England Books

The 1830s was when what we now think of as "modern" Britain first came together, a mix of reform on one hand and rapacious capitalism on the other. Bellminster is a fictitious small city in the Midlands with both an ancient, deeply affecting cathedral and a new mill turning out the cheapest cloth possible at the cheapest wages possible. Rev. Tuckworth, the vicar, is retiring after some thirty years of service to the community, but he's secretly glad to be going because he's largely lost his faith (I won't reveal why). Then a particularly brutal murder takes place and becomes a "wonder" for quiet Bellminster. But then there's another murder, and another. Pretty soon, Detective Inspector Myles is sent up from London (from Bow Street, not Scotland Yard, not yet), but his interpretation of how he can best do his job is jarring. Justice doesn't enter into it, nor very much truth, either. Tuckworth finds himself drawn more and more deeply, and very reluctantly, into the investigation -- but he's not a "Father Brown" sort of amateur sleuth. He's just an aging priest who's trying to look after his flock, and especially his somewhat naive daughter. Holland has a real ear for proto-Victorian dialogue and (though he tends to wax over-lyrical in describing clouds and forests and such) and he's obviously very knowledgeable about the period. This is one of the best mystery series debuts I've read in quite some time.

Though the mystery part of this Dean Tuckworth Victorian novel is soon solved, the why takes a bit longer and the hunt carries through to the satisfying conclusion.

Dean Tuckworth, an honest, introverted man who has lost his faith, but still loves his Bellminster Cathedral, goes up to London to lobby a philanthropist - Hamlin Price - for money to rebuild the burnt-out building. Invited to a strange dinner of supplicants at Price's underfurnished house, Tuckworth hears a shot and rushes to find the body of a murdered man. Though dressed in Price's servant's clothes, Tuckworth, with time-honored Holmesian observation, sees he is not the servant.

Though Tuckworth soon suspects Price, and, with a likable journalist-assistant, burgles the man's house, he is forced to return to Bellminster without proof. But crime has followed him to his bucolic town and Tuckworth must find his proof before a fate worse than murder befalls its innocent inhabitants.

Tuckworth's depths and talents are nicely portrayed as is London and the darker corners of Victorian life.

A lifetime ago (while I was supposed to be mugging for my 'O' level prelims) I became addicted to Victorian horror stories. These novellas didn't always deal with ghost stories, they sometimes dealt with the inability of ordinary 'good' people (esp during prosperous times) to deal with horrors of madness, malice, greed ... the baser qualities of the human condition. "The Devil of Bellminster" reminded me strongly of those novellas I used to read. David Holland did a truly brilliant job of evoking the feel and the ambiance of those books. And his choice of a hero, a tired vicar who has lost his faith, both in God and humanity, and who is nearing retirement, was a truly masterly choice. Because, Reverend Tuckworth, who happens to be good and kindly man, and who struggles daily with the guilt he feels over his loss of faith, adds further to the dark and somber tone of this novel.

It's 1833, and a madman seems to have made the quiet but prosperous town of Bellminster, his current killing ground. The town authorities, headed by Bellminster's most prosperous citizen, mill owner McWhirter, wants a quick arrest -- never mind if the unfortunate suspect is guilty of the murders or not! And when Detective Inspector Myles of Bow Street, arrests one of Tuckworth's simpleminded parishioners, Adam Black, on circumstantial evidence, Tuckworth finds himself drawn into the grisly investigation so as to protect Adam and to discover who the real murderer is before he kills again. But will Tuckworth be able to uncover new evidence that would save Adam from a town eager to be rid of it's current horror, and before the killer strikes again?

This book's greatest strengths are the pacing and Holland's characterizations of Reverend Tuckworth, and the London detective, Paul Myles. Myles, a hard and ruthless man, finds himself reluctantly drawn into Tuckworth's to discover the truth. And it is Myles's determination to catch the killer that fuels the quick pace at which the novel unfolds. These are the facets that makes this novel such smooth and riveting reading. The other characters, on the other hand, do suffer a bit from being a little superficial in depiction. But since they were merely padding for the story at hand, this was not too important a detraction. As for the murderer, while Holland does a really good job of depicting his madness, he remains a little of an enigma. And even at the end, while we finally do discover who the madman is, we're still left in the dark as to roots of his dementia. But perhaps it is a purely 20th century TV/Hollywood culture that has made us demand for everything to be explained away satisfactorily, and that by allowing the madman to remain an unexplained aberration, that makes "The Devil of Bellminster" a somewhat compelling read.

