This book is one of those that I never fail to mention when asked "If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have 5 books..." I had read several books about Elizabeth and the Tudors before reading "Legacy", and I've read many since, but I doubt it will ever be topped.

The portrayal of Elizabeth provided by Susan Kay is one of a living, breathing woman with desires, fears and intelligence. After reading this book, you will feel as though you have personally known Elizabeth I and the menagerie of historical figures that shaped the period of time that we now call "Elizabethan".

As a man, I'm not Suesan's target audience, but I found her general advice on fitness and the weight-training exercises to be very good. don't be compulsive about it

Little has changed in the last 50 years except that there are more women in titled positions. With these titles came no change in the lack of independence from male persuasion in decision making. We're still doing it their way.

Time for women to step up to the plate, read Solovic's book and march to our own drummers.

This book is more of a resource book than a clear guide on how to quickly write a great resume. I found the volume of information overwhelming and it only served to frustrate me in that I did not know where to begin.

Trying to read the book from start to finish was a daunting task as it doesn't follow a logical series of steps to produce a great resume; it makes a great reference book but not a hand-holding guide.

I returned the book and purchased Robin Ryan's "Winning Resumes" (0471263656). This is an excellent, short book/instruction manual. Actually, I purchased both of her books; her cover letter book is "Winning Cover Letters" (047126348)

I purchased Ryan's books after I had sent 20 resume and cover letters and received nothing back except one rejection letter. After reading the books and following her step by step instructions I produced a much better set of material.

I have sent ten Cover letters and resumes since adopting her ideas and I've had three responses in just two weeks!!! I've had an interview with two of the companies and the third is still taking apps and will "get back with me".

Good luck in your search...

Susan Britton Whitcomb teaches the reader how to catalog their background, write great copy, choose a flattering format, and design a visually artistic resume. She leaves no how-to stone unturned: JIST cards, reference lists, action verbs, sample phrases, electronic resumes, cover letters, you name it!

[It's] a small price to pay considering the hundreds of samples, suggestions, and strategies Susan offers. Money well-spent indeed!

Kerry

Because, indeed, a resume now must look good enough so it will be read.

One chapter did nothing but help you choose which sections and section titles fit your situation. I found that weird, until I began the next chapter, which read, "Even experienced writers can feel some fear and trepidation when facing the start of a new project. You already have a good outline in which to work (chapter 4), which puts you beyond the 'blank sheet of paper' stage."

Inside the "tweaking" section, she even gives the keystrokes you'll use for both Microsoft Word and Corel WordPerfect.

You'll also find 250 "impact-mining questions" to ask yourself to come up with powerful accomplishment statements. Is that a lot? Well, no, but it gives you a good start! When you expect a resume-writing book to have a list of action verbs, Susan diligently wrote a impressive example for each verb.

I do not agree with her treatment of ASCII resumes, though. Of course, her discussion on online promotion and online resume submittal has grown stale; her ideas on "keyword resumes" is as outdated as advice on META TAGS on web pages.

Bulky... comprehensive... a great workbook.

Not only do I strongly recommend this book, but I can be sure in saying that if you like this book, you will want to read it over and over again!

While reading Howatch I often felt that this is perhaps her way of showing her readers the necessity for compassion and understanding in our lives, for she whips away our prejudices and preconceptions about her characters simply by switching perspectives. For me this happened in the Wheel of Fortune with the character of Kester, who first appears as a thoroughly unlikeable, spoiled child, a misfit who never failed to exasperate those around him - and of course the reader. The moment Kester himself was allowed to speak, however, and I saw the situation through his viewpoint, he became my favourite character and I could identify with him completely, and appreciate him as the creative genius he is.

Then there is Robert Godwin, the personification of male chauvinism, an uptight London barrister who takes leave of all his senses when he falls for his cousin Ginevra. Ginevra herself is at first rather silly and self-absorbed, but as she grows in depth and self-esteem she develops into a warm, strong, well-rounded personality and a driving force in the novel. John Godwin is the epitome of good upbringing: his motto is "Here I have my standards, and here I draw the line!"; but then he meets Bronwen, a lower class Welshwoman who embodies the passion and mysticism that is simmering just beneath the surface of John's own consciousness, and John throws caution to the wind. Finally there is Harry, Kester's nemesis and greatest rival, the perfect public school boy . It's the rivalry between Kester and Harry, both of whom seem to mirror each other, each one having what the other most desires, rising and sinking on opposite sides of the Wheel of Fortune, which provides the foundation for this wonderful story.

Last but not least there is Oxmoon itself, their home; fabulous, haunting, living, Oxmoon: the orchestra playing the Blue Danube in its grand hall while the dancers dance beneath the glittering chandeliers. The magical atmosphere which pervades this wonderful story and draws us into the wonderful world teeming with rounded, living, breathing, characters we feel we have known all our lives.