White Books

Betsy Hartmann has written a timely book, a must-read for the coming election. Deadly Election follows the story of a presidential election through the eyes of several different characters-- a president who has turned over his responsibilities to a questionable adviser, a Supreme Court Justice dealing with his own serious health issues as well as his daughter's upcoming wedding and a history-making decision about to be before him on the bench, a young congressional aid about to be tested and drawn into a deadly plot, and a grieving mother of a man who has died in a military prison of a so-called suicide. The book unfolds quickly with a fast-paced plot that also contains a wickedly delightful satire. In the end, the uncanny resemblances to the current world of politics make this book both believable and frightening. You'll have trouble putting it down.

By the time I reached the final paragraphs of Deadly Election, I had jettisoned my weekend commitments and lagged behind my schedule. If the measure of a thriller is to bind you to your chair for an unusually long period, Betsy Hartmann's novel gets a top rating. The plot, not unlike a movie script, is crafted for a speedy turn of events that lead to a climax with few detours or distractions. As a political thriller this novel challenges readers to examine contemporary ongoing threats to our civil liberties and individual rights reflected in such areas as the invasion of privacy through electronic surveillance. I was reminded of the old adage, truth is stranger than fiction, when I noted that more than one scenario constructed in the novel's rich landscape resembled the sinister anti-terrorism regimes that have emerged both here and in other parts of the world. This is a thriller that gratifies our search for a suspenseful story, even as it compels us to reflect on our political future in this election year.

Must reading for those who like political thrillers and mysteries. Hartmann turns upside down the whodunit
technique to create an absorbing commentary on the political world of 2008. The book is full of intriguing characters who lead the reader through unexpected paths.

Deadly Election: A Novel
Betsy Hartman
(Vermont, USA: White River Press. Available from Amazon.com)

Betsy Hartman's book is a political thriller. It is utterly absorbing, inspiring, subtle, and frightening. I managed, but only just, not to stay up all night reading it.
Most of us know that, although US governments go round the world supposedly promoting democracy, when democracy produces the wrong results they crush it or suppress it or try to: Vietnam, Guatemala, Brazil, Chile, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Palestine - the list is long. As Henry Kissinger put it, `I don't see why we should stand by and watch (Chile) go Communist due to the irresponsibility of its own people'. Nearer home, we have Thatcher's suppression of Livingstone's Greater London Council (which, like Chile's Allende, seemed likely to win some more elections).
Hartman's book is about threats to democracy in the USA itself. The book is full of unexpected twists and turns. Bush, predictably, plays a leading role (even though the frontispiece claims that `Any resemblance to real people and events is coincidental'). And one of the heroes is an elderly black woman who runs a fish shop and paddles in the sea. But the main villain is a clever black graduate of Princeton University. And another hero is a white Republican Supreme Court judge.
There is illuminating material on the functioning of the Supreme Court, there are extra-judicial killings, a lot of suspense and a love interest or two. The main theme - of the threat to civil liberties and human rights under the pretext of the `war against terrorism' - is all too horribly relevant to what is going on in this country.
Betsy Hartman's previous books include The Truth About Fire, a novel about violent anti-abortion Christian evangelicals with fascist links, and work that punctures myths about population increase, and migration (see www.BetsyHartman.com).

Teresa Hayter
(6 Boulter Street, Oxford OX4 1AX, tel: 01865 726804)

DEADLY ELECTION is by far one of the best political thrillers to come to our attention in a long time. The well-executed plot keeps the reader's attention from beginning to end. The convincing characterizations are not far from many of this country's leaders in government and politics.
Whether you are a political junkie who has been surveying the political landscape of this country or someone who simply enjoys a fast-paced suspense novel this book is for you.
DEADLY ELECTION is all too believable and will actually make the reader stop to think about the many areas of trouble our country is in, how we got there and how the current government is not handling them.
Despite the fact that this is a novel it is a dear-eyed appraisal of the realities of government as well as a plausible picture of the dire consequences that can result from the uses and abuses of power.

I feel like a better pastry chef by reading Ronald Mesnier's books. He emphasizes the quality of ingredients when it counts the most but mentions when it is o.k. to use frozen or preprepared items in a dish. He prepares dishes in slightly unconventional ways that happen to often be healthier than traditional preparations.

He LOVES his fruit, and you just might get tired of reading all of the fruit themed desert recipes and however imporant his information is, it can seem annoying if you have read his other pastry book, which is also full of fruit. I would have liked to hear him talk more on the subject of other things, but everything did get adequate enough time spent that I do not feel like it was a waste of time getting this book. I would recommend it.

This is simply the best book on baking I have ever used! I bake a lot. At least one thing every day and I have never owned a book where every recipe I have tried has turned out beautifully until now. If your someone who likes to bake out of a box this book is not for you, but if you've wanted to try something different from your everday items this book is wonderful. Mesnier breaks everything down and teaches you the simplest way to do everything. If there's an easier way to do something, he's found it. It's not like other dessert books, where you've never even heard of half of the ingredients, or they're all super expensive items with long drawn out instructions. I'm now making things that I never in a million years thought I would be able to make. This is the book I turn to for any technique. In fact, I've taken ideas from other books and then put them together using the techniques in this book. Quite simply this is the best book ever!!!! I love it and I recommend it to everyone.

