Reviews

All I needed were some temporary (in terms of not having to last more than 1-2 years) nightstands so I found these cheap ones. They came packaged very well, so no issues there. I didn't have any problems assembling them, although I can see how someone who isn't mechanically inclined may have some problems getting the side panels to fit into their slots. It's a pretty whimpy nightstand. It's very light but I'm not concerned about it falling apart any time soon. I'm a structural engineer and I think it would hold up fine for normal nightstand use (e.g., lamp, tissue box, clock radio, etc.). Although, I do doubt that the thin shelves would hold up well if you were to stack it full of books or other heavy items. Overall, I think it's a great deal considering how cheap it is. But here is why I'm giving it only 1 stars. The outgassing is HORRIBLE! I even left it unassembled in my garage for 2 weeks thinking it would not give off any more chemical fumes/odors, but when I assembled them and brought it upstairs, if you sleep within 2-3 feet of these things, it will give you a headache or keep you up because it's so strong of an odor. I can't imagine how unhealthy it must be. It's been at least 4 weeks now and these things are still outgassing. For the price, I can only imagine that they are made in China and if they are still outgassing this much after this much time, I'm now concerned about what type of toxic chemicals my wife and I are breathing in. So I simple threw them out. I thought about donating them to Goodwill but I personally think they are a health hazard. I've used oil-base paints and other high-volatile paints before, but they usually will outgass within a few days and be done with it. Not these. These are spewing toxic fumes into the air inside my house. In the trash they go...

I must say for the price this night stand is just perfect for my sons room that is 22 years old. I am still in the process of finishing the room and if I had the space I would order another one. Was very simple to put together. Fits perfect. Marcia

This is a nice looking nightstand. I use it for my printer/scanner/fax for my study. The assembly was easy but it lacked a few holes which I had drill myself. Not complaining considering the price.... ok, maybe a little.

Great end table. I shopped around and could not even come close on the price. Nice quality, easy to assemble.

Neither impressed or annoyed with the quality of this nightstand. Taller than most, sturdy enough for intended usage...super simple to put together. You get what you pay for, and for tight budgets- this is not a bad deal.

Reviews

We bought this end table to match a coffee table we bought at another store and we are very satisfied with the result. The service was quick, the price was great compare to other internet sites and the color is prefect ! It was not very hard to assemble and was in prefect condition. From my part, it is a very good buy ! Thank you !

I have been looking for a table to put in corner of room.. I didn't want a large table, just something to put a phone on and it looks great.....

The table was delivered with a defective part. I attempted to mail in a request for a replacement and it was denied. It has been a huge hassle and I would not suggest this product to anyone.

Great table for the money. It is exactly as advertised. Took a very short amount of time to put together. This is a very sturdy table.

These arrived even faster than anticipated, were easy to put together and look like they cost a pot-load of money. VERY pleased and would buy these and recommend these again. Great transaction!

Reviews

Very easy to put together. Not too big-perfect size. Color is very dark!

Super easy to assemble; solid and sturdy once assembled. It is small but makes it ideal for guest bedroom, small bedroom, etc. For self assembled, mail order furniture under $50- this is OUTSTANDING!

These were a great value. I got two, and they look really cute and were relatively easy to put together. My only complaint is that the top of one cracked a little bit right after I assembled it, but that could have been from the way I put it together.

I like the fact that the night stand is real wood and not press board. It was very easy to assemble. I was suprised that it is so small. It would work better in a childs bedroom. It is shorter than any of my other night stands in my house but it was purchased for a guest bedroom so I can live with it, since it was on sale for thirty six dollars and no shipping charges when it was purchased.

Didn't have any problems with parts, assembly or scratches that some of the others had. However, just as a few others noted, the walnut finish is VERY dark brown (not cherry or mahogany, just much darker than the picture on my monitor). Certainly dark enough to be a deal breaker for some.

Reviews

This being the only complete recording, if you really desperately want all the bits and pieces of music that don't usually make it onto the soundtracks, you'll probably want to buy it. Aside from that, there is really only one compelling reason to buy this recording, and that is Philip Quast. Though I hate to repeat something everyone else has already said, he really is an excellent Javert -- definitely the best I've heard so far. Most of the other singers are decent, but not outstanding -- I do think Kaho Shimada was something of a poor choice for Eponine, though. While she can sing, and I like her on the Japanese Red Cast album, her heavy accent detracts from her performance somewhat. It was a nice idea to have someone from one of the non-English-language performances on the album, but perhaps they could have found someone who spoke the language a little better. Furthermore (and more importantly), I greatly dislike Gary Morris's Valjean, which ruins quite a bit of this recording for me. His performance just feels cheesy, and it looks even worse next to Quast's Javert. Some people do like him, so your mileage may vary here, but I really think he's the worst thing about the album (and as Valjean is more or less the protagonist and has a part in quite a few songs in both acts, it's worse than if the weak link were, say, Fantine). So, to sum up, this recording has one outstandingly good performance, one outstandingly bad one, and quite a few decent but largely forgettable ones. I don't particularly regret buying it, but I can't recommend it with any enthusiasm. Honestly, my best advice is to get Javert's tracks off of iTunes and leave the rest.

