Books

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America's moral arbiter? Please!
Interesting!
A No-Spin Look at the No-Holds Barred Fight for the Hearts and Minds of the Folks.
Just What We Needed
Culture Warrior-Book Report

Culture Warrior
Bill O'Reilly
Manufacturer: Broadway
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook: Everything I Know About Love and Marriage (with corrections by Mrs. Doocy)
Rediscovering God in America: Reflections on the Role of Faith in Our Nation's History
Who's Looking Out for You?
State of Emergency: The Third World Invasion and Conquest of America
America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It

ASIN: 0767920929
Release Date: 2006-09-25

Book Description

Bill O’Reilly is the very embodiment of the idea of a Culture Warrior—and in this book he lives up to the title brilliantly, with all the brashness and forthrightness at his command. He sees that America is in the midst of a fierce culture war between those who embrace traditional values and those who want to change America into a “secular-progressive” country. This is a conflict that differs in many ways from the usual liberal/conservative divide, but it is no less heated, and the stakes are even higher.

In Culture Warrior, Bill O’Reilly defines this war and analyzes the competing philosophies of the traditionalist and secular-progressive camps. He examines why the nation’s motto “E Pluribus Unum” (“From Many, One”) might change to “What About Me?”; dissects the forces driving the secular-progressive agenda in the media and behind the scenes, including George Soros, George Lakoff, and the ACLU; and dives into matters of race, education, and the war on terror. He also shows how the culture war has played out in such high-profile instances as The Passion of the Christ, Fahrenheit 9/11, the abuse epidemic (child and otherwise), and the embattled place of religion in public life—with special emphasis on the war against Christmas. Whatever controversies are roiling the nation, he fearlessly confronts them—and no one will be in the dark about which side he’s on.

Culture Warrior showcases Bill O’Reilly at his most eloquent and impassioned. He is an unrelenting fighter for the soul of America, and in this book he fights the good fight for the traditional values that have served this country so well for so long.

Customer Reviews:

America's moral arbiter? Please! .......2007-06-23

Mr. O'Reilly's previous books at least had a dose of humor here and there. His latest is an extended screed against America's so-called "secular-progressive" movement, which Bill sees as a windmill that urgently requires a good jousting, and HE'S just the knight to save the realm.

To the seriously uninformed, Bill is somewhat of an ethical shirker, himself. His inappropriate escapades with a female coworker have been well publicized everywhere except on the Fox News network, and he settled out of court for a large sum to keep it from becoming a permanent public record. His careful avoidance of military duty in the Vietnam era paints him as another hypocritical, flag-waving cheerleader for the country's current failed leadership. So, his credibility in presenting himself as some kind of virtuous missionary is strained beyond limits.

In this book, he sets up his S-P strawman as America's internal evil, only slightly less threatening to the survival of our nation than the Communist threat during the cold war. But his approach even to this is inconsistent and disjointed. He wanders off course to lob a verbal barrage at his many personal enemies named George (but not Bush).

Mr O'Reilly, you're full of yourself.

I fully understand that he's an entertainer, and not a pundit. As such, he plays to a particular audience who tend to see him as ten feet tall, and will gladly ignore his clay feet, as long as he reaffirms their opinions in his Boston tough-guy style.

Unless you're already solidly on the O'Reilly bandwagon, don't bother with "Culture Warrior." It seems to me like he was more interested in trying to gather some Christmas cash from his loyal followers than in writing a coherent book. You'll be much better off with one of his earlier works, like "The O'Reilly Factor", where there's more content, some humor, and much less paranoia.

Interesting!.......2007-06-23

Being rather politically moderate (my opinions largely split - some sided with conservative platforms and others in company with the liberal democratic platform), I found Mr. O'Reilly's book intersting in that it deals with a much larger split in America. That is, the distinction between those who actually cherish humanity and those who merely call themselves humanists (i.e. the secular progressives). Very little energy is devoted to defending Bush or the wide right. Also, it's clear that individuals who side with the democratic party may also embrace traditional values.

Let's face it, Mr. O'Reilly thrashes judges who let pedophiles off easy; he believes in personal responsibility; he believes in parents' rights; he's catholic, but makes it clear that religious affiliation is irrelevant with respect traditionalism vs. secular progressivism; he demands that criminals who commit heinous crimes be punished. These are all values that Americans should hold dear. Mr. O'Reilly exposes unacceptable behaviors and calls on responsible Americans to stand up against evils such as rape, murder, child molestation, corporate crime, etc. These are acts that we should all abhor. The major media's inability to lash out against that which is clearly unjust frustrates Mr. O'Reilly.

Many Americans lack the courage to stand up for what we believe in, human rights. Rights to not be physically, sexually or financially abused. However, when standing up for such rights, many of us lack the courage to speak out in what may be deemed a politically incorrect fashion. For example, how dare we support the inhumane act of capital punishment. Religion and traditionalism are largely unpopular in the media. Justice is obstructed when one must watch cautiously choose words to prevent being labeled a racist, a right wing nut job, etc.

If you love America (the best nation in the world in which to live) and support laws that protect children and empower parents to instill values similar to those upon which our nation was founded, you'll enjoy Culture Warrior. If you're mind's already poisoned by Hollywood and the NY Times, you'll be outraged.

A No-Spin Look at the No-Holds Barred Fight for the Hearts and Minds of the Folks........2007-06-13

I think we have pretty well established by now that no one is neutral regarding Fox News' bare-knuckled pundit, Bill O'Reilly. He is who he is. If you are looking for ponderous, turgid sophistry, O'Reilly is not your guy. True to his middle-class roots, he calls things as he sees them and for this reason he is either grealy loved, or greatly hated.

This book picks up where "Who's Looking Out for You" leaves off. Culture Warrior is basically like Mr. Bill's other works; an encapsulation of his beliefs--his template, his blue print of how he sees the world.

Many people do not like the way O'Reilly sees the world because he is a traditionalist. He is the embodiment of the uber-American; Bill believes in the goodness of America, that life in all forms (in utero, or in a nursing home) is sacred, and that big government and big corporations are out to screw the little guy.

Since I am a regular watcher of The O'Reilly Factor, I did not read anything that surpised me. O'Reilly used this book to codify, and synthesize his perception that there is a "secular-progressive movement" in this country that basically is trying to transform this great American experiment into a European-style liberal democracy.

Bill weighs in on euthanasia, open borders, legalized narcotics, abortion-on-demand, and the war against religous life in this country. His two biggest villans are billionaire George and Peter Lewis, of Progressive Insurance fame. O'Reilly fingers them as the money beind the "S-P" trend in this country; from the financing of candiates and think-tanks, to the hate groups like MOVEON.org.

Bill O'Reilly is a first-rate intellectual who knows how to speak the common-man's language. He is routinely pilloried and caricatured by such small men such as (P)MSNBC's Keith Olberman, Jon Stewart, et.al. But I suspect such scorn in largely out of jealously as the number of viewers combined would not approach the number of viewers that this number one cable program draws each night.

Just What We Needed.......2007-06-08

More right wing propaganda set place in the 21st century. I would only recommend this book if you:

- think Ronald Reagan and Jerry Falwell were excellent people, and now they are unforgettable martyrs
- think George W. Bush is the next Messiah
- despise CNN and love one-sided Fox News
- are an all out conservative
- despise the Democratic Party, think John Kerry loves waffles, think Al Gore is an idiot for saying he invented the Internet, and Clinton deserved impeachment for having an affair
- cheer for the war in Iraq, even though thousands of innocent people are dying each day
- have an IQ below 80
- are black and worship the almighty Al Sharpton
- are addicted to coke
- think Bill O'Reilly is a news legend, and that his yelling at Democrats make him powerful

Otherwise, use this as:
- toilet paper
- firewood
- a drink coaster
- a furniture supporter
- whatever else you can use it BESIDES reading

Culture Warrior-Book Report.......2007-06-04

I was suprised to learn that Bill O'Reilly's Culture Warrior was not a book on liberals and conservatives, or a book on democrats and conservatives. Suprisingly, it is a book about traditionalists and secular-progressives, and the culture war they are both fighting in. Apparently the secular-progressives, who are a small minority of people, are trying to secularize America through the judicial system instead of through the ballot box, and the traditionalists are trying to stop them from secularizing. I found O'Reilly's book to be very interesting and educating in that I now know about this fierce culture war America is in the midst of.

Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives

Average customer rating:

Same story, new author
Major disappointment
Way of the Peaceful Warrior
Great Trailhead.
Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman

Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives
Dan Millman
Manufacturer: HJ Kramer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior
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The Laws of Spirit: A Tale of Transformation

ASIN: 1932073205

Amazon.com

During his junior year at the University of California, Dan Millman first stumbled upon his mentor (nicknamed Socrates) at an all-night gas station. At the time, Millman hoped to become a world-champion gymnast. "To survive the lessons ahead, you're going to need far more energy than ever before," Socrates warned him that night. "You must cleanse your body of tension, free your mind of stagnant knowledge, and open your heart to the energy of true emotion." From there, the unpredictable Socrates proceeded to teach Millman the "way of the peaceful warrior." At first Socrates shattered every preconceived notion that Millman had about academics, athletics, and achievement. But eventually Millman stopped resisting the lessons, and began to try on a whole new ideology--one that valued being conscious over being smart, and strength in spirit over strength in body. Although the character of the cigarette-smoking Socrates seems like a fictional, modern-day Merlin, Millman asserts that he is based on an actual person. Certain male readers especially appreciate the coming-of-age theme, the haunting love story with the elusive woman Joy, and the challenging of Western beliefs about masculine power and success. --Gail Hudson

Book Description

Way of the Peaceful Warrior is based on the story of Dan Millman, a world champion athlete, who journeys into realms of romance and magic, light and darkness, body, mind, and spirit. Guided by a powerful old warrior named Socrates and tempted by an elusive, playful woman named Joy, Dan is led toward a final confrontation that will deliver or destroy him. Readers join Dan as he learns to live as a peaceful warrior. This international bestseller conveys piercing truths and humorous wisdom, speaking directly to the universal quest for happiness.

Customer Reviews:

Same story, new author.......2007-06-27

The premise of this book/movie is based upon ancient Kemetic knowledge which is over 3700 years old. That it is being presented here in a new light is great, however this information is nothing new. If it would have never been 'conquered' by the so called great civilizers of the world, this planet would not be in the condition it is in today. A good refresher though & introduction for those who are not in touch with the philosophy behind this book/movie.

Major disappointment.......2007-06-27

This book has been on my short list ever since I read Millman's The Journeys of Socrates last year, which I absolutely loved. I found that book to be a vivid, suspenseful, and captivating story that I definitely plan to read again.

I was therefore quite surprised that Way of the Peaceful Warrior was extremely disappointing from almost the very first page. The writing is mediocre at best, and is sometimes even worse than that. The characters are two-dimensional, while Millman's descriptions of things, places, events, and even concepts central to the theme of the book are shallow and underdeveloped. Perhaps the worst aspect of the book is the absolutely wretched dialogue, which is always forced and unnatural, sometimes laughably so. It's just impossible to visualize people talking like the characters in this book and saying the things they say. At no point in the story did I ever feel even the slightest bit of suspense, awe, or wonder. There's almost no emotion in the book, and what little there is seems completely contrived. Millman admits at the end of the book that he wrote it in three weeks, and it really shows.

I'm really amazed that so many people have rated this book so highly and that so many people say it changed their lives. This is not a deep, reflective, introspective book by any means. At best it is a second-rate self-help book. And this is coming from a person who was really looking forward to reading it. The reason I didn't give it just one star is that I did glean a few little nuggets of wisdom and insight here and there, but I could easily fit them on half a page of paper. It's not worth trudging through such a poorly written, boring, and uninspiring story just for that.

I'm still at a complete loss to reconcile this train wreck of a book with The Journeys of Socrates. I supposed I can chalk it up to the fact that nearly three decades transpired between the books, and Millman must have learned how to write better during that time. I guess I'm just in the minority of readers who have very little positive to say about Way of the Peaceful Warrior. It's hard for me to imagine how this book has actually changed anyone's life in any major way. Obviously others enjoyed it immensely, though I honestly cannot fathom why

Way of the Peaceful Warrior .......2007-06-13

How far would you go to reach unreasonable happiness? Would you set your whole life aside for a man the promises you a life time of happiness, before you even know who the man is? In this book a student named Dan, puts his college and carrier to a sudden stop when he meets a man named Socrates. He tells Dan that he knows the path to finding unreasonable happiness, and Dan is willing to find that path.

Way of the Peaceful Warrior is a funny book, and very good book. It shows you while reading the book, how you can live your life and reach happiness on another level, then just laughing all day. It shows how you can in joy life, to the littlest detail. The best part in the book I would have to say is when Dan pushes past his mentally expectations and pushes his body to it's limits, breaking past his blocked mind from seeing, life to its fullest.

This mind is the one thing that holds back yourself and the body from reaching great height. The constant thoughts that pass through your head, the talking that you do to yourself, and telling yourself that you can't do anything. It's like a poison that holds you down from accomplishing anything. The mind is a limitation to our body and our spirits. I think that this is the message that Dan Millman was trying to send to his readers, that when u move passed the mind, you can live life to its fullest.

The book is a great book, one of the best I have read. It was hard for me to put it down, and thoughts were always racing through my head of what was going to happen next, and why something happened the way it did. I recommend this book to who ever would want to read it.

Great Trailhead........2007-06-11

Let me begin by stating that I loved this book. I have been studying Buddhist and Eastern philosphies for a while and I still had things to learn from this book. I see this book at an explanation of many Buddhist beliefs (such as 'no-mind' and 'live in the now'). I do think that this book is a great starting place for people that are interested in the buddhist way of life, but are having a hard time wrapping their mind around many of the Buddha's obscure concepts. I had to give it 4 stars as the editing is not up to parr. This may have been fixed in later editions, as I have a very old copy that I purchased from a used book store. The editing mistakes were so noticeable at some points that it interrupted the flow of the amazing story. Other than the errors, however, I was completely engrossed by the book. It showed a real world application of ancient teachings. ANYONE THAT READS THIS BOOK NOT REGRET IT!!!!!!!!!

Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman.......2007-06-11

Nothing new. Just another wasteful self-help book rehashing the same dead horse!

The Sight (Warriors: Power of Three, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

The Sight : Why It's Just "Okay"
Filled with the series's trademark omens, personality plays, heroic deeds, revelations and battles...
Thrilling book, yet...
The Sight
I Love this book!

The Sight (Warriors: Power of Three, Book 1)
Erin Hunter
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

Warriors: The Lost Warrior (Warriors)
Warriors Field Guide: Secrets of the Clans (Warriors)
Sunset (Warriors: The New Prophecy, Book 6)
Twilight (Warriors: The New Prophecy, Book 5)
Starlight (Warriors: The New Prophecy, Book 4)

ASIN: 0060892013
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Book Description

There will be three, kin of your kin . . .

The wild cats have flourished in their new home on the banks of the lake for several seasons, and the Clans are growing strong and healthy with new kits. The time has come for three kits of ThunderClan to become apprentices.

Hollypaw, Jaypaw, and Lionpaw spring from a strong legacy: children of Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw, two of the noblest ThunderClan warriors, and grandchildren of the great leader Firestar himself. All three young cats possess unusual power and talent and seem certain to provide strength to the Clan for the next generation.

But there are dark secrets around the three, and a mysterious prophecy hints at trouble to come. An undercurrent of rage is rising against those who are not Clanborn, and the warrior code is in danger of being washed away by a river of blood. All the young cats' strength will be needed if the Clans are to survive.

