I've always enjoyed Anne Perry's Charlotte and Pitt mysteries more than her Monk and Latterly mysteries. They are not perhaps as deep but they are usually much more fun. I find it easier to identify with the main characters and the ambience of their lives is more satisfying.

Seven Dials, the most recent Charlotte and Pitt mystery, is for me one of her better recent books. The writer's facility for setting a scene, whether it is a society event, the slums of the east end of London or the streets of Alexandria is unparalleled. She makes her way unerringly through the mind-boggling convolutions of Victorian morality without miring the reader in its tedious virtue.

This is another of Anne Perry's good yarns, complete with Gracie, Aunt Vespasia and sister Emily. It is full of strong emotions, well-honed dialogue and spiced this time with Pitt's visit to Egypt.

When a diplomat is found murdered, it is obvious who killed him--the foreign woman whose gun lies smoking next to his body. The British Special Service is called in not to find the killer, but to protect her lover, M.P. Ryerson. The government's relationship with its Egyptian 'protectorate' has been uneasy and Ryerson is the one man in a position to balance the Empire's interests. Detective Thomas Pitt might not like his job, but he's got to do it. Except that nothing about this case is exactly what it appears to be.

While Pitt is looking for the truth behind the obvious, his servant Gracie and wife Charlotte are investigating a completely different, but equally baffling problem. The brother of one of Gracie's friends has disappeared, forgetting his sister's birthday and his other obligations. With no clear case for the police, Charlotte turns to her aristocratic relatives to dig beneath society's veneer to learn the nasty secrets that are known but never spoken of.

Author Anne Perry has created a rich view of Victorian England and Empire. The brief view of Alexandria, Egypt depicts the exotic wonder of this ancient land while Perry also shows a sympathetic eye to the caste-ridden society of England itself. The coincidence that Charlotte's investigation merges with Pitt's is a bit far-fetched, but does not really marr the power of this story.

Pitt, his boss Narraway, and Pitt's aunt Vespasia are especially complex and interesting characters while Gracie provides a comic touch. SEVEN DIALS is entertaining and, for all its century-old setting, raises issues that remain current.

After exposing the workings of the Inner Circle, Thomas Pitt was fired as superintendent of Bow Street. For his and his family's sake he went to work for Special Branch, a top secret agency charged with keeping Great Britain safe from its' enemies. His latest case involves an Egyptian woman, Ayesha Zakhari, the mistress of cabinet minister Saville Ryerson.

The police believe that Ayesha shot and killed minor diplomat Edwin Lovatt, her lover when he was stationed in Egypt over a decade ago. Ryerson and Ayesha were disposing the body when the police caught them. The government doesn't want Ryerson implicated in a scandal and he doesn't want his mistress who he loves very much to hang for murder. Pitt's boss sends him to Egypt in the hope of discovering more about the players and if anyone else had a reason to kill Lovatt.

Anne Perry has written another fascinating Victorian mystery and this one is better than most (and that is saying something) because the reader receives an intriguing look at Egypt through the filtered eyes of a veteran foreign police officer. The audience also gain the perspective of how many Egyptians feel towards their British masters. History aside, in SEVEN DIALS, the hero's wife is working on a missing person case that has to do with Pitt's homicide investigation. Watching these two cases intersect is mesmerizing and realistic if one has faith in coincidence.

Harriet Klausner

JB Priestly wrote a book about time ('Man and Time') and in it he referred to a WH Hudson novel called 'A Crystal Age'. His couple of paragraphs about 'A Crystal Age' stimulated my interest but nowhere could I find the novel he referred to. However, I did find 'Green Mansions' and I have read it several times. It is a beautiful novel with an undertone of darkness (is death the darkness that we all live with during the beauty of life?). Perhaps 'Green Mansions' disappointed me a little after triggering my romantic nerve. I did, however, keep exploring the writings of WH Hudson - 'Long Ago and Far Away', 'The Purple Land', 'Idle Days in Patagonia' and the wonderful 'A Shepherd's Life'.

On a recent trip to the States I visited a small specialist bookshop where it was suggested I might be able to get access to 'A Crystal Age' through abebooks.com. This was great advice. I have just finished reading 'A Crystal Age' and I concur with JB Priestley's assessment. 'A Crystal Age' is worth the effort of pursuing - it is a surprising first-person utopian novel in which Hudson's love of nature does not render him oblivious to the fact that there are downsides in all worlds - all imaginable worlds. Just like the dark shadows in 'Green Mansions'. The end of 'A Crystal Age' is so surprising - I believe very few readers would see what is coming - I certainly didn't as I rushed on towards it. There is a certain illogic to the ending, but there is also something that haunts me continuously. I hope the illogic has not been a contributing factor in this novel's failure to be reprinted. But why else has it not been picked up - I am sure there is a market.

