Average customer rating:
- I just can't finish it...
- A waste of paper
- Childhood Classic
- One of the few books I've read 3 times...
- A great book about Dragons, MORE THEN FIVE STARS!
|
Dragonworld
Byron Preiss
Manufacturer: IBooks, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Literary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Preiss, Byron
| ( P )
| Authors, A-Z
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Fantasy
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
The Dark Elf Trilogy, Collector's Edition (Homeland, Exile, Sojourn)
-
Eragon (Inheritance, Book 1)
-
Eldest (Inheritance, Book 2)
-
Eclipse (Twilight, Book 3)
ASIN: 1596872330 |
Book Description
Somewhere beyond the northern mists lies a land where dreams live and dragons are real. This is the tale of the twilight of the dragons, of two nations plunged into war by a tragic misunderstanding, of a shy dreamer's incredible voyage of peace to a long-forgotten land where nightmares are born. A magnificient creation, a sweeping epic of high fantasy set in a richly imagined world, vividly brought to life with over eighty pages of stunning illustrations by Joseph Zucker.
Customer Reviews:
I just can't finish it..........2007-06-21
I rarely give up on books. When I was reading the Mists of Avalon, I got so angry at one point in the book I quit reading it. A couple months later I picked it back up and finished it, and now it is one of my favorites books. I learned my lesson, always finish the book, you just never know how it will end up. I have tried reading this book, but I just can't finish it. It doesn't keep my attention. While you're reading it you realize that the storyline and plot should make for a very interesting book, but it just doesn't hold your attention. If I ever get around to finishing it, I may come back and update this review, but that day seems to be far away.
A waste of paper.......2006-09-12
I bypassed this book for years on the shelves.. It'd catch my eye, then I'd lay it back down again after reading the back. Finally I picked it up, figuring with those two authors it couldn't be that bad. I was quite wrong. It was much much worse.
A cliche ridden book of hobbit-types and dragons. It was done much better by Tolkien and others. Don't waste your money.
Childhood Classic.......2005-11-07
I read this novel when I was in grade school. It stuck with me into adulthood and I decided to give it a reread to see if it was as good as I remembered. I am pleased to say that it holds up well. A generic title aside, this is a wonderful read. It is a tragedy and a misunderstanding that brings two nations to war, set against the backdrop of the twilight of the age of Dragons. This is the perfect book to get a young person into fantasy.
One of the few books I've read 3 times..........2005-01-09
I picked this book up from my school library when I was a teenager and loved it. I then went on a search for this book so I could own it. The search took me over 2 years of sporadic looking, but I finally found it. Twenty-five years later I still have that copy and it is one I will keep and eventually share w/ my 3 sons.
The characterizations are crisp and multi-faceted. No one-dimensional ones like in The Wheel of Time series. The heroics are not grand gestures (but can be heartwrenchingly beautiful) and the heroes would not call themselves such. The characters are simply doing what is necessary to suceed.
The plot is reminiscent (to me, at least) of The Hobbit. It may seem a bit standard, but has some wonderful elegant moments. I loved Ansel's bravery and the dragons are marvellous. Why is this book not a movie?!
If you are a fan of Tolkien, Anne McCaffrey's Pern series or the works of Jack Vance, then this book is for you. Give it a try if you want to read fantasy as it is meant to be written.
A great book about Dragons, MORE THEN FIVE STARS!.......2004-12-24
I love this book, but at the beggining I was kind of confushed about who was the main charcter. Jondalrun is the farther of two sons, Johan and his older brother Dayon who left his farther a while back. Now in the beggining I thought Johan was the main charcter, but Amsel is, a person who does research on many things. So Johan get his clider and tried it out and flew, but then a dragon comes out of the sky and attacks, and Johan falls from the sky to the rocky sea below, and found dead by his farther. In Rage his farther blames it on Amsel, who he believes is a Simbalese who are the rich folk. Thats the beggining, I won't tell you more, you just have to check out the book for yourself, But I must tell you, it's as good as the Lord of the Ring! And I'm glad theres a book out there as good as the series! I say this wondeful book is a tresure that should be put on a book store shelf for many, many more years! What a wonderful book! Review by Summer Paulus.
