Letter to a Christian Nation

Letter to a Christian Nation
Average customer rating:

A book that says what I mean.

A good "starter book" for atheism

thin volume that should be required reading

Concise, articulate and enlightening

Quality

Letter to a Christian Nation
Sam Harris
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

The God Delusion

The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason

God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything

Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon

Atheist Universe: The Thinking Person's Answer to Christian Fundamentalism

ASIN: 0307265773
Release Date: 2006-09-19

Book Description

“Thousands of people have written to tell me that I am wrong not to believe in God. The most hostile of these communications have come from Christians. This is ironic, as Christians generally imagine that no faith imparts the virtues of love and forgiveness more effectively than their own. The truth is that many who claim to be transformed by Christ’s love are deeply, even murderously, intolerant of criticism. While we may want to ascribe this to human nature, it is clear that such hatred draws considerable support from the Bible. How do I know this? The most disturbed of my correspondents always cite chapter and verse.”

So begins Letter to a Christian Nation…

www.samharris.org

Customer Reviews:

A book that says what I mean........2007-10-17

This book says all things I've been saying for years, and makes no apologies about it. The aurthor logic is inscrutable. A very solid argument for atheism that is at the same time complicated and easy to read. I was feeling evry word.

A good "starter book" for atheism.......2007-10-10

"Letter to a Christian Nation" is, as it says, a letter. To a nation. Of Christians. As someone who is already a confirmed atheist, I wasnt't really the target audience for this book. As such, I found it a little lacking in comparison to other works of atheist thought, such as The God Delusion (a very good book), and God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything (a decent, but not as good, book).

Sam Harris makes many of the same points in his book as Dawkins and Hitchens do in theirs, but he doesn't go into nearly the same level of detail as Dawkins or the same amount of polemic as Hitchens. He does make his points, but I felt there was more he could have done.

On the other hand, this is a very, very short book (only about 90 pages... about the same as, to my understanding, Common Sense (Penguin Classics), which I haven't read and should). Due to the length, I guess he wasn't able to go into too much detail. Of course, he could have simply written a longer book...

If you, like me, are someone who is already firmly in the atheist camp, this really isn't the book for you. If you're someone who can feel your faith wavering, and know that you're getting to the point where you're about to divcorce from god (and there's a term I love and will have to use elsewhere), then perhaps you might want to give this book a go. After all, what do you have to loose?

Well, aside from your religion...

thin volume that should be required reading.......2007-10-10

The author doesn't belabor any points - but rather is concise and crisp. I wish I had written it.

Concise, articulate and enlightening.......2007-10-09

Bravo to Mr. Harris. This is a must-read for anyone with children who might consider placing them in religious schools. Mr Harris makes the point that religion is propagating fairy tales (at best) and training our children to be scientifically illiterate (at worse). Personally, I couldn't agree more. Between my graduation from a Christian high school to my PhD in Neuroscience, I had to overcome all the illusions taught in my Christian high school and learn how to think critically. Critical thought has led me on a slow but steady journey away from Christian indoctrination and on to free-thinking athesism. Where I have at times struggled to articulate my doubts, questions, rationale and reasons to 'true-believers' (or my parents for that matter) this book does so in remarkable clarity and brevity. Similar to Dawkins "The God Delusion", this book provides excellent tools to fend off the specious arguments of religious people, but it does so with a bit more tact and grace. While I absolutely loved the God Delusion, I would not recommend it to a Christian, as it is certain to offend their sensibilities from the start. Harris's book may actually get through to them (one can hope!).

Quality.......2007-10-08

This is a good, concise response to the many outlandish complaints against the member of society who have no interest in fabricating a diety to explain away their problems. Some points could have used flushing out, but then it wouldn't have been very concise. I recommend this book.

The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason

Average customer rating:

A Guru for the 21st Century
Something that will keep us pondering for a long time
Harris dares to imagine no religion
About the same as fellow atheists Dawkins and Hitchens but a tad more reasonable
The End of Bad Arguments? Unfortunately Not

The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason
Sam Harris
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Letter to a Christian Nation
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ASIN: 0393327655

Amazon.com

Sam Harris cranks out blunt, hard-hitting chapters to make his case for why faith itself is the most dangerous element of modern life. And if the devil's in the details, then you'll find Satan waiting at the back of the book in the very substantial notes section where Harris saves his more esoteric discussions to avoid sidetracking the urgency of his message.

Interestingly, Harris is not just focused on debunking religious faith, though he makes his compelling arguments with verve and intellectual clarity. The End of Faith is also a bit of a philosophical Swiss Army knife. Once he has presented his arguments on why, in an age of Weapons of Mass Destruction, belief is now a hazard of great proportions, he focuses on proposing alternate approaches to the mysteries of life. Harris recognizes the truth of the human condition, that we fear death, and we often crave "something more" we cannot easily define, and which is not met by accumulating more material possessions. But by attempting to provide the cure for the ills it defines, the book bites off a bit more than it can comfortably chew in its modest page count (however the rich Bibliography provides more than enough background for an intrigued reader to follow up for months on any particular strand of the author' musings.)

