Book Description
New secrets, old flames, and hidden agendas are about to send bounty hunter Stephanie Plum on her most outrageous adventure yet! MISTAKE #1Dickie OrrStephanie was married to him for about fifteen minutes before she caught him cheating on her with her archnemesis, Joyce Barnhardt. Another fifteen minutes after that, Stephanie filed for divorce, hoping never to see either one of them again. MISTAKE #2Doing favors for super bounty hunter Carlos Manoso (aka Ranger) Ranger needs Stephanie to meet with Dickie and find out if he's doing something shady. Turns out, he is. Turns out, Dickie's also back to doing Joyce Barnhardt. And it turns out Ranger's favors always come with a price. . . .MISTAKE #3Going completely nutso while doing the favor for Ranger, and trying to apply bodily injury to Dickie in front of the entire officeNow Dickie has disappeared, and Stephanie is the natural suspect in his disappearance. Is Dickie dead? Can he be found? And can Stephanie Plum stay one step ahead in this new, dangerous game? Joe Morelli, the hottest cop in Trenton, New Jersey, is also keeping Stephanie on her toes---and he may know more than he's saying about many things in Stephanie's life. It's a cat-and-mouse game for Stephanie Plum wherein the ultimate prize might be her life.With Janet Evanovich's flair for hilarious situations, breathtaking action, and unforgettable characters, Lean Mean Thirteen shows why no one can beat Evanovich for blockbuster entertainment.
Customer Reviews:
can't wait for the next one!.......2007-10-17
I am enjoying the books and can't wait for the next
one to come out.
Plum Mania.......2007-10-14
13 in the Plum mysteries is a delight as are the first 12. Stephanie, Morelli and Ranger continue to grow and develop and Ranger takes a bigger slice of Miss Plum's life. Good on him. Grandma Mazur continues to enthrall me as do all the characters. Excellent escapism reading to while away the hour before sleep each night.
Love Triangle is Getting Tired--Put it to rest.......2007-10-08
The love triangle aspect of these stories is getting tired in my opinion. The humor is not as sharp anymore and with 13 books already published, I begin to wonder how fresh and witty the characters can remain over time? I hate to say this, but I think it's time to put the Stephanie Plum series to rest. The author needs to move on and begin something new and different.
same ole story.......2007-10-07
I confess I have been a cupcake since book one. So as Janet has put Morelli on the back burner, domesticated him, emasculated him and increased Ranger's mystique, wealth etc. I have been very disappointed. This love triangle is boring plus dishonest. Stephanie was less of a s...(rhymes with "butt") in this one. But she professes love for Morelli while having an emotional and sometimes physical affair with Ranger. I have no respect for Stephanie plus she's incompetent. The jokes are old, the situations are old, the series is tired and needs to end. I've heard that Janet will end the series with two books: one for the cupcakes and one for the babes. I cannot imagine more of the same. Ugh. The first 6 books were the best.
A Winner for the Plum Series!.......2007-10-05
I thought that "Lean Mean Thirteen" by Janet Evanovich was just a super winner for the Plumb series. She is one of my favorite writers and she has never disappointed me. Yes, there were some weak stories in the series, but overall Janet has been a real consistent writer and this book for me is no exception. The characters come alive in this story and the invigorating Stephanie keeps giving me one stimulating action packed adventure that is mixed with humor and intrigue. There are numerous excellent reviews, so I won't go into anymore detail about the story except to tell you that Ranger and Joe made the cut. A great read for the series.
Book Description
The world’s #1 fixed income book, now with 21 all-new chapters
The Handbook of Fixed Income Securities occupies the top spot as the most authoritative, widely read reference in the global fixed income marketplace. First published in 1983, this comprehensive survey of current knowledge features contributions from leading academics and practitioners and has carved out a niche that cannot and will not be equaled by any other single sourcebook.
Now, the thoroughly revised and updated seventh edition gives finance professionals the facts and formulas they need to compete in today’s transformed marketplace. It places increased emphasis on applications, electronic trading, and global portfolio management, and features new chapters on topics including:
- Eurobonds
- Emerging market debt
- Credit risk modeling
- Synthetics
- CDOs
- Transition management
- And many more
Customer Reviews:
Very useful reference.......2007-08-31
Good reference for bond math and a great thing to have on any debt capital markets desk.. I use it very frequently.. its a classic ..
