The Plum Thicket (G K Hall Large Print Book Series)

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful story of childhood innocence and heartbreak.......2006-03-03

"The Plum Thicket" is a beautiful book. In the tradition of "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," Giles takes readers on a journey through a child's innocent point of view. By the novel's end, however, that innocent view of the world has been shattered. Set in the early twentieth century in rural Arkansas, the first-person narrator is Katie Rogers, a middle-aged woman visiting the town where her grandparents lived when she was a child. Katie spent many summers at her grandparents' farm, and the entire novel is a flashback to the summer when Katie was 8 years old.

Katie is a bright, intelligent child, the daughter of rather progressive thinkers of the time. She absolutely adores her grandfather, a sweet-natured man who is a veteran of the Civil War, something that Katie is very proud of. However, Katie does not like her grandmother, a cold, bitter woman who resents anything sexual about life. (This fact is a very important part of the plot.) Also present on the Rogers farm is Aunt Maggie, whom Katie idolizes. Aunt Maggie is 30 years old and engaged to the local banker, Adam. However, Aunt Maggie is not eager to marry. She regrets never having attained her dream of being an opera singer, despite the years she spent studying voice in New York City. But Aunt Maggie is a fun, cheerful soul, despite that disappointment. Rounding out the farm are Lulie, the cook/maid of both black and white ancestry, and Choctaw, the farm hand who is three-quarters Choctaw Indian and one-quarter black. (Racial and ethnic heritage also play a role in the book's plot.)

The character that the book's climax hinges on, however, is the new physician in town, Doctor Jim. Jim is a restless, immoral soul who dreamed of being a famous concert pianist but, like Aunt Maggie, was not successful in his attempt at a musical career. Maggie and Jim share that common ground, and Maggie feels attracted to Jim, but she is also repulsed by his drinking, womanizing, and lack of respect for others.

Katie sees a lot of things during that life-changing summer, and to me it's always fascinating to read a novel told from a child's point of view. Katie muses on the differences between Lulie's black Baptist brush arbor meetings and her own family's traditional Methodist church services; her Aunt Maggie's love and respect for Adam versus her love/hate relationship with Doctor Jim; Lulie's comments about the wilder side of life; her grandmother's bitterness; her grandfather's comments about the Confederacy; and a host of other topics.

This novel was one of those books that made me sit and think after I'd read the last page. The novel was bittersweet with a heartbreaking turn of events at the end, but it's definitely an excellent work.

I read Plum Thicket.......2005-05-21

I was enthralled by this book, and literally could not put it down...the beautifully descriptive writing, the sensitivity of the real life characters, the drama in the book. The book kept me spell-bound to the end, and the last fifty pages was a novel in itself. Blew me out of the water. Writing at its best. I highly recommend it!

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The Plum Thicket
Janice Holt Giles
Manufacturer: Houghton Mufflin & Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OEKQDS

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The Plum Thicket (First Edition)
Janice Holt Giles
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000ND7P48

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Plum Thickets & Field Daisies
Rose Leary Love
Manufacturer: Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg C
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

African-American & Black | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0976096323

Book Description

Born near the turn of the twentieth century, Rose Leary Love lived most of her life in Brooklyn, an African-American neighborhood in Charlotte, North Carolina. A family heritage of fighting for human rights and dignity prepared her well for the social changes that would occur in neighborhood, and in her lifetime.

"Ministers, doctors, lawyers, nurses, railroad men, teachers, artisans, servants, and common laborers all lived together in one community," Love reminisces, even as she looks into the future and predicts, "The Brooklyn that we loved will soon be no more." Like some other urban communities that were home to minorities, the neighborhood fell into decline. City officials decreed that the area be razed.

The demolition of Brooklyn during the urban renewal movement soon after the author's death heightens the poignancy of this memoir.

"Men and machines have erased the old churches, the ancient trees, the homes (whether loved or unloved), the multihued flowers, even many boundary lines," Love writes. "But as I look at this open land which will one day be rebuilt with new buildings, laced with new roads, and peopled with new faces, I remember honeysuckle vines that climbed over fences and purple lilacs in an old-fashioned flower garden."

