I have never written a review for a book before, so bear with me. This is truly a book about some of the greatest heroes our country has seen. Not only Michael Durant, but every last one of those young men who were there. I was anxious to learn more about Durant's captivity than I had from Blackhawk Down, and I was not disappointed. I felt like I personally knew each of the people involved by the time I was through. If some parts of this book don't bring at least a small tear to your eyes, then you must not have a heart at all. Michael Durant and the others (especially the Delta guys) are the strongest, most courageous, and most patriotic men I have ever read about. If these traits are as strong in the rest of our military personnel, then our country should have no fears.

I was stationed at the Pentagon, when Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart's names were placed during a ceremony on the wall in the Medal of Honor room. I remember seeing men at the ceremony who were tough as nails with tears rolling down their eyes as the citations were read. The bravery of these two men always struck me because they truly lived and died for the creed that all in the service strive for, to not let their buddies behind and to risk their lives for those they served with. People wonder why people in the military put up with the lousy pay, the god forsaken bases, and the long periods of separation from families and loved ones. The answer is simple, we put up with those indignities because the military allows us to serve with some of the finest people it has been my privilige to have served with on active duty. Michael Durant's book pays the proper homage to these men. He makes them come alive as human and individuals, not as mythic warrior gods. When he describes their deaths, along with their lives, you truly mourn for them because you, too, feel the sense of loss. It should be a must read for our nation's leaders. That way, when they order our men and women into harm's way, they know the human cost of not properly supporting our troops with a clear mission and the right resources to carry out that mission. Well done, Mr. Durant!!!

IN THE COMPANY OF HEROES, by Mike Durant is an exceptional read ... heartbreaking and heroic and stunning in its honesty and humility. For those who don't remember (how could you not?), Durant was the Blackhawk pilot shot down over Mogadishu in 93 and held by Adid for 10 days. Although he contributed to Mark Bowden's BLACK HAWK DOWN (an exceptional piece of journalism, to be sure), this is the first time Durant has gone public with more than a perfunctory detailing of the events of his capture and his time as a POW in Mogadishu. It is an exceptional story of courage and the Human capacity to survive, as well as an extraordinary testament to the worth of intelligence, integrity, training and psychological/emotional strength under the most intense of circumstances.

Mike Durant, as he has proven time and time again, is a 100% class act with absolutely no delusions of grandeur. Though never shy about acknowledging his own skills and talents, Durant doesn't indulge in a single self-serving statement throughout the narrative, which includes extensive material on other special ops missions, as well as the Somalia fiasco. Neither does he lavish praise unduly on folks who were doing what they are trained and paid to do. What he does do is call it exactly as it happened to him, avoiding undue political rhetoric and unfailingly giving credit to those who kept him alive and brought him home.

Through his eyes, we see the men Donavan Briley and Cliff Wolcott and others lost in Somalia were -- not only as soldiers, but also as friends. By showing us the loss these men are to Durant personally, we begin to feel the loss such men always are to the country they serve at cost of life and limb. In recording this incident from an unprecedented POV and refusing to pander to the sensationalism that marked the media coverage or succumb to the self-aggrandizing agenda that usually mitigates such personal accounts of horrific events, Mike Durant offers insight into the unimaginable; and in doing so, creates a testament to both his own heroism and to the unsung heroism of others who willingly lay their lives on the line to protect our way of life.

Mike Durant doesn't consider himself a hero: The real heroes never do.

What happens when you mix two beautiful daughters, one handsome prince, and a marriage proposal? Well, if one is selfish, self-centered, and spoiled, and the other is kind, loving, and sweet, then you get the heartwarming fairytale by John Steptoe, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters. He credits an Afrcan folktale with inspiring htis original version of a Cinderella-esque story. Steptoe's illustrations compliment the tale at every turn, defining setting, expanding characteriaztion, and adding depth to the text; they are indeed worthy of the Caldecott Honor Book Medal which graces the cover. Pages of stunning paintings capture the very essence of the story's Zimbabwean ancestors and the landscape they inhabited. In this typical fast-paced fairytale where evil is punished and good is rewarded, readers meet Manyara and Nyasha, two sisters of unsurpassable beauty, who are summonded to the city in order to appear before the unmarried prince. Little girls everywhere will identify with the kind and patient Nyasha and delight at the fate that the "evil" sister, Manyara, eventually meets. Children of all ages will thoroughly enjoy a read-aloud of this fairytale. The vivid use of language and exquisite illustrations, such as the scene in which Nyasha meets the king, are sure to entertain even the most discriminating audience, from the youngest listener to the transitional reader. Complete with a surprise ending, a touch of magic, and a moral message, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters is a wonderful story and makes and excellent comparison to more traditional versions of Cinderella.

