Reading Kathy's story will bring out every emotion that a human being can feel: love and hate; despair and hope; fear and courage. Not only does she open her heart to her readers, but she leads them through the "why me". Kathy's story is told in a form of writing that lets readers' know it comes straight from the inner most depth of her soul. Any person in an abusive relaionship should read this book to understand why they must seek help now.

The most powerful, truthful, and heart-wrenching story I have ever read on Domestic Violence, or for that matter, even seen in real life cases of abuse! This women went through hell! However, as you will see when you read this book, the author, Kathy Williams, teaches all of us what "Survival" is all about. Most of us would not have been able to endure such things as Ms. Williams did, and still live to talk about it!

This is a book that all organization, shelters, and groups should read, and possibly have Ms. Williams speak about her experience. She is truly an inspirational to all!

This book is very graphical, so be forewarned. However, a very good book for everyone.

This is a riveting account of one woman's battle with an abusive spouse, and what she had to do to make her life right again. If you want to read something that will make you laugh, cry, and challenge you on the most visceral level imaginable, you need to read this book.

This is a great novel from Cannell. The story is smart, well thought out and at the same time is a fast paced action adventure. I found it hard to put down ! Cannell is a master story teller. Runaway Heart ranks up there with his other great novels and leaves you reflecting on the points he raises about our world. Go get this book !!!! Enjoy!

Cannell's books just keep getting better! I love his Shane Scully novels, and was really excited to find another of his books so entertaining! I highly recommend this to Cannell fans, and to those who might not yet be familiar with his work!

I immensely enjoyed this work of Cannell's. I think it's my favorite of his so far. It's exciting, fast-paced, and the characters are unique and interesting - incredibly so.

The fact that the technology in the novel exists is quite frightening and Stephen Cannell paints a realistic and believable picture of what could actually be in our future.

Since I am an activist, I really loved (and could identify with) the Quixotic Herman Strockmire. I hope to see more of him in future novels!

I am amazed that such a detailed and well written book came out so soon after Houdini's demise (the original text is dated 1931!), especially as it lists the inner working of dozens and dozens of tricks. They go from mentalism to table magic tricks, from seances to escapes, from large stage productions to the simplest rope trick - it would be difficult to find so much material within any contemporary book!

This is a very no-nonsense book, with only two minor negative aspects. First of all, it is somewhat light on the explanations of several tricks in the ending chapter, which is devoted to general (non Houdini-specific) stage magic, and I suppose dead wrong in a couple of instances.
Then, although it does not overly glamourize Houdini the magician, it is in fact very forgiving about Houdini the man. We know from many other sources that he was quite a difficult character (with himself as well with others), whereas here he comes off as a shining example of fun-loving gentleman.

And no, the Chinese Torture Water Cell is not described. But that Tony Curtis movie was very incorrect about it anyhow.

This book is excellent for anyone interested in psychics, escapology or Houdini.

There are chapters on Houdini's life, details of ALL his famous escapes (except the water torture cell), chapters on tricks/rope ties you yourself could do, and chapters on his fight against fraudulent mediums.

Touroughly interesting andwell written, great for all ages.

Winning Ways truly captures the personality and fundamental points of each profiled trainer. (George Morris' chapter is particularly dead on! Hee!) Each of these people are successful A circuit professionals, with Finals-winning students to speak for the quality of their intruction - it's a veritable "who's who" list. This book is an invaluable guide for intermediate and advanced hunter seat equitation riders. Those that have not yet progressed to jumping can use poles on the ground in the tracks provided.

Hint hint - I'd love to see a new, updated volume with chapters from the newest faces on the circuit.

This is a great book for young jump or nonjump riders like me! This way you can get advice from the pro's, but you don't have to pay a fortune!! For me, George morris's and Jimmy William's sections have been very helpful, not only on my flat work, but in my jumping, as well. I am only half way through the book and I think it is one of the best informative books for a young rider!!! I would encourage anyone to read this book!!!!!

