The Town Beyond the Wall: A Novel

Customer Reviews:

Unspeakable Questions; Unknowable Answers.......2005-05-27

As always, Elie Wiesel has transformed his personal experiences into a work of fiction that is anything but. In "The Town Beyond the Wall" readers are introduced to Michael, a Jew who has survived the Holocaust and spends the rest of his life searching for meaning and answers to questions that may not even have answers. Wiesel's stories are driven by questions and the memories that haunt his characters.

"The Town Beyond the Wall" is told through flashbacks. Michael, the narrator, is being tortured in jail after finding his way back home inside the Iron Curtain. His torture is the 'prayer', to stand face to a wall until the pain in his legs causes him to speak. But Michael is strong and resists telling on his friend because he wishes to save a life. He no longer cares about God or religion. He is plagued by memories of his childhood and the regrets he has about actions not taken. He desperately wants answers but knows that some of his questions have no answers.

Wiesel is a master storyteller. He creates characters who are vivid and alive, perhaps because they are endowed with who he is. In "The Town Beyond the Wall" he has crafted perhaps his most optimistic tale, ending with a parable that is at once as thought-provoking as it is disturbing. Perhaps Wiesel has Michael sum up the story the best with these words: "...it isn't easy to live always under a question mark. But who says that the essential question has an answer? The essence of man is to be a question, and the essence of the question is to be without an answer."

great ending!.......2000-12-04

When I read this book, the only other works of Elie Wiesel that I read were those from The Night Trilogy. The Town Beyond the Wall is a bit of a departure from those three stories. You see more optimism in this work, though this only becomes obvious towards the end. The language is more poetic and really sucks you into the protagonist's world.

Average customer rating:

The town beyond the wall. A novel.
Elie. WIESEL
Manufacturer: Bergen Belsen Memorail Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Book Description

Columcille was born in a remote corner of Ireland in the year 521. Legend has it that as a child, he was fed a cake filled with the letters of the alphabet, and so learned to love writing. He grew up to become a monk and a scribe a thousand years before the invention of printing, when books had to be copied by hand.There was one book, a beautiful volume of psalms from distant Rome, that Columcille especially loved, and even though its owner refused him permission, Columcille secretly copied it. The copy was discovered, and a dispute arose over who it belonged to: Columcille, who made it, or the owner of the original. So better was the argument that a battle was fought between the two men's powerful friends; although Columcille's side won, the victory felt hollow to him. To punish himself, he set out in a tiny boat, vowing to leave Ireland forever.A revered figure in Celtic history, Columcille (also known as Columbia) founded the famous monastery on the Scottish island of Iona and left a legacy of learning that illuminated a corner of the Dark Ages. History, drama, and a love of books and reading fill a story--told here in exquisite watercolors and deflty understated prose by noted author and artist Don Brown.

Customer Reviews:

A PERFECT Back to School Book!.......2007-09-17

This book was read as part of the Catholic Mosaic program with our kids. It happened to be read around the first week of school and the subject of being a scholar and how important books are to EVERYONE was highly appropriate. Definitely a keeper!

Wonder Book on Saint Columba.......2005-10-15

The only thing that I can add to the professional and reader reviews is that St. Columcille is also known as St. Columba. All the other reviews do a great job of describing this book.

Recommended for readers of all ages.......2003-04-20

Deftly written and superbly illustrated by Don Brown, Across A Dark And Wild Sea is the true story of Columcille (also known as Columba), a beloved figure from Celtic history. Columcille loved books so much that he secretly copied a volume of psalms from Rome against it's owner's wishes. The resulting and bitter fallout in 521 A.D. caused Columcille to deliberately leave Ireland in a tiny boat, vowing never to return. He founded a famous monastery on the Scottish island of Iona and left a legacy that endures to this day. Brought to life with moody, windswept color illustrations, Across A Dark And Wild Sea is a most engaging picture book and recommended for readers of all ages.

