On-the-print

You can tell that the author is also a poet because this book is very, very perfumy. Very, very detailed. A whole chapter almost on the trails that a sea gull makes. Beautifully written but very little context. Should have instead been made into a 5 page short story. Would love to meet this person and be friends with her though. She would make a great next door neighbor it seems! :) If you like Barbara Kingsolver style writing you will probably love this book but if you prefer the Memoir style writing of Joan Anderson of A Year by the Sea (also taking place on Cape Cod) this isn't the book for you.

This is one of the best books I have read in a while. I have been on a nonfiction kick for a few months. As a college student I don't often have much time to devote to "reading for pleasure" but since I'm on vacation I've had a little time. Reading this book in February brought me right back to June and July. It's descriptions were wonderful and reminded me why I love the beach. The author's reflections on her relationships seem to echo my own feelings that I can't express. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the beach and enjoys being there by themself or with a loved one!

This book is destined to become a classic not only in the rich field of Cape Cod writing but in nature and memoir in general. Huntington's prose is simple and pure, evoking not only the outer landscape, but the inner landscape of a woman's mind. What a pleasure it is to be in a mind so generous, open, and curious about the world! This is a book I will read over and over.

I enjoyed this book very much. It has much the same feel as Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood, though perhaps a bit less depressing. It doesn't bore the reader with cliche situations, but rather speaks to anyone who has dealt with family problems. I would recommmend this book to anyone that enjoys the type of drama that is based almost entirely on deep character interactions instead of plot twists.

France, a 30-something divorced woman, gets a call from her father, North, saying that her mother, Grendy, has disappeared. Although North seems unconcerned--Grendy has left a note, and North expects that she'll be back eventually--France decides that she needs to find her mother, and so she travels down to Florida to do so. Gerdy had been performing a water show with a small group of other older "mermaids" who have revived their girlhood careers. France is drawn to these women, certain that the answers to her mother's disappearance lie underwater. During her search, France is faced with the care of Theo, the 6-year old son of her deceased sister who appears to have major behavioral problems. In addition, she finds herself confronting the past, including her father's transgressions, her sister's untimely death, and her own mistakes, including an unhappy marriage.

This is an interesting story filled with quirky characters. Some, like France's long-time boyfriend, Bruno, make only brief appearances, whereas others, such as the mermaids, are more fully developed. At times, the relationships amongst the characters are a bit muddled--for example, France seems to be annoyed with Bruno most of the time, yet she frequently mentions how happy he makes her, which is not clearly reflected in the storyline. Overall, however, this book is a quick read that's both unique and enjoyable.

This book was so refreshing! I initially bought it because I have always had a fascination with the "mermaid city" my mom has always told me stories of that she used to visit as a child in Florida. I even decorated my room as a child from her vintage postcards from Weeki Wachi Springs, FL (I am assuming this novel is based on this place). I adored reading this book. The characters are so fun and you really get to know them, you want to be their friend, you want to be a "merhag". This is a perfect read for your day at the pool or on your next beach vacation! I can't wait for her next novel!

This was a good, fast-paced Scudder novel, but not much of an ending.

"Out on the Cutting Edge" follows the two best novels in the Matthew Scudder series, "8 Million Ways to Die" and "When the Sacred Ginmill Closes." It is also the first novel in which Scudder conducts a case (in this instance two cases) while not in an alcoholic stupor. We catch up with Scudder a few years after he joined AA. He has a sponser and has managed to recover control of his life. His day to day existence, meanwhile, hasn't changed much. He still lives in a residential hotel and still conducts cases off the books as "favors" for friends.

The two cases are interesting. One is for pay; a family wants to know the whereabouts of their missing daughter. One is personal; an AA companion apparently commits suicide just before he is ready to confess his sins to Scudder. Both take Scuder in some unlikely directions and the payoff is typically messy. Meanwhile, author Lawrence Block introduces one his most interesting side characters to the series, the Irish gangster Mickey Ballou. Overall, this is a solid Scudder novel that is not quite on par with the best of the series. But any Scudder novel makes for excellent reading.

