Product Description
The stunning debut novel from the star of "Star Trek: The Next Generation". The United States of 2019 is a very different place. Economic depression, an enormous earthquake, and the assassination of a black President-elect have turned the country into a war zone. Four people, each as different and troubled as the next, are the nation's last hope. But can they overcome the devastation and build a new world? Ads in "Locus". Online promo. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (42)

Good book. Entertaining read.
I liked this book a lot. I got it from the library. I was intrigued by Mr. Burton's name at first, but when I read the flap, I was intrigued by the story itself. It was a nice read in my opinion. I read it quickly and was satisfied with the ending. I think people are reading too much into this as far as the racial aspects of things. There were racial events that took place that were extreme but I didn't feel that was particularly central to the plot. I felt the book was about the four characters, some more than others, of course, and their journeys in the novel. I thought it was suspenseful at points, too, which I liked. Sure, there could have been more character development here or there, but this was the guy's first novel. I liked it though and I would recommend it to a friend.

Great book!
We've been looking for this book since my daughter read it in high school.We've both read it several times and I wanted to get her a hard cover copy to keep.Was so glad to find it!

An 'ok' first effort...
`Aftermath' was a novel that is interconnected byfour stories (concerning four characters) that interconnect towards the end of the novel, those stories are: 1. a black female scientist, somewhat the main character of the story, who discovers a chilling plot, 2. a black male who was a former scientist; and lost his family, who now lives as a homeless refugee, 3. a white girl of 9 or 10 who is on her own, and 4. a Native American who feels a goddess has spoken to him.

This story takes place in a dystopic society after the first black President is assassinated, during an economic crises.

***

Sci-fi is one genre where there isn't an abundance of writers of color (black, Asian, Latino or Hispanic, etc...) so this novel was of interest to me.

I thought it was an interesting read with characters who are trying to keep dignity alive amidst a negative environment. However, the story is routine and not original, since we've already had this type of story (characters, usually a multi-racial group of characters, carrying on after a worldwide catastrophe) before.

However, I do look forward to seeing what Burton comes up with next...and seeing him grow as a writer.

Interesting Possibility for the Future
This story was very good. The author's writing style is well structured. There is some opportunity to develop one of the book's main characters a little better. I would have liked to have seen a little more from the main male character (Leon). This book is a page turner. It has quality science fiction ideas mixed in with a certain spiritual flavor. It challenges the reader to evaluate different possibilities of mankind's future. I think Mr. Burton's story idea is well thought out and well written and would recommend this book to both science fiction and non-science fiction readers.

Light reading about a dark future, but a plot device is set to overload...
The near future.Earthquake.Race war.Collapse of the US Government.Sounds like a fun place.Certainly it seemed to have potential for an entertaining novel - and somewhere in this setting there could be one - just don't expect to find much of it here.

The book's foreward, which gives the background on the above events and more, is well done and an intriguing framework for the post-collapse setting.There is the potential for some interesting stories, and I really would like to see this milieu revisited, and further explored.

As presented, this book overall is neither a success nor failure.My major criticism is that the main story is far too dependent on a plot device - in this case, literally a device - which serves equal and excessive parts as the characters' motive, method and means.For the most part, the characters are along for the ride.

The author describes his events and characters well, and makes his moral points in a direct and engaging style, but the story feels a bit simplistic, and is over with a bit quickly.There are ample stubs left suitable for further storytelling.

I was intrigued by the concept, but disappointed by the story told.More depth of plot would have served this book well.That said, it's an acceptable light read which would serve as a foundation for exploration through discussion, and hopefully for additional - but more developed - stories.

Get this book, and read the prologue - I highly recommend that portion.After that, make your own call. ... Read more

Product Description
Discusses the best titles chosen from the hundreds of children's books that have appeared on the Public Television educational show, Reading Rainbow, and offers information on the program, from how it was started to how books are selected. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

the current title is good.
I wisih Amazon sol each book that is in this Guide. That's what I need. ... Read more

Product Description
4 cassettes / 4 hours
Read by LeVar Burton

AudioBook contains the historic recording of Jackie Robinson's Baseball Hall of Fame induction speech.


The extraordinary life of Jackie Robinson is illuminated as never before in this full-scale biography by Arnold Rampersad, who was chosen by Jack's widow, Rachel, to tell her husband's story, and was given unprecedented access to his private papers. We are brought closer than we have ever been to the great ballplayer, a man of courage and quality who became a pivotal figure in the areas of race and civil rights.

