Curtis Books

This delightful novel has rekindled my desire to read or re-read the classics. I picked it up for no particular reason other than I had never read Hugo. I didn't expect much: My experience with the classics in high school and college was that they are dull and not worthy of modern reading. But, to my pleasant surprise, I discovered a fascinating book that is rich in wonderful characters and vivid descriptions of 13th century Paris. This is a very good book and it's easy to see why it has stood the test of time.

After a recent trip to Paris with my son on a business trip, I decided it was crazy that I had been to Paris and inside Notre Dame so often yet had not read this classic novel. As someone who loves modern Paris, this book captivated me with its vivid portrayal of life in medieval Paris. What a far cry from Baron Hausman's modern Paris -- a Paris with teeming with squalor, poverty, vagabonds -- and the King's Court. Hugo paints wonderful portraits of the main characters -- the hunchback bellringer of Notre Dame, Quasimodo; the tormented archdeacon, Claude Frollo; the exotically beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda.

All of these characters and the city of Paris come to life in a way that transports one back 650 years. My only criticisms of the book are the couple of chapters that painstakingly outline the street detail of Paris and the layout of Notre Dame. For me, these interrupted the flow of the story, the development of the characters and left me quite bored. As soon as Hugo got back into the core story and plot, I was re-captivated.

I do wish that the original French title was preserved -- Notre Dame de Paris -- rather than the English "Hunchback of Notre Dame". While Quasimodo is certainly a core character, the book is a story about medieval Paris, the daily life of the city, the ordinary citizens of the growing city,the privileged class and themes of love, passion, death and honor. For someone misled by the title, this book is far richer, deeper and more complex than just the story of a deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame in spite of the images that are etched in most people's minds, a great many who haven't read the book.

This is truly one of those novels that deserves its rightful place in the pantheon of literature classics.

Short and ugly ain't no fun. Either is being a witch.


If you aren't interested in fifteenth century Paris, France, and a considerable amount of detail about the odd large building there, don't read this book, you will find it somewhat on the tedious side.

The interesting part of course is that you know something nasty is coming between the accused girl, the authority figure that wants to do her over, the dumb pretty boy, and the smarter would-be saviour Quasimodo.

This novel was written as an argument against the death penalty. The victim was a young, naive innocent girl caught at the wrong place at the wrong time. She was falsely charged by an overzealous prosecutor, then condemned to death for a crime that didn't even take place!

After being rescued by Quasimoto and hiding from the crowds, the King, thinking the mob wanted her hanged, ordered her death, with no knowledge or even any interest in her situation. Thus, she was murdered.

I never previously paid much attention to the debates charging that the death penalty should be abolished, nor did I understand the reasons. I must say, however, that as hard as it was for me to read this book, (I'm not experienced at reading the classics) it changed my mind and made me see the problems with the death penalty.

If you are the kind of person who likes scary-romantic stories, you're the person who'd probably like this book! I suggest you try it out. There are a few sad parts in this book, although it is a very good story.
- 8yr old homeschool student, California

The Grandkids love this book! It's fun toread and they think the pictures are funny.

I gave this to my daughter when she turned 5. It is a fun book, but helped my daughter express how she is feeling. There is a face in the back of the book that they can change to show different feelings. I recently bought two more of these books as gifts for little girls turning 5.

I love the illustrations and the honesty of real emotions included in this book. Another great one by Jamie Lee Curtis.

Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day
Wonderful, whimsical and a delightful book for any child. I love reading this book aloud to my children. I think it is Jamie Lee Curtis' best book! I have enjoyed them all though, as have the children.

Great book to discuss feelings and moods with a child. My daughter likes this book very much and the main character is adorable. We both love the rhyme and illustrations. Great book for 3 year olds and up.

Tell Me Again... is my favorite storybook about adoption. The little girl whose voice we hear is a happy and proud teller of her own adoption tale, and her parents' essences come through loud, clear and wonderfully human. The illustrations provide kids with zillions of fun things to detect, and everyone finishes the story with a smile on their face. My only complaint: I couldn't find it in hardback. Since this book will be read a hundred times you need a sturdy version.

