Richardson Books

Leanne D. review of After Hamelin by Bill Richardson, March 12, 2008. This book was an interesting account of what happened to the one child left after the Pied Piper piped all of the children of Hamelin away for revenge. The majority of the story is in the leftover child's, Penelope, who is capable of "deep dreaming", dream in which she goes on the quest to rescue the children of Hamelin. She is accompanied by her cat, Scallywaggle, and is guided along the way by a very old man named Cuthbert. Along the way to the Piper's palace, Penelope makes friends with the Trolavians and with a dragon. Once she and her newfound friends find their way to the Piper's palace, they get locked up with Penelope's sister, Sophy, who appears to be the only child around. Sophy proves them right once she explains that the piper has turned all of the children into rats. As Penelope's friend, Alloway, gets turned into a rat by the piper, Penelope catches the words to the spell and turns it on herself in an attempt to save the other children. She does so, only to chase the Piper and the other children over the border between dream and waking. Penelope manages to free the children and restore the spell that bound the Piper to the land of dreaming.

What was THAT?!
That was the strangest book I ever read, that's what. Very...interesting. It left you with a few unanswered questions, but it wasn't a half bad book.

Very...um...interestingly....strange....though...

This book is a newer version of an old story.I myself a 12 loved this book my mom a well... older than twelve year old also loved this book. It was great and I thought Penelope was a very brave herione. I also loved Quentin and his unusal habits.Most of the people who went on the journey and some sort of disablity, take for example Alloway a blind harper, it just made the story a little more intersting on how it showed us that even if we are disabled we can do great things. I recomend this book to boys and girls of all ages.

In this woderfully weaved tale of a girl, Penelope who is 101 years recalls upon her childhood adventure in saving the children of Hamelin. Once you read this book you will want to know more and more until the book ends. But imagination doesn't only end at the last pages for some. Many may want to make a tale of their own. Penelope recalls in extraordinary detail and Bill Richardson has done a wonderful job of making the pipers music in this book turn you eyes to look at the story. The cover speaks alot itself and one look can tell you the meaning " a picture is worth a thousand words." You may get annoyed with the repeating parts where she always says she's 101, but other than that its a good story.
Penelope is a skipper. Not any ordinary skipper, she's a skipping harpers daughter. Ever since she was little there has always had music in her life. Then on the day of her elevening, she goes deaf. The same day the piper comes to pipe away the children with his magical net of music from his pipe. All children but two. Alloway, a blind apprentice who stays with Govan, Penelope's father and of course our heroine, Penelope. To save the children of Hamelin she must go to a world both seen and unseen. Where anything can happen, into a land of dreaming. The stakes are high and in this dream world you just can't wish yourself away from danger.With a wacky group of companions she embarks on her journey... the rest is for you to find out...

After Hamelin might be marketed as children's lit, but that demeans it. The characters are real and alive. Even the cat. How many authors have tried to make an animal into a character and failed? But Scallywaggle is a full-fledged character. And who ever thought of a flower-arranging dragon? I'm still working on my re-read, so some of the details that I have aren't great. Though I hate the children's sections, I love fairy tales, and wish everyone would remember C.S. Lewis's dedication of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Children's lit is often an incompetent author trying to sell to kids who don't care about quality. After Hamelin, though, should go to the fairy tale section. I hate Disney retellings: they make fairy tales cheap and simplistic happily-ever-afters. Richardson knows his story of the Pied Piper well, and does with it exactly what everyone should do with fairy tales: he takes it, adds some stuff, changes some characters, adds events, and puts in beautifully handled prose. He reinvents the story for a more modern reader, and makes it more accessible. Penelope isn't "charming" in the sense that she isn't the sweet, adorable little girl, nor is she the tomboyish one who defies the rules. There's no title on the list of character cliches to fit her, or any characters in this book. They're all their own selfs, and that's what makes this book stand above the masses of fairy-tale takeoffs that plague book stores. There's not much else to say. I read this first when I was 10, and now at 14, and will keep reading it throughout my life. Read this book, and remember, above all things, one: we are never too old for fairy tales, and fairy tales aren't for children alone. I'll spare the rant on that here, but read After Hamelin, regardless of your age, and rediscover the fact that we all have dreams and goals, and that no matter how fantastical they are, they are true.

