Bradley Books

This book is so interesting! I loved the way it was written and the story line grabs you and sucks you right into the book. It was so fascinating to read about another culture and having such a mind-boggling story, it was difficult to keep in mind that it was based on the lives of the author's grandparents! Unbelievable! I highly recommend this book. I am in a book club and this was one we read and all loved.

Tapestries: A Novel captures readers' interest at the beginning, with vivid descriptions of a tradional, pre-arranged wedding. However, the author get caught into unevolved, unnecessary details that are not historically accurated. The novel does not accuratedly portray Vietnam in any periods (though some details are revelant to the Vietnamese history). Reading this book reminds me of a Chinese soap and a drama series in which the rich oppresses the poor; son carries the burden of family and seeks revegence; sacrifies and unjusts portray upon female. There is no originality in thought and plots.

In general my book club found this book very well written and a captivating read. Many struggled with the violence in the book but checked out its authenticity from the author's grandfather's experiences.
I think it has great character development and a cliff-hanging story line. It is also very interesting to read about a different culture's history. This is an excellent read for the people who enjoy a fast pace,a tolerance for vivid atrocities and appreciate good writing with authentic research.

Set in Vietnam, and covering a period of time from 1916 onward, this novel grabbed my attention from the very beginning and held it throughout its 310 pages. The author is part Vietnamese and part American and grew up in Vietnam listening to stories told by his grandparents. There is therefore a sense of authenticity about the world he describes. But this is not a history book although it is set against the events of the early and mid-twentieth century. It is basically a family saga and a story of romance revenge, passion and adventure. There's corruption and cruelty and great love and sacrifice. There's a rigidly structured society, which defines the loves and lives of people. And then there are some really wonderful characters.

The book starts with an arranged marriage. We see the world through the bride's eyes. We wonder about the groom along with her because she is not even present at the wedding ceremony. She doesn't meet him until he comes to the bedroom that night. She's in for quite a surprise.

Later, we see the results of a cruel and corrupt government. We witness executions, which are described in excruciating detail. But that is just the beginning of the story that spans several decades. During this time, we see the changes in Vietnam and get involved with the characters. It seems as if something new happens on every page to further complicate the story.

The title refers to the main character, who is a tapestry weaver. However, the book itself can be considered a tapestry because of the way the author weaves his tale.

I loved this book and definitely recommend it.

Wow - this amazing book is so remarkably well-written that it's hard to imagine this is the author's first novel. He has brilliantly crafted a vividly stunning story, immersing the reader into a mysterious and exotic culture that is often misunderstood by those of us who live in the modern Western world. The detailed descriptions of the setting and of the various traditions and rituals were fascinating! Despite difficult to endure scenes of torture, severe injustices and executions, this story held a tragic beauty that was spellbinding. Full of action and suspense, it very artistically and soulfully captured the true spirit of the Vietnamese people. It has all the qualities of a classic epic novel, yet it's fast-paced and not an overwhleming number of pages.

This is a deep, and deeply satisfying book of philosophy. Reading it was an intellectual journey through unfamiliar territory for me. J.R.R. Tolkien was a man for whom myth was a reality. He lived in the modern era but his mind was fixed forever in the Middle Ages.

Birzer demonstrates convincingly something I could not have gleaned from Lord Of The Rings on my own, namely the Catholic origins Tolkien's tales of Middle Earth. Tolkien swims in the deep divine sea of Medieval Catholic mysticism that is all but incomprehensible to the modern mind.

Tolkien's fount was language - deeply understood. He was born a philologist extraordinaire. As a teenager JRR Tolkien learned Welsh, Gaelic, Old English, Gothic, Old Norse, Spanish, German, and other languages in their modern form. Then he learned their history and origins. Finally, bored, he began to make up languages, fully formed, fully logical. He created Sidarin and Quenya which would become his Elfish language. These languages were possible. They had consistent roots, sound laws of grammar, and inflexion. From these languages sprang his mythology - or was it vice versa? As Tolkien said himself "your language construction will breed a mythology." For Tolkien myth, born of the folk-soul, was the basis for language.

Tolkien created a world where monotheistic Truth contended with polytheistic relativity. For Tolkien there was good and evil in the world and Good always had to win.

This book is a theological and philosophical page-turner.

One of many novels ingested during Cross Training through a running injury, this book was a most fulfilling read. Having been a Tolkien fan for years, I always look for opportunities to find a deeper understanding to this genius' work. This book offered me a deeper reflection on Tolkien, taking some themes which I have already read of and seen myself and deepening the development of them.

The primary importance of this narrative is its support of the true myth-based nature of Tolkien's work. It seeks to interpret the author's writing in relation to his view of myth and its ability to show forth the nature of man the subcreator, heroism, evil, and how the world is today. As Tolkien did not believe that allegory is a proper form, this does not try to assign meanings to his work in an exclusivist, specific manner. Instead Birzer examines Tolkien's works for the mythic applicability of the themes in his works. It is a reflection upon the general, timeless nature of these themes and how they speak for and about mankind in particular.