I like the book. The best part is that Chef Mesnier has a brief introduction to each recipe. He gives instructions or advise which I found most helpful.
I have thousands, yes thousands, of recipes but few come with thoughtful comments about them. Chef Mesnier makes even difficult techniques seem possible for the average person.
In short, if you like to learn about making deserts get the book. If you are a professional chef who knows everything about cooking, this book is probably not for you.

In Dessert University, Roland Mesnier, the White House Pastry Chef from the Carter Administration to the current Bush Administration, skillfully merges renowned expertise with effective teaching. Like the venerable, tenured professor of an esteemed academy of higher learning, Chef Mesnier has spent many years in many kitchens developing his extensive knowledge and creative interpretation of patisserie. His career parallels the evolution of a scholastic researcher continually refining his understanding while seeking new realms of discovery.

Chef Mesnier's personal love of learning is conveyed to others in his first opus. Dessert University is a varied collection of clear and reliable recipes. Most often they are prefaced by lively and personal commentary. By so doing, the reader senses the presence of the engaging teacher and master chef, ever ready to support and to nudge forward to new culinary challenges. Some recipes are accompanied by helpful sketches or stunning color photographs.

A quick glimpse into Chef Mesnier's classroom reveals a range of tantalizing options. There are basic dessert recipes for novice pastry students, such as Oatmeal Cookies or All-American Apple Pie. Chef Mesnier simultaneously offers multiple recipes for those students inclined to enlarge their pastry repertoire. A few, tempting samples are: gossamer Apple Butter Crepes with Marsala-Laced Vanilla Sauce, an ethereal Warm Strawberry soufflé, a delicate Quick Chocolate Mousse with Ginger, or a chapter on the intricacies of pulled and blown sugar artwork.

If research, complemented by a passion for teaching, epitomizes the highest values of scholarship, Dessert University has achieved the gold standard of excellence. Chef Mesnier does this without any Ivory Tower overtones that detract from his dual passions of learning and teaching. He warmly shares his pastry expertise within a clear and devoted mentorship style. Dessert University is certain to become a classic reference for any student of patisserie.

Pastries & dessert making isn't my greatest skill. So I bought this book hoping to find at least a handful of easy to make desserts. I was surprised to find most recipes quite easy to follow. I still have a long way to go making them look good, but at least my pastries taste good for a change.

The Gilded Edge is a beautifully comprehensive explanation of American period framing. Not only is it informative, but includes detailed pictures of the frames it describes. What an educational account of the bond between the frame and the art it surrounds. A must have and wonderful gift for anyone interested in art or framing!

A wonderful reference book. The frame and painting have never looked so good together.

This is a great addition to any library. It is a truly eye-opening publication about the rich history and art of framing over the years. You'll never look at a painting the same way again.

As a painter I have always loved art, but I never gave the frame much consideration due to the fact that my, as well as many of my contemporaries', paintings are unframed. Upon reading "The Gilded Edge" I realized not only the importance of the frame throughout art history, but also the importance of the frame in terms of the paintings themselves. There are lots of gorgeous photos of frames as well as their respective paintings. Also featured are detailed descriptions of the methods of construction as well as the reasoning behind the aesthetic criteria of the frames. This book has opened my eyes to the importance of frames as well as their beauty. It's a must buy for anyone interested in art.

With unparalleled insight from key contributors, this is an exquisite measure of a book. The Gilded Edge is a celebration of the rarity and awareness of American period frames. Eli Wilner blends the perfect amount of knowledge with striking visuals to leave you wanting to learn more. The Kuehne frame on page 43 is one frame among many that will open your eyes to the depth and magnificence of the history of framing.

The Guide to the Technocracy presents the Ascension Wars from the Techs' perspective, making them defenders of reality from the horrors of egocentric and irresponsible Reality deviants. Welcome to the "Men in Black" vision of reality, to protect the masses of humanity from the hordes of crazies.

The book is charged with much source material, history, perspectives and how to run interesting Technocracy players and games. The weaknesses are more in the game mechanisms, which do not truly give away a Technocracy feeling.

Rotes and equipement are a weak part, but the greatest failure is that Technocrat 'mages' are still described in game mechanisms as typical mages fooling themselves in using technology. As such, techies are less powerful than other mages. Moreover, the usual White Wolf left-leaning anarchist worldview remains omnipresent, and the reader can't help getting the overall feeling Technocrats (except perhaps for Void Engineers) are the bad guys after all, however just their cause. This is something weak, more emphasis should have been given to portraying Tradition mages as terrorists and roving maniacs.

I love this book. Any player for mage should at least browse through this book. It breaks down the 2nd major mage faction, and proves that at least two of the four sides aren't bad guys. The book infact makes one see the Traditions as the guys without the plan and who are wrong.

