Publishers Books

This is a huge book packed with information and gorgeous photography. There is plenty of science contained in these glossy pages from how the planets in our solar system formed, to the breakup and movement of our land masses to their current day positions, ocean currents, weather, ecology, glacial periods, and so much more. Most of the first half of the book is devoted to these subjects. The second half of the book gets into ocean life, from the smallest to the largest, how they live, feed, defend themselves. The pictures are breathtaking. This is a great educational book for all family members. Trust me, this one won't just sit around on your coffee table.

I recently sent this book to my younger sister who has inspirations of becoming an oceanographer. The book is so colorful and educational I think I want to become an oceanographer now!

This book is not a typical "coffee table" book. Although full of beautiful photographs, there is equal emphasis on educational text. Instead of being a book containing only full-page photos of ocean life, each page is a collage of wonderful photos and short articles that you will want to read. The publisher of this book (DK), offers a variety of books in this format (travel, etc), and the layout of this book is similar. That is not to knock the photos at all - they are great and some are full-page, but this book isn't page after page of full-page photos as some others are.

That said, this is an excellent educational text with so much interesting information to offer. (It made me want to read the book cover-to-cover, which would probably keep me busy for at least a few days!)

The four main sections of the book include:

Introduction
Ocean Environments
Ocean Life
Atlas of the Oceans

The Introduction section takes a scientific look at the earth. A sampling of the topics of this section include "The Evolution of the Oceans", "Tectonics and the Ocean Floor", "Hurricanes", and "El Nino and La Nina". Mixed in with the photos are a number of color drawings and graphs to help the reader understand the concepts.

The section on Ocean Environments includes articles on specific places like San Francisco Bay and Hardanger Fjord as well as general information on habitats such as Salt Marshes, Mangrove Swamps and Rocky Sea Beds. The pages are full of photos of the areas as well as typical species found there.

The largest section is on Ocean Life and focuses on the variety of creatures found in the sea. Exhibited within these pages are a number of amazing photos of plants and animals that I had not seen before (though I'm not an expert on this subject) including creatures such as the Glass Squid, the Blue-Ringed Octopus and the Goblin Shark. I thoroughly enjoyed the short paragraph articles describing unique aspects of the species shown as well as the longer texts on topics like "Echinoderms" that includes anatomy, reproduction, feeding and defense sub-articles.

The last section is Atlas of the Oceans and includes maps of the different oceans and text describing them.

Again, the focus of this book is learning, not just amazing photography, and it does an excellent job of offering a smorgasbord of articles on different topics. If you really want to learn about the ocean and its inhabitants while paging through fantastic photographs, you will thoroughly enjoy this book!

NOT 500 pages and if I had paused to read the item description properly I wouldn't have bought this book! Way too good a price to be true, it is not another edition of the wonderful Cousteau-forwarded book, but a perfectly respectable DK full-color children's book with many very nice color photos. Probably very worth $7.99 and I was just far too greedy to read the fine print.

I had been looking for a comprehensive ocean book for a while, and more or less found it here. A complete overview of the ocean: physical features, marine life, fishing, exploration - this book covers it all. Great photography and short pieces of information on hundreds of the ocean's species will immerse even the most casual terrestrial browser.

The species featured in this book are well distributed - representing all classes of animals and plants, and all zones and ocean communities, from the coastal to deep sea ecosystem. Their mini synopsis of species is proceeded by a helpful overview of the general category that covers them (such as mollusks: their basic anatomy, movement mechanics, feeding and life cycles for the entire group) before telling you about, let's say, the octopus. The bulk of the book is on ocean biota, with a smaller sections on ocean environments and an atlas of the oceans.

Perhaps the biggest gap I see in the book is that it covers fisheries and other human impacts (trash, pollution, warming, acidification) only minimally and sporadically. The human impacts are highlighted for only a few key species, instead of treating it as an separate issue in its own right that affects, directly or indirectly, all forms of marine life. Indeed, the subtitle for the book, "the world's last wilderness revealed," is misleading and biased. It's akin a travel brochure selling an overrun tourist destination like Waikiki as exotic and pristine ("come and watch the natives surf!" I read once somewhere) - given our massive interference with most of the ocean, the term "wilderness" simply does not apply, except perhaps for the Antarctic region, for now.

