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Customer Reviews (10)

A disappointment
As a Biography this is a poor effort,it consists mainly of 'what this person and that person' thought of Michael and his productions.There was nothing of Michaels' life that isn't already known. That born in Flint. Mich, he is Irish/ American, once thought of the priesthood and his wife is Kathleen Glyn. I could have done better myself,never having even met the man. I would be surprized if the author has either. A waste of money & time in my opinion.

Light but good
Ok, I will admit it, I am a Michael Moore devotee, have everything he has done and will confess that he can do no wrong in my eyes.

With that in mind, I bought this book and found that it was a quick and easy read. Gave a history of Moore from his school days until today and was quite breezy. There was not a lot of depth in the book but I gather this is due to Moore, while being a very public figure, is quite guarded about his own life.

Overall, it is a good overview of Michael Moore and will serve us well until Moore himself writes his biography.

Moore is better man now.
I just finished the book and I think Emily did a wonderful job. It was awesome to see the pictures of Michael Moore when he was younger. Flint and the world should be grateful to have such a man. Also I found it interesting on all the things about Flint Michigan I never knew.It was also good to see Ryan Eashoo again be talked about, I read about him last year trying to get Michael Moore into his high school hall of fame. I also seen him on the news. What a great young man, he reminds me of a young John F. Kennedy.

To the world we hope Michael Moore can do more good!:)

What interviews?!?
I haven't even seen the book, but I just read its review in the Washington Post, which points out that there isn't a single interview with Michael Moore cited by Schultz in her bibliography.Whether this is her fault or Moore's, why does the publisher say above that interviews inform this biography???Not true.

Pretty good
Sure, this isn't the entire Michael Moore story, but the guy's still alive and from what i can tell, protective of his privacy. "A Biography" does put his often conflicting stories in order and perspective and the really well researched chapter on his ousting from Mother Jones should be hilarious to anyone who's survived publishing or lefty politics. Best of all, the book doesn't try to knight him or drag him through the mud. It just tells his story in clear, and sometimes even witty, language. Best: a long interview with tv nation producer John Deleverany (aka Crackers the Crime Fighting Chicken!) . And yes, the skinny hippy photos are pretty damn cool. ... Read more

Product Description
In the fall of 2004, just weeks before the already hostile national elections, the student government at Utah Valley State College (UVSC) made a decision to bring in one of the most controversial figures in America--film maker Michael Moore. The invitation for Moore to speak at a place one reporter described as "one of the most conservative campuses in one of the most conservative counties in one of the most conservative states in the country" resulted in a firestorm of controversy, activity, and heated debate the likes of which Utah County had not seen in years. The story eventually made its way into Time magazine, The Washington Post, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and numerous other publications; it was declared one of Utah's Top Five Stories of the Year.

Written by the student primarily responsible for the decision, Free Speech 101 is the inside story of the decision's consequences: death threats and bribes, an attempted student leader recall, a lawsuit, the recision of donor and legislative funds, and hundreds of letters and emails (both pro and con) when the news became public. The book also gives behind-the-scenes accounts of meetings with donors, legislators, college administrators, and the visits of both Sean Hannity and Michael Moore.

More than just being a narrative of these events, however, Vogel's book plunges beneath the surface, exploring how the visits of Moore and Hannity to UVSC became the catalyst for many important and compelling issues: academic freedom and censorship, the influence of power and money on a university, the divisive and polarized state of politics, the effect of the media, the war in Iraq, patriotism, culture and religion, and faith and fear.

Alternately disturbing and inspiring, Free Speech 101 shows that the First Amendment is by no means easy to uphold. Indeed, it is sometimes viewed as more of a threat than a right, and it takes continual courage and sacrifice to keep this right alive. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A useful companion-piece
I saw the documentary, "This Divided State", on the same subject, before purchasing the book. While the book stands well on its own merits, and fleshes out aspects of the documentary, to get the real visual and emotional impact of this sad episode of American "intolerance of diversity of opinion", it is a book best served as a companion piece to the film (which predates the book). On its own, though, Vogel provides enough flesh and anecdotal material (i.e., numerous examples of the emails received) to give the reader a feel for the reality of the situation he, and his partner, so courageously lived through. And providing the entire transcripts of the speeches of both Hannity and Moore ( Hannity was mostly "political theater" and Moore "pep rally"). But again, the real impact of seeing Hannity and Moore in the documentary - as well as their audiences - gives a "brown-shirt" dimension missing from just the printed word. And if there is anything to fear, since Fear - in its multiple forms - is a major topic of the book, it is from Hannity and those that share his position that offer us the most to Fear. But this is a valuable contribution to a trying time for our Republic, even if it does take place in one of the most extremely Conservative states in the Union.