The first Chapters talk about who the Technocracy is. They aren't the monolith that the Tradition mages make them seem like. They are orginized enough to seem like a monolith but they aren't. Neither is the Technocracy people, their are people higher up in the Pyramid who are evil but most people are what would pass as normal people.

The next rules chapters are full of all types of treats. Tons of new backgrounds including Modifications (Cybernetics and Bioengineering), Patron and Requisitions. These all can lead to story ideas in themselves. Their are tons of technocratic rotes, that help a person to think of "magic" as anything but Magic. Tons of Devices, aka Talismans, are included with a wide variety of uses, and other odd "crunchy" statistical things. On the whole this book is very interesting and is almost as essential as the corebook if you want info on the other major faction of mages.

Guide to the Technocracy is an excellent book, it tells pretty accurately MUCH things about Technocratic Union, something else than "Big, monolithic and faceless organisation". If you want to play Sci-Fi in Mage: The Ascension, this book is recommended.

Probably one of the better WoD books ive read, it makes the technocracy very playable; taking away the stereotype of them being stoic, evil and always using Star-Trek speech. Good buy.

When I was first introduced to Mage:TA, I wondered why everyone thought the Technocratic Union were the antagonists. After reading a few of the first convention books I could see why. As much as I loved the group from the beginning, I had to admit they weren't suitable for play.

With the release of Guide to the Technocracy, it seemed as though the whole Union had been reorganized. Not only are the Technocrats more human, their goals are geared more towards the protection of humanity from the horrors of the unknown. White Wolf did a really good job with this book. It succeeded in making a former faceless monolith into a living entity with a feel of humanity. The Technocracy tries to be the good-guys, but like with any group, there are always those who are in the gray areas. The Technocracy is not better or worse than the Traditions. They are just another group of mages who believe in science and reason.

The history of the Union was a fascinating read and the art is alright. The book has all the information you need to create a Technocratic agent along with info on a handful of procedures, cybernetics, and devices. The information on the various conventions is detailed enough so that the previous guides are not really needed, though they can still be helpful.

This book is a must for any fan of the Technocracy. It flows smoothly and really improves on the once monolithic and inhuman Union. It is perfect for players who want to play secret agents, cyborgs, deep space explorers, space marines, or any other modern or sci-fi character.

The day I heard this book was out, I bought it. The Bents were influential men in the Colorado, New Mexico region, but it is not because of who they were that I use the work influential, it was what they did and who they used to achieve social control. They worked with Kit Carson, Charles St. Vrain and were central to taking most of the Southwest from Mexico. For some of us this was not good and we live with those contradictions today. Read this book. Do not give it away or lend it out. You will not get it back. This text is about power and control, who had it and who did not. It adds to my own work dedicated to telling the truth from a minority perspective. Few know the William Bent children became Dog Soldiers and fought American colonization. These authors have done a great job and a great service to those of us dedicated to telling the truth. Look at my work on Hispanics, Chicanos and women The Feminization of Racism: Promoting World Peace in America and
Researching Chicano Communities: Social-Historical, Physical, Psychological, and Spiritual Space

The true story of the mixed blood George Bent is far more exciting than most fiction novels. The authors do an outstanding job of giving George the credit and recognition he deserves. Clearly George Bent, Chyenne raised and white school educated, had a never ending challange fitting into either world. His trials and tribulations are vividly portrayed in this book.
Review by Will Davis- Author of "Bell County Bushwhackers"

George Bent was truly one-of-a-kind. Born the son of a wealthy and prominent White trader and a beautiful Cheyenne woman in 1843, he was raised half-White and half-Cheyenne. He was educated in the White man's world and served in the Confederate Army, but became a Cheyenne warrior when his tribe went to war with the United States, participating in 27 war parties. He later worked as an interpreter and a broker -- not always a good one -- between the Whites and the Cheyennes. Perhaps his more important role came late in life when he served as an informant to the historians and ethnologists studying the Cheyennes. That they are among the best documented, most admired and studied of all Indian tribes is largely attributable to Bent.

The authors have done an outstanding job in compiling the story of George Bent. This is a scholarly, well-researched, well-documented, book that is complex but reads easily and tells a fascinating tale of a man between two worlds and comfortable in neither. The characters of Western legend appear in the book: Kit Carson, Wild Bill Hickock, George Custer, Phil Sheridan, and Buffalo Bill. Desperate forgotten battles between the Cheyennes and their White enemies are recalled and described. Perhaps the most interesting chapters of all describe the relationship between Bent and the scholars -- Hyde, Mooney, and Grinnell -- who used him as a resource to write their books. Bent had a burning interest in assuring that the story of the Cheyenne was recorded and remembered. He succeeded.

"Halfbreed" is a sad book as it describes the destruction by disease and war and massacre of a people and of Bent's own efforts to survive in a world that collapses around him. I don't know of any other book that delves so deeply and movingly into the world of the halfbreed. Bent deserves the recognition this book accords him almost a century after his death on the Cheyenne Reservation in Oklahoma.

