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John McGahern captures the music and pathos of Ireland like no other author I have ever read...I am right back on the farm of my youth, or in the middle of a tense conversation I had yesterday.
His sense of the rhythms of season and relationships are so subtle they happen before you notice them
By the time you are finishing 'Like All Other Men' you will be casting the movie.
If you like short story collections, this one will stay on your shelf and eventually become as well-thumbed as my old one that fell apart and needed replacement

This is a good introduction to McGahern's work, who I personally think is under-represented in other short story anthologies.

One of the promos on the cover refers to McGahern as the best Irish short story writer since Joyce. Hmmmm.... not so sure about that for several reasons. I understand that the statement isn't intended to be direct comparison between the two, but it's unfair to both writers and to the reader. I would compare McGahern to the often over-looked Frank O'Connor instead.

While some of the stories included in this collection are set in Dublin, it's the stories set in the country where McGahern's characters, themes, and prose really work best. Like O'Connor, McGahern's best stories allow the reader to "see" what isn't said or what isn't done. It's the absences and the mis-fires between everyday people doing everyday things that resonate so achingly in the best stories in this collection.

I do like that the stories are arranged in such a way so that when a character or set of characters appear in multiple pieces, the reader finds herself pleasantly surprised to encounter someone again after having read about someone or something completely different. This organisation of recurrent characters or settings allowed me to create a mini-novel in my head and to think about the various conflicts, relationships, and absences even after I'd put the book down.

This career-spanning collection deserves to stand on a short list that might include Dubliners, the collected stories of Hemingway, Katherine Anne Porter, K. Mansfield, Malamud (and you may as well include Maupassant, Chekhov, Babel, and Tolstoy on that list). The understated magnificence of these stories raises them to the level of high art. Read these now.

McGahern writes beautifully, and he obviously has a keen eye - his portraits of the various Irish men and women who populate these stories are well-drawn, and he evokes not only the speech but the total experience of the Irish very well. If only these stories weren't - at least for the most part - so bleak, I could personally enjoy them much more. There's humor to be found within this volume, for sure - but for the most part I found hopelessness and resignation and emptiness and pathos. Far too many of these tales - for my taste - involved people who were living in doubt: doubt about their lives, their loves, their faith, their very place in life, the very land in which they dwell. Doubt is not necessarily a bad thing - it calls us (hopefully) to reassess our beliefs and values, so that we may, when needed, reorder our lives. The doubt that has entered the lives of these characters, however, seems to cover them like a blanket - and rather than struggle with it, they seem to welcome its false warmth, pulling it more tightly about their shoulders.

The stories take place in an Ireland in flux - torn between its spirited yet peaceful, more agrarian past, and the `new' world that encompasses industry and the so-called luxuries of modern life. It's a change that has obviously ripped the very heart and soul out of many of these characters - even the ones whose stories are clearly taking place, more or less, in the present. They inwardly and silently bemoan their state, yet they do nothing about it - and many of them use this dissatisfaction to justify the shallowness and dishonesty of the lives they lead.

All that being said, I did find a good deal of fine reading in this collection - especially the stories `The wine breath' and `Swallows'. For me, these two stand head and shoulders above the rest - but different ones will no doubt appeal to different readers. McGahern's writing is clear and powerful - I certainly wouldn't recommend any reader passing him by. At the same time, I don't think I'd put him on a level with the short stories of James Joyce. For modern Irish stories, I'll take the work of William Trevor any time.

I have McGahern's novel BY THE LAKE - I've read many good things about it, and I look forward very much to reading it. Some things I've read about another novel of his, THE DARK, are intriguing as well.

For anyone that reads, McGahern is an essential reading companion. He speaks for the man in Dublin, single running into middle age, or brimming it, and whose heart is a flutter for a nurse too far, or a far field where a father is dying into a landscape that nobody wants, that nobody values. McGahern maps the difficult transition of Ireland from a largely rural perspective, and then from the rural to urban. A sef confessed Joyce freak, McGahern has tried to emulate Portrait, and Dubliners in his own way. The rain will fall very gently on this mans tombstone.

Great Conga book. Was recommended to me by others. The only thing that I don't like about this books is that it doesn't use standard notation.

