Once more Lawrence Sanders casts his eye over some odd ball inhabitants of Palm Beach, Florida. Through Archy McNally, a local layabout from a wealthy family, Sanders is again able to play fast and loose with the Queen's English, and display his tastes in cars, clothes, food and wine. This novel is perhaps a touch too clever, and while entertaining, does not build up the story to the extent that the reader can get deeply involved.

This book had most of the delicious features of the other McNally books, but was missing something. I guess the killer's motivation was a little weak. Also, some of the juicy details were never wrapped up (e.g., why the nude photo collection?). McNally's case revolves around an eccentric family of nuts. He feels pity for the sane little 8 year old girl, who suffers with bitter parents. The killer was fairly easy to guess, and the show down near the end was dramatic.

...a mucho rich client of McNally and Son, Attorney at Law hires Archy McNally to find out who's been lifting some priceless artifacts from a huge mansion. Among these items is a one of a kind edition of an Edgar Allen Poe novel. As Archy investigates (he goes to chez Forsythe under the pretense that the pater-familias has hired him to catalog his massive library) he finds that everyone in the household is some kinda nut case, except for the youngest member, a little girl named Lucy who is more mature and more lucid than anyone around. Someone tries to kill the one of the ladies of the house and then the pater familias is warned with a note saying "Your Next"...which wouldn't in itself be much of a crime, but when he does winds up dead, everyone in the mansion and the surrounding horse stables becomes a suspect. Except for Archy's new little girl friend, Lucy.

Archy bribes most of his informants with dinners, cases of booze and weekends in the Bahamas....to get the info he needs to help the crusty ol' police sargent put the kibosh on the murderer. But Archy also comes dangerouly close to complicating matters with some injudicious bedhoppings. What helps the novel become a fun read is because Archy fancies himself as a gourmand of sorts and he always tells you what he's had for breakfast, lunch and dinner and Archy is a ladies man and he always tells you what his leading ladies--especially his main squeeze, Connie--is looking like when he approaches them. Sanders has managed to put a British styled murder mystery smack in the midst of South Florida...

The author takes upon himself a thesis too difficult argue successfully. His conclusions are evident before his evidence is presented. I found the narrative clumsy and repetitive.

As a reader with no particular agenda except that a book be well-written and/or informative, I found Nossiter's latest work to be a bit weak stylistically but strong in reportage.He describes all too well the phenomena of the Emperor's new clothes - townspeople turning a blind eye to the obvious, and rationalizing their actions to an extreme. Shadows of the horrors which occured hang over the selected three towns he visited even today though the people and the physical settings have changed almost beyond recognition.I found especially interesting the part the American Embassy in Vichy and its employees played during these dark days.A book which increases my knowledge of a time and place and which impels me to do further reading on the subject is one I like to recommend to others.

Usually, there's nothing like a thorough French bashing to put me in good spirits...I feel I'm entitled after living there for many years. But this book was very effective in showing the compromising, cowardly side of the French during WWII in a very subtle and unsettling way. Nossiter, like a good journalist, lets people tell their own stories, and somehow get people to talk themselves into some pretty deep holes. My one criticism is that the book is too scholarly, the topic is certainly dramatic, and I think that it drags a bit in some places. I once read that the French haven't yet figured out which side they were on in WWII. So true.

This book paints a disturbingly distorted portrait of a people who have been constantly misrepresented by our society. I was born in Eastern Kentucky, in the Appalachian Mountains, and am personally offended by this book. Adams and Smith deliberately sought out to find the most backward people they could, and pass them off to the rest of the nation as mainstream Appalachia. Portraits slaps the face of everyone from the Appalachian area, and keeps the extremely unfair stereotype of Appalachia alive. It is a very culturally biased piece of work, and both Adams and Smith should have known better.

Shelby Lee Adam's doesn't, as some accuse him of, train his camera on the families of Eastern Kentucky to ridcule or expose them in their poverty or backwardness. Instead, because of his devotion to capturing in an authentic way authentic people, he simply and lovingly captures their reality. Is the poverty easy to look at? No. Is the "backwardness" easy to understand? Not very. But Adam's neither condemns nor condones his subjects; he simply and carefully records. We should all be grateful for that.

