Reviews (45)

Scolarly Coverage of a Touchy Subject
THere is a lot of apolagetic
the only 3 star review
i appreciate what spencer has done in his series.i am glad he finally mentions a way out for muslims:exegesis. muslims need to discuss and admit that the koran is a manmade document and contextualize it, just as christianity has done. if it is taken literally, as it is by all mainstream muslims,then mohammed will continue to be a violent role model. i wish spencer would help the average muslim by writing a non-insulting book explaining how the koran was cobbled together and help them reform. by labeling islam "the world's most intolerant religion he is playing into CAIR's hands.

Don't be confused by selective interpretations
I am a Muslim. I have read some parts of the book and could not go on. The simple reason is that the author is out to get Islam.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Controversial literature    4. General    5. History    6. Islam    7. Islam - Mohammad    8. Religion - World Religions    9. Religious    10. Political Science / General   

Reviews (14)

The loss of a child knows no boundaries.
What a beautifully written book.You find strength in every word written.There are no words that anybody can say that would comfort a greaving mother but just knowing that you are not alone in your feelings does help with the healing.I myself buried a son and a daughter and I can relate to Elizabeth.I myself have found my strength in becoming a novelist with my first novel "Fallacious" and every mother out there who has lost a child needs to take all everything within and find a way to place all that eneergy into something different and cathartic.You can almost feel Elizabeth finding her strength from beginning to end.Read this magnificant book even if you have not lost a child.The lessons in strength alone are worth the read.

Inspirational
As a lifelong Republican, the surprise I experienced in this book was my increased respect for and admiration of the Senator himself who was a constant support to the author.Mrs. Edwards is warm and open about the horror she has experienced and I could not imagine having the presence of mind to write this if I had experienced what she has.I am passing the book on to many friends.

GREAT READ AND REWARDING
I learned so much about Mrs. Edwards through this book, and I am very greatful she wrote this book.It just gives me more reason to support her and her husband for the 2008 election if they decided to run for the office of presidency.Granted, I am semi-biased in my review because I do have a paragraph devoted to me if I must add, but it def was a great thing to see and something I was not expecting. Just in case you were wondering check out pg 323. haha!!! JK! This book def reminded me the beauty of interacting with everybody, you never know who you will meet and how everybody deserves the same amount of respect as everybody else no matter who they are.This book is not a political book, but a book about life and how its a journey.From reading this book, I have learned how Mrs. Edwards is a strong woman and she is the type of person that will be a great addition in the White House if the opportunity arises in the coming years.I also feel that she has learned so much throughout her life and how strangers can make a difference. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Cancer    6. General    7. Lawyers' spouses    8. Legislators' spouses    9. North Carolina    10. Patients    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Political    13. U.S. Senate    14. United States    15. Women    16. Women In The U.S.    17. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (93)

Kavita Nair
I am Indian, I read this book out of sheer curiosity.It made for interesting reading overall.Really, I'm not in a position to comment on what is true or what is not, given that I am a generation removed and was not even born several decades after the partition.It was indeed a very unfortunate event.I have some very good friends that happen to be Pakistani and I cannot see them even remotely as "enemies" at any angle, unlike Musharraff, who categorically refers to India and Indians as "the enemy".My Pakistani friends are just as nice and humane as any of my Indian friends.I thought he is candid at times when referring to memories of his childhood and his family, but often comes across in most of his writing and dealings, as unsophisticated and lacking polish.
Pervez Musharraf vs. George Orwell
In the Line of Fire: A Memoir by Pervez Musharraf
Very Interesting and Absorbing
First, let me say that most of the negative reviews posted here are by the Indians who don't have the courage to face the truth and couldn't accept that their government told them nothing but lies during the Kargill war.
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Subjects:  1. 1988-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Government - General    7. Musharraf, Pervez    8. Pakistan    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Political    11. Politics and government    12. Presidents    13. South Asia - History    14. Political Science / General   

Reviews (2)

