http://www.viewpoints.com/Books Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:05:32 GMT Reviews about Books http://www.viewpoints.com/Hungry-Girl--152232-review-e9e1 <p>The recipes are for 1 serving many times. Also most recipes require certain brands of items that you might not be able to locate or eat. Such as Splenda gives me a headache. The cookbook really is best if you check it out at the local library instead of buying it first. I only found 7 or 8 recipes that I was interested in preparing. I copied them and returned the book. It is not a book I would consider opening again. You can also find many hungry girl recipes on recipezarr. Just such for HG or hungry girl.</p>... Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:05:32 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Hungry-Girl--152232-review-e9e1 jcatblum 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/Robina-Williams-Gaea-review-2b2a <p>Worrying over the health and happiness of all the animals of earth, the goddess Gaea requests the Almighty Father, God of All, to allow her to teach mankind a lesson for mot taking care of her earth and all of the Lords creatures. By her side during this request is Quant, a seraph (an angel of the highest rank in the traditional Christian hierarchy) that likes to spend time on earth in the shape of a house cat. When God reminds Gaea that he is the only one that will hand out punishment and vengeance, Gaea takes the chance to offer a warning to mankind with the help of a family and friends. Always overseeing her actions is Quant with his optimism for the humans to learn, adapt and save the planet earth.<br/><br/>What a really strange mix. Religious God, Greek mythology, Leonardo Di Vinci, and dragons all have a place in this book. With such a wide variety of characters from so many different belief patterns, it is sometimes difficult to keep all the characters straight (between the gods, goddesses,...</p>... Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:05:49 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Robina-Williams-Gaea-review-2b2a onyx95 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Twilight-The-Twilight-Saga-Book-1-review-64552 <p>I was a bit skeptical to read this book at first. Everyone was reading it and I heard something about how the idea was originally borrowed from the Vampire Diaries. But then I had watched the movie out of boredom and I actually enjoyed it. Yes, the movie was abit slow but I found that the idea of immortal love and depth of love between Bella and Edward was fantastically portrayed. So I decided to read the book. I went to my nearest Walmart and picked up a copy for under 7.00$.  </p> <p>I began to read the book and I was interested by the minute. I ended up staying up all night reading it. I found it to be very romantic. The intensity of the love bella had for Edward was fantastically shown. This kept making me read more and more because I could not wait til the end of the book. </p> <p>I will not ruin the book for those who have read it but I highly recommend reading it if you are a sucker for romance stories- because this is one story you would not want to miss. Its very romantic.</p> <p>The book is even...</p>... Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:46:39 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Twilight-The-Twilight-Saga-Book-1-review-64552 whatever4ever 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/FLOWER-POTS-review-c4440 <p>One quilt from seven blocks and flowers that never die is what you will get in FLOWER POTS.  Using these blocks, you can create the quilt that Ms. Lammon intended.  Or you can be even more creative and make a combination of your own with one, two or three (or more!) of the blocks.</p> <p>Six pages of basic instructions begin FLOWER POTS.  Things like pressing, folded triangles and ways to do appliqué are found here.  The pattern begins with a materials list that will create the whole quilt.  Each block pattern gives the cutting list for that block along with a finished photo of the block.</p> <p>Instructions on how to put the block together follow with large, easy to follow graphics.  The assembly of the quilt has its own cutting list and how to assemble each row.  The final pages provide all the templates needed to create your flower blocks and even better, they are full sized so no need to enlarge them.  The final page is a short bio of Ms. Lammon.</p> <p>This small book gives you lots of possibilities...</p>... Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:55:27 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/FLOWER-POTS-review-c4440 BarbaraLyn 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Black-Hawk-Down-A-Story-of-Modern-War-review-7a020 <p> <em>"It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell."</em>  - William Tecumseh Sherman</p> <p>For all my interest in all things related to the military and especially military history, I have never lost sight of two very important concepts.</p> <p>One, of course, is the obvious reality that war is never something to be undertaken lightly,  It doesn't matter, in the long run, whether we choose to go to war or it is forced upon us, but the whole endeavor is, by its very nature, messy, cruel and unpredictable.</p> <p>The other concept I try to always remember is that we Americans, as a society, seem to have a tendency to not understand the military, its culture and its very important role in our Republic.  Right now, only those who serve (or have served) in the active duty and reserve units of the various armed services and their families know just what wearing the American uniform entails, especially...</p>... Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:20:48 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Black-Hawk-Down-A-Story-of-Modern-War-review-7a020 Fardreamer 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Twilight-The-Twilight-Saga-Book-1-review-39b21 <p>where do I start? I never had intrest in this book at all. I started picking up my cousin from high school and had nothing to do for 20 minutes while sitting in her school parking lot so I decided what the heck let's give it a try. Within the first 3 pages I was addicted. i ended up reading the book in 2 days and the other 3 in one week. I have read all 4 books 4 times. this is honestly the best story line and plot I have ever ran across. I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the new moon movie. If you have not read this book you r missing out. please don't the vampire plot turn you from reading this. this book is so much more than a vampire novel. this is a timeless story!</p>... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:49:54 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Twilight-The-Twilight-Saga-Book-1-review-39b21 jennbillbreanne 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Breaking-Dawn-The-Twilight-Saga-Book-4-review-3e4e <p>I'm an avid reader and I LOVED the books in this series.  I finally picked up these books after lots of recommendations from my students.  I really couldn't understand what all of the fuss was about.  I especially wasn't in to reading about vampires.  However, I tore through the first 3 books in less than 2 weeks and braved the Christmas Eve crowds at Border's to go get this book.  However, it wasn't nearly as good as the others.  There were some major events in this story, but I couldn't really connect to Belle and Edward.  Maybe things were too good for them.  And there daughter was imprinted on by Jacob?!  Blah, blah, blah.  I think it's important to read this book so that you can find some type of closure (although not much).  There have been rumors of a fifth book coming out and I'm waiting to read it, but as for Breaking Dawn, save your pennies, dust off your library card, and return it when you are done.</p>... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:42:46 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Breaking-Dawn-The-Twilight-Saga-Book-4-review-3e4e j1029d 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/J-K-Rowling-Harry-Potter-and-the-Chamber-of-Secrets-review-7f214 <p>gsdgsdgs df gdf gdfg df hgf h fg hf gh fghgfh gf h hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh h h h h hgfj dfhjgbdfhgbdfjhgfdhjgfgdhg gg g v v v v v v vgsdgsdgs df gdf gdfg df hgf h fg hf gh fghgfh gf h hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh h h h h hgfj dfhjgbdfhgbdfjhgfdhjgfgdhg gg g v v v v v v vgsdgsdgs df gdf gdfg df hgf h fg hf gh fghgfh gf h hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh h h h h hgfj dfhjgbdfhgbdfjhgfdhjgfgdhg gg g v v v v v v vgsdgsdgs df gdf gdfg df hgf h fg hf gh fghgfh gf h hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh h h h h hgfj dfhjgbdfhgbdfjhgfdhjgfgdhg gg g v v v v v v vgsdgsdgs df gdf gdfg df hgf h fg hf gh fghgfh gf h hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh h h h h hgfj dfhjgbdfhgbdfjhgfdhjgfgdhg gg g v v v v v v vgsdgsdgs df gdf gdfg df hgf h fg hf gh fghgfh gf h hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh h h h h hgfj dfhjgbdfhgbdfjhgfdhjgfgdhg gg g v v v v v v vgsdgsdgs df gdf gdfg df hgf h fg hf gh fghgfh gf h hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh h h h h hgfj dfhjgbdfhgbdfjhgfdhjgfgdhg gg g v v v v v v vhgfh</p>... