History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Average customer rating:

A wonderful, wonderful zombie novel!
One of the best zombie novels I've ever read
Good Zombie novel!!
Zombie Fiction at its Best!! A Must Read!!
SOLID ZOMBIE NOVEL

Dying to Live
Kim Paffenroth
Manufacturer: Permuted Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

ASIN: 097897073X

Book Description

Jonah Caine, a lone survivor in a zombie-infested world, struggles to understand the apocalypse in which he lives. Unable to find a moral or sane reason for the horror that surrounds him, he is overwhelmed by violence and insignificance. After wandering for months, Jonah's lonely existence dramatically changes when he discovers a group of survivors. Living in a museum-turned-compound, they are led jointly by Jack, an ever-practical and efficient military man, and Milton, a mysterious, quizzical prophet who holds a strange power over the dead. Both leaders share Jonah's anguish over the brutality of their world, as well as his hope for its beauty. Together with others, they build a community that reestablishes an island of order and humanity surrounded by relentless ghouls. But this newfound peace is short-lived, as Jonah and his band of refugees clash with another group of survivors who remind them that the undead are not the only-nor the most grotesque-horrors they must face.

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful, wonderful zombie novel!.......2007-10-16

I loved the character development and the ending. Very different from the norm and a genuine treat.

One of the best zombie novels I've ever read.......2007-10-06

Title mostly sums this review up. I've read a lot of zombie novels and this by far one of the best I've ever read. It's ranked up there with World War Z in my opinion. I find it really explores human nature in times of crisis. You got your good and your evil, with some being truly kind and others doing some of the most despicable things ever. But lets not forget the zombies, they're ever present and the author truly paints some gore filled scenes with his shambling masses of undead.

Good Zombie novel!!.......2007-09-18

I have read alot of zombie books and this one uses the more common ideas for them. BUT it has a neat twist with one of the people involved. I really enjoyed this book and think all zombie book lovers will like it too!!

Zombie Fiction at its Best!! A Must Read!!.......2007-09-16

I have read most of the zombie fiction available out there and Dying to Live manages to deliver where most others fail. Here are the reasons:
1. Finally a zombie novel with horror in it. True horror.
2. Tons of action.
3. A storyline that doesn't involve survivors sitting around in a safehouse the entire time waiting for help.
4. A character with a mysterious ability over the undead that doesn't turn the book into the mummy returns.
5. Great bad guys. Characters that we pretend don't really exist just to be able to sleep at night.

SOLID ZOMBIE NOVEL.......2007-09-14

Permuted Press has been making quite a name for themselves in the genre of zombie fiction and their latest release is Kim Paffenroth's "Dying to Live." The problem I have had with some zombie novels in the past is that the authors tend to set their sights a bit too high. While trying to tell a world-spanning tale of a zombie outbreak they often try to do too much and forget the smaller, personal stories. The best zombie stories/films were those that concentrated on the smaller picture, such as "Night of the Living Dead." Thankfully Paffenroth does not fall into this trap. He gives us one small, yet very appetizing piece of the zombie pie.

Paffenroth doesn't waste a lot of time explaining the zombie outbreak, preferring to jump right into the introduction of the main character, Jonah Caine, who has been surviving on his own since the catastrophe took place. Jonah is a plain, everyman...a former English professor at a community college, who has been resourceful enough to stay alive but grown weary by the stress of being on the run. A risky foray into a city to find food leads to Jonah meeting a small settlement of survivors who have turned a museum into their own fortress. The settlement's leader is Jack Lawson, your typical former military man but the most interesting character is the settlement's spiritual leader, Milton. In Paffenroth's zombie world, animals can also become zombies. When one of these undead animals bites Milton, he becomes essentially a human/zombie hybrid, carrying the stink and rot of death, yet not actually dying. Further, other zombies seem to fear Milton and are repelled when he walks among them, a useful ability indeed.

These survivors live in relative safety in their stronghold, leaving only for quick raids for food and supplies in the city. Jonah has to prove himself with a dangerous initiation rite by going on one of these raids. It is during one of these raids that they encounter another survivor, living alone with his newborn son in what turns into a harrowing rescue. With no real threat to them, they decide to go to the threat, by investigating smoke seen at the far end of the city. It's here where the survivors face the real horrors...a state correctional facility whose inmates have secured their own fortress.

"Dying to Live" is a solid, and often terrifying novel. The confrontations with the zombies keep are slam-bang thrill rides with something lurking behind each dark corner. The only real problem with the story is the last quarter of the book when Jonah and a few others encounter the prison inmates. Paffenroth ultimately made his characters too safe and secure in their museum home. The zombies were completely unable to mount any kind of a threat to them in their makeshift museum fortress. Paffenroth had to concoct a more serious threat than the legions of zombies themselves. A bit contrived, but not enough to spoil an otherwise brisk moving story with sufficient scares for any zombie fan. While I would have liked to have seen the characters developed a bit more, this is still an entertaining zombie fiction read.

REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON

Live from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live

Average customer rating:

Awesome
Decent overview in a sea of SNL tributes, choppy reading, excellent bathroom book, nice gift for the fan.
Where to buy this cheap
This is a great book!
Blows the lid off the mystique of SNL...

Live from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live
Tom Shales , and James Andrew Miller
Manufacturer: Little, Brown and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Comedy | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

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jp-unknown1 | Specialty Stores | Books

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ASIN: 0316781460

Book Description

With unprecedented access, Tom Shales and James Miller, with authorization from Lorne Michaels, have interviewed the stars, writers, crews, and guests who have made Saturday Night Live the greatest long-running comedy of all time. Out of these backstage stories they have woven an oral history that will be the definitive account of the shows 25-year history. The story is bursting with creative frenzies, clashing egos, actors who went on to mega stardom in film and those who disappeared; the origins of famous routines, censorship battles, and humour so toxic it never got on the air; the love affairs, feudsall the unique insanity involved in producing the show that changed North America forever. Includes great backstage stories from Bill Murray decking Chevy Chase to Norm MacDonalds campaign to infuriate NBC brass. Everyone from Cameron Diaz to Ralph Nader to Robert Downey Jr. to George Bush has appeared on the show, and they all share their fondest, wildest memories with us. Tom Shales is the Pulitzer Prize-winning TV critic of The Washington Post, and a movie reviewer for NPRs Morning Edition. His books include On the Air and Legends, and he has written for many major magazines.

Customer Reviews:

Awesome.......2007-07-09

I loved the book. Living in the mid west, you're not privy to rumors and stories in the local paper about SNL. I loved reading inside stories and such. The only bad thing I could say was that the book should have put some thumbnail pictures up of those quoted. It was hard with the lesser known cast members that were quoted, and trying to remember who they were.

Decent overview in a sea of SNL tributes, choppy reading, excellent bathroom book, nice gift for the fan........2007-07-07

Purchased as a gift for my SNL-loving spouse, it's a great bathroom book, because of the short excerpt format. If you are looking for a flowing chronology of the history of Saturday Night, it might be hard to stick with it. It's very broken up, the voices change with every page or two, making it feel disjointed. Because our memories and someone else's memory of the same event aren't always the same, you get amusing perspectives from different egomaniacs claiming to have the same great ideas. Nice background of behind-the-scenes as promised, lots of dirt on the sex and drugs, as expected. Not something I would have purchased for myself, even though I'm a fan, but compared to the other offerings out there, this one really is the most authoritative, closest to the source, and most accurate.

Where to buy this cheap.......2007-01-26

I have only read part of this book so far (and loved it), but the reason I am writing this, is to let people know that it is $2.99 at The Christmas Tree Store. I bought 4, so if my family is reading this, you'll have a good idea of what you are getting next year.

This is a great book!.......2006-08-30

Dear Everyone.
I did not order this book from Amazon. I bought it at my local "Dollar Tree" store for just one dollar. If you are interested in owning this book, stop by your local "Dollar Tree", or similar dollar store, and check to see if it might be there before shelling out the big money.
Pretty good review huh?
The book looks back at the early days of SNL, the drugs, the sex, the rock and roll. You probably won't learn anything from this book you didn't already know, if you are an SNL buff.
It is a good book to have in your bathroom, in my weird opinion.
Love,
Joel

Blows the lid off the mystique of SNL..........2006-08-25

This books shows very well that SNL was not the mystical, magical place it was purported to be. I've only really liked the original cast, and the mid 1980's cast with Murphy, Piscopo, Guest, Short, etc., etc.. In this book, you really get the feel of SNL, and how really difficult a place it was/is. No one romanticises the experience, and most people seem to have a only a few good memories and a lot of bad ones. The show is not necessarily a spring board to greater success. Only a handful of people from SNL have gone on to the big time. Most of them vanish into obscurity (Jan Hooks, Kevin Nealon, Tim Meadows), or end up doing horrible work (Rob Schneider and David Spade, anyone). Chevy Chase comes across the worst here. By all accounts, he's a real piece of garbage. Janeane Garofalo, surprisingly, gets raked over the coals here. She was only on the show for 6 months, so you would think she wouldn't have made much of an impression. But she managed to alienate nearly everyone on the show during her brief tenure, including calling members of the press and complaining to them on the record about the show, which is not the brightest thing in the world to do. Personally, I've never found her funny in a comic/comedian type of way. I think she has a lot more depth than most people give her credit for, but no one at SNL thought that, and she comes across as extremely insecure. Not to mention Ms. Garofalo shares a little too much information with the authors. I could have easily done without hearing about Janeane's bouts with irritable bowel syndrome during her time with the show. The thought of Janeane having the runs is not particulary attractive. Anyway, after reading this book, you realise it's a miracle that SNL comes up with a show at all, considering all the backstabbing, back biting, tension, stress, drugs, etc., etc. that permeates the scene. If you're a really big fan, you may not want to read this book, because it's not all roses and peaches here. The show is almost unwatchable these days, which is a shame, considering how well it started. Kind of sad...

