Christie Books

My military service has given me the opportunity to travel around Europe for the past 15 years and this is the best bird guide I've purchased. The drawings are accurate, the text filled with interesting and helpful facts and, best of all, the range maps make for rapid (and accurate) field identifications. This book is a keeper.

This book help me a lot during several bird trips on my first visit to Europe in 1999. I have travelled in several countries. Sometimes with very keen birders, other times alone. It would be impossible for me to be in the field in conditions to identify so many birds, without this valuable book. Excellent pictures. It's my new standard on international field guides.

This book emerged onto a highly competitive market already burgeoning with numerous field guides covering the region, most by renowned authors and many having benefitted from improvement over several editions. Quite simply though, this book won instant recognition as the best field guide available for Europe - and perhaps a model for field guides everywhere. Its authors are well known experts in their field having spent many years studying and publishing on the birds of the region. However, the key to the guide's success is the fact that so much more useful information has been condensed into a guide which is much the same size as existing books. The book boasts excellent illustrations, succinct text and handy maps, all presented on a the same page. Small enough to fit into a pocket (about the same size as the National Geographic guide) and cheap, it is a must for anyone visiting Europe. As one reviewer has already pointed out, it is indispensable in Alaska too - not just for Palaearctic vagrants, but for regular shorebirds and some residents. Don't hesitate!

I was very much looking forward to the paperback Collins Bird Guide, but unfortunately the pages are crowded, the print tiny and cramped, and the binding does not allow the book to open completely. While the Guide may be exhaustive and accurate, it is neither satisfactory as a field guide nor enjoyable to read at home. Were the text less verbose and even conversational, perhaps a larger font could have been used. I had hoped for something analogous to Sibley, "Field Guide to Birds of Western North America", which has a clear layout and a binding that opens properly.

Excellent book with comprehensive coverage and high quality plates. Book production quality is also high. My edition is small enough in hardback to be a true "Field Guide" although I understand that a new larger edition has been recently published, if plate quality is maintained this edition will be an excellent reference. If you have questions about this text go to amazon.co.uk and read some of the reviews there. This book recieved the British Trust for Ornithology seal of approval so anything an amateur like me might add is probably superfluous. Excellent reference, nice plates and informative and accurate text

This haunting epic is Agatha Christie's best work!

I agree that it is very good. A brilliant tale of how cruel priorities can be, and how some things - such as the death of a loved one - can make one forget about everything else. Especially the last page was devastating.

A different book from the queen of crime..Agatha Christie has proved that she is not just a crime writer.. A powerful story about a genius and his relationships with two women..In a way, the book is too frighteningly true! Not for the mushy romantic kind...

I now know why Agatha Christie's romance novels weren't as popular as her detective fiction. People always like to read romance which has a happy ending i.e the 2 lovers marrying. But in Ac's novels, the 2 lovers invariably seperate. She dvelves deep into human nature, a produces a story.Giant's bread is a touching novel of a genius, Vernon Deyre. He is a genius in music, & thi leads him to break the hearts of the 2 womenen, Nell & Jane who love him. He is wildly infatuated with Nell, a childhood friend,whom he marries, but its only in the end that he realises that he isn't in love with anybody except Jane. He hurts Jane like hell & ina drowning ship, saves Nell instead of Jane, but only after she dies that he realises that he didn't love anybody except Jane. It is a very touching story, especially in the last few pages. But its not recomended for people who like happy endings.

I love Christie's mysteries and stumbled on this in a used bookstore about 5 years ago. She only wrote like 5 or 6 romances, and this one's the best. It's one of my favorite books. Makes me cry every time. but it's so funny that the only versions published now say in huge letters "Agatha Christie writing under the name Mary Westmacott" Definitely a worthy read.

If you like Terry Gilliam's movies, you need this book. He covers his childhood in surprising detail, talks about the Monty Python years, and then gets into each movie. The book drags near the end, but that's primarily due to the exhaustion you feel reading about this stuff --- like his movies, you can get overwhelmed by the details. This is the best on Gilliam I've read, and one of the best books in the 'Director on Director' series.

If you happen to be a Terry Gilliam fan, you have to read this. If you don't happen to be a Gilliam fan, but are an aspiring filmmaker, this is an invaluable source of insight. Hell, there are many pros who should read this!

