5 comments about Don't Start the Revolution Without Me!.

1. I love Jesse's non conventional views on politics. First book of his i read and was really impressed. Very Satisfied, i reccomend it to anyone!



2. I used to watch Jesse on Monday Night WWF Wrestling. He was co-announcer with Gorilla Monsoon. Jesse was the 'Bad Guy' advocate. He wore a beret, feathers and shades and I thought he was pretty cool. I've semi-followed him since. I thought it was great when he was elected governor. In all fairness i'll say that this book was very readable and well written and the guy has a lot of good ideas. HOWEVER........
   He brags about his part in Trade with China which has done nothing but hurt this country AS A WHOLE. Our industrial base is shipped to china,,,they become rich selling us their products, they buy steel, food, and fuel and all the prices skyrocket for Americans. Of course if you are a Pro Wrestler, Talk Show Host, or a Politician you don't have to worry about your job being shipped off to China.
   His part on Mohammed Ali was 'touching' but how can a Vietnam Vet respect the guy. He was a DRAFT DODGER. That is an insult to Vietnam Vets,,black and white. Lots of guys didn't want to go for lots of reasons.....BUT THEY WENT. If you respect Ali, why not respect all the guys that bailed out to Canada, and all the other ways to beat the draft. How about Jane Fonda??? I was expecting some big recitation on her,,,after all,,she believed in what she did...
   He has a picture of Che Guevara in his house,,,and he sounded like a kid that just saw Santa Clause when he met with Castro. Hey,,,those guys were the same Communists we were fighting all those years,,,along with China. They murdered millions and millions of people. They were bad guys then and they are bad guys now. You can tell alot about a person by the people that he respects. And it dosen't take a rocket scientist, Sherlock Holmes, or Fidel Castro to figure out that there was something funky about the JFK assasination. I think it hurt his feelings because RFK jr got to spend 4 hours with Castro and Jesse only got an hour.
   I thought Jesse was going to be like a BREATH OF FRESH AIR,,,but from the book there is just another self-serving politician wearing a tie-dyed t-shirt, a dew rag and feathers.
   Jesse is probably a good guy,,He'd be fun to party with,,,and if I ever had the chance to vote for him,,,I would,,,just because he's not ANOTHER PENCIL-NECK POLITICIAN,,, but after reading the book, I can't figure out why Jesse would want to have a Revolution,,, he has it made in the shade as it is...



3. First, let me be upfront with you- I am a wrestling fan. But not in the traditional sense, but rather, I love to watch what wrestling presents to its fans on TV, and then distill what is really happening behind the scenes. Fast forward to late May/early June, when Governor Ventura was making the talk show rounds, promoting this book. He landed on Hannity and Colmes on Fox, and had both of those two stammering for a response. He said some very controversial things; not just for the sensation factor, but because he believed these things to be true. Controversial topics like the Kennedy assassination, the Twin Towers disaster on 9/11. These comments intrigued me.
   Add to that, his startling rise to the top of Minnesota politics in the early 2000's-- well, to me that cinched it. I wanted to know more, and this book purported to give me the low down.
   
   About the book- if it were mine to publish, I would make sure that my editor cleaned up all of the typographical errors. There were many in the first third of the book, and it was kind of distracting. Aside from that, this book was a terrific read, told mostly as a first person recollection, with the narrative weaving between Gov. Ventura's personal history and his travel in his motor home to Baja. Along the story, his wife Terry adds some interesting observations from her perspective, and to me, that rounded out the narrative and indicated what a tight, great relationship the two share. This is a fun read, with interesting trivia and tidbits about third party politics that should make most Americans in the center realize that there is more going on in government that is reported in the news. Contrasted with Scott McClellan's book, this says many of the same things about the current political climate, but is a much more pleasurable read. (Sorry, I find Scott boring).
   
   Pick this one up- you won't regret it. You will learn a lot about third party politics, and a man who wouldn't fall in line with the political climate of today.
   
   The title says "Don't Start the Revolution Without Me!," but I think Gov. Ventura is the one who has started the revolution already.