Highly recommended.
Free Speech 101: The Utah Valley Uproar Over Michael Moore, is the story of the conflict generated during Michael Moore's 2004 Slacker Uprising Tour when author Joseph Vogel, then head of student government at Utah Valley State College, dared to extend an invitation for Michael Moore to come and speak. In the center of fiercely a conservative, passionately Mormon state, Moore's liberal and anti-President Bush views were harshly despised by a vociferous portion of the community. The result was offers of bribery, death threats, and legislative pressures aimed at preventing the UVSC from using student fees to fund an allegedly "viewpoint neutral" program to hear Michael Moore's words. Of course, no similar opposition was raised against conservative Sean Hannity's pro-Bush visit and speech. Vogel himself and many others passionately believed in the importance of free speech, and that true patriotism and being an American meant listening to all points of view before making a decision. The hard-fought battle just to allow Michael Moore to speak, and its outcome, is accounted in vivid detail from an insider's point of view - an author who knows well the history of religious persecution against Mormons for practicing their beliefs, and therefore questions why so much intolerance against free speech exists in the state of Utah to this day. Highly recommended.

Endorsements and Reviews for Free Speech 101
"No amount of money, no threat of recall, nothing would make [these student leaders] back down. If that doesn't give everyone hope for this country--that it was students in Utah--not Berkeley, not Madison, not Ann Arbor--Utah stood up. I have never seen a group of young people more dedicated to the First Amendment than the students at Utah Valley State."

--Michael Moore, Director of Fahrenheit 9/11

"Quite a remarkable story, and should be made public, particularly these days, with freedom of speech and academic freedom under serious attack ."

--Noam Chomsky, Author of Understanding Power

"Joe Vogel's first-person memoir of one of the fabulously interesting free speech battles of our time, performs two services: First, in contrast to civil liberties books written by reporters and other third parties looking in and trying to make sense of someone else's scene, this book adds to the scarce library of first-person accounts of the battles that define what it means to be an American. Second, Vogel's story gets to the heart of the definition of moral courage, a lesson that it is essential we teach our children and, of course, continually re-teach ourselves. Bravo!"

--Harvey Silverglate, Co-Founder and Chair of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE)

"To me, Vogel is a hero. This story is not about Michael Moore or Sean Hannity. It's not even about politics. It's about free speech and the soul of America. Jefferson himself said, 'Information is the currency of democracy,' and information can only come through freedom of speech and expression. Joe Vogel recognized that, and, despite his conservative Mormon ideology, decided to host a controversial speaker in Family City, U.S.A. He recognized that the most important speeches to hear are those with which we most disagree."

--Dan Strong, The Cavalier Daily

"In detailing the maelstrom caused by [inviting Michael Moore to campus], Vogel makes it clear that democracy is not something that just happens; it has to be worked for. It is easier to silence opposing viewpoints than sincerely listen. The valuable contribution of this book is to remind us that citizenship is an art, an art we are in jeopardy of losing."

--Dr. David Keller,Director, Center for the Study of Ethics, UVSC

"What [Vogel] learns, and shares with us in this book. . . mirrors on a small scale what is currently taking place in our nation as a whole. The struggle he faces in the student senate could just as well be, and in fact is, taking place in Washington D.C. . .One can only hope that this book is placed into a time capsule, so that one day our children's children can read it and know we tried. . .Mr. Vogel does his country a service by writing this story."

--Jordan Romney, The Free Speech Zone

"Vogel's book should be read by everyone who cares about the state of free speech in America. In gripping detail Free Speech 101 tells the story of the intolerant campaign waged by conservatives -- from wealthy business leaders to right-wing students -- to prevent anti-Bush filmmaker Michael Moore from speaking at Utah Valley State College. As the student government official who invited Moore, Vogel came under heavy pressure -- personal threats, a recall drive, even bribe offers -- to cancel Moore's speech. Vogel resisted these pressures and won a major victory for free speech by bringing Moore to his campus in one of Utah's most conservative counties . Free Speech 101 eloquently attests to the fragility of civil liberty in post 9-11 America, even on college campuses which are supposed to be centers of the free exchange of ideas. Vogel tells the story of this free speech fight, and his own role in it, with passion and real insight. This important case study makes plain the fact that conservatives have a free speech problem. And perhaps the first thing they ought to do to address it is face up to the intolerance in their movement by reading this superb book."

--Robert Cohen, Author of The Free Speech Movement: Reflections on Berkeley in the 1960s

"During the era of political correctness, most of the suppression of free speech on campus has come from the left, exerted against conservatives. In Free Speech 101: The Utah Valley Uproar Over Michael Moore Joseph Vogel shows how censorship can cut the other way, and how some conservatives have not learned the lesson that free speech should apply regardless of whose ox is being gored. Vogel presents a riveting and telling first hand account of the trauma and politics that surrounded Michael Moore's visit to conservative Utah Valley State College in 2004. Ultimately, the college upheld its committment to open discourse, but the remarkable efforts of Mr. Vogel and his allies were pivotal to this result. Vogel's case study is a window into the politics, psychology, and principles that are at stake in emotional free speech conflicts. The book also provides a model of how to defend free speech principles in the face of intense opposition. Lesson 101: free speech will not prevail when it matters unless such individuals as Vogel and his allies stand up and defend it under pressure."

