Escape Books

This book has a rather acerbic title, but the author did not create it...his publisher did. Although it doesn't make much of a case for leaving Christianity for Judaism, it does give an inside look at the life of the children of early Jewish Eastern European immigrants in New York City. Because that group is shrinking, it provides an important snapshot in Jewish American life.
Secondly, it illustrates the zeal of the new baal teshuvah (returnee to Jewish observance), one that is often short-lived once the bt sees the negative underbelly of Orthodox life. BT's and the formerly religious will understand and relate to the thinking of Shlomoh at this time in his life, as his passion and enthusiasm are typical.
It does not fulfill its intended purpose, but it does take the reader on an interesting sociological journey through the eyes of the protagonist.
Those who know Shlomoh today would not recognize the author of this book. It is but one of many steps in the evolution of a fully-developed and sophisticated human being.

Sherman's "Escape from Jesus" views Christianity through the lenses of fundamentalism, rather than to examine it from a more scholastic viewpoint. It struck me as being very personal. Ex-patriots from the "Jews for Jesus" years may find it interesting.

I enjoyed this book. There was added adventure and suspense that didn't overpower the romance.

Angela Baring witnesses a mob hit on her boss and goes into hiding. She spends several weeks hiding out with Agent Trent Stewart until she can enter the witness protection program. Love blossoms between them, but they deny the attraction. Angela is given a new identity and a new life.


The hardest thing Trent ever did was let Angela walk out of his life. He lived every day with his decision not to share his feelings with her. She was out of his life, but never out of his heart.

Two years later, Jane/Angela saves a life and the story and her picture makes headlines on national television. Trent and a hit man both race against time to find Angela.

Trent will not only put his job on the line, but his heart to keep the woman he loves safe. Angela is thrilled to have Trent back in her life. She is determined to make this time be forever.

I enjoyed the whole premise of the story, but I the relationship between Angela and Trent seemed a little forced at the beginning. The chemistry between the characters wasn't really there. I would recommend Escape to Love to those who like a touch of adventure added to their romance.

Reviewed by Sylvia Willis Lett of Loose Leaves Book Review

Hi. this is my book. Fun, huh?

This collection is possibly one of the best I've read in awhile, and I'm hard to please. Take that into consideration for holiday shopping.

This book isn't bad. It doesn't show the fine points that a Gracie or Machado book might show. It would have been better if he would have combined all of his books into one.

Most of the escapes I have seen and they work sometimes, not always, some require strength, some don't, Also if your fighting an experienced fighter, they probably know these, so they might not work against them. This is where his discussion about patience and not being in a rush to win is correct.

I would not recommend this book to newbies, but to intermediate/advanced students who have the benefit of some experience and an instructor. A good instructor or advanced student in Judo or JuJitsu will be able to show their students how these work.

This book is one of six books in Geoff Thompson Ground fighting series. As the title suggests, this book concentrates on chokes and strangles.

The book opens with warnings on potential lethality of the techniques if done wrong. Next Thompson handles briefly some basic stuff on ground fighting, that don?t really belong into this book but the reader needs at least the basic knowledge of in order to understand the techniques presented in this book.

The rest of the book is devoted to various chokes and strangles, grouped together based on the position they are attempted from. The techniques are quite simple and proven, and for the most part they are explained well. On some occasions either the accompanying photographs and/or the text is somewhat misleading or could have been written more clearly. There is usually one photograph for each technique, but on some occasions there are 2-3 photos, and there is an odd technique with no photos. For the most part the photos are clear enough to understand the technique.

The book itself is a very good one, but the format it is sold in is not very good. Although there are almost 100 pages in the book, the text is printed in large font and spacing. With regular sized font and layout the book would take only some 50-60 pages. Because the books of the series are sold separately instead of one large volume, they have used large font to increase the page count and the price tag of the book. If the whole ground fighting series would have been printed into one large volume of some 300-350 pages, the price of the book would have been substantially lower than what you have to buy for all of the six separate books. And because you have to buy at least some, if not all of the books of the series anyway to really get the ground fighting game, it?s not a question of saving money by buying just the books you are interested in.

To sum it up, the book is a very good one, but if the whole series would have been published as one volume, it could very well be a five-star book instead of "only" four I?m giving to this one.

This is a book about Harry Houdini. Harry Houdini grew up with four brothers and one sister. He is famous for escaping safes, handcuffs and walking on tightropes. He was introduced to magic at the age of seven. On his journey Harrry Houdini became one of the most famous magicians in the world.
Houdini performed for more than one million people in his lifetime. After his greatest trick he passed away.
I do not think this was a good book because it did not have a lot of information about Harry Houdini. Also, it did not tell when or where Harry Houdini was born. There were some confusing words. I would recommend this book as a good story but not for school use.

