After over 25 years of silent suffering, author, Georgia Durante opens up her soul, risking everything in hopes of bringing salvation to many of the lost souls out there trapped in their individual prisons. She does not try to make excuses for the mistakes she has made. The pure honesty of this book and the courage it took to write it is a testament to the author. I, for one, have learned some valuable lessons. I could see my own life on many of these pages. The depth of the story has provoked me to read the book over and over again as I face new trials in my life. She has proven to me that one can WIN against all odds.

This gripping saga takes the reader to places that are only seen in movies. They say that truth is stranger than fiction and this book certainly drives that point home. The characters are painted so vividly that all your emotions will come alive. Some that you will hate and others you will love. Each page of the book is compelling reading and will leave you anticipating the next. Even though it is 456 pages long, I found myself so disappointed that it had ended. I would love to read a sequel! It's that good!

I have shared this book with numerous people from various walks of life. Each person received a different message tailored for their unique circumstances. It's more than just a riveting read, it is an awe inspiring story that speaks to a mass audience and motivates and encourages the reader (man or woman) to seek new vision for their life.

It's hard to walk away from this book feeling discouraged or disappointed. Anyone who can say that they could after reading this has not yet tapped into their own spirituality.

There are some books that grab you by the throat from the opening page and shake you non-stop till the end. The Company She Keeps is just such a book. From her upbringing in Rochester's Little Italy to her years as an abused mobster's wife, to her current success with her own stunt car driving business, Georgia Durante's life story will have you on the edge of your seat. Told lucidly, with no self-pity, this is a story that is hard to put down. You will root for this feisty survivor as she struggles to raise her children and remain true to her moral and ethical framework, while competing in a male-dominated social milieu. Mobsters, actors, models and business tycoons are all depicted vividly and honestly. Heartbreak, violence, love, loss, joy, tears, and laughter all are made real as Georgia shares her truly incredible story with us. This is a must read.

Ever hear someone's story and say - hey you should write a book? Georgia Durante's therapeutic journal has become a life lesson for us all. This first time author masterfully weaves her strange but true tale into a fast paced page turning journey.

In The Company She Keeps a virgin teen-age model becomes one of the most photographed women in America as she poses for a major film manufacturer. But what happens next is anything but a Kodak moment. Georgia hangs with the local Mafia and becomes their favorite get-a-way driver. Who would suspect her? She marries into the Mob and has a family of outlaw in-laws. Years of unspeakable abuse and paralyzing fear follow. She escapes to California - fleeing the CIA, the FBI, the Mob and most of all - her past. Afraid to model and be discovered, Georgia began to cultivate her other talent - driving. Today she is one of Hollywood's top stunt drivers.

Georgia Durante's total recall dialogue puts us in the room and at the table where murders were planned and futures were determined. She was there for it all - the threats, the violence, the trust and the deceit. Her descriptive flashbacks are disturbingly real and any woman who has suffered abuse will immediaely connect to her marriage to the Prince of Darkness.

The road from Wheel Woman for the Mob to Stunt Driver to the Stars has been one full of treacherous turns, wrong way signs and countless speed bumps. But Georgia is a street-smart survivor - eager to share her story.

The Company She Keeps is an intelligent, inspirational movie of the week adventure where there really isn't an ending - just a new beginning every day.

I first read this book in March 1997 when it first came out. Even after three and a half years, and the reading of many more books, this remains of my favorite books ever. It brings the Oregon Trail to life and puts faces on the countless brave pioneers who braved the hardships of the trail to make new lives in the west. The narrator is a fictional thirteen-year-old farm girl from Missouri, Hattie Campbell. Through her diary, written in a voice that truly sounds as if it belongs to a young girl from that time, the reader experiances the events of Hattie's journey west - her friendship with Pepper, a fourteen-year-old girl from the wagon train, the beginnings of a romance with Pepper's brother Wade, and many others. Hattie was a character that I really came to care about, and I was sad to put the book down when it was finished, but since then, I have read it several more times. Kristiana Gregory is an amazing author that has given a distinct voice to each of her narrators in this book and her two other Dear America books. I hope she writes another Dear America book soon; she's one of my favorite authors from the series. I highly reccomend this book to historical fiction fans.

This adventureous and exciting story is about a young girl named Hattie Campbell, growing up in Missoura in 1847. This story is about the exciting sensation she gets when her father anounces they are traveling west to Oregon. This story is about her triumphs and losses along the Oregon Trail. After she meets a 14 year-old girl named Pepper Lewis, they plan everything about their 'soon-to-be' life in the west. Everything changes when Pepper gets married...Will all of their plans change? Soon, Hattie longs for someone to love, just as Pepper has. Will she survive the long and harsh journey west?

