Montana Books

This book was a good read; it showed a glimpse of 17th/18th century China in a very unique way: through the very words of the emperor at the time. Although it was interesting, it was not exciting or captivating and it became difficult to keep track of who was who in parts. I would recommend it, but only because it doesn't take very long to read so the benefits outweigh the costs.

A remarkable portrait of a Chinese emperor. I have read few other books on Chinese history by Spence, and they inform the reader in an engaging style that is a true genius, and this, I think, is one of his best.

Don't miss the selection of letters in the appendix - it hits home the portrayal of the emperor as a real person, not a historical fiction cooked up by the court historians.

Ordered several books which I received faster than expected in perfect condition. great job!

This is an excellent book of absorbing interest. Not only does it open a wondow on Chinese history as told in the first person by one of its greatest emperors, it sheds light on the nature of power and the way absolute monarchs exert their power. It is a unique book, touching at times and terrifying at others. Being an absolute monarach wasn't easy, even for an enlightened emperor. The book is essentially a collection of the writings of a Mogul emperor describing in detail his life and the way he exercised power, including the decisions he had to make about his use of capital punishment. This book has something for everyone who is interested in the world about them.

Spence deserves his wide reputation as America's foremost China scholar. In this book (which I admit that I had to read for class) he tells of one of the most famous emporers from the Qing dynasty. Spence wrote this book using scraps and notes found from this era. Sometimes it's hard to see where the line is between hard fact and Spence's conjecture, however, given the quality of his other research, I'll trust his conjecture even if he doesn't always offer up the evidence to support it. Read it carefully though, so you know what's what.

Awesome book!

As this was one of the higher priced books on Montana, I was leary when I purchased it. I noticed also, that amazon.com does not discount it as it does the others. Now I know why. It's worth every penny I paid for it and more. I love the "quick reference" charts for dining, lodging, and auto which make it easy to look up any of the businesses in that category. And unlike other guide books I have looked at, it appears to list every eating place, motel, and gas or repair stop, not just the ones the author likes. I never was crazy about authors telling me what places I should like and not like. This book just gives me raw information and lets me decide where I want to go. I also like how they number every business and interesting stop and put the numbers right on the map showing me where they are. And the discounts are real and abundant. I have paid more money for coupon books with less useful discounts. And these just come as a bonus. If you're even thinking about going to Montana--buy this book.

I have purchased 11 books to plan my trip to Montana. I do not wish to write reviews on all of them, but felt compelled to comment on this one. It is far and away the best book I have found for planning a driving trip through the state. It listed 3-4 times as many motels (apparantly all of them)as any other book. The same is true for places to eat. It listed every gas stop. None of the other books listed any. Its maps are much more thorough, and they have maps of small towns as well as the big ones. The quick reference charts are priceless, and it is the only book to offer discounts from the states merchants. A truly priceless book, and I highly recommend it to anyone even thinking of going to Montana.

I just bought five books including this one on traveling in Montana. I almost didn't buy this one because of the price. That would have been a huge mistake. Not only do you get what you pay for with this, it's worth twice the price. This is the only book that gave me a complete selection of motels and places to stay. The way they organized the routes and indicated directly on the maps where everything is located is a huge help. We can pick our place to stay and plan where we are going to eat before we even get there. This is also the only book that tells us not only where gas stops are, but what they have for services. And marking the attractions directly on the map with numbers is a great way to see just where things are. I like the discounts too. Seems like we should get our money back in a couple of days. I'm not crazy about having to present the book for the discounts, but hey, nothings perfect. I thought this was close enough to give it the highest rating after comparing it to everything else available. And hey, if you like pictures, there are hundreds of them in here. Anyone planning a trip to Montana would be just plain stupid to not get a copy of this.

I am retired and do a lot of traveling. While I like to find out as much about a place I am visiting before I go, I have a limited budget. After looking through all of the books available here, this one looked like a safe buy. I ordered it with high expectations from all of the comments here. I have to say my expectations were met. If you're looking for good solid information on where to eat, sleep, gas up, and play in Montana, you'd probably have to buy a number of the other books available to get this much information. I have planned my trip this Spring down to the minute using the information in this book. The only thing that disappointed me was that the discounts were expired. However, the publisher did include a form acknowledging that and allowing you to purchase the next edition for half price when it is released this Spring. Were that all publishers this honest. If you're even thinking about going to Montana, this is a must buy. I have traveled to most states and as a result have a fairly large accumulations of travel guides. I have to say, this is probably one of the best I have seen.

