This is the first of RDE's series of mysteries set in modern-day British institutions, introducing Robert Amiss, the unlikely and likeable hero of the series, and his policeman friend Jim Milton. It demonstrates RDE's trade-mark clear-sighted understanding of her settings, in this case the intricacies and absurdities of the British government and civil service. At the same time she does not lecture. She hits the plot straight away (we don't even get to meet the murder victim alive) and does not let up the pace. Amiss is the junior-but-fast-tracked (graduate entrant), intelligent and basically decent Private Secretary to the murdered Permanent Secretary who is recruited by Milton to be his mole and his guide to the complex hierarchy, conventions and personalities involved. Amiss' explanations get a wee bit laboured - I can't believe that a senior British policeman needs to have explained to him what the various "Secretaries" in the civil service really connote - but I guess explanation in some form or another is unavoidable if she is not to lose her non-British readers entirely. As it is, this is a painless and indeed enjoyable introduction to the British civil service by an insider (as RDE has been a civil servant herself).

Another RDE trademark is that believable and distinct (and recognisably British) characters come to life with remarkable economy of words. As usual with RDE the plot is not over-clever, but nonetheless tight and can't be faulted. Her strength really is making everything so true-to-life. Policemen engage in real hard thinking and thorough dog-work, coping at the same time with political pressures. People act true to nature and yet don't always conform to steorotype. Milton and Amiss display real intelligence and understanding of human nature (no glaring oversight of an obvious angle which proves to be the key to the mystery). RDE mixes realism and entertainment to a commendable degree. Needless to say, she writes well; well-paced, articulate and snappy prose.

This books take the point of view of Jim Milton more than Robert Amiss, which is interesting for devotees of the series because Amiss quickly becomes central whereas Milton fades away gradually. For the reader interested in character development, this first book provides an important piece in the jigsaw. Here Milton is portrayed more vividly than in any other book in the series, and we learn to respect his patience and professionalism, and understand a little more of his personal life. Amiss is a bit flat here compared to the following and later books where he becomes more lively. One gets the feeling that perhaps at this stage RDE meant Milton to be her central character rather than Amiss. But this is the only book where he is in real and appropriate employment so for Amiss fans it is a chance to see him on his homeground.

I give this four rather then five stars because some later books in this series (Matricide, Ten Lords, Publish) are more deserving of full honours. She hasn't quite gotten into her satirical stride in this first book, though that's not to say that she's not irreverent. But it is only in later books that her satire gets truly and howlingly wicked, and her comic talent blossoms. I recommend any book in the series; not one of them is a dud.

This book serves not only as a cogent introduction to the massive and complex body of work Said has produced in his lifetime, but it uses some of Said's own observations and critical mechanisms to understand Said. It contextualizes Said in a milieu that explains his own production of knowledge: something Said accomplished deftly in his landmark 'Orientalism' (1978). In that work, however, he examines the history of the western academic and popular cultural disposition towards "the Orient," or "the other" as an integral part of its imperial political aspirations. 'Paradox' gives an understandable syanpsis of a work many professors find difficult. Without giving away the fascinating hypothesis, Said's identity is explored amidst greater questions of the politics and meaning of identity -- themes Said is close to. This work is useful to those highly familiar with Said or those, such as myself, who seek a nice summary and introduction to the sphere of Said's work, ides that he influenced, as well as ideas he was influenced by. Its weakness is that it is probably of more utility to those belonging in the latter group of those un- or semi-familiar; though my own membership in that group may taint that judgment.

Even though it is just a summer job you can't help but want to quit. That's how I would feel if I was in the story.(Which I am)I love making my own desicions in books because I always have opinions when I read.I baby sit too and I hope that I will never have to face what the character faces in the story. Even if Katie is a perfect little angel when her parents are home, she turns EVIL when she is alone with you. This spine thrilling cahoose your own adventures is a wonderful book and I hope you enjoy it too.