Less About Baker Himself, Of Course, Than American Politics
I did not know a great deal about James Baker before I read this book, but I mean it as a compliment to the clarity of his reminiscences when I say I think I do now. In the field of political autobiography, it is not always the case that one emerges knowing more about the author and subject than when one began. From the pages of his book I discern that James Baker is not without wit, albeit at times a distinctly biting one. He is also less a statesman than a politician, and less a politician than a man with protective loyalty to his friends. He is perhaps above all someone with a talent for inserting himself into a situation and calling on a lifetime's worth of well-placed contacts when there is a need to get things done. In short, to his party and to its inner circle, Mr. Baker is invaluable.
A Memoir filled with Credability.
In reflecting upon the life of James Baker through his second memoir 'Work Hard, Study . . . and Keep Out of Politics!' the one thing that continued to stay in my mind is Baker's openess that one of the reasons why he stayed in politics was 'power'.What a refreshing statement: the Truth!This is not so minimal a statement when reading the many self-serving political memoirs published, particularly from the Reagan-era politicians who have published throughtout the years. The life of Jame Baker is quite remarkable, and the sharing of his life and decisions as shared in this memoir are encompassing of service to this nation well done.I may not necessarily agree with all the decisions made by Baker during the years he served 3 different presidents, but I do respect the man and the integrity of this book.There rings certain truths throughout, and his openess about 'power' provide a sense of credability to his perspectives. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Cabinet officers    6. Civil service    7. Conservatism    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Political    10. Statesmen    11. United States    12. Biography & Autobiography / Political   

Reviews (3)

Outstanding biography of an outstanding American leader
Washington Post reporter Karen DeYoung clearly finds the mark in her most auspicious biography of, in my opinion, America's finest leader in recent memory.Colin Powell truly is a great American and merits such a treatment of his life's story.I had the good fortune of speaking with him at some length one time on the telephone and found him to be a leader among leaders, in charge without being dictatorial, and utterly "cool."I trust that he will continue to inspire budding leaders of like integrity and ability to step forward and serve.
AMERICAN HERO: THE MEASURE OF A GREAT SOLDIER!!
Five MAXIMIZED Stars !! This biography by Karen DeYoung, associate editor of the Washington Post, is a monumental work of excellence, detailing the life and times of Colin Powell from his humble beginnings through his tenure as Secretary of State under President George H. W. Bush to his current endeavors. While the 1996 Colin Powell autobiography, "My American Journey", was excellent in examining his life and "his good stories", it misses the tumultous and controversial decade that followed. DeYoung's book paints on a larger canvas from an outsider's viewpoint with a huge number of sources. At times she juxtaposes activities at different points on the globe between Gen Powell and his wife Alma. Many other times she sculpts Powell in bold relief in some of the major events of US and world history, among an almost unbelievable cast of characters that can only be described as 'awe-inspiring'.All of this is captured in stunning prose and laid out in impressive detail, with ultimately an investigative flair that rivals any of the current 'political tell-all' books, although that is not the objective here. A totally absorbing read of over 600 pages!
Good book and read, just wish there was something more.
I bought this book to fill in the gap from his previous book, My American Journey.A good chunk of Soldier deals with the Iraq war and perhaps rightly so, as his UN presentation continues to haunt him.While I can appreciate all he had to go through, it's still hard to swallow some of his reasoning for doing that presentation as well as the defense of the Bush administration afterwards.I was hoping he would apologize candidly to the American people for misleading them.He adamantly refuses to do so and I wonder if he realizes this refusal puts him on par with the Bush administration refusing to acknowledge how bad things have become in Iraq, as well the false justification for this war.
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Subjects:  1. African American generals    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Blacks In The Military    7. Generals    8. People of Color    9. Political    10. Statesmen    11. U.S. Federal Executive Bodies    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / Political   

Reviews (8)

Fake memoir
This story was probably constructed from a number of real memoirs, other sources like films, and Jung's and the author's imagination.Helmut Jung may have been a soldier on the Eastern Front but what he claims to have seen there owes more to imagination - perhaps the author's - than reality.Units composed of seven foot Mongols? (p. 297).Really. In the fifty or so books I have read about the German-Russian war nobody else noticed such units. In the same chapter, a description of the capture of a group of female Russian soldiers appears to have been lifted from the film version of 'Cross of Iron'.There are numerous other elements traceable to other sources throughout ths ridiculous book. Avoid wasting money on this 'memoir'.You will learn nothing about the real experience of combatants on the Eastern Front that you haven't already read elsewhere.

