Customer Reviews (57)

Maia
I read this book not long after it was originally published, and loved it. I had been looking in local used book store and was unable to find a copy, when I found it here, I knew I had to have a copy. I haven't been disappointed, it's even better now. The story's imagery is fantastic and the storyline is incredible. Though it's fantasy, it feels like medival England. I loved the story 25 years ago, and I'm more in love with it now.

I prefer Shardik
Negatives: it's too long, and some of the more interesting events occur "off-screen".The most interesting character (Occula) all but disappears in the second half.The sex is titillating, but there's both not enough (for it be truly erotic) and too much (feels like the author just enjoyed having a teenage buxom blonde to play with, at least in the first half).For an author who builds excellent stories with taut, engaging climaxes (see Watership Down), this work petered out at the end, in my opinion.Some of the fantasy terms for sex or sex organs are silly (e.g. "deldas" for breasts)."Baste" is used as a substitute for the f-word, and I couldn't really take it seriously.I think some of the "men are this way, women are that way" sections of the book come off a bit sexist, but at least there's Occula to be strong, funny, and still feminine (and the main villain is a truly terrifying lady...whose ultimate fate happens "off-screen"...dang it!).

Positives: some excellent descriptions and character insights (but sometimes certain aspects of Maia's character get pointed out to us too many times), and there are some good points on male and female sexuality.There are some appropriately tense situations, and Maia's character grows in a mostly-satisfying way.The ancient empire/society of this book is well-described and believable.Most of the time, you root for Maia and are happy when she succeeds.

As the Beklan empire goes, I recommend Adams's previous (and mercifully shorter) work, Shardik.Of course, nothing beats Watership Down.

Great Book So Far...
I probably shouldn't be writing this before I finish this book, but since it is out of print and not many people know of and remember it, I figured I'd let people know what they're missing.

First off, I found this book at my local library at one of the sales where they sell off old uncommon books for next to nothing.I got this book for about a dollar.It truly is a shame that more people can't read it, as it is rather hard to locate it seems.I had it sqirreled away in my bookcase for a good 3 years before I finally picked it up and started reading it.

The first thing to note, is that if you cannot handle wordy books, comparable to Tolkien and such, do not pick this book up.While it is a very good read, it is intricate in its wording and events.You must keep good track of what you read to keep up.Sometimes it is hard to distinguish exactly what you've just read, because it is just that wordy.

However, I have no problems with books like this because I am a very avid reader.Moving on.

This book has sex.End of story.While it is not as blatant as some books in its description of the act, the sheer presentation of the society and how it works with women makes this book at least 16+ in reading age.

Maia is very well crafted, if not a bit simple.But it is said that the best heroines are the one who start out simple and are forced to evolve and think and solve more.Maia grows from being a country bumpkin (albeit a beautiful one) into far much more.

If you can get your hands on a copy of this book, I do recommend it.Not for young readers in any case, though.The cover is also quite stunning, and part of the reason why it even caught my eye in the first place.The copy that I have is a 1984 edition, paperback.It is yellowing, and the cover is falling apart and I've had to tape it.But the sheer splendor of the artwork is amazing, as well at the gold foil inlays into the cover.If I can scan an image of it, I will.It has that lovely old book smell, that I'm sure many of us have learned to love.XD

However beware, this is a rather long book, being exactly 1223 pages in length, in this version, very small lettering, and very thin pages.Its about two and a half inches in thickness, making itself one of the longest books I've read aside from some of Terry Goodkind's works.An intimidating read for some, indeed, but definitely worth it.

Good luck on finding one, though.XDCheers.

What???
Okay, maybe it's my own fault because I assumed it was a fantasy, as I found it in the fantasy section of a used book store. This is not fantasy, it's erotica. What the heck is with this book?! I only read the first two chapters and was really turned off from the story. Maia is naked and her stepfather masturbates, then in the next chapter they have sex! Not to mention she is 15 and he's 40. All in the first 27 pages! Not for me. Messed up, in my opinion.

Stick to Watership Down
I have tried twice to read this book.The first time was about 20 years ago when it first came out in paperback.I had read Watership Down a few years before that and I loved it.Then I struggled through Shardik, which was disappointing--the world Adams created was fascinating, but the story moved at a glacial pace until the very end, when there was a terrific finish.

I figured that after deciding to return to the Beklan Empire after 10 years, Adams probably had a pretty good storyto tell.I got about 120 pages into the thing and simply lost interest.I was still fascinated by the potential there, but I just didn't have the stamina to figure out if the potential would be realized.To be blunt, I just didn't care what happened to the characters.

Twenty years later, I ran into the book at a used bookstore and decided to give it another try.I am not so rushed as I was 20 years ago (graduating from college helped).I would also like to think I'm a little more mature, maybe a little more able to catch subtleties I would have missed in my early 20s.And I loved Watership Down so much that I didn't want to miss something which had the potential to be that good.

So I tried to read the book again.And I still didn't care about the characters.I have come to the conclusion that it is not me--this book is simply dull and pretentious.When you get right down to it, it's just a boring book.In fact, I stopped at almost the exact same place I gave up 20 years ago.

So don't bother--this isn't a book that's going to be good, no matter how long it sits on your shelf. ... Read more

Product Description
It is July 18, 1861 near Winchester, Virginia. The Civil War has begun, and Confederate Lieutenant John Pelham, formerly of the West Point Class of 1861, is about to confronthis former classmates in the First Battle of Bull Run.

The confident Pelham bears little resemblance to the seventeen-year-old who journeyed alone five years earlier from Jacksonville, Alabama, to West Point, New York, to enter the UnitedStates Military Academy. As the class begins its final year, Pelham meets Clara Bolton, a Philadelphian belle who captures his heart. In the months that follow, Pelham and his classmates witness the unraveling of the Unionand the birth of the Confederacy, against the political backdrop of slavery and states' rights, the Democratic and Republican Parties, the fire-eaters of the South and the abolitionists of the North. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Couldn't put it down!
I loved this book written by Rich Adams because it dealt with a subject dear to my heart, West Point; and, with a level of 'bonding' which I had not focused on before.We have all heard of the hardships placed on family members (fathers, sons, brothers, cousins, nephews, etc.) who found themselves on different sides of the Civil War.However, this well-written, insightful look into the challenging strain on the friendships of classmates who found themselves on opposite sides, as well, and the difference it made during - and after - the war!If you have any connection with, and love for, the United States Military Academy, this is a MUST read!

TheParting
Well written book offering a different look at West Point and the split between Union and Confederate graduates.

