Spencer Books

...Vera and Irene are matronly English women of a certain age who get up to all sorts of picaresque adventures aided and abetted by a cast of dysfunctional offspring, psychics, thieves, ageing lotharios and authority figures. They communicate entirely by letter and these were originally read (rather brilliantly) on UK radio by Prunella Scales and Patricia Routledge. They work very well on the page too and you can really appreciate the superb writing. I think this book would appeal to anyone who likes the sort of observational comedy of UK writers such Alan Bennett or Victoria Wood.

People wait a life to find Mr. Right. But if the right man is nearer of what you believe? And if you find him where you less expect him? The common path of this anthology seems to be: open your eyes and look around, not sit down and wait for your Mr. Right to find you, but turn the next guy you find in Mr. Right.

Snowbound, Lovebound? by Sutherland & Labbe: two colleague can't suffer each other, but as the old motto say, hate is a very passionate feeling, and can turn to love. As usual Bryan and Jimmy are arguing, and this time they are in the mid of a snow storm and blocked in a car. From harsh word, they pass to rough sex. But in the end, what will remain? Hate can turn to love forever?

Sutherland & Labbe's story would deserve a greater developement: how Bryan and Jimmy met? Why they are in a car alone in the mid of a snowstorm? Is their story a love story?

Deacon Decides by Eric Arvin: Deacon is a shy student travelling to Australia and he exchanges some heated glances with Joel, a steward. Usually Deacon is too socially retarted to do something, but this time he wants to be brave.

A Screw and a Stud by Sonja Spencer: Tommy is new in towm and goes to the hardware store. Obviously Tommy is not a man used to handywork, and Mark, the store's owner, is willing to help. Mark is a big and shy guy, and when outspoken Tommy makes a move, he is eager to accept the open invitation he reads in his words.

Odds Are by Chrissy Munder: Rick is a doctor. He has to go to a congress, but he is not happy as usual to do that, cause till the previous year he had a long term partner with whom share the experience, and now he is alone. Worst, he was dumped by his lover and he is not ready to move on. But at the hotel he will meet Jonah, a very nice guy who is willing to spend a no string attached weekend and will help Rick to finally move on.

I like this story but I'm also a pretty sad that there is not and happily ever after for Rick and Jonah... As I read Jonah, he would be a perfect partner for Rick.

A Thorough Workout by Alix Bekins: Ryan and Mark are dancing around each other. Gym fellow, between them there were mute invitation and knowing glares, but Mark always back off. But one night Ryan decides he is tired to wait and in a way or another, he will end the matter. Hopefully in bed with Mark.

Know When to Spread 'em by Catt Ford: Jay is a guy who likes to have sex. As often as possible. And to satisfy his desire, he is willing to answer to anonymous ads. No string attached lunch hookup. And he finds Steve, a body builder with an hell of a body. Married. But for a mid-day and no-repeat encounter, he will do great.

The Proposition by Aile & Urban: Marcus needs a high profile partner for a very important business weekend. He finds Gerard and makes him a proposition, one he can't refuse. Gerard doesn't need money, but a fine man like Marcus could be an interesting partner for a weekend. But when the weekend will be over, can they have something more left?

Aile & Urban's story is pretty long. Complex and complete I would have no problem buying it as a single story. Both Gerard and Marcus are really enjoyble characters, and I would like to read more about them.

Wanna Ride? by Sonja Spencer: Cris sees Raul in a club. Raul dances like sex is pouring from him, and Cris wants to have a bit of that sex for him. And he manages to have it. But maybe the end of the night will not the end of their encounter.

A very sexy little scene, Raul is a very intriguing character. And then I have always had a soft spot for the goth guy like Cris.

Power Struggle by Anais Morten: Gero and Jason are soccer team mate. But sport rivalry is not the only thing between them. Gero feels it, but Jason is new to the feeling and needs a special treatment. And when private questions flow smooth between them, also working in team during game will be easy.

Special Offer by Clare London: Mitch and Will are neighboor. They eyes each other since months, but they have never made a move. Mitch is loud and reckless, Will is quiet and serious. But on a lonely saturday night they meet at the 24/7 store, and finally sparks fly.

Another story I would like to see how evolves. Mitch and Will will overcome their differences? they will find a common path to share a future together?

All the story are pretty nice. As usual I like better when I can read, or image, an happily ever after, but luckily almost all the stories leaves an open door to dream.

i re-read this mystery this week after two years, and thought i remembered the plot about halfway through--and it would have been a good plot, as i remembered it.

however, i hadn't remembered it accurately--the ending came as a complete surprise, it's that tricky. the clues are all there for the reader to use, but the author subtly guides the reader in the wrong direction.

the characters are well-drawn, the dialogue good, the writing easy and enjoyable. i was surprised to read in the synopsis that this was a debut.

i intend to read all the rest in the series and recommend it to mystery fans who have gotten too good at guessing the plot.

My Dear Friend: The Civil War Letters of Alva Benjamin Spencer 3rd Georgia Regiment Company C is a collection of civil war correspondence by Alva B. Spencer, a man who accepted the Baptist faith at a young age, graduated from Mercer University in Georgia, and enlisted as a Confederate private in the American Civil War. My Dear Friend is not only an up-close and personal look at the Civil War up to the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, but also a love story - the letters are penned specifically to Alva's beloved "Maggie" at home. An entrancing, and at times heart-rending chronicle.

