Average customer rating:
- Praise overall, but lacking in comparison
- Really disappointing
- GAI-JIN: an Unconventional Approach leads to Mixed Results
- Couldn't finish it.
- Slow but good!
|
Gai-Jin
James Clavell
Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
 Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Noble House
-
Tai-Pan
-
King Rat
-
Shogun
-
Whirlwind: A Novel of the Iranian Revolution
ASIN: 044021680X
Release Date: 1994-04-03 |
Customer Reviews:
Praise overall, but lacking in comparison.......2007-01-09
As many others have noted, while Gai Jin is the third book (chronologically) in Clavell's saga, it was his last published effort and some of this definitely works its way into the book. That's not to say that I didn't find the book very entertaining, because I did. But somehow I felt that Clavell wrote this book and tried to "force" another story into the interceding years between Tai Pan and the Noble House, where it truly was not needed, or just plain didn't fit.
Of course, the story starts out in Japan on the cusp of the Meiji Restoration and, as usual, Clavell's masterful grasp of "historical fiction" shines through. Obviously, the characters are not real, and the things that occurred are not a historical depiction, but, as with the other Clavell books, you get the sense of history....the glimpse into a culture on the verge of change.
The story is a continuation of Tai Pan and focuses on Malcolm Straun, Culum Straun's son, who oversees the Noble House's venture in Japan and is on the verge of becoming tai pan of the Noble Houlse when he meets and falls in love with Angelique; a frenchwoman who does not garner Mrs. Straun's approval. While there are the usual sub plots, this forms the basic story.
My criticism of this book, and maybe its a bit too picky, is that it fails to neatly fit in between Tai Pan and the Noble House as it should have. And while it does provide some background for Noble House, on many levels it just seems very disconnected. One example I have, and again, this may be me just being overly picky, is that no mention of Malcolm Straun is made in the Noble House, even when a history of the family line and the rise of the Noble House is recounted. Now, I guess it could be said that there may be reasons why this might have happened (ones that I'd rather not get into for fear of giving away the plot of Gai Jin), but this is the type of disconnect that bothered me.
That being the case, however, still does not detract from the fact that Gai Jin is a very well written, entertaining book. It is my least favorite in Clavell's asian saga, but still great nonetheless and I recommend it highly.
Really disappointing.......2006-10-28
I read Shogun before and it's binding is falling apart as it was an hand me down.
I really expected more...
I somewhat expected the characters to be engaging and somewhat
realistic.
I was left unconvinced by his characterizations of British,
American and even Japanese.
I actually found the Japanese characters more believable than the
"Gai-Jins".
The novel is in my mind a failure and the history of the era seem also faulty in it's interpretation.
I think that even the names of the Japanese characters are totally false
in historical terms from what I can find in history books.
GAI-JIN: an Unconventional Approach leads to Mixed Results.......2006-07-25
Although GAI-JIN is chronologically the third of James Clavell's "Asian Saga," it was the last written of the six novels, completed right before the author's death in 1994. If you've read Clavell before, then you know what to expect: a doorstopper tome (1000 pages in hardback!) with dozens of dovetailing plots and subplots revolving around the meeting of East and West in trade, tragedy, love and war. There's a typical list to the "Asian Saga." Hundreds of characters, some historically important, others on the margin? - Check. Culture clash, xenophobia, political manipulations, natural disasters? - Check. Omniscient viewpoint chronicling the thoughts and decisions of multiple characters during a single event? - Check. Sloppy grammar and occasional repetitiveness? - Check. Dynamic protagonist and spellbinding storytelling? - Well, unfortunately, while GAI-JIN starts strong and maintains a fascinating breadth of ambition for most of the book's length, the entropy of Clavell's own encroaching death seems to have infused this novel; this book begins to lose some steam two-thirds of the way in. Moreover, Clavell's deviation from what made previous `Asian Saga' novels so successful can be seen as both brave and foolhardy.
In particular, the dominant characters of Malcom Straun and Angelique Richaurd make this volume a bit of a slog. Clavell has taken a risk with Malcolm, who comes off little more than a lovesick puppy, and especially in Angelique, who vacillates between victim and victimizer, claiming her "true" role in the end; but while both are fully realized, they aren't exactly interesting nor sympathetic, and the latter character, in all her desperate scheming and core shallowness, made me wish evil tidings upon her fortune by the end, something I doubt Clavell intended.
