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:

THE CHOCOLATE WAR
This Chocolate Isn't Sweet, but It's Very, Very Strong
I'd give zero stars if I could
Hard stuff; nevertheless should be read by...
The Chocolate War Review

The Chocolate War (Readers Circle)
Robert Cormier
Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0375829873
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Amazon.com

Does Jerry Renault dare to disturb the universe? You wouldn't think that his refusal to sell chocolates during his school's fundraiser would create such a stir, but it does; it's as if the whole school comes apart at the seams. To some, Jerry is a hero, but to others, he becomes a scapegoat--a target for their pent-up hatred. And Jerry? He's just trying to stand up for what he believes, but perhaps there is no way for him to escape becoming a pawn in this game of control; students are pitted against other students, fighting for honor--or are they fighting for their lives? In 1974, author Robert Cormier dared to disturb our universe when this book was first published. And now, with a new introduction by the celebrated author, The Chocolate War stands ready to shock a new group of teen readers.

Book Description

IN 1974, AFTER SUFFERING rejections from seven major publishers, The Chocolate War made its debut. An uncompromising portrait of conformity and corruption, it quickly became a bestselling—and provocative—classic for young adults.

“Masterfully structured and rich in theme; the action is well crafted, well timed, suspenseful.”—The New York Times Book Review

“The characterizations of all the boys are superb.”—School Library Journal, Starred

“Compellingly immediate. . . . Readers will respect the uncompromising ending.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred

An ALA Best Books for Young Adults

A School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

A Kirkus Reviews Choice

A New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year

Customer Reviews:

THE CHOCOLATE WAR.......2007-08-17

[Warning: spoilers included]

In the Dickens novel NICHOLAS NICKELBY, Nicholas joins a troupe of actors that put on their own version of ROMEO & JULIET which is designed to please the audience and spare them the tragic ending, making sure that EVERYONE lives in the end! Hooray!

As much fun and as funny as that is, it captures a reality that often is not a reflection of reality at all: all of the best stories do not have happy endings. That is, after all, why they are called "tragedies."

Take THE CHOCOLATE WAR for example. It is bleek, ominous, and essentially the first truly tragic modern young adult novel I can think of.

From the opening sentence ("They murdered him") to the painful conclusion, Robert Cormier's masterwork is a lesson in Tone. Almost like being caught in the far-reaches of a whirlpool that slowly brings you in, tricking you into thinking you have some control and are able to extricate yourself from its pull, so too does THE CHOCOLATE WAR bring you in. And as desperate as we readers are to find the protagonist working his way out of the whirlpool, it is, unfortunately, inevitable that he cannot.

This is a truly memorable novel because its tragic theme seems to be harsh, bitter and entirely unrealistic, but, in fact, it is sadly real -- a little reminder that not everyone gets what they deserve; some terrible people are victors in life; and not everyone finds salvation. These lessons are terribly hard to swallow, and impossible for some to accept. For those who dislike the book, I suggest you consider the idea that Cormier, by writing such a different book, has himself "dared to disturb the universe" of young adult novels. Perhaps those who chastise him for such a downer of a book ought to consider themselves similar to the characters in this book who demand that he (Jerry/Cormier) get in line and who wish to bring about the destruction of the nonconformist.

If that weren't enough to warrant a read, Cormier performs another act of bravery as a writer: THE CHOCOLATE WAR, a book clearly meant for teenage boys, reveals an almost complete range of teenage boys that exist in our world. They range from those who rely entirely on their brains to those who never do (or can); there are the arrogant, the fastidious, the cautious, the bold, the fake, the selfish, the scared, the empowered, the weak, the easily-swayed, the failures, the spineless, the metamorphic, the blood-thirsty, and then there's Jerry. Like watching a mouse within a snake's reach, the reader watches Jerry and prays that he survives what seems to be unavoidable -- dear God, intervene and make it not happen! But sometimes, God answers prayers with a "No."

This book is difficult to read, difficult to accept, difficult to embrace...but read it if you dare; accept it if you can; embrace it if you want to grow. It's important that we acknowledge that not every great story ends happily, but every great story IS magnificently told.

This Chocolate Isn't Sweet, but It's Very, Very Strong.......2007-08-13

Robert Cormier introduced this book in later editions by saying that he didn't write it as a young adult novel--he just wrote it, and that's how it got picked up. A lot of parents, teachers, and defenders of organized religion HATED this book because of its supposed corrosive influence on young people. Well, I'm a teacher and a supporter of organized religion, and though I don't necessarily think this book's audience is limited to young adults, I do think it is an absolutely incredible (if cynical) work of literature. I came to this book as an adult, and I was blown away.

Jerry Renault is a normal Catholic school kid, struggling to get over the death of his mother, make the football team, and survive the normal, terrible pangs of adolsence. He's accosted by the Vigils, a secret society of students inside Trinity School that serves only to torment and upset the balance of the school universe. They assign jobs to younger students, tasks that require them to do things that are immoral, uncomfortable, and counter-authority. In Jerry's case, this means a simple (?) refusal to participate in the annual school fundraiser: selling chocolates.

