Girl Singer, Rosie's latest, is a more straight forward account of Clooney's life than outlined in her 1977 book "This For Remembrance". As a performer who strives to be musically true, she is also obligated to be true to herself in telling her story. With the death of many significant people since Remembrance was published in 1977 including Sinatra, Dean Martin, Dietrich, Ava Gardner, Nelson Riddle and her uncle George Clooney, Rosie is freer to concentrate on the truth; including her affair with Riddle that she specifically denied in her 1977 narrative. However,there are two significant shortcomings; the pictures were not very interesting or evocative nor did they include dates. The "selected" discography by Michael Feinstein, who many laud as a "musical archivist" falls short due to it's numerous ommissions-there is no reason why Mr Feinstein could not have included a FULL and COMPLETE discography and utilized an additional 3 or 4 pages. Clooney fans would have certainly appreciated it.

What a life this wonderful woman has led and what a great story to tell! As a lifelong fan I've collected several of her albums & have followed her career. Rosie tells it all, about growing up in Kentucky, starting a singing career with younger sister Betty & hitting the big time in New York. Years ago I had the pleasure of seeing her perform in a radio sponsored concert in the Winter Garden in the World Financial Center. She knows how to please the crowd, chatting them up with little anecdotes and doing several of her big hits(not just a medley of them either). Rosie Clooney is one of the most down to earth performers on earth and a major talent. Read this book and get the Girl Singer 2 cd set. Both are very highly recommended. Thanks Rosie, for bringing so much pleasure to so many people over the years.

Anyone who has every heard Rosemary Clooney sings knows there is no one else quite like her. And so it would follow that her memoir would follow suit, and it most certainly does. I cried, I laughed, I loved this book more with every page I turned. Kudos to Barthel for bringing Rosie's voice to the page, and rendering poetry from such a soulful, remarkable life.

"The Seance" by Joan Lowery Nixon was very good. Nixon never fails to bewilder me with her writing talents. Unfortuantely, out of the four books that I've read by Nixon so far, "The Seance" has been my least favorite. The book would be a lot more interesting if it was more fast-paced. Instead, the book drags along, barely keeping you interested, until the last few chapters...

The story is about a group of girls who get together one night and have a seance. They think it's all fun and games until one of the girls, Sara, starts to act very strange and the lamp plug is pulled out. When the lights are turned back on, Sara is missing. To make matters even more strange, both doors are locked, and Sara is found dead the next morning...Lauren is the main character. Sara lived with Lauren and her aunt as a foster child. Everyone thinks that Sara ran off with somebody and told Lauren her plan. And, after another girl is found dead, Lauren starts to suspect that whoever killed Sara is after her, thinking that she knows their identity...Will Lauren be able to figure out who Sara was meeting that night? Or will she be murdered before she can piece together the clues? Find out in "The Seance..."

I personally think this is an AWESOME book..it kept me guessing until the very end.. i loved it...

Have you ever had a Seance with your friends for fun? After reading this novel, it will never be the same. The Seance is suspenseful and creepy. Keep the lights on and the doors lock and cuddle tight under the covers as you read this scary novel. I highly recommend!

Joan Lowry Nixon crafts a competent ghost story with a likeable heroine, but the plot could use a little less mystery and a little more ghostly interference. But fans of haunted houses and mysterious family secrets will enjoy this a great deal.

Lia is an unspectacular member of a family known for its impressive women. When her great-grandmother dies, she tells Lia that their ancestral house, Graymoss, must be preserved -- even though it is thought to be hideously evil. However, Lia's blindly optimistic parents have an obsessive dream of adopting a dozen "unadoptable" children, and are determined to turn Graymoss into a home for those kids. Lia is less than thrilled about the idea, both because of the disruption of her life and because of the ghosts.

Before leaving, Lia purchases a bag of voodoo gris-gris that will repel ghosts. And soon she finds that she needs it -- strange gusts of wind, a crashing window, a falling book, and a strange indentation in her bed. Her parents refuse to believe that there is anything strange about the house, but Lia can feel a malevolent presence. Armed with gris-gris, a cryptic diary and a collection of Poe's stories, she must try to banish the evil forces from Graymoss.

Nixon crafts a good story with plenty of sprinkled clues, family conflicts, and a big creaky house with no bathrooms. Her dialogue is pleasantly solid and believable, without fake witticisms or overly complex monologues. It's easy to imagine real people saying these words. Her portrayals of the family and their differing views on Graymoss were exceptionally done. And the mystery clues sprinkled in the Poe book and the old diary from a Civil War Southern belle were also clever and pulled the various threads of the story together.

