May-Day

"Seven Days in May" is an authentic classic political thriller of the first rank. Authors Baily and Knebel present a scenario in which an unpopular President is targeted by America's top military brass for an actual military takeover of the government. The story is complex, but vividly presented with an authenticity that is both disturbing and plausible. The reader is brought to understand that it could happen here, and the story suggests how such a scenario could come about in these United States.

The novel is well-written and fast-paced, never drags, and absolutely holds the reader's interest throughout. The amazing thing about the story is that every bit of it hangs together without straining the reader's sense of credulity. The novel features excellent writing, and the authors weave the plot together towards a conclusion that is startling and believable (no spoiler here).

This was a big budget movie in the 1960s featuring Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster (available on DVD) and I would very much like to see a reprint of the novel become available, as my often-read paperback copy has long since fallen to pieces from frequent readings.

I read this book on a long airplane trip, and the story was so intense it kept me glued from lift off to land down.

As the other reviewers have summarized, the plot centers around "Seven days in May" as the President of the United States and his closest aides secretly scramble to thwart a coup being planned by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The book is very fast paced, and has no "main" character. The point of view shifts from one character to another, often on opposite ends of the country, with lots of action in between. There are numerous twists and turns, but the book is never predictable or cliched.

It's also a very well-researched story, and anyone well versed in National Security and the Pentagon will be impressed at the two authors' attention to detail.

I was really amazed how un-dated this book is, despite being written in the early 60's. The authors wisely never reveal the year the story takes place, but subtle hints indicate it takes place sometime in the 70's (Kennedy is the last "real" President mentioned). When you hear the logic of some of the coup-planners you have to wonder wheter or not such a scheme has ever been secretly plotted in the past- or wheter a similar one will ever be plotted in the future. Complacency in the stability of ANY democracy can be dangerous, and the events in "Seven Days in May" certainly proves that.

This book highlights the independence that exists between the military and civilian branches of the US government, and the careful dance that the president must do to appease both sides. When it comes to matters of national security, the book raises the important question of who is ultimately responsible. Should the constitution always be respected, even when the safety of the nation is in danger? Does the military have the right to surpass the president if he is acting in a manner that will endanger the country? Does the president deserve to have his role as "Commander in Chief"?

In this era of terrorism and uncertainty, these are all very relevant questions to ask. This book, especially the ending, answers these, and many others, brilliantly.

SEVEN DAYS IN MAY by Fletcher Knebel and Charles Bailey is a frightening look at what most people would consider impossible in the government established by our Constitution. Most Americans take our democratic form of government for granted; but could a military leader manage to engineer a coup to overthrow the Executive Branch of government?

This is the central issue in this novel set sometime around a decade after Kennedy's administration (the book was written in 1962), as an unpopular President Lyman faces unrest in both in the armed forces and the civilian sector over a proposed disarmament treaty with the Soviet Union, labor troubles at home, and a poor economy. Colonel Martin Casey, reporting to the Chairman of the Join Chiefs of Staff, suspects something is up when a series of suspicious events and circumstances occur, which lead him to conclude that JSC Chairman General Scott is readying a coup. With only days before the potential coup, President Lyman, and his trusted allies Colonel Cassey, Secretary of Treasury Todd, Senator Clark from Georgia, the President's Appointment Secretary Girard and Secret Service Agent Corwin, must act quickly to try to corroborate or disprove the theory of a military coup. The investigation includes a kidnapping of one of the President's men at a secret military base, a suspicious death that rattles the President, the use of sexual innuendo for information, and more.

The picture this novel paints is a frightening one. The book is not a difficult one to read or comprehend. In the end, you're left wondering if it could possibly happen today. The book is set up as a chronological account of the actions of the Presidents team over the seven days until the coup; the pressure of time is constantly felt through the novel, which just adds to the suspense. Although over 300 pages, the book starts up quick and never stops. SEVEN DAYS IN MAY is an excellent political thriller that entertains and makes you wonder. Once you pick it up you'll find it difficult to put down. I highly recommend.

I read this book because I found Lukacs's *Five Days in London: May 1940* so compelling. I was not disappointed, and recommend *The Duel* enthusiastically and without hesitation. Lukacs's way of writing history is wonderfully magisterial. Especially to be appreciated are two complementary gifts: an eye for small significant details and their patterns (as when Hitler's and Churchill's ways of getting up in the morning are contrasted), and a grasp of the big picture (really an asset when something as colossal as the Second World War is under examination). Lukacs's mind is at once a microscope and -- not a telescope (which is really only a microscope aimed at a large distant object instead of a close small one), but, if you will -- a *macroscope*. The result of their combination here is a history rich with significant detail and sweeping visions.

Prospective readers should be aware that Lukacs is more than a conventional historian narrating the past. He is also a philosophical historian -- not in the sense that he discusses theories of historiography, but in that for him, history has meaning, and is not merely one damned thing after another. Your appreciation of *The Duel* will inevitably be affected by the degree to which you find his ruminations insightful or ponderous. Philosophical history is not for everyone. Some readers might even be put off by being told that "we are all national socialists now." (p. 223) But if you have the taste for it, as I do, you'll find much food for thought here, and even some wisdom.

