The Sorcerer's Academy

Book Description

Fifteen all-new stories of sorcery about mastering the craft... From an attack by beings older than humans to an illicit charm spell gone awry to a young wizardess whose devotion to a rock star may be her undoing, these tales are sure to enchant.

Stories by Josepha Sherman * Laura Resnick * P.N. Elrod * Michelle West * Rosemary Edghill * Robert Sheckley * Jody Lynn Nye* and more...

Customer Reviews:

Juast bad!.......2004-05-07

This book is one of the worst I have ever read. Most of the stories are poorly written and make little sense. Every now and then an author throws in a cheep reference to Harry Potter or Tolkien and that is as good as it gets.

It's just like Harry Potter, but it's not. Really!! Kind of.......2004-01-24

"Gee, this sounds just like Harry Potter." That was my first thought when I picked up The Sorcerer's Academy, a collection of short stories edited by Denise Little. Indeed, in the introduction, Little brings up that very point, though she mentions that there has been a long line of "learning to be a wizard" books even before our bespectacled friend came about. Little acknowledges that Harry Potter is popular and decided she wanted to see what an American wizardry school would be like. Thus, she came up with the concept of an Academy in the desert of Arizona, near Sedona. She also brought a bunch of friends along for the ride. The result is a series of stories that are hit or miss (as many anthologies are). Thankfully, there are more near misses than there are stories wide of the mark.

Little has gathered an impressive array of mid-list fantasy and science fiction authors to contribute stories. The book starts with a story by Josepha Sherman, introducing the concept of the school and the three main students of the Academy for Advanced Study (or, as the students call it, Sorcerer's U): Barry Silverhorse, Janice Redding, and Matt Johnson. They have a small adventure as they are trying to get to the Academy for the first time, but it's pretty inconsequential. It does set up a plot thread that sounds like it's supposed to run through (or at least in the background of) the rest of the stories, but it never really comes up again until the "final exam" piece by Sherman that ends the book. It does a good job of introducing us to the three students, though, as Sherman does an impressive job of characterization.

While the beginning isn't the most impressive, the last story (Sherman's "Final Exam" is only one page, so I'm not including it in the count) is a standout story. Written by Von Jocks, "Parenthetical References" starts out with an English class all receiving very low marks on a research paper (not exactly the most exciting idea for a story). It turns into a wonderful character piece starring Cassi, a girl who doesn't talk (it's unclear until the ending whether or not she can but won't talk, or if she is incapable). She feels ostracized by the other students and she is having trouble fitting in, but she's included in a study group to help improve their papers. She finds out the true meaning of friendship and magic during their studies. She's initially unsure if they are just accepting her as a burden to their study group or if they are truly interested in being her friend, and snide remarks from other girls in the class don't help. It's a wondrous revelation when she truly does become part of the group, as well as when we find out exactly what the secret is behind her silence. It's a perfect capstone for the book and should have ended it rather than "Final Exam."

Other good stories include P.N. Elrod's "Dream Date," where a student discovers that the subject of her wildest fantasies (both love and musical) is secretly staying at the Academy for some mysterious reason, but is he as squeaky-clean as his image? "License to Steal" by Mel Odom is an excellent story of an outsider (a young thief in Sedona) who gets coerced into trying to steal something from the Academy and finds out that he may just have a home there. The characterization of the boy is wonderful, though the villains are a bit clichéd. There are no particularly bad stories in the book, though a few are just forgettable. In fact, looking through the book to write this review, I didn't even remember reading "Sleepwork," though I did remember bits and pieces of it so I know I did read it.

There are two main problems with The Sorcerer's Academy. First, and more minor, there are some continuity issues between the stories, mainly having to do with rules. Students spend some time in the first few stories traipsing around Sedona, but then in "Freshmen Mixer," we're told that students cannot leave the Academy grounds unaccompanied their first semester. That rule is mentioned in another story, but subsequent stories also have them leaving campus occasionally. Another continuity issue is that one story establishes that computers are housed in a special building that's protected because magic can have a bad side effect on them. Later, there's a reference to Janice having a laptop in her room. Little details like this added up and marred my enjoyment of the book.

