Product Description

Chip Connolly was a conscripted grunt in trouble: stuck behind enemy lines with a bunch of cyber-uplifted rats and bats. Rats with human speech, but with rat priorities: sex, food and strong drink. And the bats were revolutionaries planning to throw off the human yoke -- with high explosive. Then there was the girl they'd rescued. Rich. Beautiful. With a passionate crush on her "heroic" rescuer. Her entourage was a screwball Alien tutor, and a cyber-uplifted lemurlike pet galago with delusions of being the world's greatest lover.

Of course things only got worse. Seven rats, five bats, a galago, two humans, a sea-urchin-like alien and an elderly vineyard tractor without brakes...against several million inimical aliens. He was going to die.

Mind you, not dying could be even more terrible. That girl might get him. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Rats, Bats, & Vats rocks
This is one of the best examples of science fiction on the planet. The science makes the story possible. It isn't the story itself, it's just part of the tapestry.

Chip a vat bred human, and his rat and bat companions are shoved into a war being lost by subpar leadership and learn a few things about themselves and their world that would be useful if they ever survive their time on the wrong side of the enemy lines.

tongue firmly in cheek @ 3.5 stars
3.5 stars
I'm not usually a big military sci-fi fan but this and "Rats, Bats and the Ugly" is just so much FUN! Light, amusing, readable, a touch of romance, and tongue so firmly in the cheek that it is sticking out and blowing a raspberry. Recommended. Don't know if you like Flint's style of writing or the idea of humorous military sci-fi? Then check it out at Baen's website (free library) then decide you will need your own copy (I did).

My scale: 1-don't bother; 2-borrow from the library and don't waste your cash; 3-good. buy it or borrow it. 4-very good. buy it. 5-a must read (several times!) BUY IT!

Entertaining Underdogs
A human colonized planet learns from a race of friendly starfarers that their home is in the path of a conquest fleet of a race of "insectoids". The friendly visitors offer to help humanity fight off these would be conquerors but things never quite seem to work out right. Partly this is because the technology of the invaders is generally superior to that of the humans. Partly this is because the other side is heedless of casualties. In great measure, though, human losses are due to the corrupt leaders of the planet and its military.

The leaders are a privileged class. They rule the planet for their own benefit and most of the soldiers are "vat grown" to act as serfs and/or cannon fodder. They are aided by genetically enhanced bats and rats with artificially enhanced IQs. None of this, however, seems to be enough to face the enemy.

One Vat, along with his rat and bat companions, becomes cut off behind enemy lines. In his efforts to get free, he learns to befriend the uplifted animals conscripted to serve beside him and, in doing so, create complete chaos for the enemy. He also learns that not all enemies are as bad as they are cracked up to be and neither are the allies.

This is a comedy posing as an adventure story. As long as it is not taken too seriously, it is lots of fun.

One of the funniest "Military" science fiction I've ever read!
My husband picked this up after telling me "any random book printed by Baen is good" - and, of course, because it has "rats" in the title . . . He read it and laughed his way through it and insisted that I read it, too, to which I agreed readily enough.I won't recap the story, but I will say it is a hoot and a half!The rats are hedonistic Shakespeareans; the bats are revolutionary Irish; and the vats are hapless humans who are just along for the ride.And, of course, you have the land-owners, who have the money - throw in the evil bugs from outer space and the benevolent aliens who are providing the technology to defeat them (or are they?) and you have a mix that is sure to please anyone who likes military science fiction, space opera, or just plain silliness.HIGHLY recommended!!

Combines tongue-in-cheek space opera and revolution
Alien maggots have invaded the human-inhabited planet of Harmony and Reason (HAR), gradually overrunning the planet despite the efforts of the military--aided by cybernetically enhanced 'rats' and 'bats.' Another alien race sells humans military technology and advice, but that advice too-often seems either wrong or incomplete. At any rate, the humans are losing and the maggots have just snatched another significant chunk of territory, leaving a small group of soliders (one human along with small groups of rats and bats) behind the new expanded force field that prevents human counter-attack.

Together with his heavy-drinking rats and his revolutionary bats, human Chip Connolly must stay alive in the face of literally millions of maggot soldiers and workers. Worse, the hive's 'group mind' means that even if they kill everyone who sees them, the bugs always know where they are hiding.

Things only seem to get worse when Chip and the others have to rescue aristocratic Ginny Shaw, the heiress to the human colony's greatest fortune and her Korozhet tutor. The young woman at least has the virtue of being attractive (although Chip knows perfectly well what happens to vat-born clones who aspire above their stations and develop interests in shareholders) but the Korozhet is nothing but trouble--and only Chip seems bothered by this. Against the wishes of its generals, part of the human army watches the heroes as they attempt to survive but, as long as the force field remains intact, they are helpless to intervein. Even if they could, the humans have lost every battle they've fought.

Authors Eric Flint and Dave Freer combine in a light-hearted look at the military, space-opera, and revolution. The story maintains a perfect balance between tongue-in-cheek and solid adventure, involving the reader in the characters at the same time as it keeps us smiling. The plight of the cybernetic rats and bats, as well as that of the slave-like clone humans (vats) adds a very mild political message to the light-hearted novel.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

A must read for anyone interested in Islam's relation to the world
Charles Darwin didn't have an academic degree in evolutionary biology, yet no scientist refutes his findings by saying he was an amateur.