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:22:32 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/J-K-Rowling-Harry-Potter-and-the-Chamber-of-Secrets-review-7f214 pyashin 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/James-H-Fetzer-The-9-11-Conspiracy-The-Scamming-of-America-review-981b2 <p>hfg hggsdgsdgs df gdf gdfg df hgf h fg hf gh fghgfh gf h hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh h h h h hgfj dfhjgbdfhgbdfjhgfdhjgfgdhg gg g v v v v v v vgsdgsdgs df gdf gdfg df hgf h fg hf gh fghgfh gf h hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh h h h h hgfj dfhjgbdfhgbdfjhgfdhjgfgdhg gg g v v v v v v vgsdgsdgs df gdf gdfg df hgf h fg hf gh fghgfh gf h hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh h h h h hgfj dfhjgbdfhgbdfjhgfdhjgfgdhg gg g v v v v v v vgsdgsdgs df gdf gdfg df hgf h fg hf gh fghgfh gf h hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh h h h h hgfj dfhjgbdfhgbdfjhgfdhjgfgdhg gg g v v v v v v vgsdgsdgs df gdf gdfg df hgf h fg hf gh fghgfh gf h hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh h h h h hgfj dfhjgbdfhgbdfjhgfdhjgfgdhg gg g v v v v v v v</p>... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:18:35 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/James-H-Fetzer-The-9-11-Conspiracy-The-Scamming-of-America-review-981b2 pyashin 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Baby-Wise-review-7a240 <p>These books get a lot of talk, good and bad, but I think this book is great!  I have read it many times as my son grew from stage to stage, and always took new tips that were relevant to him at that point.  I wouldn't necessarily take every word and follow it to the tee, because I believe it's important to look at each child differently and see what is best for them.</p> <p>But it did wonders for us, and my son was sleeping at least 7 hours through the night at 6 weeks old, and now he's two and always takes naps and goes down at night without a problem.  This book taught us how to teach him to fall asleep on his own, and it's been so good for all of us!</p>... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:50:33 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Baby-Wise-review-7a240 maewentzel 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Citizen-Soldiers-The-U-S-Army-from-the-Normandy-Beaches-to-the-Bulge-to-the-Surrender-of-Germany-June-7-1944-to-May-7-1945-review-97027 <p>One of the sad things about the public education system is that, for most students anyway, American history courses tend to be so dry and so unevenly taught that it is boring and hard to relate to.</p> <p>In high school, and later in college, I realized that there are just two types of history teacher - the creative ones who are passionate about the topic and pass on that passion through innovative teaching methods, and the "read the textbook chapters X-Y for a test on Tuesday" types who can put even the worst insomniacs to sleep with their in-class lectures.</p> <p>I ought to know, because I had teachers from both categories, and unfortunatelly the boring ones outnumbered the creative ones at a ratio of 2:1.</p> <p>Luckily, I've always been an independent learner, and because World War II held a strange fascination for me even before I was in high school or college, I have been reading books such as Cornelius Ryan's <em>The Longest Day, </em>John Toland's <em>The Last 100 Days </em>and Stephen E. Ambrose's <em>D-Day <a href="/D-Day-June-6-1944-The-Climactic-Battle-of-World-War-II-review-8f2b0">June 6,...</a></em></p>... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:55:02 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Citizen-Soldiers-The-U-S-Army-from-the-Normandy-Beaches-to-the-Bulge-to-the-Surrender-of-Germany-June-7-1944-to-May-7-1945-review-97027 Fardreamer 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Stardust--303234-review-945e3 <p>I have read Stardust at least three times and I have been entertained by it every time.  There is a great beginning that draws you in, setting the tone of the book with some mystery, romance and intrigue.  I love Neil Gaiman's descriptions of his characters, he has a fantastic way of painting a picture with words.  I think this comes from his work with graphic novels (The Sandman Series).</p> <p>I was particularly taken with the characters of the evil princes who are competing against one another to become the new king of the magical kingdom and with the witch who is seeking a fallen star made human so she can steal her magic.  Each character is so well thought out and has their own voice, this is one of the reasons I love reading and re-reading Neil Gaiman's work- you never become bored with the writing.</p> <p>I saw Stardust in the theater and while I never, ever like the movie better than the book I would say that this is the exception.  I believe that Mr. Gaiman collaborated on the movie to...</p>... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:24:31 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Stardust--303234-review-945e3 corinneagain 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Umberto-Eco-The-Name-of-the-Rose-review-c0db2 <p>Forget the movie version of THE NAME OF THE ROSE. This brilliant book by Umberto Eco is meant to be read, absorbed, considered, held close to your chest before you reluctantly put it down. Filled with complexities - philosophy, historical details, superb characterizations - it does not make for easy reading. I'm a seasoned reader of classics and literary fiction, and yet I struggled through the first pages. What a mistake it would have been to give up! Once I reached page 50 or so, I couldn't put it down.</p> <p>By now, the plot is well known: a monk and his young assistant (the narrator) arrive at a monastery to investigate heresy at the height of the Inquisition. No sooner do they arrive when their focus is shifted to a series of mysterious murders. Who is behind the atrocious acts, and why? Is there greater meaning to the deaths than first appears?</p> <p>While the suspenseful plot keeps the story moving forward at surprising speed (surprising, given the language and wealth of historical details),...</p>... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:45:21 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Umberto-Eco-The-Name-of-the-Rose-review-c0db2 Antosha 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Whats-Left-of-Us-A-Memoir-of-Addiction-review-f1690 <p><strong>What's Left of Us</strong> by Richard Farrell is a modest appearing book, a plain white background showing a pair of beat-up boots. But what lies between the covers will soon have you captivated and horrified at the same time.</p> <p>This is the world of heroin addiction.</p> <p>It often leads to death. It almost did for Richie. He had a death pact with two other junkies, but first he needed a new pair of shoes. He couldn't die in these shoes with holes in the toes! So they lifted a pair of shoes from a local store and proceeded to buy the best dope they could afford, planning to overdose in an abandoned building. Stories like this are told from an addict's viewpoint, and the absurd almost makes sense.</p> <p>Richie's attempted death was thwarted, he is found and brought to the hospital. Surely, this is a sign that he was meant to live, he thinks. And so he submits to a week of detox. He bids farewell to his love, heroin.</p> <p><strong>What's Left of Us</strong> chronicles each day of Richie's journey to sobriety. It doesn't just tell what...</p>... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:29:17 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Whats-Left-of-Us-A-Memoir-of-Addiction-review-f1690 onwaytozion 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/New-Moon-The-Twilight-Saga-Book-2-review-1cf96 <p>Great story.... I really loved it.. Could not put it down when I finished it I could not wait to get the next one lol. I would recommend this to everyone. .. It's not just fro teens adults would love this too. I do.. It was very well written and a great love story. I have read it a million times and still love it. Bella and Edward are great I love the love triagle that goes one for a while, Jacob who could not love him? I love the tribal story to.. If you have not read this you really should it is a really great book.....</p>... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:42:26 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/New-Moon-The-Twilight-Saga-Book-2-review-1cf96 LudaleStamper 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Karen-Kingsbury-Take-One-review-ae8c <p>I didn't know if Karen Kingsbury could pull it off again.  I had been so captivated by her Baxter family series that I was almost apprehensive about this new series. I wanted to be just as involved with these characters as I had been with the Baxters.  I wanted to know what Bailey Flanigan did after high school.  I wanted more encouragement in the areas of faith and family.  I was not disappointed! </p> <p>I read Take One over the course of three days.  I seriously could have read the whole thing in one day if my schedule would have allowed me that leisure!  I didn't want to put it down at all.  I think it was the realistic characters that Karen weaves into her stories.  It's almost like they could live down the street from you or show up at your next family gathering.  (Sometimes you wish they WOULD show up at your next family gathering!)  The characters are far from perfect, and sometimes you question the choices they make. But that's what makes Karen's writing so incredibly realistic. ...</p>... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:08:16 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Karen-Kingsbury-Take-One-review-ae8c jenniferbruce 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Even-Now-review-fa6d0 <p>This book was one of the best books I have read in a long time.  