enjoyed this book, and have read his other two books and ejoyed them as well. I recommend it.



3. For everyone who's a history fan but doesn't necessarily like long and dry historical accounts, check this book out. It offers bits of history with lots of detail (and some wit) but not in a long format. And there's a large variety of people that are covered: politicians, explorers, presidents, lovers of politicians, and so on. I have all the books by Mr. Farquhar and enjoy reading them again and again. Something to read at the beach, on the subway, at any lull in one's day. It'll add to your knowledge of American history. Fun.



4. This book was hysterical. It exposed some of our most revered historical heros as the plain, living men they really were. Not perfect, but just like us. Only sometimes they liked to duel with each other to death. I don't think that would fly today.
   
   Now I want to read his book on Royal scandals!



5. As this enjoyable book is a quick read, here's my quick take on it:
   
   Reading the pithy, juicy anecdotes that Michael Fraquhar provides prompted me to read further into the stories of the characters and events portrayed herein.
   
   Yep, it got me to learn MORE history than is contained between its covers! Nice work, Mr. Farquhar.

5 comments about Cosmic Trigger I : Final Secret of the Illuminati (Cosmic Trigger).

1. I was amazed at several of the reviews here which give this book a low rating. They say it was "unreadable", "silly" "garbage" and other such put-downs, just because they were unable to comprehend it. This book has so many levels to it that many people WON'T get it (unfortunately) but just because quantum equations look like a bunch of scribbles to me, I don't go around referring to quantum physics as "silly" "garbage".
   
   This is one of the best books on ontology and the nature of reality for the layman which has ever been written (or at least in the top ten). Please keep in mind, all who would criticise, that just because you yourself were not properly equipped to understand and enjoy this volume, that does not make it drivel. R.A.W., one of the best, at his best.
   
   Rest in peace Mr. Wilson....



2. After reading this book, I tuned in another reality tunnel (you'll understand what I meant after reading the book).
   
   What can I say, I recommend this book to ultimate freedom seekers and the ones(probably the same people) that enjoyed Carlos Castaneda series( especially Journey to Ixtlan).
   
   Great writing, great man, great insight. I'd have to write a book just as a review for this one so I'll stop here :-)



3. "Cosmic Trigger" is worth reading both for its historical value and its relevance today. Many of the important figures of the 60's and 70's, like Tim Leary, J Edgar Hoover and Robert A Wilson, are dead and gone, but the problems they represented are still with us. Permit me to quote one paragraph:
   
   "Paul Watzlavik, among others, has performed classic experiments in which totally sane people will begin to behave with all the irrationality of hospitalized paranoids or schizophrenics - just because they have been lied to in a calculated and systematic way. This sort of 'disinformation' matrix is so typical of many aspects of our society (e.g. advertizing and organized religion, as well as government) that some psychiatrists, such as R.D. Laing, claim it is the principal cause of psychotic breakdowns. When the politics of lying becomes normal, paranoia and alienation become the 'normality' of the day. The government, as the principal liar of the 1960's, was, of course, more deluded than anyone else, since its reality-map had become a classic disinformation system. The establishment began looking around for the villains to blame for the escalating social disintegration. Tim Leary got elected, by unanimous acclaim, Villain #1."
   
   Nominations are now open for Villain #1 of this decade. Osama seems to be leading.



4. Robert Anton Wilson is a very strange man. Here he writes about all
   sorts of things, conspiracies, magic, the occult, weird happenings and
   how lots of things like this tie together and are meaningful. The other
   funny thing is the whole numerology bit, where the number twenty-three
   is seen as being very important, and turns up in all sorts of places.



5. Yes, "far out" are the first and last words that come to my head when I think of this most unique experience of a book.
   
   It's one of my favorite books as I am at a complete loss to classify it. More books should defy categorization like this does. Other reviews will give you details of what it contains.
   
   I'm just going to express my awe at the facility with which Robert Anton Wilson can jump from one subject to another and still consistently hold my interest.

5 comments about The Final Days.

1. 
   a good historical review of Nixon. Especially how tape crazy he was. A little tough reading in few pages but picks up after a while. It should be required reading for college to show what cn really happen in the White House.



2. I was absorbed by this book. It's story is so compelling and amazing, I couldn't put it down. I also appreciate the writing style that made difficult content easier to understand and follow. I consider this one of the best books I have ever read and an incredible insight into the Nixon mind.



