Book Description
Long before Captain Jean-Luc Picard took command of the legendary Starship Enterprise,™ he fell deeply and hopelessly in love with Doctor Beverly Crusher. Though, for one reason or another, Picard never acted on his feelings, he found a measure of contentment as Beverly's close friend, colleague, and daily breakfast partner.
But when Doctor Crusher leaves her position on the Enterprise to become the chief medical officer of Starfleet, the brightest light in Picard's life is taken from him. And he has hardly resigned himself to his loss when he learns that Beverly has been declared missing in action on a distant planet -- and presumed dead.
Kevratas is a bleak, frozen world on the far side of the Romulan Neutral Zone where the Federation has become the plague-ravaged natives' only real hope of survival and freedom. Starfleet has no recourse but to send in another team to try to save the Kevrata -- and Picard is the natural choice. Critical to the success of his mission are two colleagues who served under him when he commanded the Starship Stargazer -- Pug Joseph, a man with a past to live down, and Doctor Carter Greyhorse, who has served time for attempted murder -- as well as a Romulan who left his people years earlier and never expected to return. Together, they follow the trail of Beverly Crusher to Kevratas, determined to succeed where the doctor failed.
On the Romulan homeworld, meanwhile, the political vacuum created by the demise of Praetor Shinzon has been filled by his staunchest supporter, Senator Tal'aura. But there are those who oppose her, including Commander Donatra and the warbird fleets under her command, because of the way Tal'aura has mishandled rebellions on the Empire's subject worlds.
And one rebellion in particular; the movement for self-determination on frigid Kevratas.
So begins a desperate struggle -- not only for the freedom of the long-oppressed Kevrata but also for the soul of the Romulan Empire. Before it's over, destinies will be forged and shattered, the Empire will be shaken to its ancient foundations, and Jean-Luc Picard's life will be changed...forever.
Customer Reviews:
Better than I thought. .......2007-08-21
Since this book came out in Hardcover last year ive heard a lot of bad reviews on the book. So now that I had the cance to read it I it liked better than I thought.
About time, but not what I'd have chosen.......2007-06-29
This story was a long time in coming, and I'm glad that for the book relaunch The Powers That Be had decided to finally match this couple. However, I'm not sure that this story was quite as fulfilling as I might have liked, that the story fit the directive (get P/C together), or that this is the author I would have chosen to write this story.
I thought there were too many characters and not enough time paid to any of them. Yes, I understand that Romulan politics are very twisty, but there were too many plotlines about the Romulans and none of them had any real resolution or affect on the ST universe, or any true bearing on the story. (IMHO, of course.) Worf, Geordi and Janeway appear but for no real apparent reason. It felt sort of like a setup, and while those are necessary they are often frustrating because we don't know why certain people or events have significance.
The whole romance was anticlimactic; there seemed to be no true feeling and the POVs of the "main" characters were not included enough to have any sort of momentous bearing on the universe. (I wonder, not so secretly and no particular offence to MJF, why Peter David was not tapped to write this book. He was the original Next Gen-- and P/C-- romance writer, someone who could write action and plot while making passion feel real.)
The writing is only so-so-- this book illustrates that this author is best when he sticks to the basics and gets the storytelling job done without embellishment. Attempts at fanciful wording fall flat-- I was a bit tired of the author trying to find too many different ways to describe being shot with a phasor or disruptor, and all of them basically were variations on the theme of "pierced by green death," or something equally silly.
All that said, it's not a terrible read, and touches on and continues themes from the movie "Nemesis," which is a welcome refresher. There were also some nice bits near the beginning with Beverly's past, showing how she learned to use natural medicine, and showing an early boyfriend as well as a medical disaster that affected her profoundly. Overall not great but certainly not as bad as some books.
