Book Description
All But My Life is the unforgettable story of Gerda Weissmann Klein's six-year ordeal as a victim of Nazi cruelty. From her comfortable home in Bielitz (present-day Bielsko) in Poland to her miraculous survival and her liberation by American troops--including the man who was to become her husband--in Volary, Czechoslovakia, in 1945, Gerda takes the reader on a terrifying journey.
Gerda's serene and idyllic childhood is shattered when Nazis march into Poland on September 3, 1939. Although the Weissmanns were permitted to live for a while in the basement of their home, they were eventually separated and sent to German labor camps. Over the next few years Gerda experienced the slow, inexorable stripping away of "all but her life." By the end of the war she had lost her parents, brother, home, possessions, and community; even the dear friends she made in the labor camps, with whom she had shared so many hardships, were dead.
Despite her horrifying experiences, Klein conveys great strength of spirit and faith in humanity. In the darkness of the camps, Gerda and her young friends manage to create a community of friendship and love. Although stripped of the essence of life, they were able to survive the barbarity of their captors. Gerda's beautifully written story gives an invaluable message to everyone. It introduces them to last century's terrible history of devastation and prejudice, yet offers them hope that the effects of hatred can be overcome.
Customer Reviews:
Life's Value........2007-10-11
Every book that I've read on the holocaust contains descriptions of the horrors that man are capable of exerting on fellow man. Simultaneously, each one also differs in very interesting ways that make it unique. I appreciate Gerda Klein's simple writing, and how well she expresses her feelings and experiences.
Books like "All But My Life" help keep the past (however dark) alive. I think that human beings have a lot to learn from such memoirs - politics, society, and human nature - it's all there. Highly recommended.
A page-turner and a tear-jerker........2007-07-18
It's been several years since I last read 'All But My Life' but it's easily the best Holocaust survivor account I've ever read. This was on the curriculum of a class I took on the Holocaust but I was grateful they made me read it. You should be warned this becomes a very vivid, painful story, and I found it difficult in places to stop crying. It's a good illustration of why the Holocaust was so evil, and such a waste. Why did talented, loving people like this have to die? I have also read 'Night' by Elie Wiesel, which was excellent, but nothing I have read has affected me like 'All But My Life'.
Powerful, Painful, Difficult, Amazing.......2007-04-16
This is the amazing and heart-wrenching story of one brave and spirited young Jewish woman's survival of the Holocaust including her imprisonment in slave labor camps and a three month forced march from Germany to Czechoslovakia.
Many of the first hand details of her horrifying experience are unfathomable and difficult to read and absorb; the starvation, physical abuse, murder, death and suffering of so many.
But what is amazing is Gerda's interminable spirit and her dedication to her convictions. She could have done things that may have alleviated some of her suffering but she never compromised her values. There were times it seemed that her choices might bring her to her death.
Also amazing was the fact that she continued to have hope. There were moments when she felt she had lost all hope, but even then she continued to honor the promise she made to her father. At the end, during the death march, she hoped for liberation and continued to encourage her friends to survive. The death march started with 2,000 young women and ended with only 120 survivors. Every morning she would wake to see many who had died during the night.
I recently read The Bielski Brothers: The True Story of Three Men Who Defied the Nazis, Saved 1,200 Jews and Built a Village in the Forest and The Net of Dreams: A Family's Search for a Rightful Place both are interesting perspectives but this book has an intensity from the first hand experience that they do not.
I read The Hours After: Letters of Love and Longing in War's Aftermath prior to reading All But My Life and I'm glad that I did. Knowing the end of the story made reading her experience through the horror of the Holocaust a little bit easier but even so this was a difficult book to read.
It made me wonder how Gerda and those other 120 women survived the death march? How did they? Why did they? How were they able to be so strong?And how did Gerda's father have the forethought to make her wear her ski boots when she left home (in June)? They certainly played a huge part in her survival.
An amazing story of survival.
Good, inspiring, another book on the Holocaust!.......2007-01-28
I won't dismay Gerda's experience which was like thousands of others who survived the death camps in Europe. Not knowing her brother's fate which was likely death whether on the fields or in the camps is harrowing. I think it's wise that Gerda writes about the Holocaust as another voice in the camps much like Anne Frank and Simone Liebster and many others who have contributed to the history of the evil final solution. We will never really know the horrors firsthand and even secondhand. Survivors like Gerda are dying every day so it's important to know the history. It's also tragic to realize that Poland before the war had it's share of prejudice on both sides. By the end of the war that still haunts the countryside and the cities of Cracow and Warsaw, life was never the same in Poland again. After the war, communism was an improvement over the fascism that they lived with for six years. Imprisonment instead of murder was communism's answer for discord and disagreement. Gerda makes a point to give back to the world with her organization as well. She and her husband have a romance and marriage that some of us can only dream about. The scars of the Holocaust remains with Gerda but she does not let it define her. She has become a strong, Jewish American woman, a survivor who seeks to help others whether they are Jewish or not. The worst part about surviving is the guilt that one feels for being the survivor. A survivor must feel it's their duty to thrive and succeed in order to justify their fate. Gerda's story will be told for decades to come as well as the others. We can't forget the Holocaust or write it off as a Jewish experience because it's not just one group. The Holocaust proved that evil can destroy innocent men, women, and children and even haunt those who were behind the massacres in the fields, the forests, and the death camps. We must ask ourselves where and when is it happening? Not when will it happen again because that would mean that mankind has learned it's lesson. We don't have to wait because it's happening in Africa. It's happened in Kosovo and in other parts of the world.