As most people know, Harry Houdini was one of the greatestmagicians and escape artists ever known. The author was pretty goodat telling his childhood story, yet sometimes it was confusing. Maybeit because I wasn't concentrating the whole time. Even though I didn't enjoy the whole book, I would still encourage people to read it.

An interesting book, but the frequent sexual discriptions take away from the story line. How does the main character have any energy left to fight any battles or do anything else after a night and morning with his "mates" (wifes). A 15 year old boy would find this book wonderful, but for me, it was just OK.

Tommy Atkinson has a wonderful - pull you in - writing style. Although the book does have some sexual references, it is creative and wonderfully pleasant to read. I personally have always wondered what would happen if something like a mini ice age, a huge volcanic eruption, or even a deadly virus got out of control and changed the earth drastically. Eventhough this is not necessarily what would happen if a mini ice age DID occur...for me it was enough to satisfy my curiosity for now. I can't wait for the second book! Good Job Tommy, don't stop writing!

I was charmed by this book. Author Bailey has a gift for drawing the reader in, from the opening pages, as she shares her experience (along with that of her husband and young son)of moving into a medieval monastery--in need of vast repair--in the south of France. Whether one is looking to buy a home in Europe, an enthusiast for all things French, or an armchair traveler game for a good trip, LIFE IN A POSTCARD opens a rich and memorable excursion. It's an excursion described with zest, frankness,love of language,humility, and welcome humor.

After reading many books about French Provence. I tried to find books about other parts of France so I bought this book. However, Ms. Bailey's limited French resulted in her life in the French Pyrenees mostly among the expat. To the end of the book, I still did not feel or learn something much about the French Pyrenees. Might be good for reader who like the story of the ancient monk, but not me.

Rarely has an author disappointed his loyal fans more than this, Thomas Harris' follow-up to the excellent RED DRAGON and SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. Having created one of the most deliciously evil characters in fiction with Hannibal Lecter, Harris decides to squander it.

Harris is an excellent writer, and that shines through here. Easy to read without being simplistic, Harris creates scenes that seem genuine and real, and describes situations that allow us to project ourselves into them. And sure, much of the action in HANNIBAL is very, very good. Harris could have made this book excellent without substantially changing much of the plot. Alas, it was not to be, and the problems are severe.

Of course, there is the atrocious ending. In the SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, Clarice Starling represented the archetype of the American girl - humble country-girl origins combined with the grit and determination and an unwillingness to back down that allows her not only to pull herself up, but to meet eye-to-eye someone like Lecter, whose genius is matched by his patronizing attitudes towards those of the lower classes.

In HANNIBAL, Starling is a pathetic basket case, pure and simple. In his portrayal of Starling, Harris destroys another great character.

Further, and equally problematic, is that Harris erodes Lecter's persona of evil in two ways. He describes Lecter's background to partially explain why he turned out as he did. Bad mistake. Lecter's evil should have been kept pure, evil for the sake of evil. By taking us into Lecter's background, he moves Lecter's evil away from the ontological and into the psychosocial and thereby lessens its impact. Harris also takes us on a tour of Lecter's mind. Again, this simply cheapens the impact of Lecter as an archetype of evil.

HANNIBAL really does make a reader wonder exactly what happened. How did a series with such an exceptional start get taken down this path? We may never know. But Harris should go back and write another sequel, not picking up where HANNIBAL left off, but taking us on an alternative route after SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. Writing the book that should have been written might mercifully make us forget this clunker.

Thomas Harris has produced his masterpiece in HANNIBAL. Moving beyond the standard crime thrillers of RED DRAGON and SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, Harris composes an elegant, twisted narrative resembling a contemporary take on the surreal writings of Edgar Allan Poe, and the result is a deliciously dark thriller.

But despite its distinction from its predecessor, HANNIBAL also compliments SILENCE quite well. While it goes on to tread new territory, the characters continue on. Harris has never had a better grasp on Lecter or Starling than he does in HANNIBAL, and those arguing to the contrary missed much of what Harris was doing in SILENCE.

"Hannibal" by Thomas Harris, ©1999

This story makes Hannibal a sympathic character. It is more a story of the growth of the relationship between Clarice and Hannibal, then a horror or mystery. It was so sad that so many people have so many foibles that create evil. In the end it was good that the best people of the story really got some real good in their lives. But truly, Clarice gets turned to the dark side, so to speak.

This is a good book. Quite possibly my favorite of the three. It provides so much depth about Hannibal. This is a must read for Hannibal fans.

It's been seven years since Special Agent Clarice Starling visited Hannibal Lecter in the asylum in Silence of the Lambs. She's still with the FBI, although out of favor after a recent shoot-out. Wealthy recluse Mason Verger has been planning Hannibal's demise since he was under Lecter's psychiatric care. That association left Verger paralyzed and mutilated, with only thoughts of revenge to keep him alive. An Italian inspector has found Lecter living the good life in Florence, and is about to bring him to the diabolical Verger and back into Starling's life.

