This was a very interesting book. You got to learn about the guy who was first able to separate plutonium not just a small bit at a time but on an industrial scale at Hanford. The story got me interested in Lawerence and the cyclotron and how some of the newer elements were used like the one they use in smoke detectors. He was an interesting character who tried to work within the system. By the end of the story you can see his democratic leanings because none of the Republican seem to know what they were doing but aside from that it is an interesting story which made me want to know more about nuclear power. I never knew about all the peaceful uses they tried that were explained in this book. This book made me want to know more of what actually happened which is why I read the new Rickover book by Frances Ducan. In his book he mentions Seaborg several times. The book has it's funny parts like when he was chancellor of Berkley how the male students council came to him and ask him to turn one of the dorms into a brothel so the guys could stay on campus and still relief some stress. Seaborg wore a lot of hats and his story coinsides with the times that he lived. This is shown by how he felt about working on the bomb during World War II. At the time Germany had taken most of Europe and Japan was all over China and the Pacific and if he didn't do something to stop them, they would rule the world. It made it seem less of a moral choice than one of survival.

Adventures in the Atomic Age is a remarkably friendly book. It is Glenn Seaborg's autobiography (completed after his death by his son). He helped develop the atom bomb, won the Nobel Prize and had an element named after him and those are only a few of his many achievements. He also chaired the Atomic Energy Commission, was chancellor of the University of California at Berkeley and was a professor whenever there was a lull in his career. He worked to make science interesting and accessible to the public, especially to students. An idea of how well he succeeded is shown by the fact that this book actually makes the science of the atom bomb intelligible. This is a book that can be read on many levels. It can be simply a history of the atomic age for he was there at the very beginning. It can be a history of the changing political scene during his life. It can also be read simply as the history of a thoroughly decent person. Glenn Seaborg comes across as a nice guy, the sort of person you would want as a next door neighbor, and would definitely want as a teacher.

To have an element named for you while you are still alive is the rarest of honors and Adventures In The Atomic Age: From Watts To Washington by Glenn T. Seaborg is the story of a life worthy of that honor. Glenn T. Seaborg takes you on a trip through his life, starting with his boyhood in Michigan and his teen years in South Gate, California. Hard work gets Seaborg to UCLA and continued hard work gets him to UC Berkeley, the place where most of his academic life will take place. Seaborg was student, teacher, researcher, the Golden Bear's biggest fan, and chancellor. Seaborg quietly affected all of our lives as the head of the AEC, and, for the most part, we are better off for his rational leadership of that organization. He served on the committee that wrote the educational report 'A Nation At Risk' and served on the committee that recently reformed California's science curriculum. He is proof that a public education can be excellent and that you get out of your education what you put into it. The people who have heard of Professor Seaborg usually know him as one of the co-discoverers of the element plutonium, but this book should give anyone who reads it a wider view of a rich life. Glenn T. Seaborg is not the household name like J. Robert Oppenheimer or Edward Teller, but hopefully this excellent autobiography will be a step towards making this wonderful scientist and human being more widely known.

It's winter in Alpine and the beauty of the snow-covered landscape is lessened by the discovery of a woman's leg, and eventually of another woman's dead body. Emma Lord, intrepid owner of the Alpine Advocate newspaper, is on the alert, looking for clues which will lead to the murderer. She has lots of suspects which lead to a good number of red herrings, a requirement for a good mystery. In this book she is joined by her brother, Ben, a rather irreverant priest who is a welcome new character. Daheim does her usual good job and this will be pleasing to "cozy" fans.

So far, I've read three of the books in the Emma Lord mystery series and they've all been great! Ms. Daheim does a great job of keeping the reader in suspense throughout the whole book. Every character is continually developed throughout the whole series making each book in the series interesting! Most series get dull after a while, but not the Emma Lord mysteries!

I can't wait to visit Alpine again

This was my third J. A. Jance book and I will definitely be reading more.

Although I did get a feeling for Detective Beaumont in this book, I would have liked to be a little closer to the rest of the characters. Junior, for example, seems rather unbelieveably blah and emotionally capable of dealing with his situation. This seemed peculiar to me. I did not get a sharp understanding of several of the police officers' personalities.

I found myself reading along and hoping that in the next few pages, the pace would pick up and I would begin to feel the excitement that needs to accompany a thriller. Unfortunately, this never happened.

I do think the story shows the importance of the work done by organizations such as King County's Teddy Bear Patrol and supporting merchants and radio stations such as KLSY. For this reason alone I would recommend reading this book. Perhaps others will find it more to their liking if they have a different expectation than I did.

