History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Average customer rating:

A Gem of a Book
Strong Female Protagonist - strong writing
Courtesy of Teens Read Too
I like this pennie girl very much
Just Like Being Home Again

Penny from Heaven (Newbery Honor Book)
Jennifer Holm
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 037583687X
Release Date: 2006-07-25

Book Description

It’s1953 and 11-year-old Penny dreams of a summer of butter pecan ice cream, swimming, and baseball. But nothing’s that easy in Penny’s family. For starters, she can’t go swimming because her mother’s afraid she’ll catch polio at the pool. To make matters worse, her favorite uncle is living in a car. Her Nonny cries every time her father’s name is mentioned. And the two sides of her family aren’t speaking to each other!

Inspired by Newbery Honor winner Jennifer Holm’s own Italian American family, Penny from Heaven is a shining story about the everyday and the extraordinary, about a time in America’s history, not all that long ago, when being Italian meant that you were the enemy. But most of all, it’s a story about families—about the things that tear them apart and bring them together. And Holm tells it with all the richness and the layers, the love and the laughter of a Sunday dinner at Nonny’s. So pull up a chair and enjoy the feast! Buon appetito!

Customer Reviews:

A Gem of a Book.......2007-08-20

Being a Newbery Honor book, I had to give this book a read. I definitely wasn't disappointed! This was a beautifully written coming-of-age story that children and young adults will be able to enjoy for years to come. Jennifer Holm, author of the Newbery Award winning book, Our May Amelia, is back with another lovely book about children growing up faster than they should have too, but enjoying themselves on the journey.

Penny, a half-Italian girl living with her mother and grandparents in New Jersey, longs to know more about what happened to her father. Her died when she was very young and her mother never speaks of him. The only time Penny is able to hear his name mentioned is when she is over at her Italian grandparents house, where her myriad of Aunts, Uncles, and cousins never fail to talk about her dad. Penny loves spending time in this boisterous household where food is always delicious and her best friend and cousin Frankie spends most of his time.

Unfortunately, Penny's mother doesn't get along with her in-laws and doesn't like Penny spending all of her time over there. As her mother begins dating, Penny tries to break up the dates in order to matchmake between her mother and her father's brother, Dominic. Penny, more than anything, wants her two families to love each other as she loves them. After a tragic accident that puts the use of Penny's arm in jeopardy, the true colors of her family members really begin to shine.

Set in the 1950's this book is so much more than family problems. It has exciting baseball games, friendships, and a mystery of buried treasure. The characters are incredibly real and lovable. Uncle Dominic was probably my favorite of the cast, because of his quirkiness and mystery. This is a true gem of a book.

Strong Female Protagonist - strong writing.......2007-07-06

This delightful piece of historical fiction set in New Jersey in the 1950's explores the life of "Penny" who lives with a single mother and grandparents, but who has a whole other life on Sundays with her father's family, a large Italian American one with uncles who dote on her. The mystery that threads itself through this story is that no one will talk about her father, and how and why he died. Or, why the families do not intereact, except through her.

Strong writing, a strong female protagonist, and interesting sub-plots all make for a delightful coming-of-age story, very appropriate for the upper elementary and middle school audience.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2007-06-23

PENNY FROM HEAVEN, a new offering by author Jennifer L. Holm, is an excellent pick for middle grade readers. Set in the early 1950's, it tells a story of everyday life and rich Italian heritage.

Penny lives with her mother and her grandparents. At the start of the novel, she's almost twelve. Most of her time is spent hanging out in the neighborhood with her cousin and best friend, Frankie.

Bike riding would be fun, but Penny's bike was unfortunately backed over in the driveway. Going swimming in the city pool or taking in an afternoon matinee sounds like quality entertainment, but Penny's mom believes those places are breeding grounds for the dreaded polio everyone seems to be contracting. That doesn't leave much to do, but Penny and Frankie always seem to find something to get into. It might be an attempt to fix the leaky toilet that turns into a major repair job, or the secret mission to discover if great-grandma Nonny wears black underwear to match her old-fashioned black dresses.

Penny is surrounded by tons of Italian aunts and uncles, but she misses her father. His death years ago is still shrouded in mystery, one that Penny seems unable to uncover. Her mother is becoming interested in Mr. Mulligan, the milkman. Penny's attempts to pair her mother up with favorite Uncle Dominic fail miserably.

Day-to-day life is pretty predictable for Penny and her family until the unthinkable happens. After a tragic accident, Penny finds herself making plans for a very different life. Readers' emotions will be tested as Penny's story unfolds.

Jennifer L. Holm is also known for Newbery Honor book Our Only May Amelia (Harper Trophy Books) and her Boston Jane Series: An Adventure series, which is my personal favorite.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

I like this pennie girl very much.......2007-05-24

She is a lot like alice, a girl in anothr book I like very much, only her mother died insted of her father. Pennie is very kind, and a little bit funny and a little bit sad. I like the way she thinks things over. I think I might read it again, if my sister will let me borrow it again. If I can think of something to trade. Books are like gold and chocolate around my house, people keep it for themselves. If you are thinking of buying this book, do it. You'll love it.

