Book Description
Wall Street is a funny business. All you have is your reputation. Taint it and someone else will fill your shoes. Longevity comes from maintaining that reputation.
Ask Jack Grubman, the All-Star telecom analyst from Salomon Smith Barney; uber-banker Frank Quattrone at CS First Boston; Morgan Stanley's Mary "Queen of the Net" Meeker; or Merrill Lynch's Henry Blodget.
Well, they probably won't tell you anything. But have I got some great stories for you.
Successful hedge fund manager Andy Kessler looks back on his years as an analyst on Wall Street and offers this cautionary tale of the intoxicating forces loose in the world of finance that overwhelmed sober analysis.
Customer Reviews:
Great, Easy Read!.......2007-04-30
I loved this book. All investors and traders should read it and learn from it. But above all it is such an easy read. It tells the interesting story of Kesslers life in the stock analyst world and confirms what I always thought. They are not as smart as people think.
Tale from an Analyst who is lucky enough to make it to become a VC.......2007-03-19
Andy Kessler wrote this book from a first-person narrative, and as a result, made the book very easy to read. I read it after reading Dan Reingold's" Confessions of a Wall Street Analyst" then Charles Gasparino's "Blood on the Street". Reingold clearly has "skin on the game" and his tendency to focus on the technical aspects of an analyst's job shows, while Gasparino gave a far better high-level perspective than Reingold. Andy, however, appeared to be able to stay independent of the bankers while at the same time being able to benefit from stepping away to becoming a successful VC. As such, while he is able to look at the implosion happening at Wall Street with great behind-the-scenes understanding of what's going on, and at the same time having intimate knowledge of some of the analysts with the biggest name, because he got out early and found something better, the tales appear to be more aloof than either of the other two books. Nevertheless, it is still an interesting read.
Entertaining and educational.......2007-02-14
This is one fo the MBA's books that can actually shed some light on Wall Street. Think of it as counter-balancing the "shows" which the I-Bankers put on the US campuses.
An interesting look at the Wall Street tech world.......2006-08-08
This is an interesting story of a man who got caught up in the world of technology on Wall Street but managed not to get swept away by it. Kessler's story is fascinating-he was an electrical engineer who was hired on by a large Wall Street firm as an analyst when he didn't even know what an analyst was! He got into it mostly for the money, it seems, but did well as an analyst despite making calls that went against the consensus. In his early days (the mid 80's), and later at Morgan Stanley, he met some interesting figures who would play a large part in the tech bubble and blowup of the 90's. As an analyst he refused to compromise himself, and eventually quit Wall Street and started a hedge fund in California. Because of this he was able to avoid the bursting of the tech bubble and escape with his reputation intact (unlike many of his contemporaries). He also had great foresight in his hedge fund, and didn't suffer nearly as much as most people on Wall Street who were heavily invested in tech.
Kessler's story is interesting and many of his anecdotes are entertaining. Where this book falls short, I think, is that it is less a cohesive memoir and more a string of anecdotes and exploits. Much of the book almost gives the impression that one is sitting at a bar listening to Kessler tell stories. That's all well and good, but more detail and a better plot flow would have made this book much better. There is a good deal of name dropping, which is to be expected I suppose, but I didn't find it excessive. Overall this is a decent light read-nothing groundbreaking or memorable here, but worth a casual look.
Amusing, valuable.......2006-08-06
A really funny, close-in look at Wall Street in the dot-com era, told from the perspective of a man who was snatched away from a techie job. A Must Read book when you consider that a lot of the same market hype is back again. Never forget.
Average customer rating:
- Two In One
- Graphic SF Reader
- Fun read
- Required Reading For Any Situation, Including Field Trips
- Niiiiccce
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Runaways Vol. 5: Escape to New York
Brian K Vaughan ,
Adrian Alphona , and
Takeshi Miyazawa
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
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Runaways Vol. 4: True Believers
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Runaways Vol. 3: The Good Die Young
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Runaways, Vol. 6: Parental Guidance
ASIN: 0785119019 |
Book Description
The team's lineup changes forever in the perfect jumping-on point for the series that Wizard said "could be the most original book to focus on teenaged super heroes since Spider-Man debuted all the way back in 1962!" When a dangerous alien invades Los Angeles, the Runaways' own Karolina Dean may be the only hero in the Marvel Universe who can stop him... but at what cost? Collects Runaways #7-12.