A Work of Fiction
I agree with some of the other reviewers that this is most likely a work of fiction.There is no real information given about the supposed author, Helmut Jung, other than his "incredible" wartime exploits. There are too many mistakes in the book about Jung's training and service to believe this is anything more than a piece of fiction put together by the American writer...it doesn't read or feel right.Save your money and buy "Black Edelweiss" for a real biography of a German soldier.

The Jekyll and Hyde of german wwii memoirs
First of all, this book is 464 pages long, apart from a small paragraph about Mr. Jung at the end there is nothing else, you get what you pay for, 464 pages of reading material. There are also no photos. Now, this memoir is a rollercoaster of emotions, paradoxes, anomalities, irregularities and some simply senseless and hard to believe asseverations by Mr. Jung and the author, who should have at least researched a little bit more, edited a bit better and should have gotten himself a good grammar dictionary, unless that is, he chose to leave the book as it is to keep the element of reality present. At times Mr. Jung sounds so real and truthful you can't help but pity him at others you could swear he is a jew posing as a german soldier. Now I don't blame Mr. Jung for his mental lapses (most people don't remember what they did 2 weeks ago) so after so many years one can understand his memory lapses. However mistaking the 6th army for the 10th at Stalingrad is preposterous to say the least. His asseveration that the SS went around shooting wounded german soldiers from penal batallions is simply hard to believe. During the actions of our Blue division in Russia we had a squad of men assigned to follow up behind the main body of troops checking the russian dead behind us and making sure they stayed very dead, for these vermin were treacherous and they would fake death in order to shoot us in the back. The Waffen SS had a similar way of dealing with russians (read Blood Red Snow). Also we were forbidden from building fires at night no matter how cold it might be (this was a sure way to have snipers pick everyone off one by one, have our positions identified by artillery spotters), yet he claims they would build this huge fires and huddle around at night! The war in the east was a metaphysical encounter of extreme ideoligies, the far right on our side and the far left on theirs. We alone had the sole opportunity of stoppping the spread of communism within our grasp and were betrayed by the very western civilization we sought to safeguard and preserve for the new generations. One look at the map of Europe after wwii will tell you who really won and for what purpose the western powers really fought and shed so much young blood. Mr. Jung was as caught up in this hell as the rest of us were and like us he did what he had to do to survive, however a man should have convictions and a sense of belonging to his nation and while he did his share, he did it for himself... we did it for our people, our nation and for western civilization. To those of you who might find this offensive I remind you of the words Julius Streicher spoke to the hangman at Nuremberg in 1946, "someday the russians will do this very same thing to all of you". Time proved him right.
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Subjects:  1. 1926-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Campaigns    6. Eastern Front    7. Europe - Germany    8. Germany    9. Heer    10. Historical - General    11. Jung, Helmut,    12. Military    13. Military - World War II    14. Panzer-Division, 7    15. Personal narratives, German    16. World War, 1939-1945    17. Biography: general    18. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)   

Reviews (79)

Good but could be better
I just finished reading The Glass Castle, a much different memoir, and this one is poorly written in comparison. Most of the problems are in editing. Sections of the story are repeated and there are some inconsistencies in timelines etc. It is an interesting story, and surely bittersweet for some who have lost a family member in a car accident. I would imagine that they are pleased for the author but at the same time tempted to wonder why their loved one wasn't "chosen" to survive.

Heaven is just the beginning of the journey
90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey is the story of Baptist minister, Don Piper, and the consequences of a January day when a horrendous collision with an 18-wheeler cost him his life--for 90 minutes.
Should be called "3 years for Recovery" not "90 min in Heaven"
I gotta tell you, I dont read books very much..I'm not a big reader but the title of this book caught me. I wanted to read about heaven...I am a Christian and this book really caught my eye.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Christianity    5. Future life    6. Heaven    7. Miraculous Phenomena    8. Near-death experiences    9. Parapsychology - Near-Death Experience    10. Religious    11. Religious aspects    12. Biography & Autobiography / Religious   

Reviews (3)

The Inside Story
Ok, if you are a die-hard Democrat, this one is definitely not for you.But if you are a fan of 41, or at least want to experience a real inside the whitehouse look at the life and times of an American president, then check this out and you won't be disappointed.I liked it because I like the man.I've met him and he was very nice.(See my picture with GHWB in 'customer images' above).