Unfortunately, this book is not particularly scary. The ghostly interludes are few and far between, and even when they do surface, they are not particularly detailed or frightening -- Nixon seems to be stuck on plaster faces that move and gusts of wind, because the "boo!" effects never progress beyond that. She also inserts a lukewarm love interest and a subplot about the unadoptable kids. While these are good in themselves, they seem rather pointless as nothing is really done with them.

Lia is a likeable heroine; she's really accomplished nothing noteworthy, but doesn't allow that fact to get her down. She also shows extraordinary patience with her dewy-eyed parents, who for all their talk about "reality" seem to have very little grasp on it. Their reckless plans to adopt "unadoptable" kids (who are often unadoptable for very good reasons) will have many readers rolling their eyes. Her grandmother exhibits a different kind of irritating stubbornness, but one that readers will warm to much more readily.

Despite the drawbacks, this is a pretty solid historical mystery -- but the realm of the juvenile horror story is still John Bellairs's. If you like family secrets and a few "boo!" moments, this might be your speed.

The Haunting by Joan lowery Nixon is an awesome book. Anyone who enjoys Edger Allen Poe stories is sure to like this story. A young girl named Anne is about to move into the Graymoss mansion when she discovers it's terrifing secret. She reads the diary of a girl who lived at Graymoss during the Civil War and about the ghosts in the house. A good book for teens and adults The Haunting provides chills for all who read it.

This book is about a girl, Lia Starling. When her great-grandmother dies her mother inheirits this old plantation called, Graymaoss. This plantation survived the Civil War and is waiting for some one. When Lia's parents want to move into the house and fill it with "unadoptabe" kids Lia has to figure out who the house is waiting for using the original owner, Charolette Blevins, diary and an old copy of Favorite Tales of Edgar Allen Poe. Can she solve this mystery? You'll have to read it to find out. This book sent chills down my spine and its a great book to read over and over again. The auther describes everything so well that it feels like you're excperiencing the terror of Graymoss!

As a strong black woman and proud of it I didn't understand Ms.Morgan's definition of a strong black woman so I didn't see eye to eye with her on that point. Overall I struggled to read through this book I wasn't feeling a lot of what Ms.Morgan had to say and plus I thought the book would be written in a more story telling type of fashion. The book is written as just Ms.Morgan rambling on about her opinions and ideals. I give a sista props for her opinions and being able to share them with an audience but I didn't understand her hatin' on "chickenheads" in one breath then wanna talk about her bond with sistahood in the next. She sound hypocritical to me. Ms.Morgan went on and on putting the "chickenheads" on blast for their sopposed wrongdoing but didn't say a word about the brothers that fall for these type of women I don't get that! I personally couldn't hate on a sista for doing her thing I don't want to hate on another woman period I feel that's the reason why us women can't and won't get far because we want to tear each other down before anybody else. I'm sure Ms.Morgan is an educated,opinioned,strong,classy woman but in her book she just comes off as hateful and bitter.

Joan Morgan is an extrodinary black women deriving out of the hip-hop generation. Looking outside the hip-hop generation, many only view us as hip-hop heads with no mind-sense and no value for intelligence and education. Joan Morgan set yet another example of how intelligent and extrodinary black people are that are in the hip-hop culture. Morgan not only kept it real with our society today within the black community but within black on black relationships and women in a psychological point-of-view. As a femimist, Morgan did not attack men, nor did she necessarily totally glorify women. Morgan just told it how it is and did not try to sugarcoat everything. As a black person, as a woman, as a feminist, or as one deriving from the hip-hop generation, this book can relate to almost anybody.

Morgan eloquently voices the thoughts and desires of the independent, feminist, African American woman. She acknowledges the black feminists of the past but explains that today's feminists of the hip hop generation are different and they express different needs and desires from themselves and the people surrounding them whether they be male or female.

In her last essay "Chickenhead Envy" she acknowledges that "strongblackwomen" and "chickenheads" may have the same wants and desires but the roads they take to achieve them are different, creativing a dividing line coated with animosity.

Morgan calls herself a STRONGBLACKWOMAN in remission, saying she doesn't not want to be lauded for her success through struggle. Eliminating struggle from a black woman's life does not make her any less of a woman.

I recommend this book to women and men, black and white, young and old. If you have a desire to understand today's young African American woman, Morgan's blunt, in-your-face writing will give you an look instead the mind of one who is such.

