Manhattan Books

I have reaad all of her books, loved them all, fun to get lost in someones imagination

*spoilers*

I'll Take Manhattan was a great read, minus a few things - mainly Maxi's first husband, Rocco. I didn't enjoy his character at all and the interactions they had were weird and implausible. I would have preferred if Maxi were to remain "happily unmarried" as her mother put it, or find a man she could STAY with.

Things seemed to unravel in the last 20 pages or so, as if Krantz were tired of the story and stuck on a rushed 'happy' ending. Wasn't India and Toby enough? Maxi grew and matured so much in the year the main story takes place, and then she goes back to that loser? Also, Angelica seemed a little TOO smart for her age. Aside from those minor points, I loved the story - the backstory into Maxi's parents and seeing Cutter get his especially.

I heard so much about Judith Krantz work, that I thought I'd give it a try with this novel. Although I feel her writing is very well, I did not feel a desperation for Maxi's (main character) success in saving her father's magazine business. Maxi is a spoiled girl, that will be worth millions whether or not she saves the magazine or not. The only desire she has to save the business, is to continue her father's legacy - but even that doesn't seem urgent. However, it seems from the story that her father put his business well above his children. To me, I believe the story was shallow and none of the characters were worthy enough for me to feel emotions on their success or failure. Quite a bore for me, but well written.

This was the fifth Judith Krantz novel I read. I think it is one of her best. It is the story of Maxi, a woman whose parents own a highly lucrative magazine company. Her father had died, leaving her mother the sole owner, until she marries Maxi's uncle, Cutter. He decides to discontinue many of the magazines, including the struggling Buttons and Bows. Maxi makes a deal with her uncle, where she can do with Buttons and Bows all she wants for a year before its future is final. With that time, Maxi slowly turns it into B&B, which becomes the first runaway success for the women's demographic since Cosmopolitan. This is a very well-written novel, and while Maxi is perhaps an extremely hatable person, you end up rooting for her in the end.

This is one of those big, luscious reads embracing power, greed, hate and, above all, money. Maxi Amberville is the daughter of self made millionaire Zachary Amberville, and has, at this point, lived life as a complete airhead, flitting from husband to husband.After Zachary's sudden death, control of his empire falls to his widow Lily, with a minor share going to their three children.Lily soon marries Cutter,Zachary's younger brother who is determined to undermine and eventually destroy the publishing empire, simply out of hatred for his brother. The story centres around the recreation of one of the firms earlier and failing magazines by Maxi, to the point where she is able to take on Cutter and so preserve the company..admittedly a big stretch of the imagination but so in tune with the soap opera style of the book that it's almost impossible to put down !

This has to be one of the best, laugh out loud book I have ever read. 90% of the characters, though each with their own character flaws and moral shortcomings, have something in common that only Peter Lefcourt can write: you start to like or feel sympathy for just about every single one of them. You'll laugh out loud as the main character Charlie Berns takes everything in, from the first pages at his Debtors Anonymous meeting all the way to the end. A fantastic book. When you're finished reading this one I highly recomend "The Woody" also by Peter Lefcourt. If you work in Washington, ever dreamed of being in politics, or just a news/CSPAN junkie, The Woody is for you.

I ordered this book before going on a trip to Central Asia, not very sanguine about its possibilities as a good read. Wrong. It's fabulously funny and biting, as much a send-up of American culture and "reality TV" shows as it insightful into Central Asia. I thought that Lefcourt might be exaggerating about the political situation in Turkmenistan--the president who renames days of the week after his own relatives--but having been there, I realize it's true. Paul Theroux's article in the New Yorker about Turkmenistan (June 2007) is a good companion. The others on my trip similarly enjoyed this novel; it was laugh out loud funny.

Perhaps I was expecting a hybrid of Stephen Fry and Gary Shteyngart, but the book seemed off balance. While entertaining, the parodying of Hollywood stereotypes at every possible opportunity somehow made the entire book seem as dispensable as the various airheads that wander in and out of the story. Most of the characters are cartoon vignettes, making it a bit difficult (for me, at least) to stay interested in what happens to them.

I'm not suggesting that this should have been anything more than a one-day beach read, but it was disappointing after all the great reviews I'd seen of this.