I couldn't disagree more with the reader from Atlanta. I travel extensively throughout the NW states, Canada, and Alaska. I have used the Milepost extensively for years when traveling to Alaska, and find it to be the best available for that area. However, I picked up a copy of the Montana Directory last summer when in Montana. I found the things that were missing from the Montana book were the thousands of useless pieces of information that the Milepost includes at literally every milepost. What I want is useful information, like where to eat, sleep and gas up. I have found the Montana book to be extremely comprehensive and useful for that. I wanted to know points along the route that are of interest. I so far have not found a signal ommission on the Montana book publishers part, and I have used it on half a dozen trips to the state since I acquired it. Perhaps the Atlanta reader is mistaking quantity for quality. Yes, the Milepost definitely has more "stuff". But the MT. Directory has"~ far more useful information and presents it in a very concise manner."~ paid advertisements and does not show you where they are on the map, you have to figure that out on your own."~ and quickly pick out the places that have what I'm looking for. As I drive a deisel vehicle, I find the charts extremely useful to locate stops that sell deisel fuel. You won't find that info in the Milepost. minor inconvenience. I did find an advantage in this as a few of the merchants refused to void the discount and told me I could use it next time through. Overall, I calculate I've saved over $300 using the book. The only discounts offered in the Milepost are buried in ads here and there, and don't come close to those offered in the Montana book. I am able get free drinks or coffee at most of the gas stops. Quite frankly, the book is worth the price for the discounts alone. A person will do well"~ to buy it just for the money they will save."~ roadside information is thorough, and I still feel like I got my money's worth many times over. I can't give it a 10, but I will give it a 9. Since there are only five stars I had to round up. While there are more "fun" books to read on Montana, there are none that I have found as useful. I hope your customers don't take that Atlanta reader's comments seriously. I noticed they really didn't say what they didn't like about it. I wonder what it is he/she would do to improve the book?

A perfect gift for your grandmorth, mother, sister, daughter, or friend! Great stories about the strong bonds of women. Highly recommended!

My best friend gave me this book for my birthday, and I had already bought it to give to her for her birthday. The vignettes worked into the text are wonderful. This is a great celebration of intimate friendship between women. I would highly reccommend it!

I was touched by each story in this book. Some even brought tears to my eyes. This book would be a great one to have for yourself and to give to all your friends.

I am a girlfriend and fortunately, God has blessed me with some fabulous girlfriends. I found a close example of each of my girlfriends in this book. This book is so clever! It's fun to give to my girlfriends and laugh over the good, bad, ugly, ridiculous and bizarre times we have had...and these girls in the books had! It's a great book to read and to give away. Don't miss getting this one!!

This book was given to me by my best friend after finishing college. I will always treasure this thoughtful and special gift.

_Girlfriends_ is a collection of stories that explore and celebrate female friendship through the eyes, ears, and hearts of everyday women. Some of the women were friends for a lifetime, others for a short time. However, all understood and/or demonstrated the meaning of "true friendship." For example, the stories included everything from the thankful musings of a once-ill woman about the extraordinaty kindness of her girlfriends to a giggly account of how two eerily-simiar best friends met as assigned roomates their first day of college. (The latter tale struck very close to home in a wonderfully spooky way.)

While many of the stories tugged at the heartstrings, I never felt manipulated by the authors. (Note: Part of the reason why I don't like the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series is that I feel that the authors are just dying to make the reader clutch for the box of tissues.) Rather, I appreciated the "real" tone of the stories, as they read like good conversation shared over a nice pot of Hazlenut coffee.

Some readers have commented on the book's simple language and lack of depth. I don't think the goal here was to explore the psychology of friendship, rather I think it was intended to be a simple and beautiful celebration meant to be enjoyed by "Girlfriends" everywhere. Enjoy!

Our management team is reading this book together and discussing it weekly and it has been invaluable. The book has a lot of very practical techniques and advice on how to dramatically improve and increase your business. I would recommend it to anyone in an organization regardless of wether or not they come into direct contact with customers. It is especially useful for salesman because it teaches them not just how to win a sale but to win repeat customers. What more could you want as a salesman?

