Bradley Books

Watch the water swirl downward in a toilet and you will view the essence of a civilization. David Bradley's The Chaneysville Incident begins with an indictment on class status, illustrated by a civilization's sanitary accommodations (6-9). Bradley's main character, John Washington, a professional historian, approaches every aspect of human experience with a historical and analytical eye. John Washington's investigation into the mysterious suicide of his father, Moses Washington, proves to be more than an inquiry into the circumstances of his father's death, but a journey into the history of his family, hometown, and the institution of slavery. Although Bradley's work is historical fiction, it provides an acute interpretation of the study of history. Questions arise during Washington's journey into the past: whether or not there is truth in history? How do you interpret facts when the connections have been lost? Where do fictional stories fit in the study of history? Bradley's work is more than historical fiction, but provides an example of a flowing writing style and an investigation into the study of history.
John Washington's research into the facts left by his father, and his own investigations, leave him with an increasing amount of cold facts and the realization that all the cold facts mean nothing without the connections that bind them (146-147). The issue of truth in history is a theme in Bradley's fictional work. The assemblage of facts does not, on their own, give a historian the entire picture of any given event. John Washington is not concerned with finding the truth, but locating where the lies are (186). History is an interpretation of facts, and the realization that truth is unattainable; Washington fully realizes this by the end of his search, when he connects all the disparate facts and synthesizes them into a story that places them in an appropriate context (394-431). The issue of truth in history gives Bradley's work a place on the shelf of history, because it not only contains a large amount of historical research, but the ability to present it in a way that the reader is intrigued instead of intimidated by the cold, cold facts.
The methods of research and the process of describing history can become filled with theories and words that make the subject even more distant to the reader. The footnotes or endnotes provide legitimacy to the subject, and give it its distinction as a social science. Bradley's work is not a part of the social sciences, but that does not make it weak as a historical work. The genre of historical fiction takes the theories and in depth analysis, similar to John Washington's descriptions of local and world history, and creates a readable and simultaneously a discourse on the study of history. John begins with a purely analytical mind, but realizes the synthesis of the facts needs a more creative approach; his reason for the death of his father is a result of creativity, and he makes it clear that the evidence will speak to later generations wishing to undertake the facts that were laid out before him (431-432).
The study of history is not about the truth, but the goal of obtaining the closest interpretation of the facts that surround it. The strength of Bradley's The Chaneysville Incident is the creative method of interpreting the cold facts. Historians can be buried in cold facts, and not have the ability to relate those facts to the reader. Historical fiction delves into the heart and soul of history, leaving the reader to obtain their own conclusions. John Washington, a well-trained historian, needed to go outside of the purely analytical, and create a story that gave justice to the cold facts. Historians can gain knowledge from Bradley's fictional work in its prose and interpretation of historical study.

A favorite of mine for years. Bradley blends rich emotion with detached history to give a riveting portrait of black America, all through the eyes of a narrator who may or may not be fully rational. Readers can learn much about the actual history of America (the facts check out) as well as be riveted to a superb story.

The Chaneysville Incident was, for me, life altering. Reading it I determined to be a catalyst of change and not a victim throughout the rest of this earthly journey. I learned things about myself, my people and my purpose. If you are of African descent please read this book. If you are not of African descent please read this book. It is critical literature for contemporary America!

First,let me say my father's family was from the same part of Pennsylvania as author David Bradley, as well as the characters portrayed in "The Chaneysville Incident." Yes, those slave graves ARE on that farm. And yes, while there are those who debate the scenario surrounding those graves, Bradley's setting is entirely plausible, and his story was one that was undoubtedly acted out more than a few times in real life.

The Maryland/Pennsylvania border region has certainly had a speckled racial history, before and after the Civil War. Did slave-catchers make forays into Pennsylvania in the Ante-Bellum era? Yes. There is documentation. It was a socially complicated time, to say the least. If, for example, a southern landowner moved north above the Mason-Dixon, and wished to "keep" his human labor force, the slaves had to be legally contracted in the county for a period of indenture, usually including a freedom "purchase price" if the then former slave wished to leave his former owner. Freedmen had to carry papers, which, while documenting their status, didn't guarantee anything approaching the social status & mobility of whites. There were white families in the border townships of southern Pennsylvania, who, while they themselves didn't own slaves, had cousins and even siblings just over the border in Maryland who did. My dad's family was one like that. So, racially speaking, there was black, white, and a great deal of gray fogging the boundaries between the two.

When David Bradley's novel was first published, much of the reaction from his fellow Bedford Countians revolved around questions about the historical accuracy of his setting, coupled with the statements of "other-ness" made on behalf of the novel's main characters. Little attention was given to its overall truth as a novel, the artful way that Bradley lets the reader into the mind and perceptions of his protaganist, as he embarks on a journey of self-awareness and discovery. With him, we ask the questions "Who am I? What am I? How do I find out?