This is an excellent read also for those who have perhaps tried to use Tolkien to justify extremism, be it environmentalist, pseudo-religious, or otherwise. It tempers such extremism with a moderate tone.

I sugguest this book for all who have read at least the Lord of the Rings and the Silmarillion. However, knowledge of the Lord of the Rings should be fine, even if that is only drawn from Peter Jackson's three films. Nonetheless, I hope that if you have only seen the movies that reading this book will drive you to read J.R.R. Tolkien's two greatest works (and the Hobbit too!).

My initial reluctance to read books that might equate Tolkien's work too directly (read allegorically) with any religion, philosophy, world event, or social order was quickly overcome by the approachable `readability' of this book. Quoting myriad sources, the footnotes and bibliography for which account for 71 pages of this slim, yet rewarding volume, the author provides a convincing analysis of the spirituality of Tolkien's work.

Initially, as I read he author's preface in which he cites "nuances" within the story that he had missed when he'd first read the book as an eleven year old, I very nearly put down the book. The author claims some of those nuances as "the Ring representing sin, lembas representing the Blessed Sacrament, and Galadriel representing the Blessed Virgin Mary" (page xvi) it all seemed to go directly against Tolkien's insistence that the work was not allegorical. For whatever reason, I continued to read it, and I realized that the author did not mean these things were allegorical representations, but rather were influenced by these experiences and beliefs in Tolkien's own life. Tolkien's strong belief in God could not help but come through in his work though Tolkien himself admitted this was "subconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision" (quoted within the text, page 45.).

The author makes a persuasive argument for the influence of Toklien's Catholicism, and indeed, makes it hard to understand why so many critics of the time asked Tolkien directly about the absence of God in his books. Tolkien's replies to such questions are certainly worth reading, as is his answer to the seemingly innocuous question, "What makes you tick?"

Well-written and engrossing, the text never becomes overly dry or scholarly, and the reader will find it hard not to reach for a copy of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, or any other quoted work in order to reread key passages.

If you have never thought of the Lord of the Rings in this light, this book will make you wonder why.

I've deliberately shied away from trying to read works which emphasize the religious aspects of Tolkien's work, merely because I haven't found them too helpful in the past in describing Tolkien's thinking, but instead, using his work as a means of justifying their own religious views. However, Bradley J. Birzer's "J. R. R. Tolkien's Sanctifying Myth" is a refreshingly different, indeed, almost novel, look at the man and his writing, drawing more upon Tolkien's actual correspondence than his fiction. To his credit, when Birzer does describe Tolkien's Middle-Earth mythology, he does it without sounding heavy-handed, by offering ponderous analogies between aspects of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy with Christian belief. Instead, such examples are used to show persuasively that Tolkien is part of a Catholic Christian humanist tradition that falls squarely in line with the likes of Dante, among others. Birzer's brief tome is a captivating, insightful look at how Tolkien viewed Evil, Grace and the nature of the Hero, among others. Without question, it will appeal to Tolkien fans and anyone else interested in religious symbolism in contemporary fantasy.

This is an engaging and, considering its length, remarkably wide-ranging book. It would have to be, to live up to its subtitle -- "Understanding Middle-earth" -- as Middle-earth was the life work of a remarkably productive man. But Dr. Birzer has done a fine job. He has shown us the key, I believe, to unlocking the true richness, value, and depth of Tolkien's work. And he has put together a strong argument for Tolkien's place among the most significant Christian writers of the twentieth century.

When I first approached this title, I was afraid it might be like "The Parables of Peanuts," the well-known work that grafted more symbolism than Charles M. Schulz probably ever intended onto his classic tales of Charlie Brown and Snoopy. Or, even worse, that book (the name of which escaped me years ago) which tried to interpret "Star Wars" as a Christian allegory: Luke Skywalker = Protestant Christians; Han Solo = Catholic Christians; and so on.

Imagine my relief to discover that Dr. Birzer's work is richly grounded in Tolkien himself ... both his published works and his unpublished notes, manuscripts, and private letters. Much more than Birzer's own interpretations, what we get here are *Tolkien's* own meanings, interpretations, and intentions. That makes reading this a richly rewarding experience.

In my experience, the best books are the ones that I complete having compiled a new list of other titles I need to read too. "Sanctifying Myth" definitely fits into that category. It's a pointed reminder of all the other Christian Humanists I need to read, not to mention the (*ahem*) parts of the Tolkien bibliography itself I haven't yet read. And Dr. Birzer himself being a fine stylist as well as scholar, his name is on my list too.

Whether you're a Tolkien fan looking for new windows into a beloved world ... a Christian wondering whether hobbits and Elves are compatible with a Biblical worldview ... a literary critic seeking new insights ... a skeptic wondering what all the fuss is about ... or any combination of the above, I predict you'll find this a satisfying, even eye-opening read. I sure did.

I like her books - quick read - I especially like the fact that it is a series...