Phantom of the Night: Overcoming Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Snoring-Win You Hidden Struggle to Breathe, Sleep, and Live

Average customer rating:

This book and an alert doctor saved my life.

Phantom of the Night: Overcoming Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Snoring-Win You Hidden Struggle to Breathe, Sleep, and Live
Jerry Halberstadt
Manufacturer: New Technology Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

Sleep Disorders | Disorders & Diseases | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Pulmonary | Internal Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

This book and an alert doctor saved my life........1998-03-27

A wonderful resource describing the apnea experience from both the doctor's and patient's viewpoint. A must for anyone who snores!

The Punch: One Night, Two Lives, and the Fight That Changed Basketball Forever

Average customer rating:

Two victims: one sympathetic
Feinstein delivers
" The Punch"
Quota to fill?
A great read

The Punch: One Night, Two Lives, and the Fight That Changed Basketball Forever
John Feinstein
Manufacturer: Little, Brown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

History of Sports | Miscellaneous | Sports | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0316279722

Amazon.com

In 1977, Rudy Tomjanovich and Kermit Washington became entwined in a single punch that would change not only their lives, but how professional basketball is played today. Because the punch dislodged Tomjanovich's skull and nearly destroyed both men's careers, the scuffle never settled as a dusty bit of NBA trivia. Instead, it nearly superseded both men's notable achievements. The history of that punch (it could not, by any standards, be considered a fight) and the fate of the two men are the subjects of John Feinstein's The Punch.

In the early days of the NBA, teams had their stars and their "enforcers." Enforcers such as Washington protected star players on the court with their willingness to mix it up. With concise prose, Feinstein reports on this era, following strings of trades, drafts, and personal relationships to their nexus. Those who do not think about basketball on a statistical level may occasionally find themselves lost, but Feinstein, ever conscious of his subject, ties the tangents neatly to the core of the scuffle that led to the infamous punch.

Thorough and thoughtful, Feinstein does not make any excuses, nor does he vilify. He simply traces the web of both men's lives back to their adolescent years when it was not about the NBA, nor the punch, but about the game. Anyone who has ever wondered about these two men, or the history of the NBA, will want to read this book. --Karin Rosman

Book Description

When a fight broke out between the Houston Rockets and the L.A. Lakers one night in 1977, All-Star Rudy Tomjanovich raced to break it up. Unfortunately for Rudy, he ran into Kermit Washington, a good player with a great reputation, and one of the most ferocious punches ever seen in sports.

The punch dislodged Tomjanovich's skull, and he was never the same player after. Now he's head coach for the Rockets and coached the U.S. Olympic team to a gold medal in 2000. In the years since the fight, every team in the NBA has turned Washington away.

With his unique insight, style, and bone-deep knowledge of basketball, John Feinstein finally reveals the truth of that night and all the years after. Through this one cataclysmic event he casts a light on the NBA's darkest secrets, exploring race, conspiracy, violence, and how one mistake has haunted two good men for 25 years.

Download Description

When a fight broke out between the Houston Rockets and the L.A. Lakers one night in 1977, All-Star Rudy Tomjanovich raced to break it up. He was met by Kermit Washington's fist, which delivered one of the most ferocious punches ever seen in sports. The punch dislodged Tomjanovich's skull, and required years of surgeries and therapy to get him back to normal. He was never the same again. Washington was an average player for the Lakers, 6 foot 8, and one of six athletes in the history of the NCAA to be both an academic all-American and a basketball all-American. By all accounts he was an exemplary man, but the split second in which he threw his fist toward Tomjanovich devastated his reputation. Every team in the NBA has refused to hire him in any coaching capacity. Tomjanovich, on the other hand, is a star: head coach of the two-time world championship Rockets, and coach of the 2000 gold medal US Olympic team.With his unique insight, style, and bone-deep knowledge of basketball, John Feinstein finally reveals the truth of that night, and how it changed basketball forever. Through this one cataclysmic event he casts a light on the NBA's darkest secrets, exploring race, violence, and how one mistake has haunted two good men for 25 years.

Customer Reviews:

Two victims: one sympathetic.......2006-12-15

Everyone has a moment in their live's that has significant consequences. A time where everything changes, often as the result of a split-second or rash action. Kermit Washington, then of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Rudy Tomjanovich, of the Houston Rockets, on one night in 1977 in the midst of an NBA Game had such a moment. In an instant, Tomjanovich was almost killed by a punch which had connected with extreme force and velocity, and Kermit Washington was foreever defined by that aberrant act of violence.