3. This gripping narrative takes us inside the White House during the last days of the Nixon administration in 1974. From inside we see President Nixon, his advisors, family, and congressional allies trying to stave off his inevitable downfall from the Watergate scandal. Readers see how Nixon tried to claim executive privilege to avoid releasing the "smoking gun" tape that proved he'd ordered the cover-up. Even after he surrendered the tape (by Supreme Court order) Nixon refused to resign until his fast-deserting congressional allies warned him that his impeachment and conviction were now certain. The authors credit General Alexander Haig for holding the White House together as Nixon unraveled, but pay less attention to Vice President Gerald Ford, a non-participant except for later when he gave Nixon a questionable full pardon. There's also a review of the two-year scandal and the President's adversaries (Leon Jaworski, Sam Ervin, John Dean, etc.) but this narrative is based inside the White House. Readers see that Nixon was very capable but also a lying, crooked tax cheat, one whose administration was awash in payoffs, hush money, bribes, and political espionage.
   
   Authors Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein first uncovered the Watergate Scandal as reporters for the Washington Post in June of 1972. Having begun Nixon's downfall, perhaps it's fitting that they should chronicle that descent with this superb narrative, plus their earlier effort ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN.



4. This is a fascinating book regardless of your political persuasion or feelings about Richard Nixon. The detailed account of the last days of the administration reveals the human side of the names and faces you saw on the news everyday back then or read about in other books since then.



5. The American body politic cuts the president a great deal of error slack. We witnessed that during the Watergate years of Richard Nixon and we see it again in the presidency of George W. Bush. Both instances also point out one major fact of the American political landscape. No matter what they achieve or how high their popularity, if a President does the wrong things, they can crash down with great force.
   This book is one of the greatest political chronicles of all time. So great that no fiction writer could possibly create a story with such dynamism, force and sheer magnitude. Woodward and Bernstein were the reporting team that kept the Watergate story alive and ultimately led to Nixon's resignation. In this book, they describe the final days of the Nixon presidency and how the people involved tried to salvage what value they could and move on to the next phase.
   The greatest message of the book is the demonstration of how powerful and resilient the American political system is. Despite the slow pace of discovery, tortuous maneuvers by the prosecution and countermoves by the Nixon defense team, the system worked and worked well. The highest government official in the United States was a party to criminal acts and was removed without a shot being fired. There are few countries in the world where that could have taken place. It is one more demonstration of how extraordinary the writers of the American constitution were. Despite all of the changes in how the world works, advances in technology and other marvels of the age, a system put in place nearly two hundred years earlier functioned to near perfection.

5 comments about Orlando: A Biography.

1. This is a review among many reviews and will leave out the tale of the story assuming it has already been read here. This tremendous novel is one of my two favorites. "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez also luxuriously takes the reader through a lifetime that lasts many lifetimes in length. The reader becomes a traveler through a society, culture and location while watching time fly by at a rate 2-5 times that of the lives we actually live. Both stories give the reader a sense that judgement about experience can extend to generations of experience and not just to one's single, private, say, 80 year period. The benefit of reading these books, to young readers who are trying to stretch their own personal horizons, is beyond belief.
   
   Each story is a gift from it's author on a level seen almost no where else. With all modesty I'll say that they are imaginative, funny and compelling.
   
   Another text that transcends the perspective of one lifetime in one person's viewfinder is "Foundation and it's Trilogy" although that work of science fiction is simply not in the class of literature of the other two.



2. I read Orlando because someone told me that a central theme was Knole, the massive great house of the Sackvilles in Sevenoaks, in Kent south west of London. (I also liked Mrs Dalloway--See my Amazon review.) When we lived in London my family and I spent a day at Knole. It is supposedly the largest private house in England. Much of it now belongs to the National Trust. Knole beggars description--it is a vast mansion, brooding, and dark, but also eminent; it is a castle, a factory, mills, breweries, a village, and menagerie. I remember the deer as being especially numerous and friendly. Orlando the novel is dedicated to Vita Sackville-West who sadly was unable to inherit Knole although she grew up there. Only males could inherit.
   
   The novel Orlando is a tour through English history from the mid-15 hundreds to 1928 always from odd perspectives. It is also a subtle and searching exploration of gender roles, social roles, and artistic and creative efforts. Themes interweave with lightning speed. It's crazy, funny, satirical, wild, and moody. I found parts to be incoherent, post-modern stream-of-consciousness, but most is entertaining and illuminating.
   
