Product Description
Fifteen episodes from the Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh tales, recount the feats and exploits of King Arthur and other powerful kings and princes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Flawed, but well-researched
An amazing piece of research by Trask, however his decision to self-publish ultimately makes the book a very flawed piece of work. This is a book about the photos and photographers, yet the photos are reproduced in very poor quality and small size, with not a single photo in color (except for the photo on the dust jacket), making these important pieces of "evidence" nearly impossible to study. It also results in him describing, in minute detail, nearly all of the photos. It seems to be it would have been much more effective and compelling to reproduce the photos with more quality and minimize the long-winded descriptions.

Typos, typesetting mistakes (entire lines missing) and grammatical errors abound, which definitely diminish the scholarly impact.

Structurally, the book is broken up into chapters that follow a single photographer, or small groups of photographers, through day of (and sometimes beyond) the assassination.Which results in the story of the event being told over and over and over again, just from (often only slightly) different points of view. Often Trask refers to one photographer appearing in the photographs of another, but never cross-references these photos from chapter-to-chapter, leaving the reader to hunt for the photos he is describing. Until the final few chapters, that is, at which point he suddenly and inexplicably decides to include these cross-references.

Trask goes to great pains in his introduction to say that he is not interested in proving or disproving any of the theories either for or against a conspiracy or lone gunmen. However, as the book progresses, it is clear that he is biased towards the lone gunman explanation. While I do not disagree with him, I find his claims of objectivity to be bogus, and wish he would have toned down his editorializing and stuck to the stories of the photographers and their images.

The end result is an excellent piece of research and an interesting look at history, but ultimately a shoddy publication and a somewhat annoying read.

Bill of goods...
If you would like to spend about forty bucks for a book of fuzzy black and white photos about an inch or two square, with zero color photos of any size, then this is your book.

FANTASTIC , but ULTIMATE SACRIFICE still the best book ever
While I thought this fine book was very much worthwhile in many respects, ULTIMATE SACRIFICE is simply the best book ever on the JFK assassination.Still, definitely worth your time. Along with Groden's "The Killing Of A President", perhaps the finest book on the photographic evidence in the JFK case.

Vince Palamara-JFK/ Secret Service expert (History Channel, author of two books, in over 30 other author's books, etc.)
Pittsburgh, PA

BEST JFK ASSASSINATION BOOK: ULTIMATE SACRIFICE
BEST JFK SECRET SERVICE BOOK: SURVIVOR'S GUILT BY YOURS TRULY :)

Even the experts should own this
Incredible collection of virtually all the photos taken that weekend. The story of each of the photographers (and Trasks' detailed interviews with a lot of them) make this a volume to refer to for years to come.


Ty Newcomb

A MUST-HAVE Book For JFK Fans
A large, fascinating volume devoted to all those photographers who were snapping away on November 22, 1963.There are several pictures presented here that I'd never seen published anywhere else, particularly some shots taken in Fort Worth of the impromptu gathering outside JFK's hotel on the drizzly Friday morning of November 22nd, and a shot or two snapped from the doorway of Air Force One just upon Mr. Kennedy's arrival at Love Field in Dallas.

The background stories on the photogs are interesting, as are the individual stories of how each of these cameramen came to be involved in the events of November 1963.

My only complaint would be that many of the pictures presented in the book are much too small in size, in my opinion.I would have preferred seeing these photos on a much larger, grander scale.However, there are several pictures that are larger, size-wise, as well. But having a magnifying glass handy as you turn these intriguing pages wouldn't be a bad idea at all.

My (new) copy of "Pictures Of The Pain" arrived nicely wrapped in plastic, much like a sealed shrinkwrapped VHS video or DVD, which was a nice surprise. This method of packaging, unusual in my experience with regards to bound printed matter, ensures (for the most part) a dust-free, pristine copy of the product. Very nice.

If you *think* you've seen all there was to see regarding the many pictures taken on that terrible day in 1963, you might just be surprised to find a few pics that have eluded your eye in this fine volume by Richard B. Trask. ... Read more

Product Description
Night falls and Cat Country comes to life: town walls turn into roads, roof and treetop become mountain and field. The black cat Carbonel and his consort, Queen Blandamour, have long reigned over this magical place, where humans are scarce, cats roam freely, and the rivers flow with cream. But the wicked Grisana, a beautiful gray Persian who makes Lady Macbeth look like a lap cat, has plans of her own for Cat Country, and Carbonel and his children, Prince Calidor and Princess Pergamond, are all that stand between her and the throne. With the backing of Carbonel’s old foe, the witch Mrs. Cantrip, and her apprentice, Miss Dibdin, Grisana may be unstoppable.

Luckily, Carbonel can count on Rosemary and John, his young friends from Carbonel: The King of the Cats, to come to his aid. Together with the good creatures of Cat Country—and with the help of a few magical spells—the children confront Grisana and her nasty crew. It is a battle for the future of Cat Country and only the strongest magic will prevail. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Hail to Carbonel the King of Cats
Like the other reviewers, I found the book, Carbonel the King of Cats in the library when I was 11 or 12.These books were magical to me and I felt that I was in the kingdom of Carbonel as I read them.I guess these books are the Harry Potter books of today.To have all three books again just brings back fond memories.You don't have to be a cat lover to enjoy your time in the Kingodm of Carbonel.

Golden Memories
I, too, found this book as a child and was absolutely captivated, so much so that I got a friend to track down the original (Carbonel) and buy me a copy from England. Carbonel is now available in the US, and I very much hope the same publisher publishes Kingdom of Carbonel as well. There is such magic and delight in the book and images that have stayed with me all my life, particularly the talking kittens and the flying rocking chair.

One of the other reviewers mentioned Harry Potter. There is a great deal of similarity of mood between the Carbonel books and Harry Potter. One can easily imagine Rosemary Brown as a muggle caught up in the same magical world Harry is from. (She even has neighbors named Mr. and Mrs. Tonks.)

one of my first loves!
When I was in the 5th grade, I bought The Kingdom of Carbonel for 5 cents at the library in a pile of books they were getting rid of.The dust jacket had been lost, so someone had taken the time to draw a new cover for it.As soon as I picked up that book, I could not put it down.I have read it three times since, just for fun.Today I was going to recommend my niece check it out from the library, and I came to look up the author on Amazon.I can't BELIEVE this book is out of print!This is DEFINATELY one of the most magical children's books I have read in my lifetime, and I wish they would re-print it for our youngsters to enjoy!

Bring back Carbonel!!!
I read and re-read these books as a child and I hope to read them with my children!They are lovely and truly magical.They capture the attention and imagination as few other books and series can.They are classics.A wise editor would do well to bring back these delightful tales, especially at a time when interest in all things magic seems to have hit a peak.

Carbonel, King of Cats
I sat in our old town library as a 10 year old and could not put these books down (I'm now 46 and an elementary teacher). I remember that the story revolved around a girl who found a magic broom and then could talk to Carbonel, hence learning all about the magical kingdom of cats that other people knew nothing about. Finding the broom and getting to know Carbonel opened up a whole new, magical world that kept me enthralled. The only books I have ever read since then that have kept my attention in that same sort of way are the Harry Potter Books. I have spent years looking for the Carbonel books and now thanks to computers I have been able to find them. I hope that someone will let a publisher know and that these really great stories will be reprinted and shared with other young people. There is something truely magical about them and I have thought about Carbonel many times throughout my life. ... Read more

Product Description
Provides a provocative portrait of the life and career of Massachusetts senator Ted Kennedy, revealing the dark secrets, behind-the-scenes machinations, and other intimate details of one of America's most powerful senators. 250,000 first printing. $100,000 ad/promo. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

insight into the Big Lie of the Kennedy family
First of all, I had some bias prior to reading this book.I knew of many of the antics of the Kennedy family through acquaintances and visiting the compound once but with the accolades that were surrounding his death, I decided to read something from someone close to him.I did not really know what the book was about but that it was written by a close personal assistant/friend.

