$21.00 Moving Zen $1.50 Return to Stillness The pillowbook of Dr. $11.25 (25% off) Angry White Pyjamas $4.19 My Journey in Karate $10.20 (32% off) Iron and Silk $10.85 (32% off) Autumn Lightning Sensei $3.95 Sensei II $15.00 The Man Who Never Missed $9.36 (28% off) Zen in the Art of Archery $0.01 Zen and the Art of Street $19.80 (10% off) Unsui $9.00 Karate-Do

1. Moving Zen: One Mans Journey to the Heart of Karate (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior) by C. W. Nicol List Price: $21.00 Category: Hardcover (2001-09-21) Publisher: Kodansha International ISBN: 4770027559 Sales Rank: 1218177 Lowest Used Price: $135.55 (11 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description Moving Zen: One Man's Journey to the Heart of Karate is a multifaceted work with ever-surprising depths. It is the story of a young man arriving in Japan to come to grips with an alien culture; his first two, hard years studying the technique of, and spirit behind, Karate; and, finally, the story of how he learned the art of gentleness through strength. Twenty-two-year-old C. W. Nicol, born in Wales, a student of Judo since fourteen, the youngest pro wrestler in England, and a member of three arctic expeditions, arrives in Japan in 1962 to study Karate. He shortly finds that the study of this martial art engages his whole being and transforms his outlook on life. Joining the Japan Karate Association, or Shotokan, he discovers that Karate, while being extremely violent, also calls for politeness and a sense of mutual trust and responsibility. He learns that the stronger the Karateka, the more inclined he is to be gentle with others. The dangerous ones are those who have gained a measure of skill but have not yet achieved spiritual maturity--a fact he observes not only in others but in himself. Studying kata, he comes to realize that these forms are, in essence, moving Zen and that the ultimate goal of all the martial arts is tranquility. Eventually C. W. Nicol, through the help of many wonderful teachers, gains his black belt. In the meantime he has taken a huge step forward in achieving the goal of tranquility. This saga--must-reading for all martial artists and anyone interesting in "moving Zen"--was first published in 1975 and has achieved the status of a modern classic. C. W. Nicol is now a seventh-dan blackbelt in the Shotokan Karate International Federation. Previously published as Moving Zen: Karate as a Way to Gentleness. Now with a new foreword by Hirokazu Kanazawa and a new afterword by C. W. Nicol. ... Read more Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 8 reviews. Martial Arts at its best. Moving Zen is an autobiography of one man's journey into the warrior traditions of Japan. It tells the story of a violence prone young man seeking authentic power through martial arts. This book takes one deep into these warrior traditions and their transformative power to change ourselves. As the author notes, the true meaning of Budo is the Zen state; no small feat to accomplish but herein lies the heart of the book. This book is not only a true life adventure story, but a philosophy on life. In this verese, C.W. Nicole documents this journey as a beginning student of Karate and the Sempai who befriended him along the way including the Martial Arts legend Don Dregger. But it is much more than that, Nicole conveys something inexplicable in his verse that touches-the-power-of-life and the meaning it holds at a core level! In this sense, the book is powerful and compelling giving a good account of the rigors or martial arts training and the inside struggles to advance along this path. Perhaps more importantly is the synchronicity intercepting one life trajectory that brings people into our lives at the right moment for some hidden purpose. This book remains a monumental best seller years after it was first published. It provides a primer for any aspiring martial artist seeking to study in Japan. Moreover, it captures a sense of beauty of these disciplined people who continue to live by a code of honor. Nicole Sensei emobodies that honor and mystery on every page. Great Book! A Great Read! This is a magnificent book and although I teach a Chinese martial art, I strongly recommend that all of my senior students pick up a copy of it. A classical story of a young man's journey along the path of the martial arts...we all see ourselves at different points in the book...this is a book that you just can't put down. Until you read it again. And again. A classic martial arts autobiography! I have read this book probably about a half dozen times. Sadly it was out of print for a long time, but recently came back in to print with a new subtitle "One Man's Journey to the Heart of Karate". I never understood why it was out of print at all. This book is a classic, and is the one that all other martial arts autobiographies are measured against. And I should know because I have read them all (check out my book Martial Arts Biographies-An Annotated Bibliography if you don't believe me). This book is referenced in countless indexes of other books. It really gives a great history of karate in Japan during the 60s. Nicol describes living with other martial artists from the west such as Donn Draeger. If you haven't read it, I strongly urge you to pick up a copy, and read it today. "Usss!" As a newly minted ShoDan in Shiho Karano Karate, I have to be skilled in knowledge as well as technique. To that end, I've been reading a number of books on various aspects of the martial arts. One part of that genre are the autobiographical accounts of Budo practitioners. I want to gain deeper insight into my own path through what others have experienced, learned, and how they changed as a result of their martial arts training. "Moving Zen" is one such tale, written by a Welshman who rose to black belt level in Japan during the early 60s. C. W. Nicol, an adventurous twentysomething, decided to immerse himself in the study of Karate. So he moved to Japan and began training at the Yotsuya dojo in Tokyo. "Moving Zen" chronicles the two-year period where Sensei Nicol progressed from a brawny and temperamental white belt to a skilled and calm first-degree black belt. First released in 1975, this newer small-sized edition includes an afterword written by the author in 2001, plus some vintage photographs and simple pencil illustrations. Sensei Nicol writes with a very pure and austere style, so "Moving Zen" is a fairly quick read. There's not a lot of detailed exposition, although at times he tends to wax eloquent about the spiritual aspects of Nippon, particularly Zen within Karate (hence the title). Sensei Nicol is quite taken with Japanese culture, so you won't see much Western cynicism or skepticism here. Instead, he "went native," marrying a Japanese woman and eventually becoming a citizen of Japan. Of course, Sensei Nicol has his share of trials both in and out of the dojo, due to his hot temper and, ironically, being a gaijin (foreigner) in the somewhat xenophobic society he loves. But his respect, perseverance, and eagerness to learn Karate impress his Sensei and Sempai (not to mention his neighbors), so he eventually wins over even the hard cases. As his studies continue, Sensei Nicol slowly but surely matures and comes to grips with his penchant for "impetuous courage." Despite some slips that would've probably landed him in jail over here, he learns to calm his inner rage and become more tranquil. Indeed, the inner workings of Karate upon his spirit (vs. external fighting ability) become the most precious aspect of the martial arts to him. I was humbled by Sensei Nicol's unswerving determination and dedication, as well as the harsh training he endured and blossomed under as a Karateka in Japan. One would have to really love the martial arts to deal with the ascetic military-style discipline, exacting technical requirements, and physical pain meted out by Sensei Nicol's superiors. He even had to commute three hours a day(!) via train to his dojo. I'm not sure I'd want to endure all that, although I got a small taste of it as a young Marine under a Japanese Sensei in Yokosuka, Japan. He never abused us, but we sparred full contact (with pads) and performed some extreme exercises, like doing wheelbarrows on our bare knuckles up and down the gym floor. I haven't seen many American dojos that hardcore, including my own. I stand by my current school, but I sometimes miss the intense level of training I had in Japan. I read "Moving Zen" in conjunction with "Iron and Silk" by Mark Salzman and "Angry White Pyjamas" by Robert Twigger to get multiple perspectives on martial arts training. It's interesting to compare and contrast Sensei Nicol's early 60s presuppositions and experiences with those of Mr. Salzman's in the 80s and Mr. Twigger's in the 90s. Each book is a fascinating snapshot of a particular era, culture, and martial art style (Karate, Wushu, and Aikido). But despite their different philosophies, motivations, and levels of immersion, all of these men demonstrated personal growth and maturation through practicing the martial arts in a persevering way. I found that to be inspiring, and so I recommend all three books. Hard fists and a cold dojo Mr, Nicole tells about Karate from a Western viewpoint and how it was practiced in Japan after the war, but before it became mainstream in America. He recounts his interactions with the Japanese, some nice, some not so nice, and gives detailed accounts about his learning karate in the cold dojo with a wood burning stove as the only source of heat. His adventure is one that many of us envy but would not attempt, as he did and when he did. IN our current day of carpet on the floor, and three inch safety padding, Nicole's book provides a good account of what karate used to be like and should be like today. ... Read more Similar Items: 1. Karate-Do: My Way of Life 2. Karate: The Complete Kata 3. Karate the Japanese Way 4. Dynamic Karate (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior) 5. The Art of Hojo Undo: Power Training for Traditional Karate . Favourite Lists: 1. Martial arts diaries, journals, and travelogues (and a little fiction). 2. Sources for Kumite / Sparring. 3. Follow Westerners in an Eastern Way. 4. Japanese Philosophy for Mind Body Spirit. 5. Personal list: Books to read. 6. On the Crossroads of the Worlds. 7. Karate Bio & Autobiographies. 8. Books that make a difference. 9. Karateka Tales. 10. Zen Martial Arts.

2. Return to Stillness: Twenty Years with a Tai Chi Master by Trevor Carolan List Price: $14.95 Category: Paperback (2003-05) Publisher: Da Capo Press ISBN: 1569244871 Sales Rank: 1243708 Lowest New Price: $1.50 Lowest Used Price: $0.95 (16 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description Trevor Carolan studied Tai Chi, meditation, and traditional Chinese healing for twenty-three years under the guidance of the late Master Ng Ching-Por in Vancouver’s Chinatown. Over his many years of practice and learning, Carolan absorbed the wisdom that comes from studying so closely with a master teacher. Now, in Return to Stillness, he offers what the Japanese call "palm of the hand" tales: thirty brief chapters that explore the essential motivations that inspired him to adopt the path of Tai Chi and persevere in its practice. By connecting the spiritual aspects of Tai Chi to its technical and martial elements like breathing, dealing with frustration and competetive urges, and then ultimately to its roots in the great harmony of the Tao, Carolan gracefully conveys the insight, humor, life lessons, and wisdom inherent in the study of this ancient discipline. ... Read more Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 5 reviews. Wonderful tai chi memoir I adore this book and regret I read it so quickly. Any student who plays tai chi, at any level, will appreciate Carolan's thoughtful and funny book. I learned and was inspired by his journey. I now have my own "tai chi park" and "tai chi tree." This is book is a wonderful addition to anyone's study of the art. Good chronicle of Tai Chi journey This is not a book of Tai Chi technique(s). It does not claim to be one, however. This is a book describing the experiences of a long time practitioner of Tai Chi. It has made me want to study the art. I benefitted from "Return to Stillness" I loved this book! The timeless wisdom passed on from Trevor Carolan's Sifu is priceless. Wisdom so simple, sincere, applicable to our lives, our efforts to "play Tai Chi", and our efforts to be more compassionate. From this book, I took 3 pages of notes for my personal improvement. One can practice the mechanics of Tai Chi, but to embody the "spirit" of Tai Chi is more difficult. "Return to Stillness" captures the essence of pure Tai Chi. A Marvelous, Luminous Book This beautifully poetic book is an account of Sifu Carolan's twenty-year experience with his Tai Chi Master, leavened with many illuminating tales. There is no direct instruction in the Tai Chi form, but for all that, it teaches in its own quiet way. Exactly as good teachers have always done, it is not just a matter of understanding how to do certain movements; it is understanding the "Why" of doing them. This is a book that could be enjoyed by anyone starting to learn the basics of the marvelous arts of Tai Chi and Qigong, and re-read again as you begin to move beyond the basic movements. I have read a lot of books about Tai Chi and Qigong, and have had the privilege of studying with some outstanding teachers. Years ago, while visiting Malaysia and working with two Tai Chi Masters, I was astonished to discover how many of the old secrets had been forgotten during the various Chinese diasporas. Forgotten but not lost. This book captures an essence that you will find in very few places. For that Trevor Carolan deserves our thanks, and anybody interested in the "soft" martial arts will find much to learn in the simple stories that the book contains. Reading about Tai Chi is like dancing about mathematics This is not a how-to book. The author, through stories about his experience with his Tai Chi Master, does an excellent job of explaining the Why, if not the What of Tai Chi. Through reading his vivid and elloquent (almost poetic) prose one senses what the practice means to the author and gets a great appreciation for it. This is not a martial arts book. Or a self defense, philosophy, or religion book. This book, like Tai Chi itself, is best understood through the experience. It is a series of vignettes that brings the reader as close as possible to understanding the marrow of Tai Chi. A great feat, indeed. ... Read more Similar Items: 1. T'ai Chi as a Path of Wisdom 2. The Inner Structure of Tai Chi: Mastering the Classic Forms of Tai Chi Chi Kung 3. The Essence of T'ai Chi Ch'uan: The Literary Tradition 4. Tai Chi Ch'uan: The Technique Of Power 5. Steal My Art: The Life and Times of T'ai Chi Master, T.T. Liang . Favourite Lists: 1. tai chi. 2. Martial arts diaries, journals, and travelogues (and a little fiction).

3. The pillowbook of Dr. Jazz: Travels along Asia's Dharma Trail by Trevor Carolan Category: Unknown Binding (1999) Publisher: Transworld Publishing ISBN: 086824774X Sales Rank: 4736066 Lowest Used Price: $7.67 (3 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Favourite Lists: 1. Martial arts diaries, journals, and travelogues (and a little fiction).