A Great Story Told Extremely Well
The fictional recount of the activities at West Point before and during the Civil War is so well done, one feels he is actually there.It is well written and an easy and interesting read.This is an outstanding job by its author and West Point grad, Rich Adams.Get it, read it, you will love it!

I Never Fully Appreciated Until
Until I read Rich Adams' book, The Parting, I never fully appreciated what it must have been like to have your best friend in college go off to war--against you. Can you imagine what that would feel like? Well, Rich Adams helps you understand. These characters are alive on the pages. History, as you know, repeats itself. Our country is so troubled right now, is so divisive, that I worry this "brother against brother," this "college classmate against college classmate" kind of thing could happen again. And so, the more people that read this book, the safer our country will be from ripping itself apart today. Randy Kinnard

The Parting by Richard Adams
The Parting by Richard Adams
Review
The Parting inspires us to take a look at a different casualty of the civil war that most of us have never thought to examine: the demise of the West Point Class of 1861. Rich Adams prompts us to look at the events preceding the firing on Ft. Sumter from a very different perspective. It is hard to imagine the emotional turmoil felt by the West Point cadets and their families as they struggled with the events that ultimately lead to the beginning of the war.It never truly dawned on us before that these students had to make heart wrenching decisions about whether to stay in school to finish their education and training, or whether to go home and defend the causes of their states. Richard Adams has written a compelling historical novel that opens our eyes to the West Point campus, curriculum and traditions.One can truly immerse himself in the great tragedy leading up to the division of the North and South of our still very young country.It is only more fascinating that it is based on a true story. A poignant love story adds another dimension to this story.We absolutely loved this book and are quite impressed with the writing skills of the first time author.It is written in the style of a seasoned author.We are looking forward to a sequel.
... Read more

Product Description
Examines the events of the Civil War through the eyes of General Robert E. Lee's closest companion and devoted horse, Traveller. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Simply elegant
I bought this book a long time ago, and had time to read it a few years ago. It was simply beautiful. The story of the Civil War, told by Robert E. Lee's horse, is given a fresh perspective in this novel. Traveller is the most loyal of Lee's soldiers, his mount through most of the war. He adores his master, trusts him, believes in him. The story follows him through the war, and into their mutual retirement, as he talks to the barn cats.

One of the things I loved about this book is that Traveller is able to ask questions and say things about the nature of war that his human counterparts can't. He tells the cat that everyone seems so excited to go to War, and that it must be a grand and lovely thing, a party, but he says they never get there. He is, instead, in a world of death and fire and pain. What a striking, haunting thought about human nature!

You do have to know a little about the characters of the Confederate army to figure out who these people really are, but it's a lovely book.

Traveller--history from a warhorse's point of view
Excellent Civil War historical background and realistic viewpoint from an animal perspective, insightful as only an animal close to its human can be! Old Southern language is somewhat hard to follow at first but gets easier with continued reading and makes it very authentic and "in the moment in time".

Such a memorable book
I read this book when I was about 10 or 11 years old (probably around the time it came out).I have always loved books, and have read many over the years.There are very few books from my childhood that I could still give a "book report" on today without re-reading.Traveller is one of them.This was definitely one of my favorites, and I am ordering a copy for my nephew!

Fair to good, but not very good
Tough to find good copies of this one.This was advestised as "very good."At best, it's possibly good (for a well used book) but more likely only fair.

A delightful blend of fun and poignancy
The Civil War from the viewpoint of - General Robert E. Lee's horse??? Traveller, still a colt when his first owner sets off for a place called the War, can't wait to get there because surely anywhere young men seek so eagerly must be just like heaven. A horse's version of heaven, that is! So where is it that he winds up instead? A place of noise and blood, exhaustion and starvation, and death for horses as well as for men. His new master, "Marse Robert," wins Traveller's heart so wholly that the lively young horse soon decides he'd never prefer to be elsewhere. Yet still, Traveller never stops wishng he might have made it to the War at last...and that's just one of the seriocomic differences between a horse's perspective and that of the humans who surround and control him.

A delightful blend of fun and poignancy, complete with Traveller-coined nicknames for Marse Robert's fellow generals that had me in stitches. Anthropomorphic animals aren't usually favorites with me, and I sometimes found the use of dialect distracting; but I thoroughly enjoyed this book just the same.
... Read more

Product Description
A reissue of a classic fantasy work by acclaimed author Richard Adams Shardik is a fantasy of tragic character, centred on the long-awaited reincarnation of the gigantic bear Shardik and his appearance among the half-barbaric Ortelgan people. A gripping tale of war, adventure, horror and romance, Shardik, on a deeper level, is a remarkable exploration of mankind's universal desire for divine incarnation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (37)

interesting
I read Watershipdown by Richard Adams and wanted to read more of his books. If you liked Watershipdown you will probably like this one too.

Amazing
Richer, grander, intensely more rewarding than "Watership Down", at least for an adult.This and "The Plague Dogs" are must-read novels.

The civilation Mr. Adams has created here, the adventure and suspense, the human folly and tragedy, and once again the peculiar and astounding emotional force Mr. Adams has in writing from the point of view of an animal--in this case a bear--absolutely must be experienced.

By the way, this is a human story -- I mistakenly thought it would be another story told from the point of view from an animal.

There are dead spots, and the ending drags a bit, but this is a very powerful and gut-wrenchingly emotional tale--for adults.

This is the third book I have now read by this author after "Watership Down" and "The Plague Dogs", and I think this is my favorite, though "Plague Dogs" is amazing too.Most people probably won't explore much beyond "Watership Down", and that's a shame, and actually the reason why I am writing this -- to encourage more people to go further.

In any case, I know I need to seek out more of his novels for myself.

A wonderful novel that will stand the test of time
I just completed a re-read of my old yellowed, limp paperback of Richard Adams' SHARDIK, and am delighted to report that it impressed me even more than I had remembered from the first time around--about 30 years ago.I'm older now. I'd known little tragedy on the first reading.Now in my 70s, I've experienced my parents' deaths, the helplessness of a brilliant, bipolar husband's collapse, and the past eight years of horrors created by my own government.SHARDIK is now not only nightmarish, but much more real.

Others have described the loving details, the deep characterizations, the plot lines that seem (like the development of a Mozart symphony) both completely original yet inevitable.Anyone who thinks torture is "useful" needs to read this book, yet it is more a deep study of the perils of fanaticism and rewards of a faith based on reality--which appeals to me, a devout Unitarian Universalist--than a political polemic of secular national identity. Adams gives us a society combining elements of Neolithic-Bronze Age-Iron Age political and economic structures, emerging gradually from theocracy into a tyrant-dominated, sexist, slave-worked city-state ethos. Not a good culture, but with good people in it.