I do some work as an amateur historian and semi-professional genealogist. Time and again, I've run across stories contained in the lives of those long gone which live in the spaces between tombstones, which the names and dates only hinted at. The more you dig, and the more questions you ask, the closer you get to the truth. And, often the answers to questions you didn't even think to ask. Or were afraid to. "The Chaneysville Incident" takes the reader on such a journey, and opens an historical wound that is neither neat nor tidy. His characters are neither saints nor sinners, his sense of history is a good one, and his narrative is compelling. Read it, and then begin asking your own questions.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. It is deeply steeped in both history and a profound sense of the limits of history. I think it has a justifiable claim to standing among the great American novels. It is well researched, and the product of a keen, nuanced, discriminating intellect that, one can tell, does not suffer fools gladly. It deals with our central American wounds, those of race and privilege. It does all of that good stuff that English teachers and critics love to rattle on about. It's just dang DEFENSIBLE on all levels as a piece of work. That being said, it would be easy to lose track of how good a novel it is. The characters are believable to me, the storytelling and the storytelling-within-the-storytelling is so rich, so deep and true, that it ends up being a good, resonant read. It satisfies the intellect, it satisfies the heart, and it keeps one reading.

I often think of this novel among the company of other novels, such as perhaps Huckleberry Finn or Moby Dick, that are slighted in their own time, their own first publication, only to have later generations say, "How did they not get it about this one?...How did they not realize what they had here?..." As with the above mentioned works, there are probably moments reading it when it feels like "work", that it feels like it's "not an easy book", but then you break through again to understanding and realize how glad you are that the author did not condescend to "easify".

I have given away many copies of this. It amazes me that it is ever out of print or hard to get hold of. It's truly one of the great stories, one of the great novels.

Buy it and read it and love it.

Lauren Southall had seriously lusted after her gorgeous boss, Noah Reeves, for the last year, but knew that he would never be interested in someone so plain as she was. He dated stick thin beautiful young women, and she could never be any of those things. After her divorce two years ago, he had taken pity on her giving her a job when she really needed one thus relegating her to employee and friend status. When she found a mysterious note on her desk promising seduction and sinful nights ahead, it left her very curious. Just because Noah didn't know she existed as a woman, someone had definitely noticed.

Noah had wanted to possess the body and soul of Lauren for ten years. When she had divorced, he had plotted to be with her, and now was the time for his future to begin. He knew that she was deathly afraid of being let down after her disaster of a marriage, so decided to woo her as a mysterious stranger. That way she wouldn't just see her friend or employer, but him as the dominant lover he is meant to be to her. The few times they are together accomplished what he had hoped for, and Lauren was starting to realize that she didn't want meaningless sex, but lasting love. When he reveals his identity, she is stunned, and angry. A bigger problem presents itself. How can she be with a man that deceived and betrayed her?

I found this story to be distasteful. Noah's subterfuge and forced seduction was not appealing in a leading male character, but Lauren's actions were equally objectionable. While casual sex is practiced frequently, how stupid and irresponsible is it for a mother with two small children to have unprotected sex with a complete stranger? Statistically, it could have very easily ended with horrific consequences. Lauren had no idea her stranger was Noah. Setting these issues aside, the erotic scenes were well written, but with virtually no real character development or story development, I didn't care about the rest. Definitely a book to skip.

I like the book its familiar with another i read but its good writing and keeps u interested

Naughty Little Secrets...is a great book...funny, enertaining, hot, and streamy. Would read it over again, and is a nice book for anyones little romance collection.

Two years after her divorce, Lauren Southall is ready to get back into the swing of things...kind of. She's not ready for love and commitment, but she might just be ready for some romance and excitement. Especially if it involves Noah Reeves. Not only is he smart, sweet and rich, he's six-foot-three and sexy as all get out! But he's also her ex-husband's friend, her boss and he is notorious for having a long line of short relationships.

When she receives a mysterious note promising naked skin and sexual fantasies, Lauren can't help but feel thrilled. Will she be able to live out her fantasies with Mr. Mysterious or will thoughts of Noah chase him away?

Having been in love with Lauren for over ten years, Noah knows it's now or never. He believes she's ready for a relationship but he'll have to convince her. Planning her seduction as he would a corporate takeover, Noah decides to romance her as himself during the day and creates a mysterious stranger to dominate her at night.

Naughty Little Secret by Shelley Bradley is utterly fantastic! I fell in love with the characters; from Lauren who is too afraid of being hurt to open herself up to any kind of happiness, to Noah and his relentless pursuit of the one woman he truly loves. One secondary character, Lauren's sister Kay, particularly shined. She is funny, outrageous and totally straightforward with Lauren which is just what she needs. The whole premise of a mysterious stranger and sex could have been creepy but Ms. Bradley manages to make it unbelievably arousing instead. With its fast pace, engaging plot and super sizzling sex, Naughty Little Secret is an indulgence you won't want to miss.