4. Angry White Pyjamas: A Scrawny Oxford Poet Takes Lessons From The Tokyo Riot Police by Robert Twigger List Price: Price: You Save: US$15.00 US$11.25 US$3.75 (25%) Category: Paperback (2000-04-01) Publisher: It Books ISBN: 0688175376 Sales Rank: 118560 Lowest New Price: $3.71 Lowest Used Price: $1.86 (39 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description Adrift in Tokyo, translating obscene rap lyrics for giggling Japanese high school girls,, "thirtynothing" Robert Twigger comes to a revelation about himself: He has never been fit nor brave. Guided by his roommates, Fat Frank and Chris, he sets out to cleanse his body and mind. Not knowing his fist from his elbow, the author is drawn into the world of Japanese martial arts, joining the Tokyo Riot Police on their yearlong, brutally demanding course of budotraining, where any ascetic motivation soon comes up against bloodstained "white pyjamas" and fractured collarbones. In Angry White Pyjamas, Twigger blends, the ancient with the modern--the ultratraditionalism, ritual, and violence of the dojo (training academy) with the shopping malls, nightclubs, and scenes of everyday Tokyo life in the 1990s--to provide a brilliant, bizarre glimpse of life in contemporary Japan. Adrift in Tokyo, "thirtynothing" Robert Twigger came to a revelation about himself: He had never been fit or brave. Guided by his roommates, he set out to cleanse his body and mind. Not knowing his fist from his elbow, the author is sucked into the world of Japanese martial arts and joins the Tokyo Riot Police on their year-long, brutally demanding course of budo training, where any ascetic motivation soon comes up against blood-stained "white pyjamas" and fractured collarbones. In this entertaining book, Twigger blends the ancient with the modern--the ultratraditionalism, ritual, and violence of the "dojo" (training academy) with the shopping malls, nightclubs, and scenes of everyday Tokyo life in the 1990s--to provide a brilliant, bizarre glimpse of contemporary Japan.Adrift in Tokyo, "thirtynothing" Robert Twigger came to a revelation about himself: He had never been fit or brave. Guided by his roommates, he set out to cleanse his body and mind. Not knowing his fist from his elbow, the author is sucked into the world of Japanese martial arts and joins the Tokyo Riot Police on their year-long, brutally demanding course of budo training, where any ascetic motivation soon comes up against blood-stained "white pyjamas" and fractured collarbones. In this entertaining book, Twigger blends the ancient with the modern--the ultratraditionalism, ritual, and violence of the "dojo" (training academy) with the shopping malls, nightclubs, and scenes of everyday Tokyo life in the 1990s--to provide a brilliant, bizarre glimpse of contemporary Japan. ... Read more Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 47 reviews. Aikido is not always gentle. Eye-opening. What the Japanese police practice seems more like Aikijutsu. The author and his gaijin classmates really deserve kudos for having stuck it out for the entire course. Irreverant and Authentic This is a valuable book. Most books written about Martial Arts study are technique-centric, myth inspired anecdotes (usually third-hand legends) or philosophical contemplations of a self-styled modern-day samurai. Sprinkled throughout with the characteristically dry British humour, Twigger takes us on a very transparent personal account of his experience in Japan, as a young man in search of identity, masculinity, and adventure. It is then no surprise to learn he finds himself alongside others with similar aspirations, except, he finds the courage to join a 1-year gruelling course in elite Yoshinkan Aikido training. His ambition is rewarded, and as students, we can find re-assurance in the reality chronicled in this story. Twiggers personal accounts of his survival through an acceptance of: pain overcome by endurance, fear overcome by conditioning and fixation overcome by principle and finally, mastery attained by practice are all valid observations. It is good to see that someone has finally shown a degree of personal honesty in spelling this out. Most often, the candor on frustration, personal misgivings about effectiveness, anger etc. are not reflected by those who practice or aspire to master Aikido, their ego won't allow for this. Aikido, is not an art you can learn casually or quickly, most lessons come by way of painful failure and routine torture. This account of training most closely matches what I have learned of pre-war (WW2) training with the founder. One personal gripe that I have is related to the author's second-hand accounts related to the founder Morihei Ueshiba. If he finds speculation on marital fidelities and practices to increase sexual ki amusing, he should keep this to himself as it is shameful to insult someone in this manner, publicly and without basis. I respect that this is a memoir, and no doubt an artifact meant to amuse himself and others, however this added nothing to the story for me. I find the authors irreverance towards Japanese culture unique as well. In some ways I am glad he wasn't simply sipping the same Kool-Aid found in Japanophile dojo's. I think this adds to the authenticity. Last, I'm glad that the author spared us the non-sensical psuedo religious/mystical rants that many unfortunately spout about Aikido. Do your homework. The great masters of Aikido were flawed human beings, many of not most of them loved to fight and learned this art not in search of enlightenment, but because they needed to learn how to handle multiple attackers. simply the best This book is hands down the best autobiographical material available on training in Asian martial arts. I love martial arts as both practice and history. I train in shotokan karate and am widely read in a variety of martial arts and in general Japanese history. I believe in honoring hierarchy and preserving tradition. But the, frankly, willful ignorance of the critical reviews here I have no respect for. Twigger's book is not only outstanding as literature, it is exceptionally non-judgemental. People who confuse personal observations and opinions as some kind of objective slander have simply fallen into the cult-like group-think displayed by so many western practitioners of Asian martial arts. It's pathetic, really. I guarantee you that if you are desperate for a work that combines real martial arts with real literature, this is the best and perhaps only book available to you. Inspirational This book gives me inspiration to continue practicing Aikido. The one of the best line in the book that I have read is: "The Japanese were more light hearted. For them aikido was a lifetime occupation; if you were too intense you wouldn't last it out". Aikido is a different martial arts. You think you knew something then suddenly you will realize that you haven't learn that much. And you still suck at it. Every time that this happens, I grab this book and just re-read it again. I have already read the book at least 5 times. And every time it gives me an energy to continue practicing this art of PEACE. Not always so accurate I've lived in Japan for 4 years now and sprained my knee in the dojo Robert writes about...if that's some badge of expertise. He gets a lot right in this book ... and maybe that's the problem. Just like the movie "Lost in Translation", he shares his unique views of a complicated nation. At one point, he even seems to admit the difficulty outsiders have when looking at Japan. Yet, that didn't seem to slow up his stereotyping. He denounces Japanese food, an amusing thing from a Brit. I've seen little evidence of English competency in cooking, yet the world seems enamoured with Japanese food. He knows two SGI folks in in his apartment complex - that relegates a very high-profile, worldwide organization (one with obvious flaws and great assets)to cult status. He never seems to get to the point of Yoshinkan Aikido - or did I miss it in his negativity. Yoshikan teaches the basics of Aikido better than anyone else. Whether you stay with them or not, you can learn so much from these folks. After reading the book, I'm lost at why someone with so much disdain for Japan was here. If Robert had lived in better circumstances, I'm sure his views of Japan would have been more positive. But, if Japan was half as screwed up as he claims, why be here? Again, there is merit in the book. Anyone considering practicing martial arts in Japan should read it first. Just remember - it's not a bible but an opinion. And, lesson number two, try to have another way to get by other than teaching English. Bryant ... Read more Similar Items: 1. Falling Hard: A Journey into the World of Judo 2. It's a Lot Like Dancing: An Aikido Journey 3. The Pyjama Game: A Journey into Judo 4. An Obese White Gentleman in No Apparent Distress 5. Autumn Lightning: The Education of an American Samurai . Favourite Lists: 1. Japan: Expatriate Memoirs. 2. Martial arts diaries, journals, and travelogues (and a little fiction). 3. Stupid Martial Arts Book Titles. 4. MJK Recommended Reading List. 5. Karate Essentials. 6. Best Martial Arts Fiction. 7. Karate Bio & Autobiographies. 8. Books that make a difference. 9. Shotokan Karate Essentials. 10. My Martial Arts Library.

5. My Journey in Karate: The Sabaki Way by Kancho Joko Ninomiya List Price: $16.95 Category: Paperback (2000-08-28) Publisher: Frog Books ISBN: 1583940170 Sales Rank: 1311987 Lowest New Price: $4.19 Lowest Used Price: $4.20 (23 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description This is the autobiography of Japan's beloved karate champion, Ninomiya, who is dedicated to budo, the warrior code of conduct. It offers an appealing model for facing challenges in the modern world. ... Read more Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 6 reviews. Fall Down 7 Times -- Get-up 8 +++ While learning some Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu, I heard good things about Kancho Joko Ninomiya's "Sabaki Challenge" and its interesting and excellent Enshin Karate-Do. So, years later, I found the author's two books "Sabaki Method" and "My Journey in Karate". I was only going to get "Sabaki Method" for technical research and learning -- but decided to get the auto-biography "My Journey in Karate" as well -- reckoning an Art and its Artist are not separate. I am now glad I got both books as they are both well-written, interesting and informative. Kancho Joko Ninomiya eventually, after years of intense effort, injury and failure, won the "All-Japan Tournament" in 1978 -- intense full-contact knock-down Karate allowing grappling. Kancho Joko Ninomiya is very strong in Sumo and Judo as well as full-contact Karate inspired by Ashihara from Mas Oyama. Kancho Joko Ninomiya is a wonderful exemplar of Karate-Do -- what it means to seek, find and walk a path of personal perfection thru an Art and its Way +++ A True Karate Book My Journey In Karate: The Sabaki Way is a in depth book about Kancho Ninomiya's Journey though Karate. It describes how he won the All Japan Tournment and started the Enshin Karate Style. I am a Student of Enshin and Recommend the book to anyone who wants to read a great book about Karate. Two Thumbs up! highly recommended for all serious martial artists Anyone who has been a serious martial artist will throughly enjoy reading the inspiring story of Grand Master of Enshin Karate Joko Ninomiya. Anyone who has been serious about the martial arts for a significant amount of time can relate to Ninomiya's life story. Before beginning his study of kyokushin karate at the age of 15, Ninomiya practiced judo. After making the transition to karate, Ninomiya never turned back and had the dream of becoming a karate champion. The book explains how he would go to different karate schools in Japan and challenge the top students to improve his skills. He challenged different schools in a dignified way, he never used bully tactics. After hearing about the all-Japan karate tournement, Ninomiya practiced diligently for years until he was able to win first place. In the book, he talks about his training and preparation, his fights and the people who helped him become better as a martial artist and as a person. I like the way Ninomiya emphasizes that karate is not about winning tournaments and beating people up, it's about confronting yourself and pushing beyond what you are today. Master Ninomiya admits that he did not realize the true meaning of karate until after he had accomplished one of his goals. Sometimes that's what it takes because after we win something or accomplish something big, we often ask ourselves "now what?" and become complacent. We should fight against this complacency because it will only make things harder in the long run. Towards the end of the book, Ninomiya gives his opinion of "no holds barred" fighting contests. I agree with Ninomiya that "no holds barred" contests appeal to a morbid curiosity. People often watch these types of contests and are happy to see someone lying flat on their back at the end of a match or seriously hurt in some way. Ninomiya founded The Sabaki Challenge which is a real karate tournament, but he has a point system that emphasizes technique to minimize injuries. Oss! A Journey in Karate Rarely in the martial arts world are biographies rich with insight about both the individual and the training. Normally, -except a couple bio accounts of Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris' auto-bio account- the books are very dry and not very telling. Sometimes it is the writing and often it is because the reader is never really let under the skin of the martial artist. In this book - that has changed. Ninomiya graciously allows the reader to travel in his mind and spirit as he grows from an unfocused (though hardworking)martial artist and somewhat immature teen into a higly skilled and mature warrior. The reader travels and sees when Ninomiya, through several events and a couple of key mentors, understands himself and his journey through karate. Unlike most auto-biographical accounts, I never felt Ninomiya was boasting about his success. Instead, he shows where his failures and determined manner leads to success beyond winning a "trophy." An excellent book. I learned much from this extra-ordinary man. A good martial arts book is as elusive as a good martial art Kancho Ninomiya is not only a world class champion, he writes with a certain gift; one that captures the essence of a lesson one could only get from training with him... and make no mistake, this may make for an inspiring read but reading it without training in any martial art is as hollow as reading Shakespeare and never seeing it performed... I began studying karate very seriously as an adult under Sensei Kishi, one of Kancho Ninomiya's teachers and best friends, as well as a collaborator on this book... this text captures the true spirit of martial arts training, something that is very difficult by nature of the difference between the written word and the life of martial arts training. Osu. ... Read more Similar Items: 1. Sabaki Method: Karate in the Inner Circle 2. Oyama: The Legend, the Legacy 3. Kyokushinkai Karate Complete! 4. Karate Technique & Spirit (Tuttle Martial Arts) 5. The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate: The Spiritual Legacy of the Master . Favourite Lists: 1. Kyokushin Kai. 2. Martial arts diaries, journals, and travelogues (and a little fiction). 3. Karate Bio & Autobiographies. 4. The Way of the Japanese Warrior.

6. Iron and Silk by Mark Salzman List Price: Price: You Save: US$15.00 US$10.20 US$4.8 (32%) Category: Paperback (1987-10-12) Publisher: Vintage ISBN: 0394755111 Sales Rank: 46518 Lowest New Price: $4.75 Lowest Used Price: $0.01 (340 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Amazon.com Review In 1982, Salzman flew off to teach English in Changsha, China. He writes of bureaucrats, students and Cultural Revolution survivors, stripping none of their complexity and humanity. He's gentle with their idiocies, saving his sharpest barbs for himself (it's his pants that split from zipper to waist whilst demonstrating martial arts in Canton). Though dribs of history and drabs of classical lore seep through, this is mostly a personal tale, noted by the Los Angeles Times for "the charmingly unpretentious manner in which it penetrates a China inaccessible to other foreigners." Product Description Salzman captures post-cultural revolution China through his adventures as a young American English teacher in China and his shifu-tudi (master-student) relationship with China's foremost martial arts teacher. ... Read more Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 103 reviews. Iron & Silk This was a nice little book. While it was rather short, it was filled with delightful impressions and stories from the author's time spent in China. Mark Salzman had originally gone to China to teach English at a medical school to both the teachers and some students. He found so much more and learned quite a bit in his time there as well. Most specifically, Salzman tells us in this autobiography of sorts of his time spent learning "Wushu" which is Chinese martial arts. He shares adventuresome and comedic stories of his teachers and the lessons he learns from them. To a lesser extent, he also takes the time to learn Chinese Calligraphy from several teachers as well. Whats refreshing about his take on this is that he doesn't do it just to learn form, he also learns the meaning of these practices as well. Some of his stories are about the Chinese people where he is staying. Not knowing these people I can't say for sure, but they seemed incredibly accurate and while most are portrayed as very kindly and generous, he doesn't hesitate to tell their faults as well. He does this with China as well but its not really taken as him putting down the society, but rather realizing that their practices are different. The writing is easy and clear to read. He injects quite a bit of humor so it was truly very enjoyable to listen to his stories. Its a small book and can be read fairly quickly and I do find fault that it isn't longer. That could just be me wishing for more detail though and more stories. Considering the time the book encompasses is about two years, it just seems like there could have been more to write about. I do have to say my favorite "character" in the whole book was Teacher Wei. She had been instructing the author in Chinese language in formality, but really was giving him lessons in Chinese culture and practices. She was such a wonderful person to read about and I really loved how he described her in this book. To me it seemed that she truly cared about him and wanted to make his stay there the best it could be. I've read other books on visiting China but I do have to say that this is my favorite one by far. He doesn't condescendingly describe the people or place but instead shows the real China, good and bad but in a fair way. I can't wait to read more of his books! Iron & Silk Copyright 1986 211 pages Iron and Silk I first watched this video years ago with my kids when they were young and into martial arts. I recently came across the book at a second hand shop and it made me want to watch this film again. It does a pretty good job of maintaining the integrety of the book while making it an enjoyable movie to watch. The film is based on the true story of the author's interactions with his Chinese students while teaching English in China. It shows an interesting slice of Chinese life. Though not a great film it is interesting and worth watching if you are interested in exotic, foreign places or martial arts as a way of life. Unique View of China Iron and Silk is a unique view of China by an ESL teacher from America. He has a good sense of humor and meets many different types of Chinese people with whom he studies as well as teaches. He does various Martial Arts studies and some calligraphy. I have read many books about China and this is in the top 2. A Finely Wrought Picture of Two Years in Another Land A nuanced and sensitive account of the author's two years in China as a teacher of English at the Hunan Medical School in the early eighties (soon after the Chinese-American rapprochment under Nixon in the seventies), this brief memoir introduces us to a land and people that are sometimes as strange to Americans as Americans clearly were to the Chinese of that era. Mark Salzman writes that he had a longstanding interest in China and in "kung fu" since his boyhood. Having mastered the Chinese Mandarin language, and gained familiarity with Cantonese (one of the important southern tongues), Salzman embarks on his new career in China somewhat wide-eyed and naive. But his sensitivity to the cultural differences and people he encounters combine with his basic intelligence and strong will to allow him to burrow deeply into the country that hosts him. In many ways, Iron and Silk reminds me of another story of a visiting Westerner who sojourns in China and finds himself a fish out of water. English author Ged Neary's novel Rice Ticket describes the travails of an awkward English engineer, Christopher Chinley, who like Salzman accepts an assignment as a foreign teacher in the new China. But Chinley is clumsy with himself and others, and constantly runs afoul of his local minders and other Chinese and foreign colleagues who alternately entice and annoy him. He never quite manages to fit in and is constantly bedeviled by a physically large American colleague who manages to be everything Chinley can't seem to be even as Chinley strives to prove himself the better man. Mark Salzman's true life account (Neary's has the look of having been based on real life experience, too, even if it is billed as a novel), is the antidote to Neary's ugly Westerner at sea in a most peculiar ocean. Unlike Chinley, Salzman manages to get beyond the foreign community in which he lives at Hunan University (perhaps because, unlike the fictional Chinley, he's a fluent Chinese speaker) and to build up strong and mutually beneficial relationships with the Chinese he encounters. Replete with amusing anecdotes about cultural and linguistic miscues, Salzman gives us a series of vignettes about the people and events he was involved with during his two years at Hunan University. Most significantly, unlike the hapless Chinley who dabbles in martial arts (t'ai chi chuan) and manages to buy himself an old Chinese sword to take home when he leaves, the real life Salzman actually spends his two years seriously studying Shao Lin Gung fu wu shu with the then lead coach and former national champion of China, as well as taking up t'ai chi, pa kua and hsing i, with a number of other accomplished teachers during his time there. The most interesting relationship Salzman recounts is the one he develops with his Shao Lin teacher, Pan Qingfu, a driven man who drives others as hard as he does himself, including the willing Salzman. Pan appears, at times, to be virtually superhuman, though it's a superhumanity that stumbles in the end. Unlike the fictional British "foreign expert" in Rice Ticket, who must buy his sword through a series of clumsily comic maneuvers and ultimately leaves China understanding little more about it, or himself, than when he arrived, Salzman gets his sword another way in a bitter-sweet moment that's almost missed -- but for the fact that it brings the book to a gentle and dramatic close. The best parts of the book are embodied in the series of vignettes and sketches with which Salzman recalls the people he met in the nation that had drawn him to it since his childhood, as he demonstrates with quiet dignity that not all Americans are as ungainly or insensitive as Rice Ticket's "Professor" Chinley would have us believe. Some, like Salzman, it turns out are a far sight better. Stuart W. Mirsky author of The King of Vinland's Saga Like the Culture, Subtle Yet Strong Mark Salzman's quiet sketches of his time teaching in China slowly gather force and carry you away with their subtle and sensitive power. We meet obstinate bureaucrats, fellow teachers and students, artists, common fisherman, martial arts practitioners, calligraphers, elders, and children. Salzman's quite good at capturing character with a few deft strokes (it's almost like a "literary calligraphy") and has a special talent for finding the "just right" quote to end an anecdote or vignette. Though written in the 80s, cultures don't change overnight and this memoir is as accurate now as it was then. If you're interested in Chinese culture, this concise anecdotal wonder is a must. And if you're not interested in Chinese culture, you will be after reading it. Recommended. ... Read more Similar Items: 1. Sourcework: Academic Writing from Sources 2. Lost In Place: Growing Up Absurd in Suburbia 3. Coming Home Crazy: An Alphabet of China Essays 4. We 5. The Turn of The Screw and Other Short Novels (Signet Classics) . Favourite Lists: 1. New China's New Classics. 2. Some Simply Great Books. 3. Books on Chinese History and Culture. 4. Laowai Lit | Essential Expat Books by & for(eigners) in CHINA. 5. Fact and Fiction About Asia. 6. Global Culture in our Everyday Lives. 7. Travel Books. 8. Travel East Asia. 9. Martial arts diaries, journals, and travelogues (and a little fiction). 10. Overlooked gems.

