Up Country

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In Up Country, Nelson DeMille cannily revives the army career of Chief Warrant Officer Paul Brenner, the cynical, hardworking Criminal Investigation Division man who was forcibly retired after solving the high-profile killing in The General's Daughter. Brenner's called back to investigate the murder of a young army lieutenant by his captain. The catch is, the crime took place during the heat of the Tet Offensive, and the only living witness was a North Vietnamese soldier who described the incident in a 30-year-old letter that has only recently come to light. Soon Brenner, a Vietnam vet, is on an ostensible nostalgia tour of his old stomping grounds. The trip immediately turns dangerous as he heads "up country" to search for the letter writer, accompanied by a gorgeous American businesswoman, who's hiding more than even the smartest CID officer could imagine.

DeMille, who saw his own tour of duty in Vietnam (and even found a letter on a dead Vietnamese soldier), intersperses historical facts and chilling political possibilities with enough local color to provide some serious flashbacks for his fellow veterans. To non-vets the book may seem very long, but the payoff at the end is worth a couple hundred extra pages. --Barrie Trinkle

Book Description

In Up Country, Nelson DeMille cannily revives the army career ofChief Warrant Officer Paul Brenner, the cynical, hardworking CriminalInvestigation Division man who was forcibly retired after solving the high-profile killing in The General'sDaughter. Brenner's called back to investigate the murder of a youngarmy lieutenant by his captain. The catch is, the crime took place during theheat of the Tet Offensive, and the only living witness was a North Vietnamesesoldier who described the incident in a 30-year-old letter that has onlyrecently come to light. Soon Brenner, a Vietnam vet, is on an ostensiblenostalgia tour of his old stomping grounds. The trip immediately turns dangerousas he heads "up country" to search for the letter writer, accompanied by agorgeous American businesswoman, who's hiding more than even the smartest CIDofficer could imagine. DeMille, who saw his own tour of duty in Vietnam (and even found a letter on adead Vietnamese soldier), intersperses historical facts and chilling politicalpossibilities with enough local color to provide some serious flashbacks for hisfellow veterans. To non-vets the book may seem very long, but the payoff at theend is worth a couple hundred extra pages. --Barrie Trinkle

Download Description

The last thing Paul Brenner wanted to do was to return to work for the Army's Criminal Investigative Division, an organization that thanked him for his many years of dedicated service by forcing him into early retirement. But when his former boss calls in a career's worth of favors, Paul finds himself investigating a murder that took place in Vietnam thirty years before. Now, returning to a time and place that still haunts him, Paul is swept up in the battle of his life as he struggles to find justice.

Customer Reviews:

Strong narrative accompanied by deep meaning.......2007-08-06

Up Country is the first novel I have read by Nelson DeMille, and it is a very strong first impression. As the son of a man who served in Vietnam, I have always held a fascination with that particular war, but yet I feel like I have never really understood much about it. As DeMille was a lieutenant in Vietname, he not only writes this novel with a strong, suspenseful narrative, but he also finds plenty of appropriate moments throughout the novel to speak to the reader about the experiences of those who served in Vietnam, and how their lives were affected.

The novel follows former army investigator Paul Brenner. He is called by his former boss to go to Vietnam to investigate a murder that took place there in 1968. The murder involved the killing of a lieutenant by the captain of the same company, and it was witnessed by a wounded North Vietnamese soldier, who proceeded to write a letter to his family about the incident. When an American soldier gets a hold of the letter, it eventually finds its way to the American government. As Paul's investigation moves closer to its resolution, he realizes how much this murder means to the American government, and starts to wonder if he is in over his head.

While there are some slight lulls in the middle of the novel, and some of the dialog between Brenner and his female companion seems a little pedestrian, the novel overall is a solid read that not only provides a good mystery, but can also provide some deeper meaning if the reader happened to be a Vietnam vet.

BACK TO NAM.......2007-07-10

Two difficult things to take in: 393 reviews, and 40 some people only grudgingly allowed the book 1 star.

With all the reviews here all I will say is this book has the same characters somewhat as The General's Daughter, and though it is not a sequel the two books fit together well in continuance. The author served in Viet Nam and returned there for a visit prior to writing the book. Closure, well I don't know, but I am glad he revisited and wrote the book.

Finally, after 7 years this book still reads well and for me was an enjoyable read.

Semper Fi.

Good.......2007-06-22

This is a long book with very little action considering it's length. Paul Brenner a retired military police officer is sent on a mission in Vietnam (present day). He is to find a north Vietnamse man who witnessed a murder 30 years ago. Sounds simple? Well Paul takes us on a tour of Vietnam before we meet the man he is searching for. Along the way Paul talks about his experiences in Vietnam and provides lots of historical information. Great Stuff!! I was in Vietnam in the early 90s and did not know about a particular indigeneous people that played a role in this novel. The development of tourism after America resumed diplomatic relations with Vietnam is a amazing. Susan Weber the love interest in the novel provides insight on why some people become expatriots in far off places.