A policeman and his family are brutally murdered. When J.P. Beaumont begins his investigation, he finds out some unsettling things about the slain policeman's association with known gang members. He also discovers that the man had been investigating some crooked cops. Which group murdered Ben Weston and his family and what was their motive? We see a softer side of Beaumont as he deals with a small boy who is the only survivor of the massacre. Jance is a reliable author and you can count on a good read in this series.

Buy this book and all the other Beau stories.
Read them from the first to the last.
Best read you'll ever have!
I love JP Beaumont!

Stephen Greenleaf and Earl Emerson are probably the two finest practitioners of the "hardboiled P.I." school currently writing. THE MILLION-DOLLAR TATTOO admirably displays Emerson's strengths: a smooth, colorful style; a complex, outrageous, but ultimately credible plot; a motley cast of well-drawn characters; an outstanding sense of pace; a terrific ear for dialogue; and well-timed humor.

Other reviews here will give you a hint about the plot, so I'll simply add that underlying all of it is the serious theme of the misuse of money and power.

I really enjoyed Snake and the aliens women. The book is fantastic! It is a must read.

This is by far the funniest book in the Thomas Black series. About page 2 I gave up laughing and went right to snorting. And the mystery was pretty darned good, too. If you only read one book by Earl Emerson (and if you stop at one, your next stop should be a shrink), this one is the "must read."

As a grandfather of eight girls and boys, I have learned how challenging it is to be a Mother in the 21st Century.

The Motherhood Club with its true to life profiles of Mothers and children is the support group that carries Mothers through the bumpy times from baby birth on into childhood.

Buy this for your daughter, your grand daughter, your neices.

Dick Brasie
Boston, Massachusetts

I felt that the author did a great job unveiling the truth about motherhood and all of it's expectations. People only emphasize the good times after becoming a parent. However, new mothers need to know that there will be trying times and that they're not alone. This book hits on these points and offers helpful solutions. These solutions are not from non-mothers but from mothers who have been there and have all the expertise to past on to new mothers.

I read The Motherhood Club and I found the book to be very informative and uplifting. I am a mother of two beautiful children and I had quite an experience with them both. So many times we hear stories of how to care for our children or what to expect, but not often enough do we hear from the mothers. The book goes into great detail regarding the emotional trials and tribulations each individual mom had to overcome. I loved the diversity and the overall format in which the book was written. Taking on new challenges can become overwhelming at times and it's good to know that there are others who have been in your same situation or similar. Just knowing that you are not alone and that there are options is comforting. So when you thought you were at the end of your rope and that your colicky baby would never go to sleep, there is light at the end of the tunnel and it is truly a blessing.

The book starts with a Grisham approach you would find in "The Firm". A hero gets a top job in the Pentagon and is lured by his respect to his boss. Then somewhere in the middle, the book turns into a fast pace Clancy. I read the book in three days. Something I haven't done in a long time. In fact I spent four hours transfixed on the last chapters as the plot begins to unfold. Keep it up Mr. Callahan. You're a natural.

I found a remainder hard copy of the book for $4.95 and figured even though I never heard of the author, what could I loose. Suprisingly, it was an excellect story, it was written just as well as Tom Clancy could have done with about half the pages as Clancy would use - and the characters were all well developed. A newly honored war hero (Lieutenant Turzin) is recruited into the pentagon by Sherman (a former presidential canidate) and Admiral Forsten (vise chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff) to assist them in their personal plans. Upon realizing their possible treasoness behavior and falling in love with Sherman's mistress, Turzin has a lot of serious work cut out for himself.

Callahan's story and writing is great, but what makes this audiobook is the outstanding performance by Michael Beck! Beck brings to audio what John Wayne, Bogart and Louis Gossett, Jr. brought to the silver screen with a dash of Rich Little. Beck really makes the story come alive. His ability to produce a voice for each of the characters, including the women, is nothing short of fantastic. Do not miss this performance!

I was lucky enough to find this novella for a low price. The publisher's price is ridiculous (as is the price of most literature in this country!).

The lower price also left me more open and feeling more generous towards this text. If I'd been unlucky enough to buy this at the publisher's price, I would have expected a MUCH better text.

While the writing is crisp and stylish (as one would expect from a poet) the character analysis is lacking and occasionally immature. Why the author couldn't have taken another 100-150 pages to develop his characters is a mystery to me. He created them and yet seems to have lost interest in them by the end of the tale - even switching narrator for his final chapter - a move that is both unnecessary and unsatisfying.a 3 star rating.

Chronicle Books actually had the gall to publish a hardcover novella and charge just under $13 for this one, single story. Completing a novella has to leave a writer feeling both the satisfaction of completion along with the disappointment towards the potential audience size. If you write novellas in volume, perhaps you can bundle three at a time for publishing purposes, a la Jim Harrison. Or perhaps you can also write some short stories about a similar topic or individual and package them as a collection (as Huddle did recently this year with the incredible "Not; a Trio"). Otherwise, typically you have to hope a literary journal will take a chance on this "long story."