In 1833 Bellminster, England, Vicar Tuckworth finds the beheaded corpse of the local sexton Will. Lord Granby sends to Bow St. to assign a cop to investigate the repugnant murder. Detective Inspector Myles arrives and almost immediately interrogates Tuckworth leaving the soon to retire vicar with the impression that he is a suspect.

Not long after Granby offers Tuckworth the job of caretaker to the renovated Bellminster Cathedral, a second homicide occurs. However, the medical evidence leads to the conclusion that this killing occurred before the Will murder, confusing the previous data collected while struggling with uncovering the identity of the wrongdoer. Tuckworth accompanies Myles as they investigate two murders in a town not used to any violent crime.

THE DEVIL IN BELLMINSTER is an engaging nineteenth century English village mystery that provides the audience with an insightful look at the times outside of London. The story line is cleverly developed so that the reader feels fully engaged, especially with Tuckworth, a likable lead protagonist. Fans will understand his doubts enhanced by his wife's death a few years earlier, his pending retirement, and what is best for his beloved adult daughter. David Holland furnishes an interesting historical so cozy that those readers who enjoy a well-written Regency - Victorian bridge era tale will want to peruse it.

Harriet Klausner

I'm guessing that there are many Americans who would enjoy and long for a trip to every state. Most of us will never do it in which case, it's fun to read about another's adventure. Priscilla Rhodes' book, Discover America Diaries, Vol. 1, is an armchair traveler's delight. Not only is the book fun to read, but it provides a real education about what this country holds. It is a uniquely personal account, as it should be, but it also mirrors the ups and downs of all our lives and especially I would think, the lives of anyone who takes to the road in search of education, adventure and themselves. If you do decide to hit the road, read this book first. It will give you hope that you can have a great time even if, like Priscilla and her husband, you know absolutely nothing about what you are about to do.

Hop in the passenger seat and bounce along the open road with Priscilla and Ken as they cover 15 states in a 30-foot RV. This personal journal proves to be a descriptive, easy-to-read travelogue that takes the reader across America from sea to shining sea. If you live in one of the states, have visited these states or long to see the beauty of the American countryside this is sure to inspire a sense of wanderlust. The authors venture off the tourist trap route and focus more on the obscure claims to fame of each of the states they visit. A unique look at each of the state capitals also makes this a great classroom supplement for U.S. Geography or History classes. For anyone who loves road trips, this travel essay is sure to bring about stories of "remember when." Review by JoAnna Carey, Rat Race Relaxer: Your Potential & The Maze of Life

I'm in awe of Priscilla Rhodes's ability to describe not only the sights, sounds and adventures she and husband Ken experienced as they traveled America, but also the refreshing spontaneity and honesty of her emotions and reactions to each place and person along the path. Her accounting of sidetrips and highlights is delightful: From museums, landmark buildings and historical state capitols to deep dark fir forests, spectacularly colored mesas, sparkling, snowy mountains and brilliant sunsets. Who can forget the candy-colored lady in the laundry room or the seven-year-old boy who survived an accidental trip over Horsehoe Falls? The book is a joy ride with moments of surprise and even heart-gripping suspense (such as that at the Gates of the Mountains at Helena). Reading the Discover America Diaries is like happily stealing away in Priscilla's pocket for the entire length of the journey, through all its hills and valleys. Thank you, Priscill Rhodes, for an unexpectedly delightful trip.

Back in the 1980s, there was an Albert Brooks movie about a couple of Yuppies who ditched the high-paced rat race, cashed in their nest egg, bought an RV and decided to discover America and themselves through a year-long road trip. They got as far as Las Vegas where the wife gambled away all their money. Later on, they ended up in some boring town with low-grade jobs. Nobody liked the ending.