The thing that impresses me most about the book is the endless frustration the author imparts to the reader about what a waste Ted's life was.The press continue to ignore the Emperor has no clothes with the President claiming he was the greatest senator in living memory or something along those lines.Cocaine dealing, woman demeaning, principals of a snake are the least of what I read.

Well, if Ted Kennedy was the greatest senator, then my total disgust with our congress has reached a new high.

Everyone should read this book who is interested in the 7th grade antics of power hungry better than thou politicians, actors, CEO's etc. It is a great example of how the world really works and the power of marketing and branding. Also, it is about us and what we continue to elect into office. That is the most scary thing.Look what we the people put into office year after year and then glorified him.
Dead or alive, truth is truth.

A courageous and honest work
I am a die hard Kennedy fan and this is one of my favorite Kennedy books to date; however, you will appreciate it more if you have a background in "Kennedy history" which helps put some of the Senator's personal problems in perspective. For this purpose, I highly recommend Laurence Leamer's books The Kennedy Men and the Kennedy Women both of which I have also read.

This is a very human story where no details are spared. If you want to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly you will definitely enjoy it, but don't pick it up if you can't handle reading about drugs, sex, and extramarital affairs.

Burke is brutally honest about the highs and lows of being the right hand man to arguably the most powerful person in Washington at the time, and the personal sacrifices he had to make in order to perform his job. As Kennedy's Administrative Assistant (Chief of Staff), Burke tucked him into bed at night and woke him up in the morning. He was intimately involved in major family decisions and knew the Senator and his family better than almost anyone else. His book serves as a wise word of caution to anyone who aspires to work on Capitol Hill. Being "in" and having access to the rich and powerful doesn't guarantee happiness and in Burke's case led toself destruction.

After reading Burke's book, I now understand why when I interned in Kennedy's DC office we (the interns) were not allowed to speak to the Senator unless he addressed us first. And because Kennedy would never recognize the vast majority of the 100+ interns working in his offices at any given time, he never said hi to us either. We were told that the Senator's high profile was the reason for this restriction, but after reading Burke's book I'm willing to bet anything that the real reason was that his staff was trying to protect him from his own impulses (i.e. not get near too many attractive women).

I noticed several readers commented that the book didn't focus enough on the Senator's legislative accomplishments and rated it lower because of this. How ridiculous! Burke clearly states that his purpose is not to give a comprehensive chronology of Kennedy's record, but rather to shed light on those aspects of the Senator's life which he was most intimately involved in.

I respect Burke for having the courage to come out with this story. His readiness to own up to his own faults is admirable and as he says at the end of his book, it's important for voters to know just who they are electing. This book has not changed my favorable opinion of the Senator, but it has helped me understand him better.

dirty laundry
The author worked closely with Ted Kennedy through most of the '70s and the very early '80s as a member of his Senate staff and personal go-to guy, and had very personal access to both the Senator and his family.The book is mainly about the Senator's vices and his family's troubles during that period (which the author was deeply involved in).

I was hoping for more politics and policy.The author vaguely alludes to legislative accomplishments, but doesn't really discuss any.From reading the book, I would gather that the time between saving democracy during the Watergate crisis and the 1980 presidential election was one big party, with some family drama thrown in.The section on the 1980 presidential election was good.

It's clear that Kennedy made bad choices in that period, which was, literally for me, a lifetime ago; some were personal, some were political.What struck me was how many of the unattractive features described by the author reminded me of our current president: the sense of entitlement, a lack of accountability, intense competitiveness, demands for loyalty, and a strange snobbishness (Kennedy thought the Carters were unsophisticated but, according to the author, also thought that the hostage crisis couldn't be helped by President Carter's efforts to understand the situation by *gasp* reading books about Iran).On the plus side, both men have a strong devotion to family.

I didn't really like the book; I finished it only because I'd started it, and I didn't have much else handy at the time.If you are interested in Kennedy dirt, though, this book has it in spades. It's not for everyone, but maybe it's for you.

Interesting to a point
The first 100 pages is interesting but then it begins to get repetitive and aimless. It's worth what I paid for it -- got it at the dollar store. Confirms that TK is worse than I thought, but I wonder if he's even worse than Rick knows. Hmmm.

Old history gives me new insight
I found this book at a "free read" and am glad I picked it up.
I feel that Mr. Burke gives what appears to be honest insight into his observation working first from afar then eventually beyond close at hand to Senator Kennedy. I believe the positives of this book far outweigh any negatives one might find in the disclosure of personal family happenings. This book actually has caused me to see Senator Kennedy in a more human, approachable image that as formerly, simply focusing on his family heritage regarding money, fame, etc.My heart goes out to the whole Kennedy family who has suffered tragedy after tragedy in spite of all their wealth which only brings home the truth that money cannot buy happiness.I strongly urge one to read this book.I am glad I did. ... Read more

Product Description
Cleanth Brooks may have summarized it best: "New Orleans has become one of the cities of the mind, and is therefore immortal." Its writers make it so. Like Richard S. Kennedy’s earlier collection Literary New Orleans, these nine essays explore the belletristic Crescent City—its history, authors, myths, and realities. This volume focuses on twentieth-century New Orleans, beginning with modernism’s brief blooming in the 1920s, followed by the fading of New Orleans’s peculiarly dreamy romanticism and the flourishing of a distinctive realism, and concluding with a recurrence and transformation of the earlier romantic strain in contemporary Gothic and mystery fiction. Literary New Orleans in the Modern World provides chapters in the history of a unique American city, written in the very spirit of New Orleans as it has cast its spell on writers.

AUTHOR BIO: Richard S. Kennedy (1920–2002) was the author of Dreams in the Mirror: A Biography of E. E. Cummings and The Window of Memory: A Literary Biography of Thomas Wolfe. He also edited the collection Literary New Orleans: Essays and Meditations.He was a professor emeritus of English at Temple University in Philadelphia. ... Read more

Product Description
How does it feel to be diagnosed with a terminal illness? How do you handle your journey toward death? How does it feel to be the spouse or caretaker of the one who is increasingly debilitated? Where can I get help? Where is God in all this? This book answers these questions and many more. Author Richard Kennedy says, "In the end, it comes down to three things: faith, family, and friends." Pamala adds, "I pray that our family's suffering has done some good, that these words will get off the pages and into hearts." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Amazing Insight Into the Slow Journey of Terminal Illness
Richard and Pamala Kennedy have taken the tragedy of a terminal diagnosis and turned it into a book to help thousands of others who face debilitating diagnoses every day. With tremendous revelation and insight, they share from their experience what helps during the journey of terminal illness from both a caretaker and patient point of view. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves or takes care of someone with any form of dementia or other terminal illness, and also for the patient. Richard's list of ten things a patient can do to help the caregiver really amazed me. Pamala's list of things to do for "finding the inside of you" is life changing. This book reveals the heart of a family living and loving through the loss of one of their own. They do it with love, with grace and with faith. A moving and excellent read, a great encouragement and some of the best advice to caregivers and those they care for I've ever come across, all rolled into one priceless read. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review
"At a trial events are often seen in a distorted perspective.A violent event has taken place, and we work backwards from it,considering primarily the evidence bearing on that event. If we workforwards in a natural sequence, from a natural starting point, thisevidence may wear a very different appearance." These words frommystery writer Julian Symons are the inspiration for this evenhanded,chronological approach to the paired stories of Charles Lindbergh,whose child was kidnapped and murdered in 1932, and Bruno RichardHauptmann, who was tried, convicted, and executed for the crime. In aquietly affecting style, Ludovic Kennedy acquaints us with the characters of Lindbergh and Hauptmannin the years before their fates intertwined. Then he outlines thechain of events that led to this textbook case of how to frame aninnocent person for a crime. Kennedy wisely sidesteps the vexingquestion of who did kill the Lindbergh baby to focus on theunforgettable story of the kind and hardworking German carpenter whobecame a scapegoat for a country's guilt.

