This is one of the finest volumes in Oxford's PAST MASTERSX series. In barely 140 pages, Larry Siedentop deftly conveys the high points of the life of Alexis de Tocqueville (more skilfully, in fact, than Andre Jardin's thorough but ponderous life), and also presents a superbly lucid sketch of Tocqueville's political thought. He ably explains why Tocqueville should have become interested in America as the harbinger of democratic governance and society for Western Europe. He also offers an analysis of DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA that should be required reading for anyone attempting to read that great, complex book; one of the best features of his analysis is his explanation of the differing arguments of Volume I (which focuses on the structure of the American political system) and Volume II (which examines the effects of democracy on American society). Siedentop then elucidates Tocqueville's further work on the concept of democracy, both as politician in the Second French Republic and as investigator of the causes of the French Revolution, both in THE OLD REGIME AND THE FRENCH REVOLUTION and in the unfinished sequel. Siedentop's greatest achievement in this fine book is that he shows how all the elements of Tocqueville's intellectual journey form a coherent whole and inform one another. An intellectual tour de force that should not be out of print.

-- R.B. Bernstein, Adjunct Professor of Law, New York Law School

While the premise sounded good, the writing was so terrible that I couldn't finish it... and that's rare for me.

Dear Readers,

The Giuliana Legacy was recommended to me for several reasons and for the same reasons I recommend it to you; it has a unique premise and characters, is well written, and it satisfies to the end.

I have avoided visionary fiction due to the cheesy and often radical divide between titles and authors to the left and right of the political and religious center. I was pleased that I was not lectured on the way to live, the way to think or the way to pray to God while reading this novel. I was very pleased that the author allowed me to find the significant and holy (in Giuliana Legacy) without a guided tour, a giant spotlight or the banging of drums.

With my major fears aside, I'll start by saying that I enjoyed this novel from the start (I hate that I can't put in spoilers, but the book has a great first part!). I put it down several times to read other titles to string out the experience more than a few days. Alexis Masters needs to write at least five more books to complete the saga she has launched inside my mind.

Her main characters are easily the stuff of great series, and I feel that Masters' style of writing will evolve and strike a clear balance between modern mainstream readers and people like me who chomp through titles looking for intellectual sustenance.

The Giuliana Legacy covers a great deal of ground, physically, politically and spiritually and does so at a rapid and believable pace. The characters grow; they face real world conflict and suffer from inner demons and interpersonal struggle (as do you and I). There are no implausible plot twists, gaps or unbelievable actions on the part of the characters. They are driven by their own needs, instincts and the unknown deeper causes that shape our daily knowing lives.

Two recent reviewers said that the book was empty and failed to entertain. I entirely disagree with this assessment; I finished reading the book and felt perfectly sated. The writing is of higher than average novel quality and the author and editors have clearly taken great pains to tell a story with meaning on multiple levels.

It is not the author or novel's fault if you need everything spelled out for you. I find that a nod to my intelligence from an author is a good sign for building a long-term following of that author's work. I rate the novel only four stars because there were a few places with the villain that a more seasoned author could have exploited scenes and motivation more fully.

You must read the book your own way and determine for yourself what the message is, for it must be the author's desire to evoke our own quests for salvation, joy and love and to tell a story of three very ordinary people blessed with the extraordinary.

If you are not looking for a trip about salvation, joy and love - fear not. You'll still get to see some distant scenery, foreign culture, hot passion, flaming vengeance, direct action, cold-blooded murder and last but not least, some handy-dandy home restoration.

...

When you are longing to be somewhere else, somewhere numinous and alive, but airfare is out of reach, reach for this book. Travel with Julia, guided only by cryptic postcards left by her late father, to the coves and caves of Cypress, birthplace of Aphrodite, origin of the mysterious magical legacy that will eventually lead Julia not only to the hills of Tuscany but through time. Masters, whom I recently heard speak, traveled to over 50 ancient sanctuary sites on Aphrodite during her research for this book. When we read her sensuous descriptions, we are there, too. I am looking forward to seeing where Julia/Giuliana travel in volume 2!