Since I have read two of Michener's other works- The Source and Poland- and found them fascinating and riveting and found Michener to be a fine writer , , I had expected something similar with Mexico.
And he certainly shows his talent for fine historical narrative in parts of the book.
Taking us through a journey into the history of Toledo, in Mexico, through the decline of a great nation of builders, through their discovery the drug, pulque found in the Maguey plant, the rebellion by a brave Altomec Queen against the diabolic human sacrifice rites to a strange and terrible deity, the story of conquistadors and robust émigrés in Mexico from the defeated Confederacy after the American Civil War, and the reign of terror of the blood thirsty revolutionary leader General Gurza, all add to a rich tapestry.

Alas, this part of the book is far too short, and Michener spends most of the novel with an endless saga about a bullfighting tournament.
I find absolutely nothing inspiring about this unfair and cruel sport, and do not find anything in bullfighting which reminds me ' of the principles by which life should be led' as remarked by one of the characters.

The characterization in these chapters, was glossed over, and only the bullfighting tournament itself was detailed, leading to huge gaps in the book which where not interesting to read, and only read to get to the shorter more interesting ride into history. A pity because there was rich material with which to work.

Although , to be fair he does artfully put it together again , in the last chapter.

This book was certainly different than most Michener historical fiction books. For one thing it's a tiny bit shorter which is a welcome relief. Secondly there was more stuff on bullfighting than there was on the history. I really wasn't that interested to begin with, but found that I did get more interested as time went on. The story was a good one, but I like to see more history and that's why I've read each of his historical fiction books. This is my last book in his list and it was a fun one.

As a 1st time Michener reader, I loved Mexico. Michener weaves a story that is at once a tour-de-force of bullfighting, a sweeping panarama of Mexican history, an apologetic of the Mexican psyche for (typically) arrogant North Americans, and an exploration of the purpose of life for a middle aged Mexican-American journalist. It is a credit to Michener's art that he can pull off all that in a seemless and gripping read.

This book is by Robert James Waller, the author of Border Music and "Bridges of Madison County". I happened to buy this book on the way to Mexico, which was neat because the book takes place in Mexico. The only problem with this book is that it is too hard to find! I loved the plot: Danny is an American author who is down in Mexico, supposedly coming up with story ideas, but actually just lying around in the sun with all the other gringos. His girlfriend is Luz Maria, a Mexican peasant girl who has made her way up from a tiny village called Ceylaya, where she was the youngest of many siblings, all boys, which put her at the very bottom of the rung. Danny more or less takes Luz for granted and doesn't really go out of his way to make her happy. One day they are in a cafe and they witness a murder. The murderer asks Danny for a ride to the U.S. border, and Danny, thinking he could get a good story out of it, says yes. On the way, many unexpected things happen: the twisted life of Clayton Price, an expert shooter, Vietnam sniper, and a current "Shadowman" (aka hired killer) for the U.S. government, the complicated details of Danny and Luz's relationship, and many other side plots.

Robert James Waller always writes realistic stories, never with a happy-ever-after ending that readers complain about but secretly hope for, and this book made me cry more than any other book ever has. It also gives a perceptive and seemingly accurate glimpse into the lives of Mexicans, especially the hardships of Mexican girls, which are humbling, frightening, and sad at the same time. Robert James Waller is an author of sad, romantic traveling tales, and if you are in the mood for a heart-breaking book, pick up "Puerto Vallarta Squeeze."

I found this little book a pleasant surprise. Robert James Waller is difinitely a romantic kinda guy in more ways than one. His characters are so carefully crafted that one is sure they know someone just like them.

The journalist, Danny is an American taking it easy for a while in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Living off his residuals enjoying the good live, he becomes involved with a beautiful young senorita, Luz, when one day a stranger comes into town and changes everything.

Danny finds his world turned upside down but wonders if this situation, albeit a dangerous one, could be the start to a new project that might just bring him the fame and money he had long been dreaming of?

If you are a fan of the author, check this one out it's a quick little run for the border.

Reading this book is like listening to beautiful music, watching a summer sunset or browsing through a favourite photo album. RJW moves me through so many emotions that are perfectly real and believable. I loved the references to some of the characters from his other novels (Jack from Border Music & Michael Tillman). As for the movie - no, I don't believe that a movie could ever do this book sufficient justice. I can't wait for the next novel.