I personally love all of the Liar's Club books and although this was not my favorite I still enjoyed it. Ethan was a fun character and he made me laugh. As a couple Ethan and Jane were missing something. Maybe a "heavier" romance, not sure, but I wasn't feeling that tug in my heart that I like to feel when I read these books. If you've read all the other Liar's books then you may be able to tolerate this book, but as a first read for this author it is not recommended because it will probably disappoint.

Read this one first and love it sending for all the books to read them.

The last of the Liar series plays as a disjointed farce of logic. Intrique, double intrique, and unjustified leaps in logic for the main characters abound.

The heroine, Lady Jane, becomes two entirely different characters midway through the story. She is neither a believable virgin innocent nor competent spy vixen.

Ethan is a charming fellow and I enjoyed his characterization but his incredibly stupid decision-making ability confound me. Why bother to cart his precious lady anywhere her uncle wishes when the man had contemplated killing her moments before? No intelligent person could trust him then.

I think alot of the problems could have been resolved if the heroine and hero had actually talked to each other instead of trying to jump each other's bones.

The Lairs are a fun group of likeable characters but I think their believability as agents of the Crown are killed in this story. If they planted Liar staff in Ethan's household then why didn't they know who she was? More to the point, why didn't they seek out their new operative to find out what the heck was happening? For that matter, why let him in at all?

As for the romance, it was building to an interesting place up to the carriage escort. Then we step right into a world of perverse love scenes, acts of character stupidity and no further development of love. Instead it becomes a spectacle of interesting locations and comedies of error. (How could Jeeves just leave Hyde Park with his employer shouting for help for the heroine?!)

All in all, I feel like the ending entices me to read the next Royal Four series but find I'm going off the author. The Charmer was the best of the whole series while the rest is just plain weird.

In this romance, the hero really is the main character and focus of the story. And we watch him try to court the heroine. (I'd say the book is 80% his and 20% the heroine's.) He likes to gamble esp. w/ cards - and that's how he's earned his living - he cheats too - he'll take money from the rich and spoiled and ungrateful without feeling guilty at all. And he's damn good at it. Ethan truly is a commoner, the son of a fabric merchant and a seamstress - he was sent to a rich school (where he met his only friend, Collis from book 4) where he didn't fit in and didn't excel and only disappointed his father. And learned to cheat really well. This is the best "commoner" hero I've read about so far - and in my opinion even better than Lisa Kleypas' "commoner heroes" - b/c he's not dangerous or violent - he's not bitter - he's not raging or out to prove anything - he just wants to live a happy cozy life gambling through card games taking money from the rich and drinking fine brandy and if there's a woman involved - great. that's fine too. He'd rather not take sides in anything. But he would like to "belong". Ethan Damont is only invited into the high-society b/c others want to play cards w/ him - he knows he doesn't belong and the ton would never DREAM of actually inviting him for dinner or a special formal occasion and they especially wouldn't introduce him to their daughters. At night he goes home (his posh yet cozy bachelor house in London) to ONE butler and ONE cook. He wants nothing to do with spies or England or the crown or danger - he just wants to be the desperado - and enjoy finer things in life like fashionable clothes and his favorite label of brandy and smoking cher-roots and of course - playing cards. Imagine a REALLY HOT Johnny Depp - but alas - the Liar's club needs him. He was much too involved in investigation against Lord Maywell (book 5 picks up right where he helps out in book 4). He doesn't WANT to help the Liars but they're not exactly "blackmailing" him - but he's not exactly a "tax-paying" man and he's sort of "obliged" to help them esp. now that he "knows" too much already....so he ends up frequenting Lord Maywell's house for cards and meeting the lovely Lady Jane of course . . .

Lady Jane really is a mystery and I remember thinking around the first quarter of the book, "What is UP with this heroine?!" We know so little about her except she flirts w/ Ethan and they kind of have a thing developing - she's a little sheltered but she's REALLY gutsy and you can tell she's smart . . . but we haven't really been told her past yet...

Fabulous Celeste Bradley plot. layers and turns. This book especially blends well with the previous book The Charmer. I've never been irritated w/ Bradley introducing and involving previous characters from the other books - (Whereas with other series authors, I find this gets VERY annoying after a while.) WARNING - SPOILER: I read a review that criticized the plot saying that Ethan should've known better that the infamous "Bedlam" institution was dangerous and he never would've sent Jane there if he was smarter. What that reviewer probably missed (which is why I NEVER skim through Bradley's books) is that Ethan made a gamble with the villain (Jane's uncle) and chose for Jane to be sent to "Bethlehem Hospital" b/c he believed she would be safer there out of her uncle's harm. However her evil uncle sent her to Bedlam institution instead against Ethan's knowledge b/c he didn't have the authorization papers - and when the carriage stopped outside of Bedlam - THEN Ethan realized he had been duped by the villain and he had to save Jane.

The rescue escape scene had me rolling on the floor and grinning like an idiot with laughter!!!! It is by far the CLEVEREST rescue scene I have EVER read in a romance. I don't care if Bradley had to go to extremes in the plot just to fit it in - I'm SOOOOO glad that she did!!!

