Book Description
With her disarming, intimate, completely accessible voice, and dry sense of humor, Nora Ephron shares with us her ups and downs in I Feel Bad About My Neck, a candid, hilarious look at women who are getting older and dealing with the tribulations of maintenance, menopause, empty nests, and life itself.
The woman who brought us When Harry Met Sally . . . , Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, and Bewitched, and the author of best sellers Heartburn, Scribble Scribble, and Crazy Salad, discusses everything—from how much she hates her purse to how much time she spends attempting to stop the clock: the hair dye, the treadmill, the lotions and creams that promise to slow the aging process but never do. Oh, and she can’t stand the way her neck looks. But her dermatologist tells her there’s no quick fix for that.
Ephron chronicles her life as an obsessed cook, passionate city dweller, and hapless parent. She recounts her anything-but-glamorous days as a White House intern during the JFK years (“I am probably the only young woman who ever worked in the Kennedy White House that the President did not make a pass at”) and shares how she fell in and out of love with Bill Clinton—from a distance, of course. But mostly she speaks frankly and uproariously about life as a woman of a certain age.
Utterly courageous, wickedly funny, and unexpectedly moving in its truth telling, I Feel Bad About My Neck is a book of wisdom, advice, and laugh-out-loud moments, a scrumptious, irresistible treat.
Customer Reviews:
Really Funny.......2007-10-05
I love the book. If I didn't laugh out loud while reading, I at least chuckled and giggled. The short essays are bright & witty.
Great read, slightly depressing ........2007-09-25
This book was funny and easy to read for anyone over 50 , if you're any younger you wont get half the jokes . It did get a little depressing towards the end , but some may just call it realistic ( about getting old and death ) .
Not the fun read I expected.......2007-09-25
Maybe it's just me, but I expected so much more from this book. I thought it would be wittier, more original, and use humor to inspire middle aged women like me. Instead I found it to be a negative read and it just brought me down. Sorry, no recommendation from me on this one.
Waste of Time.......2007-09-25
I really feel cheated out of several hours of time and the cost of the book. Instead of funny and insightful, it was whiny and shallow. I should have read the reviews at Amazon instead of seeing her on Oprah and thinking the bookI Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman would be worth my time and money.
I Feel Bad About My Neck..........2007-09-25
Quick and easy read. Entertaining and insightful of how we feel but haven't put our thoughts into book form. Nora did for us.
Amazon.com
Ex-military cop Jack Reacher is the perfect antihero--tough as nails, but with a brain and a conscience to match. He's able to see what most miss and is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Each book in Lee Child's smart, addictive series (The New York Times has referred to it as "pure escapist gold") follows the wandering warrior on a new adventure, making it easy to start with any book, including his latest gem, Bad Luck and Trouble. However, be forewarned...once you meet Jack Reacher, you'll be hooked, so be prepared to stock up on the series. --Daphne Durham
Who Is Jack Reacher? A Video from Lee Child
Watch the video
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A Note from Lee Child
Two years ago I was on a book tour, promoting that year's new Jack Reacher novel, One Shot. One particular night, the event was held in a small town outside of Chicago. The date was June 21st. As I was giving my talk and answering questions and signing books, that date was nagging away at the back of my mind. I knew it had some significance. I started panicking--had I forgotten my anniversary? No, that's in August. My wife's birthday? No, that's in January. My own birthday? No, that's in October.
Then suddenly I remembered--it was ten years to the day since I had been fired from my previous job. That was why and how I had become a writer. That night in Illinois was a ten-year anniversary of a different sort, somewhat bittersweet.
And ten is a nice round number. So I started thinking about my old colleagues. My workmates, my buddies. We had been through a lot together. I started to wonder where they all were now. What were they doing? Were they doing well, or struggling? Were they happy? What did they look like now? Pretty soon I was into full-on nostalgia mode. Ten-year anniversaries can do that to a person. I think we all share those kind of feelings, about high school, or college, or old jobs we've quit, or old towns we've moved away from.
So I decided to make this year's Jack Reacher book about a reunion. I decided to throw him back among a bunch of old colleagues that he hadn't seen for ten years, people that he loved fiercely and respected deeply. Regular Reacher readers will know that he's a pretty self-confident guy, but I wanted him to wobble just a little this time, to compare his choices with theirs, to measure himself against them.
The renewed get-together isn't Reacher's own choice, though. And it's not a standard-issue reunion, either. Something very bad has happened, and one of his old team-members from the army contacts him, by an ingenious method (it's hard to track Reacher down). She gives him the bad news, and asks him to do something about it. He says, "Of course I'll do something about it."
"No," his friend says. "I mean, I want you to put the old unit back together."
It's an irresistible invitation. Wouldn't we all like to do that, sometimes? --Lee Child
Secrets of the Series: A Q&A with Lee Child
Q: Why do you think readers keep coming back to your novels?
A: Two words: Jack Reacher. Reacher is a drifter and a loner with a strong sense of justice. He shows up, he acts, he moves on. He's the type of hero who has a long literary history. Robin Hood, the Lone Ranger, Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings, Jack Reacher--they're all part of the same heroic family. Reacher just ratchets it up a notch. Maybe more than a notch. Why is he so appealing? Most often people say to me it's his sense of justice; he will do the right thing. Even though there is no reward in it for him, even though there is often a high cost to be paid by him, he will always try to do the right thing and people find that reassuring in today's world when not too many people are doing the right thing.
Q: Jack Reacher gets compared to James Bond, Jack Bauer and Jason Bourne, each of whom now has a "face." In a movie, which actor do you think could fill Reacher's shoes?
A: That's the toughest question. The thing about Reacher is he's huge; he's 6'5" tall and about 250 pounds. There aren't any actors that size--actors tend to be small. So we aren't going to find a physical facsimile for Reacher because there aren't any. We have to find someone who is capable of looking big on the screen. Many people have said to me a young Clint Eastwood would have been perfect--we need someone like that who has the vibe of a big intimidating man. Hopefully there will be somebody available like that. It's also a question of finding somebody ready to sign up for more than one movie. They want to make a franchise, minimum of three, and that makes it a little bit harder.
Q: What research is involved in writing one of your stories?
A: My research is all kind of backwards. I don't go to the public library for three months and take notes in advance; instead my best research is by remembering and adapting. I read, travel, and talk to people just for the fun of it, filing away these interesting little snippets to the back of my mind and eventually they float to the surface and get used. The problem is, I approach writing the book with the same excitement and impatience that I hope the reader is going to feel about reading it. But even so, I need a certain measure of technical intrigue in the story. There is specific research I have to do as I go along, anything that's a small detail; a car, a gun, a type of bullet. I will check that out at the time. But, that's what I call the detail--the broad stuff is the stuff I already know.