This is an excellent book. It is by far the best Twain I have read yet, and I give it four stars. In this novel, Mark Twain holds the glory and romance associated with Arthurian Legend up to the standards of 19th century society, and reveals defects in both the romantic ideal of King Arthur and the faith that Twain's generation holds in scientific and social "progress." Both funny and thought-provoking, this book provides the reader with a new set of eyes with which to view the barbarism and injustice that Arthur and his knights so valiantly fought to preserve. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court is the tale of Hank Morgan, a typical 19th century man who is transported back in time to the days of Merlin, Guinevere, and King Arthur. After becoming aware of his surroundings, and deciding to ignore his uncertainty about whether King Arthur actually existed, this man uses the common knowledge of his time period, his practicality, and some perfectly timed arrogance to acquire a position of great power in this land that he finds repulsive and in need of an enlightened leader. The ensuing story is the tale of what happens when the two utopias collide and this man abuses his power in an attempt to bring the "great and beneficent" miracles of the 19th century to the Age of Chivalry. I would recommend this book to any reader in 8th grade or above, but I would discourage people with passionate faith in the purity and glory of King Arthur from reading this book if they do not want to be forcefully presented with demonstrations of chivalry's inhumanities. A fairly well developed sense of humor will help the reader to enjoy Mark Twain's subtle ironies and satirical situations, and some basic knowledge of science helps in understanding some of the scenes, however this isn't vital to the book. The vocabulary is moderately advanced, the subject matter is somewhat mature at times, and the philosophical reasoning is probably beyond the reach of most Junior High students, yet I would encourage anyone who is interested to give this book a try. This novel is also great for the general public because A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court provides the reader with a main character with whom they may identify. The main character, Hank Morgan is presented with situations in which he must deal with being a stranger in a new atmosphere, being a social outcast due to his uncommon beliefs, he must avoid physical confrontation, and he is forced to use his intellectual abilities rather than brute strength to solve difficult situations. Many readers will have faced similar difficulties in their lives, and this ability to identify with the characters will definitely add to the overall enjoyment of the story. With this piece of work, Mark Twain displays his true talent for excellent writing and story telling. He incorporates enough adventurous and action filled scenarios to make the reader want to continue reading vigorously, yet he also manages to discuss very philosophical and thought-provoking topics during the lulls in the action. This book reads very quickly near the beginning and end. The action tapers off during the middle of the story, but not for long, and once it starts to pick up again, Twain demonstrates his true potential for greatly entertaining writing in the very climactic and cleverly ironic ending that brings this all-around great book to an even better close. This is definitely a book worth reading.

When Hank Morgan, the head superintendent of the great arms factory, receives a smack on the head given by a friend nicknamed Hercules, he wakes up under an oak tree. A young man tells Morgan is he is in Camelot in the year 528. Not believing the boy, Morgan insists it is the year 1879 in Hartford, Connecticut. Morgan's adventures are written in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, by Mark Twain. Sir Kay throws Morgan in prison after he finds the Yankee and scares him up a tree. Sentenced to death the next day, Morgan performs a "miracle" before he is hung and King Arthur, believing him to be a wizard, set him free. Slowly, Morgan works his way up to "The Boss" of King Arthur's court and brings all of his 19th century knowledge to the people of Camelot, such as the telephone and electric lights.
Although I would recommend this book to advanced readers, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court is over 400 pages and it was difficult for me to get into the story at first. Also, the language was hard to understand. For example, "Fair sir, will ye just?" and "Prithee do not let me." Despite the length and the language, I enjoyed the way Twain used characters and stories from the Arthur legends and formed them into the plot. The book made me think, what would the world be like if some one actually did go back in time?

Well, the perfect companion to La Morte d'Arthur...

Twain completely dissects the "good ol' days" of Arthurian Britain by exposing the vicious social practices of the time: white slavery, le droit de seigneur, confiscation of property in event of suicide, the complete lack of impartial justice, the degrading influence of the Church on the mass, etcetera etcetera etcetera...

The Arthurian legends are wonderful tales, but they are a mythic literary production; Twain deals with the brutal reality of daily living in the Dark Ages, and points out that the good ol' days were not so good, anyway.

As for its applicability to modern America, I am not fit to judge. Perhaps it's there. But "The Connecticut Yankee" is a wonderful tonic for those prone to romanticizing the past. Twain seems to agree with Tom Paine that the English nobility were "no-ability", and simply the latest in a series of robbers.

