Thomas Gray Books

I wasn't expected to be drawn into this series, my being a loyal Mark Manning series fan. I was pleasantly suprised. I give credit to Michael Craft's ability to create wonderful characters. If you loved the Mark Manning series, come home to Claire Gray and get immersed in an enthralling cast of characters equally as mesmerizing as those in the Mark Manning series. Mark even guest stars in the 2nd novel in this series.

An interesting start of a new series with the main character a theatre director, introduced in his short novel "Rehearsing" Here Claire Gray, a renown Broadway theatre director comes to Palm Springs to build a theatre program at a new college for the arts built buy a billionaire software magnate geek (can you say Bill Gates anyone?) Anyway, Mr. Crofts skills at narration, story development and complexity are improving with every book. I truly enjoyed this new one since the emphasis was not strictly on gay characters but a healthy mix of gay and straight characters. in many ways the only flaw in the characterizations I found was that the lead character, a woman, is written more like a strong assertive gay man rather than a true woman.

I've been a fan of the Mark Manning series for a while now. When it was announced that Mr. Craft's next work was not going to center on Manning, I was heartbroken, skeptical, worried that we'd never hear from him again.

Then I read 'Desert Autumn.' Quickly. I had a hard time putting it down. Nancy Drew to Mark and Neil's Hardy Boys? I'm not sure it's even legal to put it that way, but there it is.

And I'll say it again if you like.

Bottom line: If you enjoy Craft's other works, you WILL enjoy this book.

Claire is a very well known and respected theater director from New York. After a lot of pressure from a billionaire developer, she agreed to head the theater department at a new theatrical college near Palm Springs. Then, after only two weeks in the desert, a colleague's wife is found murdered. Claire, having directed murder scenes in theater, now has an urge to help solve this murder.

Along the way, Claire meets Tanner, who was initially a suspect, and convinces him to enroll in the new college. Tanner, who is less than half her age, is very anxious to do just that. For an audition, Tanner recited a monologue from a play that Claire wrote. She was very moved. Then they took their relationship to a new level, with a little bump and grind.

Claire works her way through several suspects, and does indeed finally solve the murders. Yes, there was a second murder. There was one person who could have put the pieces together and nailed the murderer sooner, but the murderer searched him out and killed him as well. I was shocked at who the murderer was. I had some suspicions, but was blinded by other possibilities.

This was an excellent first book of a new series. I cannot wait for the next books to come out. I hope to hear more about Tanner, and look forward to hearing about Thad Quatrain as the school opens and classes begin.

...not by the mystery, but by all these glowing reviews! I thought the writing was tedious to the extreme, and the murderer was obvious before the murder even took place. Some of the characters were interesting, but the book itself was far, far too long.

"Designers on Designers" is such a fascinating and informative book, especially for anyone who is interested in learning more about how to decorate one's home from masters "who know!"

If you are passionate about interior design and its history, you will adore "Designers on Designers." It features a select group of today's top designers and reveals in detail the people and historic places that have had the greatest impact on their work. The notable designers include Ellie Cullman, Robert Couturier, Bunny Williams and Jamie Drake. Gray allows the designers to tell their stories in their own words, lending the text a desirable intimacy not found in many design books. Each chapter includes telling photography. I'm looking forward to volume II.

What a wonderful idea -- an intimate look in words and photos at some of the world's most influential designers and their candid thoughts on the designers and interiors that have inspired them. An elegant, eloquent, and informative book.

DESIGNERS ON DESIGNERS is a great idea for a book. Practicing interior designers write an essay on a legendary, here meaning dead, interior designer showing examples of the legend's work as well as their own and tell how the legend influened the development of their own sense of design. With a Forward by Albert Hadley, a living decorating legend in his own right, 24 well-known interior designers discuss the sources of their inspiration.

One of the best examples is the chapter on David Hicks by his son Ashley that shows a good overview of the master's background and his work, and how it influenced the work of the son and daughter-in-law; just as interesting, if not more so, was how the younger Hickses chose to depart from the senior's taste. Bunny Williams tells of the influence of Sister Parish for whom she worked for 22 years. Thomas Jayne writes about Edith Wharton and collaborator Odgen Codman and gives an explanation of the room at Wharton's house, The Mount, that he furnished. Ellie Cullman cites Henry Francis du Pont and his house, Winterthur, as important influences in guiding her sense of style. Most of the essays are interesting, but a few are cringe-inducing.