A friend bought me this since I live in Manhattan Beach and I found it very entertaining. It's silly and wild and a good observance of The Industry, where nobody thinks about a hit, they're just worried they will be associated with a failure. I'd never read anything by Peter Lefcourt before, but this read has encouraged me to try another of his books.

Yesterday, I read and reveled in Peter Lefcourt's The Manhattan Beach Project. Set in Los Angeles and Central Asia, it's a deeply funny and satiric take on U.S. TV programming, Hollywood producers, the CIA and others. Much out-loud laughter during reading. Finest kind. Do yourself a favor and read it soon.

Although "The Parker Grey Show" is probably dubbed as "chick lit," it's really just a light, easy read into the life of a young New York City woman trying to make it on her own. She doesn't know what to do with her life, is bored with trying to make ends meet as a musician, and lives for her favorite TV show, MEDS, which stars a man, M, whom she can't get out of her mind.

The author of the novel, Kristen Buckley, has a knack for setting the mood of every scene. And her observations are witty and dead-on: "Kinko's is a strange place, populated by odd people obsessed with collation, paper grade, and copier imaging. Strange as they are, I admire their commitment to the process." The characters feel so fleshed out that I can definitely see this as a possible network TV sitcom one day. Parker herself is a true waitress; her thoughts, her feelings, her actions, and her apathy. I found Parker, the character, very likable in that she's not a bad person. She says so herself: "If the tip sucks, I'll be forced to steal from the bar, and I really hate to do that because basically, deep down, I'm an honest person." It's a thought that goes through the minds of all young servers, whether they care to admit it or not. It's evident that Ms. Buckley has been a server in her own time, as she truly captures the spirit of being a waiter/waitress, much like the movies Waitress (Widescreen) and Waiting... (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition).

The novel is a tale of finding oneself and, thankfully, by novel's end, Parker does. Everything is wrapped up in a neat little package, complete with bow. Maybe a bit too neat and complete for "real" life, as the moment that defines her and changes her outlook seems a bit over-the-top and silly (her roommate is kidnapped and she must save her), but the story is lighthearted and enjoyable nonetheless.

Lastly, without giving away too much, as the novel came to a close, I appreciated the multiple meanings of the title. It was a nice touch, and something unexpected. This is definitely a "beach read" book or something to pick up your spirits on a rainy day. And, hopefully, one day...a sitcom. There's a lot to be enjoyed watching The Parker Grey Show.

Parker Grey stars in her own show. she's a twenty-something in New York. has immense crush on a TV star who frequents the bar she works in. has neurotic room-mate with an Elvis complex. Parker is also a Juilliard drop-out. she has stopped doing the one thing that she was ever passionate about because she just doesn't feel like it. she tries to "find" herself, and vents out her feelings and frustrations on her apartment walls. there's also a whole side-story full of suspense! and thrill! when her room-mate gets kidnapped and it's up to Parker to rescue her.

you will love Parker Grey. you will connect with her, and see her neurosis reflected in yourself. and at the end of the book, when Parker realises that the one thing that she thought she'd lost was staring her right in the face all the while, you'll wish you were her. as i did.

At first (3 chapters or so) i highly disliked Parker. I'm afraid whiny, stealing, chain-smokers are not my favorite heroines. But I kept reading...just to give the book a chance to develop...and found myself hooked. Unusually, the cute & fluffy ending was surprisingly satisfying, so I bumped my rating up to a 5 star. (Although the bus chase was rather weird.)

BTW, I loved the colorform wall and chandelier idea.

This author is off to a good start. I'll watch for future books.

All I have to say is that Parker Grey may have single-handedly saved the chick lit genre from total ruin. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm tired of reading about main characters obsessed with designer clothes and shoes. I like that the main character is working class and that she has an obsessive love of TV, and that the author has managed to craft a character with so many faults that actually make her endearing. In the wrong hands, it would have just gone all wrong, but I really look forward to Kristen Buckley's future work. I hope she has another novel in the works. I only took one star off because I wish the book could have gone a little longer.

Finally a book that isn't cookie cutter Chic Lit. Don't get me wrong, when I discovered the genre, I bought every book I could get my hands on. My book shelves are brimming over... Some are keepers and the others...well, I wish I could get my money back.

