Manhattan Books

One thing about "Manhattan Pharaoh" I really liked is that Manhattan itself plays a major role in shaping the attitudes of the various characters - workers and management alike - within the book. In fact, anyone who loves New York will get a bang out of this supernatural tale, and I can't imagine the book being set anywhere else. Much of this work's irony is based on the notion that hardcore, cynical New Yorkers must find rational, logical explanations for the unexplainable, no matter how bizarre or off the wall. But the author also suggests that the core problems these New Yorkers face - aside from being victims of biblical plagues and abusive work conditions - are problems that affect everyone worldwide, namely, being stuck in a negative, thankless, soul-destroying workplace environment because choices are few in a bad economy. The author cleverly suggests this idea by showing how the workers, during their lunch hour breaks, frequent a large variety of international restaurants, which may on the surface highlight the joys of Manhattan dining, but on a deeper level, introduce the entire world as spectator to their own strange problems of survival while being attacked by supernatural forces. But this is just one irony of many in a book that seems straightforward enough, but is actually multi-layered, intricately plotted, and cleverly crafted. I highly recommend it to people searching for something original in the supernatural genre.

I bought this book about witchcraft in modern Manhattan just hoping for an entertaining summer read. The more I got into the book, the less I could put it down. It's primarily a story of revenge, in which a young male witch, Giles Corey, infiltrates a pulp magazine publishing house in lower Manhattan to uncover what happened to his missing sister, a former employee. The title character is one of the publishers, a crude barbarian, Milton Geld, who fancies himself an artist, but whose talent is almost non-existent and whose sole subject matter is himself. One of his works is a large painting in which he fancies that he is a pharaoh of Egypt.

Using this painting as his inspiration, the young witch sets into motion a series of biblical plagues, based upon the ten plagues of Egypt, mostly played out within the office building itself. His object is to break Geld down and obtain a confession, and, if not succeeding in that, to bring about the destruction of the company and its management.

To complicate matters, Giles finds himself sexually drawn toward the company's Editorial Director, a beautiful woman named Alma, who may possibly know more about the sister's disappearance than she's revealing. She turns the concept of a "femme fatale" on its head, since she's forced to continually make choices between various evils to help keep the company afloat. Although the sexual tension between these two continues to build, Alma already has a worthless boyfriend, whom she ultimately gets rid of. And Giles has problems of his own. He is unable to know love or emotion, without risking the loss of his powers. As these characters' own attractions and frustrations build, so does the frustration within the reader, so that by the time these two get it on - in the weirdest of circumstances - the reader is absolutely overwhelmed by what is one of the most dazzling displays of sexual fireworks I can recall coming across in recent fiction.

Finally, Robert Amsel really makes us a part of the pulp publishing empire he describes and uses humor admirably, when needed, to relieve tension and make this strange, often sleazy world palatable. From the opening on, he also lets us know that this is very much a Manhattan story, and he beautifully captures all the weirdness and craziness of a city where other-worldly things can happen and go unnoticed.

If you've read any other Cooper Ellis books, you'll be familiar with Wendy Lee Nentwig's incredible talent for writing. Cooper and her friends Alex and Claire are back, along with Josh, Cooper's boyfriend hopeful. While Josh seems, at times, genuinely interested in Cooper, why does he appear to continually be hiding something from Cooper and mysteriously running off somewhere else? And then there's the pretty little redhead Reagan Josh keeps showing up with, even though he's just asked Cooper to the spring dance. At the same time, Cooper's modelling career is flourishing, with getting a job with a hot new photographer. But though his work is very professional, Cooper's just not comfortable around him. Meanwhile, between Cooper's modelling and her struggle to define her relationship with Josh, her friendships with Alex and Claire seem to quickly be drifting away. In this funny episode with Cooper, you'll experience a lot of laughs and a few times of seriousness and contemplation. It's easy to get into this book and hard to put down! Believe me, it doesn't take long before you feel like you're right there. If you liked Cooper before, you'll love her now. Check out Moonstruck in Manhattan!

i'm a picky reader but i couldn't put this book down. when i read a book i like to relate to it and this book i could totally relate to. i highly recommend you read this book.

i think the title is about cabot cove and the halloween party mort,seth and jess were all at the party but you should wait to you read the story to find out .

IT S A NEW STORY I MADE TO SELL TO YOU CALLED A CAOBOT COVE CHRISTMAS I KNOW THE PEOPLE MORT JESS AND SETH AND MORT S DEPUTIES I KNOW MORT IS UNDER THE WEATHER AND GOT THE FLU REAL BAD SO I HOPE TO MAKE SURE HE IS WELL OKAY.

