Inamorata
Joseph Gangemi
Viking
ISBN: 0670032794 $24.95 336 pages
Alicia Hill Ruiz
Reviewer
I suspect that many of us who are intrigued by paranormal phenomena also enjoy a good mystery.
INAMORATA satisfies both appetites.
In his first novel, Joseph Gangemi delivers us into 1920's Philadelphia during a revival of the
Spiritualist[1] movement. It's 1922 and the Scientific American has offered $5,000 for conclusive
evidence of psychic phenomena (this, like many of the book's details, is historically accurate.) Our
protagonist, 23-year-old Harvard psychology grad student Martin Finch, works for a professor
who is the head of judges for the Scientific American contest. Finch's job is to investigate the
contestants' claims of psychic ability. After exposing several frauds, Finch is assigned to
Philadelphia in his professor's stead to investigate a medium, Mina Crawley, who has come highly
recommended by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Upon arrival and exposure to Mina's feminine charms, Finch must fight to keep his investigative
objectivity. (The remaining members of the all-male panel are apparently unable or unwilling to do
likewise.) The story's suspense intensifies as Mina's abilities are tested and her relationship with
Finch develops. Finch explores several possible explanations for Mina's ability: is it supernatural
as claimed? is it an extremely well-executed magician's trick? or does his own field of study,
psychology, hold the answer?
Readers who are familiar with paranormal history may recognize many of the characters names
from real-life. In some instances, the familiarity with this history is like a bonus clue in the
mystery. Mina, for example, shares her name with Mina Stinson Crandon, a purported medium in
1920s Boston. The American Society of Psychical Research was divided, like the Scientific
American panel in this story, over the controversy of her mediumship. The allusions to the sexual
behavior of Mina's husband, Dr. Arthur Crawley, may seem over-the-top for readers not familiar
with English magician and occultist Aleister Crowley[2]. This is arguably a weakness of the book;
some may find Dr. Crawley's actions and motivations too confusing. But a pinch of the unknown
is, of course, what feeds the natural audience for this book.
If some overly subtle, or confusing plot points can be pointed to as weaknesses, the character
development can be commended. Finch - the underdog with valiant intentions - takes his lumps,
takes his stand and emerges self-confident just as the reader comes to hope. Even minor
characters are entertainingly drawn. We meet Pike, the one-legged Filipino butler who
occasionally assists Dr. Crawley in surgery, and Stuart Patterson, the maverick attorney who
prefers seedy clients who pay in bathtub gin and good will, and employs "a small band of misfits
overseen by a former Western Union boy-turned-majordomo whose principal duties included
fending off creditors and fielding calls from the dozen or so lady friends Patterson was avoiding at
any given time."
While the minor characters entertain us, the more serious characters make us consider. With
references to the Catholic church and a dying skeptic's admission that he wanted to be proven
wrong, we are reminded how powerfully the human psyche needs to believe to project itself into
an eternal existence. Finch and his professor primarily, and other characters to some degree, each
struggle with the tension between believing and not believing. I like that Gangemi stays true to
this tension, deftly weaving evidence for multiple explanations for Mina's seeming success as a
medium. Ultimately, he lets the reader decide what or whether to believe.
This is a promising entry into the book world for Gangemi who has written previously for
newspapers and film. Gangemi's degree in psychology is put to good use with specific
descriptions of mental disorders and psychological theories. The sprinkling of historical facts,
figures, and language throughout the book worked to establish the place and period and brought
to mind The Da Vinci Code. It's always nice to accidentally learn something while reading for
pleasure. And a pleasure it was.
[1] Spiritualism Religious movement that began in 1848 in the United States and swept both
America and Britain It's original appeal lay in the purported evidence it provided of survival
after death, manifested through mediums who communicated with spirits and performed
paranormal feats. Harper's Encyclopedia of Mystical and Paranormal Experience, Rosemary Ellen
Guiley, Castle Books, 1991.
[2] Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) [t]ried unsuccessfully to beget a child by magic, the efforts of
which he fictionalized in a novel, Moonchild. Id. "Mr. Crowley what went on in your head? Oh,
Mr. Crowley did you talk to the dead?" Ozzy Osbourne, Blizzard of Oz, 1980
Thief of Lives
Barb & J. C. Hendee
ROC, New American Library, a division of Penguin Group
0451459539 $6.99 410 pages
Alisa McCune, Reviewer
http://alisaandmike.com/
A vampire story set in a high fantasy world. Sounds interesting? Then you would enjoy what the
Hendee's have created.
Dhampir, published in 2003, was our introduction to Leesil and Magiere. Our heroine is not your
typical simpering, scantly clad woman. Magiere caries a falchion, a very bid sword, and a wicked
set of canines. No need to fear her unless you are an undead. Magiere is a "dhampir", a child born
of a mortal and an undead. Using the gifts given to her by her undead father, she is able to wage
war against vampires. Her sidekick and partner is Leesil, a half-elf with dangerous skills and even
more dangerous secrets. Leesil is a troubled man. His exploits typically involve copious quantities
of booze and gambling. While not the typical leading man/hunk/piece of meat one expects, many
of use would gladly volunteer to be Leesil's nursemaid. To round out this group is Chap, who
appears to be a dog, but appearances are deceiving. Chap can scent the undead and has a bite that
the undead fear.
This unlikely trio embarks on a new adventure in Thief of Lives, published in January 2004. At the
end of Dhampir, Magiere has discovered what she is a dhampir. Manipulation makes her leave
the Sea Lion, her and Leesil's new comfy tavern to save the village of Miiska. Magiere, Leesil, and
Chap sail to Bela to rid the city of its undead and collect a hefty bounty. This time each of the
three will discover how hard killing the undead can be. Myths and folklore don't hold the truths
necessary to accomplish the task. To add to the mix, Leesil and Chap finally divulge a few of their
secrets.
The story is complex and will keep you guessing until the end. Each character is finely crafted like
the weapons they carry. The Noble Dead series is sure to please both fantasy and horror fans. Its
unique premises keep your interest level up and nothing is rushed. My only complaint of the book
is the cover art. Leesil is my mind should look like Orlando Bloom in the Lord of the Rings
Trilogy. Also, the clothing worn on the cover is completely different from the descriptions set in
the book. Too bad authors do no have more input on cover art.
Barb & J.C. Hendee are a husband/wife pair of writers. Barb Hendee is the author of another
vampire novel titled Blood Memories in 1999. Both authors have written many short stories
published. They have a website at www.nobledead.com with many extras for the series. I enjoyed
reading the series and look forward to the next book. The next installment will be released
January of 2005, Sister of the Dead.
Thief of Lives
Barb & J. C. Hendee
ROC, New American Library, a division of Penguin Group
0451459539 $6.99 410 pages
Alisa McCune, Reviewer
http://alisaandmike.com/
A vampire story set in a high fantasy world. Sounds interesting? Then you would enjoy what the
Hendee's have created.
Dhampir, published in 2003, was our introduction to Leesil and Magiere. Our heroine is not your
typical simpering, scantly clad woman. Magiere caries a falchion, a very bid sword, and a wicked
set of canines. No need to fear her unless you are an undead. Magiere is a "dhampir", a child born
of a mortal and an undead. Using the gifts given to her by her undead father, she is able to wage
war against vampires. Her sidekick and partner is Leesil, a half-elf with dangerous skills and even
more dangerous secrets. Leesil is a troubled man. His exploits typically involve copious quantities
of booze and gambling. While not the typical leading man/hunk/piece of meat one expects, many
of use would gladly volunteer to be Leesil's nursemaid. To round out this group is Chap, who
appears to be a dog, but appearances are deceiving. Chap can scent the undead and has a bite that
the undead fear.
This unlikely trio embarks on a new adventure in Thief of Lives, published in January 2004. At the
end of Dhampir, Magiere has discovered what she is a dhampir. Manipulation makes her leave
the Sea Lion, her and Leesil's new comfy tavern to save the village of Miiska. Magiere, Leesil, and
Chap sail to Bela to rid the city of its undead and collect a hefty bounty. This time each of the
three will discover how hard killing the undead can be. Myths and folklore don't hold the truths
necessary to accomplish the task. To add to the mix, Leesil and Chap finally divulge a few of their
secrets.
The story is complex and will keep you guessing until the end. Each character is finely crafted like
the weapons they carry. The Noble Dead series is sure to please both fantasy and horror fans. Its
unique premises keep your interest level up and nothing is rushed. My only complaint of the book
is the cover art. Leesil is my mind should look like Orlando Bloom in the Lord of the Rings
Trilogy. Also, the clothing worn on the cover is completely different from the descriptions set in
the book. Too bad authors do no have more input on cover art.
Barb & J.C. Hendee are a husband/wife pair of writers. Barb Hendee is the author of another
vampire novel titled Blood Memories in 1999. Both authors have written many short stories
published. They have a website at www.nobledead.com with many extras for the series. I enjoyed
reading the series and look forward to the next book. The next installment will be released
January of 2005, Sister of the Dead.
Voyage by Dhow
Norman Lewis
Picador
ISBN: 0330412094 A$25.00 216pages
Dr. Ann Skea
Reviewer
Norman Lewis's travel writing is the good old-fashioned kind. No sensationalism, no smart "look
how weird these foreigners are!", no tricky merging of fact and fiction: just a vivid,
straightforward, sometimes wry expression of his fascination with the world and its people.
In 1937, Lewis was approached by Roy Stevens of the British Colonial Office with the suggestion
that they might go to the Yemen together. The Yemen, then, was rarely visited by Westerners,
mainly, it seems, because the locals had a nasty habit of chopping off the hands of anyone they
suspected of spying on them. Given this, Stevens' plan for Lewis to photograph them might have
seemed unduly dangerous, but Lewis was not deterred. Even the fact that he was given no real
explanation of the purpose of the expedition, other than being told it was an opportunity for him
to gather information and pictures for a future book, did not put him off, although others might
have thought such activity sounded very much like spying.
So, Lewis went to the Yemen. And, after a brief, frustrating but interesting time spent in Aden
waiting for a travel permit, he and Stevens and another rather shady writer called Ladislas Farago,
set out by dhow for Hodeidah. The first twelve chapters of this book are an account of his
experiences.
Lewis is always a superb story-teller and he had some unusual stories to tell. In Aden, even before
his journey had really begun, he met and photographed the celebrated outlaw, El Hadrami
(celebrated, at that time, for having just beheaded four of the King's guards who had been sent to
arrest him); and at the bar of his hotel, he met Joseph, self-styled (on his visiting card) "Senior
Officer's Pimp". And these first novel experiences were just a taste of things to come. His journey
was eventful and uneventful by turns until, after being stranded for several days on the tiny island
of Kamaran, and then negotiating a passage aboard a small cargo ship, Lewis and the others
finally arrived in Hodeidah to be greeted by a ceremonial execution designed to deter the
"foreigners aboard the ships offshore" from spying.
This account, which makes the title piece in the book, is dated 2001, as if Lewis wrote it quite
recently as a memoir. The final piece in the book is similarly dated, although the events it
describes took place in 1954. Other pieces are dated from 1970 to 1983, so, none of this
reportage is up-to-date. The book is none the worse for that, but I would have liked some more
recent accounts of the countries and cultures Lewis documented, so that I could see just how
unusual or commonplace his experiences were, and, also, how things might have changed since he
experienced them.
This was particularly true of the South American countries which are the subject of several very
disturbing pieces in this book. The first piece is dated 1970 and it, like several others included
here, documents the terrible influence of some powerful Christian missionary groups on the lives
of the forest Indian peoples in those countries. It records, too, the cynicism and corruption of
many of those in positions of power, who might have prevented the genocide which was taking
place. He also exposed the general lack of concern of relevant Governments about the situation,
in spite of the continuing protests by anthropologists, the International League for the Rights of
Man, the various members of the UN and US Senate. What has happened to these people since
1983, when the last of these pieces was written? Did anything change?
My other gripe about this book is that Lewis writes frequently about the photographs he took,
like the one of the scimitar-swinging, kilt-wearing El Hadrami, but none of them are included.
With such tempting descriptions of the characters Lewis photographed, it is frustrating that we
see none of the resulting shots.
However, neither of my complaints has anything to do with the quality of Lewis's writing. He has
long been one of the best exponents of travel writing, and those who already know his work will
welcome this small addition to his opus. Others, are likely to find that this small sample will whet
their appetites for more.
September Elegies
Mary O'Donnell
Lapwing Publications
1 Ballysillan Drive, Belfast BT14 8HQ, Northern Ireland
ISBN 1898472777 6.95 Brit. pounds 64 pp.