. . . who hold the power of the stars in their paws.

Customer Reviews:

The Sight : Why It's Just "Okay".......2007-06-16

The Sight was a good read and, as ususal, I couldn't put it down. But the book left more questions then answers. Why is Lionpaw so cocky? Why is Jaypaw depressed no matter what he does? Why is Spiderleg suddenly mean? Why is Ashfur suddenly old and kindly instead of young and foul towards Brambleclaw? Why is Hollypaw the only sane one around anymore?

The kits, Hollykit, Lionkit, and Jaykit (later Hollypaw, Lionpaw, and Jaypaw) aren't very exciting. In the beginning, when Hollypaw (!SPOILERS!) was going to be a medicine cat, it just ruined it for me. It completely replayed what happened in The New Prohecy with Leafpool, and how she became medicine cat. Luckily, Jaypaw became medicine cat apprentice and Hollypaw went to Brackenfur as her mentor. I was glad that we were finally seeing some male medicine cat apprentices. The only male medicine cat apprentices we have ever had were Jaypaw, Kestrelpaw (of WindClan, as of The Power of Three), and Littlecloud.

Lionpaw is too cocky and shows off constantly. He doesn't care if his brother is depressed or going to die. He is also in love with Heatherpaw of WindClan...sound familiar? That's because it is. There has been a forbidden love in every single series within the overall series. In the original series, there was Silverstream and Graystripe, RiverClan and ThunderClan. In the second series, there was Feathertail and Crowfeather, RiverClan and WindClan, Stormfur and Brook, RiverClan and Tribe of Rushing Water, and Leafpool and Crowfeather (AGAIN! This guy's got some commitment issues...), ThunderClan and WindClan. Now, in the third series, we have Mousepaw and Minnowpaw, ThunderClan and RiverClan (unoffical) and Lionpaw and Heatherpaw, ThunderClan and WindClan. The whole scenario is just too played out. And there'll probably be a relative of Tigerstar haunting someone's dreams. It has been confirmed that Jaypaw will be tempted by Hawkfrost and Tigerstar, again replayed The New Prohecy.

Hollypaw is the only sane one, and a great fighter at that. But they only focus on Jaypaw in The Sight, so I miss her. But, Dark River is supposed to show her powers more...thank God.

Jaypaw is depressed. First, he hates being blind, even though he can smell and hear better than anyone. When other cats talk to him as if he were useless, he should just yell at them and prove them wrong. But he doesn't for some stupid reason. Then, he hates Brightheart and Longtail even though they want to help him. Next on his hate list, he decides to be a medicine cat apprentice, and he decides that he hates Leafpool (which I understand), Littlecloud, Barkface, Kestrelpaw, Mothwing (which I also understand) and Willowpaw. He has serious issues.

I also don't like how they completely change some cat's personalities. Like Spiderleg for instance. In The New Prohecy, he was very nice and supportive. In The Sight, he yells at his Clanmates and critizes Brook and Stormfur. Ashfur also just drops his argument against Brambleclaw real suddenly, and he acts really old. Whitewing (what a predictable name!) also doubts Jaypaw and acts pretty useless. What a crime, since she was my favorite and only sane character!

Also, Vicky Holmes, Cherith Baldry, and Kate Cary kill off WAY too many cats. Goldenflower is suddenly dead, with no explanation, and Molepaw is killed. Rainwhisker, Sorreltail's only living sibling, is killed too!

The timing is way off! Certain warriors in different Clans that are just as old as Longtail (who is still young, remember, but had to retire very early) are already elders or dead! Breezepaw, a WindClan apprentice and the son of Nightcloud and Crowfeather (how many mates can this guy HAVE!?) would have had to be born in Sunset, but Crowfeather still loved Leafpool in Sunset. Also, Squirrelflight would have had to be pregnant through all of Sunset if her kits were to be apprenticed 6 moons later in The Sight.

The writers need to think of more creative names! I mean...WhiteWING? They only first used 'wing' with Mothwing, and since then they have been using it everywhere. I thought that her name should be something reminiscent of her friendly and sweet character, like Whitebreeze or Whitewillow (two last names that you never see, by the way). There are too many characters with bland last names like 'fur', 'tail', 'pelt', 'heart', 'wing, etc. They really need good names, like 'night', 'breeze', 'bird', 'shadow', 'horizon', 'whisper', 'flight', 'feather', 'stream', 'river', etc. I have so many names that would go so well with the characters. Some names, like Runningheart, need a bland last name that fits well with a long first name, like Nightengalerose, or Nightengalestar. Or Stallionburst. Twigtail, Poplarwhisper, Graymist, Finchspirit, Lichenstone, Swanfeather, Crystalpelt, Iciclestorm, Litheshadow, Frostybird, Sunsetwillow, Clayheart, Goosefeather, etc. (Those are all my names, don't steal them please.)

All in all, the book has good writing and the grammar mistakes are at a minimum. But, the plot is too predictable and it's getting tiring. If you love Warriors, you have to read it, otherwise you won't know what's going on, but don't expect much.

Sincerely,

~Dapplewing~

Filled with the series's trademark omens, personality plays, heroic deeds, revelations and battles..........2007-06-12

Warriors fans worried that the conclusion of The New Prophecy may have spelled the end of the fascinating stories of these cat Clans. So we can all breathe a huge sigh of relief with the release of THE SIGHT, the first book in a new series called Power of Three.

A whole new generation of ThunderClan cats, particularly Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight's kittens --- Lionpaw, Hollypaw and Jaypaw --- mature. All around them, within their own Clan and between the Clans, politics stir the personalities. In addition, the ThunderClan leader, Firestar, has had a prophecy that disturbs him greatly: "There will be three, kin of your kin, who hold the power of the stars in their paws." Could those three be Lionpaw, Hollypaw and Jaypaw? Do they have a dark power? One thing is for sure: trouble is on the horizon.

In the first book, THE SIGHT, Jaypaw chafes under the challenges of his blindness, while asserting that he has gained such power in his other senses to be a good warrior. Hollypaw also struggles to find her way. She is apprenticed to Leafpool, the medicine cat. It's her true calling...or is it?

Filled with the series's trademark omens, personality plays, heroic deeds, revelations and battles, Warriors: Power of Three begins with a breathless bang that never lets up, giving fans the assurance that this will be a valuable new installment in the beloved Warriors saga.

--- Written by Terry Miller Shannon

Thrilling book, yet..........2007-06-07

Yes, this book was great.

When me and my friend Pebblestream went to Barnes and Noble to get the The lost Warrior and this book while dressed up like cats(BIG mistake!!), I sat right down, opened the book, and Checked the Allegencices. I knew that there was going to be hollykit, Jaykit, and Lionkit,(STARCLAN DOES SPEAK TO ME!!!), but i was shocked to learn that Goldenflower died(I searched Secrets of the Clans 10 trillion times, but i couldn't find out how she died.), Rainwhisker died, and Molepaw died. I knew that Whitepaw and Birchpaw would become warriors(Who's with me when i say Whitepaw should have been a warrior in Twilight?), But whitewing and BIRCHFALL!!!(im in love with him!!)

Anyway, THis book was thrilling about Jaypaw's powers, but, everything else was old tactics. I mean, a dog attack? Haven't we seen enough? And nothing really happened untill the end. And they didn;t tell you who the traitor was who hawkfrost mentioned. *cough* ASHFUR!!!!!!!! *cough* My friend (Pebblestream) thinks its Jaypaw, But he wasn't alive when it happend.???.

-Cherryfur

P.S. I found some mistakes. They called Hawkfrost the riverclan deputy, Some confusion about Catmint or watermint about going to riverclan or windclan or something, 6 moons went by from sunset to this book and yes it takes 6 moons for kits to be an apprentice, but mustn't Squirrelflight be in the nursery while pregnant?? the same with Breezepaw, Jaypaw sayinghe remembered the white snowyness when he was born in a snowstorm outside the hollow but Jaykit is blind so he can't of remembered the WHITE snowyness, and the called Firestar Firestorm. How bad can they get???