Note: this book wasfirst published in 1985 as The Airman and the Carpenter, andhas a new (1996) introduction by the author. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

This book is in the wrong catagory
This book is fiction, through and through.
Anyone who has studied this case will realize that the
mystery is not if Bruno H. was involved, but did he work
alone?Did his wife help him?

Unconvincing but moving
I enjoyed this book very much, but Kennedy's absolute conviction of Hauptmann's innocence made me skeptical of his presentation of the evidence. He does manage to successfully humanize the defendant...so much so that you grieve along with his widow when he is executed. I hate to nitpick, but I wish the American publishers had substituted 'learned' for the archaic and very British 'learnt.' The author uses it so often it's like fingernails on a blackboard. As to Hauptmann's guilt, you need only ask, "How many coincidences can you believe?" He just happened to have some of the ransom money, he just happened to be of German descent, just happened to match Dr. Condon's description of "Cemetery John," just happened to have handwriting similar to the ransom notes, (though this is disputed by Kennedy) and just happened to have a floor plank in his attic that seemed to be the source of one of the kidnap ladder's rails. (a photo of the two boards shown end-to-end in Jim Fisher's excellent book "The Lindbergh Case" is completely convincing) For further clarification, try to catch Court TV's "Forensic Files" re-examination of The Lindbergh evidence which was so fascinating I purchased from Amazon this book along with Fisher's.

Fantasy
Those who have read this book and felt terribly sorry for Hauptmann should now read Jim Fisher's The Lindbergh Trial to see what really happened. There was no miscarriage of justice and Hauptmann deserved his fate. Kennedy's book is a mishmash of sentimental reasoning and special pleading. Just one example: he pretends that there was extreme prejudice against Hauptmann because he was German. The fault with this theory is that in 1933 there was no widespread hostility to Germany and Mrs Hauptmann herself denied that she encountered any such problems. Fisher points out dozens of similar examples of faulty reasoning from Kennedy.

Don't Miss This One!
This is one of the best books of its kind in the world. The author does a wonderful job of stitching it together. This goes beyond a page-turner: this book will take over your life. If you are at all interested in the tradition of mock trials fronting mock justice, this is one of the most ridiculous examples to ever hit the American big top.

Amazing . . . disturbing . . . innocent until proven guilty?
As an avid fan of true crime, this book was recommended to me by my mother who told me to read "the original true crime book" (originally published as "The Airman and the Carpenter").She was right! This book was terribly disturbing and really rocked my faith in theAmerican legal system.I had heard stories about the Lindbergh kidnappingand how Hauptmann was NOT the kidnapper, but hearing those tales andreading the book and seeing everything in black and white are two verydifferent things.The facts are astounding . . . people (including the"heroic" Charles Lindbergh) told outright lies and railroadedHauptmann.His own lawyer basically said Haputmann was guilty and deservedthe electric chair . . . NJ Chief of Police Schwarzkopf admitted that hewould "do anything" for Lindbergh, including lie!It is aterrible shame how the media and the public crucified this man; he neverhad a chance.Everyone assumed his guilt from the beginning, and afteractually reading fact after fact after fact that was blatantly ignoredduring the trial . . . it is disturbing and shocking.So much for"innocent until proven guilty" . . . in Hauptmann's case,everyone around him searched for clues that would make him look guilty, andif that meant fabricating evidence against him, then so be it.This bookshows the justice system, the media, and the American public in general atits worst.I found myself becoming more and more angry and incensed as Iturned each page, as people lied under oath, fabricated evidence, made upstories, and ignored evidence that would have cleared Hauptmann.I feltterrible for him, his wife, and child.I think people inherently believethat if they are innocent, everything will work out for the best and ajudge and jury could not possibly believe lies and invented half-truths. An innocent man was put to death for something he obviously did not do.Inthis day and age, when a jury can find O.J. Simpson "not guilty,"I think Bruno Richard Hauptmann should finally be exonerated and have hisname cleared. ... Read more

Product Description
A nationally syndicated columnist and political pundit explores the personal and political relationship of Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy, showing how the course of that relationship reflected that of the whole nation. Reprint. 35,000 first printing."Amazon.com Review
Christopher Matthews, the Washington bureau chief for the SanFrancisco Examiner and a former aide to Tip O'Neill, offers a fascinatinglook at the connections between the two most well-known politicians in thelast 40 years. He traces the symmetries of their beginnings--both wereelected to the House of Representatives in 1946 and assigned to the samecommittee--as well as their similar thirst for power. While both men's riseand fall, events that had profound effects on America, have been wellchronicled, Matthews' book is one of the few, if not only, that places thetwo in parallel historical context. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (42)

Fatal Friendship
Christopher Matthews has produced a most interesting narrative of the concurrent political lives of Richard Nixon and the Kennedys, Inc. The title is more nuanced than it may seem. This is not simply a tale of John Kennedy and Richard Nixon's political rivalry, per se, though that is certainly chronicled. Rather, Matthews looks at the intriguing interplay of a proud and sensitive middle class Californian with a patrician Massachusetts senator and his multi-generational family and the Camelot myths incarnated in Robert and Ted. This is an original and captivating approach in which the author quickly establishes that his work will enlighten and surprise.

Matthews is not the first author to debunk decades old scripts, but his reporter's sense of sources and accuracy brings credibility. Who, for example, would have thought that the "brooding loner" Nixon would win thousands of dollars playing poker during WW II? Or that Joseph Kennedy assured Nixon that if Kennedy's son failed to get the 1960 nomination, the Kennedy money would back the sitting vice president?

Matthews loves politics; this work was published in 1996, before the author became quite the household television name he is today. Though carefully researched and worthy of being called "history," Matthews' narrative has the energy and tempo of modern political journalism. The format of the book is the careers of Nixon and John Kennedy. Though from different classes and outlooks, Kennedy and Nixon had both made noise for themselves as students: Nixon as a student populist and Kennedy as iconoclast. Both served the war effort with distinction. Both went to Congress in 1946 with strong financial sponsorship; Kennedy from his own family and Nixon from local businessmen.In fact, both men's campaigns for office in the early years would not be without taint, from Kennedy's family money to Pat Nixon's cloth coat.

Matthews describes the first "Kennedy-Nixon Debate," a local forum in McKeesport, PA, in 1947. Nixon, he observed, scored in content, but the Kennedy look carried the local press. In truth, both men at this time were friends and shared the same train berth from Pennsylvania discussing foreign policy. In 1947 foreign policy was only a matter of degree, and it is easy to forget that Kennedy was every bit the cold warrior as his Republican counterpart.

For much of the 1950's Kennedy and Nixon continued an amiable relationship in Washington. Nixon was gravely concerned for Kennedy's health when the latter nearly died of his wartime back injuries. In fact, Kennedy's ill health, absenteeism, and minimal legislative output gave Nixon no indication that the Massachusetts senator would impede his career, and cordial relations continued for many years. It was the intensity of presidential politics in the late 1950's that began the legendary rift between the two, when Kennedy of necessity began to court the Nixon-hating Stevenson wing of his own party. Kennedy's failed effort to claim the vice-presidential candidacy in 1956, Matthews observed, taught him the ruthlessness of the game and the necessity to do what it takes--including throwing a longtime working colleague under the bus.