7. Autumn Lightning: The Education of an American Samurai by Dave Lowry List Price: Price: You Save: US$15.95 US$10.85 US$5.1 (32%) Category: Paperback (2001-07-17) Publisher: Shambhala ISBN: 1570621152 Sales Rank: 241357 Lowest New Price: $8.86 Lowest Used Price: $3.12 (22 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description Blending autobiography and history, Lowry offers an engaging portrait of the medieval Japanese samurai tradition and its survival in modern America. "A well-written, refreshing change from the standard martial arts fare."--Library Journal. 3 drawings. 3 halftone photos. ... Read more Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 23 reviews. A fantastic read for anyone who is interested in the martial arts. I have to admit it. I have been a fan of Dave Lowrey's books and columns for many years. This book reads like a novel, even though it is more of a biography of the author's search for the real meaning of Bushido. Just as in many ancient martial art stories, this one begins with the author's quest to learn the martial arts from a Japanese couple living in his area. The journey from novice to expert in Kenjutsu (Sword art) is a long hard road, but the author makes each step an adventure in reading. In conclusion, this is a book for all serious martial artists who desires to learn the true meaning of Budo. Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Samurai Aerobics, Wakizashi-Jutsu, Tanto-Jutsu, Monadnock Defensive Tactics System, Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton, PR-24 Police Baton advanced Techniques, Martial Art Myths, Season of the Warrior, Never Trust a Politician). The Quintessential Karate Kid Novel! Dave Lowry relays his experience studying Japanese Swordsmanship with a clean, enjoyable style. This book is reminiscent of the Karate Kid movies where the young boy approaches the master hoping to learn the secret arts. Mr. Lowry shares his same experience from his own life while creating a written split-screen effect where he toggles back and forth throughout the book with events of the Samurai era. The young boy in St. Louis learns and adopts Samurai culture in the midst of modern day America. It is as though after studying with the Japanese master who happens to live in the same neighborhood, the young boy begins to carry the growing light of enlightenment in the way with him throughout his daily happenings. A fascinating read that would make a great movie! Even if you're not into martial arts this is an insightful, thoughtful book on human inquisitiveness and the quest for that which is beyond us. Kevin Brett CEO, Kevin Brett Studios, Inc. Author: The Way of the Martial Artist: Achieving Success in Marial Arts and in Life! The Way of the Martial Artist: Achieving Success in Martial Arts and in Life! AUTUMN LIGHTNING "Autumn Lightning" by Dave Lowry appeared to me as a combination of biographical sketch mixed generously with Japanese History, and Spirituality. The book (for me) was in itself, a "Fair Read," but not necessarily one that will become part of my spirit. Much of this could however, be due to my age. While reading this book, I was often reminded of the movie; "The Karate Kid." In that movie; "Daniel Larusso" becomes "Miyagi-fied" and is turned into a great Marshal Artist. Likewise, Dave Lowry in this book becomes "Kotaro-fied" and emerges as a great Occidental swordsman. I own one other book by Mr. Lowry on the "Art of Kendo" complete with photographic examples, and many teaching comments that have been very helpful to me. Mr. Lowry writes and teaches out of sheer devotion and love of the subject, and for this; I truly applaud and respect him! I believe this to be a worthy book but, probably for a younger individual looking for a mentor of desciplines that help to develope spirit and physical attributes. There are Martial Arts Writers - and then there's Dave Lowry Dave Lowry offers a perspective in his books not often available to the Western martial arts practitioner - a considered interpretation of modern martial arts in the context of traditional (koryu) arts. Written in a exceptionally approachable style, Lowry tells the story of his introduction to martial arts, interspersed with anecdotes from Japanese martial history. Lowry's books provide me with insights into my own training and have helped me grow as a martial artist. Rather than the simple discussion of technique, his essays delve into the "-do" of the arts One Of My Favorites One of my all-time favorites, it's recommended reading for all of my students. Mr. Lowry's story is similar to my own. He tells his tale with crisp and humorous writing that has you on the edge of your seat and then lets you sit back and chuckle. A wonderful classic. If you don't have a copy, you're really missing out. ... Read more Similar Items: 1. Moving toward Stillness: Lessons in Daily Life from the Martial Ways of Japan 2. Sword and Brush: The Spirit of the Martial Arts 3. In the Dojo: A Guide to the Rituals and Etiquette of the Japanese Martial Arts 4. Persimmon Wind: A Martial Artist's Journey In Japan 5. Traditions: Essays on the Japanese Martial Arts and Ways (Tuttle Martial Arts) . Favourite Lists: 1. Learn About Martial Arts. 2. Get the most out of your martial arts training. 3. Martial arts diaries, journals, and travelogues (and a little fiction). 4. Useful Books for the Martial Artist, Boxer, or Other H-2-H Fighter. 5. American Samurai. 6. Important lessons about personal power, like.... 7. Martial Arts Must-Have Books. 8. Great Martial Arts Books. 9. Required Reading from the Ronin no Uchi Dojo. 10. Become a Samurai...or something like it..

8. Sensei by David Charney Category: Paperback (1984-10) Publisher: Ace Books ISBN: 0441758886 Sales Rank: 2543172 Lowest Used Price: $1.16 (13 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 6 reviews. One of my all-time favourites This book and it's sequel are my favourite in the Feudal Japan setting. Rare books on the subject that aren't in the 16th century, but rather the 12th during the Heian period and the Genpei war between the Minamoto and Taira. I can reread them again and again as the years go by, I've had them for probably close to 23-25 years now. These books gave me a deeper appreciation for the period and started me studying Feudal Japan in a lot more detail. If you have any interest in Feudal Japan or this period in specific I can't recommend them enough. The books follow a young man, Tadamori Yoshi, who is initiallhy a loyal supporter of the Taira and Imperial court, but through a series of adversities and challenges ends up fighting on the side of the Minamoto during the Genpei war, after learning some humility from his early courtier days and becoming a master sword instructor. The initial battles from Uji through to Kiso (Minamoto) Yoshinaka and Tomoe Gozen taking the Imperial Capital are covered within the books. Lots of politics, war and tastefully done romance. The books offer a good look at many aspects and social classes of the time, from the highest levels in the Imperial capital to the lowest labourers and performers and the Sohei (warrior monks) of the period. If you have the chance to find these books, do. You won't regret it. a real page turner! I almost put this book down a couple of times but I'm glad I stuck it out. Charney has for the most part done his homework concerning ancient japan and his weak fop-becoming-hero story has a real edgar rice burroughs feel to it which I loved. If only more attention could have been paid to certain details which, if corrected, would have vastly improved the tale; such as having his samurai "strapping" on their swords and soaping up in the ofuro bath (The soaping and rinsing is done before entering the tub to soak). His choices for some of his characters names- ie: Masaka (absurd, impossible), Lord Chikara (strength), Obaasen (Obasan? old woman) seem to have been made up assuming that the reader wouldn't know the difference. In the 1980s when this was written such things might have flown but Japanese culture and history since then have had greater exposure. Still..I enjoyed the book. Excellent This is one of my top five reads, alongside Lord of Darkness and Shogun. Charney wraps a compelling story around a foppish young man and turns him into a warrior, rogue, teacher, and legend. I definitely recommend this book for any adventure lovers' shelf. Sensei comments from a high school sophomore (2001) I was searching for a book with fast paced action, adventure, and heck, maybe a little romance for flavor, and I camr upon sensei. The story of rising from the weak and the transformation Yoshi made is enthralling....END FANTASTIC, MUST READ BOOK .FIRST CLASS SENSI AND SENSI 2 WOULD HAVE TO BE THE BEST TWO BOOKS THAT WE HAVE EVER READ. IT HAS AN AMAZING STORY THAT YOU JUST WANT MORE OF. ONLY WISH THAT HE WOULD WRITE MORE BOOKS BUT CAN NOT FIND ANY REFERENCE TO OTHER BOOKS THAT HE HAS WRITTEN ... Read more Similar Items: 1. Tengu the Mountain Goblin: A Connor Burke Martial Arts Thriller 2. Deshi: A Martial Arts Thriller 3. The Karate Kid Collection (Four Film Set) 4. The Ninja . Favourite Lists: 1. Martial arts diaries, journals, and travelogues (and a little fiction).

9. Sensei II: Sword Master by David Charney List Price: $3.95 Category: Paperback (1984-06) Publisher: ACE Charter ISBN: 0441792642 Sales Rank: 1106437 Lowest Used Price: $0.01 (49 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 1 reviews. I can't think of a subject, but read the book anyway... This is one of the most engrossing books I have read...I may be a bit biased as a fan of all things Japanese, but this -and its predecessor- has to be one of my favorite tales of feudal Japan and ranks up there with Shogun and the rest of Clavell's Asain saga. They are not historcally based, as the books of Clavell are, so the character is completely fictional....i'm pretty sure... At any rate...the book is a bit adult oriented as there is some sexual content, but anyone above 13 should be able to handle it without too many repercussions...but if someone is really reading this review to check the book for their child, then i suggest you just buy it...c'mon, its cheap...and scan it to see if its acceptable to you... Heck, just read the whole thing- one recommendation though- reading the first Sensei first will help A LOT. ... Read more Similar Items: 1. Deshi: A Martial Arts Thriller 2. Tengu the Mountain Goblin: A Connor Burke Martial Arts Thriller 3. Gone Tomorrow (Jack Reacher #13) . Favourite Lists: 1. Martial arts diaries, journals, and travelogues (and a little fiction).

10. The Man Who Never Missed by Steve Perry List Price: $5.99 Category: Mass Market Paperback (1986-08-15) Publisher: Ace ISBN: 0441519180 Sales Rank: 252551 Lowest New Price: $15.00 Lowest Used Price: $1.27 (33 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description Once a ruthless soldier, Emile Khadaji has disappeared from the Confederation-with a secret plan to destroy it all in the name of freedom. ... Read more Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 29 reviews. You probably ought to be old enough to join the Army to read this. The Man Who Never Missed (1985) This is the first book in the series called Matador by Steve Perry. Emile Khadaji was the founder of the Shama Freedom Forces (the Shamba Scum) and, in fact, the only member thereof. Giving new meaning to the phrase "an Army of One". Warning: Violence, adult content, and some profanity, plus one h@ll of a book.. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys martial arts in a science fiction setting. The rebellion proper begins in The Man Who Never Missed, in which Emile Khadaji deserts from the Confederation military after a particularly bloody battle and experiencing Relampago, a religious experience, eventually joining up with a bartending martial artist monk named Pen, who teaches Khadaji the art used by his order, Sumito ("The 97 steps"), before setting him on his own path." You probably ought to be old enough to join the Army to read this. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys martial arts in a science fiction setting. The next book in thia series is Matadora See my Listmania (STEVE PERRY BOOKS THE MATADOR SERIES) for the complete list. Gunner February, 2010 A 1st in a fantastic series of the 80's! I remember reading this entire series back in the day. Although some were not as good as others, they were still very much enjoyable. Now I'm excitied to read the all-new novel in this series - The Musashi Flex! Good stuff this. nicely done A good one man against the galaxy book, but it never becomes unbelievable unlike a lot of other in the genre. If anything it gets more believable as it goes. It's partly Frank Russell's Wasp where one man can create a larger effect than you might think and part John Brunner's Shockwave Rider where a man is searching for a fulcrum on which to move the world. Both parts are told in separate threads and meet up nicely at the end. Fantastic. Top Ten in Sci-Fi From the 80's!! The Man Who Never Missed is, hands down, one of the finest,entertaining and most original Science Fiction novels to come out of the Eighties. The plot is both action, military and spiritual all in one as the unique journey of the Hero unfolds and we bear witness to his growth and development from a shattered, spiritualy stricken soldier to a freedom fighter capable of challenging an empire. This story remains a benchmark for all military or martial fiction in the Science fiction genre. This is the first of 3 novels in the Matador Trilogy, The Man Who Never Missed is followed by Matadora and The Machiavelli Interface. Collect them. Read them. Enjoy them and may the Spirit of Adventure never leave you. A Guilty Pleasure The Man Who Never Missed is an exciting and engrossing space adventure about a soldier who has an epiphany one day during battle, and as a result decides to take on an empire. He encounters various characters along the way who teach him valuable lessons, both physical and spiritual, preparing him for the day when he will take his fight to the forces of tyranny in the known galaxy. This is a great novel for what it is - a mythic tale of a hero, how he was formed, and the beginnings of his battle against an unassailable (and of course evil) foe. If you're looking for characters who are "ordinary mortals" or for some philosophy deeper than "good must triumph over evil", you won't find it here. But the thoroughly enjoyable tale that Perry weaves made me look past these points. Sure, TMWNM isn't a great piece of literature, but it's a helluva fun story. And in the end, don't you want to be entertained as much as enlightened? ... Read more Similar Items: 1. The Machiavelli Interface (The Matador Trilogy, No 3) 2. Matadora 3. The 97th Step 4. Albino Knife 5. The Musashi Flex (Matador) . Favourite Lists: 1. STEVE PERRY BOOKS THE MATADOR SERIES. 2. The Very Best Science Fiction and Fantasy. 3. Martial arts diaries, journals, and travelogues (and a little fiction). 4. MJK Recommended Reading List. 5. Jeff's Ultimate Alltime Most Favorite Military Science Fiction. 6. Sci-Fi Classics. 7. Military SiFiction from a combat vet. 8. Sweet Science Fiction Books You Just Gotta Read. 9. Sci Fi 90%. 10. The Matadora Series.

11. Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel List Price: Price: You Save: US$13.00 US$9.36 US$3.64 (28%) Category: Paperback (1999-01-26) Publisher: Vintage ISBN: 0375705090 Sales Rank: 5906 Lowest New Price: $6.98 Lowest Used Price: $6.99 (44 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Amazon.com Review So many books have been written about the meditation side of Zen and the everyday, chop wood/carry water side of Zen. But few books have approached Zen the way that most Japanese actually do--through ritualized arts of discipline and beauty--and perhaps that is why Eugen Herrigel's Zen in the Art of Archery is still popular so long after it first publication in 1953. Herrigel, a philosophy professor, spent six years studying archery and flower-arranging in Japan, practicing every day, and struggling with foreign notions such as "eyes that hear and ears that see." In a short, pithy narrative, he brings the heart of Zen to perfect clarity--intuition, imitation, practice, practice, practice, then, boom, wondrous spontaneity fusing self and art, mind, body, and spirit. Herrigel writes with an attention to subtle profundity and relates it with a simple artistry that itself carries the signature of Zen. --Brian Bruya Product Description The path to achieving Zen (a balance between the body and the mind) is brilliantly explained by Professor Eugen Herrigel in this timeless account. This book is the result of the author's six year quest to learn archery in the hands of Japanese Zen masters. It is an honest account of one man's journey to complete abandonment of 'the self' and the Western principles that we use to define ourselves. Professor Herrigel imparts knowledge from his experiences and guides the reader through physical and spiritual lessons in a clear and insightful way. Mastering archery is not the key to achieving Zen, and this is not a practical guide to archery. It is more a guide to Zen principles and learning and perfect for practitioners and non-practitioners alike. ... Read more Features: ISBN13: 9780375705090 Condition: New Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 65 reviews. "I really know nothing." Professor Eugen Herrigel, a German-born professor of philosophy, taught at Tokyo University during the interwar period. During his stay in Japan he became fascinated by Zen Buddhism, then little known in the West, and undertook to study the art of archery with Bowmaster Awa Kenzo, who taught archery not as a technical skill but as a form of meditation practice. I have read that Kenzo was not a Zen teacher and that this book misrepresents Zen, but I respectfully disagree. Zen has permeated the Japanese fine arts for centuries, and Kenzo's lessons express Zen, regardless of his formal status in the Zen community. Others have criticized Herrigel for coming at Zen obliquely, through Kyudo (the art of archery); again, I respectfully disagree. Zen is not just a segregated "practice" of chants, incense and sitting meditation, it is living life itself, fully. Hence, cooking, cleaning, eating, archery, or even motorcycle maintenance can be Zen practice if done with mindfulness. Herrigel was writing long before any idea of "Zen" entered into the general Occidental mindset. Indeed, Herrigel's book title has inspired hundreds of copycat "Zen in the Art of . . .", "Zen and the Art of . . .", "The Zen of . . .", and "The Art of Zen in . . ." titles. While there were other Western (and transplanted Eastern) exponents of Zen in 1948 when Herrigel's book appeared, Herrigel's book became the first "Zen bestseller". Much of this short (90 page) book discusses the No-Mind necessary to successful mastery of any art. Since Herrigel is attempting to express what is essentially inexpressible, the book's language (in English translation) seems both esoteric and arcane in its utter simplicity. For all its brevity, this is a dense book, and an interested reader will return to it many times over many years. His Story This is a very honest book about the experiences of the author. It has a German sensibility that is quite different from the American sense and for me this made it even more interesting. The reader needs to make an effort to be able to put himself in the author's place. If you can't do this the book has little to recommend it. If you can this book will deliver more value in the short time it takes to read this thin work than many a mighty tome one ponders over for weeks on end. Inspirational I was assigned to read this book for an oboe studio seminar course. I had never read anything zen-ish before, and mostly discounted my professor's decision to include Zen in the Art of Archery. But oh, how I'm glad she did! This book is an easy read and a true piece of inspiration. I highly, highly recommend it. A journey worth reading for western archers I was left with the distinct feeling of having just completed a long journey after finishing this 80 page book. I have been practicing (traditional) western archery for over a year now and I completely agree with many of the tenets of archery that Master Kenzo Awa spoke of. I took up archery because I was interested in the idea of letting the arrow go versus the common mentality of shooting the arrow at the target and this book reiterates that kind of thinking. I have never undertaken Kyudo so I cannot speak to the accuracy of what was written, but I do know that many of things written by Herrigel, such as breathing exercises and being surprised when you release the arrow, can applied to western archery. I found the author's prattling and difficulties a bit irritating but it is understandable due to Kyudo's complexity. However, I was left skeptical with the author's understanding of "zen", and while he mentioned this idea of the "Great Doctrine" (of archery), I could not find his definition anywhere. At the end of this text there are a few pages dedicated to archery's relationship to swordsmanship which I understand but felt it was incongruous with the overall feeling of the rest of the book. Not an archery textbook! I have just re-read Zen and the Art of Archery, by Eugen Herrigel. I was a philosophy student in my undergraduate days, and my primary focus was on Zen, so I had underestimated that little volume in my youth; it was too short, and too easy to read. And the author didn't make the process sound exotic enough for my arrogant youthful tastes. But now, Zen and the Art of Archery talks to me through a megaphone. The book recounts the experiences of a German philosophy professor who studied Kyudo (traditional Japanese archery) for several years. He undertook the study to develop his understanding of Zen Buddhism. As you read the book, you will see that the concepts and practice of traditional Japanese martial arts have leaked into popular U.S. culture. See Karate Kid and Star Wars, for example. And there's nothing wrong with that. But when you read this book, you get to see one of the real-world prototypes of Mr. Miyagi and Yoda. So read it, and thank me later. But don't think you're going to learn to fire arrows. This isn't an instruction manual. ... Read more Similar Items: 1. Zen Bow, Zen Arrow: The Life and Teachings of Awa Kenzo, the Archery Master from "Zen in the Art of Archery" 2. The Method of Zen 3. The Art of Learning: An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance 4. God: The Evidence: The Reconciliation of Faith and Reason in a Postsecular World 5. Introducing Religion: From Inside and Outside (3rd Edition) . Favourite Lists: 1. Books I've Enjoyed!. 2. Conscious Evolution: Personal and Planetary Transformation. 3. Jodi's Top Books. 4. Robert Wald Actor's Studio Reading List. 5. Zen potato. 6. 40 Buddhist Books that will change your life. 7. Bibliography. 8. Philosophy. 9. Those Who Help Themselves. 10. Inspiring Books for 2008.

12. Zen and the Art of Street Fighting: True Battles of a Modern-Day Warrior by Jack Sabat List Price: $14.95 Category: Paperback (1996-12-02) Publisher: Frog Books ISBN: 1883319455 Sales Rank: 1842893 Lowest New Price: $0.01 Lowest Used Price: $0.01 (20 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description In the author's portrayal of the causes, dynamics, and outcomes of real-life fights from Tijuana to Japan, Sabat applies the Budo (the martial way) philosophy in this powerful, personal account of 30 years of karate study emphasizes the mental as well as physical demands of the sport. ... Read more Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 21 reviews. Interesting, not as bad as some are saying This book is being TORN UP here on Amazon. Seems like most people have a beef with Jack Sabat's character rather than the book itself. Yeah, he's kind of a macho stereotype. So? Much of his over the top macho battles ring true to my own martial arts experience. I've known many guys this aggressive and "manly" to the extreme in several dojos. An interesting read by someone VERY different from me, but I'm not going to claim it's great literature, either. It's a good story with some lessons in determination and fighting spirit. Why didn't those other reviews get it? I have to wonder if they are non-martial artists. Jack, if you read these reviews, don't take those terrible ones too hard! Dumbest Martial Arts Book Ever? Stupid book supposedly about the silly subject of street fighting. But there are almost no street fights in it! Poorly written. If the author had trained in a Mixed Martial Arts gym and taken his beatings regularly via sparing, he probably would have been alot more humble than what he comes across in this book. Why the publisher went with this book is beyond me. Do not buy it. However, if you want an unwitting expose of alot of the things wrong with traditional martial arts, this would be a good. Open minded This books takes you into true life. What budo is truly about, self knowledge. This book discribes his quest for self inlightenment, and must be understood that way. Sensei Sabat is one of my Sensei's and is truely a great human, and role model. Like his training, supurb, his teachings go far beyond. He has trained great fighters such as Sensei "The Iceman" Chuck Liddell (UFC contender), and Sensei Tony Bacerra (national champion in Karate). I cannot stress enough that when you read this book you understand the point I have made that it is about HIS quests/trials. It may seem self centerd, but remember the book is about him. BTW he would win in most all fights on the street. He is a very powerfull fighter. Also... A gun can take care of anyone so please dont say that if somebody came up to him with a gun he'd lose... This book is about a way of life. It seems many of these readers miss the message this human Sensei is attempting to document. It is not a story about how great a man Jack Sabat is, nor is it about how much he can suffer and endure. The point I received is that Karate is a way of life, and as with most worthwhile pursuits, great sacrifice, dedication and effort are required to obtain greatness. Not for everyone. Full Contact, no excuses, no applogies. The author describes how he arrived at a level of expertise few of us will ever know. ... Read more Similar Items: 1. Koei-Kan Karate-Do: Practice and Precept 2. The Little Black Book of Violence: What Every Young Man Needs to Know About Fighting 3. History Channel: Human Weapon - The Complete Season 1 4. Living the Martial Way : A Manual for the Way a Modern Warrior Should Think 5. Meditations on Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence . Favourite Lists: 1. Martial arts diaries, journals, and travelogues (and a little fiction).

13. Unsui: A Diary of Zen Monastic Life by Giei Sato List Price: Price: You Save: US$22.00 US$19.80 US$2.2 (10%) Category: Paperback (1973-06) Publisher: University of Hawaii Press ISBN: 0824802721 Sales Rank: 624756 Lowest New Price: $19.00 Lowest Used Price: $2.62 (35 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description Although the lines of the palm of the hand are barely visible in the early light, the monks of the Tofukuji monastery have been about their familiar rounds of daily tasks for several hours. Their routine is simple but faithfully practiced. Within its repetition lies the key to the self and the Buddha who resides within. The daily life of the monastery is portrayed here in ninety-seven watercolor sketches. Drawn during his last years by the Zen monk Giei Sato, these sketches recollect his days as an unsui, an apprentice monk. With humor and steadfast warmth Sato depicts the day of leaving home and the day of returning; the rainy season and the snowy season; the chores, the celebrations, the days of cleaning, and the days of begging. Each of the charming drawings is enhanced by a brief description of the event portrayed, a touch of Zen teaching, or a note on monastic life. ... Read more Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 2 reviews. Life in a Japanese monastery This book is an illustrated description of daily life at a Japanese Zen Buddist monastery. The book is based on a series of watercolors illustrating the daily life in a monastery that were painted by a dying monk in the 1940s. Nishimura has organized these paintings so that they tell the coherent story of new recruit, who decides to join a monastery, and his first year living as a monk. They take us through the two-day ordeal of the applicant, as he demonstrates his determination and submission at the gate of the monastery, the daily chores of the monks, the meditation schedule, the begging rounds through the city, and the yearly holidays. The pictures are very expressive, and they constitute the character of the book. The accompanying text is quite informative, and opens a window into the mysterious customs of a traditional Japanese monastery. A real look at details of life inside a monastary I was given this book as reading for a course in Japanese religion taught by a former zen monk who had become a professor of Japanese religion after marrying the daughter of the abbott of the monastary he trained at. (Japanese monks are not required to be celibate.) He thought it was the best description of actual life in a monastary he had seen. Don't expect this book to give you deep flashes in insight into the nature of things- instead it is a light-hearted look at how traditional monks actually lived the monastic life, and should balance out any of the heavier reading one might encounter while exploring zen. ... Read more Similar Items: 1. Zen Enlightenment: Origins and Meaning 2. Japanese Religion: Unity and Diversity (Religious Life in History Series.) 3. Religion in the Japanese Experience: Sources and Interpretations (Religious Life in History Series) 4. The Heart of Understanding: Commentaries on the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra 5. What the Buddha Taught: Revised and Expanded Edition with Texts from Suttas and Dhammapada . Favourite Lists: 1. Martial arts diaries, journals, and travelogues (and a little fiction).