'A Crystal Age' is a stronger less romantic novel than 'Green Mansions', but it is also exceptional for many reasons. I don't hesitate in recommending 'Green Mansions' but I also urge readers to pursue 'A Crystal Age' - it is only a matter of time before I will be re-reading it myself. As for publishers who are looking for books from the past to reprint - give 'A Crystal Age' a look.

I read the Classic Comic version of this book many times when I was a kid. I've only now just read the original and found it's haunting beauty lingered in my mind for the last 2 weeks. The description of Abels mental travails at the end of the book is a particularly memorable and inspired.

The main male charachter has reason to leave civilization and travels far into South American jungles, meets with native tribes, and finds one which takes him in. They all seem happy with him until his curiosity gets the best of him, and he goes to a 'forbiden forest' so feared by this tribe he becomes ostricised for having been there.

In the second part of this book he befriends a mysterious girl who lives in the forest and seems more farie than human. He finds himself doing things for her which he would have never thought he would do for another person.

This is a clasic love story, intriguing, beautiful, and tragic. This was one of my first introductions to the classics of lliterature, and prompted me to find and read more of classic literature which has greatly enriched the scope of my reading experiences.

Death of a Stranger, Anne Perry's latest installment in the William Monk series, is a good, entertaining read, but it could have used a little more meat on its bones. Perhaps Perry was rushed to meet a deadline. As Hester works in a charity medical clinic in the slums and investigates the beatings of prostitutes, and as Monk looks into the possibility of railroad fraud for a woman who is afraid for her finacee, Monk finds that, though he can't discover any current fraud, he fears that in his past life he had less than honorable dealings in another railroad fraud sixteen years ago.

Monk's fear of finding that he had been involved in something illegal or immoral estranges him from Hester, and Hester is uncertain what to do about it. As the action accelerates, though, that part of the story is neglected, leaving one wishing for more character-oriented material. The two storylines-- Hester's doings in Coldbath Fields and Monk's railway investigation--do not intersect enough, and at times one must assume a conversation relaying important information between them took place. Also, whether or not (or, if he does, how) Monk confides his fears and certain important events and information to Hester, we are not told, and since much of the first half of the book deals with that issue, it's strange that their interactions all but cease in the last 120 pages. Basically, I was left feeling that the book needed a few more scenes depicting Hester's and Monk's interactions were needed. Monk certainly spends a lot of time in the first half of the book agonizing about how Hester would feel about him if he had done something wrong in the past, but there is no resolution, or confrontation of this issue as one would expect. Perhaps in the next Monk/Hester novel this will come out, but it would have been appropriate in Death of a Stranger. Lack of it gives a somewhat sketchy, unfinished feel.

There were also some small inconsistencies (or seeming inconsistencies) that niggle slightly. The woman Monk undertakes an investigation for, Katarina Harcus, is a strong, interesting character, but I think some readers will start to figure her out before Monk does. However, the subplot with Rathbone (who is getting over Hester) helping Hester investigate beatings of prostitutes is excellent.

There are three reasons to read a Perry novel, the fine mysteries she cooks up, the descriptions of Victorian England, and the new information and insights into her characters. Unfortunately, the third element is not as srong as could be; I missed the richness of Hester and Monk's relationship that's more evident in earlier installments. An opportunity for Hester and Monk to face a real problem in their marriage is missed, and it shows. However, the unexpected (and unexpectedly action-packed) denoument is top-notch. Other positives include a practically laugh-out-loud funny sequence in which Rathbone helps Hester uncover the prostitutes' persecutor and the (re)introduction of spunky young Margaret, a well-to-do young woman who helps Hester in her clinic. Followers of the series will enjoy this latest book, and with its revelations about Monk's past, it's not to be missed.

Latest in her series of protagonists William Monk and his wife, the former Hester Latterly, Death of a Stranger kept me guessing - unsuccessfully - to the last chapter. The Monks are admirable people, and Perry doesn't write down to her audience. This work is an equal in an excellent series.

Hester and William Monk become involved in the investigation of the murder of a railway executive in a brothel. At first, Hester and William are working on seperate cases (Hester finds that prostitutes are being abused by their clients from the women that come to her free clinic, and William is retained by the finacee of a young and successful railway executive to see if he is involved in fraud). Soon, Hester and William realize that their cases are connected, and William finds, as the investigation progresses, that his memory loss from a past accident is starting to come back, and that he may be involved with the railway fraud.

