Montana. Rancher with alcoholic wife. Environmentalists. Wolves.
Billionaire with a dream to turn replace failing ranches
with a vast buffalo-covered prairie.

All the ingredients for a great and stirring novel, right? Maybe
so, but Richard Wheeler's _The Buffalo Commons_ isn't it.

I really *wanted* to like it, honest. Unfortunately, there's
something to dislike on almost every page.

The title is stolen from a real-life proposal by Professors Frank and
Deborah Popper. But if you hoped to learn something about that proposal,
you won't find much here: the Poppers aren't even mentioned once.

Instead you find insipid characters that are given to saying things
like "Alcoholism is a demon each person fights alone, even when there
are friends and counselors around" and "It's an instinct I have that
leaps beyond my very limited powers of thought."

The portrayal of native Americans borders on racism, with the main
Indian character described as having "some primordial way of
recognizing other peoples".

But the worst aspect of the book is its nasty slant on the Buffalo
Commons controversy. It's so one-sided it could have come directly out
of a Rush Limbaugh radio program. In Wheeler's portrayal, the
ranchers are all noble and long-suffering, while the environmentalists
are all evil, soulless hypocrites --- even more so if they happen to
work for the government. We learn that the Environmental Protection
Agency has a "penchant for abusing citizens" (p. 193) and "the
protection of civil rights of citizens" is of little concern to Greens
(p. 302). Wheeler's kindly old Professor Kazin says things like "The
very concept of wilderness touted by the Sierra Club and the Greens is
essentially racist" (p. 29) and "The government's bought most of the
university environmental sciences departments in the country".
Vegetarians by their very nature are suspect; one character is only
redeemed when he "[takes] beef into his mouth"!

The author hasn't done his homework very carefully, either. He
mistakenly calls the Wood Bison or wood buffalo (Bison bison
athabascae) the "woods buffalo", and he gets the name of Canada's Wood
Buffalo National Park wrong. The decline in the Wood Bison population
in the park isn't, as claimed by one character in the book, "all
because of wolf depredation". As Mark Bradley, the conservation
biologist for the Park told me, the decline isn't fully understood,
but is certainly due to many factors, including the cessation of winter
feeding.

The lowest point in the book was when one of the characters buys "a
Skye's West novel, and thus spent the day amiably." Guess who the
author of the "Skye's West" series is? That's right, Richard Wheeler.
This self-congratulatory ploy is par for the course.

If you're interested in the Buffalo Commons proposal, avoid this
cynical propaganda exercise, and pick up a copy of Anne Matthews'
splendid nonfiction book, _Where the Buffalo Roam_, instead.

What can I add to the praise from readers and professional reviewers? Mostly that I was surprised that this story could be so gripping when there is almost no violence, no profanity or uncouthness, just lots of drama. These are real people, undergoing changes that could be happening today. The last time I encountered a book that read like non-fiction but had the kick of a good story was "House" by Tracy Kidder. Most slick novels will roll out of your consciousness like yesterday's newspaper, but the effects of this one will stay with me for a long time to come.

Oh yes, if you've ever been to Montana, this book will greet you like an old friend. If you've never been there, you'll find out why you should go--now.

As a homesick former Montanan, I loved this book. Wheeler does such a great job of an even-handed presentation of the pros and cons of ranchers versus restorers. I sort of resented the "feds' being cast as the villains, since I know many of them and they are sincere, caring people who want the best for the land and its inhabitants, but I am also aware that the individuals who work for the agencies are often the victims themselves of political agendas. Kind of an old-fashioned novel--heros were flawed, but good-villains were BAD--made it fun to read.Wheeler obviously had done his homework--lots of fascinating information presented in a readable, entertaining manner. Well worth the read,

Henrie O is teaching journalism in a college located in a small town in Missouri. When she encourages her students to pursue investigative reporting, one of them named Maggie Winslow decides to try to solve 3 old police cases which include 2 sets of murders and a disappearance. Maggie feels that the cases may be related and so she begins her own investigation. Soon her body is discovered near one of the previous crime scenes and Henrie O decides that Maggie must have been getting too close to the truth about the cases. Risking her own life in the process, Henrie O picks up the investigation where Maggie left off. She finds many members of the University community who had opportunity and motive for committing one or more of the murders. Intricately weaving the cases throughout the book, Carolyn Hart's main character manages to solve the mysteries in an intriguing way. This is another winner in the Henrie O Series!

