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Sometimes only remembered for the epic motion picture and "Frankly ... I don't give a damn," Gone with the Wind was initially a compelling and entertaining novel. It was the sweeping story of tangled passions and the rare courage of a group of people in Atlanta during the time of Civil War that brought those cinematic scenes to life. The reason the movie became so popular was the strength of its characters--Scarlett O'Hara, Rhett Butler, and Ashley Wilkes--all created here by the deft hand of Margaret Mitchell, in this, her first novel.
Book Description
Sometimes only remembered for the epic motion picture and "Frankly ... I don't give a damn," Gone with the Wind was initially a compelling and entertaining novel. It was the sweeping story of tangled passions and the rare courage of a group of people in Atlanta during the time of Civil War that brought those cinematic scenes to life. The reason the movie became so popular was the strength of its characters--Scarlett O'Hara, Rhett Butler, and Ashley Wilkes--all created here by the deft hand of Margaret Mitchell, in this, her first novel.
Customer Reviews:
Every Home Needs a Copy.......2007-09-14
Some of the reviews are long but I will keep this short. Gone With the Wind is the only book I have read twice. I absolutely adored this book and all the characters in it. It is my favourite book of all time and I read all sorts. I bought my mother and sister-in-law a copy because I thought they should read it too (just once). Read it and see for yourself.
Division and reunion, and the child and adult, in "Gone With the Wind".......2007-09-06
"Gone With the Wind," as a novel, has been mistakenly dismissed by literary critics as pulp fiction for the masses. This view is premature and biased, in my opinion. If one digs deeply into the fabric of this very complex novel, one is likely to find that this novel works on two very different levels: the external level, in which themes such as survival and romantic love figure prominently; and the internal level, in which themes such as division v. reunion and the child v. the adult figure prominently.
An external analysis of the novel yields much that has been obvious to the reading and movie-going public for years. "Gone With the Wind" is, most obviously, a very powerful novel about a young woman's survival of two unique crises: the American Civil War and Reconstruction of the South that followed. The personal qualities of those who survive and prosper in this novel -- characters such as Scarlett O'Hara, Rhett Butler, Mammy, Will Benteen, old Mrs. Fontaine, even Mrs. Merriwether -- are contrasted sharply with those who do not survive and prosper: Ashley Wilkes, Ellen O'Hara, Gerald O'Hara, and Scarlett's first two husbands, Charles Hamilton and Frank Kennedy.
Melanie Hamilton presents an interesting study in the story of survival. Margaret Mitchell uses her to represent the dignified stateliness of the Old South matron. Rather than becoming a victim of the Old South's disintegration, she survives in a way that equals or even surpasses Scarlett's survival. Melanie, whom Mitchell originally intended as the novel's heroine, is the woman who saves Tara from burning to the ground; the woman who drags her father's Mexican War sword to the landing at Tara, helping Scarlett defend it from the Yankee invader; and the woman who stands against polite society in order to defend Scarlett, her beloved sister-in-law, from the town's gossip. Yes, she dies at the end of the novel, and Mitchell uses this to represent the passing of the Old South. However, even here, Melanie dies in her own bed, in her own home, with her own family about her, and she dies on her own terms: after conceiving a child she knew placed her own life at risk.
It is also about three interconnected love stories: the traditional, dignified courtship and marriage of Melanie Hamilton and Ashley Wilkes; the thwarted, unconsummated relationship between Ashley Wilkes and Scarlett O'Hara; and the temptuous, passionate courtship and marriage of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler. The central theme of these love stories is summarized early in the novel by Scarlett's father, Gerald O'Hara: "Only when like marries like can there be any happiness."
These themes, while universal and very powerful, are only external to the novel, and I don't believe the novel's power or universality are derived from the themes of survival and love. I believe its power is much more subtle. Indeed, for years, it has been a mystery to literary critics why this novel was received equally well by 10-year olds as well as 95-year olds. Therein lies its secret: it is a novel with which both the 10-year old child and the 95-year old adult can identify strongly. It is a novel about children and it is a novel about adults.
Every one of the major characters has qualities of both children and adults in them. These are handled subtly, not obviously, and the language of the novel, which I believe Margaret Mitchell crafted deliberately along these lines, takes the reader in this direction. For example, listen to what Scarlett says about men: "All the men in Scarlett's life, the Tarleton twins, the Calvert boys, Charles, and Frank, she could dismiss with the phrase, 'What a child!' Not Rhett. He was an adult in everything he did. Only Rhett and Ashley ..."
Scarlett is portrayed as both child and adult. "I'm always your little girl," she says to her mother in the middle of the Civil War, when in fact she is a widow with a 2-year old son. The woman whose heroism saves Tara from oblivion is evaluated by Rhett at the end: "My pet, you're such a child." By the end of the novel, when Scarlett is only 28 years old, she has been married three times, widowed twice, given birth to three children, and buried one of them. Yet, in her dreams, she is still "a lost child." When asked if she thought Scarlett ever got Rhett back, Margaret Mitchell said: "I don't think so, but I do think she finally grew up."
Melanie is the adult who masquerades in child's clothing -- and has a child's figure. Mitchell takes pain to describe Melanie's physical appearance "as that of a 10-year old boy, with narrow hips and height barely coming up to Ashley's shoulders." Yet it is Melanie who has the wisdom to see Scarlett's finer qualities, her strength of character, her commitment to her promises, and her ability to survive -- wisdom that is ironically viewed by Scarlett (and others) as foolishness. She is portrayed as foolish to be so loyal and loving to Scarlett; yet it turns out, in the end, that Scarlett's attachment to Ashley was imaginary, and it turns out in the end that Scarlett loves Melanie deeply. She is portrayed as foolish for defending Rhett Butler so staunchly, yet her wisdom about his good qualities is thoroughly vindicated by the novel's end. Of all the principles, it is Melanie who is the most wise -- and the most adult. Yet her external appearance is very childlike.
Rhett is usually depicted as an adult, the black sheep of a prominent Charleston family who makes his own fortune as a blockade runner from just a $1,000 investment. He admits, at novel's end, that he wanted to care for Scarlett, as an adult would care for a child; yet he is relentlessly mothered by Melanie, especially toward the end: she straightens him up so that he can be presentable to Scarlett after her miscarriage; and only she can convince him to consent to Bonnie's funeral. Further, he enables Melanie's mothering throughout the novel. She is the only person that he truly respects because, I suspect, she is a reminder to him of his own mother, a character who is rather prominent in the novel, though largely absent. Interestingly, it is only Melanie who comes into contact with her, as she greets mourners for Bonnie in the parlor of Scarlett and Rhett's mansion.
Ashley Wilkes is the real child of the four principles, but it takes Scarlett the entire duration of the novel, more than 12 years, to realize this. Ashley is the weakest character, the one who has failed to give up the "life that [he] loved," the one who depicts the charm and grace of the Old South to Scarlett -- the only time that she succumbs to the mistake of looking back. Mitchell is very deft with this scene. It is portrayed as a scene that exposes Ashley and Scarlett's illicit love for each other. However, what's really being exposed here is their common dependence on the past, Ashley's being overt and Scarlett's much more deeply repressed. By implication, it's also exposing the true nature of their attraction for each other, because they shared a common upbringing, growing up on neighboring plantations.
