Mr. Lincoln's Wars: A Novel in Thirteen Stories

Amazon.com

Adam Braver's debut novel, Mr. Lincoln's Wars, is a faithful execution of a bright idea. Thirteen stories with various narrators give us perspectives on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. We learn Mary Todd Lincoln's exhaustion and grief: "You're a pox, Abraham Lincoln, you bring tragedy to everything you touch. Kill all of the boys in this country, as well as your own." We hear from Zack Hargrove, the meanest, toughest Union soldier there was. We read an imaginary letter from a war widow to Mr. Lincoln, gloating over the death of her abusive husband. To all of these stories, Braver brings a boldly anachronistic writing style. His people speak contemporary language, and what's more, they feel contemporary (or at least post-Freudian) feelings. As Braver has it, the death of Lincoln's son defined and drove the President as much as the fight for abolition. The wildly violent Zack Hargrove had a dad who beat him, and John Wilkes Booth had father issues, too. Braver is determined to illuminate Lincoln's story with a new, more psychologically astute light. The result is carefully done and occasionally compelling, but in his efforts to expand our idea of Lincoln, Braver ends up with a strangely protracted, short-sighted view. --Claire Dederer

Book Description

Mr. Lincoln's Wars marks the emergence of a remarkably gifted writer. In this wildly inventive, highly ambitious collection, Adam Braver explores Abraham Lincoln's inner life and personal turmoils -- while also reflecting on the indelible impact Lincoln had on the nation during the last year of his presidency.

Writing with lyrical yet muscular prose, Braver brings Abraham Lincoln to life, not just as the strong and resilient president of history books, but as a griefstricken father, heartbroken over the loss of his young son. Narrated from the multiple perspectives of Abraham Lincoln and those whose lives he touched, Mr. Lincoln's Wars shows a president who is distraught over his inability to keep his country from destroying itself through civil war and a man who is fighting inner demons during a time of great crisis.

Across a rich canvas of truth and imagination, Mr. Lincoln's Wars reveals the president in his darkest hours within the White House walls. We see Lincoln as he explores the meaning of loss through a chance encounter with the father of a slain soldier. And a goodhearted young Union soldier is quickly turned into a killer in the name of President Lincoln. Finally, there is the assassination and the autopsy, as seen through the eyes of John Wilkes Booth, Mary Lincoln, the assistant surgeon general, and one of Lincoln's closest friends.

Brilliant in its depiction of the country during the waning days of the war, the book is an insightful and moving exploration of the myth of celebrity and the passions it arouses. More than anything, however, Mr. Lincoln's Wars introduces a talented new writer whose storytelling ability knows no bounds.

Customer Reviews:

Couldn't get through the first half.......2007-08-10

This book just doesn't have the feel and the raw emotion that can be found from the typical Civil War/Lincoln novel. It also lacks any great historical background. While those fallacies could be made up for with great character building and liteary wit, those cannot be found in this novel of short stories. These fictional short stories will leave you with a longing for real literature. In fact, I found myself reading along and realizing NOTHING was happening.

I put it down and I love Civil War/Lincoln novels.......2007-01-13

The sudden and unnecessary graphic passages, intended for "shock value", ruined the prose for me. There are too many other books that I want to read, so I put this one down. There's a reason it has a discounted price right now. It's not a good book.

Kathryn.......2005-12-13

Mr. Lincoln's Wars is a book filled with interesting anecdotes to help readers understand the Civil War on a more personal level. Divided up into thirteen short stories, this book is an easy and quick read. Rather than list facts and statistics about the Civil War, Braver uses interesting stories to depict the war in a way that is more personal and more moving. Each story tells of a different "war" of a different person to help readers gain an inside understanding of what the war was really like for Americans. Some stories describe what the relationship among the Lincoln family members is like, for example how Mary and Abraham get along with the stress of running a war-torn nation on top of the recent loss of a son. The relationship between them probably wasn't great, and this book helps to illustrate that. Some stories help the reader to see the war through Mary Todd Lincoln's eyes, and what other government officials possibly thought of her. Other stories also give the inside look on soldiers from both sides, nurses, fathers, and other Americans who lives were affected by the war. Stories depicted the way in which this war tore apart the families of those with sons. In addition, Braver has also concocted a story about what may have persuaded John Wilkes Booth to kill the president and what may have been running through his mind as he shot that fatal bullet. However, Braver does use graphic descriptions and word choices that some readers may take very offensively. Almost every story contains a explicit reference that could be left out. Though Braver does help readers gain an understanding of the emotional and physiological effects of the war on all different types of Americans, this understanding would not be hindered in anyway if certain scenes and words were not used.