The only problem is, EVERYONE sells the chocolates, and this year, the overly ambitious Brother Leon has staked his job and the school's finances on this sale. What follows is a colossal battle of wills that is waged on three fronts: Jerry, the school, and the Vigils. The eventual outcome is brutal, heartrending, and fundamentally counter to any established expectation one may have while reading from the young adult market. Even the movie--which got an R-rating--didn't have the stomach to represent the ending in all of its unapologetic nastiness.

Some may forget that William Shakespeare built a career on this kind of total story collapse. It's called tragedy. And in THE CHOCOLATE WAR, the genre is rendered beautifully for a modern audience.

(This review has been posted by Marcus Damanda, author of the vampire book "Teeth: A Horror Fantasy.")

I'd give zero stars if I could.......2007-08-10

Hands down this was the worst book I have ever read. All the characters are detestible, the plot is cynical, the language filthy, the behavior of the characters repulsive. Do yourself a favor and do not waste a precious minute of your life on this trash.

Hard stuff; nevertheless should be read by..........2007-06-17

...middle schoolers and discussed with parents and peers BEFORE moving into high school...I've been out of high school over thirty years but still recognize people and situations that I had to deal with totally unprepared...and I suspect from what I've read and seen reported that high school probably is worse now in even more respects than what I experienced...

The Chocolate War Review.......2007-05-22

The book The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier is a chilling story about a school wide chocolate sale and how a secret school gang takes advantage of it. The school gang is like a secret society that controls the school. Throughout the book, the gang called the Vigils takes advantage and destroys the boy named Renault. This book displays how secret societies have a big hand in some things. The author created the most sinister and unfeeling character named Archie Costello who is the ring leader of the Vigils and the school. He has the quality of some of the more sinister politicians today, because he can manipulate thoughts, control people and lie blatantly in your face no matter who you are. The author gives this a surprisingly sad ending where Renault is nearly killed and Archie the Ring leader of the event got away unscathed. The author is conveying that the one who speaks up from the crowd is the one who can get hurt the most. This is a dark and powerful idea/thought that is very true and I understand his meaning if he intended it or not. I would recommend this book because it is not your average book because it is thought provoking and keeps you reading to see what the Vigils will do next.

Average customer rating:

Beyond The Chocolate Sales
For young and old adults, this is honest and provoking
Danny B. book summary
Mmmmmm, chocolate!
Well written, though ultimately unsatisfying sequel

Beyond the Chocolate War
Robert Cormier
Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 044090580X
Release Date: 1986-08-01

Book Description

The school year is almost at an end, and the chocolate sale is past history.  But no one at Trinity School can forget The Chocolate War.

Devious Archie Costello, commander of the secret school organizationcalled the Virgils, stall has some torturous assignments to hand out before he graduates.  In spite of this pleasure, Archie is troubled by his right-hand man, Obie, who has started to move away from the Virgils.  Luckily Archie knows his stooges will fix that.  But won't Archie be shocked when he discovers the surprise Obie has waiting for him?

And there are surprises waiting for others.  The time for revenge has come to those boys who secretly suffered the trials of Trinity.  The fuse is set for the final explosion.  Who will survive?

Customer Reviews:

Beyond The Chocolate Sales .......2006-05-12

Wow! If you liked the book "The Chocolate War" you will love this book!Ray Bannister, new to Trinity High School is spending long boring hours building a guillotine. Obie, Archie Costello's friend is deeply in love and. Archie, of the secret school organization called the Vigils is appalled and feels that Obie is moving away from him. Finally it's the end of the school year! "The Chocolate War" is past history, but not forgotten. What will Archie come up with for a final assignment before he graduates? There's Fair Day and Skit Night that apply with. One of his ideas will involve Ray Bannister and his guillotine. Who will win Archie as the Assignor of the Vigils, or will it be Emile Janza, Bunting, Obie? Will Ray Bannister's guillotine actually work? If you would like to know read this great book and take the problems they faced and great things that came! This book I think was better then "The Chocolate War" beca'use the first book left me in a spot where I wanted to know more so much more! It made me want to read the second book "Beyond The Chocolate War". Trust me, this book will take you on a ride through the minds of these wonderful characters that Robert created! Hope you like the book!

For young and old adults, this is honest and provoking.......2006-04-24

I was a huge fan of The Chocolate war when I read it so many years ago, and a friend passed this to me when I was looking for something to read over the weekend. It was a great weekend read, because it isn't to long and it has a good paced plot.

It is the end of the year and The Vigils (almost a frat like group of preepy boys) are at it again. Archie, their leader, is quick to think of cruel and unusual punishments for his 'victims' to deal with. some of them work, and some of them don't, but it is the fighting back against him, and the headmaster of the school, which brings conflicts to anyone who tries to step out of line.

