Rich Books

D.A. Carson has not reinvented the wheel, but has reminded us of a reading plan from the 1800's that guides us through reading the Bible in one year (plus NT and Psalms a second time). His commentary is rich in gaining insight to the whole Bible. I am in third year of using this reading plan and only wish I had started 40 years ago.

Carson has been doing great in explaining God's word, the parallel reading of 4 chapters a time gives us a bigger picture of the context.

In a day when "devotional" has come to mean lovely thoughts bearing little relationship to the biblical passage, this book challenges, encourages, and draws the reader into the text. Based on Robert Murray McCheyne's one-year reading plan, Carson brings to life one of the four passages read each day. I can't wait to get vol. 2,

Carson has wisdom that I was continually surprised with each new devotion. He has an amazing ability to place a chapter in its biblical context, helping the reader understand why it's important. His writing is very well crafted as he puts profound concepts in simple terms. I highly recommend this book for the spiritual edification of all believers and unbelievers alike.

I have read devotionals before but this is the cream of the crop. Dr. Carson points out, "The rising biblical illiteracy in Western culture means that the Bible is increasingly a closed book, even to many Christians (p. 11)." The purpose of this devotional is to get people back to reading the Bible. Carson does this by modifying Robert Murracy M'Cheyne's system of reading the Bible. Carson has four sections to be read for the day of the devotion. Usually these sections are one chapter in length. The first two in italics are for family reading. The devotion of the day comes from one of the family's readings. The other two chapters are for private reading. If a person reads all four chapters including the devotion, he or she will read, "The New Testament and Psalms twice and the rest of the Bible once in a year. Dr. Carson's comments on one of the chapters in italics enlightens the reader on the biblical content of the passage with application for the reader. My wife and I found this service of Dr. Carson invaluable. This is only surpassed by the humbleness of Dr. Carson himself who writes in the introduction, "If you must skip something, skip this book; read the Bible instead (p. 13)." Dr. Carson in his many books as well as being the research professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinty School, wants nothing more than to bring others closer to God, His Word (the Bible), and His living Word, Jesus Christ. This devotional more than accomplishes that feat.

This was my first Michelle Perry novel & I thoroughly enjoyed it. I 'm not going to summarize the plot, that's already been done. Nadia & Dante are kindred spirits & soul mates, both strong characters, but very human. The chemistry between them is immediate & never lets up. There were some funny scenes, not the least of which was their first meeting, when Nadia came on to Dante in the diner & bit his ear. Nadia is a great combination of grit & girlishness; Dante is my kind of man--big & brawny & tough but w/ a tender heart. This is a very satisfying love story on several levels. Loved the action & suspense as well. The only thing that bothered me is that Dante has a habit of swatting Nadia on the behind, something I can't stand & won't put up with.

This was on the edge action all the time. I almost think Nadia the heroine could have taken care of herself without to much help from Dante. Her family was aware of there being a threat to her or her mother and kept her pretty much protected but she had a will of her own and wanted her own life which is where she put herself in danger. Over all I thought the book was excellent and an easy read. It held my attention and sometimes if a writer repeats how handsome or beautful blah blah blah the hero or heroine is it just takes away from the story. I like it when a discription is written once and not harped on over and over. If someone is beautiful I don't need it pounded into my head. Got cha once.

I had passed this book up time and again but finally read the reviews and decided to give it a try and I am glad I did. The cover is what misled me to pass on it several times- just seemed a little over the top, but the book is very well done. I encourage you to try it too if you like strong heroes and heroines!

I had never read this author before and was I pleasantly surprised. What a wonderful plot and the romance was very intense and real. I loved this book. The main character reminded me so much of Vin Diesel it was unbelievable. Very good book. I highly recommend this book for those of you who are tired of too much sex and not enough action along the way along with a good plot.

Loved this book for same reasons listed below so won't repeat. Just wanted to add that I especially loved the humorous moments. I laughed out loud at the description of Nadia as she was trying the get rid of the hiccups during her kidnapping. And the whole scene between her and Dante and the MREs. Hysterical!

I read Jim Jorgensen's book and found it very enlightning! It is written so everyone can understand it and can make money by following his nine points to building wealth. The best part about this book is it takes a conservative and sensible view of investing! Anyone can make money by following Jorgensen's advise, no matter how much money you have to invest!!!

