Butler Books

Though the writing is clear and lucid, his overall argument lacks clarity. The theories presented are interesting, but often a bit of a reach. The detailed nature of his accounts, though at times is fascinating, it can elsewhere contribute to the soporific tone of the book. However, it is evident that the author has a great deal of affinity for his subject, which contributes to an enthusiastic basis for the book, but cannot justify the obvious biases that he let seep into his writing.

Fascinating in every respect, The Hand of Cicero uses the life and career of Rome's most famous orator in order to illuminate the centrality of writing and documentation to the ancient Latin world, long thought to be an almost exclusively oral culture. The book is elegantly written and persuasively argued. But in its extended meditations on Cicero's life, it is also utterly engrossing, as all great stories are. This is the best book that I have read about Cicero or about ancient rhetoric, aesthetics, and law in the last five years. I recommend it with unstinting enthusiasm to academic and non-academic readers alike.

Hayflick's book "How and Why We Age" is an excellent, first hand account on the research that has been conducted up to now on the biology of aging. It is of note that Hayflick is one of the pioneers in the field. The book is well written and can be enjoyed both by the scientist and the layperson. One flaw, in my opinion, involves Hayflick's personal- and highly biassed- account of the supposedly erroneous conclusions of Alexis Carrel regarding the immortality of cells cultured in vitro. After presenting what seems conclusive evidence opposing Carrel's claim, Hayflick describes a conversation with a technician who worked at Carrel's lab in New York in the thirties, who discloses highly questionable procedures, and describes threats to her when she reaised issues with the lab directors. It is clearly suggested that there was scientific negligence and even misconduct, and yet, the identity of this technician is not revealed, and the accusations, half a century la! ter, are foggy and impossible to challenge. This is a very serious issue, as Hayflick himself claims to have proven Carrel wrong, through his discovery of a fixed maximum number of divisions in cells grown in vitro. However, some even more recent experiments suggest that it is Hayflick who is wrong, because the cell culture conditions he uses are highly artificial, while Carrel's more primitive, but also more robust method (cultivating a chunk of tissue) are closer to physiological conditions. The issue at stakes is by no means trivial: are cells intrinsically immortal, ageless, or do they age and die like whole organisms?

This is the best book on aging I've read. In a lucid, even-handed style, Hayflick discusses the scientific discoveries that have been made about the aging process, and presents the evidence behind a variety of different theories of aging.

This sort of unbiased approach is rare in books on the subject. So many books on aging turn out to be mere commercials for some vitamin regimen or some rejuvenation scheme. But Hayflick isn't selling any lotions, potions, or contraptions - so on most scores, he can be trusted to be more objective.

Hayflick himself is famous for having contributed to discovering that the progressive shortening of the ends of our chromosomes (the telomeres) is associated with cellular aging. However, he doesn't advance telomere research as an exclusive gateway to understanding the aging process. He gives equal time to other theories of aging, such as the theory that it's a simple matter of wear-and-tear.

Hayflick even goes back to basics and discusses whether or not we actually are living longer than our ancestors, or whether we just seem to be because of a decline in infant mortality. He also offers clues to aging from the varying life-spans of other species. He presents a number of telling but rather depressing findings that tend to confirm the theory recently advanced by a number of authors - that our bodies are designed to repair errors and malfunctions only long enough to allow us to reproduce. After that, we are dispensable and so no further time and energy is wasted on our up-keep. We coast downhill into old age.

Hayflick continues with some telling facts about cancer that I hadn't heard before. He points out that the incidence of cancer peaks during people's sixties, then declines. Also, autopsies reveal that one-half of all their subjects have cancer when they die, although cancer wasn't what killed them. Then there are good pages on the immune system and the fact that early exposure to various antigens produces more effective immunity against those foreign bodies and possibly a heightened resistance to cancer.

I was reminded here though of the opposite opinion held by Gerald Dermer, author of "The Immortal Cell." Dermer suggested that the key to fighting cancer was to weaken the immune system in order to allow various viruses to attack. It's in the nature of most viruses to specifically invade and kill rapidly dividing cells, which defines most cancer cells. When some cancer patients contracted mumps, their cancers were eradicated.

