Kakaku：695 saved$6.95
Streetwise Maps
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Compact, the right information and durable) 『I've used the Streetwise maps for New York (Manhattan and Queens), Chicago, London and Dublin and I've found them extremely useful. One measure of how good they are is how unobtrusively they work their way into your trip. The maps are compact (fit in an inside jacket pocket - good for hiding your tourist status!), contain all the right information (great overlay of subway and street information - in the New York case, probably better than their transit map) and extremely durable laminate (minimal wearing at the folds). Great map.』 『Streetwise Queens Map - Laminated City Street Map of Queens, New York - Folding pocket size travel map with integrated subway stations&LIRR stops
This map covers the following areas: Main Queens Map 1:41,000 Queens Area Map 1:200,000 JFK Airport Map 1:83,000 Rockaways Map 1:41,000 Rockaways Extention Map 1:41,000』
Kakaku：259 saved$2.59
Mira
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Typical Mother-Daughter Book) 『Don't get me wrong. I love reading about mother-daughter relationships and all the complicatedness that goes in between women. This is just another typical book ~~ very entertaining though, but doesn't offer any new insights or thoughts to relationships. If you like a good story, this would do. It is not the best fiction I have ever read nor did I expect it to be. It is just an entertaining story about a mother and a daughter, how they became the persons they are in the novel and how it concluded to "happily ever after." It is cute and endearing. It is definitely relatable (especially if you have a relationship with your mom or daughter).
Babs is the runner-up to the Cotton Queen in high school. She married the true love of her life ~~ a charming, all-American boy, who tragically died within a few years of their marriage. Struggling to raise her daughter alone after his funeral, she encountered a man who changed her life for the worse. However, she moves back to McKinnely and marries a former admirer, Acee. Their marriage was a sham from the beginning as Babs could never tell Acee her deepest secret. She wouldn't even admit it to herself.
Laney is Babs' daughter. She was forced to endure the trauma of being a Cotton Queen but as soon as she could, she escaped the little town and headed to Houston for college. There Laney tried to build upon her dreams and build a career in the 80s. She falls in love and marries, only to have everything taken away from her. She returns home to McKinley and finds happiness there.
This novel explores their relationship with one another ~~ Babs wanting nothing more than to protect Laney for the evils of the world and Laney wanted nothing more than to be her own person. This book deals with that struggle as well as telling the stories of two strong women who finally forge a friendship with one another.
It is a quick read and entertaining ~~ but it is just another typical novel about mothers and daughters.
11/9/2007』
(A page turner) 『A story about the relationship between mothers and daughters, life in the South (Texas in particular) - very well written and true to life. I could not read it fast enough ...』
(Too disturbing) 『They advise writers to get their character up in a tree and then throw rocks at her. In this book there are too many rocks for my comfort. I wasn't able to continue beyond the first few chapters, it upset me so.』
(Ms. Morsi scores again!) 『I have been reading Pamela Morsi's books for years,and she has NEVER written one I didn't like. This one is no exception! The story of a mother and daughter and their conflicts had me stopping every now and then and thinking of my own mother, and how I pulled away from her until I grew up and came to realize that no one ever could love me more than she does. Ms. Morsi moved me to laughter and tears with this one. I can't wait for her next book!』
(PHENOMENAL!!!) 『I couldn't put this book down!! I finished it in two day and that's with working 8 hours a day! The storyline is fantastic and it shows how people look at things differently. Both mother and daughter had such different points of view, yet were so much alike in other ways. I say HOORAY!! Read this for sure!!!!!』
Kakaku：606 saved$6.06
Snow Lion Publications
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Not a new edition) 『Just a technical note to say, from what I can tell this appears to be no different that the 1996 edition which is still available and much cheaper.』
(Just a start, but more than I've found elsewhere) 『I would not recommend Klein's examination of the overlap and discrepancies between Indo-Tibetan Buddhist traditions and feminist and pomo feminist traditions to those looking for an introduction to any of those topics. However, I would recommend the book to anyone interested in the topics of self and emptiness in Buddhism or constructionism and essentialism in postmodern theory and/or feminism. This book should help fill in little but crucial gaps in what those discussions and their terms mean, and how they can be applied to areas other than in which they originated. Many books will go on and on about the necessity of eliminating dualism, perhaps mentioning only the seeming impossibility of that goal, while 'Meeting the Great Bliss Queen' stresses its cognitive, ontological, and developmental possibility. With only that priority in mind, the book was at least twice as long as need be, but I would love a sequel.』