This scene is expertly crafted. While Ashley and Scarlett are reminiscing about the charm and grace of their common past -- an event which culminates in their hugging in a truly platonic manner, one in which they begin to understand each other -- they are exposed to the gossip and criticism of Atlanta society. What's being exposed here is not their unconsummated romance; it's their common reliance on living in the past. It's fitting that they should be exposed when they're reminiscing about their common past, because that is the real force of their attraction, the real reason for their love (an ultimately childish love, by the way). Mitchell uses this scene to expose them not to Atlanta society, but to the reader. They're not in love with each other; they're in love with a life that is (forgive the cliche) gone with the wind. At the end of the novel, when Scarlett realizes she truly loves Rhett, she sums up her relationship with Ashley: "I've lost my lover and I've gained another child."
Virtually every relationship in this novel can be evaluated as child v. adult; think, for example, of Mammy, the real mother figure of the novel. Look at Ellen and Gerald O'Hara; he was 43 when they married and she was 15; yet she mothers him, right up until her death. Consider one of their final episodes, recounted to Scarlett in Atlanta by John Wilkes, in which Gerald wanted to fight in the war. Ellen puts him to the test insofar as riding his horse is concerned, a test that "little Gerald, who barely came up to her shoulders" failed miserably. After Ellen dies, Gerald's life collapses and he is a broken man, right until his death.
Finally, there is the theme of division and reunion that appears on numerous occasions throughout the novel. Consider how the novel starts: Scarlett is seated on the front steps of Tara between the Tarleton twins -- a divisive force for two brothers who are otherwise as "alike as two bolls of cotton." The novel begins with internal and external symbols of division. The Civil War starts. We are introduced to Scarlett and Melanie, the two heroines who are complete opposites and, at least for Scarlett, adamantly opposed to one another. We are introduced to Ashley and Rhett, the two heroes who are also complete opposites, at least externally, and rather opposed to one another; Ashley dislikes Rhett's blackguardism, and Rhett has contempt for Ashley's weaknesses.
Mitchell deliberately tries to convince the reader, by cleverly contrasting their external characteristics, that these characters are hopelessly divided. Scarlett "hates" Melanie because she is a foolish simpleton and Ashley's wife; Rhett is a symbol of the New South, and Ashley is a symbol of the Old South; Rhett is a survivor, Ashley is a victim. Scarlett is a divisive figure in Melanie and Ashley's marriage. Scarlett is a divisive figure in the Hamilton-Wilkes families: toward the end, she is the indirect cause of a family feud that splits the family into two separate camps. Scarlett, herself, is a divided character - the result of an alliance between an Irish immigrant and an established aristocrat from the Savannah coast. "In her face were too sharply blended the sharp features of her father, an Irish immigrant, and the more delicate features of her mother, a French aristocrat from Savannah." Mitchell has even put division on Scarlett's face -- one reason that Vivien Leigh, who as an actress utilized divided eyebrows (one up, one down) for Scarlett, was such a perfect choice for the part. "She is my Scarlett," admitted Margaret Mitchell.
Division is the premise of the novel. Reunion is its conclusion. Everything that was divided is ultimately united by novel's end. Melanie and Scarlett reach an understanding with each other; Scarlett comes to realize how much she loves and relies on Melanie, and comes to appreciate her strength, the "steel courage" that has sustained her through many crises. Indeed, the evolution of their relationship is one of the most touching and endearing aspects of the novel. Whereas we begin the novel with Ashley depicted as the war hero whose life is lived for "dignity and honor" and with Rhett depicted as the blackguard who is motivated only by crass selfishness, we end the novel with Ashley reduced to a helpless, purposeless victim and Rhett enhanced as a loving husband and father. Along the way, the stark contrasts that Mitchell draws early between Rhett and Ashley yield to sympathetic comparisons. "Did it ever occur to you, Scarlett, that Rhett and I are fundamentally alike?" Ashley inquires toward the end. Yet their similarities are evident -- though repressed -- from the beginning. In a surprising confrontation with Mrs. Merriwether, Melanie defends Rhett's criticisms of the war because they mirror things her husband has written to her. Ashley and Rhett begin the novel as divided and opposed to one another; they end united and unified as characters. Melanie and Scarlett, likewise, begin the novel as opposed opposites and end the novel united and unified. Division begets reunion.
This theme, division and reunion, is especially powerful when you consider the historical context of the novel. In my view, it is no accident, but rather a careful decision on Margaret Mitchell's part, to time the action of the novel from April 1861, the start of the Civil War, the ultimate symbol of division, to September 1873, the end of Reconstruction, the ultimate symbol of reunion. It is a breathtaking historical backdrop for a novel whose dramatic power is derived from characters experiencing division and reunion in their lives.
It is curious that Mitchell's novel has born the brunt of belittling and contemptuous literary criticism over the years. When it debuted, it sold millions and won the Pulitzer Prize; no film, before or since, has ever been so widely anticipated as the 1939 film was. Its massive popularity, I suspect, and Mitchell's melodramatic writing style have contributed to this contempt. However, when one considers the thematic breadth of the novel, its impeccable structure, and the awesome scope of its narrative force, "Gone With the Wind" is a singular and astonishing achievement. I believe its universality, its appeal from the 10-year old to the 95-year old, is best explained by the themes of child v. adult and division v. reunion. I also believe that it is these themes that explain why it captivates us after 71 years and will continue to captive generations to come.
This isn't a romance novel - far from it, but a MUST READ.......2007-08-02
This is the least romantic novel I have every read, and I mean that as a compliment. The heroine is a vain, selfish, unmaternal, incredibly strong but shallow woman. The hero is at first almost a cipher - tall, dark, handsome, mysterious, rich - regular romance fodder.
They both grow older and harder as the book moves on. The ending is a surprise, but only because Mitchell faced up to reality.
I first read this as a 12-year-old. I feigned a sore throat for three days so I could stay off school and continue. Back then, Scarlett was my hero, and I knew Rhett would take her back. Now, I'm older than Rhett was when the novel closed - and I know he didn't take her back.
It's one of the most compelling novels I have ever read. The period detail puts you right into an age/place I never knew existed, but it is so lifelike I suspend belief. Emma is boring by comparison; War & Peace, confusing - and those are two of my favorite books.
I just read on wiki that someone is writing a book based on Rhett's side of things. Tread carefully because you tread on my dreams.
One of the Greatest Books of all time!.......2007-06-25
Gone with the Wind is one of the best books ever written, maybe the best.
I can not even express how much I love this book.
Many people disregard Gone With the Wind as a just a lenthy romance, but this is NOT what it is. Gone with the wind is SO much more than a romance. It is, for one, a book about the Civil War from the Southern people's perspective. This book gives the reader a brand new perspective on the Civil War and it is refreshingly NOT like all the other mundane Civil War books. It is full of history, but there is never a boring moment: Margret Mitchell is a brilliant writer whose beautiful and exciting descriptions, livily dialoge and none-stop story keep the book engrossing and never boring. I couldn't put it down!
