Les Miserables

Title: Les Miserables

Author: Victor Hugo
Publisher: Penguin Group
Publication Date: 1987
Genre: Classic Literature
Pages: 1488

Way back in 1989, my mother wanted me to get the soundtrack to the Broadway play Les Miserables for her friend. So I went to the store and picked it up for her, and me being me I picked up the wrong one. She wanted the one where Gary Morris sang. So I kept the soundtrack. (I have a thing for soundtracks, ask my wife, she'll tell you). After listening to it, I immediately fell in love with the story. I HAD to get the book. Off to the bookstore I went. What i loved about this particular bookstore is that the classical literature section was in the back of the store and it was set up like a library in a mansion: Comfortable chairs, wooden bookcases, a couple of tables with lamps. It had a classical feel to it. The problem that was before me was which edition to get. There were several to choose from. I wanted the whole story, so as soon as I saw "Complete and Unabridged" on the cover I was sold!

At it's core, Les Miserables is the story of Jean Valjean, a man who went to prison for stealing some bread to feed is dying nephew. He was originally sentenced to five years but spent eighteen years for repeated escape attempts. He finds life dismal after he is paroled. He is forever labelled as an ex-convict and treated as little better than the dirt on one's shoes. He breaks parole and becomes a successful business man. Soon, he crosses paths with his nemesis, Inspector Javert, the man who is hunting for the ex-con who broke parole. Javert does not recognize him and tells him the he has Valjean in chains and is ready to send him back to prison. The real Valjean goes to the trial and confesses who he is, and then goes on the run. He now has a child in his care, the daughter (Cossette) of one of his workers (Fantine), that he has promised to take care of at the mother's death bed. There is no way he can go to prison and break a death bed promise.

Les Miserables is a story of love and war, the brightest and darkest side of human nature, oppression and the desire for freedom. The characters are rich, detailed, and anyone who reads it will find at least one character they truly relate to. You do not just read this book, you live it.

5 out of 5 stars
Re-readable factor of 2 out of 5

Darth Bane: Path of Destruction

Title: Darth Bane: Path of Destruction

Author: Drew Karpyshyn

Publisher: Del Rey Books
Publication Date: June 2007
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 416

Okay, we've already established that I am a Star Wars fan. When I was going to physical therapy, the therapist working on me admitted to me that he has never seen any of the Star Wars movies. How the hell is that even possible? He told me that he tried to watch the first one (Episode IV: A New Hope...the original movie) and can only make it a half hour into it before he falls asleep. Are you frickin kidding me?!?!?!

Recently, I did a count of the novels in the Star Wars universe. Before you start any of the books, there will be a time line of all the novels and where the particular book you are reading fits into the timeline. Using that as a reference I came up with 132 books. Of those 132 books, I've read 39 of them. After a while, I grew away from them, they became repetitive and the characters that I've come to love became whiny and lost their strength. So I stopped reading the books for a while. Star Wars: Death Troopers rekindled my interest in the series. Darth Bane: Path of Destruction cemented that interest!

Dessel is a miner in the outer rim who wants nothing more than to break away from the life he is living. Long hours, back breaking work and owing the corporation moire than he can afford is becoming more than he can take. After a fight with another miner, in which he bites the thumb off of the other miner, he is suspended. He goes home, washes up, then goes to his favorite bar to gamble and drink. After a fight in which a Republic Soldier is killed, Dessel flees and joins the Sith army. There he gains the attention of the Dark Lords and is taken to the Sith Academy to train to become a Dark Lord.

In my opinion, Darth Bane is probably one of the darkest of the Sith lords. So much so that he makes Darth Vader look weak. His motives for becoming a Sith lord are totally different. He is power hungry and driven by that hunger. He totally surrenders himself over to the dark side of the Force. The true magic of this book is that you will actually want to see him succeed!

5 out of 5 stars.
Re-readable factor of 5 out of 5

Flight of the Old Dog

Title: Flight of the Old Dog

Author: Dale Brown

Publisher: Penguin Group
Publication Date: May 1988
Genre: Techno-Thriller
Pages: 416

I love a good military story. Then, in the 1980's, the military story was redefined when Tom Clancy burst onto the literary scene with The Hunt for Red October, and a new literary term was born: Techno-Thriller. That term played in my brain for a very long time. I had a hunger for techno-thrillers. Hell, I was starving for them. Then, in 1988, Dale Brown released Flight of the Old Dog. Can you hear the dinner bell? I did!

Flight of the Old Dog is the first book in the Patrick McLanahan series, and what an opening for a series.

This book is set during the  Cold War. The Soviet Union is developing a weapon that will knock anything out of the sky. A laser based weapon. And it works with dazzling success. It even knocked a B-1 bomber out o the sky as easily as swatting flies. All seems hopeless. Until it is revealed that in the desert is a secret Air Force base that is working on advanced technology. This technology is going into a refitted B-52 bomber named "Old Dog". Hope is sparked as the Old Dog takes flight during an attack on the base. The question now is will she succeed?

This is a techno thriller that is heavy on the TECHNO and the THRILLER. Sometimes it bogs down with all of the techno jargon and a glossary would have really helped. Unfortunately, I had to gloss over the jargon and I found that it took away from the book, but not so much that I had to put it down. There was enough twists and turns in the story to keep my interest.

4 out of 5 stars
Re-readable factor of 2 out of 5

Forum: It's All Fluff

One night, a long time ago, I was talking to a very good friend of mine. During the course of our conversation I aksed her what she was reading. Anyone who knows me knows that this particular question will come up during the course of any conversation. I am a book lover. My friends love books. We talk about books as much as we talk about our families and our lives. Any way, on this particular night, my friend (Karen) and I started talking books. when asked what she was reading, she simply said "Fluff"

"Fluff?" I asked "What kind of fluff?"

"You know" she replied "Fluff"

Well, that got me thinking. There are many many kinds of fluff. There's thriller fluff, romantic fluff, western fluff, sci-fi/fantast fluff, and by now you get the idea. In fact, I would go as far as to say fluff is the most dangerous substance in the known universe. It is the stuff that ideas both great and idiotic, are born of.

Fluff has the power to take us away from our every day lives and let us live the adventerous life we have always dreamed of. When was the last time you rode on the back of a dragon? The last time you were swept off your feet by a dashing rogue? The last time you were asked to figure out a mystery? When was the last time you explored our past? When was the last time you explored the many mysteries of our universe? Fluff helps you do all that and more!