The only dubious notion in the book is that any nation or minor empire of this period would EVER have been willing, on their own, to give up slavery even temporarily--especially people who lack draft horses and mules.I'm a historian and have trouble thinking of any society that ended slavery and/or serfdom until maintaining a high level of business morality based on conscience, plus enough industrialization to enable the economics to exist without involuntary servitude.In fact, no society today, including that of the U.S.--with an estimate of 55,000 hidden slaves in 2001--is entirely free of the taint.

But if you accept that single unlikely element, the story is absolutely marvelous.It's over 600 pages long and I could scarcely put the book down. Adams' approach to writing seems much closer to that of Gene Wolfe than of Tolkien, although there are good reasons for comparing him to both.All three share the detailed world-building, the sure-handed Jungian use of universal myth and legend, an emotional sine curve from despair and violence into physical and ethical redemption, prose that often goes beyond poetry to the level of psalm and elevates the reader to a startling epiphany. All three can really write.

But Tolkien was not the master of in-depth human character that Adams or Wolfe are.There are no Orcs and High Elves in Adams and Wolfe, only a recognition that both demon and angel dwell within each of us.Anyone who likes SHARDIK would do well to read Wolfe's BOOK OF THE NEW SUN, a compilation of connected, evolving stories which are themselves works of art as well as religiously allegorical quests.If you do, don't overlook the often-forgotten sequel or "coda", THE URTH OF THE NEW SUN. Then go on to Wolfe's other works.You'll be pleased.

The courage to create a society from threads to whole cloth
I don't usually read books dealing with imaginary societies, but this one so engrossed me I couldn't put it down. Whether you respect religious cults and ancient societal mores or not, the characters of this novel will indubitably pull you in. I loved the humanity and erudition of this masterpiece. It isn't quite on the level of creative genius of Adams' Watership Down, but humans are a poor comparison to the lives of rabbits. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Timeless and thought provoking, May just open your mind a bit more than you planned!
The first time I read this book I was no more than 14 and I liked it,I found it interesting and different. I also knew that I was missing something. The next time I read it a year or so later I was blown away by the lesson's of the power of myth and belief. This book opened the door to the likes of Joseph Campbell and the hold that myth and religion have on mankind. Read it on both levels for great story telling and a powerful message,you will not be disappointed. Other fine reviews here will tell you the plot,Watership Down it is not. Richard Adams stake's a claim for one of the finest novelists of our time and books like this got him there. Strongly suggested for everyone age 15 (and sharp) to 112(and sharper)! ... Read more

Product Description

Return Again to the Warren for
the All-New Adventures of Fiver,
Hazel, BigWig, Dandelion, and
The Legendary El-Ahrairah.

In one of the most enduring classics of contemporary literature, author Richard Adams enthralled millions of readers by creating a glorious world of danger and discovery at once uniquely strange and strikingly similar to our own. Come back now to this remarkable society hidden beneath the tall grasses and open fields; to old friends and new heroes whose courage and tenacity are tested at every turn by predatory nature and the short-sighted cruelties of man. Come back to the excitement and enchantment, to the heartsoaring wonder of a place called Watership Down.

Customer Reviews (99)

Great book.
Arrived soon after ordering the book. The book was in decent shape. This book is terrific!

Disappointing
I loved Watership down.The world that Adams had created was insanely great.This sequel just seems to be a collection of random thoughts about the characters.If i could give 2 1/2 stars i would, it is just under adequate, but I'm sure it was a bad idea in the first place for Adams to write a sequel so much later after the first book.

My Review
Tales from Watership Down is a collection of legends and short stories that flesh out the history of the rabbits of Watership Down and continue their story after the events of the original novel. I personally had never read any of Richard Adams works prior to this (I have seen the animated film adaptation of Watership Down however, so was fairly familiar with the events and plot.) I was very impressed with how quickly I was drawn into Adams' world. His writing style is very easy to slip into and I found this collection of tales extremely difficult to put down. Mr. Adams has created a social world amongst his rabbits that is as totally believable and feels as fleshed out as Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, albeit Adams world only exists in the one novel and this compilation of short stories. I don't know why I've never read any of his works before as they have always been favorites of my step-father and accessible to me throughout my lifetime, but now that I have sampled his writing, I'm more than eager to delve into more.

Some things should be left, even if you are a fan
I have loved Watership Down for over 25 years. I read the original book for the first time when I was eight after seeing the animated film. It is a book that I loved, and while I felt it wrapped up well at the end...I had always wanted more.
For whatever reason, I never knew that this second book was created. It has been dubbed a sequel, however it seems more of a continuation.
At the end of Watership Down (original) it is very clear that the Watership Warren thrives, and that Hazel, much older than he should be passes away, the last of the original rabbits. So, we the reader know that a sequel can not really happen. This book is, as stated, is divided up and the true "fan" is really only interested in the end segment to hear about the rabbits that we know and loved.
While it was nice to revisit them, the effect isn't the same. The spark is gone. As one reviewer stated, Bigwig is down right obnoxious, Holly is all but absent, Keehar seems to have no personality, and Hazel is vacant.
When I finished this book, I almost wished that I hadn't read it, though I know if I hadn't I would have always wondered. I think the main reason why this book is reviewed so poorly is that we are desperately hoping to be touched or moved the way that we were when we read Watership Down, and that is just not there. That is the reason why I gave the book the three stars instead of one or two. It isn't that the book is awful, though it isn't great at all; it is that it leaves you wanting so much more. The more that I thought on it though, the more I wondered what had I hoped for? I am glad that I have satiated my urge to read this second book, but I do not think that it will ever be re-read, or will hold a place even on my bookshelf. However, I thank Mr. Adams for putting forth the effort, as I am sure he was begged to do.

