This book is one of the best I have ever read. It is a great book about some of the drug rings that go on in the tropics...there was tons of suspense and mystery of who did it? You will have to read it to figure out what it is the person did. The author did very well in portaying the characters. I could relate to the heriones reasons for living down there.

Overall one of the best books I have read from silhouette books.

This is a magnificent song book for anyone who loves Disney or Sherman Brothers music. They wrote the songs for MARY POPPINS, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANK, JUNGLE BOOK, THE ARISTOCATS, CHARLOTTE'S WEB and THE SLIPPER AND THE ROSE. Nine of their songs were nominated for Oscars. Twice they won an Oscar. They're just the greatest. I love this song book and play the music in it all the time with my kids. Some of their other great songs which are included here are "It's A Small World", "Feed The Birds", Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious", Winnie The Pooh", "You're Sixteen" and "Tall Paul". These brother songwriters are the greatest. I loved "Walt's Time" too!

Olmstead is a master of the language, technical and common. The book itself may be one of the most mythic stories ever told, yet Olmstead never tries to make the story or its residents "large." He is content to place his characters in your path and smile when you are bowled over by the love that resonates in their lives.

A breathtaking journey. For the theorist, Strange Pieta enriches the discourse in disability theory. For the common reader, Fraser provides a heartfelt and emotional look into his brother's life, a life that has always been deeply intertwined with his own. Emotion and wit never ceases to flow from Strange Pieta's pages.

These Russians really know how to tackle the big issues in literature. I started with Solzenitsyn's Day in the Life, then did War and Peace, then Crime and Punishment, and most recently, The Brothers Karamazov, and I have to say that I am much the better for reading these books.

Phew, I thought War and Peace was good (and it was), but the Brothers Karamazov locks horns with the problems we face as human beings, wrestles them to the ground, exposes us for the weak, sinful things that we are, then gives us hope.

Principally (to me, anyhow), the novel was about the problem of overthrown authority. God and the church were starting to be questioned as the ultimate authority, and the air in Russia at the time was begining to move towards reform, begining to become modern. Its themes are just as relevant today as they were for Dostoyevsky's time, and there are several passages in "The Russian Monk" chapter that were profoundly prophetic of the problems of modern society- if you replace some words with modern equivelents you have a very good picture of the USA today. Isolation of the individual, invented needs, the problem of freedom- these are some of the things Dostoyevsky tries to tackle.

Several chapters are masterpieces enclosed within the work itself, 'Pro and Contra,' 'A Little Demon,' 'The Russian Monk' the chapter where Mrs Kholaklova (spelling) professes her lack of faith to the Elder Zosima, the chapter that focuses on the relationship between Snegiyrov and Illyushin, his son, showing how children lose their innocence and become indoctrinated into this harsh adult world- with bad consequences when violence is present. And of course, there is the 'Grand Inquisitor' chapter. Wow. WOW. Had to read that three times before I think I got everything in it, but I think if every human being on Earth read 'The Grand Inquisitor' 'The Russian Monk' and then 'The Speech at the Stone' we would all be very much the better for it. eh, just read the whole thing while you're at it.

Dostoyevsky's conclusion seems to be that faith will be the ultimate healing salve for all humanity- once everybody realizes the stupidity of everything other then selfless, active love, we shall all move forward and life shall be paradise. We've had 120 years or so more progress towards it since Dostoyevsky wrote it, but it looks like we're still not doing very well (thank you very much Ms Ayn Rand). Dostoyevsky provides enough sustenence for people with less ardent faith to continue on- one of the characters, Rakitin, says 'Man kind will find the strength to live for virtue wether or not he believes in the immortality of the soul.' The Devil, in the chapter where he has a conversational duel with Ivan, mocks this idea as 'most charming.'

Each of the primary characters- Alyosha, Ivan, Dmitry, and Fyodor Pavlovich, is a guide to a certain way of living. Alyosha the christ-man, Ivan the intellectual skeptic (Raskolnikov mk II), Dmitry the noble savage, and Fyodor Pavlovich as the great sinner. Each character has his own climax in the book, and everybody should be able to identify with at least one of the characters, or find that they may be 10% Dmitry, 50% Ivan, and 40% Alyosha.

This should be an exceptional book for any young person trying to figure out what the heck life is all about. There's some good stuff between those covers- Dostoyevsky has a very deep understanding of human nature.

So in closing, whatever your beliefs are, don't eat the pineapple compote, and don't take the earthly loaves.

THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV may indeed be the greatest novel yet written. The Russian master's tumultuous epic concerning ultimate questions of good and evil; faith and rationalism; love and passion, are profoundly dramatized in a murder mystery that astonishes and disturbs by its refusal to stereotype any of its characters or trivialize any of its themes. Hence the book...like a well-lived life...is a struggle that requires much of the reader. However, if the effort is made in good faith, one never forgets the experience of journey and the lessons taught. The Constance Garnett translation is to The Karamazov as the King James Version is to the Bible. At the center of the story is "The Legend of the Grand Inquisitor". Some readers may observe that its inclusion in the novel is a "mechanical" contrivance and a technical flaw that does not naturally flow into the narrative. This may be true; but Ivan Karamazov's "poem" (as Dostoyevsky's proud, intellectual nihilist proposes) is...in effect...a spiritual history of humanity and its battle for dignity under the weight of its own Sins. When the Inquisitor/anti- Christ figure of the tale asserts that man's greatest curse is his own freedom and that he will "worship" anyone who takes this burden from him (from Supreme Court Justices who declare abortion is not murder...to talk show hosts who celebrate divorce and homosexuality)most readers suddenly realize that they are not merely reading a book but...like The Brothers Karamazov themselves... are on trial for their beliefs. Or lack of them. It is a novel which rivals parts of The Bible itself in wisdom and startling insights. Yet Dostoyevsky was "only" a man and this book... perhaps the greatest novel ever written...is a wonderful testimony to great literature's affirmation of life and the "adventure" of living.

The Brothers Karamazov becomes more ironic and comedic with multiple readings and age, i.e. mine. It is also, for me, the novel of the Russian soul/landscape, the ungovernable, mystic and irrational. Traces of Rasputin can be gleaned in Fyodor Karamazov, the patriarch whose decadent life and death is the magnetic core of this masterpiece. Dostoevsky, in his last novel spares few but least of all the lesser landowners, moneylenders and petitbourgoise whose treachery and self-absorption is the essence of the drunken Karamazov. From 3 women, come the brothers and the bastard and it is within their various souls, the archetypal Russian nature and its conflict, comes the plot. In all, the span of the story is but 4 days.

Karamazov is the comedy as well as the nature of the murderous avenging of devils that lightens and lifts, to the degree that is possible in this notoriously dense read. In one scene glaring with "a broad, drunken half-witted leer." he manages to speak some of the author's tormented inner debates about religion, God and the progressive, radical elements that would choose violent change and destruction. Despite his tyranny to servants, children and women, Karamazov is a yellow bellied coward. Confronted by Dmitri, his son, Fyodor squeals and runs around the table, "He's going to hurt me, stop him stop him" grabbing desperately to another son's coattails.

Dostoyevsky's final work of the obsessions that consumed him as well as his age is no where more labrynthine than in his depiction of the Russian church. He indicts the overly powerful clergy of the Holy Mother Church of the Tsar- while remaining fanatically Christian. He has contempt for the court system and the repressive penal codes, but a greater contempt for the radicals and assassins who assert that blood is the path to reform and the end of crime. Here, he enlarged on the theme of Crime and Punishment where destabilization and rampant appetites and excess were condemned. Karamazov is less a sermon or a catharsis for its delightful comedy, the burlesque of dreamers, rebels, the pious and the rogues who are part of the great folly, the foolishness and perhaps unredeemable condition of mankind. Dostoevsky was a Christian who could only love a suffering Christ- Ivan, his son intellectualizes religion yet it does nothing but infect his mind and bring nightmares, one of which is the famous chapter of "The Grand Inquisitor." There is an attack upon the deification of the uneducated Russian countrymen when after a verdict came through someone yelled, "Hooray, Trust our Russian peasants, Trust the peasants." Yet they had just convicted an innocent man.

Dostoeyvski speaks in the preface as author and creator, in particular in regard to his hero, tells us in the preface that the Aleksi, (Aloysha). The Christlike youngest brother is superior in thought alone, but in his action, he fails to inspire.

In no area is Dostoeyevski's own uncertainty more brilliantly depicted than in the question of the nature of the holy man on earth- the monks, the starets and the saintly. Fyodor insults the monks where Aloysha has gone to prepare for the priesthood. He shouts in a mad frenzy to the monks, "why shouldn't I act the fool? ....every single one of you is worse than me. That's why I'm a buffoon- a buffon of shame..Master (falling to knees) what must I do to earn eternal life?" Was he in jest?
It has been said that all the characters are insane, and then rebuffed with, we are just seeing them, in so much vivid light, but they are, like ourselves, just ordinary. This is an event, a necessary ingredient to any reading life.