The plot will bounce between a depressed, suicidal student desperate for revenge, the Vigils and their mis-doings, and Obie (a Vigil memeber with a new heart), and of course, Jerry Renault, who was badly abused earlier in the year, is back for more beatings.

The book is dark and honestly written, which I always admire in young adult fiction, it really lets you put yourself in the shoes of those involved and wonder what you would do. Great subject matter for a guided reading group in Jr high or high school (although probably not appropriate for in class reading aloud) that is looking for important issues to discuss. Though written years ago this book has not lost it's luster and gut wrenching style.

I recommend this highly for serious readers of young adult age, and the adults who care to discuss it with them. I definitely think the first book should also be read, but it seems a bit darker and disturbing, and even if you haven't read it it you will still get right into this great sequel.

Danny B. book summary.......2006-04-05

I was reading Beyond The Chocolate war by Robert Cormier.Beyond The Chocolate war is a sequel to The Chocolate War. So it would be better to read The Chocolate War first, so you under stand the book a whole lot better. I liked this book because it was very interesting with all the stuff that happens in the book.

In this book there is about six main chracters, Archie, Obie, Goober, Jerry, Janza and also the headmaster Brother Leon.Also in the book is a mafia like group called the Vigils, which is led by Archie. The Vigils basically run the whole school, by telling them what to do and they do it in fear of what might happend if they don't do it. When some of the vigils do somthing to Obie, Obie willtry to kill whomever did that. If you read The Chocolate War, you would know that Jerry almost died during aboxing match that was put into because he didn't sell chocolate bars, well he basically wants to kill Janza for doing that and Goober feels like he let down Jerry last year because he didn't save him so now Goober will do anything to help.Now Ray, the new kid, is caught up with Obie and Ray is in a magic show with Obie.

I think a young adult would like this better because they would understand it and it has some adult stuf in it that is not suitable for a fifth or sixth grader

Mmmmmm, chocolate!.......2006-03-30

I read The Chocolate War about 25 years ago. I liked that book, so I figured why not read the sequel? I had forgotten a few of the plot points of the first book, but there was enough exposition here for me to get caught up quickly. The book takes place a few months after the Chocolate War, with most of the same characters. I don't want to spoil the plot, so I won't get into that. But I will say it's a very good book that will appeal to people who enjoyed The Chocolate War. Does Archie finally get his comeuppance? My lips are sealed.

Well written, though ultimately unsatisfying sequel.......2006-03-28

Anyone familiar with Cormier's books knows of his pitch-black view of human nature, so the outcome of this follow-up to TCW will not surprise in that regard.

However, this predictability does not go far in making this book a compelling read, especially when you figure out the themes are pretty much identical to the first installment.

I had very high hopes for this book. Cormier's writing is top notch, as is his character development, and even by the first 3/4 of the book, you are primed for greatness. Even the back of the book leads you to believe that some monumental (no pun intended) retribution lies in wait for Archie and his evil minions. But, instead, we get the same old denouements in a different wrapper.

Now, I like dark books and don't particularly enjoy happy endings if they're not believable, but this book's unhappy endings are no more plausible. At the time and place of the original book --- before the horrific "showdown" on the athletic field --- it was somewhat imaginable that things would remain status quo at Trinity. But after those events, and the subsequent seismic rumblings that follow (which the sequel expends great effort at communicating to the reader), it is unimaginable that here be no real repercussions (aside from the suicide of one character that, while masterfully drawn, doesn't address the vileness of the school and it's roots of evil --- or where that evil comes from).

I would have preferred some interaction from the many mute parents (including David Caroni's parents or Jerry Renault's dad) that could have really ignited a powderkeg under the whole affair.

Good fiction contain lots of conflict, and there just isn't enough to warrent the amount of text here. It's a lot of energy to expend only to see the same scapegoats hauled out and abused again and again. Real people --- at least not all --- are seldom so cowed by tyranny, unless it's executed by a more omnicient force, such as goverment. And the Vigils aren't on that caliber, not even close.

Average customer rating:

highly recommended!!
Back to the 60's
Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Outstanding!!!!
This should win something BIG

The Wednesday Wars
Gary D. Schmidt
Manufacturer: Clarion Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0618724834

Book Description

Gary D. Schmidt offers an unforgettable antihero in THE WEDNESDAY WARS-a wonderfully witty and compelling novel about a teenage boys mishaps and adventures over the course of the 1967-68 school year. Meet Holling Hoodhood, a seventh-grader at Camillo Junior High, who must spend Wednesday afternoons with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, while the rest of the class has religious instruction. Mrs. Baker doesnt like Holling-hes sure of it. Why else would she make him read the plays of William Shakespeare outside class? But everyone has bigger things to worry about, like Vietnam. His father wants Holling and his sister to be on their best behavior: the success of his business depends on it. But how can Holling stay out of trouble when he has so much to contend with? A bully demanding cream puffs; angry rats; and a baseball hero signing autographs the very same night Holling has to appear in a play in yellow tights! As fate sneaks up on him again and again, Holling finds Motivation-the Big M-in the most unexpected places and musters up the courage to embrace his destiny, in spite of himself.