Firstly, I'd like to know why everyone thinks the Tenth Anniversary concert is so great. The quality is terrible, the cuts are annoying, the singers are drowned out, "One Day More!" is the worst version ever because it echoes and has absolutely no clarity, and the old preformers didn't come close to their previous preformances. Granted, the new people were good, just not my favorites. If it were a "Dream Cast," it would have Patti LuPone and Anthony Warlow. The only songs I listen to from it are "On Parole" and the encores. It was fine as concert, but not as a recording. But I digress. The Complete Symphonic Recording is a must-have, and if you can only have one recording, get this one. The orchestrations were one of very few things I liked about the Tenth Anniversary, and while the orchestrations aren't quite that quality, they're good nonetheless. Now, on to the preformers- Gary Morris- while he may not be the "best" Valjean, he places above Colm Wilkinson for his heart-breaking "Valjean's Confession" and "The Bargain." If you can't imagine an American Valjean, you need to know that Wilkinson is Irish and Valjean is French. Actually, Morris kind of sounds like a young Colm Wilkinson without the wierd stops. Philip Quast- astounding. No one can top him. He doesn't do the wierd diction that he did at the Tenth Anniversary. He also gets more material this time! Michael Ball- not much to say, but no complaints. Tracy Shayne- clear voice and sounds half Judy Kuhn's age. A little shrill, but so was Sarah Brightman in Phantom, and that's the way the part was written, anyway. Her voice goes so well with Michael's. Kaho Shimada- she sound like Frances Ruffelle and Lea Salonga mixed together. She has the best version of "On My Own" because of extended notes. And she gets more material. Barry James & Gay Soper- James sounds like Alun Armstrong and Leo Burmester toether, and combines the best parts of their preformances. His only fault is "beyond ru-bleah-ies" in "The Waltz of Treachery." Gay Soper sounds shrill, but I've heard her in other works and she didn't sound the same, so blame the direction. If you just bear with it, she sounds better. Anthony Warlow- he murders enery other Enjolras. He's fantastic at everything he does. Debbie Bryne- my second favorite Fantine, the first being LuPone. Henshall was good, but she had some nasty notes in "I Dreamed a Dream." Debbie has some almost-called-it moments, like in "Come to Me," where she starts to belt the last note, but softens out. In a word, she's easy on the ears. The company is great as well, and most numbers are more emotional than other recordings. The main benefit of this recording is that it's the complete show on CD, and the only one that includes the full Wedding Chorale and "Valjean's Confession," along with "The Robbery" and a ton of other sequences. I whole-heartedly recommend this CD to any Les Miz fan. My review may be a bit biased because this was the first recording I got, but somehow, I get the feeling that it's truer than the reviews bashing it.

Right now, there are four official English-language versions of Les Miserables: the Original London Cast Recording, the Original Broadway Cast Recording, the Complete Symphonic Recording, and the 10th Anniversary Concert Recording. Les Mis' addicts are best served by purchasing all recordings, as they showcase different stages (as in the OLC and the OBC) of the development of this mega-musical, as well as the interesting variations in presentation and performances by the different casts and orchestras. If you're the average musical-theater listener who can't afford to buy all available English-language recordings, however, my advice would be to get the CSR (due to the fact that it's "complete") and the TAC recording (due to the fact that performer- and performance-wise, it's leaps and bounds better than all of the other recordings). You deserve no less.

I can't believe all the negative comments about Gary Morris. He is so much better in the role than Colm Wilkinson. I've seen Gary perform the part three times and there is NO better Jean ValJean (seen the play 14 times). It's an international cast and some of the accents do take time getting used to. But the power of the music supercedes it all. Listen with your heart people. It's so incredible.

"Les Miserables" is a marvelous musical; a stunningly faithful interpretation of Victor Hugo's masterpiece, with an inspiring storyline and unforgettable characters. There are 2 reasons for buying a Les Mis CD - (1) you've seen a performance and want ONE CD to remind you of it or (2) you've become a les Mis junkie (like me) and want multiple versions so you too can hold forth on the rival merits of Andy Warlow vs Michael Maguire, Patty LuPone vs Ruthie Henshaw, Frances Ruffelle vs Kaho Shimada vs Lea Solonga. If you are in the first category, you really want the Tenth Anniversary Concert. The TAC has the complete storyline (albeit slightly abridged), it was recorded live (so there's an unique intensity and chemistry between performers), and from top to bottom it has by far the best cast. However, if you're a serious Les Mis fan, you should buy this CD (in addition), simply because it does have the complete score. (The trouble with THAT is that it includes practically the only misstep in the whole script - if Jean Valjean has his number branded on his chest, then how is it credible that someone else will be convicted in his place?) I bought it for that reason and to hear other interpretations of the roles (in particular Andy Warlow's). I have all 4 versions, and they have all have their pluses and minuses, but frankly, I'm glad I didn't pay full price for this one. This version has a rather weak cast in general, but that does add to the fun arguing about it. On the plus side, it has Philip Quast ( THE BEST Javert, but he's even better on the TAC), Michael Ball (THE BEST Marius, also on the OLC and TAC versions), and Andy Warlow (a stirring Enjorlas for sure, but not THAT much better than Michael Maguire on the OBC and TAC). The scenes at the barricade are the best part of the CD. Kaho Shimada is an uneven Eponine, OK sometimes, less so at others. Debbie Byrne (Fantine) is OK, but I don't find her as moving as Patty LuPone (OLC) or Ruthie Henshaw (TAC). Tracy Shayne (Cosette) is irratating, not nearly as sweet as Judy Kuhn (OLB and TAC) or even Rebecca Caine (OLC). I find Barry James and especially Gay Soper (M. and Mme. Thenardier) grating as well. I really miss Colm Wilkinson (OLC, OBC and TAC). OK, he has a unique singing style, but such heart. Not always perfect, but so powerful and emotional. All his solos and "Confrontation" just stop me dead in my tracks. The sweetness and purity of his "Bring Him Home" and "Epilogue" move me to tears. But really, there must be someone else who can do at least an adequate job or the show wouldn't have run so long in so many venues. I am willing to listen to another interpretation, but not this one. This is the central role in the play, it really can't survive without a good performance here. Gary Morris is horrible as Jean Valjean, cringe-provoking at times, merely weak at others. He's totally overmatched by Quast in "Confrontation" and by everyone in "One Day More" and "Epilogue". I haven't tried the recommendation of one reviewer of listening while squinting and shaking my head hard, but I don't see how that will help. Morris's "What have I done?", "Bring Him Home" and "Valjean's Confession" make me cover my ears or send me running for the fast forward button, although "Who am I?" isn't so bad. (I just tried the head shaking trick, it didn't help.)