Once again Lawrence Block has managed to blow me away with another fantastic Matt Scudder book. This one is about a guy who is looking for his daughter, who went off to New York to try and find fame. He hires Scudder to find his missing daughter, but the only problem is, there arent many leads. He searches and goes through all the motions and has stumbling blocks in his way, but manages to get around them. I wont tell you the rest, because I dont want to ruin the book for you, but I will just say this. THE ENDING WILL SHOCK YOU!!!!!

"On the Road With the Archangel: A Novel" by Frederick Buechner is a small book; yet it contains a HUGE message...God is bigger, greater, deeper, more incomprehensible and loving than we can ever even begin to imagine. The mortal characters of the story are eloquent representations of misconceptions of God that a lot of us share with them:

Some of us are like Sarah and her Father--we have a hard time trusting the God who, though ever present, sometimes seems quite hidden.

Some of us are a lot like Tobit--God is, for us, an all-too-ever-present scorekeeper who likes to stick his nose into all our actions and motivations in order to cast judgment upon us.

A lot of us are like Tobias--We simply ignore God in the midst of our busyness. The greatness of "On the Road With the Archangel" is that it acknowledges just how prevalent these human misperceptions are; and then moves on to a truer picture of God.

The story is told by the Archangel Raphael. Raphael gets involved in the lives of the human characters in order to answer a couple of their prayers. Raphael finds great humor in the humanity's misconceptions of God. A he narrates the story, he contrasts the mortals misperceptions of God with his experience of being in God's presence. In end, "On the Road With the Archangel" teaches us the same lesson that Tobit learns. We must come to the point (as Tobit finally does after his blinding and the events that follow it) where we stop relying on what we think of as our vision in order to truly see

This retelling of the apocryphal story of Tobit is both humorous and touching. Reading it is like a going to a spiritual optometrist. It helps us to see just how skewed our own vision of God is.

I give "On the Road With the Archangel" my full recommendation.

...and Frederick Buechner does the job gracefully and with a gentle humor worthy of some of our most revered writers (Mark Twain comes to mind, for one). Buechner's story is based on the apocryphal Book of Tobit, and tells the tale of two families brought together -- by fate or by subtle miracles, you be the judge.

A Presbyterian minister and the author of many works of fiction and non-fiction as well, Beuchner's style flows effortlessly along. Where others -- particularly those of a ministerial vocation -- might be rempted to let their narrative become 'preachy', Beuchner never makes that mistake. After reading just this one book, I get the strong impression that it would not be in his nature to allow that to happen.

The story is told from the perspective of the Archangel Raphael, who comes to earth and assumes human form -- not wishing to reveal his true identity -- in order to accompany young Tobias, son of Tobit, on a journey from Niniveh to Media and back again. He is being sent there by his father to retrieve a treasure left in the care of a former associate -- a treasure that will hopefully support Tobias and his mother for the rest of their lives. Tobit is blind and, weary of feeling useless to his family, has prayed to God that he might die soon.

In Media lives another family, considerably more well-off than that of Tobit. The one child of the family, a daughter, Sarah, has entered into a regretful contract with a demon to discourage any suitors that may approach her -- she loves her father Raguel dearly, and dreads being parted from him. Unfortunately, the demon falls in love with her, and his 'discouragement' takes the form of killing any man she marries on their wedding night. After seven such deaths, her reputation -- and that of her family -- has begun to suffer a bit, to say the least.

Buechner's novel brings these two threads together into a rich tapestry -- his characters are fleshed out perfectly, each with their own strengths, weaknesses and often humorous foibles. The wry observations of Raphael -- along with his kind and loving nature -- add immeasurably to the enjoyment of this book. Also, the author's characterization of the love of God -- voiced through Raphael's comments as well as throughout the meat of the story itself -- is one that should appeal to all but the most rigid fundamentalists in the Judeo-Christian world.

This is a book that made me feel good -- and it also caused me to reflect on my own beliefs. It's a beautiful story, well-told -- by no means a piece of fluff. This is an artful creation that speaks to the way we live our lives, the way we interact with and treat our fellow human beings. It's an uplifting and enlightening experience.

