Sarah: A Novel (Canaan Trilogy) by Marek Halter

This audiobook is a great piece of historical fiction. Some reviewers seem concerned about possible historical inaccuracies, but historical fiction is just that - fiction! The author did a great job of telling his interpretation of the story behind the woman in the Bible. I found it entertaining, heart-wrenching, and very real. Side note: as a Christian, I wasn’t offended by way the author treated the Biblical story of Sarah. There’s a lot we don’t know about Sarah from the Bible, so his story is as good as any other as far as I’m concerned. But I would echo some of the reader’s concerns about some graphic passages in the book; the sexual nature of some of the chapters makes this book inappropriate for young readers and may offend some Christian readers.

Sarah: A Novel by J. T. LeRoy

This is one of the most astonishing works of fiction ever. It paints a vivid, intricate picture of the world inhabited by little Sarah. I’m frankly taken aback by the folks who don’t like the writing. Sarah’s telling is lyrical, compelling, brilliant. Maybe contemporary readers of Huck Finn were put off by the language? The author captures the childhood perspective that cedes mythic proportions to commonplace surroundings. In truth, though, it’s really not a great read for the squeamish! Sarah’s world is terrifying, dirty and uncertain.

Literature Guide: Sarah, Plain and Tall (Grades 4-8) by Scholastic

“… and has received an answer. It is a letter from Sarah Elisabet:z Wheaton who lives in Maine and has a cat. …”

The story of Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLaclan is a pioneer fiction about a family who needs a mother and a wife, and a lady who needs a home. It is sad, funny, happy, scary, exciting, and keeps me guessing.
Jacob Witting needs a helpful, hardworking wife and a mother for his young children Anna and Caleb. He puts an ad for a wife in the newspaper. He receives a response from Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton of Maine. In the early spring, Jacob goes to the train station to bring Sarah home. He dresses up and makes his hair very slick and shiny.
Sarah Wheaton makes herself at home with the Wittings. She helps clean the house. She goes and picks wild flowers with Caleb. They gather paintbrush, clover, prairie violets, roses, and bride’s bonnet. She cuts Caleb’s and Jacob’s hair, then she braids Anna’s long hair. She teaches Caleb and Anna how to float in the cow pond and they have fun. At night, all of them go to the barn to slide down the tall hay pile, just like the dunes in Maine.
Caleb and Anna love Sarah and hope she will stay. Caleb is six and really loves Sarah. Caleb cried when Sarah comes back from driving the wagon because he thinks she was leaving them. Anna is ten and helps with most of the housework. She is also worried that Sarah will leave.
Sarah misses Maine but she is happy with the Wittings. She says she will always miss her old home but she will miss the Wittings more if she leaves. She talks about wanting to drive the wagon. The neighbors come to help with the plowing and meet Sarah. Later Sarah and Jacob get married.
The book Sarah, Plain and Tall makes me joyful when Jacob finds a wife to marry. I like when Sarah, Caleb, Anna, and Jacob slide down the hay pile. Do you like fictional story about family life during the Pioneer times? If so, you will like this audiobook.

The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh and Leonard Weisgard

“… The spring night was cold, and Sarah drew her warm cloak close. That was comfortable, too. …”

We read The Courage of Sarah Noble in my reading class. I liked this book. I liked how it is a true story. I liked Sarah. She was smart, kind and nice.

Sarah went on a journey with her father to the woods. They made a house there and met the Indians. Sarah was brave. She stayed by herself in the woods. It was then that Sarah read to the Indians. The best part of the book was when she got to see her mother & family again.

I would recommend this book to my friends. It is really good.

Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

Sarah’s Key is her first novel written in her mother tongue, English. Sarah’s Key is to be published in 22 countries and has already sold over 400 000 copies worldwide. Film rights have also been sold.

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher

“… Sarah Byrnes is inside. Eighth floor. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit. …”

I read Staying Fat for Sarah Bynes by Chris Crutcher.I would definitly rate this book 5 stars. It was truely a great read and has a lot of life long lessons that can be learned.

This book is about two friends, Eric Calhoune and Sarah Bynes, who have been close since middle school. Sarah Byne’s face is burned from an incident when she was three and Eric is overwieght.Despite their differences, they stayed friends through most of thier high school years. Trouble hits though, when Eric makes the high school swim team and starts loosing his difference that contributes to what makes Sarah and his friendship special. Then another problem strikes when Sarah’s memory of the incident that happened when she was three catches up with her. She suddenly stops talking and is sent to a rehab center. Eric then realizes that the incident made a dramatic effect on Sarah and he wants to know what really happened. When he starts to find out the truth, he faces danger from her over-protective father and is put in life threatening situations.

This book shows how a real friend finds out the truth and faces the consquences to save another friend they truely care about. It has a lot of things anyone can relate to and has a way of showing the value of a true friendship.

I recommend this book truely to anyone just because it is a wonderful book. It has parts that have you flipping the page faster than you are reading it, there are parts that have you sobbing, and there are parts that just make you stop and think about all the people you know that would do the same thing for you as Eric does for Sarah. Also, this book doesn’t go towards a certain gender, so it id a good book for both boys and girls.

One thing to point out though,is that the reader should be at least 12-13 years of age or older before reading this book. Although it is a great book, its covers many adult situations and subjects (birth, abortion, being at gun/knife point,smoking,etc.). Also, this book includes some foul language that isn’t exactly good for young readers.

Staying Fat for Sarah Bynes is an amazing story and is definitly worth reading. I believe it is one of the the best books Chris Chrutcher has ever written.

Sarah Kane: Complete Plays by Sarah Kane

Sarah Kane’s collected plays represent an underestimated force in theater. Much like the work of Elfriede Jelinek or Ntozake Shange, Kane takes a private pain (losing oneself in another or testing the limits of proclaimed love) and creates a verbal landscape that the audience must inhabit, either by force of shock or noble acceptance of empathy. In either case, her plays must be reckoned with upon finishing. I think perhaps the most intriguing and powerful to me was 4.48 Psychosis, her final and posthumously performed play. There are no defined characters because who cannot claim a piece within the multitude of confessions that the play really unfolds as. Brutally honest and intentionally confrontational, this play, above the others, embodies the last possible moments of hope in anyone’s life. Kane’s characters rarely make the choice to latch on to these moments, but they are there and cannot be ignored.

The Anglo Files: A Field Guide to the British by Sarah Lyall

Great read for anyone who doesn’t understand British sensibility. I loved it. I lived in Greater London in the 90’s and had the luck of sending my two kids to different schools, a state school and a public school. If only I had had this book before I went I could have saved myself a bit of grief, but then would have missed out on my best laughs. I love every thing about the UK and its people. Lyall shared the best bits and brought back so many lovely memories I think I need to go book a trip back. Expensive beyond belief but beans on toast is always on the menu.

Running Wild (Dark Haven) by Sarah McCarty

“… 10 SARAH MCCARTY her hands above his own on the base. With …”

FIRST OFF,I LIKE PARANORMALS AND CONTEMPORARIES SO WHEN A FRIEND WANTED ME TO TRY SARAH MCCARTY HISTORICALS I WASN’T ENTHUSIATIC.BUT I DID AND AM I GRATEFUL I DID!RUNNING WILD IS FUN,HOT AND ROMANTIC TRILOGY WITH GREAT HAPPILY EVER AFTER,WHICH IS ONE REASON I READ.LOL.LOVE THE FANTASY!THIS IS A FANTASTIC WEREWOLF PARANORMAL BY A GIFTED WRITER WHO INCLUDES ROMANCE WITH HER EROTICA,A RARE BIRD INDEED…….WARNING:THIS IS A KEEPER!ITS GOING TO DISAPPEAR!

Sarah’s Son by Jerry Eicher

Book 1 (’Sarah’) was arduous to slog through, rather stilted and amateurish. Other readers seem to agree, from what I’ve read. This sequel is much better. I encourage you to give it a chance, and recommend it to those who want to learn more about the Amish communities. Mr. Eicher has first-hand knowledge since he was raised Amish.

Sarah Chalke

Sarah Shahi

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Brightman

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Silverman

Sarah Carter

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Bolger

Sarah McLachlan

Sarah Felberbaum

Sarah Brown

Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923)

Sarah Buxton

Sarah Lancaster

Sarah Wayne Callies

Sarah Connor

Sarah Polley

Sarah Roemer

Sarah Wynter

Sarah_Wayne_Callies

Palin 2008 - Republican Candidate for Vice President Sarah Palin by U.S. Government

Palin was born Sarah Louise Heath in Sandpoint, Idaho, the daughter of Sarah Heath (née Sheeran), a school secretary,
and Charles R. Heath, a science teacher and track coach. She is of English, Irish, and German ancestry.Her family moved
to Alaska when she was an infant. She and her father would sometimes wake at 3 a.m. to hunt moose before school,
and the family regularly ran 5K and 10K races.

