History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

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A "Must Read"
a stunning masterpiece
A Must Read!
WE &hearts; THIS BOOK!!!!
Global Studies 9

When the Elephants Dance
Tess Uriza Holthe
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0142002887
Release Date: 2003-06-24

Amazon.com

Tess Uriza Holthe writes with a mixture of metaphor and fact, a combination of the supernatural and the all-too-real. When the Elephants Dance opens, in fact, with an apposite metaphor for a horrible reality: "Papa explains the war like this: 'When the elephants dance, the chickens must be careful.'" The elephants in question are the Americans and the Japanese, fighting for possession of the Philippines. The chickens are, of course, the ordinary Filipinos. Three of these "chickens" by turns tell us the story of the Japanese occupation as a small neighborhood near Manila literally goes underground, hiding in the cellar and swapping stories. Holthe takes her onus as a seminal Filipino voice seriously; she sometimes seems determined to cram every bit of tradition, history, and myth into her novel, to the detriment of the plot's propulsion. But readers who stay with her will be rewarded with an extraordinary display of historical color, and will certainly root for her three narrators. --Claire Dederer

Book Description

In the waning days of World War II, the Filipino people were caught between a brutal Japanese occupation and battling U.S. forces. In this compelling, incandescent novel, thirteen-year-old Alejandro Karangalan, his spirited older sister Isabelle, and Domingo, a passionate guerilla commander, narrate the story of the Karangalans-a family who huddle with their neighbors in the cellar of a house near Manila to wait out the war. In their crowded refuge, the group shares magical stories of Filipino myth and legend. Spellbinding, with a dazzling array of ghosts, witches, supernatural creatures, and courageous Filipinos from history, these tales transport the listeners and give them new resolve to survive.

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"Papa explains the war like this: 'When the elephants dance, the chickens must be careful.' The great beasts, as they circle one another, shaking the trees and trumpeting loudly, are the Amerikanos and the Japanese as they fight. And our Philippine Islands? We are the small chickens."

Once in a great while comes a storyteller who can illuminate worlds large and small, magical and true to life. When the Elephants Dance introduces us to the incandescent voice of Tess Uriza Holthe, who sets her remarkable first novel in the waning days of World War II, as the Japanese and the Americans engage in a fierce battle for possession of the Philippine Islands. The Karangalan family and their neighbors huddle for survival in the cellar of a house a few miles from Manila. Outside the safety of their little refuge the war rages on—fiery bombs torch the beautiful Filipino countryside, Japanese soldiers round up and interrogate innocent people, and from the hills guerillas wage a desperate campaign against the enemy. Inside the cellar, these men, women, and children put their hopes and dreams on hold as they wait out the war, only emerging to look for food, water, and medicine.

Through the eyes of three narrators, thirteen-year-old Alejandro Karangalan, his spirited older sister Isabelle, and Domingo, a passionate guerilla commander, we see how ordinary people must learn to live in the midst of extraordinary uncertainty, how they must find hope for survival where none seems to exist. They find this hope in the dramatic history of the Philippine Islands and the passion and bravery of its people. Crowded together in the cellar, the Karangalans and their friends and neighbors tell magical stories to one another based on Filipino myth and legend to fuel their courage, pass the time, and teach important lessons. The group is held spellbound by these stories, which feature a dazzling array of ghosts, witches, supernatural creatures, and courageous Filipinos who changed the course of history with their actions. These profoundly moving stories transport the listeners from the chaos of the war around them and give them new resolve to fight on.

With When the Elephants Dance Holthe has not only written a gripping narrative of how Alejandro, Isabelle, Domingo and their community fight for survival, but a loving tribute to the magical realism that infuses Filipino culture. The stories shared by her characters are based on the same tales handed down to Holthe from her Filipino father and lola, her grandmother. This stunning debut novel is the first to celebrate in such richness and depth the spirit of the Filipino people and their fascinating story and marks the introduction of a talented new author who will join the ranks of writers such as Arundhati Roy, Manil Suri, and Amy Tan.

