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The Lost Symbol

The Lost Symbol Reviews

In this stunning follow-up to the global phenomenon The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown demonstrates once again why he is the world’s most popular thriller writer. The Lost Symbol is a masterstroke of storytelling—a deadly race through a real-world labyrinth of codes, secrets, and unseen truths … all under the watchful eye of Brown’s most terrifying villain to date. Set within the hidden chambers, tunnels, and temples of Washington, D.C., The Lost Symbol accelerates through a startling landscape toward an unthinkable finale.

As the story opens, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned unexpectedly to deliver an evening lecture in the U.S. Capitol Building. Within minutes of his arrival, however, the night takes a bizarre turn. A disturbing object—artfully encoded with five symbols—is discovered in the Capitol Building. Langdon recognizes the object as an ancient invitation … one meant to usher its recipient into a long-lost world of esoteric wisdom.

When Langdon’s beloved mentor, Peter Solomon—a prominent Mason and philanthropist—is brutally kidnapped, Langdon realizes his only hope of saving Peter is to accept this mystical invitation and follow wherever it leads him. Langdon is instantly plunged into a clandestine world of Masonic secrets, hidden history, and never-before-seen locations—all of which seem to be dragging him toward a single, inconceivable truth.

As the world discovered in The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, Dan Brown’s novels are brilliant tapestries of veiled histories, arcane symbols, and enigmatic codes. In this new novel, he again challenges readers with an intelligent, lightning-paced story that offers surprises at every turn. The Lost Symbol is exactly what Brown’s fans have been waiting for … his most thrilling novel yet.

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- ISBN13: 9780385504225
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- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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“Truth, Fiction, and Lies” 2009-10-28
By Ezsmile (Mesa, AZ)
This book, while entertaining, is FICTION, yet it highlights the TRUE involvement of Masonry in the foundation of our nation.

While it is an entertaining read, as Dan Brown points out symbols, codes, and clues to the Mason mind set, his fictional story points out the seemingly hidden yet obvious intentions of secret societies. Secret Orders like the Golden Dawn, Illuminati, Rosicrucians, and others have all been infused with mystical cult ideas from Hermeticism.

(Hermeticism is a false teaching which includes both panentheism and Monistic-polytheism and it promotes the notion that other beings such as gods and angels, ascended masters and elementals exist in the Universe as parts of the All.)

Many false teachers promote the heretical Hermetical slogan, “As above, so below.” This occult teaching misleads people and gives them false hopes! One should read the Bible before reading this or other books like this to understand the TRUTH about Jesus, the universe, creation, and the gospel of salvation brought to humankind. This is quite a FICTIONAL STORY laced with TRUTH about secret orders, their codes, secrets, rituals, meanings and how they influenced, and continue to influence, powerful people in our nation and other nations of the world.

The final chapters of this book are Dan Brown’s attempt to promote the New, (and old), Age philosophy of man becoming God. Dan uses quotes from the Bible and blends them skillfully with untruths. He tries to link all religions and science together as a path for man becoming God. This subtle infusion and intermingling of truth with fiction will, sadly, fool many people!

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The way to heaven is through Jesus! Those who think they are becoming God, by using their mind over matter, to gain wealth, power, and position are only fooling themselves. Our only hope and salvation is in Christ Jesus!

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“Lost Symbol in bold print” 2009-10-28
By grits (VA)
I love the bold print, it is not overly huge, but pleasant to read. Shipping was slower than usual due to the weight, but the seller was very nice to keep me advised of the progress. I was pleased.

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“Was this a screenplay?” 2009-10-28
By Richard Gremillion (The Woodlands, TX)
The Lost Symbol reads as though it was written for a screenplay, and not the big screen, but a 30 minute television show.

Brown goes into great detail about the locations and how one gets from point A to point B, but does very little to build the characters in the novel. His antagonist is a weak, insane sad case of a person, his protagonist is a puppet all through the novel, never taking a position on the white horse, but always being the pawn of other players. The rolling of all of the events of the tale into a single night is incredulous. The CIA Supervisor is a far less than believable character.

All in all, this was a disappointing follow up to the DaVinci Code. It was a 30 minute story crammed into over 100 chapters of a book.

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“Good Read” 2009-10-27
By Mary Dover (Los Angeles)
I always thought that Dan Brown would retire to some deserted island after the success of “The Da Vinci Code.” There he would sit on the beach and sip pina coladas. I’m sure the favorable response the film received and some prodding from Tom Hanks got Mr. Brown back in writer’s mode. You might compare “The Lost Symbol” to Indiana Jones meets “National Tresure.” Years ago Mark Frost wrote a novel titled “The List of 7.” In it Arthur Conan Doyle pursues the Freemasons in London. Coincidence? Another fascinating read if you enjoy the genre.

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“Thoroughly enjoyable!” 2009-10-27
By Jan-Micheal (Comfy in Colorado)
Boy did I get sucked into this book. Sure, there are some implausible things going on in the story but hey, isn’t that why they call it fiction? I am a very avid reader of many genres and a writer as well so I can very often predict the plot path of a story. However, Dan Brown snuck up on me several times in this one which made the book all the more enjoyable.

I’m sure part of the reason that this book was appealing to me is that I am so interested in Washington D.C. It will be fun to look up some of the locations when I return to D.C. in the fall.