--Donald Downs, Author of Restoring Free Speech and Liberty on Campus

"'Do conservatives fear free speech?' Rather than merely answering this question, Joe Vogel recounts his experience as a Vice-President of UVSC's student body responsible for inviting the 'liberal' filmmaker Michael Moore to speak just weeks before the monumental 2004 presidential elections. Though the story behind Free Speech 101 takes place in Utah County, it is a paradigm example of the struggles that occur as a predominantly conservative community is confronted with new ideas and new voices. As a key participant in the event, Vogel provides behind the scenes insights of the battle for free speech, showing how some may use their politics, power and money to silence ideas that differ from their own.Through his own first-person narrative, Vogel illustrates that the fight for free speech is not an issue only affecting nations and communities, but is an issue strongly affecting each individual member and voice of those communities - liberal or conservative."

--Loyd Ericson, Project Mayhem

"I couldn't put it down. . .[Free Speech 101] is about the personal trials Joe went through to protect the very soul of free speech. The book illustrated how fragile a thing it is and hinted at the idea that we should be out there doing what we can to protect it, whether we agree with what people have to say or not. It was a refreshing thing to read. . .To say that it caused a stir in me is an understatment. . .The book made me want to get up and do something about politics again. . .Any apathy that I may have developed in the last few months has been erased completely by reading Free Speech 101."

--Bryan Young, co-producer of This Divided State

"A fine book and a worthy read. . .At the center of this controversy stood a young man who held to his ideals and would not let his integrity be compromised. . .Vogel's attitude was that it is the voice we most disagree with that we need to hear. He teaches us all, republican or democrat, red or blue, conservative or liberal, open discourse and freedom of speech should never be taken for granted."

--Dominique Replogle, The College Times

"You absolutely have to read Joseph Vogel's Free Speech 101. It is the granddaddy of all Good Person Being Plagued By Pesky, Hypersensitive Fools stories. . .when reading the book, I couldn't help feeling more sadness on Vogel's behalf than outrage. Here is a very young adult, charged with making adult decisions for the first time, in the community in which he was raised and whose values he thought he shared. Is he a conservative? Yes. Does he love God and America and Mom and apple pie? Yes. Does he believe in the Constitution? Yes. And as a believer in the rightness and justice of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights, he believes that minority speech should be protected. He believes that college is the place to hear all points of view, and to learn to think independently and critically. And to have his community turn on him so viciously for having such an earnest belief in the Constitution is heartbreaking. To watch a community that he'd previously perceived as "educated and enlightened" titter and giggle their way through Sean Hannity's bullying speech, a lecture that strikes Vogel as a "hate rally," is disillusioning. To be a kid standing against so many powerful adults shouting at him and threatening him for two months, adults he was raised to believe in and respect, is crushing. One adult in particular, Kay Anderson, gets so carried away with his quest for vengeance that he nearly becomes a cartoon villain, trying every trick in the book short of twirling a pencil-thin mustache while tying Vogel's fiancée to the railroad tracks."

--Books Are Pretty Book Review

An Inside Look at an Unusual Event
For anyone who followed the events surrounding the invitation to Michael Moore to speak at UVSC, or who saw the movie 'This Divided State,' this book is a must. It discusses from an insiders view the manipulations that some area residents, and state legislators, perpetrated in order to thwart the freedom of speech of people in the southern Utah area. That this level of intolerance still exists in an a country that proudly espouses its freedom of speech is shocking, but probably not all that unusual in reality.
The book is well-written, and includes all the details about the opposition to what can only be seen as a reasonable attempt to help students at a large college think about issues in a new way. I only hope that it helped to open doors at UVSC, and that future 'controversial' speakers will be welcomed.
An excellent book!

A powerful message about free speech and civil discourse!
I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the book in its pre-publication stage, and it is a fascinating, maddening, gutwrenching look at the cultural divide in this country, as depicted in this one small county in a usually peaceful area of Utah, and its effect on free speech, particularly in our institutions of higher education.

The story draws you in with fascinating (and real) characters, protests, bribery, death threats,lawsuits, and withdrawal of funding--all of which amazes you as a reader, baffles you, makes you ask a lot of questions, and ultimately makes you think about the importance of free speech and how we can protect this right while maintaining civility and respect for opposing viewpoints. This true story took place in Utah, yet incidents like it have been taking place all over our country in recent years with interesting results--none that I've read about that are quite as interesting as this one!

It's a great book for everyone who cares about protecting the rights of free specch, resisting efforts by those who would silence any group in our society, including colleges and universities, and finding a way to help us all learn to talk and listen to opposing viewpoints without becoming fearful,disrepectful, unlawful, and even violent.

I wondered as I read it what the framers of the Constitution would think about this modern struggle for free speech? Order your copy--it's a great read written from the perspective of a courageous studentbody vice-president caught in the middle of the firestorm!! ... Read more

Product Description
In the heat of the 2004 presidential election campaign, no single work of speechmaking, writing, or media production fueled the fiery debate over George W. Bush's leadership as much as Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11. Certainly, no American documentary film ever provoked as much political controversy.

