Independent Books

Brookner creates a fascinating window into the interior monologues of human beings, particularly women. In Fanny you can see all the ways one can mentally reformat their experiences to try and make them more tolerable. You also see how practiced one can become at forgiving instead of becoming angry, and how we may not always be paying attention to those who really love us.

The novel tells in dramatic detail how Nick and Alix Fraser casually break the heart of Frances Hinton, a well-behaved and observant young woman who works in the reference library of a medical research laboratory dedicated to the study of problems of human behaviour and who longs, in her subdued way, for love. She is an orderly young woman and Spartan in her habits. If she suffers loneliness it is because she has settled for the harsh habit of dealing with all matters by herself.
And soon Frances is disappointed in love. "I knew about love and its traps ... I never speak of it" and turns to writing as a form of therapy and escape, as a way to reorder her world. She writes when she feels swamped in her solitude and hidden by it, physically obscured by it and rendered invisible. Writing is her way of piping up, of reminding people that she is here. We may well guess how much of her own personality the author put in her heroine's character.
An altogether convincing portrait of failed love and solitude, reminiscent of so many of Anita Brookner's protagonists.

How sad Fanny has made her life. What strikes me odd is that she is quite intelligent yet doesn't see that she may be to blame for the unimportant life she leads.

This novel is not the typical formula novel. There is no huge plot, no large turn in events, but just the thoughts of a young single girl in London. She is quite perceptive, if not overly contemplative when she meets and makes temporary friends with Nick and Alix. Then she meets James, and things don't seem so gloomy for her, for now she has reason not to hurry the days away.

I think this is a great book for what it's worth. Great literature minus a huge plot. The author does a great job in making a memorable character without having the reading see her through countless events.

(Can I say it without sounding sexist? I suppose not.) Yet another self-loathing woman author with a feminist axe to grind.

A good author with tremendous control over her art form, but tiresome nevertheless. The main character is so self absorbed that everything else is barely two dimentional.

I'd much prefer Alice Munroe for a protrail of individuals and relationships with depth and solidity. Someone who understands [or tries to] the world beyond herself.

Brookner never opens the door, not to let heself out or to let others in.

Frances Hinton is lonely and bored. She leads a highly regimeted life in the home of her youth, espouses the bourgeois virtues of hard work, stability, and responsibility, and takes no emotional risks. She has few friends and no confidant. She rarely goes out and has hardly any interests or entertainments. In brief, her world is static and very circumscribed. Although she has the talent, intelligence, and financial means to alter her life, and while she wishes desperately to do so, she is paralyzed -- with indecision, with fear, with lethargy? We are not sure, and this dilemma is the crux of the book.

Her supreme wish is for notice, acclaim, and love, and to this end she writes. She has published two short stories. Her tragedy is that she is an observer who wants to be observed. She discounts her natural gifts and virtues. She is not satisfied with the loyalty of her old friends but craves a different sort of friendship, an apprenticeship, with someone exciting, charismatic, careless, brutal. Equating living with agressiveness, she thinks that such a person will show her how (she actually takes notes) to seize and drain the cup of life.

Frances finds her mentor in Alix, the wife of one of the physicians at the medical research library where she works. Alix is everything Frances wants to be: opinionated, brash, charming, rude, selfish, grasping, and fatally charismatic. A collector of people, constantly on the lookout for a diversion, Alix adopts an elated Frances, and gleefully abets a budding romance between her and James, another physician at the library. For a while all seems well.

In Frances, Dr. Brookner has created a most intriguing and baffling character. She is deeply disturbed, but the first person narration makes it hard to tell what precisely is the matter with her. Because she appropriates blame for things that are not her fault, has low self-esteem, and is fearful when she should be angry, she might suffer from self-defeating personality disorder. It is sad that she cannot be happy with her lot, which objectively seen is a pretty nice one, and that her dissatisfaction leads her into such painful experiences.

Dr. Brookner makes wonderful use of symbolism in this book. The writing is, as usual, first rate. Dr. Brookner alternates sentence length and rhythm and the whole book falls very pleasingly on the ear, a heartbreakingly plaintive wail.

