In this juicy, lively memoir of the Boston poetry scene in the 1950's, Davison dishes the dirt not only on himself but also on such luminaries as Robert Lowell, Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton and Robert Frost. The decade of the 1950's was a time of delirious creativity for these poets perched on the threshold of fame and notoriety, and at the center of the vortex sat Robert Lowell, brilliant teacher, mentor and model of the wounded artist. Davison's group portrait shows men dominating these mythologized poetic years with the women cajoling, wheedling and flirting to be noticed, and then, once they had the men's attention, stepping forward with fierce work to be taken seriously. As readers will see, Plath and Sexton were up to any challenge and left behind for posterity both their great works and tales of their wild vamping exploits. Although Davison makes no secret that everybody in the group drank like fish and acted out with impunity, he ultimately celebrates those years as the apex of his social and creative life, a time populated by people of immense charisma and talent. The book is simply a love letter to the difficult geniuses of one of the great moments in 20th century American literary history.

A nice compilation of maps that help you find everything and everywhere in Boston! I used it for my first ever trip to Boston and it was comforting to know it was always within easy reach. There are maps to help you find everything from neighborhoods to tourist attractions, from restaurants to colleges, from shopping to entertainment spots. Of course, the maps that I found most helpful of all were those for the Metro system and public transportation!

Highly recommended if you'll be doing a lot of traveling around Boston on your own!

The book is a collection of poems by Robert Frost. It combines the collections of A Boys Will, and North of Boston. Many of the poems were about nature, and love. I selected the book because I had read Robert Frost before and I liked his style, and I felt I could relate to some of the poems. Most of them had no riming scheme, and were written in sentences, or stanzas. There was one poem about Blueberries that I particularly enjoyed because I like picking them. I also liked it because some of the poems seemed to have a hidden meaning. I thought that Frost wrote discriptive ad imaginable language. I would recommend it to readers that are older than 13. I would also recommend it to readers who like reading about nature. And finally I would recommend it to anyone who has read Robert frost, and enjoyed his work.

Sleds on Boston Common makes history come alive by focusing on a fictional group of children who want to go sledding during the tension-filled days just before the start of the American Revolution. The story moves beyond the normal heroism of the patriots and the perfidy of the British to put a warm human face on everyone. Reading this story can be the precursor to a wonderful visit to the Boston Common to locate where the best sled runs might be. It can also help ignite an interest in American history.

Henry Price lives in Boston, where his father runs a small toy and map shop. Because of rebellious activities, the port of Boston was closed by the king on June 1, 1774. This hurt commerce and everyone was suffering economically. Despite this, Henry's father had made Henry a new sled for his birthday which fell on December 22, 1774. During the two hour break from school at lunchtime, Henry and his siblings head for the Boston Common with the new sled. They are discouraged to find that thousands of troops are setting up camp there, and the troops block all the best sled runs!

What to do? When Henry sees General Thomas Gage, the British Governer of Massachusetts Colony, Henry decides to speak to him. But first, he and his brothers and sister count the troops, horses, and anything else that the patriots want to know.

General Gage turns to Henry and says, "Let this boy have his words."

After listening to Henry, General Gage says, "I'm a father as well as a soldier for my king . . . ." " . . . I know my own children would like to sled this hill if there were here." "He shook my hand, man to man." "My eldest son is named Henry."

In this fictional story, General Gage tells his troops to allow the children to sled, to clear a good run, and to keep the ice in one pond undisturbed for skating.

The children were able to return again and again. "Because General Gage was a man of his word."

The war started in April 1975, and General Gage was ordered to return to England in October 1975.

The illustrations in the book build from splashes of watercolors with inked outlines and details. The images are done in kaleidoscopic form that suggests movement by the figures.

The author also provides an end note that describes more about the events described here, in order to help create that bridge into interest in American history.

The book is also done in blank verse, which gives the style an elegance and crispness that make it a pleasure to read.

I suggest that you also read the poem, The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, to your child as a follow-on. If the interest continues to build in your family, there are many fine fictional stories about the early days of the American Revolution that you can also read to and with your child.

You should also use this book to reinforce the point that even those who oppose you are usually well-meaning.

Have a good run!

It was an excellent display of photographs, but the price was far from reasonable (it cost $120 used). I recommend it for any die-hard Spenser fans, but otherwise, don't bother.

I began Pastimes with some reluctance. I started Spenser at book one, and have proceeded in sequence. The life and strength of the earlier books had recently wavered, as the series has at times become bogged down in the relationship between Spenser and Susan. Susan's general self-absorption is bothersome, and Spenser's overt philosophization in her presence is losing whatever novelty it ever had. Indeed, as the chapters progressed, I started to fear this book would continue the generally downward trend, with Parker indulging in a Spenser commentary of his past and the philosophy of life. Pastimes looked to be a struggle for even three stars.

