requiero un panorama mas extenso para su comprension

From 2000-2001 this exhibition, devoted specifically to Van Gogh's portraits and self-portraits, will travel to Detroit, Boston and Philadelphia. This book is well written and provides graphics of superb quality. My only misgiving comes from the fact that seven different writers contributed to the commentary of the book which makes the flow of the text somewhat disjointed. While very well researched, other exhibition catalogues (those by Ronald Pickvance, for example) take a work-by work, single author approach and, as a result, the commentary is more clear and concise. Still, it's a minor criticism of an excellent book.

Just after World War II, Van der Post was sent by the British government to explore and report on two little known and little inhabited regions of British Nyasaland (later Malawi). These two areas are highlands and mountainous, rather atypical of Africa. With the help of colonial officers and numerous African guides and porters he completed the assignment, filed his report and later wrote this short book.

"Venture to the Interior" is a thoughful, philosophical, and introspective account of the expedition. Van der Post very much writes in the style of travel writers like Bruce Chatwin and Paul Theroux; the reader sees as much of a mental landscape (Van der Post's) as a geographical one. He describes the journey, both the physical and the mental, in prose that is honest and clear. His thoughts on Africa are usually interesting and often profound.

The people he encounters and writes about are mostly Europeans: the district officer, the businessman, the settler-farmer. It would have been nice had he written more about the African population. Still, overall, this is a book well worth reading for those interested in Africa, exploration, travel writing.

Most of Van der Post's other books are also well written and well worth reading.

This book rhymes and the 20 month old I gave it to loves it. The flaps are large and will be difficult for the small ones to tear them off. It also helps little ones to search when they misplace their favorite toys.

Good book, had some slow parts though. Hero and Heroine had lots of chemistry. This book sizzled.

The BIG problem with this book, for me, is the fact that I know that later on in Sebastian and Helene's marriage, he cheats on her. If you are a fan of the series, you know what I mean. I may be judging too harshly, but I couldn't get over the fact that in the book Sebastian is lauded as being so honest and trustworthy. It really doesn't make sense that he would not only cheat on her, but he would make another woman pregnant! I wonder if in one of the future books in the series Laurens satisfactorily explains this whole Richard "Scandal" Cynster business, because it's really irritating me. Irritating, because I couldn't really get into Sebastian and Helene's story knowing what's to come. If you can get over this little cheating matter, you'll love the book. Lots of angst, passion, good sex scenes, a hot-headed hero and heroine, blah, blah, blah...

This is a great christmas special novel. I have read other "christmas special" novels in romance series that go back in time and explain the beginning. None of them were as captivating and true to the story line as this one. Stephanie Laurens really stayed true to her previous character types and the stories she created. It was fun to see "where it all started." I enjoyed finding out how french born Helena met and fell in love with Sebastian. I also loved getting to "meet" the parents of the bar cynster and Charles' mother. The one who I read about and was the explanation for why Charles was after Devil. I can't recommend this novel enough. Especially to those followers of the cynster series. The novel is full of adventure and sensuality. Stephanie Laurens always has the perfect mix. Definitely a novel worth reading.

In this prequel to the rest of the Bar Cynster series, we finally meet Sebastian, the 5th Duke of St. Ives. He's wonderfully sexy and just as daring and arrogant as the rest of the Cynster lot. Of course, it's this nature that leads him to steal a kiss from a beautiful woman in a Parisian convent.

Seven years later, the Duke comes face to face with Helena de Stansion and instantly recognizes her as the woman he kissed that night. A lush seduction begins between the two. As the passion burns between them, the more Sebastion fights to free it. However, Helene under the thumb of her powerful guardian, unwittingly becomes a pawn in a scheme that could kill any love between her and St. Ives.

Again, Laurens provides us with a strong woman being seduced by a handsome, but caring man. And Sebastion makes one heck of a love interest. In true Cynster fashion, Helene and Sebastion when together provide some steamy love scenes.

Overall, this book encompasses everything that makes a romance the escape you want. It has witty dialogue, great secondary characters, intrigue and pure sensuality. It's a wonderful addition to the Bar Cynster series!

... to make my heart beat faster. Stephanie Laurens is a wonderful writer. Her Cynster men (not to mention the whole family)are hard not to love. My one compliant about this book was not enough of the rest of the Cynster Clan. But it was understandable considering half the wives were VERY pregnant, and no Cynster male is going to leave his wife in such a condition. :) This book actually kept me guessing till the end. I had no idea who the murder was. The love scenes are always wonderful. And the interaction between the characters is top notch. One plesant surprise: when Lucifer asks Phyllida to marry him he does the one thing that none of the other Cynsters had done. It was a wonderful touch. I won't ruin it for anyone who hasn't read it yet. Don't miss this delightful series. I'm eagerly awaiting Chillingsworth "downfall". ;)

