This book was read to him on an episode of reading rainbow. He sang ABIYOYo all day and weeks after that. He loves this story. It's great for your little ones because it's folklore stories... and it keeps mom interested too.

This book contains many elements that would make for an enjoyable child reading experience. These elements include wonderful illustrations, a terrible evil character, and characters of many ethnicities. The element that stands out the most from this story is the incorporation of music and sounds. A song fills at least six pages of the text and is a central factor in the story. Also, the use of onomatopoeia pervades the story with words like "zoop," "ztt," and "clunk." These are great at engaging the senses and the participation of young children. I also like the idea of showing unlikely heroes prevailing over evil in the end.

I am a teacher in a daycare and my kids love this book we use it to teach personal hygiene and relationships with parents. The copy I had was James Earl Jones narrating. A must have!

This book was given to me as a Sunday School prize when I was 10 or 11 years old. I loved it. I recently found another copy which I plan to give my granddaughter. I re-read it and found it is still a good read and I will check out other books by Gladys Malvern. "Behold Your Queen!" may be more myth than reality, and in some aspects is today not quite "politically correct." It is nonetheless a gripping story. I even read the Book of Esther and could see where the author incorporated descriptions of the royal palace into her narrative. I recommend this book which stands the test of years because it is well written and is the type of book which would send a reader off on other quests for knowledge.

Behold Your Queen! is a wonderful retelling of the Book of Esther. Malvern's writing incorporates credible motivations into the story, and adds a rich wealth of detail that make the story come alive with a vivid vitality. I first read this story when I was 8, and did not stop reading it until the (misguided) library withdrew the book from its shelves. If I could find a copy it would be on my shelf today, and eagerly reread. I would love to share this book with a new generation. As a teacher, I know this book has much to offer to young women facing difficult decisions about family, loyalty, honor, faith, personal safety, and love. Hadassah faces difficult choices in dangerous times, and Malvern's tale gives the reader the opportunity to share in the anguish and fear in Hadassah's choice, as well as in her final triumph and affermation. PLEASE REPRINT THIS BOOK!!!

BEHOLD YOUR QUEEN! is one of my all-time favorites, right up there on the shelf next to YOUNG BESS. Both books are enchanted windows into past worlds. Malvern's tale of the biblical heroine Esther brings a time long-ago vividly to life. After all these years (I first read this book when I was 10), I still find Malvern's Esther enchanting and her story inspirational. I searched for years to acquire my own copy, and re-read it yearly. I wish someone would reprint it!

Kaffir Boy

Mark Matherbane has had many up's and down's throughout his young childhood. He went through beatings and fights, up to schools and scholarships. There are many African black people being mistreated every day of there life in the South African city, Alexandria.
In South Africa, black people are being treated very poorly every day of there life's by white people in the story, "Kaffir Boy." There are many young boys in South Africa. But Mark Matherbane was a very unique kid who had a dream, and set his mind and heart to accomplish it. His world was very tuff and treated him very unfairly. He took care of his family the best of his ability at such a young age.
There was a family of five who lived in the deep heart of Alexandria. There family was starving and poor. They had no money. Mark was so young and almost hitting death of starvation, he pulled out of it. This shows that if you set a dream or a goal, and you try hard enough to reach it, it will always come true.
There are many things that have happened to Mark throughout his life. Mark fought with his father every day when he was growing up. I also get in a lot of arguments with my parents. He wanted to kill his father he was so mad. I would never go that far. Mark had two things that he was good at that brought him through life. It was his tennis career, that he was so good at, and his education. His talent mad him become friends with many different whites. In the end Mark did overcome all of his obstacles and reach his goal. He got his scholarship and went to America.
I would recommend it to young adults over 15 years of age. Only people who want to know the truth about how black people where treated in South Africa by whites and all others. Ignoring all of the gross stuff, the book was very good and I would give it four stars. I don't read many books, but this one was excellent.

Great words. Wonderful plot. Awesome characterization. All of these things can be found in Mark Mathabanes exciting autobiography, Kaffir Boy. This autobiography combines the vileness of South African apartheid and one young lad's struggle for freedom with astonishing results. Kaffir Boy takes an aggressive look into the wickedness of apartheid and the ravishing affects it can take on the future in an engaging manner that lures the reader into the plot.

