I got "Life Messages" for my mom as a gift, and ended up reading it myself. Great concept, well done.

I happened to see the author at a book signing. People love not only the book, but also the author. Great book of inspiration. Better yet, it's like an antidote to all the bad news we hear everyday on TV and in the newspapers. I bought several copies, had them autographed and gave them to some female co-workers in my office. Both sent me back very appreciative emails. One had read it on the plane, traveling. Her book is about hope and overcoming the difficulties we encounter in our lives. True stories how other women got through the worst of times. It's the best. I tell friends and they tell friends.

Josephine Carlton promises "inspiration for the spirit" in her
profound "Life Messages", and she delivers on all fronts. I enjoyed learning about the lives of so many different types of compassionate, professional, women who have overcome their personal hardships. "Life Messages" is certain to remind readers to appreciate the time we are given, and to remember to put things in perspective. Ms. Carlton states it best when she writes "Please read these words, learn from them, and reflect upon their messages."

The cover image stopped me in my tracks at the bookstore, and I bought multiple copies. The young woman at the checkout counter was mesmerized by the image as well. The illustrations inside equal or surpass the one on the cover.

The images are detailed but not fussy. They are highly evocative of German Romanticism -- very moody, dreamy, somewhat melancholy, with an emphasis on the grandeur of Nature. If you enjoy the illustrations of Maurice Sendak, Edward Gorey, Arthur Rackham, et al., you will like this book.

Like Barrett's artwork, Poole's text tells the classic tale soberly, including the queen's botched attempts to strangle Snow White with silken laces and prick her with a poison comb. There is also more mention of Snow White's mother and father than in many retellings. This version is certainly more in line with magical/mystical/matriarchal imagery than Disney's.

Some of the images -- e.g., drops of blood -- and the story itself may be too intense for very young readers. For me, this book is a contemporary gem and is worth seeking out.

Wonderful illustrations, of course, but also the story includes the incident with the poisoned comb (left out in many editions). A great book for parents looking to replace the Disney-fied version for their children.

If you like this, also check out the same author/illustrator team's collaboration on "Joan of Arc."

The illustrations are beautiful without being frou-frou, serious without being creepy. Highly recommended for ages 4-8.

This is the well-known story of a princess whose evil stepmother tries to have her killed. The huntsmen could not go through with it and tells Snow White to run away. When she does she finds herself in the company of seven small men. They live in a house very happily until the queen finds that Snow White is not dead. She finds Snow White and tricks her into eating a poisoned apple. Snow White dies. She is awoken from her death by the kiss of a prince and they live happily ever after.
The reason I enjoyed this version of Snow White more than others that I have read was that is was not as much of a fairy tail like story and more of a darker approach to it. The seven dwarfs, for example, are not shown as happy little creatures that sing and dance all day long. They are merely shown as small, kind men. The illustrations in this book are so beautiful even though they are not the bright colors that would usually go along with this story.

This outstanding book trancends religeous beliefs, cultural backgrounds and any modern day (Western & Eastern) sadly misguided beliefs for what constitutes a happy marriage and true love. The author is able to accomplish this great feat by reaching deep down and grasping at wisdom in all its pureness, raising it to the surface and clearly defining without any doubt what TRUE LOVE really is.

While the core focus of the book is to teach the reader exactly what true love is and exactly what it is not; it goes beyond and takes the reader through various psycological analysis of the many types of people, their sentimental,sexual and psycological behaviour and the reasons they engage in the types of relationships they do. All of this being achieved with bullseye accuracy, logic reasoning and awakening clarity.

Are you in love now? Think you don't need this book? THINK AGAIN!
Chances are you may need this book even more than those that seek to find love! You heard me right. It is unfortunate so many people today mistake feelings of extacy, moments of passion and romance, friendship and times of admiration for their partners for TRUE LOVE.

