Book Description
As he is driving home from a minister's conference, Baptist minister Don Piper collides with a semi-truck that crosses into his lane. He is pronounced dead at the scene. For the next 90 minutes, Piper experiences heaven where he is greeted by those who had influenced him spiritually. He hears beautiful music and feels true peace. Back on earth, a passing minister who had also been at the conference is led to pray for Don even though he knows the man is dead. Piper miraculously comes back to life and the bliss of heaven is replaced by a long and painful recovery. For years Piper kept his heavenly experience to himself. Finally, however, friends and family convinced him to share his remarkable story.
Customer Reviews:
Incredible story of a man's faith in God!.......2007-10-19
He was pronounced dead, and yet, he was alive! His life returned in another world, heaven, for 90 minutes. This experience changed his life and many others who read or was told about this incredible event. It is a story of faith, of hope for the rest of us. This man was not pain free as he returned to this world, he suffered physically. But his spirit was alive and his faith changed many, many lifes. You won't forget it and it will change your life forever!
Not so much.......2007-10-19
You think you're going to get a BOOK about the afterlife, but no, you get one chapter, and then the rest of the book about his religious beliefs. It was disappointing.
Could NOT put this book down! Awesome Book!.......2007-10-19
I don't really know what led me to reading this book to begin with, but I will tell you that once I started reading it - I couldn't put it down! I expected the description of heaven to be glorious. The scripture at the beginning of each chapter was comforting. I felt like writing each verse down as it's easy to forget! I was pleasantly surprised by all the lessons and the personal account of Don's recovery and the lessons he still had to learn. Any person who is struggling with a terminal illness, has recently lost a loved one or has sustained any big injuries NEEDS TO READ THIS BOOK! I will buy several and hand them out. I finished reading this book this AM and have already lent this book to my BOSS! This book reads well and is written in such a manner as if Don was he's telling you in person! Would recommend this book to anyone - Christian or non-Christian.
God chosen one? REALLY!.......2007-10-18
I picked up this book because I was facing yet another heart cath and thought what a good read for me. I also had a NDE and was sent back to human life. I enjoyed the book until the last chapter. SO, ONLY Don was pick by God to tell of his experience in heaven? Others like me are making our experience up? Excuse me, our God doesn't choose just one man to serve him and tell of the afterlife or of HIS love for us. Self serving to make money is what Don Piper is doing here folks. God loves us all. Piper will be in my prayers.
90 Minutes in Heaven.......2007-10-17
This is a truly amazing book. I had trouble putting it down before I finished it. Very inspiring and encouraging. What a story!! I'd highly recommend to all. I've shared it with many people.
Customer Reviews:
This novel has big heart........2007-09-08
I really loved the family story behind this book. Every character was beautifully developed and compelling. The book has its own momentum, taking the reader from generation to generation, leaving you wanting to know more at the end of each chapter. I didn't want it to end - how about a sequel?
A Novel that Resonated with Me.......2007-09-08
Mazel Tov! to Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum. This novel is a wonderful, thoughtful, finely woven, well-researched, beautifully-written read.
The stories, the characters, generational connections and variances, the mystical and the struggles all resonated with me. I especially related to the questions asked by Nathan and Ellen in their wrestling and the wisdom offered them.
A neighbor, who had a copy for her book group, loaned it to me. Wanting a copy of my own, I bought one the day after completing it.
Nancy Smiler Levinson, Beverly Hills, CA
Enthralling blend of mysticism, music, dance and history.......2007-05-25
My mother recommended this book. Said she couldn't put it down, so I bought a copy. I struggled a bit with the first chapter, but once the story got going I really got pulled in and also found that I couldn't put it down.
Maybe it helps to say that my father's family came from northern Poland, that I am the president of a landsmanschaft (organization of Jews who came from that particular area) and an amateur Jewish genealogist, and also administer the cemeteries for my landsmanschaft, so this story struck many personal chords for me.
It is very well written for a first novel, well produced, richly imagined. At times the dialogue becomes heavily didactic, but not so much as to detract from the overall thrust of the story.
Perfect for Book Clubs.......2007-03-13
This is a wonderfully layered and satisfying novel which is sure to be a hit with book groups. Some novels are so beautifully written and have such a great story that you can't wait to share it. This is such a book. 'A Day of Small Beginnings' sparked a discussion so energetic and fun in my group that we had to drag ourselves home. I believe that the mark of a good book club selection is how long the members discuss it before breaking for dinner. I can't speak for everyone, but I forgot to eat.
Well written on so many levels.......2007-02-26
This is an extraordinarily rich novel on so many levels, Jewish and non. We are taken on a soulful, suspenseful journey of 3 generations of a Jewish family. Grandfather Itzik triggers a series of events that lead to his immigration to America. Years later, his son Nathan travels to Poland on a work-related project, where he awakens unresolved issues relating to his father's secret past and begins to question his own inner identity as a secular Jew with an Americanized last name. The third and final generation is represented by his daughter Ellen, a young, modern Jewish woman whose sensibilities and attitudes are, to me, characteristic of the generation she represents. Each character makes discoveries about the role of Judaism in his/her life. The characters are extremely human and multifaceted.
Regarding Judaism, you will find lots of references to Jewish wisdom and experience. (I delighted to learn that pisha paysha was indeed a real card game, not just a game made up by my own Jewish Polish immigrant grandmother.) In the author's recreation of the Jewish world that was, we do not find a musty world. Freidl - a ghost - is a link between all 3 generations and their Polish past. She is, in fact, the driving force in this suspense novel. Her role as catalyst and connecting thread is, from a literary standpoint, superbly woven. She is something of a "living" witness to shtetl life, thrust into our modern era. This makes for some humorous moments, as well.
Besides recreating the experiences of Poland's Jewish past, the author gives us a vibrant look into modern Poland. Through some well-developed, non-Jewish Polish characters, we are presented with perspectives into the Polish psyche. As Ellen starts to make friendships with other young adults she meets in Poland, she explores the possibility for Jewish-Christian reconciliation and also finds new meaning in being a Jew. This is one of the best novels I have read in a very long time, and I am awed by the knowledge base of the author.
