I was transfixed by this collection of stories. They cover every aspect of life in Renaissance Florence. Each of the 132 stories is a personal tale of what happened to an individual. The stories are drawn from letters, court records and diares found in "Archivio di Stato". The stories range in length from a paragraph to several pages. Some of the chapter titles give an idea of the range of these stories: "Economic fortune and social mobility", "Marriage", "Death", "Family Enmities", "The Guilds", "Patterns of violence", "The Vendetta"`"Crimes of Gravity", "Succor for the indigent", "diminished Responsibility: Insanity", "Gambling", "Prostitution", "voices of the Poor", and many many more.

A must read for anyone who has a desire for connection with the sensibilities of people from a distant time.

This book gives a view of 14th and 15th century Florence through the eyes of its people. I only wish that there were more documentary studies of this type.

It has been a year since Terrence Patrick Sullivan broke Bailey Flowers' heart, but the Private Investigator still sends the former mercenary turned PI an occassional case or two. One such case was some work for Bailey's sister, who wanted to know if her billionaire husband was cheating on her. When her sister disappears, Bailey storms into Sully's office and demands answers. When the man assigned to investigate the case also turns up missing, the two former lovers, neither of whom have gotten over the other completely, go on the hunt. This suspenseful romance mystery will keep you guessing, recommended

Harper Allen delivers her second tale of The Avengers in "Sullivan's Last Stand." When her sister disappears, Bailey Flowers blames her former lover, Terrence Sullivan. Sullivan's detective agency was investigating her sister. Now both the investigator and Bailey's sister are missing. Can Bailey work with Sullivan to find out what happened, and uncover the secrets that kept them apart?

Allen's Intrigues tend to be thoroughly different and imaginative. "Sullivan's Last Stand" is no exception, an interesting puzzle told in her distinctive voice. I don't think I've ever read a mystery quite like this in romantic suspense, full of unexpected twists and shifts in direction. As always, readers looking for a breath of fresh air in the often stagnant world of romantic suspense will find it here. Her heroine is strong and fiery, her hero full of dark charm, and their story culminates in another spectacular, emotional and unforgettable climax. This is the perfect companion to the wonderful first Avengers book, "Guarding Jane Doe," not letting down readers in the least. Probably the best one-two punch since the first two books in Gayle Wilson's Men of Mystery series. Don't miss it!

Mary Spencer writes a wonderful story with two remarkable characters. Margot has a horrible stutter but doesn't let that limit herself. Ever since she was eight years old, she has loved Eric who was kind to her when others were mean to her because of her stutter. Now ten years later, he comes back into her life to protect her from a foul villian who wants to marry her for unscrupulous reasons.
Their loves grows as they journey from her home into the safety of his. There are also many wonderful secondary characters such as Eric's brothers and Margot's best friend.
There is also enough passion but doesn't go too far for those who are squemish with steamy love scenes. Overall a sweet story. Margot is a gem and Eric a true hero.
If you like stories set during the Middle Ages with intrigue, passion and unduring love, check out The Vow.

This book is a lot of fun. It's is original in that the damsel is in pursuit of the knight instead of the other way around. She's honest with her feelings and appears to be more courageous than helpless. It's a delightful book that makes you laugh as well as pull your heartstring.

Star In Danger is a really good book, and I'm sooooooooo glad the series is starting to head back to racing. That was way better than eventing--not that eventing's bad, just racing's better. Still, I wish that all the old characters would be explained. There are so many loose ends--Pride, Champion, Glory, Shining, Cindy, Dylan, Katie, Cassidy, Ashleigh's second child...come on! At least write a few books, specials maybe, that explain what in the world happend. Ten years were skipped, and that's a lot to make up. Also, the books were way better when Joanna Campell wrote them--the other authors can't get the facts straight, and they're just no as good. I'm glad Christina likes Parker and he ditched his parents--they're such jerks. They need to start to introduce a few more different aged characters so the series isn't stuck on Christina and her friends. Well, anyways, read the book if you like the others. It's definately at least a litte improvement.