But what the book does cover, it covers it well, being both engaging and informative. Over 500 pages serve as a good introduction to our waterworld.

I have the rare privilege of knowing Paul Oreffice and his book is a must-read for anyone who has become alienated from "The American Dream". Paul shows that dreams really can and do come true if you work hard enough and smart enough. His book is also a modern day cautionary tale of what happens when we take our wonderful freedoms for granted. Paul has lived through fascism and survived, with the close-knit love of a proud, loving and visionary father and a enormously devoted mother. If you need to rekindle that lost spark of optimism in our country and the opportunities that await you, let Paul's story guide you from the depths of danger and hard times to the pinnacle of success and "the good life". I encourage you to buy this book!

a more contemporary read of a well-known tale - escape a terrible situation, challenge oneself to be the best you can be, and come to America - the only country which allows this level of driven talent to rise to the highest possible levels.

Orrefice crafts a good tale...but never links the truly compelling childhood and early adulthood to the CEO he became. The only lesson gleaned is that America still is the place for the hopes and dreams to come true. But the book would have garnered more stars if Paul could have connected this experience to how he ran a huge company. Rather, the two are almost two disassociated events.

This is a story beautifully written and wonderfully crafted. It is one of those rare books that takes you into the life of an amazing, real-life success story. Congratulations to both Paul Oreffice and the writer Tom Hanlon, on a book well done.

I'm surprised this hasn't been made into a movie yet.

While I am personally familiar with the author and was expecting an interesting book, I had no idea what an emotional thriller some sections would be. Mr. Oreffice was very generous in revealing his emotions, both about the hardships and fears visited upon his family and about the intimate feelings back and forth between himself and his family, especially his father.

It is appropriate that World War II receives so much attention, both from the fact that it was such an overriding influence on people of his generation and from the plain story telling reality that those stories are more compelling than business stories. The tale of his cousin who leapt from a train nearing a death camp is one of the most gripping stories of its kind I have ever read.

The balance is perfect. The lengthy business career is dealt with well, but not in too much detail. Yet, it provides for a full appreciation for the remarkable accomplishments.

All in all, the book celebrates its rather ambitious title and does justice to it. The jacket design is inspired, as that sweet little fact looking back from darkness evokes the Anne Frank images. Thus, to a reader of a certain age, an aura is created before the first page; then that opening story about a little boy wondering where his father was and beginning to learn about how adults struggle to protect children gets the book off to a stunning start.

The images of Mussolini and his troops are chilling, and yet Paul can go to the pleasant tales of his horsemanship without one hindering the other.

With the autobiography complete, we can only hope for a follow-up book made up of more randomly selected tales.

I have known Paul Oreffice for a number of years, throughout which I have come to know him as a truly remarkable, caring, and sincere individual. In addition to being an interesting story, his book is a lesson in history, perseverance, integrity, common sense, and humility. I am confident that readers will find his book to be as fascinating and inspiring as the man who wrote it.

Reviewed by Kim Peterson for Reader Views (5/06)

When someone plunders Queen Bee's lilacs and steals her nectar, the maid calls in Detective Brown to help the distraught ruler stop the culprit. The upset queen feels so disgruntled that she threatens to have Detective Brown's head if he doesn't solve the mystery quickly. But the case proves most baffling with an old tennis shoe as the only clue.

Several days later, when the queen calls Brown in for a report she threatens him about his head again. With his life on the line, Brown feels motivated to solve the crime. He stays up all night to crack the case. Before he captures the thief he is deceived, almost bested in a swordfight, and nearly outwitted by the crafty crook. But his successful efforts are amply rewarded by a delighted Queen Bee.