This was my first Henrie O, and I'm here looking for more. Actually, I listened to the book in the car, and I didn't want to turn the car off when I got to work (or back home, either). In fact, even though it was for "car listening" only, I snuck it inside and finished it the other evening. I fell in love with Miss Marple on the couch watching her on late night movies. I fell in love with Henrie O in the car. I want more, and you will, too.

I find that these mysteries are a bit darker and bit deeper than Ms. Hart's Death on Demand series. However, they are worth the time to read them. I have enjoyed everyone I've read. This book was no exception.

Henrie O is a strong female who has not yet let go of her old reporting attitude although now she's a college prof. She encourages one of her young students, Maggie, to dig deeper into an old mystery of three murders. Maggie begins to do that and ends up dead. Henrie O decides that maybe it was her fault, that she pushed Maggie into the killers path. So picking up the path, Henrie O tries to figure out who killed Maggie and why.

All of the Henrie O novels begin with a short introductory type of chapter but quickly develop into a great mystery. The characters are well thought out.

These Henrie O books are very different from the Death on Demand series. The mysteries are a bit deeper and a bit darker. However, that doesn't make this series any less enjoyable.

Barbara Kingsolver possesses an amazingly adventurous breadth of literary talent. She has written novels, short stories, essays, nonfiction, and poetry. Although I don't believe her short stories stand out as brilliantly as does the rest of her writing, they are nonetheless enjoyable reading.

The two stories in this collection that particularly stood out to me were the title story, "Homeland," and "Covered Bridges." "Homeland" is the moving story of Gloria St. Clair, a native of "a coal town hacked with sharp blades out of a forest that threatened always to take it back," and her "Great Mam," a woman who belonged to the Bird Clan, "one of the fugitive bands of Cherokee who resisted capture in the year that General Winfield Scott was in charge of prodding the forest people from their beds and removing them westward." It is particularly lyrical and full of evocative images, metaphors, and language, drawing on Kingsolver's own Kentucky and Cherokee roots and apparent love of the land and its native peoples.

"Covered Bridges" has a familiar Kingsolver protagonist with a background that reflects Kingsolver's own educational and professional background in biology, and particularly her interest in quirky, little-known biological facts. Lena is a specialist in toxicology and operates a poison hotline at the county hospital. We also discover that Lena has a deadly allergy to the stings of bees and wasps. "Covered Bridges" explores the relationship between Lena and her husband and examines the question of whether or not they want to have children.

I readily recommend Kingsolver's earlier work, but discourage reading her more recent work, starting with "Prodigal Summer." I admire her most for the risks she takes in tackling new and different projects and genres (even "Prodigal Summer"), rather than rehashing the same, well-worn theme. Reading these stories provides a fuller picture of who she is as an author and where her passions, concerns, and interests lie.

Rose-Johnny is the shining star in this awesome collection of short stories. It deals with many different small-town prejudices, and the outrage at the 11 year-old level that little Georgeann feels. My favorite story, from a humor standpoint, is Blueprints. Although it is not a funny story per se, the comments and thoughts that Lydia makes about Whitman's friends are hilarious. These friends are so concerned about Mother Nature and the environment, but haven't bothered to visit them once they moved out of the evil city into the foothills. These same friends insist that fertilized eggs are better for you than unfertilized eggs (show me the scientific evidence), and name their children after vegetables. I am sure these guys look at you wrong if you don't buy organic coffee beans from Guatemala. I think Barbara Kingsolver has little tolerance for those nature-type-wanna-be's (here, here).

