I would like to share a true story that could very well be in "Ripley's, Believe It Or Not". This story has to do with a good and respected friend Jefferson Spivey, a fellow Oklahoman. He has written a book titled Wind Drinker, published January 1999. I have been a reader of fiction and non-fiction books during my 38 years as Teacher/Couch and school administrator. Wind Drinker is a book that I could not put down from start to finish.

If you are interested in Thomas Jefferson or Monticello, this is a terrific book. Over 150 of Jefferson's personal possessions are photographed and documented with detailed explanations and provenance of the items. Covered are varied objects such as works of art, china, portraits, scientific instruments, natural history specimens, and personal objects. This book really illustrates how varied Jefferson's interests were. A very fascinating book!

I picked up this book because I was tired of never knowing for sure what the rules are when it comes to writing and grammer. I was surprised at how easy a read this book was. Mr. Bates has a true knack (or skill) of making a somewhat boring subject quite interesting indeed. The more I read, the more I wished I could just sit down and talk to this man in person. A very interesting read by a very interesting author. If you are a new writer looking for some guidence, or an old hack who has forgotten some of the basics, then this is a great place to start.

This is a really neat little book. So much has been written about Thomas Jefferson's life and the building of Monticello that it is hard to find books that offer anything really different. This book is a treasured part of my library for several reasons. The biggest reason is that it offers something unique: a look at the ordinary life of Jefferson. This isn't about the statesman, the president, the revolutionary. It's about the things he loved most: farming and working on his beloved home. The hardcover edition I have is beautiful in appearance, and this little book serves as a nice endtable conversation piece. It's a great gift for history lovers (I received it as a wedding present, believe it or not). In short, I couldn't recommend it more highly.

The name of my book was Wolf by the Ears by Ann Rinaldi and I gave it four stars. It was about a girl named Harriet who was living as a "servant" in Thomas Jefferson's household. Harriet was one of the children Sally Hemmings had; most believe that her children's father was Mr. Jefferson himself, due to their extremely light skin and the way that they were treated under his authority. This book is Harriet's diary. She writes in it over a period of about two and half years, from the time she is 19 until she turns 21. Harriet has an option of leaving Monticello (the house/plantation) when she turns twenty-one. She doesn't really want to leave, but she can't stay. This book is about her last few years at Monticello and all of her struggles. I gave this book four stars for many reasons. The first reason was because of the way it was written. I think that the author did a really great job of writing this book in a diary form. First, it made the book flow a lot easier. As a reader, I was never left wondering where I was at in the storyline or trying to figure out who was just talking. The author didn't make us jump from character to character. This kind of leads me into my next point. The story was about one girl; it was one girl's diary. I enjoy books that are really only centered around one specific character. With one character, you feel like you can connect to/ understand that character better because you focus on them and their story. My second reason for rating this book four stars was because it was based on real events in history. Personally, I like to read historical fiction because I think that it's sometimes easier for me to visualize and get a feel for the book if I know that its based on something that really happened. Ann Rinaldi is one of my favorite authors and she does a really great job of writing historical fiction books that have a lot of detail and research put into them. This leads me to my next point. My last reason for rating this book why I did comes from the book's storyline. The author did a good job of putting in a variety of emotional struggles/actions and events. This book has a lot of different scenes that deal with an assortment of emotions. The main reason why I didn't give this book five stars was because sometimes I felt like Harriet was whining too much. She complained about her life and her struggles, and it was probably hard, but she complained about the same things over and over. Other than that though, this book was very entertaining. Finally, I just wanted to say that this book could be read by anyone. It's not just for teens or anything like that. That's one of the reasons why I like historical fiction, because any age group can enjoy it. Historical fiction can bring up questions or be informative, both of which this book did in my opinion. The author did a great job on this book, and I think that anyone who has actually read my paper this far needs to go read it so they know what I'm talking about.

