This was my introduction to the work of Richard Stark (aka Donald Westlake) and I just loved Parker. The character is a compelling blend of bad guy with good reason that reminded me powerfully of Patricia Highsmith's Ripley. It's quite a feat to put the reader squarely on the side of someone who, basically, is not a nice person. Highsmith did it; Stark/Westlake has done it, too. The man is a fine writer, with the gift of economy; no unnecessary descriptions, just pure driving narrative and vivid characterizations. I plan to get all the previous Parker books just as soon as I finish writing this review. Highly recommended.

Donald E. Westlake may be known primarily for his comedic crime novels, particularly the Dortmunder series, but when writing as Richard Stark displays a much darker personality. Stark's Parker novels were on a long sabatical, but in the past few years have come back strong. The latest book has a relatively straight forward plot in which Parker attempts to get even with a crime gang he hooked up with before a parting of the ways. The Parker novels have some humor, but there is no mistaking the hard edge of the lead character who will kill at a moment's notice if things don't go his way. A Parker novel is best described as hard, and this one is no exception. The title refers to the modus operandi used by a crime gang when pulling of bank heists or a really big jewelry job. Parker feels cheated out of his share of the former caper, and plots to get even with his former cronies. Parker needs money to realize his scheme, and goes on a crime spree, netting more money than originally at stake, before heading to Palm Beach, the site of the novel's main action. Some readers may find the crime spree more interesting than the later action. In addition to the main plot, there is a subplot threatening Parker's life that has the potential to change the entire direction of the book.

Fans of Westlake's lighter crime books should definitely check out the Stark novels. Those who saw Mel Gibson in Payback, an early Parker novel may be surprised that Parker is not the anti-hero type, but a flat-out criminal and killer (when necessary).

Every genre has its masters. In the caper novel, one of the masters, actually one of the grandmasters, is Donald Westlake. Whether writing Parker novels as Richard Stark or the Dortmunder books (Parker's comic opposite) under his own name, Westlake always delivers.

To those unfamiliar with Parker (most recently portrayed cinematically in the fun movie, Payback), he is a violent and generally amoral thief whose cold, almost mechanical approach to his job and life lead to his general success. Parker is not a nice guy, but he is compelling to read about.

The story this time is familiar enough; Parker gets ripped off and goes after the thieves who betrayed him. Along the way, he makes enemies and allies who complicate his plans. Revenge isn't the proper word for what Parker seeks, since that would imply a level of emotions that he doesn't have; instead, Parker seeks balance: those who defy his code must be punished to restore balance.

How important is this sense of balance to Parker? Along the way to his final confrontation, he winds up stealing far more than he originally lost, but it means little: he still wants the original money. He is actually more interested in people who steal from him than people who kill him.

If you like crime novels, you can't go wrong with Parker (or Westlake's books in general). Reading a Parker novel gets to the basics of what a caper book is all about: clever plotting and plenty of action.

LifeKeys does a relevant and wonderful job of guiding those in search of a clear path in life. Through a series of simple but deep and though provoking tests, LifeKeys sets out to help the reader discover who they are and what God is calling them to do. The tests include interests, values, spiritual gifts and personality type, as well as guidance on integrating the gathered information to write a life mission statement.

There is a hunger for books like these in our society... in our church of about 500 members, over 30 people signed up for the LifeKeys class which I led. The discussion was wonderful, and students left satisfied with their experience.

The only drawback to this workbook: If you are using it to lead a class, plan on spending time reading the whole book before you begin, and more time on class planning. For the individual, simply the "LifeKeys" text is more than sufficient... it has all the materials included in this book. But for a group who doesn't want to make the larger investment in many texts, the workbook is a great resource!

The LifeKeys program is designed to help people discover their path in life. Whether you are just starting out, in a job you don't really like, newly retired, or just curious about the possibilities, LifeKeys is a great resource for finding out more about yourself and your mission in life.

The authors provide a series of simple tests on interests, spiritual gifts, personality type, values and passions to help the reader discern what God is calling them to. Each activity is simple, although they can be time consuming if done properly.

Many people use this series in a church class: The one I led at our congregation of about 500 members attracted over 30 people to participate. There is a hunger out there for the kind of guidance LifeKeys provides. It is certainly a great program to use in a church context, and the workbook version makes it easy.

LifeKeys certainly is pitched to the Christian community. However, an individual reading the entire text would find it just as easy and rewarding to do on their own.

Develop your own personal mission statement, and use LifeKeys as a guide!