Just Like Being Home Again.......2007-05-05

Since both my sets of grandparents came from Italy, I'm usually wary of books that contain Italian families; they are either ga-ga over the Mafia or do not seem authentic. I was in love with Penny's wonderful Italian family immediately; I knew all these people in my own family. My dad's mother even did her cooking at a gas-converted coal stove in the basement because it was cooler in summer and she didn't want to "mess up" the nice kitchen upstairs! The food (sfogliatelles!), the homes, the loving uncles, the men torn between pleasing their mothers or their wives, the one male cousin who's always in trouble, Grandma dressed in black making homemade macaroni and homemade gravy (not "pasta" and "sauce," which are "Med-i-gone" terms!)...wow, it took me all back. Holm has the early 50s atmosphere down pat...I wished I could open a door and go back to meet all her characters, visit the Sweet Shoppe and the family butcher shop, and listen to "Dem Bums" on the radio. I also was drawn into the growing mystery about Penny's father, which exposes a chapter in history that most people have never heard of. I'm glad I decided to purchase this book; if you are Italian, this is a must have.

Average customer rating:

Not Free SF Reader
You already know.
Respect
Flawed but good overall
Review of The Godfather

The Godfather
Mario Puzo
Manufacturer: NAL Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451205766

Amazon.com

The story of Don Vito Corleone, the head of a New York Mafia family, inspired some of the most successful movies ever. It is in Mario Puzo's The Godfather that Corleone first appears. As Corleone's desperate struggle to control the Mafia underworld unfolds, so does the story of his family. The novel is full of exquisitely detailed characters who, despite leading unconventional lifestyles within a notorious crime family, experience the triumphs and failures of the human condition. Filled with the requisite valor, love, and rancor of a great epic, The Godfather is the definitive gangster novel.

Book Description

More than thirty years ago, a classic was born. A searing novel of the Mafia underworld, The Godfather introduced readers to the first family of American crime fiction, the Corleones-and became the definitive novel of the virile, violent subculture that remains steeped in intrigue, in controversy, and in our collective consciousness.

Customer Reviews:

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Vito Corleone is the Godfather, and his last name is also the name of a small town in Italy. The book looks at the development of the mafia in America, and the Godfather's upbringing and rise to power.

An important part of this is that one of the important members of his crime family, Tom Hagen, is not of his immediate family, or Italian, and this drives some major conflict.

You already know........2007-07-19

No spoilers.

At this point, everyone and their mother knows what The Godfather is about. Unfortunately, too many people have seen the movie and have skipped over the book. Big mistake. Yes, the movie is great and one of the best of all time blah blah, but the book, just like every other book that is turned into a movie, offers the detail and character development unlike anything you experience in the movie. If the movie were six hours perhaps, then maybe it would be able to match the book, but then who would sit through that?

Without rehashing the plot, the best thing way to describe the book is what was said by the official Amazon review. In it, the writer says: "... despite leading unconventional lifestyles within a notorious crime family, [the characters] experience the triumphs and failures of the human condition." That is the perfect way to sum up the goings on of this book because regardless of crime that goes hand-in-hand with the Cosa Nostra lifestyle, it's easy, as a reader, to look past that and see each and every one of these characters as a regular person--a person who experiences all the ups and downs of life. The characterization and personal way in which Puzo created the players in the novel (especialy the Don,) forces you to cozy up to them and care where their respective roller coaster lifestyles will take them.

In summation, if you like the movie then you'll love the book because it's everything in the moive times two. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to an evening or two with the Don.

Respect.......2007-06-29

Probably the pinnacle movie of all time is backed by a book that will easily be a classic for my children. Even though the movie follows the book well it is already starting to feel outdated with poor special effects. Now that I have read this book I feel that I belong to a special club that has an insight into the mob world and is allowed to use its terminology with a harsh Italian voice. The author creates tense, thrilling moments when he jumps ahead of the story a little bit to give a teaser. You will be on the edge when Puzo steps back and fills in the gaps. You will not get that same affect when you watch the movie. Yeah, the movie is good, but you will only get full respect for this amazing tale by getting deep into the book.

Flawed but good overall.......2007-06-19

I've seen the movies at least a dozen times so I figured it was time that I read the book. Overall, the book is pretty good. As a story-teller, Puzo is first-rate. The plot is intriguing and moves quickly. In other aspects, however, he is somewhat lacking as a writer.

While the story is great the characters tend to be flat and not well-developed. The writing style is mainly narration, which is probably good because what dialogue there is can often be lacking or outright lame. The characters are all rather one-dimensional; more caricatures than characters.

The quality of the story compensates for the (sometimes) bad writing, however. All things considered, I enjoyed the book (but not as much as the films).

Recommended.

Review of The Godfather.......2007-06-18

The strength of this book is Puzo's expertise and knowledge of the mafia. It makes the plot, events and the characters in the book seem extremely real. I would describe this book as a historical fiction of the mafia.

This is definitely a book that will fly by and one that you will have a hard time putting down. It is definitely a classic. It is a book that when you finish you will close it and say, "Now that was a good book!"

In the book you will be introduced to one of the most famous families in all literature. The Corleaone family of New York. You will learn how the family got its start in organized crime and how the family operates. You will also learn about the honor and respect it takes to work for and be a part of the family. And, of course, you will learn what happens when you cross ways with the family.