"When the Elephants Dance is a moving and vivid tribute to the power of love, hope, and storytelling during a time of crisis."
    KEVIN BAKER, AUTHOR OF DREAMLAND

"A magical and powerful tale of a makeshift family of villagers, trying to survive by courage and imagination during Japan's brutal occupation of the Philippines in World War II—a part of history we always need to remember."
   LISA HUANG FLEISCHMAN, AUTHOR OF DREAM OF THE WALLED CITY

"In the same breath sensual and political, urgent and transporting, Hothe's brave novel tantalizes as it inspires."
   LAURIE FOX, AUTHOR OF MY SISTER FROM THE BLACK LAGOON

" Customer Reviews:

A "Must Read".......2007-09-11

In addition to being an excellent historical novel and great read, "When the Elephants Dance" is also a must read for anyone contemplating a visit to the Philippines whether short term or long term. Whether the visit is for pleasure or business, this book puts the Philippine experience in a historical perspective and helps the visitor or outsider to have a bit of an understanding of the culture and helps to remove some preconceived ideas. I read this book after returning from the Philippines and will now be able to use the perspective for my return visits.

a stunning masterpiece.......2007-07-05

It usually takes me a couple of pages (or chapters for that matter) to really get into a book. but "When the elephants dance" had me hook, line, and sinker from the first paragraph. I was immediately drawn to Holthe's powerful storytelling abilities. When I read that there would be interwoven stories, I wondered if the connections would feel disjointed. Much to my surprise, the stories from each of the characters flowed so seamlessly I forgot I was reading a separate story.

"Ghost Children", told by one of the characters, Aling Ana had me crying buckets. It's been a long while since a book was able to tug at my heartstrings like that.

This is definitely a book that I would read over and over again. I highly recommend "When the Elephants Dance" anyone and everyone. You will not be disappointed!

A Must Read!.......2007-03-27

When the Elephants Dance is the story of the Philippine's during WWII after the Japanese had taken control of the islands. Due to exorbitant costs and danger of death most families at that time hid with local neighbors and friends, only going out to trade or search for food to survive. This book is the story of one family - hiding in their basement with 11 neighbors and friends.

The book is broken down into 3 main parts - the first being told by the 2nd child Alenjandro, the second being told by the older sister Isabelle and the third being told by the guerilla leader (and friend of this family) Domingo. Interwoven into each of these three parts are stories from the elders that are hiding with them - stories from their childhood that teach lessons or morals pertaining to what that narrator is going through in that moment.

These lyrical stories interwoven with the desperation of the times make for a breathtaking story and subtly teaches you a lot about the Philippines. The character description in this book is phenomenal - it's one of those stories that you won't want to put down because it's riveting but that you won't want to end because you know you're going to miss the characters when it's over.

This is a MUST read!

WE &hearts; THIS BOOK!!!!.......2007-01-25

This book is a compelling read. We couldn't believe that a book was written about our Philippine culture. We were truly moved! Most of the events were so enduring and powerful that it actually made one of us cries our eyes out! The journeys that Alejandro, Domingo and Isabelle go through are so intense and nerve wrecking that it kept us turning the page for hours! When the Elephants Dance is very informative of events we have never known really happened. The in depth detail is so accurate that it seems like the author truly witnessed what happened right before her eyes! The adjectives are so accurate it feels like you can actually hear, taste or feel what is happening! We believe that Tess Uriza Holthe is truly a gifted writer. She should write more books such as these! The book was fats paced and easy to read! We love the way the book is brutally yet beautifully stirred! We love this book and we really recommend it not only to our fellow Filipinos but to all other cultures and nationalities as well! Mabuhay!

Global Studies 9.......2007-01-13

Our group read the book When the Elephants Dance for this unit. This book was full of shocking scenes which people went through during World War II. The story is told by Alejandro Karangalan, Isabelle Karangalan and Domingo Matapang. They all explain the situations that they went through during this awful war. Other characters like Carlos Karangalan, Aling Ana, Fredrico Jacinto-Basta, etc. entretain everybody with tales of their life, full of magic and wonders of life. This family goes through a lot of horrible things. They were tortured, humiliated, discriminated and dishonored, yet they fought to the end. Not only the main story, but each of the tales has a message to learn, a message that might help the people out so that nobody will experience the awful things that these characters went through.

Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People, and War

Average customer rating:

Beautiful
Have a Heart
are you KIDDING me?!!
Great book for any age read aloud!
Thought provoking

Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People, and War
Yukio Tsuchiya
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0395861373

Book Description

A zookeeper recounts the story of John, Tonky, and Wanly, three performing elephants at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, whose turn it is to die, and of their keepers, who weep and pray that World War II will end so their beloved elephants might be saved.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful.......2007-03-11

I just attended a Peace Prize Forum in Sioux Falls, SD, and this book was part of a curriculum for teaching children about peace and war. I think it is one of the most powerful books I have ever read.
This is a tender book about how war affects life, in a way accessible for children, and equally vivid and profound for adults.
The illustrations are also beautiful.