Smallchief

This is a brilliant study of George Bent, the son of William Bent and Owl Woman, a physical union of the American settler and the American Indian in the west during the 19th century. He was not necessarily a central figure but nevertheless is emblematic of an entire era. In a time when we have few sources and fewer books regarding the progeny of Indian-european unions, this serves as an important and fascinating book that looks into the two worlds and momentous events of Bent's life. He lived among those great men of the American west such as Buffulo Bill and Kit Carson as well as witnessed the destruction of the native-American way of life. As a dog soldier, or elite warrior, of the Cheyennes he saw the massacre of Black Kettle's people and the subsequent war between whites and Indians on the plains. He later lived to serve as translator to the slowly defeated tribes and ended his days as a teacher at an Indian school, witness to the passing of an era. This is a well written book that reads like fiction but serves as an important testimony. A fascinating story that anyone will enjoy but should truly be read by anyone who enjoys the American West in all its flavor.

Seth J. Frantzman

When I moved to Santa Fe in 1983, I became fascinated with the history of this area and all things related to the Santa Fe trail. David Lavender wrote a great book on Bent's Fort that has always been a favorite of mine. Bent's Fort is a "living museum" in south eastern Colorado that is really worth visiting. When my friend loaned me his copy of Halfbreed, I was so impressed with its insight and easy reading that I bought two copies and sent one to another friend to enjoy (he did). I've read it three times now and will enjoy it again. I was moved by the authors' sensitivity of a true unsung hero who tried his best to preserve his knowledge of the Cheyenne oral traditions before they were forever lost. I will one day soon travel to the village of Colony, Oklahoma and visit his grave sight to pay homage to a great man that through this book, I have come to know and honor. I recomend this book for all who are looking for a good book to read.

As I am beginner I can't recomend this product for beginners for learning. This is too much difficult - it's really good idea to start with Volume 1 :-)) But the style of it is excellent.

Before this set went on the market, I tried using some other kanji cards that I bought in Japan, and was disappointed. They all have problems, such as useless vocabulary examples, poor durability, or random organization.

These are the best kanji cards on the market, even in Japan, and are designed especially for English speakers. They're highly durable, and are organized by JLPT level. This ensures that you're learning the most important kanji first.

Learning these JLPT level 2 kanji is not a simple thing. There are over 700 cards, and it takes time, effort and patience. I've now completed a "brief introduction" to all of the cards in this set, and I am astonished at how useful it's been at aiding me in my reading comprehension in my everyday life (I live in Japan). As soon as I learn a new card, I start to see that kanji all around me. It was always there, but now I notice and understand it.

If you've found this product and have already decided that you are determined to learn these kanji, don't think twice about buying. You can do it, with the help of White Rabbit Press!

My only complaint is that there are too many of these cards to learn! But that's the fault of the Japanese, not White Rabbit :-)

I love these cards. Without them, I don't think I would have passed the JLPT Level 2.

I am not usually a review writer, but I have to say something about these cards. I have seen every other popular series of cards. In fact, I've seen every set that advertises itself anywhere that I could find them. I graduated with a major in Japanese for Education K-12, and am currently living and working in Japan. Japanese is my personal hobby, and there is no interest that I spend more time on than on studying Japanese.

And through all of that, I can only recommend White Rabbit Press for Kanji flashcards. No other card set is sufficient for study in my opinion. Why? For many reasons, but the #1 reason: they all use Romaji! Romaji is the use of English letters to represent Japanese characters. For example, Sushi is romaji because it doesn't use the real Japanese characters ( or ). This is unforgiveable, period. You absolutely cannot study Kanji cards with romaji on them. If you do, you are not a serious student of Japanese (or you only do so because you didn't know about these cards).

Second, the other card sets are cheaply made, have few (irrelevant or infrequently used) examples, do not adequately show the stroke order (how to write it), and lack denotations for which character compounds will appear on the JLPT. White Rabbit Press has all of these and more.

And another incredibly stupid thing is that some of the flashcard sets contain the character and the reading on the SAME SIDE! What the heck!? Did they even think about what a flashcard is before they made those lame excuses for study materials?

Don't be fooled. Lots of study materials for Japanese are available, but the vast majority is pure garbage. Can you learn something from them? Sure. Are they good for serious study? Absolutely not. This goes for books, grammar guides, workbooks, tapes, etc. Anything that uses romaji beyond the first or second chapter is pure trash, and not even worthy to be recycled (I'm exaggerating that, of course). Anything that promises quick learning with little effort is a pure lie; it's a sales gimmick to trick you and get a quick buck.

If you're serious, learn the Japanese Kana (katakana, hiragana). Learn them so well that you come to hate romaji. Then, get these Kanji cards and use them like crazy.