A noted film scholar now offers a much-needed appraisal of both the film and the furor surrounding it. Robert Brent Toplin first examines the development of Moore's ideas and the evolution of his filmmaking, then dissects Fahrenheit 9/11 and explores the many claims and disagreements about the movie's truthfulness. Toplin considers the ways in which Moore based his arguments on a diverse array of "primary sources," many of which had received scant attention in the mainstream media-including the notorious seven-minute "Pet Goat" video depicting President Bush-either deliberately calm or paralyzed-in a Florida classroom on being told of the 9/11 attacks. Finally, Toplin considers the movie's impact, noting that some enthusiasts of the film thought it would help Democrats in the 2004 elections while others argued that Moore's strident approach to issues would turn off swing voters and contribute to a Republican victory.

Critics lambasted Fahrenheit 9/11, claiming Moore violated standards of documentary filmmaking through his excessive partisanship. They also berated him for taking events out of context and getting the facts wrong. Toplin contends that partisanship is a well-established tradition in documentary filmmaking, and he shows that the major disagreements between admirers and detractors of Fahrenheit 9/11 revolved around interpretation rather than the factual record. Michael Moore took some controversial risks, Toplin demonstrates, but on many large and small matters-from his treatment of the Bush administration's reactions to 9/11 and war-making in Iraq to disputes about the Saudi flights from the United States after 9/11-Moore raised many legitimate questions.

Toplin's engaging study shows that Michael Moore's film did more than shake up a nation; it also made an indelible contribution to the esteemed tradition of agenda-driven cinema.

This book is part of the CultureAmerica series. ... Read more

Product Description

For more than twenty years, Michael Moore has transformed himself from a marginal filmmaker into a cultural icon, unofficial spokesperson for liberals and the Left. American conservatives constantly use him for target practice and target. Book author, film director, television personality, and Web presence, Moore is now a one-man cultural phenomenon. Although Michael Moore is a constant presence on the media landscape, this is the first volume to focus on the Moore phenomenom. It explores Moore's work in film and elsewhere, bringing diverse perspectives on his activities and status as voice of liberal America and the disenfranchised working class. Topics examined include the disjunction between Moore's celebrity status and everyman, middle-western persona, his self-mocking ironic sensibility, his tendency to diagnose American social and political problems in terms of class rather than gender, his reception abroad, and his uneasy relationship with the conventions of documentary filmmaking. The contributors are leading scholars and film critics, including Paul Arthur, Cary Elza, Jeffrey P. Jones, Douglas Kellner, Richard Kilborn, William Luhr, Charles Musser, Richard R. Ness, Miles Orvell, Richard Porton, Sergio Rizzo, Christopher Sharrett, Gaylyn Studlar, and David Teztlaff. The volume features both assessments of Moore's work in general and close analyses of his most successful films. The result is a definitive assessment of Moore's career to date.

Matthew Bernstein is Professor and Chair of Film Studies at Emory University. He is author of Walter Wanger: Hollywood Independent.

Product Description
Although transits of planets across the Sun are rare (only Mercury and Venus orbit the Sun closer than us, and so can transit the Sun's disc) amateur astronomers can observe, record and image other kinds of transit, which are very much more frequent. Transit is in two parts, the first telling the fascinating story of the early scientific expeditions to observe transits. The second part is for practical observers, and explains how to observe transits of all sorts - even transits of aircraft as they fly between the observer and the Sun! ... Read more

Product Description
There are few herbalists in the US as much respected by their peers as Michael Moore. This book can be used as a field guide, a reference on home remedies and a treatise on the applications of herbal medicine in an era of high-tech healing. It is one of the most treasured of botanical books. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

I'm amazed and astounded!
I recently moved to the Sonoran Desert but had no idea what treasures awaited me until I bought and read this small book. This guide has opened my eyes to what is around me. I've taken pictures of interesting plants along the roads but didn't know they were medicinal or edible until I read about them here. The next time I go for a walk or drive, it will be with newly opened eyes. The illustrations are good, the instructions are specific. Some of the explanations and narratives are so hysterically funny, you will have no problem understanding effects of either taking or not taking described potion or poltice. I heartily recommend this quide on several different levels.

Medicinal plants of the Desert
I've been utilizing this book for over 10 years as a teaching tool and reference for my Medicinal Plants of the Baja class. Michael Moore is
a hoot, excellent research on plant constituents and medicinal uses. Couldn't have done it without him! Check out www.bajabotanicals.com
Thank you, Michael.

Worth every penny!!!
This book was very easy to use.I wished there was more color photos but with such good descriptions and drawings you really don't need them.There are color photos for about half the plants described in the book.I love the way Michael Moore writes.He makes it so easy to read and understand.This book will be used for years to come in my home.

Medicinals Plants of the Desert and Canyon West:
This book makes iteasy to understand the preparation and use of herbs for a variety of everyday family herbal-aid applications.The instructions include the part of the plant used - flower, root, leaves, berries, bark etc.It goes on to explain why fresh or why the dry plant is useful and how to deal with your own gathering of the plant and what to do in simple A to Z instructions. ... Read more

Product Description
The third edition of Media Law and Ethics features a complete updating of all major U.S. Supreme Court cases and lower court decisions through 1998; more discussion throughout the book on media ethics and the role of ethics in media law; and an updated appendix that now features a copy of the U.S. Constitution, new sample copyright and trademark registration forms, and the current versions of major media codes of ethics, including the new code of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Extensively updated and expanded chapters provide:
*more detailed explanations of the legal system, the judicial process, and the relationship between media ethics and media law;
*new cases in this developing area of the law that has attracted renewed attention from the U.S. Supreme Court;
*the new Telecommunications Act and the Communications Decency Act;
*a discussion of telecommunications and the Internet;
*new developments in access to courts, records, and meetings such as recent court decisions and statutory changes; and
*more information about trademark and trade secret laws and recent changes in copyright laws, as well as major court decisions on intellectual property.

