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Books to read if you're planning a vacation in "Austin", sorted by average review score:

The Murders of Mrs Austin and Mrs Beale
Published in Paperback by MacMillan Pub Ltd (December, 1997)
Author: Jill McGown
Average review score:

A Murder Tale with a definite twist!
I also would recommend this series to others. Ms. McGown writes a good story, and her murder plots are always good. I really like Lloyd and Judy, and in this one they get to work together on a case that covers each one of their districts. Two separate murders, and was it one killer? You'll have to read to find out. The two separate murders were committed in the victim's homes, but it is found that there is an open telephone line between the two dwellings when the victims are found! Now that's a different twist! Lloyd and Judy have to delve deep to find out who committed these crimes, and the trip the reader takes with them is fun, and the there are more twists than you know what to do with.

unique characters and intelligent story
I really enjoyed reading this book. Jill McGown's characters are simply unique. Contrary to many other successful women crime writers, her main characters are portrayed as down to earth persons, who do not have fancy jobs or hobbies. They have their bad days and their good ones, can be agressive or unreasonable - and that's what makes them so human. Chief Inspector Lloyd ( no firstnames, please) and Inspector Judy Hill are a most unlikely couple and sometimes hillariously funny. In addition, you really will want to know who did it and this is extremely hard to guess. I would recommend this book to everyone who likes British characters.


My Father's God: A Novel (Austin, Lynn N. Chronicles of the King, Bk. 4.)
Published in Paperback by Beacon Hill Press (July, 1997)
Author: Lynn N. Austin
Average review score:

On my third set . . .
I love this series so much that I have had to replace the entire set three times. I lend them out and they disappear!
These are by far the finest novels that Ms. Austin has written. I was drawn into the story, and I just couldn't put the books down. Ms. Austin provides Scriptural references so it is easy to see what she is basing her story on. After reading the Scriptures, elements in the story that are taken right out of the Bible are easily discerned from those that the writer may be taking an artist license with. It breathed life into these characters and made them very relevant to me.

I immediately began reading the remaining books in the series, and every one was a delight. I enthusiastically recommend the series.

Manasseh's story is challenging and a must-read.
I received this book hot off the press in July. This is by far the best of the Chronicles of Kings series by Lynn Austin. Her grasp of the historical and current implications of Manasseh's dilemnas and reactions to situations indicates the depth of her research. Lynn depicts a man torn by trying to develop his own sense of worth and his fear of not living up to the legend of his father. Being Hezekiah's son attached certain expectations to Manasseh's reign, but Manasseh's lack of character is soon recognized. Read about this turbulent time and feel the characters come to life. I found it difficult to put this book down and became emotionally involved in the lives of the characters. Read the first three in the series but don't miss this one - by far the best yet from this author. I can hardly wait for the next sequel in this series!


Nekkid in Austin: Drop Your Inner Child Down a Well
Published in Paperback by Writers Club Press (July, 2002)
Author: Fred Venable, Jr Reed
Average review score:

Fresh, funny and thought provoking
An eclectic collection of essays, stories, recollections and observations that are poignant, poetic, thought-provoking, amusing, infuriating and hilarious. Written in Freds unique and very eloquent style.

At times you don't know when Fred is departing from the literal truth and entering into the "Fred Zone". Frankly I prefer the Fred Zone it's a lot more interesting.
I am regular at Freds web site and look forward every week to the latest Fred on Everything column

Fred has a way of exposing the [falsehoods]in a way that refreshingly funny and enjoyable. His outlook on life ans attitudes are what made this country great and hopefully will again. Plus Fred will have you laughing or crying or both.

You will wish you could have a collection of individual essays on various always handy to give to some loudmouth know-it-all dunce running his mouth on the subject.

But this book, read and enjoy. It is true keeper.

Always thought provoking and entertaining
Fred Reed has a way of making you think. His illustrations are useful for asking yourself why this premise leads to this conclusion, but in a hugely entertaining way. Read on, have fun, enjoy..


Once a Legend: "Red Mike" Edson of the Marine Raiders
Published in Hardcover by Presidio Pr (June, 1994)
Author: Jon T. Hoffman
Average review score:

Excellent Military Biography
If you are really interested in the Marine Corps or WW2 History, this is something worth buying. Instead of just making 'Red Mike' Edson a saintly hero of great virtue and courage, the author describes Edson the man with warts and all.

My only complaint about the book (it wasn't that big because the rest of the book is excellent) was that book didn't go into as much detail about Bloody Ridge (the pinnacle of Edson's combat leadership and which won him the CMH) which is surprising considering how much detail was spent describing the fight against the Sandinistas between WW1 and WW2.

Excellent biography of a fine Marine.
"Red Mike" Edson was one fearless warrior. His frontline exploits on Tarawa, Saipan, and Guadalcanal (where he won the Medal of Honor and probably saved the campaign) are the stuff of legends, but he was also, improbably, a first-class staff officer.
This unusual talent for organization brought him two stars and a role in the highest echelons of the Corps, but it also took him into the fierce politics of the Pentagon and may have indirectly caused his death.
The history of this fine Marine is well told in this outstanding biography; with photos, bibliography, and index. Highly readable; essential for Marine Corps readers and of great interest to general military history readers and WWII buffs.

(The numerical rating above is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not employ numerical ratings.)