P.S.S. Crowfeather+nightcloud=Breezepaw? he's CROWFEATHER. couldn't they think of Something more interesting???

The Sight.......2007-06-03

I just read it, and I'm proud to say that it's definitely worth the read! In The Sight, the kits of Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw, Jaypaw, Hollypaw, and Lionpaw, are the narrators instead of Firestar. They all have a responsibility to play in order to save their Clan, and they each possess a special talent that will help them. The lives of Jaypaw, Lionpaw, and Hollypaw start a whole 'nother prophecy and the weight of the forest rests in their paws. While the Clans go about their daily routines, an unexpected warrior who the Clans thought was dead makes a surprise visit to ThunderClan with a kittypet. There are many twists and conflicts that make this book the most original of all of the Warriors books ever.

All in all, this was an amazing book! I totally loved how there were so many new characters and the same old ones that we all loved. There is betrayal, enemies from the previous series, and so many old and new secrets to be revealed! To anyone who is a fan of the Warrior series, if you read this new book, I guarantee that you won't be disappointed.

I Love this book!.......2007-05-29

I have read all the other Warriors books and they are all great! This is my favorite series ever!
Books you really need to read:
Warriors #1 Into The Wild
Warriors #2 Fire and Ice
Warriors #3 Forest of Secrets
Warriors #4 Rising Storm
Warriors #5 Dangerous Path
Warriors #6 Darkest Hour
Warriors: The New Prophecy #1 Midnight
Warriors: The New Prophecy #2 Moonrise
Warriors: The New Prophecy #3 Dawn
Warriors: The New Prophecy #4 Starlight
Warriors: The New Prophecy #5 Twilight
Warriors: The New Prophecy #6 Sunset
Warriors: The Power Of Three #1 The Sight
Warriors: The Power Of Three #2 Dark River
Warriors: Super Edition Firestar's Quest
Warriors: Field Guide Secrets of the Clans
These are all wonderful books, even though some of them aren't even out yet. READ THEM! You don't have to be a cat lover to fall in love with this wonderful story.

Average customer rating:

Handbook for Living
One limping warrior
Comfort reading
Warrior of Light
not bad

Warrior of the Light: A Manual
Paulo Coelho
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

The Pilgrimage: A Contemporary Quest for Ancient Wisdom
The Fifth Mountain
By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept: A Novel of Forgiveness (P.S.)
The Alchemist (Plus)
The Valkyries

ASIN: 0060527986
Release Date: 2004-03-30

Book Description

Warrior of the Light: A Manual is an inspirational companion to The Alchemist, an international bestseller that has beguiled millions of readers around the world. Every short passage invites us to live out our dreams, to embrace the uncertainty of life, and to rise to our own unique destiny. In his inimitable style, Paulo Coelho helps bring out the Warrior of the Light within each of us. He also shows readers how to embark upon the way of the Warrior: the one who appreciates the miracle of being alive, the one who accepts failure, and the one whose quest leads him to become the person he wants to be.

Paulo Coelho is one of the most beloved storytellers of our time. Now, in the long-awaited companion to his first novel, Coelho presents a collection of philosophical stories that will delight and guide seekers everywhere.

Customer Reviews:

Handbook for Living.......2007-04-26

Anyone who has read Paolo Coelho, knows how much wisdom there is in his words. This book of short passages are an excellent intro to Coelho if you have not read any other of his books. Wisdom for life, help through everyday issues and plenty of thoughtful insights for all kinds of situations. A must for anyone who ponders 'The Meaning of Life'.

One limping warrior .......2007-03-26

I found this book an immense pleasure. It relieves me of the need to think I must be perfect to be of any use. It can also be used as a daily meditation book. I find every page enlightening

Comfort reading.......2007-01-20

What I like most about this book is that it celebrates the journey of life by putting equal value upon the inevitable successes, failures, mistakes, heartbreak and joy we all experience along the way. The book imparts comfort along with it's wisdom, very important I think.

Warrior of Light.......2007-01-05

I have read and re-read this book numerous times. I pick it up when Im feeling down and need a little lift for my spirit. Coelho is full of wisdom and the tidbits contained in his manual demonstrate his understandings of surviving the struggles of life.
5 stars

not bad.......2007-01-04

This book reads like a metaphorical instruction manual to life. Pretty interesting if you like Paulo's work.

Whoosh Boom Splat: The Garage Warrior's Guide to Building Projectile Shooters

Average customer rating:

Another Gurstelle Great!

Whoosh Boom Splat: The Garage Warrior's Guide to Building Projectile Shooters
William Gurstelle
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0307339483
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Book Description

These are the homemade machines that you’ve dreamed of building, from the high-voltage Night Lighter 36 spud gun to the Jam Jar Jet, the Marshmallow Shooter, and the Yagua Blowgun. Including detailed diagrams and supply lists, Gurstelle’s simple, step-by-step instructions help workshop warriors at any skill level achieve impressively powerful results. With Whoosh Boom Splat, you can build:

- The Jam Jar Jet—the simple pulse jet engine that roars
- The Elastic Zip Cannon—a membrane-powered shooter that packs a wallop
- The Mechanical Toe—a bungee-powered kicking machine
- The Vortex Launcher—a projectile shooter that uses air bullets for ammunition
- The Clothespin Snap Shooter—the PG-17 version of a clothespin gun that fires fiery projectiles
- The Architronito—the steam-powered cannon conceived by Leonardo da Vinci
And many more!

In addition to learning how to make these cool gadgets, you’ll find sections packed with information on what makes each machine unique. Gurstelle describes the machine’s historical origins as only he can: with verve, fun, and the sort of quirky details his legions of fans love. Whoosh Boom Splat is a must-have for every extreme tinkerer.

Customer Reviews:

Another Gurstelle Great!.......2007-04-24

I just received this book in the mail and was so excited that I did a quick scan to see what I could "put together" NOW! There were so many fun things to do in this book. Very inventive. I love the way Gurstelle gives praise to the past by creating a steam cannon designed by DaVinci (which was inspired by Archimedes). I can't wait to build even more!

Suburban Warriors: The Origins of the New American Right (Politics and Society in Twentieth Century America)

Average customer rating:

Interesting Subject...
Analyzes the 'warrior' battle plan of the 1950's and 1960's
Good, but not great
Rhetorical, but ok
Absorbing,Thorough Analysis Of Neoconservative Ascent !

Suburban Warriors: The Origins of the New American Right (Politics and Society in Twentieth Century America)
Lisa McGirr
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0691096112

Book Description

In the early 1960s, American conservatives seemed to have fallen on hard times. McCarthyism was on the run, and movements on the political left were grabbing headlines. The media lampooned John Birchers's accusations that Dwight Eisenhower was a communist puppet. Mainstream America snickered at warnings by California Congressman James B. Utt that "barefooted Africans" were training in Georgia to help the United Nations take over the country. Yet, in Utt's home district of Orange County, thousands of middle-class suburbanites proceeded to organize a powerful conservative movement that would land Ronald Reagan in the White House and redefine the spectrum of acceptable politics into the next century.

Suburban Warriors introduces us to these people: women hosting coffee klatches for Barry Goldwater in their tract houses; members of anticommunist reading groups organizing against sex education; pro-life Democrats gradually drawn into conservative circles; and new arrivals finding work in defense companies and a sense of community in Orange County's mushrooming evangelical churches. We learn what motivated them and how they interpreted their political activity. Lisa McGirr shows that their movement was not one of marginal people suffering from status anxiety, but rather one formed by successful entrepreneurial types with modern lifestyles and bright futures. She describes how these suburban pioneers created new political and social philosophies anchored in a fusion of Christian fundamentalism, xenophobic nationalism, and western libertarianism.