Brother Lawrence can be of enormous help to those of us seeking to grow closer to Christ. For one, there is no complicated methodology behind practicing the presence of God.

As Brother Lawrence says, "Lift up your heart to Him ... the least little remembrance will always be acceptable to Him. You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we are aware of."

And so, the practice of the presence of God is to simply think of him often. As Brother Lawrence says, your friend (God) is always with you. Why would you cut off conversation with God when you would not be so rude to another person.

I enjoyed this book. It takes maybe one hour to read, but I have a feeling it will have a lasting impact on my life.

I am constantly is search of books that will help me advance in the spiritual life. I find alot of books that I read are repetitive. This short book by Brother Lawrence shows a simple, direct, effective way to strengthen your spirituality without losing you halfway through the book. Through the practice of one simple method we can be in continual union with God. All we need is the perseverance to continue practicing it!

This is one of the three greatest Christian books besides the Bible that I would recommend for all to read, the other two being "The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life" and "Pilgrim's Progress". Brother Lawrence seems to have found a heavenly type of life on earth and describes his experience in this very short and simple book that other's may partake of this blessing also. The life he portrays is one of continual communion with God in that all our daily mundane works are intimately connected with Him. One interesting comment he makes, and which perhaps best serves as the central thesis of this book, is that he feels no less closer to God when he is busy doing his earthly chores than in his set time of devotions. The Christian life he found is the one God intends for all belivers to have.

SeaSwept is my favorite Nora Roberts' book. Actually, the entire Quinn Brothers trilogy is an excellent read (Inner Harbor, Rising Tides). SeaSwept introduces you to the Quinn family and in particular, Cameron Quinn. Ms. Roberts' male characters are always strong, sensitive men with an incredible sense of family and morals. Upon meeting Cameron in the opening pages of this book, he's what one would call a "player." But when called upon by his siblings during a family crisis, he comes through shining. It has always been the three Quinn brothers but a family tragedy brings about the possibility of there being a fourth Quinn that they had no knowledge of. SeaSwept is a familial story of strenghth and love and of the ties that bind fathers & sons and brothers to each other. As with each of the Quinn boys, they must come to face their past demons and ultimately, their present, as they each make their way into the future and join to affect the future of their youngest brother, Seth. It is an excellent read and is enchanced by the story setting of the eastern seaboard town in which it takes place.

"Sea Swept" is the first book in the trilogy revolving around the Quinn brothers of Cheseapeke Bay. The entire trilogy is a must read, although each book can stand on its own.
The Quinns are three brothers who were all taken in by Ray Quinn and his wife as abused and neglected juvenile delinquents. Because of the love and understanding of their adopted parents, the Quinn boys turned their lives around and they became a true family.
This is the story of Cameron, the eldest, who is called back home from his life of sailing and adventure after his father is injured in a car accident. As Ray Quinn dies, he asks his three sons to raise Seth, the boy he has just recently adopted. Cam struggles to deal with his father's death and tries to reach Seth's guarded heart. He also meets Anna Spinneli, Seth's social worker, and begins to develop a relationship with her.
The romance between Cam and Anna is realistic and very passionate. The relationship that Cam and his two brothers, Ethan and Phillip, develop with Seth is truly touching and is perfectly written by Nora Roberts.
As the brothers struggle to solve the mystery of who Seth really was to their father, and at the same time try to convince the government that they are capable of raising a child, there are all kinds of funny, heart-warming, and poignant scenes. In the midst of all this, Cam and Anna develop deep feelings for each other and try to figure out where those feelings will take them. The result is an absolutely superior book that you won't soon forget. Trust me, you will love these brothers!

Though I don't care for the title, knowing Nora could've done much better, this book quickly overcame that fault. Sea Swept is a novel written about a family of 3 adopted brothers-Cameron, Ethan, and Phillip, 11 year old Seth, and his social worker, Anna. The book is Cam's story, the famous daredevil son who likes fast boats, cars, and women. Cam has just won a famous boat race as he's notified his Dad is in a coma. As he returns, his Dad becomes coherent long enough to ask his sons to care for Seth. At the time of the accident, he was adopting Seth. The scene is set for shocking discoveries, as rumor has it Seth is Ray Quinn's child. Clearing their Dad's name uppermost in their minds, the three brothers take turns falling in love with young Seth. Each sees part of his past in the boy. You're caught up in the war of love and conflict here, and Nora Roberts makes sure you can step inside each character's shoes. The story unravels in surprising directions. I found the book exciting and captivating, the seaside a perfect backdrop for the tranquility needed during the tempestuous times and impending scandal. Anna is the center of attention, along with Seth, as she's surrounded by three virile, single brothers. You discover her heart-wrenching past as you're already her biggest fan. Taken in by her feisty, sexy, independent and honest to a fault personality, you are indeed *seaswept*...Watching Cam and Anna fight their obvious attraction, the the ways their love for Seth sneaks up on them both is genuine fun. Caught between their tangling and clashing one moment - and fiery passion the next, you are sucked in to Sea Swept without an ounce of resistance!

