Customer Reviews:
(RAW Rating: 4.5) - What is happening to black men?.......2007-08-04
Demico Boothe has explored the reasons so many black men are indeed in prison in, WHY ARE SO MANY BLACK MEN IN PRISON? He begins with his own story of a shaky upbringing and his subsequent dabbling in drug dealing. He was caught with a few grams of crack cocaine but because it was the dreaded crack, he was given 10 years in prison. When he left prison after serving his time, he was actually railroaded back into prison by a crooked justice system. He delves deeply into our justice system and the motives behind all the new prisons that are being built. He gives succinct and reasonable views of exactly what is happening now in the United States and how the past has played a role in the present. He uses persuasive statistics regarding the number of black men in prison as compared to the number of white men who are incarcerated.
Demico Boothe has done an excellent job of researching his subject and it is a plus, if unfortunate for him, that he has actually experienced first hand what he's talking about. I knew I was hearing the real story rather than just statistics from an intellectual who had no real idea of what the prison system is really like. I would have liked for Boothe to search a little deeper into the Haiti, Aristide and USA question, maybe even reading Randall Robinson's take on the situation, and then he might see it a bit differently. Otherwise, it is a good book and one every one in America should read. We indeed, have a crisis going on.
Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Why Are So Many Black Men In Prison? A Comprehensive Account Of How And Why The Prison Industry Has Become A Predatory Entity In.......2007-06-09
The book was very interesting. I learned soooo much about the government and the prison industry. I did some searching independantly to check on the things reported in the book and they are very true. Great Read!! Buy the book.
A Must Read.......2007-05-25
Mr. Demico's book is a must-read for anyone concerned about young African American men. Although I did not agree with every conclusion he reached, Demico's main premises are convincing. As a white woman who teaches mainly students of color, I am always impressed, and often in awe, of those young men who reach college with so much going against them. Demico's books lays bare not only the horrible inequalities of our society, but also the racist attitudes of our political system - - Democrats, Republicans, and most everyone in between.
Why are so many Black Men in Prison?.......2007-05-13
I is a well put together book. He really goes into a lot of detail of how our society is really set up.
Why are so many blacks in prison?.......2007-05-12
I found this book very interesting. As a white devil myself, I had no idea that I was responsible for forcing blacks into committing crimes and then subsequently clogging up the whole "Prison Industrial Complex"(tm). I will try to stop causing this, as I am sure it is creating a LOT of trouble for everyone! Sorry!
It is probably also my fault that young black men dressed in XXXXL clothes overtly threaten me and my family members routinely. Can anyone tell me what I should do to make this not happen?
I imagine it's also my fault that black on white violent crime is WAY higher than white on black violent crime, even though blacks constitute about 12.5% of the population, and whites are about 70%. But since it is impossible for a black to commit a hate crime according to our criminal justice system (since blacks are not under any circumstances racist), statistically, there are more white on black hate crimes. Boothe notes a statistic regarding hate crimes, but he skips the one about interracial violence in general.
In sum, Boothe notes that just about everything blacks do is actually MY fault, because my skin is white. Boothe, I've got a word for you.
Introspection.
Average customer rating:
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This Time Around (Seven Sisters, 6)
Debra White Smith
Manufacturer: Harvest House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
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ASIN: 0736906622 |
Book Description
Decades ago, young Allison Jensen and her best friend Cindy were separated in the woods. Cindy disappeared forever. Allison survived amid a web of small-town secrets and lies that greeted every anguished question she asked about that fateful afternoon.Years later, Allison has come home to the bedroom community of Farmington, Utah-back to the devout tyranny of her father, back to the close-knit society she rejected, and back to the conspiracy of silence that has plagued her with nightmares of guilt and loss. Out of her patchwork memory, the truth is emerging. So is Allison's rage-and her hunger for justice. Now, in a courageous and terrifying voyage of self-discovery, it's up to Allison to avenge the guilty...
Customer Reviews:
Good .......2007-08-27
Interesting insight into life as a Mormon/LDS.