Moving and Literary look at the Civil War and its Consequenc.......2005-04-13

I enjoyed this little book a good deal. Basically it consists of 13 short stories all revolving around Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War told from assorted points of view including ordinary soldiers, Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth. Like all good literary fiction, the point of the stories is not so much to describe events as to show the impact of those events on the protagonists. We see how Lincoln and his wife are affected by the tragedy of the death of their son, the demons that drove Booth to murder, the way in which war brutalizes the ordinary soldier. Like all good historical fiction, these stories bring characters of the 19th century to life in a realistic way. My only quibble with the book is with the portrayal of Lincoln. Very little is known about Lincoln's inner most thoughts. Although a most jocular man, he was actually somewhat closed and few of his friends or associates could genuinely say they knew him well. That is why Gore Vidal, in his great novel "Lincoln" gets inside the head of the people around the president but not Lincoln himself. There is nothing wrong with a modern writer making assumptions about the thoughts of a historical character in a work of fiction. But a number of the things Braver reveals about Lincoln are jarring and some are false. For example, Lincoln was known to never drink liquor, yet several of the stories portray Lincoln as having been a drinker in his youth and even taking a drink in the White House as president. This simply didn't ring true to me. And although there is no real evidence of Lincoln's sexual thoughts and feelings, I still found it jarring to see the specific, if not graphic portrayal of an historical figure's sex life, particularly when that figure chose to keep his sexual life to himself. In one scene Lincoln remembers the smell of Anne Rutledge's neck. There is no evidence that he was ever in a position to smell her neck although it is generally accepted that he loved the doomed girl who died so young.

Nevertheless, these quibbles do not much diminish the overall quality of this work. The stories are by and large moving and provocative and guaranteed to make the reader think about profound things. Yet the prose style is light and breezy and flows beautifully from page to page. I recommend it.

Seek Another Book.......2005-02-04

I found Mr. Lincoln's Wars to be both offensive and uninspiring. The stories are saturated with some of the most offensive and vulgar language, and the constant hurtling of those profanities at the reader becomes quite annoying and tiresome. Mr. Braver serves up some of the crudest descriptions I have been confronted with, and as an independent reviewer, I have read many.

Christian writers will certainly be offended by the author's misuse of the Lord's name as an expletive. He allows his fictional characters free reign. The sexually explicit content is also grossly unwelcome and serves no real purpose with relationship to the stories. Readers would do well to invest their money in a different book.

If this book is to be, as the quotes on the cover indicate, some new hallmark of literary fiction, then may God help us all. Were there a lower rating than one star I would certainly bestow it upon this piece of work.

Book Description

Every child in town wanted one of Henry Stauf’s handcrafted toys—so intricate, detailed, almost magically lifelike. After a terrible illness claimed the life of each child who cherished one of the toys, Stauf retired to the seclusion of his mansion on the hill—perhaps unspeakably saddened by the puzzling deaths. Perhaps not.

Years pass, and the Stauf mansion, slowly deteriorating, stands as a macabre reminder of the horror that swept through the town. Within its walls, Henry Stauf plans his final outrage against an unsuspecting world. What evil will the madman unleash? What fearful secrets does his mansion hold?

Six guests venture to the Stauf Mansion one desperate night, each with a private hell to escape, each certain Henry Stauf will be the instrument of salvation. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Only the seventh guest stands between their greed and the world's damnation!

MATTHEW J. COSTELLO wrote the game script for The 7th Guest and its sequel, The 11th Hour, and is currently collaborating with a popular horror novelist on another multimedia game. Costello has written many novels, including The Time Warrior novels, Time of the Fox and Hour of the Scorpion; the Seaquest DSV novelization, Fire Below; and the novels Home and Darkborn. He lives in Ossining, New York.

CRAIG SHAW GARDNER has written numerous novels, including The Other Sinbad, The Ebenezum Trilogy, and The Cineverse Cycle. He also wrote the movie novelizations of Batman and Batman Returns, the former a New York Times bestseller. He lives just outside Boston, Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews:

Not that bad of a book.......2005-10-22

I'm a big fan of the PC game "7th Guest" and the sequel "11th Hour." Well since I hadn't played the game in a while I thought i'd order the book and read it to refresh the story. Well it does a good job telling you about the characters but the story seemed rushed and confusing at some parts. If you are a fan of the game get this book. If you've never played it, I still recommend it. Enjoy

Not Very Good.......2003-01-30

I found this book to be all right but it was poorly written. The book seemed too short and rushed. The word usage was terrible making me believe that the author is not much of a talent. The only thing that interested me about it was that I played and enjoyed the game and the book refreshed the story for me. I do not recommend this for anyone unless they enjoyed the game.