This lovely cloth-bound, limited-edition book is a letterpress keepsake that anyone interested in the history of this New South city will want to own.

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Plum thickets & field daisies: A memoir
Rose Leary Love
Manufacturer: Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

African-American Studies | Special Groups | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006QDEAQ

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The Plum Thicket
Janice Holt Giles
Manufacturer: Fawcett Crest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000TQ4A9W

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PLUM THICKETS & FIELD DAISIES.
Rose Leary. Love
Manufacturer: Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NP3JZU

Amazon.com

There are strange goings-on at the Opera House in Ankh-Morpork. A ghost in a white mask is murdering, well, quite a lot of people, and two witches (it really isn't wise to call them "meddling, interfering old baggages"), or perhaps three, take a hand in unraveling the mystery. Fans of the popular Discworld will be happy to see some old friends again in Maskerade, the 18th novel in the series. --Blaise Selby

Book Description

The Ghost in the bone-white mask who haunts the Ankh-Morpork Opera House was always considered a benign presence -- some would even say lucky -- until he started killing people. The sudden rash of bizarre backstage deaths now threatens to mar the operatic debut of country girl Perdita X. (nee Agnes) Nitt, she of the ample body and ampler voice.

Perdita's expected to hide in the chorus and sing arias out loud while a more petitely presentable soprano mouths the notes. But at least it's an escape from scheming Nanny Ogg and old Granny Weatherwax back home, who want her to join their witchy ranks.

Once Granny sets her mind on something, however, it's difficult -- and often hazardous -- to dissuade her. And no opera-prowling phantom fiend is going to keep a pair of determined hags down on the farm after they've seen Ankh-Morpork.

Customer Reviews:

Maskerading as..........2007-08-02

Terry Pratchett's satirical eye doesn't spare anybody or anything, and in his nineteenth Discworld book "Maskerade," it's opera's turn to suffer. In his typically barbed prose, he gleefully spoofs the "Phantom of the Opera," lampoons opera in general, and takes the opportunity to take everyone's favorite witches out to Ankh-Morpork.

Magrat Garlick is newly married and crowned. As a result, Granny Weatherwax is moody and bored, while Nanny pens an erotic cookbook -- and when it turns out that she's being cheated of royalties, Granny decides to go to Ankh-Morpork and confront her publisher. Meanwhile, the primary witch-maiden candidate, Agnes Nitt, has also gone to Ankh-Morpork to become an opera singer.

But the opera isn't all it's cracked up to be -- Agnes finds herself providing the voice for pretty, airheaded Christine, and the opera ghost is causing some major disasters. Granny and Nanny immerse themselves in the backstage -- and onstage -- drama of the opera, trying to figure out who the Phantom is... and why he's a friend one minute and a foe the next.

It's obvious that the opera holds no awe for Pratchett. Sure, the novel is a spoof of Gaston Leroux's novel, but Pratchett's real intention here is to constantly make fun of the opera, both as entertainment and art form. The entire climax of the book is devoted to making fun of opera's illogic, lack of acting, and such time-honored traditions as a dying person flawlessly singing for about fifteen minutes before expiring.

But it's not all opera spoofery. Despite some grisly deaths and the psycho Phantom (who sends notes filled with maniacal laughter), getting the witches out of Lancre gives the whole story a light, fun feel. It has some darker scenes, such as Granny playing cards with Death for a baby's life, but most of it is dedicated to the witches doing the sort of weird things they'd never do at home (impersonating duchesses, for one).

Pratchett sprinkles the storyline with hilarious dialogue, wacky situations (Nanny Ogg moonlights as the world's fattest ballerina), and some swashbuckling. And he includes a small message as well, about being the sort of person we actually want to be -- and how "masks" on the outside can change us.

Agnes Nitt has a lot of pagetime, but she seems rather fussy and pallid next to Granny and Nanny -- we get to see just how strong their friendship really is, despite their bickering. Granny shines especially, courtesy of a shopping spree, some coach rides and some dodgy darkish magic. And we have a wide array of timid janitors, annoying managers and airheaded sopranos to round out the cast.