Have a Heart.......2007-02-08

This is a response to Tamara Lakeman's review:

It's a shame that there are people who feel that it is necessary to censor literature which brings awareness to all aspects of war, including death, compassion, and despair. Yes the elephants died as a result of being starved to death. However, the trainers were put in a position of having to carry out an order that forever scared them thus leading them to cry out in despair of what the war had done to them, and their beloved animals.

Would the reviewer feel the same if the story was about three American soldiers who were forced to let their Japanese friends starve to death in a cell because of being on opposing sides?

Oh, let's just sweep everything about death and dying under the rug. Let's cover our children's ears so that they may be ignorant and pretend that nothing bad ever happens including the millions of animals that are euthanized yearly because of irresponsible humans!

The story calls for awareness. It's making people aware of the terrible things that happen in our world. Every once in a while we all need a little wake up call. Maybe we can help in preventing these things from happening again in the future instead of retaining an egocentric, self centered, it's all about me lifestyle.

This reviewer forgets to mention that every August 15th, "Faithful Elephants" is read over the radio in Japan in hopes of bringing awareness of the effects of war. Does the reviewer know that zoos in Iraq were abandoned during this war? Many of those animals starved to death as well. Remember... History repeats itself.

I agree that reading the book as a bedtime story would be obviously inappropriate (as with any war story), however I do feel it will bring out the compassionate side of anyone who has a heart not just reserved for his or her own corner of the world.

The only reason why I will not read this book to my students in the classroom is that I would end up crying: I will however read it to my own children. Maybe one day I will go to Ueno Zoo in Tokyo Japan and a paper crane on the three elephants' memorial.

are you KIDDING me?!!.......2006-12-04

I found this book under the 'War and Peace' section of my local bookstore. I read it just out of curiosity... and WOW... Talk about a book that probably should NEVER EVER find it's way into a child's hands. I realize that it's intention is to talk about the cruelty and savagry of war, but I still think the subject matter is highly, HIGHLY uncalled for.

Basically, here's the story. During WW2 the officials of a Tokyo zoo decide that they need to kill all the zoo animals for fear the if they do not, the zoo will eventually be bombed and the animals will run wild. Clearly the only solution is to kill them (*scoff*). Anyway, so they officials go about poisoning all the animals, however every method they try does not work with the elephants. And so, naturally, they decide that the only way to kill these elephants is to starve them to death (forget a quick bullet to the head, no, only starving them will work.. AGH!)... So the book spends a good 5-6 pages following these poor elephants over a 2 week period as they slowly starve to death.

In the end, all the elephants lay dead in the cages, with limp trunks hanging between the bars. Nice. Fantastic bedtime story for children of all ages...

.... NOT!

Absolutely horrific!! Why not just take your children to the SPCA and make them watch animals be euthanized? There are things that children just do not need to have thrown in their faces, and this is one of them. Wait until they are in their teens are are able to really grasp the concept of war and death. This book is EXTREMELY emotionally disturbing and I can see it causing a great deal of harm to a senstive child.

Steer clear!

Great book for any age read aloud!.......2006-08-28

My students love hearing this book. It is different to see a picture that is a happy/sappy tale. They really get into this book asking a ton of questions throughout the story. It is a great book to use in the classroom as it ties in with many subjects!

Thought provoking.......2006-08-28

I teach Grade 5 children and the unit of work we were studying was "World Peace". We had read "Sadako" and talked a lot about WWII - then this book was recommended to me. My students sat enthralled as I read it.(I had forewarned them that it was very sad) It produced lots of great discussion and helped re-inforce the impact that war has on people and societies. An excellent book for older students.

Average customer rating:

Avoid Intolerance & Embrace Diversity
Suprise ending-does conflict ever go away?

Tusk Tusk
David McKee
Manufacturer: Andersen Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1842705792
Release Date: 2006-09-04

Book Description

Once elephants came in two colours: black or white. They loved all other creatures — but hated each other, and each wanted to exterminate the other. Peace-loving individuals ran and hid in the deepest jungle, and battle commenced. The warmongers all succeeded. For a long time it seemed that there were no elephants in the world at all, not of any colour. But then the descendants of the peace-loving ones emerged from the jungle, and by now they were all grey.

