I work in Liberia running a safari camp and have for the past 15 years. I have been to most of the places in the book I think, many of which have different names today. A lot of the attitudes of the people have not changed from Greene's trip in 1935. For me the book was a great experience and puzzle trying to figure out where he was. There are better roads today (in some places), the people have watches, radios, but not much else has changed. For the visitor to Liberia or someone who has been there, it is a great story and very insightful into the minds of the people.

Not an adventure when compared to fictional safari tales in which the intrepid travellers fight off fierce lions and savage "natives" in every chapter. Instead, an enjoyable and realistic account of Greene's arduous and near-disasterous trek through Liberia. Greene travelled with his cousin, Barbara Greene, who also wrote an account of their journey--Too Late to Turn Back. Interesting contrasts between the two books if you can find copies of both. I had to order a copy of Barbara's book from a used book store in England.

The characters were two dimesional and the mystery in the town was too predictable and took away from the romance between the romantic leads. This novel had potential but it flopped. There are too many good novels out there to waste your time with this one.

This is the first in the Texas Cattleman's Club Lone Star Jewels series--and the authors involved had so much fun putting these together! I hope you like the series. This specific story is about stolen jewels...and stolen hearts. Two people have known each other for a long time, but until a crisis affects their lives, she has no idea what it's like to be loved--or what a good man might risk to be loved in return.

This book has a really good, funny plot. I loved a lot! However, i did find that it was a bit unclear at times. But generally, it's a great book. I strongly recommend it!

I read this book for my English classes, but, I have to admit, without any interest. But when I went further on reading I liked it a lot. Having read more than 30 books in English [Including Hamlet, Romeo & Juliette, etc.] I must say that THIS IS THE PERFECT BOOK FOR EVERY ENGLISH STUDENT! [At least if you study English as a foreign language]...

In Pursuits of Happiness, Jack Greene's objective is to examine the social development and economic change in Great Britain's colonies from 1660 to 1760, and to observe the development of American culture emerging at the end of the American Revolution. He uses an overarching, macro-historical framework in which he looks at the British colonies in the Caribbean, mainland North America and Ireland and classifies each in to one of two models: a developmental pattern represented most clearly by the Chesapeake region, and a declension pattern, exemplified exclusively by the New England colonies "around which much British colonial history has been organized." (xi) Greene's developmental model is one in which settlements move from loosely organized, primitive ventures to economically highly elaborated, institutionally stable and socially mature provinces; in other words, they become "more settled, cohesive, and coherent." (81) He focuses almost exclusively upon refuting the conviction that New England was representative of British pre-Revolutionary colonization attempts, and maintains instead that the Chesapeake region was not only far more similar to early modern Britain than was New England, but that every other colony (including Ireland) mirrored the Chesapeake settlements. Although he offers a concluding chapter in which he describes the various mainland settlements as "becoming increasingly alike" (170) as the American Revolution approached, for the most part, Greene's New England is emphatically anomalous in the overall picture of Britain's colonies. To paint this historiographical portrait, however, Greene chooses a selective definition and application of "declension," ignores contradictory evidence, and reaches his foreordained conclusions based on what are obviously rigidly held assumptions. Perhaps it is Greene's relentless determination to debunk the traditional interpretation of early America in which New England is held to be "normative" (5) of Britain's colonial settlement that leads one to question his approach to this question and to cast some doubt as to the credibility of his argument. As one reviewer notes, Greene "resents the central position that New England has held" over the years in colonial historiography and "never relents in his quest for an alternative explanation." While it is of course perfectly legitimate and appropriate to search for such an alternative, Greene's decision to ignore some evidence and patterns that do not fit his model is to a large extent disingenuous. His selective handling of facts, woven into a conclusion so at odds with prior interpretations and so neatly packaged summon forth Professor Robert Berkhofer's admonition: "You should examine the author's main points, how they went about explicating them and the sets of assumptions that made for their works being exactly the way they are." This is not to object to Greene's refusal to conclude that colonial New England is the model for social development and that the Chesapeake is a deviant example of British colonization. Rather, we can look deeper in to Pursuits of Happiness and learn much from what we read and what we do not read, and consider Greene's assumptions and main points as Berkhofer recommends that we do. Greene's desire to see order, stability, and social maturation in the colonies he describes allows him to minimize and dehumanize slavery, and much else that is unpleasant, disorganized or objectionable in Britain's colonial provinces. Institutions and structures to him are aesthetically desirable, meaningful and define a modern society. He looks from the top down. Greene's use of this approach is why we do not "see" people in the book-slaves in particular are missing, but so too are New England farmers, women, American Indians, and others. This lack of human subjects is somewhat ironic, in that Greene's goal was to "formulate a model of social development." (xi, italics mine) Pursuits of Happiness is fundamentally a reactionary survey, aimed squarely at refuting those studies that have emphasized the typicality of the New England experience. Greene assumed preemptively that the Chesapeake was more reflective of early modern Britain, and more typical of her colonies. By emphasizing declension in New England and defining it in his own terms, Greene of course found what he was looking for: a Chesapeake model more modern and developed than New England, one that all other British colonies resembled. Only by ignoring contradictory experiences and discontinuities, as Cronon holds that all narratives do, does Greene succeed in finding his settled, cohesive, and coherent colonies.