I decided to give Chic Lit another try and The Parker Grey Show was a pleasant suprise. Yes, she is a woman recovering from a bad relationship, but there is so much more. This book is more philosophical and has a deeper message. I personally connected with Parker's frustration regarding the direction of her life. Her words also allowed me to envision the colorful mural created in the loft. If my walls were bare, I might try something similar!

It was nice not read a predictable ending... I borrowed the book from the library, but I'm definitely going to buy a copy to add to my collection.

My recommendations for enjoyable Chic Lit authors are:
Marian Keyes, Wendy Holden, Jane Green (Jemima J is the best), Adele Lang, Sophie Kinsella (Just the first two in the series) and of course Helen Fielding. If you want something different, I have also ventured into mystery. One funny series about an "Erin Brockovich" type of slueth is Sarah Strothmeyer's "Bubbles" series.

Happy Reading!

I started reading this book and shortly after starting it I put it down. I went back to it a few months later and finished it. Well researched and written, although I had nothing but contempt for the police officer about whom the book is written. At times, the characters become confusing, but it is a decent read, nothwithstanding the distasteful nature of the police officer profiled in the book.

This is my third book by Mike Dash and while the other two seemed to move in a flowing manner, this one was more halting and jerky. Many times in reading along, Dash jumps to another part of the story and leaves you wondering what happened. At other times he reiterates something already mentioned as if it was new.

What I found most disconcerting was Dash's inability to keep a straight timeline. In one paragraph he will mention two situations, with the time frame reversed (i.e. something happens in 1914 and then something like it in 1912). There are so many tangents and diversions (each in a short choppy paragraph) that it's hard to keep track of what's going on.

Was Becker guilty? No. Was he railroaded? Yes. Had he done enough in his prior life to be caught up in this travesty? Yes. Did he do other things that should have gotten him executed? Probably. So did he deserve what he got in the end? Not really.

Mike Dash has done his homework. He actually tracked down descendants of many of the principal figures in this famous case and prints letters and transcripts that bring the characters from 1912 New York to life--ACCURATELY.
He is a meticulous researcher, correcting errors (such as the real names of several of the gangsters) that mar some other books on this subject.
The one defect I could find in the book is: there are not enough photographs. Otherwise this would have had a perfect score.

In fairness, I bought this book for my wife, rather than for myself. This is not a book I would normally pick to read, and about halfway through, when I gave up, that "normal" self-judgment was vindicated. Dash provides the promised detailed account of life in the red-light district in turn-of-the-century New York City, and his account is tightly detailed. Within the decades of the 1890's and the 1900's, shifts in local power changed the political and social scenes considerably. New York City in 1994 and New York City in 1997 were very different places (for example), and shifts were no less profound 100 years earlier. To his credit, rather than superficially lumping the period together, Dash details each shift and the characters and consequences of it.

For me, though, that was the rub. I just wasn't that interested. The story that is promised to carry us through the detail, that of the only police officer sentenced to death, develops far too slowly and blandly to do that job. Indeed, the main character in the story, Charlie Becker, remains a cipher. Ironically, Dash does not succeed in getting us as close to the individual at the heart of the story as he does many peripheral characters.

In short, while the book succeeds moderately well on its own terms, those terms are not mine.

This is a superior account of the murder of a failed gambling boss, Herman Rosenthal, and the subsequent trials that resulted in the execution of four of his killers, "Gyp the Blood" Horowitz, "Lefty Louie" Rosenberg, "Dago Frank" Cirofici and Whitey Lewis (a/k/a Jacob Seidenschner) and a crooked Police Lieutenant, Charles Becker. The latter was charged as a participant in a criminal conspiracy to murder Rosenthal in order to silence him before he could expose widespread police corruption in midtown Manhattan where prostitution and gambling flourished as protected vices. Becker was the leader of a special police squad that was supposed to crack down on gambling in the district that was nicknamed "Satan's Circus" by clergymen, but he contented himself to collect sizeable bribes and permitted gaming to continue with minimal interference beyond token raids. Rosenthal had threatened to blow the whistle on the payoff system after his gambling house had been closed by the police. He felt he had been betrayed by Becker, who was formerly his silent partner, and by several other professional gamblers.