Trapped.......2002-08-25

like many of the characters in this novel it is very possible to be trapped in this book. You absolutely cannot put it down towards the end. I grew up playing the game never realizeing it was based on a book until I chanced across "Unidentified", with the words from the author of " The 7th Guest". I highly recommend this to everyone. It is on the short side, so for those of us with busy schedules it is the perfect just before bedtime book.

A great game, A great book........2002-03-16

The ending is the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. It was a bit choppy and through me for a loop. But it was a fun read. If you got into the video game, you will really like this book too.

This book is wonderful!!!.......1999-07-10

I hate reading, especially if it's a book with no meaning. One day I went shopping with my dad and I saw this book on a shelf picked it up and started reading it inside the store cause it loked so interesting. I started reading it and right from the beggining it was spectacular. I of course begged my dad to get it and I still haven't finished reading it. I'm telling you it is a great book!!

Book Description

CAUGHT IN A WEB OF PASSION, DESTINY AND MAGIC For years the provinces of Deverry have been in turmoil, but the conflict escalates to new heights with the kidnapping of Rhodry, heir to the throne of Aberwyn. Intent on rescuing him, his beloved Jill and the elven wizard Salamander infiltrate the distant land of Bardek, where Rhodry is held captive.

Tied to Deverry by bonds of obligation, the immortal wizard Nevyn begins to see that all its problems originate from a single source - his ancient enemy, a master of dark magics, backed by a network of evil that stretches across the sea. With this realization, Nevyn understands that he too is being lured to Bardek, and into a subtle and deadly trap...

Katharine Kerr's novels of the Kingdom of Deverry unfold in a world of stunning richness and depth, portrayed with unequalled imagination and realism. Now, with Dragonspell, she returns to this enchanted kingdom for the most powerful story yet in this epic series.

Customer Reviews:

Good, but it can be WAY better..........2000-04-04

For the people that don't know, Dragonspell is also called The Dragon Revenant, which is published by Bantam Books. Kerr can definitely can do better. I kinda found the book quite tedious, despite all the action. Because the 4/5 of the book was pretty much devoted to getting Rhodry back and from his mistress (whom with their love affair I found absolutely revolting), I thought it was a complete waste to have the last 1/5 of the book to be set on the "painful separation" of Rhodry and Jill because of dweamor, and Rhodry's new wife. I mean, COME ONE PEOPLE! If anything, cut the boat trip short and all, because I don't want to waste my time just reading about how bored they were on their boat trip back.

I loved it.......2000-01-26

This is such a sweet book - well I think so anyway. Nevyn finally gets Jill and all that. I don't know why I read this one third last - I've read all the others. I love this series and it deserves recognition.

very real.......1999-11-09

Okey, this is a fanatsy book but it feels so real. After reading a while you begin to belive in gnomes, dwarfs and other things that are described in this book. Its a wonderful descibition of a country that relly doesnt exist. This book take place in Bardek, the islands in the southern sea.

Average customer rating:

Dragonspell - The Southern Sea
Katharine KERR
Manufacturer: SOLD.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OOY95Y

Average customer rating:

Dragonspell : the Southern Sea
Katharine Kerr
Manufacturer: Grafton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPZM8Q

Average customer rating:

DRAGONSPELL The Southern Sea
Katharine Kerr
Manufacturer: Grafton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPY5J8

Product Description

Meals on the trail can be as delicious and varied as meals prepared at home. You can create meals to suit your tastes or diet--vegetarian, low fat, Asian, Italian. Meals prepared and dehydrated at home are compact and lightweight, perfect for the backpacker, and safer than packing perishable foods. The author shows how to prepare the meals so that they will travel well and will be easy to reconstitute in camp. The easy step-by-step instructions detail how to cook and dry lightweight, satisfying meals at home and then prepare them easily in camp--truly complete, instant meals. About the Author:Linda Frederick Yaffe is a lifelong camper and outdoors person who works as a librarian and teaches backpacking classes. She has written two other books: High Trails Cookery and The Well-Organized Camper. She lives in Auburn, California. Over 160 recipes for soups, stews, pasta, casseroles, and breakfast and snack ideas Potato Soup Parmesan, Seafood Stew, Sweet and Sour Noodles, Spicy Chicken Tips on drying food in a dehydrator or oven

Customer Reviews:

Survive the back woods or thrird World.......2007-07-06

Well who'd ever think I, a middled aged man married to a wonderful wife and cook,would be cooking for 4 in the third world, anything other than PB&J's.
They all laughed at me as I stashed vac-packed meals into 4 seperate ditty bags, I would just smile and say I wanted to be prepared.
As we went off the main road and up into the mountain villages, by the third day thier tune started to change.