Again, Gone with the WInd is not just a romance, as I said, it is a refreshing Civil War book; but it is not only that. Gone with the wind has many suspensful, dangerous, and sometimes violent moments, such as The Burning of Atlanta or the event when Scarlett shoots a Yankee invader.
The characters of GWTW are immortal. Each character is so beloved to so many readers, and there is a good reason why. Every character has his own fascinating personality. Every type of person, from selfish to greedy to tragic to stupid to controlling to timid to utterly kind is expressed in the book's countless engrossing characters.
The story line is also wonderful. It is very complex but never confusing; it has such a good main plot and so many intriuging sub-plots.
For the reasons I have attempted to state above and for so many more, Gone with the Wind is a beloved American Classic that has endured and will endure for many years to come.
Whether are a man or woman, girl or boy, old or young, READ THIS BOOK!
You will not regret it.
And it just may be, that after you have entered the world of Gone with the Wind, you will find in it a new favorite that is worth reading over and over again.
Best Book I Ever Read.......2007-06-23
Margaret Mitchell was a genius. This book is so detailed and interesting it is hard to describe. Do not judge it by the movie. It is a very accurate portrayal of life before, during and after the War Between the States, in the South. Scarlett was not always an admirable character, but she was not boring.
Book Description
In the four previous books of his epic fantasy series, David Coe has woven a complex tapestry of magic and politics, courage and betrayal, love and hate. Now, he brings the many strands of this enthralling series together in a climactic novel that will thrill readers of epic magical fantasy. For years the magical Qirsi people who live among the Eandi courts of the Forelands have conspired, weakening alliances among the realms. The renegades are led by a mysterious Weaver named Dusaan with powers that allow him to appear in the dreams of his followers and to bind the magic of many Qirsi into a single weapon more potent than any the Eandi have faced in a thousand years. Now, his planning begins to bear fruit. He reveals himself to friend and foe alike, knowing that none can stand against him. Dusaan takes control of the Empire and begins his march toward war, enlisting those who serve him in other realms to join the battle, as the ranks of his army swell.
Customer Reviews:
Hard to Put Down.......2007-10-02
I found this book hard to put down! The storylines are deceptively simple, and most of the book takes place on the "battle plain", but you just want to keep reading to hear how each subplot will end (even though you know deep-down that good will prevail over evil, you keep reading just to find out HOW it will prevail).
I read the first four books of this story and couldn't wait for this one to come out, and I was not disappointed! In comparison to George R.R. Martin's latest series, this book (and the whole series, for that matter) was so much easier to read and follow, and it really grabbed my attention; whereas I sometimes struggle to follow Martin and I get frustrated and just want Martin's stories to MOVE! That's not a problem with Coe's final installment to this remarkable series!
I can't wait to see what Coe does next!
The Best of the Series.......2007-03-30
Having read all of David's work, I feel that the Weavers of War the final book in his Winds of the Forelands series is his best yet.
The description of the characters and their thoughts and trials of the conspiracy and war make you sometimes wonder on whom do you trust and and who is the enemy.And it is that way to the very end.
He wraps up the main story arcs and leaves a bit open so he can come back to the Forelands in the future. Not eveyone has a happy ending to this story. And knowing that the kingdoms have a lot of changes after the war could be interesting in the future, if the author ever decides to return to this land.
I can't wait to see what David B. Coe has in store for us his next novel coming out in December.
excellent finish.......2007-02-23
In the Forelands, the Eandi have subjugated the Qirsi, a race of incredible magical powers though they are small in numbers. Their white skins and yellow eyes set them apart from the rest of humanity and though they hold positions in the courts and stations of the various realms they are answerable to the Eandi who are their overlords. Sick of the status quo, a movement has built up over the years in which the Qirsi led by Dusaan foment rebellion, unrest among various realms houses and clans.
Dusaan is a Weaver a powerful mage who not only has every Qirsi power but can use the powers of the various other Qirsi, weaving them into weapons that could be used against the Eandi in the seven realms. Only one man can stop him the Weaver known as Grinsa but first he must find a way to prevent the various Eandi factions from fighting each other and join against the common enemy. Even then he doesn't know, even with the Qirsi who are loyal to the Eandi and willing to back him, if he has strength to defeat Dusaan.
This is the fifth and final book in the Winds of the Forelands saga and it ties up all the loose ends, as enemies are revealed and allies come out in the open in a final confrontation. Grinsa is a complex character who makes difficult choices and stands by them, allying himself with Eandi and those Qirsi loyal to them because that he believes is the only way his race will gain equality. David B. Coe is a powerful storyteller and an excellent worldbuilder.
Harriet Klausner
Book Description
This definitive survey examines the impact of nuclear weaponry on national security issues. Written by an experienced author and founder of the Peace and Common Security Institute in Berkeley, California, this text describes how current nuclear dilemmas have developed out of past choices and events. The final chapter of this chronologically organized text covers events that took place from 1985-1991, making the material relevant to the post-Cold War era.
Average customer rating:
- A world Falling Apart
- a Pugnacious story..
- If you like WINDS OF WAR watch for NIGHT OF FLAMES coming soon
- Stupendous
- Impactful literature...
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The Winds of War
Herman Wouk
Manufacturer: Little Brown & Co (T)
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The Winds of War
ASIN: 0316955000 |
Book Description
These two classic works capture the tide of world events even as they unfold the compelling tale of a single North American family drawn into the very center of the wars maelstrom. These two multimillion-copy bestsellers capture all the drama, romance, heroism, and tragedy of the Second World War.
Customer Reviews:
A world Falling Apart.......2007-10-02
"The Winds of War" is a novel of the events leading to World War II told through the eyes of an American Naval family and their acquaintances. It is written by Herman Wouk based on his wartime experiences and his research.
Commander Victor "Pug" Henry is considered an officer with a bright future. He is a methodical, careful engineer with "plenty of blue water" in his service record. His family consists of his wife, Rhoda, their daughter, Madeleine and two sons, Warren and Byron (Briny).
Commander Henry wants nothing more in life but to reach the rank of Captain and command a battleship. He has worked systematically towards this goal for his entire career. Beneath that taciturn exterior is a deep intellect coupled with presence of mind. He has made no missteps in his career. However the next assignment offered to him doesn't thrill him.
The U.S. Navy had historically sent it's less promising officers to diplomatic posts. In these days before WWII, this policy is reversed. Pug is offered the post of Naval Attaché to Germany. This is Germany under Adolf Hitler and the post is considered crucial. However in Pug's eyes, it is possibly a career dead-end. Nonetheless after consulting his socialite wife Rhoda and an Annapolis classmate, he takes the job.
Pug's elder son Warren is cut from father's mold career-wise. Like his father, he has excelled at the U.S. Naval Academy. He has chosen aviation as his specialty. The younger son, Byron is another story.
Byron is an undisciplined romantic dreamer slacker-type who has somehow made it out of Columbia with a B.A. He also got a reserve naval commission in order to placate his father. When the book begins he is working for a best-selling author, Prof. Aaron Jastrow in Siena, Italy as researcher. It's obvious he has `something' but he lacks that certain spark. This amiable drifter finds direction in his life when he falls in love with Professor Jastrow's niece, Natalie.