Average customer rating:
|
Dragonworld
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HBUQ0G |
Product Description
Limited to 1,000 copies signed by the authors and illustrator.
Average customer rating:
|
Dragonworld
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000I1EH96 |
Book Description
Storm Clouds gather around the icy city of Praag as the foul hordes of Chaos lay ruinous siege to northern lands of Kislev. Only Gotrek Gurnisson, a death-seeking dwarf Slayer and his sworn human companion, Felix Jaeger, stand between the city and the forces of Darkness in this latest instalment of their epic quest.
Customer Reviews:
Beastslayer is a beast.......2004-03-09
The Book "Beastslayer" by William King, talks about two great friends (Gotrek and Felix) who help various cities beat the chaos army. During the book, Felix has a girlfriend, Ulrika. Ulrika used to be in love with Max Schreiber, the town's young wizard. The book has many different points of veiw from many different people, including Bjorni, Ulli, Snorri, and Gotrek, three dwarves who are given the name the "slayers". Also, the other people are Max, Ulrika, Felix, and Ivan Petrovitch Straghov, who is Ulrika's father and a great veteran. Eventually, Ivan gets to Praag and helps everyone fight. The reason why every body is afraid of the chaos army is because of thier leader, Arek Deamonclaw, a fierce leader whos armor is all made of powerful metal that is near impossile to pierce with any ordinary sword. The chaos army outnumbered the people of Praag about 1/150. In the end, something really good happens, and something really bad happens.
All of Chaos vs. People of Praag.......2004-03-09
The Book "Beastslayer" by William King, talks about two great friends (Gotrek and Felix) who help cities beat the chaos army. During the book, Felix has a girlfriend, Ulrika. Ulrika used to be in love with Max Schreiber, the town's young wizard. The book has many different points of veiw from many different people, including Bjorni, Ulli, Snorri, and Gotrek, three dwarves who are given the name the "slayers" of the world. Also, the othe people are Max, Ulrika, Felix, and Ivan Petrovitch Straghov, who is Ulrika's father and a great veteran. Eventually, Ivan gets to Praag and helps everyone fight. The reason why every body is of the chaos army is because of thier leader, Arek Deamonclaw, a feirce leader whos armor is all made of powerful metal that is near impossile to peirce with any ordinary sword. The chaos army outnumbered the people of Praag about 1/150. In the end, something really good happens, and something really bad happens.
King finds new ways to up the ante!.......2003-05-08
After reading Daemonslayer and Dragonslayer, one is forced to wonder how can King find even more dangerous situations to put his characters in? Beastalayer answers that question.
With this book, King has fallen into a groove in making this a true novel series. The story is set in the ancient human city of Praag, that is under siege from the enormous army of Chaos King forshadowed in the last two books. Imagine the Battle of Helms Deep and you get a good idea. Only instead of being a small part of the story, the whole book is set during the siege. King's action oriented writing style is right at home here, and main protagonists Felix Jaeger and Gotrek Gurnisson are in their usual entertaining form.
There are only a few things that bother me with this book. 1) In Beastslayer, King seems to becoming a more narrative writer telling the stories with less and less dialogue. It loses some of its effect. 2) Felix is becoming more and more like Gotrek. Certainly this is understandable given the circumstances, but the dynamic between the two was interesting. 3) The book is over before it ends. By this I mean, King effectively communicates to you the villain is defeated before he's ever defeated. This takes away from any chance of a climactic ending. All the build up that Kings creates over three books suddenly loses steam. The theat disappates before it's even defeated. The ending itself isn't bad, just how it's presented. There's just NO drama. King should've taken cues from The Two Towers or his own great story Wolf Riders.
Oh well. What we are left with is still great fantasy pulp fiction. For some reason, I cannot get enough of Felix and Gotrek. I just hope King continues to improve.
Can't get enough of Helm's Deep in LOTR? Get this book!.......2003-01-10
This is the fifth book in William King's ongoing epic series (after Trollslayer, Skavenslayer, Daemonslayer and Dragonslayer) about the Dwarf Gotrek who has vowed to find his death in glorious battle in order to pay for past misdeeds, and his human companion Felix who has sworn to accompany him on his quest and record his bravery.