Truly Inspirational.......2007-01-05
I find the strength of Gerda Weissmann to be truly inspirational. This is a wonderful book that tells the real life story of a young Jewish girl who survives the Holocaust. I am a 7th grade social studies teacher and I use this book with my students. After reading this book I feel that Gerda is an absolute hero. I have since learned that she has devoted her life to helping others through speaking about her experiences, helping to feed the hungry, and speaking with others who have survived tradegy. In a society where we put people on pillars and give them popularity and monetary success for much, much, much less, Gerda is a true hero who deserves all peoples attention and gratutity.
Book Description
Ever since his astonishing victory in the 1991 PGA Championship, John Daly, known affectionately on the PGA Tour as "Big 'Un," has enthralled fans with his big drives, bigger personality, and "Grip It and Rip It" approach to golf -- and to life.
Long John, usually seen with a Marlboro Light dangling from his lip, is the unchained, unpredictable, unapologetic bad boy of professional golf. "The only rules I follow," JD likes to say, "are the Rules of Golf."
Daly's play-it-as-it-lays approach drives My Life in and out of the Rough, a thrillingly -- and sometimes shockingly -- candid memoir of a larger-than-life athlete battling assorted addictions (alcohol, gambling, chocolate, sex), his weight, and, perhaps worst of all, divorce lawyers. (He's been married four times.)
A two-time major winner before he turned thirty, John Daly is one of the most popular athletes in the world. Taking readers with him off the fairway and into his $1.5-million motor home for a rollicking ride through his life -- an ever-churning world of booze, burgers, casinos, country music, and breathtaking moonshots -- Daly reveals how a down-home Everyman from Arkansas managed to rise to the peak of the golf world, escape from the depths of abject depression, and, finally, take control of his life.
Well, sort of.
Customer Reviews:
This book carries the same excitement as watching John tee it up on Sunday.......2007-08-07
First off I must tell you that I am a fan of John Daly and his incredible natural talents. This book uncovered every detail of John's life from a kid, through two major wins, and onto where he is today. I enjoyed every page and was glad to see John tell it like it is. This book is an easy read, partly because it carries a 4th grade reading level. However, the book does a good job of revealing all the truths. Yes, most readers may have different views on John's alcoholic dependance, but one thing is for sure John didn't hide the details. If you are a fan of John or find yourself amused by watching his up and down golf game, then this book is for you!
Good Read.......2007-07-01
John Daly has interested me for a long time. I suppose the
whole under-dog thing, going up against the odds, etc. But
I really enjoyed reading this book. Thought it was an easy read
and well written since it was refreshingly naked in terms of
a person just showing all there is to show. I would recommend
it especially since it is so opposite of the whole stuffy
professional golf player fraternity.
Gutsy self-deprecation.......2007-06-03
I have to say that after reading some of the reviews, I'm almost ashamed to write my own. But unlike some of the reviews, I'll spare you any moral soapboxing on my part and not judge the man. Quite simply, the book sheds considerable light on the life (both the good and the bad) of a guy who happens to be a well-known professional golfer. Kudos to John for having the courage to share much of his private life with the public. John's not a saint and doesn't pretend to be (and pretty much says so in the book). He candidly admits to a plethora of self destructive indulgences and decisions yet balances such with discussion about many of his commendable deeds. His honesty is refreshing. He talks about sex, love, alcohol, anger, guilt, determination, etc. He's human for God's sake!
I gave it four stars because it's an easy read and is written in a style suitable for the content. And if you're interested in learning about the life of John Daly, the content serves its purpose quite well. It's both entertaining and informative. It's not meant to win a literary prize. I enjoyed it for what it is - a good book.
Addictive Behaviour?.......2007-03-23
Entertaining easy to read book but not very likely to fetch a Nobel Prize.
Interesting why Daly would want to make reference to several incidents of drunken driving and sad that he doesn't seem to feel particularly responsible for many of his own actions as an adult.
In my opinion the book reflects a considerable amount of raw untreated addictive behaviour and it kept me sober for a few days, thanks John.
Probably more than I wanted to know.......2007-02-08
Daly doesn't hold a lot back when he authorizes his tell-alls. He also is not concerned too much about public perception. He is definitely one of the more colorful characters in professional golf. The book is a no holds barred account of many of his life experiences, good and bad. I am an avid golfer, and a fan of Daly's, and enjoyed reading the book.