Born in the rural South, the son of a sharecropper, Robinson was reared in southern California. We see him blossom there as a student-athlete as he struggled against poverty and racism to uphold the beliefs instilled in him by his mother--faith in family, education, America, and God.

We follow Robinson through World War II, when, in the first wave of racial integration in the armed forces, he was commissioned as an officer, then court-martialed after refusing to move to the back of a bus. After he plays in the Negro National League, we watch the opening of an all-American drama as, late in 1945, Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers recognized Jack as the right player to break baseball's color barrier--and the game was forever changed.

Jack's never-before-published letters open up his relationship with his family, especially his wife, Rachel, whom he married just as his perilous venture of integrating baseball began. Her memories are a major resource of the narrative as we learn about the severe harassment Robinson endured from teammates and opponents alike; about death threats and exclusion; about joy and remarkable success. We watch his courageous response to abuse, first as a stoic endurer, then as a fighter who epitomized courage and defiance.

We see his growing friendship with white players like Pee Wee Reese and the black teammates who followed in his footsteps, and his embrace by Brooklyn's fans. We follow his blazing career: 1947, Rookie of the Year; 1949, Most Valuable Player; six pennants in ten seasons, and 1962, induction into the Hall of Fame.

But sports were merely one aspect of his life. We see his business ventures, his leading role in the community, his early support of Martin Luther King Jr., his commitment to the civil rights movement at a crucial stage in its evolution; his controversial associations with Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon, Humphrey, Goldwater, Nelson Rockefeller, and Malcolm X.

Rampersad's magnificent biography leaves us with an indelible image of a principled man who was passionate in his loyalties and opinions: a baseball player who could focus a crowd's attention as no one before or since; an activist at the crossroads of his people's struggle; a dedicated family man whose last years were plagued by illness and tragedy, and who died prematurely at fifty-two. He was a pathfinder, an American hero, and he now has the biography he deserves.
Amazon.com Review
In baseball and beyond, 1997 has been the year of JackieRobinson, the 50th anniversary of his obliteration of the game's colorline, and a time to reflect on a marvelous man whose heroism anddecency cut far beyond the foul lines. Arnold Rampersad, a Princetonprofessor who's edited the poetry of Langston Hughes and the essays ofRichard Wright, and collaborated with tennis great Arthur Ashe on hispowerful memoir Days of Grace, steps up to the plate here withthe first truly comprehensive Robinson biography. It's an importantaccomplishment, ripe with historical and social insight without losingsight of the human being at its core. Thoroughly researched--RachelRobinson gave the author access to her husband's personal papers--andfilled with fascinating new detail, the book, like its subject,consistently takes the extra base, thrilling with its overall skill,depth, and perspective. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

An American Hero
The book "Jackie Robinson: A Biography," is an amazingly descriptive masterpiece of the life of Jackie Robinson.I gained interest in this book following a review that I read that promoted and gave a detailed summary of its contents. After reading this book I found that this review gave an accurate description and evaluation of the book.

Arnold Rampersad was able to successfully portray all aspects of Mr. Robinson's life, from the day he was born to the day of his death.He used association effectively to compare Jackie with other great Americans and to make him the face of the African American people.This book not only focused on the great baseball career he had with the Brooklyn Dodgers, but highlighted his early sports career while in school and the work he did for the community following his playing days.

Some reviewers felt that the author did not accurately show the reader the adversity that Jackie faced in his playing days, when in fact it was repeatedly acknowledged in nearly every game and road trip throughout the book. The author gives great detail to this struggle that affected both Jackie and his supporters.

I encourage anyone with an interest in baseball to read this book, along with anyone who wants to learn about what it takes for even a man as great as Jackie Robinson to make a positive impact on society.

Jeff Brigham, TJHS Student

The Jackie Robinson Enigma
Without a doubt, Jackie Robinson was one of the most courageous and influential individuals ever to walk the planet.His legacy is well documented; breaking MLB's color barrier in 1947 & going on to have a remarkable Hall of Fame career, despite the enormous obstacles he endured during that time.

Arnold Rampersad has compiled an interesting biography on this great player, thanks to the help of Robinson's widow, Rachel.As a fan of the game, the effort was a bit disappointing, from a baseball perspective.Little is revealed about the tremendous ordeal Robinson endured from nearly every sector of society---from the ignorant and narrow minded fans, to some of the ignorant and narrow minded opponents on the field, as well as some of the top level executives in baseball who opposed him (such as Connie Mack).From a historical perspective, that story would've been more compelling.