Dhimmi treatment is how Muslims should ritually denigrate conquered non-Muslims. The author shows that the denigration is specified in the Koran, Hadith and other key Muslim text. She also shows how that treatment has happened during the entire life-span of the religion, documented not just by non-Muslims but by proud followers of the faith.

Bat Ye'or was the first person in modern times to take an open look at Islam's history of treatment of the conquered infidel, and she showed that it didn't match the myth of the "Golden Age of Spain" or other bits of propaganda put out by apologists. Since the time of this book, many academics have taken a look at the same and other materials and shown that the author's original conclusions are valid.

Anyone interested in understanding global politics in relationship to the Muslim faith must have this seminal text.

'O Come thou root of Jesse free...'
'Thine own from Satan's tyranny.From depths of hell thy people save. And give them victory over the grave.'-"O Come, O come Emmanuel".

'O come, O come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel.'

My favorite version ofmy favorite christmas hymn is sung by christian popular artist Aaron Shust.I first heard it on Christian radio this year.He captures in song, words, music the urgency, secrecy, spirit of the birth of this jewish King of Israel that christians celebrate this time of year.He doesn't sing all of the verses to this hymn, mainly the words that I've included in this review.For a little christmas cheer, google O Come O come emmanuel, and get to the free Aaron Shust download from the free christian resources website.You can hear his version in its entirety there.Also, watch his interview.He explains that this hymn was written in the 1100's A.D.The tune is probably from a French melody.It begins with a woman singing the song in Latin, the original language in which it was written.

'And ransom captive Israel'.Dhimmitude, a phrase coined by Bat Ye'Or herself refers to the state of people of other faiths than Islam in Islamic lands.In this monumental first work of hers, first published in 1985, she lays the groundwork for her subsequent publications.The preface is written by my favorite christian author, Jacques Ellul."This is a very important book", are the first words he writes there, and so it is.My copy is a library book that, thankfully, is falling apart at the seams.(Hopefully, it has been read many times)!It's also overdue, and in demand, also a good sign.My fondest hope is that some professor at the University from which I got my copy, will use this as a standard text.

VERY DEFINITELY, A MUST READ!!!!

A superb analysis of the lifestyle of dhimmis under Islam
Why do Arabs attack Zionism?In this book, Bat Ye'or gives a surprisingly simple answer.I think she's absolutely nailed the cause of the problem:

"It is well known that the successful revolt of the colonized frequently traumatizes the colonizer.Vengefulness and hatred express the distress of the oppressor confronted by his victim's rebellion.An equality of rights with the inferior party humiliates the dominating group which, deprived of its superiority, seeks compensation in phantasms.Such reactions have been exhaustively analyzed in books dealing with the phenomenon of racism."

The author shows these attitudes in action, as various Arabs complain that the presence of Jews in Israel defiles the land, or that the land is all Arab, with Jews being mere "dhimmis."The liberation of the Jews is sometimes considered a crime against Nature, as we see Egyptian President Nasser call it "the greatest international crime that has been committed in the entire history of mankind."

The terms applied by Arab racists to Jewish dhimmis who sought freedom are now applied to Israel itself: insolent, arrogant, and needing punishment.

I think this book is one of the best at explaining why Arabs and Jews are at odds in the Middle East.And why they'll continue to be at odds until Arabs renounce such racism and until international applause for this racism quiets down.

Bat Ye'or explains the problems of being a dhimmi.A dhimmi lacks rights and is thus dependent on the good will of, um, real people.A dhimmi has no history; actually a dhimmi has no right to have a history, and real people write any history they please regarding dhimmis.And the author shows that although Zionism is more an Oriental phenomenon than a European one, the refusal to acknowledge Zionist history tends to lead to claims that Zionism is exclusively a European movement.In addition, she implies that the refusal of many Arabs to refer to Israel or to allow it to be on Arab maps is another symptom of the tendency to refuse dhimmis the right to a historical existence.

The author contrasts the outrage of many antizionist Arabs with the relative silence of some genuine victims: Jews who were expelled from Arab nations.She attributes some of this to a tendency of dhimmis, with their history of having been exploited, servile, and silent, to think in terms of gratitude and toleration rather than in terms of rights.

In this book, Bat Ye'or does a superb job of explaining the dhimmi condition.And I think we all ought to heed her warning that those who forget history are indeed condemned to repeat it.

Asesome book
The Dhimmi: Jews & Christians Under Islam is required reading for any American.

The author writes, in detail, in a marvelously researched manner.The mistake that many people make is that Islam is only anti-Israel and anti-Jewish.For from it.Islam is anti-American, anti-Christian, anti-Protestant, anti-Catholic, and anti-Buddhist, anti just about everything.

Even if there was no Israel, or the US was not an ally of Israel, radical Islam would still despise the USA.

When Islam despises you, your live is in danger.

This is a horrifying book.What is most horrifying is that it is non-fiction.

Disturbing Account Of Religious/Racial Prejudice
This is a disturbing book which reveals what is described as a socially acceptable Islamic conduct against peoples who were classed as "inferior".

For the most part the book describes these peoples as Jews and Christians who were classed as "dhimmi". "Dhimmitude" being further elaborated as the religious, cultural, and political fate of non-Muslims living under Islamic rule, usually when their lands have been subject to Islamic conquest.

Where the politicisation/allegations of racial prejudice, segregation, apartheid and indeed genocide have become quite common-place in the Middle East against the Jewish state, a book such as this is very timely in showing another side to the story. A book that reveals the painful, disturbing policy of prejudice, racial hatred and segregation of countless people whothe book describes were classed as "inferior"on the basis of their religion alone.