Hey jaime I was in Palm Springs two weekends ago and was dancing in an outdoor patio at this fab mexican restaurant in PS. You came in in black and orange. We danced to this great band. Everyone says it wasn't you but I know it was and you were so great! Congratulations on a great book. Keep the second acts comin'!
pam ward, author
WANT SOME GET SOME

This is one of several children's books written by the actress Jamie Lee Curtis, and I think it is the one you should start with. It is tender, loving, and funny. Nearly everyone should be able to relate to either the parent or the child in the story.

Fortunately, we discovered the audio version first.The Jamie Lee Curtis CD Audio Collection: Is There Really a Human Race?, When I Was Little, Tell Me About the Night I Was Born, Today I Feel Silly, Where ... Go?, I'm Gonna Like Me, It's Hard to Be Five The CD is a wonderful collection READ BY THE AUTHOR! You really get to meet another side of Jamie Lee, the mother side. It turns out that she is not only a very talented scary movie actress, but she can also channel the child in herself with her writing!

I recommend this book to all adoptive parents. It's so endearing and everything your looking for in a book for "us". :)

I found this book many years ago and picked it up for myself. I was adopted when I was 5 and am very fortunate. This book really does show how special are adoptive children. I've since bought about 6 copies (also had to replace the one my dog ate!). I've used it as a gift to various friends who have adopted as a way to share the adoption story with their child so that they knew how very special they are.

The book will be very interesting for readers who are new to trading literature and moderately interesting to those who have already read about trading, and trend trading in particular (I've read the author's magnum opus "Trend Following" and recommend it strongly).

As to the guide motive of The Complete Turtle Trader I wasn't convinced that "The Turtle experiment proved that nurture trumps nature" as the author states repeatedly. Why?

1/The Turtles were recruited not randomly but in a careful selection process. Clearly, they were perceived by R.Dennis as candidates having certain natural potential to become traders when nurtured/trained.

2/Turtles didn't risk their own money which seems the number one obstacle to trading success - a psychological one, it is called fear, while all the Turtles had to fear was not following through on job description provided by R.Dennis and W. Eckhardt, helpful indeed, although still not an easy task. Why only a small minority of the original group remained successful traders, or traders at all, after the experiment was over(many turned school teachers we learn)? In my opinion the conclusive experiment started rather then ended when the group got disbanded.

3/This point is less important than the earlier two - Turtles didn't develop their methods which is an intellectual challenge, in fact less formidable than the psychological challenge of trading, and also weren't faced with the question whether or not to adjust their methods when and if markets changed. As far as I know the 20 day breakout they applied with success during the time of the experiment doesn't work nearly as well as it did (famous L.Raschke, one of J.Schwager's Market Wizzards, has coined the name "Turtle Soup" for one of her trading setups - fading the 20-day breakout.

In conclusion: narture alone can very often be insufficient to become and remain successful at trading.

Don't read this book expecting to learn HOW to trade. Covel is telling you here about WHO the great traders were and a lot about their lives. There is as much to be learned in WHO you need to become in order to trade as there is in HOW to trade. I would put this book in the same catagory as "New Wall Street Wizzards" and "Reminiscences of a Stock Operator ".
I found this book easier to read and more enjoyable than Covel's book, "Trend Trading", because it wasn't "data" trying to prove anything. It is simply the story of some of the greatest traders who ever hit wallstreet. Don't you think that there might be a little value in knowing a bit about them?

This book blows away a lot of the hype and speculation about who, what and how the "Turtles" were recruited and trained, and it does it in a no nonsense manner.
Covel has obviously thouroughly researched his subject and laid it out in a format which enables the reader to understand the concepts and gives all the rules you would need to trade the "turtle" system without going out and spending the rip off rates some are asking for the same information.Most important is the stress on the importance of money management, which you will soon realise is the "real"secret behind the success of the "Turtles". As is known to most experienced traders, entry is the least important part of a trade, the exit strategy is paramount.
In my opinion this is a "must read" book for all traders.