I am a West Virginia State College student,taking a required class in Children's Literature. For my class assignment I had to read a Caldecott Honor Book and I selected Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters. I loved this book, it reminded me of the classic Cinderella story only better. This story has beautiful pictures and it shows how people should treat others no matter how they look or act. This book woud be good to use in a classroom to teach such values and to increase students interest in African culture. I hope everyone reads this book.

This is a beautifully written and illustrated African Cinderella story. As a third grade teacher, it is excellent for teaching about folktales and a vehicle for teaching compare and contrast. It also introduces young children to African-based literature and can be a jumping off point for the similarities between cultures as it can be compared to the standard Cinderella story or the vast number of other Cinderella stories from other cultures.

All the adventure stories you might have read will pale after reading this. Capstick brings the reader to the height of fear and drops him into the bloody bath of animal survival. Animals using all their instincts to survive is nakedly portrayed in this book. It takes the reader into the raw, exposed nerve of living on the edge.

If you like hunting, enjoy stories of man conquering the unknown, cunning opponent, you will find all that here--and more.

Be prepared for pictures painted in your mind of the struggle to survive, the inescapable nature of the animal to conquer, win, defeat and finally eat his enemies--his food-- and then of man's desire to win against the harshest of circumstances. No nature documentary could ever relate, as this books does, the power, cunning and patience of the animal seeking his next meal or destroying the one who stands in his way for his way is to survive at all costs.

The writing compels the reader to continue reading, carrying him higher and higher into a climax, and drops him directly into that place he most feared. Incredible writing!

Be prepared to read this book from cover to cover without putting it down. And then be prepared to stay awake nights from the stories!

Capstick invokes the feeling of sitting around the campfire listening to stories. He tells a story the way way Monet painted, full of color and brilliance. His stories make you feel the sun beating down on you,and hear the tiny rustle of the long grass that means a charge. When you read his book(s) your not going to feel like you reading, you'll feel like your there. No one has ever written better on hunting in Africa, not Ruark or Hemingway, I know I have a 250 volume collection of African hunting books dating from 1890 to 1999. Trust me buy this book for anyone who hunts or has thought of hunting, you will not regret it. How good is this book? I've had 5 copies of it, the 1st 2 paperbacks were read till they fell apart.

As always Capstick strikes again. This is one of his better works ( not to say that any of his writings are poor) and it is an entertaining read.

As a preliminary point , Gentle Reader, do not out expect to put this one down and go "wow- my life has been changed forever!"- its not that sort of book. However, if you want pulse racing, page turning excitment about exotic places and animals, then you have come to the right place. This book alone will have you surfing the web looking for a guide, and pricing a .375 Holland and Holland for your own safari.

The book is divided into a chapter on each of the various nasties in Africa that want to eat you, or at least do serious harm to you- elephant, cape buffalo, rhino and of course lion. In each one he normally relates a story of some poor person getting munched on by one, and the cavalry ( usually capstick and his trusty spear tracker "Silent") coming to the rescue. This is always mixed in with plenty of other stories and information about the animal of choice. This may all seem a bit repetative, but Capsticks fantastic flair for writing, and lively and amusing prose make this anything but dull. For example, in the opening chapter he describes that if the word got out on just how many people get eaten by lions in Africa it would be as "popular as a social disease in a bible school".

You get the idea.

Armchair adventurers, hunters, and those wanting a good yarn- this is for you. Highly recommended.