Average customer rating:
- It's All About Him
- good read
- Uplifting
- Hope restored
- Great story!
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It's All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life
Denise Jackson , and
Ellen Vaughn
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, & Priorities of a Winning Life
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ASIN: 0785227768 |
Book Description
Written by Denise Jackson, with co-writer Ellen Vaughn, this inspirational book gives the reader an all-access look into one of country music's most famous couples: their love story, struggles, dreams, success, the near-failure of their marriage, and the rediscovery of their faith and how that has dramatically shaped their lives.
Customer Reviews:
It's All About Him.......2007-10-20
This book it much GREATER than I ever expected. It is not only about Alan and Denise but, about their walk with Jesus. It is where they how and where they started and how they got to where they are today as individuals, as a couple and as a family.
This is the BEST book I have read for a long time..I read it in record time, for me. Then, my husband read it in a very short time. We both loved the book.
We have been Alan Jackson fans since we heard him sing for the fist time, now we are fans of his family!
God Bless the Alan Jackson family!
good read.......2007-10-19
Pretty informational. not too deep. I liked it, non Christians probably would not.
Uplifting.......2007-10-18
This book was a pleasant surprise. Highly recommended reading. Not just an Alan Jackson story.
Hope restored.......2007-10-18
A lot of people are going to pick up this book because of the celebrity factor of Alan Jackson, and they will not be disappointed. They will read a wonderful story of two teenage sweethearts who grew up in a small Southern town and, with a little luck, a measure of talent, and a lot of hard work realized their biggest dreams of fame and fortune. Unfortunately, along the way, they lost themselves and nearly lost their marriage. But this is a story of hope and restoration; ultimately the Jacksons found their way back into each other's hearts and found their way back to God. Indeed, woven throughout this story of celebrity romance is the deeper story of a romance between God and His people. Denise and co-author Ellen Vaughn have done a great job of consistently bringing the story back to the foot of the cross and showing Denise's heart for God and His love for her. Christians and country music lovers will deeply appreciate this rich story.
Great story!.......2007-10-17
Before I read this book, I read the Amazon reviews. I would like to say after reading it, that the person who posted that Denise Jackson is trashing her husband is absolutely wrong! If merely stating that Alan confessed to infidelity is trashing him, the reviewer has a different view of what "trashing" is, than most people. Her husband wrote the forward for the book and by doing so put his stamp of approval on its contents.
Those that gave the book a low score because they think she spent too much time talking about her money and all it would buy are way off too. The whole point is that though she had all the material things she could ever want, she was still empty. As are most people without a spiritual compass.
As a Christian, I did skip alot of the content, but the book has been given to a member of the family who is not a Christian and she has been ministered to by reading it. Her husband cheated and left her years ago.
Average customer rating:
- Very Entertaining
- Great!!
- Great read...lousy title ):
- PIMP, HOS, PLAYA HATAS, AND ALL THE REST OF MY HOLLYWOOD FRIENDS: MY LIFE JOHN LEGUIZAMO
- Pimps, Hos, Playa Hatas, and All the Rest of My Hollywood Friends: My Life
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Pimps, Hos, Playa Hatas, and All the Rest of My Hollywood Friends: My Life
John Leguizamo
Manufacturer: Ecco
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Binding: Hardcover
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Live
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Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins: The Autobiography
ASIN: 006052071X
Release Date: 2006-10-31 |
Book Description
Fans of John Leguizamo's smash-hit one-man shows (Mambo Mouth, Spic-o-rama, Freak, and Sexaholix) have already gotten a glimpse into his life, but this book tells the whole story, carrying readers along on a wild journey from his childhood in Queens to his current home at the top of the Hollywood pyramid. An acclaimed director, producer, and play-wright, and one of the highest-paid Latin actors in the world, Leguizamo shares the stories behind his many roles—what inspired them and what transpired as he created them—while dishing on his personal relationships with his family, friends, and celebrity colleagues. Here is both an intimate self-portrait and a unique behind-the-scenes look at the magic and chaos of stardom, a keenly intelligent and insanely funny book that celebrates a remarkably talented artist's greatest achievement: growing up Latino in America and succeeding on his own terms.
Customer Reviews:
Very Entertaining.......2007-08-31
This book is very much like John Leguizamo's show's - introspective and intersting. While I didn't think it was too hard-hitting against his fellow thespians, I enjoyed an inside perspective into the real lives of Hollywood actors. I also really enjoyed that Leguizamo shared his failures and weaknesses. It was clever, funny, and sad all at once. A true John Leguizamo experience.
Great!!.......2007-03-09
I can't complain at all about this book. John Leguizamo is hilarious. I felt like I was sitting front row at one of his stand up comedies. He talks about his struggles and some 'beefs' he has with actors I certainly never knew about. I also admired the way he was completely honest about every role he played and every person he worked with.