This is a very simple book, as the other reviews have indicated. I liked it so much that I bought it for my collection of business and finance books. It is a keeper book that I highly recommend. Don't depend on Social Security... build your nest egg, at any age. NOW is a good time!!!

This book was a great tool for me in my financial planning. I found this book to be informative, well written and not restricted to one audience. I am in the early stages of planning my future financial needs and this book was an awesome guide.
This book is a great investment for anyone!

Sara and I have struggled with financial planning particularly as a result of the recent market turmoil. The Jorgensens' book has served as a much needed guide to managing our money. It emphasizes the basics and is understandable. Unlike other investment books which fail to encompass the whole picture, this book is complete and thorough. We would recommend it to anyone interested in taking a proactive role in managing their money.

Jim Jorgensen wrote a book that everyone can understand and best of all, can profit from his sound advise. His advise is conservative and makes so much sense. His steps to getting rich are concise and easy to follow. I am working on enriching my wealth with his advise!

My brief research before the purchase of this book lead me to believe, that this is currently (July 2008) the best book on jQuery. After getting started with the book, I still think that's the case. Except if I consider online docs and tutorials as well. Online tutorials benefit jQuery from the fact that you can really try out and see what's happening. Sure you could download the code or type it down from the book, but the fact is that I ended up learning more about jQuery following interactive online tutorials than from reading the book.
Usually, I prefer reading a book on the couch instead of on a computer screen, but that's not how you learn jQuery. You have to try it. You have to play with it. And if you have to sit in front of your PC or Mac anyway, you might as well just follow an online tutorial.

I rarely write reviews for the books I read, but with this one a review isn't that hard. First and foremost, this book assumes that you already have some solid knowledge on web design (CSS, HTML, and Javascript). There is a quick chapter on javascript in the appendix that helps but it's more of a friendly reminder of javascript concepts that anything else. It's also good to have an understanding of some of the more advanced CSS selectors that are in the CSS3 specification. This isn't a requirement but you'll get a bit more out of it if you do. jQuery has some very powerful ways of selecting elements and you can use some of the CSS3 selector statements even if the browser doesn't support it. Very cool stuff! The authors do a great job of explaining things with detailed code and real-world examples (which you can download and run yourself if you wish to follow along). They also do a good job of breaking everything down into a linear fashion that is easy to absorb and don't get ahead of themselves all that often. All in all, this is probably one of the best web development/design related books I've read in a while. I haven't quite finished yet but the half I have read is reqlly well written. I already feel like I have a firm grasp of the basic concepts of jQuery and could probably start using it a bit. Bravo to the authors for writing a solid book on jQuery!

I have solid JavaScript skills and plenty of experience, but at first I wasn't feeling 100% comfortable using jQuery; I was able to be productive very quickly, but failed to feel at home using it. This book was exactly what I was looking for. jQuery has its own way to approach many problems and, in my case, I almost had to "unlearn" certain habits and embrace the idiomatic alternatives offered by the library. jQuery in Action helped me a lot in the process, saved me some time and made the whole learning process much more enjoyable. I wish there was more space dedicated to ui.jQuery, but I understand that's a topic worth a dedicated book.

I found this book to be a great resource for learning about jQuery. I was able to apply what I learned right away.

This is just an excellent book all around. It's well-written. No BS to wade through (just the stuff you need to get going with jQuery). It has excellent online tools to download so you can really get into jQuery and how it works (they call it a Lab page -- it's a set of HTML pages that you download and use to test tasks or theories in jQuery).

I haven't read too many books solely on Ajax frameworks but I cannot recommend this one enough. You'll be up and running with jQuery faster than you can imagine.

I love this inspired book. I've been using these principles of financial management ever since I read "Money... It's Not Just For Rich People" over a year ago. Not only have they worked for me, but I have become fully dedicated (or should I say "addicted"?) to the 60/40 principle, especially donating 10% to charitable causes. It has become less of a sacrifice and more of a game as I search for opportunities to help the needy. And the benefits of doing so pour in.

Thanks Janine!

Just when I thought I couldn't be surprised by anything new in the personal finance/frugality field, along comes a fresh new approach such as Janine Bolon's in her book Money...it's not just for rich people. I was blown away by this book, and I can't say enough good things about it!
Based on experience gained from her personal life and her research in financial education, Bolon's approach is scientific yet her tone is warm and personal. Her advice is neither too prescriptive nor annoyingly vague. She is persuasive and convincing without being overbearing. In other words, this book is a perfect balance of financial advice, instruction, coaching and direction: everything you need to get started (or continue) to achieve your personal financial goals!