Finally, three cheers for Bradley for showing us a romance where the hero is the one who reinvents himself and deals with the struggles and human error and he isn't the perfect one where we read about it and end up thinking, "oh of course every hero is like that". His mantra and personality and whit is unlike anything I've ever read yet. I'd give it a B+/A- (what pulls this up to an A- is the clever plot and action scenes, Ethan's character development, and continuing with the drama of the Liars and the Royal Four!) Celeste Bradley fans would appreciate this - but if this is the very first book of hers you read you'll probably think "WTH is going on?!?"

Bradley takes a thoughtful look at his life and many issues that face America. I liked reading of his Missouri youth and NBA days, plus his analysis of economic change, media sensationalism, and the corrosive influence of money on politics. Bradley's superb (if short) discourse on the inner workings of the U.S. Senate provides the type of useful information one never gets from our sound-bite media. Bradley even takes issues like water policy and shows why they matter. The Senator's blame-whites-only view of racial divisions was rather naive, but even here he makes some points. This book is more than a readable memoir; it's a compassionate, thought-inspiring look at America.

book with tremendous depth, dedication and ideas.. America is unfortunate to not to have man like Senator Bradley as President

This is a very well- written and thoughtful book. Bill Bradley wrote it just as his third Senatorial term was coming to a close. Unfortunately close to that time he had to deal with a number of personal tragedies, including his wife's breast cancer, the severe illness of both of his parents. Bradley tells of his Chrystal City childhood, the only child of his arthritically disabled Presbyterian banker father, and his strongly Methodist mother. He does not revel in his own personal athletic feats and accomplishments. Rather he presents us with a picture of small- town life in that era, and the kind of world he grew up in.
One of the strengths of the book is that it tells much about different regions and populations of America. As a Senator and Presidential candidate he visited eventually every state in the Union and he for instance in his chapter on his Scotch- Irish family background describes the economy and social world of the Appalachians.
Bradley is eager to present to the reader his vision of what America should be. He speaks a lot about responsibility and discipline, and communal obligation. These are virtues he himself personally exemplifies, and one feels how strongly he is repelled by an America gone too soft and self- indulgent, too hedonistically obsessed with short- term pleasures.
He tells of his work in bringing about the Tax Reform Bill of 1986 which eliminated many loopholes, and simplified the system so that it had only two tax brackets. He talks about other public initiatives of his related to helping the poor, the one - parent families. He gives a chapter of the book to considering the difficulties the great American middle- class has faced over recent years.
One has the sense in reading the book of his being a thoroughly decent, hard- working and fair person.
Bradley has an amusing little section in which he talks about his efforts at improving his own public speaking. Here of course was his major failing as a political figure, his lack of charisma. He was eclipsed almost instantaneously by the charismatic Clinton.
Bradley is the work- horse of Orwell's fable. The solid honest good person who does the drudgery and certainly does not get a final good reward for it.
This is not to say that Bradley complains . He doesn't. He does not in fact put great emphasis in the work on his own feelings. He does however show how much he cares for America, and is devoted to its well- being.
This is an outstanding political autobiography not because it overwhelms emotionally but because it rationally clearly gives a 'picture' of what America is and might be. And it tells the story of a highly devoted public servant who did his best to make a better America.

In this intelligent, thoughtful, witty,and captivating memoir Bill Bradley tells stories about America and indivdual Americans while espousing his beliefs about what the nation has become and what it should be. The book transcends the traditional memoir of a politician as it chooses to speak more about the effects of policy rather than what particular policy can benefit our society. The reader feels the former Senator's compassion for the human condition and understands why he would be a wonderful leader. It is a must read for anyone who believes the hardships that face the nation can be overcome.

Bill Bradley and John McCain may go down in history as the two smartest men who should have been President, but could not get elected. This is an extraordinarily thoughtful book, and it makes one almost cry out in despair. America has given up the idea of an informed democracy led by informed representatives of the people, and as the author concludes his book, given over all the power to two kinds of technocrats: political technocrats like Karl Rove who will do anything to get their man elected, including unethical misrepresentations against Republicans like John McCain, never mind Democrats; and corporate technocrats, who will kill off the middle class and increase the working poor in the name of corporate bottom lines that pass off the social and economic costs to the very taxpayers being disenfranchised.

The current Congressional and Executive systems do not work as intended. Congress has become insular and corrupt, and the Executive--at the political level--has become ideological and corrupt. Bill Bradley's writing makes it clear that there are solutions, but men like Bill Bradley will not get elected--nor even heard--until sufficient catastrophe befalls America and the people rise up in desperation to reclaim their heritage.

The index is helpful in looking up specific views of the author, e.g. on health care, national security, etcetera.

The New American Story
Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming

"Highly recommended...Brad's book is the perfect source for guys who want to find a diet that makes sense and doesn't overwhelm with a lot of numbers and nutrional "mumbo jumbo". It takes all the stuff you can read about in complicated nutrition manuals and makes it accessible for all of us. Concepts like "mixing your caloric intake", the benefits of a "cheat day" and why certain foods are not "diet friendly" all become clear and, bottom line, YOU WILL LOSE WEIGHT!"

I'm always interested in reading about new diets and this book was definitely very interesting.