I am surprised there are not more reviews of this book. It is a classic. Anyone who sells or owns a business or has a customer should read it.

The following is an excerpt from my blog on it. Just for background, I started my business from scratch years ago so had just me and my car and built it to hundreds of staff and now over $1 Billion in sales.

Awesome book. I need to figure out how to apply the lessons to a larger company. The lessons apply perfectly to a small company that sells to the public. Makes me think I should start a small business. The same principals apply to a larger company like SYNNEX. People often ask me what the secret to computer distribution is. The answer is summed up by a quote from the book :"everyone is trying to accomplish something big not realizing life is made up of the little things" (Quote by Frank Clark). Distribution is all about the little things.

I was recommended this book with my recent promotion. I was not sure I would enjoy it but okay. I purchased one and before I got half way through with the book I was purchasing 15 more. For some co-workers and maybe some future co-workers.

Just when I thought I knew all I could possibly know about customer service; This book puts it all on a whole new level.
If you are in the restaurant business, purchase one now. After-all, all you have to gain is more happy customers.

This is simply the greatest book ever on how to treat customers the way they should be treated, how to handle potential problems, and how to capitalize on it all. In the future, I will be sure to use the practical, no-nonsense advice given by Michael LeBoeuf. His business management and customer service related masterpieces should make up any part of a manager or sales analyst/manager's business bookshelf. His books are not only helpful to those with their own business or those involved with sales or managing a business, but are important for use in everyday life and how to treat people. The popular mantra associated with this book is simple, yet profound: "What gets rewarded, gets done".

This is an absolute must read for all small busines owners. I've had my own small manufacturing business for 19 years and I can assure you - THERE IS SO MUCH TRUTH IN THESE PAGES THAT YOU IGNORE IT AT YOUR OWN PERIL. Plus, Michael Leboeuf is a excellent writer. Buy it!

This is a very objective and informative book on General Longstreet who, had he died at the battle of the Wilderness instead of surviving his very severe wounds, may have had a monument on Monument Ave. in Richmond in spite of not being a Virginian. Longstreet fought all the major campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia from Manasas up to the Wilderness returning after a recovering from severe wounds to command the Richmond theater during the siege and the final stages of the war. Piston points out well that Longstreet was a steady hand for Lee as he called him my "Old War Horse". Enlightened in that he thought of the war in broad strategic fashion suggesting using the railroad and interior lines to reinforce the west with eastern soldiers and he even offered to go himself which he did in time for the battle of Chickamaugua. Longstreet's role in Gettysburg is well discussed particularly the Lost Cause syndrome led by Jubal Early who pins the entire war on Longstreet at Gettysburg. Ironically, Early's original memoirs make no mention of any criticisms of Longstreet until after Lee's death when Early finds a niche to match his abrasive leadership style. Often critics suggest that Longstreet failed in Suffolk, Knoxville and East Tennessee; however, Piston notes that in Suffolk and Knoxville he was laying siege to forces equal or larger than his own that stayed within their works. The attack at Fort Sanders was a severe failure and in the East Tennessee campaign Longstreet performs well but the low point was Longstreet's dealing with personnel in difficult circumstances. Piston demonstrates how Davis micromanaged when he writes of Davis' interference with Longstreet personnel issues. Impressive that after his wounding Longstreet returns for any command that Lee will give him. Piston quickly covers Longstreet's post war career as a businessman, a republican who enters Louisiana's controversial political scene, leads the Police on horseback against a mob only to be attacked himself, his Republican connections and maneuvering for political plum jobs and his final days as a hotel owner and vineyard grower in lovely Gainesville, Georgia. Longstreet's post war writings are covered which had Longstreet been more accurate in his views or memories, his legacy may have stood taller and less challenged.
His criticisms of some of Lee's decisions and turning Republican cost him dearly in the south but he steadfastly refused to change to suit others. The most endearing part of the book is Piston's telling of Longstreet and Dan Sickles after a joyous round of spirits, they walk each other repeatedly back to each others door refusing to end the night of the two most controversial generals who were at Gettysburg.

