Eagle Reviews

Duffy obviously knows his subject well (5 stars), but his efforts are substantially compromised by what can only be described as poor editorial efforts at the publisher, which results in numerous typos that diminishes the value of Duffy's work. The dust jacket even contains typographical errors, including a misspelling of another title offered by the publisher. Readers should not be made to suffer this way.

First the bad news - the typos in this book were atrocious. For the price you are asked to pay the publishers should have been able to pay a proofreader to go through the book and correct the glaring errors. An excellent work was given the appearance of something rushed into print to make a buck.

Having said that, Eagles Over The Alps is still worth having, both for the military historian, and for the wargamer. The fascinating history of the Italian and Swiss campaigns of one of the period's premier generals is well treated. Napoleon deservedly overshadows all other military men of his time, but Suvorov is arguably the better of the two generals in 1799, and this book helps to bring his career out of the shadows. Especially helpful for the wargamer are the line maps and orders of battle with detailed unit strengths. This book contains information that will be difficult to find anywhere else, and presents it in a lively style that is constantly engaging. Even with its flaws, this is still a good book.

I didn't know General Suvorov until I bought this book. What a fascinating person he was. Suvorov never lost a single battle, this is admirable. I like the maps, and the objectivity of the author. The graphics are OK. In my opinion this book is one of the most interesting, and covers subjects almost unknown for English speaking readers. Good job.

If you're into the real macoy of what it feels like to live undercover, where everything and anything you say and do may give you away, this is the book for you. Always sharply focussed and with enough suspense to stop you putting the book down before you've turned the last page. The only down side is the lack of a sequal!

Gerald Seymour's novels have transported us to so many places festering with suppurating animosities: the Balkans, Afghanistan, Kurdish Iraq, Italy, the old U.S.S.R., Lebanon, South Africa. In THE JOURNEYMAN TAILOR, we're off to one of the most intractable of Gordian knots, Northern Ireland.

Jon Jo Donnelly, a legend in his own time, is an IRA assassin on undercover assignment in the heart of England with his sniper rifle and cache of explosives. Back in Donnelly's Ulster home town, Song Bird is a British Security Service (MI5) informant embedded in the IRA infrastructure. Gary "Bren" Brennard, a newbie to MI5, is rushed over in short order to Northern Ireland to help run Song Bird after his predecessor's cover is blown.

Jon Jo is killing at will in Britain's hinterland. The PM wants his head on a platter yesterday. MI5's plan is to lure Donnelly back to his farm and family, at which time he can be isolated by Song Bird for elimination by Her Majesty's forces.

The focus of this thriller isn't Jon Jo, Song Bird or Bren. Rather, it's young Cathy Parker, ruefully characterized as "a slip of a thing" by the Assistant Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whose ears have been burned by Parker's no-compromise lecture on Song Bird's importance. Cathy is Bren's boss on the ground and the informer's recruiter and chief handler.

In Seymour's other novels that I've read, the primary protagonist's motives are revealed. In Parker's case, we learn little of her background other than she's the renegade daughter of affluent English parents. In the now, she's red-haired, 5 foot 4 inches tall, weighs 8 stone 3 pounds, obsessively driven by her job, idolized by her male peers, backed to the max by her superiors, and affectionately regarded by MI5's otherwise bitter rivals in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Special Air Services. An alpha female that draws males like moths to light. Will Bren's wings get singed?

Since Seymour doesn't repeat a main character in other novels, it's unlikely we're to meet Cathy again. A pity, since, to me at least, she's proved to be one of the author's most engaging creations. Parker aside, however, this riveting book continue's the author's tradition of giving the reader a (presumably) realistic insight into the minds and hearts of the ordinary people who fight the gritty conflicts in the grotty corners of the civilized world where there are no winners and losers - only survivors. This is good stuff - the best of the genre on pulp fiction shelves.

Captured the essence of the Catholic/Protestant conflict. The reader empathises with the Irish people but can still appreciate and applaud the actions taken by the British security forces. The use of a strong central female character in the initiation of an inexperienced male operative in this arena is at the heart of this book. Their interactions, and his own internal battle in justifying the cold, calculated acts committed in the name of God and country serve to introduce two unforgettable characters. The icing on the cake is the blending of history with the present in the introduction of, and frequent allusions to, a historical character who seems to come alive in another central character who is the protagonist of the "dynamic duo".

