text
stringlengths 29
14.1k
| label
class label 5
classes |
|---|---|
One of the best
The Picture of Dorian Gray is one the masterpieces of the English language. A unique plot, the portait of Dorian Gray aging instead of Dorian Gray and writen in aperfect manner that few writers have/had the capability of doing. A tale of corruption and a cynic man are the eesence of the story that has captivated generations. Read it. | 45 stars
|
Better than expected
I am very happy with this subscription. I find myself reading more of the paper as the articles not interupted. Easy to read and if you have the font size set to "2", you can read a summary of every article before having to hit the next page.....good stuff.PS...I would like the comics though | 34 stars
|
When the Who, What, When, Where Comes at the End
As other reviewers have mentioned, while the many technical and business and academic machinations of Marconi's invention of telegraph wireless may seem pointless, you'll be glad you devoted some energy to their reading. These passages give much substance to what Marconi was like as a person, the overwhelming odds he faced in bringing his invention to fruition -- to the benefit of us all. The struggles he surmounted, at the cost of any semblance of a happy personal life, are remarkable and show a true single-purpose focus of intention.However, for me, the mystery glue that holds the story together is that surrounding the doings of Dr. Crippen. I was unfamiliar with the murder until this book. So, I began reading with a completely open mind. For others uninitiated in the details of the murder, Larson opens with enough clues to whet the appetite of curiosity. The captain of a ship sailing from Europe to Canada notices two unusual passengers -- a small man who is outwardly traveling with a teenage son. But, with keen eye, the captain discerns that the boy looks more like a young woman in boy's clothing.From there, the historical tale, all from original sources, reverts to the beginning. The uninformed reader knows that someone has been murdered -- but not who, not why, not where, not when. Only that the mysterious passengers are somehow related. (Well, actually, from the jacket cover, we know that unassuming Dr. Crippen is the suspect -- but having read enough true crime, we even suspend belief on that piece of data.) Larson, bit by bit. lays the foundation of clues that culminate with the details so hungrily awaited -- interwoven with Mr. Marconi's long struggles to convince the public of the functionality and value of his wireless telegraphy. The two tales mesh at the end, as the reader has come to suspect they will.I was tempted to give this book only 4-stars because some of the Marconi-related passages are a bit dull compared to the murder mystery so flagrant and alluring. But I do believe they inform the reader of important material that will not be regretted, temper what might be just another pulp non-fiction murder book with some extra class, and add to the growing crescendo of suspense. With those reasons in mind, I aware the book 5 starts, and would recommend it to anyone who likes a historical non-fiction book that reads more like a novel than like a dry recitation of facts. | 45 stars
|
He never disapoints.
Great plotting is what I look towards in any book. This guy is what I call the best writer these days! His plotting is well done. He never disapoints at all. | 45 stars
|
Somewhat of a disappointment
As a late starter reading this series, I managed to read them in order. This book came out after I had finished the earlier ones and it was eagerly awaited. Since I had read them in order and close together, it was obvious that this book did not receive the attention of her earlier ones. As many reviewers have stated, it began well, and then almost at the half way mark, it slipped considerably. When you have a series, changing the rules is not okay. It disturbs the entire universe created. Sanctuary was presented differently which jarred. The humor was often inappropriate. Wren changed completely in only a few pages. I hope Ms. Kenyon is not "writing herself out." At this point, I have an investment in the series, and I want it to end well. Taking a little more time between books may be a good thing right now. I will buy and read all the rest of them, however. It is too late to stop. | 23 stars
|
The Rich Life of David Copperfield
Dickens' "David Copperfield," despite its dark and overcast tone, is a true pleasure to read. Dickens' longer novels, like this and "Bleak House" may appear to be prohibitively long, but this is only a reader's fallacy. Dickens is one novelist who thrives in, and even requires, an inordinately large canvas to create his masterpieces. "David Copperfield" presents us, through the lens of often idyllic remembrance, with lives, which over the course of our acquaintance, become as real to us now as our own.The novel begins with a tip of the hat to a Lockean 'blank slate' of human experience - one in which David Copperfield presents the text itself, the story of his life, as evidence to the reader, asking us to determine whether he is the 'hero' of his own story. The fatherless Copperfield starts life between two mothers, Clara Copperfield and his nurse/confidant, Peggotty. When his mother marries the firm and controlling Murdstone (and arguably, his sister Jane into the bargain), David enters into the economy of human interaction. Bandied about after his mother's death from the harsh school/prison of Salem House, the harsher world of fiscal self-responsibility at Murdstone and Grinby's, to the irresponsible family environment of the Micawbers - all before he is a teenager - David is continually beset by personal difficulties that challenge and form him."David Copperfield" is chock-full of fabulously rendered and otherwise memorable characters who all challenge simply being types. David himself is no simple innocent, abandoned, exploited whelp, like an Oliver Twist - David is more like another of Dickens' orphans, Pip in "Great Expectations" who struggles through initial difficulties to cherish and covet the world of prosperity and success, giving a darker cast to his character. Then we have Mr. and Mrs. Micawber, whose charming play with language and marital fidelity is often undercut by hyperbolic expressions of devotion to each other. Their constant state of debt and expectation that society owes them a living without putting forth any effort to deserve it also render them problematic. With these examples, I do not mean to qualify the appeal of the characters, but to show how wonderfully complicated and fully realized so many of them are - including the endearing Mr. Dick, the demonic Uriah Heep and the spiteful Rosa Dartle.Dickens makes great effort in "David Copperfield" to show how the blank slates of personhood are formed by social conditions - Victorian gender expectations, economic position, and British imperialism, among others. For example, the first covers the gamut of particularly female experience from the dwarf Miss Mowcher, to the jealous mothers Mrs. Markleham and Mrs. Steerforth, to the confounded prospects of little Em'ly, Julia Mills, and the prostitute Martha. While the novel is not as strictly thematically linked to pressing social problems as some of his other works, broad social themes frame the characters' regard for each other and the institutions of mid-Victorian society.I enjoyed "David Copperfield" so much - I could talk for days about extended motifs of death/suicide, metafiction, and sublimation of instinct to propriety (where David's disturbingly violent impulses are systematically repressed and suppressed). I could also go on about the wide range of Dickens' literary reference, and the use he makes of Sterne's "Tristram Shandy," Cervantes' "Don Quixote," Richardson's "Pamela" and the influence of the major Romantic poets, namely Coleridge, Wordsworth, and Byron. Or I could try tracing the substitute father figure from Shakespeare's Falstaff to Mr. Micawber to the unlikely Humpty Dumpty from "Alice in Wonderland." But I won't.Read "David Copperfield." It is a spectacular entertainment, possessed of - in short, a great novel. | 45 stars
|
IT'S GREAT!
A friend of mine recommended the Kindle to me. It is the best device I have ever ordered. It is really simple to download the books I want to read, and it is very easy on my eyes. I used it outside during the summer and there was no glare on the screen. Also I can carry it in my purse. I would highly recommend it to anyone the least bit interested in it. | 45 stars
|
Survival of the Sickest
This book does a good job of pointing out that medical science does not understand everything it thinks it knows about illness and disease. I found it interesting that much of the DNA in our genomes is actually viruses that have become part of our own systems. Perhaps everyone should read this book and understand that perhaps the medical community is harming the evolution of our species by attempting to conquer rather than work with the viruses, parasites, and other "illness"-causing germs. | 34 stars
|
Enjoyed the book very much
The detail about the actual men, as well as the History is very interesting to me. I have purchased the next two books in the series already. | 34 stars
|
OK
It was OK, but not great. Decided to re-sell after I skimmed some of it. It was more in a pop style than I was looking for. | 23 stars
|
Loved it!