Reviews

I've been listening repeatedly to this regal collection of Imperial Fanfares for two days now. I have to say that I have a strong taste for pomp and regal imperial musical scores, and I love it. Admittedly the recording studio sound quality leaves something to be desired. But the content! Magnifique! Tasteful and wonderful! Four star rating. Ken Cybulska

Even though this was recorded just a couple of years ago the sound quality is not that good. It sounds like it was recorded in the 70s and outside with the microphones far away. There is nothing too deep here and all the fanfares are fairly short, just lasting a few seconds it seems. I got tired of this pretty quickly and it doesn't stand up to repeated listenings and to be honest a lot of the stuff on here sounds the same. The performances are ok, but nothing special, they sound kind of flat, and they don't really do anything to make this sound exciting like it should. Maybe if the performance and sound was better I would of enjoyed this more.

This is what you'd have to call a specialty CD. It consists entirely of fanfares--nothing but fanfares--some of them as short as 10 seconds long. An interesting idea for a CD, perhaps, but I would guess it is primarily for directors of costume dramas, period pieces, and ceremonies of various sorts.There are 76 fanfares on the disc covering composers ranging from Monteverdi to a trio of modern composers, all of the latter associated with the CD itself. They are played by an outfit called 'The Art of the Trumpet,' a coalescence of 24 Austrian trumpeters and a couple of timpanists (and on occasion a single trombone). Some of the fanfares use the whole group, there are others for solo trumpet, and for all combinations in between. They are led by a trumpeter from Vienna named Leonhard Leeb who is not only one of the trumpeters but also one of the composers--the other two modern composers are Leon Bolten and Joel Modart (I almost typed 'Mozart' but no!...). Other composers include Salieri, Lully, Biber, J.H. Schmelzer, Pezel (often spelled Petzel here in America), Philidor (yes, the chess master of that name), Marc-Antoine Charpentier, and the multi-talented A. Nony Mous. The performances are appropriately stirring, ceremonial, attention-grabbing, even mournful (one, Bolten's 'Wrapped in Mystery,' was dedicated to the victims of the World Trade Center tragedy of September 11, 2001). I would strongly suggest you not listen to the whole CD at one sitting--actually, it's hard to imagine anyone would--because too much B flat can fry your brain unless you yourself are a brass player or bagpiper. For what it is, though, this CD is excellent.Review by Scott Morrison

Reviews

I only wish there were more songs from Les Mis. I've seen 6 different Les Mis casts, and Stig Rossen (London cast, June 1997) was the best Jean Valjean I've seen by far. I bought this CD solely based on the fact that I was blown away by his voice when I saw him in Les Mis. You'll love the other songs on this CD just because his voice is so good. P.S. Don't know why the Amazon description says "by Kalle Magnusson", don't be confused...Stig Rossen sings all of the songs.

This is a superior CD. Mr. Rossen is a gifted singer and delivers each song with perfect expression. This CD is a gem!

This CD is a Gem ...it is a must for everyone who loves beautiful music.The renditions come to life again.."Love Changes Everything" , Beautiful..."This is the moment"....Powerful. This young man has the perfect range and "coloratura" in his voice, his diction is incredible, his own "persona" is in each and every song..."Why God" from miss saigon makes you re-live the drama in this song through Stig,s voice...."all i ask from you" Magical!!!.......to summarize if you are a Michael Ball fan (i am!!) this is as a wonderful venture as all his recordings...Get it ..you wont regret it!!..Stig has a space in my kingdom of outstanding performers..cant wait for his next recording!!!

I took a chance when I bought this CD, and am so glad I did. His voice is so beautiful; so smooth, expressive, powerful, with a tremendous range. The songs were obviously carefully chosen, and he interprets each one so well that they sound brand new. This really is a beautiful album, if you're a fan of Michael Crawford or Michael Ball, add Stig to your list. Every song on this album is terrific, but his rendition of Gesthemene is really outstanding, better than most others I've heard.

This CD has Broadway songs sung by a great singer. I especially like his rendition of STARS from LES MISERABLES. This song is not on many CD's besides the cast albums of Les Miserables. He is a very good singer. While you may like the original versions better, you won't be sorry if you buy this CD.