I loved this book! I deffinetly am glad I gave it 5 stars, because it's true! This is a very adventureous book and it makes me wish I lived in that time, for everything is so fun...But it turns out life is harsh on the trail. I recommend this book for 10-14 year-olds. When I bought this book I also bought "My Heart Is On The Ground" and "Voyage On The Great Titanic", all great stories of girls and their changing lives. Once again, I couldn't put it down! I loved it! :)

This book was tragic But adventureous. I felt like I was Hattie. It is about a girl who leaves her hometown in Booneville, Missora and heads out west to Oregon. Their are a lot of deaths in the story but none of Hattie's family members died on the Oergon trail so don't worry. I'm eight and I didn't have nightmares for a week but if I were you I would not let anybody under eight read this. they may get scared. There are great characters like Pepper, Gideon, Wade, Ben, Jake and of course Hattie Campell. If you like adventure and danger I recomend this book to you.

Seabiscuit's "gallop was so disorganized that he had a maddening tendency to whack himself in the front ankle with his own hind hoof." And so the spell-binding story about a horse that runs with a duck waddle, a jockey (Red Pollard) who is blind in one eye, a trainer (Tom Smith) who is practically mute, and an owner (Charles Howard) who brought cars to the West is born. This unlikely group of misfits joins together through chance -- and because all three men immediately see the untapped potential in a mistreated, high-spirited, and lazy horse named Seabiscuit. This trio devotes their love, skills, and energy into turning Seabiscuit into one of the most phenomenal horse racing legends.

Tom Smith, perhaps the original "horsewhisperer", spends hours learning and understanding his horse. When Seabiscuit is first put into his care for training, the horse is nervous, paces incessantly, weighs too little, and suffers from a sore body. Tom spends time caring for Seabiscuit, showering him with affection and carrots, even sleeping in Seabiscuit's stall at night. A daily routine is introduced plus animal companionship. Before long, Seabiscuit has his own entourage: a cow pony named Pumpkin, the little stray dog Pocatell, and Jojo the spider monkey. Under Tom's care, the high-spirited Seabiscuit learns to trust, becomes calm, and, most importantly, starts winning horse races.

The triumph of Seabiscuit is ultimately the story of what any person (or animal) may accomplish when their talents are recognized, supported, and expanded. Seabiscuit, given his inauspicious start in life, could just as easily have faded away into non-existence running third tier races. However, the love and care he receives from his owner, jockey, and trainer have you cheering until the end of the book for Seabiscuit to keep running (and winning) with his heart. Not only does Seabiscuit capture the hearts of the misfit trio, he will capture yours.

This fascinating work of non-fiction is one of the best books I've read in a long time. Unlike a lot of historical non-fiction, this intriguing story did not read like a textbook - it read like fiction and not once did I find myself skimming the details ... too interesting to skim through!

When I first heard about this story, I wasn't sure about it - after all, I really know (or should I say "knew") very little about horse racing. Despite my misgivings, I soon realized that a major purpose of this book was not only to teach the reader about this sport via Seabiscuit's career but also to memorialize the amazing individuals (Charles Howard, Tom Smith, Red Pollard, George Woolf, etc.) who defied all odds to make such a successful racing career possible.

I especially liked the chapters dealing with the difficulties of life as a jockey - the way the jockeys punished their bodies to the extreme for the honor of participating in a harrowingly dangerous sport was truly unbelievable...and I thought ballerinas were harsh on their bodies when it came to weight loss! Red was my favorite character and I can't help wondering if the author felt a particular kinship with the jockey as a result of her own struggles with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - after all, she did have to push her own body beyond her normal physical limits to complete her research and write this amazing book!

Ms. Hillenbrand successfully incorporated the story of Seabiscuit's racing career into the historical context of the era. Seabiscuit was a much needed diversion for Americans who were suffering the depths of the Great Depression. ...And perhaps, through Laura Hillenbrand, Team Seabiscuit is still providing us all with an inspirational diversion from today's distressing headlines!

Oh - and don't skip the interview with Laura Hillenbrand at the end of the book. It was very interesting to see how Ms. Hillenbrand's own background influenced her writing and how her research helped her to resurrect this intriguing epoch in American history.

I'm excited about the movie although I hope Universal Studios does this wonderful literary work justice!

What a book! What a reading!