I agree that this book was shorter than her last books but it was not short on plot or character development and it didn't feel short. Don't judge this book on the number of pages. If you do you will miss out on a great read! Oh and for those of you who hate this writers style or use of erotica, stop buying her books. Wouldn't your money be better spent on a book you'll actually enjoy? | 45 stars
|
A real letdown
Of all the many books I've read since childhood about pets and animals, this one left me cold. Nothing the author said about this pig was at all out of the ordinary and if he had a special personality the author was not up to the task of convincing me of this. Ok, so he would pull a strawberry out of his slops and savor it and he loved to have his belly rubbed but what exactly made him special? The book has gotten good reviews but I just felt sorry for the author's mother and annoyed at her shameless self-promotion and narcissism. I've saved all my other books on animals to pass down to my grandchildren but this one is already in the recycling bin. | 01 star
|
A Fast Paced Suspenseful Read
Thirty-something Marissa Jenkins is a single sistah who has looks, a good job, and a decent apartment. Unlike a lot of single sistahs, she is not looking for a man. In fact, she has too many to handle. Marissa is dating four men at the same time. And she definitely is not interested in walking down the altar with any of them. She couldn't if she wanted to, because of all of Marissa's men are married.When Marissa meets handsome bachelor Levi at her best friend's house, she is turned off by him. He doesn't know how to dress and he is a blue collar worker. In fact, she is down right rude to him.Marissa continues to juggle her married men until she starts receiving harassing calls from a woman telling her stay away from her man. Marissa honestly has no idea who is calling her. With four men, it's just too hard to know whose wife may be calling her.Marissa tries to ignore the calls but later her car is defaced and she is sent a death threat. However, she is afraid to go to the police, because she is too embarrassed to tell the police about her lifestyle.Fate pairs Marissa with Levi in her quest to find the stalker. Marissa must face the demons from her past in order to that she can resolve her issues with the present.SHADES OF JADE is a fast paced suspenseful read that will keep you turning the pages. | 45 stars
|
Good, but could have been better
The author makes a lot of great points in this book as she chronicles her spiritual journey around the world...and some of the points had a great impact on me in light of opening my mind to inner peace and happiness. It encouraged me to try mediation with the hopes of achieving that balance we all seek in life.That being said, I was surprised to learn that this is not the first book the author has written--her writing style did come across a bit amateurish. I found myself getting a little irritated and wishing I could have edited the book --not to change the content--to to allow the words and sentences to flow better. Further, she would go on these tangents with anecdotes and details that made no sense to the overall picture.All in all, I do believe Elizabeth did come away from the experience a more peaceful and self-relected individual, but the hype on this book was quite over the top for the content. | 23 stars
|
No One Knows....
No one knows what the trappings of a post-apocalyptic world will truly be, but the blighted state of humanity imagined in Cormac McCarthy's THE ROAD seems horrifically real. This is not a pleasant book. It is, in fact, quite the opposite - relentlessly depressing. But it's underpinnings of hope, regardless of the seemingly hopeless monochromatic landscape navigated by a father and son, is what makes it worthwhile. I caution you, though, to prepare yourself for an extremely sad story - one that will stay with you long after you finish the book. | 34 stars
|
Enjoying my Kindle
I received my kindle as a gift and I find it very easy to take a long where ever I go. It's easy to read even if I only have a few minutes. The only thing is when I read a good book, I am not able to share it with anyone else I think would enjoy it. | 34 stars
|
BLINK nothing to sneeze at
I enjoyed this talking book immensely. Well read by the author (a rare feat). Facinating research. A little drawn out towards the end. I will use some of the material in customer service training. | 34 stars
|
My most favourite Austen novel! Mrs. Bennett is like Kris Kardashian!
I love this book so much! Elizabeth Bennett is a feminist hero. She doesn't go all crazy trying to land a hubby as her sisters do. She scoffs at the Über sexy Darcy. Poor Jane suffers when Bingley and his evil ho sisters skip town. Lydia and Kitty "service" sailors and the former ends up marrying a deadbeat loser. Mrs. Bennett is comparable to Kris Kardashian, as she is obsessed with getting all of her daughters married off. A great book, a true classic! | 45 stars
|
Exciting and interesting
I really enjoyed Gates of Fire. I've read a few now about the Battle of Thermopylae and this was the best and most enjoyable read. | 34 stars
|
In Praise of Life
I am great fan of Coelho's and absolutely love his books and the messages that they impart. This is the third book of his that I have read and I found his latest book to be no different! This is an excellent book - it will have you questioning your own life and the value that you do or don't place on it.As some of the reviewers have said - this is a book about life and not about death and I could not agree more. After an unsuccessful attempt at suicide, Veronika awakens in a mental hospital with a grim death sentence hanging over her head of only having five days left to live. Her conformist way of life, her mediocrity, her stifled creativity, as well as her unwillingness to take risks or challenges, are all brought into the limelight for the reader to "feel". The reader experiences many emotions on Veronika's journey during the remaining five days of her life. We are treated to what her dream "would have been" if she followed her heart and allowed her emotions and passions to shine through.Veronika's five-day metamorphosis is in effect her rebirth into life. She allows her buried feelings, passions and creativity to surface and to be acknowledged. Her brief stay also influences other patients in the hospital, as they too undergo their own rebirth into the joy of living.The ending of this tale will come as a surprise to some readers, to others maybe not. Nonetheless, this book is excellent and will re-confirm to the reader just how precious, joyous and love-filled life is. This book also brings home many messages, the most important one being - life is what you make it - it is your choice and your choice alone - one can either live life to the fullest or be a walking zombie as Veronika was.I thoroughly recommend this book as another inspiring and thought provoking book by Paulo Coelho. I very much look forward to his next book. | 45 stars
|
Message from The Boston Globe
Thank you for your feedback on the Boston Globe Kindle Edition. We hear your concerns and we are working to incorporate more content into our Kindle offering and enhance its display. You will notice in the next few weeks several new content available to you. | 45 stars
|
Fantastic upgrade from previous Kindle
Much easier to read, infinitely superior screen, refresh time, and so much better placement of the page forward/back control buttons. Definitely worth the investment and I will be keeping this device for MANY years to come! | 45 stars
|
inside the mind of the us president
This book will help many realise that being president doesnt start with a genius baby. This is not to say that president Barack isnt special. With every page i turned, i watched him grow, from a boy with confused emotions to a young man trying to make his way in the world. Very well written and genuineA must read for every one that thinks presidents are a "different specie":) | 34 stars
|
Heartwarming
I fell in love with this story. While Savich and Sherlock didn't have a major presence in this installment, the main characters more than adequately filled that space.The relationship between Ramsey and the child he discovers is touching and it was written in a way that had you experiencing its development rather naturally. The suspense surrounding her story unfolded at the right pace and I couldn't put the book down.This story stands on its own but I appreciated having read the previous two. No matter where you come into this series, Target is a must read. | 34 stars
|
One did not fit!
I like Her Betsy books a lot and read this as part of an omnibus. The thing is the last story 'A fiend in Need' should have been the first story in the omnibus since it told us who the fiend George was and introduced the werewolf Antonia. But it was the story 'Monster Love' that was off from her work. First In 'Monster Love', werewolf Janet Lupo finally finds her mate and is able to get over Michael Wyndham (who chose a monkey, aka human, instead of a werewolf as his mate). Janet meets vampire Richard Will, who kidnaps her when he thinks she is skipping out on a date with him. The story is about finding love and two people that don't fit in. The story it good and well within her style of writing but I think it was an earlier work that she through in. The vampire Richard is different from the vamps in the Betsy books. Mainly, he uses phases like: "God please", God dam", "God no" and others that would make even the King of the vamps cringe. And he went thee days with out blood, only Betsy could do that. I think she wrote this short earlier and then change her vamps in the later books and never rewrote this. I also feel that the title of another short in the book was more fitting to this story 'There's No Such Thing As A Werewolf'- Richard thought Janet's reason for leaving- because she had a meeting with her werewolf pack leader- was a lie. He wanted her to admit she was running because she was scared of him. And only said she was a werewolf because he was a vampire. That title fits the story better. And the story that she did give that title to had a blind werewolf doctor and a half fairy and she guessed he was a werewolf before he could even tell her. It's title should have been 'Wishful Thinking' or 'A Moon for A Werewolf' since her name was Crescent Muhn. Anyway, The stories are good and of course funny but I gave it three stars because the vamp Richard is not consistent with the system of her Vamps that she has already set up in her other books and this is the same world. | 23 stars
|
Good, strong melodic music
"Sense and Sensilibilty" was fortunate to have Patrick Doyle as the composer. The songs are beautifully written, with strong tones. Even if you've never seen the movie, it's easy to imagine what happens in the movie when each song plays. While this CD isn't exactly car trip music, the instrumental pieces are fabulous. There are also two songs sung by soprano Jane Eaglen. | 34 stars
|
Take some in...Let some go
I took this book with me on a recent trip to New York; not knowing I would have plenty of time to read it during several airport delays. I found it to be very entertaining and could often relate to the experiences shared by Ms. Gilbert. I enjoyed the wonderful stories of eating in Italy because I spent a week in the Tuscany area some time ago and enjoyed the same pleasurable experience. I often found myself relating to the stories of her life and wishing I had a highlighter to mark specific passages that I wanted to remember. Sure, there are some things in the book that are not as I perceive them and beliefs that I choose not to follow...but I believe that one has to approach life and learning with an open heart and mind; filtering what is useful and true to you and what is not. So, as I read "Eat, Pray, Love" I took some in and and let some go. I think I took more than I left and I am actually going to read it again. This time with my highlighter to mark those special areas that specifially touched my mind, body and soul. I believe Elizabeth Gilbert wrote this book not to convert the reader but to inform them of her conversion and the growing process of change. Her writing is candid and real...intelligent and humorous. I would recommend this book to anyone with a desire to grow beyond their own self-imposed comfort zone and step out of their box. | 34 stars
|
Otherwise dry material rendered frappalicious
I seldom go to Starbucks and can rarely stomach lengthy financial analysis, so I never expected to be so consumed by a book that I just happened across and then couldn't put down. As a liberal-arts-type reader, I was as riveted by this utterly charming biography of a stock as I routinely am by a great man's life story. As originally unappetizing to me as the thought of 300 pages detailing a company's year-long stock performance was the sheer pleasure here of following the author's wide-eyed pursuit of answers about why stocks rise and fall. As Ms. Blumenthal chases down a broad swath of individuals to learn all she could about the history and future prospects for Starbucks, I found the questions she put to Howard Schultz and other company execs, to security analysts and fund managers, to small DIY investors, and to many others, were exactly the kind of questions I wanted asked. Assuming you're not already a full-time securities pro, reading this book -- although it won't instantly certify you as a financial guru -- will, for less than the cost of a few macchiatos and frappucinos, make you far wiser about this amazing company and the ways of the market. Concentrating so deeply on one company enables the author to show how stock buybacks, black-box trading operations, analyst reports, and dozens of other abstract concepts actually work in a real-world case history over an extended period. Thus material that would otherwise seem academic and dry becomes far more palatable and understandable. Kudos to Ms. Blumenthal for wonderful reporting and making stock-tracking acutely interesting and intelligible. | 45 stars
|
The Best So Far she's written!!!