There were only two things that I did not like. First of all, I thought there was a lot of pointless sex irrelevant to the plot. I thought it was a little over-the-top and I just got tired of it after a while. The other thing I did not like was the location change to Las Vegas. I thought that it was unnecessary, a distraction and took away from the real story. Having that been said I thought the whole book was exciting and there was never a part in the book, like most, where there was a lull in the action.

This is definitely a book worth the money and time spent reading. If you do not like books with graphic violence, sex and drugs then perhaps you should read something else. If this does not bother you then you will find this book extremely exciting. Personally I would recommend buying a hardback copy of the book and putting it on your shelf with your collection of other great novels.

Average customer rating:

Reviewing A Picnic In October
A Picnic in October
A Picnic In October
A Picnic in October

A Picnic in October
Eve Bunting
Manufacturer: Voyager Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0152050655

Book Description

Tony thinks it's dumb to go all the way to Liberty Island for a birthday picnic. But that's before he understands what the Statue of Liberty means to Grandma.

Customer Reviews:

Reviewing A Picnic In October.......2003-11-23

A Picnic In October is about a family who goes to the Statue of Liberty each year on Lady Liberty's birthday. A young boy learns why his grandparents started this tradition.
Grandma and Grandpa immigrated to the United States from another country due to harsh situations. As soon as they arrived in the U.S. they went to the Statue and thanked Her for letting them intor her country. So each year since they arrived, Grandma and Grandpa bring the whole family to Lady Liberty on her birthday for a picnic as a way of thanking her.
The pictures fit the text well by helping the reader see and feel the emotions this story tells. The reader can see how important this event really was for the grandparents as well as the rest of the family.

A Picnic in October.......2003-11-13

This is a fantastic book! I use it in my 4th grade classroom in conjunction with a study of the Statue of Liberty, but it also speaks to many other issues such as immigration, respect for grandparents and patriotism. As always, Eve Bunting has beautiful illustrations that work so effectively with the text. In light of the events of 9-11, this book is even more meaningful and evoked a discussion of the Twin Towers shown in the skyline of New York.

A Picnic In October.......2002-10-19

This book is about a boy and it's his grandma's birthday. They go to see the Statue of Liberty. They have a picnic and a wonderful time. The boy hates the party. Anyway, it has the most beautiful pictures. I recommend this book to people who love the Statue of Liberty.

A Picnic in October.......2000-09-18

Tony cannot understand why every year his family has to lug picnic supplies and even a birthday cake to the Statue of Liberty. It seems silly to him to celebrate a statues' birthday. As the day progresses, Tony begins to understand what the statue represents to immigrant families such as his. This is a beautifully written and illustrated book. The text is touching and meaningful. The illustrations capture the emotions of the text perfectly. This would be an excellent book to introduce the concept of immigration or to present to a child taking a trip to the Statue of Liberty.

Average customer rating:

This book would make a great 90 page novel...
knocks spots off Puzo
Below Par
Great fun, surprisingly satifying sequel #2
Read this review before you try the book

The Godfather's Revenge
Mark Winegardner
Manufacturer: Putnam Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0399153845

Book Description

The third, and final, installment in Mario Puzo's epic chronicle of the Corleone crime family-one of the most enduring lineages in American literature and cinema-achieves a stunning crescendo with a story that imagines the role of the Mafia in the assassination of a young, charismatic president.

It's impossible to overstate the influence of Mario Puzo's The Godfather, which has become an essential part of our cultural lexicon. Puzo's novel about the secret world of organized crime became a megabestseller and an instant classic. The book inspired the Francis Ford Coppola films-unprecedented successes in their own right-and launched a national obsession with the Mafia that continues unabated today.

In The Godfather's Revenge-again authorized by the Puzo Estate-Mark Winegardner moves the Corleone family onto the biggest stage of all: the intersection of organized crime and national politics. A subordinate to Michael Corleone, New Orleans underboss Carlo Tramonti is publicly humiliated when the U.S. Attorney General-President Danny Shea's brother-has him arrested and deported to Colombia. Tramonti eventually returns, hell-bent on settling scores, and triggers a series of events destined to change the course of American history. Corleone, though haunted by the death of his brother Fredo, knows that this is no time for weakness-and so, with fearless consigliere Tom Hagen leading the way, a new path for the future is forged.

As the dramatic twists of The Godfather's Revenge take the reader from Las Vegas to Miami to New Orleans, from the power alleys of Washington, D.C., to the remote jungles of Colombia, the puppet master behind the curtain remains Michael Corleone, the tortured prodigal son who is determined to redefine his family's legacy and make his father-the original Godfather-proud.

Customer Reviews:

This book would make a great 90 page novel..........2007-08-06

But sadly it's over 300 pages. The extra 210 are full of story deviating verbose side stories that will both bore you and leave you confused when they come back to the core plot. I would only recommend this if you're a huge Godfather fan who can't get enough.

knocks spots off Puzo.......2007-07-26

His first Godfather novel was promising but this is even better; a barnburner of a yarn with the right historical background, superb characterisation and pacing and a delicious seam of black humour. Far, far better than anything Puzo himself wrote.

Below Par.......2007-06-09

This second sequel to 'The Godfather' includes improbable characters and story lines that diminish the Corleone legend and the memorable characters created by Puzo.