4. There are several things that you can take away from Jesse Ventura and find honorable, not just from this book, but from his life. He was active duty in the navy during Vietnam, he became governor of a state as third party, (something that is near impossible) and he has always been a true independent which is truly rare at this current point in history. He brings up some great points in this book on where the country is, and where it is headed. Civil liberties are being erased, we are in a massive debt, and the expansion of the federal government is getting out of control. However he loses credibility when he writes of his meeting with Castro, and how he admires Castro and Che. If you don't like where America is headed, you only need to look at Cuba to see a country with no civil liberties, no economic freedom, and a nation who has tortured critics of the government, and forced thousands to flee. Even if you are in the dark, and don't believe Castro is a tyrant, there is no way, you can argue he is for less government, something that Ventura claims to support himself. This government is full of liars, as we have definitely seen, but when you put all this trust in a lying murderer as Ventura does with Castro, it waters down and hurts the good points, and real criticism of our country that should be addressed.



5. To sum up this book, the best thing Jesse did for the country was move to Mexico. The best thing he can do for the country right now is stay in Mexico.
   
   This book is written by a person who just wants to pat himself on the back and talk all the great things he did and all the things he knows better than everyone else. By the way Jesse, independent means that you don't support either party or at least don't gush over one of them. It seems that Jesse cannot stop trashing the Republicans both in their agenda and in their individual personalities, while admiring the Democrats (Bush bad Clinton great). Guess what Jesse, that makes you a left of center democrat or essentialy a main stream Democrat.
   
   By the way, I wonder how many books Jesse would have sold if the front cover of this book would of had the picture of his Fu-Manchu beard and not the clean cut version that is used. I would hazzard to guess not many. Its funny for a guy that keeps talking about being true to ones belief and being yourself, he cleaned up his image to sell himself and his book pretty quickly. It just goes to show that Jesse knows how to play the game just as well as those he likes to put down.

5 comments about Castaway Kid: One Man's Search for Hope and Home (Focus on the Family Books).

1. Having been in the service of serving abandoned, behaviorally disturbed children and adolescents for 32 years, I was able to reminisce and find memories explicity tied to this book. The messages are accurate, profound, and direct. The chapters relive one man's story but the themes are multiplied by the number of kids in care from yesterday to the present and the stories are wide and varied. There are many stories in the lives of children from both yesteryear to this present day and age.The names change and the faces are different but the broken body and mind are still evident today. When one reads this book you become acutely aware of why behavior, emotion,identity, can go awry. All of the clinical terminology which labels children in placement existed then and still does today. What is remarkable and I have seen it over and over is that there are those who "will" to live, who "will" to grow, who never give up. Out of all the chaos emerges a Rob Mitchell and there are numbers upon numbers who, in spite of the many abuses and neglect, rise to become vibrant creative human beings like he has. This is a story of one of them. And, of so many of the children I have seen rise out of their pathology and into health, I have also seen a remarkable closeness to an abiding faith. Rob Mitchell is a man of that faith. Castaway Kid is just one of many castaway kids. What a wonderful read.
   David Carlson MSW, LCSW



2. Wonderful book. Would recommend this book to any age group. Very touching and inspiring story.



3. This book was easy to read and understand. It should be read by every young person in children's home, in the foster system, in juvenile detention, and those with an incarcerated parent. Even those of us who never suffered any of those hardships, can learn an important lesson in forgiving those who have hurt us.



4. I really enjoyed this book. Being from Chicago as well, I felt an ever closer connection to the author and his story. I had a real hard time putting it down and I had to keep tissue close by whenever I was reading it. As a Mother, it was especially heart wrenching to read some of the thoughts and emotions the author experienced as a child. Such wonderful writing and expression - always feeling the emotion the author was sharing. I would highly recommend it! I passed it onto a friend after I was done with it - so the enjoyment could be passed on!



5. Many adults have suffered great hardships in their childhood, even being sent away. This now successful man had a horrible beginning. One can feel the isolation he felt when he was "dumped" off at the age of 3.
   A good book to restore your belief that you can make your life different.

5 comments about Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation.