Georgia
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I'd recently bought Naughty Little Secret because the reviews were decent and who hasn't had a fantasy about a person they can't have and used someone else to fulfill it? The idea of her wanting Noah yet playing with the stranger had a fun appeal. However, I found that immediately this book is beyond unrealistic when, in her opinion, someone not only breaks into her house after being somewhat stalkerish but then has sex with her, and she's not at all as disturbed as any normal person would be. I think there were a thousand other ways to introduce a stranger into the picture that any other person would have been able to stretch their imagination for, instead I found that I instantly didn't understand Lauren and therefor couldn't truly feel all her passion. I couldn't get over how terrified and angry I'd be if some stalkerish guy broke into my house and tied me up. There would be no sexual tension. I can't empathize with that. It was probably because of this fact that I found the sex scenes lacking. Yes, the were steamy and I think that, were I in a different frame of mind, they might have been arousing, but instead they were just weird. Overall, I found the book entertaining if I didn't think about it too hard and once I was into the book and accepted the situation I thought it got better. I found the book to be too short for what it was trying to sell and too out there in the thought process of the 'heroine'. I wouldn't have bought it, but getting it from the library wouldn't be bad.

This book is definitely a must-have for every woman.

From here, you will be able to correctly define your body shape and size:

1) measure your shoulder, bust, waist, hip (it teaches you to do so correctly) to calculate your proportions and define your SHAPE. You will find out whether you are a Triangle, Inverted Triangle, Rectangle or Hourglass;
2) use the relationship between your height and weight to define whether you are slender, average, plus or double plus;
3) then your height alone to define if you are petite, tall or something in between.

Once you know all of the above, then you will be invited into your particular dressing room (there're 48 of them in the book) and find out exactly what types of tops, skirts, pants, dreses, jackets, coats, shoes and accessories are most flattering on you, as well as what you shoud avoid. It also identifies a celebrity for each fitting room for your reference.

There are only 4 pages devoted to each fitting room (body shape), but there is so much useful information and it is almost all you need to build your entire wardrobe! These 4 pages of information is invaluable!

You can always use the information in the other fitting rooms to help the ones you care, like your best friends, your mother, your sisters, your daughers etc...

The book aslo gives other advice on:
1) the fundamental pieces in your wardrobe;
2) answer a few questions in order to define your style of sexy;
3) the Dress Sexy Ten Commandments: the rules that apply to every women, all shapes and sizes (here you will also find out about how to tell if a piece is well made and good quality).

This is the best book on the subject! I definitely recommend it.

Lucy Chen

KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID!!! I loved it! The Science of Sexy gives women the basics of body typing and style. There may not be a lot of pages for each body type but there is TONS of information in those pages along with little tricks on highlighting your best features and minimizing your worst.
His biggest point is to learn to love your body, whatever shape it is. If YOU can't love your body, how can anyone else? I wish more women knew these simple techniques. He's got the right attitude in helping women find the most flattering styles for their particular body, NOT what the fashion magazines tout as 'style' that only looks attractive a size 2, 5' 10" woman!!!

being that you need to measure.. I recommend and got a few girlfriends together, had some wine and then we measured and learned.. we have completely different bodies but fit the same ID in this book, which lucky for us just expanded out closets, LOL...

For years I have read fashion books that mention body shapes, but never provided an insight as to how I could figure out what body shape I had. On top of that the books would provide advice along the lines of... wear surplice tops. But having not attended design school, I couldn't pick a surplice top out from a sweetheart top.

But this book finally changes all that. The book provides detailed instructions on where to measure and exactly how to determine your body type. I very much enjoyed the recurring theme of `no matter what your body style is, you can dress sexy.' After you determine your body type, Bayou lays out a chart of height/weight so that you can find your exact body style within that height/weight category... average medium hourglass, short inverted triangle, etc. Then on the following pages Bayou proceeds to break down each body style and what looks good on your body type.

Regretfully, because Bayou devotes so many pages to covering so many different body types (I think its something like 48 different body styles that he covers), he is only able to devote four pages to each body style. HOWEVER, he crams a ton of information into those four pages. What to wear, what not to wear, accessories, skirts, tops, pants, jackets. He covers them all. And he provides reasoning as to why you shouldn't wear this or that. He even goes so far as to describe the shoes and accessories that look good with your body type.

But the best part about the book is at the end. The glossary. It's not just a glossary. Next to each term is a sketch. So when he says surplice top, I can look at the glossary and there is a sketch of a surplice top. Gathered skirt, a-line, princess seams... there are a ton of different terms. And its not just clothes, in the glossary he covers shoes, accessories, pants, dresses, tops... it goes on and on.

Its wonderful to finally find a designer who wants to dress my body... not cram my body into his latest creation. Now if Bayou could just do a book on makeup!

I know many viewers have marked this title down for having only a few pages relating to their body type. I did get this title from the library (which I had to wait to get because the library system doesn't have a lot of copies and it's a popular title). I thought this book was very valuable, especially since I'm a petite,full figured woman. There are so few books that address the many body types of full figure women. After reading this book I found out why some of my clothes made me look thinner and others made me look dumpy.
Still, I think this is a fashion book that will hold up to time. The book can be passed around among friends, sisters, moms and daughters; then it will get it's mileage. I may still buy it or ask for it for a gift. As I'm losing weight, I'll most likely need to refer to it again (since some things clothing advice changes for weight rather than body shape).

I was dubious about this book. Could a book containing the librettos of all the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas have room for substantial annotations? The answr was that a very thick book can do it. The numbered lines of the libretto on the right page are keyed to plentiful annotations on the facing left. A very satisfactory "Annotated G & S" for G & S lovers.