Reviews

Sometimes when you buy a tool, you expect to have to work with it a bit to fit the application that you have in mind. Out of the box this looks like a pretty good tool but that is very deceiving. Trying to set the 90 degree and keep it there is a real challenge but the 45 degree? Forget about it. Do yourself a favor and spend the extra money for a Delta, you won't be sorry. I have kit bashed mine to the point of no return so I am stuck with it. I thought for a while that I had bought a "Grizzly" tool, and maybe these folks have Grizzly make the miter gauge for them I don't know. I wish I could have given this a half of a star but that isn't in the selection.

Item was shipped promptly and seems to be pretty much as described. It came completely disassembled without any sort of assembly instructions. I guess if you're a "handyman", you should be able to figure out the assembly and I did, but specific instructions on setting up the "positive" stops for 90 and 45 degree cuts would have been nice. The locking knob is a little hard to grasp since the handle partially blocks access to it, but all in all for the price I think this miter gauge is a decent bargain.

MLCS 9456 Clamping Miter Gauge I purchased this item on the 15th of April, 2009 and it was on my doorstep the morning of April 20, 2009. As usual Amazon did a great job of getting this out. I found the miter gauge to be well made and functions as it should, however it comes broken down into it's component parts in three packages. You will have to put the thing together. Some parts were loose in the package that either had shaken off during shipment or were deliberately shipped in the manner they were. THERE ARE NO ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS!!!! I am glad that I had one of these miter gauges on a Shopsmith that I used to have as it took some figuring out to put the thing together! For you who are a little less mechanically inclined, beware! It is a fine piece to add to my router table but a little puzzle to figure out to assemble. I rate this item four stars just because of no assembly instructions! V. Carr

Reviews

Arrived as promised and are exactly what we ordered. They look and work great. Thank you!

The lamps are lovely and look great in my bedroom. The only problem I had with them is that the screw attaching the lamp shade on one of the two lamps was practically fused so it was incredibly difficult to assemble the lamp. It took me about half an hour and a good pair of pliers to get it off.

I love this lamp, Purchased two and then ordered two more. They look great in our sun room.

These lamps looked good on a webb page but are kind of cheap-o looking up close. Once setup they are OK but if paid close attention to they look like shaped pipe than a bronze lamp. Unpacking is a real chore as some 3rd world person really went ape with the tape. The wire has to be pulled through and it's really tough to do without tearing or making bare places in the insulation.

I bought because it was a bronze finish but it is brown. Not a shade of brown or in certain light, It is brown. If this matches your decor the overall function and look is fine.

Reviews

With iPod auxiliary, premium speaker, and above average AM/FM reception, the Songbook is an attractive radio. I've had mine for 3 years. It locks on stations well. The speaker is not overwhelming in volume or bass but produces a warm sound. The speaker is not as rich as Tivoli's brother, the Model One, but the Songbook, perhaps because of its telescopic antenna, gets far better FM reception. One of the advantages of the silver color is that it is aluminum, not rubber like the other colors and the rubber radios hold dirt, which is not easy to clean. If the Songbook is too pricey for you, you can get similar speaker sound and superior AM/FM reception from the similarly sized Sangean PR-D7 (3-inch mono speaker) or the Sangean PR-D5 (2.5-inch dual stereo speakers).

Reviews

My daughter loves this toy. Contrary to other reviews, the legs came off VERY easily for us. In fact, we alternate legs on/legs off several times a day. My daughter likes to "practice" standing using this toy but also sits on the floor and plays with just the table top. So far, no problems. I'd highly recommend this product!

I purchased this toy at a garage sale for ten dollars and I still would have paid full price for it! My daughter was 9 months when she started playing with it. She is twelve months now and still loves banging the buttons and dancing to the music! This is one of the few toys that still remain to keep her attention and she is pretty rough with it!

This is a great toy, my 8 month old daughter loves to pull up on it and plays with it for long periods of time. Previous reviews stated that the legs did not remove, maybe they've made improvements because ours easily come off which was great for her to get used to the toy at first and also nice to take apart for travel. There are lots of songs and sounds so it does not annoy us as other toys do. The only negative is now that she is getting stronger and more confident, she can push it around the living room, we may need to add something to the bottom of the feet so it does not slide as easily. The green flap that opens easily comes off which is not a big deal to us, it goes on in a snap and she really likes to carry that object around with her. Overall this is a great toy for our little girl.

This product is exactly what it seems, no more, no less. We got this for our little guy when he was about 6 months. He has played with it extensively. It was his favorite way to pull up to standing when he was learning to stand and walk. He is almost two now and he still plays with it occasionally. It is nice to see a toy that really is exactly what it seems!

I bring this toy to all baby showers with a note to the baby to remind his/her mom how you will love this toy before you can sit at the table or stand next to it. Just don't put on the legs. A 4-5 month old will enjoy the features. There truly is something to enjoy through many stages of development. As many have said, even older children enjoy it!

Reviews

Bought the set for my nephew and I would've paid more and not complained. Probably one of the better toys I've bought on here. Lots of cools stuff and the pieces were well constructed. Fun toys for an outdoors kid that should stand up to playing outdoors.

My son has really enjoyed this play camp set. It is great for pretend camping. I will buy from this company again.