You will also find the book being composed of about 10% spirituality (without pushing any one specific religion/path) and 90% psycology. The spirituality side is partially derived from 5000 year old path called Hermetics -A very balanced Occidental path (with many parallels to Yogic,Buhddism, and whose modern version is influenced with Kabbalah). There are some quotes from the Christian bible as well in this book - but let me repeat, this book is for absolutely everyone, regardless of their spiritual path/religeous beliefs or lack of either.

If you would ever consider seeking counciling in an attempt to better understand or mend a relationship then you would be wise to pick up this book. In other words, don't wait until that day comes, educate yourself today so you won't have to save the relationship of tomorrow. If you've had many failed relationships it's time to ask yourself why and get to the bottom of it before failure comes strolling down your alley again. For those dilusioned by ignorance and lack of relationship experience who think they know how to have a healthy relationship, then time to get this book and get a serious reality check.

I find this book of such high value that I would recommend it even to the counselor(s) of relationships. Yes, even you WILL learn something here!

This book is a mirror of the ways people love, or think they love. What most people believe to be true love is probably corrupt. John Baines teaches us how to dicipher our reasons for being in a relationship and how to create truly, honest love.

I had become a sinic of love until I read this book. I always felt that how people love was not real and was always searching for the true meaning of love.

This book brought me to that understanding that I was looking at all the things that love was not, which I mistook for love, and gave me the vision to see what love really is. I am now on my journey to find true love for myself.

I read a story from Josephine to my babies, Kier Royale and Mimosa, everynight for their bedtime story. Their rapt attention never waivers as I unravel the tales of a penthouse poodles escapades in the big city. To two glamour gals from Hollywood, Josephine represents the sophisticated chic that is New York society. Sweet Dreams.

what can you say about this book? jackie escaped from her novels of sex, seconals, and scandal twice, and the results were in my opinion, her best efforts: YARGO and EVERY NIGHT JOSEPHINE! this book was funny, easy to read, and reread, and just plain entertainment. ms susann never aspired to be a shakespeare or hemingway, and her delightful books should be appreciated for what they are. personally, i think its sad that her life was cut short, i would love to have seen my collection of her books growing every year as my stephen king collection currently does.

Many years ago, I came across "Every Night Josephine" by adult novelist Jacqueline Susann. While I considered myself a "cat person" I couldn't help but get caught up in the lives of this adorable French poodle and her author-owner. The way the author laid out the story and related the experiences of this pampered pet as she hobnobbed with showbiz celebrities was rich in detail and description. I could actually picture the little dog chowing down on Hershey Kisses in a New York City penthouse or upstaging her mistress during a television appearance. THE END.

Sandra Gulland is amazing! Until I picked up the first of her Josephine books, my interest in (and knowledge of) Napoleon, Josephine, and French history was minimal. I'm now enthralled! This final book in her trilogy was anxiously awaited, and I could not have been more pleased (unless, of course, history had allowed Ms. Gulland and Josephine a happier ending). The diary-style writing makes it a quick page-turner, and it truly seems as if you are reading Josephine's thoughts. Ms. Gulland blends historical fact with passionate emotion to give the reader a wonderful, personal look at two of history's most intriguing individuals, as well as a "first-hand" tale of life during that tumultuous era in France. I can't stop telling everyone about these books and my new fascination with Josephine - and I'm giving the trilogy as Christmas gifts to several people this year!

While this book stands out on it's own merits, you would be doing yourself a huge disservice if you didn't read the first two books in the trilogy first ('The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B.' and 'Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe'). This is probably my favorite group of books and everyone I have let borrow them feels the same. All are well-written and easy reading (as well as interesting history). I am only sorry that Sandra Gulland hasn't written any other books...yet. I keep hoping.

