Betty Broderick was wronged, no doubt. This book does a wonderful job explaining the legal dealings -- and how they were stacked against her. But Betty was also emotionally immature (even dangerous) and entirely too willing to let her children be weapons on the marital battlefield. And while Dan Broderick was certainly no saint, to say that he abused Betty and drove her to her actions is an insult to the women all over the country who have to fight off the fists of husbands at night, or who have to drag the fathers of their children into court to get child support, and yet somehow manage to NOT resort to homicide.

For the most part, this book is very fair and even-handed. And fascinating about the gender roles that we fall into in our relationships. If Betty hadn't seen her value only in terms of Dan, if she had viewed Gloria Steinem as more than "pretty but weird," if Dan hadn't been so sure of his divine right to call the shots, this tragedy would not have happened.

I came away from the book feeling that the author gave Linda Kolkena a raw deal. Whatever her sins may have been (and from where I sit, her sin was falling in love with and blindly believing in her "knight in shining armor"), she paid for them with her life.

After seeing the tv movies, watching the court tv trial, this book proved to be refreshing. The D.A. Carrie Wells seemed to have a personal dislike for Betty and thus the tv movies seemed to be based more on Ms. Wells opionion than on fact.Betty was raked over the coals in divorce court where all odds were stacked against her because of who her husband was.While Bella Stumbo showed the desent of Betty's mind, she showed how she was pushed and pushed.This was a woman who worked first to put him through medical school, then law school, and when he finally made it he wanted to get rid of the devoted wife. He was a unfair man by any standards. Linda comes across as petty and spiteful.It was hard to feel any compassion for either her or Dan. What kind of person keeps another woman's china just for spite. Not only did Linda have no morals. she had no compassion. Carrie Wells wants everyone to believe that the four Broderick children loved Linda, if you believed the movie, but it was evident that they disliked her for her petty ways against there mother. No matter what Betty was their Mom and by almost everyone a real good one. If Dan had just given her a fair settlement this probably would not have happened. Betty could have taken her money and wished the two selfish people luck. This is one case where clemency should be granted. Dan and Linda weren't happy just to take the money and the kids, they had to humiliate her too.Was what she did extreme? Of course it was.But my sympathy is with Betty and her children, not Dan and Linda.

This was an excellent book, a real inside look at the "all-American happy family of 6" turned dysfunctional, as well as the current state of our justice system. Betty Broderick was a product of her upbringing, a "good Catholic girl" who spent nearly 10 years cutting corners and making sacrifices to put her husband Dan through Harvard Law School, although he had already achieved a medical degree from Cornell. Betty, unfortunately, placed far too much importance on appearances and social aspirations. Her decision to "look the other way" from Dan's high-profile affair with his hand-picked 22-year-old assistant, Linda, proved to be devastating. When Dan decided to divorce Betty for Linda, Betty's entire world was shattered. Stumbo tells the entire story of Betty's "fall from grace" in an even-handed manner, showcasing Betty's selfishness as well as her descent into madness. Dan and Linda are portrayed in a good light by their friends and relatives, while shown by others to be petty and self-centered, especially in their continuous efforts to knock Betty down another notch, even years after Betty and Dan's separation. Stumbo's best moments, however, are in the courtroom, for both the divorce and murder trials. The divorce trial takes a beating by Stumbo, who shows just how unfairly long-suffering wives and mothers are treated by the justice system when the spouse is a prominent citizen, not to mention a millionaire who regularly rubs shoulders with law-enforcement officials. Dan Broderick got by constantly on his influence without having to prove himself as a "good" parent, a responsible individual, or even a wealthy one, as Betty constantly was forced to do. The tragedy that resulted is shown by Stumbo in all of its tarnish: there are no heroes in this story, only seriously flawed human beings, who by turns, were also victims. Betty was the first victim, Dan and Linda were the final victims, and the children were the ultimate victims. I would especially ! recommend this for anyone going through a divorce, civilized or not. It's a chilling look at how emotions, untreated and flamed by a lack of concern, can suddenly become an impulsive act.