14. Karate-Do: My Way of Life by Gichin Funakoshi List Price: Price: US$9.00 US$9.00 Category: Paperback (1981-09-15) Publisher: Kodansha International ISBN: 0870114638 Sales Rank: 71026 Lowest New Price: $4.50 Lowest Used Price: $0.50 (67 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description Linking the time when karate was a strictly Okinawan art of self-defense shrouded in the deepest secrecy and the present day, when it has become a martial art practiced throughout the world, is Gichin Funakoshi, the "Father of Karate-do." Out of modesty, he was reluctant to write this autobiography and did not do so until he was nearly ninety years of age. Trained in the Confucian classics, he was a schoolteacher early in life, but after decades of study under the foremost masters, he gave up his livelihood to devote the rest of his life to the propagation of the Way of Karate. Under his guidance, techniques and nomenclature were refined and modernized, the spiritual essence was brought to the fore, and karate evolved into a true martial art. Various forms of empty-hand techniques have been practiced in Okinawa for centuries, but due to the lack of historical records, fancy often masquerades as fact. In telling of his own famous teachers-and not only of their mastery of technique but of the way they acted in critical situations-the author reveals what true karate is. The stories he tells about himself are no less instructive: his determination to continue the art, after having started it to improve his health; his perseverance in the face of difficulties, even of poverty; his strict observance of the way of life of the samurai; and the spirit of self-reliance that he carried into an old age kept healthy by his practice of Karate-do. ... Read more Features: ISBN13: 9780870114632 Condition: USED - Very Good Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 51 reviews. Excellent glimpse into the life of a karate master Having practiced karate for just under two years, I thought this book would help me better to understand the true meaning of karate. I knew that commitment, respect, endurance, strength, etc. were all values, but after reading this book about the life of Gichin Funakoshi, it has really opened my eyes to what karate really is. First and foremost, this is an autobiography. It isn't an action book full of stories of fighting and taking down the bad guys. It's a foray into his life, how he feels about karate, and what it has meant to him and his family. He tells of his successes and failures, tips for healthy living and longevity, and most of all, what karate means to him. Gichin Funakoshi was responsible for bringing karate to mainland Japan, which allowed it to spread throughout the world following World War II. In this book, he brings new meaning to all of those sayings and phrases that you see pasted throughout dojos all over the country, like spirit, tranquility, and respect. I think anyone involved in any martial art, especially karate, should read this book. I'm glad I did, and it is definitely something I'll read again in the future. The master's memoirs on the history of Karate do As a 5th dan practitioner of Shotokan Karate for nearly 40 years I have been aware of Gichin Funakoshi as it's founder the whole of my life. For many years I questioned the practical relevance of many of the techniques and kata I have been taught and in turn passed on to my own students. As a student I began to think that the aesthetic appearence of Karate seemed to be important to my seniors than its actual use as the self-defence system that it claimed to be. I was taught Karate kumite as a sport for scoring points with techniques of nearly no relevance to real confrontation and kata as almost a dance routine to look good to the eye and impress judges in an over riding and all important quest to gain a medal or trophy. On studying closely Karate-do: My Way of Life by Gichin Funakoshi we learn that Karate has changed so much since its introduction to Japan, that if our great projanitors were to see it practiced today it would be unrecognisable to them as Karate. This superb book gives us a unique snapshot at the old masters: Sokon Matsumura, Itosu and Azato. These truly hard man practised karate as a close quarter combat system designed specifically to protect their king. Kata was not a meaningless succession of movements for physical exercise or performance but rather each kata was a recording of a complete and utterly devastating fighting system. Moreover we discover that Gichin Funakoshi was adamantly against the stylisation of the art and was dismayed at his Karate being named Shotokan! Karate Do My Way of Life is a superb book written by a genius of the art. Every karate practitioner should read it and enjoy it.... NO! STUDY IT AND LEARN. For it gives us all the clues on how we should be teaching this life-changing art and its not how the majority of schools do it today. Andy O'Brien 5th Dan Shotokan & Author of The Little Bubishi: A History of Karate for Children Very good biography A great book on his life. He sets alot of things straight on the real facts and philosophy of Karate-do. Autobiographic memoir of Funakoshi-Sensi's life. This is a great memoir of the life of one of Karate's most significant Masters of the Art. Funakoshi Sensi tells his story from his early school days and what circumstances led to his embrace of bushido. He describes in detail his early relationship with two seminal figures in the development of martial arts in Okinawa. This history begins with the Meiji Restoration in Japan in 1868, when Japan began to embrace Western standards by outlawing the ways of the ancient warrior code of Japan. In the unfolding story, Funakoshi Sensi tells of his relationship with two of Okinawa's living legends of the art of Karate who mentored Funakoshi at night - sometime all night long because of the banning of these martial traditions. This is perhaps the most fascinating explication in the book as biographical information on Master Azato and his friend and Martial Arts brother, Itosu, both men being the foremost experts living on Okinawa at the time. Besides the biographical information in the book, Funikoshi Sensi develops a worthwhile philosophy on the art of Kartae and on other martial arts contemporary to his moment in history; in this explication we learn what Kartae is and what is not. Karate is moving Zen, meant to develop the character of the practitioner. As such, every movement in kata begins with a defense and not a technique of attack. It is the character of the practitioner of utmost importance, and not his or her ability to fight. More importantly, in Funikoshi's later life, the Master was largely responsible for the spread of Kartae on the mainland of Japan. His important contribution ranks along side of the other great masters of marital arts. This book is one hell of a ride through the annals of the Martial Arts world and I highly recommend it. Karate-Do This is THE definative guide to how the study of Karate was first legalized and then popularized and how it can help improve one's life. ... Read more Similar Items: 1. The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate: The Spiritual Legacy of the Master 2. Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text 3. Zen in the Martial Arts 4. Karate-Do Nyumon: The Master Introductory Text 5. The Essence of Karate . Favourite Lists: 1. Shotokan Karate Kata videos, books and drills. 2. Kyokushin Kai. 3. become robin the boy wonder. 4. ニニンがシノブ伝. 5. Learn About Martial Arts. 6. Essential Texts for all Martial Artists. 7. Shotokan Karate Resources. 8. Martial arts diaries, journals, and travelogues (and a little fiction). 9. Goju-ryu Karate and Related Books. 10. My karate collection.

$6.99 (53% off) The Girl with the Dragon $11.92 (57% off) The Girl Who Kicked $8.44 (53% off) Mockingjay $8.49 (47% off) The Girl Who Played $0.00 The Adventures of Sherlock $15.12 (46% off) Freedom $11.48 (28% off) A Little Death In Dixie $8.49 (47% off) Eat, Pray, Love $6.29 (10% off) Bake Sale Murder $0.00 Alice's Adventures in

1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson List Price: Price: You Save: US$14.95 US$6.99 US$7.96 (53%) Category: Paperback (2009-06-23) Publisher: Vintage Crime / Black Lizard ISBN: 0307454541 Sales Rank: 6 Lowest New Price: $5.00 Lowest Used Price: $4.66 (116 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description An international publishing sensation, Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo combines murder mystery, family saga, love story, and financial intrigue into one satisfyingly complex and entertainingly atmospheric novel. Harriet Vanger, a scion of one of Sweden's wealthiest families disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption. Amazon.com Review Amazon Best of the Month, September 2008: Once you start The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, there's no turning back. This debut thriller--the first in a trilogy from the late Stieg Larsson--is a serious page-turner rivaling the best of Charlie Huston and Michael Connelly. Mikael Blomkvist, a once-respected financial journalist, watches his professional life rapidly crumble around him. Prospects appear bleak until an unexpected (and unsettling) offer to resurrect his name is extended by an old-school titan of Swedish industry. The catch--and there's always a catch--is that Blomkvist must first spend a year researching a mysterious disappearance that has remained unsolved for nearly four decades. With few other options, he accepts and enlists the help of investigator Lisbeth Salander, a misunderstood genius with a cache of authority issues. Little is as it seems in Larsson's novel, but there is at least one constant: you really don't want to mess with the girl with the dragon tattoo. --Dave Callanan ... Read more Features: ISBN13: 9780307454546 Condition: New Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 1740 reviews. Great series I read all 3 of these Stieg Larsson "Milennium" books in about 2 weeks on vacation & highly recommend them. Not only are they well written mysteries involving unusal characters, they are windows into contemporary Sweden - a place which, frankly, I'd never thought alot about. You save the cost of an airline ticket and get to see Stockholm a little like you would if you stayed with friends who live there. (This aspect is really enhanced by seeing the movie - produced in Sweden by Swedes.) I've recommended the book to others & the most common response has been that Dragon Tattoo is so long and full of alot of snoozy non-action and side plots and relationships. I am mostly writing this to tell any new reader to hang in - it picks up and all 3 books together are one fascinating saga. If you are hooked by Lisbeth & Mikael, you'll be glad you stayed with all 3! The best of the three Great series. Highly recommended. If/when you see the movies...make sure you read the books first, b/c they don't develop Lisbeth's character fully in the films. The first two movies were very good. Steig Larsson book #1 Another excellent book which I highly reccommend. Only one more in this series. I understand all three manuscripts were offered at the same time and the author died shortly after. Heavily Explicit Material I think people should know that this book contains Explicit Material in it's story content. It is about a Serial Rapist. There are a lot of graphic and grusome details of the sex crimes that are made upon women. If you are aware of this then fine, but I think the author and publisher's made a mistake by not mentioning this to the public in it's reviews or cover. I've Read Better It was hard to get through this book in places and I pretty much guessed who the murderer was as soon as he was introduced in the book. The shining star in the whole book was Lisbeth Salander. For some reason I really cared about what happened to her. We women don't get too many female heroins we can relate to. The fact that she came from disadvantaged childhood, which also led to a less than ideal adulthood made her an even more sympathetic character. Not that I'm that well read, but most heroins in books that I've read (at least books that are fiction) usually come from at least middle class or wealthy backgrounds. I find myself cheering her on, and she is the only reason I would read the 2nd book in the Trilogy. By the way the Swedish version of the movie was a real turd, hopefully the US version will be better, but somehow I doubt it! ... Read more Similar Items: 1. The Girl Who Played with Fire (Vintage) 2. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest 3. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia 4. The Help 5. Water for Elephants: A Novel . Favourite Lists: 1. End Table Books. 2. Unplug your phone. 3. My List of Books I Want to Read. 4. Mystery- Thriller Books. 5. Decadent Little Numbers. 6. Love, Romance, Sex and the Warriors. 7. 2010 Reads So Far (2). 8. Stuff I wanna read. 9. My Favs!. 10. Some really good books.

2. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson List Price: Price: You Save: US$27.95 US$11.92 US$16.03 (57%) Category: Hardcover (2010-05-25) Publisher: Knopf ISBN: 030726999X Sales Rank: 5 Lowest New Price: $11.80 Lowest Used Price: $14.00 (33 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description The stunning third and final novel in Stieg Larsson’s internationally best-selling trilogy Lisbeth Salander—the heart of Larsson’s two previous novels—lies in critical condition, a bullet wound to her head, in the intensive care unit of a Swedish city hospital. She’s fighting for her life in more ways than one: if and when she recovers, she’ll be taken back to Stockholm to stand trial for three murders. With the help of her friend, journalist Mikael Blomkvist, she will not only have to prove her innocence, but also identify and denounce those in authority who have allowed the vulnerable, like herself, to suffer abuse and violence. And, on her own, she will plot revenge—against the man who tried to kill her, and the corrupt government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life. Once upon a time, she was a victim. Now Salander is fighting back. Amazon.com Review Amazon Best Books of the Month, May 2010 As the finale to Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest is not content to merely match the adrenaline-charged pace that made international bestsellers out of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire. Instead, it roars with an explosive storyline that blows the doors off the series and announces that the very best has been saved for last. A familiar evil lies in wait for Lisbeth Salander, but this time, she must do more than confront the miscreants of her past; she must destroy them. Much to her chagrin, survival requires her to place a great deal of faith in journalist Mikael Blomkvist and trust his judgment when the stakes are highest. To reveal more of the plot would be criminal, as Larsson's mastery of the unexpected is why millions have fallen hard for his work. But rest assured that the odds are again stacked, the challenges personal, and the action fraught with neck-snapping revelations in this snarling conclusion to a thrilling triad. This closing chapter to The Girl's pursuit of justice is guaranteed to leave readers both satisfied and saddened once the final page has been turned. --Dave Callanan ... Read more Features: ISBN13: 9780307269997 Condition: New Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 612 reviews. Where was the editor....out drinking coffee? I ordered this trilogy without any knowledge of Stieg Larsson or any advanced information about the book(s) except that Don Imus raved about "Hornets Nest" on his morning radio show and that Stieg was now dead. I looked it up and realized that it was the final installment of a trilogy and it became evident that I would have to read all three, in order, to get the full effect. I figured "why not"....I hadn't read a piece of fiction in a while. And besides, I needed a break from the political and historical stuff I have been reading. I mention this because I want to set the scene that I was just looking for some mindless fiction to relax with......no thinking, no deep thoughts, just relaxation. The books arrived and I was slightly taken aback by the length of each book....between 500 and 600 pages. I am not afraid of a long read as long as it can hold my interest. Well, unfortunately, these three books had me slipping in and out of attention. Who was the editor on these? These books ramble on and on with the most ridicules nonsense just taking up pages and pages of space. Time and time again, Mr. Larsson fills pages with completely unnecessary dribble and over-verbalized fluff. I wish I had kept track of how much coffee our hero drank or how many sandwiches Lisbeth ate. Who cares? Why did I have to know the thought process on how Lisbeth picked furniture for her humongous apartment that she did not use but 10%. Just once I want to read a book where the hero is not humble and just so perfect. I get a little tired of reading over and over that every woman who meets our hero must seduce him. Give me a break. He goes days without sleep and writes award winning expose articles for his magnificent magazine. He is able to "Out sleuth" the real professional sleuths, time and time again. When no one can find the missing 16 year old niece of the powerful Vanger family patriarch from 40 years ago, he tracks her down to a huge ranch in Australia. Please stop it already, I can't stand it....then she is so enamored with him, she beds him on the spot. Stop already. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to put these books down and move on to something else. I find the heroine, Liz, far too smart, far too strong, far too sexy and far too unbelievable especially in a 95 pound package. She believes that a photographic memory is a curse? Stop it. She is a self-taught computer wiz who can hack any top secure system. She finds, quite by accident, that she is a math superstar too.....really? Way over the top. Shot three times, once in the head and she digs herself out of a grave to attack her father and half brother....right! Maybe I expect too much, maybe I am a cynic who is never satisfied but the truth is, I was very dissatisfied with the three books. A proper editor, I believe, could have pared this down to one book, with a stylish slick storyline without all of the fluff. This is just a money grab making us buy three books when one would have told the story very well. Remember....you have been warned. Engrossing Summer Diversion When temperatures top 100 degrees, you can't do better than this complex finale to the Sweden-set Lisbeth Salander trilogy. Larsson's protagonist faces horrific challenges head-on and triumphs by means that are sometimes expected but often unusual. Settle in for a fascinating diversion with The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest. L. A. Starks 13 Days: The Pythagoras Conspiracy Overrated!!! I'd like to preface this review by saying if this wasn't being posted online It would be laced with profanity to accurately express the depth of my disappointment with this book. It's (insert expletive here) really awful! I struggled through The GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO. I thought the GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE was better and had hoped that the GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET'S NEST would be the best of the three. I thought there was something wrong with me because millions of people LOVED this series. I think that once something has become the "Talk of the town" people are too embarrassed to admit publicly that they don't like it. These books are so poorly written it makes Dan Brown seem like Proust. Such a profound waste of time. If you are looking for a modern classic try The Help or Water for Elephants. Steig Larsson book, last book How sad that this is the last we will see of the protagonist, Salander, and Stieg Larsson. His stories were very well worth the time and expense of acquiring them. After I finished reading them I donated them to my local library. Sad to see the trilogy come to an end...can't wait for the movie Great series. Highly recommended. If/when you see the movies...make sure you read the books first, b/c they don't develop Lisbeth's character fully in the films. The first two movies were very good. ... Read more Similar Items: 1. The Girl Who Played with Fire (Vintage) 2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 3. The Help 4. The Other Side of the Bridge 5. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia . Favourite Lists: 1. Mystery- Thriller Books. 2. Decadent Little Numbers. 3. Best Books of the Year. 4. Stuff I wanna read. 5. My Favs!. 6. Some really good books. 7. Great mysteries and thrillers for 2010. 8. Books selection. 9. 10 Best Sellers for Your Holiday. 10. Action/Thrillers you can't stop reading.

