Boston

I have always enjoyed Michaels books, but this last one was not one of his better efforts. It was boring next to his other novels. I wish he would bring back Branco & Nicole in a big way. These are great characters that I miss. The book is a good read, but not as much as his older ones.

Although I am a fan of Grant Michaels' Kraychik series, I must admit that this one (Dead As A Doornail) left me a little hammered. The writing was filled with its wonderful wit and bite, but I felt the actual mystery was a bit befuddled. The characters were not as interesting as in past novels, and the "whodunit" was kind of a "who cares." This is not said to discourage the established Kraychik fan. Rather, to alert those about to join the club to read the earlier novels first (and in order) before picking up this title. All in all, it is a good read. But I hope Grant Michaels finds the spark from the first three titles and makes another bonfire.

Being from the Boston area and having gone to college in Boston, I could identify with all the places and the storyline. I especially like the guessing who did it. I have enjoyed all of Grant Michaels' books. I am eagerly awaiting the next one.

I was disappointed in this book. A lot of good information was written by Judge Fuchs. However after 1935 he was no longer the owner. This book doesn't explain why and how he lost the team. In one sentence it said he lost Babe Ruth and the Braves. How? Why? Does the author not want us to know the truth or the facts?
Another Baseball fluff book that does not give you the hard facts. Spend your money on a better ending not this one

If you have a passion for baseball history, or even a passing-interest in the subject, this is a must-read book. In 1999, most baseball teams are owned by media companies, or the mega-wealthy. This book recalls a time when an individual of modest wealth could own and operate a team. More importantly, it recounts the behind-the scenes discussions that resulted in important baseball decisions. The faithful description of what actually transpired when Judge Fuchs acquired the Braves, and when the Babe made the decision to return to Boston, transports the reader back in time. Most of all, this book describes a time when owners cared more about baseball than their own amitions. Be sure to pick up this book! Herb Crehan

"Judge Emil Fuchs purchased the underachieving Boston Braves late in 1922, primarily to bring his ailing friend, Christy Mattewson, back into baseball as the club president. Although Fuchs was a fan at heart, he did manage the Braves for one season and gave Boston a competitive team climaxed by the Brave's dramatic pennant race with the New York Giants in 1933. The Great Depression weakened Fuchs' financial position and he was forced to sell the Braves in 1935. Fuchs' son, Robert S. Fuchs, with the aid of his father's unpublished memoirs and his own Braves scrapbooks, writes an engaging portrait of his father, and the Boston Braves. Judge Fuchs was a former semipro catcher and respected New York attorney. Although the Braves never won a pennant during his 13 years as owner, Fuchs contributed greatly to the game, bringing Sunday baseball (which caused quite a flap in Boston), Ladies Day, radio broadcasts and the "Knot Hole Game" to the Braves Field. Among his first decisions was to increase players' salaries. The team payroll increased in his first year as owner from $80,000 to $200,000. Fuchs announced, "The older players are to receive a raise of $1,000 to $2,000, the first year men from the minor leagues a boost of 25 to 50 percent." He began a profit- sharing plan in which the players shared in profits "without any responsibility in losses. Author Robert Fuchs, now an attorney, also had his "day" in baseball. When he was made the president of the Braves' farm team in Harrisburgh in 1934, after serving two years as club business manager, he was asked what changed with the new position. He replied, "I get to drive the team bus." " Judge Fuchs and the Boston Braves, 1923-1935. Robert S. Fuchs and Wayne Soini, MacFarland & Co., 1998, original trade paperback, 157 pages, black-and-white photos, appendices, index, $23.50.

Formerly known as "F as in Frank," David Page has worked hard to publish his first novel, "Surviving Frank." The story centers around Frank T. Wolfe, the first and only werewolf on the Boston police force. His latest partner, Detective Ryan, (we're never told his full name), is the straight man tasked to find information that will have Frank thrown off the force, but Ryan hopes to prove Frank's innocence.
Meanwhile, the pair investigates the murder of a librarian, encounter the dark, savage "trashcan people" and square off against local crime figures and their loaner minions from the "mafia exchange program."
Page creates an edgy, humorously twisted Boston just left of center, with vanishing restaurants, invisible cigar-smoking hitmen, and the exotic "artiste" Violet. One of my favorite sequences is when Frank and Ryan must navigate the layers of bureaucracy and nepotism in order to meet the mayor and District Attorney.
The mystery also features Frank receiving packages from a secret source, leading him deeper into his quest to come to terms with his past.
The novel was well paced, with crisp dialogue and a number of well-orchestrated action scenes. The humor worked best when it was not forced, with a few bits just not working like having a partner die from being hit on the head by an anvil. The suspension of disbelief only works if it's not too over the top.
There were also some details I would have liked to know, like more about Frank's past, why he changed his name and whether he had the same style, clothes and car when he was a human. I'll look for those in the next book of the series? And what was Ryan's full name?

