Mrs. Pollifax, intrepid gardner and karate expert, is asked to go on another assignment for the CIA. This time, she's asked to go on an African safari in order to take pictures of the participants, one of whom is a dreaded assassin named Aristotle.
She takes the pictures, and then is chagrined to learn that they have been stolen. Thereupon there is a kidnapping, a reunion with an old friend and even a bit of romance to liven up the proceedings. As usual, Dorothy Gilman populates her book with interesting characters, and a fascinating glimpse at an exotic setting. This is a must-read for Mrs. Pollifax fans, new and old.

All of the books in the Mrs. Pollifax series (as well as the whole of Mrs. Gilmans' works) are truly delightful. The reader will be swept away by the adventure, humor and intrigue, all the while learning about the customs and history of foreign lands. You can start with any book in the series, but if you have the chance, read them all. They are not to be missed!

Think of Agatha Christie's elderly Miss Marple as a strong, adventurous, enlightened American CIA agent.

Dorothy Gilman is one of my favorite mystery authors. Her books, while somewhat light, are funny, surprising, suspenseful, filled with intriguing characters, and educational; and Mrs. Pollifax on Safari is one of her better stories. I like to read my favorite books over and over again, and I've read all of the Mrs. Pollifax books many times (they make me feel good, like old friends). I rather suspect that the Mrs. Pollifax character traits are somewhat autobiographical, and wish very much I were friends with the author.

I have eaten at Gaku Homma's restrant, Domo's, and it is wonderful but I can't eat there as often as I would like. Not that expensive but being a student I can't aford going out to eat very often unless it is McDoalds dollar menu. I bought his book and it has made it a bit eiser for me to eat good food. I also enjoy the stories behind the food and his life experiances.

The author gives you a very useful view of the history behind traditional Japanese Country Cooking. It's interesting to have that kind of background to understand the tradition. I found it valuable.

As for Mr. Murray, he appears to be a negative person judging from his other review, as some choose to be. He can probably see the negative in just about anything if he tries hard enough. Go to Domo and see for yourself. It's a wonderful restaurant. You won't be disappointed.

Aikido for Life is also another fantastic book by the author. It actually has more to do with life than Aikido. Highly recommended.

First, this is not your typical cookbook. You will probably first notice that there are no big flashy pictures of perfect looking food. Next you will see that you have to read about 100pages to get to the recipes. But it is well worth it.

The first half of the book deals with the history and ingreadiants of Japanese country cooking. The second half has all the recipes. For some of the ingreadiants you will probably have to try an Asian market, but over all most of the recipes are pretty simple, healthy, and taste great. A lot of these dishes are also not the type of food that you will find at the typical Japanese restrant, they are what you will probably encounter if you are lucky enough to be invited to someone's house for dinner in Japan.

Also nice is that many simple things such as how to cook rice in a pot or cut up a whole fish are covered for us less expert cooks out there.

So if you like more Asian food or just want to try something different I really recommend this book.

Romola is constantly called Eliot's weakest novel, with even serious critics reluctant to praise it. However, it was seen in the 19th century as Eliot's masterpiece. Some of the blame for the novel going out of fashion must rest with F.R. Leavis who said that "few will want to read Romola a second time, and few can ever have got through it once without some groans." If Leavis, viewed as one of the great literary minds, thinks this, then more average readers like us are bound to be put off.

True, the start of Romola is bogged down in detail, but it is introduced by a wonderful, stirring and majestic 'Proem' which sees the Angel of the Dawn sweeping across the Earth and loftily states how humanity is the same now as it was when Romola is set. After this, the notes are best ignored - consult them separately, and concentrate on getting into the book. It is a stirring and sometimes hard read, and moves one with awe at what Eliot has created - you really feel you are experiencing Florence in the 15th century. There is one scene that stands out for me - the haunting and almost surreal episode where Romola drifts by boat to an apparent coastal haven. Images of peace and life are reversed disturbingly.