Secondly, though, The Sorcerer's Academy didn't do enough to shy away from the whole Harry Potter idea. The fact that the main three characters are two boys and a girl, and the girl is the most studious of the bunch, gets too close for comfort. That in itself would not have been a problem, except that these three are obviously the main characters, even when the stories don't always concern them. Even the stories that have a different main character include at least one of these three as a "friend" of the main character (something that Robert Sheckly thankfully avoids with "A Salty Situation"). There are far too many stories that are just about them, as well. It also didn't help that at least two stories made direct Harry Potter references (one had a student say "I don't want to be Harry Potter!" and another mentions the increase of movies showing magic in a good light recently).

All in all, this was an enjoyable anthology that doesn't do enough to distance itself from its forebears. The stories are quick reads and I am glad I read them, but most of them fall just short of being great. The attempt to tie the stories into some overarching story and theme doesn't really work, but if you can ignore that, you can enjoy the stories for what they are.

David Roy

Merely "OK".......2004-01-20

This "shared world" type collection of short stories set at a school for young wizards in Sedona, Arizona, was only mildly amusing. While some of characters were interesting, the individual stories were too similar. On the other hand, I found myself wishing that some of the authors involved had not bothered with this collection, and instead would have written stand-alone books. This is fine if you are looking for something inoffensive to read, but there are better books out there.

I loved it!.......2003-11-03

This book may have been conceptualised as a Harry Potter spinoff, but it scores way beyond HP as far as I'm concerned. I expected completely different stories along the lines of Cat Fantastic (which would also have been nice) and was pleasantly surprised to see common characters reappearing in different stories.
Like HP, the stories are set in 'the present', the heroes and heroines are in their early teens, and magic exists. Unlike HP though there seemed more exploration of teen issues and scrapes that teens could quite conceivably get into, all with a magical twist.
My all-out favourite was the story by Michelle West. It seemed deeper and darker than the rest, was written almost as if in a dream, and had a satisfying ending. I was disappointed that Anna didn't appear in other stories as I would have loved to find out more about her. Most of the stories were above average (kudos to Denise Little) though I didn't like the one by Robert Sheckley so much. It seemed more run-of-the-mill in contrast, removing the students completely from the school context.

Great anthology.......2003-09-03

The first reaction to a fifteen-story sorcerer's academy would be Potter lite. However, the contributors to THE SORCERER'S ACADEMY spin a series of tales intercalated by the locale and by the magic that makes a reader finish in one sitting the entire collection. The stories are fun as apprentice sorcerers and wannabe Gandolfs obtain an education in the use of the arcane powers. Fans of the Potter books will realize that this is a well-done Americanized Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. The reader will want to head past Phoenix to Sedona to audit Sorcery 101, remedial sorcery, and advanced sorcery courses. Attend the labs and the lectures of noted Professors like Edwards, but study hard for that final exam as even college grads will not have seen the likes of it and beware of being the teacher's pet or class clown in these environs.

Harriet Klausner

Book Description

*Appeals to fans of Love Hina *Love Hina Style Harem Manga with LOTS of fan service - a little edgier and sexier than Love Hina, but still older teen in sensibilities *Over 20,000 fan sites dedicated to Ai Yori Aoshi *Anime available in the US on DVD

It's hot fun in the summertime as the gang heads to the beach...but what to wear? Kaoru accompanies the women on their search for the ultimate swimsuit, Mayu and Tina are at it again, competing for Kaoru's attention. Chika joins the crew for some sizzling times, but Kaoru and Aoi sneak off by themselves--Aoi has something "special" to show him!

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Azul, Ai Yori Aoshi vol. 7 (En espanol)
Kou Fumizuki
Manufacturer: Public Square Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 159497375X

Book Description

This romantic comedy manga series chronicles the obstacles a young couple must overcome on their way to the altar. Just as Kaoru Hanabishi resigns himself to facing his college years alone, he runs into his childhood sweetheart, Aoi Sakuraba. Despite her family's protests, Aoi is determined to become his wife. But in order to renew their arranged engagement, Kaoru must reconcile with the family he ran away from.

Aiyori Aoshi Vol. 7 (Ai yori Aoshi) (in Japanese)

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Aiyori Aoshi Vol. 7 (Ai yori Aoshi) (in Japanese)
Kou Fumizuki
Manufacturer: Hakusen Sha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic
ASIN: 4592133773

Amazon.com

In the second of the "Merlin Missions"--hardback additions to Mary Pope Osborne's Magic Tree House series--plucky heroes Jack and Annie must once again must travel back in time to rescue Camelot from looming danger.

