W Johnston

I really enjoyed this book. While it is not necessarily the enthralling Hero's journey that I thought it would be, this book should be on every high school and college student's reading list. It helps to put your "personal legend" or life's mission into perspective. While it isn't nearly a basis for theology, it touches on the many issues that people face as they embark on their life's journey. I especially liked the Alchemist's advice about not giving up on your life's mission for love. While admirable and definitely worth while, if one ends their life journey to pursue love, they will regret it and eventually resent the one they love. On the other hand if that significant other truly loves you, they will encourage you to pursue your personal legend and even wait for you if need be. To stand in the way of another person fulfilling their purpose does an injustice to that person, but is also self detrimental. Each person is on this earth for a purpose. It is up to each of us to be open enough to God's plan to find and pursue that purpose. Then we can truly live rich and fulfilling lives.

Most of the questions every Star Wars fan has been asking about Palpatine since the Star Wars prequels were released are answered in this amazingly well written book by James Luceno. When did Sidious kill his master, Plageueis? How and when did he meet Darth Maul? When did he befriend Dooku? Why did Sifo Dyas order the clone army? All answered in this novel. If you're a Star Wars fan, you'll love this book. While it's more about scheming and plotting than the popcorn style action of the original trilogy, it's paralleling of the historical machinations of those who rotted societies/ republics such as the Roman Empire from within is uncanny. I found it quite politically intriguing as well as one can see where political maneuvering and ruthlessness where the ends justify the means can literally hand a nation, or in this case, a galaxy over to tyrannical authority. I'm already planning on listening to this one again as it was too good to pass through only once.Also, if you haven't read or listened to 'Cloak of Deception' by James Luceno, you'll want to download (or READ the novel) next as it ties in and overlaps with this book. THEN, watch the Phantom Menace, Episode I and it will make a lot more sense then it ever did on it's own. ENJOY!

Palpatine/ Darth Sidious. After listening to this book, it's now understandable why Sidious was able to maneuver his way into the Chancelorship and why he could undermine and manipulate the Jedi.

Very well read & paced. Although he pronounced a few names differently than they did in the movies.

Absolutely! Unfortunately, I didn't have that opportunity. But I will definitely listen to it again

James Luceno is by far one of the BEST Star Wars expanded universe authors. His book Cloak of Deception is also excellent and ties in directly with this book and Episode I

This was definitely not one of my favorite books from the Star Wars Expanded Universe. It picks up where the Legacy of the Force series left off and Jacen Solo's betrayal to the Jedi Order will obviously have repercussions for the future of the Jedi and it's Grand Master Luke Skywalker. I won't give away any spoilers, but "Outcast" seems more like a setup book for a more elaborate plot in the series than a grand adventure itself. Unfortunately this book does not stand alone on its own accord. It will be interesting to see how this series plays out. I sure hope that the rest of the authors aren't as obsessed about Coffee, or 'caf' as its known in the Star Wars universe. I got tired of hearing about every character, either NOT having their morning caf or needing some caf, or going to get caf, or offering another character caf. It got old, REALLY QUICK, but unfortunately continued throughout the book. Overall, the book was average ~ not great, and not bad either, but the series has potential.

Grant's novel is like a chess game that can only be appreciated as it unfolds. David Trevellyan accidently discovers a homeless person's body in an alley in New York. Instead of passing it by, he stops to verify that the person is deceased and almost immediately the NYPD arrives and assume that he is the perpetrator. Trevellyan realizes shortly afterward that he has been setup and takes matters into his own hands to clear his name. David Trevellyan afterall, is not your average person. He has previously undergone extensive training in the Royal Navy including espionage. Each subsequent move has more significance as the plot thickens. Grant weaves a finely crafted thriller. This was a thoroughly entertaining book to listen to, although the ending seemed sadly a little abrupt. However, it of course leaves the door open for further adventures. The narration by John Lee was also superb and lended to the entertainment value of the book

Mark Levin is the 21st Century Thomas Payne and his book is our generation's equivalent of "Common Sense" ! "Libery and Tyranny" is One of the MOST insightful, profound, & inspirational books I've EVER listened to concerning the intent of the Founding Fathers for America, Conservatism, and Statism. This is a MUST read for ALL Conservatives, Moderates, and TRULY "open minded" Liberals, or AMERICANS in general. Globalists and people who have disdain for America past, present, and future need NOT enter. We need to take our government back to serving the people instead of their own self-interests. "Liberty & Tyranny is relatively short, concise and to the point read. This book is a starting point for understanding where we've been, how we got to the mess our country is in now, and in general, what we need to do to start reversing this trend and get back to a form of government that is "OF the people, BY the people, and FOR the people" of this GREAT nation. Ronald Reagan stated that "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were FREE." I agree with Levin that "We Conservatives NEED TO GET BUSY."