(Difficult reading, but contains wonderful observations) 『A Western feminist analysis of Tibetan Geluk&Nyingma Buddhism emphasizing selfhood&with Yeshey Tsogyal as focus, this book is difficult reading-having obtuse, expressionistic language, subtle philosophical points, occasional moot reasoning,&explicit feminist orientation. As the author states: pp. 191-2: "Cixous' work, like much of feminism, is directed at healing various kinds of internal divisions, especially those that separate women from their bodies, feelings, and female selves." But, the author argues convincingly for cultural/psychological differences between Tibetans&Westerners, even in childhood: p. 37: "In modern cultures, unlike traditional ones, the chasm between childhood&adulthood roles is enormous. The road to adulthood&personhood is marked by a range of choices unknown in traditional societies,&the individual's responsibility for those choices is great," p. 40: "Although karmic theory emphasizes that actions and their effects accrue to particular persons, traditional Tibetans do not understand themselves as "individuals" in the contemporary Western social, economic, or psychological sense,"&p. 192: "for all their personal independence, traditional Buddhist practitioners are culturally, socially, and linguistically embedded in ways Westerners are not." In addition to such quotable statements, she addresses sociological/cultural issues: p. 195: "Buddhist traditions are famous for their ability both to change the cultures they visit and to be altered by them. Yet when Buddhist thought and practices moved to Southeast Asia, or to China&then Korea&Japan, or to Tibet, they were part of a larger process of cultural exchange that extended over centuries. Never until today has such a wealth and variety of Buddhist resources-texts, practices,&living teachers-been made available in so short a period of time to populations who are at the same time so ignorant of the cultures from which these traditions have come." Many of her observations are fresh&very discerning,&she uses story effectively; p. 196: "modern constructions of personhood are unique; they did not occur in the cultures that gave rise to Buddhism. The Japanese girl unable to name her favorite color-not trained in playing the individual's game of personal choices-reminds us of these differences." She has fine comparisons of Geluk Lamrim gradualism vs. Dzogchen immediacy/view, notes significant differences between Tibetan&Western practitioners (especially regarding Gurus)--p. 197: "personal and emotional expressions are vital to Westerners in ways they are not for traditional Buddhists...Buddhist theory&practice in the West must take account of the need for individuality, personal stories,&clear connectedness&support the expression of these"&describes Great Bliss Queen practice-though she seems unaware of Nathan Katz' work comparing dakinis&Jung's anima (e.g. in Meckel&Moore's "Self&Liberation: the Jung-Buddhist Dialogue"). Perhaps her finest contribution is toward balance&future collaboration: p. 193: "Among the most stimulating challenges for Western Buddhists is to find a way to integrate personal narratives historical specificity into the nonconceptual universals considered the goals of much of Buddhist practice. In the midst of negotiating this delicate intersection of uniqueness&connectedness, it is crucial that an engagement with "traditions" such as those of Tibetan Buddhism does not tip the balance by obstructing personal creativity and inspiration. Conversely, particularity is crucial, but it is important not to get lost in one's particulars, or to overidentify with them."』
(Moving and Enlightening) 『Of the dozens of books that I have read on Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism in particular, this book touched me personally in a way that few others can match. While the book does display Professor Klein's impressive scholarship and mastery of Geluk and Nyingma material as well as feminist theory, this is not a work for intellectuals, but rather for those who embrace the challenge of using the Buddhist path to open their hearts with courage and strength to others. In a highly personal narrative, this book gracefully brings Buddhist practice into dialogue with feminist theory in the belief that each may illuminate the other. As a Buddhist, I was grateful for the reflections on how Buddhism must be acculturated to uniquely western concerns regarding identity and autonomy. I also very much welcomed the exploration of which issues Buddhism does and does not address. As a feminist, I was delighted to explore strategies for helping western women regain a sense of wholeness and a compassionate identity without sacrificing strength or autonomy. I would highly reccommend this book for anyone, Buddhist or non-Buddhist, who is looking for a way to accomplish these things in themselves or who wishes to help bring them out in others.』 『Despite barriers of language and culture, Buddhism and contemporary feminism have much to say to each other. Both appeared on the Western intellectual scene at about the same time, both focus on self and identity, and both are dedicated to the fruitful interaction of theory and experience in regard to those questions. The ritual of the Great Bliss Queen, an important Buddhist figure of enlightenment, unifies the book, modeling practices that can help us to be both at one with ourselves and open to engagement with others.』
Kakaku：699 saved$6.99
Urban Books
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (I'll Be Reading More of La Jill Hunt!) 『This was the first La Jill Hunt book I've read.