This was a wonderful novel. Gabriel and Lucifer were my two favorite characters of the Bar Cynster. This novel starts right after Gabriels wedding. As usual, the male cynster is trying to outrun fate. Lucifer goes to visit an old friend and finds him dead. Not only that, but he ends up with a big bump on the head. I really enjoyed how he was stuck trying to figure out who hit him and who killed his friend. This book had some pretty funny little side stories in it. Phyllida didn't seem to be the most graceful of ladies. She was kinda like Flick in the Rogue's Proposal. She ran around in breeches and was head strong when it came to getting male protection. The love scenes in this book are hot. Lucifer has no shame and is quite obviously very comfortable with his body. He puts it to good use to please Phyllida. Stephanie Laurens knows how to capture a reader with her descriptiveness. She seems to have cornered the market on writing the perfect male. I haven't read one of her novels yet, where I had't wanted to be the female in it. None of her characters are weaklings and none of her stories leave with the incredible urge to slap some sense into one of the characters. As far as historical romance novels go, this one is a must have in your collection.

Fleeing his brother's wedding before he becomes the next catch of the season, Alasdair "Lucifer" Cynster goes to the countryside to visit his friend, mentor, and fellow collector Horatio Walham. In Colyton Manor, Lucifer finds someone murdered Horatio. However, Phyllida Tallent accidentally knocks over a halberd, knocking out Lucifer. On her way to get help, she happens to notice a brown hat.

Phyllida's dad, the magistrate concludes Lucifer is innocent of murder. Lucifer vows to uncover the killer's identity and Phyllida agrees to help him. As they investigate, several attempts to kill Phyllida occur. As Lucifer and Phyllida fall in love, they make love. He knows he made love with her because he will marry her, while she knows she made love because she loves him. However, a killer remains free with Phyllida being the prime target because she saw something at Horatio's house that identifies the murderer.

New York Times best-selling author Stephanie Laurens has written an exciting historical romantic-mystery that freshens up her popular Cynster series. Lucifer and Phyllida are a wonderful couple who readers will adore and the tidbits that allow the audience to absorb the 1820 English countryside adds value to the tale. However, it is the amateur sleuthing of the lead couple that turns ALL ABOUT LOVE into a winning regency tale.

Harriet Klausner

The Cynster stories continue, this time with Vane Cynster fleeing the likelihood of match-making directly into the arms of a woman; one Patience Debbington. Now I like a romantic lark as much as the next person but this lacked the substance of the first book I read from Stephanie Laurens. While this one does include a bit of a mystery and a cast of characters, the romantic couple don't seem true to their original description at all. The book would have been much more palatable if Vane had actually remained for a longer period of time the "rake" he clearly appears to be 8 pages into the book. The female character Patience doesn't seem to have much going for her beyond her cat and her brother and as a reader you're lost as to how one conversation can toss out the preconseptions of a lifetime she, which she has against the smooth and cynical type of gentleman he appears to be. It's as if she has little if any backbone or real opinion of anything beyond caring for her 17 yr old brother and lusting after Vane.

Laurens still writes a good-great love scene but her editor is obviously not getting paid much or just figures this is a romance book, so why bother. I say this because if "humphed" made more of an appearance in this book (and Scandal's Bride) you would think Laurens received money for each time it was used. She's a good writer so, it's surprising she doesn't stop herself from using this "word" all through a book and distracting to the person who is reading it.

In short, characterization is weak, love scenes pretty good and maybe she needs to take about a year off to come up with a stronger plot.

This was the first book I read of Stepjanie's Lauren's or the Cynster series. I am hooked!! Vane was so refreshing, and so real in his reactions. I thought Patience was wonderful!! I was surprised to read that the majority of the other reader reveiws found her boring. I have a very busy day with work and family, and found this book to be fun, engrosiing, a wonderful story, and not at all insulting of my intelligence. I loved this book, the story line, the characters, Vane, and the incredible love scenes. Maybe because this was the first of the Ms. Lauren's books, I was not set up for diappointment. I have since purchased "Scandals' Bride" and LOVED it am now ordering Devil's Bride. These Cynster Men are awe-inspiring!! Let me say that I would like to thank Ms. Lauren's for doing more for the lovelife in my 11 year marriage than anything else - Stephanie Lauren's writing is the most wonderful aphrodesiac!!

Laurens' approach to this series is very satisfying to me as a reader. Yes, by now I know part of what I am going to get when I pick up a new Cynster novel: strong, sexy, possessive family-loving male protaganist. Strong heroine. Some arousing sensual scenes. A happy ending. The reason I keep buying, and enjoying, each new book is that Laurens does provide a new conflict each time, and her main characters have different personalities from book to book. (Besides - when I want to be surprised, I read murder mysteries) Here, Patience is reluctant to trust Vane because of his superficial resemblance to her father, while Vane is an intuitive type who doesn't always find it easy to put his feelings into words - especially when he can put them into caresses instead. I think their relationship develops throughout the book in a plausible way, as Patience gradually dares to trust, and Vane succeeds better and better at getting his feelings into words. I'm glad this book, like her others, is long. I get to see the characters develop through many different incidents, and my enjoyment is prolonged.

