Book Two of the series "Jeannie, a Texas Frontier Girl," by Evelyn Horan is, without a doubt, the best children's book I've read since, well, the first one. Ms. Horan's work has been compared to that of Laura Ingalls Wilder, but in my opinion, she has proven to be an even better author. These books may be for children, but I, even though I am an adult, love them, and as I'm reading, I cannot wait to see what happens next with Jeannie and her family and good friend, Helga. The setting is the Texas frontier during the late 1800's, and Ms. Horan does an excellent job at edifying while entertaining the reader. Horan makes a wonderful transition from the first to the second book, and in Book Two, we see Jeannie and her friend Helga starting to grow up, the changes that take place in both Jeannie's and Helga's families, are introduced to a Comanche Indian family, and dream along with Jeannie as to what her future will hold. I'm excitedly looking forward to Book Three and hope Ms. Horan will continue these books for years to come. Ms. Horan is our present-day Wilder, an author whose work is so wholesome and wonderful, and I predict she will be a national bestseller in a very short amount of time. Cudos for an excellent book.

At her site, Professional Reviewer and Editor, Lisa of Bookreviewcafe.com, writes concerning her review of Jeannie, A Texas Frontier Girl Book Two:

In Book Two of Jeannie, A Texas Frontier Girl, only good things can be said about it! A very simple story involving a very complicated girl;Jeannie! Turning fourteen, Jeannie is getting to be a mature, young lady. Many things are in store for her and her friends this year. The girls learn to cook, sew and crochet and take care of Helga's new baby brother. These new skills will help them in the future. Living in the 1880's is hard work. You learn to grow up fast. Jeannie's wish for her own horse ranch might be coming true due to unexpected money. Will she be old enough next year to have a ranch? Who will she want to work on her ranch with her? She might have someone in mind! Evelyn Horan has a genuine flair for writng. The main characters Jeannie, Helga, Billy Joe and Henry all have great personalities. You really end up knowing them all personally! This series-four books in all-is a wonderful collection to keep for your children as they get older. Such wholesome stories should be read aloud to kids of all ages!
Lisa-Editor
Bookreviewcafe.com

Reviewer: Jennifer LB Leese...

This reviewer has had the privilege of reading Evelyn Horan's first Jeannie adventure book and immediately fell in love book two. Her writing style is unique, clear, and fun. Horan fills each of her books with detail, making it easy for readers to visualize the characters and scenery.

Young Jeannie is your average little frontier girl from the 1800s. She likes to train her horses, cook, sew, play with her school friends, and of course, she loves to go on adventures.

This book is a real page-turner! Young readers will enjoy the fun and excitement this book provides. Bravo!

Horan is a former teacher and counselor, and multi-published author. ...

The virtues of THE KENNEDY WOMEN comes from its examination of the supporting players in the cast of the family. Author Laurence Leamer fills in many holes in our collective knowledge of the sisters of President Kennedy, and in our awareness the wives of his brothers. Joan Bennett Kennedy, first wife of Senator Edward Kennedy, and Ethel Skakel Kennedy, widow of Senator Robert Kennedy, finally get their share of the attention in this book.

So, too, does the late--and tragic--Kathleen Kennedy, who basically was disowned by her mother for eloping with the Marquis of Hartington, heir to the Duchy of Devonshire. His family is considered to be among England's leading Protestants, which was in sharp contrast to Rose Kennedy's devout Catholicism.

This is an important work, filling in the holes in our knowledge of these women who have mothered the current generations of the Kennedy family.

When the Kennedy's entered the White House, everybody assumed that they were the perfect family. Following assasinations and tabloid headlines, the men were subsequently were criticized for fast living and political decisions.

The women, once ideal images of feminity became scorned for being the "ideal helpmate". For years, the press did not want to cover the women in anything other than fashion and family. Although Jackie despised the "little wife" role, she nonetheless went with it for the sake of election.

This book does a good job reconcilling the two methods of examination. For the first time, we get a well rounded picture of America's most famous family as seen through the eyes of women. Thanks to the separate spheres approach that prevailed until the late 20th century. If JFK's sisters were political, it was under the non-threating guise of community service and volunteer work.

