If, like me, you've been meaning to read The Raj Quartet, but have been daunted by it's gargantuan bulk, this shorter sequel offers an ideal entree to Paul Scott's Anglo-Indian world. Here he takes what I understand are two very minor characters from the quartet, Colonel Tusker Smalley and his long-suffering wife Lucy, and makes their story the centerpiece of a sweetly elegiac comic novel.

The year is 1972 and the Smalleys have stayed on in Pankot, India even after Independence in 1947, less out of love of the country or it's people, than out of financial need and sheer spite on Tusker's part. Where the upper class Brits were able to just scamper home, the Smalleys represent the folk of the middle class, who felt that they had invested something in the colony and now deserved to get something out of it. As he explains to Lucy:

I know for years you've thought I was a damn' fool to have stayed on, but I was forty-six when Independence came, which is bloody early in life for a man to retire but too old to start afresh somewhere you don't know. I didn't fancy my chances back home, at that age, and I knew the pension would go further in India than in England. I still think we were right to stay on, though I don't think of it any longer as staying on , but just as hanging on, which people of our age and upbringing and limited talents, people who have never been really poor but never had any real money, never inherited money, never made real money, have to do, wherever they happen to be, when they can't work anymore. I'm happier hanging on in India, not for India as India but because I just can't merely think of it as a place where I drew my pay for 25 years of my working life, which is a hell of a long time anyway, though by rights it should have been longer.

But now, with Tusker's health in decline, Lucy has increasing concerns about her own future. As is, they have led a pretty precarious existence for the past 15 years, having been reduced to living in a hotel, the new owner of which is a ghastly Indian woman, who married the manager, Mr. Bhoolabhoy, one of Tusker's few remaining friends. The author etches a finely detailed portrait of his characters and in particular of the difficult marriage of the Smalleys. Tusker is an irascible curmudgeon straight out of an old British barracks. Lucy has been disappointed that their relationship did not fulfill her romantic ideals. These strains are exacerbated by the daily indignities they must now suffer as the last seedy remnants of the departed British Empire, looked down upon by the very natives they once lorded it over. In the final scenes of the novel, two letters are written which will change these peoples' lives, for better and for worse.

This is a very funny and ultimately a deeply moving story. The Smalleys are a couple the reader won't soon forget. I liked it so much, I think I may finally heft that colossal Quartet off of the shelf and give it a go.

GRADE: A-

I would not rank this lovely novel with the Raj Quartet in power or scope, but it is certainly a delightful read. It is tragi-comic... comic in the characters Scott presents to us; tragic (or at least sad) in its portrayal of a marriage coming to its natural end.

Out of all his novels, including those set in India, this is his greatest work. Funny, wonderfully written, and sometimes disturbing, this novel is truly brilliant.

From Abbott, Bud---longtime screen comic---to Zanuck, Darryl---famed film producer and writer--here are reports on what the famous and infamous did in the service. Written interestingly, succicently, to-the-point no padding briefs of 500+ people you have heard of and admired. This IS a book that's hard to put down, hard to stop reading until you've checked every entry. Enjoy! (You WILL!)

Scott did a very good job bringing out the Americans whom we would normally not know anywhere else. The characters, history and places kept me on this one. A fun and interesting book I am glad to share.

Mr Baron presents facts on hundreds of famous Americans in a fast paced and enjoyable manner. He puts each veterans service within a historical context, and the pictures alone are worth the price of admission.

If there is a criticism, it is that the book goes too fast. Lets hope that there is a volume two. A really fun and educational look at the military life of celebrities.

"Thin air" is one of the greatest books I every read. It's full of compelling, offbeat tales about alpine style climbing of Himalayan Mountains. Greg Child is an amazing writer and an even more amazing climber. K2 and Board Peak alpine style, bagging unclimbed routes, tents on fire; all make for interesting stories way up high. I recommend this book to anyone but especially climbers.

This is a superb set of essays which describes the transfiguration of a gifted technical rock climber into a high- altitude mountaineer. In addition, it is a well-written, absorbing chronicle of high adventure in one of the most spectacular regions on earth (replete with dozens of stunning photographs).

