I gave this novel 4 stars only because I am saving the last star for a future book (of which I hope there will be many). R.J. Stanton has constructed a complex plot that kept this reader frantically trying to figure out who the murderer was, up to the very end. The Western Massachusetts setting was authentic and the characters were interesting and believable. This is a great read that is hard to put down. Prepare to neglect the rest of your life for a few days while you wrap yourself up in R.J. Stanton's world.

Roland Briggs, sheriff of a small Massachusetts town in the early 1970s, must solve the area's first murders committed in fifteen years. Between personal problems -- an estranged family and a troubled affair with a married woman -- and professional problems -- memories of the job on a big city police force which continue to haunt him -- Roland strives to do his job right despite political pressure and the nagging feeling the wrong perp is being accused. Interspersed with this mystery through flashbacks is the history of the killer, Victor, through which his progress from an abused orphan to cold-hearted adult out for revenge is detailed.

I loved the characterization in this novel: in particular the exhausted, angst-ridden sheriff who tries to find justification in his actions during a torrid, illicit romance while balancing his responsibilities on the job. I liked also the point of view of the killer, and how Stanton portrayed his metamorphosis from scared, abused child sentenced indefinitely to a hellish life in a mental ward to a merciless killer determined to seek vengeance in the name of his mistreated siblings.

The Outlier is an eye-opener as well in its portrayal of the attitudes towards the mentally disabled in the 1950s and earlier. A book like this should make people angry, good as it is. Stanton researched well the history of mental health facilities in the early part of the century, and the vivid nature of the treatment of these people is sometimes unbearable to read. The mention of "eugenics" as it relates to the story is chilling. It's just something you have to read for yourself. If you're interested in stories of serial killings and crime, The Outlier is an engrossing read.

Kudos to R.J. Stanton for lifting the character of the serial killer from the mire of contemporary popular fiction and realizing the man behind the monster. Stanton's beast is one of the more believable I have read in a long time. We track, sometimes with gruesome detail, his maturation from a troubled youth into a calculating killer. Victor's back bio could stand in place of dozens of cheaply prefabricated so-called 'motives' that have been endlessly churned out in countless 'thriller' novels. This is one book which truly does thrill. It is the reality of the killer, and the agonizing reflections of Sysiphus we see in the character of Roland Briggs that bring us deep within of the folds of this novel. And it is not a nice place to be.

This is my first book by Judith Staton, and I enjoyed it. I especially like the insights it gave me into the Moravian lifestyle. Before reading the book I really had no idea about it and as a result I even researched a little on Moravians. The main problem I had with the book is that Retha was very annoying sometimes with all her fears of the bedroom. I didn't like the fact that they didn't discuss their sexual problems until almost end. But overall a good read.

The Moravian atmosphere is dealt with sympathetically and with great interest; the sexual tension, plot and characters are built well. I kept turning the pages. But the problems arising in the bedroom are something I've seen in too many romance novels (WHY don't these people talk about their problems? WHY is it that the bride never knows what to do?). It's done well, but it's becoming a cliche -- although it doesn't bother the readability of the book. I thought the heroine should have been more concerned/traumatized by what happened to her adoptive Indian family, something that occurred at a later age, than with her first family, the one she couldn't remember. The Indians were glossed over, practically forgotten. What bothered me in particular was the very end, the sudden comic-book devolution of the villain, just how much of a dastard he is (what's wrong with letting him hold on to a touch of humanity for realism?) (I expected him to be twirling his moustache by the end) and how he's dealt with. It was totally beyond the level of what was needed and spoiled the book, which is otherwise quite a good one for the genre. "His Stolen Bride" is the better book, a sequel to this one dealing with one of the sons.

I mostly read historical ficiton, but I read a lot of historical romance, as well. This is the first historical romance I've ever read that incorporated what I love about both genres so beautifully. Interesting, well developed characters; a multi-layered plot; well researched history; an engrossing relationship. It has it all. I particularly loved the hero and his internal conflict. I've read this book twice now.

I have been a member of 12-Step programs for 20 years. I have been in therapy for 32 years (originally mandated by the court in 1969). I have written a book about addiction myself. People who are mandated to go to 12-Step programs by the courts do not have to stay once their obligation is fulfilled. People who do stay get help. For me the combination of 12-Step programs, therapy and religion has brought me the recovery from addiction that I prayed for before I even knew what praying really meant. Stanton Peele's book is reactionary and uses fear tactics to sell books and inflate the author's ego. I am sad that he chooses to attack programs that have such a wonderful track record. Psychology has been helpful to me over the years, but 12-Step programs (the people, the principles, the literature, and the meetings) have saved my life.

Resisting 12-Step Coercion destroys the flagrant canard that 12-step groups are inherently voluntary. Indeed, authors Chaz Bufe, Stanton Peele, and Archie Brodsky provide ample evidence that each year, over 1,000,000 Americans are compelled to join this crypto-biblical therapeutic cult or face reprisals ranging from extended jail time to unemployment.