William Piston has written a fine, highly readable, and fair-minded but sympathetic biography of one of the most controversial leaders of the Civil War. While Lee himself held Longstreet in the highest regard and made the dependable Longstreet his senior subordinate and commander of his First Corps in the Army of Northern Virginia, the stubborn South Carolinian found his reputation tarnished after the war by jealous military rivals who disliked Longstreet's politics and resented his criticisms of some of Lee's command decisions.

As a military biography, this work offers a fairly comprehensive and balanced treatment of Longstreet's career that effectively demolishes some of the more unfair criticisms of Longstreet as a commander, and in particular takes apart the myth (that emerged in post-war controversy) that Jackson, not Longstreet, had been the senior commander in whom Lee had placed his most reliance and trust (although for a more critical, but still balanced and highly useful analysis of Longstreet's military record, see Jeffrey Wert's biography of Longstreet).

Reading Piston's book will demonstrate why Lee described Longstreet as "my Old War Horse," and why Longstreet was widely regarded on both sides as one of the very finest -- if not THE finest -- corps commanders of the war. Piston also does a nice job of disentangling the post-war Gettysburg controversy, which emerged out of polemics over Reconstruction politics and the bickering among former Confederate generals anxious to rescue their own reputations while putting Robert E. Lee above any criticism.

Lee, of course, was a great commander, but he never pretended to be perfect, and Longstreet, in daring to criticize certain aspects of Lee's tactical operations, became a threat to a post-war mythology, the cult of Lee, that became so important in building a post-war, Solid Democratic South and white supremacist post-Confederate Southern identity. As Piston demonstrates, the post-war Lost Cause mythology, in deifying the defeated Lee, required a scapegoat, a "Judas", upon whom the blame for defeat and humiliation could be heaped. As both Jackson and Stuart had been killed during the war, and as most western Confederate commanders lacked the prominence to serve this function, Longstreet emerged for unreconstructed Confederates as the bete noir of Southern military history, both for his post-war Republican politics and his criticisms of Lee, his actual war record and relationship with Lee notwithstanding.

And in this post-war Lost Cause narrative, Gettysburg became the critical key or turning point upon which all else hinged, as though the outcome of a thousand campaigns mobilizing millions of men, fought over five years across a vast continent, could be reduced to one afternoon on one bloody field in Pennsylvania, or as though (even if that had been true) Longstreet alone could be blamed for Lee's failure at Gettysburg. It is the politics of Reconstruction and Longstreet's place in that political struggle, that largely shaped what became the dominant Southern narrative about the battle of Gettysburg, and the meaning of that defeat in the larger destruction and humiliation of the Confederacy. Piston's treatment of this issue, and his discussion of the evolution of Lost Cause historiography, is brilliant, and deserves attention not only from those interested in the Civil War and Reconstruction, but from those interested in the relationship between politics, historical memory, the historical record, and the writing of history.

Piston's book is the first modern account of the first soldier of the Confederacy. Controversial both during and after the war, James Longstreet is one of the most fascinating and forgotten figures in American history. Second in command of the Army of Northern Virginia, Longstreet was the only senior officer who was with that army from the first battle at Manassas to the surrender at Appomattox. He was in command of the most famous attack in American history, Pickett's Charge. His most notable victories included Second Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chickamauga, and the Wilderness. After the war, he did several things considered unpardonable sins by most Southerners, some of whom still cannot forgive him to this day. First, he dared to criticize Robert E. Lee and his conduct of the battle of Gettysburg. Second, he reconciled with his conquerors, became a Republican, and accepted appointive federal offices from four out of the next six presidents of the United States, including President Grant, to whom he was related by marriage. Even worse, he became a Catholic in a staunchly Protestant South. Most important of all, he promoted a doctrine of racial reconciliation that is as relevant today as it was 135 years ago.

"Longstreet is the one Rebel general who's memory hasn't been romanticized." Yikes. That "who's" deserves grammatical capital punishment.

This biography and the one by Jeffrey Wert must be considered as one of the two best works on the life of General James Longstreet. William Piston's work came first so he get the credit for turning the tide for James Longstreet who have long been a goat and villain of the Lost Cause of Confederacy. Piston proves to be a good writer, fair and honest about Longstreet. The controversy that surround this general are treated with a sympathic outlook, realizing that perhaps, Longstreet was too honest and blunt for his own good during the time and period he was alive. Longstreet made many errors during the war and he did many great things as well. His major mistake was telling the south after the war that Lee did the same thing. I think if the reader read both Piston and Wert's biographies, he got Longstreet pretty well covered.