This installment finds our heroes trapped in the walled city of Praag which is beseiged by a huge horde of beastmen, Chaos warriors, barbarians, demons and more. If you liked the battle of Helm's Deep or Pelennor Fields in LOTR, you are in for a treat! King does a great job of building up the tension and letting us feel what it's like to live in a city under seige.
Several familiar characters from previous books are back, but my most favourite characters in this book were the newly introduced evil twin mages. They are truly worthy adversaries and I hope King will bring us more of them in future installments.
On the minus side, a sub-plot involving traitors within the city never really seems to live up to its potential. More surprises and less predictability in this regard would be nice in future. And while I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book, the last chapter seemed quite rushed and the ending rather anticlimactic and jarringly abrupt. I wished the book could have gone on for another 100 pages!
But the sudden ending is probably because the story will pick right up again in the next book "Vampireslayer", just as King did between Daemonslayer and Dragonslayer. Can't wait to read this next one too!
Overall I'd rate this book as my second favourite of the series so far after Daemonslayer.
Awesome, indeed!.......2002-02-13
I'm quite a fan for Gotrek & Felix. Still, this book was so fascinating that it beats previous 4 (Troll-, Skaven-, Daemon- and Dragonslayer) easily. I hope that no one's enjoyment in reading this book is not spoiled by following text. If you fear so, please do not proceed.
The best thing in this wonderful story is... The dark side and the way it is told to reader. Especially twin mages must be mentioned. Their fate is hard to guess beforewards. Not all the bad guys have to die everytime. I hope that some day in future I can read about this chaotic pair again. Often the evil ones in books/movies get my sympathies, but this duo succeeded so well that I held my fingers up for them all the time. Their leader was less interesting character. That kind of maniac has been seen so many times before. Kellmain and Lhoigor... They are the salt and the pepper.
Gore and battles are scarce in this book. Tension is built by investigating Praag and it's possible traitors. The main duo solves hard situations as before and sun almost shines at the end. Without meticulous descriptions about Arek's forces this fantastic book would be only very good.
Average customer rating:
|
Beastslayer
Marc Gascoigne
Manufacturer: GAMES WORKSHOP (ABS)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K2S5CI |
Average customer rating:
- A good story, but I wish it were in color
|
Misplaced Volume 1: Somewhere Under The Rainbow
Josh Blaylock , and
& others
Manufacturer: Devil's Due Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Graphic Novels
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
Science Fiction
| Graphic Novels
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science Fiction
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1932796045 |
Book Description
This is a book for anyone who has ever felt stifled by the system; anyone who has ever questioned authority and asked "Why do things have to be this way?" Meet Alyssa, from Realm 77, a hi-tech utopia where those who question authority aren't treated kindly. Even stranger, the only person who does is Alyssa. Ostracized from her peers since childhood, and subjected to numerous medical tests by the mysterious Elders, Alyssa grows more and more intolerant of the Realm. When it's discovered she's developing incredible powers, Alyssa escapes to Earth to live a normal life in a small college town, but the Elders won't allow it. It's only when she's forced to return to the realm that her powers truly manifest. All she wanted to do was hang out, go to some clubs, and be "normal." But that's not Alyssa's destiny.
Customer Reviews:
A good story, but I wish it were in color.......2007-08-03
The story is enjoyable, with a clear message about thinking for one's self instead of following the crowd. However, I wish the art was in color, as the black and white can be hard to read.