The romance is complicated by a number of things. She is older. Natalie is in love with someone else, an old money East coast establishment-type diplomat, Leslie Slote. She barely acknowledges Byron's existence. Finally, Natalie is Jewish.
The last is a relationship killer in pre-WWII America. At this time, a WASP-Jewish marriage was socially looked down upon. Jews and Gentiles had their own separate worlds.
This woman gives Byron from his `spark'. Like his father, Byron Henry gets what he wants......
While in Germany, Commander Henry files a report going against conventional wisdom. This report makes its way up through the chain of command to the President of the United States. He returns it with a note to forward Victor Henry's service record.
Victor Henry has come to the personal attention of the President of the United States of America.
I've only scratched the surface of what happens in this book. This book (and its sequel, "War and Remembrance") is about WWII and its effects on this most American family. Mr. Wouk cleverly arranges things in order to involve his characters in the different events and theaters of world as they lead up to Pearl Harbor.
Close attention is paid to the Jewish experience in Europe as well as the thoughts, events and personalities of those in the corridors of power.
The book is a page-turner. While it is not great literature, it is engrossing and the most painless way I know of to study the events leading up to WWII.
a Pugnacious story.........2007-08-10
the absolute best WWII story I've ever read. It is imposible to read this book without picturing Pug as Robert Mitchum. He is the perfect epitome of this character. If you've never seen the TV mini-series or if you've had then read the book. Unforgettable characters in a moment of history that changes the world.
If you like WINDS OF WAR watch for NIGHT OF FLAMES coming soon.......2007-06-15
Winds of war is a masterpiece, the definitive novel of world war two. It has everything, characters, plot and, most of all, great history. If you like this book, watch for NIGHT OF FLAMES by Douglas W. Jacobson, coming soon.Night of Flames: A Novel of World War II
Stupendous.......2007-06-08
What an unbelievable work of art. This book not only grabs you and pulls you in, with wonderful characters and writing, but you find yourself lost in the time and place. I am currently about a fourth of the way through War and Remembrance....it is equally splendid. I first read Marjorie Morningstar and fell in love with Herman Wouk's style and mastery of the storyline and character development. At times when reading these books I am incredibly sad, other times uplifted, and yet other times amazed. Absolutely one of the best authors I've ever read...and I have read alot of books.
Impactful literature..........2007-06-01
As a novice reader, beginning Herman Wouk's massive epic "Winds of War" was a big challenge for me. It sat on my bookshelf for a while before I cracked the first page and was pleasantly surprised by its ability to keep me utterly engrossed in the story.
As a historical fiction piece, Wouk tells the story of a Navy family and their individual lives leading up to the United States' entry into World War II. As the family of five spreads out around the world, their paths continue to cross, keeping their relationships alive and continually gravitating towards one another.
Truly an epic tale, Wouk does a magnificent job depicting (in an interesting manner) the historical events, political persuasion, national influence, and social pressures surrounding WWII. You will learn about Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, Churchill and Roosevelt... Wouk's work is better than any history class I've ever taken.
This is an impactful "must read" for everyone and at the risk of sounding trite, I would call this book a masterpiece.
Have fun,
David Tobias
Redondo Beach, CA
Book Description
A complete guide to playing D&D in sea and storm. The third in a series of beautifully
illustrated supplements focusing on play in specific environmental climes, Maelstrom™ contains rules on play in watery environments. Not only are rules for sea campaigns offered, but rules for including water environments in land-based D&D campaigns and dungeon adventures are also covered. Included is extensive information on lakes and rivers; hazards such as exposure, storms, and waterspouts; races, including non-aquatic races associated with the sea; equipment, including detailed deck plans for ships; monsters; magic, including psionic
elements; skills; feats; and more.
Customer Reviews:
Not My Favorite.......2007-05-10
All right. I've been looking forward to this book for a long time. I've heard great things about Frostburn. I had a positive reaction to Sandstorm. This is the third book in the environment series and it deals with one of my great loves . . . the sea.
So how did Richard Baker, Joseph D. Carriker, Jr., and Jennifer Clarke Wilkes do? Did this Wizards of the Coast book meet my (admittedly high) expectations?
Well, no.
I can't recommend this book. I wouldn't have bought it but that's because it fell woefully short on the only areas I'm likely to use. Your game might differ, so lets discuss what they book actually contains.
Chapter One discusses the uses of this book and the type adventures a GM might run. This discusses aquatic adventures, planar adventures and the like. The chapter ends with a discussion of a stripped down narrative way of handling naval combat, under the premise that in a D&D campaign, naval combat won't be exciting for the players (this is the first time I disagreed with a premise of the book).
Chapter Two contains four "new" aquatic races. Now, the Aquatic Elf is an old D&D standby, but please, WotC, enough already. I've got more sapient races in my D&D games than I know what to do with. I've got enough. Stop deluging me. Races are getting as bad Prestige Classes.
The second half of the chapter deals with existing races and their interaction with the seas. This is more in line with what I wanted.
Chapter Three is classes. The first half deals with class variations, such as how to handle an sea-based druid. This is what these books should be about. The second half deals with Prestige classes.
Sigh. Those who follow my reviews know my deep hatred of Prestige Class proliferation. Now this book had a shot of getting a pass from me like Waterdeep. I mean, the sea is an alien environment. A few new prestige classes might be a must, especially dealing with characters that actually live or work underwater.
They had seven. Seven!
I think I'm going to swallow my tongue.
Chapter 4 has the same problem as the previous two. It begins with some expansions to skill rulings, which is delightful. Then it moves on to continue Feat proliferation. Twenty-Three new feats by my count. Really, isn't there a Betty Ford program for these people? A few, like sea legs, I can see. Now stop it.
Chapter 5 deals with ships and equipment. This is the chapter that made me want to toss the book. I'll get back to it later.
Chapter 6, Spells and Magic Items. You guessed it. Spell proliferation. Has anyone explained to these people that there's a point where "crunchy bits" become "soggy bits?" They also have new psionic powers, which was novel enough for me to be charmed (I don't have a psionic proliferation issue, but I have faith WotC will get me there eventually). New magic items are good. I think my favorite part here was the new Epic spells. Hey, high-level campaigns don't get a lot of love from game companies.
Chapter 7 is monsters. New monsters don't dilute or unbalance a game (yet) and this is a new environment, so huzzah. Some of the monsters, like the hippocampus, are a bit familiar as well, and I welcome them back.
Chapter 8 is adventure locales. I've enjoyed this chapter in the previous books, and this one is no exception. Hear that? I liked the last two chapters.
So, let's discuss the book overall.
Half of it is filled with stuff (Chapters 2-4, plus 6), for which I frankly have no use. What are the odds of one of these prestige classes ever making it into one of my games. Compare to the hundreds of prestige classes out there and honestly tell me why I'd be willing to pay for that paper and ink. The same is true for races and feats and spells. WotC needs to learn to pick their battles. If these chapters were focused, like a laser, instead of this scattershot approach, drowning us in game mechanics, I would have liked them. They aren't. So half the book is all but useless to me.
Now we get to two deeper issues, however.