For those who were derisive about this book and implying that it was inferior work and “all about the money” for Dan Brown and his publisher I’d like to offer that perhaps the detractors are simply jealous of previous and current successes. Any book that keeps me reading until 2:00 a.m. two nights in a row is worth the money.

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Arguing with Idiots: How to Stop Small Minds and Big Government

Arguing with Idiots: How to Stop Small Minds and Big Government Reviews

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FUNNY.

FRIGHTENING.

TRUE.

It happens to all of us: You’re minding your own business, when some idiot informs you that guns are evil, the Prius will save the planet, or the rich have to finally start paying their fair share of taxes.

Just go away! you think to yourself — but they only become more obnoxious. Your heart rate quickens. You start to sweat. You can’t get away. Your only hope is…

…this book.

Glenn Beck, author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers An Inconvenient Book and Glenn Beck’s Common Sense, has stumbled upon the secret formula to winning arguments against people with big mouths but small minds: knowing the facts.

And this book is full of them.

The next time your Idiot Friends tell you how gun control prevents gun violence, you’ll tell them all about England’s handgun ban (see page 53). When they tell you that we should copy the UK’s health-care system, you’ll recount the horrifying facts you read on page 244. And the next time an idiot tells you that vegetable prices will skyrocket without illegal workers, you’ll stop saying “no, they won’t” and you’ll start saying, “actually, eliminating all illegal labor will cause us to spend just $8 a year more on produce.” (See page 139.)

Idiots can’t be identified through voting records, they can be found only by looking for people who hide behind stereotypes, embrace partisanship, and believe that bumper sticker slogans are a substitute for common sense. If you know someone who fits the bill, then Arguing with Idiots will help you silence them once and for all with the ultimate weapon: the truth. Readmore

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“Straight-forward, bold and truthful!” 2009-10-27
By Mountain Mel (Whitefish, Mt USA)
I absolutely loved this book. Everyone should buy it, and pass it on!!! We have to spread the word.

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“An Awesome Reference on Many Critical Issues” 2009-10-26
By S. Peek (Rocky Mountains, USA)
`Arguing With Idiots’ by Glenn Beck is a great read and a superb reference that should be read by all American citizens who are concerned with the problems and interested in real solutions.

This book focuses on several important issues facing our nation. These include the following: Capitalism, the Second Amendment, Education, Energy, Unions, Illegal Immigration, The Nanny State, Basic Economics, U.S. Presidents, Universal Health Care, and the U.S. Constitution. It is certainly an ambitious agenda to tackle in one volume, but the author does a bang up job with it.

There are many chapters that are absolute must reads. The one on universal health care alone is worth the price of the book. In that particular section, Beck not only shows some of the disastrous results of such a system in other countries where it has already been implemented, but he also reveals several amazing free market solutions for health care issues. The practical aspects of this section may help many readers come up with better care for less money (at least if the `Obamanation’ of a government health care system does not make such options illegal).

The chapter on Capitalism will be a great help to those readers who have been victimized and propagandized by the government educational system. One tidbit from there is: `A minimum-wage worker in America is still one of the wealthiest people in the world.’ That amazing claim is supported by the evidence provided.

Beck’s primer on the Second Amendment is also particularly good. It will be crystal clear to all open minded readers just what was the intent of that Constitutional protection.

I could go on about each chapter as they are all excellent. Suffice it to say that this is one that should be read by all voters and other concerned Americans. Buy one for yourself and one for a few friends if you can. It is that good.

Customer Buzz

“Idiots!” 2009-10-25
By Bert’s Analysis (USA)
This is a great book and a great book on tape. Everyone should read it.

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“Who’s the bigger idiot here?” 2009-10-25
By Graham DeShazo (Tokyo, Japan)
So who, in fact, is the bigger idiot here; Glenn “someone took away my meds” Beck, or the moron that buys, reads, and accepts this unfactual, poorly written, other-hating drivel?

I would argue the purchaser is the true idiot. Mr. Beck appears to be insane or at least seriously disturbed so his ranting is pardonable if not understandable. The buyer, however, usually has no such excuse.

I could go on (and on, and on), but to hold the short attention spans of thoses actually thinking of purchasing this book, I shall cut to the chase.

If you buy this, you only prove the old proverb, “a fool and his money are soon parted.”

Customer Buzz

“Read with a open mind” 2009-10-25
By rlr
Glenn’s book should be read with an open mind. It’s full of down to earth, real facts. Forget the politics. Forget the emotions. Set the prejudices aside. Ask yourself if what he is saying is based on evidence and makes sense. Does it help explain the mess we are in? My reading of the book is, yes.

Is capitalism the economic framework responsible for the great success of this nation? Yes.
Does the Second Amendment guarantee citizens the right to bear arms? Yes. The arguments here are comprehensive. The issue is addressed from many angles and possible objections. This is one of my favorite chapters.
Are our schools up to snuff? Glenn doesn’t think so (like most of us) and he explains why. Teachers beware.
Energy, unions, illegals, nanny state, owning a home, healthcare, the Constitution are some of the other topics Glenn provides absorbing commentary about.

The quality of the physical book is extra special: thick golden paper firmly stitched, and illustrations and asides aplenty on every page.

Glenn Beck’s teaching ability and humor permeates the text from beginning to end, making complex issues clear and interesting, enabling us to make a little more sense of the chaos and decide where we stand.

