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I LOVE this series. Its funny, smart, and addictive. Linda rights with ease and confidence. I LOVE IT!

I started and finished this book today. It's the first I've read by this author and found it to be a fun mystery to read.
If you enjoy mysteries, and daytime drama (not quite soaps) and want a quick book to read, pick this up. I'm off the buy the second in this series called 'Love Her to Death'. I'm hoping it will be just as great if not better.

Morgan Tyler, a young widow, write for a hit daytime soap opera. After only a few years she has become the head writer. The producer, who wasn't a kind man, ends up murdered. Since he'd been after Morgan many times, and she had repeatedly turned him down, she comes under suspicion of his murder. When she finds out he left her a fortune, Morgan decides she'd best figure out who did kill him to clear her name. Her life is beginning to look like one of the scripts she has written. Oh, and she still has scripts to write and problems to solve with the soap opera, too.

To complicate matters worse, one of the detectives appears to like her, but with her being a suspect, it puts a crimp in things. Morgan does develop a great relationship with his aunt.

Someone else is looking into the murder, and he becomes interested in Morgan as well. Much to the detective's chagrin. But, can she trust him? Is she even ready to date?

Can she figure out who the real killer is without having harm come to herself?

This is a fabulous book. I can't wait to read the next in the series. It is a funny, quick read, what is called a chick lit mystery. It is definitely a cozy as well.

Ms. Palmer has done a wonderful job with the plot. There are quite a few twists and turns so that it is difficult to figure out who did it and why before it is revealed.

I highly recommend this book.

My daughter was entirely addicted to more than one daytime drama. She couldn't bear to go to sleep at night before watching the shows she'd taped that day while she was at work. I'm just as addicted to reading Linda Palmer's books about `daytime drama' head writer Morgan Tyler. Unfortunately, it takes longer to write such wonderful books than it does to read them. Drat.

This first installment introduces Morgan and her cadre of co-workers, friends and even the occasional enemy. Set in Manhattan, the city springs to life and becomes an additional character, due to the author's obvious familiarity with it.

As a fairly new employee of Global Broadcasting Network, Morgan is put in charge of the bigger-than-life `Love of My Life' program. There are egos all around, and when one is trampled, (whether real or not) an executive is murdered. Morgan is not fond of tip-toeing around the problems she encounters.

The characters in this book are so lively they fairly jump off the page to grab your attention. The writing is superb. There's humor, there's romance, there's mystery-not to forget the magnificent Morgan. And the plot? Well, you'll have a hard time putting the book down before the final page. And then you'll want to go back to page one and start all over again. I did. After I'd ordered book two--Love Her to Death.

Morgan Tyler is a young widow who started a career in writing soap operas after the death of her husband. Morgan is not afraid to say how she really feels and when her lecherous boss is found murder, Morgan is naturally at the top of the list of suspects. When she is found to be a significant beneficiary of his will, she knows she is in trouble. I like that the heroine has multiple love interests in the novel - when she decides to reenter the dating scene she does so with gusto. The plot twists are fun and surprising. A great novel.

With respect to the book on CD version, the narrator does a great job with the different voices. Very entertaining.

My daughter who is 9.5 asked me to purchase this for her after we read a library copy. It is a sweet tale, well told. She much preferred the illustrations in the 25th anniversary edition.

Nice illustrations, good strong story line. For being such an imaginative story, it's fairly realistic in how to think of solutions, instead of quiting. Very good story for young readers.

Steven Kellogg is an excellent artist and storyteller. This is my favorite of his works. I often wished, when I was young, that my uncle in Scotland would send me a huge tadpole, but my uncle only lived 10 miles away in the desert. Not much chance of that!

This book has a great story and is fun! Children will love the vivid pictures as well as the exciting turn of events! I give it two thumbs up! There are two editions out there, the original, and the second edition which has several different illustrations and a few story differences. I like both, but for different reasons and whichever you get, you'll love it!