Author Mike Dash has done some serious research and rectified a few errors and omissions that appeared in previous books on the same subject. This is no small accomplishment given the large number of sources to be consulted. There were many conflicting accounts to untangle, analyze and reconcile to provide readers with an approximation of the truth. Dash's engrossing book is packed with vivid details and is fully annotated. It may well be the definitive book on a subject that has inspired numerous competing titles by a variety of authors.

Becker's death sentence and execution have been the subject of constant controversy. The defendant faced the unhappy prospect of being subjected to a withering cross examination by the prosecution if he dared to take the witness stand. On trial for his life, Becker gambled and paid the supreme penalty for his decision not to testify in his own defense at either of his two trials. Yes, there were two separate trials and Becker was convicted by two separate juries.

On appeal, his original conviction was vacated and a new trial ordered due to the blatant bias of the presiding judge, John W. Goff, who was openly antagonistic to the defendant. Goff had previously served as counsel to the 1894 Lexow Committee, which had investigated police corruption, and he was elected City Recorder on the reform ticket with Mayor William L. Strong shortly afterwards. Goff became a judge in 1906, but his hatred and contempt for corrupt police officers had not abated. His open hostility to Becker deprived the defendant of a fair trial.

After the case was remanded, a second trial before the Judge Samuel Seabury, a respected jurist, resulted in a second guilty verdict and the reimposition of the death penalty. Becker went to the electric chair protesting his innocence, but his postconviction statements had no legal significance. A grim irony is that after Becker had exhausted his appeals, his former prosecutor, Charles S. Whitman, was the occupant of the Governor's Mansion in Albany. Whitman refused to pardon Becker or commute his sentence to life in prison. Becker became the only convicted police officer charged with official misconduct to be executed in American history. He died in the electric chair at Ossining, New York.

The most puzzling question not answered by the book relates to a point criminal procedure: Did Becker's defense counsel fail to attempt to secure a change of venue? In light of the sensational pretrial publicity, it seems certain that many potential jurors may have been exposed to prejudicial newspaper reports of Becker's personal corruption and his complicity in planning the murder of Rosenthal. It would have made sense for the defense to request that the trial be moved to another county. If such a motion was made and denied, the text does not address this critical issue.

There isn't much I can add to what other reviewers have said other than concur that this is a fascinating book. The challenges that faced the Nobel Laureates, scientists, engineers, managers of American's largest corporations, and military were beyond imagination. Groueff does an excellent job developing character profiles of people involved in the Project -- all in brief sketches.

You will especially enjoy this account if you have ever visited or traveled through Oak Ridge, TN, Hanford, WA, Los Alamos, NM, the University of Chicago, the old Woolworth Building in New York, DuPont Chemical Company, the American Chicle Company chewing gum factory in New York... well, maybe you get the idea how varied the real story is.

Never in the history of the United States, before or since, has the full assets of the country been thrown behind the solution of a single engineering problem. Every resource, scientific and financial, was provided upon request. The results were a phenomenal success.

This account was written at a time when the primary sources were almost all still available for their first hand insight. The implications of this story for future generations of Americans are far reaching. A must read.

I JUST HAD TO RESPOND TO THE REVIEW OF MR. C. SCANLON. FIRST OFF THE JAPANESE HAD NOT SURRENDERED WHEN WE DROPPED THE BOMBS. THEY DIDN'T SURRENDER UNTIL SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE ATOMIC BOMBING OF HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI AND THEN ONLY AFTER A FAILED PALACE COUP BY THE ARMY! A COUP THAT FAILED IN NO SMALL PART BECAUSE OF THE FINAL B-29 FIRE BOMBING RAID OF THE WAR. AND IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT HISTORICAL,POLITICAL,RELIGIOUS AND MORAL ABDICATION YOU NEED TO SPEAK TO THE JAPANESE WHO PERPETRATED THE RAPE OF NANKING!ALSO WHEN THE MASS MURDERING FASCIST SCUM OF THE WORLD STOP TEACHING THE LESSONS OF WAR WE IN THE PEACE AND FREEDOM LOVING DEMOCRACIES WILL NO LONGER FEEL THE NEED TO LEARN THEM SO WELL!MY FATHER WAS A COMBAT MARINE IN WWII. HE FOUGHT ON GUAM AND IWO JIMA AND DID'T HAVE HIS 18TH BIRTHDAY UNTIL THE DAY AFTER THEY DECLARED IWO JIMA SECURE! SO I THANK GOD THAT THAT OLD MISSOURI REDNECK HARRY TRUMAN(TRU-MAN:NEVER WAS A PERSON MORE APTLY NAMED)DROPPED THOSE BOMBS!AGAIN I SAY THANK GOD!

