On-the-tape

If Wilbur Smith had been a painter, he would have been Michaelangelo rather than Monet. He is incapable of doing anything that is muted, but writes in bold dashing narrative about one of his favorite subjects the Courtney clan of South Africa and the peoples of the region as well.

I have lost count of the number of novels he has written, but I could go check because I have them all. I think his best writing has been about the Courtneys and he has done it in a most interesting way in that the latest three books about them, Birds of Prey, Monsoon and Blue Horizons are about the origins of the clan. These have been written long after he has written about the progeny of the Courtneys in numerous books whech describe their exploits to the present time.

Others have told the story line of this book in the reviews that appear here and my recounting it once again will not add or detract from your decision to obtain the book. What I will say is that reading a Wilbur Smith novel is the closest thing to reliving the history of the times as you are likely to find. He mixes all of the elements, action, intrigue, and passion into a delectable concoction and delivers it with the master's touch.

For anyone who enjoyed Monsoon, this is a perfect sequel and a magnificent novel. It doesn't start out quite as a "sequel", focusing on Jim Courtney; though his father Tom, Dorian, Sarah and Jasmina are in the book, as well as Dorian's son, Mansur. Jim instantly falls in love, as Smith's characters so often do, and risks life and fortune to rescue a pretty girl from a convict ship. Forced to flee north with her into the African wilderness, his saga is fascinating, though it does plod at times.

Smith really brings Africa to life in his novels. He's featured the tiny busmen in previous books, and in this one we meet Bakkat, an incredibly appealing character. The almost superhuman bushcraft and joyous existence of these diminutive people really add to the appeal of this book, and give us more of the kind of insights into African history and tribal variations which Wilbur Smith always delivers.

His family help Jim and his new lover "escape" justice, however, and when this is discovered they are themselves forced to flee north up the East Coast of Africa, where they hope to establish a fort and new life at Nativity Bay, a desolate place fans of Smith will remember. They also hope to meet Jim there eventually.

The Dutch have meanwhile sent a small party of vicious soldiers to chase Jim, and they have their own bushman, who is a mortal enemy of Bakkat.

The Courtneys do reunite with Jim and Louisa (the girl he escaped with), and they also meet some Arabs who claim that the Caliph of Oman has been temporarily overthrown, and that the desert tribes are searching for al-Salil (Dorian) to lead them in their fight against the brutal tyrant who killed Dorian's adoptive father.

At this point the story simply explodes with adventure, multiple plots, tragedy, vengeance, violence, passion, and unstoppable excitement, involving all of the Courtneys. Monsoon gave us the unforgettable reunion of love between Tom and Dorian. This one gives us some reunions of hatred and revenge. I read this 620 page novel in two days. I couldn't put it down.

As fond as I was of Taita and River God; I was a bit disappointed back in 2001 to see Warlock on the shelves (though it was a tremendous novel). Ever since the end of Monsoon I've been lusting to read more about that saga. This book delivers everything I could have asked for in a novel and in a sequel. I can't recommend it highly enough. Monsoon is one of my five favorite novels of my life. This one is just as good.

Superb book! Truly worthy of being part of the latest installements of the Courtney Series. The ealier Smith books, though good, dont really measure up to his latest books like River God, Seventh Scroll, Birds of Prey, Monsoon, Warlock etc. Blue Horizon fortunately belongs to the latter, and it does not dissapoint. The only problem that I found were the minor plot holes and the discontinuity from the previous installment (the overall story is carried on nicely from Monsoon, but some details were inaccurate in the book. Yasmini's mother for example is said to have died when she gave birth to Yasmini, though in Monsoon she was still alive when Yasmini was a 12 year old.)
These are minor mistakes however, as Wilbur Smith's genius is not in creating a literary novel but in providing his readers with some old fashioned entertainment, something that no other author does better. Like Birds of Prey and Monsoon, the action set peices are truly grand, with tribal battles, elephant (and other animals) hunts, ship battles, duels to the death, desert warfare and many more. But the highlight of the book was I found, in the climax. Though all his books have a strong climax, Smith had created a truly mind blowing finale in this book, outdoing even the River God climax (which was grander and more awe-inspiring, but not as rousing). Only perhaps the running of the Red Road in Warlock can match the Blue Horizon climax for sheer energy.
Readers looking for great literature however can continue their search for that is not these books provide. But readers looking for one of the best adventure yarns (if not the best) will not be dissapointed at all.