Within Kaffir Boy, the plot blossoms through magnificent character development, guided by Mark. The story is encapsulated within an autobiography format- as the characters grow, so does the plot- as shown when Mark first realizes apartheid, and the detrimental effect it has on black society. By showing this truth, the reader has the opportunity to look into the world of a black South African drowning in the havoc of apartheid. The honest viewpoint shared an unbiased hope of life that kept the reader hooked. Along with this, Mark and his family build on to the story with details from daily life and family tradition. It really opened up a new viewpoint of world cultures as I felt myself being drawn into the characters lives, struggles and achievements. The character development in Kaffir Boy was a flawless, exciting addition to this book.

Along with character development, Mark's true life story unfurls through the plot a wicked twist on your feelings, emotions and beliefs that will make your morals shout out from the sidelines. The events in this book that I liked the least were the racism shown to the blacks in South Africa. The ways blacks were treated throughout this work really gave me a culture shock. Although the white's actions were horrible, Mark's actions and the persistent drive behind them shone like a candle in the night, as a hero in a sorrow filled world. The event that I liked the best was when Mark was freed of the bonds of apartheid through his talents and hard work, the theme was shown strongly through his actions and I admire his die-hard attitude. Also, the motif was very encouraging and kept me hooked. The plot of Kaffir Boy was exciting and will keep any reader thirsting for more.

Bright work or boring bummer? I encourage you to read this fabulous book and decide for yourself. Kaffir Boy astonished me with new viewpoints and aspects within the menacing world of apartheid. Make sure you add this five- star choice to your bookshelf- Kaffir Boy.

This book is really good. I only finished part one. It is an autobiography by Mark Mathabane. This part was talking about his stormy youth and described the discrimination for black people.

Johannes Mathabane was born in Alexandra, one of South Africa's black towns. He was raised with fear and hunger. He had a passion to love his family. This was a time when his family was poor. They couldn't even celebrate at Christmas. His parents had a pass book which the black people had to carry. But, that pass book was not in order so the policemen took Johannes's parents away.

I really liked reading this book, because it gave me a lot of information so I can image each scene very easily. I can't wait to read the rest of this book. I think it is a great book to know what was going on in South Africa and of the discrimination for the black people. If you are interested in the difficulties experienced by black people, you'll like this book.

This is the first Sydney Sheldon novel I've read. You don't often find stories this enticing. I was hooked from the first page, a vivid scene of the 90-year old heroine surveying her life, her family, and ghosts of old mistakes come back to haunt her. Despite its hefty length, this book kept me coming back for more, daydreaming at work about what would happen next, and staying up late at night to get to the next chapter. I read it in just a few days even though with my schedule it usually takes me at least a week to finish a book.

However, despite the story's addictive sway, Sheldon's writing style did not meet my expectations. After reading all the glowing reviews at Amazon.com, I expected this to be a terrific epic that would leave me awed and inspired, something in the vein of Gone With the Wind or Lonesome Dove. Instead, "Master of the Game" is more akin to John Jake's "North and South" -- yes, it is a multigenerational saga full of adventure, betrayal, and suspense, but it resembles a television screenplay more than a novel. The author moves from scene to scene, from tragedies to triumphs and back again, at a breakneck pace with only the barest attention paid to character development and plausibility. While I enjoyed the twists and turns of the story, it started to seem a bit melodramatic and predictable. You didn't have to be a brain surgeon to realize that [spoiler alert!] Salomon van der Mewre was going to cheat Jamie McGregor out of the money. Or that Tony would fall in love with Marianne rather than Lucy - and that it was Kate's plan all along. [end spoiler].

This book is pure brain candy, all fun with no substance. Similar to a night-time TV soap like Dallas -- you can predict what is going to happen, you know it is wildly improbable, but yet it has just the right mixture of intelligence, ruthlessness, and intrigue to keep you coming back.

I read the hard cover book several years ago when it very first came out. My Grandfather had gotten it for a birthday present. I am now 30 years old and am finally going to buy it for myself. When asked what my favorite book to read is, I always answer "Master of The Game, by Sidney Sheldon". This book had me from beginning to end. And when the movie made for television was on, I had the book in my hands and my eyes on the television. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. I have yet to read a book better than this. :-)

A friend had referred me to this book and I owe her a HUGE thanks. For a week I read this book at every spare moment I had, and there never seemed to be enough of those moments!! I even counted down the minutes to my lunch hour just because I knew I would be reading this book!