Bradley's copious annotations provide a wealth of insight into the G&S operas--and they're fun, too. Included are Gilbert's alterations and substitutions, extracts from some first-night reviews, explanations of allusions, and much more. All together, the annotated G&S makes reading the librettos a much richer experience.

I preferred this version to Asimov's annotations.

This is a fine presentation of Wiener Blut with fine singing & acting by all the prncipals. Unfortunately, this particular disc has flaws in the second act which may prevent proper playback on most equipment. If you are able to find unflawed discs, the performance is worth paying extra.Wiener Blut

This reeinforces my original G&S Modern Library edition circa 1937 that I still use with my own notes made as I listened to D'Oyly Carte in those days.
Refreshing to know what W.S. meant 50 years before I came along.

Though sung in English, it can be difficult to understand the words of G&S operas without libretti. I listen to the CDs while following along in this book, and it has greatly increased my pleasure in G&S, as well as my admiration for both Gilbert's witty and insightful lyrics and the way Sullivan carries the words along with his music.

The main character is a young girl, forced to step away from her family because she can not conform to what is expected of a young woman. She has an amazing ability to communicate with hawks and horses, called "laren", and begins a quest to find others like her. She also searching for a brother, who also could not conform to their father's wishes. In the beginning of her journey, she disguises herself as a man, but still trouble finds her along the way. This is a very believable character, and reading it as a young woman, I can't help but relate to the pressures that come as you get older. If you like horses, this is also a book for you. I also highly recommend "The Wolf Experiments" by Carey Borgens. Both of these book depict a strong female character, a journey of discovery. While Hawkmistress is more of a medieval fantasy, The Wolf Experiments is a Science Fiction. These titles are well written and keep you on the edge of your seat.

As Romilly MacAran approaches the age of 15, she runs into two problems: her father and her laran. She decides to run away from her father and finds herself in the middle of a war. She grows from girl to young woman in a very interesting joutney and ends up with love, honor and respect. Although there is a very feminist slant to this book, it doesn't interfere with the story. I would definitely recommend it to both fans of the Darkover series and young women who can sympathize with the character's trials.

Romilly MacAran is hitting puberty. Not only does that mean the usual mood swings and hormone surges, but also the surges of Romilly's awakening laran. Romilly has the MacAran gift of rapport with animals in full measure. Her overbearing father, Dom Mikhail, loves her as his favorite, but will not bend in his views of what is right in their society; that women should stay at home and embroider while men work with hawks and hounds. Mikhail also does not believe in tower training to control laran, and Romilly's beloved older brother, Ruyven, also strongly gifted with laran, fled home to take a place as laranzu in Tramontana tower against his father's wishes.

Romilly is unhappy under her father's autocratic rule, (as is her other older brother who is ironically berated for not having the family laran) but is hopeful until her father gives away her prized hawk and pledges her hand in marriage to a fat, greasy, older lord who has already lost multiple wives in childbirth. Romilly cuts her hair, puts on boy's clothes, and takes to the forest. She has many adventures and gets embroiled in the battle to restore the rightful Hastur King to the throne of Darkover, a battle in which she unsurprisingly plays a major part.

Romilly is very like Menolly from Anne McCaffrey's DRAGONSONG books. She is very sensitive and talented, subjected to emotional abuse (and a little physical abuse by her family-especially her father) and she suffers from low self-esteem. Her feelings of injustice are keenly felt and heart-rending. She grows and matures as she comes into her talent and is instrumental in helping a respected surrogate father figure. I first read this book as a teen, and found the angst and righteous indignation of Romilly tore at my heart. It still does. Would highly recommend this, especially to teen girls.

from the back cover of the 7th printing September 1982 Daw paperback edition
cover illustration by Hannah M. G. Shapero
She had rejected her noble birthright and embraced the freedom only a man could claim. She was Romilly who lived among the beasts of hill and forest and communicated with them, who tried humanity and turned it down for its evils and jealousies. She had the MacAran Gift, the rare laran that conferred mastery over hawk and horse.
There was war in the lands of Darkover for this was the age of chaos when usurpers took the throne and the true king wandered in disguise with a price on his head. Romilly wanted none of all this, but there were those who shared her talents-the men and women of the Towers. And for them Romilly was the key.
Whether male-garbed or beast-minded, she was also human. And duty to her own true kind pointed her to the ultimate decision.

This book is set in one of the earlier time periods of Darkover: The Ages of Chaos. The heroine of this novel is a girl named Romilly. Romilly MacAran is the daughter of an important family. She has her family's gift of laran: the ability to intuitively feel what animals are feeling, thus making it easier to work with them. In particular, this laran is used with hawks and horses (her family is known for the MacAran gift with hawks). Because of the strained family dynamic, more pressure is put in Romilly than otherwise might have been. The eldest son left home to train his laran in a Tower, and this enraged Mikhail MacAran (so much so that mention of laran or the eldest son's name was forbidden). The heir was a disappointment to Mikhail and he wished that Romilly was a man. Mikhail tried to push Romilly into a marriage with someone that she found disgusting and unacceptable. Instead of accepting the marriage, she ran away from home.