Palin attended Wasilla High School in Wasilla, Alaska, where she was the head of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes
chapter at the school and the point guard and captain of the school’s basketball team.She helped the team win the
Alaska small-school basketball championship in 1982, hitting a critical free throw in the last seconds of the game,
despite having an ankle stress fracture at the time. She earned the nickname “Sarah Barracuda” because of her
intense play and was the leader of team prayer before games.

In 1984, Palin won the Miss Wasilla beauty contest, then finished second in the Miss Alaska pageant, at which she won
a college scholarship. In the Wasilla pageant, she played the flute and won “Miss Congeniality”.

Palin attended Hawaii Pacific College in Hilo, Hawaii, in 1982 for a semester,
where she majored in Business Administration, and transferred in 1983 to North Idaho College.
In 1987,[10] Palin received a Bachelor of Science degree in communications-journalism from the University of Idaho,
where she also minored in political science. Palin briefly worked in broadcasting as a sports reporter for
local Anchorage television stations and with her husband in commercial fishing.

Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska’s Political Establishment on Its Ear by Kaylene Johnson

Although this little book doesn’t dig deep enough into why this former beauty queen has become a symbol of hope, I think it is a good springboard into a discussion of how a fighting mom can take on the “political class” of all talk - no action men. Too many politicians got into it for the wrong reason. Obviously, this tough lady got into politics for the right reasons.
While I’m sure that very few families in our country would qualify as “pioneer” households, this is a family that many would like to identify with. She certainly is a role model for young girls who have too few positive images among the current class of celebrities.
I imagine that when someone asks her why she hasn’t been more widely travelled internationally, she’ll probably say something like: “It takes a lot of money to travel the world, and frankly, my family has not been in a position to take a lot of European vacations, etc.” However, I think she would probably also say that she is willing to spend as much time traveling the world and brushing up on foreign policy as a President McCain asks her to.

She could certainly say that as long as McCain is filling the office of President, she’ll have free reign and plenty of time to brush up on the foreign areas she needs to. This is not a luxury that a President Obama would have, since he would have no time at all to get ready for the task for which he has no executive experience whatsoever.

One should never underestimate the power of solid, ethical character. Someone who has made all the right moral choices in her life, especially a mother who has a child in harm’s way, is not likely to make bad decisions when it comes to decisions that can affect “world peace”… after all, that’s what all beauty queens want in their hearts (LOL).

Seriously, though, this little book gave me hope that there still are nuclear families in America. Families that understand what hard work and right living are all about.

This book makes clear that Sarah Palin is a force to be reckoned with. I wouldn’t underestimate her, whether I was Paul Begala or Vladimir Putin.
By the way, Vladimir Putin would probably fear her, since Sarah Palin knows about as much about energy politics as any person in America. She is not afraid to play hardball when necessary.

I want to see much more meaty tome about not just this mom from the sticks, but about all those “hockey moms” and “soccer moms” who REALLY make this country work. This book is at least a good start.

Becoming the Natural: My Life In and Out of the Cage by Randy Couture and Loretta Hunt

Another great MMA fighter autobiography!

First off the book has a very funny, short (foreword) written by comedian/actor Kevin James!

“Becoming the Natural” is right up there with Chuck Liddell’s book “Iceman / My Fighting Life”, which I consider to be the best MMA/UFC book out there.

Randy tells his childhood story and how he got into wrestling and MMA. He had a very sordid childhood as far as his parents were concerned. Randy talks about alot of very personal issues in the book, that he didn’t have to tell us the readers. He really lays it all out there! He goes into detail about his ex-wives, cheating and being a parent.

Randy goes into detail about the UFC, Dana White and his current legal battle with the UFC. Couture’s 16-8 record doesn’t stand out like that of a champion, but read the book and you’ll see just where that record comes from. Randy was fighting heavyweights with 40-50 pds. over him, in many fights once they got on top, he was simply pinned beneath them.

Randy is one of my favorite fighters simply because he seems to be a genuinely good guy and this book gave me that same feeling about him! Randy has beaten the best and been beaten by the best.

Throughout the book, even when describing his losses, he never bad mouths his opponents, in one fight he loses, he later learns the other fighter failed a steroid test, Randy is given the chance to have the fight changed from a (loss) to a (no contest), he refuses, saying a loss is a loss!

As a fan, I hope to see Randy get his chance to fight Fedor. As Randy says in his book, it’s about taking on the best possible opponent and that man is Fedor!

Randy is still training, but not currently fighting, he is pursuing his acting career, with his first leading role movie, “Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior” due on DVD this Tuesday!

The book also provides alot of nice pictures to give you a better sense of his past and family!

Another good MMA bio. for fans collections!

Wrestling for Fighting: The Natural Way by Randy Couture, Erich Krauss, Glen Cordoza, and Eric Hendrikx

“… Randy Couture, nicknamed “The natural,” is a national- level wrestler who transformed …”

Randy Couture has been one of the poster boys for Mixed Martial Arts competition in recent years - and a good one at that. His words are well thought out, he’s articulate, hard-working and talented. A lot is made of his age, as well. However, I don’t think it means a great deal except to say he’s an example of what hard work and good attitude can acheive.

Erich Krauss and Glen Cordoza do a great job of getting these qualities to shine through in this publication. The book’s dedication speaks of work ethic and self-reliance, as well as the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people and influences. One can only say that this is as much a recipe for success as any. It’s worked in Couture’s case, anyway.

The book is - like most Victory Belt publications - a large format book. It’s 11″ x 9″ and has 214 pages. It’s a glossy book on high quality paper. It’s also generous with photos and the photos are detailed and clearly show the techniques presented. I was critical of a couple of Victory Belt’s publications in the past for proof-reading. This one does a lot better. It is very unfortunate that one of the very few errors that slipped through happened to be in a very noticeable place. Nonetheless, the writing is excellent and gets better with each publication. I’d be a real jerk if I said it took away from the book.

As seems to be the Victory Belt template, the book opens with an introduction which spends twelve pages chronicling Randy’s career. Erich and Glen are getting better at this every time. It’s the best written of the Victory Belt intros by far and the one I enjoyed the most, as well. Take note, though, it may be that I simply enjoyed Couture’s story more than the others.

The technical portion of the book is broken up into three parts. The first talks wrestling, the second focusses on Greco-Roman wrestling and the third on adapting the wrestling game for Mixed Martial Arts. Each part is broken up into six to seven chapters concentrating on different aspects of Randy’s game. As far as the techniques go, this is clearly the game of Randy Couture. The book also shares a lot of information with his earlier video series from Century. That makes this a great adjunct to the series, as well.

The wrestling section starts with a comprehensive chapter discussing wrestling basics. This is followed by a look at four basic takedowns. This is followed (quite naturally) by a chapter on finishing the single leg. Clearly this is and area Randy considers key. Following this is a long section on tie-ups. Here, you really start to make the connection between the Randy you see in the cage and the one n the book. There are two defensive chapters in the wrestling section - Sprawling and Defending the Single Leg.

The section on Greco is shorter, with a two page introduction followed by a chapter on pummelling and then basic takedowns. I enjoyed this section a lot as I picked up several of details that (as a Jiu Jitsu guy) I didn’t know before. There are then chapters on armdrags and on more advanced takedowns. All are effective techniques, well photographed and captioned.

The last part of the book is called “Wrestling for Fighting” and is obviously the crux of the book as far as the authors are concerned. It starts with an introduction (as for all the book’s parts) and then jumps into the relationship between strikes (especially the overhand) and the double-leg takedown. There is then a chapter on closing the distance. Following this, come the chapters on the most famous parts of Randy’s game - The clinch and cage tactics.

The clinch chapter concentrates on Couture’s much hallowed “Dirty Boxing” technique while the chapter on cage tactics provides invaluable pearls on how to use the fence to your advantage. I’m not sure Randy has given up all his secrets here, but the book certainly describes much of what I’ve seen the man do in the cage.

From here, there are chapters on ground tactics and submissions. The tactics here are simple. There is a good deal of time devoted to “Ground ‘n’ Pound” and two basic choke submissions. Both should be a big help for wrestlers looking to make the change.