As the intelligence office for the Black Sheep Squadron, author Frank Walton had access to their daily combat reports. He himself had written them. From these records and his later interviews with the surviving members of the group, he penned this history. Written primarily to dispel the myth created by the TV production, he most certainly shows the men in a more realistic light. The false presentation of these men by the writers of that series as "brawling bums" and "fugitives from courts-martial" does not stand in the light he casts upon them, their character and their record. In the second half of the book, Walton introduces each man as he was when the book was written in 1986. By and large, most became very successful.

But the drama of their fighting over the Solomons falls flat in the telling. Their aerial exploits read with all the excitement and anticipation of the menu at the corner hamburger joint. The men of the Black Sheep fought together for only 12 weeks and amassed the best kill record in the South Pacific: 94 kills in only 84 days. Pappy Boyington accounted for 26 (or 28, if he is to be believed). Unfortunately, these moments of high achievement are told in the driest of voices.

Perhaps the biggest fault in the book is Walton's almost non-telling of Boyington's troubled life. He originally left the Marine Aviators days before they would have put him out for unbecoming conduct and he left the Flying Tigers for much the same reason. This highly skilled combat pilot and gifted leader of men was deeply troubled and it manifested itself in his drinking and unpredictable fighting. Playing it down adds nothing to Walton's attempt to "set the record straight" for the rest of the squadron.

Given the resources at his command, his personal friendship with all 51 original members of the group and his intimate friendship with Boyington, one would have expected a better result. Walton's stated purpose was to clear the record for the men, to present them as the men of ability, honor and skill that they were. In this regard, he does succeed.

Extremely well written and concise book that tells of the INDIVIDUALS in the squadron. This book is written to tell of the professionalism and "after the war" historys of the squadron members without the sometimes overpowering myths portrayed by the TV show.

I was a bit leary of this book when I started it. The claim of the author to be one of the Black Sheep, even though he was not one of the pilots seemed a bit odd. Well, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It is a very easy read and contains a good deal about the day to day life of a pilot in the South Pacific.

It also gives a terrific look into the people behind the personas of the Black Sheep, especially Pappy Boyington. The writer does a good job of relating the respect that his men had for him as well as about the team of pilots the Black Sheep were.

A very good read for a very good price.

I think you ought to read POMPEII. It is very cool. I like the middle part. My desired part is at the end. My favorite part is when the volcano blows its top. By:

Good children's books on Ancient Rome are hard to find so when I came across Pompeii... Buried Alive!, I bought two copies for my son's and daughter's libraries.

The first chapter gives a glimpse into the lives of the people under the rule of the Roman Empire. Mount Vesuvius is introduced along with the assumption that the people of Pompeii were not aware that they were living beside a dangerous volcano.

The correct pronounciations are given for Pompeii and Vesuvius which are often mispronounced by children as well as adults.

In chapter two, the volcano erupts and descriptions are given as to how the people reacted. Descriptions are also given as to how the volcano eruption affected the air, sky, land, and sea.

The town of pompeii was buried under hot ash.

In the final chapter, chapter 3, Pompeii is forgotten. Time passes. A new town is built overtop of ancient Pompeii.

Workers, who were tunnelling for water, discover pieces of an ancient wall and, years later, Pompeii is rediscovered.

Pompeii... Buried Alive! is not only a well-rounded, excellent book, it is a necessity for teaching children about Pompeii. Everything a child needs to know are in its pages.

As a 2nd grade teacher, I've been sharing this book with my students for about 2 years now. It keeps any group mesmorized! The best part about it is the way it makes kids understand that the people of Pompeii were just regular people going about their daily routines when Vesuvius erupted. They especially feel a connection with the little boy Pliny who watched the eruption from across the water and wrote about it in his later years. It is a great book to use as part of a classroom volcano unit or by itself.

I bought this boook because I had purchased The Quiet Mind, also by White Eagle, and thought it was probably the single greatest book I had ever read. Unfortunately, Spiritual Unfoldment 1, is far from that.

The book starts with a chapter called "A Simple Approach", which discusses the need for correct health, breathing and posture for
spiritual attainment. I found this chapter to be fairly good and instructional. The second chapter discusses the aura and the third discuses communication between the two worlds. It was after these last two chapters that I realized I had a book very different from "The Quiet Mind". Although I have read alot about spirit communication and auras, I have not yet found a book that I feel adequately explains the phenomenon and this one is no exception.

The book continues with very short, single chapters on still more spiritual concepts... your spiritual guide, clairvoyance, divine love, reincarnation, karma and spiritual healing. Although each of these chapters were interesting, they were not discussed in-depth enough for the reader to walk away with a good understanding or belief in the subjects.

My idea of a great book is one that leaves you thirsty to learn more, that makes you think deeply, that makes that "light" go on in your head with a knowing... YES! This book did not do any of those things for me... so I would not recommend it.