"On the Road With the Archangel", is in my opinion, one of Frederick Buechners best books. It is based on the Book of Tobit, which in the Catholic Bible is one of the deuterocanonicals and to the Protestants is one of the apocryphal books. Though Buechner is not Catholic, he treats the Book of Tobit with a reverence that is greatly appreciated, and he shows for Protestants that even though they do not recognize these books, that valuable lessons can be learned from them. Frederick Buechner, like he did with the "Son of Laughter", fleshes out the characters like only he can do. After a few minutes one can already begin to relate to the characters, and as with every good book, when it is over, you'll feel as if a good, close friend has moved away. Not only has Buechner transformed the Book of Tobit into an easy to read storyline, he takes us to an ancient time and has us instantly recognize the problems the characters face as problems we encounter as well. Not satisfied with just a simple story, Buechner takes us into a soul-searching journey along with Tobias (the main character) and forces us to analyze our own relationship with God. Do we realize our relationship with God in the proper light, do we recognize His love for us and how He views His creation in a proper light? I think Buechner does an excellent job of shining a light on the answers to these questions.

Definitely a great book to sit down with and enjoy. I would recommend it to any Christian.

This book is certainly the best of Alistair Maclean. It has all the crucial elements of a detective-thriller. The added bonus is the occasional sarcastic remarks by Paul Sherman which makes one laugh all over. From the very first it grips the reader and keeps churning out unexpected twists in the plot,the main element being Maclean's trademark:- Suspense. It keeps the reader rivetted upto the last page and the action never dies even when the suspense has been revealed. The only drawback in the book is the almost total invincibility of the main character,Paul Sherman. He seems to anticipate and get out of every dicey situation. Barring this,this book is recommended for all Maclean's fans.

Alistair MacLean is amazing.......
i am hooked to his novels and really dont mind reading them again and again........
Well this one too takes you on a roller coaster ride and my! isnt the end good enough to curl your toes?
I highly recommed this thriller and all novels by MacLean....

This was not the first book of Maclean's that I read, but it was by far the best. This is the best of his keep-you-on-your toes writing. From the very beginning I was drawn in and lost througout the entire book on who the good guys were. This is one of the few books that I was glad to be totally in the dark. It just made the entire experience more enthralling. A short, but powerful book!

This book's a Gold Rush - Rush out to Read it! Soul Prints - What a treasure chest of stories and teaching and guidance! My husband and I are both voraciously reading it - fighting over who gets to read it when! Gafni is one of those alchemist authors who knows how to turn the written word into gold. Every page sparkles-whether it be through spell binding stories, transformative "soul print practices", or deep mystical insights. Gafni draws from what seems to be a fathomless reservoir of wisdom, and knowledge of the mystical mechanics of the world. And yet, he expresses these depths and mysteries in the most accessible of ways. Making the complex, quite simple. Likewise he can take the most common of ideas and cast it in a new light. Making the seemingly simple, quite complex. For instance, he returns us to the beauty of the most basic of Biblical texts, taking Biblical stories we have heard a dozen times and revealing in them insights we never would have imagined-insights that can revolutionize the way that we live in the world. This book is the perfect read for the mystical initiate, or for the business man, for a person searching, or for a person who has found, yet wants deepening. This alchemist author helps us bcome alchemist readers - able to turn our most common characteristics into Soul Prints of gold. Eureka!!!

I was lucky enough to get an early copy of this book and it has truly changed my life. Marc Gafni's philosophy of SOUL PRINTS has helped me make a fundemental shift in the way I live my life. I've read many 'self help' books before and this is the one that has had the most profound impact on my personal life and philosophy. I'm very grateful to Marc Gafni.

A beautiful, moving work! Every page containes deep heart and wisdom. The beautiful soul who wrote it brings out the beautiful soul of the person who reads it. I have shared it with my friends and family. Our lives have been enriched. One friend even started a special "SoulPrints" study group for disabled young adults who struggle to share and cherish their soulprints. With all the world's strugglings, this is a book to be cherished.

This book (i read the norwegian translation) where full of esoteric faults. (The directions of the archangels and so on...Gabriel is traditionally said to be the ruler of the direction west, associated with the moon, NOT north + there are some astrological inaccurancies etc.)

In addition i find the overall style (if i dare say..)typical american..."Readers Digest" kind of style. There is also (still in the norwegian translation) repetition of statements and sentences, which seems to come from mistakes in printing.

Apart from that, the subject is interesting, and some of the stories are moving.

