Stephen, his mother, and cousin were living in London when the Germans bombed their home city of London. Stephen?s father, a physicist, had been in Los Alamos on a top-secret military base. After the German bombing raid, Stephen was sent to stay on the base with his father. At the base Stephen met a boy named Alexei, and they soon became good friends. Since Stephen had arrived at the base he felt something was going on and he took many chances to find out the truth. He narrowly escaped from an attempted kidnapping with the help of his friend Alexei. They eventually follow military trucks to a bomb testing area and experience the base?s secret first hand, an atomic bomb that the base physicists were working on. When Stephen heard that the war ended, he ran to Alexei?s house, which was off base, he accidentally finds out that Alexei and his family were spies. A chase ensues between Stephen and Alexei and his father; in the end Stephen is safe, Alexei is hit by a train and killed, and his father and associates are taken away. Stephen learned more than he bargained for in his quest for answers.
I enjoyed this book from the first page to the last. I found it interesting because it related to topic we were studying in school. The book, The Gadget, is a great story about a boy in search for answers and the struggles and hardships he faced along the way. The book is very descriptive and allowed me to visualize the events and settings. I felt the tension, worry, and other emotions along with the main character.
I would definitely recommend The Gadget, to anyone because it was suspenseful from the beginning to the end; I had a hard time putting it down. This book grabbed my attention and never let go. The story of Stephen and the chances and adventures he took to find the secret of the base fascinated me. The answers he found shocked me; the base secret was a hidden atomic bomb, and Alexei and his family being spies. If you are looking for adventure, suspense, and surprise in your reading, you should definitely consider reading The Gadget.

My Book The Gadget was a good book I would recomded this book to someone who like a action book. This book was about a 13 boy who was sent to the war to help his dad. His name was Stephen he was sent from war-torn England so he could help his father, his fathers is becomeing really obcess with the Gadget. What is the Gadget if you want to know what the Gadget is you have to read it a fine out.

I found this book a very interesting book. I liked how the author started off the story in London, showing the attack and all the information to get you caught up. Then when he moves the story to the military base in New Mexico, I found it easy to tell what was going on in the base, it was very descriptive. The author also made you wait a while until you found out what kind of project Stephens father was working on. Also when you meet Alexei you don't think anything is going on, just that he is an ordinary kid. So I like how he kind of hid things from you until he felt like he would let you know.
Also when he tells the historical events that are happening outside of the story it gave me a better sense of what time it was. And when you find out what the "Gadget" is you understand why the man in the hospital gave Stephen the sunglasses. Also, the author gave all the attacks on Japan and how effective the gadget was, which showed how many people were killed by only 4 men. The author also used foreshadowing when the maid told Stephen she thought Alexei was a spy, and he ended up trying to kill Stephen because he found out he was a spy. You also learn about the relationship the Stephen didn't have with his father so he found other people in the base that he could love.
He also she shows how the war was affecting everybody all over the world, even when the war was only going on between 3 countries. Over all I would recommend this book to people who like a good suspense or historical story. Go read this book and right a review.

Ex-cop John Mackie's first novel is worth reading and warrants a 3 1/2 star rating. Manhattan South is a fast read, has an interesting story and pretty well-developed characters (for the most part). While the plot moves along at a brisk pace, I didn't think this book deserved more than 3 1/2 stars since there really weren't any surprises and most of the occrrences were predictable. Also, Mackie leaves too many loose ends regarding some of the relationships between some of the characters. Perhaps, however, the author did this intentionally in order to create interest in a sequel or a series involving these characters. Nevertheless, despite these limitations, Manhattan South makes a good beach read or when you're in the mood for a "light ", action-packed police yarn.

Manhattan south hooked me in and I hated to finish it. The characters had a true feel to them, as if I knew them forever. Very humorous/edgy dialog. And the plot was a labyrinth of suprises, yet was credible and intriguing. I was shocked to learn that this is Mackie's first book. I look forward to seeing more of his work. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for intelligent and entertaining reading.

I've been an avid reader for 40 years and every now and then I become engrossed in a story and morn its ending. I was very suprised to find out that this is John Mackie's first published novel and relieved to learn that there is more to come. I guess what I'm saying is, I highly recommend Manhattan South.

This is the first book I read about the creationist/evolutionish disagreement. Sewell brings up some interesting topics on the creation of the universe, but he presents his thoughts in a way that are an attack on evolution. Talking about the "propaganda" and the "so-called" evolutionary truths (parens are his) just made his opinions less valid to me.

I would not recommend this book.