This is one of her best works of art. She never gives away the plot and it's always surprising at the end! The plot is not completely revealing with just enough with a mix of horror and romance to make a fine novel. | 45 stars
|
ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL
I haven't had a Catherine Anderson book that I didn't like, so I was anticipating a great read when I stopped and picked Bright Eyes up at the bookstore. I was not disappointed - in fact I was so entertained by the story line as well as the secondary characters that I found myself laughing out loud. The gander and Rose are pure fun.Bright Eyes is fun - full of tender romance - heated passion - and lead characters who have depth and character. Catherine Anderson has written a beautiful story about love that comes when you least expect it and manages to overcome all obstacles. By the time I finished the book (all in one sitting, I might add) I was believing in the magic of the heart and that love can find us even when we aren't looking. Cannot wait for the next book to be released.......... | 45 stars
|
stupid sad pathetic
The use of drm and the removal of George Orwell's books is one of the most stupidest move by amazon and i am never coming back to amazon to buy any product.Thanks for all that you have done | 01 star
|
Another great read from Marian Keyes!
I'll try to keep this short and sweet...I've read two other Marian Keyes novels and this is my favorite so far. I have to admit that I wasn't super-excited about the subject matter (drug addiction)but I quickly changed my mind. It really grabbed me right from the beginning and I found myself genuinely caring about what would happen next to Rachel, the drug-addicted main character.In the usual style of Marian Keyes, this book is really in touch with what young women think and feel. But it goes further than that, to delve into the psyche of an addict. It doesn't seem superficial or corny, but rather very real and alarmingly close to home. I found this book to be incredibly believable and touching. | 45 stars
|
To be(tray), or not to be...
This is a Russian story for Western ears, says the narrator, an Englishman who teaches languages in Geneva at the beginning of the 20th century.A Russian student in St.Petersburg is faced with a dilemma that must have been experienced in similar form by many others in many times and countries, and by many more in their imagination. What would I do, if...Say, you were a German student with vaguely leftwing orientation in the early 70s, and Ulrike Meinhof had just gone underground, and by some strange combination of coincidences she turns up in your flat and asks for temporary shelter and some minor help in an escape plan.This is the situation that Conrad puts his hero Razumov in. Not with Meinhof, silly, but with a freshly successful assassin of a high Russian politician; the 2 students knew each other barely.From here, Conrad develops a compelling story of betrayal and espionage and political revolution, starting in St.Petersburg, then moving to Geneva. Like in real life, one might say. Switzerland becomes the playground for the Russian revolutionaries in exile and for their hunters. The title of the story means exactly that: Russian fights fought in the West for `them' to watch and wonder over.(This book is another case of oddly misinforming book descriptions, here on an otherwise blameless Penguin: the back cover says that the book explores the conflict between East and West. What nonsense. The book explores no such thing.)Conrad was far from sympathizing with `the Russians', but he seems to have known them quite well. His Razumov (the word means `reason' or `mind', says the writer of the notes) is a variation on Razkolnikov. Conrad disliked Dostoyevsky, who was `too Russian' for him, but he was rather obviously writing `against' him here. Razumov's guilt is his betrayal of the assassin, and his atonement/punishment comes in hard struggles between reason/self preservation and emotion.The novel has a rather simple structure, for a major Conrad novel.The narrator came into possession of Razumov's diaries; he paraphrases and summarizes them for us. (Why not stick to the fiction and let us read the `original' diary, as Nabokov might have done? - I thought of Nabokov here because VN, like JC, disliked Dostoyevsky; it may be an interesting subject to compare the differences of the dislikes of JC and VN.)Part 1 is the story in St.Pete, by the diaries. Then we follow the narrator's personal experience in Geneva. Protagonists in the story have not read part 1, of course... This gives the narration a Hitchcockian flavor. We know more than the people in the story, and that drives suspense.JC did not have the benefit of the Bolshevik revolution hindsight, that's why some of the politics are oddly off target. It could hardly be otherwise in 1910.The novel has more women than most other Conrad books. This about the main female character: at the educational institutions, she was looked upon unfavorably. She was suspected of holding independent opinions.Quite possibly, JC wrote women into this book as a defense mechanism. He had been attacked from that angle.In the life work of Conrad, this novel is in a surprising position. He wrote it before he reached his prominent and profitable phase. It is not necessarily a shocking departure in terms of methods, but it is for sure a pure thriller: a precursor of Graham Greene and John Le Carre, and their next generation. There is nothing of the complexity and complication of Nostromo in this novel. Even the Secret Agent is much more complex.I do not hesitate to include this in my short list of best Conrads. | 45 stars
|
Great book - another don't miss title by Marian Keyes!
What a wonderful book! I had been wanting to read this book for some time, since it had been recommended by so many people in one of my book groups. I read "Watermelon" by Keyes 3 years ago, and found it a little too light for my taste, but was simply blown away by this book. I could easily see it being made into a movie. If you want the story to be a total surprise, and would rather not hear anything about it ahead of time, then stop reading right here, or just skip the next paragraph - I don't want to ruin the plot for anyone.The book relays the experiences of Rachel, the younger sister of Claire's that was barely mentioned in "Watermelon". I found the book to be stunningly insightful, not just about addiction, but rather so many basic topics surrounding self-esteem. I really feel that this book has a little something for everyone - that might just be my awed opinion, but if you didn't care so much for Watermelon, don't let it discourage you from reading this book.I was thinking that everything I had heard about "Rachel's Holiday" must be hype, and that I would be disappointed, but I definitely was not. I was actually very impressed with the author's research into this subject matter, and the great readability of the book. Don't miss this one! | 45 stars
|
We have gotton nowhere!
To short to be marketed as a novel. Engrossing and imaginative as always but the cliched sayings are the same, the similes are the same, the sex is the same! Let's move on in the plot next time. | 12 stars
|
This can save you
Most of the problems that happen are a result of poor communication. My fiancee and I read a page or two of this book about 3-4 nights a week and it keeps us grounded in our relationship. It is invaluable. | 45 stars
|
Food illiterate
I was in Long Island visiting my mother-in-law, and ran out of things to read. This book was on her deck. I picked it up and was hooked by the second page. Being completely food illiterate, I thought that I wouldn't enjoy it. I read it in two days. I am now reading "Comfort Me With Apples: More Adventures at the Table" and can't put it down.Ruth writes with such honesty that you want to become her friend. Her figurative language is extraordinary, and makes me want to become a food warrior. I doubt this will happen, but I am living vicariously through her words.I love the recipes that are peppered throughout her books. Several, like lemon pasta, and the goat cheese on toast, are easy, elegant, and can allow a neophyte like myself seem like a great cook.Even if you aren't into food, Ruth's story is entertaining, and wrapped in prose that is remarkable. | 45 stars
|
Great read!