Most of the book deals with Paul and Susan touring Vietnam and then going up north to find the witness to a crime. They know where the man is but, it seems to take them a long time to get to their destination.
I listened to this on casset with Scott Brick as the narrator.
Brick is wonderful. This is a great audio book for the car because when at times I drifted off I didn't miss much action just descriptions of events, places , and feelings. I would recommend this novel to anyone interested in Vietnam

Too Stars.......2007-05-21

So the U.S. Army sends an immature and wise-cracking, retired 50-something Vietnam vet back to Vietnam for a dangerous secret mission in a totalitarian police state. In the former Saigon, he teams up with a with a beautiful Harvard MBA twenty years his junior, who falls madly in love with the aforementioned sarcastic jerk over dinner. I don't buy it. Neither should you. The author seems to be living out a mid-life crisis in this yawner. The book is TOO long, and the characters are too incessantly sarcastic and witty. The witticisms get old. Furthermore, the protagonist gets way too sassy with innumerable Vietnamese officials, and never gets jailed or deported. It's amazing! No, it's all just way too unlikely. Too insufferably "John Wayne." Instead of this silly book, read Philip Caputo's Vietnam memoir "A Rumor of War," which is profound and brilliant.

excellent.......2007-05-18

witty. funny. serious. satirical.
yes, i did skip over some dreaded dialogue.
overall, nelson deMille is always a good read!!

Growing Up Country: What Makes Country Life Country

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Growing Up Country: What Makes Country Life Country
Charlie Daniels
Manufacturer: Flying Dolphin Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

History & Criticism | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0385518463
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Book Description

From Growing Up Country:

“I learned early in life that country is not a place on a map. Country is a place in your heart. In your soul. In the very depth of your being.” —Bill Anderson

“One of the things I like most about country life is that nothing much has really changed . . . My grandchildren and I are still walking and hunting in the same woods and fishing in the same creeks as I did with my father.” —President Jimmy Carter

“Food was at the heart of our home. And, other than those troublesome vegetables, I loved all of it. We fried everything—we’d have even fried water if we could’ve.” —Keith Anderson

“I can’t imagine what my life would have been without peaceful days, mountain streams, homegrown and home-cooked food, country church, and all-day singing with dinner on the grounds with family and friends.” —Dolly Parton

“Growing up country—there’s nothing like it. It’s growing up with your grandmother and granddaddy around . . . it’s a lot of love when you need it, great cooking in the kitchen, and always being real.” —Eddie Montgomery

Blackberry pie on the window ledge. The Grand Ole Opry on the radio. Sunday dinners on the table. Families swinging on the front porch after a hard day’s work. It’s all part of the country way of life.

Here, legendary country music singer Charlie Daniels introduces and edits a collection of heartfelt essays from an all-star cast of contributors on what it means to grow up country.

United by a love of music, these notables show us that country means more than just the twang of a guitar. They share a belief in hard work, integrity, strength of character, and having the courage not to quit. The stories here tell of rustic upbringings and rich spirits, of parents who believed in tough love and old-fashioned common sense, and of a strong sense of community, pride in your country, and a love of the natural world.

You’ll get an intimate glimpse into the lives of:

Country music royalty and all-time greats: such as Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Brenda Lee, Dobie Gray, and Lee Greenwood

Southern rock gods: such as Gary Rossington and Donnie Van Zant

The newest crop of stars: such as Sara Evans, Toby Keith, and Clint Black

Special guests: such as former president Jimmy Carter, and seven-time all around rodeo champion Ty Murray

These snapshots show how living country has allowed our favorite singers, songwriters, and stage performers to make a career out of doing what they love while never forgetting that when you’ve grown up country, home isn’t just a place where you live, it’s a state of the heart.

Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds

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"Must read" foranyone living outside your home Nation!
it's an autobiography for tcks
The missing link.
Putting it into words.
A Must Have

Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds
David C. Pollock
Manufacturer: Nicholas Brealey Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1857882954

Book Description

Third Culture Kids speaks to the challenges and rewards of a multicultural childhood; the joy of discovery and heartbreaking loss, its effect on maturing and personal identity, and the difficulty in transitioning home.

Customer Reviews:

"Must read" foranyone living outside your home Nation!.......2007-04-08

If you are raising children outside your home Nation, this book will help you understand and assist your children with their unique experiences living in the invisible "third" culture. If you or your spouse grew up in a Country foreign to their parents, this book may help illuminate emotions and behaviors that never quite made sense before (especially from the perspective of those of us who always lived in the same house!). This book is in english, but it is not about Americans only, but anyone from one Nation who spend several years or more of childhood in a second Nation. Should be a staple in every military, ambassadorial, or mission complex library!

it's an autobiography for tcks.......2007-03-23

I am a tck and I have met Mrs. Van Reken. She is brilliant, and her book helped me through many of my adolescent identity struggles. I have passed it along to friends and parents of tcks and everyone seems to agree that it is both interesting, thought-provoking, and helpful.