For me, the chapters on Broad Peak in the Karakoram were the highlight of this collection . Child describes the geography, people and culture of Pakistan as well as the logistics of the expedition with such clarity and force that it is not hard to begin imagining you are there with him before too long.

But it is his deep respect for all the people he encounters and climbs with that makes this narrative so rich and special. In this regard readers will be moved indeed when Child looses his friend and climbing partner Peter Thexton to pulmonary edema after turning back from the summit on Broad Peak (without getting quite to the top). This tragedy is related with such pathos and power. And it makes Child reconsider the entire enterprise to which he has devoted his life, a process that one rarely reads about in the writings of high altitude mountaineers who so often maintain a stoic attitude reflexively. One's life, Child ultimately decides, takes precedence over the conquest of 8,000 meter peaks; no matter how compelling and significant such a goal may seem.

One of the best books I have ever read or given to family/friends (I have bought 10+ copies since it was first published...too bad the original hard copy version is no longer available...mine is now in rough shape). My favorite climbing book of all time. Inspired. Be humbled with Child, then grab your gear... After this read, 'Deborah & Mountain of my Fear'.

Since buying this book, I've tried to run a new trail each weekend. I've only been trail running for a couple of years and have found this book extremely helpful (and funny) in finding new trails to run without getting in over my head. This book makes it easy to find nearby trails pretty quickly and find the ones that are right for your abilities. It really helps to keep your running fun and to let you set some new goals "off the beaten path." Definitely buy this book if you live in Colorado or are planning to visit and want to experience some great parts of our state.

I recently started trail running within the last year, and found this book to be very insightful, easy and entertaining to read. The format is straightforward, and they offer a witty "Norm"al guy view of all the trails. This is helpful for me because I probably can't handle (yet) some of the runs shown. Trails are rated from easy to extremely difficult (the "Norm"al guy didn't run those). I would suggest this book for ANYBODY who enjoys running - trails or not!

Great book with great information. As a novice trail-runner, this book removed a lot of the "unknowns" of the trail-running experience for me. But it's also easy to see that the Trail Runner's Guide has a complete package of information for the experienced trail-runner. The authors have done a superlative job of compiling and editing the most useful and applicable information for all skill levels. The diversity and cross-section of trails covered is also fantastic. Excellent work.

This is a great bed-time story book for young kids. Scott Pruett was a great race car driver. Based on this book, he has a bright future as an author of children's books.

This is a great bed-time story book for young kids. Scott Pruett was a great race car driver. Based on this book, he has a bright future as an author of children's books.

This is an excellent book with great illustrations along with the words. This book is cute and somewhat educational for the toddler/pre-school age kids. It is fun to read and especially fun to bring out after a day at Portland International Raceway for the GI Joe 200.

This is the best American Civil War audio tape on the market. George C. Scott narrates, also each character that reads their historical lines have that states or countries accent. Additionally, they read their lines with passion and feeling.
This starts out with the many reasons for the war, and quotes many events and details of importance.
The Audio tape, has neither a "We were right, and they were wrong" approach, or a Northern or Southern view.
It is unbiased history.
If someone wanted to learn about the American Civil War, and had little knowledge, or were very knowledgeable, they will greatly enjoy this Audio book.

I listened to the tapes with such intensity, that I was actually looking forward to the commute. This is the true history that should be taught in the schools not the fiction that is being fed to the children of today. I will be listening to the tape series again for the second time. It is a must even if you think you know the ACW.

Ah, just listening to ol' George narrating this gives one the testosterone chills but let's not forget the excellent use of speeches to make the Civil War points stand out and focus us on the feeling and passion of the times. What a trove of information with well-paced events and downright eerie coincidences. Did you know Robert E. Lee was the officer in charge of the company of troops that arrested John Brown's raiders? Good stuff like that throughout. I want to pick up the series of these now. I'll let ya'll know what I hear!

A delightful literary contribution which allows the reader to almost touch, smell and sense the ambience of the changing seasons in Upper Michigan. The pictures capture the beauty of the land and reveal why the author wants to share her infatuation and enthusiasm for the land and its content.

as usual, Ken Scott's photography says more than can be imagined. The text is right on how it captures what we do on vacation. An amazing memory book for anyone that vacations up north or just has an affinity for the area.