All these and the rest of the stories are beautifully crafted, with many reflections on nature. Wonderful book, not to be missed.

Homeland and other stories is a wonderful collection of extremely well-written short stories! Exploring the themes of family and nature, Barbara Kingsolver opens our eyes to different points of view, and shows us new ways of looking at old points of view. Kingsolver is, in short, a genius! The masterpiece of this collection is Rose-Johnny, a story about a very masculine woman and the little girl who befriends her, and the price paid for truly being "different" in American Society. Other great stories are: Homeland, Stone Dreams, and Quality Time. Read this book, make your soul grow.

HEY! Since when do all good books have to be a zillion pages and super intense?This book, Scarlet Women, is a blast to read, doesn't take long and you learn some in fascinating things about Victorian New York along the way. So what if it's not as heavy duty as The Alienist, which I have also read and liked.This book is lots of fun and really very good. I absolutely recommend this book.

Scarlet Women is wonderful suspense mystery in the tradition of Caleb Carr's The Alienist and The Angel of Darkness. It features the vivid landscape of late 19th century New York with all of its requisite characters. There are corrupt police captains, Victorian gentlemen, and of course fallen women. There are only two real drawbacks to Scarlet Women. The main character is almost too perfect a P.I. to be believable. His connections within the vast city are multifaceted and nearly complete. This makes him just a bit unbelievable. The other drawback is that the ending leaves a couple of strings loose. As to the continuing debate on wheter or not Caleb Carr is the real author of this psedonymous work, I think that the conclusion is yes. The locales and situations are too much like The Alienist and The Angel of Darkness and the short chapters are a preview of his latest futuristic novel Killing Time. This is a great book that any fan of the genre should read!

I wrote this review awhile back but never left me e-mail address on it. It should say something that I am still thinking about this book and I am still waiting for J. D. Christilian to write another. This book was fantastic.

After reading Carr's Alienist and Prince of Darkness, I went on a hunt for similar content in books. The bookstore employee recommended this book and I can't thank her enough. In many ways, this book is more captivating than the Alienist and as another reviewer put it, much shorter and yet just as exciting.

If you like period writings about New York City, want the excitment of your imagination going back to the 1800's and getting into the story as if you were tagging along with the characters, then this is a must read.

As a woman growing older myself, I read this book to understand better the feelings and thoughts a woman might experience being in love at a later stage in life. To this end, I was not disappointed. Doris Lessing explores the meaning of love, not just infatuation, but also the loves of friendship, marital love and brotherly love and the their incumbent duties, as well as the (ab)use of love for personal gain or entertainment. It may be true, as some reviewers suggest, that people who have been untouched by love may not appreciate this book as much as those who have, but I think anyone interested in the meaning of love in all its aspects and across generations can get a lot out of reading this book. The main criticism I have is that while the story itself is about the staging of a play, I found the characters in the book and the aspects of love they portray rather over-staged, too. It is as if no character has been wasted in an attempt to explore the meaning of love, and this is a bit tiresome at times. On the other hand, this may be the point - that all people are in some ways generating or responding to the love or lack of love around them. One book I would recommend to readers of Love Again is Love Letters (an anthology) by Antonia Fraser.

Lessing uses the device of a theater play to provide both the bewitching and the kaleidoscopic variety necessary to a thorough examination of love and its inevitable attendant, pain. Just as the characters of another, much older, play about bewitchment and love reveal themselves more fully only when in the throes of love's terrible enchantment, so here are the various characters anatomized in their different loves. And, Lessing seems to say, each love harks back to childhood, to those terrible (and thankfully forgotten) anguishes that marked us deeply and ineluctably.

For all the weight of its subject matter, this is a delicate book. The conclusions Lessing has drawn are painted for us vividly yet not crudely; nor does she retreat behind a veil of sophistication or good-humour. Instead she takes us on a descent into hell. It is debatable whether anyone who has not experienced something of the sort will be able to resonate with the descriptions Lessing provides. As she herself writes, it is just "words on paper" unless you already know, have already sensed the desolation that lies just behind the outer layers of many people's lives.