Return to Watership Down
I'd be the first to admit that this collection of short stories falls short of the original, but it's still a entertaining read. The rabbit folk tales that make up the first third are clever little reads and the further adventures of the legendary Elahrair-Rah in the second part brought a smile to my face. The third section, which fit in between the defeat of General Woundwort and the epilogue in the timeline of the novel, is a bit unevenly written, but it's still interesting to hear about the growth and development of the Watership Down warren, and some of the interesting rabbit characters they run across, including an Efrafan Owsla captain turned ally, a rebellious young rabbit who gets a frightening come-uppance, and the first female chief rabbit, whose success is sadly undermined by her obsessive fear of the White Blindness. Maybe the flashes of magical realism that characterized the original book aren't as prevalent in this volume, but it's still worth spending some time returning to this literally down-to-earth world. ... Read more

Product Description
A phenomenal worldwide bestseller for over thirty years, Richard Adams's Watership Down is a timeless classic and one of the most beloved novels of all time. Set in England's Downs, a once idyllic rural landscape, this stirring tale of adventure, courage and survival follows a band of very special creatures on their flight from the intrusion of man and the certain destruction of their home. Led by a stouthearted pair of brothers, they journey forth from their native Sandleford Warren through the harrowing trials posed by predators and adversaries, to a mysterious promised land and a more perfect society.Amazon.com Review
Watership Down has been a staple of high-school Englishclasses for years. Despite the fact that it's often a hard sell atfirst (what teenager wouldn't cringe at the thought of 400-plus pagesof talking rabbits?), Richard Adams's bunny-centric epic rarely failsto win the love and respect of anyone who reads it, regardless ofage. Like most great novels, Watership Down is a rich storythat can be read (and reread) on many different levels. The book isoften praised as an allegory, with its analogs between human andrabbit culture (a fact sometimes used to goad skeptical teens, whoresent the challenge that they won't "get" it, into reading it), butit's equally praiseworthy as just a corking good adventure.

The story follows a warren of Berkshire rabbits fleeing thedestruction of their home by a land developer. As they search for asafe haven, skirting danger at every turn, we become acquainted withthe band and its compelling culture and mythos. Adams has crafted atouching, involving world in the dirt and scrub of the Englishcountryside, complete with its own folk history and language (the bookcomes with a "lapine" glossary, a guide to rabbitese). As much aboutfreedom, ethics, and human nature as it is about a bunch of bunnieslooking for a warm hidey-hole and some mates, Watership Downwill continue to make the transition from classroom desk to bedsidetable for many generations to come. --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Customer Reviews (997)

My all time favorite book!
I grew up watching this movie, and I have read the book a countless number of times. I always take this book with me on long trips or vacations just in case I need something else to read. I don't know how I never get tired of it. I wouldn't really consider it a children's book as it has so many scary parts and the movie could give a child nightmares easily, but it is still my favorite. As soon as I start reading the book, I am there with that band of rabbits going through obstacle after obstacle. There are several other animal based books by the author that I really enjoy. They are also rather dark.

Still wonderful
Read it when I was a young mother. Read it again as a grandmother. Still wonderful. I think kids twelve and up should take the time to read it.

One of the Best Books I've Ever Read... What took me so long?
I'll jump on the bandwagon and laud this book.I only got around to reading it in 2008, and it was hands-down the best book I read that year.Certainly a classic I'd like to revisit one day and read to my kids.The "fantasy" elements aren't too stylized, the dialogue isn't too intricate, but it comes across as an engrossing epic tale.Perhaps it's amazing for that fact alone... Is there such thing as a simple epic? ;)

Overrated Book. An unenjoyable read with cumbersome prose.
This book is considered by many a "modern classic" and was recommended by a co-worker. There was also a reference to it in the TV show LOST so I became curious. I'm an educated professional who reads a lot and was VERY dissapointed with this book.I gave up after about 125 pages simply because I couldn't tolerate it any longer! I'm actually surprised that this book is revered by so many. There are two main reasons why I dislike the work:

1. The prose and diction are very cumbersome, with many run on sentences and annoying rabbit terminology.A glossary is provided but that didn't make things more enjoyable.The words just didn't flow.

2. The plot is very dull.The rabbits leave the warren but then the story stays flat.I agree with the reviewer who said the author spends more time on describing the scenery than the characters.

I pretty much agree with my fellow 1-star reviewers.Most of their criticisms are spot on.Watership was a very surprising letdown.

Lord of the Rings with rabbits
I love this book!This epic is like The Lord of the Rings with rabbits!There is great emotion and danger within the pages of this novel and one will become immersed with the language and imagery and will find it difficult to leave it to return to the real world.This is what Tolkien's work always did to me and I was happily surprised when Richard Adams was able to do the same thing with Watership Down.The book read quickly and I loved every minute of the experience.I was sad to see the story end and I highly suggest anyone who loves epics to do themselves a favor and read this book. ... Read more

Product Description
In this invaluable contribution to the continuing debate about religious belief, David Adams Richards offers an exhilaratingly fresh perspective and a voice more impassioned, heartfelt, and sometimes furious, than anything written about God by an atheist.

David Adams Richards, one of Canada’s most beloved and celebrated authors, has been wrestling with questions of morality, faith, and religion ever since he was a child. They have always informed his fiction. Now he examines their role in his own life and spells out his own belief, in what is his most self-revealing work to date. With characteristic honesty, Richards charts his rocky relationship with his cradle Catholicism, his battles with personal demons, his encounters with men who were proud to be murderers, and the many times in his life when he has been witness to what he unapologetically calls miracles. In this subtly argued, highly personal polemic, David Adams Richards insists that the presence of God cannot be denied, and that many of those who espouse atheism also know that presence, though they would not admit it to anyone — including themselves. Every follower of today’s battle between faith and atheism, and every lover of David Adams Richards’ superb fiction, will find God Is revelatory.

“I believe that all of us, even those who are atheists, seek God — or at the very least not one of us would be unhappy if God appeared and told us that the universe was actually His creation. Oh, we might put Him on trial for making it so hard, and get angry at Him, too, but we would be very happy that He is here. Well, He is.”

Questions of faith, morality, the role of unseen forces in our destinies, have been central to the fiction of David Adams Richards. Now he directly addresses what these questions have meant to him in his own life, and what he has come firmly to believe. He has always been a courageous and uncompromisingly honest writer — but never more so than here.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Product Description
Fiver could sense danger. Something terrible was going to happen to the warren - he felt sure of it. So did his brother Hazel, for Fiver's sixth sense was never wrong. They had to leave immediately, and they had to persuade the other rabbits to join them. And so begins a long and perilous journey of a small band of rabbits in search of a safe home. Fiver's vision finally leads them to Watership Down, but here they face their most difficult challenge of all...Published in 1972, "Watership Down" is an epic journey, a stirring tale of adventure, courage and survival against the odds. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

This story makes me tear up, even at my age - so very worth it
My favorite book, no matter how old I get.:)

The language is a bit high-level, so I'm not sure elementary-aged kids would get much out of it, but for middle school and up, it's definitely worth it.The story itself is powerful: The lead character is Hazel, who starts out low in the hierarchy of rabbit society and unsure of himself, but through the course of the story, he rises to meet the challenges of leadership with compassion and sensibility, eventually leading his small band of rabbits to a new home they must then defend.I love Bigwig's big, brave heart and Fiver's courage.The author does a great job of creating a strong sense of 'rabbit society,' complete with language, mythology, and mannerisms.

Really, if you haven't read this story, you need to.