Customer Reviews:

highly recommended!!.......2007-08-18

This book had me alternately in tears and laughing all the way through. Set
during Viet Nam we witness Holling Hoodhood's misery at having to stay in
the classroom every Wednesday afternoon with a teacher who is out to get him while everyone else gets to go to either Catechism or Hebrew school. The whole school is affected by air raids, missing in action husbandsand just trying to get through day to day life. Needless to say and the tension is high. This is a real page turner. I didn't put it down till it was finished. You know a book is great when it stays with you long after you've put it down.

Back to the 60's.......2007-07-21

I could relate to the world happenings of the times. Also I teach 7th grade and some things never change. I liked the way Shakespeare was used in a positivr light.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2007-07-18

Meet Holling Hoodhood. He is entering seventh grade. There's nothing too scary about it since he's known most of his classmates forever. There are a few bullies and a few annoying ones, but overall, Holling is looking forward to a new year. Unfortunately, the first Wednesday of the new year reveals a not-so-pleasant surprise.

Every Wednesday afternoon beginning just before 2:00pm everyone leaves his classroom. That is, everyone except Holling and Mrs. Baker. What happens is, the Catholic half of the class is taken by bus to attend Catechism class, and the Jewish half of the class goes to Hebrew School at the temple. Since the Hoodhood family attends the Presbyterian Church, Holling stays put in the classroom.

Needless to say, Holling realizes quite quickly that Mrs. Baker is rather disappointed. If all the students were to leave on Wednesday afternoons, she would have a peaceful chunk of time to catch up on grading papers and making lesson plans. Alas, Mrs. Baker must find ways to occupy Holling instead. There are days when Holling is pretty certain that Mrs. Baker hates him.

Typical Holling-type chores include cleaning the erasers, washing the chalkboard, cleaning the cage of the classroom's pet rats, and doing extra worksheets. One afternoon when Holling was preparing for his usual Wednesday assignment, Mrs. Baker surprised him with a new idea. He was going to begin reading Shakespeare. Soon, Wednesday afternoons become quite interesting.

In addition to the classroom elements of the story, readers get an inside view of life in the Hoodhood home. Holling's father is an ambitious architect, his mother is an obedient housewife, and his sister is a "flower child" out to change the Vietnam-era world.

Gary D. Schmidt presents the world of middle school in THE WEDNESDAY WARS. Every student's nightmare and every teacher's dream - one-on-one instruction. Schmidt fills the pages with sentence diagramming, vicious yellow-toothed rats, luscious cream puffs, chalk dust, yellow tights with feathered bottoms, as well as serious subjects like Shakespeare, architecture, politics, the Vietnam War, and growing up in the 60's.

Readers, young and old alike, are sure to fall in love with Holling's story.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Outstanding!!!!.......2007-07-04

I,too, agree that this book should win a BIG award. I read this book in one sitting. I just couldn't stop reading. I thought Mrs. Baker was a wonderful, inspiring, insightful teacher. Holling was fortunate to be one of her students. Mrs. Baker was equally fortunate to have the opportunity to teach a student like Holling.

Holling learns such life lessons throughout the story. He is an amazing character.

This is a book that teachers should make sure they share with their students.

This should win something BIG.......2007-06-29

War may be raging in Vietnam, but Holling has his own battles to fight. When the rest of his class leaves for Hebrew school or Catechism every Wednesday afternoon, he's stuck in class with the fearsome Mrs. Baker, who's either out to murder him or slowly torture him with Shakespeare. Add in a pair of pet rats gone wild, an ill-fated cream puff incident, and an unfortunate pair of tights with feathers on the you-know-what, and you've got a masterful story full of schoolyard scrapes and a surprising core of heart that grabs hold and won't let go.

All's Fair in Love, War, and High School

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Samantha for President
Delightful Read
Wonderful book!
from loser to winner overnight?
Must Read

All's Fair in Love, War, and High School
Janette Rallison
Manufacturer: Walker Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0802788742

Book Description

When your chance for getting into college and your date for the prom are all on the line…

Sixteen-year-old Samantha Taylor is used to having things go her way. She’s head cheerleader and has all the right friends and a steady stream of boyfriends. But when she tanks the SATs, her automatic assumptions about going to college don’t appear to be so automatic anymore. She determines that her only hope for college admission is to win the election for student body president. Unfortunately, with her razor wit and acid tongue she’s bettersuited to dishing out insults than winning votes.