Decent Page-Turning Resolution of Picard's Relationship With Crusher.......2007-03-24
Michael Jan Friedman is one of the better writers of "Star Trek" fiction and his 2005 "Star Trek: The Next Generation" novel "Death in Winter" is bound to please most fans of the series. It is a sequel to the film "Star Trek: Nemesis", opening with Captain Jean-Luc Picard mourning the loss of friends, both deceased and departed, including his Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Beverly Crusher, now head once more of Starfleet Medical. Crusher disappears during a secret medical relief mission to Kevratas, a desolate, frigid planet on the far side of the Romulan Neutral Zone. She is sent to find a vaccine for a virulent plague which has devastated the native furry humanoids of Kevratas and those they've been in contact. Soon Picard will join her on Kevratas, in charge of a second Federation medical relief mission, accompanied by some old shipmates from the USS Stargazer, and find himself in the midst of Romulan intrigue orchestrated from distant Romulus by the new Praetor, and her newly appointed military governor, one Commander Sela.
Friedman does a decent job in writing a memorable page-turner of a novel which successfully resolves almost all the loose ends in the longstanding professional - and personal - relationship between Captain Picard and Dr. Crusher. He also excels in emphasizing Romulan political intrigue in the aftermath of Praeter Shinzon's downfall, reacquainting us with several Romulans from "Star Trek: Nemesis" and from the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" television series, most notably, Commander Sela herself. However, I don't think Friedman has done an admirable job in offering vivid three-dimensional portrayals of his main characters, leaving merely barebone threads to explain the motivations of, for example, Picard and Crusher. Regrettably, this is in stark contrast to the fully realized characters which I've come to enjoy in David Weber's "Honor Harrington" series (Fans of fine military space opera may find the Harrington series far more rewarding.). So I've decided only to give this novel a marginal recommendation primarily for this reason, even though I realize that many "Star Trek" fans may still find it quite memorable as literary entertainment.
Who was that, and what did Friedman do with Dr. Crusher?.......2006-08-31
Perhaps this is set in an alternate universe.
Death in Winter might be a half-way decent science fiction novel for someone who doesn't watch the series or who doesn't pay too much attention to character details. I even liked the novelization of the deleted scene from Nemesis. Unfortunately, it was one of only a handful of scenes where the characters acted like themselves.
This book made me think that the author was someone who knew about the technology and political situations in the canon, but tried to write a romance novel instead, and came up short.
(A SPOILER WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE REST OF THIS REVIEW)
I've never thought that an entire book was ruined by one sentence before, but this one did it: "I've been a fool, Jean-Luc." That has to be the most out-of-character statement I have ever seen in a TNG novel. I would be willing to believe that there are circumstances where Beverly Crusher might utter those words, but this book didn't provide them.
The line was delivered after she came back to him, following a scene that expressed similar attitudes to the ones in the "Or perhaps we should be afraid" scene from "Attached," except that it had turned into an argument. Unfortunately, the characters who had that falling-out bore no resemblance to Picard or Crusher. They were far too immature to pass for the captain and the CMO.
I don't connect with Picard very well, but even with the tiny bit of knowledge I have of him, I felt like he was a little off too.
The book was not, however, completely without merit. When Dr. Crusher was being held captive, there were moments where the determined woman that we're used to was accurately portrayed and really got a chance to shine. The Romulan plot was also interesting. Thus, I gave Friedman one star for each of those things. Consider them points for effort.
Addendum: I'm sorry that the titles are not italicized like they should be. If there's any way to do that on this forum, I am unaware of it.
Disappointing.......2006-08-18
(This review contains some spoilers.) This was the first Next Generation novel I had picked up in years - I used to be frustrated with the "reset button" characteristic of the novels (except for Peter David's) and found novels such as those in the Star Wars EU much more satisfying, since they allowed for real character development and multi-book plot advancement. When I recently realized that Star Trek authors had been allowed to do the same thing, I picked up this book and looked forward to reading it. I have liked Friedman's writing in the past, and one of the most maddening threads left hanging in the years after the show ended was the Picard/Crusher relationship. So despite some of the negative reviews posted here, I was optimistic about this novel.
First, the good: Friedman does bring some resolution to the relationship thread. It was nice to see some of the old Stargazer crew again. Friedman also weaves a pretty good story with Romulan intrigue; and the plot, with several good premises, moves along briskly. I like that Friedman recalls scenes from the show, introducing familiar elements that fans can appreciate. I particularly like Picard's recollection of being rescued from the Borg.