I agree with other readers that Amanda's careless behavior in going after Martin was really unbelievable. Ms. Laurens claims to have read Georgette Heyer, and how she could not have a sense of Ms. Heyer's more authentically rendered Regency stories is a real puzzle. Amanda is in no sense a Regency woman, or for that matter of any part of the 19th century. She pretty much believes herself to be pregnant, and still refuses to marry the man even after he's proposed (and it not because she doesn't love him) because once again in that now familar Laurens storyline, the male must admit his love, while the woman remains mum as well. I also agree that the so-called love scenes have become formulaic, boring, and perhaps too numerous. The one thing that keeps me buying these books is because I want see what's happened with characters from the earlier Cynster books. And, yes, Ms. Laurens could use a real editor.

So far, all we've read about are the Cynster men, the devilish rascals known as the Bar Cynster. Finally, we get to see what their women are like...

Well, they're deserving of the Cynster name, that's for sure. They're beautiful, extremely intelligent, and determined to only marry for love. Only problem is, with six former rogues watching their every move, they're not meeting the sort of men they're looking for-men just like their cousins used to be. Now, at twenty-three, Amelia and Amanda have decided to take matters into their own hands.

Amanda chooses to frequent the less-than-reputable haunts the Cynster men preferred in their hell-raiser days. On her first foray out she's "rescued" by Martin Fulbridge, Earl of Dexter, and decides he might be the one she's been looking for. Right away, she knows it will take a great deal of patience and all her wit if she wants to tame this particular lion. But she can play the game, and she's determined to win it.

Accused ten years ago of a crime he didn't commit, Martin shuns the ton in favor of the demi-monde. However, his gargantuan protective streak makes him honor-bound to ensure that Miss Cynster doesn't land herself into any more scandals; grudgingly, he accepts that the best way to do this is to accompany her himself. Although it gets increasingly difficult each time they meet, Martin resists Amanda's charms-especially since he suspects she may be after more than a simple flirt. They have agreed to a certain number of outings, after which she is to return to the safe haven of the ton and he will wash his hands of her completely. Unfortunately, with Amanda, Martin is seldom in control of the situation.

It was a pleasure to get to know Amanda, although she belongs more in the 21st century than the 19th. She is seductive, resolute and self-possessed. Unlike so many heroines in historicals today, she is never brainless or silly or melodramatic, neither unrealistic or a spoiled brat. She is a master of the social scene, and can run rings around just about anyone. And Martin isn't bad either. Together they create passages so sensual that they will leave you panting.

There isn't much to the murder-mystery thrown in, but the appearance of characters like Lady Osbaldestone, the familiar old martinet, and impossible-to-shake Percival Lytton-Smythe, fiance in his own mind, more than make up for the paper-thin whodunit.

ON A WILD NIGHT is also peppered with subtle hints about Amelia's pursuits, and leaves the reader little doubt as to her unsuspecting quarry. By the way, many who know her say that Amelia is just like Amanda, except quieter...and more stubborn.

Stephanie Laurens has done it again. I think this book about Amanda Cynster and the Earl of Dexter is probably the best book in the whole series. I can't wait to read Amelia's story. Amanda is definitly a true Cynster, down to her tiny little feet and Martin, the Earl of Dexter is so very like the Bar Cynster that the melding of the two was riveting. If you have never read any of Ms. Laurens books, and I can't imagine there are many who have not, start with the first book and read all the way to On a Wild Night. Makes you wish there were Cynsterish men out there for real today.

I am a huge fan of the first two books in the Bar Cynster series but this was a big departure from that group. I appreciate Miss Laurens attempts to "mix it up" a bit but the story line was difficult to buy (Lady of the Vale) and made it difficult to connect with the heroine. The pseudo-villainess was a bit tedious as well. I liked the idea of Scotland and Scandal was great but the book left me a bit cold. Perhaps, as well, the loss of the glittering London season was missed. However, the relationship developed between Scandal and Catriona was endearing and touching. Not a bad book at all but not quite what one might expect in this series.

This is my favorite of the Bar-Cynster series. I loved Devil's Bride as well as A Rake's Vow, however Richard and Catriona in Scandal are mezmerizing. Richard has all the same perfect qualities as all the other Cynster men except to me he is sexier due to his vulnerability. He has no real place to call his own. Catriona being a witch also adds spice to the story. I fell in love with Richard and wanted to be Catroina. If you like a good story, sizzling,hot,lingering sex scenes then this book is a must read or if you are just a fan of those oh sooooooooo sexy Cynsters, then read this book.

I enjoyed this Bar Cynster story as much as I did the first two. Yes, the men are without flaws, and yes, that's what makes it fantasy! But what yummy fantasy! The book includes all the things I love in a Stephanie Laurens romance: good dialogue, sexy, senual love scenes, believable tension between the man and woman, the man's respect for and devotion to a strong woman. What her novels don't have (thankfully!)is silly treasure hunts and prolonged scenes where the hero, having left the heroine in a huff, drinks for a fortnight. For me, those formulas make for boring stories. I loved watching Scandal learn more about his lady and about the vale. I especially enjoyed the prolonged visit by the extended Cynster family. I would love to have them descend on my home! I'm looking forward the the remaining books, which I have ready and waiting on my shelf.