Nevil Shute is one of the most wondrous storytellers I've ever read. He uses such simple premises, he gives you details you'd never think of, his books are peopled with ordinary people who do extraordinary things. This book begins at the end of WWII and continues through the early 50's. A Leading Wren who loses everyone she loves. A man who searches for her in vain only to find her in a most unusual place when it's too late. Shute uses a most unusual style in telling this story, but he manages to still keep it straightforward and entertaining. What a great read!

The Breaking Wave is set in the aftermath of World War II, the story of a British Wren and an Australian airman. Nevil Shute, as usual, draws one in with his subtle character development and outstanding descriptions. The twist in the way the story is laid out was deftly handled leaving me in awe of the author's skill by the conclusion. The story moved me as few others I have ever read.

This was one of my favorite books as a child. I checked it out of the library over and over . The pictures just seem to come to life, the stories are enchanting. A must have for troll collectors. I purchased a copy at long last! Thanks Amazon

This book has become a family classic in our home. I enjoyed it in hardback when I was a young boy and now my children are too. This book draws you in with its unique and mysterious stories of folklore long ago. You can picture these stories actually taking place in the areas of the world where they originated. The illustrations are curious and strange in a way that helps add to the book's tales. I am constantly asked to read this title at our bedtime. I can not think of a book that has been enjoyed more by my children and myself over the years. I give it my highest recommendation. Shawn C. Osting (shawn@intouch.org or scoitm@aol.com

"East of the sun" is my favorite folktale. Willard transforms the tale into something even more enchanting and the illustrations by Moser are beautiful (most of them are face and upper torso shots of the characters in the play, but the illumination on the sides of the pages and acts are a nice touch). It makes a great "story" to read aloud, and better if you get people to play the different roles. I've found myself, at nearly 32, singing parts of it aloud. It's a fleshed out rendition of the tale, adding a lot of character to the flat folktale people and beasts. I've not bought anything by Willard before and was pleased to get this; Moser is one of my favorite artists--his most recent masterpiece is adding dimension and depth in illustrating the Bible. I don't think you could be disappointed with this (unless you're a folktale purist) and if you have children, they will enjoy acting it out for you.

I got the lead role in this play that we performed for the school. I had a lot of fun. I think this is a very worthwhile performence for anyone who wanted to perform a play. This was a great play to perform and I reccomend it to anyone who wants to read or perform a play.

I just wanted to say that this book of poetry is one of the best to come out in years. Flight of The Imagination was very mesmerizing, and you can read each one several times and still find new things and think of spectacular places and wintry like thoughts. I hope we see more from this new author. You will really enjoy it!

This book of poetry is certainly worth a read! I was really taken back with the different scapes of emotion and places that are felt throughout the book and its themes. Good lyrics and wording make this an intresting and fresh read. I think this new author has done a great job and will continue to grow. Can't wait for the next book. Flight of The Imagination would also make for a good cd. I think anyway.

I'd just like to second the comments from "a reader from USA" above. This book is so much more than is stated in the synopsis. While it begins as a very enjoyable adventure and exploration story, it takes the reader beyond the adventure to truths about the present and future that are insightful, important and stated in a way that is compelling to say the least.

Simply one of the most heart-wrenching and haunting true adventure stories ever written. I was so moved after reading this wonderful book that I could hardly think of anything else for weeks. Nearing the end of this book, I was choking back tears, as Mr. Heyerdahl touches upon truths so profound that they are mind-boggling. He shows us the things that our society has tried so hard to forget. He powerfully reminds us why we should not ignore the trouble our planet is in. Thor Heyerdahl has to be one of the best people who has ever lived. Only a very, very, great man could write a book like this.

A very interesting exposition on Norwegian culture is perhaps the lesser strength of 'Hermann'. More importantly is this book more moving, uplifting and entertaining than much else that can be read about Norway. I'd recommend this to those who have no interest in Scandinavia and would suggest it as a must-read for those who have.

Herman is a wonderful story about a young boy in Oslo, Norway, who start losing his hair. And there`s this little girl with the most outstandig read hair that he falls in love with. It`s a most charming story, and I`ve read the book twice and seen the movie three times, and I`ve named my first son Herman.