Wonderful quick meals Breakfasts(eggs and sausage) soups for lunch, lasanga and stews for dinner and even bisguits. breakfast squares, granola bars, and carrot soup were the big hits with the ladies but I think they just enjoyed not having to cook.
The meals are power packed and full of protien very nutritional. easy to find or grow ingredients.The portions were plentiful, usually we would share in the villages.

Now from grill master at home to the trail chef cooking lasnqna in the bush in less than 5 minutes they want me to cook these meals at home .

I Highly recommend this book to all who travel and camp where there are no stores. Cooking meals 1st then dehyrating them not only saved lots of weight in the backpack, but allows you to spice them up to your liking before you dehydrate, so meals are a delight not the same old, same old, very important on 3-4 week trips.
(A good cook always tastes the food before giving to the critics)
These Nutritional meals keep your body healthy and full of energy to work or play the next day. yet allow you to pack away plenty in a small space. also you can prepare them and stash them in the freezer months before.
Not a bad Idea to have on hand in a disaster kit stored in a sealed bucket with a couple of cases of water in the cool basement either.

Don't forget the water filter and small pot to cook & eat out of.

Eatin' Good On the Trail.......2007-04-12

Your hiking trips no longer have to be full of boring meals in a can. Now you can cook great meals at home ahead of time and rehydrate them on the trail.

Changed my backpacking life!.......2007-03-19

This is the book I have been waiting for. I love to cook, I love to eat, and I love to backpack, and this book lets me enjoy all three. Previously, I was one of those backpackers who ate mac-n-cheese and Lipton noodles over and over and over. It was really boring, and I wasn't getting enough protein in my diet. Getting ready for our epic 4 month hike on the PCT this summer, I wanted to try food dehydrating, but I also needed a recipe book. After lots of online research I ordered this book and "Trail Food" by Alan Kesselheim. Kesselheim and Yaffe have completely different approaches, and I find Yaffe's approach far more user-friendly. You DO NOT want to mess with drying each food item separately and then trying to assemble them in the backcountry. You are tired, you are hungry. You do not want to spend lots of time messing with ten different little baggies and jars of spices and oils. Leave all of that at home. Yaffe's approach is simple and elegant, and I'm quite honestly shocked that more people don't do it this way: You make your soup, stew, pasta dish or casserole in the comfort of your home. The key is that you must keep the chunks of vegetables, etc. very small. You then spread the dish in thin layers on your dehydrator trays and let the dehydrator do all of the work. Just this weekend, we went backpacking and ran the true field test: rehydrating all of the foods that I had previously dehydrated. The results were impressive. Breakfast casseroles, delicious spaghetti for dinner, tuna and bruschetta spreads at lunch, and none of it had that preservative-laden flavor that store-bought foods are cursed with. The only two comments I would make where Yaffe didn't get it quite right are that I can't fit the whole dish into the dehydrator (if you only have four trays like I do), so we usually end up eating some of it for dinner (not a bad thing). The second thing is that her recommended drying times seem a bit too short. I've had to add an extra hour or two to many of the recipes, but again, this is not a big deal as I dry most of this stuff overnight anyway. If you are looking for a lightweight backpacking meal solution, you cannot live without this book!

They are wrong, and she is right!.......2007-02-27

If you are going to buy a book about backpack dehydrating this is the one. I have read several others and beat my brains out trying to get spagetti sauce to powder, etc. They are all wrong, and she is right. Don't try to dehydrate the ingredients separately, cook the whole meal and then dehydrate the whole thing together. It seems too good to be true, but it really works, and it works both easier and better. Make it your own way (within a few simple limits), and it really is better, cheaper, and easier than buying the commercial deydrated foods. I might have thought of it myself, if all of the other books weren't so misleading!

Tasty & Practical.......2007-01-16

Wide variety of menu items that will satisfy anyone's taste, and they won't bankrupt you. Easy to find ingredients at your local grocery store.

Average customer rating:

Buy this book if you want to help homeless dogs find a loving family!

Another book of happy endings...

An Excellent sequel to Found Dogs : Tales of Strays Who Landed on Their Feet

A Dog Lover's Joy

Heartbreaking and heartwarming

Second Chances: More Tales of Found Dogs
Elise Lufkin
Manufacturer: The Lyons Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Dogs | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Essays | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Found Dogs: Tales of Strays Who Landed on Their Feet

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Shelter Dogs: Amazing Stories of Adopted Strays