"Maskerade" is a gleeful, glorious spoof of opera in general, and a fun outing for the Lancre witches. Definitely a solid entry for Pratchett.

Paper Faces On Parade.......2007-04-30

The DISCWORLD novels of Terry Pratchett are perhaps at their best when they are parodies of stories and events from real life. While Pratchett has a definite knack for humor and his fantasy stories are always funny, the original stories seem to get too bogged down in absurdity. Pratchett is much more clever and precise when he is skewing a classic tale with his own unique take on things, and such is the case with "Maskerade", a laugh-out-loud funny parody of "Phantom of the Opera".

Discworld's favorite witches, Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax, find themselves alone, in dire need of a third witch (if only to form a coven and prevent further arguments). The perfect candidate, Agnes Nitt, has just run off to Ankh-Morpork to join the opera; she is of impressive build, with a voice that can sing harmony with itself, but has entered the field at a time when it isn't the fat lady people want to see singing. Agnes, in a desperate attempt to outrun her destiny, tries to disguise herself and her wonderful personality with the name Perdita, only to find herself as the singing voice to an untalented wisp of a girl, who just happens to have 'star power'. It isn't long before Agnes learns of the ghost who haunts the opera house, and soon dead bodies start appearing that causes the new owner to want to shut the whole thing down. But the show must go on; it is opera, after all.

"Maskerade" is a spot-on parody of the beloved story/musical "Phantom of the Opera". Pratchett's interpretations of the song lyrics is priceless, as is the ridiculous nature of superstitions that accompany the opera world. And even though I am a fan of "Phantom", I found myself laughing along at Prachett's twisting of the tale, and other famous shows along the way.

My introduction to Diskworld - I was very satisfied.......2006-07-09

I had heard that Pratchett was an excellent author, but he just had so many books I did not know where to start. I saw this one, and since I enjoy musicals (especially Phantom) I decided to pick this one up.

I was very impressed with the telling of the story. Unlike most comedies and humorous stories, Pratchett also focuses on advancement of plot. The story is very interesting and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the novel.

The characters? One word: MARVELOUS! Also, I knew that this was not the first Diskworld book to be written with the main characters of this book (Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg). I did not feel like I missed out for not reading others - and after a few short paragraphs, I knew the characters very well.

Overall, this book is an excellent read for anyone. But be warned!! After reading this book I went right out to the bookstore and picked up another two Diskworld books!!

ahh discworld, my favorite escape..........2006-03-04

the wyrd sisters get me everytime. i think it's becuase they remind me of my family, only much funnier.

Pratchett is Just Fun.......2006-02-24

I am slowly working my way through his bibliography, and while there are ups and downs, Pratchett always entertains. This is one of the ups, but they are all fun. I have been reading them in order of publication, but it's not a requirement for enjoyment. It does help, however, with the growth and development of the Usual Suspects that inhabit the Discworld. Read other reviewers for plot summations, but if you want encouragement to read this, or any other Terry Pratchett book, consider yourself so encouraged.

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So you want to be a Barbarian

Maskerade (Discworld)
Terry Pratchett
Manufacturer: Corgi
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0552153230
Release Date: 2005-10-31

Book Description

The Opera House, Ankh-Morpork: a huge rambling building, where innocent young sopranos are lured to their destiny by a strangely familiar evil mastermind in a hideously deformed evening dress. But Granny Weatherwax is in the audience, and she doesn’t hold with that sort of thing. So there’s going to be trouble (but nevertheless a good evening’s entertainment with murders you can really hum.)

Customer Reviews:

So you want to be a Barbarian.......2006-01-16

"Interesting Times" features Rincewind, the inept wizard who prefers to run away from danger, but always ends up in the thick of it. He's been bounced through life like a "pea on a drum" along with his companion, a carnivorous, multilegged suitcase.