I bought the trilogy as 3 books in one. And that is how you should read them, as 1 book. The 3 books are the 3 main chapters in the life of the main character, Tora.
There is so much pain in the book(s), so much suffering and loneliness your heart will sometimes break, but together with the maincharacter you will fight back, still too many pages to go/read, you can't give up, you have to go on and hope there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
So I suggest if you decide to read the story of Tora,( how she fights back, being a bastard child of a german soldier and norwegian islander, how she tries to connect with her mother, how she tries to avoid her stepfather of coming in her room at night, how she copes with an unwanted pregnancy, ... ) you buy the 3 books or the omnibus ... because when you start reading about Tora, you won't be able to let her go. You'll become her, and she'll become you.

Wassmo's spare and lyric prose is a joy to read. In unabashed language she tells the story of Tora, a young girl growing up on a remote Norwegian island a decade after World War II. The illegitimate daughter of a German soldier, Tora lives in a poor household with her drudging mother and a brutal step-father who subjects her to repeated sexual abuse. Fiercely silent, Tora deals with her ordeal alone, groping blindly for safety and an understanding of her predicament--and, at last, she becomes strong enough to overcome it. Her tale is set in the context of life in a small island village where the economy is based on fishing and small everyday dramas constantly unfold. This is the first volume in a trilogy about Tora; unfortunately, the other books in the series seem not to be available yet in English translation. I, for one, having also read "Dina's Book" with immense admiration for the author's talent and skill, will be waiting impatiently for them. Wassmo is a splendid writer and "The House with the Blind Glass Windows" is an excellent way to make her acquaintance.

This is the most action-packed installment of the "Master of Hestvicken" series. After Ingunn's death Olav leaves for adventures away from the family manor. In the first part of the story he goes on a sea adventure and visits the city of London where he has a religious experience in a church and an encounter with a mysterious woman. Later on in the book, after his return to Norway Olav leads men in defense against the invasion from Sweden.

As usual with all the books of Sigrid Undset, this is a beautifully told saga rich with historical detail.

Following "The Axe" and "The Snake Pit", this is the third volume of Sigrid Undset's great novel "The Master of Hestviken". Since the story is so intricate and full of detail, I would strongly advise not to read this book by its own since the reader might become confused and would not truly appreciate this magnificent tale. Although, unfortunately, the story is not available in one volume, all four books are certainly worth the money they cost. Moreover, each volume has a beautiful cover depicting scenes from the novel.

The story takes place in medieval Norway, a land torn by unremitting warfare and not yet fully converted to Christianity. The first two books tell the story of Olav Audunsson, who, after killing a man at a very young age, becomes an outlaw. As a consequence, he has to endure a long and bitter separation from Ingunn Steinfinnsdatter, his childhood sweetheart, before they are finally able to marry. However, their new life is tainted by Olav's past and by the fact that Ingunn has brought shame upon herself.

In this volume, Olav has once again become a man of wealth and stature. He is haunted, however, by his past deeds and he cannot find true happiness. Having lost his wife and being estranged from his son, Olaf leaves Hestviken and embarks on a journey of adventure and remorse which will finally lead him to a bloody reckoning.

The author's prose is so incredibly beautiful and the story is so rich in historical detail that it reminds one of the great Norwegian Sagas. It takes the reader back to a time when violence and bloody vendettas racked a land not yet fully touched by Christianity. The author depicts strong characters driven by passion and a desire for revenge who seldom find true peace and happiness. Written between 1925 and 1927 by a woman, this novel was truly ahead of its time.

Abel's short life will leave an indellible mark in all mathematicians ( professional and amateur )'s heart.
This superb biography will remind us again and pay an respect
to this genius. One will be hard to resist sadness about
reading this book, but fact is fact, history cannot be changed.
Let us pay a tribute to this superb genius again by reading
this biography.

This is an excellent book about the norwegian mathematical genius Niels Henrik Abel. This book is also very painfull to read, since it is about a man who dies at only 26 years of age, just before he is to reach to glory. It's a tragedy. But none the less what he accomplish in his life is just tremendous. This is a real book. And it will not leave you unaffected.

This book took my breath away. Ms. Holan's background as an architect and builder enabled her to record and reproduce essentail information about the structures themselves as well as the decoration of traditional/ historic norwegian buildings. Some of the best if not the best logwork on the planet. It needs to be reprinted so as to become more available.

I would have loved to have done the research for this book myself.these farm buildings are beautifully made by people who understood wood and their suroundings perfectly.