Harris' heart is not as much in the latter chapters, though, but in presenting his main premise. Simply stated, any belief system that speaks with assurance about the hereafter has the potential to place far less value on the here and now. And thus the corollary -- when death is simply a door translating us from one existence to another, it loses its sting and finality. Harris pointedly asks us to consider that those who do not fear death for themselves, and who also revere ancient scriptures instructing them to mete it out generously to others, may soon have these weapons in their own hands. If thoughts along the same line haunt you, this is your book.--Ed Dobeas

Book Description

An impassioned plea for reason in a world divided by faith.

This important and timely book delivers a startling analysis of the clash of faith and reason in today's world. Harris offers a vivid historical tour of mankind's willingness to suspend reason in favor of religious beliefs, even when those beliefs are used to justify harmful behavior and sometimes-heinous crimes. He asserts that in the shadow of weapons of mass destruction, we can no longer tolerate views that pit one true god against another. Most controversially, he argues that we cannot afford moderate lip service to religion—an accommodation that only blinds us to the real perils of fundamentalism. While warning against the encroachment of organized religion into world politics, Harris also draws on new evidence from neuroscience and insights from philosophy to explore spirituality as a biological, brain-based need. He calls on us to invoke that need in taking a secular humanistic approach to solving the problems of this world.

Natalie Angier wrote in the New York Times: "The End of Faith articulates the dangers and absurdities of organized religion so fiercely and so fearlessly that I felt relieved as I read it, vindicated….Harris writes what a sizable number of us think, but few are willing to say."

Customer Reviews:

A Guru for the 21st Century.......2007-10-08

Morally speaking, are Bronze-Age myths as good as it gets?

Sam Harris doesn't think so and he argues brilliantly for a
new religious paradigm to shepherd us through the 21st Century.

Like a Spanish Inquisitor Harris ruthlessly examines the shaky philosophical justification for Abrahamic theism and finds it wanting.

But Harris doesn't just convince us that there really is no Santa Claus, he offers us a new way forward. He proves conclusively that science and reason do not necessarily have to be divorced from spiritual inquiry and revelation.

Some of his detractors have said that Harris is angry at God, but
that of course assumes a fact not in evidence (the existence of God).

After hearing him speak at Aspen Colorado,
'angry' is not quite the adjective that comes to mind.
http://svayam8.blogspot.com/2007/07/sam-harris-at-aspen-ideas-festival.html

As hard as it may be for theists to accept, many disbelievers really are being intellectually honest.

Sam Harris is one of those. He isn't angry, he's just right.
Thank you Sam for being a beacon of reason in a dangerously
darkened world.

Letter to a Christian Nation

Something that will keep us pondering for a long time.......2007-10-07

Well, this book is one of those that you come across with an argument so solid that you cannot stop pondering about its ideas. Mr. Harris has laid down a set of ideas that for a long time will haunt us, and the generations to come. Mr. Harris exposition of his thesis is simply monumental. His lurid writing style and his exquisite manners have brought forth a fundamental issue.

Mr. Harris as in the moving The Kingdom have presented us a sordid reality. Either we continue with religions and destroy humanity or we dispose of religion and avoid genocide. Muslims wants us dead and we do not want Islamic doctrines in our life. Further, more 9-11 have presented us with the issue of Abrahamic Religions and their stupidity. Because of them we lost 500 years, The Dark Ages and because of them we are losing our freedom and technological progress.

Some rabble-rouser long ago hid truth from us. [...] God created man. [...] men create God. That is the way it is in the world - men make gods and worship their creation. It would be fitting for the gods to worship men! Gospel of Philip 71:34; 72:1-4 Nag Hammadi Texts

Fanaticism and Fundamentalism of the religious realm have ruin freedom and life itself! Both should be eliminated and replaced by logical processes, which will warrant freedom, progress, technological development, world peace and happiness to every single human being. Religious moral varies from religion to religion. Logical morality does not need to vary! 1+1=2 in USA and in China too! Morals should be in the same manner.

Mr. Harris has begun a movement that will be here long after he parts. It is a movement of personal right to live a life as one please and not as a few wants you to live. It is also a movement toward World Peace!

I do recommend this book to everyone!

Harris dares to imagine no religion.......2007-09-26

This book is so much fun to read I read it twice. Harris writes with passion, erudition, and razor-sharp wit. His book has forced so-called religious moderates to begin taking responsibility for the zealots they unintentionally shelter, and he has demonstrated that a world with powerfully destructive technologies, such as ours, can no longer afford the luxury of basing policy on tribal superstitions and on supernatural claims that cannot possibly be substantiated with evidence. Highly recommended.

About the same as fellow atheists Dawkins and Hitchens but a tad more reasonable.......2007-09-22

Sam Harris like Hitchens and Dawkins is a master at setting up religious straw-men and then knocking them down. It is more fun and sells more books than taking on the real thing. Then it becomes balanced and boring. The author looks at the great evils in the world, the cause of which many others have attributed to nationalism, capitalism, lack of "lebensraum" etc. and claims that religion was the real cause. "Knowingly or not Nazis were agents of religion."... "Stalin and Mao killed millions because "communism was little more than a political religion." Why are the millions killed by Paul Pot not mentioned was he not trying to please God like Stalin, Mao and Hitler? Looking at Webster's definition of religion it is clear that these three ruthless dictators were not great religious leaders.
The author is using words incorrectly to make false accusations. A "political religion" is not religion if it does not profess a belief in an after life and God. But the author ignores that fact, because he is out to pin as many bad things on the word "religion" as possible..
Unlike Hitchens Sam Harris is an atheist who does see bigger differences among religions. He thinks Islam, for example, is especially bad ("cult of death").
I did not know that Noam Chomsky was any kind of religious thinker but the author takes a swipe at Noam by stating that Chomsky's view of moral equivalence is a big mistake." It is not clear how that fits in with his attacks on religion, but he gets the third star for that anyway.