Customer Reviews:

Avoid Intolerance & Embrace Diversity.......2004-07-15

For ages 4-8.
Black elephants, white elephants, they don't like each other elephants. The peace-loving elephants of both packs hide in the jungle to avoid the growing tension. The black and white elephants battle one another until the death. None survive and the world and nature carry on without them...until one day, out of the jungle appear gray elephants. They lived together peacefully, but after a while, some rumblings were heard about little and small ear differences. The reader is left to predict the possibilities.

From David McKee's story, children can learn indirectly about the circular history of arrogance and racism. Children are confronted with the reality of persecution and how intolerance has repeated itself throughout history with no good ending. Children may be led to appreciate that they are responsible for acting with tolerance toward different peoples and should be led to embrace diversity.

Suprise ending-does conflict ever go away?.......1997-01-23

This book has a suprise ending. It is excellent in using with children to show them that if we look hard enough we can always find something to start a conflict about. The point being-most of what we find is petty

Elephants Can Remember (Hercule Poirot Mysteries)

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What the Dog Noticed
Not Very Good, But Not Horrible Either
Ariadne Oliver's last case
Another Excellent Poirot Mystery
Egregiously Bad, Monumentally Boring, and No Mystery

Elephants Can Remember (Hercule Poirot Mysteries)
Agatha Christie
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0425067823
Release Date: 2004-01-06

Book Description

With the help of Detective Poirot, mystery writer Ariadne Oliver must solve a murder from her past--before the tragic piece of history repeats itself.

Whodunit? The question is posed of mystery writer Ariadne Oliver. This time it isn't asked by her readers, but rather detective Hercule Poirot. And the unsolved crime is from Oliver's own dark past.

"Christie...cozier than ever...in a lethal way, of course." (Library Journal)

Download Description

"E-book exclusive extras: 1) Christie biographer Charles Osborne's essay on Elephants Can Remember; 2) ""The Poirots"": the complete guide to all the cases of the great Belgian detective.

""The Ravenscrofts didn't seem that kind of person. They seemed well balanced and placid."" And yet, twelve years earlier, the husband had shot the wife, and then himself - or perhaps it was the other way around, since sets of both of their fingerprints were on the gun, and the gun had fallen between them. The case haunts Ariadne Oliver, who had been a friend of the couple. The famous mystery novelist desires this real-life mystery solved, and calls upon Hercule Poirot to help her do so. Poirot is now a very old man, but his mind is as nimble and as sharp as ever and can still penetrate deep into the shadows. But as Poirot and Mrs Oliver and Superintendent Spence reopen the long-closed case, a startling discovery awaits them. And if memory serves Poirot (and it does!), crime - like history - has a tendency to repeat itself.

Customer Reviews:

What the Dog Noticed.......2007-07-29

"Elephants Can Remember" does not read like a typical Hercule Poirot mystery. Agatha Christie's famed detective is drawn into an old case by his friend, the amateur sleuth and mystery writer Ariadne Oliver. The case involves what was apparently the double suicide of a loving husband and wife, and the concern that these past actions might have left a horrible impact upon their children.

The story switches between the findings of Ariadne Oliver and Hercule Poirot as they each go in search of 'elephants' who might remember what happened around the time of the accident, because after all, an elephant never forgets. While there is no definite evidence as to what happened, there are those who have never accepted the double suicide theory because they couldn't answer the question why. But with Poirot and Mrs. Oliver working together, a long-unspoken truth is certain to be uncovered.

"Elephants Can Remember" is classic Agatha Christie, in terms of mystery. It's central mystery has a unique, if perhaps a little predictable, twist, the denouement of which is quite evenly paced and satisfactory. However, this might be one novel where the time period of the plot is more glaring than others. The prose is heavy-handed at times and one does get a little sick of all the mentions of 'elephants'. The characters are borderline two-dimensional and, therefore, the reader does not care about them, even if they are still interested in the mystery at hand.