So far so good.......2007-08-03
Great purchase. The authors do a superb job of describing topics in basic terms then escalate to the nitty gritty number crunching behind the concepts. I recommend for anyone needing a complete guide to FI securities.
good overall reference.......2007-04-19
very good as a reference and general overview; if you want more detail and in-depth analysis you should look for something else but there's lots of specific lieterature out there so this still makes a good starting point
the default reference.......2007-01-06
this is the de facto desk reference for fi securities. it is thorough and well presented. if you are working with fi, you probably have it, if not, you should. also highly recommend the fixed income mathematics text as well.
nice overview of a wide range of topics.......2006-04-16
i give 4.5 stars.
many reviewers comment that this book lacks depth, but hey, it just tries to give a general overview on a variety of fixed income securities, that's what it is, and this book does reasonably well on this purpose. it never means to contain everything on every fixed income securities.
the only thing i am concerned is that the page numbers listed on the index sometimes do not match.
Book Description
Welcome to Trenton, New Jersey, where bounty hunter Stephanie Plums life is about to implode. FIRST A STRANGER APPEARS While chasing down the usual cast of miscreants and weirdos Stephanie discovers that a crazed woman is stalking her. THEN THE STRANGER REVEALS HER SECRETS The woman dresses in black, carries a 9mm Glock, and has a bad attitude and a mysterious connection to dark and dangerous Carlos Manoso....street name, Ranger. NEXT, SOMEBODY DIES The action turns deadly serious, and Stephanie goes from hunting skips to hunting a murderer. SOON, THE CHASE IS ON Ranger needs Stephanie for more reasons than he can say. And now, the two are working together to find a killer, rescue a missing child, and stop a lunatic from raising the body count. When Stephanie Plum and Ranger get too close for comfort, vice cop Joe Morelli (her on-again, off-again boyfriend) steps in. Will the ticking clock stop at the stroke of twelve, or will a stranger in the wind find a way to stop Stephanie Plum....forever? Filled with Janet Evanovichs trademark action, nonstop adventure, and sharp humor, Twelve Sharp is Janet Evanovich's wildest, hottest novel yet!
Customer Reviews:
Way to go Janet.......2007-10-09
My favorite numbers book. Ranger's character was developed to show a lot of differents emotions. Hilarious when Joe decides he has to live with Stephanie after Ranger has decided he needs to hide out at her apt. And Grandma Mazur in a rock band. No wonder poor Ellen tipples in the kitchen.
Loving the Plum series.......2007-09-28
Go get this series and start reading it. These are the best. No really they are. I'm looking forward to number 14.
Good read for fun junkies.......2007-09-10
I loved loved loved number twelve! Hadn't laughed that hard since eight and nine and was beginning to worry that Evanovich had run out of soap. NOT SO. I read her books strictly for the laughs and no-brainer entertainment. Made the mistake of reading it on a cross country flight and frightened fellow passangers with my hysterical laughter and tears. They must have thought I was off my medication. Will read thirteen with avid anticipation. Plum fans that whine about plot tedium are missing the point of this Jersey girl. She is NOT Scarlet O'Hara. She is just plan old fun and what's wrong with that? If you want War and Peace, then read it and leave the Plum novels for the rest of us fun junkies.
Stephanie at her full blossom.......2007-09-10
Tremendous fun, interesting plot and some amazing details - Stephanie among two men and a few sex toys:)
Apart from the fun part, what's good about this book is that we are allowed to go deeper into Ranger's character. Characters in general are no longer static but evolving.
Good work, Ms. Evanovich, I had great time with it. Hope you are planning to write at least 12 more:)
Still my favorite series........2007-09-08
I resisted reading Janet Evanovich's books for years despite all the encouragement of friends, co-workers, and family. I was really missing out. Her humor and writing style are absolutely wonderful and I picked up the first book in this series expecting to be only mildly entertained. I couldn't have been more wrong! I was laughing so hard at the hilarious events that I never wanted to put that first book down. I quickly devoured the rest of the series. I know the lines are fairly well defined between Evanovich's readers. You're either a Morelli fan or a Ranger fan. Morelli is good, but Ranger can't be beat. There's no competition between a playboy New Jersey cop and a dark and mysterious Cuban bounty hunter. Sorry. Cuban bounty hunter trumps playboy cop.
