Only a rogue like Nicholas Ruxart would choose a bride on the basis of a careless wager. and only a rakehell like Nicholas would then fall in love with his betrothed's grey-eyed sister! The cynical viscount had always thought one blushing miss would suit as well as another, but the unattainable Jane Sommers soon proved him wrong. Jane considered herself on the shelf and was resigned to the life of a country spinster. She wanted no part of the London Corinthian who had gambled on her sister's affections. She was determined to ignore his knowing mocking gaze, resist his darkly handsome smile, rebuff his perfect, polished charm. But could she deny the tender yearnings of her own traitorous heart?

This was a fabulous book, well worth reading

It's really difficult to describe Daniel Libeskind's works when he doesn't profess himself to be an architect & yet, claiming that he's not a non-architect either. So, what is he? Anyway, his work is very abstract & cerebral. Daniel is a very eclectic & talented individual, with degrees in music, mathematics, architecture & upon submitting his pieces for competitions, he actually used music sheet! Then, he questioned if the outcome of the competitions was decided by a panel of jury, & was that the rite thing to do. In many instances, readers might feel that we're getting somewhere in understanding his works & subsequently, a curveball would be thrown & we would end up just as confused as when we first started. Suffice to say that he's an urban planner, looking at the overall picture, believes in evolution of designs which would benefit future generations. He argued that his high profile work for the connection between the Berlin Museum & the Jewish Museum might be nicknamed "zigzag" but in actuality, in real life, its presence conveys something otherwise. If readers could look beyond his supposedly desconstructive work, he's in fact a traditionalist & a realist. Daniel is forever arguing with himself & there's nothing more enjoyable to him than engaging in discussions. I wish that there were more pictures of his works but most of them were taken in a hurry, or that they were pictures of models. There were also descriptions of some kinds of his modern art works & sculptures (or machines)? The writings at the end of the book is intensive reading, but there's undeniable of Daniel's depth & it's about time someone of his calibre racks up the architecture world with his avant-garde thinking. Other projects worth reading here are Alexanderplatz, Berlin; The Spiral: Extension to the Victoria & Albert Museum; Jewish Community Centre & Synagogue, Duisburg; & so forth. Not for the faint-hearted but highly recommended.

Fans, just for fans,ONLY for those who had a previous approach to libeskind's work. (results as to much for first-timers) advanced desconstruction followers will feel satisfied of owning this piece. The "plus" comes in the writings, the way they are writen is pure and simple "congruence" something worth to be digested.

Although this book covers many of the unusual aspects of siege warfare, it only manages to scrape the surface of them. The illustrations in the book were either useless photos or very well done drafting images. All in all, this book is great for an overview with a view intresting pictures but fails to be worth its price.

"Siege : Castles at War" is a very good read for those interested in castles. The book is essentially an adaption of two medieval scholars' NOVA television special that aired on public television (PBS)recently (1999). The authors of this book, both university professors of medieval studies, really know what they're talking about and this book is ready proof that they've spent a life researching medieval culture and warfare. I checked this book out from my local public library and have now hinted to my girlfriend that I'd like a copy for my birthday! The text is well-written, easy-to-read, factual as well as interesting, and, best of all, embellished with wonderful period illustrations. I enjoyed this book as did the sixth-grade child who I have tutoring in history. While my young tutoree enjoyed the book, the text is most definitely written for adult readers. I highly advise this book to those who want to learn more about castles and medieval warfare.

I gave the story The Great Pony Hassle four stars because of some funny parts like on pg.9 when Staci and Toni were telling each other to shut up. I understood the book and Paisley's and Toni's feelings about Noodles the pony. It was not fair becaue in the beginning Paisley was the only girl to have a pony.

A very good introduction to all major legal issues presented in what is called Health Care Law. Topics covered include: contractual aspects of the doctor-patient relationship (duty to treat, termination of relations); the legal nature of health care organizations; ERISA preemption; medical malpractice and informed consent; anti-trust; and ethical considerations.

I made the mistake of reading Phillips "The Politics of Rich and Poor: Wealth and the American Electorate in the Reagan Aftermath a decade ago (interestingly when the economy was in the same mess it's in now)Phillips is one of those authors that loves to breed on negativity and jealousy. Isn't it amazing how people will applaud (sometimes) when somebody wins the lottery (although green with jealousy) but look with ambivelence when someone becomes successful in a business."The rich get richer" they lament. "Rich people should pay more in taxes" Oh really? Who provides the jobs, surely not the poor! If you want to increase layoffs, tax the rich so the money that was headed for payroll and business expansion now goes to taxes.Phillips message is old and tired. If the past is any indication, look for this book to come running out of the gate only to stop dead and fall fast just like The Politics of Rich and Poor did. I saw one man with this book under his arm while he was buying a lottery ticket. Does that tell you something?If in fact all of the wealth were redistributed, it would be back in the same hands within 2-5 years. All those with self earned wealthhave achieved success irregardless of the government. Americans have become financial wimps by depending on government intervention. True success depends on you, not the government. If you really want this book, wait for a used copy here at Amazon or on the discount racks of a used book store. I suspect you'll find many copies lying around.

1 star reviewers, at least do Mr. Phllips the dignity of reading the book before you bash it. Keep in mind that Phillips is a republican and as an American, has the virtue of freedom of speech. Read the book and then come back and state your "opinions."Or----are your minds so frozen that you cannot accept any other viewpoints than whay you percieve to be true?Read it first!

This is a clear exposition of political economics. The general thesis is not new. The widening gap in financial strength between the wealthy and the middle and lower classes interferes with the healthy functioning of democratic institutions. Wealth versus Commonwealth. Class warfare. It seems to be the natural order of things for there to be periodic accumulations of massive wealth and power in the hands of a few (particularly around times of booms associated with new technology) which leads to an inevitable bust and governmental policies to redistribute the wealth more widely. Kevin Phillips does a masterful job of showing these historic cycles. He uses Hapsburg Spain in the 1500s and early 1600s and the accumulation of wealth from the exploitation of the new world as the first modern example. The Dutch were the immediate successors to the Spanish with textiles and shipbuilding in the 1600s and 1700s in the waves of boom and bust cycles. The English followed with railroads in the 1800s and early 1900s.The most recent boom-bust cycle was associated with the current Americans infatuation with high technology. His thesis tends to minimize the notion that those who take great risks might deserve great reward.

These massive accumulations of wealth in the hands of a few lead to control of democratic institutions as a means of preserving and increasing wealth. Or in the words of mark Twain "I think I can say, and say with pride that we have legislatures that bring higher prices than any in the world." Also the influence of non elected officials such as the Federal Reserve and Federal Judges increases during periods of disproportionate wealth accumulation. In addition schemes to increase markets and drive down labor costs i.e. globalization result. After the bust more socialistic policies prevail. Examples from American history include the aftermath of the Civil War with the rise of the Republicans through the gilded age and the roaring twenties until the start of the great depression. Subsequent Democratic control with FDR saying "I should like to have it said of my first Administration that in it, the forces of selfishness and lust for power met their match. I should like to have it said of my second Administration that in it these forces met their master" achieved the first great realignment of wealth since the Civil War. The Republicans later gained control in the late 1960s and have held control through the speculative mania associated with the technology boom. Bill Clinton is described as glorying in stock market gains as much or more than any Republican predecessor.
Wealth and Democracy makes the case that the current grossly disproportionate share of wealth in the hands of the few built up under predominately Republican policies calls for a return of Democratic policies of wealth realignment for the common good. And this is from Kevin Phillips who was the chief political analyst for the 1968 Republican presidential campaign, and in 1969 published The Emerging Republican Majority.