Again, it seems like a calculated risk to use these characters for so much of the novel's bulk, in contrast to the truly fascinating and page-turning events of Japan's slow, resistant opening to the world. Set in 1862, a few years after Admiral Perry forcibly wrested trade concessions from the ruling Shogunite, GAI-JIN chronicles several months of increasing tension as revolutionary groups struggle to overthrow the Shogunite in favor of the long-exiled Emperor, the Shogunite in turn tries to keep the Gai-jin barbarians at an arm's length and maintain order, and the European traders do what they always do in a Clavell novel: make lots of money under the flag of "opening the world to civilization," dally with prostitutes and drink prodigious amounts of liquor, engage nature for mastery of the sea and engage the dinner-table with sumptuous and verbosely-described banquets, fight duels of honor and battles of commerce. This is the fourth Clavell novel I've read and, while certainly captivating, it does get a bit rote, augmented by the fact that the most interesting aspects of the novel are often sidelined or omitted completely for Philip Tyrer's efforts to secure his courtesan, Malcolm's lust-struck refusal to do what is necessary, Angelique's diary entries and constant flirting. I consider it commendable of Clavell to fashion such a gray character - the apotheosis of feminine coquetry and wiles - as his focus, but after hundreds and hundreds of pages I found the mechanisms of Brock and Sons vs. Strauns and the contention within the Shogunite far more appealing, and more often than not frustratingly denied to this reader.
Many have complained of GAI-JIN's lack of a satisfactory conclusion, and while I do believe the book does reach a form of completion, by the end I had to wonder... what was the point? One can simply read the prologue to NOBLE HOUSE to glean the end results from this 1000 page buildup, and like SHOGUN, it can be argued that Clavell ended this volume well before the climatic events that ushered in a new era for Japan. Perhaps that is the point: the author is simply delineating a moment in history, the smaller threads that compose a larger portrait. But aside from a few dynamic resolutions, GAI-JIN feels lacking in the overall impression, a lot of tension and not much pay-off.
Despite my myriad issues, GAI-JIN does contain the classic Clavell hallmarks, particularly in exposing the racism endemic to Far East relations (Japan vs. China vs. Korea vs. Europe), the way carefully-detailed plans often fall apart due to conflicting forces, and the overall description of a feudal empire in the transition to a modern ethos. These alone make the novel worth the hours and hours of required reading.
Recommended for those that have read other Clavell novels and wish to delve deeper into the aftermath of TAI-PAN. 3 and a half stars, rounded down.
Couldn't finish it........2006-02-22
I first read Clavell's Shogun when I was twelve years and it sparked within me a life long interest in East-Asian culture. In many ways he helped bring me to Japan, where I have lived for a total of eight years. However after reading his works for many years, I was quite bored with Gaijin, which I never finished. I perused through the book looking for interesting points but found little. His messages in his other works were repetitive in this one. Amongst them are his criticisms of western culture through an Asian perspective. I grew tired of hearing how sexually repressed white-anglo-saxon-protestants are when compared to their Asian counter-parts, and thought my reading time was too precious to sit through another lengthy reading of how East meets West. Some of my friends in Japan have read Gaijin and liked it; but after owing so much to this writer, I am sorry that I could not say more of this work.
Slow but good!.......2005-10-05
Again a slower read but the characters become such real people. I feel like I know them.
Average customer rating:
|
Gai Jin
James Clavell
Manufacturer: Hodder & Stoughton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0340581263 |
Average customer rating:
|
Gai-Jin Part 2 Of 3
James Clavell
Manufacturer: Books on Tape, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
General
| Books on Cassette
| Audiobooks
| Formats
| Books
ASIN: 0736659749 |
Book Description
Part Two Of Three Parts
The sequel to TAI-PAN, this is the sixth in Clavell's Asian saga. It takes place in the 1860s. The Gai-Jin, foreigners, have arrived to do business with the Japanese. The mighty Stuan shipping empire, Noble House, has built a base in Yokohama and the new Tai-Pan, 20-year-old Malcolm Stuan, stands ready to take over. Attacked first by samurai assassins, he finds he must fight others, Japanese and foreigners, to keep and build his family's fortune. He meets a young French woman and their lives intertwine in a land torn apart by greed, idealism, and terror. As they mingle with monarchs, diplomats, courtesans and spies, their story seethes with betrayal and secrets, brutality and heroism, love and forbidden passions.