Customer Reviews:
Two In One.......2007-10-15
This digest trade-paperback consists of two miniseries (or arcs). I'll review each of these as if they were a separate item;
Star-Crossed: A major character departs. A new major character is introduced. A plot point about Karolina that was hinted at and slightly developed in the first run of the series finally pays off here. This mini-arc has some cool fights and snappy dialogue as usual, but the best part of these two issues was that they were--compared to the usual explosiveness of the Runaways series--mostly made up of downtime. We get a lot of character interaction and development of not only Karonlina, but also Nico, Victor, and the majority of the other main characters. Takeshi Miyazawa, who penciled a couple of issues in the first run of the series, returns to take a "Celebrity Shot" and handles that art of this mini-arc. As with Miyazawa's previous "Runaways" art, the illustrations are much softer and cartoonish, however it is a welcome change from the detailed and lush art of Adrian Alphona. I'm not ready to say that I like Miyazawa better--or even AS MUCH--as Alphona, but I was very happy to discover that Miyazawa came back for these issues.
East Coast/West Coast: This arc has the most solid standalone story so far. The Runaways go to NYC to help Cloak (a criminally underused Marvel hero who they met earlier in the series) clear his name and discover who attacked his partner, Dagger. Speaking as someone who lives in New York, it's hilarious to see these California-raised characters--who we all have grown to love, at this point--reacting to their surroundings. The city is full with Marvel super heroes, and we get cameos from Captain America, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, and Luke Cage. However, these heroes don't really come off as that heroic; I know it wasn't at all the intent, but the way these characters are written makes them seem like bumbling fools, except for--perhaps--Spider-Man. Our main Runaways, on the other hand, shine in this arc, each of them undergoing major character development. Chase and Nico will have changed for what they experienced in this arc, and though it's sad to not have Karolina around, her absence gives much screen time to the other main players. Adrian Alphona is back as the artist here and he shines at his depictions both the Runaways and the guest stars Cloak and Dagger. However, as if following the trend of the way Brian writes the other Marvel heroes, Alphona's art suffers when it comes to drawing Captain America, Spider-Man, and Wolverine. Though, gotta say, Alphona pencils a mean Iron Man.
DISCLAIMER: It is best to buy Runaways, Vol. 2 instead of the separate digest paperbacks. It is a hardcover edition, much better quality, that includes not only this, but also #4 and a lot of extras.
7/10
Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03
As the title suggests, the Runaways are sometimes off their home turf here, as they encounter the dark hero, Cloak. He is on the run after others suspect him of attacking his partner, Dagger. The kids, not being stupid and obtuse adults of the type found in books focusing on teenage supehero teams, realise this is not too likely.
Fun read.......2006-06-21
Like the other volumes before it, this is a fun extension of the Runaways story. Kudos to Vaughn and team for keeping the fun alive and the story interesting this far into it.
Required Reading For Any Situation, Including Field Trips.......2006-06-04
Escape to New York contains to story arcs from Brian K. Vaughan's amazing Runaways series. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the book, Runaways is the story of a group of LA teenagers who learned that their parents were supervillains. They have become a supergroup in order to atone for their parents' sins, but they are one of the most unconventional supergroups in the history of comics. They don't wear costumes, they distrust nearly everyone, including A-list superheroes such as the Avengers (in a previous volume, one of the Runaways was insulted when someone thought that she was part of the Young Avengers), and they are wanted by the police, who see them as delinquants.
Led by Nico Minoru, a powerful witch, the other Runaways include Gert Yorkes, who psychically commands a genetically engineered dinosaur, Chase Stein, their ship's pilot, Molly Hayes, a mutant with superstrength, Karolina Dean, a solar-powered alien, and their newest recruit, Victor Mancha, the cyborg "son" of Ultron, one of the deadliest killing machines ever invented.
In the first arc, Star-Crossed, Karolina finally admits to her homosexuality and makes a move on Nico, which ends up badly for the two of them. But that pales in comparison to the decision she must face when a Skrull warrior arrives and tells her that he is her betrothed husband. After explaining about the history between Karolina's homeworld of Majesdane and the Skrull world, which includes nothing but violence and deception, he tells her that, he tells her that her evil parents made a deal to offer up Karolina in exchange for aid from the Skrulls.