The Dogs Who Found Me: What I've Learned from Pets Who Were Left Behind

Just Gus: A Rescued Dog and the Woman He Loved

ASIN: 1592287476

Book Description

Millions of dogs and puppies are abandoned each year, resulting in a world filled with stray dogs of all breeds and sizes. Many of these strays come to a bad end, but every now and then a
stray dog is found by a compassionate person--whether picked up on the street or picked out from an animal shelter--and given a second chance. Some of these dogs are lame, blind, ill, or simply unwanted. These dogs are special. And so are the people who have chosen to give them a second chance. Found dogs seem to be especially grateful, loyal, and loving. They, who have sometimes been rescued from death’s door, become beloved members of families, giving affection, companionship, and solace. They become productive members of society as service dogs, therapy dogs, and search-and-rescue dogs themselves. Observers might
say that these dogs are lucky, but more often the people who have adopted them think that they are the lucky ones.
Second Chances is full of wonderful photos and words by people who have given dogs a second chance. Celebrities from Mikhail Baryshnikov to Oscar de la Renta and everyday heroes who have found dogs of all sorts--from sleek greyhounds
to scruffy mutts--share their tales of discovery and canine-human friendship.
Second Chances is a tribute to these extraordinary dogs and their people. It
is a testimony to the gift of love and salvation. And, in each case, it is difficult to say just who has saved whom.

Customer Reviews:

Buy this book if you want to help homeless dogs find a loving family!.......2007-05-02

This book is full of profoundly moving stories, both heart-rending and heart-warming, and it is beautifully photographed. The author donates all the profits from her books to humane organizations to help rescue and rehabilitate abused and abandoned pets so that they can find new, loving homes. So if you love animals, buy it for yourself, your family, and your friends; you'll be glad you did!

Another book of happy endings..........2007-01-05

I purchased this book along with "Found Dogs: Strays Who Landed On Their Feet" and I enjoyed the happy ending stories just as much. As an employee at a local rescue group, I get to see on daily basis the many unhappy endings of strays. This book was a nice break from the many unhappy realities facing strays.

An Excellent sequel to Found Dogs : Tales of Strays Who Landed on Their Feet .......2006-04-11

I originally bought Found Dogs : Tales of Strays Who Landed on Their Feet and fell in love with the book. One of our kids Miles is a rescue dog and I can definitely relate to the stories in that book and this sequel.

This book is twice as big as the first and the stories are just wonderful. The stories are pretty much everyday people telling their tales of giving dogs a second chance at a great life. It made me feel great to know that there are others in this world who take care of their dogs as much and sometimes as nutty as my husband and I do :). If you've got a furry friend, this book is SO worth it - another 2 paws up from this pack!

A Dog Lover's Joy.......2005-10-14

This book was given to a special friend that loves dogs so much she adopted one. Her dog brings her much happiness and their story could be included in this sweet book. I recommend it for all dog lovers.

Heartbreaking and heartwarming.......2005-09-07

The stories in this book are wonderful. The various backgrounds from which the dogs came from are heartbreaking, but the 'second chance' portions of these stories are very heartwarming. Every animal lover should read this book.

Book Description

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford contains one of the best and most representative collections of Bronze Age Cycladic art outside of Greece. This comprehensive, fully illustrated catalog includes results from new scientific and technical examinations of these outstanding works of art, which are
made of marble, metal, stone, clay, and shell.

Average customer rating:

Simply Stars

Alex gives the missing detail!

Don't bother...

good quality and explicitly demonstrated

My Favorite Quilt Book

Simply Stars: Quilts That Sparkle
Alex Anderson
Manufacturer: C&T Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Applique | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Quilts & Quilting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Textile Arts | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Alex Anderson | Expert Advice | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Beautifully Quilted with Alex Anderson: How to Choose or Create the Best Designs for Your Quilt: 6 Timeless Projects, Full-Size Patterns, Ready to Use

ASIN: 1571200193

Customer Reviews:

Simply Stars.......2007-04-07

Alex helps you learn to use color in star blocks. Then use your knowledge to construct different star patterns. Great book for beginners to expert.

Alex gives the missing detail!.......2006-06-05

The book provides easy to follow instructions on making several variations for a few basic stars (about 5 or 6 basic stars) and gives good examples of different color schemes and settings.

But what I most appreciated about this book is that Alex included a section -- with illustrations -- showing how to line up all the different triangular pieces used in all the different stars.

As a new quilter I have followed star patterns in a few other books but none of them explained "When you're sewing a triangle to a rectangle, line up these two edges..." The guide in this book shows all different types of angles and pieces used in different stars and how to align the fabric before sewing. Invaluable!

Don't bother..........2005-07-05

You would be much better off purchasing one of the other books about star quilts. I was looking for a book w/various star designs. Alex just takes the same star and uses different fabrics to come up w/different looks. Big deal! I can do that myself. I love her show, but this is my second book I've been suckered into buying...never again!!

good quality and explicitly demonstrated.......2005-05-17

Beginning with a vast section on fabric selections & combinations, this book exhibits about 12 quilts for inspiration and goes on to demonstrate in detail around 15 projects.