An intriguing novel that takes place from 1819 to 1822, Wolf by the Ears depicts a portion of Harriet Hemings's life on Monticello. Harriet and her brothers are slaves on the residence who have always been treated above average by Thomas Jefferson, leading some to believe that they are his children. As the plot unfolds, Harriet must decide whether or not she will take the freedom that Jefferson promised to her and her siblings when they each turn 21. She finds herself lost between two worlds, and while her family and friends encourage her to take her freedom when the time comes, she is more drawn toward continuing her life at Monticello. Her feelings are altered, however, when a visiting Charles Bankhead tries to "put her in her place" by making advances on her. She realizes that it is not completely safe for her to live as a young black woman at Monticello, and is told by her friend, Thruston, that she and the other slaves would be sold if Jefferson died. But can Harriet actually leave her loving family and the only home she's ever known? Read the book to find out!! Driven by the general concept of loyalty, this absorbing novel successfully interweaves important and accurate historical facts with imaginary individuals and vivid writing. A very appropriate novel for middle schoolers, Wolf by the Ears is a remarkable accomplishment that can be recommended also to readers of all ages.

I first picked up this book because it was required for school. And am I glad I did! This book is about Harriet Hemmings, daughter of Sally Hemmings, and a slave on Thomas Jefferson's plantation, Monticello. Harriet and brother Beverly are very white looking compared to the regular "nigra" (don't take offense). It is rumored that they are the offspring of the Master, Thomas Jefferson himself. They both have amazing similarites to him and are treated with respect and privlage in his house. Both Hemmings are constant companions of the former President and love him dearly. Through this book you'll learn of Harriet's struggle with her identity, heartbreak and tortures, and her overwhelming moments of happiness. The suspense in this book is wonderful, it's desperatly in need for a sequel (hint hint), and above all, you MUST read it!

This is a very well researched, even-handed study of the entire Clinton impeachment and trial episode. Often, the books examining this topic are clearly ideological (for example, Schippers horribly written, self-serving "Sell Out"). Baker does a great job of providing insight on the various stages of the events that made up this time in our nation's history. He does this by having almost unparalled access to the thoughts and conversations of the major players. For example, what better way to know what various Senators were thinking during the trial than to examine journals and notes belonging to those Senators? Due to his excellent reputation for veracity and fairness, Baker was given access to such sources (e.g., Senator Collins' impeachment diary) and to conversations normally kept private from reporters/researchers. If you are a student of history, of Clinton, or of Congress, this book is a must read. Personally, I've read most of the impeachment books, and this is the best. What is most amazing is the insight into the way the events actually unfolded; the public gets to see (often for the first time) how very differently things could have gone if only one person had done something, or said something, differently. For example, had DeLay decided not to wage his "let's impeach" crusade; had several moderate republicans been approached differently, had Clinton (at several points) shown actual contrition, impeachment and/or a trial may have never occurred. Great book!

This is the book I hoped would one day be written about Clinton's impeachment, going behind the scenes to tell us what was happening when the cameras were off. I never expected this kind of book would emerge so soon - I figured we'd be stuck with one-sided rants from entrenched individuals like Jeffrey Toobin on one side and David Schippers on the other, for quite a while. Peter Baker does an excellent job of covering the aspect of Clinton's impeachment saga that I was most interested in: the machinations in the House, Senate and White House once the Starr Report was literally dropped off at the House of Representatives up through the saddest example of jury nullification in our times, when the Senate acquitted the impeached 42nd President because they cared more about polls and threats than the facts and the law.

No matter how you felt about Clinton's Impeachment, you will learn a lot from this book. If you were interested in how Clinton's staff felt during this trying time, it's in there. If you were curious about how Democrats in the House and Senate came to the decision to back Clinton, no matter what, it's in there. If you wanted to know how the move to impeach stayed alive despite bumps in the road along the way - such as the midterm elections and Newt Gingrich's resignation - it's in there. If you wondered what it was like for House Managers thrust into a media circus, it's in there.