The Real George Bush Sr.
I just finished the book and enjoyed it. I have always had great respect for George Bush Sr. and I think Doro did a good job of bringing to light his kind, respectful ways. I really think history will judge him well. However, most of the book were things I have already read but at the same time, I enjoyed reading what it was like growing up with him as a father.

Loving tribute to a father
Whatever your politics-you will enjoy the story that Doro Bush Kich has written about her father. It is a story written about a father who is truly loved and admired by his daughter.I enjoyed the ancedotes about growing up in a famous family and how the lessons that President George H.W. Bush learned from his wonderful mother stayed with him throughout his life.She always told him to be humble and think of others.From the ancedotes in the book-he took those lessons to heart. There are several examples of his kindness and thoughtfulness sprinkled throughout the book-many are well known stories and some haven't been heard before. There are good times and bad recounted in this book (as in all family stories).Mrs. Bush Koch lists all the people in the back of the book who have been quoted, told her stories and written her letters about her dad-they come from both sides of the aisle.This is a great addition to my library of presidential biographies. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Children of presidents    6. Daughters    7. Historical - U.S.    8. Presidents    9. Presidents & Heads of State    10. U.S. History - 20th Century (General)    11. U.S. President    12. United States    13. 21st century    14. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    15. Biography & Autobiography / General    16. USA   

Reviews (129)

Wow you have to read this!!!
Reading this book has changed the way I have looked, felt and believed in life. I couldn't put it down, and everyday I keep thinking about it. I have shared with others the aw inspiring inspiration I have received. I am not one to read a lot of spiritual books or self help books. I have read a few but this one definitely surpasses any book I have read in a very long time. I am blown away. And it has made me take stock of my own life and my beliefs and it has shifted. I started thinking about whom in my life do I need to forgive. I truly recommend this book to everyone! We all need it especially now with what is going on in the world today.

Life-changing story
I could not put this book down.I've read several other books on the Rwandan genocide and I really appreciate this one the most for breaking down a complex political situation/history into one that is easy to understand for all readers, not to mention one of the most emotionally touching books I've ever read.This book has changed my perspective on life.

Best Book I've read all year!
I love to read, mostly spiritual self-help books, and a few biographies. I would say I read about 2 books a month on average, sometimes more. Any way I simply could not put this book down. I felt as if I was experiencing everything she was experiencing, and I could not help but admire her faith in God. She reminded me how good God is, and how he can do the impossible if we just trust him. I plan to give the book to a couple people as Christmas presents this year, so that they can truly embrace how blessed they are. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa - Central    2. Africa - History    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Catholics    6. Civil War, 1994    7. History    8. Ilibagiza, Immaculâee    9. Inspirational - General    10. Motivational & Inspirational    11. Personal narratives    12. Prayer    13. Religion    14. Religious    15. Rwanda    16. Spiritual Healing    17. Self-Help / Motivational   

Editorial Review

The life and times of Abraham Lincoln have been analyzed and dissected in countless books. Do we need another Lincoln biography? In Read more

Reviews (204)

The Power of Patience
Lincoln has been the focus of seemingly endless analysis, yet Doris Kearns Goodwin offers a fresh and illuminating perspective.By focusing on the men around the president, Goodwin portrays Lincoln as a remarkable judge of human character, a consummate conciliator, and a man of remarkable wit.Goodwin obviously writes well, although her spotlight on so many players does confuse the reader a bit.She is a talented historian, and this is another solid piece of work.