Greene is on a mission to show that the South (especially the Chesapeake) represents the "normative" model of American development-not the New England model. To do so, he decries the standard "declension" model, based on the history of Puritan New England, and produces a "developmental" model that he proves was normative for all British New World colonies--here New England represents the exception, not the rule. He seeks to analyze three points. First, to analyze the assumptions that have emphasized the preeminence or normative character of the Orthodox Puritan colonies of New England in the early modern social development and formation of American culture. Second, to evaluate and compare among the experiences of other societies in the early modern British Empire and to formulate a model of colonial social development that made be more broadly applicable than the heretofore used declension model of British colonial history. Finally, to delineate the process by which the general American culture began to emerge out of several regional cultures during the century after 1660 and identifying the most important elements in that emerging culture. Colonial historians have used the declension model to explain the early experiences of the Orthodox European colonies of Massachusetts Bay and Connecticut. Greene proposes a developmental model which looks at historical change in new societies as a movement from the simple to the complex. The Chesapeake, being the oldest settle the region, experienced this model first and the others followed - except the New England region, which was atypical from all other British colonies. Green does not discuss Native Americans, and only superficially covers slaves. However, he admits to pursuing his argument with three assumptions: 1) the focus of the book is upon social development and religious, political, and economic developments are considered only as far as their social dimensions are concerned; 2) focus is upon European and African immigrants and their descendants - excludes Native Americans; and 3) attempts to avoid the "idol of origins" which assumes how an area appeared later in time was equivalent to how it began (concerns the subject specially of slavery in the South). An excellent book for any student of American history, it is well written and thoroughly researched. It discusses the major historians and arguments concerning colonial American history.

When her mother asked her to go back with her to Iowa, Charlie Green had wanted to refuse. Iowa and the family there meant nothing to Charlie--noting but the people who had made her mother's life miserable. Still, she couldn't abandon her mother to her ruthless relatives. Charlie goes to Iowa.

Myrtle, Iowa is something of a mystery itself. The town is supported largely by a home for the aged--where, curiously, people go to die but...

Author Marlys Millhiser delivers a quirky and thoughtful mystery. ...

THE RAMPANT REAPER includes knee-slapping humor, but is occasionally hard to follow and sometimes loses track of the mystery completely. As I was reading, I couldn't help wonder if Millhiser is having current problems with her own aging relatives. Perhaps so, because REAPER seemed unable to make up its mind whether it was intended to be a funny-quirky novel, or a thoughtful examination of the way America treats its aging, and saddles its women with these responsibilities.

Though her preference would be to stay home in Southern California, literary agent Charlie Greene agrees to accompany her adopted mother attending a funeral in Myrtle, Iowa. Charlie has not met this side of the family that has never accepted adoption as a source of viable kin. Still, Charlie would do almost anything for her mother, biology professor Edwina Greene, including meeting the extended family even in this backwater.