But then, things changed. Parker moved on to what he does very well -- action. Susan took a back seat, leaving Spenser to shine. The closing chapters are among the best I've read in the series, leaving me looking forward to continue it with renewed enthusiasm.

Even if you haven't read all the books preceding it, Pastime is a good selection. Then, if you're hooked, dig up a copy of the Godwulf Manuscript, and start the series in order. The early books won't disappoint.

You will find this Spenser novel more entertaining if you read "Early Autumn" first since two of the characters are introduced in the earlier book.

Parent-son relationships are an important theme here. Paul's mother has come up missing and the youth contacts Spenser who in many ways has acted like a father to Paul in earlier books. In following her trail, Spenser again faces mobster Joe Broz and his son, Jerry. You get to know and understand the gangster a bit better here. That father-son relationship is also well explored.

Parker uses another element to add suspense. Susan has ended up with ex-husband's dog Pearl who accompanies Spenser and Paul. Well, we all know how high the animal mortality rate is in crime and suspense fiction, so dog lovers will be holding their breath everytime the dog goes out with Spenser.

All in all, a good and satisfying read.

This installment does have Paul back, lots of action, and a great woods scene in the end. But more importantly, you get to meet Pearl, the Wonder dog!
Actually this Speenser novel is one of the better ones. I've gone back and re-read it many times. Highly recomended.

A high society Boston woman is killed, a "perfect wife in a perfect family". Spenser gets on the case, with Farrel, a gay detective. Spenser finds that the wife was not exactly perfect, her background suspicious, and dead relatives are really quite alive and kicking. The end is full of twists and turns.

The book provides our first look at Farrel, an interesting gay police officer. An addition I like quite a lot, and one that gets better as the series goes on. Spenser's always multicultural and quite open - I like that about him.

Susan's not in this a lot ... calls and such. Probably also a wise decision :)

The characters Spenser runs into are all very well done, as usual. He does miss with the high school year-figuring-out ... she'd have gone to college for 3 years with his math. He does the "If nominated, I will not run" quote of Lyndon B Johnson and the "the rest was silent" from Hamlet.

Big question: How did *poof* Pearl become a Wonder Dog, though?

The writing is excellent, the southern scenes really give you a sense of what that area is like. This is the first Spenser novel that had me truly afraid, too - the jail scene had me afraid to read further. I did of course, and enjoyed it immensely.

I have read several Robert Parker "Spenser for Hire" novels and have enjoyed all of them. This particular book was good, but seemed more formulaic than most. Some of his books are very interesting with unusual plot twists. Unfortunately, some of them, like this one, seem to be cranked out to a formula. Parker has been very successful in slowly defining Spenser's character and nuances. I felt this book drew on already established characteristics and went too far in the extreme with the climactic gunfight scene in the end. Still, the novel plays well into the series and is a fast paced book and a good read for true Spenser fans.

I have read all the Parker books more than once, and this one is my favorite. You shouldn't start with it - it would be better to be familiar with the character first - but if you're going to pick and choose, choose this one. The mystery is top-shelf, the supporting characters are carefully drawn, there isn't too much of the adorably annoying Susan, and Spenser is at his wise-cracking best. He really hit his stride with this book.

I have been a Spenser fan since my dad gave me the Godwulf manuscript to read. I have found myself rereading some of the old Spencer novels as the series started to sag, Spenser started his internal dialogue about donuts and Susan showed up in white cowboy boots. As I read the sagging Spensers I realized that some Spenser was better than none, but I remembered such classics as The Widening Gyre, Valediction, Early Autumn and A Catskill Eagle. In this novel, Spenser is back, and facing one of the more convincing villains in the series-The Gray Man. Spenser has a remarkable, tragic vision of himself walking across a deserted campus and this foreshadows troubling times. Although Spenser had become cliched, and worst of all, Hawk and his jive talk dated, Small Vices brings the Spenserian world of wit and moral wrangling into sharp focus. I highly recommend this installment of the Spenser series to newcomers and fans alike. As usual, the descriptions of new England are ri! pe and clear. It's uncanny, but the first time I travelled to Boston, I was surprised that the 15 or so Spenser books I had read had given me a unconscious mental map of Beacon Hill and Back bay!

This is one of Parker's best. The mystery is new and fresh - Spenser is hired by a law firm to learn the truth about an old murder. The enigmatic Gray Man is powerful and very creepy; it's about time Spenser met an enemy worthy of him. Susan almost redeems herself for all the stupid things she's done in the past, and Hawk is as much fun as ever. After some pretty weak novels, like 'Thin Air' and 'Walking Shadow,' and the abominable 'Hugger Mugger,' this one proves that Parker hasn't lost it. Thank heaven.