Sure the stories are getting a little wackier with time. And exactly how many cars has Stephanie destroyed? So it's predictable in some ways, but still highly enjoyable.
Customer Reviews:
Great book.......2007-09-30
The book is clearly satire, and definitely exaggerates a bit, but it still gives you a sense of the Wall Street culture, where people are extremely wealthy but also extremely unrefined (scarfing greasy cheeseburgers while making millions). Very funny. Also extremely informative on topics such as the rise of mortgage bonds and junk bonds as financial tools. The book gives a great portrayal of the genius of the people behind these financial innovations. In fact, its portrayal of people in general is very funny and memorable. One final upside: there are some books, where, if you don't read them for about a week, you have no clue what's going on anymore. This is not one of those. There are relatively few people to keep track of, and they are described so well that you can't forget them.
I would DEFINITELY recommend this book. Funny and informative, a window onto a strange culture known as Wall Street.
Mildly Amusing.......2007-08-28
Michael Lewis' inside look at the heady days of Salomon Brothers during the 1980s and the decay that followed is a mildly amusing, albeit disjointed narrative with little new information. It is funny in parts and some of the character sketches make you pause but overall a strictly average book.
Read "Moneyball" or "The Blind Side" Before This.......2007-07-25
Long before "Moneyball" and "The Blind Side," Michael Lewis wrote "Liar's Poker." It is a short, entertaining story about Salomon Brothers during the highs and lows of the 80's. Salomon created the mortgage bond market. And like many first movers, it exploited its advantage for years. Sellers and buyers barely understood the market. No one understood the bonds' valuations. The only sure thing was that Salomon was going to make money. But ungodly profits enticed competition, and competitors poached Salomon's best traders. Even worse, bond underwriters thought they were more clever each day and created more complicated trading vehicles. Eventually, the market crashed because of excessive supply, complexity, and hubris. In some ways, it parallels what we see with hedge funds today.
Although the book is a simple and entertaining story, it lacks much of the rigorous analytics and insights that are present in Lewis's more recent books. His younger rhetoric is less mature and prone to hyperbole. He desperately tries to hide his arrogance (something you don't see in his later writing). If you're looking for a quick read during a plane ride, then this is a decent story. If you've heard favorable things about Michael Lewis and you want to read one of his books, buy "Moneyball" or "The Blind Side" before "Liar's Poker."
Interesting but not exceptional.......2007-06-27
It provides a good picture of the Wall Street during the 80's but it is sometimes tiring when describing the personality of some characters.
A good recount of some heady times..........2007-06-19
This was a story which had to be told. And it had to be told from the inside. It couldn't have been done any other way, and Michael Lewis does a fairly god job of it.
The book essentially tells the story of the rise and fall from wealth (and grace) of Salomon Brothers, and in particular, their mortgage trading group. Those times were clearly heady ones, with the creation and destruction of ridiculous amounts of wealth - from thin air. (It's a more common phenomenon now given the increasing sizes and reaches of the global financial markets, but this probably represented the earliest of the really big cycles.) Lewis takes us deep into that world, giving us a view from a prime seat in the middle of the best action of those times - at Salomon Brothers. In doing so, he is able to create a fairly strong feel for that world, with all its extravagances and idiosyncrasies, while simultaneously providing a fair amount of objective narrative on the internal and external events. His fleshing out of the characters in the book is well done too, which allows the reader a fair level of involvement and empathy with the events. Another strength of the book is that Lewis never gets too technical, and is able to explain fairly complicated markets in terms simple enough for most people to understand.
On the flip side, I have to caution you that at the end of the day, Lewis might have been a good banker, but he's not a great writer. The book could have been taken to a different level altogether in the hands of a better writer, and much of the strength of this book is eventually derived from the story. That said, overall, I still think Lewis has done a very credible job, and the book is a very worthwhile read for everybody, not just bankers.
Product Description
This is a best selling book by Felicia Bond and Laura Numeroff. This is the story of the consequences of giving a cookie to an energetic mouse that runs the host ragged, but young readers will come away smiling at the antics that tumble like dominoes through the pages of this delightful picture book.
