More Customer Reviews from Amazon.Com

Revere the best within yourself, August 22, 2002
Reviewer: Dennis Baldwin from CT United States

When I was a teenager, I fell in love with the ancient Greek ideal of the well rounded individual. As a 48 year old adult, I'm proud
to say that my youthful idealism is deeper and stronger than ever.

For that blessing, I am grateful...to men like Andrew Bernstein -- for creating the spiritual jet fuel within Heart of a Pagan as I
rocket forward with that ideal to the end of my days.

...god bless Andrew Berstein for his paean to true human love -- reverence for the best within ourselves

The life-promoting power of pride and self-esteem, August 19, 2002
Reviewer: A reader from Warren, MI United States

...a love of basketball is not required to enjoy this book. Rather, anyone who wants to excel in life and be inspired along the way
will love it!

Enjoyable and Inspirational Reading, August 6, 2002
Reviewer: Glenn Martin from Lebanon, TN USA

After reading it, one has no excuses but to vigorously and whole-heartedly go after one's goals and ambitions. The main
character, Swoop, shows the way.

An Adventure Story as a Philosophical Swashbuckler, July 27, 2002
Reviewer: Burgess Laughlin from Portland, OR United States

If you have heard Dr. Bernstein lecture in his fields, philosophy and literature, you know he is a passionate valuer. That is the
theme of the story, setting objectively high goals and taking action to achieve them... Beyond its vivid characters and accelerating
plot, the novel's strong point is thematic integration. A few examples are: changing oneself and changing society too; seeking the
physical and mental heights of one's capabilities; defining dreams and facing realities. ...I promised myself that I would read it
slowly, savoring it day by day. By the third day, I had forgotten my promise. I read at full speed. ... it is superior to the stories of
other contemporary writers... in the category of first novels, *Heart of a Pagan* deserves five stars.

A modern Greek myth of heroic porportions!, July 26, 2002
Reviewer: Joseph Kane from Naples Italy

This is a wonderful story that inspires and uplifts. It's one of those books that I have been expecting and waiting for...it ... has
loads of what most modern novels lack: Beauty, truth, love of  man, heroes, and a profound respect for the sanctity of human
endeavor.

A Wonderful Hero and Story, July 8, 2002
Reviewer: Caroline Henderson from Newburgh, New York

...and I don't even like sports, but this book transcends that. Swoop... inspires the narrator, the members of the Swoop Troop and,
ultimately, the reader.     Swoop's intoxiaction with life is exhilarating. It makes you realize how much is possible to human
beings. It makes me wish I were still teaching English, because this is a book that could reach students and change their lives.
This is a book you should read immediately and savor perpetually. Its combination of riveting story and positive theme makes it
unique among contemporary novels.

Bernstein has written a Randian version of Inherit the Wind, July 4, 2002
Reviewer: hglee from Avondale Estates, GA USA

I recommend this novel to anyone who values the intentional and ruthless pursuit of perfection in his or her chosen
field. There are numerous lessons on the ethics of achievement to be found here, and Bernstein's sense of life and love of
basketball make the read that much more enjoyable.

For inspiration, motivation, and pure fun..., July 3, 2002
Reviewer: Robert C. Nasir  from Redford Twp, MI USA

Powerful Stuff!...

I recommend this book to men and women of greatness everywhere - and all who aspire to join their ranks.

Super Swoop, July 2, 2002
Reviewer: brian vanorsdel from murfreesboro, TN United States

If you are wanting to read something that will inspire you to be great then you should read this book.

The Scoop on Swoop!, June 29, 2002
Reviewer: Victor H. Miller from Irvine, CA USA

...masterfully crafted...Are humans capable of creating their own miracles? What does it take to defy the experts? ...

And this theme is developed by a plot that is a tightly bound integration of philosophical principles with basketball. ... I found
myself unable to put the book down until the final pages. ...one can't help but find the story to be an inspirational treasure. ...
Heart of a Pagan is a paean to the heroic that you don't want to miss.

      Victor H. Miller
      Adjunct Professor of Philosophy
      Citrus College, Glendora, CA
      Chaffey College, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
      Mt San Antonio College, Walnut, CA
      Riverside Community College, Riverside, CA
      Lecturer in Engineering Ethics
      Cal Poly, Pomona, CA

Men are indeed gods!, June 27, 2002
Reviewer: Eric J. Lakits of egoplace.com from Warren, MI

There are very few books written anymore that depict the image of Man as a hero, there are even fewer that are explicit about it.
Heart of a Pagan certainly fits in this category.

To the Glory of Man, June 25, 2002
Reviewer: roark2112 from New York, NY United States

This book is perfect for the athlete who wants to think and the intellectual who wants more control over his body. You will be
drawn in from the first chapter onward.

The Most Important Part of Heart of a Pagan is Special, June 24, 2002
Reviewer: rationalindixie from Huntsville, Alabama

Friends of mine told me that this was a very good story and that they couldn't put it down. One woman said she found it so
compelling that she read it in one sitting. Having read it, I now see why. The core of the book is the relationship between the hero
-- a superstar athlete -- and the narrator -- a brilliant philosophy student but crippled trainer of the basketball team. To put it
briefly, the relationship between them is powerful, moving and very special. ...You will be inspired, and may never look at your life
the same way again.

Swifter, Higher, Stronger, June 24, 2002
Reviewer: Amy Nasir from Redford, MI United States

You will read this and say to yourself, "Wow, I've been living a not-so-fulfilling life up until now. I shall run my life at
full-throttle now and forever!".

Heart of a Pagan--soul of a hero, June 23, 2002
Reviewer: rand5470 from Minneapolis, MN

Heart of a Pagan-soul of a hero

...I relished every moment I spent reading it. ...

If you believe that personal goals are worth fighting for and life on earth is worth living, then Swoop is a hero worth  knowing and
Heart of a Pagan is a book worth reading.

Swoop shows that Man-worship is the true religion., June 21, 2002
Reviewer: David Gulbraa (see more about me) from Los Angeles, CA USA

...One of the most psychologically important aspects of a good novel is that it gives a reader the actual experience of being the
hero. In this case, you get to be Swoop. You live inside his skin, see the world through his eyes, grasp reality with his mind,
evaluate people and events using his moral values. This is an esthetic experience not to be taken lightly. Given a great writer and
true values, the impact of this kind of experience can have a profound emotional and psychological impact--especially on young
people still in the process of forming their own values and souls.

Andrew Bernstein has delivered a literary slam-dunk. Swoop is a great character who deserves the widest possible audience.

This book will change your life., June 16, 2002
Reviewer: A reader from Maryland

...Bernstein offers original  analogies and wholly new descriptions that put you into the moment, vividly painting a scene in which
you want to be. .... Be prepared for greatness. Since I began reading this book, I am learning what it is to be my own hero, and
why that is so  essential to a happy life. The mind/body connection was never so clear, and never so important as in this book
because of the fuel it gives you to be the best physical and intellectual "speciman" you can be.

Swoop Saves!, May 17, 2002
Reviewer: Mike Saenz from Austin, TX United States

...Wonderfully uplifting. Bernstein's benevolence is intoxicating. You MUST read this book!
$[money] is a bargain for what you get.