No comments about A Year With A Whaler.

1 comments about Oklahoma Pioneer!: Horace Greeley Teeman Hall.

1. Oklahoma Pioneer Review
   011707
   
   Being a Wesley Hall fan I could not pass this one. A tale of proud
   accomplishments in spite of strife, this is a story of doing it the hard way!
   Most new immigrants going west found that to be their path in the early days
   of the Oklahoma territory. This book is a necessary link in the continuing
   biogrpahical odyssey of Wesley E Hall.

4 comments about The Totem Pole: And a Whole New Adventure.

1. Although it follows his award-winning work, Deep Play, it cannot be described as a sequel. The Totem Pole is an account of a singular event in the author's life: a climbing accident in Australia that resulted in brain damage and partial paralysis. His rehabilitation is marked by the frightening uncertainty of how much (or how little) progress he will make. Climbing had been the essence of his life, and now no one can tell him if and when he will ever climb again.For an early dropout from school (at his father's urging), Pritchard has an amazing writing talent. "Deep Play" showed signs of his ability, but "The Totem Pole" brings Pritchard's talent to full flower.The only disappointment in the book is the middle section, where he switches from his narrative to a transcription of a taped diary made during his rehabilitation. The transcripts are a noticeable dropoff in the writing, but help reveal the inspired level with which the book begins and ends.A standout in the genre of climbing books, Joe Simpson fans will not be disappointed.



2. This is the story of a man who was at the pinnacle of his career in the morning, and in the afternoon was lapsing in and out of consciousness, fighting for his life on a sea-swept ledge on a remote Tasmanian sea stack. The account follows the events of that Friday 13th an subsequent memories of the Tasmanian hospital, journey home, and painful experiences during rehabilitation in Clatterbridge.

   The whole story ebbs and flows wildly with emotion, and you can only wonder at Pritchard's strength of character, and marvel at his ability to tell his story in such a clear manner.

   See also (...)for further details of Pritchard's experiences.




3. The Totem Pole is an heroic tale of the human spirit in overcoming horrific trauma, told with complete candor, considerable insight, and an ultimate triumphal joy. The Totem Pole is highly recommended, inspiring reading.



4. Words like "spellbinding" are thrown around too often, but I truly could not put this book down. It is a rare chance to visit inside the experience of a person with a brain injury, and inside the experience of rehab. Fortunately for the reader, the writer is a man of rare courage and humor, and the trip, while painful, is ...well, spellbinding.
   
   The writing is a little bit uneven, but don't let that stop you. The story is the thing, and he tells it well.

No comments about Maverick Heart: Further Adventures Of Zane Grey.

No comments about Cape Town to Zanzibar.

5 comments about My Life with 3 Women.

1. When reading this book, I kept thinking of this joke as a possible insight into why the author wrote his book:

   This average guy, he finds himself stranded on a desert island with none other than Cindy Crawford. After some time, with no rescue, the average guy and Cindy start an intimate relationship.

   Things are going quite well until one day, the guy asks Cindy something strage. The guy asks her if she will dress up like a man, and pretend he is the average guys best friend from back home. Cindy, a little taken back, thinks this is a little odd, but indulges him.

   So she dresses up as the guys best friend and they proceed to walk along the secluded beach, Cindy 'playing' her part.

   Suddenly, pretending that Cindy is his best friend from back home, the guy turns to her and says, 'Dude, you're never going to guess who I'm having sex with.'

   That's what I kept thinking reading this book. Here is this guy, by his own admission nothing spectacular, sailing and carrying on a relationship with three women all at the same time on the same small boat. I've sailed enough to know that relationships develop fast on small boats, and you learn more about people a lot quicker and become closer as well. But here is this gentleman, not only living the sailing dream, but living it with three beautiful women. Is it any surprise he wrote a book about it? Hell, he should write two books.

   Beyond that though, on another level, he conveyed how close they all came through their adventures. About the only thing I didn't like about the book, was it didn't tell how it ended and only covered 1/2 of their experience.

   Maybe he is writing a second book.




2. If this book were a horse it wouldn't even make good glue. First, the author writes this in the third person which, after fifty or so pages, I finally over came. Then he uses italics and quotation catch phrases over and over and over and over - ad nauseum. There is a hint of the erotic, what with three women and just him. But it becomes apparent very soon that he is as bad a lover as he is a writer.

   A complete waste of money and time.




3. This former real estate broker decided to sail away after his long-term marriage ends up in divorce. He makes it to Tonga where he meets up with 3 women who join him onboard his small sailboat. They live through storms, piracy, wonderful anchorages in deserted islands and exotic towns. The reading is very entertaining, the sail advice is not the best (he had only a few months of sailing experience before writing this book), the writing is not the best, but the story of these four souls is great. This is one of those books that are hard to put down and you are sorry they do not go on for another few hundred pages. The limited English can be forgiven as is so entertaining and original. Any male (and many females) that reads Alan's story will have a huge envy attack. It would be great to have a follow up book on what happened afterwards to each character in the book. It would be interesting to read the version of these events by the other participants. It would be reassuring to get confirmation that this story is real (or maybe not, a guy should not be that lucky!) There is no mention if the picture on the cover shows the actual characters. Anyway, it is great reading.