When you get down to it, it is all fluff!

STAR WARS: Death Troopers

Title: Star Wars: Death Troopers

Author: Joe Schreiber

Publisher: Del Rey

Publication Date: October 2010

Genre: Science Fiction/Horror

Pages: 304

Okay, so we have already established that I am a bit of a Star Wars fan. When the book line for Star Wars started I was like a kid in a candy store. But after a while, I became disillusioned with the series. I guess the saying is true, "Too much of a good thing is bad....."

Then in October of last year, I noticed a new Star Wars book out. On the cover was chains with hooks on the end. On one of the hooks was a Stormtrooper helmet, with the hook through the eye and blood on the helmet. Someone has finally brought horror to the Star Wars universe. Not the darkness that is known for the dark side of the force, but actual out and out horror, and in this case in the form of zombies.

The Imperial prison barge, Purge, filled with five hundred prisoners of the Empire is adrift in space. For some unknown reason, their engines have failed. Hope comes in the form of an abandoned Star Destroyer. The captain of the prison barge brings two teams of soldiers and engineers aboard the destroyer to look for parts to fix their engines. Along with the parts, the boarding team brings back a deadly virus that kills all but six on board the Purge. The six remaining survivors think the worst is behind them. That is until the dead start walking, and they are very very hungry.

Now it may seem that zombies are being over done, and in some respects I might just agree with you. But in this case, it works, and works well, especially when how the zombies came to be is explained. The explanation that is given is something you can actually see happening in the near future, which amps up the horror factor that much more. Throw in two well known heroes from the Star Wars universe and you get a book that grabs you by the throat and squeezes until the very last page.

4 out of 5 stars for predictability and shortness
Re-readable factor of 3 out of 5

Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader

Title: Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader

Author: James Luceno

Publisher: Del Rey Books

Publication Date: June 2006

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 368

I've been a Star Wars geek since I first saw it in the theater back in 1977. Please note I said geek and not super geek or super freak. I do not know every aspect of Star Wars trivia. However, what I do know, I enjoy very very much. I will even go on the record as saying I enjoy ALL of the movies. My favorite character from the moves has been and always will be Darth Vader. Who wouldn't want to be a universal bad ass that has the power of the dark side at his disposal? Ever since I first saw him on the screen entering a smoke filled hallway and non-chalantly looking at the dead rebels at his feet, I was a fan. Episodes I-III answered the questions of how he became Darth Vader, and who among us cannot say that the lightsaber duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan was not the most exciting we've seen in the series? But lets face it, putting on the life supporting armor and having the power of the force does not automatically make you feared throughout the galaxy.

Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader tells you how Vader became feared through out the galaxy.

For all intents and purposes, Anakin Skywalker is dead. He is believed to have been killed with other Jedi Knights during the siege of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. In reality, he "died" on Mustafar after a duel with his former mentor and friend Obi-Wan Kenobi. But news of these events have not travelled through out the galaxy, especially the outer rim of the galaxy. It is in the outer rim that two Jedi Masters and a Padawan are leading a bloody charge against the Separatists, and narrowly escape execution. they soon become prey and the hunter is a Sith Lord they had never heard of....Darth Vader.

What made this book a great read for me was the character development of Darth Vader. James Luceno did a fantastic job with the struggle of Darth Vader over Anakin Skywalker. Just because you take a dark path does not automatically make you a dark figure. The conflict between good and evil in Darth Vader is ever present in his first mission for the emperor (a person who is also having his doubts about his new student). As much as it is packed with all the action one would expect from a Star Wars novel, it is also filled with enough emotional turmoil to make you understand what is going on behind the mask of the man who is destined to become dreaded through the galaxy.

5 out of 5 stars
Re-readable factor of 4 out of 5

The General's Daughter

Title: The General's Daughter

Author: Nelson DeMille
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: December 2001
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 468

I first became aware of Nelson DeMille's writing when I started working on a Child and Adolescent unit at a mental health hospital in the south. Luckily, I fell in with a group of readers and on break we would often discuss what we were currently reading. One of the nurses was reading The General's Daughter, and I asked her if DeMille was any good as a writer. She enthusiastically recommended him. So, that weekend i went out and got a copy of The General's Daughter. I finished it by the end of that weekend.

Captain Anne Campbell is the daughter of legendary General Joe Campbell, and a West Point graduate. She is the army's golden girl and the pride of Fort Hadley. That is until her body is found naked and bound on the firing range one morning. Paul Brenner, a member of the army's elite undercover unit, is teamed up with rape specialist Cynthia Sunhill. Together they must get beyond a failed affair they had in the past to find out why someone would want the generals daughter dead. Together they will find out how many people were emotionally and sexually involved with Anne Campbell, and just how the pressed uniforms and honor code of the army can hide corruption in its many forms.

This book is a quick read. The characters are engaging enough, but also cliched. It is difficult to become emotionally invested in them. The ending is also a tad bit predictable if you pay attention to what is going on.

3 out of 5 stars for predictable characters and ending.
Re-readable factor of 1 out of 5

Ghost Story

Title: Ghost Story

Author: Peter Straub

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 1979

Genre: Horror

Pages: 560

It was autumn of 1979 when I first read this book. Back then everyone was going crazy over Stephen King, and I wanted something a little different. I found it in a convenience store, and it found its way into my pocket. When I got it home, I started to read it. The opening sentence "What is the worst thing you've ever done?" scared the hell out of me because the worst thing I had ever done was steal that book! So I raided my piggy bank and had enough to pay for the book, so I took it back and told the store owner what I had done and laid the book and the money on the counter. I apologized profusely and was scared out of my wits as to what was going to happen (I was only 14 and never did anything like this). The store owner looked at me and said "Most kids your age are either stealing candy, soda, beer or a pack of smokes. You take a book and come back with it and the money. Take the book kid, if it means that much to you." So I picked the book up and left the money on the counter. He called out to me and said "You forgot your money kid." I turned around and read that first sentence out of the book and told him I wanted to pay for it. "If that's the worst thing you've ever done then you are far ahead of the rest kid. Take your money back and consider it a gift from me. Just come back and tell me about it."