For some reason, Winegardner once again focuses on Nick Geraci, the turncoat Corleone family capo who was forced into hiding in his first sequel. In this book, Geraci is meant to be almost a mythic figure like the Count of Monte Cristo, a wronged man on an epic quest for vengeance. The problem with this story line is that Geraci is not a very sympathetic figure. He's a cold-blooded killer and drug dealer kicked out of the family for conspiring against his boss, not an innocent young man torn from his loved ones by false charges. It's hard to root for his revenge plot when we know that, far from being unjustly accused, he's guilty of even worse things than the Corleones realize. Geraci is not the sort of person you'd ever want to know, and at a very early point in this novel I found myself hoping he would just disappear -- permanently.

The other major story lines involve a plot to kill the Irish Catholic president in order to end the influence of his brother, who is pressuring the mob, and a plot by Michael to seize control of the Woltz movie studio, for reasons never made fully clear. Neither is terribly interesting or original.

Major Puzo characters like Michael, Hagen and Connie are made to seem smaller than life by vignettes that focus on their personal foibles -- it's a bit like reading a biography of Beethoven that is mostly about his untidy personal habits and spends little time on his musical achievements.

The story Puzo told so brilliantly was about organized crime families that began because a few strong-willed men refused to be relegated to membership in an underclass, that grew powerful by serving and exploiting the members of that underclass, and that ultimately waned when that underclass assimilated into the mainstream of American life. Winegardner doesn't seem very interested in that story.

If you're trapped in an airport with nothing else to read, you might want to try this book. Otherwise, don't.

Great fun, surprisingly satifying sequel #2.......2007-04-04

I've always been skeptical of sequels written to enormously popular books by authors other than the original, but Mark Winegardner's most recent "Godfather" sequel is absorbing and satisfying. Although he is a better, more polished writer than Mario Puzo, he lacks Puzo's blunt, breathless, headlong plunge into a hydra-headed tangle of story lines. By me, that's fine, because Winegardner keeps everyone connected and moving forward in a believable or even unbelievable-but-true page-turner.

Winegardner does justice to ongoing Puzo characters such as Michael and Connie Corleone and their children, and does a really satisfying job fleshing out people we know only fleetingly, such as Sonny's four children, and Tom Hagan's wife Theresa and family. In addition, he painstakingly details the other "crime families," while introducing new characters who dovetail nicely with ongoing or new plot lines. For example, Mike's elusive nemesis Nick "Ace" Geraci, his father Fausto "The Driver," and Nick's wife Charlotte and their daughters--just to name a few--take up where they left off in Winegardner's first sequal. Johnny Fontane, Jack Woltz, their wives, and many more make convincing reappearances in the current chapters of their lives.

If other sequels-by-other-authors were as well-written and engrossing as Winegardner's, we readers would be lucky indeed. I hope he has a third volume at least in the planning stages!

Read this review before you try the book.......2007-03-31

There are too many books to read to make this one of them. I stuck it out through the entire tape as I was walking while reading. I now wonder why. A very disappointing attempt. Move on up the food chain of books.

Italian Genealogical Records: How to Use Italian Civil, Ecclesiastical & Other Records in Family History Research

Average customer rating:

Good- but more informative than useful
The first book to buy on Italian records
Only in Italy, Only in America
This Is It!
EXCELLENT

Italian Genealogical Records: How to Use Italian Civil, Ecclesiastical & Other Records in Family History Research
Trafford R Cole
Manufacturer: Ancestry Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0916489582

Book Description

Filled with practical advice that will help anyone obtain the information they seek through Italian records, Italian Genealogical Records is a comprehensive guide to the complexities and nuances of what could otherwise be a daunting task. In this book, the author discusses the history and development of Italian record keeping, providing reproductions of typical records and a complete translation and thorough explanation of each. Among the many other topics covered in this book are the significance of Italian surnames and the relevance of Italian noble families in the search for Italian ancestors.

Customer Reviews:

Good- but more informative than useful.......2007-07-23

Don't get me wrong, this is an excellent book. But I found it to focus too much on providing general information rather than specific break-downs on actions to take.

It may have been better if it were divided into two books- one giving the necessary history and background needed to understand how Italian records work, when they came into existence, etc. And another giving specific information and tips on how to obtain them.

Italian records are as complex as it's history. So two books may have been in order, there is just so much information there. Or one book, with less information, but more specifics on each category that they chose.

It left me a bit overwhelmed with knowledge, but still no clear direction to go in.

It's kinda like when you are lost and try asking for directions and they tell you 3 different ways you can go, and all they do is confuse you more-so you have a lot of information but are somehow more confused. I'd rather have them tell me one way, that will get me there... I think that explains how I felt after reading this book.

The first book to buy on Italian records.......2005-12-27

This was the first book I bought on Italian genealogy several years ago and it is still the best source for understanding Italian records. Using the form letters I have been successful in obtaining information from a variety of Italian sources. What is especially useful is the balance between the how to chapters and the background on the records. Highly recommended.

Only in Italy, Only in America.......2005-09-08

Thank heavens this book came into my life as a dedicated heritage researcher, first generation Italo-American. Since I am alone in this, as are many out there I have founf doing this, I especially appreciated the wonderful sources, shortcuts, and information given to the noviate, although anyone can learn something from this complete guide. A great addition to the literature.