Bolon's book does not offer advice on investing your money in specific vehicles; she teaches you how to apply the basic principles of money management so you too can become a conserver of money and life-energy, and achieve both financial independence and peace of mind.

Bolon's approach is not just about wealth accumulation, but of realizing a better life. She also emphasizes the importance of concrete goal-setting, actually writing things down, and continuing to do so every three months as you are on the road to success. She also discusses the emotional side of money which is something many authors neglect to address. "Unhappiness and fear are the keys to our spending habits," Bolon states.

She tells us how to take action to "initiate the flow of money" into our lives. One way she advises is to start giving money away; Bolon has a very interesting chapter about philanthropy that discusses tithing, the difference between charity and philanthropy and the universal laws which govern the movement of money. This is where she really excels, in capturing an elusive principle and convincing you it works! There is something irresistible about the enthusiastic way Bolon presents her case.

All in all, this book is a great read that fulfills a great need!

(I also reviewed this book in my Dollar Stretcher (stretcher dot com) Book Buzz blog.)

Easy to read and practical, the advise in this book works! My four children even began following the quick-start steps detailed in chapter nine. Triumphantly, we have all been blessed with less debt, more money and most importantly; more peace. With our new perspective of money after reading this book, we look forward to future finances with anticipation rather than stress. Thank you Janine Bolon! I highly recommend this book as well as her other books, seminar on CD, website at http://www.smartcentsinc.com/, and newsletter. Don't miss this wonderful resource!!

A year ago my parents went to a Financial Seminar taught by Janine Bolon (covering the same stuff as in "Money...It's not just for rich people.") My parents were amazed by the sound financial principles she taught, and urged me to read this book since I was unable to attend the Seminar.

I read it, and like my parents I too saw how profound the principles taught were. Since reading this book, I have applied what I learned(especially the 60/40 principle), and guess what?!?...It works.

This book is not about get rich quick schemes, but about being financially mature. It is about learning the principles/ laws that govern money so as to reap the benefit when followed.

I view money differently now, and I use it differently. In doing so I have never been in want, and yet I am not burdened by debt as so many of my fellow Americans. This is financial freedom. Isn't that what we all want?

For those who feel overwhelmed by debt, or merely want to learn more about how money works I recommend getting this book, reading it, and applying it today.

The sub-title of "Money...It's Not Just For Rich People!" is "A Ridiculously Simple Path to Wealth Accumulation".

Wealth accumulation? I'm all for it. Ridiculously simple? Well, that's got to be too good to be true, right?

We've all seen books, infomercials, and seminars that promise to teach us how to get rich. But how do we know if any of the techniques work? Do these people really know what they're talking about?

One of my methods for evaluating whether or not to trust a person's opinion is to ask: "Have they done what they are teaching?"

The author of "Money...It's Not Just for Rich People", Janine Bolon, definitely meets this criterion. Starting from nothing, she and her husband have accumulated enough wealth that they no longer have to work - and they did it by applying simple wealth accumulation principles.

Janine's journey to financial independence starts with a typical story - a young couple, a child, mortgage debt, and a desire for the mother to stay home full-time. At first, she experimented with frugality and cost-cutting using, as guides, the classic books, "The Tightwad Gazette" and "Your Money or Your Life". As time went on, her financial knowledge grew and she set the goal of creating enough wealth so her husband could retire from his corporate job in fourteen years. She accomplished it in seven.

According to Janine, there are two paths to financial independence, the sexy way and the methodical way: increasing your income (sexy) and decreasing your expenses and saving (methodical). Because we often have little control over our income, Janine focuses on the methodical way - decreasing our expenses and increasing our savings. Based on her personal experience, the methodical way works. And if you can increase your income as well? More power to you!

Janine breaks down her wealth accumulation method into five basic principles:

1) Create Your Financial Goals
2) Live Within Your Means
3) Pay Yourself First
4) Pay It Forward
5) Philanthropy

The key lesson in the book is the 60/40 principle where 60% of your income is used for living, 10% is for short-term savings, 10% is for long-term savings, 10% is for tithing, and 10% is for philanthropy. (If you're not religious, don't get tied up with the term "tithing". Janine does not limit this to religious institutions. Tithing can mean giving money to any group or institution you feel is doing good for humanity.)