Meet Jack Reacher
The Killing Floor |
Die Trying |
Tripwire |
Running Blind |
Echo Burning |
Without Fail |
Persuader |
The Enemy |
One Shot |
The Hard Way |
Book Description
From a helicopter high above the empty California desert, a man is sent free-falling into the night…. In Chicago, a woman learns that an elite team of ex–army investigators is being hunted down one by one.... And on the streets of Portland, Jack Reacher—soldier, cop, hero—is pulled out of his wandering life by a code that few other people could understand. From the first shocking scenes in Lee Child’s explosive new novel, Jack Reacher is plunged like a knife into the heart of a conspiracy that is killing old friends…and is on its way to something even worse.
A decade postmilitary, Reacher has an ATM card and the clothes on his back—no phone, no ties, and no address. But now a woman from his old unit has done the impossible. From Chicago, Frances Neagley finds Reacher, using a signal only the eight members of their elite team of army investigators would know. She tells him a terrifying story—about the brutal death of a man they both served with. Soon Reacher is reuniting with the survivors of his old team, scrambling to raise the living, bury the dead, and connect the dots in a mystery that is growing darker by the day. The deeper they dig, the more they don’t know: about two other comrades who have suddenly gone missing—and a trail that leads into the neon of Vegas and the darkness of international terrorism.
For now, Reacher can only react. To every sound. Every suspicion. Every scent and every moment. Then Reacher will trust the people he once trusted with his life—and take this thing all the way to the end. Because in a world of bad luck and trouble, when someone targets Jack Reacher and his team, they’d better be ready for what comes right back at them…
Customer Reviews:
Bad luck for the reader.......2007-10-16
This was my first (and last) Jack Reacher story. The guy is an arrested adolescent, with 1960's ideas about living a life unencumbered by possessions, taking idiotic chances in implausible situations. He leads a band of cohorts who are said to be the best and brightest, but who show total devotion to their leader, the dimmest of losers.
The narrative is divided into short chapters, each meant to leave the reader panting to find out what happens next. What does happen next is another tedious description of Los Angeles traffic and highways: much of it has all the excitement of your car's GPS guidance system.
When we get to the action parts, we descend to cartoon adventure. For example, a secure, fortress-like installation is built with fences low enough and close enough that the hero can assault it with homemade Molotov cocktails.
This is the sort of book we end up reading while waiting for Nelson DeMille to produce more of the real thing.
An Open Letter To Lee Child.......2007-10-16
First of all, presuming of course that you are reading this Mr. Child, let me start by saying that I loved this book more than any other Reacher novel yet, which is saying a lot. Something about the build up, the foot work, the set up for the final few chapters---it really and truly worked. But want to know why I really liked it?
Because FINALLY, the punishment fit the crime.
And this is a lament I've had with a few of your other novels (most notably Die Trying and The Hard Way). When the bad guy finally goes down, it's not nearly satisfying enough. The villains you create are so truly despicable, so awful and vile, that the reader WANTS to see them pay. We WANT repercussion to be SIGNIFICANT. Yet too many times the punishment passes by in the blink of an eye, when it should be the crowning point of the book instead. It's something we want to SAVOR!
And that's why this book is different. The ending was stupendous! All that pent up anger and frustration I felt was appropriately relieved. Please keep this up. I've almost put your books away for good, several times, after being let down by your endings (especially after such FABULOUS beginnings and middles!). This, however, was a much needed step in the right direction.
Thank you!
My First Reacher Novel, Probably My Last.......2007-10-06
I picked up Bad Luck and Trouble because it sounded like an interesting book. I must say, though, that it was not my cup of tea. I, on the whole, enjoy crime novels and spy thrillers in the vein of Vince Flynn and David Baldacci. Lee Child most likely fits here nicely.
The story is about Jack Reacher, a former military policeman. He receives a call for help from one of his former teammates. It seems that several members of the unit have disappeared and Reacher needs to find out why. Interesting premise, but it quickly devolves into a revenge novel with a little bit of "let's stop the terrorist" thrown in to make the story timely.
I have no problem with the writing of the book. Mr. Child is a very talented writer. I just did not enjoy the story. Revenge for the sake of revenge is not my idea of a good time.
disappointing.......2007-09-27
Unfortunately, in my opinion, this book cannot be compared the The Hard Way. That one was taut, thrilling and extremely gripping. This one was drowning in minutiae, far too many 'filler' details. It took 250 pages to even know what the characters were trying to stop. From then on, you just knew Reacher would get the bad guys and the climax was pretty standard 'shoot 'em up', no surprises or twists at all. I expected so much more. Pass this one by.
Best Yet.......2007-09-25
I have enjoyed the seris, and liked this one the best, because of the former team members, they give some real balance to Jack...
Book Description
The book spares no one. Politicians, sports stars, celebrities, corporations, publishers, crossing guards––all fair game. If you are a scumbag or just somebody who they find annoying there is a fair chance you will be on the list.
Politics has long been a passion for Jackie Mason and he is well known for his tough and outspoken position on many issues. He is not one to sidestep an issue no matter how sticky. Together with his friend and collaborator, the well–known divorce attorney Raoul Lionel Felder, he has hosted a weekly PBS talk television series "Crossing The Line" and a BBC radio show "The Mason–Felder Report", and currently he has a weekly talk show on the Comcast Network.
Customer Reviews:
Cheap Awful Jokes and simply stupid.......2007-10-07
I guess I thought it would give me a laugh or two based on some of highlighted phases, "Jews for Jesus" etc. However, it was yet another comedian trying to join the Lewis Black, Daily Show or Bill Maher bandwagon of political humor. Too bad this comedian is not as funny nor has diverse content.
After the first few pages the book simply turns into a complaining/vent session of everything which the authors deeply disagrees with - let me summarize:
Any Jew who is against Israel
Any political organization against Israel politics
Any person who remotely supports the Holocaust
Any non-Conservative
and silly jokes to those in media which require teasing (ie. Al Sharpton, Michael Moore, Jesse Jackson, Britney, etc.)
There are many other comedian with similar content and jokes but they are really funny whereas this book just takes a small segment of its victim and highlights it as their basis for existence.
Save yourself money and time. If you want something funny watch a truly funny comedian. Allow Jackie to perform on Broadway and advise him to keep the stand-up act going but stay away from the typewriter.
Useful in only one regard.......2007-09-26
Perhaps I'm just getting too old... I can vaguely remember back in the early days of television when some of what Jackie Mason said was actually funny.
But the only way this book could been any worse would have been if Alan Derschowitz had done the editing and Ann Coulter's face had been on the cover. (Although, to be fair, Neither Mr. Mason nor Mr. Felder is very much less unappealing to behold than Ms. Coulter)
Still, this book did add something to my store of knowledge. Based upon the definitions given in the introduction, I can now state with some authority that:
1. Anyone who either buys a book written by a faded borscht belt comedian and a celebrity divorce lawyer for more than 39 cents on a remainders table OR takes seriously anything contained in said book - is a schmuck.
2. Anyone who actually writes such a book as this one AND puts his own name on it - is a putz.
okay read.......2007-08-24
It is an okay read, but I won't recommand buying it. Borrow it from the library or something.