When Ashleigh's Wonder died just days after giving birth to her last foal Christina's mother, Ashleigh, couldn't even bear to look at the orphaned colt. Christina had to bottle-feed him around the clock. That was when she named him Wonder's Star because of the white, heart-shaped star in the middle of his forehead. After adventures with a mischeivous goat, giving Star an 'identity problem' Christina and her father had to start all over to overcome the tiny foal's fear of other horses. And when Star was at last in the paddock with the other promising weanlings Christina hears Ashleigh eagerly closing a deal with Clay Townsend and his son Brad, half-owners of Star. Wonder's Star was being sent to Townsend Acres.

Christina has to say "good-bye" to her dreams of making Star her eventing horse and riding him in the olympics. There is no question about Star's future now--Brad is already training him to race. At first Christina had to admit that the yearling was getting good enough care at Townsend Acres. Before his 'training' begins. When Christina starts having trouble on cross-country with her mare, Sterling Dream, she makes the decision not to visit Star anymore. Maybe then she could concentrate on her dreams for the olympics...with STERLING. But when she and her cousin, Melanie, finally return to Townsend Acres Star has changed. He isn't groomed as often because everyone in the stable thinks he is vicious and agressive. Even Ashleigh remarks coldly that Star is becoming like Terminator, one of Whitebrook's stallions. Christina wants to regain Star's trust, and that means she has to be able to work with him. When Christina gets the opportunity to groom for Brad she knows she has to do anything for Star. But at the same time she is having trouble with her boyfriend, Parker. She always thought of them as just FRIENDS. Now she is afraid that they're becoming much more than that. She has to forget about everything for her event at Meadowlark. But then she gets the news that the head trainer is going to teach Star to carry a person on his back--TODAY. Christina knows Star isn't ready. But how can she convince anyone to see her side? Christina is positive that it's time to get Star HOME--at Whitebrook. Whether her parents like it or not!

Ok, This book was my absolute favourite out of all the Thoroughbred series. It was the kind of book where.. you didn't no whut was gonna happen next~ thats whut made it more exciting! Christina and Parker~ There both aswome! I never used to like Chris, but now I do. I luv the way she is with Star, its the kind of relationship I would like to have a bit more of with my horse.... every1 can relate. I read this book a lil while ago, and since then I've read the newer editions, and I have to say "Star In Danger" is still my favourite... but "Team Player" was good too! So if ur wondering whut book to buy, then buy Star in Danger, cuz I no that u'll LUV IT!!!!

Yeah, after reading "Fatal Voyage," I honestly believe that Kathy Reichs is a better writer than Patricia Cornwell. Both Temperance Brennan & Kay Scarpetta are similar and strong characters (except maybe in "Black Notice"), but I would say that Brennan is more realistic and more enjoyable to read about. I found "Fatal Voyage" to be extremely different then Reichs's previous novels. Mostly Brennan is in the morgue cutting up and doing an autopsy on ONE person. In "Fatal Voyage," an aircraft has crashed in the mountains outside of Virginia, taking down an entire school club organization with it. Tempe has to sift through hundreds of bodies and plane wreckage to try and determine if the crash was an accident or a deliberate act of murder. Authorities claim that the crash was deliberate and try to determine if the passengers had any major enemies. Most of their investigation turns up nothing and leave the investigators stumped. Brennan, along with her secret love from previous novels, accidently stumble upon some shocking news about the local town around the crash site. She discovers that there were an extremely high amount of deaths over the last ten years. As she investigates more she gets uncomfortable feelings from the local townspeople that she discovered something secretive about the town. The ending of "Fatal Voyage" was extremely surprising as the story took off on two different directions. The question for us Cornwell/Reichs readers is: Will "Isle of Dogs" be better than "Fatal Voyage?" I guess we'll have to wait until October 8 to find out!....

Versatile is the word for accomplished actress Katharine Borowitz who brings a wealth of film, TV, and stage experience to her book readings. She gives pitch perfect voice to the telling of this spellbinder.