This book is readable, interesting, and enjoyable. It gives insight and is believable. It is well worth your time and money.

Skeptics, give it a look. The Nation needs you to.

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Pursuit of Honor: A Novel

Pursuit of Honor: A Novel Reviews

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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR VINCE FLYNN RETURNS WITH HIS MOST EXHILARATING POLITICAL THRILLER TO DATE, A PULSE-POUNDING TALE OF ESPIONAGE, COVERT INTELLIGENCE, AND COUNTERTERRORISM.

The action begins six days after a series of explosions devastated Washington, D.C., targeting the National Counterterrorism Center and killing 185 people, including public officials and CIA employees. It was a bizarre act of extreme violence that called for extreme measures on the part of elite counterterrorism operative Mitch Rapp and his trusted team member, Mike Nash. Now that the initial shock of the catastrophe is over, key Washington officials are up in arms over whether to make friends or foes of the agents who stepped between the enemy’s bullets and countless American lives regardless of the legal consequences. Not for the first time, Rapp finds himself in the frustrating position of having to illustrate the realities of national security to politicians whose view from the sidelines is inevitably obstructed.

Meanwhile, three of the al Qaeda terrorists are still at large, and Rapp has been unofficially ordered to find them by any means necessary. No one knows the personal, physical, and emotional sacrifices required of the job better than Rapp. When he sees Nash cracking under the pressure of the mission and the memories of the horrors he witnessed during the terrorist attack, he makes a call he hopes will save his friend, assuage the naysayers on Capitol Hill, and get him one step closer to the enemy before it’s too late. Once again, Rapp proves himself to be a hero unafraid “to walk the fine line between the moral high ground and violence” (The Salt Lake Tribune) for our country’s safety, for the sake of freedom, for the pursuit of honor. Readmore

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“Pursuit of Honor” 2009-10-28
By Richard C. Martin (Commerce City, Colorado)
Flynn continues to drift more and more into the politics of the story and further and further away from just who Mitch Rapp is - I was disappointed and will not rush out and buy his next one until others have reviewed it. If he continues down this road, he’ll lose yet another fan.

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“Thrilling Book!” 2009-10-28
By Melvin Hunt (Cleveland„ Texas United States)
The star of this newest Vince Flynn novel is once again Mitch Rapp. The book picks up where the previous story
left off. Washington D.C. has been attacked and 189 people have been killed. The attacks by the terrorist group
has turned a former CIA critic Senator Lonsdale into a CIA ally. Three terrorists have escaped and cannot be found. In the meantime CIA inspector general Glen Adams has been caught committing treason. He is abducted and
taken to a training facility ran by Stan Hurley. Hurley trained Rapp as he became an agent. Adams is interrogated
and finally reveals the role of former CIA employee Max Johnson. Johnson has bugged the office of a CIA therapist
and now has information on some of the higherups in the CIA. Rapp abducts Johnson in the company of Peter Sidorov.
Sidorov helps Rapp gain information about the three missing terrorists from a Guban General. The three missing
terrorists Hakim,Karim and Ahmed are in Toolesboro,Iowa hiding out. After Karim(the Lion of Al Qaeda) commits a murder they are forced to flee. In the meantimeRapp and Mike Nash appear before the Senate. Nash is starting to break down.Rapp has to come up with a plan to save him. Rapp finally picks up a trail of the three terrorists.
They have a final confrontation in Washington D.C. This proved to be an excellent book. Be sure to read it.

Customer Buzz

“It Was Just “Okay”“ 2009-10-26
By Michael P. Gallagher (Houston, TX)
I bought the Kindle version of this book the day it came out - yes, I did receive $9.99 worth of value out of it as an entertainment factor. Flynn still writes a good story but, in my opinion, i think it’s time to give Mitch Rapp a break in the action as things are coming fairly predictable. Here’s the book outline (as well as several of the latest Rapp series books): a terrorist commits a vile act - in this case a continuation of the last story, the President says go get them but don’t involve me for political cover, someone in Congress has a burning desire to crater the CIA in general and Mitch Rapp in particular, Mitch kills a bunch of people as judge/jury/executioner, and Rapp saves the day once again.

Again, I certainly think the price and entertainment value were in line. However, I think Vince Flynn is a great writer, but I’d like to see a new twist or plot develop from him vs. the tried and true Mitch Rapp cash machine. I think I will wait a little longer from the release date before buying the next one.

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“Worst Vince Flynn Book” 2009-10-26
By M. Roh (Seattle, WA United States)
After buying my Kindle2 over the summer, I went through all the Vince Flynn books and loved them! For 2 months, I waited patiently to read his new book, Pursuit of Honor. What a HUGE disappointment!!! The story line was all over the place and did not flow in the usual manor of other Vince Flynn books. This book was very predictable and in many instances unbelievable. What a shame! I get the feeling Vince Flynn was in a rush to finish this book and was not very well thought out.

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“Pursuit of Honor” 2009-10-26
By Valori A. Kronenwetter

Always enjoy Vince Flynn’s book. This book is a fast paced engaging book. I truly hope we have a Mitch Rapp working quietly on our side to keep us safe.

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Going Rogue CD

Going Rogue CD Reviews

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One year ago, Sarah Palin burst onto the national political stage like a comet. Yet even now, few Americans know who this remarkable woman really is.