Robert Amiss only lives up to his surname when he heeds the advice of his friend Baroness Jack Troutbeck. After all the misadventures that Jack gets him into he wonders why he still listens to her. This time around, she persuades (perhaps bullies is a more apt description) a near broke Robert to accept a job accompanying her when she visits Westonbury Cathedral. He should have known that the easiest job in the world would turn int o the job from hell if Jack is involved. ..... It seems that the locale, the Westonbury Cathedral, is imbued with a massive controversy that threatens to rip the Church of England in half with its worst feud since Henry's days. The new dean is an American fundamentalist who wants to end all the new age gurus that have entered the church. His ideas split the church into two factions who turn violent and deadly, including killing the new dean. Robert and Jack find themselves flooded with numerous suspects as they try to uncover the identity of the killer. However, in Robert's mind, it is Jack's friendship with everyone in the universe and her opinion on everything under the universe that is driving him away from the church. ..... The Robert Amiss tales are superb satires that laugh at every potential politically correct thing imaginable. However, it must be understood that MURDER IN A CATHEDRAL is not for everyone. Some readers will laugh at the antics of Jack, while others will feel that she is an abrasive SOB. The who-done-it is fun, but whether the reader enjoys Jack's pontificating on everything right and wrong with the C O E (the Church of England not the Corps of Engineers) depends on whether they love a British satire that overwhelms the mystery. ......Harriet Klausner

I am not sure what I expected when I started to read this book but this book was certianly not what I expected."American Rhapsody" by Joe Eszterhas uses the Clinton Lewinsky affair as a kind of metaphore for all that is/was wrong (or right if your are Joe Eszterhas) with the Sixties and the Hollywood counter culture, illicit sex, drugs, more drugs, radical polotics, and more illicit sex. I gave this book a second star because it did at times succede in two of it's major goals: 1) It did on occasion make me laugh and 2) It Almost (On occasion) made me, a charter member of the vast right wing conspiracy, feel sorry for Clinton. Make no mistake however, this is NOT a nice book by any means, in fact it is one of the meanist and most vicious books I have ever read. Joe Eszterhas Clearly is a egotistical self centered low life, who has only disdain for anyone who profess' any moral value. Eszterhas spends an entire chapter detailing how he "CREATED" Sharon Stone, ( he wrote "basic instinct"). Then got her to have an affair with his (ex?)friend to breakup his marriage so he could marry his friend's newly ex-wife. He spends another entire chapter blasting Arianna Huffington and her Ex-husband for no apperant reason except that she dared to call for the resignation of Bill Clinton. In a chapter tittled "The Ratwoman and the Bag Lady of Sleeze" (Linda Tripp and Lucciane Goldberg) he wites "To those in Washington who learned of the tight connection between Linda Tripp and Lucciane Goldberg, it made perfect sense, the two of them part of the same sleazy photo: the ratwoman gnawing on her bone in her bunting filled gutter and feeding next to her, the noxious bag lady of sleaze, cigerettes drooping from both their bloodred lips." And liberals say Repulican's are mean spirited? My recommendation for this book, wait for the paperback version, you will save some money and with the exta time to fumigate the stench of the Lewinsky scandal the book might seem a little funnier.

In the age of hypocrisy, defamation of character, finger-pointing, lying, manipulating, dirty tricks, and political warfare known as The Clinton Era, here is a book that tells it all. But guess what, no one can call Joe Eszterhas a member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy. He's as far to the left as they come, and this book details exactly why those from the left should despise Bill Clinton and everything he stood for. There's a good reason why Richard Nixon's shadow pops up throughout this narrative. Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon are so similar that it's scary. This book looks at the hope the Flower Children had in Bill Clinton when he was elected President, and then goes on to explain why he was the antithesis of what people like Eszterhas had hoped for in him. Bill Clinton's Presidency, Eszterhas argues, wasn't about any great cause other than Bill Clinton. But Eszterhas doesn't just go after Bill Clinton. Hillary, Al, W., Dole, and others all get the same treatment here. Eszterhas hates hypocrisy and here he goes after it. Unfortunately for America, there is a lot to go after.

Excuse the pun. You'll see why when you read this book.

Man, this book is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, no holds barred, in-your-face account with raw, intimate, superbly described and researched details of events that took place in and around Washington (and Hollywood) prior to, during and after MonicaGate.