Karen Kingsbury really knows how to include all types of scenarios into one book and bring many situations together.  This book tells the story of a couple that falls in love when they are young.  Their parents' thought they were doing the best thing by seperating them after she becomes pregnant but they find out in the end that although they were young, they really knew what love really was.  This book shares stories about love, friendships and the power of a sincere prayer.  Friendships may come and go, but true love never dies.</p> <p>As I read this book I felt myself become a part of the story.  I wanted to be there and tell them where to go, what to do and what to say.  I have gotten myself that caught up into a movie before but this is the first book that I have gotten that involved in. I shed a lot of tears while reading this book as well. </p>... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:37:22 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Even-Now-review-fa6d0 ShaefferMom 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Twilight--302769-review-bedd6 <p>Stephenie Meyer struck gold when she had a dream about a teenage girl meeting and falling in love with a vegetarian vampire.  The love story about Bella Swann and Edward Cullen has women around the world dreaming about sparkling vampires.  When Bella moves from Arizona to the very wet Forks, Washington, she encounters a family that is unlike any she has ever known.  She falls in love with Edward Cullen, a vampire from a family that does not survive on the blood of humans.  Although Edward is initially too "thirsty" to be around Bella, as things change, he finds himself falling in love with this ordinary mortal.  The two go through a lot of ups and downs, including a close call for Bella with a hungry vampire, who does not share the same "vegetarian" views that the Cullen family does.  This book will keep you glued to it, and will leave you wanting more.  It is available in paperback as well as hard back.  Too good to pass up!</p>... Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:48:20 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Twilight--302769-review-bedd6 allysmama 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/D-Day-June-6-1944-The-Climactic-Battle-of-World-War-II-review-8f2b0 <p>Published 15 years ago for the 50th Anniversary of the start of Operation Overlord, Stephen E Ambrose's <em>D-Day June 6, 1944: THe Climactic Battle of World War II</em> reawakened interest in America's participation in the Second World War and in the rapidly dwindling numbers of the men and women Tom Brokaw would later call "the greatest generation."</p> <p>And after reading this book either for the first or the twentieth time, it's easy to see why Ambrose's World War II books <em>Band of Brothers, The Wild Blue, </em>and <em>Citizen Soldiers </em>have had such a profound effect on the nation's psyche. <br/><br/><em>D-Day June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II </em>begins with a moving prologue that describes the start of the invasion -- the night airborne assault on the far eastern and western flanks of the initial landing zones. Ambrose tells the stories of British Lieut. Den Brotheridge of the British 6th Airborne Division, who landed with Maj. John Howard on the easternmost landing zone, and Lieut. Bob Matthias of the...</p>... Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:56:45 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/D-Day-June-6-1944-The-Climactic-Battle-of-World-War-II-review-8f2b0 Fardreamer 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Long-Winter-review-108d0 <p>I read Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series of children's books as a child and, well, decided that I wanted to re-read them again as an adult.  My in-laws bought me the complete series of books a couple of years ago and I've been reading and re-reading them ever since!</p> <p><em>The Long Winter</em> is the 6th book in the <em>Little House</em> series and it details the trials and tribulations that the Ingalls family faces as they spend their second winter in Dakota Territory.  A local Indian has predicted 7 months of severe blizzards and the first one hit the town hard and very early in October, so the Ingalls family decides to move to their town building rather than trying to weather out a harsh winter in a flimsy claim shanty.</p> <p>Basically, they just try to survive through the 7 months of blizzards.  Eventually the storms cause the trains to stop running until spring, the stores in town run out of supplies, and the survival of the the citizens is in a very precarious situation...</p> <p>You'd think that reading...</p>... Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:33:46 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Long-Winter-review-108d0 njchicaa 4