Although Rose Kennedy was considered a tradditional matriarch, no other book had touched her subconcious desire to enter into politics or her intial revulsion of Joe Sr's womanizing. Thus, the dislike of Jackie (many people did not realize how much policy making influence she had) becomes all of the more ironic.

Younger generations of Kennedy women such as Kathleen Kennedy Townsend have also continued this tradition, but have sought (and won) elected office in their own right. RFK's youngest daughter, Rory, is an avowed feminist activist. This book would be of interest to anybody studying political dynastys and or the Kennedy family in particular. Because it balances the positives and negatives of it's focus, the book is well balanced and easy to read. Be warry of imitators because this is the definitive work.

This is the book that really got me into the Kennedy clan. Leamer tackeled an immense project by chronicling the lives of 5 generations of women and is met with great success!

It is not often that an author can find sympathy for both Jackie Kennedy and Rose Kennedy (the 2 women had conflicts and were quite different!), but Leamer allows both to be understood in new light. My favorite parts were the ones that introduced the reader to JFK's ill fated sister, Kathleen ("Kick") Kennedy. She is truly a fascinating woman who has been largely forgotten.

This is a true page turner that manages to be both fun and scholarly! It is easily one of the best Kennedy books on the market today!

Anybody in the business world or on the inside track of Los Angeles life knows who Marilyn and Harry Lewis are; their building of the Hamburger Hamlet dynasty is legendary. What makes this truly fascinating book come to life though, is the "true Marilyn" who jumps from the page. With many autobios, you can read it cover to cover and not know a whit more about the real person behind that public visage when you're done.

Not here. There's a lot more served up than some famous recipes and a few anecdotes; Lewis manages to capture the Zeitgeist of the time in which she and Harry lived and loved; a period of Show Business and Big Business colliding an L.A. full of fashion and film and some sad realities along the way.

I'd love to give details but I'm not blowing any surprises. Suffice to say the book is a surprise a mix of personal and public life, and every darn thing that happens when you're a woman with boundless talent and the energy of a high school sprinter. For instance, did you know that under a completely different name,in a completely different world, Marilyn Lewis was also famous for something that had nothing to do with her culinary crown? Double-famous in two different worlds: that's not luck. This is an extraordinary woman.

Marilyn Lewis's own peronal story is downright fascinating; from such humble beginnings she became the Grande Dame of Los Angeles's love for food, fashion, and passion. You can't put Lewis in a box.....her proven "wins" in evrything from film to filet mignon come with a story, a real story, about a real woman who was ahead of her time and made a lot of people plain catch up.

Written with the class you'd expect from one of the shining stars of Los Angeles social life, Marilyn tosses class and candor like a salad, and the result is a can't-put-it-down page turner.

I give this prize of a book my highest recommendation. The Marilyn Lewis you're going to meet in this book is probably not who you thought was on the menu. But I'd put her compelling voice and prolific humanity up against any creme brulee in town: Mrs. Lewis emerges like a creme brulee, in fact: a tough cookie and nobody's fool on the outside, and downright delicious, smooth and all class on the inside.

Give this book a read; it'll show you a Los Angeles (and a world) that may not even be possible anymore.....unless another Marilyn and Harry Lewis show up in town. For now, I'll take the originals....and they're both right here in plaintive sight. Enjoy the meal, and boy, does she know some of the juciest tidbits of Los Angeles's golden age. Enjoy, and don't forget to tip well.

MARILYN ARE YOU SURE YOU CAN COOK? HE ASKED
Every once in a while one comes across a book that's truly inspirational, and this one says it all. Marilyn Lewis takes you by the hand and thrusts you into the world of entertainment, excitement, movie stars, recipes, design, and family, all the while introducing us to her own style of prose. There are poignant moments, understated and wise, that speak volumes to the reader. This was not an easy road, and it was told honestly and with a rare sense of innocence, savvy and humor.We are given a personal tour of the thoughts and feelings of a true entrepreneur, and we learn that anyone wanting to achieve a modicum of success must take risks.I think that everyone SECRETLY wants to run a restaurant, and Marilyn shows us how to pull it off. And if that's not all...she makes a movie! Kidnapped? Yes! Disappointed? Many times! Survivor? You bet! This is not just a woman's story, but a benchmark for anyone who has a dream--and seeks the blueprints for success. A MUST READ! Take a much deserved bow, Ms. Lewis!