Feinstein writes well and describes a fascinating world of professional athletics in the 1970's. He describes each of the protagonists' lives and the perspectives and effects of the incident to all whom it affected. Some great characters of sport past are here: Pete Newell, Red Auerbach, Bill Walton, Rick Barry, Chick Hearn, Larry O'Brien, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, etc. The writing is smooth and entertaining and keeps you from turning away.

There are some problems with the book, however. Editing is poor. Episodes recounted in one chapter are repeated in another. More importantly, Feinstein tries so hard to be objective that he distances himself from the reader. One cannot read this book and not come to the unmistakably conclusion that the reason why the event still affects Kermit Washington is because Washington has never come to grips with his own conduct.

The book relates how never really apologized or took accountability and that his failure to do so, when contrasted with Tomjanovich's ability to overcome in life and basketball, turns him into a self-inflicted victim. Now, Feinstein implies such and uses the words of others to reach this conclusion, but it would've been nice if he would break free from the sympathetic shoulder and challenge some of Washington's self-serving statements. This lack of journalistic integrity is particularly distressing in light of the clear implication that Washington, in an attempt to avoid personal responsibility, has dragged the reputation of another player and his family (Kevin Kunnert) through the mud. Inasmuch as Feinstein wants you to feel for Washington, this book fails to conform to the facts.

Still, an entertaining read and a fascinating look at sport in a different time and different place.

Feinstein delivers.......2006-01-30

The punch. This was a horrible sports moment which affected so many lives. I still get shivers when I think of that event. As a teenager, it changed some of my views on sports, life and the two individuals involved. Feinstein had the incredible challenge of revisiting this event with the Rudy and Kermit and with the reader.
Feinstein delicately, but straightforwardly, tackles this subject, bringing out a wide range of emotions from himself, the particpants, the onlookers and the reader. He succeeds in showing that both men are truly victims of this unfortunate event. Rudy T is not the hero, nor Kermit the villian, although each will begrudgingly play that role on and off for years.
For the first time ever, the incident is studied in painstaking detail. It is poked and probed from many angles. For the first time ever, Kermit and Rudy both have a say about the event. Hopefully, this experience will help both men help. I know this book certainly opened my eyes to the men and the challenges both faced in the aftermath.

" The Punch".......2005-10-31

"The Punch" was an important event in the history of basketball. The author, John Feinstein did an okay job writing this book, but he kind of lost my interest after he started to repeat statements. "The Punch" is worth reading, because it told the event that changed the sport forever. If you are interested in basketball I recommend reading this book.

Quota to fill?.......2005-10-17

This book is a complete ripoff. Feinstein must have a quota to reach because this book is just unbelievably poorily and laziliy written and edited. The repetition is so severe a 5th grade teacher would have given the writer an "F". Hopefully, this is an aberration for Feinstein but after reading this book I came away believing he's sold out = write a book, collect a check. Well, he won't be getting any of my $s anymore.

A great read.......2005-05-31

When i first looked at getting this book, i noticed it didnt rate highly as far as the star rating was concerned. Yes, the book can be repetitive in stages, but i have to say that i found myself enjoying this book immensely and glad i purchased it.....then again, anything to do with basketball and i take to it eagerly. Give the book a chance, under it all it paints a story of two lives and the different paths they took after one misfortunate punch. I am a big fan of John Feinstein anyway, so maybe im not one to properly critique the book and point out its inconsistancies, but personally, i enjoyed it and can only go by that.

Average customer rating:

3.5 Stars, not quite as good as previous Binchy books
A Refreshing Change
flimsy
I Don't Understand the Negative Reviews
Great Book!

Nights of Rain and Stars
Maeve Binchy
Manufacturer: Thorndike Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0786268611

Book Description

A New York Times Bestseller

Four travelers with nothing in common but a need to escape meet in a Greek taverna high above the small village of Aghia Anna, and are thrown together in unexpected ways when tragedy strikes.

Download Description

"Four strangers, with nothing in common but a need to escape, meet in a Greek taverna high above the small village of Aghia Anna. From Ireland, America, Germany and England, they have each left their homes and their old lives, when a shocking tragedy throws them unexpectedly together. Fiona is a young nurse, trying to make her family understand her need to follow her own path. Thomas desperately misses his young son and fears that his ex-wife will come between them. Elsa abruptly left her career as a television presenter, but someone from her past refuses to let her go. And shy, quiet David is determined to make a stand against his overbearing father. With these four is Andreas, the taverna owner, who badly misses the son who left home nine years ago and has never returned. Nights of Rain and Stars is the story of one summer and four people, each with a life in turmoil. With the help of Vonnie, a middle-aged Irishwoman who lives in the village and is now a near-native, they find solutions - though not necessarily the ones they anticipated..."