Ghost Story  is about four aging men and a secret held between them. For most of their lives, they think they have gotten away with murder, only to be haunted by the act they committed when they are old men. One by one they are dying, being lured to their deaths by the same woman they killed in their youth. This may be over simplified, but I really do not want to give away too much of this book.

Rest assured this book will scare the hell out of you. It is the kind of book that will dim the lights around you. It grabs you by the throat and does not let go. And the slightest sound will make you leap for the ceiling. (I was living with my grandmother the third time I read it, went to go to the bathroom at 4 in the morning when I had just finished it, heard some voices and went back to bed and held it til the sun came up!) Yes, it is that good!

5 out of 5 stars

Re-readable factor of 5+ out of 5

The Quiet Game (Penn Cage Book 1)

Title: The Quiet Game (Penn Cage Book 1)

Author: Greg Iles
Publisher: Penguin Group
Publication Date: July 2000
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 640

I first became aware of Greg Iles writing with the book Spandau Phoenix (1992), and I've been a fan ever since. All I can say is that his writing style has improved over the years, and that is something I did not think was possible.

The Quiet Game is the first book in his "Penn Cage" series. Penn Cage is a district attorney from Houston. He's sent sixteen men to death row and watched seven of them die. However, after the death of his wife, he leaves his job behind and takes his daughter back to his home town, Natchez Mississippi.

When he gets home, he becomes involved in stopping a blackmailer who has had Penn's father (a prominent doctor) under his thumb. Penn unknowingly ignites a powder keg in a small town when he sounds off on an old murder case with racial implications. With the aid of a news paper journalist, Caitlin Masters, Penn is setting out to right the wrongs of his home towns past. Along the way he will butt heads with the FBI, a powerful judge who nearly destroyed his family, and a woman he loved more than 20 years ago.

There are enough twists and turns in this book to keep even the most seasoned thriller reader on their toes. Just when you think you have everything figured out, here comes a twist from left field to knock you back a few steps, and trust me, Greg Iles stays three step ahead of you the whole way.

The other novels in this series are:

1) The Quiet Game
2) Turning Angel
3) The Devil's Punchbowl
4) Unwritten Laws

5 out of 5 Stars
Re Readable factor of 3 out of 5

Forum: Baen Books

A lot of my friends will ask me to recommend a good sci-fi or fantasy read. Instead of giving specific books or authors, sometimes I will recommend a publishing company, especially if that company has what I consider high quality reading material. In order for me to recommend a publishing company, they have to be consistent in putting out great reading material, and not just a good book here or there.

Baen Books is such a company. Started by Jim Baen in 1983, Baen Books soon became one of the great publishing houses in Science Fiction and Fantasy. What makes them so great? First, authors. Yes, they have some of the hottest authors in the business, especially some of my favorites from when I started reading Science Fiction and Fantasy. The second thing that makes them great is variety. They do not just specialize in one type of science fiction or fantasy. They embrace all types. Anything from hard core Science Fiction to Raging Heroic Fantasy, they have it covered. The final thing that makes them great is the size of the print in the books. Let's face it, my eyes are old. 45 going on 46 years old. Considering that I spent a great part of those years reading, it might be safe to say that some damage was done, to the point that I need glasses. The print in Baen's books is very comfortable to read.

If you want to find out for yourself, but do not want to go to the bookstore, visit baen books at the following link:

http://www.baen.com/

As always, happy reading.

Howling Legion (Skinners #2)

Title: Howling Legion (Skinners #2)

Author: Marcus Pelegrimas

Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: October 2009
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Horror
Pages: 384

Can lightning strike the same place twice? Well if the place is your local bookstore and the lightning is in the form of Marcus Pelegrimas' writing, then the answer is most definitely yes. And what a bolt of lightning it is!

Howling Legion is the follow up to Blood Blade (If you remember, I went over Blood Blade last week, and gave it 5 out of 5 stars.) Cole is still a video game designer, and a Skinner in training. Part of the draw of this book for me is the fact that he is still trying to juggle both worlds. Lets face it, if you could devote your life to kicking supernatural ass, wouldn't you? And yet you can feel Cole's inner conflict over his wanting to serve in both worlds. To honor the commitment to his partners back in Seattle as well as honoring his commitment to becoming a Skinner. With the ever seductive Paige Strobel as his trainer, who can blame him for hanging around?

The action is fast, frenetic and very very satisfying. The character development is such that not only do you become a part of their lives, you feel as though you've known these people all your life. I've seen reviews that say words to the effect "Should please fans of Twilight.....", but it goes far beyond that. If you are looking for a book series that brings vampires, werewolves and things that go bump in the night to life, then this is the series for you. This is one of those series that does two things as you read it. 1) You see the movie in your mind as you go from page to page. 2) You want to see the video game of it come out. Oh yes, it would be one hell of a video game!

As I have said before, if you go to the bookstore looking for this book and you see the other ones on the shelf next to it, pick them up! I am currently reading number three (Teeth of Beasts), and did not pick up number four (Vampire Uprising) when I had the chance. Now I had to special order it and am waiting for it to come in, and the wait is killing me!

5 out of 5 stars
Re-readable factor of 5 out of 5

Blood on the Gallows

Title: Blood on the Gallows

Author: Ralph Compton/Joseph A West

Publisher: Penguin Group
Publication Date: June 2008
Genre: Western
Pages: 304

Okay, for starters I do not wish to confuse you. This is a book from the Ralph Compton line, that is to say A Ralph Compton novel by Joseph A. West. If you remember, we talked about this just last week or there a bouts.

John McBride is a big city detective taking a break out in the west. He is not overly handy with a gun or a rifle when compared to his western counterparts. However, he is a man of honor and does stand up for the little guy. When he comes to the town of Rest and Be Thankful, he first comes across three hanged men and the sheriff, who warns him to be on his best behavior. It makes one wonder what would be considered best behavior in a den of thieves, outlaws, rapists and fast guns. Breaking the nose of the mayors son is not best behavior, nor is stopping some of the local citizenry from shooting a helpless kitten. Soon, McBride is on everyone's wrong side and on the run from the law. However, he still wants to set things right and refuses to leave even though the going quite literally is in his grasp.

All in all it is not bad as westerns go. There are moments when you ask yourself why such and such was done or not done and you never really get a satisfying answer.