Marilyn Lewis hitch-hiked from Cleveland to Hollywood when she was 14. She owned a modeling agency when she was 16. She later married a hansom movie star.

Together they founded a successful chain of restaurants. In between Ms. Lewis designed clothes for the Marlo Thomas TV show and hosted a late night radio talk show!

This charming autobiography spans 40 years of her life in Hollywood, and includes numerous little-known stories about her movie star friends.

Ms. Lewis combines humor with her insight into how to succeed in a mans world. A MUST read!

Mildred Taylor has written an outstanding novel. The Land is a prequal to Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. It traces the life of Paul-Edward Logan. Paul-Edward is the son of prominent Edward Logan and his former slave, Deborah. This mix leaves Paul mostly unaccepted by the white community and the black community. Where does Paul fit in? The book recounts Paul's inner and outer struggles of growing up. It tells of his conflicts with family, friends and strangers. The novel is very well written and includes emotions by using the appropriate dialect that it allows the reader to become part of the story. I felt that I was there in the scenes as a bystander.
I think the novel is appropriate for a high school audience. The novel covers some very sensitive issues. Their maturity is needed to accept the struggles and prejuidices without becoming so angry and upset.

After reading "Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry" and the two following books of the trilogy, I fell in love with Mildred D. Taylor's writing. I searched the library for more books by her, and when I was successful, sat down and read the books immediately, becoming more enchanted with each one. When I heard that there was a prequel to the books, I couldn't wait to get a hold of it. On the way home from the library, I started reading and didn't stop until the last page.
Paul-Edward Logan has a white father and a half black, half indian mother. Growing up on his father's plantation, he never quite knows his place. Although his mother is always warning him against it, Paul-Edward's best friend is his father's other son, born from a white mother. As Paul-Edward grows he learns of betrayal and watches his best friend abandon him for a group of rough white boys. When Paul-Edward is fourteen, he runs away with his new best friend, Mitchell. A book about racism, friendship and family, Mildred D. Taylor has created another masterpiece to be enjoyed for many years.

... The Land By Mildred D. Taylor

For the past month or so, my class has been reading The Land, by Mildred D. Taylor. I am not exaggerating when I say this is one of the greatest books ever! The Land is about an African American boy named Paul Edward Logan, who lives on his white father's plantation. Paul lives in the time of racism, slaves, and disrespect of black men and women. Even his very own father treats him differently than Paul's white brothers ' he cannot eat at the table when there are guests. Nor can he talk to white men the way they treat him. Paul begins to realize the truth of it all. However, he does not give up his dream ' to own his own land. He does not lose faith, even when his father denies him an opportunity to race a horse for cash. Denial only pushes him to accept the offer, but the owner of the horse refuses to pay him his winnings. Mitchell, his personal bodyguard, decides to take matters into his own hands and makes them running for their lives. The Land takes the readers on a journey of Paul's determination, hard work, and his daring and desperate decisions.
One reason I absolutely love this book is because of the plot! The way Paul and African Americans are treated helps me understand what it was like for people, like Paul during the 1800s. This book helps me realize how hard it was back then ' to treat others respectfully while they mistreat you, to try to be quiet when a white man was speaking! For example, in the book, Paul is not allowed to hit his brother when he has done something wrong because he is white. It makes me think about how unfair it was a century ago. People were treated unjust because of the color of their skin! I now appreciate my life much, much more, knowing how many lifestyles used to be.
In addition to this, I love the suspense! There is always something exciting happening ' from the horse race to the fights where Mitchell, Paul's bodyguard protects him. What makes this book so fascinating is the fact that there is always something incredible, simply amazing happening. This makes me want to read more! Not only is it entertaining, but also this book raises many intriguing questions. For example, what is going to happen to Paul, what dramatic decision will he make now, and how is Paul's father going to react to this chaos? As you can tell, many questions arise. This is one great aspect of The Land.
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy books based on history ' something that actually happened. The Land is based on true facts ' how people were considered, how lifestyles were for African Americans, and how there were many unjust, unfair laws. This book has a wonderful plot, which is not only entertaining, but also educational. You would have to read it yourself!
I can understand why this book won the Coretta Scott King Award!