A Timeless Classic in its Own Genre
Some stories forever change the landscape of literature. They permeate through the varied genres of fiction, beyond age or demographics, and somehow manage to speak to everyone, to see the world in a little better light. Richard Adams wrote just such a work in "Watership Down."

The story, now published in several editions and the subject of a fairly well done animated movie, follows a band of rabbits who strike out from the apparent safety of their warren into the unknown English countryside. Pricked by the intuition of his wan brother, Fiver, Hazel convinces a small group from the warren that the time has come to seek a new home, one where they can live free from danger and away from the restrictive regime of their chief rabbit and his officers. The way is fraught with danger from both the expected predators (mankind being the most potent, albeit oblivious), as well as some more surprising antagonists. They discover that life among rabbits in the outer world is far different from anything they have ever known. When, at last, they reach Fiver's promised destination, they are thrust into war with a tyrannical and expansive neighboring warren, led by a powerful warlord known as General Woundwort, the conclusion of which contains perhaps the finest epitaph for a battle scene ever penned in the English language.

Interwoven throughout the entire novel is warm prose, dynamic characters, beautiful depictions of the country (that obviously flow from a life spent in appreciation of nature), and, perhaps most interestingly, a richly imagined mysticism for rabbits which comes to guide some of the higher aspirations of the heroes. The impressive breadth of the novel makes this among one of the longer fantasies of its time. But it is worth reading every word.

Indeed, the world of reading is a far better place because of "Watership Down."

-Matthew Lucas (author of "A Roar in the Pinelands")
[...]

It's what I expected.
My wife says, "order it", so I ordered it. I've never read the book and this ones a gift for a grandchild. My wife says it's one of the best books she ever read as a child. Beyond that, it's what I expected.

Rabbit-ing on
The volume was received in a surprisingly short time after the order was placed. The quality and format of the volume were exactly as described in the sale notice and will more than adequately fulfill the grandparental intent.A good outcome for one so geographically far away.

Excellent tale...
I remember reading this first as a child (around 12 years old) when it was, indeed, a story about rabbits and their struggle for survival. It was such a favorite that I reread it many times since then. I still see it the same way - an adventurous tale of survival against many obstacles and against all odds. A great addition to any child's (and adult's) reading list. ... Read more

Product Description
"Thousands and thousands of people will love this book!"
THE BOSTON GLOBE
A lyrical, engrossing tale, by the author of WATERSHIP DOWN, Richard Adams creates a lyrical and engrossing tale, a remarkable journey into the hearts and minds of two canine heroes, Snitter and Rowf, fugitives from the horrors of an animal research center who escape into the isolation--and terror--of the wilderness.


From the Paperback edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (70)

I'd Like to Know Who DIDN'T Cry Reading This!
One truly great book.
I believe that reading this in one's young adolescence will contribute to making a more humane person that would love children and beasts better than they would if they didn't read this.

Way more brutal than the movie.
I actually watched the movie before ever reading the book. Its safe for me to say that this book is way more disturbing than the movie and thats saying something. I haven't gotten too far into it yet because I'm reading Watership Down too, so most of whats in this review will be based on what I've read so far. For one this is way more detailed than the movie. The laboritory in which the dogs are held is described to be almost like a torture chamber to me. The test and stuff they put these animals through are horrendous. I know humans can benefit from animal testing, but some of the test described in this book seem unnecessary. Whats interesting is that thier actually test done in real life! I can't begin to imagine what thats like. I also noticed that Snitter, the little terrior in the book, is even more disturbed than his movie counterpart. One thing I always wondered is what they did to Snitters brain to drive him to the point of being Skitzo. The movie never really explained this detail, but I heard the book does. What I like about this book is that it doesn't just go by the viewpoint of the dogs. It also focuses on the scientist themselves and other humans to fill in what has resulted from the dogs escape. I have to admit its a little harder to read than Watership Down, but its still a good read. From what I've read so far I'm not sure if its appropriate or not for kids (I don't have any). From what peaples said on Youtube I assume its one of those "Do you think your child can take it" situations. If you love the book I also recommend the movie which Is just as dark and disturbing.

Best book I've read from my formative years
I read this when i was about 13 and I have remembered it ever since.If you are a dog lover, or animal lover in general you will not regret reading this if you missed out when it was first released.

A hard read
I barely made it to the end of this book, and after finishing didn't feel rewarded for sticking all the way through it.I liked Snitter and Rowf enough to WONDER whether they might make it through alive or not, but never actually CARED.This was due to the style of writing in the book.Be warned that this book is not at all in the style of Watership Down.There is little action and too much characterization (at least of the humans - the dogs are done well) is displayed by the writer out in the open, in long and plodding pages of biographical history and personality description rather than letting the characters act from the get-go.Even so I didn't feel that the human characters acted entirely in a realistic manner, and two (!) of them are transformed by a change of heart from practically evil to practically pure -think puppies and rainbows type changes!(Even one of the dogs, I felt, depending on how you interprete the ending, had a radical change of heart to make things less complicated for the writer.)There are also long and plodding pages of descriptions of, well, hills.Lots and lots of hills.With all of this in between the story of the dogs and the pursuit of them, I lost interest and emotion for Snitter and Rowf.

There are also absolutely ridiculous conversations between the author and some "reader" he imagined in his head.Take this example: "And what the devil (I hear you asking) has all this got to do with Snitter and Rowf...[etc etc...]Nothing, you have concluded?Your Highness shall from this practice but make hard your heart.In fact...[etc etc...]"I wasn't even asking such a thing!This was written after one of the few parts I actually found entirely engrossing (if only for personal reasons), and Adams had to go and ruin the flow with strange insults.It's like Adams looked at his work, found that he was lacking in some areas, and covered it up by chiding the audience if they should see it too.The ending was entirely ruined for me simply because Adams again had a page-long conversation with the "reader" - in poetic form no less!

The ending also reminded me of the end of The Dark Tower series, where Stephen King gave one ending, and then wrote that if the reader didn't like that ending they could read on and they'd have the ending they really wanted.Both endings also had writer insertion and a deus ex machina (the latter of which The Plague Dogs runs on).

It's a very British book.I'm not even sure what that means, since I don't watch or read much British stuff, but there are lots of British words (even besides the accents) and references to literature or popular culture (I'm guessing that's what those were anyway).And good God, the hills.So many hills.

Well this is all just my opinion, and I felt that I should put it up since so many of the negative reviews on here don't seem to actually point out what was disliked (probably why I ordered the book!).There were parts I enjoyed - much of the second half was partly engrossing, the messages were well argued and well taken, and Snitter's madness was wonderful.The rest of the reviews on this page will tell you all about these things.But still I could not like the book overall.If things like what I wrote above drive you nuts as much as they do me, stay away.If you like dog books, I suggest instead James Oliver Curwood's books Kazan and Baree (in that order), though I'll admit I read both long ago but they were very engaging at the time.

