You might think this would be a dry and daunting read... it is not. In fact it is very easy to read and entertaining. But the best part is that along tYou might think this would be a dry and daunting read... it is not. In fact it is very easy to read and entertaining. But the best part is that along the way... you start to think... and then, think some more about what you are reading and what Harari is saying.... and this will continue all the way to the end. You may not accept or agree with everything Harari says but you may find yourself at the end enjoying very much what you just read....more
While trying to solve a strange case of a woman who died of 'fright' during a seance... Gamache has to watch his back as the papers and some members oWhile trying to solve a strange case of a woman who died of 'fright' during a seance... Gamache has to watch his back as the papers and some members of the police higher ups are after him for bringing down one of their own... even though the man he brought dowm was corrupt....more
I really enjoyed the setting, the dialogue...and overall it was quite an interesting thriller as things that happened a long time ago come back to hauI really enjoyed the setting, the dialogue...and overall it was quite an interesting thriller as things that happened a long time ago come back to haunt those in the present. ...more
For the continuous readers of the series this latest represents a slight detour from the previous works as Gabriel Allon is no longer with the "officeFor the continuous readers of the series this latest represents a slight detour from the previous works as Gabriel Allon is no longer with the "office' but instead doing art restoration on masterpieces. But of course when an old friend comes knocking and asks for help... Gabriel jumps right in.
The beauty of the Gabriel Allon series is that the books are not just entertaining... Silva always manages to include something in the storyline that will open up the eyes of the reader to something Silva feels important enough to write about through his series.
This one is no exception and Silva provides some interesting insights into the nucleus of this story in his afterward that is quite amazing.
Fairbanks does a good job in 'fleshing out' those involved in this tragedy... from the victims of the Wind Blown to te survivors. Along the way she doeFairbanks does a good job in 'fleshing out' those involved in this tragedy... from the victims of the Wind Blown to te survivors. Along the way she does quite a good job in tellng the history and development of the Hamptons as well as Montauk. This is NOT "The Perfect Storm" but a more intimate look at the before during and after of this tragedy at sea.... which cost four young men their lives. ...more
Excellent thriller that has members of an IRA radical group take over St. Patricks Cathedral on St. Patricks Day and then threaten to blow it up as weExcellent thriller that has members of an IRA radical group take over St. Patricks Cathedral on St. Patricks Day and then threaten to blow it up as well as the hostages they have taken if their demands are not met. A riveting page turner with some wry humor along the way as the two sides engage in a battle of wits and bravado as the clock is ticking. The key line in the book that sets the stage for what is happenning: "Dawn or Dead" that is the ultimatum given by the IRA leader to the negotiating team. If the demands are not met 100% by 6:03 or the next mornings dawn timeline... everyone dies and the cathedral is destroyed. ...more
Beleive it or not sharks have been around for almost 500 million years! They have survived five distinct extermination events during that time... and Beleive it or not sharks have been around for almost 500 million years! They have survived five distinct extermination events during that time... and are still here.
This is the SHARK story and told in a way that is absolutely amazing. It is obvious that the author John Long is a huge fan of sharks and through his brilliant work he lets us all in on the secret of sharks: how they have evolved, how they have survived, the evidence trail along the way that makes it all 'real' and then most important: What next? What can we learn from sharks to help us as a species maybe face the same challenges and survive as did the shark
Reading this series by Hilary Mantel is like literally being a fly on the wall during at the court and reign of King Henry VIII in the early 16th centReading this series by Hilary Mantel is like literally being a fly on the wall during at the court and reign of King Henry VIII in the early 16th century. Mantel tells the story through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell who rose from being a 'commoner' to become the right hand man of Henry... that is until he fell into unfavor with Henry and was then executed. Great finish to the series....more
Great addition to the Doc Ford series. White includes the devestating Hurricane Ian (though he never mentions it by name) as the central part of the sGreat addition to the Doc Ford series. White includes the devestating Hurricane Ian (though he never mentions it by name) as the central part of the story. White offers some great descriptions and insights into the power and the aftermath of that powerful hurricane. Some very interesting characters in this one and a concern about his friend Tomlinson as he disappears early in the story and sails on his boat the "No Mas" to destination: UNKNOWN. Interesting....more
One scary horror story... Some of the scenes give you chills. The setting in the Catskill Mountains of New York is perfect as is the atmosphere of eeriOne scary horror story... Some of the scenes give you chills. The setting in the Catskill Mountains of New York is perfect as is the atmosphere of eeriness that Langan creates throughout. ...more
Leonardo da Vinci is still one of the most intriguing figures in the world. The authors Isbouts and Brown do a superb job of telling us why and offer Leonardo da Vinci is still one of the most intriguing figures in the world. The authors Isbouts and Brown do a superb job of telling us why and offer great details about the life and work of da Vinci but more important what happened with his work and legacy over the last 500 years. ...more
The amazing true story of the escaped slaves... Ellen and William Craft. The first real shocker is how they escaped. Ellen dressed up as a man and acteThe amazing true story of the escaped slaves... Ellen and William Craft. The first real shocker is how they escaped. Ellen dressed up as a man and acted as a white slaveowner with William being her slave as they traveled by train, boat and any other way they could to freedom. Ellen was very light skinned and that is what made it at least possible.