What a breath of fresh air! Finally a real diet (lifestyle) that the common man can relate to! The author's life experiences in failed diets create a bond that all yo-yo dieters can relate to.

What is different about this book is the ease of which you can project yourself into the positive results that the author achieved by simple lifestyle changes. Duplicating the author's result's seem in reach with the clear and uncomplicated diet and exercise instuctions and guidelines.

Myself and my wife have found new motivation and hope!! We highly recommend this book! Don't let the title deter you.

I really enjoyed reading his history of yo-yo weight gain and loss. I think he gives good information in the second half of the book, as far as diet and exercise. If you're looking for something more detailed you may need to go elsewhere, which is what I needed. I don't think there's anything here that can't be found in a lot of other books, but it's still a good read.

Skip the first half of this book---It's just an autobiog of the author's
fat vs thin vs fit battles.
The second half offered lots of good info, offered in an easily-readable
style

Fantastically written and completely engaging.
A real life expose of how dogs fit into our lives with real statistics that show just how safe living with a dog is compared to many other of our day to day interactions.
Too many people want to attribute dog ownership with potential danger, yet for man's best friend inflated statistics and over exaggerated stories have given some dogs and some breeds an unwarranted bad name.
If we believe the nay sayers who are too eager to point the finger of "danger" at dogs, then we may as well live in a bubble where we are protected from everything.
Dogs Bite - that is true, but very rarely. When compared to obstacles in day to day life, Janis Bradley shows how safe dog ownership is.
This is a fascinating book and will become a verified "fact" reference for so many dog enthusiasts. Highly recommended reading.

This book is an essential read for those government authorities in positions of power, before making any breed specific legislation. they say they make educated descions yet they never listen to both sides of the debate. The only reason those decisions are made is so they can have their moment in history and have their name down as having made legislation!
this book, although it can waffle on a bit in places, has been keenly researched and has been written in a fashion that is easy and a joy to read. The author has instilled humour as well as taking the extreme angry emotions out of the debate to make a clear and concise statement.

I think that this book is a must-read for dog trainers, home-owners' insurance salesmen, and anyone involved in dog legislation. It includes facinating graphs and statistics that put things in perspective.
Still, the author recommends training and education for people and dogs.
If you're involved in breed ban legislation you should consider reading this book.

It's true, as the author tells us, that more people die in wars. But with people like Saddam and Bush in the the world, whaddayagointodo?
It's true that more people die by swallowing random objects and choking on them, but with stuff like marbles and Kentucky Fried Chicken in the world, whaddahagointodo?
It's true that more people get killed and messed up in car wrecks, than get killed and messed up by dogs, but with all the cars and all those people commuting and driving to WalMart and Disneyworld and all the rest, whaddayagointodo?
Hey, dogs are all right! They just kill people, maim people, just like their owners would like to do themselves, but can't do, because they'd go to prison for it, and then get messed up themselves, bad, so the dogs rip into neighbors and passers by, and it's all right, "oh I didn't know he was out" or "what did you do, stomp at him?" or "I think you were trying to get into my yard, don't you respect private property" or "he doesn't like people who look like you, there was a [guy of your ethnic group] who used to beat him, you know some people just don't like dogs", hey you know "every dog has one bite", or maybe two or ten ...
You know, like "guns don't kill people, people kill people" just the same thing, we're just talking about dogs, this time ...
"There are no bad dogs." Right? Right. Just bad people. Like just about everybody who owns dogs. When are you people going to do something about yourselves?

Another pro-dog diatribe, attempting to justify dog ownership by trivialising the danger to children and the elderly from unconstrained dogs. There's something rather perverse and unnatural about 'owning' a mammal, whose utter dependence and williingness to endure anything strokes the fragile ego of the owner. Whether these types of books - of the polemical pro-dog type - spring from the PR department of the large petfood industry (very likely), or they are simply self-justifying therapy by dog owners, enough is enough. There are a few billion humans on this planet who could use the thousands that dog owners waste on dumb animals each year. And an environment that could benefit by ridding it of the massive damage that millions of dogs create annually.

Lewis' scepticism of carpet bombing is well justified in the context of the book. While carpet bombing was an important part of the eventual breakout, it was not without its problems. For example, the initial bombing raid did more damage to the American infantry, indeed killing a four star general, than it did to the Germans. The breakout then had to be delayed while the American forces were rebuilt. The second carpet bombing raid was more successful. They didn't have time to conduct two raids to get one right on D-Day.

Omaha Beach is a book that anyone interested in D-Day should read. Unfortunately, since it focuses on military doctrine and planning, rather than the actual battle, few people will actually read it. Lewis, in this extensively researched book, analyzes the planning of the Normandy assault, specifically looking to discover why the landings at Omaha Beach were nearly a failure. To do this, Lewis discusses the abilities and defects of the various generals involved in the overall planning (Eisenhower, Montgomery, Bradley). He also analyzes the different beach assault doctrines of the Americans and the British, and how those doctrines factored into the decisions the three leaders made. Lewis clearly shows that by the time these three had thoroughly screwed up, generals Gerow and Huebner (commanders of the II Corps and 1st Infantry Division, respectively) had very limited ability to make changes. They were, in fact, handed a flawed plan and commanded to carry out essentially a suicide mission.