A wonderful book!!! Even from the introduction, Malidoma Patrice Some engages the reader with compelling observations on the limitations of the "Western" worldview, but does not do so in a derisive way. He conveys, in a very moving life story, his role in the current world and tells how he has lived up to the mission foretold in his given name. What I especially liked, having read several other books on various spiritual traditions, was how the rituals and beliefs of the Dagara resonate with the wisdom found in traditions from Wicca to the "new age" ideas put forth in books like The Celestine Prophecy and Conversations with God. I was sad to come to the end of this book, because I wanted to learn more. I hope Some' will write a sequel that continues his story, as well as those of his father, Guisso, Nyangoli, and others he has encountered on his path through his adult life. This book reaffirms the truth of our divine nature; and powers that we in the West need to accept and "understand" without needing scientific "proof". Everyone should read this book -- it's good for the soul!

I just finished this book and I am hungry for much, much more. Malidoma Some's deep wisdom, wide vision, vulnerability and honesty stirred my soul so deeply. This book has awakened my yearning to re-connect with Nature and the Spirit world like no other I have read. I found his vivid, well-paced storytelling and the wisdom of his people utterly fascinating. I wish to thank the Dagara for being so generous in sharing their wisdom through this man. If I could give this book 20 stars, I would!!

I enjoyed this book very much. It took me into a world that I knew existed, It is one of the best books that I have read about African culture. It is believeable and well written. Mr. Some takes you on the initiation along with him. I can feel as though I am there. It is a rights of passage that is unforgettable. I hope this books stays in print for a long time. It is easy reading.

This is the first Sydney Sheldon novel I've read. You don't often find stories this enticing. I was hooked from the first page, a vivid scene of the 90-year old heroine surveying her life, her family, and ghosts of old mistakes come back to haunt her. Despite its hefty length, this book kept me coming back for more, daydreaming at work about what would happen next, and staying up late at night to get to the next chapter. I read it in just a few days even though with my schedule it usually takes me at least a week to finish a book.

However, despite the story's addictive sway, Sheldon's writing style did not meet my expectations. After reading all the glowing reviews at Amazon.com, I expected this to be a terrific epic that would leave me awed and inspired, something in the vein of Gone With the Wind or Lonesome Dove. Instead, "Master of the Game" is more akin to John Jake's "North and South" -- yes, it is a multigenerational saga full of adventure, betrayal, and suspense, but it resembles a television screenplay more than a novel. The author moves from scene to scene, from tragedies to triumphs and back again, at a breakneck pace with only the barest attention paid to character development and plausibility. While I enjoyed the twists and turns of the story, it started to seem a bit melodramatic and predictable. You didn't have to be a brain surgeon to realize that [spoiler alert!] Salomon van der Mewre was going to cheat Jamie McGregor out of the money. Or that Tony would fall in love with Marianne rather than Lucy - and that it was Kate's plan all along. [end spoiler].

This book is pure brain candy, all fun with no substance. Similar to a night-time TV soap like Dallas -- you can predict what is going to happen, you know it is wildly improbable, but yet it has just the right mixture of intelligence, ruthlessness, and intrigue to keep you coming back.

I read the hard cover book several years ago when it very first came out. My Grandfather had gotten it for a birthday present. I am now 30 years old and am finally going to buy it for myself. When asked what my favorite book to read is, I always answer "Master of The Game, by Sidney Sheldon". This book had me from beginning to end. And when the movie made for television was on, I had the book in my hands and my eyes on the television. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. I have yet to read a book better than this. :-)

A friend had referred me to this book and I owe her a HUGE thanks. For a week I read this book at every spare moment I had, and there never seemed to be enough of those moments!! I even counted down the minutes to my lunch hour just because I knew I would be reading this book!

I've come to learn that anytime you read Sidney Sheldon's book, expect the unexpected. Right from the beginning it pulled me in and I couldn't stop until I was finished. You feel as though you're watching it happen right in front of your face, the characters are so real, so visible in your mind. You feel as though you know them, and even sympathize with some of his villans.

I recommend this book and every other Sheldon book, he's an absolute genius!!

Angel Of Hope is an awesome book. It was the first of her books that i read and definately not the last. Amber's experiences in Africa have made me change what career i want to have in the future. Lurlene McDaniel wrote this book perfectly. It also had so much information that is useful. The way that Amber changed while she was in Africa taking her sisters place was amazing and totally realistic. I reccommend this for anyone who wants to read a good book. Also read Angel Of Mercy.