31/2 stars out of 5 just for predictability.
Re-readable factor of 1 out of 5

The Eagle Has Landed

Title: The Eagle Has Landed

Author: Jack Higgins

Publisher: Penguin Group

Publication Date: 1975/Reissue June 2000

Genre: Historical Thriller

Pages: 368

I must admit at the beginning that this is a book I've read at least three times. My grandfather was the one who first introduced me to it. I was still living on Long Island, and my mother and her friend had gone down south to see my grandparents. My grandfather sent a Hefty bag filled with books he had read over the past year or so. At the top of the bag was The Eagle Has Landed. I was able to call him (this was back in the day, like 1979, before cell phones, calling plans or digital phone) and ask which book to start with, and he recommended this one. Thanks Gramps, I owe you one.

At the beginning of the book, Jack Higgins warns the reader that it is part historical fact and part fiction, and it is up to the reader to decide which is which. It is 1943, and  SS Reichsfuhrer Heinrich Himmler has launched an outrageous plan to kidnap Winston Churchill. In a remote corner of Norfolk, England, an elite unit is gathered to put into effect Himmler's plan. And with the words "The eagle has landed", you are taken on a thrill ride you may not soon forget.

The Eagle Has Landed is the first of four books dealing with Jack Higgins' character, Liam Devlin. The list of books is as follows:

1) The Eagle Has Landed (1975)

2) Touch the Devil (1982)

3) Confessional (1985)
4) The Eagle Has Flown (1990)

All of them are really good, but keep in mind that The Eagle Has Flown is the only one that is a direct sequel to The Eagle Has Landed. Also keep in mind that "Landed" is not a "What if?" or alternate history type of book. This is a fictionalized account of something that actually happened. A must read for history buff and thriller fans alike!

5 out of 5 stars

Re-readable factor of 5 out of 5

Blood Blade

Title: Blood Blade (Skinners Series #1)

Author: Marcus Pelegrimas
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: January 2009
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Horror
Pages: 336 

I first became aware of Marcus Pelegrimas' writing when he wrote under the pseudonym Marcus Galloway.  As Galloway, he wrote a western series, "The Man From Boot Hill", which was an utterly fantastic series. I loved it so much I did not want it to end. Needless to say, I had high hopes for his new series, and I am happy to say that i was not let down.

Blood Blade is the story of Seattle video game designer Cole Warnecki. While on an extreme vacation, he gets more than he bargained for when he survives and encounter with a "full blood", a were-wolf like creature that is very deadly, very dangerous, and very hungry. After this encounter, he gets a job with the Midwestern Ectological Group (MEG), who puts him in touch with an experienced skinner, Paige Strobel. Paige drags Cole to the front lines of a war against an insane vampire by the name of Misonyk, who likes to infect his victims with vampire spores and then encourages them to go and drain their victims dry......and then steal their souls.

There is blood and gore galore. Whats even better than that is the character development. This is not one of those urban fantasy books where things are totally unbelievable. While I was reading this book, I was constantly looking over my shoulder wondering where the vampires were, not to mention feeling the Full Bloods rancid breath on my neck during the attack. This is one of those rare books that runs like a movie in your mind. Not only do you read it, you feel as though you have lived it!

So far, there are four published books in this series with two slated to come out in 2011. They are as follows:

1) Blood Blade (2009)
2) Howling Legion (2009)
3) Teeth of Beasts (2010)
4) Vampire Uprising (2010)
5) The Breaking (2011)
6) Extinction Agenda (2011)

I have to warn you that these books are a lot like potato chips. You cannot just stop with one. Yes, they are that good.

5+ out of 5 stars (If I could go higher, I would)
Re-readable factor of 5 out of 5 (especially during the Halloween Season)

Forum: Reading Ralph Compton

A while ago I was in a used paperback store. It is a small place packed to the gills with books. Half of one wall is dedicated to westerns. Needless to say, I like to go there whenever I get the chance. What is nice about it is that if there is a book that is out of print it can probably be found there.

On this particular day, a woman was in there asking her about westerns. Her father enjoys reading them and she was looking for something different from Louis L'Amour. The owner of the shop said "Look for Ralph Compton, but make sure it is by Ralph Compton and not someone else. There are other authors putting out westerns under his name and they are not as good." My head whipped around and I jumped up on my soapbox (I carry it in my back pocket for such occaisions)

"Actually, they are every bit as good as Compton's original work if not better. Ralph Compton died in 1999 and two authors, Ralph Cotton and Robert Vaughan were contracted to write under his name. Then the Ralph compton line was started. Sadly it is the only way some of the more popular authors can get anything in print in the western genre. And when it is submitted, there is no guarantee that it will be accepted. They want their westerns to run like a John Wayne movie rather than a Clint Eastwood movie, so they have a strict guidline they follow. So if another author has his book out under the Compton line it is like getting a compliment to say that this book is every bit as good as Ralph would have wanted it."

The two women looked at me in a way that said "Gee, you learn something new everday, now shut up so I can get/sell some books"

So, if you are looking for a western and see Ralph Compton's name on it with another person's, rest assured that person passed the test.

The Caves of Steel

Title: The Caves of Steel

Author: Isaac Asimov

Publisher: Random House

Publication Date: 1954/ Re-issue November 1991

Genre: Science Fiction/Mystery

Pages: 288

I have been a long time fan of Isaac Asimov. He is part of the reason I got into science fiction to begin with, and if I remember correctly the first book of his that I read was I,Robot . So you may be wondering why I am not doing I, Robot now. I am saving it for a later date.

I chose The Caves of Steel because of its duality. It is a science fiction novel that reads like a mystery....or is it a mystery novel that reads like science fiction? That is the true pleasure of this novel, it would appeal to both interests! It is the first book in a series of four dealing with the adventures of Elijah Bailey and R. Daneel Olivaw. The four books are:

1) The Caves of Steel (1954)
2) The Naked Sun (1956)
3) Robots of Dawn (1983)
4) Robots and Empire (1985)

I list them now because once you start reading them, you may want to read the entire series. They are that good.

The Caves of Steel is set in the far future, about one thousand years from now. Space has been colonized and the "positronic brain" has been created. Elijah Bailey, a New York City detective, is ordered to the Outer Worlds to investigate the murder of a prominent Spacer. Bailey has little love for spacers and even less for robots. The Spacers do not trust anyone from Earth, so they team him up with R. Daneel Olivaw, a robot who is modelled after the murder victim.