The End of Bad Arguments? Unfortunately Not.......2007-09-19

Sam Harris's "The End of Faith" is an assault upon religion, blind faith, and fundamentalist violence. However, clear thinking Christians have little to fear from Harris's social critique.

The majority of the book is an exposition of the evils, real or imagined, produced by religion. Harris discusses current atrocities, including September 11 and suicide bombings in Israel, as well as past atrocities, including the Inquisition and the Salem Witch Trials. This leads to the natural question- if Harris (an atheist) is so critical of religious horrors, how can he explain the atheistic regimes of Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot, which collectively were responsible for millions of deaths? Harris claims that, while they may not have been explicitly religious, these evil regimes were the result of poor thinking. He states in his afterword-

"While some of the most despicable political movements in human history have been explicitly irreligious, they were not especially rational. The public pronouncements of these regimes have been mere litanies of delusion- about race, economics, national identity, the march of history, or the moral dangers of intellectualism." [231]

Thus, we see that The End of Faith does not really support atheism or oppose religion, it simply supports reason and opposes blind faith. Otherwise, his critique of religion is completely arbitrary, as he admits in this quoted passage that the real enemy is not simply religious faith, but irrationality itself. Thus, Harris needs to demonstrate that Christianity inherently necessitates irrational faith if he wishes to demonstrate that it should be rejected. Throughout the book, Harris merely assumes that so-called "fundamentalist" Christians can only exist through blind faith, but his assumption is both unproven and incorrect. Despite railing on about the supposed irrationality of religion, Harris never once deals with any of the arguments offered by Christians either historically or in the present day. There is no critique of the Cosmological Argument, no consideration of the evidence for the empty tomb, no critique of biblical passages or doctrines. Harris simply assumes that Christianity requires blind faith, argues that blind faith is both stupid and dangerous, and declares victory. The problem is that he has never shown that Christianity requires blind faith.

The other problem with Harris's approach is a common one- he assumes that the misdeeds of religious followers invalidates the religion itself.

Thus, the majority of Harris's book is simply not relevant for intelligent Christians. Surprisingly, however, there is some value in The End of Faith. For example, he discusses morality and makes a good case for charitable giving, and discusses politics and law, and makes a good case for the legalization of (some) drugs as a matter of public policy. However, as a critique of religion in general, and Christianity in particular, "The End of Faith" fails quite miserably.

Average customer rating:

For new baby
Good all-around baby book
Don't Like the Message
Family favorite
Wonderful - this really is a very good book

Guess How Much I Love You
Sam McBratney
Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

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ASIN: 076360013X
Release Date: 1996-03-06

Amazon.com

All children want reassurance that their parents' love runs wide and deep. In Guess How Much I Love You, a young rabbit named Little Nutbrown Hare thinks he's found a way to measure the boundaries of love. In a heartwarming twist on the "I-can-do-anything-you-can-do-better" theme, Little Nutbrown Hare goes through a series of declarations regarding the breadth of his love for Big Nutbrown Hare. But even when his feelings stretch as long as his arms, or as high as his hops, Little Nutbrown Hare is fondly one-upped by the elder rabbit's more expansive love.

Anita Jeram's illustrations are bound to elicit an "aw" from even the sternest of readers; these loving rabbits are expressive, endearing, and never cloying. In turn, Sam McBratney tells a simple bedtime story of sweet familial love with humor, insight, and a delightful surprise at the end. Children and parents will love snuggling up for this one--a treat to be read again and again, just before the lights are turned out. (Click to see a sample spread. Text © 1994 by Sam McBratney. Illustrations © 1994 by Anita Jeram. Permission from Candlewick Press.) (Ages 4 to 8)

Book Description

The American Booksellers Book of the Year nominee is available as a sturdy board book for the youngest of children. Little Nutbrown Hare wants to show Big Nutbrown Hare how very much he loves him - but love as big as his is very hard to measure!

Customer Reviews:

For new baby.......2007-09-22

The first time I heard of this book was in my childbirth class. I loved it so much I had to buy it. I'm hoping it will become one of my baby's favorite books.

Good all-around baby book.......2007-09-19

I bought this baby book based on the reviews and the fact that Guess How Much I Love You is one of my favorite children's books. The book does a nice job of asking enough questions to make a complete record for your baby without being overly burdensome. Some of the other books I looked at seriously asked what the weather was on the day you found out your were pregnant. Seriously, who would care about that? This baby book also gives great suggestions for a few pictures which is helpful--like the place to put a picture of you pregnant. I am very pleased.

