Characters Books

Moles abound.


The last book in this trilogy is probably not quite as good as the other two, you could call it a 3.75 if you like, but there is some entertaining commentary on what goes on in the spook office with the whole clueless management versus the footslogging hardworking spy in the field.

MI6 is still a bit worried about Benard because of his traitorous spouse, so when he finds out about what he thinks is yet another mole, he isn't looked on too favourably, particularly as it might just be one of the higher-ups.

People who like the others should still enjoy this.

This book can standalone as a good spy story, as can the others in this trilogy, but the storyline attains excellence when read in series - Berlin Game, Mexico Set, and London Match. The tension ebbs and flows throughout the trilogy, but it isn't until the climax of London Match that we see the full scope. I honestly think this is the best book of the three, but maybe that's just because all the threads finally come together. Highly recommended!

This is the third of the Bernard Samson trilogy set in London, Berlin, Mexico and East Germany. I think that Mr. Deighton possibly felt that the first of the series was meant as a solo effort. Perhaps not. Both Berlin Game and Mexico Set stand on their own and could have been solo efforts; London Match is possibly the weaker of the three, but leaves us with that gritty taste in our mouths that recalls the anti-Bond stories of Harry Palmer, Bernard and the others.

The office wit characterized by working with management types unfamiliar with the "field" is not uncommon to many of us who spent time in the military or big corporations. We toil for those who have never experienced what they ask us to do. Hence Dickie Cruyer and Bret Rennselear. Of course for most all of us the result of the inequity of working for management is several antacid tablets; Bernard is quick to point out for him it may be death.

Len Deighton writes wonderful stories about the Cold War a long time ago. Or was it? 5 stars. Larry Scantlebury

It's one of those hall-of-mirrors British spy stories in which the puzzle is to figure out who is working for whom, and who is double-crossing whom.
I was rereading my Len Deightons, partly to see how much impact they still have post-cold war, and I picked this one up out of order. After the first few pages I remembered that this was third in the Bernard Samson series, set in the 1970's and 80's, but it has close affinities to the Harry Palmer series of the 60's, especially Funeral in Berlin. (This has a 1985 publication date). If you're completely new to Len Deighton I'd start with those, and of course you should read Berlin Game and Mexico Set before this.
Some people think Deighton deteriorated in the later spy books. They contain fewer wisecracks and less descriptive scene- setting. In compensation there's a lot of subtle humor in the portrayal of the Dilbert-like atmosphere of office politics, and the plots are more sharply focussed and draw naturally to a climax. The earlier books tend to jump from episode to episode with a tidying up of plot in the last chapter.

The best of the game, set and match trilogy. Exciting, lean and suspenseful.

MY DAUGHTER IS STARTING TO COLLECT THESE BOOKS. I WISH I HAD KEPT MINE FROM YEARS AGO. BOOK 21 DOES NOT MATCH THE FIRST 20 NOT SURE IF IT CHANGED THEN OR WHAT. BUT STILL GOOD

A deceased composer's music has gone missing, and his elderly father, Mr. March, approaches America's favorite spunky girl detective, Nancy Drew for help. Mr. March really needs that money now to support his granddaughter, Susan.

There's a lot of twists and turns to this story, but what really shines is Nancy. She's not only on the case, she will stop at nothing to help out people in need.

I recommend The Secret in the Old Attic as one of the best of the Carolyn Keene novels.

The book arrived quickly and in perfect condition. It was great to see such an old story so well preserved.

I read this in about one day, it may not have been exactly the most action-filled book, but it just somehow keeps me excited. It is hard to get up and use the bathroom, when you are reading this. I do think that anyone who likes Nancy Drew and Mystery should read this, it's one of the best so far that I have read.

This review concerns the original 1944 edition and the revised 1970 edition which closely follows the plot of the original, with a few small changes. Elderly Mr. March approachs Nancy seeking her help to find his deceased son's unpublished sheet music. Mr. March desperately needs the money to care for his granddaughter, Susan. Unfortunately, a thief has been secretly entering the March house and stealing whatever songs that he can find and publishing them himself. I really enjoyed this book. In my opinion, it is the second or third best of the series (I can't decide between it and The Bungalow Mystery; The Hidden Staircase is my #1). I found it to be well-written, highly descriptive, and had quite a bit of action. The climax of the book, when Nancy finally finds the music and is confronted by the thief, is perhaps the best scene of the series for its originality, excitement and suspense. The only thing that I did not like about this book, was how the thief was caught because Nancy had pretty much nothing to do with actually capturing him.