First of all, research. I felt like a lot of research went into this product, there was all sorts of things that I didn't know, and I'm a bit of a nautical buff. Still, the things I did know often have glaring omissions. It's as if they wrote rules without thinking them through, or as if they didn't fully understand the implications of what they wrote.
Let me give you a couple examples.
First of all, there's the sinking ship. Now they have rules based on such facts as how much damage the ship has taken, and a ship can sink very fast with these rules. Still, they never mentioned that ships are made out of wood (at least most ships a PC will see). A real age of sail ship wouldn't typically sink quickly. They'd sink until their deck was a foot or two below the surface and stay that way for an hour or more, until the wood became water-logged enough that it went down the rest of the way (they might sink fast if they were very heavily laden, but the book doesn't address that). Now, this is an extremely important fact, one that would radically change the way a sinking ship is handled by the players, but it's never mentioned at all. If they had just spent one sentence on that fact then the DM could have used those rules to model it and this would have been a usable rule. Either they didn't research enough to understand this or they didn't think it important to tell the reader. Either way, the book doesn't get you the information you need. Since I found one important fact missing in an area I knew about, I now doubt the stuff I didn't know.
A second example. They use age of sail ships and they have some cannons, but they also have much older ship weaponry, the kind that you can't use from an age of sail ship. I don't see where they ever mentioned that you can't use a catapult from most of the ships in this book without damaging the rigging. They discuss that there might not be gunpowder on some worlds, ruling out cannons, but they never give an alternative. The ships on this book are designed based on a level of ship technology that can't evolve without cannons. If you are going to say that they might not have cannons, a reasonable alternative is needed, and in a game with little one-shot alchemist items in the PH, it would seem they could produce something. Heck, Wizards, back when it was TSR, actually published an article in Dragon where they discussed this problem (They owned Dragon back then if I have the time line correct). Someone at the company should know their intellectual property better than I do. Again, it's like they didn't follow through.
But this isn't the biggest problem for me. I'm used to companies screwing up ships.
No, the biggest problem is you have a book built around water adventures. Your game might vary, but in my game 90% of the time I'd use that book I'd be dealing with a ship. The book has perhaps 20-30 pages that directly relates to ships. I don't see anything in there what would improve my nautical game. I see very little in there that would improve anyone's nautical game. Instead of giving better rules for ship combat, they give sketchier ones. Instead of sprinkling the book with boxes describing details of ship life, they discuss world building logistics that are more likely to make your world more improbable. Instead of giving us useful ship data, they skimp over it with a minuscule treatment. They could have taken that old Dragon article, updated it straight to 3.5 and had a more useful book (and that article had a lot of problems of its own).
So you have to look and decide if this book is right for you. Maybe you need more aquatic races because your starting an exclusively underwater campaign. Maybe you want skimpier ship combat because you know your players will hate it. Maybe you don't intend to use the ships from this book (or don't need them, or only need one or two). If that's the case, this might be the book for you. It's not that it was poorly written, I've had this many problems with books and given them a recommendation. It's that this book's entire focus seems to be geared toward a different type of game than I would ever run.
Maybe you're the one it's focused at. If that's the case, buy it. If not, let it be.
A good book for those who likes water..........2007-03-01
I liked this book... the information is really useful for DM's who want to add water to their adventures and adds new features such as races, spells and scenarios (rules included).
I would like a better choice of races and a little more of information about underwater adventures since the information is focused on anphibious races and more pirate style adventures (which I don't mind about it).
The spells are Ok and the monsters included are interesting too.
This book is a good reference for coast and shore adventures, if you want to play a pirate-style adventure or just to change the location of your standard adventures, this book is right for you.
good.......2007-01-27
this book offer a lot of info about boats and ships. it also has new races and subraces.Good book
Wind and Waves.......2006-11-21
Nice addition to the environment books being put out by WOTC. One would have thought these would have come out just after the core rulebooks.
Good for DMs, but not so much for players........2006-08-13
Stormwrack is a nice book about sea trade, pirates, and aqauatic adventures. It has a few bits of rather nice advice for those seeking to add an aquatic touch to their campaign or make a purely aquatic one. They have some of the best rules for boats (as far as I'm concerned) out of any d20 book.
That being said, this book is really only about oceans, and is most useful to DMs. Players won't get much out of it unless they know they're going to be playing in waterbased campaigns for a long time.
Book Description
Using first-person accounts in historical archives, David Roberts presents many sides of the Indian rebellion that began in the mid-1800s. Here is the epic and tragic story of Indian heroes--men and women--fighting for their land, their lives, and their freedom. 16 pages of photographs.
Customer Reviews:
Details on specific events and personalities given misleading interpretations........2007-06-25
Books such as this one are all guilty of the same thing, and in terms of educating the reader on the subject they deal with, this thing is significant. What I mean is, the author gives the reader HIS interpretations, conclusions, fantasies, etc. as if they are historic fact.
People like David Roberts, Dan L. Thrapp, Ed Sweeney, and others who write about AmerIndians of yesteryear take long-known details concerning the activities of various individual Indians, and in some cases, their bands in general, and use these details as a kind of framework upon which to hang their own notions, whims, and many imaginary attributes they personally WISH these Indians had. As a result, the reader is provided with a completely misleading perspective on the subject matter being dealt with.
In contrast to the highly biased and totally erroneous work of Roberts, Thrapp, and Sweeney, I offer T.R. Fehrenbach's Comanches (Pimlico Wild West). This book is a classic example of what a work on past history and a specific people should be, because Fehrenbach does not attempt to sway the reader with information that has literally been pulled out of thin air, or out of his imagination. He does not focus on individual Indians in a manner where he writes about them as if he knew them, their intentions, their thoughts and feelings, person-to-person...as though he was present during their lifetimes. Instead, Fahrenbach offers the reader a clear, logically-presented set of known facts which provide truthful details about the people he is focused on.
Now, on the other hand, Roberts, Thrapp, and Sweeney go a different route - which is to embark on STORY TELLING generated from their imaginations and wishful thinking. Be aware that the formula which Roberts, Thrapp, Sweeney, and others follow is to assemble any and all sorts of tidbits of information from any and all SECOND HAND sources ( Indian informants speaking to anthropologists; statements made or written by various officials and Army officers; Government Indian Agents; etc. ) and then to ASSUME these tidbits to be utterly reliable, and after that, to piece them together in order to offer the reader THEIR ( Roberts', Thrapp's, Sweeney's ) interpretation of events and personalities of long passed history.
Consider the absurdity of this for a moment. How can any of these tidbits be verified in terms of authenticity or accuracy any way or sense? People can ( and do ) say anything for many reasons. Can Roberts, Thrapp, or Sweeney somehow know the motivations of the people who offered the various descriptions of these Indians, or provided descriptions about their activities? Can these authors accurately peg the thinking of the sources of all this SECOND HAND information in even the remotest way? Yet in books like this one, this sort of erroneous information forms the base upon which the author wants the reader to understand history!