This all goes to show that there still is no consensus about what causes aging, or about how to combat some of the diseases that strike people down before they can become jolly centenarians. So you might not live longer as a result of reading this book. But you will garner some lively, possibly fruitful information. And you might save money. You might find yourself being convinced that expensive regimens of supplements and exotic lifestyle changes have been shown to contribute little or nothing to longevity.

I am new to the internet so I needed a book written for a dummy. This book was not as easy for me to understand as some of the other books I checked out from the library. I got lost and fell asleep.

This book can take you from ground zero to up and running your own web page through its clear consise graphics and explanations. There are also plenty of easy-to-follow exercises that put the subject matter to use. I learned more in less time than with any other book I have seen on the subject

Other books have covered Hubley toys in their text, but this is the first book devoted entirely to Hubley toys, at least those produced between 1946 and 1965. What it doesn't cover is the early cast iron toys produced as far back as the turn of the century, which is unfortunate since some of the rarest and most valuable Hubleys are those produced before WWII. For what it does cover, "Hubley Toy Vehicles: 1946-1965" provides excellent full color photos, accompanied by informative text and current values.

Other books have covered Hubley toys in their text, but this is the first book devoted entirely to Hubley toys, at least those produced between 1946 and 1965. What it doesn't cover is the early cast iron toys produced as far back as the turn of the century, which is unfortunate since some of the rarest and most valuable Hubleys are those produced before WWII. For what it does cover, "Hubley Toy Vehicles: 1946-1965" provides excellent full color photos, accompanied by informative text and current values.

This book is actually one of the best books I've read in a long time. The story line is good and the characters have depth. I only hope that there is a sequel since there are some unanswered questions at the end. Good Job Mary!

A Kiss in the Dark by Mary R. Butler is a story of friendship, betrayal, love and redemption. Billy Ray is a young boy whose mother dies when he is a young child. Billy is left in the care of his father, Darrel. Darrel falls in love with a woman who does not want his child and he betrays his son by abandoning him. Darrel is particularly vicious in what he says to Billy prior to leaving, telling him he never loved or wanted him. He also tells his son he is cursed and his children will be cursed. The abandonment and words will affect all of Billy's relationships, particularly with women and with God.

Billy is left in the care of his best friend, Travis Malcolm's family. Travis is a young boy in the comfort of a two-parent home who is raised as a Christian. Throughout the boys childhoods they are there for each other. The Malcolms raise and love Billy as their own son, providing him with the same opportunities as Travis. Billy, however, is always troubled and in trouble and Travis is always there to pick up the pieces and prove his love for his friend. At age ten, Adrienne Mitchell moves to their hometown of Silver Rock, Georgia. Both boys are enamored with her.

As adults the men become successful lawyers though on different paths. Travis is working to be strong in his faith and Billy is a notorious womanizer. He marries Adrienne and within weeks a series of events turns his life upside down. Travis, as always is there for his friend, though he has a secret of his own. He is in love with his best friend's wife.

A Kiss in the Dark is a dark story filled with betrayals, fears and people seeking and needing redemption. This book would have touched me even more if I had gotten to know the characters a little better. I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy stories of flawed people who ultimately realize all problems can be resolved through faith.

Angelia Menchan
APOOO BookClub

Now that Lucent Technologies is gone, swallowed up by the French Telecom giant, this history of Western Electric could be completed. For now, we'll have to do with this comprehensive edition written when Lucent Technologies still had an apparently bright future. What becomes clear is that Lucent's downfall stems from a series of decisions beginning nearly a century earlier in which the manufacturing unit's interests always took second place to those of the Bell operating companies and AT&T.

On the downside, it's a bit of an "official" history from the point of view of the corporate higher-ups. It would have been interesting to contrast their veiw with those of the regular employees. Still, it's probably the best available history of this important institution.