While introducing these rank-and-file activists, McGirr chronicles Orange County's rise from "nut country" to political vanguard. Through this history, she traces the evolution of the New Right from a virulent anticommunist, anti-establishment fringe to a broad national movement nourished by evangelical Protestantism. Her original contribution to the social history of politics broadens--and often upsets--our understanding of the deep and tenacious roots of popular conservatism in America.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting Subject..........2006-03-09

I was assigned this book for class and therefore didn't have a huge interest in the subject before I read the book. I haven't finished it, but I also don't plan to finish it. The subject was interesting, but the book wasn't captivating.

I found that the author sometimes became overly concerned with statistical information and details which left me (as well as my classmates) confused and frustrated. When too many facts are thrown at you at once, you just want to skip it and move along.

If you actually know about the John Birch Society and are highly interested in the Conservative Right, I'm sure you will like the book, even in spite of those "factual" sections. Historically, it's very accurate and I know that those who were interested really enjoyed the author's style.

Analyzes the 'warrior' battle plan of the 1950's and 1960's.......2005-05-30

This book is neat precisely because it takes a scholarly approach to examining the new right. Instead of writing a frenzied treatise why the right is bad, Lisa McGirr lets readers draw conclusions from her fact-based historical analysis.

The suburban new right emerged in the 1950's and early 1960's out of a desire for self-preservation. People in these newly emergent suburbs were alternating between the 'self-reliant' model of conservative libertarianism and 'big-government' social conservatism which placed its premiums on social and political conformity as a tool for ensuring order in the community. The then cold war united the two periodically disparate strains of conservatism into a unified school of thought; conformity was good for national security.

Because it upheld the values which they supported (and felt were in the best benefit for America) the people who would become part of the New Right honestly did not mind when they and/or their companies received economic subsidies from the government. They had to defend the country against the reds after all. This was not mooching off the system, but ensuring the country would be able to produce the best resources and the brightest people to outmatch 'the reds'.

The 'red-baiting' and 'race-baiting' which I and other people have publicly and psychologically associated with the right only came into existence when the status quo was being threatened.

The same people who had not protested (and in fact welcomed) government benefits for themselves became genuinely anxious upon realizing that the civil rights movement was attempting to reconfigure the American state to offer more benefits to more groups of people. This exposed contradictions in the American state as it currently existed and hinted that a reconfigured American state would not provide exactly the same order of things as they had known it to exist.

Fearful of these 'other' people, some southern states undertook the-then shocking action of voting for Barry Goldwater in 1964, disrupting the solidly Democratic south. Prior to this time, a southerner voting Republican was unthinkable. The party of Lincoln after all was responsible for both emancipation and reconstruction.

Although Goldwater would loose to Johnson, his candidacy and campaign positions (including against the civil rights act) further laid the foundations for the present day situation. Voting shifts in the 1964 presidential election ultimately encouraged the Reagan revolution of the 1980's and George W. Bush's promotion of faith based initiatives today.

Good, but not great.......2004-05-05

McGirr's book traces the rise of what I would call the (white, middle-class) suburban right and the Christian right, beginning in the early 60s. The new right coalesced around anti-Communism, laissez faire capitalism, states' rights and local government, the "traditional" family, Christian values, individual economic responsibility, and low taxes.

It was the suburban Christian right that first brought these views together. Barry Goldwater, who ran for President in 1964 against Johnson, was an early exemplar of new right views. However, his strong opposition to the Civil Rights acts won him the lower South and, along with his virulent anti-Communism, helped him lose the rest of the country.

The suburban Christian right shed the virulent and conspiratorial anti-Communism that they initially directed at domestic enemies; south-eastern politics moved away from the New Deal order and shed legal segregation and overt biological racism; they all joined their Christian and conservative forces and formed a conservative coalition behind Ronald Reagan.

McGirr's is a "bottom up" analysis that begins with the grass roots social base of the suburban Christian right, using Orange County as a prototypical case study. She also examines the interplay of grass roots leaders, rank and file members, regional business elites, and national intellectual and political leaders.

The book doesn't delve into how the suburban right teamed up with south-eastern conservatives, but their shared Christianity, shared social conservatism, and shared opposition to civil rights, busing, and affirmative action makes it fairly easy to guess what that part of the story in general looks like. However, McGirr's would be a better book if she examined some of these connections, at least briefly. This is what makes the book good but not great.

Post-script: Today, the Cold War is over, terrorism has replaced communism as America's global enemy, and George W. Bush has combined the Christian right with the post-Cold War, neo-conservative, neo-imperialist right. Bush has tried to combine anti-terrorism, neo-imperialism, and Christian conservativism without provoking Christian-Islamic antagonisms--antagonisms already strained by Christian conseravtive and neo-conservative support for Israel. These topics would make an interesting post-script to McGirr's book.

Rhetorical, but ok.......2004-05-01

I had to read this book for a history class. It provides enough incite on the origin of conservatism in Orange County, but to me, she overemphasizes her status as a historian. Instead of telling one point just once, she repeats it again in another segment, which, as a reader, I already knew because she said it before. She is non-biased in her approach of the conservative uprooting, yet she does seem to make them out to look like the enemy rather than a large group of people that were encouraging enrollment for causes they believed in. I recommend it to anyone who likes to read the word "Knott" over and over again.

Absorbing,Thorough Analysis Of Neoconservative Ascent !.......2002-04-27

This book represents both a fascinating study of the evolution of `60s politics as well as a historical attempt to document and explain the perplexing fact that a country flirting with the danger of a social and political revolution from the left suddenly veered so much farther to the right toward a broad-based popular conservatism. Herein Lisa McGirr, a gifted author and Harvard professor comes closer to making her prose swing than one would expect of a book of this type. Meanwhile, she also spins a convincing argument regarding the origins of the American neo-conservative revival in the late `60s and early `70s. At the time, domestic conservatism had been badly eclipsed by the burgeoning youth culture and their radical leftist notions. To her credit, the account rendered here is not only academically spirited, but is written in a way that makes this serious work of scholarship accessible to the general public.

She focuses meaningfully on the activities within a specific congressional district, in Orange County California, where, she argues quite persuasively, the seeds of the neo-conservative revival were most fruitfully planted and sown. Within this district, literally thousands of affluent and educated suburban "warriors" combined to launch a powerful movement destined less than a decade later to propel Ronald Reagan into the White House. In the process they also helped to chisel a new agenda into the granite pillars of the American pantheon, one that helped to define the very nature of domestic political battles for decades to come.

This book gives us a graphic and detail introduction to these hearty, healthy and enthusiastic warriors; housewives arguing political strategy over coffee and Danish, young and well-educated defense engineers arriving to live out the American dream, impressionable young religious workers convinced that the only way to save the country and themselves from Hellfire and brimstone was to work fervently against the designs of the "godless democrats". From this well-detailed work we begin to see how the movement came into being, how it organized itself, what motivated the individuals as well as what their evolving political agenda became and why.

McGirr demonstrates that this was far from being a movement of marginalized or isolated extremists; on the contrary, from the beginning it was more accurately characterized as an intensely enthusiastic enterprise, one formed and energized by the social, economic, and political elite, people with both means and motive for becoming involved to better control their own futures as well as those of the country at large. In what is perhaps her best set of insights, she demonstrates how these young and innovative neo-conservatives established a new set of political philosophies and precepts, forged in a alloy of Christian fundamentalism, misguided nationalism, and more traditional true conservatism (i.e. an old-style libertine attitude).

This is a seminal work, an effort at true scholarship which dares to look at Rosemary's baby in the face by searching through the afterbirth of the not so immaculate birthing of modern neo-conservatism. What she discovers and demonstrates along the way may often upset our traditional notions of what happened and why, but it never fails to inform or edify us as to what transpired or why. This is an interesting and worthwhile book, and one that I can heartily recommend. Enjoy!

Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior
Average customer rating:

A 'must' for any military library seeking a thorough representation of various American military strategies and combat forces.