The book has also been updated to include new developments in obscenity and indecency laws, such as the Communications Decency Act, and the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Reno vs. ACLU. In addition, the instructor's manual includes a listing of electronic sources of information about media law, sample exams, and a sample syllabus. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A very serious text for a very serious topic
Although I ended up returning my copy because the class got cancelled, this is a good book - it's jammed full of an incredible amount of information for its size. Detailed records of important court cases and other laws are not the sort of thing I expected to find in this textbook - especially since it's a "100 level" (freshman) course which I was taking. I was actually surprised that it is a paperback, since it weighs almost as much as some of my hard-bound books...

The book's one problem is that it is *dreadfully* boring. On the one hand, I like that it is actually designed for college-level students - this book has nothing but good solid content, and it doesn't beat around the bush or dumb down its message. On the other hand, it can be quite difficult to study...in a lot of ways it reminds me of my Advanced Placement Biology textbook, which was thousands of pages long and in size 8 or so print.

Still, for a dedicated scholar more concerned with learning than fun value, this is an excellent text. ... Read more

Product Description
Long ago, the world was saved. The key to destruction was hidden. Now it is back-concealed in a young girl.Griffin's Shadow continues the adventure of Jelena, a mixed race outcast raised as a servant who has found a new home among the elves. But her peaceful life is shattered as war looms and the power of the Nameless One grows. Set amidst shocking betrayals and uneasy alliances, hers is a story of courage and enduring love in the face of adversity."In her sequel to Griffin's Daughter and the second title in her trilogy, Moore introduces a deeper conflict on a grand scale. Her strong male and female char¬acters and their abiding feelings of love and honor bring a sense of true heroism to their struggles against their obstacles." - Library Journal"[N]onstop action and sympathetic characterizations. Moore's narrative drive and suspenseful plot twists will leave readers eager for the conclusion to this intricate and appealing tale."- Publishers Weekly ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Better than the first!
With Griffin's Shadow, you can actually see and feel Leslie's improved writing. You can tell that she has grown more comfortable with her characters and with herself as a writer.The story flows a lot more smoothly than in the first installment (which also liked, don't get me wrong).
The characters are therefore taking a stronger, more capturing dimension, which makes it easier to get into the story.
I enjoyed this installment better than the first for that reason, but also because both Jelena and Ashi get to grow as individual characters instead of the couple they make.
I would like it if Leslie would branch out and maybe write a side story about other characters in this book, as she has created a few more that have grabbed my attention.
How about a prequel based on the Kirians?

Good character based drama.
I liked this book more than the first one. I like that Ashinji was made a gladiator, he was totally put out of his realm and into a strange and dangerous world. I love the dilemma of two lovers separated by one's apparent death and the other's slavery. I harken back to the Billy Wilder rule about lovers, which is that the story is about what keeps them apart, because everyone knows what brings them together. I was glad to see Magnes show up, I was waiting for him. I like that Jelena was put through the extremes of verifying that her Dad is the king, to her blissful love with Ashinji, to having a baby, to being told Ashinji was dead, to learning about the treatment of hakui and feeling indignant about it, and on and on. And in all this, she still thinks of herself as someone no better than anyone else. The author does a GREAT job of linking the reader to the main characters, who represent common sense and common desires, so that the reader identifies with them and their actions. I like the rivalry between Sonoe and Taya, and the backroom dealings that Raidan has brewing against his brother the king.

I think what the author did regarding the characters is the absolute most important part of the story-- what they want and why can't they get it. That carries us through all the fantastic elements, which, in this world, seem very true to life. The author didn't go for the cheap thrills of monsters and creatures or too many magical elements. The reader is grounded in the passions and fears and ambitions and desires of the characters. So when there is a fantastic element like the Nameless One, the fear is based on how the characters react to him and how he treats Sonoe. Sonoe's motivations are like that of people we've known in our lives or have read about. I wanted so badly for someone to see through Sonoe's scheme and call her out on it.

I notice that I started out this review writing about male characters... I think this is a story where guys can identify with the male characters and girls can identify with the female characters. I call that good writing. I don't think anyone would feel left out by what could be labeled a female-oriented fantasy romance. Guys fall in love too, though we tend to be more attracted to the bloodletting.

Did not live up to my expectations
I am rarely moved to write negative reviews, but considering that all the ones available for this book are positive, I figured a different perspective would be beneficial to potential consumers. Having set the tone, I must say that I really enjoyed the Griffin's Daughter (the first book in the trilogy), even though a few details did not sit well with me. For example, the romance between Jelena and Ashinji seemed too effortless to me and the major obstacles in their way were too easily overcome. Also, Magnes' troubles after leaving Jelena were resolved too quickly and the ease with which he acquired the position with the temple of Eskleipa didn't ring true. Taken as a whole, it was a very satisfying read, so I quickly bought the next book in the series - Griffin's Shadow.That's where things began to fall apart for me, since the compelling storyline established by the first book was not well executed by the second. I will try to list some of the issues I had.