Gillian Zoe Segal's book, New York Characters, is outstanding- the best photography book I've ever seen/read! The photographs featuring prominent New Yorkers are incredible. Each one captures the true essence of the "character" and truly comes to life on the page. The characters are all photographed in their natural environment, and as Segal points out and demonstrates in her book it is New York's characters that make "it the greatest city in the world". In addition to her photographic genius, Segal writes beautifully. The vignettes's about the characters are intersting, informative, humorous, and touching. No coffee table should be without a copy of New York Characters. It makes the perfect holiday gift for New Yorkers as well as out-of-towners because everyone loves or has an interest in New York, right? Furthermore, all of the proceeds of the book sales are going to the September 11th fund. So what could be more gratifying than supporting the city's recovery effort by buying this wonderful book for yourself, for your friends, for your family...? I feel confident in saying that anyone who picks up New York Characters will enjoy it immensely. What will Segal do next? I can't wait....

Gillian Zoe Segal's book, New York Characters, is outstanding- the best photography book I've ever seen/read! The photographs featuring prominent New Yorkers are incredible. Each one captures the true essence of the "character" and truly comes to life on the page. The characters are all photographed in their natural environment, and as Segal points out and demonstrates in her book it is New York's characters that make "it the greatest city in the world". In addition to her photographic genius, Segal writes beautifully. The vignettes's about the characters are intersting, informative, humorous, and touching. No coffee table should be without a copy of New York Characters. It makes the perfect holiday gift for New Yorkers as well as out-of-towners because everyone loves or has an interest in New York, right? Furthermore, all of the proceeds of the book sales are going to the September 11th fund. So what could be more gratifying than supporting the city's recovery effort by buying this wonderful book for yourself, for your friends, for your family...? I feel confident in saying that anyone who picks up New York Characters will enjoy it immensely. What will Segal do next? I can't wait....

I got a copy of this book and the other night three friends and I made a bet as to who had seen the most "characters" in real life. Sad to say I was not the winner but did pretty well with 24 and came in second. Anyway, it's a great book and a kick to get the real stories behind some of the interesting people we see around town. Highly recommended.

If you admire great photography and exquisite prose and feel the slightest attachment (or wish you did) to New York, then Gillian Segal's book is for you. I moved from New York a little over ten years ago and was determined to keep in touch with the city I love. However, it was only a matter of time before I lost touch with what really made New York special: the people's unique personalities. Gillian's book has allowed me to reestablish contact with the city that I still like to call home. Now, when my colleagues in Providence ask me what to do in New York, I no longer provide them with a mundane and outdated list of restaurants and sites. Instead, I refer them to Mrs. Segal's book. I inform them that in its pages is where they can find the real New York. Everything from great food, The Egg Cake Lady, to a wonderful opera on 57th street, performed by Opera Man, to a great jogging partner, the Mayor of the Reservoir (he is featured on the cover) can be found in "New York Characters".

If you are a New Yorker, a former New Yorker, or someone new to the City, you should own this book. The photography is both penetrating and compelling, and the characters featured are truly fascinating. It's like the Zagat of New York people. I hope the author comes to Los Angeles to do a book on characters here (there are plenty)!

My Disciplship class has used the book and workbook and we all love it!! Jerry Bridges breaks down each Godliness characteristic into a wholistic view of leading Godly lives. Also, the book's structure is great for leading/growing us throughout the book. Throughout the book Jerry references bible passages which was very important to me and our class. We're moving on to his Pursuit of Holiness book next, and can't wait.

I purchased this book because it was recommended as a great follow-up to his book In Pursuit of Holiness. I'm glad I followed the recommendation. The Practice of Godliness made me see that all my efforts for God were being done with the wrong motivation.

Instead of putting God's honor as my prime motivation for serving Him, I was serving Him to win some sort of victory for myself. I had some sort of internal score card that I could check off.

I got so much out of this book that I'm off to read it again.