The missing link........2007-02-11

If you grew up in another country and have always felt a as though something is missing in your life, this book holds answers.

Putting it into words........2007-02-08

I recently found out about this book and the term TCK. As an American who spent the majority of the first ten years of my life growing up in Scotland, it felt so comforting to find out that there is a whole community of people out there like me, and that our common experiences have a name. Also, as someone who never thought I'd read another "textbook" after graduating college, this book has definitely changed my mind. It's a great balance of expert language and personal story, perfect for TCKs or ATCKs just discovering who they are, non TCKs who share their lives with TCKs, parents of TCKs, and any educator or professional in an international setting. I consider this book to be the definitive publication on my life experience, and those like me.

A Must Have.......2007-01-10

Anyone who is a TCK or ATCK or has kids who are TCKS needs to own this book. It does a lot to help us understand what and why we do what we do, and the best ways to deal with our issues. It is a form of support that for the most part is hard to find anywhere else.

John Shaw's Closeups in Nature (Practical Photography Books)

Average customer rating:

Good beginner book
Shaw's "Closeups in Nature"
Classic.. but needs revision
Very Good Book
Out of date - too little advice on technique

John Shaw's Closeups in Nature (Practical Photography Books)
John Shaw
Manufacturer: Amphoto Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0817440526

Product Description

Shaw explains in exacting detail the intricacies of the close-up, covering exposure, metering, lighting and equipment selection. Delves deep into the topic of extension tubes, focusing racks and lenses.

Customer Reviews:

Good beginner book.......2007-02-02

This book would be very helpful to a true beginner lots of tips and explanations. Very easy to read and follow no rocket science here. I would recommend this to anybody who is starting out in closeup and or macrophotography

Shaw's "Closeups in Nature".......2006-07-22

"Closeups in Nature has provided a good technical approach to closeup photography, especially for the amateur photographer. I was in need of information relative to lense specifications and technical data to try and sucessfully photograph some difficult subject for publication. THis book gave some very generic insight on how to start that photo process and some guidance on how to develope a personal technique.

Classic.. but needs revision.......2006-03-10

This is an excellent book.. if you still use equipment that you have purchase during early 80's. Although the same photographic principles apply, this book can definitely benefit from some major revisions.

Very Good Book.......2005-06-08

This book is very good for Beginners to Intermediate Level Photo Enthusiasts. It has couple of tips and examples which the reader has to grasp and note down till they start using it and make familiar with it. Overall a Great Book for the price with pictures, explanation, Shutter Speed and Aperture values. Lot of new photography students wonder hey how did you get this picture ? What shutter speed and Aperture did you use ? The book indirectly gives you all the answers. Spend time reading it (no Rush) and you will explore new techniques which you can practically use and implement. I Recommend this book.

Out of date - too little advice on technique.......2004-11-02

This book is from 1987, I briefly read the reviews saying that it wasn't in the digital era, OK I figured that's fine, how out of date could it be? However, I didn't expect that so much of the book would be dedicated to functionality that's now fully automatic, such as TTL Flash, and TTL exposure metering.

It's certainly a very interesting technical read, that provided me with an understanding of all the different macro options, lenses, filters, extensions, TC's, reversing rings, bellows, reverse mount adapters, lens stacking, etc. However, it wasn't for me.

I was after something that would show technique, or provide advice on how/where to find the shots he was taking, but the book doesn't cover that at all, to my dismay the book starts with the author writing "it always surprises me that folks find it hard to find subjects" but then provides no advice. After having bought a 60mm Micro lens I was hopeful this would provide direction, but other than "I probably should have bought the 105mm lens" I didn't get any direction from it.

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powerful story about family
Amazing Stuff
Good Night Mr. Tom
A Great Book for Realistic Fiction Lovers!
A real tear jerker, but a great book.

Good Night, Mr. Tom
Michelle Magorian
Manufacturer: HarperTeen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Violence | Social Issues | Teens | Subjects | Books

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All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 006440174X

Book Description

London is poised on the brink of World War 11. Timid, scrawny Willie Beech -- the abused child of a single mother -- is evacuated to the English countryside. At first, he is terrified of everything, of the country sounds and sights, even of Mr. Tom, the gruff, kindly old man who has taken him in. But gradually Willie forgets the hate and despair of his past. He learns to love a world he never knew existed, a world of friendship and affection in which harsh words and daily beatings have no place. Then a telegram comes. Willie must return to his mother in London. When weeks pass by with no word from Willie, Mr. Tom sets out for London to look for the young boy he has come to love as a son.