The Blue Fairy book was a great book. I have read most of these fairy tales before, but Andrew Lang puts these stories in a new perspective. Most kids, are used to Disney Princesses and how all of them have happy endings, but in the Blue Fairy book there is a jappy ever after, but with a twist. My faveorite was East of the Sun and West of the Moon. It was about a poor man who has three daughters. They were all very pretty, but the youngest was the prettiest. a white bear came and asked the poor man fot the youngest and he will become very rich. The poor man excepted. the youngest daughter rode on the back of the white bear's back and came to castle. the white bear gave her a silver bell that if she rang it everything she wanted will appear. After that, he left. she survived for a few weeks, but she started getting lonley. When the white bear came, the youngest teacher asked to visit her family. The white bear said yes, but to not listen to anything her mother says. The youngest daughter went to her family. Her mother took her aside and asked if anything is going wrong. for awhile she said nothing, but then she told her mother about a strange noise she heard. Her mother told her to go to where she heard the noise, take a candle and see what is there. She took her mother aadvice and when she did it she found a prince. The candle wax fell on her shirt. The youngest daughter looked suprised. She saw a white fuzzy cloth on the floor. he said that now she saw him in his real self, he now has to marry a troll. He left in a vanish, but saying "I am going east of the sun and west of the moon." She the north wind to go to the place the prince had said. She found a big mountain. she climbed it. She saw the troll and asked her to see the prince for one night for a special gift for their wedding. The troll excepted, but gave the prince a sleeping drinmk. the youngest daughter went up to the prince's bedroom. She couldn't wake him up. She was yelling and crying. Morning came and the troll kicked her out. She offered another gift. The troll excepted. The same thing happened that night, but on the third night, a servant heard the daughter crying. The prince pretented to drink the sleeping drink. When the daughter came they had a very nice night together. In the day the prince said that the lady who can get the stain off the the wax from the candle stick. The troll tried to get the stain out, but it just got bigger. Other trolls tried too, but the stain got bigger. The youngest daughter tried and the stain came off. The prince and the youngest daughter got married and lived happily ever after.

Andrew Lang's Blue Fairy Book is just as god as any of the other fairy books, it just has different stories. This book has 37 short fairy tales and black and white pictures on 7 different pages. Some of the fairy tales that this book has include:The Bronze Ring,The Yyellow Dwarf,Little Red Riding Hood,The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood,Cinderella,Aladin,Rumpelstiltzkin,Beauty and the Beast,Han sel and Grettel,Snow White,and many more.
In my opinion this book has the biggest collection of classic Disney fairy tales, the ones most people know.

This book is amazing! We are blessed to have an older hardcover copy of this book in our public library that is so lovingly worn, it's a treat to borrow it and read it as a family! My boys adore these stories and I plan to share these with my grandchildren one day...if my boys don't beat me to it! Wonderful book! Check it out for yourself and see! :o)

The Fairy Book series by Andrew Lang is not politically correct. I don't think these will be around for long or they'll be "fixed" such as is emerging with Irish fairy tales.
(The American Druidic folk discovered the PC "fixing" going on with the Irish fairy tales some years back.) The books in the series are replicas of the originals. The artwork is magnificent.

I grew up with my great-grandmother's first-edition, from the early 1890's. The stories are lush and eloquent, unequivocally imaginative. Recently, I bought my niece a current copy. I am overjoyed to see the gorgeous original illustrations which, I had fallen in love with, are included in the later editions. If you are able, I do highly recommend purchasing the rest of the books in the series. Any child will be thoroughly delighted. You will happily discover your child's vocabulary considerably enhanced.

Beth Gutcheon creates attractive, compelling characters and she writes beautifully. This is a story of finding the right love at the wrong time, and about the sacrifices adults must make sometimes for the sake of their children.