A much happier ending has befallen Priscilla Rhodes and her husband Ken. Having quit their jobs in 1998 they bought a red truck and an attached trailer and set out for a few years of nomadic existence to discover the country. The result was a website devoted to postcards from the road called www.postcardsfrom.com which later led to this book. The couple actually sent e-mail postcards to people on their subscription list. The postcards became popular, as did the thumbnail sketches of the places they visited. After USA Today and The Christian Science Monitor lauded the website, their subscription base skyrocketed. Eventually this book evolved from their first trip: one that covered the northern route.

The diaries switch back and forth between personal accounts of their life on the road (and before), musings about society and deft descriptions of the monuments, towns, events and byways they encounter. Luckily for the reader, most of the personal accounts are very funny, and the descriptions are right on the money. Priscilla writes the diaries and the postcards while Ken takes the photographs and designs and emails the cards.

It seems Priscilla has the perfect husband. Not only can he handle a truck with a trailer weaving behind it (I personally avoid those things like the plague when I see them on the highway) he can also photograph,create a website, do professional book layout and fashion a very handsome book without benefit of high-price book designers.

So whether they are shivering in the cold, waiting for the sun to rise on Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, baking in the heat when caught in Chicago traffic in their truck (which apparently is not air-conditioned) or climbing over buffalo dung in the Badlands, you will enjoy their journey and learn a lot about America, trailer parks, state capitols and various monuments. A very enjoyable read.

Dishing Up Vermont: 145 Authentic Recipes from the Green Mountain State is a compilation that unquestionably lives up to its title. Food writer and Tracey Medeiros, whose recipes have formerly appeared in "Bon Appetit", "Cooking Light", "Eating Well", and "Hampton Roads", offers easy-to-follow instructions for preparing tasty delights such as "Vermont-Style Hush Puppies", "Grilled Marinated Venison Loin", "Grilled Maple-marinated Portobello Mushrooms", "Butternut Squash Ravioli with Apples and Pears", and much more. Full-color photography and an assortment of Vermont food and eatery anecdotes round out this wonderful culinary tour de force.

You don't have to live in Vermont to love this cookbook. We live in Pennsylvania, and can get many of the same ingredients from our local farmer's market. This cookbook is for anyone who enjoys good food and knows the value of sustainable farming. Knowing the importance of buying locally produced foods, I found this cookbook to be a practical addition to my pantry. The recipes are easy to follow, yet taste like they were prepared by a gourmet chef. I particularly enjoyed the recipes for Blueberry Stuffed French Toast and Apple Covered Cheesecake. If you've ever been to Vermont, reading this will make you want to go back. The author does a wonderful job highlighting many of the Inns and Farms that make Vermont unique.

Dishing Up Vermont is a wonderful new cookbook that combines the best recipes and ingredients from the Green Mountain State. It introduces the reader to a wealth of ingredients and products that give the cook an insider's view of Vermont's best. This cookbook demonstrates the important bond between farmers, chefs and consumers, while stressing the importance of the sustainable farming movement as well as buying local. The book contains beautiful photographs of Vermont and its products which add an extra touch to this delightful collection of recipes. This is a must have cookbook for anyone's library, whether you be a Vermonter, or a visitor to the state. Hats off to the author for giving us a cookbook which we will have in our library for many years to come.

"Dishing Up Vermont" is a welcome addition to anyone's kitchen and cookbook library. For the master chef, novice, and everyone in between who may be interested in great whole food recipes prepared and flavored with organic ingredients, "Dishing Up Vermont" is a long awaited culinary dream. The wide selection of products used in these recipes not only include natural, healthy, and heart smart ingredients and preparation methods, but also emphasize sustainable farming practices, conservation, and fair trade markets which strengthen communities and the health of the overall land and environment. "Dishing Up Vermont" takes the reader through an exciting and delicious journey through the state of Vermont to eat at some of the finest restaurants, inns, and lodges while meeting some of the most exceptional chefs in the world...all in the comfort of your own kitchen. "Dishing Up Vermont" is an excellent cookbook that is unique in its mission and one that my family and friends will enjoy and recommend to others for many years to come. Kudos to its author!