Many examples are referred to in this study and many issues are discussed. The book draws a number of distinctions drawn and prejudices applied upon Jews and Christians who refused to accept and bow to Islam. Just by way of a single example, page 56 of this study deals with the "Invalidity of the Dhimmi's Oath".

With legal cases being dealt with under Quranic law, every case involving a Muslim and a dhimmi received a "peculiar" treatment in that a dhimmi was forbidden to give evidence against a Muslim. The Dhimmi's oath being deemed unacceptable in an Islamic court, which made it virtually impossible for any Muslim opponent to be condemned. To further any defence, the book describes that the dhimmi would be obliged to "purchase" Muslim witnesses, often at great expense.

This refusal of Muslim religious courts to accept such testimony of the dhimmi being based on hadiths which maintained that the infidels were of a "perverse and mendacious character because they deliberately persisted in denying the superiority of Islam". The same law preventing any Muslim from being put to death on account of an infidel.

This principle alone is further elaborated in this book with the example of the frequent accusations directed at Jews and Christians of having "blasphemed" the Prophet or Islam, an offence punishable by death. In such a case, the dhimmi was clearly in no position to contradict the testimony of a Muslim making the accusation and could therefore only save his life by conversion to Islam. (Although some exceptions have been recorded, this was the abiding principle nearly always adhered to.)

This is a classic study of this subject and it is not a "light" read, but a subject which demands attention. Thank you. ... Read more

Product Description
There are strange goings-on once again in Middleburg. Someone has put up posters warning townspeople that the dreaded Indiana Aztec bat has been sighted in the area. What's more, the town is in an uproar over the bells recently placed in the church belfry that chime every hour -- twenty-four hours a day! It seems the whole town is going batty with the constant pealing!

Bernie Magruder is determined to get to the bottom of things. Who put up all those posters about a species of bat no one has ever heard of? What can the townspeople do to return some peace to their lives? And are the bats that Bernie and his family see swooping about the belfry the dreaded Indiana Aztecs? Looks like Bernie, and his two friends Georgene and Weasel, have their work cut out for them again! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Wonderful Read
Since I first picked up this book, to the time I put it down- I loved it! It was fantastic and wonderful. My older sister still loves these books too, so this is a read for anyone older than 9-12 years old, except it might be a little bit of an easy read.

Loved it!

Mystery and Adventure with a Twist of Humor!!!
This 2004 winner of an Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Literature certainly will leave everyone talking!In Naylor's book of the Besseldorf mystery series, Bernie Magruder finds himself in the middle of strange happenings again!Not only are the bells in the belfry tower are ringing around the clock, someone has brought terror to the town by displaying posters warning of the invasion of Indiana Aztec Bats-a bat species NO ONE has heard of before.This has everyone in a frenzy and it is up to Bernie to find out what is going on.This book is perfect for the upcoming Halloween season, and if you like mystery and adventure with a twist of humor, you won't want to miss this one!

This book is sure to entertain any reader.
Bernie Magruder's life should be ordinary and normal, yet it isn't. For one thing, strange and dangerous bats from South America are said to be flying towards his town and everyone is scared stiff at the very idea of bats moving in. Then there is the problem of the bells, the church bells. Every hour they clang out, "Abide with me," and the racket is beginning to have a very negative effect on the people of Middleburg. Some people want to turn off the bells, but some insist that they must continue their hourly cacophony.

It is with horror that Bernie's family finds out that a bat has flown in through one of the hotel windows. The last place Bernie and his family want to see a bat is anywhere near their home, the Bessledorf Hotel. Bernie's father is the manager of the hotel, so if anything goes wrong, he will be blamed for it. As always, keen to get into the thick of things, Bernie takes it upon himself to try to find the errant bat with the help of his two best friends.

As Halloween approaches, a large number of bats are seen flying around the church belfry, home of those same bells that are driving almost everyone in town mad with their noise. Now no one is willing to turn the bells off because they are afraid of the bats. Will all the people of Middleburg be driven mad by the musical bells, or will they die after being bitten by the Indiana Aztec Bat? Bernie Magruder is determined to find out what is going on in his town before it is too late.

This book is sure to entertain any reader with its gripping and off-the-wall story, as well as its delightfully eccentric characters. This is one of several amusing books about Bernie Magruder.

(...) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

the best ever?
Okay, I admit I'm "borrowing" this review from a buddy, but what I have to say may help you.

I have a crony who reads nothing but books like this.You name it:Spencer, Ye'or, Victor Davis Hanson, Bruce Bawer, etc.And not just the popular stuff:he'll sit there and read the dense, scholarly stuff I have no patience for (I'm thinking mainly of Bat Ye'or and Ibn Warraq when I say that).The dude's Ahabian.It's all he thinks about, all he talks about.

He borrowed his from me and read it twice through.That was stunning enough on its own:this is a thick, slow-going and meticulously-sourced tome.

Anyhow, he immediately proclaimed it the best he'd ever read on the subject of Islam, dhimmitude, stealth jihad, whatever you want to call it.

So there you go.