I found this book invaluable for learning the basics of conga drumming without a teacher. I used it for several months before hitting my first conga class, and was really glad I had worked with the book. I was able to pick up right away with the rest of the class on several of the rhythms. However, I will warn anyone using the book that this drumming world is steeped with "variations". That is, you'll frequently find that your teacher is using a slightly different variation than the one taught in the book. This is fine, however, since it's usually easy to alter what you're doing slightly.

One of the more impressive aspects of the methods in this book is the holistic approach, for example, teaching how to feel the clave underneath the rhythms you're playing. The book also does about as good a job as any book can at teaching the hand technique, although I highly recommend complementing this with good videos of accomplished conga players. Youtube, for example, is a great resource. Here again, though, you will find different philosophies of technique, and again your teacher may have his own emphasis.

This book is extremely readable and it teaches you terrific grooves right from the get-go. I'm a pianist who has decided to learn some percussion and I am having a blast learning to play the conga. Even my non-musician girlfriend has learned some of this stuff!

Very recommended! I think Alan Dworsky used a very clear graphic way of teaching the Conga playing, without getting into music reading instead, he uses symbols for the diferent strokes, and easy numbers. It is great for begginers but stil a good book for advanced players, because it goes through many aspects of the conga.
If you are into conga playing, get this book for the price of half a conga lesson I am sure you will get some mileage out of it. I have been playing congas for years and I discovered a few things in this book I didn't know. Go for it! (...)

I agree with all the other reviewers... this is a great book for beginners and advanced (as well as folks somewhere in the middle, like me).

One thing I didn't expect to like, since I can read regular music notation, was their concocted music notation. To my surprise, I like theirs better. It's very intuitive, and after a while, you can pretty much sight-read the rhythms. If I hear/see a conga pattern I like in the future, I'll probably write it down using their notation.

This was the first Christa Faust book I have ever read. I was not disappointed with the story, and I found the plot unpredicatable, not getting to the identity of the killer in my mind until it was presented to me on the page. This was a plus. The story moves well, with realistic, believable dialogue and interesting characters and scenes of SM (not S&M) that I won't soon forget. There is an obvious connection in the naming of two of the main characters to Faust's real-life friend and fellow writer Caitlin R. Kiernan. You'll find out soon enough. The only flaws I found were in editing, with several typos, most of which amounted to nothing more than misspelled or added words. But these were only momentary distractions. Here, the story's the thing, and it's a good one. I've given it five stars, because I found it to be one of those books that I read late into the night and picked up first thing in the morning. What could be better?

Control Freak is a very interesting book. It was recommended to me by Amazon after I bought The Scolds Bridle - and I couldn't be happier for the advice. Here, a young girl is murdered, with two protagonists attempt to find the answer. One uses typical police procedure, while the other uses her sexual skills for answers. As she investigates further she finds herself being drawn deep into the fetish lifestyle. Unfortunately for her, one of her bondage contemporaries is a murderer with a sadistic streak... Normally, I am not a huge fan or "erotic literature", however make no mistake - this is a book about murder -not sex... As the plot unfolds the reader is treated to a great deal of suspense and mystery - more than enough to make anyone lose control over their fears...

Relic113

This book personifies the lost highway of youth and the sexy side of S & M and the errays of private jokers.

With a non-stop story and a heroine to die for, Christa Faust's debut novel shows the world that her talents aren't limited to S&M dungeons. Faust's words are as lush and ornate as the characters they describe; a bold and dangerous style for a bold and dangerous thriller. _Control Freak_ will have you tied up for days.

I must admit that even though I had heard about this novel before it was reprinted, I was not very eager to delve into it. I've never been too terribly interested in the murder mystery, "whodunit" genre, and from the synopses I had read, it seemed to be yet another rehashing of a cop style drama. However, I'm very glad I finally did give this novel a chance, for that is a truly misguided preconception.

Caitlin is a writer looking for the next big real-crime novel. Of course, it helps that her current love affair is with a detective named Mike. When Mike gets a call about a the murder of a young girl which involves sexual mutilation, Caitlin is eager to get the gory details for her next book. Through the help of her internet-savvy friend Wilson, Caitlin learns that the murdered girl, Eva, was a hacker known under the alias Apocrypha who had a penchant for sadomasochism. In the name of research, Caitlin decides to immerse herself in the underground world of SM.