One wonders why Merlin can't handle this sort of thing himself, but then of course we wouldn't get a chance to see Jack and Annie have another seat-of-the-pants adventure, getting mixed up with shape-shifting magic, armies of birds, a puzzling gem of power, and all sorts of other trouble. With the help of their old pal Teddy (Morgan le Fay's apprentice, last seen in dog form in four earlier Tree House stories), the two "Master Librarians and Magicians of Everyday Magic" must solve the mystery behind a castle full of ghosts and a menacing army of ravens. Not surprisingly, half the trouble comes in unraveling Merlin's riddles and helping Teddy use his rhyming magic correctly.

Osborne doesn't challenge readers overmuch (including the constant restatement of plot elements, perhaps worried that kids might otherwise forget or lose interest) and many parts of the story barely convince (like Teddy's "period" dialogue, e.g., "'Tis cool indeed"), but fans of the Magic Tree House will no doubt love another installment. (Ages 6 to 9) --Paul Hughes

Book Description

The intrepid Jack and Annie are summoned once again to the fantasy realm of Camelot. There, Merlin the Magician tells them that the Stone of Destiny has been stolen. The answer to its disappearance lies within a haunted castle. With a young magician named Teddy, Jack and Annie take on the challenge in an adventure that takes them to new heights and places they couldn’t even imagine!
a Stepping Stone Book™

Customer Reviews:

Another great book.......2007-02-09

Mary Pope Osborne has done it again with this book. A great book for children.

haunted magic.......2007-01-22

I love the magic tree house series!!! I greatly enjoy reading these with my daughter!!!! Keep bringing them on.............mommytess

Haunted Castle on Halllows Eve.......2007-01-16

Book review of
Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve

If you like magical places this is the book for you. The ages are 7-11. Jack, and Annie, and teddy have to finish a mission. That they were assigned by sorcer. They have to restore a castles order.
Jack, Annie, and Teddy have to restore a castle to normal. Jack is the leader. Annie helps and takes to animals. Teddy is a young sorcer. Teddy has rims to make the magic work.
Jack, Annie, and Teddy have to work together to save the castle. Teddy comes up with a plan to get the diamond. Jack found the diamond right away and flew to the castle. They help each other to protect the diamond. These three have to work together to over come obstacle.
The story takes place in a castle, tree house, and a nest. The castle is hunted. The tree house is failed with books. It can also transport you almost any ware. The nest is failed with jewelry and rare items.
Jack and Annie have to get back. Sometimes supped up on the ledge. It was the raven king. He had Teddy in a bird cage. You will have to read it to find the rest out.

READ THIS BOOK PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2006-11-07

If you like adventure books, than read this book. This book is about three kids who go to a castle and try to help a family, while trying not to be too scared. This is a really good book for anyone to curl up and read. It also has easy text for young readers to read and understand. Maybe you will like this book if you read it too.

Great series. .......2006-11-04

My son absolutely adores this series. He just turned 7. I still am reading the stories to him, but he can pick up some words and phrases as I read to him. We read the series in order and now are beginnning to reread them.

This story can be read individually, but I recommend reading the earlier ones to get to know the characters. Jack and Annie are very likeable. They try to achieve their goal with the assistance of clues given to them by the magician Merlin. It is good for problem solving and also has alot of educational tidbits.

Five Little Pumpkins (Harper Growing Tree)

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Excellent for toddlers!
We love this book!
DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOARD BOOK
Halloween Board Book Not To Miss!
A Festive Halloween Board Book

Five Little Pumpkins (Harper Growing Tree)
Public Domain
Manufacturer: HarperFestival
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

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ASIN: 0694011770

Book Description

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.The first one said, "Oh my, it's getting late."Get ready for some wicked fun as these five pumpkins run and roll! Toddlers will want to chant along with this popular rhyme again and again. Dan Yaccarino's vibrant and bold illustrations bring these pumpkins to life with personality and style. Toddlers are sure to laugh out loud as these pumpkins roll out of sight!

Customer Reviews:

Excellent for toddlers!.......2007-09-29

I was a kindergarten teacher and this rhyme was a staple during the month of October. When I saw it had been made into a book, I got it for my 2 year old daughter. It is perfect for this age. Short, rhyming text and vibrant pumpkin pictures. My 4 year old twins like it too because they are so familiar with the rhyme they feel like they are reading it themselves. Definitely a favorite for Halloween in this house.