Amazon.com
Who would ever suspect that a tiny little mouse could wear out an energetic young boy? Well, if you're going to go around giving an exuberantly bossy rodent a cookie, you'd best be prepared to do one or two more favors for it before your day is through. For example, he'll certainly need a glass of milk to wash down that cookie, won't he? And you can't expect him to drink the milk without a straw, can you? By the time our hero is finished granting all the mouse's very urgent requests--and cleaning up after him--it's no wonder his head is becoming a bit heavy. Laura Joffe Numeroff's tale of warped logic is a sure-fire winner in the giggle-generator category. But concerned parents can rest assured, there's even a little education thrown in for good measure: underneath the folly rest valuable lessons about cause and effect. Felicia Bond's hilarious pictures are full of subtle, fun details. Fans will be happy to know that this dynamic author-illustrator pair teamed up again for If You Give a Moose a Muffin and If You Give a Pig a Pancake. (Great read aloud, ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter
Customer Reviews:
A Weak Version of "If You Give A Pig...".......2007-08-06
We purchased this book because of the otherwise excellent works of the author. Unfortunately, this is a weak story with strained narration. Stick with the Pig version, the Mouse will only let you down.
We loved it.......2007-07-08
This short book was such a favorite in our house when the kids were small, it fell apart. It was a read-aloud for the most part, but also helped the children recognize words.
They memorized the wonderful story, and could then recognize the words as we read together.
It's a repetitive tale, but cute in the same way as Seuss stories, and my kids loved it just as much.
I'm at long last trying to trim the picture book collection down from several hundred volumes, and this one is not going anywhere, I'm afraid. The children, even in their teens, can't part with it.
A real classic.
If You Give a Child a Good Book..........2007-05-24
...he/she will enjoy it for years. I purchased this book after a co-worker highly recommended it. My child was an infant at the time, and although the book has a recommended age range of 4 to 8, I read it to her anyway. It was of course over her head, but I highly enjoyed the story myself - which is almost as important as the child enjoying the book, right? My girl is now approaching three years old and she enjoys the book as much as I do. It's fun to follow the story as the simple act of giving a mouse a cookie escalates into an endless cycle of giving the mouse other things he requires as a result of the cookie gift. It's a silly, lighthearted tale and the illustrations are fun. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie will surely be a family favorite for years to come, and I'm glad I purchased the hardcover version since it's likely to be passed down to the next generation.
Very enjoyable story.......2007-05-15
I bought this for my 2 1/2 yr. old grandson and was immediately his favorite book to read at bedtime. My daughter is now having to read it to him 2-3 times before it is lights out. In fact, even yesterday during the day, he wanted it read to him. It is a great book.
a grat book.......2007-04-11
IF You Give A Mouse A Cookie is wonderful book. It talks about what the mouse like to do in the story. what he likes to do is ask for cookies and milke , and he likes to keep on asking for things. I like this book so much and I hope you too.
Customer Reviews:
Life-changing.......2007-10-13
This book helps you see yourself clearly and helps you understand basic principles of change. It is for the religious and non-religious alike. I highly recommend it.
What was I supposed to get out of it.......2007-10-09
We got this from set of our parents who said it was one of the best books they read. With that hearty recommendation we jumped in and read in bed in turns (evenings, Sunday afternoons). We talked about the first couple of chapters and were trying to figure out why we were given the book. The more we read the more confused we were and even though we skimmed the rest of the book, we quit after about page 50. I just have to presume that if this book is meant to heal relationships then our relationship as a married couple is pretty good because we had trouble finding application to any of it. Granted, we don't have teenagers yet! To those who read this who have read the book and want to give it as a gift, think twice about what you're conveying when you think of giving it as a gift to someone you love. (They may think you gave it to them because "they have issues".)
Good book to help us learn to forgive others.......2007-09-03
I had the privilege of reading this book while it was still an unfinished manuscript, which was a long time ago. I looked forward to the finished product and bought a couple of extra copies to give away after it came out.
Re forgiving others: I've read scriptures and heard talks about the necessity of forgiving. This book gives insight on HOW we can DO that genuinely.
I find that it takes a lot to make a real impact on my life, and this book is one of the few that have made a big difference. I'm not saying that I got the long-desired change of heart right away or even after years. But, I have remembered various principles from it and over the years they have been "working on me." Little by little I am learning and growing, and this book was a big eye-opener to seeing things as they really are.