I picked it up to fill in the void left by Harry Potter book 5, and this Seabiscuit just blow me and every other books I've ever read (in English) completely away. I just couldn't put it down once I started, finishing the 300-plus pages in less than 48 hours - a personal record for me as a slow reader.

Yes it is about horse racing - a topic I couldn't have cared less if not for the movie I plan to see, but it goes way beyond. It's really about perseverance, redemption, friendship, and second chance in life overcoming obstacles. As a foreigner, I found this book the best window to peek into a piece of American history, an American legend, and the true American spirit.

Laura Hillenbrand's writing is mesmerizing, the way she tells the dramatic stories about the horse and the people behind it, the way she builds up layers over layers of suspense leading to one climax after another, make this book a real page turner. Don't be fooled by the non-fiction category, this book is exactly what the best fiction should have been written as.

I can hardly believe this was her first book. What a talent!

Her life itself is also a reflection of the theme of the book and just as inspiring. She has been suffering severe chronic fatigue syndrome since age of 19 as a result of food poison in college. Yet she never gives up writing.

Although after reading the book I found the movie is just so-so (perhaps my bar was set too high by the book), I still want to thank Hollywood for making this film from the bottom of my heart - because it introduced me to the most satisfactory reading I've ever had.

This is a real serendipity!

Every so often a book comes along that restores your belief just a little. This book is one of them.

It chronicles the childhood of Homer Hickam, NASA engineer who grew up in the West Virginia town of Coalwood. Coalwood was a company town, centered around the Coalwood coal mine. In one shape or form everyone who worked in Coalwood worked for or in the mine. Sons were expected to follow in their father's footsteps. However Mr. Hickam and his group of friends are galvanized by the Russian's successful Sputnik launch. They are determined to become rocket scientists and help Werner Von Braun compete with the Russians.

This is a book of determination and courage. For instance, Mr Hickam, who couldn't pass basic Algebra taught himself Calculus so he could understand how to build better rockets. But it is also a story of boys growing up during the '50s with all of the normal teen-age angst. Most of all it is a warm book as we watch the Rocket Boys touch every member of the small coal mining community with their striving to reach the stars. I gave this book five stars, a rating I don't give out lightly. I loved this book and I think you will too.

I admit, I didn't pick up this book until after I had seen the fabulous movie about Homer Hickam's life. The film struck me in a way that left me in awe of this man's childhood, and the book astounded me! I had never been a fan of biographies until I was compelled to buy the book, and I didn't put it down once the whole time I was reading it. I was captivated by the life and motivation one boy had, and how he grew into a man who could face his challenges and follow his dreams.

This inspirational story is about a young man, Homer Hickam, or Sonny, as he is called by his parents and closest friends, who grew up in a small coal mining town in West Virginia. When he first heard about Sputnik, the Russian satellite, he was motivated to create his own model rockets along with his 4 best friends; Sherman, O'Dell, Roy Lee, and Quentin, forming their own Rocket Boys society, setting off their model rockets under the eyes of the towns people, and the strict figure of his father, a hardy coal foreman in the mine. He is pressure from both sides on his future career until he goes to Indianapolis (my home city) to the national science fair, and...I won't spoil it for those that don't know, and finally going on to become an employee with NASA, his dream acheived.

This book opened me up to a new world I had never seen. A person who acheived his final goals, with little help from the adults most kids rely on. This really is an inspiration, and I suggest you read it, to see what an amzing story I'm talking about!

My favorite things about this book:

· The author is very honest about his shortcomings, doubts, failures... How many times in the book is he ready to throw everything away?

· He writes truthfully not just about the rocket project, but about his feelings for his dad, his brother, his friends, the girl of his dreams, his teacher...

· The excellent portrayal of life in a mining town in WV in the late 50's. The community is slowly disintegrating due to the failing economics of coal, yet they find cohesion by rooting for the rocket project in unison. This is why the entire town would attend rockets launches and cheer and clap.

· The wonderful side characters, like the machinist who helps the guys by building special pieces, the dad, torn between his own stubbornness and the love for his son...

BEWARE! The movie is a triumphant Hollywood view of a successful, starry-eyed, brave and determined young man with a cuasi-perfect life. If we listen to the book, though, Homer was bullied, scared, intimidated, ready to quit, and had to overcome lots of opposition to achieve his dream. You might want to rent the movie to check out the last 3 minutes or so, because there is actual footage of many of the characters in the book, plus rocket launches! Other than that, the movie is a terrible adaptation of the book and doesn't do it any justice.

Probably the best thing about this autobiography is the fact that Mick Foley brings you right up close to the action whether it be in the ring or outside it. Mick gives some witty insights on his fellow comrades which gives the Wrestling fans some good insight of the many characters that appear in the WWF as well as the other federations.