So ignore Leavis and the dissenters. If you've read another Eliot, you'll like it. If you haven't, maybe start with something else, but come back, for it's a rewarding read

Given the majority of Eliot readers begin with Middlemarch, I found myself in the unique position of not only beginning with Romola, but also on a subject that I find most interesting. That of Renaissance Italy. Beginning at the death of the great Lorenzo di Medici in '92 I read this great novel twice. Once quickly as any other Twenty-First century paperback; the second, slowly, with more respect for the intellectual scope within the pages.
After the first attempt I was mildly disappointed. I came away with no true sense of the whole that is fifteenth century Florence and a bewilderment at the inconsistent central characterisation of Tito Melema and his golden-haired wife, Romola. The supporting actors were brilliant, from Fra Girolama's fantatical Catholicism to Bratti's salesmanship. But I was left disappointed, believing in the superficality of Tito, the maddening naivety of Tessa, and the almost puritanical martyrdom of Romola.
So I re-read it. Slowly.
It is now extremely clear why this great work of english literature is, as Eliot herself puts it, a "book of mine which I more thoroughly feel that I swear by every sentence as having been written with my best blood".
Each scene is mesmerically depicted, the infintesimal attention to details and Eliot's total control of her subject matter shines through.
Renaissance Florence wasn't so well depicted by its contemporaries.
From Tito's waking at the Loggia de' Cerchi to his final fall at the Ponte Vecchio his character moves through a full range as you would expect from a man in his early twenties. His child-like mesmerism coupled with his Greek tutorage gives rise to a cherubic man whom Florence loves. His fatal flaw is his desire for love and a single terrible lie he gives that, like Murphy's Law, evolves into a a stigma that alters his very persona. What is all the more damaging is that you truly believe he is unaware of the pain he causes. He is truly egocentric, in an almost blameless way. For Romola, you cold argue the opposite. Indeed she is potentially more culpable. Her fierce intellectualism is offset by a descent into a world of religious supersition, a world where religion is used as a political tool. Throughout she has the knowledge of where her actions will take her and a terrible sense of duty and restrains her. From the beginning, with the story we hear so often of Tito's escape from drowning, to his final near drowning at the hands of the mob, to his strangulation by his father there is a certain bitter justice until all that he leaves is his proud and world-scarred wife Romola and the innocence that he preserved with Tessa. Tito's move from innocent 'hero' to startled villain is an excerise in human failings. Yet it is not a sufficient single human tragedy, as Eliot says, "Florence was busy with greater affairs, and the preparation of a deeper tragedy".
In many respects 'Romola' is Eliot's King Lear. The parallels are many, including Baldessare's depiction. There is no Edgar, nor Edmund but the Fool is here in many guises. In taking one of Shakespeare's finest themes, Eliot has given true life to fifteenth century Florence and it is, perhaps, best encapsulated by Romola's final statement to Tessa's son, Lillo:
"There was a man to whom I was very near... who made almost everyone fond of him, for he ws young, and clever, and beautiful...I believe, when I first knew him, he never thought of anything cruel or base. But because he tried to slip away from everything that was unpleasant, and cared for nothing else so much as his own safety, he came at last to commit some of the basest deeds - such as make men infamous."
So, Eliot's 'Romola'. Read it, delight in it because it truly is, as the author can rightly claim, one of the finest works in english literature.

Yes, it bristles with Glossaries and Appendices and Notes like so much barbed wire. (And if you actually read the Penguin editor's introduction, it's a sure thing you'll never read the novel: she makes it sound like about as much fun as chewing rocks.) But don't let all that deter you. You may have some rough going at the beginning, mostly because Latin and Greek scholarship is so important to the plot. Use the notes and they'll enhance your enjoyment of the story, but ignore them and you're still in for a thrilling tale gorgeously told. Tito Melema is one of the great characters in fiction, and he's someone we all know: a thoroughly despicable human being who has no idea he's anything but a nice guy. Eliot has wrought a dreamy and hair-raising hybrid of fiction and history, infused with her own astonishing insight and complicated sympathy and delivered in her matchless prose. I loved this book.

"The Calling of Emily Evans" is a wonderful book about Emily Evans as she gose to a Bible college then trys to open a church in a church baren country. As you read this book you realize the pain that Emily gose thouugh, and the joy as well, as she leaves her confort zone and shows God's love to the people that God has put in her life.

The Calling of Emily Evans is a tender and touching story. Young Emily gets her calling to become a pastor while in Bible School. While her father doesn't want her to go off by herself to minister to a new community, Emily's mind is made up. This is her calling and it is what she's going to do.

Emily does not have an easy time trying to build her congregation. She is met by challenges but faces them head on. She never gives up. She is very determined to make her church successful and doesn't want anyone to know when time are hard for her.