Pamela Banker's examples of her work supposedly inspired by Sir John Soane may cause some rolling-in-the-grave action. Thomas Britt's essay could be compared to a train wreck as he jumped the track so many times; someone should tell him that Elsie de Wolfe and Lady Mendl were the same person. Ron Wilson reveals he found inspiration in the work of Michael Taylor, but only after Cher threatened not to use Wilson for her new Malibu home unless he could come up with an approach different from what he had done for her before. John Stefanidis writes about the still-living Phillipe Starck whom he has never met and fails to show any significant influence. Jamie Drake missed the point of the talent of Stephane Boudin. Marjorie Shushan cannot be accused of being overly influenced by her former employer Kalef Alaton.

This book would have greatly benefited from better editing by Susan Gray, if there was any editing at all. With bargain pricing, those interested in the history of interior design might enjoy this book. But it is not dependable as a scholarly reference. The concept of the book is a good one, however, and worthy of another volume in the future.

Susan Gray's "Designers on Designers" presents a multi-dimensional panorama on the world of interior design. The book's essays, each accompanied by illustrations of the particular author's own work, effectively complement the work of the designers who are discussed.

As an avid Bible reader, I really enjoyed this fiction anthology, which put a contemporary twist on Bible stories. Each of the contributing authors are great writers individually, by bringing their talents together they have written a book that provides hope, encouragement and inspiration as well a good entertaining read. Blessed Assurance is a fast- paced book that you will turn to repeatedly for modern day stories of historical characters and never tire. I highly recommend it.

**** Reviewed by Sandra for www.goodgirlbookclubonline.com The GOOD GIRL Book Club

Blessed Assurance, a title that reminds me of the hymn entitled Blessed Assurance with a stanza in the hymn Jesus is mine. In this compilation of short stories, the authors used biblical stories as a template for modern renditions of joy, love, freedom, and the perfect peace that comes when a man honors God as first place in his life. From Patricia Haley's Baby Blues to Victoria Christopher Murray's The Best of Everything, each story is chock full of God's wisdom and its application to our daily lives.

In Patricia Haley's short story, Baby Blues, the biblical story of Abraham and Sarah was used as a template. Would you even consider asking your best friend to be a surrogate mother for your child? Well...Without giving the plot away, the author Patricia Haley weaves a story full of the intricacies of human emotion.

In Victoria Christopher Murray's story, The Best Of Everything, the biblical story of Hannah was used as a template. What would you do if your husband's ex-wife was always throwing their kids up in your face? Humm...Through Hannah's story we learn that when you release negative emotion over to God, then wonderful happiness will happen in your life. Be kind to your enemies and see what great things God will do in your life.

I highly recommend this book and it's stories packed with themes full of Godly wisdom. The book includes study questions with each story, and is an excellent book for secular and Christian book clubs. I eagerly look forward to the next installation of Christian stories from these authors.

Helen

R.E. A. L. Reviewers

When you are ready to experience sheer joy, uplifting messages and terrific writing by some of the best contemporary African-American Christian Fiction authors, read Blessed Assurance. This is a collection of short stories with a mix of men and women authors. I think short story writing is a different skill because the author has less time to engage us, move through the story and wrap it up. These authors mastered that art beautifully. The underlying theme throughout the book is to remind us that the path our life takes is divinely crafted and blessed. It is an encouraging experience to read story after story of the grace, power and love of God.

This anthology is written by some of my favorite African American writers, particularly Ms. Murray, Ms. Haley, and Ms. Thomas. Each weaves a modern tale based on a biblical story. From "Baby Blues" based on the story of Sarah and Abraham, the biblical couple having a child in their golden years, to other stories including one based on the Good Samaritan and another on Tamar, we are treated to modern day adaptation of biblical stories of old.

Perhaps because I'm a long time fan of Ms. Murray, Ms. Haley, and Ms. Thomas, I found their stories fascinating adaptations of the biblical stories. I also enjoyed Maurice Gray's "Traveling Mercies" based on the Good Samaritan.