This book is not really a book, it's mainly quotes and pictures of the band. If you are wanting to learn all about THE PRODIGY, this book is not for you, (the book does not give much information)

prodigy is god. everything that deals with prodigy is god. this is a good book. buy it.

The pictures and quotes in the book are okay, but it's missing information! If it had some info on the band I'd give it 5 stars, and I would have bought it (rather than reading it in the bookstore). But it's still pretty good just because it's about Prodigy!

The book is not really a book It's more of a collection of pictures and quotes. The book is fantastically laid out and designed well. It's a browsing book that has photos taken throughout the bands history. It is a must have for all Hardcore fans yet a big no no for people wanting to learn about the band.

this girl named natalie is gay in chatham ontario!!!

Brooks copyrighted this herself in 1983 and, although there is no useful biographic information, I get the impression she wrote it for the k-12 school library market. The book feels like it is written for an 8th grade audience but with an admirable extent to the vocabulary and historical contexts. Brooks has done a good job on relating geography, medieval culture and art, and history in an enjoyable and informative read.

Perhaps I don't understand the prejudices of the school library market, but I do wish that books like this would do some referencing and citations of quoted material to give readers the concept of backing up what is said with authoritative research sources.

This is a good solid introductory book on Eleanor. It is comprehensive (unlike so many of the newer Eleanor books that focus on and tend to glamorize only one part of her life). It presents most of the known historical facts and mentions most of the commonly known myths as well (clearly presenting them as unfounded legend). This is a good place to start if you want an overview of Eleanor's life. It's a quick read for adults and a good comprehensive exploration of a medieval life for an elementary or high school student.

Queen Eleanor is a women who never gives, even in the last few years of her life. She gave birth to two famous kings, King Richard the Lionhearted and King John Lackland. She was married to King Louis and then to King Henry. The story is very well put together and gave the feeling of being at the place where Eleanor was. The book gave a lot of interesing facts but it told a story as well.

This is a wonderfully written book about one of the most interesting figures in history, Eleanor of Aquatine. From her carefree homeland to dreary England, first and second husbands, Eleanor's charactor shines through every page. I seemed to get to know her as a person, not just some charactor whom the author slaps on a few traits and leaves the "finished product" fuzzy around the edges. Do yourself a favor and buy this book for you, your child, you grandchild, your teacher, your... Well you get the point!!

Two Thumbs Up = EXCELLENT!!

One Thumb Up = Good

Sideways Thumb = OK

One Thumb Down = Bad

Two Thumbs Down = TERRIBLE!!

This book was: Two Thumbs Up

Comments: When you think of the average bio you think of DATES DATES AND MORE DATES! And trust me, I cannot STAND DATES! They are too dry and it's not like we're going to remember anyways unless we are overly obsessed freaks. ANYWAYS! To get back to the point: This book was a great presentation of the life of Eleanor of Acquitaine. Why? Well it wasn't too dry. Somehow the author managed to step into Eleanor's character and write from her point of view, yet stay in the third person. It was very detailed. Overall it was an enticing and informative story.

I recently bought this book for a paper I had to do for school. I had read Polly Schoyer Brooks' book about Joan of Arc last year, and had enjoyed it, so I was hapy to find one on Eleanor of Aqutaine. This book was clear and easy to understand, but explained the fascinating life of Eleanor in detail. Each chapter highlighted a different section of her life, from her childhood in Aqutaine, to her marriages and rules as Queen of France and England, and finally to helping her sons rule as kings of England. I was amazed by her long life in the medieval times. This book is a treasure and one I would read again. I especially enjoyed the references to the King Arthur tales and how Eleanor influenced them as a model for Guinevere!

Bought this for my husband who is deciding which v. v. he should go on!
thanks

This book was extremely well organized. I was able to quickly sort through for an organization that allowed teens and was for the duration of time we had available. From there, it was easy to go on the specific websites for the pretty pictures. We have just come back from our experience building homes in Costa Rica and can't wait to go again! You will never again feel the need for a beach vacation. It was much more invigorating to give something of yourself.