Great read...lousy title ):.......2007-03-04
I am a huge John Leguizamo fan. My son introduced me to him because of his love for Leguizamo's short lived TV show House of Buggin. In addition to his films, we have seen him perform Freak on Broadway and John Leguizam Live before it was renamed Sexaholic. With a background like that, I found this autobiography to be very revealing and entertaining. However, as a long time librarian I am very familiar with how people react to book titles when they are unfamiliar with the author or the subject matter. And just as Leguizamo acknowledges bad career choices and mistakes that he has made in his career to date, I am afraid that he will have to eventually accept the fact that his unfortunate title choice has repelled rather than attracted many potential readers. By doing so, he has missed a golden opportunity to use this entertaining vehicle to expand his fan base.
PIMP, HOS, PLAYA HATAS, AND ALL THE REST OF MY HOLLYWOOD FRIENDS: MY LIFE JOHN LEGUIZAMO.......2007-01-16
THIS BOOK WAS NOT AS JUICY AS I WAS ECPECTING.... IT WAS FUNNY AND READ WITH ENJOYMENT BUT IT WAS EASY TO PUT DOWN AND FORGET ABOUT! IT WAS OK
Pimps, Hos, Playa Hatas, and All the Rest of My Hollywood Friends: My Life.......2007-01-10
I bought this book for my husband for his birthday -He is not much of a reader -We really like John Leguizamo as an actor and saw him on David Letterman promoting the book -It sounded so interesting and my husband was like -I want to read that -I was kind of surprised because he rarely ever reads. He loves the book -He's even got me reading it -John did a great job -If you like John and movies -You will love this book -It's got a lot of dirt on celebrities -But done in a playful way -Even some of the names have been changed -I would recommend this book -Excellent work John!
Customer Reviews:
All The Days of The Life of Alison Sweeney.......2007-09-05
As I have been a viewer for Days of our Lives since it started airing on television, I have watched Ali grow up and wanted to read about her own life and the struggles which she faces in her real life. The only thing was I was hoping for an email address so I could write to Ali and the book did not have it. I have tried her web site but can't seem to get it to work for getting a message to her. Her book is very good, I started it and did not put it down until I was finished.
Jackie Hall
Amazing book.......2007-05-13
This is a terrific book! Alison Sweeney is not only an incredible actress but she is also a sweet, down to earth person. When I read this book I felt like I really knew her. She has the same everyday struggles as we all do. It was so good to hear someone who is famous being so honest about her struggles such as weight loss. This book is so inspiring and uplifting. I would highly recommend it to anyone.
Grat Read even if not a Days Fan!.......2007-03-31
I have watched days on and off for years but was never a huge Sami fan. I picked up this book to read while recovering from surgery. I had heard Ali will be hosting Biggest Loser and I wanted to know more about her.
The book is written with such honesty, like Ali is talking to a friend.
I was impressed by the honesty in her weight struggles and social life issues growing up in show business. I think it would be an inspiring read for any teen/young women struggling with weight, self esteem issues. It is obviosuly a great read for Days fans too.
Book Looks Good.......2007-03-09
I have not had a chance to read the book yet. It was in great condition and looks like it will be good. I like Allison Sweeney so I'm sure that I will enjoy the book when I have the chance to read it.
All the Days of My Life (so far).......2006-11-06
The book was a very interesting insight into Alison Sweeney's life and how she is off camera. She sounds like a person I'd like to meet.
Average customer rating:
- Music, Masculinity, and that Ungrateful Sylvia Fine Kaye
- Watch out for one big error
- What a wonderful authobiography
- A wealth of anecdotal stories drawn from an unusual life
- A SURPRISE PLEASURE
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They All Sang My Songs: The Life and Times of Jack Lawrence
Jack Lawremce
Manufacturer: Barricade Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 1569802793 |
Book Description
A memoir of the legendary lyricist whose words launched the careers of some of the most famous performers of our times, including Frank Sinatra, Dinah Shore, Ella Fitzgerald, and many more.
Customer Reviews:
Music, Masculinity, and that Ungrateful Sylvia Fine Kaye.......2006-04-04
Well, whod a thunk it. After reading William J. Mann's magnificent 2001 tome BEHIND THE SCREEN, the story of how gay men and lesbians influenced production on both sides of the "silver screen" during Hollywood's Golden Age, I became intrigued by Mann's mention of Anderson Lawler, sort of the Anderson Cooper of his day. A part-time actor and full-time fun boy, Lawler was seen at all the right nightclubs, often glimpsed in photographs with more famous people, bringing up the rear as it were, most often as the roommate and putative boyfriend of Paramount contractee Gary Cooper, the multisexual Western and glamor star. Mann didn't get to speak to many people who had actually known "Andy" Lawler, but now it looks like he should have called Jack Lawrence, whose new memoir gives Lawler a big play. Lawrence had many run-ins with Lawler back in the day, sexual and otherwise.
