I Am a Soldier, Too: The Jessica Lynch Story
by RICK BRAGG
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (11 November, 2003)
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Editorial Review

Private First Class Jessica Lynch's capture and rescue during the 2003 war in Iraq captured the attention and captivated the emotions of millions of Americans. Accounts of the actual events surrounding Lynch were wildly varied as some took her to be a symbol of American righteousness while others made her out to be a pawn of the US military. But the Lynch that emerges in Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Rick Bragg's portrayal is an ordinary young woman caught up in an extraordinary series of events. Bragg, who had the cooperation of Lynch and her family in writing I Am a Soldier, Too intersperses her war story with a detailed portrait of the diminutive kid from Palestine, West Virginia who enlisted to see the world. What's truly remarkable about Lynch is how relatively unremarkable she is. She had a normal working class childhood, did fine in high school, performed capably in basic training, made some good friends, met a guy, and, like thousands of her contemporaries, was sent off to a war zone in the Middle East. But the story takes a sharp turn when her vehicle loses the convoy it was following near Nasiriyah, her four fellow soldiers are killed in the subsequent fighting, and Lynch is badly wounded and taken prisoner. Blacking out for three hours, she awakes in an Iraqi hospital where the tensions of war coupled with a lack of resources and a language and culture barrier make for a harrowing stay even as numerous medical personnel defy their own military to protect her and save her life. Finally, American troops captured Nasiriyah, kicked down the hospital doors (even as hospital workers tried to give them a master key) and airlifted Lynch out. Bragg also tells the story of the blue collar West Virginia town of Palestine and the Lynch family who the world watches, first as Jessica goes missing, then when she is rescued, and finally when she returns amid much fanfare. Bragg keeps the story telling pretty simple, avoiding an analysis of how the story was spun or the politics behind the war itself. In the end, Jessica Lynch is not, by her own insistence, a hero. Rather, she is a soldier with a remarkable story of survival to tell. Thankfully, she has now had the opportunity to tell it herself. --John Moe ... Read more

Reviews (76)

I am an annoyed American too: A story of my nausea.
CHA! CHING!!... And the cash register opens and screams,"feed me Seymour!!"
Whose idea was it to make this woman a hero. It certainly wasn't hers. Her ordeal and the role that she played in it hardly warrants such an honor. So, here we have private Jessica lynch, war hero(?), and product of our beloved american media hype machine.
Lynch was captured after her company took a wrong turn outside Nasiriya and was ambushed. Nine of her comrades were killed and Lynch was taken to a local Hospital, which at the time was swarming with Fedayeen. Eight days later U.S. special
forces stormed the hospital, capturing the events on a night vision camera.

Reports claim that this soldier took a bullet, sustained stab injurys and, also that she had been slapped about the head and shoulders while being interrogated by her captors. The Iraqi doctor that treated her soon after her capture claimed that she only had a broken arm, thigh and a dislocated ankle. But once the story breaks via our wonderful american media machine, this Private not only has the above former stated injuries, but there was speculation that she may have been sexually assaulted. There was no proof, just speculation. Speculation that had been conveniently thrown out to the american public like raw meat for dogs to tear apart, swallow and digest. Or more like yeast thrown into a batter to make the story that much more inflated.

Contrary to what was reported there was no sign of a shooting (no bullet inside her), no stab wound, and absolutely no signs of rape. By the time special forces moved in to rescue Ms Lynch, Fedayeen rebels had left the area and the doctor treating Lynch
planned to take Jessica back to the American post via ambulance.

Without firing a shot, Lying on her back in a hospital, and at the detriment of those overlooked,obviously neutral iraqi Hospital staff (who might as well have been armed rebels)who took care of her, Private Lynch became a national hero.

Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic. It almost makes my stomach turn.

Lyrical writing
I'll be honest.If Rick Bragg hadn't been the one to write Jessica Lynch's story I probably never would have read it.Her story got so much press when it first happened I got tired of hearing about it, especially when it looked like some of it was fabricated.But, Rick Bragg is one of my favorite writers.He can tell any story, but especially a southern story, so well. When I found out he was going to write it I knew I would eventually read it. Some may downplay Jessica's story saying she got too much noteriety for one of the many mistakes of the Iraq war.The thing is, Jessica's story is the story of America's army in Iraq.She is representative of who and why young people enlist to serve our country.I enjoyed the background information on her family.I cried while I read the story.I am proud of her and all our troops.Bragg paints a real picture of what happened.He made it real for me.

Small town girl gets a taste of large world
I read this book in the middle of all the hype about Jessica Lynch a few years back and the book has a poignant quality to it that allows the reader to understand Jessi's story in such a way that you feel like the reader is with her while she is in Iraq.

While Jessi was vulnerable being unable to move after she was captured it was a brilliant that she was able to admit that she was scared even when the doctors wanted to amputate her leg.

Jessi has the qualities that America looks for in a soldier.She is brave, corageous, and honest. ... Read more

Isbn: 1400042577
Subjects:  1. 1983-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Iraq    7. Iraq War, 2003    8. Lynch, Jessica,    9. Military    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Personal narratives, American    12. Prisoners of war    13. United States    14. Women    15. Biography & Autobiography / Military   

See, I Told You So
by Limbaugh
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (01 November, 1993)
list price: $3.99
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Reviews (70)

Worth every penny...or uh one anyway
Well yes this might make a fair bit more sense if one is buzzing on a large amount of pain killers one has bought from one's maid. You'd think it might make a little less sense to anyone else, say the editors or more sober readers...but I digress, what I intend to addres is the actual contents of the book - which by the way are well worth the one penny cost advertised in the used Amazon section accompanying this book. Well actually intellectual coherence isn't exactly Rush's strongpoint. And at this point isn't he a tad passe as well? I mean Ann Coulter is more "outrageous" or juvenile depending on your sobriety level and Hannity is more craven and mean than Rush. So what precisely is the point of Rush at this stage? He's not even that fat anymore, he's possibly remotely sober...I guess the kick is gone?