MonicaGate is the basis of this book, with snippets of the taped conversations between Tripp and Lewinsky at the beginning of each chapter. But Eszterhas has also given us his reflections on all the juicy, sordid goings-on in Hollywood & Washington as well as his "takes" on the "thoughts" of certain key figures involved in MonicaGate.

Which made me wonder throughout the book: How can he get away with this? Naming everyone's name, giving such intimate and often seemy information of what these people have done and said, exposing everyone and their mamas for the hypocritical, judgemental, pious peons they are. If he gets away with it, it must mean it's true and a lot of it must be documented somewhere or else Eszterhas would be sued to death! I kept asking myself, "Is this true?!? This can't be true!" It's hard to believe the things that go on in front of and behind closed doors! Which makes me say, everyone should read this book just to find out the truth of what went on during some of the most embarrassing incidents in modern American history.

In this book, Eszterhas has brilliantly connected and cross-referenced and revealed and exposed so many of the facts that it has your head reeling and keeps you wanting for more.

My gluttonous (sp?) appetite for more insider's knowledge of what goes on in the upper echelon of power in Washington and Hollywood only whetted.

Mr. Eszterhas, give us another one like this but with your assault rifles targeted on Hollywood. Now that would be delicious!

not user friendly to a beginning collector.
too difficult to use.
can't find what i'm looking for..

I loved this book. It is the best book I have found to use in identifying carnival glass. The pictures are crystal clear, and the number of items included is astonishing. However, the greatest weakness is that the book does not list the year(s) that any of the items were made. That is a huge weakness. You may find out who the manufacturer is and the name of the item, but not knowing the date leaves a huge gap in information.

This book is what it says and encyclopedia. I t was not designed for any group beginner or expert. It is well organized and packed with descriptive color pictures. This encyclopedia tell how when and where the glass was made and more important shows patterns to help you recognize what you are looking at. The "Marks" section is worth it in its self.

My two favorite objects in the book (of which I am not sure I would want in my house) are:

Purple Pickle Paperweight:

"Of All the oddities I've come across in carnival glass, this is probably the oddball of all time."

Scottie

"Surly there isn't a collector that hasn't seen these in the flea market in Scotties, poodles, dear, duckies, or rabbits. They are all covers powder jars, all marigolds, and made near the end of the carnival glass heyday. Still the coloring is usually respectable, and they are cute little things"

Personally I do not think they are so cute; but my wife has the "Dear" that was handed down from her mother.

Again this book is worth just being aware of the diversity in Carnival Glass.,

This anthology has a number of stories from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, which are well outside the range of time when anything which could reasonably be called pulp fiction was published. Some of these stories are bad beyond belief. The editorial introductions lack all discernment, and the editors can't seem to tell the good from the unbelievably horrendous. Some of the stories are good, notably the one by David Goodis, but overall the quality is low. The book seems to have been thrown together to capitalize on the movie Pulp Fiction. You'd be well advised not to waste your time or your money on this.

Kinda bizarre that the editors of this book claim pulp's true Golden Age was not the one commonly thought of as its Golden Age (30s/40s), but the time immediately following it (50's/60s). Some of the stories in this anthology were even written as recently as the 80's. The 80's?! A bit questionable, but they're entitled to their opinion.

There are a few really amazing stories in this collection (That Stranger, My Son; Don't Twist My Arm... interesting they're both about dodgy father/son relationships) some slighty above average ones (In A Small Motel; Horn Man; The Frigid Flame) some precious ones, ie, with a twist or 'punchline' at the end (High Stakes; Tick Tock), and some that were just meh (Cop Without A Shield; Terrorists). But what really disturbed me was that a few of the selections in this book are, shall we say, suspect. There was one story in particular that was so painfully boring and lifeless it was absolute torture to finish (Leigh Brackett's 'I Feel Bad Killing You'...despite the little blurb accompanying her story, Chandler she most definitely ain't). But I guess every anthology is bound to have a few clunkers.

All in all, I discovered some talented writers through this collection, which made up for the not-so-great moments. If anything, it's a great introduction to some little-known authors.