Amazon.com
For his first book, The Making of a Chef, hands-on journalist Michael Ruhlman attended the most prestigious cooking school in the U.S., the Culinary Institute of America. He also earned his chef's whites and began cooking professionally. Ruhlman ventures further into the secret lives of chefs with his second book, The Soul of a Chef. This enthusiastically researched report is divided into three parts: The first concerns the Certified Master Chef exam, a brutal weeklong cooking marathon that measures the skill levels of professional chefs. The second and third parts of Ruhlman's book are devoted to the careers of two different chefs, Michael Symon of Cleveland's Lola Bistro and Thomas Keller of Napa Valley's legendary French Laundry. The thread connecting these three tales together is Ruhlman's quest for culinary perfection: Does it exist? Is it possible? How is it even measurable? Ruhlman does indeed stumble onto the realization of his high-minded ideal, serving up a palatable conclusion for hard-core foodies equally obsessed with the perfect meal. --Sumi Hahn Almquist
Book Description
In his second in-depth foray into the world of professional cooking, Michael Ruhlman journeys into the heart of the profession. Observing the rigorous Certified Master Chef exam at the Culinary Institute of America, the most influential cooking school in the country, Ruhlman enters the lives and kitchens of rising star Michael Symon and renowned Thomas Keller of the French Laundry. This fascinating book will satisfy any reader's hunger for knowledge about cooking and food, the secrets of successful chefs, at what point cooking becomes an art form, and more. Like Ruhlman's The Making of a Chef, this is an instant classic in food writing-one of the fastest growing and most popular subjects today.
Customer Reviews:
An insider's peek at the CIA's Master Chef Certification exam.......2007-08-20
Here, Ruhlman returns to continue the journey that began with The Making of a Chef, albeit this time with a different set of people, attempting a different degree.
In this book, he takes the reader along for a ride as several gifted chef alumni make a pilgrimage to the CIA, from their separate (and thriving) careers, in order to attempt an advanced culinary masters certification ... a very prestigious credential that few people, even elite chefs, ever achieve.
Think Reality TV, following the journey of a small group of hot chefs, as they attempt to climb the Mt. Everest of culinary certifications, and you'll have the basic idea.
Ruhlman, as usually, pulls it off with is usual soulfulness, grace and aplomb ... and unlike most food writers, he's got the culinary chops (pun intended) to keep up with the people making the journey.
If you like Making of a Chef, you'll like this one too.
Michael, get a better editor!.......2007-04-12
This is a light, quick read for anyone who likes food.
My only criticism is that Ruhlman's wonderful voice is sorely in need of a better editor. The errors detract from the storytelling. Other than that, it's a lovely read.
Pursuit for Perfection.......2007-01-11
Like many people interested in cooking I have often times dreamt of what it would be like to be a chef. If you feel the same way, then look no further than Michael Ruhlman's - The Soul of the Chef. This book is fabulous and likely to become one of your favorites, if you love food. Ruhlman takes you up close and personal with what it's like to be a chef.
The book is broken down into three sections. The first section is a look at the utterly heartbreaking Certified Master Chef exam. This section shows the reader just how difficult the world of a chef can be. He watches as a group of individuals try to make it through this very intense exam. You get a glimpse at the examinees and what drives them to this nearly impossible dream. I really enjoyed that Ruhlman tried to understand what motivates people to attempt such a difficult task. He really gives you an upclose and personal look at the Certified Master Chef exam.
The second section follows an up and coming chef and explores his motivations. This section really highlights what students take away from their culinary school days and what they decide to change for themselves. It was fascinating to watch someone as they were becoming famous.
The third section was my favorite. This section follows Thomas Keller from the French Laundry. Anyone who loves food will totally be taken in by Keller's approach and style. I absolutely loved his discipline and focus. This section, for me, really showed what is the difference between a truly great chef and the average chef. This book really examines the motivations and styles of some members of the next generation of American chefs.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves food. It's like getting a backstage pass to a very private world. I can't say enough good about this book. Really, you should read this!
Micheal Ruhlman is the man!.......2006-09-27
Great book that gives a nice in depth look at the CMC Exam. Very excited to try and take that in the future now hehe. Also, a great look at other two other incredible chefs and their views on cooking and what they strive for. A must read!!!
Magnifique!!!!.......2006-09-08
What a terrific book on the coming of age of the American food scene! We are witnessing an exponential growth in the number of great chefs, wonderful restaurants and informed diners and have (in my opinion) outgrown our French origins. It is that peculiarly American drive that has startled the world from its complacency, our willingness to borrow, adapt, transform and take what is best of all cultures. We have surpassed the land of cuisine with a startling adventuresome that is only now being realized. Ruhlman notes that even though a true American cuisine is evolving, the roots of fine cooking are firmly in Classical French technique and philosophy of food.