I wish it could be ZERO!
This is undoubtedly one of the worst books I've ever read.It's also the only conservative "book" I've ever read.My boss, who wouldn't stop asking me out, happened to think I'd like a copy-that's right, it was a gift!Well, I'm nothing if not open minded.What I got was something so filled with hatred and bile that it shocked me even though I was just a teenager at the time.

What can you say about someone who says feminism was born so ugly women could have access to the mainstream of society?I remember one of my high school teachers, who incidentally was always saying how pretty I was (apprently not knowing I was a feminist), said she agreed with that statement!

Ok, he also denies the genocide of Native Americans and presents the theory that gays deserve to have their civil rights recognized as some kind of wacky liberal theory. There's lots of other examples but this guy is clearly a demagogue who preys on people's worst prejudices in order to gain an audience-of angry white men.

I don't know why anyone would buy the book unless they want enjoy feeling their feelings of hatred.All I can say to all you Rush fans, particularly those with an ounce of human compassion is, try working on your anger a little bit.
Hatred is not a political position.

RUSH out and buy it!
This book is the best! Rush really sticks it to those pinko stinko liberal types and he sticks it from various angles and with consistent speed and thrust! He especially skewers that Communistic health care plan of the Clintons, and thank Jesus! It's thanks to people like good old Rush that I'm still able to pay hundreds a month from my minimum wage paycheck at Arby's just so I won't die if I get pneumonia from my second job as a late night parking lot attendant. What makes Rush's work especially inspiring is that he did it all while shaking down doctors to get his hillbilly heroin fix. A true American! ... Read more

Isbn: 067187120X
Sales Rank: 205386
Subjects:  1. 1980-    2. 1989-    3. 1993-2001    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. General    6. Journalism    7. Politics - Current Events    8. Politics and government    9. Social conditions    10. U.S. - Contemporary Politics    11. United States    12. United States - 20th Century    13. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot
by AL FRANKEN
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (12 January, 1999)
list price: $14.00 -- our price: $11.20
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Editorial Review

Rush Limbaugh claims his talent is on loan. With this book, Franken demonstrates that he owns. The frankly Democratic author's shtick reminds us how much of a free ride conservatives have gotten in the mainstream media.For instance, he really drives home the weirdness of the conservatives' preachiness about "family values" in light of Newt Gingrich's and Bob Dole's first marriages, and Rush Limbaugh's first, second and third marriages.And he has great fun with Rush's and Newt's miraculous draft deferments in a chapter where he imagines all of the great conservative "chicken-hawks" out on a Vietnam war patrol under the leadership of Ollie North. ... Read more

Reviews (373)

A Delightful Read
No one shows up the ugly rhetoric and lies of the right better than the adorable Al Franken!A true masterpiece, I'm happy to say.You will particularly enjoy "Operation Chicken Hawk" and Al's "interview" with Rush.He takes Rush's vicious hate filled lies and shows him up for the bully he is.Bravo, Al!We love you: I hear you're writing a new book and I can't wait.

A big fat hit
FRanken's book put the big noisemaker squarely in his sites and hits his target repeatedly. Taking Limbaugh's books and dismatling them almost quote by quote Franken never relents in his attacks against the dj turned political freak. Franken takes potshots, cheapshots, and honest-to-goodness kill-shots at Rush and basically turns Limbaugh's shoot-from-the-hip style against him. All this can basically be found at news and media watchdogs website like FAIR (who constantly uncovers Rush's lies and dis-information)but Franken delivers them with a wink and a punch. This book was really the first salvo against the mighty Limbaugh who enjoyed absolute AM radio dominence in the 1990s and actually brought about his slow steady decline (which only opened the door for other right-wing haters/nazis such as Michael Savage and Bill O'Reilly). As usual, Franken is meticulous in his research and everthing can be backed up by fact. That's why Franken is soooo good, his facts can be checked and proven.

Limbaugh
I've listened to Limbaugh's show a couple of times and have come to the conclusion that Limbaugh's show is not very thoughtful or compassionate. He attacks people all day on the radio and displays so little class. This book is also negative, but you get what you give, and it shows that Limbaugh is a human being with flaws, something Limbaugh seems to forget when passing judgement on everyone under the sun. Skim through it and see what a hypocrite Limbaugh is. It is just returning to Limbaugh what he has given to others. And for that, I applaud it. ... Read more

Isbn: 0440508649
Subjects:  1. Form - Parodies    2. Humor    3. Topic - Political    4. Humor / Political   

The English Roses
by Madonna, Jeffrey Fulvimari
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (15 September, 2003)
list price: $19.95 -- our price: $13.57
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Editorial Review

Madonna hangs up her material-girl cloak to teach children the importance of looking beyond a surface sheen. In The English Roses, the superstar's children's book debut, four little girls (the roses in question) "play the same games, read the same books, and like the same boys." Nicole, Amy, Charlotte, and Grace all love to dance the monkey and the tickety-boo… and they all are horribly jealous of Binah, the perfect, beautiful, smart, kind girl who lives nearby. Even though they know Binah is lonely, she makes them sick. They would say, "Let's pretend we don't see her when she walks by." And even, "Let's push her into the lake!" The pleasantly bossy narrator explains, "And that is what they did. No, silly, not the lake part, the pretending not to see her part." One night, however, the four girls all have the same dream that sets them straight. A fairy godmother sprinkles them with fairy dust and takes them to spy on Binah. When they see that she lives alone with her father, slaving away night and day at household chores, the four girly grumblers feel very sorry for her. The fairy scolds them, "… in the future, you might think twice before grumbling that someone else has a better life than you." And they do. This morality tale is nothing new under the sun, but it is cleverly told, with many teaspoonfuls of good humor. Jeffrey Fulvimari's illustrations are no less than stunning--filling every page with vivacious black ink lines and gorgeous watercolor reminiscent of 1960s fashion sketches. Children will enjoy this "don't hate me because I'm beautiful" story that celebrates friendship as much as it teaches compassion. (Ages 6 and older) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (301)

Poorly written trash
Read this to my daughter once and had to send it back.Poorly written story with rude characters and a totally stupid plot.My five year old could tell a better story!