David Page has taken a different turn with his book "Surviving Frank." The book immediately takes a distinctive look at detective work from the eyes of someone who is not quite accepted in his community, but who is otherwise dedicated to his work.

Frank's adventures and misadventures help us to look at a serious issue from someone who is really not that serious about himself. This approach not only shows us that we are all human, well except for Frank in a manner of speaking, but also shows that the unorthodox approach might be the best approach. Page shows this time and time again with his character development as well as his writing style.

For his first novel Page has really opened some doors in literature. It's a good read for those of you who want a light read, some good laughs and a story which is most unconventional.

A mystery with many twists and detours along the way. This book is a hybrid for those who enjoy fantasy/science fiction, but also like to sit down with a good classic mystery. Strange characters, vividly come alive as you come to the surprising conclusion. Buy this book!

Are you kidding? People actually write books about one of the worst franchises in the history of sports? Please. The title should be "We are the professional underachievers of the modern era". The Red Sox and the word dreams should never go together in a sentence. Unless of course it's used in the context of destroying people's dreams. That would be correct. If you have any respect for baseball history you should just forget this book. It's a piece of garbage - don't even bother.

This is a great look at the history of the Boston Red Sox through the eyes of writers who covered the team throughout the years. From Babe Ruth to the 1975 series, it's all here. A great book for Sox fans and all baseball fans.

This book is really deceiving. There are tons of Red Sox books out this year and this book is not only the cheapest but the cover, except for the Fisk photo, is sort of a weird color. But it's one of the best Sox books I've ever read. The book is a collection of stories from 1901 until the present written by people covering the Red Sox. About 95% of it was new to me and about 95% of that was great. There are stories about the Red Sox world championships (!!!) in 1903 and 1918, Gammons and Ray Fitzgerald on the 1975 World Series, tons of stuff on the Impossible Dream team and even a really really funny poem about Bill Lee. There's a whole section on Ted Williams and the Jackie Robinson tryout, too. It's sort of like reading Red Sox history as it happened. When I showed it to my Dad he remembered some of the old writers and started telling me stories about them and we stayed up late skimming throuigh the book and talking about them. It was really fun.

Although the pictures are nice, albeit way too small, the "history" is all superficial re-hash, and very little of that is about the ballpark; most is about the franchise, and all those stories have been told better by others many times before. There's also an awful lot of filler here, and Smith writes in a very annoying fashion. He used to be a speechwriter for George Bush - Nuf ced.

The author presents a great detailed history of Fenway Park and its participants. For a Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park fan, I highly recommend this book. Curt Smith takes us back in time, and also the present. An update of this book (which will happen soon) will conclude with the Red Sox winning the World Series at Fenway, before they make their move to the new Fenway.