I took the Lifekeys program through my church and found it very refreshing. I've done Meyers-Briggs before and a few other work-related programs, but this added the spiritual dimension of what's really important to me. When work, personality, and spirituality are all combined, one has a stronger sense of who they are and how they can best find purpose. This was a very rewarding program and the book/work book helped tie it all together.

As a psychologist, I know that one of the most important things you can do for a client is to normalize their feelings by letting them know they are not alone, that others feel the same way they do. Marg does an excellent job of doing this for both brides-to-be and newlywed brides. She points out that most brides are afraid to talk about any negative feelings they might have during this time for fear that this will call their marriage into question (and in fact, non-married friends often do have these reactions). Marg emphasizes that it is completely normal to feel this way, and, perhaps more importantly, that other brides have felt the same way and have gotten through it. Much of what she says is common sense--and may not apply to those who have been living together before marriage like myself--but the information is still helpful as well as interesting and enjoyable to read.

I found this book shortly after I got married and couldn't put it down. I wish I had found it sooner! What it does so well is convince women (and men!) that it is OKAY at the "HAPPIEST TIME OF YOUR LIFE" to feel sad, confused, frustrated and even angry! Getting engaged, planning a wedding and being newly married are wonderful experiences but also wrought with emotion--every emotion, good AND bad. This book gives you permission to feel whatever it is you feel, and gives valuable insight into the many issues that might arise. How will getting married affect your finances, your friendships, even your self-identity...and how to DEAL with all of these changes. This book truly helped me to admit and express my fears, anxieties, stuggles, and to know that they were all normal issues for a new bride. I even read several sections to my new husband (this stuff isn't just good for brides!), and I sent a copy to my sister and her fiance as soon as they got engaged. Highly recommended for those on their way to the alter, as well as those who've already walked down!

This book hit the spot! It was just what I needed as I struggled in the first months of marriage. It was comforting to hear other bride's experiences which validated that it is normal to have internal struggles, unseen expectations, and an identity crisis as part of being a bride who has gotten married later in life. This was like a light bulb being turned on for me and my husband as we found out why marriage was more difficult than we had anticipated. The author's candid sharing of her personal journey was refreshing and humorous. I will be giving this book to friends at their bridal showers. It's a must-read for any bride who has developed her own life before trying to blend it with the man of her dreams. I highly recommend it!

Having read Molly Izzard's biography of Freya Stark,which was without doubt the worst book I've ever read,I was delighted to read this incredible book about an incredible person.The author is to be congratulated for bringing Freya to life.My imagination is fired and I want to be off to a long gone world!

Dame Freya Stark (who died in 1993 at the age of 100) was, simply, an amazing, uppity, wild woman - WELL ahead of her time and full of the demons and insecurities that frequently propel the great among us to show their true colors. Having lived in the Middle East I was absolutely absorbed by this incredibly well-documented and tenderly written portrayal of a woman who eventually became one of the England's most favorite travelers and 'royal geographers' (and, some say, an accurate foreteller of Arab/Israeli conflict)!  Stark struck out late in life (in her 30s) on a journey of solitary trips and exploration throughout Syria, Iran, Yemen, and other corners of the region, as well as living an extremely active British propagandist's life in Egypt during WW II. That she traveled alone in places where ne'er a Western woman had trod before is at first extraordinary, but in addition, she also had the skill, want, and presence of mind to write prolifically about her experiences and adventures, not only in the form of news articles but in detailed, emotional, voluminous letters to friends and family. And thank goodness. Stark's life was, in a sense, quite bi-polar. On the one hand she yearned to marry and have children and yet had she done that she would likely never have charted maps, discovered mythical ruins, and run rogue through various British attempts at diplomacy in the Middle East. Her parents split when she was young and her mother was a force to be reckoned with (and is probably responsible for destroying Freya's one attempt at a true marriage as well as destroying Freya's younger sister). Freya, in her search for marriage was drawn to gay men in the Royal British Foreign Service (whom she steadfastly refused to believe were gay). Outside of her (self-proclaimed) failed social achievements, her travel and her writing were extraordinary.

Geniesee has done a spectacular job of keeping us, as readers, balanced in our views and Freya, as our "quarry" balanced as well. She shares with the reader the frustrations of people who did not understand Stark, and we read in a number of places about what a difficult travel companion she could be. The reader is also privy to Stark's somewhat bizarre social behavior in which she shuns close friends suddenly and for very (ostensibly) strange reasons. Geniesse, in other words, has done a good job of keeping her protagonist honest for us... something that biographers can sometimes find difficult to do (the urge to glorify or demonize may overtake). This is a monument to women everywhere who find great joy (I do, obviously) in reading about the women who blaze the trails, who reach beyond society's expectations for them, who go and do and learn because they want to, damn it. It was such a pleasure reading about this grand dame.