This is not a book for the squeamish, as many of Mick Foley's thoughts seem to stem from a troubled childhood. It is not pleasant to read about Mankind's numerous injuries. What Mankind failed to realize during his career was that he did not always have to play the part of the tortured mascocistic soul. Mick had the ability to win over any crowd with his wit and safe wrestling moves without resorting to jeopardizing his life for a bunch of blood thirsty fans by falling from great heights such as in Hell In A Cell.

Overall, this is an excellent view of the Wrestling Business and all fans who don't mind some blood and gore in their reading should make this a purchase. However, Mick's point of view in some places may be lacking as don't forget all the chair shots to the head can have a long last effect on anyone.

I got this incredible book the day it was released thanks in part to the kind people at Amazon. I was so enthralled with Foleys words and thoughts that I pretty much shut out the world for the next few days until I was finished. Part of me wished I would have gone slower, so I could have savored every word. If you're a wrestling fan you absolutely have to read this book. Even if you're not a smart fan, you will walk away from "Have a Nice Day" knowing more about sports entertainment than ever before. Mick takes on a ride through his childhood and his early years on the independent circuit. He tells us of his sometimes tumoltuos tenure in WCW and of his monster success in the WWF. Mick Foley deserves every accolade given to him and more. Please read "Have a Nice Day", you will not regret it.

Mick Foley, A.K.A. Mankind, couldn't get past page 20 of his incredible life story without admitting that he idolizes the mand who many of us consider the greatest wrestler ever, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka.

The enigmatic personality behind Dude Love, Cactus Jack, and Mankind verbally portrays in detail "Superfly" Snuka's incredible match in Madison Square Garden with Don Muraco in which one of wrestlings most classic moments transpired.

Foley vividly explains how the Superfly climbed barefoot to the top of the 15 foot high steel cage and sacrificed his body by leaping onto the fallen "Magnificent One". Mick Foley's life was never the same after that moment and it shows in "Have A Nice Day".

I'm proud to say that Foley's book has inspired a biography by his idol, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka which is tentatively being titled, "Tales From The Top Of The Cage." I will serve as co-author to the WWF hall of fame inductee.

Like "Have A Nice Day", Superfly's biography will give tremendous insight into the wrestler's upbringing and childhood life as well as revealing never before discussed information on wrestlers, WWF, wrestling politics, and Snuka's famous wrestling family members like "The Rock", his son Jimmy Jr., actually this list is virtually endless.

If you even remotely liked "Have A Nice Day" which if you didn't - you must have missed something, it is brilliant, you have to read the forthcoming biography by his idol, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka.

Mick Foley has done a brilliant job of documenting his life story with flourishes of humor and human emotion that will touch and inspire readers of all walks of life. For my entire life I've watched professional wrestling and am now involved as a ring announcer and commentator. I was never a big Mick Foley fan, though I've always respected his ability. Now, I have been converted.

"Have A Nice Day" is hard to categorize. It isn't fair to classify this as a wrestling book. It's so much more.

This is the perfect read for anyone that needs some inspiration or motivation. Foley was turned down by the WWF more times then Elizabeth Taylor has husbands, yet he now holds the distinction of being a two time WWF heavyweight champion.

In fact, Mick Foley may become the only individual to wear the WWF crown under two separate names. He won the WWF title as Mankind and will soon challenge for it again under the moniker he started his career under, Cactus Jack.

The versatility of "Have A Nice Day" will keep you mesmerized until you finish it. one could consider it a buffet that spans an entire football field - you're certain to find more then enough to fill you up.

With the enormous popularity of professional wrestling today it seems that any professional wrestler could write a book and that would sell. Even Al Snow (read "Have A Nice Day", and you'll understand that!).

This book doesn't need professional wrestling's big push. "Have A Nice Day" and its' author, Mick Foley aka Dude Love aka Mankind aka Cactus Jack, stand on their own.

Stop reading these reviews. Order the book.

Colin Channer's "Waiting in Vain" is an incredibly insightful look at romance in the post 90's era. From the first meeting between Sylvia and Fire the reader is drawn in and kept on the edge of their seat eagerly anticipating the next move. If you have found that someone who makes you believe in soul mates you will find yourself smiling and nodding your head unconsciously at the interaction of Sylvia and Fire - you have so been there. If you have ever loved the wrong wo/man and hoped beyond hope that s/he will change just to be with you - you will totally understand Margaret and Ian.