The Breach will be an excellent source for people studying Clinton's impeachment in the future, but it's also a fun, informative and interesting book for those of us who lived through it. Even if you were glued to the TV the whole time, you'll learn that you missed a lot.

The most significant thing I learned is that Clinton had so many chances to avoid being impeached. The Republican members of the Judiciary Committee were quite reluctant at times. They met with their Democrat counterparts, members of the Clinton defense team and others to find some sort of suitable substitute for impeachment that would withstand constitutional scrutiny yet still have some meaning. These efforts were fruitless mainly because President Clinton and his representatives chose to go to political war rather than accept an iota of responsibility.

In the end, perhaps Clinton should be grateful. If not for the impeachment, his presidency would be a lot like the 90's sitcom Seinfeld: about nothing. For the President who searched like crazy for a legacy, this is a big part of it. And Peter Baker has done an excellent job. This is a substantive must-read book for anyone interested in this episode.

Baker does an exceptional job of chronicling one of the most explosive scandals in Presidential history. His account is thorough and reasoned, and his prose flows like a good novel.

For all of us who followed the story on the evening news, it's interesting to see the real story behind the headlines, especially how slyly the Democrats orchestrated the entire impeachment process in their favor. In fact, I was astounded to read how the Republicans tried, more or less in earnest, to resolve the matter in a non-partisan fashion while the Democrats did everything in their power to polarize the issue and then play themselves as the victims of partisan politics--"win by losing", as Gephart aptly put it. Interesting indeed . . . Also of note is Baker's observations on President Clinton, how he was unable to admit he did anything wrong, how his own party, Cabinet and closest aides believed he deliberately lied under oath, how difficult it was for those who stood up for him to admit they had been had . . . Fascinating!

Overall, a very well-documented, even-handed book by Baker. Well worth the read.

Perhaps because of the avalanche of praise bestowed on this book, I was rather disappointed when I read it. A credit to Ambrose that his book is rarely dull, but his is far from a comprehensive study. Perhaps it would have been more accurately sold as a biography of Meriwether Lewis, whom Ambrose is almost embaresingly enamoured with.

For a first read on Lewis & Clark this is not a bad place to start, but critical information on some very important people is lacking. We never learn about the ultimate fate of York, Clark's slave, who was critical to the survival of the expedition but was brutalized by his master on returning East. Sacagawea is also abandoned after the journey. Even Clark is given scant attention considering his role.

in other areas, critical scholarship is lacking. It is also the opion that Lewis commited suicide and was not murdered but Ambrose gives short shift to those who claim otherwise. Why did a point-blank shot to the head and subsequent wounds fail to kill Lewis for several hours? Ignored is the well known evidence that Grinder family spent some of Lewis' money over the years after his death. Now, it is most likely given his mental state and previous attempt that Lewis did kill himself but Ambrose rumbles past any forensic or psychological investigation in 3 pages, instead wondering if Lewis made a mental role call of his companions or dreamt of the Dakota prarie.

The mental state of Lewis is described merely as "meleancholy" several times and later theories of his substance abuse patterns or homosexuality are not addressed. In other areas, Ambrose is far too eager to give credit to Lewis & Clark for being "the first" to do everything but start a fire. Numerous trappers and explorers dating back to LaSalle had been in many of the areas or even used the same routes. On page 311 Ambrose even credits a brief debate on where to proceed as "The first vote ever held in the Pacific Northwest...the first time in American History a black man had voted, the first time a woman had voted". Needless to say York and Sacagawea were not made formal partners or granted any rights to speak of, and many Native American societies could take issue with that being the "first vote' or even first vote by a woman'

I apologize if this if overly harsh. This is a solid, readable account but not the all-encompassing masterpiece most reviews here regard it as.