Lewis shows that beach assault doctrine for the British and Americans differed substantially. The British, who controlled operational planning in the Mediterranean and Western European theaters, preferred landings that maximized surprise. Thus, they conducted landings in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy at night with minimal shore bombardment. The Americans, on the other hand, preferred a direct daylight assault that maximized their firepower advantage (learned the hard way at Tarawa). Thus, by 1944 and 1945, landings in the Pacific used shore bombardments that lasted not minutes or hours, but days. Both doctrines produced successful landings. So what happened at Omaha Beach?

Lewis argues that the near-failure occurred because new doctrine based on improper expectations was invented by Montgomery and allowed to be put in place by Eisenhower. Bradley compounded the problem by refusing to listen to the objections of Gerow and Huebner. This new doctrine was a bad blending of American and British doctrines. As a result, the planning produced a daylight assault intended to achieve tactical surprise. Essentially, two incompatible features of American and British doctrines were melded. This was particularly a result, Lewis argues, of Montgomery's over-reliance on airpower. It was assumed that a long naval bombardment was not necessary since heavy bombers would blast beach defenses and obstacles away in one quick bomb run. This would preserve surprise, but of course would require daylight landings.

Since airpower in World War II was hardly accurate, it is no surprise that the bombers did not hit a single thing on the beach. Coupled with bad intelligence and other serious planning disasters, the landings at Omaha Beach nearly failed. The reader is left wondering how such incompetence at high levels was allowed, but is also left wondering in amazement at the achievement of the men who landed on that beach. Lewis shows that they stormed ashore after literally 99% of the landing plan had completely failed, yet they were still able to make it.

This is a good book, one that demonstrates very well the difficulties of planning and coalition warfare. It also takes a lot of the shine off of the records of the top commanders in Europe. Many of the honors in the records of Eisenhower, Montgomery, and Bradley are certainly well-deserved, but this book shows that some weren't, and that the successes of D-Day were due far more to tactical leadership (division HQ and down) and the sheer willpower of the ordinary soldiers. It certainly seems that the "top brass" set them up to fail.

This is an important book on D-Day by an academic who has the time and ability to analyse the original documents and not rely on recycling what others have already written. It gives a tremendous amount of information on what happened behind the scenes in preparing for the invasion and the various arguments that took place over how the invasion should be carried out eg why Omaha had combat teams from 2 divisions but all under the command of one of them. It also clearly identifies a lot of things that did not happen as planned that are lost in more general books.

However the narrow focus on Omaha means that the conclusions the author draws are not fully suported. He suggests that rather than the Allies being unlucky at Omaha they were lucky on the other beaches, but there is little in the book on what happened(and why)at other beaches to support this.

Mr Lewis's extensive research is narrowly, and wisely, focused specifically on the planning for the Omaha Beach landing. His thesis is, there were two diametrically opposed amphibious operations philosophies. The first, espoused by British commanders, was a night attack with minimal gunfire support, thus maximizing surprise. The British with minimal resources, needed to exploit surprise. The US ideal was, maximum gunfire and air support with a large landing force to ensure a beachhead; American forces having more resources at their disposal. Finally, a excessive faith in what aerial attack could achieve almost spelled disaster on Omaha.
The Overlord landings in general, were a compromise of both these methods. A landing at first light, and with minimal naval gunfire support-to maximize surprise; but with mass and an aerial bombardment to overwhelm the defenses. As history demonstrated, this was almost a recipe for disaster. The "Soldier's General" (a newspaper attribution, he was never considered that by this troops) Bradley comes off badly here. Overall, a detailed study of how coalition planning can fail and a useful tonic to the "Greatest Generation" media. Highly Recommended.

I enjoyed this book and the viewpoint presented. I did notice the Author's frequent references to Navy/Marine Corps experience in amphibious operations. However, by June 1944, the British and American Armies in the European Theaters had more hands on experience with Corps and Army sized landings than did the Navy/Marine Corps team in the Pacific.

Prior to 6 June 1944, the largest landing operations conducted by the Navy/Marine Corps team in the Central Pacific had been Division sized or smaller landings, and not all of them had been unqualified successes. The landing on Saipan, on 15 June 1944, was the first Corps sized amphibious operation the Navy/Marine Corps team conducted in the Pacific. It was characterized by a number of mistakes, landing units on wrong beaches, overestimating the capabilities of some equipment, specifically amphibious tractors, and underestimating the Japanese capability to resist. The Saipan landings did not achieve what the planners expected them to achieve. By June 17, D+2, the two Marine Divisions had been stopped well short of their D+2 objectives and had taken 10% casualties. Further, the Navy/Marine Corps leadership had no clear plan for landing reinforcements on Saipan in the event that their plan did miscarry.

The victory on Omaha Beach may have been flawed, but the Navy/Marine Corps team from the Central Pacific did not have the experience to eliminate the flaws.