Still, the work Rampersad delivers is rich with stories of Robinson's crusade for civil rights, largely thanks to letters his widow, Rachel released to the author.Somehow, the reader gets a bit short changed on some of the events that took place in Robinson's life that obviously had an impact on his public demeanor.In all likelihood, the abuse Robinson endured during his life (both physical & verbal) took its toll; he died barely into his 50s, although the ravages of his personal demons made him look much older than he really was, late in his life.That's a tremendous tragedy, but seems to have been glossed over for some reason.

Although this book lacks a bit of depth, it's still a most compelling story; and one that every American should read to get some idea of what this man had to endure, just to play a game of baseball.

ExcellentBirthday Gift
After reading several excellent reviews of this book, I purchased it for
my nepbew's birthday.I have not read the book myself since I lived through that period.

Great thing to read!
It was a year of Fire and also the year of Grace for Jackie Robinson!! It is an amazing book to read about a great person who changed history and loves baseball!! It is more than just baseball and it has so many things to show that shaped Jackie's life so much. It is also spiritual and emotional book that leaves you to become a stronger person to make a great difference in the world.

Jackie Robinson
I really liked this book and normally I dont like reading. Ijust wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen next. I think Jackie Robinson is a vary good romodel because no matter what, you should never give up. Because Jackie never gave up he ended up being one of the best baseball players to ever play the game. But most of all he broke the color code for all professional sports. ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Prince, Sidney Poitier, Spike Lee, Levar Burton, Denzel Washington, John Singleton, Chris Rock, Danny Glover, Don Cheadle, Tyler Perry, Gordon Parks, Vin Diesel, Martin Lawrence, Ossie Davis, Hughes Brothers, Clark Johnson, Melvin Van Peebles, Ivan Dixon, Safiya Songhai, Ted Lange, Fred Williamson, Ernest Dickerson, Jamaa Fanaka, Paul Hunter, Shonda Rhimes, Tigre Hill, Leah Gilliam, Oscar Micheaux, Damon Dash, Tim Reid, Henry Hampton, George C. Wolfe, Charles S. Dutton, Euzhan Palcy, Paris Barclay, Oz Scott, Carl Franklin, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Scott Sanders, Vaginal Davis, Robert Van Lierop, Hype Williams, Doug E. Doug, Bill Duke, Chris Robinson, John Ridley, Stan Lathan, Mary Morten, Mario Van Peebles, Bille Woodruff, F. Gary Gray, Bill Miles, Abiola Abrams, Damien Dante Wayans, M. K. Asante, Jr., Bill Gunn, Robert Townsend, Antoine Fuqua, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Michael Schultz, Richard Maurice, Troy Beyer, Angela Robinson, Charles Burnett, Roger Ross Williams, Sean Weathers, James Spooner, Ava Duvernay, Malik Hassan Sayeed, Darnell Martin, Larry "Flash" Jenkins, Gilbert Moses, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Richard Brooks, Anita W. Addison, Kiri Davis, Jerry Lamothe, Kevin Hooks, Patrik-Ian Polk, William Greaves, Demetria Royals, Julie Dash, Nnegest Likké, Tim Story, Reginald Hudlin, Matty Rich, Rusty Cundieff, Cle Shaheed Sloan, Hugh A. Robertson, Bruce W. Smith, George Jackson, Kasi Lemmons, Pete Chatmon, Dianne Houston, S. Torriano Berry, Dwayne Buckle, Carlton Moss, Devin Gibson, Kevin Rodney Sullivan, Christopher St. John, Thomas Carter, Geretta Geretta, Ephraim Benton, Jamal Joseph, Joie Lee, Charles Lane, Warrington Hudlin, Charles Stone Iii, George Tillman, Jr., Millicent Shelton, Gordon Parks, Jr., Christopher Scott Cherot, D'urville Martin, Jenn Shaw, William Crain, Franc. Reyes, David Massey, Doug Mchenry, Malcolm D. Lee, Reggie Rock Bythewood, Erik White. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 506. Not illustrated. Free updat...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=57317 ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: John Sutter, Mark Spitz, Chino Moreno, Levar Burton, Rodney King, Stephen Carpenter, Kevin Johnson, Hiram Johnson, Maureen Reagan, Scott Boras, Brenda Song, John Ensign, Anthony Kennedy, Charlie Peacock, Phil Angelides, Dan Lungren, Casey Serin, Sasha Grey, List of Sacramento Sports Figures, John Garamendi, Yuki Shimoda, John Bigler, Joan Didion, Brotha Lynch Hung, Mark Goodson, Brad Lidge, Mandisa, A. M. Winn, Adrienne Barbeau, Michael Newdow, George Lynch, Velvalee Dickinson, James Phelan, Francis Tukey, J. Neely Johnson, Mary K. Shell, Stan Hack, John F. Goodman, Zach Hill, Natalie Gulbis, Diego Corrales, Derrek Lee, Tremayne Kirkland, Dorothea Puente, Richard Chase, Brie Larson, Nicholaus Contreraz, Vic Grimes, Steve Sax, Joyce Meadows, Brian Posehn, Fred Keeley, Larry Bowa, Lisa Ling, Nick Johnson, Charles Goethe, Summer Sanders, Donté Stallworth, Carlos Alazraqui, Mary Anderson, Deborah Blum, Dick Ruthven, Joan Lunden, Lance Bangs, Barbi Benton, Lance Briggs, Chris David, Sam Elliott, Xavier Becerra, Syd'quan Thompson, Megan Dodds, Doug Davis, Wayne M. Collins, Max Baer, Jr., Stephen Robinson, Geno Petralli, Scott Pruett, Analeigh Tipton, Kevin Gilbert, Buck Martinez, Aaron Garcia, Matt Walbeck, Harry Dunlop, Michael Patrick Cronan, Colin Hanks, George Manley, Henry Hathaway, John Mcnamara, Brian Henninger, Jason Sehorn, Malcom Floyd, Herb Caen, John Vukovich, Kayden Kross, Hank Wilson, Angus Oblong, Alexandra Uteev Johnson, John Bowker, Mark Shelley, Kevin Goldthwaite, Rae Carruth, Doug Ose, Burney Lamar, Robert A. Graham, Woodie Held, Johnny Colla, Onterrio Smith, Timothy Busfield, Fred Carroll, Tom Johnson, Ray Collins, Jack Lescoulie, Benson Fong, Larry Linville, Hiroshi Kashiwagi, Nick Watney, Cougar Annie, Danny Castillo, Tylene Buck, Joe Gilman, Michael James Adams, Randolph Mantooth, Greg Vaughn, Steve Cronin, Paris Warren, Kenneth Walton, Jerry Royster, Fernando Viña, Roger Niello, Mike Patterson, T...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=2071284 ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document, covering the life and work of Levar Burton, is an entry from Contemporary Authors, a reference volume published by Thompson Gale. The length of the entry is 673 words. The page length listed above is based on a typical 300-word page. Although the exact content of each entry from this volume can vary, typical entries include the following information:

• Place and date of birth and death (if deceased)
• Family members
• Education
• Professional associations and honors
• Employment
• Writings, including books and periodicals
• A description of the author's work
• References to further readings about the author

Product Description
Chapters: Fritz Walter, Levar Burton, Hans Robert Hiegel, Werner Fuchs. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 23. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Levardis Robert Martyn Burton, Jr. (born February 16, 1957) professionally known as LeVar Burton, is an American actor, director and author who first came to prominence portraying Kunta Kinte in the 1977 award-winning ABC television miniseries Roots, based on the novel by Alex Haley. He is also well known for his portrayal of Geordi La Forge on the syndicated science fiction series Star Trek: The Next Generation and as the host of the PBS children's program Reading Rainbow. LeVar Burton, San Diego, 2009Burton was born to American parents at the U.S. Army Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in West Germany. His mother, Erma Jean (née Christian), was a social worker, administrator, and educator. His father, Levardis Robert Martyn Burton, was a photographer for the U.S. Army Signal Corps, and at the time was stationed at Landstuhl. Burton and his two sisters were raised by his mother in Sacramento, California. Burton was raised Catholic and, at the age of thirteen, entered a seminary to become a priest. He attended Christian Brothers High School and graduated in the class of 1974. He is a graduate of University of Southern California's School of Theatre. Burton played a role as a visitor to Fantasy Island, was a participant in Battle of the Network Stars, a guest of the Muppet Show's televised premiere party for the release of The Muppet Movie, and a frequent guest on several game shows. In 1986, he appeared in the music video for the song "Word Up!" by the funk/R ... Read more

Product Description
2-Disc Bonus Pack includes The Jensen Project DVD and The Jensen Project Soundtrack CD by Randy Jackson.

