The Hopeville Fire Department: A Boy's Tale of Betrayal by One of New England's Most Notorious Priests

Product Description

The Hopeville Fire Department is the true, first person account of a victim of sexual abuse by one of New England's most notorious priests. In the heartland of devoutly Catholic, working-class, 1970s New England, few took notice of Connecticut State Police and fire chaplain Father Stephen C. Foley racing around in a car full of teenaged boys and young men, visiting firehouses, chasing fire engines, showing up at fire scenes and pretending to be firemen. But hidden in plain sight, Father Foley was a central figure in a network of firehouse groupies across New England that, for more than two decades, used the candy of firehouse and police culture to lure boys into violent sexual initiations that left their lives shattered while the Catholic Church looked the other way. This is the story of one of those boys, and a look inside one of the most bizarre and callous cases of pedophilia ever uncovered among the Catholic clergy. It is a tale of evil and hypocrisy still unfolding in today's headlines as the Diocese of Hartford continues to pay out millions to keep the truth from being told, while providing Foley with shelter and defense against a growing chorus of victims.

Customer Reviews:

Thank you Tony for sharing your story with us........2007-08-07

We all need to be aware of clergy sexual misconduct and what happened to Tony Lembo is why. So many victims of sexual abuse silently suffer alone. We all need to be aware of this problem as this is the only way we can begin to hold accountable these pedophiles.

To think Father Foley has never been charged and is free to molest more boys is insane. Let us all wake up to this now.

Heartbreaking, but a great book .......2007-06-06

This book is well written and straight from the heart. The abuse is sickening and the method of grooming these boys is just pure evil genius--what kid can resist cruising around watching firemen work? What courage to have brought this out into the fresh air and sunlight, to refuse to keep silent and be a victim one more minute.

I was amazed.......2007-06-04

This book is easy to read, straight from the heart and interesting. I can't beleive those [...] are still free to violate other young children. I didn't realize people could act that terrible. I would reccomend this book to anyone with a few hours to sit down and read. You will have a hard time laying the book down once you start reading it.

Great Read!.......2007-05-16

This book was hard to put this book down. Unlike typical expose books on the Catholic Church, Tony tells us that he can't understand the motives behind Father Stephen Foley who assaulted him, or the Catholic Church who covered up years of Foley's assaults on uncountable victims, because that is not the point of "The Hopeville Fire Department." The point of this book was for Tony to tell his story and explain the life of a victim of betrayal and sexual abuse. Tony brings us into his life at an early age and we travel from his Catholic upbringings through his assault, to an adult coping with this horrific memory. He goes further than any media outlet ever can by explaining, in his own words, what's it like to live your whole life with a secret so humiliating, it takes 30 years to confess. I would recommend "The Hopeville Fire Department" to anyone because of its honesty and quick-read quality. This is a topic that everyone should be aware of.

Why are they still around?.......2007-04-15

This book touched me deeply. I finished the book in two parts. I'm so glad Tony wrote this book no one really knows what these priest did, only thing we hear is that the church is paying hugh amounts of money. His story blow me away. After reading this book I logged onto Tonylembo.com to find all kinds of media attention on this book. When I realized that this priest is still living the life, driving the same car I was stunned and sick to my stomach. If your children aren't safe with the priests of the Catholic Church who can we trust?

Average customer rating:

Every Boy's Got One
Interesting way of presenting a story
so CUTE
A lovely day trip!
Interesting way of presenting a story

Every Boy's Got One
Meg Cabot
Manufacturer: Avon A
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0060085460
Release Date: 2005-01-04

Book Description

To: Jane Harris
Fr: Claire Harris
Re: You

Hi, honey! It's me, Mom. I know it's a big secret that your friend Holly and her boyfriend Mark are eloping in Italy, and that you and Mark's friend Cal Langdon (the handsome New York Journal reporter with the big book deal) are going, too, as their witnesses. But I just saw Holly's mother at the Kroger Sav-On, and I thought I'd warn you: She doesn't seem to like Mark very much at all. Just wanted to let you know.

PS I don't understand why you don't like that nice Cal Langdon! He seemed so smart when I saw him being inte viewed on Charlie Rose. And so handsome!

PPS Don't forget to wear a sweater!

Cartoonist Jane Harris is delighted by the prospect of her first-ever trip to Europe. But it's hate at first sight for Jane and Cal Langdon, and neither is too happy at the prospect of sharing a villa with one another for a week—not even in the beautiful and picturesque Marches countryside. But when Holly and Mark's wedding plans hit a major snag that only Jane and Cal can repair, the two find themselves having to put aside their mutual dislike for one another in order to get their best friends on the road to wedded bliss—and end up on a road themselves ... one neither of them ever expected.

Meg Cabot was born in Bloomington, Indiana. She is the author of seven historical romances under the pseudonym Patricia Cabot as well as Boy Meets Girl, The Boy Next Door, She Went All the Way and the bestselling young adult fiction series The Princess Diaries. She lives in New York City with her husband.

Download Description

To: Jane Harris
Fr: Claire Harris
Re: You

PS I don't understand why you don't like that nice Cal Langdon! He seemed so smart when I saw him being inte viewed on Charlie Rose. And so handsome!

PPS Don't forget to wear a sweater!

Cartoonist Jane Harris is delighted by the prospect of her first-ever trip to Europe. But it's hate at first sight for Jane and Cal Langdon, and neither is too happy at the prospect of sharing a villa with one another for a week -- not even in the beautiful and picturesque Marches countryside. But when Holly and Mark's wedding plans hit a major snag that only Jane and Cal can repair, the two find themselves having to put aside their mutual dislike for one another in order to get their best friends on the road to wedded bliss -- and end up on a road themselves ... one neither of them ever expected.