I've come to learn that anytime you read Sidney Sheldon's book, expect the unexpected. Right from the beginning it pulled me in and I couldn't stop until I was finished. You feel as though you're watching it happen right in front of your face, the characters are so real, so visible in your mind. You feel as though you know them, and even sympathize with some of his villans.

I recommend this book and every other Sheldon book, he's an absolute genius!!

I bought "Ripples from the Zambezi" thinking, okay, person-centered development from an Italian who did government-sponsored work in Africa, perfected his methods in remote western Australia, and now spreads his gospel in the United States. Ought to be an interesting read and a good 'little' story.

I was *way* off.

This is - in my estimation - a great book by a true visionary, Ernesto Sirolli. The two chapters in the middle of this book "The Esperance Experience" and "The Esperance Model Applied" are as good as business-writing gets. In Sirolli's world, the glass is neither half empty nor half full. Rather, the water is gushing over the top of the cup. The stories he tells here of enterprises 'facilitated' in the bleakest economic conditions imaginable...well, it can't help but turn you into an optimist.

But Sirolli goes further. He takes these experiences and imagines them on a grand scale where, as he says, "reciprocity matters." Calling it a "civic economy," he envisions a world benfiting from "generalized reciprocity, from people helping people to succeed, with the understanding that well-being of the community is to everybody's advantage."

Don't misinterpret these sentiments. Sirolli is a capitalist at heart, but he presses for a system "beyind capitalism...which enhances participation in the creation of wealth, not only in its accumulation."

How does he connect the dots from tiny Esperance to his grand vision for a civic economy? I urge you to read "Ripples from the Zambezi" to find out.

Anyone who cares about the economic future of Iowa should read "Ripples from the Zambezi: Passion, Entrepreneurship and the Rebirth of Local Economies" by Ernesto Sirolli. It might be the closest thing to an economic cure-all Iowa can find.

Sirolli is an Italian native who now lives in St. Paul, Minn. He's worked for 30 years in economic-development efforts in Australia, Africa and North America. He's started something called the Sirolli Institute, where they teach a concept called "Enterprise Facilitation." It's a way to provide help for Iowa's languishing rural and inner-city economies.

Under Sirolli's program, small communities are assigned "facilitators" who go around town finding people with ideas for starting new businesses. Sirolli has found that most potential entrepreneurs are passionate about their idea but lack management or marketing skills. Working confidentially with the potential entrepreneurs, the facilitator helps put together an elementary business plan, early financing and a marketing plan. The facilitator doesn't try to motivate anyone or dictate solutions, but only works to bring the right players together in a community to help them launch a small business on their own.
 
It looks to be a huge success wherever it has been tried. The National Commission on Entrepreneurship recently profiled the book by saying the boom economy of the 1990s transformed American society but left-behind many rural communities. "What can be done to develop prosperity in these so-called 'left behind' communities?" the commission asked. Traditional economic-development efforts may not be available to small towns.
 
"The remaining option for small communities is to build on their own existing assets and resources. But how can this happen? How can untapped resources be uncovered and exploited? A pioneering approach, called Enterprise Facilitation, may offer a potential solution," the commission said.
 
This oddly titled book describes how it all works. The title comes from Sirolli's early experiments in economic development in Africa, where the young developer was first sent by the Italian government to help poor villages. Ideas pioneered there worked in Western economies, too.
 
In Western Australia, Sirolli helped fishermen in a rural community sell fish to the Japanese sushi market that paid six times what the local cannery was paying for their catch. Another business was started smoking the fish for gourmet markets. Another new business made quality sandals from local kangaroo hides. Sheep farmers developed a processing business that turned worthless old ewes into valuable hides, wool and mutton kebabs.
 
In rural Minnesota, the Communicating for Agriculture folks hired Sirolli to work in one of the poorest counties in the state. Within four years, the effort had started 30 new businesses, helped 127 existing ones, retained 55 jobs and created 71 new ones. The county's work force was only 3,000.
 
In rural South Dakota, a broke cattleman developed a welding repair business in a small town. Within two years, it employed 27 people who processed $90,000 worth of orders a month.
 