Not surprisingly the 1960 campaign is covered in great detail. Matthews believes that Nixon's greatest mistake was his assessment of Kennedy's nomination acceptance speech. Kennedy did not impress him that night, and the vice president concluded that his opponent could be had in face-to-face televised debate. Nixon's confidence blinded him to two key factors in the first debate: he himself was ill and looked it, and he did not take seriously the medium/substance dynamic of television that Kennedy absorbed from his Hollywood cronies.

Kennedy, for his part, waged a cruel and hard-hitting campaign that became increasingly personal as the weeks wore on.Much of this material is well known but the retelling is still captivating. By election night Kennedy was referring to his old friend as a man without class. And yet, just four days after the election, Matthews reports that Nixon was elated by contact from Kennedy and a personal visit. The author makes a telling point on the closeness of the election: Nixon spent the rest of his life working to avoid such another painful defeat, while Kennedy never discarded his bitterness that Nixon had made it so close.

Nixon, in Matthews' view, allowed Kennedy's persona to influence him into an ill-advised run against sitting Governor Pat Brown of California in 1962. Kennedy could not fathom Nixon's decision until it gradually dawn on him that Nixon could not face a second presidential loss to Kennedy in 1964; the California governorship was the perfect excuse not to run against Kennedy. Neither, of course, would run for the presidency in 1964; Nixon was defeated by Brown and Kennedy fell to an assassin's bullet in 1963.

Nixon, however, escaped the 1964 GOP presidential debacle unscathed and moved to center stage as his party's senior statesman and strongest opponent to President Lyndon Johnson. Cultivating a calmer, wiser public image, he was however unnerved by Johnson's decision not to run in 1968, and worse, by the specter of running against the new standard bearer of Camelot, Robert Kennedy. Only RFK's assassination assured Nixon's eventual presidential victory in 1968. And yet, election did not remove his fear that the prize he had worked for all his life would be seized away by John Kennedy: if not in person, by his heirs, notably Teddy Kennedy, by revisionist history, by liberal intellectuals, and most certainly by media group-think that would always look back to Camelot as the high water mark of the postwar era. The Watergate debacle became the deadliest fruit of the poisoned tree.

A Great Read with Minute Bias
I grew up with a father incredibly obsessed and dedicated to John F. Kennedy, complete with private collection of numerous texts about the entire Kennedy family that made birthday shopping rather simple. In the typical example of reverse-psychology, I wanted nothing to do with the man. That's not to say that I disliked Kennedy, but I had no interest in learning about him, for I was that put off, and I only borrowed this book from my father's expansive collection for a paper I was assigned. The assignment was to find something interesting about Kennedy, anything that struck your fancy, and expand on it. I found his relationship with Richard Nixon and became interested in both men for the first time.

This book is written well enough, nothing outstanding or incredibly bland, instead rather standard fare. It benefits a great deal from the fact that its subject is simply fascinating. Personally, to first find out that Kennedy and Nixon had a pleasant relationship before the election of 1960, and not only that but a strong and poignant one, was shocking, and the fact itself was a great impetus. The book travels through the lives of both men and how they ran parallel to one another, focusing on their interactions and the growth and later changes in how they regarded one another. It continues on after Kennedy's death, then focusing on the remaining Kennedys relationships (both positive and negative) with Nixon, and the man's response to each. The topic is covered well, and the pace is sound.

The major flaw in this book that I found is, what I feel, the minute bias it has towards Nixon. I find Nixon a very interesting figure, and I have a certain affection for him that has developed as I have researched him more fully, but after this book (once again, the first I read of Kennedy), I almost despised Kennedy himself. After reading other biographies about Kennedy, ones that I feel were more unbiased and dealt with his flaws and accomplishments very well, I managed to create what I feel is a more even portrait. If this book was more stated to be in favor of Nixon, as that being the premise, I would not mind this bias as much, but while I expected an analysis and telling of the relationship between the two men, I did not expect the facts to be used to justify one more than the other. In this, I feel the text has a major weakness.

However, this does not fully take away from the book, for this bias is more prominent towards the ending chapters, after Kennedy's passing. How Nixon and Kennedy met, the developing of their relationship, its many facets; all of this is fascinating and a great read for anyone with an interest on the subject. This is a unique book, and one that I would recommend, for I truly did enjoy it, and in fact, it was what propelled me to research this time period more fully. Previously, I had little interest in it at all.

Simply put, this is a truly great book, one that I would consider fantastic if it did not contain a Nixon-favorable edge. However, the facts are stated and used in an interesting manner, and the narrative is compelling and pleasing. And even with its moments of lacking, what it does do is inspire new readers, and perhaps even more experienced ones, to explore this subject even more and seek out further resources about these men and their time. In my opinion, this is a great gift.

Perspective of an 83-year-old female
I am still not finished reading it, but since I have always been interested in politics and have followed elections, etc. since I was 12 years old, and having lived through World War II and had 4 brothers serve in that war, this book is a real eye-opener as to what went on behind the scenes from the 1940's to the 1960's.I am enjoying it so much and I am not surprised, since I love Chris Matthews and follow him every day.

Friends who became rivals
What was revealing to me was how Nixon and Kennedy were on such friendly terms. That friendship came to an end in 1960. Everyone knew Nixon would be the Republican nominee - but Kennedy's candidacy came as a surprise to everyone especially Nixon. Nixon didn't take Kennedy seriously and Mathews does a particular good job of illuminating the contrast between how each candidate prepared for the debate and how it changed the dynamic of the race. Nixons conviction that Kennedy had stolen the White House caused an increaing bitterness which led to paranoia and ultimatley the decision to create the plumbers to investigate Ted Kennedy. Teddy's putative candidacy of 1972 had become an obsession with Nixon. Having been beaten by Jack Kennedy in 1960 Nixon couldn't bear the thought of a restoration. In hinesight, its hard to believe Nixon had any reason to be concerned given that the Chappaquidick scandal was so fresh in the public mind. This is an excellent book for anyone wishing to learn more about arguably the two most interesting politicians of the 20th century.

A Sad bending of the Facts
I have read nearly everything ever penned on Nixon and Kennedy, and I was excited to find that someone had finally decided to fill the gaps in the relationships of these two fascinating Americans. Sadly, this was not the book I expected it to be.

The facts unique to the book makeup about 10 percent. The rest is filled with one-sided Kennedy bashing and Nixon sugar-coating.

This is the first I've read from this author, but being formerly an assistant to Tip O'Neil, I was blown away by his slant. I can only guess that he was trying too hard to hide his background.

The truth would have been a better read. ... Read more

Product Description
A girl who has changed into a doll and a doll who has changed into a sea captain sail the pirate-ridden high seas with a crew of Mother Goose animals, in search of gold treasure. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

A beautiful tale
This book was bought and read by my older sister and was just kicking around the house until I picked it up at about 8 years old (back in 1988). That was the first time I stayed up all night reading because I couldn't put a book down, and I do believe that it engendered all of the other nights spent in similar style with other great works of literature. I read this book to my younger sibs and to all of the kids I babysat. This is a book that kids BEG for. Ever since I left home this story has been popping up in my mind every so often. It's amazing how it really stays with you. Now I am ordering a copy to read to my own children (2 boys ages 7 and almost 2) and I am so happy that I'm going to be able to share this marvelous tale with them. I can't wait to see their eyes light up with joy when we pull it out every night for a chapter or two. I think the lessons to be learned from this book are important for all children. This is a beautifully crafted tale of high adventure, love, life, sorrow and joy. A must for every parent's book shelf (especially us homeschoolers! ;)

* every time my little one says "Mama, Dada" I think of this book. The story just becomes a part of your heart and soul.