J. D. Ballam
Reviewer
This is Mary O'Donnell's fourth collection of poetry, and it is in every way a rich and rewarding
volume. There are thirty-nine poems in all here, and the book is divided into three major sections,
entitled, 'September Elegies', 'Hauntings' and 'Antidotes'. As with all of Lapwing's titles, the book
is simply and stylishly presented, while O'Donnell's poems are, without exception, honest,
controlled, sedate, retrospective (even nostalgic), but always 'professional' in their balance of
feeling and execution.
But this is not to suggest that the book is tame, or rather easy, in any sense. Quite the contrary,
the emotional ground out of which these poems arise is plainly one which holds an intensity that
gives real vigor to O'Donnell's expression. Take, for instance, the perfect poise of this final image
from part three of 'A visit to Giant's Causeway, County Antrim':
the young moon arches,
like a wind-filled sail.
I am engulfed.
The introduction of the narrator into the foreground of the poem here is not intrusive, and it is a
feature that characterizes O'Donnell's writing. The personality that emerges is attractive insofar as
she is seen as perpetually questing, asking, hoping to know something about her environment
from the traces of it she finds it has left inside her. One of the most touching examples of this
occurs early in the book, in a poem entitled 'Homes'. In this case, the speaker is separated from
her partner, evidently visiting the house where she spent her own childhood. As light breaks into
the room, she watches uncertainly as, 'The garden is lit, a spectral daylight,/ or an August eclipse/
where we compose our lit and unlit sides.' Seeing herself and her surroundings as fundamentally
fused in a kind of subjective time-keeping or time-losing she realizes that, 'everything is
borrowed:'
a home, a wife's or husband's body a gift,
as yours has been, your skin ardent as the moon
burrowing across the sky to this room,
far from where you sleep.
Indeed, many of O'Donnell's motifs, or rather estimates of reality, are funded by dreams and
dream-states, and the value she places upon them forms a significant part of her understanding of
what the human psyche is made of as it struggles to form a unity in the face of experience's
disorganization and its own impending disintegration. She writes poignantly of the helplessness
we all feel as we return day in and day out to the bedside of someone we know to be dying, and
her appraisal of the worth of recollections there is both powerful and apt.
In those long hours, we accompany him,
carrying parcels, wrapped gifts,
his dreams, thousands, one for every
hour of his living.
But this sadness is never overwhelming for O'Donnell, as she places sadness itself within a larger
cycle of being; and by doing so, she never allows it to become a mere destination. It is seen here
as akin to the bad weather that threatens the harvest, but never ruins the whole crop. Or, to put it
more speculatively, sadness also has its own joy, summed up by the knowledge that it too will
pass. As she says in 'Field Work',
We know the season has shifted,
that autumn's in-drawn breath
has entered crevices where sun once lingered,
a summons to gorge on sweet apples,
to trim dipping boughs, burn curling leaves.
September Elegies is the work of a mature mind and a generous, patient heart. Its passions
confess themselves in whispers, and its strengths exercise themselves in restraint.
Elvis and the Blue Moon Conspiracy
Mark McGinty
Beaver's Pond Press, Inc
7104 Ohms Lane, Suite 216, Edina, MN 55439
952-829-8818
www.BeaversPondPress.com
ISBN: 1592980309 $16.95 250 p.
Robert O. Barclay
Reviewer
Elvis and the Blue Moon Conspiracy begins in 1999 with a series of Elvis sightings, the sort that
appear in the tabloids on a regular basis--the ones that tell us that Elvis is still alive. Then we are
swept back in time to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida wheree two top planners for NASA
are discussing preparations for the Apollo 11 launch. The two are talking over cocktails and
worrying about the upcoming walk on the moon. One says: "we need to gaurantee that mankind is
witness to the Super Bowl of historic events." How will they do this? They'll put Elvis on the
moon--what else? As improbable as this may seem, these two begin seriously to put their plan into
action.
Next we have a flashback to 1960, to a remote Maasai village in Tanzania. Because the Maasai
have become so enamored with the music of Elvis, Moja, one of the tribesmen, decides to carve a
two foot ivory statue of "The King". This sacred idol becomes a symbol for the village and
through a complex set of events, which includes a National Geographic photographer named
Scott Ritcher, the statue makes its way back to America where it ends up in the Jungle room at
Graceland.
Now the story shifts to New York City where we meet an ambitious young reporter, Dani
Mitchell, who is looking for her next story. She works for a tabloid called, The Sensational Nation
and has just gotten special recognition for her exclusive interview with the Dalai Lama. Her next
assignment is to Graceland where she is viciously cut off by Peter Dixon's limo, one of the two
men plotting to put Elvis on the moon. Now we have the beginnings of a wonderful romp in
never-land. The whole idea of Elvis on the moon is patently absurd, but the author has peppered
his story with enough real facts and detail to make you want to believe it--at least some of the
time. The reader will enjoy meeting a wide variety of delightfully crazy characters. In facct one of
them is actually committed to a mental hospital in upper state New York.
The writing is sound, the story is fun, the characters are complex, and the idea is certainly
original. If you've ever been intrigued by all those conspiracy theories that are constantly
emblazoned on the pages of the supermarket tabloids this will be an interesting read.
I know that I'll probably be burned at the stake for heresy, but Elvis was not my favorite singer.
Oh, I'll admit that he is an American icon who changed the music industry and I'll admit to
enjoying some of his movies when I was a youngster, but I certainly didn't get all goose-bumpy at
the mention of his name. Still, I read Elvis and the Blue Moon Conspiracy with delight and got a
good chuckle outof the ending when the author reveals the "real" story behind JFK and the
mysterious death of Marilyn Monroe.
This is not great literature, but it is definitely entertaining. I give it high marks for originality and
can honestly recommend it to anyone looking to put a little silliness into their lives. Smile it's good
for you.
The Christmas Train
David Baldacci
Warner Books
1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
ISBN: 0446525731 $19.95 260 pages
Maria Gaulin
Reviewer
I picked "The Christmas Train" because it is an enjoyable book that I felt other book lovers would
be interested in reading. David Baldacci has a very even flow like style of writing. You get a sense
for the main character, Tom Langdon right away. It is a "don't want to put the book down" type
of read. There is some predictability to the story but, the Baldacci proveides enough twists and
surprises that the ending is not quite what you would have expected.
This book is fo general audience from age 18 to 80.
David Baldacci typically writes more mystery suspense novels. "The Christmas Train" and "Wish
You Well" are deviations from his other books. Other works include "Absolute Power" "Total
Control" and "Saving Faith." His web site can be found at www.david-baldacii.com
Songs of Survival: Life is a Journey
Barbara Ann Duffy
Bad Dragon Press
P.O. Box 16300, West Palm Beach, FL 33416
ISBN #0974212113 $13.50
Joyce P. Hale
Reviewer
This book by Barbara Ann Duffy is aptly named; it "sings" to you from beginning to end.
Although it is not separated into chapters or sections, it is composed of themes: life's journey,
trials and troubles, lost love and relationships, family and friendship, soul-searching and self, and
survival and inspiration. Surely everyone who reads the author's words will again and again think -
that's me!! That is the magic of her book - it speaks to almost everyone at one time or another;
and when it is not speaking to one personally, it is showing them a life that survived. How
difficult, but how cathartic, it must have been for her to bare her deepest feelings to others.
"Where Are You, God" is a masterpiece: "My Child..... You have been so busy with your search
that you failed to understand that to reach your goal you must look within." Barbara Duffy bears
her soul and takes the reader with her through abuse, divorce, cancer, lost loves; and love, her
children, her Dad, friends; and finally herself and her discovered voice. "....I went to the ocean this
morning and watched the darkness give way to dawn, and in that glorious moment, my immortal
soul was once more reborn."
Silver Squirrel
Daniel Ritchie
1st Books Library
www.1stbooks.com
ISBN 1410789454 $19.95
SILVER SQUIRREL is a fantasy adventure set in a forest. It is about a squirrel colony who face
danger and other survival problems through hope and faith.
Silver Squirrel, the hero of the story, is a young, vulnerable male squirrel who is sensitive and
friendly to all forest animals despite their differences. He has got an odd relationship with other
species and his close friendship with a crow makes him special, yet very different from the other
squirrels in his community. He is fond of Sandy, a female squirrel but he is shy and does not know
how to show his affection to her.
Sandy Brown, a young female squirrel, grows up with Silver in the same family. She is lovable
and caring and soon falls in love with Silver who is too reserved to show his feelings. Beverly, her
mom, soon moves home to raise her newly born litter, but Sandy relies on Silver to protect her as
he is her best friend.
The story starts with a prologue, where old Jacob, the oldest squirrel in the community, writes his
reports about their colony. Silver is a lonely young squirrel whose parents have been killed by the
Hawk, the worst enemy of the animals, and grows up in a surrogate family in the forest. Sandy, a
female squirrel, is his regular playmate, but he always feels as if he does not belong to the squirrel
community. One day the colony decide to migrate to another place, and it is then that Silver's
adventure starts. He has to set priorities and make decisions. As the story unfolds Silver changes,
he becomes stronger and gains self confidence.
What will happen to him? Will he ever become someone the others can trust? Will Sandy become
his mate? Will he overcome his fear for the Hawk?
SILVER SQUIRREL is a fantasy adventure that has got all the elements of a great movie: action,
suspense, morale and colorful scenes. Hope and friendship, love and compassion can be found
throughout the plot. It is a unique story in its kind. The author has studied the forest animals and
has displayed their action and emotions in an original, yet truthful, way. The readers can identify
with the hero, feel his plight and share his beliefs.
This book is a captivating novel that will transfer the readers to a fantasy world through the poetic
use of adjectives and the detailed description of the forest and the animals. The characters, though
animals, they own human emotions and beliefs and strive to solve their survival problems in the
woods. Written in a sensitive, emotional way, this story carries the readers' imagination further, to
human colonies and lifestyle. It could be read by children and adults at the same time, so the
readership for this novel is not limited to a certain age group. Also it could be a great movie as is
has got a lot of action and suspense. The author has beautiful pictures to add to the story, and the
readers can view them at his site at http://www.squirreldome.com, and at
http://www.squirreldome.com/silver.htm
This novel is a book for the whole family, so why not get it today? It's worth reading it!
http://www.1stbooks.com
Dave Barry: The Best of the Bad
Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs
Andrews McMeel Publishing
4520 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111
ISBN 0836214439 $12.95 94 pages
Melissa Leedom
Reviewer
I wanted to be mad at Dave Barry for putting out Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs. If he was
going to write another book, I wanted him to bring his ingeniously clever wit to bear on some
new topic, one I hadn't previously seen stripped of its dignity and brought to its knees by already
extensive writing. I wanted to be mad, but I couldn't. I bought the book and I'm glad. This is
funny, funny stuff.
Read Dave Barry for any length of time and you realize that much of his humor is based on a few
simple, but sure-fire, formulas: comparing a person's intelligence to something inanimate ("After
he reads just a few pages, he will have the brain functionality of an ashtray"), negating a seemingly
serious line of thought, ("'Love Child' as performed by the Supremes can only be listened to so
many times. And when I say 'only so many times,' I mean, 'once.'"), and employing lots of
hyperbole: Barry routinely recommends that people be taken out and shot for such offenses as
putting unnecessary e's at the end of words like "Olde" and "Shoppe," or nuclear warheads for
people who take up two parking spaces in a crowded parking lot. He once claimed that the entree
placed before him in a French restaurant was "smaller than purely theoretical particles." It's a
formula we've come to look forward to because the humor never comes off as formulaic. When
Barry says that his home improvement projects look as if they were done by vandals, we smile
knowing smiles.
Barry is known and loved for finding creative ways of inserting the word "booger" into his
columns and, then again, for his often pseudo-intellectual style. Sometimes we know that Dave
Barry is "not making this up," as when he includes real but off-the-wall topics like exploding cows
in a list also containing politics, the economy, and foreign policy; other times, we do a double
take, as when Barry blithely informs us, after touring Westminster Abbey, that John Milton was
the bass player for the Kinks.
In Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs, we revel in his observation that, "'Seasons in the Sun,' sung
by Terry Jacks, . . . is about a person who is dying, but not fast enough." Or that Dan Hill, singer
of "Sometimes When We Touch," "sounds as though he's having his prostate examined by
Captain Hook." Barry tells us that five of the most hated requests to Top Forty bands are
"Stairway to Heaven," and that the writer who penned "The Ballad of the Green Berets" was "just
kidding, right?" Barry is ever-original, even when he is writing on a well-worn topic like "Bad
Songs."
And make no mistake about it: Dave Barry is getting a lot of mileage out of this particular topic.