Amazon.com
Most people were unfamiliar with Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl before his kidnapping and murder in Pakistan. In A Mighty Heart, his widow Mariane introduces us to Danny as he was when he was alive while also providing a heart-breaking first person account of his disappearance and death. There are plenty of endearing details about Danny--his insistence on moving his favorite Barcalounger with him around the world, his love of playing mandolin, his private conversations with his unborn son--but the more remarkable portrait that emerges is one of extraordinary bravery. Danny placed himself in post-9/11 Pakistan, realizing full well that region's inherent dangers, because of his courageous dedication to getting the truth about attempted shoe bomber Richard Reid and other terrorist activity. When he is kidnapped and pictures are e-mailed to his wife, she notices that he's slyly showing the peace or victory sign with one hand and flipping the kidnappers off with the other. And while clues to his fate are still being pieced together, Mariane's story, until now, has not been widely told. Realizing Danny has been abducted, she must navigate underworld politics, the international spotlight, and her own shattered nerves in a race against time to save her husband. Along the way, with the broad array of people and agencies assisting the cause, clues are gathered about the kidnappers' identity and the intricate machinations of the international terrorist community. When his fate is finally learned, the spotlight does not abate even as she is devastated and awaiting the couple's first child. Mariane Pearl's candor is remarkable and her courage, along with that of her late husband, serve to make A Mighty Heart, despite Danny Pearl's death, an uplifting story. --John Moe
Book Description
For five weeks the world waited for news about Danny Pearl, the Wall Street Journal reporter who was kidnapped in Karachi, Pakistan....And then came the broadcast of his shocking murder. The complete account of his abduction, the intense effort to rescue him, and the aftermath are told here -- in astonishing detail, and with courage and insight -- by his surviving wife, Mariane.
A Mighty Heart is the unforgettable story of two journalists who fell in love with their work -- and with each other. Together, Mariane and Danny Pearl traveled across the globe, dedicated to journalism that increases the understanding of international politics and of ethnic and religious conflict. In the end, Danny was caught in the dangerous fissure where warring cultures, politics, and ideologies collide. A Mighty Heart is both a portrait of a partnership built on the ideals of love, truth, and justice and a critical look at the methods and structure of the Al Qaeda network.
Customer Reviews:
Poetic Writing Led By A Wife's Heart.......2007-09-05
"I signal to Danny to take the first (cab) since he is in the greater hurry. After he tosses his bag in, he cups my neck with his free hand, pulls me to him, and kisses my cheek."
"In a matter of seconds, Danny is gone."
Wall Street Journal reporter Danny Pearl was kidnapped then murdered by terrorists in Karachi, Pakistan, in February 2002. The person he kissed was his wife Mariane Pearl, co-author (with Sarah Crichton)of A MIGHTY HEART. I call this writing pure poetry.
"There might be dozens of reasons for Danny to turn off his cell phone, but he doesn't usually. 'Your correspondent cannot be reached at this moment. Please try again later,' says the cheerily robotic, feminine voice... I will come to detest that voice."
This is Mariane-as-narrator's first intimation something's wrong. As a reader, I know Danny's been kidnapped and soon will be beheaded, but her words "I will come to detest that voice" grabs my gut and shakes away that knowing. Maybe he'll be okay? Maybe the news was wrong?
Marianne relates this beautifully poetic truth: "I call and call Danny's phone; it is never answered," and still I find myself turning the page, hoping Danny picks up. How does she get me to do this? By leading with her heart. My heart has to follow hers.
Some writers lead with thier heart, excitement, fear, pain, joy. Read A MIGHT HEART for a glimpse of how it's done.
Note: I read the book when its title was A MIGHTY HEART:The Brave Life And Death Of My Husband Danny Pearl. I don't like the new title. It doesn't say the book is a memoir. Perhaps this is a way to appeal to a broader audience.
Very sad.......2007-08-28
A very sad story. It also makes the anger towards these terrible people come out. I wish that Bush would stop being a sissy and go after these people. I also lost my husband but to an auto accident. Nevertheless, the pain is the same. I would hope that her story will stop people from going to these countrys for any reason. The US also needs to be more militant in going after the hostage takers.
Madness of the dregs of Islam.......2007-08-07
The writing is extraordinary! I felt the frustration of the auther in her
struggles with the Pakistani security services and as she progressively
learned about the madness of the subculture who had kidnapped her husband.
I felt the pain and cried for Marriane and Adam as the facts that I
already knew became clear. Fortunately, there were also Moslems who were
heroes in this drama. Sadly, many paid with their careers for their
commitment to the search. However, in her global view, Mariane had the
ability to rise above her tragedy and provide us an inspiring glimpse into
these people's behavior, as well. Despite the heart-rending pain, I am
glad that I read the book and saw this world through the eyes of this
extraordinary woman.
I feel terrible saying this but..........2007-07-09
This is a strange book -- and the first time I have ever been tempted to lie on a review. Why? It feels wrong to say that I thought the book had some major flaws, as if I'm tarnishing the memory of Daniel Pearl, rather than just judging the book on its literary merits. (I am also wondering why the title was changed...?)
Strangely, the biggest problem with A Mighty Heart is that it lacks emotion. It is essentially a 234-page newspaper article, filled with names, dates, and movements -- so many, in fact, that I had a hard time keeping track of who all the characters were. I didn't know that much about Daniel Pearl going in, and I don't really know anything more about him now -- he owned a mandolin, and occasionally wrote inappropriate emails to his friends. But that's not knowing a man. Perhaps that, most of all, makes me sadder than any part of the book...as a journalist, to read a book about a journalist who gave his life for this profession, and to admire that, while he still remains pretty faceless. I know that Mariane loved him, and it sounds like they had a wonderful marriage -- but her love doesn't shine through on the page, but more in the labor of love that is the book itself. (Reading other people's reviews, I think that's where everyone gets confused.)
The most moving section of A Mighty Heart are, oddly, the letters in the back that were sent to Mariane and the unborn Adam, from people around the world. Some letters are from politicians, like President Bush and French president-at-the-time Jacques Chirac, but then others are from ordinary people. It's amazing how many people wrote to them, just to say, I'm sorry and have hope. It's the strength of that book, that ending.
But on a different track, the other bit of oddness is being plunged back in time, to 2001, but that's that resonated. Terrorism is still so real and present in our lives, but it's like we live in a completely different era, even though today it's only 6 years later.