Romilly disguises herself as a man. This era of Darkover is extremely patriarchal and women have few rights in society. Romilly meets up with Dom Carlo and his exile band who are joining the army of the exiled King Carolin. Though her travels she is learning who she is and who she wants to be. Romilly also gets to experience some of the prejudice Darkover society presents women. For a brief while, she also joins the Sisterhood of the Sword, a female/warrior society. Even while we learn about Romilly we also see more of Darkover and what the society is like.

This is a feminist novel in the characterization of Romilly and how she reacts to the men (and world) of Darkover. It is also a very good novel. It goes in a different direction from Stormqueen (another novel set in the Ages of Chaos), but is just as rich and just as good. Darkover is one of the better fanstay worlds and Marion Zimmer Bradley is an excellent writer. Most, if not all, of the Darkover novels are self-contained, so it is not necessary to read them in any particular order. Just pick one up and give it a try. I haven't been disappointed by this series yet.

But always sharp and funny--like a smiling, crying clown, wielding a machete, with flowers painted on it.

Due to an incident with a giraffe, Grover is transported back in time. He meets up with his unattached "member," which goes by the name The Unnamable. The Unnanmable makes Grover go back to high school (every person's dream/nightmare) so that it can run itself for class president. Once the election is won, The Unnamable promises to reveal the secrets of Nazi time travel to Grover so he can return home. But is The Unnamable reliable?

That is the basic plot outline to this book, but there is so much more going on here than a simple plot. The story twists and turns and changes at the drop of a dime. The writing style changes, the format changes. There is a "choose your own adventure" section of the book as well as a television script. At some points you have to read passages two or three times to remind yourself what is going on. This book is a work of art.

A couple of standout points:
1) The "sacrificial children" passage on page 160.
2) "It's not over until the pigeons start flinging their own feces."
3) "...the act of loving someone is far less traumatic after they're no longer around to bother you..."

This is a stellar addition to the Bizarro genre, and I hope to see more by this author in the near future.

(this review originally appeared at www.depravedpress.com)

The Bizarro genre can be very diverse and equally polarizing. A book exploring the complex relationships of its characters will likely sit on the shelf against a plot-driven novel concerned primarily with eliciting shock. The former may satisfy the broad reading audience, while the latter may pride itself in keeping only the strongest stomachs satiated. It Came From Below the Belt is the latter, destroying just as many brain cells as it saves.

The story follows Grover Goldstein, a seemingly apathetic, accidental time traveler who must help his future self's penis-a reincarnated Hitler-win a presidential election so that Grover may use Nazi technology to travel back to his own time. Though this concept is intentionally absurd, take comfort in the plot's secondary nature. The wealth of one-liners, visceral images, and grotesque situations inform the novel more than the plot itself. It Came From Below the Belt is equal parts Steve Aylett, Adult Swim cartoons, and dick jokes.

The novel unfolds more as a series of tangents where each image builds upon the prior in effort to cram as much absurdity into the pages as possible. This effect is displayed most often through the use of lists, a technique which can saturate characters and plot points in a very economical way. The example below describes the symptoms of a rare virus "that can only be caught through handling the lung of an immortal":

"The symptoms started, including dry mouth, fatigue, priapism, gender confusion, full knowledge of acronyms used on the Internet, weakness to salt, depletion in confidence, sensitivity to embarrassment, resorting to name calling, a passion for golf, chanting in emoticons, and conversing with the Almighty. [pg. 88]"

Though these lists do appear perhaps too often, they do, for the most part, encourage an appreciation of the novelist's style.

Though the Bizarro genre is becoming more and more acknowledged as a legitimate category, there still stands a general dismissal of it among many readers. Sands capitalizes on the postmodern nature of ICFBtB by directly addressing potential antagonizers with a book review appearing in the latter half of the novel, penned by fictional professor, Arthur Papsmear. This review seems to let any hesitant readers know that "yes, this book is crazy. Yes, this book doesn't make a lot of sense. Yes, that is why we like it." Knowing that this review is written by the author himself, the snide comments actually serve the genre well:

"It is written in a manner that embraces style over substance, using an onslaught of wordplay, gimmicks, deconstructed cliches, and lowbrow humour as a sleight of hand trick designed to take the reader's attention off the nonexistent plot and the author's inability to write. [pg. 125]"

The novel is a word-by-word bungee jump that finds its strength in just this sort of immediate satisfaction. This novel won't be quoted in the halls of the academia anytime soon, but that is exactly what the genre expects of its books. No more, no less. As long as the reader approaches It Came From Below the Belt with adequate expectations he will happily take from the book a world re-imagined according to the processed reality of an author intent to turn a few stomachs and wrinkle a few noses. Isn't a good book all about affecting its reader in some way, anyway?

Bradley Sands writes books that are not for everyone, infact if you are one of people who connects with his work finding `It came from Below the Belt' would be like being struck by lightning. Perhaps the most absurd of absurdist novels I have ever read this book has many laughs as a Mel Brooks film in seventies. Well on the surface the novel itself seems to suffer from ADD it is actually deviously constructed to have a plot complete with a choose your adventure breakdown that if all the directions are taken still kinda makes sense in the whole.