The Manhattan Project is a book that explains and tells us how the Atomic bomb was made. This is also a book that tells us how it was a race against other countries, especially Japan to get the bomb done first. People in the states were scared about others countries getting done first and landing the bombs on the United States. The problems that we had trying to get this little toy made. It shows and explains the process in which it was made and also the scientist that they picked to make the two bombs that landed on Japan.
This book is definitely a book that I would recommend to read to help further your knowledge on the past. If you don't know how the bombs were made or why they were made this book is very enjoyable to read. It is a rather lengthy book, but if you like to read then you would love to read this. This book is very useful to learn more about the technologies that we had back around WWII and also to just realize where the big boom of technology started. Before this we did try to learn more about technology, but that was mostly to help everybody out. From the time when they made the atomic bomb is when they started building more technologies in the defense for our nation.
This book is defiantly a readable book. Most people can read a book if I can finish one. I am not much of a fast or good reader, so if I can read a book then most likely everybody will be able to read the book. Most of the terminology in the book is fairly easy to understand and to read. This book may take a couple of weeks to read, but in the end it is a great book and I would recommend it highly. This book is a book that you can read anywhere. It is not like some books where you either have to be in a mood or have to read in a certain spot to get the feel of the book. This is book is a great reading book right before bed or just when you have some free time at work.
You can almost put anything as being part of technology or have technology part of it. This book goes great in depth about the atomic bomb. Some say one of our greatest inventions ever made. This is the technology that helped us win a war and also to defend our nations. This is definitely one of the high points in both science and technology in our past and future that is for sure. The technology for atomic weapons just keeps getting more accurate and high-tech. Now days you can use a remote control to direct a weapon where as in the book and WWII they had to use planes to drop them over the target.
On a scale from one to ten I would give this book a nine. It may be a little less than a nine if you are not interested in the wars and technology such as bombs. I loved this book and will probably read it again sometime in the future.

The Untold Story of the Atomic Bomb, at least in this nation, is that Japan had already surrendered and the inexperienced Truman tossed them to intimidate our Soviet allies, with no care for the hundred of thousands of human lives, mainly sheltered civilians, women and children, lost.

This is the true Untold Story of the Atomic Bomb. This present book is obscene in its treatment of the Manhattan Project as an interesting overcoming of scientific, engineering and material obstacles, as it ignores the human and spiritual price. Pass up this book and read those which explore that dimension, and repent, and never study war, no more.

Such human and biospheric suffering and devastation we'd have averted had we never sold our souls to these diabolic weapons of sin and of death.

Try instead reading, within this cusp of the forgotten anniversaries of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Racing the Enemy: Stalin, Truman, and the Surrender of Japan, or viewing Hiroshima Mon Amour - Criterion Collection, or seeing Barefoot Gen Volume One: A Cartoon Story of Hiroshima once again.

Whatever media fit your personal learning style, to realize and to repent and to study war, no more. See Letters from the End of the World: A Firsthand Account of the Bombing of Hiroshima or even Hiroshima, anything but this book, which only promotes our national psychosis to total war without cause, which even today bears its bitter fruit in countless lives lost. Skip this book; get Encyclical Letter (Pacem in Terris) of His Holiness John XXIII ... On Establishing Universal Peace in Truth, Justice, Charity and Liberty. and Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response a Pastoral Letter on War and Peace (Publication / Office of Publishing and Promotion Services, U) instead.