Besides the story of Ellen and William Ilyon Woo adds all of the other major events that were taking place during this freedom run from 1848-1952. Included are many of the voices of freedom and also those of keeping slavery as it is.
A solid history of the coule and just as good to talk about the America of that period. ...more
Wow! This is simply one of the best books I have ever read that deals with the subject of war and serving in a war... besides just being one fantasticWow! This is simply one of the best books I have ever read that deals with the subject of war and serving in a war... besides just being one fantastic read.
What makes this book so good is the technique that O'Brien uses in telling his story of his service time in Vietnam. This is not a memoir... it is a work of fiction. But as O'Brien himself says he uses what he calls "happening-truth" and "story-truth" "Happening truth" is what is actually real and did happen. It is a fact. "Story -truth" is not factually real but real to the story told by O'Brien" ...to make his point. In his own words: "I want you to feel what I felt. I want you to know why story-truth is truer sometimes than happening-truth."
And, I have to admit, O'Brien makes the reader go on his journey and you simply do 'get it'... you get what he is saying better than if he just stayed with the "name, rank, and serial number" of so many other books about war... whether they are fiction or non-fiction. O'Brien talks to many of the challenges of those who fight in war: leaving home, killing, death, fear, mental illness and remembering. Always, it seems... remembering.
This is a book that works on so many levels. Besides the topic of war and what that is all about... O'Brien shares his writing technique and why he wrote the stories in the way he did and why! This is a lesson in writing and story telling at its best.
When a book has almost 2 million ratings in one year... its almost a must read just to see what all the excitment is about. This is a fun escape read aWhen a book has almost 2 million ratings in one year... its almost a must read just to see what all the excitment is about. This is a fun escape read and to me it was a mix of the following: two parts "Game Of Thrones", one part "The Hunger Games", and one part Harry Potter and Hogwarts. Enjoy... ...more
The classic story of how trying to achieve the "American Dream" can corrupt! Through the character of Clyde Griffiths... Dreiser does an excellent job The classic story of how trying to achieve the "American Dream" can corrupt! Through the character of Clyde Griffiths... Dreiser does an excellent job of showing the internal struggle faced by Clyde as he tried to rise the social ladder and how at the end it had tragic consequences for so many.
Just as a note... Book Three is quite the legal thriller as Clyde finds himself in court for the murder of the girl he was seeing and eventually got pregnant. The court scenes were actually quite riveting. ...more
This was one amazing book! It is fiction, BUT, the people in the story and almost all of the events were real. Maher does an extraordinary job in bringThis was one amazing book! It is fiction, BUT, the people in the story and almost all of the events were real. Maher does an extraordinary job in bringing a specific time and place to life and in the process telling the story of one of the most important and productive times in literature. The setting is Paris in the early 20th century. Sylvia Beach is the main character. Sylvia started "Shakespeare & Company" which was an American bookstore in Paris and it became the central stage for some of the greatest writers and literature of the 20th century. It was Sylvia Beach who ended up publishing "Ulysses" by James Joyce because the rest of the world simply wouldnt touch it. But the story is more than that. It is about books and writers and the passion that a book can create in readers. The relationship between Sylvia and James Joyce as told in the story is priceless. How Sylvia almost singlehandedly got "Ulysses" published. More... the other central characters who were also part of the entire literary movement of the 20's are 'friends' or customers of Sylvia and her bookshop: Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald, T.S. Eliot and more.
Paris of the early 20th century comes alive in this book. The greatest writers of the early 20th century become living parts of the story and it is quite the story.
If you are familiar with the story of "Ulysses" and its creation and publishing history, and if by chance you have read the book... this is a MUST reading. This is the story behind the story of James Joyce and his "Ulysses" as well as the other writers who were in some way part of the whole story of the times. A gem!...more
A classic gem that tells the tragic story of the victims that remain after a war and what happens to them. To the victor goes the spoils as they say...A classic gem that tells the tragic story of the victims that remain after a war and what happens to them. To the victor goes the spoils as they say...but in Ancient Greece it was the women and the children that always seem to get the raw end of the deal.
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