1. "Founding Mothers" by Cokie Roberts provides a welcome feminist perspective on a vital period in American history. Ms. Roberts' status as a well-known news commentator draws much-needed attention to the underreported story of the women who struggled to help found our nation. Displaying the professionalism for which she is held in high regard in media circles, Ms. Roberts thoroughly researched the subject matter and has written her book in a clear and engaging style. Her discovery of numerous personal letters are excerpted in a popular work here for the first time, bringing to life a compelling and dramatic perspective on the American Revolution that should be of great interest to all history readers.
   
   I had the privilege of attending a lecture where Ms. Roberts discussed this book and her follow-up, "Ladies of Liberty". Ms. Roberts was born the daughter of a U.S. Congressman and has spent her entire life immersed in the Washington, D.C. political scene where she has observed first-hand the important role that women play both behind the scenes and, increasingly, on the public stage (including her own mother, who won a special election to fill her father's seat in the House following his untimely death). No doubt, Ms. Roberts' interest in history and her unique life experiences have amply prepared her to write an insightful book that intelligently and sensitively discusses the role of women during the nation's formative years.
   
   The book is organized chronologically. Ms. Roberts profiles a number of prominent women in the years before, during and after the Revolution, including Abigail Adams, Eliza Pinckney, Martha Washington and many others. Ms. Roberts also introduces lesser-known women such as Phyllis Wheatley, an African-American slave who wrote patriotic poetry and Peggy Arnold, who Ms. Roberts believes almost certainly aided the work of her traitorous husband, Benedict Arnold. Ms. Roberts' narrative covers all of the major events that one would expect but supplements her story with many overlooked facts, including how women organized to secure funding for the war effort at a time when the revolution might well have collapsed; how Sally Jay helped to charm Spain and France into supporting the American cause; and dozens of other interesting and entertaining anecdotes.
   
   Importantly, as we gain an understanding of the challenges these mostly elite women faced during the Revolution, it is evident that the Enlightenment ideal of progress was achieved in no small part as the result of significant material, emotional and intellectual sacrifice by women. By lifting the voices of these women out of obscurity, Ms. Roberts has implicitly reminded us how truth can be spoken to power and how revolutions dedicated to the betterment of people and society are possible.
   
   I highly recommend this book to everyone.



2. Ms. Roberts did a fine job on sharing the little known history of our founding mothers. It opens one's eyes to the role women really did play in the war for independence.



3. One of the most sophomoric books to hit the market in a while, the prose is bad, the content is mere filler of cute stories of women doing very little, and the author can't stay on the subject at all.



4. I recieved the book promptly. The book is in good condition. I am currently enjoying the book and it is alway nice to see history thru a woman's eyes. Thank You Cokie Roberts



5. Although this book was listed by the vendor, it was out of stock so I never got it. My account was credited, but why list the book when it isn't available.?

5 comments about My Life on the Run: The Wit, Wisdom, and Insights of a Road Racing Icon.

1. This book, captures the essence of what a runner can experiance, and hope to be. Bart is a great story teller, who's compassion and grace shines through!



2. I really enjoyed this book a lot. I just started running again to get back into shape and his stories inspired me challenge myself more. His stories are also very funny. The story about his experience running in the nudist run made me chuckle out loud. I definately recommend this book!



3. Bart Yasso's stories are funny (he is a pun master) and entertaining,while inspiring the reader to get out and run a lot of miles! I read excerpts from this book in Runner's World, bought the book, and have given copies as gifts. Everyone I know who has read it really likes it.



4. This book cracked me up. Bart is inspirational, funny, and crazy. All the making's of a runner:)!



5. Bart's book is absolutely hilarious and inspiring. His stories are witty and humorous. I was laughing out loud at the Taco Bell story, the cross country bike story, and the bare buns run! Great read, I couldn't put it down. Bart is a legend.

5 comments about Lucky: A Memoir.

1. This book is powerful. I think every high school student should read it, boys and girls. The topic of rape needs to be discussed and understood by young and old people alike. This book really portrays all parties in a "human" light and it's truth is what makes it so powerful. I can't say enough good things about the writing style and the ease of reading, all the while, it draws you in and keeps you interested. Fantastic book!



2. Lovely Bones led me to this book. I really didn't want to read a book about rape, but I'm glad I did because it is so much more. The story is delivered masterfully and written with skill. Read this book for the writing.