Sure, the plot is silly. What do you expect when the premise is that a tadpole caught in Loch Ness turns out to be more than Uncle McAllister bargained for? The Mysterious Tadpole is a rollicking romp, rich in absurdity (Only after Alphonse grows four legs and reaches the size of a Volkswagen does the teacher conclude that he's not an ordinary tadpole.), and chock full of Steven Kellog's usual hilarious illustrations. Grab the nearest child, curl up in a big chair, and enjoy The Mysterious Tadpole.

I loved this book as a child and have loved reading it to my son. He received the 25th Anniversary edition for Christmas and while it's very, very good, it has been rewritten and simply lacks the charm of the original (which I would rate an enthusiastic 5 stars). The story is still wonderful and if this is the only copy you have access to, you won't be disappointed. The original, though, is the best and that's why I have to give this edition 4-stars.

There are already many lengthy reviews, so I'll keep this one short. The most valuable concept in this book is the idea that negotiation is not a zero-sum game; you can create value if you keep your mind open. Must read: analysis about JFK's handling of the Cuban crisis. One could only wish current heads of states read that chapter.

This is a great book, and very helpful if you are interested in the art of Negotiation. This is a book to read, put down, digest, apply and then pick back up for more learning. I've enjoyed all that this book has to offer. I would recommend this to all management and business leaders.

Having read many negotiation books, this one does an excellent job of discussing the more important yet often missed aspects of negotiation. Like most modern work on negotiation, this one goes beyond the "door to door/used car" tactics of deception and intimidation and recognizes that the best outcome of a negotiation is the next deal. A recommended read for business executives.

I always thought of myself as a pretty good negotiator, but after reading this book, I realized I was leaving a lot on the table. This is one of those books you should absolutely have on your shelf. The advice spans decades, centuries, and beyond and will be good at any point in your life. I have already put the authors' advice into practice in my business AND personal life with positive results.

The only negative thing is your spouse may get annoyed with you as you walk around the house asking "what's the ZOPA?" ;)

This strong book on negotiation offers a lot that is new and valuable. Authors Deepak Malhotra and Max Bazerman are realistic. They know how often people run on automatic pilot when negotiating, how they can miss opportunities due to bias and narrow vision, and how many common beliefs about negotiation are wrong. They provide tools and strategies that let readers address these failings. They illustrate their insights and advice with many real world examples, large and small. Many of their suggestions are not easy to follow. It takes humility and rigorous honesty to admit your biases, and lots of effort to correct them. But if you're willing to do that kind of work this book will fundamentally improve how well you negotiate. getAbstract recommends it to anyone who is serious about negotiation.

We are big Doctor Seuss fans and are attempting to get the entire collection for our daughter. Like the book, just too similar to Fox in Socks. Nothing but tongue twisters and no real story.
Great to have if your trying to collect all Dr Seuss books. If completing the collection is not important to you, I would only chose this if you don't already have Fox in Socks

Great book for my 1st grader, he loves the rhyming words throughout.

This book captures literary genius in the form of childish tongue twisters. It proves to be an excellent practice of diction and reading rhythm while providing extreme entertainment for the little listener. The love of words is the beginning of all great literary accomplishment, and this child's book is a step in the right direction.

This book was one of my husbands favorites when he was growing up, and now that we are expecting a child he wanted our son to have the same experience. He was so excited when it arrived that he read it to me as a bedtime story. The riddles start out easy, but by the end of the book your tongue is so twisted it's hard to say anything!! It's a lot of fun and we really look forward to hearing our son try to say these riddles when he learns to speak.

This is a really fun book to read. However, you REALLY have to pay attention to the words or you will mess them up. If you love tongue twisters, this is the book for you. It also is great for young readers, but they may become frustrated with some of the words. It's fun for little ones to listen to and to see how fast you can say these phrases. When you hear "faster, faster," well, you know you're encouraging reading in your child. A very fun book - I recommend it.

It's only love.
Did Lennon got the tittle of his song from the novel?... guess will never know.
I must admit the author toys a bit with the reader in this book... after a promising beginning (deja vu if you want...), the plot is very thin and quite incredible... and as you start thinking Fleming is off form... all the pieces come together perfectly.
Not perhaps my favorite in the series... but has many novelties (for once no Caribbean, not a lot of England... and a lot of imagination for a so quiet Swiss surroundings...
No spoilers up to know I think. But quite romantic novel...