An interesting part about her approach is that Janine believes giving away and sharing a portion of your wealth is a crucial part of wealth accumulation. She links tithing and philanthropy with creating a "flow of money" back into your own life. The book often refers to a belief that the "Universe" will respond positively to anyone who uses these principles. Before you dismiss this idea as too "out there" or "New Age", realize that this concept is not new. I have read many books that allude to this principle. In fact, most religious texts, including the Bible, describe this principle although they often use different terms.

Janine's writing style is approachable and conversational, which makes the book a good read. The concepts are sound and can be implemented in anyone's financial life.

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Michael Mihalik is the author of Debt is Slavery: and 9 Other Things I Wish My Dad Had Taught Me About Money. Learn how to gain control of your finances, pay off your debt, and create financial security!

"Powerful, Enlightening, Empowering! Ted Ciuba's "The New Think and Grow Rich" is a powerful book with enlightening concepts that will empower readers on their way to achieving harmonic abundance. This is one book that is a must read and for personal study as well as an important addition for the home and business library!" Bruce Goldwell, co-author "Mastery of Abundant Living"

For the 'next generation' in personal achievement, turn to a new version of Napoleon Hill's long-time best-selling 'Think and Grow Rich'. This is more than just a revamp with modern examples - it radically transforms the vision by adding new gender, cross-cultural and international issues to the mix, including new material to include both science and genetics, as in the Quantum reality of accelerating income and wealth. An excellent re-do of a classic financial inspirational guide, any library where Hill's been a popular patron pick must have this latest version.

When I was told that the timeless classic Think and Grow Rich was re-written, I was thinking to myself "This must be a joke. Who else could do a better job than Hill? It is just like Dan Brown trying to rewrite The Bible, and I am sure Mr. Brown would get a lot of good laughs!"

I was not even going to buy the New TGR.

It all changed...

I was honored enough to meet Ted once again at a recent seminar. We got talking, and I started to know this man more and more and I realised that he is MORE than an Internet Marketer. His views on wealth and personal development stir my interests to get a copy of the New TGR.

I ordered it just before Christmas, and I am on Chapter 5 now, and boy, I got to tell you that it really does hit home with me. The impacts of the New TNG really really inspire me more than any other Personal Development books out there, including the original TGR. The original TGR is good, but somehow it never "sticks" into my soul as much as the New TGR (just me maybe)...

But when the New TGR is with me, I am like on fire. I read the darn thing every single day!! No joke!

There are many statements in the New TGR that really touch me, like
"I could have been born here..."
"Why don't you try to prove that the priciples of TGR work instead of the opposite...?".

Man, geee, this thing is awesome!

There are a lot more to list...

But what really got me to write this testimonial for Ted, without him even asking, was that he truly immersed himself in Hill's lifetime work and practised the Hill's 13th principle, ie "The Sixth Sense" to bring out the New Think and Grow Rich!

Thanks Ted!

When I read Napolean Hill's original I found myself wanting more contemporary examples as well as the historic giants. I am half-way through this version. Although I like contemporary examples presented in this book and, overall, the updates to language, etc. I am hestitant to recommend it because it too often reads like an adverstisment. For example, on the bottom of every page is the advertisement "BONUS! 3 FREE Wealth-Building Gifts Worth $97 at ***.com". Once on a cover page or at the end would do. But every page? Inserted into the text are frequent advertisements to visit this same website to browse for more information. Then it seems that the only current idea worth pursuing as presented by this book is the internet. About which, by the way, you can find more information at the author's website.

I also found myself bothered by the author's rant in chapter 6 against "radicals", "racketeers", "dishonest politicians", "crooked labor leaders", "religious leaders" and any form of socialization to help the poor because they are "deadbeat" welfare beneficiaries. The author puts for the thesis that captialistic economics cannot be "swayed, influenced, or bribed by racketeers, lobbyisists, or self-appointed leaders in any calling." Predatory practices are brought to light and prosecuted every day by the people the author denigrates, most practicies being targeted at the poor and elderly. The thing I appreciated about "Your Money or Your Life" by Dominguez and Robin, another pathway to financial freedom, is their focus on social concerns hand in hand with improvement of you financial position. Perhaps the author is a strong supporter of private concerns and only has a problem with government socialization. But I found the lack of a presentation about social awareness and the only way to benefit society is by capitalistic production and personal profit problematic. After all, Benjamin Franklin donated what could have been a very lucrative invention the lightening rod to society to benefit all men.