Upon meagerly stepping into the Crypt, a mild SM fetish club, Caitlin becomes enthralled with the whole new world of sights and sounds around her. Being a dominant person at heart, she very quickly finds herself at home in a domineering role within the subculture. However, this eager submission into this whole new world may cloud Caitlin's better judgment and suck her in too deep.

Christa Faust has crafted a truly amazing, genre-transcending novel. Yes, Control Freak is part gritty crime novel, and part thriller, with a splash of romance thrown in for good measure, but it doesn't fit completely into any of those niches. Control Freak is an intimate dive into the SM scene, one which those already familiar with the scene can relate, and those new to SM can use to get a taste of this underground subculture. Faust displays a truly intimate knowledge of not just the scene itself, but the deep-rooted emotions involved with empowerment and submissiveness. Therefore, contained herein is also a tale about finding oneself, and accepting one's true place in the world.

I anxiously await any further novels by this talented writer, and highly recommend Control Freak to fans of good genre-bending literature.

After looking through this book I needed my banky and nightlight for a week!!! Darren is truely one of the new horror masters. Can't wait for the next edition.

I was lucky enough to pick up this book from the artist himself at a horror convention, and get it signed!
Very nice horror themed artwork, can't wait til he has a color book of his artwork out! (Hint Hint - I hope one is on the way!)

Mr. Frydendall, I am simultaneously delighted and in mortal fear of your new book. I see a lot of horror artwork - piles of guts, mounds of skulls, and of course, the ubiquitous cute-goth evil grin murderer drawings by cheap hacks attempting to impress me with their knowledge of manga. You, sir, are more than capable of drawing a pile of guts, it is true, and mounds of skulls do appear more than once in your fine, but definitely evil work - but those mere staples are not what prompt me to write this warning.

Now, I'm a grown man, so I won't pretend that looking at your drawings has actually made me "scared," or "filled me with abject terror," caused me to "fill my pants," or any such thing. But they do have a certain quality - probably because they are the product of a diseased mind - by which I retain the images and carry them around with me for days afterwards, pondering their possibilities. Could I, even if I tried, manage to cram my hand into my own head in such a fashion? How long COULD a patient -er - victim withstand the "surgery" proscribed within? If I saw that face would I, in fact, lose my "mind?"

This is the crawl-under-scalp-and-sit-there kind of feeling that I'm not sure I enjoy. I believe you are tormenting me. Either you have an infernal power that must be stopped at all costs or - horror of horrors! You are merely broadcasting a signal to others who are as depraved as you are - and I have heard that call and only now recognize myself as the monster I truly am!

It's a real joy to finally have Darren's work in a portable, paperback tome. His linework is truly exceptional and the reproductions are top-notch. Highly Recommended for fans of ghastly horror illustration.

Remember that kid in your neighborhood when you were growing up...? The one that used to turn over every rock, peek into every gutter, hoping to find the sickest, gnarliest slimepatch/maggot orgy/decaying rat carcass, if only for the chance to show it to you in demented glee? Well, good news - that kid's all grown up now, and he's got a book of his fantastically icky, ghoulishly grotesque artwork to thrill you with. "The Creeps" collects some of Darren Frydendall's most putrid drawings from the past ten years, and all in a bite-sized, handsomely packaged paperback edition. If you're as big a gorehound as I know you are, you'll want to stick your fingers into this morbid mess again and again...

I purchased this book for my daughter several years ago. She got the Jeter bug! I was impressed by this book and impressed by Derek Jeter, the man. He seems to be a genuinely good person on and off the field. His personal life and approach to the game is an example for what all ball players should strive for. He brings the finest qualities out in the game of baseball by his approach to the game. He is not flashy and does not draw attention to himself other than through his fine play on the field. I was impressed.

As the author of four books on young adolescents (including The Roller-Coaster Years and Parenting 911), I am thrilled to have a positive role model for children. Derek Jeter's behavior on and off the field can inspire young people, even those who are not Yankee fans. He is always respectful. (I understand he still calls Joe Torre, "Mr." Torre). When the rest of the team brawled with the Seattle Mariners, Jeter and his friend, Seattle shortstop, Alex Rodriquez, wisely stood aside. Jeter never blames others for his mistakes. His response is to work harder to improve. He is supportive of fellow players, even when they are struggling with their game. He has made a genuine commitment to children with his Turn 2 Foundation, donating both his time and resources. This book would make a wonderful gift for any young adolescent who dares to dream about the future.