A Joyful Read Every Time
Amy's Eyes is a wonderful, whimsical book that is sure to delight.I discovered this book in fifth grade, and to this day it remains my favorite.Adventure, intrigue, love, loss...all are included in this wonderful story.Richard Kennedy's writing style causes the story to flow as smoothly as the waves of the ocean on which the story rests.I dearly loved this book as a child, and was delighted to finally find a copy of it that I could purchase.Since that time I have reread this book at least once a year (many times more) and still enjoy it every bit as much as I did all those years ago. This edition is wonderful- the pictures are beautiful, and just add to the wonder and merriment of the story.The children love it, I love it...It's wonderful, and I would highly recommend it to anyone with a lot of imagination and who loves a good tale.

Not Your Average Children's Story
I love this book.My mother first read it to me when I was about ten, and I enjoyed it so much that I made little clay figures of all the characters, then took pictures of them and sent them to the author.He wrote me back a lovely letter (including a drawing he did of Davy Duck) which is still nestled between the pages of my battered paperback edition.

Over 15 years later, I've picked it up for the second time, and I am every bit as charmed by the story as I ever was, but reading as an adult, I am seeing the story differently.I rather wish that, as a child, someone would have pointed out to me that all the trouble in this book happens because the characters don't communicate important information to one another.

The characters all have distinctive personalities, and are in no way cliche.Can you name any other children's book which contains a character made out of long underwear who is obsessed with numerology?I didn't think so.This book still has the ability to make me laugh out loud, and can just as easily bring a tear to my eye.

If you ever believed your toys could become real with enough love, if you ever wanted to go on a pirate adventure for gold treasure, if you love nursery rhymes and boats and the sea, find yourself a copy of this book!

Don't break your child's heart.
I just finished reading this book. It broke my heart. I won't spoil anything, don't worry. I just don't think this is a good book for young children. It's all fun and adventure till someone gets hurt. That's all I'll tell about the plot. It broke my heart and i don't recomend it for children. I just don't think they're ready for such things unless they have a tendancy to be overly optimistic. If they can find the light in anything then they'll find the light in this book.

Beautiful Classic
This book is one of the most beautifully imaginative stories ever written. I read it over 20 years ago and still remember it with great fondness. It's a wonderful book for girls and boys alike, best for ages 8+. ... Read more

Product Description
Reissued with a new preface for the centennial.Along with Pound, Eliot, and Joyce, Edward Estlin Cummings is one of the leading American poets who revolutionized literary expression in thetwentieth century. He was also a Cubist painter, a champion of the little man, a brilliantconversationalist, a romantic idealist, a famous irrational curmudgeon, and husband to three ofthe most beautiful women of his time. Thiscritical biography merges these various selvesinto one fascinating life story, many chaptersof which could be mistaken for a great romanticnovel. In following Cummings's development as a poet, it also includes a large number ofpreviously unpublished poems and drawings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A thorough biography of Cummings' life and writing
*Dreams in the Mirror* is a well-written, thorough biography recounting E.E. Cummings' childhood, his early gifts with language, his changing relationship with his father, his war experiences, what he valued and how he reacted to the world around him. I love the fact this book gives the reader a glimpse into what motivated Cummings and how these relate to his poetry. This isn't a book limited to biographical information, though: Kennedy provides literary criticism and analysis, and even though I didn't always agree with Kennedy's assertions, I appreciated the scholastic look at the pieces. He provided me new insight into a few poems. I highly recommend this book for Cummings lovers.

A Complete Biography
This book outlines every facet of the facinating life of E.E. Cummings.A must read for anyone researching or interested in his life.

Reason Without Rhyme
'Dreams in the Mirror: A Biography of E.E. Cummings' is a precise account of a unique, creative poet. Richard S. Kennedy has made sense of the seemingly incoherent mind that made the literary world spin in a profoundly deconstructed orbit during the period following Cummings' graduation from the Harvard School of Arts and Sciences in 1916. Perhaps the most significant element of Kennedy's book is the previously unpublished Cummings' poem discovered in the dusty closet of a Tunisian Bed&Beakfast he'd occupied in 1931. Titled 'Insanity is Just a Mind of State', it is one of Cummings' most autobiographical works, revealing the poet's life-long regret that he'd never wrestled an alligator. The lament, on page 79, reads:

'i'm mad; say they
but Almonds aren't NUTS!
(is) thE river SEINE in pariS;?'

The human mind is a beautiful thing.

Dreams In The Mirror
a wonderful book... especially the love story and photos of cummings and marion moorehouse

"Dreams" a thought provoking bio
Recently having completed DREAMS IN THE MIRROR, I can say that I haven't read a better biography in a long time. If you are a true E.E. Cummings fan (or e.e. cummings as he spelled it), the insights that Kennedy has intothe man's life, as well as the interpretations of his poems, seems to makesense.I own a copy of his "Complete Poems 1904-1962", andhaving read many of them, I thought that the logical next step was to seehow someone else thought of them.Kennedy's biography of Cummings is theonly one that I know of in existance.Adding to that is Nancy Andrews,Cummings' daughter, who gave a lot of insight into her father, as well aspreviously unpublished poems and even drawings(!!). The book doesn't readlike a novel, so don't expect to pace though it quickly.It is awell-written account of Cummings' life, so remember to pay attention.Being it as it may, and considering that information, I say go on and readit. It's worth the time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent
The Contests at cowlick is a very cleverly written book, even adults still enjoy it. The whole book is written soartfully that it is easily characterized by the mostun-dramatic readers. It is a great book for both childrenand adults, it makes for great drama too. Ever want a skit for kids, thats not a cheesy one, but simple enough that they can perform it in a little under a month? The contests at cowlick is a multi-purpose book. I reccomend this book to anyone looking for great wholesome entertainment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

At Least, Another Side of the Story
I grew up near Hopewell, NJ, the town where Charles Lindbergh lived, and where the kidnapping took place. As a result of this, and the fact that I am an inherently morbid person, I have read a great deal on the kidnapping of the baby. While I too question whether the right man was captured in the case, and while this book raises some interesting questions about the motivations behind some of the key players, this book is based on a number of assumptions that were later proven to be wrong out of hand (including an assertion that the corpse found was not the Lindbergh child, arising from a misprint in an early reward poster). The book is outdated, somewhat prone to be conspiratorial in a manner not favoring the airman, and really only suitable for persons deeply interested in the history of the case and trial, not those with a passing interest. However, if you really are interested in the kidnapping case, this is a good work to read, if nothing else for the balance it provides, and suggestion the popular answer isn't always the right one.

"Truth cannot be measured by majority opinion." Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI

A miscarriage of justice...
I have read several books about the Lindbergh kidnapping and the Trial of the Century.A friend recommended The Airman and The Carpenter: The Lindbergh Kidnapping and the Framing of Richard Hauptmann by Ludovic Kennedy.Whether or not you believe that Bruno Richard Hauptmann was guilty in the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby, you can't help but be outraged over this historic trial.

Kennedy starts by giving a brief look at the backgrounds of Charles Lindbergh and Richard Hauptmann, as well as the period of time leading up to the kidnapping.Months after the baby was kidnapped and the ransom paid, the baby's remains were discovered four miles from the Lindbergh home.Marked ransom bills trickled into circulation, but it wasn't until over two years later that an astute gas station attendant wrote the license plate number of a patron who paid for his gas in marked gold certificates.This led police to the illegal German immigrant, Bruno Richard Hauptmann.