3. Mockingjay (The Final Book of The Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins List Price: Price: You Save: US$17.99 US$8.44 US$9.55 (53%) Category: Hardcover (2010-08-24) Publisher: Scholastic Press ISBN: 0439023513 Sales Rank: 3 Lowest New Price: $8.39 Lowest Used Price: $9.00 (17 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins’s groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.   ... Read more Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 403 reviews. A Great Closer I absolutely loved The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. I eagerly anticipated Mockingjay and am not disappointed, other than the fact the I am now mourning the end of the series. I read this book in a few days, it was hard to put down, but I got more and more bummed the closer I got to the end, because I didn't really want it to end. I think things were wrapped up well in this book, and it provided the closure necessary at the end of a series. I won't go into any spoilers, but I am happy with how it ended. The author does a really great job painting a picture for us readers time and time again. And I personally found myself very emotionally effected at many points in the story. That's good writing! There's a really good lesson in this story as well! Loved book 1, liked book 2, bored by book 3 The arena, the games -- that's why the first two books were great. Breaking out of the arena, in book 2, was the worst thing the author could do to this trilogy. Ah well, the first two books were great, at least! Disappointed I loved The Hunger Games, then when Catching Fire came out it was good, but not nearly as good as the first novel. With Mocking Jay Suzanne Collins has yet again disappointed her readers with a book that couldn't match up to The Hunger Games. The only reason for reading this book would be for finding out how the author ends the series, however prepare to begin to hate the characters that you fell in love with in Ms. Collins third installment of The Hunger Games. (spoiler free) our hero is just dazed and confused I'll try to speak in generalities here about my disappointment so this review can actually give you some info before you buy. After the first two books, of -course- Mockingjay was a preorder. But I have to say this is a big let down. I don't suppose I could have resisted reading it, but the resolution Suzanne Collins chose for her characters is a big let down. I don't mind books being depressing. Heck, one of my favorite books is Heros Die. The world created here is fundamentally distopian. But stories should be depressing in a compelling way that stirs the emotions. The characters had plenty of raw emotional material to work with, but it just fizzled. I think it's okay to let your characters spend some time being dazed and confused about what they want, what they should do, how to prevail, etc etc. However Katniss never progresses beyond this state. She fumbles her way to the end of the book. Along the same lines, the romantic resolution is a total cop out. It's inconsistent with previous characterization and completely glossed over. Maybe life happens like this sometimes, but it doesn't make for good reading. Not like this I did not immediately see the connection between the Hunger Games trilogy and Theseus and the Minotaur, but once the comparison was made... It was like I was looking at two faces and suddenly saw the candlestick between. This trilogy is beautiful. In a way, it's more adult fiction than teen, especially as it moves through Mockinjay, but that's only because of the power of the first two books. It's like the old author cliche, "the story just writes itself." I don't see how the questionable content of Mockinjay could have been removed without making the story too much to swallow. I enjoyed Collins's Overlander series, but they were like Goosebumps compared to Poe or Lovecraft when I compare them to the Hunger Games Trilogy. It's Katniss's humanity that makes this so real. Having just finished the last book, I'm left with the echoes of the story in my chest like when I choose to watch Saving Private Ryan again. Strongly recommended. ... Read more Similar Items: 1. Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) 2. The Hunger Games 3. Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1) 4. Linger (Wolves of Mercy Falls, Book 2) 5. The Underland Chronicles: Books 1-5 Paperback Box Set . Favourite Lists: 1. The Reading Woman's Escape Plan II. 2. After twilight..my TBR list..part 2. 3. MY POPULAR CHOICES. 4. Fantastic YA fiction. 5. What am I reading in 2010? Part 2. 6. Favorite YA Fiction. 7. Upcoming YA Releases to LIVE for!. 8. Best Kids/Young Adult Series Part 3. 9. Children's Books To Keep an Eye Out For. 10. Epic List of Upcoming 2010/2011 YA Releases.

4. The Girl Who Played with Fire (Vintage) by Stieg Larsson List Price: Price: You Save: US$15.95 US$8.49 US$7.46 (47%) Category: Paperback (2010-03-23) Publisher: Vintage ISBN: 030745455X Sales Rank: 7 Lowest New Price: $7.39 Lowest Used Price: $5.99 (96 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description Part blistering espionage thriller, part riveting police procedural, and part piercing exposé on social injustice, The Girl Who Played with Fire is a masterful, endlessly satisfying novel.   Mikael Blomkvist, crusading publisher of the magazine Millennium, has decided to run a story that will expose an extensive sex trafficking operation. On the eve of its publication, the two reporters responsible for the article are murdered, and the fingerprints found on the murder weapon belong to his friend, the troubled genius hacker Lisbeth Salander. Blomkvist, convinced of Salander’s innocence, plunges into an investigation. Meanwhile, Salander herself is drawn into a murderous game of cat and mouse, which forces her to face her dark past.  From the Paperback edition. Amazon.com Review Amazon Best of the Month, July 2009: The girl with the dragon tattoo is back. Stieg Larsson's seething heroine, Lisbeth Salander, once again finds herself paired with journalist Mikael Blomkvist on the trail of a sinister criminal enterprise. Only this time, Lisbeth must return to the darkness of her own past (more specifically, an event coldly known as "All the Evil") if she is to stay one step ahead--and alive. The Girl Who Played with Fire is a break-out-in-a-cold-sweat thriller that crackles with stunning twists and dismisses any talk of a sophomore slump. Fans of Larsson's prior work will find even more to love here, and readers who do not find their hearts racing within the first five pages may want to confirm they still have a pulse. Expect healthy doses of murder, betrayal, and deceit, as well as enough espresso drinks to fuel downtown Seattle for months. --Dave Callanan ... Read more Features: ISBN13: 9780307454553 Condition: New Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 867 reviews. Loved the book I loved the book. Much of it is unexpected. The only disclaimer is that their is some sexual assault scenes described. Don't read if this may bother you. The saga continues...as if it's simply chapter 2 Great series. Highly recommended. If/when you see the movies...make sure you read the books first, b/c they don't develop Lisbeth's character fully in the films. The first two movies were very good. Good read & page turner... I found the first book in the serious tedious because of all the background information needed to set the book up but once into it(about 200 pages) then it was good. So I purchased this book the 2nd in the series & this was great. VERY interesting & a real page turner. Could not put it down A great suspense story with characters who are so very interesting. How this author's mind must have worked to craft this story....It's a shame we'll only get the trilogy. I can't wait to read number three in the series. Much better than the first book.. but still annoyingly flawed Here on Amazon, another person wrote that he felt "bad" criticizing the first book, because trashing the book of a "dead" author, is unfair... (obviously he cant explain or fight back). I also share that feeling. So, I'm going to trash the Editor and the Translator. What kind of idiot editor... leaves in mind numbing, boring details starting with the first 50 (plus) pages?!? (This problem is not isolated to just the beginning of the book, but the "beginning" is the most boring part of the book). The beginning is a "very" detailed "re-hash" of the first novel. So much so.. you almost don't have to read the first book to understand the second. That said... if you drink 10 cups of coffee and smack yourself in the face several times,(without hurting yourself) ... after the first 50 or 60 pages, the story actually gets interesting! Why? Because the book focuses on the most interesting character, which is Lisbeth Salander. (Mikael Blomkvist is a snore and his character dominated the first book). I just don't believe a man can write a "truly believable" book about a woman's perspective. (abused or not). That said.... Stieg Larsson did an O.K. job. But, the Editor and Translator did a lousy job. I'm 56 years old and an avid lifetime reader... 100% heterosexual woman,.... and I have never stopped being amazed at what a "screwed-up" distortion a mans perspective is ... on what they think women feel and think. Ladies... are we that mysterious!?! Or is the DNA in men simply clueless ? Don't get me wrong. I adore men! But damn, do they always think only with their penis when it comes to a woman? (no pun intended). The only reason I even bought the second book... I found it in a discount store for only $3:00 Dollars. I'm glad I spent the 3 bucks. It was worth it. (once I got past the first 60 pages). Seriously, the middle of the book is very good. The ending of the book... is "a man's" ending. I'm not saying that a woman can't be "far more" intelligent, determined and vicious than a man. (Ladies, you know we are). But, Lisbeth is a woman. (sexual presence changes nothing)... She is fascinating, strong and resilient... yet, she is written like a man inside a woman. Bottom line.... I liked the second book.... and I will read the third... with the aid of 10 cups of coffee. ... Read more Similar Items: 1. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest 2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 3. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia 4. The Help 5. The Other Side of the Bridge . Favourite Lists: 1. Mystery- Thriller Books. 2. Decadent Little Numbers. 3. Stuff I wanna read. 4. Gadgets, music, stuff.... 5. My Favs!. 6. Some really good books. 7. The Girl Novels by Stieg Larrson. 8. Books selection. 9. The Absolute Greatest Brand Spankin' New Books of 2010 - The Best !. 10. List of Suspense Thrillers.

5. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle List Price: $0.00 Category: Kindle Edition (1999-03-01) Publisher: Public Domain Books ASIN: B000JQU1VS Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 36 reviews. Good, but what's the big deal Numerical corruption and 140 year old english aside, this is a pretty good book, but I prefer my crime mysteries to present the facts so that I might be able to solve it as well. Sherlock Holmes would be much more a hero in my mind if all of the evidence was presented, and yet it was still difficult to solve the issue at hand. An entertaining read, nonetheless. Short stories for short attention spans Bonus points to The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes for being a free kindle book and for being one of the greatest firsts of its kind. That being said, the quality of the book is not quiet as "timeless" as I had hoped. I read Sherlock Holmes right after finishing Treasure Island and before that, Around the World in 80 Days. Needless to say, these other "classics" I had picked up were more impressive than I could have imagined and easily hold their own to anything written in modern adventure/thriller novels. I wish the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes gave the readers a little more freedom to venture other possible solutions and to really stir the imagination but, sadly, it does not. Great value for readers looking only for The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes This Kindle freebie is great for readers who are only keen to read the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The stories contained within this title are: A Scandal in Bohemia The Red-Headed League A Case of Identity The Boscombe Valley Mystery The Five Orange Pips The Man with the Twisted Lip The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle The Adventure of the Speckled Band The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet The Adventure of the Copper Beeches This Kindle freebie does NOT include "The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes", "The Return of Sherlock Holmes", "His Last Bow", "The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes", or the novels, i.e. "A Study in Scarlet", "The Sign of Four", "The Hound of the Baskervilles", and "The Valley of Fear". It is an excellent "purchase" for readers who would like to enjoy reading about the intrepid Holmes and Watson on their adventures. The formatting is okay, i.e. not excellent but not overly annoying either. As is the case with many other Kindle titles, the Table of Contents is not one which is reader-friendly - one cannot simply click on a particular story to get to it, but has to manually scroll through. I hope this is addressed as more books become available as Kindle titles. On the whole, I have little to complain about, except for the lamentable lack of illustrations. To those who love Sherlock Holmes, I would recommend getting not just the complete stories and if you don't mind a truly bulky (yet beautiful set), I would suggest the annotated set by Leslie S. Klinger,The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Short Stories (2 Vol. Set) and The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes, Volume 3: The Novels (A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of Four, The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Valley of Fear) (non-slipcased edition). Incomplete and with poor formatting! I had finished reading this edition before I realized it was incomplete. The Bedford Park edition The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection, with attractive cover illustration of London Bridge, is a much better edition overall, with proper formatting of numbers, and contains all of the Sherlock Holmes stories and novels. It was extremely annoying to encounter strange symbols every time a number is mentioned, and to be forced to decipher badly-formatted html to figure out what number was being stated. Also, a variety of line breaks in the wrong places were very frustrating. This edition is simply not worth trying to save $0.99. Wonderful, funny, so glad i downloaded this! I love the classics that are available, and right now I am SO enjoying these stories!! I've never read Doyle before, but it's fun for me to watch each mystery unroll the way they do. I can't help but laugh at the genius of these stories!! So glad I was able to get this for my Kindle!!! ... Read more Similar Items: 1. Treasure Island 2. The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights 3. Gulliver's Travels 4. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland 5. Dracula . Favourite Lists: 1. cindy's books. 2. Mystery Books. 3. Free Kindle Books (The Classics). 4. "Science Fiction Books," "Fantasy Books," "Regency Romance Books,". 5. Best Free Books on Kindle. 6. My Free Books. 7. The Complete (and cheapest) Sherlock Holmes for Kindle. 8. Free Kindle Books--And a Few that are not--That are Fun to Read. 9. Kindle. 10. Free Kindle Books--except one.