I listened to Thomas Harris read the audio book; I thought it would be interesting to hear the author read his own words, but I was wrong. Harris' twanging drawl was distracting and unchanging; all the characters - men and women, Americans and Italians - sounded exactly alike, except for one - he did a fine job with Verger's unique vocal impairment.

Clarice, Lecter, and Verger are all well-written, complex characters. Clarice is a workaholic and a loner, Lecter is a cunning and refined man of the world, and Verger is, without doubt, the most repellent villain I've come across in a long time. The book's ending is surprisingly different from the movie version and completes the Hannibal-Clarice story nicely. I liked the book very much (but not the reader, thus only 4 stars). The story is scary, disgusting, and packed with action. If you're a fan of the Hannibal Lecter books, this book is a must.

I liked this installment in the Kay Scarpetta series. The forensics are detailed and graphic, and by now I feel I know her characters well, both their good aspects and their faults. The only issue I have with the series is that they skip major changes in the character's lives. For example, in the last book, Benton was still at the FBI, and when this one opens, he is retired. We don't get to know what led up to that decision and how he feels about it. Lucy was last with the FBI and in the process of having her career ruined. In this book, all of a sudden that is over and she is with the ATF.

Regardless of those deficits, I still enjoy the series. Carrie Grethen is back and the book starts with a poem she writes to Kay. I won't give away spoilers, but this one has an ending that shocks, and is a heartbreaker.

If you plan to read more of the Kay Scarpetta series, don't skip this one. It is needed in my opinion to fully understand at least the next two books. (that is as far as I've gotten in the series)

The large number of reviews previously posted for Point of Origin sum up the majority of my disappointments with the book. Scarpetta is a basket case throughout the book, is totally obsessed with her niece and whines constantly about her job (why does she do it). In addition, multiple threads surface unexpectedly or are dropped without any attempt at resolution. A point that I struggled with constantly was Cornwell's apparent total lack of comprehension of how a horse farm works. With over 20 high priced horses, the farm only had one old caretaker who quit an unstated amount of time prior to the fire. The owner (an extremely busy man) has supposedly been taking care of these horses himself, but decides to take off for a few days without making any arrangements for their care. Anyone with any basic knowledge of horses would also be aware that this is as likely as leaving an infant in a crib while the parents leave for a getaway weekend. The credibility of the investigation rang totally hollow for me with this lack of research.

Although I wouldn't go as far as to say that this is the best I've read in the Scarpetta series, it is just as good as the others.

I wouldn't recommend it to those who have not read the other books though - because it refers to cases in which torsos are found (from the book before this one) & a character introduced much earlier, Carrie Grethen, plays a much bigger part in this.

There is a lot of character development in this one - especially at the begining of the book. As usual, a lot of it is about Lucy. Benton also plays a huge part.

I wont go over the plot much - because really, a lot happens. But in the end they do find thier killer, along with Carrie, who escapes from the assylum earlier on. The modus operandi is especially terrible in this case, making it all the more intriging. It isn't really spelled out in the end exactly what happened when the victims were killed - because everybody's too busy chasing the killer. But what they find in his house is what makes it all clear - although by now it's a little late. He & Carrie knew they would find it.

What's really sad in this one is the death of Benton. You feel like you knew him, & the funeral is so deppressing! But if you read the next book you'll get a surprise..

I'm not sure what really made me not like the most. Either the ending or Lucy.

The ending reminded me of a soap opera. Someone dies, however he will be resurrected... I just can't get past the ridiculous soap operatic ending. If only Lucy could have been killed too (although, then she would have to be resurrected too).

I'm sooooo very weary of Lucy (a.k.a Supergirl) the obnoxious genius has gone from computer wiz kid to a FBI agent, helicopter pilot, undercover drug agent, fire expert & the list keeps growing in future novels. Then having to constantly read about Lucy's lifestyle choice & complications. I don't care if Lucy is a lesbian.

I'm also disappoint that the escaped colt that received such big buildup was forgotten. I mean, a bunch of horses die in this fire, but one survives, why?????? Who knows it's never explained.

Cornwell's books drastically go downhill after "Point of Origin" & if you must continue to read the series, go to the Library.

Wow! I read this in 4 days! This starts with a casual feeling of vacation and ends in tradegy for Dr Kay. The web she is weaved into while unraveling this story is amazing and she is Cornwell portrays her as a strong woman, ready to seek revenge.
Cornwell's description of the scene's made me feel as if I was watching them work the case.

It's only been 8 hours and I am starting the next novel!