So if you want a more contemporary version of "Think and Grow Rich", read this book for the good, updated information. Ignore the interuptive advertisements. Then read "Your Money or Your Life" by Dominguez and Robin to figure out why you want to be rich and what to do with your wealth after.

In 1937, right in the middle of the depression, Napoleon Hill wrote the original book 'Think and Grow Rich.' It was a best seller and it set Hill off to writing a whole series of books on the same general subject. The original book, and all the others are still in print.

However, in the seventy yesrs since the publication of the original book: the language has become somewhat old fashioned, the situation regarding the world markets, the development of the Internet, the acceptance of female and minority members in business -- Much has changed.

In this new edition of the book, Ted Ciuba has taken the old book and re-written it to covers these new points. The book reads better and has more up to date ideas while it still conveys the tone and usefullness of the original.

Note that the Napoleon Hill Foundation did not prepare, approve, license or endorse this version of the book.

A niche business is one that serves a small geographic area or a small portion of a big market where the needs of the customers are more specific, more specialized. The main advantage of a niche business is the lack of direct competition.

I was first introduced to this concept reading J.J. Luna's books. One of J.J. Luna's own experiences of niche businesses is the alarm company he established in Canary Islands in 1960's. There was virtually no crime in Canary Islands until there was an increase in international trade and the seamen from foreign ships started breaking into jewelry shops and stealing the goods just before their ship left the harbor for high sees. In response to the new need, J.J. Luna ordered some alarm systems from the U.S., analyzed them and developed a system of his own. His company was the only company which can address a specific need.

This excellent book by Jennifer Basye Sander and Peter Sander is about the same concept of niche business. It starts with a section describing what niche is and goes on to other chapters about how to discover such a niche idea; how to evaluate if your idea is a good, feasible one. In order to better clarify the meaning of the concept, perhaps it is a good idea to give examples of niche businesses from the book.

One of them is the mother who had children with milk allergies. She experimented baking with different ingredients and ended up with a number of recipes which tasted excellent and children with such allergies could eat. When she discovered that there is an interest coming from other people with the same problem, she started a bakery specializing in allergy-safe products. She was, and continuous to be, the only one serving a small section of the public.

Another one is the gentleman who wanted to get back to his teenage hobby of riding a unicycle. He discovered that there was nobody around who sells unicycles and it was difficult even to get them through mail order, and there wasn't a large selection. He launched unicyle.com as a side business but in a short time, his business grew big enough to convince him to quit his job at IBM after 23 years. It turns out there was a good number of people who are interested in unicycles, who had the same problems as this gentlemen in finding them. He had discovered a niche market.

"Niche and Grow Rich" goes beyond just describing what a niche business is and how to discover one of your own and evaluating if your idea is a good one. In later chapters, it examines related topics about establishing your company, protecting your idea with trademark laws, considering going online, getting recognition, etc. Many enthusiastic would-be internet entepreneurs might find the "taking your niche online" chapter interesting. Generally, the book suggests caution and a resistance to the temptation to going online under the assumption that any new idea is sure to make a lot of money on the internet. In fact, it says that internet serves only as a brochure for many businesses and nothing more. In the case of unicycle.com it worked because the needs of unicyclist can't be efficiently served through traditional channels. There simply aren't enough riders for a small bicycle store owner to justify stocking more than one model, if they stock any at all.

Overall, this is an excellent book which I can wholeheartedly recommend to anybody.

I only gave this book 5 stars for those who are new to business and marketing. If you have no background in neither this would be a good general overview book. For those who are at least knowlegable of the subjects mentioned this book would not be a good read, it is very basic in content. It appears to be an updated edtion with of course the added chapter on "web marketing",this seems to be popular with authors these days with tring to get additional sales of there old outdated books. DO not read this book if you are already into business or have an understanding of the marketing process. I'm giving my copy away free, Anyone want it?

This book was mentioned in Black Enterprise (February or March 2006) magazine article featuring successful niche businesses. The book does not disappoint. You can find your niche and dominating it with this book.

The title confuses me a little. I keep thinking of Think and Grow Rich, or Speak and Grow Rich. I think the title would have been better if it had not included the word "niche." In fact, I kind of liked the tag line to the title better: Practical Ways to Turn Your Ideas into a Business.