This book is very informative and easy to navigate. I was able to ready it over a 2 day period on my spare time and breakdown the vacations that would best suit what I am looking to do.

I'm sure you can get most of the information in this book online but there's nothing like being able to curl up with this while dogearing pages and marking it up. It is extremely well organized and indexed in multiple ways so you're sure to find what you're looking for. Once something gets your interest you can contact the organization or look online for more info. One really nice feature is the occasional presence of first person narratives from people who've actually done the vacations.

*****
I bought this book out of curiosity and was amazed at the variety of opportunities available to travel and contribute throughout the world. The book is a compendium of opportunities of every imaginable type, an incredible resource if you're even thinking about a taking a vacation in which you volunteer.

Each opportunity contains all contact information, include web site, the types of projects available, organization mission statements, the year founded, the number of volunteers last year (so that you can see the scope of the program), funding sources, what kind of work the organization does, project locations, time line (when and for how long commitments are made), cost (including arrangements that must be made like medical examinations), how to get started, needed skills, and the specific populations that could qualify.

The book is very friendly to those with limitations (for example, sight limitations, physical agility, etc.). There are also stories throughout the book from volunteers about their actual experiences while volunteering.

There is a section on long-term volunteering opportunities. There are four indexes: by project cost, project length, location, season, and type.

It is a wonderful book to use to explore what types of things you might like to do, as well as to use as a research base to search out specific opportunities. It is a great value, and an organized way to begin your volunteer journey!

Highly recommended.
*****

There is something about the British and their outlook towards American politics which is quite enjoyable. They bring a refreshing civility and admiration for political thought and history that is more often than not absent in today's North American biographers. In this biography of Lincoln Charnwood delves deep into the political atmosphere in which Lincoln rose to power and saw America through one of its most trying hours. The author delivers a deep sense of what a thoughtful and kind man that Lincoln was. It is an an unflinching look at Lincoln's spiritual side in which in comparison to today's commander-in-chief is quite startling for their similarities and differences.
His dissection of the politics of the era is simply fascinating. This is a book for anyone who has a keen apreciation of politics and history. Charnwood's unflinching directness in his portrayal of Lincoln leaves the reader with the sense that not only does the author have the deepest respect for Lincoln but that that Lincoln deserved every bit of it. My copy of this book is a beat up 1950's paperback I found in a thrift store to accompany me on a trip to Louisiana and I would recommend to anyone who can get their hands on one.

This was an excellent historical record of probably the greatest American that ever lived. However, it has long, complex, diffcult to read wording that makes it somewhat labor-intensive reading. The content is great, but there are far easier to read (and understand) books about Lincoln.

Though it is dated in some of its facts and assessments,Lord Charnwoods classic study of Lincoln remains one of the dozen or so greatest books ever written about our greatest President.What sets it apart from most other studies of the sixteenth President is the attention it gives the intellectual and spiritual underpinnings of Lincoln's life and actions. It is, in short a work of philosophical history, not a dry recitation of facts. Charnwood is interested in the moral meaning of democracy and the scope and limits of democratic leadership. He performs his task beautifully. I , for one , found his old-fashioned Victorian prose a joy to read, and a relief from the cliche' ridden jargon that too often passes for literate prose today. A great book by a foriegn observer of America, fully worthy of being placed beside Tocqueville and Bryce.

Lord Charnwood's 1916 volume remains one of the finest portraits of Abraham Lincoln yet produced. Charnwood offers nuanced insight into Lincoln's mind and his character, probing much deeper and more convincingly than later authors were able. Charnwood's brief treatment of Lincoln's complicated religious faith (tied in with the section on the Second Inaugural Address) was particularly poignant.

I suggest William E. Gienapp's "Abraham Lincoln and Civil War America" (2002) for learners who are new to Lincoln or have lost touch with him since 9th grade history class. Gienapp synthesizes all the latest research and criticism within Lincolnian studies into a brief yet surprisingly thorough 240-page book.

After that, step up to Charnwood. It is truly great historical writing (almost literary in moments) and one of the best character studies published of a truly incredible human being.