This book makes me want to jump in the car and drive up north to beautiful Michigan! My 2 year old daughter is mesmerized by the playful text and creative photographs. Not only is this book entertaining for my daughter, but it also is a beautiful 'coffee table' book for adults. If you have a link to northern Michigan or are just curious about exploring that part of the country - this book is a 'must-have' - - simply excellent!

I read this book this afternoon from cover to cover, without stopping. I found it to be well-written, with creative characters, a great pace and a fantastic adventure. Once you read this book, you find yourself trying to picture Utten in your mind, trying to pin down exactly what an Utten is. I know that if I did indeed meet him, I would accept the offer to poke him, just to be sure.

I look forward to the day when my boys are old enough to enjoy this story as much as I did. I look forward to joining Utten and his friends on more adventures, wherever they take him.

What an exciting debut from a promising new author of adolescent literature! I am an elementary school teacher, but I felt like a 12 year old again with the way this book sucked me in and dropped me off at the end. Utten and his clan of endearing characters pull you into their adventures and put the reader in a world of excitement, suspense and reflection.

This will be a fantastic read aloud for a class of 5th-8th graders. The story offers opportunities for group discussion of character decisions, as well as motivating platforms for extending the characters' adventures through creative response activities. The author uses his mastery of storytelling to completely wrap the reader up in the book. Teachers in grades 5-12 using literature as a model for writing will greatly benefit from honing in on many passages from this book when representing and discussing author technique - i.e. - creating a picture in the readers' minds, creating suspense, building characters through their actions...

As a teacher I loved this book, but even more so as a reader. I am hooked, and eagerly awaiting the chance to read Utten's adventures with Charlie in "Utten and Charlie." I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun summer read (for themselves or an adolescent friend) or for a new option as a classroom read aloud in the fall!

I read Utten and Plumley aloud to my nephews while they were visting. Their exitement was contagious! After the read, they were seeing "Uttens " everywhere. After I field- tested it at home, I'll be reading it aloud to my third grade class in September. I'll post again with their comments as I know teachers are always looking for engaging read alouds. A great adventure!

I have had the pleasure of having Mr. Hightower as a teacher. Although sometimes he could be a bit much in class, I learned a lot from him. He writes from what he knows. He is not pretenious. He made us all feel as though our writing meant something. He pushed us to reach our best, and that his what he finds in himself, the best.

Why did it take so long? Scott Hightower has been writing great poetry for a while now, but only recently has it found it's way into a volume. Tin Can Tourist is an amazing collection of beautiful poems. It's a cornucopia of imagery language and place. Each page and poem is a treat, I have returned to this book time and time again. It only gets better folks. If you like J. D. McClatchy, Mark Doty, Marie Ponsot, or Richard Howard you'll love this book. Heck, if you like words you'll love this book. It's a joy and a permanent fixture on reading list.

Here is a wonderful first book that employs the markers that have come to stand, in Texas, in Rome, for permanence, from fence to forum--the legal lattice-work of land ownership, graves, burial mounds--in a brilliant meditation on transience that displaces all of these things. As you read this book, the title begins to shimmer, pointing to our own passing, the temporary shelter we have taken here on earth, as tourists in time.

Scott Anderson gives a very accurate depiction of the rewards and hardships of air force pilot training. It's written in third person but clearly is autobiographical. It spans from his being a civilian to earning his wings and becoming an F-16 pilot. It's very enjoyable and a must-read for anyone considering a career in military aviation. Tragically, Capt. Anderson was killed last year in a plane crash.

Unknown Rider is the greatest book I have ever read. I have read it four times and still enjoy it. I would recommend it to anyone who is eager about aeroplanes. Scott Anderson is a great writer and really captures the life of a fighter pilot and makes you feel as if you are there. At 12, this book will stay with me for life.

The book provides an insider's view into the world of the military jet fighter pilot but it isn't just a bunch of technical jargon. The author has a great ability to convey the sense of adventure and wonder involved with becoming a jet pilot. This is a great read for flying buffs and anyone who wants to stay on the ground but learn what its like to soar through the clouds. The author's book "Distant Fires" offers adventure of another kind tracing a canoe trip from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay -- replete with humerous observations on life in general. I recommend it as well.