Reprising Temperance Brennan, a forensic anthropologist, Kathy Reichs presents her fourth riveting thriller. Once again her story is grounded in authenticity which only serves to validate this shocking tale.

When Tempe Brennan hears on her car radio that a plane with 88 passengers is down in the North Carolina mountains, she heads for the scene. That in itself is tragedy enough but missing body parts and cannibalism make Reichs's plot boil.

As Tempe sifts through the grisly debris she comes upon a foot that doesn't seem to belong to any of the dead. She pursues this conundrum only to find herself ousted from her job by a conniving politico who has much to hide. To save herself and her reputation Tempe has a major life endangering mystery to solve.

As a mystery author with my initial novel in current release, I genuinely enjoy the works of Kathy Reichs. In FATAL VOYAGE,Tempe Brennan, a forensic anthropologist, is serving as a member of an investigating team searching through the remains of a plane crash. Complications arise. No signs of two passengers can be found, and an extra body seems to be at the crash site. Tempe finds her professional reputation challenged, and she finds herself involved in crimes stretching back decades. Ms. Reichs keeps her plot moving swiftly, and her characters are interesting and vividly drawn. FATAL VOYAGE is another terrific book written by Kathy Reichs.

After I read the first fifty pages of God Emperor Dune, a sudden sadness overtook me. I thought of all my friends that loved Dune, but got stuck in Dune Messiah. I thought of all the other ones that made it through Dune Messiah, but got stuck in Children of Dune. Can we please have a moment of silence for these unfortunate souls.

While I did like books 2 and 3 of the series, I'm the first to admit that they were not of "Dune" quality. God Emperor of Dune, however, may be its rival. It is so rare in a series, especially in Book 4, that you think to yourself, all the other books have been leading to this one moment. Leto II's Golden Path indeed shines through. For non-sci-fi people, this series is more than sci-fi. It's an examination of political philosopy, economy, and religion. One could almost call it allegory. Herbert's characters: Maud'dib, Leto II, even Moneo (in God Emperor) are so well developed as to become Messiah's, God's, and friends in their own right. The Dune books force you to think, they entertain, and they sweep the imagination to a world millenia away from now. God Emperor of Dune itself take place 3 thousand years after Children of Dune. If you are thinking of quitting the series, I counsel you to wait until after you have read this amazing fourth book. My idea: there's now way anyone could stop now.

I've read several novels from some acclaimed authors (Jeffrey Archer for example) but still, Frank Herbert's God Emperor of Dune is the best novel I've ever read. Although there are some plots which can be quite confusing (as well as Frank's confusing English), the rest is absolutely perfect. Probably one of the most memorable characters is Lord Leto II, the God Emperor who is sometimes known as The Tyrant. The son of Paul Muab'Dib who slowly turned into an ugly sandworm, becomes immortal and ruled Rakis with a purpose. Later, more characters are introduced; Siona (first appeared in the beginning of the novel), Hwi , Moneo, the lovable Duncan Idaho, Fish Speakers and so on. Besides, we know that Leto is the loneliest creature in this universe until he meets Hwi Noree (actually she likes Duncan most) who would have become his bride but tragic strikes and that eventually costs their lives. Overall, no other novels can be as beautiful as God Emperor of Dune (along with the rest of the other Dune novels). I really like the story very much because you can imagine that its world is huge and immersing. I also like Leto's beautiful words, even though some of them are quite political of some sort. However, that's the only Dune book I've read so far. Perhaps I should get my hands on Dune: House Atreides to discover how Dune, one of the acclaimed epic of our time, is born.

Leto Atreides must be the loneliest person in the world, though he is an Emperor and worshipped as a god. And why a god? Because he is unique and practically, though not really, immortal.

At the end of Children of Dune, (Book 3) Leto makes a terrible choice and covers himself with sandtrout, the spawn of the mighty Shai-hulud, the sandworm. This causes a transformation and we meet him, mostly Worm, all too human, in the fourth book.