However, the bad: I've read fanfic with more depth and better characterization than are found in this novel. The whole book, we're supposed to believe Picard is driven to find Beverly because of his love for her, but the main reasons we know this are, one, we're told this repeatedly, and two, other characters observe it repeatedly. But we're very rarely *shown* it. There is little emotion from Picard when he is told Crusher is missing, and less real angst. For her part, the musings are much more believable, but her reaction at the end is not as comprehensible because it isn't really explained. What is she *thinking*? We don't really know. For a book that's supposed to be giving more insights than we could see onscreen, that's a major shortcoming.
The Romulan intrigue plot has a good skeleton, but it's not fleshed out to the extent that it could have been, in a way that really involves the reader. Characters are brought in for cameos, and left at that (Worf and Geordi serve no real purpose here). And the scenes from the show that Friedman incorporates are, for the most part, both poorly chosen and dropped in too abruptly. Scenes from "Arsenal of Freedom" and "Sub Rosa"? I couldn't help but cringe, as these aren't scenes that did much to establish affection between the main characters. How about "Attached" or "High Ground"? There was more material here to mine, I think.
In short, this book seemed promising, but was a major letdown. In all honesty, the four preview pages for "Resistance" at the end of the book make it sound like that novel has much more potential than this one turned out to have. If you do read it (and I will say it is worth at least one read-through), I would check it out from the library. Though I'd like to report otherwise, it's not one I think many readers would want to go back to.
Customer Reviews:
Winter Grief, Summer Grace.......2007-01-15
This little book was given to me about 2 months after my husband died 10 years ago. It is tremendously helpful in coming to grips with grief. Although there are some spiritual passages, it is not a religious book. It focuses your thinking, as well as citing some positive things things to do. Over this decade I have given away many, many copies to grieving friends. It is always most welcome and appreciated.
Recommended reading for those in grief.......2007-01-11
A friend gave this book to me shortly after I lost my 21-year-old son in a car accident. This book really helped me realize I am not alone in my grief. The emotions listed in the book were exactly what I was feeling! I couldn't believe an author could capture the essence of my pain like that. The action items were also very helpful. I have since purchased this book for others who are grieving. I would highly recommend this book!
Appropriate for anyone suffering from grief.......2005-08-26
I have sent this book to various people who have lost a loved one and in all cases they were most appreciative. I received this book from my daughter after my husband passed away and read it many, many times as I found consolation in the message.
Source of Comfort.......2003-02-28
This book literally helped me make through many an evening after the death of a loved one. James Millers approach to comparing the seasons to grieving was so accurate. As your going through the Autumn of Grief you wonder if you will make it through to the Summer. You do, and this precious book will help to bring you to that bright Summer. The quotations written from other writers are placed strategically throughout the book and address the particular emotions being felt so beautifully. The emotions of grief can be very intense. This book helps you realize that you are not alone in your feelings, that they are normal. I have kept the original copy given to me; and have purchased several for others who have faced Grief. I can't recommend this book enough. It will be a tremendous assist as you go through this terribly LONELY time.
My Guide through Grief.......2003-02-25
After the death of my husband, I was given this most excellent book. James Miller's experience as a Grief Counselor and Clergyman came through beautifully. I read and re-read the consoling pages. I cried grieving tears with the assurance that someone knew the depths of the tears and the groanings. Each season of grief is beautifully broken down. The book begins in Autumn and walks with you day by day until finally you have arrived at the summer of your grief.
Throughout the entire book, there are quotations from various writers that just seemed to express the turmoil of mind and emotions that grief causes.
I have given this book to many who have lost someone dear to them.
I know it will help so many work through Grief.
