Top Selected Products and Reviews
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1.
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List Price: $12.99 Price: $7.24 You Save: $5.75 (44%) "The Old Man and The Sea Review by Obie Amudo" - By Ejiro Amudo
I liked the novella, The Old Man and The Sea, because Ernest Hemingway uses powerful yet simple language to convey profound themes throughout the book. One overarching theme that I found especially compelling was the importance of perseverance in taxing times regardless of the expected outcome. When Santiago, the fisherman, attempts to catch a magnificent fish, he continues to do his best no matter what difficulties arise. Though the fish was huge and the thought of catching it perhaps even overwhelming, Santiago never gives up; even as he experiences physical pain and knows with certainty that the fish wouldn’t make it back to shore, Santiago consistently perseveres and does his absolute best. I think what I really enjoyed about this novella was that Ernest Hemingway doesn’t leave the book with a neat conclusion where Santiago gets the expected reward, a truly impressive catch. By Santiago ending the journey with empty ... full review(2,054) -
2.
- In Stock.
List Price: $9.99 Price: $6.82 You Save: $3.17 (32%) "After 30 years, I finally finished this book" - By D. Barret (Killeen, TX USA)
I originally read this book as a junior in high school, it was so beyond my understanding, I ended up with a "D" on the paper I had written. I recently was required to retread this book for a communications class I'm taking. With an Ashly's insight, and after having read LeBon's The Crowd, Ullel's Propaganda, and Patrick's The 10 Commandments of Propaganda, the scales fell from my eyes. What a terrifying tale. It seems Orwell was prescient when writing this book, he didn't live much longer after its publication, but he's spot on, N. Korea could easily be Oceana. Is the United States not to far behind?(5,594) -
3.
- In Stock.
List Price: $6.99 Price: $5.44 You Save: $1.55 (22%) "Are you or were you a bit of a misfit? This is the book for you!!!" - By Chloe
Proof that you can begin a novel with an opening sentence about the weather, and said novel can indeed become a best seller that remains in the hearts of readers thoughout time. I was an imperfect child, and very confused with a strong sense that I must have been adopted as there was no way I could have been blood related to my family. As a teen I read this novel so many times I began believing Meg Murray and I were best buds.
In my late twenties, I re-read this novel as a book club event and was amazed by all the women who also related and offered comments on how this book directly touched their lives. In significant fashion. Later into my thirties, another group still discussed this novel, espousing the wisdom found within these pages. We all agreed A Wrinkle in Time to be ... full review(2,538) -
4.
- In Stock.
List Price: $8.99 Price: $5.49 You Save: $3.50 (39%) "Holden Caufield is relatable..at least to me.." - By Amazon Customer
Great read! J. D. Salinger is one of my favorites. I haven't got to read many of his other works, but Catcher in the Eye was so ahead of its time. I love the thought and feeling that went into Holden Caulfield (thecmain character) at least the thought and feelings the character portrayed towards people , places, and things in life. His deep emotion makes him relatable and human which makes me wish the book was much longer. I would live to have met and had a conversation with Holden Caufield and J.D.Salinger himself.(3,845) -
5.
- In Stock.
List Price: $16.00 Price: $10.87 You Save: $5.13 (32%) "Absolutely the best book ever" - By Book lover (Mpls, MN, US)
This book is an example of perfect fiction writing. Its length is 5 times the average book and it still was not long enough! The story, the characters, the settings and the emotions enthralled me for days. I could not put it down. I was living the book as it took me to France, the mediterranean, Italy and every home, cave and mode of transportation detailed in exemplary fashion by Dumas. Without giving away the intrigue... This book is the story of a wronged young sailor and follows his life as he is imprisoned due to the actions of 3 jealous men. He lives in prison for an extended period of time, meeting a man who gives him hope and a life beyond his dreams. He escapes the horrid dungeon and seeks revenge on the 3 men who took away everything ... full review(2,641) -
6.
- In Stock.
List Price: $18.00 Price: $11.03 You Save: $6.97 (39%) "Great presentation of a complex character" - By Alex Gruenberg, author of Naked Truths (central Pennsylvania)
Just a quick note: I recently reread this when I was reminded of the complexities of the Spanish Civil War by a magazine article. The book did what I dimly remembered it did: it showed the local, human dimension of the war rather than the history book battle of ideologies we usually see. What I hadn’t remmbered was the subtlety and complexity of the love story. I’ve always thought Hemingway’s ability to present love has been underrated by many people who prefer to focus on the unwillingness of many of his characters to talk about their feelings. It’s true, his characters generally don’t have much to say on the subject, and even their inner monologues tend to be sparse, but Hemingway still manages to express his characters’ deep, vital and nuanced feelings. I think the lack of verbiage is part a reflection of the view expressed ... full review(953) -
7.
"URGENT NOTICE: Go on a media fast for a few hours to read this book!" - By Doctor Lorraine (San Jose, CA)
I rarely read fiction, but I'm glad I read this book! It's the work of a man who truly loves books. He brings to light people who are willing to die for the right to read.
Because this is a scholarly classic, much as been said about the mechanical dog, the smokers who show up to do a blood transfusion, and the job of firemen morphing into setting fires rather than extinguishing them. All of these are elements that make the book quite intriguing.
I was both troubled and relieved when Montag set Beatty afire. It seems that it was the best thing to do at the time. One reason I avoid fiction is that I don't like to go through such slaughters, but it's all just an illusion. And it was an appropriate way to take out a bully.
Decades ago Bradbury was able to foresee ... full review(3,373) -
8.