This book is inimitable Stephen Ambrose. Like all of his books, he turned this book of history into his story --- a nonfiction adventure story. Stephen E. Ambrose actually evolved into what can be called a nonfiction novelist. Starting with historical facts, he blended-in a judicious amount of hyperbole, added a pinch of sensationalism, and came up with a new metamorphosis called creative history that was very successful at holding a reader's attention. There are now other authors (including yours truly) who do the same, but, Ambrose was the first and the best. "Undaunted Courage" is yet another book in a long line of his books that shows he knew how to inform by perfecting the knack of making history interesting. He shall be missed.

I found this an excellent book that transported me back in time to the days of the Louisiana Purchase. For me, such an experience is the definition of a good history book.

The subject, as anyone who reads the introduction will see, is one that is dear to Ambrose. His intimate knowledge of the subject comes through in what is a thoroughly gripping narrative.

Ambrose clearly admires Meriwether Lewis, but his writing is fair and impartial as he delves into the trials and triumphs of the expedition as a whole, and Lewis personally. The story begins at the beginning, well before the voyage of discovery begins, by establishing the relationship between Lewis and Thomas Jefferson that will ultimately result in Lewis being given command of the expedition.

Clark's role is not ignored, and Ambrose repeatedly points out that Lewis viewed Clark as a co-leader, although the government at the time recognized him only as Lewis's lieutenant. But, as the title suggests, the book focuses on Lewis, the great project's leader, and his sponsor Jefferson.

Lewis's tragic decline and eventual suicide ends the book and serves as a sad counterpoint for his great and yes, courageous, leadership during the expedition.

Altogether the book offers a fascinating read for anyone interested in the story of Lewis and Clark, or students of Thomas Jefferson looking for additional perspective into the events that shaped his presidency.

Black Water is the third in T. Jefferson Parker's series featuring Orange County, California detective Merci Rayborn. Merci is a single mother (the father having died in the first book) and an ambitious cop whose dreams of being sheriff have diminished after making enemies in the department in the second book. Her new case offers a chance at redemption but even a bigger chance of endangering her career again.

The case is a deputy who has apparently killed his wife and then attempted suicide. There are many who are ready to leap to this conclusion - not wanting the Sheriff's department to look like it's covering things up - but Merci has her doubts, which are strengthened as she continues her investigation.

Merci's not the only one seeking the truth. The severely wounded deputy, despite shards of bullets in his brain, is out to find answers and vengeance. He is almost a supernatural force, a seemingly undead being who knows his own life is limited and only has a mission to sustain him.

Parker is an accomplished writer who as always delivers an entertaining novel. The only problem I have is the inclusion of the first chapter which shows the deputy's innocence. If the reader doesn't know this, it deepens the mystery. While solid enough entertainment, it admittedly does not have the spectacular quality that merits five stars. But four stars is enough to make this a recommended read for mystery fans.

(this is a corrected version of a review by me that you have already posted -- i inadvertently switched the sequence of the first two merci rayborn books, in two separate references to that sequence; please sub this for the one now posted. tom parsons)

After first encountering Merci Rayborn (and T. Jefferson Parker) in "Blue Hour," and then following
her growth in "Red Light," it is gratifying to see her become a fully engaging person/character in
"Black Water."

The locale is familiar to Parker readers, the L.A. area's polyglot Orange County, and so is Parker's
mix of business people and hustlers, police procedure and character interaction. But a difference
with this book is the focus not on "whodunit" aspects (those are resolved for the reader relatively
early on) but how the case will be disposed of in Merci's complex world of cops under pressure
from sensation-mad media and ambitious prosecutors, and how Merci will handle the resolution.
The climax comes not with discovering "whodunit" but with the wholly surprising denouement of a
suspect and victim. Well done.

As a fan of what I call "L.A. noir" (Harry Bosch is very high on my list), I had found myself engaged
by Tim Hess in "Blue Hour." But I was willing to give his partner in that book, Merci, a chance in
"Red Light." After finishing it, I was dissatisfied -- she was too self-absorbed and had too little
self-awareness to pull me much further into her life.