"Ternorman," the novella, is typical Huddle in that it is written with skill, subtlety, and passion. The topics are familiar, self-introspection, love, relationships, and purpose in the world. Huddle has a skill level and sureness to his writing that allows him to put things in print that other writers wouldn't try.

"Tenorman" is the story of Eddie Carnes, tenor saxophone player, and the Government program that has taken over direction of his life. Eddie, at age 59 is brought back from Sweden to Maryland by the Carnes Project. The NEA has funded this project, which will clean Eddie up from his drinking, and put him up in a comfortable living arrangement, recording and videotaping his every move and sound. He signs his rights away with both a shaky hand, and a great flourish.

Once clean, Eddie is set up in a studio, half of which is a full scale apartment. The project buys him the saxophone he wants, one played by Stan Getz a few times and owned by a collector in Sweden. He has played this sax two times earlier in his life and knew it was the one for his future.

The novella mixes his fictional life with some other fictional musicians, as well as some modern jazz greats. He produces more great music, and is wise well beyond his 8th grade dropout educational level. The relationships include those between Carnes and his standard musicians; between Carnes and Project Director Henry McKernan; between Henry and his wife Marianne; and that of Eddie Carnes and Thelma Watkins, the school teaching cousin of one of his musicians.

It is during the telling of two stories between Eddie and Thelma at a dinner that the intertwining of the lives of all involved occurs. This conversation is taped by the project. Henry and Marianne listen to the tapes together and come to realizations about their marriage and lives. The conversation is a fascinating one and where I believe Huddle leaves other writers behind. Eddie's story goes back to the sixth grade and a period of time of sexual enlightenment. It involved boys and girls rolling down a hill together and the excitement and need to continue. He had never been able to find a relationship to compete with that short-lived one. Thelma also went back to childhood and the possibility of her mother cheating on her father. She had never been able to fully trust love and relationships.

The story of Eddie prior to this conversation is very well done and the writing of music, a difficult task, is done with apparent ease by Huddle. The conversation, how the two react and continue their evening, and how it affects the McKernans is incredibly well done.

Chronicle Books actually had the gall to publish a hardcover novella and charge just under $13 for this one, single story. With the talent level of the writing, and the story being told, Huddle didn't leave them much choice.

5 stars.

This is a fine book about music, love, vulnerability and tenderness. What you feel as you listen to the tenorman tell his lady about what is in his mind when he plays is fantastic. I hear the yearning in every horn player with a renewed imaginative curiousity after reading this book. Go from the book to listening to Gene Ammons or Ben Webster. A beautiful window into the heart.

This is one of those tough reviews to write. The book, as described on the jacket, captures the lives of a number of characters in Washington, DC - 1996 style.

Or, does it capture Washington through the eyes of a number of characters. Maybe it captures politics both local and federal through the eyes of this nations capital city.

Maybe what it really does is capture relationships in as many variations as described above. Friends, co-workers, lovers, confused social climbers, some straight, some gay all are here to be discovered by the reader.

The backdrop is the Washington of 1996, but sometimes, the city insists on taking over and becoming the main character.

I don't think it is possible to get tired of one character in this story since the variations on the theme - you can decide what the theme is - keep the pages turning

One can't write something about this book without mentioning the politics that play a role in the lives of these sometimes likable, sometimes not, intelligent, and all so human characters.

At times it seems the author's sole intention is to write something which can only be described as a polemic view - of course, that description may only apply to the reader if they disagree with it. And then, just when this reader felt some of the views which the characters were discussing were as polemic as some of the 1980's Japan bashing novels, the writer insists on showing us other viewpoints through our very fun characters

The title does say it all. The story follows a musical cadence. Variatons - like the ones so present in my life. So, I suggest you put on a nice piece of music and sit down for a fun read.

So, where does the star field title of this review come from? In thinking about the book I was struck by how many points there were in the bood (points being the city, the many characters, the 38 variations, and more). I then thought of our galaxy (don't ask how I made that jump). Looking up from earth we know that what we see is a 3 dimensional image, yet from here, our eyes are hard pressed to see the difference in distance between the many stars. But enter the star field and we can see that we are surrounded by these points of light. We can draw many lines from one star to many other stars. This book is somewhat like that. If I plot out the story lines, the characters, the politics, the city, and the relationships I come up with a star field. And there is nothing boring about something that offers me so many ways to experience something. Enjoy.