Reading these interviews puts you inside the creative mind of a filmmaking genius (yes, I dare say that). There's a reason for everything that's on the screen, and one understands that Gilliam's knack for weirdness is a little more than that... there's more to his filmmaking virtuosism (wild camera angles and moves) than there is when they make it in your average Nike comercial. If you wanna know what I mean, well, read the book.

Also, I don't recommend this much to Python fans. Certainly, a good part of it talks about the Python days, but it doesn't talk about their creative process much - it's more about the making of the films and Gilliam's animations.

If I had to utter one complaint about this piece, it would be that it is terribly, if understandably, one-sided. The book is terrific in showcasing Gilliam's opinions and feelings on his career and films, but that's the only opinion we receive. After hearing Burgess denounce his masterpiece, "A Clockwork Orange," I've been under the impression that an artist's opinion on his own work, while priceless, is nothing more than that; an opinion. This must be especially true in the medium of film, which more than any other medium is a collaborative effort. A book including interviews with producers, actors, technicians, designers as well as the director would make for a thorough and multi-layered overview on any film. Having said that, this particular book still succeeded in offering a peak, no matter how slight, into the workings of what I humbly consider to be an unspoken genius of our times.

As someone said on the back cover (neatly stealing my idea), Gilliam on Gilliam is like something Phillip Dick might have written. It is paranoid, neurotic, nutty, and fascinating look at filmmaker Terry Gilliam.

It is, truly, Gilliam on Gilliam, with the book in total an interview with the filmmaker. Gilliam talks about the battle for Brazil, his frustrations in the early Python films (was was stigmatized as the arty image guy), and his intricate intentions in later films.

Most interesting to me, other than how it reminded me of how much of his films, sadly, I had forgotten, was how much visual work he puts into his films. That is relatively clear from screen, but even more apparent after you read through this book.

Equally interesting to the biz geek in me was reading Terry's pitched battle for budget credibility. After having budget troubles on two films (Brazil and Baron Munchausen), Gilliam had a financial scarlet letter to sport and it has been tough for him to convince the studios that he is not a risky budgetary bet. Hard to believe that such a prolific and successful filmmaker could still be auditioning, but there it is.

Anyway, an interesting and informative book. Not for those who are mildly interested, but a treat for Gilliam geeks who want the inside skinny on everything from De Niro's bizarre behavior in Brazil, to the casting of Jon Pryce, to underlying mythic chain operating in The Fisher King.

One of the most interesting director that the world of cinema give to us. This book it's an insight view, a dive in the mind of the visual art of Terry Gilliam. If you are a fan of his work this book it's kind of a Bible and if you are not a fan, this book will open your mind to one of the more magical directors in the history of this art.

I couldn't put this book down! I am an Asian-American Christian woman, and I was constantly surprised at the countless ways that this book spoke to me personally. The stories and insights seemed to echo or explain many aspects of my own life. Things I thought were "just me" turn out to be something I share with many of my sisters.

These amazing women are incredibly vulnerable and honest as they share from their lives to the eternal benefit of complete strangers reading their words! Their teaching and strength are bold and assertive, yet loving and gentle.

I am inspired and empowered by their encouragement and wisdom; my faith is invigorated and renewed! These writings reflect God's love, wisdom, understanding, suffering, pain, comfort, and truth. I believe that "Asian American women (and those who love them)" [from the foreword] will all truly benefit from this book!

These are five voices that speak against the silence and begin to fill the void in American culture of authentic Asian American women who share the stories of how their faith, ethnicity, and gender interact and have shaped their lives in both painful and wondrous ways. For those of us who may think we know the stories and the issues, this book will surprise and challenge us - never will we look at a paper crane the same way again!

I think that this kind of a dialog is so important, especially in the light of recent events.

I know that I have similar experiences that validate and echo the writing in this book.

It is the first time in my Christian life that the subject of our faith and ethnicity have been addressed by ourselves and not others and I find the stories particularly necessary and moving. By the way I am 49 years old and I say what I say from having lived in two different cultural contexts, both Hawaii and California.

In both instances there were challenges to my faith that were particular to the ethnicity I am a part of. But my experience in Hawaii and my experience in California were totally different due to demographic influences...

If a book like this had not been written, one would need to have been written.

Irma Nicola

i could identify with this book. it is very empowering, encouraging, and uplifting. as a chinese american woman in leadership, the issues of self-doubt, stereotypes, expectations, and the role of women in leadership were addressed, and i was very affirmed through this book in what i know is God's calling.