This book I think God (Holy Spirit) pointed to me in the used book store. It describes the different characteristics of being like God , and how to emulate Him. It takes no short cuts or easy routes, and lays down the difficulties that we (as sinners) all have in measuring up, but only through prayer, practice and the power of the risen Christ can we get there. The many passages from the Bible are used well thoughout.

'Make every effort to live in peace with all men.' (Hebrews 12:14)

Biblical based book that is easy to read and practical for today's lifestyles.

I purchased this study guide for our young couples Bible study at my church. I was apprehensive because a lot of study guides don't have good discussion questions. I was pleasantly surprised. The study guide has excellent questions for personal growth and also for group discussion. It also ties in very nicely with the corresponding book.

This is the best study guide I have ever used.

I'm a big fan of Raymond Chandler, and I'm also a big fan of Everyman's library.

I purchased this book after completing all of Chandler's novels. As usual with Everyman's Library, this is a very high quality hardcover edition with a cloth cover and high quality paper at a bargain price. Also, I believe this is the most complete set of Chandler's short stories you can currently buy (if I recall correctly, the Library of America collection, which is also quite a good buy, leaves out several stories).

One word of caution - if you plan to read both, I'd recommend reading Chandler's novels before the short stories, as he cannabalized a good amount of his earlier short stories when constructing some of his novels, so you'll end up reading some of the material twice. That said, for the most part, these stories are every bit as satisfying as his full length novels and I'd highly recommend this edition for any fan of Chandler's writing.

I have reviewed Raymond Chandler's seven full Phillip Marlowe epics elsewhere in this space. For those who doubt that a mere plebian detective in a once seedy genre can hold your attention and win your admiration as very, very good literature then try these short pieces to work up the 'big' boys. You will not be disappointed. Moreover, you will get a fair peek at what makes Marlowe tick in his previous guises-his sense of honor, his doggedness in the face of adversity and his tilting after windmills when he gets his teeth in a case. And it does not hurt if there is a good-looking 'dame' in the bargain.

ON BECOMING PHILLIP MARLOWE


Apparently there are many, many editions of this work listed under the Trouble is My Business label. I have reviewed the one that has Chandler's introduction about his take on the place of the detective novel in American literature circa 1950. Since then I have found a copy under the same title that has 12 stories in it many of which are different from the above. If you can find it- Vintage Paperback-1988- you will be justly rewarded because what you will get are snatches of stories with various charcters, locales, named detectives and different ending that will later go on to become The Big Sleep, Farewell, My Lovely and Lady in the Lake. Get it if you can, if for no other reason than to see how the master noir detective writer moved the work forward. Amazing.

I'm giving the book five stars anyway, since I've read most of these stories before BUT ESPECIALLY because it is the only ABSOLUTELY COMPLETE COLLECTION of Chandler's short stories, including the ones he cannibalized to write three of the Marlowe novels which the late Chandler did not want to see reprinted, and several other rarely-seen stories including two fantasy ones!

AMAZON IS USUALLLY ACE WHEN IT COMES TO FILLING ORDERS, BUT IT SEEMS SILLY THAT THEY ASKED ME TO WRITE A REVIEW OF A PURCHASE THEY SHOULD KNOW THEY HAVEN'T SENT ME YET!!!

Yes, there are a lot of great stories in this book, but for me the real interest is seeing Chandler develop the traits and try out the plotlines that will be fully fleshed out with the definitive Philip Marlowe. I was introduced to Chandler by a good friend (thanks, Darlene) about 25 years ago, and I still read his novels at least once a year. I would read The Big Sleep, The Long Goodbye, and Farewell, My Lovely first to get a sense of who Marlowe is and then backtrack into these stories to find out where Marlowe comes from. Marlowe has been my favorite literary character for a very long time. Down these mean pages, a man must go. An excellent collection and an excellent value.

WANT TO KNOW HOW TO WRITE. READ CHANDLER.
WHAT A MASTER.
AND YES! IT'S FUN TO READ.
THAT'S WHAT MAKES HIM A MASTER.
SUBSTANCE AND PROFUNDITY AND A HECK OF A GOOD YARN.
THAT'S A MASTERWORK.
AND CHANDLER IS THE ULTIMATE WRITER'S WRITER.