When she brashly bets her classmate Logan that she can go two weeks without uttering a single insult, Samantha immediately realizes that she may have bitten off more than she can chew. And when her current boyfriend dumps her, less than three weeks before the prom, it couldn’t be a worse time to be forced to keep her opinions to herself. Finding a new boyfriend will be a challenge now that Logan shadows her every move, hoping to catch her slipping back into her old ways. Samantha is determined to win the election and find a dream date for the prom, no matter what it takes. After all . . . all’s fair in love and war (and high school!).

Customer Reviews:

Samantha for President.......2007-10-18

This is one of my favorite books. I have reread it a couple of times and I really like Samantha and enjoy reading about her struggles. She is a spunky little cheerleader that learns some great lessons in life. Her cheer friends are a funny group and make for a good read.

Delightful Read.......2007-06-06

All's Fair in Love, War, and High School is a great teen book. It's a story about Samantha, a popular, head cheerleader, who decides to run for class president after she bombs her SATs. Also, her ex-boyfriend/coworker makes a bet with her that she can't go two weeks without insulting someone.

Janette Rallison creates realistic teen dialogue and situations that teens can actually relate to. This book also shows how teens think and rethink through situations to try and find the correct solution. The twists and turns of the story are just enough to keep readers interested and guessing until the very end. In the end, All's Fair in Love, War, and High School is a delightful, quick read for anyone who wants to escape the drama of their own life.

Wonderful book!.......2007-01-25

"All's Fair in Love,war, and High School" is a wonderful book!
It all starts out when Samantha gets a low SAT score. She figured that her scores were to low to get into a good college, so she decides to run for class president hoping that it would look good in her colledge applications, after Logan said that he got accepted into one of the
colleges because he had "leadership qualities."
When Samantha told Logan that she was deciding to run for president and needed someone to help her make the campiens, Logan laughs and says," Samantha, you can't walk into a room of six people without
insulting five of them." So Samantha makes a bet with Logan that she
could go a week without insulting anyone, but it turns out to be harder
than it seems.
This book is a wonderful book, I recommend it to people who enjoy
a good novel. It deals with clique programs and if you try really hard,
you might be able to achieve what you want.I think "All's Fair in Love,War,and Highschool" is a book that many people can relate to.
-C.P.

from loser to winner overnight?.......2006-08-14

Samantha Taylor is a cheerleader whom everyone thinks has a perfect life. Well, think again. She bombed the SAT, got dumped by her boyfriend three weeks before prom, and is campaigning (and possibly losing) for student council president. On top of all that, she got roped into a bet with an old boyfriend that she can't go two weeks without insulting anyone. But Samantha is determined to live up to everyone's expectations and win-- the bet, the election, a date for prom, and a better score, and she'll go to no lengths to reach her goals. You know what they say: all's fair in love, war, and high school. This book is cute and clever, and though at first you will think of Samantha as ruthless, you will soon come to empathize with her and genuinely want her to win.

Must Read.......2006-05-03

This is a very very good book. I would have to say this is my favorite book. This story starts out as Samantha gets her SAT scores, and they turn out not so good. She recieves a very low score on the tests. In order to get into a good college she has to get some more credits. A class election comes up, and Samantha decides to run for the class president. Logan sees how much Samantha and her friends criticize everyone, so he makes a bet with Sam. Samantha has to go two weeks without criticizing someone or she will have to go out with a very unpopular guy named Doug, and if Samantha wins, Logan has to take Sam on a date of her choice. Little does Logan know, that Sam istrying her hardest to win the bet so she can go to prom with her crush Logan. Will Samantha or Logan win the bet?
Ever since I read the back of this book, it caught my attention. In this book you will find out everything that happens in a teen's life. This book includes everything from boys to school. I like this book because it taught me a lot how I shouldn't talk about other people, because it really hurts their feelings. It also taught me to not judge a person by how they look or who they hang out with, and that the only thing that counts it what is on the inside. This book inspired me, will it inpire you?

Scapegoating for Columbine: Collateral Damage in the War on School Violence

Average customer rating:

A Must Read!
A much-needed wake up call!
Physician Takes on a New Patient
Conspiracy Theory and a Mother's Guilt
Compelling and sensible

Scapegoating for Columbine: Collateral Damage in the War on School Violence
Louise Benson
Manufacturer: iUniverse, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Violence in Society | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0595406149

Book Description

Since the 1999 Columbine tragedy, when two boys who were bullied committed the worst school shooting in U.S. history, numerous schools have implemented anti-bullying programs with uneven success. Others have used zero-tolerance discipline, resulting in children being suspended, expelled, and arrested for increasingly ridiculous reasons.

The Benson family of Colorado thinks it's time for a return to common-sense discipline. Author Louise Benson describes the family's ordeal with their son's persecution by Christian bullies in a Boulder County public charter school. She recounts the expulsion and bizarre felony charges pursued by the school and the police when the boy confided to a counselor thoughts of killing himself and the bullies. Shockingly, the school board did nothing when the Bensons submitted a formal complaint to the Boulder Valley School District, and a year later another student attempted suicide under similar circumstances.