He was the "master of oral sex," Lawrence reports, going so far as to have all of his teeth removed to facilitate said mastery. "He showed me a gold cigarette case given to him by some Scandinavian royalty and inscribed, "To the greatest mouth in the world.'" Lawrence and Lawler lived in the same apartment building (in alphabetical order I assume) and Andy was often spotted with other Paramount stars such as Kay Francis and Marlene Dietrich, women whose sexual preferences were often gossipped about.
Lawrence was born back in 1912, which makes him nearly 95 years old, but he's still bright as a tack and continuing to add to a list of hit songs that include "If I Didn't Care," "All or Nothing at All," "Tenderly," as well as the English words to "Beyond the Sea" by Charles Trenet. He even managed to outlive Linda McCartney, for whom he wrote "Linda" on the day she was born, and Rosemary Clooney, one of his very best ftiends, a woman whose tragic story he relates all over again in one of his very saddest chapters.
Lawrence managed to adopt one of his closest "friends" which is quite a trick if you know how to do it! His book is an inspiration to all, teaching us a) never give up, b) don't let the bastards grind you down, c) keep striving for perfection, and d) above all else, have fun while you're living this life, because at the end of the day, there's no alternative but death.
PS, he doesn't have much good to say about Sylvia, the wife of Danny Kaye. If you love her, skip chapter 27 of Jack's book!
Watch out for one big error.......2005-06-28
I haven't yet had a chance to read this book so ignore the star rating I gave it ("required field," you know). The book looks like great fun.
HOWEVER, watch out on page 243 and 244: the U.S. Senator behind the "Red Menace" scare of the 1950s was NOT Eugene McCarthy but Joseph McCarthy. Eugene McCarthy was the senator who ran for the 1968 Democratic presidential nomination on a peace platform. An editor at Barricade Books should have caught this.
What a wonderful authobiography.......2005-02-17
I just finished reading They All Sang My Songs that was loaned to me by a friend. It is simply fantastic. Jack Lawrence's autobiography is full of funny stories, some sad too, but is a very rich, entertaining and easy to read book. His courage and honesty just blew me away. It is almost impossible to stop once you start reading. Jack's narration of his 92 years of life is really an amazing option for those who like good books. I highly recomend it for everybody, even those who do not have the habit of reading biographies.
A wealth of anecdotal stories drawn from an unusual life.......2005-01-11
Jack Lawrence was a successful song writer whose melodies and lyrics helped to launch more than a dozen top show business stars including Frank Sinatra ("All or Nothing at All"), Bobby Darin ("Beyond the Sea"), Rosemary Clooney ("Tenderly"), Dinah Shore ("Yes, My Darling Daughter"), and The Ink Spots ("If I Didn't Care"). In his autobiography, Lawrence describes his Jewish upbringing in Brooklyn, his difficult and distressing realization that he was gay, and his show business career ups and downs. Readers will also have an insider's view of the music industry's Big Band era, as well as Lawrence's personal and professional relationships with the top performers of his day. They All Sang My Songs: The Times Of My Life is a memoir laced with humor, candor, and a wealth of anecdotal stories drawn from an unusual life. Highly recommended reading, They Sang All My Songs is enhanced with many of Lawrence's lyrics and the stories behind their creation as well as the inclusion of two 16-page photo inserts.
A SURPRISE PLEASURE.......2004-11-28
Jack Lawrence was a name I had always known, but never really knew. I saw Ray Striklyn play Tennessee Williams at the JACK LAWRENCE THEATER. I had seen the Broadway show, I HAD A BALL written, in part by JACK LAWRENCE. I knew the words for the song TENDERLY probably better than my own name. Who wrote the song? JACK LAWRENCE. So it was then, when I saw a mention of Mr.Lawrence's autobiography THEY ALL SANG MY SONGS, I decided to take a chance and buy it. What a terrific decision! Lawrence's book is a memoir of over ninety years, and in those years and in his pages, Mr. Lawrence covers the immigration experience, World War Two, the big band era and Hollywood and Broadway, all with a delightful writing style that makes you feel as though you are sitting with him in his country home, a drink in your hand and listening as he spins his delightful tales. His anecdotes are priceless, his gossip juicy, his insight into the world of popular music enlightening and his view of the world fascinating. Added to all of the above, and possibly even more important, depending on who is reading this book, is the story of Mr.Lawrence's personal life; his coming out when the country was even more homophobic than it is now, his lovers and, finally, his pride in who and what he is. If you are looking for Proust, look elsewhere, but if you are looking to spend some delightful hours with a terrific story teller, look no further. JACK LAWRENCE is your man! After reading this charming book, he certainly is mine!
Book Description
Packed with suspense and vivid descriptions of some of Los Angeles' toughest streets, My Life Is All I Have tells the gripping story of a young girl who will do anything to leave her troubled past behind her.
Leesha Tyler is about to commit robbery when memories from her past start to consume her. Leesha looks back on her life and remembers the chaotic household she lived in -- with her mother and herself always at odds. Thoughts of the death of her grandmother and other untimely events only sadden Leesha further and make her more determined that the only solution to her problems is to get out of Los Angeles. And the only way to do that, or so she thinks, is to commit armed robbery.