Customer Reviews:

powerful story about family.......2007-07-11

Timid, scrawny, Willie Beech is the abused child of a single mother. She sends him to Mr. Tom, who lives in the English countryside, because London is being bombed by the Nazis.

The two main adults in this story, the mother and Mr. Tom, seem very similar in the beginning. Yet, by the end, we see that they are completely different. What really hit home was this: hard times can make hard people, but one's true colors shine through when faced with others in need.

Mr. Tom's gruff exterior is only his exterior. He's really got a warm heart, which he opens up to Willie and shows him the love that's supposed to be in a family.

The mother's quiet, strict exterior masks her bitter, mean nature. She has no love for her children, and abuses them in subtle, neglectful ways.

We don't actually see the abuse, we see the end result...which, in my opinion, is far more powerful. I cried for Willie at the end of this book, and cheered Mr. Tom for doing everything he could to save this poor boy. When children are old enough to understand the results of abuse, every family should read this book.

Amazing Stuff.......2007-03-18

I decided to read this book for seventh grade accellerated reader. This great piece of literature has quickly become one of my all time favorite books. I'm very hard to please when it comes to books. When you read this, you become so attached to every last character. It is truly amazing.

Good Night Mr. Tom.......2006-11-08

I thought that this book was a very good book to read. I thought that it gave a lot of details and it was very interesting and exciting. This book was sort of hard to understand because Mr. Tom said different words funny. I really liked the part where Mr. Tom went over to London to try to find Will at his house. I also liked the part where Will was taken from his hospital bed and brought back to Mr. Tom's home. The ending left me hanging because at the end he said Dad I'm growing. I would give this book about five stars.

A Great Book for Realistic Fiction Lovers!.......2006-10-07

Willie (Will) Beech, the likable main character in "Good Night, Mr. Tom", is a shy, scared, malnourished 8-year-old evacuated to the English countryside from London in World War II. Willie goes to live with a kind older man, Tom Oakley, whom Willie affectionately calls Mr. Tom. Willie, who was frequently abused by his mother in the past, learns new, loving ways of life while in the care of Tom. He grows both physically and emotionally during his stay, but many times this growth is interrupted by thrilling plot-twists.

Though "Good Night, Mr. Tom" is heart-warming and most definitely a page-turner, there are parts that are quite graphic, and others that are remarkably sad. I would not recommend it to those who prefer stories that are entirely happy, or to those who cannot tolerate gore. However, I would definitely recommend "Good Night, Mr. Tom" to anyone else.

USEFUL INFORMATION: Since the story is set in England, (the English countryside, more specifically), the author writes each word exactly as the characters would say it. This dialect can be a bit confusing, but it's not too hard to comprehend.

A real tear jerker, but a great book........2006-07-13

My son had to pick a book from a long list to read over the summer for school. After reading the reviews for this book, we chose it. It was a very touching story, sad in places and happy in others. You really are cheering for Will and Mr. Tom. The author uses colloquial accents of rural England, but you really get used to it. My son is reading the book now and isn't having a problem understanding what the characters are saying. He is also enjoying the book a great deal, and having a hard time putting it down.

Guatemala ABCs: A Book About the People And Places of Guatemala (Country Abcs) (Country Abcs)

Average customer rating:

Bite Size Facts from Guatemala
We love it for our 3yo and 8yo
Good, but not what I expected.
The beauty is in the pictures and passages.
Nicely done, not spectacular

Guatemala ABCs: A Book About the People And Places of Guatemala (Country Abcs) (Country Abcs)
Marcie Aboff
Manufacturer: Picture Window Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1404815708

Customer Reviews:

Bite Size Facts from Guatemala.......2007-10-07

My three year old daughter, adopted from Guatemala, loved this book. It offers bite size pieces of information about the country in a fun way. She even brought it to her preschool on her show and tell day.

We love it for our 3yo and 8yo.......2007-02-26

The pictures really tell the story of Guatemala - the fast facts you think of first when thinking about Guatemala. We think its perfect for the younger age group, but it would also work with children a bit older. Our 3yo who was recently adopted from Guatemala loves this book along with the Guatemala Q&A book. They go well together. Our 8 yo loves to read this book to her sister. So, they both learn and remember Guatemala.

Good, but not what I expected........2007-01-12

From the title and cover of this book, one might think the book is for kids 2-7, but it's actually aimed at older kids. Other than that, the book is still satisfying, delivering fun, fast facts in an easily digestible format. Very informative.

The beauty is in the pictures and passages........2007-01-04

I absolutely think you should have this book as part of your collection. The pictures come to life along with the description. The wording is simple and sweet. I am a first grade teacher and taught using this book. All my students enjoyed the memory this book brings to life. Vivid pictures and colors are an absolute gift from the artist.