Mister Sands is well aware of what a non-bizarro friendly reviewer/reading might think of his novel. On page 125 there is fictional review of the book. "It is written in a manner that embraces style over substance, using an onslaught of wordplay, gimmicks, deconstructed clichés and low brow humor."

So the question is are you ready to read a science fiction novel about a man swallowed by a giraffe and vomited into the far future that has to run his sentient penis for public office? If that sounds like the type of story you always been missing than get afterbirth on the horn and get yourself a copy!

Sands has a gift for juxtaposing images, combining familiar realities in a way that creates new, unfamiliar realities. Examples include cockroaches on wheels, giraffes doing ballet, nuclear lunchboxes and toupee-wearing orangutans on surfboards. One is reminded of Rene Magritte or Russell Edson.

But what really impressed me about this book was its clarity and craft. His diction is always simple and conversational. His rhythms steady and controlled. His plotting is profluent and convincing. His characters active and rounded. Everything is vivid, everything delightfully boisterous, like a deep, fascinating, unsettling dream that stays in your mind for days.

The Book: C for Linux Programming in 21 Days by Sam's is published in 2000. It is either so out of date, or inaccurate that even the first example (Hello World!), coding doesn't work. Even after following the instructions multiple times and double checking everything over. Warning their is a number of different downloads that have to be done to apply the information in these kinds of books that never get mentioned it is questionable if books like these serve any purpose other than coffee table decorations. Space too small to give lessons here. Buy only up to the minute beginning books. May things go well with you.

This book helped me get back with programming in C (one of the most powerful languages out there), and they did a nice job of explaining the Linux environment and how the GNU C compiler (GCC) works. I am pretty new to Linux but had no trouble getting up and running with the book.

Going into my first year as a computer science student, I had never programmed before in any language. After realizing how tough it was, I picked up this book that was luckily in a local book store and read the entire book cover to cover. I'm now in my final year preparing to do a Masters in computer science thanks largely in part to this book. Even though it's not a complete C reference, it definatly gets you going in the write direction. From making simple to advanced makefiles in a clear and understandable manner, to structured software development with debugging information and proper coding techniques. It is missing important information like database programming and socket programming, but the things that are missing could be picked up in a more indepth and advanced book on C programming like "Beginning Linux Programming" (big red book with the 2 guys on the cover laughing at eachother). I'd never part with my copy of Teach Yourself C in 21 Days because its a good reference for little things you may forget along the way.

This book is beyond as good as i said in my last review, well this is an update. After finishing this book, i have an entirely new outlook on why this book is so good! I always find myself looking back for a reminder; if there's something i need a refresh or rescale on, it's got it. it teaches compiling all the way to deployment. This book is desirably the best in my GNU/Linux stash. There are so many extras in this book, you would b surprised why they priced it so low!

COVERED- Pointers (in depth), functions, all forms of data structures, GTK/GTK+, and more-

If you the reader are taking any introductory courses in programming, for goodness and gpa get this book! Especially if you have a[bad]teacher as i once did ;)

Hope this was helpful

This is one of the best programming books I have ever worked with/used. I had a program which I had written in Perl to parse and search unformatted log files. It worked, but very slowly. I picked up this book and thought I would try and rewrite it in C during the holidays. Four days latter it was done. I felt like I had really accomplished something, rewritten my program (which is now over a 100 times faster), and learned some C.
The best thing was that I never ran into an example that didn't work and the examples were so straight forward I didn't have to write and try every one. ( I'm of the ilk that usually writes and tries all the examples). I wish they could all be this good.

I enjoyed reading this book very much, but the book "Bound and Determined", which is #1 and "Strip Search" #2 in order of reading, was a better book I thought, although they were both really great books. Just be sure to read "Bound and Determined" first. I give "Bound and Determined 4 1/2 stars. All of Bradley's books are a joy! Happy reading!

Mark Sullivan goes undercover as a stripper for a club in Las Vegas as a favor to his brother-in-law. With his CPA background, he needs to take a look at the books of Nicki DiStefano's strip club to see if he can figure out if the club is laundering mafia money.

Nicki DiStephano loves running a strip club and is determined to run it without her uncle's interference. Yes, he contributed a significant amount of money so that she could buy the club, but she resents his interference and the fact that he sent Blade Bocelli, one of his men, to check her books.

Nicki meets Mark when he auditions for her. She's looking for a new stripper and has seen many men audition, but no one has sparked her interest, that is, until she watches Mark perform for her. Immediately, the sparks fly between the two of them, but Mark is leery of getting involved with any woman after his previous relationship. However, he takes advantage of their attraction to get closer to Nicki and get a look at those books.

Strip Search is a sequel to Bound and Determined, the story of Mark's younger sister Kerry. You don't need to read that book first to enjoy Strip Search, although there are many mentions of the characters and situation of the first book. I did enjoy this book more than Bound and Determined - Nicki is a strong independent woman and Mark is very sexy. Once again, the cover of this book is very deceptive as there are plenty of steamy sex scenes - not anything that you would expect looking at that cover.