Her portraits are generally sympathetic, for all that this is an intensely personal book. Much to be recommended, but not a comfortable read.

"Love, Again" is one of Doris Lessing's "later" novels and it focuses on an older protagonist caught in the snares of romantic love. Sarah Durham is sixty-five and describes herself as not having been in love in decades. All that changes when she, the widow of a founding member of "The Green Bird," a successful London theatre company, decides to stage an avant-garde operatic play concerning the enigmatic Julie Vairon. Vairon lived most of her life in an isolated French village, writing music and painting and was virtually unknown until her "discovery" in the 1970s.

It is Julie Vairon's tortured love life that really interests Sarah, however, even more than does her strange and eerie music. Vairon was romantically involved with two Frenchmen, yet neither romance had a happy ending. Vairon did, however, find love at last, or what passed for love, only to have everything end both mysteriously and tragically.

As Sarah and her company of actors at "The Green Bird" begin work on their rendition of the life of Julie Vairon, Julie's own eroticism seems to be working its magic on the cast. Everyone seems to be falling in love with everyone else...and some of the romances are of the most improbable imaginable.

Although someone not familiar with Doris Lessing's writing may think the above premise sounds more than a little silly, let me assure you that it is not. You won't find any lovesick fools running around in this book. Rather than reaching the heights of ecstasy, the lovers in "Love, Again" are anguished souls who become involved in relationships that don't have even a ghost of a chance of working. And Lessing, a superlative writer, makes us feel the grief and sense of loss experienced by her characters. We don't laugh at them; we grieve with them.

Stylistically, "Love, Again" is a different sort of Doris Lessing novel. It is intricate, very internal and reflective. It is also something of a double narrative, a literary device that I, personally, like very much. Lessing very cleverly and skillfully lets the melancholy and tragic ghost of Julie Vairon haunts the love lives of her present-day characters. And the life of Julie Vairon is the perfect background on which to tell the story of Sarah and company.

As much as this book concentrates on love, however, love is not its central theme. The book revolves around Sarah Durham and how she copes with her own sexuality and attractiveness in light of the inevitability of growing older. This is subject matter that Lessing has delved into before: in "The Summer Before the Dark" Kate Brown was a woman attempting to deal with the first pangs of growing older and lost youth. Sarah, however, is older and seemingly beyond the changes that sent Kate into a literal panic, but she does have problems of her own to deal with.

Sarah's problems are the most problematic area of "Love, Again." While I can readily accept the idea of one "thirtysomething" man falling madly in love with Sarah, the idea of three doing the very same thing is a little too much...no matter how great Sarah looks or how charming she is. Lessing, however, is such a good writer that she can make us suspend our disbelief and buy into the proposition that three gorgeous and very sought-after men are madly pursuing Sarah. It may sound a bit preposterous in this review, but I'm not Doris Lessing. In her hands, it comes off just fine.

As for the ending, I'm not going to give it away, but let's just say that Lessing is too melancholy to buy into the happily-ever-after scenario and she doesn't write fairy tales. The ending is satisfying and fits the book perfectly.

"Love, Again," is more than enough to satisfy anyone who is looking for an engrossing story with characters to really care about and believe in. I wish I could find more books like this one.

Perhaps it's because I haven't been in a good mood lately, but this book wasn't up to the McNally series standard. New sidekick Binky Wautrous is annoying and incompetant. Please get rid of him Mr Sanders. The story never engaged me completely either. Who cares about some smuggling shenanigans involving funeral homes?

When you think of a fictional detective, you normally picture a hard-boiled man or woman, who carries a gun, lurks under windows with a pair of binoculars, and has three or four fistfights each week. In McNally's Trial, Lawrence Sanders gives us a different picture.