This is a great book and definitely leaves you asking for more! Can't wait to read the rest of the series! | 45 stars
|
Age of violence : A day in the life of Henry Perowne
"Saturday" affirms McEwan's status as today's leading contemporary novelist and proves once again that he is a master of his own unique craft of conjuring danger, menace and disquiet. Like the runaway hot air balloon scene in the unforgettable opening chapter in "Enduring Love", "Saturday" opens with Henry Perowne standing alone by his bedroom window in the wee hours of the morning, observing with growing horror what appears to be an impending aircrash, as his subconscious intuits lurking violence about to explode upon him and his family before the new day comes to a close."Saturday" explores the interior of human consciousness and is a story about a day in the life of Henry Perowne, though not just any ordinary day but one that encapsulates the violence and terror that has marked our post 9/11 existence. For the most part, we the readers live in Henry's mind as we ride his waves of anticipation and dread while he makes his scheduled appointments for the day....until the inevitable happens. So, it shouldn't surprise anyone that by the time we get to page 60, Henry hasn't even left his posh home for his squash date, to shop for the evening's family reunion dinner, drop by to watch his musician son doing a late afternoon gig, etc.Just like the spiritual awakening Mrs Dalloway experiences on that one particular day she prepares to throw a grand dinner party for her socialite friends, Henry's world slowly closes in upon him as he is forced to confront his own insecurities and failures behind the undeniable trappings of material success in his life.A product of the times, Baxter, Henry's nemesis, is the perfect icon of modern dysfunctionality, a man with a medical secret he fears that if revealed will render him totally vulnerable and destroy him. What ironies await him !"Saturday" isn't unique in McEwan's canon, though that's not per se a criticism. What is mildly disappointing is the plot denouement - a trifle pat and sanctimonious. He makes another mistep - the obsessive medical technology wordplay often sounds like McEwan showing off."Saturday" may not be McEwan's best to-date but as a novel, its ambition and courage, and entirely contemporary interest in bringing us bang up-to-date with issues of violence and terror that reveberate through our post 9/11 world makes this an utterly compelling read. In my opinion, "Saturday" is far, far better than some of the other shortlisted titles for the Booker. | 45 stars
|
A beauty
The setup of the book is interesting.Rhonda gives you quotes and statements from the great teacher.Sometimes you can choose a book by its cover,the graphics are beautiful. It a bestseller indeed. | 45 stars
|
Paula Deen It Ain't All About The Cookin'
A fantastic book about a truly amazing woman who deserves everything that she has attained in life. She told a life story that most people would never tell that are in her position. She is a remarkable lady. | 45 stars
|
Faux-epic garbage that rambles on and on.
"Gates Of Fire" is quite possibly the worst book I have had the misfortune to read in the past year. The book is eagerly scribed by Steven Pressfield, a writer that desperately strives to become the new Homer, but just ends up sounding like Homer Simpson instead. The novel, which is 440 pages long but somehow never manages to get anything to HAPPEN, consists primarily of cliched characterizations, long but pointless stretches of description that could quite easily be condensed to one sentence without detracting from the story, gruesome descriptions of people being whipped until their spine shows and their bodily organs hang out until they finally expire, random bits of profanity that appear only to make the book seem "edgy", long-winded geographical descriptions of the terrain of Thermopylae that achieve nothing, and a training practice called "tree-f***ing"(obscenity the book's, not mine). Keep in mind that this is supposedly a SERIOUS historical epic. Unless it's actually a brilliant, stealthy parody, which would certainly explain painful dialogue such as "What! You've got your spear in a man's guts and your dog isn't stiff? What are you, a woman?"(found on page 155).You may be wondering why I'm using so many commas in my sentences. Well, I was simply applying the same methods that supposedly master author Pressfield does. His "epic" passages primarily consist of overlong sentences strung together by 317 or so commas. Certainly, sometimes a long sentence such as that is necessary, but never high enough a concentration to become noticable in a FOUR HUNDRED PAGE BOOK.The paper-thin story (and I'm referring to Pressfield's embellishments here, not the pre-existing historical details) is told from the perspective of the only Spartan survivor of the battle of Thermopylae, Xeones, or "Xeo" (why in God's name anyone thought it sounded better shortened I shall never fathom). The first-person idea is clearly just another tacked-on cliche: the book would have worked just as well in third-person, and despite the flowery writing style, Pressfield gets all of the soldiers to randomly pepper their dialogue with profanity. This is clearly intended only to remind the reader that this is SOLDIERS we're dealing with here, but it just feels jarring and unintelligent. The battle sequences are no better, with the aforementioned flowery description mixed with people's spines falling on the battlefield, soldiers walking over a carpet of mutilated bodies, people holding their own intestines, et cetera. The profanity combined with ultraviolence at times seems like Pressfield was attempting a Tarantino-esque slant. Actually, I wish this book really HAD been Tarantino-influenced - Tarantino would at least have made it interesting, if completely unfaithful to the actual events upon which it is based.In closing? This sucks. Don't pay money for it. Thank you. | 01 star
|
okay
not quite what I expected but to read but okay. The service was excellent! | 34 stars
|
100% Satisfied
Product arrived on time and the seller was great to work with. Product arrived in the condition described, would gladly do business with again. | 45 stars
|
THE BEST
I have read all of Ms. Andersen's books and alway wait impatiently for her next one. This one is even better than the others. I read the book in one day - it has everything, love, humor, mystery, and of course the great looking hero. This is a must read. | 45 stars
|
Strength of European Community lies in the weakness of the nation-state
Milward's thesis was that `the European Community only evolved as an aspect of that national reassertion' and `without the process of integration the west European nation-state might well not have retained the allegiance and support of its citizens in the way that it has. The European Community has been its buttress, an indispensable part of the nation-state's post-war construction.' Furthermore, `the new political consensus on which this rescue was built required the process of integration, the surrender of limited areas of national sovereignty to the supranation. `That the state by an act of national will might pursue integration as one way of formalizing, regulating and perhaps limiting the consequences of interdependence.'Coal and Belgian nationMilward identified national survival as the main reasons for the Treaty of Paris: `peace between France and Germany was essential for Belgium's security, and that this was the strongest reason for accession to the treaty.' On perequation and its purpose of restructuring the coal industry, `it was evident that the Belgian government as a whole felt no particular allegiance of principle to the underlying intentions of perequation and was quite prepared to allow the more generous subsidy regime which was its outcome to prop up the industry relatively unchanged, should that prove the easier political choice.' As it turned out, the restructuring failed miserably. Apparently, `the van Acker government appeared quite prepared to continue these subsidies while only half-heartedly carrying out the restructuring programme.'The Belgium commitment to providing welfare remained central to its domestic policies and supranationality actually enhanced it: `The collapse of the coal market in 1958 was a crisis of the post-war Belgian state, of the post-war consensus on employment in general, and of the internationalization of that consensus through the Community institutions. For all those compulsorily laid off, generous Community provision was made on top of the already extensive social security provision of the Belgian state.'Lastly, Milward discerned the use of the supranational body to provide political immunity, `the Belgian government always saw the purpose of the supranational authority as a buttress for national policies. It was a source of authority outside the nation which could be appealed to for help, blamed for unpopular policies which were also those of the government itself.' `The High Authority, as the decisions at the end of April 1955 made clear, was not the triumph of functionalism, but a powerful international committee within which separate national representatives argued for separate national policies.'Foreign trade, economic and social advance, and the origins of the European Economic CommunityGermany's export fueled Europe's spectacular post-war growth. `From at least 1890, Germany had been the main European supplier of investment goods (machinery, transport equipment and steel) to other European economies.' In order to expand its export base beyond the `smaller, more trade-dependent economies, one appeal of a customs union was that it would extend that base by forcing down levels of protection in France and Italy, and perhaps eventually the United Kingdom.' Contrary to the British exports market, the Board of Trade inquiry concluded its finding of a `conscious post-war strategy of regarding Europe as the third-best market and its consequences, ceding to Germany the task of re-equipping Europe's investment programme.'Milward's research showed that `If West Germany were not firmly secured in its place as the pivot of this trade expansion income growth would be less.' `The stabilizing importance of the German market seems to have been the greater in as much as countries whose overall export performance was relatively weak in the 1950s tended to do worse on non-German markets, while the demand for their goods still remained high in Germany. ` `Ultimately, it was not monetary and fiscal policies within the Federal Republic which were responsible for the export surpluses but the insatiable demand from Western Europe for German engineering goods and the interlocking demand in the Federal Republic for imports for metals and machinery.'The Netherlands and the Origin of the Common Market`In the integration in the ECSC, the Netherlands had exercised from the start of the negotiations weight and influence beyond its size.' `The Treaty had incorporated most of the safeguards for national political power on which the Dutch negotiators had insisted.' `Dutch diplomacy played, for example, a decisive role.' `It was Dutch Foreign Minister Beyen himself who proposed that the recompense should be that the EPC become a customs union. Furthermore, he proposed that automatic steps by which the tariffs between its member-states would be progressively eliminated should be written in detail into the draft EPC treaty by the assembly. Once the treaty was signed it would, at least between the Six, end the long history of national tariff bargaining.' `After the rejection of the Defense Community, Monnet and Spaak made energetic efforts to keep alive the idea of political union between the Six. But it was not from their efforts that the Treaties of Rome sprang. They sprang from a renewal of the Beyen proposals.' `This belief that the Beyen Plan, if adopted by the Six, could serve as the start of a wider process of tariff-reduction across Europe and thus as the bridge between a more integrated Six and the rest of the continent was important to its advance.'