Bought this set for my grandson (3) to play with, in conjunction with a tent. He LOVES it. After a "real" camping trip last fall he fell in love with camping so this was a perfect gift for him. Lots of room to use your imagination and the toys are sturdy enough to hold up to rough play.

I took my 3 year old camping for the first time this summer so I thought this would be an excellent gift for the holidays. I was right on! He absolutely loved this set. The compass watch fit his little wrist perfect and he didnt want it off... he remembered every aspect of our camping trip and replayed it all with this great set. If you've taken your little one camping or will soon.... I say this set is a must!!!! perfect for their age!

Ordered this for our almost four year-old son for Christmas. He has enjoyed going camping, having picnics and making us food with his Pretend and Play Camp Set. We love toys that encourage him to use his imagination and this one fits the bill. And it does more than I actually thought: I should have noticed from the picture that the utensils swivel apart to make two sets (fork/can opener and knife/spoon) which is good for sharing, the silver base of the canteen comes off to make another dish or container, and the "flames" on the camp stove raise and lower manually. The lantern and camp stove both light up which makes it more realistic without taking away from the pretend aspect. Just wish the set came with a little pack to keep it all together--but we are using an old basket which works just fine. Other than that it's a great little set for the price and so far seems durable.

Reviews

I got this and two other games for the kids (age 6 and 3) for Christmas and they were so excited! Their dad opened the boxes and they started playing each of them. This one all three of them truly enjoyed. There was a lot of very happy yet loud noises at each turn.

This game is inexpensive and looks cute, but it is a ROYAL PAIN to play b/c it takes forever to stick each of the sticks into the holes -- it gets more difficult the more are in there, and no child will have the patience to set it up all for the few minutes of "play" to get the bees.

This game looked fun, however we have played it on two seperate occasions since xmas 09! It takes to long to set up and doesnt keep our childrens attention!

This was a Christmas Gift I don't know anything about the item except what I saw when I ordered it. It looked like it might be a fun game. I haven't talked to the little girl that I gave it to either. When I talk to her maybe she will let me know something.

My family loves board games and this game is one of our favorites. I almost didn't buy it after I read the reviews, but took the risk anyway, and boy am I glad I did. My 1, 3, and 6 year olds love to play this game. It doesn't take long to set up - only a few minutes to place the leaves in place (and no, they don't have to go on in a specific order). My 3 and 6 year old made a game out of setting the game up, and we used the opportunity to talk about geometry (angles, degrees, triangles, the best leaf placement to get the maximum support). My 1 year old can pull a leaf out and then claps when the bees fall out (just make sure your little one doesn't try to eat any bees!). We came up with different variations of game rules which allows creative game play. Overall, a great purchase.

Reviews

This a very interesting book. The fifteenth century is a little past the time I usually read about (12th and 13th century, Henry I to Richard II), but a friend of mine recommended it as it had just won the Romantic Times Magazine Award for the Best Historical Biography. It did not sound like a guy book, but I took her recommendation and read it. I liked it very much. It would be very interesting to see what Ms. Worth could do with a biography of Adeliz of Leuven. I was very impressed. The book has opened my interest in period following Richard II to Henry VIII. I can recommend the book without reservation.

This is specifically the story of Richard growing from a young boy to a knight, and a sensitive young man in love with Anne Neville, Warwick's daughter. Richard Neville, aka Warwick the Kingmaker, helped Edward reach his throne, yet the new King did not honor many of the wishes of Warwick and treated him disrespectfully. This novel gives you a sense of the instability, the emotional tension between fighting for inner beliefs and family pride vs. loyalty to the royal crown. This story defines the true meaning to the phrase "Love and War". The action picks up when Richard's brother, Edward IV, secretly marries Elizabeth Woodville, who was a widow from the gentry class with two boys of her own. This marriage angered Warwick and the nobles greatly. The Woodvilles were a huge family whom upon this marriage had received many honors, titles and arranged marriages for the clan, which made them even more hated by Edward's Yorkists. Some even believed Elizabeth and her mother Jacquetta were witches for the way that Edward readily responded to their requests. It is interesting to note that the first child of Edward and Elizabeth is none other than Elizabeth of York, who was married to the Lancastrian Henry VII, and from this marriage produced our beloved Henry VIII. When Warwick and his family of Neville's decide to rebel, Richard's chances with Anne Neville decrease. Richard is loyal to his brother the King, although makes him choose against Warwick, who was a pseudo-father to him. The book deals with the anger and resentment between the multiple clashing families and although informative it is not complete drivel. As noted, it tends to get heavy with the the names and the titles and loses some of the flow halfway through but the story is compelling enough to make you concentrate as you go on. I feel the book climaxed with the Battle of Barnet in 1471 which was so compelling it twisted my heart. I found the writing to be eloquent, and I found the imagery of Richard's surroundings to be well described without feeling too poetic or contrived. It really had a great flow from one chapter to the next, each beginning with its own little ominous and overshadowing quote. I very much liked this depiction of Richard III, and look forward to the rest of the series as well.