Nicely done, not spectacular.......2006-10-14

Colorful book with some interesting information about Guatemala. This is an intermediate book, not really for older readers and not an "ABC" book that you would show a toddler. I plan to show it to my youngest when he is 4 or so. The drawing are good but not great.

The information is a bit superficial and the "Fast facts" are an odd addition. The "fast fact" info should just be part of the text; I don't know why they are "fast".

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Mama Dip
TRY MOMMA DIP KITCHEN COOKBOOK
Mama Dip's Family Cookbook
"EXCELLENT"
A superb cookbook for creating meals and festive trays with down-home Southern flavor

Mama Dip's Family Cookbook
Mildred Council
Manufacturer: The University of North Carolina Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books

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Cooking, Food & Wine | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

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ASIN: 080785655X
Release Date: 2007-06-04

Book Description

In this much-anticipated follow-up to her bestselling Mama Dip's Kitchen, Mildred "Mama Dip" Council serves up an abundance of new recipes for home-style Southern cooking that is sure to please. From catfish gumbo to breakfast pizza and peach upside-down cake, Mama Dip's Family Cookbook offers recipes for more than three hundred dishes, including many Council family favorites. Also featured are party and celebration foods for family and community gatherings--a reflection of Council's belief that friends and family are essential to a rewarding life. To help novice cooks, Council includes basic information about staple ingredients, kitchen utensils, and important measurements, as well as diagrams for setting up a buffet.

In a charming introductory essay, Council intertwines food-related reminiscences of her rural North Carolina upbringing with a wry recounting of her experiences since the remarkable success of her first book. With this book she passes along to new generations the practical advice and wisdom that have made her a treasure to her family and her community.

Customer Reviews:

Mama Dip.......2007-02-21

Mama Dip is a legend in NC. Her recipes are wonderful. This was a gift for my brother-in-law in who lives in the Pacific Northwest, but loves Southern cooking. His family will certainly benefit from some TRUE Southern recipes from a TRUE Southern cook.

TRY MOMMA DIP KITCHEN COOKBOOK.......2007-02-05

I WAS VERY DISAPOINTED IN THE FAMILY COOKBOOK ,I WAS EXPECTING GREAT RECIPES LIKE HER OTHER BOOK MAMA DIP KITCHEN IT WAS FOOD REAL CAROLINA PEOPLE COOKED.

Mama Dip's Family Cookbook.......2006-02-26

As in the first book, this also is fun reading and even more fun making the recipes. Definitely recommend this for you all if you want to make things like your mom or grandmom did!

"EXCELLENT" .......2006-01-15

Excellent as every recipe mama dip has provided for us. love her cookbooks and her recipes.

A superb cookbook for creating meals and festive trays with down-home Southern flavor.......2005-12-06

A follow-up to the popular "Mama Dip's Family Kitchen," Mama Dip's Family Cookbook is a treasury of more than three hundred recipes for savory, homestyle Southern cooking, from traditional meals to festive party foods and dishes ideal for community gatherings. An introductory essay by author Mildred "Mama Dip" Council, winner of the 2004 North Carolina Restaurant Association Neighbor Award for her role in Chapel Hill's annual community dinner, offers memories of her early life and her experiences as her exceptional cooking style became increasingly well-known and appreciated. Taste-tested dishes such as Spoon Bread, Chicken Noodle Pie, Apple-Nut Squares, Candied Carrots are presented with easy-to- follow instructions. Mama Dip's Family Cookbook is a superb cookbook for creating meals and festive trays with down-home Southern flavor.

Average customer rating:

Hampton's a Winner
Richie's Picks: KNIGHTS OF THE HILL COUNTRY

Knights of the Hill Country
Tim Tharp
Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0375836535
Release Date: 2006-08-22

Book Description

In a small Oklahoma town, one star linebacker must decide what kind of man he wants to be--both on and off the field.
Welcome to Kennisaw--where Friday night high school football ranks right up there with God and country, and sometimes even comes in first. This year, the Kennisaw Knights are going for their fifth straight undefeated season, and if they succeed, they'll be more than the best high school team in the eastern Oklahoma hill country--they'll be legends.

But the Knights' legacy is a heavy weight to carry for Hampton, linebacker and star of the team. On the field, he's so in control you'd think he was able to stop time. But his life off the field is a different story. His father walked out on him and his mom years ago, and now his mom has a new boyfriend every week. He's drawn to a smart, quirky girl at school--the type a star athlete just isn't supposed to associate with. And meanwhile, his best friend and teammate Blaine--the true friend who first introduced Hampton to football back when he had nothing else--is becoming uncomfortably competitive, and he's demanding Hampton's loyalty even as Hampton thinks he's going too far.

This unforgettable novel is the story of a boy whose choices will decide the kind of man he becomes, and raises powerful questions about sportsmanship, loyalty, and the deceptiveness of legends.