6. Freedom: A Novel by Jonathan Franzen List Price: Price: You Save: US$28.00 US$15.12 US$12.88 (46%) Category: Hardcover (2010-08-31) Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux ISBN: 0374158460 Sales Rank: 2 Lowest New Price: $14.99 Lowest Used Price: $20.00 (2 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description Patty and Walter Berglund were the new pioneers of old St. Paul—the gentrifiers, the hands-on parents, the avant-garde of the Whole Foods generation. Patty was the ideal sort of neighbor, who could tell you where to recycle your batteries and how to get the local cops to actually do their job. She was an enviably perfect mother and the wife of Walter’s dreams. Together with Walter—environmental lawyer, commuter cyclist, total family man—she was doing her small part to build a better world. But now, in the new millennium, the Berglunds have become a mystery. Why has their teenage son moved in with the aggressively Republican family next door? Why has Walter taken a job working with Big Coal? What exactly is Richard Katz—outré rocker and Walter’s college best friend and rival—still doing in the picture? Most of all, what has happened to Patty? Why has the bright star of Barrier Street become “a very different kind of neighbor,” an implacable Fury coming unhinged before the street’s attentive eyes? In his first novel since The Corrections, Jonathan Franzen has given us an epic of contemporary love and marriage. Freedom comically and tragically captures the temptations and burdens of liberty: the thrills of teenage lust, the shaken compromises of middle age, the wages of suburban sprawl, the heavy weight of empire. In charting the mistakes and joys of Freedom’s characters as they struggle to learn how to live in an ever more confusing world, Franzen has produced an indelible and deeply moving portrait of our time. Amazon.com Review Amazon Best of the Month, August 2010: "The awful thing about life is this:" says Octave to the Marquis in Renoir's Rules of the Game. "Everyone has his reasons." That could be a motto for novelists as well, few more so than Jonathan Franzen, who seems less concerned with creating merely likeable characters than ones who are fully alive, in all their self-justifying complexity. Freedom is his fourth novel, and, yes, his first in nine years since The Corrections. Happy to say, it's very much a match for that great book, a wrenching, funny, and forgiving portrait of a Midwestern family (from St. Paul this time, rather than the fictional St. Jude). Patty and Walter Berglund find each other early: a pretty jock, focused on the court and a little lost off it, and a stolid budding lawyer, besotted with her and almost burdened by his integrity. They make a family and a life together, and, over time, slowly lose track of each other. Their stories align at times with Big Issues--among them mountaintop removal, war profiteering, and rock'n'roll--and in some ways can't be separated from them, but what you remember most are the characters, whom you grow to love the way families often love each other: not for their charm or goodness, but because they have their reasons, and you know them. --Tom Nissley ... Read more Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 12 reviews. A Candidate for Best Novel of the Year Like many of you, perhaps, I was a bit turned off by all the advance hype surrounding this book. Many have called it a masterpiece, even Book of the Century. I wouldn't go that far--but it is certainly an excellent novel which succeeds on several levels. It is literary, yet it is blockbuster stuff in its commercial connotations, with lots of sex and topical concerns. A novel for our times, yet one which resonates with the classics. The first section is a very comfortable read. For a time, it seemed almost a parody or tribute to Garrison Keillor's monologues about Lake Woebegone, such as collected in his volume, LIBERTY. It opens in Minnesota too, but instead of a rural neighborhood, this is the suburbs, and the narrative seemingly turns onto the set of Wisteria Lane in DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES. Still, the first section, entitled "Good Neighbors," is an entertaining satire, nicely paced and well sprinkled with insights about archetypical types. I especially enjoyed the conspiratorial tone. The next section is an autobiography of one of the main characters written in the third person with editorial asides. This sets the out the main characters and the plot for the novel, though the novel has already been succinctly foreshadowed in the lone epigraph: Go, together You precious winners all. I, an old turtle, Will wing me to some withered bough, and there My mate, that's never to be found again, Lament till I am lost. --Shakespeare, THE WINTER'S TALE As I say, much of the novel is about winners and losers, freedom vs. responsibility. Franzen sets up a trinity of main characters, Patti and her husband Walter as suburban Adam and Eve, and Adam's friend, Richard, as the snake in the Garden. This trinity consists of Walter (mind/spirit dominated), Richard (flesh dominated), and wishy-washy Patti, who wants to have both and wavers between the two. About midway through the book, Lilitha is introduced. Make no mistake, she is an incarnation of Lilith from the Garden of Eden Myth, a mirror to Richard, with a Lilith agenda against population growth, babies--and childbirth in principle. Franzen uses literary and musical references to support his arguments (and much of the novel seems argued). Regarding winners and losers, he mentions Bob Dylan's showing up Donovan in the documentary, "Don't Look Back." He shows Richard reading his favorite new novelist, Thomas Bernhard, but doesn't tell us which book he is reading. Of course, if you've read Thomas Bernhard's THE LOSER, you would know which book it was, for that is the world in which Richard would find himself at home. And Patti reads WAR AND PEACE, skimming over the military parts to get to Tolstoy's soap-opera sections, which resonate well with this novel. The text mentions WAR AND PEACE several times as if justify its own use of melodrama--see, the classics used soap too. Other classical references are mentioned: Aristotle and the different kinds of causes: Material, efficient, formal, and final. Walter sees the final cause of most of the world's problems as unlimited population growth, which aligns him with Lilith. Richard is a counter-culture rock musician who finally becomes successful after souring on the business, as can be seen in an interview after a Grammy nomination. Note the reference to Rousseau: "Q: What do you think of the MP3 revolution? A: Ah, revolution, wow. It's great to hear the word "revolution" again. It's great that a song now costs exactly the same as a pack of gum and lasts exactly the same amount of time before it loses its flavor and you have to spend another buck. That era which finally ended but yesterday, whenever--you know, that era when we pretended rock was the scourge of conformity and consumerism, instead of its anointed handmaid--that era was really irritating to me. I think it's good for the honesty of rock and roll and good for the country in general that we can finally see Bob Dylan and Iggy Pop for what they really were: as manufacturers of winter-green Chiclets. Q: So you're saying rock has lost its subversive edge? A: I'm saying it never had any subversive edge. It was always wintergreen Chiclets, we just enjoyed pretending otherwise. Q: What about when Dylan went electric? A: If you're going to talk about ancient history, let's go back to the French revolution. Remember when, I forget his name, but that rocker who wrote "Marseillaise, Jean Jacques Whoever--remember when his song started getting all that airplay in 1792, and suddenly the peasantry rose up and overthrew the aristocracy? There was a song that changed the world. Attitude was what the peasants were missing. They already had everything else--humiliating servitude, grinding poverty, unpayable debts, horrific working conditions. But without a song, man, it added up to nothing. The sansculotte style was what really changed the world. ...We in the Chiclet manufacturing business are not about social justice, we're not about accurate or objectively verifiable information, we're not about meaningful labor, we're not about a coherent set of national ideals, we're not about wisdom. . ." After finishing the book, you'll have to ask yourself, is this book brilliant and profound or is it just another box of wintergreen Chiclets? Seems to me, the correct answer is: both. Jonathan Franzen and Rich White People Problems I have a literary hard-on for James Joyce. Not so much the author - he wore an eye patch, and (for the millionth time) I'm not into dudes - but his characters, his prose. Ulysses, the sprawling tome of a text he was best known for, gave more than a little to David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest, which in turn, arguably, begat Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections (they were close friends before Wallace offed himself - depression - a few years ago). Following this logic, it's pretty safe to say Franzen's new novel Freedom is exactly what Joyce did with Finnegan's Wake: a highly anticipated follow up to a popular work, sharing the same themes, but in a broader spectrum. Freedom studies a couple and their stressors, in the same way that Franzen's 2001 release, The Corrections, focused on the same topic; however, the couple's stressors now expand from Alzheimers and the disappointments of their grown children, to rape survival and Bush (Dubya)-era Conservatism-cum-Environmentalism. If The Corrections was the overeager Yale MBA grad, Freedom is the wizened Wall Street CEO. Franzen's prose still dazzles, alternating between page-length sentences and note-perfect teenage-to-parent dialogue. The characters, Twin Cities transplants and the hipster rock star who tries to do them in, are flesh and blood. The title - I get just as turgid for perfect titles as I do for Joyce - couldn't have been anything else, even if it does come off as cliche at first blush. The only complaint I have about Franzen is his stubborn refusal to say something new; if there's one thing to take away from Freedom, it's that rich White people have problems. (It's the same thing you see in almost everything Franzen writes - How To Be Alone is basically, "I'm well-read, successful, and corn-fed: life is tough because everyone around me isn't.") Maybe this isn't exactly a complaint, though, because it's also a reason why Franzen holds a place on the (small) list of my favorite contemporary writers. Heartbreaking and inspiring, with unforgettable plot twists and credible characters Barack Obama went to Martha's Vineyard and there obtained, a week before its release, a copy of Jonathan Franzen's novel. That same week, my family was heading to the Bahamas, and because we'd be isolated on a island three miles long and half a mile wide, with spotty internet access and even more problematic electricity, I was able to convince the publisher to give me an embargoed copy of the book. I doubt that the President has made his way through all 562 pages of "Freedom." My wife and I have made it to the end. It required no effort of will, just a little negotiation ("I'll take the kid to the beach if you'll use the time to read"). That is how, on our final morning overlooking the pink sands where Corona makes its wish-you-were-there beer commercials, I staggered to the end, sobbing as I read the last ten pages. My wife finished the book while we waited for our baggage in New York, and then couldn't speak for most of the cab ride home. What's the big deal? The people. Not the characters. The people. Men and women we come to know and care about, not because they're so admirable but because they're so real. Like Patty Berglund, a former college basketball star, now a stay-at-home mom. In her slowly gentrifying neighborhood in St. Paul, Minnesota, she was, Franzen writes, "already fully the thing that was just starting to happen to the rest of the street." That is: "a morning of baby-encumbered errands, an afternoon of public radio, the Silver Palate Cookbook, cloth diapers, drywall compound and latex paint, and then Goodnight Moon, then zinfandel." The questions that plagued her: "Where to recycle batteries? ... How elaborate did a kitchen water filter need to be? ...Could coffee beans be ground the night before you used them, or did this have to be done in the morning?" Like Walter Berglund, her husband. Son of a man who owned a small motel in Hibbing --- yes, that Hibbing, where Bob Zimmerman grew up and dreamed himself into Bob Dylan --- he was the very nice guy you never really knew in college because he was studying so hard and working his way through school. He'd met Patty there and knew she was The One, and waited for her to know it. And when she said yes, and shared that her dream was motherhood, he shelved every exalted ambition to get a job in Corporate Communications at 3M. When we meet him, he's the executive director of Minnesota's Nature Conservancy, having trouble with his teen-aged son, about to move to Washington for a new job --- he'll sell his St. Paul house "near the bottom of the post-9/11 slump." One more character drives this novel, Walter's college roommate and unlikely best friend. Richard Katz is the leader of nihilistic rock bands, and he's made for the part: talk, dark and arrogant, deadly attractive to women and eager to exploit that attraction. You don't want the truth served up with nasty spin? Keep away from Richard. Patty keeps away. Not because she dislikes Richard --- she craves him. But she's made her choice: a man who will do anything to create a home with her. Hot sex? It passes. It has to. Except that.... This is Fiction 101: Building Characters, and if you're surprised how hard it grabs you, it's because today's most acclaimed fiction is too "literary" to care more about people than language or structure or the next definition of fiction. Franzen, like Balzac and Dickens, is a journalist at heart --- what he's created in "Freedom" is this generation's "Bonfire of the Vanities." The mark of this kind of novel is not only that it feels true but that it becomes true. There's a sequence here about American profiteering during the early days of the Iraq War that's excruciating in its account of American officials who didn't give a damn. Now, as the war "ends, recent articles --- like this one, among many --- remind us of billions lost and unaccounted for. These crimes, for the government, are consigned to a memory hole. But there's no lack of accountability here. Not on Franzen's watch. Look anywhere in this novel, and you'll see how it defines our time. Like that bird on the cover. It's not decorative. It's going to have its own preserve in West Virginia, courtesy of a billionaire who will, in exchange for a few protected acres, get to blow up mountains and harvest coal. And just as we're reading this, here is Jane Mayer's revelatory New Yorker profile of David and Charles Koch, the billionaires whose companies pollute and despoil while David gives hundreds of millions to Lincoln Center, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Let's consider the title. Franzen's characters are not like the Koch brothers or the coal magnate or the Iraq fraudsters. They are their victims, living in an America where we make our biggest choices as shoppers. It's a dreary, ugly culture. Even Walter --- staid Walter --- comes to make a surprising indictment: "As long as you've got your six-foot-wide-plasma TV and the electricity to run it, you don't have to think about any of the ugly consequences. You can watch Survivor: Indonesia till there's no more Indonesia!" The personal quarrels? Just as lacerating. I can't imagine having a fight with my wife as ugly as the ones in these pages. But they're not set-pieces. They're the intimate moments of people whose conflicts, though maybe not ours, are recognizable to us. And when those fights end, sometimes there is clarity, even beauty: "She cried then, torrentially, and he lay down with her. Fighting had become their portal to sex, almost the only way it ever happened anymore. While the rain lashed and the sky flashed, he tried to fill her with self-worth and desire, tried to convey how much he needed her to be the person he could bury his cares in. It never quite worked, and yet, when they were done, there came a stretch of minutes in which they lay in the quiet majesty of long marriage, forgot themselves in shared sadness and forgiveness for everything they'd inflicted on each other, and rested." "The quiet majesty of long marriage" --- that phrase stopped me cold and led me back to the ultimate subject of this book, which is, I think, the challenge of building a functional romantic partnership when you're carrying the legacy of your flawed family and your country's dishonest and exploitative culture. Again, I suspect this challenge isn't unique to Patty and Walter Berglund. It's mine, for sure. And, just maybe, yours. And that is why the end is so devastating. It's richly symbolic --- and, for once, the symbol works. It sets our fond hopes against our hard realities. It reminds us of the limits of our personal power. It redefines what "freedom" is for people like us, in a time like this. And it suggests, after our big dreams have been crushed, that we may still make smaller dreams come true. I wish I could be more specific, but that would spoil your experience of "Freedom." Let me just say that the end is everything you want from a great book --- it's not rushed or tacked on or phony or commercial or cynical. It's at once heartbreaking and inspiring, and it makes you both elated and very, very sad. But, most of all, it immortalizes Patty and Walter and confirms what you are, by then, already feeling --- these imaginary people are in your heart, the way your closest friends are. Welcome, Franzen, to the Western Canon I'll preface this review by saying I was not, and am still not, a fan of Franzen's "Corrections" which I considered an overwritten, underdeveloped, contrived work. "Freedom," however, finds the author having divested himself of the indulgences that plagued that work; we are given a mystery and a social commentary in the guise of a turbulent marriage, and by doing so Franzen makes us feel such conventional genres from the viewpoint, and through the progression, of a simple (enough) midwestern family. Russian Critic Viktor Shklovsky theorized of literature that its effectiveness lay in its ability to defamiliarize--that is, to reintroduce common ideas in uncommon ways, so as to make us stop and consider how they have diverged (whether linguistically or thematically) from their common usage--and what Franzen does in this work is ask we consider his rather conventional novel using a series of unconventional methods: i.e. a good portion of the novel is written as an assignment for the protagonist's psychologist, and so on. He begins the novel telling us the family constituting the majority of the novel fall into ignobility, and it is with this in mind that he asks we proceed--we do so from the perspectives of the novel's main players, looking at the story's tragedies from the views of ostensibly dissociated observers. The moment benched upon UVA's grounds, young Joey talking with his mother--who we've already found to have descended into a deep depression, which she veils in an attempt to maintain their singularly focused relationship--was so much more laden with pathos for us having already seen her life pass that moment, knowing it to have directly preceded her emotional nadir. Franzen accentuates the story's emotions by looking at them from different perspectives; this is an often used strategy, multiple perspectives, but Franzen's manipulation of time and characters between chapters is done masterfully. I congratulate Franzen for making this work far more contained and self-reflexive than his past writings: the ideas of trust, circumlocutory thinking, and (surely enough) freedom are reiterated and elucidated throughout, and Franzen's novel, though compelling enough a page turner, subtly intersperses these themes throughout, rewarding the assiduous reader so much as it does the cursory reader. Franzen struggled with this in the past--his is undeniably a lucid prose style, but he struggled to match his form with his content previously, and he's finally matched the two. In my opinion, the work is all that much greater for it. Now, I'm sure my review's title is somewhat open to contention, but I ask any reader to put this work in perspective (an incredibly difficult thing to do, considering literature's current desuetude): this will certainly be remembered as a great work of the decade, and one of the best of our (post-2000) generation. I give this only four stars because Franzen continues to struggle with universalizing his themes--these are very much a select set of problems pertinent to only a select, albeit large, group (college-educated midwesterners). I feel you can hold this alongside Delillo's "White Noise," (which I consider an inarguably canonized work) for I believe the juxtaposition between them reveals this problem. Whereas Delillo took on vapid consumerism and its permeation in popular American culture, Franzen takes on the problems of this decidedly smaller group. Perhaps this is the postmodern condition; perhaps Literature is to be written less for the masses and more for the consideration of the select constituency who still cling to the fading medium. But, as it is, this novel does not stand alongside such works as White Noise or Mason & Dixon atop our contemporary canon because of its specificity--rather, it stands near the top of the more recent works, and I feel will be a defining work of this time. I also rather dislike Franzen's overtly Freudian take on filial relationships (in fact, the idea of freedom to each character can be defined as how they either accept or contend with Freudian parameters, though they all invariably end up heeding them); it doesn't come off organically, in my view, and seems, like a previous reviewer has said, to be what is a very academically-bred writer's attempt to layer his novel. My final criticism is also what ultimately leads me to contend with the novel's all-time greatness: Franzen is still unable to leave anything tacit. An example: Having taken up an offer to house-sit for his aunt Abigail, young Joey invites his girlfriend out to New York, from Minnesota, and she arrives by bus soon after. Now, after she arrived, i set down my book and considered the implications of this--she had a job, the importance of which was earlier stressed by her mother; Joey was indulging himself in her obsession, much like his mother had done with Eliza earlier in the novel; and he was treating her much like an object, to be picked up or put down at his whim, much like Richard. You see, he was a melange of the mistakes made by other characters, which, as I considered this, was due to his self-caused inchoate intellectual development. But, as I read on, Franzen exhaustively lays down the implications and effects of her dropping everything to go to New York--he, unlike the great authors, is unable to leave such things unsaid, which may again be due to his academic cultivation, and I feel this does a disservice to the reader by underestimating their comprehension of the moment's impact. It is, though, a superbly written, intricately detailed analysis of one of the last American traditions we consider sacred--marriage--and it captures the disillusionment of our time, distilling the particular problems of a people and revealing that any number of circumstances can lead to its decidedly generic (which I cannot stress enough, as I consider my diction, is not pejoratively used) conclusion. I consider this one of the rare times in our current age when a widely released book is truly great, if not perched atop the contemporary canon: I implore any curious reader to pick up this work, and enjoy it as they may. Shameful pricing. The work is above average and enjoyable; however, simply not worth the price. It is truly a shame that the publisher is using the recent pess to mil the ereader world. In some ways - ironic. ... Read more Similar Items: 1. The Corrections: A Novel 2. Super Sad True Love Story: A Novel 3. How to Be Alone: Essays 4. Nemesis 5. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet: A Novel . Favourite Lists: 1. Messed Up People and the Books about them. 2. Interesting Books of 2010. 3. 2010 ~ New Releases to Look Forward to:. 4. Trendy Reading Material. 5. **Fascinating Bestsellers **.