Not Very Good, But Not Horrible Either.......2007-07-24

Definitely one of my least favorite Poirot books. As other reviewers have mentioned, the solution to this mystery is quite apparent about halfway through the novel. I sort of wanted to shake Mrs. Oliver and Poirot and ask them how they could be so obtuse and not realize the solution. The quirks our beloved Poirot typically display are all gone here; all that is left is rather dry prose and a mystery that should have been shortened by about sixty pages. Having said all of that, it does make for a quick read that does not require much thinking. If you are looking for a great example of a murder-in-retrospect book by Christie, I would recommend "Five Little Pigs" instead.

Ariadne Oliver's last case.......2006-07-21

Detective novelist (and Christie alter ego) Ariadne Oliver has been coaxed into attending a literary party, something she, like Christie, did not enjoy and avoided whenever possible. Mrs. Oliver's experience at this one would ensure that it would be a long time before she attended another. An overbearing woman, Mrs. Burton-Cox manages to corner the author cross examine her about her goddaughter, one of many Mrs. Oliver has managed to acquire through the years. And now that the young woman, Celia, is quite grown up, one with which Mrs. Oliver has quite lost touch. It seems that Celia and Mrs. Burton-Cox's son are engaged, or will soon be, and Mrs. Burton-Cox wants to know if Celia's mother killed her father or did her father kill her mother. Mrs. Oliver was quite shocked by the rudeness of the encounter and troubled about what to do about it so she contacted her friend, Hercule Poirot, for guidance in the matter. Soon the pair, each in their own unique way, begin to tackle the problems, re-establishing contact with Celia, investigating the old tragedy and finding out just why Mrs. Burton-Cox is so insistance on knowing the answer.

For fans of Ariadne Oliver this is a particular treat, giving the reader more information into her (and perhaps Christie's) personal life, than any previous stories. It is interesting to see Oliver's and Poirot's different approaches to investigation, even to the point of different interpretations of what the actual problem is.

This is not the cleverest mystery that Christie ever wrote, nor even the best written but it is a very enjoyable one none the less and is a definite must read for any Poirot or Oliver fan.

Another Excellent Poirot Mystery.......2006-05-31

When Adriane Oliver, noted crime author, is asked if she knows great whether her God-daughter's mother killed her father or vice versa, she enlists the help of the great Belgian slueth, Hercule Poirot to uncover the truth of a strange double suicide (or was it murder) from the past.

Through a series of interviews, often revealing conflicting views on the same events, Ms. Oliver and Poirot reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the deaths in question. Personally, I enjoyed this book. Christies narrative is top notch and the solution to the mystery is neatly tied up and intuitive. I tought Christie did an excellent job of taking the reader from point A to point B and all the way to the end. Little clues were dropped along the way, as well as a few blind turns. As always, Christie's characters are interesting and well-written. My only complaint, and its a minor one, is that the solution was a bit predictable. Not necessarily a bad thing.

Egregiously Bad, Monumentally Boring, and No Mystery.......2005-10-24

This must be the worst Agatha Christie book ever. It's her very last Hercule Poirot novel, and one can see that the writer is very old by now (82). There is no freshness left in her prose; it is stale, predictable, corny, and generally trashy. As other reviewers have said, the material contained here would barely be enough to sustain a short story. To make a full-length novel out of this really is ridiculous. The book fails at what normally is Agatha Christie's greatest strength: the plot and the denouement. With dozens of pages left to go, the reader *knows* the solution! Unheard of in the world of Christie; if for nothing else, then for this the novel cannot be rated higher than 1 star. However, the characters and dialogs are boring and cliche-ridden as well, so the book has no redeeming qualities either. Nothing ever happens on the 200 pages of this book; no crime, no mystery, no real conflict among characters; it's all just endlessly boring talk, talk, and nothing but talk about the past. The only interesting thing, perhaps, is to contemplate the autobiographical hints Christie gives us in describing one of the novel's detectives, Ariadne Oliver -- a mystery writer. But these hints are only interesting because they throw light on our favourite writer, Agatha Christie -- they are not interesting in themselves and therefore do not improve the book's literary quality. It was excruciating to have to wade through the turgid prose of this book; this title cannot be recommended to anyone except extreme Christie enthusiasts.

He saw the elephant: Confederate naval saga of Lt. Charles "Savvy" Read, CSN

Average customer rating:

Book is good but you people on amazon aren't

He saw the elephant: Confederate naval saga of Lt. Charles "Savvy" Read, CSN
Hewitt Clarke
Manufacturer: Lone Star Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Customer Reviews:

Book is good but you people on amazon aren't.......2005-10-07

Why would you jack this book up. They sell in the stores for $25, all of Clarke's books are $25 or less, over that HAHA ridiculous, get a life.