From the time of the arrest, the New Jersey State Police, led by Norman Schwartzkopf, Sr. latched onto Hauptmann and refused to consider any other scenario or suspect.Schwartzkopf was ill-prepared to handle such an important and high-profile case, having "never patrolled a beat or arrested a criminal."In fact, his only experience was as a floor-walker for a department store.He also refused to bring in the FBI (kidnapping was not a federal crime until after the Lindbergh kidnapping).Believing that Hauptmann was guilty but having only circumstantial evidence, the state police went to extremes to see that Hauptmann was convicted.They doctored employment records and confiscated others.They took his two ¾" chisels out of his toolbox, and then presented the toolbox in court--claiming that the chisel found at the crime scene belonged to Hauptmann.They suppressed evidence that showed that more than one person was involved, and that someone in the Lindbergh household may have provided inside information.They got two Lindbergh neighbors to lie and say they saw Lindbergh near the crime scene.They refused to allow the defense team to see Hauptmann's house or garage.This list goes on and on.And if it wasn't bad enough that the prosecution cheated and lied at every turn, his own lawyer was a big Lindbergh fan (had a photo of the aviator on his desk) and never believed in his client's innocence.The incompetent Edward J. Reilly was paid for by the Hearst Press and suffered from alcoholism and the final stages of syphilis.In four months time, he spent only 38 minutes with his client.One of Hauptmann's secondary attorneys claimed that "This is the greatest tragedy in the history of New Jersey.Time will never wash it out."

The major complaint that I have with The Airman and The Carpenter is that Kennedy gives us only a very superficial examination of the aftermath of the trial.Written in 1985, he certainly could have looked much farther than he did.While I am still not convinced that Hauptmann was totally innocent, I do believe a gross miscarriage of justice was done in that Flemington, NJ courthouse.

An Argument Against Guilt
The author was in New York in September 1981 and saw a TV show with Anna Hauptmann; after half a century she passionately declared her husband Richard was innocent of the crime. This impressed him enough to pick this subject for his next book. Other books were on miscarriages of justice. Kennedy is against the death penalty (but for euthanasia!?). He used the recently opened case archives in Trenton for this book. The 'Introduction' tells the reader what to expect from this very readable book.

Part One is a short biography of Charles Lindbergh. [It does not tell you that his Congressman father opposed the private banking cartel known as the Federal Reserve System.] Lindbergh's love of practical jokes suggests a flawed personality. Part Two tells of Richard Hauptmann. In the war he learned to do whatever it took to survive. Lawlessness increased after the war. Hauptmann burgled and robbed and was caught and sentenced. His adventures showed quick-witted daring. Hauptmann reported for work at 8 am, March 1, 1932. After work 5 pm he went home, then picked up his wife around 8 pm (p.80). Part Three explains what happened after the baby was kidnapped. Two sets of footprints were found leading from the ladder. The Lindberghs decided to stay over on Tuesday morning, so the kidnappers were either very lucky or had inside knowledge. After a ransom note arrived, $50,000 was given to a man in a Bronx cemetery. Then the body was found near the home. Part Four tells of the continuing investigation, and Hauptmann's life and friends. The Lindberghs lived as happily as possible. One of the ransom money bills led to the capture of Hauptmann.

Part Five notes the methods of the investigation of Hauptmann. Kennedy explains how a witness is prepared to identify a suspect (p.176), and criticizes their methods (p.177). But Hauptmann often lied (p.178). Pages 179-182 explain how the ransom note was forged: Hauptmann was forced to copy the note with its mistakes! There is implausibility in removing a plank from the attic (p.212). The fingerprints on the ransom note and ladder did not match Hauptmann; his shoe size did not match the footprints (pp.213-4). Page 216 tells how they found an eyewitness. Rail 16 was 1/16" thicker than the attic flooring (p.220)! Page 226 explains how evidence disappears when it challenges the prosecution's case. Part Six explains the actions of the Prosecution. Evidence was fabricated (p.242, 244). Defense lawyer Reilly was crooked or crazy (p.242). The trick with the ransom note is on page 276. The study of handwriting is an art, not a science (p.277). A chisel was removed to incriminate Hauptmann (p.295)! The "expert" witnesses impressed the jury. Part Seven tells of the efforts by the Defense lawyers. How could a professional carpenter make such a ramshackle ladder (p.309)? Page 314 tells how Wilentz threatened a defense witness. Rail 16 had "only one nail hole" after the kidnapping (p.317)! The other facts to prove it didn't come from the attic are on page 319. The jury found Hauptmann guilty in the first degree (p.344). Part Eight lists the efforts to overturn the sentence. Hauptmann's lawyers argued against the unreliable testimony of witnesses. The Court of Errors and Appeals affirmed the verdict. Given the evidence, the verdict was correct. Hauptmann "collected the ransom money and was therefore the kidnapper" (p.363). Governor Hoffman was advised that the trial was flawed, and Hauptmann was not guilty (p.366). Hauptmann pointed out the flaws in the case (p.367). The Court of Pardons would not commute his sentence (p.377). The evidence against guilt is on pages 383-384. There was a problem with Rail 16; it didn't fit (p.389)! The 'Epilogue' has the aftermath of the case. Page 409 tells of Lindbergh's gullibility on the German air force; or was it his fascist sympathy?

Kennedy says Hoffman "failed to win re-election as Governor in 1938" (p.408). Governors then were limited to one term of three years (as in most other states). The neighboring county is Warren, not "Warner" (p.241). One important clue in this case was the baby's pajamas; whoever had them took the baby. Where is this mentioned?

An Argument Against Guilt
The author was in New York in September 1981 and saw a TV show with Anna Hauptmann; after half a century she passionately declared her husband Richard was innocent of the crime. This impressed him enough to pick this subject for his next book. Other books were on miscarriages of justice. Kennedy is against the death penalty (but for euthanasia!?). He used the recently opened case archives in Trenton for this book. The 'Introduction' tells the reader what to expect from this very readable book.

Part One is a short biography of Charles Lindbergh. [It does not tell you that his Congressman father opposed the private banking cartel known as the Federal Reserve System.] Lindbergh's love of practical jokes suggests a flawed personality. Part Two tells of Richard Hauptmann. In the war he learned to do whatever it took to survive. Lawlessness increased after the war. Hauptmann burgled and robbed and was caught and sentenced. His adventures showed quick-witted daring. Hauptmann reported for work at 8 am, March 1, 1932. After work 5 pm he went home, then picked up his wife around 8 pm (p.80). Part Three explains what happened after the baby was kidnapped. Two sets of footprints were found leading from the ladder. The Lindberghs decided to stay over on Tuesday morning, so the kidnappers were either very lucky or had inside knowledge. After a ransom note arrived, $50,000 was given to a man in a Bronx cemetery. Then the body was found near the home. Part Four tells of the continuing investigation, and Hauptmann's life and friends. The Lindberghs lived as happily as possible. One of the ransom money bills led to the capture of Hauptmann.