My LifeIs All I Have is a timely piece of fiction that paints a candid, upfront portrait of a section of Los Angeles known as "The Jungle." West Coast readers will welcome the familiar settings and others will enjoy a realistic slice of Los Angeles life. With echoes of The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah and Warmest December by Bernice McFadden, this novel shows how decisions one individual makes can alter many lives -- a perfect blend of contemporary fiction and street-lit flair.
Customer Reviews:
Is That All?.......2006-12-20
I always get a good laugh when books are compared to the likeness of The Coldest Winter Ever with hope that readers will be impressed. My Life Is All I Have is one-hundred pages too long and contains non-stop babble from a whiny teenager with a shockingly bad attitude. Leesha made me want to slap her! There's nothing likable about this character at all. It's hard for the reader to want what's best for her.
So life isn't a bed of roses. Do something about it! Reach out to your estranged father rather than push him away. Especially since that was the final wish of her dearly departed beloved grandmother. The author didn't do a convincing job writing from a female perspective. Leesha lacked emotion. As bitter as she was, I couldn't feel her pain or even envision it. The prologue of the book contradicted with the actual chapters. Didn't Leesha refer to Blaze as Scottie? The character Treyvon was ridiculous and unbelievable. After the fruitless robbery scheme and reckless gun behavior, Leesha speaks intelligently for the first time and then she's off to God knows where with cash that won't last unless it's invested and a high school diploma with no job skills whatsoever. Nice!
This book sends the wrong message to teens growing up poor and/or in broken households point blank. (no pun intended)
Growing Up In the Concrete Jungle.......2006-11-18
In this "Set It Off" meets "Boyz in the Hood" tale, My Life is Not My Own, author V. Anthony Rivers depicts the day-to-day life of a lonely girl named Leesha living in the area of Los Angeles known as "the Jungle". Leesha's life is centered on her grandmother, or "Grammy", as she has never known her father, and she and her mother are far from close. She also befriends Scottie, a young gangster, who looks out for her and treats her like a big brother, even to the point of risking his life and freedom.
Rivers paints a good picture of Leesha's surroundings; the reader will definitely feel as if they are in the heart of "the Jungle". However, the author does not provide enough criteria to establish the faulty relationship between Leesha and her mother, especially since Leesha's grandmother was an absolute angel walking on earth. It was also difficult for this reader to believe the choices that Leesha made - one day, she is g trying to finish high school and then go on to college, and then she wakes up wanting to be a criminal. It is just not clear what the turning point for her was.
The storyline was difficult to follow because it just went on and on. It took too many words or too much dialogue to give different scenes, which got to be frustrating. In addition, the author tried to put the reader into the mid-90's era by giving examples of what people were wearing or what music was playing but the lingo was more conducive to 2006 (i.e. "ya feel me" after ever other sentence by Scottie and "getting your mack on"). With a clearer storyline, more intense character development and research, it would have been a better read.
Lena Willis
APOOO BookClub
The Jungle.......2006-10-03
I was excited going into this read, despite reservations. I had previously read, or almost read to be exact, Everybody Got Issues. I didn't finish it. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't interesting enough to hold my attention to the end, so I stopped about three-fourths in not really caring how it ended. Now back to My Life...I heard nothing but good things about this book. I read the prologue one day in Borders and it piqued my interest. Then add to that all the five star reviews. So when it was chosen as a book club read, I was killing two birds with one stone reading a book that I had eventually planned to read anyway. I can't believe I fell for the banana in the tail pipe!
My Life Is All I Have is the story of Leesha Tyler, a youth coming of age in the inner city. Her mother raised her alone after her father left when she was a toddler. Leesha and her mother's relationship was dysfunctional and strained because her mother placed everything and everyone above Leesha and her needs. But Leesha always had the love and affection of her grandmother to fall back upon. My Life starts in the present and back tracks in time to help readers see and understand the circumstances that molded young Leesha and brought her to contemplating committing armed robbery. The prologue starts off with potential, but as you delve deeper into Leesha's past, the story slows down drastically and dare I say becomes boring. It picks up every now and again, but very very temporarily before fizzling out again. Scottie was the only bright spot as well as the most interesting character I found. My Life Is All I Have was a chore to read and if it were not a book club selection, it would have suffered the same fate as Everybody Got Issues. I do not honestly understand the rave reviews. But hey, everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, and this is mine.
And regards to the synopsis, the only echo of The Coldest Winter Ever is that they both featured a young black female as the main character. All similarities cease there.
There Is No Sunshine Here.......2006-10-03
Leesha has dealt with the hurdles that life has mercilessly thrown her way. With an abusive mother who only thinks of her own trials and tribulations and an absentee father, Leesha knows that leaving the projects will just be another hurdle for her to climb. While she waits for the inevitable day, can visits to her grandmother's house to keep her stable enough to deal with her present circumstances?