The White Rabbit Press flash cards are indeed the best. They are the only kanji cards on the market that provide complete preparation for the kanji portion of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). There are easy to use and fit nicely into the storage box. Also, White Rabbit Press offers exceptional customer service. There was a problem with my order and they addressed the problem and had the cards shipped in less than 24 hours from initial time of order. I was most appreciative. I highly recommend!

Comprehensive. A good resource to have in the collection of books.

Andre Van Staden - Senior Developer
Marco Giani - Group IT Back end Developer

This is a great book. I have recommended it to coworkers who also purchased the book and they were equally impressed. This helped me have a much greater understanding of both Access and SQL Server and how they work together.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone using Access with SQL Server. It is easy to understand and has plenty of useful code examples. I use this as a reference on a regular basis.

This answers a lot of programmer level questions about using MS-Access with SQL Server. It describes the limits and penalties when going the various routes. The book is quite clear in its descriptions. It would make a good addition to any Access programmer's collection.

I have been an Access developer since 1.1 (1993). I have bought many a book over the years. Some good, some bad. This book, however, is super! It is designed totally with the Access developer in mind. All of the questions that popped into my head seemed to be answered in practical terms chapter by chapter. The organization is terrific and the flow is second to none. The topics that are worth repeating are repeated while others are left for a one-time only view. The writing is easy to digest, powerful and very explanatory. The pictures are all also very helpful. You can tell the writers paid attention to every line they wrote. But they also inject a human kind of writing style which keeps things interesting throughout.

In addition to a thorough discussion on SQL Server security vs. Access security, data conversion, upsizing, etc., the book covers the differences among MDWs, MDEs, ADPs and ADEs beautifully and it addresses scenarios for when to use stored procedures, server functions, views, etc and with great attention to detail. The chapters ADO vs. DAO and on T-SQL are well written too. Later the book even goes into simplifying building multi-tier apps with Access as front end, VB-based COM+ components in the middle and of course, SQL Server sitting in the back. And just when you think the last chapter will be a letdown as many last chapters are, it wows you with an incredible amount of insight into how to optimize, backup and perform other settings in SQL Server.

If you are a serious Access developer like me, and are timid about moving full force into SQL Server, then this is the book for you! I recommend it highly!

I have a lot of SQL server books. Everything from SQL Server 2000 for Dummies up to SQL Server 2000 Stored Procedure Programming. And many times none of these books had what I needed. Then I would turn to this book. I was using VB.Net, so I figured this book wouldn't apply, but I was wrong. Even if you are not using Access, this book explains SQL Server the right way. Chipman and Baron offer simple but thorough explanations and samples of the things you actually need to know as a developer. They don't spend a lot of time on the things a SQL Server DBA might need to know that a coder would not.

Maybe their approach works so well for me because I came from an Access background, but I am willing to bet anyone coming straight from VB and needing to understand Transact SQL, effective stored procedures, funtions, and triggers would appreciate this book as well.

While reading Months and Seasons, I recalled Socrates' dictum "The unexamined life is not worth living," for the characters inhabiting Christopher Meek's short stories are either experiential zombies, on whom everything is lost, or in serious need of a wake-up call. Fortunately, for them, and for us as readers, they get it. The twelve stories hover around that mysterious black hole in our lives: the "what" everyone else but you knows, but won't tell you; and which you must discover in time, or die deprived of a secret whose revelation could, both in the present and retroactively, give meaning to your life. Meeks' tales are polished keys crafted to unlock nothing; rather, to reflect the already-open treasure surrounding us. Even if the "I"'s within these stories suffer blindness of insight, what meets the reader's eye is endless, the surface bottomless, and the stories taut as piano wire in an assassin's hands. Whether describing the epiphany of a man who must dress as Dracula to discover his own blood line or a woman experiencing the art of creation in the creation of Art, Meeks' words evince one magic show after another. Step inside the tent of his cover, and awe.

This moving collection of short stories covers a full range of life experiences. Short stories excel at conveying one particular emotion each and Christopher Meeks delivers a variety of them here. Each short story feels rounded on its own as a complete vignette and all together, they make this collection shine with humanity and intelligence.

Many of the stories deal with couples, in all sorts of situations. There is a story about a couple going to a hypnotists' show - the wife wants to let go and have fun, but her husband holds her back from immersing herself in the experience. Another couple with a reluctant husband attends a Halloween party together; he learns to have some fun. My favorite story, however, was that of an old man, a writer, whose house burns down. I thought it perfectly summed up how we all cope with disaster; our lives fall apart but we must put up a show for the rest of the world and pretend that we will be just fine.

As I was reading, I'd be excited for the next story when I felt the one I was currently reading begin to wrap up. I never wanted to put the book down between stories because I just wanted to read more of them. I've got his first collection sitting in my Amazon cart for when I make an over $25 purchase because I really, really want more of his writing. I was thrilled to see the bonus track from his next book and I can guarantee I'll be buying that one as soon as it's released.

I would definitely recommend this one, whether you're like me and want to read all the stories through at once, or whether you'd like to read just one story between errands on a busy day. This collection is beautifully composed and certainly worth your time.

