No comments about Counting the Rivers.

No comments about A Painful Journey.

No comments about EPILEPSY and All the Torments.

No comments about The Story of My Life: with her letters (1887-1901) and a supplementary account of her education including passages from the reports and letters of her ... Anne Mansfield Sullivan by John Albert Macy.

2 comments about Fortunate Son.

1. I had heard from a great many people about this book prior to reading it myself. The first time I heard about it was back in '94. Finally, I saw it for sale at a garage sale for cents on the dollar value and I bought it.

   I was engrossed by the first page and it took me a little over 6 hours to finish. I like many others would have assumed that Jr. would have had a tough time stacking up to his father but the opposite was true. Both father and son had a bond that the books words conveyed perfectly. Junior has a knack for explaining things that is easy to understand and contextualize. The story is told easily with such candor that you actually find yourself feeling sorry for yourself and not just Junior's life. However, it does get a little stale with Junior's constant regard of anyone without "Vietmam" experience as less than himself. But, that in itself only enhances and clarifies what he experienced and what his generations conflicts were. The timultuous times of the 60's and early 70's are truly seen though the eyes of not a hippie or a burn out but of one who displayed wisdom beyond his years. Wisdom that could only be gained through combat experienc or more specifically the Vietmam experience. JUniors spirit and perserverence lent itself to mutual success and failure. Only when JUnior admitted his failures did he then start to experience success. As cliche as it may seem that is how the book is summed up. A good story told honestly and without prejudice.

   Bill Smith -




2. First, get your summary of this book correct! Louis B. Puller Jr. was son of a great WW I, II, and Korean War hero, {Chesty} Louis B. Puller Sr.. He had only served in Vietnam. This book depicts a very clear picture of a man who has been pushed to his limits in life and came back from the depths of hell from a war that tore at the seams of our country. From his life as a young child, college student, and Marine Corps Officer there is a vivid portrayal of a man who had given all of himself to follow in the footsteps of his father. Louis jr. comes close to giving the ulitmate sacrifce for his counrty. The healing process that he went under after tripping a booby trapped artillary shell in Vietnam was not only physical, but in a large part mental for him. This book shows the battles he had overcome not only in the war but in life in general. I admire this bravery and only hope to learn for this mans wisdom that he so eloquenty depicts is this book. May God protect your soul Louis B Puller Jr. Semper Fidelis

No comments about Mom's Dragon Letter: A Cancer Journal.

1 comments about Lisa, the Brief Life of a Writer.

1. LISA, THE BRIEF LIFE OF A WRITER is a collection of poems, essays, and book reviews written by Lisa McDonough, who died at age 34 in March 2001 from Cystic Fibrosis. She had been a journalist with the PALM BEACH POST newspaper. Her poems are insightful and mature, employing a gift from the muses; her essays (many about dealing the trials she had to face) are inspirational without being sentimental. Most interesting to me are her book reviews. Oddly enough they reveal much about her character, while providing readers with a vehicle to access a wide variety of reading material.

   This is a beautifully designed book, with a photo of Lisa on the cover. That same photograph sits on my own writing desk, a gift from Lisa following a visit to her home in Jupiter, Florida in 1999. Years ago, I had the honor of teaching Lisa McDonough when she was in the eighth grade, in Hawaii. Later, she helped to edit two of my own books, published by Susquehanna and Syracuse University presses. What enormous pleasure it gave me to watch my little student, now a college honors graduate, take red pen to her teacher's work. She had learned well and had become an expert teacher herself.

   Lisa's brief time with us is a message that life--even with the weight of trials and tribulations--can be possible, useful, and hopeful. Her passing was a lesson in grace and bravery. Her book is not just a tribute to her but a guide to help all of us live with courage and joy.

1 comments about Malchance: From Walking To A Wheelchair.

1. Although a new writer, Jane Kryski seems to understand what it means to write an engaging story. I was skeptical based on the cover and subject matter, but Kryski keeps the story moving and the contrast between her post stroke and previous life can only be described as tragic. I was left with a feeling of a person who has come to terms with her handicap and ultimately - her talent. Do yourself a favor and check out this one out.

2 comments about The Rustling of Leaves: An Adventure of Recovery.

1. Before I read The Rustling of Leaves, I had a few preconceived notions of what this story would tell. I thought It would be another one of those same old "rags to riches" tales that are so often told among various people in recovery. I thought it would be the average run of the mill epics that are often predictable and lacking any real human experience that has been done time and time again. I was wrong.

   Throughout the book, I found myself held captive by the honesty of Mr. Costanzo's situation. His battle with booze, the courts, the prisons and ulimately himself, was a reflection a man who had managed to survive through an incredable amount of pain and misery. He basicaly was in a place where he had no choice but to surrender to the people, places and events that led him to helplessness and a ten by fifteen foot cell in Folsom prison. He was locked up with nowhere to turn, except to his God and his wife. Thats when started to realized all the problems he caused himself and all of those around him were a direct result of his unwillingness to let go of his own will. That's when he finally stated his long spiritual path that led him to the love that he knows today. The message this reader received was hope. The way Costanzo outlined his understanding of the twelve steps his never ending relationship with God, was moving as well as entertaining. The most effective and lasting memory I have of this book is the timeless love story between Mr. Costanzo and his wife Ginger; it brought me to tears.

   In my opinion, this book would not only be help for those who are in recovery, but to the average reader that's looking for a story that will bring hope to the hopeless, faith to the faithless and joy to the joyless.




2. This book is of interest because it reveals the obsession of the mind of a man that is a recovering alcoholic. In the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book there is a section that reveals that the "disease" of alcoholism and drug addiction is the obsessive "thought process" in the individual. Mr. Costanzo, by giving the readers his life experience of this phenomena, assist others who might find themselves becoming obsessed. This book was a joy to read. An exciting adventure into the mental and emotional process of a recovering alcoholic who moves away from "the program of Alcoholics Anonymous" and begins to "take his life back for himself," rather then depending on a Power Greater than himself. He travels back to emotional hell and comes back to warn us of the pitfalls. I think any person on a spiritual path would enjoy this book. Certainly anyone who is in recovery from either alcoholism or drug addiction would find the pages an eye-opener in regards to their own life in recovery... it uncovered some of my own difficulties in my recovery process.

No comments about 77 Talks/Cyberspace Kids.