Greene Books

"Burnt Umber" is a very unconventional novel for several reasons. First, its protagonists are two unrelated real life twentieth century artists whose work was far overshadowed by that of their contemporaries. Second, in place of normal chapters, this book is composed of microchapters, few longer than three pages. Third, although the story unfolds primarily through narration, some microchapters are epistolary and others are in the form of a screenplay. Finally, neither artist is shown to be larger than life or even to be especially likable.

In spite of (or, more likely, because of) these unusual aspects, "Burnt Umber" succeeds splendidly in evoking the lives and art of Franz Marc and Harold Baer(the real name of the latter artist was Harold Paris). For example, the use of microchapters and of alternative narrative voices creates an impression not unlike that of glass shards: the fragments do not fit neatly together but nonetheless they can be pieced together into a recognizable whole.

At the center of this work are Marc, an early twentieth century co-founder (with Kandinsky) of Der Blaue Reiter school and Baer, a mid-century Berkeley sculptor. We are given a unique entree to the imaginations and to the creative processes of these two artists, who see the world quite differently than the rest of us. To be sure, both artists are self-centered, monomaniacal cads. However, Greene's unsentimental approach lends this work a flinty verisimillitude.

As topping on the cake, this novel introduces the reader to several dusty corners of the twentieth century: Munich on the eve of World War I; the trenches as seen from the German side; and Paris in the late 1940s.

Two criticisms: This book would have benefitted greatly from the inclusion of pictures of the art that these men created. In addition, I sometimes found Greene's imagery and descriptions to be overly redolent and, on the whole, to be less effective than his unadorned narration. Nonetheless, "Burnt Umber" is a remarkable achievement.

I love a work of fiction that teaches me something, and this book is a wonderful mini-course in art history. Although I certainly recognized the work of Franz Marc, Shel Greene's novel really piqued my interest and we spent an evening on the internet looking at pictures of his work. As for Greene's creative creation, Harry Baer, I found him to be three-dimensional and thought the latter part of his life was particularly compelling. Everyone is tracked by his own demons, and the harder the Baer character tries to make amends for his past, the more trapped he is.

The structure of the novel works very well, although the connection between the two artists is entirely serendipitous and a bit fragile -- it would have been interesting if the plot had interconnected them in a more fateful way.

I dropped everything to complete the book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will recommend it to others.

As an aside, this is a very pretty book and the typeface and cover are particularly attractice. This is one of those rare times when it is wise to judge a book by its cover.

I always remember the good things about my cousin Chuck and, even near the end, Chick was still one of the people that bring a smile to my face.

Jack has written a wonderful book that brings floods of memories back to me.

Thanks for making me remember my cousin Chuck

Ronn

If you are one of the many who struggle with the alcoholism of a loved one, this book is for you! Jack Greene's personal account of his relationship with his beloved brother, Chuck, is artfully penned, gripping the reader from beginning to end. Here, the tragedy of Chuck's illness is coupled with Jack's own spiritual journey, a journey resulting in a closer walk with God. I found myself reading the story a second time using my pen to mark the "nuggets" of wisdom I discovered on every page. I believe this book is a must-read for all honest seekers of God and families grappling with the disease of alcoholism.

This book gives a very good overall story of the designs N.G. created and also tells the story of the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Part of me wishes the book went into more detail on some of the designs but that book would be ten times as large. Overall this book presents Captn. Nat's live from beginning to end and gives a very interesting view into a time long since past.

This book is a reprint of the classic 1953 edition. It reads as though it was written some years before that.

Capt. Nat was one of the preeminent yacht designers from the late 1800's to about 1920. He and his shipyard built a lot of the more famous racing yachts of the time. This included some that he designed for the successful defense of the America's Cup.

Part of the interest in this book is that these boats were being designed at a time long before computers came on the scene. Capt. Nat first made a small sketch of the boat. Then he built a half hull model. He had a machine of his own design that would then trace along the model at prescribed intervals and draw the lines of the boat.

Of coure, in these days, all the boats were wooden or steel. The exotic material of todays boats had not been invented.

This is interesting reading from a time long past.