The characters are very well drawn, as you'd expect from Herbert. In particular, Duncan Idaho, returned as the eternal clone or ghola, has a large role. Leto, bigger than life, still retains the human tragic-hero quality, similar to that of his father Paul-Muad'Dib. He has created an army of women, the Fish Speakers, to enforce his law throughout the galaxy. There is peace, but at what price? Despite the peace, Leto has powerful enemies, and he knows it. Some are enemies he has deliberately created. Why?

The end of the story has all the qualities of a legend or great tragedy, though Leto's legacy is that men can survive an uncertain future. This is a fine book and better than the second and third of the Dune series, and in fact, quite unique.

Okay, you're probably thinking that I'm just someone complaining about having to read it in my freshman year's honors English class. No, I was not forced to read this. I read it far before it was on the reading list. Just wanted to clear that up. Back to the review. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is an intriguing autobiography of a man obsessed with tampering with the laws of nature by reversing them. This novel shows how man deals with failure and loss. Unfortunatly, Victor Frankenstein dealt with failure and loss the wrong way and... Wait, I don't want to give away the ending. Anyway, Mary Shelley creates a clever plot and adds some gruesome happenings and romance, combining the three to make one of the most famous horror stories. Unfortunatly, for those of you still hooked to video games and fast-paced action, you may have a difficult time reading this for it tends to drag out at some points. But that's how literature is, you'll just have to deal with it. Apart from that, I would definitly recommend this book to just about anyone.

The Frankenstein monster is truly one of the most tragic characters in classic literature. He is obviously quite brilliant, having learned to speak (rather eloquently, I might add), and to read simply by secretly watching others. He's sensitive, kind, and appreciative of nature's beauty-all of the most admirable characteristics of a wonderful soul. And yet, he is vilified by all who come in contact with him because of his physical repulsiveness.

His longing for love, especially from Victor, was so painful that it became difficult for me to read. I kept hoping he'd find someone to show him the littlest bit of kindness. His turn to violence is entirely understandable, and Victor's irresponsibility toward his creation is despicable. Victor, who is outwardly handsome but cowardly and cruel, is the story's true monster.

In addition to writing a captivating story, Shelley raises many social issues that are still relevant today, nearly 200 years later, and the book provides a superb argument against *ever* cloning a human being.

(Note: I have the edition with the marvelous woodcut illustrations by Barry Moser and the Joyce Carol Oates afterword - superb!)

After seeing at least five versions of this tale in film - one of my great childhood monster loves - I was happy to finally read the novel. As so often occurs with classics, I was as surprised as I was fascinated.

For starters, the characters are far more subtle than any of the film versions: Victor F appears as a brooding and obsessed genius, but also as a great lover of life and nature. The monster, who is an articulate and literate creature who read Goethe, is even more interesting, from his hopeful beginning to his bitter reaction at rejection and his thirst for vengence. His eloquence was vivid and his pain horribly realistic.

But the work is also fascinating as a window into the mind of the Romantics, who at once strove to reject the rationalism of the Enlightenment yet reflected it. The creature starts off empty and what it becomes is due entirely to his experience. Knowledge is not always good, etc.

Finally, the themes are timeless and full of conflict: creativity giving birth to unimaginable destruction, tampering with nature as its necessities overwhelm even genius, and the like. THe book is a kaleidescope of philosophical reflection. The pain of the creator and the monster alike are inescapably linked like father and son.

I did find the style of the book a bit difficult. It is full of florid rhetoric and lengthy circumlocutions, as the doctor and then the monster tell their stories in almost identical prose.

Highly recommended.

I do admit alough Kurt is my all-time favorit, He does blow his horn a lot in the book and goes off the topic a little bit o tell some story of his life,,,,,
But all in all whean it gets to for WWF (WWE) Carrer its pretty good he is honest about most of eveyrthing,,,.....
But I can also see why this wasent a huge succes eather,,,,,,, Kurt should have waited for more of his carrer to devolpe, even to this day isnt the best time eather,,,,
The Real Reason The Rock's and Mik Foley's was a huge sucess was becuase they wear both well known outside the wrestling world and the olympics, and they had a lot of storys to tell in the WWE.
Kurt wrote this on his 2nd year in the pro-wrestling business,,,,,,,,
If you are a true Kurt fan youde like this,,, but buying it is something you might wantto think about...
Go get it from th libary or something unless you really think you like it dont buy it!