Great book for any spouse to read!

Great if you are going into Special Forces

THE BOOK on Army Special Forces

A primer on Special Forces for all who are interested

Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior
Dick Couch
Manufacturer: Crown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0307339386
Release Date: 2007-03-06

Book Description

IN combating terror, America can no longer depend on its conventional military superiority and the use of sophisticated technology. We are fighting guerrilla wars, against insurgents hidden in remote regions, often deep among the local population. In battles such as these, squadrons of billion-dollar bombers and naval fleets mean much less than on-the-ground intelligence and the ability to organize local forces. That’s why, more than ever before, we need men like those of the Army Special Forces—the legendary Green Berets.
In Chosen Soldier, Dick Couch—a former Navy SEAL widely admired for his books about SEAL training and operations—offers an unprecedented view of the training of the Army Special Forces warrior. Each year, several thousand enlisted men and several hundred officers volunteer for Special Forces training; less than a quarter of those who apply will complete the course. Chosen Soldier spells out in fascinating detail the arduous regimen these men undergo—the demanding selection process and grueling field exercises, the high-level technical training and intensive language courses, and the simulated battle problems that test everything from how well they gather operational intelligence to their skills at negotiating with volatile, often hostile, local leaders.
Green Berets are expected to be deadly in combat, yes, but their responsibilities go far beyond those of other Special Operations fighters; they’re taught to operate in foreign cultures, often behind enemy lines; to recruit, train, and lead local forces; to gather intelligence in hostile territory; to forge bonds across languages and cultures. They must not only be experts in such fields as explosives, communications, engineering, and field medicine, but also be able to teach those skills to others. Each and every Green Beret must function as tactical combat leader, negotiator, teacher, drill sergeant, and diplomat.
These tasks require more than just physical prowess; they require a unique mix of character, intelligence, language skills, and—most of all—adaptability. It’s no wonder that the Green Berets’ training regimen is known as the hardest in the world. Drawing on his unprecedented access to the closed world of Army Special Forces training, Dick Couch paints a vivid, intimate portrait of these extraordinary men and the process that forges America’s smartest, most versatile, and most valuable fighting force.

Customer Reviews:

A 'must' for any military library seeking a thorough representation of various American military strategies and combat forces........2007-06-17

America has long relied on its military might to combat conventional wars; but in the war on terror such might isn't enough, especially in the guerrilla war scenario. CHOSEN SOLDIER comes from a former Navy SEAL and offers a view of the training of the Amy Special Forces warrior, or Green Berets. It discusses training, tactics, and the strategic logic of using Special Forces in the battles, and presents first-person experiences from both commanders and common soldiers. A 'must' for any military library seeking a thorough representation of various American military strategies and combat forces.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Great book for any spouse to read!.......2007-06-08

I purchased this book because my husband reenlisted into the army to train for special forces. Right now he is in the selection process. This book has helped me to understand what he will be going thru at all points of his training and how long it will take. Dick Couch does a wonderful job of explaining the process of the training while making it easy and fun to read. If your husband, boyfriend, son, or anyone you know is entering this program you must read this book. I refer to it all the time when my husband is at different points in his training so that I can see what he is doing and how long he will be doing it for. I bought a copy for my husband to read so that he could be prepared and he thought it was a little discouraging at times. That is how hard and trying the training is. I feel for him training in this NC heat! God bless all of our U.S. Soldiers and Green Berets!

Great if you are going into Special Forces.......2007-05-27

This book goes into great detail about Special Forces training without revealing any classified details. The brief commentaries at beginning and end of book are outstanding, but if you are not into the details of the training, it might not be as action packed as one would like. I enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it.

THE BOOK on Army Special Forces.......2007-05-18

I think this is Couch's best book! As a person with a big interest in the subject matter and some knowledge to begin with, I was instantly pulled into the stories of these men heading down the road to a Green Beret. I was impressed, though by the exceptional job the author does at making it understandable for readers without a lot of prior military knowledge. It has everything you expect from a Couch book: an insider view at a super-secret society, people you can be proud to have out fighting for us, detail and excitement that is engaging throughout. This is a great book in support of the guys laying down their lives without getting trapped in political rhetoric. I highly recommend Chosen Soldier

A primer on Special Forces for all who are interested.......2007-05-12

Dick Couch, author of "Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior" has written a superb piece in this book.

Couch takes the reader through all the phases of the Q-Course, and he brings the Special Forces Warrior's challenges and experiences as true to life as one can get from a book.

"Chosen Soldier" is a MUST READ for anyone interested in the Green Berets and what is required to become one (and, sew on that patch!). I especially recommend this book to anyone in or anticipating joining Special Operations Forces.

I closed this book in total awe of and respect for every man who makes it through this grueling training. They truly are the elite of the elite.

The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts

Average customer rating:

Prepare for the unexpected.
Interesting motive, fails to deliver
Interesting Perspective Rarely Seen
who's talking now
Distracting

The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts
Maxine Hong Kingston
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0679721886
Release Date: 1989-04-23

Amazon.com

The Woman Warrior is a pungent, bitter, but beautifully written memoir of growing up Chinese American in Stockton, California. Maxine Hong Kingston (China Men) distills the dire lessons of her mother's mesmerizing "talk-story" tales of a China where girls are worthless, tradition is exalted and only a strong, wily woman can scratch her way upward. The author's America is a landscape of confounding white "ghosts"--the policeman ghost, the social worker ghost--with equally rigid, but very different rules. Like the woman warrior of the title, Kingston carries the crimes against her family carved into her back by her parents in testimony to and defiance of the pain.

Book Description

A Chinese American woman tells of the Chinese myths, family stories and events of her California childhood that have shaped her identity.

Customer Reviews:

Prepare for the unexpected........2007-03-22

This is a tremendous novel. The author threads the stories her mother told her when she was a child, through the retelling of her own life, using them to draw you into her own imagination. As she grows up, living half immersed in traditional myth and half in gritty reality, where mothers and daughters are only human, the reader grows up with her. The first person telling of her childhhood stories puts the reader directly in the shoes of a child/young adult working through the stories she has been told, using them to form her hopes and dreams and her understanding of the world.

(N.B. You may not think that your childhood stories influenced the way you live, but if you think for a minute, I am certain some will come back to you and you'll realize that just the other day you did something based on or combatting that belief. Maybe you even still wish on stars?)

Interesting motive, fails to deliver.......2007-01-12

While the perspective and ideas of this novel are ones rarely seen in modern day literature, Maxine Hong Kingston fails to captivate a reader in a way that one would expect from a novel dealing with the difficulties of not only being a minority in the U.S., but for simply being female.

The story starts off with the tale of Kingston's deceased aunt, who brought shame to the family and was unmentionable due to the fact that she bore an illegitimate child. As she gets into the tale and finds a parallel between herself and her aunt, both not wanting to conform to societal expectations, the story quickly changes to a story of a legendary girl trained by two old people to battle evil. The narration is filled with melodramatic elements and disorganized and often random occurences that make no sense at all, thereby losing the reader's interest early on in the book. The story then changes a few more times to different events in her family occuring in different eras, making it hard to grasp the relationship between themand her purpose for doing so. As you can see, the organization in this novel seems to be its biggest flaw. Instead of focusing on one tale and going in depth about it, the fact that Kingston changes stories so frequently and often before they are fully developed is annoying and seems to be pointless. While the stories she includes share a common theme of decpicting independent and strong women, her melodramatic and ineffective ways of narrating not only loses the reader's interest but in the process, I think even Kingston got confused about what she was trying to say!