"The Last Great Dance on Earth" is the triumphant ending to Sandra Gulland's wonderful trilogy about the life of Josephine Bonaparte. The novel picks up where the second novel in the series, "Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe", left off - the night of Napoleon and Josephine's Imperial coronation. As with the other two books, you get to witness, and truly witness- almost as if you were really there, the many triumphs, tragedies and difficulties of Napoleon and Josephine through Josephine's diary entries. And more interesting that that, we also get to learn a little about the private life of Napoleon, especially the one who loves Josephine and her children while constantly dealing the demands of his large, overly-ambitious family. Of course, though this book is all Josephine. She is the heart of this book, recounting the events of her life and they affect everyone around her. They are overshadowed by the internal anguish of her unresolved fertility problems that threaten the stability of Napoleon's Empire, leading them to make a painful decision.

Sandra Gulland is such a gifted writer. How well she manages to transport the reader back in time. The characters are so well defined they seem ready to step from the book. The author's years of research into the period are evident through the narrative, enough to provide a realistic background without overwhelming the story. As a conclusion to the trilogy, this book wraps up not only the lives of its central characters, but those of the secondary ones. Political intrigue, love, hate and jealousy, both private and public, pervade the novel, yet never does it seem melodramatic, a testament to the author's skill for integrating character and plot.

This book is for anyone who loves history, fiction and a satisfying read. Fans of the Napoleonic era will find it especially enjoyable. Though it is strong enough to stand on its own I recommend starting at the beginning with "The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B." and going to "Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe" so as not to miss any of Gulland's masterful storytelling about a truly unique, strong and interesting woman. Highly recommended!

i would like to see more from this author. I read this book, and then read it again. The layers of the story just keep going. At first it read like a typical often clumsy first novel. On the second read I got the deeper earth spirit talking. And its depths just kept going. Wow.

Josephine has done a masterful job of leading the reader on a mythic journey, full of her wonderful visionary work. It is a treasure for esoteric thinkers and a gem in my collection of literature.

This tale weaves an epic that will draw you into it's characters and it's mythos. The beings and forces expressed within delve into primal sources and forces beyond name.

Those familiar with the occult will find a few references and tie-ins that will tickle them (I won't spoil!) and unite the story with our own experience, and the depth of visionary material is both of great scope and of personal importance....

I first read this book about 15 years ago, and fell totally in love with it. It may be considered too syrupy for some by today's standards, but the story of Mrs. Muir, the Captain and Gull Cottage has the kind of everlasting love that lingers in the memory long after the book is closed. I have searched for many years for a copy of my own, and was thrilled to find it here at Amazon. The movie was okay, but the book, as usual, surpasses it.

This book spawned both a feature movie (Rex Harrison played the dashing Captain)and a television show in the 70's. Finally, after many years of wanting to read the book, I found it on Amazon.com. It was well worth the wait!!

Although the romance is tame by today's standards, it is a sweet love story about a young widow (Lucy) who finds a ghostly companion (Capt Gregg) in a sea-side cottage.

They begin as friends and as the years pass, grow to love each other, but both know it is a hopeless relationship.

The Captain helps Lucy maintain her freedom from a domineering mother-in-law, by helping her write a book about his life. It's rousing success! However, because of the book Lucy meets another man--a living man, and the Captain begins to realize that he must allow Lucy to fall in love and get on with her life.

The romance proves to be a disaster for Lucy, and the Captain, feeling responsible, fades out of her life--but not forever...

After you read the book--go rent the movie. This is one story I wish they would update and do a remake!

I really enjoyed this book, and have read it twice already. It's a very touching love story. A widow moves into and old Sea Captain's house and she is confronted my his ghost. It is a very beautiful and tender love story. Captain Daniel Gregg is a real commanding as well as romantic ghost. Lucy Muir, the young widow grows to love him instead of fear him. I sincerly think it is one of the best love stories ever written.

This is a must read. It's a decent romance story, at the same time full of passion. There's never a dull moment and it is alwsy each page, captivating, romantic, and interesting.