On September 3, 2008 Alaska Governor and vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention that electrified the nation and instantly made her one of the most recognizable women in the world.

As chief executive of America’s largest state, she had built a record as a reformer who cast aside politics-as-usual and pushed through changes other politicians only talked about: Energy independence. Ethics reform. And the biggest private sector infrastructure project in U.S. history. And while revitalizing public school funding and ensuring the state met its responsibilities to seniors and Alaska Native populations, Palin also beat the political “good ol’ boys club” at their own game and brought Big Oil to heel.

Like her GOP running mate, John McCain, Palin wasn’t a packaged and over-produced candidate. She was a Main Street American woman: a working mom, wife of a blue collar union man, and mother of five children, the eldest of whom was serving his country in a yearlong deployment in Iraq and the youngest, an infant with special needs. Palin’s hometown story touched a populist nerve, rallying hundreds of thousands of ordinary Americans to the GOP ticket.

But as the campaign unfolded, Palin became a lightning rod for both praise and criticism. Supporters called her “refreshing” and “honest,” a kitchen-table public servant they felt would fight for their interests. Opponents derided her as a wide-eyed Pollyanna unprepared for national leadership. But none of them knew the real Sarah Palin.

In this eagerly anticipated memoir, Palin paints an intimate portrait of growing up in the wilds of Alaska; meeting her lifelong love; her decision to enter politics; the importance of faith and family; and the unique joys and trials of life as a high-profile working mother. She also opens up for the first time about the 2008 presidential race, providing a rare, mom’s-eye view of high-stakes national politics—from patriots dedicated to “Country First” to slick politicos bent on winning at any cost.

Going Rogue traces one ordinary citizen’s extraordinary journey and imparts Palin’s vision of a way forward for America and her unfailing hope in the greatest nation on earth.

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Reviews

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It’s summer vacation, the weather’s great, and all the kids are having fun outside. So where’s Greg Heffley? Inside his house, playing video games with the shades drawn.

Greg, a self-confessed “indoor person,” is living out his ultimate summer fantasy: no responsibilities and no rules. But Greg’s mom has a different vision for an ideal summer … one packed with outdoor activities and “family togetherness.”

Whose vision will win out? Or will a new addition to the Heffley family change everything?

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- Condition: NEW
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“Great Book” 2009-10-27
By Jack Tinken
Another great Diary of a Wimpy Kid book! This book is 217 pages but, like I did, you’ll get carried away and read it in one night. You do not have to read the first book to understand the others. This book is for boys and girls and I think nobody younger than 7 should read this book. Please take my advice and buy this book!

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“Comments: Vapid Banal Inane…from an author” 2009-10-26
By Keli Moy (San Diego, CA & Manalapan FL)
I think this book confirms white middle class ‘white priviledge’. Imagine if it was about a black kid, shade in the cartoon, that would make it controversial. Why anyone would want to read this eludes me. Who wants to be a wimpy kid anyway. I don’t know what the appeal is to teach someone to be cynical and learn absolutely nothing. The author of wimpy kid is on Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people… influential in making America an intellectual wasteland or what. This is really some people’s definition of humor. OMG

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“2nd best in the series…..” 2009-10-26
By pig_inspace (Montana)
Greg is back and as obnoxious than ever. Though this is not as funny as the original it is the second best in the series. His older brother plays less of a role here, which is good, but Greg’s best friend Rowley is here—and he of course is the wimpiest of kids. This is good stuff. (There’s even a thinly veiled swipe at Family Circus, which is also very funny!).

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“Great Book” 2009-10-25
By Visa Gift Card
The Diary of a Wimpy Kids books are great. This one wasn’t as funny as the others but I still liked it alot. Another funny book is Secrets of a Lab Rat. It has a really funny story about a boy named Scab who invents stuff (I won’t tell you what!). You should read it!

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“Laugh out loud” 2009-10-24
By Kirsten G. Cutler (Santa Rosa, California)
Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days. Amulet Books. 2009.

From the first diary entry, “For me, summer vacation is basically a three-month guilt trip. Just because the weather’s nice, everyone expects you to be outside all day “frolicking” or whatever”, readers will identify with this story. I can just see kids heaving a big sigh of relief as they hear someone else voice their thoughts. Jeff Kinney has thoroughly captured the feelings of a young person at odds with his parent’s idea of how to enjoy a vacation. This book is chock full of humor: the young boy Greg Heffley describes in his journal entry how his mother buys and buries some sea shells at the beach for his younger brother to find, “Well, I wish I didn’t see that, because it made me re-evaluate my whole childhood”. Children and adults will laugh out loud as they read this delightful “memoir” by a middle school-age boy. For months, our library has had waiting lists for this humorous fiction series.

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The Christmas Bus

The Christmas Bus Reviews

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The people of Christmas Valley always celebrate Christmas to the fullest extent. The mayor plays Santa, every business is holiday themed, and there’s a nativity for the kids each Christmas Eve. This town knows Christmas. But this year nothing goes according to plan. Shepherd’s Inn is full of strangers, Mad Myrtle is causing problems, and a young couple with a baby due any minute rolls in to the middle of town in their Partridge Family-style bus. It’s hardly the holiday Christmas Valley wanted—but it may be just what they need. This charming novella is sure to become a new Christmas tradition for readers who love a great holiday story. Readmore

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“Heartwarming—-albeit predictable” 2009-10-26
By *** (MD)
This is a pleasant, quick read. The plot quickly becomes predictable, but enjoyable read nonetheless! Read it before the family and friends start arriving for the Holidays!