The incessant whine of the privileged has never been so shrill.......2007-07-12
Imagine if you will that you are at a dinner. Your host is a rather amusing Republican; and he may have been a liberal in his youth, but that only makes his current political stance all that more forceful. He begins with a few light jokes, some witty repartee and then drags you into a longwinded and ultimately self-righteous sermon about everything that is wrong with America. Now imagine that he's Jewish or at least knows enough Yiddish to fake it. That's the essence of this book.
As with Goldberg's 39 People Screwing Up America, this is one of those books from the Republican Shriek Factory. Forget about Bush committing us to a fruitless war and practically legitimizing torture. Forget about the blank check that Bush got from a Republican Congress to keep this war going. Hell forget about Ann Coulter, Bill O'Reilly, FEMA or Ken Lay from Enron. No, in this world, the worst human being is Al Gore (who is lying - so sayeth the ancient Jewish comedians without humor) and Al Sharpton. Oh and of course we can't have a book like this without slamming on Barbara Streisand.
Even Goldberg threw in a few personalities that we could all agree on - like Barbara Walters dumbing down the news.
But this book is just a combination of smug and defensive from beginning to end. And even better, it's new but it reads like an old NY Post article. These guys still think that Bill Clinton's sex scandal is more odious than Bush's war. Only no one died in that sex scandal and at this point I thought no one cared. ANd Bill Maher? Yep, he said that the 9/11 terrorists weren't cowardly. The factg that bravery and cowardice have really nothing to do with their actions is second nature. Nope, you have to call your enemies cowardly. The words "evil" or "vicious" are only accurate; so why bother with them?
This is a book that was old before its time. Had it been published in the early part of the decade when Bush could do no wrong and his willing cheerleaders sang his praises, it might have been a hit; especially among those who think that throwing in a Yiddish word or two is the height of comedy (ie. goyim). Now it's just sad.
Milding Amusing At Best.......2007-06-09
Lighthearted approach to some heavyweight topics. It's a very quick read about dozens of people, places, organizations, countries, governments that don't measure up to he way Mason and Felder's look at the world and the way it oughta' be. Mason does comedy standup about world events, so maybe he's qualified in his contributions to the written slam fest. -But who's this Raoul Felder? -A "celebrity divorce lawyer," reads the book jacket. One might ask: "What's his world-view expertise?"
In any event, the book's stacked with truly cutting opinions and soft-touch humor about personalities from Barbra Streisand, Barry Bonds, Bill Clinton, Ray Nagin, and even Pablo Picasso...to entities like the NCAA, Afghanistan, the French, and the New York Times. Plus criticisms about automatic toilets and sinks? True, this topic has not been overlooked. The casual funniness balances the biting lampooning in ways that only Mason can effect...without venom or hate. You can sort of tell which parts were Mason's and which were Felders.
Regularly, they parlay a compelling "Jewish" flavor to the work by including references to Jewish events or people or words. The authors often pepper in terms like feh, meshpucha, yenta, et. al. I don't exactly know the meaning of these words; but somehow, they worked for this reader. Ah, but, then, too, the title of the book is "Schmucks!" What should we expect? Is it light Jewish humor packaged for Gentiles. [The copyright for this book is by Krapatakin? Might there be some kind of hidden humor here only the writers would know about... (!?)]
Mason and Felder confront the notion that "...just because a person is absolutely first-class in one field does not mean [he/] she should be respected in another," the point of a couple of pages on Susan Sarandon. Maybe this says it all, as "Schmucks!" is all over the board, definitely overly-political [however lite] in its scope, and is only marginally amusing. It's Not at all "material that will leave you crying with laughter," as the dust cover promises; but it is interesting, with a lot of "yeah, I agree with that" reader reaction.
Book Description
In this inspiring and often humorous memoir, the outspoken Democratic congressman from Harlem—now the chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee—tells about his early years on Lenox Avenue, being awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for wounds sustained in a horrific Korean War battle (the last bad day of his life, he says), and his many years in Congress.
A charming, natural storyteller, Rangel recalls growing up in Harlem, where from the age of nine he always had at least one job, including selling the legendary Adam Clayton Powell’s newspaper; his group of streetwise sophisticates who called themselves Les Garçons; and his time in law school—a decision made as much to win his grandfather’s approval as to establish a career. He recounts as well his life in New York politics during the 1960s and the grueling civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery.
With New York street smarts, Rangel is a tough liberal and an independent thinker, but also a collegial legislator respected by Democrats and Republicans alike who knows and honors the House’s traditions. First elected to Congress in 1970, Rangel served on the House Judiciary Committee during the hearings on the articles of impeachment of President Nixon, helped found the Congressional Black Caucus, and led the fight in Congress to pressure U.S. corporations to divest from apartheid South Africa.
Best of all, this is a political memoir with heart, the story of a life filled with friends, humor, and accomplishments. Charles Rangel is one of a kind, and this is the story of how he became the celebrated person and politician he is today.
He opens his memoir with a preface about the 2006 elections and an outline of his goals as chairman of Ways and Means. From day one he wants to put the public first so that more Americans can say they haven’t had a bad day since.
Customer Reviews:
And I haven't had a bad day yet........2007-09-16
Charlie Rangel surprised me with his wit and respect for the institutions he has served in. He is a far more humble man than I would have guessed, but he knows what factors directed his life. Anyone who wants to see how his race has moved up, survived urban conditions, and then served and contributed has to read this book. It also shows how much prejudice and ethnic ties affect politics more this yuppie-fied world we now live in will admit. It has always been this way, and Charlie Rangel accepts it realisticaly and displays the years since the Korean war where he has served his country in its government. I like watching Congressional moves and am personally surprised more do not hang with C-SPAN observing both houses in these critical times. I found myself agreeing with the Congressman from NY City more than I thought I might; he is a brilliant man and I am glad he accomplished becoming chair of the Ways and Means Committee. The years immediately ahead are going to be tough, and we need him there. I am an Independent, but will always vote Democratic after what this current administration has done to this country. My book on flying helicopters in Vietnam stresses the USA's mistakes there, but the Bush Administration has unbelievably exceeded those mistakes of the past.
A Very Impressive Man.......2007-09-07
Congressman Rangel, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, has come a long way - thanks to lots of hard work and overcoming blatant racism for many, many years. The books tells his life story from the early days to the Korean War (almost totally surrounded by the Chinese at night, Rangel was wounded but still led 43 others to safety across a frozen river - it was after that experience that he declared he hadn't had a bad day since), to his discharge from the Army, to the present day.
Rangel's post discharge experiences were far from rewarding - one menial job after another, in stark comparison to the high non-commissioned officer status he could have had staying in. Rangel eventually found his way to the VA, battled past the old-time bureaucrats, and eventually settled on a goal of becoming an attorney - despite having two years of high-school remaining. Nonetheless, Rangel accomplished this with the help of the G.I. Bill and a scholarship.
The book is primarily about Rangel (no nasty revelations about fellow Democrats, and only a few down remarks about Republicans). Regardless, without question he is a very inspirational and impressive person!
Charlie Rangel's Book.......2007-05-15
This book is excellent reading for all of America.
If you want to understand politics, racism and urban communities ,then this is the must read book for 2007.
