I have been a fan of the Capitol Steps for several years now. Their performances are extremely hilarious as they keep the audience laughing by wearing silly costumes, immitating politicians, and singing songs. This book tells the story of how the Capitol Steps came to be, which is somewhat interesting. It also has portions of the lyrics to their songs, but somehow they just aren't all that funny on the printed page. The book includes numerous photographs, but strangely, not one of them actually shows the Capitol Steps!

The CD that comes with it contains some of the Capitol Steps' all time classics tunes. If you don't already own the albums, this can be funny to listen to. The title is a bit misleading, though. The CD is titled "Sixteen Scandals", but it is NOT the same as the CD that the Capitol Steps released in 1997 under the same name.

This was a rather frightening, yet hysterical, trip down memory lane. So much has happened in American politics over the past 20 years. What a blessing it is to have the Capitol Steps around as the bards recording the inane antics of our elected representatives. To prove how great this book is, I've bought three copies of it - one for me and two for other friends. They are phenomenal. Here's to 20 more years of political satire!

I've been a fan of the Capitol Steps for years, having listened to them on NPR. This book takes you through their humble beginnings when they were mere Congressional Staffers worried about being fired for making fun of their bosses and through their successes of making fun of 4 Presidents. The accompanying CD is a stitch too, and well worth the money! I recommend it!

This book starts out pretty quickly. The introduction to the characters is well written; however it can be a little confusing. The book is mostly about two best friends that find an old scrapbook of poetry, that one of their grandmothers left them. The plot thickens when the two girls discover that the poems in the book are in fact magic spells. Overall the book was very interesting and well written. I will enjoy reading the sequel to this story!

Extensive coverage of the methods of interpreting Revelation. The author started out as dispensational and gradually changed to historical-premil. Quotes other good authors on Revelation such as Mounce, Johnson as well as Hal Lindsey. Includes short essays on important topics. As one who has read the more academic commentaries on Revelation I recommend this for the layman. Excellent value for money.

I had to read this book for a Neglected Novels of the 19th century class. Stowe's examination into the problems of calvinism and the role of women in American society are insightful. Stowe's prose is entertianing and clear, but can be a bit droning, especially if the reader isn't acquainted with the style of 19th century novels. Overall I'd recomend this book to anyone who enjoys 19th century Lit.

I purchased this book at the Newport Historical Society on a recent daytrip. If you are interested in the mansions, this book describes the interior, exterior, occupants, and how they were built. The photography is amazing, and allows you to take a closer look than the tours. If you've ever been in the breakers, the famous Vanderbilt home, it's too overwhelming to take it all in as you're inside, and the book is a helpful resource. I wish it covered some of the mansions not perserved by the socitety, but I suppose since some on Bellevue are still family homes (!!) this would explain some obvious exclusions.

Newport (now called Avondale) was founded in 1760 by a group of New Englanders moving in after the Arcadians were forced out. This book details many generations of those (20+) families, with references to additional resources. There is also a long section on the town itself, which is very interesting, in and of itself. If you have any family in the area, they will be found in this book. Before the internet, this was the only source for this data. Given the sheer volume of data, the number of corrections to what Duncanson published is minor in deed. Good work, John, we'll miss you.

The short stories of Sinclair Lewis have a sense of humour. They do not match up to his novels, however. One of them, "Moths in the Arc Light," is similar to Babbitt. It tells of a business man who looks out the office window. From across the street, and from her office, a woman is doing the same to him. This carries on until, at last, the man talks to her.

The tales are meant as nothing more than mild entertainment. They are plausible enough to work. But they do not have the epic quality of "The Aspern Papers" by Henry James or Tolstoy's story of a madman.

I love stories of King Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelet. It's the most beautiful, romantic love triangle ever told. I am so disappointed in this book. This author just butchered all the historical characters I have come to love. What's left is a mean, grumpy King Arthur, a very dull queen, and a sappy knight. And the ending??? I am very open minded, and love a good twist on a story, but frankly, this book just left me with a bad taste in my mouth, no pun intended. If you're looking for a new perspective of this classic tale, read Bradley's The Mists of Avalon.

Okay, first of all, the original "legend of King Arthur" is more like this book than the one everyone is accustomed to hearing.
In the eleventh century Eleanor d'Aquitaine, an English queen, had the story of King Arthur (who was actually, historically speaking, probably not even a king), "remade" into something that sounded better and that introduced chivalry, courage, etc: the traditional knight's story. But that oh so beautiful story that everyone loves oh so much is a nonexistent fairy tale. Whoever is saying that this book ruins their beautiful story obviously doesn't know much in the way of history. This story is one of the first that has enough courage to gainsay the "traditional" Arthurian legend and portray the characters as actually human. If you're looking for a realistic, honestly good, and not hopelessly sappy book, I recommend this one.

Be warned right now: This book is not for the "lazy" reader. You will be fully transported into this other world of knights, quests and all-consuming love affairs. This is by far one of the most detailed, rich and historically accurate tales of this time period I have ever read -- and as a history major I've read a lot. The story draws on some of the most rare of the stories involving Lance, Gwen and the King. It is a must-read for anyone who loves this myth. HOWEVER, don't be caught off guard: This is a retelling for GLBT readers and other open-minded folks. If you don't know what I mean then here's another hint: There's a "Crying Game" type of secret about that handsome young Lance... and a heck of a lot more to "his" relationship with the Queen than most might think. A GREAT read. Well worth it.