Kurt Angle's "It's True, It's True" is another in the series of biographies that WWE (still doesn't sound right)has put out over the last few years. I found this book fairly interesting as I am a big Kurt Angle mark and it was nice to see what he did before he got into the pro ranks. Since his career in pro wrestling is a short one, most of the book does focus on his amateur career. I was amazed at how acomplished Angle was as an amateur and am amazed that WWE doesn't hype it more than they do. But since his bread and butter is portraying the heel, they probably don't want him to look to heroic. But, make no mistake, when you read some of the injuries that he wrestled with at a world class level, you will respect the man. Angle does come off a little arrogant at times but I think that there are probably few WWE performers that would stand a chance against him in a real wrestling match. As has been said by other reviewers, it's not quite up to the standard of Mic Foley's first book but certainly a quick and interesting read. I'd recommend it for any fan or amateur or professional wrestling.

When Kurt Angle made his debut in the WWF he was portrayed as the character of a sports legend who thought the world owed him a living for his winning gold medals in the Olympics. The real Kurt Angle is nothing like that at all, as we see in this eye opening and inspiring autobiography. Over the course of the book we learn that Kurt did not have the perfect family (losing his father to a fatal accident when Kurt was 16) or even the perfect marriage. Nor, despite the glory he's reaped, has his athletic career been on a perfect note. But he's done well, and he chalks it up to one constant in his life: if you really want something, there is no substitute for hard work. Angle overcame both personal disappointments and serious injuries to dominate his sport of wrestling at the college level and the Olympic level through his mantra of dedication and hard work.

Angle is the first American amateur star to turn pro since 1980. Before, it was not unusual for amateur stars to take to the pro ring; such wrestling champions as Mike DiBiase, Dick Hutton, Danny Hodge, the Zebra Kid, Bob Backlund, and Jack Brisco came from the amateur mats. Angle's reasons in joining the WWF, his views of the difference between amateurs and pros and his adjustment to the pro game make for fascinating reading, especially in light of the fact that his signing has caused other amateur stars to take the possibility of a pro career seriously. (Such as NCAA champion Brock Lesnar, who should make his WWF debut shortly.)

But Angle's story is not only of interest to adults or wrestling fans. His message and the fact the book lacks the profanity that has become commonplace in these sort of tomes make it perfect reading for any teenager who has dreams of pursuing a career, athletic or otherwise. There is no substitute for hard work.

Walden is really an exposition of Thoreau's way of viewing life. Thoreau says there is more to life than posessions and money, that, as difficult as it is to accumulate posessions and to earn wealth, it is much much more difficult to rid one's self of them! A statement/concept that is worthy of contemplation.

Walden will take you away in to your own "walden", if that is where you would like to be, and, if so, then you, as I, will enjoy the book very much. I rated it as a four star (out of five), only, because I could not choose 4.5 stars. On my personal scale, in order to receive a 5 star rating, a book has to move me with the intensity of a paradigm shift. It has to offer up concepts that, following a thorough consideration, change my present view of life, world. etc.... Thoreau's Walden comes close on this measure, but falls just a little short.

His On civil disobedience, is another work that I reccomend with high regard, slightly more so, even. than Walden.

I am always curious to see other opinions about books that have had a profound impact on my life. Seeing some of the one-star ratings for WALDEN surprised me. But as I read them, I could see: First, that apparently two readers decided to skew the results and write several reviews (lacking Thoreau's sylistic flair, or any flair at all, they use pretty much the same words); and, second, that potential-buyers should consider the source of these criticisms. Do we wonder why Thoreau's intellectual grace eludes them? I think not.

WALDEN gives us glimmers of American creativity at a time when this is all-too hard to find. Read de Tocqueville, sure, but read Emerson and Thoreau as ballast.