I enjoyed the flow of this book. It held my interest. However, I thought there was too much focus on extraneous characters.
I don't know about other readers, but I was hoping that Kayla would end up with Terrell. True, Kayla had a lot of drama going on. Geno was likeable, but he irritated me because he couldn't make up his mind regarding the women in his life. A lot of the drama could have been prevented if it hadn't been for some of his selfish actions and bad decisions. Even by the end of the book,I didn't like Craig.
I will be reading more from this author in the future.
(A snapshot of some things we are all going through or no someone who is.) 『Kayla is a young lady who is looking for the right man to be in her life, just like the rest of us single women. Unfortunately, there are so many roadblocks in the road that would lead you to believe that it is unrealistic to be happy in a relationship with a man.
Drama does seem to follow her. Everywhere! Her sister Anjelica is nothing more than the typical jealous whore. From page one, you can see that she is jealous of her older sister, wanting her man and sabotaging her life. Then there is Geno, her on again off again fiancé who doesn't know what he wants to do. With his lame excuses, you can't really figure him out or what he wants from Kayla. Craig, a one night stand who winds up being in her life...bringing along his sorry, no good, lazy fat wife and their drama.
The book has many twists and turns, especially during the last few chapters. But what you want to happen in this book from reading the beginning pages actually happens. Read on and enjoy!!! 』
(Too Much Drama) 『This is the first book I have read by La Jill Hunt. I read this book within 3 days. She had me hooked from the first page. I can't wait to read No More Drama. I recommend this book to readers who love a page-turner!!』
(First book I read by Hunt) 『This book was definitely better than I thought it would be. It was my first book that I read by her. After reading it I had to read No More Drama and it was as drama filled as this one. I loved this book and will recommend it to others. DQ!!! I love it!!!』
(Good) 『A good read as always from Lajill Hunt. However I actually wsn't planning on reading it until one day I got real bored and I'm so thankful that I was bored.』 『Kayla Hopkins is young, beautiful and can't win for losing. That's why everyone calls her the Drama Queen. She doesn't go looking for drama, it just happens to her. Take for instance, her love life. Kayla's not satisfied with just one man. She has two-one she's in love with and another whom she's pregnant by. A ready-made formula for disaster, but will Kayla see it before everything blows up in her face? Her track records says no, but her friends and family can only hope. Drama Queen is a hilariously funny and fast-paced novel that offers king-size drama and entertainment. Urban Books, a new line of books focusing on the drama and grit of inner-city life, featuring edgy, and exciting new voices-writers who tell it like it is.』
IPhone 3G used's review (Puts flesh on a dynamic, historical character) 『The Old Testament book of Esther is somewhat mysterious. Never is the name of God mentioned. The characters never pray or even acknowledge a sovereign God. It's an exciting story with beauty, war, genocide, power and gluttony. The title character is a Jewess, but without any reference to God or even faith, it seems shockingly unreligious to be included in the Bible. Ginger Garrett's debut novel does an incredible job explaining where God and faith may be found in Esther's story.