The Man Who Loved Books............2002-08-17

"Columcille was born in 521. He was the son of a king, from a corner of Ireland scrubbed hard by ocean winds, in a time that came to be known as the dark ages..." So begins Don Brown's marvelous picture book biography of the scribe and monk, known now as Saint Columba. Brown traces the Celtic legend of this remarkable man who desperately wanted to bring learning and books back into the world after much was lost with the fall of the Roman Empire. After a bloody war was waged over the copying and ownership of a special book of psalms, Columcille left Ireland forever and with twelve followers "set sail on a dark and wild sea." Landing on the tiny Scottish island of Iona, he and his followers built a monastery and scriptorium where books were copied and scribes were trained. "Books were made and dispatched, like small boats on a dark and wild sea, to places where reading and writing had been forgotten or ignored. The books made colonies of learning, and people's minds, once dark with ignorance, were brightened." Mr Brown's poetic text is filled with imagery, is rich in history and drama and complemented by powerful and evocative artwork in quiet and subdued tones. Together word and art bring Columcille's inspiring story to life with passion and respect. Perfect for youngsters 8 and older, or as a read aloud for younger children, Across A Dark And Wild Sea includes an Author's Note to enhance and complete the story, the Unical alphabet used by scribes, and a bibliography. This is a rare and wonderful story celebrating books and learning, that shouldn't be missed. "Columcille, the man who loved books, helped the world love books. So we remember him and retell his story."

Average customer rating:

Amazing book, amazing author
Should've beens
I couldn't finish it...
Totally OUTSTANDING in EVERY RESPECT!!
superb historical romantic fantasy

Across a Wild Sea (Wild)
Sasha Lord
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0451213874

Book Description

The author of Under a Wild Sky and In a Wild Wood weaves the sensuous tale of a fearsome Scottish sea captain and the ethereal island beauty who captures his heart.

Customer Reviews:

Amazing book, amazing author.......2006-01-16

This book swept me off my feet. Anyone grumbling about it has lost the beauty of old time romance and the thrill of intense passion, because Sasha Lord delivers both! The book was so remarkable, I stayed up all night reading it, then I had to re-read it again to pick up all the subtle plots Sasha weaved in. The hero is bad- a real bad alpha male that is desperate for a no-nonsense female to shape him up, and Alannah does just that. And the love!! Whew! Sasha's lyrical voice makes one feel exactly what a blind person would feel in the midst of passion. Her writing is beautiful and awe inspiring. I can't wait to read the rest of her books.

Should've beens.......2005-04-21

This book should have been good. The story had everything, a handsome pirate, with scars, a wild untamed unique girl - she's blind - and horses. In my opinion it should have been harder to miss with story elements like that.
However, the writing was heavy and hard to read lavishing on the motivations and the feelings almost trying to force the connection of soul mates. In fact, the writing and style almost seemed to place a huge neon sign above the characters head with capital letter SOULMATES. It made it hard to stomach.
That and the fact that dragging off a wild girl, kidnapping her and *locking* her away inside the captain's cabin of a ship would not make the heart grow fonder.
It should have been good and I should have been excited about finishing and going on to buy other stories - but all I can say is that it was barely tolerable in style and writing and characters.

I couldn't finish it..........2005-03-04

This has to be one of the worst romances I've come across. The writing is stilted, the authorial voice is heavy and intrusive. The author tells the reader how the characters are feeling and what their motivations are very blatantly rather than letting the characters reveal themselves through their actions. The hero was deeply unsympathetic(if some creep strongarmed me onto a ship, locked me in a room and went off to fix my future for me, his chances of getting willing action would disappear, never to be seen again), the pairing totally implausible (except for the fact that the heroine was 16, and we were all morons and put up with more than we should have at 16), and, well, the writing was awful.

This is not an author I will ever spend money on again...

Totally OUTSTANDING in EVERY RESPECT!!.......2005-01-30

Since my introduction to this author's work of her debut novel, UNDER A WILD SKY, first book in her `Wild Series' I've been totally awestruck by this remarkably original and creative author. In ACROSS A WILD SEA, the author has again created another remarkable heroine in Allanah. Blind since birth, Alannah's mother had set her adrift at sea, rather than risk the infant's life should the father discover she lived. A sailor found Alannah and brought her to his lover, a woman living in exile alone on an island, to be raised. Growing up with only `grandmother' and the wild horses as her companions, Alannah's remaining senses became especially attuned to nature and as she roamed the island she was able to navigate with ease giving anyone observing her the illusion that she could see, particularly when watching her gallop her wild stallion, Claudius across the seashore.