This book is a fun read, but for me, not a keeper. I felt that some of Mark's actions and comments to Nicki were quite harsh - a sane woman would have given him the heave ho. However, I enjoyed it and wouldn't mind reading about more of the characters from this book as it appears that there could be a sequel about Nicki's stepsister Lucia.

Nice way to spend a cold evening in bed or a warm soak in the tub! I just wish I had first read her prior book (Bound and Determined) which was yummy as well, and introduced the primary male character (as well as the more minor characters) in this book. Scenes were hot enough for me, not overly kinky, there are actual plots and I don't regret buying either one!

Mark Sullivan's brother-in-law asks him to take on a FBI undercover assignment, and the gorgeous alpha CPA finds himself stripping in a suspected club with mafia ties. Nicki DiStefano needs a new dancer to make the cast complete. When they meet at the audition, it is instant attraction for both of them.

This story is erotic and fast paced with more chemistry than you can handle. The suspense is exciting and will keep you guessing till the very end. The author really delivered!!

Mark Sullivan has been recruited by his brother-in-law, as a favor to the FBI, to infiltrate a Vegas nightclub. It seems that one of the agents already in place hasn't been heard from in three months and the feds want to send in a civilian to see what is happening. There is just one catch...the nightclub in question is actually a male strip club run by a supposed Mafia boss' niece. Mark's assignment? He is to get close to the niece and then get into her computer; two things Mark knows he is qualified to handle. He is a bit unsure about the male dancer role he will have to assume but agrees anyway. Mark decides that getting close to the niece will not be a hardship since looking at her photograph instantly garnered his attention.

Nicki DiStefano needs a new dancer and she needs him now! The men she has been auditioning just aren't what she is looking for. Figuring the next dancer trying out will be another loser, she settles in for a boring afternoon. Watching Mark walk through the curtain and onto the stage, Nicki can't believe her eyes! Before her is a living, breathing Adonis and her curiosity gets the best of her. Mark Gabriel doesn't have a resume, but what he does have is a wonderful set of pectorals and the best looking dimples she has ever seen. During their interview, Nicki questions Mark on his ability to flirt with the female customers and Mark tries out his skills on Nicki. She almost falls under his spell and finally agrees to see Mark dance. And dance he does! Hot and bothered after the audition ends and desperately trying not to show it, Nicki calmly tells Mark she will be in touch.

Feeling extremely smug, Mark knows he has her. All he has to do now is get Nicki to trust him, and his job is done. Mark doesn't count on the feelings Nicki stirs inside him, nor does he count on her stubbornness to fight what she feels for him. To add fuel to the fire, there is the small matter of trying to find who is doctoring Nicki's books and transferring huge amounts of money to bogus accounts. While Mark doesn't want Nicki to be guilty of such devious crimes, he doesn't put anything past her or her family. Confusion reigns, however, when things begin to happen to endanger Nicki almost immediately after Mark arrives.

STRIP SEARCH kept me spellbound and on the edge of my seat from the time I started reading it until I read the very last word. As far as heroes go, Mark Sullivan has to be one of my favorites. He was burned by his ex-wife and still leery of females, but his attraction to Nicki couldn't be denied. Nicki, on the other hand, is one stubborn but loyal heroine. I can't blame her for either since she knows that the employees and her club depend on her. This aside, the chemistry between Mark and Nicki is undeniable and makes for an extremely torrid affair that will leave readers sweating! Add in the elements of intrigue, suspense, and downright surprise, and I was hooked.

STRIP SEARCH, as far as novels go, really delivers. I couldn't put it down. As a sequel to BOUND AND DETERMINED, Shelley Bradley has created a fast paced, highly erotic story that will leave readers wanting more. I highly recommend STRIP SEARCH to any and all readers and I look forward to reading more books by Shelley Bradley.

***Natasha Smith for Romance Junkies***

This book presents the kind of information you might never otherwise learn and that some actually seek to suppress (note the couple of negative reviews unabashedly trying to steer you away from reading this book, with weak ad hominem attacks). I bought numerous copies of this book and gave them as gifts to friends and family coping with prostate cancer. Dr. Hennefent truly cares about the situation because he had so many loved ones (uncles) suffer from poor treatment decisions for prostate cancer and doesn't want to see others suffer. The information presented is well supported with references to reputable information sources. Prostate cancer victims need to educate themselves and not rely on biased doctors, or any other single source of information, to give them the full picture. This book will help round out whatever other information you may have received and presents much information that is quite surprising.

I bought this book for my father-in-law who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. He said it was the best book he had ever read. He finished it in two days. He said it helped him solidify his decision not to have surgery.

This should be required reading for every man over 40, much less 50! I learned enough to ask the right questions of the right people after having a cancer diagnosis. My only wish is that I had read it before the doctor said those fatefull words. 5 stars to the author for providing concise, understandabale information concerning the prostate and it's various diseases and the cures.

The author is clearly anti-surgery. He repeats this over and over again...a little too often, really. However, his position is backed up by a lot of hard facts.