The story line is good but not great. Collins does a fine job with character development. If you are just looking for a good novel with a little mystery, I wouldn't suggest Wives and Sisters. If you have a particular interest in LDS life but know very little about it... this book may be worth your while.
Don't Believe the Hype!.......2007-08-20
I bought this book based on all the raving reviews it got here at Amazon. Additionally, I was taken by the first few pages I read online. They were certainly the highlight, as it was downhill from there.
The main problem with this book is that it tries to do too much. It held me for the first 50 pages, and then it just fell apart. The plot was worse than a made-for-TV movie; it jumped around, never lingering anywhere long enough to make it believable, and was so far-fetched I found myself complaining aloud despite being alone when I read it. Not only did I unravel her "mystery" soon into the book, I found the subplots unneccessary, insulting, and so soap-opera fabricated/predictable that I soon began skimming to justify my predictions rather than enjoy a good book.
I am beyond relieved that I didn't choose this as my selection for my book club, as many here suggested. Had I done so, I would have been terribly embarrassed to have shared such an unworthy book with people whose opinions I hold dear.
P.S. I only wish I had read the review written by T. Holmes (see below) before ordering this book. When I recently read his review, I was vigorously shaking my head in agreement--he absolutely nailed the shortcomings of the book.
A Scathing Indictment........2007-07-21
This novel by Natalie Collins will definately not get a ringing endorsement from the Church of Latter Day Saints. Raised as a Mormon in Utah , Ms. Collins knows first hand about life in a fundamental cult like religion. She shows the 'hold' the Mormon religion and the state of Utah have on people (even those with negative views). The story of abuses and neglect will definately hold your interest while you shake your head in disbelief at the willingness of some people (especially women) to put up with doctrine that is obviously male-centered and cult-like. Recommended-highly.
Review of Wives and Sisters.......2007-06-24
My wife recently read this book as part of her book club. She said this was a descent book, but most of the other women said it was so-so. I will say up front this is kind of a "chick book" and women will definitely enjoy it more than men. I read this book in 5 to 6 hours over the course of two days. It is indeed a very easy read with not a lot of characters.
I found the plot to be very interesting when I first started the book. I liked the idea of reading about the Mormon church and I thought the daughter versus father and the church battle was going to be highly dramatic. Living in Texas I have known only two Mormons my entire life. I like to learn as I read so my interest level was high.
This book actually accomplishes what all books try to do but very few succeed, that is to get the reader hooked in the first few pages. The first half of this book was indeed very exciting. There were definitely moments which I found myself trying to read as fast as I could because I could not stand the suspense. But about the time Allison moved off to college (about the half-way point in the book) I felt that the book progressively started to fall apart, lose focus and become predictable and sloppy. I really thought it hit rock bottom when the author used the "woman being held at gun-point and knocks the gun out of the bad guy's hand and it slides across the floor trick." I thought that very unorigional and amateurish. I also thought the author should have done more research in some small areas. There is no Arkansas International Airport (nor is there an international airport in the entire state). And the newspaper is the Arkansas Demorcrat-Gazzette. Most of all there is absolutely no way that any district attorney on the planet is going to plea down the murder of a cop to second degree manslaughter if the killer simply "agrees to tell the truth of exactly what happened that night." Little things like these which I just mentioned really made the book less credible and far less believable.
I think this book could have easily been a lot better. Much better. When I read books I like to actually have the feeling that I am there in the setting of the book. I completely lost that in the second half. I thought Collins had a good plot but either got in a hurry to finish or just couldn't come up with a creative and origional way to bring it to a conclusion. The ending of this book is so very predictable. I kept expecting some type of a twist but it never came. I also have to say that the attempt at romance between cop and Allison was very cheesy and junior-highish. Sorry, I just couldn't connect with that.