Islam and Dhimmitude: Where Civilizations Collide
Readers will find untruth by incomplete statements/accounts to such an extent that an anti-Islam agenda is obvious. Of little scholarly interest or impact without researching the whole story. (Like explaining Judaism as occupier ONLY under Joshua invading Canaan, or Saul losing his kingship for refusing to slaughter an indigenous king...))
Daniel C. Smith
Richmond, VA

Classic work about people subjugated under Islam
I think Andrew Bostom's review should have convinced you to read this book, and you should also read Dr. Bostom's The Legacy of Jihad, an in-depth, well-researched, scholarly tome, my favorite book on the subject.

Bat Ye'or is a formidable historian, and her book describes in detail what is basically hell on earth---the painful consequences of letting Muslims subjugate one's culture by foolishly ignoring ALL manifestations of jihad, which include not only armed warfare, but also demographic warfare (Muslims multiplying faster than infidels) and Da'wa (deceiving and confusing infidels by claiming that Islam is a religion of peace, etc.).

Don't fall victim to Muslim Da'wa---be an informed infidel.Read this book, as well as

Eurabia
The Legacy of Jihad
The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam
Why I Am Not Muslim

The alternative to successfully resisting Islam is not pleasant (to put it mildly), as you will learn from reading this excellent book.

An eyopening account dispels myths
It is a dominant theme of the literature on the Jewish Diaspora that Jews in Muslim lands were treated better than Jews among Christians.It is repeated like a mantra, every student of Jewish history or of Islamic studies must learn it and repeat it, until it becomes myth.This excellent study is one of the few to challenge this dominat view.Today academics encourage the propoganda that Islam is 'more tolerant' than Christianity.However here we are given a small taste of that 'tolerance'.Dhimmi is a word meaning 'protected'.However just as the Nazis created concentration camps to 'protect' the Jews the word itself can be used in many ways.This book analyzes the experience of Jews in Muslim lands.Some have accused this work of 'only' concentrating on the negative aspects of Muslim-Jewish relations, however this is just the point, a litany of works have focused on this subject in Europe, it time that the dust be taken from the truth about Islamic nations.

Partly the problem rests on lack of sources and literature, this book begins to fill this essential gap.

A second way to analyze the question of which Jews were 'better off' is to see the end result.If Muslim lands were 'better' to the Jews then why did the Jews of Europe become free and wealthy?Why were there more Jews in Europe than muslim lands despite persecution, endless forced conversion and murder due to claims that Jews created the black death?Jews numbered 12 million in Christian lands while they numbered only a million in Muslim ones in 1930.By 1945 the numbers were 6 million and 1 million.By 1967 the numbers were 8 million and 50,000.

Seth J. Frantzman

Dispelling a myth
One of the great myths in regard to Islamic civilization is that it was egalitarian and respected fully the rights of Christians and Jews. In this work Bat- Yeor describes the status of 'dhimmitude' by which in Islamic society major minorities, as Christians and Jews were subject to legal and non- legal forms of discrimination. Bat-Yeor reveals that there is something in the historical attitude of Islam that makes it so difficult for it to recognize the real humanity of others, and give them an equal place in society. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
What won't this old lady swallow? This time around, a bat, an owl, a cat, a ghost, a goblin, some bones, and a wizard are all on the menu! This twist on the classic "little old lady" books will delight and entertain all young listeners and readers!

... Read more

Product Description
Biomimetics — creating machines or materials by copying nature — is responsible for everything from non-skid shoes (based on dogs’ padded paws) to the Eiffel Tower (based on the human thighbone). This book combines in-depth information on the use of robots today, showing how bats inspire designers to create robots and letting young enthusiasts build their own flying dinosaur, complete with light-up eyes and flapping wings. Included are 32 pages of scientific discoveries, with full-color illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Robotic Bat
Great product!I both it from gooddeals and they were great with everything, very good customer service!

another wonderful robotic toy
This is the second robotic toy and book my grandson finished. The book was perfect, great info and entertaining. Putting the robotic together is challenging without being overwhelming. the bat is especially exciting when finished. He is looking foward to adding to his robotic collection.

Fun and Informative!
I have this book and it comes with a toy! This book is packed with great information about bats and the technology. It will appeal to your little naturalist while at the same time delighting all those mini-engineers!

The information is rich and concise and this book will educate your child while they play! I like it!
... Read more

Product Description
Intended for ages 7-10, this is a Book and an Audio CD pack. From blood-sucking vampire bats to mango-eating fruit bats, this book tackles bat myths and teaches children about: the bat family tree; their bodies; bat communication; how they fly, sleep, eat, and reproduce; and, their role in nature for pest control and plant pollination. The CD is a narration of the printed book with entertaining sound effects to guide the reader. The approximate running time is 30 minutes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

My son is batty about this book/CD
My 7 year old son listened to WHAT IS A BAT? on the included CD and was thrilled with it. The book and CD are better than I was expecting. The book is filled with high quality pictures/photos and it seems just the right amount of words on the page not to be overwhelming. I was impressed at the amount of information in the book. The table of contents includes:

What is a bat?
Bat family tree
A bat's body
Echo-echo-echolocation
Sight and smell
On the wing
Hanging out
Roosting habits
Bat food
Vampire bats
Hey baby!
Growing up
Bats in nature
Bat chat
Words to know
Index

The CD takes just the right pace. Along with page-turning prompts, the child is also guided where to look on the page--whether at a particular picture or a certain colored text box--to synchronize with the narration. To reinforce the main points every once in a while a there is a "quick quiz." There is a pause between the question and the answer for the quick quizes so if a child needs a little more time to answer the question the CD player is easily paused.