After a 16-year absence, Claire and Matt Thompson are reintroduced to "The Jensen Project" - a secret community of geniuses conducting advanced underground research to solve the world's most difficult problems. But their return is far from a social visit. The former scientists, accompanied by their tech-minded teenage son Brody, are thrust into a frantic pursuit to keep a potentially dangerous technology from falling into the wrong hands. The chase takes you on a roller-coaster adventure of dark schemes and covert alliances. As the family races against the clock to stop the group's rogue faction, they discover an important truth. In this high-pressure, high-tech world, sometimes the smartest thing we can do is to open up and learn to lean on each other.

CD Soundtrack by Randy Jackson includes tracks from your favorite artists plus breakout tracks from emerging new talent like Jordin Sparks, Alisan & Ilsey, Paper Tongues, Brooke White, Steven Manuel, Ashlyne Huff, Cecil Adora and more. DVD Includes Over 2 Hours of Original Bonus Material: "Meet The Stars"; "Personal Cast Videos"; "Just For Laughs"; "Favorite Family Moments"; "Family Night Ideas"; "In Studio with Randy Jackson" and much more.

Approved For All Ages; Language: English and Spanish, Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish, Featurettes, Audio Commentary. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good movie except for.....
I enjoyed the movie when it was first on TV. So I was excited to be able to have the DVD. However while the package states that there are English subtitles avail, this is not the case.The subtitles listed are Spanish, French and none.I am disappointed with the product for this reason only.

Pretty good lower budget film.
I thought the Jenson Project was fairly entertaining.It had some pretty good special effects, action, and drama.
Sure it's not a big budget film, but it doesn't have to be in order to be interesting.

Cliche City
You get lazy as a writer and you resurrect every cliche you can find and a few really long dead ones and you write a movie script and you call it The Jensen Project. ... Read more

Product Description
Parents' Action for Children --- The I Am Your Child Video Series: "THE FIRST YEARS LAST FOREVER " -- Video hosted by Rob Reiner. Explores early brain development and the vital importance of the relationship between caregivers and child in the critical first three years of life. Covers topics such as bonding and attachment, communication, discipline, and self-esteem. "QUALITY CHILD CARE: MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOUR AND YOUR CHILD" -- Video hosted by Maria Shriver. Explores how to identify and select the best care for your young child. Issues covered include family child care, center-based care, and care by relatives. "DISCIPLINE: TEACHING LIMITS WITH LOVE" -- Video hosted by Dr. T. Berry Brazelton. Explores loving and effective ways to discipline young children by emphasizing teaching rather than punishment. Issues covered include techniques for setting effective limits, dealing with tantrums, and how to manage your own anger. "READY TO LEARN: ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR EARLY LITERACY" -- Video hosted by Jamie Lee Curtis and LeVar Burton. Explores effective ways to prepare children for a lifetime of learning from birth through preschool. Issues covered include communicating with infants, language development, reading, singing, and appropriate materials to use. "SAFE FROM THE START" -- Video hosted by Gloria Estefan. Explores critical information on safety issues affecting infants and toddlers. Covers topics including car seats, bath and kitchen safety, crib safety, babyproofing, choking, and gun safety. "YOUR HEALTHY BABY" -- Video hosted by Phylicia Rashad. Explores the importance of establishing healthy habits and good nutrition from birth. Issues covered include immunizations, well baby visits, diet and exercise. ... Read more

Product Description
BOX CASSETTES(6 TOTAL). PLAYING TIME 9 HRS.THIS HISTORY MAKING AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. IN HIS OWN WORDS AS READ BY OTHERS AND IN HIS OWN WORDS AND VOICE: THE MILD MANNERED INQUISITIVE CHILD AND STUDENT WHO CHAFFED UNDER AND EVENTUALLY REBELLED AGAINST SEGREGATION; THE DEDICATED YOUNG MINISTER WHO CONTINUALLY QUESTIONED THE DEPTHS OF HIS FAITH AND THE LIMITS OF HIS WISDOM; THE LOVING HUSBAND AND FATHER WHO SOUGHT TO BALANCE HIS FAMILY'S NEEDS WITH THOSE OF A GROWING NATIONWIDE MOVEMENT AND THE REFLECTIVE, WORL-FAMOUS LEADER WHO WAS FIRED BY A VISION OF EQUALITY FOR PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. ... Read more

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Unabridged, 4 cassettes/ 6 hours ... Read more