We are introduced to a world few of us realize even exists - the world of professional chef. Not a line man, burger flipper or meat & three cook but that rarified plateau of wondrous technique and startling uses of ingredients in new and exciting ways. At the same time we learn about the work behind the scenes - the heart of any fine dining establishment. This is a tale in three parts: (1) The epic 10-day struggle for the coveted "certified Master Chef" title, (2) The beginning of a small, successful restaurant in Ohio (Lula) where the chef-owner seems to break all the rules and (3) the story of the greatest restaurant in America, the French Laundry and its genius chef, Thomas Heller. Each tale is told with passion, admiration and obvious personal enjoyment. The author admits being continually suprised by new revelations, by discovering why we do the things we do. In a sense, the story is as much his journey as it is those he chronicles.
Along the way he contradicts himself, first stating that cooking is not an art then declaring Thomas Heller a true artist. Each of the vignettes illustrates the working theme - a striving for excellence in all things. This comes in many forms and many expressions but at the end of the night the chef must satisfy himself which proved to be even a harder task than satisfying others. The writing for each section was superb and it is difficult to choose a favorite. In each case we root fot the talented but struggling underdog as they attempt to retain their high principles while making a living. My grade: A
Book Description
As a small dog owner, you have probably come to realize that little dogs have special needs that require training techniques specifically formulated for their small statures and distinctive personalities. Little Dogs: Training Your Pint-Sized Companion offers gentle, positive, and extraordinarily effective solutions to many of the most common challenges facing small dogs and their owners today.
Little Dogs features:
-Innovative training techniques geared specifically toward small dogs (12" and under or 20 lbs and under)
-Tips on how to clearly communicate with your dog
-Solutions to common behavioral issues
-Thorough coverage of a variety of issues with an emphasis on positive reinforcement
Understanding how your small dog thinks is key to establishing an affirmative relationship with him. Little Dogs: Training Your Pint-Sized Companion contains all of the information essential to the training success of both you and your little dog!
Customer Reviews:
Great book for anyone with a little dog.......2007-09-16
Easy to read and packed with practical training and management advice specifically for those with little dogs. An antidote to the all-too-often owner-induced obnoxious "elbow" dogs. Wood clearly loves these little pooches, but has no illusions about the behavioral challenges that can lead to problems when people don't understand that these are living, breathing, thinking animals--not fashion accessories or surrogate children. I'm teaching a Small Dog Manners class--I intend to make this book required reading.
Chihuahua.......2007-05-30
I have been around dogs all my life, but recently adopted a Chihuahua. All the other dogs were big mutts and German Shepards...This little guy is as sweet as he can be, but this book has helped a lot to understand him. Dogs are not dogs, little bitty dogs are different.
Both of us are getting lots of value from this practical dog training book. If you have a little sprite like mine, get this book.
Wow -- all those 5 star reviews are true!.......2007-05-13
I thought I knew alot about dogs, but my dogs had always been medium or large dogs -- I learned so much about the needs of small dogs and how to handle them a little differently -- get this book BEFORE you get a small dog.
Excellent Little Book for The Little Dog.......2007-04-22
We had a two year old Australian Shepard when we bought our teenage daughter a little Papillon. The Aussie was such a breeze to teach everything to, including gently pushing his hind end downward while telling him, "Sit." Fortunately, we bought this book before trying that with the Papillon. Our daughter taught her little guy to sit, without hurting him, in no time at all with this book! That's just the start, though. It's been invaluable with so many things, from housebreaking to exercise, and so much more. If you have or are getting a small dog, this is a must have. It is truly extremely different than raising a bigger dog.
Little Dogs: Training your pint-sized companion.......2007-04-12
Loved this book, couldn't live without it. I love this book and recommend it as paramont to anyone (trying to) train a small dog. When I realized that other books dealt with the large dog who could be pushed in to place, but with my tiny Papillon it would be disasterous, I searched until I found this book and it has been a lifesaver. Also, I realize that the tiny dog requires a great deal of patience while training it.