According to the back of the book, there many other titles in "The Science of Living Things" series and I will definitely have to check them out. ... Read more

Product Description
In 1996, on her 15th birthday, Bat-Chen Shahak was killed by a suicide bomber in Tel Aviv's Dizengoff Center. But the gifted teenager left behind a rich legacy of diaries, letters, poems and drawings. Following her death, her parents gathered her writings and created The Bat-Chen Diaries ; this is the first English translation of her work. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The Bat-Chen Diaries
"Every day another person's life ends.
But He passes me by.
I hope that He won't also take me.
It's unknown. It's unforeseen."

This is the first stanza of one of the more moving poems left to us by Bat-Chen Shahak in a new English language compilation entitled The Bat-Chen Diaries. This book is a diverse compilation of diary entries and letters written by Bat-Chen Shahak who was killed by a suicide bomber on her 15th birthday on Purim 1996. Taken in this context this poem in particular is quite moving and can be quite powerful to those of any age who read it. The entries and poetry span from her third grade school assignments through the day she was killed. Together they help piece together her life, that of an average teenager in Israel. Select entries may be useful to teachers of middle school and high school students to help them relate to an individual who tragically died so young. It is not a cohesive volume in that one would sit down and read it straight through. The level of the writing is appropriate to the age level at which it was written making it effective as a psychological thought provoker, but less so for its literary value.The translation was done with regard to the words and not the style as noted by the translator, hence much of the rhymes and rhythm are lost. This may have affected the literary quality of the work. With the proper background, support and insight, this book would be appropriate for youth ages 12-16. Reviewed by Drora Arussy

Stories for Children Magazine 5 Star Review
When I first saw the title of this book, I had no idea what I was getting into and how MUCH I would be moved by this author, who was all of 15 years old in 1996.The writer in me was absolutely astounded and in awe of the gift this young girl has with the written word. Her diaries cover every thought young people everywhere think, and she endeared herself to my heart forever by the time I finished the book and put it down amidst my tears. As a grandmother, I was deeply moved by the wisdom shown through these words that this young girl had for all of us reading her diaries.

I urge every parent out there to read this book with your kids, and be available for tons of questions.Bat-Chen was named after a beautiful flower that dots the hillsides of Israel.Like her namesake, Bat-Chen was also beautiful, inside and out.No thought on anything was left out of her diaries. She had a wisdom well beyond her 15 years at the time of these writings.

When Prime Minister Yizhak Rabin was assassinated in 1995, Bat-Chen was so moved by it that she wrote a poem (she was 14) and a condolence letter, then sent these to his widow, Leah. Leah wrote a moving afterward at the end of Bat-Chen's book. The reason? Bat-Chen and two of her best friends were killed in March, 1996, four months after Rabin's death, in a suicide bombing at a bus stop in which 13 people were killed.It was the holiday of Purim, and it also happened to be Bat-Chen's 15th birthday. Ironically, Bat-Chen firmly believed that peace could be possible one day in her part of the world. Oh, how I wish that were true, and that we didn't lost this promising young lady and all that she would have offered to us on this earth.

Her writings are full of the hope of a young girl for a peaceful future, and includes several cards to her Arab pen pal, a thank you note to her ear doctor, she wrote about a typical teen's anger towards her parents for something she wasn't allowed to do, and then love towards her siblings and parents, in this diary that ran the gamut of every emotion that is part of life.This young girl was so full of life, and so full of wisdom, it is uncanny.As a writer, I envy the simplicity and clarity of her words, and their strength, and their purpose. She also wrote about the terror she felt living in Israel, where there is never really peace for either side. Her one desire was for everyone to get along - that is one of the reasons she had an Arab pen pal - so that they could learn from each other not to hate.

We hear about the suicide bombings on the news all the time.In our part of the world, I think we get immune to them because they aren't happening here, and there are so many of them "over there". This young girl, through her diaries, letters, poems, and drawings, put a name and a face to this terrible tragedy our world endures, and she will never be forgotten, at least by me, for the rest of my life. As a writer, I cannot even begin to describe the incredible talent of Bat-Chen Shahak, and how much her eloquent words have moved me forever - I'll never be the same.

I thank Bat-Chen's family for opening their personal wounds, and letting the rest of us in to celebrate the short life of their incredible daughter.

This book is a lesson to all of us - to be thankful for what we have, and to work harder as individuals, to make world peace a reality.This is a must-read for all of us to wake up and become more proactive in our own personal lives to make our own lives count for whatever amount of time we are gifted with here on earth.

for all ages
an amazing book about an israeli girl who was killed in a terrorist attack. the book is great for any teacher who wants to teach and encourage writing and expression.it is great for youth groups and encounter groups dealing with cross-cultural differences and conflict.sensitive insights into life.wonderful gift for anyone over 9 years old. ... Read more

Product Description
Joey, the batboy for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, learns a hard lesson about respect for people of different races after Jackie Robinson joins the team. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

perpetuates racial grievances
The artwork in this book is very appealing.The seemingly simple illustrations convey expression and mood.Remarkable.

But...

Jackie Robinson was black.
Jackie Robinson was black.
Jackie Robinson was black...And don't you forget it!

That seems to be the message of this book.Was Jackie nothing more than a black man?Should that be my main takeaway from this book?Jackie was black, really?No other accomplishment gets nearly the emphasis in this book as his skin color.How aggravating -- do we have to just bludgeon that fact home again and again?What a waste of an illustrator's talent - this book could have been so much more.