Even if her story were fake, it's based on real such places. There's an underground satanic church here in my city. They call it "underworld." Not everyone knows of it, of course. But a friend of mine who used to be a member, but became christian while in jail informed me that people you'd least expect are members, and that they are involved in horrible acts. Like I said, if the story's fake, at least Lauren knows what she's talking about.

And the Cornerstone review? I read it, but nowadays will you believe a "debunker" just because it's been christian-tagged? Come on, a similar signature means nothing! The article could have been issued as a plausible cover-up.

I read the article by Cornerstone Magazine. Just a bunch of he-said, she-said. Though they demand evidence from the author (knowing full well how satanists cover their tracks) they provide none themselves!

I saw a reviewer here saying that the book talks about filming and video taping in years before this was done outside of big movie studios. Wish he had told the page number or chapter. All I see talked about is photography.

Whether or not this story is true, how can one verify one way or another? I know the kinds of activities it describes have gone on down through the ages around the world. In addition, with all the current glorification of witchcraft, violence, and the rampant cases of child abuse, plus pornography selling more than Big Macs, it sounds totally believable, tragically. Whether this particular woman had those particular experiences - and I personally believe her - we need to pray for such victimization to end and the healing of such people, and this nation, to begin. The very least we can do is pray for them. "To one who sees good to do, and does not do it, to him it is a sin."

To the author, and all those who believed, supported and helped her, I say Thank you for being bright lights against the darkness of this present age. Ms. Stratford I so admire you for taking the moral victory away from satan and triumphing over him. Please pray for me to some day show to someone/s the love, understanding, support and compassion you were shown by Johanna & her husband (with protection for us would be wonderful, since I don't know if I would have your courage ;-) ).
In Yahushua's love...

The reports you hear about satanic cults are all to real, do not let the media(who is controlled by higher authorities)try to sugarcoat or down play the reality.I have been in D.C.(in a gay bar called La'Cage on O st.)where the guys are totally naked and walk up and down the bar!! My friend was/is gay and stripped there and I can not even remember how many married Government officials were there(with their rings on too!),I have gone to parties at their homes/hotels where drugs are passed in bowls!!!(that was a congressmans home!)They are very into perverted sex also,it was typically gay,and the younger looking the better(we were in our early 20's at the time).I was shocked at first but between the drugs,my past abuse,and the regularity of it all it became nothing to see people having freaky sex on the floor,closet,hallway,tables,etc.I began to think it was normal,and the sad thing is that it is,especially in D.C. OUR CAPITAL! We live in a twisted perverted time(and country).I know far to well that there are cults(no idea how many) in this country that are satanic in nature(if they are not of the one true God,then they are of satan!) I know this because I was in one myself! It was "loosley" formed,nothing to the degree of "Laurens" dealings,but evil and destructive in the very least. I was sexually abused and then I spiraled into occult/satan worship,so it is connected. I do not see why people find it so hard to believe? It is so common and open these days,you Christians(and thank God I am now one) better wake up and open your eyes to the things of this world!!!!Do not be blinded by the enemy! I am thankful for being in the occult for a couple reasons, first, I have seen things people would not believe as a result of satan and his demons,so it is easier for me to accept that God can do so much more in the supernatural than the weakling satan,and second I can help others who are still in its grasp. I have a hard time with my past,but know it is that,only my past,Jesus has taken it and I am new! I do have demonic harassment, but am working(with God) towards deliverance and complete freedom! It is all to real and I have no idea how it stays so hidden! There is a lot of activity in DC if you want to see for yourself! Just be careful!

For all those with an obvious axe to grind, intent upon completely delegitimitizing the story at hand: Why don't you use some common sense?
Sense would say that if one's life is in danger, it would be pure lunacy to advertise the location(s) of one's whereabouts. And,if past-tense is the issue at hand for "verification," for what purpose? Really, what difference does it make whether someone was at the N. Pole or in the Bronx when an event occured?

People who are Satanically inclined, or even abusive at best, do not admit or advertise that fact: Another common sense fact. What makes you think "deeply religious" people are completely honest and forthcoming?

When have you ever paid deference to the critiques of someone/those with whom you disagree? The Cornerstone article wasn't cited because clearly the people involved did not agree with Cornerstone nor see Cornerstone as any kind of authoritative voice on the matter.

Finally, if you'd been through anything even close to what the author of this book endured, you would be a little messed up too. That doesn't mean her story isn't valid.

I pastor a church in Dallas Texas, and my wife was a witch before coming to know Christ. This book is well written and does an amazing job of exposing satan's kingdom. Little wonder it is coming under so much attack. The slander the book is undergoing in these other reviews was the reason I read the book, and I am glad I did. I highly recommend it as a must read for Christians in these end times we are living. I assure you this book, Rebecca Brown's books, and Mike Warnke's books are credible sources and contain important insight into spiritual warfare and deliverance for all Christians.