An impressive novel for young adults detailing the relatively unknown period in American life of the 1890s through the 1900 Boxer Rebellion which envoloped diplomats and merchants in a life-and-death siege. The story begins when Bertie is a 17-year old girl announces to her disapproving family that whe wants to becomd a medical doctor. These are her trails, her joys, and the full meaning of the straight-laced times when a woman had to practically batter her way through people's prejudices to become a professional. The scenes involve exclusive Philadelphia at the end of the 19th century, the Cuban and Philippine Wars, and finally an outstanding recreation of the Boxer Rebellion with accurate descriptions of the people and events involved. The author is a fresh and exciting voice who brings the 19th cnetury into full bloom.
"The Book Reader, Winter, 2002"

Easy to follow and concise for the novice. A good selection of popular recipes as well as explicit instructions and helpful hints. Recipes could be of interest to the experienced also.

Pretty absurd plot. Lovesey is generally a brilliant author, but this novel is tiresome and implausible. Although the Bertie series is not his best, other stories in this series are far better. Unless you have an overwhelming interest in the parlor games played by Victorian royalty, stay away.

This is a hilarious mystery as Prince Albert tries to prove his deductive abilities by finding the culprit who is committing serial murders paced on the Monday's Child rhyme. Of coure, his reasoning is usually way off and part of the fun is watching others deflate his ego with the correct explanation of his deductions. Nevertheless, Bertie shows a penchant for relying on royal privilege to get his way. A great comic historical mystery.

This is one of P.G. Wodehouses lesser efforts. The books plods rather than races along. All the other Jeeves books are written from the point of view of Bertie Wooster, but with Bertie gone this tactic cannot be used and the book suffers as a consequence. Only get it if you are making a collection of Wodehouse. Two other points. Firstly, the character in the novel is the Earl of Rowcester (not Towcester) and secondly the book was previously published as 'Ring for Jeeves'

This is a truly terrible biography: badly written and so uncritical of its subject that it is hard to take seriously. Why I regard this as badly written? The authors assume that the reader has an enormous knowledge of Irish politics and affairs and often refers to people/institutions/events without placing them in any sort of context. They also employ an abundance of quotes which often seems to have no bearing on the preceding or following text, and this often left me confused and frustrated. This smacks of sloppy writing and even more sloppy editing.

Then, as said, Ahern is portrayed throughout as a political superman, a king who can do no wrong. This is almost amusing given the events of recent times, where he has had to back down regarding his pet obsession, the so-called "Bertie Bowl" sports stadium, and has had to renege on a number of election promises because of the unforeseen slump in the Irish economy. It will be interesting to see if history will judge him as kindly as the authors of this flimsy biography.