Some non-standard English grammar ("I ain't never"..." "my dad and me...").Great illustrations.

Interesting Take on Racism and Jackie Robinson
This book doesn't sugarcoat what Jackie Robinson experienced as an African-American player in Baseball.It is an interesting story about a white bat boy who may have his own racist tendencies too.He can't help that he admires and likes Jackie Robinson, but doesn't shine Jackie's shoes like he does the white players and watches the white players mistreat Jackie often.It isn't unsuitable for children but the story does hit home what Jackie may have experienced.I read a book on Hank Aaron yesterday and this book is a good companion to yesterday's story.Great for Black History Month or Baseball season.

Home Run for Jackie's Bat
My six-year-old son loves sports, and he loved thisstory about one of his baseball heroes.Along the way, he learned some important lessons about tolerance, kindness, and respect, taught by Lorbiecki's well-drawn fictional bat boy.It's great to find a picture book that works as both a great sports story and an inspiring tale about fighting prejudice that even a six-year-old can understand.

Excellent Children's book
This is a first rate book that has a message without being preachy and remains a children's book; one with substance.I have three kids and I am constantly amazed at how much mediocre, hollow work is out there.This is a well written book, with an interesting message that still resonates today - I wish more children's books hit this book's level of quality.The artwork is first rate as well.

A Home-run read!
This lyrical book is a treasure!It will be added to libraries of import for years to come.It's a life lesson, important for teaching our children how we were, and more importantly, how we can become. Mrs. Jackie Robinson's letter included on the cover was a poignant touch; perhaps she assessed it best.I'll use this book many times, as an example of honed prose, morality, and plain old American history.Thank you Ms. Lorbiecki for sharing your gift with our children. ... Read more

Product Description
Batman is the protector of the people of Gotham City, aided by sidekick Robin...and Barbara Gordon, the police commissioner's daughter, better known as Batgirl! Now, in this fun and racy adventure taken on from early on in Barbara's career of crimefighting, Batgirl and Catwoman keep coming to blows over a notebook stolen from Commissioner Gordon! But when a mystery third party becomes involved, the sparring turns to fighting for their lives through the alleys and rooftops of Gotham City.., oh, and a nudist club. Feathers and fur will fly! Fabian Nicieza ("X-Men") and acclaimed, fan-favourite artist Kevin Maguire ("Justice League International") make madcap mayhem for "Batgirl". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Simple, comedic, but good.
Catwoman and Batgirl meet for the first time in this cheeky tale with great art from Kevin Maguire. When I first began reading comics, back in the early nineties, I started with Batman, mainly because of Tim Burton's 1989 film which made me want to go back to the source material and get a Batman fix on a regular basis.

After reading batman and Detective Comics for a while, I began to expand into reading Superman, Spider-man and a slew of other Marvel and DC characters and I realized something about Batman Comics; the artwork on the monthly books did not compare well to other comics on the shelf. At that time, Batman was drawn by Jim Aparo, whose work by then had grown stagnant and rigid under Mike DeCarlo's heavy inking, while Detective Comics was illustrated in the dynamic but not very detailed pencil strokes of Norm Breyfogle. My point of explaining all this is that I began to make a list in my head of artist I would like to see handle the Dark Knight, and one of the names at the top of the list was Kevin Maguire, the artist of the humourous version of the Justice League.

Almost 20 years later I have my wish, and this tale of Batgirl and Catwoman struggling over a certain incriminating diary stolen from Commissioner Gordon suits the artist's talents very well. His knack for drawing facial expressions (as well as the female form) are a perfect fit for this cheeky story, and while I do not appreciate cheesecake in my Batman stories, the simplicity and elegance of the artwork make up for the less than serious tone.

As for Fabien Nicieza's writing; I was a little concerned when I heard he was providing the script. I have found much of his writing to be confusing and breathlessly paced to a fault in some cases.But he does well here, letting the story breath and the action unfold over five issues, and to his credit, allowing the art to do most of the talking. I'd like to point out his strong use of the Joker, who's brief cameo presented a more sinister Joker than other writers manage in a 6 issue mini series.

I would point out one small continuity gaff here though, which is that Batman, Batgirl and way too many mobsters know Catwoman's secret identity, something Batman finds out years later after the Knightfall storyline.

This book reprints the forth story arc from the Batman:Confidential monthly series, and gives us another strong entry after the equally good "Batman: the Wrath", for much the same reasons. The artwork is strong, the writing is crisp, and the editors chose wisely to avoid Batman's early years, which have been overloaded with retro-fitted stories or retelling of encounters with Batman's classic villains. Setting this story in the Dick Grayson years as Robin is refreshing since very few modern Batman tales are told in this era. This arc is a good way to make amends for the disappointing Batman vs. Lex Luther tale, "Rules of Engagement", or the awful Batman Vs. Joker: Round 1 (version 3.0) story, "Lovers and madmen".
More like this please, and definitely more form Kevin Maguire.

So Batgirl and Catwoman fight naked in the middle of an orgy...
My title is basically all you need to know about this book.Comic book veterans Fabian Nicieza and Kevin Maguire turn in a fun (if slightly padded) chase between Batgirl and Catwoman that seems designed to include as much cheesecake as they can get away with.