I bought my copy of Tom Hegg's poem in 1992 after reading Tom's story in Guidepost Magazine (Dec. 92 Issue). The bookstore had to order it for me. I was just delighted with the simple beauty of a lovely great-aunt and the narrator's reluctance to visit. A charming poem to be read each Christmas. I put it on my coffee table from Thanksgiving to New Years then I put it away and enjoy it all over again next year. This little poem tells a powerful story - and all of it spells "love." It's a treasure.

I fully enjoyed this book. It is a family christmas story that is read to the children every year. My mother has the tea cup that is illistrated in the book. The whole family is on a mision to find her the Tea Pot. Please contact me if anyone knows where I can find this item.We would like to make this small collection complete. Thank you.

Elegantly composed by Tom Hegg and beautifully illustrated by Warren Hanson, A Cup Of Christmas Tea is the heartwarming story of how a man's reluctant visit with his elderly aunt in quiet comfort of her home creates within him an unexpected joy and a renewal of the holiday spirit. The author was requested in 1981 by his pastor at the Westminister presbyterian Church in Minneapolis to write something for the church's 125th anniversy. Tom Hegg composed this wonderful story in just three days by drawing from the memories of Christmases he had spent with his grandparents and a great aunt. Written in verse, Hegg's story is timeless and timely -- and not to be restricted to the month of December, but enjoyed all year round as a personal and family favorite!

I don't like mysteries series that are gimmicky, and Carolyn Hart is a find: classic and classy, a bright, articulate protagonist who brings emotion as well as intellect to the table. The characters are well drawn, the mystery nicely done, and the setting beautifully drawn. I'll be reading more Carolyn Hart

This was the first Henrie O book I've read. It won't be the last. I liked Henrie O. She is a strong character who can face her fears and do what needs to be done. In this case, she needs to begin to solve the mystery of her husband's death. So it's off to Hawaii to meet one of her husband's old friends, who is also a lady and thus begins her experience.

This is not like the Carolyn Hart mystery series Death on Demand. The characters are very different and the mystery a bit more dark. Also, she doesn't put in all the references to other mystery novels as she does in her Death on Demand books.

Enjoy.

doesn't mean you are dead - or worse, boring.

Carolyn Hart's series starring Henrietta O'Dwyer "Henrie O" Collins is an excellent and worthy read. Why?

This mystery series offer great characters with believeable dialogue, nice little plot twists, a kiss of humor, and a heroine - Henry O - who is NOT a gal in her 20's or 30's, with a fast mouth, a clumsy foot always determined to trip over one corpse after another, and a love interest that somehow always seems to elude the final stage of commitment - have any of you noticed just how many mystery novels seem to have this same type of heroine?!?

It is difficult to find truly good mysteries where the main character is actually a woman who is over 50, intelligent, clever, sometimes humorous, and even a little grouchy; yet if you are a true fan of mysteries you will know exactly how terrific it is to stumble across heroines like: Henri O, an Amelia Peabody, Mrs. Jeffries, Agatha Raisin, OR a Mrs. Polifax!!

I have read all of Virginia Lanier's books (date of review 8/7/00). All five are full of excitement and suspense as well as romance and humor.

Being a dog lover myself, I was fascinated by the nuances of caring for, training, and working with bloodhounds.

I just finished her last book in the series and I will sorely miss Jo Beth and her adventures into the swamp with her magnificent dogs. I am eagerly awaiting the next one!