And, of course, the book is stuffed with wonderful Twainisms... My favorite is his observation that a conscience is a very inconvenient thing, and the significant difference between a conscience and an anvil is that, if you had an anvil inside you, it would be alot less uncomfortable than having the conscience.

Twain also mentions the beautiful mispronunciations of childhood, and how the bereaved parental ear listens in vain for them once children have grown.

You'll never look at castles the same again...

I have read the books of many horror writers including Dean Koontz, Richard Laymon, Clive Barker and Shaun Hutson. At the end of the day only James Herbert comes close to the pedestal owned by Stephen King.

The greatest James Herbert book is the Fog, followed closely by Rats, Lair and Domain. "Others" demonstrates Herbert's consistency to develop a great character and to deliver some stunning, gut churning and electrifying horror. It is not one of his classics, but it is very well written and certainly worth the effort. The Nic Dismas Character probably is one of his best, but the final pages lacked something that was so evident in his earlier work.

This is an excellent story -- reads like an Ed Gorman murder mystery. It has a really endearing character, Nicholas Dismas, who's been given a second chance in life, albeit as a Quasimodo type figure, yet to escape Hell, 'tis worth any price.

The age old ironic contrasts between superficial beauty and hidden evil and vice versity is charming, and it is handled well by the author. The real talent, though, is that the reader really starts feeling for Nick.

It all makes sense in the last chapter when we see that Nicholas has only a few more months to live, but now remembers who he is, and can now have the time (thought barely) to write his memoirs as the book that you have just read. A satisfying full-circle closure.

this book was scary. the possibilities of what happens to deformed children who are not wanted or are left to die are examined in fiction by james herbert. scary, in your face and compelling, no thought is left undone. a man (who has intelligence) but is deformed in a physical sense has been reborn as such to redeem himself from a life before that was amoral and filled with depravity. so our hero is put on this earth to redeem himself and make do with the scorn of "normal" people. it is not easy to read this book and think of all the times we have judged the disabled as less than us. to take for granted in a physical sense what we have. in a very descriptive way by herbert, he articulates how the abuse is internalized. this is not a happy book. there are few brief moments of joy and love. our hero finds a rest home that is the secret jail of others like him, who are worse off than him. Of course he was put on earth for a purpose, for himself (the redemption) and for others (to save). i do not agree that he writes (as the flap bragged) that he is like stephen king - who has a tendency to be more subtle and there with kings books there is always a conclusive ending. herbert wrote in his brief and last chapter that this was taken from actual and true events and that he hoped the reader was disturbed. this is a thinking person's book - despite the fiction and horror of it all, you cannot finish reading it without giving a nod to the reality of what if and hope that there are people who are in position with presence of mind to use their powers appropriately.

How can anyone find this confusing? This is a pretty simple work, and I find it difficult to believe that anyone can be confused as to what it's about. And why would you need Cliff Notes for this?

In any event, my problem with this play is that its just too simple: not enough meat and the characters aren't all that interesting. Yes, it shows us how narrow-minded the Puritans were. It's also an allegory for McCarthyism, for those of you who don't know. But do we really need this play to point out what it tells us about human nature? I personally find it overly long and overly dull for what it's trying to convey.

i was required to read this book for an english class, and am glad i did, because it really made one think about how narrow minded the puritans were and how that really brought on the hangings of the so called witches. this is definately a book to read.

this is a great piece of art by arthur miller. he catches your attention with the lies and injustices of the 1600's. this is a good book because of it's content. the speech is, as it was in that time. it tells a tale of a little girl who gets caught being "naughty" and blames it on the circumstances of those she doesn't like or has problems with. this book teaches that to lie about something that could have been small makes it much larger and much more complicated to deal with. the girl in this this book is in witchcraft and is caught dancing naked in the woods by her uncle who is the reverend. with her are two other girls, a servant, and a cousin. the town is brought down to a level where every one is accusing every one else for past happeneings. farmowners are accusing neighbors of it so that the land is auctioned off at low prices so that they can increase the quality of their own land. it becomes a big issue when it could have been solved completely with a simple confession. the subject is blown out of proportion and it destryos a lot of lives and families. the truth is finally found after nine-teen people are hanged for the crime of witchcraft. i reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys "a good book".