In East Coast/West Coast, the Runaways are reunited with Cloak, of Cloak and Dagger, after the New Avengers accuse him of beating Dagger into a coma. While the Runaways are initially skeptical about helping out Cloak, who was unable to fulfill his promise to them to help them deal with the Pride after the Runaways' parents erased his and Dagger's memory, they eventually concede, and Cloak brings them to New York.
While a few of the Runaways try to find out who the imposter is who framed Cloak, others try to keep the New Avengers away from Cloak. This leads to a great scene with Gert, Victor, and Spider-Man, as well as a hilarious confrontation between Molly and her hero Wolverine.
Both of these arcs are very well done, as usual. Vaughan is a great writer, and the East Coast/West Coast story may be one of the best since the original run of Runaways. Even better is the fact that Marvel actually used some quality paper to print the series on in this digest, so the colors don't bleed together, and everything is clear, though smaller than when it premiered in single-issue format. I really hope that Marvel puts out a second (and third, and fourth, and so on...) hardcover of this series because these digests don't do it justice. This is truly one of Marvel's greatest assets, and everyone should definitely check it out.
Niiiiccce.......2006-04-08
I reall like this runaways... not that i didn't like the 4 before it. well any way this one is totally cool because there is another alien in it who says HES KAROLINAS FIANCE!!!!!!!!! but thats not the only bad part. Cloak is being charge with a crime( not gonna tell you, buy it yourself) and he want's the kids to help clear him. to New York we go. while there the team will deal with something so ordinary you would think that it doesnt belong in the stoy. like, why is Nico kissing Chase? did Chase really take a life? is Nico attrached to Karolina and just doesn't knowit? read the book and find out.
Book Description
- Perfect for native New Yorkers (6.5 million of whom do not have cars) and out-of-towners who want day-trip ideas
- Includes more than 100 destinations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut
- Covers diverse types of travel, ranging from laid-back B & B weekends on the Jersey Shore to rugged outdoor pursuits in the Catskills
- Gives complete details on getting to the destinations and includes dozens of regional and city maps
- In-depth local publicity campaign
- Free companion podcast available.
Customer Reviews:
An invaluable resource for New Yorkers and tourists alike.......2006-08-01
This is a great guide for New Yorkers who want to get out-of-town for the weekend or for visitors who want to go beyond the standard tourist attractions. Detailed and engaging, the book conveniently groups destinations according to type (i.e.--romantic weekends, outdoor activities, kid-friendly escapes). So it's easy to find a spot to match whatever you're in the mood for. Plus, there's a section on fun festivals and special events even lifelong New Yorkers might not know about.
Even if you own a car, this book might make you think twice about using it (especially with currently high gas prices). The author demystifies mass transit and gives all the information you need to feel confident about being "without wheels."
The perfect book for ideas on where to take guests or where to go when you need a breather from the city. Great to have on hand next time you're trying to figure out what to do for the weekend.
A great guide to some easy rides.......2006-05-31
It's okay to know about a place, but it is much better to hear details about it, and getting there, from someone who just made the trip. In the past year author Rovito has done everything described in her book. That was the main reason I bought the book last night (and went through it cover to cover). For instance, I've driven past the castle-like hotel in Tarrytown. Now I know what it is, what it's like and definitely want to spend a weekend there.
As Ms. Rovito points out, it is simple enough for a New Yorker to rent a car and hit the road. But that can be a hassle, easily relieved if you know how to get there by train or bus. The city and the region have terrific public transportation infrastructures that some of us tend to ignore for casual use. For instance, I've heard of and taken for granted the Adirondack Trailways bus line. But Ms. Rovito describes the line as a jewel, above the others, sort of a magic carpet for New Yorkers. And she explains why that is so. With Great Escapes from NYC Without Wheels it is a cinch to get to some pretty cool and elusive places.
Book Description
On September 11, 2001, FDNY Battalion Chief Richard "Pitch" Picciotto answered the call heard around the world. In minutes he was at Ground Zero of the worst terrorist attack on American soil, as the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center began to burn-and then to buckle. A veteran of the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, Picciotto was eerily familiar with the inside of the North Tower. And it was there that he concentrated his rescue efforts. It was in its smoky stairwells where he heard and felt the South Tower collapse. Where he made the call for firemen and rescue workers to evacuate, while he stayed behind with a skeleton team of men to help evacuate a group of disabled and infirm civilians. And it was in the rubble of the North Tower where Picciotto found himself buried-for more than four hours after the building's collapse.