Customer Reviews:

Every Boy's Got One.......2007-10-19

I confess: I bought this book because of the title. It's cute and catchy and the story promised to be funny.

Guess what? It is. One of the easiest, lightest books I've read. Mainly written in email/IM/diary form, the "dialogue" between characters couldn't be more realistic. The story is funny, engaging, and endearing. I've recommended this book numerous times to friends.

Where they came up with this title still boggles me, but I'm thankful to have been hooked by it.

Interesting way of presenting a story.......2007-09-05

I am so glad that I read this book. I had never read a Meg Cabot book before She Went All the Way, and I was not impressed with that book. This book, however, was very good. The story is presented in a series of emails, receipts, restaurant menus, journal entries, and instant messages. The author did a fabulous job of bringing all these medias together to form a complete story. There is much humour throughout the book, and I found myself laughing out loud lots of times. I finished the book in a matter of days because it is a cute story and a quick read.
After reading this, I will definitely be reading more Meg Cabot books.

so CUTE.......2007-09-02

This book is amazing! You will definitely not be disppointed! Such a cute love story!

A lovely day trip! .......2007-06-07

Ms. Cabot gives you a mini vacation when readers open up Every Boy's Got One. It is a hilarious and enjoyable read. Her characters are very likable and their adventures are just true enough to be outrageous.

Interesting way of presenting a story.......2007-04-26

Average customer rating:

Wonderful Devotional for Boys.
Hands Down, A Must Have For Growing Grade School Boys!
Still Wonderful
Minute of Grace
Absolutely Wonderful Book !!

The One Year Book of Devotions for Boys

Manufacturer: Tyndale Kids
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0842336206

Book Description

Both boys and girls will be eager to read these devotionals created just for them from the same people who created the One Year Book of Devotions for Kids #1-3. A variety of themes relevant to today's elementary school-age boys and girls will encourage and challenge them to personalize lessons from Scripture.

FEATURES:

365 daily devotionals
Bible passages to set up each day's theme
A contemporary story to apply each passage to today's boys and girls
Daily memory verse
"Key" for each devotional summarizing the application
Complete topic, Scripture reading, and memory verse indexes

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Devotional for Boys........2007-02-22

This is great for conversation starters! My boy is 11 and he enjoys it, and I do too! We usally read one in the morning, It gets our day started with a proper perspective!

Hands Down, A Must Have For Growing Grade School Boys!.......2006-08-18

We've graduated our 2 boys into this Devotions for Boys book, they needed a more challenging collection of devotions and this book is packed with older grade school scenarios, thought provoking and sensitive material, like..July 21st devotion that reads about Mark's new neighbor who just got out of prison and the lessons of forgiveness and people judging other people. At the bottom of each devotional is a HOW ABOUT YOU series of questions that asks application questions and discussion prompts to discuss with parents and kids. This is a great way to have one on one time with your kids and find out exactly what's going on in their lives. Also, a related Bible Verse and reference is listed, for those of us who don't always have our Bible as handy as it should be. I like the way this devotional is organized, the contents page lists each topic by month and the lesson for each day so you can either do the assigned day's devotional or go to the contents page and pick a specific topic to cover with your child that he/she is struggling with at the moment. If you have boys that know the basics but need some polishing around the edges, this is the book for you! I'd recommend this book to boys above 8 years old and maybe through age 15.

Still Wonderful.......2006-08-01

I wrote the orginal review for this book over five years ago, under my previous name- Tracy Byrd Berryhill. My boys loved the book then, and we occassionally pull it out to go over beloved tales. The book is wonderful. We have since added its sequel to our collection. More than anything, it enabled us to establish a family devotional time when the boys were school-aged. That is priceless. This is an excellent book if this is what you are trying to develop. The stories are well written, current, and hold the interest of the listener.I highly recommend the book for the values it instills,as well as for the ambiance it provides.

Minute of Grace.......2006-03-16

This book is perfect for my 8 1/2 year old son! The devotion is only a page long, but it packs quite a punch. There is a short themed story centered on a boy, with thought provoking questions at the end. There is also a bible passage supporting the day's theme. Theme's include loving one another, being honest, forgiveness, and following rules.

Absolutely Wonderful Book !!.......2002-12-08

Highly recommend !! This is the only book that I have not had to ask and encourage my 10 year old son to read. He loves this book. As a parent, I love this book.

The Lost Beach Boy: The True Story of David Marks one of the founding members of the Beach Boys

Average customer rating:

another masterpiece from Jon Stebbins!
Not Just for Beach Boys fans
Opportunities Missed but No Regrets
Fantastic and insightful book on the Beach Boys early days and the price of fame
THE LOST BEACH BOY redefines Beach Boys history!

The Lost Beach Boy: The True Story of David Marks one of the founding members of the Beach Boys
Jon Stebbins , and David Marks
Manufacturer: Virgin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1852273917
Release Date: 2007-05-29

Customer Reviews:

another masterpiece from Jon Stebbins!.......2007-10-17

When it comes to author's who can really dig deep and express in writing form the true soul of a person, Jon Stebbins is at the top of the list. I was very much impressed with his previous book, The Real Beach Boy and was even more impressed with this book (The Lost Beach Boy) as well. The book was realistic, was not candy coated, it showed the ups and downs and reality of life and how it affects some people, something we can all relate to at times. I already had respect for Dave Marks as a musician, but now I have even more respect for him as a person and being a survivor in all aspects. I had the honor of meeting Dave Marks and his lovely wife Carrie on a few occasions at Beach Boys related events out in California and also in Conneticut, he is a very down to earth person and is filled with so much talent, this book showcased all of this and so much more. Kudos to Jon Stebbins on writing yet another fantastic book, I hope to see more books from you in the near future!