Sandra Worth's book "The Rose of York: Love and War" is a tale of faith driven by loyalty. The story is about Richard III along with his best friend and confident Anne. The reader experiences their growth from childhood to adulthood, and grows along with them, in their understanding of life before democracy and their appreciation for Richard's faith in fairness for all. This story is similar to a timeline of Richard's and Anne's interactions. For their lives cross over into each other's constantly and with each separation their love for each other grows. Within this timeline the reader gets to know Richard's brothers, their wives, their associates and their enemies, each showing their true colors, through out many hardship's and celebrations. I was fascinated with this book and the wealth of information I learned astounds me. This book reads as a love story, yet I feel as though I have just finished a History class. Sandra has an amazing talent of weaving historical facts with fiction, resulting into a book I did not want to put down. I would recommend this book, to anyone who would like to learn more about Richard III and what his life was like before he became King. The insanity that was dealt with during this timeframe resulted in unequal terms for all, battles, jealousy, love and loyalty. A great read!

As someone who appreciates truth wherever it may be found, Sandra Worth's, The Rose of York: Love & War is a gift tied up with a ribbon. The historical Richard III, made up largely from villainous Tudor propaganda, easily falls apart if the intention is to find the real Richard. How did this loyal, loving husband, brother, father and king go down in history as a hunchbacked murderer? From the author's note: "What is not widely known is that Richard III gave us a body of laws that forms the foundation of modern Western society. His legacy includes bail, the presumption of innocence, the protections in the jury system against bribery and tainted verdicts, and Blind Justice---the concept that all men should be seen as equal in the eyes of the law. He was the first king to proclaim his laws in English, so the poor could know their rights, and the first to raise a Jew to England's knighthood. Such ideas were revolutionary in the fifteenth century. They alienated many in the nobility and the Church and played no small part in Richard's ultimate fate." Ms. Worth writes with grace and skill, engaging her readers on every page, and it's clear she's done her homework. The love between Richard and Anne, tenderly portrayed against a backdrop no one would wish to live through, won't be forgotten. The Rose of York: Love & War satisfies on every level. I highly recommend it along with the two other volumes that complete the trilogy.

Overly romantic depiction of Richard III, bordering on absurdity. The simplistic and unimaginative prose made it very difficult to finish this book. I felt I was reading a low-level YA novel. Both Anne and Richard suffer from one-note characterizations - they're both totally in love with each other and are sainted sufferers thwarted at every turn by politics, fate, destiny, younameit. They aren't people from history, or even comnpelling romance, but idealized archetypes of noble, slandered hero and patient, devoted sweetheart. This book is "romance" in the French ballad tradition. The author also has an unbelievably hacktacular moment at the end of the book by slightly tweaking the Sullivan Ballou letter (from Ken Burns' The Civil War documentary) and having it written by one of the characters. The author owned up to it on her website, but that it happened at all is baffling. My English professor would have slapped me silly. When I reached that part of the book, the "Ashokan Farewell" started up on my internal iPod and the mood, what there was of it, was ruined. I realize my opinion is in the minority regarding this book. If you prefer to have a more nuanced portrayal of Richard III, either read Penman's Sunne in Splendour (a still very positive Richard, yet much better-written overall in nearly every area) or Under the Hog by Patrick Carleton (Richard is guilty of his nephews' murder, but is not depicted as evil - the book is worth the search). However, if you prefer your Richard III to be a maligned woobie in shining armor, then this book fits the bill.

Reviews

I'm no reviewer, but I liked this book,and series and the approach Ms. Worth took. Her view is logical and a fresh look at the evidence of Richard the III's Kingship. She paints him in a very human light with strengths and weaknesses and does not apologize for either. His motivations and his motto mesh well. The historical accuracy is wonderful and gave the reader a view of the whole era at that time. In addition to the political, his relationship with his wife Anne was a bonus to the story. It is so amazing to me that she befriended Elizabeth of York to the extent that she did. This is nicely written and informative. This is my review for all three books in the series.

...these books in the Rose of York series are very good. The life and struggles of Richard, Duke of York and eventually King Richard III, comes to life and you realize that this is not the monster that has for so long been depicted as such. Richard, a man who believes in justice and loyalty, takes the throne of England unwillingly, hoping to bring England out of Civil War and finally restore peace. I strongly believe that he had no hand in the murder of the young princes. The author brings this story to life, and even though it is fiction, I believe she has revealed some truth about the short reigning king, and my opinion has changed because of it. Pick up this series and enjoy.

"Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York." Richard III, I.1.1-2 For all the disservice done to Richard III by Shakespeare, his opening lines of Richard III could do no more to accurately divine the shift in thought that Sandra Worth's trilogy seeks to influence about the last Plantagenet king of England. In "The Rose of York" trilogy (Love and War, Crown of Destiny and Fall from Grace), Worth joins the likes of Shakespeare, Sir Thomas More, Horace Walpole, Alison Weir, and Beth Marie Kosir in her contribution to the commentary about the most reviled king of the English monarchy. Unlike most of her colleagues from the Early Modern period, however, Worth is not writing to appease a crown; she has no sedition laws poised to censor her text; she isn't a mouthpiece of Tudor propaganda. Instead, Worth's historical fiction sets out to correct centuries of rumor, political attacks, and exaggerations that have molded the image of Richard III into a villainous, "bunch-backed toad." In The Rose of York: Fall from Grace, Richard III is deeply in love with a woman, with the law, and with his quest to embody the ideals of King Arthur. Rather than displaying the Machiavellian suspicion that Shakespeare's villain thrives on, Worth's Richard III is too trusting and makes decisions based on the hope that the inherent good in his courtiers will outweigh their greed and opportunism. Unfortunately, the malicious scheming and plotting of individuals like Buckingham and Lady Beaufort consistently undermine the progress and general good that Richard III's new laws promote. Far from the traditional depiction of Richard III as a murderous opportunist, Worth's characterization of Richard highlights the villainy and cut throat tactics of those who would become the central core of the Tudor court. In Rose of York: Fall from Grace, Richard is a handsome, athletic man who risks his own health to comfort his dying queen. He is a man touched by beauty and tragedy. He is a man who did not covet the title of King, but bore it with a raised awareness of responsibility and desire to change the world. Many historical fictions fall off the razor's edge and either inundate the reader with facts and dates, or dismiss historical accuracy altogether. Worth's Fall from Grace treads that ground carefully by giving Richard a voice that is idealistic and genuine--if not a little naive. Captivating description and real, recognizable dialogue act as a vehicle for not only historical accuracy, but a heartbreaking romance. Though readers will undoubtedly know the outcome of the story before they open the cover, Worth's skill as a storyteller heightens audience investment in the personal lives of these historical figures and makes their tragic ends more than just an historical laundry list of dates and names. The complex relationships of the medieval court of England become easily navigable through Worth's vibrant characterizations. Attempting to overturn history is no small task. The complexities of court interactions and allegiances have always been convoluted, and the interpretations of those interactions have most often been told by those who had the most power. Thanks to Shakespeare, Richard III's legacy has been one of deformity, conniving, regicide, cruelty, megalomania, usurpation, and murder. When such a negative portrait has been painted (indeed, even physical portraits were altered to reflect propaganda spread by the Tudors to alter the legacy of Richard) and maintained for generations, persuading an audience to consider facts more closely can be a monumental undertaking. Luckily, Worth's intensive research brings together historical documentation and private correspondences to piece together the facts about Richard III's rise to power and his short reign. Most of these facts have been available to the public, but to get an audience with a set view to revisit those same facts for reconsideration is a decisive task. Not surprisingly, Worth tackles the public opinion and wrestles it into experiencing familiar facts from a new, creative point of view. Through the parsing together of timelines, records, and documents that have survived over 500 years of threat and suppression, Worth manages to paint a picture of Richard III that stands in direct conflict with what most people are familiar. The text is far from a didactic gloss of historical dates, names and locations, but it manages to recreate the life of Richard III with such vivacity and personality that it will forever change the mental image of one of history's most hated monarchs.

I am a World History teacher, and my main interest has always been European history with an emphasis on the Anglos. This book is excellent, as are the other two in the series. I read everything I can find about Richard III because I have long believed he was a wrongly maligned monarch - even before so many authors began to publish the truth. This series ranks with Sharon Kay Penman's efforts. The more accurate histories I read, the more comfortable I am with Richard III as a true hero of history!

Written by political science and economics expert Sandra Worth, who lectures regularly on the subject of the War of the Roses, The Rose of York: Fall from Grace is the dynamic, award-winning conclusion to Worth's "Rose of York" series of historically accurate novels. Revolving around the tragic figure of King Richard III, The Rose of York: Fall from Grace explores his legacy past the conclusion of the protracted war and into the modern day of Western democracy. Pulsing with intrigue, passion, betrayal, murder, war, and fragile hope, The Rose of York: Fall from Grace is an immersive page-turner and highly recommended.

Reviews

The Rose of York: Crown of Destiny I have read the entire series and if you are interested in this period of English history, this author is definitely here for you. Richard III is never credited with the value he added to his country, the justice system, and the good he did for the people of York, where he is still revered. He was done in, for certain. Who knows what he may have accomplished if his nephews had not disappeared. Even Henry VII, his successor feared them showing up to claim rights to throne he nabbed from Richard III.

The second novel of Worth's Rose of York trilogy, Crown of Destiny covers a critical period of the life of Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Brother of Edward IV, Richard has remained in the background by choice as his brother sinks into increasing dissolution, the king's wife, Elizabeth Woodville, tainting the court with the venality of her actions on behalf of the Woodville family interests. To avoid the entrenched hostilities of Edward's realm, Richard removes his family to their estate at Middleham. It is there that Richard begins experimenting with a judicial system that treats all parties as equal before the law, laying the groundwork for a reign that will be defined by its reform of the judiciary and establishment of trial by jury before one's peers. Removed from the contentiousness of the court, Richard throws himself into his work with great enthusiasm, enjoying a peace he will not know again. Edward argues violently with his brother, George, Duke of Clarence, thanks to the constant machinations of the queen, who never ceases to plot the downfall of her enemies. Although not of royal lineage, Bess harbors grand ambitions, not the least of which is to see her son succeed his father on the throne of England, the Dower Queen at his side. But first, George must be removed, both of Edward's brothers a threat. Richard stands by, helpless, the king deaf to his pleading, as George is accused of treason. Soon after George's death, the king falls ill and succumbs as well, even though he is in the prime of life. Even though Edward appointed Richard Lord Protector of the prince from his deathbed, the court teems with the schemes of those who would wrest the power from Richard. Assuming Edward's dying wishes will be honored, Richard accepts his task, but once more his naiveté blinds Richard to the intentions of those around him. Viewing the world in black and white, Richard is oblivious to the subtle nuances of human behavior, often escaping catastrophic results through the intervention of those around him who dare to speak the truth. Nearly outwitted by the crafty Bess, Richard takes charge of Edward's young son, planning the boy's coronation. Then another shock: a document exists that may thrust Richard on the throne, saving England from more years of civil war. Caught in a moral conundrum not of his own making, Richard makes the most difficult decision of his life, showing a marked maturity and sense of history when dealing with the treasonous offenses plotted against him. He acts decisively, but once more Richard's natural inclination for fairness interferes with his judgment in dealing with traitors. Believing kindness will be repaid by loyalty, Richard pardons all but one of the offenders, assuming the best from those who are his sworn enemies. The die is cast and the reluctant king assumes the mantle, his brothers silent in their graves, as well as many of the loyal Neville's. Much maligned by the Tudor version of history, Worth's Richard III has not the coldhearted duplicity required to perform the heinous acts of which he has been accused over the years, an uncommonly just man who only wants peace and prosperity for his country. Richard will be tested during his reign, betrayed by the ambitions of those who call themselves friends. Luan Gaines/2007.