I first read about Virginia Lanier's books in a Jacksonville Florida Times Union Article and maybe because it was about dogs ... I was curious so I bought her first book ... Death In Bloodhound Lane ... actually I bought the second one at the same time ... Good thing because I couldn't wait to dive into House on Bloodhound Lane. I waited a whole two weeks before caving in and buying A Brace of Bloodhounds in hardcover. And now I must wait until July to read her next book. I read a lot ... but Virginia Lanier captures me on page one and doesn't let go until I reach the end ... and then I want to read more. I do not understand why she isn't way up there on the Best Seller list ... if you love dogs ... Sue Grafton .... Mary Higgins Clark ... John Grisham ... and the South, etc. ...pick one of her books up .... you'll see!

I just learned that my new favorite Author has died. I had just finished a Brace of Bloodhounds and was looking for the next installment. Mrs. Lanier died while I was reading this book. I was late in finding this great series and I will miss this character greatly. Thanks Mrs Lanier for a great series.

I loved this book. I was not sure if I would or not at the end of the first chapter. By the end of the second chapter, I was hooked. This book had everything-interesting characters that were fairly well developed (some could have been a little better developed background wise), great cooking sequences (a recipe appendix would have made this even better), an interesting myth that ran throughout and climaxed with a big surprise, good descriptions of what some Arab Americans are feeling and how some are acting-even this is diversified to some extent. The author explores the spirituality of the Islamic faith to some extent especially the personal interpretations some have. Thoughts of the characters on the specific events of 9/11 were missing, but one could pretty well get a reading to this from the characters' other comments. I must confess that I do not usually like romance in novels, but the romances in this book (the main character and her lover as well as her Uncle and her friend) were just perfectly poignant. Some slight fault in the ending for some, others will love the ending. I would highly recommend this book. It will give you some things to think about long after the last page is read and may suggest further readings. Isn't that what reading should do?

Yes, it's ultimately a love story, but it's definitely not what I'd call a "beach read" or even a weekend read. Unlike those, this book moves slowly, it winds around here and there, and that's not a bad thing. I felt like I was a regular at Um-Nadia's Cafe after awhile, smelling Sirine's luscious and lovingly-prepared Middle Eastern specialties and watching for Han to come through that door. Be ready to let loose your imagination with the mystical tale of the runaway slave that runs parallel to Han's and Sirine's story. A dynamite ending!

I wish now more than ever that Americans would really this beautiful book. It opened my eyes to a whole new way of seeing the Middle East and the way that Arabs feel about America, as well as vice versa. This is a truly important book, whether you are interested in politics or not, this is a true, human love story. I couldn't put it down.

I received the book as a present and really enjoyed reading it. I've never written about a book before, but I think this one deserves five stars. This fabulous book is packed with wonderful wisdom. The author shares a series of interesting life stories that are enjoyable and convey a deep truth about the human experience. His writing leaves you renewed and inspired, providing a new perspective about the events and people that shape our lives. The main elements are the ten Paradoxical Commandments themselves. They combine to form a positive message about life and the human spirit. This enriching message frees you to be yourself, and give the world the best you have. The Commandments are so powerful that for years they have circled the entire globe, continually passed from person to person. Now, the original author takes you on his path of discovery. I urge you to read this book; it will refresh your soul.

Kent M. Keith, has done the world a great service in writing this new book. The Paradoxical Commandments is a compendium of valuable insight relating to life. Overall the book conveys why one should adopt a philosophy of doing what is right and good and true, knowing a paradox may occur, but doing it anyway. The principles and philosophy and morals discussed provide the reader with a 10 item outline of how to achieve inner happiness even when facing bad things. Call the Paradoxical Commandments 10 reasons why one should on a personal level always choose to bring forth the best in ourselves in spite of being met by the worst from the world. All 10 of the Paradoxical Commandments are good reasons to take the high moral road on life's great journey. The book is a quick read and a guide to a short road to personal happiness. My advice is to buy this book, read it, take it to heart and pass it on to a friend.