If I hadn't already bought "Black Water," I don't believe I would have read it on the strength of the
first two Merci books. But, I had bought it, so I did read it, and was pleased to find that Parker has
allowed Merci to develop a more complete, more mature personality. If his slow development of
Merci -- relying primarily on plot rather than the engaging aspects of a character, which were in
short supply in the first two books -- was deliberate, it was a large risk, but it is one that pays off
for persistent readers.

BLACK WATER presents the tragic character of Archie Wildcraft, accused of murdering his loving wife and then failing to kill himself.

In the eyes of the District Attorney there is little doubt Archie committed the crime. Merci Rayborn, tough but emotionally scarred, feels pressure to arrest him but is unconvinced of Archie's guilt, despite all the evidence to the contrary. Instead, she is driven to prove his innocence and discover what really occurred on the night both Archie and Gwen Wildcraft were shot.

Merci has witnessed the love Archie professes for his slain spouse and doesn't want to see him unjustly punished. Archie invokes sorrow, rage and pity as Merci and the reader empathize with his situation. His wife has been murdered, he has a bullet in his brain, has lost his memory and is unsure of his involvement in the crime.

Throughout the story, the pace builds as new clues, relationships, and characters are uncovered. By the time the story reaches resolution, the pieces come expertly together and we once again have proof that T. Jefferson Parker is a writer of suspense with depth. If you are looking for a suspense novel with subplots and emotional depth expertly crafted to keep you interested and entertained, I think you will enjoy BLACK WATER.

T. Jefferson Parker's The Blue Hour captures two unusual police detectives at work on a series of murders. Tim Hess is an old school cop, recovering from cancer surgery, aware his days are numbered. Mercy Rayborn is today's policewoman. She is young, energetic, ambitious, and, some say, ruthless. Her career is mapped out clearly ahead of her, date by date for future promotion after future promotion are already inscribed firmly on her heart. The developing relationship between Hess and Rayborn is perhaps the facet of this thriller I most enjoyed. Mr. Parker spins his usual complicated plot, and my native Orange County is captured perfectly. Excellent book, and I plan to read his follow up, Red Light, soon.

This is the first time I've had the pleasure of reading one of Parker's books. I was impressed. This was not only a riveting and complex murder mystery, but the choice of two very opposite lead characters was a masterful stroke. Tim Hess, a 67 yr. old semi-retired detective is in the twilight of his life. He's recovered from surgery for lung cancer and is undergoing a very draining course of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Merci Rayborn is in her 30's, a brash,ambitious offficer who is having some problems in the Department after filing a long overdue sexual harassment charge against a fellow cop. Tim's boss asks him to work with Merci on a missing persons case where the only clues found are the victims' purses, blood soaked ground, and parts of human intestines--but no bodies. Merci lays down the ground rules. It's her case and she's in charge. As the two gradually mesh together, Tim tries to help Merci by giving her the benefits of his years of experience. At first, all she sees is a dying older cop she's been partnered with, but her growth begins as she comes to know and admire him for his vast knowledge and dedication to the job and his courage in dealing with his illness. Merci soon finds herself enjoying Tim's company, sharing meals and offtime with him, and looking at him with new respect and genuine affection. Their relationship is one of the aspects that sets this story apart from other serial murder mysteries. THE BLUE HOUR should go to the top of your reading list if you enjoy an unusual and innovative thriller, with an ending that leaves you with a lump in your throat and an appreciation of a well written keeper to add to your collection of outstanding books.

in this serial killer mystery. Parker has such great definition of the characters and such mastery ot the plot that it becomes impossible to put it down.

Tim Hess and Merci Rayborn are at different ends of the spectrum in emotions and temperment.She is young with much to learn...he is older and has learned too much of life which colors his attitude but also makes him much more knowledgeable,patient and understanding.