I liked Dog Friday alot. It was very interesting but sad too. It would definetly be in my top ten book list!

Do you have to read for school? Are all the books boring to you? Then this book is for you! Drama and humor makes the book even more exicting.

This was a great book for readers in the grades 6-8. I read it for a summer packet report and i really hate to read. This book is one of my fav. books because it has some drama and stuff like that! It left you on the edge at some points of the book and the end was like a cliff hanger. But it was a great book and it all came to a great finish like all of her other books. If you want a good book that doesnt take long to read and is easy to read choose dog friday

The book was very very very very very very very very great and funny

I just received "Drawn from New England" in the mail today. I couldnt wait to sit down, brew a pot of tea and start to read the book--absolutely fabulous. This is a MUST HAVE if you are a fan of Tasha Tudor. The book transports you to Tasha Tudor Land--a great place to be in these stressful times. Thank you Bethany Tudor (& Tasha Tudor) for giving us all this precious gift!!! Cindy R

If you are a fan of Tasha Tudor and want to buy one of the books about her---this book should be first on your list. The author tells the story of Tasha's life with insight. The photographs are wonderful and the text is fascinating.

What a WONDERFUL book! I've always enjoyed Tasha Tudor, and bring out her books when I need to "escape" and have a pick-me-up. I happened upon this beautiful history written by her daughter, and have since shared it with others....Tasha Tudor is truly a blessing to us all, and to have this insightful, introspective piece shared by her daughter is beyond words. I HIGHLY recommend it to all who are so enamored with what Tasha has done with her life, and for those, such as myself, who wish they knew her personally--this book gives you a wonderful glimpse into this special woman's life, as well as her special family! Enjoy!

I read this portrait of Tasha Tudor by her daughter Bethany with hunger and joy! I shall add it to my list of favorite books that I reread yearly at Christmas as a gift to myself. This intimate portait of one of this century's most unique women adds to a storehouse of wisdom not often found in the modern world. I feel drawn by this book to my own quest for that which inspires me. Bethany Tudor has written a memoir which will serve as inspiration for generations of creative women. The pictures are also exquisite and draw one into the peace and serenity which are Tasha's gifts to us.

One of the most horrific times in England's history began in 1685. They people dubbed this era "Duking Days" because it all began when Charles II's illegitimate protestant son, the Duke of Monmouth, and 81 of his men sailed into Lyme Regis harbour accompanied to wrest the British crown from his uncle, James II. The Duke of Monmouth managed to gather 6000 to help him fight for his cause. Poorly armed and badly disciplined the rebels seized Somerset. The rebels declared Monmouth 'King' in Taunton market place.

During the battle of Sedgemoor, Monmouth's army failed. The King Charles' men captured Monmouth cowering in a ditch and brought him to trial. The King executed Monmouth for leading the rebellion. Even so, the bloodshed continued. The King executed hundreds of rebels and transported hundreds more to the West Indies to toil on the sugar plantations.

The brutality and blood-spattered aftermath of the battle of Sedgemoor continues to haunt England to this very day. Stories of ghosts abound to this very day. This cruel period compelled author Anita Davidson to pen a novel about a family who struggled to survive during these desperate times.

In Duking Days Revolution, the sequel to Duking Days Rebellion, Helena Woulfe Palmer settles into a new life. Her husband, Guy Palmer, a London Goldsmith Banker, flourishes in business. Trapped in an unhappy marriage, Guy and Helena allow their weaknesses for others turn into unwise liaisons.

Helena's father, Sir Jonathan Woulfe, Helena's father is still missing, his fate unknown.

Her elder brother, Aaron, continues to plot against the Catholic James II. Helena is grows ever fearful for Aaron and longs for him to come home again. Her wish is soon fulfilled. Helena is reunited with Aaron, who not only becomes a member of the new royal court, but also strives to regain their family estates lost during the rebellion.

Her younger brother, Henry enjoys a quiet life as an apprentice to an architect, but suffers greatly when he falls in love with his employer's daughter, Mary Ann Newman. Mary also loves Henry, but she must enter into an arranged marriage to someone else.