Step by step instructions are of good quality and explicitly demonstrated, while there is plenty of colour and shape variety within the limitations of star quilts.

Obviously a very popular book, with quilts of varying difficulty for the beginners & more advanced. Difficulty level indicated.

Perhaps not the most inspirational book I have seen, but interesting nonetheless.

Recommend library borrowing, unless you are planning a star quilt yourself, in which case the book could be invaluable.

kotori 2005

My Favorite Quilt Book.......2000-08-13

This is a great book. The instructions are clear, the photos are good. I especailly liked the author's comments on how to choose colors. They inspired me to try new combinations.

Average customer rating:

Simply Stars: quilts that sparkle
Alex Anderson
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000ON13UY

Customer Reviews:

Terribly exciting read for the modern-day Orisha devotee.......2005-09-14

Peter McKenzie has sifted through the field notes, diaries, and other archival materials of tourists, adventurers, missionaries, military officials, and others to paint a picture of Orisha worship as it was practiced in Yoruba speaking territories in the mid-nineteenth century. It is very interesting that by comparison it seems that the rituals of veneration of the Orishas on THIS side of the Atlantic in modern times bear more in common with the Orisha worship of the past than the practices in modern day Nigeria. It is as if a snapshot of Orisha worship was taken by the people who would be torn from their homes and enslaved in the "new world" and that it has remained faithful to their socio-religious heritage and, in contrast, the forces of missionary Christianity and Islamic proselytization in Nigeria have birthed a very different form of veneration in the cradle of its own origin.

Amazon.com

While the serious Star Wars buff should settle for nothing less than the comprehensive Phantom Menace Illustrated Screenplay, this PM storybook packs a lot of punch in its 64 pages, with well-chosen screen shots and an abbreviated, novelized script. This young-adult adaptation hits all the major plot points, from the Trade Federation's ambush of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon through to Anakin's wild starfighter ride and the triumphant victory parade on Naboo. Crystal clear stills from the movie stop the action, zooming you in for a closer look. Finally, you get to check out every member of the Jedi Council, study a Podracer as it's blown to bits, and decide at long last just who's uglier, Watto or Darth Maul. (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes

Book Description

For the first time in more than a decade, movie fans can revel in the complete illustrated screenplay from a brand new STAR WARS film: Episode I--the long-awaited story that begins the epic saga. Revisit your favorite characters . . . encounter new heroes and villains . . . journey back to familiar places . . . and enter strange, exciting new worlds . . .

From the page to screen, this beautiful volume unveils the origins of the world's greatest space epic--starring young Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi, the plucky droid R2-D2, the ever-efficient C-3PO, and all of their daring and exotic allies as they face the growing threat ignited by political intrigue and the decay of the Galactic Republic.

As a bonus, this special volume is lavishly illustrated with pages of original line-art storyboards pulled from the legendary Lucasfilm archives. These sequential drawings whisk you through the wondrous events of the movie itself, transporting you behind the scenes and revealing a vital part of the creative process--one in which filmmaker George Lucas choreographs every shot of the action from the opening titles to the final roll of the credits.

Whether you're a serious collector or a new STAR WARS fan, this book allows you to experience the wonder of EPISODE I firsthand--today and for years to come.

Customer Reviews:

my review by happy man.......2006-07-15

it was great but it wasn't, if ya see what I mean... anyway, I'm gay. it was goooooooooooooogley good! aha aha.

Politics, intrigue, and the boy who would be Vader............2004-04-29

I have been fascinated with screenplays and the art of writing them since I read my first copy of Carol Titleman's The Art of Star Wars, a trade paperback which, along with production paintings, costume designs, photos of models, composites, and storyboards, contained the uncut fourth draft of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. (This, by the by, was the first time I saw the new moniker for the film everyone still calls "Star Wars.") In that book, I not only read lines of dialogue and relived some of my favorite movie moments (this was before I owned my first VCR), but I also saw scenes that had been left out of the final film, either left unshot or deleted after filming (such as Han's encounter with Jabba the Hutt.)

Shortly before the premiere of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, I was stunned when I saw The Illustrated Screenplay and Terry Brooks' novelization at my usual bookstore. Lucas had clamped down on the release of the Return of the Jedi novelization 16 years before (to prevent certain plot revelations from getting out too soon), and I had expected him to do the same with The Phantom Menace. Being the dedicated Star Wars fan that I am, I bought both and read them as the soundtrack album played in the background.

The Illustrated Screenplay's version of The Phantom Menace differs somewhat from the finished movie. It is essentially the same, of course, following the Naboo Crisis from the arrival of Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi aboard the Trade Federation flagship to the parade at Theed. However, in an attempt to cut the film's running time to just over two hours, several heavily political scenes set in the Galactic Senate were nixed, which in a way helped the film. Sadly, a few lines which I really liked, including one involving Obi-Wan and a shorted out lightsaber, didn't make it to the finished film. (Other scenes, which were filmed but later deleted, can be read in their entirety and in context; it's up to the reader to decide whether or not deletion was necessary.)