In Pale Morning Done Jeff Hull skillfully fashions a world of believable people, beautiful places, noble causes and roiling relationships. Pale Morning Done made me feel as though I was living in present day Montana, restoring a spring creek, fishing and having a drink or two with friends at the end of the day.

C. D. Peterson
An old fly fisherman

Hull does a great job of bringing the fly-fishing guide sub-culture to life in this entertaining and sometimes poignant modern novel. I live in Montana and am on the fringes of this particular group and laughed out loud and in fondness during several passages. The tragedy near the end of the book keeps it from becoming too sweetness-and-light and kinda shook me up a bit. The only thing that annoyed me was the main character's chronic indecision--figure it out already! But then, I guess that's pretty true-to-life too.

Being a regional novelist (Suomalaiset: People of the Marsh, ISBN 0972005064), whenever I am out and about, I like to pick up regional fiction and read about the places I visit. While visiting Glacier National Park in Montana this summer, I happened to buy "Pale Morning Done" by Jeff Hull, a Montana author. Being a trout fisherman (a poor one), and a lover of the out of doors, the book piqued my interest. Little did I know how wonderful a read it would turn out to be! Hull uses the landscape of Big Sky Country as a separate and distinct character in this story of thirty somethings coming of age far later in life than one might expect. The protagonist, his love interests, his neighbors, his friends, are all crafted and portrayed with the hand of a deft and adept writer. The dialogue is pitch perfect and the narrative sections, especially those connected to the landscape, sing like fine poetry. If you're looking for a good literary novel with contemporary themes but timeless conflicts, read this book.

Early Xmas gift that I couldn't put down.

I have fished many places, including Montana. This book brought me back. Rich storyline, interesting characters and an honest portrayal of the complexities facing many of the storied fishing spots across the country. And, beautiful insights into why those of us who fish for the joy of it all are brought back to the water whenever life allows. Hull paints a picture of fishing a stream that fills all of your senses. I agree with the editorial reviewers who evoke the names of the great fishing authors when describing Hull's writing. He gets it and can put it into words that you can't stop reading. I can't wait for his next book!

Jeff Hull paints a vivid, wonderful story. This book takes you to Montana, and keeps you there well after the last chapter is read.

This was a good book with characters from the first book Passionate Kisses. But it was based on not so much Jesse and I would have like that better. Mae is a good character but I just related to Jesse better.
But that is my hang up.

As always, very well written. It took me to Montana and surrounded me with strong women. I like that. Wish we had more good westerns to read.

Radclyffe makes us think and feel as we read but more than that, if you are interested in WRITING, you can take notes from one of the best.

As usual, Radclyffe delivers a great book. This one is better than usual tho.

Her writing just keeps getting better and the storyline of this book is new and refreshing. She does a good job with westerns, hope there are more to come.

Love the way the characters are not so wimpy. Frankly, I'm quite tired of books where at least one of the strong characters is always breaking into tears and having to be comforted by the other.

Also glad to see that there is no big emphasis on the elderly, sweet caregiver that always "understands" everything. For some odd reason almost every lesbian book out there has to have this character.

Additionally, I like having 4-main characters fully developed and the action is plentiful.

I just wish we could have more stories where the main people already know and love each other and are partners in the action, without having to spend 3/4ths of the book enduring the typical "does she love me?" and the ever popular "I'm not good enough for her" themes.

Our author always has a gifted way of hitting the mark with deeper sensual/sexual emotions and actions that most authors just skim over or miss altogether. She also manages to throw in some lesbian relationship humor that makes us all relate. This story is no exception and will not disappoint.

Good job on this book. I was right there in old west Montana with them the whole time.

For what I believe is the first time, I'm giving a Radclyffe book 4 stars instead of 5. `Promising Hearts' is a pseudo-continuation of her wonderful `Innocent Hearts,' but doesn't begin to meet her usual level of artistry.