Jane Geniesse has captured Freya Stark, an English original, with flair and insight. Her biography is a colorful and thoughtful portrait of an intelligent, determined and sometimes infuriating woman who, under the most difficult circumstances, chose to explore -often alone- remote and mysterious areas of the Arab world largely unknown to the West. It is the fascinating story of a lonely lady driven to leave behind very real personal problems by traveling through some of the most dangerous parts of the world and returning to write several award- winning accounts of her adventures. A wonderful book!

I wish I'd had this practical guide to successful negotion during my business graduate studies. I found its common sense, straight to the point style refreshing. In other words, no fluff. Rather, step by step instruction on negotiating strategies in real life situations. I would highly recommend this book.

When this book was first published, I purchased a copy. I would call it the owner's manual to effective business deals. I found it rewarding and it has helped me time and time again in my stenciling business. In fact, it helped me obtain the confidence to start my own business, a successful one I might add! The Power of Negotiating teaches a person to bargain successfully, so all parties involved feel they have gotten the best deal. I'm telling you, Mr. Stark's theory does work! I think the Power of Negotiating can literally be used for many aspects of life, not just business and the job market, but personal, too. This is a well thought out book.

I think paperbacks get a bum rap. Sometimes they are passed over for the good looking hardbound book with nothing useful inside. I almost passed it up, but I'm glad I didn't. Thanks, Mr. Stark for the good work.

I was very impressed with Mike Stark's book entitled "The Power of Negotiating". It may be a short book, but it is powerful and highly motivational! It teaches one the "art" of negotiating, not only how to negotiate with diplomacy, but how to master it as well! I would say Mr. Stark has the "power of negotiating" down to a science and I would recommend this book to anyone to read and use as a compelling tool, not only in his/her business endeavors, but in personal relationships as well! Read it, it's money well spent!

Look forward to reading all of Starks novels after reading this one The impressions and swift moving plots put you write there in the action Thank god for writers like Stark

The latest Parker book by Richard Stark (Donald Westlake) is a series of breakouts and breakins. A bumbled robbery lands Parker in custody, but not for long. Parker assembles a small crew of fellow inmates to break out of a holding facility while awaiting arraignment. They successfully breakout, but then the real trouble begins when an attempted breakin of an former armory housing a wholesale jewelry operation goes astray and they are trapped once again in a "prison" of their own making.

Parker is his usual tough and quiet self, not hesitant to kill, but still someone the reader roots for to pull off another heist, and make he getaway. Stark's writing is very straight forward, with minimal words wasted on secondary characters who are used to drive the plot.

It goes without saying that a Richard Stark "Parker" story is read at one sitting. Fortunately for the reader (or the sittee, if you will), the books are rarely longer than 300 pages. It's manageable. The writing is as spare and smooth as fine leather holster and concise as a Hemingway vignette.

Parker gets nailed in a pharmaceutical robbery gone south. He is detained by the law in a fortress like detention center situated in the flatlands. This is desperate times for Parker who has escaped from a prison in the distant past and killed a guard in the process. He must escape and does in most ingenious manner. He is coerced (against his better judgment) into a jewelry heist that involves tunneling into an impregnable armory. It is all in the finely engineered details that enchant us. How they get in. More important, how they get out. It isn't Parker's lucky day. He has to get another confederate out of jail. Surprising to me, Parker and crew take some hostages. (I'm surprised because I think of Parker as a "take no prisoners" type.) By this time, Parker has been trapped so many times through no fault of his own, all he wants is to get back to Jersey in one piece. Will he make it? Of course he will.

People always wonder why they have this fondness for Parker, a cold-blooded outlaw with no remorse and no friends, only "associates." For me it's easy. I feel safe with Parker. Wherever he goes, he has to take me, the reader, and he will think for both of us. "Breakout" is fine vintage Parker and even goes a tad beyond his usual high standards.
-sweetmolly-Amazon Reviewer

Did Richard Stark (Donald Westlake) start the convention of having his lead character only go by his last name? In any event, it fits Parker better than the sensitive Spenser. Parker is a kind of sociopath. He is totally immoral -- his decision whether to kill someone is based solely on whether it will benefit him or not -- if it will, he has no hesitation. As this book makes clear, he also is not a romantic version of a criminal who believes in honor among thieves -- when two crooks who worked with his present conspirators threaten to turn them in, he expresses no surprise that they may betray their friends to stay out of jail.