Of course better to read them in order as I am doing... only two books remaining... a good summer reading decision if ever I got one.

ADB

This is my first ever James Bond novel, I can't remember if I saw the movie. This is a thinking person's spy story with few gimmicks but great finesse and ingenuity. Fleming fascinated millions with his suave 007 personality and his missions against villains who were larger than life and twice as nasty.
The pace is slow, a good armchair read with a briar pipe in hand. An entire new generation will find the foreshadowing deep and miss the absence of the now classic action adventure. But Fleming's astute writing style will continue to attack new fans who enjoy a good story well told.
Nash Black, author of TRAVELERS and SINS OF THE FATHERS.

James Bond is still hunting for Blofeld. After a year Bond thinks he is useless, and wants to quit. In Italy he saves a girl who was trying to kill herself. This leads to a relationship, and Bond learns that she is the daughter of a high ranking Italian gangster.

He has info on Blofeld. He is in Switzerland running a finishing school type or organisation, after having undergone plastic surgery. It is really a brainwashing organisation to get women to basically be terrorist weapon carriers.

Bond infiltrates Blofeld's organisation, gets out of there, and here Tracy helps him out.

He asks her to marry him, and she agrees.

Bond, with some of Tracy's dads' men, assaults Blofeld's organisation, but the supervillain gets away again, and has a nasty surprise waiting at Bond's wedding.

This is definitely one of the better Bonds since, like CASINO ROYALE and FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, the more formulaic elements are so well integrated in the story.

What I loved about FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE was that the obligatory romance was the actual scheme of SMERSH to ensnare and kill 007. The characters were well-drawn and Bond doesn't come off as such an indestructible superman. His heart is broken in CASINO ROYALE, confused in FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE and then shattered in ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE. (It's also very cool that we learn that Bond annually visits the grave of Vesper Lynd as well as still checks into Casino Royale as well).

We meet Ernst Stavro Blofeld again, not because of some grandiose world-conquering plot, but because he wants the respect and nobility of a title. The College of Arms angle of the story should be the dullest part of the story but Fleming actually makes it interesting by revealing the desire of everyone--except James Bond--to be "somebody."

The biological warfare passages may seem dated but I like revisiting the 007 books while keeping them in context: they must have been fantastic reads in the 1950s and 1960s. These books really anticipated the very modern threat of what Fleming referred to as "the man with the suitcase"...which contains an atomic device. Blofeld's plot in this book to attack England through its livestock with a virus is certainly something to think about in this day of Mad Cow and Bird Flu epidemics.

Although I'm only quibbling, I wished there had been more development between Bond and Tracy, the only woman to ever become Mrs. James Bond. After reading the novel, I felt as if I saw more of her in the movie! (The movie version of OHMSS is also one of the best).

Among the titles of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels, I'd have to say that On Her Majesty's Secret Service is my least favorite, with neither the brevity of a Dr. No or Goldfinger nor the plot descriptive nature of The Man with the Golden Gun or From Russia with Love. Even if I dislike the title, however, this is one of Fleming's best Bond books.

The story opens around a year after the events of Thunderball (the intervening book, The Spy Who Loved Me, is not even mentioned). The villain in that book, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the mastermind behind SPECTRE, has been in hiding and James Bond is trying to seek him out. It is a more-or-less futile assignment and Bond is disillusioned enough to consider quitting. Before submitting his resignation letter, however, he takes a break at a casino. During this mini-vacation, he performs a chivalrous act to save a beautiful countess from embarrassment; she in turns, rewards him in her own special way.

This countess, familiarly named Tracy, is also the daughter of a genial but ruthless mob boss who Bond winds up (pardon the pun) bonding with. The boss, Marc-Ange, realizes that his daughter is troubled (in fact, suicidal), but that Bond may be able to help her by marrying her. Bond is not willing to do that, but is willing to see her again after she gets treatment. In the meanwhile, Marc-Ange gives Bond a lead on Blofeld.