_More Than Serving Tea_ unveils the Western 'mystique' about Asian American women and shows us what an emerging generation of Asian American Christian women leaders are thinking. The richly textured voices of U.S.-born or raised Asian American women--often silenced in their families and churches--are wonderfully woven into a tapestry of honest stories of pain, struggle, joy and Christian hope. One does not need to be a woman or an Asian American to learn something about faith, discipleship and Asian American Christianity from this landmark book!

Weddings Can Be Murder by Christie Craig

Mass Market Paperback release date May 27, 2008
4 ½ Stars

Weddings Can Be Murders is a genuine contemporary romance story. This is a story of Katie Ray, a woman due to be married to a man she thinks she loves. Her position in this matter changes daily and when she accidentally flushes her wedding ring, she is forced to step back and pay serious consideration to her choices.

While she's busy with wedding arrangements, Katie stumbles onto the path of a killer. Carl Hades, a private investigator is on the trail of the killer who is responsible for the deaths of four brides-to-be.

During the course of the investigation, Katie and Carl discover an attraction towards each other. However, between Katie's imminent wedding and Carl's aversion to marriage, both are reluctant to act on their growing feelings.

In addition to the story of Katie and Carl, there's a secondary story featuring Katie's best friend. Both stories are easy to follow. The writing moves fast, and does not complicate the story. There are some very funny moments and also sad moments dealing with family loss.

Christine Craig is a talented writer. In this story, she develops interesting and likable characters into a story that has enough twist and turns to keep you at the edge of your seat. I look forward to reading more of her books.


Reviewed by Cez at Bookaholics Romance Book Club

Don't ask me to share my copy of Weddings Can Be Murder. I intend to reread it. It's that funny. I didn't think anything could be as funny as Divorced Desperate and Delicious, but Christie Craig may have topped herself with this one.
If you don't have your copy, you'd better hurry. I went to three bookstores in town the week after the release and they were out already.

Just loved this book. Fast moving. Several storylines very artfully intertwined. Can't wait for Ms Craig's next book!!!

With two weeks to go before they exchange I do, Katie and Joe have doubts. Katie is not sure she wants to walk down the aisle while Joe wonders why he felt attracted and connected to a woman he met in a bar.

While the pair separately wonders about marriage to each other, private investigator Carl Hades after battling a man wearing a pink thong is meeting with wedding planner Tabitha Jones of Tabitha Weddings on a case he is working as her brides are suddenly dying which is murdering her business. However, Tabitha is murdered. Meanwhile, Katie wants Carl and her best friend Leslie desires Joe. Besides which a serial bride killer aims to make Katie the next victim as WEDDINGS CAN BE MURDER.

Romantic suspense fans will appreciate this fine fast-paced tale in which two couples struggle with their pairings while Carl works a homicide case in which his client is no longer around to pay him. The story line focuses more on the romantic quadrangular relationships with lighthearted sexual bantering. The murder mystery subplot is entertaining although the wedding killer is a bit over the aisle; but clearly this tale is predominately about the zaniness of marrying the wrong person when Mr. Right is locked with you in a closet.

Harriet Klausner

Absoulutely love Christie Craig! If you like Jennifer Crusie, you will love Christie Craig. Dialog is very believable, you can easily imagine sitting among these characters. This definitely goes on the keeper shelf.

A great trio of novels. Giant's Bread is her masterpiece!

I found this book very hard to read considering all I have read are Agathas suspense novels. I was rather dissapointing to see this type of writing style. Her suspense and romantic novels are both very well written out but to see this side of her kind of ruined the whole detective novels. I wouldn't recommend this to readers who like her original style...

These novels are wonderful! In my opinion, "Giant's Bread" is her masterpiece!

Fans of Agatha Christie's mystery novels will not be disappointed in these more standard novels, which she published under the name Mary Westmacott. "Absent in the Spring" is a magnificent novel, the story of a woman unexpectedly stranded in a desert outpost with no distractions, who is forced for the first time to see herself and others objectively. A simple concept, but difficult to write. Christie handles the matter superbly, and in her autobiography, lists this as one of her favorite novels. "Absent in the Spring" is even more interesting when you consider she wrote the book in 3 days during the London Blitz!