I found this second book in the buddies series to be far more enjoyable than the last, which could be in part because I've now a familiarity with the characters. That being said, some of my favorite sections of the book were his 'essays' about Bud's family, and growing up gay. Makes me anxious to read the next.

I have never read a series I enjoyed more. I love the way Ethan Mordden writes.

This book was well written, simple to read, full of gay themed experiences but lacked the excitement of many modern day novels. I recommend this a Sunday read not as a nightly cuddle.

Mordden improved on his original "Buddies" series book with this second installment. While the book moves in a way more disjointed than the first and certainly more so than the last two of the series, the tales he weaves are still well-written and convey an amazing lyrical quality which is often absent from other contemporary authors of gay fiction. Mordden's command of conversational style between characters is masterful. Similarly, the milieu that he portrays (the Manhattan-Fire Island axis of the 1970s-1980s) is evoked so clearly that the reader almost feels present at that time. Unlike so many other authors who lived through the 1970s and then into the plague years of the 1980s, Mordden did not lose hope nor become a detached observer -- he is part of the lives of his characters, even if he more or less tries to keep himself out of the action, albeit ultimately without success on that front. Still, his involvement makes the book that much more readable: a human being lived this story, and is relating it to others so that the memories of this special set of interrelationships does not pass from consciousness when its participants do. A fine piece of fiction; highly recommended and one that cannot be put down.

I have enjoyed every one of Ethan Mordden's books I can get my hands-on. I think it is reasonable to compare him to Edith Wharton. His finely drawn characters and his ability to capture the texture of a moment are beyond compare. Where Holleran is often depressing and Picano a bit introspective, Mordden presents a rich synthesis of both the joys and the tears of what it is to be gay in our time. I still think the best of what he has written remains "How Long Has This Been Going On?"

This book is awesome to have if you love art and you live in New York. Organized by neighborhood, The Complete Guide is easy to follow, gives comprehensive descriptions, and hits all the important stops. For artists it is a great resource, especially because galleries are classified by what type of art they specialize in, if any, and Renee Phillips provides useful details about each gallery. Definately a gem if you work in the art world or if you just love art.

This book as an invaluable resource and motivational guide for artists. Helpful in understanding the bigger picture of the New York, which galleries to approach and which not to approach. Every major gallery is included along with many alternative exhibition venues that I wouldn't have known about. The book has alot of information you can't find anywhere else such as how they select their artists, what materials they want to see and when, what level of experience artists, and other useful background information.I was pleased to learn what many galleries don't want you to know such as further exhibitions fees and promotional expences they will expect you to pay.

Although I haven't read the book, it seems that one can attain its flavor by examining the content displayed above at top of page. All the information presented can easily be gleaned from the internet and one wonders how complete the book can be if it has lopped off significant galleries, as per its index, such as Gogosian and Louis Meisel Galleries, among others. Perhaps the author has no real familiarity with the galleries listed, or so it seems.

I am an emerging artist. I was delighted to find this book with galleries that accept new artists. As a result I will be having my first group show in 2005. Renée is providing a great service for artists.

"We are dedicated to helping Artists pursue their passion."- Renée Phillips

Surprisingly 9 out of 10 galleries in New York are NOT looking for new artists. This book is for a buyers market, those looking to make an "investment", which is the sad state of art today. If you are an artist looking to break into the N.Y. scene it will only be good as a gallery guide. Borrow a copy or get it cheap!

In the process of being more knowledgeable in my field of expertise, which is Love, Men and Women Affairs, I have to talk to people a lot, study, go to seminars to find out about the latest and, read, read, read lot. This is how Amanda's book got into my lap. (No, I don't mean that; Sick puppy!) Anyway, I got Amanda's book. As I read, all I can say was "OhMy God!". This is probably the most sincere memoire on men/women I have ever read. It is so profound, so full of honest and sincere advises, twists, excitement, heart pumping stuff that I was literally in ecstasy by the time I got off. (Well, you know what I mean). Ladies and gentlemen, buy the book! Buy this book. It is great!
Dr. Israel King, Ph.D. Counselor, Speaker, author of How To Keep A Man

The Internet Escort's Handbook is truly a well thought out book written n in a holistic matter by an ex escort for all girls who are currently working in the industry, keen or curious about entering the industry. It gives an insight of what it is and what goes on in this industry; asks a lot of provocative questions; provides useful tips. I would strongly recommend this as the ONE resource you should read. I can't wait for the other books in this series to be out.