But that's not really what A Mighty Heart was about. The book itself was a very detailed description of a search that, up until page 143, was on a wild goosechase. The grammar was bad (I know she's French, but she had co-writer), and some information was badly organized. At the same time, A Mighty Heart made me rememember, and more importantly, think. And that's it. I both liked and disliked it at the same time...and feel bad for saying so.
Heartbreaking... and surprisingly an excellent read!.......2007-07-03
I picked up this book after being incredibly shocked and moved by the movie. I had conflicted feeling about watching because I felt like a very recent tragedy was being exploited. So, I decided to read the book. I had little expectations.
But the more I read the more invested I was in the account. Mrs. Pearl shares this tragic experience with incredible detail. I honestly expected the prose to be a little awkward or perhaps heavy, but it wasn't like that at all. The style is very light and engaging.
One thing that I honestly liked was that Mrs. Pearl does not assume that the reader knows much about the situation in the Middle East. She gives us just enough background for us to get a basic understanding of the climate in which her husband was abducted. And for me it was extremely helpful and useful.
Customer Reviews:
A wonderful, classic retelling.......2007-02-13
Pearl Buck's Story Bible is in the same league with Jesse Lyman Hurlbut's and Elsie Egermeier's books (Bible stories rewritten with children in mind.) Of the three, Buck's was written most recently. Buck's rendition of the Bible stories is intelligent, detailed, and reverent. One father of four told me this was the best book he's ever read!
Parents should purchase at least one Bible story book for their family library, and this is an excellent choice.
The "plain language" Bible.......2000-09-25
For someone who has tried to read the Bible several times but been unsuccessful at keeping it up due to the conplexity of the language used, this book was golden. In it, Pearl S Buck retells the bible stories in an interesting and informative way. I have read the book through over several days and could not wait until evening when I would have time to get back to the stories. I was also able to retain the stories and their meanings. It would be a great for primer for pre-teen kids and, of course, adults.
Average customer rating:
- The Pearl Diver
- Very good light reading.
- I'm not going to summarize!
- Read the first in the series--skip this one
- Buddhist young soul coming of age
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The Pearl Diver: A Novel
Sujata Massey
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The Typhoon Lover
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ASIN: 0060597909
Release Date: 2005-07-26 |
Book Description
The seventh book in Sujata Massey's Agatha and Macavity Award–winning mystery series is a witty, suspenseful story that takes its young sleuth into the Washington DC restaurant world.
A dazzling engagement ring and the promise of a fresh start bring antiques dealer and sometime sleuth Rei Shimura to Washington, DC. But just as she's starting to settle down –catching up with a long–lost cousin and undertaking a lucrative commission furnishing a trendy Japanese restaurant nearby – things begin to go haywire. First, her cousin vanishes from the restaurant's opening–night party, and then Rei is drafted to help find a Japanese war bride who disappeared 30 years earlier.
The search for both missing women becomes suspiciously linked, and along the way, Rei faces truths about herself that may change her destiny – if she lives long enough.
Customer Reviews:
The Pearl Diver.......2007-10-18
I met the author, Sujata Massey, this past summer. She is so interesting and her books are amazing. I have purchased and read all of them. (Waiting for the newest and last one in the series) You are in Japan, with her...she uses the Japanese words when describing, so while you are reading, you are learning. I recommended all her books to my friends and family who have lived in Japan and for those of us who haven't visited as yet. The Pearl Diver is interesting, suspenseful and of course a little romantic, although Rei stays impossibly busy!
Very good light reading........2007-03-27
Rei is such a delightful character that this is a joyful book. Of course, it does not hurt that her Aunt is a delightful character also, and that it has a happy ending. Rei has her career and relationship problems, but she is positive, enterprising, brave, and loyal to her friends. Some aspects of the plot are not entirely plausible, but it is suspenseful. "Pearl Diver" is very good light reading, and I would recommend it over the other Massey I book I read, "Girl in the Box", which is also good. As examples of plot details which bother me: Akiko's step mother apparently does not mind being blackmailed by her own brother; and would her father really be threatened by an admitted perjurer changing his story after so many years?
I'm not going to summarize!.......2006-12-30
I can't stand when reviewers summarize the plot. Anyway, I am fairly new to the series and unfortunately have read most of them out of order. I enjoy them but there are some things I can't stand and they really came out in this book. Rei is supposed to be American raised with a stint in Japan. She is in her late 20's, early 30's throughout the series. Massey really needs to do her research. At times she has her acting like an old lady and then she has her acting like a 15 year old. Navel piercings are so 10 years ago, yet Rei was shocked about it (by the way it's not done with a gun like at the mall). She has crazy bondage sex but freaks about telling her aunt Norie about living with Hugh. How does this make sense? And does Massey just do a search on Amazon for indie bands to throw in that Rei listens too? Does she even know who these bands are (Rilo Kiley, Death Cab)? And what cool girl would wear vintage Talbots? Why would Rei own a Walkman (hello iPOD)! I can't stand that someone raised in the age of technology would be so computer illiterate and not even now about Ebay. I know, I'm talking about all the books now but Rei's character is so disjointed. I can't relate (and she's my age). Overall though I like the series. I find them hard to put down even with all the annoyances about Rei. Maybe Massey just needs to hang out with people that are actually Rei's age.
Read the first in the series--skip this one.......2006-12-18
I'm not moved often to write reviews pro or con but this book was so terrible I had to act. I gave it one star because the writing is literate.
I will only say that I have read all the other books in this series except the one immediately before this one. I missed it and was excited to see a new one! Alas, moving to the U.S. seems to have completely changed her personality. She has become tedious, whiny, and tentative. The plot of this novel is uninvolving and very slow to get started. The other characters, except Aunt Norie, are pedestrian.
If you want exciting books about Japan, read the Isaac Adamson series with Billy Chaka or, for a slower pace and intriguing characters, the early Banana Yoshimoto. Check out Haruki Murakami. There's good stuff out there. This isn't it.
Lose Hugh and send Rei back to Tokyo. Let's have some fun.
Buddhist young soul coming of age.......2006-05-18
Rei Shimura's introduction to readers at age 25 in The Salaryman's Wife is now entering her adolescence at age 29 in the Pearl Diver 7th book in the series.