This book was very suspenseful, but in a way you knew what was going to happen in the story. See, there's this girl named Holly who has a boyfriend named Cody. Cody's parents were killed one night when he was away from home. Everyone suspected him of killing his parents, all of his neighbors and his friends. Holly and one neighbor who lives down the street are the only ones who believe that Cody wasn't the murderer. Holly's dad is one of the detectives on the murder case. Holly investigates all around Cody's neighborhood asking his neighbors if they knew what happened to his parents and if they saw Cody that night. The one neighbor who knows that Cody didn't kill his parents is some type of a witch. She was able to actually see what happened inside the house, she was able to see the spirits. Towards the end of the book Holly actually goes inside the house to see if she can see the people who killed Cody's parents. Cody finds her there and tells her to go. Right before Holly saw the murderer someone came in and invaded her thoughts. But she figures out that the person who barged in on her and Cody was/is the killer, but doesn't know what to do about it.

Newspaper nightmare

I love this book and similar mystery books. This is one of my favorite books
By Joan Lowery Nixon, she really did a good job on this book. This book is filled with
Suspense, a bit of the supernatural and innocence. This is truly a good book for all
Ages and mostly for teens. It shows how a young girl's friendship to a teen boy can turn in to love with the turn of time.
Holly Campbell's life has turned into a nightmare. Her friend's parents have been murdered and Cody her friend is the prime suspect. Even holly's father believes Cody
Is guilty. Holly feels she must help Cody. When her feelings fro Cody grows stronger she knows she must work harder to prove his innocence. It is hard because she has to work alone. Will a mysterious psychic help her solve the crime and prove Cody's innocence? Things may not end up they way you think. This book really keeps you guessing. So go and read it and find out what happens.

Joan Lowery Nixon is the best! How she mixes the perfect amount of humor, love, suspense, and fear all into one book astounds me! "Spirit Seeker" is among the many, awesome thrillers delivered by Ms. Nixon. Keep 'em coming!

"Spirit Seeker" is about a girl named Holly Campbell. She has a huge problem! Her best friend -- Cody -- has just been accused of murdering his own parents! Her father is the lead detective on the case, and even he can't deny that all the clues point to Cody. He left his house after a heated argument with his parents, then returned later around the estimated time of death. Holly is positive that Cody wouldn't commit such an evil act, but how can she prove it?
At the scene of the crime, a strange woman named Glenda Jordan stops Holly. She claims that she's a clairvoyant and can see things (that she hasn't physically seen) in her mind. At first, Holly thinks that Glenda is bogus. But then again, why does she call her "Amber Girl?" After all, lately her amber hairpin has been glowing strangely with heat. Can she really help Holly find the murderer, or is she just wasting her time?

I though this book was good. Nixon has definitely written better. Strictly judging on mystery, I'd actually rate it poor. It had a more clairvoyant, fortune-teller, mystical feel to it (which in the end, turns out to have helped very little). I also think the main character could've dug deeper into the problem, instead of just insisting Cody was innocent. Unlike Nixon's others, there is no stalker, no detecting, and no surprise ending. Plus, Holly's endless, stubborn theory of Cody's innocence gets to be annoying....Overall, I sill think it'd be worth your time!

Also recommended: "Name of the Game Was Murder," "Who Are You," "Nobody's There," and "Other Side of Dark," all by Joan Lowery Nixon! :)

I thoroughly enjoyed The Ladies of Covington Send their Love, which is the story of three women over 65 who are redefining their lives, starting careers, and falling in love. These women--Hannah, Grace, and Amelia--offer a dynamic vision of growing older. When Amelia inherits a rundown farmhouse in rural North Carolina, the women pool their resourses and move from a dismal boarding house to the tiny hamlet of Covington. Consequently, friendships are tested, survive, and grow stronger. As each woman is confronted with possibilities, she must review the habits and limiting beliefs of a lifetime. Joan Medlicott makes no attempt to mitigate the challenges the women face as they strive to make a home together. A comforting sense of extended family comes into play as their tolerance and ability to accept one another is tested--by loneliness, anger, jealousy, joy, and satisfaction. Ultimately, the support system they provide one another is to be envied. I thank Ms. Medlicott for introducing me to these three wonderful and wise older women, all of whom I fell in love with. I look forward to reading more by this exciting author!

I was so ready for a book I could be swept away in and I found it in The Ladies of Covington Send Their Love! This was a comfortable, delightful read from the first page - reminded me of reading The Mitford Series. I feel I have known these women, I want to be with these women, and someday, I want to be one of these women. Such a fresh approach to the latter years of life! Young in spirit if not in body. A wonderful reminder of the role my women friends play in my life. Thank you Joan Medlicott for this refreshing book. I am waiting for you to write for us again!