There are probably only a few books that you will read in your life that will cause you to re-examine your own. For me, Walden is one of them. Thoreau plays the pauper philosopher, observing man and nature in all of their glorious routines. At first one may perceive Thoreau as a cynical eccentric, cajoling his fellow man and questioning nearly every move that he makes. But on further examination we see Thoreau as an optimist, empathizing with man's desire for a sense of purpose and our need to be appreciated. He'll tease you with a timeless gem: "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation," then proceed to give an intricate description of the Walden flora and environment for numerous pages. Thoreau is a Plato in rags, a people's Shakespeare with a perpetual smile and a self awareness difficult to match. I implore you to be patient as the prose is atypical of everything I've read, including works from the same era. Read carefully, stay the course and Thoreau will not let you down.

Upon completing this book, I was amazed that this was published when it was (1898?). I was expecting a sugar-coated portrayal of Martians invading England - "Oh, I say, we're under attack!", or some such nonsense. What I got was a very enjoyable book that didn't pull any punches when depicting the chaos, destruction, and death that results from this invasion. His portrayal of the Martians and their technology beats anything that I've read in contemporary science fiction.

The only problem I had with the book was Wells' narrative. The story provides far too much detail at points, giving exact times and locations for minor events which I'd think someone who survived a disaster would have a hard time recollecting. With the overwhelming number of locations for events presented to the reader, you'll need a map of the London area in order to stay on top of things.

Additionally, Asimov's afterword is very insightful, and the cover by Roger Dean is great.

War of the Worlds has been around since 1898. I first read the book more than 50 years ago. I have read it again many times since and still marvel at the superb descriptive narrative by Mr. Wells of a county in England (Surrey) that was "ground zero" for the Martian Invasion. A most important factor in the story is the Martian's ability to manufacture the raw materials to build their invasion machines here on Earth. They were, in effect, made from Aluminum - a metal that, before the 20th century, was considered more precious than gold because of the enormous cost of extracting it from the ore. This made the novel very prophetic, and even more so the description of the Martian's "Heat Ray" further advanced Mr. Well's technologial prophecy. Nowadays, we use both aluminum and lasers daily. The book's charm, with regard to the "invasion", was described in detail by Herbert Wells of the evacuation of London and surround areas with nothing more technologically advanced than the railway to escape the advance of the invadsion force. I still find it hard to travel to Leatherhead by train without wondering how it would have been a century ago if it had really happened. A full 5 stars to the man who was a true visionary of technology. A MUST to read. Forget the 1950's movie of the same name. No comparison. Will anyone out there make a TRUE period movie of this event?! I hope so.

Okay folks, this is it. The very first alien invasion novel and it's 101 years old this year. That's right, over a century.

Yet this is still a wonderful book to read. Sure, we know there aren't any real Martians. Put that aside. The straight forward Victorian narrative style is odd and strangely formal by today's standards. But that's part of what sets the scene.

Here is a book that has all the basic elements of the genre - and Wells got them right the very first time. Better, in fact than most modern writers. There aren't any heroic moves we can make to save ourselves. There's no hero that defeats the Martians through cleverness and clean living. The Martians are centuries ahead of us technologically and we're going to lose. Period. Is that realistic enough for you?

How about a writer that predicts tactical battlefield lasers, chemical weapons, armored mechanical fighting vehicles, interplanetary spaceflight and computer controlled robots up to ninety years ahead of reality. Pretty impressive stuff that STILL hasn't come to pass in some cases, even though we can understand such things now. Imagine someone who takes a horse-drawn carriage to town conceptualizing battlefield lasers. That's what Wells did when he wrote this novel.

But most of all this book is there for its commentary on humanity - Victorian imperialism and lack of humility, the arrogance of invulnerability just waiting to be burst. Watch a cultured society crumble in the face of harsh reality. Watch us devolve into elemental things once more, as we learn what it means to be dominated as we have dominated other, less advanced cultures. Wells' book was meant as a commentary on English Imperialism and arrogance, but that lesson still has relevance today, whether you apply it to superpower politics or global environmentalism.

Take the time for this book. It's worth it.