Summation: This book has been a God-send in my life.
The book that saved me and changed my life.......2007-07-24
I was lost in a sea of self-betrayal. I had driven away most of my friends and even worse the man I loved more than anything. I was stumbling around trying to find an answer to what I had done to my relationships when I came across this book. I reluctantly started to read. Nothing can ever measure the impact this book made on me. If you are struggling with your relationships, whether with family, friends or co-workers. Or just want to know how to improve the relationships you have READ THIS BOOK. Read it with an open mind. Take time to reflect on your own life as you go through the pages. I have emerged from its pages moved and changed. I believe you can too.
Incredibly liberating and insightful book.......2007-05-15
I am an avid reader of many years particularly in the field of behavioural science, psychology and philosophy. 'Bonds that make us free' is by far the greatest book i have ever read on the source of our relationship problems and also provides exceptional solutions to those problems. I can't recommend this book enough- it has literally transformed my entire outlook on life (i'm usually a skeptic of people who say stuff like this, but i sincerely mean it) and governs so many of my choices from day to day. You won't regret this purchase! All praises to C. Terry Warner you have provided the blue print for exceptional living.
Average customer rating:
- Great learning book!
- One of our favorites!
- Better Offerings Out There
- Love this book!
- Great Book
|
Big Red Barn Board Book (rpkg)
Margaret Wise Brown
Manufacturer: HarperFestival
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book
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Good Night, Gorilla
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Time for Bed
ASIN: 0694006246 |
Book Description
By the big red barn
In the great green field,
There was a pink pig
Who was learning to squeal.
There were horses and sheep and goats and geese--and a jaunty old scarecrow leaning on his hoe. And they all lived together by the big red barn. In joyous and exuberant
Pictures, Felicia Bond lovingly evokes Margaret Wise Brown's simple, rhythmic text about the cycle of a day on a farm, where a family of animals peacefully plays and sleeps.
In the barnyard there are roosters and cows, horses and goats, and a pink piglet who is learning to squeal. Margaret Wise Brown's lulling story about a day in the life of a barnyard is now available as a sturdy board book. Felicia Bond's atmospheric illustrations add to the tranquil simplicity of this story.
Customer Reviews:
Great learning book!.......2007-08-01
Our 18 month old daughter loves this book. Easy to read, easy for her to follow. We enjoy it at bedtime. Words and pictures teach animals, some numbers, colors, etc. Much to gain from this book! Highly recommend!
One of our favorites!.......2007-06-14
This book is such a classic. My kids love it, but it is also one of my favorites. As with most Margaret W. Brown books, the words just flow and capture the kids' attention. My son loves horses, so he really loves the pictures of the farm animals. I like this book even more than "Goodnight Moon."
Better Offerings Out There.......2007-05-13
The illustrations in this book are good but too small in the board book format for little ones. If you really want this book, purchase the traditional sized hardback edition.
Love this book!.......2007-05-12
I can recite this book by heart and so can my 2 1/2 year old grand daughter. Sometimes we will be driving or playing in the yard and I will start reciting and she will join in. At night when you read it together and look at the beautiful pictures, it calms you and relaxes you (and the child) and gets you set for a nice nights sleep. I can not give it more then 5 stars but I would if I could. Every good grandmother should have this in her arsenal!
Great Book.......2007-05-09
This is a great book to read to your child beginning at an early age. The colors are wonderful for them to look at. As you read the story you can teach them all about farm animals. Highly recommend this book to all parents.
Book Description
This comprehensive book on bonds takes a practical real-world approach to the subject, and includes a detailed discussion of each type of bond including a wide range of products. Specific chapter coverage discusses not only the instruments, but their investment characteristics, the state-of-the art technology for valuing them, and portfolio strategies for using them. For portfolio managers, fixed income trades, and salespeople.