What I also love about this book is that the writer stays true to his characters , there are times when you wish he doesn't but he does. This I think is a defining trait of the true artist. I love the Jamaican scenery!!! I could actually identify the places, the scents, the accent. This is truely Jamaica portrayed with love but without sentimentality.

All around this is a feel good book that leaves you wanting more - a must read for the romantic in all of us.

There are a lot of books written about relationships. A lot of them are bad, some are offensive most are shallow and one-dimensional. Colin Channer's Waiting in Vain is one of the few exceptions. Channer's story is full; it's about more than a lovelife it's about a love of life, of life outside of love and finding the love of your life. The cast of characters expands on some familiar stereotypes giving them more appeal and greater depth and believability. The main characters are an interesting contrast of personalities. Fire, artistic, intelligent, sensitive, sexy and sensual, is more of an ideal - a composite of the very best a flawed man could ever be. Sylvia, however, with her insecurities, hopes and fears is very much real - painfully so. Channer plays the ideal against the real with great success. One of the few criticisms of the novel is that Channer's overall portrayal of women is stark, wounds are laid open for all to see. There is no one to redeem them. No one sets a goal for them to attain. No one is more or better than ordinary and everyone is dealing with the pains, betrayal and limitations of life.

The content of this novel is expansive. The issues covered are skillfully woven into the story lines. The reader doesn't feel rushed, overwhelmed or cheated as Channer's characters deal with racism, classism, sexism and the complex results of mental, physical, sexual and drug abuse. Channer intelligently presents discussions on the black diaspora, the black literary scene and the current state of black art circles. Channer's style is such that the things that would horrify or shock us as readers are deftly removed from us and presented at a safe distance but not lessened in intensity. In this Channer's style is reminiscent of Ellison's handling of the harsh issues found in the Invisible Man. Throughout the novel regardless of the situation the writing is lyrical. The reader gets the desire to read certain passages aloud, so strong is the feeling that Channer is writing for the ear and the sound and flow of the words.

We found this an ideal selection for our book group as the possibilities for discussion were so abundant. We called back and forth between us with updates and comments long before our actual meeting date. Several of us had the pleasure of attending a reading and were able to meet Mr. Channer. If you are ever presented with the opportunity to hear or meet Colin Channer we strongly urge you do so.

As I start to write this review, I am worried that I will not find the words to adequately express how much I loved this book! I have read books where I have loved and rooted for characters as friends. This was the first time I saw myself and my thoughts in characters, and felt understood. It was great to read about characters who were well-traveled, enjoyed learning, loved music and books, yet were down to earth.

Waiting in Vain is a beautifully poetic novel about love, loss, self-discovery, and fulfillment. Mr. Channer provides emotional and academic stimulation; he also touches on class and political issues. I was so engrossed with sitting in on the lives, feeling the breeze, and tasting the fruits that I forgot I was reading.

The book also gave me hope, in that if a man could write with such passion, love, and sensitivity there is a chance I will find my fire. Buy this book! You will not regret it, most likely you will thank me.

a book that gives us the inside story,where other books about Nick will never reach.A book for all die-hard Nick Carter fans.You have to get it! The book is filled with info about Nick's life,it's filled with joys and tears,that make you cry and laugh all at the same time.And at the end,you look at Nick in a different light,he's not just a blonde haired, blue eyes,great smile guy in one of the worlds most talented bands,he's a person. He worked hard to achieve his goal,and thank the lord he did,or I wouldn't be able to sleep at night,without hearing his voice! This is one of the best books that I have ever read,if you are one of the die-hard Nick fans,like me,you'll know that this book will be worth every cent of your money. Mrs.Jane Carter,I salute you for raising Nick in your tender love and care,thanks for helping him achieve his goal!

When Mrs. Carter said that she would talk about her in the book, I've realized that it was a matter of fact that she should talk about her first. Thanks for opening your heart to us Mrs. Carter. Now I understand why Nick do this or that. The parents reflects on their children. After reading "The Heart And Soul Of Nick Carter: Secrets Only A Mother Knows" (which I've finally found after several months of seeking!) I can now say that I know Nick, better than I used to. Of course, I agree with the ones that say that is not a real author who wrote it, but Mrs. Carter probably wrote it with her heart, not her head. It's sweet and simple. You don't have to use the finest words of the dictionnary to make people understand who your son is. I will look at Nick differently now... It was a good idea to write a book about Nick, by his mother. I wish that all the BSB's mothers could do the same about their son. Thanks Mrs. Carter, for opening the gates of your heart, soul, family, house, and for sharing those secrets with us.