Once there, Charlie realizes she has an opportunity to uncover the identity of her biological mother, but instead ends up at Gentle Oaks Nursing Home. Though elderly, the patients seem more than senile than the average geriatrics. Most of the senior citizens act petrified in mind and body leaving Charlie to wonder why society allows people to live with what appears no dignity, hope or thought. Apparently someone agrees with Charlie because someone begins killing the residents. Encouraged to uncover the truth, Charlie begins to investigate what seem to be euthanasia killings.

The latest Charlie Green mystery, THE RAMPANT REAPER, is a strange eccentric amateur sleuth tale. The story line centers on what to do for the aging especially when the mind goes and the body is not lagging far behind. However, Marlys Millhiser's efforts to use humor to diffuse the seriousness of the topic come across as iniquitous because the cast including the heroine is nasty. Fans who don't mind an ensemble of misanthropes will enjoy Charlie's sleuthing and the insight into a problem that society would prefer die away.

Harriet Klausner

The author states in the preface that "The Third Man" was never written to be read but only to be seen" which perhaps explains the sketchy treatment of characters throughout the story.At times I was confused by the various people in the book and had to reread some pages.The storyline was interesting and quite exciting and I look forward to seeing the film. The other story in the book,"The Fallen Idol",is only 30 pages long but Greene manages to convey a sinister atmosphere and great depth of characters-a very enjoyable story.

On the backcover of the book:

THE THIRD MAN

Rollo Martins is invited by his school-friend hero, Harry Lime, to post-war Vienna, 'a smashed dreary city' occupied by four powers...

Everyone has a racket, but Martins learns that Lime 'was about the worst racketeer who ever made a dirty living'. What's more, LIme has just been killed - by accident? The truth is almost more than Martins can stand...

THE FALLEN IDOL

Philip is a small boy left in a large Belgravia house with Baines, the butler, and 'thin, menacing, dusty' Mrs Baines. And Baines has a girl-friend. Soon Philip is 'caught up in other people's darkness...'

Greene writes in the preface that "The Third Man was never intended to be more than the raw materiall for a picture". Still, the novel is not lack of intricated plots, suspenses, character's thought processes, and Greene's typical sharp wits. The Fallen Idol was not written for the films. It is a short story with intensity and suspense: a boy got involved in the lives of adults.

Graham Greene is the master of suspense, even in these two rather short stories. That's all I have to say about this book.

I agree with the previous reviewer, so you don't need to read this review any further if you don't want to. Kim Philby's personality is evident in this book and will therefore be a useful aid to anyone doing a psychological study. The usefullness will not come from what he reveals but in what he does not reveal and how he does not reveal it. This man is a true spy. A concealer and obfuscator at heart, this book is all smoke and mirrors and no substance. It's a whole lot liek the PR from movie stars and the White House. The words never really answer your question because as is the case in this book, it never takes one to the heart of the matter and fails to satisfy the curiosity, which I guess, is the reason why anyone would buy this book. Forget it. You don't find anything out. In the first few pages he tells you straight off (because, as the previous reviewer said, he is more intelligent than us) that he won't be telling us how and why he was contacted by the communists. Need I say more. THAT is the thing that I wanted to know. Thank god, I got this book from the local library. Back it goes, mostly unread.

There is precious little excitement between the pages of "My Silent War" to titillate the reader. We should remember that no spy worthy of the name would sit down and bare his soul, spilling trade secrets. Philby is no exception. Very little is revealed in "MSW". There are 3 points of minimal interest: The first is to observe how Philby jockeys and maneuvers for position in a competitive bureaucracy-the British Secret Service. That would be the same Secret Service he sold out. The second is a surprisingly strong introduction, which gives the plot context that Philby failed to provide. The third entails his brief station in Washington (circa 1950) as head of British counter-intelligence in the US. The noose closes in on fellow spies Guy Burgess, Donald Maclean and the author himself. (Suspicions again arise about his '"loyalty" upon his return to England.) No point justifies the purchase price! The bottom line is that Kim Philby was a hard core Communist spy in the best Cold War tradition, He was a traitor to his country. He broke into small pieces whatever oaths he gave to England and his Queen. Added to that mix is his overtly snide contempt for his readers. (He is so much smarter than we are, you know). The best example of this is on page 193 when under suspicion in England and evading his surveillance, he meets clandestinely with his Russian handlers. "What passed there", we are informed, "is of no concern to the reader". No concern? Then why reveal the incident all! What a conceited little snob! The British have a word for books like this: "RUBBISH"!