Evolution of a Good Man.......2007-05-13
A candid telling of the development of a good man by the man himself. Without rancor, he recalls a time in America when change was commonplace and opportunity for a black man grew as a result of the efforts of good men and women.
Determination and Faith.......2007-05-12
This shows what a person can do when in a situation when you let your onw selt go and think of what needs to be done. He showed bravery in combat and has taken it into his life. His strong Faith needs to be stressed in today's world. Very good book.
Average customer rating:
- Sarah and the Absolutely Awful, Messed up, Hideous, Pits of a Bad Day
- Timeless!
- Great books
- a must have
- Teaching Attitude
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Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Judith Viorst
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Amazon.com
"I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day."
So begin the trials and tribulations of the irascible Alexander, who has been earning the sympathy of readers since 1972. People of all ages have terrible, horrible days, and Alexander offers us the cranky commiseration we crave as well as a reminder that things may not be all that bad. As Alexander's day progresses, he faces a barrage of bummers worthy of a country- western song: getting smushed in the middle seat of the car, a dessertless lunch sack, a cavity at the dentist's office, stripeless sneakers, witnessing kissing on television, and being forced to sleep in railroad-train pajamas. He resolves several times to move to Australia.
Judith Viorst flawlessly and humorously captures a child's testy temperament, rendering Alexander sympathetic rather than whiny. Our hero's gum-styled hair and peevish countenance are artfully depicted by Ray Cruz's illustrations. An ALA Notable Book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a great antidote to bad days everywhere, sure to put a smile on even the crabbiest of faces. (Ages 5 to 9)
Book Description
Alexander knew it was going to be a terrible day when he woke up with gum in this hair.
And it got worse...
His best friend deserted him. There was no dessert in his lunch bag. And, on top of all that, there were lima beans for dinner and kissing on TV!
This handsome new edition of Judith Viorst's classic picture book is sure to charm readers of all ages.
Customer Reviews:
Sarah and the Absolutely Awful, Messed up, Hideous, Pits of a Bad Day.......2007-10-18
So sure, as of this writing 142 people have plenty to say about this book.
But are they a teacher?
Did they just have a horrible, awful day where even the water in the sink flowed in the wrong direction?
I knew it was awful when the ants were in the breakfast box where we keep the morning food and none of the kids wanted to try ants for the protein. And I knew it was even worse when I had to stop singing "This Pretty Planet" to say if you do not stop knocking into your neighbor we are going to stop ROTATING when we sing 'spinning around' and the WHOLE REASON WE ARE DOING THIS IS TO ROTATE.
And I knew it was horrible when the DAD who was supposed to walk with us to the library DITCHED US and disappeared. "Watch the KIDS," I SAID....not, "Kids watch the DAD!"
And I knew it was even more horrible when five kids kicked each other and said ...no..."It's ON PURPOSE." And it was math time and we are not working on five even....
Yes it was a horrible day.Awful, awful, awful.(see slimy green algae growing gunk all over the walls of a fish tank and you got it...)
A teacher even YELLED at me in front of the class and though she is wrong, the sophistication to know that isn't in my group.. All they know is I deferred to a big bully.
And you know it's bad when you pull this fantastic book out to read it and they DON'T NOTICE you are Reading.
It's a very bad day in my hood. True no one was hit by a car today, like two weeks ago, but breaking down in tears in the library and in the room isn't "my style." And this book that tells of a child dealing with the pits of a bad day...still resonates with me. I had a "Master teacher" years ago call Viorst books "street" and still find this put down amusing. To her these kinds of feelings and behaviors should not be validated.Never written. "The end of civilization as we know it." Sure. It went a few years back....look up we don't even give HEALTH CARE to all our kids because a PRESIDENT HAS TO DRAW THE SPENDING LINE SOMEWHERE. (That's anger)
But coming to Oxnard I worked with a teacher, now retired, Barbara Bauman, and she had this (and The Pain and The Great One, Blume) and I happened in on her reading this to her 2nd graders. They loved it. She had a calm room and a fun place to be. And she reminded me by example how classic this book is.Yes, bad days happen and Presidents do foolish, foolish things.
I think if you have this book and have a son (especially) there will be a day when it is just the right book. Oh, and please read Sunday Morning. It's also remarkable.
Timeless!.......2007-10-17
This was one of my son's favorites as a little boy ~~ but I bought this for my grandson!! Little boys never change!! :o)
Great books.......2007-10-11
My sons, my husband, and I all loved this book. We still use the tag line (30 years later) as a way to say "my day was the pits, so don't even ask." Judith Viorst writes books based on her own family and life experiences for both children and adults. Alexander is, indeed, having an awful day. One thing after another just isn't working out for him, and he keeps saying that he thinks he'll go to Australia. Every kid has had at least one day like this (and so have the rest of us). In the end, his mother tries to console him with the truth we all have to learn - that "Some days are like that. Even in Australia."
a must have.......2007-10-03
Great books for boys or girls. And for a bed time even better, when parents (who had a bad day themselves) have to read it. I love it.
Teaching Attitude.......2007-09-24
Great little book that I use to tutor children to read - and at the same time teach about attitudes. They love it!
Customer Reviews:
Too Good to Leave, Too Bad to Stay.......2007-10-13
Excellent, direct, and full of case studies. Very helpful advice as it relates to each scenario and example of relationships and their foundations from which they are built. Just when you were asking yourself, "What does she mean by this?" the author would write, "and for those of you who are wondering what I mean by this...." and she would give a complete explanation to help the reader apply it to themselves. Her no-nonsense approach accomplished precisely the reader's goal of answering that "stay or go" question. She keeps the reader from waffling around getting at the real meat of the question by sticking to her pointed questions that we are assigned to ponder and answer truthfully. Truly helpful for that next step, after your friends' advice and counsel start to fall on deaf ears and fail to move you into action, one way or the other.
Just amazing.......2007-09-27
I looked at the book for a whole day before I took a big breath and started reading it. This book will probably save my relationship that I was about to quit. It even gave me more ways to appreciate my significant other. To be read as soon as difficulties occur. It will either save your relationship before the worst of it grows on you or will prevent you from staying in an unhappy relationship.
If your are willing to find your truth, open this book, easy to read, and so practical.
Simple and to the point.......2007-09-24
I already knew where I was at when I bought this book. I was as the book says in "limbo" and it was time to make a decision. I could either stay and try to put my all into it all or leave and start new. Well I decided to leave, because that is the direction I had been headed for awhile, and I just couldn't stay. It was a good choice, a scary one. The book was super to the point and the stories of others definately made me feel not alone.
Personally I choose to be happy and live life to the fullest and not let anything hold me back. I wasn't happy so I did what I needed to.
Hope this helps...
Absolutely helpful!.......2007-09-24
After years of spending a small fortune on marriage guidance, consultants, psychologists, and every other useless adviser on the planet - along came this wonderful book. The book takes the reader through a clear, concise, PRACTICAL, step-by-step approach to making that life changing decision of whether to recommit to or leave a relationship. I found the book to be a breath of fresh air in the choking confusion that accompanies such a decision.