I really do not like to give poor reviews of books and I really wanted to like this book. I just did not find the characters or the last half of the plot to be very believable. I understand, having read the other reviews on here, that my opinion of this book is in the minoriity. I am glad that most people like this book and find it enjoyable, because that is why we read. But I hope that this review will help some of you decide whether or not to purchase and invest the time to read it. Try this similar type of book for a great alternative: A Thousand Splendid Suns
Better than Behind Closed Doors.......2007-06-12
I thought this novel was much better than the author's other work Behind Closed Doors. This book kept me guessing longer in regards to the crimes/murders. I thought the character and story development was done well and was realistic.
I was raised Mormon and my 1st husband was an abusive and very chauvinistic returned missionary. I went to many bishops trying to get help for myself and my kids and no one wanted to listen or would believe that I was telling the truth. I was told many times that if something was actually going on it must somehow be my fault because my husband seemed like a good priesthood holder. No, they aren't all that way but there is a high degree of chauvinism in that religion. It's very patriarchal.
I can attest that the attitudes portrayed in this novel are very real as I experienced them myself for many years. If you want to try and understand the cons of the Mormon culture, as opposed to only the pros, this book will do a good job in helping you achieve that goal, in my opinion.
I sent this novel and Behind Closed Doors to a close friend who struggles to understand her sister and her sister's children and their families who are all Mormon (and have never lived in Utah) and she told me she felt like she was reading about their real lives much of the time. She also said these books helped her to understand her sister's and sister's family's beliefs, attitudes and paradigms much better, though she still doesn't agree with them.
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- Fun !!!
- ...what? ::spoilers::
- Double Trouble....
- Undiscovered Treasure
- Both Funny and Serious - Good Read!
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Double Trouble
Claire Cross
Manufacturer: Berkley Trade
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ASIN: 0425201791
Release Date: 2005-01-04 |
Book Description
When a good twin's picture-perfect life implodes, it's her bad twin sister who is left behind to pick up the pieces.
There's no love lost between Maralys and her sister's husband. But his transformation in the shadow of divorce from suit-guy to sexy jeans guy-and from workaholic father to doting dad-catches Maralys off guard...
Customer Reviews:
Fun !!!.......2005-05-14
I loved this book!! The heroine was one sarcastic puppy (kinda like me), opinionated (like me) and had an answer for everything (me again). I enjoyed reading this book and laughed out many times. The book was very witty AND did not take itself too seriously. Just like a good, fun book should be. Good work Mrs. Cross!!!
...what? ::spoilers::.......2005-02-24
Okay, I got this book after my heart was broken this past valentine's day as a theraputic tool to get rid of the blues.
I loved this book when I first started to read it and I got most of the way through it until...it turns out the two main characters KNEW EACH OTHER BEFORE HAND. As in, they were lovers and there was a case of mistaken identity. After that, frankly...the book just plain sucked. I couldnt' take it seriously anymore, and after a while, Maralys, the main chracter would not develop, it was just like, "all right already, we've heard this soliloquy before hand...will you develop already?!".
Also, all of the computer stuff...it was just too unbelievable that the main character was a highly-trained computer programmer. It didn't fit, and the author overly described a LOT of things.
It got tedious to read and I skipped pages upon pages of reading and I didn't miss out on any plot. The low points of conflict were too drawn out, I'd say.
However, you'll just love the main male character and wish you had one of your own.
~ Rebecca A. Paisley
Double Trouble...........2005-02-11
Double Trouble by Claire Cross
February 10, 2005
Courtesy of WWW.Loveromances.com
DOUBLE TROUBLE by Claire Cross opens with what looks to be an advice column. "Hot_Chic" needs advice on going to a funeral versus meeting Mr. Right. "Aunt Mary's" reply is to wear "something sleek and black" in case the heir of the deceased needs solace, and thus begins the story of Marylys O'Reilly, the protagonist of this novel, a spin-off to Cross's 2001 book THIRD TIME LUCKY.
