Thomas E. Ricks

Advantages: Well written and compelling, interesting stories
Disadvantages: -

...Thomas Ricks' 'Making the Corps' is one of the best books on today’s Marine Corps available. The book looks at the Corps from the perspective of following a cohort of recruits through boot camp on Parris Island. As the subtitle, one of the longest I have ever seen on a non-academic book (and longer, indeed, than many of those), boot camp is difficult, but is also reflective of America in general. 'Sixty-three men came to Parris Island to become Marines. Not all of them made it. This is the story of boot camp Platoon 3086, the Marine Corps, and America.' There is a lot in that statement, ‘not all of them made it’. Boot camp in most military services has an element of winnowing and removing those unable to work and cope in the military environment. Often this is a matter of mental strength and maturity more than it is a physical... Read review

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Advantages: A glimpe inside the world of Koontz.
Disadvantages: Poor reviews.

...Introduction ^^^^^^^^^^ Writing this review is like putting on a comfortable slipper after wearing stout shoes. Don’t get me wrong, I still love to increase my knowledge of books by reading more obscure authors and exploring new genres, but I still have a love of fantasy and horror and nobody does it better than Dean Koontz. I have read one review by Patriacat, who unfortunately has left Ciao, so literally pounced on this as soon as I found it in my local library. As much as I would love to buy books as soon as they come out, my benefits don’t allow such purchases. So, without further ado, let’s take a look inside the mind of Odd Thomas, one of Mr Koontz’s most unusual characters to date. The Plot. ^^^^^^^^^ Odd Thomas introduces the reader to himself by the means of writing a book on the unusual happenings in the small town of Pico... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: easy story to get into, loveable characters
Disadvantages: book is quite hard to find in stores

...This is the third book in Rick Riordan's series based on Greek mythology. first book (the lightening thief) - Percy Jackson is the son of the Poseidon (sea God) thus the reason why the dark side of Greek mythology want him dead e.g. Hades, The Fury, etc. A lad called Grover has been assigned the job of rescueing Percy from them and to take him back to camp half blood (place for all children who have been discovered to have a parent who is a god). The Titans curse plot - Percy is sent a distress call by his friend Grover so naturally he and his friends to go his rescue... in his mums car. Grover has found another 2 half bloods called Bianca and Nico de Angelo at a military school, they need to be rescued but the headteacher (Dr Thorn) isnt all he appears to be and soon percy and his friends find themselves battling the manticore... Read review

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