Don't Like the Message.......2007-09-15

I know many people love this book. I don't know why. We received one as a gift, and after reading it to my daughter, I was disturbed by the story. I felt sorry for the bunny whose parent invalidated his expression of love on each page. As many other reviewers said, it was a competition the adult wouldn't let the child win. This book contains a mean-spirited, misguided, sad, and disturbing message.

Family favorite.......2007-08-01

"Guess how much I love you" is a classic. The story is a simple dialog between a big rabbit (the parent) and a little rabbit (the baby), each professing and comparing the depth & "height" of their love for each other. We read this book almost every day to our infant daughter. She loves the watercolor illustrations & coos at the pictures. A lovely addition to a kid' book collection.

Wonderful - this really is a very good book.......2007-07-24

This is a fabulous book for little children and the grownups who read to them. When children are read to daily, they learn to love reading. Perfect bedtime stories, to calm everyone down and make us ready for sweet dreams. If you can find the LARGE size book get it- they're fabulous keepsakes. Perfect gifts for any child, and a perfect tradition in your own home and family!

The Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics, 32nd edition (Spiral Manual Series)

Average customer rating:

Very useful book
Washington Manual

The Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics, 32nd edition (Spiral Manual Series)
Washington University School of Medicine , Daniel H Cooper , Andrew J Krainik , Sam J Lubner , and Hilary EL Reno
Manufacturer: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

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ASIN: 0781781256

Book Description

Established for over 40 years as the "bible" of the medical ward, The Washington Manual(R) of Medical Therapeutics is now in its Thirty-Second Edition and builds upon that proud tradition--with even more of the current information you need, delivered in a timesaving, quick-reference style. Its portability, comprehensiveness, and ease of access makes it a favorite on-call resource for housestaff and faculty around the world. Continuing the tradition of excellence, each chapter has been updated and reformatted for easier access to the information the reader needs. This edition is also available electronically for handheld computers. See Media listing for details. The Washington Manual(R) is a registered mark belonging to Washington University in St. Louis to which international legal protection applies. The mark is used in this publication by LWW under license from Washington University.

Customer Reviews:

Very useful book.......2007-07-30

This book is really useful and contains a great deal of information regarding everything an IM student/resident would like to know. It's very well written, clear and concise. It has a big drawback though: it is big and heavy enough for not being comfortably put in your pocket, since it is considered a pocket book. If this is not a disadvantage for you it is a perfect companion for quick refence in theoretical and some practical stuff

Washington Manual.......2007-04-09

Great reference for the busy practitioner in the ambulatory setting. Gets to the gut of the issues and easy to read. Wide variety of diagnosis' and very up to date information.

Sams Teach Yourself Macromedia Flash 8 in 24 Hours (Sams Teach Yourself)

Average customer rating:

Good Info but...
Not worth it a nickel
Great book for beginner.
flash for dummy!
I recommend flash 8 24 hours.

Sams Teach Yourself Macromedia Flash 8 in 24 Hours (Sams Teach Yourself)
Phillip Kerman
Manufacturer: Sams
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Foundation ActionScript for Flash 8 (Foundation)

ASIN: 0672327546

Book Description

Explore the depth and flexibility of Macromedia Flash 8 with Sams Teach Yourself Macromedia Flash 8 in 24 Hours. Fundamental topics are presented one-by-one in a series of 24 one-hour lessons that will help you master the basics of Flash. Author Phillip Kerman, an internationally-known Macromedia trainer and multimedia expert, offers you a clearly-written, well-organized introduction to Macromedia Flash 8 without becoming too overwhelming. You will cover such subjects as:

Drawing and Painting Original Art
Using Motion Tween to Animate
Animatng Using Movie Clips
Using Actions to Create Non-Linear Movies
Optimizing a Flash Site
Publishing a Creation

Not only will you master the basics of Macromedia Flash 8 with Sams Teach Yourself Macromedia Flash 8 in 24 Hours, you will also be better prepared to learn more advanced topics in the future.

Customer Reviews:

Good Info but..........2007-05-12

It takes FOREVER to get to the point and many times there is repitition over the instruction. Sometimes in the same paragraph! A good book that gives information yes, but it could easily have been cut to a third the size.

Not worth it a nickel.......2007-04-18

I bought this book last month due to some good feedbacks. But when I read, it seems the book is too much unnecessary words just to make it look thick but the actual content is thin. I would recommend to learn from the help section of the flash program itself. It's much more clear and right to the point not like this book. From there then google up and you will find a lot of more better tutorials than this book and best of all, it's free!

Great book for beginner........2007-03-18

Hi all, first of all, I just want to thank all the people who had written the comments on this book. It had helped me a lot in making a decision in buying this book. Thanks.

As for the book, I just got it. I am in Hour 2 and so far, it has helped me soooo much. I am new to Flash and I think this will be a great book for all the people who are new like me. I gave it a 4 stars rather than 5 since I haven't finished the book yet and can't comment on the whole book. But base on the first 2 hrs, I think once I am done with the book, my rating would be a 5 star.

flash for dummy!.......2007-03-17

u cannot finish this on 24 hours. I have Flash background but I finished "chapter 5" in 13 hours, which was supposed to finish in 5 hours. Sooooooo many text and difficult for ESL students. Not step by step and not too many graphic. No CD or resource files to do tutorials.