I bought this book to prepare myself for Ranger school and now I feel like I have a much, much better idea of what I am going to encounter. It made me think twice about going to Ranger school, seeing all of the hardships through students' eyes, but life as a real man is not appealing at all especially after seeing how Ranger school changed each of the students' lives in a positive way even after they left the army.

This is a five-star account of experiences at Ranger School. I went through it years ago. There have been some changes. There is that old school-new school joshing around. I have no problem with that. It was gruelling then, and is gruelling now -- that's the bottom line. I only have a problem with people I run into all the time --- liberals --- who pooh-pooh and criticize the need for our training. Believe it or not, there are those out here. Their big comment is "Why should America be involved in anything that would require people with that training?" They just don't get it. They're looking for cerebral explanations. So, I tell them to read "West Point" by, Norman Thomas Remick, a book that gives all the cerebral, philosophical explanations for why our founding fathers decided America needed a permanent standing Army with military leaders trained to have character and leadership ingrained (hence, the title), the ultimate of which is Ranger School. That's the the only thing that makes them understand "Why Ranger School?". Now that increased terrorism is imminent, what are Americans to do -- grow beards, don the muslim headpieces, and all convert to Islam? The answer is NO! Tell them, we have Rangers defending our American principles. And get ready -- WE'RE COMING!

This book was really eye-opening. Everyone should know just how fully dedicated our American servicemen (and women!) are. As someone who has not gone through Ranger School, but find it fascinating to read about {sure glad I never had to try and do it), .... First of all, I do agree that there are good reasons of American principle and character for Ranger School. And, second, as an Army football fan, I actually did get the book "West Point", by Norman Thomas Remick... when I was down there for a game. And, I agree, it does compliment "Ranger School, No Excuse Leadership" perfectly. It worked for me!

There's likely been no other American so widely dissected as Abraham Lincoln. Author after author has explored Lincoln's outer world to the point of exhaustion. It's only understandable, then, that the fashion lately seems to be an exploration of his inner one. So we have a spate of books in the last few years that explore Lincoln's psyche, his religion, his sexuality,his relation with his family--and now, with Miller's new book, his moral character.

Miller tells us that he wants to begin afresh by forgetting the Lincoln myth and tracing the moral development of Lincoln in order to see where he winds up. But of course this is an impossibly objective position to attain, and the fix is in from page one: the reader knows--and so does Miller--who's going to win the race. Lincoln predictably emerges as a complex individual who rises to historical prominence not just because he grew into an astute statesperson, but also because he was a virtuous human being. The first alone would have given him power; both together give him greatness.

Most of Miller's tracing of the inner life of Lincoln isn't particularly new, although it is pleasingly systematic. But two characteristics of his approach are worth noting. First, Miller obviously admires his main character without falling into the hagiography that bedevils so many books on Lincoln. Second, Miller's thesis that the contours of Lincoln's moral character are shaped by his earnest efforts to repudiate his backwoods heritage is both novel and persuasive. This argument alone would make the book a worthy read.

But what the book doesn't do--and perhaps no single book can do this--is explain why it is that we simply can't seem to get enough of Lincoln. Lincoln is a sort of national icon. The fascination with him is apparently endless. Miller's book will contribute to the on-going fascination.