All-in-all, I think there’s something in here for everyone. Wrestlers making the jump to MMA will obviously benefit the most as it shows precisely how the wrestler’s game translates. People like myself, who don’t have a strong wrestling background will be able to add elements to their game they had previously not been exposed to. And, I don’t think there’s out there who couldn’t benefit from the clinch and cage tactics chapters.

The book brings the good points of all Victory Belt’s previous publications together. It’s shorter, more basic and easier to navigate than the already excellent ‘Book of Knowledge’ from BJ Penn and more articulate and mature than ‘Mastering the Rubber Guard’. This one takes pride of place on my bookshelf and will join the Best of the Best category on this site.

This Is Gonna Hurt: The Life of a Mixed Martial Arts Champion by Tito Ortiz and Marc Shapiro

Who is the real Tito? I surely had no idea. He’s cocky on TV and gets bad-mouthed by other fighters in interviews and in their books. It turns out Tito is a father, an actor, a serious businessman and a entrepreneur on top of being one of the UFC’s biggest names.

Tito’s biography is one you wont soon forget. He lets it all out and talks about his crazy childhood and MMA career.

This book is easy to read and definitely clears up some of the rumors about him that we (MMA fans) often hear.

Good book, great stories! For any Tito Ortiz fan and all MMA fans!

Iceman: My Fighting Life by Chuck Liddell and Chad Millman

“… won the UFC heavyweight title only to lose it to Randy Couture a year later. His fight against me, in May of …”

I really enjoyed this book. As a fan of autobiographies, MMA and the UFC. After i read it, i felt i knew Chuck better and knew what made him tick how he got to where he was, both professionally and as a man. I felt I had a better knowledge of MMA and the UFC. It’s a book about Chuck and hi slife as a fighter, not the history of MMA and the UFC, but since he was a part of the second comming, he gives some good insite and behind the scenes stuff. all this made me crave more, so unfourtunatley I bought the Matt hughes book after. For that I may never forgive Chuck, Ever.

The Interns: Fashionistas (The Interns) by Chloe Walsh

“… She had on a sailor-striped Armani Exchange sundress with a navy cardigan, an outfit that looked familiar. …”

Paris has Agnes B. Spain has Balenciaga. Japan has Issey Miyake. And New York…well, New York City has Isabel Dupre and Couture Magazine. Couture is a what’s-what on fashion - from upcoming designers to retiring models, and everything in between. It is the place that anyone who loves fashion wants to immerse themselves in; and Isabel Dupre, as the Editor in Chief of the mag, is the Queen Bee. When she decides to bring in interns to work in the hallowed halls of the exclusive Couture offices, it’s every man (or, rather, woman) for themselves. And only four girls will have the opportunity of a lifetime to show the world what they’ve got.

Recent high school grad Aynsley Rothwell needs this internship like a hole in the head. As a Park Avenue Princess, the most Aynsley needs to know about fashion is what’s in, what’s out, where the sample sales are, and whether to pay with her Black AmEx or platinum credit card. Actually rolling out of bed and going to an office each day - even one as glamorous as Couture’s - is definitely not at the top of her to-do list. But, as the daughter of one of Isabel Dupre’s close personal friends, Aynsley has no choice. After all, it’s either intern at Couture; or spend the summer holed up in a boring palace in Italy, being tormented by an Italian tutor. Couture it is.

Fast-talking Philly native, Nadine Van Buren, may be short; but what she lacks in stature, she makes up for in personality. As the ace reporter and editor for her school newspaper, as well as a photographer with an itch to shoot Couture covers; Nadine knows that she’ll fit right in at Couture. Her larger than life personality, and tres trendy and creative fashion sense will only make her more appealing to the typical Couture staff members. But her ability to party hardy, and keep her head clear, even after a night of craziness will make her the apple of Aynsley’s eye. Hopefully Nadine makes sure to remember why she originally came to the Big Apple, and doesn’t get carried away by a Chanel-toting bad influence sporting jet black hair, and model good looks.

Columbus, Ohio is anything but the fashion capital of the world. Callie Ryan knows that better than anyone else. In fact, the budding fashion designer, who doubles as a high school student, can’t imagine ever reaching her dreams if she doesn’t get out of Columbus soon. Which is why she accepted this coveted internship. Sure, her designs may be a little out of this world, and mall-like for Couture; but the experience she’ll gain under the guidance of Isabel Dupre is exactly what she wants. Too bad she made the mistake of starting off on the wrong foot with her fellow interns by telling a few little white lies. Little white lies that are sure to come back to haunt her sooner rather than later.

No one really knows what to think of Ava Barton. The mousey girl is too sweet-talking and innocent to fit into the fashion world, but she’s determined to display her writing chops, and prove how serious she is about Couture. Too bad she doesn’t necessarily know as much about fashion as her fellow interns. Or so it seems. Maybe if people paid a little more attention to what Ava was like on the inside, as opposed to focusing on her outer appearance, they would be able to see the potential she harbors. And get a sneak peek at how she’ll be able to knock everyone off their feet.

I have seen countless comparisons to GOSSIP GIRL; but, while the backdrop of New York City is prevalent in both GOSSIP GIRL and THE INTERNS, and the characters love shopping, clothes, and partying, that is where the similarities end. Personally, I’m more inclined to compare Chloe Walsh’s THE INTERNS to the spectacular, yet very underrated FLIRT series by Nicole Clarke, which also boasted a cast of characters interning at a fashion magazine for the summer. That said, THE INTERNS is still in a league of its own. Walsh has penned a tale rich in wonderful characters, an inside look at the goings-on at a fashion magazine, and drama galore. Aynsley is a GOSSIP GIRL-esque type of character, right down to her brimming trust fund. She has a mean streak, but you can’t help but love how devilish she is. Nadine is a fun party girl, but sometimes she seems a little out of control - even if her wardrobe still looks impeccable. Callie comes off as very shady. The fact that she lies from the get-go, and always seems to be sneaking around and smirking about mishaps honestly makes the reader think that she’s capable of any type of conniving. And Ava…well, Ava seems like Miss Goody Two-Shoes from page one, but you adore her anyway. The fact that you know that there’s a party girl just dying to break out makes her even more exciting. Utterly unforgettable!

The Lucky Shopping Manual: Building and Improving Your Wardrobe Piece by Piece by Andrea Linett and Kim France

“… Carla Mancini Gunmetal Asp Cartier Autumn Cashmere Catherine Malandrino A/X Armani Exchange Celine Earl Jean ï.. …”

This book is an excellent primer for those such as myself who may be slightly clueless on the fashion front. For me, it’s a bargain alternative to a personal shopper (I wish!).

The book has loads of pictures that offer plenty of ideas for new outfits and spark your creativity. I like this book as it is not pretentious or condescending. The authors offer advice for styles that will bridge seasons and outlast fads.

I found the “build your wardrobe” and “in the fitting room” sections useful as well. This book does not go into vivid detail about body types nor is it the be all/end all. You could combine Lucky Shopping Manual with Pocket Stylist or The Science of Sexy and be completely educated.

The Pocket Stylist: Behind-the-Scenes Expertise from a Fashion Pro on Creating Your Own Look by Kendall Farr

“… Levi’s Red Tab Boot Cut: Has a contoured waist. A/X Armani Exchange: Bootcuts. Polo Jeans Co.: Bootcuts and flares. …”

This terrific book changed the way I think about clothing fit, and what I should be wearing and buying. It’s the most useful fashion/clothing book I own, and probably a good purchase for many women. The ideas are timeless, but still immediately applicable for a variety of women, budgets, sizes, and style preferences. I highly recommend it. I had come to Amazon just to buy the Lucky shopping guide, and bought this in addition to the Lucky book because of all the positive reviews — I’m so glad I did, because this is the book I like better of the two!

Bad Girlz 4 Life by Shannon Holmes

“… He had on a baby blue Armani Exchange button-up shirt, a dark blue New York Yankees baseball cap, …”

Tonya Morris is not the same naive girl she used to be. She has decided to get a new hustle that doesn’t involve sex, mayheim, and stripping. She finds herself doing braids at a salon as a way of honest employment. Yet it seems like her past followers her even there. While working there she meets a wonderful friend, Na’eema.

Together the two ladies act as a dynamic duo and start their own hustle together. They go from private stripping parties to party promoters over night. A chance encounter at one of their events puts Tonya face to face with her past once again. Q Phelps is there in the flesh. The only man that she has loved is present and looking even better than their last encounter.