Interesting Perspective Rarely Seen.......2007-01-12

Kingston combines the use of allegory, fantasy, and real life elements of her childhood to explore the social status of Chinese American women from the 1940s to the present in The Woman Warrior. While at first all of her stories may seem random, they all connect to Kingston's point of view as to how not just being a minority but also being a female made life difficult for her in both cultures. Her interwoven stories were so fascinating, as she brilliantly compares what she truly wants and what society is willing to allow her to do. It is crucial that the reader pay close attention to when her stories shift. My one problem with her plot organization is that she focuses on one story, and then suddenly shifts to another story. I couldn't understand until I was at the middle of the plot to comprehend each story's purpose in the bigger picture. But once the reader succeeds in getting over that one flaw, the rest is amazing. Kingston develops a unique style all on her own as she somehow connects the fantastical parts of her dreams to what she is forced to experience in everyday reality. In the backdrop of her personal experience, Kingston describes America's problems with racism and sexism different women in her lives are hurt by this. Kingston needed to maintain her flow; but the intriguing connections involving fantasy and reality work effectively to enhance her purpose.

who's talking now.......2007-01-11

This book tries to do too much! and doesn't succeed.

Even though this book had a good story over all, the confusing narration completely distracts from the intended message.

The entire story is in first person, no matter who is talking. This gets very confusing when the story suddenly shifts to another woman's story and you still think you are reading about the previous person. Suddenly you are reading and you think that the same character has somehow appeared on the other side of the world having no idea how she got there.

You will end up spending the whole book just trying to figure out who is speaking that you will miss most of what the book tries to say.

This is supposed to show the reality of what it is like to be a chinese woman but this is too hard to see when everything else is in the way.

This book does do some things well like its clever incorporation of irony in the narrator's retelling of a story that she has been forbidden to tell. It also incorporates superstitious elements such as her mother's battle with ghosts while at college and the enticing tale of the woman warrior. There is more irony seen here when most women in the story are seen as being weak, yet the woman warrior is strong and represents all the women with its title.

Distracting.......2007-01-10

Kingston strives to weave a profound, complex story about being a Chinese-American in The Woman Warrior, but usually only succeeds in coming up with an unorganized, choppy book that doesn't consistently flow or excite. She explores the racism towards Chinese-America women with her own family's history by juxtaposing the comfortable with the unknown, the fantastic with the mundane. Some chapters are successful in portraying the characters as isolated but strong women, but others only succeed in making the reader feel confused and unconnected to the story.
The novel begins by detailing the story of Kingston's aunt, who was shamed after having an illegitimate child; the first chapter encompasses most of the themes and styles of the rest of the novel, and, like the rest of the book, it is excessively ambiguous. Kingston constantly switches between past tense and present tense truth and imagination. In a single chapter, Kingston describes both her own life and her aunt's life as she pictures it from the stories her mother tells. While these elements are used as a stylistic device for an effect of uncertainty and ambiguity, they are too overwhelming, especially in the first chapter of the story. The reader does not know who Kingston, the narrator, is yet, but the author instantly jumps into narrating two overlapping stories. This chapter does, however, have redeeming qualities. It immediately reflects Kingston's gift for vivid imagery and description, so that, even if the reader may not understand the plot, he or she may still appreciate the colorful and detailed pictures Kingston draws in her narration.
The second chapter, least connected with Kingston's own life, is the most epic and exciting, especially because of Kingston's excellent descriptions. Again, Kingston does not make clear the point of view; it is difficult to realize immediately that Kingston is actually describing the tale of Fa Mu Lan, but in a first-person perspective. This does, however, make the chapter more emotional for the reader. As for the storyline itself, it is, I think, the best one in the book. The reader does not feel obligated to relate to Kingston's struggles with racism and acceptance, because the story does not relate to Kingston. The story is a fantasy, filled with magical elements as well as intense emotions such as love, determination, and spirit. The reader feels liberated as Fa Mu Lan triumphs over boorish warriors despite her original status as a girl. Later, however, Kingston attempts to connect Fa Mu Lan's fantastic tale to her own struggles as a Chinese-American. She first describes her inability to assert herself, and then claims that her true power is in her writing. This brief conclusion feels irrelevant and stark compared to the brilliant story of Fa Mu Lan. Though Kingston tries to tie the story back to her own life, she ends up making her life seem bleak and unimportant in contrast with Fa Mu Lan's life.
Kingston draws the following story from an outside source, her mother. This chapter is another intriguing and riveting part of Kingston's novel, coincidentally, it also involves supernatural elements and follows the tale of a woman who triumphs over typical gender roles. Kingston creates a fascinating tale by using the perfect blend of dialogue and unusual descriptions. The plot of this chapter, which involves Kingston's mother's transition from a revered doctor in China to a laboring wife in America, again contains two contrasting themes. And again, the narration that involves fantasy, growth, and triumph is exciting and absorbing, while the narration of struggles of American life are dull. Kingston attempts to draw the reader into all parts of her story, but the parts that relate to the struggles of female Chinese-Americans are only dull, not profound, because they are too unfamiliar to impact the reader, and too unremarkable to entice the reader.
The final chapters of The Woman Warrior, which revert back to the ambiguous, unorganized format of sections of previous chapters, are not very satisfying. Kingston begins to describe yet another disconnected aspect of struggling as a Chinese in America, this time narrating her aunt's story from a third-person perspective. While Kingston is able to depict the conflict caused when a traditional Chinese clashes with modernized Americans, it is difficult to sympathize with her aunt. Kingston moves too quickly from one story to another, and, apart from the themes, the stories are almost completely disconnected. The last chapter is the most disorientated as Kingston quickly shifts back to narrating her own childhood. Even the themes in this chapter seem disconnected from themes from the previous chapters. Kingston portrays herself as a cruel and violent girl. This is an awful way to end the book, as the reader feels only contempt and confusion towards Kingston.
Your reaction towards the book will depend on your personal history. You are probably more likely to enjoy the book if you have experienced hardships arising from cultural differences and isolation. Though Kingston displays a gift for language- especially description and epic storytelling, her attempts to incite the reader's empathy do not succeed.

No Ordinary Moments: A Peaceful Warrior's Guide to Daily Life (Millman, Dan)

Average customer rating:

Don't Skip This Book - A must Read!
Powerful
No Ordinary Moments:A Peaceful Warrior's Guide to Daily Life
No Ordinary Moments
No ordinary book

No Ordinary Moments: A Peaceful Warrior's Guide to Daily Life (Millman, Dan)
Dan Millman
Manufacturer: HJ Kramer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives
Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior
The Life You Were Born to Live: A Guide to Finding Your Life Purpose (Millman, Dan)
The Journeys of Socrates (Peaceful Warrior Saga)
The Laws of Spirit: A Tale of Transformation

ASIN: 0915811405

Book Description

Every day, we face challenges in relationships, sexuality, money, work, and health. While there is a wealth of information and advice available on all of these subjects, we still have trouble turning knowing into doing. Here, Dan Millman presents a peaceful warrior's way to turn our intentions into action, our challenges into strength, and our life experiences into wisdom.

Based on the premise that by changing ourselves we can change the world, No Ordinary Moments presents simple yet powerful ways to balance our body, liberate our mind, accept our emotions, and open our heart.:

Customer Reviews:

Don't Skip This Book - A must Read!.......2004-10-14

I enjoyed all of Dan Millman's books, but I found this book to be one of his best. It's a book everyone should read in order to improve all aspects of their lives. Great advice, and wonderful quotes and ideas. Do yourself one of the best things you can do for yourself and read this book. Even if you don't follow all the advice, it will still change your life for the better.

Powerful.......2001-04-13

I RatMouse am telling you that this is a very powerful book when it comes to 'self-help' books! It has helped me to find my way out of the sewers more than a few times! I RatMouse hereby prescribe this book to anyone who is struggling with themselves (which we all do at one point or another).

No Ordinary Moments:A Peaceful Warrior's Guide to Daily Life.......2000-06-14

To me, this book reads like a conversation between the reader's mind and Mr. Millman. Mr.M. has interspersed several useful mental and physical(i.e. breathing) exercises amongst the various chapters of this great book, giving the publication a very practical appeal. The use of quotes is also very effective. There is no preachy, judgmental "fire & brimstone" tone to the teachings either. Mr. M. uses examples from his own life, which helps the reader get "closer" to the author.