The author definitely favors radiation as a preferred option when surgery is the other main choice. He makes a strong case that radiation has a similar treatment efficacy and fewer side effects. There isn't much in the book about nutritional therapies.

I found it definitely worth reading. Most urologists seem to favor surgery as "the gold standard". However, after reading this book and checking out the research upon which it bases its conclusions, surgery definitely seems to be oversold.

This author is on a campaign, a misinformed and poorly written campaign, against prostate surgery which, for many men, is by far the best choice. Do not buy this book under any circumstances. Even if you are tying to avoid surgery, you can get better information almost anywhere on the internet than is presented in this book.

the whole book started out really engaging and i couldn't put the book down at all. however, as the story progressed, i felt that celeste bradley was pushing to end the story as all the events leading up to izzy & julian's revelation of love for each oher was quite hasty.
that's why the 3 stars, cuz of the harried pace, but, it was a really enjoyable book.

expect more of the heart-wrenching love stories in her later books :the Liar's Club and the Royal Four.

Setting - England, 1831--- Izzy Temple is a rather non-descript and plain young woman who has convinced herself that she would never marry. After all she knew was very plain, but she was intelligent and she had a dream. Of course, her dream was not like the one she was experiencing at the moment with someone nibbling at her neck, caressing her body, and causing all kinds of delightful feelings in the pit of her stomach - but wait a minute, this was no dream! Screaming out and reaching for a candelabrum next to her bed she had just knocked her assailant senseless as the door to her bedchamber was thrown open. Several people came running to her aid. Among them was the fantastically beautiful Lady Claire Bottomly, whose horrifying expression of shock and embarrassment made Izzy realize in an instant that Eppingham, Julian Rowley had mistaken her room for his assignation with the much more desirable Lady Claire. As Julian's father came through the door expressing his disgust with his son, Izzy made the split second decision to protect both Julian and Lady Clair by claiming a lover's quarrel rather than everyone's assumption that he was raping her. Actually, fessing up as being ruined would solve a big problem for her. As the days progressed Izzy was quite pleased with herself that she was to be labeled a `fallen' woman - this way she could set up her own household living alone as an `independent' woman until she would eventually leave England for America!

Unfortunately, Julian in trying to accommodate his father's wishes (and believe me his father ends up being a real beastly, unloving, horrid father) agrees to marry the plain little spinster or he would be disinherited. He is astounded when Izzy promptly turns him down, but after he explained his situation, soft-hearted Izzy agreed to a fake betrothal that she could end within a suitable frame of time, even if she really and truly would love to marry the handsome Lord she was fast losing her heart to. Originally, Julian thought himself immune to the plain spinster, but as he spent time with her - originally as part of the `deception' - he realized that she wasn't plain at all, and when he was with her his heart felt lighter - could this be love?

This was a totally delightful and satisfying read. I don't remember enjoying a heroine so much as Izzy (sweetly nicknamed Isadorable by Julian) and her matter of fact, down to earth outlook on life. Her going away present to her horrid little cousin Sheldon was a hoot and the way she stood up against and `dressed down' Julian's father was magnificent! The reader is just bound to love her transformation from plain Jane to Isadorable. If I have any complaints at all, it would be that the secondary characters (Eric, Lady Claire, cousin Millie, etc.) were so endearing that I feel bereft in not seeing the story continue into a series.... I just hated to see this end even though the author does tie all the ends up with a neat little epilogue. For a debut novel this one is most deservedly worthy of the RITA it has won. Totally charming and extremely enjoyable! --- Submitted by Marilyn, Official Reviewer for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---

Celeste Bradley has come into her own as a successful, upcoming romance writer. Her first book, Fallen, is a fun, exciting, heartwarming and sensual regency tale. The story starts with a bang when handsome rake, Julian, accidentally goes into spinster Izzy's bedroom one night at a house party, ruining her reputation. Ordered by his father to marry her-what ensues is a wonderful romance which I would compare to the quality or Catherine Coulter or Amanda Quick. If you like quirky heroines, handsome reformed rakes, and wonderful side characters I heartily recommend this book! 5 stars!

Izzy is a great heroine; very realistic in her wistfulness and charming in her easy acceptance of so many awkward situations and her lack of pretension. No wonder Julian finds her a breath of fresh air. And Julian? He buys a horse during their faux engagement just because...and then is disappointed just because she's already outside when he arrives with it (disappointed because he was so looking forward to the surprise). Then toward the end, he says, "Why don't you love me, Izzy?" If you had the same reaction to that question as I did, you'll love this book.

There is a poignancy toward the end pulls at the heartstrings in a different way. Poor Julian, though it all works out for the best, of course. And the epilogue is one of the most interesting and "futuristic" I've ever read. Will there be a book about Matthew?

I suppose my reason for 4 stars is that I felt there was still some unfinished business, especially regarding Julian's friend Eric; and the whole situation with his father remained a downer--realistic, but I would have preferred a more idealistic resolution.

What a great, funny fast paced read!! For a first book, the writing is superb. I'll definently be waiting for her next book!! I started it and before I even looked up I was on page 68. Don't miss this one, historical or regency fans!! You'll love it!!