Thought the book by Amanda Brooks was well put together. Gives you ideas of what you need to do if you chose to go into the business. But, it does not stop there. Need to go to Book 2 which is not available yet. I do recommend the book for starters.

As a blogger of social analysis in urban America, I read pretty much anything and everything involving the interraction between men an women. With this said, I ordered this book based on some MSN coverage of it. Ms. Brooks did, in fact, write a fairly comprehensive guide for anyone who sleeps around for a living; which may or may not include an ex or two of mine. And I applaud her for standing up for who she is, rather than hiding behind some veiled persona like the legion of gold-diggers who call themselves "students," but with a penchant for Ritz Carlton's. But I had to pull a couple of stars for what appeared to be an unedited manuscript [endless gramatical errors], and because her paranoia over STI's [STD'S] was almost ridiculous. She should go into the condom business. I mean we're talking about condoms for sexual organs, condoms for mouths, condoms for fingers...there was no end to it. I got the impression that the woman would show up for her appointments in a full-bore wetsuit and bug spray; never coming into contact with any actual flesh at all. Who would want to order up this service? Personally, I'd do it myself and then go for the popcorn, a glass of Savignon Blanc [New Zealand or France] and a movie.

This purchase was a way to delve into the lifestyle of an escort, since they've been involved in many sexual scandals lately. I wanted to find the value and thrill these men in the public eye have found in their encounters with these women. This was bought and read with an open mind, truly no expectations. I read it as a professional business woman, a mother, a wife, a daughter and a sexual and sensual being. There were some interesting revelations and candid discussions which opened my eyes to situations I was ignorant of. Her words were biting and cut-throat at times, but as she claims, it's about business not emotions. Kudos! However, I felt that it read like a chapter book for a 3rd grader, it was condescending, drab and simply not very well written. Granted this wasn't aiming to become the next literary accomplishment, but I just expect more from a book if someone, somewhere, felt it was worthy enough to publish. Interesting read, not certain that it would do to much to help anyone who MAY want to break into this field. It seems that the basic business information she provides is common sense to begin with.

In my opinion this in John Saul's masterpiece! I first got hooked on the horror of John Saul when I stumbled upon The Blackstone Chronicles, but have found some of Saul's novels disappointing (as word of advice: don't bother reading The Devil's Labyrinth published in 2007). Saul has a history of writing bad or simply off the wall endings to his stories. I loved The Manhattan Hunt Club - a story of homeless people living underground (literally) by accessing subway tunnels. Saul clearly put a lot of work, time and research into this manuscript. With Saul, I feel like I am always taking a risk by reading one of his books. So, for what help it may be, here is my opinion - Saul books I wouldn't recommend: The Devil's Labyrinth, In the Dark of the Night, Nightshade, and The Right Hand of Evil. Saul books I would recommend: The Manhattan Hunt Club, The Blackstone Chronicles, Black Lightning, Perfect Nightmare, The Homing and Shadows. Midnight Voices and Black Creek Crossing were good stories with terrible endings. Most of these are his more recent ones (he's been writing his stories of horror since 1977). I will probably read Saul's 2008 release, Faces of Fear. It sounds like a good story - so I think I'll take the risk.

I thought this book was an excellent read and edge of your seat thriller.
It was actually a bit different from his other novels. A bit more "John Grisham", yet Mr. Saul was around before Mr. Grisham. I so could see this being made into a movie. Nothing supernatural or evil, just a good modern day thriller. Lots of surprises and twists.

I like some of John Saul's work, but I thought THE MANHATTAN HUNT CLUB was a pretty mediocre effort.

The concept of this novel (people living in the tunnels underneath the New York Subway) is potentially interesting, but Saul invests little effort in creating believable characters or a realistic plot. In particular, I found the identity of the villains to be ridiculous. The overall silliness of this book made it hard for me to enjoy.

In short, THE MANHATTAN HUNT CLUB is pretty lackluster. My advice is to try some of Saul's better known work, such as SUFFER THE CHILDREN or THE GOD PROJECT. Those novels are more exciting, and have much stronger plots and characters.