This is my personal experience account about how I began professional life as a believer in evolution, the ancient age of our world, and all that Science had to offer. After some 20 years of working in science laboratories, beginning in the World-War-2 Manhattan Project, I learned enough about the unprovable assumptions of historical science that I started to doubt. I began a long study of the actual scientific evidences (and how they contrasted with many of the conclusions of secular scientists). I finally rejected my former faith in Historical Science, and accepted the belief in "Young Earth Creationism." Of course, this had no effect on belief in technology.
This book explains the underlying assumptions of both creationism and evolutionism. It discusses a number of real evidences that support belief that God's sudden Creation is a better explanation of our origins than is the secular belief that "things just slowly happened, by the action of the laws of nature." It also describes scientific evidences that tend to cast doubts on the truth of the materialistic belief-system.
As a Christian, I believe the Bible to be historically correct. But the main arguments discussed in "God at Ground Zero" don't rely on the Bible for proof. They are, however, consistent with the Biblical account.
The closing chapter develops several philosophical beliefs, and relates how the currently popular belief in materialism developed, and a little about how the liberal viewpoint of doubt toward the Bible came to be.
I tried to write with young people and their parents in mind. My target audience is High School through Adult. My goal is to provide the information these students need to combat the agnostic teachings they often receive in universities. There's a lot of misinformation given out there. Statistics show that the transition from high school to college is often the time when students lose their faith in God, and I believe this to be a tragedy. I hope that "God at Ground Zero" might help students recognize the truth of God's miraculous Creation.

This humbly written book presents the thinking behind creationism and evolution with the admitted bias for creationism. So many creationist books arrogantly try to humiliate the evolutionists; however, Sewell presents the strongest case for creationism I have seen while demonstrating respect for the opposition. The personal testimony and appeal for surrender to Christ reveal the author's sincerity in revealing truth.

This is one of the finest guides to New York City that it has been my pleasure to use and peruse. It is strong, unique, and essentially "nonpariel." There is really nothing on the market that has such natural down-home photography. In other words...none of the "faux-monumentalism" and deceptive proprtioning of space and matter which is the downfall of most guides. Ms. Greene accomplishes a Baedeker-style simplicity,with her perfectly concise and edited text. The size,format and substantiality of this book, as well as the ease in carrying it in a tote or rucksack make this guide a complete success. After the tragic events of September 11th, 2001...this book takes on an added poignancy, because so many of the treasured that Ms. Greene has unearthed, collated, collected, and memorialized are not directly connected with specifically "The Ground Zero" area of the Island of Manhattan...she helps to illuminate the complete diversity, universality, timelessness, and the raw raging dynamic power that shall forever be Manhattan"s legacy to the World, and future generations. This book is one of the strongest entries in its class since the Post-World War Two Era bagan. A thoughtful,encouraging,and Ms. Greene never puts herself above or between the wonders that she is illuminaring. She gets the information to you without the boredom of its conveyance. A remarkable job all the way around.

I purchased Liza Greene's book last Spring at my local bookstore and I have been very pleased with it. I have bought dozens of books and guides to New York City over the years. I am a married housewife with four daughters with a workaholic husband and my particular reward and gift from my family is that I get to go to New York City about four times per year for a little shopping, The Pierre, some nice dinners, the Met, Lincoln Center, and a few shows. I am originally from Dallas, Texas and I was just raised that way, and of course I realize that I am just an old dinosaur from a bye-gone time, but that was my generation. I have always thought and known that I was missing alot of New York City by being tethered to such a limited agenda. Last year I decided to broaden my horizons. Well, I couldn't be more pleased with Liza Greene's book, and I have used it as a blueprint, and a guide to some very exciting visual experiences that are just not to be found in any other guidebook. I just think that this book is a peach, an absolute peach. I am very glad that Liza Greene wrote it, and I am very pleased with its very nicely proprtioned size and portibility while it also gives a feeling of heft and substance. I don't think that the writer or the publisher could have done any better of a job of it. This is just a perfect little source and it has improved my feeling of grasping New York City a thousandfold. Thank you Ms. Greene for helping an old woman to get out of her rut.

Liza Greene's book is quite unique, and in many ways is one of the best books on the subject of New York's fabled architecture in the annals of the city. It is very obvious that this book was a labor of love and personal commitment on Ms. Greene's part. There is nothing cliched or by rote in this book. She has captured a number, a very large number of very fresh takes on the city "in situ." This book is so very New York in the fact that it is D.I.Y. She did not use twenty-five thousand dollars of expensive equipment, and lighting with a small horde of assistants and gofers. This book is the work of a single woman's very singular vision of what I think is the ultimate Metropolitan dream in the history of mankind. The labor of single-mindedness is reflected in pictures that are not dollied or craned or overly artificialized by city permits and special access. This is the work of an almost guerrilla sensibility. I only wish that PBS would give Ms. Green a full camera crew and 110 minutes to present her vision in context with her own voice-over so that more and more people would have access to her unique vision and singular passion. This book eloquently proves that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Bravo, Ms. Greene, bravo indeed.