This is a great book if you love Derek Jeter. It was written by people who truely know the game of baseball, and has a lot of great pictures. I highly recommend it.

This book has great photos that are large and detailed (not a waste of space like some other books). They show a wide variety of situations, so if you are looking for particular things like I was (e.g., bat grip), it is very handy.

The text is gathered from Derek's peers and provides a great glimpse of what being around him must be like. Great book, especially for kids or older fanatics!

I think that Derek Jeter is very good for little kids to look up to becuase he is a base ball player and that is one great job.You get to build your body more and more when your playing base ball its just great.

I think that Derek Jeter is very good to look up to and a great roll motle and if i were a guy i would want to be just like him. he is a very interesting to know about someone famouse and someone great!

Natala Orobello's characters and style of writing grab you from beginning to end. The characters instantly became people I felt I knew and connected to. I re-read the book after the passing of my father and it had an even more profound impact on me. A good book is one you can't put down. A great book is one that changes you. Destined for Greatness is a great book. You can't help but be changed after reading it.

Destined for Greatness is a small book that packs a big punch! The concept of "you can go back" and create meaning in your life if given a second chance is the main premise of the book. It poses questions that are profound and touch your soul. I found myself reading parts of this book again and again, wondering how my own life's story would play out if by some random twist of fate, I had a second chance at getting it right. Natala Orobello poses questions about life that we have all asked ourselves at one time or another, but have not had the courage to examine. Three cheers for making us think! Margaret from Nahant, Mass.

This was such an enticing novel! The characters you created were believable and so spirited that it was actually like a movie reel going off in my head. This story made me reflect on my own life decisions. The message that you maintain throughout the story was remarkably uplifting!!!
looking forward to your next novel!!
-Millie C

Natala's characters are well developed, the settings are vivid, and the enthralling story of Eugene makes this book impossible to put down. The plot of this book was intriguing. Ms. Orobello puts scenarios together that are great for discussion and reflection. The question of who is God and where is God in our own lives is something this book doesn't answer, but points out the need to have thought out answers for ourselves.

It is a well-crafted great read! I am looking forward to reading her next novel.

The first night I started reading this book, I could not put it down. I eventually had to and could not wait to pick it back up again. The author brought the characters alive and I could not wait to see what would happen to them next. This book touched on so many issues: real-life problems confronting young people, our purpose in our world, how our actions, inactions, and relationships can create a domino effect and affect thousands of other people around us and generations to follow. And I especially liked the insight into the often-asked question "Why does God let bad things happen?" I will now look at many things going on in my life in a new light. And I felt very fulfilled at the end of the book. Oftentimes I feel left hanging at best and most often left empty. Thank you, Natala, for a beautiful book. I look forward to many more!

This book is great. My father in laws dad was Emil Luebke and he saved his house but almost died in the fire. We are from Rogers City. The story that is told has been told down our family and is very much what was told. We really enjoyed this book and would encourage anyone to read it, specially if your interested in Michigan history.

This is an excellent book based on the Metz fire. My father-in-laws dad is Emil and the stories in this book have been told to him many times. He said this is a keepsake for his family and beyond. We have read many things on this fire, but this is the most interesting. My husband lived in the farm house Emil saved during the fire. This is truly a great gift to all readers of Michigan history.

Reviewed by Danielle Feliciano for Reader Views (2/06)

"Devil in the North Woods" is a fictionalized account of the 1908 wildfire that swept through northeastern Michigan, wiping out an entire town. The author uses public documents, as well as the experiences of one survivor of the fire, and merges them into a beautiful story of fear, loss, and redemption. Young Henry Hardies narrates the story, and by having a 10-year old boy lead us through the fire, the reader is treated to a refreshing voice of innocence that an adult narrator would not have been able to provide. The reader is introduced to Henry, his family, and the people of Metz, Michigan. In this community, the threat of wildfires is very real, and a fear that these people live with almost on a day-to-day basis. On October 15, 1908, their worst fears come true as a fire quickly spins out of control. The town scrambles to decide how big a threat the fire it, but by the time they realize it will hit their community, it is too late.