Not only was "Bad Songs" the topic of four newspaper columns, but Barry recounted the results
of the "Bad Song Survey" in Dave Barry is Not Making This Up. Dave Barry's Book of Bad
Songs, weighing in at a scant 94 pages, consists chiefly of excerpts from those original articles,
excerpts from a staggering 10,000 reader responses (and a few responses he couldn't resist
making up himself), and excerpts of the songs he and his readers are denigrating. He even goes so
far as to commandeer the "BRAIN TAKEOVER ALERT" that prefaced his two-part column
series on the Bad Song Survey by introducing this book the same way: "WARNING! Do not read
this book. It will put bad songs into your brain." What we do have, in this latest offering, is "the
survey results presented in far greater detail." Greater being the operative word. Barry has
managed to produce a very funny volume almost guaranteed commercial success with very little
writing that had to be done (as Barry himself might put it), in terms of actual new words he had to
come up with.
Come to think of it, in terms of actual new words Dave Barry has come up with, very few of his
books fall into this category. Granted, there were Dave Barry Slept Here, Babies and Other
Hazards of Sex, and Stay Fit and Healthy Until You're Dead. But, as are the books of many of his
fellow syndicated columnists and cartoonists like Patrick McManus and Bill Watterson, and Lewis
Grizzard and Erma Bombeck in their day, Barry's books often are simply collections of his
newspaper columns. Which is fine; sometimes I miss Barry's column in the Sunday paper, and it is
always fun to re-read some of Barry's better material.
Also, to be fair, Barry owns up to his self-plagiarism in his usually self-deprecating way: ". . . I
was doing what I am almost always doing, namely, trying to write a newspaper column despite
the fact that I have nothing important, or even necessarily true, to say. . . . I realized that, by
probing deeper into this subject, I had a chance to do something that could provide a truly
significant benefit to the human race; namely, I could get an easy column out of it." Make that
four columns, four book chapters, and now a whole book on the subject.
But we forgive you, Dave. We have to. When we can pick up a book by someone impish enough
to transcribe the lyrics (can't really call them words) of "Land of a Thousand Dances" (Na na na
na na, etc.) and read just a list of titles that makes us laugh out loud ("Get Off the Stove
Grandma, You're Too Old to Ride the Range"), we know that Barry is right: there is a lot of tread
left on this subject. Barry says his readers still write him, years after he first broached the subject,
about the bad songs they hate the most, that they continually ask him to write more on this
subject. Perhaps, with the publication of Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs, these people can see
their most-hated songs ridiculed in print, get a laugh, and get on with their lives.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Private Investigating
Steven Brown
Alpha Books
0028643992, $18.95
Robyn Gioia
Reviewer
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Private Investigating was written for the inquisitive person in mind.
Full of practical advice and professional tips from a former FBI Special Agent and private
investigator, there is a wealth of information for the novice investigator and the everyday regular
Joe looking to solve a mystery. Chances are, if you've ever had an investigative question, the
basics will be covered in this book.
Most people would not associate the word "excitement" with conducting background
investigations or the setting up of nanny cams, but that is how I felt when entering Mr. Brown's
world of sleuthing activities. As a mystery writer, I was saying "ah-ha" when thumbing through
topics titled Catching the Runaway Teenager, Techniques of Interviewing and Interrogation, or
Moving Surveillance. As a citizen, I was anxious for the first opportunity to conduct my own
crime scene investigation as taught in Chapter 17.
Chapter 17, Conducting Your Own Crime Scene Investigation" begins with this scenario:
You've come home from a night out. Your keys are in your hand and as you start to put the
front-door key into the lock, you notice the glass panel on the door is broken. If you're smart,
you'll back off, call the police, and wait until they arrive before entering. The burglar may still be
inside.
The police walk through your house and verify that nobody is inside. You enter. Right away, you
notice an empty spot on the wall where the stereo, DVD player, and your new HDTV television
used to be. Strange in the bedroom, you notice one of the pillows is missing a pillowcase
"When will the crime scene investigators arrive?" you ask.
"Oh, we're sorry, but the department won't dispatch a crime scene unit unless the amount missing
is over $15,000. They're just too busy working larger crimes to come out here," the officer
replies. "But your homeowners policy should cover most of your loss."
The two patrolmen leave, and you and your wife are surveying the mess left behind. Before you
start cleaning up, you should think about doing your own crime scene investigation.
Can you do it? Do you have the knowledge to successfully conduct your own crime scene
investigation? Mr. Brown states, "First, we have to get rid of all those notions about 'doing a
crime scene' you picked up from the O.J. trial, and from watching Court TV and CSI on
television." By arming yourself with the tools of the trade, you'll be able to save evidence that may
later connect the suspect to the crime.
By the end of Chapter 17, you'll know more about the evidentiary value of a crime scene than the
responding patrol person. You'll learn about contamination of the crime scene, taking your time to
be observant, figuring out how the burglar gained entry, how he or she moved throughout the
house, the bagging and tagging of evidence, and documenting the scene. In addition, you'll learn
where to find clues and the rules governing evidence.
If you are an experienced or novice private investigator, or curious to how things work, you'll find
this book useful and informative for learning the methods inside the profession. Scenarios and
useful examples help the reader understand the most sophisticated of ideas. I highly recommend
this title for reading and as an addition to your research library.
Kmart's 10 Deadly Sins: How Incompetence Tainted an American Icon
Marcia Layton Turner
Wiley
ISBN 0471435937 $24.95 255 pages
Roger E. Herman, Reviewer
www.hermangroup.com
Well researched, well written. Well Worth Reading.
When I picked up this book, I expected to find some interesting insights into why KMart, once so
widely known and popular, ran into all its problems. A company whose stores were once part of
the American landscape and whose blue light specials were exciting mini-events, spun into
bankruptcy on January 22, 2002. What happened?
I looked at the author's credentials and, frankly, was a bit dismayed that she was author of "The
Unofficial Guide to Starting a Small Business." Even though the title is described as a best-seller,
I questioned whether such an author would be able to produce the kind of study that the K-Mart
subject demands. Looking further through the book, I discovered that my concerns were totally
unfounded. This book is quite well researched, as evidenced by the abundant footnotes at the end
of each chapter. Turner lists, in her acknowledgements, some of the people she conferred with in
putting this book together. Impressive. Almost academic.
The book begins with two features I appreciated. One was a chapter, called the introduction,
which effectively sets the stage for the in-depth look at what happened and why. The other
feature is a time line that includes progressive events at Kmart and at Wal-Mart. A fascinating fact
to ponder is that Kmart and Wal-Mart were started in the same year. Throughout the book,
Turner interweaves and compares the strategies and implications of Kmart, Wal-Mart, and
Target, as well as other retailers. This approach adds value to this book for every retailer every
business leader who designs strategy with anticipated results. The bibliography and
comprehensive index make this book a most usable tool.
A chapter is devoted to each of the Deadly Sins: Brand Mismanagement, Lack of Customer
Knowledge, Underestimating Wal-Mart, Lousy Locations, Ignoring Store Appearance,
Technology Aversion, Supply Chain Disconnect, Lack of Focus, Strategy du Jour, and Repeating
the Same Mistakes. You'll learn about strategic blunders, tactical mismanagement, and operation
deficiencies that crippled the potentially powerful chain retailer. Details even go down to the level
of describing how insufficient staffing levels in the stores confounded efforts to keep the aisles
clear of incoming merchandise, let alone serve the customer.
While you'll shake your head numerous times as you read this educational and insightful book,
you'll gain new perspectives and cautions in the way you run your own business and life. Highly
recommended.
Grave With An Ocean View: A Long Beach Island Mystery
James M. Maloney
Briarwood Publications Inc.
150 West College Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151
ISBN 1892614456 $9.95 341 pages
Ron Waite
Reviewer
The author, James Maloney, is a retired English teacher now living near the ocean in south Jersey.
When I was in high school during the 1961 to 1962 school year he was my English teacher. While
most students didn't like him, to me he was a never-ending inspiration and guide. He turned me on
to the likes of James Thurber and virtually every one of my compositions (a required weekly ritual
in his class) I would get an A. He was a tough teacher, ergo the others didn't like him. You had to
do oral reports and written reports and read books and actually study the English language: those
annoying diagrams showing verbs and adjectives, etc. We remained friends after school was over
and remain friends to this day.
Mr. Maloney is retired but he is far from the sleepy life. When not working in his workshop or
growing fruits to made jelly and jam, he lectures and writes and reads and is a never ending source
of information, puns and delightful stories.
Grave With An Ocean View is the third in a series of PI books and his character Thomas Mahlon.
Maybe not my first choice for a PI name; it doesn't have the feel of a Sam Spade or Peter Gunn or
Mike Hammer, but one gets used to it. Perhaps because it is so odd it works. Seems there's a
mystery on Long Beach Island. They found a dead body, or what's left of it. The skeletal remains
tell little. Is it male or female? How long has it been buried in the sand. The mystery begins almost
at once.
What;'s interesting about Maloney's stories is that they take place in authentic locations. He
knows his subject matter well as he's a life long resident of New Jersey and knows his material
well. For an ex-Trentonian like me this is a real treat for it's like visiting my old haunts. The
detailed descriptions given for each locale give the reader a sense of being there, something few
writers manage to convey.
Maloney's choice of Long Beach Island is a good one. It's a protected State Beach in New Jersey.
No building allowed. It was director George Romero's choice when he filmed CREEPSHOW
circa 1981. The segment with Leslie Nielsen and Ted Danson was filmed there and it is indeed a
very desolate place in winter.
Chapter One: GHOST STORY begins with a flashback to a terrible n'oreaster in 1933 and the
sinking of the Highland Fling. This sets the stage for future events. By chapter two we meet PI
Thomas Mahlon waking up to his morning coffee and we immediately get a sense of his habits and
personality. There are 45 chapters all told and each is filled with new characters, new mysteries,
solutions and enigmas and just when you think you have it all figured out he throws you a curve
and you have to rethink your position.
Maloney also goes to great lengths to describe food and eating habits in his books. While reading
you suddenly realize you have this gnawing sensation in your stomach. You actually get hungry
while reading and suddenly have an urge to go out and get a pizza! Vivid details of an oily,
dripping Philly chees steak or a grilled salmon tempt the tongue and assault your senses. His
descriptions of landscapes and locales are no less intriguing. Every detail is covered. Even the
smallest thing is covered so one senses they are there on the spot, seeing the events unfold.
I strongly suggest that Mahlon write a cook book when he is not investigating. For an old Jersey
boy like me, now living in New Mexico, I don't have access to real pizza or pork roll or Tasty
Pies. Reading this book made me long for same and maybe plan a visit to the Garden State. And if
you think that's unreal, remember Frank Sinatra used to send to Atlantic City for a special hoagie
you could get no where else. Reading about the herbs and spices, the wines, the exact ingredients,
you can swear you smell the peppers and onions cooking in the back room.
In this tale everyone from the Chif oif Police to local politicians are suspect and when Mahlon is
not eating he's getting more involved with his seemingly unsovable mystery, his interest piqued.
He will not rest until this thing is solved. Drugs, sex, tourists, lounge lizards like Ricky Gee all
blend into this story unfolding to a surprising conclusion. "Rock musicians attract females like
sugar attracts flies" is one of my favorite lines from the book. And "...he had the most voracious
appetite of anyone I met" is another. Again, Maloney's insertion of food and food related subjects
intrigues me. This may be his "comedy relief". The late Director Stanley Jubrick had a bathroom
fetish. In most of his movies there was something to do with toilets or tubs. Remember James
Mason "mourning" the death of his wife (Shelley Winters) in LOLITA? He spoke from a bathtub
as neighbors looked on. In 2001 there was a memorable scene where William Sylvester tries to
figure out how to use a Zero Gravity Toilet, and the memorbale mind-blowing scene at film's end
where Keir Dullea finds himself in a French Provincial bathroom. Even Kubrick's last film EYES
WIDE SHUT features Tom Cruise and then-wife Nicole Kidman in a bathroom.
So if you don't mind reading a suspenseful, riveting mystery while getting an appetitie at the same
time, then this is your cup of tea. It appeals to the Sherlock Holmes in all of us. For me, it
provides glimpses of New Jersey and some of my favorite spots. And I am seriously thinking of
booking a flight to Philly so I can get one of those delicious, cholesterol-laden cheese steaks.
Pilgrims' Moon
Stacey S. Thompson
PublishAmerica
ISBN: 1592861601, $29.95, 416 pp.
Viveka Neveln
Reviewer
For lovers of science fiction involving space travel, this book offers another wild adventure into
the cosmos. This time, nearly 300 passengers aboard the starship, Argo, find themselves hundreds
of light-years away from Earth, due to a computer glitch which sends them off-course. To make
matter worse, they're also 500 years in the future from when they left the third rock from the sun,
thanks to a space-time anomaly they passed through. Stranded, their survival depends on finding
another hospitable place to colonize before their fuel reserves run out. And once they've managed
to land in a new world, they must come to grips with the new challenges they face.