Riveting and suspenseful, it was a hard book to put down. Another winner for Perry, and one of the best in the Hester and William Monk series.

"Before Thoroughbred, Ashleigh Griffen lived at Edgardale, her family's farm in Kentucky. Nothing could be more perfect than life on the farm with her family, her favorite horses, and her best friend, Mona. Ashleigh loves helping with the horses-and dreaming of become a jockey some day..."

Ashleigh Griffen is thrilled when she hears that she and her family are going to see the wealthy Danworths...and also one of Ashleigh's favorite stallions, Alladin! But, as she watches Aladdin racing and working out, she sees that he has a 'moose-like' way of racing which causes him to lose nearly all races. Ashleigh just knows that she can find out why Aladdin is like that if she can ride him, but she can't because she had terrible math grades and her parents forbid her to ride any ANY horses until she get her grades up.

But if she don't help Aladdin, Peter Danworth would no longer love or even care for Aladdin anymore. Ashleigh gets news that if Aladdin loses his next race, the Danworths will retire him to stud at Edgardale...but as she accidentally discovers the secret of how to run him to win, will she tell Peter about it or keep it to herself so that Aladdin would come to Edgardale?

I thought that this book wasn't the BEST in the Ashleigh series I've read so far. It was still fun and interesting to read though, and I recommend it to kids and maybe teenagers too. Though I kind of think teenagers would find it a bit easy to read.

I love the Thoroughbred series, but this is one of the best yet. It is so cool how Ashleigh discovers the problem with Alladin after she sneeks a ride on him. (She's not allowed to ride) I won't give the rest away. FANTASTIC BOOK! HORSE LOVERS- READ THIS BOOK!!!

In this book Ashleigh Griffen and her family spend a week at the Danworths' farm in Florida. Aladdin's Treasure, a colt the Griffens sold to the Danworths isn't running well and Ashleigh is devastated. She figures out his secret, but will she tell Peter who owns Aladdin? This book was great, even though Ashleigh acted a little bratty.

When one considers that the great philosophers of the twentieth century stand on the shoulders of Bertrand Russell, Alfred North Whitehead, A. J. Ayer, G. E. Moore, and Ludwig Wittgenstein, one has to place Russell in the foreground as the philosophers' philosopher. He writes with clarity and lucidity. His concerns are largely logical and epistemological. And this book centers around his principal concerns.

I doubt that Russell would write this same book today, but I also doubt that he would fundamentally alter the positions he takes, if he were writing today. There is something neat, eloquent, and elegant about his epistemological premises that make this work (well beyond its 17th printing and more than eighty years old) such a venerable treasure trove. Could his positions be better articulated? Yes, but not by much. Would he delve more deeply into logic? Almost certainly. And he does, in other books written during his lifetime.

This book is really for the novice. My only complaint is that the novice will probably remain lost if his readings did not encompass more logic and criticism of rational and empirical epistemology. What makes Russell a true "modern" in contemporary philosophy is his bridge to resolving both the rationalist and empiricist schools of thought. One not knowing these dichotomies might find Russell's resolution difficult to follow. Elsewhere in the book, Russell identifies "three" rules of thought, when these rules are no longer considered all that are extent. Generally, there are seven, sometimes nine, taught in most symbolic logic courses, and this discrepancy may needlessly cause confusion. So while the book is written for the novice, it bears re-reading after covering other contemporary writers.

Russell and the others mentioned above are often associated with logical atomism, either directly or indirectly. Reading Russell or Ayer gives the student the best opportunity to do philosophy whilst learning it first hand. Both are explicit writers with Ayer perhaps having the upper hand. But, as with any philosophical school, such as logical atomism, there is always a counter reaction, and A. L. Austin's "Sense and Sensibility" is just such a reproach. Russell, like Ayer, uses the construct of "sense data" to explain the theory of knowledge; Austin and Gilbert Ryle redress both author's use of such "metaphysical" interpolations, which makes for an interesting contrast. Any reader of Russell or Ayer should counterbalance his reading with Austin's work.

"The Problems of Philosophy" is not without gaps that may leave the reader puzzled by the omissions. Perhaps they weren't as obvious when Russell wrote this book, but they are clearer now in hindsight. An egregious omission is the absence of anything to do with ethics or moral theory. Since ethics is one of the few domains particular to philosophy alone, this omission is particularly troublesome in a book of this name. If I were to title the book, it would be "The Problems of Epistemology."