The other two stories by the male authors were less satisfying and are the weakest parts of the anthology. Both "Lust and Lies" by S. James Guitard and "Sword of the Lord" by Terrance Johnson were largely unsatisfying stories to me. Both of these stories had underdeveloped story lines and characters. At times "Lust and Lies" was very difficult to follow because of the lack of development and it was very hard to feel any connection to the characters whose actions and motivations were befuddling at best. "Sword of the Lord" similarly suffered from the failure of the author to develop the characters to the point that you feel invested in the story and its outcome.

Summarily, many of the stories leave you wanting more and wishing the authors had a bit more time to develop the storyline and characters, but that is always a hard balance in short story format.

Even given my criticisms I must say that one of the greatest aspects of this anthology is that it provides pure Christian lessons without sugarcoating the impacts of walking outside of God's will. You definitely get a message from each of these stories that encourage dependence upon God and walking in His will.

If you are looking for Christian Fiction that holds true to core Christian principles while providing an entertaining read, I'd recommend this anthology.

Stories from the Holy Bible have always provided inspiration, spiritual guidance, and comfort. BLESSED ASSURANCE: INSPIRATIONAL SHORT STORIES FULL OF HOPE & STRENGTH FOR LIFE'S JOURNEY, a Christian Fiction anthology tells some of these same stories with a contemporary twist. All the stories are exciting reads and are well written, and while all of them were inspiring,the one that touched me the most was "The Best of Everything" by Victoria Christopher Murray. The message in this story is that we should be happy with what God has given us rather than harping on what we don't have.

"The Best of Everything" is based on the story of Hannah. At a glance it appears that that Hannah Covington is content. She has financial security and is married to the man of her dreams, but Hannah is very unhappy, she yearns for a child. Unfortunately, pregnancy does not come easy for her and she allows this desire to consume her, which starts to affect other areas of her life. This story is just one example of the spiritual food for thought that you will get from this wonderful collection of stories. I higly recommend BLESSED ASSURANCE: INSPIRATIONAL SHORT STORIES FULL OF HOPE & STRENGTH FOR LIFE'S JOURNEY, it is full of stories that will give readers inner peace and joy.

Reviewed by Simone A. Hawks
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Title: Shades of Gray
Sela Barnes and her husband Rodney enjoyed a wonderful marriage, good relationships with their six children and a beautiful home. The only thorns in their side were Rodney's parents who refused to accept Sela as part of their family because Sela is African American and Rodney is White.

The book opens with Sela and Rodney renewing their vows for their
twentieth wedding anniversary at their new big, beautiful home
surrounded by family and friends. This would be their last milestone together as Rodney is soon diagnosed and succumbs to a condition called congestive cardiomyopathy, a disease that is hereditary.

Knowing that her life will forever be changed due to the death of her husband did not stop Sela from trying to make peace with her in-laws because she promised Rodney she would. Sela was constantly having a battle of words, wits and wills with her in-laws until her oldest daughter and son sat down with Sela and their grandparents to voice their opinion about how they treated each other. Ultimately it was Sela's decision to return to the God of her youth and depend on His strength so that she was able to make it each day after the passing of her husband and to finally make amends and become a true family.

I enjoyed this beautifully written novel by Jacquelin Thomas, but I still had questions when I was finished such as what was it really like to be an African American woman married to a White man in the South? The book takes you through the emotional struggles of dealing with grief from Sela's point of view, what her children did to cope and how she helped them, but it was not until the end of the book that I found out that it is not about race. It was about those gray areas in our lives that transcend the color line and is covered in a multitude of love.

Reviewed by Sharel E. Gordon-Love
APOOO BookClub

Thomas delivers a great story. This book is a page turner. The plot is fresh although it becomes predictable after the foretold death of the main characters husband. What makes the book so beautiful is the depth of revelation into the main character Sela as she deals with the situation at hand. The moral and spiritual lessons are priceless close to exceptional but not quite still run out and buy this one it's a keeper. Shades of Gray could receive nothing less than a Silver rating.

I always shed a tear when I read Ms. Thomas' novels, and this one is no exception. Her books make you think about things we take for granted. Everything about this novel was excellent. Ms. Thomas keep up the exceptional work.

In Shades of Gray Ms. Thomas' portrayal of the challenges of the Barnes family brings the reader face to face with the magnitude of the power of unresolved issues.