To me, reading the screenplay ahead of the May 19, 1999 premiere enhanced rather than detracted from the enjoyment of the picture. In fact, even while I was watching the much maligned Episode I (I think I am one of only the few non-Lucasfilm-connected persons on Earth who really likes The Phantom Menace) I not only understood what Palpatine was up to, but I could also see parallels between Anakin Skywalker's experiences and his son Luke's in Episode IV (which is set 32 years later).

The storyboards presented in this book are only a fraction of the thousands used during the pre-production stages, yet they give the reader a hint of the film's visual rhythm and energy. They are almost as good as the ones by legendary visual artist Joe Johnston, who worked on the more popular "classic" Star Wars trilogy more than 20 years ago.

For anyone interested in the finer points of screenplay writing and/or the strengths and weaknesses of the prequel saga, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace: The Illustrated Screenplay is a good reference.

Alex Diaz-Granados

very cool for the more hardcore fans................2002-05-02

First off, I thought the flick was pretty good, though a little too slow in the middle. It needed more action, more depth, less clumsy dialogue, and less kiddie stuff. We all know that now. Okay. With that in mind, the screenplay is great in some parts, and groan out loud bad in others. If you're one of the more forgiving (and less bandwagon-jumping obsessed) hardcore fans, it's a treasure. Even with all it's faults, it's cool to sit down and read how the pieces begin to fall into place. Also, this is an uncut script, so a lot of the deleted stuff you see on the DVD is in here, as is some cut dialogue. Again, I wouldn't advise this for the passive Star Wars fan, but it is a must-have for the REAL (being a relative term, of course) Star Wars fan.

A best bet.......2000-05-14

If you are willing to buy the TPM screenplay(you can get it for free on the Internet), this is your best bet. It has a selection of the orginal storyboards, cut scenes(this is the uncut screenplay), a introduction by producer Rick Mccalum, and the underwater and battle storyboards in order, kinda like a movie effect. If you like Star Wars, buy this!

Like watching the film... almost.......2000-05-09

I say this is WAY BETTER THAN THE NOVEL, you gotta read this if you want to know Lucas's TRUE vision of Episode I; but still the book has some low points however: they could at least improve the paperback quality, and I would had fill it with real screenshots among the storyboards. Besides you can use it to learn more about Lucas's storytelling style: this was written entirely by George Lucas that's why the whimp hollywood critics say that the film has a very chessy dialogue, I partially agree with them, but I still say Lucas is a wonderful storyteller and he deserves more credit, however there are some problems on these writtings that even a man with a big imagination has to deal with: I know that when you write a whole story and you make the dialogue yourself you tend to repeat the same lines again later (ex.: "you assume to much") the Star Wars IV's script has the same problem, good thing Lucas has hired another guy to help him finish the Ep.II script. I definitely liked the way this book is written, and I'm sure the film's dialogue would have been better if some lines of this book were not deleted.

Star Wars, Episode I, The Phantom Menace, The Illustrated Screenplay : Forew. by Rick McCallum. (Lucas Books)

Average customer rating:

Star Wars, Episode I, The Phantom Menace, The Illustrated Screenplay : Forew. by Rick McCallum. (Lucas Books)
George Lucas
Manufacturer: Ebury Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OH4UI2

Book Description

Jesse was raised in a poor but loving family and instilled with values of dignity, education, and perseverance even in the midst of deeply entrenched segregation. A star athlete and an outstanding student, Jesse turned a deaf ear to everyone who told him that he should attend a black college, or that he didn't stand a chance of becoming a Navy pilot. Undeterred, he made his way from the deep South to the campus of Ohio State University. Then, defying the wishes of his family and an unwritten rule of racial exclusion, he qualified for the Navy reserve and was accepted into the Naval Air Training School at Glenview, Illinois-the first black man to enter the program. On March 18, 1947, late morning, like a bird, like a kite, like an impossible dream, Jesse Leroy Brown was flying.

While other applicants-many from upper-class backgrounds-were weeded out of the rigorous qualifying process, Jesse forged ahead, often directly in the face of shameful racism and hostile superior officers. When he arrived at the cradle of Naval aviation in Pensacola, Florida, in 1947, he knew the washout rate was high and the odds were stacked against a man openly referred to as "nigger." But Jesse Leroy Brown had lots of practice beating the odds, and now he was on his way to becoming the first black man to fly a Navy fighter and make a carrier landing. He was also on his way to becoming an American hero over the battlefields of Korea.