William Lee Miller's book underscores Lincoln's general goodness and honesty. This book is less so a traditional biography and more an examination of Lincoln's moral beliefs and principles. The author traces Lincoln's ethical development from a young man in New Salem, Illinois to the mature Lincoln at the height of his intellectual powers in the 1850's and 1860's. Mr. Miller indicates that yes Lincoln was a politician and could be quite good at wheeling and dealing. However, he never engaged in back room negotiations without first taking into account all angles and ramifications, and would never attempt to promote anything totally dishonest. We would describe Lincoln today as a man who was tough but fair. He sought compromise and took into account the possible "fruits" of whatever he was proposing. He was not an absolutist. He realized that the real world was a prism with shades of gray. He was never capricious, as he researched and pondered deeply all his beliefs and subsequent actions. Like any human being he was not perfect and because of his legend it is easy to fall into thinking that he was saint like. He was a truly good-hearted man, who was keenly intelligent and insightful. When our country was at war with itself his steadfastness at the helm and magnaminity he showed towards the Confederates ("with malice toward none") serve as an example of true leadership. His being an American icon is well deserved. Thank you, Mr. President.

I bought this book immediately after hearing the author give a talk about Lincoln on our local public radio station. It has been a fascinating reading experience-I read the book cover to cover right away. Now I am slowly re-reading it, with many pauses for thought and reflection on the depth of Lincoln's political and moral genius. The author's premise is that these two talents need not be incompatible, and that Lincoln's life demonstrates that both could be taken to the highest level of accomplishment. The book is not a dull moral treatise, however. It is written with spirit, humanity and humor worthy of its subject.

Growing up in Illinois, I was raised on the folksy backwoods cartoonlike interpretation of Lincoln presented by populizers like Carl Sandberg. I knew there must be more to the story, and this book has opened the door to whole a new world of ideas and information about our greatest American president.

Parkman's Montcalm and Wolfe is more than history, it's American Literature. His prose flows elegantly and distinguishly across each page. The reader can definitely tell that Parkman was most passionate about this work, he spent most of his life researching and writing it. The care and attention he gave to the work shows. Granted this is probably not the best book for a high school student on the French and Indian war, but for someone who has read and enjoys to read history this is definitely worth a go.

As has been said, Montcalm and Wolfe is Parkman's masterpiece. It was the first thourough account of the French and Indian War and contains some of the most detailed descriptions of the people, places, and events that shaped the North American theater of the first truly global conflict. Here we encounter the dramatic events which lead toward the final confrontation for dominion over the continent. We see a young Virginia Colonel named George Washington leading troops into battle for the first time at Fort Necessity, Braddock's fateful campiagn along the Monogahela, the massacres at Fort Oswego and William Henry by the Indians under Montcalm, the fall of Fort Dusquene, and finally, the culmination of many long and bloody battles, the capture of Quebec and the almost romanticized deaths of Montcalm and Wolfe at the Plains of Abraham. What is truly interesting is that we see the war through the eyes of someone still living in a time when the Indian wars of the west were still being fought and when the country was in the grip of Manifest Destiny and, as a result, Parkman is often very harsh in his views of the Indians and their "savage" ways. Yet, even so, he often gives them more credit than most of his contemporaries.

It is unforunate that today so little is taught or learned about this important event in American history. Today, it seems that the French and Indian War is all but ignored save for being mentioned as a prelude to the American Revolution which it helped spawn rather than as the major turning point in the history of North America and the world. For it is this bloody conflict, fought in the unending wilderness of America, where French regulars and courer de bois crept through the dark woods alongside painted Huron and Ottawa warriors to attack the English settlements, and young redcoated soliders marched shoulder to shoulder to their horrific deaths by rifle ball and tomahawk, that gave birth to what would become the Untied States and changed the course of world history. But even more than that, it is a fascinating period of history more powerful than any piece of fiction. This is history of the highest order. Highly recommended.

Parkman "wrote the book" on the French and Indian War and created a benchmark for historians that has stood on its merits since published in 1884. Moreover, Parkman creates a primer on making history real and exciting for the reader. His writing style bridges the century since he wrote it. This book is one of seven in Parkman's series "The French and English in North America". Each volume was intended to stand alone. This, the final and most popular volume, covers the fall of Quebec and events leading up to it. The first chapter alone, "The Combatents" does an extraordinary job of setting the scene in Europe that led to this savage wilderness war in North America. Also of interest will be the foreword which paints a vivid picture of the unusual Mr. Parkman. "Montcalm and Wolfe" reads well, provides a sense of "being there" and must be one of the great histories not only of the battle for North America, but of European history as well.