There are other books on the topic which are more precise and better, depending on what kind of read you really want. I recommend two books coming to mind; (english holistic teacher) William Bloom`s "Working with angels, fairies and nature spirits" and also the bulgarian mystic Aivanhov`s "Angels and other mysteries from the tree of life". Bloom`s book details into great practicalities about meeting/sensing fairies, your guardian angel and other subliminal beings. Really nice! Aivanhovs book is more of a detailed study of angels and their orders from a mystical cabbalistic/christian tradition.

Burnhams, and most other books on angels, easily get somewhat "dualistic" in style. "Powers of good" and "dark powers"..this might be exciting or depressing , depending on the reader. But such qualities are only true on an relative level. In "the Absolute" there is no good or evil, everything just is....
So if you are "longing for great insights and the truth", i recommend you check the subject of non-duality.

A BOOK OF ANGELS is my favorite source of information on the subject of angels, because it contains the most dazzling array of myths and stories about angels one could ever hope to find in one book. I am equally delighted with its thrilling personal accounts of the way human poets, mystics and saints (such as Blake, Dante, Dostoyevski, Goethe, Milton, Poe, Rilke, Shakespeare and Swedenborg) have interacted with angels throughout history. Beautiful illustrations and quotes appear on almost every page, such as this lovely one from Saint Augustine, "Every visible thing in this world is put in the charge of an angel."

Author Sophy Burnham did not grow up believing in angels or miracles, yet when she was a young adult, she watched an angel save her life. "I saw him the way you see the words on this page: the colors, the magnificent leap of my heart on seeing him -- HOME! cried my soul as he scooped me out of the path of death."

Whether you talk to angels every day, or wonder whether it's possible that they could exist, A BOOK OF ANGELS is certain to become your favorite book for exploring the angelic realms!

I believe we have more than one epiphany in our lives, and this book was at the center of one of my greatest. I was given a burden which I believe is one of the heaviest God asks any of His children to carry, and this book helped set me on a spiritual path which ultimately saved my life and my sanity. This is not an easy or sweet look at God's messengers. It explores angels in history, in literature, in religions and throughout most cultures. I grew up in a religion which was very narrow and which didn't place emphasis on angels except as they ministered to great people. This book changed my mind and opened whole new doors and avenues for exploration. I've been on that journey of encouragement and hope for four years now, and because of it, I see traditional theology differently and MORE POSITIVELY. I believe the writing of this book was inspired and I can't thank Ms. Burnham enough for giving me this stepping stone. I've had many unexpected and beautiful experiences in the midst of a grief so profound it's at times physically painful, and this is one of the books which helped me accept those experiences and know that reality is much more than the confines of the world we see.

Yes, this book will guide you to web sites that will help you find the information you are looking for and also tell you the idiosynchrosies of the sites, but you can obtain this information by searching through the search sites on the web.

They do save you some time, especially if you are new to the web, because they have done the initial searching for you.

I can't say I've done any professional research, but this book has definitely helped me find information. This book opened my eyes to all the possibilities available in research. It talks of different types of libraries to use, how to use "experts", and talks a bit about "information brokers" (not always called that). There is also some internet links that you might find useful. I figure this book should really have 5 out of 5 stars.

This is a must have if you've got to do research. I love the fact that the information presented is not exclusive to searching on the internet.

I recently found this audio edition of "Rumpole on Trial." I had only heard Leo Mckern read the Rumpole stories, but knew other actors had portrayed the British barrister in the past. Unfortunately, after listening to the Timothy West version for awhile, I stopped listening. Those of us who have heard Mckern do Rumpole almost exclusively may be dissapointed with West's version. Mckern is much more bombastic and furious with his Rumpole. West's comedy is much more subtle to the point of non-existance. Where during an objection about a point of law, Mckern would have shouted with a great relish to the argument. West does not have that flair.

But Timothy West is a good reader. I would encourage those who haven't heard Leo Mckern or have not decided that they won't accept any Rumpole other than Mckern's, to give this edition a chance. Those of us who have saturated ourselves with Mckern's acting ability, it might be best to save some money.