My wife convinced me to give her favorite writer a chance since I like a good suspenseful story. I found her pick rather dissappointing. The premise of elderly folks being killed for monetary gain is nothing new in fiction. The fact that it went on so long with no one uncovering the heinous acts ruined the book's believeability. There were no real twists in the story that a reader could not figure out. Also, the heroine is no great catch. She spends a huge part of her time missing obvious clues and growing upset that a certain man she has a romantic interest in (and who is too good for her) can't read her mind. There is a creepy and suspenseful opening to the book that lets you know immediately that the main character is in dire peril, but I'm sad to say that as the story unfolds, and you get to know her better, you find yourself rooting for the heroine's rescuer to show up several minutes too late. I'm sure Mary Higgins Clark is a fine writer, but this book can't be an example of her best work.

Moonlight Becomes You, by Mary Higgins Clark This mystery begins with its heroine buried alive in a casket. I initially avoided this book when it came out because that scene seemed too macabre and not what I would normally expect from Mary Higgins Clark. However, Clark stays true to form in this mystery and the bulk of the book concentrates on how Maggie (a professional photographer and now amateur sleuth) came to be buried alive. The mystery surrounds a high income assisted living home for the elderly, Latham Manor. Apartments are purchased for high prices and belong to the occupant until death. Upon death, the ownership of the apartment is automatically transferred back to the owner of Latham Manor. Clark treats her many older characters with respect by reminding us how interesting people of any age can be. Maggie is drawn into the plot when her, long lost and suddenly newly found, stepmother Nuala hosts a dinner party in her honor. Maggie arrives late and instead of finding a party, she finds a surprise of a different sort. This book contains the usual roller coaster ride that Clark tends to give her readers. The plot has many twists and turns that have you hanging on for dear life, while taking you to a destination that you're not quite sure of. This was definitely a fun mystery to read.

This Mary Higgins Clark book is an extremely suspenseful read. I liked this book because of the way Clark decided to let Maggie and Naula meet. It was a wonderful way to start the unpredictable novel. This book is so thrilling that it will have you reading day and night. Taking place in Rhode Island, this book is about Maggie Holloway, a successful fashion photographer. While accompanying Liam Moore, Maggie's good friend, to a Moore-Payne reunion, she is reunited with her once stepmother, Naula Moore. In order to "catch up on things", Naula invites Maggie down from her Massachusetts apartment to come to her home for a week. Upon arriving there, she finds out that a burglar on a random break-in had killed Naula. Desperate to find out whom the murder is; Maggie explores the world of Latham Manor, the wealthy nursing home Naula was supposed to live in, and the cemetery where Naula was buried. This book's ending is so suspenseful; you will be on the edge of your seat, reading until you come to the last page.

This is the first book I've read by Shreve and I liked it well enough. Jack is a Trans-Atlantic pilot who dies when his plane goes down. Kathryn who has been a stay-at-home wife, raising their daughter. She learns that Jack was living another life that she had no clue about. The plot was good, but Shreve's forte is to show the mind and the emotions, where they go and how they make the character behave. She tries to paint the emotions and thoughts of the character in a way that you can feel them also. I particularly liked the way Kathryn's mind would wander, as if trying to prevent her from thinking too hard about the whole mess and save her from the grief.

Shreve touched upon a theme in this book that has always intrigued me and given me food for a great deal of thought. Just how well can you ever know a person? Regardless of how long you've lived with them or loved them, can you ever truly know what's inside them. Most people do carry secrets and hold at least some part of themselves back from everyone. Her exploration of this theme is pretty well done.

Reading a Shreve novel is an exersize in patience. There are no action sequences, the pacing is slow, but ultimately if you can hang in there, she offers a rewarding read. I also notice that adultery is a common theme in her novels, makes you wonder doesn't it?

This 1998 novel by Anita Shreve opens when Kathryn, the lead character, discovers that her pilot husband has been killed in plane crash. What follows is a detailed exploration of grief as she has to cope with some startling revelations about him and discovers that she never really knew him at all. The reader follows her inner anguish as she copes with betrayal and loss. It's hard to put my finger on exactly why the book rises above the soap opera genre. The writing is clear and fast paced but yet sometimes repetitive. The characters are well drawn but Kathryn is too good to be true. And as the mystery surrounding the pilot's death unfolds, it is not quite believable.

But why did I go right past my bus stop while I was reading the book? Why did I think about the book all day, barely looking at my e-mail and forgoing television in order to continue reading it last night? Why did it keep me up well past my usual bedtime in order to finish it? Essentially, in spite of the faults of the book, Ms. Shreve is a great story teller. I just kept reading. This book is not for everyone as it deals with the what could be called sentimental inner feelings and the thought patterns in Kathryrn's mind. Considering that it's about a plane crash, there is not much action. And it makes no earth-shattering revelations other than reinforce the concept of how hard it is to really know a person. But a book that can keep me so intrigued must be given a high recommendation. After all, Isn't that what the pleasure of a good read is all about?

A haunting book who's scenes I still see at times. Not too heavy in details so as to bog things down, but just right. Coffee cups, bathrobes and unmade beds become talismen of the tale.

In real life, I doubt the fait accompli of the pilot would fly for long. "The Policeman's Wife", "The Salesmen's Wife"; not quite the same ring to it. And, in print, there's some measure of sympathy for all 3 adults and what is assumed to be their visions of circumstance.