Not a book for people looking for solutions.......2007-09-23
This book simlifies marital problems too much - and it seems the author is more in favor of marraiges ending then staying together. I think this book should come with a warning label - buyer beware!
Average customer rating:
- A incorrect view of God that is devoid of hope
- Emotionally satisfying, but...
- A great book.
- The Only Explanation That Made Sense......
- Thought Provoking Read.
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When Bad Things Happen to Good People
Harold S. Kushner
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ASIN: 1400034728
Release Date: 2004-08-24 |
Amazon.com
Rarely does a book come along that tackles a perennially difficult human issue with such clarity and intelligence. Harold Kushner, a Jewish rabbi facing his own child's fatal illness, deftly guides us through the inadequacies of the traditional answers to the problem of evil, then provides a uniquely practical and compassionate answer that has appealed to millions of readers across all religious creeds. Remarkable for its intensely relevant real-life examples and its fluid prose, this book cannot go unread by anyone who has ever been troubled by the question, "Why me?"
Book Description
When Harold Kushner’s three-year-old son was diagnosed with a degenerative disease and that he would only live until his early teens, he was faced with one of life’s most difficult questions: Why, God? Years later, Rabbi Kushner wrote this straightforward, elegant contemplation of the doubts and fears that arise when tragedy strikes. Kushner shares his wisdom as a rabbi, a parent, a reader, and a human being. Often imitated but never superseded,
When Bad Things Happen to Good People is a classic that offers clear thinking and consolation in times of sorrow.
Since its original publication in 1981,
When Bad Things Happen to Good People has brought solace and hope to millions of readers and its author has become a nationally known spiritual leader.
Customer Reviews:
A incorrect view of God that is devoid of hope.......2007-10-06
I write this review with sensitivity to Rabbi Kushner. He has suffered the great loss of his son. His motivation for writing this book is to distill "some blessing out of Aaron's pain and tears" and perhaps to process and come to grips with how and why God `allows' such incomprehensible and unbearable grief in this life. As Rabbi Kushner says:
"I wanted to write a book that could be given to the person who has been hurt by life--by death, by illness or injury, by rejection or disappointment--and who knows in his heart that if there is justice in the world, he deserved better. What can God mean to such a person? Where can he turn for strength and hope? If you are such a person, if you want to believe in God's goodness and fairness but find it hard because of the things that have happened to you and to people you care about, and if this book helps you do that, then I will have succeeded in distilling some blessing out of Aaron's pain and tears."
Unfortunately I'm not sure this book is helpful because his answer to "the one question which really matters: why do bad things happen to good people?" is untrue. Rabbi Kushner does not believe in scripture other than as a literary and religious work. Therefore he can't find or rely on what God himself says about this question and ends up with only his own speculations.
Rabbi Kushner's God is impotent: concerned by the tragedies of our lives but unable to do anything about it. His belief system started by seeing God as "an all-wise, all-powerful parent figure who would treat us as our earthy parents did, or even better. If we were obedient and deserving, He would reward us. If we got out of line, He would discipline us, reluctantly but firmly. He would protect us from being hurt or from hurting ourselves, and would see to it that we got what we deserved in life." Suffering taught Rabbi Kushner that such an unbiblical world-view was wrong; however his impotent God world view is no less incorrect.
The major contribution of this book is to remind us that people are God's solution to much of this suffering. This is a wonderful corrective to the idea that God should work exclusively by mystical and miraculous methods.
Rabbi Kushner's "only question that matters" can't be answered, not by any secular or religious system. The biblical writers wrestled with the question but didn't offer any neat "fixes" either. The sufferings of Job, for example, were never answered with a reason but only by the character of God himself. I hope that people can find comfort in this book, that Rabbi Kushner's goal has been accomplished. I fear, however, that bad theology (that is lies and misrepresentations about God) only leads to further grief and suffering. What hope or comfort is there in a god that can do nothing in our lives? If a god created this mess and then can't fix it where do we find help?
Far better reading can be found in books by Philip Yancey, C. S. Lewis, and Dallas Willard. Scott Peck's book "A Road Less Traveled" is also helpful, not as an answer but as a guidebook. I also strongly recommend the book "Sacred Romance" by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge.
Emotionally satisfying, but..........2007-10-01
This book claims not to be about theology, but actually that is what it is about from the first word to the last. And Kushner tackles an ancient and difficult theological issue: if God is good and His creation wholly good, why is there evil in the world? Kushner never really answers this question (probably because there is no satisfactory answer to the question as it is stated). And he has the courage to say that he does not really know. In fact, the book is loaded with courageously unanswered questions. This makes the work extremely satisfying on an emotional level. But on an intellectual level, it can leave the reader deeply unsatisfied. Kushner accepts that the world is chaotic; that good people will inevitably have bad things happen to them. He exonerates God by saying God did not create this chaos. In doing so, Kushner wishes to exonerate the God of Judaism from such sins as, among others, the death of innocent children. But by letting God off, he distances the deity from the world. He creates dual realms: one for God and one for us. Kushner's God is not the God of mysticism or pantheism (and some have said, not Judaism). For all its considerable emotional strengths, it seems that Kusnher in this work wants the best of both worlds: he wants to wed the chaotic universe of the atheist, and the good God of the Bible. In the end, it's a troubled marriage.
A great book........2007-10-01
Main reason for purchasing this book was Christopher Barrios death on March 8. He was a six year old Little Angel that became an angel on that date.
His death affected me to no end. It affected my eating and sleeping habits. This book helped me to see things in perspective.
I would recommend this book to anyone trying to cope with the loss of a dear one.
The Only Explanation That Made Sense.............2007-08-20
My mother died of cancer 3 weeks ago (she was only 59) and it made me MAD as hell at God for not saving her. For a while I denied the existence of any diety. A friend recommended this book. I learned I had to change my views about the nature of God.
The traditional "pray to God, he is all powerful, and he will fix everything" belief I was taught as a child no longer applied once my mother got sick and died. Why didn't God answer my prayers? Did he want my mother to suffer, become riddled with tumors, and then die at a young age? Why didn't he help us? Harold Kushner had a similar experience (his son died at age 13) and came to the conclusion that (in a nutshell)God does not heal the sick, stop tornadoes, cure AIDS and Cancer etc. because he can't. He is not all powerful.
I never EVER would have come to this conclusion by myself because it goes against EVERYTHING I was taught as a Christian. If my mother had not died there is NO WAY I would believe God was NOT all powerful. But, in doing some soul searching, that is the only explanation that makes any sense to me. For God to make my mom sick to teach my family a lesson, for a greater good, because she was a bad person, because we did not pray enough, because it was in his divine plan etc. makes no sense to me. All of these explanations offered by my church, my friends, Priests, and fellow believers led me to one conclusion: God did not help me in my time of need and therefore, God was either evil and enjoyed watching us suffer OR there was no God. Now I believe that neither of these conclusions are true. God is simply not omnipotent.