Months and Seasons is a collection of short stories. In it we meet a variety of people in different stages of life, dealing with different conflicts and life altering events. They all search for happiness for themselves and their loved ones.

Some of my favorite stories include Dracula Slinks Into The Night about a man attending a Halloween party (I really identified with this guy!), The Farms at 93rd and Broadway about a husband and wife attending a hypnotist show, The Sun Is a Billiard Ball, two stories that eventually weave into one, The Old Topanga Incident where a whole man's life burns to the ground, Months and Seasons about one man's perception of what he wants, and Breaking Water about a woman reinventing her life.

I really liked the variety in the stories. Some were humorous where as others were more serious. With some short story collections it ultimately feels like the same story repeated over and over again slightly different each time, this is definitely not the case here. This collection provides peeks into many different lives in way different ways all by the same author!

On a side note, I really enjoy when an author includes a peek at their next book. At the end of this book we get a peek into The Brightest Moon of the Century with the story The Hand. I really like his idea of a collection of stories of one man's life throughout his life, covering 30 years. Meeks compares it to The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing, another book I need to read. I really liked The Hand and look forward to reading the whole collection.

I find short stories to be like snapshots, quick peeks into worlds and situations I would otherwise never have experienced. The best of them have an easy rhythm that lends itself to an almost effortless reading experience and allows me to lose myself in the stories for the whole time it takes me to read their fifteen or twenty pages. But all too often these days, short story collections are similar to the CDs being produced by the major record labels: great title track, one or two other catchy tunes, plus a whole lot of filler material needed to bring the whole thing to the required twelve tracks. I am pleased to report that if Months and Seasons, the new collection from Christopher Meeks, was a music album, many of its twelve pieces would be destined for the charts - no filler here.

As suggested by the book's title, the stories offer short looks into the lives of characters that are experiencing the various seasons of a lifetime. There are stories about children, about young singles and couples, about couples closer to middle age, and about men even closer to the ends of their lives. But whatever their age, all of these characters are coping as best they can with the problems and situations that life is throwing at them at that moment. Some of their conflicts are of the life-changing variety and others are of the everyday type similar to what most readers will have experienced for themselves at some point in their own lives. The particular beauty of this story collection is how Meeks is able to make his reader care as much about the little girl trying to get over her fear of water as for the aged writer who is about to lose a lifetime's accumulation of memories to an out-of-control brush fire.

I find it difficult to choose a favorite Months and Seasons story from those that strike me as being exceptionally memorable. If pressed to choose just one, I would likely end up with "The Wind Just Right," the story of a little girl who is lulled into losing her fear of water, and actually learns to swim, in the hands of a young teacher who herself learns that she is exactly the teacher this little girl needs, someone the little girl will probably remember for the rest of her life. The way that both girls gain self-confidence and the ability to trust their instincts makes this a beautiful story.

In "The Sun Is a Billiard Ball," one of the longer stories in the book, a couple fearing they have been exposed to AIDS and a man exhibiting symptoms of a deadly cancer find their lives intersecting in a way that could have not been foreseen by any of them even a split second before it happened. The courage, love and humor of this story make it one destined to be remembered. But, because I don't want to mislead anyone, I should note that Meeks handles humor and absurd situations as well as he handles serious topics. In fact, he opens the book with the humorous "Dracula Sinks into the Night," about what starts out as the costume party from hell for one man but turns into an unexpected blessing for him and his wife.

There is even a "bonus track" at the end of the collection, a preview of the book that Mr. Meeks is working on now, The Brightest Moon of the Century, a novel that will, in short story form, cover thirty years in the life of its central character, Edward. "The Hand," which closes Months and Seasons, is actually the first chapter of that new book, a chapter in which young Edward and his father are both forced to do a bit of growing up. I can't decide whether to call "The Hand" a trailer or a teaser but its inclusion in this collection was a brilliant idea because it has left me so intrigued to learn the rest of Edward's story that I will jump at the chance to read The Brightest Moon of the Century when it is available. Trailer, teaser and very fine short story all rolled into one, it worked well.

Months and Seasons, the second short story collection from Christoper Meeks, is a exceptionally entertaining and thought provoking offering from a gifted writer. The stories are often curious and clever, while hiding unexpected pockets of wisdom and philosophy. Through the use of an inventive method of storytelling, we meet people who struggle with the realities of existence in an often confusing world, trying to put the semblance of order to events that, for them, defy explanation. Here are curmudgeons and uptight husbands, grieving fathers and deceptive lovers, characters that could be people you know, enmeshed in the conflicts of the everyday. Many of the stories have clever asides dealing with controversial subjects like war, the economy, and violence. Though some of the stories are playful and comical, others deal with more frightening and murky subjects like mental illness and impending death. From the wildly absurd to the quiet fears we all harbor, the emotional range in this collection is impressive.