Customer Reviews:

Hampton's a Winner.......2007-08-19

My friends might be surprised that I read a book that wasn't a fantasy, let alone a sports book, but good writing transcends genre and subject matter, and Knights of the Hill Country is very good writing. The best thing about this book is narrator Hampton Green's voice, which gives a whole new meaning to that overused expression, "pitch-perfect." I was just wondering this morning if I was a little too harsh in a couple of recent reviews, and then I read this book and felt justified by the difference in quality! Talk about a dimensional character--teenage football player Hampton is SUCH a real and unique person, his voice colored by a regional tone which simply adds to the story telling.

Hampton plays football on a virtually unbeatable high school team because his best friend Blaine and Blaine's father have taught him to play hard and well. Over the years, Hampton has relied heavily on those relationships, with his own father gone and his mother largely unavailable. But during Hampton's senior year, he finds himself becoming aware of a disconnect between his vision of the world and Blaine's outlook on life. Hampton thinks of himself as slow, but he's starting to realize that it's not because he's stupid; instead, he mulls things over. Unlike Blaine, Hampton has trouble expressing his thoughts on the spot.

Hampton gradually becomes disillusioned with being a follower, particularly Blaine's follower. The fact that Hampton has turned out to be a very good football player, while Blaine is held back by an untreated knee injury, is one reason for the conflict--a frustrated and envious Blaine puts a strain on Hampton's straightforward loyalty with his increasingly irrational demands. Among other things, Blaine tries to put a stop to Hampton's interest in a girl Blaine feels isn't sufficiently popular and good-looking. But Hampton's relationship with Sara helps him to think in new ways and break Blaine's hold over him. Hampton wisely realizes that he can love football and play to win without neglecting other possibilities and joys in life.

All of this growth is shown in the context of Hampton and Blaine's activities at school, on dates, and especially during football games. The sports scenes are particularly well written, given greater meaning by Hampton's take on the game. (I like how Hampton ruefully contrasts his ability to make exactly the right moves in football with his inability to say the right things in social settings.)

The book's pivotal moment shows that Hampton's deep loyalty to Blaine can move him to do something which, while it infuriates Blaine, saves Blaine from himself. In a very satisfying evolution, seemingly passive Hampton becomes the action-taker--and we realize that his integrity has given his "still waters" choices increasing power, in contrast to Blaine's frenetically petty mistakes. I highly recommend Knights of the Hill Country. When I updated my program's library, I didn't find very many excellent sports-centered YA novels, but this one definitely earns a place on that shelf.

Richie's Picks: KNIGHTS OF THE HILL COUNTRY.......2006-10-20

What is this world coming to? Two football stories worth my talking about in the same year? What is next -- me out there barbecuing tofu at a tailgate party?

Back when Hampton Green was nine years old, his father abandoned the family. Hampton and his mom had moved downstate to a modest rental in Kennisaw, Oklahoma. Mom landed a job in a store and, in the ensuing years, has gone through a series of boyfriends. During those years she has never been there emotionally for Hampton.

Hampton's salvation since moving to Kennisaw had been his long friendship with Blaine Keller. A generation ago Blaine's dad had been part of the Kennisaw Knights high school football team that went undefeated for five straight years. Blaine and his dad taught Hampton the game of football and now the two friends are seniors and stars on this generation's miracle Knights team, aiming at completing their own fifth undefeated season to match that legendary streak of the past.

But Blaine has been trying to hide from the adults how badly his knee was injured in a game at the end of the previous season. It becomes painfully clear to us that the increasingly bitter Blaine Keller -- with his unforgiving father on his back -- is not going to achieve the greatness beyond high school that he's got all his chips riding on. Meanwhile, the big, redheaded, six foot-four Hampton is only getting better as he continues to develop his unmatched intuitive sense of the game.

Unfortunately, Hampton doesn't have the same intuitive sense when it comes to school assignments or to talking with girls. But on the plus side, despite being in the position to ride Blaine's coattails and consort with the most popular girls at school, Hampton has developed a quiet admiration for a shy yet articulate girl with baggy clothes named Sara Reynolds whom, thanks to her wild hair, the popular kids scathingly refer to as Bush Girl.

It is Sara who has some important things to teach Hampton.