Rei's loving parentage is half American interior decorator wearer of designer clothes handed down to her daughter, and half Japanese psychiatrist whose own ancestor deeds drive his work helping others. Rei's loving fiance Hugh Glendinning is certain of his love for Rei, but Rei is uncertain of herself. Auntie Norie just arrived from Japan to prepare and plan for their wedding.
Living in America but yearning for Japan, Rei perceives rebuff from both sides of her family but the origin of all her distanced relationships is Rei herself. Being unsure of herself makes it difficult to commit to anything or anyone (movie Family Stone). Like all tragic heroes, Rei insecurity drives her toward independence which does not permit close attachment (NBC Monday Night movie Jill Eikenberry, Judith Light, Sandy Duncan My Boyfriend's Back) instead grants constant excuses for distraction, withdrawal (murder, abduction, abortion).
Rei meets a half black half Japanese girl Akiko who pleads for Rei's help finding her Japanese mother, her father having rejected her for 30 years (movie Made in America with Whoopie Goldberg, daughter in movie "I wanted a dad, I needed a dad, he was my dad").
Rei's cousin Kendall Howard Norton a society political fundraiser for the movers and shakers in Washington DC is kidnapped and Rei tries to help her cousin and Akiko out of their dilemmas.
Some you meet project the feeling of very old souls, having successfully traversed a few Buddhist lives and been reborn slightly awakened to themselves. With Rei one has the feeling she is yet a young soul undergoing transition.
One can experience the arc of more than one lifetime in a single existence by choice, through unsought epiphany (Buddha), religious spiritual rebirth (born again fundamentalists Islamic, Christian, Hindu), meditative insight, therapy or a life so traumatic that one undergoes complete transformation as Akiko's father and mother do in Pearl Diver.
We cannot know what we are capable of until we act and war sometimes brings out our best and worst actions. There are some things which we do not really want to know we could do, but having done them, bear the memory forever (movie Capote) sometimes as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.
This series repeatedly exposes PTSD in Rei, those she encounters, and in "Pearl Diver" combatants of the Viet Nam War. PTSD overwhelms some, scars others whose antisocial tendencies are fanned into xenophobic loathing (self hatred); for the fortunate, denial works well (movie Match Point) and they negotiate with their conscience in whatever way seems palatable.
Throughout the book series Rei interacts with mixed races: Puerto Rican, Muslim, Scot, a multicultural blend. Most do not know who they are, all are seeking; the use of alcohol and recreational drugs for self medication may have it's own sequelae in future installments (cognitive impairment,pancreatitis, broken relationships, fatty liver, addictive lifestyle) we will see.
All these twenty and thirty somethings are undergoing transition, and Rei's adventures are food for thought and delicious reading.
Would recommend starting at the beginning and reading in sequence: Salaryman's Wife, Zen Attitude, Flower Master, Floating Girl, Bride's Kimono, Pearl Diver, Typhoon Lover.
Average customer rating:
- Get your mind out of the gutter... and let mine float by.
- The Pearl
- Best of the Victorian Era
- Great read!!!
- Over-rated
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The Pearl
Anonymous
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My Secret Life
ASIN: 0345410041
Release Date: 1996-09-29 |
Book Description
Lewd, bawdy, and sensual, this cult classic is a collection of Victorian erotica that circulated in an underground magazine known as The Pearl from July 1879 to December 1880. Now dusted off and totally uncensored, the journal of voluptuous reading that titillated the eminent Victorians is reprinted in its entirety. The 18 issues of The Pearl are packed with short stories, naughty poems, ballads of sexual adventure, letters, limericks, jokes, gossip, and six serialized novels including "La Rose d'Amour," filled with inventive and exotic lovemaking scenes; "Miss Coote's Confession," with graphic descriptions of initiations into pleasure; and "Young Beginners," a collection of exuberant sexual adventures. Scatological and scandalous, The Pearl is definitely not for the straitlaced or pure of mind.
Customer Reviews:
Get your mind out of the gutter... and let mine float by. .......2007-07-16
As dirty books - or should I say "naughty books" - go, the Pearl has few equals. It's neither as pretentious as "My Secret Life", as twisted as "Justine" (De Sade, not Durrell)nor as overblown and plodding as "Fannie Hill." Regardless, this is not a book you take seriously. When my evil twin, Skippy, was a sophomore, cloistered in an all-boys prep school in the 1960's, one of his worldly classmates scored a copy of the Pearl in an "avant garde" book store in New York City, and smuggled it into school. Along with Robert Rimmer's "The Harrad Experiment" and Terry Southern's "Candy", he rented it out to his eager, reprobate adolescent peers for a dollar a week. Skippy read it cover to cover then, and again in college. It was better than comic books, he claimed - well, except maybe Fritz the Cat.
By today's "standards" (now *there's* an oxymoron), the erotica in the Pearl is pretty tame, almost innocent. However, most of it is carried off with a certain witty, genteel, Oscar Wilde-ian elegance to the whole enterprise that's sadly lacking in what passes for "erotic fiction" in the 21st century - stuff you wouldn't read with a haz-mat suit on. In the Pearl, you can see where Henry Miller and D. H. Lawrence might have taken some of their "cues" for the "juicier" parts of their more literary novels. Some of the stories are sexist. But that's the way people evidently thought, then. We had to wait another generation or two before Anais Nin and, later, Erica Jong could speak for a freer generation of women. So from a purely historical perspective, the Pearl is worth reading, if not owning. It's a more of a "mile post" in many readers' careers, something one passes and soon forgets after a certain young age.
The collections of limericks interspersed between the serialized "stories" are actually the most entertaining part of the book.
The Pearl.......2006-10-02
Well I did not enjoy this book at all. I could not say this is a good book. I usually enjoy almost everything but this is the first in "years" I do have to say FOR ME was awful. Maybe someone else will have better luck!
Best of the Victorian Era.......2006-03-01
I've had a copy of this book for over 20 years, and I still go back to it from time to time when I'm looking to [have a good time with myself]. Of the Victorian erotica I've read (probably half a dozen books or so), this is the one I find most helpful, most appealing. I've even thrown it away a few times, only to repurchase it later because I missed it so.
The book contains quite a range of material, from short stories to serialized novels to poetry and limmericks. Perhaps half of the material here is S&M-realted (primarily involving people hitting each other with birch sticks), which doesn't especially appeal to me, but I've learned which stories focus more on what I'm interested in, and so the S&M bits don't distract me.