He's not my favorite Discworld character by any means (he comes in well below the igors and the members of the Vampire Temperance Union), but Cohen the Barbarian and his Silver Horde also stomp and wheel (as in wheelchair) through this book, so it's well worth reading.

(If you do decide Rincewind is worth pursuing, start with "The Colour of Magic" (Disworld, Book 1) and "The Light Fantastic" (Discworld, Book2)).

When the Counterweight Continent's Empire of Hong, Sung, Fang, Tang, and McSweeney requests a 'Great Wizzard' from Ankh-Morpork's Unseen University, Rincewind is not the first name that would have popped into my mind, but the Archchancellor, Mustrum Ridcully is much cannier than I. He knows that only Rincewind spells his (dubious) title with two 'Z's. As Ridcully puts it, "'what kind of sad, hopeless person needs to write WIZZARD on their hat?'"

The reason Lord Hong requested a 'Wizzard' is rather convoluted. Basically he's looking for a fall guy to take the blame when he assassinates the current Emperor. One thing you could say about Rincewind is that he's the perfect fall guy.

Unfortunately for Lord Hong, wanna-be Son of Heaven, Cohen the Barbarian and his Silver Horde arrive in town about the same time as Rincewind, and they also think they'd like to take a shot at ruling the Empire.

The Horde may be well past the age of collecting Social Security, but the old reflexes are still intact. When the tax collector, Six Beneficent Winds makes the mistake of threatening them with 'seas of blood' and 'mountains of skulls', Ghengiz Cohen and his horde of six are ready to rumble--as long as there's no siege. As one of the barbarians puts it, "Sieges are messy. I hate eating boots and rats."

Not even the god of Fate can predict the outcome of the Silver Horde plus Rincewind versus the Counterweight Continent's entire army.

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Gefährliche Maskerade.
Laura Parker
Manufacturer: Goldmann
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

All German Books | German | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 3442352711

Khachaturian ; Three Dances for Solo Piano from the Maskerade

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Khachaturian ; Three Dances for Solo Piano from the Maskerade
Khachaturian
Manufacturer: Belwin Mills
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MF0XCS

Ludvig Holbergs poetiske maskerade (Stjernebøgernes kulturbibliotek)

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Ludvig Holbergs poetiske maskerade (Stjernebøgernes kulturbibliotek)
Asger Albjerg
Manufacturer: Vinten
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

German | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Danish | More Languages | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 8741436083

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MASKERADE
TERRY PRACTCHETT
Manufacturer: Unknown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S64OGM

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Abridged Edition
One of Pratchett's funniest works.

Maskerade
Terry Pratchett
Manufacturer: Corgi Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

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Feet of Clay

ASIN: 0552153249
Release Date: 2005-11-22

Book Description

Customer Reviews:

Abridged Edition.......2006-08-08

All Corgi Audio books are abridged editions, with Terry Pratchett being read by Tony Robinson.

One of Pratchett's funniest works........2005-12-06

Maskerade is a take on the Gaston Leroux story `Phantom of the Opera'. In the opera house of Ankh-Morpork dastardly deeds are afoot. Christine, the blonde Prima Donna who cannot sing, is being `courted' and taught by the opera ghost. What he doesn't realise is the real star is really one Agnes Nitt, (also known as Perdita X). She is the voice that Christine mimes to. Agnes's talent includes being able to sing in thirds with herself...she also, unbeknown to herself, has a talent for witchcraft.
Lancres famous witches, Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are on the hunt for a third witch for their coven since Magrat Garlick very inconsiderately left them to marry the King. After all, everyone knows there has to be three witches...two just won't do. So, Granny and Nanny take a trip to Ankh-Morpork for a night at the opera and to press gang Agnes back to Lancre. In true Terry Pratchett style, mayhem and madness follow. Death makes his appearance as does the Death of Rats, and Greebo, Nanny's evil but hilarious cat will have you rolling on the floor laughing.
This audio book is an abridged version of Maskerade, but has been so skilfully edited that it seems complete. Having read the book I can say I didn't notice any obvious omissions. Tony Robinson (best known as Baldrick in Blackadder) was a perfect choice to narrate this book; he injects the right amount of humour and his `voices' for each character are spot on. This is a truly funny tale and well worth every penny.