The infamous orgy scene (parental complaints made the papers) comes about half-way through.Maguire manage to draw the whole scene without once showing any naughty bits but it shows how seriously they're taking this.For the rest of the story the two women's costumes become more and more ragged until they're showing almost as much skin as they were in the Gotham City Hedonist Society.

That being said the book is very well-written and very well drawn.Nicieza writes a young Barbara Gordon just starting on her career as Batgirl and still nervous about filling Batman's shoes.Catwoman is cocky and arrogant, determined to humble Batman's latest protege.The chase ends with Batgirl having to outfight or out-think most of Batman's foes in the depths of Arkham Asylum and shows why the character is so admirable.

Maguire draws some of the best faces in the business, able to convey subtle feelings much better than almost any artist in the business.It's almost a shame they decided to go the cheesecake route because it undercuts the good character work both creators do.

So this is a fun superhero story with lots of good looking women wearing not much clothing.If that's your thing check it out.

Enjoyable Story
This book comprises Batman Confidential 17 - 21.It is a story about Batgirl's (Barbara Gordon - just 3 weeks into the Batgirl gig) first meeting with Catwoman.Batman does make an appearance for a few pages, but for the most part, do not consider this a Batman tale.Strictly Batgirl.There's nothing deep or mind-blowing about the story.It is just a quick fun romp using mostly Batgirl's but sometimes Catwoman's perspective.

The story may be a little off if you care strongly about continuity.Barbara mentions her junior year in college and tried out for the police force which puts her age around 20-22.She speaks of Robin as if she is attracted to him.I would hope that means he is at least 17 or 18.But if I remember correctly, in Batgirl year one, Robin had to be driven around by Alfred which implies he is under 16.Minor nitpick.

I'm not a big fan of Kevin Maguire's work on Justice League International, but for the most part, the artwork was pretty good.He draws a better Batgirl than either Catwoman or Batman.And, I found at least two occasions where Catwoman's neck was way too long (more like Giraffewoman). So art quality is not a high point and the main reason I downgraded to 4 stars.

For parents interested in buying for their child, there is a multiple page section of the story where everyone in the story is naked (a hedonistic club)."Camera angles" are done so as not to show anything (as a matter of fact, most superheroes show more with their skintight outfits than you see in any part of the nude scenes).But the pages are there and the nudity is heavily implied.

Overall, very enjoyable.

Batgirl and Catwoman fans will LOVE this.
For starters, "Batman Confidential: The Bat and The Cat" trade paperback does not star Batman. Batgirl is clearly the star of this outing, and Catwoman is her delicious foil as the two femme fatales fight each other -- and a horde of super villains -- to retrieve a vitally important notebook. (Batman does turn up here and there, and his appearances are indeed memorable.)

The art here is quirky and fun -- not the sexpot versions of these character readers are mostly familiar with.The story is light and enjoyable, though there are a few more "adult" moments that I would not allow a child under 10 years to see.

Overall, this is a great read for teens and adults. And it's a steal at Amazon's price! Let's hope there are more Batgirl/Catwoman team-ups where this one came from. They are both extraordinary female characters, and they deserve this kind of stellar treatment.

Batgirl Confidential
This latest trade comprised from the monthly Batman Confidential series only briefly features the legendary Dark Knight himself, instead showcasing a supposed first encounter between a raw and impressionable Barbara Gordon/Batgirl and her more sinful and sophisticated counterpart Catwoman. It's certainly a case of acute contrasts, exemplified both by the dueling, but alas poorly lettered, internal monologues between our two feisty protagonists, and also between the tone and ill matched illustrations of the story itself. This tale undeniably and unabashedly falls into the cute category, yet is curiously rendered by some of the most uncute sketches to be found. Its' light and breezy character screams for an artist like Amanda Conner, who proudly professes that cute is her calling card, or perhaps the cartoonish and frenetic style of Scott McDaniel. Regarding whatever passes for the premise here, there isn't much to it, with the first two issues consumed entirely by one lengthy and continuous chase scene between Babs and Selina, a chase that is highlighted, or depending on your perspective lowlighted, by one cheesy and extremely gratuitous incident obliging Babs to disrobe, an occurrence naturally that would never take place in a Batman tale. At this point it doesn't take a genius to surmise that the plot is secondary, consequently resulting in an insignificant and indifferent outcome. Admittedly the story's primary goal was to regale us with an animated romp matching wits between two of the leading ladies of the DCU, and at that it succeeded, but why settle for simple fluff. Ultimately however, many will enjoy it for that very reason. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

GIFTED AND ASTONISHING BOOK!
Melvin Berger and his wife, Gilda Berger, have collaborated to create a truly wondrous work.If you and/or your children don't know very much about bats, you're in for a surprise.The book is chockfull of information that is truly amazing.

My only contact with bats lies in finding a newborn baby bat in my backyard one day.It was very frightened, but very sweet.It's face reminded me of the face of a baby rat that once was my pet.Only the tiny wings informed me that the pup was indeed a bat.I rushed it to the local animal preserve facility for medical care, and I have always hoped that the pup survived to adulthood.

If it did, it would now have enormous wings, as shown in the vivid photographs in this book.That is because a bat has extremely long fingers.Hands and arms are covered with a thin skin, and the bones and this skin form the bat's wings.

There are around 1,000 different types of bats.They are nocturnal and they hunt for food at night, mostly flying through the air catching insects.The Gray Bat can catch 3,000 insects a night.Some eat fruit or flowers, some even catch fish, and a few drink blood, mainly the blood of cattle.They do not harm them, the cattle do not even know the bat has visited during the night.