Throughout the pages you will come to know the love and trust Rodney Barnes has for and in God. The same reverence is seen in his children who range from five to twenty years in age. It is his wife Sela who worships from afar.

After twenty years of marriage and six beautiful children the gap between Sela and her in-laws has only widened. When tragedy strikes it is the truth of Psalm 127:1 (Except the Lord build the house), that is put to the test. Beset by pressures seemingly unbearable Sela initially reacts out of her pain. Words of love and truth spoken by her children and those from the journal of her husband are tools used to chip away at the cell walls holding her hostage to the pains of her past and present.

The story is not one unfamiliar to us whether it is a personal encounter or one experienced by those we know. It is the manner in which Shades of Gray is written that causes one to examine where they are at in personal relationships, (with God and others).

I commend Ms. Thomas for gifting the reading world with a novel that speaks to the truth of what a godly family should be and our responsibility to stand firm and to fight to retain the legacy for future generations.

Linda F. Beed, D.R.Ed
On Assignment Reviews

Jacquelin Thomas is a phenominal author. She has definitely crossed over to show that Love is not black or white, but shades of gray. She has written a riveting story of how we all have to make changes and that GOD is in control of our lives whether we think so or not. Sometimes we wait too long to see the error of our ways and through children, Adults can also learn.
Proverbs 22:6 states to "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Sela Barnes has and is raising some wonderful children and she should be very proud, from the youngest to the oldest, they know who GOD is and they are strong and more help then she actually can imagine. Her and Rodney have been married 20 years and you would think that by now her in-laws would be used to her, but see whenever you allow things to go on and you don't consult GOD years fly by and lost time is just that,you never know who you will need in your life. Rodney is the love of Sela's life and the apple of his mommas eye, but I think Rodney could and should have done more to decrease the gap between the family. Sela and Ethel have to deal with difficult situations and Sela realizes that once she has released the past and allow to GOD to work, he will use who and what he wants to bridge the gap and find a common ground for all involved. This story has some great moments, some sad moments and some angry moments, but it all has to come together, because you don't get to choose who is in your family and who you love. You also see where a lose can also bring about a gain. Rodney is a sweetheart though, planning so far ahead and he just prepared so much for his family, his love for Sela and the children was genuine. Ms Thomas can do a sequel with the children and also it is going to be time for Sela to move on - she is still young. Also Jay and Ayanna will have a story to tell I am sure and it is great that they are grounded and in the LORD! Excellent writing...

After riding the bench for over a year on a winning NY Knicks team, NBA forward Vincent Slight has just been traded to the losing Toronto Raptors. With his once sizzling relationship with his attorney girlfriend fizzling out, he has no reason to be optimistic as he heads to Toronto and his new team.

Once in Toronto, Vincent moves in with an old teammate and realizes that the trade to Toronto may be his opportunity to resurrect his crumbling career. Then he meets and starts falling in love with the irresistibly beautiful Frences and his life starts looking up. Vincent's skill and enthusiasm soon propels the team to the top of their game and him into the ranks of superstardom. Suddenly, Vincent's freight train to happiness comes to a screeching halt. He discovers that his intended is none other than the infamous porn queen Miss Thang, who has moved to Toronto in an attempt to live down her tarnished reputation. Entangled in a web of sex, lies and videotapes, Frences sees no way out despite the fact that she has enrolled in medical school and is a good mother to her young daughter. But Vincent is a man in love. He is determined to weather the storm and build a relationship with Frences despite his misgivings.

As the knowledge filters out about his new love, his relationship with his chagrined teammates starts to sour and his enthusiasm for the game begins to wane. Then he discovers more disturbing information about Frences and her sordid past.
Will Vincent be able to ignore Frences' past and build a lasting love with her?

Thomas Green Jr. dishes up a marvelous love story simmering with sexual tensions and raw emotions. Peopled with vibrant characters and awash with romance and intrigue, COURTING MISS THANG asks the disturbing question; where do you draw the line when it comes to love? A must read for anyone desiring a glimpse into the exciting world of basketball.

Reviewed by Autumn
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Please, don't sleep on this book! It was all that. One of the best books I've read in 2005! I had been trying to get this book for about 6 months, and it was a good read. I am looking forward to Mr. Green's next novel. I won't tell the story, but you won't be able to put this one down!!