Blofeld has holed himself up in the Swiss Alps, where extradition is nearly impossible. Bond goes undercover, hoping to lure Blofeld into Germany where he can be arrested. While there, he stumbles upon a strange plot that seems to involve young women seeking treatment for allergies. What Blofeld's scheme is goes beyond Bond's expertise, but the superspy will have more immediate problems as his cover is threatened.

Eventually, Tracy gets back into the mix, which adds another level to the story. Bond versus Blofeld is good, but at long last, Bond meets a woman who he can truly love. Since the first Bond book, Casino Royale, when Bond found himself betrayed by a lover, he has never been willing to truly risk emotional attachment. This time he does, and this adds an extra depth to this particular novel.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service is the middle part of what I think of as the Blofeld Trilogy, which started with Thunderball and concludes with You Only Live Twice, so it may not be the best Bond book to start with. For Bond fans, however, this book is a treat and one of the very best that Fleming wrote.

Once Upon A Curse is a book that every book lover should read (after you've read The Frog Princess and Dragon's Breath of course)... It has time travel, fairys, dragons, harpies, and other magical creatures too. Captivating with kind and snotty ancestors that Princess Emma meets when she's trying to solve the family curse's mysteries... along with Eadric, Lil, and some magic she's bound for a journey no one's gone on before!

We bought the Frog Princess from a school bookfair. I've been reading it to my 8 year old daughter. We both enjoyed the book so much, I bought the next two in the series on Amazon. These are wonderfully funny, engaging stories. This is a children's auther I would highly recommend.

Ilove the romance in this book.Emma and Eadric
are very funny characters.I love the magic in this book.
I hope to keep reading the series!

This book is just one of the wonderful books in this series. An absolute family treasure and fun for the whole family.

This was a fun book that has been passed around in family. I read it first and then passed it to my 13 yr. old daughter who then passed it to my 10 yr. old daughter. We've all laughed with delight at some of the exploits our "heroes" manage to involve themselves in. A must read! Grab the whole series while you're at it!

Talk about dreams coming true! In "One Little Secret" Ursula Rhoades a suburban housewife and mom has the chance of a lifetime to sing with the great Nik Prevel an awesome rock singer in his own right - son of the great Cristoff Prevelakis who is known as the love ballad king. There's only one small problem Ursula can't seem to tell her husband who is in New York for the summer working on the biggest case of his lawyer career the case that could lead to a senior partnership in his law firm. A dream that Ursula and her husband Don have worked towards all their married life. Yes Ursula had dreams of her own just as we all do. She dreamed of winning a Grammy. But she gave it all up for her husband and children, Victor and Valerie - that is till now.

Who would have thought just one innocent night of standing in for the singer in her son's band would lead to a chance of a lifetime invitation by Nik Prevel who wants to record a CD of love ballads with or without his father's blessing. Ursula agrees after much persuasion to do the project but no one is to know except Nik and his manager Arnie. So she becomes Alexandra Arcano or Alex the mystery woman. Ursula tries all summer to tell her husband but he's so busy they hardly have time for phone conversations. Ursula begins to wonder if God really wants her to tell her husband as something happens everytime she tries. Ursula knows she's lying to her family something she has never done. Deeply religious, all this is tearing Ursula apart.

Wow! the author Allison Bottke does an amazing job on this her second novel the first being "A Stitch in Time" where we first meet Ursula. God is all over this novel! An awesome read for teen girls and adult women alike call it fiction, contemporary fiction or chick-lit this reviewer calls it God's light as this novel has more reference to God than most Christian fiction books I've read in along time and that is so awesome. So find a comfortable chair, maybe some popcorn and sit back and enjoy "One Little Secret" as you won't want to put it down and I promise you'll come away never looking at your own life the same again!

Ursula Rhoades isn't "just" a housewife- she is a gourmet chef with an eye for fashion and a knack for hostessing exquisite events. She is also a faithful wife and mother who is very clear on her priorities, God and family first. Ursula finds herself offered the chance of a lifetime: to record an album with the hottest pop star in the nation- Nik Prevel.

Born into a lifestyle of fame and fortune, Nik is accustomed to getting everything he wants which leaves him feeling strangely empty. It also makes him completely unable to accept Ursula's refusal to work with him. Enter mystery woman Alexandra Arcana... and a secret which will change the lives of Nik, Ursula, and her family forever.