Most of the non-S&M stuff starts off with introducing innocent young women to the delights of sex. Some of the "young women" are teenagers, and some of the teenagers are barely teenagers. There are also many scenes that reinforce the Victorian stereotype of "women want sex, they just can't admit to wanting it." This results in numerous cases where women say "no, please don't." Of course, in the story they really do want it.... Anyway, if you're offended by stories depicting under-18s having sex, or of stories that involve non-consensual (or very nearly non-consensual) sex--you will want to avoid this book.
There are some bisexual scenes in the book. Most of these are female-female, but there are a small handful that are male-male.
Great read!!!.......2004-05-19
I first read this book when I was a teenager, and I found it be to such a good book that I kept it under my mattress to be read every night at bedtime! It was thrown away sometime during my growing up years and I have been looking for it ever since. Imagine finding it now, after all these years!! If you like Victorian erotica, and you don't mind reading segmented accounts of sadomasochism and animalism [(sex with animals)], then this is the book for you! Highly recommend reading this.
Over-rated.......2003-03-07
Keeping in mind that this book purports to be a collection of genuine Victorian erotic journals, I found it to be rather tedious in its length and repetitiveness. In reading it, I received the impression that it was written to appeal to those who are attracted to the concept of "naughty" (as opposed to erotic) literature. In the late 1800's, I suppose that "The Pearl" was the height of forbidden writing.
The 18 journals are described as being composed of "serialised novels, lewd short stories, gossip of the day, letters from readers, licentious limericks and naughty jokes". At over 600 pages, I was well and truly bored before I was halfway through. The novels and short stories contain extremely repetitive themes. For example, there are only so many ways of describing a scene of someone being whipped with a birch.
The language used throughout is very similar and appears to be the work of one person. It all becomes very predictable after reading a couple of the journals.
If you're looking for truly interesting stories with well developed plots and characters, this is not the book for you. If all you want is a collection of naughty limericks, jokes and stories all following the same vein, then you will love this.
Average customer rating:
- Good Story
- Sister Hood overcomes all
- Babylon Sisters: A Love Story Without All The Mush
- a good story, well-told
- Outstanding, Something out of the Ordinary
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Babylon Sisters: A Novel
Pearl Cleage
Manufacturer: One World/Ballantine
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Playing My Mother's Blues
ASIN: 0345456092
Release Date: 2005-03-29 |
Book Description
Catherine Sanderson seems to have it all: a fulfilling career helping immigrant women find jobs, a lovely home, and a beautiful, intelligent daughter on her way to Smith College. What Catherine doesn’t have: a father for her child– and she’s spent many years dodging her daughter’s questions about it. Now Phoebe is old enough to start poking around on her own. It doesn’t help matters that the mystery man, B.J. Johnson–the only man Catherine has ever loved–doesn’t even know about Phoebe. He’s been living in Africa.
Now B.J., a renowned newspaper correspondent, is back in town and needs Catherine’s help cracking a story about a female slavery ring operating right on the streets of Atlanta. Catherine is eager to help B.J., despite her heart’s uncertainty over meeting him again after so long, and confessing the truth to him–and their daughter.
Meanwhile, Catherine’s hands are more than full since she’s taken on a new client. Atlanta’s legendary Miss Mandeville–a housekeeper turned tycoon–is eager to have Catherine staff her housekeeping business. But why are the steely Miss Mandeville and her all-too-slick sidekick Sam so interested in Catherine’s connection to B.J.? What transpires is an explosive story that takes her world–not to mention the entire city of Atlanta–by storm.
From the New York Times bestselling author of What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day . . . comes another fast-paced and emotionally resonant novel, by turns warm and funny, serious and raw. Pearl Cleage’s ability to create a gripping story centered on strong, spirited black women and the important issues they face remains unrivaled.
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Catherine Sanderson seems to have it all: a fulfilling career helping immigrant women find jobs, a lovely home, and a beautiful, intelligent daughter on her way to Smith College. What Catherine doesn’t have: a father for her child– and she’s spent many years dodging her daughter’s questions about it. Now Phoebe is old enough to start poking around on her own. It doesn’t help matters that the mystery man, B.J. Johnson–the only man Catherine has ever loved–doesn’t even know about Phoebe. He’s been living in Africa.
Now B.J., a renowned newspaper correspondent, is back in town and needs Catherine’s help cracking a story about a female slavery ring operating right on the streets of Atlanta. Catherine is eager to help B.J., despite her heart’s uncertainty over meeting him again after so long, and confessing the truth to him–and their daughter.
Meanwhile, Catherine’s hands are more than full since she’s taken on a new client. Atlanta’s legendary Miss Mandeville–a housekeeper turned tycoon–is eager to have Catherine staff her housekeeping business. But why are the steely Miss Mandeville and her all-too-slick sidekick Sam so interested in Catherine’s connection to B.J.? What transpires is an explosive story that takes her world–not to mention the entire city of Atlanta–by storm.
From the New York Times bestselling author of What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day…comes another fast-paced and emotionally resonant novel, by turns warm and funny, serious and raw. Pearl Cleage’s ability to create a gripping story centered on strong, spirited black women and the important issues they face remains unrivaled.
Customer Reviews:
Good Story.......2007-03-04
I have several of Pearl Cleage books, but have yet to read any of them until one of my book clubs pick this one for our read. I didn't finish it before our meeting, but I finished it afterward and it was a very good book. A little slow but good. I will have to read my other books by Ms. Cleage.
Sister Hood overcomes all.......2007-01-29
I enjoyed this fast paced, easy to read novel with characters I felt that I really knew. I was ready to drive around the city to find these locations mentioned since the book made them so real to me. I love a good plot and this one fooled me all the way!
Babylon Sisters: A Love Story Without All The Mush.......2007-01-26
Pearl Cleage does it again! She successfully puts into words those emotions that are all too common to most of us. Surprisingly, she is able to speak not only for the women characters, but for the men as well. Babylon Sisters is a love story without all of the mush. What I liked most about this book was the complexity of the characters - they have layers and the more you find out about each one, the more believable the character becomes. This book would make a great birthday gift to a friend. If you're a fast reader you can finish this in one weekend.
a good story, well-told.......2007-01-10
I loved this book, on many levels!