The Calling is a wonderful story. Ms. Oke writes about characters the reader finds themselves caring about. From Emily to Big John the characters are wonderfully written. The plot is good and the development of the characters is excellent. This book is great! It is a tender,touching story that will warm your heart. Definitely worth reading and recommending to someone! Read today!!

This book is about a woman who is called by God to set up a church. She has many problems along the way, including poor attendance, a low food supply, and a difficulty convincing people that God is indeed real and needed in every single life. She does NOT step out of the boundaries of the Bible. Emily simply sets up a church and teaches because there is no preacher in the area. She doesn't preach, only tries to help people see the importance of a faith in God and tries to help them understand the Bible and how important it is. This is a wonderful book that helped me understand things more clearly and get things sorted out in my own faith. I thank Janette Oke for writing such a great book.

Mrs. Pollifax's friend Farrell asks her to accompany him on a mission to Jordan to retrieve the manuscript of a dissident author in Iraq. The author was a friend of Farrell's who was killed because he told uncomfortable truths about the reign of Saddam Hussein. On the flight to the Middle East, Mrs. Pollifax sits next to a man who turns out to be someone other than who he says he is. Farrell and Mrs. P. go through the requisite chases, shootings, and beatings until a happy conclusion is reached. I am curious about why Mrs. Pollifax married Cyrus in an earlier book in the series, because author Gilman manages to keep him well away from his wife's adventures. As always Mrs. Pollifax delights the reader and does not seem to need a leading man.

Having a few hours at my disposal this morning, I picked up this, my first Mrs Pollifax, which I'd been given as a gift, but never read. Imagine my surprise when what I thought would be an insubstantial bit of fluff turned out to be a well-plotted, riveting introduction to a woman whose further acquaintance I shall certainly pursue.

Mrs Pollifax's adventures in Jordan have nothing of the implausible about them, a neat trick when one considers that the premise is so fantastic: a grandmotherly gardening enthusiast who just happens to be a well-trained CIA "asset." Her lively approach to what life brings her is utterly charming; beware, Mrs Pollifax will steal your heart away.

Has Gilman ever written a bad or dull mystery? In all these years, I cannot recall one. The visits we take with Mrs. Pollifax remain interesting. This time it is the Middle East and Jordan and desert, and camels. And always the intrigue and the incredible stamina of this brilliant solver of international complexity.

We wanted a book to help us bring up our yellow labrador retreiver ... and this is the best ... The book provides plenty of sound overall information about the breed; from breed histroy to breed standard, from puppy care to looking after the senior dog ... well written with an added bonus ... its got good pictures too ... many of which are better taken and presented than some so-called coffee table books of Labradors ...

If you are looking for a book that'll help you understand Labradors ... get this ...

The combined talent and experience of these two exceptional breeders has resulted in an outstanding, informative and well-rounded look at the Labrador Retriever. The book is a valuable source of information for anyone who owns a Labrador, or is interested in obtaining one. It covers the history and development of the breed, finding a responsible breeder to the care of the young and older dog. The book also provides a wonderful look at the versatility of the Labrador; from Show dogs to Field dogs, obedience, companions and guide dogs for the blind. It was wonderful to see the pictures and pedigrees of so many influential stud dogs of yesterday and today. Many of our own dogs can be traced back to these very special Labradors.

The author's "take" on the functionality of the Labrador is exactly on the money. It is possible to have an outstanding looking Labrador that can also perform the tasks it was bred for. As seen on the cover, Baloo, as he is affectionately known, is not only an AKC Champion, from a long line of champions, but has also earned his Junior Hunter and Obedience titles. He is anything but clumsy, unathletic or dysplastic, and has an OFA excellent rating. Perhaps Baloo's most important gift to the breed has been his progeny. He is credited with producing champions, guide dogs, hunters and obedience title dogs, whom have also inherited his "superdog" temperament. The success of this particular dog can only be summed up as "a breeders dream come true".

Buy the book; don't just leaf through it. You won't be disappointed.

This book does a great job tracing the history of the breed. Since I live minutes from the waters where the Lab originated I enjoyed the accuracy of the material. Solid all-round info on a variety of topics. Great insight into our goofy, intelligent and loyal friends.