Whether they are ladies from Covington or anywhere else, they ARE ladies, ones I would like to know. Joan Medlicott has woven a wonderfully warm and rich story about Grace, Amelia and Hannah, who though in their sixties, prove they have the capacity to grow and beome more than what they were. Aside from the story of growth, bonding, compromise and fulfilment, Joan has so succinctly woven in her own philosophies of life---and death, some of which really resonated with me: "In time, unless we go first, we all lose someone we cherish. If that happens, you'll do what every man or woman does who loses a loved one, from whateever cause. You'll hurt, you'll be angry, you'll cry, you'll be bitterly lonely. There'll be times when it seems there's no light at the end of the tunnel, but you'll go on. Eventually, you'll take up your life again." How meaningful, how true. The book beautifully depicts the strength of women as wives, as mothers, as friends and as members of the community. Let's hear more from the Ladies of Covington, Joan.

I studied Joan of Arc for my college senior seminar, and found this book to be one of the most useful books on the subject of her life. Pernoud did an amazing amount of research on J of A's life and times, and had a great amount of information to share. She is also usually one of the more readable historians I have read; every now and then she becomes dry, but this is rare. She has written many books on J of A; this one is the best general reference. It has information on J of A, several people in her life, her time, etc. I would definitely recommend this book (and this author) to those interested in reading about history.

I think it wise for anyone who reads this book to begin with the prefaces which give a clue to the overall presentation of the book. I did find myself captivated by the book upon first reading. And though it is easy for us to become lost in the maze of characters involved in St. Joan's life, a testament of how many she affected in the brief time she was alive, there are the second and third parts to enlighten us. The book does well with the presentation of her life. Further, there is plenty of information in the appendices to give someone not familiar with the "life and times" of the late Medieval Age to come away with enough background to have a better understanding of the events that unfold in this book. More interesting reading would be found in Pernoud's "Joan of Arc: In Her Own Words." if one is interested solely in her story without having to worry about a lot of the historical contexts.

This is an eloquent and detailed book, full of scholarly facts and based upon extensive research. Mlle. Pernoud, "'la grande dame' of French historical writing", was probably the foremost expert on Joan of Arc, and she is famous both for her scholarship and her engaging writing style. Better yet, she stands aside and lets Joan do the talking.

While "Joan of Arc, By Herself and Her Witnesses" makes for easier reading, this one covers a lot of information not found in the above book. Both would be good choices for anyone studying the subject.

The subtitle for this book is probably the more telling about the contents. This book is more of a guide to the whole process of writing the dissertation rather than the physical act of writing. Bolker discussing the writing as well as choosing a topic, choosing an advisor for your dissertation, and choosing a committee for your dissertation defense. Covered in the book are some of the psychological barriers that can hinder your finishing the dissertation, and some pitfalls to avoid (such as political battles with your advisor).

The primary thought is to develop the habit of writing. Some of the ideas may sound familiar to you, but they are no less true. Bolker states that you must develop the habit of writing everyday if you are going to build up the stamina and fortitude to completing the task. She does suggest a support group to assist in this.

The biggest draw for this book, for me, was that Bolker is an authority. She started two dissertations, one of which she did not finish. She has also worked with many students in writing their dissertations, and she knows from experience what works and what doesn't (she points out a problem that can arise from writing solely on the computer).

I would recommend this book to anyone beginning the journey to finishing a dissertation. Do not take this information lightly.

As a Ph.D. student, I had been searching for this kind of book to guide me in the most daunting portion of the doctoral program--the completion of a doctoral dissertation. Bolker's sensible approach helps assuage the pain and the fear of the unknown. The title itself gives you the real key to writing a great disseration: finish one or two pages a day, and in six months to a year you can have a 365-page thesis completed. Do yourself a favor: while taking your dissertation-proposal class, read this book and share it with your fellow candidates.

When I first saw the book a strong urge came over me to get it. My inner critic said, what for? You're not a Phd candidate. Sure, you're writing a paper for a masters program but it isn't the same as a dissertation. Don't waste your money.

The argument was sound but the book's call was much stronger. I purchased it. It was the best investment that I had made. Whether you are a Phd candidate trying to get your dissertation done or a wannabe intimidated by the thought of having to write one, this book must be on your required reading list!

If you have successfully completed high school, college and graduate school (masters level) then you have already written your fair share of papers. You have the technical and disciplined skills to write. Well then, what is the problem in doing a dissertation?