Not the easiest book in the six Lymond Chronicles, but The Ringed Castle more than rewards the reader, and anyone who has made it this far in the series will undoubtedly persevere. These books are so awash in swashbuckling one is unaware of how much history one is learning. I can hardly wait to re-read them all to pick up some of what I've missed. Dunnett is a superb writer of entwined fiction and history.

This is the fifth book in a series which you will either love or hate. It is also one of those multi-book series which must if at all possible be read in the right order, which is

1) The Game of Kings
2) Queen's Play
3) The Disorderly Knights
4) Pawn in Frankincense
5) The Ringed Castle
6) Checkmate

The Ringed Castle has one of the more memorable opening lines in historical fiction: "Not to every young girl is it given to enter the harem of the Sultan of Turkey and return to her homeland a virgin."

After the shattering events of book 4, "Pawn in Frankincense", Phillipa Somerville so returns to England while Francis Crawford of Lymond goes to Russia and takes service with Ivan the Terrible.

There are two reasons why this series, and indeed the author's similar "Niccolo" series, should be read in chronological order. The first is that the plots are incredibly complicated and if you read them out of sequence you have no chance of understanding what is going on.

The second is that many of the characters meet their deaths in ways which are exceptionally unpleasant both for themselves and for the characters who survive them. If you read the books out of sequence, advance knowledge of how characters are going to die, can have a significant impact on the pleasure you would otherwise have had in reading about the earlier events of their lives when you do get around to reading the earlier books.

Like the books, the central character, Francis Crawford of Lymond, is brilliant, violent, and extremely complicated. Unlike the books he is very flawed. Lymond is a mercenary with particular interests in Scotland and France, and gets involved in nefarious deeds all over the world as 16th century Europeans knew it. Dunnett brings the splendour, cultural ferment, and violent cruelty of the Renaissance world splendidly to life.

In this book Phillipa Somerville, who was scarcely more than a girl when she first appeared in the stories, becomes a more important viewpoint character, developing as a heroine and counterweight to Franci Crawford.

If you are at all squeamish, or do not like having to make your brain work overtime to follow a book, leave this series alone. Lymond's story is neither "chewing gum for the brain" nor a comfortable read. And even if you prefer flawed heroes to knights in shining armour, Lymond may infuriate you from time to time. But if you can put up with these features, these books will richly reward the effort you make in reading them.

There is no middle ground: you will either hate the Lymond series or recognise these books as one of the greatest works of historical fiction ever written. Or very possibly both !

Volume IV of the Lymond Chronicles shows a marked improvement from the somewhat draggy Pawn In Frankincense, if not quite climbing the storytelling heights of the first three episodes.

Ringed Castle spins two riveting tales, Lymond's attempted remaking of Ivan the Terrible's Russia and Philippa's rise into the upper reaches of the English Royal Court. Vivid supporting characters abound: explorer Diccon Chancellor, chess afficiando Tsar Ivan, astrologer John Dee, and Margaret Lennox, Elizabethan femme fatale. The evocation of the Kremlin is gorgeously detailed, as are Lymond & company's adventures in Russia's unforgiving winter and the heartstopping voyage back to England -- Dunnett's uncanny ability to recreate the exotic past with such force you feel yourself there is in full flower. The book's first two thirds are excellent.

But as in the previous volume, Ringed Castle starts to feel like work down the backstretch. Dunnett's authorial sleight of hand in hiding much of Lymond's viewpoint until the final pages begins to frustrate in its familiarity, this ruse particulary trying given the ongoing story regarding his mysterious parentage.

One hopes for less of this in the final volume...

Most reviews of the Lymond series focus on Francis Crawford of Lymond, the enigmatic, often-tortured central character around whom all the other characters revolve. This isn't surprising because he is the central player on the stage. But my favorite character is Philippa, not just because she is genuinely good, but because whenever she enters a scene, it simply begins to sparkle.

Dorothy Dunnett obviously feels a great love for Philpipa because she gives her the best lines and gave her a marvelous sense of humor. She is a wonderful character, both funny and wise. But her greatest attribute is her strong moral character, her desire to do the right thing. In the prior novel, her desire to save Lymond's son caused to her to risk everything--not everyone would become a member of a harem in an effort to save a life. In Ringed Castle, her desire to reconcile Lymond with his family causes her to place herself at great risk.