A first novel for Stacey Thompson, the writing is a little rough around the edges, but he still
delivers an entertaining story. Interesting characters and surprising plot twists create just enough
suspense to keep the pages turning. Also, Thompson skillfully uses well-researched space and
scientific details to keep his yarn almost believable without bogging down the action. Besides
plenty of action scenes, the story navigates through a love triangle, power struggles, discoveries
and exploration, intrigue and sabotage, and finally, a satisfying resolution.
Christy's Bookshelf
Rough Ascension and Other Poems of Science
Arthur J. Stewart
Celtic Cat Publishing
P.O. Box 23694, Knoxville, TN 37933-1694
www.celticcatpublishing.com
ISBN 096589505X $15.00
Arthur Stewart is an ecologist, senior scientist, essayist, and poet. A former Peace Corps
Volunteer in Ghana, he is presently an Adjunct Research Professor at the University of Tennessee
after working as an aquatic ecologist and ecotoxicologist for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Stewart has authored or coauthored more than sixty articles and book chapters. This is his first
book of poetry.
Arthur Stewart's background as a scientist is supremely evident throughout Rough Ascension and
Other Poems of Science, yet he manages to weave his vast knowledge with an eloquent sense of
prose to present a work that is not only riveting but a cerebral delight. Stewart writes with
intricate intelligence mellowed with a wondrous appreciation for the aesthetics of nature and his
fellow humans. His poems range from exquisitely prolific to concisely simple to perceivably
humorous. Not only will scientists devour the passages in this engaging collection of poetry, but
lay people will, as well. Highly recommended.
The Midlife Bible
Michael P. Goodman, M.D.
Robert D. Reed Publishers
P.O. Box 1992, Bandon, OR 97411
www.rdrpublishers.com
ISBN 1931741328 $14.95 541-347-9882
Michael P. Goodman is a medical doctor with over 33 years experience in the practice of
obstetrics, gynecology, and peri-menopausal medicine. Goodman practices patient-oriented health
care and specializes in peri-menopausal medicine, midlife sexuality, osteoporosis prevention,
gynecological ultrasound, and difficult-to-manage women's health issues.
The Midlife Bible covers what may seem to be (especially to women dealing with this) a plethora
of conditions women experience during midlife. Dr. Goodman not only offers standard medical
practicum but alternative approaches and just plain old common-sense advice for dealing with
each issue women face during this time in their life's cycle. Of interest also are the stories of
patients and the particular symptom or symptoms they are facing, in essence, telling women of
this age, you are not alone. The cartoons interspersed throughout the book are not only humorous
but sensitive to women. There are rating scales for some conditions, including PMS and
depression, which allow the reader to actually understand whether she is suffering from the
condition being addressed.
All women deal with hormonal issues throughout their lifetime and the great majority suffer many,
if not all, of the conditions Goodman relates in The Midlife Bible. This is one book that would
make a valuable addition to any family's home, to be read and discussed not only by women with
their medical practitioners, but with their husbands or important others, as well. Here's hoping
doctors across the country will begin recommending this easy-to-understand, informative book to
patients eager to understand what is going on with their bodies and to become more aware of
what is available to them in terms of treatment.
Fladen's Child, The Gentle Viking
Walter E. Rudd
PublishAmerica Book Publishers
P.O. Box 151, Frederick, MD 21705-0151
301-695-1707
www.publishamerica.com
ISBN 1592862683 $24.95 313 pages
Krorf is son of Lasji, twin brother of Thorg, the vikingldr of their community of Lassen. Krorf is
chosen to accompany his uncle's summer viking as an apprentice, and he looks upon this as a
great honor. Although most vikings were excursions into foreign territory to plumage and steal
goods for their people of Fladen, this viking was to develop friendly trade with the Slavs along the
Vistula River.
During a confrontation, Krorf is taken hostage and sold to a slave trader. The trader exchanges
Krorf for goods to a Jew named Tymmel, who is trying to establish a shipping line along the
Danube and Rhine Rivers and ultimately out to sea. Tymmel convinces Krorf to help him establish
trading alliances along the Danube, after which, he will take him to the headwaters, where he can
proceed to the Rhine and then to his home.
The story follows Krorf's and Tymmel's adventures as they venture forth to try to realize
Tymmel's dream. After Tymmel is killed, Krorf returns to Tymmel's home to tell his family the sad
news. From there, Krorf sets out for his own homeland, along with Tymmel's wife, daughter, and
son. Once home, Krorf must decide who will be his wife: Shav, the woman he left behind, or
Sedal, Tymmel's daughter, who intends to carry out the dream of her father.
Fladen's Child offers the reader romance, action, suspense, and historical fact. The story never
wanes and is interesting throughout. Much is learned of the Vikings and their culture and mindset,
along with the way they were perceived by others. A highly entertaining book and one most any
reader will enjoy.
Christy Tillery French
Reviewer
Cindy's Bookshelf
BOP! {More Box Office Poison}
Alex Robinson
Top Shelf Productions
PO Box 1282, Marietta, GA 30061-1282
1891830465 $9.95 http://members.aol.com/ComicBookAlex
You know these people. Seriously, you do.
Collecting scattered short comics from places such as the SPX and EXPO anthologies, these
stories introduce us to people who are so real that we can empathize with them. The situations are
so familiar, so deftly done that they could almost be diary pages out of your own life.
The first story is called "Temptation", and features temptation of more than one sort. Jane and
Stephen have a comfortable, strong relationship...one that's put under strain when an old flame of
Stephen's, Darlene, decides to return to New York for a few months and wants to meet with him.
Stephen knows that they broke up for a reason...and though he loves Jane, he finds himself
thinking of the good times he had with Darlene. Jane, meanwhile, is struggling with the insecurity
that Darlene's return...and Stephen's reaction to it...has caused. The other temptation happens to
Sherman, who is a book store clerk raised suddenly to manager. The power seems to go to his
head, and when the boss offers to make it a permanent position, will the fun loving slacker we've
learned to like already be lost forever? Such mundane issues may seem boring in a review, but
Robinson understands exactly how to bring the reader in. He uses everything from
characterizations to panel layout to create a narrative that runs smoothly. I especially liked his use
of (drawn, not real) photographs that he used to show us the happier memories that Stephen had
of his relationship in a compressed amount of time. I also enjoyed how he used changes in
Sherman's body, from a slow darkening of his hair color, the growth of his body in to a more
angular, exaggerated figure to fit the now black power suit to show how he was becoming more
and more the store's creature and not his own. Robinson's characterization of the employees and
the customers show that, he, himself must have worked at a book store (well, to be fair, I have
more evidence to support this thought, as you will see later.) They made me wince...but, since I
worked at a library, I also knew the portrayals, though not always kind, to be spot on.
Some of the other pieces may be shorter, but their impact is still amazing. In "Jane's High School
Reunion" we see Jane in a different time...too skinny, acne covered face, frizzy hair, and
devastatingly unpopular...a characterization that could almost fit me and a million other people.
The message she gets from an unexpected source is one that I'd love to go back and deliver.
"Grudge" gives Ed a lesson about criticism that any creator can relate to, and while he didn't learn
the subtler, implied lesson (Ed is at a comic book convention, waiting for the hugely popular
guest to analyze his work rather than allowing the older, wiser comic book artist to look at his
work...which I think is sad, since perhaps the other guy, not as full of himself, but older so he's
probably a gold mine of experience, would have given him some real, honestly helpful criticism...)
is something that made me laugh as well as wince in sympathy. "My Old Flame or Ex-Man" is
incredibly clever and subtle. Robinson uses the two panel column layout to play with perspectives.
As Sherman and his ex-girlfriend, who ran into each other at the park, talk, we see them a little
differently...she sees Sherman with a lot less hair, he seems himself with more...he sees her as
voluptuous and well coiffed, she sees herself as fat and dowdy. What really offsets these
perspectives is that once in awhile he shows us the "reality" as the two relate the story of their
meeting to their friends. There's even a pair of panels where Sherman, on "his" side of the page
and Sally, on hers, peek around from behind the panels at themselves, thus underscoring the
differences. "Box Office Poison 2000" is a fun Science Fiction inspired piece, which allows us to
see our favorite BOP characters in a Star Wars like light, but also says a lot about how we
fantasize about the people we love.
"Cartoonist's Window", the only piece not written by Robinson, is really nifty. Written by his wife,
it's a look at how Kristen Siebecker helps her husband, and an inside look at comic
conventions.
The other longer piece is called "Flat Earth: Caprice's Story." This is one of my favorite pieces,
because in Caprice Robinson creates someone that any female truly can relate to. It begins with
her remembering how vile and embarrassing high school was, and her friend, Lori, who's
burgeoning friendship with a more popular girl makes Caprice feel funny...especially when she
seems to choose the more popular girl over her. She decides to look her friend up on a website,
and emails her, hoping to find out that Lori's miserable in order to make her feel better about her
own job as a waitress...and perhaps to feel better about her relationship with the egotistical Kevin.
The relationships, between Caprice and Lori, who she agrees to meet, and Kevin and Caprice, are
subtle and well realized. There are a lot of question marks raised about what the latter one,
especially, though the actions we witness. The last story, "Caprice" plays into this as well, and is
an excerpt from a new book. I'd also like to mention that "Flat Earth" was Robinson's
participation in Scot McCloud's 24 Hour comic project, where creators are encouraged to write,
draw and ink a comic book...all in 24 hours. There are two small homages to McCloud that made
me smile, such as his likeness (the way McCloud often draws himself) on a bag of "Cloudy Chips"
and in the short, one page comic, where Robinson makes a final comment on how fun
accomplishing his 24 hour comic was...
While I'm on the one page comics, I'd like to mention that in between every story lurks of these
clever things...which I enjoyed both for how they deepened the characterization of the people and
how them made me grin.
These in-depth explorations of romantic and friendly relationships are amazingly well done.
Robinson shows that slice of life studies of our lives can be done even better in comics than in
novels, because he can get right to the point, to create stories with immediacy and strength. For
instance, in the first story, we know right away what we need top know about the relationship
between Jane and Stephen...while we're in the middle of the very thing that will put that
relationship in doubt. He's a strong story teller and a fabulous artist and I'm really looking forward
to reading Caprice's adventures...and hopefully seeing more of Jane, Stephen and Sherman, as
well.
Heretic
Bernard Cornwell
Harper Collins
0060530499 $24.95
In The Archer's Tale, Thomas of Hookton lost everything, and attempted to reclaim it by joining
the army and becoming one of the most skilled archers anyone had ever had the misfortune of
meeting. Revenge was the game, his desire to track down the man who had killed his father his
most important goal. In Vagabond, Thomas was on a quest to find the grail for the Earl of
Northampton, one that leads him to discover a lot about his own father and himself. Now, in the
final book, Thomas is still on the trail of the grail...sent to Gascony, the homeland of his family, he
needs to capture the castle of Asterac. It is hoped that his cousin, the very man who killed
Thomas' father, will hear about Thomas' daring mission and come a calling to see what his
cousin's up to...and what he knows about the elusive cup of the King of Kings.
The capture of Asterac goes off with much daring and ease...luckily for Genevieve, the beautiful
heretic who's scheduled for burning the next day. Thomas refuses to let her be burned, not
because she's beautiful, but because he can feel a great deal of empathy for her. In the last book,
he, too, suffered torture under the hands of a Dominican Monk...and knows well that there's a
possibility that she confessed only to spare herself more horror. Robbie Douglas, his best friend,
wanted her for himself, and sees his friend's protection of her as a betrayal...and as he convinces
himself that harboring a heretic casts damnation on them all, he helps create a rift between
Thomas and his men that even the sensible Sir Guillaume can't heal.
As always, Cornwell creates a setting that is rich with historical detail and perspective. He
explores the power of the church a little, and how the threat of damnation can become a powerful
tool. In some ways he contrasts it with the plague, the Black Death as we call it now, not verbally
or in any way you can take offense with him for, but in an almost implied theory. It comes
through with the idea that contact with a heretic, with someone condemned to live their life
outside the church and to hell when they die, can spread their fate, just as a plague victim can
spread his disease. He also points out that not everyone in the church was as rabid as certain
members of Church (in this case, the Dominican order) were.
It is also a setting of poverty and hardness...he never pretties things up for the reader, but shows
them how they were. The accepting attitudes towards rape, towards raiding the country
side...these are all things that come into play when people are forced to live in poverty, where the
difference between living in a castle, with horn slatted lattices to keep the cold from coming in the
windows, and in the woods with only a tree to block the wind on one side has everything to do
with ruthlessness and nothing to do with deserving.
Cornwell's characters and adventures always captivate me completely. In some ways Cornwell's
main characters...especially Richard Sharpe and Thomas of Hookton have a similar flavor, a feel
to them that makes them recognizable as his creation. They're different, but there's something
about them that assures you that if you like one, you'll like the other. This final book finishes up
everything perfectly, leaving the reader satisfied...if a little wistful that the adventure is over.