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“Light, easy reading with a message” 2009-10-24
By Broom Rider (Florida)
This was the first book that I read on my new Kindle. I was hesitant about the Kindle and did not want to spend money on the books if I did not like it. Since this book was free, I had nothing to lose except a little time. Finished it in one day. Easy reading that I found was geared more towards teens. While the story is predictable, the quirky characters draw your attention into the story. The ending left me re-examining my own feelings about Christmas, how I spend the holiday and asking what is the true meaning?

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“Don’t pay a lot for it” 2009-10-22
By Alison Don (Tucson, AZ USA)
I got this free for my Kindle, and as a freebie I did enjoy the story. But, if I had paid for it I don’t think I would have been happy. It’s pleasant but not great.

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“Fun read!” 2009-10-20
By Barbara A. Boulay
Nice fun read. No hidden agendas or meanings just a nice story to read at Christmas or at any time.

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“Excellent Feel Good Novel” 2009-10-19
By S. Hitchcock (Miami, FL United States)
After browsing Amazon for several hours to find the best freebie kindle book deals, I was so pleased to come across The Christmas Bus. I just finished reading The Keeper and was thoroughly freaked out and in need of some reading R&R. This book did wonders for my heart and in restoring my faith in humanity. With a slight Christian twist on the novel, the author leads the reader through the quaint town of Christmas Valley. The days leading up to Christmas highlight the town folks in a gentle yet comical fashion. Truly just a quick (I finished in one day) and easy read. Bottom Line: Nothing too challenging and very enjoyable.

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The Help

The Help Reviews

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Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step.

Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.

Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.

Minny, Aibileen’s best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody’s business, but she can’t mind her tongue, so she’s lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town to know her reputation. But her new boss has secrets of her own.

Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed.

In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women—mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends—view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don’t. Readmore

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“Amazing!” 2009-10-27
By Christine B. (Illinois)
I finished The Help last night, and I loved it. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started it because I avoided the reviews and book description prior to reading it. I know there is a lot of talk about this book, and I did not want to set myself up for disappointment. The characters are beautifully developed, you’re going to love them. It is so hard for me to believe that this is the way our country was such a short time ago though. However, don’t avoid the book because it seems like it may be a downer. The story is both sad and funny with characters that the reader really cares about.

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“Fantastic read” 2009-10-27
By Michele G (Orlando FL)
I bought this because of the number of high reviews & all I can say is… I can’t put the book down. I’m losing sleep. It’s a very compelling read. I love it!

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“Awesome…absolutely awesome!!!” 2009-10-27
By Sadie Sternfels
I ordered the audio CD and I am so glad I made that decision! Hearing it was quite entertaining. I fell in love with the characters. I suffered through their hardships and celebrated their bravery and boldness. This book will be quite the subject of discussion for a long time. I am waiting for a sequel and/or a movie. Being born and raised in the south I felt as if I knew each character personally. The author, Kathryn Stockett took me back to place I had tucked away in my memory. Brings to mind all the sufferings black people faced. How young white women were judged by their status. And believe me, you were told if you did not live up to “social standards”. I actually felt the pain of being “shunned” if you disagreed with “the other ladies”. The fact that no white people are the same and you never really know what makes a person do what they do…..we all have skeletons. This book while completely enthralling me taught me a lesson in life and moving on. Thank you for this wonderful read, Ms. Stockett. You have touched my heart!

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“The Help…how black maids survived the 60’s” 2009-10-27
By N. Bolks (Dallas, TX)
Two book clubs in our area read this book for their October selection. I hope everyone liked it as much as I. It was an interesting story from a different perspective; that of the black household help in Mississippi in an era that did not “recognize” them but expected them to take care of every detail of other people’s lives. The story was told with compassion, humor, and insight. I was caught up in their lives and became informed as well as entertained. It was a fast paced book that I looked forward reading to the last page.

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“Absolutely fantastic” 2009-10-27
By Michal A. Joyner (Scottsdale, Az USA)
Two different friends told me to read this book. I really wasn’t interested in the topic, but I decided to read it just to shut them up. I could hardly put it down. Read it on my lunch hour, read it in the evening. My husband wanted me to hurry up and finish, so I’d talk to him. I just couldn’t wait to see what happened next to these characters. I truly cared about all of them. This book was extremely well written, and the story was unlike anything I’ve ever read.

This is a fantastic book.

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Nine Dragons

Nine Dragons Reviews

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Harry Bosch is assigned a homicide call in South L.A. that takes him to Fortune Liquors, where the Chinese owner has been shot to death behind the counter in an apparent robbery.

Joined by members of the department’s Asian Crime Unit, Bosch relentlessly investigates the killing and soon identifies a suspect, a Los Angeles member of a Hong Kong triad. But before Harry can close in, he gets the word that his young daughter Maddie, who lives in Hong Kong with her mother, is missing.