With regard to Ringed Castle, I didn't find it as consistently compelling as Pawn in Frankincense, but it is still a wonderful book, particularly the haunting and tragic voyage back to England and the last 100 pages at the English court.

I have a tinge of sadness in the realization that I have only one more installment to see how it all ends, to see if Philippa can ultimately tame Lymond.

Luckily, this series is so strong on many levels I can look forward to many productive and enjoyable re-readings.

"Not to every young girl is it given to enter the harem of the Sultan of Turkey and return to her homeland a virgin." Now that's what I call an attention getting opening! The Ringed Castle begins book #5 in the series as Philippa returns home to England a very self assured young woman and Francis has hitched his wagon to the mysterious Guzel and heads to Russia to bring Tsar Ivan and his army out of the dark ages with the aid of Francis' highly trained mercenary corps.

As Francis treads the treacherous waters of the Russian court and political intrigues, there is a traitor amongst his troop who has been hired to kill him. At the same time, Philippa is called to court to serve as lady in waiting to Mary Tudor and the delightfully evil Countess Margaret Lennox continues her intrigues against Francis and Philippa. Eventually Francis is ordered by the Tsar to leave Russia, and after a harrowing sail through the dangerous waters of the northern seas Francis comes to London as part of Russia's trade embassy. There he is reunited with his wife, Philippa, who has stumbled across a long hidden mystery regarding Francis' paternity.

As with the first four books in the series, Francis Crawford is a fascinating hero, and is as suave, debonair, flawed and fascinating as only a 16th Century version of James Bond could be. While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I didn't find it as fast paced as the previous four, particularly the time spent in Russia, although necessary to set up the rest of the story. What I very much enjoyed was the maturation of Philippa and she has become the perfect foil for Lymond, she matched word for word in all their verbal battles and was the highlight of the book. I am dying to read the last book in the series, Checkmate: Sixth in the Legendary Lymond Chronicles and anxiously await the answers to just who fathered Francis Crawford of Lymond. Five stars.

This had an exceedingly unexpected emotional wallop for me. I casually picked up the original softcover comics expecting a relatively pedestrian tale, but was amazed to find at the conclusion of the fourth and final chapter that my tear ducts had suddenly and without proper authorization, opened and gushed.

Some authors can write tomes of verse, and not evoke half the feeling that the creators of this masterpiece have achieved in roughly 80 or so pages of graphic novel perfection. Such incredible metaphors, and imagery. I'm just completely astonished.

Gooseflesh, some call it goosebumps, what have you. This will give them to you, and then some. Even as type this review, my mind replays the story I begin to well up with feeling. I think the biggest compliment that I can pay this extraordinary work of art is that I so want to share the emotions it evokes with someone else, that I'm buying it for an old buddy of mine.

As a gift.

One of the best Silver Surfer sagas I have read to date. The catch 22 is that this a story so well written and illustrated, that it makes you wish it was never written. It makes you wish you did not have to say goodbye to the Silver Surfer. Nevertheless, if he had to go, this is a brilliant goodbye for a sad and noble hero. If you are a fan of the Silver Surfer, there is no other way to put it, you must read this.

If you had a short time to live what would you do? This book has Silver Surfer answering this question in an introspective yet melancholy story. Taking place on Earth, crossing the universe and ending back in his home planet, this book raises questions about mortality, responsibility, and facing ones' limitations.
Too many times people say comics are for kids and there is no substance in the medium; but with this book not only are the nay-sayers proven wrong but it can sometimes show that comics can surpass visuals shown in movie and emotions expressed in books.

This is a piece of Literature that breaks down all assumptions of what a "super-hero" is. I am not at all ashamed to say that I cried a little at the end of this book. It is an amazingly powerful story told in amazingly vivid and arresting artwork. When I was a child, i loved the "idea" of Silver Surfer, but now that I am older and can presumably deal with more a more mature telling of a story, I have a newfound admiration for what Stan Lee started with Norrin Radd, and what is continued here in "Requiem." Surfer comics continue to be some of the bravest and most moving pieces of art in main stream comics.