I recommend flash 8 24 hours........2007-03-09

I recommend Flash 8 24hours...I believe it will take more than 24 hours to get through the book. But it is a good buy and I found it helpful in understanding flash.

Average customer rating:

the ultimate sandman
A book only as Oversized as the Series itself
AMAZING!
speechless...
What follows is a series of remarks addressed to the readers of this review and about this book itself

The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 1
Neil Gaiman
Manufacturer: Vertigo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover Comic

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ASIN: 1401210821

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THE SANDMAN, written by New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman, was the most acclaimed comic book title of the 1990s. A rich blend of modern myth and dark fantasy in which contemporary fiction, historical drama and legend are seamlessly interwoven, THE SANDMAN is also widely considered one of the most original and artistically ambitious series of the modern age. By the time it concluded in 1996, it had made significant contributions to the artistic maturity of comic books and become a pop culture phenomenon in its own right.Now, DC Comics is proud to present this comics classic in an all-new Absolute Edition format. The first of four beautifully designed slipcased volumes, THE ABSOLUTE SANDMAN VOL. 1 collects issues 1-20 of The Sandman and features completely new coloring, approved by the author, on the first 18 issues, as well as a host of never-before-seen extra material, including the complete original Sandman Proposal, a gallery of character designs from Gaiman and the artists who originated the look of the Sandman, and the original script to the World Fantasy Award-winning THE SANDMAN #19, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," together with reproductions of the issue's original pencils by Charles Vess. Also included are a new introduction by DC's president Paul Levitz and a new afterword by Gaiman.

Customer Reviews:

the ultimate sandman.......2007-10-11

The ultimate sandman was my dream come true. Great illustrations and the story line is fantastic. "Neil Gaiman at his best" Read it you will not be disappointed.

A book only as Oversized as the Series itself.......2007-09-28

Anyone who wants to start with Sandman I think should start by heading to the library and borrowing several volumes first. Anyone who's a fan should own this.

Neil Gaiman's Sandman is a wonderful series; a mythos that encompasses many other cultural mythologies into one nifty little setting. Anyone can pull up a short little synopsis about the series, but that would be an understatement of a task, for the series is so much more than just that. For the series is itself a mythology, a fantasy, and a reality, and anyone who comes across it, with a little patience, will immediately be swept away by the unfathomable truths contained within these tomes, and for once, being lost in a desert of dreams won't be such a bad idea.

However, I do have a few issues. The wonderful facet of a comic book (in the case of Sandman, Graphic Novels or Visual Literature) is that it is a collaborative medium. While Gaiman is undoubtedly a tour de force, the art itself helps to raise the bar of that force. Initially reading the series, you get a sense of its visceral visions and its somber tones, all through vibrant background colors. In the Absolute Sandman, however, the re-colors have somehow nullified some of that mood that was so powerfully combined with the writing itself. Newcomers to the series won't notice it if they start with this edition, but fans will. If you don't believe me, just compare the print from any of the previous TPB's or hardcovers of Issue #6 "24 Hours" (a shocking high-voltage horror tribute) or Issue #8 "The Sound of Her Wings" (this is the issue which for me is the definitive beginning of the mythos) with the Absolute editions. While the writing is still strong, I miss some of the old coloring, which helped to evoke a certain mood that solidified the series place in the comic book world. That isn't to say that some of the coloring hasn't actually improved on the old. In most cases, the recoloring was actually smoother and stronger, and set the mood more proper.

Newcomers should borrow from the library or from friends who have previous versions, to get a sense of the original mood (also, the book is just way too huge for carrying around), then if they see fit can buy the Absolute editions. I still think this is a wonderfully (and adequately) oversized edition, and some of the new coloring isn't bad, but bland in some cases. The large size magnifies the series in proper grandeur, and is an apt edition for fans to collect. It's not such a bad idea to own previous versions, in which there are those wonderful introductions by authors such as Clive Barker, Peter Straub, Stephen King, etc., with the Absolute editions (despite the costs), which I proudly own.

AMAZING!.......2007-09-25

I'm new to the Sandman comics and relatively new to Gaiman's writing, but this series was recommended to me several times so I decided to read it, and I most definitely was not disappointed. The story is very intricate and extremely creative, and the characters, although fantastic, become believable. The world entered while reading these comics is truly amazing, and those who can stand the scenes of violence will be well rewarded for checking it out.

speechless..........2007-08-25

I have already read my copies of the graphic novels to tatters, I've long since lost my copies of the original comic books. (I'm actually one of those weirdos who actually reads their comics.) I was completely amazed at the stunning quality of this collection. (No, the color reproduction isn't as bad as all the serious art students are making it out to be.) Absolutely beautiful. I'm always surprised when I talk to people who've never heard of Neil Gaiman's works. The Sandman series should be issued to the entire human race...

What follows is a series of remarks addressed to the readers of this review and about this book itself.......2007-08-16

Whoa... Were do i begin?

Let me start by saying, I would recommend to anyone to read some of the series, just to see if they like it. Personally, I think this is a treat not to be missed!

Average customer rating:

A wonderful way to learn a great lesson!
Fun illustrations and a story with a moral
fun prodigal cat story
Awesome book!
Wonderful, absolutely wonderful.

Mr. Pusskins: A Love Story

Manufacturer: Atheneum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1416925171

Book Description

Mr. Pusskins doesn't want to play mouse games.