Part Five notes the methods of the investigation of Hauptmann. Kennedy explains how a witness is prepared to identify a suspect (p.176), and criticizes their methods (p.177). But Hauptmann often lied (p.178). Pages 179-182 explain how the ransom note was forged: Hauptmann was forced to copy the note with its mistakes! There is implausibility in removing a plank from the attic (p.212). The fingerprints on the ransom note and ladder did not match Hauptmann; his shoe size did not match the footprints (pp.213-4). Page 216 tells how they found an eyewitness. Rail 16 was 1/16" thicker than the attic flooring (p.220)! Page 226 explains how evidence disappears when it challenges the prosecution's case. Part Six explains the actions of the Prosecution. Evidence was fabricated (p.242, 244). Defense lawyer Reilly was crooked or crazy (p.242). The trick with the ransom note is on page 276. The study of handwriting is an art, not a science (p.277). A chisel was removed to incriminate Hauptmann (p.295)! The "expert" witnesses impressed the jury. Part Seven tells of the efforts by the Defense lawyers. How could a professional carpenter make such a ramshackle ladder (p.309)? Page 314 tells how Wilentz threatened a defense witness. Rail 16 had "only one nail hole" after the kidnapping (p.317)! The other facts to prove it didn't come from the attic are on page 319. The jury found Hauptmann guilty in the first degree (p.344). Part Eight lists the efforts to overturn the sentence. Hauptmann's lawyers argued against the unreliable testimony of witnesses. The Court of Errors and Appeals affirmed the verdict. Given the evidence, the verdict was correct.Hauptmann "collected the ransom money and was therefore the kidnapper" (p.363). Governor Hoffman was advised that the trial was flawed, and Hauptmann was not guilty (p.366). Hauptmann pointed out the flaws in the case (p.367). The Court of Pardons would not commute his sentence (p.377). The evidence against guilt is on pages 383-384. There was a problem with Rail 16; it didn't fit (p.389)! The 'Epilogue' has the aftermath of the case. Page 409 tells of Lindbergh's gullibility on the German air force; or was it his fascist sympathy?

Kennedy says Hoffman "failed to win re-election as Governor in 1938" (p.408). Governors then were limited to one term of three years (as in most other states). The neighboring county is Warren, not "Warner" (p.241).

Grammatically wonderful, historically poor
Ludovic Kennedy demonstrates that he posseses significant writing skills.He keeps the reader interested throughout.Of all the books putting forth a theory of Hauptmann's innocence, his is the best written.

However, from a historical perspective, it is actually quite disappointing.For example, Kennedy insists that Hauptmann was working on 3/1/32, the day of the crime.However, Hauptmann testified at trial that he was not working that day.There are also several bold statements offered without any source or footnote which are contradicted by original source materials from the New Jersey State Police Museum and Archives.

In summary, Sir Ludovic is an excellent writer with great literary skills, but his conclusions and research leave much to be desired. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Entertaining biography of a rogue politician
"Himself!"by Eugene Kennedy was written shorty after the death of it's subject,Chicago Mayor Richard J.Daley..Thus it should not come as a complete surprise that theauthor glossed over much of what was wrong with Daley and his long mayorship in favor of writing fluff...Still,the fluff IS entertaining,if not entirely truthful..Unlike more recent Daley biographies(Like the mammoth"American Pharoah"as an example)wherein every inch of the deceased mayor's life is gone over with a fine-toothed comb,"Himself!"is rather spare in it's dealing with the who and the what of the Daley career..Much of what Kennedy recounts is anecdotal,and few of the mayor's legions of enemies,notably writer and chicago newspaperman Mike Royko as an example,seem to have been consulted..But as a modern-day fable"Himself!"works rather well,documenting the man's rise from poverty,his political campaigns,his transformation of the Chicago skyline and some of his political battles..It is what one might call a "friendly" biography,rather than an objective one...
One problem that I do have with the book,however,is the spirit in which Kennedy seems to have approached this writing project..In the"introduction"the author expounds at length on the subject of "chieftainship"and its supposed application to Richard J.Daley..According to Kennedy a real"chieftain"need not be"perfect",nor fair,nor just,nor even concerned with doing the right thing so long as that one is strong,brutal,willing to to the "gutty"things that"need to be done"Given that Daley displayed hostility to those who disagreed with him,political brutality,was the man behind the bloody debacle that took place in Chicago during the 1968 democratic convention that was held there at that time,gave the notorious"shoot to kill"order during the Chicago riots,and was long accused of being anti-black and anti-poor,this odd notion proposed by author Kennedy about"chieftainship" hardly describes the sort of person who should be in charge of a hot dog stand,much less a city as great and as diverse as Chicago...
Still,despite its many short-comings,"Himself!"is an entertaining read. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the true story of a little piece of 8mm film made in 1963 when President John F. Kennedy visited Dallas, Texas. Abraham Zapruder's 26-second home movie captured in horrific clarity the public murder of the President. His six-foot long filmstrip soon became one of the most monetarily valuable artifacts in world history, and arguably "the most historic film ever shot." Zapruder's film and its subsequent study and interpretation by government investigations, the mass media and thousands of assassination buffs, is a controversial and convoluted tale. Richard Trask puts the film's significance into a readable context and displays how this small slice of historic reality has become the image by which the Kennedy assassination will forever be remembered. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Great discussion of a fabricated film
Would that Trask had acknowledged the massive evidence that the Zapruder film is a recreation, which was designed to conceal the true causes of the death of JFK.For openers, google "New Proof of JFK Film Fakery", "Another Attempted Reenactment of the Death of JFK", "Mary in the Street Revisited", and "Zapruder JFK Film impeached by Moorman JFK Polaroid".Or consult THE GREAT ZAPRUDER FILM HOAX (2003), which Trask surely knows of but does not address.Or, for a video tutorial by John P. Costella, Ph.D., the leading expert on the Zapruder film in the world today, take a look at his "JFK Assassination Film Hoax", which is accessible on assassinationscience.com at http://assassinationscience.com/johncostella/jfk/intro/ .If you assume the film is authentic,thenit becomes impossible to reconstruct the assassination sequence.While Trask's work is well-produced, in this case he has missed the boat entirely, because the film cannot withstand critical dissection.Buyer beware!

A treasure of a book.
I'm almost finished reading this book and I must say that it is one of the best books about the Kennedy assassination. It has everything from the detailed history of the Zapruder film to a 16 page color section that includes the famous photos by Mary Moorman, James Altgens and Phil Willis, to over 100 black and white photos and diagrams of Zapruder frames and rarely seen photos and still frames from other movies made that day. I took the advice of another review on this board and bought the book with the DVD 'Image of an Assassination'. When the book references frames from the Zapruder film you can view the DVD to see exactly what it is the author is talking about. What else can be said about a book that comes in it's own wrapper. Probably a lot. A treasure.

THE definitive work on the Zapruder Film
Richard Trask's objectivity must be maddening to the conspiracy nuts since he clearly doesn't give credence to their silly theories, while at the same time he doesn't openly criticize their ideas.He isn't looking for a fight.He simply researches the objective photographic history and refuses to jump on the bandwagon of insanity currently awash in the country by those claiming the Zapruder film has been altered.I was glad that he did not spend a lot of time in this arena, it would have cheapened the high quality of work Trask is known for.ALong with "Pictures of the Pain" Trask must be ranked among the great photographic historians of this case.I highly recommend this work

As Satisfying An Experience As You Will Find, Period!
I whole-heartedly agree with Mr. Von Pein's extremely comprehensive review.If you are into the photographic and film record of the Kennedy Assassination, as I am, than Mr. Trask's published works will satisfy your desire for an in-depth analysis of the major photos and films taken during the November 21st-November 22nd period of time.All three of his books are worth the investment for the wealth of photos they contain and the analysis of those photos.
As to NATIONAL NIGHTMARE, I liken it to that first cup of cold water after a long run.It is satisfying and quenches the thirst.Mr. Trask approaches the history of the film and his analysis of it with no agenda. He is not out to change anyone's mind as to "who dun it," unlike James Fetzer's "The Great Zapruder Film Hoax: Deceit and Deception in the Death of JFK", which goes off into the wacky world of Zapruder film tampering by unknown conspirators.I consider myself an historian, an as such, am much more impressed with Mr. Trask's objective approach to his subject.One gets the impression that he discounts the conspiracy theories in favor of the Warren Commission findings, but it serves as an undercurrent, not as a presumptious raison d'etre for the existence of the book.Mr. Trask simply presents the photographic record in wonderful detail, leaving the theories for the reader to muddle over.
This is really an extaordinary book, and my hope is the Mr. Trask (I hope you're reading this, sir) publishes a book of all 400+ frames of the Zapruder film in the largest, clearest, most colorful format that technology can provide and takes a page to analyze each frame of the film.One frame per page accompanied by a page of analysis would amount to a holy grail of sorts for me and no doubt for all those who understand the importance of analyzing the history of November 22, 1963 through the numerous photographs and films taken on that day.