The Heartbeat of a Writer
There's little doubt many modern readers would find this book hard to finish. It wanders with canine abandon, frolicks throught the narrative hills, and rolls around in the mud. It chases shadows. It wallows in subplots. And yet, with all its old-school flaws, it lured me in.

"The Plague Dogs" follows Snitter and Rowf, two animals being experimented upon in England's Lake Country, at a secretive government facility called Animal Research Scientific, Experimental (A.R.S.E.). The not so subtle acronym gives clear indication that Richard Adams, best known for his book "Watership Down", is once again making a statement about the way humankind and animals coexist. In this case, Snitter and Rowf cause quite a stir when they manage to escape from ARSE one weekend. Soon, they're hunting sheep to survive, and the local farmers are out to destroy them. The news catches the attention of an opportunistic reporter, Driver Digby, and he writes a volatile newspaper article suggesting these dogs are infected with bubonic plague. Not only are the local townfolks upset, but the very corridors of parliamentary power are challenged for there decision to support ARSE in the first place. What government secrets are being hidden? What diseases might soon threaten dear old England? Caught in the buzzsaw of politics and media manipulation, Snitter and Rowf have little chance of survival.

Adams does a wonderful job of taking us into the thoughts and actions of these erstwhile heroes. He grows a bit satirical, sometimes heavy-handed, in his dealing with issues of animal research and environment, but he always has points worth making. The writing style is dated, and there are some awkward literary devices, ranging from omniscient points of view to the sudden appearance of vital characters. Nevertheless, I found myself swept up in Adams' passion for his themes, his canine protagonists, and his love for the English countryside.

Some of the more modern genre bestsellers are cleaned up and sterilized, all for the sake of our limited attention spans, but few throb with the same heartbeat of a writer in love with the language and the world around him. ... Read more

Product Description
Ansel Adams and Georgia O'Keeffe first metin Taos, New Mexico, in 1929. She was already an established artist, while he was at the beginning of his career, and their friendship lasted for the rest of their lives.

GEORGIA O'KEEFE AND ANSEL ADAMS: NATURAL AFFINITIES suggests parallels in their distinctive visions of both natural and human-made environments and illustrates the artists' achievements in capturing the reality and essence of the world around them. More than 100 beautifully reproduced paintings and photographs are accompanied by critical essays on Adams and O'Keeffe and a biographical essay on the friendship between Adams, O'Keeffe, and Alfred Stieglitz. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

a good combination of there story and there art.
Very good quality art reproductions and well-written personnel story, not too long and rambling, just the meat with some interesting and relevant details. A nice intro to both artists lives, their work and their co-incidental (love-hate) relationship with each other.

Excellent
I received this beautiful book in excellent condition. I had just been to the exhibit it is based upon and I was not disappointed. The book captures the essence of their works with stellar art and photo reproductions. Next best thing to being there! I thought O'Keefe was unbelievable and then turned to the incredible black and white photography of Adams. I love color, but the almost silken quality and exquisite detail of these photos stopped me in my tracks.The affinities, mutual respect, friendship and admiration the two artists had for each other turned out to be instrumental to the continued creativity of both.

Talent by Nature
The images contained within Georgia O'Keefe and Ansel Adams: Natural Affinities are stunningly radiant - and in the literal sense, you will be physically stunned and unable to move, paralyzed by their beauty and will end up staring, fixated upon them as if the images were icons of something divine and simply looking at them would reveal to you all of the secrets of the universe.

Simply gorgeous reproductions of two of the most important artists of the twentieth century are shown, along with essays explaining them, and the dynamic between the two artists. Ansel Adams and Georgia O'Keefe's work is compared, and parallels are drawn between the two in the commentary, which is actually quite insightful.

The words, however astute and perceptive they may be (and they are), are most definitely not the highlight of the book; It, of course, is quite obvious that the resplendent paintings and photographs steal the show. O'Keefe's paintings are, somehow, simultaneously loud and soft-spoken. They jump out of the book and become people in flamboyant dress that act in such a way that they give off an aura of quiet-confidence. The universally appealing curves she employs combine with her seemingly everlasting color-palette to create deeply emotional and moving work, and her effortless and natural use of symbolism is so highly refined and subtle that it may not ever be matched.

Adams' photography is equally riveting, showing exactly why he is considered one of the most influential artists in the history of the medium. His body of work ranges from extremely intimate and personal looks into his own life, to awe-inspiring larger-than-life landscapes. His work that captures jagged, sharp, and rough forms found within nature is particularly compelling, seeing as these shapes and the emotions that they induce are not usually associated with nature.

The ironically earth-shattering work of both artists is simply fascinating. The prose included is almost as significant as the visual art, and both combine to make a non-pretentious yet supremely fantastic book - a task not easily done. An absolute necessity for any person that has functioning eyeballs, Georgia O'Keefe and Ansel Adams: Natural Affinities is one of the most significant books of a quite an expansive amount of time.

Reviewed by Jordan Dacayanan

Great Book
This is a true masterpiece of beautiful art by two of the greatest artists of our time.I am very happy with the book.Because of loose packaging the jacket was badly torn and had to be thorn away.
I love the book though.

See the show, skip the book
I just saw this show at the Smithsonian Museum of American Art.The show was very well put together, except that the Ansel Adams photographs were over matted covering a slight amount of the border and Ansel's signature.

Copies of this book were available at the show and after seeing the actual art I was very disappointed in the quality of the book.The color reproductions of O'Keeffe's work were OK, but the reproductions of the photographs were just awful.The reproductions appeared flat in comparison to the photographs but also in comparison to many other better reproductions of Ansel's work.No only that but there appeared to be a lot of dust on the photographs when they were reproduced.For instance the black sky in his iconic 'Moonrise Over Hernandez New Mexico' has several dozen white spots in the sky.Other photographs suffer from this same problem.It is unfortunate since the show included a couple images I had not seen reproduced before.

The publisher of this book (Little Brown) has recently published several of Ansel's books in the past including 'Trees' and the excellent '400 photographs.'Both of these books were printed in Western Europe.For some reason (probably to save money) they decided to go with a printer in Singapore for this book, the quality unfortunately suffered. ... Read more

Product Description
Readership:This is an essential book for statesmen and diplomats, members of armed forces and humanitarian organizations, lawyers, journalists, and students of international law and international relations.