If you're looking for an exciting story with an interesting plot, very appealing characters, and lots of action, Betty Sullivan LaPierre's new "Hawkman" series might be just what you're looking for. The first book, THE ENEMY STALKS, is the story of Hawkman, a former government agent forced into retirement by a disastrous mission which left him with sight in only one eye. Now, with a new identity, he is haunted by the knowledge that the Agency mole that destroyed not only his career but also his wife is still at large and still a threat. He has no idea just how potent that threat is until his shadowy past violently intrudes into his life. Hawkman's past also threatens Hawkman's friend and neighbor Jennifer Morgan.

From the time that a stranger tries to kill Hawkman until the end of the book, there's plenty of action, adventure, twists and turns. The threats escalate from phone calls and prowlers to bombs and night crawling assassins. It is a pleasure watching Jennifer grow and change during the course of the book. Although admittedly intrigued by Hawkman, she harbors some doubts about him and his past. She has trouble accepting that violence and danger have not only entered her life, but now threaten it. As the book goes on, she realizes that she must confront this danger with a strength she never knew she had. Jennifer and Hawkman must also confront the fact that, unexpectedly, they are very attracted to each other. Both still hurting from the deaths of their spouses, they come to realize that their relationship is very important to them.

LaPierre has crafted a credible, swiftly moving story. She lulls you into a false sense of security with lovely scenes set in the northern California mountain country, then whisks that security away with breathless chases and deadly gunfire. As soon as one question is answered another one pops up to push the action along even more. Who is after Hawkman and why he's being targeted are only part of the puzzle.

Woven throughout the book is LaPierre's obvious love of the outdoors. Her descriptions of Copco Lake are lush and inviting: she makes you want to take off down one of the deserted trails and hike into the mountains. You can sense Hawkman's bond with the injured birds that he cares for as well as his satisfaction in being able to release them again. Equally engaging are the characters that LaPierre has created. They're real and interesting - people you'd like to meet, or have as your neighbors.

I look forward to the next book in the "Hawkman" series - I have to admit that this one was hard to walk away from. It really drew me in and made me care. I hope that we get a better understanding of Hawkman in future installments, a deeper look into his character and his thoughts.

The Enemy Stalks is a debut novel filled with action and adventure. Prepare to be transported to a world of danger and suspense as Jennifer and Hawkman evade a killer bent on revenge. Join this cast of characters in a lovely lakeside setting where the healing power of love between a retired bitter intelligence agent, a lovely widow, some injured hawks, and a young boy who desperately needs a family will make this an enjoyable read.

Fly with Betty La Pierre to a secluded lake setting and meet her charismatic hero Hawkman. A retired intelligence operative, he's still in the line of fire. And Jennifer, his new romantic interest, insists on sharing his dangerous company. This story will enthrall you up to its climactic end. Can't wait to read the future sequels emerging from Ms. La Pierre's IMac!

I bought this book when I bought my bread machine. I really love the variety of recipes in this book. I have tried two recipes already that are really very easy to make and easy to follow. I also like the feature that it has a spiral binding and lies flat!

what would you expect, its betty crocker. its gorgously designed, beautiful pictures, tons of color, and great recipes. its definetly the best bread machine book in the market.

Every recipe from this book comes out perfect every time!! Delicious complement-gathering recipes with an assortment of bread types. Bread is awesome -- bakery quality, not like your typical "bread machine" bread. If your bread machine has been collecting dust, this is the book that inspire you to start using it again.

Betty Grable was the star whose pinup photograph was the most popular among World War Two servicemen. The vibrant blonde star also set a record that has never come close to being equaled in reigning as Hollywood's female box office champ for an incredible ten years. What made movie fans throughout the world love Betty Grable?

Scottish author Tom McGee supplies the answer to that question in his entertaining biography of the popular film great. A personal friend of Grable's who had the opportunity to interview her at length on many occasions, McGee etches an enduring portrait of a wholesome, caring woman who always put warmth as a human being and loyalties to family and friends above star persona. Ego was never a problem with the popular superstar in an industry often overcome by it. When one sees such a warm and totally unaffected woman emerge in the pages of "The Girl With The Million Dollar Legs" it becomes obvious that people the world over loved Betty Grable because of the vibrance, warmth, and sweetness they saw in her.