"Engrossing...entertaining...the broad portrait is accurate and as colorful as an ancient kabuki play." (People)
Average customer rating:
|
Gai-Jin Part 3 Of 3
James Clavell
Manufacturer: Books on Tape, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
General
| Books on Cassette
| Audiobooks
| Formats
| Books
ASIN: 0736659757 |
Book Description
Part Three Of Three Parts
The sequel to TAI-PAN, this is the sixth in Clavell's Asian saga. It takes place in the 1860s. The Gai-Jin, foreigners, have arrived to do business with the Japanese. The mighty Stuan shipping empire, Noble House, has built a base in Yokohama and the new Tai-Pan, 20-year-old Malcolm Stuan, stands ready to take over. Attacked first by samurai assassins, he finds he must fight others, Japanese and foreigners, to keep and build his family's fortune. He meets a young French woman and their lives intertwine in a land torn apart by greed, idealism, and terror. As they mingle with monarchs, diplomats, courtesans and spies, their story seethes with betrayal and secrets, brutality and heroism, love and forbidden passions.
"Engrossing...entertaining...the broad portrait is accurate and as colorful as an ancient kabuki play." (People)
Product Description
4 Book Set By James Clavell's; Shogun; Gai-jin; Escape; King Rat.
Average customer rating:
|
Gai Jin
James Clavell
Manufacturer: DELACORTE PRESS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000WD0S8E |
Average customer rating:
|
Gai- Jin.
James Clavell
Manufacturer: Goldmann
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
All German Books
| German
| Foreign Language Books
| Specialty Stores
| Books
ASIN: 3442429471 |
Average customer rating:
|
GAI-JIN
Manufacturer: Dell Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GQ41VM |
Average customer rating:
|
Gai-Jin
James Clavell
Manufacturer: DELACORTE PRESS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OLACVC |
Average customer rating:
|
Gai-Jin
Manufacturer: Plaza & Janes Editores, Sabarcelona
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 8401325714 |
Download Description
You know those Scottish bad boys⬦they donâ¬"t wear anything under their kilts, and who would want them to? Now, USA Today bestselling author Donna Kauffman introduces the Chisholm brothers, three of the sexiest lads ever to leave a woman hungry for moor⬦
Customer Reviews:
Bad Boys In Kilts.......2006-08-21
Bottoms Up
Kat Henderson works as a mechanic along side her father in their small town of Glenbuie, Scotland. An American has recently graced their town and her name is Daisy MacDonnell. Kat is convinced that Daisy has her sights set on Brodie Chisholm and she is sure that Brodie doesn't mind at all. Brodie owns and operates his family's tavern Hagg's. He and Kat are close friends but Kat wants so much more. Kat doesn't think Brodie will ever see her as anything but his tomboy best friend though.
As Kat prepares to battle for Brodie she encounters a surprising ally and she heads over to Hagg's eager to capture Brodie's attention as a woman instead of a friend. Brodie is shocked.
Kat and Brodie are afraid of losing what they have with each other, but if one of them doesn't make a move, they'll never know what else could be between them.
Bottom's Up is very romantic. With breathless anticipation, I waited for Brodie and Kat to make love and that moment is incredibly arousing. The sexual tension, Kat's vulnerability and sweet nature, and Brodie's sexy Scottish bur all combine to create a very heartwarming and passionate story. I didn't want it to end!
On Tap
Reese Chisholm keeps himself very busy running the distillery his family owns. He has almost no social life and he is fine with that.
Daisy MacDonnell has come to their small Scottish town to run her aunt's stationary store. Daisy also has a flare for marketing and she is interested in promoting Reese's distillery. Reese wants to leave well enough alone but when he first sets eyes on beautiful Daisy, his flustering and uncharacteristic reaction to her baffles him.
Reese and Daisy have a business meeting that quickly becomes too intimate to be called business anymore. Daisy has no intention of mixing business with pleasure, but Reese is becoming a very difficult and sensuous distraction.