Original Austin-Healey
Published in Hardcover by Motorbooks International (July, 1900)
Author: Anders Ditlev Clausager
Average review score:

Intro to the world of Austin-Healey
If you can ever manage to find a copy of this book - it is well worth the time, trouble and headache of tracking it down.

It doubles as both a perfect coffee table piece and a good visual reference manual.

Though many Healey purists will argue the merits and authenticity of some of the entries, no one can deny the fact that this is one of the more essential written works about the Healey - that is a must have for owner and innocent bystander alike.

It's a great introduction in the world of the Austin-Healey.

This is probably the best single book on big Healeys.
Full of history, production details, and well done photographs, this is a book for Healey owners and Healey lovers. The author is arguably the authority on Austin Healeys. If you want just one book on Healeys, this should be it.


A Passion for Excellence
Published in Audio Cassette by Bantam Books-Audio (March, 1986)
Authors: Tom Peters, Robert O'Keefe, and Nancy K. Austin
Average review score:

SUPERB CASE HISTORIES OF WHAT PRACTICAL PASSION CAN DO
Many people have written that they like Tom Peters, but do not think that he has much to say that is new or different. Others criticize Peters for being changeable in his views. What these people miss is that Tom Peters is passionate about using passion for customers, employees, and everyone else to create great results for all of us. By awakening our passion, we will do more, we will try more, and we will succeed more often. In many ways, this book is much more important than IN SEARCH OF EXCELLENCE. A PASSION FOR EXCELLENCE clearly shows that passionate leadership about the right things sets a good example and the right tone for the organization. This book is helpful in that each section is meant to be read as a stand-alone, so you can go to the places that you did not feel very passionate about when you read IN SEARCH OF EXCELLENCE and get some good reinforcement about the value of passion in that area. A good companion piece if you need more passion and self-direction is Tony Robbins' AWAKEN THE GIANT WITHIN.

A must read
One of the best practical business texts around. Tom Peters is easily one of the most charismatic of the business preachers today, and the book fits right in line with his style


Petty: The Classic Pin-Up Art of George Petty
Published in Hardcover by Random House Value Pub (September, 1997)
Authors: George Petty, Reid Stewart Austin, and Random House Value Publishing
Average review score:

Petty-Legendary Pin-up Artist
Besides containing hundreds of photos of some of Petty's best works for Esquire and Old Gold this book also contains the story of the artist, George Petty. From the beginning of his art career to his run arounds with the stuffed shirts at Esquire. The author masterfully paints a picture of a man that created one of America's most endearing icons. This book also contains a brief but very interesting story about the author searching out, finding, and actually meeting his hero a few short years before his death. Excellent read and masterfully designed.

Makes me wish I was a B-17 Bomber!!
I'm a big fan of the classical pin-up. George Petty's work is the epitome of pin-up art. His girls always seem to talk to you, to tease you. I was lucky enough to purchase this book and I feel my money was well spent. This book also tells the story of Petty's birth, childhood, and eventual rise to fame in the pages of Esquire, True and several other popular magazines of this era. It also tells how he became enthralled in the war effort and how his "girls" became the dreams and fantasies of many a G.I. during WWII, and especially one of his pieces recreated on the nose of the famous "Memphis Belle". This book is for the aspiring pin-up artist (like myself) too as well as the pin-up enthusiast. Do check it out!!


Pig Tails 'n Breadfruit: A Culinary Memoir
Published in Hardcover by New Press (April, 2000)
Author: Austin Clarke
Average review score:

Visit beautiful Barbados....
This delightful book evokes the language and spirit of Barbados. The author weaves in tales of growing up in Barbados with memories of the food, 'hot cuisine', that fashioned his childhood. For anyone who has visited the island, this will surely bring back fond and enticing memories. Read the book, visit Barbados!

Descriptions of preparing dishes, lovingly detailed.
This culinary memoir of the author's childhood in Barbados describes his early introduction to cooking, his involvement with native dishes, and his progress in becoming a cook. Don't look for recipes here; it's more a memoir and biography of Barbados cooking, though descriptions of preparing dishes are lovingly detailed and rival James Beard's American presentations.


Sailor Bear
Published in Hardcover by Candlewick Press (October, 1993)
Authors: Martin Waddell, Barbara Firth, and Virginia Austin
Average review score:

a lovely story with charming illustrations
This is a delightful story for reading aloud or for a beginning reader. My daughter has read it countless times, and loves the fact that it is such a small book that she can put it in her pocket and take it wherever she goes. She delights in examining the pictures for every little detail. We love Martin Waddell and enjoy all his books.

Truly a remarkable book that my children cherish.
This book is a true masterpiece,delightful in every respect as are all of Virginia Austins childrens books.Not only are the illustrations exceptional but the story is complete and the lessons are easily understood and digested by young minds.


Sense and Sensibilia
Published in Paperback by Oxford University Press (December, 1962)
Authors: John L. Austin and Geoffrey J. Warnock
Average review score:

An entertaining and profound look at sensory skepticism
If I had to recommend one philosophy book to the layman, this would be it. It's a lucid and entertaining look at the various arguments made for sensory skepticism. The first philosophy book to make me laugh out loud.

A thorough yet entertaining critique of logical positivism
Austine is one of the greatest philosophers that came out of Oxford's ordinary langauge school of philosophy. His text is both aggressive but pleasant to read. Much of his critique of logical positivism is still convincing, however there have been those who criticize his method (not unfairly). I highly recommend this book to any one interested in seeing an example of how to use language, as the first step, in analyzing complex positions.


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