The audio tape for this book is magical. I grew up listening to it at my grandparents house and it was wonderful to listen to while going to bed. I listened to it almost every night and not once did I grow sick of it. The background music is so soothing and the book really comes alive with voice of the narrator. In short I LOVE it and I would strongly recommend it to everyone, no matter what their age!

Kipling's language is almost poetic. It's meant to be read aloud. When read aloud to a child, say, a beloved girl of six, at bedtime, she stops fidgeting, she listens carefully, she asks questions about what this word means or why the family members are all so mean and have to spank the little elephant with the "'satiable curtiosity." Most of all, she's not bored and she wants to hear it again. And again. And she gets very excited when she finds out that her daddy got the whole series of "Just-So Stories."
I don't know how other children experience this. We're starting to teach our daughter about evolution of species; she asks a lot of questions about what elephants used to look like, and did they really once not have the really long noses they have today? I think she's starting to understand that this is a tall tale, but it's a great springboard for talking about the real-life origin of species (I think this statement is true even if you're trying to raise a creationist child).
Yes, there is a lot of spanking. It didn't seem to upset my daughter, and she's pretty high-strung.
All in all, a nicely rollicking story, and a good introduction to another classic in English-language children's literature.

Right after "The Cat who Walked Alone" This has always been my favorite "Just So Story." It is good to see it in an individual book, as it is a little unwieldy as part of a group. This is the story of a curious elephant and how the elephant go its trunk. I can not say much more as the reader needs to experience the story as it unfolds. The pictures add a dimension and do not distract from the words. Rudyard Kipling is a master at this telling. "In the High and Far-Off Times the Elephant, O Best Beloved, had no trunk."

These are the life stories of four remarkable women,the Lennox sisters,daughters of the 2nd Duke of Richmond and great grandaughters of Charles the second of England and his mistress,Louise de Keroualle,and was taken from the thousands of letters which circulated amongst them over their lifetimes. The author,Stella Tilyard has meticulously recounted not only the letters,but also the social customs,fashions in clothing and house decorating and the whole way of life amongst the aristocrats of London and Dublin of that era which spans the years of the reigns of George 2nd,George 3rd and the Prince Regent. Each of these sisters lived an extraordinary life,having been educated far above the usual standard required of upper class young women of their day.There is quite a bit of English political history included in the book(which is why I deducted one star),but although this can get a bit ponderous at times,doesn't distract from the overall story.I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to seeing the t.v.series.

These are the life stories of four remarkable women,the Lennox sisters,daughters of the 2nd Duke of Richmond and great grandaughters of Charles 2nd of Great Britain and his mistress Louise de Keroualle, and was taken from the thousands of letters which circulated amongst them over their lifetimes.The author,Stella Tillyard has meticulously recounted not only the letters but also the social customs,fashions in clothing and house decorating and the whole way of life amongst the aristocrats of London and Dublin of that era which spans the years of the reigns of George 2nd,George 3rd and the Prince Regent. Each of these sisters lived an extraordinary life,having been educated far and above the usual standard required of upper class young women of their day.There is quite a bit of English political history included in the book,but although this can get a bit ponderous at times,doesn't distract from the overall story.I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward,eagerly,to the t.v. series.

Stella Tillyard does an amazing job bringing the Lennox sisters to life. I felt as though I knew each sister quite well once I had finished the book---and I only wished I could have spent even more time with them.
Sarah Lennox's story was undoubtedly the most interesting (early on she was tapped as a possible wife for George III, she then fell into an unhappy marriage, embarked on a scandalous affair, was divorced, and then ultimately found happiness with a man who came from a social background beneath hers). Lennox's comment that "she only knew true happiness after the age of 36" was especially poignant after reading abt her privileged upbringing. Despite her unhappiness, Lennox managed to live life to the fullest.
In fact, all of the sisters managed to live life to the fullest---from Caroline who eloped with the radical Henry Fox to Emily who passed through all of the stages of marriage (from happiness to dissatisfaction which ultimately caused her to have an affair).
I can't recommend this book too highly---my only regret after reading it was that I would never be able to meet and hang out with any of the Lennox sisters!

I enjoyed reading this book. The author captured the world of a liberal arts college, especially the non-academic aspects of this very inward looking environment. For me , the characters and their interactions were more interesting than the mystery plot. Joanne Dobson very effectively captured the pain some students go through with her character Sophie Warzek. This is a book I had to finish reading.