Dark secrets, mystery, and turmoil continue to plague the siblings as they each strive in their own way to carve a new life from the destruction of the revolution. The novel culminates with a poignant ending that leaves the reader both contented and crying out for more.

Anita Davidson has captured the tumultuous period with spirit, accuracy, and brilliant writing. Her characters each struggle to find their own way, with plenty of dark secrets and danger to curse their path. Impeccable research and detail mark this novel as a "must read" for everyone who is interested in this era and who wants to experience how the politics of the time affected individual citizens and forever altered so many innocent and not so innocent lives.

Reading Duking Days: Revolution is like stepping back in time. Anita Davidson makes the transition flawless for the reader as she reunites them with the Woulfe family. Though I read Duking Days: Revolution before Anita's earlier novel, 'Duking Days: Rebellion', the skill with which the author draws her readers into the family's epic sage ensured my thorough enjoyment through every page.
The rich tapestry Anita weaves, of life in the 17th C, is captivating, the action is intense, while the characters and their situations are rivetting. A beautifully crafted novel that delivers all a Romance reader could want and more.

Anita Davison pulls off an excellent sequel to Duking Days Rebellion with this book. I very much enjoyed learning more about about the characters from the first book and how they lives have changed from the effects of the war a few years before. Helena has gorwn into a woman with great strength and passion. The secondary characters are well drawn and fascinating additions to the story.
Ms Davison writes beautifully of the 17th century period, drawing the reader in so that we feel a part of the characters' lives and we can experience the atmosphere of that era.
Well done, Anita Davison, this book will join your first book on my keeper bookshelf!

After reading Anita Davison's first offering about 17th century England, I have no hesitation in the least to purchase her second book. Until I experienced her descriptive style and realized her ability to meld reader with the characters and time period, I had no idea how much I would enjoy my trip through England's history. This author brings such reality to the story, I felt as though I sat beside Helena in the family carriage as it rolled over the cobblestone streets. I felt her fears, shared her joys, and cried with her when she believed her world was collapsing around her. The story was inspiring and left me anxious for the next installment. I highly recommend anything Ms. Davison writes. You'll be telling your friends about her as I'm telling you. Trust me. She's found a fan in me.

Nesta, an adolescent girl living in England, has never felt all that different from other kids her age. Therefore, her parents try to break the news to her gently. Her mother used to tell her a fairy tale when she was young about living on another planet and traveling to Earth in a tiny little spaceship. It turns out that the story wasn't such a fairy tale after all.

Now there has been a crisis--another alien from their planet who is living on Earth has roused suspicions in the government and it may be dangerous for Nesta's family to remain. Her parents receive instructions to prepare to leave immediately. They must be in their spaceship within days, and the ship will take off automatically on time. Nesta's parents now must tell their daughter the very difficult truth--that she is an alien and within a week she will be returning to an alien planet.

The news does not go over well with Nesta. In fact, she absolutely refuses to return to her parents' home planet. Instead, she develops a plan to go into hiding until it is too late for her parents to be on the spaceship heading home. But will her plan work, or will it just rouse more suspicions?

I liked the concept of the story--the descriptions of the home planet and of the spaceship were really interesting. I also liked most of the characters, and I liked how Nesta's parents were portrayed, as loving parents but also as bewildered aliens.

Do you ever think you must be from another planet? That is what Nesta thinks. This is a science-fiction story set in England about a girl who finds out that she is an alien. She comes from afar away planet called Ormingat. The only reason Nesta's family is leaving Earth is because of a disappearance of a boy and his father. Nesta's family thinks that they are from Ormingat too.
The main characters are Nesta ,Alison (the mom) and Matthew (the dad). Nesta is a normal 12 year old with unusual problems. Alison (Mom) is normal too. She works at the university as in assistant. Matthew (Dad) is normal as well. Every year he has to leave an a `business trip'.
Nesta would not listen to her parents that she was from another planet. She thinks that her parents are lying... but they aren't. Nesta is trying all her best to miss the dead line to the trip to Ormingat. Will her parents leave with out her? Read this story and find out. I recommend this book to young and old science fiction readers.