One of the problems when you read this is it is a bit dated.The language from 1954 comes through and sounds a little absurd and at time almost childish. However that is not enough to totally destroy an enjoyable reading experience. This is science fiction from a grand master. With over 500 books to his credit in genres from Science Fiction to mystery to science to religion, you know you are in good hands.

3 1/2 stars out of 5 (It could have been longer, and is a bit dated)
Re-readable factor of 2 out of 5

The American Patriots Bible

Title: The American Patriots Bible

Author: Thomas Nelson

Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishing
Publication Date: May 2009
Genre: Religion
Pages: 1704

I currently own four bibles: A King James Version, A Men's Devotional, An Archaeologists Bible, and The American Patriots Bible. I know, some of you are asking "Why so many? The word of God is the word of God.!" The answer is that I am a man of many interests. Among those interests are history. I really really love history. So much so that when I started reading the bible as a young man I saw it more as a history than a vessel for spiritual enlightenment. (I've gotten over that).

The American Patriot's Bible is the word of God in New King James format. In among the books of the bible are hundreds of  articles on how America was shaped by the bible. Certain passages will have a footnote for where a certain President of the United States had his hand when he was sworn in. This is the perfect bible for a history buff (such as myself) to have. It does not take away from any spiritual guidance one may look for in a bible. For me it added a foundation of history and understanding of how the bible helped to shape our nation.

5 out of 5 Stars (the only drawback for me is the words of Christ are not in red, but I can overlook that)
Re-readable factor of 5 out of 5 (especially since the print is very comfortable on the eyes)

Kiowa Trail

Title: Kiowa Trail

Author: Louis L'Amour

Publisher: Random House

Publication Date: September 1964

Genre: Western

Pages: 160

I love westerns. Then again, in my reading, I tend to love a lot of things, but I must say I really love westerns. Especially a western in the hands of a master. Louis L'Amour is just the master I was looking for when I started reading westerns about 12 or so years ago. My main draw to the genre was the price (really, four bucks at Wal-Mart is hard to beat), but I was also looking for something different. I wanted something that did not entail swords, blasters, or monsters. So in the words of John Soule (to be popularized by Horace Greely) "Go west young man" seemed to fit. Besides, I did not have far to go in the bookstore, it was just across from the Sci-Fi/Fantasy aisle. And if you are going to start reading westerns, you start with L'Amour. I think it's like a law or something.

So in my quest for the west, I started with Kiowa Trail by Louis L'Amour. It is the tale of Kate Lundy, owner of the Tumbling B, and her brother Tom. The rules were explained to Tom. Cowboys do not go north into town. Sure, the town's people like the money the cowboys bring in, but the northern part of town is off limits. But when Tom meets Linda McDonald, a daughter of one of the towns leading citizens, all bets are off! Ending up with the death of Tom Lundy. Kate swears revenge against not only the people responsible for the death of her brother, but the entire town. But when an army of hired guns come on the behest of Aaron McDonald, Linda's father, the men of the Tumbling B wonder if they have bittern off more than they can chew.

If you want a good tale of revenge, then this is a good place to start. If you are new to reading westerns, then again this is a good place to start. For a short book, it has everything you could want in a western. Love, action, revenge, retribution.

4 out of 5 stars (it could have been a bit longer)

Re-readable factor of 3 out of 5 (with all of L'Amour's other books you may not want to revisit this)

War of the Rats

Title: War of the Rats

Author: David L. Robbins

Publisher: Random House
Publication Date: June 2000
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 512

I've always been fascinated with World War II. I get that from listening to the stories my grandfather used to tell me about his time on the U.S.S. Cogswell in the Pacific Theater. I love to read the history of the war as well as reading fictional accounts of the war. I became interested in the Battle of Stalingrad after seeing the move Enemy at the Gates. If you get the chance, see the movie. However, if you should see the movie, you MUST read War of the Rats. Yes, it is that much better.

As much as the book is about the Battle of Stalingrad, it is more about a duel between two snipers, Zaitsev (a Russian sniper) and Thorvald (a German sniper). You will learn everything Zaitsev knew and taught to his class on the battlefront of Stalingrad. You will become so wrapped up in this book that you will feel as though you are leading their lives. You will feel the devastation of the bombed out city of Stalingrad. You can taste the fear, and anger as you turn each page.

David L. Robbins did his homework on this one. The history is accurate, the biographical sketches of the characters is accurate save one. Nikki Mond is the only fictional character in the book and he is the summation of the German troops. Please do not think that this is a boring fictional account of one of World War II most intense battles. Far from it. Once you pick it up, I guarantee that you will not want to put it down. This book should have come with it's own warning label. something like "WARNING: DO NOT START IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO DO"

War of the Rats is David L. Robbins finest moment and not to be missed!

5 out of 5 stars
Re-readable factor of 5 out of 5

Ending President's Week

I am ending president's week a day early and with All The President's Men. The Main reason is that I have not read any biographies on any president after Richard Nixon. I tried to give a list of books dealing with presidents from the beginning of our country to current times. Hopefully, next year, I will have some more contemporary presidents in my library.

Thank you for joining me on this first theme week at It Is Written. I will try to do a theme week each month. If you have any suggestions on what you would like to see, please let me know.

All The President's Men

Title: All The President's Men

Author: Carl Bernstein & Bob Woodward

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 1975; Re-issue 2005

Genre: History

Pages: 480

When I was a kid, there were two news stories that really got me interested in watching the nightly news. The first was the Moon Landing with Neil Armstrong. The other was the Watergate Scandal. If you think of it, both stories changed our world. The first showed us that we can do anything as long as we put our minds to it. The second showed us that we really have to be careful in who we trust.

I remember the morning headlines in our newspaper during the Watergate Scandal. I also remember my father taking the time to explain to me what the Watergate Scandal entailed and what it meant to our nation.

In high school, I read All The President's Men for my senior history class (I wanted some extra credit to bump up my grade, and it impressed the teacher that I chose something so contemporary). I re-read it in college, and one other time after college for pleasure reading. Yes, it is that good!

All The President's Men starts with a simple investigation into a burglary at the Democratic headquarters. It then snowball's into a tale of conspiracy and dirty tricks, that inevitable brings down a president. Woodward and Bernstein, reporters for the Washington Post do an incredible job relating the story that changed the way we look at politics and our presidents.