`Adenauer was unswerving in his idea that Western European integration must be the basis of the Federal Republic's security and that it was ultimately the only chance of German unification.' As for France, almost everything France wanted out of the treaty it got. The supranational authority was weak. The initial stage of the custom union could be prolonged if France had still not brought is manufacturing costs and balance of payments into what was judged a satisfactory state. The treaty made an explicit commitment to maintain the high levels of welfare payments and the short working week to which most French governments had been committed since 1936 and the Popular Front.'The Europeanization of agricultural protectionAgricultural protection had its roots from a renewed emphasis on land as a national resource and infiltration of agricultural supporters in positions of power. First, `the protection of European agriculture as it developed after 1945 was usually biased towards the interest of arable farmers.' Second, `the farmers' representative organizations became a quasi-official part of the administration in so many countries and farmers were able to gain a position where they regulated themselves.' `It is to be found in the pervasive belief that the land was a national resource which had been long neglected.'The problems that came with national agricultural management were surpluses and their disposal. For example, `French surpluses of wheat and sugar were increasingly difficult to vent, could only be vented at high cost to the public purse.' Yet, the agricultural policy of `stimulating and directing ever greater output and surpluses left France no choice but to accept the more comprehensive arrangements demanded by its partners in the common market.'The outcome was that the `Federal Republic was surely importing from Holland and France things which could have been more efficiently produced in Denmark or outside Europe.' `In retrospect therefore, the CAP was the Franco-Dutch agricultural trade bargain for which both countries had been searching for the first revisions of the Monnet Plan in 1948 and the French decision to become a greater food exporter. The outcome of the CAP was much more favorable to the agricultural vested interest than to the planners and economic reformers.'The Common Agricultural Policy which propelled agriculture into the post-war political consensus demonstrated the `strength which integration would add to the rescue of the nation-state.'Britain and western EuropeUnlike the other continental powers, in Britain, `trade and industry had a lesser place in policy formulation than the status of the currency and the international financial considerations, on which that was thought to depend.' Therefore, `it is in no way surprising that in Britain the will to national reassertion should have gathered its forces behind the financial service sector. Relative to the rest of the economy it was far more important than in other European economies.'The British cabinet considered but ultimately rejected Operation Robot, which would have allowed the sterling rate to float with an eye of `reestablishing sterling as an international currency with unrestricted use' and overturning the `long-run fixed exchange rates established at Bretton Woods' so that the `dollar and the pound would be the two major international currencies of the post-war period.' Robot's failure was attributed to the failure of American and international support. Undeterred, Rowan and Bolton pitted the Collective Approach, which `responded to the criticisms of Robot by envisaging a much more managed and restricted float, and thus a smaller potential devaluation. And it was no longer a plan for sterling-dollar convertibility alone but for other major currencies to establish dollar convertibility at the same time as sterling.'Yet, `there was no support to be found in Western Europe for the way in which the United Kingdom hoped to establish convertibility between European currencies and the dollar, and this inevitably meant that there would be strong objections in America also.' `For all the Western European states any progress towards convertibility which might involve even a temporary loss of trade was to be rejected, and especially anything which jeopardized their common commercial arrangements. For Britain, on the other hand, all those arrangements were of much less importance.' In Germany, `when consulted, the industrial association, Deutscher Industrie-und Handelstag was even more insistent that any division between convertible and inconvertible currencies within EPU was a threat to German exports. Anything, they argued, which broke up the EPU would hold back the rapidly growing exports to EPU members who would no longer be able to pay for them with the same ease.Milward concluded that `British policy was not only based on a complete misunderstanding of the strength of the common interest that bound the continental EPU members together, it was also a serious misjudgment of the United Kingdom's own economic strength.' `The true constraints of interdependence with Western Europe, the extent to which the future growth of British manufacturing did depend on continental Europe, were not accepted.'British and German manufacturing in the post-war worldMilward asserted that `the root cause of British commercial failure was the failure of British manufacturing.' First, they made the mistake of marginalizing the European market and focusing on the Commonwealth: the `failure of British producers to change the pre-war pattern was that as with cars, they saw Western Europe as a subsidiary market.' This `British reluctance to compete in Europe in the long run only helped the spread of German manufactured exports outside Europe.'Second, they failed to compete effectively with other foreign exporters: `In spite of eight years of government subsidies, a large government market, and freedom from German competition, they argued their complete inability to compete on equal terms.' The chairman of the British economic planning committee even remarked, `They [British manufacturers] ought to be told to concentrate on building up this competitive position and not to rely upon the elimination of competition by a perpetuation of control. It strikes me as defensive and indeed defeatist state of mind.'By examining the auto industry, Milward found that `the `stop-go' effects of credit policy on the domestic market likewise could have been counteracted by increasing exports, but at the crucial period, 1955-6, exports actually fell. The problems of the British car industry were of its own making, an inability to compete in foreign markets.' `When export markets had been there for the taking British manufacturing had not expanded sufficiently to take them. In conclusion,Envoi 1992`European states were reborn as puny weaklings into the post-war world. They developed particular bundles of domestic policies to satisfy a coalition of political interests. To support those policies, they had available an inherited international order which had accepted to a varying degree the principles of interdependence. Some of the domestic policies which they chose could be advanced through this interdependent economic order. Others could not and required something different, integration. The close similarity between the sets of domestic policies chosen by Western European countries meant that integration was a path which could be chosen with reasonable hopes of success on several occasions.'`To succeed, every step in the creation of the Community had always to be at the intersection of two tensions; the advancement of national policies had to be combined with a guarantee that Germany could be safely contained politically within the framework. Only when both objectives could be simultaneously achieved were countries ready to abandon elements of national sovereignty.'`The states will make further surrenders of sovereignty if, but only if, they have to in the attempt to survive. Appealing though the idea of a united Europe is, the strength of the European Community does not lie in that abstract appeal.' `It lies in the weakness of the nation-state. The European rescue of the nation-state marked some limits of the state's capacity to satisfy by its own powers and within its own frontiers the demands of its citizens.' | 45 stars
|
ought to be required reading for ALL Americans
I just finished reading Four Spirits last night, on - quite fittingly (and, incidentally) - Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 2005. It was NOT a difficult read, nor a slow one...perhaps four evenings? Unfamiliar with Ms. Naslund's writing until quite recently, I had finished Ahab's Wife, found it amazing, and quickly purchased Four Spirits, settled in for a good read before the winter fire, and immediately saw that I was headed for a powerful lesson in American history - one that I should have already been taught, having been raised in Montgomery, Alabama in the 60's. My childhood was comfortable and overly sheltered, though, and I was for a large part unaware of the large scale of atrocities that so many, many innocent people suffered for the name of justice and freedom. This fine novel, in delicate vignettes, guides the reader - quietly at first, then boldly into what is horrific and, as always with tragic history, certain and unstoppable in its events - through and past a series of happenings that are excruciating to read about (and this, from the safety of distance - god help the ones who truly suffered), shameful from this side to know, but necessary to understand so that this world can be changed into the better place it needs to be today. I for one am fuller for having read this book, and have shared with my teenaged sons some of the knowledge that I learned from its pages. Thank you, Ms. Naslund, for what turned out to be a fine, if at times difficult, education. | 34 stars
|
The answer for hand arthritis sufferers!