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The fascinating story of how elephants have fought in human armies for more than three thousand years

War Elephants
John M. Kistler
Manufacturer: Praeger Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Love, War, and Circuses: The Age-Old Relationship Between Elephants and Humans

ASIN: 0275987612

Book Description

Elephants have fought in human armies for more than three thousand years. Asian powers boasted of their pachyderm power, while the Romans fielded elephants alongside their legendary legions but were, perhaps, too proud to admit that mere animals contributed to victory. Elephants have gored, stomped, and sliced their way through infantry and cavalry with great success. They have also been cut, speared, bombed, and napalmed for their efforts. This is the story of their largely forgotten role in the history of warfare. Generals throughout recorded history have used elephants as tanks, bulldozers, and cargo trucks long before such vehicles existed. Until gunpowder began to reduce the utility of elephants in battle during the 17th Century, these beasts built roads, swung swords, or simply terrified opposing forces. Although some believe that elephants were mere gimmicks of warfare, Kistler discredits that notion. His book hopes to give elephants the credit they deserve for the sacrifices they have endured. Elephants have long fought for and served human masters, but it is now the elephants themselves that must be protected.

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The fascinating story of how elephants have fought in human armies for more than three thousand years.......2006-05-04

War Elephants is the fascinating story of how elephants have fought in human armies for more than three thousand years. From elephants that battled alongside legendary Roman legions, to elephants in modern history who have suffered bombs and napalm for their service, War Elephants examines the pachyderms' role in the equivalent of tanks, bulldozers, cargo haulers and cavalry throughout the millennia. Now after the elephants have made such great sacrifices in warfare, it is the elephants themselves who desperately need protection. A serious-minded work of significant military history scholarship by professional librarian John Kistler, War Elephants is recommended reading for anyone curious about the important role elephants have played in human history.

Conan & the Tower of the Elephant (Conan RPG)

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A CLASSIC HOWARD ADVENTURE

Conan & the Tower of the Elephant (Conan RPG)
Greg Lynch
Manufacturer: Mongoose Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1905471351

Product Description

Conan and the Tower of the Elephant Conan: The Roleplaying Game has been widely accepted by gamers as the most dramatic advance in gaming since the arrival of the d20 system. Filled with innovative ideas and exciting concepts, it is the most talked about RPG of the year. In the Zamorian city of Arenjun stands a single tower. Surrounded by a walled garden, like a beacon to the heavens, the perfect, gem-encrusted Elephant Tower thrusts high into the Zamorian sky; aloof, impenetrable and alien. It is the abode of High Priest Yara and the resting place of the Elephants Heart, thought to be the most valuable jewel in the world. So valuable that despite the renowned impenetrability of the tower, eventually someone would try to steal it The Tower of the Elephant is the first in a new series of Classic Conan adventure scenarios based directly on the original stories of Robert E. Howard, allowing the Player Characters to undertake the very adventures that the mighty Cimmerian once endured. The Tower of the Elephant is designed for four to six Player Characters of between 4th and 6th character level and combines situations and encounters that will require a mix of skills to survive and overcome. This adventure gives Player Characters the opportunity to test their mettle against the greatest of challenges and walk the path of Hyborias most famous adventurer.

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A CLASSIC HOWARD ADVENTURE.......2006-01-26

The Tower of the Elephant is one of Robert E. Howard's more famous stories, originally appearing in the pages of Weird Tales in 1933. Conan at this time was very young, perhaps just 17 or 18 years of age and encountering a civilized city for the first time in Zamora's fear city of thieves Arenjun. Conan hears tales of the legendary tower of the priest Yara and the fabled riches it holds and proceeds to try his hand at thievery where many before him had failed. It's a fabulous story and the basis for this game module for the Conan RPG from Mongoose publishing.

The premise is the same...the player's party consisting of 4 - 6 characters of approximately 4th level have come to Arenjun and heard it's many fearful tales about the tower which is guarded by things far more fearful than men. The writers have bulked up the story by providing a bit of back story and adventure to hook players into the grand escapade of assaulting Yara's tower. The story involving a caravan guard named Buryal and his role in stealing a powerful poison called Green Lotus can be played as a mini adventure or, if the GM wishes, just skipped so the players can get on with the tower.