Tonya life starts to head in a positive direction after destiny brought her and Q back together. She finds herself falling deeper in love with him, but Q’s sister, crazy baby mama, and a past broken heart stand in her way. Tonya does what she knows best and fights for hers.

Shannon Holmes did a great job with this sequel. He revisits the wounds that drove Tonya to the streets at such a tender age. This novel makes you want to fight, cry, and smile. A couple of surprises are thrown at you that you’d never expect. It answers all your inquiries from the first novel and leaves you satisified. Mr Holmes you have done a great job on this one. I can’t wait for Bmore Careful II.

The Quickie by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

“… under my favorite Armani Exchange black suit. The skirt had a side slit in it …”

Patterson has done it again! A terrific book that is unpredictable and has quite a few story lines going all through the book but not to the confusing point. Lauren Stillwell has a great job, a terrific marriage, and many of life’s luxuries and she enjoys all of them. Lauren decides one day that she was going to surprise husband Paul at his office and both go out for a fantastic meal. As Lauren approached Paul’s office building in Manhattan, she spied Paul leaving the office building with a young blond woman. Whoa!! She followed them in her car to a hotel and watched them go in. “This is not good” is what came to Laurens mind. There must be some explanation so Lauren gave Paul the benefit of a doubt when he arrived home that night until Paul told her he had lunch at his desk.

They both entered a taxi to go to the airport, each to go to fly to a different city and, Lauren hoped, give her a chance to think things out. Well, Lauren thought things out very fast and arranged a date with an old friend instead of leaving New York. She was going to get even with Paul. Old friend and former fellow cop, Scott, came to the house as arranged for their rendezvous and to Lauren her revenge. They each got cold feet and Scott took off with Lauren following him, eventually catching him as he was getting on his motorcycle to take off for parts unknown. Lauren wanted so desperately to get that revenge that she climbed on and went with Scott to his house where they had groping and fantastic sex in every part of the house.

It seems Paul also did not go out of town as planned. He was following Lauren and Scott, taking in the entire scene. Paul had every intention of giving Scott a real life lesson by killing him but while approaching Scott, Paul’s cell phone went off and alerted Scott that someone was there and this turned into a bitter battle after which Lauren saw Paul throw Scott into his truck and take off with him. She did not know if Scott was alive or not but figured that Paul was taking Scott to the hospital.

Lauren was a Detective First Grade on the Bronx Homicide Task Force. How was she going to explain what occurred? She rushed to various hospitals searching for Scott to see the injuries herself while at the same time thinking how she would cover this up and proceed as if nothing had happened to her life! While searching the hospitals, she discovered a huge presence of police at a nearby park. As she approached the area her co-workers asked her why she wasn’t at the conference she had supposedly gone to. She explained that away fast and jumped into the crime scene where a dead body, turning out to be Scott, had been found wrapped and dumped in the park pond.

Lauren and Paul’s life had taken a sharp turn but neither would discuss what they knew the other had done or the attack on Scott. This made some things better in their lives and also opened up some crevices that they both fell into. Life went on but certainly not normal in any sense of the word. They both acted well with each other and no one that they knew of suspected anything wrong with their lives together but they each knew they were living a ticking time bomb.

As usual with Patterson’s books, he has a way to keep the reader deeply involved in the story as though they were actually there playing the parts. Did you try to kill your spouse??

There was a sense of apprehension about this book. It has gotten a lot of advance publicity. Articles in the press said that it was a thinly disguised story about the real First Lady, Laura Bush.

Curtis Sittenfeld was quoted as saying that it is 85% fiction with the remainder based upon that real person’s life. It’s fiction for obvious reasons. She made up all the conversations.

The book opens as our future First Lady, Alice Blackwell is growing up in Wisconsin. (substitute Wisconsin for Texas). The signature event in her younger days is a tragic car accident where the boy she loved is killed. This creates a chain of events that haunts Alice throughout the book.

She becomes a librarian and meets the aspiring politician Charlie Blackwell. He is the scion of a wealthy political dynasty in Wisconsin. They made their fortune in meat. (substitute meat for oil,etc.)

This unlikely pair falls in love. There’s sex in this book. It’s written in a very realistic style from Alice’s point of view. Charlie drinks a lot. That’s a problem. He makes the famous decision to embrace his family and Christianity while spurning the booze.

And he’s on his way to the highest office in the land. Sittenfeld pulls out some wonderful surprises in this clever and enchanting book. Her First Lady comes off the page as a real person. We like her a lot. Charlie comes off like W - amusing, closed-minded, profane.

This book will be huge, bigger than PREP was for the author.

It so happens that I’m finally getting around to writing this review just after the conclusion of the Democratic National Convention and just before Hurricane Gustav is about to make landfall at New Orleans. Both events underscore the importance of Barack Obama’s book, The Audacity of Hope, in the public discourse of the early 21st Century. I think it’s irresponsible for any American–and especially anyone who plans to vote in November–not to read it.

The next election for President of the United States is a contest between reason and emotion. At last week’s convention, some of the greatest minds in the world today appeared in support of the most highly educated group of office-seekers in history (including both members of the Democratic ticket and their wives). From the euphoria evident in television broadcasts, a casual observer could get the impression that the entire event was about feelings. But it wasn’t. It was about justice and poverty, nuclear proliferation and terrorism, the state of the planet and the state of humanity. Thoughtful speeches were made by brilliant people who have devoted decades of their lives to understanding these complex issues and struggling to make the world a safer, happier place.

Then Senator McCain made the astonishing choice of Sarah Palin–a woman who apparently believes in creationism but not global warming–to be his vice-presidential running mate. I believe that history will show that this was not a shrewd political move; it was an impulsive act by a famously impulsive man.

I first read a book about global warming in the 1970s. Even then, scientists knew that unchecked human expansion and the increasing burden of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere would bring about dramatic changes in weather patterns, resulting in much greater variations of temperature and more violent storms than the earth has experienced in the brief period of human habitation. Hundred-year events would become annual events, and five-hundred-year storms would begin to be seen with some regularity. So why are some people still surprised that it’s happening?

We are decades behind making the changes we should have been making to preserve the planet in a habitable condition for our children and grandchildren (much less generations beyond those of this century). In my opinion, we can no longer afford the luxury of political correctness or the laissez-faire attitude that one opinion is as good as another. We need someone leading the most powerful country on earth who is extremely well-informed, clear-headed, skilled in communication and consensus making, and concerned about the things we all should be concerned about. As this book makes abundantly clear, that person is Barack Obama.

“… WILLIAM P. WOOD told her. The second rule was always to ask for …”

Zip file of the entire book 86 MB

Timothy Nash is a prosecuting attorney turned Superior Court judge in the Northern California city of Santa Maria. He is a successful man, but he has never been able to escape the long shadow of his father, the respected and honorable judge Jack Nash. When a federal corruption task force asks Tim to help smoke out a few Santa Maria judges who are allegedly corrupt, Nash readily agrees. He does it for a few reasons, the most significant: He thinks his undercover work in the operation will finally separate him from his father’s reputation.

It doesn’t hurt that Tim is at a crossroads in his life. His wife left him, and took their young son to Los Angeles. He is lonely, discouraged, and the prospect of doing something different, maybe even important pushes Nash into action. He quickly jumps into the investigation and agrees to approach a few judges with offers of money to make a court case disappear. It doesn’t seem to bother him that the targets are his friends–he has known many of the judges he approaches since he was a child.

BROKEN TRUST was a pleasant surprise. The plotting was swift–it kept me turning the pages long after bedtime more than once. The characters, while not developed much beyond cardboard, served the plot. I found myself wondering how the protagonist could so easily betray his friends, but I never doubted his motivations. The main storyline was complemented nicely by three nifty side-plots–two undercover Santa Maria detectives, a murder trial in Nash’s courtroom, and Nash’s personal life. They added to the overall storyline and its suspense, and helped build tension between the personal Nash and the public Nash.

I enjoyed BROKEN TRUST more than I had expected, and if you enjoy a good legal thriller–anything from Scott Turow to Steve Martini to John Grisham–you’ll have a good time with it to.

The Baby Name Bible: The Ultimate Guide By America’s Baby-Naming Experts by Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz

“… Christian martyr, a bespectacled MTV cartoon heroine, and Canadian supermodel Daria Werbowy. …”

With six children, Satran & Rosenkratz’ book Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana: What To Name Your Baby Now has been my favorite resource for coming up with names for our children. Now that I’m pregnant with our seventh, I thought to come see if they had a newer version of this book available and found The Baby Name Bible! I ordered it immediately and wasn’t disappointed.