   But this novel always comes back to Knole just as Orlando does. He/she (there is a sex change mid-novel) tours her house, thinks about it, ponders it, worries about it, and is always focused on it. Orlando lives for hundreds of years, but somehow I think he/she is a metaphor for the great house. Knole is not mentioned by name in the novel, but that's it. Knole is also the setting for The Edwardians by Vita Sackville-West. Knole is very worth a visit if you get to London or Kent. On the web at the National Trust website.
   
   A visit in person however would help bring the novel Orlando to life. The novel is titled Orlando: A Biography. I think it is the biography of Knole.
   
   One other odd feature: My edition (Signet Classics) has in index. This is the first novel I've read with an index. This suggests to me that Orlando is more than a novel, it is also a history of sorts.



3. I like to think myself a very well-rounded reader (I have my degree in English), but I don't know if the genius of Virginia Woolf was just beyond me in Orlando. I enjoyed the story and the various historical characters that made appearances throughout, but something about it went a bit over my head. It was a strange tale of adventure and romance, with Orlando seeking the beauties of life and poetry throughout the centuries.



4. Written in 1928, this book clearly sought to shock the reading public. For every repression delivered by Victorian authorities which surely hampered Woolf's freedoms, this book delivers a defiant rebuke to the same.
   
   Orlando - it states in the beginning - is a man for whom "there can be no doubt of his sex." He is rich, handsome and lives a life even Hugh Hefner may be jealous of. But, scandals lead him to isolation, to public ridicule or upbraiding, which led him to sequester himself to his 200-bedroom hermitage-castle. In his hermit's existence, he does not pass time philandering, but instead pulls books off the library's shelves and romanticizes with fiction.
   
   Eventually tedium compels Orlando to ask his friendly king to deliver him overseas where he can perform the duties of ambassador. He ends up in then Constantinople, now Istanbul, Turkey. While living there, he ends one exhaustingly long night of debauchery and partying with a seven day sleep - and awakes a woman.
   
   This was a "good thing." As a man, he could not appreciate Tennyson, Shakespeare, Byron and the like. As a woman, their written word touched her greatly. She could be red eyed, she could be lachrymose. As a man, he never loved. Wollf says, ". . . love - as the male novelists define it . . . has nothing whatever to do with kindness, fidelity, generosity or poetry. . ." Orlando the man had no love? Maybe, with Sasha (a Russian seductress) - but maybe Sasha ruined him so that he could never love again.
   
   As a woman, Orlando knows love. Wolff explains, "Love is slipping off one's petticoat and - "
   Can you imagine the Victorians reading that?!
   
   Orlando's life continues not for decades, but centuries. And, some other characters do as well. "The true length of a person's life . . . is always a matter of dispute. Indeed, it is a difficult business - this time-keeping thing. . . " Indeed, it was for Wolff who quite intentionally delivers this novel as a time-challenged writer.
   
   More obscurities arise - androgynous lovers, angels' visits, children born from or for Orlando - and splendor with these very biologically-defying events.
   
   This is not written in the weaving masterful language which Woolf delivers in "To the Lighthouse" or "Mrs.Dalloway." Instead, here the schizophrenia lies with the main character, not the writing style. Probably, a better story than "Lighthouse" or "Dalloway", but I am partial to the writing style of those masterpieces.
   
   In any event, anyone wondering just how throttled Woolf felt in the stifling moral norms of her country, read this book. If anyone wants a bizarre tale about a bizarre man/woman, this is a must read.



5. This `roman à clés' is very original. The hero continues to live in different historical periods and undergoes a sex change.
   However, it is written in an emotional, sentimental, superlative style: `society in the reign of Queen Anne was of unparalleled brilliance. The graces were supreme.'
   Except for the first period, there are no conflicts, only rather superficial descriptions of the mood and spirits of the times. For V. Woolf, `to give a truthful account of society ... only those who have little need of the truth, and no respect for it - the poets and novelists - can be trusted to do it, for this is one of the causes where the truth does not exist.'
   `Orlando' is a perfect flight from reality: `But let other pens treat of sex and sexuality; we quit such odious subjects as soon as we can.' `Whigs and Tories, Liberal party and Labour party ... should be left to the historian.'
   
