Looking to try for one of the chairs in the Lodge? This little book is invaluable for those seeking Masonic Officer seats! While it's not the 'tell all' work one would hope for, it is still just as worthy of being on your reading list and the Monitor itself! This book isn't only for those seeking membership. I am not a Lodge officer, but I own a copy. It helps me to understand the different chairs that much better, and allows me to get a richer experience from meetings and degrees.

Recommended...highly!

I love Eliza Haywood and only wish I could get all of her novels that are out of print. Eliza's novels are absolutely wonderful. Her characters are real people with real vices and good intentions. Her plots a completely twisty and surprising. This one is not her best, but if you love the genre, you will love this book also.

Gar Anthony Haywood's It's Not a Pretty Sight is a gritty story that takes place on the streets of South Central Los Angeles. They are, indeed, not a pretty sight. In addition to the mystery, Haywood portrays the tragedy of life, sometimes the hopelessness and certainly the pain. But he also reveals the good that can survive amidst evil and death and pain, the roses that grow among the most robust of weeds. Aaron Gunner, p.i., seeker after the truth, learns that Nina Hillman has been killed and the police are looking for her estranged husband, Michael Pearson. Gunner's reaction is dictated by the past. He has never been able to forget an abused woman he chose not to help who was found dead the next day, killed by her abuser. Gunner blamed himself for her death. Also ten years ago, Gunner had been planning to marry Nina, but broke it off just three months before the wedding. Again he blames himself a little for her death. So he determines that he will avenge her death and, when Michael Pearson attacks him, he fires back and gravely wounds him. But Pearson insists that he did not kill Nina and gives Gunner his alibi. Gunner, alone of everyone who knew Nina, began to doubt Pearson's guilt. So he initiated a one-man crusade to discover who was guilty. On his quest he learns about abuse, why men hit on women and why women often do not leave these men. He also discovers relationships which sometimes fester and turn sour. One by one all the people who had reason to hate Nina are exposed and then cleared. The loner continues to search for justice and truth until he finds them. Gunner is a complex and somewhat enigmatic man who does seem to be first cousin to Shane and all the other cowboys who rode into town at high noon. The bit players are well developed and memorable as well. The setting is authentic, from the barber shop where Gunner has his "office" to the bar where he drinks when he is depressed. The only quarrel I had with this book was the solution to the murder; I felt Haywood reached a bit to select the murderer. However, I did not catch the clues that he had dropped so lightly and so delicately. I went back and looked; they were all there. If you enjoy tough p.i.'s and mean streets and straight-forward stories, this is a book you will savor. I found the character of Gunner redeeming and ethical, a man who supersedes his environment and typifies all the virtues and vices by which the human animal survives

Carolyn Haywood was my favorite author for a year or so when I was in third grade.She writes a series of funny escapades about Eddie Wilson,age 7,who shows that his parents' trash is his treasure-and vice versa.

I ENJOYED READING THIS BOOK. THE AUTHOR DID A GOOD JOB OF NOT COMING FROM ONE SPECIFIC RACIALLY MOTIVSTED POINT OF VIEW. HE TRIED TTO SHOW BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY BUT TO TELL MR. NORRI'S STORY AS WELL.

Frances Haywood's book is an essential tool for the serious genealogist. The entries in this book are complete and are shown exactly as they appear in the records at the Gloucester County Virginia Court House. Each of the entries is similar to the following excerpt:

John Green, ae 24y, oysterman, s/o Geo. & Nancie Green; Anna West, ae 19y, d/o Christopher & Nancie West; Mar 5 1857 by Rev. W. S. Hawkins at Benjamin Seawell's.

Many entries also give the maiden names of the mothers and other information such as nicknames.

The index to the book is organized by last name only with a page number listed for each appearance of the name in the book. This makes quick reference for a particular marriage or year of marriages time-consuming by today's "database research" standards. The text appears to be from a typewritten manuscript with indentations separating marriages (as opposed to blank lines) making the book ever so slightly tiresome to read, but not such a distraction as to inhibit usefulness.

Ms. Haywood's book is a culmination of hours of research and typing, and deserves a place among any genealogist's research volumes.

GOOD STUFF ABOUT HAYWOODS HARD AND ENDURING LIFE. WRONG STUFF ABOUT GOVERNOR WAITE. THE NAME IS DAVIS H. WAITE, NOT DAVID ! I KNOW HE'S MY GREAT- GRANDFATHER. re: pg 51. BOOK DOESNT EXPLAIN THEIR DEALINGS OR RELATIONSHIP. OH WELL THATS FOR MY BOOK.

Spencer Haywood's story is one that is not uncommon in sports. A brilliant career derailed by drug abuse. What I found especially compelling about this book was Haywood and Ostler's harrowing account of Spencer's crack addiction. After reading this part of the book, I found myself rooting when Spencer beat his problem and went back to try out in the NBA. A great story.

I just finished Steve Browns book "'SWEEPS". Started it yesterday at 1650 hours and finished it today at 1530 hours. And that included a four hour break for dinner with my wife and working on some web pages. I guess that means that I liked it or at least couldn't put it down.

A couple of things bothered me about it but only an old Mine Counter Measures person, like myself, would notice them.

I thought the plot was very well laid out and only an extremely self-confident and totally uninhibited person could have gone through all those situations in such a short time and handled them so effectively. And anyone that overwhelming in his approach, probably would not have had the moments of self doubt and self recrimination such as the scene behind the pilot house with the Cap't. But, again that is the character that he is trying to create.

I will look forward to further Sam Wallace adventure tales with Sam Wallace back on an MSO in Desert Storm as the CO and/or Commodore of the division. And maybe later on Destroyers and Cruisers in the future.

Maybe G. W. Bush will actually jump on ol' Saddam and give the action thriller authors more grist for their mill.

I was pleasently suprised by this book. I liked the fact that the heroine is not some young, extreamly beautiful girl but a mature(30 yrs old) handsome woman who keeps her hero on his toes. He has been married 4 times and all of his wives have died leaving him with 7 children. He really loves his kids and it is enjoyable to read about him playing with them and even accepting their pets. One of his daughters has a huge, and I do mean huge, collection of cats. I think the count is 25 or more. He even carries one around for a bit and seems to enjoy loving it. He may be a strong, demanding, powerful man but he is also one with deep feelings and passionate love for both his family, his land and his new bride.

Duncan Maxwell, known as the Black Bastard, had tried to make a life for himself. He had married four times with each of his wives succumbing to the harsh rigors of border life. There were a total of 52 people who depended on him for their very lives and sustenance. And their precious cache of salt had just been stolen, making the prospects of surviving the harsh winter very slim. The last thing Duncan needed was a half-drowned English woman who had washed up on his shore.Catherine Armstrong truly believed her stepfather loved her and would want her to return to her home once he knew where she was being held. But since she was in the process of leaving her home when she was shipwrecked, Catherine had no intention on letting this wild Scottish border lord find out who she was or where she was from. Besides, there was no money for her ransom except for the king's ransom in jewels she had sewn into the hem of her shift. And those jewels were all she had left of her inheritance from her mother. Nobody was going to take those from her, no matter how big, scary and gorgeous he was! Haywood Smith has written a rollicking, sexy story of two extremely stubborn people from opposite worlds who are forced to put up with each other in circumstances beyond their control. She brings to life the hardships of living in the Scottish wilds where the residents lived hard and loved even harder. A great read!

I have to admit, I read this book over a year ago, but still find myself thinking of it, the characters and their life in Scotland were so haunting. That to me is the mark of a great novel, one you keep thinking about long after you have read it. Definitely one for your 'to be read' and then your 'keeper' pile.