The many mysteries of the reign of King Richard III of England have occupied both popular fiction and academic writing for many years. Worth's fluid style makes the Rose of York series a pleasure to read, and those with a special interest in the period will especially appreciate her deft handling of the historical sources, to which she is absolutely faithful. It is especially gratifying to find that for once Richard's wife, Anne Neville, is not portrayed as a weak and ineffectual semi-invalid, but is instead shown holding court and dispensing patronage in her husband's absence in the grand tradition of the medieval noblewoman. Worth skillfully develops secondary characters like John Neville, George of Clarence, Anthony Woodville and Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham. For example, Buckingham appears for the first time in Crown of Destiny at the wedding of the Edward IV's son Richard to Anne de Mowbray, one of the few times that the historical sources record that Richard and Buckingham met before Richard became Lord Protector upon his brother's death. Buckingham gained enormous influence with Richard in a very short time, a peculiar circumstance which Worth attributes to Richard's loneliness after the death of his beloved brother. One suspects that this influence will be a factor in the author's solution to the central mystery of Richard's reign, the question of whether he murdered his nephews in order to usurp the throne. But for that, readers will have to wait for the third book in the series, Fall From Grace. I, for one, am looking forward to it enormously!

In discussing Sir Thomas Malory's account of King Arthur's knights, Richard of Gloucester says to Anthony Woodville that his favorite part is when Arthur slays Mordred. While this initial comment might lead a reader to think that Richard is again displaying his brutal character, as he is depicted in history, it would be wise to hear his amplification of that comment, "Justice is done." Woodville responds, "But justice comes at high cost. To get at Mordred, the King must sacrifice himself." Richard replies, "You miss the point. The cost of treachery is what's high. Justice is all that's left." This lengthy interchange is worthy of significant notice as it parallels the main characteristic of Richard III as portrayed by Sandra Worth in this second novel of The Rose of York series about the King so often maligned in the accepted historical record. Yes, Sandra Worth and other Ricardian scholars and writers have come to a different conclusion - King Richard III always acted from a just and thoughtful analysis of the political facts and opinions available at the time in question. For it is the audacious and despicable behavior of the Woodvilles against King Edward IV, Richard of Gloucester's brother, and the rest of the Plantaganet clan that almost undoes England's respectable relationships with Europe and almost destroys England itself with civil and political war. Richard watches his brother evolve from an idealistic, strong ruler to a deluded, drunk, blind, and irresponsible weakling totally unaware that his few murderous acts were leading to a disastrous end. As could be expected under such conditions, former loyal advisors and servants become as decadent as their leader because of their own lust for ambition and power. What an education for a future king - and how brilliantly this author portrays the individual as well as the political climate under which this all occurs. So it is no small wonder that Richard becomes a man totally focused on justice - after watching his brothers and so many more murdered for base and mistaken reasons. His faithful and perceptive wife, Anne, can only comfort him so much but does help him preserve his sanity in the midst of even more horrific events. Indeed, he eventually even learns that his own family harbors momentous secrets that will affect the future of England and which he will not learn about until a most critical moment after his brother, Edward's, death - one for which his brother George was condemned to death by Edward. Sandra Worth knows how to write superb historical fiction! The reader comes to appreciate the depth of Richard's character in taut suspense through the spare yet plot-driven tale quickly emerging under Worth's deft, depictive skills. With meticulous research, this author proceeds to engage the reader in truly understanding where the term "blind justice" originated and what it truly means in the life of a respectable and memorable political leader of amazing stature! Congratulations, Sandra Worth! You have done it again with realistic and creative skill - and so much more! I can't wait to read the final novel in this noteworthy series, The Rose of York:Fall From Grace. Reviewed by Viviane Crystal on September 4, 2006

I very much enjoyed this book, as I did the Crown of Destiny. Sandra Worth knows her stuff. Richard 111 is shown as a sympathetic character very much devoted to his older brother. In his time he was well loved, especially in the North of England. His nastiness was created by the Tudors and there is no contemporary docuentation regarding a withered arm or a hunchback. He was quite a warrior and it would have been impossible for him to wield the weapons of the time if he was physically challenged. However, no one is perfect and it does appear that Richard had a slight case of paranoia. This may have gotten worse as he became older, thus he probably "lost it" once in a while - strawberries anyone? I still prefer Sharon Penman's portrayal .of Richard, hence only 4 points