Seth Quinn is back in St. Chris on Maryland's eastern shore. After a couple of years in Europe, he's a rich and celebrated artist. But now he is home--with his family, the family business, and the curse that has followed him over the years since he was a young boy. His mother is blackmailing him, doing her best to spoil everything for him--and for the family that gave him everything. Although he's all grown up now, he'll still pay her off, do just about anything to protect the brothers who raised him.

Drucilla Whitcomb Banks has fled a cheating fiance and the life of the outrageously rich in Washington D.C. to strike out on her own in St. Chris. She owns a flower shop and does her best to fit into the community. Given her experience with men, she doesn't want to fall in love--doesn't even want to date. But Seth Quinn can be as convincing as any of the Quinn men and Dru finds herself spending time with Seth despite what she promises herself.

Author Nora Roberts writes a compelling emotional story. Both Dru and Seth are damaged by their families and upbringing--damaged in ways that make it hard for either to commit, and in ways that make it hard to open up and trust anyone. Even supernatural help from Seth's adoptive grandmother (who had died before he was adopted) seems unable to do the job. Yet only if the two can overcome their upbringing can they find happiness with each other--or with themselves.

Fans of the earlier novels in this series will joy in seeing Cam, Phil, and Ethan again--each with a growing swarm of children who are now growing up. Nora Roberts can't write a bad book and CHESAPEAKE BLUE is a page-turning read. I would have liked to see a little more threat from Gloria--after all, one woman doesn't have a chance against the entire Quinn clan--ghosts and all--and I would have liked to see more of a resolution of Dru's issues. Still, BLUE works as a story and delivers an emotional wallop.

The amazing Quinn family is back!

Seth, the youngest Quinn, is home for the first time in years. An acclaimed painter, who is blessed with a gift he can't quite explain, Seth is as handsome and dynamic as the other Quinns. He comes home to find things in St. Chris much the same, with the exception of lovely Dru Whitcomb-Banks, a new shopkeeper in town. Dru is not what Seth expected and he soon finds himself drawn to her, despite his unsavory roots. She's carrying quite a bit of baggage herself, but finds that she's falling for him just the same.

Nora Roberts had already built a compelling family that intrigued readers through the first of the Chesapeake Bay saga, Sea Swept, Rising Tides and Inner Harbor. But in response to overwhelming reader demands (she dedicates the book to "Every reader who ever asked, "When are you going to write Seth's story?") she writes Seth to be as dreamy and decidedly alpha as the other Quinn men. Dru is a perfect match for Seth, strong willed and determined and also a bit of a lost soul. The combined traits make the couple vibrant and interesting. On top of that, you get to revisit your favorite characters from the first three books and find out what's become of them and their children. Nora's greatest gift is her ability to write a family that keeps the reader's attention.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to both first time, or habitual Noraholics! If this is your first Nora book, I suggest that you read the first three in the saga before reading Chesapeake Blue. You'll find your enjoyment of the story even greater having met the secondary characters before.

Nora's done it again!

I absolutely loved the brothers trilogy, it was truly my favorite of all Nora Roberts trilogys. Of course I do love them all! This book was telling the story of Seth as he now is grown up. I felt like I knew the entire family and cared about each and every one of them.

Seth is home with his family, the business, and the mother who has followed him over the years since he was a young boy. Blackmailing him, doing her best to ruin everything for him and for the family that gave him everything and made him who he is. Although he's all grown up now, he'll still pay her off, do just about anything to protect the family he loves.

Dru enters the picture, who has fled a cheating fiance and the life of the wealthy in Washington D.C. to strike out on her own in St. Chris. She owns a flower shop and does her best to fit into the community. Given her experience with men, she doesn't want to fall in love, doesn't even want to date. But Seth can be as convincing as any of the Quinn men and Dru finds herself in love with Seth.

I think Nora Roberts did an excellent job with this ending story. Her plot was great, the ending was a surprise and all the characters we loved in this trilogy have returned. If you start with this book you may want to read the first three to start.