There is no doubt that accepting that God is NOT omnipotent opens up an entirely new can of worms. I had to rethink everything I knew about God and religion. I no longer look to the Bible or to any religious text for answers. I always had my doubts about the Bible. It was written by Men, Gospels were omitted and hidden away etc. It was not written by God himself/herself. Furthermore, each religion has a "Bible" or book of laws, worship, beliefs etc. How is there any way to know which is the correct set of beliefs? In a sense, due to my skepticism about Christianity/Judaism and the Bible's authenticity, it was easier for me to accept that my view of God as an omnipotent diety was flawed. REading this book made alarm bells go off in my head - AHA! Someone else feels exactly how I feel! Someone else, a religious leader, looked around and said "What the hell is going on here?!"
I may not agree with ALL of Kushner's statements (Kushner still believes in the Bible as a holy text, and the word of God, whereas I do not) but I do believe he is onto something. I now believe is that there is a higher power, and that higher power is good. I now look to God for strength - to help me through the tough times. I do not look to him to intervene in my life because I know that, as much as he would like to, he cannot.
Thought Provoking Read. .......2007-07-26
Rabbi Kushner's writing style and brilliant ability to show contrast with real life situations creates an eagerness to read on and an insatiable need to learn more.
From the tone of this book it leads you to assume that Rabbi Kushner is just a lovable human being, rich in modesty and humility.
This is a very short book which will be of value for both religious and non religious people. Whether religious or not, Rabbi Kushner's book has the ability to put a new prayer or creed in your heart, and will also enlighten you to not lose sight of the meaning of life in your life.
People need not wait for some tragedy to come along to pick up this book. Personally, I am not currently dealing with a loss; however, after completing this book I feel more prepared to take on the burden of coping with any unfortunate occurrences, which the future may hold. I bought this book to enable me to pass on comforting words to people close to me which were going through some tough times in their life.
The majority of the readers of this book has mis-interpreted this book primarily from the misquoting of the title of the book. If you get the title wrong then this book will not serve its proper purpose to you.
If you seek a bridge to the New Testament read Melvin Tinker's "Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People". In Tinker's "Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People" you will find a more expanded interpretation of the Book of Job and other important passages in the New Testament that delivers what Kushner could not due to his commitment and belief in the Jewish faith. In my judgment, the two merged will give you a wider scope of learning.
Amazon.com
From the school of unemotional investing comes the classic How to Make Money in Stocks, by Wall Street analyst and publisher William O'Neil. Readers new to securities will find it an excellent primer, one that relies on time-honored indicators such as quarterly earnings, market capitalization, and daily indexes. O'Neil's study of winning stocks stretches back to the 1960s, and he shares his insights here, describing what characterizes a growth stock, when to cut your losses (at 7 or 8 percent, no more), and how to spot a market top.
The techniques in How to Make Money in Stocks are hardly revolutionary, but therein lies their strength, as O'Neil claims his is "a winning system in good times or bad." Investors interested in Net stocks might be disappointed--the author's first rule is that a company must show a pattern of growing profits, which disqualifies many dot coms. (Try Rule Breakers, Rule Makers for a different take.) O'Neil's approach to stocks is, above all, rational, and he pays little heed to market hype.
Those new to investing would do well to read this book before embarking, and even more seasoned traders may find How to Make Money in Stocks a refreshing return to basics. Markets may swing bull and bear, but O'Neil promises to stand firm. --Demian McLean
Book Description
THE BUSINESSWEEK, USA TODAY, AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BUSINESS BESTSELLER!
The bestselling guide to buying stocks, from the founder of Investor's Business Dailynow completely revised and updated
When it was first published, How to Make Money in Stocks hit the investing world like a jolt, providing readers with the first in-depth explanation of William J. O'Neil's innovative CAN SLIM investing method. Five years later, O'Neil, founder for the industry icon Investor's Business Daily, revised his classic text and provided readers with a newer glimpse on how the average investor can make money in the equities market.
This third edition of How to Make Money in Stocks has been revised and updated with new chapters designed to help investors increase their performance. New discussions include:
- Greater clarification of the key CAN SLIM investment strategy
- Expanded analysis of the general market from the top of year 2000 to the market bottom of 2001
- New models of the greatest stock market winners that provide more basis for the ongoing effectiveness and superior performance of the CAN SLIM strategy
- Fresh stock charts featured in two colors for easier analysis of trends
- And an invaluable guide on how to maximize both Investor's Business Daily and www.investors.com to find winning stocks
Like his international bestselling 24 Essential Lessons for Investment Success, which stayed on international business bestseller lists for close to 6 months in 2000, How to Make Money in Stocks is the best reference for the individual investor in how to stay afloat and ahead in the rocky and volatile equities markets of the 21st century.
Customer Reviews:
Championship Stock Trading Methods Revealed.......2007-10-17
I'll heard about this book years ago, but dismissed it because of it's title. But, I learned that someone named David Ryan won three investing championships with real money using the methods revealed in this book. And I wanted to start trading in the stock market again, but this time I wanted to learn a method that will help me be successful for a change.
I think that if you are new to investing in the stock market and would like to learn a good way to get started, then this book "How To Make Money In Stocks," by William O'Neil is a good guide.
You will learn all about the CANSLIM rules for selecting stocks that are about to make the big price moves. Also included is advice on buying only when a stock is making new highs or breaking out on big volume and cutting your loses short to protect your funds if you're wrong.
It shows you the five basic chart patterns that you should look for in a stock that is about to take off. And these patterns will help you buy at the right price.
The last few chapters are devoted to the features of Investor's Business Daily, which will help you find and track stocks that match the characteristics of the CANSLIM method.
I actually order this book at a local Borders -- paying full price -- because I didn't want to wait for the mail. I was in a hurry to learn how to use Investors.com -- one of the websites of Investors' Business Daily which I have subscribed too.
Interesting but not great.......2007-09-13
I'm new to investing but have read 7 books in the last couple of months on investing and financial statement analysis. These other books (the intelligent investor etc.) are more focused on value investing and tend to dissuade from considering stocks at all time highs. So it was interesting to read a different approach and this book would certainly make me consider looking at more growth stocks. It was also good to get some basics on chart interpretation which I think will prove useful. The downside is that the book (like all his books from looking at other reviews) focuses too much on IBD his website/newspaper, also the explanations for interpreting the charts was not really thorough enough, also a lot of the charts that he advised not to buy on did not look all that dissimilar in places to charts that he advised were good buys - its easy to go back in hindsight on the ones that didn't take off in price and pick holes into why they didn't.
Also his guide to selling at 7% to 8% below your buy price seems a bit extreme - maybe this is just for high risk growth stock buys but in general given the nature of the market most stock fluctuate far more and could be down 8% over a week to recover to the same of higher level the following week. If you sold every time as he suggests you'd constantly be selling and trying to find new stocks to buy.
He seemingly derides the value investing concept which is odd as some of the best investors of all time followed this approach - Buffett & Graham and their disciples being the obvious ones. Overall an interesting read for a different perspective and introduction to chart interpretation.
Study This Book.......2007-09-08
This book is very easy and most interesting to read. The author, Wm. O'Neil is the founder of Investor Business Daily newspaper, which I have always considered the best financial newspaper.