Full maps of each of the six levels of the tower and its gardens is included as the party will first traverse the gardens with it's guardsmen before moving onto each more difficult level of the tower, encountering the same horrific animals and beasts that Conan encountered. The module can be played on its own but suggestions are provided to tie in the adventure to a GM's existing campaign.

As with the other Conan RPG items, Conan and the Tower of the Elephant remains loyal to the spirit of the source material. This is a short, but fun module to play in or run as a GM.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

Wildlife Wars: My Fight to Save Africa's Natural Treasures

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Less About Elephants, More About Bureaucracy & Ego
A wildlife conservation story to inspire
Saving the elephants: the ultimate management challenge.
Great General Read and for Teaching Conservation Politics
magnificent

Wildlife Wars: My Fight to Save Africa's Natural Treasures
Richard Leakey , and Virginia Morell
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0312206267

Book Description

Known the world over for his work in early human origins, Richard Leakey was serving as director of Kenya's National Museums when in 1989 President Daniel arap Moi appointed him to run the country's Wildlife Conservation Department. The news stunned Leakey. He was suddenly in charge of an enormous bureaucracy whose responsibility was to oversee millions of square acres of parks and sanctuaries, and to protect the animals living in them. Like many other Kenyans, Leakey knew that the country's fabulous wildlife population was in very real danger, and in particular the elephant. By the late 1980s, the once numberless herds of elephants that roamed its savannas were dwindling fast, victims to poachers armed with automatic weapons, bureaucratic inefficiency, and the world's appetite for ivory.Extinction was more than a theoretical possibility. Leakey quickly realized he had been given far more than a job; he had been thrust onto the front lines of a wildlife war, one that was being fought as fiercely in Nairobi's government offices as in the parks themselves. Extreme conditions called for extreme measures. One of his first orders of business involved an enormous warehouse of confiscated elephant tusks that were to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, the proceeds used to buttress the demoralized and nearly bankrupt Wildlife Department. Rather than sell the tusks, however, Leakey decided to burn them. The bonfire flames captured the world's attention. The fight to save the African elephant was ignited. Wildlife Wars is Leakey's inspiring and dramatic account of these turbulent times, indelibly capturing Kenya's struggle to balance the needs of its human population with the task of maintaining the world-famous parks that are its major source of revenue. He threw himself into his job: restructuring the department, firing non-performing personnel, securing funds for equipment, and building up a park police force that had both the will and the means to take on the poachers. By slow degrees he and his colleagues at Wildlife were beginning to turn the tide. But the cost of success was often high. As candid and controversial as its author, this memoir, co-written with Leakey family biographer and writer Virginia Morell, is testimony to one man's commitment to save African wildlife and to serve his country. Richard Leakey has survived threats on his life, political attacks, and a plane crash that cost him both legs. Today, unbowed, he remains one of Kenya's-and sub-Saharan Africa's-most passionate spokesman for conservation, political, and economic reform. Wildlife Wars reveals how deeply his passion runs.

Customer Reviews:

Less About Elephants, More About Bureaucracy & Ego.......2002-06-07

No one should dispute Leakey's dedication to the wildlife and people of his native Kenya. This book, however, is a rather dull account of the political intrigue and manouvering Leakey faced from 1989 to 1994 when he was involved with Kenya's various wildlife services. Those in the field may value his insights and perseverance, but the average reader may find his grandstanding and, at times, painstaking defensiveness a bit hard to stomach. I'd much rather read a book by those out in the field (such as rangers) who saw the elephants every day and who would have many a tale to tell about fighting off poachers and dealing with tourists and natives. Leave this book for the bureaucrats in world wildlife agencies.

A wildlife conservation story to inspire.......2002-01-04

Dr. Richard Leakey has authored a compelling account of his time at the helm of Kenya Wildlife Services. The book recounts the bush war against poaching, and contains a very vivid description of Kenyan political life. Sadly - and ironically - the success of Dr. Leakey's management of KWS created a long list of political adversaries that eventually forced Leaky to resign from the post.

There can be no doubt that Dr. Leakey has been the chief architect behind the saving of the African elephant from extinction by the hands of poachers. Dr. Leakey's work stands as one of the most important wildlife conservation achievements of all time. Finally, I believe Dr. Leakey is one of the - perhaps last? - great Kenyan patriots. This story inspires. If there were ever a Nobel Prize for bravery and commitment, surely it would be his.