The rhyming prose and lyrical feel to this picture book should appeal to young children and the adults who read to them. The bright, jewel-colored illustrations serve up a visual treat for young eyes. Illustrator Pamela Marie Key created enchanting pictures rich with vivid detail. I enjoyed the pictures even more than the well-written who-dunnit about the queen's stolen nectar. The four activity pages of at the end of the book form an appealing addition to a fun little mystery.

This little book gave me a reason to read to my young children. It is a book that begs to be read out loud and there is such a fantastic little story with such attractive art. Great!!!!

It is not often that I fall in love with a book. But I do love this book! It isn't just for kids, it is very fun for adults to read. This terrific story in verse has amazing little characters who fit quite nicely in their little insect world. The lilac tree is a great place to be! Surprise yourself and get a copy.

I am an aunt and have no kids of my own but this little book was recommended to me by a close friend. Love it!!!! This is a very well written children's book. I have oh so much fun reading it to my nieces. Good plot and the rhyming was terrific. I thought Dr. Suess was great. Move over... this author is unbelievably talented. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the story and think it has great characters and a nice ending.

When I found this jewel of a children's book last week on a trip through Kansas, I was struck by the beautiful cover. What a catchy title and then I open it up. Awesome!!! Yes, the art rocks but the story is totally originial and I love Detective Brown. Awesome little dude. Simone, write more of your incredible books. I am a fan for life. Great story and great characters.

Perry Ludy's book, Profit Building examines a powerful dichotomy for business in the new millennium. It empowers commerce to make effective choices to achieve profit building by cutting costs without cutting people.

Profit Building is also an imperative to examine conventional business models during periods of economic uncertainity. This book is precise, concise and truly on the cutting edge of contemporary issues in today's economy.

Profit Building is a must read for savvy business management - or those who expect to join the ranks - to "get ahead of the curve" or virtually reinvent the human possibilities.

Reviewed by former Group Publisher CBS.

If you are looking for a way to increase profits in your organization, I strongly recommend that you start by first reading Profit Building - Cutting Costs Without Cutting People. Mr. Ludy takes you step by step though the process of building an on-going profit build team for your organization. We have used it as a blueprint for our company and it has really turned our employees. The book moves fast and I found it to be an easy read.

Perry J. Ludy, a seasoned executive, presents his strategies for building profits and cutting costs in this well conceived book. He provides a team-based, profit-making plan that companies of any size could implement. In this simple, highly effective book, Ludy dispels myths about cutting costs and building profits. He uses examples from his professional experience to show his suggestions in action. We [...] recommend this book to managers and executives who are responsible for cost cutting and profit building.

As one CEO said to me recently, "No one who has a conscience ever wants to lay anyone off." Yet the headlines are filled with announcements that companies are making massive cuts in jobs and employees. Recently, these cuts are even coming in the fastest growing technology industries. If people don't like to fire anyone and people don't like to be fired, why is this happening?

Mr. Ludy argues that faced with missing budgets, the orders come down to spend less. Most people do know how to fire someone, so that option gets plenty of attention. Most people do not know many other ways to cut costs or boost profits in the short term, so the alternatives get little attention.

Our firm did a study more than a decade ago that has been quoted in dozens of books and magazine articles. We found that the stocks of companies which did layoffs usually underperformed the stocks of companies that did not. By the end of four years, the differences were enormous in favor of those who did not do layoffs.

Many people believe that this is because people do layoffs poorly, and many people do. But it also because the effort that goes into the layoffs could be better deployed in activities that increase profits. Usually, the bulk of those who go are the most employable people. They end up working for the competition, or having to be hired back as expensive consultants. How does either alternative help, while you are paying severance benefits as an additional cost?

Mr. Ludy points out, based on his extensive experience, that most executives, managers, and supervisors know little about profit improving.

Much of the recent training in companies has been on how to reduce errors, and that may help cut costs in main processes. That learning is often of little help in secondary processes and in areas where the processes need to be totally replaced, revised, or outsourced. Xerox and Motorola are both famed for their quality processes, and both companies are struggling now to make a profit.