Small Vices just an excellent novel. It displays Spenser very well, both with his funny observations on life and his moral rigidity. I think that had Atticus Finch become a P.I., he would be quite a lot like Spenser. Seeing Spenser in a vulnerable position for the first real time was very interesting, though I wish they wouldn't have put it on all the summaries of the book. It would have been much better as a surprise. Also, I believe that the Gray Man is the best villian Parker has created, and one of the better I've encountered in fiction. He goes right up there with Koontz's Egler Vess, King's Randall Flagg, and Martin Fletcher from The Last Family. Finally, I highly recommend this novel. It's perfect for all Spenser fans, and it will be sure to snag some new ones.

This book has confirmed my worst fears about the likes of Pat Roberston and the "Christian Coalition". This book exposes the madness of Robertson, and his ploys and tactics to establish a theocratic nation where everyone and anyone who is not a "Christian" is the scum of the earth. While Robertson may appear to have good intentions and only wanting the best for all of us, he seems to have forgotten one crucial point: America is not-AND SHOULD NOT BE- a theocracy.

I have always had my doubts regarding these "Men of God", but really had no idea just how dangerous and clever they really are. Our constitutional rights are about to be lost forever. What Robertson really has in mind is to become President and turn us into a "Holy Nation". His plots and schemes are similiar to the Roman Catholic Church's "One-World Religion" plan, in which they want absolute and total control over all matters of faith and morals. Folks, after reading this one, you'll wonder how this guy can sleep at night. Dangerous or perhaps even crazy? YOU BET! Read it and shudder as to what may lie ahead. A solid 5 star rating.

I had never paid much attention to the Christian Coalition or Pat Robertson. Now, I actually worry that my children (assuming, of course, that the new theocratic government allows me to have any) will grow up in a land that is no different from that portrayed in George Orwell's classic novel, "1984."

Of course, I do not believe that Robertson's agenda will become law anytime soon, but it is the platform of the Republican Party. Boston's book is well researched and documented. It will scare you, it will make you laugh (how could these people actually exist you'll think), it may make you cry. But it's no movie thriller, and you may wish that you never heard of a man named Pat Robertson.

Having spent most of my life in Virginia Beach, and having seen Pat Robertson himself dining at the most expensive restaurants in town on several occasions, I am fully aware of his hypocritical tactics at gaining political control of our nation. For the reviewer who commented about Pat's miraculous ability in "turning" the hurricane from Virginia Beach, I would also like to add Pat's comment regarding the gay-pride flags at Disney's Gay Days: "I wouldn't be waving those flags in God's face if I were you." Pat's claims are outrageous, his statements ridiculous, and his general outlook anti-humanity. This book is an absolute must-read for anyone wanting to know the truth about this greedy, self-serving "man of God".

This book is a typical Spenser for Hire book, for better or for worse. You know the routine by now: capable of a read in a single sitting; the witty repartee; the sassy and cocksure internal narrative by Spenser; the sparring with Hawk to mask the mutual feelings of respect; the surprisingly clever descriptions of characters; the Boston settings depicted with pride. Parker is to be commended on his choice of words, because although his stories are so brief, they say a lot and don't waste much time. In fact, I describe the Spenser stories as compact more than short. They are powerful in that Parker never lets you forget he is a wordsmith, and capable of great bursts of creativity and humor.

Crimson Joy is not as action packed as other Spenser books, and is more cerebral. Susan plays more of a role in this one, too, and thus it has a lot of psychological overtones. This makes the book interesting from a clinical sense, but some readers might miss the fighting and machismo. This book is kind of sexy, too, in terms of its exploration of Spenser and Susan's relationship, though it never stoops to being crude or raunchy. [I keep forgetting these are just racy enough to prevent their becoming family books, since I find myself wanting to recommend them to folks of all ages.]

This is a departure for Parker, as some of the story is told from the point of view of the villain. It's a very suspenseful read, and I liked how how strong Susan was; you may not always enjoy her, but in this one she seems to be a person apart from Spenser, which gives her some reality. Not just a pretty face who finds it "irresistable to be loved so completely." My biggest problem is Parker's simplistic Freudian psychology. Guess why the serial killer kills? Surprise - it's his mother's fault. Parker does tend to take the easy and obvious route with the motivations of his characters, and that isn't always a bad thing, but it gets wearying when you read the whole series. Spenser, the ultimate autonomous man, would never say his father (or anyone else) is responsible for his actions. So why should anybody else's parents take the blame? Gimme a break.

What a relief! After reading A Catskill Eagle I started to worry that Parker was losing me with his "Spencer as Rambo" style. But Crimson Joy gets back to what made Parker a superb mystery novelist: Spencer solving a mystery and tracking down the criminal. There is a lot of police involvement in this one as Spencer agrees to help out our favorite detective, Martin Quirk. Hawk helps out, which is always a plus, and there is the added suspense of Susan being put in the path of danger as she becomes involved in her role as psychotherapist.

A Crimson Joy is a top notch Spenser novel and I highly recommend it for all fans of the crime novel. I can't wait to read the next in the Spenser saga!