As always, Marilyn Wallace delivers wonderfully written stay-up-all-night suspense with a clever and unique plot and great characters. I truly couldn't put it down and am waiting eagerly for her next book.

Marilyn Wallace just keeps getting better. CURRENT DANGER crackles with energy and taut suspense. I couldn't put it down.

Marilyn Wallace writes as well or better than any other author out there! This book has such gorgeous prose I absolutely reveled in it--or would have, if I hadn't been in such a hurry to turn pages. Whew, what a heart-thumping plot! I loved this book, probably my favorite of her books--and that's really saying A LOT!

After reading the Making of the Atomic Bomb, I thought I would get a view point from on of the actual participants. General Groves had an eclectic story keeping all his crazy scientists in line to meet an objective. Then handing the construction of the facilities and checking on the progress of the Germans.

It was interesting to see how he handeled the new recruites as well as the intelectuals. I enjoyed learning about how Handford was set up to be all automated, most books you only hear about Oak Ridge. I thought their willingness to try every avenue to get to the enrichment process seemed desprate. They were afraid that Germany was so far ahead. They took what they knew and were constantly trying to improve on it.

I like learning about the spys that he had under his command to see where Germany was and not to give up and complete his task when he found out there was not any progress in Germany.

He was an interesting character who got the job done.

Gen. Groves deputy on the Manhatten Project, Gen. Keith Nichols, was once asked what he thought of he thought of Groves. He began by saying "Leslie Groves is the biggest son-of-a $%&%* I ever met in my life" and ended by saying that of all the people he'd met in his life, he didn't think any of them could have done as well as Groves in running the Manhatten Project. I think that if he'd been put in charge in Jan. of '43, instead of Sept., the war probably would have ended earlier, saving hundreds of thousands of lives. This book shows him at his egotistical best and worst, and is essential for understanding how and why the U.S. got the bomb before Japan was invaded. Just don't expect any modesty at all.

I read this book in the early 1960's when it was first published. I was in engineering school then, in India, and my interest in reading the book was to learn the story of the greatest scientific achievement of the 20th century. The book is so fascinating and so readable that I read it in four hours without interruption and then went back to the first page and read it again in the next four hours. I wanted to memorize every event in the book, word for word. What fascinated me about the book was not only the scientific aspects of atomic energy and the development of the atom bomb, which are described in layman's terms, but the extraordinary skills and drive of General Leslie Groves in taking the project from concept to fruition, notwithstanding the sinister goal of the project. It is one of the best project management books I have ever read. It built in me a tremendous respect for the ability of Americans to carry out such a complex project in a time critical situation. Oppenheimer got all the glory of being the father of the atom bomb, but it was General Leslie Groves who was the driving force behind it. Without him the project would not have succeeded in such difficult times. I think the book should be a required reading in all business management schools.

The maps are miniscule, reproduced to fit into a single spread, where they are squeezed between commentary. The type on them is so small and blurry that it was impossible to read, even with serious magnification. This book was a complete and total disappointment. Instead of an informative, legible reference, Manhattan in Maps is nothing more than a "coffee table" book, and not a very good one at that. If you're looking for maps you could actually refer to and learn from, this is not the book for you. Hopefully, someone will get the hint and put out a quality folio of these valuable maps.

I know I'm jumping on the bandwagon here, but the maps are disappointing because they're too small to be scrutinized. The text, however, compensates greatly for this flaw. The chapters are concise but not a word is wasted. I found the section on the British invasion of Brooklyn as well-written and gripping as any thriller. I can only hope that they are planning to come out with a larger edition for the illustrations.

While I agree with one reviewer that the maps depicted in the book are small and difficult to read (more due to the apparent custom of making 17th and 18th century maps totally illegible in any case rather than the editors' layout of them), the commentary accompanying the maps is very illuminating and interesting. The authors also chose to use maps highlighting, for example, '70s-era police practice, '20s-era political classifications and a map of the subway along with the more conventional surveyor's maps; truly a very interesting collection. A good companion to any history of pre-20th century NYC, such as Gotham.

After reading this I was reminded of both, "The Nanny Diaries" and Jack Finney's New York time travel book, "Time and Again." The Deed is a snarky read and the idea of a young ad exec becoming the sole owner of Manhattan is intriguing. It will keep you amused for a couple of days. I'll be interested to see what Blanchard comes up with next.