Wow. That's all I have to say. DOMESTIC PLEASURES is one of the best books I've read this year. I'm ashamed to say it's my first by Gutcheon, but it won't be the last. I've just now ordered all the rest of her books and am looking forward to many hours of reading pleasure, although how she can top PLEASURES, I don't know. As an author myself, I know how difficult it is to handle as many story lines, characters, and relationships as Gutcheon gave us in this book. Not to mention writing from the point of view of such different ages. And Gutcheon has done both so beautifully. From page one, I was hooked by the characters and their lives. Martha and Charlie, Sophie and Connie, Phoebe and Jack, baby Fred and Gillis, Patsy and Molly and Ruth and William and Dave. I don't think I'll ever forget them. I was so caught up in their lives, I didn't want the book to end. Gutcheon is a marvelous writer. Not only did she make me cry a few times, she made me laugh over and over again. Her dialogue is so good, I wanted to smack her! Okay, that's because I am jealous. I'd love to be able to write dialogue that clever and witty and real. Bravo, Ms. Gutcheon. I am in awe of your talent.

This is the first of Beth Gutcheon's books that I've read. I was inspired to pick it up by all the positive reviews of it here, (another first for me) and I was so pleased! I'm not the only one either, the hardcover edition I read has glowing reviews from Pat Conroy, Rosamunde Pilcher, and Rita Mae Brown on the back cover. This is quality writing. The characterization, dialogue, the various complex story lines are all very well done. I look forward to reading more by this author (and maybe I should take more suggestions from amazon reviewers!)

An excellent book, surpassed only by Gutcheon's More Than You Know. I feel safe saying pick up anything by her and enjoy!

I read this book for two reasons, first it was favorably mentioned on someone's listmania list and two because it had a high star rating. Of course, it wasn't until after I finished the book that I realized that the star rating was based on only 8 reviews.

I found this book to be a fine read. Something you bring to the beach. Usually I bring to the beach either
a. a good who-done-it / lawyer type book (think Grisham, Patterson, or Scottline) or
b. something I would deem a chick book. A novel with interesting characters and a decently amusing plot where the main character is usually a woman I can relate to and a potential romance will most definitely be covered somewhere in the story.

This book falls under category b., the characters are easy to like and are interesting enough that you want to know what happens to them next, and there is a romance, but the overall plot I found to be somewhat boring making me wonder, "why I am still reading this". If you do read this book, it won't be a complete waste of time. You will like it enough, but there are just a lot of better choices out there for the beach.

The book provides a large amount of early Christian writings with particularly helpful footnote comments and an exhaustive index section with references to Biblical scriptures. As such, one can find good information for research on early Christian Church history.

Interesting how the early fathers determined what materials would be used. The arguments which occurred

This is the best single-volume introduction to the "Early Church Fathers" (early Patristic Writers) of the 1st and 2nd centuries. I have a library of the Ancient Christian Writers series of many more Patristic authors, and have studied unabridged versions of their works, but I found myself looking for something accessible for a friend recently. After researching the matter, I bought two copies of this work - one for my friend and one for me.

Richardson and company take the earliest and best non-canonical Christian literature and present it, edited, in a handy volume that contains not only preforatory material for each letter, but also helpful footnotes and study aids.

Many people don't know that before the close of the age of the Apostles that Clement of Rome was penning a letter to the Corinthians (AD 95 or so), the same group that had given Paul so many headaches 40 years earlier. This letter starts of this work. Next, we move on to the kind, gentle Bishop Ignatius of Antioch. About AD 110, as he was being transported to Rome for his execution as a Christian, he wrote letters to Churches along the way exhorting them to continue in faithfulness. About the middle of the second century, Bishop Polycarp of Smyrna - a disciple of John the Apostle - wrote a letter to the Phillipians. That letter is in here. Next, his martyrdom is recounted in another early Christian document.

And on it goes. The Didache (or The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles) probably contains material from both the first and second centuries AD. It's a sort of manual on what Christian worship, procedure and organization should be. The so-called Second Letter of Clement follows that in which second century Christian living is described.