This is the harrowing true story of a true American hero, a man who thought nothing of himself-and gave nearly everything for others during one of New York City's-and the country's-darkest hours.
Download Description
On September 11, 2001, FDNY Battalion Chief Richard "Pitch" Picciotto answered the call heard around the world. In minutes he was at Ground Zero of the worst terrorist attack on American soil, as the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center began to burn-and then to buckle. A veteran of the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, Picciotto was eerily familiar with the inside of the North Tower. And it was there that he concentrated his rescue efforts. It was in its smoky stairwells where he heard and felt the South Tower collapse. Where he made the call for firemen and rescue workers to evacuate, while he stayed behind with a skeleton team of men to help evacuate a group of disabled and infirm civilians. And it was in the rubble of the North Tower where Picciotto found himself buried-for more than four hours after the building's collapse. This is the harrowing true story of a true American hero, a man who thought nothing of himself-and gave nearly everything for others during one of New York City's-and the country's-darkest hours.
Customer Reviews:
Half Good/Half Bad.......2007-09-03
I just recently read the paperback version of this book. The first half of this book is pretty interesting and heart pounding in detailing what it was like to be in the World Trade Center while it collapsed. The second half was very disatisfying. It was very self-serving and is mostly about Mr. Picciotto praising himself and his actions and criticizing absolutely everyone else. I also find it interesting that Mr. Picciotto said how hard it was for him to return to the site and that it took him a very long time do this. However, in the acknowledgment at the end of the book, he returns barely a few weeks after the collapse and with his collaborator of this book. He had already found the time to get a book deal and co-author!
Disappointed.......2007-05-17
As a firfigther who understands chain of command and the need to work with in an Incident Command System, this book perfectly explains how one FDNY Battalion Chief breaks all the rules, chosing to respond to the World Trade Center Disaster rather than remain responsible for his own Battalion, risks the lives of members of 110Truck to "sprint" to the 35th floor of the North Tower, ABANDONING them on the way to freelance some more in the burning tower, only to ultimately become stuck in the collapse of the North Tower where he goes on to shout at and berade a PAPD Officer who's lost his partner, a K9, to the collapse of the bulidng. This book is a shameful and embarrasing for all American firefighters, those silent heros who risk their lives daily.
Nothing Special .......2006-08-19
I have had this book for a few years but have not been able to read it till recently.The story is quite interesting and astonishing (especially as it is a true story) but the writing is somewhat repetetive - I think this is done to make the story longer - and the Firefighter seems to be too full of himself always going on how great he is and how well he did what a good leader he is ...... and so on.Entertaining and interesting but the way the story is written spoils it.
caught in the middle.......2006-01-07
I am a full time firefighter/engineer in a small town with three stations. This book does a great job of telling the inside story of what happened to our country on 9-11 and also an insight to the world of firefighters, for those with no prior knowledge. My only real frustration in reading this book, is that some of the detail on this thought, or that thought, becomes a little mundane. In one passage, he dwells for a long paragraph, on a sliver of illumination from an emergency light, that some how ended up sharing the void. All in all, it is a great book, but the same story could have been told with out the hovering over so many tiny details. But then you'd have a book only three quarters the length.
One Man's View--.......2006-01-05
I am a little surprised by the negative reviews of this book--perhaps some reviewers don't personally know any firefighters--and that is the point of this book: an inside look at how one firefighter(albeit a chief) experienced and survived the attack and collapse of the World Trade Center.
As a BC, Picciotto, had a company of men under his command who were looking to him for direction and literally commands. Firefighting is a military-style profession where you take orders and do what you're told by superiors. Firefighters are full of "bravado" at what ever level--it comes with the territory. Work hard, play hard, brag hard...that's real stuff.
The best part about this book is the "voice" of Picciotto coming through the writing. His description of the sound of the collapsing tower mixed with his feelings of the certainty of death were very well written. His last thoughts were on his family--that is a part of the job most don't want to talk about. You gain a sense of the confusion, the disbelief, and the frustrations present that day in NYC on 9/11. You are inside his head and thoughts the entire time--it is an excellent book to gain a different/purposefully personal perspective on what that day was like. It is clear this book is about one man's experience, not an entire city or department's experience. I am certain that all New Yorkers and firefighters have their own stories of bravery and despair and hope. Talk to one...they are extraordinary people.