I've watch and listened to this author for years. I am a subscriber to his newsletter. Frankly I didn't know what to expect from him. BUT i got something that was worth the value and well written. The interviews with Turtles was icing on the cake. These guys were silent for so long and now they speak. I would have appreciated more interviews with the players, and perhaps an interview with Dennis himself. This would have made an 'A' book an 'A+'. Maybe the author tried to reach them - I dont know. Good read, this is a keeper

This was a refreshing read - I loved it. The story line relates to a group of educated traders called the Turtles. It is a good read and everyone can find use from it. The system described is very valuable and I am studying it now. Good read, highly recommended.

"Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing life is made up of little things."

by Frank Clark

This quote is particularly true in the computer distribution business. Our sales volumes are high and our margins are razor thin. There is little margin for waste or error. Distribution is all about the little things. Do them fast, do them right and do them cost effectively many many times.

I spend a lot of my time working on my systems. Good systems or process makes for high efficiency. Hence the continual quest for improvement.

A good book on distribution is "Free, Perfect and Now" by my aquantance Rob Rodin who used to run an electronics distributor. He speaks of changing culture within a distribution company and the challenges of it. The title says it all. The customers want it "free, perfect and now" every time. It is our job to deliver that.

He knows it is culture that allows a distributor to thrive long term and also knows how easy it is for the culture to change in small ways over time so profitability and even survival are at stake. Good book worth reading if you are in distribution.

Now I go focus on the little things and ponder the culture we need for long term success.

Throughout Byvation I've talked about how the customer is king. With the advent of the internet, this is even more true today. Throughout the book, Rodin shows why it's important to adapt to the New Economy. With the dot-com bust behind us, the business world is back in swing with using the internet as a strategic tool to serve the customer.

Whether you're actively engaged in e-commerce, e-business, or even building a full-fledged e-community; Free, Perfect, and Now holds invaluable lessons for adapting to and capitalizing on opportunity in the New Economy.

1. The Customer Connection
2. You Don't Know What You Don't Know
3. Frustration by Design
4. Management on Trial
5. The $15,000 Pallet Rack
6. Money Matters Most
7. No One asks for a Salesman
8. The Uses of Tools
9. Captain Internet and the Tower of Babel
10. The Upside of Perfect
11. Millennium Rules

By now it's clear that the internet is here to stay and it is, and will continue, changing the world. In order to be successful in business today and tomorrow, you must integrate digital systems into your business to give the customer what he or she wants.

Robert Rodin shows you how to prepare for the three insatiable demands of today's customers: they want their product (or service) FREE, they want it PERFECT, and they want it NOW. No matter what business you're in, you have to find a way to respond, or risk losing your customers to competitors who are discovering new ways to sell your product cheaper, better, and faster than you've ever imagined.

Michael Davis, Editor - Byvation

Marshall Industries was in trouble, facing the pressures of modernization and internal discord. Today, it is an effective Internet-adapted company. CEO Rob Rodin (with writer Curtis Hartman) explains how he transformed his firm. He tells his personal story, including how he recognized the need for dramatic change, and planned and implemented a strategy. This excellent book tracks his saga and discusses general principles and how-to tips leaders can apply to create effective change. This isn't just another leadership book. Rodin involves you in his personal story. He candidly outlines the difficulties he faced in his company when he tried to get everyone involved in his transformation mission. The book captures a spirit of suspense (rare in business writing). You want to know what will happen next because it is well crafted and dramatic. We [...] recommend this engaging read to those involved in leadership, change, and strategy issues, or anyone who enjoys a page-turner.

Robert Rodin stands as a perfect example of what it takes to make it in the New Economy. Facing adversity and change, he never lost sight of his ultimate goal. What a great story of changing business strategies to compete in the market today. I think everyone would benefit from reading this true story instead of a story of future promises or predictions.