"Darnell didn't see how nobody with an ounce of brains could fight for the Confederates and Lana said she had ancestors that was on the South's side and they was fighting for a way of life and old-fashion family values.
"Darnell turned over to me. 'Can you believe this girl, Hamp? You explain it to her. I'm wore out.'
" 'I don't know that much about it,' I said. looking down. Last thing I wanted to do was get balled up in a controversy. As good of a fighter as I was on the football field, I hated a argument in civilian life. Darnell was my best friend after Blaine and he was black, so I wasn't about to take the South's side, but I didn't want to hurt Lana's feelings neither. Besides, I didn't know but what Sara might have some relatives from the South somewheres along the line too.
"Darnell threw up his hands. 'How about you Sara? You're smart. Let me ask you. Was slavery wrong?'
" 'Of course,' she said.
" 'Well, then, let me ask you another thing. What reason could anyone have for fighting on a side that wants to own slaves?'
"Sara was quiet for a moment, her long lashes shading down over her eyes. 'Well,' she said finally, 'I guess a lot of folks want to be part of a side so much they just go along with what their side says is right.'
" 'Even when it's really wrong,' Darnell threw in.
" 'That's just it,' Sara said. 'Some people don't know who they really are themselves, so how are they going to know what they think is right or wrong?'"

One of the seminal themes in young adult literature involves adolescent characters learning to speak, and to speak up, as they create their own voices and identities. Hampton's innocence and blind loyalty to Blaine have totally impeded his ability to develop that individual identity and voice, but with the end of high school in sight we are rooting loudly for this big, goodhearted Oklahoma kid with his "durns," "done alreadys," and folksy metaphors, to heed Sara's lessons and become his own person.

Average customer rating:

Over to soon
Taming the Star Runner- By S.E. Hinton
Michael's review
Taming the Star Runner
Big Tex

Taming the Star Runner
S.E. Hinton
Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0440204798
Release Date: 1989-10-01

Book Description

“A powerful story. . . . Travis is Everyteen: part insecure hell-raiser, part closet intellectual, prone to both sneers and tears. Hinton continues to grow more reflective in her books, but her great understanding, not of what teenagers are but of what they can hope to be, is undiminished.”—Kirkus Reviews

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Customer Reviews:

Over to soon.......2006-06-21

This was over all a good book. I thought it was over to soon and not all in a good way. The climax of the story happens to quickly and after there is a hasty conclusion like SE Hinton was in a hurry to finish it. The story was good though and I still enjoyed the book.

The question "What If?" plays a big part in the story. We all ask that-What if i had... whould things have been better? They would have been different but if we had chosen the other option we would still be sitting around wondering what if. Learn to make the choice you want and move on. We can't change the past so look to the future.

Taming the Star Runner- By S.E. Hinton.......2006-03-22

Book Review By Sam K.

In S.E. Hinton's Taming the Star Runner, a sixteen year old boy named Travis travels to the countryside to visit his uncle Ken. Travis is a tough looking city boy who can get himself out of any situation, and he has a hard time making friends at the "hick school." He decides to go to the barn to meet Casey, who introduces him to the Star Runner, a crazy untamed horse. Later Travis finds that he and the Star Runner have a lot in common.
I didn't care for this book because it didn't have a lot to do with the Star Runner. I think S.E. Hinton should have added more detail on how the Star Runner got tamed. I would recommend this book to a young adult like Travis: a procrastinator from the city. I think this because I feel if you're like the character you can understand more about the story you're being told. It was an okay book.

Michael's review.......2006-01-17

The main character's name is Travis, a city boy who drinks, smokes, and gets into a lot of trouble. He is sent to live on a horse ranch with his uncle because he beat his stepfather with a fire poker. He meets a girl named Casey who is trying to train a horse named Star Runner. He is sixteen, a writer, and is having a book published. He has a hard time getting used to living in the country and learning how to train a horse.
I liked this book. The last three chapters were the best in the book. They really got my interest.
I would recommend this book to high school students, especially to kids who like horses or ride in show. It was an easy book to read, and it has a surprise ending that turns the book around.
The main character's name is Travis, a city boy who drinks, smokes, and gets into a lot of trouble. He is sent to live on a horse ranch with his uncle because he beat his stepfather with a fire poker. He meets a girl named Casey who is trying to train a horse named Star Runner. He is sixteen, a writer, and is having a book published. He has a hard time getting used to living in the country and learning how to train a horse.
I liked this book. The last three chapters were the best in the book. They really got my interest. I would recommend this book to high school students, especially to kids who like horses or ride in show. It was an easy book to read, and it has a surprise ending that turns the book around.

Taming the Star Runner.......2006-01-09

Taming the Star Runner is a book about a teenage boy who is addicted to many bad things and one night his father is hurting his mother so he hits him with a fire poker. His parents send him to his uncle's house to cool down and he learns alot about being a real man and how to quit smoking. This is realistic fiction book. I would give it 5 stars.
This book is suitble for ages 12-18 and does have some language issues. this book tells a great story and has a happy ending. To learn more you will have to read the book.