He thinks snuggling is for the birds.

Having his fur combed?

Listening to cozy bedtime stories?

Boring!

Mr. Pusskins goes in search of adventure.

But along the way he finds out how much love is waiting for him at home.

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful way to learn a great lesson!.......2007-09-28

Mr. Pusskins is your typical aloof cat. He's like most people if you think of it...doesn't realize how good he has it and takes for granted the ones that love him. He does learn what happens when he gets too big for his britches, and falls in with the wrong crowd. He finally comes to the realization of how much he was loved and how great he had it. He lucks outs in that his owner, Emily, is determined to find him and does.
My granddaughter LOVED this books and so do I. It teaches a very valuable and age-old lesson: Appreciate what you have and be good to those who love you, not take them for granted. This is a lesson that alot of people still need to learn! This book does a wonderful job doing just that.

Fun illustrations and a story with a moral.......2007-09-10

My family loved the tale of Mr Pusskins. The interesting illustrations held the attention of the 5 year old. The 3 year old thought the story was too long. Mr. Pusskin's appearance and attitude is similar to that of our persian cat; therefore, we could relate to the story. The theme is classic: the grass is always greener on the other side, but you'd be better off to appreciate what you have.

fun prodigal cat story.......2007-07-26

My four year old son liked this book so much when we checked it out of the library that we decided to buy our own copy. It's a fun story about a rebellious cat that runs away and then realizes how good he had it before so he calls up his owner (a little girl) and she takes him back.

Awesome book!.......2007-05-11

I heard this book read on NPR and thought it was cute. When we got it my daughter (7mos)loved it! It is one of her favorite books and we read it every night.

Wonderful, absolutely wonderful........2007-05-06

You can't help but fall in love with Mr. Pusskins. It's a lesson in love, and delivered with such humour as we watch him barely tolerating all the love and affection gleefully bestowed upon him by his owner Emily, who is a little girl. Mr. P is rather curmudgeonly and he sets out on his own. After initially enjoying his freedom, he finds that he didn't appreciate Emily, that life isn't very pleasant without her, and how lucky he had been to have her. Did Emily miss him? Would he find her? Would she take him back??? The suspenseful ending made me laugh and cry at the same time. (There are mountains in England and Emily knows how to drive a car.)

The drawings are wonderful. Mr. Pusskins' expression, as you can tell by the cover, is perfectly drawn.

As they said on NPR, it's a classic "cat loses girl, cat gets girl" story.

Average customer rating:

All I can say is "Oh My Gosh!"
disturbingly good story
Witty yet sad
....and when does it get funny?
Overrated

Running with Scissors: A Memoir
Augusten Burroughs
Manufacturer: Picador
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Authors | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0312425414
Release Date: 2006-09-05

Amazon.com

There is a passage early in Augusten Burroughs's harrowing and highly entertaining memoir, Running with Scissors, that speaks volumes about the author. While going to the garbage dump with his father, young Augusten spots a chipped, glass-top coffee table that he longs to bring home. "I knew I could hide the chip by fanning a display of magazines on the surface, like in a doctor's office," he writes, "And it certainly wouldn't be dirty after I polished it with Windex for three hours." There were certainly numerous chips in the childhood Burroughs describes: an alcoholic father, an unstable mother who gives him up for adoption to her therapist, and an adolescence spent as part of the therapist's eccentric extended family, gobbling prescription meds and fooling around with both an old electroshock machine and a pedophile who lives in a shed out back. But just as he dreamed of doing with that old table, Burroughs employs a vigorous program of decoration and fervent polishing to a life that many would have simply thrown in a landfill. Despite her abandonment, he never gives up on his increasingly unbalanced mother. And rather than despair about his lot, he glamorizes it: planning a "beauty empire" and performing an a capella version of "You Light Up My Life" at a local mental ward. Burroughs's perspective achieves a crucial balance for a memoir: emotional but not self-involved, observant but not clinical, funny but not deliberately comic. And it's ultimately a feel-good story: as he steers through a challenging childhood, there's always a sense that Burroughs's survivor mentality will guide him through and that the coffee table will be salvaged after all. --John Moe

Book Description

Running with Scissors is the true story of a boy whose mother (a poet with delusions of Anne Sexton) gave him away to be raised by her unorthodox psychiatrist who bore a striking resemblance to Santa Claus. At the age of twelve, Burroughs found himself amidst Victorian squalor living with the doctors bizarre family, and befriending a pedophile who resided in the backyard shed. The story of an outlaw childhood where rules were unheard of, and the Christmas tree stayed up all year round, where Valium was consumed like candy and if things got dull an electroshock-therapy machine could provide entertainment. The funny, harrowing, and bestselling account of an ordinary boys survival under the most extraordinary circumstances.

Customer Reviews:

All I can say is "Oh My Gosh!".......2007-10-18

I first watched the movie, but didn't "get it" because I have a habit of not paying close attention to movies, and I got lost in a soundtrack of tunes I grew up with. Then after discussing how I hadn't enjoyed the movie with a couple readers of the book, I ordered myself a copy and gave it a read.