Allison Bottke's novel is a fun indulgence into a lifestyle many of us daydream about. She does a lot of name dropping of designer everything (which is a bit overkill) in the early chapters, but in her defense this sets the tone for a world where image is everything. Central to the storyline are the concepts of sacrifice and gratitude. Ursula reminds women everywhere to never give up on a dream because through God, all things are possible.

If you are a fan of "chick lit" but are looking for a little more spiritual meat, you are guaranteed to enjoy Allison's very delicious One Little Secret. You might even find yourself wanting a second helping!

Ursula Rhodes, last seen in A Stitch in Time, is a regular housewife and mother who's taken the summer off to relax and perhaps even take some opera lessons. Her plans are ruined though when her husband is called away for business and seems to busy to talk to her about his plans. Meanwhile pop star Nik Prevel is looking for a singer who can make an album with him and boost his career. When he hears Ursala's singing at a party, he knows that she's the one. Suddenly the housewife becomes a singing sensation that everyone wants to hear. Mom - lit meets American Idol.

This was a really fun book to read. I enjoyed learning about what goes on in the music industry. Who hasn't had the dream of winning a Grammy? Even if you sing horribly, you always wish that you could be up there singing a duet with your favorite star and then getting rewarded for it. I liked how even though I know that there are negative influences in the music world, this story was able to stay in the positive area. I was proud of Ursula for not backing down with her priorities with Nik. I'm glad that she set down what conditions she was going to follow and not give in to him simply because he was famous. I know that there would have been many women who would have fallen for Nik's advances especially if their husband had been distant like Don. I'm glad that Ursula did not fall prey to him. Although I will admit, I got frustrated that she kept giving in to her family and Don at the end of the book. They keep getting mad at her for keeping a secret yet she didn't seem to explain to them the real reason why she did it. She just kept apologizing when I felt she shouldn't have to. But other than that minor quirk, I really did enjoy this book. Very fun and I learned a lot too! I really loved seeing all the famous celebrities stop by and make little cameos throughout the book. It's more fun than seeing fake names pretending to be stars. They didn't have to interact with the main characters but it was fun to not know who would pop up next. I would love to own a copy of Blissful Love. It sounds like it would be the perfect CD to listen to on a romantic evening or to kick back and relax

Ursula has everything: an upper class lifestyle, a beautiful house, a rich husband, talented children, classic beauty, and she sings opera, to boot--but I like her anyway! A fun read, especially if you're like me and occasionally want to escape to another world. You'll find yourself pulling for Ursula one minute and ready to knock her in the head the next. What a treat! Thanks for the ride, Allison!

"One Little Secret" is fun, fun, fun...and inspirational too! Whether you're going on vacation or you need a little vacation, this is the book to throw in your tote bag. I loved it!
Tracy Klehn, author of "Prayer Starters for Busy Moms" and "Growing Friendships"

Newman gives us something fresh about ordinary characters in ordinary situations ... which speaks volumes about how EXTRAordinary this writer is. The first few paragraphs set my teeth on edge. They were raw, real, and hit far too close to home. Still, I couldn't put it down. We all know a Joe like Wade. Heck, many of us ARE a Joe like Wade. I am a completely converted Pittsburgher, but I've lived in a number of gritty, hard-working towns. Regardless of what sports team you root for, this is about a working man in a working man's life with a working man's dirt under his nails ... and a glimmer of hope in his eyes. I want to read more!

It would be a damn shame if Dave Newman's novel PITTSBURGH IN THE TITLE isn't selected to move on in this competition. Honesty, love, sadness, and unbelievable joy fill these pages. Newman has mastered his own rhythm of storytelling and once you let yourself go, it's amazing how clear and honest everything comes through. It really is something to check out.

Set in Pittsburgh during the Steelers recent successful Super Bowl run, it gorgeously captures how a football-mad town swoons for its favorite team. The sun does seem to shine a little brighter when that happens. People hold each other a little tighter. It's absolutely insane in the best possible way.