After a particularly ferocious storm when riding Claudius, Alannah came upon a man washed up from the sea. Sensing danger AND his anger, she wanted him off her island! Xanthier O'Bannon, was a very angry sea captain who blamed the fates for sinking his ship, and adding to his anger was this breathtakingly beautiful young woman who was treating him like a common sailor - totally intent on getting rid of him. After realizing he was hurt, she brought him back to the cottage where she and `grandmother' nursed him back to health. Irresistibly drawn and completely captivated, he never realizing until some time later that she was blind. With Alannah, Xanthier found a peaceful bliss that soothed his soul. After discovering her true origins coupled with her disability, he was determined to do all he could to protect her. Thinking it in her best interest, he took her off the island intending to petition the King for ownership of the island, but after learning of the existence of the island, the king made it a prize to be won in a horse race. A race that would pit them against a common enemy, the outcome deciding whether they would ever have the blissful future they both desired.

Crafting totally unique characters, the author imbues in Alannah a resourcefulness, which in spite of her disability, was a marvel to behold. While Xanthier is not as likeable a hero as one would like, (recalling his nefarious plotting against his twin brother from IN A WILD WOOOD) the author manages to imbue compassion in him for the love he has for Alannah, and the sacrifice he ultimately makes in order to save his young daughters life. With a passionately sensual love story, and suspenseful plot this latest entry is sure to please the most discriminating of readers. Read on its own merit, it's a stand alone and fascinating book; reading in conjunction with the previous novels of the series is a fabulous treat of an introduction to an extraordinary new author!! --- Marilyn, for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---

superb historical romantic fantasy .......2005-01-26

The peasant girl Zarina was at the mercy of Lothian, Laird of the Serpent clan, who used and abused her. When she became pregnant, he beat her, but the infant inside remained strong. When she came close to giving birth, he gave her a knife to cut out the child. Instead, Zarina flees to the woods until her baby is born. She places her child in a boat to try to save her life. Gondin, sailing with supplies to his loved one, and is exiled for safety on the Isle of Wild Horses, brings the infant he found at sea to his beloved. She raised the child as her beloved granddaughter Alannah.

Commander Xanthier O'Bannon's ship breaks up in a storm, but he manages to reach the Isle of Wild Horses where Alannah finds him. He thinks she is cruel refusing to even look at him, but she believes he is selfish as he has not figured out that she is blind and can "feel" her environment. When her grandmother, who feels Xanthier is Alannah's destiny, dies, she agrees to leave her home with him. As they fall in love, her heritage rises to endanger her and her beloved.

ACROSS A WILD SEA is a superb historical romantic fantasy that combines medieval elements with a fine adult fairy tale like atmosphere. The lead characters are an interesting pair especially Alannah, a unique protagonist, who in some ways her isolation has left her pure, somewhat naive, but never twice. The exciting story line blends the fantasy elements inside a well written historical tae that showcases Sasha Lord's ability to provide a wild read for her fans.

Harriet Klausner

Amazon.com

Steve Aylett's Slaughtermatic is enacted in a parodic, cyberpunk world in which crime has become an individualistic and self-evolutionary art. Dante, the protagonist, plans to rob a bank with the help of Download Jones, a human meat puppet whose personality is live on the Net, and Kid Entropy, whose Kafkacell weapon bonds with his psyche to produce a suicide-wannabe who can only kill others. With the vault scan code in his pocket, Dante is duplicated in a time shift that puts him virtually ahead of the actual event--and able to enter the vault undetected. His crime and the action-filled plot become complicated when his second self, Dante Two, refuses to sacrifice himself as planned, murderous Brute Parker is set on Dante's trail, and Rosa Control takes matters into her own razor-bladed hands. Into the melee steps Eddie Gamete, the presumed-dead postmodern prankster-philosopher, Dante's only hero and the author of The Impossible Plot of Biff Barbanel, a book no reader can survive. Expectations about what and who is real change like television channels in Dante's world, where fates much worse than death await.