Big Tex.......2005-11-23

In the book Taming Star Runner, Tex is the main character in this book. He is fourteen year old boy that lives with his brother Mason. Mason is his older brother and he is about seventeen years old. Tex has always wanted to be an author because ever since he was in grade school he had been writing comics and he would always be the on telling scary stories about at the camp firer. Once his brother sarted to find out what he is doing that made him made. If you have brothers and maybe even sisters then you would know what his life is like. His brother and he get in much fight and in some cases one or the other may get hurt. They used to live with their dad and now they live by themselves. The book never told me where their dad had gone, but he has been gone for five months now. Some of the problems that the boys have been having in the book Taming Star Runner are that they make fake id and they go out drinking get in trouble they don't tell each other all of their problems. I don't want to tell you too much because I would like for you to read it to find out about the end.

Things that I did like about the book are that it is more of a western type of book. It doesn't seem like a western book, but really the boys live on a ranch and they help people train horses. This book also has a little bit of adventures in it. I am one of those guys that live on a farm and I hate reading, but if I find a good book then I like to read.

Some of the people that would like to read this book are people with adventurous and some of the authors would be Will Hobbs, and Gary Paulsen. The people that like more of a true story then they would like this book to read.

Pickin' Up the Pieces: The Heart and Soul of Country Rock Pioneer Richie Furay

Average customer rating:

It Shouldn't Matter
Pickin Up the Pieces
richie furay ROCKS!!
Easy Interesting Reading
Enjoyable

Pickin' Up the Pieces: The Heart and Soul of Country Rock Pioneer Richie Furay
Richie Furay , and Michael Roberts
Manufacturer: WaterBrook Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1578569575
Release Date: 2006-04-18

Book Description

When a young Richie Furay moved to New York hoping to make it big in folk music, God wasn’t one of his concerns. But destiny was.
Later, when he started Buffalo Springfield with Neil Young and Stephen Stills, it seemed Furay’s destiny had finally arrived. Although the band recorded only three albums, it remains a touchstone of sixties rock music–with all five band members now enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Furay remained a musical pioneer, forming Poco and recording some of the first–and best–country rock music of the sixties and seventies. His work was a major influence on the Eagles and innumerable other bands. But he still had not found his destiny.
It wasn’t until his marriage almost disintegrated that Furay confronted his need for God. After co-founding two legendary bands and recording with a rock super-group, Richie Furay finally found his destiny. The long journey took him from sold-out arena concerts to the pulpit of a Colorado church, from rock royalty to the Rock of Ages.
Destiny is often found in the places where we’re not looking. As you follow the twists and turns in Richie Furay’s inspiring journey, you’ll gain fresh insight into your own.

Customer Reviews:

It Shouldn't Matter.......2007-03-08

I want to admit this right off... I have a very big bias about Richie Furay. I saw him perform live in Buffalo Springfield when I was in high school, live with Poco when I was in college and live at a church fellowship with my family when I was in my 40's. In other words, I am a big fan. And I will read just about anything about him written by just about anybody.

That said, I would be hard pressed to say which story impresses me most... his tales of being a music icon or the story of his acceptance of Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, which didn't lead to the instant rewards that so many "born again" Christians would lead you to believe is the result. The struggle to put back together a failed marriage by faith in the Lord and the story of dealing with a skeptical audience not ready for a Christian music legend is worth the purchase price. Pastor Furay's early emergence as a Christian songwriter predates the "Amy Grant" era by years and as Furay fought his own demons to bring his voice forward, his entire life was changed. But it took lots of time and lots of patience and lots of prayers.

I am not sure where I would catalogue this book if I owned a bookstore. It could fit in music, religion, inpsirational or self-improvement. The message is there for you to see. And Pastor Furay pulls no punches. Being a servant of the Lord, a husband, a father and a muse to the music industry is no easy row to hoe. But Furay's example of perseverance and faith makes this book a no brainer. It should be on your shelf and read multiple times. It is a story of faith, kindness and love that will reach those that understand... and hopefully those that are looking for an answer to life's huge complexities.

Pickin Up the Pieces.......2007-01-13

A good picture of early country rock and the people/groups involved.

richie furay ROCKS!!.......2006-08-27

I have been a fan of Richie's since Buffalo Springfield and Poco. I was fortunate enough to correspond with him a few years ago and got a glimmer of the man. This book takes you with Richie on a wonderful ride, from folk to rock to country (always the pioneer)to his present position of Pastor, Calvery Chapel, Boulder, CO and a true child of God.

This may be a disappointment to your average rock fan (see John Einarson's book for that) but for a glimpse into Richie's life and work, this is absolutely a Wonder!!

Easy Interesting Reading.......2006-08-04

The book read quickly and was an interesting story of a full life. The writing was not poetic, but factual. I learned much about the folk scene and early roots of southern rock. The point of view was a bit self-centered and there appeared to be some pointed commentary. Overall, enjoyable.

Enjoyable.......2006-07-14

this story was told with so much honesty and love for music
and faith that I could not put it down. thoroughly enjoyable!
thank you, Richie for sharing your joys and heartaches with
your fans! may you continue to create great music!

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