But there's so much more to PITTSBURGH IN THE TITLE than a love for the Steelers. This is not a sports book. Newman draws the main character Wade so good that I could easily picture him hanging out with Orwell's Eric Blair or Bukowski's Henry Chinaski. You get to know Wade inside and out and if he was able to walk off the page, you most definitely would want to sit him down in your kitchen, give him a beer and burn a few of your favorite CDs for him. He's a hero we all could get behind, and you'll be rooting for him throughout the book.

Dave Newman's opening chapters have tremendous energy that draws you right into the novel. The main character Wade is trying to survive at his warehouse job while the Steelers are in the process of making it to the Superbowl. Wade's fellow workers are finding lunatic ways to call off work to make it to the big game, leaving a hapless Wade behind to carry the load. As the narrator notes, "There was nobody to cover but Wade, and it was killing him in all kinds of ways." Newman's sympathy for Wade and the other characters in this funny book is remarkable. Newman's description of the city, both the hardworking sections and the up and coming neighborhoods, is dead-on accurate. The dialog is perfect, and the writing style will carry you through chapter after chapter of Pittsburghers living through a crazy time in the Steel City. The story is so well told and so resonant that anyone who has ever worked hard to scrape by in this world will be able to identify with the people in Dave Newman's terrific work.

I was about to write "I wish I knew Wade," but stopped because I do know him. Everyone knows him. That nice guy who works too hard and doesn't think much of himself. He's your neighbor or your boss and you always wonder what he's doing when you're not around. That's what makes Dave Newman such an incredible storyteller. He takes a guy like Wade, a supporting character, and makes him the protagonist. Not everyone can make that work and there's a reason there is a supporting role category in the Oscars. Oh, how I wish this were longer than 8 pages.

This is remarkable writing: so transparent you forget you're reading, a central character who is completely alive, and a real voice. Astonishing to find work of this caliber here. The prose style is supple and visual: a bruise is described as the size of a "small blackberry pie." The dialogue was pitch-perfect. I loved Wade's visit to a bar in "Lawrenceville, a part of Pittsburgh that was supposedly undergoing a cultural renaissance, meaning, Wade guessed, that it would be getting harder to find a decent hooker but much easier to find a gallery selling framed photos of dead trees." You can see in that sentence the humor and the truth that is present throughout this excerpt. Impressive material.

Larry King is humorous. I read this book in 1 day I couldn't put it down! If you want to understand prayer from a wide range of people from different faiths and beliefs then you should get this book. I read it free from the library years ago and for some reason I just thought to myself maybe I will buy it. lol....hope you enjoy this book as I did.

This book is going on eight years old as I write this review, but I suppose it will always seem timely. Larry has quite a knack for just telling it like it is. As an admitted agnostic he has no agenda in passing along this delightful collection of tales and interviews with those who [mostly] have belief in God. And mind you, this is not a book on religion. True to its title, the book relates prayers - moments - that have moved others to prayer. In some instances it is the circumstance which catches your attention, and other times it is the prayer itself that provides the power. And Larry's personal asides are even more delightful.

All in all I was always interested in reading on to the next page, person, or prayer. This is an "un-fussy" book and a wonderful read.

This book will open your mind if you are agnostic, and it may make you angry if you are set in your conventional religious beliefs. This is not a politically correct book, and King takes some risks, but it is worth a good read whether you are spiritally inclined or somewhere in the middle.

Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"

Mr. King delved into the foundation of Spirituality and Religion and made simple an otherwise complex and controversial issue. The book focuses on the individual and his or her communication with God, while setting aside religious beliefs. I would like to recommend to friends who are too formal about prayers and to those who maybe agnostic such as Larry King in his book.

Mr. King delved into the foundation of Spirituality and Religion and made simple an otherwise complex and controversial issue. The book focuses on the individual and his or her communication with God, while setting aside religious beliefs. I would like to recommend to friends who are too formal about prayers and to those who maybe agnostic such as Larry King in his book.

Because the 1956 Olympics were in Melborne Australia few people got to see it or even hear it live. The 1960 Olympics was the first to be televised live in Europe and by tape in the States. The amount of TV was miniscule by today's standards but it helps to pay for a large amount of the costs. It was the first olympics that the Russians brought a full team to, and the last one that Europeans had any success at. It was the first fully integrated American team (Decathlete Rafer Johnson carried the flag) with a strong womans' contingent (runners and swimmers).