Most of the novels Christie wrote as Mary Westmacott are semi-autobiographical, or reveal conflicts or persons present in her own life. Christie fans will want to include this collection of novels for insight into the author's life, thought processes, and internal emotional struggles. The other novels in this collection, especially "Giant's Bread", are also excellent novels, but the collection would be worth reading just for "Absent in the Spring."

We are always looking for easy and fun game ideas for youth- especially games with a point. I appreciate the fact that these games have been tested so we don't have to make our youth the "guinea pigs". Helpful hints are included throughout the book from the author to help make your games more successful. Furthermore, we learn how to avoid problems and common pitfalls during our game experiences. What a great resource to have on the shelf....I imagine we'll be pulling it out quite often over the years.

I think I expected some fresh ideas from this book. What I found were numerous game ideas I've seen before. Its a new cover on previously published material. I would say that the last chapter on how NOT to lead games with your youth group was useful.

I have been coordinating our church youth group for a year and a half and am still finding new, terrific games from this book. They are all fun games and many don't need lots of prep/supplies. I also have mostly a small group- about 5-10 so there are lot of games they can play. It is even great for our one large event of the year- our Lock-In. The big group games in there are great for 30 or so kids. If you have anything to do with a youth ministry or just need to entertain a big group of kids with safe, healthy, fun activities- GET THIS BOOK!

I was very impressed with this book and have already used some of the ideas.

Shary weaves an unforgetable tale of how the human spirit can triumph, and how one tangible treasure can influence one's entire life.

The book left me with the feeling I'd experienced a rendezvous with Mohammed in ancient Persia which I found both enlightening and endearing.

Barbara Ferguson

A bittersweet coming-of-age story set in Tehren during the years 1909-1940. I became absorbed in young Mohammed's life whose joys are few but whose spirit guides him through poverty, seductions, and betrayal. He is a man trying to find Home.

Shary's research and knowledge of the Persian landscape gives the story a richly textured setting. She explores the different lifestyles between the classes and between the genders. Political and societal progress is noted as Mohammed finds he must change, first, his mode of transportation and then, his alliances.

For those who like finely drawn exotic landscapes and a happy ending after much travail, this book is definitely for you.

Christie writes from first-hand knowledge of the culture, and it shows. This is a gripping tale of love and betrayal, of grinding poverty and thwarted success, and of triumph of the human spirit. The book is well-written and engaging. The characters are fascinating, and the cultural insights are illuminating. If you have any interest in life in the Arab world, this book will provide some interesting perspective.

Poor Mohammed. What a miserable life and existence he had having one tragedy after another until you ask yourself, 'what else can happen to this person.' This is an interesting tale of a man's life in Iran and his many loves and how he finally found happiness. The descriptions and the richness of mid-eastern culture is appealing and interesting.

This book, beautifully illustrated, is just what I was looking for.I am
a PhD in Sciences and it was truly helpful for my work. I just loved it. Thanks a lot.
Eugenia

If you had read the book's description be fore buying, you migh have expected a coloring book. You were probably looking for Margulis' book: Five Kingdoms: An Illustrated Guide to the Phyla of Life on Earth.

Book description QUOTE:
It is written for science students, teachers, and anyone else who is curious about the extraordinary variety of living things that inhabit this planet. It opens with an introduction to the classification systems, distinctions between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, an introduction to life cycles, Earth history, and an explanation of how to best use this coloring book.

I purchased a copy of this book because I've been buying nearly all of Lynn Margulis's books in preparation for teaching a course. The description here was minimal, and I wanted to warn other potential buyers -- this is basically a coloring book. The weird thing is that the concepts and vocabulary are at a first-year college or advanced high school level. I can't imagine just who is supposed to use this book, sixth grade geniuses with crayons, or easily amused college freshmen? I suppose if you have a really bright grade school class you might want to give this book a try, but in my judgement it's not at the right level for anyone, anywhere.

DIVERSITY has surprising success in being all things (well almost all) to all people. It's about equally divided between fact-packed technical writing, full of Latin names, and line drawings of them. The intro is convincingly authoritative. And TEN pages of further resources are provided.

At first, I thought this is not a book for me, a novice, But Latin names are coupled with common ones. The fifty-page glossary is nicely written in everyday language. And the line drawings are tantalising. I am invited to color the drawings!