Five out of Five cups
Cindy Lynn Speer
Reviewer
Debra's Bookshelf
Surrender, Dorothy
Meg Wolitzer
Washington Square Press (Simon & Schuster)
New York, NY
ISBN: 0671042548 $12.95 224 pages
Thirty-year-old Sara Swerdlow and her friends Adam, Maddy, and Peter spend every August in a
run-down rental by the beach, re-experiencing in these regular escapes from real life their
one-time college intimacy--that peculiar closeness born of cohabitation and limited responsibility
that most of us lose at graduation. This year the cast of characters is expanded: Maddy and Peter,
long married, have added a baby to the mix, and Sara's closest friend Adam, now a successful
playwright, has brought along his uncommonly handsome new boyfriend Shawn. Their first
evening at the house this year, Sara and Adam make an ice cream run. On the way back, a tub of
soft-serve vanilla successfully secured from the local Fro-Z-Cone, Sara is killed in a car
accident.
Surrender, Dorothy is the story of the effect of Sara's death on this circle of friends and on her
mother Natalie, Sara's life-long confidante, who joins the party at the beach for a weeks-long
immersion in collective grief. While her characters bicker and mourn in this sometimes oppressive
atmosphere, Wolitzer explores the network of their relationships, with one another and with Sara.
While the subject matter of the book is of course sad, the final product is not unbearably so.
Readers like myself who shy away from depressing novels need not fear this one.
Wolitzer, meanwhile, as I discovered also when reading her novel The Wife, is capable of some
very fine prose, rich in detail. Very often her descriptions are spot on, depicting in few words the
essence of some banal item, for example, such as the "cool, dented metal surface" of the
Fro-Z-Cone counter. Every now and then, however, Wolitzer's descriptions go too far, and the
reader is distracted by some improbable comparison: "Then, during pushing, that two-hour period
of time during which Maddy began to hallucinate a roll of theater tickets unspooling from her
vagina [okay, that's a bit improbable too, but not what I'm talking about], Peter had seen her
cervix open wide, so wide it might destroy him, might swallow him whole, like in some grade-B
movie called Attack of the 10-Centimeter Vagina." The period should have come after "open
wide."
But petty complaints aside, Wolitzer is a fine writer whose oeuvre I intend myself to swallow
whole, grade-B-movie-like, slowly and with great pleasure.
I'd Rather Be Writing
Marcia Golub
Writer's Digest Books
Cincinnati, OH
ISBN: 0898799007 $14.99 230 pages
I've read or skimmed several books about writing over the last few years and found that most of
them led to a paralyzing depression, those
sit-down-and-outline-the-whole-story-and-write-ten-pages-about-each-character-before-you-type-a-word-type books. I'm not saying such methods don't work--what do I know--or that successful
writers don't write that way--they probably do. But for me, even considering adopting such a
regimen deadens any urge I might have to hit the keyboard.
Marcia Golub's I'd Rather Be Writing, on the other hand, is the furthest thing from disheartening.
The author offers practical advice about writing that the average mortal can imagine
following--advice about note-taking and imposing deadlines on oneself and keeping numerous
projects, in varying stages, going at once. The principal piece of advice one comes away from the
book with, however, is a simple one, that if you want to be a writer, you have to sit down every
day--or as close to every day as you can--and write something for some length of time. This is not
earth-shattering information, of course, and indeed none of what Golub has to say is particularly
profound. Nor did it have to be said at such length. The book could probably get the same
information across in half the pages.
But that wouldn't have been as much fun. Golub's writing is pleasingly breezy and occasionally
funny. ("I know there are marriages where husband and wife both work at home. I also know
there are marriages where husbands push wives out of windows and wives sprinkle arsenic on
their husbands' bowls of pasta. I'm not saying the two are related, but you have to wonder.") She
lets her personality and her life circumstances spill onto the page. She writes about her own work
habits, descriptions of which for some reason always fascinate me. Most importantly, Golub
somehow manages to be inspirational. She makes you want to follow her advice, to sit down and
write something, both because you really want to and because, as she might say, death is just
around the corner. (Golub seems unusually aware of her own mortality.) Writers looking for a
kick in the pants, as the kids say, may well find inspiration here.
Debra Hamel
Reviewer
Diana's Bookshelf
Slave Trade Book One
Susan Wright
Pocket Star Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
ISBN# 0743457633 $6.99 339 pgs
When I think of the worse living fate, I could face, I tend to think it would be one in which I had
no control over my own life. I wouldn't make a very gracious slave. Anyone who knows me
would agree. Perhaps, to add insult to injury would be to be a slave in a foreign area, controlled
by an alien race. It is this fate that Rose Rico faces in Susan Wright's Slave Trade.
Rose had just been introduced to the underground. In fact she was still having trouble believing
there was a slave trade between the humans and aliens. It all sounded very far-fetched to her, the
trade of humans for technology. Unfortunately, by the time she realizes it is true her time is
limited. On her second visit with the underground, she is taken.
Life for Rose is about to take an abrupt change. Apparently, the lust cycles of the Alpha Aliens
don't often coincide. Therefore, they employ the use of sex slaves, eliminating the issue of lust
cycles. Rose is cleaned and collared with a device, which will deliver a debilitating shock, each
time she disobeys her new masters. Afterward, she is kept in an enclosure, for transport.
While this is going on with Rose, the Qin, S'Jen, is bent on extracting revenge, on the Domain, for
the loss of her family. S'Jen was enslaved until an accident damaged her collar and she was able to
escape, with a ship and a few crew members. Her reckless revenge has G'kaan, her superior and
former lover, worried about not only what could happen to her but the retaliation on the Qin, as
well.
There are several exciting sequences, which establish the cast of characters and set the stage for a
revolt. While, I was expecting a very erotic based story, that was not the main premise of this
novel. That is not necessarily a bad thing. The novel is filled with action and a myriad of subplots,
which move it along at a fast pace. Slave Trade by Susan Wright is a great space drama, sure to
please all readers of the sci-fi genre.
The Beastieville Series
Kristen Hall
Illustrated by Bev Luedecke
Children's Press, A Division of Scholastic, Inc.
Box 1795 Danbury, CT 06816
1-800-621-1115 www.scholasticlibrary.com
ISBN# 0516297201 $148.00 (Set of 8) 32 pgs
Individually $18.50 each
Birthday Beastie ISBN# 0516228919
Buried Treasure ISBN# 0516228943
Double Trouble ISBN# 0516228927
First Day of School ISBN# 0516228935
Help! ISBN# 0516228900
Little Lies ISBN# 051622896X
Oops! ISBN# 0516228951
Vote For Me ISBN# 0516228978
It is hard to find books of value to read to children. Books that will not only help them learn, but
also keep them entertained. It is often easier to turn on the television. The Beastieville Series,
written by Kristen Hall and illustrated by Bev Luedecke, is a perfect example of what a children's
book should be.
Not only are the books educational, they are fun. The characters are adorable little beasties, each
with their own personality and something special to teach our children. The story telling,
combined with the art, makes this series a sure hit with children in preschool through First
Grade.
Each of the books has a sturdy attractive cover, designed with a child in mind. There is also a
section in the back of the books, which contains questions that have the children count certain
things they saw or that happened in the story. After they have finished counting, there are more
questions in the, 'let's talk about it' section, which help children understand what the story was
telling them and gives them a chance to apply logic. As if that was not enough, there is also a list
of words found in the book, which will make for an invaluable tool in increasing your child's
vocabulary.
Help! All About Telling Time follows Pooky as she takes a walk and then decides to bake some
pies for her friends. It helps children to understand the concept of time, as well as how much
easier things are when everyone pitches in to help.
Little Lies All About Math shows what happens when Slider tells a series of small lies to his
friends. This sets the stage to teach children that even a small lie is a bad thing. In fact that it is
just as bad as a big lie.
Double Trouble All about Colors is about what happens when Toggle gets stuck inside, on a rainy
day. She decides to paint pictures of herself and her friends. It helps to show children that by
mixing colors they can create other colors, as well as teaching them it is not nice to leave anyone
out.
Oops! All About Opposites follows the feisty pair, Zip and Pip, as they run through town
knocking into their friends, among other things. It is a great opening to talk with children about
safety and being considerate of others.
Birthday Beastie All About Counting, as the title says is about a birthday party. Bee-Bop has over
ten friends to help celebrate. This is a wonderful book for counting skills, as well as the use of the
letter 'B'.
Buried Treasure All About Using a Map, Flippet finds a treasure map and after getting her friends
to help, finds a very special surprise. This is a great way to explore working together, as well as
the joy of giving.
Vote For Me All About Civics, everyone in class is trying to get elected for class president and
makes signs and sayings, showing their worth. Everyone except Smudge, who can't think of
anything special about himself. This is my favorite book in the series. It teaches the valuable
lesson that each and every one of us, has something about us that makes us special. Even if you
can't see it about yourself, those close to you can.
First Day of School All About Shapes and Sizes, as suggested by the title, is about the first day of
school, in Mr. Rigby's class. Due to the different shapes, sizes and needs of the beasties, the desks
don't seem to be very accommodating. I love the solution.
All of the stories are fast paced and grab the attention of children. The author, Kristen Hall, has
created a wonderful cast of characters. With her gift of words and the talented artist, Bev
Luedecke, the colorful beasties come to life. It makes learning fun when The Beastieville Series is
used. The quality of the books assures that it will be available for use with many generations.
Every home and school with Preschoolers through first graders, needs a set of the Beastieville
books in their library.
The Restless Sea Series
Carole G. Vogel
Franklin Watts
A Division of Scholastic, Inc.
Box 1795 Danbury, CT 06816
1-800-621-1115 www.scholasticlibrary.com
ISBN# 0531193284 $177.00 (Set of 6) 80-96 pgs each
Individually $29.50 each:
The ocean is a grand and mysterious place, covering a great majority of the earth and holding
within it some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet. In The Restless Sea Series author
Carole G. Vogel tells her readers about this wonderful gift from nature, in a way that is fun and
educational for both young and adult readers alike.
Dangerous Crossings takes a look at the relationship of the air and the ocean. Explaining the
events that can happen when these two elements interact, such as hurricanes, tornados, and water
spouts. The author not only explains why and how these events occur but also gives examples.
Some other things covered are icebergs, icepacks, and freezing water especially its relation to
whaling. There are fascinating facts on the differences of the north and south poles, and global
warming. There are several tales of tragedy and survival of the passengers on sea vessels such as,
the Essex, the HMS Birkenhead, the Royal Tar and more recently the Kursk Submarine. In the
closing chapter is one of the most endeared dangers of the ocean, the pirate. A realistic and
informative account of pirates, as opposed to what is often seen in Hollywood, is given.
Human Impact is perhaps the most important book in the series. With the information given,
people can have a better understanding of what our negligence is doing/has done to the earth's
oceans. It covers things like, dead zones, poisons in North Carolina's estuary, oil spills and oil that
slowly drains from the land into the ocean. It also covers things that can make sea life ill, such as,
Pfiesteria, algae blooms, underwater epidemics, which is really fascinating reading material,
sewage, heavy metals, pesticides and other POP's, beach trash and the spread of invasive species.
Chapter three takes a look at the effects of fishers and over-fishing. It also gives insight into fish
farms, which is where most the fresh fish you eat comes from. Next we look at global warming
and its many causes and effects. The book closes with the problems we cause more directly and
gives wonderful suggestions on what everyone can do to make a difference.
Ocean Wildlife opens by exploring some of the differences in the way of life for ocean dwelling
creatures and the special abilities they have to help them cope with the constant changes in their
environment. Then in a most fascinating way it discusses the physical structure of fish and other
marine life and their places and relevance in relation to the food chain. Something I found utterly
interesting was the section on parenting habits. It explains the differences between water dwelling
life and us, and also the range of parenting practices, between the various kinds of ocean animals.
In the next chapter readers get a glimpse at the dangerous and venomous creatures that call the
ocean home. The book closes with a reminder that human life and marine life rely heavily on each
other for survival and we need to respect the gifts we are blessed with.
Savage Waters opens with the dynamics of the oceans currents and tides, as well as many other
fascinating facts regarding the structure and workings. Then readers shift to the birth of the planet
and the formation of the ocean. The makeup of springs and ocean water, as well as other miracles
of water, such as the Dead Sea and the water cycle itself, are also taught in a way that grabs and
holds, the readers attention. Next, the reader is told of waves, some tragic occurrences they have
caused, how they actually come to form, their affect on the coastlines, sandbars, spits and barrier
islands. Tides, which were briefly mentioned earlier, are discussed in further detail, to include their
relation to moon. The sea level, its changes and ice ages are also explored. Currents are also
looked at in further detail. To close, readers take a look at the Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic
Gyre and are reminded that when global warming is concerned, the time to act is now.