Imagine thinking that you were a normal twelve-year-old girl living in England with your parents, leading a very normal life. You know that you are somewhat different than your peers because you refuse to fight off the school bullies, nor will you tell on them. Suddenly, and without warning, your parents divulge the shocking news that, though you were born on earth, they actually come from a faraway planet. It will take three years to travel there in a golf ball-size spaceship and you must all leave in seven days!
Nesta, the protagonist, at first thinks her parents are playing a joke on her, then is shocked when it becomes obvious that what she's hearing and seeing is the truth. She quickly comes to the realization that she is earth-born and has absolutely no desire to leave her home to live in a strange new world. She devises a plan which will make her unavailable when the deadline arrives. She becomes worried that her parents, who have strong ties to their home planet, will leave without her, but this doesn't stop her from knowing that she can never make the journey with them.
This story contains the elements of secrets, suspense, the strong forces of love, and the meaning of true friendship. It is written in the style of English prose and uses the vernacular of that country. It may be difficult for young readers to discern the meaning of some words that are of distinctly British origin without help from an adult, but the story is worth the effort.
Earthborn, written by British author Sylvia Waugh, is a good read for adults and for children ages nine and up who are on the verge of wanting to be independent, yet are still young enough to need the ties that bind them to their parents.
I read this book without first having read the companion book Space Race. I did not get the feeling that I had missed anything, but I now find myself anxious to read that book as well as the Mennyms series. Sylvia Waugh has just landed another fan in me, and I will recommend this book to other avid readers of childrens' books.

I am told that the late Edward Gorey listed the British children's book author Sylvia Waugh as one of his favorite authors. Waugh's highly original books have received critical acclaim and numerous awards in Europe. There are translations in many languages, including Japanese. How her work has escaped best seller status in the United States, especially with our emphases on humor and spirituality, is a puzzle to me except that here book sales tend to depend so much on marketing. We on amazon.com should have word of mouth on this author, though.

Waugh has followed up her charming, mysterious, wise, and psychologically and spiritually resonant Mennyms series with an "aliens" series concerning beings from Ormingat who take human form to study Earth, not for invasion or any malevolent reason (Ormingat is a place of peaceful love and beauty) but simply out of curiosity, and perhaps to divine what ails us. Underlying themes, as in the Mennyms books, include the nature of identity, spirituality, and family relationships, but as allusive as in classic fairy tales, yet the books are real page turners that leave me reading too fast at times because I can't wait to see what happens.

"Earthborn" is the first follow-up to "Space Race," and while "Earthborn" could easily be read and understood on its own, the enjoyment would be enhanced by starting with "Space Race." The two books are cleverly interwoven, as in the Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket series. In "Earthborn," young teenager Nesta discovers that in fact her kindly, ordinary-seeming parents are not from Boston, as they always said, but from Ormingat, having arrived (like other Ormingatrig) in a spaceship the size and shape of a golf ball. Nesta's destiny may lie not in her quiet British home- and school-life, with her love of reading and her best friend Amy, but elsewhere . . .

Waugh is described on the book jacket as a retired teacher, and her books shine with her kindly understanding of children. Her immersion in the child's world and concerns is, like the characters, so vibrant. There are also points so laugh-out-loud funny that I had tears in my eyes (but I don't want to give anything away).

Thankfully, unlike in the Harry Potter books, no editor has "Americanized" Waugh's books, so that we have complete access in the U.S. editions to all the charm of British English.

I read these books as an adult and so treasure them. I just can't wait for the next installment in the current series! The children to whom I have given Waugh's books love as much as I do, and I highly, highly recommend "Earthborn" and Waugh's other books to children and adults alike. Like the best literature, it's entertainment PLUS.

Eastern Tides is an extraordinary book by any standard. It is both a fantastic chronicle of a life spent fishing, and how that lifestyle shaped the author's family, friends, and understanding of what life is all about. This book ought to be required reading for high school students - it's more than a fishing book - it's literature! Reading this book is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster - but only because the author is so good at getting the reader caught up in the plight of striper fishermen. As a Rhody surfcaster, my appreciation for all the fishermen who have combed the shores before me has been enlarged considerably. If you don't love this book then you should probably do your "fishing" at Red Lobster!