Customer Reviews:
Don't be misled by the title........2007-03-19
I purchased this book with a lot of expectations. But this book contains neither analysis nor strategies. It only contains glossary of terms used in various Bond markets. Don't be fooled by the planted reviews :)
I reviewed this book for the publisher (prior edition).......2004-04-22
I was a major peer reviewer for the publisher of "Bond Markets, Analysis and Strategies," and have used it several times (perhaps as many as 10 semesters) for both undergrads and MBAs. I have no incentive to give this book any particular rating, but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO EITHER PRACTITIONERS AND ACADEMICS, AS IT IS AN EXCELLENT TEXT! There are very few weaknesses, and I disagree with most of those cited by the other reviewers listed here. It is clear, concise, loaded with examples, and beautifully written. It is also closely tied to real-world practice without sacrificing the mathematical modeling. Of course, it is no high-level bond pricing text, but it is not supposed to be--it is a broad introduction to bond markets. As such, it succeeds remarkably. In fact, I often refer to it to refresh my own understanding of the structure and pricing of these markets.
I highly endorse it, and will continue using it.
Lots of Jargon.......2002-11-06
I am a senior majoring in finance at the Curtis L. Carlson School of Management, at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. I just got done taking a bond course called: Financial Markets and Interest Rates. For the class we used this text book. Although it is a well-rounded book on bonds, it is very hard to understand if you do not have other examples describing what is going on. My professor who holds an MBA had alternative notes on Microsoft PowerPoint made for us to supplement the hard to understand text. The examples do not fully give a clear idea of what is happening, especially to the beginner learning bonds. I would rate this book 2/5 stars and would look elsewhere for an easier type of book, perhaps a tutorial. This book is used at high level universities including mine and Princeton University. Fabozzi is not fooling around when displaying info on bonds.
Excellent introduction to Bond Markets - VERY well written.......2002-06-15
If you think of this as an introductory book to the world of Bonds rather than a field manual for professionals you will find this to be a wonderful book. I find it to be engagingly written (yes, engaging!) with well-chosen examples. It is very nice to be able to read a book about Bonds and find it stimulating. It would have been easy to write a book that could act as a sleep-aid. Instead, this book provides learning objectives for each chapter and the prose is so inviting that I felt the book to be a page-turner.
The math used is not complicated and is chosen to help understanding rather than demonstrate the sophisticated math used in the actual world of bond trading. If you want that kind of material this isn't the book for you.
I don't know if there is a solutions manual available, but I couldn't find it. If there isn't, there should be. I have never had a college course that used the problems in the book for actual coursework and yet, no matter how simple the problems seem, it is nice for the student to be able to confirm that he or she has indeed found the right answer.
There are also many helpful footnotes that point to materials for further and deeper reading on the subjects introduced in this fine book.
A lot of hand waving, but does help.......2002-04-04
A little too wordy, but as a management text, I guess its a prerequisite. It covers the gamut of fixed income securities, but only approaches the problems deterministically. The first thirteen chapters are "text" chapters, with the real math starting in chapter 14. However, the math used is elementary, and will not be of much help in the real world. For the fixed income math portion look into "Bond Pricing and Portfolio Analysis" by Olivier de La Grandville.
For a first course in bonds, and if the student has no prior background, this book will indeed be useful. But, for advanced students the book mentioned above should be more insightful.
Average customer rating:
- Classic spy novel introduces the world to a cultural icon
- Introducing Bond...James Bond
- Super Reader
- A surprisingly poor start
- Note as Good as the Bond Movies
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Casino Royale (James Bond Novels)
Ian Fleming
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 014200202X |
Book Description
In the first of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels, 007 declares war on Le Chiffre, French communist and paymaster of the Soviet murder organization SMERSH.
The battle begins with a fifty-million-franc game of baccarat, gains momentum during Bond's fiery love affair with a sensuous lady spy, and reaches a chilling climax with fiendish torture at the hands of a master sadist. For incredible suspense, unexpected thrills, and extraordinary danger, nothing can beat James Bond in his inaugural adventure.
Customer Reviews:
Classic spy novel introduces the world to a cultural icon.......2007-10-13
When British journalist Ian Fleming handed the manuscript for this novel to friends they implored him to write a second one, reasoning that if "Casino Royale" failed he would never want to produce another one.
They need not have worried, as the James Bond books became one of the most enduringly popular series of novels in modern history and now, over 50 years later, much of "Casino Royale" still grips it's readers with a taut, yet breezy style.
Having first read the novel in my youth I decided to revisit the Fleming series after the phenomenal success of the movie "Casino Royale." Over the years I had listened to a large portion of James Bond fans who consider this to be the best of Flemings Bond novels.