Saving the elephants: the ultimate management challenge........2001-11-25

Anyone who has ever been to Kenya's extraordinary game parks to see the elephants, or dreamed of doing so, will be fascinated by this story of how these parks came to be the refuges they are and not the corrals for government-sanctioned poaching that they were. When paleontologist Richard Leakey took over the Department of Wildlife and Conservation in 1989, rampant corruption, theft, absenteeism, and a don't-care attitude were hallmarks within the department.

The Kenyan government lacked a real commitment to conservation, and the burgeoning population exerted pressure on national park borders, clearing land for farming and threatening wildlife, unimpeded. Poaching, patronage, a general ripoff mentality, and collusion between park rangers, politicians, blackmarketeers, and smugglers, were so interconnected and seemingly so ineradicable that the department resembled a many-headed hydra. Tribal rivalries within Kenya, a porous border through which Somalian thieves made forays, and a lack of agreement between Kenya and neighboring African countries about the best way to conserve animals made this one of the most daunting management challenges imaginable.

In prose that is as direct and to the point (and sometimes as self-congratulatory) as he is, Leakey tells how he managed a multimilliondollar corporation in a country in which everyone wants a piece of the pie, usually under the table. As Leakey tells of cleaning up the department and conserving the elephants, the reader also learns about the economics of the ivory trade, the tug-of-war between immediate political realities and long-term goals, the role of the World Bank in African development, and the politicking involved in deciding what is an endangered species under the U.N.'s Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). It's a fascinating tale, equally intriguing to the lover of wildlife, the student of management, and the East African history buff. Mary Whipple

Great General Read and for Teaching Conservation Politics.......2001-11-01

Anything with the names Richard Leakey and Virginia Morell on the cover is guaranteed to be a worthwhile read. Like his equally brilliant and famous father Louis, Richard Leakey is not without controversial opinion. Though generally in agreement with the authors, I found this book challenging some of my basic assumptions about conservation. To that end the book provides an excellent point of departure for classroom discussions on major conservation issues of the day such as community roles in conservation, the effectiveness of National Parks in protecting wildlife and biodiversity, and the interplay between international, national and local needs and strategies. The book is an exhilarating, easy read and will appeal to a broad range of ages and cultural backgrounds.

magnificent.......2001-09-23

The text of the book,the determinatoin of the writer in combating poarching,the fight against corrupt elements within the industry i.e tourism and wildlife and above all the success of bringing this fight to the attention of the world all gives me the pleasure of praising this book.

Seeing the Elephant: RAW RECRUITS AT THE BATTLE OF SHILOH

Average customer rating:

Very good historical scholarship
Informative, but not very entertaining

Seeing the Elephant: RAW RECRUITS AT THE BATTLE OF SHILOH
Joseph Allan Frank , and George A. Reaves
Manufacturer: University of Illinois Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0252071263

Book Description

One of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War, the two-day engagement near Shiloh, Tennessee, in April 1862 left more than 23,000 casualties. Fighting alongside seasoned veterans were more than 160 newly recruited regiments and other soldiers who had yet to encounter serious action. In the phrase of the time, these men came to Shiloh to "see the elephant."

Drawing on the letters, diaries, and other reminiscences of these raw recruits on both sides of the conflict, "Seeing the Elephant" gives a vivid and valuable primary account of the terrible struggle.

From the wide range of voices included in this volume emerges a nuanced picture of the psychology and motivations of the novice soldiers and the ways in which their attitudes toward the war were affected by their experiences at Shiloh.

Customer Reviews:

Very good historical scholarship.......2001-03-20

Seeing the Elephant takes the historiographical tactics of McPherson or Power -- close study of participants' own writings -- and applies them to a specific group at a specific moment: green recruits at the Battle of Shiloh. While the conclusions the co-authors come up with are more or less what one would expect, the book is still highly interesting and gives a good picture of the mentality of the average Civil War soldier before, during and after the battle. One thing I'd point out is that this is *not* a tactical study of Shiloh -- you'll have to go to another book for that. I would recommend this not only to students of the specific battle/campaign but to anyone interested in the battle experience and soldier mentalities of the period.

Informative, but not very entertaining.......2001-01-16

I needed to write a report on Shiloh, and this book gave me some information which I greatly needed. It gave me the points of view and opinions of some of the new recruits used to fight at the Battle of Shiloh.

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