On Tap is a story full of passion and tenderness. Daisy and Reese complete each other. Their love affair is fast and intense. Reese finds a piece of his life that he never knew was missing until Daisy stumbles into his small town. It's a lovely story.
Night Watch
Tristan Chisholm likes his solitude. He spends most of his time in the pastures watching over the sheep that graze on Chisholm lands. With a storm approaching, Tristan heads into his cottage but before he can relax for the day he hears a screech and sees a car that has runoff the road into the rising waters of the stream gully.
Bree Sullivan is in Scotland trying to get away from her fans. She needs to write another bestseller before they go even crazier on her, so she heads to Scotland to sort through her life. Bree loses control of her car during a storm and is saved by Tristan.
Almost immediately Tristan and Bree feel a connection to each other. Is it lust or love that keeps Bree in Tristan's arms though?
Intense desire turns to lasting love in Night Watch. It's a very romantic and passionate story. Tristan and Bree were destined to be together. Bree is searching for peace and gorgeous Scot, Tristan Chisholm is just the man to give her what she needs.
Brody, Reese and Tristan are three sexy, noble and lusty Scots! Bad Boys In Kilts is both steamy and loving. The ending is romantic but not predictable which I really liked. These Chisholm men will steal your heart with their sexy Scottish brogues and their seductive charm!
Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
Cheesy!.......2006-06-27
I love romance novels just like any other person. However, this one went beyond romance and was annoying after a while. It sometimes read like Beavis and Butthead, "He said hard." (Insert their laughs.) There was not a lot of dialogue between characters which made the plot weak. It was mostly the characters flashing back or thinking of their desires for the other person. How can characters go from talking in their heads to jumping into bed. The characters needed to interact more in my opinion. I do not understand how businesses can stay up and running if only the same customers come? How can a business grow? I also do not understand how Bree Sullivan, famous author, charcter in Night Watch became a Diva. You do not even see J.K. Rowling on People Magazine. Wait a minute, this is fiction. I got it!
In Bottoms Up, Brodie and Kat are best friends since they were 6 years old. They can talk about anything to each other. They did not bring up the possibility of dating or taking their relationship in a different direction? All of a sudden, he gets this thought that he is playing a game for his life and his heart. Ooh, nausea is setting in! Here are some nitpicky things that I picked up on. First, Brodie apparently dated a lot of women. However, Kat and Daisy were the only single young women in the area. Who were the other women and where were they from or is this a plot inconsistency? Also, if Kat was always fearless as stated in the beginning, why was she afraid to mention her interest in Brodie?
On Tap, was an ok story. This was the story of Reese Chisholm the second eldest of the clan. The distillery is what made the Chisholm's famous. This is the business that Reese runs. I do have to wonder, if the village is not a tourist attraction why does he have a tour available? Also, there was mention of this fact in all of the three stories. Dylan the eldest brother is building a bed and breakfast on the family property. However, there is mention of the fact that there is no tourism in this remote area throughout the book. Why the inconsistency? Daisy seems to be too overwhelming for Reese. He seems like a very private man who is not into dealing with other people less than Tristan but still... Daisy is gregarious and extremely positive. She is determined to sell Reese to have her build a website to attract people to the distillery. Ok. Daisy for being so business oriented and assertive, she seems almost shy in this story yet, in Bottoms Up she was more extraverted. What is this mention that she had quickies during lunch hour? She is suddenly able to curb her sex drive?
In Night Watch, we get to meet the reclusive Tristan Chisholm. He is the youngest of all the brothers. His brothers are constantly teasing him about not having a woman in his life. He is also an artist. I enjoyed this story the most. I think it is because he is so generous. You would want to have someone like him help you in case you ever had a car accident. He made Bree very comfortable and calm.
Pros of the book: It gives a nice description of the village. You can just imagine it clearly. You also see the way the people interact especially in the pub. I did like the romances to a certain degree. I especially liked the fact that the women were strong and independent women who had their own personalities. I liked Kat because she also had an untraditional career as a mechanic. She also believed that in order for a guy to be with her that he should not need to see her in makeup and a dress. I agree. She followed her own beliefs. Bree was humble even after all of her fame. In fact, she did not like the phoniness and demands made of her. Daisy was the beautiful dreamer who wanted to overhaul her life. It takes courage, committment, and determination to do that and she did too. In addition, I liked the fact that all the characters were not tall, gorgeous, blonde, leggy women. In fact, it does mention that Kat is ordinary. I would have to say if you are looking for a book to help you escape and throw in some romance then this is your book. However, if you want a book with a little more depth try the thousands of other romance novels out there.