The Silver Surfer was one of Marvel's most under-used cosmic superdudes... He was also one of the most difficult to frame dramatically, and had a history of disappointing storylines, which may help to explain the motivation behind this Death-Of-The-Silver-Surfer mini-series.

Part of it may have been that he had a bit of a "Superman problem," since he was so super-ultra powerful compared to the rest of the characters in the Marvel universe -- indestructible, able to alter reality, faster and mightier than nearly any foe he could encounter. Initially, writers dealt with this by focusing on the soap opera-tinged alien-in-exile theme (after Galactus banished him from space and forced him to stay on the planet Earth) and later, when his banishment was broken, by sending him out into the stars where he could encounter all kinds of trippy, cosmic stuff. In between, there was his run as a more or less conventional super-hero in "The Defenders," and many random cameos in various space sagas. But for whatever reason, the Surfer never really clicked and the folks at Marvel decided to have him go out with a big bang in the four-part series, "Requiem."

Although I've considered myself a Silver Surfer fan, I have to admit I wasn't really wowed by this book. It felt rushed and there was just too much crammed into its pages, too many plot-points and too many marks to hit. (Perhaps a fifth issue would have helped?) Also, the tone was too melodramatic and too monochromatic -- reverence and awe for the Surfer; maudlin sorrow at his inevitable demise.

What was missing, more than anything else, was a sense of the cosmic majesty that the Surfer could experience. We are given this sense of wonder by proxy, when the Surfer zaps Spider-Man's wife and gives her cosmic consciousness and lets her trip out on the universe for a while, but the Surfer himself never basks in the beauty of the stars, which is something I imagine he might do, were he flying off to his own death. When he returns to his home planet to die, he simply goes from Point A to Point B (with a detour to end a pointless space war on the way). Personally, I would have enjoyed an entire issue just devoted to having him cruise through the cosmos, glorying in and saying goodbye to the unimaginable beauty that only he had the opportunity (and soulfulness) to appreciate. It would have been a nice artistic note to strike, but, alas, the moment has passed. As it was, this series felt functional, but little more, not unlike the late-1960s stories in his own short-lived series. And, I suppose, that is as fitting a tribute to this character as any. This book is worth checking out, but I wish it could have been more. (Joe Sixpack, ReadThatAgain book reviews)

When you pick up a Janet Dailey book, you know it will be a good read.
I have thoroughly enjoyed all the books in the Calder saga.

The great Calder empire stretched across the Montana plains as far as the eye could see. Everyone knew a Calder's word was law and that one day Chase Calder would carry the family name to new glories. But for handsome, arrogant Chase Calder there was also beautiful Maggie O'Rourke, who came to him in innocence and stirred in him a deep, insistent longing.

(...)

Out of all the Calder books this is probably the most touching romance and least sappy cliche story. Chase Calder and Maggie O'Rourke are believable as young paramours and later as mature adults reunited through their son, Ty.

The book was written in 1981 but Dailey did a great job in keeping it contemporary and evergreen. For those who have read all the other Calder books, it seems to start in 1968 and end in 1983, but as you go along the events could happen now or in the '90's. The only clue that this was a somewhat period romance is that their are no references to the Internet and more modern technology devices. One does get the sense that Montana is a wild teritory where cowboy values stand the test of time. If you're into rance romances and western sky settings, this is the one Calder book that you shouldn't miss. I grew up near the Montana border before heading East and the descriptions of many scenes in the plains are accurate and do evoke that western feel.

The story begisn with Chase Calder, the 22-year-old heir to a cattle fortune. Warning - vegetarians you won't be too thrilled with all the references to beef. Chase Calder first notices 15-year-old Maggie after she throw an Irish temper tantrum at him after falling off a horse. Statutory assault charges aside .... that is the beginning of a western style Romeo & Juliet tale. Hidden meetings, sneaking out at night, all sorts of romantic getaway with Chase the cowboy.

The romance gets threatened with Maggie's jealous father begins stealing Calder cattle and selling them on the black market. Tragedy happens when Chase's father discovers that O'Rourke is the cattle thief and in old style Western Justice ... hangs him and makes it look like a suicide. Maggie and her brother see the whole thing and Chase loses Maggie and their son when she runs away to Los Angeles pregnant.