I enjoyed reading this book which appears to have been written for novice entrepreneurs. My SCORE clients will probably get something out of it. It's practical, conversational, and very basic.

I think if you read this book as advising you to DIFFERENTIATE your business idea from your competition, then you will get a lot more out of it. Creating a true niche business is very difficult, and usually costly, to do. And anyone starting a new business has enough trouble trying to fit into an already established market rather than trying to invent a new one. My understanding of a niche is having your own market.

The material covered in this book can be very helpful to anyone who has to analyze their business idea and figure out a way to turn it into a profitable business. It won't act as a blue print to success, but it will be an educational read providing a general overview of what one should think about when trying to be successful as an entrepreneur.

The online Table of Contents for this book is very detailed. By giving it a quick look on Amazon you can see for yourself what is covered and determine whether the book will discuss things that might interest you in your research on how to start your business. I recommend it. 4 stars!

... I've discovered after reading five books that covered this topic for my book, SmartPartnering.

The authors' extensive experience in publishing, and in running niche-based businesses shows. Their writing is practical, conversational and - most importantly - specific (no fluff).

Niche and Grow Rich is helpful for both those fleeing corporate life and the seasoned business owners who are seeking higher profitability.

Every boomer looking for more independence, money and satisfaction with their work in this next chapter of their life should get this book to smooth their way: matching their interests and experience with the kind of market they will be adept at and happy to serve.

I've recommended this book from the platform at 48 conferences so far and have received only raving emails from those who bought it.
- Kare Anderson, author SmartPartnering, Walk Your Talk, Getting What You Want, Resolving Conflict Sooner, Beauty Inside Out, etc.(sayitbetter.com)

Rich and Free is great book for everyone who is starting out their new business. It is a progressive book that leads you up the steps to success. The best part of the book is the advice about having an exit strategy-who ever thinks of that when they are starting a business! But it is also as important as starting the business.

Brian has accumulated the practical, in-the-trenches "Street Knowledge University" guide to really understanding how life and business works. He jumps out of book learning and into life lessons for surviving and getting ahead. This information should be in the schools of higher learning but many times it not even recognized as key missing elements. He has recognized trends that are changing and what one needs to do to keep up and get ahead. Pay attention and soak these lessons up now to jump ahead of much of your competition. Street knowledge typically trumps book knowledge and this is a compilation of those secrets. Its a fairly easy read that should be used as a regular resource to burn these lessons into your memory and apply them in your everyday actions.

Your book is fantabulous. On a scale of 1-5, it is a 10. I am completely
spellbound by your book. It has given me some great ideas on how I can
improve my business. I am using your ideas in our weekly Mastermind
meeting.

Thanks for allowing me to explore new ways of making money easier.

Rich and Free is for entrepreneurs seeking practical advice for creating wealth in the business world. It guides readers on how to think like an entrepreneur by brainstorming and masterminding the mind game. The author, Brian Bieler, writes this book with experience and credibility. The wealth of information comprises of communication skills, leadership tips, roadblocks of risk and fear, the art of negotiating and much more. Rich and Free is one of those motivating books that gets the reader really thinking that it is well in their reach to create a personal freedom for themselves.

Great book. Easy to understand and comprehend. It is the perfect gift for a student or a casual reader. I would recomend this book to everyone I know

I think our closest modern writer to the great Anthony Trollope is Susan Howatch. While "The Rich are Different" and "Sins of the Fathers' (really parts I and II of the same novel) were annoyingly packaged as romance novels, referring to Howatch as a romance writer is like calling a hurricane a disturbance in the weather. At 1400 pages, Rich/Sins certainly has its romantic elements (sometimes to a fault) but the characters and plot are so richly drawn, which makes these far more than standard romance novels.

Spanning over 45 years (1922-1967) the story takes place through the first-person narratives of 10 of the key characters (two - Dinah and Cornelius - narrate twice). This narrative device, which is also used to great advantage in Howatch's later novel, "The Wheel of Fortune," provides the reader with penetrating insight into the inner voice of the character, but also reveals how each truly feels about the others. The author stays loyal throughout to some basic themes: the trappings of wealth and power, how the past tends to repeat itself, how one can't escape the past, and her two favorites: revenge and redemption (the same themes are explored in "The Wheel of Fortune"). The characters that we meet (including the two principles: Paul and Cornelius)can be both quite exhilarating and frustrating: we cringe at some of the reprehensible decisions they make, but in the end, I think we can understand (or even sympathize) with most, if not all of them. For instance, can't one certainly understand how a parent might do quite unsavory things if s/he truly feels it's in the best interest of his/her child? We cheer when someone gets his revenge, and later on too, when he, himself, gets his comeuppance.