Book Description
Honored in 2006 as a "Year's Best Book for Preachers" by Preaching magazine.Perfect body. Perfect clothes. Perfect family. Perfect house. Perfect job.We strive for excellence in all areas of our lives. And there's nothing wrong with a healthy, mature pursuit of excellence. But what begins as healthy and normal can sometimes become neurotic and abnormal, leading to debilitating thoughts and behaviors:
- eating disorders
- anxiety and depression
- obsession and compulsions
- fear of failure
- relational dysfunction
In Perfecting Ourselves to Death, Richard Winter explores the positive and negative effects of perfectionism on our lives. He looks at the seductive nature of perfectionism as it is reflected in today's media. He examines the price and perils of perfectionism. And he explores the roots of perfectionism, delving into what originally awakens this drive in us. After analyzing the negative feelings and defeatist behaviors that unhealthy perfectionism births, he provides practical strategies for how to change."The important thing to see," writes Winter, "is that we are to strive to become better people, not just to be content with who we are or how we measure up to the standards of the culture around us." For Christians this means becoming more like Christ in every area of our lives.Here is the "perfect" book for those who struggle with perfectionism and for those pastors, counselors and friends who want to understand and help perfectionists.
Customer Reviews:
Help for those trapped in perfectionism........2006-12-02
I've always had an overactive conscience, and I like to be in control. So perfectionism comes naturally to me. Any failure, real or perceived, brings on anxiety and recrimination. However, I've grown tired of trying to live up to my own impossible ideals and the inflated expectations of others. This year, a number of trials showed me the futility of perfectionism. I'll never be able to truly control myself, my circumstances, or anyone else. Indeed, there's a big difference between who I'd like to be, and who I really am (see Romans 7). So I was ripe for the encouraging instruction of "Perfecting Ourselves to Death."
Richard Winter has crafted a comprehensive, Biblically-based book on the topic of perfectionism. At its core, perfectionism is a desire for control and a means to eliminate uncertainty - in other words, if I do A, then I'll get B and avoid C. The author describes various examples of perfectionist thought patterns and behaviors, such as legalism, obsessive-compulsive thinking, and so on. From there, he goes over consequences like anxiety, eating disorders, and relational problems. Finally, Mr. Winter outlines a grace-based path that involves letting go of the perfectionist desire for control and certainty. Each chapter ends with discussion questions to assist in grasping its main idea.
Some Christians fear that letting go of perfectionism will lead to moral chaos and a slacker mentality. The "Perfectionist's Prayer" on pages 127-128 perfectly illustrates this mindset. Is it possible to do well and avoid sin without a perfectionist bent? Mr. Winter suggests that we can. The journey towards maturity and excellence begins with the admission that perfection is impossible. From there, growth occurs through a resolution to live with imperfection, plus a cognitive, prayerful alteration of perfectionist thought patterns. Of course, the grace of God is the grease that makes the wheels of change turn.
Depending on your type and level of perfectionist leanings, certain parts of this book will hit harder than others. In my case, I was most impacted by the perfectionist symptom of "keeping my options open" by refusing to make risky decisions. For example, I've tended to stay in failing dating relationships because I was afraid of rejecting her. What if I blow off the "right one," and miss out? However, in the end I was the one who got rejected. So I was left frustrated at myself for staying in a bad situation because of fear. Now, I strive to make these kinds of difficult judgment calls, even if I close off a potential path. Of course, this idea holds true if and when the time comes to commit to a good woman. Commitment is a risk, and part of that risk entails forsaking other options (as the book and movie "High Fidelity" so aptly demonstrated).
"Perfecting Ourselves to Death" is a helpful book for the frustrated perfectionist who is looking to change. Similar books you might want to check out are, "Tired of Trying to Measure Up" by Jeff VanVonderen and "The Myth of Certainty" by Daniel Taylor.
A helpful book.......2006-08-02
Dr. Winter's book is very easy to understand. He presents a lot of information about types of perfectionism, since it varies from person to person. He also talks about some of where it comes from, and practical and "spiritual" strategies/concepts that can help us toward overcoming it.
He also provides references from literature that can take us deeper if we wish, and has done a lot of good research in the wider literature on the topic to prepare this book. He also has a lot of relevant experience.
Book Description
This is the first English translation of the last chapter of Al-Ghazali's Revival of the Religious Sciences (Ihya' 'Ulum al-Din), widely regarded as the greatest work of Muslim spirituality. After expounding his Sufi philosophy of death and showing the importance of the contemplation of human mortality to the mystical way of self-purification, Ghazali takes his readers through the stages of the future life: the vision of the Angels of the Grave, the Resurrection, the Intercession of the Prophet, and finally, the torments of Hell, the delights of Paradise and—for the elect—the beatific vision of God's Countenance.