Maggie forges a new life for herself in California. She changes her name to Elizabeth. Tells her aunt that the baby's father was dead, and eventually marries a wealthy worldly doctor who raises Ty as his own. Fate brings her back to Chase after her husband Phillip dies and Ty discovers that his real father is Chase Calder. Now 15, Ty runs away to Montana to confront Chase. It works and Maggie and Chase are drawn into each others' lives full of fury and resurrected passion.

The drama takes on an intrigue when a jealous farm and confidante of Chase tries to steal the Calder Ranch. Chase, Maggie, and Ty bond together to save the Triple C and pave the way for the sequel ... Calder Born, Calder Bred.

I read this book way, way back in 1981 when it was originally released. (I was in the 8th grade but very precocious!) I don't remember all the details, but I know I loved it and have read every book about the Calders Janet Dailey has put out since. This one, the first one, is still the best! The romance between Chase and Maggie sizzled, and the suspense/adventure part of the book was really good, too. This book starts a long series of books about the great Calder family, and I recommend reading them all.

I gave "This Calders Sky" five stars, because I believe it is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I am not much of one for reading, but when I started reading this book, I was finished by the next day. I could not put it down. From the beginning of the book it gets you hooked. I have always said that if I am unable to really get into a book by the first three or four pages, then I will probably not stick with it.
This book is a love story, but more. It is based in Montana, and two seperate families. The Calder family, and the O'Rourke family. Maggie, is a young, innocent, and inexperienced in some ways, young lady. Chase, on the other hand, is not much older, but you get the feeling that he is more experienced in the ways of the world. In the town they live, the Chase family is the name everyone knows.
Maggie and Chase, in certain ways, are two totally opposite people. They both are set in their own ways, but they are madly in love with each other. Of course, they have times when you would think that it is the end of their life together, but it always turns out for the best.
Maggie is experiencing love, hate, trust, and intimacy, and she must decide whether to stay with the man she really loves, or leave and never turn back. There are family issues that are standing in their way of happiness. Chase is attempting to take it slow, as Maggie is experiencing love and being intimate. As the love grows between them, you can feel the passion growing as well. Just as you think nothing can come between Maggie and Chase, problems between the families develop, and it causes pain and hate to develop. Chase really loves Maggie, but it seems as though they are fighting their emotions for one another. Maggie and Chase eventually end up in the same house together, but the way they act towards each other, you would think it was a battlefield. Chase and Maggie eventually give in to their emotions. Chase, Maggie, and their son finally bond as a family should. They face the world together as a family. Maggie and Chase were meant to be together, and after all of the heartache and pain they went through, their love ended up being strong enough to pull them through.
I can honestly say that I would recommend this book to anyone. There are continuing books beyond this one, but I have not had a chance to read them yet. If they are anything like this one, I know I will like them.

The structure of the book has been well thought out,with short sections of the text above the vocabulary for that text and at the bottom there is a full commentary with grammatical explanations. There are full explanations of the progress of the story, with interludes explaining the action to come and explanations of both gods and humans. Altogether, I would recommend this book to any sixth form or university classics student.

This Latin textbook provides the first half of the Aeneid in Latin, along with plenty of footnotes and appendices to guide you as you translate the great epic. Each page contains five to fifteen lines of the Aeneid, and the remaining two-thirds of each page contains the vocabulary, grammar notes, and miscellaneous footnotes. You never need to turn a page or refer to another dictionary, so the tedious aspect of translating is removed. (My fellow students love this awesome aspect and therefore call it the "Pharr Out" edition.) The appendices provide all the grammar rules you may have forgotten or have yet to learn. Beginner and Intermediate Latin students can't go wrong with this book if they need or want to tackle Virgil's Aeneid.

This book is a great guide when translating the Aeneid. It has all of the poetic figures, grammatical notes, and vocabulary one needs for preparation for the AP Latin test.

I have found this text to be helpful, although at times somewhat misleading. Pharr's edition of Virgil's Aeneid is renowned for its extensive annotations throughout the entirety of the text (intended to assist students as well as intermediate translators). At times these annotations are more harmful than helpful. Many are either unclear or offer too much impertinent information. For this reason, students often miss the relevant information contained within and simply accept Pharr's translations of various phrases/words without actually translating for themselves.