Orchids in the Snow is a lovely, well-written book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and immediately become drawn into the characters' lives. Being a military spouse for the past 24 years, I could easily relate to the various changes the character,Andrea, went through. Friends become like family during the many times of seperation which frequently are part of a military spouse's life. The military lifestyle can be extremely challenging and as Andrea was soon to find out it's very important to keep the lines of communication open. Charlie brought the characters to life with the insight of someone who herself has a personal knowledge of how the military works. I highly recommend this book and will definitely be getting it for my friends. I'm looking forward to reading Charlie Hudson's next book!

This book was given to me as a Christmas present and I have already given it to a good friend to read with the stipulation that she return it to me. It takes a fictitional yet real look at women and men in the military and the roles they play professionally and socially. I am not in the military but have worked many years ago (at the very end of the Vietnam war) for a short while at a military installation plus I have had several close friends who were military officers. Even though the characters in this book are all military personnel and their spouses or civilian employees at military bases, their lives and problems make you look at your life and examine what is important to you as you read of their travails. The relationships and changes occurring as life's circumstances change are explored intimately and empatheticly. For all of us baby boomers who are entering middle age, it is a thought provoking look at our own lives and values. Charlie Hudson is an excellent, entertaining new author who I hope will write many more books.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was an Air Force brat and could identify with the Air Force side of the book. I also have worked with the Army for 29 years and have seen people that could have been models for some of the characters Charlie used.

I think this book sheds valuable insight into the stresses and joys of a military life. What the general public sees about the military focuses on the servicemember but rarely do we see what trials and tribulations are experienced by the spouse and family members left behind.

I myself have felt like a stranger when I returned home from trips of only a couple of weeks - and I'm a civilian!

I hope there is a sequel, in particular, one about Sam.

When my brother saw this book in my room he joked, "Who needs to read a book about having a relationship? Isn't it common sense what you need to do to keep your man happy?" Unfortunately, not always..... This book was a quick and easy read with some very logical advice for changing your loving habits. Although many women might already use most of the techniques described, the author offered a few original ideas, as well as the (much-needed)advice to practice these habits EVERYDAY. Keep in mind that this is a self-help book and you will only succeed if you are truly open to and ready for change. For instance, you have to really want your relationship to work and be willing to make the effort in order to gain anything from this book. Don't expect anything out-of-the-ordinary or that you will learn amazing new secrets that will make your relationship perfect. What you WILL get is honest, rational and helpful advice on how to improve your life. Of course, I am a firm believer that both people must work at a relationship in order for it to thrive, so I suggest buying 'Light Her Fire' for your mate. We women can't do it all ourselves!!!

This book by Ellen Kriedman is just wonderful. It has helped me open up my eyes in my relationship with my boyfriend. I've appplied everything in the book to my relationship and it has brought nothing but happiness. We've gone to a much higher level in our relationship. This is a must for any woman who is in a relationship that they would like to improve, or become a better girlfriend, wife. The women who has taken her courses have caught themselves husbands, boyfriends, and these men have also showered these women with gifts and anything they could possibly want. But it's not getting the gifts (gifts come with his undying devotion for you) that this book teaches, it teaches how to have a lifetime love affair filled with romance and passion with your one and only true man. It also has these really fun assignments and it is also fun to read. You won't be disappointed

I got this book and read it very easily on the first few days of a romantic vacation with my hubby. OH my, great advice that worked instantly. After reading the first chapter I did as she said and my hubby was melted like butta'. No kidding. As far as I was concerned it had payed for itself twice by then. Many of her suggestions that I put to use took effect very quickly. I found my mate to be very responsive to her techniques....these are common sense approaches that we all should implement into life. If you truly love your husband and want to strengthen your relationship....give this book a try. Again, not earth-shaking ideas but WOW what results. Still reaping the benefits here.