Like others, I found this book to be very disappointing and one of Patterson's worst works.

The book was very good at some points and there were times when I even found it to be very suspenseful. However, a lot of it was boring and had me rolling my eyes at how recycled it was.

I thought the worst part was by far Patterson's characterization of the main people, especially the cop in the wheelchair. While Jeffery Deavers (who also writes a book series with a hero who is paralyzed) seemed to do research on what it is like to have a spinal cord injury, it is obvious that Patterson was flying strait from the hip. I found it pretty hard to believe that this guy seemed to be able to get around everywhere, and the ending? puhlease! I felt like I was watching a made for TV movie or something. Been there done that. It makes me wonder if he did any research at all when writing his last book "When the Wind Blows."

Anyway, I know this was one of Patterson's first books, but I'm still pretty disappointed. I guess that's what happens when you've been spoiled by his Cross novels for so long.

Nicely written! I enjoyed the book a lot. It really kept me going especially the villain St.Germain. The last 75 too 100 pages unfolded very rapidly. Some parts of the ending and begining were predictable. I believe the book contained exciting characters. It had just the right amount of drama and suspense. It was very exciting to read. The setting in Manhattan reminded me much of back home. I could easily picture everything. I felt like a character in the book.I look forward to more James Patterson books. Job well done!

New York police detective John Stefanovitch is pursuing Alexandre St.Germaine, a leader of the Midnight Club, an elite, international group of criminals. When Stefanovitch gets too close, St. Germaine strikes back. He murders Stefanovitch's wife and barely misses killing Stefanovitch, but wounds him so badly that the detective is confined to a wheelchair. This does not stop the detective's relentless pursuit, even while fellow detective's are murdered. Finally, police and FBI undertake all-out war against the Midnight Club. The story is not up to Patterson's Alex Cross tales, but it is entertaining reading through the long battle between police and the Midnight Club.

I really thought that this book was very controversial. It established the segragation in the times and i thought that lennie and george had a great relationship and I admire him for sticking by Lennie

This is a beautiful book. How can anyone even speak a bad word against it? It is poignant eloquent, touching, and gut wrenching. It is a book to read over and over, hoping to gain life lessons on what friendship is really about each time you read it.

When I was told to read Of Mice and Men in 5 days, I thought I would be cramming the story in one night. I am a science-fiction/fantasy reader. I started reading and when I looked to mark my page, I was two-thirds of the way done. I thought to myself, 'how could so little happen in so many pages, and yet be intriguing?' I finished the book, and almost cried. I had found the action in the last chapter of the book. I recommend this book to all readers young or old.

Having previously read and enjoyed IRRESISTIBLE IMPULSE by
Robert K. Tanenbaum, I looked forward to listening to RECKLESS
ENDEARMENT . . . I further wanted to catch-up on what was
happening with two characters i had "met" in the previous book,
Butch Barp and Marlene Ciampi . . . they discover themselves
working on two sides of the same case when several homicides
rock downtown manhattan . . . but was I ever disappointed! . . . it
is an excessively convoluted thriller that starts well, then gets bogged
down with too many characters and subplots . . . I also didn't find it
very believable . . . I'll take a "pass" on other books by
Tannenbaum; i.e., unless somebody tells me that I
just caught the author on a rare bad day/effort.

I happened on this latest installment of Butch Karp's adventures by Robert Tanenbaum more or less by accident and was surprised by the amazing characters. The book was hard to put down and I am now looking forward to going back and reading all the other books in the series. What a great discovery! I note that the reader reviews are not at all consistent, and tend to be either 'love it' or 'hate it.' Well, put me down in the 'love it' category. I liked Butch and Marlene, and their strong relationship. Lucy and Tran were my favorites, though. I also enjoyed El Chivato as one of the most colorful killers in my recollection.

Tanenbaum scores again with the further adventures of Ass't DA Butch Karp, wife Marlene and daughter Lucy.

For the latest hardcover, Act Of Revenge, from HarperCollins, Publishers' Weekly opined this dysfunctional family will provide wonderful sequels for years to come.

If you haven't read Tanenbaum, you are missing a great series. Get started!