But, I quickly realized upon rereading this novel that the pages did not turn quite as willingly or excitedly as they do for some of the other novels such as "Moonraker," "From Russia With Love" or "On Her Majesty's Secret Service."
I think that Fleming had yet to settle into his rhythm and perfect his characteristic "Fleming sweep." Though a very enjoyable read I felt it too episodic with the climax of the novel seemingly mid-way through the book.
Taking his inspiration from a real World War II incident in Portugal in which Fleming had attempted to defeat a Nazi at cards this freshman effort by Fleming pits his fictional creation against SMERSH's banker Le Chiffre.
Much like Fleming had attempted a decade earlier(he lost the game against the German), British intelligence sends the best card player in the service to the fictional French casino in an effort to bankrupt the operations of the Russian intelligence service.
This novels climax to me is the card game for there is no greater novelist who can enliven the action at the card tables like Fleming. And fittlingly the baccarat game in "Casino Royale" is riveting, holding the reader's attention throughout. It is not surprising therefore that I had forgotten the second half of the book in which Bond is tortured and ultimately falls in love with Vesper Lynd, as the most interesting and entertaining section of the book had already passed.
That's not to say that you should not read this novel, you should. It's a fun read and a good introduction to the world of 007. just don't be surprised if you find your attention tends to wander during the second half.
Well recommended.
Introducing Bond...James Bond.......2007-08-12
In the world of spy fiction, no name is greater than James Bond. This is primarily due to the long-running series of movies, but before the films, there were Ian Fleming's books. The first novel to feature Bond was 1953's Casino Royale (which also happens to be the most recent movie).
In this debut novel, Bond is a new "Double-O" agent assigned to ruin a Russian agent named Le Chiffre. Le Chiffre has been living beyond his means while maintaining his cover; if his bosses find out, they will send SMERSH after him, a special unit dedicated to assassination of both foreign spies and Russian ones who've defected or fouled up. To recover his money, Le Chiffre has gone gambling, particularly playing baccarat. Bond, who is the British Secret Service's best gambler, is assigned to win Le Chiffre's money.
Although baccarat is not a well-known game compared to poker or blackjack, Fleming carefully describes the rules so the reader can follow the action. Le Chiffre's role is that of the banker; in exchange for risking a large amount of money, he gets the house's small advantage. Le Chiffre also doesn't play quite fair, and is perfectly willing to use violence to achieve his ends.
While some Bond movies are utterly dissimilar to the books that share their titles, the Daniel Craig version follows the novel rather well. There are definite differences (the movie, for example, uses poker instead of baccarat, and there isn't quite as much action), but the plot is mostly the same. (There have actually been two previous versions of this story (one movie and one TV show), but I am not familiar enough with either one to compare it to the book.)
At the center of it, of course is Bond, who, at least in this early novel, is more human than superhuman and with his distinct flaws, particularly his cavalier attitude towards women. This is not great literature, but that isn't Fleming's intent: instead, it is an entertaining suspense novel, particularly geared towards adult men. And in this, Fleming succeeds well. Compared to more recent suspense fiction, this is pretty lightweight (and barely 200 pages), but it is well-worth reading if you're a fan of the genre or the Bond movies.
Super Reader.......2007-08-04
James Bond is a secret agent who is happily able to blend in and get by in the high stakes gambling world. This is his job here, to take down a baccarat operation that is moving funds to SMERSH.
Along the way he has to deal with a beautiful double agent, and a spot of nasty torture.
After his experiences, he thinks about giving the game away, but eventually decides to come back, after his recovery.
A surprisingly poor start.......2007-08-02
'Casino Royale' was the first James Bond novel published- and I am a little surprised that Bondmania ever took off, since this is not a great book.
The plot is that a soviet agent 'Le Chiffre' has lost some union money, and is gambling to try and win it back before anyone finds out. It is too late though. British Intellegence has discovered this and in an attempt to cause a scandal has sent James Bond to defeat 'Le Chiffre' at Baccarat at the French resort of Casino Royale.
Unfortunately the Baccarat scenes are not at all exciting, and Bond himself is not a very inspiring hero. He is mean, arrogant and ultimately incompetent. He arrogantly goes out with Vesper to a club after beating 'Le Chiffre' instead of heading back to London. He then naively gets captured and tortured by 'Le Chiffre' and only escapes when 'Le Chiffre' is assasinated by an agent from SMERSH. And through it all he gets played by Vesper.