Scottie knows what drugs and alcohol can do to a person. He has lived with his brother long enough to understand that what he is doing is wrong, but he has to make a living someway to keep a roof over his head and support his brother's habit. Meeting Leesha was not in his plan, but instantly takes on the roll as friend and older brother. Will their longtime friendship be broken by his past regressions and her present frustrations?
"My Life..." is a non-memorable read that seems to last forever and ever. When you are hoping situations and characters will spark a more interesting chapter, or even story for that matter, you are left with a desire to wonder who compared this to Coldest Winter Ever or any other story worth five stars. This was certainly not a five star rating.
Reviewed by: LaDonna
2 ½ stars
I'm in Control.......2006-10-03
What initially begins with details of a robbery turns into our 25-year-old protagonist, Leesha Annette Tyler, placing those plans on the backburner while she details the pangs of her adolescence.
As an only child, Leesha and her mother live in Los Angeles, in the jungle. She's not too far from her Grammy, but far enough that she can always go to her Grammy's house to flee. Basically, Leesha has had to be the responsible one. Making sure she got to school, ate and kept herself from harm's way. Leesha is destined to free herself of her mama's household and vows to never be anything like her foolish mother, who allows her life to diminish as the result of a man.
Leesha is a beautiful young woman. Though she isn't as social as the other girls her age, she is content with her schedule of school, home and Grammy's. Leesha is privileged enough to meet two real live standup dudes. Scottie "Blaze" Franklin, a local hustler who always has some knowledge to share, the two instantly connect. Leesha wrestles with her emotions of being more than a platonic friend to Scottie, but she learns that with a friend like Scottie she could never go wrong. Treyvon "Trey" is a young talented brother destined for greatness. Although the attraction for Leesha isn't strong, she does realize that he would die giving her the world.
Determined to get far away from California, Leesha decides that she has a master plan to get her enough cash to go. The problem now becomes will the love Leesha has for Scottie and Trey be changed, challenged or condemned because of it?
My Life Is All I Have is a coming of age story that rehashes Leesha's life and the choices she makes while looking for an escape. In doing so readers see first hand how her decisions affect those around her as well. I really enjoyed Grammy and Scottie. Unlike the others who've read and recommend this book, I didn't feel the same. It was slow and dragged on and on and on. I was desperate for scenes with Scottie and Grammy and once I finished the book I can only count twice where my interest was really piqued with the drama.
Amazon.com
All right, 'fess up: at some point you've been in the apartment of a hipster friend and looked long and covetously at his or her collection of vintage View-Masters or '50s kitsch ashtrays. But then, why would anyone collect such cool knickknacks if not to impress their friends? Filmmaker John D. Freyer knows this feeling well, and from this impulse he's written a fascinating autobiography, charting his own story and a web of relationships with like-minded eccentrics via the cataloging in words and pictures of all the odd but neat stuff he spent twenty-something years accumulating.
As Freyer was preparing to leave graduate school in Iowa City to return to a typically small New York apartment, he decided to sell all his worldly possessions through eBay and his own Web site, allmylifeforsale.com. People bought his used socks, a can of Chunky Soup from his pantry, his Planet of the Apes LP, and a bag of small, roasted cuttlefish. The things Freyer sold would be junk to most, but they were treasures to him and his pals--a generation searching for a unique identity in an increasingly mass-produced, cookie-cutter age. Discovering how he came to own these things and who took them off his hands makes for a surprisingly intriguing and funny read in this beautifully designed and fabulously illustrated tome. --Jim DeRogatis
Book Description
The classic American passion for the road meets the current obsession with internet consumption in one of the most original illustrated books to come along in years.
One day, John Freyer decided to sell everything he owned on the internet. He invited his friends over to tag all the possessions in his apartment, and he systematically put them up for sale on eBay. An unopened box of taco shells, half a bottle of mouthwash, almost all of his clothes, his favorite records, his sideburns (in a plastic bag), his family's Christmas presents (not yet given), furniture: John didn't let sentiment or utility stand in his way. Soon his belongings were sold all over the world, with a bag of Porky's BBQ Pork Skins making its way to Japan, and a chair ending up in the Museum of Modern Art. With almost all the objects in his life now gone, he started the second phase of his journey: to go visit his one-time possessions in their new surroundings.
All My Life for Sale is an extraordinary book that functions as an autobiography, a travel narrative, and a meditation on what the objects we surround ourselves with actually mean to us and what happens when we set them free. Designed by the author himself, it is visually striking, surprisingly moving, and will change the way you look at the things that surround you.
Customer Reviews:
Go Simple - AFTER you buy this book!.......2007-08-11
This is such a beautiful book. Photos on nearly every page. It's really a work of art. As someone who lives in a very tiny apartment and is attracted to the idea of "simplifying", I'm super intrigued by the idea of purging all of my possessions. So ironic when I told the ever-so adorably-hip indy bookseller today, "I have to have this book right now." Acquire it and enjoy!