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Maskerade (Acting Edition)
Stephen Briggs , and Terry Pratchett
Manufacturer: Samuel French Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Drama | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0573018294

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Phantom of the Opera on Discworld

MASKERADE (DISCWORLD S.)
TERRY PRATCHETT
Manufacturer: CORONET BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Customer Reviews:

Phantom of the Opera on Discworld.......2007-09-07

The Ankh-Morpork Opera House is terrorized by a masked figure who has a decided preference for a soprano named Christine, and who leaves notes for the opera manager that basically say, "Hahahaha!...PS: Ahahahaha!!!!!"

Meanwhile back in Lancre, Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg belatedly realize that a coven requires three witches in order to function properly. Their previous third witch, Magrat is now a queen and can't make their meetings. Magrat's potential replacement, Agnes Nitt has run off to Ankh-Morpork to become an opera singer.

What can Granny and Nanny do but pack up Greebo, the cat and take the stage (the weather is a bit drafty for broom travel) to Ankh-Morpork?

Opera, Queen of Music is easy to satirize, and Pratchett goes for all the obvious targets: chubby singers; horned helmets; anorexic dancers; drunken musicians; and old fuddy-duddies who are stuck in the 'golden age' of opera. As always, the down-trodden are the real heroes of this Discworld novel: the opera house cleaning staff; and fat Agnes Nitt, who is forced into the role of voice-over for the beautiful but tuneless soprano (remember Debbie Reynolds' role in "Singing in the Rain"?)

Death and the Night Watch are supernumeraries in "Maskerade," and any book that stars Greebo, the malodorous cat, who briefly disguises himself as the Phantom, will always be one of my favorite Pratchetts, even if he does satirize my favorite form of music.

P.S. If you haven't read "Witches Abroad," you may be wondering how a cat can pass as a masked man. There's nothing to it if you're Nanny Ogg's cat.

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david starr, space Ranger

Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000H6W4VA

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David Starr Space Ranger
Paul French
Manufacturer: Doubleday & Company, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MT883A

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David starr Space Ranger
Isaac Asmimov
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000J2F07M

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David Starr Space Ranger/lucky Starr And
Isaac Asimov
Manufacturer: Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Asimov, Isaac | ( A ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Paperback | Asimov, Isaac | ( A ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0553291661
Release Date: 1993-03-01

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David Starr, Space Ranger
Paul (Asimov, Isaac) French
Manufacturer: New American (Signet)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000JJLMP4

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Very dated, still fun to read

We Meet "Lucky" Starr

good reading for science fiction fans of all ages.

The first of the Starr series of science fiction for youth.

David Starr, Space Ranger
Isaac Asimov
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0451067711

Customer Reviews:

Very dated, still fun to read.......2007-02-24

It is clear that juvenile space fiction was not Isaac Asimov's strong suit as an author. While the dialog and descriptions are somewhat typical of what is found in such stories, Asimov uses a higher level of scientific discourse than others do. Written under the pen name of Paul French, Asimov wrote a series of stories about David (Lucky) Starr, Space Ranger, in the early fifties. This book was the first in the series.
Over fifty years later, the descriptions of planetary conditions are completely inaccurate, as Asimov makes clear in the introduction. Therefore, the story must be read by adopting a mindset of increased disbelief. In many ways the story is similar to tales of the settlement of the American west. The pioneers were sturdy, self-reliant people who solve their problems their own way. Like the dueling code of the west, the human transplants to Mars had their principle of the "fair fight." If such a statement was made, then no person could be held responsible for any negative consequences, even if one of the protagonists were to be killed.
The setting is one where there is a large human colony on Mars and a large percentage of the food consumed on Earth is grown there. The quantity is so great that the people of Earth would starve without it. A small number of Earth people have been poisoned and the source is traced back to Martian extortionists. Their goal is to bankrupt the Martian farmers by threatening panic on Earth, bankrupt the farmers and then buy up all the farms. David Starr, newly named member of the powerful Council of Science, travels to Mars to investigate. He poses as an Earthman whose sister was poisoned and his goal is to find out how it was done. While trying to obtain employment, he meets Bigman, a small man living on Mars who is full of spunk and courage. They form an immediate alliance and eventually the extortionist ring is uncovered.
Reading this book is a trip back in time to a point where the imagination of a science fiction writer had fewer bounds regarding the conditions on the planets. Asimov could plausibly use a Mars that humans could walk on with only a breathing apparatus. He could also postulate the existence of ancient Martians who now live deep underground and no longer have physical bodies. In their actions and attitudes, the Martians are Gods rather than creatures. I read the book with amusement, it is a demonstration of a less cynical, more hopeful time, and in my experience the young people of today would find it too campy and too cerebral.