As others have commented, this is a very good introduction to the basic topics of philosophy from a great 20th century philosopher. Russell focuses almost entirely on epistemology in this book, offering a thorough grounding of the most fundamental issues of human knowledge. The writing is very clear and straightforward in a way that is good for both the philosopher and general public. I couldn't have dreamed of a better writing style for such a book topic.

I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5 because the focus is pretty much entirely on epistemology and I feel Russell does not discuss metaphysics or ethics as much as he could have. But don't let that discourage you...this book is valuable to the philosophical newcomer.

I bought this book because it was recommended for further reading in my philosophy class. I figured it was going to be a pure drag...you know, Huge words, vague sentences, so on and so on. I have to say that this book is the complete opposite. Bertrand Russell brings the topics right down to earth and explains them in a way that the average person can understand. The last chapter, "The value of Philosophy" is written with beautiful style and is an enjoyment to read. Here is a qoute from this chapter

"Philosophy, though unable to tell us with certainty what is the true answer to the doubts which it raises, is able to suggest many possiblities which enlarge our thoughts and free them from the tyranny of custom. Thus, while diminishing our feeling of certainty as to what things are, it greatly increases our knowledge as to what the may be; it removes the somewhat arrogant dogmatism of those who have never travelled into the region of liberating doubt, and it keeps alive our sense of wonder by showing familar things in an unfamilar aspect."

This book definetely has sparked in me an interest in philosophy. If you are even remotely interested in the subject, I recommend you buying it too.

If you have some time, and enjoy reading about one of baseball's best eras, then I strongly recommend this book. Henry Thomas has written a meticulously researched, 400 page account of the life of Walter Johnson. Not only does it expound upon his on-field brilliance, but it demonstrates the love and respect that everyone associated with baseball had for Walter. The foreword is written by longtime Washington sportswriter, Shirley Povich, and the book contains many fine photos. If you are not a baseball fan, the wordy and intricate game descriptions may be tiresome. But if you enjoy the game, you will enjoy this book.

One of the best baseball books I have ever read- easily on my top ten list and maybe even in my top five. I was not aware that the book was written by Johnson's great grandson until I began reading; this certainly gave the material a lot of credibility.
Walter Johnson was, without question, the greatest pitcher in baseball history. Along with Al Stump's work on Ty Cobb, Robert Creamer's work on Casey Stengel, and the recently published Cy Young biography (author's name escapes me), this book establishes a lasting legacy of Johnson on and off the field.

Written from the heart, and it shows. Truly a magnificent piece of work from Henry Thomas. I loved this book from beginning to end. Follow Walter Johnson from beginning to end through the eyes of someone that actually cares about Walter Johnson, his grandson. I cannot say enough great things about this book. Such a teriffic treat about a wonderful character in the history of baseball.

Nice update on diabetes, especially compared to older books on the market. I was recently diagnosed as Type 2 and this was part of a voracious education campaign. Author presents a nine point process to take charge. It worked for me, but then diet and exercise are the core of any successful diabetes management program. Main point in this book is the addition of HCA/chromium as a dietary supplement. Does it work? Don't know for sure, but my glucose went from 250 to 125 in two weeks, although I'm still on Glucophage. His case studies are positive. Main thing I got out of the book was: "The cure is better than the disease."

As a long-time patient of Dr. Vern Cherewatenko, I can honestly say that the nine steps that he lists in this book are right on the money. I am at risk for Type II diabetes due to family history. Dr. Vern, his associate Dr. MacDonald, and I have been working to ensure that I do not end up with diabetes. The HCA mentioned is something that I highly recommend for anyone, diabetic or not. It has been instrumental in my 15 pound weight loss (in 12 months). Keep up the good work, Dr. Vern.

I am a person with Type II diabetes that had been able to treate the disease with diet. My blood sugars were starting to get out of the acceptable range when I got this book. I followed the recomendations listed in the book and my blood sugars are all back to normal now. I have also lost weight with the system. All I can say is that it works for me. I have never felt better in years.This may be the best book for people with Yype II diabetes.

The author contradicts himself in the first chapter. He writes about how incredibly wonderful it is on the 'other side' and how people who have NDE's very often become extremely angry and hostile when they are resusitated and brought back to this world.

Yet, a few lines on, he tells the story of a woman who asks the Being of Light if she can come back to Earth because she wants to go dancing! It can't be all that bloody great through the ruddy tunnel if dancing in this world is better. I have come across authors who have contradicted themselves, but never before in the same chapter!

Another thing that annoys me about this book is that the author is very selective when quoting research results to back up his theories. For example, in the chapter 'Explanations' he quotes from research by a Carl Becker who explains why the tunnel effect experienced by NDEers can not be explained away as a leftover memory from the experience of birth, as has been suggested by other scientists. However, he could just as easily have quoted from books by Brian L. Weiss M.D. who has regressed many patients who very clearly indeed recall their birth experiences, and in the greatest detail, all of which were proved to be true.