4 out of 5 stars (just because it ends abruptly and open ended)

Re-readable factor of 5 out of 5

Truman

Title: Truman

Author: David McCullough
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: June 1993
Genre: History/ Biography
Pages: 1120

There were two reasons that I read this book. First, I wanted to learn more about Harry S. Truman. The second, I have really come to admire the writing of David McCullough. At the time of it's release, Truman had gotten critical praise. I am not normally swayed by such things, but it helped in my decision to buy a book that was over one thousand pages long. Let's face it, if you're going to invest that much money on a history book, and that much time in reading said book, you also want a couple of other opinions backing up your decision.

Make no mistake, it will take you a while to read this book. It is packed with information, almost too much information, but coming from David McCullough I've come to expect nothing less. His research is extensive and detailed. However, if you want to get to know Harry Truman, this is the book to read. As you read it, your appreciation for the man will grow all the more. Not only is this a study of Truman's life, it is a study of his character and personality. You see Truman as a schoolboy, a farmer, a soldier, a merchant, a county judge, a senator, a vice president and as a president. You will come to appreciate how he got his reputation for honesty, reliability and common sense and in the process beat back the stigma of debt and business failure.

Even more than that, you will appreciate his accomplishments as the 33rd President of the United States. Among those accomplishments are halting communism in Turkey and Greece, ordering the atomic bomb to be dropped, desegregating the armed forces, establishing the CIA and the defense department, initiating the Marshall Plan, and firing General Douglas MacArthur.

4 out of 5 stars (I found myself getting bogged down in a lot of details)
Re-readable factor of 2 out of 5 (once was enough for me)

The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey

Title: The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey

Author: Candice Millard

Publisher: Knopf Doubleday

Publication Date: November 2006

Genre: History/Biography/Adventure
Pages: 432

At the onset I have to be upfront and honest when I say that Theodore Roosevelt is a hero of mine. I can go on and on about why I appreciate TR so much, but I really do not want to bore you to death either. The problem I ran into is which TR biography to choose for President's Week.

After much consideration, I chose The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey. I know, you would think that I would have chosen something based on his years in the White House, but this one really spoke to me. This book is adventure with a capital "A". Indiana Jones before Indiana Jones. I think you see where I am going here.

The River of Doubt is a tributary of the Amazon River that winds its way through some of the most dangerous jungle on the planet. Anything from piranhas to Indians with poison tipped arrows can be encountered here. The river is also strewn with boulders that can pummel a boat to pieces, much less a man. You would basically have to be insane to say you even want to attempt such a voyage, and yet that is exactly what Teddy Roosevelt did.

After his defeat for the Presidency in 1912, Teddy Roosevelt wanted a challenge. He wanted to push himself to the very boundaries of his endurance. To do this, he chose to explore a rapids choked tributary of the amazon River. This area has not been mapped out before. It is a first descent for anyone outside of the Amazon to attempt. Along with Roosevelt went his son Kermit and Brazilian explorer Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon. Together they did the incredible and changed the face of the western hemisphere forever.

If you love adventure, this is the book for you. If you want to see how a man not only lives life, but really LIVES life, this is the book for you. It is a prime example of how Theodore Roosevelt attacked life and the challenges it presents.

4 out of 5 stars (sometimes you get bogged down in details)
Re-readable factor of 5 out of 5

Washington: A Life

Title: Washington: A Life

Author: Ron Chernow

Publisher: Penguin Group

Publication Date: November 2010

Genre: History/Biography

Pages: 928

Okay, I will be the first to admit that I may a a tad biased when it comes to reading books about George Washington. He has been a hero of mine since I was a kid and just learning about him in school. With all of the books written about him, do we really need another one? Has the subject of his life been done to the point of boredom and turning him into the wooden figure people think of when they think of people from our past?

Let's face it, after a while the figures from our past become nothing more than facts and figures and run the risk of becoming wax mannequins than the vibrant people they were when they were alive.Well, to answer my first question, yes, we do need another book about George Washington, especially when written by Ron Chernow (author of 2005 best seller Alexander Hamilton). To answer the second question, Ron Chernow brought back to life our nations first president and did it in a way that makes you feel as if you are there with George Washington during his life.

In Washington: A Life, Ron Chernow brings George Washington to life and dissolves the god-like facade that many Americans have given him. You will experience all of his life, his loves, his passions, his vibrancy, his faults, and his ability to inspire those around him. This book is more than a biography of our first president. It is also a biography of our very country and the growing pains we have experienced. This is a must read for any one who is the least bit interested in just how our country was formed.

I can go on and on about each chapter, but I do not want to take away from you the re-discovery of our first president and the shaping of our nation. I also do not want you to feel as though I am pushing you into reading this. It is your choice, as always, but I will say if you do pass on this, you will be missing out on a really enjoyable reading oipportunity. Ron Chernow has indeed brought history to life!

5+ out of 5 stars
Re-readable factor of 5 out of 5

American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House

Title: American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House

Author: Jon Meacham

Publisher: Random House

Publication Date: November 2008

Genre: History Biography

Pages: 512

When I was laid up in the hospital in 2008, I watched a lot of television, particularly the History Channel. One morning, there was a two hour special on Andrew Jackson. After seeing it, I wanted to learn more. Around that time, Jon Meacham released his biography on Andrew Jackson and it was on it's way to becoming a Christmas present from my wife.

What really struck me was that Jackson was not your typical "born with the silver spoon in your mouth" president. He did not come from money, but was an orphan who fought for everything he wanted. He quite literally was a man of the people, and he gave a voice to those people and their hopes and fears as the nation faced many challenges both at home and abroad.

To tell the story, Jon Meacham draws on newly discovered papers and letters that bring to life this man as never before. Just remember that it deals with Jackson's time in the White House, and not his entire life. As much as this book is about Andrew Jackson, it is also about his family, his love of a new wife, his friends, and his cabinet. You get a wonderful view of the manners and culture that was the  Washington community at that time.

5 out of 5 stars

Re readable Factor of 2 out of 5. As good as this book is, I really do not see myself giving it a second read. There are other biographies of Andrew Jackson out that will give me a better view of his entire life.