We Meet "Lucky" Starr.......2006-06-09

In the first book of this six book series it may be difficult to see that Isaac Asimov wrote these stories. In later books Asimov put in significant clues that should have led an astute read to see that Paul French, the pseudonym he used for the original publication of these books.

In this book we meet David Starr, who we will know as Lucky for the remaining five books in the series. David is eating in a restaurant when one of the patrons dies. David is soon on his way to Mars to try and understand the source of the poisoning that has killed a number of Earth people randomly across the planet.

Working incognito, David encounters John Bigman Jones, a blustering little man whose big mouth is matched by his courage. In spite of the help that Bigman gives David, David's life is nearly ended more than one time. David also discovers a surprise on Mars that he decides does not need to be revealed to anyone else in the solar system.

Eventually David figures out how the poisoning was done, and who the poisoners are. The ending of this short book is fun and makes this book a quick read.

Isaac Asimov originally wrote the Lucky Starr books in the 1950s. By the time the books were reissued, our knowledge of our solar system had changed dramatically. Asimov's description Mars has been invalidated by flybys and landings from various space craft, as Asimov explains in a forward to the revised books.

This book is also available collected with the second and third book in this series as "The Adventures of Lucky Starr" and in a single volume titled "The Complete Adventures of Lucky Starr."

The Lucky Starr books are a casual read and perfect for readers who enjoyed the Tom Corbett, Space Cadet series of books and Heinlein's juvenile books. There is a lot of logic in each of the books, and just enough hard science fiction to tantalize a reader and hopefully cause the reader to learn more. These books do have a flavor of Asimov's other books, but are less sophisticated. I enjoy these books, but some other readers may find them too mundane. I recommend these books carefully, because I do not know which category of reader you may be. Good luck!

good reading for science fiction fans of all ages........1999-07-17

i have enjoyed these books several times, several years apart. good reading that i enjoyed.

The first of the Starr series of science fiction for youth........1999-06-09

In the 1950's, Isaac Asimov, writing under the pseudonym Paul French (later the books were republished under the Asimov name), wrote six science fiction novels for teenagers about a young agent of the "Council of Science," an organization which has considerable power in a world in the distant future. The agent, David Starr, travels throughout the Solar System to combat crime and to protect Earth. Asimov was using these stories to teach the readers facts about the Solar System. Nevertheless, in an introduction written in 1978, Asimov apologizes for the science inaccuracies in this first volume that are now apparent after all of the space probes to Mars. But, as of 1952, it was accurate. (Actually, this introduction to a later reprinting of a science fiction novel is rather unique. I can not recall another author who makes an effort to point out the changes scientific investigation have provided since the original publication of a story. Asimov should be commended for this. In so doing, he continues to teach.) In this first story, David Starr must discover who is the cause of a series of fatal poisonings on Earth and who is blackmailing the farms on Mars. In so doing, he accidentally comes in contact with ancient Martians living beneath the surface.