I'm actually an analyst of the telecom industry, so I come to this with a special interest. Nonetheless, I would highly recommend the book for those interested in some real foundations to understand the communications revolution. (and not just sound-byte Internet history). It's a pity that the name Lucent Technologies isn't in the title, because that's the real subject of the book. It's a history of Western Electric, which after a 120 year "pit stop" at AT&T ultimately spun out to become Lucent. The best part is the early chapters where we learn about the competition between the telegraph and Bell's telephone, the coalescing of local telephone companies under Bell's leadership, and ultimately the emergence of AT&T (with Western Electric)as the "Bell System" that most of us grew up with. Don't be put off by the fact that Lucent commissioned the book. It's a throughly documented, balanced, and obviously professional undertaking.

This is a very unusual little book of Wisdom,Proverbs or whatever name one wants to give these words that the sages have used to teach people what values are important. The unusual thing about this book is that it comes to us from at least the period of the Middle Ages. Even then, it is likely that many of these thoughts came from centuries before that. The ideas in this book are not particularly new,but what is important is they ring as true today as they did so long ago in the past.
The other interesting point is that these words of wisdom are expressed in the language of the day;but say essentially the same as similar proverbs today.Here are a few examples;

"Better to light a candle than to stumble in the dark."
compares to,
Better to light a candle than curse the darkness.

"'Tis but another plate will satisfy the glutton."
compares to,
The poor man always has plenty,but the rich man never has enough."

But some are new,at least to me;

"Look to the light and shadows fall behind."

"Stones build walls but so to bridges."

"The evil lie is the word not spoken."

"Down no man's faith that your own is better."

"A good anvil shall not fear the hammer."

and one of my favorites;

"Truth shall not fear question."

A wonderful little tome to own,leave around for others to peruse,and some pretty wise ideas that are applicable today as in the "days of yore".

As the Great Fire of London burned the city to ashes in 1666, this book was read to distraught onlookers by a man named Jospeh Van dar Lippen. It is said he inherited it from his great x2 grandfather and that it orginated in medieval times. It is a book of wisdom intended to give people insight into their life's situations. It has an interesting layout as described above.
It is valuable as a curiosty and nothing more. The "pearls" of wisdom are mostly common sense--though it is good to be reminded of them sometimes--and are easily understood despite the archaic phrasing. You will probably read through it once and put it on the coffee table as a discussion peice. I can't see how it can be used as a tool to help you with your every-day life.
If you collect things of this nature, then I say it's worth the purchase. Othewise see if your local library has a copy.

My children (8 and 12 years), as well as the adults in our family, totally enjoyed this four hour cassette version of Homer's Odyssey. Roger Rees, who performs the Odyssey, does a great job. Such a good job, in fact, that we intend to purchase the Iliad, which he also records under the New Millennium Audio label. This audio tape is certainly not a substitute for reading the book, but for children too young to read it but who are interested in ancient Greek culture, literature, and mythology, these tapes are great. In addition, these tapes are great entertainment for the whole family on the road or in other circumstances where reading the text isn't convenient.

This is an excellent reading of Samuel Butler's 1900 prose translation of The Odyssey; however, it is not unabridged, as it claims. Butler's translation runs to about 118,000 words. This 6-hour recording appears to contain a little more than half the text.

I am the editor and/or author of four books about J. B. Yeats's friends, John Quinn and Jeanne Robert Foster. In fact, William M. Murpy wrote the foreword to my newest book, the Foster biography that my husband and I co-authored. Without Murphy's work, my work on Quinn and his friends would have been more difficult. PRODIGAL FATHER is a treasure trove. Along with B.L. Reid's THE MAN FROM NEW YORK (John Quinn), Holroyd's AUGUSTUS JOHN, and Mizener's THE SADDEST STORY (Ford Madox Ford), PF ranks in my top four best biographies. Don't be afraid of this book. It is Menckenesque in style--an added treat.

Murphy knows more about J.B. Yeats and the Yests family than anyone outside it will ever know; however, his literary judgments are questionable and he it too inclined to let biographical trivia take centre-stage. This book is a useful goldmine, but prospectors must know what they are seeking.