1. Jelena's meeting and subsequent acceptance by her father was both forced and unbelievable. Firstly, she started talking about being a princess before he even offered her anything and began calling him Father the next instant. Secondly, the fact that he did choose to proclaim her given the looming war with the Soldaran Empire and the overall treatment of hikui by okui (which he's never done anything to fix) was not remotely credible. Is this really plausible? Why would a king risk antagonizing his whole country on a brink of war with a much stronger opponent? Accept her, love her, support her, but this was neither time nor place to publicly make her a Princess.

2. Over the two books I did not see any real growth in Jelena's character. She is continuously described as intelligent and quick, but throughout the book she feels more like a clueless and horny teenager. The numerous struggles of her life should've beaten the little girl's fantasies out of her long ago, but she continues to act out with emotions rather than logic. This is evident in the childish way she perceives her role as the Key, righteous but ultimately useless indignation to mistreatment of hikui, and the way she persists to dress like a servant even when everyone around her keeps giving her new clothes and continuously points out that to be taken seriously in her current position it's not acceptable.

3. The fact that Sadaiyo's wife and Jelena got pregnant at the same time and the subsequent argument was a poorly developed plot point to further antagonize the brothers. The family fight and ensuing confessions were just unnecessary. Sadayio saying that it would be difficult for him to rule Kerala since the people love Ashinji and hate him completely contradicts his previously established character. He almost raped Jelena and had no remorse, but you want me to believe that inside him is that lost little boy craving his father's approval and only wants to be loved by his people? And then after Sadayio's obvious betrayal of Ashinji, his remorseful POV about how to tell his brother's wife about what happened to Ashinji was just ridiculous. How do you reconcile a cruel and vindictive rapist with a remorseful brother-in-law?

I found the same contradiction with Raidan's character. In the beginning he contemplates Jelena's murder, but a few pages later he feels a twinge of pride for the way she handles herself. Then he even tries to oppose his wife for not protecting the life of his brother's only child, while not precluding the possibility of eliminating her she ever becomes a threat to his position. Those two emotions are completely contradictory to each other and you would think that a Crowned Prince and closest advisor to the King would be a little more rational and resolute.

4. The Kirian society is just incredibly farfetched, consisting of only the wife of a General, a wife of a crowned prince and the king's `companion'. Why aren't there any men there? I've only read about Lady Amara's family traditions of not training men and even with the decline in Talent among elves, isn't it just a bit too convenient that the current Kirians consist of only three women of all the top officials and not a single man? And since Lady Amara and her colleagues have known that the Key would be found in their lifetime (she said so) and that the Kirian society is not strong enough to deal with the Nameless One, shouldn't they have spent their time recruiting? Also knowing the extent of Ashinji's talent, shouldn't they have disregarded the traditions and trained him knowing the extent of his Talent? This makes no sense since they are all described as being the wisest of the wise.

5.Finally, my main complaint is that there was just too much explanation and not enough left to the reader's imagination to deduce. Everyone seemed to read too much into other's behavior and we didn't just get the account of people's facial expressions but a full description of how the other person always noticed and interpreted them. There was no subtlety in the details but a narrative telling us what to think and how to think it. Also everyone always seemed to be sniffling and wiping away tears. Jelena cries all the time and so does Ashinji, Lord Sen and King Keizo, to name a few. Furthermore, just as with incessant crying there is a lot of repetition of the major plot points. It seemed like every few pages there was yet another account of the Nameless One's imprisonment and Jelena's life struggles. I realize those plot devices were meant to make the readers care, but they only served to exasperate me.

This is getting exceedingly long, so I will try to wrap up my review. Overall, I think the grandiose idea for this series just did not manifest on paper in this particular book. The ending is very conveniently set up for the next book, so yet again leaves nothing to the imagination. Epic Fantasy novels usually tend to sweep me up with their twists and turns and for a short while I become completely engrossed in their vibrant world. This book did not have that magic.

An Ancient Evil Grows in Power
Deep in the bowels of The Black Tower, the elfin magic imprisoning an ancient evil is weakening.Using it's power of projection, the evil finds an accomplice to help in recapturing and releasing the key to it's power.Jelena Preseren, the half-elf and half-human unwitting vessel of the key, begins her training to unlock the power of her long dormant magically Talent.Because of her newly acquired position in elf societyshe also become a beacon of hope for the half breed elfin people who crave equality with the pure blood elves; though not all elves accept her and an secret conspiracy begins forms.Meanwhile, humans and elves prepare for war and Ashinji - a pure blood elf and Jelena's love interest - struggles to survive and return to his people.