Although there were a few interesting passages, I recommend you spend your time reading and re-reading "The Quiet Mind", also by White Eagle instead. It's content is far more valuable!

What is the purpose of life? White Eagle's opening line in Spiritual Unfoldment #1 answers this philosophical question raised over the centuries: "The fundamental purpose of your life is that you may find truth." Religious battles have been waged over truth, and debates have raged around truth. Is truth universal or is it relative to time, place and culture? It is the question Pilate asks Jesus: What is truth?

How significant that White Eagle, who advises us to avoid extremes and find harmonious balance, should tell us that truth is both universal and relative. "Truth always has more than one aspect and many paths lead to God." Elsewhere he has likened truth to a diamond. On one path we see one facet, on another path a different facet, but they are all part of the same diamond. Whichever path we choose it will lead to an aspect of truth.

How do we find the path that is true for us? Not by debate or argument or by looking to outside authority. White Eagle tells us that "truth lies buried deep within your own inner self." In order to contact this source of truth within, we must first learn to release ourselves from the physical limitations of the material body and gently unfold that spiritual eternal life.

Spiritual Unfoldment #1 is White Eagle's basic guide book to realizing the God within. It is the first in a series of four books. Its title so aptly describes the gentle process of awakening that occurs within, like the opening of a rosebud or the natural unfurling of butterfly wings. In the nine chapters he assures us that "a glorious future awaits each soul, but it entails hard work."

An important way to unfold spiritually is through meditation. Meditation is a discipline that keeps the mind focused, yet prevents it from becoming too narrow or constricted. It brings together all wisdom stored in the soul, making us aware of God within and helping that inner light grow. After a period of meditation "your innermost voice will speak to you, saying:"this is my path." But to hear that voice, we must first learn to become discerning and distinguish between the "real higher God-mind" and the "unreal, worldly mind."

Meditation is not the only way to spiritual unfoldment. Anything which cultivates awareness of the beauty of God should be pursued, whether through literature, gardening, cooking or artistry. "All beauty, every emotion of joy and happiness is an expression of God." White Eagle suggests we become more in tune with nature and appreciate grey skies and rain as much as sunshine and blossoms, that we hear the voice of God, the sacred OM in a gale as clearly as in a gentle breeze. "Awakening the inner senses of life brings greater health to your physical body and an expansion of mentality, and an expansion of consciousness and spiritual realization."

White Eagle's advice can help us at all levels. He assures us each one has come back into incarnation to develop a particular quality which will be built into our higher body. "If things are not exactly as you wish them to be in your life, be patient and learn the lesson which your circumstances have brought to teach you."

Spiritual Unfoldment #1 abounds in gems of wisdom. Inspiring words enable us to better understand life and the role we can play to make life happier for ourselves and everyone else. "Be kind--you will be amazed at the peace you will find;" "When the strength of the spirit shows is when you can smile when things appear to be all against you."
Spiritual Unfoldment #1 is highly relevant in today's world.