The second century Apologists are represented in the letter of "Mathetes" to Diognetus. This horatory letter is a Christian justification of the faith to a friendly pagan. Next, Justin (surnamed "Martyr" for his later martyrdom) explains Christianity in Greek terms, as does Athenagoras who follows him in this book.

Finally, there's a segment of Irenaeus's "Against Heresies" in which the Bishop of Lyons articulately defends "traditional" Christianity and scripture from abuses of those who possessed, in his words, "knowledge, falsely so-called." In short, Irenaeus combats the Gnostic heresies of his day.

The greatest value of this book is in showing the vitality of early Christianity as it - although persecuted - handled the business of not just surviving, but appealing to the hearts and minds of the citizens of the Roman Empire and Greek culture of its time.

For additional, scholarly works, see Quasten's Patrology or the Ancient Christian Writers series from Newman Press.

Catholics and Protestants both tend to see their distinctive doctrines reflected not only in Scripture, but also in the early Church fathers. Richardson tends to steer in the middle: He presents various doctrines as being in germ-form, or developmental in nature.

Consider, for example, the papacy. Richardson avoids the extremes of seeing the papacy directly traceable to Christ and the papacy as a centuries-later invention. With reference to Clement, he comments: "This implies more than a casual relation with other churches; and while this should not be pressed to vindicate much later papal claims, it does indicate that the Roman community took most seriously its responsibility as a sister church for the welfare of other congregations. Here, in germ, is that exercise of authority which was to become the papal primacy." (p. 36).

In like manner, Richardson takes a middle view of the validity of apostolic succession. He believes that the Greek of Clement's first letter is compatible with either an "episcopal" or a "presbyterian" interpretation of early church government (pp. 63-64).

Richardson treats other doctrines in much the same manner. All in all, the reader can appreciate Richardson's fairness and objectivity.

This book is an excellent text for those who are solely interested in the topic for pure curiosity and for those who are interested in doing a little research. The author, Richardson, has put together an excellent compilation of letters, and journal entires of various prominent early Christians. There are letters from the famous St. Polycarp, to the early Bishop St. Ignatius (not the Jesuit Ignatius) depicting the events and thoughts leading up to their martyrdoms. There are also letters from the early Popes illustrating the various problems the early church faced. All in all an excellent read for the beginner and for the far advanced. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in biographical information pertaining to the Early Chirstian Fathers.

While it may be true that some have been saved by this method of evangelism, and have continued to be saved throughout their lives, the end result is usually not that happy. Statistics show that there is an 80-90% fall away rate from decisions in our churches, and nearly a 100% fall away rate from Crusades. Bill Bright himself, in one of his later interviews, admits that he was wrong for using and promoting this method because of the tragic results it produces (Revivals Golden Key, p.83). Rather than producing real conversions, the "love, joy, peace" gospel seems to only produce stoney-ground hearers and bitter backsliders who are innoculated to the gospel message.
Martin Luther called the ones in his day who used the same love-joy-peace gospel message that the majority of modern evangelists use a "sect" that was "stirred up by Satan"

I would not recommend these tracts or this method, but rather the method that Jesus, Paul, all of the great preachers in history (including C.H. Spurgeon, Wesley, Finney, Edwards, Moody etc) have used and promoted vigorously. This is the biblical method that is timeless, was shown to us by Jesus and expounded upon by Paul. I think we can mix this method with post-modern ideas, but we cant stray from the core of it, for if we do that we are straying from the method the Bible teaches us.
It is the use of the law to bring men to Christ. For a good book on this, i recommend reading "Hells Best Kept Secret" by Ray Comfort, or "Revivals Golden Key" by ray comfort.

Richardson's book is a very readable and accessible approach to contemporary evangelism. He does a good job of describing the difference between the Roman and Celtic ways of thinking about evangelism and all of life, and the implications of this philosophical shift in society. This is just another way, though very useful, to express some of the key differences between modernity and postmodernism. I appreciated his references to the historical underpinnings of our theology of conversion.