Leslie Ann Moore's Griffin's Shadow picks up where Griffin's Daughter left off.I enjoyed the first book, but this chapter in the trilogy is even better.While the first installment introduced the foundational elements of the story, it's focus was primarily on the love interest between Jelena and Ashinji.However, this novel injects considerably more fantasy elements such as the ancient evil sorcery as it grows in power.The treachery and betrayal of family, politics, power of the ruling class, cruelty of prejudice, remorse of lost love, and overall action and tension is ramped and builds throughout the multiple story arcs.

Griffin's Shadow is a masterfully crafted fantasy adventure which immerses readers in it's characters and wonderfully created universe.Once again, Moore seamlessly weaves in issues of prejudice while advancing the story.My only complaint is I have to wait for the next book to see how this all resolves!Most of the story arcs are left open at conclusion of this novel.It left me with the same feeling I had at the end of The Empire Strikes Back when I first saw it as a kid having to wait for the release of the then final chapter of the series.

Griffin's Daughter is an award winning novel and Griffin's Shadow is more than worthy of additional national acclaim.

An Ancient Evil Grows in Power
Deep in the bowels of The Black Tower, the elfin magic imprisoning an ancient evil is weakening.Using it's power of projection, the evil finds an accomplice to help in recapturing and releasing the key to it's power.Jelena Preseren, the half-elf and half-human unwitting vessel of the key, begins her training to unlock the power of her long dormant magically Talent.Because of her newly acquired position in elf societyshe also become a beacon of hope for the half breed elfin people who crave equality with the pure blood elves; though not all elves accept her and an secret conspiracy begins forms.Meanwhile, humans and elves prepare for war and Ashinji - a pure blood elf and Jelena's love interest - struggles to survive and return to his people.

Leslie Ann Moore's Griffin's Shadow picks up where Griffin's Daughter left off.I enjoyed the first book, but this chapter in the trilogy is even better.While the first installment introduced the foundational elements of the story, it's focus was primarily on the love interest between Jelena and Ashinji.However, this novel injects considerably more fantasy elements such as the ancient evil sorcery as it grows in power.The treachery and betrayal of family, politics, power of the ruling class, cruelty of prejudice, remorse of lost love, and overall action and tension is ramped and builds throughout the multiple story arcs.

Griffin's Shadow is a masterfully crafted fantasy adventure which immerses readers in it's characters and wonderfully created universe.Once again, Moore seamlessly weaves in issues of prejudice while advancing the story.My only complaint is I have to wait for the next book to see how this all resolves!Most of the story arcs are left open at conclusion of this novel.It left me with the same feeling I had at the end of The Empire Strikes Back when I first saw it as a kid having to wait for the release of the then final chapter of the series.

Griffin's Daughter is an award winning novel and Griffin's Shadow is more than worthy of additional national acclaim.
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This innovative new book by a leading Anglo-American legal theorist provides a thorough examination of the theory of criminal responsibility. Moore is among the first to apply a retributivist theory of punishment systematically to criminal law theory. ... Read more

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The authors of this commentary take a canonical-historical approach to the books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth, three books that are diverse, yet share the common historical context of the tribal settlement of Canaan. They examine Joshua, Judges, and Ruth as narratives with dynamic theological messages about the dynamic relationship between GodÂ’s people and the powerful God who gives land and provides deliverers for the people.

"The three commentaries in this volume will be of great help to laypeople, busy students, and pastors looking for simple, clear expositions of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth. They offer many valuable insights into individual passages as well as the overall messages of these books. The authors are informed biblical scholars who do not clutter their work with technical discussions only distantly related to the text's meaning. Their goal—of clarifying the original meaning of these important (yet often-neglected) books for today's readers-is admirably accomplished."
—David M Howard Jr., professor of Old Testament, Bethel Theological Seminary ... Read more

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Word puzzles come in a wide variety of styles. That s why even the most discriminating puzzlers will enjoy Brain Games Glam to Go! Word Puzzles. The assortment of word games in this 128-page pocket-size puzzle book are fun and challenging. The puzzles offer a great way to keep your brain sharp.

Perfect for the puzzler on the go, Brain Games Glam to Go! Word Puzzles fits in any purse or pocket. A durable elastic cord keeps the book closed securely or marks the puzzle you re working on. The purple faux vine pattern cover is both sturdy and glamorous. The book is part of the Brain Games Glam to Go! 16-book series, which includes four Word Puzzles books, each with unique word puzzles and a distinctive cover in orange, pink, blue, or purple.

Brain Games Glam to Go! Word Puzzles features:
More than 120 word puzzles, each with a glamorous theme, such as clothing designers, shopping, romance, and celebrities.
Various types of word games, from anagrams and word ladders to frame games and word jigsaws.
Four levels of difficulty designed to challenge novices and master puzzlers alike.
An answer key at the back of the book for word puzzles that leave you stumped. ... Read more

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Puzzling little book
Love all the Brain Games publications. By necessity due to book size, the puzzles are smaller, but I was surprised that many still required a great deal of thought.The larger versions are better, of course, for just a couple of dollars more. But this little book is very good, including the attached elastic band to keep it closed. ... Read more