Book Description
Got to get out of the office? This book offers great opportunities for hiking, biking, and other outdoor sports within an hour or two of the city. Outdoor Escapes New York City profiles 25 quick escapes to open spaces and fresh air, all of them easily accessible by public transportation. Author Ted Scull does all the trip planning; all that's left to do is have fun.
Average customer rating:
- a classic Future Noir
- McQuay writes a definitive movie tie-in.
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Escape from New York
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Escape from New York
ASIN: 0553149148 |
Customer Reviews:
a classic Future Noir.......2005-03-02
This is that rarity: a "novelization" of a screenplay that is actually ten times better than the film itself. Mike McQuay, who unfortunately passed away in 1996, served in the military in Vietnam and taught Creative Writing at Oklahoma Central state University. I found this book at a perfect time in my life back in 1981; i was a rebellious 12 yr old looking for something to HANG ON to; and Snake Plissken became the perfect anti-hero figure for me.It's a shame that McQuay never wrote any further Snake Plissken novels but his Matthew Swain Sci Fi Detective pulps are pretty close in spirit and style.
McQuay writes a definitive movie tie-in........1997-06-17
Taking the John Carpenter/Nick Castle screenplay as a starting point, Mike McQuay has written a definitive movie tie-in novel. While most tie-ins are written on a "see Dick run" level, McQuay, through his lean, often humourous style, crafts an exciting, scary sci-fi adventure. From the opening paragraph where Snake Plissken robs the federal reserve depository to the last simple, eloquent line at the end, McQuay grabs us, giving us insight into all the major characters: Snake, the bitter war vet who, after being betrayed by his country, turns to a life of crime; Bob Hauk, also a disllusioned vet who becomes part of the system, even though he hates it as much as Snake. The way McQuay renders the Snake/Hauk relationship really adds resonance to the film. Even Brain, Maggie, Cabbie and President are given substantial character weight. Once you read the book, viewing the film is a much deeper experince. You have a grasp on what made Snake the way he is, and what motivates him. McQuay also renders the future in an even bleaker way than the Carpenter film. The west coast is a no-man's land, and the U.S. population is slowly being driven mad by nerve gas, a product of WW3. The author even gives the black suited soliders a name: Blackbellies. They along with the government, are the real villians here. In McQuay's bio, it indicates that he served in Vietnam. What better background for an author to have when creating the mindset and motivations of a classic anti-hero like Snake Plissken.
I'm just one of many who would like to see McQuay delve back into Snake's world again, maybe even for a series of adventures. Judging by ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, no one could do it better.
Book Description
The enthralling and evocative story of tough Depression-era bandits who vowed to make something of themselves, even if that meant defying the stone walls of America’s most infamous prison, by a writer who grew up in Sing Sing’s shadow.
During an era of never-ending breadlines and corrupt cops, no place churned out budding crooks more efficiently than Hell’s Kitchen. Neighborhood loyalties bonded gangs of immigrant sons who were looking for a way out of 1930s New York, and waterfront kids like Whitey Riordan paid the bills with small-time hustling. But when enterprising crook Patches Waters invited Whitey into the Shopping Bag Gang, Whitey jumped at the big score. Bold black headlines announced the group’s string of successful heists, but the gravy train abruptly halted in 1939 when someone squealed and police captured most of the gang. Patches and Whitey were sent up the river to Sing Sing.
Westside connections couldn’t help much there, in the infamous Hudson River prison that had housed convicts for more than a century. In Sing Sing the boys had to answer to veteran warden Lewis Lawes, a revolutionary reformer who preferred trust and rehabilitation to old standbys like the lash and the yoke. Progressive indeed, but nothing changed the fact that Whitey and Patches, along with more than 2,800 other men, faced a future of endless days in a cage of limestone, cement, and steel. Perhaps inevitably, their thoughts turned to escape.
A string of well-publicized jailhouse riots and breakouts captured the country’s interest in the 1930s, and though prisons kept stepping up security, convicts continued to crash out. When Patches encountered an old cellblock crony who had stumbled upon a way out, he pieced together a daring escape plot involving purloined guns, counterfeit keys, precision timing, a complex network of outside accomplices, and the kind of outsize bravado that would have made Dillinger proud. Unable to resist the thought of freedom, Whitey signed on. On Easter Sunday 1941, the three embarked upon the most sensational breakout in the prison’s history. Leaving four men dead and indelibly staining the reputation of the nation’s most famous warden, the Westside boys transcended their wildest dreams, only to find themselves backed to the edge of a wide, dark river.