We love this book!.......2006-10-03

The rhyme of Five Little Pumpkins is SO easy to read and memorize, the board book holds up very well, and the illustrations are very endearing--the jack-o-lantern faces are expressive and the colors are beautiful. This book made my 20-month-old son a jack-o-lantern fan, and I haven't gotten tired of reading it to him yet!

DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOARD BOOK.......2005-06-07

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, "Oh, my it's getting late!"
The second one said, "There are witches in the air."
The third one said, "But we don't care."
The fourth one said, "Let's run, let's run!"
The fifth one said, "Isn't Halloween fun?"

Then Woooooo went the wind
And OUT went the lights.
And five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

My 2 1/2 year old just loves Halloween. It's only June as I write this and he's already asking if Halloween is coming soon almost on a daily basis. So when I saw this book at a yard sale I just had to pick it up. This delightful verse that has been around so long is accompanied by cute and spooky illustrations of pumpkins, ghosts, witches, and black cats. Just a delightful and sturdy little board book. Perfect for your little goblin.

Halloween Board Book Not To Miss!.......2002-09-19

Dan Yaccarino captures the essence of Halloween with simple, yet expressive pictures of pumpkins, ghosts and a black cat. My one year old son Ryan loves it when i read the story of the Five Little Pumpkins. He points to all the different pumpkin faces and loves their orange glow. The book wipes clean and withstands being dragged all over the house! I am a big fan of Dan Yaccarino's work, love his cartoon Oswald, so this book is a big Halloween fun delight!

A Festive Halloween Board Book.......2002-08-21

This board book with wipe-clean covers and pages is a delightful Halloween romp featuring the five famous little pumpkins of the familiar gradeschool song. Bright double page illustrations showing the five different jack-o-lanterns tell the tale of Halloween night that begins with the pumpkins "sitting on a gate" and finishes up with them "rolling out of sight." Simple but fun-filled witches on broomsticks, a black cat, and whispy smiling ghosts join in the fun. This book is rated for the ages of 1 1/2 and up and is basic and short enough to hold the attention of a very little one but can be used to learn reciting or singing. It is a nice touch for Halloween because there is no scariness in it and lots of smiling, bright colored action to follow. Sure to be a family favorite.

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More than sap drips from this tree
An impressive tome
kitschy fun
Poetic Prose that Makes a Great Read Aloud
Love this book

The Halloween Tree
Ray Bradbury
Manufacturer: Yearling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0375803017
Release Date: 1999-09-07

Amazon.com

Special indeed are holiday stories with the right mix of high spirits and subtle mystery to please both adults and children--Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol," for example. Or Ray Bradbury's classic The Halloween Tree. Eight boys set out on a Halloween night and are led into the depths of the past by a tall, mysterious character named Moundshroud. They ride on a black wind to autumn scenes in distant lands and times, where they witness other ways of celebrating this holiday about the dark time of year. Bradbury's lyrical prose whooshes along with the pell-mell rhythms of children running at night, screaming and laughing, and the reader is carried along by its sheer exuberance.

Bradbury's stories about children are always attended by dread--of change, adulthood, death. The Halloween Tree, while sweeter than his adult literature, is also touched at moments by the cold specter of loss--which is only fitting, of course, for a holiday in honor of the waning of the sun.

This is a superb book for adults to read to children, a way to teach them, quite painlessly, about customs and imagery related to Halloween from ancient Egypt, Mediterranean cultures, Celtic Druidism, Mexico, and even a cathedral in Paris. (One caveat, though: Bradbury unfortunately perpetuates a couple of misconceptions about Samhain, or summer's end, the Halloween of ancient Celts and contemporary pagans.) This beautiful reprint edition has the original black-and-white illustrations and a new color painting on the dust jacket. --Fiona Webster

Book Description

"A fast-moving, eerie...tale set on Halloween night. Eight costumed boys running to meet their friend Pipkin at the haunted house outside town encounter instead the huge and cadaverous Mr. Moundshroud. As Pipkin scrambles to join them, he is swept away by a dark Something, and Moundshroud leads the boys on the tail of a kite through time and space to search the past for their friend and the meaning of Halloween. After witnessing a funeral procession in ancient Egypt, cavemen discovering fire, Druid rites, the persecution of witches in the Dark Ages, and the gargoyles of Notre Dame, they catch up with the elusive Pipkin in the catacombs of Mexico, where each boy gives one year from the end of his life to save Pipkin's. Enhanced by appropriately haunting black-and-white drawings."--Booklist