This Is It!.......2003-01-31

For those of you in search of your Italian heritage need look no further. Everything you need is right here in this relatively cheap book written by, get this, a non-Italian! Whether you just want to get your grandparents birth records from the 1890's or go all the way back to the 1700's to get your 5th great grandparents marriage record, this book will tell you how, in easy step by step instructions. Can't read or write in Italian? Mr. Cole's book does that for you, too. Don't know your Italian history? Guess what? Mr. Cole does, and he shares it with you in his book.
There are many illustrations of actual Italian records from the 1800's to going back almost 1000 years, and he explains what each is and what the records say. This author covers the history of surnames as well.
With the information in this book, it would be virtually impossible for someone who's ancestors were Italian not to discover their heritage.
I strongly recommend this book.

EXCELLENT.......2003-01-29

This is a truly outstanding work. Well-written, fcat filled, concise, orderly. Dr. Cole covers all the important topics very well. If you buy just one book on Italian genealogy, this is the one.

Using just this book, a subscription to POINT journal, an Italian dictionary, and a Latin dictionary I was able to go through the LDS films of my grandfather's ancestral town and in a few months easily trace most of his lines back to the 1500s.

Average customer rating:

Four Stars.

Under construction?

The Brotherhoods

Jane Harvey

Parallel, intertwined brotherhoods on either side of the law

Brotherhoods: The True Story of Two Cops Who Murdered for the Mafia
Guy Lawson , and William Oldham
Manufacturer: Scribner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Murder & Mayhem | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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Similar Items:

Mob Cops

Donnie Brasco: Unfinished Business

The Sixth Family: The Collapse of the New York Mafia and the Rise of Vito Rizzuto

Circle of Six: The True Story of New York's Most Notorious Cop Killer and the Cop Who Risked Everything to Catch Him

The Last Godfather: The Rise and Fall of Joey Massino (Berkley True Crime)

ASIN: 0743289447

Book Description

INSIDE THE MOB.
INSIDE THE NYPD.

THE LAST GREAT MAFIA BOOK OF OUR TIME.

The Brotherhoods is the chilling chronicle of the shocking crimes of NYPD de-tectives Stephen Caracappa and Louis Eppolito, notorious rogue cops found guilty in April 2006 of the ultimate form of police corruption -- shielding their criminal deeds behind their badges while they worked for the mafia. Their crimes include participation in the murders of at least eight men, kidnapping, and the betrayal of an entire generation of New York City detectives, federal agents, and prosecutors. "One of the most spectacular police corruption scandals in the city's history," proclaimed the New York Times in its front-page coverage of the jury's verdict.

This gripping, true-life detective story is remarkable for its psychological intrigue, criminal audacity, and paranoid, blood-soaked fury. Written by prize-winning journalist Guy Lawson and William Oldham, the brilliant detective who quietly and relentlessly investigated the rogue cops for seven years, The Brotherhoods provides unparalleled access to the secretive workings of both the NYPD and organized crime -- their hierarchies, rituals, and codes of conduct.

Sprawling from Manhattan to Las Vegas to Hollywood, this incredible story features wiseguys, hit men on the lam, snitches, cops on the take, girlfriends who should know better, a crooked accountant, corrupt jewelers, streetwise detectives, flamboyant defense attorneys, ice-cool prosecutors, a distinguished federal judge, and a gallery of other unforgettable characters, many hiding secrets they are afraid to reveal.

In yet another turn of events, in June 2006 a federal judge vacated the convictions on statute of limitations grounds, even as he cited overwhelming evidence that Caracappa and Eppolito had committed "heinous and violent crimes." The U.S. Attorney's Office, which had won the convictions, has appealed the ruling. The conviction of the two men by a jury and the judge's reiteration of their guilt underscore the amazing story of The Brotherhoods.

Destined to rank with such modern crime classics as Serpico, Donnie Brasco, and Wiseguy, this quintessential American mob tale goes to the hearts of two brotherhoods -- the police and the mafia -- and the two cops who belonged to both.

Customer Reviews:

Four Stars........2007-10-14

It's more like a bad road through an interesting place. The subject is fascinating, but it's not a page flipper. And that's because of the book's organization. It shoulda been divided into Parts with distinct themes and characters. If it was easier to read I'd give it 5 stars.

Under construction?.......2007-10-02

I must agree with reviewer/reader maskirovka in that this book takes liberties not with facts, but with narrative tense and editing. This is not really the story about the infamous mafia cops ( we have to read to almost page 120 to begin the biography of one of the killer detectives ) as much as it is the story of the cop who chased them. Oldham's publishers probably thought we had read enough about supercops fighting the mob and police corruption. The idea of another Serpico or Donnie Brasco was probably a hard sell. Regardless, what we really get is a biography on Oldham and his career in law enforcment. The case of the mob cops was simply the one that he obsessed with the most and that was most infamous. Oldham's writer/partner Lawson is no Truman Capote either. His device of using quotations for some of Oldham's first person narratives are questionable, given the fact that THE WHOLE BOOK is really a first person narrative from Oldham's persepctive. We can imagine Oldham in Hollywood shopping this story to the major film studios. Here's a question for him. "If any of the living criminal characters in your book with a vowel at the end of their name agreed to attend a luncheon with you and a movie producer, just to add an air of credibilty, would you bring them along?" Hmmm.