Our House: A Tribute to Fenway Park By Curt Smith

Curt Smith has outdone himself yet again with his loving tribute to baseball's shrine: Fenway Park. Author-historian Smith weaves the works of other members of the Red Sox Nation: Peter Gammons, former Baseball Commissioner Bart Giamatti, John Updike, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, and former President George Bush (among others) with his own masterful prose. In the case of Bush, it is only fair that he contribute. After all, Smith at one time wrote many of the President's speeches. The book focuses on two story lines: the history of a team that has gripped a region's soul like no other; and a ballpark that, in its dotage, has come to symbolize an age that otherwise has been lost. One could argue that hockey's Montreal Canadiens have a similar grip on the soul of Quebec. However, Canadiens' fans have not had their faith tested as severely as those of the Red Sox. Since the Red Sox last won the World Series in 1918, the Canadiens have managed to win the Stanley Cup 23 times. Would the Canadiens evoke such passion in their fans if they had not won a championship in 80 years? That is at the root of the story. Fenway is "Our House" to the Red Sox fans. It is full of love, hope and a real sense of family. Yet, it also brings back many painful memories, all going back to the "Curse of the Bambino." There were the playoff losses for the 1948 and 1978 pennants. Don't forget the more recent World Series losses of 1967, 1975 and 1986. Does this history engender an anticipation of failure? Or does the Calvinistic background of the region make the faithful expect their baseball dreams to be shattered? This classic "chicken or egg first" theme runs throughout the book. Until this decade, the thought that Fenway Park would ever be replaced was never mentioned. Now, as Smith points out so well, its demise seems inevitable, because of the success of today's "retro-parks" (such as Camden Yards and Jacobs Field). These new facilities have successfully captured the quirkiness of Fenway with the modern amenities fans demand and the revenue streams clubs say they need to remain competitive. If all of this isn't enough, the book also includes a complete bibliography and appendices, which chronicle the history of Red Sox records from the team's beginnings as the Boston Americans in 1901. You need not be a Red Sox fan to read "Our House." Any baseball fan can identify with and enjoy Curt Smith's latest book.

Although lacking in adequate color plates as expressed by a previous reviewer, this text is wonderful in its description of the history of the mural which took Sargent 30 years and was never completed probably because of the controversy arising out of how religion was viewed in public in 1919, a change from when Sargent started it in 1890. The book describes the history of the mural in the context of its time of diverse social, cultural and religious matters. After viewing the actual mural at the Boston Public Library, where it is, unfortunately, covered with dirt but is being restored and cleaned, one will be overwhelmed with this painting and find the book extremely interesting and full of important historical information, as well as understand why this mural is considered one of the most important pieces of public art.

Promey leads the reader on an insightful exploration of Sargent's artistic and spiritual investment in _Triumph of Religion_. This book has changed the way I look at religious art in public places.

A fascinating book -- a major contribution to the history of American visual culture! This is a Sargent I hadn't seen before! The wealth of visual material in Promey's book (works of art, preparatory sketches and studies, photographs, prints, cartoons) provides testimony that Sargent's art was deeply informed by the culture of its time. It was also, as Promey shows, responsive to the artist's own intellectual and personal commitments. Highly recommended!

"The Widening Gyre" is the second consecutive Spenser novel in which Robert P. Parker takes the title from William Butler Yeat's poem, "." In this case the phrase is from the first part of the tercet that ends, "Things fall apart; the center cannot hold." This time around our hero is sitting in his office having a beer when he is hired to provide security for a senatorial candidate. Congressman Meade Alexander, a born again Christian who believes America needs a moral and spiritual awakening is running against another Congressman, Robert Browne, who is reportedly connected to the Mob. If you are wondering what these two are doing running for a U.S. Senate seat from Massachusetts, remember, this is a work of fiction. As often happens in a Spenser novel, there is more that meets the eye: Alexander is being blackmailed to quit the race and throw his support to Browne. There is a videotape of his wife, who has an obvious drinking problem, having sex with some college kid. Meade wants Spenser to make the problem go away. Not because of politics, but because he loves her and does not want to see her hurt. Our hero is having his own problems in the realm of love because Susan is pursuing his doctoral work in Washington, D.C. and will not be home for Thanksgiving. However, Paul Giacomin, the surrogate son that Spenser saved in "Early Autumn," has come home and we quickly realize that as much as Spenser and Susan argue about his macho Weltanschauung, it is Paul who probably understands him best. Although Susan Silverman was much more of a presence in the previous novel, in "The Widening Gyre" she is much more on his mind, and it is there relationship that the title ultimately characterizes. However, Spenser has promised Alexander to do his best, but all he has to go on is the videotape and the inevitable feeling that the coincidences add up to something decidedly more certain. Eventually our hero follows the right people around and comes up with a solution to Alexander's problem that just might work. Now if he could just do the same thing about his relationship with Susan. This is a decent Spenser novel that certainly continues the protagonist's progression.