These communities are no different from those in rural Iowa.

Sirolli's group has been hired by local banks, colleges or farm organizations, such as the Farmers Union or the Farm Bureau, to work in rural communities. More groups could do the same in their communities.
 
Sirolli writes that a facilitator working for one year in a community of 10,000 can see between 150 and 200 clients. From this group, between 25 and 35 will open a news business or expand an existing one. Between 25 and 60 jobs will be created with an economic impact of $5 million to $10 million a year. Imagine if that track record were repeated all across Iowa. It could be worth billions in just a few years.
 
Someone once estimated that more than 1,000 people in Iowa earn their living working for various "economic-development" programs. Imagine if just 50 of those people were retrained in enterprise-facilitation work and placed in Iowa's poorest counties and run-down inner cities.

It's clear Iowa has to try something new like this. All that we've been doing hasn't been enough. Things like organic grain processing, fish farming or welding shops aren't very sexy. But these sorts of businesses form the backbone of the Iowa economy. Hard-pressed rural towns and depressed inner-city areas are that way because they've lost many small businesses. They need to find ways to start some new ones. Sirolli's "Enterprise Facilitators" can help them do that.

This could be one of the most important books anyone in Iowa reads this year.

Many people wish to strengthen their local economies, reduce dependence on multinational corporations, build community by doing things, or achieve self-fulfilment through meaningful work. Yet these results are not coming easily or economically from the top-down, programmatic, and strategic approaches typically used by governments, economic development districts, and even by community groups, nonprofits, and advocacy organizations.

As E. F. Schumacher observed in Good Work, we cannot expect to raise the wind that will push us to a better world. What we can do is hoist a sail to catch the wind when it does come. Ripples from the Zambezi tells the gripping story of how Ernesto Sirolli learned to catch the wind of passionate, skillful, creative, intelligent, and self-motivated entrepreneurs--the acknowledged powerhouse of the economy as well as of social change.

Sirolli's experiences as a volunteer for the Italian government in Africa during the 1970s convinced him that "development" schemes were anything but. After absorbing Schumacher's Small Is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered and the person-centered psychology of Carl Rogers, Sirolli put his radical, antidogmatic ideas to the test in rural Western Australia. Instead of trying to motivate people, he made himself available as coach and advocate for anyone who was serious about starting or expanding a business enterprise.

By treating economic development as a byproduct of personal growth and self-actualization, Sirolli was able to make a quantum leap in the effectiveness of business coaching, as well as create local miracles of economic development. He has devoted himself since to teaching committed civic leaders how to do what he has done.

"In every community, no matter how small, remote, or depressed, there is somebody who is scribbling figures on a kitchen table. If we can be available, for free and in confidence, to help that person go from the dream to establish an enterprise that can sustain that person and his or her family, we can begin to change the economic fortunes of the entire community."

The strategy that Sirolli teaches to communities often involves a committed volunteer local board, who hires an "Enterprise Facilitator" who is then trained by Sirolli. The facilitator does not initiate projects or promote "good ideas." He or she responds to the interests and passions of self-motivated people. Because no one has equal passion for production, marketing, and financial management, all of which are necessary for business success, and because people only do well what they care about doing, the secret of success and survival for a business of any size is to find people who love to do what you hate. "The death of the entrepreneur is solitude." The facilitator and the board, with networking, help people form teams to advance their idea.

This is a strategy that is always followed in large business, but remains unusual in small business, where most people are still advised to write business plans singlehandedly, and to get better at what they hate. For example, farmers and ranchers whose inclinations and personalities do not lend themselves to marketing are often told that they must learn marketing skills to get off the commodity roller coaster.

Sirolli's ideas are not just good. They are inspiring, inflammatory, they resonate--and they are based on 15 colorful years of failing and succeeding at hoisting the sail in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the U.S.

The underlying philosophy has to do with empowerment rather than control. "A shift from strategic to responsive development can only occur," Sirolli writes, "if we are capable of believing that people are intrinsically good and that the diversity, variety, and apparent randomness of their passions is like the chaotic yet ecologically sound life manifestations in an old-growth forest."