3. 
   I don't recommend this book to anyone who enjoys prose or literature. Sebold's use of a stripped down, matter-of-fact tone desensitizes her story. Though her rape was a traumatic event, I couldn't feel for her. Perhaps it was her intent not to draw out feeling to avoid pity but personally, I think it was uneffective in conveying her complete story because a memoir needs an emotional plot as well.
   
   I wanted to put down this book before I was even half way though there were still many unfinished subplots like the conviction of her rapist.
   
   I would expect this book in the children's/ preteen section if it weren't for the detailed account of the rape.



4. Lucky is a thought provoking book that helps readers understand rape from the victim's perspective. Written in an honest manner, it explores the rational and sometimes irrational reactions of everyone involved - whether victim, friend, or family member.
   
   Seabold opens the book with a vivid description of her brutal rape. Initially, this makes it a difficult read because it forces readers to live through a brutal act. However, it also helps to expose a reader's preconceived notions and biases. Seabold describes her struggles to return to a normal life and she honestly discusses societal issues that favor the criminal and penalize the victim. This is a good read for anyone looking for some insight into a difficult issue.



5. From the opening pages, Sebold tells the reader a truly horrifying story of her rape in accurate and quite graphic detail. And whilst horrified at what she has endured, you want to read more - to see how someone survives an attack like that, and what life is like for a rape victim in the hours, days and week afterwards. I couldn't put this book down - a combination of great writing and admiration for the author, made this a compelling read.

5 comments about A Time it Was: Bobby Kennedy in the Sixties.

1. I got plenty of information about this order. When it was slightly delayed, I was informed, as well as when it shipped. I was very impressed with the service.



2. This book of pictures was a wonderful walk down memory lane for me. At 16 I was to join the Kennedy campaign as a volunteer after the California primary. On the morning I was to depart, my parents woke me with the news of his shooting. This book, however, reminded me of the promise unfulfilled Robert Kennedy represented--how much better we would have been as a people, as a country, as a government had he been president in 1969 instead of Richard Nixon.



3. it's photgraphs of the campain are stunning the brief narrative gives a true sense of sumer 1968



4. This book and its images were all the more gripping having been an observer at the time. The photos and the words provide an image of a nation trying to be the sum of its promise, only to be plunged into a tragic self assessment after the assassination.
   It is paramount, 40 years later, that we take the opportunity to remember how far we have come. This book reminds us that we can do better, that we must do better, that we are better.



5. Bought this for my dad for father's day. Great pictures of a memorable time in history with a visonary who lost his light too soon!

5 comments about Shakespeare: The World as Stage (Eminent Lives).

1. This is one volume in the series "Eminent Lives." After having read this book, I am interested in exploring this series further.
   
   William Shakespeare, of course, was a great playwright, whether of comedy or tragedy, and a fine poet as well. Bill Bryson, the author of this slender volume, notes how little we actually know of Shakespeare, when he says (Page 7): ". . .all we know about Shakespeare is contained within a few scanty facts: that he was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, produced a family there, went to London, became an actor and writer, returned to Stratford, made a will, and died." After 400 years, the author observes, there are only about a hundred documents speaking to the Bard of Avon and his family.
   
   The book begins by exploring what little is known about Shakespeare's early years (by the way, one cool point in this book is the multiple spellings of his name over time; Shakespeare himself spelled it differently at different points in time). The introductory comments also note something absolutely amazing: zillions of plays were written and performed in Shakespeare's time. Of the total number, only about 230 texts still exist--of which 15% are by Shakespeare, a stunning percentage. We know more about his work than any other playwright of the era.
   
   The book is organized by time period. Chapter 2 examines the years from 1564-1585, Shakespeare's youth. The chapter begins with an effort to understand his father's life (John Shakespeare) as well as that of his mother (Mary Arden). We have little information on the Bard--his birth certificate, his marriage certificate (with Anne Hathaway), birth certificates for his children--during this period. From 1585 to 1592, Chapter 3 suggests, little is known about Shakespeare. Chapter 4 considers his early years in London. He began as an actor and turned, over time, into an author of plays. In 1592, he had even earned in a publication the scorn of a critic. By 1594, his theatrical troupe, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, had become one of the major forces in theater, including leading actors of the day.
   