As important as anything else that happened was that there were fourteen new sub-Saharan states that participated for the first time and that won medallions. Abbe Bikela won a gold medal for Ethiopia and a Senegalese (running for France) also won. This Olympics was the first in which anyone but the European Nations (including the US and Australia/ New Zealand) had any world class athletes.

It was also the first Olympics where an athlete died from the use of drugs. A Danish cyclist overheated during his road race competition and was found to have been taking amphetamines. Other athletes had used testosterone/steroids but no one knew much about the long term effects of these drugs. Drug testing would be widespread in 1964 at Tokyo and testing began in 1968.

Maraniss does a great job making the case that while integration marches hadn't started yet, those blacks who were on the Olympic team were the precursors of what was to come when all sports and America was integrated. He does an especially good job on some of the individual biographies such as Johnson, the woman runners (led by Wilma Rudolph) and the decathletes. Muhammed Ali (as Cassius Clay) was there as a 19 year old (just as brash as he was later) light-heavyweight gold medal winner. Jim McKay was the in studio host for NBC which led to him being seen by Roone Arledge (and the rest is the Wide World of Sports).

Wonderfully written and a great read. Highly Recommended.

Zeb Kantrowitz

What a great primer to get me all juiced for the 2008 Olympics. The Olympics are my favorite sporting event. The grandeur and the dramatics are unequalled in any sport. This absorbing book by David Maraniss takes you back in time to the 1960 Olympics in Rome and the smooth flowing narrative makes this a quick read and matches the excitement you would expect from an Olympic Event. You can sense the winds of change sweeping the world as we head into the turbulent 60's. It's all there the racism, the emergence of sports in the communist countries as a propaganda tool, Aparthied, the seperation of Germany, events tainted by drugs, the struggle of the IOC to seperate amateurs from professionals. A fascinating book.

I am not particularly fond, overall, of sports literature and normally do not read in this particular genre, although, I must admit I enjoy watching sports, follow various sports year by year, and indeed, have been an overall participant in various sports, all my life, more so when I was younger. The Olympic games have always occupied a special place for me and the 1960 Olympics was the first one that I became truly aware of what was going on. My age at the time and the fact that I actually was able to watch many of the vents on television had much to do with this. That being said, I will admit to being a history nut and this work by David Maraniss is a history as much as it is a work about a particular sport.

The 1960 Olympics was held at a time when the world was on the cusp of great change. Not only in the United States were these changes about to take place, but the entire world was on the edge, and we were beginning one of those periodic watershed eras that come along every so often. New nations in Africa were being formed. The old Colonial powers had gasped their last and were no more. Governments were changing, attitudes were changing and the world was just beginning to become wired. There were two super powers at that time, the United States and Russia. These two countries were locked in a war, the Cold War and this war was at its height. These Olympics held in Rome, had this struggle of ideas as a constant backdrop and its presents was quite significant. The two Germanys, for the first time, were acting as a single team; not having completely split as they would soon do and the entire contest was not only the United States v/s Russia, but it was East v/s West.
Racism, sexism and all the other old evils of this world were alive and well. The games were still controlled by Avery Brundage and his band of "old guard." Brundage was truly a horrid man and represented the worse of the "ruling class" of the time and treated the Olympic movement as a private fiefdom and all those who participated as his own flock of surfs. Truly, in my opinion, and the author's as well, you could not have found a man, or group of men, who personified racism, sexism, arrogance, privileged class ethos and egotism more than Brundage and his cohorts.

The author's easy writing style makes this an easy, understandable and enjoyable read. As has been pointed out, each chapter is almost a news report, cum essay, on different aspect of these games; addressing individuals, events and the ever present political background. Many of the great names appear is this work; Wilma Rudolph. Lance Larson. Otis Davis, Herb Elliott, Cassius Clay, Rafer Johnson, C.K. Yang, Abebe Bikila, Al Oerter, the Tigerbelles and their coach Ed Temple, and many, many more (to name just a few) of the truly greats are written about, assessed and discussed. The author has given us a real feel for the times and has given us much to reflect over. Communications, training methods, attitudes toward different sexes and races, the beginnings of doping, how the athletes were treated and how various fans responded are all covered in this fine work.