The book is formatted as Esther's actual diary, discovered Persian antiquities. Scattered between this will-be-queen's entries are modern day newpaper clippings, press releases, commentaries by historians, and footnotes of context or culture.
This was a great book! I thoroughly enjoyed it. The historical context was fatanstic. The sidebars and commentaries were, at times, like a devotional encouraging personal application of Biblical truths.
Bonus feature: a Persian Dinner and Discussion Guide. Nine questions are suggested for group discussion, but the best part is the recipes. Yes - recipes! The author includes six recipes and a menu for an authentic Persian feast -- including Chicken in Pomegranate Sauce, Lamb Kabobs with Mint and Rosewater Cookies. It's perfect for group discussion, Bible study groups, a Purim celebration or just wooing your own king.
Final Thoughts: This is a great read for women who enjoy interesting characters and history. The only thing I did not like about the book: the author occasionally takes a modern pro-women view, unrealistic for an ancient middle-eastern culture. These moments were minor and toward the end of the story. Even with these shattering my suspension of belief, I gladly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to host my own Persian feast.』
(Good Read) 『This is an excellent perception of the story of Queen Esther, in fact Esther is my Hebrew name. The writer inserts current events between the chapters bringing the story of the Jews up-to-date. I really enjoyed this story and informing everyone of why the name Hadassah is world wide.』
(Great read! Very interesting) 『I loved this book. It brought the Bible to life. After reading the book, I went back and reread the book of Esther and it was amazing how a story that I would not have ordinarily related with suddenly became very very real. My husband picked up the book while I was in the middle of it and we ended up reading over each others shoulders to finish it because neither of us wanted to wait!』
(Queen Esther) 『An interesting book, filled with actual facts. Sometimes, I found it difficult to recognize fact from fiction. An easy reading and captivating story. It makes me want to learn more about Queen Esther and her period of time in history. I thoughly enjoy this reading and I highly recommend it to others.』
(Chosen - An interesting Perspective) 『The Book of Esther is a well known story of a woman from the Old Testament. Much is not known of Esther, so the author of this book fills in areas of Esther's life that are left to the imagination. The book was well written and gave the reader a peek into what it would have been like to be a woman living during the period of 480 BC. This concept is supported by the diary style format of reading the story in first person. As the story grows, the words in the diary start to reflect the growth and maturity of Esther herself. The story of Esther has always intrigued me, so I enjoyed the diary very much. However, I felt the story could have had more depth into specific characters and events. Some parts of the story were not clear and could have been explained in deeper detail. If you are not familiar with the story of Esther, and want to be surprised on the ending, read the book 'Chosen' first, and then read 'The Book of Esther' in the Bible. However, I would suggest reading the 'Book of Esther' first to be able to appreciate the author's creative style, and her attempt to bring Esther to life.』 『She came to conquer a king but discovered a man and, in the end, saved a nation. What really happened in Xerxes' palace? Queen Esther's secret diaries tell all.』
Kakaku：638 saved$6.38
Oni Press
Not yet published 『Queen&Country, the Eisner Award-winning and critically lauded espionage series from acclaimed novelist and comic book author Greg Rucka, is back in a new series of definitive editions collecting the entire classic series in just four, affordable softcovers. In this fourth and final collection, readers are sucked into the thrilling and often-times devastating world of international espionage as SIS field agents are sent all over the world, often on their first mission, in service to Queen&Country.』
Kakaku：229 saved$2.29
Random House Value Publishing
IPhone 3G used's review (About Crime!) 『"Ellery Queen" is a title that represents the 'Golden Age' detective stories&novels that we have missed by several generations. With almost all those adventures getting out-of-print, it appeared as if we would be losing that sleuth as well as those two authors permanently to the abyss of time. Then there was a welcome break in the form of a couple of Crippen and Landru Classics short story collections that broke out last year. After reading these short stories I scanned the net and found this book which appeared attractive because of the cross-section of phases in Ellery's life that these stories represented. I got the book from Barnes and Noble, since their 'Used&Out-of-Print' section also caters to orders from India, unlike Amazon. It was a perfect value for money, but more importantly, it was refreshingly reveling to find out how, under the veneer of fair-play with the readers/listeners wherein the authors provided them every single clue that was being gathered by Ellery at the same time through his methods, immensely complex social relaities were being handled and discussed with pragmatic delicacy. This can be seen from each of the novels included in this omnibus collection, namely:
1. "And On The Eighth Day" is a fable disguised as a Crime story, that addresses the basic issues of dilemma and choice: what can be done, and what should be done. 2. "The Player On The Other Side" is a quest for a killer, as well as an exploration of the issues of identity and personality. 3. "Inspector Queen's Own Case" is a complex story of murder and deception, overcast by the grim realities underlining men-women relationship. 4. "Cat Of Many Tails" is about the simultaneous murder-spree of a serial killer and hunt to find him before the next kill takes place. This story once again made me feel that Ellery Queen, with his emotional vulnerability coupled with astute observations and tenacity, would have been more likely to catch Jack The Ripper, than Sherlock Holmes, had the killings taken place in New York of 1940-s rather than in Victorian London. 5. "Double, Double" is a Wrightsville murder case with the anticipated twists and pathos, but it is undoubtedly another gripping yarn.
