Jerry O'Connell Books

I thought this book was one of the best books I've ever read. It's a coming-of-age story and also has some comedy, drama, and sorrow. My favorite part was when the children heard of Kennedy's assasination and realized how unimportant their school yard fighting really was. I recomend this book to people of all ages.

This book started out really well, and I thought I would like it a lot. But really, nothing exciting happened. My favorite part was probably when the boys are telling the secrets that they know. Also, why does the principal believe that Marc always has something to do with a fight when he was the one being beat up? Better for younger readers.

It seems strange to use the word "halcyon" to describe the turbulent 60's, the era of Vietnam and the Kennedy assassination. However, Mr. Laser lovingly recreates that era when children did not have computers or video games to distract them...when school projects were joint efforts...when neighborhood schools were really neighborhood schools. Yet, today's young readers will realize that their wants, needs, fears, desires are not that different from children of yesteryear. This is a book for young readers to enjoy. I think their parents will enjoy it too. What a wonderful way to bond with one's children.

For once this was an abridgment to a book that was read on tape in which I didn't feel like something important was left out.

Unfortunately, the plot and the characters were only so-so. Jerry O'Connell read the story - and at first I thought that would be a big plus since I've liked most of the stuff that he has done. However, this time I was not impressed. Not his best work.

Nolan Kilkenny, who should be known as 'the one man army' based on his unstoppable one man performances against several teams of battle-tested, better-armed former Russian Special Forces throughout the book, is a tiresome character. Many of the supporting characters were much more interesting and I would have preferred it if some of them would have had a greater role throughout the book.

I give this one a grade of C+.

Tom Grace's second book was even better than his first -- Sypder Web. While Sypder Web and Quantum were quick and enjoyable reads, Quantum is more polished.

Although Quantum's characters and technical explanations lack the depth and detail, respectively, of a Clancy novel, the trade off is that the reader can actually move towards the end of the book in reasonably short order.

Unlike many other books of the genre, Quantum is a book that can be left on the coffee table for the enjoyment of nearly anyone in the household because it is devoid of gratuatus sex -- in the same vein as the late Robert Ludlum -- and is less violent than any episode of Xena, Warrier Princess.

I strongly suspect that Tom's next book will continue to surpass our expecations.

Quantum was a decent story from beginning to end. I had a bit a trouble keeping its pace when the story got bogged down in explaining complex mathematical and scientific concepts. A few of the characters were hard to believe. Nolan got shot twice and injured a half dozen other ways, yet never lost a fight, and never even felt pain from his injuries. He also was shooting a dozen people throughout the book, and never once was questioned about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Kelsey somehow lived through two kidnappings, when her kidnapper killed pretty much anything that moved during the story. I think I could try another Tom Grace story, but I probably won't rush out to buy it.

Shady Russian industrialists attempt to wrest control of an amazing new energy device from the American scientists who developed it. Tom Grace's story doesn't really add anything new to the techno-thriller genre, but it is nevertheless interesting due to some multi-faceted characterizations: even the featured good guys have some dark secrets and less than savory aspects to their personalities. Good pacing, nicely drawn secondary characters, and a story that doesn't overstay its welcome also help things along.

RE: AUDIO TAPE VERSION. Scientist/businessman/Navy SEAL and all around good guy Nolan Kilkenny takes on the former Soviet Union's top evil industrialist, its most treacherous commandos, and the 21st century cyber world to prevent an earth-shaking discovery from falling into the wrong hands. It's a mismatch of course. A routine thriller, Quantum does feature a nice twist revelation about the long-dead superphysicist whose work prompts much of the mayhem. You don't need to be scientifically-inclined to follow the story but it helps if you enjoy graphic ninja violence. 3 stars and no more - as in don't buy a ticket, but still rent the video.

I read this book after seeing a positive review in the NY Times, and I just had to check again to make sure that the author didn't write it himself.

It was all that I could do to continue to slog through the horrid middle 200 pages, and that was done solely to see if the couple would eventually wind up together.

I don't know what world James Collins lives in, but this story is hard to imagine. I can't see this story taking place in this century, or the latter half of the last one. Just way too much idealistic platonic friendship and romance story to take. Then he wraps up the story with a fairy tale like ending that isn't believable either.

Just dreadful.

. . . and my it was hard to hang on for that long! I heard good things about this book on NPR and in the NY Times and eagerly reserved it at my local library. Thank goodness I didn't buy a copy. Terrible, terrible writing ("The unvariegated membrane of time that stretched before him would be dimpled only when the flight attendant handed him a beverage and a packet of pretzels.") and overly dramatic and laughable descriptions (is it a compliment if someone says your ears resemble a biscuit?). Another reviewer commented it was as if the author plucked words from a thesaurus and I completely agree.

Dear James,
I hope you read your reviews from time to time. I though your book was charming, well written and I enjoyed it from beginning to end. You have a very elegant prose style which suits the subject matter perfectly. This is actually the first book I have ever felt moved to review. Thank you for a lovely novel and I for one cannot wait for your next.

This is a delicious, witty romantic comedy. I felt like it could have been a terrific George Cukor movie. A great summer read.

I had to think for a while about whether to rate this novel with a 4-star or 5-star review, but chose the 5-star for the sheer pleasure of reading it. I don't consider it to be a modern masterpiece, though it was one of the most enjoyable reading experiences I have had. Yes, it is definitely male fantasy all the way, especially in the dinner scene about 2/3 of the way through the novel. Yes it is filled with improbable chance events that are probably necessary for the overall plot. Yet, there are some delicious surprises that bring a smile or a gasp, though it is very obvious where the novel is headed. Also, I feel that there are some parts of the book, especially those involving his work environment, that border on farce and inanity. However, the characters are so wonderfully drawn and the plot is so beautifully paced that I finished the book in no time. It is a very easy read, though there is a lot of meat there. So if you want a break from the likes of Dostoevsky and Franz Kafka and wish to curl up with a breath of fresh male fantasy, I cannot recommend this book enough. Thank you for the pleasure, James Collins!