If you are willing to "study" and learn rather than just read this book, You will make money in stocks.
I use this book and Jim Cramer's 'Real money' and 'Mad Money' books daily (almost like text books) to study, learn and apply what I learn.
Hybrid Investing 101.......2007-07-27
An excellent book on how to use both fundamental and technical analysis together to produce big profits. William J O neal is a great author.
Wish I read this 10 years ago.......2007-06-08
Great book. Sound concepts that work. Yes, I subscribe to the paper (IBD) and use his rules. I'm up over 30% in a solid bull market over the last 4 months without being fully invested. When the market pulls back, my stocks also pull back, but when the market is up, my stocks tend to go up hard.
I find that I do better when I pyramid up after a bounce off the 50-day rather than every 2% or round number like promoted by Darvas. It's a good book worth underlining and scribbling all over the margins.
Amazon.com
Jezebel and Delilah have plenty to teach contemporary Christian women, according to Bad Girls of the Bible and What We Can Learn from Them. In this self-help book, Liz Curtis Higgs tells fictionalized, contemporary stories based on the lives of biblical characters including Eve, Potiphar's Wife, and the Woman at the Well. In verse-by-verse commentary, Higgs summarizes each life's lessons and provides a list of questions for personal consideration or group discussion. The overall message of each chapter is the same: "Good Girls and Bad Girls both need a Savior. The goodness of your present life can't open the doors of heaven for you. The badness of your past life can't keep you out either." In its effort to turn readers' minds heavenward, Bad Girls draws a distinction between fun and joy. Associated with "fleshly pleasures," fun "is temporary at best; it's risky, even dangerous, at worst." Joy, on the other hand, is found in God's "gift of grace." Perhaps the book's greatest weakness is its inability to see that "fun," in many lives, is a holy and necessary means of attaining "joy." --Michael Joseph Gross
Book Description
Women everywhere marvel at those “good girls” in Scripture–Sarah, Mary, Esther–but on most days, that’s not who they see when they look in the mirror. Most women (if they’re honest) see the selfishness of Sapphira or the deception of Delilah. They catch of glimpse of Jezebel’s take-charge pride or Eve’s disastrous disobedience. Like Bathsheba, Herodias, and the rest, today’s modern woman is surrounded by temptations, exhausted by the demands of daily living, and burdened by her own desires.
So what’s a good girl to do? Learn from their lives, says beloved humor writer Liz Curtis Higgs, and by God’s grace, choose a better path. In Bad Girls of the Bible, Higgs offers a unique and clear-sighted approach to understanding those “other women” in Scripture, combining a contemporary retelling of their stories with a solid, verse-by-verse study of their mistakes and what lessons women today can learn from them.
Whether they were “Bad to the Bone,” “Bad for a Season, but Not Forever” or only “Bad for a Moment,” these infamous sisters show women how not to handle the challenges of life. With her trademark humor and encouragement, Liz Curtis Higgs teaches us how to avoid their tragic mistakes and joyfully embrace grace.
Customer Reviews:
Intriging Title.......2007-06-27
Used this in an adult Sunday School class. More attendees than normal. Very well presented and received by the class. Thank you Liz!!!
The world never changes.......2007-05-27
We are studying this in Sunday School. The input from the book and all the other ladies is amazing. This is a great book for boosting our self esteem and learning to depend on GOD more.
Female Chauvinist .......2007-03-10
Our church book study group mistakenly purchased this Bad Girls of the Bible instead of the one by the other author.
While I had great difficulty getting through the first chapter, I am now using this book to improve my understanding of the Bible, and to learn more about ancient times.
This writer makes-up her own story lines, and conveniently leaves out portions of chapters and verses that do not fit her story line. For example, in chapter two, she states that Egypt where Joseph is held as a slave by Potiphar, is a dry hot land. Perhaps she should read just a little earlier in the Bible. In Genesis 13:10, we are told different.
10 Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar.
While the ordering of this book was a mistake on the part of the person who ordered the books for us, I believe it is a Godsend for us to read and discuss this book, though I doubt we will actually be using the questions at the end of each chapter. Instead we will ask questions regarding her inaccurate portrayal of these women and the facts of history.
Great book for Women's bible study.......2007-02-06
Our women's small group has gotten alot of knowledge and insight from this book! Bad Girls of the Bible helps us discuss some topics that we might not otherwise. The author is wonderful at helping us see the character of these women. It is very well written. I highly recommend this book for a bible study with your girlfriends!
Funny, moving, meaningful.......2007-01-11
Liz Curtis Higgs juxtaposes fiction and nonfiction in the same book. Read the stories of modern "bad girls" while guessing what Bible character they represent. Then read the nonfiction essay on the Biblical "bad girl". Find out how they were bad, why they were bad, and what God did about it. Liz describes herself as a "former bad girl", so she really gets inside the skin of these women. This book is so good that I can't keep it on hand. I've lent out and given away multiple copies to women who never fail to enjoy the book and experience God in a meaningful way. Get one for yourself and one for your daughter/mother/best friend. (I'm a former bad girl myself.) Then go for Really Bad Girls of the Bible and Unveiling Mary Magdalene by the same author.
Average customer rating:
- Malicious Minnesotan madmen
- Non stop thriller
- Excellent non-stop mystery
- Tempted to give this 5 stars
- A great plot
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Prior Bad Acts
Tami Hoag
Manufacturer: Bantam
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ASIN: 055358359X
Release Date: 2007-02-27 |
Book Description
New York Times bestselling author Tami Hoag returns with a thriller that begins with a shocking crime scene you’ll never forget and follows two relentless detectives on a manhunt that ends in a chilling confrontation with the essence of human evil.
It was a crime so brutal, it changed the lives of even the most hardened homicide cops. The Haas family murders left a scar on the community nothing can erase, but everyone agrees that convicting the killer, Karl Dahl, is a start. Only Judge Carey Moore seems to be standing in the way. Her ruling that Dahl’s prior criminal record is inadmissible raises a public outcry—and puts the judge in grave danger.
When an unknown assailant attacks Judge Moore in a parking garage, two of Minneapolis’s top cops are called upon to solve the crime and keep the judge from further harm. Detective Sam Kovac is as hard-boiled as they come, and his wisecracking partner, Nikki Liska, isn’t far behind. Neither one wants to be on this case, but when Karl Dahl escapes from custody, everything changes, and a seemingly straightforward case cartwheels out of control.
The stakes go even higher when the judge is kidnapped—snatched out of her own bed even as the police sit outside, watching her house. Now Kovac and Liska must navigate through a maze of suspects that includes the stepson of a murder victim, a husband with a secret life, and a rogue cop looking for revenge where the justice system failed.
With no time to spare, the detectives are pulled down a strange dark trail of smoke and mirrors, where no one is who they seem and everyone is guilty of
Prior Bad Acts.
From the Hardcover edition.
Download Description
New York Times bestselling author Tami Hoag returns with a thriller that begins with a shocking crime scene you’ll never forget and follows two relentless detectives on a manhunt that ends in a chilling confrontation with the essence of human evil.