   Subsequent chapters consider his plays, his business success (he did well as a joint owner of the troupe and the Globe Theater), his sonnets, what little we know of his family life (his son, Hamnet, died in his early youth). He was successful under Queen Elizabeth and, after her death, King James I, who viewed many of his performances. A number of contentious issues are addressed, including Shakespeare's sexuality, his relationship with his wife and family. There is even a brief description of the debates over whether Shakespeare actually wrote the works attributed to him. Finally, the end game of his life. . . .
   
   If one wishes a brief introduction to the life of Shakespeare (with a dash of wit thrown in by the author), this is a good place to start. Nicely written and well done!



2. This book is exactly what you would expect of Mr. Bryson: a well-informed, humorous and well-written account of Wm. Shakespeare's life.
   
   The problem is, as the author points out in the foreward, scarcely anything is known about Shakespeare's life, so the book of necessity resorts to broad speculation and focuses largely on persons connected to Shakespeare, rather than on the man himself. The paucity of useful information about Shakespeare likely explains the book's size, which is quite small.
   
   Not that I blame Mr. Bryson for any of this: he obviously did the best he could with a limited amount of information and resources from which to draw.
   
   To be honest, being a big fan of Bryson's work, I bought this book because of its author rather than the subject. While this book doesn't dissapoint, reading it is not the pleasurable experience one can expect from Bryson's great works, like A Walk in the Woods, In a Sunburned Country and A Short History of Nearly Everything.
   
   To me, Bryon is at his best when he can accurately and dryly convey the true essence and personality of people (common folk and historical luminaries alike). Given the utter dearth of information available about Shakespeare, it's just not possible for Mr. Bryson to shine with this book.
   
   Still, if you're a fan of either man, you will probably enjoy this slim volume.



3. This review is about the audiobook version, which surprisingly reveals Bill Bryson to have a weird Anglo-American accent. Perhaps his living in England so long has done this, as there is little hint of any midwest twang.
   
   On to the book. For those looking for the humorous version of Bryson you won't get it here, although he peppers this book with various wry observations. Bryson starts at the beginning, where Shakespeare's family came from, what the times were like, and how a provincial like Shakespeare could become a prolific and brilliant playwright who has survived over the centuries.
   
   Mostly, Shakespeare himself is shrouded in mystery, although Bryson explains how public records of the time mostly referred to matters of legality or vital statistics and don't reveal much else. There are many questions. Which portrait of Shakespeare is the right one? What was his relationship like with his wife? What on earth was he up to between 1592 and 1595? Certain questions will probably remain a mystery forever.
   
   Still, Bryson attempts to debunk most of the conspiracy theories that won't go away, mostly in regard to those who believe that someone else (usually Francis Bacon) wrote the Bard's plays. Bryson brings up the conceit of literary types as one of the reasons that doubt still exists. "How could a mere provincial write this well?" This kind of snobbery still remains today, as if good writing is only restricted to a certain class of people.
   
   This book can get a bit dry, especially in a lengthy entry about the several folios that came out after Shakespeare's death. Then again, many who care about this kind of thing will find it interesting. There is also a lot of historical background of the time which helps give some perspective.
   
   Bryson doesn't provide many answers about Shakespeare the man. One wishes that he would have drawn some conclusions of his own, some possible scenarios, but then again he shows how speculation unsupported by evidence has led to many of these conspiracy theories.



4. Certainly, we may ask, "Do we really need another book on Shakespeare?" Well, the answer may not be that we need one but we can use one. This is a great book for the general audience that has enjoyed Shakespeare on the page or on the stage. It answers many of those what about questions, insofar as facts and historical data will allow. In many ways it is a good book for the other end of the shelf from "Will in the World." Bryson does not give us what ifs but rather known facts. Speculation can be fun, but should be identified as such. Many of us enjoyed "Shakespeare in Love" but knew it was really a fictional piece, made more of whole cloth than are most romans a clef. Bryson identifies such speculative forays and is especially clever in his ending which makes clear that the "Baconists" don't bring any bacon home with their theories. This book gives us a good picture of the controversies and foibles surrounding Shakespeare fans from the Chandos portrait to Folger's obsessive collecting. Many intricacies of Shakespearian scholarship are touched upon without becoming academically dry. His discussions of the the city and suburbs of London or the intricacies of sixteenth century printing are as precise and informative (but a bit more limited) than what I have heard from academic experts. This is an enjoyable text for both general and more specialized friends of the Bard.