Sometimes Susan Howatch can be too heavy handed in her constant reminders that the present has links to the past. Also, I found some of the sections a little dull(especially in "The Rich Are Different"). However, this 1400 page novel kept my interest and made me think about the characters, which is why I think the books together easily deserve four stars.

Howatch puzzles me, her novels look like run of the mill pulp fiction best sellers to judge by the covers but once you start to read them you discover a formidable intelligance. Why doesn't this author have the reputation her skills entitle her to, she is easly up there with Drabble, Murdoch and other Doyens of the British novel.

This book was recommended to me by a friend. It took me a while to actually pick it up and start reading it, but three pages in, I knew I was hooked.

Other reviews mention that this book is a modern re-telling of the story of Cleopatra's affairs with Caesar and Antony, so I won't go into that too much here, except to add that it's a neat conceit, and Howatch works these plot details into the novel flawlessly. There were several moments when I smiled or chuckled to myself when I noticed something I remembered from I, Claudius or The Lives of the Caesars.

However, even if you don't know or don't care about ancient history, this is a gripping, surprisingly fast-paced, incredibly well-written novel. Dinah Slade is a fascinating woman in her own right, rather than a mere shadow of one of history's most infamous characters. Ditto Paul Van Zale, Steve Sullivan, and Cornelius, all of whom leap off the page and seem right at home in the America and England of the early 20th century. The men and women who populate the world of the novel are driven by the same things that drive us: greed, pride, love, lust, ambition, the need for security, and the hope of a better life for their children.

To me, the most fascinating aspect of the book, and the one that might have been the easiest thing for Howatch to mess up, is the fact that the story is divided into six sections, each narrated by a different character (Dinah Slade gets two.) The varying personalities all come to life, giving us sometimes overlapping accounts of the plot line, all of which add up to one heck of a great story.

I just read that the saga continues in The Sins of the Fathers, which I'm going to purchase right now.

I've ready this book about 6 times for the past 10 years and it always delights. It didn't hit me, until I started studying ancient Rome that it is the very story of Caesar and Cleopatra, but set in Wall Street, New York (as powerful as ancient Rome!) The story begins identical to the first meeting of Caesar and Cleopatra...just as Cleopatra was brought to Caesar rolled in a carpet and carried by her faithful servant...so is Diana Slade brought to Paul Van Zale concealed in a cart and rolled in by her trusty Geoffry. Paul's wife is barren, just as history says that Caesar's wife Calpurnia was barren. Guess what else? Paul has epilepsy - who else can you think of that historians believe ALSO had epilepsy? Paul's right-hand man Steve is described exactly as Marc Antony...burly, surly and with dynamic charm - guess what? Diana and Steve find an even greater love than Diana and Caesar...oops I mean Paul Van Zale...Paul is assasinated by the son of his ex-mistress (If you know your history...you know that Brutus is the son of Caesar's ex-mistress Servilia...) Paul leaves his fortune to his cunning, clever, sickly nephew Cornelius. Who also mirrors Octavian (Augustus Caesar in later years) Octavian becomes Diana's bitter enemy and vows to take from her the one thing that she holds most dear...Mallingham her ancestral home... Just as Octavian vowed to take Egypt from Cleopatra. Steve is hounded by Cornelius much as Antony was hounded by Octavian and finally dies a virtual suicidal death...When Cornelius tries to take Diana back to New York (mmmh, seems to me that Octavian wanted to bring Cleo to Rome...) Diana gets the last laugh. Paul's son also dies in his early years just as Caesarian did. Paul's only daughter Vicky married Paul's enemy just as Caesar married his daughter to Pompei...and Guess what? She dies during her pregnancy just as Julia did! I can go on and on, but you get the picture. In my youth, I considered this a truly original masterpiece...but I now know that the entire story is the most famous in history and that it did not come from Ms. Howatch's incredibly imaginitive mind. It does not mean this book isn't worth reading...It Is!! We'll just have to forgive her for borrowing from history. I have ready many of her books and they are all wonderful. I usually read them many times.