Not Just for Beach Boys fans.......2007-09-08

It shocks me to read some reviews that say this book doesn't have any new information or is limited to just music fans. These people must not have any soul! This book is beautifully written and contains all the elements of a good novel - humour, heart-break, fame, loss, irony, etc. If you didn't shed a tear on the last page as David and Brian stand in their old neighbourhood and, well I won't spill it, but I have no trouble admitting it was a very emotional scene. As for new information about the Beach Boys, this book is full of new facts, dates and information and highlights an entirely new perspective on the genesis of the Beach Boys. You can't be a fan of the Beach Boys and not learn something from this book and you can't be human and not be affected by the 'heart' in this story.

Opportunities Missed but No Regrets.......2007-09-07

I'm a solid Beach Boy fan starting around 1964 so I was never aware of David Marks' story. Also, I had previously read Jon Stebbins' biography of Dennis Wilson and didn't realize it was the same author until mentioned in the book.

With that caveat, this is an enjoyable book but a struggle to make into a complete book. David Marks was a young boy suddenly thrust in the new role of a Rock Star but also managed by a band member's father who felt immature behavior should not be tolerated. Mix that with immaturity and whether resigned or fired, Marks is out of the band. Unfortunately for him, lightening didn't strike twice and for true commercial success of a book, there is just not enough story here. But there is a story, early success, great disappointment, and later depths in alcohol and drugs.

But all that is happening in an exciting era in Los Angeles with famous touches like running into the Manson crew at Dennis Wilson's house, and later haircuts by Jay Sebring who is later killed by the Manson crew at Sharon Tate's house. If you have interest in that era or rock n roll history, this is a worthwhile read and it was for me. But it's not deep or long enough for everyone. Irrespective, overall the Beach Boys come off as regular guys thrown in an irregular world. It is great to see that later in life they kept somewhat in tough and even gave David a job as a touring guitarist. A great book for music lovers only.

Fantastic and insightful book on the Beach Boys early days and the price of fame.......2007-08-26

The early history of the Beach Boys is usually given short shrift by rock writers. As a result, many Beach Boys fans are unaware that David Marks was a member of the band for almost two years and played on the group's first five albums. Jon Stebbins and David Marks insightful book rectifies this oversight and gives us a rich and rewarding look at America's favorite bands formative years. Early tours and recording sessions are recalled with warmth and detail. For Beach Boys fanatics there is a host of new information that was previously unknown. After reading this book, one emerges with a new appreciation for David Marks. The book makes a persuasive argument that guitarist Marks played a pivotal role in the development of the group's early sound and deserves some credit for their success.
The book, however, is more than just another Beach Boys tome. Marks was thrust into the limelight at the age of thirteen and was an ex Beach Boy before his fifteenth birthday. Stebbins and Marks present a fascinating story of life in the fast lane and its pitfalls. It is a story of bruised egos, lost chances, rock star excesses and finally redemption. David Marks life keep you interested long after the Beach Boys have exited the narrative. This is a quite an achievement. I strongly reccommend this book.

THE LOST BEACH BOY redefines Beach Boys history!.......2007-07-22

David Marks and Jon Stebbins have not just given us a new book on the Beach Boys. With their close attention to detail, their access to sources previously untapped - including David himself! - and David's willingness to bare it all, they have created a book that is personal and intimate, and one that redefines Beach Boys history as no other book or film has ever done.

David was the kid who lived across the street from the Wilson brothers. As it turns out he was also a bandmate of those brothers, and an influence in the first couple of years - the first 4+ albums, the first ten singles, including seven hits - an influence far beyond the Beach Boys' mythology that has existed for the last 45 years or so. When David left the band in late 1963 he totally walked away, leaving Murry and the others to craft a story that has become "truth." The only problem was, it was a lie. THE LOST BEACH BOY tells the real story for the first time ever.

David's tenure in the band was short, but oh-so-important in the formation of the California Myth. I won't re-hash the book here, i will just state that there are things that Beach Boys fans have believed to be true for all this time that are, in fact, not. Whoever said this book contains no new information is either someone else who was there and witnessed the early years of the Beach Boys and thus knows all of this from personal experience, or they're delusional. There is a TON of new information on early tours, growth of songs, Brian's deteriorating ability to cope with life on the road, Al's re-entry, Murry's manipulations...and what happened to David after he left the band.

In many ways it is a sad book. It is a story of lost opportunities, lost chances, lost friendships. But it is also a book about redemption: David has come out the other side of all of his problems, and now enjoys a life of love and acceptance, with a wife and friends who love him for who he is, not for who he was or who he might have been. It is a beautiful and, as i said, intimate book, an easy read, and a MUST-read for all Beach Boys fans who are interested in the truth.

George & Sam: Two Boys, One Family, and Autism

Average customer rating:

A great autism memoir
Good account of what it's like to raise two severely autistic boys
An absolutely wonderful book---Made me laugh and cry with recognition!
I understand
A fast read, very exciting and educational

George & Sam: Two Boys, One Family, and Autism
Charlotte Moore
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0312358938
Release Date: 2006-11-28

Book Description

For the parents, families, and friends of the 1 in 250 autistic children born annually in the United States, George and Sam provides a unique look into the life of the autistic child.

Charlotte Moore has three children, George, Sam, and Jake. George and Sam are autistic. George and Sam takes the reader from the births of each of the two boys, along the painstaking path to diagnosis, interventions, schooling and more. She writes powerfully about her family and her sons, and allows readers to see the boys behind the label of autism. Their often puzzling behavior, unusual food aversions, and the different ways that autism effects George and Sam lend deeper insight into this confounding disorder.

George and Sam emerge from her narrative as distinct, wonderful, and at times frustrating children who both are autistic through and through. Moore does not feel the need to search for cause or cure, but simply to find the best ways to help her sons. She conveys to readers what autism is and isn’t, what therapies have worked and what hasn’t been effective, and paints a moving, memorable portrait life with her boys.