The message is that bottom-up, person-centered, responsive economic development works--and if well understood and led at the community level, it works better than anything else. When a community can help motivated people succeed, the motivation spreads. "The future of every community," Sirolli writes, "lies in capturing the energy, imagination, intelligence, and passion of its people."

Much more than simply a book about photojournalists, The Bang Bang Club tells a haunting tale about several young men growing up in a rapidly changing and often hostile world. The friendships that form and are later ripped apart by bullets and suicide comprise the bulk of this well-told history. That South Africa's most important history is taking place as a background only mkaes it that much more of an interesting and enjoyable read. Yes, there is some violence, but that violence defines the world these photographers live and work in.

This is a disturbing book. After the first three chapters I put it down and only picked it up again two months later. Perhaps I was just emotionally at low ebb the first time, but the brutal honesty of the descriptions in those first chapters got to me. Even though I am a South African and lived through that eventful period, I was unprepared for the honesty of the authors. At the second attempt I finished the book and am glad that I did as it is really well worth the read.

The book describes the experiences of four well-known South African press photographers, at the peak of the political transition period of the country. Of the four, only two survived. Most South Africans as well as international readers interested in photojournalism, will remember the killing of Ken Oosterbroek by a stray bullet while covering an unrest situation in the townships. And the whole world was shocked by the brilliant photograph of a starving Sudanese child with a vulture patiently waiting in the background. Kevin Carter committed suicide not long after winning a Pulitzer Prize for that image. Although the book deals mainly with their work experiences, it also provides insight in the personal lives of photojournalists. It focuses mainly on events in South Africa, especially during those eventful years in the early nineties. However, there are also references to other African countries. A few months before I read this book, I also read Out of America: A Black Man Confronts Africa by Keith Richburg. This was another excellent and very honest book by a black American journalist who was assigned to the African Desk of the Washington Post. The combination of these two books gives an excellent perspective on the Dark Continent and scares the hell out of you.

I can strongly recommend both these books. It is a must-read for anyone interested in photojournalism and for people interested in the political transition period of SA. People who enjoy biographies will also appreciate the book.

This is an exciting account of South Africa, as observed through the lenses of four "conflict photojournalists", roughly between the time of Mandela's release to South Africa's first non-racial elections. There is a gripping, raw and ultimately, compassionate, quality about the writing, and the photos powerfully convey the horrors that this country went through. Equally enlightening are the insights into conflict photography, and the moral issues that arise by being a witness (and recorder) of human suffering. This book would interest anyone who's ever wondered how conflict photographers get into those crazy situations, the risks they took (sometimes fatal), and the adrenaline-laced thoughts that rush through their minds.

"Une saison blanche et sèche" is a book written in 1979 by André Brink who had been prohibited from publishing it, in South Africa. On the face of it,it's a very full novel, built on a fascinating intrigue which leads to fundamental problems in the country of apartheid:individual liberty; the difficulty in communicating between the black and white races, and between the social classes;... It's a tragic but touching book which describes the realism in life for the apartheid in South Africa.

André Brink's novel, A Dry White Season, is a captivating, yet realistic tale about the unfair treatment of blacks in Johannesburg, South Africa. I found it to be an excellent read because of how Brink is in touch with reality. He has his readers ponder a true-to-life question, an ongoing question about racism. Ben Du Toit, the protagonist, finds the deaths of his African-American friend, Gordon Ngubene, and Gordon's son, Jonathan, to be unusual. Both deaths appeared to be caused and covered up by the government. Ben spends his entire life in hopes of uncovering the truth behind these two mysterious deaths. Were they treated unjustly because they were black? This is the question that Ben solves throughout the novel and unfortunately, his quest draws him away from his family and friends. In the end, Ben, living in complete isolation and sadness, discovers that his country is unfair. He triumphs, however, because he is no longer ignorant of his country's behavior. This novel relates to us because we are well aware of racism and injustice. It is very true that Ben's family would leave him if he did not spend time with them. Brink did not falsify the truth with a happy ending but instead allowed the reader to feel Ben's loneliness.