The hero of this series is Archibald McNally, the son of a successful Palm Beach attorney. Archy (as his friends call him) is less than successful himself. He made it through law school, all right, but he was kicked out for streaking naked across the stage during a performance of the New York Philharmonic. His father gave him a office known as "Archy's Locker" due to its rather small size and now uses him as an unofficial investigator whenever the firm has need of such services.

He carries no gun, for he abhors violence. He doesn't spend time outside windows, for he would rather be eating a good meal. But he does have one of the characteristics of detective fiction: He is constantly in the arms of a beautiful woman. Unfortunately, his own true love, Constance Garcia, has an excellent spy network herself, and he always regrets these rather
painful affairs!

His involvement in this case begins when beautiful Sunny Fogarty, the financial manager of the Whitcomb Funeral Home, comes by to ask Archy's father to find out why her employer is suddenly making so much money, in particular why they are shipping so many caskets to New York, Boston, and Chicago.

To complicate matters, Archy's favorite air headed bum, Binky Watrous wants to help. He knows nothing about detecting, other than it sounds like fun, and he's totally incompetent; but Archy doesn't want to hurt his feelings.

As the two investigate, they run into a number of nasty characters, men who just don't fit the upperclass social image of the Whitcombs. How are they involved? Then they discover that Whitcomb's son and daughter-in-law seem to be involved with the gangster types. Luckily Mitzi seems to be infatuated with Binky (though Archy can think of no reason why any woman would find him attractive) and may be a source of information-or is it disinformation?

After a few murders Archy has the solution. But will he live long enough to reveal what he has found to his father? And will another innocent person have to die as well?

This isn't great literature, but it's a great beach book.

I have read three of the "McNally Series" and enjoyed them tremendously. Take them for what they are - a good fun read. Don't expect to be enlightened (although your vocabulary might improve) shocked or deeply engrossed in a serious puzzel. Unashamedly, the plots are as thin as a Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mystery but with a healthy dose of Bertie Wooster style. That is half their fun.

So do yourself a favour this summer. Find yourself a beautiful sun drenched beach (with lots of pretty girls in bikinies - Archy would approve) bring a few imported beers (or if your in the right mood - a fine bottle of chilled crisp white wine or maybe a thermos of exotic cocktails) sit back and enjoy. Oh also bring some food - after reading about the wonderful meals you will be hungry.

I look forward to finding my next "McNally" in my far from home bookstore.

This book covers a lot of information, but it is not complete for a complete review. I used it along with First Aid for the USMLE and some other review books. It is a fantastic place to start.

This is a must have, don't think twice, you can't go wrong with this one...., save me a lot of time passing USMLE 1, don't waste your time reading 800+ pages with NMS review collection... this one and First aid are a killer combination!!

Excelent source of updated information, specialy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I liked the well-organized, system-based content of this book, but it's a little wordy and I've found several mistakes. Even though, I would recomend it to any Foreing Medical Graduate prepearing for the STEP 1. ( I scored high with this one and First Aid )

Maggy Forrest used to be known as Maggy Garcia, a girl from the slums. But, that was twelve long years ago, when she was another person, in love with another man. Nick King. Nick was a fantasy man--tall, handsome, and sensitive. Nick was also Maggy's soulmate. When Maggy had grown restless of her life she meets Lyle Forrest. Lyle is full of money and bottomless promises that sweep Maggy off her feet. Instead of living a life of luxury Maggy has learned the real meaning of fear. She would gladly run away from Lyle except for one thing. Her twelve-year-old son David worships the ground Lyle walks on. To add to all of this there is rumor that Nick King is back in town and searching for Maggy. What path will Maggy chose" the one with Lyle her abusive husband who offers her nothing but money, or the one with Nick who is her true soulmate and offers her and David his unconditional love? The relationship of thirty year old Maggy and Nick drive the plot of the whole book. Their past is as riveting as a story of their future might be. Maggy and Nick met in the projects--low budget housing in Portland, Louisivianna. WHen they met Maggy was six and from the moment Nick met her had taken care of her as a sister, and and later as a lover. When she had left Nick, he bitter with resentment, getting into increasingly illegal schemes and almost landing behind bars on numerous ocassions, Although it has been twelve years since they habe seen each other, it seems like it was no more than twelve days. Finally after Nick finds out about Maggy's abuse Maggy goes with Nick to ponder over her future: with or without Nick.