Lincoln's strength in humility
Although at first I did not understand why writing about Lincoln's cabinet members was going to be revealing about Lincoln himself, I found myself pleasantly surprised.
WHEN THE MEN AND THE MOMENT MET
During this election cycle of 2006 I have been asking myself a question. When was the last time leftist could have unambiguously supported a Republican or Democratic Party candidate. As indicate below the clear choice is the Lincoln-Johnson ticket in 1864. By a happy coincidence Doris Kearn Goodwin's book under review here provides more than enough ammunition to confirm that opinion. Normally, my concerns as a fighter for socialism and hers as a fawning devotee of the New Deal, Fair Deal and New Frontier eras of the Democratic Party are miles apart. Here we can, at least for this moment, agree that Lincoln, as a man and politician was worthy of support by militants and those not so militant. Make no mistake Lincoln and his compatriots were big men who confronted big tasks. And did it. Underlining Goodwin's thesis is a belief that what passes for today's Republican leaders pale in contrast. Again we agree. Here's why.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Case studies    6. General    7. Genius    8. Historical - U.S.    9. Political    10. Political leadership    11. Presidents    12. Presidents & Heads of State    13. U.S. Political History    14. U.S. President    15. United States    16. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (4)

terrific look at Marie Antoinette through her fashion
This is a terrific look at Marie Antoinette through the fashion she wore that defied French society over the objections of the aristocracy yet set trends with these same nay-sayers imitating or parodying the monarch while the hookers and madams copied her.The premise of Caroline Weber's fashionable biography is that the doomed queen was her own person from the time at fourteen she first sat on the throne to her last dance with Madam Guillotine.This book is well written and fascinating and fans of the French Revolution era will be enthralled by the detailed accounts especially the haunting all in white final ride to the execution as the author uses the clothing to symbolize the extravagance and ruin of a regime.With a salute to Arnold's Clothing Theory, Caroline Weber provides a fresh look at this violent period through the wardrobe of its most representative figure.
a tour-de-force!
I am glad that Carrie Weber's fascinating book "Queen of Fashion" is making a headway into American and Canadian popular culture to counteract some of the false information that will undoubtedly be generated by the Coppola film. No, Marie-Antoinette was not an empty-headedteenage spendthrift just trying to have fun. There was a method to her "madness." In spite of her joie-de-vivre, she was a Habsburg, and the Habsburgs always knew how to wield power. Weber, through anecdotes and vivid descriptions shows how the ill-fated queen used costume throughout her life to make a statement, which ultimately shaped her destiny. She dressed stylishly as only former courtesans had dressed to show that she and no other was her husband's mistress.An excellent book!

Sartorial savoir-faire
"Queen of Fashion" is a stylish and engaging tour de force that offers a truly original perspective on the life of France's ill-fated queen. In her absorbing and rigorously researched account of Marie Antoinette's life, Weber convincingly shows that the history of the queen's wardrobe and the court politics at Versailles are inextricably interwoven threads of French history. The stylish essence of this book is its ability to communicate the complexity of the period's politics with an accessibility and elegance that will appeal to a broad range of readers. A must-read for anyone interested in the history of fashion or France. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1755-1793    2. 18th century    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Clothing    5. Courts and courtiers    6. Europe - France    7. Fashion    8. France    9. Historical - General    10. History    11. History: World    12. Marie Antoinette,    13. Queen, consort of Louis XVI, King of France,    14. Royalty    15. History / France   

Reviews (32)

The Confession
I know that a lot of people in the gay community do not think that James McGreevey should be classified as a hero.But as a gay man who struggled with trying to be the "Best Little Boy in Town", I can emphasize with him.Trying to live in a straight world all the while knowing that you are different takes a tremendous toll on your personality and your self worth.
The Confession Jim McGreevey
All of New Jersey and the country were probably anticipating the release of former Governor Jim Mcgreevey's book. Some of the hype may have been due to the scandal involving his sexual encounters. I am completing the book and am very impressed with the wealth of information included.
The people have lost a great man
Isn't it sad that we dispose of gay people like they were garbage once it is found out that someone is gay?Governor McGreevey was an excellent politician, with a keen intellect.Who knows what good he could have done for the people of this country had he stayed in politics?Instead, we force people like this to resign.This is a great loss to society.Many gay and lesbian people have great gifts to offer and yet...we throw them out with the bath water.It is our loss, not their's. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Gay politicians    6. Governors    7. Homosexuality    8. New Jersey    9. New Jersey - State Government    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Political    12. Specific Groups - Male Gay Studies    13. Biography & Autobiography / Political    14. Biography: general    15.&