Bolker teaches one about learning how to develop a process of writing that is best for you. Once done she moves you from the process to the basic mechanics of getting the dissertation done. It is never to late in getting a head start on learning how to finish your doctoral thesis even before you are accepted into a Phd program. Start Now! The book is a tremendous stimulator.

Joan Lowery Nixon is a talented writer! Even though this wasn't my favorite book by her, she still made sure the reader feels as though they are in the story!...

"The Dark and Deadly Pool" is about a girl named Mary Elizabeth. She just landed a new job at the Ridley Hotel's heath club. Her shift takes place from 3-11 PM. One night, while Liz is by the pool alone after closing, a person comes up from the pool and reaches out to Liz. By the time Liz calls security, the man is gone!

Liz starts to realize that her new job is getting stranger by the minute when guests start to have their wallets pickpocketed. Not only that, but roasts and turkeys are being stolen from the kitchen, and two antique sofas are stolen by people posing as cleaners. Liz knows that these events must be linked, but how? Will Liz be able to detect what's going on with the Ridley Hotel events, or will her investigations lead her to death? Surely finding a dead guest in the pool will throw her off the case, right? Find out in "The Dark and Deadly Pool!"

Overall, I think this story was very good. Nixon also incorporated romance into the story for a sure-hit! Aside from that though, I think that Nixon could have put a bit more action into it!

Also recommended: "Name of the Game Was Murder" and "Nobody's There," both by Joan Lowery Nixon!

The Dark and Deadly Pool by Joan lowery is a very mysterious book. Liz is an awkward teenager seeking love and acceptance from her school and peers. One summer she decided to take a job. Her mom always told her, it was the perfect job who had grown too tall too fast. Sjhe would be working at the luxirous Ridely Hotel. She will be working in the health club. She has to clean the jacuzzi, watch the swimming pool through the office and lock up at closing time. She will be working five days a week from three in the afternoon till closing.It was a great job and Liz loved it. She was meeting new people and having fun. Liz is always uneasy at closing time. Every sound echoes and all lights cast eerie shadows. One night she is by the pool and sommeone grabs her foot and screams in her face. Then it slides beneath the pool and is gone. The security guard refuses to help Liz and goes about his business. Danger surrounds Liz. Someone is watching her. Thank heaven Liz meet a faithful friend. Fran is four inches shoter then her, but no less funny, romantic, or smart. He makes her feel safe. Whoever is behind the series of events at the pool scene must be someone Liz knows. A person who stop for nothing-even murder.

This mystery thriller by Joan Nixon combines an exciting mystery with romance and a little humor. When you read this book you won't be able to put it down.
There are things getting stolen and some members are murdered at a popular health club, then the troubles begin. As an employee, Liz is caught in the middle. She tries to solve the mystery while juggling her love life. But will she get caught up in the trouble and murders and become a victim herself?
The plot grabs you right away and keeps your attention though out the entire book. For example in the beginning Liz hears something in the pool so she goes to check it out. She leans over the pool and something jumps out and grabs her.
This book is a lot like Wolf Rider by Avi. Both books have an exciting plot which keeps you on the edge of your seat. Both books are mysteries where an "outsider" tries to solve it.

The subject line says it all. It is well-written, and the authors stick to the facts of the case as they were written, making SYBIL look like a relatively healthy patient. I was also fascinated by the fact that Ms. Casey had trouble convincing other "experts" of the truth of her diagnosis. The bond she and Ms. Wilson develop is a bond I envy, in a way. Finally, this book proves that MD-level psychiatrists are not the only ones who can treat DID successfully.

This is, by far, the most amazing tale of a multiple I have read. I find it more thorough than many of the more famous books, including Sybil. The reader is given an incredible insight into the mind of Casey and her many personalities, and upon finishing the book, you are left with an amazing understanding that I feel is rare. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with an interest in this subject - I can't promote it enough!

This book has been criticized (in the MPD community) as being unrealistic in the context of The Flock's treatment (essentially she was reparented). Nonetheless I think it's valuable to read for many reasons. Besides, who wouldn't want to be reparented? (sure seems to work quicker!) The author's choice of de-emphasizing the abuse descriptions (there are no graphic descriptions of abuse in this book) provides us with the rare opportunity to focus on the treatment and the growth of the Flock over time. I also very much appreciated the less than optimal description of the integrated person - Joan Casey needed post-integration therapy to deal with some of your run of the mill issues of self-worth and destructive relationship patterns. (This is very real life! Integration is usually not the END and you live happily ever after. I was very happy to see this discussed and resolved so favorably in the end.)