This is one of those tough reviews to write. The book, as described on the jacket, captures the lives of a number of characters in Washington, DC - 1996 style. Or, does it capture Washington through the eyes of a number of characters. Maybe it captures politics both local and federal through the eyes of this nations capital city.

Maybe what it really does is capture relationships in as many variations as described above. Friends, co-workers, lovers, confused social climbers, some straight, some gay all are here to be discovered by the reader. The backdrop is the Washington of 1996, but sometimes, the city insists on taking over and becoming the main character.

I don't think it is possible to get tired of one character in this story since the variations on the theme - you can decide what the theme is - keep the pages turning.

One can't write something about this book without mentioning the politics that play a role in the lives of these sometimes likable, sometimes not, intelligent, and all so human characters. At times it seems the author's sole intention is to write something which can only be described as a polemic view - of course, that description may only apply to the reader if they disagree with it. And then, just when this reader felt some of the views which the characters were discussing were as polemic as some of the 1980's Japan bashing novels, the writer insists on showing us other viewpoints through our very fun characters.

The title does say it all. The story follows a musical cadence. Variatons - like the ones so present in my life. So, I suggest you put on a nice piece of music and sit down for a fun read.

I don't normally read fiction, but this book was so entertaining and gripping that I wanted to finish it in one sitting! It normally takes me months to finish a work of fiction. I highly recommend this book.

"The Alphabet Man" is an excellent thriller set in the backstreets and political underworld of Washington D.C. Lot's of novels are though; what sets "The Alphabet Man" apart, however, is its unique style, brilliant language and disturbing exploration of the psyche. The novel presents itself as a manuscript written by the delusional protagonist. As he slips deeper and deeper into madness the voice changes to reflect his multiple personalities, and the layout and fonts become more and more bizarre. Thus, Grossman accomplished the feat of telling the story not only with words, but with images as well.

In fact, in many ways this novel looks and reads like a precursor to the incredible "House of Leaves" by Danielewski. Although not as good as that remarkable novel, it certainly belongs on the same shelf.

Ultimately, "The Alphabet Man" is a superb exploration of madness, and of perception versus reality. While some readers may find the unusual format tedious, a careful reading reveals a gripping, thoughtful story.

Those who believe Foster Wallace and Vollman are the only authors carrying forward the experimental mantle in American letters are well advised to obtain this novel from Richard Grossman. A manic portrait of psychosis, it is also a fascinating examination of the soul and a tour de force critique of American conciousness. It is complex and intellectual without being ostentatious. It is also so cutting edge that its diction and style precede the sword's razor in the air. Combined, The Alphabet Man is an extremely good read, along the lines of the best Wallace, Vollman, Gass, or Gaddis could offer. And that's just about the highest praise I could possibly offer.

I found this book hard to get into, but by the time I was finished, I couldn't forget what I had read. It freaks you out, and makes you wonder about everyone (including yourself). An amazing piece of work by someone who continually surprises me.

Alpine is full of talk about the return of Ursula O'Toole. Having grown up in the small town, she married a wealthy doctor and is now returning to her birthplace to marry Warren Wells, another native of Alpine. Ursula immediately becomes embroiled in church politics and plans to run for the board of the Catholic school. Before that happens, however, she is found dead in the river. Some people think it was an accident but Emma Lord, local newspaper editor disagrees. She and her intrepid friend, Vida, do some investigating on their own. Did Ursula's future husband kill her for insurance money? Did Ursula's political enemies do her in? Did she have an old enemy in Alpine? Emma and Vida, together with Emma's boyfriend Sheriff Milo Dodge, finally uncover the answers to these question.

This is truly a great series. It is full of small town characters who are lively and sometimes odd. The plots are credible and exciting and the main character is believable. Never a disappointment!

For the fans of Mary Daheim's "Alpine" series, this is a pleasant addition. We see Emma Lord more comfortable in Alpine, accepted by the townspeople and coming to terms with her faith. The domestic violence, economic crisis are portrayed in a way to make you think about these issues. Small-town living? Not what everyone makes it out to be. In "The Alpine Icon", Ursula O'Toole Randall comes home to Alpine, engaged to another former Alpine resident,Warren Wells. A few things crop up that would make this move a bit uncomfortable. Warren's ex-wife, Francine, still lives in Alpine and runs an exclusive dress shop. Ursula manages to step on toes by making callous comments and a "holier than thou" attitude. She stepped on one toe to many and ended up dead. The sheriff, Milo Dodge, with Emma Lord's help and that of her House & Home editor, Vida Runkel, goes after leads all over Alpine. He sees more action in this book: domestic violence, drugs, attempted shooting and...love. A super continuation in "The Alpine Advocate" series. But for a first time reader, I would suggest the first book in the series "The Alpine Advocate".