PRIOR BAD ACTS
It was a crime so brutal, it changed the lives of even the most hardened homicide cops. The Haas family murders left a scar on the community nothing can erase, but everyone agrees that convicting the killer, Karl Dahl, is a start. Only Judge Carey Moore seems to be standing in the way. Her ruling that Dahl’s prior criminal record is inadmissible raises a public outcry–and puts the judge in grave danger.
When an unknown assailant attacks Judge Moore in a parking garage, two of Minneapolis’s top cops are called upon to solve the crime and keep the judge from further harm. Detective Sam Kovac is as hard-boiled as they come, and his wisecracking partner, Nikki Liska, isn’t far behind. Neither one wants to be on this case, but when Karl Dahl escapes from custody, everything changes, and a seemingly straightforward case cartwheels out of control.
The stakes go even higher when the judge is kidnapped–snatched out of her own bed even as the police sit outside, watching her house. Now Kovac and Liska must navigate through a maze of suspects that includes the stepson of a murder victim, a husband with a secret life, and a rogue cop looking for revenge where the justice system failed.
With no time to spare, the detectives are pulled down a strange dark trail of smoke and mirrors, where no one is who they seem and everyone is guilty of Prior Bad Acts.
From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
Malicious Minnesotan madmen.......2007-09-27
Not bad, a decent amount of action, suspense and character development. No one part of the book drags. The plot twist regarding the original triple-murderer was pretty much expected, it was just a question of who. I found Karl Dahl , the main bad guy, to be a little unbelievable. SPOILER ALERT. To be a near-homeless social misfit who's then able to pull off various evasions, disguises, ruses, murders and kidnappings -- well it just strains belief a bit.
Although I was hardly surprised, I still didn't much like the fact that the author badmouths what is a crucial weapon in a prosecutor's arsenal, the introduction into evidence of the accused's prior bad acts. The law has a fiction that a person's prior bad acts shouldn't be used in the case at bar, but fortunately over time common sense has whittled this down to basically any prior bad act can be used if it's not introduced just to show propensity (and that's why we now have civil commitment hearings, to get that propensity evidence in anyhow -- Hendricks v. Kansas.). Most likely Ms Hoag is one of those tender souls who would move us toward having every defendant at bar considered to be a legal virgin.
Non stop thriller.......2007-09-10
I got Prior Bad Acts as soon as I finished Dust To Dust, having had fallen in love with the characters, Sam Kovac and Nikki Liska. If you're a fan of Kovac/Liska from prior books Ashes to Ashes and Dust to dust, then this is a must read. I thought this one was the best though.
Prior Bad Acts is not only a page turner, plot and execution wise, it gives more insight into these two fascinating characters and more of their story wrapped in a very well done, fast paced thriller. I did figure out the villain before the end, but Ms. Hoag always manages to keep shred of doubt hovering around none the less. There are several who could be it.
I did like the development of the relationship between Carry Moore and Kovac, which was not overdone, and which was a nice diversion from all the debauchery in the main story line. I really like the Judge Carry Moore character as well, very tough, straight forward, confident, and yet, vulnerable, which seems to be a trade mark female character for Hoag's later mystery/thriller books.
There is a tendency towards graphic violence in this novel, but I didn't mind that and didn't find it to be gratuitous. I will probably re-read this one again because I was reading it very fast to keep up with my desire to know what was going to happen next.
Excellent non-stop mystery.......2007-08-17
Judge Carey Moore is a stickler for fairness, sometimes going beyond the point where she should. When a drifter, Karl Dahl, goes on trial for a heinous triple murder, Judge Moore makes a very un-popular decision. A decision that would change and shape the future of Judge Moore, Karl Dahl, the prosecuting attorney Chris Logan, and the defense attorney Kenny Scott. Judge Moore's husband David did not help much either since he always had a case of what I call "me-ite-us!" when everything is turned around for him to be in the forefront.
Detective Sam Kovac got into the act when Judge Moore was attacked in the parking garage where she was knocked down, battered, and finally lost consciousness when her head was banged into the concrete. Regardless of how Sam felt about the judicial decision the judge had made, this attack was not right. Kovac's partner, Nikki Liska, is a rough, tough woman who will tackle anyone or anything. They got along very well, but had their disagreements as any normal people do. But they worked terrifically together, sometimes thinking as one. Kovac took Judge Moore home from the hospital knowing that she was in danger and needed protection, even if she would not give in to that thought. The judge's husband was useless; this was not about HIM!
Any of the authorities and attorneys that visited the scene of the original murders felt so strange knowing what had occurred where they now stood. Two small children and their mother were brutally killed in this house. How could anyone do this? This Karl Dahl must be a terribly brutal man who is not human. Naturally everyone made him guilty before a trial. In prison Dahl had to be kept separate from other inmates since they all knew what he was charged with.
As time went on, Detective Kovac was never very far from Judge Moore. She was supposed to stay home due to her injuries and the threat against her but she sometimes snuck out, driving the police crazy. Another cop, Stan Dempsey was a sort of a rogue cop whose actions were not always trusted by his fellow officers. But he had to delve into the murders also despite Kovac and Liska's concern. When Karl Dahl escaped things got even dicier. Kovac kept a closer eye on the judge, and the reader can sense he is becoming closer to her in other ways too.
Prior Bad Acts continues to pick up steam and roars along at a fast and furious pace. Naturally the reader guesses what will occur next and usually is wrong. Tami Hoag does not disappoint her faithful readers with this book. I enjoyed it thoroughly from cover to cover. It is a "do not put down" book that I loved. Tami Hoag can bring these detectives back easily in any future books. She has bred a good duo.
Tempted to give this 5 stars.......2007-08-11
Prior Bad Acts by Tami Hoag earns an easy 4 star rating from me. There were some interesting characters you could really relate to and care about. There were characters you could simply detest. There were plenty of red herrings to throw you off the right track as you tried to guess the killer. I, in fact, did guess the killer but it was none the less quite an amazing revelation the way it was handled. I have read several books by Tami Hoag and most are very good. I loved the two detectives, Kovac and Liska. There's a pair that are dedicated to their work and get their jobs done. I still miss Amanda Savard though, but that's another isssue. Lots of great vllains and a fast-paced plot make this an easy one to recommend. If I hadn't guessed the killer correctly, it would have been 5 stars for sure.
A great plot.......2007-07-04
Tammy Hoag knows how to plot a novel. This story has so many twists and turns that you will be absorbed from the first chapter. I gave the book 4 stars based soley on the plot. Why not five? Two things: The subject matter lacks originality. A killer on the loose, cops working an investigaton. It's all pretty standard, Law-and-Order type stuff. Also, Tammy Hoag's prose could be better. She uses a lot of weak descriptors and doesn't paint much of an image for her characters or scenes. But despite these shortcomings, the novel works because of the PLOT. It is outstanding. She starts off with an assault on the judge and a prison break. But she doesn't stop there. She keeps piling it on, giving the characters more and more obstacles to overcome. It's very well done and holds your interest until the end.
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