It is one thing to write about some period in history and a specific people connected to it according to what is fact, but the content of this book of Roberts' ( or the books by Thrapp and Sweeney ) have an enormous amount of material that is simply the author's personal interpretation of SECOND HAND information that is impossible to corroborate. Equally absurd is the fact that the author is living NOW, not in the days of the people he is writing about, therefore he cannot possible make even a remotely accurate guess or interpretation of the thoughts, feelings, intelligence, hopes/fears, or anything else connected to these long deceased Indians.
Here is one perfect example of what I mean:
On page 185, Roberts utilizes material from Thrapp's "Victorio and the Mimbres Apaches". He terms Thrapp "Victorio's Biographer".
"From his breakout in 1879 until now Victorio had never been trapped, never been clearly defeated. But from this time forward his star was in decline. Although he would win his other engagements, until the final one, they would more and more resemble rear-guard actions of a force growing gradually weaker. Victorio was discovering what Cochise had learned before him; you could whip the soldiers time and again, but they were too many and so well supplied and reinforced the they would wear you out."
It is rather incredible to ponder the absolutely false elements contained in this one quote used by Roberts from Thrapp's book. First, how does Thrapp know what Victorio "discovered"? Or if this Indian actually discovered anything at all at anytime in his career? How does Thrapp know what this Indian's motivations were for taking the actions he did? Or what Cochise "discovered" at anytime either? Thrapp is offering as FACT his own conclusions, not facts! He cannot prove anything about Victorio's "discoveries" or thoughts or anything else. There is nothing hard and fast to validate anything Thrapp had DECIDED is true about this Indian or his life. Therefore, Thrapp is involved in mere STORY TELLING.
This is what I mean by "writing in" what the AUTHOR FEELS is appropriate, not what is verifiable or historically accurate. Also, there is blatantly false and very biased statements in this quote concerning supposed "victories" by Victorio over the US Army ( which never happened - and this IS verifiable! ). Also there is a certain "slant" a certain "flavor" offered to the reader in order to sway him/her into percieving Victorio in a specifically desired way - a way that Thrapp desires and is fond of, not a way that is historically accurate by any means.
This book of Roberts is filled with conclusions based on unverifiable, second-hand information from sources possibly having any and all kinds of motivations behind their statements. But the reader takes it all in as FACT, not the fantasy which it actually is.
Contrast this to Fehrenbach, who writes about the Comanche in a manner that offers the reader only what is truly known about them. Fehrenbach does not focus on specific individuals at any point in Comanche history because to do so would be utterly illogical. To offer the reader any sort of personality profile of long-dead individual Indians based on highly suspect and completely unverifiable information from sources which had little to no direct connection with them is not writing about history, it is offering speculation - telling a STORY! Instead, Fehrenbach tells the reader that the Comanche did "A" and this led to "B" and "C" as a result. This is clear, historically accurate writing, not STORY TELLING. He does not seek to glorify specific chiefs or attribute any sort of qualities to their personalities, nor does he try to make the reader believe that he can see inside their minds and hearts and has pulled all sorts of feelings and motives out for the reader to see. No STORY, only HISTORY in Fehrenbach's book!
But the reader of this review must also be aware that Roberts ( as well as Sweeney and Thrapp ) seek to minimize anything which castes their Apache Indian subjects in a light that is less than is favorable to the fantasy which these authors wish to construct about them. For example; in this book, Roberts mentions that "the Chiricahua fought the Comanche to the east" and leaves the reader with this more than bland piece of information, offering no further details. Yes, it is true, these Apaches did fight the Comanche in the east, but there's a lot more to it than that!
The Apaches originally occupied the central and southern plains from the Dismal River of what became Nebraska all the way south into northern Mexico and west to the mountains of what became western New Mexico. The Comanche eventually appeared and anihilated the Apaches root and branch, exterminating entire tribal groups and destroying others to such a point that they were mere fragments of what they once were and forced to flee the plains and hide in the mountains to the west. The Chiricahuas - all their bands - were not "tribes" or "tribal groups" at all, but merely fragments - bands which contained the survivors of the Comanche slaughter. These "fragment bands" are what most people think of as Apache "Tribes" in the days of Mangas Coloradas, Cochise, Victorio, Juh, Delgadito, etc. And, by not relating this information on the Comanche slaughter of Apaches to the reader, it is possible for Roberts, Thrapp, and Sweeney to offer the erroneous concept holding that the Apaches lived in the dessert mountains FOR AGES, and were valliantly defending their homeland against European invaders.
This is false. The truth is, the Apaches were in the mountains because the Comanches chased them there, and they stayed hidden and dared not venture east out onto the game-rich plains because the Comanche and Kiowa killed them on sight! So, the Apaches participated in raids on small settlements in order to obtain supplies and foodstuffs. They didn't want to live where they were, they had no choice! They weren't "defending" any homelands at all, they were holed up, hiding from Comanche and Kiowa enemies and raiding European settlements on both sides of the border while they were at it.
This is just one of the many inaccurate slants offered by authors like Roberts, Thrapp, and Sweeney. The list is too long to properly deal with in a review like this, but if you want to know what an accurate book on the history of an Indian tribe is, read Comanches (Pimlico Wild West) which will not only provide you with a very interesting look into the history of the Comanches, but also into the history of the Apaches! Read it and then read this one by Roberts, or any of the books by Thrapp or Sweeney, and you'll immediately see what I mean here by one being a true history book and the others being mere STORY BOOKS based on second-hand tidbits, slanted conclusions lacking proper detail, etc.
Wonderful.......2007-01-28
I can't say enough how much I enjoyed this look at the final days of the Apache. I grew up in southern Arizona and am familiar with many of the places the book details. It brough the environment to life in a way I never had dreamed imaginable. A must read for anyone who loves the southwest.
Objective, Insightful and Entertaining Book from Cochise to Geronimo .......2007-01-21
This is a fascinating and well written account of the Apache and their war against whites and Mexico from the 1860's to their total loss of freedom that ends with Geronimo and his final band's surrender and incarceration. Roberts writes in a very readable and flowing style providing insights and first hand quotes from both sides of the conflicts. He also gives you both sides of any controversy, particularly letting the reader know the veracity of individuals with conflicting statements, which is very refreshing. Roberts is able to clearly differentiate between the different tribes that were identified generically as Apache and he presents a fascinating history involving the many chiefs that led their people during the conflict. The author covers extraordinary well the different chiefs and their roles, such as the great Cochise (Chokonen), Mangas Colorado (Chihenne), Victoria (Chihenne), Juh (Nednhi), Nana (Chihenne) and of course the infamous warrior Geronimo (Bedonkohe). The biographies and retelling of events are so descriptive and thorough that you get a genuine feel for the main characters, the conditions of the mountains and deserts and the people, white, Mexican and Indian. The first chapter starts with Lt. Bascom's ill-fated effort to retrieve a child by holding hostages from the wrong tribe, Cochise's, which sets up a violent war against the whites and a distrust that lasts for decades. That, among several failures such as consolidating reservations and the killing of a medicine man (similar to the killing of Sitting Bull just a few years later), substantiates the Apache distrust of whites. The brutality between parties is evenly told by Roberts as women and children suffer during American and Mexican attacks on Apache villages while the violence towards whites, particularly Mexicans who the Apache loathe, is hard to fathom particularly towards the isolated ranchers and their young children. And the killing and torture is in extreme brutal fashion fueling hatred and fear among the Arizona population. One Apache explains the violence as emanating from a deep hated associated with the violent deaths of their own people by their enemies. Perhaps the best example of this is by when a chief eats lunch with his best white friend and then calmly executes him after dinner demonstrating his severance from trusting whites. Besides the Apache, Roberts covers the agents from the successful but slighted Jeffords to the young egocentric Clum called "strutting turkey" by the Apache to the various Generals that tried their hand in subduing the "renegade Apache", Stoneman, Howard, Crook and Miles. The eccentric Crook is most successful utilizing Apache scouts to go deep into the mountains of the difficult and isolated Sierre Madre to track Geronimo but he is finally undermined publicly by Geronimo's frequent escapes and changes of heart. Thankfully, Roberts recognizes the role of Lt. Gatewood who finally brings Geronimo's band in as the self centered General Miles provides Gatewood no record of accomplishment. At the end, Roberts provides details on the Chirichua's long imprisonment and isolation and Geronimo's post capture history, he with withstood numerous bullets living to an amazing 85. This is the best book on the Apache fight for independence, it is an exciting book to read and one of my all time favorites.