4. Great story, hard to imagine they survived some of the things they went thru. Read it in record time. Just wished it hadn't of ended.
   I see where he settled in the Caribbean where he lives and writes.
   What is he writing now? Anyone know let me know.
   Worth the money to me



5. Great book, couldn't put it down. Read it all in one sitting. Enjoyed the story and the discription of the places they traveled and their adventures. I felt I was right there with them. Makes me want to quit my job, get on my sailboat and take off. Found no problem with the way it was written, seemed honest and accurate. There must be a sequel or two, would love to find out what happened the next six months and what they are all doing now. Are you listening Alan??

No comments about David Thompson: A Trail by Stars (The Quest Library).

1 comments about Ernest Shackleton (A&E Biography).

1. My high opinion of the TV show "Biography" and of DK books dropped after I read this annoying book. As the book's promotion says, George Plimpton chronicles his 2002 trip to Antarctica and interweaves personal comments with text about Shackleton's incredible story. The problem is Plimpton's comments and photos of himself refect self-absorption and often are irrelevant to Shackleton's amazing story. In a bizarre move, Plimpton fails to mention the book "Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage" by Alfred Lansing -- which is the "bible" of the Shackleton story -- but he mentions lesser works. The excellent photos in this book prompted me to give it two stars instead of one.

No comments about Hernan Cortes (Grandes biografias series).

3 comments about Prairie Wisdom: Reflections on Life in the Dakotas.

1. Though probably best read in small doses for proper assimilation and reflection, I found myself compelled to keep reading page after page of this wonderful collection of meditations. But donÕt let the term meditations throw you. There is nothing dry or boring about them. Bishop Coyner has a wonderful way of using the everyday events of our lives and how we react to them as reflections upon our relationships not only with each other, but with our Creator as well. I never felt that I was being preached to, but needed to be reminded of the need to "shave my head" when called to do so, learned a wonderful new word (Uffda!), and discovered that El Nino is not a bad thing for everyone. There is so much more to share, but some journeys we each have to make ourselves. This is definitely a trip worth taking.



2. Mike has been a friend of mine for years. He and I were ordained in the same class in our Annual Conference. However, I believe knowing him has helped me assess this work. The devotions are very thoughtful and the reflection of a well-trained pastoral mind. The stories show the a very compassionate human being who can see the hand of God in the work of people. Thanks Mike.



3. From Michael Coyner's personal Litany for facing change, with words that provide strengthening for many in the church family and those serving on the Bishop's Cabinet:
   "We pray for security, but God terrifies us with freedom."
   The immense size of Coyner's new area of North & South Dakota is daunting; the diversity of the people amazes, as does the facility of Dakotans to act as though Native Americans exist only in old 'Western' films. Native Americans have maybe 14 words for "snow", and Bishop Coyner thought during his first winter that even more descriptive words were needed! Blizzards were followed by snowmelt and floods - - leaving FIFTY THOUSAND homeless. It isn't difficult to imagine that people in the Dakotas are always fearing the 'next' winter.
   
   Did you know that the sunflower head standing tall can be harvested as long as the valuable head is still above the snow? I wonder how many Dakota parents embroider this truth somewhat to teach their children about survival, and to be stalwart? (Matthew 6: "Tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today" . . . compare with John Bunyan's words "He who would Valiant be . . . " set to the music of Vaughan Williams & sung in St. Paul's Cathedral London. (# B00002EIUG)
   
   Following a 'learning experience' with vandalism, the Bishop prayed: "Protect us from vandals who seek to deface; but PROTECT US EVEN MORE FROM IRRELEVANCE & inability to proclaim your good grace." In times of trouble, God will launch us to use our energy & imagination to "overcome" - - with the best examples coming from black sisters & brothers. In the most poignant chapter of all, "Sap on the Family Tree," Bishop Coyner states that "Racism has led us to disregard our common humanity." His ancestor owned a slave named "Sall" valued at $200. and he now has that to ponder. For each of us to ponder are other chapters: "Pavement Ends," "Sandbags," "Connected by the Inner Net," "Remote Starting the Church," "Celebrating Small Successes," "The Prisoner's Note."
   
   How empty the lives of those who do not make 'eye contact'. That sad fact goes back to experiences early in life when gentle, sometimes challenging words spoke by my father when offering the elements of communion, always with loving eyes, speaking always with kindness. This bishop has demonstrated such kindness. When receiving communion from him early in the year (2006) I 'flubbed'! He continued to encourage me by gesture & kind eyes, and that was true kindness to someone feeling the earthquake of leukemia.
   
   Reviewer mcHAIKU will close with a part of the bishop's prayer, (p.132): "Thanks for those who pray for ME each day, who pray I will follow your way HOPEFULLY." "Guide us, direct us and show us your ... way," but please . . . DON'T avoid detours!