Customer Reviews:
Winters Renders al-Ghazali Perfectly.......2002-02-06
I have read numerous translations of books from the Ihya and was absolutely amazed and pleased to come across TJ Winters English rendition of this classical work of Islamic philosophy. It is not easy endeavor to bring forth the essence of al-Ghazali's Arabic style into the European languages. But, this books has done it! Really protrays the message, tone, and intention of al-Ghazali for the English reader. A must have for all those interested in philosophy, especially Islam.
Timeless Spiritual Reading.......2001-07-25
Imam Ghazzali (Algazel) wrote this book hundreds of years ago, but the morays and virtues expressed in this text provide guidance that is much needed today. Read this book and you will find out why some regard this man as one of the greatest scholars of Islam, and his works on spirituality affected the Western world so immensely.
Excellent translation of a great book from a great mind.......2000-12-27
Ghazali is a master. Anyone who has read any of his works can appreciate the depth of his vision. This transalation does great justice to this particular chapter of his great work - the Iyha. Good translations of Ghazali's works are hard to find. This is an excellent translation and a remarkable find. Lucky is the reader who can find a copy. A sobering view of death and how the remembrance of death is something to be valued, not to be turned away from. Overall, very highly recommended.
Winter is Ghazali's Best Translator.......2000-05-11
This is an excellent translation of the eleventh book of Ghazali's magnus opus, Reviving the Religious Sciences. Winter's work does justice to the literary merit of the original Arabic. The book is filled with informative footnotes, and a superb introduction situating Ghazali in his historical context. It also has a very useful biographical appendix which provides the reader information about the figures whose aphorisms and anecdotes Ghazali quotes. All in all, its a superb work of scholarship.
Book Description
Death silences not only those it takes, but those it leaves behind: All too typically we can neither express our grief nor express sympathy for the bereaved. In his sensitive collection, toss finds a voice -- or several voices -- in the poetry, fiction, letters, and diaries of the world's great writers. Here are James Agee, recording the shock of his father's death; William Shakespeare, making poetry of Cleopatra's grief; the Biblical wisdom of The Book of Lamentations"; the psychological acuity of Marcel Proust. Here are mourners from classical Rome to eleventh-century China, from the Paiute Indians to present-day Ireland. Arranged in sections that correspond to the stages of mourning, In the Midst of Winter is a collection whose breadth and resonance make it invaluable and utterly unique.
Customer Reviews:
The best "mourning anthology" I've seen.......2001-02-09
Wide-ranging, well-chosen short works (mostly poems, some chapters and essays) on death and grieving. I particularly liked how it was divided into "seasons" of grieving, so I could pick a section depending on how I was feeling in my bereavement that particular day (e.g., "Winter" is divided into Shock, Idealization and Anger, Sing Sorrow, Consolations, etc; "Summer/Fall" have Memory, Dreaming the Dead, Grief's Wisdom, etc). There are individual sections on Mourning the Loss of a Child and The Grief of Children.
I have had my own losses and grief work in the past, and now work with the dying. I cannot recommend this book highly enough to families and friends. This is the one to go to to get some solace, find something for the eulogy, have a poem for the memorial service, or just find a like mind months and years after the loss. This is it.
good literary anthology.......1999-07-21
This is an excellent collection of literary selections about grieving. I was given this book and one other (Dying: A Book of Comfort, ed. Pat McNees) when my mother died. I couldn't read anything very long -- couldn't concentrate -- so it was helpful to have these books with short passages on what I was going through.
Profoundly conceived, moving and helpful.......1999-07-07
This wonderful anthology is for anyone who loves poetry, but can be a miracle for those who both love poems and who find themselves in grief. It is so simply and intelligently organized, into sections that approximate stages following the loss of one who is loved, with selections of poetry ranging from classic Chinese poets Mei Sheng and Fu I, whose first century B.C. verse hit my sensibilities as strongly as Anne Sexton's, to the incredible unvarnished strength of several Edna St. Vincent Millay poems, that forced me to see that poet in a different light. Each section can be read as its own anthology.