Requested by my young friend
I have a young friend, age 8 who was requesting this book for Christmas. In the process of getting it for her, I became curious and read it myself. I was very attracted to the illustrations, they are beautiful. And the story was right on. I work with young people ages 6 - 15 and the isssue of envy and jealousy that the book addresses hits the mark.

Who does she think she's fooling?
Here is the queen of trash music and tramp behaviour.Sex, sex, sex for decades and now she wants to play moral with the kids?Don't let your kids take a lesson from the queen of sleeze.

... Read more

Isbn: 0670036781
Subjects:  1. Best friends    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fairies    5. Fiction    6. Friendship    7. Jealousy    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Social Situations - Emotions & Feelings    10. Social Situations - Friendship   

The Greatest Generation
by TOM BROKAW
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 May, 2001)
list price: $15.00 -- our price: $10.20
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Editorial Review

Veteran reporter and NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw went to France to make a documentary marking the 40th anniversary of D-day in 1984. Although he was thoroughly briefed on the historical background of the invasion, he was totally unprepared for how it would affect him emotionally. Flooded with childhood memories of World War II, Brokaw began asking veterans at the ceremony to revisit their past and talk about what happened, triggering a chain reaction of war-torn confessions and Brokaw's compulsion to capture their experiences in what he terms "the permanence a book would represent."

After almost 15 years and hundreds of letters and interviews, Brokaw wrote The Greatest Generation, a representative cross-section of the stories he came across. However, this collection is more than a mere chronicle of a tumultuous time, it's history made personal by a cast of everyday people transformed by extraordinary circumstances: the first women to break the homemaker mold, minorities suffering countless indignities to boldly fight for their country, infantrymen who went on to become some of the most distinguished leaders in the world, small-town kids who became corporate magnates. From the reminiscences of George Bush and Julia Child to the astonishing heroism and moving love stories of everyday people, The Greatest Generation salutes those whose sacrifices changed the course of American history. --Rebekah Warren ... Read more

Reviews (430)

A WORK WELL WORTH THE READ
Right from the start, I must confess that before reading this book, the only redeeming feature I could ever see in Brokaw was that he was far better that "The Dan," i.e. Dan Rather.After reading this work though, my opinion changed some what.I enjoyed ever word.This is a wonderful collection of stories and accounts taken during the time of WWII.It is taken from those that were there.This is a valuable contribution to our oral history and I am glad that Mr. Brokaw too the time and had the sensitivity to do it.I wish there were more works like this around.These folks of the greatest generation are quickly dying off and we are loosing so much history and knowledge.After reading a couple of the other reviews of this book, all I can say is thank God I have not become so jaded and "sophisticated" that I do not get a chill and become a bit moisted eyed at the accompishments of truely great Americans.Thank you Mr. Brokaw for at least this.

I love this book
I love what Tom Brokaw did with this book.It was amazingly moving!Though, sometimes excessive with praise, it more than adequately expresses the appreciation deserved by this American generation.

Read this book!
"The Greatest Generation" Tom Brokaw
The 8th Air Force is well represented in Tom Brokaw's easy reading best seller, "The Greatest Generation" which, ahem, refers to us! James Dowling, a bombardier-navigator with the 445th Air Wing is written up in a chapter. He was on his 11th mission into Germany near the city of Kassel when things began to go wrong in a big way. His B24 plus 29 others were knocked from the sky. He spent the rest of the war in Stalag Luft One near Barth, Germany.

Lloyd Kilmer was a Liberator pilot assigned to the 448th Bomb Group, 712 Squadron, 2nd Air flivision. He crash landed near Beenister, Holland on his 16th mission and spent the next ten months as a POW under atrocious conditions. His story is here also.

Read "The Greatest Generation". It's been out quite a while so there shouldn't be a long waiting list at the library. If I had my way it would be required reading in every High School. (JB)

... Read more

Isbn: 0385334621
Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History: World    4. Modern - 20th Century    5. Personal narratives    6. Personal narratives, American    7. World War, 1939-1945    8. History / Modern / 20th Century   

Between the Lines
by Debbie Gibson, Mark Bego
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 November, 1989)
list price: $9.95
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Reviews (1)

Great
I've been looking for this book for a few years.It's great to find it on Amazon. ... Read more

Isbn: 0890157359
Sales Rank: 1457445
Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Rock Music    6. Singers    7. United States   

Living History
by Hillary Rodham Clinton
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (09 June, 2003)
list price: $28.00 -- our price: $18.48
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Editorial Review

As with most books written by politicians while in office (or at least aiming for one), Living History is, first and foremost, safe. There are interesting observations and anecdotes, the writing is engaging, and there is enough inside scoop to appeal to those looking for a bit of gossip, but there are no bombshells here and it is doubtful the book will change many minds about this polarizing figure. This does not mean the work is without merit, however, for Hillary Clinton has much to say about her experience as first lady, which is the primary focus of the book. Those interested in these experiences and her commentary on them will find the book worth reading; those looking for revelations will be disappointed.