His Commandments have shown me that I should not limit myself by what other people think of me. Some people are just difficult to love and some never give will give me the approval I may need or want. The author teaches me the joys and virtues of doing good things for the sake of doing them, without expecting myself to be advanced or bettered in any way, and doing them even when it puts me at risk of becoming vulnerable. I believe that when we allow ourselves to love than we can receive love. It is important for me to know that I have people in my life who care and want to be there for me. This book has shown me to always try and help my friends, family, or even strangers just because I want to not for any selfish reasons.

I believe I will always try and remember these commandments when I am teaching. I think that I will put them up in my classroom as encouragement for my students as well as myself. I can use some of the commandments, as classroom rules to help my students better understand what I am looking for. Dr. Kent M. Keith is a great man with a great mind. I think that I will try my best to follow these commandments just because they are cool, very realistic, right to the point, easy to read, and easy to understand. I really liked the book and I will buy the hard copy to keep in my library at home and in my classroom.

Barchester Towers is a sly, funny novel- that is not for every taste. It is a Victorian story within an ecclesiastical milieu- and yet, it could be any modern corporate, non-profit or 'faith-based' arena.

The engaging settings include mansions of the bishop, an ancient and peculiar manor and a variety of homes of archbishops, deans and rectors. The characters range from a morally questionable, lame, Italian Countess- and her child, 'the last of the Nero's', to anachronistic nobles and a cuckolded, weak-kneed Bishop. An impudent newcomer and assistant to the new Bishop spurs a rebellion of sorts- this upstart, Mr. Slope, fulfills all the qualifications for a sweaty, sneering, fox who will offend the congregation- including all of the other rectors at his first sermon.
From that point onward, as Mr. Slope's sexual drives and greed seem to collide within him, and his hold on the power in the diocese requires war; the tale has tension, comedy and ultimately romance.

There is certainly a resemblance to Jane Austen here, but Trollope does not lend himself to a feminist interpretation. His heroines are either well-meaning 'spinsters' or dutiful, yet quietly influential wives. Their villainous counterparts are overbearing, seditious or vampish- not particularly modern, definitely engrossing and fun.

"Barchester Towers" has proven to be the most popular novel Anthony Trollope ever wrote-despite the fact that most critics would rank higher his later work such as "The Last Chronicle of Barset","He Knew He Was Right" and "The Way We Live Now".While containing much satire those great novels are very powerful and disturbing, and have little of the genial good humor that pervades "Barchester Towers".Indeed after "Barchester Towers",Trollope would never write anything so funny again-as if comedy was something to be eschewed.That is too bad,because the book along with its predecessor "The Warden" are the closest a Victorian novelist ever came to approximating Jane Austen."Barchester Towers" presents many unforgettable characters caught in a storm of religious controversy,political and social power struggles and romantic and sexual imbroglios.All of this done with a light but deft hand that blends realism,idealism and some irresistible comedy.It has one of the greatest endings in all of literature-a long,elaborate party at a country manor(which transpires for about a hundred pages)where all of the plot's threads are inwoven and all of the character's intrigues come to fruition."Barchester Towers" has none of the faults common to Trollope's later works -(such as repetiveness)it is enjoyable from beginning to end.Henry James(one of our best novelists,but not one of our best critics) believed that Trollope peaked with "The Warden"and that the subsequent work showed a falling off as well as proof that Trollope was no more than a second rate Thackeray.For the last fifty years critics have been trying to undo the damage that was done to Trollope's critical reputation."Barchester Towers"proves not only to be a first rate novel but probably the most humorous Victorian novel ever written.