Customer Reviews:

3.5 Stars, not quite as good as previous Binchy books.......2007-07-28

NIGHTS OF RAIN AND STARS by Maeve Binchy
July 28, 2007

Amazon Rating: 3.5/5 stars

I hadn't read a Binchy book in quite a while. NIGHTS OF RAIN AND STARS, I have to admit, will not be one of my favorite Maeve Binchy books but it still was enjoyable. The story takes place in Greece, where a group of tourists bond after a touring boat catches fire and many people, locals and visitors, are killed. The tragedy brings these people together, bonding them as friends.

Elsa is a beautiful German television reporter who is running away from her life. She remains a mystery to her fellow travelers, as she does not want to talk about her past. Fiona is from Ireland, who is visiting Greece with the man she thinks she loves, a man that no one approves of back home. Fiona thinks her family and friends simply do not understand her boyfriend, but her new friends in Greece can see the reasons why. David is running away from his family business. His parents love him but expect him to take over once his father is no longer able to work, and David loathes their entire lifestyle and what he thinks they represent. And finally, Thomas, the Californian, is dealing with his recent divorce and is trying to run away from a situation that he doesn't want to face - his son will soon have a new stepfather, and Thomas feels he may get in the way of his son's new life. Yet he yearns to be with him again, to be his father and have a real father-son relationship, not just the occasional phone call.

While the four new friends bond and learn about each other, two locals also have their own stories. Vonni is a mystery to everyone, at least to the newcomers. Her past goes back to Ireland, and the tourists wonder what brought her to Greece in the first place, and why she has never gone back home. She acts like a mother figure to them, giving them advice even when the advice is not wanted. And last but not least, Andreas is an elderly man who regrets what he said and did to chase his son away to America, a son who does not want to return home.

I'm not sure if my tastes have changed over the years, or possibly Maeve Binchy's style has changed as well, but I didn't enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed some of her previous books, including TARA ROAD, my introduction to Maeve Binchy (through the Oprah Book Club). Maeve is great at creating and writing about characters you grow to love, but most of her books were set in Ireland, and I am wondering if this was the problem with NIGHTS OF RAIN AND STARS, which was set in Greece with an international set of characters. I felt the people in this book were not quite "real", that they were not really contemporary characters but characters from another era. I also felt the novel was just a reason to publish another book, maybe her publisher was expecting another one, so here it was.

Overall, while I was able to finish the book and was able to enjoy reading about the various characters in NIGHTS OF RAIN AND STARS, I didn't quite buy who they were. It felt like I was watching a made for TV movie, from the seventies, no doubt.

A Refreshing Change.......2007-04-05

This novel is a bit different from Binchy's others. The uplifting tone and Greek setting will draw you into the inner circle of the four characters' meeting.

flimsy.......2007-03-16

A friend loaned me three Binchy novels. I read "Nights of Rain and Stars" first. I just finished "Evening Class" and I see why reviewers who have been her fans were so disappointed with "Nights of Rain and Stars." Big contrast! "Evening Class" was a fun read. "Nights of Rain and Stars" was like an outline of a novel - sketchy, undeveloped, barely interesting.

And I felt that the four vacationers, if they really had any respect for the community that suffered this tragedy (which compels them all to linger), would discreetly move on rather than gawking at the aftermath and projecting their own emotionalism onto the real pain of strangers.

I Don't Understand the Negative Reviews.......2007-03-12

"Nights of Rain and Stars" is one of my favorite books by Maeve Binchy.

I read many of her books and loved them all, this was no different. I enjoyed every page, was never bored. I loved the setting in Greece, enjoyed all of the characters.

I truly don't understand the negative reviews. It appears to me that readers get so disappointed when an author takes a different turn, writes about a different place. I found it a refreshing change. I think if I was an author, I would get tired of writing about the same country, the same kind of people and the same kinds of problems, like an actor gets tired of playing the same role, I imagine an author gets tired of writing the same kind of books...so, I say, thanks Maeve, for a refreshing change from your routine.

I love stories about Ireland and Scotland, but loved reading about Greece too, loved the water, the sun, the story line, the food, the characters, their lives - loved it all!

KC
New Jersey

Great Book!.......2006-11-04

This is one of my favorites books by Binchy. It's a tad bit more uplifting than some of hers and makes for a great read.

Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live

Average customer rating:

So very interesting!
Live From New York
A review of SNL's first ten years
Quite possibly one of the best SNL books ever.
As entertaining as the show itself (the good episodes)

Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live
Doug Hill , and Jeff Weingrad
Manufacturer: William Morrow & Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0688050999

Customer Reviews:

So very interesting!.......2007-08-11

I felt like a housewife at her fence, excitedly listening to all the juicy neighborhood gossip. It's a great book, though dated.