In DOUBLE TROUBLE, Marylys is a computer geek who among other things writes an advice column through the Internet. Her twin sister has just left her husband, James Coxwell, a very handsome and successful lawyer, and two pre-adolescent sons. So, how does Marylys fit in with this story? At first it wasn't apparent what she had to do with James and Marcia Coxwell, and that made the first half of the book very frustrating for this reviewer. Marylys reacts to her brother-in-law James (and vice versa) with such chemistry and near-passion that this reader questioned why one would like or even admire Marylys, who as the main character of this contemporary romance, spent a lot of her time flirting with her own brother-in-law. It didn't make any sense at all, since it seemed that the author started out by painting Marylys as a likeable person, yet Marylys was doing something so heinous as to go after her sister's husband when Marcia had just left him. It didn't matter that Marylys and her twin Marcia had a very strained relationship. The fact that Marylys was the main character almost dictates that going after one's sister's husband was not something she should have been doing, at least in the eyes of the romance reader.
After halfway through the story, the reasons for this character's aberration becomes clear to the reader. Marylys' personality and behavior was based on an event in her life that happened years ago, before James had even met her sister. With this one event, everything changes Marylys in the eyes of the reader. This reviewer was able to breathe a little better, knowing that the protagonist was not as shady as she was starting to appear, but despite the explanation, it may have been better if the reader wasn't left in such suspense for so long. The problem with the main character in a romance seeming to have such an attraction toward her sister's husband may anger and turn off some readers, as it did this reviewer. If this secret was revealed sooner, instead of taking up half the book, this reviewer feels the book would have been much better.
Another problem with this book was the dialogue. A lot of the dialogue just did not read right, in that when the reader goes from one person to the next in a conversation, it felt as if the same person was speaking the entire time, with the author just changing the names in between quotes. The conversations were often boring, or irrelevant to the story.
The same can be said about the whole section about the "Ariadnes", a group of women that Marylys met with once a month. Although it is understood that these women were a somewhat important element in Marylys' life, and they also helped to explain some of her character traits, the group for the most part was really an unnecessary addition to the plot line. If they had been left out of the book, the novel would not have lost anything. There were many parts of the book that felt extraneous, and better editing may have made a better book.
On the other hand, there were some fun characters in DOUBLE TROUBLE. The relationship between the two sisters, although most of it was "off camera", was a great idea, albeit not original. This reviewer would have enjoyed seeing more of this relationship. The two sons of James and Marcia were also a welcome addition to the cast of characters, and should have been utilized more. The same goes for Connor O'Reiley, Marylys and Marcia's widowed father, who was cantankerous and yet lovable at the same time. And Meg, Marylys' best friend, was a hoot!
With that said, this reviewer is giving DOUBLE TROUBLE a three-star rating, despite the negative aspects of the novel. There were enough positive things that made up for it, mainly interesting and fun characters that are often what makes a romance work. A little bit of editing would have made this a four-star book and a much enjoyable read.
Undiscovered Treasure.......2005-01-08
This book is wonderful, funny and touching. Yeah, I know people throw these terms around but this really is an unfairly neglected favorite. Maralys' voice is a joy to read. The revelation of the events that have shaped her unique character is particularly effective.
Claire Cross/Delacroix does a great job with the first person; I've been searching for a new title for years, in vain, alas. Grab it - get one for your best friend while you're at it.
Both Funny and Serious - Good Read!.......2004-11-18
When Maralys O'Reilly received the phone call from her 10 year old nephew telling her he and his younger brother were stranded because their mother, her twin sister Marcia hadn't picked them up, she raced across Boston to get them. Bringing them home she was surprised to find a note - from her sister not addressed to her, but hey, under the circumstances she read it - telling the boys father, James that she was leaving - and good luck with the boys! Maralys and James had been at each other's throats for a long time, but she'd never imagined there was so much trouble in paradise. Besides Marcia leaving for parts unknown, James was deep in debt, losing his job and his inheritance.