How could this happen in liberal Boulder? The answer, revealed in Dr. Benson's fight for reform, is a mix of Colorado's red/blue politics and bureaucratic defensiveness. She also shows that many anti-bullying programs are outdated, and warns that charter schools may contribute to resegregation and intolerance. Scapegoating for Columbine: Collateral Damage in the War on School Violence details Dr. Benson' goal of a national reappraisal of the zero-tolerance policy.

Customer Reviews:

A Must Read!.......2007-09-29

Louise Benson's book is a must read for anyone who has a child in the school system and for those that work in the field of education. At times, a bone chilling account of what can happen when any of us are scapegoated. A thoughtful and provocative portrayal of what can occur if you are not part of the in crowd and the ways systems can over react and not treat the underlying issues and the individual. The subject matter is handled with the care and detail that Dr. Benson gives to her patients in her medical practice. I recommend this book to all of my colleagues and friends and applaud Dr. Benson for having the courage to share her family's story with all of us. Cindy Hammond, RN, CMC

A much-needed wake up call!.......2007-07-19

Dr. Benson really hits the nail on the head here, discussing why post-Columbine/VA Tech "zero tolerance" policies are only hurting the academic careers of good students over minor infractions (kids can be expelled over false accusations, even when no proof exists, and suspended for "offenses" that would've been considered laughable 15 years ago) while the REAL problem kids go unnoticed, often leading to tragedy. This has been going on for years, and it's nice to see someone finally addressing the issue and why our schools need a serious policy revamp in dealing w/such matters.

And to the 1-star reviewer who's actually a board member of the charter school her son (one such victim) got booted from, can't you do any better than to question her character and motive for speaking out? Why not try and directly refute the book's content? But I guess if you can't do that, personal attacks are the only way to go...

Physician Takes on a New Patient.......2007-07-09

The author, respected in her community as a diligent physician and a genuinely caring parent, tells a disturbing story which begs the question: If this could happen to a bright child in a stable, loving, two-parent home, what is happening with families who lack the financial and emotional resources to come through such an ordeal?

In the aftermath of the "collateral damage" she experiences, Dr. Benson sets about to thoroughly examine and understand her new "patient", the post-Columbine zero-tolerance discipline in the school and legal systems. She observes the symptoms, researches the underlying disease processes and sets about to apply remedies.

Open and unguarded, Scapegoating for Columbine is the diary of the journey she begins as she is awakened by the unannounced midnight police raid to arrest her 13 year old.

Conspiracy Theory and a Mother's Guilt.......2007-05-21

I read this book because I wanted to know what would drive a rational person to continue to flog a dead issue. A mother's over-blown anger of feeling stigmatized in a small community? Ms. Benson is parent whose child lashed out both verbally in school, and then again in specific violent email threats and was punished when his threats were taken seriously. Dr. Louise Benson life was suddenly under a microscope and she felt maligned. She must have felt as though people were judging her as a mother. For her, that was unacceptable. So it must be someone else. When the police raid your home searching for weapons based on email threats your child has made against children he dislikes at school, someone else must be to blame.
Dr. Benson over-reaches herself to try and find someone to blame. The school administrators of the brand new public Charter school are lambasted and humiliated by her pen. She also continually alludes to a sinister Christian group which dog her steps, blocking her avenues to the newspapers and other forms of recourse. Follow the money trail, and she believes you'll find the "Fundies" or Fundamentalist Christians. Because of the way the funding charter schools is set up, and each has a legal separate entity to raise money, voila! the perfect smoking gun.The bad guys must be hiding be hiding there.
The School in question has gone on and excelled in every aspect of education and professional conduct. Ms. Benson claims responsibility for every achievement. Super-woman or just ego? Since her child was expelled because of this instant, how can she have had anything to do with the superb teaching, national merit rankings or determination of the student body to excell?
The most telling point is a remark from her son. "I'm so over this."
At this time in the life in American Schools, any child who threatens must be taken seriously. Bullying must be taken seriously.
If you read this self-published piece of propaganda, remember: not all the statistics are correct. Not everything stated is true. And that music you might be hearing is the "X-Files" theme. Where is the film noir and the cigarette smoking man?
For Dr. Benson: There is no cover-up. There was no professional group of PR people. When the press stopped returning your calls, it was because there was no story. You have a son who needs his mother to be focussed on him now, for the short time he's at home; before the next big step of college and beyond. Charter Schools aren't evil. The good ones give the community a well needed alternative.