A been there and done that accounting of how an old economy company became a leader in the new economy by turning the old rules on their heads. It is not filled with tech speak or jargon, just real life recounting of how one committed comfortable group changed their entire business to the benefit or all stakeholders. If you have any dreams or desires to become an internet entrepreneur or want to turn your existing enterprise into a world class customer focused organization this should be on your desk. I recommend it to all members of my team and they have had the same reaction.

While some reviewers found this story slow starting, I did not agree. Within the first few paragraphs, I was immediately intrigued about "what was really going on"? I knew Dylan was running or hiding from something, and that a grieving mother wanted answers to the disappearance of her daughter. I knew that Dylan has isolated himself from the real world for a reason, what that was I didn't know, but was curious and want to find out. I wanted to know the full story behind this grieving stranger and what led her to Dylan as well as what his "deep dark secrets" were. I wanted to understand what could have made him leave a promising career to become a recluse, whose only friend appeared to be his dog (a husky with a personality)? Why did this lady feel that he had something to do with the disappearance of her daughter? What was he hiding? And then just when you thought there couldn't be more, you discover an interesting killer, with a story to tell.

On top of being a seemingly interesting story, I found the characters interesting enough to want more. Like others, I hope that Curtis (who I think is a talented writer) will not get so caught up in Dylan's character that he forgets to unravel the plot. But I have faith in this talented writer that with a little more background, instead of confusion, we will see the actual relationship between the two "Dylan's" (the main character and the missing daughter) come to light and the whole mystery will make sense.

With that said, I hope to see more of this promising story one day. The sooner the better.

Compelling story, solid writing, intriguing characters. I very much look forward to reading the rest of the book!

This is my first experience with an Amazon short and when I reached the sixteenth page of Secuded Parking only to find there weren't any more pages, I realized that I was hooked! I'm not a mystery/thriller reader but I got into the story from the beginning in meeting Dylan and from then on as events unfolded I was ready to read the entire book! The author has a good grasp on writing skills and the story flows keeping the reader's interest wanting to know the outcome which I look forward to knowing when this book is published.

I'm on the train for this ride. The author paces well, mixing observational and move-the-story-forward scenes with WHAMS - the van crashing, the bullet going off. I like Massey from the start, a recluse (think Unabomber with heart) who wants to live his quiet life and leave the past behind. Of course, the past comes knocking and I like how Jess is conflicted, trying to play hardball when it's not her style. But a gun? This is really serious - I mean, she has a gun?? Either she's nuts or some really weird stuff is going down. With what info the reader is given, something about a parking scandal (that will bring out the Mafia for sure)I couldn't stop thinking, wow, she has a gun. The disappearance of a child can call for desperate measures, and there will, no doubt, be myriad layers of this scandal and Massey's sordid past revealed. So, I suspended belief and read on . . .

Yeah, the pants. I can't imagine undoing pants with an abdominal wound. If the shot was in her thigh, perhaps she might want to see the wound, but then that's not quite as life-threatening an injury.

I am very curious about Jess allowing Dylan to hold her hand in the cab of the truck, and also the coincidence (not?) of her daughter's same name, Dylan. I'm not sure I like where the story is headed, though, with the 17-yr-old Dylan dead in the trunk of the car . . . that seems just too tragic for the style of writing and the almost playful way Dylan Massey is portrayed.

The writing is good, good, good! The author writes great dialog, has a wonderful sense of pacing, and knows how to tell a story. He has succeeded in peaking my curiosity, making me wonder about the well-being of the male Dylan character (I really like his dog,too), and wanting to definitely turn the next page.

I don't usually read murder and mayhem but Secluded Parking pulled me as if I were sliding down a slippery slope. And when I hit bottom I wanted more.

The narrator is an interesting character and I'd like to know more about him. I picture him all scruffy and scraggly but concerned for his dog. I like that there is hardly any backstory. However, I have all the confidence that I'll know exactly what I need to know when I need to know it. B. Billy Curtis is obviously a skilful writer and it shows as he deftly orchestrates his characters ... and his readers to a desired goal. Quite an intriguing start.