Cute stories; not-so-cute execution.......2006-04-27
I did enjoy parts of these stories. They hit the "I-want-something-short-and-sweet-and-not-too-complicated" spot. The problem I had was this: I have often read that writers need to show rather than tell. I don't think I've ever seen a better (or worse?) illustration of that concept. So much of these stories takes place in the characters' heads. You get entire character histories and plots explained while a hero or heroine is, for example, looking out over a bluff thinking by him- or herself. It happens to a great degree in all three stories but more so in the first, the only one where the hero and heroine have a long history. I found myself skipping page after page while one or the other sat around thinking about their history and even setting up the premise for the remaining stories. It was a mite frustrating, especially since the stories are otherwise enjoyable.
Fun brotherly Anthology from Kauffman.......2006-04-23
This is an anthology that revolves around the three of the four Chisholm brothers. These three Scottish brothers are Brodie, Reese and Tristan.
"Bottoms Up" is Brodie's tale. Brodie is a charming pub owner who dropped out of college to come back to the town he has grown up in. His best friend since grade school is Kat. Kat is one of the local mechanics and is more at home in coveralls playing darts for money than in dresses. The one exception to this is that she has loved Brodie for years, but she doesn't know what to do about it. Daisy Mac moves to town and Kat is instantly jealous of her and what she sees as Brodie paying attention to her. But, Daisy is looking for another friend her age and she and Kat hit it off. Daisy convinces Kat to let her "make her over" which leads to Brodie finally seeing her as a woman.
"On Tap" is Reese's story. Reese is a strong and opinionated man. He runs the family distillery the way he wants to and doesn't take much input from others. But, when Daisy Mac approaches him to promote the distillery on the internet he sees something else he wants more. He wants Daisy, he seem to think of anything other than that he wants her. In the end he decides to let her build the website as it will give him access to her. While both are drawn to each other it takes a while for them to act on it.
The final story is Tristan's. In "Night Watch" you meet Tristan who many in the family think is wasting his time being a sheephearder. But, he loves his job and the fact it gives him time to think and paint the local scenery. He is a serious romantic but no woman has found a way into Tristins heart. Along comes the novelist Bree Sullivan. Bree has escaped to Scotland to get away from everyone who is trying to push her to write/finish her second novel. Her first one was a huge success and now has Bree feeling like her life is so out of control that she is no longer sure what is going on. But, when a naked Tristan saves her from being stuck in a submerged car things seem to be heading in the correct direction.
Kauffman as usual writes funny and fast moving stories. She helps to put a bit of a Scottish spin on a couple of time told traditional men/women stories. The problem to me is that the stories all seemed to be rushed a bit. The wrap up seemed to be so sudden. This is an issue with most anthologies though, and is probably just me.
Bad Boys in Kilts is a "Bonnie" Hit!.......2006-04-08
Anthology featuring 3 out of the 4 Chisholm brothers. All 3 brothers are hunks and very sexual. Besides each having great stories, there is a great lead in for the 4th brother who has a tragedy in his life and will have his own book I believe next year. I will be patiently waiting for his story.
"Bottoms Up": BRODIE is very charming and owns a pub. He loves the bar-life, playing darts and flirting with the ladies, except for Kat Henderson. She is a tomboy and has always had a crush on Brodie. He comes to realize the tomboy has grown up. They have a lot of fun with the pool table and it doesnt involve only playing pool.
"On Tap": REESE runs the family distillery and has very strong opinions. Daisy MacDonnell an American shows up to promote the distillery on the internet. Reese is very taken with her and all he can think about is that he wants Daisy. He is reluctant to let her do her website thing but gives her a chance as it will give him a chance with her.
"Night Watch": TRISTAN is a sheepherder who needs to share passion with a very special woman. Enter Bree Sullivan who has come to Scotland to escape. She is a best selling novelist of ONE book and is trying to escape the reporters and people who are hounding her to produce her 2nd novel. She wants to be alone to escape everything.