I guess it was fluke, but I have tried two (2) copies of this book and in both copies pages 233-264 were missing and pages 265-296 are repeated twice. Too bad because it cuts off right at an interesting part leading up to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation and Lincoln's effort to keep the border states in the Union.

Apparently the missing pages situation was not the case with the copies had by the other reviewers here, or........they didn't read far enough into the book to notice. None makes any mention of the problem.

I give it five stars for the content that was contained in my copy anyway, but no stars at all to the printer.

We had this as a reference book for a course in Microwave engineering and was used in a design problem. This is not your leisure book that you can just browse! You have to have advanced calculus/electromagnetism background to understand the concepts.

The book covers all the basic antennae theory and types to topics ranging to radar design.

This is a must have for any RF design engineer.

Since most of the RF jobs in US are with defense and companies like Lockheed Martin and you have to be US citizen to get such jobs, I had to opt for computer networks for graduate studies in US, otherwise I'd have ended up as a RF designer myself.

I would normally rate such a book as five stars, but I've given it four stars to draw some attention that this book is not so easily comprehended as two preceding reviewers suggest. Indeed, the book is well written and organized. However, I think the level of mathematics used is that of advanced calculus. I believe this book is intended for a senior EE or EE graduate student. However, it is not all mathematics and there is still much to be learned about antennas from the book without having had exposure to some of the mathematics used. If you are in doubt, you might consider an alternative before purchasing this book, or at least purchase it with the thought of returning it within a 30 day inspection period.

In USA is common practice to use technician and called them Engineers just because they have 5 to 30 or so years of experience. Sometimes an "engineer" complains about a book because it has too much math on it. Those kind of engineers just want a "cookbook". This book is not a "cookbook", this book is for real engineers with a solid formation in calculus and is not for graduate as someone suggested.

I found this book to be very helpful and to the point on mostof the material. I thought the math, when given, was quitestraightforward, and the author was sure to explain the actual meaning of the math in quick to understand terms. I have only had this book for two days, and have already been able to walk away with a good bit of knowledge END

I found some aspects of the text, especially chapters 6, 13 and 14, to be problematic. I thought the approach to the exposition of the theory of a given topic to be somewhat choppy. Much text is devoted to finding simplified expressions which can be distracting and impedes understanding. In a few instances, the reader is directed to external sources to get foundational details. And, often, the result presented applies only in special cases, such as, in the far field, or for electrically small antennas, or for antennas an odd integer multiple of a half wavelength. For example, in the section on self-impedance of a thin linear antenna (13-5), the statement is made that it is "common practice to shorten the antenna a few percent to make X11=0." Yet the expression presented for X11 is the sine integral which is non-zero everywhere except at Si(0). So, absent thorough exposition of the theory, this is not helpful to those interested in the general case.

I believe this book would be vastly improved if a systematic approach, in the context of electromagnetic theory, is adopted for exposition of the material. Development of new topics should begin with first principles. Sections building on earlier sections should include appropriate back references. References to external papers or earlier editions should not be used as substitute for exposition of details as these sources are generally inaccessible to the reader. Recognizing the accessibility of powerful mathematics software, much of the material dealing with simplifying assumptions could be edited out in favor of more complete exposition of the theory.

Another boring book. There were far too many unlikable characters in this novel. The ones that were likable had no personality at all despite the author telling us that they did. Too much of a murder mystery for me. Not enough dialogue between the two main characters to make it romantic.

Juliana and Nicholas were childhood friends. They grew up together in Lychwood Hall, the home of Nicholas' uncle. They were considered outsiders by Uncle Trenton, Aunt Lilith, and their children, Crandall and Seraphina. At sixteen, Nicholas decided to escape, leaving Juliana alone. Nicholas promised he would return for her, but fifteen years have passed.

Juliana is a paid companion to Clementine and while attending a ball she sees Nicholas arrive. Although Juliana desperately wants to talk to Nicholas, she is worried he will not recognize her, or worse yet, he won't acknowledge her. She is very pleasantly surprised when Nicholas seeks her out, asking her to dance. Juliana adored Nicholas as a child, but now she sees him as a man.