Charlotte Moore is a writer and journalist who lives in Sussex, England with her three sons. She is the author of four novels and three children's book. For two years she wrote a highly acclaimed column in the Guardian called “Mind the Gap” about life with George and Sam. She is a contributor to many publications.

Customer Reviews:

A great autism memoir.......2007-09-23

I read this book because Nick Hornby recommended it in his book, "The Polyphonic Spree." (By the way, Hornby's novel, "How to be Good," though not about autism, is an entertaining read). Hornby has a son affected by autism, so he has insight into the subject.

I don't agree with everything Moore writes, but I found this memoir to be very real and moving. She discusses the CF GF diet, but isn't a zealot about it, which I appreciated. She uses ABA, whereas we use Floortime in our family. She's anti-inclusion, whereas my son attends a school with an inclusion program.

This book shows what it's like to live with autism. The author has a sense of humor, which makes it readable. I could identify with her gradual awakening to the fact that something was wrong. I appreciated her worries about what will happen to her boys after she's gone.

Moore says her sons are "autistic through and through," which is to say, there are not "normal" boys inside, struggling to get out. I think this is an important view to have represented, because there are a lot of miraculous recovery stories out there, and the truth is that sometimes, recovery doesn't happen. Recovery makes for a more dramatic story, and probably sells more books. But there's a place for truthful accounts like this, too. I resonated with it.

Good account of what it's like to raise two severely autistic boys.......2007-08-15

I have a 3 yr old autistic son who moved from severe to mild with a lot of intervention. I have read a lot of books, and I was particularly interested in this one because I had heard so many positive things about it. I am glad that I did because overall, I really liked the book. I found her accounts of her sons to be filled with love, honesty, and sometimes even humor. She is an amazing woman to raise 3 boys alone (she's a single Mom!), and two of them with autism. I give her a lot of credit. I give it 4 stars though instead of 5 because while I liked her accounts, I think she made some pretty odd assertions. Some of it has been mentioned already in the reviews, and some not. I just hope that people read it with an open mind - that her assertions on autism is just that of a Mom with two autistic boys, and they are not always...accurate. Regardless, I highly recommend this book.

An absolutely wonderful book---Made me laugh and cry with recognition!.......2007-05-29

I want to thank Charlotte Moore from the bottom of my heart for writing this wonderful book about her two sons with autism. I have read many, many accounts of life with autistic children, and never have I read one I loved this much. I loved it because Moore accepts her children, finds them lovable and fascinating just the way they are, but that doesn't mean she doesn't do all she can to help them. She just isn't doing it to find a "cure". She doesn't waste time worrying about why---why autism struck her twice, what caused it. She doesn't cast blame or ask for sympathy---she just describes, and does it so well! I've never read another account about how hard Christmas is for children on the autistic spectrum. My son has Aspergers Syndrome, and is quite high functioning, but Christmas has always been a nightmare for him, for just the reasons this book talks about---surprise presents that bring with them an expectation of a certain social response are not his idea of fun! I've taken to telling him in advance exactly what we will give him.

I also was struck by Moore's writing about imagination and autism. It's not that kids with autism don't have an imaginary life---it's just that it's a lot like their real life---not much social content. My son has a whole imaginary world, and has for many years. You would think it would be interesting to hear about, but it's not---mostly he tells me about things like the population density there, the major imports and exports, the state of the transportation system---the same things that interest him in the real world!

I hope Moore writes more books about her sons. I would love to hear more about them as they grow up. I also hope that anyone who loves someone on the autistic spectrum will read this book, and learn from it. I know that even after 12 years of hands-on experience with my son, I learned a lot here. Thank you again, and all my best wishes to your family, Charlotte!

I understand.......2007-04-06

As a mother of two sons with Autism I thought I had read all that I could on the subject. Charlotte Moore however has produced a book that I would have loved to have written myself. She does not dwell on cures and pity for her situation ,but gives a gritty un apologetic account of the life of her family. We often hear about cures and programs for improvement, ms moore however tells it how it is. I love my children where ever they may be in their development ,. Often things i read on Autism have made me feel inadequate , not so in this case. Ms moore brought out her sons beauty and fun side aswell as making no apology for the stress and sometimes peculiar ways that families effected by this dis order learn to cope. Well done from one "auty " mum to another . i have reccomended this book to family , friends and professinals.

A fast read, very exciting and educational.......2007-03-15

My daughter read this book for a class, and she loved it. She actually ended up wanting another book on a child raised with Autism after reading this one. She said that this book was such a fast read for her, written in basic everyday language, making Autism easy to understand. The way the mother in this book describes her everyday troubles and joys raising two boys with autism was so interesting to read. A definite must read for anyone interested in autism or raising someone with autism.

The Bedford Boys: One American Town's Ultimate D-Day Sacrifice

Average customer rating:

A true landmark!
Another tale of the Greatest Generation
The Town That Lost It's Sons
Not Your Ordinary WWII Book
Freedom's Price in Microcosm

The Bedford Boys: One American Town's Ultimate D-Day Sacrifice
Alex Kershaw
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0306813556
Release Date: 2004-05-11

Book Description

"Gripping... It's through books like this that those brave men, who fought so others could be free, live on." --Dallas Morning News

June 6, 1944: Nineteen boys from Bedford, Virginia--population just 3,000 in 1944--died in the first bloody minutes of D-Day. They were part of Company A of the 116th Regiment of the 29th Division, and the first wave of American soldiers to hit the beaches in Normandy. Later in the campaign, three more boys from this small Virginia town died of gunshot wounds. Twenty-two sons of Bedford lost--it is a story one cannot easily forget and one that the families of Bedford will never forget. The Bedford Boys is the true and intimate story of these men and the friends and families they left behind.