Bosch drops everything to journey across the Pacific to find his daughter. Could her disappearance and the case be connected? With the stakes of the investigation so high and so personal, Bosch is up against the clock in a new city, where nothing is at it seems. Readmore

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“Page-Turning Bosch Barrels Forward at Top Speed” 2009-10-28
By Professor Donald Mitchell (Boston)
“I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, And I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible.” — Jeremiah 15:21

This is one of my favorite books in the series. It’s terrific!

As the book opens, Harry Bosch is bored. He hasn’t had a new murder to investigate in weeks. A rare assignment to investigate a routine murder of a shop owner unexpectedly awakens Harry’s passion: The victim is the man who shared his last cigarette with Harry during the riots. Harry promises the family that he will get his man. Working all night looking at old surveillance videos, Harry notices an unusual transaction. One thing leads to another and Harry has a suspect. Then the world turns upside down when Harry receives a threatening call telling him to lay off the case.

At that point, what was an ordinarily frenzied investigation with Harry annoying everyone in sight launches into the highest possible gear as Harry finds threats pointed in an unexpected direction. As a result, Harry goes ballistic and the results are predictable … lots of casualties. The tension and the drama are so strong you’ll feel gripped by them as though the events were happening to your personally.

Harry is like a pit bull whose teeth are clamped onto someone’s leg who won’t let go, and that can be pretty frightening for the bad guys. They have unleashed a tsunami of retribution that measures beyond anything previously seen.

Michael Connelly paid loving attention to details of geography, technology, culture, and law to make the story more realistic, interesting, and compelling. Rarely have I found a book to be so clear in exploring areas that I’m unfamiliar with so that they became easy to grasp.

Bravo!

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“First Rate Writing” 2009-10-27
By Stephen M. Charme (Cranford, NJ United States)
This is probably one of the most action packed and fast moving of Michael Connelly’s novels featuring the brash LA detective Harry Bosch. Adding to the tension is that for much of the novel Bosch is a “fish out of water” who finds himself operating not in his usual habitat of LA, but instead in Hong Kong, where his ex-wife and teenage daughter have been living. With the help of his ex-wife’s boyfriend Sun Yee, he engages in a danger filled search for his missing daughter, whom Bosch believes the Triad has kidnapped to pressure him into releasing a suspect that he has arrested in LA for the murder of a shopkeeper. The title comes from a section of Hong Kong whose English translation is “nine dragons” and is where much of the action takes place.

The novel nicely explores Bosch’s relationship with his daughter, and realistically touches upon the crazy things that teenagers will sometimes do without thinking about the consequences. Without giving anything away, the plot at the end has some very surprising twists, but which are wholly plausible, and once again show Connelly’s mastery in misdirecting the reader to the same incorrect assumptions that Bosch himself makes before getting all of the facts.

This is a well crafted novel with careful attention to detail and absolutely riveting action. This is one book you do not want to miss.

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“Bosch and McGee” 2009-10-27
By G. Ware Cornell Jr. (Weston FL)
The great John D. MacDonald featured Travis McGee in twenty-one novels. During that time McGee aged considerably, though at a lesser rate the we mortals, and confronted ever darker evils. The McGee series novel Green Ripper (Travis McGee Mysteries) actually won the National Book Award for fiction in 1980.

Younger mystery readers (those not yet situated in middle age) will not remember the anticipation which greeted every new McGee release. They can however embrace MacDonald’s literary progeny, Michael Connelly, whose first Bosch book The Black Echo (Harry Bosch) appeared just six years after MacDonald’s death. Seventeen years later we are presented with our fifteenth Bosch novel. Connelly is writing at a pace comparable to McDonald. Like McDonald he has during his series produced several stand alone works, as well as some minor series. Unlike McDonald, who was a full-time novelist and story writer, Connelly spent most of this period as a working reporter the Los Angeles Times.

9 Dragons is a mystery with three questions. Who killed the Chinese liquor store owner? Who betrayed Bosch? Where is Harry’s daughter? To solve these mysteries we travel seamlessly though the Chinese underworld in Los Angeles County and Hong Kong as Bosch frantically searches for his daughter Maddy, age 13 who has disappeared apparently because Bosch pushed what should have been a routine homicide in LA a bit too far. As he hunts for Maddy, his traditional friends, other cops, become threats to his efforts to find and rescue his daughter.

The plotting is ingenious; the narrative line enthralling; and the characters more human than one usually sees in genre fiction. Bosch is clearing aging, and acquiring new values, even as he holds on to his homicide cop persona. Travis McGee couldn’t have done it better.

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“Dragon” 2009-10-26
By Valori A. Kronenwetter

I am a huge Connelly fan. Sadly,this is not his best work. Absolutely unrealistic. I was disappointed.

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“One of his better books” 2009-10-26
By David W. Nicholas (Montrose, CA USA)
I think by now pretty much everyone likes Harry Bosch. Not all of the entries in the series of books that have followed his adventures have been excellent, but most are at least pretty good, and Harry’s one of the more interesting characters in modern detective fiction. By now we’re all familiar with the premise and the main elements in his character: the strange name, the house above the Cahuenga Pass, the poker-playing ex-FBI agent ex-wife, the daughter he didn’t know about, and the new partner who’s got a wife and kids. Harry, of course, is one of the more dedicated and persistent detectives around; in this book he is stretched to the limits, and his devotion to his job tested in ways he’d never imagined.