Beginning with a brief outline of her childhood, college years, introduction to politics, and her courtship with Bill Clinton, Clinton covers a wide variety of topics: life on the campaign trail, her troubled tenure as leader of the President's Task Force on National Health Care Reform, meeting with foreign leaders, and her work on human rights, to name a few. By necessity, she also addresses the various scandals that plagued the administration, from Travelgate to Whitewater to impeachment, though she does not go into great detail about each one; rather, she seems content to simply state her case and move on without trying to settle too many old scores.

Along the way, she offers many apologies, though perhaps not the kind some would expect. She does not shy away from her "vast right-wing conspiracy" comment, for instance, though she does wish that she had expressed herself differently. Regarding the Monica Lewinsky scandal, she maintains that her husband initially lied to her, as he did the rest of the country, and did not come clean until two days prior to his grand jury testimony. Calling his betrayal "the most devastating, shocking and hurtful experience of my life," she explains what the aftermath was like personally and why she has elected to stand by her man. In all, Living History is an informative book that goes a long way toward humanizing one of the most recognizable, and controversial, women of our age. Shawn Carkonen ... Read more

Reviews (674)

Useful and insightful
This book definitely makes one thing very clear - that Hillary married Bill for what he was then and NOT for what he could become later. The time when she met Bill Clinton (they have been together since), no one knew he wud be President.

She does do some explaining for Whitewater, and though lots of people may not believe her, it was interesting to learn that they were investigated for losing money in that investment (one wud think they made millions on it). I even verified with the Whitewater reports online that ultimately the Clintons were given a complete clean chit on this.

The book is self-serving in many respects, which could have been avoided and is off-putting. Last but not the least, I do feel that Hillary Clinton has a larger than life persona and can be pretty tough as nails. But really - she is a politician and has been one for a very long time. If she ever does run for higher office - no one can doubt that she has the guts and political acumen to do the job of a President.

Interesting Book
I am a strong democrat/democratic supporter and I love politics so when this book came out I knew I would get it! I really enjoyed reading this book from beginning to end - it was never boring. I have had the pleasure of meeting the Clintons when I attended a democratic convention - it was alot of fun. I think regardless of republican or democrat any woman would enjoy reading this book - politics aside we are all people. I think alot of people do not know the difference between republican and democrat that is why alot of young people don't vote but alot of people also don't know that Hillary was a republican for a long time but then she realised she didn't have the same views as republicans and that's when she turned democrat.

After pursuading my boyfriend to read this book he really like it too. I can say one things for sure - I hope the rumors are true and that she runs in 2008. I think she would make a fantastic president!

It's clear Hillary missed her true calling...
After reading this book, it's clear Mrs. Clinton has missed her true calling...writing fiction. Oh, wait...she has. This book IS pure fiction, facts Hillary wanted the reader to believe. Anyone who closely follows politics, however, knows the facts have been highly polished at times Hillary wants the reader to think the best of her. Her descriptions of events which weren't as flattering to her, however, have been carefully stated and downplayed.It's been documented by many sources that Mrs. Clinton tells untruths...even one about her own name. So why should we believe her accounts in this book. We should be praying she doesn't become president or it will be Richard Nixon (deja vu) all over again! If you believe the events in this book to be totally accurate, I have some swamp land here in Louisiana to sell you. ... Read more

Isbn: 0743222245
Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Clinton, Hillary Rodham    6. First Ladies    7. Historical - General    8. Historical - U.S.    9. Legislators    10. Political    11. Presidents' spouses    12. United States    13. Women legislators    14. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Ozzy Talking: Ozzy Osbourne in His Own Words (In His Own Words)
by Ozzy Osbourne, Harry Shaw
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 June, 2002)
list price: $9.95 -- our price: $9.95
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Reviews (4)

cheese and pie
Jason Ham
1.He help start Black Sabbath.
2.He pissed on the Alamo.
3.He got kicked out of Black Sabbath.
He lives in England.
The main character is Ozzy.
He got kicked out of Black Sabbath.

This book is...
"Ozzy talking is so bad, this book stutters."

Cool
This book was kinda weird, but so is Ozzy himself. He is a real freak!!! ... Read more

Isbn: 0711992908
Sales Rank: 314451
Subjects:  1. 1948-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Composers & Musicians - General    6. Composers & Musicians - Rock    7. England    8. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    9. Family    10. Osbourne, Ozzy,    11. Quotations    12. Rock music    13. Rock musicians    14. Biography: film, television & music    15. Heavy metal & progressive   

Sam Walton : Made In America
by SAM WALTON, JOHN HUEY
Average Customer Review:
Mass Market Paperback (01 May, 1993)
list price: $7.99 -- our price: $7.19
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Reviews (59)