All in all, I would like to recommend this collection to every lover of mystery and detection, since this novels are not likely to be reprinted shortly and yet their non-reading would be depriving yourselves.』
(Spread across Ellery-the-character's career) 『Consists of AND ON THE EIGHTH DAY, CAT OF MANY TAILS, DOUBLE, DOUBLE, INSPECTOR QUEEN'S OWN CASE: NOVEMBER SONG, and THE PLAYER ON THE OTHER SIDE.
AND ON THE EIGHTH DAY (1964) is set during 1944. Ellery, driving across the desert (in those days, he worked in Hollywood as well as his native New York City), encounters by chance an obscure community settled by a religion that doesn't exist outside that community. (The title is a play on words, following the structure of the KJV of Genesis.) It's virtually another world, created anew by its founders - and the isolated community is now dealing with its first murder.
CAT OF MANY TAILS (1949) picks up where TEN DAYS' WONDER left off, so it would have made more sense to include that rather than DOUBLE, DOUBLE (below) as the token Wrightsville story. After the TEN DAYS' WONDER case, in which one character played Ellery like a violin, Ellery resolved to give up detection, feeling that he'd played God once too often and others had suffered for his arrogant confidence in his own cleverness. His father, who hadn't been involved since that had been a case in Wrightsville's jurisdiction, had been unable to persuade Ellery to help with any other cases, until the Cat - a serial killer with few discernable patterns - began stalking New York, and Inspector Queen was put in charge of the task force hunting the murderer down. What really frightens the city's law enforcement and politicians is that a combination of factors - including public hysteria whipped up by the media - seem bound to result in massive panic-stricken riots if the killings continue much longer.
DOUBLE, DOUBLE (1950) is set in Wrightsville, where another serial killer appears to be following the nursery rhyme 'rich man, poor man, beggarman...' Given that this is Ellery Queen, this could be *either* a psychopath *or* a cover for a murder for sane motives - the Queen team has done both, in their time.
INSPECTOR QUEEN'S OWN CASE: NOVEMBER SONG (1956) is a favorite of mine, more than the sequel HOUSE OF BRASS that I happened to read first (don't let that happen to you, this is the stronger book). Inspector Richard Queen has finally reached mandatory retirement, and he has too much pride to let Ellery hover over him - when the story opens, Richard is staying with an old friend, who retired only to take up a much quieter police chief job in a sleepy New England seacoast town. The 3rd-person viewpoint is mainly split between Richard - who's privately depressed, feeling he's outlived his usefulness - and Jessie Sherwood, a professional nurse looking after a newly-adopted baby for a childless rich couple in the area. The story opens, though, with some up-close details of what turns out to have been an illegal adoption - the rich couple would've been too old for an adoption-through-channels, so they essentially bought the child. (The birth mother, an unwed nightclub singer, is actually a decent person - the slimy go-between only persuaded her to go through with it by selling her the idea that the wealthy adoptive parents could give the kid a better life than she could.)