Average customer rating:
- My favorite Quilting Book
|
Creative Patchwork: With Applique and Quilting
Manufacturer: Cole Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Decorating
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Patchwork
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Quilts & Quilting
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Reference
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Quick & Easy Machine Quilts: 25 Modern Heirlooms for the Home
ASIN: 1564262510 |
Customer Reviews:
My favorite Quilting Book.......2006-01-16
I have a large library of quilting books that I go to for inspiration for projects. Rarely do I follow a pattern step-by-step, and rarely do I find more than a couple patterns from each book that I actually use. This is the exception...
Every project in this book would be a dream to create! I have actually made 8 projects from this book and have ideas for many more that stem from the projects presented!! Whether you want to start a full-scale quilt or just a pretty pillow, this book will have exactly the right project for you. The photos are gorgeous and the directions well-written. I am very pleased with this book. I even bought a second copy--for my mother!
Product Description
Periodical. Should have pattern sheets attached. Project/article titles include: A Country Heritage; A Quilter's Garden; Antique Stars; Country Style Wall-hanging; Farmyard Friends; Hearth & Home; Tea to Dye For; Rabbit Cushions; Mission Valley Stars; Shenandoah Applique; Liseby's Hope; Friendly Hearts & Flowers; Wartime Wash Day; Holiday Baskets; Sweet Dreams Celeste; Hamish's Gingerbread Men.
Book Description
The most affordable home-design guides on the market today!
There are now 14 books in the 101 series-all in the same compact and stylish format. These fabulous little books are inspirational guides to stylish home decor at a great price--only $9.95! The details in 101 Decorating Details range from plumping up a pile of coordinating cushions to arranging a few cut flowers from the garden in a pretty jug--quick and easy ideas that will make a real difference to your rooms in less than an hour. From clearing the clutter to cleaning the windows, level 1 of 101 Ways to Make More Space includes simple, everyday ways to increase the feeling of space in your place. Level 2 gets down to some serious storage ideas, and level 3 is the house addition that really will change the way you live. Every project has a full description of how to put the idea into practice, and is illustrated by full-color photos. All of the ideas and materials in these books are accessible to the reader, and to prove it, each book comes with a complete with list of US suppliers for the materials used throughout, and contacts for specialist advice.
Book Description
In the summer of 1998, Daniel Gordis and his family moved to Israel from Los Angeles. They planned to be there for a year, during which time Daniel would be a Fellow at the Mandel Institute in Jerusalem. This was a euphoric time in Israel. The economy was booming, and peace seemed virtually guaranteed. A few months into their stay, Gordis and his wife decided to remain in Israel permanently, confident that their children would be among the first generation of Israelis to grow up in peace.
Immediately after arriving in Israel, Daniel had started sending out e-mails about his and his family’s life to friends and family abroad. These missives—passionate, thoughtful, beautifully written, and informative—began reaching a much broader readership than he’d ever envisioned, eventually being excerpted in The New York Times Magazine to much acclaim. An edited and finely crafted collection of his original e-mails, If a Place Can Make You Cry is a first-person, immediate account of Israel’s post-Oslo meltdown that
cuts through the rhetoric and stridency of most dispatches from that country or from the international media.
Above all, Gordis tells the story of a family that must cope with the sudden realization that they took their children from a serene and secure neighborhood in Los Angeles to an Israel not at peace but mired in war. This is the chronicle of a loss of innocence—the innocence of Daniel and his wife, and of their children. Ultimately, through Gordis’s eyes, Israel, with all its beauty, madness, violence, and history, comes to life in a way we’ve never quite seen before.
Daniel Gordis captures as no one has the years leading up to what every Israeli dreaded: on April 1, 2002, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon declared that Israel was at war. After an almost endless cycle of suicide bombings and harsh retaliation, any remaining chance for peace had seemingly died.
If a Place Can Make You Cry is the story of a time in which peace gave way to war, when childhood innocence evaporated in the heat of hatred, when it became difficult even to hope. Like countless other Israeli parents, Gordis and his wife struggled to make their children’s lives manageable and meaningful, despite it all. This is a book about what their children gained, what they lost, and how, in the midst of everything, a whole family learned time and again what really matters.