"Rising Tides" is the second book about the three Quinn brothers. This story revolves around Ethan and his relationship with Grace Monroe. Ethan has had perhaps the most disturbing past of the three boys adopted by Ray and Stella Quinn, but he has managed to become a wonderful, caring man and successful fisherman. Ethan and Grace have been friends for years. Grace cleans houses (including the Quinn's) and waitresses in order to support herself and her two year old daughter, Aubrey. Grace works incredibly hard and is a wonderful, complex character. Grace has been in love with Ethan for years and vice versa, although neither of them has acted upon it. This story is full of love and sadness, romance and fulfillment, as Grace and Ethan finally come together. It is a truly touching and lovely story, and is probably my favorite of the three.
Seth's story is also continued in this installment, as his mother begins to pose more of a threat to him. The interaction between Seth and his brothers makes this more than just a simple romance. NR does a fabulous job of dealing with difficult emotions and complex relationships. She really makes the reader care about these characters and what happens to them.
I highly recommend this book. It is full of all the aspects of life, and mixes moving and poignant scenes with humorous and amusing ones that will make you laugh. This is an excellent read and you do not want to miss it!

Rising Tides is the second book in the trilogy of the Quinn brothers. This second book of the trilogy was my favorite so far! I haven't read the third one yet but I will. This book was very simple with a few twists and turns. I would highly reccomend this novel!

Ethan is the eldest brother and a fisherman, still living in the Maryland shore town where he was raised by Ray and Stella Quinn. He is a quiet, seemingly content man but you later learn that he has kept his emotions and such to himself for many years. Ethan shared Ray's loves of the sea, boating, and fishing. Ethan seems satisfied with his life until he comes to face his past demons when youngest brother, Seth joins the family and with a similar past. Ethan is drawn to Seth having realized they both experienced horrific abuse at the hands of their natural parents during their early childhood. Because of this common thread, the story of their relationship is quite an emotional read. Ethan establishes a strong paternal relationship with his youngest brother and together, they are both able to put their past to rest. During the course of this book, Ethan realizes he is worthy of a loving relationship with Grace Monroe and her daughter Aubrey whom you will meet in Rising Tides and fall in love with. Ethan is the strongest of the Quinn brothers and through his love for his family and his job, he is able to give each of this brothers the emotional grounding they need to get through their family tragedy and learn to enjoy their lives once more.

I love Nora Roberts books! I like it when she writes something more than a romance or mystery. The real life topic in this book is child abuse and the devastating, life long effect it can have on families and people. Nora manages to get across this very disturbing subject and still write an enjoyable book with a wonderful romance!

Rising Tides is the story of the eldest Quinn brother, Ethan. Ethan is a fisherman, still living in the Maryland shore town where his was raised by Ray and Stella Quinn. He is a quiet, seemingly content man but you later learn that he has kept his emotions and such to himself for many years. Ethan shared Ray's loves of the sea, boating, and fishing. On the whole, Ethan seems satisfied with his life until he comes to face his past demons when youngest brother, Seth joins the family. Ethan is drawn to Seth having realized they both experienced horrific abuse at the hands of their natural parents during their early childhood. Because of this common thread, the story of their relationship is quite an emotional read. Ethan establishes a strong paternal relationship with his youngest brother and together, they are both able to put their past to rest. During the course of this novel, Ethan realizes his dream to be a shipbuilder and also along the way realizes that he is worthy of a loving relationship with Grace and her daughter Aubrey whom you will meet in Rising Tides and fall in love with. I believe Ethan is the strongest of the Quinn brothers and through his love for his family and his job, he is able to give each of this brothers the emotional grounding they need to get through their family tragedy and learn to enjoy their lives once more.

I really enjoyed Saving Private Ryan - the movie, but this book (evidently based on the screen play), read like a comic strip. I recommend just sticking with the excellent movie. For those who want to read an awesome WWII novel, check out "The Thin Red Line" by James Jones.

"Saving Private Ryan" was an action packed book as well as a movie. The way Max Allan Collons described war and Private Ryan was awesome. This is a book you have to read and a movie you have to see.

I loved this book. It's really good, but you shouldn't read it if you get really grossed out about bloody details, like a guy carrying around his arm. Also, I recommend seeing the movie after you read the book. This will give you a little bit more background, so that you aren't totally surprised wilth certain events. Overall, I think that if ouy are in 14 years or older, you should read this book. If you are younger, your parents might not want you to read it because of the language. I liked the book because it was very true to fact. I like reading books that are based on true event because they make them easier to understand. THis book is also very sad; especially when the mother of the Ryan brother clutched a poles and starts to cry because she knoe that at least one of her sons is dead. I can't tell you anymore because that would be spoiling the book, and I highly recommend reading it.