5. This is one of the easiest, breeziest, most charming bios of Shakespeare you'll ever read. And it is one of the worst. Don't bother reading it. Bryson candidly confesses to the absolute lack of information about William Shakspere of Stratford-on-Avon, then plunges ahead, not letting the lack of facts slow him down. A quick example: on p. 90, he states "we know nothing at all about the relationship, if any, that existed between Shakespeare and Southampton." But one page later, he states outright that Southampton was his patron. Bryson's treatment of the authorship issue is ignorant and despicable, but at least he recognizes its existence. He would be surprised to learn that he does contribute positively to the authorship debate when he quotes Caroline F. E. Spurgeon's classic study, Shakespeare's Imagery and What It Tells Us, which described Shakespeare's appearance based on how he used imagery: "a compactly well-built man, probably on the slight side, extraordinarily well-coordinated,lithe and nimble of body, quick and accurate of eye, delighting in swift muscular movement." We have no way of knowing whether that describes Shakspere or not, but it sure does describe almost perfectly Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford. When you consider that Shakespeare might have been a pen-name, Bryson's defense of the Stratford man falls apart, as do all traditional biographies which generally do not confront the issue fairly and honestly.

5 comments about Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road.

1. Thought provoking and insightful, this truly comes from the heart. It is difficult to imagine someone having to go through the tragedies suffered by Mr. Peart but he is able to put together a riveting account of the turmoil he suffers while grieving over the loss of loved ones. If this book does not cause you to shed a tear, you aren't paying close enough attention.



2. 
   I had high hopes of this book when I first heard about. I thought we would get deep insight into the mind of the Ghost Rider and how he would deal with the tragic loss of his family. Perhaps in a certain way, we did, he road his bike thousands of miles, which is fine, but there is so much missing from it. The author is a very private man who chooses only to give us an edited version of his pain, misery and redemption. The book is simply a traveling manuscript that lists places where the Ghost Rider cruised to and where he stayed and dined. It deviates at times to more intimate settings such as with his wife's family and friends but they are so few and are never given ample room.
   There is also a bizarre array of letters to the Ghost Rider's friend Brutus that is filled with inside jokes and highlights that the reader never connects with and is left out of. The editing of the book was also poor - examples include the letters (perhaps they should have been deleted altogether) and the conclusion was done too loosely. There were too many events that were hurried over.
   I do not see how others could rate the book so high - perhaps they are fans or they enjoyed it as a travel book. I did leave with a deeper appreciation of traveling after reading it and noting the sound wisdom of "keep moving," in order to stay focused at the task at hand, which was to...finish the ride?



3. Fred and Chris' review is shockingly disturbing. I read this book 3 times and wept uncontrollably at Neil's losses. I cannot believe that you would complain that he is shallow, and complained about the number of pages it took to tell of the events. How much more does he need to tell? Selena lost control of her vehicle, flipped it, and it killed her. It was a terrible accident without cause. Jackie fell into the worst depths of a depressive state and it killed her along with the terminal cancer. A disease I battled personally for 2 years but actually ended up in remission.
   