I like Mr. M.'s approach to self-help issues such as addictions, relationships and success. One begins to realize that it is all up to the individual to CHOOSE their path when faced with ANY circumstance.

My favorite section is "The Time is Now" (pp.291-295) which truly drives home the truth that every moment of one's life can be an unreasonably happy microcosmic "lifetime".

Thank you Mr. Millman!

No Ordinary Moments.......2000-01-05

Dan's writing is clear and concise. While each new idea builds upon previous thoughts, one can read snippets here and there, and still gain great insight. As a Psychiatric nurse, I have used areas of his book to help increase understanding and insight among my higher functioning patients, with great success. Everything he writes is easy to read and understand and put into practice. A very valuable book.

No ordinary book.......1999-12-10

Unlike much of the "it's easy to be perfectly happy" self-help genre, this book offers practical and useful ways to become more aware of each action, each reaction, and each choice we make. None of it is easy, and that is what I appreciate the most - the honesty to say it takes work.

Sunset (Warriors: The New Prophecy, Book 6)

Average customer rating:

Excellent doesn't even say it all!
Sunset : Why It Summed Up 'The New Prohecy' Well
My opinion
The Best Warriors Yet.
GREAT BOOK

Sunset (Warriors: The New Prophecy, Book 6)
Erin Hunter
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Warriors: The Lost Warrior (Warriors)

ASIN: 0060827696
Release Date: 2006-12-26

Book Description

Soon after the cats reached their new home by the lake, ThunderClan's medicine cat Leafpool received an ominous warning from StarClan: Before there is peace, blood will spill blood, and the lake will run red. As the Clan slowly recovers from a devastating badger attack, Leafpool can't help but wonder . . . do her prophetic dreams mean there are even worse dangers still in store for the warrior cats?

At the same time, shadows of the past continue to haunt the forest as some old friends struggle to find their place, others appear to be lost forever, and an old enemy finds a new way to resurface in a quest for dark revenge. A sinister path is unfolding, and the time is coming for certain warriors to make the choices that will determine their destiny . . . and the destiny of all the Clans.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent doesn't even say it all!.......2007-06-26

I fell in love with ALL of the warrior books from the very beginning and each of them has been (in my opinion) five star books. This one met my expectations all the way! I must say that I thought Erin Hunter summed up the series quite well and left me waiting to read "The Sight".

The four clans: ThunderClan, WindClan, RiverClan, and ShadowClan have made their journey to their new home for some time now and many things are starting to unfold in slow motion. Leafpool, the ThunderClan medicine cat has been having visions and they say:

"Before there is peace,
blood will spill blood,
and the lake will run red..."

Leafpool is still not sure what it means but all in all she's got a bad feeling about what's going to happen. Mothwing, a medicine cat that doesn't believe in the great StarClan has a new apprentice...but how will she teach him if she doesn't believe in StarClan?

As dangers unfold Leafpool See's BrambleClaw and his half brother Hawkfrost. They're talking to their dead, murderous father, Tigerstar...

I hope that you read this book and enjoy it as much as I have!

Sunset : Why It Summed Up 'The New Prohecy' Well.......2007-06-16

Sunset was a good book, with all due respect. Of course, there were some aspects that left many more questions then answers, but the reading was fun none the less.

I especially liked the (!SPOILERS!) big fight scene at the end of the book between Hawkfrost and Brambleclaw. It was a good twist to have Firestar being trapped in a fox trap. You always assume that he'll be okay, as (ususally) all main characters live. But, since the writers kill off so many characters and it has been decreed that Brambleclaw has a set death date in The Power of Three, who knows what will happen? It was a huge relief when Brambleclaw killed Hawkfrost, as I have been waiting for that day for a long time. Leafpool's prohecy has been fulfilled: "Before there is peace, blood will spill blood, and the lake will run red." Your brain does tend to toil endlessly, thinking about what the prohecy means while waiting for this book to come out. Thankfully, but friend Darkfur and I figured out the case of 'blood relative' spilled the blood of another 'blood relative'. It was a very good prohecy that you do need to think about in order to know, unlike the original serie's prohecy, "Fire alone will save our Clan." That was very predictable...

The traitor that Hawkfrost's spirit mentions after the fight is also unclear. Many believe that the traitor is Ashfur. It is true that Ashfur was acting like acid towards Brambleclaw for 'stealing' Squirrelflight away, and it is also a fact that Birchpaw, Ashfur's apprentice, was the one carrying the false message to Firestar that would lure him down to the lake. And Ashfur was also the one to tell Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight that Hawkfrost had Firestar in a trap, perhaps to bring Brambleclaw to the lake. Perhaps Hawkfrost told Ashfur that he could get Brambleclaw down to the lake, it would look like he killed Firestar and Brambleclaw would be exiled, which of course was not the case. I don't think that it is Ashfur, because in The Sight, he shows no hostility towards Brambleclaw. He's even the first to cheer when Brambleclaw stays deputy when Graystripe returns.

That brings me to Graystripe. I personally thought that Graystripe should have returned in Sunset, but it probably was for the best when he returned in The Sight. It was a bold decision when Firestar appointed Brambleclaw deputy, even though he had no apprentice.

Brambleclaw was very annoying in Sunset. He continues to trust his evil father while pushing Squirrelflight away from him. He only realizes their evil at the last second, before it's too late.

It was good that Crowfeather and Leafpool didn't run off again in this volume, as that would have made me burn the book in frustation. Crowfeather and Leafpool are both idiots for liking each other! They break the warrior code like...what is it, seven times!? It's too frustating.

All in all, this book was a very good addition to the works of Vicky Holmes, Cherith Baldry, and Kate Cary. You HAVE to read it, as it has many twists and turns along the path. If Brambleclaw wasn't such an idiot and Leafpool not so moody, I think that it would be a perfect book. However, that is not the case. Sunset deserves an "A-" grade and 4 stars. Read it if you love Warriors!

Sincerely,

~Dapplewing~

My opinion.......2007-06-01

I like this book. Although it does leave a question unanswered at the end, the prophecy, "Before there is peace,(or, before all is peacful) blood will spill blood, and the lake will run red," was answered. Maybe the unanswered question will be answered in the Power Of Three, the new series. Though, I don't think it was answered in the first book of Power Of Three, The Sight. Well, other than that, this book was pretty good in my opinion. But you probably should read the other Warriors: The New Prophecy books first.
I hope I helped you in this review and didn't spoil the book for you.
If you want me to ask questions to get you wondering what happens, here,
P.S. before you read this, you might want to read the other books or it might ruin the surprise.

~ (1)How is the prophecy fulfilled ( I hope I spelled that right )
~ (2)What happens when Brook and Stormfur come back?

Bye!

The Best Warriors Yet........2007-05-31

Warriors: Sunset is the heart-pounding climax of the New Prophecy, and let me tell you, it is the best one yet. Not giving too much away there is trouble with Twolegs in the Forest and Hawkfrost is as bad as ever. The climax of this book kept me going for hours, it's better than TV! This book brings back some of the old good, Warriors battles that I've missed since the first series. In short this is Hunter's best, and no Warriors fan out there should skip over this book.

GREAT BOOK.......2007-05-27

I loved the original series. This disnn't upset me either!
In the last one, Leafpool left but came back. Now she's a lost, confused, and arrogant medicen cat. She arrogant because she's so worried about her ex-mate, who her best friend is, and that it's her fault Cinderpelt died.
But she still cares about Squirrelflight. Squirrelflight gets back with Brambleclaw and dumps Ashfur. Obviosly the prophecy is fufulied and Hawkfrost dies. Brambleclaw is made deputy but is going to be real mad when Graystripe comes back in, "The Sight"!
that's all the good stuff. Enjoy readind it1

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