The book starts with Harry and his partner sent to South Los Angeles to solve what looks like a robbery turned into a murder. Harry is vaguely acquainted with the victim, having met him at the end of the book Angel’s Flight. The victim is an Asian man who owns a liquor store in a black neighborhood, and it looks like it might just be a localized robbery. Harry’s suspicious, however, that the killing isn’t what it looks like, and he discovers evidence that a Chinese Tong might be involved. Soon, as he investigates, he receives a telephone threat, followed by a notification that his daughter, who lives in Hong Kong with his ex-wife, has been kidnapped. That turns things in a different direction, because Harry feels that he has to go to Hong Kong and find his daughter.

The book goes on from there in a pretty suspenseful roller-coaster ride, moving from one event to another. There are interesting characters and so forth (the ex-wife has an interesting Chinese boyfriend) and the plot takes a couple of pretty impressive plot twists.

In case you couldn’t get the hint, I really liked this book, and would recommend it.

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Wolf Hall

Wolf Hall Reviews

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England, the 1520s. Henry VIII is on the throne, but has no heir. Cardinal Wolsey is his chief advisor, charged with securing the divorce the pope refuses to grant. Into this atmosphere of distrust and need comes Thomas Cromwell, first as Wolsey’s clerk, and later his successor. Cromwell is a wholly original man: the son of a brutal blacksmith, a political genius, a briber, a charmer, a bully, a man with a delicate and deadly expertise in manipulating people and events. Ruthless in pursuit of his own interests, he is as ambitious in his wider politics as he is for himself. His reforming agenda is carried out in the grip of a self-interested parliament and a king who fluctuates between romantic passions and murderous rages. From one of our finest living writers, Wolf Hall is that very rare thing: a truly great English novel, one that explores the intersection of individual psychology and wider politics. With a vast array of characters, and richly overflowing with incident, it peels back history to show us Tudor England as a half-made society, moulding itself with great passion and suffering and courage. Readmore

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“Yet another tedious book of Tudor antics” 2009-10-27
By N. Ravitch (Savannah, GA United States)
Although seen from the perspective of Thomas Cromwell, a villain made a protagonist by authoress Hillary Mantel, we find here the same tedious antics of the Tudor court and city of London in the years between the mid 1520’s and mid 1530’s, when Anne Boleyn attracted the fancy of Henry VIII who was slowly willing to destroy Catholic and noble England to satisfy his misplaced sexual needs and more importantly his misunderstood dynastic needs. It is a novel but accurate enough to be a history, neither of which is currently in short supply. Heaven only knows why the book was written and why it is being read.

The best line in the story is by someone who has spent time in Italy. He says that were Queen Katherine of Aragon, Henry’s unsuited wife, in Italy she would long since have lain in her cold grave. The English do things differently from the Italians but the result is the same.

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“Just remember to pace yourself….” 2009-10-25
By Misfit (Seattle, WA USA)
Author Hilary Mantel gives the reader a new take on that oft told tale of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn by showing it through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell, who despite humble beginnings was able to raise himself very high while aiding Henry VIII to rid himself of Katherine of Aragon in “The King’s Great Matter”, as well as his involvement in the Reformation and destruction of the monasteries and abbeys (to his own great gain). I think most of us have read enough about Henry and his six wives and know the basics, as well as enough reviewers have come before me so I don’t need to rehash it all again. I’m just here to give my two cents on the book.

While I did enjoy a fresh take on this period, seeing it through the eyes of Cromwell, as well as seeing him interact with his wife, children and other family members, I did find the present tense very distracting and I had a difficult time getting started. Frankly, I picked up (and finished) four different books in between periods working on this one - although one covering the same period helped me a great deal as it served as a *refresher course* on who and what Cromwell was.

I found I couldn’t read it during the work week at the end of the day when my brain was tired as well as on weekends when it was getting too close to bedtime - I put it down and read something lighter. That said, by the time I hit page 150 or so I was enjoying it a great deal and eventually I wasn’t bothered the present tense at all, nor the excessive use of referring to Cromwell as “he” (it will drive you nuts at first).

I’ve seen this book described as a “rich meaty stew” and that’s pretty much how I approached it, I took it in small bites over several weeks instead of gorging myself all at once and getting heartburn (reader burnout). Or you can look at it like you’re climbing a mountain - you have to stop to rest and acclimate yourself, as well as slowing down to savor the shifting scenery as it changes from the alpine meadows and flowers to the starker views of the alpine tundra above the tree line. And wow towards the end when I reached the summit and saw the beauty of it all below me.

I loved the characterizations of the Boleyns, especially Anne, Mary and George (and oooh, his witchy wife Jane Rochford), anytime they were in a room things really moved along. I really enjoyed Cromwell’s dry wit and I’ll share some of my favorites here,

Cromwell’s family asking him about Anne Boleyn,

“They say she is graceful. Dances well.”
“We did not dance.”
Mercy says, “But what do you think? A friend to the gospel?”
He shrugs. “We did not pray.”
“Are her teeth good?”
“For God’s sake woman: when she sinks them into me, I’ll let you know.”

Mary Boleyn,

“Anne has very long legs. By the time he comes to her secret part he will be bankrupt. The French wars will be cheap, in comparison.”

Discussing Anne’s virtue (or lack of) with Wyatt,

“…Besides, the king is no judge of maidenheads. He admits as much. With Katherine, it took him twenty years to puzzle out his brother had been there before him.”