This, Robert Finch's first book, is a collection of essays about the wildlife, ecology, and "nature" of Cape Cod. It is pure delight -- the kind of book you might want to read at the end of a perfect day, with a glass of sherry following a good meal. The essays are short and conversational, always literate and almost always insightful. This is not specialized nature-lore, but intelligent musing on the world of Cape Cod -- ants, foxes, broken-down houses, getting lost at night. After you've read it, put it on the nightstand in the guest bedroom.

A brilliant and well-thought out look at one of this centuries most prolific architects. All of the stories behind his greatest achievements are here, including the scandal the erupted around the building of the Louvre pyramid. Pei is shown to be an practical innovator with his own particular philosophy; his elegant lines and deceptively simple ideas set him apart from the complicated ideology of the Bauhaus movement and architects like Le Corbusier. A very good read.

Cannell does an absolutely amazing job portraying the everyday lives of people in the Philippines, and how quotidian acts serve as forms of resistance to various externally imposed ideas and hierarchies. especially interesting because things like Christianity was initially externally imposed from the Spanish, yet has been re-appropriated by Filipinas/os in order to serve their needs. book breakdown:

1: Marraige Stories 2: kinship and the ritualisation of marraige 3: Healing and the people who have nothing 4: Spirit Mediums and spirit-companians 5: Spirit Mediums and Seance forms 6: Coda: the birthday parties of the spirits. 7: the living and the dead 8: the funeral of the 'dead Christ' 9: Kinship, reciprocity and devotions to the saints 10: Beauty and the idea of America (beauty, mimicry and transformation)

Chapter 10 is especially interesting as it deals with the bakla (male transvestites) of Bicol and how they interpret and approptiate notions of beauty and power.

overall, a really ecclectic and interesting book that got me to think of power, mimicry and symbols in a new light.

Dorothy Cannell has made a category all for herself with this hilarious, well-plotted, and exquisitely characterized novel. Ellie and Ben are some of the most likable and sympathetic characters I've ever read. I've read all of the Ellie Haskell mysteries now. They just get better and better -- read them all!

Overweight, romantic, insecure Ellie rents an escort, Ben Haskell, to pose as her boyfriend. One monumental lie told to her relatives, that Ben is her fiance and about to marry her, results is more shock- Ellie's rich uncle leaves Ben and Ellie his fortune: if:(a) Ellie loses weight,(b)would- be sexy writer Ben writes a novel with no sex and no pronography, (c) they find the "treasure". Ellie's greedy relatives: beautiful, conceited Vanessa (Vanessa found something meaningful to do-

varnish her nails!), lecherous Uncle Morice who invades Ellie's bedroom "A mistake my dear", klptomaniac Aunt Lulu,pony tailed hippy Freddie, and the dipsy cousin whose cooking is so foul Ellie loses pounds because she can't eat it! combine for a hilarious mystery. Ellie begins losing pounds but may lose her life before she can fulfil the conditions of the will! A witty, charming mystery so funny that you want to read and reread it for its howlers.

Not only is it a lot of fun trampling about in search of hidden treasure, but it's such a cosy, light-hearted and well paced book with moments of snorting hilarity and chortling humor. The cast is utterly adorable; the plot terribly enchanting and very mod-fairy tale. Ellie says some of the most delightful things written, Ben is perfectly drawn, and Dorus was very chipper and jolly. Really, this is something of a must read. Exactly appeals to the female nature.

With the witty title, strong opening and some occasionally inspired dialogue, I really expected the best from my first chapter or two of this cozy mystery. But the tale quickly disintegrates into a soup with too many contrasting ingredients, way too much seasoning, and not enough simmering. Too many characters are introduced but never fully developed, the lovely British setting is not fully integrated, the gardens and interesting or fabulous homes are barely sketched in - but the action can only be described as willy nilly and inplausible. This would have been a lovely book for a location map, and some charming English country scenes, and a lot more characterization. I was disappointed and wondered if this book had been rushed to publication.