She is caught in a rainstorm and stuck in her car with the real threat of drowning as car has gone over an embankment and the front is submerged into an overflown stream. Tristan, naked, comes upon her and tries to help her. She thinks this naked man is crazy and out to kill her. Her finally rescues her and she realizes he not crazy and suddenly does not want to be alone.
Average customer rating:
|
The King's Chessboard (Picture Puffins)
David Birch
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Counting
| Basic Concepts
| Baby-3
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Royalty
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Fiction
| Values
| Social Situations
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Fiction
| Math
| Science, Nature & How It Works
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Picture Books
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Issues
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Picture Books
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Counting
| Basic Concepts
| Baby-3
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Issues
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Royalty
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Values
| Social Situations
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Fiction
| Math
| Science, Nature & How It Works
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Counting on Frank
-
Anno's Mysterious Multiplying Jar
-
Grandfather Tang's Story (Dragonfly Books)
-
A Remainder of One
-
Anno's Magic Seeds (Picture Books)
ASIN: 0140548807 |
Book Description
As the worldwide premiere of a new Bibleman comic strip approaches, a news conference is planned to announce the series and focus the media attention on God. But when the pretentious Prince of Pride catches wind of Bibleman's plans, he vows to use the superhero's own ego to destroy him.
After the prideful Prince zaps Bibleman with a mega-volt ego-enhancing ray, our hero finds his modesty put to its greatest test. His comrades are also hit with the evil-ego whammy as well as Stephen Phillips, the comic strip's talented young artist, begins to see himself as a bit too talented.
Is our superhero any match for his new super-sized ego? Will Stephen's selfishness bring about the end of the comic strip and Bibleman? Or does God have a plan for the Prince of Pride?
Customer Reviews:
New Edition of The Bibleman Adventure.......2007-04-04
This edition of the Bibleman Adventure differs from the original cut in that the villain's "gratuitous dance number" is new. The scene is all the same, but the soundtrack is different. Also, there's newer background music for the fight scenes in the studio--it's a little more "exciting". Other than that, there are no changes to the story.
Average customer rating:
- A wonderful feminist fairy tale
- Good book!
- Good book!
- A cute story - a strong princess
|
The Knight Who Took All Day
Manufacturer: The Chicken House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Stories
| Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Dragons
| Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Humorous
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Royalty
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Picture Books
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
The Dragon Snatcher
-
Animal Snackers
-
Mudball (Tavares baseball books)
-
Don't Be Silly, Mrs. Millie!
-
Mutt Dog!
ASIN: 0439748291 |
Book Description
A dashing knight decides it's time to impress the golden-haired princess. All he needs is a dragon to show off his marvelous talents. One day, a huge dragon appears on the horizon, smoke pouring from his nostrils. Immediately, the knight orders his squire to fetch his armor. But will he get dressed in time--or is this knight more interested in appearances than action? After much waiting, the golden-haired princess decides to tame that fire-breathing beast herself!
Customer Reviews:
A wonderful feminist fairy tale.......2007-04-23
This is a very funny, clever book about a macho knight who wants to win the hand of a fair princess... Except that the princess is completely disinterested in him, or in his macho ways. When a dragon finally shows up and menaces the kingdom, the vain knight dithers about and wastes time trying to dress up fancy so he'll impress the Princess. So she takes matters into her own hands and he saves the day, taming the dragon instead of killing him (which is what the knight wanted to do...) It's an explicitly feminist fairy tale, and also pro-dragon, which is a nice change of pace. Lots of visual humor, too, long with the charming text. Recommended!
Good book!.......2007-04-10
My daughter and I really enjoyed this book. The message that working toward your goals rather than just trying to look good is a good one. It's too bad that the "prize" is a woman, although I guess you could say that it's also recognition for a job well done. But overall the book is fun and shows you that you don't have to be a knight or other high-ranking figure to go after and achieve what you want.
Good book!.......2007-03-21
Good book, my 5-year-old and 7-year-old children both liked it and asked for it several times. Great moral, too -- appearance isn't everything.