I'm a white woman in the Midwest, whose reading tends towards mysteries and gory thrillers, or travel- or food-related fiction and non-fiction. I was looking for something "different" and "light" to read over Christmas, so a book by a black woman about black characters in Atlanta, dealing with "women's issues" and immigration sounded interesting. (See the editorial reviews for story line.)
The mystery thread was engaging (even without anyone getting murdered!) as were the minor plot lines. I was afraid the "single-mother" and "romance" themes might be too sappy, but they weren't.
The glimpse of 'black culture' was interesting and "natural". I liked the characters; you'd be lucky to have them in your circle of friends. It was refreshing to see well-educated, affluent black characters.
There were references to books I've heard of but not read, so I'm now interested in seeking them out (e.g., the one that plays in role in the storyline).
The author's style was so enjoyable. Her turns of phrase were pleasing and the pacing of the chapters made it hard to put down. This was a good story, well-told. I plan to read more of her books.
Outstanding, Something out of the Ordinary .......2006-04-22
This is my first Pearl Cleage book and it won't be my last. The story doesn't have the typical urban fiction storyline its got a lot more to offer. The end is far from predictable. The chapters are short and the book is a quick and easy read. Cleage kept things moving from the beginning to the end. The book offers everything romance, drama, and a good discussion of immigration politics. If you want something out of the ordinary read this book.
The book is about Catherine Sanderson an advocate for immigrant woman and her daughter seventeen year old daughter Phoebe. The relationship between Phoebe and her mother grows rocky when she fails to reveal who her father is. But the main story line is about Catherine and her new job for Miss Mandeville. While working for Miss Mandevile Catherine learns about a female slave ring. Things quickly heat up as she uncovers more and more about immigrant women being sold and used as prostitutes.
Average customer rating:
- Even Better than Good Earth!
- Better Than Good Earth
- Unforgettable
- novel of a lifetime
- AN EARTH-SHAKING NOVEL; PEARL BUCK AT HER FINEST
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Dragon Seed (Buck, Pearl S. Oriental Novels of Pearl S. Buck.)
Pearl S. Buck
Manufacturer: Moyer Bell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1559210338 |
Book Description
To the Chinese the dragon is not an evil creature, but is a god and the friend of men who worship him. He "holds in his power prosperity and peace." Ruling the waters and the winds, he sends the good rain, is hence the symbol of fecundity. In the Hsia dynasty two dragons fought a great duel until both disappeared, leaving only a fertile foam from which were born the descendants of the Hsia. Thus, the dragons came to be looked upon as the ancestors of a race of heroes.
This is the story of China at War.
Customer Reviews:
Even Better than Good Earth!.......2007-07-17
It had been years since I first read the Good Earth in high school and with a strong interest in the Asian culture having adopted three children from China I was prompted to buy a new copy and re-read it. It was a good book but then someone suggested Dragon Seed. While Good Earth was certainly a great book the Dragon Seed was even better! I would put it at the top of the list of books I have read and certainly a must read for those interested in Chinese culture. This one will be read by my children and I am looking forward to reading the rest of Pearl S. Buck's books. Simply and amazing and talented story teller.
Better Than Good Earth.......2007-03-29
Although Good Earth is a celebrated novel, as it should be, I believe Dragon Seed is a book as worthy and even more in many ways as it involves generation differences and war. Amazon offers many Pearl Buck books that can't be found anywhere else. These books have opened a whole new world for me. I love the old time Chinese culture and Dragon Seed is so full of the many aspects, phrases, and customs so unlike today - in our Western World. Each character is so carefully constructed with soul depth, despite the fact that most could not read or write and lived a simple life. The Gods seem to come to life and the tragedy the people suffer so real and frightening during the revolution. The simplistic lifestyle is as well depicted as that in Good Earth. This book is a must for all Old Chinese Culture lovers. So exciting to cuddle up and read good literature.
Unforgettable.......2004-09-20
I have read many books in my time but the two books that stand out for me are Dragon Seed by Pearl S. Buck and This Perfect Day by Irn Levin. Although The Good Earth is a fine book by any standard, Dragon Seed brought the characters to life for me. I have re-read these two books so many times that they have become a little "raggy" with time. Each time I read them I find something new, some new slant on what the authors were saying. The movie that was made from the book Dragon Seed could have been done better and although I like Katherine Hepburn, the part she played should have been played by an oriental. But, the book will live on and will continue to make itself felt for many years to come. Someday, I hope to find someone who will put these two books on a tape for those who have vision difficulty. I have not found them available for the visually impaired thus far. I feel that this is keeping a large section of the population from enjoying these books and I do hope that this will be corrected in the near future.
novel of a lifetime.......2004-07-23
I always preferred reading magazines rather than novels because i thought novels were boring and reading them was a waste of time. After reading Dragon seed my perception about novels took a shift in the positive dierction. No other author can bring out the subtle aspects of life in times of difficulty as pearl buck has did. I read this novel as a thirteen year old but i still remeber every part of it(i am 22 now). Such is the impression this novel has created. one can read a lot of books on philosophy and humanity but still miss out on some key aspects. i promise u will have the feeling of having read a thousand books on the human nature in this one novel. The novel ends with a positive note and a glimmer of hope which will make every reader search for the silver lining even during the most turbulent times.
AN EARTH-SHAKING NOVEL; PEARL BUCK AT HER FINEST.......2000-12-17
I thought I would never read a novel as outstanding as The Good Earth. And then I read Dragon Seed! Thus far, this is the greatest book I have ever read! There are truly no adjectives to satisfactorily describe the depth and poignancy of this novel. My heart filled with sorrow as I turned the pages of this mesmerizing story of the Chinese peasants' condition during World II. I would go back to re-read a paragraph every now and then in order to let the words seep into my very soul. I could not comprehend this unspeakable man's inhumanity to man, but there it was, as only Pearl Buck could write about it. Not to read this book at least once is not to have lived. I will carry the drama and heartbreak of Dragon Seed with me for the rest of my life. Dragon Seed is not just a novel; it is an experience of the heart and soul! It should be a must for everyone who truly loves great literature, and it should be required reading for every public high school student in this country.