I do take some umbrage with the assertion that these games change the world. I personally feel that these games were held at a time of change and that those who participated, at ever level, were merely reacting to the changes taking place rather that actually forcing the changes themselves. This is a mote point though and really has little to do with the actually book. It the subtitle upsets you, ignore it.

This was a very informative, well written, well researched work and it as truly a joy to read.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

Maraniss defines the 1960 Olympics that changed the world not purely because of the political influence of the Cold War, that was obvious in 1936, but in describing the emergence of Russia as a dominant athletic power where the Soviet Union and the U.S. became the dominant medal winners and where the cold war rhetoric emerged more directly in the Olympics as they increasingly did over the next several. Other issues that came into the spotlight was the battle of the China's, National versus Communist requiring the former to accept a different name, the emergency of drug enhancements that resulted in the death of a Danish cyclist, the contrast in the dominance of black athletes such as Rafer Johnson and Wilma Rudolph and the Tennessee State contingent that included long jumper Ralph Boston with how they were treated in some parts of the country where blacks were still segregated, and the fascinating discussion of what was defined as amateur athletics that meant living virtually in poverty in the U.S. in stark contrast to a professional life style for many athletes in other countries. However, the greatest parts of the book are the individual stories of inspiring competitors such as Rudolph who fought off the effects of polio as a child to become the dominant sprinter in the games and won the crowd with her open and very likable personality. The author also describes the frustration of many athletes who are expected to win such as ray Norton who struggles valiantly but meets the definition perhaps of trying too hard as woman's track coach Ed Norton states that in the sprints, those that strain are defeated by those that can run relaxed. Other great stories and descriptions of great completions include Otis Davis who had very little experience in running internationally but wins a photo finish in the 400 meters. Many other great portrayals include swimmers such as Lance Larson who appears rooked out of a medal and diving champ Ingrid Kraemer from East Germany but on a trumped combined German team, the German brash sprinter Armin Hary who wins the 100 meters, the U.S. basketball team made up of some of the greatest stars of the future like Oscar Robertson and Jerry West, the wide open emergence of Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) who shouts that he will have Floyd Patterson "for dinner!", and of course the Ethiopian that shocked the world winning the marathon barefoot, Abebe Bikila. Bikila's win is ironic because along the course he passes a notable Ethiopian monument that was stolen by Mussolini's forces in the 1930s when Italy invaded Ethiopia. Fittingly, the climax of the book is Rafer Johnson's titanic battle against his college teammate from National China, C.K.Yang that comes down to the very last event, Yang's best. The book is complete with excellent photographs such as Australia's Herb Elliott shattering the 1500 meter field to the most poignant photo of all, Johnson and Yang at the end of their final event, Johnson with his head laying across Yang's shoulder for support as they appear to hold each other up after the exhausting competition, competitors but always friends. This is a highly readable book and it is well written. Obviously, more to the American view but well laced with interviews and discussions of notable athletes from al countries like the "Flying Sikh".

The strong response of Amazon reviewers is definitely justified and cheers are in order for both the author and Simon and Schuster for bringing this book out just in time to coincide with the 2008 games. This is five-star historiography, with the perfect blend of biographical, cultural, political and athletic fact. Maraniss showcases the experience of a number of individuals (for American readers, Rafer Johnson, Wilma Rudolph, Cassius Clay, Avery Brundage, et al.) but situates that experience within its historical moment, a moment replete with racial overtones, cold war implications, doping allegations and other key elements. He tells you about the Roman weather and landscape, about the physical challenges and physical ailments of the athletes, their romantic connections, financial support (or non-support), their equipment, their friendships and their rivalries. He does not attempt to cover every last detail of the 1960 olympics. For example, while he quotes the gold medalist swimmer Bill Mulliken, he does not discuss Mulliken's unexpected, dark-horse victory. Nevertheless, this is a lovely read, with apt illustrations, historical point and significant human interest.