Live From New York.......2006-01-17

Like many, I grew up watching Saturday Night Live, either new episodes or those rerun on various cable channels, marveling at the wonderful humor and originality. I had always heard urban legends surrounding the show, and its earliest moments, and when I discovered this book I knew I had to read it. The authors take you through the first several seasons of the show, showing the reader many aspects of the backstage history, from the dynamics between Lorne Michaels and the cast to the use of drugs in the early days. There are many anecdotes from tales involving the Hell's Angels to the trip Chevy Chase made to the White House to lampoon President Ford, and all of the early greats are covered from Belushi, Murphy, and Chase to O'Donoghue, Franken, and Davis. I laughed recalling many of the skits that are presented in this book, and I sit amazed as I read about many of the sorrowful topics including the decline of Garret Morris and Larraine Newman. This book is older and dated, and many of the actors that were predicted to go into obscurity have resurfaced since publication and have seemingly came into there on. It's very light hearted, even given some of the darker topics, and it is a fairly quick read as it is written in an anecdotal style. Read this book and enjoy.

A review of SNL's first ten years.......2004-07-13

Here's everything that happened during the first ten seasons of NBC's late night comedy-variety show Saturday Night Live. There are ten faces of previous cast members on the cover. They are the 7 original members Dan Aykroyd,John Belushi,Chevy Chase,Jane Curtin,Garrett Morris,Laraine Newman and Gilda Radner. The other three are Bill Murray,who came shortly after Chase's departure,Joe Piscopo and Eddie Murphy,who were both cast members from 1980 to 1984. The book even tells about the cast members' post-SNL experiences and credits. During the first 10 years,SNL had three producers:Lorne Michaels(1975-1980 and 1985 to present),Jean Doumanian(1980-81) and Dick Ebersol(1981-1985). Michaels left with the remainder of the original SNL cast with Murray in tow as well,in 1980 and returned five years later. Doumanian was fired after the disasterous 1980-81 season and was succeeded by Ebersol. Ebersol met actress Susan Saint-James when she guest hosted once in 1981. They were later married and still are today. We won't forget other previous cast members such as Gilbert Gottfried,Robin Duke,Tim Kazurinsky,Brian Doyle Murray(Bill's brother),Billy Crystal who almost became an original member,Martin Short,Joan Cusack,Julia Louis-Dreyfus,Harry Shearer and James Belushi(John's brother). For more information on subsequent seasons,check out SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE-THE FIRST 20 YEARS.

Quite possibly one of the best SNL books ever........2002-09-23

You never see much of the behind the scenes going ons of SNL. It would probably make a great documentary "A week in the life of SNL" Until that video comes out (if ever) this is probably the next best thing. I havent finished it yet and already there is a wealth of things I learned. ...Come out with another edition guys! We want more.

As entertaining as the show itself (the good episodes).......2001-01-25

An excellent book, in terms of its breadth and the behind-the-scenes perspective it gives to the Saturday Night Live episodes we have all seen on TV. The writers certainly did their homework, and yet the scores of names, dates, and places mentioned never bog down the flow of this story. It is fascinating to read about the clashes between these stars who were both comic geniuses and petulant egomaniacs, and frankly, it is surprising that any episodes were able to air at all. Despite what you think about Saturday Night Live, you cannot deny the show's existence as a television institution, and reading this book makes you appreciate its innovation then, and longevity now, all the more.

Measuring the Night: Evolutionary Astrology and the Keys to the Soul, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

The Best
food for thought
Measuring the Night
Five Stars Aren't Enough
A REAL LET-DOWN!

Measuring the Night: Evolutionary Astrology and the Keys to the Soul, Vol. 2
Jeff Green , and Steven Forrest
Manufacturer: Seven Paws Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0964911345

Book Description

Astrology, sacred psychology and reincarnation come together seamlessly in the hands of two of the world's premier metaphysical astrologers. Jeffrey Green's work "mirrors the eternal realities of the soul," according to the leading Danish astrology magazine STJERNERNE. Sting calls Steven Forrest's work "as intelligent and cogent as it is poetic." Based on the transcripts of a series of workshops that Green and Forrest gave together, this book pushes the ancient symbols of astrology to new heights of insight, lucidly and compellingly showing us how the soul's long history is reflected in the birthchart. Beneath the seeming randomness of life, there is a clear and meaningful order. MEASURING THE NIGHT provides the Rosetta Stone for unraveling it. The lecture format is warm, personal and informal, with lots of audience interaction. Forrest and Green team up to analyze the chart of a workshop participant volunteer, just as they would that of a client who had come for a reading.

Customer Reviews:

The Best.......2007-03-27

This is the best book I have ever read on Astrology. How refreshing! I had stopped reading or really being interested in Astrology, until my daughter recommended this book to me. It is a good thing to know that old forms are being explored for new content. With this approach, Astrology can be a really powerful tool which will aid many to a deeper understanding of self in relation to this life. Hooray!!

food for thought.......2007-01-19

This book kept my interest from start to finish. Steven Forrest is one of my favorite authors and this book was no exception. It is provocative and thoughtful. This book is made up of transcripts from a conference. You really feel like the authors are right there talking to you.

Measuring the Night.......2004-04-14

This is chock full of profound astrological insights delivered through the vehicle of the virtual seminar. The reader actually feels like they were among the privileged few who attended these landmark sessions.