For the past semester, Emily Dickinson scholar, Karen Pelletier has fended off the unwanted advances of her Enfield College colleague, Randy Astin-Berger. At the faculty Christmas party, Randy gets drunk. When a bored Karen goes to get her coat out of a closet, she is shocked as a dead Randy fall into her arms.

The police rule Karen out as a suspect and enlist her help in investigating the case which takes place in the hallowed halls of academia. Soon, a second corpse, a student, is found strangled to death. Karen wonders what is the connection between the two murdered individuals. She soon realizes that the link is Randy's research which he discussed with the deceased student. As Karen investigates the two murderers, she gets closer to uncovering the truth, but also places herself in mortal danger from a killer who wants to prevent Randy's research from being published.

QUIETER THAN SLEEP is an interesting mixing of English literature with a first rate mystery, leading to an intelligent who-done-it. Campus intrigue adds bits of wit to the drama, leaving readers wanting more novels starring Karen Pelletier. Joanne Dobson scores big time with her debut novel.

Harriet Klausner

"The clost door flew open and Randy Astin-Berger found me for the last time, falling forward into my arms in a first, and final, embrace."

This first novel by Joanne Dobson, an associate professor of English at Fordham University is anything but a sleeper! This mystery is set in the posh, political world of a small, elite Eastern college where fools sometimes rule and enemies are made for seemingly obscure reasons.

Karen Pelletier, our heroine, is a suspect in the murder of Astin-Berger, but so are Avery Mitchell, the college president, single and very appealing; Ned Hilton, the professor who, as a result of the deceased's influence, did not receive tenure; plus any number of the students who were victims of Astin-Berger's charms and misuse of power.

Enter Police Lieutenant Piotrowski, overweight and overwhelming, a real contrast to the proper Professor Pelletier. He seeks her help in solving the puzzle and pays her a much needed per diem to research the Dickenson papers that seem to play a part in the crime. Karen finds the answer in her research and almost loses her own life, but for the now-slimming, more gentle lieutenant.

This reader hopes more novels featuring the college setting, and including the appealing college president and, of course, Lt. Piotrowski already are being written by Dobson.

I read the 1st edition online (do an internet search) and although it was out-of-date it's advice and insight is timeless. If you obey the rules of that book you still cannot go wrong today.

My disappointment might have more to do with how ettiquette has changed than with the book itself. It recommends certain manner that would have been unacceptable to Emily such as introductions and greetings.

I would still recommend you buy this book, but definitely read the 1st edition before you do so. The combination of the two will better prepare you to adapt to each situation allowing you to exceed today's standards and impress others.

I have owned a current edition of Emily Post's Etiquette since I was in high school. In fact, I bought the 16th edition so quickly after it came out that I became the owner of a signed first edition and didn't realize it for almost a year. What a comfort to see new subjects addressed! It was high time for this revision. My mother was the first person to impress the importance of manners upon me. At first I thought what most people think - that the situations described in this book don't happen to most people. Once I had attended my first formal dinner, I sure was glad I knew what to do with all those glasses and pieces of silverware...after all, this was something my lower middle-class upbringing had not prepared me for. This is also a great reference for everyday occurrences, such as writing a thank-you note (there IS an art to this) and communicating with your boss. Every home should have one, so at least if an unfamiliar situation does crop up the tools to prepare for it are at your fingertips. If you think no one notices the nuances of behavior, you're wrong.

I find this book to be a valuable tool to help navigate the often-complex world in which we live. It provides guidance in a whole host of areas, from gracious dining to the business world, from protocol for visiting the Pope to dealing with employees in your home. It covers a broad spectrum of situations, and helps to ensure that the right decisions are made, and that behavior is polite and proper.

The book is broken down into the following sections: Formalities; Your Personal Life; Your Professional Life; Communications; Travel & Tipping; Entertaining and Entertainments; Celebrations and Ceremonies; Gifts, Giving, & Thank-Yous; and Weddings. Each section offers tips and suggestions for making relations between you and others go as smoothly as possible. In this fast-paced world, we need manners more than ever, if only to ensure that life remains civilized, and this book helps determine the best way to proceed if you're unsure. All in all a wonderful reference for anyone who ever has to deal with another human being either socially or professionally. Don't hesitate, buy it!