He also includes several useful appendices with information about the Alpha Course, Groups Investigating God, and his Circles of Belonging illustration.

My primary complaint is that this book didn't seem as "outside the box" as the title would suggest. Though he certainly provides a few new paradigms for us to consider, much of this book is nothing more than the prevailing approach to evangelism across American Christianity. He seems to think that his Circles of Belonging illustration is profoundly unique, but it seems to me to be another permutation of the Bridge diagram.

To be clear, I found all of this information to be helpful and well-written. And I recommend the book as a useful resource for anyone interested in learning more about effective evangelism. I simply suggest that is really isn't sufficiently "outside the box" to justify the title. If you really want to read some challenging ideas about evangelism, read Brian McLaren's "More Ready Than You Realize" instead.

Rick Richardson does a good job here of getting 21st century Christians to THINK about evangelism in new and innovative ways. He encourages readers to get a better understanding of today's society, emphasizing that we as a church can't provide Biblical answers if we don't take time to listen to the questions. The author stays true to his title and draws outside the lines to explore new means of bringing people to Christ.

Some people may misunderstand this book, thinking that Richardson is forsaking the time-honored gospel by substituting church growth gimmicks and man-made strategies. Actually Richardson is very conservative in his theology, but very progressive in his methodology. Unless the reader distinguishes between the two, he/she will have a difficult time benefiting from this work.

I recommend this book to all believers, especially church leaders, who are looking for new ways to cultivate relationships with the lost and to bring them to salvation in Christ.

Rick Richardson brings his experience in campus ministry and understanding of the current culture and helps readers come to a new understanding of how to communicate the message of the Gospel in relevant and meaningful ways. Key to Richardson's assessment is the fact that culture and society is changing. Many Evangelical Christians assume that there has always been one of way of presenting the Good News of Jesus. However, Richardson demonstrates that as culture changes, the delivery and presentation does as well. This does not mean that the content changes. Rather, the content remains the same... but it must be communicated in a relevant manner.

This book is a very helpful book in taking a fresh look at the issues surrounding Christian witness in a postmodern world. Rick makes use of comparisons between the kind of questions university students used to ask in generations past to the sort of questions being asked today. It is not that the old questions are never asked anymore. Rather, to get to those questions, Christians must first address the questions that people are asking today.

I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking to adjust how we relate and communicate the Gospel to postmoderns.

(...)I've been reading through Rick Richardson's Evangelism Outside the Box, and I thought I'd take a few moments to offer some reflections.

Here's the bottom line up front: parts of this book strike me as shallow and weak (especially in terms of application and practice), but in a number of places - particularly where he analyzes cultural shifts, and considers how our practices are perceived by unbelievers - Richardson is spot on. Where this book is good, its really good; fast-paced, easily accessible, it's definitely worth the price of admission.

I found Richardson's analysis of postmodernism (Ch 2, 3) very, very helpful. While I'm not sure I buy his division of history into intellectual epochs, he understands that strange things are afoot at our cultural Circle K's. He illustrates well how allegiances of modernism are shifting:

• in truth - people are no longer interested in abstract, universal truth; they are looking for a truth that is "local, personal, experiential" - in a word: they want authenticity.


• in community - people aren't looking for experts who have all the answers; they are looking for friends who can identify with their struggles - they want "a community to belong to rather than a message to believe in"


• in imagination - people increasingly value art, beauty, heartfelt expression over sterile conformity to standards of "rightness" - its not so much what you say as how you say it.

Richardson offers a great summary of postmodern values:

"This generation of people understand that a picture can be worth a thousand words. They value authenticity as their highest ethic. They can't stand hypocrisy, or 'playing politics.' They tend to be inclusive, passionate for fairness, committed to reconciliation in relationships. They are highly motivated toward community and are very aware of actions that break trust and community. They honor the beliefs and choices of other people." (p. 83)

Anyone who has spent any time with unbelievers will recognize that Richardson knows that of which he speaks. This is where people outside our churches are at; this is where those leaving the church are headed. Heck - this is where I am!