WOW WOW WOW-- What Augusten Burroughs was able to overcome in his early life left me slack jawed! I wanted to laugh many times over, but at the same time it was too horrible to laugh-- It made me realize that my life wasn't so hard after all.

The fact that Augusten missed the benefit(or was it burden) of formal education beyond grammar school makes the reading all the better. What a gifted man to put such a personal experience to ink for all the world to see. I was immediately taken by his writing and set out to read all his work. I've read 3 of his 5 books and anxiously await the arrival of Magical Thinking as I write this.

I recommend anyone of his works and after devouring Running with Scissors watched the movie again and realized how true to his work the director was with the movie. I have a new appreciation admittedly. Now how I wish the postman would just deliver my newest Burroughs work tomorrow as I can't wait much longer :)Running With Scissors

disturbingly good story.......2007-10-18

Just a quick review that this was a very good book. You'll hate it or love it. This is in my top 10 books to read. HOWEVER - can be highly offensive if you're hypersensitive - You've been warned.

Witty yet sad.......2007-10-17

wow- very original. His voice as a 14 year old is incredible. I have really loved this book, in the "watching a car wreck" kind of a way. I can see the story, and I think that is rare. I am cheering for even the most despicable of characters, and loving even the most pathetic. It is incredibly graphic with abusive sex scenes, so buyer-be-ware... but it has an incredible reality to it. I am drawn in by his raw and real loneliness and desire. You almost can't believe it, but you can. I couldn't put it down. Great quick read:300pgs done in two evenings.

I would say that this book really gave me a much greater insight to the plight and life of a young gay man. I am really thankful to have this perspective.

....and when does it get funny?.......2007-10-13

I hitched a ride on the "Running with Scissors" bandwagon; the movie preview looked humorous so, naturally, I decided to read the book instead. If you are looking for another collection of humorous and cynical essays on childhood you may find in a David Sedaris book, this is certainly not it! Mr. Burroughs' approach to writing is much less observational than Sedaris; Mr. Sedaris comes off as a more sympathetic creature where Mr. Burroughs gains little of my sympathy despite suffering a childhood far more destructive and horrifying. I cannot say that I chuckled more than two or three times throughout the whole book, most likely those chuckles were directed at obscure references not even meant to be humorous. Being shocking is not necessarily funny, and this book is certainly not funny. Perhaps what Dane Cook is to comedy Augusten Burroughs is to humorous memoirs.

Overrated.......2007-10-12

Another book hopping on the "my life is screwed up because of my childhood/adolescence" ficto-auto-biography wagon.

The book reads almost formulaically, in the vein of Sedaris. I didn't find the writing interesting or engaging or particularly humorous.

A Fighter's Heart: One Man's Journey Through the World of Fighting

Average customer rating:

Good, not great book....
Gimme a Break
A World Of Hurt
A trip through the world of fighting
Beautifully written book

A Fighter's Heart: One Man's Journey Through the World of Fighting
Sam Sheridan
Manufacturer: Atlantic Monthly Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0871139502

Book Description

In 1999, after a series of wildly adventurous jobs around the world, Sam Sheridan found himself in Australia, loaded with cash and intent on not working until he’d spent it all. It occurred to him that, without distractions, he could finally indulge a long-dormant obsession: fighting. Within a year, he was in Bangkok training with the greatest fighter in muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) history and stepping through the ropes for a professional bout. That one fight wasn’t enough. Sheridan set out to test himself on an epic journey into how and why we fight, facing Olympic boxers, Brazilian jiu-jitsu stars, and Ultimate Fighting champions. Along the way, Sheridan delivers an insightful look at violence as a career and a spectator sport, a behind-the-pageantry glimpse of athletes at the top of their terrifying game. An extraordinary combination of gonzo journalism and participatory sports writing, A Fighter’s Heart is a dizzying first-hand account of what it’s like to reach the peak of finely disciplined personal aggression, to hit—and be hit.

Customer Reviews:

Good, not great book...........2007-10-08

Part of a journalist's trade is his/her objectivity. It is one of the things missing from this book. The author is a fine, fine writer. What he lacks is enough time in a specific discipline to take the lessons learned down to the bone, and the ability to write honestly about someone without having it come off like a magazine fluff piece.

I skipped over the animal fighting chapter...I understand why it was included, but if no one watches/bets....the sports will end...people have a choice, animals-not so much.

Keep working, Sam, you'll get better as time moves on....BTW....the older you get, the more it hurts, LOL.

Gimme a Break.......2007-10-02

Alright, I'm picking on one little thing here. I didn't much care for this guy's portrayal of Deerfield on page 4. I was there when he was - not everyone who lived in a dorm was some "rich" person, as if that's bad anyway. Get over yourself, Sam, and feel fortunate that you received the great education that you did.

A World Of Hurt.......2007-08-23

A Fighter's Heart isn't something that I expected it to be. While I was aware that it is a book that deals with MMA (mixed martial arts) from the author's perspective, I didn't expect it to thoroughly go on about trips to Thailand, the home of Muay Thai, journeys out west with boxing professionals, and South American & Japan jaunts focused more on Brazilian Jui Jitsu. Sam Sheridan's writing style can match the layman and his interest in combat sports. In all, a very interesting read.