Customer Reviews:

More than sap drips from this tree.......2007-04-07

Never being a rabid fan of science fiction Ray Bradbury never appealed to me as a novelist.In fact, I don't read science fiction at all.Growing up with Star Trek and The Twilight Zone were my main exposures to this area and aside from Campbells 'Who Goes There' which manifested itself into The Thing, I've never read much of the genre.The Halloween Tree intrigued me as a novel and its briefness and the unique subject matter always stuck in my mind.I knew it was considered a childrens book but I read it anyway,so what, right?In the few short hours it took to read it I can honestly say it was an enjoyable read and it was, dare I say,FUN!It involves a mystery to solve with a ragtag group of kids ala Scooby Doo but with a little more class.It is a good little story which I understand was made into a sort of video cartoon thing but I cant find it anywhere.If done right this could probably make a good movie what with all the special effects available today.The gist of it is a journey throughout various cultural representations of Halloween in search of their missing friend and the kids follow instruction from a mysterious old man who lives in a mysterious old house with a mysterious old tree with pumpkins and such hanging from it.VERY mysterious ehh? He even goes by the name of Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud of all things. If that doesn't whet your appetite for a good old fashioned Halloween tale than nothing will.All kidding aside, this Halloween night adventure is pure enjoyment and as I say, fun.Just that and nothing more.Encourage the kiddies to read it or read it to them for discussion at the dinner table or at bedtime when the nights get cold.Read it for yourself to help remember your own innocent past and youthfull,nocturnal excursions on Halloween night.Bradbury departs from his usual here but his heart's in the right place.I think you'll enjoy it.

An impressive tome.......2007-03-16

Gauntlet has a proud tradition of reissuing Ray Bradbury's books in impressive limited editions, starting several years ago with such stellar works of fantasy as The October Country and Something Wicked This Way Comes, and recently venturing into more esoteric realms with a fascinating tome presenting several incarnations of what eventually was filmed as It Came From Outer Space. Their latest tribute to the legendary Mr. Bradbury comes in the form of a massive offering dealing with a television script turned novel, The Halloween Tree.

First, let's cover the novel. At its most basic, The Halloween Tree is an attempt to answer questions about the origins of Halloween and the monsters which have come to be associated with it over the centuries. Bradbury painlessly conveys his lesson in between telling the story of eight boys who take a fabulous journey through history one Halloween night, courtesy of the mysterious Mr. Moundshroud, a recluse who lives in an old mansion on the outskirts of town.

The journey is a welcome distraction for the boys, who are concerned about the welfare of their best friend Pip, who took ill earlier in the evening. In each place they visit, whether it be a pyramid in Egypt, or the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, they encounter their friend's spirit in various forms. At first he is a mummy, then a gargoyle, then a skeleton. Later, the boys are told that Pip may die, unless they all agree to give Mr. Moundshroud one year of their life. Vaguely aware of the enormity of what they are doing, they agree, returning home to find their friend safe and sound.

A book probably best read in one's pre-teens, The Halloween Tree still contains much for more mature readers. Although it's not one of Bradbury's stronger works, there are moments, such as when Bradbury describes Moundshroud's house as "special and fine and tall and dark" when you know you're in the hands of a master. Older readers can also better appreciate the magnitude of the sacrifice the boys make at the end of the novel a little better than the average twelve year old, which adds poignancy to later readings. So, while it's not on the level of Something Wicked This Way Comes, let's face it--lesser Bradbury is still better than the best of many other working writers in the genre.

Now, to the bells and whistles.

Nearly five hundred pages in length, the Gauntlet edition contains, among other things, the original 1967 screenplay, a spirited joint interview with Bradbury and animator Chuck Jones discussing that screenplay, an early draft of the novel from 1971, the final draft of the novel submitted in 1972, a table of galley changes for the first edition, the new teleplay from 1992, and a 2004 interview with Bradbury. Obviously a labor of love for Editor John Eller and Compiler and Designer Donn Allbright, the companion materials enhance the final text, presenting an exhaustive, detailed look at the evolution of the material from the glimmerings of an idea to screenplay to novel and then back to screenplay. Although its steep price tag will insure that the book will be read mostly by Bradbury fanatics with deep pockets, hopefully some more casual (or more thrifty) fans will be able to experience the wonders inside this tome by borrowing it from their local libraries.

kitschy fun.......2007-03-16

I thought the plot was implausible, events contain historical errors, but the book is still a fun, short read, particularly for tweens and early adolescents. RB always leaves me wanting to read more or keep writing. There is a lot of magic in these pages.