I grew up in central KY, just 1 1/2 hours away from Appalachian KY. While the stories and families depicted in these photos are quite true to their nature, it may offer a skewed view of Eastern Kentucky life. Not everyone over there lives in the condition that my dad and I jokingly call "Squalor in the 'holler." However, it happens to be the part that is fascinating. I think the purpose of this book was not to represent Eastern KY, but to represent the intense poverty of the region and to share a glimpse of a lifestyle that most of us cannot comprehend. This book shows what people want to see of Appalachian KY. It's what they are looking for, and it is delivered. That is a place that time has left behind. It's one of the poorest regions in the U.S. due to several certain factors and it is fascinating to see how other folks live. It is a different world over there. If you enjoy thinking about human geography and sociology, this book may welllead to hours of thought.

I GOT VERY LITTLE REDEEMING VALUE FROM THIS BOOK. HE CRITISIZED JAME DOBSON AND LARRY CRAB AMONG OTHERS. I HAPPEN TO BE FOND OF THESE AUTHORS. HE CRITISIZES THE 'SELF ESTEEM MOVEMENT' WITHOUT GIVING ANYTHING HE BELIEVES TO BE THE ANSWER.MOST BOOKS I READ HAVE SOMETHING TO HELP ME GROW IN THE LORD. THIS DID NOTHING FOR ME. WHAT WAS HIS POINT? WE ARE CREATED BY GOD. GOD DOES'NT MAKE TRASH.

This book exposes the humanistic philsophy behind modern psychology with special emphasis on so-called modern "Christian" counseling. Dr. Adams argues that any philsophy that is "self-"centered cannot, at the same time, be God-centered. He makes a very good case for the fact that our society suffers not from low self-esteem but from high self-esteem--taking a higher view of ourselves than we ought to take.

Dr. Adams spends considerable time defeating the arguement that one's basic needs must be met in order to be mentally healthy; i.e. Maslow's Theory. He contrasts Modern psychology which teaches that we must achieve "self-actualization" before we are useful for ministry with Scripture which teaches that we should "seek first His kingdom...."

This book is well organized and concise; it reads very quickly. It is a must for those trying to make a case for God-centered living.

This is a very good book on the invasion of psychology into the church of Christ, and how it perverts the Gospel. The only negative on this book is it leaves room for the Biblical Counseling model that is fashioned after psychological counseling instead of returning to strictly Biblical methods of improvement and support within a church.

This book is extremely offensive in that, from the outset it attempts to make legitimate the terrorist campaign of murder led by IRA/Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland. In an ironic political spin, the author (himself a convicted terrorist) attempts to associate himself with peace when he and his organisation are responsible for a vast number of horrific bombings, mass murders etc.

The title itself: "Free Ireland" is most offensive. Adams pictures himself as a liberator, when the opposite is true. 60% of the people in NI want the province to remain part of the UK. To support his argument, the author sights historic incidents of British oppression, but a United Ireland would be greatly oppressive since it would ignore the democratic principle of majority rule.

As you read the most important point to remember is this: Adams clearly wants to emphasis his role (as he sees it) as peacemaker. This is misleading. Sinn Fein/IRA are not responsible for peace, only murder. The credit for the success of the current peace process in NI, should go to those who have appeased these terrorists (i.e. British & Irish governments)...by offering concessions (e.g. seats in devolved NI government), they have slowly weaned SF/IRA from their vices.

Please don't believe that murderers will stop killing because they have developed a conscience. At no time in this book does Adams apologise for the atrocities his organisation has committed (although he spends much effort condemning the actions of others). Adams did not bring about peace, he simply stopped murdering people because he believes that he may further his cause more successfully by talking politics.

At times the carefully manufactured image of peacemaker does slip. How can someone publishing a document containing the line: "Get the British out of Ireland" maintain international respect or domestic credibility? A book of such ethnic hated is extremely offensive to the entire population of G.Britain as well as the Protestants of Northern Ireland.

An excellent book about how the IRA was able to defeat the British millitarily, and how Sinn Fein was able to defeat the Unionists politically. Adams has long been a hero to the Irish American people, and is well known for his ability to outwit and outmaneuver the forces of Britian and Loyalisim.

I agree with the reviewer from Boston in all that he says. Read this book to cut through the British propoganda that surrounds us.