I bought 4 of Nancy Butler's novels a while ago and put them aside on the TBR pile. The Discarded Duke was the first one I picked up and I was extremely impressed. Not quite so impressed with The Prodigal Hero although I liked it very much.

I think that Nancy Butler, somewhat in the same vein as Carla Kelly, is good with characters who are not "top drawer" and are either from a humble and/or hurt background. MacHeath, our hero, is from both. Alexa, our heroine, is from a family in trade with roots even lower than his. So, in the world of Regency fiction, they are pretty unusual. Both are drawn well but the villain of the piece, a semi-aristocratic cousin of Alexa, is a little incredulous (and therefore, to a certain extent the plot) and I found him and his actions not quite believable. There is a large cast of supporting characters on both the side of good and evil and there is also some violence in the story.

My problem is with MacHeath. For a man of obvious intelligence, he seems to let an overweening sense of honour to get in his way almost until the last page. Also, I thought too many of his personal behavioural traits were attributed to his Scottish roots which, frankly, did not really add to the development to his character. Although falsly accused 10 years before the action begins, he let his over-inflated sense of pride get in the way of clearing up the situation - a somewhat immature stance to be sure. As a result, he is unable to find personal happiness in a meaningful relationship with a woman and allows himself to sink to a seamier side of life (albeit we are told without impugning his honour!). Alexa just rebels against what her father wants for her and develops a pretty thick skin and makes no headway at all in finding a suitable role for herself as she is shown as having carried a torch for MacHeath since she was 11 and is unable to move past it. Thus, it is only when circumstances bring them together that either of them make any progress and for a man of 33 and a woman of 24, they have left it rather late in life. So, of course, there are lots of obstacles to overcome.

Nany Butler uses a metaphor (MacHeath's prosthetic hand) for false pride rather well but unfortunately, I think his view of his amputation is a little sensitive in a time when a successful amputation was a triumph over clumsy surgery and rampant infections. Nor was it unusual in a time when maiming was not as uncommon as it is today.

This is an author of considerable talent. Although there are a few awkward turns of phrase scattered through the book, overall, her prose is excellent and her dialogue well constructed. I think that the Discarded Duke was better but here, nevertheless, is a very good story about people maturing and leaving behind sad and hurt pasts. I recommend this one but did not feel it was a keeper.

Ms Butler once again proves that she can write a solid, thoughtful Regency romance.

MacHeath, a man undone by a false accusation in his past and the loss of his hand in a sea battle, stumbles on a plot to kidnap the daughter of his former employer. He sees at once the opportunity to foil the plans of an old enemy and perhaps regain the honour taken from him in his youth. He does not realise, of course, that the charming child that was Alexa has grown into a compelling woman who will ultimately heal his wounds and help to restore his honour. The story is a dramatic adventure as MacHeath and Alexa flee the villains to gain the safety of her father's estate.

Alexa, after an initial bout of silliness, pulls herself together to behave sensibly and logically in the face of all perils. It is rare to see this sort of deliberate character development in a heroine, and Ms Butler handles it well. MacHeath, unjustly accused of a crime in the past, and further maligned by fate with the loss of his hand, fights his attraction to Alexa even as he admires her cool head in the face of extreme danger. Her battle is to restore to him his sense of worth. Although MacHeath fights his attraction to Alexa this is no hate-turned-love story - Alexa's love for MacHeath, once realised, is mature and strong, and even as he fights his attraction his admiration for her is clear. These are two people who genuinely look beyond appearances and value each other for their individual qualities.

This book benefits, as Ms Butler's mostly do, from an interesting choice of setting. It is not, perhaps, as clearly realised as it is in other books, such as "The Ramshackle Suitor" or "Keeper of the Swans", but it is unique and interesting all the same.

Though MacHeath is a very different hero from the delightful Roddy in "The Ramshackle Suitor", some of that same romantic sparkle runs through this book. The subject matter is, of necessity, more intensely treated, and there are, as in all Ms Butler's books, some very memorable scenes between the hero and heroine. A definite keeper.