Vinnie Slight, a New York Knicks basketball player, is leading an unfulfilled career as a professional benchwarmer player, as well as having an unrewarding love life. His aggressive and demanding girlfriend, Noreen, hounds him constantly for an engagement, while Vinnie backs off, not wanting to commit.

Frences is a promising Los Angeles medical student with a scorching, burning secret she is hiding. When her baby's father, Odell, becomes imprisoned for a long time, she withdraws a substantial amount of money from his bank account and taking her young daughter, Misha, she escapes to Toronto, hoping to bury her dark secret, tumultuous past and begin anew. Frences can not get far enough away from Odell, her baby's father, and abuser from her past. These secrets have caused her family to disown her, and to acquire legal custody of Misha.

Meanwhile, to Vinnie's dismay, he is traded to the Toronto Raptors. Vinnie's hook-up with an old college chum, Paul, who resides in the same building as Frences, allows Vinnie to meet Frences, and there is an instant, mutual attraction.

Frences is a medical student being blackmailed by her Supervisor, Dr. Terry Puhl, who knows about her past deeds. Frences has the support of her best Friend, Dorisa, who wants her to end the physical relationship with the blackmailing Doctor, but Frences has fears of her past deeds becoming known and her budding career as a doctor dissolving. To Frences' shock and dismay, Odell sustains an early prison release, and has discovered her move to Toronto. Odell wants his $500,000 and hunts Frences to her Toronto digs to get back his money and to hurt Frences.

This is a love story...like no other. It pulls you into the life of Miss Thang as she strives to be a good mother, a good medical student, and a woman who realizes she is in love....at the worse possible moment of her life. Courting Miss Thang also touches upon the social perceptions of labels and the deep, hurtful scars that remain to immobilize and weaken one's soul.

Through many hits & misses, Vinnie & Frences (Miss Thang) come together as a Romantic Couple. But will Vinnie stay in the picture ....with Frences' ensuing drama, with Odell's release from prison, an impending arrest by Child Welfare authorities for illegal kidnapping, and a blackmailing physician's plans to expel Frences from medical school?

Courting Miss Thang's focus is an individual's need to love, and to be loved in return. You'll find a moving love story that immerses you into the world of professional basketball, with its Hoochies, Drugs, Groupies, and Unrequited Love - that is, until Vinnie and Miss Thang prove YOU wrong!!!!

Reviewed by LottaHoney
Lotta's Bookshelves

THIS BOOK WAS AN EYE-OPENER! THOMAS GREEN, JR. GIVES A REVEALING LOOK INTO THE LIVES OF PRO BASKETBALL PLAYERS AND THEIR ASSOCIATES THAT LET YOU EXPERIENCE WHAT THEY GO THROUGH ON A REGULAR BASIS. A VERY GOOD STORY THAT WILL TOUCH YOUR HEART!!

Philip J. Davis, the author, is Professor of Applied Mathematics at Brown University. In the mid 1980s, he was briefly a Visitor at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where his (fictional) tale is set.

I recommend the book highly. It provides great insight into the traditional methods of study and reflection used within Cambridge colleges, and Thomas Gray the cat is a most engaging fulcrum who effortlessly imposes her (that's right!) personality upon the direction matters take. Philosophy, history, love and mathematics all come together in a Cambridge environment where the landscapes are as lovingly described as the abstract ideas.

It's a pity this is out of print, because it's a great read. Very intelligently written with an expectation that the reader is at least fairly well-versed in literature and other scholarly pursuits, it is nevertheless not at all dry or difficult to get through. A lovely story about an eccentric professor and his cat, Thomas Gray, it is an engrossing and thought-provoking read with a great touch of humour to its style. As someone who loves both books and cats, I can recommend this highly.

If you like academic wit and charm, and think you might enjoy a fanciful story about a cat named "Thomas" and *her* friend Lucas, both of whom ponder questions mathematical, philosophical, practical, and romantic, then this book is for you. Else, I'm not sure. You might get happily lost in the writing, or you might ask, "what in bloody blazes is this all about?" on page five. But as for me, I enjoyed every bit--even the parts I didn't understand. Marguerite Dorian's illustrations are *wonderful*. Another good and comparable work by Davis is _The Thread_ (which does not appear available on Amazon, but ought be).