This is a completely revised and updated edition of a book which has become widely accepted internationally as a standard work on international humanitarian law. It contains authoritative texts of the main treaties and other key documents covering a wide variety of issues: the rights and duties of both belligerents and neutrals; prohibitions or restrictions on the use of particular weapons; the protection of victims of war, including the wounded and sick, prisoners of war, and civilians; the application of the law to forces operating under UN auspices; the attempts to apply the laws of war in civil wars; the prosecution of war crimes and genocide; the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons; and many other matters.

This third edition, greatly expanded from the second, contains thirteen new documents, including agreements on anti-personnel mines and laser weapons; key extracts from the statutes of the international criminal tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, and the International Criminal Court; two documents on UN forces and international humanitarian law; and an extract from the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on nuclear weapons. There is a new appendix listing internet websites. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Amazon's amazing aftersale service and support
I returned the book since I dropped the class. But I got the refund very quickly. I was very satisfied with Amazon's amazing service. Amzon is always my top choice for shopping.

The best collection of documents on this subjects
Renowned Oxford scholar Adam Roberts, once again has been able to put together an outstanding work, in collecting documents on the laws and by-laws of international treaties and pacts, international declarations and conventions, etc.The book is a reference book.However, it is also an extremely interesting and useful tool (for those interested in those matters) to 'browse through' from time to time.It is a book that cannot miss from the library of any international law expert.While it may be needed from time to time for a quick consultation on specific points, it will also provide huge amounts of information on the legal insights of international conflict.

An indispensable text
Adam Roberts and Richard Guelff have further refined their excellent texton humanitarian law. This book is an absolute must for students, academics,operations lawyers and politicians alike.Written in clear, concise andexact English 'Documents on the Laws of War' is a comprehensive collectionof treaty and customary law.An operations lawyer could be be consideredas 'negligent' if s/he failed to have this guide to the 'law of armedconflict' by his/her side at all times. Essential reading and reference.

An essential tool for all humanitarian law students
Roberts and Guelff's "Documents on the laws of war" is a comprehensive collection of the treaties that created the body of armed conflict law and an essential tool for all students approaching thissubject.The various documents are preceded by brief introductions whichhelp even the most unacquainted user to orientate himself and to understandthe origins, the context and the importance of the various sources.Eventhe practitioner will find it very useful, thanks to a detailed index atthe end of book which allows to find the relevant legal material in fewminutes. Last but not least, it contains the most recent treaties of thislegal field, such as the 19992nd Hague Protocol for the Protection ofCultural Property in the event of armed conflict, or the 1998 Rome Statuteof the International Criminal Court. I have recently used this book for myexam in international humanitarian law and it has certainly helped me toobtain a first class mark!

An essential tool for all humanitarian law students
Roberts and Guelff's "Documents on the laws of war" is a comprehensive collection of the treaties that created the body of armed conflict law and an essential tool for all students approaching thissubject.The various documents are preceded by brief introductions whichhelp even the most unacquainted user to orientate himself and to understandthe origins, the context and the importance of the various sources.Eventhe practitioner will find it very useful, thanks to a detailed index atthe end of book which allows to find the relevant legal material in fewminutes. Last but not least, it contains the most recent treaties of thislegal field, such as the 19992nd Hague Protocol for the Protection ofCultural Property in the event of armed conflict, or the 1998 Rome Statuteof the International Criminal Court. I have recently used this book for myexam in international humanitarian law and it has certainly helped me toobtain a first class mark! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Dark Nights
I found the book well written with believable characters.A bit darker than I was expecting but with elements of redemption

Nights Below Station Street By David Adams Richards
The book doesn't have a THEME or a STORY LINE.. it goes on about human struggle in relationships (people seeking belonging).
If you're looking for a book with action and a story line (i.e. someone goes to war and returns, and so on) this book isn't for you.
Again, this book depicts human struggles in relationships; we find in-depth description about the characters in the novel and some of the things that go on. The structure of the novel is much like a memoir; meaning the story goes back and forth and jumps from "one topic to the other".
Hopefully this thread didn't confuse you and simply made it easier to pick the right book.

The genuine heartbreaking book of staggering genius
What I recognize in my second adventure into this author's work is a particular truth--which is that (at least in my Canadian experience) poor communities have a singular commonality. There is a language, both spoken and experiential, about being poor that transcends its environment. In Richards' books, poor in Toronto sounds and feels a lot like poor in New Brunswick. While the physical aspects are very different, the population isn't. And there was something so familiar about some of the characters that I felt as if I'd known them in my childhood.

Poor angry, alienated to the point of sickness Adele; her mother, lovely, determined Rita, making the best of her marriage to alcoholic Joe--who just may be one of the most perfectly rendered characters I've ever encountered. One cannot help but love and feel for Joe, battling his demons and temptations that all reside within bottles; stammering, powerful Joe with his big body and battered, but still functioning heart; Joe the unlikeliest of heroes.

There is such a cast of characters in this book; they have their hopes and miseries and they all intersect at one point or another as time eases away unnoticed and fate makes itself felt in every way in the hushed, shattering beauty of a blizzard.

David Adams Richards is the consummate observer, translating his visions into quiet, apparently effortless prose; placing people before us in all their flawed splendor so that we might view the human condition and reflect upon our similarities and differences.

My highest recommendation.

Challenging but potentially engaging
You will get to know some members of a small mining town in New Brunswick, all struggling to figure themselves out, find love, and place themselves in a difficult world.

I had some trouble getting used to his unique style of writing - David Adams Richards writes as if observing his characters and describing their actions and thoughts as if he's from another land altogether.This was very distracting for me, and tended to take away my flow of reading.On the other hand, it was also challenging, in that it made me think about the characters and what their words and actions meant.

The last 20-30 pages are by far the best of the entire novel and well worth the read.

Pretty good
Slow going at times, but it wraps up nicely and the reader is feeling asthough everything is as it should and always has been. ... Read more

Product Description
Richards' study presents not only a vivid portrait of John Quincy Adams but also provides an insightful exploration of American politics in the 1830s and 40s.Examining one of the few presidents who sustained a political career after his term in the White House, Richards depicts how two years after losing the presidential election to Andrew Jackson, Adams ran for the House of Representatives and served there until his death seventeen years later.
During his outstanding congressional career, Adams became a folk hero in much of the North--hailed by some as "Old Man Eloquent" and "the conscience of New England" by others--while much of the South feared him, regarding him as a traitor and the "archest enemy of slavery that ever existed." Richards explores in detail Adams' battles with such prominent figures as Andrew Jackson, John C. Calhoun, and Daniel Webster on the issues of slavery, the Indians and their land, the annexation of Texas, and the potential war against Mexico.Highlighting his importance in the anti-slavery movement, Richards reassesses Adams' role as a political analyst and as a vital force in the turbulent politics of the day. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

House Bill 584, Verplank Bill, and Bank Wars
Tariffs were a way to force revenue. A very unpopular tariff put heavy dues on the South and was referred to as the tariff of abomination.House Bill 584 was a compromise to the tariff of abomination.House Bill 584 revised the tariff laws of the United States.The bill passed and claimed too cut total revenues by $5 million and establish a reserve for defense and internal improvements. However, crucial levies on iron, cotton goods, and fine woolens would remain high.Overall duties increased by $1 million and nullifiers were not pleased.Lawmakers thought to appease the South by eliminating minimum levies and remission of duties on coarse wool and coarse woolens, so called Negro clothes, which slave masters bought for their slaves.