   To complain that this book reads like a Mapsco means neither one of you understand or care about how most readers like myself want to know everything, every description, every detail of what he is seeing and feeling. Neil writes so that you feel you are right there with him and that is what I love about his writing style.
   To say that he cares more about his friend who is in jail for marijuana possession, (not HARD DRUGS) instead of Selena and Jackie is very callous. If he cared about his friend over his family, he never would have been in seclusion for so long and would have probably returned to drumming a lot sooner. HE LOVED HIS LITTLE GIRL MORE THAN ANYTHING!!! Look at the way he talks about her in all of his books. He was a very doting father and very involved in her life.
   The fact that he did not just take a bottle of pills and end it all after those tragic events shows how much courage and strong character he really has. And just because he can handle his liquor does not mean he is teetering on the brink of alcoholism. Sounds like something a member of the infamous AA would say.
   Saying that he has a diminishing respect for humans individually and as a whole just means that you don't like the way he looks at some people and situations. After reading all his books I realize that I think and feel the exact same way as he does. You just don't like his observations because he tells the truth and tells it like it really is, and no one ever wants to hear the real truth.
   He can't help it if he does not really like being famous, nor can he help it that he is pretty much the best damn lyricist and drummer ever!! Its a little nerve racking to have people running after you all the time.
   
   This book takes you through his private hell and emotional wreckage that feels like he will never come out of, and in a lot of ways he never really will. Yes he has found a new soul mate and has a renewed zest for life, but one never gets over the loss of their baby and you can see it in his eyes in recent pictures, he is not completely the same person he was before and never will be again and to say he is in need of some personal work makes me feel the both of you need personal work a lot more than he ever did!! Let's see how you handle it when you loose your loved ones.
   I have more respect and admiration for Neil Peart than a lot of peope I personally know and I am glad that he was able to find the will to live.



4. This book was inspirational! It provides a good reality check when you feel like life is handling you more than you can deal with.



5. i don't know what more i can say, book more than worth reading, if you love music, RUSH, adventure, bikes, just to name a few and i you can appreciate what it takes for soul to lose everything an want to keep moving forward this is a worth wild read for you.
   
   i personally love it for all that and the way he speaks so painfully honest of eventing, himself included. not to mention his amazing ability to be perfectly descript and yet it inst my method of choice to fall asleep, if you have ever read those kind of books im sure you can relate. and as you go you will see more and more of who Niel Peart is, much of it being hi sense of humor, all be it subtle r dark at times always there. all i can say is buy it and read it, i did it on a whim simply cuz i love Rush and always like to hear what fellow drummers have to say.

5 comments about Chosen by a Horse.

1. As a horse lover/owner and a bereavement facilitator I bought this book as a perfect combination for myself, and to excerpt for my group, after friends in England sent me an excerpt of it from their local paper. Emailed the British company to purchase it and was surprised to discover it was published here and written by someone living upstate, not far from where my sister had a home (I'm a New Yorker myself) and found it at Amazon!



2. Great book. Well writen and easy to read. Didn't want to put it down. If you love and care for and about horses.....you'll LOVE this book. Give it a try!!



3. I picked up this book, excited it was about my passion: horses. We agreed to read it during our office book club (we are a global publisher's office, so we've gone through our share of literature). The day of the meeting everyone was silent. I think they were afraid of offending me, since I love horses. I spoke up first. "I hated it. It was boring, had nothing to do with her relationship with her horse (if she even had a relationship at all). All she did was whine about her life." Everyone sighed, and started pouring out their thoughts. They agreed with me. They thought it was terrible writing, the characters were in no way engaging, and was there even a relationship with the horse?
   
   This has to be the least engaging book I've ever read. The author doesn't heal at the end, like she claims to have. There is no evidence of it, and there is no evidence that the horse even helped her heal. I really felt like yelling at the author throughout the book, "get over yourself!" And while I feel very sorry for the hardships she's been through in her life, the whole book was one big whining-fest.
   
   Please, do not waste your money. There are many more valuable literature out there that are actually about the bonds between a woman and her horse, but this is not one of them. The author digs herself deeper into a hole that started in the beginning of her life, and tells the story in writing at a 7th grade level. Who did she know at the publisher's office to become an author?



4. Well written book about a horse and it's new owner. Both have issues and learn to overcome them. If you like horses, you'll enjoy this book.



5. A fast & easy read. A touching and heart-warming story. It is pleasing to to know that when others don't care about the welfare of animals that there are others who do. This is such a story. As an owner of several adopted animals, they have given me so much more than what I give them.

5 comments about A Midsummer Night's Dream (The New Folger Library Shakespeare).