This is the first book I've read by Karen Robards. My friend lend me this book and as soon as I was finished, I had to get one copy for myself. I reread it twice and still had the same reaction. This is definitely in one of my favorite book collection. I was specially touched by the unique closeness of Nick and Maggy. The strong bond that started way back when they were young are impressive and heart quenching. My heart ached reading about their past together, though. About the poor times! Lack of food & clothes... Yet, Nick tried to take care of her and provided for her then - in any way and any means he can. The action twist is exciting and unexpected. It adds spice to the story. Maggy's choice to sacrifice love for his son's future is depressingly sad. Some parts are tear jerker but it leaves you contented in the end. It is a warm & happy ending.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! If you love to desire love and excitement, this book is for you! Karen did a fabulous job of engaging the reader into the intricacy of the relationships and adventures that take place in Maggie's Child. This book was difficult to put down because you simply need to know what's going to happen next, epecially between Maggie and Nick. Karen's vocabulary and descriptions are rich and colorful, which makes the plots and characters come to life. I passed this book onto my mother, who NEVER reads, and she read six chapters in one night and wants to buy all Karen's books. We agree that a night reading about Nick and Maggie is far better than a night watching tv. Enjoy!

The first halve of this book deals mainly with Adam, the son of the h/h in Devil's embrace. Although it wasn't bad, the book really picks up speed during the second halve of the book with the story of Arabella, the daughter of the h/h in Devil's embrace. Arabella and Kamal are two very stubborn characters and their relationship was not a smooth one (to say the least). It was some what less than realistic, but still interesting enough to keep me reading. However, those who are dead set against forceful heroes and encounters be warned, there are several bodice ripping scenes including a very brief encounter where the hero outright ... the heroine.

I read this as a teenager in the 1980's and looked for it forever it seems (my dumb brother forgot to pack it or something!) I finally found the name when I emailed Ms. Coulter and she told me what it was called! I was so ecstatic I bought both the old version and the new one! Ms Coulter is a great writer and the characters in this book really stand out! The leading lady and the sultan are like oil and water on fire at first! Then the sparks really fly! YOU MUST read this if you're a Coulter fan or like a good book that gives you enough fun and sensuality and laughter to keep you turning the pages til the end! I have several of her books and I love them all!

it is the second book by Catherine Coulter an di could not put it down. i sugessed that if you haven't read it to do so. i promise you will not be disappointed.

I loved this story! It was really different, it just got a bit unbelievable at the end. But entertaining; a quick read. I have read better books, therefore, I couldn't give it 5 stars.

This is my first Cathy Maxwell book & I wasn't disppointed. I do have mixed feelings about it though. It was a very sweet, if somewhat heart-wrenching romance - which I almost always love (as long as it's not totally depressing). However, most of the secondary characters were real jerks; Tony & Deborah were the only ones I could really enjoy & admire. I had to raise my eyebrows a bit about how quickly the very moral, very responsible Deborah allowed herself to fall into bed with Tony - BUT given what her life had been for 27 yrs AND what the rest of it may turn out to be, I didn't fault her! lol (A girl HAS to have a little fun in life! lol)
The storyline did keep moving & didn't allow me to grow bored with them "looking into each others eyes & thinking this & that", which I never enjoy. However, I was more than a bit disappointed that while Tony fully expected Deborah to understand that he had to act with honor, he didn't think that she had to. That really bothered me. But, in the end, he did accept her decision gracefully & support her in it. All in all, it was a very enjoyable, satifying love story. CM did an excellent job of making me actually feel the love between the two. I will be trying another CM book.

I read this book in one day and I enjoyed it very much!