Customer Reviews:
An honest witness to the struggle of Israel .......2004-12-09
Daniel Gordis is a Jewish writer and educator. When he brought his family to Israel for a year he did not know the dramatic turnabout they would come to face. The terror- war which the Palestinians launched when the Clinton brokered peace - process broke down in late September 2000 means his family is exposed to a kind of violence they had never imagined. In clear and informative E- mails to friends he tells the story of this year of what his family goes through. A person of the liberal left, a super- tolerant idealist he comes to understand that it is not enough for one side to want peace, but rather that both sides must. He becomes more passionate in his defense of Israel when he understands that really it is a country subject to aggression fighting for its own life . He too confronts the hard questions of his own family members, his childrens' suspicions that they are being sacrificed on the altar of their parents idealism. This book is important precisely because Gordis is clearly such a ' man of peace and good- will'. And because it shows how complicated and difficult the struggle of Israel is for life and peace.
A moving story.......2004-10-31
Yes, this is a splendid account of what it has been like for the Gordis family, moving to Israel from California. And it's worth reading.
But why did I read it? It was because I'd seen an article by Gordis called "Take Off That Mask." The article was in the form of a letter, sent at Purim to Jill Jacobs, a graduating rabbinical student. The letter began, "Dear Jill," and I simply had to read it. Jill was quite properly concerned about human rights in Israel, not just for Jews but for everyone. But when she wrote about it, she came up with something quite controversial that eventually got a reply from Gordis. He pointed out that Jill was showing an unjustified certainty that Israel was simply Wrong, and that she was claiming that Israel had better options that were manifest to any moral person. And that her writing showed a dangerous and myopic irresponsibility, as well as a lack of love for Israel. Well, after reading all that, I simply had to read "If a Place Can Make You Cry."
The more I thought about this interesting and thoughtfully written book, the more I realized that it deserved a jilllike response. Maybe something like, um:
Dear Daniel,
I'm a Pagan. I really enjoyed your book. I don't judge Israel. I don't think it is Wrong. And I don't know what it ought to do. Still, even though I know that many centuries ago, the Jews in that region killed Jezebel, I truly support Israel. And I hope that it will thrive in peace and that vast numbers of Israeli Jews will be walking out of Yom Kippur services during Yizkor.
I've thought about why Israel is rightfully Yours and not Mine. And here is my answer. There are millions of You. And just one of Me. And You wanted Israel and You outbid others and bought the land and made it bloom. That is why it is rightfully Yours.
Shabbat Shalom,
Jill
A personal and informative account of life in Israel.......2004-09-08
Began as e-mails back home to family, this book's strength is the description of day-to-day life in Israel through good times and bad. For the book, Gordis intersperses the letters with political commentary to give some context to the letters' time of writing. More personal than David Horovitz' A Little Too Close to God, it is similar in bringing the political and personal together as a family debates the wisdom of staying in Israel when the peace process goes bad. You will get drawn into experiencing the emotions and ambivalences the Gordis parents and children have about their life. Very readable!
For Those Who Have All the Answers.......2002-12-17
This is a MUST READ for anyone who thinks they have a solution to the problems in the Middle East. Rabbi Gordis doesn't present ideology -- rather, he gives us a dose of reality; of what he and his family face every day, along with constantly questioning the decision they made to remain in Israel. I've read a lot of negative comments regarding "putting his children in harm's way," but he is teaching his children what's to be valued, cherished and fought for -- not land, per se, as some have intimated but, rather, the ideal of one place on this earth that Jews can live -- one day, God willing, in peace. Israel serves its purpose not only as the one place Jews in peril can immigrate to, but as a place of inspiration and dedication. While Israeli and American parents both want the same thing for their children -- they should only be happy, have a successful career, a loving spouse, healthy children and NOT have to face going to war. Israeli parents, however, know there is something more -- that achieving these personal goals should not come at the expense or peril of the country's goals.
In the past, I have had opinions as to what Israel should or shoould not do to make peace, but this book highlights better than anything else what the daunting reality is vis-a-vis a solution. While we may all "pray for the peace in Jerusalem," the reality is that more than prayer is needed, and there may not be A single solution or long-term peace -- at least not without other Arab countries stepping in.