A trip through the world of fighting.......2007-07-31

The book is a vicarious journey through the world of fighting. With the rise in popularity of MMA, such themes are catching on and reflected in TV shows such as the History Channel's "Human Weapon."

The author travels around the world to practice and compete in various forms of martial arts. He goes to Thailand for Muay Thai, Iowa for MMA (from Pat Miletich of UFC fame), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) for Jiu Jitsu, New York (Manhattan) for Tai Chi, and California (Oakland) for boxing. He also travels back to Thailand for Zen meditation, as well as a stint in Hollywood as an extra in an action film starring Paul Walker.

On a higher level, the book attempts to answer philosophical questions as to why humans are attracted to violence. Part of the answer may be cultural, as societies with martial cultures have tended to conquer those without through the ages.

Overall, a good read if you have any interest in martial arts.

Beautifully written book.......2007-07-09

A Fighter's Heart is a beautifully written book on a challenging subject. Sam Sheridan is a sensitive and intelligent tough guy who has left no stone unturned in this startling investigation of martial arts, the human spirit ("Gameness") and violence in general.

Average customer rating:

Yep, it works!
Looking great
Rowmaniac
The New Sugar Busters
great book

The New Sugar Busters!
H. Leighton Steward , Morrison Md Bethea , Sam Md Andrews , and Luis Md Balart
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Accessories:

Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor

ASIN: 0345469585
Release Date: 2003-12-02

Book Description

WIN THE FIGHT AGAINST FAT–THE SUGAR BUSTERS!® WAY

When SUGAR BUSTERS! hit the shelves almost five years ago, it quickly became a diet and lifestyle phenomenon. The millions of people across the country on the SUGAR BUSTERS! plan discovered that by simply choosing the correct carbohydrates and lowering their sugar intake, they could shed the pounds they failed to lose with other diets. Now the weight-loss program that swept the nation has been completely revised and updated–incorporating all the newest nutritional findings, health statistics, and scientific studies, and featuring all-new, easy-to-follow recipes and meal plans.

Among the wealth of new material in this edition, you’ll find amazing testimonials from men and women who are losing weight and feeling fit the SUGAR BUSTERS! way; frequently asked questions and helpful answers; the latest on diabetes–and how SUGAR BUSTERS! can help prevent it; essential facts on women, weight loss, and nutrition; and new tips, updated charts, and practical exercise suggestions.

So arm yourself with the facts and get the figure you’ve always wanted. When it comes to optimal wellness on the SUGAR BUSTERS! program, it’s survival of the fittest–a way of life in which everybody wins!

Customer Reviews:

Yep, it works!.......2007-09-19

I bought this for my mom, who was diagnosed with diabetes. She said this was incredibly informative and easy to read (as an example, she found out that a baked potato is the sugar-equivalent of eating several dozen tablespoons of sugar, or something wild like that). Anyhoo, she never heard of this book until I bought it for her and she has since given it to famiy members and friends to read. She has even highlighted passages. To me, those are pretty good indications that this book is a smart purchase.

Looking great.......2007-09-04

So much advice about diets and losing weight is out there on the market that you don't know which expert advice is really worth following. Should you look for food with less calories, less fat , less cabohydrates, less what? Sugar Busters clarifies the problem of why most of us are overweight and gives, in my opinion, an understandable and logical explanation to our misgivings while indicating to us which foods are most acceptable for those wanting to lose weight and which foods are anathema, i.e. don't even think of eating them. A surprisingly good, readable, enjoyable and informative book. Worth the money and time spent on reading it!

Rowmaniac.......2007-07-19

I've always been a healthy eater, attempting to choose low fat foods and healthy portions, but after a few years of decreased activity I was 65 pounds overweight. I read this book, and a light went on for me: it was not how much or little I was allowing myself to eat, but rather the type of foods I was eating. Everything set forth in this book made good medical sense to me. Even my doctor had told me, "If the cavemen did not have the food you are about to eat, choose something else. Enough of all the processed foods!" I should have listened sooner.

The book sets for the medical reasoning behind why some of us gain weight despite eating what others might think is a "healthy" diet. Minor substitutions and changes in what type of sugars I eat and when I eat them has helped me lose 60 pounds and keep it off!

The wonderful aspect of Sugar Busters is that the diet is a "lifelong way of eating" rather than some fad. In fact, this diet is prescribed as a medically sound way to prevent or control diabetes, which has become almost an epidemic in America. I have spent the last year using the tools I learned from this easy reading book to change my life, my body, and my outlook. People now want me to tell them how I got so healthy, while never wearing the frown of deprivation that other diets would put on my face. This eating plan has changed my life. I am not a religious person, but if I were, I'd want to preach about the merits of following this sound plan and getting a healthy body and mind in the process.

If you read this book, take the time to think about the concepts set forth, and make the easy changes to implement the principles in the book, you cannot avoid losing weight. It just works. I have never been hungry for a minute, and those 60 pounds are not going to return. I am 100% confident that this is the plan I have always been searching for.

Read the book and go for it!!! All you have to lose are those extra pounds.

The New Sugar Busters.......2007-06-30

Great book, easy to read and understand. Information makes perfect sense as a way to eat right.

great book.......2007-05-08

the book was sent in a few days, its a small book but right to the point and this is an easy way of eating to keep from having diabeties and to loose weight, thank you.

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