Final thoughts - if you’re a first time novice reader on this period this is not the book for you - you need to come into this knowing who is who and who did what to whom. If it’s been a few years and you’re feeling rusty, find something else first and give yourself a refresher course. Lastly, do not be afraid to put the book down and take a breather and pick it up again later. If it isn’t the book for you don’t be afraid to just stop, prestigious literary award or not. Not every book is going to be for every person and life is too short. 4/5 stars.

Thanks to Henry Holt and Company for my copy of this book.

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“Hardback cheaper than Kindle” 2009-10-22
By in the sunshine (South Africa)
Wonderful read.. and the hardback is now cheaper than in Kindle International version. Strange that !

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“Canyon News’s Tommy Lightfoot Garrett Loved “Wolf Hall”“ 2009-10-22
By Jason Crawford (San Francisco)
BEVERLY HILLS —Maybe the Tudor period of England is not very well known today. However, a novel titled “Wolf Hall” sure comes very close to it. The author Hilary Mantel has a real winner in her hands. Mantel manages to weave her tale about Henry the VIII and his allies and enemies with great ease. Obviously the author has a soft spot for Henry’s one time minister Thomas Cromwell. In real life Cromwell suffered a beheading by his master but in this story she makes Cromwell a lot more intelligent and crafty than the real life version could possibly have allowed him to be.

Mantel manages however to chronicle and execute the realistic view that being Henry’s friend or ally could be very good and at a moments notice your life could end very tragically. What is best about this book is that by writing it as fiction, the author is able to maneuver characters around who normally would not have interacted but she does so gracefully and with great detail, and it makes for amazing theories of how things could have been much different in history. I also love how the novelist

The characters are rich, filled with intrigue and the author’s knowledge and love for the sixteenth century England is impeccably documented. The story reads like a road map, but doesn’t lack surprise and intrigue, which is what anyone reading a novel likes to see and feel. When I picked up the 560 page tome I thought I’d be able to finish the book in a week, but in only three days I finished it, being an historian I was unable to put the book down. The Henry Holt and Co. publishing is an amazing page turner, a must read for historians, fans of European royalty or anyone who is looking for a autumn novel to enjoy on these cooler nights.

This book gets an A+ for creativity, readability and intense excitement.

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“Quality Historical Fiction” 2009-10-20
By Richard Pittman (Toronto, ON Canada)
Wolf Hall is 2009’s Man Booker Prize winner and was the favourite from the beginning with something like 10 to 11 odds at winning. The Booker judges have a habit of surprising but didn’t do so this year.

I’m not an expert on the history from the time of Henry the 8th though it’s certainly one of the most heavily mined topics in fiction. I began this book with only a basic knowledge of the history and was not familiar with the protagonist of the story Thomas Cromwell.

The novel has a short preamble from Thomas Cromwell’s youth and then traces his rise from a common son of a blacksmith to one of the most powerful men in England. Through Cromwell, we experience Henry, Anne Boleyn, Thomas More, Thomas Wolsey and many, many other characters of the time. The main historical focus of the novel is the events leading to Henry’s second marriage and the extreme philosophical and popular debate and passion that it causes.

The author deals with the events in great detail and focuses both on the debate, the reaction of the people and the intricate political wheeling and dealing. Mantel immerses us in the time and explains all sides very thoroughly. While I’ve mentioned that it’s detailed, it doesn’t really lag as for a 600+ page hisorical novel, it moves very quickly.

Thomas Cromwell is the star of the novel and through force of will, financial competence, good judgement and political savvy, he rises to power and wealth. He moves from poor child to a man with significant contacts and talent in the mercantile world to top advisor to Lord Chancellor Thomas Wolsey to ultimately Master Secretary to Henry the 8th. He is the backroom dealer and driving force that makes Henry’s second marriage possible despite great opposition from the Roman Catholic Church and many others. He is also a trusted advisor to Anne Boleyn.

Throughout the novel, Cromwell is reminded of his humble beginnings and looked down upon by noblemen who wonder how he has been able to rise to such lofty heights.

I liked Wolf Hall but ….. I didn’t love it. This is perhaps more a comment on my affinity for historical fiction and 16th century England than anything else. I certainly see why Wolf Hall won the Man Booker and have no particular objection to it. Ultimately, I wasn’t emotionally affected by the novel and for me, that is the difference between a good novel and a great novel.

Maybe I’m being petty but Mantel also made choices that annoyed me. I had trouble with distinguishing characters at times and had to refer back to the listing of the characters frequently. There are a number of characters named Thomas, Anne, Mary etc. and she sometimes just used those single name labels to describe them. In a novel with a plethora of characters, this needlessly aggravated me. She also referred to characters sometimes by their names and other times titles. Fore example, sometimes she referred to the Duke of Suffolk as Charles Brandon and other times as Suffolk. Again, in a novel with many, many characters, I had some trouble keeping track of who was saying what. Sometimes when authors are very close to the material and the characters they can forget that the reader is not as familiar as they are. This was a flaw though not a fatal one.

Summary: Good book, well constructed, very detailed, very well researched. I liked it. It did lack emotional impact for me and while I appreciate it, I do not have much affection for it.

I recommend Wolf Hall especially to lovers of historical fiction.

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