Other than the above, I enjoyed 'The Light Beyond' and would recommend it.

This work seems to be more complete and better thought out than Life after Life (which I rated high). Dr Moody has a way of presenting the information of NDE in way that allows the reader to come to his or her own conclusions. He does offer his own response to the phenomena and explains that he has been moved by the direct contact with NDE people. Dr Ring also stated a similar emotional transit by association (how could one not?). As suggested, the idea of spirituality being important as opposed to religion, to me appeals to the average intellect. To live ones life with the virtues of good and love being foremost because it is the right thing to do for yourself and the world around you, seems like a grand idea. I believe this book helps us in that direction. The opinion that there was not a wealth of new data or ideas does not seem important. What seemed significant was the maturing of the concepts and the slight contrast to the first books personality. You could feel a certain security from the author that he was now presenting us all with a great truth, rather than a new cult curiosity. In all-- well worth reading.

One of the best books EVER written, along with Dr. Moodys Life After LIfe and Reunions

It doesn`t matter if you have been collecting the Beatles for years or a novice just starting out,this book has something for everyone.Chock full of details like label variations and year of release.What better way to find the value of your record collection than by the experts, and Mr. Cox certainly is that.He has been writing the only official guide to the Beatles records for years.Now,this book is in a handy size so you can take it along to yard sales where you`ll know if you`ve found that treasure or not.For ebayers,this book is a money saver.No more,"I sold it too cheap cause I didn`t know the value" Highly recomended.

Perry Cox is the world renowned expert on Beatles records and other collectibles. The man simply has an encyclopedic knowledge of their recordings. This is the ultimate pricing and descriptive guide to their records, covering vinyl in all forms issued in the USA (which means it doesn't cover import versions) and CDs, with other collectibles touched on in its final pages. The emphasis here is clearly on Beatles LPs, EPs, 45s, and CDs, both group efforts, and solo releases. If you are a Beatles collector or want to start a collection, or learn how much your existing collection could be worth, this is the book you want and need. There is no other reference that can touch it. Some of the photographs are poor, but I'd chalk that up more to the printing process than anything. If you need to know EVERY variation of Sgt. Pepper's that Capitol/Apple ever released, or the nuances of the differences in all the pressings of any other Beatles LP, EP, 45, or CD that you can think of, this is your book. Perry's long essay on the "Butcher Cover" version of Yesterday and Today is, alone, worth the price of admission. With prices of Beatles collectibles still soaring, with vinyl getting more and more valuable as the years go by, you need to be armed out there in the marketplace, whether you are buying or selling. You can't do any better than to foray out there with this book in hand.

The DEFINITIVE Beatles price guide...Exhaustive info-fest on ALL U.S. Beatle and Beatle related stuff. Great info regarding counterfeit items and label variations. Although this wouldn't be considered a "coffee table" book, the pics are FINE and the eight page color section is a nice touch. Mindboggling in it's scope and obviously a labor of love, the Official Price Guide To The Beatles: Records and Memorabilia is a great read for ANY Beatles fan, and has probably sent many Beatles collectors back to the basement to re-evaluate their records...

After hearing this as a book on tape, I found myself compelled to read all of Anne Perry's William Monk books. Hester Latterly is one of the more appealing characters out there! I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to wait for the next one!

The Silent Cry is the best so far in Perry's Monk series. The mystery is genuinely mysterious, the period color superb, the characters well-developed and fully realized. The nurse Hester Latterly, Monk himself, and the other returning characters are as engaging and realistic as ever, and Perry's dialogue, as always, sounds like real Victorian people having real Victorian conversations. The book is slightly flawed by some minor incononsistencies in the plot, mostly having to do with the injuries to Rhys Duff, but these are not very troubling. The picture Perry paints of Victorian London and the social issues and manners of the time would make the book worth reading even if it weren't an outstanding mystery.

Anne Perry is one of my favorite authors and this is one of her best books. By now, I am more than ready for her hero, Inspector William Monk, to make his mind up about his feelings for Hester Latterly, an independent, non-conformist, and highly likeable nurse who challenges all of Monk's ideas of what (or whom) constitutes the "perfect" woman. Ms. Perry weaves this problem (for Monk anyway) throughout the story and finally provides us hopeless (hopeful?) romantics with a few sops of encouragement. All of the supporting characters are finely and wonderfully drawn (likeable or not) and the attention to detail of the historical period is unmatched. Well worth anyone's time.