A cute story - a strong princess.......2006-11-10
This is a cute story about a vain knight trying to impress and "save" the princess. By the time he has all he needs to look good, the princess has handled the dragon herself and run off with the squire.
Customer Reviews:
A good series, and an enjoyable book.......1999-11-11
This one was different from the previous Cheysuli books, because it did not focus on one main character. The book was a lot weaker as a result, particularly because the three princes focused on are themselves not very interesting or likable characters. At times, this became almost exasperating, but I can't deny that the book engaged me emotionally. For all that I was frustrated, I kept reading. I'm glad that I did, too, because the end of the book makes it all worthwhile. Roberson really delivers. This book, as well as the series as a whole, are both definitely worth reading.
Good, but could be better.......1998-06-15
Though I enjoy Jennifer Roberson's Cheysuli Cycle very much, that book was for me a little bit disappointing. There were too many characters instead of one, who'd be better characterised. And the plot was quite similar to these in previous books in the cycle. But, in spite of all, it remains worth reading.
Book Description
Every little girl has dreams of being swept up into a great adventure, of being the beautiful princess. Sadly, when women grow up, they are often swept up into a life filled merely with duty and demands. Many Christian women are tired, struggling under the weight of the pressure to be a "good servant," a nurturing caregiver, or a capable home manager.
What Wild at Heart did for men, Captivating is doing for women. Setting their hearts free. This groundbreaking book shows readers the glorious design of women before the fall, describes how the feminine heart can be restored, and casts a vision for the power, freedom, and beauty of a woman released to be all she was meant to be. By revealing the core desires every woman shares-to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a grand adventure, and to unveil beauty-John and Stasi Eldredge invite women to recover their feminine hearts, created in the image of an intimate and passionate God. Further, they encourage men to discover the secret of a woman's soul and to delight in the beauty and strength women were created to offer.
Customer Reviews:
Good insight to the real us.........2007-10-11
This book has been pretty good so far. I kind read through it pretty quickly and learned a bit from it, now I'm going back with a study guide and the journal to make the most of it and I'm taking slowly to be able to really focus and apply some of the material.
Amazing.......2007-10-03
This book is the best christian book that I've ever read. It really hit home with me and I could relate to all the things it talked about. I truly believe all teenage and young adult girls should read this book!
Practice discernment with this book.......2007-09-29
The Eldredges have a penchant for writing pop culture into their books rather than stating what is Biblical. Much of their Scriptural quotations are deliberately picked and chosen to back up their personal opinions and experiences. Any true student of the Bible would be able to discern the poor exegesis right away. They read into the Scriptures their personal biases, rather than gleaning from the Scriptures what was truly meant.
Aside from that, contrary to what Eldredge has written, every woman's greatest longing and desire is not "to be a beauty." Every woman's (and man's) greatest need is to know that they are God's -- valued and accepted by Him. Sadly, many women have found that their only source of validation, from the time they were little girls, came from their external appearance. When they wore pretty dresses, had cute ribbons in their hair and looked pretty, they were complimented. This taught and reinforced for them that their value comes from their beauty. It then follows that many women long to 'unveil beauty' (as Eldredge writes) because that's the only way they know validation. Women, this is not what we should be teaching our younger women nor should this be what we believe. What we are all seeking is to be valued, and we can be valued by God simply because we belong to Him -- not because of how we look or what we've done. Our identity comes from Christ. And our purpose in life is not to be a beauty, to be rescued and romanced or join a man in his adventures -- rather, it is to follow God on the adventures He has us go on. We are not called to just be sidekicks to the hero, we are also called to be heroines. God's call is for both men and women to be 'fishers' of men and women. God's commission is for both men and women to make disciples of all nations. This means both men and women are to go on great adventures with God. Don't settle for a lesser role than God intended for you.
As a final note, we all know and understand from Prov 31:30 that "beauty if fleeting". A woman's greatest call is to be "a woman who fears the Lord." This is what we ought to pursue with passion.
I wouldn't recommend this book to any of my friends. But if you want to see what all the hype is about, I just wanted to encourage you to practice discernment in reading this book. Take their words with a grain of salt. Remember that it is THEIR words and opinions, not biblical words from the Lord.