"I don't think my nephew will have even heard of some of the people referenced in the book like Paul Newman" - By CupCup
This book is a classic. I read it when I was little, and I just got it for my nephew because it's required reading for him in school. I think it's well developed and poignant. It's very dated though. I don't think my nephew will have even heard of some of the people referenced in the book like Paul Newman. I knew he was when I read it in the 80's, but the whole feel of it is an earlier time, I'm not sure he will relate to it, but he should because of the theme. I won't tell him there's a movie of the book until AFTER he finishes reading lol :) I like that there is a Q and A in the back of the book with the author. It will probably give him more insight. I actually quick read the book again before I gave it to ... full review(3,064) -
9.
- In Stock.
List Price: $20.00 Price: $12.07 You Save: $7.93 (40%) "Best translation of a great novel" - By poikkeus (San Francisco)
Translations of War and Peace eventually have to deal with a thorny problem that won't go away: the French dialog. The Maude translation presents it entirely in English, while the P&V translation provides the French dialog, with translated notes. But is it worth worrying about?
I read the beloved Maude translation years ago, and enjoyed the book thoroughly. It's all in English, and it works just fine. The problem is that French dialog is integral to the book's meaning; Russian nobles and intelligentsia at that time used French extensively, almost as a second language. And that's where we see Tolstoy's ironic humor. Napoleon is tearing a rent in civilization, killing thousands, and Russia is committed to a full defense. At the same time, Russians are beholden to the French for their intellectual heritage; the intelligentsia uses French almost as much as Russian. War and Peace is set at a ... full review(1,338) -
10.
"and asked me if I knew any good books. She loves animals" - By L. B. Dorny
I read the story years ago in the fifth grade, and was captivated, both White Fang and To Build a Fire. Now, my fourteen-year-old granddaughter is struggling a little in school to find substance amid the film flam, and asked me if I knew any good books. She loves animals, and so I sent her these two and within days I had a excited response back, and lately a report from her dad that she is blossoming as she speaks openly and with enthusiasm about what she is reading. Just as I anticipated... His stories are demanding with subtle and complex emotions, and in many ways advanced language for school kids, but they are engaging and stimulating, and for kids with a little grey matter upstairs such is precisely their cup of tea. Victory!(2,519) -
11.
- In Stock.
List Price: $13.99 Price: $7.71 You Save: $6.28 (45%) "It was good enough that I had to buy it as an ..." - By Seamonkey88
This a book which I read as a child and opened my eyes to different viewpoints on life. It was good enough that I had to buy it as an adult to read to my wife. The story is straightforward and easy to comprehend at any level. Don't think that makes it boring though; the character development is really the driving force behind the plot.(1,548) -
12.
- In Stock.
List Price: $26.99 Price: $14.91 You Save: $12.08 (45%) "Are you or were you a bit of a misfit? This is the book for you!!!" - By Chloe
Proof that you can begin a novel with an opening sentence about the weather, and said novel can indeed become a best seller that remains in the hearts of readers thoughout time. I was an imperfect child, and very confused with a strong sense that I must have been adopted as there was no way I could have been blood related to my family. As a teen I read this novel so many times I began believing Meg Murray and I were best buds.
In my late twenties, I re-read this novel as a book club event and was amazed by all the women who also related and offered comments on how this book directly touched their lives. In significant fashion. Later into my thirties, another group still discussed this novel, espousing the wisdom found within these pages. We all agreed A Wrinkle in Time to be ... full review(2,538) -
13.
- In Stock.
List Price: $18.00 Price: $11.32 You Save: $6.68 (37%) "Way back when...when the migrants spoke English..." - By John P. Jones III (Albuquerque, NM, USA)
This is another one of the classic works of American literature that is frequently assigned to high school students. As always, there are the idiotic 1-star non-reviews as a result, but compared to most other "assignment" books, relatively few compared with the 5-stars, so it must still hit a responsive chord in high school. Though I have been re-reading numerous high school "assignment" books, in order to judge how my impression changed over the decades, regrettably this was a first-time read for me, thanks to the encouragement of a fellow Amazon reviewer. I have read, and some cases re-read some of Steinbeck's other works, most notably [[ASIN:0143039431 The Grapes of Wrath]], as well as [[ASIN:0140053204 Travels with Charley in Search of America]], [[ASIN:0140186395 East of Eden (Penguin Twentieth Century Classics)]] and [[ASIN:014200068X Cannery Row: (Centennial Edition)]]. "Of Mice and Men" is set during The Great Depression, in California, and there ... full review(5,182) -
14.
- In Stock.
List Price: $6.00 Price: $5.70 You Save: $0.30 (5%) "A Tale of Two Cities" - By Midnight Attic Reader
After a long and undeserved imprisonment in France, Doctor Manette is released to the care of his daughter, Lucie, who had previously thought him dead, and as a result of their removal to England they meet Jarvis Lorry, Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton, three men that will feature largely in the story of their lives, and in the events that draw them back to France, as well as those that occur during the Revolution going on there at the time. This story largely centers around Lucie, and all the adoring men in her life. She is such an angelic, perfect creature that there doesn’t seem to be much to her, other than her radiance and beauty, but I think the understanding, caring way she handled Sydney Carton’s confession gave her a bit more depth and I almost thought her deserving of his deep regard. For me, Sydney Carton is by ... full review(3,430) -
15.
- In Stock.
List Price: $5.95 Price: $5.65 You Save: $0.30 (5%) "Amazing story" - By A R Eader (United States)
I read and thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is dubbed a classic for good reason. This story will captivate anyone interested in the French and Indian War period, Colonial America and the origins of American Warfare. Although not nearly the same experience, I recommend the Major Motion Picture as well. The cinematography and soundtrack are amazing.(537)