I read this book in 1977 & still remember it as a great book. It is quite long, 658 pages but it is very hard to put down. It is intertaining & interesting. I know I will be reading it over & over again.

I found this book at a chain "discard" store in NYC. It's cover was torn and somebody put a sticker on it "Offensive to Women." Being in a very destructive relationship with a very selfish diva, it caught my eye. It was my book of the year, actually three years.

The author nailed my girlfriend totally and American women in general. He pointed out the anti-male bias in our culture. He gets a little out-of-hand as there are plenty of good women out there who are fair and worth loving.

He also is big on our animal natures and the biological/brain differences rooted in our evolution. Our paleolithic hunter and gatherer evolved selves are still hard-wired in. Several decades of social ideas of no value are properly trashed.

He gets into some spiritual issues that are interesting but hardly definitive. Worth considering. Some real ideas on authenic living there.

He also is very pro-environment. We are destroying our world rapidly. The reason? Greed and materialism in this consumption addicted society. He rightly bags on television as well.

Finally there are some good books and authors to explore that he introduced me to. This book is more evocative than definitive.
Enjoy.

This book, while easily threatening to females, is infact attempting to re-gauge our priorities to a workable culture. Personal pain is often exposed through Rich's anecdotes that, rather than forming THE arguement, supports the greater expose of cultural 'wrongs' in our society.

Rich, through his passionate words, is hoping to encourage us to stop 'looking the other way', and live sensibly for ouselves & our children.

This book is a moving meditation on anti-feminism that everyone with any morality should appreciate. For feminists (both male & female) this book will probably be equivalent to the sound of one cricket-leg chirping.

Bobby.N

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Rich Zubaty wrote this book with passion as well as humor. It is easy to read, both enlightening and enjoyable. He tells it as he sees it, which, of course, is his male point of view. The book is mainly written for men, but I believe women should read it too. Rich Zubaty's clarifications about male/female differences helped me to better understand some parts of myself and helped me to understand my father better, as well as my partner and men in general. I tend to agree with him that this world is short of real men and we all need to recognize this, we need to understand why and rectify the problems. We need initiation of boys into men (and girls into women). Although I cannot identify myself with his picture of the average female, as I believe women certainly can be intuitive and spiritual too, I do recommend this book highly to both men and women (anywhere, not just in USA). Read it, see beyond the anger (which was a deep essential emotion which made him write this book), and get out of it the important message - a need to return to male spirituality.

The reason you need to read this book is best told via the story of what happened when I went to my local Big Chain Book Retailer to get a copy after hearing of it. They have an entire section of books called Gender Studies or Women's Studies or some such thing (not to mention all the dieting and self-help books which men never buy). These are all basically "feminist studies" books, which this book also qualifies as. But it wasn't there. Nor were the nice women working the computers behind the counter able to even locate it in their massive database. It's on a very obscure label. Click #1 ! (How come you never hear men say "It's a Man's World?"...) So I went into fallback mode, meaning I went to the long-standing independent bookstore downtown where the really hip people will only buy their boooks. Anyway, they were able to find it and order it, but I still remember the smirk on the intelligent looking cashierette's face as she handed it too me when I went in to pick it up... Click #2 ! (Doesn't everyone *know* that it's women who have a difficult time of it?)

Ok, so this maybe isn't the very best first book to read if one is interested in the men's movement. As the author tells us in the intro, it's jazz, it's improvisational, it's unabashed and from the heart. So it wanders around a bit. Occasionally it's off the wall -- no, it's practically out of the universe. It's experimental. And I don't have a spiritual bone in my body, so those parts often left me rolling my eyes. But there's a ton of stuff in here which needs to be said, and written and read. Truths as only someone like zUBATY can tell. And you know he's giving you his all, and what more can you ask from an author?

I just finished reading the Newly revised and updated version "What Men Know That Women Don't -2000. The words of this man contain a spiritual passion, depth of truth, and what I would call a justifed and necessary anger that substantiate it's TRUE meaning. Mr. Zubaty covers all of the bases of manhood and life in "AMERIKA". ...

Mr. Zubaty, my hat goes off to you, sir. Your book has humbled, amazed, confirmed, and enlightened me. I am a 23 year old "manhole" in transition to a whole man. And I have a mission.