This book tells a real world story similar to the story of each of the "Bad Girls" of the Bible, then tells the actual biblical story for each. This is followed by though-provoking questions for modern-day women to think about how we can apply this to our lives.

For women who wish to stay in a walk with God, and sometimes feel weak in today's world, this book shows that we are not abnormal, but can learn from mistakes that women made in the Bible.

I would recommend that all Godly women read this book. It will touch your life in some way. I'm sure there will be many women delivered from this book.

Used this in an adult Sunday School class. More attendees than normal. Very well presented and received by the class. Thank you Liz!!!

I actually liked this book better than I liked Slightly Bad Girls...I feel as if the Biblical characters were easier to identify with than the ones in SBD. Unfortunately, I still do not enjoy Ms. Higgs writing style--I feel as if she over simplifies too many things and the whole "girlfriend talk" just isn't my cup of tea anyway. That said, I would recommend this book to someone looking for a light devotional read.

this book is misleading in its title and anti-woman. I purchased it for use at a women's church retreat I was leading. Upon opening it I was dismayed to find it was chock full of fundamentalist mysogenist dogma meant to show how women need to remain in their "place" by exemplifying the "sinful behavior" of these women. I promptly returned the book. Buyer beware before purchasing these books.

I bought this product a while ago. I get to LV once a year and Atlantic City 4 times a year. Most of the LV coupons are for the downtown casinos which I rarely have time to visit. I did use a few of the Atlantic City coupons, which about paid for the book. I did find some of the articles in the book interesting and informative.

used a bunch of these coupons already, it's a must have for a vegas vacation, probably saved over 100 bucks over the week using the 2 for 1 buffet coupons at places like The Silverton Casino (great place) The Sahara, New Orleans Casino, The Rio, Texas Station and several others. If you buy this book and use just 2 coupons it will have paid for itself in savings! Highly recommended.

Do NOT buy this book used. I did and when it arrived a good portion of the pages had been torn out. I sent it back and NEVER received my refund.
BUYER BEWARE!!!

LOTS OF FOOD COUPONS FOR VEGAS,,, PAYS FOR ITSELF WITH JUST ONE VISIT. LOTS OF 2 FOR 1 HOTEL NITES...

The American Casino Guide is well worth the money to use in Las Vegas. There are a few other out of state casino coupons but this is mainly for Las Vegas. Great buy one get one free buffet, shows and hotel offers. The only problem with this book is the binding. It's coming unglued in the middle, not a big deal though. A lot of info for new table gamers. Highly recommend this book!

As a four and five year old preschool teacher, I was amazed at this book's exact representation of what a five-year-old is feeling! It pegged them perfectly! The important thing is that this book helps the child see that ALL five year olds feel similar to how they are feeling, and experience the same struggles. Yet, it teaches this in such a FUN way! The pictures are great...I would especially suggest this book for one-on-one reading, because of the detail on the pages, but it worked very well for my circle time as well. If you care about your child's emotional and social development (which I know you do), BUY THIS BOOK!

We have most of Jamie L. Curtis books. The illustrations are wonderful and the stories are great. I had my daughters full attention when I read her this book. The kid perspective that Jamie takes is great. Kids can definately identify and reminds parents that it's not all that easy to be a kid.

Another wonderful contribution from Curtis. We read this book to our daughter until she could read it to herself changing the age to fit her age, from three until five when she read it herself. This book "normalizes" the behavior of children. It helps them and parents to understand our children have difficulty controlling their impulses but are nonetheless wonderful and loveable. I read this book to my daughter's class in Kindergarten and it was a huge hit as well.

Jamie Lee's books keep getting better and better. My sister bought this book for my daughter when she was 5 and it was an always read. Jamie Lee's writing style is wonderful and right on the mark for the age-appropriate kids. The kids can definitely relate to these stories. The illustration is great too. Very colorful and eye catching. Lots going on with the illustration so there is lots to talk about besides the actual story. Jamie Lee, keep writing and I will keep buying and passing on the good words to friends and family!