Mr. Ludy has developed a process described in the book that helps to get people focusing on the best opportunities, and following through to implement the opportunites that they select. He also provides lists of items which many companies ignore, to help get the process started.

Although I have not seen this process working in practice, it is similar enough to elements of successful processes I have seen that is has credibility to me.

If you decide to pursue this process, I suggest that you can improve upon it. First, rather than just having one small team working on this, you should try to get as many people working in small teams as possible. The most successful profit-improvement program I ever saw involved over 14,000 people in suggesting ideas. Second, be sure to compare the performance you are achieving in one part of the company with what you are achieving in another part of the company in the same activity. Most large companies get their best ideas from benchmarking to their own best practices. Third, be sure to create an e-intelligence capability to get more information to everyone about how the company is performing. E-Business Intelligence is a book that can help you understand this point better.

The three strengths of Mr. Ludy's process to me are:

1. The emphasis on finding ways to improve profits, without hurting people.

2. Training people about how to improve profits.

3. Eliciting questions to locate opportunities.

In regard to the second point, you may find it helpful to read Dr. Ram Charan's new book as well, What the CEO Wants You to Know. That book focuses on simple business concepts and metaphors to make everyone better able to relate to the issues of the enterprise.

One of the major weaknesses of companies is that leaders are often asked to pursue tasks for which they do not have relevant information, experience, or training. Where else does your company have this issue? In my experience, two areas stand out.

(1) Finding better solutions to repetitive problems.

(2) Choosing directions that will lead to better results, regardless of business conditions.

May you find more intelligent, and more humane, ways to profit!

It is axiomic that the role of the firm is to maximise profit; some would say to maximise shareholder value. Profit can be increased by selling goods and services at a premium price that the customer is prepared to pay. However, in a highly competitive environment, prices can be depressed and the company may have to focus on cutting costs whilst maintaining an acceptable level of service and quality.

With the various economic shocks that the world is subjected, one typical and favourite target for cost cutting is reducing the workforce. This short-sighted approach to cost cutting not only causes a lot of human suffering but seldom achieves the intended objective of reducing costs in the long-run. Perry Judy proposes a more progressive approach that focuses on profit improvement. The Profit-Building Process that the author proposes appears to be an effective and workable method for building profit without employing the short-sighted and often self-defeating cost-cutting through cutting people.

I work in the airline industry where people cutting is a favourite strategy employed during lean times. Very often, following the drastic reduction in manning levels, service levels are reduced to such an extent that customers are turned away, further worsening the plight of the airlines concerned. The step-by-step approach of building on-going profit through motivated teams appears to be an excellent strategy for companies to employ when cost-cutting is required.

The book is required reading for all managers tasked with the responsibility to cut costs and build profits in any department.

My grandson loves his new pet rat, Roxanne. Unfortunately, his previously also-loved rat passed into pet heaven at less than a year old. I couldn't tell him much about proper nutrition or care, or how long they may live, so I want him to be better prepared this time. Roxanne will probably also give me a kiss for this. This book is brightly illustrated, with good instructions.

I just wanted to concur with everything that other reviewers have written. This is a superb little book with beautiful pictures of cuddly rats. The only flaw in it I could think of is that it doesn't mention my favorite rat treat (matzoh).

This is the most complete and accurate guide to caring for pets rats that I have ever read. It is a terrible shame that it has been allowed to go out of print. It is an indispensible reference for new and experienced rat owners. Nutrition, training, history, health...it's all here, along with some really cute photos.