A Glimpse into Sam Walton's World of Wal-Mart
Sam Walton explains how he came to create a successful retail store, Wal-Mart.This is almost to an extent of his biography and how he has come to start up a retail store that all American household have come to embrace.As a rising entrepreneur for the late twentieth century, Sam Walton emerges as an American idol in business in ways of displaying his witty management senses in helping to develop and spread Wal-Mart Super centers across the United States.This book is also used in many business classes to examine and scrutinize Wal-Mart in the eyes of the founder.Sam Walton creates an in depth analysis of his private life and his world of business for a better understanding to the readers where he's coming from.
Since this is an autobiography and he is the founder of Wal-Mart, the readers have to keep in mind that this is a view solely through his eyes meaning, he will praise highly of what his accomplishments were of his own company.This is not the best way to use as a reference to argue about Wal-Mart because no CEO is going to bash about his own company.The book is unnecessarily too chirpy and optimistic with Sam Walton's defense spread out in every single line.
Since he did have a significant impact on the Americans, even President Bush made a comment saying "an American original, Sam Walton embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and epitomizes the American dream."This high praise from President Bush is a little too overwhelming to my opinion but, it is true in that he did leave a legacy behind as having been the successful founder of a mega retail store.His life time stories make it easy to read and follow his lifetime at a glance.Different members of his family provide short interviews about Sam Walton and this helps build his character and to give insight on how he was as a person outside of Wal-Mart.
This is a highly recommended book to those curious of how Wal-Mart began.Not just to those who are examining Wal-Mart, but this is a very useful resource in comparing his side of the story and the progress that Wal-Mart is making currently.Not just applying to the business majors studying his system of management, but people without any interest or background of business could enjoy this laid back, easy read to gain more knowledge onto how Wal-Mart came forth.I have personally used this as a primary source for my research paper on Wal-Mart and it was meaningful to me because I was able to create a side of argument from Sam Walton's perspective and used his information to layout the foundation for Wal-Mart.His thought process in creating Wal-Mart is laid out in detail as well as his recommendations, tips and guides for his success is followed at the end of the book.As emerging, eager entrepreneurs this also acts as a handy guide to abide by to follow in Sam Walton's footsteps at achieving success and eventually fulfilling and living the American dream.

The American Dream
I honestly wondered at first if the Wal-Mart story would keep my attention, but I figured that since I had an interest in business I might as well give it a try.I'm not sorry that I did. Sam Walton's story is a marvelous depiction of the American dream. As you may have read in other reviews, it's a very good rags-to-riches kind of a story. I found it to be entertaining and even a little thought provoking.

The book focuses on the rise of Wal-Mart and the ingredients of its success. If you are contemplating on ever going into business, this book is well worth the read. Sam has a very blunt and matter-of-fact way of saying things that I find particularly refreshing. He doesn't spend a bunch of time saying, "look at us!" but rather points out the challenges and responsibilities of having the largest retail chain in the United States.

While it's interesting to read about the competition with Kmart and the adventures of growing a business, I found his last few chapters very interesting.In the end he discusses issues regarding the country, its growth and its education. He also tackles a lot of the Wal-Mart's criticism of being bad for small businesses. If I have a complaint it's that sometimes I feel he repeats himself too much. The content sometimes overlaps so much that you feel that you've been reading the same stuff forever. That's really the only thing I can think of though.All in all, it's worth your time.

Insights from a man who changed retailing
A well-written book with lots of insights in folksy style.My motivation to read this book came after reading Built To Last (by Jim Collins) wherein WalMart is one of the great companies with a strongly in-grained "core" of serving the customers. Of course, Sam Walton's book predates Built to Last and is actually one of the sources for Jim Collin's well researched book.

The main theme of thisbook:
1. Sam's initial life - learning the value of dollar amidst great depression, working as a newspaper delivery boy, showing initial salesmanship

2. Developing passion for retail; though I could not find any reason for why retail, why not something else; perhaps it was evolved from his initial adventures .

3. A passion for delivering best quality goods at lowest prices.Through my personal visits in Walmart tend to say - ok quality goods at lowest prices.

4. Biggest insights come in how he ran the company:
- very hands-on and detail-oriented style; going over the store figures every week he was still talking with a store manager when terminally ill
- hard-work; there is no replacement for it
- building the team by choosing the right people
- building a culture that cares for people and creates a camaraderie (think cult-like cultures!)
- building "partnerships" with associates
- caring for his associates and for his customers while still delivering great profits (think genius of "AND" from Jim Collins)

These practices and principles are probably not specific to retail; if these are applied, correctly, to any business (or any organization), it seems you can build a phenomenal organization.

The book is very straight and honest; nothing beats a person writing his memoirs in the last year of his life!

Like most autobiography's it is one sided.Very little critique!
... Read more

Isbn: 0553562835
Sales Rank: 9052
Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Business    5. Businessmen    6. Corporate & Business History - General    7. Discount stores (Retail trade)    8. History    9. Industries - Retailing    10. Millionaires    11. United States    12. Biography & Autobiography / Business   

In His Own Write
by John Lennon
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (10 October, 2000)
list price: $15.00 -- our price: $10.20
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Reviews (40)

Witty, Weird, and Wonderful
Not your ordinary book, by any stretch of the imagination.What else would you expect from John?The collection of short stories is very witty yet nonsensical, and fun to read.Some stories made me laugh out loud, very few I couldn't understand, but I overall loved the book.His play with words and drawings, and clever, witty short stories were really entertaining.I highly recommend this, especially to any Beatles fan!John was an incredible man, and this book exemplifies all of who John was.

Whaaaah?
What is this book?? It is nothing more than a guy that had the means to put out a book of crazy nonesence. The only good part of the book is the intro by paul. I really cant follow these stories/poems at all.

Just thought id round out the bottom end of the ratings!

Has no Beatles fan ever heard of Finnegans Wake?
Lennon's book (and its companion volume "A Spaniard in the Works") is as funny today as when I first read it in 1967. However, in the 37 customer reviews posted on this book at Amazon, not one single reader had the smarts to note that the punning style of Lennon's prose in these two books is borrowed directly from James Joyce, particularly from "Finnegans Wake." Are Lennon's Joycean puns a mere coincidence or did Lennon as a schoolboy (or even after school as a reader) encounter Joyce's work? The similarity borders on plagiarism. I'm not knocking Lennon, I think his book is terrific. But it is a distressing comment on the state of modern readership and education that not one single Amazon customer reviewer even mentioned Joyce. Hey, you can like rock and like the Beatles and still be aware of great literature! This is a parable of the illiteracy endemic to the post-sex, drugs, and rock and roll era. I give Lennon's book five stars. But I would give all 37 readers failing grades. ... Read more