1. I must say that until I saw a simple, highschool play of this particular work, I was deathly afraid of SHakespeare, thinking it boring and only something for people over fifty to discuss and teach. WEll, i was wrong.
   This particular story brings in classical characters from Greek Mythology, such as Theseus and Hyppolita (sorry if I butcher her name...lol) as well as the regal Titania and Oberon, and of course, the humorous and jovial puck and bottom.
   Books like this are presented in the media to be boring but they truly are intersting and worthwhile reads. Without titles such as this, I highly doubt many writers of fantasy and romance would be the same today.
   Very highly recommend as a start to Shakespeares works, though seeing it is even better!



2. The spirit of one of Shakespeare's richest plays is lighthearted laughter. The great impressario of the proceedings is Puck who in giving the 'love potion' to the wrong person, sets up the chaos of both Demetrius and Lysander loving Helena. There are numerous networks of parallel and contrast through the work , between the worlds of the royal humans, the fairies, and the craftsmen. The motif of dreaming and imagination play a strong part in the play. And the resolution in all the couples finding themselves in love and harmony at last is a supreme happy ending.
   This is one of Shakespeare's most delightful and amusing works, one of the richest comically in all the world of theater.



3. I recently re-read A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM prior to attending The Colorado Shakespeare Festival's performance of this play under the summer stars here in Boulder. Shakespeare (1564-1616) produced this romantic comedy between 1595 or 1596 and published it in the First Folio in 1623. It follows the adventures of four young Athenian lovers and a group of amateur actors under the influence of fairies who inhabit a moonlit forest. The play is Shakespeare's most popular and is widely performed across the world.
   
   It play tells three stories connected by the wedding celebration of Duke Theseus of Athens and the Amazonian queen Hippolyta. In the opening scene, Hermia rejects her father Egeus's request that she marry Demetrius. Rather than facing death or lifelong chastity as a nun, Hermia and her lover Lysander decide to elope. Hermia tells her best friend Helena of her plan. Helena, who has been recently rejected by Demetrius, tells him of Hermia's plan to elope. Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius all escape into the forest where they become romantically entangled under the influence of fairies.
   
   Oberon (King of the Fairies), and his queen, Titania, arrive in the same forest. Oberon enlists the mischievous Puck (aka "Hobgoblin" and "Robin Goodfellow") to apply the magical juice from a flower to Titania's eyes while she is sleeping. The juice makes the victim fall in love with the first living thing he or she sees upon awakening. Oberon also instructs Puck to spread some juice on Demetrius's eyes. Instead, Puck puts the juice on Lysander's eyes, causing him to fall in love with Helena. To correct the error, Oberon then orders Puck to apply the juice to Demetrius's eyes, causing him to also fall in love with Helena, much to her confusion (now having two suitors).
   
   Meanwhile, in a subplot, a band of "rude mechanicals" have been preparing a play in the forest about Pyramus and Thisbe for Theseus' wedding. Puck transforms the head of one actor, Nick Bottom, into that of an ass. When Titania is awakened by Bottom's singing, she immediately falls in love with him. Puck eventually restores Bottom's head, and lifts the spell from Lysander, but leaves Demetrius in love with Helena. The lovers conclude the night's events must have been a dream. Puck ends the play with a soliloquy.
   
   G. Merritt



4. My daughter needed this for a school assignment. It worked out well for her, good price.



5. For some bizarre reason, schools push the most painfully boring works by any author. In Shakespeare's case, you get handed a copy of "The Tempest", when you could get this. The underlying theory appears to be that if a book is interesting, lively, and enjoyable, it can't be good (upon this reflection, I think Arts departments get up to the same thing, lord knows it's the NEA's theory).
   
   "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is interesting, lively, and enjoyable. On the eve of the wedding of King Thesseus and Queen Hippolyta, the young and dreadfully confused lovers Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius get caught in the middle of an old married couple's spat. The old married couple is Oberon and Titania, who have what could mildly be described as a strained marriage. Oh yes, Oberon and Titania are the king and queen of Faerie.
   
   This is Shakespearean comedy at its best. Wordplay and physical comedy abound, and timeless aspects of human nature are shown at their most sublime and ridiculous. I loved it.
   
   E.M. Van Court