Validates the importance of womanhood and beauty.......2007-09-29
Being an aesthete, I always considered myself trivial in my need for beauty. I couldn't imagine why it was so important to me, but I figured it must be a dysfunction and I felt shallow for it. I also had trouble with femininity in general because what was feminine was not valued in my childhood home or in the media. That was until I read Captivating. Eldredge did an excellent job breaking down what is critical and powerful about beauty and womanhood, in a way that was impacting and memorable. I consider it a must-read for women.
Wonderful Book Revealing Those Times We Were Broken As Women.......2007-09-25
I had to read this after I read Wild At Heart--This book pointed out so many times, places in my life when I was broken. When my spirit was crushed, when I missed getting something that I truly needed for my life--and it also gave me the strength to say, "Hey, that's okay -- I'm okay -- I'm beautiful." Thank you -- John and Stasi -- for your ministry and honesty!
Book Description
Every little girl has dreams of being rescued by the hero, of being swept away into a great adventure, of being the beautiful princess. Sadly, when women grow up, they are taught to be tough, efficient, and independent. Many Christian women are tired, struggling under the weight of the pressure to be a "good servant," a nurturing caregiver, passionate lover, or capable home manager.
What the
Wild at Heart Field Manual did for men, the
Captivating: A Guided Journal can do for women. By revealing the three distinctly female desires every woman shares, John and Stasi Eldredge invite participants to recover their feminine hearts, which may have suffered many wounds but were originally defined in the image of a passionate God.
Customer Reviews:
Life changing.......2007-07-18
As a woman who teaches Bible studies, I find this book very captivating, most of the information I either knew or experienced because of my walk with the Lord, but is nice to have a book that can be used as a tool to help other women open up and recognize their wounds but also acknowlege that God can heal them. I am using it again in another Bible Study because it is really helpful in allowing women the permission to open up in small groups. I would recommend this book to any female struggling with who she is and one interested in doing a Bible Study for women who need to experience God's love through their pain.
I had heard so much good, and it was really really bad.......2007-06-21
My cousin recommended this book to me, and I just felt it was a repeat of so much other self help stuff that is currently out there. Don't get this book... the publisher must be paying their marketing people big bucks to be promoting this cr*p.
CAPTIVATING - THE JOURNAL.......2007-05-18
A WONDERFUL COMPANION TO THE BOOK, CAPTIVATING. GIVES THE READER OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT ON THE PREMISES MADE BY THE AUTHORS AND WRITE
PERSONAL RESPONSES TO INTROSPECTIVE & CANDID STATEMENTS & QUESTIONS. INSPIRES SOME REAL DEEP SOUL SEARCHING. THE PAIR ARE GREAT FOR A GROUP BOOK STUDY.
Great for group study.......2007-05-07
I have been reading through this book along with using the journal with my small group of women from church. It's been great! It can be pretty heavy at times, but it's definitely a book all women should read. It helps to put words with things we've felt but couldn't verbalize. I really recommend this book.
Excellent.......2007-04-05
This book was great. I got it quickly and in the condition advertised. I highly recommend Captivating!
Book Description
This digital document is an article from First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life, published by Thomson Gale on October 1, 2007. The length of the article is 3016 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: God & the second sex.(Book review)
Author: Colleen Carroll Campbell
Publication:
First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 1, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Issue: 176
Page: 51(5)
Article Type: Book review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Books:
- Gardenias for Breakfast: A Women of Faith Novel (Gunn, Robin Jones)
- Hairstyles Of The Damned (Punk Planet Books)
- Havana Bay: A Novel
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- I Say a Little Prayer: A Novel
- In This House of Brede
- Irish Mist (A Nuala Anne McGrail Novel)
- Lake Wobegon USA (Lake Wobegon)
- Lipshitz Six, or Two Angry Blondes
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Fortunate Son: A Novel
- Twice-Upon-A-Time: Born and Adopted
- Sepharad
- The Conscientious Marine Aquarist: A Commonsense Handbook for Successful Saltwater Hobbyists
- The DV Rebel's Guide: An All-Digital Approach to Making Killer Action Movies on the Cheap
- Venice Against the Sea: A City Besieged
- The Placebo Chronicles: Strange But True Tales From the Doctors' Lounge
- Valuing the Earth: Economics, Ecology, Ethics
- Richard III: A Source Book
- International Trade and the Basel Convention