Compelling and sensible.......2007-04-05

The author tells a compelling personal story of bullying and school discrimination against her son, which culminated in his arrest for merely voicing a fantasy of retaliating against his persecutors. Then the book goes into a well researched and sensible consideration of similar experiences by other children who have fallen prey to the Zero Tolerance ethic that has congealed around even the vaguest hints of school violence, such as the notorious arrests of children inadvertently bringing harmless "weapons" to schools. Dr. Benson presents a case for the remedies against bullying that work, and convincingly refutes the hysteria about school violence that has arisen since the slaughter of Columbine.

Average customer rating:

Didn't Live Up
I never wanted it to end!! Fabulous!
An all-star cast of my generation! I swooned over Rod Taylor and Robert Culp!
WONDERFUL cast, beautifully performed, an EXCITING thrilling journey you won't forget!
"Hard Rock Lovers".....Beautifully done!!

Hard Rock Lovers
Paul Kyriazi
Manufacturer: Ronin Audio Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 0971618321

Product Description

Computer programmer Alan Bartlet takes his new girlfriend to Las Vegas. There he meets Medusa, a backup singer for the now dead rock star Shane. She hints that Shane might be alive. In flashback, we see the rise and fall of Shane. Alan pursues Medusa and descends into a world of mystery, lust and murder to find out: Is Shane Alive?

Customer Reviews:

Didn't Live Up.......2007-07-03

I absolutely love "The James Bond Lifestyle Seminar," but this audiobook fell short. The plot was decent, but nothing better than you'd expect based on the synopsis. The main character is supposed to be 33 years old, yet his voice sounds like an old man. He sounds very unsure of himself. Also, a lot more could have been done with the sound effects. They did not immerse me in the scenes, as another reviewer claimed.

I never wanted it to end!! Fabulous!.......2007-01-16

Mr Kyriazi's production of Hard Rock Lovers was just fantastic! I was on the edge of my seat on a daily basis! I put the audio book on my iPod and listened while I jogged. I gotta say it motivated me to get out there and I am so sad it is over! I cannot wait for his next Audio production!

The story is fantastic, gripping and sexy. I absolutely loved it!

Bravo!!!!

An all-star cast of my generation! I swooned over Rod Taylor and Robert Culp!.......2006-05-22

Wow! My sister pointed me to this audio book and I couldn't believe my ears. I just relaxed on my bed to listen and was absolutely delighted with the movie-quality of the sound effects. Not only is this a masterful, well-written plot, it's also a quality production. The best I've heard.

And those stars that the magnificent author/director Paul Kyriazi lined up for this special version of his book!!! Well, all I can say is that I remember swooning each time I saw any of them on the big screen. (I hope my hubby doesn't read this.) But when I saw Rod Taylor--who narrates this story, with such a come-hither voice--starring in The Birds with that gorgeous Tippi Hedren, I almost fainted. Yes, he was that much of a hunk ... and still is, according to my sister!

Incidentally, people used to say I looked like Tippi. Ah-hhh, memories ... But getting back to this audio book, I loved it to pieces.

Keep up the excellent work, Mr. K. You're terrific, and almost as handsome as the great Rod! Ciao, baby ...

WONDERFUL cast, beautifully performed, an EXCITING thrilling journey you won't forget!.......2006-03-15

From the moment Hard Rock Lovers comes on ... it takes you by the hand and mind, and immediately draws you into this intriquing story, narrated by the imcomparable Rod Taylor, of revenge, love, lust, cold reality and spiritual enlightenment.

Robert Culp kept me laughing with his perfect low-life agent performance, always the best! James Darren was the perfect rock star, mean, talented but sad, his performance was # 1. Ishtar Uhvana was great as Medusa, she added the sweetness to keep some reality in the rock world and her ending dialoque brought tears to my eyes. Loved Russ Tamblyn, George Chakiris was brilliant as the evil Reynaldo, and Nefta Perry as Connie played the perfect Rosie Perez.

The ending gives you hope and leaves you with happy feelings. You will want to play it again and again; it only gets better each time you listen.

Paul Kyriazi is my hero. I am his BIGGEST fan.

Thank you Paul for the fun and exciting adventure!

"Hard Rock Lovers".....Beautifully done!!.......2006-03-14

The "Hard Rock Lovers" audio book was not at all what I expected, but what a wonderful surprise! It's a twisted, tangled web of events played out by a handful of multi-leveled, intertwined characters. The story is well written, beautifully told and convincingly enacted centering on the heights of a successful rock star and the terrible costs that are paid when that success is abused. People and events are manipulated by all the characters to satisfy their own needs and agenda.

"Good" and "evil" are blurred. "Life" and "death" are blurred. Relationships are blurred, but the irony of fate is boldly presented and it's made abundantly clear that our "next" existence offers another chance to hopefully do better. The inevitability of change, the subtle and sometimes dramatic interrelationships between cause and effect as well as the ever-present, ever-looming scales of divine and poetic justice are persistent threads. A beautiful blending of drama and melodrama are used to develop both the story and the characters. The audio presentation is top-notch entertainment, particularly when you consider that all acting is accomplished solely through vocal artistry. The actors do a fantastic job of inviting the listener into their world and moving you effortlessly through the story.