In their above-mentioned book, the authors didn’t deal with providing a dictionary of baby names — in this book they do, along with meanings and origins of names. Their dictionary is comprehensive (but not OVERLY so, so that it’s hard to wade through the names), it’s fresh, it’s interesting and it’s funny. But also included in this book — and what I liked about BJJMM — are their category lists; lists that help provide the FEEL of the name (things like “If you like Adam, You Might Also Like …,” “Color Names,” “Cool Bible Names” and “Star Baby Names.”

Star Von Bunny: A Model Tale by Kym Canter and Ellen Kahn

“… Turlington Greg the Bunny Gemma Ward Derek Jeter Daria Werbowy Lynda Kahn Alex Wurtz Faith Kates Robin Zendell …”

A delightful, exquisitely designed volume that follows the improbable rise of a short, slightly chubby, stuffed bunny rabbit from suburban bedroom to fashion runway to a podium at the Oscars. Along the way “Star” brushes fur with the likes of Bono, Beyonce, and Jean Paul Gaultier. A wonderful tale of desire and “making it,” pulled off with nary a mention of the words “carrot” or “hop.”

Skinny-dipping (Au Pairs) by Melissa de la Cruz

“… “You know Daria Werbowy is supposed to wear it on the runway tomorrow! Mitzi …”

Well, I was a big fan of the first book, The Au Pairs. This book does indeed develop deeper into Mara and Jaqui’s character. Eliza, the ex-It girl, has rented a little cottage for the summer. Her family is doing better and instead of working as an au-pair for the Perry Family, she worked at an upcoming hot club called Seventh Circle. Mara is now the It-girl since dating Ryan Perry. Jaqui is focused on her job because she wants to stay in New York the year and finish school up there and hopefully go to NYU. Her plan worked, up until she met the new au pair, the hot French Phillepe. Read the book to find out more. This book is so totally awesome!!!!

W Magazine July 2008 Daria Werbowy, Kate Moss and Lara Stone by W Magazine

Daria Werbowy has shot her first Dior campaign:

Daria Werbowy nude:

Abramovich by Dominic Midgley and Chris Hutchins

it is sad what has happened to the average russian as far as their living standards and the difficulties…but a select few(the oligarchs) like Abramovich have learned how to exploit the situation…although one oligarch(the richest one) did end up in a russian prison…this book details how abramovich achieved and how he has managed to keep the wealth by being apolitical and staying on good terms with Putin. A very good read.

Abramovich: The Chelsea Diary by Harry Harris

“… June ROMAN ABRAMOVICH TAKES ON CHELSEA FOOTBALL CLUB T he remarkable story of …”

The Chelsea Diary contains amazing new insider information on the ongoing speculation that Claudio Ranieri will be set aside to make way for Sven-Goran Erikkson. It follows Chelsea’s continuing campaign to sign even more big-name players such as Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, and Stephen Gerrard. And as the rubles continue to be spent, it analyzes what Roman Abramovich’s chances are of scoring his own personal goal-success at any cost.

The Oligarchs: Wealth And Power In The New Russia by David Hoffman

“… the post. Yet another player was a quiet oil trader, Roman Abramovich, …”

The Oligarchs of Russia are a special breed and this excellent book brings them to light. Hoffman excellently details the various men who came tot he fore in the New Russia under Yeltsin. From Mayor Luzhkov to Gusinky, Khordorovsky and Berezovky among others this book paints a wonderful picture of the hustlers, gangsters, politicians and Bankers that recreated Russia in the 1990s, making it mirror more 1920s America then the past soviet empire. This wonderful account details the back story of the various super-rich who came to dominate Russian Industry from Yukos to Aeroflot and the Russian Central Bank, from oil to automobiles. These men started poor, many were of Jewish ancestry and subjected to the prying eyes of the vast soviet bureaucracy. In one oligarchs case he started out selling Bibles on the black market and another pioneered the building of Dacha’s over and above his quota for production. A wonderful tale about the horrors of communism, for instance the story of Russia’s disgusting massive warehouse for vegetables, and the story of the cowboy capitalists, most of whom are now in prison or under indictment and forced to flee abroad.

The Official Filthy Rich Handbook by Christopher Tennant

“… Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, P. Diddy-and now you!-would even- tually follow, fighting for dock …”

Making money is one thing, acquiring the tasteful mannerisms of the rich is another. This book helps newly minted money acquire the ways of old money.

I can’t even begin to tell how many times I’ve met the noveau riche, and they’ve annoyed the heck out of me during the summer parties I’ve hosted in Newport, RI. I’ve instructed my butler to discreetly slip a copy of this book in the offender’s butler’s pocket so they may acquire better manners and taste.

These days, when I’m called on to deliver commencement addresses at sundry universities, I always make it a point to mention the book so that the kids know how to behave as soon as they sell their first dot-com. I’m also sponsoring translations of the book into both Chinese and Hindi so the newly rich from those countries can fit into our social scene here.

One final thought… show some taste by acquiring the hardcover. Leave the paperbacks to the staff “downstairs”.

Undressed: The Naked Truth about Love, Sex, and Dating by Jason Illian

“… boundaries in place, making out becomes a no-holds-barred game of naked Twister. A good rule to remember: If making out becomes the …”

I’ve never been one to read a “self-help” book. They are just not my thing but after seeing Jason on the Joni show on the Daystar network I thought I would give this book a shot. I’m so glad that I did! I found myself laughing, crying, and changing my perspective on dating. This is a great read for Christians who want to find a balance when it comes to dating. Jason does an excellent job stating that it’s NOT about turning your back on dating nor about having sex with each person you date but instead waiting on that man (or woman) who you are meant to share the rest of your life with. It’s okay to date and meet new people, otherwise how else are you going to get to know your significant other? Like he said, “God has His part and we have our part.” Our partner isn’t just going to fall out of the sky one day but we also don’t have to go out and make ourselves look desperate by looking for him or her. I personally am content with waiting on the Lord but this book definitely gave me insight on what “waiting” really looks like. Clearly it’s not about checking out the ring finger of every gentleman that I meet. Who knew? LOLThis book is definitely not for everyone, specifically if you’re a woman or anyone who’s grown out of partying. I say this because the two major themes of the book are heavy drinking and picking up girls. That being said, I would HIGHLY recommend this for any single guys about to graduate college or in their twenties.

The authors cover everything from huge beach parties in Thailand to Oktoberfest in Germany to hiking in South America. There’s a lot on things to do in the US, too. Their travel ideas are all very interesting and are all achievable. The tips and info that they provide on the different events and travel recommendations are actually really useful. The humor is also pretty good in this book. It’s a bit over the top at times, however, it made it fun to read.

I had been looking for a book like this forever. I basically wanted a young, single guy’s guide to traveling and partying all over the world, and this is it. This is really the only book out there that fits what I was looking for. If you’re in any way interested in exciting travel or doing something interesting with your life (and you’re a single guy aged 18-35), this is what you are looking for and you should absolutely buy this book. You won’t regret it.

Die Happy: 499 Things Every Guy’s Gotta Do While He Still Can by Tim Burke and Michael Burke

“… “Wet-and-Slippery Naked Twister” Camp. While here, expect the unexpected-especially from the weather. …”

This book is definitely not for everyone, specifically if you’re a woman or anyone who’s grown out of partying. I say this because the two major themes of the book are heavy drinking and picking up girls. That being said, I would HIGHLY recommend this for any single guys about to graduate college or in their twenties.

The authors cover everything from huge beach parties in Thailand to Oktoberfest in Germany to hiking in South America. There’s a lot on things to do in the US, too. Their travel ideas are all very interesting and are all achievable. The tips and info that they provide on the different events and travel recommendations are actually really useful. The humor is also pretty good in this book. It’s a bit over the top at times, however, it made it fun to read.

I had been looking for a book like this forever. I basically wanted a young, single guy’s guide to traveling and partying all over the world, and this is it. This is really the only book out there that fits what I was looking for. If you’re in any way interested in exciting travel or doing something interesting with your life (and you’re a single guy aged 18-35), this is what you are looking for and you should absolutely buy this book. You won’t regret it.