I agree with the first reviewer. A blatant case of intellectual dishonesty. Michael Radelet is one of the worst researchers on capital punishment. I don't know how the guy got his tenure. Don't buy it!!

Just some definitional clarification in response to comments made about the "intellectual dishonesty" of the authors:

CAPITAL OFFENSE - a crime for which the death penalty may be imposed. Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Ed. 1999.

Black's is the legal system's most trusted authority on legal terminology, and while it is perhaps unfair and potentially misleading for the authors to have exploited a reader's possible misunderstanding of the nature of capital sentencing and prosecutorial dealmaking, the authors are correct in their usage of the term.

This is a wonderful book documenting some of the most significant failures of Justice in the 20th century. The stories presented within are both enthralling and heartbreaking. I highly recommend this book.

Another reviewer accused this book's authors of "intellectual dishonesty" for including crimes that did not result in a death sentence. However, this reviewer erroneously stated that only crimes that eventually result in the death penalty are capital crimes. This is not true. A capital crime is an crime that carries with it the _potential_ for recieving a death sentence - not just the crimes that actually do recieve such a sentence.

The authors also stated in the introduction that they would be including crimes which, at the time they were committed, constituted a capital offense, but no longer are considered death penalty-eligible (like rape).

The only "intellectual dishonesty" present is that of certain reviewers who make false statements and tarnish the reputations of well-respected researchers.

After having read some of the reviews given to this Bible, I was concerned about the issue of mercy and grace. Paul teaches us that grace can be taken as far as holiness can be lived. The articles that are found here really urge you toward holy living. It has to be recognized that even though we are free from the law, God hates sin. We cannot go forward and press into the throneroom of grace without a right heart. The Bible helped me recognize that God accepts me despite my sin, but at the same time requires me to press on in holiness. I would recommend it to anyone that wants to be blessed by the Pentecostal/Charismatic theologians of the twentieth century. I have had many of these men as professors one time or another, and even with their hard stance on holy living their love is beyond compare.

I read the reviews of the Full Life Study Bible and felt I had to respond, especially to the woman from Georgia's view that this study Bible is filled with "hate."

This study Bible reflects the work of a Pentecostal missionary, the late Donald Stamps. Various other Pentecostal scholars also worked on the study Bible including prestigious scholars such as Dr. Stanley Horton, Dr. French Arrington, and Dr. Robert Shank.

My only complaints against the Full Life is that the notes were written by one man so they are not as plentiful as say the NIV Study Bible. I also would favor a more literal translation such as the NASB or the NKJV then the NIV although I am not opposed to the NIV. The study notes reflect the theology of the classical Pentecostal movement. For a more charismatic study Bible see the Spirit-Filled Study Bible published by Thomas Nelson and edited by Dr. Jack Hayford.

I enjoyed this Bible. I have been looking for a Bible that contained the pentecostal/charismatic notes. It also helps me understand the Arminian theological perspectives on different passages of the Bible.
This study Bible has great articles like "The ministry leadership gift for the church", "Election and predestination", "sanctification", etc...
This study Bible does emphasize holiness. But do not misunderstand this study Bible as a "legalistic" study bible. This Bible does not emphasize that good deeds grants you salvation. But it does emphasize how Christians should live in a dark world and how we are to be a light.
I do recommend this if you are looking for a study Bible with pentecostal/charismatic/amrinian perspectives.

I thought that this would be a great book written by THE Douglas Adams, author of HHG2G and well known atheist. Wow, was I mistaken! Anyway, I've got nothing against this book. I just want to make sure other people don't make the same mistake I did.

Books like this whet one's taste buds: one wants more and more. It's like having a healthy appetite for meat and potatoes and having to satisfy the inner man with finger food and water cress and cucumber sandwiches. The basic problem is that this Douglas Adams took his class notes and student submissions and bound them together without a decent editor. It is somewhat like reading a movie or play script instead of witnessing the performance. His exegesis on various Bible passages is positively brillant, yet he spoils it all with his stage directions ad nauseum. I would love to attend his classes and his homilies. Reading the directions for making these insights visible is boring. Yet I remain glad that I bought this tasty tidbit. I have already referred to it several times in "chatting" with literalists and those who use single Biblical verses to present their "dogmatic truths" from the Bible. [Caveat: Although this Douglas Adams is a colleague of my wife, I have not met either D.A. {When I was a teenager, a certain haircut was referred to as a "D.A."}]

I wish Dr. Adams had lectured at the seminary I attended. This book is an outstanding addition to the professional preacher's library. It discusses scripture in down-to-earth-language, exegetes passages clearly without excess scholarly fuss, and provides an "alternative" view of some of our favorite biblical texts that is still firmly based in scripture and accurate in interpretation. If your congregation is not primarily consisted of PhD's, you will find this book a very helpful and amusing resource.