Like all of Daignault's books, the author blends wonderful anecdotes in with illustrious descriptions of fishing the striper surf, to the point that you feel that you are there...

Unfortunately, there is a downside:

I don't want to give away too much of the book, but the author chronicles his gradual aging and the result is that the blows of time have gradually taken away his precious beach access - as well as his youth. We are all somewhat saddened when we think of things we once had that we can never ever have again, or relive, but the ending of the book actually left me in tears. I actually felt like I had grown old with Frank, his family and the great places they used to pursue the mighty striper, only to have all those fun times taken away by governmental shutdowns of beaches, the striper moratorium and, worst of all, the ever-relenting hammer blow of time which steals all that we love.

I would highly recommend this book, but if you are an avid surfcaster, be prepared to feel saddened. I can only think of places I used to fish that Mother Nature took away from and will never, ever return.

This is a book about surfcasting the way Moby Dick is a book about fishing. It's really a story about avocation, family, parenting and about how a sport can enrich our life and connect us to the people we love. And it talks about these things with none of the intellectual pretentions and posturings of other fishing memoirs.
I wish I'd written it.
Jack Falla
Author "HOME ICE"

Eastern Tides: A Surfcaster's Life is the personal memoir of Frank Daignault, a fishing connoisseur who has written a thorourghly engaging work with a special appeal for his fellow fishermen. Celebrating experiences with the art and joy of fishing throughout the seasons of the years, Eastern Tides makes for especially excellent reading while anticipating a fishing trip or when waiting for something to nibble on the line!

Interesting. And a bit disturbing. Christie is really a master at getting into a person's head. I couldn't put the book down. I changed my opinion three times as to who the murderer was, but the 3rd time I was correct. (Another thing that entertains me is how quickly people fall in love in these novels!)

This book was excellent. It was definately surprising at the end, and had a real twist to it. This was an excellent Agatha Christie book, and I recommend it to everyone.

This book was great! And I am proud to say that I solved it! It wasn't easy to crack though, and I mearly guessed it, and amazingly I was right! I highly recommend this book to anyone. It's definately a must read.

Why don't you read this book? Feel once again the spirith of the english country-it seems to happen nothing and to be completely boaring. But sometimes...

I have admired Gloria Steinem since I came to this country in the 70's to go to college. She has had to make some tough choices in her life and I respect her greatly for the path she took. I particularly liked to read about her early years, her childhood and family, prior to the more public New York life of the sophisticated writer and feminist persona she became. After reading this book, I feel that I understand much better where her strong motivation came from. The author deserves much praise for this biography.

I read this book nonstop while on a lengthy car trip. I found it to be incredibly interesting, informative, well-researched, and enjoyable to read. If you've ever wondered how Gloria Steinem got to be the icon that she is, this book explains it all. Whether you are researching Steinem or just looking for an interesting non-fiction, this book is for you!!

A sympathetic biography of one of the most famous leaders in the women's movement. According to Heilbrun, Steinem's beauty and ability to remain constantly in the public eye have been a constant source of irritation to other feminists. She presents Steinmen as a slightly naive, well-intentioned and empathetic individual who never intended to lead the feminist movement and indeed would have preferred remaining in the shadows as a reporter and writer.

Growing up in the early 80's, I had a vauge idea who Gloria Steinem was and what she did. I was delighted to pick up this book and read the first (and probaly most accurate)book on such a revolutionary leader.

Denounced by the extreme right and extreme left, Steinem's life has taken her from Ohio to Massachusetts to India, Washington DC and NY. Having cofounded Ms. the National Women's Political Caucus, the Women's Action Alliance and Voters for Choice, Steinem is truly an example of a good role model.

Heilbrum's superb prose takes us into the infamous resentment born by Betty Friedan and Kathie Sarahchild. Although both of these women are famous in their own right, their inexcusable and childish tantrums undid their own feminist reputation without any help from Steinem. Also deserving of their repuation is Betty Harris who's paranoid delusions and lax work ethic jepordaized the working environment at the early MS. Steinem is a saint for having dealt with these crazies and still keeping cool.