BEST NYC BOOK IN THE WORLD. FUNNY, EXCITING, AND INFORMATIVE. THIS BOOK MAKES ME HAPPY AND IKE AND LITTLE LUCY ARE THE BEST WRITERS IN THE UNIVERSE. THIS PRODUCT SHOULD KEEP TIM AND NINA ZAGAT UP AT NIGHT. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE "THE SHORT LIST: GOSHEN/MIDDLETOWN" ONE DAY. ;-)

NYC is not an easy place to move to. In fact it can be quite daunting. The Short Lists makes NYC more manageable. In a market which is already significantly saturated with guides, the Short Lists have managed to carve out a niche and truly differentiate itself - through QUALITY.

They are guides for residents; Guides for people who don't need EVERYTHING, just the best of everything; Guides for those of us who live in and love the city; Guides for those of us who visit the city and want to know what the locals know. I use the guides (as they become available) to learn about parts of the city that I was not as familiar with and find new establishments that I did not know about before (Marc Kirschner should be shot for turning me onto the Donut Factory - but they really are the best donuts in NYC).

Without hesitation - buy this book - whether you are visiting NYC, whether you are living in NYC or as a gift for someone who may appreciate it. I will never buy another guide to the city again, but will never miss a volume of the Short Lists.

This DVD is the complete set of what had previously been 2 separate vhs tapes. Simon's playing is, of course, incredible. For any drummer interested in Simon's playing this is a must. There are some advanced concepts here, but Simon is extremely good at explaing what is going on in simple language. For those who are more musically literate there were two instruction books based on the videos. The video can be seen as a progression from simpler (well simple for Simon) material to more advanced. Something like 'Cosmos' can be approached at a much easier level than say 'Force Majeure.' The section on Odd Time is great, and if you buy the instructional books, there are play-alongs to all of the material. Also, in terms of sheer performance Simon is always so exciting to watch that even if you don't play drums near that level, you will love the 'Concert' footage.

If you have not seen Simmon Phillips play, this is the DVD to see!
This is closest your going to get to Simmon Phillips Mastery!
What an incredible player he is, my hat is off!!
If your a drummer or a music lover for that mater, this is a must see!!!

The nine authors who each tackle a chapter provide a unique and fascinating insight into life, and more specifically, women's life at Los Alamos. This book is a must read for those interested in the cultural and social aspects of the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos.

This book, originally compiled during the early postwar years at Los Alamos, consists of reminiscences, letters, and essays by representative women who devoted their lives to the Los Alamos experience during World War II. A unique description of the Manhattan Project, it remains one of those disarming pieces of historical literature that make history such an engrossing field to wander into.

Beautifully rendered interconnected short stories, straight from the gut, that are hilarious, original and heart-breaking at once. A lifetime is encompassed in these compressed, beautifully wrought chapters. This one will stop you in your tracks. One of the best fiction books of the year. If you are sick of brittle, super-cool, derivative post-modern writing, and want to encounter genuine feeling and revelation, this one is for you.
--David Evanier, Author of "The Great Kisser," "The One-Star Jew" and "Red Love"

Steven Shrader's collection, never sentimental or cynical, offers us a man's life in vignettes of crystalline prose. It reads with the directness of a letter from someone with nothing to hide. A loving and sorrowful and funny book--worlds within worlds.

This is a book to give your kid this summer. It is a terrific read with characters a kid will relate to, a real world mystery and a story which will make them think.
In 1942 Los Alamos was a practically empty mesa in the desert Southwest. By 1943 it was the home to the Manhattan Project and the families of the men and women creating the world's first atom bomb. We see this world through the eyes of 12 year old Hazel, the most interesting character I have run across since I met Sharon Creech's Sal in Walk Two Moons. No one knows what the Dad's and Mom's are working on and Hazel intends to find out. What she learns, and how she gets there, makes a very captivating and tight story.

A wonderfully written, informative, and thoughtful book on a subject that has not been extensively covered in books for young readers. Hazel is not your average twelve-year old in 1943. But then, neither is her family. Where The Ground Meets the Sky gives readers, young and old, an "up close and personal" glimpse into the family dynamics of living at Los Alamos while scientists were developing the "bomb". Reading almost like a mystery at times, we see the effects of this discovery from a different perspective -that of Hazel, her friends and her sensitive mother. An excellent source of discussion for both young and old.

If you like to eat and don't mind spending a few coins for fabulous food, this map will guide you to nirvana over and over again! Great recommendations for every NY neighborhood.

I was lucky enough to see the Off-Broadway stage production of 400 YEARS IN MANHATTAN last year at the HERE arts theatre in NYC. The play was hilarious and at the same-time, full of interesting facts and details about New York City that I never knew! I'm happy to say that the book is a wonderful literary adaptation of the play. Insightful, and often very funny, the book bridges the gap between being entertaining and educational, with very funny pictures from the show. It's a must-have for all New Yorkers, and for anyone who has ever visited Manhattan, or would like to take a virtual tour of the greatest city in the world with a veteran Manhattan tour-guide. 5 out of 5 stars! *****