In a penetrating analysis of this disconcerting trend, the book questions the legal, medical, and ethical issues which directly undermine this alleged panacea for addiction. And, lest you fall victm to this insidious method of social control, the authors provide invaluable advice for anyone facing the possibility of forced 12-step conscription.

It behooves civil libertarians from across the political spectrum to peruse this important work!

PANIK Magazine, Vol.2, No. 2

it would be helpful if the 12-stepper cult members who review this book would actually READ it before they review it. it also would be helpful if they spoke something other than half truths ."the gal who started Moderation Management as a response to AA was convicted of killing two people in a drunken driving accident. AA's response to that was no comment."

this is not surprising given that Audrey Kishline ("the gal") had been not practicing moderation in her own group, but had become an active AA cult member months before the fatal accident. AA members always forget to mention this FACT.

But this is besides the point because she has nothing to do with the topic of this book, as this stepper is trying to make Mr. Peele somehow guilty by association to Ms. Kishline's lack of personal responsibility and to cloud the issue of 12-Step coercion in this country.

the truth is AA is a double thinking religious cult, whose members use their influence to make it the model for over 90% treatment center is USA, and limit the availability of other models.

the truth is, according to AA's own survey, 50% of people leave AA within first 3 months, and 95% within 12 months. of those 5%, 100% are not sober for that period, if at all. AA did a survey In a 1989 of almost ten thousand members chosen at random, thirty five per cent of the respondents reported less than a year of sobriety. the abstinence rate continues to drop in the following years. AA has been around for about 60 years, but only twenty-nine percent of members have been sober for more than 5 years.

the people who left AA were not served by AA's program, and were taught they would die if they left AA and didnt follow their so called "suggestions"

"unless each AA member follows to the best of his ability our suggested Twelve Steps of recovery, he almost certainly signs his own death warrant" by AA's founder bill wilson..

not much of a choice offered there, "follow the "Program" or you will die." "they are suggestions, take what you want and leave the rest". right. any cult would be proud of that double think.

nor is there any real proof of AA' effectiveness, there isn't one legitimate study which can demonstrate AA is any better than no treatment at all. but based on the number that go thru their doors when they need help, a less than 5% recovery rate of people introduced to AA and seeking help is not successful by any standard.

bottom line is, if your being forced into the religious cult of AA, this book can help you find a something which will work for you.

Lots of good explanations - but also many sidebars which don't help. Biggest problem is lots of errors in the math examples which hopefully will be caught if reprinted:
pg20 - 94 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 (meant to be 96=2x2x2x2x2x3)
pg21 - this time correct prime factorization but still says 94
pg100 - products of 4 & 9 roots mixes addition and multiplication... 3 errors in the step-by-step process; complicated by using yet another "+" when should be "X" in the description afterwards.
pg103 - denominator of final answer should be 5, not 15
Frustrating I've been marking the book up for errors.

I purchased this book a couple of years ago when I was preparing to take the GRE, and I desperately needed some math review. The book was perfect for that purpose, but I've also found myself referring to it many times since then. It's a great reference for all that math you had in high-school and/or college and don't use enough to keep fresh in your mind. I've used it quite a few times at work as well as with some of the classes I've taken in grad school (Computer Science). The only think that keeps me from giving it 5 stars is the lack of an index, which makes it difficult to look up specific topics. The book is small enough and so well organized, though, that that is a minor annoyance.

helpful math review I recieved a lot out of reading this book.

This book was terrible. Boring and rambling, it seems more like an effort to cash in on people's current interest in angels than anything that could really help you. I found it answered none of life's questions for me.

Emmanuel's books are some of the best books I have found which contain real, deep spiritual truths. They present a vision of humanity and God which is totally compassionate and loving. The question is not whether these books are true. The question is whether you are ready for this truth? Many similar books are hard to digest, but this series is not. Emmanuel means "God with us," and God is truly in this series. I strongly recommend this series if you are a seeker of Truth.

Who is the "Angel"? You are. That is Emmanuel's message. The book helps you to recognize your own divinity. It is definitely the same voice as the first two, but this time Emmanuel is more pressing ... maybe it is his last book. All three of his books are on my nightstand. Many, many times I have had a question, I open one of the books randomly and find the answer there.

Luca Mantovani is a public-relations-man of the Italian Party "Forza Italia", allied with the ex-fascist "Alleanza Nazionale". The Forza Italia's leader Silvio Berlusconi was very very close to the Socialist Party ex-leader Bettino Craxi, who was one of the most corrupted politician in Italy. It seems that Craxi gave many many favours to Berlusconi, who seems to have something to hide about these favours and his own past. It's true, it's possible that there was somebody behind the judges in the Operation "Clear Hands", maybe the ex-Communist Party "PDS". But the point is that I don't accept any judgement from Mantovani, extremely involved in this dramatic and confused situation, in which his own party is more interested to fight what they call "the judge party" and to save their leader, than to think about the real needs of Italian People.