Surviving a bad marriage and climbing out of debt herself, Maralys wasn't sympathetic for James, even though Marcia seemed to be in the wrong to just abandon them. As a web-designer running her own business, Maralys was emerging into her own writing code and running an advice column on the web. She now found herself offering advice to James on downsizing and living more modestly. Surprised when he took her advice, started downsizing and moved into a middle-class neighborhood, Maralys, who'd used anger as a safeguard to her heart, was now looking at James in a new way. When James started putting moves on her, Maralys began to wonder if he was looking for a substitute wife or, was he looking for more. More importantly, was she ready to take a chance on love again.
I found this contemporary to be both humorous and serious. It demonstrates how innocent comparisons made by parents can have an effect on shaping a child's psyche. In such a way, the author characterized Maralys as this wise cracking cynic who at thirty something was still a rebel - using cynicism as a shield to mask barbs still being inflicted by an aging father and caused her to retreat into the safety of her cyber world rather than living in the real world. James was also drawn as a bit more complex then just the abandoned husband, whose live had been given a major shake-up and now was learning how to be a real father. The kids were sweet, even as they too were given a `wake-up' call from living high to a more modest way of life.
While not your ordinary romance, especially with the ex-brother-in-law getting involved with his ex-wife's sister, it is still a romance, but with a surprising twist that readers will enjoy. The often-irreverent musings of advice on the internet will have you all thinking of Dear Abby, and there are truly some gems of sage advice to the lovelorn here! - BOTTOM LINE - Although not your typical boy meets girl romance - it is amusing and provides some food for thought on how innocent remarks made in the hearing of little ears can have life-changing repercussions. --- Marilyn, for www.contemporaryromancewriters.com ---
Book Description
Amy looked relieved, but naughty Jo took her at her word, for during the first call she sat with every limb gracefully composed, every fold correctly draped, calm as a summer sea, cool as a snowbank, and as silent as the sphinx. In vain Mrs. Chester alluded to her `charming novel', and the Misses Chester introduced parties, picnics, the opera, and the fashions. Each and all were answered by a smile, a bow, and a demure "Yes" or "No" with the chill on.
Customer Reviews:
Caution! This book is simply Part II of Little Women.......2007-09-30
This is a great book, and my favorite part of Little Women. It covers the part when Jo goes to New York and meets Professor Bhaer. However, when I ordered "Good Wives" I thought it was a sequel that I hadn't read before. Instead I found that it was a poorly bound and poorly copied (e.g. faint print that's hard to read) copy of Part II of the book Little Women. If you have the novel Little Women you already have "Good Wives." I sat the books down side by side and compared them, and they are identical. I'm confused why everyone is referring to this as a sequel to Little Women, unless perhaps when Little Women first came out it ended when the father came home from the war, and maybe Part II was originally printed in a separate volume?
However, every copy I've ever picked up of Little Women nowadays already has Part II in it, so if you have Little Women I'd advise you not to waste your money on this.
Anyone who loved "Little Women" will also like "Good Wives!".......2005-10-05
A thoroughly satisfying sequel to a book I grew up loving. It took me forever to get to Good Wives, but when I did, it was like coming home. What a treat to meet up with my favorite childhood characters in this delicious heartwarming book!
Good.......2005-06-05
Since it took me some time to get this book, I was very excited to start reading it. It was indeed fun to return to the world and characters that I have like so much in the first book.
I can't say I was disappointed, it was a great, fast and flowing reading. I enjoyed the book very much.
However, in my opinion it is not as good as the first book. Perhaps because, like any sequel, it is an extension of a good thing that stands for its own right. Perhaps, because I am still young myself, I was able to connect more to the teenaged heroes than to the adult and married ones.
However, it was a great joy to meet them all again, and I think it is a good and worthy sequel, although it can't be compared to the first.
More about the little women.......2004-11-29
Louisa May Alcott captured the spirit of a loving family in "Little Women," the ultimate coming-of-age story. In "Good Wives," the second half of the "Little Women" story (and the second part of an ongoing family saga), Alcott takes her little women out of teenage hijinks and into a darker, more adult place.