At the time of the killings he is fighting a caner, and one cannot help but fight with him.

I felt all along that a romance would and should happen between the two.Sorry but you must read it to find out.

Parker's knowledge of the many facets of the law and criminology add zest to the story and I find him fascinating as well as his characters,Tim and Merci.

The ending is suberb and soooo unexpected and that in itself is refreshing.

Thanks for a great read..I will read Red Light next..then Silent Joe..and on to the newest Merci adventure.

Julien Sorel -who, oddly, some reviewers like; I think he's despicable- is a young, obscure and ambitious semi-priest who does not believe in the Church; an insecure and troubled man who only looks for his personal progress (material, not spiritual or intellectual) without thinking of the consequences of his actions. As the tutor of the mayor's children, he seduces his wife and then makes her miserable. Then, he leaves his town and becomes the secretary of the Marquis de La Mole, whose affection he wins and whose daughter he gets pregnant. I won't spoil the rest, but there are two excelent twists in the plot, who finally reveal in full what kind of man Julien is.

This complex but gripping novel uses Sorel's inner world to criticize a cynical society and the existence of bored, empty and amoral souls in need of some trascendence. People don't know which way to follow, in the turmoil of passion, ambition and hollowness. It can be said that this novel, a classic work by all accounts, is the perfect study on mediocrity. A true masterpiece of literature.

I think this book can be read as a reaction against romanticism, or as exemplified in the character of Julien Sorel, an example of how someone could take advantage of a still lingering romanticism. Stendhal was writing at a time when romanticism had already played itself out and so what could follow that movement. An aftermath movement. Stendhals is a cynicism that naturally follows any idealistic movement that has failed. Julien Sorel is not likeable as Fabrice, his later hero, is. Julien is nothing more than a gigolo and an especially detestable one because he preys on the emotions of others,that is his entree into society, but there is nothing romantic about Julien. He is simply playing the necessary part and that is a theme which is in all of Stendhals work. That strange indefiniteness of identity, as if we are all playing interchangeable roles. Julien works his way up in society by playing with the hearts of the wives of men in influential households but he does not get far and perhaps he doesn't really care or perhaps he does. There is a mystery as to the true nature of this low born soul that is never solved. This is Stendhals tragic hero. He is not romantic, just born to a particular time and forced perhaps to play the only cards he has to play. Charterhouse of Parma is Stendhals comedy. More fun than this work and in recent years it seems to have eclipsed Red and the Black in regards to most favored book status but it is a captivating read about a transitional moment in French society(and literature). Stendahls characters are never as complex as Stendahl himself. Reading him one is constantly wondering just what his literary statements are. Cynical he is, but with a love for drama. Perhaps cynicism allows one the proper distance to really enjoy the human comedy, but ironically it also serves as an impetus to act because action, even misguided action in Stendhals work, is preferable to torpor. So maybe he is a romantic after all but one that has ceased to believe in the direction his heart takes him but goes anyway. There is no other choice.

About halfway through this arch and amusing tale of the foolish, machiavellian Julien Sorel we read: "He almost went mad with joy on finding an edition of Voltaire. He ran and opened the library door so as not to be caught in the act. Next he gave himself the pleasure of opening each of the eighty volumes." You too will almost go mad with joy when you slip into a book that can startle with its pulse, its passion, its ability to seem like a forbidden pleasure. You will smile with glee as you run your hands across pages racy enough to make you feel like you could be caught in the act. You'll find yourself sighing on page 248 when you realize Julien has a full eighty volumes of Voltaire to keep his fires burning, while you only have 500 pages of the Red and the Black. But don't give into that familiar panic--that it might end, that you will spend years regretting those 500 pages of momentary pleasure--because it only gets better with each successive read. Like Cleopatra, it doesn't cloy where most it satisfies, but leaves you short of breath, wanting more-