Meticulously researched and beautifully written, Crash Out is a gritty, page-turning saga that reveals how the career of one resilient hustler can illuminate a sliver of Americana.
A riveting account of the boldest escape in Sing Sing history and the gangster culture that birthed the defiant bandits, Crash Out is a gripping historical epic set against the fascinating backdrop of Depression-era New York.
From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
A step back in time........2007-07-28
This book tells the tragic story of Whitey Riordan who was executed for murder after a murderous breakout from Sing Sing Prison in 1941, this book contends that he was not a killer and l agree with it. However the book is more than that it is a well researched and written historical book that brings to back to life for the reader a time, place and people and tells their story.
The book is divided into three parts, part one tells the story of the lives of Whitey and the Shopping Bag Gang and gives a good overall perspective of life in Hells Kitchen of New York in the early 20th century. It even delves back to the history of the area pre Hells Kitchen to colonial times, with running streams and meadows and later farms. Whitey's family like many endured hard times and did as best as they could to survive. Whitey's gradual descent into a life of crime is well documented as are the lives of his fellow criminals.
Part two deals with Whiteys time in Sing Sing prison and contains some details of the day to day operations of the jail and its interaction with the town of Ossining where it is located. Some history of Sing Sing prison, including the reforms of Warden Lawes is also described. It was a tough place to survive and prison staff were liable to deliver a boot or a fist to keep order. Also described is the pre breakout time and the planning and circumstances that gave rise to the break out.
Part three deals with the breakout and what a botched, bloody and pointless breakout it was, innocent, decent people killed and one escapee killed though his own stupidity and the other two caught within 24 hours. This is a well written informative book and is ideal for the true crime history fan.
From Hell's Kitchen to Sing Sing's Death House.......2006-01-27
Author David Goewey has given us a detailed account of members of the so-called Shopping Bag Gang that prowled the Hell's Kitchen area on the west side of Manhattan during the 1930's. The book is divided into three sections. The first section is devoted to the heyday of the Shopping Bag gang and their antics. Part two tells us about the environment of Sing Sing prison under the revolutionary rule under Warden Lewis Lawes who was often accused of running a prison focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Lawes lasted longer than any other warden of the institution (over 20 years) and had his watch marred by this one breakout in 1941 which unfortunately killed two guards. Part three is devoted to the escape, capture, and execution of two members involved in the escape. I found part three to be especially riviting to read and very well done. Prisoners often feared the sound of bloodhounds coming after them and what the dogs would do to them when confrontations arose. In reality the dogs would playfully jump on the individual, slobber their faces with their tongue, and wag their tail. Mention of how the term "third degree" came into use is told when people applying for a higher position in the Masons would face severe questioning by other members. This, in turn, was applied to suspects, or in this case by escaped convicts, who were often physically beaten by authorities to extract confessions. I did find a minor error on page 188 which is really unrelated to the story. The author mentions the Washington Senators beating the Baltimore Orioles in a baseball game. The Baltimore Orioles didn't join the major leagues until 1954 when they moved from St. Louis. The game the author refers to had to be Washington defeating the St. Louis Browns, not the Baltimore Orioles. Despite this the book rates a strong five stars.
A Great Read!!.......2005-12-19
I loved this book. It is a gripping tale and Goeway does a great job of telling the story.He captures the desperation of the prisoners at the same time that he manages to evoke an important period in American history. Thank you, David Goeway!
Book Description
Meander through classic New England towns, enjoy fresh salt air and peaceful beaches in the Hamptons, visit family-owned Amish shops in Pennsylvania, or select from twenty-eight other itineraries for two- or three-day getaways from New York City.
Book Description
Summer in the city...
Jessica Wakefield is on the loose in the city that never sleeps! Her horrible memories of boot camp disappear when she's shopping at exclusive Madison Avenue boutiques and partying at wild downtown nightclubs. But will she give up the high life in order to help her sister?
With the off-Broadway debut of her play just around the corner, Elizabeth Wakefield hasn't a nail left to chew--because her lead actress is a disaster! Can she convince Jessica to step in for opening night?