It's nice to read a stress-free book about a modern day treasure hunt! The author has a very good ear for dialogue. I can't wait to read more of his works.

The most positive thing that can be said about Keith Blanchard's debut novel THE DEED is the fact that he hits one out of the park when it comes to writing about New York City. Although the novel seems a bit sophomoric at times, Blanchard, editor-in-chief of Maxim magazine, also does a solid job in bringing to life his story's protagonist, Jason Hansvort.

Set in 1999 in Manhattan, before the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11th, Jason is struggling with his career in a top ad agency. He doubts himself, he doubts his career choice and he especially doubts the current product he's supposed to be peddling. But Jason, fortunately, is a direct descendent of Pieter Hansvoort. And so Blanchard's novel tries to convince the reader that somewhere there is a deed that, after over 400 years since the Manahatas sold the city that never sleeps to Dutch settlers, will rightfully allow Jason to claim his long lost inheritance.

The deed becomes known to Jason after he receives a mysterious phone call from Amanda, a gorgeous Native American lawyer who is determined to find the Hansvoort descendent, even though his name has been shortened throughout the centuries. Jason is skeptical at first, but after his boss gets removed from the ad agency, Jason walks after a hilarious spat with his autocratic supervisor Diana and the cat-and-mouse chase for the deed really heats up.

Blanchard not only possesses the fine ability to translate the history behind the discovery of Manhattan, he also does yeoman's work in describing the sale of the island and the effect it had after the Manahata people sold it to the Dutch. The novel's prologue begins in New Netherland (New York City) in 1643. While the prologue is vital reading to understand the jest of the story, the author wastes 16 pages before the first chapter and never, ever returns the reader to that time period. He could have easily worked the entire prologue into the story and made it much more interesting.

The author tragically does an injustice to Amanda's mother as well. Mary is doing all she can to thwart her husband from allowing organized crime to establish a casino on their Long Island reservation. Blanchard crafts Mary perfectly but leaves her by the wayside far too often.

THE DEED is definitely worth reading as Blanchard illustrates the mystique of Gotham before the destruction of the World Trade Center flawlessly. He writes in great detail about Wall Street --- and the history behind it --- and the Statue of Liberty. In years to come, people who will want to understand The Big Apple and all its uniqueness should rent Ric Burns's splendid PBS documentary New York and pick up a copy of THE DEED to accompany it.

--- Reviewed by David Exum

I agree with the reader above. The book was only published in 1999 and already it is outdated. The first place I called was out of business with no forwarding number. I would absolutely purchase a more up to date copy, but am sorry I bought this one. I think it would be fine IF (and please, feel free to use this idea!) the writers provided a web site with up to date information, to supplement the resources and correct them, in between publications.

This book is the bible on healthy peace of mind 'what to do with a date,a freind , a family member or even alone in Manhattan'.Its quick easy references give New Yorkers and visitors an option where to spend time away from the bars or Broadway.

On my recent trip to NYC for the US Open, I picked up this guidebook. It didn't inspire me to move to NYC, but it has changed my perception of what life in NYC could be. Several wonderful suggestions from this guide greatly enhanced our short stay in the city. Tips and recipes will make it a useful guide well past my trip. A special foot treatment to mention one of many treats collected. And what a uniquely beautiful book! Altogether soothing. I wish I had one for Dallas! If you plan to visit NYC or most certainly if you live there, even if you aren't into green things, buy this book!

Very useful for the addresses and contact names
and numbers at each school.

Otherwise the book provides the stereotyped
image associated with each school. Mixed in you
will find Zagat style sentence fragment gushings.
"Many" readers will find it "tacky" and "annoying"
representing a " nose pressed up against the window"
point of view.

Better to just invest the time and visit the schools.

You can read this book and get just as horrified. The authors give lots of practical information in one central place, but stop short of telling what we really need to know. What does acceptance REALLY entail? What sort of student flourishes at each school? Does actual merit count for anything, or is it all just luck, appearance and connections? Also they are inconsistent with their descriptions of the schools~ for example they describe a sports or music program at one school, but don't even mention those programs or lack thereof at others. All in all,buying this one of the many necessary evils to raising a child in NYC if you are not fortunate enough to have connections.

While there are many college guidebooks available, unfortunately there are only a few books about NYC private schools. And despite the different titles, these books often contain content written by the schools themselves. Refreshingly, Goldman and Hausman's book is different because it is written by two private school moms. Seeking input from private school parents and students, the two authors offer more inclusive profiles than are available elsewhere. As a local educational consultant, I often recommend this book to my families as a good starting point for their research. The new edition is more comprehensive than ever. .....