I love the Backstreet Boys and I've been a huge fan since '97, and I'm an even MORE huger fan of Nick Carter. THE HEART AND SOUL OF NICK CARTER: SECRETS ONLY A MOTHER KNOWS is one of the best books you can find on Nick Carter. Though it's a little out-dated now I believe (the book was made in like, '98 and the Backstreet Boys since then have done a lot more plus made two new albums MILLENNIUM and BLACK & BLUE), I still think this book gives an accurate bio of Nick and his amazingly talented family.

There is not one dull or boring moment while reading this book. Jane Carter carefully describes what their family life was like both in the past and present, along with the ancestors and family relatives. When you're reading this book, you really do feel like you're apart of the "Carter Clan", as Jane calls her family. You'll laugh and cry and cheer throughout this book. And even though I'm a huge fan and have never been to a Backstreet concert or seen them live in person, I now feel a lot closer to Nick Carter, and not just him, but to Kevin, AJ, Brian, and Howie as well.

Jane Carter also writes about the troubles she and Nick went through while going to auditions, performing in front of audiences during Nick's pre-Backstreet years, and even meeting AJ and Howie for the first time. She also writes about the very first song Nick ever sang to her - "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" - and why that was so important to her. She writes about the ups and downs her family had to go through to help Nick achieve his dream as a successful entertainer, which I think he has now successed!

Besides, the fabulous well-written bio, she also adds a ton of family photos for us fans to look at and enjoy and even a Nick Carter quiz at the ending (I took it and got a perfect score without even looking at the answers!). This book will answer all of your Nick Carter questions. And though it may only be for Nick Carter fans, I'm sure many Backstreet fans will enjoy this as well. I actually think you don't even need to be a Backstreet fan to enjoy this book. Maybe if you read it you would understand Nick Carter and his Backstreet fellas and would start to appreciate him more and see him as a real person. I also don't think Jane Carter brags about her son; she is proud of his major accomplishments and what he has done for the family. And she isn't afraid to show it.

I think Jane Carter and Bob Carter are the perfect role models for parents everywhere. They show love and affection to their family and to each other. They try to help achieve their childrens' dreams and do not discourage them. They do not do drugs or commit violence or abuse each other or their children. The Carter Clan is a beautiful family and very gifted and talented. I think they should all be respected and people should stop trashing them because that is just wrong when you don't even know a thing about them. Maybe after you read THE HEART AND SOUL OF NICK CARTER you will change your mind about trashing this family and start to respect them. Great read. I loved all the photos. If you're a fan of books then this is definitely one you must try!

Having only the cursory knowledge of Iwo Jima from the immortalized "photograph" and monument near Arlington National Cemetary, reading "Flags of Our Fathers" was an eye-opening experience. Born in the late 60's, I grew up in with war and its after-effects having little impact on my own personal life (somehow my immediate family escaped any time in the military). In this deeply personal account of the events surrounding Iwo Jima, James Bradley gives the reader a detailed account of the famous battle that no high school history class lesson could do justice to. From the "underground city" of Iwo to the facts surrounding the quite accidental photographic capture of the incidental second flagraising, the book is both educational and fairly quick read.

I was a little put-off early in the early stages of the book. In leading up to the actual battle, Bradley seemed to have already elevated the six flagraisers to godlike status. But having finished "Flags," one can easily forgive the author for the high reverence he holds for these individuals now knowing how each of their stories ended. Having recently visited Washington, I stopped at the US Marine Corps Memorial near the end of my trip. I did not know the names or stories of the men behind the impressive statues. Reading "Flags" made me initially regret what, at the time, had been a fairly unemotional visit to yet another DC monument. While that changed as I read "Flags" (I pulled out the photos I had taken several times while reading), I ultimately believe that the surviving flag raisers (particularly the author's father, John Bradley) would be quite happy that I did not associate them with the celluloid or bronze images that dogged them for the remainder of their lives.

It is heartening to see the success of this book. While not a scholarly historical work, Bradley has done a great service in recording these men's stories and the brave efforts of all who have ever fought for their country.

Seriously, five stars are just too few for a monumental book like this one. This book is an instant classic that should live for all time! If you are like me, you have a whole story built up in your mind around one of the most famous photographs in American history -- the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima. If you are also like me, there is little reality behind that story in your mind.

Written by the son of one flag-raising Marine, this amazing story should be read by everyone. It tells a tale of heroism, horrible circumstances, and the lasting consequences of an unexpected event in a compelling, unforgettable way. This book rivals All Quiet on the Western Front for its revealing insights into the nature of war, comradeship, and courage.