Another First-Rate Effort By Mr. Trask .... All You Could Ever Want To Know About The Zapruder Film Is In Here
I love reading Richard Trask's books about the JFK assassination; and this one, published in late October 2005, is certainly no exception. It's very informative and definitely a worthy addition to anyone's collection of written materials surrounding the shocking murder of President John Kennedy in November of 1963.

"National Nightmare On Six Feet Of Film: Mr. Zapruder's Home Movie And The Murder Of President Kennedy" is a softcover volume containing 392 pages packed with just about every conceivable piece of information revolving around the infamous 26-second color motion-picture film taken by Dallas dress manufacturer Abraham Zapruder on November 22, 1963, which is a film which shows, in all its morbid detail, the assassination of an American President in broad daylight on a city street in Dallas, Texas.

Mr. Trask details the full history of the film and provides a good deal of background and biographical information on Mr. Zapruder, an ordinary Dallas businessman, born in Russia, who, by pure happenstance and coincidence, turned out to be the amateur filmmaker whose name will forever be associated with the death of JFK.

But, if it weren't for the prodding of his secretary, Lillian Rogers (who encouraged Zapruder to go back home and retrieve his 8mm Bell-&-Howell movie camera shortly before the President's motorcade arrived in Dealey Plaza), that brief and awful 26 seconds in history would probably have never been captured through Mr. Zapruder's lens.

Like Richard Trask's other books on the JFK assassination which focus attention on the photographic aspect of the tragedy, the text of "National Nightmare" is ever-readable, easily-understood, and refreshingly-non-biased when it comes to taking a "Conspiracy vs. No Conspiracy" position by the author. Mr. Trask lays out the facts and leaves it at that.

This book's endnotes/footnotes are all positioned at the back of the book in one separate section, so as to not clutter up the main text of the volume. (So keeping two bookmarks handy is recommended, because a lot of interesting info can be gleaned from some of these endnotes too.)

One big surprise to this writer when perusing this book was seeing a COLOR version of the Robert Croft photograph printed on Page 67 (within a 16-page spread of mostly all-color photos and Zapruder Film frames). I had never seen the Croft picture in color previously. And it's an excellent-quality print of that famous amateur photo that I found in this volume, too. The picture is needle-sharp and the color is virtually perfect.

The Croft photo, by the way, depicts the President's limousine on Elm Street, just after the car has made its sharp left turn from Houston Street in front of the Texas School Book Depository. It was taken at a point equivalent to Zapruder frame #161 (per this book's text and captions), which is just about the time the first gunshot was being fired in Dealey Plaza.

Other highly-recommended publications authored by Richard B. Trask (centering on the photography of President Kennedy's assassination) ..... "Pictures Of The Pain" (1994) and "That Day In Dallas" (1998). The latter is a condensed version of the former, focusing attention on just three of the photographers who took pictures in Dallas on the day JFK was killed (Cecil Stoughton, James Altgens, and Jim Murray).*

* = Although condensed into a smaller number of pages than that of its predecessor "POTP", "That Day In Dallas" does contain "revised and enlarged" material throughout its limited number of chapters. And the specific photographs represented within that volume are unrivaled in their clarity and quality of physical presentation, in this writer's personal opinion.

I truly enjoyed both of those books, and was very glad to see "That Day In Dallas" come out a few years after "POTP", because "That Day" provides a larger-print format for many excellent-quality assassination-related photographs, including several pictures you're not likely to see in any other book on the subject.

As a companion piece to "National Nightmare", I would also recommend highly the MPI Home Video DVD "Image Of An Assassination: A New Look At The Zapruder Film" (released in the summer of 1998), which contains four "digital" versions of the entire 26-second Zapruder Film in various formats, including "zoomed-in" variants and a previously-unseen "Widescreen" version of the movie, which includes the imagery between the "sprocket holes" from Mr. Zapruder's "camera original" film.

That DVD also contains some valuable and collectible "bonus" video programming, including interviews with Zapruder associates, as well as the March 1975 "Good Night America" program (hosted by Geraldo Rivera), during which U.S. audiences first saw the horrifying images of Mr. Zapruder's movie. The DVD also has a crystal-clear video copy of the Live interview that Abraham Zapruder gave on WFAA-TV just hours after he had filmed the assassination.

Many of the above-mentioned items from that "Image Of An Assassination" DVD are also referenced by Mr. Trask throughout the well-written pages of "National Nightmare".

---------------

In "National Nightmare On Six Feet Of Film", Richard Trask has admirably filled in yet another in a seemingly-never-ending series of pieces of subject matter that comprise the wide and varied fabric that form the mosaic of literature covering the topic of the John F. Kennedy assassination.

Nowhere can be found a more detailed and fact-based history of Abraham Zapruder's historic film than that which resides within these 392 pages. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Nostalgia Made me Write this
I suddenly had an inexplicable and almost visceral need to re-read this book (and The Stream That Stood Still) when I haven't seen either in at least 40 years.

These books are wonderfully endearing and, to me, epitomize a classic British children's literature tone that doesn't (to my mind) exist in American writers.

I miss this.And I want to re-read this.

Books I still remember reading
I remember reading these books as a young girl and being thoroughly entranced. The Stream that Stood Still where the girl goes in search of her brother and puts on special flower petals that allow her to breathe underwater is particularly vivid in my mind. I'd love to buy this set for my son, but sadly it is out of print.

Wonderful childhood fantasy stories-
I felt compelled to write a write a review of this book,just because i know this fantastic trilogy is currently out of print and in order to read them we have to buy dated copies at considerable cost! I read these as a child and along with the Chronicles of Narnia, these were amongst my favorite books. All three books (Tree that Sat Down, Stream that Stood Still, Mountain of Magic), blend the authors love of the natural world and outdoors with magical stories of 2 children (brother and sister) interacting in a seemingly normal world where magical events occur, animals talk, witches and evil humans lurk and all done in a refreshingly modern, humourous and captivating way. The second book, the 'Stream that Stood Still'remains my favorite book, a wonderful adventure taking place beneath the calm waters of a english stream, with magical masks made from lilypond leaves that enable humans to live in the water and a race against time to change a child back into human form before he remains a fish forever.
I would love to be able to buy these books and give them to my godchildren but at $20 a book, its not likely. Wonderful stories that our children today won't be lucky enough to read.

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Product Description
Life in the Kingdom of Karnica is never the same after Farmer Erd unearths a valuable red stone in his field. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

the lost kingdom of Karnica
before a stone was found, the land of the Kingdom of Karnica was rich and yielding, people living pleasantly, until the bad luck hit. it was a red stone, a gem, with rainbows of light running through it.when the king looked at the stone, his eyes shone & he saw visions of wealth in his future. he was blind to the effects ... Read more