This book, written 14 years after Rumpole od the Bailey, is every bit as entertaining. We are reintroduced to the Timson family who retain Rumpole to represent them each time one of the family is charges with a criminal activity.Ineffectual Erskine-Brown, who finds criminal law "distasteful", is accused of sexual harassment by yhe office typist and finds it hard to convince the members of Chambers that it's all caused by his sheer stupidity(and this man is a QC!)We also meet again various judges with their foibles and failings. It's a good laugh and a perfect book to pick up for a quick read when we need a laughter boost.

and, frankly, Timothy West falls just short. But considering that every drawing of Rumpole is a drawing of Mr. McKern, that he was so closely identified with the character that when he read the stories they were read "by Rumpole himself" for another reader to successfully render Rumpole was a pleasant surprise for me.

Since at least the second recording of this series uses a different actor I wonder about the quality but at least the first volume is a complete success with Mr. West's terrific reading making one (almost) forget the late "Rumpole".

This story is good, the plot moves along smoothly, but Susan Anderson has written more exciting stories. I wasn't so much disappointed as I was a little "at a loss". I kept expecting that little "zing" from the characters as the story eveolved and this story just didn't do it.

Olympic silver medallist, Sasha Miller, is the darling of the figure skating world. Even the drug scandal associated with her former partner, Lon Morrison, hasn't diluted her popularity or prevented her star from rising to fabled, glorious heights. Oh, her professional reputation has been tarnished by the whispers and innuendos, but Sasha has managed to rise above it all to embrace her childhood dream. Her provocative routines heat up the ice, and defy the conventional expectations of a figure skater: Sasha has a passion for skating, and it shows -- in every shimmy, shake and gracefully executed jump.

No one would suspect the saintly Sasha of trafficking in drugs, however. No one, that is, except Special Agent Mick Vinicor of the DEA. Someone in "Follies on Ice," the touring show Sasha is a star attraction of, is selling high grade cocaine to junkies (and killing them with the drug's potency), and it's Mick's job to find out who's doin' the selling and then bust their sorry hump. This isn't his idea of an ideal undercover operation, though. Infiltrating the namby-pamby world of figure skaters is giving him the chills, in fact, and thoroughly testing his patience. Miller has gotta be as guilty as sin, but Mick is beginning to question his own judgment.

Sure, lusting after his number one suspect is stone-cold stupid, but his gut is trying to tell him that Sasha is innocent...and the intended target of a would-be killer on the prowl.

Conflicting loyalties and misplaced trust put Sasha and Mick on the warpath (once Mick's not-so-tiny white lies are exposed for what they are). On Thin Ice has reams and reams of thick, sexual tension to entertain a reader, however, and to compensate for this frustrating failure to communicate. Susan Andersen's Avon romances are by and large lighter, fluffier fare than this dark, somewhat plodding plot of romantic suspense. Night and day style wise, there are still certain commonalities to be found in this middling-to-high octane story: mainly, the spectacular chemistry percolating between Ms. Andersen's hero and heroine.

Why, the sensuality level is pea soup thick, and steamy enough to fog melted glass! There's no questioning Mick and Sasha's compatibility as a couple, but there are a few lamentations to be uttered regarding the lack of honesty in their relationship (and the high-handed, alpha male posturing of a vulnerable hero striking out in a knee-jerk reactionary manner). I really can't deny my infatuation with Mick, however, or the appeal of his politically incorrect take-charge attitude. Sasha has plenty of spunk and spirit to combat Mick's free-roaming egotism -- or should that be despotism? -- at any rate. Strain will test the strength of her emotional reserves, however, and create an illusion of fragility, further inciting Mick's protective instincts.

On Thin Ice has a thinly stretched suspense subplot that will easily crack under pressure, though, so it's best not to test or tamper with Ms. Andersen's premise. Nimble pacing of the storyline, spectacular sexual sparks, and complex, likeable characterizations make this novel a showstopper, if not an out and out heart stopper.

Reviewed by C.L. Jeffries

I loved this book! I think it is a re-release. This one is on my keeper shelf.

I love the fact that she makes him grovel, and that when he does something wrong that she calls him on it.

The killer was pretty obvious, it had an o.k. storyline. I loved the chemistry between the main 2. Definately a romance, if you like this book, I highly recommend Obsessed and Shadow Dance. They were great. Also, you would probably like Helen Myers and Lisa Jackson books. Also Erica Spindler is really good. And always, Nora Roberts and Mariah Stewart!

If you want more mystery and less romance, I would try Robin Burcell, and Iris Johanson.