McGee's book is also rich in photographs capturing Grable and the luminous era in which she starred. There is also a warmly affecting Foreword by fellow Twentieth Century Fox blonde glamour girl, Alice Faye. Grable and Faye became great friends with no animosity or jealousy ever emerging.

This book is a must for Grable fans and all those who love the exciting cinema era of the forties and fifties. It is so refreshing to read a movie biography devoid of trashy gossip and petty commentary.

about Betty Grable.
I loved all her movies as a kid. This book is really a valentine to her, and for my money, she deserves all the nice things ever said about her! If you are a Grable fan, you will love this book...wonderful pictures! You will also be outraged at the
way 20th treated its "golden blonde" later in her career.
But "Girl with the Million Dollar Legs" is a terrific Betty bio.

I have just read 'Betty Grable.The Girl with the Million Dollar Legs'.The best biography of a Hollywood star that I have ever read. I never had the pleasure of meeting Betty Grable but after reading Tom McGee's wonderful book, I feel as though I know her very well. Congratulations Mr. Mcgee and thankyou for sharing your memories of a legend, the great Betty Grable.

I found this book to be a delight. Well worth having in a collection on this breed. It covers everything from the history of the breed to practical grooming, art, and much much more.

I have ordered several of these as Christmas gifts for my "Cavalier friends." It's a terrific book on a terrific breed. I have had and loved many of these dogs over the last 20+ years, so I am very critical of information about them. This is the BEST I have ever seen on the breed, bar none! It is complete, fun to read, and accurate. The author covers the subject from A to Z. You'll never need another book on this breed (unless the author comes out with a 2nd edition!) I can't recommend it highly enough.

A very informative book on Cavalier King Charles Spaniels--easy to read and full of valuable information. A must for Cavalier King Spaniel owners and for those researching the breed! Lovely photos and illustrations.

I bought this book to get some advice on how to train my airedaleterrier. (not much about terriers in it) It's good points are: it understands that your dog doesn't live to please. It explains what characterizes the dominant and independent dog. This is excellent. On the downside: not very good photos inside the book. This book is very focused on bulldogs. The author tends to get into a lot of details about how she trained her own bulldogs, lots of personal comments about her dogs etc that I could have done without.

The training method is nothing new, she relies on positive reinforcement using food, which is good, but you can get the same info on training in lots of other dog books. This book is recommended for trying to understand your dog's unique personality, not for the training exercises.

I recommend this book to owners of all breeds, not just the "traditionally challenging" breeds. Fisher and Delzio describe training techniques which would work with any dog. Furthermore, they clearly recognize that dogs are individuals. Their guide to recognizing whether your dog is independent, dominant or fearful is the best I have seen and is easily understood by the lay trainer. This book also contains a very sensible approach for becoming a leader in your household. My dogs are not Lassie and I hope never will be, but with the help of this book they are gentlemen in public and successful in the obedience ring.

This is the first training book I've owned that really translated into results with my dog. My dog isn't a "difficult" breed (she's a border collie mix), but she is highly energetic and distractable. Most books tell you "do this and your dog will respond this way." My dog rarely did what the book said she would. "So Your Dog's Not Lassie" instead gives detailed troubleshooting, covering a bunch of different dog reactions. With the book's help I've *finally* gotten her to stop pulling on the leash when we walk. She is 9 years old. This is a real accomplishment. I have a much better understanding of the need to get her attention (there's an excellent chapter called "Earth to Dog") and how that is the key to making our training work. This book made me excited about learning and working with my dog again. I recommend it highly.

Raymond Chandler made the definitive statement about L.A.'s Santa Ana Winds at the beginning of his short story "Red Wind." In Easy Rawlins' L.A., the hot, dry winds that fill the lungs with cactus dust and make the skin peel around the fingernails never seem to stop.

Easy is in search of an erotic dream woman from his childhood who is being sought by one of those rich white families who have more skeletons than clothes in their closets. Around the same time, the very dangerous Raymond "Mouse" Alexander is released from the pen; and Easy's attempt to make a killing in the real estate market run up against a brick wall.