To set the stage, Iwo Jima was the first Japanese soil the Marines invaded. The Emperor had issued orders that the ground was to be defended to the last man. Iwo Jima was filled with tunnels that harbored over 20,000 Japanese troops who could shoot from relative safety while Americans were out in the open. The tunnel system was so extensive that Marines would literally be kidnapped while standing next to their buddies, and no one would know where they had gone. Rocks would suddenly open up to reveal mortars.

Tough fighting went on for days. The Marines lost 7,000 dead and had another 15,000 or more wounded out of 70,000 men. Ironically, the worst of the fighting came after the flag photograph, and three of the six Marines in the photograph died in this later action.

As tough as Iwo Jima was, living with the aftermath of the photograph was even harder in many ways. Two of the three survivors had their lives deeply affected in negative ways. The story of all three riveted me more than anything I have read in years.

I read fairly few books about war, but I cannot recommend this book enough to you. As Americans we owe it to those who fought in this battle to remember what actually happened and what the repercussions are. You will be moved at a deeper level than you can possibly imagine by this outstanding book.

Remember Iwo Jima!

I was only 5 when the attack on Iwo Jima took place. My own father, by virtue of age, good luck and a naval officer's commission escaped conscription into this particular hell. My personal wartime experience is a vague one of watching free movie musicals at the Ottumwa Iowa Naval Air Station, squashing and saving tin cans for the war effort and finally weaving red white and blue crepe paper into the spokes of my junior bike in celebration of VJ day. Thanks to a new book about World War II, I am discovering what it was really like back then to feel true patriotism. It is a bittersweet revelation, but a very valid one.

"Flags of Our Fathers" is a book which appeals not only to the die-hard WWII buff but to any person, male or female, with an interest in a teeth clenching, powerful and poignant story. It describes a horrible battle, the incredible selfless sacrifices of young men and the angst of their families.

James Bradley & Ron Powers have brought to vivid life the real people behind the famous flag-raising mythos, the surreal war in which they so valiantly fought and the survivors' eventual reentry into civilian life. This is an adventure story of true horrific experiences. On the surface it is a "good guy-bad guy" saga in which our good guys finally triumph. The good guys lucky enough to come home are quiet, self effacing and seemingly forever linked to the ghosts of those who did not survive. In an age before psychologists had discovered and mined "survivor's guilt" and Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, the luckiest of these largely teenaged boys trained, fought, were wounded, came back and resumed living to the best of their ability. I defy any woman not to bleed for the mothers and fathers who waited and any man not to cry for the "uncommon valor" of these very young sons. Bradley's personal experiences with his own hero father, his intimate interviews with families of these sons and his own quiet faith are melded with the poetic prose of Ron Powers into a seamless whole.

This is a meticulously researched, lovingly crafted and stunning battle book, written by exceptional men about exceptional men. It is sure to become a classic.

I read most of the negative reviews in these pages and I noticed a common theme. Most of these reviewers are accusing McCullough of Truman Worshipping. I frankly question weather some of these reviewers have even read the book, as general as their criticism seems too be. I guess I can't blame them, because this incredibly detailed book of 1,000 pages could be criticized for being overly long.

What is unquestionable is that McCullough likes Truman. I heard him say that in his 10 years of research on this book. He never talked too anyone, who knew Truman personally, that had a bad thing to say about him. Reading the book I find numerous times where Truman's questionable actions are documented. The personal failures of his youth and early political career are well covered in the book and yet what is astonishing is that this guy becomes president of the USA. I have come away from reading this book, not worshipping Truman, but better understanding what a complex character he was. Harry really was an unlikely Hero. After reading his book, like McCullough, I couldn't help liking Truman for who he was. I feel I came to that conclusion knowing just about everything there was too know about Harry Truman. Thanks to David Mccullough's hard work!

McCullough's intensively researched, thorough, and moving biography of Harry S. Truman is an accessible account of a president who is almost effaced by the times in which he lived. Remembered mostly (if at all) as a little gray man who fell somewhere between Roosevelt and Kennedy, Truman's accomplishments, failures and personality often fade into the background, against the likes of FDR, Churchill, Stalin, or even Joe McCarthy.

McCullough's biography captures the man who inserted a civil rights plank to the Democratic Party platform, risking his presidency, and splitting the party; who fought in WWI, married his childhood sweetheart, failed at business, then succeeded beyond his wildest imaginings at politics; and who, yes, dropped the only two atomic weapons ever used in warfare. McCullough presents Truman in all his contradictions, and his affable, easygoing style. I went and read _Truman_ because I had profound ambivalence towards him, and his actions as president. While this bio did little to clear up my ambivalence, it was expertly and cogently crafted, and I found myself personally liking the subject, even though still troubled by him. In this world with few saints, this is the best one could ask for in a comprehensive biography.