If you've got young readers that like mysteries, they'll love the Brains Benton series. This is Book 1 of 6, and I loved them all as a kid. Much better than the Hardy Boys, and at least as good as The Three Investigators. I stumbled onto these used, and enjoyed them very much. Laughs, clever detective work, and the feeling of a simpler time, before PDAs, cell phones, and the like.

I generally credit the Brains Benton books with jolting me into the life-long habit of reading. It was the early 1970s and I was perhaps nine or ten years old; they were just the right length and style for my reading skills and I inhaled all six titles in the series with a single, mighty breath. Three decades and then some later, I still have them on my shelf, and from time to time I take one down for nostalgia's sake.

Published in 1959, THE CASE OF THE MISSING MESSAGE is the first in the series. Written by Charles Spain Verral, an author who specialized in pulp-style adventure stories, the book introduces to the characters that will continue throughout the series: Jimmy Carson, an average "All American" boy with a paper route, and Barclay "Brains" Benton, whose bright red hair and extraordinary intelligence sets him apart from the crowd.

Together they are the Benton and Carson International Detective Agency, and when Jimmy tries to sell a newspaper subscription at an isolated and delapidated house he plunges both of them into mystery up to their eyeballs. In this instance, the mystery concerns a child who has been cheated of his inheritance: a carnival! Needless to say, the circumstance allows for plenty of colorful characterizations that range from a clown and a fortune teller to a wacky parrot and a stampeding elephant.

Brains has rigged up a crime lab over the family garage: press a nail in the board of alley fence and the wall slides back and a staircase slides down. They refer to each other as "X" and "Operative Three." Jimmy is fond of Cherry Fizz, his mother is always dieting, and his father likes a game of golf; Brains' parents teach at the local college. Details such as these make the books tremendous fun, and the author handles them very skillfully; unlike the Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books, the Brains Benton books never feel as if they have been written by a committee to a very specific formula.

All of this said, I very much doubt that the books would appeal to a modern child plugged into the multi-media experience of our computer age. But adult fans of children's literature will find them a great deal of fun--and if you remember Jimmy and Brains from your own childhood, it will be a nostalgic treat. Recommended.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

Pipsqueak is a mouse. Her papa calls her "Pip" for short. Because Pip was so small when she was born, Mama and Papa made a nest for her in a teacup. Pip loves to skate on the pond at Stony Creek. On winter nights, Pip and her family sit in front of the fireplace roasting chestnuts, which they all share.

One night Papa tells Pip and the rest of the family that he must leave to find food. He promises to return in two days --- three at the most. While he is gone, Pip must help Mama care for the family.

Pip is the quiet one. When she isn't outside skating, she's reading a book. Her brother Kit likes to whittle. Twins Nan and Nibs play together, and baby Finny enjoys eating and making noise. Will is the oldest and the bravest; he walks with a limp after being mauled by a cat in the house at Land's End, which is also where Pip's beloved Uncle Hank died.

Land's End is "the house perched at the edge of a cliff overlooking the woods." The people who live there built the house by cutting down trees and destroying the homes of the animals living in the woods. Food is plentiful at Land's End, but it is also a very dangerous place. Besides the hungry cat, there is a deadly trap, which is what killed Uncle Hank. After Will's injury and Uncle Hank's death, Mama has made Pip promise never to go near Land's End. Pip has always been too afraid to even think about disobeying her.

After Papa is gone for more than a week, Pip is sent outside to look for food, but all she finds are some seeds and a small piece of corncob. On her way back she stops to skate and doesn't notice how late it is. She struggles to make it home with the help of her special walking stick, which her Uncle Hank had helped make. It is made of hickory wood; he once told her there is "nothing stronger."

With two days left until Christmas, Papa has yet to return. Mama sends Pip to visit Aunt Pitty, an old rabbit, whose warren smells of apples and cinnamon. Aunt Pitty gives Pip seeds and berries to take home for the family and tells her to be brave. On her way back to the nest, Pip is stalked by a huge owl. With the help of her special walking stick, she barely escapes the owl's talons but loses the food from Aunt Pitty and returns home empty-handed.

By Christmas Eve Papa still isn't home. Mama has saved up some food for the Christmas celebration, but the family is still hungry. Pip asks Will about Land's End. He warns her to be careful and makes her promise not to go near the trap. After Mama falls asleep, she slips outside. It is cold and dark, but Pip knows what she must do.