College Girls: Bluestockings, Sex Kittens, and Co-Eds, Then and Now by Lynn Peril

“… COLLEGE GIRLS ual organs ever in view.”-3i Mental images of naked Twister contests twirl in the modern reader’s head, but all he …”

I always wondered what they were doing over there in the Girls Dorms. Now Lynn Peril has written a work which traces the development of women in the college world. While she starts with a first graduate in 1631 her focus is on developments from mid-nineteenth century to the nineteen - seventies. In this the theme of women’s achieving equality in freedom over their own private lives is central. The world of over- supervision, and restriction yielded in time to the not necessarily happy one of women ‘hooked up’ in relationships in which sexual pleasure became ‘ego trip’ and intimacy and love, left on the sidelines. In between however there is the realm where greater woman’s freedom and autonomy were at the heart of a general liberalization of campus life.
Peril uses a wide variety of sources to trace the developments in fashion, in style, in sleeping arrangements, in attitudes towards the marital and career prospects of college women. She makes use of students handbooks and yearbooks, advice manuals, popular novels. She provides a full picture of what their lives were like, and how they were transformed through the decades.
One central question again relates to intimacy and the dignity of women, with a strong suggestion that rampant promiscuity is not a sign of liberation but rather of a new kind of enslavement. Apparently the fuddy- duddies had it a bit right when they suggest that for most women sexual pleasure must come in the context of loving and committed relationships if they are to satisfy their deepest human needs.

Sex, Sin & Brooklyn by Crystal Lacey Winslow

“… “This is naked Twister.” We both stripped and began our game. “Right foot yellow. …”

Sex, Sin & Brooklyn (The second installment), unbolts sex, sin, secrets, lies, betrayal and love, but by what definition? Crystal Lacey Winslow is an all-star when it comes to generating a drama filled book that tosses readers over the limit. Travel through the streets of New York as we meet new cohorts and revisit with some of the old ones. Can you handle Melodrama? (Pun intended!)

It’s not how you play the game, but who wins in the end. Growing up as an only child, Breezy has been privileged and venerated her entire life. Educated, fluent in five languages, yet, she’s still a `round da way chick. Partying with her friends, Breezy comes into contact with one of New York’s’ most eligible bachelors. If she plays her pawn correctly, this could be a million dollar love affair. Is Breezy Manolo’s soldierly enough to restore the dilapidated heart of her suitor?

At 30, Kesha is a wife, mother and detective. Working hard to protect and serve, Kesha and her husband Daniel have reversed the roles. She’s the bread winner, while he’s home providing nurture. While partying with her girls, Kesha finds herself enthralled with some of the bad boys in the streets, neglecting her motherly and wifely duties. While laying down the law, Kesha finds that obeying the law can be a double edge sword. Can she remember her oath, or will justifying things cloud her reasoning?

Jinx is really lucky having been the sole survivor of a plane crash. Unfortunately, that luck doesn’t extend to her fragile and irreparable heart. It’s been three long years since Jinx parted from her first love. After permitting so much pain, she was content with just working, saving, caring for Nana and killing time with her girls. While Jinx is not in the market for a relationship, she seems to immediately get swept away. The problem is Jinx knows that something is wrong, but before she can salvage her self respect, it’s too late. Is there love waiting for Jinx, or is she slated for pain?

Nicoli Jones is back and although she’s found religion, 90% of the old Nicoli has seeped in. In spite of this, Black King is trying hard to bury their history, but sometimes the chemistry is too strong. When being humble and pledging her love doesn’t work, Nicoli goes after the math. Is it too late, or will an overconfident analysis right a wrong?

People remember, there is always hazard while wishing for someone else’s hand. Learn to be happy with the life you’re dealt. Envy, greed and desperation can lead to your demise.

For Lovers Only by Alex Hairston

“… FOR LOVERS ONLY 293 ing a game of naked Twister. They missed Joel’s apartment and his king-sized bed. They had …”

“For Lovers Only” the story captures your attention from the beginning. After reading the first chapter you can easily fall in love with the main character Joel (especially if you are woman).

Joel is not your average man. He is Mr. Perfect man that every woman hopes to have. After his hart was broken by his girlfriend, he meets a beautiful girl name Erin and her best friend Kenya. Both women find Joel irresistible, agreed to share him and tried to have a committed threesome relationship. Of course their unique relationship didn’t set well with everybody. Occasionally they found themselves defending who they are to family, friends, and strangers.

The story will take you through a lot of mix emotions and keep you on your toes. You find a lot of interesting and unforgettable characters in this book. Regardless of their parts, the writer gave each person a personality that you can identify with or reminds you of someone you know in real life. The end is unpredictable, you will never guess whose arms Joel ends up on, which makes the story extra special.

Overall, for Lovers only is a very sexy, unpredictable, bluntly honest, well written, visible, and emotional story.

I would like to suggest to everyone to pick up this book because it is a MUST READ! story.

Excellent murder mystery. On September 9, 1905, the NY Times Saturday Review of Books described this book as follows: ‘That painstakingly ingenious person, Fergus Hume, has devised another of his hide-and-seek, jack-o’-lantern murder mysteries. It begins with a queer and rich old woman found stabbed to death in her chair and not a clue to the murderer. Then so many clues turn up that even the story-book detective is bewildered. Then nearly everybody turns out to be somebody else under an alias, and all the clues lead nowhere:’ (summary by Dawn Larsen and J.M. Smallheer)

Zip file of the entire book - 265 MB

“… is advisable to behave exactly as at the club. The Grand Babylon was a hotel in whose smoking-room one behaved as though one was at …”

This book is absolutely dire. Bennett, in a desperate attempt to produce literature on par with the French authors he was so inspired by, wrote this lamentably bad novel. He is often compared to Dickens, who he frankly has no right to be compared to. Dickens is totally out of the league of this author. This book is uninteresting with awkwardly drawn characters. It was a challenge to be bothered to read until the end. It is for a very good reason that Woolf called him a “little grocer” and observed “I have formed my own opinion of what Mr. Bennett is about - he is trying to make us imagine for him; he is trying to hynotize us into the belief that, because he has made a house, there must be a person living there.” Exactly.

Zip file of the entire book (194MB)

A quick, really great read on the everyday life of the Confederate soldier in the War for Southern Independence. The Whats, Whens, Hows, and Whys of the survival of the common man in the Army of Northern Virginia told in a very readable manner. Anyone interested in “the War” shouldn’t go without reading this one! Too bad there isn’t a hardback!

Zip file of the entire book (137MB)

Hurricanes by Seymour Simon

I bought this audiobook for my son who has taken an interest in hurricanes and he loved it. He enjoys

Divine Wind: The History and Science of Hurricanes by Kerry Emanuel

Rarely has a audiobook come out in so timely a fashion. And to match the timeliness, rarely has a audiobook had such an excellent match of science and history.

The audiobook gives a series of historical stories beginning with the Kamikaze storms that saved Japan from the Mongol invasions in 1274 and 1281. He continues with numerous stories from the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico including incidents beginning with Columbus and continuing until recent times. Two particularily interesting chapters dealt with the 1945 typhoons that did more damage to Admiral Halsey’s fleet than the Japanese, and then the chapter on flying airplanes into the eye fo the storms.

From the scientific standpoint he presents numerous chapters on every aspect from general descriptions to explaining terms used by the weather forcasters such as wind shear. At the conclusion you’ll understand what’s happening much better.

And to prove just how good forecasting has become, the forecast at the beginning of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season 15 named tropical storms and eight hurricanes were predicted. By November 1, 2005 there have been 23 named storms…with 13 becoming hurricanes and 7 becoming major hurricanes.

Hurricane Force: In the Path of America’s Deadliest Storms (New York Times) by Joseph B.Treaster

ve never had to live through a hurricane. Living in the Midwest, I don’t see it happening in the near future, and after reading HURRICANE FORCE I can say that I’m glad! If you’ve ever wondered about the destructive force of these massive storms, this is definitely the book for you.

Although a large portion of the book focuses on the August 2005 arrival of Hurricane Katrina to the Gulf Coast, references are also made to hurricanes dating as far back as the early 1900’s. Chapters are also spent on the work done by the National Weather Service in tracking, reporting, and identifying hurricanes, as well as how NWS strategies have changed over the years.

Maps and photos of actual radar images are prevalent throughout the book, tracking the progress of well-known hurricanes such as Katrina, Rita, and Charley. Photos of horrific damage resulting from these hurricanes, especially that of Katrina, are also shown, making the devastation seem that much more personable.

I would recommend HURRICANE FORCE to anyone interested in hurricanes, Katrina in particular, but also to those looking for more insight on how hurricanes form and what causes them to strike where they do. A highly informative audiobook!