I really enjoyed listening to this audio book. It is wonderful from start to finish and my congratulations go out to all involved. It's a winner on all levels.

Average customer rating:

War?! Oh no!
OHMIGOD!
It's almost as good as the Sam Woodruff series!!!

The High School War (Sweet Valley High)
Francine Pascal
Manufacturer: Sweet Valley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Violence | Social Issues | Teens | Subjects | Books

Being a Teen | Social Issues | Teens | Subjects | Books

General | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0553566393
Release Date: 1996-01-01

Customer Reviews:

War?! Oh no!.......2005-09-15

Stop! Don't look any further for a great book review. I am reviewing a book called `The High School War'. If you do not like books with action and some romance, this is not a book for you and you might want to find another. But, if you do, then read on.

This book is really good for girls who like to read about romance and excitement. It has pranks out of control (egging cars, toiletpappering houses, and slashing tires) and people angry at one another, because of a high school rivalry that turned into a war. But this book does have a lot of romance. That is why this book would be good for girls.

`The High School War' has great details. It has so much detail, I could describe most characters almost perfectly. Only about forty-percent (or less) of the books I have read have had that. I believe that's a really good quality to have in a book. So, read this book!

This book is packed full of fights (physical and verbal) and secret romances. There are two big physical fights, one verbal attack, and one secret romance that spreads through the whole book. So, this book might be good for adult audiences, too. Read this book!

`The High School War' is the second part of a three part `Sweet Valley High' mini-series. I don't know what the first one is like, I haven't read it yet, nor the third. The third is called `A Kiss Before Dying'. `The High School War' is about a school rivalry out of control with Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield caught in the middle. Jessica is having an affair with the ring leader of the other school's (Palisades High) deadly gang. While Elizabeth has friends from Palisades High. Read this book!

Well, I don't want to spoil the book for you, so if you want to find out more about this book, read it. Thank you for stopping and reading this review. Well, at least consider reading it and I will say no more.

By: Dani B

OHMIGOD!.......2004-03-27

When jessica falls for Christian Gorman, she never knew that
he was the leader of Palisade's high most violent gang.
and when Elizabeth,Enid,and some girls from palisade's high started a dance,it ends up with with some of the boys from sweet Valley and Palisade's in a fight and poor Jessica in the middle of it.
if you want to know what else happens read....
A kiss before dying.
And the terrible fate instored for Christian and Jessica,
that could change her lif forever.

It's almost as good as the Sam Woodruff series!!!.......1998-08-05

This book is the best book in Sweet Valley High! If you read this one, you must read the 1st and 3rd!! This is a heart-wrencher!! Have some Tissuses near by!!!

WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE WAR, GRANDMA? An Oral History of Rhode Island Women During World War II

Average customer rating:

WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE WAR, GRANDMA? An Oral History of Rhode Island Women During World War II
Students Of South Kingstown High School
Manufacturer: Rhode Island Historical Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HD440W

Average customer rating:

Great Plot!!
The Pom-Pom Review
A exellent and gripping book.

The Pom-Pom Wars (Sweet Valley High)
Francine Pascal
Manufacturer: Sweet Valley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0553566318
Release Date: 1995-01-01

Customer Reviews:

Great Plot!!.......2003-09-28

I thought this book was great. It starts off by Jessica reading Elizabeth's diary and she finds that Elizabeth had a fling with Ken a long time ago, Jessica's boyfriend. Also Jessica starts her own squad because Heather kicked her off the squad.She gets Lila, Elizabeth, etc. to be on her squad. Both their squads are competing through the whole book. At the end, Elizabeth does something to Jessica and Todd that neither of them think they'll ever forgive her for. This is a great book for anyone to read. If you want to find out more, just read it.

The Pom-Pom Review.......2000-11-14

I thought the "Pom-Pom Wars" was a great book . It was interesting yet was based on the reality of today. Jessica and Elizabeth are wonderful characters with a message to send out to the world.The message is that anyone can do whatever they want and be good at it if they put their mind to it. That is what Jessica proves when she starts her squad. It also sends out a meesage to never lie to your friends or hold back things from them that they need to know. In Liz's case her attempt to tell the truth backfired on her.To really understand what I mean, you will have to pick up a copy and read it for yourself. In conclusion, I really did think it was a great book to be enjoyed by someone from any age group.

A exellent and gripping book........1998-10-11

I loved this book ,and recomend it to any S.V.H book lovers,.The reason i loved it was because it turned out completly different to how i thought it would turn out.I was a little shocked when i got to the part about Elizabeth and Ken.This book has a touch of every thing.Romance,Drama,Betrayl, and hurt .It was as i have already written a Exellent book.!!!!!!!!I truthfully rate this book 6 Stars .So go on if you love the S.V.H series you have got to read The Pom -Pom wars (No 113)!

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