Unfortunately, the flaw in that theory is that various parties - the ne'er-do-well nephew, for one - find it inconvenient to see a sizeable fortune suddenly redirected to an unexpected small baby. After Jessie and Richard meet casually on the beach while she's out with the baby, he insists on coming along with the chief when there's a report of an attempted kidnapping on the estate. When tragedy finally strikes, Richard and Jessie join forces in some unofficial investigating.
THE PLAYER ON THE OTHER SIDE (1963) Title quote is from Huxley, speaking of the universe as the chessboard and natural law as the rules, with the 'player on the other side' metaphorically being God - all-powerful, all-knowing. All the chapters are named for chess moves, though somewhat informally.
In this book, the gameboard is York Square, its corners featuring the four rook-like towers in which the four heirs to the York fortune while away the time until a former heir, missing and presumed dead for many years, finally has to be bypassed under the terms of his father's will. The unseen 'player on the other side' who knows too much about York Square for comfort, however, bypasses all four would-be heirs in going to work directly on Walt, the seemingly insignificant handyman who looks after the Square, and is so starved for human contact that mysterious, flattering notes from the unknown 'Y' carry a lot of weight with him. From Walt's point of view, we see a few of Y's messages before the first murder brings us around to the usual Ellery-and-Inspector-Queen viewpoint.
Their problem, of course, is to find out who might be trying to make Walt a fall guy, and there are far more than 4 suspects. Emily York, for instance, is absorbed in good works; many people, from her assistant Ann to a lot of desperate cases, have a stake in seeing her get funding for her more grandiose philanthropic schemes. Percival's redistribution of wealth would be more personal, involving his fellow woman rather than fellow man. Myra, jilted years ago, seems disconnected from reality, and Robert almost equally so in a different way (he's a fanatic stamp collector).』
(Only one of the 5 is really good) 『Cat of many Tails is excellent. The rest mostly show Queen in decline. 4 or 5 stars for that one novel, the rest 2 or 3.』
Kakaku：219 saved$2.19
Scholastic Inc.
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Wonderful) 『This book is superb. If it is a bit short, it is because (unlike the European princesses) almost nothing has been recorded about Nzingha's early life as a child, not the least reason because (as a girl) she was expected to accomplish little more than bearing her husband children. Contrast what she accomplishes as an unlikely tribal leader against the European princesses groomed to become queens and you see that this book, of all the Royal Diaries, is the one most poignantly depicting a woman's success in a man's world. It should also be noted that while most children have previous exposure to European culture, very few history books will offer this unique insight into African culture. Buy it, read it, enjoy it.』
(The Royal Diaries: Nzingha) 『For both young and more mature readers, this is the story of 12-year-old Nzingha. The year is 1595, and Nzingha is the independent and intelligent daughter of the ngola of the Mbundu people. She hunts with her sisters, prepares for her coming of age ceremony, struggles for her father to notice her, and faces conflict throughout the book. This book is a great read. Fantastic for all ages. I suggest it to anyone who likes historical fiction, for it is an interesting spin on royal life, and appropriate and easy enough for the young reader, but has enough drama for the adult crowd. I wish it was longer, however, at 90 pages this is a quick read!!! Two thumbs up!!!』
(Sooooooo SHORT!!!!!) 『i read this book a few days ago and i thought i would be good after reading the first few pages. But after reading for a while, after about 90 pages, the STORY ended and went to Epilouge. The Epilouge is just talk talk talk. Very boring, and the rest of the book is all like pictures.
I might have made the book sound very bad but i would recommend it for people who want to read a liite short story. There are also some very funny lines in the book that made me laugh! haha』
(Nzingha, Warrior Queen of Matamba) 『Nzingha, Warrior Queen of Matamba By Patricia C. McKissack
"I wondered what it must be like to be on a ship flying over the water to Brazil. The horror of it was beyond my understanding. Suddenly, there was noise at my door. The Pombeiros and several guards entered. 'Come with us.' Then speaking to several guards, one said, 'Hold her tight. She is a young leopard.'" (McKissack, 79)
The old saying "never judge a book by it's cover" is one truth I have never had a problem with, until I came across this one book in particular. When I first saw the Royal Diaries book "Nzignha, Warrior Queen of Matamba," I thought for sure I would have not liked it. With the front cover depicted of an African girl holding a bow and arrows, and the background that of a barren desert, I presumed the layout of the book would be anything but royal and fancy. However, little did I know, stories can sometimes be very different from one's assumption.