In McDaniel's book, "Angel of Hope", Heather Barlow is determined to return to Africa on a Mercy Ship. When she falls ill, her only hope lays in the hands of her younger sister, Amber. Amber, who is not as excited as Heather was, begins to fall in love with Africa, and becomes good friends with friends that Heather met on her previous trip. But, Amber encounters a problem while she is visiting a friend's family. What will become of Amber? Read this book if you enjoyed "Angel of Mercy". It's really heart-touching and a tear jerker.

I personally LOVED this book and think it can be very inspirational to some people. A way to get you peoples out there to read it is to probably give you a summary so here it is (I promise it won't be too long). Heather saved a little baby named Alice, while on her trip to Africa, and feels very
close to her. Amber, Heather's sister, feels very cut off from her sister since she came back. Heather is already planing on going back with her mom to get Alice surgery, she has clepft plate. So when Heather gets sick Amber really wants to help her sister out. Heather's parents won't let her go. Amber suprises everyone and says she's going to go in Heather's place. If you want to find out what happens while Amber is in Africa read Angel of Hope. But before you read this book I recommend you read Angel of Mercy because it comes before Angel of Hope. Thanks

Even those with little knowledge of the Second World War know the names "Dessert Fox" and Rommel. For those more familiar with WWII history and the great generals, they know a lot of what is general knowledge is hype more than fact. For example, while Field Marshall Erwin Rommel was certainly a brilliant tactician and strategist, he was not - contrary to popular belief - the originator of the Blitz style of armored warfare. Certainly he was one of its most successful practitioners, but not the originator. That credit belongs to English military minds and was put into practice by General Heinz Gurderian (see Panzer Leader by Gurderian). Rommel was a brilliant self-promoter - with humility though. And he was a favored son of Hitler in the beginning, although the "father" forced him to commit suicide in the end. Rommel did have some amazing victories and equally appalling defeats. All are chronicled in this stirring, well-written pseudo-autobiography. The Rommel Papers was written from Rommels own personal diaries made during his numerous campaigns. He was a voracious writer who sat down on a near daily to preserve the events of the day. Thus we are treated to a wonderful story of the Blitz through western Europe in 1939-40, the swift victories in northern Africa and slow arduous defeats that followed, and finally to Rommel's attempts to stem the Allied tide that was threatening to rush the Western shores of France in 1944. This is a fun and insightful read for anyone who wants to see war from the perspective of the German public's most favored Marshall. Certainly worth the time spent reading it! Highly recommended.

This book takes you through the events of World War II using the unedited writing of General Rommel. Hart does a great job of insuring the thoughts of Rommel are preserved. The hard bound version of this book, has chalk drawing of Rommels battle plans.

If you want to read about Nazi's than this is not the book for you, but if you want to read about a true german soldier and honorable man, than I highly recommend this. What an incredible account of war! War without hate, that was the phrase in one of the commentary lines. It's hard to imagine, but Rommel's book shows how it was his job as a soldier. It also gives accounts of how prisoners of war were treated by Rommel and gives you a real sense of the honor of being a soldier no matter which side you were on.

I especially liked the added notes and commentary by Gen. Bayerlein and Rommel's son Manfred. I predict as you read this book you will feel the development of a relationship with Rommel, a friendship and consern for his well being. Feel his heartfelt consern for his troops and desire to save them from destruction. Feel the anger towards the "High Command" as they tell Rommel to fight to the death. It's a book that will take you on a rollercoaster of emotion that closes in the inevitable and tragic end of your new found friend. The book was finished by Manfred Rommel who gave a truly tragic and heart breaking view of the final moments between him and his father.

I would rate this book ten stars if they gave me the option. This is my favorite book in the world. I was introduced to it almost four years ago and still love rereading it. I think Bryce Courtenay is the most gifted author of the day -- he writes in the most beautiful style that I can only hope to emulate. The character of Peekay is the sort of Everyman you wish you were... I love how he seems to change the world by just his being around. And although a good portion of it deals with boxing (which I have to admit did not impress me too much the first time I read it) non-sports fans will still enjoy Peekay's descriptions and the remarkable dialogue and characters. I can't even put into words how much I love this book. Read it -- you won't be disappointed!! It's a little difficult to find (I had to order my original copy from Australia), but if you can get your hands on it, read Tandia, the sequel to The Power of One. It answers all the questions that TPO leaves hanging.