Book Description

Set in the blood-drenched chaos of Beerlight, "a blown circuit, where to kill a man was less a murder than a mannerism," Dante Cubit and his pill-popping sidekick, the Entropy Kid, waltz into First National Bank with some serious attitude and a couple of snub guns. Murderous, trigger-happy cops, led by the doughnut-chomping redneck police chief, arrive in force, firing indiscriminately into the crowd gathered outside. Surrender or capture is out of the question. Dante's beloved, the murderous assassin Rosa Control — packing a not-so-small arsenal — prowls the streets, trying to engineer her man's escape. Will Dante slip past the forces of corruption and disorder to join his Rosa? What happens next is a tangled mess of reality and virtual reality.

Average customer rating:

SLAUGHTERMATIC
Steve Aylett
Manufacturer: Phoenix Great Britain
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Book Description

"You remember when you were maybe five years old and you went out in the morning and you looked at the day, and it was a very beautiful day, and you looked at the flowers and they were very beautiful flowers. Twenty-five years later you get up in the morning, you take a look at the flowers — they are wilted. They day isn't a happy day. Well, what has changed? You know they are the same flowers, it's the same world, something must of changed. Probably it was you." - L. Ron Hubbard, from Scientology: A New Slant on Life

Have you ever asked the question, "is it possible to be happy?"

Often sought, but seldom found, there are no riches, gems or palaces as valued as mere happiness.

But how does one achieve happiness in the here and now, for yourself and those you care about?

Introducing a book by bestselling author L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology: A New Slant on Life. This book gives spiritual knowledge that opens the door to the life you want live.

A New Slant on Life is a collection of thirty of L. Ron Hubbard's best-loved articles and essays. Some originally appeared as magazine articles, while others are from his lectures and early radio programs; every one is a gem of wisdom and practical truth. The book's unique flavor was best stated by L. Ron Hubbard, in his introduction to the first edition:

"Who are you anyway? Where do you come from? What will happen to you? Are you a product of the mud as you have been told, to exist for a few years and then wither away and fertilize the earth from which they said you came?

"Scientology has answers to those questions, good answers that are true, answers that work for you. For the subject matter of Scientology is you." — L. Ron Hubbard

Here's a book that does what you don't expect it to do — it actually gives you practical data you can apply right now to create the life you want to live. The Scientology philosophy contains new discoveries about life that have never been known before. Learn two rules for happy living. Practical secrets of success. How to achieve your goals... Read and use this book and you will see life in a whole new light. Some of the questions you will find answered in this book are:

What is the anatomy of success and failure? How can you create and maintain happiness? How can you increase understanding in any relationship? What is greatness and how can you develop greatness in yourself? Can you do anything about the twists and turns of "fate"? What does professionalism have to do with one's happiness? How does a person cease to cause things to happen in his life? How do you raise responsible and sane children? What is the basis of marital success? What is the cause of violence and conflict between people and what works to resolve it? A New Slant on Life embraces the full range of man's interests and activities, from the day-to-day and down-to-earth to the upper reaches of the philosophical and spiritual.

Customer Reviews:

Simple yet very useful book.......2007-06-10

When of the first books I read when first starting to study Scientology. I still refer to it and use it 18 years later. Some basic ideas that can change your life!

ENjoy!

Fantastic Introduction.......2007-04-22

New Slant on Life will show you things that you can use today to better enjoy your life. I was especially impressed with the section "How to Live With Children" that helped me greatly in my relationship with my child. If you only ever read one Scientology book, I'd recommend this one.

I recommend this as a first introduction.......2005-07-25

For anyone interested in finding out what Scientology is all about, I recommend this book first. It isn't "about" Scientology - rather, it is a little piece of the kinds of things we learn in Scientology.

Composed of essays, it gives a look into how the mind works, what the relationship is between the mind, spirit, and body, a brief look at what our capabilities are as spiritual beings, and some applicable rules about life and livingness. You can study the material, apply it to your own life, and see how it works FOR YOU.

This is a great first book for anyone interested in the subject.

Scientology: a new slant on life.......2005-04-16

Out of all of L. Ron Hubbard's works, this is the most straight forward and interesting. This book makes it easy to understand Scientology and apply it to your life.