Poetic Prose that Makes a Great Read Aloud.......2007-02-20

Ray Bradbury's THE HALLOWEEN TREE is a great choice to read aloud to kids ten and up during the autumn season. The lyrical language lends itself to being read aloud and the slim volume has some interesting discussion points. The story is even at least somewhat educational as it traces the history of Halloween and how other cultures have dealt with death. Some striking black and white illustrations help set the dark mood. Great introduction to Bradbury for upper elementary, middle school and beyond.

Love this book.......2007-01-10

This has been a favourite of mine since I was a kid and a rereading has proven it's still just as good as I remember.

Magic Tree House #30: Haunted Castle on Hallow's Eve (Magic Tree House)

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Magic Tree House #30: Haunted Castle on Hallow's Eve (Magic Tree House)

Manufacturer: Imagination Studio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 1400091055
Release Date: 2004-08-10

Book Description

Haunted Castle on Hallow's Eve

The intrepid Jack and Annie are summoned once again to the fantasy realm of Camelot. There, Merlin the Magician tells them that the Stone of Destiny has been stolen. The answer to its disappearance lies within a haunted castle. With a young magician named Teddy, Jack and Annie take on the challenge in an adventure that takes them to new heights and places they couldn’t even imagine!

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A dish of lime-vanilla ice, please.

Dandelion Wine

Manufacturer: bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000EANWBU

Customer Reviews:

A dish of lime-vanilla ice, please........2006-03-08

_While this story takes place in an Illinois Town of the 1920's, if you were born in a small to mid-sized town anywhere in North America, fifty years before or after, you will recognise much of the settings and feelings in this book. Bradbury captures eternal youth here, as only his poetic, Zen-like writing style can manage. The only other book that really equals it in this respect is Twain's _Huckleberry Finn_.

_There are small things in these stories that tug at your childhood memories and at your forgotten childhood soul (remember when you still had a soul, before you sold it?) I truly wonder at times if memories like this are still being made in the kind of post-modern world we've created for our children...

_Personally, I see this book, and its appreciation or non appreciation, as a marker indicator between Old America and the New America.

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The Halloween Tree

Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0560303424

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The Halloween Tree (1994)
Ray Bradbury
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000M7ODSG

ALFRED HITCHCOCK MYSTERY - Volume 41, number 11 - November Nov 1996: Zipimart Eddie; Saturday Night at the Mikado Massage; You Can't Really Blame Them; That Midnight Train; Lin Po and the Deadwalker; Incident to Twisted Tree; You Life; Halloween Turkey

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ALFRED HITCHCOCK MYSTERY - Volume 41, number 11 - November Nov 1996: Zipimart Eddie; Saturday Night at the Mikado Massage; You Can't Really Blame Them; That Midnight Train; Lin Po and the Deadwalker; Incident to Twisted Tree; You Life; Halloween Turkey
Cathleen (editor) (Janet Nodar; Loren D. Estleman; Steve Ritchie; Raymond Steiber; B. H. Schrier; David K. Harford; Linda Mannheim; Sharon Mackey; Pamela Blackwood; Andre Maurois) Jordan
Manufacturer: Dell Magazines
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000IB9Q56

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An Autumn Tale
David Updike
Manufacturer: Pippin Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0945912021

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THE HALLOWEEN (Hallowe'en) TREE

Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GVUN00

Customer Reviews:

Great Analysis of Historical Figures!.......2003-11-16

I read this book for a class called Religion and American Culture. It has very insightful chapters analyzing the religious opinions of important founders of our country, including George Washington, Ben Franklin, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. Gaustad illustrates his argument masterfully with quotes from contemporary sources and delves deepy and satisfyingly into the minds of the founding fathers. Although he would find his assessment of the decline in religious fervor to be enthusiastically contested by religious scholars today, his book brings to life the time between the ratification of the Constitution and the Civil War as a time of moral confusion and controversy. Makes you see the time period in a whole new (far more exciting) way.

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