Hurricane: A novel of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane by Janice A. Thompson

Galveston Island, September, 1900. Brent Murphy is coming home. After years away pursuing a career in journalism, Brent has a need to face his demons at home. Namely, his father, a stern man Brent never seemed able to please.

Sister Henrietta Mullins, novice at St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum, discovers the difference between childhood dreams and reality. As the days pass, her commitment to the Sisters of Charity, once embraced willingly, becomes harder to bear. Not to mention the Texas heat.

Everett Maxwell, editor of the Courier, Galveston’s local newspaper. Discouraged there was nothing happening, nothing newsworthy to write about, Everett will now do just about anything for a story.

Emma Sanders, newly `capped’ nurse, eagerly faces her first day on the job at the local hospital. She quickly becomes overwhelmed at the enormity of what each day brings.

To the east, across the Gulf of Mexico, a deadly storm was brewing that would change these lives and Galveston forever.

HURRICANE is a day-by-day count-down to the cataclysmic storm that all but wiped Galveston off the map. In the characters Janice Thompson introduces to us we see attitudes change, goals shift, and watch as selflessness takes hold and the determination to save just one life overcomes fear.

Through despair, devastation and death, Ms. Thompson gives hope. Determined, dogged faith prevails over doubt and discouragement. And God’s love and mercy shines through.

A tremendous read. Janice Thompson, a native Texan, has done her research and put together a compelling fictional account of the most catastrophic natural event of the twentieth century in which 6000 lives were lost. I highly recommend this one.

The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast by Douglas Brinkley

Douglas Brinkley is a well regarded historian and this book is proof of his talents. He knows how to tell a story while reporting important facts. Brinkley is also able to provide critical analysis. You may not always agree with his conclusions about various events and actions, I know I don’t, but his point of view is consistent, well thought out, and pretty well argued.

Brinkley shows us how Nagin was worse than a non-entity during the disaster. Fearing for his own safety, he hid out high up in the Hyatt and leaving those most in need of his leadership to struggle for their survival. He didn’t think to use the buses before they were ruined by the flood. He didn’t go to the Superdome or the Convention Center to rally the people, offer words of encouragement, or to use his executive position to command resources for the people suffering in the heat and hopelessness of the flood. When he finally spoke to the cameras he ranted and raved in ways that made the situation worse. The sad and stunning thing is that the citizens of New Orleans re-elected this failure to be their mayor. What could they be thinking?

Governor Blanco gets a more sympathetic treatment because she at least tried to do something. She was feckless in her floundering attempts to deal with the emergency. Her paperwork was incomplete or non-existent, her requests for help were not specific and she made strange charges such as the Iraq War depleted her National Guard so greatly that they could not be effective in flood relief. Brinkley, to his credit, debunks this myth about the National Guard on page 226. He also gives her credit for standing up to President Bush about federalizing the Guard to help with relief. Frankly, I am not sure what the issue was and what nefarious motive Bush is supposed to have had, but the President comes in for a lot of bashing in Brinkley’s telling of this tragedy.

I think that Brinkley’s view of the Federal Government as some sort of nanny or even mommy colors his view of the role of the Feds in dealing with this crisis. Brinkley is fair in pointing out that the photo of Bush touring the flood site from Air Force One is misleading. The President was terribly upset, and the jet was flying at 2,500 feet or less so the President could see the devastation up close. And the only way he could see entire Gulf Coast was from the air. Still, there is not getting around the terrible public relations this photo accented.

One page 411 Brinkley makes this incredible statement: “One of the biggest lessons of Katrina was that in times of disaster, bad bureaucracy plus presidential hesitation equals corpses.” This is stunning in its stupidity. It is true that Michael Brown was more interested in his clothes and that his team had their shirtsleeves rolled up (really!) than in getting aid to those on the ground. But to think in any way that with all the President of the United States of America has to deal with each day that he is more responsible for the 1,300 deaths caused by Katrina than the incompetence of Nagin and Blanco is to turn the reality of American government on its head.

The Federal Government takes time to respond to anything. Even going to War takes time. Yes, it would have been better if Bush had gotten on the ground right away and spoke assuring words as the grandstanding Lyndon Johnson did hours after Hurricane Betsy hit the Gulf Coast in 1965. And it would have been better if Chernoff had done a better job of riding herd on Brown. But I don’t see the kind of criminal negligence that Brinkley rages against, particularly later in the book. Bush did come and aid did come to New Orleans.

It is easy to scream about people dying, but we have a strange standard in our country. That 1,300 people died and millions were made homeless is a huge tragedy. However, in other places and at other times Katrina would have killed tens of thousands. Brinkley did report some interesting facts, and they are probably exceptions. But he points out that one fellow resisted being rescued by boat because he wanted to be rescued by helicopter. He also reports people claiming they were starving but refusing MREs because they wanted hot meals. Another person complained that they hadn’t eaten in four days and were starving to death.

These are incidents that show that some were not in as dire a circumstance as others. After four days, unless you are quite sick, you won’t starve for lack of food. You will need water, but you won’t die of starvation. If you won’t eat an MRE, you aren’t starving. And if you won’t take a boat because you want a helicopter ride, you are either not in danger or are possibly too stupid to deserve rescue.

Now, there were real tragedies. Old folks abandoned by their families and others with no one around to even know they were in trouble. That terrible nursing home that left so many to die is leading to criminal prosecution and I hope a conviction for the owners. There were so many others that you find yourself weeping reading some pages of this book.

For all the mistakes, incompetence, indifference (real and imagined), there are also accounts of great heroism by the Coast Guard, private citizens, medical personnel, and even those in charge of animal shelters and zoos. These stories stir the soul and should be lessons for planning and preparation for future disasters that will surely come. Brinkley is superb in relating these stories.

There are some small (and really quite inconsequential) errors that creep in because of the speed at which this huge book was put together. A simple example is on page 18 when he refers to Michael Lewis and his book “The Next Next Thing”. Lewis has “The New New Thing” and “Next: The Future Just Happened”, but not “The Next Next Thing”. No big deal, but these kinds of little slips undermine confidence in the facts of the larger story. I am sure this will be fixed in future editions of the book.

And, for heaven’s sake, are there NO MAPS in this huge book. It would also be nice to know what that Noah’s Ark type building on the dust jacket photo is (a reader kindly wrote and informed me that it is a barge from ING). It really does add to the effect of the title.

Brinkley also provides a wonderful summary history of the city and how the relations between the rich and poor became so strained. I wondered why the people were so willing to believe the idea that the levees were blown on purpose. That was because there were blown in the early 20th century to flood the poor black communities in order to save the wealth areas of the city. However, Brinkley does fall a bit short in pointing fingers only at the Army Corps of Engineers for the faulty levees. Where were the leaders of New Orleans and Louisiana in demanding upgrades to these important defenses over the decades? Where was the money spent?

This is a fine book and deserves to read by every American and around the world. We can debate the way the various leaders and agencies reacted to the emergency, but we need to get the facts in our minds rather than only emotional reactions to the pictures we see on the tube and the ranting we hear on the radio. Reading history is important, and Brinkley is a fine historian.

Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States by Rick Schwartz, Al Karr, Kevin Myatt, and Tracylee Hertzog

“… During each century there arrive storms like no other inland hurricanes. They are the Mid-Atlantic equivalent of the great California earthquake. …”