The last chapter is called "Bats in Danger," and they really do have a bad rap.They are very clean, and don't carry many diseases as is believed.Bats are in danger because man is destroying them.However, the fewer the bats, the more undesirable insects there are.The fewer the bats the fewer new plants there are, as they spread seeds and pollen around.The book itself is dedicated to Bat Conservation International that works to save the bats.

Mr. Berger is a member of the New York Academy of Science and his wife, Gilda, is a seasoned children's writer.They have created an admirable book here.

Now I wish they would write a book about lizards.I'm waiting for it!
... Read more

Product Description
Since antiquity, bats have been misunderstood and shrouded in mystery. Given misnomers such as fledermaus ("flying mouse") and murciegalo ("blind mouse"), these nocturnal flying mammals were even classified as primates by the great Carl Linnaeus, based on his knowledge of the anatomy of large Old World fruit bats. In this beautifully illustrated volume, bat specialist Rick A. Adams delves into bats' true nature and the roles these fascinating ledurblaka ("leather flutterers") play in the natural history and ecology of the Rocky Mountain West.

Bats of the Rocky Mountain West begins with a general discussion of bat biology and evolution as well as regional physiography and zoogeography. In addition, Adams describes—based on the results of extensive research—the behavior and ecology of the 31 species of bats found in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Naturalists and biologists alike will benefit from the detailed species descriptions, color photographs and illustrations, distribution maps, and echolocation sonograms. Bats of the Rocky Mountain West is a unique and valuable reference for professional bat biologists, naturalists, and wildlife enthusiasts interested in the conservation and ecology of bats in the region. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

excellent detail
Not only does this book contain information about the species of bats found in the states of the Rocky Mountains, it contains excellent information about bats in general. It is an excellent reference book. ... Read more

Product Description
Whenever the Dodgers play in Brooklyn, Luke goes up to his roof where he can see the lights of Ebbets Field and imagine each play in the game. Someday he wants to hit a homerun like his hero, Jackie Robinson. But the kids on Bedford Avenue won't let him play. "You're just a squirt," they tell him.

When he finally does get to play stickball with the others, he does so badly that he thinks they'll never let him play again. But then his grandma takes him to see Jackie in a real game, and Luke discovers that part of being a hero is never giving up, even when there are two strikes against you and the game seems out of reach.

Rachel Isadora offers up a touching salute to 1950s Brooklyn, baseball, and one of the most inspiring players ever to take the field. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Luke hits a homerun!
I thought this a homerun book. My family is baseball crazy and we have 4 children. When I bought this book and brought it home there was an explosion in my house.........even though we live in London, baseball is very exciting and we follow it continually. Thank you for such a splendid book and for letting us understand the times in the USA when Jackie Robinson lived. ... Read more

Product Description
One of the great true adventures of the Vietnam war...A heroic fight for survival in the jungle hell. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Bat 21 - Fictionalized Historical Event
Compared to other Viet Nam era fictional and non-fictional accounts I would put this one slightly above average.I really expected more based on the other reviews.If you enjoy accounts of of the Viet Nam war, especially aviation accounts, you should read it.

Very Engrossing!
I had seen the movie first, it was enjoyable, and typically the book is better.I was able to put a face to the main character, Gene Hackman, but it was a little difficult for Danny Glover's character since he is white in the book.Since I served in Viet Nam the book was of interest to me.I was not disappointed.I served on the ground not in the air but I found it interesting and enjoyable.Especially since I have golfed one of the courses mentioned (Tucson).I was glued to the book and had a hard time putting it down.Very Good Work!!!

A pilot evading the Viet Cong and NVA.
This is a nice little adventure story.It is about a pilot who was shot down over Northern South Vietnam during the NVA invasion of 1972.Gene Hambleton was a 53 year old navigator for an electronics aircraft.When he landed, he was smack dab in the middle of a huge concentration of NVA troops.One survelliance airplane and a rescue copter were shot down trying to retrieve him.During the course of his two week ordeal, he managed to evade capture even though he had little food and water.His story is an inspiration for those who had to deal with hardships.His rescue involved an imaginary golf course so that he could work through the enemy soldiers surrounding him.

This is a nice little read, even though at times the writing sounds a little corny.I read this in less than a day.Gene Hambleton was a hero.I remember the movie starring Gene Hackman, and wish I could view that again and how it relates to the book.

A wonderful bio of a great soldier
BAT 21 is the true story of Lt. Col. Iceal Hambleton.This story details his 2 week long struggle to avoid capture by the Vietcong.The reader gets to experience with Col. Hambleton the harrowing experience of being shot down in Vietnam and trying to avoid capture, and the thing that makes thebook even better is the fact that it's true. ... Read more

Product Description
Learn about the secret lives of these gentle mammals and how they benefit us. Researchers Kim Williams and Rob Mies dispel common myths, answer frequently asked questions, profile North America's six most regularly seen bat species, and provide information about bat conservation. (32-page, full-color booklet) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Pamphlet
This book should not be called a book. It is a pamphlet. Yes it has lots of information inside but it was not what I thought when I purchased it. I should have noticed the number of pages before I purchased it. The price is right for the product.

Understanding Bats
This book is full of information about bats including specifics for bats that reside over a great part of the lower 48 USA.It includes a FQA section that is very helpful.I definitely recomend this book. ... Read more