As a practicing dental hygienist with arthritis in my hands, I need to be careful not to overstress my hands during leisure time. (makes a good excuse not to pull weeds!) Reading books has become a painful experience because of having to hold the pages open, and even turning pages has become difficult. My Kindle has changed all of that, and I'm again able to enjoy a favorite pastime. It also feels good to clear out my bookshelves. I have found the free previews of the books to be a real help in deciding which book to read next. | 45 stars
|
WOW...a book I refuse to finish
I am on page 127 and am giving up. I thought the plot sounded interesting but I had to FORCE myself to read the first three chapters. Chapter four threw in a little twist and I thought, "maybe there is hope". NO. There is not. Being a striving author myself, I am trying very hard to tone this review down. I know how disappointing it would be to read something like..."IN chapter 2, the uncle shoots himself with his own pistol. It's ruled an accidental death; however, I think it was intentional. He'd seen where this book was headed and got out as quickly as he could. Wish I could have had the foresight to end there as well." I'm sure that would hurt Beverly's feelings. But the book truly is that awful.I consider myself something of a connoisseur of historical romances. I LOVE Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, Judith McNaught, Elizabeth Thornton, etc. BTW, those would all be wonderful alternatives to this book.I'm not sure where Beverly went wrong. The plot is fine. The characters are likable enough. There was a moment of chemistry that she could have turned into something. But for some reason, the book instead became a horribly written, mind-numbing creation. You get page after page of insight into the characters' thoughts and yet learn NOTHING. For some unknown reason Simon realizes he has fallen in love with Jancy; there is nothing leading up to this 'thunderbolt' except his ENDLESS circular inner chatter. The conversations between characters are just as boring. And to top it off, chapter 11 has the WORST sensual scene I have EVER read. It was almost comical.I have reread through my own attempts at novel writing and, thanks to Beverly's book, have decided to submit a couple for review. After all, if she could get this book published then mine are sure things. | 01 star
|
Great Story loved it
I love Amy's books, they always have alpha men, strong heroines, an excellent plot with a lot of action. Just my style. A real page turner, I could not put it down. | 45 stars
|
Mary Barton
The book was sent to my kindle quickly. My daughter was required to read it for English class at OSU> | 45 stars
|
A BookThat Doesn't Go Far Enough
I didn't know all of the details of the information presented in the book - basically that we are living in a toxic world - food, personal products, synthetic medications, industrial products and it goes on and on. All these things contribute to illnesses and lowering of our immune systems. I found the book informative, perhaps not eye-opening, because I was familiar with the basic premise of the book before I read it (from other sources.)What I was looking for was a book that would present some solutions to the problem - what can we do to detoxify ourselves? Can we keep some of the poisons out of our systems? Where can we find foods that are healing to our bodies instead of destructive? What natural medications are there to use when we are ill? Well, I didn't find much in the solution department in this book. There are some minor suggestions that don't go into detail (I wanted lists of products - good and bad that we should use or stay away from...well, you get the idea.) I was disappointed that I would have to buy one or more books to get the information I wanted.I bought the book sight unseen, in the first week of its publication. I bought it on recommendations from the radio and written reviews. It is well researched and very interesting, but did not present the solutions that I was looking for.If you have little or no knowledge of what is going on in our "toxic world," this is a great book to get you started, but don't expect answers to the problems it presents. | 23 stars
|
Start Here
The best book that I have read to date. Now that me and my husband are successful real estate investors, all of our friends want in on the actions. We recommend that they read this book first. In fact, before, we will answer too many of their questions. This book covers it all and is very up to date. | 45 stars
|
Promising Thriller Fails to Deliver
Connie Burns, a British war correspondent in Baghdad, retreats to an isolated, run-down rental house in the English countryside to recover after being brutalized by a ruthless mercenary. But it's hard to focus on recuperation when she suspects that her tormenter has learned of her whereabouts, and is planning to strike again. Almost as an after-thought, Walters throws in the mystery of the rental house's history for Connie to ponder in between her obsessive investigation of the door and window locks. The author entwines the meticulous plotting of an Agatha Christie mystery with the blistering intensity of a Patricia Cornwell thriller, resulting in a strange, experimental hybrid of slasher-film/Miss Marple intrigue that just barely manages to bind together into a so-so psychological mystery/thriller. Told through a series of e-mails, news reports, and Connie's personal reflections, Walters sadly bungles any pretense of suspense with her sloppy layout. Deeply flawed, with some redeeming qualities lost in this poorly executed thriller. | 12 stars
|
"Leaving Church? or Leaving Home?"
This is a book that I do not want to finish. It is jam packed full of liltingly descriptive prose of how her life grew bigger as she became smaller. We are allowed a secret look into her most sacred changing world - her life!The author spins a thread through all humanity (especially those who work in "The Church") gathers us all up, and strips away any self appointed entitlement that may be perpetuating our walk.She knows that under all our fine wrappings, we are completely naked. | 45 stars
|
Catherine Coulter books are addictive!
Loved this book just like all the other books by Catherine Coulter. There are so many twists and turns you can't possiby figure out the ending until she wants you to. | 45 stars
|
Kindle 2, The Coolest E-Reader Ever!!!
The Kindle 2 is super. Amazon did a great job. It has alot of features that I enjoy. No, more shoping at your local book store trying to find a book, it is all there in my hand. The text to speech feature is great while driving in my car, I love those books you can't set down. THANKS AMAZON | 45 stars
|
The Faith Club
The Faith Club by Suzanne Oliver was a very good choice for our book club. This book was inspirational. It caused me me to think critically about me own faith.. | 34 stars
|
Beginning of the end
If you've ever sat through film studies and wondered what on earth was going on, don't fret.There is probably something to be gained from studying how we watch films, but unfortunately most of those engaged in the world of film studies as academics aren't interested. Instead, many are content to wallow in unreadable texts with long, impressive terms that, in the end, have little at all to do with films.Studying modes of production, the words of the filmmakers themselves, trends, etc, we can figure out a lot about films. But that's not good enough for some people because it's too straightforward and obvious. Instead, an entire vocabulary needs to be invented--poststructuralism, film semiotics, etc, etc, in order to mask the quite obvious fact that we still don't know a thing.If we had any concrete understanding of how films 'work' on our minds, then someone could write a book that a 12 year old could read and understand. Instead, we get books like this: inpenetrable, heavy, intellectual tripe.If you believe there is actually a 'theory' to film, and that such a 'theory' can be applied to a large body of film and work, then this might be for you. If you're more interested in the real world, on planet Earth, you may want to avoid the subject altogether... | 12 stars
|
not what i expected.....
The book is brand new and in beautiful condition, but the cover is different from the one advertised in the photo. The one online has a figure of a woman holding a piece of clothing across her body. I specifically bought this since I'm a very visual person and the picture drew me toward the book. When I received my Wuthering Heights, it was a plain and simple portrait of a landscape.... i'm rather disappointed since it was not what I ordered, but I guess it's what is in the book that counts... | 23 stars
|
This book is incoherent- incomprehensibly written
This book is incoherent. I read plenty of Sci-fi and saw some of the rave reviews and thought I would try this novel. What a mistake- I could not get past the first 30 pages. After that I just flipped through the pages without reading them to see, in vain, if something would grab me. I could not understand what was going on, or what this book was about. I dont understand how someone could write so incoherently. A possible explanation is that some of the reviews mention that this book was originally separate stories.I think the author has a great imagination, is creative and has innovative concepts with respect to cyber technology. However, none of that resulted in a novel that I could comprehend. | 01 star
|
Kindle
Excellent device and handy. Easy to read and quite portable. Perfect for reading in Iraq ;) | 45 stars
|
Kindle
The Kindle is extremely easy to use with multiple applications. The ability to select the text size, the convenience of a dictionary at hand and the light weight are just a few of the outstanding features. I am sure I will find many more favorite features. | 45 stars
|
mind-numbing, terrible writing
Having a degree in English Lit., it seems sinful for me to accuse Thomas Hardy of being a terrible writer, but there it is. Any writer today submitting a manuscript like this would have it rejected out of hand. This is not a book for an audience seeking a good, fast-paced story that speaks for itself. If you read this book, you will have to interpret every word, description, and action, try to guess what universal message the author is attempting to convey and what the characters are thinking and feeling at any given time. In short, the kind of book that college English professors love, and try to emulate, and remain college English professors because they will never get such a thing published.First of all, character development is not only lacking, it is absent altogether. It might be assumed that the book's title character, at least, would be strongly drawn, someone we could sympathize with, empathize with, or relate to in some way. Not the case. While Hardy expounds upon Tess' physical appearance ad nauseum throughout, never did I gain any real insight into her thoughts and feelings, her motivation. Maybe the insight is hidden in these endless physical descriptions or her inane actions, but frankly, if I'm reading for pleasure I don't want to take the time to search. Sorry. And it follows that if Hardy failed in his title character, forget about all the others.Secondly, his wordiness is irritating. One paragraph of half-way interesting action is followed by a full page of useless description and genuflecting. Perhaps essential to hidden meanings and motives and social commentary, but again, I'm not taking the time to search. I found myself skipping over these, the result being my finishing the book in two evenings.Conversely, Hardy seems to gloss over the most important event in the book, cloaking it in overly subtle tones. Granted, this was written during the sexually-repressed Victorian Era, for an audience with "delicate sensibilites", but come on. Something as traumatic and life-shattering as rape, in fact the event that is supposed to drive the entire novel, deserves more than an allusion to medieval knights taking advantage of peasant girls. Not that I want graphic details, on the contrary. But please, give me a break; even if her society deems she take it as a matter of course, let us see, clearly, her inward rage, hurt, bafflement at what has happened to her. Something. Anything. Make her human, in other words.If you really must read this, a synopsis would be enough. The novel's idea is a good one, and could have probably been done brilliantly by someone else. Hardy fails it miserably. | 01 star
|
The Target (FBI) Series , Catherine Coulter
Like the FBI Series. A sure way to secure a BUY a new book for me is to have the FBI series from Catherine Coulter. | 45 stars
|
Oprah Is trying Hard
You may or may not agree with the principles in this book or you may think of them as warmed over Eastern mysticism given a Western spin but one thing you must admit --- Oprah is trying to bring the most interesting reading to her fans.That is fully appreciated. | 45 stars
|
Me Me Me
I am giving this book 2 stars because the author writes fairly well, and with humor. I won't, however, be recommending it to anyone. This book is a narcissistic trip through life as told by the author, who wants us to empathize with her as she leaves her moneyed lifestyle in the wake of her divorce....and has the luxury of traveling the world as she works through her angst.The navel-gazing became too much for me. I can only wonder what might have happened if Ms. Gilbert had gone to Rome, India, and Bali to serve other people less fortunate than her. That would have made for a much more interesting story, and perhaps she would have grown as a person. As it was, coming along with her while she spent endless amounts of time contemplating herself was a true bore.Don't bother. | 12 stars
|
Interesting Twists!