Those of us left in the church had better figure out (soon) how to re-contextualize our message to speak to these people or we will render ourselves irrelevant.

Ch 10 is also a keeper, as Richardson wrestles with the importance of building community:

"Today people are looking for a community to belong to more than a message to believe in. Evangelism is about helping people belong so that they come to believe. Most people today do not 'decide' to believe. In community they 'discover' that they believe, and then they decide to affirm that publicly and to follow Christ intentionally." (p. 100)

I think Richardson is dangerously accurate in his analysis here: in my experience, this is precisely what unbelievers are looking for - a place where they can belong just as they are. I use the word 'dangerously' for a reason, however. You see, once we see a problem clearly, we naturally start thinking about the solution. In so doing, however, there are several potential pitfalls we must be careful to avoid.

(...) Overall, this book is definitely worth buying and reviewing. Just read it thoughtfully...

Excellent review of evidence based medicine. Concise and to the point. Have used it multiple times during residency and fellowship.

Sackett's EBM is the Bible for anyone conducting systematic review. It is THE how-to guide for clinical medicine SR and a great starting point for thinking about SR in the social sciences. Thank you Dr. Sackett for bringing SR to the masses.

This book is well done from an educational perspective. You'll find nice diagrams, figures, a CD-ROM, and everything you need in order to assimilate it nicely. References are provided and well organized.

As usual when it comes to EBM (and paradoxically), it lacks a little bit in introspection, like for example when it claims that basically the only real limitation of EBM is that the physician needs to acquire new skills, while other criticisms (such as the "cookbook" approach or the fact that it might tend toward saving money against the benefit of the patients) are dismissed as "concerns" on how the method is (or will be) used. The authors genuinely sound like thinking EBM should always be applied everywhere to every problem, and that borders with black-vs-white thinking, which is dangerous in and of itself.

However, if you are interested in knowing EBM, how to apply it, where to find resources, etc, this book is most definitely for you.

As a physician-teacher of EBM to internal medicine residents, this is the best book I've run across for this purpose. We utilize the reader's guides, first published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal and later in JAMA, written by Guyatt, Sackett, and others, which are perfectly complemented by this volume. I recommend it to all of the residents and have purchased multiple copies for house staff use (although I can't seem to keep them on the shelf...) It makes learning EBM fun and highlights its usefulness and, most importantly for busy physicians, speed. Worth reading for every physician interested in practicing medicine based on only the best evidence.

This is an excellent "how to" manual for those who are serious about learning how to apply evidence based medicine principles. Lots of folks talk about "evidence based medicine" but few really know what it means. This is obviously intended as a teaching tool for residents but is equally useful for any physician who is interested in learning the principles required to do the best job for his/her patient. The size and summary cards are handy for carrying with you wherever you may need them! Easy to read but with great substance.

The only reason that it took two days to read this book was because of how short and transparent it was. Yes, it was a very easy book to read, but it was an insult to all intellegent people out there. If you want to by a book for your child than this is it because no adult would find any joy in reading this boring book

I would recommend this book to any female that likes sports and softball in particular. It tells of the struggles that Dot and women around the country went through to play sports. She is one of the most inspirational people in sports today. I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it and i was finished in two days. Dot is an exceptional athlete and human being, and one of my heroes!

I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR ANY FEMALE ATHLETE, OR THE PARENTS OF ANY FEMALE ATHLETE. DOT RICHARDSON IS A PHENOMENAL SOFTBALL PLAYER, ATHLETE, AND PERSON. SHE HAS SUCCEEDED IN MANY ENDEAVORS WITH HARD WORK AND PERSEVERANCE. I HAVE A TEEN-AGE DAUGHTER INTERESTED IN SPORTS AND THIS BOOK EXPLAINS MUCH OF WHAT A FEMALE ATHLETE GOES THROUGH. A YOUNG GIRL READING THIS BOOK WOULD HAVE TO COME AWAY EDUCATED, REFRESHED AND READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD! ASIDE FROM ALL THAT, IT WAS A VERY INTERESTING READ AND A GREAT SPORTS BOOK. I HAD A TEAR IN MY EYE WITH ALMOST EVERY CHAPTER. TO REPRESENT YOUR COUNTRY THE WAY DOT DID WOULD HAVE TO BE THE GREATEST HONOR IN SPORTS.

