1 comments about Lost Souls of the River Kwai.

1. Lost Souls Of The River Kwai: Experiences Of A British Soldier On The Railway Of Death, is co-authored by Bill Reed and Mitch Peeke is the simply riveting autobiographical story of Bill Reed's service in the British Army during World War II, including his capture by the Japanese who put him and his fellow POWs to work as a slave laborer in southeast Asia. Surviving under lethally abusive conditions (including being tortured by his captors), Lost Souls Of The River Kwai tells of Reed's enforced participation on the "Railway of Death" and offers readers a vivid description of how just how traumatically the experience effected him for the rest of his life. A candid memoir of remarkable content for readers seeking documentation of the terrors of being a POW in World War II subject to the terrors of the cruelly merciless Japanese, Lost Souls Of The River Kwai is very strongly recommended reading. Large Print format.

No comments about Conduct Under Fire (Random House Large Print (Cloth/Paper)).

1 comments about Word for Word (G K Hall Large Print Book Series).

1. Rooney looks at life the way only he can. From tabloids, to squash, he's got it covered. The book allows you to see a lighter side to all those daily, around the house occurneces, and annoyances.

5 comments about Lilibet: An Intimate Portrait of Elizabeth II.

1. I am a fairly casual reader of books about the British royalty, not a fanatic one, but I found little new in this book. Much of the information about Elizabeth's early years seems to come straight from The Little Princesses, while the later years have little to add not heavily covered in media. If you had never before read a book about Elizabeth, this might be a good starting place, as it's an easy read. It's quite a sympathetic portrait of her, but not of almost anyone else in her life, especially her husband Phillip, of whom there is barely a civil word said. The book does focus very much on her, and not her family, which is nice in a way, as there is so much out there about Diana and other family members. I would have liked to read more about her as a mother, but from what is said here and elsewhere, it wasn't one of her biggest roles. The photos included are a small and odd bunch, nothing comprehensive at all. I did perhaps feel I knew Elizabeth's personality a bit more after finishing this read, and it was not BADLY written, but I can't really say it's a necessary or outstanding book.



2. Lousy little book--I picked it up at a bookstore on the road without looking closely. Not only is there scant factual basis for the book, it inserts quotes and 'thoughts' of the subjects that the author can't know. There are so many good accounts of the lives of the Windsors that this was a true waste of time, and an insult to royals and readers alike. Avoid.



3. Having read a number of biographies of Queen Elizabeth II (beginning with The Little Princesses in the 1950s), I can only say that while Erickson does not engage in scandal and innuendo, she is too light-weight to be taken seriously. Any biographer who would refer to Her Majesty as "Lilibet" (only used by immediate family) even when discussing the Queen at the advanced age of 60 and 70 is too silly for words.
   
   Bookschlepper



4. A very readable biography but I agree with the previous reviewer that it tends to be a bit on the light and fluff side. Many of her citations for quotes turn out to be from other biographies, most notably Kitty Kelly's THE ROYALS which diminished the seriousness of the work for me. But still, an interesting portrait that highlights the ordinary humanness of the Queen.



5. Initially, I was wary of reading this book. I thought it had a pretty cover and a relatively intriguing title, but didn't figure that Elizabeth II would be anyone who was fascinating enough to write about. But nonetheless, envisioning a book filled with an agonizingly boring chronicle of this seemingly "deadly dull" woman's life, I began "Lilibet."

   And was I ever in for a surprise! Carolly Erickson has done an outstanding job with this biography and completely captured the essence of this queen. The pages keep turning, and it is one of the highest compliments I can give to a biography to say that it "reads" like a good novel-I can certainly say that in this case. Chronicling the Queen's life from birth until 2002, Erickson uses a winning "formula" to ensure a satisfyingly complex character portrait.

   Granted, the simple factual matter of "Lilbet" was admirable. Yet other characteristics make "Lilibet" so enjoyable. First, I enjoyed the quotes/testimonials from the queen and others that Erickson used. It sometimes seems in a biography that the quotes chosen are unremarkable and cliche, yet "Lilibet" includes sparklingly memorable quotes from those who know Elizabeth as well as intriguing "morsels" from the queen herself.

   Furthermore, "Lilibet" was enhanced by the way English history (and crucial royal family events) were woven into the story line. These happenings are presented to the reader in a clear and interesting manner, and as said, they add richness to the story. Time and time again, Erickson deftly shows how events like the World War 2, the Wallis Simpson incident, and the scandals recently plaguing the royal family played their part in the life of the Queen.

   But best of all, the author shows excellent psychological insights during her writing. When I think about why exactly I found this book so fascinating, I realize that it was due in part to the sharply intelligent analysis of Lilibet's character. Erickson does not portray the queen as a "whitened" saint or as a cruel elderly woman-she seems to understand and empathize with the queen's character enough to see both the good and the bad in it.

   Solid facts, expert inclusion of history and background information, memorable psychological insight, and just plain an interesting read! What an EXCELLENT biography!

No comments about Confessions of a Country Boy (Reminiscence).

No comments about Over the Mountain (Ulverscroft Large Print Series).

2 comments about Beautiful Joe (Large Print Edition): An AutoBiography of a Dog.

1. i have not finished this book but it's very good so far.



2. Poor Joe, he goes thru so much. I read this book when I was about 12 and LOVED it. Now at 50 I still remembered it and got it for my 12 year old niece. She loved it as much as I did. Both of us would love to scoop up Joe & bring him home & save him from the hard life he lives.

No comments about Great Britain and her Queen (Large Print).

1 comments about Jane Austen and Her Times.

1. If you are a student of Jane Austen or Regency England, this book will supply you with a wealth of information. Mitten relates Jane Austen's upbringing, family situation, and the wider culture to her writings. Two caveats: This book was written in the early 20th Century, so comparisons between Austen's time and Mitten's own are not very illuminating. More importantly, this is a very poorly published edition of the book. Two of the pages fell out on my first reading. There are also many typos and other editing issues. I recommend purchasing a hardcover edition instead, especially if you plan to read it more than once.

1 comments about Mother Knew Best: Wit and Wisdom from the Moms of Celebrities (Thorndike Press Large Print Paperback Series).

1. MOTHER KNEW BEST is a perfect gift book for mom (Mother's Day, graduation, birthday, anniversaries) because it so compellingly illustrates the profound effect a mother has on a child. From Elvis Presley to Mother Teresa, Colin Powell to Milton Berle, the people about whom the Hornfischers write are carefully chosen -- and unfailingly inspirational.