Isbn: 0684868075
Sales Rank: 62883
Subjects:  1. 20th Century English Poetry    2. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh    3. General    4. Genres & Styles - Rock    5. Literary Criticism    6. Nonsense literature, English    7. Poetry    8. Music / Songwriting   

Crazy from the Heat
by David Lee Roth
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (01 October, 1997)
list price: $23.95
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Reviews (71)

we all knew Dave could write lyrics....
but I would have never thought he could write a good read. "Crazy.." is chock-full of Dave's tid-bits from throughout his long career in the studio on endlessly on the road with Van Halen and solo. Written in a style that smacks of listening to Dave talk, it makes for some strange reading, but once you get used to his language style, it makes perfect sense. There's a portion devoted to the complications with Eddie Van Halen, but the book doesn't dwell too long on this subject and spares the reader of too much mudslinging. The rest is the entertaining exploits of Dave and his friends and crew members getting in all kinds of debauchery and shenanigans. As for my tastes, I would have liked a bit more insight to certain songs and the songwriting process that Dave and his bandmates went through. Nevertheless its a good read and shows the reader that there is more than meets the eye when you think of David Lee Roth.

An inspirational and epic story that all should read!
As a Van Halen fan, and also a big fan of David Lee Roth, I was excited that he came out with an autobiography.This is actually, honestly, one of the best I've ever read, and that is not so much because you learn about the persons life, but you learn about their mindset and philosophies.Many people have brushed Dave off as a "space case" or "just another burned out rock star".This is not what we have here.What we have here is an individual who loves life, and lives it to the fullest.A person who treats others as he would want to be treated, and a man who's yearning for adventure has never stopped through the years.

I enjoyed reading about the Van Halen reunion mishap during the MTV music awards in 1996.The way they used Dave and treated him was absolutely horrible and I'll never have any respect for the Van Halen brothers after reading, and even watching some on TV, what really went down that night at the awards ceremony.

This book makes you want to LOVE LIFE!Dave goes about his business with an old fashioned hard work ethic but always makes sure that there is plenty of fun filled in!His adventures as professional mountain climber in some of the grandest places on earth are truly a "trip" and make you have a new-found appreciation for him.His friendships and relationships are heavy throughout the book, as well as tragedies that have come into his life, and how he handled them.

It also has many of Dave's funny one liners in a section of the book..one of my favorite is "money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a big yacht so you can drift up next to it and offer it a drink".Hehe..no wonder Dave was never short of girlfriends!

Whenver your feeling like the world has got you down, or are yearning for a little adventure, or perhaps just wanting to know about the inside business of the music world (Dave talks about how useful the internet is now...where before he had to search far and wide for things like paintings used for album covers like 1984 and Fair Warning) or just yearning for an adventurous yarn about a martial arts expert who's also a rock climber and also a rock star...read this, and then you'll know why so many people are crazy about the life and times of David Lee Roth!

David Lee Roth, national treasure

The comic strip Bloom County once noted that the United States has "been going to hell in a handbasket" ever since David Lee Roth left Van Halen.After reading this book, you'll understand why.

The text reads like an extended DLR interview.Anyone looking for linear thought patterns or a chronological history of ... well, anything, will be disappointed.This is not that book.Instead, it's Dave explaining why he does what he does.And those explanations are fairly consistent with his actions, even post-book.It seems a safe assumption that Dave is authentic, and authenticity is a valuable commodity.

In that respect, Dave's a bit like the late British comedian Benny Hill.Sure, Hill repeated the same jokes for thirty years, and his act was regarded by many as corny and unsophisticated.But that's what it was *supposed* to be, and in many instances the output was pure genius.Same with Dave.

My sister once met an old high school friend, many years after graduation (Ain't this a great segue?Just like the book).After the usual /live/work/family/hobbies questions had been raised and answered with the standard replies, there was a long pause in the conversation.Then the friend, who'd apparently been reflecting on his life for a moment, said "You know, I probably spend way too much time thinking of ways to get David Lee Roth back in to Van Halen." If there's a better tribute to a man, a band, or what it represents, I don't know what it is.





... Read more

Isbn: 0786863390
Sales Rank: 90158
Subjects:  1. 1955-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Composers & Musicians - Rock    7. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    8. Rock Music    9. Rock musicians    10. Roth, David Lee,    11. United States    12. Roth, David Lee   

The Savage Nation: Saving America from the Liberal Assault on Our Borders, Language and Culture
by Michael Savage
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (January, 2003)
list price: $24.99 -- our price: $15.74
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Editorial Review

Michael Savage is the host of The Savage Nation, a radio program that airs on over 300 stations nationwide. A self-described victim of "truth-in-mouth syndrome," he claims to be "the only man in the country saying it the way it really is." His stated purpose for writing the book is to save a "homosexualized, feminized America" from a liberal assault that is "unraveling the very fabric of this great nation." Declaring that "a minority of feminist zealots rule the culture," he blames Democrats and liberals for everything from a general decline in morals in the United States to bringing the Taliban to power in Afghanistan. Although one chapter is entitled "Crimes of the Democrats" (with special attention paid to Al Gore), Savage is no Republican stooge--this "bipartisan basher" reserves plenty of venom for the GOP as well, particularly regarding immigration, one of his favorite subjects. Savage calls for a severe tightening of U.S. borders and vigilant racial profiling in order to combat terrorism and the spread of infectious diseases. He also rails against liberal media bias, big government, the lack of prayer in schools, rampant pornography, the UN, the ACLU, and a host of social ills that he believes were caused almost exclusively by hippies in the 1960s and the Clinton administration in the 1990s.