The cover shows the beauty of color and design that the authors contemplate. Spiral binding lies flat for coloring. I wonder what medium works best. Colored pencils? How would the paper take to water color or acryllic? The authors urge me to photocopy the drawings. I might enlarge one, use good art paper and create something worth framing!

There's no clue as to what colors are right. Shall I create my own color scheme, or go to the zoo or a swamp for real-life colors? I think fantasy will be more fun.

DIVERSITY does assume some knowledge of biology. I'd call it an expansion of knowledge for those who like knowledge for its own sake, and certainly a well-organized reference book. It could also work as a student-friendly text for a sophisticated high school or beginning college level classroom.

Just learning that there are five kingdoms staggered me because I studied biology before 1960, when there were just two. The animal Kigdom is now "animalia" and the vegetable kingdom is now "plantae." Modern biologists distinguish bacteria and fungi as numbers three and four. The fifth is really unnerving: something called Protoctista -- very close to the medical words that start out Procto --.

This adds up to more diversity of life than I've ever thought about.

On page 21 I find the first creative drawing/learning project: two cows in a field. One has its digestive tract outlined, with magnified drawings of six kinds of bacteria that populate its gut. Further along I find a pretty little drawing of the notorious E. coli. schematically resident in a fisherman's stomach. What wonderful colors shall I choose?

I think I shall use DIVERSITY as my Field Guide to the Minuscule as I color with my grandchildren. And somewhere I will find out what a Proctoct-- really is.

Hard to believe, with all the books I read, that I've never read an Agatha Christie before, but indeed, I have not. This was my first, and I can certainly see why Christie is the world's most-published novelist. If there's one thing Christie can do, it's tell a good story. And that's precisely what she does in Evil under the Sun. I can see why readers find Christie's work compelling; she draws her readers in quickly, with a large cast of thickly-described characters and a vivid sense of surroundings. Evil under the Sun brings us to a seaside resort, where a group of holiday-makers, including Christie's famous Inspector Poirot, find themselves attempting to deal with a broad range of personalities. Likely the most abrasive of all is the beautiful and capricious socialite Arlena Marshall. When she turns up dead in a remote part of the beach, it becomes Poirot's calling to determine her murderer. The resort's island location makes it unlikely that anyone outside the hotel could be responsible. Thus, Poirot must discover the murderer in his midst. Everyone, it seems, had a motive. Yet everyone too had an alibi. The answer turns out to be far more complicated than anyone had anticipated. Christie's gift is clearly to tell a gripping story. While there are no great lessons on morality or statements on the human condition within this it is certainly entertaining, enjoyable, and just a bit scary.

The notorious Arlena Stuart Marshall is found strangled on an empty beach, and Hercule Poirot sets about identifying the killer. It is not an easy task; there is no shortage of suspects, beginning with the dead woman's cuckolded husband and the young wife of Arlena's latest conquest. As the investigation continues, more questions arise. Was Arlena being blackmailed? Was she involved with drug smuggling? And is there a mad clergyman roaming the countryside intent on bringing scarlet women to divine justice?

This is classic Agatha Christie. Reading it reminds you why she is the master of mystery genre.

The book is fabulous. I have read all of her mysteries since early childhood and reacquainting myself with her work was refreshing from most of the dreck that is written today.

Evil Under the Sun takes place at a secluded seaside resort in England. Arlena Stuart Marshall, is young and beautiful and one of those Agatha Christie characters who seems to inspire all she meets to wish her dead. So it is small surprise when she is killed and none other than Hercule Poirot is called upon to solve the case using little more than his famous little grey cells.

This is a very typical Christie novel in many ways. It happens in a "bottle" environment where no one else comes and goes, it has an eclectic cast of characters almost all of whom seem to have a motive, and the crime seems impossible to solve. It is, however, different from many of Dame Agatha's works in the sense that it is executed so very well. Not to say that most of her novels are poor, but this one really shines. The suspects are both interesting and entertaining. Poirot is at his best as he works through things in his fashion with his little remarks raining dry humor at just the right moments. And the mystery itself definitely kept me engaged from start to finish.

I've read a number of Hercule Poirot novels, and found some very good and a few not so good. Evil Under the Sun is an excellent mystery novel that I would recommend as a great starting point to readers new to Agatha Christie as well as established fans of her work. It's both funny and compelling and features one of the best fictional detectives at his very best.