After a somewhat slow start, the story quickly picks up the pace, reading more like a suspense novel than a historical one. The book becomes impossible to put down once the fire hits town. You are given a nearly minute-by-minute account of what is happening in the town, and in the Hardy family, during the fire, as well as its aftermath. The detail is so realistic and believable that it is easy to imagine yourself in this situation right alongside the characters in the book.

Sadly, the town loses 43 people, 4 of whom are Hardy family members. The town of Metz is obliterated and there is not much left to salvage. But the people of Metz are stronger than the fire that tried to destroy them. They are determined to move past the destruction and rebuild their community, as well as their lives. This is more than the story of an out-of-control wildfire; it is the story of everyday heroes and the way they reclaim their lives after tragedy.

Devil in the North Woods is a work of historical fiction, based on modern reports and oral histories of a terrible 1908 wildfire in Michigan. Ten-year-old Henry Hardies survived the fire that claimed his mother and three younger sisters; in real life, Hardess told personal stories that his own children have handed down to this day. Devil in the North Woods vividly recreates the terrible blaze from start to finish, the toll it took, and the trials of human beings forced to recover from the devastating losses it inflicted. Though Devil in the North Woods tells the story of man vs. nature, its core is emotional and human-centered.

"Devil in the North Woods" by Walt Shiel is a real barn burner. I kept trying to put out the fire. Walt's style kept me immersed in the story and fully engaged until way too late each night. I enjoyed the read and the education.

Fantastic! If you want to find out more about yourself and others then read this book and others by L.R. Hubbard. I assure you If your looking for answers you have come to the right place.

Hubbard wrote this book prior to the publication of his complete text entitled 'Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health'. It was an introduction to this brand new subject, and it gives a great overview of the basics of Dianetics. Here one can get a good understanding of how the mind works, and how it causes man so much unhappiness, and how this can be resolved quite easily. You can see Hubbard's early discoveries and how these led him to his brilliant research that brought into being an entirely new science. 'Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science' is a layman's text on how the mind is structured so that one can do something about it! This book is a very good preamble to 'Dianetics the Modern Science of Mental Health', and I highly recommend it. This is Hubbard's concise introduction to the subject. You will enjoy this book if you haven't read it.

This book covers the background of Dianeics - how it all began. It gives the basics of Dianetic therapy, the basics of how the mind works, a concise explanation of what occurs when people are injured, and how this negatively affects us. And what to DO about it!

I highly recommend this for anyone interested in the mind, and who is curious about Dianetics.

Hubbard wrote this book to create a better and clear understanding of the main subject of Dianetics for the public to learn how the research came about. He keeps it very simple and straight forward in a way that every one can get it. It is in fact a major breakthrough in the science of understanding how the mind works and how it can be cleaned of the clutters that inhibits us to have a full awareness of what are the causes of our stress, fears, anxieties and depression. It is unlike any other self help book ever written on the subject for the main purpose of reaching the common man to live a fuller and heppier life. Don't underestimate it by its simplicity. Read this book first and then read Dianetics, the modern science of mental health, and you will never be the same, nor will you ever agree with the falsehood that has saturated our environment regarding the sources of our troubles.

Hubbard wrote this book to create a better and clear understanding of the main subject of Dianetics for the public to learn how the research came about. He keeps it very simple and straight forward in a way that every one can get it. It is in fact a major breakthrough in the science of understanding how the mind works and how it can be cleaned of the clutters that inhibits us to have a full awareness of what are the causes of our stress, fears, anxieties and depression. It is unlike any other self help book ever written on the subject for the main purpose of reaching the common man to live a fuller and heppier life. Don't underestimate it by its simplicity. Read this book first and then read Dianetics, the modern science of mental health, and you will never be the same, nor will you ever agree with the falsehood that has saturated our environment regarding the sources of our troubles.

Diving: The World's Best SitesI gave this to my husband for a Christmas gift. He loved it. I don't dive but he loves it. He just got certified last year and this book gives him a lot of ideas on where to go for good diving. This book is only useful to someone who dives. Not for a vacation guide.

A really good book with great pictures. A source of inspiration if you're planning a diving trip. Obviously written by someone who really enjoys diving and knows what he's talking about. A lot of practical advice too. A must for divers!

i want to know what site for the best diving. because i just pass the diving license.