once they moved like the wind.......2007-01-10
very much to the point , well written , loved it.........thank you very much
Phenomenal Read.......2003-12-29
This book affected me deeply. David Roberts wrote one incredible work here.
He was extremley precise and his description of the Apache way of life was excellent. A very good read.
Book Description
A powerful and vivid account of Vietnam, one of the most beautiful, ravaged, and misunderstood countries in the world
In Shadows and Wind, Robert Templer paints a fascinating and fresh picture of a country usually viewed with hazy nostalgia or deep suspicion. Here is Hanoi, an increasingly tense and troubled city approaching its millennium but uncertain of its direction. Here are people emerging from a long wilderness of malnutrition, discovering a new lifestyle of leisure and luxury. And everywhere are the anomalies that burst the bubble of optimism: a vastly expensive luxury hotel sitting empty in an unknown town six hours from an international airport; museums crammed with fake exhibits. And there remains the one-party Communist state, still wrapped in secrecy and corruption, and making for an uneasy bedfellow with the rapacious capitalism it now encourages.
Drawing on hundreds of interviews in Vietnam and years of research, Robert Templer has produced the first in-depth examination of the problems facing modern Vietnam. Shadows and Wind is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the Vietnam that now has emerged from a century of conflict with both foreign powers and with itself.
"Groundbreaking. . . . In a convincing blend of colorful reportage and trenchant analysis, Robert Templer blows away the myths that have misinformed the world about this deeply troubled country."--Jeremy Grant, The Financial Times
"A meticulous and fascinating investigation.. . . For anyone interested in the real legacy of the Vietnam War, this book should be compulsory reading." --The Guardian
Customer Reviews:
Contemporary Look At Vietnam.......2005-04-11
While in Vietnam I picked up an interesting book about contemporary Vietnam called Shadows and Wind by Robert Templer. Anyway, after my first trip to Vietnam I read Stanley Karnow's excellent history, Vietnam, which focuses on the cuses of the war and the aftermath and I felt this might be a follow up of sorts, picking up where Karnow left off. It's not as contemporary as I'd like-it was published in 1998, but the author has interesting insights to make about the myth of Vietnam, the culture, the generation gap, food, politics, Viet Kieu (exiled or refugee Vietnamese), religion, and everyday life. Albeit the chapters on politics were long and difficult to get through-they came in the middle of the book, which seemed to slow me in my progress. However, I found the opening and closing chapters the most interesting and informative about contemporary Vietnamese society and from what I saw on my last trip to Hanoi-it is still fairly accurate. The Vietnamese are slowing making their way to the usual global consumerism with their pursuit of Honda Dream motorcycles, cell phones, and other consumer goods, but the governement has kept economic expansion moving at a trickle compared to other countries. More than half of the population was born after the war and no one ever gave me grief because I was an American. It'll be interesting to see whether or not Vietnam develops an economic model like China.
One of Two Great books on Vietnam!.......2004-09-08
I read this book because it was recommended in the back of my favorite book on Vietnam: The Bamboo Chest: An Adventure in Healing the Trauma of War
After reading this book I can understand why Mr. Graham recommended it in his book The Bamboo Chest, and why there are so many who've read both The Bamboo Chest: An Adventure in Healing the Trauma of War and Shadows And Wind and consider them the two best books on Vietnam in recent years. As a Vietnamese-American I can definitely attest to the both authors' understanding of the topic of Vietnam: one author gained his through living and reporting on Vietnam for three years, and the other through living in Vietnam during the worst years of the War, and spending eleven months in a re-education camp, just like my uncle!
Get The Bamboo Chest and Shadows and Wind and you'll have a complete understanding of Vietnam and its people!
Get the facts behind the headlines!.......2004-09-07
This book and memoir "The Bamboo Chest: An Adventure in Healing the Trauma of War" by Frederick "Cork Graham are the best books on Vietnam that my reading club and I have read in the last ten years. Both of them stories that have never been told by any other writers who appear only to be regurgitating the findings of previous writers many of them long since dead. If you really want to know what is behind the veil of secrecy in Vietnam then these "Shadows and Wind" and "The Bamboo Chest" are the books for you! Both are written by authors who spent more than a year in Vietnam. Graham spent eleven months as the first american political prisoner held in that country since the end of outright fighting.
Wonderful book.......2004-04-11
A truly wonderful book. Templer writes with beautiful flowing prose, expressing complex ideas and thoughts in an enjoyable and easy to understand manner. Thoroughly researched, this well-organized book provides some essential history and how the history relates to the modern society, then covers all of the main issues of Vietnamese culture and society - including hunger, writing, AIDS, youth, and corrruption - bringing a picture to life of an often confusing and stereotyped land. I learned a tremendous amount from this book. Many of my pre-impressions and stereotypes were wiped away and I finished with more questions, more curiousity, and more understanding about this country that I expected. Highly recommended.
A windbag errant.......2003-10-27
Persuasive only to the unknowledgeable reader this is journalism at its slippery worst. Close examination of the references shows many inaccuracies which make even a junior scholar of Vietnam cringe.It is clear that Mr Templer has no real knowledge of the Vietnamese language and his social and political commentrary is very much a scissors and paste selection from various news agencies. Even more disappointing is his obvious bias which seems to have been the result of perceived attacks on his personal vanity. He is far from a dispassionate observer and this book will only reinforce the prejudices of readers who are parti pris. One is saddened to think that the naive should be so easily drawn to such self-opinionated stuff, when there are books like Neil Jamieson's "Understanding Vietnam" available.
Average customer rating:
- It made me very happy
- Should Have Been Good - But It Wasn't
- Solid Start to Wonderful Series
- Written on the Wind - Daughters of Fortune Series
- What a great book!
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Written on the Wind (Daughters of Fortune, 1)
Judith Pella
Manufacturer: Bethany House Publishers
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Somewhere a Song (Daughters of Fortune #2)
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Homeward My Heart (Daughters of Fortune)
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Beloved Stranger
ASIN: 0764226088 |
Book Description
What Costs Will She Risk to Prove Herself?