7. A Little Death In Dixie by Lisa Turner List Price: Price: You Save: US$15.95 US$11.48 US$4.47 (28%) Category: Paperback (2010-06-04) Publisher: Bell Bridge Books ISBN: 1935661906 Sales Rank: 3867 Lowest New Price: $11.48 Lowest Used Price: $14.54 (5 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description The Blues were born out of need, anger and pride. Murder comes from those same dark places. Memphis has both. One of Memphis' most seductive and notorious socialites has vanished. Either she's off on another drunken escapade or the disappearance is something much more frightening. What begins as an ordinary day's work for Detective Billy Able quickly grows into a complex spider's web of tragedy, mystery, suspicion, and sordid secrets including a few of Billy's own. With the help of Mercy Snow, the estranged sister of the missing socialite, Billy follows a twisted trail of human frailty and corruption to disturbing truths that undermine everything he thought he knew about himself and the people he loves. "Memphis, the Mississippi River, and the underbelly of human nature they're all exposed in the dark brew of this fast-paced Southern Gothic suspense. Page-turning and atmospheric, this tightly-plotted novel turns the screws and sends readers racing to its surprise conclusion." ~Michael Finger, Senior Editor, Memphis Magazine ... Read more Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 81 reviews. Very enjoyable read I really enjoyed this story. I found the two main characters slightly flawed but very likeable. It had a good pace to it as it unfolded and I was engaged throughout the whole story. Truly entertaining. This book was so good!!! I agree that most novels in this genre are predictable and you can see where they are going a mile away but not this book. I am hoping to read more from this author. Pretty good debut novel This novel pleasantly surprised me. When I first started reading it I had some misgivings. Without giving anything critical away, early on one of the main characters while driving hits a dog, who she then takes to the vet, who in turn uses 30 stitches to close a chest wound. Nonetheless in a just a couple of hours the dog is walking around, and becomes a companion for the rest of the novel. I thought this was a pretty contrived way for a character to get a pet, and feared this novel was going to be amateur hour. I was wrong. Except for the above glitch, the novel is basically well written, well thought out, and has shades of Jeffrey Deaver in its plot twists and misdirections. The plot centers around the efforts of a young hotshot Memphis detective and his older partner, whom he reveres as a mentor and father figure, to find a missing socialite. But the novel is much more than a simple mystery and deals with such themes as family relationships, greed, corruption, abuse of power, and pedophilia. Along the way the author does a nice job creating some interesting and believable characters.(I did find it curious that at the end the novel the author listed "Reader Questions" for discussion, which reminded me high school). This is entertaining and generally good writing. I don't think this novel rises to the level of a really good novel by Jeffrey Deaver or by Southern writers such as Greg Isle or James Lee Burke, but it is pretty good for a debut novel. I enjoyed reading it. Gripping and believable Lisa Turner's new book is a very compelling read. Very well written, with not a word wasted. The characters are fascinating and seem very real. The plot grips you from page one and never lets go. "A Little Death in Dixie" is taut and exciting, and it definitely reveals things about Memphis and human behavior that most of us haven't seen before. Hooray for "Dixie!" A great story and very well written! As soon as I read the first few pages I knew I was in for a great read. Turner's prose flows from paragraph to paragraph and never leaves the reader with any hesitation about continuing to read the story. The story of Detective Billy Able and the crime he solves is great, but the true enjoyment for me came from the strong character development and the wonderful descriptions of Memphis,Tennesee, where the story takes place. I have only been there once before reading this book but now I feel like I have revisited it. The story kept me gripped through the final chapter, where the truth finally comes out about what had really happened. A tremendous first novel and I look forward to Lisa Turner's next book. ... Read more Similar Items: 1. The Goddess Of Fried Okra 2. Think of a Number: A Novel 3. The Glass Rainbow: A Dave Robicheaux Novel 4. Fragile: A Novel 5. I'd Know You Anywhere: A Novel .

8. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert List Price: Price: You Save: US$16.00 US$8.49 US$7.51 (47%) Category: Paperback (2010-06-29) Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) ISBN: 0143118420 Sales Rank: 15 Lowest New Price: $7.49 Lowest Used Price: $9.99 (12 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description This beautifully written, heartfelt memoir touched a nerve among both readers and reviewers. Elizabeth Gilbert tells how she made the difficult choice to leave behind all the trappings of modern American success (marriage, house in the country, career) and find, instead, what she truly wanted from life. Setting out for a year to study three different aspects of her nature amid three different cultures, Gilbert explored the art of pleasure in Italy and the art of devotion in India, and then a balance between the two on the Indonesian island of Bali. By turns rapturous and rueful, this wise and funny author (whom Booklist calls "Anne Lamott’s hip, yoga- practicing, footloose younger sister") is poised to garner yet more adoring fans. ... Read more Features: ISBN13: 9780143118428 Condition: New Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 2388 reviews. Not as good as I thought it would be (3.5 stars)I thought this was going to be a book about eating, spirituality and love. As it turns out, it's all of that and also about making mistakes, forgiving yourself and starting over. Gilbert's writing style is open and honest as she shares her journey of finding balance and contentment in her life. She does this through completely immersing herself in three different cultures. Italy is all about the food and the intimacy of sharing meals with friends, not denying yourself simple pleasures and giving yourself permission to do nothing. India is the spiritual part of her journey. Here she conquers the art of meditation and learns the meaning of some inspirational Sanskrit phrases. This part is especially interesting for those who practice yoga or meditation. And then there's my favorite section of the book, Indonesia. Its breathtaking beauty is the perfect backdrop for finding balance and love. Gilbert writes with a delightful mix of humor and wit in a style that is easy to read and flows nicely. However, there are several sections that are slow and slightly tedious, with too much descriptive detail and no movement in plot. In short, anyone struggling with divorce or feeling disconnected to their life will easily relate to and take comfort in reading this book. Travel journal enthusiasts will also find it delightful and a great escape or those on their own spiritual journey. Great Great - the book is what I thought it would be. Shipping was on time and got here in perfect shape. Thanks - A+ Snore, Snore, Snore I cannot understand why people like this boooooooring book. I painfully made it through Italy and started India...that's when I couldn't take it anymore and felt that stapling my hand to the wall would be far more interesting than continuing with this woman who never stops talking about the damn bathroom floor...save yourself and save your money! I hope I can get a few bucks for it at the used bookstore especially since I only read a portion. Seriously this woman quit her marriage for some reason that she won't share....umm ok isn't that part of what sent her out on this journey that resulted in an overly hyped up, waste of paper, diary of a cry baby? She roamed around Italy eating and talking a bunch of nonsense meanwhile not having to worry about money thanks to her book advance. What idiot publisher did that! I agree with many of the other reviews.....she is a spoiled lame. I will not even bother seeing the movie ugg! Not worth the hype I wanted to like this book. Everyone I knew loved it and said I had to read this book. I didn't make it past Italy. I was disappointed that she was paid to take this trip (book advance) and wondered how much of it was manufactured for the book. Also, to me, her tone seemed haughty and self-important. Poor little Rich girl I am trying to get through this "book" because it is an assignment. It is slow, boring and depressing. She quits her job and dashes around the globe to find herself. Rich family and friends meet her in distant countries as she travels. Can you say spoiled brat with rich rich rich friends and family. She had no worries she just wanted to get out of her marriage and flit around with no responsibilities and no boundries. She is shallow and lacks any admirable characteristics. I am glad I was able to get this book on Amazon.com for pennies. It will not be too much of a loss when I throw it in the trash. ... Read more Similar Items: 1. A Weekend to Change Your Life: Find Your Authentic Self After a Lifetime of Being All Things to All People 2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 3. Drink, Play, F@#k: One Man's Search for Anything Across Ireland, Las Vegas, and Thailand 4. Choose To Be Happy: A Guide to Total Happiness 5. Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage . Favourite Lists: 1. All Time Favorites. 2. Quest for the Great American Novel 2010. 3. Practical Inspiration for Daily Living. 4. #VBC Book Recommendations. 5. Obesity, Eating Disorders, Love, Weddings, Relationships. 6. Julia Roberts movies, biography, autobiography, special footage. 7. Bestselling books for those going through Divorce. 8. Helpful Books for those going through Divorce. 9. My Favourite Journey Story- Eat Pray Love. 10. The Best of the Brain.

9. Bake Sale Murder (Lucy Stone Mysteries, No. 13) by Leslie Meier List Price: Price: You Save: US$6.99 US$6.29 US$0.7 (10%) Category: Mass Market Paperback (2007-12-01) Publisher: Kensington ISBN: 0758207026 Sales Rank: 100855 Lowest New Price: $3.24 Lowest Used Price: $0.01 (49 Used Items) Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description Ever since local developer Fred Stanton and his wife, Mimi, built five modular homes next door to Lucy Stone's farmhouse, life just hasn't been the same. With Mimi complaining about everything from the state of Lucy's lawn to another neighbor's lovable dog, quaint Tinker's Cove, Maine, is now entangled in cul-de-sac politics and backstabbing. And when Mimi doesn't show up for her shift at The Hat and Mitten Fund bake sale, the scent of burnt sugar leads Lucy to a shocking discovery: Mimi, face down on her kitchen floor--with a knife in her back. While the police start their investigation, Lucy gets busy writing up the murder for the local Pennysaver--and following a few leads of her own. Lucy knows the women in her neighborhood didn't like Mimi, but they certainly didn't want her dead...right? "I like Lucy Stone a lot, and so will readers." --Carolyn Hart "Leslie Meier writes with sparkle and warmth." --Chicago Sun Times "Mothers everywhere will identify with Lucy Stone and the domestic problems she encounters." --Publishers Weekly ... Read more Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 13 reviews. Very Good Read I have not read any Leslie Meier before and was pleased to find that I really enjoyed this book. I will definitely read more from this author. One Dimensional A quick read that fell flat. I did not care for her writing style. Sweet, Likeable Mystery This novel was thoroughly enjoyable and easy, light reading. The mystery is woven thoroughout sub plots that focus on family life and specifically the relationships between mothers and daughters, and to some extent the relationships between neighbors as well. The novel reads like much of Kensington Books' products: think Shopaholic and Jennifer Crusie novels. It's fun, escapist reading that makes up for its cliches and lack of realism with humor and heartfelt dialogue. The whole novel was read in one evening (about 3 hours) and was a great, free Kindle read. Bake Sale Murder I have read all of Leslie Meier's books, always enjoy them. Well written mysteries. Godd Mystery Series I enjoy the main characters and the Maine setting. It is a fun book series to read. I recommend reading the books in order. ... Read more Similar Items: 1. St. Patrick's Day Murder (Lucy Stone Mysteries) 2. New Year's Eve Murder (Lucy Stone Mysteries, No. 12) 3. Star Spangled Murder (Lucy Stone Mysteries, No. 11) 4. Mother's Day Murder (Lucy Stone Mysteries) 5. Father's Day Murder (Lucy Stone Mysteries) . Favourite Lists: 1. New Favorite Cozy Mysteries!!!! Leslie Meier Lucy Stone Mysteries =). 2. Lucy Stone Series. 3. "OD" on a great mystery.... 4. books i won't part with. 5. Mysteries You Will Read Over and Over Again!. 6. Mysteries That Made Me Shiver!.

10. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll List Price: $0.00 Category: Kindle Edition (1997-05-01) Publisher: Public Domain Books ASIN: B000JQV3QA Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan Product Description This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Based on 17 reviews. lil wet pants yo digitty dogs this book is a ham jam yo it was like diggity dawg i pump up the rappin chains it was hizel of the shizel i like thight dawg i reaaly wnt 2 go dawg its like oh yeeah dawg it was of the izzle ghizzle dawgy wawgy frawgy im a shilzzling dawg dawg shizel man just chain off the hook shizel my nizzle awesome read I could just see the movie playing in my head as I read. every detail was visible it was amazing! I loved this book! Good but I've read better books im not saying this is a bad book. its soooo much better than the movie (cartoon) my mom hates the book and i didnt really want 2 read it but on the kindle it wuz free and i need more books 2 read on my kindle and free 1s r cool. i like more modern books i guess but i used 2 love historical fiction. i like the new movie even though it is kinda the sequel 2 this 1 and i thought they were so simialar and i would like this 1 2. this wuz really good Alice I enjoyed this classic immensly. This is the first book that I read on my kindle and found it a quick and easy read. Although it was a fairly easy read there were several sections that were hard to comprehend and had to be reread. Although I believe that some confusion was intended it made reading a bit difficult. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy books. If anyone is wondering how this book relates to any of the movies it has some basis but as usual the book is much better. Great afternoon read A great, truly timeless story about Alice and the interesting characters she meets on her journey through Wonderland. I loved both films, and now I love the book. Read it in two sittings on my new Kindle. The best part about it is that it's free! ... Read more Similar Items: 1. Through the Looking-Glass 2. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes 3. Treasure Island 4. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz 5. The Jungle Book . Favourite Lists: 1. 40 Books to Read before You Die [for the Kindle] (to be cont'd). 2. Free eBooks Brazil. 3. Books I've read in 2010. 4. Books I've Read In 2010 Part Two (Check Out Part One As Well). 5. Epic Book list #-B. 6. Free Kindle Books (The Classics). 7. My Book Collection part 6. 8. Best Free Books on Kindle. 9. My Free Books. 10. Lost on Kindle, part 1.