Book Description
Bill's autobiography is a delightful mish-mash of photos and text. But, I read the book from cover to cover. I just couldn't stop. I loved it! The good thing about the book is that it is written from the heart -- truthful and fearless. I recommend it highly to anyone who has ever touched a barbell or dumbbell. Bob Kennedy - Publisher of Musclemag International
A Fantastic Book by one of the Good Guys in the Iron Game. This book, like Bill Pearl, is a model of perfection. A very through and factual book with humor thrown in. The photos alone are worth the cost. Pat Casey
What an extraordinary story. You have had more experiences in your lifetime than most of us could have in several. Not only that, you didn't sit back and wait for life to happen or come to you…you went after IT! You touched my heart, made me laugh, think and admire. I found it truly amazing and inspirational. Thank you for sharing. Stacy Krayer
This book goes far beyond the usual "schmaltzy" and "humdrum" bodybuilding autobiography. Not just another "sets and reps" publication, this is the story of Bill Pearl's personal journey through life, in which he reveals himself as a well-rounded, talented, intelligent man who was never just a "muscle head."
Pearl's writing is engaging, humorous and honest, without embellishment, and he has more stories to tell than the brothers Grimm! What is constant throughout is his love for the Iron Game and his sadness at some of the changes that have manifested themselves over the years.
Never one for holding back, Bill's frank and sometimes raw comments regarding his early years I found very moving and his revelations of what goes on behind the scenes of championship bodybuilding will not only surprise but also amuse readers of this splendid narrative.
His down-to-earth, candid comments on some of the stars of bodybuilding are both interesting and informative and most definitely capture the true personalities of people such as John Grimek, Reg Park, Clancy Ross, Sergio Oliva, Lee Haney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, Leo Stern, etc.
Bill's account of his brief stint in the movies and his relationship with the "one and only" Arthur Jones help make this book delightfully different. His adventures in many parts of the world make very interesting reading and his chapter on "The Golden Age of Strength Training" is very well done and should be well received by all who have ever trained with weights.
In an age where the word "superstar" is tossed around lightly, its true meaning has become all but lost. In the world of bodybuilding there are, in my opinion, just a handful of people who deserve this title, Bill Pearl is most definitely one of them. George Coates - contributing author to numerous physique magazines
This is 290 pages of fascinating reading for all of us who will never forget those magic days. It introduces us to all manner of personages that Bill meet along the way ranging from John Grimek to John Paul Getty to Sri Chinmoy to Arthur Jones - a must read. Gary Cleveland
Candid, Powerful, Amazing insight into a true Icon Strongman and Bodybuilding Champion. Bill Pearl was and is the forward thinking visionary of the physical culture. His story is a must for all exercise enthusiasts and historians. Dr. Jeffrey W. Noah - North Carolina Amateur Physique Association (NCAPA) Chairman
This delightful book is a "must-buy" for true muscle fans. Full of humour combined with humility, it is the real story of one of the world's greatest ever bodybuilding champions.
Read and discover the many untold stories and hidden facets of Bill Pearl's fantastic bodybuilding career, which covers the Golden Years of muscle building, from Grimek to Schwarzenegger. Bill's, latest and for me, his best book yet, contains "Pearl's" of wisdom, fascinating facts e.g. Did you know Bill was also a musician and competent mesmerist (hypnotist, which must have been why he always got me to pay for the drinks) and a wealth of rarely seen photographs and illustrations. The book is an emotional and at times hilariously honest journey, from his early tough childhood to the worlds' greatest physique. Highly recommended reading. I absolutely loved it, and can only say "Thanks Bill for the memories." David Gentle - renown author and physical culture historian
Want to find out who the real Bill Pearl is, without the bulletproof muscle magazines protecting his image. Four years in the making "Beyond the Universe - The Bill Pearl Story" is the most inspiring autobiography I have read in years. From Pearl's humble beginnings near Prineville, Oregon to his current place as the true ICON of the Iron Game. The many unexpected twists and turns of the story will make you laugh, think, ponder the meaning of life, but most of all it will entertain you, hard to put down. The chapter about Arthur Jones alone is worth the price of the book. Profusely illustrated with hundreds of pictures from Bill's exciting career as a physique star, gym owner, antique car collector, travels around the world. If you buy one book this year make it "Beyond the Universe". You won't be disappointed. Osmo Kiiha
"The Bill Pearl Story" - An inspiring and true story evidencing that a steadfast adherence to the principals and application of hard work and fair dealings with others will overcome adversity and result in true success. Christopher A. Toy
One hundred years from now, sports historians will turn to Bill's book for insights into the world of bodybuilding as it existed in the late twentieth century. Its honesty and lack of BS will make it a classic of sports literature. David Chapman
In reading this book you will not only know the man Bill Pearl, you will get to know the "pearl" Bill Pearl. Raymond Long
This is THE book for any bodybuilding aficionado but especially the Bill Pearl fan. The hundreds of photographs alone are worth at least twice the price of the book but perhaps more importantly, Bill tells you his story from his heart and that's priceless. Mike Payne
Customer Reviews:
He is One of the Greatest.......2005-09-07
Bill Pearl is one of the greats because he stuck to his convictions and didn't succumb to being a steroid user. And what is so great is that he built a physique that was as good or better than those that did. This book shows what hard work and determination will do for you. Great inspirational read and highly motivating. Anyone who likes bodybuilding and appreciates those who have left a positive legacy for the sport will appreciate this book a lot. I highly recommend this book to all who love or even just like bodybuilding.
Great Autobiographical Look At Bill Pearl's Amazing Life! .......2005-08-18
Although his name has never become a household word recognized by the average Joe, former Mr. Universe Bill Pearl is easily one of the greatest competitive bodybuilders of all time, having won the Mr. America title as well as both the Amateur and Professional NABBA Mr. Universe titles, the latter several times. Back in the days before muscle-magazine magnate Joe Weider created the Mr. Olympia title as a venue for former Mr. Universe winners to continue to compete in the world of professional bodybuilding, the NABBA Professional Mr. Universe title was the place where they strove against each other in a battle of egos and physiques. In this arena Pearl was never defeated, and there is considerable speculation as to whether he or Arnold Schwarzenegger would have emerged victorious had they competed as planned in the fall of 1970. Arnold was game, but passed by the contest on instructions from Weider, who wanted to avoid the possibility that Schwarzenegger might lose and thus the Weider-sponsored IFBB version of the Mr. Universe contest would have been discredited.