One out of nineteen books in the Royal Diaries series, "Nzingha, Warrior Queen of Matamba" by Patricia C. McKissack, sets in Angola, Africa, in the year of 1595. Nzingha is an adventurous, bold thirteen-year-old girl, and second heir to the throne of Ndongo. Throughout the book, which is written in diary format, Nzingha talks about the war with Angola's bitter enemy, the Portuguese, as well as what she would do to improve the land of the Mbundu if she were Queen, though does not discuss anything too exciting in which to capture your interest. At 136 pages, the plot of "Nzingha, Warrior Queen of Matamba" is somewhat dry and tedious, and tends to quickly move on to other subjects without a thorough explanation. I must admit however, it pleases me that the authors of the Royal Diaries series are starting to represent girls in royal families, but with cultures and backgrounds much different from that of, say, Elizabeth I or Marie Antoinette.
As an avid reader of the Royal Diaries, I am not sorry I read the book, but am rather disappointed with the complete layout of the story. Mrs. McKissack could have done a better job adding clarification and activity to the real life character of Nzingha, one of the greatest women monarchs of African history. Unless you are new to the Royal Diaries series, and are anxious to learn about the lives of various queens in history, I would not recommend reading "Nzingha, Warrior Queen of Matamba."
Overall grade: C + (or 3) 』
(Phenomenal) 『This book is my introduction to the Royal Diaries series, it has propelled me to seek out more from this line. I loved the story of a strong, independent, and determined young girl growing to become a woman in a male-dominated time. I feel this book was very informative and am truly disappointed by some of the reviews for this book. I do wish it was longer, as I found the story quite intriguing. Young Nzingha learns that not all your enemies are your enemies, with friends among the foe. I love the insight into the Mbundu people. I feel it was meant to give you a view into the people, not of the land of Angola. I will definitely be adding this one to the shelf for my daughter.』 『Presents the diary of thirteen-year-old Nzingha, a sixteenth-century West African princess who loves to hunt and hopes to lead her kingdom one day against the invasion of the Portuguese slave traders.』 『In 1595, Nzingha is the strong, intelligent daughter of the Ngola (leader) of the Mbundu people of Ndongo (in modern-day Angola), loyal to her people and willing to fight for them. Unfortunately, because she is a girl, her brother is the favored child, in training to become the next Ngola, even though he is whiny, stupid, and slow (according to Nzingha). But Ajala, a respected seer, believes that Nzingha is destined to be the leader of Ndongo, and begins preparing her for this future. Nzingha's father fights to keep the Portuguese from taking over their homeland, yet it is Nzingha, ultimately, who acts as the go-between for her people and the Portuguese, negotiating acceptable relations in order to keep peace and power for the Mbundu.
Based on true historical events, places, people, and customs, this novel portrays the fascinating details of a remarkable young woman's strength and courage in defending her world against subterfuge, spies, and the onslaught of the Portuguese. Historical notes, photos, illustrations, maps, the Ngola family tree, and a glossary and pronunciation guide are included for a comprehensive understanding of a complex era. Patricia McKissack is the well-respected and award-winning author of over 100 children's books and historical novels, including the Newbery Honor bookThe Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the SupernaturalandColor Me Dark: The Diary of Nellie Lee Love(from the Dear America series). (Ages 9 to 12)--Emilie Coulter』
Kakaku：850 saved$8.50
Image Comics
Not yet published 『For over a decade New Port City - the city where crime and vice are not merely rampant, but encouraged - has been ruled by the super villain dictator, Bomb Queen! Proof positive that you get the government you deserve! Hilarious, sexy, and completely amoral, all four Bomb Queen mini-series plus extras are collected together for the first time in one huge volume!』