Firebreak is made more interesting by a character who is a kind of anti-Parker, Larry. Parker is totally controlled; even when he takes revenge, he does so carefully and cooly. Larry, on the other hand, is a crook out of control. Their interaction makes this somewhat different than the typical Parker novel. This is hardboiled fiction at its best.

No matter which name Donald Westlake uses, he's the best! The Richard Stark nom de plume is one of my favorites and this one doesn't disappoint. FIREBREAK is terrific. It's tense and taut and edge of the seat exciting. Parker is so much fun and the troubles he endures are worth ten times what you get from most mystery/suspense writers. It is such a pleasure and joy to see the master has a new book...do yourselves a favor and buy this book.

The Parker series from Richard Stark (the pseudonym of Donald E. Westlake) is the flip side from the author's comedic Dortmunder series. Parker is tough, no nonsense, and kills when necessary. His latest job teams him up with a gang of crooks looking to resteal some masterpiece paintings from a nouveau riche com-type billionaire who is less than honest. The paintings are secreted in a hidden location in the billionaire's luxurious hunting lodge. This book follows a familiar Parker plot outline: the crooks get together to plan a heist; Parker gets involved in some side business; plans go awry; things get improvised. In this book Parker's side business builds to a climax, but then ends too quickly. The final heist sequence packs suspense and action.

One reads a Parker book knowing that one cuts straight to the action, with little of the fat and detours found in too many crime books these days. Parker is not someone you would want to meet in a dark alley, but you do enjoy reading about.

This book, written by Sociologist Rodney Stark, is an easy, yet thourogh investigation on the rise of Christianity in the first few centuries. The text avoids sensationalism and sticks to investigative research and theories. While he does at times rely too much on analogous data (which can be fallacious), he neverless, does an outstanding job in building a case on why he thinks Christianity grew and ultimatley, became the dominant religion in Western Europe.

Further, this book can serve as a warning to Christians as well (though not the author's intention). Stark gives a persuasive case that Christainity rose out of several factors. Many of them down right Biblical. Though martyrs were actually few, their strength in their beliefs inspired many on-lookers. Their promotion of the status of women, care for the unborn and infants, and promotion of family aided this young sect to becoming a world religion.

Also, they aided the sick when pagans would flee from the plagues. The idea of public service and a strongly developed doctrine further strengthened this new religion. This is how God works, through people, and the early church is an example of that. The modern decline of Christianity in Western Europe is because those same principles have been discarded. A must read!

A good friend of mine suggested this book, and when I read it the first time, I did it in a day. It is very readable and very intelligent. As a life-long Christian, I had never paused to think about how a new religion on one end of the Mediterranean Sea spread to the whole of the Roman world in as little as 300 years. Stark makes some very credible arguments about how this was done. The mechanisms described do not require "magic", however that does not make the result any less miraculous.

Church leaders and theologians would do well to read this book and ponder for themselves. For the thinking person who is open to arguments that actually use numbers in an intelligent way (no Bible Code here!), this is a book that offers insight into the mechanisms of church growth, the practical consequences of sexual immorality, and the positive effect of having a high value on women.

Do you ever wonder what really happened in the Bible? Miracles, yes; conversions, yes; but for 2000 years most people have been afraid to ask history and sociology what was going on in the atmosphere of the New Testament as it was happening... of course we love to hear this stuff, because we've made movie after movie diagnosing the Romans and the New Testament. Yet their comes a point where we want more advanced knowledge than "Romans & Jews bad." Those movies were written to sell, _only "based_ on a true story."

Did you know there's NO historical mention of Christians being fed to the lions before at least 100 years after the New Testament? It's really a common joke about how fast you can separate a NT scholar from an Elizabeth Taylor scholar... by asking him how many Christians were fed to the lions.

I have READ both the Bible and Stark's book (not skimmed, like 90% of the reviewers...) I've also read the New Testament in Greek and Latin, and have actual university certifications in Religion and in Latin. I can verify that _there is nothing Stark says which in any way disagrees with the Bible._ I dare anyone to email me and show me otherwise (mrcolj@populus.net). He has written a standard text of Early Christianity classes and which flows like a novel.

Sure, he may be coming at it from a different paradigm; he writes to question our assumptions. But that is a healthy process. If you're seeking truth, you don't trust the movies or your mommy's stories more than God! You first read the scriptures and see (and feel) what they say, then, and only then, _as step two,_ consult the secondary sources that can point out some of the cultural assumptions you may have made based on not knowing history or Roman law or whatever.