So the fabled match-up never occurred, and there are various schools of thought regarding whose physique was superior. Regardless, there is no question that Pearl, who was always a consummate gentleman and great competitor, was fully up to the task. Pearl's life, as told here in terms of anecdotes, streams of photographs, and a number of diverting narratives by Pearl himself, is as congenial and multifaceted as Pearl himself. From the very beginning, Bill Pearl was a man with many talents and a great number of interests, and when not building his incredible arms and shoulders he was just as likely to be found in other amiable pursuits ranging from playing musical instruments to building a series of successful business ventures. He was the first bodybuilder who saw his career as a business enterprise, and like Reg Park of Britain (and later South Africa), took his show on the road to glean the profits from posing exhibitions, seminars, and the first really comprehensive bodybuilding training manual, "Bill Pearl's Keys To The Inner Universe".
Pearl was always on the cutting edge of American physical culture, from the early heady days around the environs of the original Muscle Beach and the greater Los Angeles area, where he had his first commercial gym, to his later ventures as a serial winner of the Professional Universe, where he and Reg Park seemed to alternate their periodic wins to propel their gym businesses. In his last run at the Pro Mr. Universe in 1970, Pearl was 40 years old and was in absolutely astounding condition, and those present say that no one could have beaten him on that particular day. Indeed, at 5' 10 "and 240 pounds, he was denser, bulkier, and thicker than Arnold in his prime. For those of us that watched the sport of bodybuilding progress from its early days in the 1950s through its glory days of the 1960s and 1970s, Pearl stands out along with a few others like Schwarzenegger, John C. Grimek, Reg Park, Larry Scott, and Dave Draper as one of the titans of the physical culture scene. For anyone who missed his presence on the stage, this sentimental journey with Bill in a recollection and reflection of those times will serve as a rewarding substitute. Enjoy!
Book Description
When Regina Burns married Blue Hamilton, she knew he was no ordinary man. A charismatic R&B singer who gave up his career to assume responsibility for the safety of Atlanta’s West End community, Blue had created an African American urban oasis where crime and violence were virtually nonexistent. In the beginning, Regina enjoyed a circle of engaging friends and her own work as a freelance communications consultant. Most of all, she relished the company of her husband, who never ceased to be a source of passion and delight.
Then everything changed. More and more frightened women were showing up in West End, seeking Blue’s protection from lovers who had suddenly become violent. When the worst offenders begin to disappear without a trace, the signs–all of them grim–seem to point toward Blue and his longtime associate, Joseph “General” Richardson. Now that Regina is pregnant, her fear for Blue’s safety has become an obsession that threatens the very heart of their relationship.
At the same time, Regina’s friend Aretha Hargrove is desperately trying to redefine her own marriage. Aretha’s husband, Kwame, is lobbying for them to leave West End and move to midtown. Aretha resists at first, but finally agrees in an effort to rekindle the flame that first brought them together.
Regina and Aretha have no way of knowing that what they regard as their private struggles will soon become very public. When Baby Brother, a charming con man, insinuates himself into the community, it becomes clear that there is more to his handsome façade than meets the eye. He carries the seeds of change that will affect both women in profound and startling ways.
Returning to the vividly rendered Atlanta district of her last two novels, New York Times bestselling author Pearl Cleage brilliantly weaves the threads of her characters’ intersecting lives into a story of family, friendship and, of course, love. Baby Brother’s Blues is full of wit and warmth, illumination the core of every woman’s hopes and dreams.
From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Read.......2007-08-07
Pearl has done it once again. This was truly a page turner. It contains a little bit of romance, suspense, imagination and a dose of reality. I wish she didnt take so long in between each book. Great job.
Lady Sings The Baby Brother's Blues.......2007-07-28
Baby Brothers Blues is a 333 page fiction book with 66 chapters including an epilogue. The book has several animated characters and plots that eventually cross one another like latitudes and parallel lines cross on a globe. Blue the modern day Black Robin Hood for society, General the right hand man of Blue, Baby Brother the handsome DL army thug deserter, Brandi the young naive stripper are just a few memorable characters. I think Pearl Cleage did a good job in developing the characters and tying in the plot. If you have a busy schedule this book will probably take you a week to read, but it is worth
Amazing.......2007-07-15
WOW!!!
I found this book to be captivating. What a wonderful storyteller. I think this is my favorite Cleage book so far. There are several characters in the book, all carefully thought out and explained with brilliance and candor. The thing that makes the book so powerful for me is the use of everyday world challenges mixed with the social and economical changes of society. There is no subject to sensitive to be discussed by Cleage and her elegent writing leaves you utterly speechless and she spins a tale that is realistic and mystic in the same space.
The end wrapped everything up too quickly.......2007-04-13
I enjoyed reading this book and following all the characters. Initially they are introduced and eventually you find out that they are all connected. The descriptions are very vivid and you can really imagine the characters. The story was interesting and kept me reading.
But at the end of the book I felt like I was watching a show on tv and they were hurrying up to wrap up the plot before the end. There were so many other twists and turns that could have happened, but it was almost as though the writer thought she had written enough and that was it.
This is definitely a book you would get from the library.
Complex and Artful.......2007-03-29
Blue Hamilton and Regina are back, along with a host of characters from Cleage's other novels. In this incarnation, black women, children and the elderly live without fear throughout the West Wend, where Blue and his General control crime. But the arrival of Baby Brother, an arrogant Army deserter, upsets this precarious balance. A haunting, offbeat portrayal of Atlanta by a master wordsmith.
Books:
- A Long Way from Home (Multi-Ethnic Literatures of the Americas)
- A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
- A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder--How Crammed Closets, Cluttered Offices, and On-the-Fly Planning Make the World a Better Place
- A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- African American Childhoods: Historical Perspectives from Slavery to Civil Rights
- African American Literature: Voices in a Tradition
- Alibi: A Novel
- American Mourning: The Intimate Story of Two Families Joined by War, Torn by Beliefs
- And I Haven't Had a Bad Day Since: From the Streets of Harlem to the Halls of Congress
Books Index
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- Physics for Scientists and Engineers
- Handbook of Animal Radio-Tracking
- James J Hill & Opening of Northwest
- YALE DAILY NEWS WORKING KNOWLEDGE
23 Minutes in Hell
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Heaven
