Customer Comments

I have a vintage Russian postage stamp that curiously depicted Mark Twain during his lifetime. After reading this biography, I now understand why. He took on a world wide lecture to pay the bills! Volume 1 shows Mark Twain/Samuel Clemens as a naive human capable of great mistakes in judgment -- like his typesetting machine investment -- as well as great achievements. He sharply writes about resentment over the real life swindlers who trailed after him then just like lottery winners and celebrities experience today. He just as easily displays a vulnerable, heartsick side due to the loss of his wife and other family. Who knew that the literary and scientific experts who lectured at the time were so much like our modern rock stars who travel to do concerts and then party 19th century style afterward? His scathing sendup of a publisher who had the audacity to edit his guest introduction to another author's book was hilarious -- and never sent. Mark Twain just wasn't that mean spirited. Mark Twain had setbacks, rejection slips, misspellings of his name but he perservered. He was an imperfect human and a procrastinator like so many of us. He remains an inspriation to all writers published and not today. And I believe he would have been very comfortable living in any era. Consider the photo of Mark Twain reading the papers and conducting business from the comfort of his bed each morning. It's not a stretch to picture him just as comfortable in the 21st Century and doing that today -- with an Apple Powerbook on his lap. It's a book not meant to be read cover to cover but to be picked up, find a spot and read. Maybe some of the reviewers before me need to actually do just that. For me, I'm looking forward to the next two volumes.

I was just a casual browser in Powell's until I came upon this book, read the notes on the back cover and froze -- gaping. What Author Jessica Maxwell described as a spiritual experience involving her recently deceased father had also happened to me under similar circumstances. And I hadn't thought about my father in years! I had to have this book! What makes it even more fun, in a spiritual way, is that Ms. Maxwell is a 'local', describing locations, friends and experiences that occurred right here along Eugene, the McKenzie and landmarks in between. Highly recommended despite some glaring typos (find Stephen King's name spelled twice, once incorrectly, on the same page). Maybe the second printing will get them all cleaned up.

This beautifully photographed book is a treasure trove of ideas, projects and crafts for the novice to the expert. While I personally could never master the lacemaking craft pictured within, I certainly can appreciate those who can. But there is plenty more to peruse, including the simple embroidery projects, including a handy sewing jar (and perfect for gift giving this holiday season). MaryJane is a Jane of all trades and she weaves her personal life, philsophy and projects within this book. She feels like a friend! Buy it.

If you're a closet crafter, a beginner, or an intermediate, this book is for you. It's steps far beyond the "Crafty Chica" and was just was I was looking for, being a new Steampunk convert. The photos and anecdotes are outstanding. The book is inspirational and practical. You'll see . . . just try to put it down once you get between the pages!

Change of seasons: It's raining outside and you really don't want to deal with the moss on the roof. If you didn't read this book last summer (like I suggested in July), it will be just as worthwhile to pick it up and read it now. So, make your tea or hot chocolate, snuggle into your afghan in that big comfy chair and relax. As I said before, Michael Perry writes a glorious, humorous anecdotal story of his first love (an advertisement), his next love (the International sitting in the driveway), and his true love (I won't spoil the rest of the story for you). "Truck" is a worthwhile read more than once. You won't feel like you've wasted your time and you'll want to keep "Truck" on your bookshelf as a classic, must read.

Toss aside your GPS, iPhone and all its non-essential apps, log off Twitter and walk away from Facebook, MySpace, Digg, Second Life and Flickr. Then open this book and read. You will not be disappointed and you will come away inspired to unplug from the digital nation and enjoy the simpler life. Who knows, you may even want to raise some chickens. I love Michael Perry's writing and his ability to mix humor with the toils of daily life. That's what gets us through AND living in the three dimensional world really is what it's all about.

There have been times when I have substituted words when singing a Beatles song, just because I didn't really hear what John, Paul, George or even Ringo, said. This book will take the guesswork out of that. Get ready for your next Kareoke session.

Are you a closet Beatle fan? Or do you want to study up before you purchase Beatles Rock Band? Then this book is for you. Die-hard, old school Beatles fans should have this in their collection and newcomers (like your kids) will appreciate the, ah, reference book.

How can this be a heartbreaking and heartwarming story at the same time? Jeanette Walls skillfully makes it so. Jeanette is a survivor and has told a true story that can, at times, be shocking but is still full of love.

For city dwellers and townies like me, this reader-friendly book is sure to open your eyes to the natural world around you. Crows have always fascinated me, ever since the they tried to steal my groceries from the bag of my pickup truck before I had left the store's parking lot! Give this book a read and then go for a walk in the natural world of your neighborhood.

Promising! I have been looking for the perfect summer book to read before the dog days of August come and go. This appears to be it. See you at the signing!

For the true fan or the new to Star Wars neophyte, it doesn't get much better than this. Makes a great gift for your budding or experienced Jedi, ages 5 to 65!

It's a hot summer afternoon and you just want to sit outside under a shady tree with your cold lemonade and a good book. Choose this one. Michael Perry writes a glorious, humorous anecdotal story of his first love (an advertisement), his next love (the International sitting in the driveway), and his true love (I won't spoil the rest of the story for you). "Truck" is a worthwhile way to slow down and enjoy these fleeting summer days. You won't feel like you've wasted your time and you'll want to keep "Truck" on your bookshelf as a classic, must read.

I am buying and reading this book because it sounds so refreshing and, in a twisted way, because of the negative comments by OneMansView. It sure sounds like he (or she?) went out of his/her way to trash this book. Is it a case of sour grapes for OMV or just downright green monster jealousy? I understand Soulcraft's point of view. I have two college degrees, worked in the cubicle mainstream for years and, like Soulcraft, left that bizarre thankless world for hands on garden center retail! I feel so much better. Four-year colleges are just a business that keeps professors paid well -- thanks to student tuition -- while their graduate teaching assistants do all the work. One of my previous cubicle jobs was as an executive assistant to a private college president where I got to witness the politics, glad-handing and hierarchy at work in the "kingdom" as the profs affectionately called their college. President Obama recently announced plans to focus on community colleges where students are trained for real jobs (including nursing, OMV). That is a lot more practical (and less expensive) than getting a bachelor's/master's/PhD, having an astronomical loan to pay off, and only find work at minimum wage at the local sporting goods store. Unless, of course, you're going to college to become a professor . . . . Excuse me, I think I'll go watch my copy of the movie, "Reality Bytes".