I listened to the unabridged audio cassette of this book, while traveling around town. I prefer not to get the condensed versions of the books where you miss the development of the story and characters and get only the basics. While this book did get a little too sentimental, I have to say that it was for the better. To get the insight into Spenser and how he feels in lieu of always getting the stony detective that defeats all his enemies and solves the crime was interesting. I thought the story itself was intriguing. Okay it wasn't as complicated as plots can be, but I definitely didn't find my interest wandering. I have read one Spenser book and listened to a couple of others on tape, and I have to say that this book will keep me going. If you haven't read or listened to a Spenser book before I do not feel that you will be lost out jumping into this one.

This book is an absolute must-read in the Spenser series. Not that the mystery is all that thrilling; it isn't. No real surprises. But for the development of the character of Spenser, flaws and all, it can't be beat. You may not like Susan - I'm not even sure that Spenser himself really likes her - but this book explains his deathless attachment to her. The theme of less-than-perfect relationships, and commitment to a flawed partner, plays through both the mystery (the wife of a fundamentalist congressman is caught cheating on film, and he is loyal to the point of self-sacrifice) and the interraction between Spenser and his own lady love (Susan sells out). One of the things that elevates Parker above other writers is his attempt to tell a universal truth, as all fine authors do. He doesn't always achieve it, but in this book he does. (Not enough Hawk, though.)

I bought this book hoping to learn more about the breed and their special needs. However only the first half of the book was breed specific. The shopping lists and breed history was interesting, but I still have many unanswered questions about basic care. The second half had basic training tips that applies to all breeds. This may be a good book for someone who is looking for a general overview of the breed, but if you're looking for a detailed manual about how to care for and train a puppy, adult, and senior Boston Terrier, this book isn't it.

I bought this book after it being recommended by a breeder. It was exactly the kind of book that I was wanting. It provides specifics on the health problems, grooming tactics, and eating habits of the dog, which were the most important subjects I was looking for. The latter part of the book discusses how to enjoy your dog, though it isn't specifically directed toward the Boston. This is a great book and a must-have for any Boston Terrier owner.

I'm no expert on the Boston Terrier, which is why I like this book. We're planning on adopting one this summer, and I've been hunting for good, user-friendly BT books. This one covers everything, it's to the point, and the last four chapters are full of good advice for any dog owner, regardless of the breed. I wanted a manual I could refer to over and over again ~ this one fits the bill. :o)

I am a recent City Year graduate from Chicago and I read Suzanne's book in the beginning of my City Year experience. Even though there is a five year difference in our corpmember experiences, her's being in the very beginning of City Year's exsistance. She tells the truth of how City Year can Help you and hurt you. It's Very hard work and having the story being portrayed from the earlier days of City Year, it's gotten even harder now. Personally I'm glad I did it. Proven we are not just "kids" serving our community but adults making our way in the world.

I, like Goldsmith, served as a City Year corps member at a different location and it is from this perspective that I offer this critique. Goldsmith does an excellent job of relaying appropriate events and common complaints about the program. At times, though, she seems to compromise accuracy in her interpretations in order to appeal to the Pollyanna-ish service learning audience. Perhaps the best, and most candid portion of the book is the epilogue. Goldsmith and her former corps-mates offer criticisms that are commonly heard within the corps. Unfortunatly, I believe that these suggestions have not led to improvements at City Year and their concerns are still startingly relevant. It is a must read for anyone considering spending a year with this organization.

I read this book about three years ago and I can honestly say that it helped me to realize that life is honestly about accepting, caring and helping others.

The reading was easy and the story well told. Suzanne tells the story of volunteering in a program where she is exposed to a diverse group of young people from backgrounds she had only previously studied or read about in her ivy tower. Her grasp of details and her ability to bring the reader to the scene is commendable. If you can read this and not be moved, you probably chuckled when Old Yeller was shot.

I'm indebted to the author for helping me find a direction and purpose.

A reasonably well-written account of one of the most diasterous nights in Boston's history. One of only two books available on this topic. There are no pictures.

As far as I know, there are only two books on this subject and this is the better one. It's fascinating to learn the changes in medical care, emergency response and building codes that it brought about, but I was hoping for more detailed information on that. Someone could have written it better and more excitingly, but no one did.

This is an excellent book. It's just a tiny bit on the dry side, but that's not a criticism. The book sets the scene by creating an excellent picture of life in the early 1940's, and describes the events and people involved in what is certainly the best-known fire disaster in American History. Mr. Keyes certainly did his research well. For those are interested in history, you won't find a better book.