I salute Mary Jane Moffat for this wonderful volume and commend it to everyone. It grew from the author's personal loss, and its careful selections and great strength reflect this. For me, facing the greatest loss I could ever imagine, it was a great gift, the only writing that matterred to me for months. The volume closes with the wonderful "Dear Men and Women" of John Hall Wheelock. Please read it all!
Book Description
The 105-day war between Finland and the Soviet Union in the winter of 1939-1940 has been overshadowed by the larger conflicts of the Second World War which followed closely after it. The courageous resistence of the only neighbor of Stalin's Russia which fought the Red Army and survived as a free and independent nation merits this closer look. Although the diplomatic background of the Winter War has been covered before, this is the first substantial English-language study of its dramatic military encounters.
Customer Reviews:
Best one out there..........2006-04-13
Trotter's "A Frozen Hell" is fantastic in its own way as well but even Trotter himself in the sources section of "Frozen Hell" called Chew's work "the best narrative (of the Winter War) in English." In the end, the combination of "The White Death", "A Frozen Hell", and Engle & Paananen's "The Winter War" tell the amazing story of the defense of Finland in 1939-40 as completely as any general U.S. reader would require. Read all 3 and you'll get the picture.
The Finnish Soviet War of 1939-40........2004-12-08
This is a fairly old book written by a Professor in the University of Wisconsin system (where I might add I graduated from). Chew does detail the war very well and some of the writing is interesting. However, the writing is very, very dry and it took much time to plod through this book. I have no problem with the accuracy or detail of the book, but this is dry reading. Since this book was written in the late sixties/early seventies, much material from the Soviet side is also lacking in this book. If the reader is looking for what Finnish or Soviet units fought in what battle or part of the front, this is a great read. For those who just want the details of the war, perhaps Frozen Hell is a better(and more modern) book.
This is one of the first books about this war in English so I give credit to the author. Presently, there are better books out there on this war.
Easy Read.......2001-08-03
This is an easy read and is very imformative about a little talked about war. It deals with the peolple of Finland defending their homeland against an aggressive Soviet Union attempting a takeover during the winter of 1939-1940. This study is based on interviews with veterans who held significant posts, research in the official Finnish archives, and examination of the scant Soviet literature on the subject. While the true pictures of most wars are studies in shades of gray, this one is basically a contrast in stark black and white. I won't spoil it by telling you details of the war and how it ends. Let's just say it's worth picking up a copy.
Customer Reviews:
Death's Men.......2006-03-26
This book gives a great overview of WWI. The only other thing that I have read on WWI was Taylor's History of Britain 1914-1945 which is really dry and doesn't really analyze the condition of the troops in the trenches. It is a good read with info than it seems. Winter really knows how to present data in a way not to overwhelm the reader.
Basic.......2005-09-25
There are not a lot of good books on World War One. This is not one of them.
It is about as informative and interesting as a high school history text.
Excellent .......2005-06-17
I have read many books on the subject of WWI and found this to be something special, a must read. Denis Winter's elegant and poetic use of the English language brilliantly described the conditions endured by the common British soldier in the trenches. Pick this one up you won't be disappointed.
British Soldiers.......2004-09-21
I purchashed this book at the Imperial War Museum after viewing a display on the Great War. If one is courious about the life of the enlisted soldier on the Western Front, his equipment, food, traing and medical attention then this book is for you. The author uses first hand accounts and statictics through out the book. It's the personal experiences of the combat soldiers from their letters and remininces that I found particually interesting.
British soldiers on the Western Front in World War I........2003-10-28
A scholarly analysis of how British soldiers lived on the Western Front. Winter explains all the aspects of the soldier's lives such as the class background, officers, education, weapons, life in the trench and back area, and the aftermath for these soldiers. The reader is meant to ponder what this war meant, but it was hell.