Very well-written, cogent and relevant coverage of mystic insights and principles across the major religions, correcting many misrepresentations of various doctrines. Neither academically dry, nor trite. Strongly recommended.

The present study proposes to explore a portion of Navaho mythology to see what light it throws on the life view and values of the people whose literature it represents. This is primarily an anthropological investigation and as such has precedent in anthropological studies of cultural reflection and myth....

The complex of ritual activities which constitiue Navaho ceremonialism is directed toward control over supernatural forces for the welfare of the people. The chants or chantways represent only one ceremonial type but a type which holds an important position both in the formal ceremonial system and in the time and energy devoted to their performance. The chantways are performed to cure illness; they are held over a patient. Another smaller group of rites, known as blessingway rites, are performed to bring "positive blessings," protection and well-being. Although these blessingway rites are briefer and less complex than the curing ceremonials, in theory and practice they form an essential part of the ceremonial system. Other principal classes of rites include divination to determine the cause of illness and to prescribe the proper ceremonial treatment, war and hunting rites (now obsolescent), and rites of passage (birth, initiation, puberty, marriage, death).

Associated with most of these ritual forms are myths which tell how the ceremony in question originated. It is the origin myths of the curing ceremonials, or chantways, that are the subject of this study.
--- excerpts from book's Introduction

This is a well written and thoughtful analysis of the "democratic peace theory" argument. A number of political scientists have argued that one of the few empirically established truths of international relations is that democracies do not war on each other. This idea was actually suggested by the philosopher Kant approximately 2 centuries ago, a prediction that has turned out to be somewhat surprisingly correct. Weart opens by reviewing the political science literature on the democratic peace theory, concluding that it is valid. Most of the book is devoted to exploring why this phenomenon exists. Weart's conclusion is that the domestic political culture of a nation's leadership is responsible for its approach to international relations. Republican states, especially established democracies, have cultures of compromise, accomodation, and respect for dissenting views. These cultural traits carry over into international affairs. Conversely, authoritarian states, whose leadership usually arises in an atmosphere of ruthless competition and repression, will tend towards more aggressive and inflexible modes of international conduct. This brief summary doesn't do justice to Weart's systematic presentation of his argument, which is based on an unusually thorough review of the historical and relevant political science literature. Weart points to some unexpected and predictable consequences of his formulation. For example, in addition to finding that democracies don't war with each other, he finds as well that oligarchic republics, which have some of the same political culture as democracies also have a low rate of mutual warfare. Also, democracies and oligarchic republics also have a tendency to form unusually successful/stable alliances, in contrast to authoritarian states. Weart is careful to specify that he is not arguing that democracies are intrinsically peaceful, pointing in particular to a number of examples from American history. Weart's last chapter, which is on spreading democracy, turns out to be quite topical. Given the advantages of peace to democratic states, he discusses ways in which democracy can be spread. He makes a good argument that direct military intervention is usually a relatively poor way of spreading democracy. Weart's book was published in 1999, well before the current Iraq mess.
My only criticism is that I wish Weart had presented some of his data in tabular or numerical form.

I started my academic career in 1967 in the Chemistry Department at UCLA. One year into my career this book appeared on the scene. Since I had just joined the "Fraternity," I thought I should read one man's view of the career to which I had just entered as a 26-year old PhD scientist and aspiring academician. Klaw produced an amazing analysis of scientific life in America that is still remarkably relevant today more than 3 decades removed. Some of the famous men in chemistry such as Gilbert Stork (Columbia) are quoted directly, while others, such as RB Woodward (Harvard), are disguised as "George Carpenter." The reader would be surprised that "GC-RBW", at the age of 48, was discouraged at what it takes to stay on top. This discouragement should be tempered by the fact that "GC" had just won the Nobel Prize for his contributons to theoretical organic chemistry! I keep buying copies of this fine book to give to my own students who are entering the academic profession. This is a great read, even (especially) for the young! The game is the same! DA Evans, Harvard Chemistry

If you've ever longed for a clearer explanation of the Bible, this is a must read. Father Spencer goes into depth in explaining ancient world "religious" sects and compares them to Christianity. Then he goes on to intelligently explain the truth that lies in Scripture and how it's been so distored over the years regarding what the Bible actually teaches us about life after death. If you're like me, you'll find yourself re-reading this book over and over again, each time gaining new insight into what the Bible has to say to us today.

The new edition of New Homes For Old by Sophonisba P. Breckinridge (1866-1948) is enhanced with an informative introduction by Steven J. Diner (Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University) is an amazing, exhaustive history of American immigrants, focusing in detail on how they lived, cared for their children, coped with cultural shock, made an economic living and much more. Covering immigration from all over the world, from the Ukraine to Italy to Sweden, New Homes For Old is a fascinating qualitative study of family life as well as cultural and economic adaptation. Highly recommended reading for students of Gender Studies, Ethnic History, Progressive Era social research, and the history of social work in America.