Will Pip make it to Land's End? Will she bring back food for the family? And what has happened to Papa? Will he return home in time for Christmas?

CHRISTMAS AT STONY CREEK is a warm and whimsical story with a gentle message of love, bravery, sacrifice and the blessings of being a family. It is a delightful book for families to read together in front of a warm fireplace on a cold winter's night --- and to pick up again any time of the year.

--- Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt

Pipsqueak "Pip" has always been more of a bookworm than anything else. While she loves foraging in the great outdoors occasionally, her true passion lies in curling up with a great book, and staying toasty warm in the house with her mother, father, and siblings. The fact that her older brother, Will, was recently the victim of a horrible attack in the great outdoors has only made her even more of a home dweller. But then things change drastically.

Christmas is just days away, and the food is in short supply. With Will out of commission, nursing his bruised body, it is up to Father to find enough food to provide his family with a feast fit for royalty for Christmas Day dinner. When Father fails to return after countless days, it is obvious that something bad has happened. As the food continues to run low, Mother enlists Pip to help forage for something to eat. But on Christmas Eve, when the little ones are dreaming of Christmas Day dinner, it is quite obvious that there is no food left. As frightened as Pip is, she knows that she must return to the scene of Will's grizzly injury - Land's End. Land's End is an enormous mansion full of delightful food that will keep Pip's family satisfied for months. The only thing standing in Pip's way is her fear. Fear that could be the difference between a Christmas full of giggles and full-tummies, or sadness and hunger pains.

Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year, and I adore stories about mice and their families. So when I stumbled upon Stephanie Greene's CHRISTMAS AT STONY CREEK, I knew it would be the perfect fit for my tastes. Greene's lovely narrative truly brings the holiday spirit to life, as Pip navigates her way through fear, love, joy, and danger. Her refusal to give up, no matter how tough things get is admirable; and her non-stop bravery makes her a heroine who will not soon be forgotten. Paired with Chris Sheban's adorable black-and-white sketches, CHRISTMAS AT STONY CREEK will appeal to many. Especially those looking for a holiday story that the whole family can enjoy. A tale that will warm you up, even on the chilliest of days!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Although "The Confidential Agent" is not one my favorites of Greene's lighter work, it is certainly worth reading. It is separated into two parts, The Hunted and The Hunter, and follows the character of D. as he tries to bend the course of a war in his country through the acquisition of a coal deal with businessmen in England. Along the way he takes up with the head businessman's daughter, Rose, and together they run into a lengthy and lethal cast of characters. The novel, at its best, is engrossing and thrilling, certainly well worth a read if you are looking to be entertained.

My main issue with the plot of this novel was the dramatic change that the two main characters experience over the course of the two parts of the book. D. starts out being timid, afraid, and browbeaten. Rose begins by being spoiled, immature, and pampered. By the second part, however, both characters have come into their own and undergone major personality changes. Although Greene does give a reason for this abrupt change, it doesn't read well considering the amount of time put into telling us the exact opposite during Part 1.

With that being said, I still would not hesitate to recommend this novel to someone in search of an entertaining story. Even the minor issue I mentioned above does not take away from the intense sympathy and fascination that I felt while reading.

Graham Greene wrote this book in I think 1939--it is one of his best. The backdrop is The Spanish Civil War (though never mentioned) an agent for the Spanish Republic comes to England to try and buy coal--I won't giveaway the plot. Greene uses his "thriller" to explore the questions of loyalty betrayal--faith commitment revenge--a whole series of moral problems that preoccupied him the rest of his life. Though Greene is a man of the Left there are no slogans or pat answers in thi book.
He wrote it in 6 weeks while working on Brighton Rock--quite something!

Doug Greene's editorial apparatus deserves five stars, but the book as a whole is slightly disappointing, so I give it a four. The Bencolin stories preceding the French master's first appearance in novel form, aren't as good as the longer works Carr followed them up with. Apprentice stuff, hey're interesting in a way, but none are noteworthy. Odd, too, because Dickson Carr excelled at the short story; many of us prefer at least some of the Fell and Merrivale gems to the novels his sleuths appear in, and the Colonel March stories rule above all others! Greene's subsequent "collected" two volume set is the gold standard for Carr, the double decker FELL AND FOUL PLAY and MERRIVALE, MARCH AND MURDER, both cornerstone volumes of Golden Age Detection.