The Brotherhoods.......2007-09-26

A riveting account of two rogue cops who freelanced themselves to the Luchese crime family for years and got away with it until a cadre of dedicated investigators compiled the evidence to put them away. The book gives a detailed description of day to day life in the NYPD and the mob. Martin Scorcese should be looking for a cast for a blockbuster movie.

Jane Harvey.......2007-05-25

I happen to just love the work that these two guys did on this book about Lou Eppolito and the other bad cop. I am in the book on pages 358 throu 364 I am Jane McCormick. I had dealing with Mr Eppolito for 3 years. He was a good con man and he conned $45,000 from me . He said if you cant trust a cop who can you trust! Jane harvey was the name I used in Vegas. I am writting my true life story. It is already done but it is being edited now and will be plublished in a few mos. I am hopping to get it on this wonderful web site soon.I have a wonderful writer that is writing But this book will tell it as it really was in Vegas in the 60s and 70s

Parallel, intertwined brotherhoods on either side of the law.......2007-04-19

Lawson and Oldham's narrative is the story of parallel, intertwined brotherhoods on either side of the law--the New York City Police Department and the five Mafia families of the 1980's and early 1990's. It is subtitled "The True Story of Two Cops Who Murdered for the Mafia." The cops in question are Stephen Caracappa and Louis Eppolito. The story, however, belongs to NYPD detective William Oldham, one of the co-authors of the book. Oldham was a in the police brotherhood with Caracappa and Eppolito, admiring first grade detective Caracappa's work in the organized crime unit from a distance, and puzzling at Eppolito's flaunting of police department regulations about fraternizing with mafia members.

Oldham made his way through the ranks of the NYPD with a wary eye on the Caracappa/Eppolito duo. Eppolito retired in the early nineties and published a tell-all memoir about his association with the mafia, bragging about brutal take-downs and his delight at being in bed with the wise guys. Caracappa was a figure in the tell-all memoir, and retired shortly thereafter to keep his pension an avoid the inevitable NYPD Internal Affairs investigation

Luchese family boss Gaspipe Casso turned state's evidence in the mid-nineties and confessed all to the FBI and NYPD in exchange for placement in the witness protection program. He had dirt on the Luchese family and other mobsters which rivaled the confessions of Sammy the Bull Gravano. A common thread in all his stories was "the crystal ball" (or "the cops"), a pair of crooked cops, one from the Major Case Squad, who helped Casso rise to mythical levels within his crime family. "The cops" fed Casso dirt on who had turned into an informant, swept cases against made men under the rug, gave warnings about take-downs, and even murdered under mafia orders. Casso was once removed from his crystal ball, but after Eppolito's tell-all memoir was published, he had a good guess about the identities of "the cops" who made him such a success as a mafia boss.

Detective Oldham then made it his mission to take down these crooked cops, who by the end of the nineties were retired in a comfortable lifestyle in the Las Vegas area. Lawson and Oldham's book is as much the story of police detectives Oldham, Caracappa, and Eppolito as it is a history of the mafia in New York over the last three decades. The authors describe the genesis of the RICO legal statutes and its implications for both the cops pursing the mafia and the district attorney indicting criminals. The book also addresses the changes in the openness of mafia membership after the 1950's and the disintegration of the code of honor and ethics in favor of straight-up thug killings and bloodshed.

The Brotherhoods expertly tells the facts of official and unofficial mafia and police action over a two-decade period without getting overly bogged down in technical specifics. This could easily read like a detective blotter, but Guy Lawson spins a compelling tale of the wide web of individuals affected by the actions of two crooked NYPD cops. A "cast of characters" prefacing the book is an indispensable reference to the police, mobsters, and victims of this story.

The Wise Guy Cookbook: My Favorite Recipes From My Life as a Goodfella to Cooking on the Run

Average customer rating:

good cookbook, but
A thumping good read.
The Wise Guy Cookbook: My Favorite Recipes From My life as a Goodfella to Cooking on the Run
Cook better than an Italian restaurant
Great, but not the best

The Wise Guy Cookbook: My Favorite Recipes From My Life as a Goodfella to Cooking on the Run
Henry Hill , and Priscilla Davis
Manufacturer: NAL Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0451207068

Book Description

Henry Hill was a born wiseguy, and his love of food got him through both the good and bad times. Even cooking on the run in the Federal Witness Protection Program-where prosciutto was impossible to find and gravy was something you put on mashed potatoes-he managed to keep good Italian food on the table. He still brings this flair for improvisation to his cooking. No recipe is set in stone. And substitutions are listed just in case.

Now, in his inimitable style, Hill tells some spicy stories of his life in the Mob and out, and shows readers how to whip up his favorite dishes, Sicilian-style-recipes to make even the toughest tough-guy beg for more...

Mom's Antipasto Â€ Sunday Gravy (Meat Sauce) Â€ Cheaters Chicken Stock Â€ Striped Bass for Paulie Â€ Fat Larry's Pizza Dough Â€ Henry's Kickback Antipasti Hero Â€ Sicilian Easter Bread with Colored Eggs Â€ Clams Casino Â€ Osso Bucco Â€ Oven Penitentiary Sauce with Sausage Â€ Michael's Favorite Ziti with Meat Sauce Â€ and many others

Customer Reviews:

good cookbook, but.......2007-04-16

I've made a few of the meals in here, and they were very good. Not all that different from the way I cook anyway, but a few differences made the meals better. No problem with the recipes.