Kim Philby's "My Silent War" may give a lot of insight into the British intelligence establishment during Philby's employment there, but it doesn't tell us much about Philby, his motives, his inner life, and the reality of what it was like to live a hidden life for so many years.

Philby was a hotshot spy for MI 6 and may have had a significant impact, for good or bad, on that agency's success or lack of it. However, Philby plays his one motives and life pretty close to the chest. Kim Philby's "Silent War" doesn't provide the look at the man I'd like to see.

Boring regency about cardboard characters who never surprise or delight us.

Lord Langdon's Kiss is a lovely story. Elena Greene's writing style is smooth and unemcumbered. Her historical accuracy regarding customs and attitudes of the Regency Period helps the modern reader understand why the characters behave as they do. Although in Regency novels, one always knows who will end up with whom, it is enjoyable to go along for the ride when a clever writer such as Greene takes the reins. I look forward to reading her next book.

War-weary Lord Langdon returns to England after the war to find his estate and finances in great disorder. He also finds his younger brother in the clutches of the inappropriate yet very attractive Nel Ashley, who has the nerve to criticize him for the neglect of his family, his people and his estate. A series of Austin-esque misunderstandings and one very seductive kiss send both down the enchanted garden path to true love. Despite their misunderstandings, the passion between these two characters is palpable.

Ms. Greene's first book is well-researched and very well-written. She is a promising new voice for the Regency genre and I look forward to reading her next book!

Thats what this book should have been titled! I disagree. It's not just the same as make the connection. I found Make the connection just plain ole' diet info. Great info, but nothing new. This book's section on motivation was astounding! What an eye opener for someone who has struggled with the mental part of making the decision to finally change my life. This book is definately something to pick up for anyone who has had it with diets. There's so much more to it! Life changing!

It is true that the steps towards weight loss are no different than in "Make the connection". But I think this book complements the first one perfectly. For the chapters on motivation alone, this book is worth buying. It explains the motivation issues of certain typres of people and why it can be damaging to your self-esteem to attempt dieting when you are not ready in your mind. This book also helped me to stay motivated whenever I had a low, and to keep going. I haven't regretted for one second that I bought this book.

Like the others, I read MTC several times. Yes, if you just want instruction on the 10 steps, you don't need this book. However, if you've tried to follow them but just can seem to stick to the program, this book is for you.

His 'exercises' on self-awareness was written for me and was only hinted in the first book. It literally changed my life. For once, I have been able to stick to the 10 steps for 7 months now, have lost 30 pounds and am a much happier person in general. Oprah's story was nice, but I often wish I had Bob around to talk about ME for a change. This book does that.

Like I said, if you just want instruction and already have MTC, don't bother. But if you can't seem to stick to the program and can't figure out why, buy this book! You may learn something about yourself!

I couldn't read more than one chapter. This book is very poorly researched and doesn't flow with much congruity. I am very disappointed in the lack of trust I found in the writing. I don't recommend this book to anyone.

This is undoubtedly one of the most poorly written books I have ever read. Being familiar with some of the key players in this story, I must also say it was extremely poorly researched. Mr. Benson got many simple facts wrong. Things which were mentioned numerous times in national publications, he got wrong. I seriously doubt if he devoted any time to checking his facts. The book is so awfully written that I found myself only able to read 2-3 pages in one sitting. The overuse of metaphors is nothing short of criminal. No wonder Mr. Benson had to self publish this atrocity.

This is more than just the story of Enid Greene and JoeWaldholtz, this is the story of the Republican Party in the microcosmof their lives. The corruption behind Enid Greene Waldholtz's Congressional campaign isn't exceptional, it's the rule of Republican Party politics. She just got caught, and like all politicians, tried to blame a scapegoat (i.e., the suddenly "psychopathic" Joe).

I was living in Utah during this entire sordid episode, and Enid's blubbering television news conference changed nothing. The money stains were all over her fingers. Corruption is as corruption does.