This is an extremely well-written, highly enlightening book, and the next time I hear anyone stating a firm opinion as to what Israel should do, I'm going to recommend they read this before the spout off again!
Profoundly Sad.......2002-12-03
I started "If A Place Can Make You Cry" expecting what the dust jacket promises -- the story of a family's move from California to Israel, from safety to war, why they did it and how it affected them (particularly the children). What I got instead was something very different, worth reading for the many questions it raises, but profoundly sad and dispiriting -- one man's journey from a religion and culture based on moral values to one based on land and security. As Gordis puts it toward the end of the book, "when you finally understand what is important to you, you have to be willing to fight for it." (266) The land of Israel itself becomes that important to Gordis, important enough that he is willing to stand aside and tolerate the suffering of innocent Palestinians (of which he admits there are many) in order to secure his family's safety. (See pages 186-87 for an explicit admission that he is sacrificing his values for security.) Maybe I would do no better in his place, but it still sad to watch.
Gordis will make you think about other interesting questions -- what does it mean to have a home? Can one live a meaningful Jewish life outside Israel? How does one justify where one lives (or doesn't live)? Gordis is of two minds on many of these questions -- for example, he states several times that he's not suggesting all Jews are morally obligated to move to Israel, but at the same time, he does in fact suggest that meaningful Jewish life is possible only if it is at risk (see, e.g., page 259). Gordis seems to be utterly befuddled by the idea of secular Israelis or secular Jews (for example, at pages 66-67, where he asks "what is the point?" of having this country if it's not religious) -- apparently ignoring the fact that there would be no State of Israel without the secular Zionists. (For an interesting look at combining secular values with the religious and cultural heritage of Judaism, read "From Jerusalem to the Edge of Heaven," by Ari Elon.)
It is not surprising that Gordis fails to offer any solutions to what are obviously very complicated problems. Where it seems to me that the book really fails is in the limited range of viewpoints it presents. Perhaps because the book originated in personal emails to family and friends, it consists almost entirely of Gordis' personal observations and angst, his own questioning of himself, his values and his actions. His wife and children are present only as foils, for Gordis to react to something they've said, done or experienced. I did not come away with any sense of who they are or what any of them really think. Secular, Orthodox and Palestinian viewpoints are barely mentioned (of these, the best represented are the Palestinians, interestingly enough, although mostly to illustrate Israeli failures). At the end, it's hard to say whether you've learned much about the state of Israel today or if you've just learned something about one man's viewpoint. And although that viewpoint develops somewhat over time, the constant hammering away at the same issues becomes tiring by the end by the book (again, if you read one email/chapter every few weeks, it probably wouldn't be nearly so bad).
Despite these significant qualifications, the book is generally well written, a quick read, and I am giving it extra credit for presenting a point of view we seldom get to see and for making me think about the questions he raises.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Midstream, published by Theodor Herzl Foundation on May 1, 2003. The length of the article is 2531 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Life during wartime.(If a Place Can Make You Cry: Dispatches from an Anxious State)(Book Review) (book review)
Author: Joel Streicker
Publication:
Midstream (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 1, 2003
Publisher: Theodor Herzl Foundation
Volume: 49
Issue: 4
Page: 39(3)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Books:
- Dumas Fils: La Dame Aux Camelias (French Texts)
- Dune Boy: The Early Years of a Naturalist (Library of Indiana Classics)
- Eating Crow: A Novel of Apology
- El engaño de mi marido
- Elect Mr. Robinson for a Better World: A novel
- Entering Normal (Ballantine Reader's Circle)
- Enuma Elish: The Epic Of Creation
- Farewell to Matyora (European Classics)
- Feather Crowns
- Forcing Amaryllis
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Kamasutra, Introduction by Chaturvedi Badrinath
- History: Fiction or Science
- Electroanalytical Stripping Methods
- Half in Love : Stories
- History: Fiction or Science
- History: Fiction or Science
- Everyday Parenting the First Five Years
- 52 Great Art Projects for Kids
- Field Guide to the Aesthetic Experience
- Dawn of the Age of Mammals in the Northern Part of the Rocky Mountain Interior, North America