Steven Forrest is a masterful speaker and author. He is also a champion of the cause of evolutionary astrology- one of the best tools any seeker on a spiritual path can access to discover their soul's intent. Measuring the Night forwards this effective technique through the collaboration of these two innovative astrologers.

Five Stars Aren't Enough.......2001-07-24

These two books, Measuring the Night Vols. 1 and 2, are some of the best that astrology has to offer. They're great for beginners as well as experienced astrologers. Forrest's and Green's personalities and ideas shine through, and what ground-breaking ideas they are! Here are two people saying that WE are in charge of our destinies, that WE can make the choices that define our lives. Simple, but not simplistic: easy to read, hard to do.

A REAL LET-DOWN!.......2001-06-09

What a disapointment! Whereas volume one of this book had at least a FEW tid-bits of interesting information, the material contained within volume two is totally worthless--at least to me. (But, then again, I DO have some pretty high standards when it comes to QUALITY astrological texts!) And it's a shame, because Steven Forrest is such a great astrological author. As for Jeff Green, although his Pluto book is pretty impressive, I've never really LIKED him as an author--too pompous, way too wordy, and extremely overrated! Why Steven Forrest ever decided to team-up with this guy I'll never know! Save your money, folks, and pass this book by.

GASPING FOR AIRTIME: TWO YEARS IN THE TRENCHES OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Average customer rating:

Jay Mohr is funny.
Loved Every Page
Wish it were longer
REALLY GOOD BOOK!
A decent book

GASPING FOR AIRTIME: TWO YEARS IN THE TRENCHES OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Jay Mohr
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Entertainers | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1401300065
Release Date: 2004-06-09

Book Description

hen 21-year-old Jay Mohr moved from New Jersey to New York City to pursue his dream of stand-up stardom, he never thought the first real job he'd land would be on Saturday Night Live. But, surprisingly, that's just what he did. What followed were two unbelievable, grueling, and exciting years of feverishly keeping pace with his talented cohorts, outmaneuvering the notorious vices that claimed the lives of other cast members, and struggling at all costs for the holy grail of late-night show business: airtime. In Gasping for Airtime, Jay offers an intimate account of the inner workings of Saturday Night Live. He also dishes on the guest hosts (John Travolta, Shannen Doherty, Charles Barkley), the musical guests (Kurt Cobain, Steven Tyler, Eric Clapton), and of course his SNL castmates (Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Mike Myers, and David Spade). Refreshingly honest and laugh-out-loud funny, this book will appeal both to fans of Jay Mohr and to devotees of Saturday Night Live.

Download Description

GASPING FOR AIRTIME is a hilarious and often moving memoir by former Saturday Night Live cast member Jay Mohr. When twenty-year-old Jay moved from New Jersey to New York City to pursue his dream of stand-up stardom, he never thought he'd land his first real job on Saturday Night Live. But he did-and what followed were two crazy years of trying to keep up with his talented castmates and get on the air as often as possible (a daunting feat for a rookie cast member). Jay offers an intimate first-person account of the inner workings of Saturday Night Live-the audition process, the first week on the job, what goes on at the pitch meetings, and how skits make the final cut of the show. Jay also dishes on the guest hosts (John Travolta, Shannen Doherty, Alec Baldwin, Charles Barkley), the musical guests (Kurt Cobain, Steven Tyler, Eric Clapton), and of course his SNL castmates (Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Mike Myers). You'll learn which cast member was told off by guest host Sally Field, what happened when Janeane Garafalo told the New York Post that the show was biased against women, and why the show's opening monologues are often not funny. Finally, Jay writes candidly about his insecurities and frustrations on the show, and why he made the decision to leave after two years. Refreshingly honest and laugh-out-loud funny, this book will appeal to both fans of Jay Mohr and fans of Saturday Night Live.

Customer Reviews:

Jay Mohr is funny........2007-09-21

Good read, very insightful and revealing. Wait, are not those the same things! I'm a moron! Fruuuuuuuuuuuuunkis! Jay is hilarious on O&A and on Ron & Fez.

Loved Every Page.......2007-07-04

Of course the book tells stories of the inner workings of SNL, but the book itself is 3 stories: Jay's dealing with, and treatment of a panic disorder, hilarious stories of things he witnessed and played a part of, him getting totally screwed during his tenure. It's a fantastic book.

Wish it were longer.......2007-03-23

An insider's view of working in the trenches of "Saturday Night Live". This book is not meant to be a tell-all book nor a production diary. Some other reviewers have bemoaned the dearth of juicy gossip tidbits in the text. But Mohr's account is open and honest and rightfully one-sided. "SNL" has long been a fascinating cultural phenomenon, and Mohr gives you a peek behind the curtain. He speaks as a lower-rung writer/performer, and is certainly unjaded by the whirlwind success that other "SNL" alums achieved, mostly because he never achieved it himself.