This book brings back characters - rancher Jesse Forbes, her lover Kate Beecher, frontier madam Mae, Kate's family, and other townsfolk. It introduces Dr. Vance Phelps, a woman who served in the army and lost her arm in the last battle of the Civil War.

Feeling that her life is essentially worthless, Vance moves West to assist a frontier doctor in his practice. She dresses like a man, but is otherwise very different from Jesse. Vance becomes friends with Kate and encourages her to become a midwife. In the meantime, Vance begins to build a relationship with Mae. It is due to this relationship that the book takes a brief, but unnecessary, segue into a mystery regarding who actually owns the saloon and employs Mae. I say "unnecessary" because it really doesn't add anything to the story and seems like an after thought. The book also seems to just drop off at the end. There is very little closure for anything but the mystery. It's almost as if Rad didn't really finish the book.

As with her other books, Rad's actual writing does not disappoint. She is a master at bringing her characters to life and telling an interesting tale. This reader was merely disappointed with the last few chapters. Still highly recommended... especially if she's planning a sequel!

Sometimes running away is the most courageous thing to do, as exhibited in the new movie, 'Mongol.' It takes a lot of courage to leave the old life behind. The Lady in this story was young and came to America to forsake her dreams. Born into wealth and 'given' to a cruel man in marriage for money to her ingrate father, she had no other choice but to flee when her father died.

It wasn't merely her physical beauty and intelligence her "Prince Charming" (so like Mark) came to appreciate, he eventuallyy discovered the beauty within her and her strength, before it was too late. My favorite sentence in this "clean" romance was "Trepidation warred with anticipation." So like the first Rosemary Rogers romances of Steve and Jennie (with a little risque business in between."

Dear Lady, could be identified as a romantic comedy. Miss Bunny and Miss Patsy the busy bodies, Miss Beth the lonely English woman, Garret Steele the rancher, Owen Simpson the mayer in love with Miss Beth, and little Janie who needs a mom are the characters who bring the story to life. Dear Lady is a perfectaly believable story filled with characters you can't help but fall in love with. Dear Lady is full of inspiration and unintended love.

This could be a comedy of errors. People being caught in all sorts of not-good-lookin' situations. Strong characters, near misses, wrong impressions, righteous looking trouble makers, ohhh all the right ingredients for a lovely romance novel!!

Determined not to marry a man she didn't love, Lady Elizabeth Wellington jumps a ship to America to run away from a marriage which her recently deceased father had arranged. Her lone friend in America is her young pen pal, Janie Garrett, in New Prospects, Montana. Remembering that Janie had recently said the town needed a new school teacher, Lady Elizabeth travels to New Prospects and applies for the job. The town's wealthy banker, Owen Simpson, immediately falls in love with Lady Elizabeth. She, however, has her eye on the widowed father of young Janie. Fast and enjoyable read. Get all your chores done, sit out on the swing, and lose yourself in New Prospects, Montana and love.

Dear Lady is a charming story of Lady Elizabeth Wellington of Langford House, Buckinghamshire, England, who arrives to a small town in Montana to inquire about a teaching position. Her motivation to leave a life of luxury is to escape from marrying a very unlovable man. She ends up finding unexpected love in this small town. It's an endearing story and a fun read for summertime vacation, or any time.

I first became aware of Ms. Highsmith through her wonderful book, "The Talented Mr. Ripley". Although I am not a big fan of short stories, I decided to take a chance on this book, as I so admired the author's talent. I am delighted that I did so, as this book contains a veritable treasure trove of literary gems.

Her stories range from the macabre to the suspenseful. What makes them particularly chilling is that many of them take place in otherwise mundane everyday settings with people who may be either quite ordinary or slightly bizarre, but to whom something extraordinary happens. These are stories that will capture the imagination of the reader. Some even reminded me a little bit of the stories of H. P. Lovecraft, as some of them contain a strong element of horror, crafted, however, in a most delicate, sublime fashion.

These eleven compelling short stories will keep the reader turning the pages of this marvelous little book. It is a book well worth having in one's personal collection. Bravo!