Il volume di Burnett e Mantovani contribuisce a chiarire il pericoloso processo di supplenza del potere democraticamente legittimato, quello parlamentare, da parte del potere giudiziario. Dietro allo sconto fra magistrati e politici, emerge il più ampio e inquietante processo di trasformazione dell'Italia in Stato etico, che taluni hanno semplificato, non senza acume, in un ritardato scontro fra modello calvinista e modello cattolico. Insieme ad altri libri editi in questi anni, tra i quali è doveroso citare l'opera di Ciro Sbailò (anch'egli, come Luca Mantovani, uomo comunicazione di Forza Italia), Davanti alla Legge, pubblicato in Italia nel 1997, The Italian Guillotine ha un solo limite, grave: non essere ancora stato tradotto in italiano. Fatto strano apparentemente, ma che la lettura stessa del volume rivelerà come inevitabile, in un Paese dove la magistratura difende le proprie illegalità colpendo, anche economicamente, chi le denuncia.

This is a description of a major event in Italy, the causes of which were concealed and distorted in Italian medias at the time of the trials and afterwards. It is a new approach to one of the "Italian misteries"

A piece of erotica history. A little dated and repetive, but still worth getting.

A nice huge book with tons of Stanton's art reproduced in large format and very accurately covering most of his career.

For fans who are into more modern scenes of SM and leather erotica and porn, Stanton would seem a little dated, almost burlesque-era. Still very nice for historical interest.

This book is huge, coffee-table sized, and really tells the story like we all know it to be. Eric Kroll really explains the process well and there are lots of Eric Stanton's best images here.

I would reccomend this book but only to someone extremely interested in the subject. If you are looking to be amused-this is not a good choice. This is definately an educational resource to be used to understand this woman's life, not to be interpreted as a cozy novel to curl up by the fire with... but as I said, if you are a real woman's history buff- I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

I found this book totally mesmerizing. I thought the author did a good job in covering Stanton's later years. She was thorough and honest. I learned a lot and would recommend it to anyone interested in the origins of women's history.

Wow! How many synonyms are there for GOOD? Let's see: magnificent, wonderful, amazing, fabulous (and for the teens, totally fab) great, weel, I could go on and on, but hey- just read the book for yourself. Pig out of FAB books, man.

Don't waste your money! This book is nothing but a college professer's bravado about how he has researched 'all the fact's'. While I do not doubt the fact as recorded, I found this book extremely tiedious and boring with regards to "x company x battailion, x platoon..." I much prefer the story of someone who was actually there. If you are looking for exact dates and technical details then this book is for you. If...you want to see what life was really like as a LRRP then I recommend a book such as "Charlie Rangers".

Company K team 3-C I was there and in the same Company K. Sgt. Kenneth Hess was a good friend of mine, as well as the other team mates. The Montagnard(Ju Hmok)that was killed by friendly fire was right. Pfc. Nathaniel Irving was killed in a way that only a NVA would kill like a(Butcher) yes he was butchered.The reason we didn't get any radio contact,was because a gernade had landed between Sgt. Hess's neck and the radio. Thats why we had lost radio contact. If you knew the NVA and thier ways. You would know that they never put anyone in a grave. The part about Pfc. Don A.MacPhail was right. He was a POW and then returned in 1973. The Montagnard (Ju Hmok) was also my scout.I had let him stay behind because he had just gotten married. but they needed a scout so they took Ju Hmok. Sgt. Hess only had two weeks too go before he was too go home. Of all the things that happened over there, that I won't forget and also what had happened too team 3-C. Submitted by Sgt. John Serrano

The previous reviewer who believes that this book was written by "some college professor" displays his own ignorance. The author, Shelby L. Stanton, was a decorated Special Forces officer who served in Vietnam. Trust me, the author knows what he's talking about, and though this may not be an exciting book, it is worth the price.

This book first appealled to me, an almost old woman, since the main character, Faith, is no longer young. Well written descriptions of Faith's changing perception draw one into the mystery. The solution and the ending are tart,yet satisfying. On a deeper level,it serves as a grim reminder that your life is what you choose to make of it. Read the dedication after you finish the novel. I hope to read more from this writer, & would like to know more about her.

This wonderful book is the best evidence ever that works in the mystery genre can transcend the genre stereotype and land full force among the best writers of contemporary literature. I loved the plot, found the characters compelling and extraordinarily well-developed. Jane Hitchcock is a terrific writer and I look forward to reading her a lot more in the future.

As Dominick Dunne said in his review of this book, it is a "sleek and elegant" mystery with a fantastic twist at the end. I notice it was nominated for an Edgar Award and a Hammett Prize and deservedly so. The author creates an atmosphere of beauty and suspense. Anyone interested in art should have a ball with this book. I dare readers to put it down once they've read the first chapter. I've given it to many friends. They all agree it's great..