Based on extensive interviews with survivors and relatives, as well as diaries and letters, Kershaw's book focuses on several remarkable individuals and families to tell one of the most poignant stories of World War II--the story of one small American town that went to war and died on Omaha Beach.

Customer Reviews:

A true landmark!.......2007-07-31

I read a lot of American history - especially about WWll but this book is special. Living here in the Heartland of America, I see National Guard units all around me going off to Iraq! There is something particularly sad about eager young men joining their friends for service in case of a "national emergency" and learning that they must fight an unknown enemy far from homeGod bless ALL the "Bedford Boys" in 1944 and the "Bedford Boys" in 2007!!

Another tale of the Greatest Generation.......2007-04-29

I live about 20 Miles from the D-Day Memorial in Bedford and I can't help but to shiver everytime I look down and see the erie statues of the landing. After reading this book anyone can understand why this great monument is located there. The book reintroduced the world and the community to the men who fought there. Unfortunately, almost all of the local survivors have passed since the release of this book. These men were true heroes, but they rarely spoke of their exploits - it was too painful I'm sure. Read this book Now! It gives a rare human look at war and should give us all an appreciation of what our grandfathers did for us.

The Town That Lost It's Sons.......2006-03-11

Few dates in history have seen more tragedy than June 6, 1944. Thousands of American families and even entire towns grieved their losses after D-Day, but none more so than the tiny town and 3,000 inhabitants of Bedford, Virginia, who lost 19 of its' sons that fateful day and 3 more before the war would conclude. BEDFORD BOYS: ONE AMERICAN TOWNS ULTIMATE D-DAY SACRIFICE, by Alex Kershaw, tells their story. This book, unlike most others on the account of D-Day, tells the story of the Normandy invasion from the viewpoint of the families left behind.

Much of the book chronicles the lives of the young men prior to the invasion. Particularly, the year they spent together station in England, preparing for the invasion. Kershaw recounts their stories through photographs, letters home, and interviews with survivors and family members.

When the day of the invasion arrives, Kershaw gives concise narrative as to how some of them survived, and how so many of them perished. Their story is riveting. You will laugh at their antics, and mourn at their sacrifices. This is a very well written account and should serve to remind all Americans of the cost of freedom.

They went into battle as the Boys of Bedford, and boys they were, indeed, but in my eyes, they will forever be the MEN from Bedford, Virginia.

Monty Rainey
www.juntosociety.com

Not Your Ordinary WWII Book.......2006-02-20

This is not your ordinary WWII book. I've read many books on WWII and on the subject of D-Day. This book stands out as unique as it shows the human side of war from not only the soldier's perspective but also from the point of view of families that were left behind as well as the aftermath of war in the years that followed.

If you are looking for a book that focuses on the "nuts and bolts" of the Normandy invasion then this book may not be your best bet. The Omaha Beach action only last a few chapters in the book. However, I would recommend this book in spite of that. It will afford you a unique perspective to the landings. After reading it, I felt how tremendously difficult it was for that first wave on the toughest sector of the landing areas. I am still amazed any of those brave men made it off the beach alive at all.

If you are looking for a well written book on how war affects families and in this case communities, then this book is a must! Kershaw writes extremely well and the flow of the narrative reads like a novel. This is the second of his books that I have read (The Longest Winter being the other). Both books are highly recommended.

Freedom's Price in Microcosm.......2006-02-10

This book deeply affected me as I read it. I wept continously as I read some parts of it. By writing from the perspectives of the surviving soldiers, as well as the fallen and all of their loved ones, Kershaw takes you back in time and sets the stage for the Normandy invasion: preparations, going ashore, fighting in France, the homefront, and the war's aftermath. As I sat in my home which was built in 1940, I tried to imagine what occurred there on June 6, 1944 with the radio reports and the neighbors talking amongst themselves about those historic events. Only great writing can produce those kinds of thoughts!
I highly recommend this book to all.

Orphan Train Rider: One Boy's True Story

Average customer rating:

It kept my class interested
Comforting
Good for Ages 9 and older, and for the family to read together.
Wonderful Book for Family Discussion
Sincere autobiographical material kids should read!

Orphan Train Rider: One Boy's True Story
Andrea Warren
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0395913624

Book Description

Between 1854 and 1930, more than 200,000 orphaned or abandoned children were sent west on orphan trains to find new homes. Some were adopted by loving families; others were not as fortunate. In recent years, some of the riders have begun to share their stories. Andrea Warren alternates chapters about the history of the orphan trains with the story of Lee Nailling, who in 1926 rode an orphan train to Texas.

Customer Reviews:

It kept my class interested.......2005-12-20

I read this to a 6th grade reading class and a year later they still talk about it and refer to it in discussion. The entire concept was so strange to them and the fact that it had really happened blew them away.

I chose this because in the 7th grade they read a novel about the Orphan Train experience

Comforting.......2005-11-03

Adopted children can often feel like outsiders, even though they have found families who love them like their own. They may be teased about being adopted, they may be angry at their circumstances.

This book is an excellent treatment for all those problems, for it discusses the issue of adoption openly, and shows children that they are not alone.

In 63 photo-filled pages in 11 chapters, this book tells the historical story of more than 200,000 children who "rode 'orphan trains' in this country between 1854 and 1930. Their ranks included North Dakota governor Andrew Burke (1870-1873), a territory governor, a Supreme Court justice, sheriffs, mayors, college professors, clergymen, school superintendents, bankers, lawyers, postmasters, teachers, engineers and at least 7,000 soldiers and sailors. In other words, adopted children can grow up to be just as successful and productive as everyone else--often times, more so. There's no stigma or deficiency.

The book also covers the story of 'train riders' from the personal perspective of Lee Clement Nailling, who was taken in by an elderly childless couple, whom he came to call parents.

Aside from telling the history of the orphan train riders and the Children's Aid Society that devised the project, this book is comforting to adopted children.