The volume is well edited, though I, for one, would prefer genuine footnotes to the hard-to-decipher endnotes found here. Lukacs writes with incisiveness and wit. The volume includes an interesting bibliographical essay of some interest.

Tells the story of the background of the two men. A very interesting and very informative book. Was not expecting much when I got it, but it turned into a fascinating and well-written history lesson.

I had the pleasure of reading the short, succinct, well-written history, 5-Days in London, by Lukacs, just last week. Great book, but lacked some "context" of what was going on around the main characters at the time. Even though I am a history buff. Fortunately, Lukacs previously wrote The Duel, which gives an idea of the interplay of that year between Hitler & Churchill. Lukacs really puts you right into the minds of these two individuals, in that year & earlier, and is extraordinarily successful in making you understand what "set of facts" each had before him, what "set of principles" each operated with, to make decisions in a stressful time. Read this.

I was surprised to find out that Ms. Christie herself had a mystery surrounding her disappearance in 1926, so I was interested to find this book. But I would have called it, "The Agatha and the Ecstasy."

The queen of mystery biggest mystery was her own. It was incredible to me to find out that Agetha had a mystery of her own that she could not solve. Doctor Owens approach to solving Agetha's mystery was fascinating and a real page turner. It was the most uniqe books I've ever read. Using Agetha history and passages from her books to coherently solve a previously unsolved mystery was a stroke of brillance. Dr. Owens takes us on an intelletual ride that keeps you interested from the first to the last page. The solution was so satisfing that I felt 100% confident that the ultiment mystery was finally solved. YOU WILL HAVE TO READ IT FOR YOURSELF TO BE LET IN ON THE SECRET! The solution and writting is something that Augetha would be proud to have authored herself 5 STARS!

The Lost Days is not an easy read, but if you are interested in solving the mysteries of the human mind and the mystery of Agatha Christie's disappearance in 1926, The Lost Days is a very satisfying experience. Author Owens, a therapist, has done a very interesting thing, she has taken Agatha on as a client and the therapy session solves a seventy-year-old mystery as no one else ever has including the great Queen of Mysteries, Agatha herself.

Medicine Wheel Ceramonies is a great introduction to the ancient Medicine Wheel Circle. The authors have done their homework here, and I was able to set up and execute my own circle very quickly while maintaining an understanding and appreciation for the traditional Medicine Circle. I immediatly felt the effects of this powerful medium. I use it weekly, and have expanded it to include family members. It is truly good medicine. The energy that that one can use for good is really powerful, and I recommend it to all those who wish to bring good medicine to their own lives, and this world in general.

This is a book about the magickal use of the Medicine Wheel, or Circle Magick as it's sometimes called. It is centered not only on the common type of Medicine Wheel--the one we make and hang up--but also on creating a ceremonial space using a medicine wheel circle. In addition to the clear and easy-to-follow information, the authors have included a packet of Medicine Wheel cards with every book. It's a must-have for every magickal library

A fantastic book which contains the maximum data which a reader would like to have in a book like this.

It was very good. I enjoyed this book very much. Please write another one the same as this one. Please put foward my appreciation to the author who has done such a marvellous job at depicting the character of the Taurean. I am soo happy. You have made my day!!

Read it. Explore these words and you will see that in all your life she can set you free. also...I have had a quote in my head for some time...can anyone tell me if May Sarton wrote this?... ...she became for me an island of light, fun and wisdom, where I could run with my discoveries, torments and hopes and always find welcome...

If you like anything and everything about Ireland, this book is an excellant addition to your collection. In the tradition of "Day in the Life of ...." books, this book is is a beautiful photographic montage of a culture and a people that has fascinated the world for centuries. You open the book to dawn of May 17, 1991 and enter the daily world of the lives of rural and city people throughout Ireland. Of parents getting ready for the workday, trying to get their kids off to school and the day off to a good start. The book travels through the day from dawn to dusk, unfolding the world of the Irish people and showing the Universal common thread of people around the world trying to live their lives and do an honest day's work. This book is a beautiful montage of color, humor and life and makes a excellant addition to the "Day in the Life..." books that been published in the past decade. Also a side note: The same time the publishers were organizing and executing the book, they also documented the work with a filmed documentary of the "Day in the Life of Ireland" for PBS. If you find a copy of this video, it will make a great companion to the book. You will take a great voyage as you journey through the book. Bon Voyage and Slainte!

I have searched and searched for the just the right books for my kindergartner. This series of books have been perfect. This book has a very good story, which has been hard to find in beginning reader books. It also has a reward for reading the book, evey time you read it you put a gold star (which are provided with the book) on the inside front cover. This has been a great incentive for my son to read the book and read it again. The words are just on the level of a beginning reader but it also has a very good story.

I read this book while I was getting my undergraduate degree for a class. It gave me an entirely new perspective on social workers. I discovered 50 jobs that I could have as a social worker. Most people think that being a social worker means removing children from their homes all day long. This book illustrates other jobs that social workers can do that I had never thought about. This book inspired me to get my MSW because so many of the social workers in the book have their MSW. Days in the Lives of Social Workers is great for anyone who is considering making social work their profession.

I read this book and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I received this book for Christmas and read it cover to cover by the next day. It gives the reader a large variety of social work careers, beyond the stereotypical case worker. It is incredibly well written and easy to read. A must for anyone thinking of pursuing a social work career!!!