This is just about the best rat book I have ever seen! I really think it deserves 6 stars, but that wasn't an option. :-) It is a exelent beginner's book, but even the most experienced rat owner can learn somthing from it. I only dissagree with Mrs. Ducommun on one point- she says to use 1x1 1/2 inch mesh for a cage. This is too big- a rat could get it's head stuck! Other then that, everything you need to know about rats is in here. The book also gives good information about breeding and showing your rats. A must-read! <:8 )~

I concur with the other reviews in this space. It really is an excellent guide, and the author's website...is also quite helpful. I am truly impressed by the detail of this book, which still maintains an easy reading level (so it's suitable for kids in the 9-12 range right on up to grownups) and an attractive layout. In addition, the author states that she is willing to help *you* with any rat questions or problems and gives her contact information, including phone number! That's dedication!

Some day, I hope to get hold of a copy of her Rat Health Care booklet, but for now this book remains my ratty Bible.

The entire redemption series is amazing. It touches a woman's heart and soul. I cried and rejoiced along with the Baxter family. I recommend this to all Christian fiction readers.

I really enjoyed Karen Kingsbury. I happened upon her by mistake. I first read the Firstborn series which I found out later was the next series after the Redemption series. I was so intrigued by the "Baxters" that I had to find the "beginning". Karen has a way to make you cry, laugh, and cheer for everyone. She has brought me peace in my life and I thank God for her ability to write with such emotion. I will cry the day her series with the Baxters comes to and end. I feel that they are a part of my family. Thank you Karen and keep up the good work.

I'm 50 years old and have never been interested in reading fiction until I was introduced to Karen Kingsbury's books. I just finished the Redemption series and am looking forward to starting the "F" series!
Katie
Tennessee

I had to reorder this for I thought it was on CD, but it was on tape which I couldn't listen to. I ended up buying it on CD so that I could listen to it. I enjoyed the CD for it was in a series about the Baxter's and their family. In this one a granddaughter almost drowns but is saved by the grace of God. There are family problems but they are worked through and weddings take place which could ony happen because of God.

I cannot begin to tell you how it has enriched my life by reading these books in series order. I have had some of the ups and downs mentioned in normal lives of her characters and not only read them for entertainment. I find myself praying over scripture references about situations close to my own realm of life. She will touch and gladden you heart but remember start at the beginning and know the Baxter family!

I went to a Sarah Vowell talk. She talked about American History. She had a fascination with Puritans. She disparaged "Sinners in the hand of an Angry God" and Edwards. I wanted to ask her if she will read any other book by Edwards. If so, she would realise that his portrait of the beauty of God and of Holiness is far more powerful than his view of Hell. He is one of the greatest thinkers that the North American continent has ever produced and Vowell was judging him on one short sermon.

Don't get me wrong. This book is dry in spots. The language is a little convoluted. He is so systematic and precise, I wanted to skip ahead, but that would have been a mistake. It took me forever to get through it. I read it because Piper recommended it, but I stuck with it because my soul was being fed. Even in the first few chapters where he is setting up his argument, he throws out sentences about how we should enjoy God, how we should not judged others, and how we can better live the Christ life. He taught me how I should enjoy God and how I should more accurately view salvation. Every body should read this book and read it slowly. The prose lulled me to sleep and then he gave me another insight into the Christian life I never thought about before.

I like Piper, but this book is far better than anything Piper has written. This is one of the main sources where Piper derives his "Christian Hedonism." People criticise Piper because they think he is flippant. They think Christian Hedonism doesn't address suffering and other aspects of the Christian life. They should read this book. Our enjoyment of God and our desire for God is what sustains us in our suffering. It is a thirst we will never fully quenched. It is a well in which we will never reach bottom. Piper's theology is not new and it is not shallow. He draws his theology from the deepest and most thoughtful writers of Christian history. "Religious Affections" will deepen your walk with God.

The Religious Affections is probably the most profound analysis of spiritual experience ever written - and by the most brilliant philosopher/theologian to ever come from North America (and possibly the English language).

Jonathan Edwards wrote this book after the Great Awakening with which he was closely involved. He wrote as both a friend, defending the authenticity of revivals - and also as a critique, warning against putting trust in things which were not certain signs of genuine Spirit-wrought affections.