The tariff money had to be put somewhere and that somewhere was a bank.Adams distrusted all bankers calling them swindlers and thieves.Adams believed every dollar beyond the gold or silver backing it, cheated someone.Banks lend more notes than they could cover (3 to 5 times the vault value).Southern legislators argued for strict constructionalism limiting the expansion of government spending and borrowing.

Expansionist argued that money and banking made possible manufacturing growth.Protective tariffs were necessary and the constitution provided provision for roads and canals to be built using the money.The Fed's job was to provide a favorable climate for economic growth; the Fed design was too protect against foreign competition; the Fed was charged too create a national market, and the Fed must ensured cohesion of commerce through internal improvements: roads, canals, and education.A second source of income came through the sale of public lands and those funds went into the federal treasury to fund the internal improvements.

Almost contradictory in nature to his beliefs, Adams supported a strong national bank to hold in check the smaller state banks.

The Verplank Bill passed and Jackson used the law too force South Carolina to pay tariffs. The south did not accept the bill readily.So another law was passed called the Compromise Tariff Act of 1833 that dropped rates down and spread them stepped over a nine-year interval.

In 1837, England faced a financial crisis triggered a run on banks in the U.S.Patrons began redeeming notes in gold and prices began to rise.Jackson, the successor to Van Buren championed the case of hard money.Jackson started to criticize the state banking policies and encourage business be done in gold and silver.These economic pressure lead to support of the Independent Treasury Act of 1840.

The Bank war rose after the second national bank came due too have its charter renewed.Jackson was against the renewing of the Charter that would expire in 1836.Adams wanted the national bank believing it would keep in line wildcat banks and ride the herd on issuing too many notes.In 1819, Biddle takes over the bank and Adams thinks highly of Biddle.The New York politicians are against Biddle's bank.Biddle fights against the political machinery buying support of Congress.The McDuffre report shows Bank involvement in: building houses to sale or rent, selling coin, and usury.The committee has limited access to inquiry into the banks financial activities since Adams has blocked the inquiry by amendment. The bank will be used to manage national debt and stockpile federal money.


... Read more

Product Description
The memoirs of Richard Adams, the author of "Watership Down", recreate his childhood in Berkshire during the mid-1920s. They cover his family, his schooldays at Bradfield College and his time spent at Oxford before he was called up in July 1940. They depict a society that disappeared after the war. Richard Adams' other books include "Shardik", "Nature Through the Seasons", "The Tyger Voyage", "The Plague Dogs", "A Nature Diary" and "Voyage Through the Antarctic". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excuse Me
Actually, Adams goes right out and says that Hazel was based on a man he met durung his army service, so read closer next time, buddy.

Dull book, except for true Richard Adams' fans
Adams autobiography plots along at a snail's pace as Adams describes in nauseatingly long detail about the plants and birds that lived in the area where he grew up.I suppose that this is exciting for people who enjoynature walks and such.

I labored through the book because I am adedicated Adams fan.I have read every novel that he has ever written, andenjoyed them thoroughly.The Day Gone By is helpful if you want to getinside of Adams' head and figure out how he thinks.After reading thework, I think that Hazel, a character from Watership Down, may actually bea model for his father, to whom Adams was very close.

Other observationsabout Adams' works can be gleaned by reading The Day Gone By. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Is this story the making of "The Shogun"
I have an original hardback edition (1932) for over 50 years - now that I have a hard copy and a CD of " The Shogun" I cannot help but notice a distinct and specific similarity of both stories.Bob Stewart - Lameroo South Australia

the anjin miura story
This discerning book tells the story of Will Adams an English navigator in Dutch employ whose ship founders on the Japan coast in the early seventeenth century at the dawn of the Tokugawa era. Blaker skillfully nuances Adams character as a man who navigates the cultural differences between Japan and Europe, building a navy which helped Tokugawa Ieyasu consolidate power and politically unify Japan.Adams realizes that he will never leave Japan's closed shores and shares all his maritime knowlege with Shogun Ieyasu.Ieyasu confers on Adams the title of"daimyo" or lord, giving him a manor in Yokoyama.Ieyasu's successor takes Adams for granted and ceases to patronize him.Adams loses his status.The book ends with an episode in which Adams proves his loyalty to the institution of the Shogunate showing that he embodies the valued personality trait "majime" or sincerity as much as any Japanese.
The Japanese challenge almost all foreigners living in their country to measure up to values of loyalty and sincerity.Blaker's book details Adams' life living with that challenge because his own sense of honor and his generosity left him with no choice.

A great read
For those who have read Shogun by James Clavell, you might be surprised to find that it was based upon a true story, the story of Will Adams.This book is an easy read and recounts the adventures of Will Adams, the first non-Japanese Samurai and founder of the Japanese Navy. ... Read more

Product Description
Part Two Of Two Parts

SHARDIK is an epic of classic proportions.It deals with the long-awaited reincarnation of the gigantic bear, Lord Shardik, the Power of God.A very real bear...they take the bear's arrival as a divine portent.

Shardik himself dominates the story.The myth that surrounds him touches everyone.Kelderek, the hunter who discovers the bear and saves its life, becomes first devotee, then prophet, then priest-king of a vast empire.

But Shardik leads him back to a wilderness.And Kelderek discovers in failure the true meaning of Shardik's liberating revelation. ... Read more

Product Description
By studying primary source material, the authors have compiled the most authentic and readable record of the prolific Adams ceramic wares from England, including earthenware, bone china, jasper, stoneware, basalt, and Parian made over a 200 year period. Over 1250 color photographs illustrate the comprehensive text. Ceramics historians and collectors, archaeologists, antiques dealers, museum curators, and auctioneers everywhere will find this unique and complete study of the Adams potteries to be the essential reference. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

great Adams Ceranics resource!
This is a comprehensive, beautiful coffee table style book.It is well laid out and has excellent photos of just about everything Adams China made from the early days! ... Read more