While this book does not bring forth the strong, charismatic emotion as "The Bridges of Madison County," it does contain the same gentle flowing writing style and vivid drama. From Iowa to spectatular India, the author weaves a tale of love and loss with a blend of strong down-to-Earth characters and a sense of mystic wonder. "Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend" is not a deep, intense read, but it is still enjoyable and can easily be read in an evening. I have been hoping it would eventually become a movie, but to date, I do not believe that has happened. The setting would make for some breath-taking photography, particularly those scenes shot on location in India. Waller's writing style is somewhat similar to that of Nicholas Sparks; however, Waller writes with more passion, realism and conviction.

I liked the book from the very beginning, reading it in one "shot". It is an excellent love story, very sensitive, with beautiful descriptions of the characters and events. The campus-life descriptions bring many memories, and the love scenarios are touching. The two parallel lives of Jellie Braden are beautifuly described, and Mikel is a real "character" (maybe like the author...?, definitely like his "budy"/"prototype" Robert Kincaid). I liked the flow of events, the jump between present and past, the description of life in a small campus-town, the life in India, and especially the love-related events. I liked the description of the "ever increasing" relationships between the two main souls - Jellie and Mikel, especially the "swans in the pool" scenario and the follow-up....where the "slow waltz" is becoming a real love.

But, I felt that the author went "one bridge too far", with the end of the book. It could have as well been finished one chapter "earlier", after Jellie and Mikel were re-united in India.

I enjoyed reading the book, and definitely rate it as one of the good ones I ever read.

I saw Robert Walker interviewed on a Sunday news program immediately following the publication of the now famous THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. His narrative describing the emergence of the novel fascinated me. He spoke as if the characters were somehow inside him crying for their story to be told. I had to read this book. Next thing I knew, BRIDGES made the best sellers list. This was in the early 90's. The book became a common topic of conversation among my friends. In fact, one friend and I spoke of the book a great deal. It is a book to make one think and discuss.

A year or so later, I came across SLOW WALTZ IN CEDAR BEND - quite by accident. When I made the connection with THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, I immediately purchased the book, read it, then shared it with my friend with whom I had long discussions about Walker's first novel. Frankly, I liked SLOW WALTZ IN CEDAR BEND much better than THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. I remember seeing myself in the main character. This character, Michael Tillman, mesmerized me.

Twelve years later, I was looking for a book on tape to keep me company on a long lonely drive, I bought SLOW WALTZ IN CEDAR BEND forgetting that I read the novel 12 years earlier. During the second reading (or listening), I found that I enjoyed the author's writing and his imagery, but didn't find any connection between the main character and me. In fact, I didn't realize that I had read this novel before until I got to the part where Michael Tillman finds Jellie Braden on an Island in India. Reading this book for a second time was a fascinating experience. I continued to enjoy Walker's writing style, but the novel had a much different emotional impact on me. I suspect that my two experiences were the result of the author's crafty skill with the written word.

For those, who read SLOW WALTZ IN CEDAR BEND when it first some out, I recommend to read it again. In fact, I think I'll listen to it on my next trip.

In my opinion, this was a good novel. You are a bit confused at the beginning, but you start to understand it by maybe the third chapter. Although I don't like what happened to Phineas at the end, it was an element that really gave the book reality; every book can't end with "...and they lived happily ever after." John Knowles' A SEPARATE PEACE was a moving novel that gets you thinking. I strongly recommend this book to those who are open-minded; otherwise, you probably won't enjoy the story too much.

The book is essentially a reflection of a 30-something year old man trying to convalesce from two psychologically traumatic experiences that happened in his youth at a New England boarding school. Gene was not ready, in his teen aged years, for the experience of Phineas - a character more mythologiclly true than realistic. Although the excellently crafted subtlies of this novel could by pass the shallow reader, there is a wealth of youth, human, psychology for the keen eye and the sensitive soul. Understand this book, and it will change your view of friendship and war forever. How can anyone read that last paragraph: "All of them, all except Phineas, constructed at infinite cost to themselves these Maginot Lines against this enemy they thought they saw across the frontier, this enemy who never attacked that way - if he ever attacked at all; if he was indeed the enemy" and not immediately want to read the book again,... and not have her/his naivete immediately shattered.

I hate A Separate Peace. It is not only dull and utterly worthless but also kills brain cells. No stimulus whatsoever can be found in this extravagant waste of paper. The author, Mr. John Knowles, cannot write comprehensibly and deserves to be shot in the face.