I recommend this book for any Latin 3, or Ap Class! The vocabulary fold out in the back is very useful! Although some may argue Barbara Boyd's Book 10 and 12 Pallas and Turnus book is exactly the same, the vocabulary lists are scarce. Pharr also has vocabulary on the pages you are translating, that do not occur as often. He also has interesting points that refer to the latin in interpretation, and he points out examples of literary devices. This book is EXCELLENT for a latin student in any grade!

This is the final Martha's Vineyard mystery written by Philip R. Craig and it contains an intriguing story about murder on the idealic island. I have read the entire series and looked forward to each new publication. This last tale does not disappoint except for the sad realization that the joy of author Craig's wonderful stories about the Jackson Family have come to a close. It's like losing a dear friend. I recommend for anyone unfamiliar with this series to start at the beginning with the books written in the 1990s.

The last of a great series of Craig books. The reader truly feels as if the characters are a part of their everyday life.

The death of Philip R. Craig leaves a big void to those of us who cherished his Martha Vineyard Mystery Series. However, even though he wrote this during his final illness, he didn't disappoint. His story, his characterizations, everything was pure Craig, down to the treasured recipes he always included at the end of his novels. I will always miss the further adventures of J.W. Jackson and his family, friends, neighbors and cohorts but "Vineyard Chill" was a good ending to this series....if it had to end.

VINEYARD CHILL is Philip R. Craig's last submitted manuscript prior to his death in 2007. It is my first acquaintance with Jefferson W. Jackson and this engaging cozy series. When I finished reading it I ordered the first two--maybe there will be another from this fine author.
The pace is swift and the sleuthing is subtle. The crackling dialogue between the characters make them someone you'd enjoy joining for a beer even if you can't stand the taste.
I enjoyed the quite references to characters and other works, it gave me that kinship of visiting with old friend around a blazing fire in the dead of winter. The side trips into family life for year-rounders when all the tourists and weekenders have returned home makes me want to share my copy with neighbors.
A great read for a warm September. I finished it on the front porch with a glass of ice tea.
Writing as a Small BusinessSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelNatchez Above The River: A Family's Survival In The Civil War

Jefferson ["J. W."] Jackson has been married to his second wife, Zee, for ten years. [As he says, "Zee and I had both been married before but had survived to try again, successful examples of the triumph of hope over experience."] They have a ten-year-old son and an eight-year-old daughter and two cats ["Oliver Underfoot" and "Velcro"] and live year-round in Martha's Vineyard. The novel opens in mid-winter, a time when the area is quiet, with the usual hordes of tourists nowhere in sight. J.W. receives a call followed by an equally unexpected visit from his old friend, Clay Stockton, an "adventurer" looking for a safe place to stay after being involved in some less-than-legal activities in the States. His arrival portends an end to the uneventful winter.

Also livening things up - not in a good way - is the discovery by J.W.'s friend, Bonzo, of a bird's nest apparently comprised of human hair, and the suspicion is that it is that of a young woman who had gone missing nearly a year ago. Nadine Gibson was a beautiful twenty-two year old who worked with Bonzo and who had last been seen when she left for home one night after work and apparently disappeared. Bonzo is described by J.W. as follows: "Long before I'd met him, he'd gotten into some bad acid and had doomed himself to a life of gentle preadolescence...I wondered, not for the first time, if he was really worse off for having taken the bad acid that changed him from a promising young man into an eternal child. His life was simple, his emotions fresh and innocent, and his innate goodness was never altered by the random evils of life. He remembered the good things and, for the most part, forgot the bad." But he becomes a suspect, and J.W. decides to investigate. He is a former Boston PD cop who retired after deciding "to let somebody else save the world," so has the knowledge and experience to do so.

The writing in this book is completely enchanting, the delight in reading it overshadowed frequently by melancholy knowing that of the nineteen novels in the Martha's Vineyard Mystery series written by Philip R. Craig, this was unfortunately the last: The author passed away in May of 2007. [Mr. Craig also co-wrote three books with William G. Tapply.] All lovers of language are urged to read as many of these as they can get their hands on - they are all gems. Of J.W.'s friend, Clay, the author says: "...among his other talents, he had that of a teller of tales, who could weave words into a web that captured his listeners and held them until his story ended." The same can be said of Mr. Craig.