--Alyssa A. Lappen

Good for Ages 9 and older, and for the family to read together........2005-07-18

I try to find books for reading with my children. In this case, to read with my daughter who will enter the fourth grade. This book was on her summer reading list, and I'm glad we read it. This is a true story of a boy orphaned by the death of his mother and his father's ceding him and his siblings to the Children's Aid Society in New York State. This was a time in America that preceded government child welfare agencies for abused/neglected children. Instead, children were institutionalized in large orphanages (often called asylums) and eventually many were placed on trains to find homes with town people who would meet the trains at various stops.

The book uses the story of a young boy with two of his younger brothers sent on an orphan train and eventually being picked by families in Texas. Lee was the oldest and took the longest to find a good family.

The book gives information about the orphan train children in general and the reasons for their coming about. The author gives credit to the Children's Aid Society that was prominent in organizing these trains and notes that many of these children grew to become accomplished members in society. The book, however, also shows that not all these children were so lucky and they faced continued abuse at the hands of their adopted parents, and ridicule by school mates.

As a person who has worked extensively in the child welfare system, I found the book to be very relevant and a better way of explaining to my daughter the reason for my work. [...]

This book would be excellent for children in foster care even though they are not exactly in the same position as orphan train riders. They still could easily empathize with the children in this story. There is also an honest, hopeful comment by the adult Lee of perseverance and determination to overcome the circumstances in life even from those who never did find an accepting family. Unfortunately, this too is relevant for many youths in the current foster care system.

Wonderful Book for Family Discussion.......2002-05-08

I would like to start by saying that I think the suggested reading age is a little low. While the writing is well within in capabilities of most 4-6 graders, the subject may be a little touchy for the younger end of the group. I would be reluctant to let a sensative child read this book until at least the 5th grade.

That said, I think the book was wonderful.The writing is well done for children's non-fiction, but also is able to capture adult readers. The book is a fascinating story about one of the few surviving children who rode one of the orphan trains as well as the general story of the trains history.

My wife, 11 year old daughter and I read the book (my wife and I in 1 evening, my daughter the next) and then we discussed the concept of the trains, the needs for them and why such things are no longer in use in today's society. It made for a good family discussion and we all learned from the experience.

This book has very good content, as well as interesting information about the sociology of this country's past. It was well worth the read for both adults and our daughter and we all enjoyed it.

Sincere autobiographical material kids should read!.......2001-11-01

This book would be an excellent follow-up to the movie "Orphan Train". It brings out the reality of the movement between 1854 and 1930 of 200,000 abandoned children to find homes in the West.

Chapters alternate between historical information on the movement and personal details and memories of orphans like Lee Nailling and his brothers.

The most touching moment for me was when Lee, who had every reason to be bitter and hate the world, finally found a home. Fully intending to run away again before morning, he fell asleep and was awakened by a call to breakfast. As a part of "grace" said before the meal by his mother-to-be, the boy heard, "Father, thank you for sending our new son to us, for the privilege of allowing us to raise him."

Lee commented, "I'm sure my jaw dropped in amazement. Somebody was actually thankful I was there!"

Amazon.com

With the same blunt honesty that characterizes her online journalism, Spike Gillespie chronicles her disastrous love life, a litany of abusive, alcoholic men she seems to have selected primarily to reexperience the unhappiness she felt in her relationship with her distant, hypercritical father. At 35, she managed to salvage three good things from the mess she made of her youth: a network of loving friends (she knew several good men, she just slept with all the bad ones); her writing career, based in large part on savagely intimate excavations of her personal affairs; and her son, Henry, with whom she finally found the joyous love that eluded her with father, husband, and countless lovers. If it weren't for Henry (born in 1990) and Gillespie's exuberantly X-rated prose, this would be a grim tale indeed, filled with heavy drinking, self-sabotage, and groveling self-abasement to a series of losers and nutcases, described with pitiless precision. Gillespie doesn't pretend to be objective--her second husband in particular is practically nailed to the page--and readers may sometimes find it hard to understand how the obviously intelligent author could have made the same mistakes over and over. But her candor is compelling, and her tender letters to Henry extremely moving. --Wendy Smith

Book Description

Some women have trouble with men. For Spike Gillespie, a widely followed online journalist, those problems started early with her father -- the first and most important man in any child's life. Spike's relationship with her emotionally distant parent was so flawed that she has had an unending series of disasters with men...from the day she first noticed them to the day she made one of her own -- her perfect little boy, Henry.

In a memoir of sometimes lacerating honesty, Spike Gillespie tells us the story of her life with men -- a blunt, moving, and profoundly revealing account that asks all the hardest questions about love between the sexes. All the Wrong Men and One Perfect Boy isn't a memoir of abuse or tragedy. But it is about the lack of connection -- to family, to lovers, to the world -- that defines much of modern life. Most importantly, however (and here Henry comes in), Gillespie also tells us a story of hope and resolution, of reaching out to touch the world with the newest tools, the computer and the Internet -- and in the oldest way -- through one's children. And it's about the deepest mysteries -- how we love the ones we love, and how we stop loving them when they're destroying us.

Spike Gillespie first began chronicling her thirty-year adventure of love and heartbreak in a weekly online column, and within a few months she was being described by USA Today as the queen of the online confessional. Gillespie has continued to feed her stream-of-consciousness biography to thousands of readers via her website. After years of publishing to the online community, now she is ready to tell the whole tale. Gillespie is a natural storyteller, a writer with a marvelous ability to immerse her readers in a flesh-and-blood world of her lovers, her family, her friends...and above all, her son. This is a writer unafraid to tell the truth -- about human nature, men, family, and motherhood. The result is a memoir of unadorned and refreshing power from a woman on the most intimate terms with passion, anger, love -- and herself.