No trouble reading this for hours at a time, was a fairly gripping story. Found the big break in the series a little disconcerting and felt it lacked cohension in the join between the last book and this one, but the story itself was interesting enough and had enough twists to make it exciting to the last page! | 34 stars
|
Brings to life the full story of the Band of Brothers
Major Dick Winters and the men of Easy Company lived and died during events in history we will never fully understand. In his book, Major Winters takes the story of The Band Of Brothers to a higher level and adds real life to the events and the brave GIs of Easy Company. If you are interested in WWII history and the Band of Brothers, read this book. | 45 stars
|
Enter College with a Sober Mind
Linda Lee's Success Without College is a sobering refutation of the assumption that high school graduates should march straight to the university. Starting with her son's disastrous jaunt into an expensive college, Lee does some soul-searching and concludes that in too many cases college is wasted on people who are not poised to benifit from it. She cites many reasons for not going to college. Among them a lack of maturity, the low rate of college graduation, the culture of hedonism, slackers, and ant-intellectualism, the binge drinking at college campuses, the many students who go for lack of any other alternatives, the outrageous college costs, the "dumbing down" of too many colleges. Lee suggests that young high school graduates might be better served if they take time off and do "character-building" activities such as volunteer work on an Indian reservation, an orphanage, or some such place. Only after someone has matured and is hungry for college learning, Lee argues, should that person go to college. Finally, she points out that many successful people never went to college and that many high-paying jobs only require, at the most, a certificate or a two-year community college degree.There is much to admire in Lee's critique of Americans' blind march to college. However, some of her arguments seem less than convincing. First, her idea that high school graduates should take time off may result in protracted drifting. These young people, more than ever, may need structure and guidance found in some college environments. Second, the "character-building" activities Lee discusses require a certain emotional maturity, the very thing these young people lack, which is why they're not ready for college in the first place. I'm not sure very many people have the tools to work at an orphanage or a reservation right out of high school. Third, only a small percentage of people have the brilliance to be computer wizards and entrepeneurs. Therefore, I'm not sure these glorious careers can be obtained by a significant portion of the population. Fourth, when Lee wrote this book the economy was booming. She cited Cisco hiring people with two-year certificates at 60 and 70K a year. Since the book's publishing, the stock market has become sluggish and Cisco is probably not hiring as robustly as it did when Lee was writing. Finally, I'm not sure Lee's experience with her son, who by all accounts was a spoiled rich baby, makes sufficient basis for generalizing about the virtues of going to college. Whatever refutations Lee makes about going to college, the fact remains that in this country there is a huge stigma attached to those who don't have a college degree and all too few of us can, like John Cheever or Bill Gates, transcend that stigma. | 34 stars
|
A new life to reading
My partner works in a library and told me about the Kindle. At the time I was not in favour of buying it but thought that it would be good on holidays.As we are travelling next month I thought that I would get it and try to get used to it before we left for our holidays.The initial price was prohibitive and this nearly stopped me from buying this product, however I decided that I would have it anyway. (Amazing that it has now dropped in price and those who ordered it in June will be refunded- - - I placed my order on the 31st May so I guess I miss out)In regard to the ease of reading and what I can read - - I am now addicted to reading again. I have always read and always have a stack of books waiting, with the Kindle I now read at every opportunity again, as I did when I was a teenager. I no longer want to watch TV or do anything else - - reading reinvented!!!I love it. The ordering of books is easy and the delivery is quick and convenient.I am still discovering programs on the Kindle to explore but as I bought it as a device for reading I am exceptionally happy with the way it performs. The reading is easy and is not at all like reading a computer screen (I read a computer screen all day and could not cope with this as a leisure product as well) I have tried different font sizes but find the standard is pleasant and I do not need to change at all.Over all I am exceptionally happy with the Kindle - - my only gripe is ordering it on the day before the refund but that is life. | 45 stars
|
Great Book
This book has clear consise explanations of topics that will satisfy most new users to Flash. No nonsense approach and practical instructions with plenty of tasks that lead you through the maize of the Flash interface. There are online addresses provided in the book to resources that provide further explanations, source files, etc. Do not hesitate to buy this book. Well worth the small price. | 45 stars
|
Iacocca 2008!
This man knows what he's talking about, and how to express it! It should be required reading for every politician and voter in the US.Mr. Iacocca can even admit mistakes and take responsibility for them- imagine!! | 45 stars
|
Awesome.
I love this series and really hope the series continues on sooner than later. Don't get me wrong, Anita Blake is great too but it isn't anywhere near the merry gentry series. At least for me. | 45 stars
|
Precious Series
I look forward to each new book in the series. The characters are charming and the descriptions of life in Botswana make you want to travel there. | 45 stars
|
Some people have life changing Dreams
i love this book. i really hope DK makes more of these books soon. Also, the need to some more big book versions. | 45 stars
|
The book that started it all...
Since it was free, I decided to read "Pride and Prejudice" again. I was hoping I would like it more than I did when I was in college. I know you are all going to hate me, and never look at another one of my reviews, but honestly it is one of the few titles that I actually believe I liked the movie better. There, I said it. Maybe it is because modern screenwriters are able to present their attraction to each other better than Jane Austen could in 1800's. The movie is one of my favorites. I still get chills when Mr. Darcy tells Elizabeth she has bewitched him. If you haven't read it, you simply must, just so you can always say you read the book that started it all--romance novels that is. Anyway, there you are. That's my review, and I'm sticking to it. | 23 stars
|
a good resource for designers
A design colleague I respect recommended this book as a way to answer some of the questions I had about the ethics about selling design services and business in general. It makes a good case for why certain services are more expensive than others, and how to justify your fees.. | 34 stars
|
A History of the Mediterranean ? Not really....
When I first heard that Norwich was writing a book covering the entire history of the Mediterranean two thoughts crossed my mind - first, that this will be a great reference book for Mediterranean history, the same way that Asimov's Chronicle of the world is for world history - and second, that Norwich's knowledge of history is much wider and deeper than I initially thought.Well, this mediocrity of a book proved me wrong on both accounts.This is not a history of the Mediterranean.This is simply the bits and pieces of its history that Norwich is actually knowledgable about (medieval and early modern European history) with some indifferent references to the rest to fill in the gaps.To give you an example of his lack of proportion, the entire ancient history of the Mediterranean (including Egyptian,Phoenician,Greek,Carthaginian and the Roman republic) is passed by in forty (40!) pages.. less than those he uses just for the Napoleonic wars.The southern half of his subject (North Africa) barely gets fifteen pages from beginning to end.The book doesn't begin to pick up it's pace until we reach the High Middle Ages - and even then he doesn't really have anything new to say; whole paragraphs seem to have been lifted word for word, from his previous books (Byzantium trilogy especially).In conclusion, if you are looking for a book covering the whole history of the Mediterranean this isn't it. Norwich is a fine writer and storyteller and everything....but just as long as he sticks with what he knows..... | 12 stars
|
A remarkable story about a remarkable place
Bernard Cornwell has a truly incredible talent for creating vivid and interesting characters, and Stonehenge is no exception. Here, Cornwell tackles one of the greatest mysteries of the ancient world: who built Stonehenge, how, and why?Cornwell's neolithic world is very well-researched, and it is easy to imagine one's self transported there, in all of its brutal glory. Saban, the main character, acts like an intelligent human being, and it is easy to care about him. As a result, several scenes of the book are very difficult to read; make no mistake, much of the action in Stonehenge is brutal and gut-wrenching, and Saban is forced to lead a harder life than he had ever dreamed.Along the way, he must deal with a variety of interesting people. Lengar, his brother, is a wicked tyrant, whose ambitions for greatness makes him dangerous and unpredictable. Camaban, a crippled chieftan's son cast away and expected to die, becomes a sorceror of great renown.All of this frames the building of the great monument, and how it changes as the ambitions and understandings of its builders change. Like all great drama, the story starts small and builds, twisting and turning unpredictably, and enthralling the reader as the ancient world is revealed. In the end, Cornwell has managed a remarkable achievement, not only telling a great story, but bringing to life an ancient and forgotten people. | 45 stars
|
love the kindle
I bought one a couple years ago but sent it back after a couple weeks because of the location of the "next page" button. This one is much better. Enjoying it a lot. | 45 stars
|
Kindle 3
My Kindle was a gift, so I don't have to justify money spent by heaping praise on this little gadget. That said, I really do like it. I've read more in the 3 weeks I've had it than I've read in the 3 years prior to ownership. I have no physical attachment to books at all and really don't like having to share my living space with them. They collect dust. The only nit I have to pick about the Kindle is a bit of glare from the plastic screen. It's not terrible, but it's there, and enough to be distracting. This is actually pretty important to me, and the reason I deducted a star, as my eyesight is only average due to age and past injuries. I often find myself adjusting the angle of the Kindle, the light, or sitting position to keep the glare from interfering with my reading. Still, I believe the technology is more than justified, and I am sure the reliability, functionality, and enjoyability will only improve from here on. Judging from the other reviews, though, I would recommend buying a replacement warranty along with the Kindle until the reliability catches up. Since I have nothing invested, I will definitely buy a replacement should mine die prematurely. I love to read and this surely beats buying books. | 34 stars
|
A Dark, Brooding Classic Not to be Missed
This book is like nothing I've ever read. Beautifully written yet filled with hateful characters and depressing scenes. Yet...yet, I loved it! Emily Bronte does what few authors are capable of doing successfully; compelling you to care for people and situations you otherwise would not. So unlike her sister, Charlotte, who created a likable, strong character in Jane Eyre, Emily creates Cathy, Heathcliff, and the rest of this brooding, spoiled, and somewhat selfish cast of characters driven to depression and madness by the pitfalls of love--both familial and romantic--and makes you want to never stop reading about them. A true classic and one that everyone should read and keep in their library. | 45 stars
|
Gift for my daughter-in-law
I gave the kindle to my daughter-in-law for her birthday. She lives in Japan at the moment and books are her love. From the moment she got it it has not been out of her hands. She absolutely loves it and enjoys the ease with which she can get books in a matter of moments and at very good prices. | 45 stars
|
This is a pretty darn good book.