Originally published serially in "The Saturday Evening Post," Fitzgerald's "The Basil and Josephine Stories" was probably underappreciated in its time--the late 1920s. Fitzgerald's mastery of prose and storytelling shine, however, in this collection of short stories. The book is divided into two halves, the first dealing with Basil (a fictionalized version of Fitzgerald as a young man) and the second with Josephine (a fictional young woman in America in the early part of the 20th century). We follow Basil through the adventures and misadventures of his early life as he searches for acceptance and meaning. Josephine searches for love and friendship, among other things. Both meet with success that can only be described as questionable. Beautifully written and suprisingly deep, this collection offers profound insight into the psyche of the Lost Generation. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in modern American literature.

this charming collection of stories written by f. scott fitzgerald follows the physical, emotional, and social growth of two characters at the turn of the century. Basil, the typical rebellious child, struggles to find some understanding of life, school, friendship, and, most importantly, women. fitzgerald details a number of episodes in basil's life starting with his childhood and following him through his entrance into school. i don't know if basil ever entirely grew up or learned as much as he desired, but he came as close as any man can. the josephine stories follow roughly the same time span, but tend to focus more on her relationships and her place in society as a young woman at the turn of the century. all of the stories are masterfully told and it is obvious why fitzgerald became such a well known and respected writer. his storytelling is unparalleled and his descriptive language and imagery transports the reader to a different place and time. i highly recommend this book to any fitzgerald fan, whether an experienced one or a not-so-experienced one. i think it a shame that this book does not get more recognition than it does, recognition that it most definitely deserves.

I really liked this book. And this isn't coming from some super-articulate adult. This is coming from a 14-year-old High School Freshman. It really shows you what life was like back then in the early 1910's, and how teens back then deal with the same stuff as we do, such as popularity, dating, cars, etc.

Susan Sully's book revived many delightful memories of my recent visit to Charleston. Her evocative prose paired with the beautiful photographs made as much of an impression on me as seeing Charleston's gracious architecture in person. It's not often that such a pretty book is also so well written, but Sully' elegant, beautifully crafted sentences do justice to the photos and the grand old homes themselves. After reading her book I wanted to book a flight back for another visit!

Susan Sully's Charleston Style splendidly captures the unique beauty of my city. Sully's writing is gorgeous, lush and evocative as many of the homes she shows us. Her thorough research is obvious; then she takes the facts and, with words, weaves a beautifiul gossamer fabric representing one ofAmerica's most beloved cities. As a Charlestonian, I was introduced to places I never knew existed. The detailed photographs, artistic and architectural, complement the text. I bought numerous copies to give to friends who have visited Charleston in reality or in their dreams.

Just named one of the ten best books of 1999 about South Carolina by "The Nation," this winner rises above the usual book of stunning photography in the quality of Sully's writing. Her thoughtful and incisive reflections upon a complex city are rendered in delightful, sensual, intelligent prose. All this is compellingly presented in a classic coffee-table stand-out!

This book is really good. Some of the words are a little hard for young kids, but if your parents can help you it's enjoyable. Kingsley's style and allegorical references make this a delight to the senses, not only as a story, but as an example of a writer who truly enjoys his craft.

This book was a wonderful novel to read. It showed how little kids were treated durning this time period. Once the faries found Tom his life changed forever. The author explained how he started out as little boy and saying bad words to how he changed and in to a understanding boy. The book is a wonderful read because it shows what happens to others who don't know what it's like. Not all of this is true because it is a fairy tale. The author's one quote that stayed with me the most is "You're not supposed to belive all of this because it's a fairy tale even if you do believe. This is a powerful story and should be read to little children. It will show them that being bad is not the way to go. If kids learn tpo be nice when they are young then it can stop hatred and people being mean in future years.

The Water Babies is an excellent example of British Literature that should be promoted just as much as the works of Lewis Caroll or Dickens. Charles Kingsley's work was banned for quite a while. There is no question that this cleverly written fairy tale has a lot of hidden information to explore. Makes one wonder if one can still be an Anglican minister and promote evolution? Perhaps, one can. Mr. Kingsley has other wonderful works to explore and in addition, there is his niece, Mary Kingsley who wrote on Africa.