   This book is a clean, introvert, aristocratic, long ode to pure Beauty.
   Only for Virginia Woolf fans.

5 comments about My Dog Skip.

1. Willie Morris has recounted the life of not just a boyhood pet, but a dear and close friend.
   The Story of Skip's life as told by his owner is full of mythic adventures of childhood. Where every new day was full of joy and wonder. Morris' storytelling brings the dog, his family and the lush southern landscape into full and brilliant view.
   When you read My Dog Skip you can just feel how much this young man loved and revered his dog.
   Any of us who have had a much loved pet know that the bond between animal and human can reach so much further than just "pet and owner". Willie Morris makes the statement that Skip wasn't just his dog, but his brother... that is a beautiful thing. Morris grew up an only child but did not feel alone by any stretch of the imagination. He was loved deeply by and deeply loved his dog Skip.
   Another great point made in this book is how Willie Morris learned so much from his dog Skip. He clearly states that the most lasting lessons he has learned about love and loyalty came from knowing his dog.
   This book captures so well the love a boy or any human being can have for a pet... I loved the story and highly recommend it!



2. Willie Morris was a truly great author! This story of his childhood with his dog was really heartwarming. It is so simple and warm and humorous, you will just love it. Warning: you will cry your eyes out at the end, but it's worth the pain. One of the best animal stories ever, I hope many kids read this in school. If you loved the movie "A Christmas Story" you will love this book. The movie version of "My Dog Skip" is also quite good, though it is kind of upsetting that in order to create drama the wonderful father of the book is kind of nasty in the movie. Willie Morris was a great author who also wrote a cat book entitled "My Cat Spit McGee" and several books about his life that remind me a little of Russel Baker's memoirs. One is entitled "North Toward Home", another "Good Old Boy" and one is about life in New York City.



3. This was a great book! It was so touching and heartfelt. I love dogs and this book is an example of someone who loves dogs like me so I can connect! Greatly recomended!



4. This is a wonderful and touching story. It is a good read, and I recommend it to anyone who has ever had a pet. I especially like that it has a jack russell in the story.



5. This book is the story of Willie Morris' childhood companion, a dog named Skip. Willie recounts his adolescent years and all the fond memories of his dog and friends as they grew up together in small town Mississippi. The story is heartwarming and the author paints a very clear picture of all the shenanigans, good times and bad that he and his dog had together over the years. I liked this book; but I think a male reader would appreciate the bond between a boy and his dog more than I can.

5 comments about Creative Quilts: Inspiration, Texture & Stitch.

1. This book along with Sandra's contemporary quits has been inspirational to me. These two books have almost become my bible. I can look through them time and again for ideas and they help to spark my creativity. There are a variety of techniques to make your quilts more interesting and diamentional. This book was well worth the money and would make a great contributional to anyone who is interested in art quilts to their own personal library.



2. It was a gift for my Mom who wants to create more inspired quilts. She loves it and is off and running with new ideas and techniques for creating her own designs.



3. This is a wonderful book to spark your creativity. It was reccommended by Amazon when I bought another quilt book and I'm glad I bought it.



4. This book is exactly what I hoped to find. It is filled with beautifully illustrated quilts & embroidery with step by step details on design, construction and how it was embroidered. Sandra has detailed her quilt design process giving the reader a clearly demonstrated understanding visually & textually of what inspires her quilts and then firstly how she gets them out of her head and onto paper & then translated into a quilt. Sandras use of sumptuous fabrics showing us how fabrics are combined, moved around and translated into images is wonderful. The embroidery is textual & three dimensional and the magic is nothing you see seems unachievable. Highly recommended for teachers, students and anyone wanting to take their quilt making to a new level.



5. The gorgeous pictures of these fascinating quilts are an inspiration to get to work on my own creative ideas. I am always amazed at the diversity of the human creative spirit and especially the way people use fiber in making art.

5 comments about My Life So Far.