"Today wives do not leave husbands because they're not being provided for. They leave because they are emotionally and romantically unfulfilled." ~ John Gray

In all of John Gray's books he seeks to simplify complex communications between men and women. In "In Touch" he also gives seven secrets for lasting passion. While this book is a summary of "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus," it still has some unique perspectives.

For most of the first chapter John Gray describes why women are overwhelmed by the demands of modern society. He also explores how men can nurture a woman's feminine side. He then goes on to describe the twelve types of love men and women need.

"To keep the magic of love alive we must be flexible and adapt to the ongoing changing seasons of love." ~ pg. 88

While I enjoyed part of this book I had to disagree with some of the main points. Some of John Gray's ideas don't seem to work in the real world. For instance, he states that women should not try to change men, that they will change when they are ready. Well, what if a man has an anger problem that is destroying a relationship. Is there really no need for change? Then he goes on to talk about how men need to listen in a different way. Is that not change? At times both partners need to change in small ways in order to avoid damaging behaviors.

In this book, women are still portrayed as combative (he says independent and assertive), while men are encouraged to be the strong silent warrior. While the types of men and women he describes are similar to his first book, there are a few good ideas that can be used in any relationship to improve communications. I like his idea of giving men time to transition from a work day to an evening at home with his wife. As far as I can tell, his ideas about men needing a cave are quite correct.

~The Rebecca Review

I have enjoyed the books by John Gray. This one is actually my favorite. He says everything in this shortest of his books and he says it better than before. He leaves out the nonessential and puts everything you need in it. I have occasionally done counseling from a hypnotherapy standpoint. What I have found is that males and females do have different communication styles and needs. There are some basic signal jams that can be cleared up by using the ideas in the books of John Gray. It will not solve the issues of a relationship, but it will prevent the issues from getting compounded and feeling unresolvable. Communication is needed to work through the issues a relationship inevitably has and if the communication does not work, then problems become places we can stuck in and enough unresolved issues can make a person feel like quitting. Very often, clearing up the communication can dissolve many illusory problems and help see the real ones in a way that easily solves them. When a couple comes for sessions, this book or MEN ARE FROM MARS, WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS becomes automatic homework. If they do not read it, I go over the ideas and how they relate to the challenges that they are sharing. The first few sessions then become my reading the book for them. Once the communication is cleared up, then GETTING THE LOVE YOU WANT by Harville Hendrix goes deeper and touches the core issues. Then hypnotherapy and breath work can shift the work from intellectual understanding to emotional healing.

This guide provides important insights and practical strategies for teaching and supporting higher functioning students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in school. The examples used focus on high school situations, but the strategies can also be applied to students in other grades. This manual was written to help teachers increase awareness, and it also offers ideas that teachers can use to encourage academic and vocational success in students with ASD. Please visit our website to obtain a copy of this resource at the actual list price.

This is the first guide I have ever found aimed at educating teachers about higher functioning autism and asperger's syndrome. Aimed primarily at Junior High, High School, and College teachers. As a parent I found it accurate and full of extremely helpful ideas for educators. I am making sure each of my daughters teachers read it as it sheds light on the education problems that follow my daughter. This book will give educators information they can easily use and incorporate into their classrooms to help these adolescents be successful. Even includes social interaction information. I loved it.

each chapter give you a step to start an online Investment
it give you all small detail.
it can be a starter even for the beginner in Trading.

This fine (and fat) book is just the thing for people who currently trade online or those who are considering it. It provides a nice assortment of screen shots of useful sites to become familiar with and concludes each chapter with a concise summary in list format. The book is 823 pages long but still doesn't go far enough on specialist topics. But this book is a comprehensive and carefully constructed primer on the entire waterfront from Stocks to Bonds to Mutual Funds and of course to the particulars and precautions of setting up an account, making trades, gathering timely information etc. I like that it doesn't take an AOL-centric point of view because that would be too limiting. If you are interested in Online Investing, buy this book and supplement it with a subscription to "Online Investing" magazine (monthly) which would bring you up to date on new developments and also cover special topics with more depth.