Customer Reviews:

Wrong men? That depends on what you want from them.......2003-02-23

This memoir was not such a bad one as other reviewers condemned. The way she writes is so smooth that I actually could not stop although I found it a bit dull in the middle of the long series of her seemingly endless WRONG MEN tour. The biggest climax of the story, though, as told from her perspective was the point where she finally acknowldged that she had been unconsiously looking for all the wrongness in men, instead of goodness, as evidences to prove that ALL MEN are BAD, which was her life long hyperthesis originally drawn from an early relationship with her father that fatally formed her identity as a woman. That makes sense and sounds sensible enough. For this valuable recognition, the documentations of all the wrong men weren't useless. On the contrary, they are so important. However, the description of her drunk & one night stand session was unnecessarily interminable. It did not seem to be so essential to name all of them. That almost made the whole book pointless. (I know. She nailed them down even they looked too much.)
The other thing I found problematic was how she concluded the story; she actually sounded as if she hurriedly and forcefully made herself to have made a reconciliation with the haunting hate for her father. I was not quite convinced,though. It sounded as if she jumped to an easy solution because she had to put an end to the story just to close the draft.
It depends on what readers want from the book wheather they like it or not and if they finish the book with resentment or satisfaction. I found it OK. At least, that presented one grown up but confused female figure just like anyone else with almost brutal honesty. She did not even hesitate to reveal her weak points such as over self-pity and insecurity, just as a great number of typical young women today. That's what counts most when we read this.

A Sad Story, but readable.......2001-07-13

It's all true. She does not learn from her mistakes, so the reader may find themselves wanting to hurl the book at the wall when she once again falls into her own traps. There were many times while reading that I found myself saying out loud, "Oh Spike! Why?" Especially when the topic of Dad came up - poor Dad, who buys her cars, who provides her with a summer house; poor Dad who doesn't understand rebellion. If you like contemporary memoirs, and I do, I still found this a compelling read. I ignored the one star reviews, because while I agree that her constant missteps are tiresome, she is a good writer. She shares a lot about herself - could you be so open about your own mistakes?

very true - but very sad.......2000-07-12

I have never read any of Spike's work before but also born in Jersey - and by chance going to USF in Tampa - as she had - the book held a lot of promise... The beginning is great - the honesty and plain english makes it very easy to read. It also makes it easy to connect with and understand. Although I agree with other readers that she should not simply blame her father, complain about others drinking habits, and then go on binges herself - but... for some reason i could not stop reading (towards the end i really wanted to) but maybe that says more about my personality than it does about this book.

The beginning is filled with great "real" excerpts of Jersey life at the shore AND the relationships - but as the story goes on - all that is explained is her relationships - in sad - depressing detail.

I understand the need to be loved but - it doesn't take 276 pages to bash the idea into my head! I just feel bad that she had to go through all of this without resolving any of it.

Very readable - but overall frustrating - because she does not learn from her mistakes.

vicious victim.......1999-11-01

reading this chronicle of spike's life as a professional victim felt rather like watching a train wreck. true, it is a quick and engaging read, but i found that my patience for her endless poor choices and impulsive, irresponsible behavior wore thin quite quickly. rather than examining how she might work to create the self-esteem necessary to protect her from her bad choices (or addressing the hard-core substance abuse that paves the way for every one night stand, enables her to enter into highly dysfunctional long-term relationships, serves as an easy excuse for her lack of judgement with regard to her son, and does so much to further damages her already troubled relationship with her father), she spends her time viciously blaming everyone else for her unhappy experiences. yes, her life has been tough in a way that will ring true for many, and it is impressive that she has created a successful writing career by mining that source material, but it seems to me that all of her life's disasters were equally of her own making.

spike's life and the way she writes about it both seem chock full of the inconsistency and self-serving double standards so common in the pathologically self-absorbed. to cite just one example, she claims that her husband's drinking and use of xanax were primary factors in her decision to leave her husband, only to later detail yet another of her many drunken binges and her own use of prozac.

ultimately i was bored by her constant griping and desperate need for sympathy, and concerned by how little she actually seems to grow as a person during the course of her narrative. yes she has survived and, hopefully for her son's sake, is trying to create a healthier life for herself, but unfortunately i suspect that there are many more bad choices ahead for this woman.

A book-length pity party that gets old fast.......1999-10-31

The book isn't badly written, in the sense that the writing style is smooth and well-executed. However, the story itself is a flat tale of someone with a serious martyr complex. Some people seem to thrive on feeling sorry for themselves. Spike is one of these people. Her world is filled with one-dimensional characters, most of them evil, sick, crazy men. Reading Spike's tale, you get the feeling there's a lot more to the story than what she claims. The truly interesting book would be one where these "wrong men" had a chance to respond to her version of events. Some look at Spike as a "feminist". To me, she's everything feminism should be against: Ultimately weak, whiny, desperate for sympathy and approval...not to mention perpetually defining herself by the men in her life. Henry is the only sympathetic character in the whole sad tale. Too bad that by the time Spike has at last put her life in order, Henry will be the one writing whiny, self-deserving "confessions" about how his mother set him on the path to find "all the wrong women".

The Dream Weaver: One Boy's Journey through the Landscape of Reality

Average customer rating:

A Great Guidebook
A mindblower!
Digestible Philosophy
Thoughtful and all-inclusive
Fun and Easy Philosophy

The Dream Weaver: One Boy's Journey through the Landscape of Reality
Jack R Bowen
Manufacturer: Longman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 032132823X

Customer Reviews:

A Great Guidebook.......2007-02-16

This is a terrific introduction to philosophy. Plato found the origins of philosophy in the experience of wonder. Bowen does a great job conveying all that is wonderful about philosophy in a way that is welcoming rather than elitist. The strength of the book lies in the thoughtfully crafted storyline and characters. The narrative structure allows the reader to explore a number of ideas which if presented on their own, without any guidance, would be too challenging for new philosophers. While the content of the book is sophisticated enough for anyone with an appreciation for ideas, the artful presentation of The Dream Weaver makes it an especially good choice for a bright young adult. This is what they'll want to read when they realize that Harry Potter's magic doesn't really work. A good follow up is Lavine's book From Socrates to Sartre or Spiro's The Creed Room.