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Drawing on ancient and classical texts, an Italian philosopher and critic offers a quirky study of modern medicine, exploring such topics as medicine's prolongation of life without providing wisdom and human indifference to moral responsibility. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Galen Through The Lens of Cioran
Unfamiliar with Ceronetti's work, I discovered this text through a reference to it in E.M. Cioran's ANATHEMAS AND ADMIRATIONS.It seemedworth checking out, since a.) he was keeping company with profiles ofBorges and Beckett, always a good indicator, and, b.) the slip ofinformation that Cioran wrote seemed to suggest that the author was perhapsmore pessimistic than Cioran, which I had to see to believe. Anyway,this is something like a gloss of medical history for the past few thousandyears, viewed with a very grim and gimlet eye and with a focus on the lesspleasant aspects of the bodily experience.The selections are generally aspithy as Cioran and sometimes as vicious, but all in all Ceronetti seems abit more even-tempered.Nonetheless, for fans of theRochefoucauld/Nietzsche/Cioran school of merciless epigrams, this isstrongly recommended. ... Read more

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It's about time
After seeing Moore's movie I thought it would be great to read a rebuttal; which is exactly what this is. This is another author that cannot stand to see Moore mislead the people.

This should be handed out like programs when watching Moore's movie.

More lies about Moore
This book feebly tries to rubbish Michael Moore's historic film. The truth is, as Mike LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle commented, "In the 90-year history of the American feature film there has never been a popular election-year documentary like this one." The film won the Palme d'Or at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. Millions of people across the world have now seen the film.

Moore tells us about the botched war against Al Qa'ida, and how the US state was completely unprepared for the attack, even though bin Laden had declared war on the USA in 1996. He details how the Bush administration, although repeatedly warned of an imminent attack, prepared no counter-attack and took an amazing two months to launch a military response.

Moore reminds us that the 9/11 Commission found `no credible evidence' of any link between Iraq and Al Qa'ida. Vice-President Dick Cheney responded to this Report by repeating robotically that there was `overwhelming evidence'. President Bush added helpfully, "The reason I keep insisting that there was a relationship between Iraq and Saddam and Al Qa'ida is because there was a relationship between Iraq and Al Qa'ida."

Moore denounces Bush and Blair's diversionary attack on Iraq, a country which has never attacked the USA or Britain and has never threatened to attack the USA or Britain. This unnecessary war of aggression has cost the USA more than a thousand soldiers' lives, and $166 billion, so far.

What does Troxler say in rebuttal of these facts? Nothing - just nasty smears.
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Chapters: People From Flint, Michigan, Michael Moore, Sandra Bernhard, Mark Farner, Tim Thomas, Wade Mainer, George Hoey, Glen Rice, Maurice E. Curts, Lakisha Jones, Thomas C. Hart, Brian Rolston, Ricardo Miller, William C. Durant, Ellen Dannin, Dale E. Kildee, Morris Peterson, Jim Abbott, Mc Breed, Bob Eubanks, Jon Runyan, Chris Byrd, Craig Morton, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Terry Crews, Andre Rison, Mark Ingram, Jr., Betty Carter, Geoff Moore, Sophie Kurys, Harlow Curtice, Nedra Pickler, Malivai Washington, Paul Krause, Andre Dirrell, Rick Leach, E. Lynn Harris, Dominic Tomasi, Christopher Paul Curtis, David Petersen, Charlie Bell, Duane D. Hackney, Todd Lyght, Herb Washington, List of People From Flint, Michigan, Benjamin Bolger, Darryl Buchanan, Mr. B., Josiah Begole, Mateen Cleaves, Ken Morrow, Don Brewer, Jerry Minor, Leland John Haworth, Coquese Washington, Mark Ingram, Sr., Howard Bragman, Mashona Washington, Matt Trannon, Sharee Miller, Me Phi Me, George Bogle, Nancy Kovack, Lon Hinkle, Steve Boros, Karen Fraction, Javale Mcgee, David W. Blight, Brandon Carr, Diane Carey, Desmon Farmer, Tracy Byrd, Scott Aldred, Anthony Dirrell, Carl Banks, Corey Santee, Deanna Nolan, Paul Staroba, Tony Burton, Robaire Smith, Joe Mays, Mary Valentine, Terry Furlow, Walter Lorenzo Marr, Barry Stokes, Robert Garth, Clarence Peaks, Lydia Maria Adams Dewitt, Gerald D. Jernigan, Andrew Caldwell, Eddie Robinson, Steve Mariotti, Tito 6, Jeff Blando, Booker Moore, J'nathan Bullock, Henry H. Aplin, Ben Kelso, William W. Blackney, Ernest Jones, Jeffrey N. Agar, Craig Frost, Gregg Rainwater, Merv Rettenmund, Paul H. Scott, Terry Bankert, Paul Goebel, Arleta Richardson, William D. Campbell, John Jasinski, Mike Miller, Michael J. Bloomfield, Demetrius Calip, Rodney Ferguson, Pat Bolland, Dan Skuta, Chris Wilson, Barry Stevens, Lynn Chandnois, Bob Rowe, Seamus Dever, Jeff Hamilton, Ralph M. Freeman, Cory Hightower, Jeff Grayer, Lonnie Young, Fernando Sm...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=74461 ... Read more