I am a hardcore Highsmith fan, having read almost every book. This collection is among my favorites. This book has it all... suspense, action, mystery, some confusion, and tragedy. An all-time favorite among the 11 stories is The Heroine. Wow! I reread this story over again and again. It tells of a troubled woman who applies as a nanny for a wealthy family. Concerned about her own psychological status, she doubts that she is "worthy" of taking care of such wonderful kids. As in every Highsmith story, the character becomes obsessed with the role as caretaker and wants to become their "Herione". Anyway, this is a PERFECT first taste of Highsmith. Of course, there are always the bizzare stories, like The Snail Watcher, but I find those most enjoyable. Read the book-- I know you'll love it.

Patricia Highsmith has enjoyed a higher profile recently almost entirely due to the film adaptation of her novel "The Talented Mr Ripley".

This collection of 11 short stories show why she is considered by many to be a mistress of chilling suspense. All of the stories begin innocently enough, but an air of expectation is always just around the corner. Often the payoff comes in the last few lines, but what a payoff indeed! The outstanding story has to be "When The Fleet Was In At Mobile" with it's horrific revelations. Do not read these late at night, as your dreams will become nightmares.

A couple of so-so stories in this collection, but most are extraordinary. "The Snail Watcher" is her most well-known story, and it is truly bizarre, but the best stories are more quietly unsettling, such as "Another Bridge to Cross" (which has an almost Hemingway feel to the writing), "When the Fleet Was In at Mobile," "The Herione," "Mrs Afton, among Thy Green Braes."

My two favorite stories are "Cries of Love," and "The Empty Birdhouse."

I've read a couple of critics and several readers who have suggested she was not as good a writer of stories as novels, but from this collection, at least, I would have to disagree. Now I prefer her novels, but these stories were as good as any writer's. A few times the reader is given the character's past in a lump dose that hurts the strength of the story, such as "The Heroine," and "The Empty Birdhouse," but that is an inherent obstacle of the short story format. I still had a good feel for those characters, and I still felt the overall impact of the story. Some truly great stories.

I first became aware of Ms. Highsmith through her wonderful book, "The Talented Mr. Ripley". Although I am not a big fan of short stories, I decided to take a chance on this book, as I so admired the author's talent. I am delighted that I did so, as this book contains a veritable treasure trove of literary gems.

Her stories range from the macabre to the suspenseful. What makes them particularly chilling is that many of them take place in otherwise mundane everyday settings with people who may be either quite ordinary or slightly bizarre, but to whom something extraordinary happens. These are stories that will capture the imagination of the reader. Some even reminded me a little bit of the stories of H. P. Lovecraft, as some of them contain a strong element of horror, crafted, however, in a most delicate, sublime fashion.

These eleven compelling short stories will keep the reader turning the pages of this marvelous little book. It is a book well worth having in one's personal collection. Bravo!

"A Little Too Much Is Enough" may not be a novel, but it is a delightful, imaginary memoir of growing up in Hawaii in the '50s.
Mahealani Suzanne Wong is a bright, observant girl in a Chinese-Hawaiian-American family that is in a generational transition from more Chinese to more (Mainland-style) American. This is neatly encapsulated in the short chapter (they are all short) "Still the Same Saimin," in which Mahi recalls the fragrance and taste of saimin (noodles) throughout the years, first at home, then at the fair and the movies, finally at McDonald's in Waikiki.
Food serves the function that plot performs in most novels. There is no problem, leading to a crisis and a denouement. Rather, life for the Wongs is divided into sections marked by nine-course Chinese dinners commemorating weddings, funerals, graduations.
Mahi, clever child, uses these occasions to observe the social maneuverings of her women kin. Aunty Nona, the sensualist who can sell crackseed (local snack, not related to cocaine) to anybody; and Mahi's mother, full of platitudes and pretty good advice; and a host of cousins.
All the Wong women, and eventually Mahi, want to travel, to get beyond the wonderfully supportive but also smothering influence of family.
The men, barely limned compared with the vigorous women in the book, are completely content with life in late Territorial Hawaii. They never leave, or if they do, it is by force, as when Mahi's father, Kuhio, is "shanghaied" to grow up in China. Mahi's brother Buzzy sums it up:
"I could never be like you, Sis. I can never go away from here. I don't care if I never eat sweet pineapple again. But everything else I'm going to keep. They can't charge me fifty dollars for the beach and the sun and the surf. Hawaii no ka oi [is the best], that's what I say. Nobody can make me pay for that."
Nothing much happens in Buzzy's Honolulu. Members of the family and friends go to school, change jobs, marry and divorce, start businesses that succeed or fail. The only novelistic touch is the story of the adoption of Uncle Wing, an extraordinary and touching tale, but that happened long before Mahi was born.
The lack of storm and stress does not at all mean that "A Little Too Much Is Enough" moves slowly. Though it is quickly apparent that all that is going to happen is that Mahi will grow up and move to Oregon (as Tyau did), getting there is all the fun.
Tyau manages a doubly difficult task: She transfers the cadence and lilt of local speech to the printed page without awkwardness (though the non-English words will baffle Mainlanders). And she also manages to do so without slowing to the pace of loquacious local talk.
Plus, Tyau has a way with a phrase. "It's not easy to hold onto poi." "Her skirt rides on her hips like a boat in a storm."
"A Little Too Much Is Enough" is charming, graceful, sentimental and, with one exception, accurate.
This is an Oahu book. When Tyau goes to Maui, there is a serious mistake.
In "Ocean Is for Drowning," Mahi's best friend's cousin goes bodysurfing on Maui and breaks his neck. "Roy's sister told us that a lot of people have broken their necks at Makena, but nobody puts up a warning sign, because the hotels don't want to scare away the tourists."
Wrong all around. At the time of this novel, there weren't any hotels in Makena or anywhere nearby. Oneloa (also known as Big Beach, where I suppose this incident occurs) has a fearsome shorebreak, but there never were any signs, so the hotels cannot be responsible for their absence. (There still aren't any hotels at Big Beach; it is now a state park.)
( I did not like Tyau's second novel, Makai, nearly as much.)