When I got this book, I read it in just a few days and I didn't want to put it down. It tells about Dot's struggles and all that she went through to be the awesome softball player she is today. It is the best book I have read in a long time. I think not only softball players, but anyone would enjoy reading it. I highly recommend it.

This book is a must read for any aspiring softball player, or any female athlete! I knew who Dot Richardson was before, but reading this book really introduced me to her personal life, and i cold definetly relate. In this book, Dot tells of her journey to the top, and her struggles along the way, starting from when she was a little girl right up to winning the gold in atlanta. Her stories are inspiring, some funny, others very touching. Any serious softball player or athelete can relate to her experiences some way, and that, along with wonderfully entertaining stories are what makes this book a true 5 star must read!!

...including your murder-for-hire defendant list!

Carlton Stowers does an excellent job of relaying the story of Joy Aylor, a Texas socialite sociopath, who has her husband's lover, Rozanne, murdered (and the REAL reason for the hit is only disclosed late in the story).

Though it takes almost a decade to solve the case of Rozanne Gailiunas' murder, readers are taken on a interesting trip with police detectives as the conspiracy ring keeps growing and growing; until it comes full circle with the capture of Joy Aylor in the south of France.

This is an absolute MUST read for any true crime fan. As an avid reader of this genre, I would rate this riveting story in my top 20 favorites!

This is the second book I have read by Carlton Stowers and I must say, this author leaves nothing out. I don't think I have ever read a more detailed account of a true crime nor have I ever read one with such a huge cast of charecters! There are so many people involved in this case!

Joy Ayler is the hub of the wheel and is the one who the book is really all about. She is your typical sociopath, using and hurting people right and left with no remorse. It is very interesting to see how this book unfolds. For me, it really got going about half way through and then I found it hard to put down.

The writing style is excellent, although some people may become annoyed with all the details.

This is a fantastic book on a par with Tom Henderson's "Blood Justice". What a great writer! The relationship between Mike Wilson and Joy could be a book in itself. You will sympathize with the investigators, you'll get to know them and the families involved...I wish there was a book about the trial...the more you know, the more you want to know thanks to Carlton Stowers.

I saw the movie before I read the book and the book of course tells so much more then the movie. Many things in the movie are put in there for glamor. This case is baffling with so many characters the list never stops growing. So many lives ruined from just one evil manipulating woman. I don't know what she did to lure these men in to her web or should I say bed first. Even when she looked her best she was not that attractive. Well looks like manipulation was a deadly art that came easy for this woman and so many people fell victim to her evil web.
Great read hard to put down

Carlton Stowers has always been one of my favorite true crime writers, and he really delivers with this book. This book and "Careless Whispers" by him are some of my favorite true crime books (and as you can tell by my other reviews I have quite a few favorites). Joy Aylor is a very sick woman who always had to have her way. I do not want to give out too many plot details, you really have to read this book.

This book is a goldmine for those who want to learn something about the classical guitar and for those who love the instrument.

Although it does discuss some of the great classical guitarists -- Segovia, Williams, Bream, etc. -- it is oriented more toward the great classical guitar builders and has detailed information on the great luthiers of the present and recent past.

A real plus is the selection of superb color photos of a number of gorgeous guitars; the photos make clear that a guitar can be a work of art as much as an instrument of music.

It is a book the lover of the classical guitar will return to repeatedly, just for the pleasure of looking at some unquestionably beautiful works of musical art.

This book is what I wanted. Great color photos of classical guitars from many makers. Its a good book for those who love not only the sound but the look of these great instruments. Only wish it were available in a hardback version. Luscious photos !