Brilliant idea....but disappointing outcome........2007-03-24
I bought this book because i thought the idea was brilliant.....a dude selling all his junk and traveling across country visiting the new owners of his former possessions.
I was extremely disappointed with this book. I was really hoping to read a chronicle of this guys travels across country meeting the strangers who bought his old possessions and how it changed their lives. All we get are quirky ebay descriptions of used junk, and the disappointed customers who bought them....many of whom didn't want to be apart of his project.
I was expecting a contemporary 'On the Road', but all I got was a mini blog about a college student's old junk.
It did inspire me to mail the book across country to a friend who might appreciate it more than I.
Very Poor Excuse For Writing A Book--Who Cares About His Junk!.......2006-05-03
I bought this book(cheaply thank goodness) thinking it would be an interesting memoir about selling on ebay. WRONG--it is nothing but photographs of the author's boring junk with small captions so we can all read the cutesy descriptions he wrote for ebay. About 60% of the items were purchased by his friends or people trying to help with this "project". Save your money--this is just pictures of dirty old clothes and canned food--not one interesting item--with very little commentary, most of which is self-conciously "hip" and cutesy.
I'm really sorry I wasted my money, but you don't have to.
the sum of his parts.......2006-03-08
I really loved the portrait of the thrift-shopping, travel-loving, childless single artsy young male that begins to emerge as the anecdotes attached to each auctioned item begin to pile up. A vicarious thrill to watch the project gather steam, to see all the people who get in on the fun of one person's creative and decidedly outside-the-mainstream creative project. In the spirit of Mail Art, Fluxus, and the child entrepreneurs who amuse themselves all weekend long peddling lemonade and broken toys from their stoop. One of those delights to page through again and again...
Absolutely wild! .......2005-11-09
So this guy, John Freyer, an art student (I think you'll understand him and this book better if you have some sort of understand of what avant garde and conceptual art is), decided that he was too bogged down by possessions, and he wanted to leave college the same way he began it- by all his worldly possessions crammed into his Honda Civic (I think it was). He began auctioning off EVERYTHING on Ebay, from his beloved collection of bowling shirts to a half-empty box of taco shells. And people bought it!
What's fascinating, though, is that he followed his possessions to their new homes. He went visiting some of his old stuff, driving cross country several times to do this. He found that in most cases, his new stuff was in a better home, more loved and prominently displayed than it had been when he owned it. Not only is this book an homage to the powers of the internet to make the world go round, it's an exploration of our personal attachments and all the memories that we attach to our possessions. Quick read, tons of pictures, and man, he had a lot of cool stuff.
Average customer rating:
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ALL OF MY LIFE: Growing Up In A Small Indiana Town
F. Harnasch
Manufacturer: AuthorHouse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1420860194 |
Book Description
The author's experiences growing up in a small town in northern Indiana. As satisfying as reading of the exploits of young Ralphie in Jean Shepard's A Christmas Story. As entertaining as discovering the insightful wisdom of Holden Caulfield in J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye. New and unique stories never before encountered. Tales appreciated for the special time and place where they could find ways to happen. Vignettes that evoke reminiscences and remembrances of the kinds of youthful thoughts and emotions encountered in early life. Anecdotes reminding one that life and times in the early years while growing up can be priceless. Adventures, arising from youthful enthusiasm, creativity, and curiosity.
Average customer rating:
- This Book is Going to Bestseller List!
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Been Married All My Life...Never Had a Husband
Shirley, W Hines
Manufacturer: Wheatmark
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
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Women
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ASIN: 1587367963 |
Book Description
It has been a wonderful, quite adventurous, sometimes painful, disappointing, and frustrating fifteen years since I first met Tobias at that pill window. I was thinking just the other day, "We'll be married for fifteen years very soon and we've never seen each other naked." What a mess. I had to laugh at that myself. Yet, through it all, we remain steadfast in this marriage. I believe that is the key in life: the word "through." If we never go through anything, we cannot reach our blessings on the other side. With that said, I continue to wait patiently, while growing in faith that soon, this will be over.
Customer Reviews:
This Book is Going to Bestseller List!.......2007-07-30
This book, "Been Married All My Life...Never Had a Husband" by Shirley W. Hines was one of the best books I've read in a very long time. It is a very touching story of the author's life that, at times, made me laugh, cry, become angry, and then be happy that through all of her struggles, she's managed to continue her life on a positive and loving trail. It is a true testament to all women that no matter what you're going through or have gone through, if you keep a positive attitude, you will emerge the victor. Thank you for writing this book Ms. Hines; it is a story that indeed needs to be told and I know that many will be uplifted in their own struggles by it.
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- Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
- Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
- Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
- Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
- Aquatic Entomology: The Fishermen's Guide and Ecologists' Illustrated Guide to Insects and Their Relatives (Crosscurrents) (Crosscurrents)
- Because They Hate: A Survivor of Islamic Terror Warns America
- Beyond Good & Evil: Prelude to a Philosophy of the Future
- Biology, Sixth Edition
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