Personal Story.......2004-11-05

There was a chapter that changed my life and my idea on effort. The Chapter "Anatomy of Failure" explained that a person's downfall comes from things not happening the way they want. This was true for me. My life was a long chain of failures and I was miserable from failing. So, the change came with the advice to intend for life to keep on happening the way life keeps on happening--and a healthier way of living to try to change things for the better BUT not to be broken hearted when failure occurs. Hello! I thought I always had to be gung-ho and do or die and I was just killing myself because not everything goes my way. So I was stupid. I guess this is a confession, not a review. However, each chapter is a different subject and an excellent insight into the scope of the Scientology religion. Don't be scar'd! Books don't bite.

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Scientology: A new slant on life
L. Ron Hubbard
Manufacturer: Bridge Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Scientology | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 8773362530

Average customer rating:

Thoughful book
Just That, A NEW slant of Life!
Wonderful lessons on how to live
Lots of practical data
A fantastic book

Scientology: A New Slant on Life
L. Ron Hubbard
Manufacturer: Bridge Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Scientology | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0884041530

Book Description

Who are you really?

The brain consists of more than 10 billion cells. Are you one of them?

Two of them?

Or are you something else? Scientology can tell you. And when you finally know the answer, it puts the whole of life in the palm of your hand.

Because the subject matter of Scientology is you.

What are the two rules for happy living? What is the Basic Mystery? And what are the qualities which embody true leadership? How does a person become a real professional and what exactly is the anatomy of failure?

A milestone on your journey to spiritual knowledge, this book gives real life answers where other books only pose more questions.

Customer Reviews:

Thoughful book.......2005-10-21

On my recent jouney towards spiritual awareness I came across this book at a friend's house. I had heard about Mr. Hubband from time to time, the media has continuously bashed him so I thought I would give it a try. I found the precepts in the book thought provoking and have found them to be true. I think this is worth passing on to others to read. It may help you live a better life and find contentment.

Just That, A NEW slant of Life!.......1999-04-19

This book makes a LOT of sense. It gives ways to get along with others better and when you try it, It REALLY DOES WORK!

Wonderful lessons on how to live.......1999-02-17

A New Slant on Life gives one the basic tools for living. Each chapter is self-contained, so the reader can flip through the book to zero in on his or her specific need. Wonderfully written and inspiring: one is more than just his brain cells! Read it and decide for yourself

Lots of practical data.......1998-11-06

This book contains thirty essays about different aspects of life. Very useful

A fantastic book.......1998-08-24

I really found this to be a fantastic book and gave me a new outlook on the world around me. It truly deserves your attention. You will find that it is very revealing about your own life. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Average customer rating:

Whenever I need a lift I read this book.

Scientology, a new slant on life
L. Ron Hubbard
Manufacturer: Church of Scientology of California, Publications Organization U.S
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Scientology | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0884040135

Customer Reviews:

Whenever I need a lift I read this book........1997-06-10

The new slant on life is one of my favorite books by Mr.Hubbard. It has such a pleasantly inspiring way of explaining the simple truths that make life worth living. If I am feeling out of sorts I start reading this book and in no time at all I am feeling good again. I recommend you read this book and keep it by your bedside to pick up frequently. The more I read it the more I like it. Few books are like this. One's that are become classics to be handed down the generations. Our children need this information. Don't miss out on the beautiful wisdom shared by one of this century's most admired humanitarians.

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Scientology,: A new slant on life
L. Ron Hubbard
Manufacturer: Hubbard Communications Office World Wide
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Scientology | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0007AECTI

Average customer rating:

Scientology: A new slant on life
L. Ron Hubbard
Manufacturer: Bridge Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Scientology | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0884041239

Average customer rating:

SCIENTOLOGY; A NEW SLANT ON LIFE
HUBBARD L RON
Manufacturer: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLICATIONS WORLD WIDE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Scientology | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000S9TUBI

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Scientology;: A new slant on life
L. Ron Hubbard
Manufacturer: American Saint Hill Organization
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Scientology | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006W2NFM

Average customer rating:

Scientology;: A new slant on life
L. Ron Hubbard
Manufacturer: Hubbard Communications Office World Wide
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Scientology | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0007IWMVA

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Scientology: A New Slant On Life
L. Ron Hubbard
Manufacturer: Bridge Publications, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Happiness | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Scientology | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1403144885

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