ONE LAST NIGHT OF FREEDOM
594395
In 25TH HOUR Spike Lee presents a masterpiece starring Edward Norton. Monty Brogan, a native New Yorker, was recently sentenced to serve eight years in prison for selling drugs. The night before he is supposed to report to prison he embarks on a journey through the past and present in an attempt to attack his nervousness of serving time in addition to solving the puzzle of who turned him in to the cops.
Spike Lee does what no one else in Hollywood has had the nerve to do since 9/11. Constantly connected throughout the film are snippets of the devastation left behind. Scenes of the World Trade Towers light tribute appears at the beginning and the political voyage continues from there. We see glimpses of the photo memorials along with the enormous pit left behind after all the debris was removed. The audience can feel how this one moment in history has been engrained into the consciousness of the people living in New York City. It has always bothered me how other movies set in NYC totally ignore this most important event.
Edward Norton provides another spectular performance in 25TH HOUR and is quickly proving himself in Hollywood. This is a very enjoyable film that leaves you hanging at the end. What do you think he did? Go see the movie and come up with your own opinion.
2078543
it was very well written I felt like I was there im so thankful for all our men and women who serve for our freedom  also there families it takes a very special person Thanks to all.
4740615
attack life - enjoy everyday to the fullest - for those who did not come back after a mission for the USA freedom and flag
1967474
3 years ago I was severely injured and paralyzed.  While in intensive care, after my days that were filled with pain and fear, I would listen to this CD in the dark still of the night.  It brought great comfort.  I have made a rather miraculous recovery and have a wonderful new little daughter.  She loves to listen to the CD with a bottle as she is going to sleep.
1675355
This was a wonderful moving story with quite a bit of suspense to it.  A must read.  It also really makes you realize you should never take your freedom  for granted.
3934802
This is a great beautiful night. Feels good in my hand. Made me my wife very happy. Be sure to swivel the The Keeper so that you don't cut yourself.
3256071
Specific moments in the book really take you back into a life of freedom and nastagia. It was worth the read.
4461183
Checked in and looking forward to grabbing a good night's sleep!

On the way up I passed a peculiar set of twins and a kid on a big wheel.  Must be a family friendly hotel.

Need to make a note to tell the front desk of the fire axe in the hallway, leaning near my door as opposed to hung on its mount.

Weather is calling for storms rolling in late night,  hope it doesn't keep me from checking out the hedge maze, seems pretty impressive!

Night 1 @  The Overlook.
4655084
these ten great events in history are each bids for freedom in one form or another. each is a fight and win against tyranny. the language of the book is easily read and understood, a pleasure to read. the book reads somewhat like a novel, tho is all fact. i hope the author comes out with a second installment of a second set of  ten great events in history.
3846965
It was their last performance together and it proved to be a night of great music and intense emotion as they put everything they had into each song.  Longwinded so-so intro by Jimmy Dean but after that it was the guys' night in all their glory!  They explained why they were retiring...had some laughs...and then later on did a heartfelt thank you to many they have known over the years.  They also got personal talking about their kids then honored their wives with a special thank you, and we get to see them!  They ended singing their favorite hymns.  Powerful!!  Don't miss it!! I highly recommend!
3134129
I got hooked right away on this book. I'd recommend this book to anyone who has a free evening on their hands. This one is hard to put down.
4647684
After night one: It's like sleeping on a cloud.  I have to admit, I had my doubts. As I crawled into bed I was hopeful and doubtful at the same time.  But it truly is wonderful and I woke up feeling much less achy than I usually do.  Looking forward to night two!
3800243
'To Try Men's Souls' is a poignant and timely reminder of the challenges faced by those brave persons of the Revolutionary War 233 years ago.  Imagine no adequate roads, no motorized vehicles or watercraft, rifles that had to be reloaded after each shot, and travel on a stormy night.  Actually, stormy doesn't accurately describe the weather conditions that December 25th - 26th...sleet, freezing rain, bone chilling wind, snow...a night that we would have a hard time venturing out in, even with all our modern contrivances.  Now add men...men who knew naught but defeat, men with mud-caked clothing little better than rags, often barefoot, suffering from a wide range of diseases caused by hunger, exposure, and substandard food and water.  Men, who willingly chose to serve their young country a month longer than they were required.  Add one ice choked river (crossed twice in 24 hours), a nighttime march to a daytime battle, two flooded ravines, heavy artillery, and nine miles of icy hills and fields (one way)...and waiting for you at the end, the finest fighting force of their time - the Hessians.  The Battle of Trenton was so much more than just one battle in a war long ago; it was the proving point for our young nation - it was the point where our patriotic forefathers threw everything they had left at an enemy that represented the oppressive evil of  bondage - be it outright slavery or fealty to a king.

What drove these brave men on this cold, miserable night in December 1776?  One word - FREEDOM.  The barely glowing ember of freedom was on the verge of going out as Congress had all but abandoned Philadelphia.  But on that night, and with their backs against the wall, with a watchword of "Victory or Death", freedom burned fiercely in the hearts of those brave men marching on Trenton.  A new country was forged on that cold December day; a day when we shifted from the united States to the United States.

Through their fictional family of Jonathan van Dorn, Newt Gingrich, William R. Forstchen, and Albert Hanser allow us to witness the very real struggle that pitted brother against brother - a struggle that was real in the Civil War as well.  Even today, we often find it is easier to find a true brother in those people who share our ideology...and perhaps this is part of what it is to be an American.  We are capable of looking beyond our doorstep and forging alliances born of shared struggle...bonds that are often more enduring than blood.

Woven in with the van Dorn's are General George Washington and Thomas Paine.  'To Try Men's Souls' follows their challenges and heartaches as they sought to make good on the promise of freedom and liberty set forth in the Declaration of Independence.  I doubt there could have been a better commander of our Revolutionary forces than Geo. Washington - defeats, blunders, and all - for he set many precedents in war and in his presidency 20 years later that are followed to this day.

I enjoyed reading the novel, and learning a bit more about the Battle of Trenton.  The writing was okay for a historical fiction - moving in some spots, especially with the `real' historical characters. Truthfully, it is more like a 4-1/2 star book, so I'm being generous with the 5.  It is an easy read...although it may take you longer to read it (if you are a moderate reader) than it did for General Washington to cross the Delaware, win the battle, and return back to Pennsylvania!

In closing, we tend to forget, in the general softness of our modern age, what transpired here many generations ago.  We would do well to remember that patriotic spirit...for it is part of us; all of us.

Can such a debt ever be repaid?  Yes...if we never forget.
322831
The stories of the Dark Night of Soul allows all of us to feel less alone as we read how so many others reclaimed their purpose in life after recovering from their experience, realizing they can survive. In today's world we all need a sense of hope, which this book brings to the reader. A must read.
3589297
True patriot, I feel privileged to have read this book. A man who had the preservation of freedom as his life goal. A reminder that freedom is not free!
190531
This story gave me the inspiration to live a life of freedom without fear. It listed clear and precise ways to live a fear free life in Jesus Christ. This is a great story to read and share with family & friends.
1265058
Every Freedom Lover should read this book. Bastiat put words to the thoughts so many of us have. I only gave 5 stars because I couldn't give 6