The Flight of Jesse Leroy Brown is both a stirring story ofa man breaking historic racial barriers and a thrilling tale ofNaval carrier aviation. Award-winning author TheodoreTaylor, a master of adventure on land and sea, has written abiography that will speak to boththose who love the excite-ment of combat in the air ... and to anyone who has everdreamed the impossible dream.Jesse Leroy Brown was raised in the segregated South by a hard-working, loving family who instilled values of dignity, education, and perseverance. A star athlete and an outstanding student, he was determined to become a Navy pilot, although such a thing was unheard of for a black man in the 1940s. Undettered, he entered Ohio State University, rather than a black college, and was able to qualify for the Navy reserve and was accepted into the Naval Air Training School at Glenview, Illinois. Despite racism, and open hostility by many of his superior officers, he finally reached his goal, flying a Navy fighter plane and landing it on a carrier--the first African American ever to do so.

Customer Reviews:

The True Story of a First of Many Firsts........2007-03-06

The Flight of Jesse Leroy Brown is a tremendous book about a true story of an African American to become a naval fighter pilot. It is writen by the same auther of the Cay( search The Cay for more on it). It shows every moment of his rough journey to become an naval pilot. This book really describes the kind of person that Jesse Leroy Brown was. Jesse is one of a handful of African Americans like Martin Luther King Jr. who stood up for his rights as a person.I don't want to describe too much with out spoiling the book, so read the "Flight of Jesse Leroy Brown" and see the life of a famous fighter pilot and African American.

The true story of a first of many firsts........2007-03-06

The Flight of Jesse Leroy Brown is a tromendous book about a ture storyof a African American becoming the first african american to become a navel fighter pilot. It is writen by the same aouther of the Cay( search The Cay for more on it). Shows every moment of his rough journy to become an navel pilot. Jesse is a hand full of african americans like Martin Luther King Jr. Not to little nor not much to describe with out spoiling the book so read the Flight of Jesse Leroy Brown and see the life of a famous fighter pilot and african american.

From a fellow Naval Aviator..........2004-12-04

Jesse Leroy Brown is a true hero. His life was a shining example of perseverance and courage. Mr. Taylor's book was well written and extremely well researched. Jesse's flight school and combat experiences brought me vivid recollections of my own time in flight school and flying F/A 18s in combat. The Navy, along with American society, has gotten much better; but even in the late 80s and 90s, I observed some of the prejudice that Jesse encountered.

This book has universal appeal, but it will be especially inspirational to those who are on the leading edge of a movement.

I wish I could have met Jesse Leroy Brown and thanked him for paving the way for my success some 40 years later. My children will definitely know of his ultimate sacrifice. I thank Mr. Taylor for telling this important story.

Found - Another Forgotten Hero.......2000-04-19

The travails of the First Marine Division in its "advance in the opposite direction," at the Chosin Reservoir in 1950 are legendary. Almost unknow to them then, and to millions of Americans now, a lone black naval aviator was giving his best effort to cover their escape. He died in the line of duty doing what he had dreamed of accomplishing all his life. He was Jesse Leroy Brown. Never hear of him? Neither had I until I read his biography written by Theodore Taylor. This story cannot be simply classified as African-American History. History of the American Spirit more aptly describes the chronicle of a young black boy who set his sights high then struggled to hit the target. Readers should be prepared to be uplifted in the same manner that they were when first reading about Davey Crockett, "Unsinkable" Molly Brown or Seargent Alvin York. This is human drama and adventure at its finest.

A real hero for our times........1998-11-11

Few people have ever heard of black aviator, Jesse Leroy Brown, except for a line here or there in a rare history book. While I like a biography to have footnotes, this book is one that anyone can pick up and enjoy. Taylor tells the story through letters, retellings of conversations Brown had with friends and relatives, and he even makes up a few. While that in itself would be outrageous, by giving Brown a "voice", we get to feel his pain, fear, joys, hopes and loves as we journey with him from his childhood to his untimely death. As a black woman, I know that there are far too few heroes for young people to emulate, Brown is one we can all learn a lesson from. It was this man's quiet determination to do what he knew he could, regardless of the racial discrimination, he would run into, that we learn how to be strong.

Taylor makes you feel as if you are in the cockpit with Brown, or pushing dollies in the freight yard with his vivid descriptions (I have a fear of flying and this book did not cure it). I was most intrigued with Brown's letters, but did find it uncomfortable to read his wife's diary, the one flaw I found in the book.

But a debt of thanks is given to Taylor, because had he not written this full biography of Jesse Leroy Brown I would not have had the honor of meeting this humble man. So if you have someone who loves history, aviation or needs a real black role model (not a Tiger Woods or a Michael Jordan), put this book on your Christmas or Hanukkah list.

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