This book is simply great. The rich, colorful photographs brings the guitars to life. There's plenty of information for the reader without being overwhelmed. Any guitarist would do well to purchase this book at least to have a snapshot of the wonderful world of guitar history.

For people interested in a detailed discussion of different types of guitar it may be just the ticket, but I was looking for something more general. There is precious little information about players, composers, repertoire, etc.
This book is for people interested in the construction of guitars and it's not really a "History of the Classical Guitar" as I understand the expression.
It's all very well for Amazon to say we can have a refund. What they don't tell you is that you have to post it back to America - and it's a large and heavy book!

Though I like the book, the highlights are more about the luthiers and not so much on the quality of the guitars they make. The book is layed out in a chronological order, and focuses on just one luthier and guitar per year.. This is confusing, as many luthiers produce guitars across 40,50 even 60 years. So, this approach doesn't really work for me.

The book could have benefited from a comparison of major achievements introduced by each luthier, and focused on broad comparisons of different guitars. It instead focuses on the personalities of the luthiers.

If the reason you want to purchase the book is to help you find a concert guitar, this book will provide a good reference to the major luthiers operating today. However, if you are looking to find distinguishing features about the guitars, you will be hard pressed to do so, as the book provides just a few tidbits of information in that regard.

This book is an excellent read of the truth of Keith Richardson and his wife. I couldn't put it down; and my teenage daughter had the same problem because it is SO interesting. We have no doubt that it is the truth, and that Chang exists. I can not wait until his next book comes out!

Having read many, many books on reincarnation, past lives, and lives between lives, I found this book extremely disappointing. The author focuses solely on ONE past life that allegedly he and his wife lived in 17th century China, to the point of obsession. He makes some factual errors, i.e., when citing Brian Weiss' "Many Lives Many Masters," he refers to Dr. Weiss as a Ph.D. instead of the proper M.D. degree. As an alleged anthropologist one would expect him to know the difference between a classically trained psychiatrist who went through med school and someone with a Ph.D.! And he never once mentions Taoism and its huge incluence on Chinese culture and religion, and how it influenced Buddhism, especially Zen Buddhism, in China. I believe that we live hundreds of lives, in many cultures, and are meant to learn from all of them, instead of singlemindely and obsessively focusing on a single past life as he and his wife do. If one is truly interested in reincarnation, I would recommend all of Dr. Weiss' books as well as Michael Newton's (who focuses on life between lives)instead, plus a number of other credible authors. If you want a true love story involving reincarnation, read Dr. Weiss' "Only Love is Real."
I bought this book because of its title, assuming it had something to do with Chuang Tzu's (the ancient Taoist) famous dream about the butterfly, and I feel thorougly cheated. The writing isn't very good either--it's very simple and juvenile and completely self-absorbed.

I truly enjoyed this book, "Secret of the Butterfly Lovers". The fact that these two wonderful people have found each other in this life is sweet, but to learn and understand where they have been is a Miracle, Love Story, Friendship, Loyalty, Humility, Spiritual, and very Awesome. Most people go through life excepting what they do, think, feel, blame, or think they are victims. But in reality, life is always happening and we are one with everything, and it's understanding that we do have spiritual help and guidance, all we have to do is just open our hearts and listen. And this book just brings it all home. Thank you Francesca and Keith, for having the insight and love for each other to look beyond your bounds. I will buy this book for everyone in my family. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I came from a strong Catholic background and there were always things I thought about that I could not answer. The book has helped me open to a new level of spirituality and beliefs. I would suggest that anyone who is wanting a change in their life or answers to questions they have thought about this book is a must read. I commend the writer on his presentation of his true love journey, spirit guide and the history of it all.

This book is the BEST!! I couldn't put it down, once I started reading, I stayed with it until I was done. A true story of the Richardson's path to spirituality. The twists and turns of a man seeking the truth, knowledge and understanding of his path in this life. You come to understand that there are many things in this world that we take for granted, that are happening because of life lessons learned in another lifetime. I can't say enough about the upbeat feeling you have when you read this book. I can't wait to read it again and again.