There are plot threads aplenty, and enough characters to fill a passenger liner. Mosley is too good a writer to leave any threads untied, but I do get lost at times with some of the characters. One bad dude is not heard from for a hundred pages when he commits a particularly heinous murder at the very end. "Oh, yeah, wasn't he the guy that ...?" Sometimes, I would have welcomed the list of characters, complete with nicknames, that occasionally accompanies an 800-page Russian novel.

What makes this a minor complaint is that Mosley has such a great sense of place and so much feeling for his characters. We don't meet the character he calls "Black Betty" until the end of the novel, but we keep seeing vignettes from Easy's past that keep building up the suspense, and any expectations are more than fulfilled by an ending that is bloodier than the last act of Hamlet.

Easy Rawlins is a complex character. I enjoy getting to know him better in each of Mosley's books. But because Walter Mosley has such a wonderful talent for character development, I probably will never have Easy figured out completely. What amazes me about these books is that they read like a serial but any one of them can stand on it's own without any long, detailed introductions or explanations. Black Betty does not disappoint. Easy juggles several situations at once and manages to bring order and justice to his world by the end of the book. I think the most endearing quality of Easy's is the love and care he gives to his kids, Jesus and Feather. The time spent with his family gives a good balance to the darker side of his life on the streets. There are some big surprises in this story...some good and some sad and good at the same time. I bought this book a long time ago and saved it until the next Easy Rawlings book came out so I could read them both at the same time because when I finish a Walter Mosley book I always want more. I wish he could write 'em as fast as I can read 'em

Easy Rawlins is a complex character. I enjoy getting to know him better in each of Mosley's books. But because Walter Mosley has such a wonderful talent for character development, I probably will never have Easy figured out completely. What amazes me about these books is that they read like a serial but any one of them can stand on it's own without any long, detailed introductions or explanations. Black Betty does not disappoint. Easy juggles several situations at once and manages to bring order and justice to his world by the end of the book. I think the most endearing quality of Easy's is the love and care he gives to his kids, Jesus and Feather. The time spent with his family gives a good balance to the darker side of his life on the streets. There are some big surprises in this story...some good and some sad and good at the same time. I bought this book a long time ago and saved it until the next Easy Rawlings book came out so I could read them both at the same time because when I finish a Walter Mosley book I always want more. I wish he could write 'em as fast as I can read 'em.

If you enjoyed "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," you should love "Maggie Now." It's definitely my favorite among Smith's books. It is very poignant most of the time, but extremely humorous in spots. Imagine throwing your late husband's ashes from a high place in NYC and not knowing what to say, except: "Goodbye! Goodbye!"

This book with stick with your memory forever and ever!

This book begins its story before Maggie Now's birth. It introduces her contrary father, Patrick, as a young man in Ireland and her gentle mother, Mary, as a school teacher in New York at the turn of the century. They meet in New York after Patrick flees Ireland and comes to America to work for Mary's father. Maggie Now grows up attending Catholic school, rearing her younger brother and yearning for love and a family of her own. I found many of the passages in the book touching, particularly the description of the Easter dinner which she cooks for Claude, whom she falls in love with. I revisit this book every year and will continue to do so for a long time. I actually prefer this book to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. It is not as detailed but is a much warmer, simpler story without the terrible poverty which overwhelms A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

"Maggie-Now" is one of my favorite books. Most people at school think I read it because my own name is Maggie, but that isn't so. I read "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" a year ago, and it had a deep affect on me. I bought "Joy in the Morning" soon after, and enjoyed it, but not nearly as much as "A Tree". "Tomorrow Will Be Better" isn't at my local library district, but I expect to read it soon.

I was totally blown away by "Maggie-Now". It's a love story, but not really about the couples in it--about the family. It makes me cry. I check it out a few times a year and read it over again. Let me explain what I can of the story:

Patsy Moore is an immagrant from Ireland around the turn of the century. He meets and weds Mary, a nice American girl. Their daughter, Maggie-Now (that's her nickname, which is explained in the book)is one of those characters that you will never forget. She's not overly-intelligent like Francie in "A Tree", but there's something about her caring spirit that will remind you of Francie.

Maggie-Now marries Claude Basset, a man who loves her so much that he wants to protect her from the things that he does that hurt her. Maggie-Now has an amazing life, as you will read in the book. Patsy's character, and Claude's, make the book a lot more interesting. It will make you cry, gasp, laugh, and think about it for a long, long time.