Although I seldom read Gothics anymore, I read my share of them when I was young. Ms. Cannell serves up the standards: deep dark family secrets (one was easy to guess, but the others took me completely by surprise), great wrongs from the past that need to be set right, people being killed because they either KNOW TOO MUCH or could unwittingly REVEAL ALL. She didn't leave out the less-than-warm welcome the villagers give the innocent heroine. There's a seance! There's a governess who wanted her master who had the invalid wife. Ellie's life is mysteriously threatened. There's even a certain architectural feature no Gothic romance should be without. Of course, Ellie isn't the usual Gothic heroine because she's a wife and mother, but our author handles this trifling problem by packing Bentley and the kiddies off to camp. Mrs. Malloy and the faithful Tobias are similarly disposed of, leaving poor Ellie on her own. To trust or not to trust? Not only is that the question, but the answer could mean life or death to Ellie. I don't know if I'd go so far as to say that it's the best spoof of Gothics since Jane Austen's NORTHANGER ABBEY, but it's certainly a lot of fun. RANDOM COMMENTS: If you take 100 years as the human life span, then ages 34 through 65 are the middle, so yes, you are middle aged if you're in your forties (I will be 46 this year). Laughed at Mrs. Malloy's reaction to the reason Ellie has never spoken of her maternal grandmother. The chapter decorations are pretty. For someone who reads Gothics, Ellie took a bit long to become suspicious. I'd never heard the phrase "a friend of Dorothy" before -- what a polite way to explain. My instinctive reaction to the mentions of meat puddings and fish pie was YUCK! Then I remembered the teasing I gave a friend who refused to try chicken pot pie because "pies are dessert!" and decided to keep an open mind. With all the revelations in this book, Ellie and her kin are going to have to rethink their precise degree of relationship. I, for one, hope that Ms. Cannell doesn't fail to give us vain Vanessa's reaction in the next book. I'm sorry that Yan Nascimbene chose to give us a dustjacket illustration that's in keeping with the punny title. This book cries out for a traditional Gothic cover, preferably a nightgowned Ellie fleeing the Old Rectory in the pitch dark; with one window mysteriously lit in the forbidding house.

In the latest Dorothy Cannell mystery, Ellie Haskell is summoned by 3 of her grandmother's old friends to solve another family mystery. Another trio of bizarre characters join the cast, as each of the bridesmaids is just a little bit off. Cannell's mysteries are always alot of fun in addition to the mystery,and this one is no exception. Hopefully, the next novel will bring back the Flowers Detection Agency. I miss them.

Once I began reading Kathy's story, I was so involved with her character that, the next thing I knew...I had finished the book. This all-too-true life drama was so riveting and real that I found myself cringing at times; feeling the fury of the abuse that she endured time and again. I found myself rooting for her and applauding her for finally realizing her own self-worth. Any woman who has lived in the glaring anger or even the shadow of abuse can relate to this story and find herself wanting to reach for the light. Women : There is a light, even at the end of a broken and battered tunnel. If reading Kathy's book helps you to realize that, I have but one thing to say : Click !

Anyone who has ever been though domestic violence or is being abused, or anyone who has never had to deal with abuse on a personal level, will learn a great deal through reading this book. One's life is forever changed after reading the heartfelt story "I Survived". It is, in every aspect, a truly written true-life story of domestic violence; and it is told with breathtaking honesty. Kathy Williams has put all her pain, thoughts, feelings and fears into words, and made them your **own**. While reading this book I actually found myself crying, feeling her pain with her, and also sharing in her joy. Kathy, I wish that there were more people in this world with your courage! God Bless you. I cannot recommend this one highly enough!

The best book I've ever read. A moving and touching testament to the power of the human spirit. Once I began reading I Survived, I could not put the book down. Kathy Williams' ability to put into writing not only the events of her domestic violence, but her feelings and her insights, is extraordinary. These insights are very moving and are providing me, along with other readers, with guidance. Myself, having a sister that went through domestic abuse, this book has really helped me in so many ways. Kathy's life story is one of continuing courage and survival of her spirit, despite wounds to her, physically and emotionally. I thank Kathy for her courage to survive, to heal and to reach out to others. This story is destined to be a winner of awards.