This is the second of the six Barsetshire novels, and the first great novel in that series. THE WARDEN, while pleasant, primarily serves as a prequel to this novel. To be honest, if Trollope had not gone on to write BARCHESTER TOWERS, there would not be any real reason to read THE WARDEN. But because it introduces us to characters and situations that are crucial to BARCHESTER TOWERS, one really ought to have read THE WARDEN before reading this novel.

Trollope presents a dilemma for most readers. On the one hand, he wrote an enormous number of very good novels. On the other hand, he wrote no masterpieces. None of Trollope's books can stand comparison with the best work of Jane Austen, Flaubert, Dickens, George Eliot, Tolstoy, or Dostoevsky. On the other hand, none of those writers wrote anywhere near as many excellent as Trollope did. He may not have been a very great writer, but he was a very good one, and perhaps the most prolific good novelist who ever lived. Conservatively assessing his output, Trollope wrote at least 20 good novels. Trollope may not have been a genius, but he did possess a genius for consistency.

So, what to read? Trollope's wrote two very good series, two other novels that could be considered minor classics, and several other first rate novels. I recommend to friends that they try the Barsetshire novels, and then, if they find themselves hooked, to go on to read the Political series of novels (sometimes called the Palliser novels, which I feel uncomfortable with, since it exaggerates the role of that family in most of the novels). The two "minor classics" are THE WAY WE LIVE NOW and HE KNEW HE WAS RIGHT. The former is a marvelous portrait of Victorian social life, and the latter is perhaps the finest study of human jealousy since Shakespeare's OTHELLO. BARSETSHIRE TOWERS is, therefore, coupled with THE WARDEN, a magnificent place, and perhaps the best place to enter Trollope's world.

There are many, many reasons to read Trollope. He probably is the great spokesperson for the Victorian Mind. Like most Victorians, he is a bit parochial, with no interest in Europe, and very little interest in the rest of the world. Despite THE AMERICAN SENATOR, he has few American's or colonials in his novels, and close to no foreigners of any type. He is politically liberal in a conservative way, and is focussed almost exclusively on the upper middle class and gentry. He writes a good deal about young men and women needing and hoping to marry, but with a far more complex approach than we find in Jane Austen. His characters are often compelling, with very human problems, subject to morally complex situations that we would not find unfamiliar. Trollope is especially good with female characters, and in his sympathy for and liking of very independent, strong females he is somewhat an exception of the Victorian stereotype.

Anyone wanting to read Trollope, and I heartily believe that anyone who loves Dickens, Austen, Eliot, Hardy, and Thackery will want to, could find no better place to start than with reading the first two books in the Barsetshire Chronicles, beginning first with the rather short THE WARDEN and then progressing to this very, very fun and enjoyable novel.

I do not often read westerns, however I thought I would give a book like Brules, touted to be more literature than genre, a try. I'm sorry I did.

Brules is too long, too wordy, and unnecessarily racist. Yes, the white men and the indians didn't love each other. We know that. But having that driven home without redemption for over 400 of the 500 pages is nauseating at best. Brules himself is mostly without redemption. There is little to love in a man who views his woman as a beautiful piece of flesh and shoots and kills people to get whatever he needs. Yes, I'm sure there were lots of cowboys like that out there, but do we really want to spend a whole 500 and some pages in the company of one?

That said, Brules is fairly well written, and Harry Combs did manage to create one character I really cared about--the young man we meet at the beginning of the book and to whom Brules tells his story, Steven Cartwright. I hear Combs wrote a whole book about him, The Legend of the Painted Horse, and perhaps I will go give that a try.

All told, Brules is probably a good read for Western readers. I think the rest of us, however, will find it a bit nauseating.