Here, the pickings are slim. Greene boasts of the first complete printing of Carr's 1940s essay "The Grandest Game in the World," but despite the hype, it ain't "The Grandest Essay in the World,"-- in fact it's remarkably incoherent, has no real argument, just lassoes together some grumpy and belligerent opinions. And the added material, specific comments on "ten of the best" detective novels of all time, is just so-so and barely yawnworthy. Puzzling too, and I wonder how deeply Carr really felt about his selections, particularly the Sayers if, on writing an addendum 20 years later, he couldn't even remember if he had given THE NINE TAILORS or STRONG POISON the nod. And the other resuscitated piece, Carr's essay "Stand and Deliver" is pretty blah. In failing health when he undertook it, Carr attempts another round of cheers for highwaymen and blackguards, but he peters out almost in mid-thought.

The cream of the book are the six radio plays. I'm beginning to think the radio plays are Carr;s finest achievement in any genre, and the six here are ace. (Wonder how they were selected, for it seems that Carr wrote literally dozens of them!) Greene shows us how "Will You Make a Bet with Death" mutated later into Carr's non-series fulllength novel THE NINE WRONG ANSWERS. It's better shorter, like most precious things. My favorites here are "The Bride Vanishes" and "The Devil in the Summer House," both written for SUSPENSE. I think I had a head start having heard MP3s of both plays on line.

All in all a mixed bag of novelties, some excellent, some crumby, but Greene's commentary throughout is a solid gold Cadillac.

John Dickson Carr began his professional writing career, at the age of twenty-five, with his Inspector Bencolin mystery novels. However, M. Bencolin first appeared in some of Carr's earlier college stories published in the school newspaper, "The Haverfordian." (It may surprise you to learn that John Dickson Carr was American). "The Door to Doom" includes four of those short stories, which began to appear in 1926. Bencolin is not quite the suave, Mephistophelian character that he becomes in his full-length novels, but his fans will still want to read these stories for Carr's meticulous set-up of the crime and his supernatural atmospheres.

(Carr didn't actually resort to the supernatural to resolve his mysteries, but his brooding, neo-gothic ambience might lead the reader to expect something ghostly in the works.)

I had always thought that Carr would make a very fine ghost story author if he put his hand to it, and lo-and-behold this volume also includes three of his stories of the supernatural.

To tell you the truth, I was a little disappointed in them ("The Man Who Was Dead," "The Door to Doom," and "Terror's Dark Tower") because Carr insisted on explaining everything, even if the explanation did involve a dollop of the ghostly. He couldn't quite make the transition from mystery to true horror, but these three stories are still good for a shudder or two, especially "The Man Who Was Dead." If you read it, you may never want to ride the Underground again.

Those of you who are old enough to have listened to episodes of that grand old radio show, "Suspense" might be interested to learn that this author also wrote for this and other radio programs. Six of his radio plays are included in "The Door to Doom," including the classic "Cabin B-13" which was later made into the movie, "Dangerous Crossing" starring Michael Rennie and Jeanne Crain. CBS also broadcast about twenty Carr plays under the title "Cabin B-13" in 1948. "In each of the episodes the ship's doctor tells of bizarre crimes, often in exotic settings..."

Finally, do not neglect the two Sherlock Holmes parodies and the two essays that appear at the end of this very fine collection. Carr's thoughts on 'the grandest game in the world' (mystery writing) should be exceptionally interesting to all lovers of this genre, and he also includes his choices for the Top Ten mystery novels of all time.

This book stimulates new thinking, clearly and step-wise explains and moves easily between the worlds of psychology and astrology. I will re-read it many times because it is rich in meaning.

It has always been my practice to find out who the giants in a field are and to use them as my source when learning a subject.

Liz Greene is probably the most dynamic and competent astrologer practicing in the world today. There are many others, but I am always drawn to the no nonsense style of Liz Greene.

She draws on a vast knowledge of Astrology, and of psychology. I am convinced that no astrologer should be allowed to practice without being well versed in both. Astrology is a guidance tool. And, since it's your life that is being guided, the importance of pure and unbiased knowledge by your chosen astrologer is paramount to your smooth and effective development as an astrologically led traveller on your path through your lifetime.