Andre Brink,a white South African novelist, indicts the murderous intent of the apartheid system and how one man with his whole life invested in it finally comes to realize the true nature of the system after his black worker is killed. He shows us how once the truth is exposed this man's whole life is dramatically changed and profiles his struggles in tyring to confront the state apparatus. This story is a must read for anyone seeking to understand the political and racial climate of pre-Independence South Africa and the social dynamics that conspired to maintain the status quo of the day

I would rate this book ten stars if they gave me the option. This is my favorite book in the world. I was introduced to it almost four years ago and still love rereading it. I think Bryce Courtenay is the most gifted author of the day -- he writes in the most beautiful style that I can only hope to emulate. The character of Peekay is the sort of Everyman you wish you were... I love how he seems to change the world by just his being around. And although a good portion of it deals with boxing (which I have to admit did not impress me too much the first time I read it) non-sports fans will still enjoy Peekay's descriptions and the remarkable dialogue and characters. I can't even put into words how much I love this book. Read it -- you won't be disappointed!! It's a little difficult to find (I had to order my original copy from Australia), but if you can get your hands on it, read Tandia, the sequel to The Power of One. It answers all the questions that TPO leaves hanging.

A gift from a friend, the Power of One became my favorite book. The story concerns Peekay, who is white, growing up in South Africa in a time of racial hatred. Picked on and ostracized because of his nationality, skinny frame, and precocity, Peekay's childhood is spent mostly alone. However, along the way, he meets people who will have later on have an influential impact on his life. Although the subjects of the book concern racism and the sport of boxing, to me the prevailing theme embodied in the Power of One is above all an affirmation of the individual - the recognition of the inner strength and courage that comes with acting upon one's own beliefs and initiative in a largely conformist society. I identified with Peekays's individuality, his ability to think for himself, and his heightened sense of intellectual curiousity. This is a book that will tug at the heartstrings, but one that will also bring a smile to your face at its comic moments. It will also make you think, as some profound insights into the philosphy of life are offered. The novel inspires awe at the sheer beauty and power of Coutenay's prose. The Power of One is a compelling read, it will leave few readers unmoved.

I first read this book at the behest of my English teacher at the time. I was 13 years old. Undaunted by the 800 or 900 odd pages, I plowed in. Little was I to know that Courtenay was to unfold a world before my eyes that would - and I say this completely free of hyperbole - change my life.

The Power of One, at its core, is the story of Peekay - a young English South African at the onset of Apartheid. Peekay suffers injustice at the hands of bigger Afrikaaner school bullies, which sets him on a course for the rest of his life. He becomes a boxer, taught by Geel Piet - a black inmate at the local jail. Geel Piet becomes more than a boxing tutor to Peekay, and teaches him what I believe is the central tenet of this book - Little can beat Big.

Peekay goes on to become a very adept boxer, and also a great academic. This represents the two main adult influences in his life - Geel Piet and boxing, Doc and academia.

The Power of One could be said to be a love story, but not in the general sense of the term. It is a love story with South Africa - a love story with the land, the wilderness and the people. With the country's errors and violence and also its spirit to rise above that all.

Little can beat big.

If you love travel and survival stories, this movie has it all, topped with being set in the Kalahari desert of Africa. The two teenagers with their bushman friend show cross-cultural friendship and cooperation at its best, combined with a respect for nature and a desire to preserve endanger animals (elephants) from poachers which sets the stage for the entire film. I loved this movie, I kept borrowing it from the library until they lost their copy, and was delighted to find it for sale here at Amazon.com. I cannot say enough how much I enjoyed this film.

This has to be absolutely the BEST movie I've seen in a very long time. It became my favorite when I first saw it years ago.
It's taken me a long time to think to even look for it here.
The story is riveting, holds you in to the end, leaves you wanting more. The characters are very believable.
The emotion is so real, you'll find yourself tearing up at times!
The greatest movie to see with your family. Unlike so many others out there. Get it, watch it, gotta have it!

i thought the movie was great! it's a movie you can watch over and over. some parts totally suprise you and the ending was the best part because i didn't see it coming.this is one of the best movies to watch with your family. it's got some funny parts in it and some sad parts. and they picked the perfect people for it.my favorite character is harry winslow he is played by ethan embry. but i can't give anymore away i recomend you watch it yourself. it's a great movie and it's filled with excitment. enjoy!

Teaching from this book is pure pleasure. It is well organized, up-to-date,and has excellent examples.

An excellent basic management book. Total coverage of the field. Great examples of managers from all walks of life and all colors.

the best management textbook on the market