His treatise takes three parts. In part one he defines his terms and gives twelve reasons why genuine religion (i.e. Christian spirituality - "religion," in Edwards day, did not have the negative connotations that it carries today) consists much in the affections. The affections, for Edwards, are more than mere emotions - they are the strong and lively inclinations of the will, seated in the human heart.

Part two discusses twelve things which are not certain signs of true religious affections. These are things which Edwards warned should not be trusted as evidences of grace OR discarded as evidences that the Holy Spirit has NOT worked in a saving way. They are not indicators one way or the other.

Part three is the most lenghty and examines twelve things which are signs of a true work of the grace, wrought by God's holy Spirit in the heart. This is where Edwards is at his best - carefully, logically, biblically, and passionately describing the true evidences of regeneration. His analysis is keen, his thoughts clear, his argument orderly, his scholarship extensive, his knowledge of Scripture profuse, and his understanding of the human heart profound.

This particular edition - produced by Yale and edited by John Smith - is the best critical edition in print. The introduction and notes on the text are very helpful, as Smith summarizes Edwards' arguments and backgrounds the Puritan writers and their books which Edwards quotes in Religious Affections. This volume also includes Edwards' related correspondence with Thomas Gillespie from Scotland - this being the first time the complete correspondence has been printed in the same volume with the Affections.

This is not an easy book to read. Edwards takes getting used to. But it is very worthwhile. I'm currently reading it for the third time and I continue to find it useful. I highly recommend it for pastors and preachers and all Christians who yearn for a personal and corporate work of the Spirit in revival and spiritual awakening.

This is one of the three Edwards works every Christian should read, along with Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God and The Prevailing Notion of the Freedom of the Will... (the original title was a mile long!). Sinners is the shortest read, then this, then Freedom. This will help you understand the Great Awakening from Edwards perspective, while kindling in you a passion to know God more intimately.

This is one of the great devotional Christian classics of the 18th century, but it still packs a mighty punch today. It began its life as a series of sermons preached by Edwards to his Northampton congregation in 1742 and 1743, and was first published in 1746. Edwards discusses the place of religious fervor and feelings in the Christian life. For those who prefer a more staid and serene Christian existence, Edwards discusses the prevalence of such scripturally based affections as love, joy, desire, compassion, and zeal. He concludes this opening section by asking how can people sit and hear about "the unparalleled love of the innocent, and holy, and tender Lamb of God, manifested in His dying agonies, His bloody sweat, His loud and bitter cries, and bleeding heart, and all this for enemies, to redeem them from deserved eternal burnings, and to bring to unspeakable and everlasting joy and glory, - and yet be cold and heavy, insensible and regardless! Where are the excesses of our affections proper, if not here?"

After this stirring salvo, Edwards then addresses those who have gone overboard in emphasizing emotional experiences by giving 12 false signs which are thought by many to be indicative of someone who is experiencing true religious affections from God. Many people trust in the depthness of their emotions, the zeal for doing churchwork, the experiences they have had when a scripture verse came to mind, the appearance of love in a person's life, etc, but these things in and of themselves are not conclusive proof of God's divine grace.

Then in the body of the book, Edwards discusses 12 clear signs that God is at work in the life, and the chief sign is that there is a greater appreciation and love for God for who He is and not primarily for what you can get from Him.

Another sign that you are expression truly divine religious affections is that you continue to live for Christ every day. If you have one or two days in church where you feel genuinely inspired and then go back to living a life of sin, then you have not experienced a genuine awakening from God, because when God awakens you, you will be changed forever. Everything you do in life will be motivated by a selfless love for God and for His divine qualities and a selfless love for others.

This book was a shattering read for me because I have often looked upon the religious experiences in my life as proof that I was 'in the Lord,' or proof that I was walking with the Lord, when in actuality, a changed life is the proof.

I should also say that the book is a bit wordy. Many sentences are almost a whole paragraph long. You really have to concentrate to get the main idea in certain portions of the book. The reader not used to 18th century writing might have to adjust to these long and sometimes meandering sections.

But you will be greatly rewarded if you give this book the time and study that it deserves.