This book is about a boy and a girl (main characters). Their names are Beth Lambert and Philip Hall. Beth likes Philip and she wants to find out if Philip really likes her but he won't say anything . Philip beats her in classwork , conniving and just about anything . The story also talks about Beth wanting to go to Philip's birthday but she found out that she can't because he is inviting a lot of boys and he doesn't want to get embarrassed or anything. I liked this book because... I like the relationships between Philp and Beth. I think that you might even like this book because it talks about interesting things like relationships and liking people.

After reading this I found this book was to be classified under "CAN'T PUT DOWN" catagory.This book is a personal favorite of mine.Bette Green deffenitly has a talent for writting juvinile books.The way she places every verb,ajective and noun is amazing,for you feel that you are standing presicilly next to Beth,her friends,Phill and his friends.I will now end my review with one of my favorite paragraphs: 'Ester followed me out on the porch,where there was a rock the size of a crow's nest and sticking to this rock was a sheet of wide-lined paper.I pulled off the paper,which had been stuck on with a wad of gum, and read aloud: 'Dear Pretty Pennies, You ain't pretty! You ain't pennies! And you ain't never going to beat us neither! President Phillip Hall Bravest of all the brave Tiger Hunters and Lt. Gorden Jennings(also Brave) P.S Why wait for the church picnic to relay race? Meet us at the schoolyard on Saturday and we'll win!'

I really liked this book. It was funny and interesting, and the characters were really real. My favorite part was when Beth and Philip Hall caught the turkey theives. I wondered why it was a turkey farm, but I read that it's because Bette Greene was afraid of turkeys when she was little. I read that on her website, bettegreene.com. It was a really good site, too, and I even got to see the models that the book was illustrated from. You should go there if you read this book.

This is a great cookbook for either the beginner or the person needing quick recipes. The book offers a wide variety of recipes. Recipes range from simple beverages to great tasting desserts. This book would be perfect for the novice cook, or the spouse. Recipes do use prepared prepackaged ingredients in interesting ways. This is definately worth your while if you need to put together food in a quick hurry.

This is a good, solid cookbook with photos of many of the completed dishes. It's a handy inspiration for when you just don't know what to make next!

If you like to cook, but don't always have the luxury of time for preparation, this just might be the book for you. Relax on the couch and peruse the pages, while everyone else is focused on the television, and I'll bet you will find enough tempting fare to make out a menu and grocery list for the next two weeks. The recipes use mostly common pantry items, but often add a little kick to make the meals interesting -- so it's likely that you'll need to visit the grocery store before trying them.

I've already enjoyed the Cincinnati-Style Chili, Super-Easy Chicken Manicotti (just stuff the dry manicotti shells with chicken tenders, sauce them with a little extra water, refrigerate overnight, and bake the next day!), Mediterranean Couscous and Beans, and Ham-Dijon Muffins (a refreshing change for breakfast). All are keepers!

Good meals don't have to take hours to prepare!

P.S. Some of us do freeze up the second loaf of banana-nut bread when we make it!

If there is any cookbook that will inspire a new cook AND a husband to get in the kitchen and prepare a meal for the family this is the cookbook that will do it.

I bought this book for my soon-to-be-married sister-in-law as part of her shower gift. She is a beginning cook with little time on her hands. I wanted to get her a cookbook that I knew she would use instead of letting sit and get dusty on the shelf (or sold in a garage sale for that matter). This is the perfect book for her. The recipes really are easy. They really are good. It is a terrific cookbook to get someone who is a novice and who doesn't want to take the time in preparing something that takes 2 hours. Many of the recipes call for already prepared foods (for example, jarred spaghetti sauce, Bisquick biscuit mix, etc.) Some food snobs may look down on this book for that very reason, but this book is a huge motivator to get new cooks cooking and inspired to try more adventurous recipes and move on to foods that are not pre-packaged. The book contains many tips that will help save time, make substitutions, menu planning, and even location of the food items in the groceries. I am an accomplished cook and purchased the book for myself after giving it to my sister-in-law. My husband even uses it - that has made the purchase worth it right there.