I do recommend this novel, but only to those who will not desperately flee some miserably twisted circumstances. This novel continues the experimentation of the English novel as a form that Beckett put a halt to when he became French. Berg really is tremendously dark, but it has an oddity or eccentricity that makes it not only memorable but meaningful. In addition to the story indicated in the editorial reviews above, it does something to resemble in content an almost Graeco-tragedian structure puttied with a more domestically modern flesh. This novel is one that totally disturbed me in ways that did not make me love it but I find that the author is wonderfully comic, creative, pleasingly dark and intelligent. For such an odd book, I do not know how to say I recommend it, but for a continuance in one's education of novelistic recourses this may be one book that makes you happy in a rather uncomfortable way. If for no other reason, pick this novel up to read the first sentence.

As a huge football fan with ties to the CFL and Canada I found this book to be entertaining. Jeff Giles pulls very few punches in this book. The way he views Canada and the CFL is very interesting! I have well over one hundred books on football in my collection and this one is a fine addition!

The plot is based upon one of the most well-known (and disliked) traditions of medieval times - the arranged marriage. In this case, it is especially repugnant, with the bride being eighteen and the groom nearly sixty. Add to this greedy and domineering guardians and three personable young squires, and it is easy to guess what will happen. However, there are unseen twists and turns to this novel that overcome the cliché of the arranged marriage.
Iveta de Massard is orphaned, and her guardians, her aunt and uncle Agnes and Godfrid Picard, betroth her to Sir Huon de Domville, in exchange for control over some of Iveta's properties. Iveta, granddaughter to a respected knight who died during the Crusades, falls in love with Joscelin Lucy, one of de Domville's squires. Joscelin is dismissed, after being found in the company of Iveta, and is then framed for theft - a missing necklace is found among his belongings (slightly parodied as being an old trick, but still an effective one). He escapes, and is helped, first by one of the squires, then by Lazarus and the other lepers of Saint Giles' hospital.
On his wedding eve, de Domville rides off alone into the night. After failing to return for his wedding, he is discovered, murdered, in the forest. Joscelin is, of course, accused. But while searching for the squire, Picard is also murdered. Is there one murderer, or two? Brother Cadfael must answer this question, and prove Joscelin's innocence. To do this, he must first discover where Sir Huon spent his last night. Cadfael must also work out who is Lazarus, and why he is so interested in the wedding.
The series uses recurring characters to create continuity. We already know how these characters will act, and this allows Peters to flesh out the new characters. Brother Mark, Cadfael's former assistant, has moved to Saint Giles, while Brother Oswin, a likeable but clumsy novice, is Cadfael's new assistant. Avice of Thornbury, an independent, wise, and worldly woman, (beautifully written), is introduced. She is Sir Huon's mistress of twenty years, who becomes a Benedictine nun after his death.Without using stereotypes, Peters contrasts the innocent, browbeaten maiden to the worldly and independent mistress, the old, indifferent bridegroom to the young and passionate lover, an untrustworthy squire to a dutiful squire, and unloving relatives to a loving and protective grandfather.
The Leper of Saint Giles is not as action-packed or as fast-moving as many contemporary mysteries - it moves at a slower pace to reflect the slower lifestyle of the time. It is also set over a smaller period of time, and so is more descriptive and detailed. The plot has been well-planned and well-woven together, with one slight oversight. The planted necklace is glossed over at the resolution - it is never really stated whose idea it was to plant it on Joscelin. A trivial oversight, but one that can annoy. Overall, one of her better books, with many interesting twists and characters.

This book is a great broad view of the sins of the city in London from the Roman Invasion through the Victorian Era - with interesting new tidbits thrown in. I wish that the series that this book was based on would be shown on the History Channel.

Classical Architecture in Britain is a detailed insight in to British architecture, commencing with the works of Inigo Jones and finishing in the early nineteenth century. Arguably the most important period during British architecture, Worsley presents suprisingly novel sources and arguments. This book makes major advances upon the opinions laid down by earlier experts such as Downes, Summerson, Colvin and Pevsner providing a thoroughly modern analysis. Giles Worsley writes with fluid style making this book as equally understandable to the amateur as it is to the expert. Thus it is an enlightening read which I am sure will give many more great pleasure.

"Covering the Courts" consists of 18 short chapters written by lawyers and authors about the media and the judicial system in the United States. Topics covered include: the O.J. Simpson and McVeigh cases, cameras in the courtroom and what makes a fair trial. It is clear from this book that those who work for the courts don't always get along with those who report on the courts, and vice versa. I think books like these open up the dialogue between both camps and could possibly result in what both sides want: free press and fair trials. A very interesting read!

Tim Stead's work is a challenge to the imagination. His concepts seem at first somewhat bizarre, but on closer examination the logic and consumate craftsmanship becomes clearer and items which seemed no more than curiosities are transformed into objects of desire. Tim started out with a desire to convert trash - acres of mature trees felled by abnormal weather conditions - into something useful. He achieved not only utility but beauty. The results encourage and stimulate all who reflect on the work. The illustrations give a good feel for what Tim is doing, but more importantly are just a stimulus to planning pilgrimages to his workshop to experience the reality.

Giles Lutz, the author, does an excellent job of unraveling the story behind the Fredonia Rebellion. Lutz did such a superb job of research that it is difficult to separate the facts from the fiction. Whether a reader's intent is for pleasure or simple interest in that particular timeperiod of Texas history, the paperback is an excellent choice.

Although of course I had heard of Bloody Sunday, I did not understand exactly what happened, I was too young at the time.

This book contains some very touching accounts of those who were there and relatives of those who died. An excellent collection of photographs present a very sombering account.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in the subject.

This book has proven useful as a text for early beginners trying to understand music fundamentals: notation, note duration, rhythm, chords and chord progression. If you can read music well, and understand basic theory, it's probably much too simple. But if you've always had a yearn to learn, this approach is light-hearted and even offers on-line support for questions!

As a chorus director, I'm using it as a text for Music 101. It's a keeper!