The book opens with Meg March's wedding to John Brooke -- he's not the wealthy man of her dreams, but he is the man she loves. As Meg learns that it's a struggle to be a poor man's wife, her sisters Jo and Amy are stretching their own wings -- Amy is becoming an accomplished young artist, and Jo is letting "genius burn" as a published writer. Beth, who has never recovered from her bout of scarlet fever, is still a fragile homebody.
Things take an unexpected turn when Aunt March invites Amy to go to Europe with her -- a trip Jo has wanted for years. To make things worse, Beth is in love with Laurie... but then Laurie proposes to Jo. When she rejects him, he storms away to Europe. Jo leaves as well, to be a governess and a writer in the city, but returns home to find Beth slowly wilting away. Tragedy, love and new life will bring the family back together in unexpected ways.
It always hurts to grow up, and the events of "Good Wives" are no exception. It's a much more adult book than the first "Little Women," with the girls finding out about love, marriage, careers, artistic attempts and the loss of loved ones. There's plenty of humor -- Jo's disastrous housecalls and Amy's equally disastrous dinner party -- but it's muted.
Alcott's writing, surprisingly, doesn't change much -- it's still funny, weird and highly detailed, but also full of sweetness and pathos. And while the book has some sad endings, the overall feel is that life goes on and things always turn out, if not happily, then for the best -- there are marriages, babies, and new beginnings for everyone. And it ends with a lead-in to the sequel, "Little Men," with Jo and Professor Bhaer adopting a bunch of boys as unruly as Jo was.
Jo is the same old Jo, with her foot in her mouth and her fierce independence. But she does become more mature and less prickly. Beth is almost a nonentity, wasting away until leaving the book altogether; Meg seems rather ditzy as a housewife, but apparently is shown as a Marmee-in-training. Amy does the best of all, becoming a vivid, funny character almost as likable as Jo.
The second part of "Little Women" is "Good Wives" -- a very different kind of story about the March girls. But if anything, it's a more beautiful and sweeter one.
New highs and new lows.......2002-03-05
Though "Little Men" was the first of the March family books that I read, when I was around seven, I was just as easily drawn by and to "Little Women". Not so with "Good Wives", the second book in the series (or "Jo's Boys", the last book, for that matter).
For a long time, there was something about "Good Wives" that I did not like, but could not name. Now that I am in college, learning from and loving this novel for the first time, I know exactly what was once so off-putting to me: "Good Wives" is about changing and growing up--things that were completely alien to me in elementary school.
In this book, Meg struggles to be a poor man's wife and a good mother--tasks more trying than being a dutiful daughter and a kind older sister. Jo learns to hold her "abominable tongue" (a slight disappointment, admittedly) and aspires to be more like Beth. Amy comes to terms with money, her limitations, and what she really wants from life. Laurie drops his rascal's streak and resolves to become more serious. In the saddest twist of the story, Beth dies.
The things that happen to the March girls (and the Laurence boy) are no longer the happy sketches of youthful scrapes, pranks and plays. By the second chapter, "The First Wedding", the first of them sets foot in the world of grown-ups, where actions have long-term consequences and one must make life-defining choices on one's own. The events in these books are sobering life experiences.
Much of "Good Wives" is made up of lengthy narrations--many passages quite preachy--that mostly illustrate what life-changing epiphanies the characters are having. Side by side with descriptions of the setting, background and new characters, are descriptions of life's crossroads. The characters also no longer bump into each other as much as before (except in certain delightful chapters); afer all, they _are_ learning to leave the nest and fly to where life is calling. "Good Wives" is also a novel filled with goodbyes.
Despite my initial dislike of this book and its more serious, sober air (though the chapter "Daisy and Demi" does give a hint of the frolicsome things to come in "Little Men"), I give it Five Stars because of the way it probed deeper: it explored not only the intricacies of family ties, friendships, and first loves, but also the characters relationships to the world, to society, and to themselves. Ultimately, though the innocent joys of childhood become completely lost to Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy, and Laurie, the five earn a new happiness--something closer to glory.