This book was absolutely unreal.. I read few books cover to cover without putting them down at least once - but this book I could not put down. Great book by Saul, I was totally into the book from the beginning. Great novel!

This is one of Sauls best.Of coarse he is one of my favorite writers.This starts of with and bang and kept me turning the pages to the very end.Great characters as well

With the second book in the CROSSROADS OF GRACE series, Allison Pittman has again crafted a story of God's grace and redemption. Taking place in the 1800's of New York and San Francisco, SPEAK THROUGH THE WIND follows the life of the orphaned Kassandra as she struggles with a sense of belonging. Raised by the compassionate Reverend Joseph, Kassandra is made to believe her presence in his house is not being looked upon favorably by those in his congregation. So, she decides to steel away with Ben, a delivery boy who promises to take care of her. This starts her spiral into an unplanned pregnancy, rejection from Ben, prostitution, and a life that is filled with tragedy.

I enjoyed SPEAK THROUGH THE WIND as much as TEN THOUSAND CHARMS. Though at times I wondered how much tragedy one tired soul could endure, SPEAK THROUGH THE WIND is truly a story of redemption and unconditional love.

If you don't find child rape, prostitution, and abortion uplifting, do not buy this book. I wish I hadn't!

This book is a page turner from the beginning. I read it in 2 days, just couldn't put it down as the story of a young girl rescued off the streets and raised in the home of a loving and godly pastor makes the choice to leave and follow a charming young man into a life of sin and poverty. We have all had times in our life when our choices were less than godly and faced the consequences of those choices. Your heart will break for Kassandra (the main character) as she faces many consequences of her poor choices. The story line ends a bit quicker than I had hoped, I needed more closure on her ending but am hoping to have my questions answered in Pittman's 3rd book. Overall an exciting and heart pumping read!!

A child of the streets, and abandoned by her mother, Kassandra is barely getting by. When she is struck down by a carriage driven by the Reverend Joseph Hartmann, it is the beginning of a new life for her. He takes her into his home and treats her like a daughter. For the first time, she has a safe, warm place to sleep and plenty to eat. Then she meets red-haired Ben Connor, full of mischief and talking to her of love. He persuades her to move in with him, and from that day on she is caught in a devasting downward spiral, until she is sure God will never forgive her.

Set in Five Points District of Manhattan in 1841, this is a riveting story of one woman whose life is a series of mistakes and bad decisions, until she turns back to God for the love and forgiveness she so badly needs. Beautifully written, with compelling characters and a strong message of faith, this is a book you will remember long after you finish reading the last page.

"Speak Through the Wind", is an utterly fantastic novel, from start to finish. I very rarely give out a rating of five stars, but I don't hesitate for a second to give Allison Pittman's second novel all of the credit that it deserves!

While her first novel, "Ten Thousand Charms", was an enjoyable book that I passed on to others, I still wondered what Pittman could possibly write about 1800's prostitutes in the West in her second book that wouldn't be repetitive. However, I was completely shocked when from the first page, I was hooked on Kassandra and her colorful story. I was delighted to find that Pittman didn't shy away from subject matter that is usually taboo in Christian novels - she told her main character's story so vividly and realistically, not skirting the issues any more than necessary, that there was no way you couldn't fall in love with Kassandra. Pittman's characters were multi-dimensional, with REAL sins, and lived lives that could have ACTUALLY happened, unlike the characters in most Christian novels who seem to live softened, dumbed-down versions of what life is really like. I cried with heartfelt anguish, and rejoiced at Kassandra's triumphs; I identified with her rationalizations of sin and running from God, and I saw a little of myself in her. The novel reads like an epic movie, touches your heart like a classic, and can move your soul in way that can only be orchestrated by God.

My only complaint was that it seemed to wrap up rather quickly. The resolution to Kassandra's story came about rather abruptly, although I suppose it had been brewing for most of the novel. I wanted the story to go on forever, and I wanted those last couple of chapters to draw on longer, so I could better savor the ending! "Speak Through the Wind" is one of the BEST books I have read in a very long time, and possibly one of the best books I have EVER read.

Grade: A+