An essential work on Christian faith and its natural manifestation in human emotion. Written by arguably the greatest Calvinist preacher to ever live.

In THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL, the third book in the Colton Parker Series, Brandt Dodson engages us once again with suspense, murder, and corruption. When Colton Parker is hired to find the illegitimate son of a dying multimillionaire, he is faced with sorting through back alleys, biker gang hangouts, and the offices of a political official in order to get to the bottom of what seems to be a tangled web that has no boundaries.

Colton Parker is a modern-day gumshoe. He uses his tough exterior and dry humor to cover the pain he feels at the loss of his wife and his constant struggle to maintain a relationship with his teenage daughter. There's not a lot of flash or fancy dialogue in this series, just good old private investigative work. Though Brandt hints at Colton's feelings for his former FBI partner, Mary, there is little romance played out in the Colton Parker Series. These novels are definitely geared toward the armchair detective who wants to follow along as Parker pieces together faint clues and barely-there evidence. A great read. Especially for men who want a straight forward suspense novel without getting bogged down with the romance that most women readers prefer.

I loved this book. I have read all of the Colton Parker books through this one. They are suspenseful and very well written. I am looking forward to The Lost Sheep!

Marilyn Fitzgerald
Carlsbad, CA

This new series are thrilling mysteries. Colton, as a detective, does not hold back in getting information from potential witnesses and he's not easily intimidated. Very much nail biting, humorous and action all rolled up in one. I recommend all four books in this series. I'm currently reading the 4th.

"The Root of All Evil" is the 3rd in the Colton Parker series. I liked this one very much. It has lots of plot twists and turns and interesting characters. There may be a bit more violence in this novel than the first two, but it is done in a non graphic manner and is fitting to the storyline.

I recommend this book.

Detective Colton Parker is back for a third time in Brandt Dodson's hard-boiled detective series. Parker is still low on cash, struggling to find a bond with his teenage daughter, and full of attitude. The novel opens with Colton hired to by Berger Hume. Hume is rich, old and dying. In his youth, Hume fell in love and fathered a child, but never married the girl. Now, on his deathbed, Hume wants that long lost son found, and believes Parker is the man to do it. The man he is looking for, Miles Poole, is a thug operating at the fringes of the law and is involved in motorcycle gangs. One particular gang, Satan's Posse, wants Poole, also know as Pork Chop in gang vernacular, killed. Parker faces the problem of letting Hume know he has found his son and not bring Poole's problems to Hume. To make matters worse, Parker finds himself right in the middle of the action when he and his daughter are threatened.

I really enjoy this series, it is easy to read and Parker is a great character, full of tough guy attitude and action yet with a soft heart for his daughter and former co-worker FBI agent Mary Christopher. To me, THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL, struggles in the area of plot. The connections between the bikers and the Hume family and other shady characters seemed confusing at times. The book excels during the personal moments, when Parker has to reconcile his violent profession with the disinegrating remnants of a family life.

Dodson ties up all plot threads at the end and some good things actually happen to Parker for a change. I have the LOST SHEEP (4th book in the series) sitting on my shelf at home and can't wait to read it. THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL is a good book, but probably the worst in the series because of the confusing plot. Of course, with so many 5-star reviews, maybe I was the problem and not the book.

These are very intense stories. Each of them gripped me and forced me through them. And yet, I don't know...I don't think he's top-rank. Maybe I'm just prejudiced against short stories? Too much compression? I really like Beware of Pity a LOT.

The Royal Game is a very striking reflection on intelligence and torture, written by an Austrian exile early during Wolrd War II. It is highly original and moving. The other stories are "lighter," being set in everyday life and dealing with self-induced frustrations, and his apparent obsession with adulterous women is odd after a while (unless of course it is an obsession of the editor who selected the stories for this collection). Nevertheless, each story is different and engaging, with depth, respect and loving interest for his characters. It reads a little like a fiction version of Freud's essays (a bit like I believe Camus wrote complementary essays and novels), and the two men were close.