Baker and Smith have accomplished two objectives in their short book. On the surface, they have expertly captured the key elements in the development of KKR as the frontrunner of the LBO firm. However, on a deeper level, they have also captured many of the elements that managers and entrepreneurs should consider when running or starting a firm. In this regard, the Preface and Chapter Five are worth the price of admission. For anyone interested in the evolution and history of modern American finance, read this book.

This is an outstanding academic treatment of the investments made by KKR, all of which were some kind of leveraged buy-out. The authors focus their attention on the transactions themselves, not the way they were viewed by society or on the people that put them together - in this regard the book is a rare gem. It treats the period up to 1990 in some depth, with some very interesting case studies that show pretty good financial detail with outstanding qualitative descriptions of the transactions that were put together. As you walk through the various case studies, you are able to sit alongside with the KKR team and watch as the LBO goes from an unusual financial instrument to a mainstream product that is widely accepted in the marketplace. While growing acceptance of financial products is an established facet of Wall Street, to follow this evolution through the work of a single firm really is quite interesting. The manner in which the complexity, leverage and size of the transactions grow is laid out in plain English, making this a fascinating read.

Only Chapter 5 "KKR as an Institutional Form" focused on the firm itself, and even this treatment was not nearly as obsequious as many other financial books (most notably "Goldman Sachs: the Culture of Success" by Endlich). Mr. Baker and Mr. Smith take a very level-headed approach and document the growth of the firm in a straight-forward manner, although they do inject a good deal of 'positivity' to their view, i.e. the revolutionary introduction of Monday Morning Meeting's at KKR in the 1990's (this is commonplace at most banks).

I particularly enjoyed the second chapter "Recasting the Role of Debt" which talks about some of the earlier transactions that KKR did in some depth. The description of their LBO of Houdaille is very much worth reading, if only for the fact that traditional 'Old Economy' companies are again garnering such interest. Indeed, that is a very noteworthy aspect of the whole book, KKR focused on established companies with real cash flows. The one transaction which involved real growth financing was a near bust. This is very different than all of the financial maneuvering that has gone on over the past two years, and it is interesting to compare the sustainability of the two efforts (the many years of KKR's existence surely triumphs over venture capital's recent 15 minutes of fame). Chapter 4 on "When Risk Becomes Real" talks about some of the failed KKR transactions, EFB Trucking and Eaton Leonard in some detail. The reaction of KKR to these hiccups is very impressive, and while it is told with the same 'positivity' of the authors as mentioned above, the authors still do a good job of telling the story in an objective manner. The efforts of the partners to maintaining KKR's reputation in the marketplace is nothing short of heroic, and while there was a clear financial incentive over the short term it is clear that the longer term reputation of the company also played a clear role in motivating their actions.

It really is rare to get a book as good as this with detailed financial information (even if it is more than 10 years old) and a mostly unbiased view of the Company. Where the authors are biased, it is easy to pick up and interpret. This is very much an academic treatment of the firm, with some detail as to what the rest of the market was doing, but not a whole lot. There are just the right number of graphs, which is very nice. I would think anybody working in finance would enjoy this book, although given the depth in which it describes the transactions, it might not be the most leisurely read. This is an outstanding book.

Baker (Harvard Business School) and Smith (New York Univ.) provide a well-documented history of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) and its development of the leveraged buyout (LBO). During the period 1976-93, KKR acquired more than 50 firms with an equity investment of only $10.9 billion. As of 1998, these equity investments were worth $40 billion (an annual return exceeding 28 percent). The authors examine KKR's strategy of identifying undervalued, poorly managed firms with potential to increase cash flow. Each LBO was financed with 80 to 90 percent debt, and equity was provided by a partnership organized by KKR. The LBO managers were required to have a large proportion of their net worth in the equity. After the acquisition, KKR's strategy was to cut costs and increase productivity, quickly pay down the debt, and sell the firm to unlock the equity investment. The large debt service inflicted discipline while management's investment created incentives. By linking managerial and ownership interests, Baker and Smith argue that KKR improved corporate governance and contributed to increases in corporate profits and productivity. This volume is an excellent addition to the literature on mergers, business history, and corporate strategy. Upper-division undergraduate through professional collections as well as large public libraries.