Liz Greene offers that kind of expertise.

All of her treatises on the subject seem to bring you smack into a face to face awareness of exactly what your toolbox for life contains to help you be the best you can be.

In this book, you are allowed to "attend" some of the best seminars she has given but you get to do it from the comfort of your own home. What could be better? No crowds and walking, rubber chicken lunches, or moving from lecture to lecture -- you get to have this world class expert all to yourself! You can re-read anything you didn't understand the first time and not miss Miss Greene's profound wisdom.

Run, don't walk, to the Amazon of your choice to get ALL the Seminars in this series...

I recommend this collection of epitaphs because they give a fascinating insight into the lives and deaths of past New Englanders. However, on page one of the author's commentary, I was stunned to see her erroneous statement that Benjamin Franklin was a Quaker!

Benjamin Franklin was not a Quaker. He was baptized in 1706, at the Old South Church congregation's Cedar Meeting House on downtown Washington Street, Boston. In Philadelphia he occasionally worshiped at Christ Church, the Church of England parish established in colonial Philadelphia in 1695 and later reorganized into the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

Because of this factual error, I found it difficult to trust the accuracy of the commentary and hence, the author's analysis. But, her collection is most excellent and for that reason, the reader will be rewarded.

This little book traces the development of the gravestone epitaph, from the earliest days of America's settlement, to the 20th century. Some are amusing, some a bit scary, some give lessons to the reader. The author explains why certain themes were chosen and how they reflect the times in which the stones were made. Fun and fascinating.

Julie Fasano wants to be a reporter. She's trying to prove herself to the paper by writing a column about...kissing. The Mystery Kisser is garnering quite a following, but having detective Hunter Matthews literally following clues trying to find her identity isn't what she had in mind--especially since he's her boss and the number one kisser on her list. Julie wasn't cut out to lead a double-life, but she could very easily be cut out for Hunter--if she can ever convince him the only man she wants to be kissing is him!

A wonderful, heartwarming frolic. Carolyn Greene tells a delightful tale of love...and kissing!

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Julie Fasano has dreamed of being a reporter for most of her life. When she lands a trial column to test her merit, she is thrilled. The topic is unique though she is to give advice to the single in the city by detailing her own quest for Mr. Right by kissing 100 men. Years ago, he grandmother had given her some sage advice, "a girl should kiss a hundred men before she marries," and Julie took it to heart.

Hunter Matthews is a private investigator, whose like is one of hard facts and concrete evidence. He likes his life planned and predictable, right down to the most minute of details. He also places great importance on honesty and integrity. When he unintentionally costs Julie her job, she comes to him demanding he hire her to make it up to her. So he hires her on as his temporary secretary while his is on her honeymoon. But where Julie is concerned, he has more on his mind then just business.

Hunter is hired to try to find the "Mystery Kisser" the entire city is raving about, for the client's fear over who it is. This provides quite a problem though; since one of the conditions of Julie's test column is that she remains anonymous. At first she isn't overly worried, but as she and Hunter grow closer, she begins to worry about what he would do if he found out about her "other life." The closer he gets to cracking the case, the more Julie is torn over whether to reveal herself to him or to keep her secret. What will he do when he finds out the "Mystery Kisser" is Julie herself? Will he think less of her for not being completely honest with him? Or will he understand her reasons and love her all the more for them?

This was an extremely cute story, and very amusing. Julie has had a crush on Hunter since she was a young child and those feelings grew up as she did. She is known for being impulsive which is such an extreme contradiction to Hunter, who has to plan every thing ahead of time. These differences cause many moments throughout the story that add a great hilarity and comedy of errors to several of the cases Hunter is working on. They make a good balance for each other though, one that adds to the lives of both.

Ms. Greene provides just the right blend of love, romance, humor, and even a slight bit of suspense to keep the reader interested and turning the pages. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments as well, and one shares Hunter's relief at the solution of the investigation he was most worried about. First You Kiss 100 Men... was this reviewer's introduction to the world of Ms. Greene, but it won't be the last. Sweet and charming is the name of the game with this book and well worth the time to read it. Check it out today.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, September 2002. All rights reserved.