Shifting Shores is jam packed with fun and educational facts. Tsunamis, also known as killer
waves, are explained in great detail with examples of actual occurrences, as are earthquakes, as
well as information regarding the composition of the earth. It also discusses plate movements and
the various affects it can have when there is a shift such as, volcanoes, earthquakes, and the
formation of new islands. A section I found myself reading twice was the one regarding two cites.
The first city, Herakleion, off of the north coast of Egypt, is already sunken. The second city
which is well known by most everyone, New Orleans, is sinking, something which may not be
well known. There are various reasons that have added to and continue to add to the sinking of
this city and the majority of these reasons are caused by the interference of man upon nature. And
finally the book takes a glimpse at meteors and what happens(ed) when they make contact with
earth.
Underwater Exploration opens with the story of the SS Central America, which along with its
treasure, because of a hurricane was sunk in the 1800s. At the time nothing could be recovered.
However, due to technological advances, the gold and other treasures lost were recovered more
than 130 years later. Next, it looks at the makeup of the ocean floor and discusses the effects of
water pressure on divers. Readers are given evidence from different sources on the existence of
seafloor spreading. The Alvin, a submersible used by the U.S. Navy, is the topic of chapter three.
It was used to help recover or discover, hydrogen bombs, under sea geysers and cold seeps. We
are also told of the rich minerals found at hydrothermal vent sites and of the different types of
submersibles.
The Restless Sea series is packed full of fascinating and educational facts. The covers are
stunning, full color pictures. The interior also has stunning photos that help relay the meaning of
the words. This series of books is perfect for all ages, adults and children alike. In addition to
facts and photos, each book also contains a glossary, suggested reading list, which includes
websites and an index for easy reference, making it perfect for classroom use.
Parents and teachers alike should not be without this handsome set of books. There are perfect for
helping us and our children realize the importance of nature's greatest ecosystem, the ocean.
Great Life Stories
Franklin Watts, A Division of Scholastic, Inc.
Box 1795 Danbury, CT 06816
1-800-621-1115 www.scholasticlibrary.com
ISBN# 0531193276 $295.00 (Set of 10) 112-128 pgs each
Individually $29.50 each
Alexander Graham Bell, Written by Kendall Haven 128pgs ISBN# 0531123146
Marie Curie, Written by Allison Lassieur 112 pgs ISBN# 0531122700
Thomas Alva Edison Written by Claire Price-Groff 128pgs ISBN# 0531122751
The Wright Brothers Written by Bernard Ryan, Jr. 128pgs ISBN# 0531122549
Condoleezza Rice Written by Christen Ditchfield 112pgs ISBN# 0531123073
Fidel Castro Written by Brendan January 112pgs ISBN# 053111676X
George W. Bush Written by Libby Hughes 128pgs ISBN# 0531123103
J. R. R. Tolkien Written by Doris Lynch 128pgs ISBN# 0531122530
Lee Bennett Hopkins Written by Amy Strong 112pgs ISBN# 0531123154
Willa Cather Written by Bettina Ling 112 pgs ISBN# 0531123162
It has always fascinated me to hear about the lives of people who made great contributions to the
world. Great Life Stories, takes its readers on a journey in which they can meet many people in
various fields and learn of not only what they accomplished, but how they lived, their joys and
their hardships along the way. Thus far the series contains ten books: four chronicling inventers
and three each chronicling authors and political figures. Each book is written in a smooth
narrative style that makes it an engaging read for children and adults alike. In this fascinating set
you will get to know:
Alexander Graham Bell Inventor and Visionary, who is most well known for the invention of the
telephone. Few know of the other devices that he envisioned or invented. In this book the readers
are taken back to his birth and learn what it was like to live in the 1800's in Scotland. They will be
shown many aspects and influences that played a part in his life, such as; his family, especially his
grandfather, his many losses, his work in Boston with the deaf, his great road to invention, his
working with Thomas Watson, the process from idea, patent, to invention, all his many ideas that
were ahead of his time, and perhaps most fascinating, how he felt in regard to his inventions.
Marie Curie A Scientific Pioneer, the first female scientist to receive the Nobel Prize. She was
born to parents who were both teachers, in 1867 Poland, during a time of unrest. Despite the
oppression she excelled at her schooling and had the comfort of a loving family. However at ten
she lost her mother to Tuberculosis. Despite her continued hardships, both monetary, with her
families health and the oppression of her people she continued with her studies. Life was not all
hardships, the reader will also learn of her joys, her time in Parris, her husband Pierre Curie and
eventually triumphs in scientific discovery.
Thomas Alva Edison Inventor and Entrepreneur, always a curious natured person, especially
where technology was concerned, lead a very productive life. In his early twenties he filed his first
patent. His inventions and discoveries were numerous, a few of them, cylinder phonograph,
incandescent light bulbs and the Edison effect. He also opened and ran many businesses, including
workshops, labs and an electric company. The reader will be shown a glimpse of the restless child,
the driven young man, his successes, failures and will know a more complete picture of this great
man, when they close the cover.
The Wright Brothers Inventors of the Airplane, sons of a minister, were gifted as children with a
talent to build things. One being a device to fold newspapers in an effort to save time. Their
dream was to build a flying machine. In 1900 they built their first glider. Three years later Orville
made the historic first flight, on December 17. This book shows the path the brothers followed
from birth to invention and beyond. It also shows readers a glimpse into their family life and
schooling along the way. This is a particularly fascinating pair of men and the brilliance of their
invention is evident even in today's aviation devices.
Condoleezza Rice National Security Advisor, is a spectacular woman with a moving story. She
was born into and grew up with a loving and supportive family. Despite the hardships of being an
African American in the south, her family taught her to believe in herself and never accept the
limitations suggested by others. She excelled in school, always performing at the top of the class
and graduated early from high school as well as college, where she earned her doctorate in
political science. She has written and published several books. She has also served several
positions in the white house, including being the first female national security advisor. This is a
story of how far one can go when they believe in themselves and strive for their dreams.
Fidel Castro Cuban Revolutionary, is a man who has often been viewed with great controversy. I
found this unbiased look into his life refreshing. Even if a person does not agree with everything
he has done, the determination he has shown throughout his life lends to respect. This man knew
his country was not what it could be and sought to make changes through the means he was most
familiar with. Means I might add that were not too unusual in the culture in which he was raised.
The author has done a spectacular job chronicling a fascinating and driven leader.
George W. Bush From Texas to White House, is a name familiar to most people, even those who
don't normally follow politics, since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. However many people
may not know a whole lot about the man he actually is. This is a complete look at George W.
Bush that starts with his birth and carries through his childhood into adulthood. It covers little
know things such as his love of baseball and the fact that he acted as managing general partner for
the Texas Rangers baseball team, for five years. Of course it also looks at his life in politics, from
helping his father on his campaign, governorship and eventually presidency.
J. R. R. Tolkien Creator of Languages and Legends, is known by many for his creation of The
Lord of the Rings. Even if they haven't read it, today they have more than likely seen the film
adaptations. He is often thought of as the writer that made fantasy a serious genre. Tolkien also
had a passion for languages, both currently used, dead, and those totally made up. When someone
creates a fantasy world such as he did, you almost have to wonder what type of life he lead. The
author of this book paints a detailed picture of where he lived, his happy times and triumphs, as
well as his losses and disappointments.
Lee Bennett Hopkins A Children's Poet, has penned some of the most loved and cherished poems
ever written. He has accomplished so much already in his career having edited and authored over
sixty books. After reading this book you will have a clearer understanding of why. His work
comes from the heart, from having lived a real life, filled with the love of his family and the
hardships they faced when his mother found herself the sole support for Lee and her other two
children. Although she chose rather unorthodox ways to see that her family had their needs meet,
I have a deep respect that she did, and managed to raise lovely children despite hardships.
Knowing where this man came from, is a gift that will add depth to his already moving works of
prose.
Willa Cather Author and Critic, one of the countries best-known female writers, has graced the
literary world with seventeen novels, over sixty short stories and many essays, speeches and
reviews. Originally she planned to become a doctor of medicine. However upon seeing one of her
essays in print, she realized her true desire. In her lied the heart and talent of a writer. This book
chronicles not only her life but also that of her career as is developed from journalism through
fiction novels. She was an astounding woman who always remained true to herself.
In each of these books the reader will be shown a unique glimpse of some of histories and current
days most fascinating people, covering personal as well as career oriented information. There is
also information regarding the time and area in which the person lived, helping to paint an even
more complete picture, with simple to follow timelines in the back of each book. The reader will
also find information on books and websites where they can further their study. The plethora of
information makes these books great for middle school assignments, suck as book reports and
comprehension tasks. The narrative style is such that they are engaging to both children and adults
alike. Thought the books are designed for and excellent for 6 through 8 graders, they are perfect
for readers of all ages, at home or in the classroom.
The Quest Tarot
Joseph Ernest Martin
Llewellyn
P.O. Box 64383, Dept K168-6, St. Paul, MN 55164-0383
www.llewellyn.com
ISBN# 0738701955 $34.95 80 Card Deck and 296 pgs guide
Experienced and even novice tarot readers come to expect certain things from a tarot deck. Very
occasionally does that expectation become exceeded. Even more rarely, is it so surpassed the
reader sits in awe looking at the tool before them. This is precisely what will happen, when
readers open The Quest Tarot Kit and realize what they have in their hands, will forever change
the way a reading is performed.
If that excites you, just wait until I tell you why these cards are so special. All too often, someone
will come to a reading wanting a yes or no answer. A standard tarot deck very rarely will provide
a certain answer in that manner. The Quest Tarot does. Possibly my favorite feature of the deck is
the yes/no option. The court cards are equipped with swords, which depending upon the way they
face, will tell you yes, no, maybe, look to the future, or look to the past. This is such an exciting
and brilliant addition to the cards.
Occasionally, an adept reader, one who also practices many varieties of divination will realize
there is a correlation between the cards and other divination tools. It is a challenge to bring this
knowledge to use, when the reader is using a standard tarot deck. However, The Quest Tarot is
equipped with the symbols to help strengthen these connections in the readers mind. In the upper
left corner of the card, with the exception of aces, is an astrological symbol, which ties the tarot to
stars, planets and constellations. In the upper left corner of the aces is a clock and the upper right
contains a seasonal symbol, to help the reader foresee a timeline if one is present for the reading.
Around the border of the cards are gemstones, to help readers further understand the full meaning
of certain influences on a particular card. In the Major Arcana are the symbols representing the
Hebrew Letters and I am sure when a reader sees the profound correlation they will be very
excited. There are symbols from I Ching, which appear on the cards, in which they directly relate
to. Often the cards will attempt to inform us, of a person, who will have a bearing upon the
situation. The Quest Tarot is equipped with a feature thru color symbolism that allows a more
accurate description of said person, i.e. hair color, skin color and eye color. I personally read both
tarot and rune stones, so I was very excited to see that runes are also represented in this amazing
deck of tarot. An extra special feature not found on any current tarot decks is the Roman
alphabet. Most cards are equipped with a letter to help you spell out messages within the reading,
those with no letter act as wild cards and can be used as any letter.
This IS the most complete set of tarot cards I have ever seen and possibly the most complete
divination tool offered. The brilliance of the combinations makes this not only easy to use for
beginners, but also a tool that will significantly deepen even the most experienced readers
understanding of the cards. The cards themselves are stunning in the artwork and design. The
meanings come to life, with the easy to interpret pictures, adding another level of beauty to the
design.
The accompanying guidebook, explains in easy to follow terms how to incorporate the new
features. The party games chapter is sure to be hit with anyone who wants to increase their
mastery of these grand cards. Often we are told that to help our children learn new things, we
should make the experience a fun one. Sounds reasonable to me, so why not do the same for
adults? No question here, these games will make the learning of these cards a fun and truly
enriching experience. It also, has chapters to help new readers understand the two most
commonly used spreads, three card and Celtic cross, as well a new spread designed for special use
with these cards in mind.
My readers and readers everywhere, if you are ready to give a reading that has more depth than
any you have given before, if you are prepared to be dazzled by the design and beauty of this deck
and most importantly if you are ready to take your tarot reading to the next level, you are ready
for The Quest Tarot by Joseph Ernest Martin. Don't miss out on what is sure to be the favorite
and most accurate deck in your collection.
Cards of Alchemy
Raymond Buckland
Llewellyn
P.O. Box 64383, Dept K168-6, St. Paul, MN 55164-0383
www.llewellyn.com
ISBN# 0738700533 $29.95 50 Card Deck and 209 pg guide
When I think of alchemy, the image that comes to mind is a mad scientist type attempting to
change things to gold. Likewise, when I think of the craft, the name of Raymond Buckland is not
far from my mind, having read many of his works. However, what do the two have in common?
Answer: The Cards of Alchemy.