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David Starr, Space Ranger
Isaac) French Paul (Asimov
Manufacturer: New American (Signet)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000TXWHPE

Lucky Starr El ranger Del Espacio (Original title: David Starr, Space Ranger)

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Lucky Starr El ranger Del Espacio (Original title: David Starr, Space Ranger)
Isaac Asimov
Manufacturer: Bruguera
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: 8402074081

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Space Ranger (David Starr, 1)
Isaac Asimov
Manufacturer: NEL Books, London
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Product Description

UK edition of the first Lucky Starr book (orig. as penned by "Paul French").

David Starr, Space Ranger & Lucky Starr and the Pirates of the Asteroids (Lucky Starr, Book 1)

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This Book Defines Science-Fiction
Buckle your swash for interstellar adventure!

David Starr, Space Ranger & Lucky Starr and the Pirates of the Asteroids (Lucky Starr, Book 1)
Isaac Asimov
Manufacturer: Bantam Books (Mm)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

This Book Defines Science-Fiction.......1998-04-28

You should definetly check this book out if you haven't already, especially if you're into Sci-Fi. All the Lucky Starr books are wonderful. I've been hooked on them since I was ten. They are great for any age. Playful, well-written and in praise of science (which deserves all the attention it can get). A real feel-good-about-science-and-the-human-race/spirit-lifter. Not to mention the quaint substitutes for real swearing ("Sands of Mars!") Read them, I bet you'll be hooked, too.

Buckle your swash for interstellar adventure!.......1998-01-30

NO ONE HAS REVIEWED THIS BOOK??? Fie on you SF snobbists! "Lucky Starr and the Pirates of the Asteroids" and "Have Spacesuit, Will Travel" are the best two SF novels of the last half of the 20th Century. Asimov and Heinlein. I must be missing something. Maybe Amazon accidentally erased the reviews. Even though the Lucky Starr series was published under the name of Paul French, they were Asimov stories thru and thru. He targeted the younger audience with these books but talent will out and I challenge anyone to say the Lucky Starr series isn't exciting and fun to read no matter what your age. In the first two books David Starr and Bigman Jones meet and embark on interplanetary adventures working for the Council of Science. Heck, don't waste time reading this review, get 'em and start reading.

Amazon.com

Brennan Manning wrote The Ragamuffin Gospel "for the bedraggled, beat-up, and burnt-out," the marginalized folks to whom Jesus ministered: the children, the ill, the tax collectors, the women. In other words, the ragamuffins. Manning understands better than most that behind our facades of order and self-assurance are inadequacies that can find healing only in Jesus. While the powerful and religious elite challenged him, Jesus embraced and healed and fed the needs of the ragamuffins. Jesus delivered love, healing, and, most of all, grace.

Grace is defined as "the freely given and unmerited favor and love of God." But, as Manning points out, we have "twisted the gospel of grace into religious bondage and distorted the image of God into an eternal, small-minded bookkeeper." In reality, God offers us grace immeasurable. Brennan Manning gently encourages us to embrace that grace in the face of our greatest needs. And Manning certainly knows whereof he speaks, having taken a journey from priesthood and academic achievement through a collapse into alcoholism. Manning came face to face with his need, finally abandoning himself to grace. And he invites us now to join him in a life of grace.

Manning is without doubt one of the most eloquent writers on the subject of grace because he openly shares his own pain and struggle to help readers deal with failure and inadequacy. And he sweetly challenges them to do the same. --Patricia Klein

Book Description

A Furious Love Is Hot on Your Trail!

Many believers feel stunted in their Christian growth. We beat ourselves up over our failures and, in the process, pull away from God because we subconsciously believe He tallies our defects and hangs His head in disappointment. In this newly repackaged edition—now with full appendix, study questions, and the author’s own epilogue, “Ragamuffin Ten Years Later,” Brennan Manning reminds us that nothing could be further from the truth. The Father beckons us to Himself with a “furious love” that burns brightly and constantly. Only when we truly embrace God’s grace can we bask in the joy of a gospel that enfolds the most needy of His flock—the “ragamuffins.”

Are you bedraggled, beat-up, burnt-out?

Most of us believe in God’s grace—in theory. But somehow we can’t seem to apply it in our daily lives. We continue to see Him as a small-minded bookkeeper, tallying our failures and successes on a score sheet.