Winter limited his perspective to the British soldier, so one wonders how the German, Austrian, French, and Russian soldiers lived in comparison with the British. It would have been a nice chapter for a comparison. However Winter does a good job explaining all aspects of the British soldier's life.
A good read of a tragic war. Winter gives both a soldier's perspective along with a scholarly analysis of the British soldier. This book will give the reader something to think about.
Book Description
The Boys of Winter, new in paperback, tells the true story of three young American ski champions and their brutal, heroic, and fateful transformation from athletes to infantrymen with the 10th Mountain Division. Charles J. Sanders's fast-paced narrative draws on dozens of interviews and extensive research to trace these boys' lives from childhood to championships and from training at Mount Rainier and in the Colorado Rockies to battles against the Nazis. 2005 winner of the International Ski History Association's Ullr Award.
Customer Reviews:
The Boys of Winter: Life and Death in the U.S. Ski Troops du.......2005-03-30
I am a descendant of a 10th Mountain soldier, who is still living, my review of course is biased to that slant. My dad shared with my brothers and I the places in Colorado where he trained, the mountain songs, however, he has never told us about the sights, sounds, or events of the battles in Kiska or Italy. This book brought to me the understanding of those events and the impact of why he never talked about those events, it has opened to me what happened on the battlefield. The book is non-fiction, it reads like fiction. One reviewer commented that it was not great military writing, I don't believe that was the premise for the book.
Thank you Mr. Sanders for helping me understand my father's role as well as those which whom he served. I'm grateful he came home and enriched my life.
Nicely written human story, poor military history.......2005-01-26
The Boys of Winter: Life and Death in the U.S. Ski Troops During the Second World War is Charles J. Sanders' attempt to tell the story of the 10th Mountain Division from formation to the end of war in the ETO (plus brief discussion of post-war adventures of veterans). Unfortunately it is not an attempt that succeeds from the standpoint of a piece of military history. On the other hand Sanders has created a highly readable story about skiers-turned soldiers. In fact, if one is interested in skiing, the history of American ski resorts and learning the who's-who of 30-40's skiing The Boys of Winter might be for you. However, if you're looking for solid unit combat history this is not it!
Sanders' book can be separated into four topical sections: 1) introductions of the three central characters of the book (pp. 1-57) - Rudy Konieczny, Jake Nunnemacher, and Ralph Bromaghin; 2) formation and training of the Eighty-seventh Mountain Regiment (the precursor unit to the 10th Mountain Division) (pp. 58-116); 3) Deployment of the 10th Mountain Division to Italy in January 1945 and the subsequent four months spent battling German troops (pp. 117-192); and 4) discussion of what became of 10th Mountain Division men who survived (pp. 193-204). The first, second and fourth sections are mainly devoted to skiing adventures, ski racing, and the personal lives of the three central characters and other notables of the skiing world. Sanders clearly knows skiing history and can name drop with the best of them.
In contrast, the third section of the book, which is really the only section with significant military focus, is not particularly good history. Sanders' prose in this section is very readable but not very deep. His narrative relies almost exclusively on second and third-hand accounts and is rarely substantiated by other materials (e.g., after-action reports, official U.S. Army documents, German Army documents). There is amazing human value in accounts made by the men who were there but the most reliable, accurate and sound history is that which combines information from multiple sources - both emotionally attached and not. Here Sanders fails. In many cases Sanders' writing style, while engaging to the reader, will also annoy the more serious students of WWII history. Two examples are particularly obvious and prevalent. First, Sanders refers to the Germans simply as "Nazis" in almost every context where he is writing the prose himself. In contrast, when Sanders is quoting 10th Mountain Division veterans the term Nazi is rarely (if at all) used. Take note Mr. Sanders - not all Wehrmacht or Waffen-SS soldiers, or Germans in general for that matter, were Nazis. It is simple wrong to refer to WWII German soldiers as "Nazis" broadly. Is it fair to call Hitler's regime Nazi? Yes. But not the German soldiers as a whole. The veterans didn't use the term for a reason! As a second example, Sanders also appears to create his own set of U.S. Army unit designations. For example, in a reference to B Company/87th Infantry Regiment/10th Mountain Division Sanders uses the shorthand designation "Company 86-B" (p. 152). This is in no way a standard U.S. Army designation.