Buckland has taken the concepts and symbols of alchemy and created a tool that will help its users
transform their spiritual and personal lives. I will never forget the first time I was told readers
couldn't read for themselves. I thought, why not, what about the questions I have? This deck is
unique from most that I have used, in that it is designed to help the reader. It can be used for
divination, but the intention is to be a solo deck in which the user receives messages, images to
ponder and deepen their own life.
The deck itself has artwork that is filled with imagery and symbolism, perfect meditation. There
are five wild cards representing powerful influences that are not connected to any one of the suits.
The deck is divided into five suits, which are further broken down into three levels. The
guidebook, Book of Alchemy, has thorough explanations of what each card can mean. I say, can
here, because the author agrees that often cards will have different meanings to different readers,
in different situations. The information is complete and easy to understand.
Now you must be wondering, how do I use such a deck? There are several layouts listed in the
guidebook. It is not recommended to use the cards in spreads that exceed seven cards. Readers
are encouraged to do what they feel most comfortable with, as this is a personal deck designed for
a personal awakening. After studying the cards and reading the guidebook, I tend to think that a
single card draw would allow for the deepest exploration. A card a day is perfect, as it will give
the reader a focal point for their daily meditation.
Spirituality is a personal journey and with the Cards of Alchemy, Raymond Buckland has
provided his readers with a tool that will guide them on their own personal path to spiritual
transformation. When you are ready to nurture your soul, with depth and reflection, it is time to
look for your own Cards of Alchemy and grow with me.
Tarot & Magic
Donald Michael Kraig
Llewellyn
P.O. Box 64383, Dept K168-6, St. Paul, MN 55164-0383
www.llewellyn.com
ISBN# 0738701858 $12.95 175 pgs
When you think of magic tools or altar items, do you think of your tarot deck? If not, you should.
With all the great things that tarot cards can be used for beside divination, magic should be added
to the list. Perhaps you may have already noticed the cards have the properties to make this
possible or perhaps not. Either way, in Tarot & Magic, Donald Michael Kraig explains, in easy to
follow terms, just how potent a magical tool, the tarot can be.
The guide is designed in a manner to allow its use by followers of most any spiritual path and by
practitioners of all levels of expertise. Before I get too far along into what the book can help you
accomplish, I want to note that the author has a great section on what magic can and cannot do.
Often people expect too much or too little and very easily overlook the true potential of real
magic. I suggest the reader should pay special attention to this section before attempting any kind
of magic and never forget, they are always creating magic.
The author gives a great many easy to perform tarot spells and encourages readers to modify the
suggestion he gives or even create their own; to me this reflects the wisdom of Mr. Kraig. There
are no great passages of dry lecturing; instead, the author imparts his wisdom to his readers as
equals on the path of magic. Of great interest to me was the section on how tarot can be used for
astral projection. Kraig strips away the mystery and fear of this practice, again making it available
to any who might want to explore this avenue.
Dancing the tarot is something I was not aware of prior to reading this guide. This practice offers
your querents a way to see an alternate path or to act out one more desirable. This to me is
absolutely fascinating and definitely something I will be following up on further; after some more
practice, adding it to my own readings. Tarot cards, as a talisman is something I had not
considered. Not only will the reader be guided in choosing the card to suit their purpose, but they
are also shown an example of how to charge the card and what you can expect from doing
so.
Also, covered in the guide is how to use tarot in ceremonial magic, synchronicity as a concept to
ponder, the magic of the tarot, sex magic and a look at an alternative tarot, the shadow tarot,
based on the nightside tree, as opposed to the traditional tree of life.
Each of the chapters end with questions encouraging the reader to make sense of what they have
read and trigger the magic we all have. It is clear the author has a passion for the tarot and in his
writing, this comes across in a way that makes it infectious, bringing a renewed excitement to
working with the cards.
When you are ready to work profound magic with a familiar tool, you need a copy of Tarot &
Magic. Even if you have never used a tarot deck, but want to practice magic in the real sense of
the word, let Tarot & Magic be your guide.
Sexual Alchemy
Donald Tyson
Llewellyn
P.O. Box 64383, Dept K168-6, St. Paul, MN 55164-0383
www.llewellyn.com
ISBN# 1567187412 $19.95 348 pgs
It has been my experience that sex is always a topic people approach with care or often dance
around entirely. Of course, it has also been my experience that most cultures and religions view it
as the means for reproduction and only as such. I can say with certainty, I have never heard it
suggested that people can have intercourse with spirits. Yes, I've seen many movies and read
many fictional tales where this happens, but nothing seriously suggested in a favorable manner.
Perhaps this is the reason why the title of Donald Tyson's book, Sexual Alchemy, caught my
attention.
What is sexual alchemy? After reading this guide, I can give you the answer with confidence.
Sexual alchemy is a way, via ritual magic, in which a person can begin and maintain a fulfilling,
sexually intimate relationship with a sprit- this union providing the practitioner with a method for
self-empowerment. I also, want to note that when I say intimate, I am not referring to the same
type of experiences in which two flesh and blood humans would engage. As with anything
spiritual, it is on a level that far transcends physical pleasure.
A special feature in this guide is how it is broken into two sections. One discussing the history and
theory, while the other covers the actual instructions. It is written with such clarity the reader
might be tempted to skip the history/theory and go right to the instructions. Of course, if they do,
they will be missing some very fascinating information, which will give them a deeper
understanding of what they are doing.
This book is a must have in all collections of the esoteric arts. Even if you do not intend to
practice the techniques, the information provided would more than make this a valuable addition
to your library.
Lunar Returns
John Townley
Llewellyn
P.O. Box 64383, Dept K168-6, St. Paul, MN 55164-0383
www.llewellyn.com
ISBN# 0738703028 $19.95 244 pgs
Astrology is a vast and, at times, confusing topic. With so many things to be considered besides
the sun sign, is it any wonder? We are all born into a specific point on the cycle of the astrological
bodies. The point of astrological significance examined in Lunar Returns by John Townley
pertains to where the moon was at the exact moment of birth. The power of the moon has long
been a topic of discussion, and I would say most everyone agrees it has some effect on people,
even if indirect- with a force capable of controlling the tides, there is no way to deny its
power.
Every 27 1/2 days, the moon returns to the exact point it was when you were born; this is the
lunar return. A chart done each month based on the placement of your lunar return relates more to
your emotional self and how you will react to certain situations; a perfect tool for making the
most of any opportunities that may come your way. As the author states it is a way to "make the
most of the month from beginning to end."
Once the reader is aware of what a lunar return is, and has used one of the many programs to
determine their latest lunar return, the author thoroughly guides them in matters of interpretation,
and when I say thoroughly, there is no exaggeration involved with every possible aspect looked at
and explained in an easy to follow manner. Not only is each factor's importance fully examined,
but also the possible positions for those factors. Something I thought was a really neat suggestion
was to plan traveling according to your return, as moving your location will alter the outcome.
This is handy food for thought especially if the month's forecast is not to your desire.
Professional astrologers, as well as those just interested for personal reasons, will not be
disappointed with Lunar Returns, as it will be the only source of reference they need to look at
the aspects involved in the lunar return. And the next time you hear the song Bad Moon Rising by
Credence Clearwater Revival, it will take on an entirely new meaning.
Practical Guide to Creative Visualization
Melita Denning and Osborne Phillips
Llewellyn
P.O. Box 64383, Dept K168-6, St. Paul, MN 55164-0383
www.llewellyn.com
ISBN# 0875421830 $9.95 211 pgs
It is safe to say there is usually something most people want in their life that is currently missing.
Sometimes it is something well within reach, and sometimes it is something that might seem
impossible. In Denning and Philips', Practical Guide to Creative Visualization, readers are given
the tools to bring any of their dreams into reality. You heard me right. If you practice and
dedicate the time and effort, this guide will give you the tools to realize your dreams.
There are hundreds of books on changing thoughts and using visualization, what I refer to as
positive thought guides, to make changes or bring things to a person. This is a complete guide,
and while it does mention, teach and respect positive thought, it takes the next step. One which
very logically explains why it takes more than just simply imagining things in order to bring them
into reality. The authors of the guide realize the power of positive thought and add to it, by
showing readers how to manifest their thoughts in a way that causes your whole self; conscious,
unconscious, and your higher self, to work together as one in order to bring about results. When
you manifest your desires in all the different levels of your existence, you will be sending a clear,
positive message to the universe that this is your desire and you deserve to receive that which you
want.
There is invaluable information on how to get all the levels of yourself involved in the process,
along with aids to help you strengthen your visualization abilities and improve concentration.
Several relaxation methods help readers to release unresolved tension, which is absolutely vital to
do for success' sake. There are also methods with which the reader can organize and determine
exactly what it is they wish to bring into, or remove from, their life. There are also several
methods given for the actual process of creative visualization, each with their own levels of
difficulty and success. Of course what I have mentioned here only scratches the surface of the
valuable information this guide is packed with.
Anyone who wants to change any aspect of their lives will have the power to do so after reading
this guide. It is written in a way that makes the tools usable by anyone, no matter their current
level of meditation or concentration skills. Join over 100,000 people who already have their own
copy and start on your own path to manifest all of your dreams and desires into reality.
Taming the Diet Dragon
Constance C. Kirk
Llewellyn
P.O. Box 64383, Dept K168-6, St. Paul, MN 55164-0383
www.llewellyn.com
ISBN# 1567183832 $4.99 235 pgs
Dieting. Even alone like that, the word holds power. Power to control the lives of many, who feel
for whatever reason they need to lose weight. No matter if the reason is strictly cosmetic or if it is
for necessary health reasons, losing weight is something that eludes most who try. The reason, as
shown in Constance C. Kirk's, Taming the Diet Dragon, can be as simple as the approach
taken.
It is well known that thoughts hold great power. Most often when people think about dieting, the
first thing that comes to mind is sacrifice and many other unpleasant things. Therefore, when you
look at a diet as a bad thing and a lot of work that is exactly what it will be. This is the thought
pattern that tends to cause most to fail at their dieting endeavors. What this book teaches the
reader is how to approach this from another angle, with a more positive approach, using language
control and creative visualization.
I think the most unique aspect of the book's design is there are actual exercises throughout, which
help readers master the skills they will need to be successful in their dieting endeavors. These are
also lessons that can be applied to any task, which might seem like an impossibility, such as
stopping smoking. When you have first taken control of the idea, then the actual task will follow
suit. Of course nothing is as simple as I am making it sound. However, if you study the ideas and
practice the exercises, you will find the empowerment needed to finally succeed when Taming the
Diet Dragon.
Health educator Dr. Constance Kirk has graciously shared with readers her secrets, which have
helped hundreds lose weight without the unpleasant struggling and feelings of depravation, that
generally go with the territory. You have nothing to lose but negative thoughts and the weight
you desire.
Diana Bennett
Reviewer
Duncan's Bookshelf
Friday
Robert Heinlein
DelRay/Ballantine Books
1745 Broadway NY, NY 10019
Phone: 800-733-3000 www.randomhouse.com/BB/
ISBN #0739429930 $14.95 368 pages
The Pope-in-Exile lives on a distant planet. The people believe religion is superstition. Women
believe sexual intercourse is like scratching your back. In Robert Heinlein's Friday a genetically
improved female called Friday Baldwin proves she has superior abilities. She is an AP (Artificial
Person) trained to have sharper mental and physical skills.
Friday Baldwin is a beautiful young woman with a self-concept issue: can she think of herself as
human? She works as a highly paid courier. Raped and left for dead, she survives, finds friends,
has a baby on a far-distant planet and becomes Frontier Woman.
Friday is not Stranger in a Strange Land nor is it Starship Troopers, both Hugo Award winning
novels by Heinlein. Friday is an easy read even if her world is improbable. If you are a devotee of
the genre, read it. If not, don't.
Message in a Bottle
Nicholas Sparks
Warner Books
1271 Avenue of the Americas NY, NY 10020
ISBN#: 0446606812 $7.50 370 pages
"My dearest Catherine, I miss you my darling, as I always do, but today is particularly hard
because the ocean has been singing to me, and the song is that of our life together " The story
begins with a message, found by Theresa, a columnist for the Boston Globe. She traces the
message back to Garrett, a dividing instructor in North Carolina.
Within the pages of 'Message' we see two people trying to discover love but failing because the
ghost of Catherine stands between them. 'Message' is an "unforgettable and heartbreaking love
story" (Coaster magazine). I would consider myself fortunate indeed if I could write one story
that shows how people love each other.
By the way, the book was better then the movie. The version with Kevin Costner was run on TV
when I had twenty pages left to read. In the movie, Garrett dies trying to save a drowning
woman, as if the viewer must think Garrett was a hero. In the book, Garrett fails to turn for home
and a vicious storm sinks his boat and drowns him.
'Message' is a true love story; one that you can cherish.