This is a good book for divers. It lists all the pertinent info about each site (i.e. water temp, sites to see, best time to visit, etc). I would definitely recommend buying this book. The pictures are awesome!

Read it cover to cover Christmas day-and over and over since

Bill and Sandra McGee have authored a fascinating account of an almost forgotten era of the Old West. The old days of the romantic Nevada dude ranch unfold in a format reminiscent of "The Love Boat". Told through the eyes of real life cowboy, Bill McGee, we see east coast patrons come and go through the gates of the famous Flying M E Guest ranch. The dude guests are mostly women arrived to establish a six (6) week residency before securing a quickie divorce. And while lounging at the Flying M E, who could blame a girl for romancing a handsome cowboy? The wonderful photographs alone make this coffee table book well worth its purchase. Fans of the old west should seriously consider adding this fine book to their collection.

The McGees have pulled together a remarkable historic and pictoral event in Nevada history. Nevada's easy divorce laws attracted the rich and famous to well known Divorce Ranches, complete with horses and swimming pools. Bill McGee was a wrangler at one of the better known "ranches". McGee introduced divorcees to horses and the spectacular Sierra Nevada Mountains. As the daughter of a former owner of one of the nearby smaller divorce sites (we didn't offer horses or a pool), I was impressed with the results of the McGee's research. Many of the photos have not been produced before; they interviewed many of the ranch's former "guests" and provided information not available earlier. This book is truly a collector's item. The Divorce Ranch years brought many new residents from the East who subsequently enriched northern Nevada's cultural community. Before the McGee's this Nevada saga was largely overlooked.

A great and very personal account of the times when everybody who was anybody spent six weeks in Reno to cut the bands that had bound them in their homes,churches, cities and states. Provacative text supported by even more provacative photographs.

Biographer:Adriana and veteran attorney: Tom Williams, San Francisco

This spring 20th Century Fox re-released its 1939 film, CHARLIE CHAN IN RENO, in a 4-DVD box set, THE CHARLIE CHAN COLLECTION, VOL. 4.Charlie Chan Collection, Vol. 4 (Charlie Chan in Honolulu / Charlie Chan in Reno / Charlie Chan at Treasure Island / City in Darkness) (4DVD)

CHARLIE CHAN IN RENO may be the perfect Reno divorce movie. Although it is set at a swank Reno hotel catering to divorce seekers, the similarity in character types who stayed at the dude ranch where I worked rings true. As the movie opens, the woman, on her way to Reno, could have been any number of divorce seekers who came to the Flying M E. She looks the part, believe me. The dialogue for the Cab Driver is pretty authentic, too.

I'm honored to appear in two special features in this collection, WELCOME TO RENO: AMERICA'S DIVORCE RESORT and RENO MEMORIES. The producers were looking for someone who could give a firsthand account of life in Reno during the 1930s and `40s, the heyday of the Reno six week divorce. They found me through my book, THE DIVORCE SEEKERS, a memoir/history of my years as the head dude wrangler on the Flying M E, an exclusive dude-divorce ranch outside of Reno that catered to wealthy divorce seekers.

To view a clip from WELCOME TO RENO: AMERICA'S DIVORCE RESORT, visit www.divorceseekers.com and click on CHARLIE CHAN IN RENO.

If you love history, Clark Gable, Ava Gardner and cowboys, this book is for you. Being from Minnesota and working at Lake Tahoe in the mid-70's and now being a resident of Reno, I found this book to be a lot more than it's title indicates. Yes, the Reno area was known for being the Divorce Capital of the World, but Bill McGee takes the reader into the back mountains of the Sierras, into the world of New York socialites settling in Virginia City and into what must have been a unique place to live and work - the Flying ME Ranch. The Flying ME was located in what I think is one of the most beautiful spots in Northern Nevada today - Franktown. Even before I knew of the dude ranch, this spot between Carson City and Reno is one of beautiful ranches with white picket fences, Ponderosa Pines and mountain views second to none.

Bill and Sandra take the reader back to a time that was unique and one that will probably never exist again. The photography is wonderful and probably tells a story all by itself.

This is definitely a worthwhile read and a great coffee table book!

D. Geraghty
Reno, Nevada