Bradley's business books are some of the most pragmatic. But don't get the idea that growing a business or, worse yet, turning one around, is an easy proposition. There are a lot of variables. Some are in your control. Some are not. Witness the US's current economic crisis and plans to increases taxes on small business. You can read another one of Bradley's books to learn that cash is king: cash flow, profit for cash reserves, etc. If you can't muster enough cash, then you won't have money for new systems or equipment. You won't have money to be owner-absentee. Owners working in the business instead of on it is one of the biggest reasons that businesses don't grow. Are these owners lazy or stupid? No. But they now know that not everything is within their knowledge or control. And they know that a business is nowhere close to a guarantee of billionaire status.

Have not had time to start reading it yet, so any review at this stage would be made up! There,.... my good deed of the day is done. Now, leave me alone! :)

This book obviously caught my attention because of the title. The author of the book has many great strategies for individuals in business; strategies that will help aspiring entrepreneurs climb to the top financially. It was also interesting to learn that there are five levels of entrepreneurs I always thought entrepreneur defined anyone owning their own business. Brad waste no time distinguishing between all 5 levels and the impact each level has on the way you think about business and finances is astronomical. I am a new start up company and I am glad I read this book before opening the doors to my new business. I will have an advantage over many who have not read this book and those who are unaware of these concepts.

Recently heard Brad Sugars do a workshop on wealth creation. Having read the book several times already the workshop, his 'billionaire in training' global series really cemented many of the concepts for me. For example what type of business to buy first (a franchise vs. starting something from scratch), the math on how much you can take out of a profitbable business to invest in real estate and other investments, and on and on. Simple,\ and straight forward making it very possible for just about anyone to execute. Some had said that it's so basic that you can find the information anywhere. Then why aren't they all wealthy?

This book is nothing but superfluous stuff that you can easily find on your own. No real world specific examples. He uses his books to sell you his "coaching services" and nothing more. This guy is a BS artist....save your money. Do a search on Brad sugars books on Amazon; they all have "5" star ratings....hmmm, what a coincidence! IMO, the ratings are fake, and put there by his own people.

Very fun and enjoyable read, and the passion was HOT

Kerry Sullivan needs a computer expert to prove her brother Mark did not embezzle money from his bank employer. They have taken care of each other since tragedy took their parents too early and would do anything to help one another. Kerry tries to obtain help from security specialist Rafael Dawson, but he won't talk to her. When Rafe arrives in Tampa to work for the bank Mark is accused of stealing from, Kerry greets him at the airport and kidnaps him.

Together they work to prove Mark's innocence.

This is a exciting book with very likeable characters. Not just Kerry and Rafe, but the supporting characters are important and well written. A very hot read with a little light bondage!!

Kerry Sullivan is desperate to save her brother Mark. He's in jail awaiting trial accused of embezzling millions of dollars. Mark is the only family that Kerry has left, and she'll do anything to save him.

Anything includes kidnapping, stripping, and chaining Rafe Dawson to the bed. He's a top electronic security expert. Kerry's tried to get him to help - honest! - but after failing to convince him on the phone (and now with him thinking she's nuts), she's desperate for his help. Although Rafe wakes up confused as to what's happened, he turns the tables on Kerry and she winds up handcuffed to the bed. Rafe promises to help, if Kerry gives herself to him for 48 hours.

This book has lots of steamy sex and some lightweight bondage sex scenes. Nothing hardcore but sizzling and not what you would expect looking at the cover of this book! There's a mystery here (who did embezzle the money?) but nothing too intense.

While I enjoyed reading this book, to me, Kerry was a little too ditzy and Rafe, while tempting, was a little too much of a loner to be appealing (someone who has no real friends or relationships doesn't appeal to me). Still it's a fun read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Kerry Sullivan's brother has been framed for embezzlement from the bank that employs him. Desperate to prove his innocence and save her brother from a life in prison, Kerry tries to enlist the aid of top electronic security expert, Rafe Dawson. When Dawson refuses to listen and blocks her phone calls, she resorts to kidnapping him to make him listen to her.

Rafe Dawson is close to fulfilling his long held goal of proving his worth to his estranged father. That is, he was, until he woke to find himself tied to a bed and at the mercy of the beautiful Kerry Sullivan. The embodiment of his every fantasy, Rafe finds himself unable to resist Kerry's plea for help once he has met her. In return, he demands she comply with his every demand for the next 48 hours! But as the end to their bargain draws near, Rafe fears 48 hours will never be enough time with Kerry.

Shelley Bradley has quickly found a place on my automatic buy list! Having now read all of her currently available novels, I find each as compelling and touching as the next. Bradley has a definite talent for bringing her characters to life, making the reader feel as if they are a fly on the wall watching the story unfold.

From page one of Bound and Determined, you can feel Kerry's love for her brother and her desperation to save him - even resorting to kidnapping a man twice her size to do it! Kerry wins both Rafe and the readers with the depth of her love and loyalty to her brother Mark, and it is easy to see why Rafe is captivated by her.