John Adams

Title: John Adams

Author: David McCullough
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: May 2001
Genre: History/Biography
Pages: 751

Okay, you are probably wondering why I am starting President's Week with the second President of the United States and not the first. There are a couple of reasons. First, George Washington's birthday is this coming Tuesday. Second, John Adams is probably one of the most overlooked presidents in our history, especially when you consider all that he has done. So now you are probably scratching your head and asking what he has done. Well, read the book and find out!

I will be the first to admit that I was a bit skeptical to read a biography on John Adams. Why would I want to read a book about such a little known person. Considering that he has been overshadowed by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, why even bother? Historian David McCullough answers that question as only he can.

John Adams was a farmer and lawyer from the Massachusetts colony. He was proud of his Puritan background. He had an amazing intellect that was refined by his Harvard education, and often scorned those of a lesser intellect or those who disagreed with his firmly held beliefs.

You get a view of a man who tirelessly worked for the causes he believed in, especially freedom from oppression and personal liberty. He never compromised his principles in anything he fought for. We may never have severed ties with Britain had it not been for Adams' belief in securing that which was necessary for our country's future.

As much as this is about John Adams, it is also about his wife Abigail. You see how much his wife has aided him in everything he did and believed in, giving you a glimpse of just what she had also contributed to the American Revolution and the birth of our country.

This is so much more than just a biography of the second President of the United States. This is also a book about the beginning of our country, and the birth of democracy. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know where our country came from. After reading it, you will get a deeper appreciation for John Adams, his life and his times.

5 out of 5 stars
Re-readable factor of 5 out of 5

House of Blood

Title: House of Blood

Author: Bryan Smith
Publisher: Dorchester Books
Publication Date: December 2004
Genre: Horror
Pages: 384

I was going through the bookstore looking for something new in the horror field. I wanted an author I had never heard of. Then I came across House of Blood. I had never heard of Bryan Smith up until then. The title sounded like a B-grade horror movie you go to see at a drive-in on a Saturday night with your girlfriend, because you know she is going to end up getting closer to you (unless she is a total psycho). My curiosity was piqued.

I started it almost the moment I got it home. I was just itching to tear into it. My wife and i sat in the living room that rainy afternoon and read. When I looked up I was halfway through it. I looked at the clock and noticed that four hours had passed. How could that be? I just started it for crying out loud! And now I had to stop to go make dinner! I looked at my wife and asked if we could just order a pizza or something. She agreed, I made the phone call and ordered the pizza, and went back to reading. The pizza came, I ate and went right back to reading. Yes, it is THAT good! Turning the pages was like eating potato chips, you could not stop at just one.

House of Blood tells the story of five friends who are lost on a Tennessee interstate. They are tired and tense after having a major argument over a vacation gone bad. They pull off the interstate onto a backwoods road and find a house in the middle of nowhere. The lights are on in the house, so they go to the house and knock on the door. Later on, the ones who survived agree that they should have never gone to the house. The house is basically the entrance of Hell, and once that front door closes, the terror and screaming begins.

House of Blood has everything you are looking for in a horror novel. Pain, fear and blood, plus a back story of a slave uprising lead by the most unlikely of characters. This book will make you think twice before turning off the interstate and approaching a house with the lights on! Do not start it if you have any other plans!

5 out of 5 stars

Re readable factor of 5

Forum: The Future of Reading?

I was talking to one of my best friends the other day. He was telling me about his new i-Pod and how it held his entire music library. "D, I have all of my CD's on this thing and it fits in my shirt pocket. I take it with me everywhere and there is room for some more music" I can  see where he would be excited. He is a music junkie and he now has everything he has ever listened to and enjoyed at his fingertips.

Then we started talking about the new e-readers like the Nook and the Kindle. "They look like a data pad from Star Trek. Just imagine having your entire library on one of those for you to call up at your leisure. This is the future of reading my friend."

The future of reading?

On one hand I can see it. The thought of my library of books on an e-reader for me to call up at any time does excite me. As does the thought of being able to change the font size so reading is more comfortable for my eyes. Let's face it, I am not getting any younger and small print hurts my eyes. If I travel anywhere I have my books at my finger tips. And from what I understand of these e-readers, you can buy books anywhere. The world is basically your bookstore as long as you have wi-fi or 3G coverage. Yes, the thought of this is truly exciting.

On the other hand, there is also a lot I would miss.

 I can feel some of you pulling away from me, but please bear with me. Hear me out.

I am one of those people that enjoys the entire experience of reading. I can feel some of you asking "What experience? You are just reading words on a page. What more is there?"

What more is there?

My reading experience starts in a bookstore. To me, going to the local bookstore is a lot like going to church. No, books do not replace God in my life. But the bookstore is like my fortress of solitude. I am among people who are a lot like me. Browsing the shelves looking for their new reading fix. And just to be super thoughtful to their customer, a lot of bookstores have coffee shops inside. So, there is also the smell of the bookstore to consider. The very atmosphere of the book store puts me at ease. In a bookstore you get to pick up the book and read the back cover, feel the book in your hands as you consider buying it.

Next is the anticipation of reading this book gigging you at the back of your throat as you take it home. Dinner first then some music as you get settled to read? Or are you like me and you show your wife/partner/mate what you have and they share the experience with you? My wife is as avid a reader as I am, so we have our own little show and tell.

Then there is the book itself. The sound of it as you open it for the first time. The smell of it as you go to the fuirst page. The feel of the paper in your hands. Let's face it, not all paper is the same. Compare the paper in a hardcover as opposed to a soft cover. Then compare both of those to the paper in a Bible. See what I mean? Then, you get to mark your progression through the book with a book mark. You can tell when you are half way through, or if you are just one more hour away from finishing it.

One concern I have for an e-reader is if I drop it and the screen breaks, how screwed am I? If you drop a book, you just pick it up and move on. If I drop and possible break my e-reader then thats it. I have to wait for a replacement to finish my book. I also don't like the idea of losing my entire library to an EMP. (I mentioned this to someone and they got really sarcastic and said "As opposed to losing your books to a single match?" Just try getting the match near my book and see what happens.)

Does this mean I am against the e-reader? No. I know I will eventually get one. I am merely pointing out all that I will miss when I get one.

Feb 20-26 2011

February 20-26 2011 will be President's week on It Is Written. That means I will be highlighting some of the best biographies on American Presidents that I have come across.