He fawns over a musical guest or two, and has nothing but loving things to say about Chris Farley, but the rest is basically a week-for-week, show-for-show account of how the show's inhumane production schedule brought out both the best and worst in him (and everybody else).

REALLY GOOD BOOK!.......2007-03-13

This book was GREAT, I heard of Jay mohr and knew well of him but not knowing who he was you still could enjoy this book its a autobio on his life starting and ending in saturday night live. He tells some reallly funny stories about him and the cast at the time, like chris farely and adam sandler. It ends sad definitly but really good book its hard to put down.

A decent book.......2006-06-19

The review from Publishers Weekly, while being somewhat on the mark, doesn't give this book enough credit. I enjoyed this book, although I had never heard of Mohr. While few of the author's skits aired, he was having better ideas his second year, and one gets the feeling that if he hadn't been so impatient he would have met success.
What I really liked about the book is its feeling of authenticity. You feel as if you are there, getting the job, suffering the anxiety and witness to the SNL creative process. Also authentic is the portrait the author draws of himself, which is the main thread in the book. With all the defects that the author exhibits, he still comes off as quite likeable.

Average customer rating:

Breathtaking
Beautiful
Enchanting & Engaging
Spellbound
I would give this 10 stars if I could!!!!

Journey By Night: A Solitary Journey
Louise Teresa StrongBear
Manufacturer: AuthorHouse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1425951317

Book Description

"All Journeys Are Sacred" Journey with Louise StrongBear into shamanic realms of healing. Meet her teachers as she wanders through middle earth, the lower world, and the upper world, following the path of her heart. Begin in the East, and circle the Medicine Wheel to the North, finding yourself along the way. This is a heroine's journey, correlating with the journey of the fool in the major arcana of the tarot. It is also a story of finding lost soul parts, and finding your way back to your home in the stars. It is about magic, miracles, power animals, angels, witchcraft, shamanism, and shapeshifting. This is Louise's story, the one she knows by heart. And it is your story, too-the one that you forgot. "Remember You Are Magic"

Customer Reviews:

Breathtaking.......2007-04-02

After recieving a reading from Louise I've read her book intensily. It is truly amazing and takes you away into her world with her. She shares this journey with the world and I am honored to have been part of her journey. This book is a must read for all, whether you believe or not. Louise has a true heavenly gift from the gods. I would recommend this book and any in the future as well as her readings and conversations. This book will open your eyes and change your life for the better. Jump in the adventure and enjoy the senses. Thank you Louise for everything, you are a true inspiration to me and I love you for it.

Candice Meserole

Beautiful.......2007-04-01

I found this book to be a very moving experience. I enjoyed every page of the journey. I've told all my friends about it. Thank you Ms. Strongbear for sharing with us all.

Enchanting & Engaging.......2007-03-16

I found myself traveling along in the enchanted world. Knowing how close you can be to the spirit world in your dreams is a wonderment. I know there are answers in your dreams if you just look and pay attention. Thank you Louise for guiding me through. This is a book everyone should read. Buy two and give one to a friend.

Spellbound.......2007-03-13

Unlike most reviewers, I COULD put Journey by Night down - as when you
are spellbound by a beautiful dream - and you don't want it to end....

My journey through this book took me to a completely new place. I read
and reread lines, passages, poems and chapters. As with anything practiced, it got easier...
to capture a glimpse of what can be possible
on ones own personal journey.

I evolved from an onlooker in that solitary night, to a seeker.

This book and its wisdom will be my bedside companion.

Let us hope there will be many more to come.

I would give this 10 stars if I could!!!!.......2007-03-06

You would have thought Ms. StrongBear wrote books for years. Journey by Night was very inspirational. This is one to remember...come and be a Wayfarer, as Wolf states: "Wayfarer is one who travels by foot, one step at a time. This is a way of learning. Human steps." If you feel lost and alone in the world, travel with StrongBear and meet her animated characters. Once you meet "Jimmy the Leprechaun" and feel his comedic charm, (as he tickles you and himself) but his passionate soul will let you know how similar we are with other living creatures. If you are not satisfied with his cleverness, stroll down the page and take a whimsical retreat into Pegasus world. His world is not filled with long-term suffering and illness; the aura is pleasant--letting you know that the grass is greener on the other side. After reading this book it will answer your question and have you asking questions...you would want to learn more about magic!

I would like to thank you Louise StrongBear for opening up my thinking to a whole new world. I am inspired and I believe you are a healer with the ability to capture your reader. Capturing your reader to make them believe they were there with you while in fear, afraid; but yet, having the courage to find out who you are. Hesitant but eager to connect to helpful strangers; with the question--"Haven't we met before?" Questioning should you give up, but kept your feet planted on the ground as you trotted to your destiny.

Thank you once more for bringing your iridescence as you journey by night. The stars and moon are shining bright for you. Thanks for creating an uplifting story.

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