Over the years any number of books have been written about the devastating hurricanes that have struck coastal New England. Likewise, there are a whole host of books available about the history of hurricanes in the great state of Florida. Yet, when he sought to do some research on the history of hurricanes in the Middle Atlantic states Rick Schwartz discovered to his great consternation that very little had been written about the subject and that no really comprehensive book on this topic had ever been written. So Rick Schwartz decided to correct this glaring oversight himself. After more than six years of painstaking research “Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States” was released in 2007. This is a book that proves to be well worth your time and attention.
As the complete title would indicate “Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States: A Surprising History…From Jamestown To The Present” traces the history of hurricanes in this region from colonial times until the present day. It is a fascinating study. Rick Schwartz conducted more than 100 interviews in putting together this superb book. He also unearthed old newspaper articles, personal letters and state and local government documents in attempting to cobble together the real story. Consequently, there is an interesting narrative on almost all of the storms Rick decided to cover in his book. Schwartz also made a very wise decision by choosing to include track maps on a good many of these hurricanes. This feature greatly enhances the readers understanding of the storms and underscores just how unpredictable they can be. In addition, the inclusion of more than 200 black and white photographs helps readers to gage the full impact of these powerful cyclones and serves to emphasize the need for coastal communities to carefully reconsider public policies that have allowed for reckless overdevelopment on the waterfront. The question is not “if” these areas will be struck by a major hurricane in the future but only “when”. Then there is the enormous toll these storms exact on everyday people. For all too many, life will never be the same again. Schwartz devotes considerable time to those who are victimized by hurricanes as well as those public officials who must find new and creative ways to deal with the devastation. High winds, heavy rain, tornadoes and flooding can all combine to wreak havoc for residents in the affected areas. Finally, I would be remiss if I failed to make mention of some of the fascinating local folklore that Rick Schwartz managed to sprinkle in throughout this book. Outstanding stuff!
Every now and then I come across a book like “Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States” that really seems to be much more appropriate as a reference volume. This is no knock on Rick Schwartz. This book is extremely well written, meticulously researched and thoughtfully laid out. Yet the stories inevitably do tend to become a bit repetitive and I found myself losing just a bit of interest from time to time. This is hardly surprising when one realizes that this book covers more than 300 years of hurricane history! Having said that, “Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States” remains an extremely important addition to the literature on hurricanes in this nation and deserves a spot not only on the shelves of libraries in the Middle Atlantic region but in other parts of the country as well. It is a book that students, researchers and general interest readers will turn to time and again in the decades to come. Highly recommended!

Frommer’s New Orleans 2008 (Frommer’s Complete) by Mary Herczog

“… 1 The Best of New Orleans New Orleans should come with a warning label. No, no, …”

I have now almost worn out my second copy of this book and have been thinking I need to invest in a third. This is THE best travel guide to New Orleans (actually, to any destination, come to think of it) I have ever read. I bought three or four different guides before my first trip to New Orleans; this is the one that made the others unnecessary. Many NOLA trips later, this book that still goes with me every time I return. In this Frommer’s edition, Mary Herczog’s voice is not so much that of a travel expert–although she is indeed that, and her advice is thorough and invaluable. But reading her pages is like having a friend in New Orleans–a native who knows all the good stuff, has all the real stories, knows the places YOU would want to visit. Her style is warm and conversational; her knowledge exhaustive, well-organized, and accessible. I’ve made so many margin notes “in answer” to her entries that my book has become as much a dialogue as a guidebook. Ten trips later, I am still learning from it.

The World That Made New Orleans: From Spanish Silver to Congo Square by Ned Sublette

“… THE CITY 0 n sabbath evening,” wrote a visitor to New Orleans in 1819, “the African slaves meet on the green, by …”

I checked this book out when I was planning a trip to New Orleans. Initially I thought it was not what I was looking for but Ned Sublette’s style was so laid back and appealing that I kept on turning the pages. When the time came for me to return the book, I wasn’t done so I purchased it. The history is fascinating and rich in detail as to why New Orleans is decidedly Caribbean in its history and culture. I never knew how much the Spanish had influenced the creation of New Orleans. I really enjoyed the intricate history of how the French, Haitians, Cubans and Americans also came into play. My only complaint is that there was so little mention of the Native American’s influence that I am unsure if that is because they had no real influence or if they were just overlooked.

I hope the publisher comes out with a digital edition of this book. I would love to have it on my Kindle. Like Charles C. Mann’s 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus, it is the sort of book I would like to have handy to consult or re-read sections of.

New Orleans Noir (Akashic Noir) by Julie Smith

It is fitting the great Julie Smith was chosen as editor and post-Katrina story contributor for this terrific (terrifying?) anthology. She also should have been asked to add to “San Francisco Noir” because as in New Orleans, she spent many years there as an ace newspaper reporter and set one of her mystery serieses there. Her story “Loot” is this book is really good, about the long-time friendship between a civil rights lawyer and her maid who is stranded Uptown after the storm, and the vicious little plot dig at the end. Ditto to Outside Magazine writer Ace Atkins, who was boots-on-the ground on assignment here in the sweltering days after Katrina’s eye passed, in his gritty “Angola South” about the inhuman jail set up at the Greyhound bus station. Maureen Tan’s “Muddy Pond” indelibly depicts the plight of Vietnamese-Americans stuck in flooded N.O. East right after the storm. There is not a less than great story in this 18-story anthology (well maybe one of the pre-K’s). This is one of the better books of the half dozen I have read in creator Tim McLoughlin’s very fine (Akashic) Noir series — the other one is D.C. Noir edited and with a story by the great George Pelecanos. Neither should be missed!

Down in New Orleans: Reflections from a Drowned City by Billy Sothern

Yes, Hurricane Katrina has been an American tragedy, not only because of the storm itself, but also for its aftermath and the nation’s response.

Sothern does an amazing job at telling some of the stories of the hurricane that either never made it as front page headlines, or were buried behind those of the political fiascos that resulted. He tells of citizens who were wrongfully arrested, thrown into jail, only to be abandoned in cells as the waters rose. He writes of a Syrian-born citizen, a long-time resident of New Orleans who had a very successful painting business and of how he paddled through the streets of his neighborhood in the days after the storm, helping to save neighbors and bring food and water to others, only to be arrested as a “terrorist threat” and held without cause for a month.

Sothern also brings light to many of the racial tensions that followed in the days and weeks after the storm, and clarifies many misperceptions about stories being circulated about criminal activity during and after Katrina. I felt I learned more about what happened to this American city more from this book than in any newspaper account following the disaster.

Rhythm and Blues in New Orleans by John Broven

“… Hit Singles by New Orleans R & B Artists Note: This Graph reflects the number …”

This audiobook is the original and still definitive audiobook on New Orleans rhythm & blues, the music that was the true forerunner of what popularly became rock ‘n’ roll. As a boy in England, Broven was so thrilled by Little Richard’s performance of the song “Long Tall Sally” in the movie DON’T KNOCK THE ROCK that he ran from the matinee showing at his local theatre to buy it before the record store closed. It was only years later that he discovered that Little Richard’s hits, like those of his other favorite, Fats Domino (who dominated Louisiana music and rhythm & blues in the 1950s and is appropriately pictured on the cover) were recorded by New Orleans studio musicians who created the backbone of rockin’ rhythm & blues. Other musicians featured here include Roy Brown, who popularized the word “rock” in rhythm & blues long before Alan Freed in his 1947 classic “Good Rockin’ Tonight” (which like Little Richard and other New Orleans records were significantly covered by Elvis Presley); Aaron Neville, Dave Bartholomew, Lloyd Price, Allen Toussaint and legendary drummer Earl Palmer, the last four of whom have recently been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Similarly to Charlie Gillett’s groundbreaking classic THE SOUND OF THE CITY, Broven thoroughly covers the record companies who came to New Orleans to mine the city’s musical gold, but he also takes an in-depth look into the musicians which made the city a musical force. RHYTHM & BLUES IN NEW ORLEANS features interviews with many of them, including Mac “Dr. John” Rebennack, whose lengthy reminisces during an English tour inspired the audiobook. It is a must for anyone interested in the history of rhythm & blues, rock ‘n’ roll, black culture or New Orleans culture.

“… The Mystery of a Hansom Cab Fergus Hume PREFACE IN its original form, “The Mystery of …”

The Mystery of a Hansom Cab (1893) by Fergus Hume was one of the most popular mysteries in the nineteenth century, apparently even surpassing the sales of Sherlock Holmes books. While unlikely to attract a wide audience today, this forgotten Australian melodrama should appeal to readers interested in the early development of the mystery story. I gave The Mystery of a Hansom Cab three stars.

Late one night on a lonely street in Melbourne, the driver of a Hansom cab (a horse-drawn, two-wheeled, covered carriage) discovers that his inebriated passenger is dead, having been poisoned with a chloroform-soaked handkerchief. All evidence points to Brian Fitzgerald, “a tall, handsome, fair-haired young man hailing from Ireland”. To protect the reputation of a young woman, Fitzgerald refuses to disclose details of his whereabouts at the time of the murder.

In his short introduction Fergus Hume reveals that he carefully patterned his story after the then popular detective stories by Gaboriau. Furthermore, Hume repeatedly visited some of Melbourne’s worst slums to find realistic characters for his story, like his memorable Mother Guttersnipe. Hume had hoped to receive some local attention for his first novel; he had no expectation of creating an international best seller.

Dover Publications should be commended for reprinting hard-to find, early mystery and detective stories like The Mystery of a Hansom Cab (1893). Dover published this reprint in 1982.

The Mystery of a Hansom Cab free audiobook (222MB)