Like many talk-show personalities, Savage is confrontational, angry, entertaining, and prone to exaggeration, sometimes all at once. He can also be funny and sarcastic. But while he does offer some interesting observations and enough food for thought to make this slim volume worth a read, his book is essentially one long rant with precious little useful information to back up his often bombastic claims. His angry-man shtick may make for stimulating drive-time listening (and high ratings), but it doesn't make for a particularly convincing book. --Shawn Carkonen ... Read more

Reviews (621)

Disgracing conservatism
This book is a living document on the impact of urban upbringing on mental coherence. The author had grown up in Bronx, New York, and started his first radio job in San Francisco, California. The violence and poverty of the Bronx, the sexual promiscuities and liberalism of San Francisco, and the hate, anger, and neglect in his family, all had contributed to his distorted thought process.

He will accuse scientists by being amoral, viewing people as guinea pigs, and have no sense of decency. Then, he will reverse himself by bragging about the miracles made by the minds and souls of Ampere, Bell, Caselli, Edison, Ohm, Faraday, Einstein, Fleming, Cohen, Teller, Shockley, Hertz, Marconi, Morse, Popov, Ford, and Volta for inventing trains, planes, cars, rockets, telescopes, tires, telephones, and radios.He will then contradict himself once again by mention Manhattan Project and how America had opened the door for the best qualified scientists without regard to race, nationality, ethnicity, or language, in order to the make the atomic bomb. Where was Europe during the medieval ages when the Middle East was advancing Algebra, science, and religion? Didn't the three religions stem from the colored folks of the Middle East?

He claims that without the Judeo-Christian bible this country is doomed since religion defines decency while his book prelude warns against psychological nudity, adult language, and adult contents.He uses words like "moron", 8 times, "stupid", 7 times, "idiot", 9 times, "fool", 6 times, "God", 35 times, "he smeared his feces on the wall", "lots of feces involved", and "liberals", 95 times.Would a decent religious fellow resort to such form of communication to advance his views? His urban upbringing rendered him indecent and obnoxious.Despite his doctorate degree from Berkeley, he couldn't resist oversimplifications. He paints all Harvard and Yale's layers as fools, liberals, and morons. Ironically, he brags about his obnoxious voice on the radio as a gift and talent that attract audience to him and accuses the liberals of trying to trick him to manage his anger. Moreover, he also accuses the women of not appreciating his testosterone- driven anger. He calls their influence "She-ocracy" and accuses the liberals as the worst enemy to the nation, even so more than Al-Qaeda.


His defense of the role of Catholic Pope Pious XII during the Holocaust is hypocritical. He claims that for every Jew killed by the Nazi, 1.4 Christian was killed. That dismisses the fact that the proportion of the Jews in Europe was much smaller than 1:1.4.Ironically, the author trusts the former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking about terrorism and tracing it the "hateful ideology" of Nazism. Benjamin Netanyahu is a radical Zionist with greatest hatred to the Palestinians. His hateful contribution to keeping the Palestinians refugees expelled out of their land is the worst "hateful ideology; in the Middle East, today.

Although he claims to be raised by immigrant parents and to appreciate the struggle of immigrants, he accuses immigrant by being criminals, terrorists, spreading TB epidemics, not likely to assimilate into the American culture, and will increase the affirmative action for millions more. He then forgot that his parents did assimilate, did work hard without the need for governmental support, and sent him for doctorate education.

In order to get a sense of such mental incoherence, compare this book's spirit with the following poet by the Lebanese writer "Gibran Khalil Gibran", which goes like this:

"Selfishness, my brother, is the cause of blind superiority, and superiority creates clanship, and clanship creates authority which leads to discord and subjugation.

The soul believes in the power of knowledge and justice over dark ignorance; it denies the authority that supplies the swords to defend and strengthen ignorance and oppression - that authority which destroyed Babylon and shook the foundation of Jerusalem and left Rome in ruins. It is that which made people call criminals great mean; made writers respect their names; made historians relate the stories of their inhumanity in manner of praise."

Mohamed F. El-Hewie, author of "Essentials of Weightlifting and Strength Training".

The Hero For Terri Schiavo and Lt. Pantano
This Book helps support the Helpless who can't defend themselves from Liberal Murderers!

Too ridiculous for words; Thomas Nelson should be ashamed
I have no idea why Thomas Nelson, Inc. decided to print this silly book.It is 100% off-the-wall, unsubstantiated hate-mongering of the sort promoted by Nazi Germany.So it is ironic that Mr. Weiner would spend his life working to destroy the lives of good people.I guess self-hatred explains it; perhaps those letters to Allen Ginsberg from Weiner explain a lot. Any way you explain it, it is sad that Americans would waste their time on such negativity and vulgarity.

Rather than look upon his fellow Americans as teammates, he chooses to dehumanize any who is even slightly different from him (or from what he claims to be).This sort of divisiveness is counterproductive and pointless, but apparently he is more concerned with convincing himself that he is great than in actually finding solutions to the ills of our society.Better we should just whine and snip and throw hissy fits at everyone than do the real work involved to make things better...that's the "Savage" way. ... Read more

Isbn: 0785263535
Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Civilization    3. General    4. History & Theory - General    5. Liberalism    6. Moral conditions    7. Political Science    8. Politics - Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Radio broadcasters    11. Social values    12. United States    13. Current Events    14. Political Science / History & Theory    15. Savage, Michael   

The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band
by Tommy Lee, Vince Neil, Motley Crue, Mick Mars, Nikki Sixx, Neil Strauss (contributor)
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (22 May, 2001)
list price: $27.95
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Reviews (243)

THEY'VE GROWN UP!
I am the biggest Crue fan!Loved them since '82.I got this book and read it in one day.I couldn't put it down.The way it's written allows each person to tell their version in their way.It brought me back to some of the best times of my life.Yeah, the 80's were all about excess - but what an awesome time it was!
VINCE, NIKKI, TOMMY, AND MICK - I'LL LOVE YOU GUYS FOREVER!