I bought this work mainly for the 'Royal Game' story because chess fiction is dear to my heart and I collect these kinds of books. I must admit that I loved this story, but I figured since the other stories were there I should give them a fair chance at a read as well. I was really stunned to find out how well Zweig wrote! Now mind you these books are translated - I can only imagine how well the original works must be! Zweig can take regular events and suck you right into the reading and it's really amazing how hard it is to put the book down. A pure genius of the 20th century is all I can say. Please do, enjoy this master's work! Zweig's stories are intended for mature audiences. If you like chess fiction - other books you may want to look at are 'The Queen's Gambit' by Tevis, 'The Luneberg Defense' by Maurensig, 'Alekhine's Anguish' by Yaff, or 'The Chess Team' by Sawaski

This collection of short stories includes some of Zweig's best fiction ever! The author writes in a beautiful, alluring way that pulls the reader into the story. The intensity of the subjects provoke suspenseful emotions in the reader while entertaining and educating about human conditions. His descriptions of emotions are realistic while at the same time heavily weighted by difficult situations that few people encounter. His imagination is incredible!
I have read this book numerous times and it's one of the few books that I dislike lending to others because my attachment to the stories.

If you are new to Zweig then this is for you. All the stories are very engaging and represent the style of writing of that era. I wish I could find more writers like Zweig, alas...
Beware of Pity is also very good. He is probably my favorite writer next to Witkiewicz. Do yourself a favor and get this book.

En el caso de la Fatiga Crónica, tenemos el recurso de ESTE ESTUPENDO LIBRO QUE NOS MUESTRA LOS SÍNTOMAS Y EL CAMINO A SEGUIR..

"ERA DE LAS EPIDEMIAS ":
Primero, EL SIDA
Luego, EL ÉBOLA
AHORA, LA PULMONÍA ATÍPICA
Pero todo el tiempo, como agazapado en la oscuridad, EL SFC (Sindrome de Fatiga Crónica ), que daña tanto PORQUE NO SE DETECTA FÁCILMENTE...Y QUE CRECE DÍA POR DIA COMO TODO LOS ORIGINADO POR UN VIRUS! Es el caso de la Pulmonía Atípica, que se confunde con una bronquitis o una gripa fuerte...
En el caso de la Fatiga Crónica, tenemos el recurso de ESTE ESTUPENDO LIBRO QUE NOS MUESTRA LOS SÍNTOMAS Y EL CAMINO A SEGUIR..
Depende de uno querer protegerse o no

CADA DÍA HAY MÁS ENFERMOS...
Es de vida o muerte leer este libro para detectar si tenemos el Epstein Barr antes de que comience a dar síntomas !

la ruina: Tenía un negocito próspero y todo iba super bien , cuando una mañana ya casi no pudo levantarse... Una semana después, mi cuñada lo llevo al siquiatra, que dijo que estaba deprimido y le mandó Seropram..Pero Hugo seguía igual, y trató de suicidarse.
¡No hay mal que por bien no venga !
En Emergencias lo atendieron y mientras estaba en el hospital, le descubrieron la Fagiga Crónica..
Es muy importante leer este libro para poder identificarla y combatirla antes que las cosas pasen a mayores...

LOS VIRUS DE LAS COMPUTARODORAS, ALGUIEN O VARIOS SERES MONSTRUOSOS JUEGAN CON NUESTRA VIDA DESDE LOS LABORATORIOS MEDICOS...
De otra manera,¿CÓMO TE EXPLICAS LA EPIDEMIA DE EPIDEMIAS?
Y LA FASTIGA CRONICA ESTA CAUSADA POR EL VIRUS DE EPSTEIN BARR... Y NO EXISTIA...
Pero esa LA PUEDES DETECTAR Y COMBATIR..NO DEJES QUE SE TE CONFUNDA CON DEPRESION, O QUE UN MEDICO IGNORANTE LA CALIFIQUE COMO TAL...
PREVENTE !