1. Different FlagsI have read Jane Fonda's Autobiography and find it a very interesting book. The parts telling about her mother's mental illness, her suicide, her brother Peter and her relationship with her stepmother are the ones I enjoyed most. I was able to relate to the things Jane Fonda should have said to her mother but didn't. Her father's depression was described in a touching and honest way. Having lived in another country myself, I really liked Jane Fonda's description of France back in the 60s. I will read it again. Eugenia Renskoff



2. I "met" Jane Fonda at a book signing in Pasadena, CA. I was immediately taken with her graciousness. She appeared beautifully poised, content and unpretentious, before a packed gathering. She was irreverent, intelligent, insightful and candid. As she sat at the signing table, she immediately commented that she thought my blouse was gorgeous. While this may seem like a very minor thing, having been to countless events of this type, I was a bit taken aback by her focus on me. This was supposed to be about HER. This is a huge part of her charm; the ability to look outward, instead of being obsessed with herself, the way that so many of today's celebrities seem to be.
   
   As a child of the civil unrest, disobedience and rights movement, I had always related to what she stood for. I could always distinguish between being patriotic and simply disagreeing with the way that the government was handling things. Therefore, it was my belief that she had been demonized needlessly, and that ignorance and the inability to understand how caring for one's country, is what makes one passionate about what is happening in the first place. This is what has made it so difficult for people to look past what happened during the Viet Nam era.
   
   There are still many people who hate her for her activism. And it is a shame that those people will miss out on what truly is, an astoundingly insightful book. Jane Fonda is not just someone who is a famous actress; she is a woman who is living a very full, informed, and turbulent life, and took the time to really learn from it. And she is sharing her experiences in such a candid, forthright, refreshing way - that anyone could benefit from reading about them.
   
   You do not have to have been famous to have the kinds of experiences that she describes. While some celebrity autobiographies drone on and on about all of the other famous people they knew and know, very few actually tell about how they felt, and what they learned in the process. And many still have the fear of telling the truth. Because Jane Fonda is where she is in her life right now, she has the luxury and ability to be as honest as she wants to be. She has reached successful pinnacles in her career, that few rarely achieve.
   
   As I read each chapter, I could see my own life in parallels. I did not have the privilege that she did, however, I understand the same struggles that she had, as a woman. I could even see similarities in the kinds of men that she has had in her life, yet, I have lived worlds apart from her.
   
   This is a true, unabashedly truthful memoir, that does not scrimp on details. It is entertaining, candid, informative, while being stunningly, strikingly provocative, and enlightening. This is a book that I will always cherish. The revelations that she shares, have affected my own life, and will continue to do so. It is the most insightfully enlightening autobiography by an actor that I have read thus far. But that is not surprising, given that Ms. Fonda is much more than an actor. First and foremost, she is a human being who has always cared about humanity, and it truly shows in her life's experiences. I am so grateful that she decided to share it with us.
   
   



3. Jane is a pretty misunderstood woman. People make judgements about her based on stories they see in the media, and based on the rhetoric of those who oppose her. I learned a lot about the real Jane Fonda in this book. Her childhood was not that pretty. Her relationship with her father was strained at best, and this book delves into that with the insight and sensitivity of a person who has learned to accept parents who are not perfect, and who has come to understand how those early years shaped her life and the decisions she made throughout.
   
   - C.A.Wulff, author of Born Without a Tail



4. First of all, I would like to thank Jane Fonda for sharing so much of her spirit, self and life. Reading her book made me feel like I was a time traveler as she took me back in time to when she was a liitle girl and traversed along side her throughout her life and into her third act.
   
   I most definitely could relate to some of the same issues Jane Fonda dealt with in her life. For instance the lack of love, compassion and acceptance in the home while growing up.
   The uncertainty about her sexuality.
   Questions concerning the Vietnam War.
   Jane Fonda's relationship with her father or lack thereof. Unable to connect with her father on any level (no fault of her own). All these issues I to combatted in my life and just like Jane I am a fighter and a survivor.
   
   On another note, I have a favorite actress for each decade going back to the 30's. For instance Merle Oberon is my favorite actress of the 30's, Ginger Rogers the 40's, Kim Novak the 50's, and Jane Fonda of the 60's and 70's. I have not been able to choose one since Jane Fonda retired, but I am so happy to see that she is making a come back in movies. I so missed her presence on the big screen.
   
   In closing, I believe this book has something for everybody. I highly recommend "My Life So Far" to everyone.
   Thank you Jane Fonda for sharing so much of yourself with family, friends and fans.
   
   For a love story that is unlike anything you've ever read check out D. W. Gutridge's Captured by a Smile.Captured by a Smile "Imprisoned by Love": A Memoir of Young Love that Refused to Die.



5. Very Honest and inspiring. Just when she gets whiney she deflects you. A great read overall.