In Written on the Wind, Cameron Hayes' determination to distance herself from her famous father and establish herself as a journalist finds her back in her beloved Russia, now threatened by Hitler's greed. In Moscow she meets Dr. Alex Rostov, a once-prominent US surgeon who has been forced to return to his Russian homeland. Anger over the politics of war brings Alex and Cameron together, but will tragedy ultimately drive them apart?
Cameron's sisters, Blair and Jackie, have each set out on paths certain to dismantle a family already fragmented by turmoil, within and without. Long-held secrets shimmer just beneath the surface of a family united only in name...will the trauma of war be the catalyst for peace?
Customer Reviews:
It made me very happy.......2006-12-17
It made me very glad that charcters from the series "The Russians" were put into the books. (The Russians is a very good book series you need to read) I thought Written on the Wind was very good and belivable. True it does leave you hanging on the end so I am very excited to get the next book so I can see what happens.
Should Have Been Good - But It Wasn't.......2006-06-26
This SHOULD have been a good book. The story was decent, the characters had potential... But the writing was ghastly, particularly the dialogue. For some reason, Pella shuns contractions and insists on dropping a name of direct address into every line of dialogue. Clunky, to say the best. One expects more from an author as prolific as Pella.
Oh, and would somebody please tell me what the title has to do with anything?
Solid Start to Wonderful Series.......2006-06-15
Pella excels at history. Therefore, it's no surprise that her books tend to contain a lot of it. This makes them both great and a bit slow at times. If you're willing to wait out the fascinating and thorough political intrigue and history stuff, the stories pay off in the end.
Not much is resolved in this book, but that's because it's really only part one of a larger story. Stand alone humph, this book is meant to be read in conjunction with the other 3. I promise things are resolved by the end of the series (believe me I just finished reading the last one about a day ago).
Written on the Wind introduces us to Cameron, Blair, and Jacki - this one's mainly about Cameron and her verbal duels with her father and struggles to make it in the man's world of journalism circa 1940. If you invest enough of your time reading this book, you'll be slowly draw in and captivated by the realistic characters.
Written on the Wind - Daughters of Fortune Series.......2005-07-20
Judith Pella is an amazing author! I have read her work for years now, and she is at the top of my list. Written on the Wind is a spectacular book. Action, romance, faith; just enough of each one to keep you in suspence of what will happen next. The series "The Russians" is my favorite all time series from her. I thought it absolutely fantastic that she intertwined some of the characters from that series into The Daughters of Fortune series. (If you have not read "The Russians" you must!!!! It will help you understand more of the Russian history that is talked about in Written on the Wind.) Daughters of Fortune series is a must read! I can't wait to finish the series! You will fall in love with the characters of the story. She makes you feel like you are a part of the story! Once again, 5 stars!!!!
What a great book!.......2004-01-23
I have to admitt that I had never read a Christian Fiction book before I read "Written on the Wind" by Judith Pella. The main reason that I bought it was that it was set during World War 2. But after starting the book, I was very sorry that it me so long to read it. Ms. Pella is truly a great writer that is able bring the characters to life. She is also is able to show that during war-time faith is something that is needed for survival. This is a book that should not be missed and I look foward to read the other books in the "Daughters of Fortune" series!
Average customer rating:
- To Ricardo Ibarra from Guatemala (are you still there?)...
- The best I have read
- Is it possible to find "War and Rememberance" in Czech?
- A True Epic Work!
- Fascinating & Educational- a vivid picture of WW2-15 from Wa
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Winds of War\War and Remembrance Boxed Set
Herman Wouk
Manufacturer: Little Brown and Company
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Customer Reviews:
To Ricardo Ibarra from Guatemala (are you still there?)..........2002-02-17
Yes, "War and Remembrance" is a continuation of "Winds Of War". It continues the Henry family story through Aaron and Natalie's problems as Jews trapped in Europe, Byron's service in the Pacific in submarines, Madeline's work in show business, and Pug's difficulties with his marriage to Rhoda (I won't give the story away, but Pamela Tudsbury continues to figure in that part). Now I wish that the publishers would release both books in e book format (along with "The Caine Mutiny"). My copies of all three books are falling apart.
The best I have read.......2000-02-01
I am 21 years old and one of my favourite hobbies is study history. World War 2 is one of my favourite topics and Winds of War was a great book that make me live the war as if I was there. I also enjoy reading, and this book has been the best I ever read. Perhaps, beacause of my fascination with WW2. I do have a question. I haven't read yet War and Remembrance and I want to know if this book is the actual second part of The Winds of War. I mean, do we still find the Henry family?
Is it possible to find "War and Rememberance" in Czech?.......1999-07-08
Please send responses to powell@wordscapes.co
A True Epic Work!.......1999-07-01
It is great to see WINDS and W&R offered as one work. Although Wouk correctly informs his readers that they can be read as separate works, these are actually two parts of one work and should be thought of as such. Nothing Herman Wouk has done before or since this work was finished can equal it. This is a work of Homerian proportion. It will last for centuries as a chronicle of the seminal event of the 20th century. Wouk weaves his tale with as much historical accuracy as possible and successfully develops characters that the reader comes to care deeply about. His creation of Gen. Armin von Roon to elaborate the German view of WWII is a master stroke. He mixes the real life protaganists with his fictional characters in a totally unobtrusive manner. In short, it is a work that is at once compelling, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. My only complaint, and it is a minor one, is that he ties things together in the last twenty or so pages somewhat too quickly and a tad haphazardly, as if someone had told him the work was already long enough. Too bad. By this time these characters have become such a part of you that another 50 pages would have been more than welcome!
Fascinating & Educational- a vivid picture of WW2-15 from Wa.......1999-05-19
Being a 9th grade honors student, I was interested in expanding my knowledge of the world while also adding a few more famous books to my list. After asking my parents, I found that we had the books somewhere in our house, it turned out that we had two copies of War and Rememberance, and zero of Winds of War. So, not willing to give up my search, I borrowed the first from the Seattle public library, as our skimpy Redmond library failed to produce it. at first the almost 900 pages scared me but they flew by, and my requirement of 1000 pgs a semester at school began to look pitiful. I have to say that there were a few words I didn't know in the book, but it was a pleasure to find that many of the millions of vocab words from my LA class are actually used in literature. I definitely recommend this book to anyone, whether they know anything about WW2 or not. I learned more from it than i could have from reading a textbook on WW2, simply because it didn't put me to sleep. Sarah Coffin
Redmond, Wa.
Books:
- Gravity's Rainbow (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)
- Here is New York
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye
- In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex
- Israel at Vanity Fair: Jews and Judaism in the Writings of W.M. Thackeray (Brill's Series in Jewish Studies, Vol 2)
- Jack London : Novels and Stories : Call of the Wild / White Fang / The Sea-Wolf / Klondike and Other Stories (Library of America)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
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- History: Fiction or Science
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- Business English with Electronic Study Guide
Scarlett: The Sequel to Margaret Mitchell's "Gone With the Wind"
Gone with the Wind (Two-Disc Edition)
Scarlett
The Thorn Birds
Rebecca