My problem is with the marketing of gangster life. This isn't a merely an Italian cookbook-- this is promoted as a MAFIA cookbook ("cooking on the run"?). His life stories are told in euphamistic and humourous fashion, but the reality is very different. The end of the book is almost enraging-- Henry says he he sees pierced and tattoo'd kids eating dinner at McDonald's, and wonders where their parent are-- they ought to be having a nice family dinner at home.

PUHLEEEEZE!!! Read his childrens' book-- "On the Run--A Mafia Childhood". Years of drinking and drug related abuse, not coming home for days at a time, turning his home into a drug and sex den, both before and after his bust-- and much worse stuff-- if you find yourself getting amused by his engagingly told tales of gangster glory or if you find his stories of his Broolyn childhood endearing, then you need to read his childrens' book for balance. See the link below.

Buy this book used. I wouldn't put a dime in Hill's pocket.

On the Run: A Mafia Childhood

A thumping good read. .......2007-02-25

Hill's book is extremely insightful. It's very descriptive and chocked full of authentic Italian recipes and stories from Hill's gangster life. The recipes range from very simple to somewhat complicated, depending on the reader's preference. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to learn about the real-life, but old style of Italian cuisine.

The Wise Guy Cookbook: My Favorite Recipes From My life as a Goodfella to Cooking on the Run.......2007-01-16

A colorfull presentation of some excellent recipes, I truely value this book, in my collection. Try his shrimp receipe for the grill, excellent, my guests loved it and I the simplicity.

Cook better than an Italian restaurant.......2006-12-06

I got this for my husband last Christmas and we haven't found anything that wasn't totally delicious. The only problem is, we can't eat Italian in a restaurant anymore! We cook better at home!! With Henry's precise step-by-step directions, and his delightful autobiographical inserts, this is our favorite cookbook.
If you can stomach it, a viewing of "Goodfellas" really makes the cookbook a lot of fun and brings the voice of Henry Hill to life. Sometimes we can feel him running around our kitchen in his drug-induced haze, preparing his Michael's favorite meatballs just like in the movie!

Great, but not the best.......2006-02-28

My only criticism is that a many of the recipes in the book would be found in any other Italian cookbook. That said, the tips and stories behind the recipes make up for that.
I would recommend it to anyone looking for classic Italian (or Italian-American) food. The book deals with how to make the best food anywhere. No matter where you are, or what your local shops have, you can find something great in these pages. The emphasis is on how you approach cooking, not just what you're making.

Average customer rating:

Not for beginners
As close to my Italian Mother-in-Law's cooking as I can get!
Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen
We All Love Italian Food
Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen

Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen
Lidia Matticchio Bastianich
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 037541150X
Release Date: 2001-10-23

Amazon.com

"Italian-American food--what cuisine is it?" asks Lidia Matticchio Bastianich in Lidia's Italian-American Cooking, a cookbook based on her eponymous PBS TV series. The author of two previous works, La Cucina di Lidia and Lidia's Italian Table, and co-owner of three acclaimed Manhattan restaurants, Bastianich is ideally suited to explore all Italian fare. "Americans fell in love with Italian cooking first," she says, thus enshrining a cuisine born of immigrant adaptation. In celebration of that affection, the book offers over 150 recipes for a wide range of dishes--traditional favorites like Baked Stuffed Shells and Lobster Fra Diavolo as well as personal adaptations such as Scampi alla Buonavia and canneloni made with roasted pork and mortadella. These easily done dishes benefit from Lidia's subtle polishing; fans of her foolproof palate and her direct yet relaxed approach to Italian cooking will welcome the book.

In chapters that reflect the courses of a traditional Italian meal, from antipasti through soups, pasta and risottos, and dolci, Lidia presents a wealth of good everyday eating. In addition to exemplary renditions of Italian-American favorites, Lidia offers "new" Italian regional dishes, such as Long Fusilli with Saffron, Mussels, and Zucchini. Soups, a Lidia specialty, are enticingly represented with the likes of Potato, Swiss Chard, and Bread Soup. And of course there are splendid dolci--favorites like Ricotta Cheesecake, but also treats like San Martino Pear and Chocolate Tart. Throughout, Bastianich provides useful sidebars, such as one on scallopine, and fully illustrated technical instruction, detailing, for example, the best way to stuff a veal chop. With color photos of the mouthwatering dishes, tips, and other cooking insights, the book is a valuable guide to an oft-debased fare finally given its due. --Arthur Boehm

Book Description

Lidia Bastianich, loved by millions of Americans for her good Italian cooking, gives us her most instructive and personal cookbook yet.

Focusing on the Italian-American kitchen—the cooking she encountered when she first came to America as a young adolescent—she pays homage to this “cuisine of adaptation born of necessity.” But she transforms it subtly with her light, discriminating touch, using the authentic ingredients, not accessible to the early immigrants, which are all so readily available today. The aromatic flavors of fine Italian olive oil, imported Parmigiano-Reggiano and Gorgonzola dolce latte, fresh basil, oregano, and rosemary, sun-sweetened San Marzano tomatoes, prosciutto, and pancetta permeate the dishes she makes in her Italian-American kitchen today. And they will transform for you this time-honored cuisine, as you cook with Lidia, learning from her the many secret, sensuous touches that make her food superlative.