After Nicholas pays a visit to Juliana, Clementine's jealousy causes her to lose her position. Nicholas feels responsible, so he offers to marry her. Juliana is reluctant but she agrees and they return to Lychwood Hall. They find that Aunt Lilith is still rude, Seraphina is not the beauty she once was, and Crandall is even more vile than he was as a young man. As they adjust to their surroundings, Nicholas and Juliana discover their fondness for each other goes much deeper than friendship. But nicholas tries to deny his feelings for Julianna.

On their wedding night, Nicholas and Juliana are interrupted when Crandall is found dead. Nicholas and Juliana proceed to investigate, trying to find the killer. It seems that Crandall had more enemies than allies and they all have motive to want him dead. During his investigation, Nicholas is sure he has discovered the identity of the killer. Believing Juliana is now in danger, Nicholas races back to Lychwood Hall, praying that he arrives in time to save her!

In An Independent Woman, Nicholas rages a constant battle between his desire for Juliana and his need to stay away from her. I found this frustrating, but when he finally accepts his feelings, the heat and tenderness between them is very passionate. Juliana's love for Nicholas is so endearing. The mystery that surrounds the later part of the book is very intriguing. I was surprised by the killer's identity. An Independent Woman is a heart-warming story that delivers a lovely happily ever after ending.

Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

A Candace Camp historical romance is always a delight. An Independent Woman is one of her best. Julianna Holcott & Nicholas Barre are childhood friends who faced orphanhood together. Fifteen years later, Nicholas is now Lord Barre. He returns to England to claim his inheritance and find Julianna, who is now a paid companion. Nicholas proposes marriage to his dear friend, thinking he can maintain a marriage of convenience. Candace Camp captivates us throughout the pages as the desire builds between Julianna and Nicholas. They return to his estate to be married, an estate and inheritance his cousin Crandall and Aunt Lilith have been maintaining for him throughout the years of his absence. The story takes a turn with a murder on Julianna & Nicholas's wedding night, with a Clue-like cast of characters as the possible culprit. A touching Cinderella story with a bit of mystery and suspense. An enjoyable read!

This book features the relationship between Julianna Holcott and Nicholas Barre, who were best friends as kids,they enjoyed 4 sweet years together, but have been apart for 12 years, because nicholas ran away, for a reason he reveals later in the story.
Julianna is a companion for the Thrall family, composed of Fiona, the sensible one, her bimbo sister Clementine, her disillusional mother,Lady Thrall and a father who's sensible enough to stay away from his wife. Nicholas and Julianna re-meet at a ball where Julianna is chaperoning Clementine, a series of shannengans occur that get Julianna fired.Clementine gets her well deserved put- down and Juliana gets a backbone.
Nicholas and Julianna travel back to the Barre estate, where their, hateful cousin Crandall, is killed on their wedding night, Nicholas took a vow of celibacy but apparently cant keep hos hands of Julianna. Julianna just wants to be loved and learns a shocking revelation about her mum. Julianna also might be having Nicholas's baby and the Crandall murder is still yet to be solved. The villian i must ay was obvious from the beginning, but from a characters point of view, it was not.
A highly, enjoyable book.

This is one of the best romance novels I have read in a long time...and I read alot of them...I enjoyed the emotional whirlwind the author was able to create for the reader. I cried and laughed...

The only thing I think would of made this book even better, was more love scenes between the two main characers...they were wonderful together!

I purchased this book in order to find an optimistic source on the subject of rammed earth. David Easton does have a positive attitude about the subject. I enjoyed his enthusiasm. I enjoyed the 10 or so pages of color pictures and the many black and white pictures through the book. Like another reviewer, I felt the book lacked some good engineering sketches and some good pictoral illustrations of the forming systems. I was encouraged enough by his book to want to build a rammed earth house somewhere in the coming years. johnkurtz@comcast.net.