Forum: A Horror Author Worth Reading

When I started reading horror fiction, I naturally started with Stephen King. I think everyone who wants to read horror has gone to him at one point or another. For my stepson (who is a horror connoisseur) there is no one better. Really, the sun rises and sets on Stephen King as far as this kid is concerned. BUT, and lets face it there is always a "but", I have come across an author who gives King a run for the money.

Richard Laymon (1947-2001)

Remember that name. Google that name. Run out to your local bookstore and see if there is anything available and scoop it up. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

Where Stephen King had you poking under your bed with a broom handle to make sure there are no monsters, Richard Laymon rips the broom handle from your grasp and beats you about the head with it. He is Stephen King without a conscience. This is the author where when you read his books you will find yourself saying "Surely he wouldn't...." and then he DOES! This is the kind of horror that catches you at the back of the throat and does not let go.

 Does it leave you Breathless? You're damn right it does.

Will you turn on every light in the house when you have to make a midnight run to go pee? Oh, most definitely! You might even make that trip fully armed! Or you might just hold it til dawn.

His books are loaded with the things that go bump in the night...and a lot of those bumps are caused not by monsters but by humans. As bad as some of his monsters are, the human counterpart is just a tad worse. In a couple of his books you will actually want to see the monster kill the human villain just so you can get some relief. THEN the monster has to go, or does it?

If you are familiar with Richard Laymon, then this is not news for you. However, if you are not, then you are really missing out on some great horror.

Suggested Titles:

The Cellar
The Travelling Vampire Show
Bite
The Stake
Resurrection Dreams
Come Out Tonight
Night in the Lonesome October
Savage
Body Rides
Among The Missing

Keep in mind this is not a total list of books that Richard Laymon has written. These are the ones that I've read and in some cases re-read.

Stranger in a Strange Land

Title: Stranger in a Strange Land

Author: Robert A. Heinlein

Publisher: Penguin group

Publication Date: 1961

Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 448

Anyone who enjoys reading science fiction has had to have read Robert A. Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land. It's almost like required reading for the science fiction field. I read this book in 1981, when I was in high school. I had moved from New york to North Carolina the year before and found myself to be my own stranger in a strange land, so in a way I could really relate to the book.

Stranger in a Strange Land tells the story of Valentine Michael Smith, human.....Martian. Yes, he is quite literally the man from Mars. He is brought to Earth and must adapt to life on this planet. As he adapts, so must Earth adapt to him, especially when he gets his own religion going.

Not only is this a science fiction classic, it is also a commentary on life in the 1960's. It can also be viewed as a satire on human weaknesses and in some cases strengths. It contained Heinlein's cultural and political observations of the time. What some might find interesting is the role women played back then. As you read this, you have to keep reminding yourself of the time in which it was written. That is not an altogether impossible task, and it does not take away from the enjoyment of the book as a whole.

If you want a glimpse of what life was like back in the 60's then by all means get this book. If you want to see what a science fiction classic looks like, again get this book. If you just want to kick back and relax with a book on a rainy weekend, well, I think you get the idea.

5 out of 5 stars   

Re readable factor of 3 out of 5

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

Title: The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

Author: Howard Pyle

Publisher: Penguin Group

Publication Date: September 2005

Genre: Classic Literature

Pages: 416

By rights, this is the book I should have launched the blog with. This is the book that started and solidified my love of reading at a very young age. When I was eight years old (way back in 1973) I had seen the Erroll Flynn version of the movie on television with my grandfather. As we were watching it, I said something to the effect of "This would make a great book." Little did I know that my grandfather told Santa Claus (a.k.a. Mom) and the hardcover version of the book was waiting for me under the Christmas tree. Yes, it was gloriously illustrated but it was complete and unabridged, and quite daunting for an eight year old (it was written in the dialect of the days of olde). So much so, that I took some of the Christmas money from my grandparents and bought my first dictionary.

I think the greatest effect this book had on me is it taught me lessons of compassion, honor, bravery,and loyalty. Even though they were outlaws, Robin Hood and his Merry Men stood for a just cause, the downtrodden and the oppressed. They were willing to fight for what is right and do so to their last breath if need be. I not only read this book, I lived it. I felt as though I was there with them as they fought, loved and lived.

I re-read this book every five years or so. Partly for nostalgia's sake, but a bigger part to remind me of those lessons I learned very long ago.

5 out of 5 stars    

Re-readable factor of 5 out of 5

The Stand

Title: The Stand: Complete and Uncut

Author: Stephen King

Publisher: Penguin Group

Publication Date: May 1991

Genre: Horror

Pages: 1168

Okay, a little history lesson here, so please bear with me. Once upon a time, way back in the 1970's (1979 if the brain is working right) I bought a copy of The Stand. The cover had a painting of a crow mixed in with a twilight sunset. As I was walking home with my new book and couldn't wait to break into it, I looked up and saw the same sunset in the sky and it ran a chill up my spine. Man this was going to be good! The original paperback copy of The Stand came in at a little over 800 pages. I dove into it that night. I was even caught reading it at school during study hall and in my free time. A teacher even went as far as to contact my mother and ask her if she was aware of what I was reading. Mom came to my room that night all kinds of concerned that I had gotten my hands on some pornographic filth. She asked me what I was reading, so I showed it to her and she just shrugged her shoulders and walked out of my room. Then in 1991, Stephen King decided he wanted the world to see The Stand in its entirety.

Having read the original version of The Stand I felt like i had something to look forward to. I admit I was a bit skeptical about going into the re-edit. What could be added to one of my favorite Stephen King books? Well, the answer is alot!

The Stand is an end of the world tale. Not a nuclear holocaust, but one done by a man made super flu. Over 90% of the world's population is wiped out. And out of the "ashes" of this holocaust rises Randall Flagg, basically evil on two legs. Very charming, and very very bad. To go against Randall Flagg is 108 year old Mother Abigail. The world's remaining population divides between the two camps, with Mother Abigail getting very few followers. It is up to these people to defeat Randall Flagg in the ultimate showdown of Good versus Evil.

This book has everything you could look for in a book. The characters are very engaging and believable. You get enough background on each character to feel as though you might just be a part of their lives and not some distanced voyeur looking in with binoculars. It moves at a good pace, not a break neck pace, but an enjoyable pace. This is not a book that you will finish in one sitting or even a weekend, unless you are a speed reader, and then you will be missing out on a lot. This is Stephen King at his finest!

5 out of 5 stars

Re Readable factor of 5 out of 5