I liked this book a great deal. You should consider that this is not a fictional story, and is the very essence of a research work.

Great insights about his life, religious views, and his business of invention. Well treated subject and a great read.

This book is very authoritive and well researched, and even more important is that it provides end notes for the reader to verify the author's assertions. If you want a quick overview of Edison's life or just the highlights, this is not the book for you; but if you need to know the man, this is the best book I've read. Paul Israel presents Edison's achievments and failures, in inventions, human relationships and finances in a dispassionate manner.

I've always been interested in reading the biographies of famous inventors. Edison was one I knew little about, so I purchased this book. It is very interesting and takes you through his entire life. You see how Edison begins as a skilled telegraph operator. But he is not content with the status quo, he is always improving what he is working with. But he is also a businessman and gets his ideas patented, and forms partnerships and businesses to profit from them.

The book also includes many pictures form different periods in his life. If you are interested in Edison, this is a great book.

Reading this book has been an experience for me. I wanted to find out more about the life of one of America's most famous inventors, and this book has helped me along the way, so I give it credit for that. However, I have felt like I am trudging into a mighty windstorm, reaching deep into my soul to plunge each forward step as I slowly turn the pages in this book. There are pockets of enlightenment throughout the book, but it really is a relaying of facts about Edison's life, which is technically what a biography should do, but this book does not come alive in my hands like others have.

To be fair, I did accomplish my goal of learning more about this great man. I learned that a lot his inventions were a result of not just great intellect, but of great work ethic and stick-to-it-iveness. Also, one of his greatest contributions was a corporate model for delegating work among his subordinates. The speed of the development of his inventions was the key, as several other inventors were working on similar ideas at the same time.

Anyway, I recommend the book as a good introduction to the life of Tom, but I am sure that there is a book out there that will give you the same enlightenment without making you feel as though you've crawled on your hands and knees through the Sahara, with a canteen full of lukewarm water that leaks at a very slow rate.

I was given this book for a writing project and dutifully plowed through it over the Christmas holidays. Overall, I must say that it was an absolutely excellent holiday book as well as chock full of useful ideas for my scholarly purposes. This is an extremely difficult balance to strike and Israel has done it better than I thought possible - I was prepared for a long dry slog and instead found a great and exciting story.

Edison, Israel argues, was not just a lone little-educated tinkerer of genius as he is often portrayed, but the creator of the prototype for the modern corporate research lab - he knew how to find talent, how to organize it to get the most out of people, and how to beat the competition by both speed and in the creation of entire new systems of technology. He also knew how to manipulate the media and build on his fame, creating a myth to which he had to live up. That being said, he had a pitch-perfect intuitive sense not only of potential new markets, but of how to create technical solutions to exploit them. He learned from his failures and strove to apply his less-successful inventions elsewhere, often to great effect. Taken together, this was true business genius and Israel explains it all succinctly, including the exposure of Edison's many weaknesses in management and his financial affairs and his many flops (such as the mining experiments that nearly bankrupted him). Furthermore, the basics of his major inventions - improvements to the telegraph and telephone, the light bulb, commerical electricity generation systems, to mention a few - are covered with competence, always with an eye to the management of it all and what it took, all of which are of great use. This adds up to a masterpiece of scholarship and popular writing in my view, crossing a plethora of disciplines in very readable prose and at a good pace of storytelling.

However, there are many things that make this a challenging read and in some ways disappointing. Even though I know a lot about science and engineering from my own writing, I found the many passages explaining the nuts and bolts of his inventions hard to follow and ultimately rather dry. If the reader is not interested in these highly technical details, he can skim them without losing the narrative thread. Moreover, Edison as a person does not always come thru, though really he was his work and not much else. You also do not learn much about the fate of his enterprises or even his personal financial fortune after his death, which is also a part of his legacy that should be explored. Finally, Israel addresses somewhat rarified questions in the concluding chapter regarding whether Edison was a "scientist" and how industrial research was changing (developing specialties that required far more education than inventors of Edison's "heroic invention" epoch) to make the emergence of generalist, self-taught inventors like him far more difficult and with limited horizons; while I enjoyed this a great deal, it is of limited interest to those who were never steeped in "science policy."

All in all, highest recommendation. It is a great achievement and will stand as one of the definitive biographies of this great and difficult man.