This is a beautiful book, which expanded my respect and knowledge of earth construction. I was formally most familiar with rammed earth tire construction (Earthships, by Michael Reynolds), but this more accessible and palatable version of rammed earth has wider appeal. The book lacks good construction and engineering specs. There are plenty of photos of rammed earth forms, but no technical drawings to help in their construction. I assume that Easton thinks that the subject of form building in concrete construction has been thoroughly covered elsewhere. His discussion of soil testing is impressive (as is the soil testing appendix), but at the same time discouraging. It seems that the likelihood of having proper soil at one's site is slim to nill, though most soil types can be amended with portland cement. I admire his reserve in not advising readers to just dig up their site and use whatever is there, without regard for the future durability and function of the structure. Overall, a good book, but it is absolutely not a step by step construction guide for the novice who is unfamiliar with homebuilding.

I bought this book because I'm researching wall systems, hoping to build a place of my own some day. After lots of study, I probably won't use the rammed earth system, but I think it's fascinating, and I will probably use this book for reference in the future. If you're interested in earth walls, this one is a must-have for your library.

this is the guide to rammed earth. David Easton's enthusiasm and expertise provide for the most informative and readable book on rammed earth on the market.

Any owner/builder who would study up on rammed earth construction, both theory and applied concepts, must have The Rammed Earth House: this edition has been completely revised and pairs color photos by Cynthia Wright with discussions of the art and technology of rammed earth housing. Chapters come from an architect and discuss everything from field testing soil to understanding layout, design, and soil compaction. A 'must' for any studying alternative housing, and sure to be a popular, repeat lend for any public lending library.

Joanne Woodcock did a marvelous job here. I can't say thanks enough for the insight offered by her effort. I consistently reference it in my study attempts currently for PC/Network certifications. No other book brings this subject to such a heighth of clairity and accurate focus. Coupled and cross referenced with other books it is a quintessential illuminator for where the others fail to link concepts. Not perfect but the best primer I've found so far. Does require some previous knowledge on networking, so not necessarily for those who are blank slated to networking.

This book is a great primer for networking. If you are new to networking this book is a must. It gives an excellent overview of all the aspects of networking. You will need to be a little informed on networking to get the most out of this book. I would recommend that one cross reference the book ...
to get a better understanding of some concepts.
Overall its a great primer.

Let me tell you this book will but the fear of god in you. If your new to networking this is not the book for you.

I can not say enough about how great the content was presented! I recommend it to novice and pro alike!

I have been looking for quite sometime for an introductory book on networking that clearly explain all the concepts. I am one of those accounting/finance professionals who switched over to Information Technology. After trying several books, I was about to give up when I stumbled across the only copy of this book in a bookstore. This book is just fantastic! Joanne really knows how to explain networking concepts to professionals from other fields. Her style of writing makes it difficult for you to put the book down. Congratulations on a superb book. I really do understand networking essentials now.

I don't think this is a tool that is age-appropriate for the higher age groups (6th-8th) and really can't be (and no reason to be) modified for high school. There are several sheets to aid in illustrated stories, and effective worksheets to help with beginning to intermediate readers.

This book is great. There are 50 ideas for keeping kids from just staring at the page when they are doing sustained silent reading. A way to be accountable, without assigning one more book report. The forms themselves may be for elementary and middle age, but the ideas will translate beautifully to the high school kids who are still staring at the pages pretending to read.

I have researched many reading books for my child. This book is outstanding. Everyone seems to know what reading is about. Many parents buy reading books without much thought. This book is about reading with "intention" and "strategy". It's a skill-building training with clear methodology and objectives. It will systematically develop your child's true ability many other books won't do. It benefited my child tremendously. After applying this book for only one month, I started to see the difference. Now, they are the top readers in their classes. They often rank high in the Beestar weekly reading program (an excellent web site http://www.beestar.org). This fine book is truly thoughtful and is so effective. I highly recommend it.

This is a great resource for teachers who are working to improve their student's reading skills. It has many of the worksheets that I would like to have time to create for myself -- but don't have time to! I highly recommend this book!

This is easy for special education students to use. They don't feel overwhelmed by the page. They are required to write but will not feel frustrated by the tasks. It has organizers for each part of the writing process, which will also help students retain information. Great for students with memory problems!