Average customer rating:
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Wives at War
Jessica Stirling
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0312340249
Release Date: 2005-03-10 |
Book Description
As Glasgow waits for enemy bombers to reach Clydeside and the German invasion to begin, Lizzie Conway's daughters throw themselves wholeheartedly into the war effort and eagerly accept their roles as working wives in Jessica Stirling's enthralling new novel set in the darkest days of the Second World War.
With her husband in the army, mother-of-four Babs sends three of her darlings to the country and goes back to work long hours in an office. Her comfortable routine is disrupted, however, when a charming American news photographer insinuates himself into her life, an American who may not be all that he seems.
Rosie's job as a skilled factory worker is marred by the taunts of her cruel and snobbish coworkers. Eager to start a family but fearful that she might pass her deafness to her children, she blames her ambitious policeman husband for her desperate unhappiness and risks not only her marriage but her future because of it.
Wealthy and self assured, Polly continues to manage her husband's shady empire, trying to forget that her children have been stolen from her and now live with their father in New York. But Dominic explodes back into her life with a plot that involves the Italian resistance, the OSS, and spiriting a fortune out of Scotland. When the bombs begin to fall, Polly is forced to choose between loyalty and betrayal, and to face up to what truly matters.
Customer Reviews:
terrific war story.......2005-05-22
In 1940, the German bombers seem everywhere, softening England and Scotland for what looks like the next Blitzkrieg invasion. Still in spite of the fears and the anticipation of the worst, most citizens remain loyal to the crown and try to whatever they can to support the war effort.
The Conway sisters are typical Scotswomen trying to help their country battle Hitler. While her spouse fights as a soldier, Babs evacuates her three oldest from Glasgow keeping only the youngest with her as she works as an office assistant in the Ministry of Labor. She detests "Johnny Foreigners" ever since her former employer Dominick deserted her sister Polly to flee for America with their children in tow. Polly manages her estranged husband's business while he stays safe in New York. The third sister Rosie, though deaf, works at a factory where she is verbally abused due to her handicap. The trio's loyalty to country and husbands is tested when Dominic returns with an American and a plot that forces each sister to choose.
Few writers bring out the fear and courage of those who stayed behind on the home front doing what they could to support England the way Jessica Stirling does. Her latest war tale (see SISTERS THREE) is a strong character driven tale starring three siblings who though fearing for loved ones feel they must help Scotland in the Battle of Britain. As usual, the key players, particularly the three sisters, contain different personalities as they react in varying ways to the situations they confront. Dominick's plot adds tension and suspense, but WIVES AT WAR pays homage to women who stayed home to work in support of the war.
Harriet Klausner
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Chaste Wives and Prostitute Sisters: Patriarchy and Prostitution among the Bedias of India
Anuja Agrawal
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0415430771 |
Book Description
This book is an anthropological study of the unusual coincidence of prostitution and patriarchy among an extremely marginalized group in north India, the Bedias, who are also a de-notified community.
It is the first detailed account of the implications of a systematic practice of familial prostitution on the kinship structures and marriage practices of a community. This starkly manifests among the Bedias in the clear separation between sisters and daughters who engage in prostitution and wives and daughters-in-law who do not. The Bedias exemplify a situation in which prostitution of young unmarried women is the mainstay of the familial economy of an entire social group. Tracing the recent origins of the practice in the community, the author goes on to explore the manner in which this familial economy manifests itself in the lives of individual women and the kind of family groupings it produces. She then examines the repercussion this economy has on the lives of Bedia men, how the problem of their marriage is resolved, and how the Bedia wives become repositories of female purity which otherwise stands jeopardized by Bedia sisters engaged in prostitution.
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Destined to be Wives: The Sisters of Beatrice Webb
Barbara Caine
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0198200544 |
Books:
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- 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life
- A Ghost in the Machine: A Chief Inspector Barnaby Novel (Chief Inspector Barnaby Novels)
- A Season of Change
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