What I really liked about this book is that it explained very advanced cutting edge theories of the universe, time and physics in such simple terms. It is amazing how well this book is written. It is said that a real genius appears to be a very common man because they can communicate on the most simplest of terms. This writer is such a person. If there is one book that you need to get to understand the nature of the universe, then this is that book. It is amazing. Just amazing. | 34 stars
|
NYTimes
The Sunday Times for 99 cents is a bargainPhotographic reproduction is only fair as are the graphsNo crossword puzzleDrats | 34 stars
|
Not a happy camper
I first want to say that I absolutely love my kindle, WHEN IT WORKS... I have been having the worst luck with my device and no one on the support team seems to know what's causing the error, how to fix it or if they should just replace the device (mind you, this is my 2nd kindle, the 1st never got past the initial set up and had to be replaced). Here is my issue:- every book that I have purchased,at some point while reading I have encountered a random sequence of letters and numbers appearing at the bottom of my screen when I try to turn the page. The codes vary depending on which button I press and the most recent code has been 90UGC. I cannot continue reading and I can not use the menu option.Each time this has happened, I have contacted the support team, each time the team member has made me delete the book from the device,they've resent it to me and I've had to do the hold the power button for 20 seconds process each time. I find this very frustrating and I am actually at the point where I think I should just return the entire device and get a refund. How can I enjoy reading?Tonight I spoke to Sandy L who was the 1st person that actually submitted a tech request for me. I've called in three times before and no one thought about doing this? She anticipates getting a response by Monday so I guess while I wait, I will go to a bookstore and purchase the book which I am certain will not give me an error message when I try to turn the page. | 12 stars
|
Great Product
I really recommend the Amazon Kindle.It's easy to use, has a long life battery, a great visual. | 45 stars
|
This Is The Best Excel Development Book Ever!
Stephen and Rob are clearly masters of the art of Excel application development and have an incredible ability to explain the advanced techniques they use in a way that makes them seem easy. "Professional Excel Development" sets a new standard for Excel technical books and looks to become the standard reference book for the industry. Mastering the techniques in this book has already helped me move toward the head of the Excel development pack! I highly recommend it. | 45 stars
|
Night and Day
Always hats off to Parker's story telling power. This time trivial underwear checking affair by principal develops into rather big incident for the cop of small town. Every characters in this story seem to be struggling for real love. I haven't seen the word swingers for a long time. I thought the word was a parting gift of flower generation in seventies. I never imagined those people are still existing. I'm so glad to read Jesse finally shut down Jenn who pleas coming back to him. As Japanese I have been impatient of Jesse's attitude toward her so far. I hope it will be a good start for Jesse Stone novel, not "be bodes well!" | 23 stars
|
Enrique's Journey
The content was important to read but the delivery was pretty repetitive. It is good to understand the plight of the people who attempt to enter the USA illegally. It certainly raised awareness of the struggle of the mothers and their children. However, I think the information might have been more impactful in a different venue like an article, not an entire book. | 12 stars
|
this is bad books
there is not enough information about my assignment . | 12 stars
|
Dead blog
I just started the trial and got a post dated 2 weeks ago which says that this blog no longer exists. The blogger must have forgotten to tell Amazon that he stopped doing the blog. | 01 star
|
Beautifully written
I bought this book two days ago and finished it last night. Dani Shapiro Is one of my favorite authors and this book reminded me why. It's the story of a daughter who is robbed of her youth and innocence by her self-seeking artist mother. I couildn't put it down. | 45 stars
|
Wife loves it!
I bought a Kindle for my wife for Christmas. She loves it! I explained the amount of books it would hold and the Kindle for PC option. She liked that because she sometimes travels for her work and uses a laptop. We just built an entertainment center covering an entire wall in our family room. Now she can use it for more pictures of our grandkids. We are both very happy. Get a Kindle it's a wonderful product. Books are cheaper and download fast. Also, it's easy to read. I got her a Kindle cover,too. Good investment and cheap. Thanks Amazon! | 45 stars
|
Has Its Moments
As one of the many 'DaVinci Code' clones, Bourne's novel does better than most in presenting a thrilling read. The concept of 36 righteous men upholding the existence of the world (and what happens if they are all murdered) is a neat one, but I felt the book lacking on many levels. The basic plot, concerning Will Monroe, a British-American journalist in New York, whose wife goes missing -- later found to be kidnapped by Orthodox Jews in Crown Heights -- is properly convoluted, and the supporting characters of Tom, TC, and Rabbi Freilich are well drawn. However, Will Monroe himself is, for lack of a better way to write it, rather stupid. The way Bourne presents the Jewish community is as if no one has any understanding of the religion, and seems, at least to me, simplistic. Will seems rather dense at times (you could argue, due to the shock of his wife's disappearance), and without his former girlfriend TC, would never have solved the mystery himself. I guessed the end midway through the book (not a good sign), and found myself slightly angry at Will and his density. I would say this novel is worth reading, but it's not the big mystery it purports to be. | 23 stars
|
Why hasn't Alexander Mccall Smith won awards for these books?
A reader, who is unfamiliar with the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, to his own detriment, may pick up one of these books and dismiss it based on its marketing or cover. After all, it is natural to judge books by their covers. It is sold as a mystery book but I am not sure if that is the best categorization for these delightful books. Blue Shoes and Happiness, like the rest of the books in the series, will not disappoint readers. It is simple, yet filled with wisdom and author's wit and humor.Blue Shoes deals with many issues from black mail to dieting and shopping. I am amazed how much is packed in this fairly short book that can be read in one day. Blue Shoes, like the rest, is delightful. If you are new to this series, you could certainly start with any of these books since the author fills the readers with important events that happened to the main characters. However, I recommend starting in the beginning. What is amazing is that despite the setting of the book in Botswana, a country that few in the US are familiar with, the issues are incredibly familiar and are universal.Whether you are interested in philosophy, psychology, traveling or are merely looking for an entertaining read, you will not be disappointed with Blue Shoes or any of the other books in this series (I have not read the "Husband" one yet). Having raved about this book, I must admit that the series is getting repetitive and perhaps it is time for Smith to move on. I understand he needs to refresh readers' memories by repeating what happened in the past but as the books keep getting added on (he has written 8 so far), this gets more and more tedious. Smith is such an outstanding author that he appears to do this effortlessly but still I wish he would get done with the series. | 45 stars
|
Sisters and friends & thoughts brought to life
My friend gave me this book for Christmas and I usually love everything she gives or recommends to me but this time I was a little hesitant. I fought getting into it but soon found the characters voicing thoughts and feelings that I had thought were only hidden inside of me. Maud's questioning of why people have children, on page 203, and Lizzie later on thinking how it would only take 2 steps to reach out and touch Jake really hit me hard. How we find and lose, build and break and rebuild relationships, whether they are with the family we are born with or the family we create was so right on. These relationships were so real I felt like I knew them and had been there. I saw my friend in several of the characters and, of course, thought of my sister and myself. There was the good stuff I see in myself and others but I also saw the underbelly and selfish side of myself and others in this book. WOW ! This was a book I couldn't put down but made it last through 3 days so I could savor it bit by bit. I finally finished the last few chapters in a deluge of tears and am ready to read it again with a clearer head, this time. I am so pleasantly thrilled to find a book I want to give as a gift. I wanted to write this review as I was reading it. I want to write Sands and thank her. If Laurie hadn't given this book to me, I would have given it to her. I look forward to what Sands has to write next. I look forward to that journey of discovery. | 45 stars
|
Required writhing for all Americans
What a brilliant guy telling us all what is wrong with America conspiracies and all and getting no thing out of it. He is best since Thomas Jeffson and has references to prove it. | 45 stars
|
Good book!
Story moves along very well and I didn't figure out who "did it" until the end. Like this author. | 45 stars
|