McCullough writes from his subject's corner--one can discern a genuine affection for the man in his pages. However, the author does an excellent job of presenting the evidence; of showing the reader that McCullough is a man of his craft; of demonstrating that, while "objective" history may be a myth (yes, certain things did happen, and others did not. What that MEANS, however, is up for constant debate), responsible history is not. Readers who detect bias in the biography are undoubtedly correct. The reason this is troublesome, though, is more that the author's bias does not agree with the reader's, rather than the sheer existence of bias itself. Not that this is necessarily a problem; it simply is the way of things.

The last few years have seen an upswing in the reputations of Republican presidents--the renaming of Washington National Airport, and Oliver Stone's laudatory biopic of Nixon being two examples that come immediately to mind--, while Democratic Presidents, such has Clinton and Kennedy have, sometimes deservedly, sometimes not, come under fire. _Truman_ comes as a breath of fresh air to one who is increasingly disturbed by the tenor of our national historical dialogue.

I recommend _Truman_ to anyone with an interest in the period or the man.

At first the size of this book can seem daunting. However, from the very first page I found it fascinating. For most of the 1,000 or so pages it read like a novel, a real page-turner. Because of the kind of time commitment necessary to read a book of this size, I read it in sections over a couple months, reading other things in between. Having lived through most of the significant events discussed in the book, I found them presented with accuracy. Mr. McCullough showed all sides of every significant conflict. The book gives a fascinating insight into the difficulties of public office and the setting of public policy. It also presents Harry S. Truman as a man of real integrity and one who will, in the long run, undoubtedly go down as one of our great presidents. Throughout this book I was consistently impressed with Mr. Mccullough's writing style. Anyone who can keep the pages turning for 1,000 pages of biography is an extremely skilled writer! I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in 20th century American history, but also to anyone interested in just plain good writing!

I'm not much of a book reader, so I normally don't get excited over autobiographies. But I must say that I read the book from cover to cover in one sitting and enjoyed it immensely. It's well-written, humorous, and offers insightful information on Hollywood through Campbell's trials and tribulations of making ends meet in the business. He discusses not only the Evil Dead movies, but also touches on the range of his work from Crimewave to the Hercules/Xenia TV shows. Campbell mentions little of his personal life, which is actually refreshing..allowing fans to get a sense of who he is through his writing and his film/TV work. He comes across as a "down to earth" kind of guy, sort of as someone who'd be chronicling his experiences in a diary. Avid Bruce Campbell fans will enjoy this book, as well as mainstream book readers who are looking for something fun and entertaining to read...oh, and two high points of the book: tons of photos and drawings; and short chapters (I don't know how many times I lost interest in a book because the chapters were 20-30 pages long). Highly recommended...

With "If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B-Movie Actor," Bruce Campbell proves that his standard wit and charm, two of the qualities that make him such a delicious addition to any film or television project, translate just as well onto the printed page. The book gives a thorough look at Campbell's life, where he waxes nostalgic about everything from his early childhood and family life to his recent experience on the sets of "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" and "Xena: Warrior Princess." The detailed examinations of his work on the film "Evil Dead" will be a great pleasure to read for any Deadite, and the photographs that appear throughout the book offer a candid look at Campbell and friends, a nicely added touch that isn't seen in all autobiographies. Campbell's funny and irreverent look at life could make anyone laugh out loud, even those unfamiliar with his work, but this is certainly a must have for any fan.

Read this and then watch Evil Dead (again). It is unbelievable. I see the movie from a totally new perspective. Oh, that opening scene on the water is Bruce Campbell pushing Sam Raimi on a raft, there's where they rigged that lever to make that deadite look like she was floating in the air, there's where there's two people under the floor to look like scattered body parts wriggling. Behind the scenes stuff like that is amazing to me. Since obviously Evil Dead as Bruce Campbell's first movie gets the blow-by-blow treatment, I got the feeling that no other movie experience has ever been the same for him. The whole thing from financing to final edit was solely left to the filmmakers with total creative control. I wished I could've been a part of that hellish shoot for the craziness they must've experienced! And that's only one portion of the book. I work in a bookstore, and I read almost the entire thing on my shift one day, bought it and finished it the next day. I still re-read my favorite parts, and I usually don't like biographys. Buy it, read it, make Bruce Campbell sign it when he comes to your town, and cherish it.