I enjoyed the more serious stories, as they showed tremendous insight into the way that people rationalize and cope with tragedies beyond their usual scope. One story that dealt with a set of characters who were plagued with doubts about their health had a palpable layer of tension running through it, and left me uncomfortably eager to see who would escape tragedy. All at once I was breathing a sigh of relief, while at the same time realizing that there was more uncertainty to come. Another, that dealt with a man whose mind was slowly unraveling, was genuinely chilling in it's conclusion. It was easy to see the downward spiral of madness in the character, who seemed so benign in the beginning. My favorite story was the bittersweet tale called Breaking Water. It was heartbreaking, and I found that the author is just as talented at writing from a woman's perspective as a man's. One of the stories was decidedly offbeat, reaching a finale that could be interpreted in several different ways, from laughable incredulity to a more somber revelation.

As a collection of stories, I found this book to be well balanced and gratifying. There was a pleasant mix of humor and seriousness that seemed to encompass a huge variety of emotions, from fear and suffering to acceptance and glee. At the very end of the book, the author included the first chapter of his work in progress, a novel written in short story form that follows a young man throughout his complicated life. I found this chapter to be very well rounded, and the main character to be someone who I would like to get to know better. There was a fullness to this story I really enjoyed, and I will be looking forward to reading this novel when it comes out. I had not read the first collection of Meeks' short stories, called The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea, but I was pleasantly surprised by this book, and am now quite curious about that book as well. All in all, an interesting read. Bonus points for the insanely cute cover.

P.S. I've Taken a Lover was truly delightful to read. I started reading it on a Saturday morning and finished on Sunday evening! I got nothing else done the whole weekend. White's story is about a meek housewife, Elizabeth; I would consider her a doormat, milk toast, wallflower kind of woman. Her life is spent in service to her husband and "his" house. But Elizabeth has a dream to become a writer that she buried long ago. Her controlling husband doesn't think she is capable of doing anything beyond taking care of him, his house, and his needs. I think any woman who has even a mildly controlling husband can identify with Elizabeth. And that is the real attraction to this story; the reader can identify with the characters and feel their pain, joy, hope, and laughter. Elizabeth writes a steamy novel under the alias Lolly Horn and her husband and his predatory secretary have her committed as a mad woman. This is the story of a woman reaching for her dreams regardless of the consequences and obstacles. It is truly inspiring, humorous and enjoyable.

Meek, submissive Elizabeth Gilmartin finds she can no longer deny, even to herself, that she is a writer. Not just a writer of fiction, but sizzling, sensual allusions for which she takes another identity, Lolly Horn. Her husband Edgar, stiff-necked and full of himself, would never approve, nor could he believe that his wife, whom he feels suffers menopausal delusions, is capable of such erotica.

Committed to expensive "Harmony House," Elizabeth must prove her sanity. But is she sane or mad? Has she been betrayed or is she merely deceiving herself?

"P.S. I've Taken a Lover" is a romping, lively read that takes you through hilarious predicaments, many of which are encouraged by Elizabeth's impish, life-long friend, Cass, who delights in aggravating Edgar.

Patricia Lucas White, an award-winning best-selling author has done it again. "P.S. I've Taken a Lover" bursts with energy, twisting and turning at every page. Don't plan on getting anything else done until you've finished this delightful book.

Reviewed by Mary E. Trimble, author of "Rosemount" (Crossroadspub.com).

P.S. I've Taken a Lover kept me sleepless most of one night--until I finished it at 4 a.m.

White's inventive story is about Elizabeth, a beaten-down, menopausal housewife whose husband has incarcerated her (and her alter ego, Lolly) in a mental institution. Lolly is a sexy writer of steamy romances, and everything that Elizabeth herself is not. Or is she? Elizabeth wonders if she is indeed going mad and Lolly is just a figment of her imagination. Unrepentant Lolly seizes the opportunity to finish her next sizzler. Besides Elizabeth/Lolly and her nasty husband, the story also features his predatory secretary and the mysterious man who becomes Lolly's secret lover.

This finely woven story masquerades as a comic romance but contains an allegorical tale of woman, reaching out for her dream. This is a great read. Kathryn North, author of Proud Mari

Entertaining and accurate--and what a TRUE heroine! With Scrupples! Having lived 15 years with a psychopathic doctor... I could identify with Elizabeth Gilmartin. Every woman deserves to be all she can be--every human deserves it! LIONHEARTED PUBLISHING has picked another winner AND continues to ELEVATE THE STATUS OF WOMEN. Lucas's writing style is a delight and hooks you. I couldn't put it down--I'm not normally a romance reader. I thank my friend for putting this book in my hands. Every woman should live her dream and no one should rain on another's parade. Ditch those "I know better than you do, dear" husbands and live! A. Vandeventer

This is a masterful first novel, opening as it does in the mental hospital into which Elizabeth Gilmartin's husband has had her admitted without her agreement. He thinks that she's crazy, almost certainly as a direct consequence of menopause. Then, she proves her craziness by telling him that, using a pseudonym, she has written a sexy bestseller. And she has. Or hasn't she?