From start to finish ,just a great book, what's best is the great detail in which the story is told , very vivid , you become almost attached to the character and feel like taking the same journey that Cat Brules takes, thru a time that(sadly) had been forgotten, the magic of the old west , the indians , buffalos, wild game , and the images of a land before the migration west. the sequel was just as good it was kinda sad to see the fading of the wild west but it was still a great book the third installment though besides the part when brules finally dies really wasn't that good , to much on steven cartwirght . all in all 5 stars for the both of them , 2 and 1/2 for the third one

This novel absorbed and transported me as few others of the genre have. Cat Brules is a simple, utterly uneducated, natively ingenious man who suffers extreme hardship and personal loss but continues to wage his wars, trying to overcome both the Comanches and his own devastation, and succeeding in ways he never expected. A professional critic I am certainly not, but an avid reader of many genres - this is in my top five favorite novels of any kind - ever. Read it (but read the unabridged version) and love it.

I thought this book was very realistic and thought-provoking. It weaves an incredible story of faith, anger, love, death, and God's provision through the struggle of a young girl with lukemia. There are several parts in the book where I was crying so hard I couldn't turn the page. I think the authors did a great job of personalizing the story; and they made me feel like I was the one watching my sister die. I don't agree with the reviews that it wrapped up to neatly in the end; I think the reactions of the family members were normal. It would not be uncommon for someone to be angry at God for taking someone they love, and then realizing that God can use all situations for good. While this book is very sad, there is an important lesson to be learned within its pages.

After reading a very negative review on the book, I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading. Since Janette Oke has been a favorite author of mine for many years, I took a chance and bought the book anyway.

As the younger sibling of a Hemophiliac who spent many weeks in the hospital during my growing up years, Dana's Valley hit very close to home. I could relate to Dana's younger sister completely. Erin's mixed feelings were very real - I've been there.

If you haven't walked through the Valley of the Shadow of Death with a family member or close friend, this book may not be for you. But if you have, have a box of tissue handy!

I listened to the audiobook--the reader was fantastic--it was very hard to listen to and drive because it was so sad and I couldn't see to drive for crying. Although it was sad, it was also uplifting and spiritual. I felt sad and happy at the same time. I intend to buy several copies to give to my family. It was a real moving story. I also intend to buy more books from the author!

The whole presence of Jamaica and everything on the around the island was great. Fleming knew the place well. There are some great aspects to this book, but no matter what the handling of the villain--the fascinating Dr. No--was shoddy. His discription of Dr. No is fantastic and the character, or the little we learn of him, is one of the more intriguing villains in all of the Fleming canon. However, his early and rather laughable demise just stinks of having nothing to do with the whole setup. There was a big blank after the death of Dr. No and I was like, huh? The whole point was to dump bird crap on him and wrap up this whole complicated mission. Oh well. It's still a Fleming Bond, and I have yet to read a "bad" one. They are ALL good, but some are certainly stronger than others. This is on the weaker end but still very enjoyable.

Probably the best Fleming Bond. Takes place in, and captures the flavor of Fleming's favorite site he knew so well: Jamaica. The progression of Bond's venture to Crab Key through to the denoument (which takes up the second half of the book) is the best -- and most exciting -- sustained writing Fleming did. This sequence contains the classic moments: the introduction to Honeychild Rider, the revelation of her past, the Dragon, the bizarre "hotel" within Dr. No's complex, the dinner, the extraordinary tunnel of horrors chapter (one of Fleming's most inspired scenes), and the ignomnious end of Dr. No. This is Fleming at his full powers of (sometimes weird) imagination. Unlike other Bonds -- say Moonraker --Dr. No can be read again and again

I'm reading all the Bond books in order and I'm on Thunderball now but Doctor No is the best so far. The characters are great with Quarrel and Honey Rider. M thinks hes giving Bond a break with an easy case but its probably the toughest adventure ever for Bond. The book is unputdownable from the very start when Bond's friend Strangways is kidnapped. When Bond is on "Crab Key" the book is great with all the obstacles Bond has to go through. The dragon, Dr. No's obstacle course and the animal at the end of it and the final showdown with Doctor No and the way he dies is pretty funny. Great book my favorite so far.