A mindblower!.......2006-06-15

What an amazing introduction to philosophy! Read a single page, and you'll experience the rest of your day with whole new eyes. This is a book to be read over and over. Though the basic plot is not hard to follow, the ideas presented need to be savored and toyed with, discussed for a long time and again and again. I remain a bit in awe of the author's breadth of background. his citing from Zeno of Elea (490 BC) and Plato to the WIZARD OF OZ and the musical group "Tool." A treasure to be recommended to one's most inquisitive friends!

Digestible Philosophy.......2006-05-31

The Dream Weaver is a panacea for anyone who has ever been curious about philosophy but hasn't know where to start, or has been too intimidated by the fancy language to go anywhere near it. Likewise, it is an ideal launching point for personal inquiry or group discussion relating to the Big Questions: How did we get here? What is the meaning of life? What is my purpose? Why do I see things the way that I do? Why do I believe what I believe?
The author, Jack Bowen, explains that he wrote the book to help others see the personal relevance and applicability of philosophy, which has been branded esoteric and obsolete. Bowen's chosen form--narrative fiction--and protagonist--a fourteen-year-old boy named Ian--make philosophy both personal and accessible Through Ian's journey and discoveries, supported by theories from Plato to pop culture (which are sourced in the margins), the novel presents philosophy, not by condescension but by appealing to the naiveté in those of us who have yet to broach these compelling but infinitely complex issues. The book can be read voraciously all at once and then digested, or enjoyed at a slower place, allowing the reader to process the personal and public implications of each chapter's theme, one at a time.
As befits such a book, Bowen's narrative framework skillfully posits opposing arguments and theories behind matters such as free will, evolution vs. intelligent design, and reason vs. belief, in an effort to remain as objective as possible and allow to reader to develop her own conclusions (as we come to learn in the book, there is no such thing as absolute objectivity so any perceived bias is a combined result of the reader and author's own perceptions).
The Dream Weaver should be required reading for high school students, athletes, politicians, corporate executives and religious scholars alike. Instead of blindly accepting the doctrines and dogma of our parents, teachers, bosses and/or leaders, it encourages readers to ask perhaps the most important question of all: Why do I think what I think? Only when we begin to explore the fundamental questions posed by philosophy, can we begin to deconstruct our personal belief system and approach the world with authentic thinking.

Thoughtful and all-inclusive .......2006-05-27

I highly recommend this introduction to philosophy for anyone with an interest in learning (or learning more) about the subject. The author opened a few windows for this linear thinker!

Fun and Easy Philosophy.......2006-05-11

I purchased this book because it was recommended to me by a friend. i hate reading!! But i found this book to be intriguing and exciting. I couldn't put it down. You follow Ian, the main character, through all these exciting adventures in which you learn many new philosophical ideas.

Who's a Pretty Boy, Then?: One Hundred & Fifty Years of Gay Life in Pictures

Average customer rating:

Great Pix, but...
A multifacteted overview
We were everywhere
Great possibilities, ultimately disappointing

Who's a Pretty Boy, Then?: One Hundred & Fifty Years of Gay Life in Pictures
James Gardiner
Manufacturer: Serpent's Tail
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 185242513X

Amazon.com

James Gardiner's eclectic collection of gay male photos, postcards, play bills, theater posters, and other ephemera is an unguided tour through 100 years of gay male life and culture. Gardiner has wisely followed no specific historical or literary plan--although the photos are arranged in general chronological order--and the effect is striking. As you page through the hundreds of images, you are forced to make your own connections, construct your own sense of reality. Who's a Pretty Boy Then? is a historical and artistic tour de force that brings gay male history alive.

Customer Reviews:

Great Pix, but..........2007-09-06

I got this as a present, and I am never sure what one has to do with picture books. Once seen they seem to have exhausted their usefulness. Nevertheless, it passes the time for novices on this subject; amd opne could always leave it lying around for 'straight' visitors to find...

This picture volume has more the feel of a labour of love than that of a scholarly work, and I am sure it doesn't aspire to that. The fact that it is very much London (UK) based limits its scope for other audiences somewhat despite some Baron von Gloeden images. I did find a 2 or 3 people in there I had come across in my time when clubbing in London; it serves me as a nice memento then. (Bless; Regina Fong)

A multifacteted overview.......2002-03-10

To dismiss this book as just an excuse to dredge up some titillating photographs for the purpose of publishing is an injustice. This collection is an historical perspective on many levels - the camera as a art form since its invention, a survey of sociolgical transformations as to the perception of homosexuality, the psychological sweep from the closet to the stage to Stonewall to the AIDS bedside and beyond. There are many many captured moments that seem voyeuristic in the best sense of the word in that the spontaneity of individuals interacting as well as groups entertaining are fresh and often off guard. Here is a portfolio of tenderness, of hilarity, and of tragedy. Would that there were more essays interspersed to document the various periods traversd. But then we must also pay homage to the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words". Well worth your time.

We were everywhere.......2000-02-14

A great book of wonderful pictures that proves that men have been loving men for quite some times. Really great eye candy with a historical perspective.

Great possibilities, ultimately disappointing.......1999-09-17

There are some wonderful archival photos in this book, but it lacks a basic level of "scholarship" that leaves it as one guy's idiosyncratic take on British-dominated gay history. Seems to me there is way too much focus on drag, and a more international perspective would have helped as well.

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