This is Kathleen Tyau's second novel about life in post WW II Hawaii. Like it's predecessor, A Little Too Much is Enough, it conveys a sense of what life in Hawaii was like foe the native, local Hawaiians through the eyes and experiences of one family.

This is a much more expansive book than it predecessor. It introduces elements of the impact of mainland society into the picture through expatriate's returning home for a visit, providing for a comparative look at shared memories that begin in Hawaii during World War II and continue to a present in the 1970s from divergent viewpoints.

Alice's best friend, Annabel Lee, is coming back to Maui after years in Florida, but she has been preceded by her son, Wick, who is romancing Alice's daughter. Alice is beside herself with the preparations of Annabel's return and flooded with memories of their lives growing up together at St. Andrew's Priory after the war. As if all this weren't enough, Alice's daughter has announced she's broken up with her husband and is now seeing Annabel's son after a visit to their family in Florida.

Like it's predecessor, this is a book rich in detail and evocative of a time past that not too many people really know about. It stands as both a fascinating character study and history lesson as well.

On the whole this is a better written and more sophisticated book than A Little Too Much, but I thought the earlier effort was a better story as it captured much more effectively the spiritual and mystical side of native Hawaiian culture, which is almost totally absent from this effort. Nonetheless, both are excellent and I would recommend either in a heartbeat.

In this novel we can experience the cultural influence of the family, the society and the double standards that are commonly felt while growing up in a place other than your birthplace. It looks at our own perception of ourselves and how we see other people looking at us. Very good.

I must respectfully disagree with the previous reviewer who stated that the book was disjointed and didn't make sense. It is a warm, wonderful story with chapters that tell different stories from the point of view of some of the main characters. Not at all difficult to understand, and in a way it is like putting together pieces of a puzzle. By the end of the book you will be sorry that it has ended. A bit like Amy Tan's Joy Luck Club, with wonderful characterizations of the family and all the aunties and uncles. The Hawaii setting is great too, but the themes are universal. Highly recommended.

Set in post WW II Hawaii, "A Little Too Much is Enough" chronicals the life experiences of a young Chinese-Hawaiian woman growing up in Honolulu from the perspectives of various members of her extended family. A very rich, colorful, highly ethnic portrayal of Hawaii's development into a major tourist location and that development's effects on the native population. Several core incidents and experiences are told, and re-told, through severl different voices and perspectives, yeilding a rich texture in which one comes to savor the totality of the experiene's effects on the entire Wong family. Delivered in a highly vernacular Hawaiian voice throughout, "A Little Too Much is Enough" in the end stands as not just a wonderful story, but also as a rich, multicultural experience