In the final tally, The Boys of Winter is a four-star book from the standpoint of readability but a 1.5 star effort for military history. Total score: 2.5 stars. If you want a well-written human story that is skiing centric this might be one to pick up. If you want a history of the 10th Mountain Division (what this reviewer thought he was getting) - save your money!
Product Description
Surviving the Death of an Adult Child by Dorothy Ferguson. The death of a child at any age seems a most cruel reversal of nature. This gentle book includes: helping yourself when it hurts, the grief journey, the layers of loss, other family members, the wounded spirt and kissing your own ouchies.
Customer Reviews:
Dealing with my grief..........2007-01-09
Very helpful in dealing with my grief in losing my only child. I found comfort reading the experiences of other parents who have dealth with the pain as well.
Average customer rating:
- The Winter Is Moving On...
- Disappointing
- If you like moving books, read this one.
- Disappointing
- Tough Girls Finish First!
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Winter
John Marsden
Manufacturer: Scholastic Press
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0439368499 |
Book Description
For twelve years Winter has been haunted. Her past, her memories, her feelings, will not leave her alone. And now, at sixteen, the time has come for her to act. She must head back to her old home, where a pair of family tragedies forever altered her life. What she discovers is powerful and shocking -- but must be dealt with in order for life to go on. This is the striking new novel from John Marsden, Australia's #1 best-selling author for teens, who is ready for his US breakthrough. It rings with hard truths that will resonate incredibly with YA readers.
Customer Reviews:
The Winter Is Moving On..........2005-08-24
This book touched me so badly, I cried. It has a beautiful, entrancing plot with an exciting climax. Winter is a likeable and richly textured character. John Marsden is one of the best authors of all time! If you read this book and dislike it, there is something wring with you. Warning though: this book is a tear jerker. I better finish up here... I'm off to the library to renue my copy. ;)
Disappointing.......2005-08-09
Disappointing is probably the best word I can find for this book. There are a lot of questions left unanswered, the plot is somewhat rambly, and the situation that the main character (who struck me as very flat and shallow, a strange thing for a John Marsden character) is in raises too many questions for it to be believable or flow properly. I was quite shocked to find myself not liking this book at all; especially since I'm quite a big fan of Marsden's other works.
If you like moving books, read this one........2004-07-29
Sixteen-year-old Winter De Salis lost her parents twelve years ago, but she doesn't know how they died! She's been haunted by it ever since, and her feelings will not go away. She's now back in Warriewood after living with the Robinson family --- and she's determined to find out the truth.
While living in Warriewood, she starts to do some research on her parent's deaths. One day she finds their graves and learns that her father died in a drowning accident. She starts asking people about her mother's death, but she doesn't believe any of the stories she hears. Will she ever find out how her mother died, or will the truth be kept from her forever?
I liked this book because Winter's personality is similar to mine. If I was Winter, I would have wanted to find out how my parents died too, because I believe that you should always know the truth about your family. If you like moving books, read this one to find out if Winter ever discovers the truth.
--- Reviewed by Ashley Hartlaub
Disappointing.......2004-03-06
After reading and liking several of John Marsden's book, I looked forward to reading this one.
Unfortunately, this reads more like a rough first draft than a completed novel: sub-plots are left unresolved, characters react completely out of character (and no explanation for why is given, or even acknowledgement that the characters has just acted oddly is given), and the main character, unlike Marsden's other "troubled" teen female protagonists, does not evoke any sympathy.
Tough Girls Finish First!.......2003-03-18
At sixteen Winter has come home. Not that anyone wants her there but the farm is hers and she won't be stopped. But for all her bull-headedness and the reader's wonder at why she's so stubborn soon becomes apparent when Winter sees better than the adults do what is really going on on her land. We thrill to Winter's cleverness at finding the guilty freeloaders and tossing them out on their ears.
The memories that have been teasing Winter about her parents are also chillingly brought to life by her Great-Aunt Rita.
Through it all we think that Winter will be just fine. And we're sort of glad she gets to be a kid again, too.
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