Customer Reviews (1)

Downhill Racer Dynamite
Here's another out-of-print gem that isn't always easy to find--but the author tells me it may be reprinted in the near future. The title is a German word for ski-racer and the story takes place at a remote ski resort in the Austrian Alps. The racing champion is a young man named Dieter Schnell ("fast" in German)and his parents own a ski-pension outside a small village. In the middle of winter, while Dieter practices for the world championship in downhill skiing, his parents have four guests. Baldur is a young north German architecture and design student. His wife, Freia (real name Ada Levin) is a Jewish-American girl from the edge of Beverly Hills. Stanley M is an old college friend of Freia's, who shows up in the same place entirely by accident. Herr von S is a former Nazi officer, also from northern Germany. Everyone has an attraction to Dieter. It should be noted that the book takes place in the period 1963-1965, so that prominent Nazis are still alive and young people such as Baldur would have spent their early years in the Hitler Youth. The war is much closer than it would seem to people today. The interaction of the characters is laced with delicious irony, and no one is who he or she seems to be. Freia is trying so hard to be more German than the Germans, except when it gets difficult. Baldur at first seems kind, loving and a bit dense, until his past is reawakened by some childhood friends. Stanley M doesn't speak German and is truely clueless as to the game he plays along with, to his peril. Herr von S is so diabolically clever, he outsmarts himself. The story builds against an impressive backdrop. A tragedy occurs, and people start to reveal themselves, building up to an ending of truly horrifying possibilities. Nina Galen is a brilliant writer, and I highly recommend this book. Although she uses German words at various places, I can tell you that she translates for English readers, and the usage is correct. Hopefully the book will be reprinted. ... Read more

Product Description
Here is history - from the Crucifixion to the fall of Jerusalem - seen through the eyes of a young Jewish arena-cleaner who is placed by Chance in the very womb of Christianity, at the very heart of Imperial Rome.In this prophecy-driven tale of love, longing, and revenge meet Paul of Tarsus (St. Paul), the gospelers Mark and Luke, Pontius Pilate, Caligula, the generals Vespasian and Titus, three notorious Greek anti-Semites - and some remarkable women. Accompany Paul on the road to Damascus and share his last voyage.Witness the burning of Nero's Rome, the horrors of the Roman/Jewish war, the life and death of a great black gladiator, and, seated beside Caligula, observe the strange encounter between a man named Androcles and a lion. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not recommended
I'm afraid that I cannot recommend this book very highly. While the author has, evidently, led an interesting and adventurous life herself, her book leaves much to be desired in plot, characterization, prose style, and...well, interest. I have nothing against books published by "vanity presses," as this one is; the big publishers have often ignored great--or at least absorbing--manuscripts of books that later became best-sellers, and in a few well-known cases, popular classics. But I don't think that's the case here. When "Pagan Jew" first appeared on amazon's web site shortly after the book's initial publication several years ago, there were two reviews that slammed the novel--harshly and without flinching, giving specific criticism, supported with references to the text of the novel and, I thought, intelligent comments on its overall quality. Those reviews were painful even for me to read; but having read the book myself, I had to agree with them; they weren't cruel: they were accurate and truthful. For some reason, those informative, incisive reviews have been deleted from the book's review history, and all we have now are two five-star pieces from people who love the book and have nothing to say beyond that it's great. If I were the author, I'd be embarrassed by such fluff pieces. Every new parent loves the new baby; every author hates anyone who isn't enthralled with the first novel or short story that gets into print. But a good writer listens to, and hears, the criticisms--doesn't necessarily obey them--thinks, and then writes better the next time, recognizing that the thoughtful critics, at least, might have a point. This author might take that advice to heart. She undoubtedly has many interesting stories to share with readers, and a gift for writing. I look forward to buying and reading her next book, when she's had time to think this over.

I loved Pagan Jew
I really enjoyed this book - an "eye-witness account" of life in the Roman Empire.What a great idea and what a great story!There's something here for everyone--Jews, Christians, pagans and atheists.
Galen makes her historical and biblical figures into regular people who speak contemporary dialogue.This is funny and really brings home that people have been pretty much the same through the ages.I loved Pontius Pilate (and i'm Catholic!)I even loved Caligula and the crocodile.
The book is just so entertaining.Galen has done a terrific job.

What a neat book!
I was a little apprehensive at first, afraid that there might be a religious or moralistic agenda behind it, but there's none of that.Instead, we're treated to a fast-moving romp through one of the most utterly significant periods of man's history.Our "hero" seems to find himself cast by fate into virtually every important event of the time, hobnobbing with movers and shakers both historic and religious.One could even study history here!And what a fun way to do so, since the tale is told with a twinkle in the eye.A great read! ... Read more

Product Description
KROH: The Greening of a Small Planet

In this satire on the global economy, a diverse group of nineteen Earthlings (including an Economist, a Navajo, two Politicians, a Rabbi, a Psychiatrist, a Duck, and two Crocodiles) travels to the planet Kroh to see if it is ripe for trade with Earth.

Some in the Delegation bring along schemes that will help themprofit personally, without regard for the planet's inhabitants andecology.Others are on quests of self-discovery.The Krohtians,teddy-bearish creatures with the minds of men, are happy to see thevisitors come, and glad to see them go.

CROC: Love and Power Politics in Swamptown, YO

In this political satire, two deeply-in-love, star-crossed crocodiles run for the same U.S. Senate seat on opposite tickets.Crocadolly, a Demodile, runs on an ecology platform.Young Rockadial, innocent stooge of greedy old Crockafeller, runs against big government and Federal taxation, as a Repelican.

Not for the faint of heart, this extremely funny yarn can turn deadly and tragic as suddenly as a crocodile striking its prey.

All author's royalties will go to protect and increase wildlife habitats. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

like to laugh?
Nina Galen is the mother goose for our generation!

Galen has a way of turning a cruel reality into humor and forces you think twice.

The biting satire of Croc/Kroh
Here we have something unusual -- two works in prose no less -- and under one cover. The diverse set of characters in each work display what is both good and bad within ourselves. In "Croc" we find a couple ofcrocodiles battling for their political lives -- with a love interestspicing things up even more. The other half of the book deals with a groupof what might be called "self-centered, self-serving, sanctimonioushypocrites" who for mostly nefarious reasons, embark upon a spacevoyage to the alien world of Kroh. And in the end...... Well, that wouldspoil it!The satire is biting and multi-layered. And a few spots mighteven require a hanky. The author has packed a lot into her brief lines anda second and third reading brings even more to the stories. Highlyrecommended! ... Read more