After Bond escapes 'Le Chiffre' the book meanders on for another few chapters, detailing Bond's relationship with Vesper- not very thrilling stuff. Fortunately better things were to come in later books.
Note as Good as the Bond Movies.......2007-07-30
This will be the only James Bond book that I read. I grew up on the movies. The book is a short, easy read. But it just does not measure up to the action packed movie.
Book Description
This engaging, information-packed guide presents ten categories of Best Places for women to go. The wide-ranging chapters have something for everyone. "Best City Getaways for Girls Who Just Wanna Have Fun" focuses on San Francisco, Miami, Quebec, New York City, and New Orleans. "Where to Celebrate Big Birthdays" suggests Las Vegas, Northern California wine country, and Savannah. "Best Places for Adventure Escapes" includes rafting the Colorado, heli-hiking the Canadian Rockies, and kayaking or canoeing in Maine. "Best Bonding Vacations" recommends Ashland, Oregon, Rocky Mountain National Park, Chicago, and Lake Chatauqua, New York, while "Best Places to Heal When You've Been Dumped" sends you to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and to Hershey, Pennsylvania, for its sumptuous chocolate baths. Other chapters offer suggestions for golf getaways, pampering retreats, artsy getaways, and great retail therapy.
The book is filled with practical tips on roommate etiquette, safety, packing, budgeting, and other specific advice for the growing number of women—young, old, single, married, divorced, and widowed—who are hitting the road. Short, true stories about women's experiences open each chapter, and quotes from all types of women travelers broaden the appeal—further inspiring readers to pack up their bags, call a girlfriend, and say "let's go!"
Customer Reviews:
Well written and organized.......2007-10-01
The book is well written, and organized to help make travel planning easy. Haven't traveled yet to rate the experience, but loaded with great ideas!
for my mom..........2007-09-06
I bought this for my mom and she's found some really great things to do with her gal pals in it...I think I'll borrow it eventually.
Girlfriend Vacation "Must Have".......2007-08-18
This is an interesting and informative book. If you need a girlfriend's getaway, you are sure to find the perfect place. I especially like the breakdown of places to go, see, visit, eat, etc. You won't be disappointed in this purchase.
Who did the research?.......2007-08-02
As a former resident of San Diego, I can name the two most touristy, and therefore useless, shopping venues in the city. And yet, these are the exact two places the author lists in the "shopping" category of the San Diego section. These are places that the tourist buses unload, food prices are jacked up, and the stores hold the same useless "made in China" knicknacks that you can get anywhere in America. Had the author done some research, she would have steered you to Cedros Design District in Solana Beach, home of SOLO and Zinc Cafe, or at least, for those looking for more traditional shopping, to Fashion Valley. When I go to another city to go shopping, I'm looking for something a little different, something I can't find just anywhere. This particular listing in the book makes me doubt the usefulness of the rest of it!
More than a travel guide.......2007-06-28
50 Best Girlfriends Getaways is a great travel guide - but much more. Not only does it recommend places to indulge every kind of interest, from spas to bargain hunting to athletic challenges (and lots of good eating), but it tells the stories of women who have found that traveling with other women - be it a sister, a daughter, a mother, or simply friends - can bring a unique kind of fulfillment. These stories are the sort that define the female experience. Marybeth is a long time expert in women's travel, and her guide is unbeatable for planning that special trip to celebrate a friend's big birthday, a daughter's graduation, or whatever occasion you can dream up.
Books:
- Learning from Museums: Visitor Experiences and the Making of Meaning: Visitor Experiences and the Making of Meaning (American Association for State and Local History Book Series)
- Legal Handbook for Photographers: The Rights and Liabilities of Making Images (Legal Handbook for Photographers: The Rights & Liabilities of)
- Looking At Los Angeles
- Manchild in the Promised Land
- Melody in Songwriting: Tools and Techniques for Writing Hit Songs (Berklee Guide)
- Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex
- Murder of a Botoxed Blonde (Scumble River Mysteries, Book 9)
- My Woman His Wife
- Natural Swimming Pools: Inspiration For Harmony With Nature (Schiffer Design Book)
- Nineteen Minutes: A Novel
Books Index
Books Home
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