Based on talks given by White Eagle and re-published with minor language revisions in 2001, Spiritual Unfoldment #2 is an important book for this age of Aquarius, for it offers a broader perspective on the meaning of brotherhood. Angels and humans are brothers and sisters, White Eagle tells us, "through their kinship of spirit."
In eight chapters covering one hundred pages, Spiritual Unfoldment #2 gives us a panoramic view of the interconnectedness of the universe, beginning with the vibration of the Word which caused the Light, which in turn divided into seven rays of life, each guided by one of the Great Masters of Wisdom. "From each ray comes seven, so that behind and within the veil of physical life are countless hosts of beings, both of the human line of evolution and of the natural and angelic. The life within every growing thing is brought into manifestation, sustained and fed by these countless hosts."
In recent years, humanity has grown to understand its causal impact on the environment and is realizing it does not live in total isolation from other species sharing our planet. White Eagle takes us a step further by disclosing that behind physical life there exists a spiritual counterpart with which we must live in harmony. "Don't be greedy, my dears," he gently chides, "why should humans be the only spiritual manifestations on the earth plane, and all other forms but empty shells?"
Opening our imaginations to the colourful creations that inhabit the finer ether interpenetrating the elements of earth, air, fire and water, White Eagle introduces us to life-forms busy at work in nature, creating jewels and minerals within the earth, colouring flowers, inspiring our creativity. Their work complete, many of these life-forms eventually merge into the angelic kingdom, for all these nature spirits are commanded by angels influenced by one of the three major Rays from which all life comes: Wisdom, Love and Power.
For some, Spiritual Unfoldment#2 may read like science fiction of fantasy, but White Eagle is aware of this scepticism. "Keep an open mind," he advises, "there is so much in heaven and earth which is undreamt of in earthly philosophy." Fairy tales, he says, contain gems of spiritual truth and devotes a chapter to the spiritual interpretation of familiar folklore.
Angels have received wide popular acceptance over the past decade, yet much of the information has been misguided. White Eagle tells us angelic beings come from a different line of evolution than humans. Dispassionate beings, angels often have difficulty coming close to humans who have not learned to control their emotions. Although angels work closely with humans, essentially both belong to different lines and have distinctive roles. The prime concern of angelic hierarchies is with the evolution and the building of form, whereas the human concern is with the growth of spiritual consciousness within that form. Each line relies on the cooperation of the other. "The angels have to work through human channels in order to build heavenly powers into human consciousness."
A guardian angel, "custodian of the karmic law which rules all life," is appointed to each human, guiding it along its chosen path from birth to death. "Every time you respond to a good spiritual impulse, you are helped by your guardian angel," says White Eagle. Attending human birth is also an angel of Birth; likewise at death, an angel of Death with "a face of ineffable mercy, pity and love." Other angels are concerned with soul attributes, such as Love, Mercy, Truth, and even Music, for music influences the soul. Angels of Ceremonial and Ritual assist in the gathering and distribution of power at great ceremonies, while angels of Healing, working under the Master Jesus, carry and distribute healing power.
For those who accept the existence of myriad forms of invisible life, gaining knowledge and understanding of our own relationship with these various life-forms becomes essential to our progress along the spiritual path. "If the soul desires to reach the Divine it must itself help the hosts of angels in their work...it must serve the cause of brotherhood, of evolution." So what is it that humans need to do to contribute to this harmonious brotherhood of life?
White Eagle suggests that by becoming aware of these other forms of life, we are making the first step on the spiritual path, "identify with the tiniest insect, with flowers, sunlight and gentle rains." He also reminds us that one of the biggest contributions humans can make is through the power of thought. "Thoughts are drawn by magnetic attraction towards other thought-streams, either positive or negative." Angels take and mould throught to create form. Human thought, "the healing substance which you give forth from your heart and mind" can be maipulated and used by the angels for positive good, as in healing services, "all uplifting thoughts contribute to that great stream of Divine light." Yet negative thoughts of fear, violent emotions, alcoholic deliriums create elementals from the lower ethers, who cling to the one who creates them. "When people begin to understand what they are creating by their thoughts and their actions and their emotions, they will perhaps understand the great need for discipline in their life."
White Eagle's detailed descriptions of the fascinating work of nature spirits who beautify our world, the glorious connection between angels and humans, and the use of simple language to depict the profundity of creation, contribute to this book's strong appeal. Spiritual Unfoldment #2 is an ideal book to read and re-read now over the Summer when nature is in full bloom and there is time to listen to "the harmonies of the spheres of light sounding from the beauty of a little flower."

I read Parker's Silent Joe, and am now working my way back through his books. I would not recommend this book to someone looking for tight plotting and suspense in the unfolding of the looming threat of a serial killer, but for the myriad of conflicting emotions that surround adult relationships, this book gets all stars. Parker consistantly pedestals his female characters, even as he draws their more reprehensible characteristics, a predisposition I cannot understand. I find most provocative his protrayals of men, how they relate to one another, their views of family and their place in their worlds. Several intriguing characters were introduced in this book, and while I am content to let the story of Russ and Izzy rest, I would wish for follow ups on some of the secondary characters, Chet, Marty, Karen.

Summer of Fear may not be the most carefully plotted suspense tale I've ever read, but I was riveted by the unblinking focus he placed on raw, difficult emotions. I've never before experienced a writer who more accurately portrayed the inner life of someone watching a loved one suffer a debilitating illness. When people rank a piece of fiction as "for adults only," we usually mean it contains sex and/or violence. This novel has both, but I would keep it away from children because the strong, ambivalent feelings of a tortured spouse are for grown-ups only. I'm a mystery and suspense fan, and I recognize the plot weaknesses in Summer of Fear, but I would recommend this novel to anyone who appreciates well-drawn characters. But be prepared to look at real life in all its conflicted, ugly, transcendent, messy glory.