A gift from a friend, the Power of One became my favorite book. The story concerns Peekay, who is white, growing up in South Africa in a time of racial hatred. Picked on and ostracized because of his nationality, skinny frame, and precocity, Peekay's childhood is spent mostly alone. However, along the way, he meets people who will have later on have an influential impact on his life. Although the subjects of the book concern racism and the sport of boxing, to me the prevailing theme embodied in the Power of One is above all an affirmation of the individual - the recognition of the inner strength and courage that comes with acting upon one's own beliefs and initiative in a largely conformist society. I identified with Peekays's individuality, his ability to think for himself, and his heightened sense of intellectual curiousity. This is a book that will tug at the heartstrings, but one that will also bring a smile to your face at its comic moments. It will also make you think, as some profound insights into the philosphy of life are offered. The novel inspires awe at the sheer beauty and power of Coutenay's prose. The Power of One is a compelling read, it will leave few readers unmoved.

I first read this book at the behest of my English teacher at the time. I was 13 years old. Undaunted by the 800 or 900 odd pages, I plowed in. Little was I to know that Courtenay was to unfold a world before my eyes that would - and I say this completely free of hyperbole - change my life.

The Power of One, at its core, is the story of Peekay - a young English South African at the onset of Apartheid. Peekay suffers injustice at the hands of bigger Afrikaaner school bullies, which sets him on a course for the rest of his life. He becomes a boxer, taught by Geel Piet - a black inmate at the local jail. Geel Piet becomes more than a boxing tutor to Peekay, and teaches him what I believe is the central tenet of this book - Little can beat Big.

Peekay goes on to become a very adept boxer, and also a great academic. This represents the two main adult influences in his life - Geel Piet and boxing, Doc and academia.

The Power of One could be said to be a love story, but not in the general sense of the term. It is a love story with South Africa - a love story with the land, the wilderness and the people. With the country's errors and violence and also its spirit to rise above that all.

Little can beat big.

If you love travel and survival stories, this movie has it all, topped with being set in the Kalahari desert of Africa. The two teenagers with their bushman friend show cross-cultural friendship and cooperation at its best, combined with a respect for nature and a desire to preserve endanger animals (elephants) from poachers which sets the stage for the entire film. I loved this movie, I kept borrowing it from the library until they lost their copy, and was delighted to find it for sale here at Amazon.com. I cannot say enough how much I enjoyed this film.

This has to be absolutely the BEST movie I've seen in a very long time. It became my favorite when I first saw it years ago.
It's taken me a long time to think to even look for it here.
The story is riveting, holds you in to the end, leaves you wanting more. The characters are very believable.
The emotion is so real, you'll find yourself tearing up at times!
The greatest movie to see with your family. Unlike so many others out there. Get it, watch it, gotta have it!

i thought the movie was great! it's a movie you can watch over and over. some parts totally suprise you and the ending was the best part because i didn't see it coming.this is one of the best movies to watch with your family. it's got some funny parts in it and some sad parts. and they picked the perfect people for it.my favorite character is harry winslow he is played by ethan embry. but i can't give anymore away i recomend you watch it yourself. it's a great movie and it's filled with excitment. enjoy!

Thunder Cave is one the best books I have ever read. It's all about elephants, the Masai people, and poachers. When Jake's mom dies, Jake secretly goes to Kenya on a wild adventure to see his father who works in Kenya. On his way, Jake meets Supeet, a Masai boy who's trying to bring back the Masai people and the heavy rains. Jake finally finds his father, and they move to New York.

Thunder Cave is a fast paced, fun book. When Jake's mom dies he is forced to live with his aunt and uncle. Jake decides to take matters into his own hands. His dad is a field biologist tracking elephants in Kenya. Jake hatches a wild plan to fly to Kenya and bike 70 miles to his dad's camp. On his crazy journey he goes through more than enough. He becomes friends with a tribe leader that helps him. He also becomes not so friendly with a group of poachers that want to kill Jake's dad. Jake has to find the mental and physical strength to overcome the odd's and find his dad without getting killed.

Thunder cave is a very good book to read. the reading level is 4.4 but it is not that bad. the story takes place in Kenya, Africa. the main characters in the books are Jacob,Robert,supeet, and donavan. this book talks about how you can live in Kenya without a grown up.