Hell Yeah!
As a true Crüe fan for the last 2 decades, I was thrilled to have the Dirt.All those years of partying, chaos and just plain good times came back page after page.
Yes, they've made mistakes along the way who hasn't?Who amondst you would have the balls to print your Dirt for the world to see?As far as the excess lifestyle, alcohol, drugs and sex..... do any of you remember the 80's?!?!
Mòtley was always about the party, and damn they sure knew how to throw one!
Many refer to the abuse/rape of women, and again I remind you of the hundreds if not thousands of women that would have done ANYTHING for a moment with these guys... and from the last couple shows I've seen this year, still will!
These women had as much fun if not more than the guys, since the women remember....Hell check out the fan site its full of women bragging about their turn, and hoping for another.
Fan or not you have to respect the talent that Nikki, Mick, Vince & Tommy have.There is no question about that or theirlongevity. Its now taking over a new generation.
I make no excuses for these guys.Why should I?They don't!They speak the truth, and sometimes that's a Bitter Pill to swallow.
I love the Crüe as much today as ever. I took my 20 yr old daughter to see them, taught her how to get past security, and where to wait to get backstage or as they leave the arena.
Its all good, we had blast and Sept will be her 3rd Crüe show my 14th.
....and for the record, No I never tried to sleep with the band, but I sure had my share of Jack Daniels and crazy times with these guys, and I'm not done yet.
Buy the Dirt, See the Crüe [if you can], just don't let anyone decide this one for you.

Needs to be put on AUDIO
Since most Crue fans probably aren't avid readers, I bet they would sell millions of copies of this book if it were put on audio. Ask Gene Simmons. ... Read more

Isbn: 0060392886
Sales Rank: 116067
Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Composers & Musicians - Rock    6. Genres & Styles - Rock    7. History & Criticism - General    8. Motley Crue (Musical group)    9. Mèotley Crèue (Musical group)    10. Rich & Famous    11. Rock    12. Rock Music    13. Rock musicians    14. United States   

Stupid White Men ...and Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation!
by Michael Moore
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (19 February, 2002)
list price: $25.95 -- our price: $16.35
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Stupid White Men, Michael Moore's screed against "Thief-in-Chief" George Bush's power elite, hit No. 1 at Amazon.com within days of publication. Why? It's as fulminating and crammed with infuriating facts as any right-wing bestseller, as irreverent as The Onion, and as noisily entertaining as a wrestling smackdown. Moore offers a more interesting critique of the 2000 election than Ralph Nader's Crashing the Party (he argued with Nader, his old boss, who sacked him), and he's serious when he advocates ousting Bush. But Moore's rage is outrageous, couched in shameless gags and madcap comedy: "Old white men wielding martinis and wearing dickies have occupied our nation's capital.... Launch the SCUD missiles! Bring us the head of Antonin Scalia!... We are no longer [able] to hold free and fair elections. We need U.N. observers, U.N. troops." Moore's ideas range from on-the-money (Arafat should beat Sharon with Gandhi's nonviolent shame tactics) to over-the-top: blacks should put inflatable white dolls in their cars so racist cops will think they're chauffeurs; the ever-more-Republicanesque Democratic Party should be sued for fraud; "no contributions toward advancing our civilization ever came out of the South [except Faulkner, Hellman, and R.J. Reynolds]," because it's too hot to think straight there; Korean dictator Kim Jong-il "has got to broaden himself beyond porn and John Wayne" by watching better movies, like Dude, Where's My Car? (which contains "all you need to know about America"). Whatever your politics, Stupid White Men should make you blow your stack. --Tim Appelo ... Read more

Reviews (1150)

9 in 10 SWM Agree: Moore Has Yet To Be Laid Once In Life!!!!
Boor imposes double-standards. He mocks males as "the weaker sex", yet after citing degrading statistics about more women being under the poverty rate, men are instantly backslid to positions of subjecting women. Boor prevaricates "women still earn less", despite Census Bureau statistics affirming women at record highs in earnings and bachelor-degree holdings, and comprising 45% of executive/managerial occupations in 2002. Women attempt suicide three times greater, and endure depressive, anxiety and eating disorders furiously more, while Boor conceals these to scorn males as "going extinct"!!!! This disparagingly illustrates Boor's nuisance-sickness of misallocating data bent to his agendas to allegedly "support" his one-sidedness.

Moore's comprehensive research uncovered things that are hard to find elsewhere in the media.What especially impressed me were all the connections between members of the Bush administration and large corporations, or the extended Bush family members in power around the nation.Moore is so determined to give non- "stupid white men" their power that he includes a cut out, wallet-sized excerpt from the Federal Voting Rights Act.
I was occasionally thrown off by certain things, like Moore's lengthy argument on why Bush's history with drinking makes him unfit for the white house, or how talk about a decline in the stock market is a diversion created by rich people to cover up the fact that their success is at the expense of lower-wage earners.However, I still consider Moore a credible, insightful writer who has enligthened me, at least.

He's zealous.. i'll give him that!
Ahh Michael Moore... the last angry man!
A man raging violently in his verbal abuse for the system and who in so doing raises many valid points and brings many disregarded facts to the spotlight.
But also a man who in so doing ignores many counter arguments. When you read anything of Moore's you must always remember that though 9 times out of 10 hes probably on to something.. the one time he does screw up.. he screws up. ... Read more

Isbn: 0060392452
Subjects:  1. 1993-2001    2. 2001-    3. American wit and humor    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Humor    6. Political Process - General    7. Political Process - Political Parties    8. Politics - Current Events    9. Politics and government    10. Topic - Business and Professional    11. Topic - Political    12. United States    13. Political Science / General