There are mysteries in this story, primarily why the housewife has put up with all her husband's garbage, and why her adult children never see fit to intervene to assist her. These inconsistencies certainly are by the author's design; there are no holes in this book.

And where did the mystery lover come from? How did he track her down, and even visit her in the sauna of the mental hospital itself? Is he real, or is he a detail of her delusion?

This excellent book keeps its readers engrossed to very last page--and then leaves them wondering!

Just to reiterate. My [...] teacher, Mrs. Childs, from Madison Elementary in Ogden Utah read us this tale, daily, but only if we were good. We lived righteously in those days, just to hear the tale. I have bought it now, to read to my grandkids. Maybe the best book I remember as a child...right alongside Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, of course. A MUST READ! Please, don't let a chance to read this with your kids, or grandkids, pass.....you will never forget the experience.

This story was read to me in 4th grade in a small 4 room school
house in Wyoming, just about 60 miles South of the town of Wilson in Star Valley, Wyoming. My teacher read to the class for about 1/2 hour after the lunch recess to calm us down. I have never forgotten this book and at age 60 now am recommending it to a book group of women friends, most I have know for more than 30 years. We will go from the Bay Area of California, to Wyoming near where these events actually happened and review the book. We will go to Wilson, to the little town named after the author.

The book fascinated me as a child and as I have re-read it recently, I know it stirs my imagination and wonder again about the real experiences of this young boy with incredible courage and good luck. At his age I would have loved nothing more than to have done just as he did. Knowing the experiences he had, so very well expressed, I can imagine any child or adult with an active imagination for a life in the "Old West" will dream to have been this "white" Indian Boy. I recommend it as a gift for both young girls and boys to see the past from the perspective of a boy who really did go to another culture and had an incredible adventure. I wish it could of been me!

Uncle Nick is my great, great, great, great grandfather. I have heard and read the stories many times. I own Among the Shoshoes which came after The White Indian Boy. I have been trying to find a first edition of this book if anyone can help please let me know. My E-mail address is hunterik1@comcast.net

Thanks!!

Years ago, this book was given to me by Perry Driggs, the son of William Driggs who helped Nick Wilson record his stories. I scanned it at the time, but it has only been recently that I fully read it along with my 9 year old daughter. Neither one of us could put it down. Besides fascinating stories, this book gives very interesting insights into the early pioneer life, indian culture, and the indian-white man conflict. There are even very subtle insights about the influence of the Mormon Church in the life of young Nick.

Above all, I have the strong impression that these stories were told exactly as remembered by Mr. Wilson-- without hyperbole. He shows humility in freely admitting his weaknesses throughout the book and only a scholar could have reproduced the details as he has portrayed them. Some may be offended by the seeming "political incorrectness" in this book. I find it a refreshingly honest, unsanitized look at the way things were in the old frontier.

Written in a very simple style, this book is an easy and enjoyable read for even young children.

This book was written as a series of stories told by the author early in this century. It was first published in the early 1900's and has been republished multiple times since. All of the versions, variously titled "The White Indian Boy", "Uncle Nick among the Shoshones", or "Among the Shoshones" have the same text and pictures. For many years it was required reading in the Intermountain West during Elementary or Secondary School. Whenever I give a copy to someone, many of them remember loving this book when they first read it or had it read to them by a teacher 50 or more years ago.

It really is that good. The tales are direct, simple and entertaining. You will remember them 50 years later just like all of those who have read it before.

Nick Wilson ran away from his Utah pioneer home in the 1850's, soon after Utah received its first settlers. The mother of Chief Washakie, a prominent Shoshone chief, had lost her 2 other sons and dreamed they would be replaced by a white boy. Nick was an 11 year old who spent his days herding sheep, working on a farm and living on "lumpy dick" and "greens", which are just as good as they sound. He had a facility for languages and had picked up Goshiute from an Indian Boy who was his childhood friend. When Shoshone Indians heard him speaking an Indian language, they offered him a pony, adventure, venison and grouse and, best of all, no tiring farmwork.

He left without a word to anyone and spent 2 years with the Shoshone as they wandered over Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and Colorado. He learned Shoshone quickly and learned Indian skills. He hunted, travelled and participated fully in Indian life. He shot arrows at grizzly bears, gathered serviceberries and was an eyewitness of a large Indian battle between the Crow and Shoshone. He met Indians who knew Lewis and Clark.

The book also includes later adventures as a trapper, original Pony Express rider, Army Scout, and many other adventures. General Albert Sydney Johnson of Civil War fame was so enamored of his skills that he tried to talk Nick into going to the Civil War with him. Kit Carson spent a winter at his cabin. Nick was even shot in the head with an arrow and left to die.

This is the authentic article, well-told and gripping. The last year of his life, Nick Wilson was bedridden and his mind began to wander. He never spoke another word of English and spoke only Shoshone until his death. He recognized the faults of his Indian brothers but loved them dearly and wasn't afraid to say that the faults were mostly on the side of the white man.

Recommended highly.