Excellent introduction to the pulp fiction writers of the middle third of the 20th Century. This has a nice variety of authors and an excellent blend of styles and stories. Well worth the price of admission.

The thought of assembling a cast of farcical characters in a secluded castle representing all different viewpoints in the Anglo-Irish struggle had a great deal of promise in the beginning. In fact, when I read the first chapter or so, I had high hopes for a brilliant lampoon of all aspects of Irish and English society. But then the very one-sided political views of the author began to intrude on the novel. She is obviously very pro-British and pro-Unionist in her views, and anyone on the Irish nationalist side or any who are too close to them are either fools or villains in her view. In fact, the only criticism lobbed at any of the British characters is that they are too wimpy and give in to the "ridiculous demands" of the Irish nationalists (or "killers and mass murderers" as Ms. Edwards puts it.) The Unionists and Orangemen are all shown to be noble, upstanding characters (though somewhat eccentric), except for one who gets too close to the nationalists and gets murdered for his trouble. Outlandish characters like an Indian and a Japanese are shown to be wise men, even though vilified by racial epithets by the British baroness in charge of the conference in the castle. But of the four Irish nationalists or sympathizers in the plot, all are evil hypocrites or utter fools. Three are killed off in the plot and one later on, to show that "the only good Nationalist is a dead one" apparently. Various conference events provoke arguments amongst the attendees, and of course the views of the Irish are ridiculed. The author goes so far as to claim that the Irish Potato Famine was not an example of British inhumanity, but just "a spot of bad management". Sorry, but an event that left over 1 million people starving to death while the ample foodstuffs in the island were exported to England for sale does not qualify as "bad management". The word "genocide" comes to mind instead. She also blithely claims that the Protestant population in the Republic of Ireland was mostly wiped out through massacre, which is patently absurd. And her defense of British colonialism as a "beneficent policy" makes her look foolish. Perhaps she should have had her Indian character explain why, if British rule in India was so beneficial, the Indian population couldn't wait to kick the British out.
While I appreciated the farcical elements (like naming many of the lesser characters after famous Irish patriots) and enjoyed a few of the characters' foibles, the author's polemics against the entire Irish race and against the Catholic Church in particular ruined the book for me. Even the Irish characters who were not villains were maligned in some way, as with one who is shown to be an absolute alcoholic. Sorry, Ms. Edwards, but a good political lampoon coupled with a mystery (and the mystery part of the story is barely developed at all) requires the author satirizing characters on all sides on a fairly equal basis, not just savaging the ones whose political views you disagree with. (By the way, when you refer to the Northern Ireland nationalists as mass murderers and criminals, I might point out that twice as many Catholics were murdered in the Troubles by the British Army, the highly-prejudiced Protestant police force and the Protestant paramilitary groups as Protestants were killed by the IRA and their supporters. So it would seem the government and their supporters were mass murderers and criminals too.)

It could have been an excellent book, but the one-sided nature of the presentation made it seem in the end like something the Rev. Ian Paisley might have produced had he over-indulged at the pub one Saturday night.

This book, as with Edwards' other books, is a great spoof on political correctness and sterotypes. The mystery is not exciting - but the book is worth reading just for her discussion of the MOPES (Most Oppressed People on Earth). That seems to be the title most people vie for these days. This book is really funny.

I was hoping for something a little different. There are only black & white photos/illustrations which are fine, but not great. Other books with color photos are much more user friendly. I have still not figured out exactly how the book is organized. However, all is not lost. As with some of the other glass books I purchased recently, with time, and a lot of patience, I am sure that I can use this book. I would recommend that an in-person examination before buying. Not recommended for the novice collector, like me.

This sounded like a great book. I was familiar with most of the authors as tops in mystery. But what a disappointment! Except for one story, these stories are plain, lame trash. I was even dissatisfied with the pick from my favorite author, Edward Hoch. The publisher should contact me if they really want a book worthy of the title, but you, the reader, should steer clear of this book unless you have insomnia.

It was Block's name that drew me to this collection, but it turned out his story was not my favorite. I enjoyed the range of voices and themes throughout the tape. Were the stories best of the 20th century? That's a pretty big boast. I don't think it met it, but it was an enjoyable listen.