I have read almost of all of T. Jefferson Parkers book, and he is
one of the best authors around.
THIS book was my favorite however, because there are two stories going on at once and they are both fascinating.
The first is a crime writer who's wife if dying, literally wasting away in front of him, and the touching realistic way he is trying to deal with it.
Then, there is a serial killer on the loose in So. CA (Orange County) which is a laid back beach community, and the serial killer begins communicating with the crime writer. Some serial killer books can be too grueling to read, and although I was glad I wasn't alone while reading this book, it was a good psychological thriller, and with the skill of a writer like T. Jefferson, this book was just hard to put down.
Scary one minute, and then heart breaking in the next chapter.
I'm hoping that this book will have some sort of sequel, at least with the crime writer coming back so we can see how his life is now, and his job is so interesting that there are many more story line possibilities.
I'm an avid read, and mystery is my favorite genre, and T. Jefferson Parker just gets better and better the more he writes.
I recommend you read any of his books, especially this one. The latest books with Merci Rayborne are great as is Silent Joe.
I love the California beach background and all of his main characters; you feel as if you've met them and care about their life. He is a truly gifted writer, and if I recommend a writer to read it is definetly T. Jefferson Parker!
Summer of Fear is for the truly hard core mystery fans, which I am, and the mixture of fear, pathos and also love, loss and closure, makes for a book that I didn't want to end.
Thank you T. Jefferson Parker.

I greatly enjoy Monfredo's books. Beside being historically accurate, the characters are very human. They are much like friends because they are so well drawn. I made myself slow down reading all her books so I could savor them and have something to anticipate. I've read all up to "Stalking Horse."

this is the first glynnis tryon mystery book i read and i liked it so much that i went out and bought the 3 books prior to it in the series. glynnis is a wonderful character, and i like how she has all of these male admireres. i have a crush on both cullen and jacques! and the parts about john brown, his family and his zeal to do away with slavery, were fascinating. it made me want to go visit harper's ferry again. i have to disagree with previous reviewers on the coin details, it was informative and crucial to the plot. i could go on, and on, but i would give away too much of the plot. kudos to miriam grace monfredo for a well developed historical mystery series. she obviously does her research well.

The poignant drama related by John Brown's daughter in this, the fourth book in the series, adds a heartwrenching touch to this period of national turmoil. It's another example of the interesting touches that Monfredo continues to her stories. Highly recommended.

I knew this book was a romance, so the sex was expected, and rather well written. The story and strength of the main character compelled me to virtually fly through this book. I cried with her pain, and I shared in her joys and triumphs. I truely felt the fire for life that drives the Celtic people in her writting. I have reread this book many times and I still love it.

This is a wonderful historical fiction! I guess you would call it a fantasy- but it does seem to cross generes. This is packed with action, intrigue and (a little) romance! I can NOT get enough of this author. I've read this book, like 14 times already! It rocks!!!

Thrilling and adventurous. Would love to read another novel by Elona Malterre.

Mr Kelly may have quite a bit of inside knowledge of the SEALs and the Air Commandos, but none of that knowledge is in evidence in this reed thin novel. Most of the people that read this book and think that Mr Kelly knows and displays everything, just show you how little they know about the military in general and how much less they know about special operations in particular.

Having said that, it was still an entertaining book. Not high literature, but hey, you can't have everything.

I found this book by Mr. Kelly quite interesting. I do a lot of travelling with my job, and frequent airports regularly. When you can filter out busy airport noises and become fully engrossed in a book it has to be good. I plan on reading all your books Mr. Kelly, Keep up the good work!

After read this book I simply had to stop and drop you few lines !!!!!! Orr Kelly wrote the most enjoyable history I had never read before, he could put action and political problems and he also showed that soldiers have family problems.

This book is overall pretty good, but does not offer much for the slightly experienced bowyer. He is very narrow in his writings and do not discuss options very broadly, but makes a rapid and narrow conclusion. I also missed a little bit on the thing I bought the book for, which was how to make the weapons the old way, with primitive tools. He mentions it briefly, but is much more detailed on the use of metals instead. For beginners it is ok, but there are many similar books that provide better and more detailed information on making bows and arrows.

I'm the author of the book, and appreciate the criticisms and praises. I *would* like to let folks know that I wrote this book when I was 19 years young, and had a lot to learn. I wrote it in response to a very bad, and misinformative book that was considered the 'bible' of indigenous archery books at the time. Now, there are many books available on this wonderful subject.
Jim Hamm's book, video, and classes are invaluable. So is TM Hamilton's book, and DC Waldorf as well.
Don't miss my "Voices of Native America" music book as well.

The other title of the same author "making arrows the old way" has its text already fully printed within "making indian bows and arrows the old way". Amazon gave me a discount so I could get both titles at once, and I end up having twice the same text and pictures on arrows... Do not do like me, buy only this title, not the arrow one. Nice book by the way...