I am deeply embarrassed at most of these "reviews," written by gospel-hobbyists pretending to be "academic" and "truth-seekers," then instantly condemning anyone who questions their pre-judgments. This is gigglingly evident as we read innumerable comments ending with "Stark is off the mark in many points." Now ask yourself, "Who am I going to trust? This published standard of Christian studies, or a reviewer who posts himself anonymously?"

There's a real difference between those who aim to shake your faith, and those who ask you if you're willing to face uncomfortable questions, staying carefully away from hurting anyone's faith. All knowledge must be built on faith, and all faith built on knowledge. So the scriptures say. If you're not willing to risk your comfort (faith), the Lord will never tell you the answers to your questions (knowledge). Believe me, all the standards, including WC Frend, CS Lewis, and David Daube were just as unorthodox in their day, only those books now are "old" and have movies made from them, "so obviously what's in them must be true." :)

Really a fantastic book for those who are looking for the real truth in accordance with the scriptures.

This book starts with a bang, moves through a mystery to a heist, and then deals with problems, clean up, and near disaster. Along the way, we see the incredibly detailed story of exactly how a gambling ship might be ripped off. We watch Parker, the hero of this series of books, as he plans, executes, and then cleans up little messes. These stories are very fun to read, combining well researched detail with a fast pace.

In this book, there is one character that stands out -- the retired state employee, disgruntled, unhappy, who leads Parker to the gambling ship. I work in state government. I have met this guy. He rings entirely true. His inclusion in the story makes the logic of the caper work, adds intrigue, and allows the author to create the sort of character seldom seen in fiction -- an interesting functionary. These books are good fun.

In Richard Stark's dark new caper, the state of New York is experimenting with riverboat gambling. A floating casino's being tested for four months on the Hudson River to see how much money it brings in, and it's all going to be cash during the trial run.

Enter master criminal Parker, who's approached by an anti-gambling former state employee with a proposal to rob the boat. Something about this guy troubles Parker, but he goes ahead anyway, assembling a crack team of specialists to plan a beautifully ingenious raid.

Parker's motto in heists is "to try to control events" but he knows all too well that "they'll still get away from you anyway." Of course that's exactly what happens here, when the scent of all that money attracts other crooks with plans of their own and Parker has to clean up the mess.

Stark is the pseudonym of acclaimed mystery master Donald Westlake, author of last year's stunning The Ax, and his expert touch is evident in every part of this tense, tough and enthralling book.

I've been a HUGE Parker fan for years and welcomed Stark's return a couple of years back. If you liked the earlier "Score" novels, you will find the newest additions to the Parker saga to be just as well written.

If you're looking for a lot of background on muscle physiology or a very specific method of stretching this book might interest you, but if you're looking for a good selection of stretches, you should be aware that you only get 6 stretches here. I found the title a little misleading, since "every sport" would seem to include tennis, baseball and swimming, but this book only addresses lower body flexibility. If you want to stretch your arms, back, shoulders, etc, you're out of luck here.

I also found it annoying that the author promotes his personal stretching theory while using outdated studies to discredit other methods. For example, he uses studies from the early 70s to prove that PNF stretching is bad for you when the PNF stretching theories in use right now were not even developed at the time of the studies. Seemed like he was selectively choosing among the available research to prove his point while disregarding accepted theories that don't bolster his own method.

For years I had practiced a series of stretches, picked up from various sources, in preparation for various physical activities that I enjoy: a little running, weight training, wing chun kung fu, and jeet kune do. Some of the stretches I had used were supposedly 'gentle' stretches, some even borrowed from yoga.

Well, I picked this book up after suffering, for the first time in my life at 37 years of age, SEVERE shin-splints. It's impossible to say in this short space how much this book helped me in all my activities. It's a fantastic book.

I would have to agree with other reviewers, though, that this book should include some upper body stretches, especially for the back. If you suffer back pain, it won't matter how well your lower body is stretched. A sore back will take you out of whatever sport you like to do.

I was surprised to see that some common stretches are just plain harmful and dangerous (for example, 'hurdlers' stretches inflict long-term damage to the knee ligaments of the trailing leg), including some that are part of Bob Anderson's book "Stretching." However, since Anderson's book is at least twenty years old, perhaps it is just in need of an update.

The bottom line is that this is a great book in spite of a few things it lacks. A first-rate purchase, in my opinion.

Finally somebody who got it Right!

I won't waste any space in telling you how important, and undervalued, stretching is for any sport. This is a fantastic anatomical approach to stretch. The book should be read, and understood by anyone who wants to be physically fit.

The coverege of the book is spotty in some places, especially when dealing with the torse and upper body. But, to me, that does not detract from the overall exceptional quality of this book.