Rafe is the hunkiest computer nerd you've ever seen! If I could find a bad boy computer geek like Rafe Dawson, I think I'd be more than willing to give up my single status! With omniscience to both Rafe's and Kerry's motivations and thoughts, we empathize with Rafe even when he is making the worst mistakes concerning his relationship with Kerry. Ultimately, he is the last to believe he has it in him to do right by the woman he loves, making the road to true love a wonderfully heart wrenching roller coaster.

Shelley Bradley proves her adeptness with a mystery plot mingled with romance with Bound and Determined, and sets the stage for an intriguing series, with the sequel Strip Search picking up where this novel finishes. If you like your romances with a good mystery and a bit of action, you will want to run to the nearest book store to pick up your copy of Bound and Determined!

Series Order:
Bound and Determined (Berkley Sensation)
Strip Search (Berkley Sensation)

THIS BOOK WAS EXTREMELY HOT AND SEXY, I have read Shelley Bradley as her pen name Shayla Black and I worried that I would'nt care for the books she writes under her own name...No dissapointments here!

A well written account of high command in the Med and Eurpoe during the Second World War, but biased towards the writer. This book serves better as memoir because of the way Bradley puts his his version of events.

The battle of the Falaise gap and the Ardennes offensive are points to consider. Bradley lauds the pedestrian Courtney Hodges but derides Patton who admittedly had his faults and for his actions was treated accordingly.

I have rarely enjoyed a book so much. It is thoroughly engrossing, illuminating us to so many aspects of the European Theater, many of the great men of the war, and general command principles.

Bradley recounts, in some detail, battle by battle the move through Africa, Sicily, France and Germany. His account seems straightforward and humble, tackling failures of Monty (including Market Garden) Patton, and even himself in his failure to anticipate the Ardennes Offensive that led to the Battle of the Bulge.

His accounts of interactions with great men of the era such as Eisenhower, Monty, and Patton are worthwhile, but what I found fascinating were the figures new to me such as Hodges, Middleton, Ridgeway, Heubner, Gerow, Devers, and even Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. The hard-charging, do your duty feeling that was evident in this book makes me proud to be an American. It is simply amazing to see that men such as Eisenhower and Bradley moved from relative obscurity as colonels to leaders of enormous armies in some of the most important battles of history in a period of only 5 or 6 years.

An added plus are the motivational and management lessons learned from Bradley.

One suggestion: While the book is filled with helpful maps, search for WW2 Battlefield maps online and print them for reference. Keep them with you when you read Bradley's accounts. They will make following the detail of movement much easier.

This is one of the finest historical accounts ever written. There is
little room for boredom here. I have seen the movie "Patton" many
times, and while it is one of the best war films of all time, it is
always interesting to learn more about one of the key components behind
it. General Bradley takes the reader through each phase of the war,
explaining the fundamentals of each stage, as if we were right there
at that moment in time. I highly recommend this book to any serious
student of American History.

General Bradley gives us the reasons and the inside look at interactions between a commanding general and his subordinate commanders. There are plenty of issues such as logistics, strategy, and management of the battlefield that are detailed in this book. We get a bird's eye view of the strategy. Reasons are given for moving Terry Allen and Theodore Roosevelt Jr. from the command of the 1st Infantry Division to the halting of Patton from closing the Falaise Gap. In addition to this, there is plenty of anecdotes and thoughts on the leadership and characteristcs of his subordinate generals like General Hodges and General Patton. General Bradley does not spend too much time reflecting on the losses and tragedies of the war. He moves fairly quickly on the actions of the U.S. Army.

For the most part, General Bradley tends to be as objective as he can until he deals with Field Marshal Montgomery. Bradley does not hide his irritation towards Field Marshal Montgomery, who is pictured as a commander who is somewhat coddled by General Eisenhower. Field Marshal Montgomery does not seem to be a team player in the Allied command structure. Bradley gives us hints at Montgomery's selfish nature in his descriptions of the Field Marshal.

The impressive aspect of this book is General Bradley's sharp attention to details. He seems to have his handle from everything from logistics to personnel to the frontline situation.

There is plenty of discussion of the different levels of command and the units. This is balanced with numerous maps and diagrams. There are also charts on the content of a U.S. Field Army, Infantry Division, and Armored Division. These maps and diagrams help out those who are not so familiar with basic military unit sizes.

The book would be fine for both the experienced military historian or someone who is a beginner reader of World War II in the European Theater.

"A Soldier's Story" by Gen. of the Army Omar Bradley is a impressively engaging book dealing with his experiences in Europe and Africa during World War II. Being in every major engagement from Algeria to the Elbe, Bradley retraces the steps of the American and British armies from TORCH and the thrust in North Afica through Sicily and finally into mainland Europe in OVERLORD and subsequent battles.

General Bradley offers excellent advice on command and his views and Allied views on the war. Throughout the book, frequent maps illustrate the battle plans and make for a better situational awareness.

As a valuable war book, "A Soldier's Story" is an excellent choice to learn about WWII in detail. It offers excellent command advice and allows the reader to form his personal viewpoints on our role in the fight. An excellent read.