Tom Watts has finally found the journalism job he's been dying for. But now his boss wants him to review Elizabeth's play! Will Tom find a way to give it a thumbs-up? Or will he be forced to report the cold, hard facts?
Join Elizabeth, Jessica and their friends as they seek out new thrills and excitement during their summer break from Sweet Valley University.
Customer Reviews:
Jessica goes to New York City .......2005-04-13
Jessica and her friends are expelled,or whatever the word is from The Flordia Corrections center. She goes to be with Elizabeth. The lead actress bows out at the last second. One of the women from boot camp is in the F.B.I. Vanessa Pruett and one of the guys was in a crime ring or something. Jessica takes the place of the actress,and Vince Klee is on stage with her. Tom has to review Elizabeth's play. After the play,Jessica's friends from The Flordia Correction center or whatever it was called,surpise her with a visit.
Interesting Plot, But Unrealistic.......1999-11-02
Unlike the new Sweet Valley High (SeniorYear) and SVMS (JuniorHigh) series, which have gone so "realistic" they are depressing, this SVU book is still following the shallow, everything-works-out plot. Shallow, as in Jessica sits and gazes at a guy's stomach and face in the first chapter, daydreaming and flirting. Also, I could predict the ending halfway through the book, although the twists with Jessica being exhausted, etc. were interesting. Finally, I am very tired of Tom. He's such a leech! And he seems too bookish and insecure. Elizabeth should either get a new boyfriend, or the author should develop the other sides of his character, as well. Finally, I actually enjoyed this novel--as an escape from reality. But anyone who reads it should realize it is not realistic. :-) Visit my site @ http://members.aol.com/skittles4christ/light.html.
Dumb, cliched story-Predicible plot.......1999-04-30
Okay, first of all, Nick was Jessica's true love, but now he's disappeared?? She never even phoned him and he's the one who got her into the whole thing about becoming a cop/bodyguard/investgator. Instead, she's dating a movie star?? Jessica, who loves the limelight turns down the chance to STAR in a major play?? It doesn't fit. The ending of this story is totally predictable. I hate that the summer books are so unrelated to the rest of the series--why not just write them as a separate edition instead of fitting them in the regular, numbered SVU books? The whole New York story would have been better off on its own.
I really liked this book.......1998-08-12
Sorry guys, I really liked this one! I agree, it's kind of irritating that the summer books have so little to do with the rest of the series, but still, I thought that these were about a million times better than the lifeguard books last summer! Basically, I like any books that have to do with the New York acting scene, it's so much more hip than lifeguards! I just read a really great non SVU book about that (the NY acting thing) called "Acting Normal". I'd love to know if any SVU fans have read it also, and what they think about it. Last thing -- doesn't everyone wish that Tom and Elizabeth would "get on" with their relationship?
this book was pretty good.......1998-07-29
this was a good book! the only thing i don't like about the summer books is that they have nothing to do with the books during the year! the author should connect all the books instead of seperating things and confusing the readers! the play was a great success and everything turned out well in the end, with everyone being happy again!
Average customer rating:
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Weekend Escape: New York (World Travel Guides Series)
Martin Knowlden
Manufacturer: Aa Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Guidebooks
| Reference & Tips
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Mid Atlantic
| Northeast
| Regions
| United States
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
General
| New York
| States
| United States
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
North America
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0749548398 |
Book Description
Focusing on the limited time a short stay allows, this guide suggests interesting ways of getting to know New York in just a few days. Explore the city's character, culture, and lifestyle, area by area; this book includes walks that lead you around the best places to see; a wide selection of hotels, restaurants, cafés, and bars; a detailed shopping guide; and lots of practical travel details. Lightweight and designed to slip easily into a jacket or bag, and highly illustrated with color photos and maps, this pocket guide will help you get the most out of every day of your stay.
Books:
- Weirdos from Another Planet!
- What Goes Around: A Novel
- What Got You Here Won't Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful
- What the Dead Know: A Novel
- When Love Goes Wrong: What to Do When You Can't Do Anything Right
- When Thunder Rolled: An F-105 Pilot Over North Vietnam
- Why Men Love Bitches: From Doormat to Dreamgirl-A Woman's Guide to Holding Her Own in a Relationship
- Winning Your Husband Back Before It's Too Late: Whether He's Left Physically or Emotionally, All That Matters Is...
- Your Best Life Now for Moms (Faithwords)
- A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
Books Index
Books Home
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