I did not even get so far as READING this book. As a parent trying to see through my kids eyes I did the first thing a kid at this age reading level would do. I looked at the pictures first. We have a boy playing in the dirt NAKED burying his little brother up to his chin, a little boy lying on his back NAKED with his private part covered by an exclamation point from the text, and a little girl holding the front of her dress up for the 5 year old reader to view her girly little underpants. How is this book appropriate?? This was a book my kindergarten child checked out from his school library. I sent it back post hast. If I ever see this book come home again it will not be returning to the library. It will go straight in the trash.

This is a wonderful book that is a bit slow to start but once it does...

This is a great book! I started reading and I couldn't put it down. Liz Curtis Higgs is a wonderful author. I really felt like I knew the characters by the time I finished.

This book is marvellous for its own sake. I believe that Liz Curtis Higgs should have stopped here and not written the other books, though I loved Whence Came a Prince and Grace in Thine Eyes. The story of Jacob and Laban's daughters is from a polygamous culture and difficult to apply to a later time when polygamy is not practiced, not legally anyway. I have read all of this series for the most part and think that Leana suffered undeservedly in Fair is the Rose, my least favorite book of the series, but the Christian path is filled with suffering.

This book made me ask questions about the characters' biblical couterparts, mostly Rachel and Leah. Rose's initial reluctance in "Thorn"
toward marriage, her assertion that she is too young, caused me to wonder what Rachel's initial feelings for her cousin were. Yes, I know Jacob kissed her at the well, and the Bible clearly states "Jacob loved Rachel,"
but it is never clearly states that Rachel loved Jacob; people assume that. Leah's exact feelings are never revealed either though in her book "Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible," Higgs mentions that Laban "TOOK his elder daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob," indicating that there was some reluctance on her part. Later in Genesis she is desperate to win his love, but is she simply trying to make the best of things? This vagueness in Scripture makes one thing clear; women's feelings were not considered so important in Biblical times! Thank goodness that Higgs is kinder to her women. I just can't help wishing she had ended it here.

I loved this series. In fact, I've bought multiple copies of it to give to friends. I agree with most of the other reviews here about the basic plot and feeling of the story, so I won't go into that, but I do want to give a couple "warnings" about the series.

Warning #1--This first book starts out kinda slow. It's setting the stage and giving a background of the culture and I found it very hard to get past the first half or so of the book. Once I really got into it, though, I loved it and flew through the other books! (I also realized while I was reading the last book that in the back of the books there's a dictionary of sorts to help with the words they use if you can't understand their meaning).

Warning #2--This is not a "fluffy" romance. It's intense and I wouldn't recommend it for a reader who is not mature (I'd say college age and up). I read it about a year after I got married (in my early 20s) and thought it was perfect.

In my opinion this book was merely okay. I tried reading it and, after three chapters, put it aside. I lent it to a friend and she LOVED it. So when she returned it I picked it back up and started again. The entire book I had the urge just to put it down and leave it. I am an avid reader. This sensation RARELY occurs. But I trudged through despite my minds desire to wander elsewhere.

I have never really like the Biblical telling of Jacob and Esau and Leah and Rachel. So, really, I never should have purchased this book. This is not a feel good novel. There is certainly NO winner, only a trio of heartbroken souls.

Higgs writes a nice novel. She is a brilliant storyteller and her descriptions were stunning. The sisters were written beautifully. Jamie (Jacob) was, in my opinion, not very likeable. Superficial and selfish, I didn't really care about his heartbreak.

I will read the next book, though. Mostly because I want to get the the third, "Whence came a Prince." Why? Because I really like the title. Furthermore, Jacob is a great man of God and I'd like to see what Higgs has in store for Jamie. She does do a great job of rewriting this story in such a different time and culture. I'm interested in how this plays out, depressed as I'll be all the while!

I suppose I might be a little sadistic.