Cold Mountain
Charles Frazier
Atlantic Monthly Press
841 Broadway; New York, N.Y. 10003
ISBN#: 0871136791 $24.00 356 pages
"All your grief hasn't changed a thing. What you have lost will not be returned to you. It will
always be lost. You're left with only your scars to mark the void. All you can choose to do is go
on or not." (p.334)
Six years after they first met, Inman "held in his mind the wish to kiss her there at the back of her
neck," and he does. Inman has been absent from Cold Mountain because he felt compelled to
serve and defend the Confederacy from the Yankee Heathens. He has lost six years of living with
Ada on the farm at the base of the mountain.
In battle after battle, Inman has seen men shot, blasted and exploded on the bloody fields of
contention. He is recovering from a bullet to his neck when he decides to leave the hospital and
walk home over the mountains.
Ada has also lost: her father Monroe. He created an 'educated' world of books and music that
sheltered Ada from the raw truth of life. During Inman's long voyage home, Ada begins to learn
how to be a farmer.
Inman brings his scars home. He reaches the end of his road high on Cold Mountain; a breath of
air could push him over the ridge of despair. Ada brings him back, feeds him and lets him
sleep.
Cold Mountain is the story of Ada and Inman, two humans ensnared in the despair and
lawlessness of the 'backwoods' during the Civil War. What they have lost will always be lost. They
decide to go on. Then comes the ending.
Bleachers
John Grisham
Doubleday
1745 Broadway, NY, NY 10019
ISBN#: 0385511612 $19.95 163 pages
"The past was gone now. It left with Rake [the coach]. Neely was tired of the memories and
broken dreams. Give it up, he told himself. You'll never be the hero again. Those days are gone
now."
Why do we hang onto our dreams of glory? Do we dream a future in which young women shower
us with adulation, or a corporate board showers us with stock options and a seven-figure salary?
Neely describes the last four days in the life of Eddie Rake, the veteran [42 yrs] football coach, an
icon who led the Messina Spartans to 13 state championships. Neely, the Spartan quarterback
also tells us what happened in the lockerroom at halftime in the 1987 state championship
game.
Bleachers is where Rake's older and heavier football players are congregating and ruminating over
their high school football careers while coach Rake is dying. Bleachers is a quick snapshot of
older men 'attached like glue' to the past.
Can we go back? Does it make sense? Neely decides to go back to Messina to see a few Friday
night games. He has with finality buried the hatred he carried within his memories. He no longer
hates coach Rake. 'The past was gone now. It left with Rake."
Haunted Ground
Erin Hart
Scribner
1230 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN#: 0743235053 $24.00 328 pp.
Turf cutters in an ancient bog in eastern Galway County, Ireland find the decapitated head of an
Irish lass. The perfectly preserved head brings an archeologist (Cormac Maguire) and a forensic
pathologist (Nora Gavin) together to solve the mystery of the girl's death. Cormac and Nora find
themselves enmeshed in a second mystery: the two-year-old disappearance of a mother and her
son. Did they somehow die in the ancient bog or did her husband kill them?
Erin Hart delivers a mystery replete with the chemistry of the bogs and the boisterous music of an
Irish pub, painted against the landscape of a small town. The people of Dunbeg, County Galway
suspect that Hugh Osborne may have killed his wife and son. In the parallel mystery, the early
Osbornes may have lied and caused the death of the cailin rua (red hair girl) who, an old song
claims, killed her child.
Hart gives us a taste of ancient Ireland, replete with crows that wheel and spin around an
abandoned tower and a taste of modern Ireland, when turf cutters find bodies preserved in the
bog. Miss Hart has given us a story that wheels and spins around the anger and mistrust of
neighbors and a cailin rua whose death was tragic. Haunted Ground is presented concisely and
neatly wrapped.
Marty Duncan
Reviewer
Gary's Bookshelf
The Story of a Seagull and the Cat Who Taught Her to Fly
Luis Sepolveda
Scholastic Inc
557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
212-343-6100
ISBN 0439401860 $15.95 www.scholastic.com
Normally kids books weren't something I did very much reviewing of until the last few years when
Harry Potter or The Kipton Chronicles changed my mind and made me take a new approach to
novels for young adults and children because unlike when I was growing up, the books of today
are not just for kids. This one is filled with wonderful multi dimensional characters and writing
that is fast paced with a good story to boot. What also makes this fine tale is that it goes much
deeper than just a nice fairy tale. It also can be read on a different level and readers can look for
the elements of how the characters find their identities. Where one fits in to the world, what
makes a friend are just two of the ones I was able to come up with. Pretty good for someone who
in college was not really able to find the symbolism of the books I had to read for class. I hope
that an audience finds this very delightful novel that can be read on many levels and is for all
ages.
Reel Romance
Leslie Halpern
Taylor Trade Publishing
4501 Forbes Blvd Suite 200, Lanham MD 20706
ISBN 1589790642 $19.95
This is a very entertaining book that is just in time for the Valentines Day Halpern had a tough
job. She had to choose the 100 best movies that have certain qualities to be classified as "date
movies." She was fortunate to have help from her husband. But still it can be rough wading
through so many films to find the right ones to fit a book of this type. Why it's hard to choose is
because so many movies are romantic but would not be pleasing to both sexes. Many I'm sure
would be classified as "chick flicks." She had numerous criteria that all had to somehow meet. So
it was rather difficult to find 100 movies that qualified that also are available on either DVD or
Video. She had certain characteristics that had to be met in order to qualify. At any rate she found
100 movies that met the test. Anyone who reads this fine book will like, myself, have other titles
they think should have been listed. They could possibly be saved for a second book of another
100 movies. REEL ROMANCE is an interesting idea that was very enjoyable to read Part of the
fun was to see whether I agreed or disagreed with Ms. Halpern's choices.
Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Pod Publishing but Didn't Know Who to
Ask!!!
John F. Harnish
Infinity Publishing.com
519 West Lancaster Avenue, Haverford. PA 19041-1413
877-BUY-BOOK (877-289-2665) www.buybooksontheweb.com
ISBN 0741411210 $24.95
To my knowledge this is the first book to tell all there is to know about Publish on Demand. What
is great about this book is that it does an excellent job of alerting new authors about what is out in
the publishing world. The author deals with many of the following things: the impact of reviews,
publishers that are POD, how to generate publicity, the differences between mainstream
publishing and POD, advantages and disadvantages, reasons for POD. He also has a panel of
authors and others in the industry of publishing answer questions about everything as well as what
each would like to see more or less of. Where Dan Poynter paved the way on self-publishing
Harnish has picked up the ball and shows all the ins and outs of another form of publishing that
has now become very popular. This book should be read by anyone considering this avenue of
getting published to avoid making costly mistakes.
Blue Moon over Miami
John Franklin
Infinity Publishing.com
519 West Lancaster Avenue, Haverford. PA 19041-1413
877-BUY-BOOK (877-289-2665) www.buybooksontheweb.com
ISBN 0741405741 $19.95
With a new election season upon us I think that it's a great thing to have this laugh out loud satire
of our voting process that really has a lot to say about the last presidential election. Franklin
solves the crisis of the 2000 campaign by having Bill Clinton leave office install Al Gore as
President holding an election on a weekend. No pollsters are allowed to do their surveys and the
press are not permitted to cover it There are many other things that the author has come up with
that are witty and satirical that makes this one of those books everyone should be talking about.
It's too bad we cannot do some of the things Mr. Franklin has proposed to run an election.
They're things that are just screwy enough to work. At any rate, I very much enjoyed this dark
funny novel.
The Best Love Poems Ever
Edited by David Rohlfing
Scholastic Inc
557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
212-343-6100 www.scholastic.com
ISBN 0439573904 $3.99
Good things come in small packages and this book is a fine example that is perfect for Valentines
Day. When I read the poems and sonnets I was very pleased to realize I could sit back and enjoy
them. There is no grade to achieve no one to tell the symbolism. And that's the way it should be.
William Shakespeare, Langston Hughes, Emily Dickinson are but a few of the names that grace
this fine collection.
Dude, Where's My Country?
Michael Moore
Warner Books
1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
www.twbookmark.com
ISBN 0440532231 $24.95
Mr. Moore's target this time is President George W. Bush. I've heard some of things he writes
about, but a lot I haven't. Did you know that when all flights were shut down on September 11,
2001 our federal government provided air travel for numerous family members of Bin Lauden and
other Saudis who were transported out of the country at taxpayer expense? That's just one of the
things he reveals in a book that shows that this Bush administration has slowly eroded many of
our freedoms in the name of National Security.
The Greatest Diet in the World
Dolly Dimples
Chateau Publishing
P.O.Box 140432, Orlando, Florida 32814
ISBN 0884350029 $3.95 www.amazon.com
Today there is a lot of emphasis on obesity, diet plans, books of diets, exercise programs,
controversial hospital procedures that all do not really solve the problem. The predicament is
people are obsessed with eating so badly that they fail to accept responsibility for being so
overweight. This book remains as a remarkable achievement of how to really lose weight and
keep it off.
Many years ago Dolly Dimples, the Guinness World Book record holder in her class reduced from
555 pounds to just over 100 pounds in 14 months. She never gained a single pound back.
Dolly was doomed to be overweight from an early age when she began to associate comfort with
food. Her well-meaning mother was combining two types of psychological principles. B. F.
Skinner's reward concepts and Pavlov's conditioning dog theories. Dolly was conditioned to
accept food as the great healer of all her problems. Throughout her life she continued to gain
weight until her massive heart attack in which last rites were said and no one expected her to live
through the night. Amazingly she survived and was ordered by her doctor to "Diet or Die." Left
with the choice of having a life or not she chose to take her weight off. She broke the
conditioning and established a new direction with behavior modification. Her story is an
inspiration to everyone who has ever tried to lose weight. She stated, "If I did it you can lose
weight, too."
The Man Who Killed His Brother
Stephen R. Donaldson
Forge
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
ISBN 0765341255 $7.99 www.tor.com
I've not read too much by Donaldson because, and its my own doing I perceived everything he has
recently written to be like his Thomas Covenant series that was laced with fantasy, which I do not
read very much. I am delighted to say that this one is a mystery that is rich in characterization and
strong writing that moves briskly along to its final conclusion. Schoolgirls are disappearing. It
becomes personal for private eye Mick Axbrewder when his niece is one of them. There is a major
complication. Mick is not in good standing with his sister-in law because a while before on a case,
Mick shot and killed a cop. His own brother, it turns out. At the beginning of the novel Mick is on
a drunken binge. He is the last person anyone would want on this case. But his sister-in-law sets
aside her feelings and calls him in to find the lost niece. What he uncovers is staggering.
Donaldson has shown that he can write equally well in any genre. This is another fine series to
look for by a very talented author.
Greenbacks
Randy Stowell
Sharp Books International
349 Bayshore Boulevard #1109, Tampa, Florida 33606
727-422-0754 www.sharpbooks.us
ISBN 187942398X $6.99
I am always on the lookout for novels that you can't find in a bookstore. This is one of them that I
came across at a book fair. The president of the United States is about to change history and
someone doesn't like it. He enlists the aid of a political science student but finds someone is out to
eliminate them both. The president is messing with the Federal Reserve utilizing a little known
document from history that has been buried for so long. Someone wants to keep it hidden and
they don't care at what cost. This is a fine novel in the realm of Grisham that could be a very good
film.
Defending a Nation
Tari M. Cooley
1st Books Library
1663 Liberty Dr., Bloomington In 47404-5161
800-839-8640 www.1stbooks.com.
ISBN 1410770289 $3.95
With patriotism on the wane in this country, it is refreshing to read this book of poetry that is
inspirational and very supportive of our troops overseas. The author has written simple emotional
poems that someone has needed to say for some time. A portion of the proceeds for this book is
being donated to various non-profit organizations that provide services to our men and women of
the U. S. armed forces, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and their families, through Veterans Day
2003.
Andros Draws the Line
Bruce Edwards
Lean Press
1-503-708-4415 www.leanpress.com
ISBN 193247501X $13.00
If you're like me and want a great legal thriller, this is a very good one. There is something wrong
in the D.A's office when the chief prosecutor is found dead. It is believed he committed suicide
others say he was murdered. To end the controversy private attorney Paul Andros is brought in to
find the truth. He begins to uncover a cesspool that involves dirty cops and lots more. The writing
is very good and takes the reader along with well-defined characters. I found the artwork
throughout at the beginning of each chapter to be an added bonus. I hope to see more good things
from this author and this publishing company as well.
Act Right a Manual for the On-camera Actor
Erin Gray & Mara Purl
Haven Books
10153 1/2 Riverside Drive Suite 629, North Hollywood CA 91602
www.havenbooks.net
ISBN 1584360003 $29.95
Do you have a question about acting? This is the book to learn all there is to know about breaking
into the profession. The authors who know their stuff have packed this book with lots of good
information. They discuss such things as auditioning, why you should have your own wardrobe,
stunt work, professional photos and why you have to have the