You’ll find recipes for Scampi alla Buonavia (the garlicky shrimp that became so popular when Lidia served the dish at her first restaurant, Buonavia), Clams Casino (with roasted peppers and good American bacon), Caesar Salad (shaved Parmigiano makes the difference), baked cannelloni (with roasted pork and mortadella), and lasagna (blanketed in her special Italian-American Meat Sauce).

But just as Lidia introduced new Italian regional dishes to her appreciative clientele in Queens in the seventies, so she dazzles us now with pasta dishes such as Bucatini with Chanterelles, Spring Peas, and Prosciutto, and Long Fusilli with Mussels, Saffron, and Zucchini. And she is a master at teaching us how to make our own ravioli, featherlight gnocchi, and genuine Neapolitan pizza.

The key to her delectable fish and meat cooking is the aromatic vegetables that so often form an integral part of the dish—sole with oregano, vidalias, and tomatoes; tenderloin with potatoes, peppers, and onions; sausages with bitter broccoli. Try her version of scallopine with sautéed lemon slices, garlic slivers, capers, and green olives—you’ll be hooked.

Soups are Lidia’s specialty, particularly hearty bean and pasta soups—meals in themselves. And you can top off a Lidia feast with traditional Italian-American favorites, such as a perfect Zabaglione or cannoli, or one of her own creations—Lemon Delight or Roasted Pears and Grapes.

Laced with stories about her experiences in America and her discoveries as a cook, this enchanting book is both a pleasure to read and a joy to cook from.

Customer Reviews:

Not for beginners.......2007-08-23

If you want to cook quick, easy Italian meals, this book is not what you are looking for. If you want to cook real tradition Italian meals and do not mind to spend 2-3 hours just to make pasta sauce, go for it.

As close to my Italian Mother-in-Law's cooking as I can get!.......2007-01-11

This is an easy to understand cookbook. Everything I have tried has been received with rave reviews and honestly the meatballs were as good as or better than my mother-in-law's! I purchased this book as a gift for my adult son and my niece so we can keep the good Italian cooking in the family.

Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen.......2007-01-11

A great cookbook which my wife uses on a frequent basis. Both my wife an I love italian food and have always enjoyed watching Lidia on PBS. We just had to have her cookbooks and were not disappointed.

We All Love Italian Food.......2007-01-08

This was a selection for a local bookclub that focuses on cooking books. At each meeting they try the recipes and discuss the author's approach to cooking. Bastianich uses traditional regional Italian dishes but adjusts them some for American tastes. The group agreed that this book had easy recipes with lots of "flavor and character."
Just reading the recipe titles made me hungry (Scampi alla Buonavia, Clams Casino, Caesar Salad using shaved parmiagiano, pine nut cookies, baked cannelloni with roasted pork and mortadella, and lasagna using a special Italian-American Meat Sauce).

Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen.......2007-01-08

I am an avid fan of Lidia M. Bastianich's PBS TV cooking show. Lidia's book has much more than the standard, simple pasta and spaghetti dishes. She is truly a cooking artist and this book reflects her love of all types of cooking, especially Italian. If I had only one Italian cookbook, it would be this one!

Passage to Liberty: The Story of Italian Immigration and the Rebirth of America

Average customer rating:

such a beautiful book
Something you'll treasure

Passage to Liberty: The Story of Italian Immigration and the Rebirth of America
Ken Ciongoli , and Jay Parini
Manufacturer: ReganBooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

jp-unknown1 | Specialty Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0060089024
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Book Description

Italian influence can be seen everywhere in America—in its buildings and its books, in its culture and its cuisine. Passage to Liberty tells the story of how Italians became Americans and fulfilled their dreams of rebuilding the image of Rome in their new country. Readers will discover:

- Removable reproductions of memorabilia and documents
- Engaging illustrations
- Informative text
- And more!

Both a work of history and a moving narrative, Passage to Liberty brings to life the experiences of a people whose talents, contributions, and self-sacrifice helped them to make this country their own.

Customer Reviews:

such a beautiful book.......2006-03-10

Not long after my grandmother's death, I went to a Borders store and was looking through the books on sale. I saw this lovely book and picked it up to leaf through it. The first page I opened the book to was the one with the little handwritten recipe. The recipe was unfamiliar to me, but the small neat handwriting was amazingly like my grandmother's, and the slip of paper it was written on was exactly like a page from one of the little notebooks she used to write in. I didn't have to look at another thing in the book to know I had to buy it. When I got the book home and actually read it, I LOVED IT! The book itself is really good, but all of the little bits that are tucked inside really make it worth the money. It's a lovely book.

Something you'll treasure.......2002-10-31

As you'd expect in a book like this, it tells the tale from Columbus to Madonna, and tells it well, concisely, entertainingly, without being annoyingly fulsome or reverent. What makes this a treaure, though, are all the surprises--you turn a page and find, actually tucked into a corner or attached by glue, replicas of ancient passports, or hand-written recipes, or coupon books from some old immigrant mutual-aid insurance policy. There's even a St. Lucia prayer card from somebody's funeral and the jury's verdict form from a trial of Al Capone. It brings the history to life in a way beyond mere words. If you buy one copy, you'll end up buying more as gifts, without a doubt.It's a beautiful object and a terrific book.

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