Yet God gives us His grace, willingly, no matter what we’ve done. We come to Him as ragamuffins—dirty, bedraggled, and beat-up. And when we sit at His feet, He smiles upon us, the chosen objects of His “furious love.”

Brennan Manning ’s now-classic meditation on grace and what it takes to access it—simple honesty—has changed thousands of lives. Now with a Ragamuffin’s thirty-day spiritual journey guide, it will change yours, too.

Starburst:

Includes New 30-Day

Spiritual Journey Guide

****

“ Brennan Manning does a masterful job of blowing the dust off of shop-worn theology and allowing God’s grace to do what only God’s grace can do—amaze.”

Max Lucado

Bestselling author of The Gift for All People

“I found deep comfort in realizing that Jesus loves even me, a ragamuffin, just as I am.”

Michael Card

Musician, recording artist, and author of A Violent Grace

“This is a zestful and accurate portrayal that tells us unmistakably that the gospel is good, dazzlingly good.”

Eugene Peterson

Author of The Message

Story Behind the Book

The world assigns value to people using measurable standards. Someone is a successful student if she receives As. Someone is a strong athlete if he runs five miles a day. The Lord, however, knows nothing of standards. The Ragamuffin Gospel was inspired by Brennan Manning after he discovered firsthand what it means to live by grace instead of performance. His words bring new life and sweet refreshment to Christians who are tired of never measuring up.

Customer Reviews:

Amazing, Grace defined!.......2007-09-23

Manning simply and eloquently defines and describes the Amazing Grace of God's salavation that is available to all of humanity...

Amazing Grace.......2007-07-23

So often Christianity is viewed as judgmental and legalistic and the heart of Christianity is lost. Jesus was the friend of sinners and accepted and encouraged the downtrodden and those rejected by the religious elite. Manning so eloquently brings to life the meaning of Grace. He paints numerous word pictures to help illustrate what Grace really means.

Reading this book was like taking a fresh breath of air. I would recommend it to anyone, especially anyone struggling with believing that God truly loves them just as they are, in spite of all their terrible sins.

Always Good News.......2007-07-08

Brennan Manning does an excellent job of reaching out to those of us who feel we have so miserably failed to live up to our calling. He vividly demonstrates the good news once again that Jesus came to save sinners and reflects the incredible, unconditional love of his Father. For anyone who needs to hear the good news again, this is the book.

Re-Luthering.......2007-07-04

In the epilogue to Ragamuffin Gospel, "The Scandal of Grace," Manning informs the reader that one of his Roman Catholic critics told him that he "had out Luthered Luther." I don't know that you can "out-Luther" Luther --- but Manning is at least close here.

If you let it, this book will take you through a path that not many people go on. You'll go to Spiritual AA.

Manning, a recovering alcoholic himself, describes the faith life of a Christian as really only a recovering sinner ever could. He is upfront about his disease. He knows that he isn't God. He knows that He doesn't even deserve to sneeze in God's direction. He shows the most comfortable Christian that they are still a sinner even though they have a nice family and go to church every Sunday. He goes even farther. He makes sure that you know that if you're not actively involved in being empty, in being a ragamuffin, that you're not living the Christian life as it was intended to be lived.

In short, he tells you what a Ragamuffin is - it's a sinner-saint. It is someone who has no right, no claim, and no worth who is passionately and wildly embraced by a savior.

The book is a great choice for a devotional read. It will bring not only a new perspective on your current place before God, but it will show you that your ultimate place is with God, singing in the joy of His free grace.

It is a message of grace for anyone brave enough to consider themselves one of God's ragamuffins.

Loved it.......2007-06-30

I absolutely loved this book. It's true that he says a lot of controversial things, but it's very thought-provoking. It caused me to take a long hard look at my spirituality. For a long time I felt like I didn't measure up to God's expectations and I was constantly frustrated because I never felt like I was good enough. Now I know I'm not good enough -- and it's okay! I am loved anyway. :) Brennan Manning does a beautiful job illuminating God's love.

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