In mystery writing--as in all fiction writing--when you pull apart the hardcover buns, there should be a sizeable slab of conflict inside. Sure, depending on how the author or readers like it, condiments such as plot, characterization, and blah, blah, blah, can be added to enhance taste. But conflict is the "beef" of all fiction. Harold Adams' book has small meat.

The writing is tight, the history and scenic descriptions accurate and well-done, but everyone gets along. A stranger dies in the beginning, but no one is ever threatened again. The protagonist gets along with his wife, the local cops, the local residents, even the suspects. What's the point? There's no urgency. I only turned the pages out of curiosity to find out when something good might start happening. It didn't.

Okay. I'm exaggerating. The book is not that bad. Give it three stars. Lovers of pure whodunits may give it four. But for me this was no Whopper. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead.

As a fan of the Carl Wilcox series and having read all the previous novels, the author has done his readership damage by marrying Carl off! Part of the glamor of this series has been the sort of sexiness of a well-meaning, intelligent bachelor who solves murders in very interesting and creative ways in an era before today's technology. Carl has shown his interest in women through out the series and that idea of romance draws the reader in. As a female, his allure as a bachelor detective took me in -- always wondering about whether there would be a conquest or not. For me, the best Harold Adams can do is write out Hazel, Carl's wife, in some calamity that Carl can deal with and solve!

Harold Adams has written a tremendous series of books about Depression era bum/detective Carl Wilcox. This is not his best, but if you love the series and like Wilcox, the book is fun to read.

First time readers should start further back in the series. In this one there is no real "bad guy" to hate; Wilcox is married(!) and on his honeymoon.... this leaves setting and writing style as the major draws. They work for me, because I like the series, but would probably not sell a first time reader.

Likening this book to the Hornblower series is an understandable (though untrue) bit of publisher's hype (that's why I bought it) but another reviewer said "it was more akin to the Aubrey/Maturin series". Hate to think anyone still struggling with the end of that series would buy it on that basis. Yes, they both feature sailing ships but that's about all. The book is poorly plotted, has no believable characters, seems rife with anacronisms, and provides none of the period texture which is key to good historical fiction. The book reads like the author wrote 5 seperate drafts, then accidently dropped them all on the floor and never quite got the pages sorted again.

This is one of those novels you save for when you are stuck for a long period of time in an airport, or at home on a rainy evening with nothing much on TV. While not great literature, it is an interesting tale. The events might seem unlikely in modern terms, but this was in 1761 when people in far-off colonies did not always follow the back-home rules.

Captain Adam Horne receives secret orders to kidnap a prisoner from England's own military forces. The details of the plot have been used before, i.e., he recruits inmates from the prison in Bombay, takes them to a secret base for training, and lets the convicts redeem themselves by carrying out a highly dangerous mission (does this sound like "the Dirty Dozen"). Captain Horne is in the Bombay Marines, an independent naval force of the East India Company which owes its loyalty to the company first and to England second (this was the company largely responsible for the American Revolution by putting the company's interests ahead of everything else).

The details of the plot are interesting and, perhaps, reflect the conditions of that time period, e.g., dangerous weather, a high death rate in overseas service, harsh discipline (the captain's word was law and people could be executed with no recourse to appeals), etc. This was during one of the many wars between England and France. The Bombay Marines fought the French, somewhat independently of the British Army and Navy, to give the East India Company domination and control of trade with India. It was all about money. The author provides a small map, and a short afterward with a few comments on the history of the time period.

If you take this book at face value it is a delightful read. While no masterpiece it was entertaining. I had no problem following the plot or the story line. So quit-cha-belly-aching!