ELEANOR OF PALM BEACH is a biography of Eleanor Chase Fatio. Mrs. Fatio was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where she displayed literary talent from the earliest age. By the 1920's, when she herself was only about 20 years old, she already was a best-selling novelist.

Mrs. Fatio's affluent family began wintering in Palm Beach back when that resort was new. At the turn of the 20th Century, the Town of Palm Beach had been created, virtually whole cloth, by railroad and steel magnate Henry Flagler as an escape for the very rich.

Subsequently, Eleanor would marry Maurice Fatio, a Swiss citizen who became a naturalized American. According to letters Eleanor wrote, and which the author includes in this book, theirs was a great love match. Maurice was one of a handful of architects responsible for that opulent look now associated with contemporary Palm Beach, a style which has been adopted widely in affluent American communities.

Unquestionably, Eleanor and Maurice were accomplished and fascinating people. One of this book's greatest flaws is the sparcity of detail it offers; too often, his account is little more than a timeline of where they were and when. The author implies that the Fatio's surviving child gave him access to her mother's papers. At the least, it would have been nice if he would have reprinted the first chapter of one of Eleanor's bestsellers.

Nonetheless, this biography is a fascinating peek at the genesis of Palm Beach through the eyes of two of the people who gave form to the modern town. Thus, it is worthwhile reading, though the ending in inescapably sad.

This book is about Eleanor Roosevelt, from the time she was born to when she became the wife of Frankl D. Roosevelt,a U.S. president. Eleanor had a very tough life. her parents and her brother died when she was young, and she whent to live with her aunt,who was also ill. Many nights she could not go to sleep because she missed her family.When Eleanor was nine or ten she was sent to a private school where the girls did not pay any attention to her. Eleanor also had some good times in her life, like being married to the President of the U.S.A., having childeren, and being respected as an important person. She cared about people and became the chairperson of the Human Rights Commission. The Human Rights Commission became one of the most important committees in the United Nations. I would recomend this book to people everywhere who like to read biographies.

I really connected to both Camp David Diaries, not only did it appeal to the voyerism so popular on television today but it revealed a more intimate life of the not so private lives of these important women. These diaries, though fictional, have a reality to them that you can't sense in autobigraphical works. It also allows younger women like myself exposure to more positive role models. You come to understand the good and the bad behind such a powerfull position in our government and that it is not all it's cracked up to be. If you have any interest in women who have made strides in our country and how they faced that adversity this is the series of works to commit to reading. You'll love the back and forth commentary(gossip) of all the First Ladies as they add their two cents about certain people and certain affairs.

If you are an opera fan and do not yet know the name of Eleanor Steber, then read this book to discover America's greatest lyric soprano and her fascinating story. Those who remember her from the Voice of Firestone on radio and TV will relive the days of her barnstorming concert tours and recitals as one of the first "crossover" opera stars and America's most popular singer in the late 1940's. Those who heard her legendary opera performances and current admirers will enjoy Steber's colorful recollections of her career. A new generation of fans are now discovering this outstanding, but underappreciated artist and this book captures her energy, spirit and lifelong dedication to vocal music. Definitely not "ghostwritten," the book is honest and real, filled with proof of Steber's versatility, sheer musical talent, and her love of singing and life. A discography is included that will introduce a new fan to the available recordings.

Anne's writing style of events that took place in the history of Ireland, easy for any reader, at any level, to understand. The story comes to life and you soon find yourself, there, "going back in time" with the characters in the book. I recommend that the reader not just read one of her books, but the entire collection for that period, as Anne neatly weaves one character into the next book. The characters seem to have known each other or been related in some manner. It's a never-ending story of events that took place in the history of Ireland in the 1500s.

Dramatically narrated by Jean Stapleton, Eleanor: Her Secret Journey is a superb, eighty-minute monologue drawn by Rhoda Lerman from Eleanor Roosevelt's writings. We are introduced to a woman who justifiably became known as the "First Lady of the World" and perfectly captures the duality of a complex personality both in her public activities and her private life. Eleanor: Her Secret Journey is a wonderful addition to any school or community library audiobook collection, and a "must" for those with an admiration for one of the most influential American women of the 20th Century.

This ranks up there with Chogyam Trungpa's books for clearly presented insights. Trunpa's genius is making Buddhist ideas come alive for Western readers by clearly presenting Buddhist ideas in everyday terms. This book is a wonderful addition to the same delicious feast, building a bridge from Eastern mindfulness/awareness traditions to Western scientific thought. The effect is to improve our understanding of both. Very powerful and thought-provoking. Each page is like a meal. Hungry? Chew this one slowly and enjoy every bite!

By TT reviewer Lynne Temple [full review on our website]

Patricia Diamonte begins her move to New York with an explosion. From out of the smoky haze, a hero emerges. Dylan Stone with his powerful, commanding voice ushers Patricia out of a dangerous situation.

Once she has been pulled to safety, Patricia realizes that she has nothing. Her purse, briefcase, and the last of her money are gone. Somewhere in the debris of the explosion are the material things that she desperately needs, including the key to her brother's apartment. Given two dollars by a kind paramedic, Patricia arrives home and is visited by Dylan. With their personal and professional lives intertwined, Patricia faces a personal crisis with the knowledge that her brother Eddie was adopted. Eddie returns from Paris with his new wife, Michelle, making Patricia feel even more out of place living in the small apartment with them. Then, while talking to her brother, a crushing blow comes when she finds out that she was also adopted. Her life begins to spin out of control. Many questions plague her: Who are her real parents? Why did they give her up? And the heartbreaking wonder of who she is. Patricia is torn with personal conflicts, work deadlines, and her valiant search for her true identity. Her biggest challenge may be keeping Dylan by her side.

This was a wonderful, fast paced book. I had a hard time putting it down as each page entranced me with the particular insight of adoption, and intrigued me with the questions that are brought up when you feel as if your entire life has been a lie. As each chapter went on, I felt I had a good inkling of the outcome. This is a refreshing book that left me anxious for a sequel.

As a molecular biology student I find this book a very good quick reference. It outlines all the major terms and explains them very well. As far as doing reports and assignments is concerned, for me this has got to be the most valuable starting point. It contains excellent diagrams which are easy to understand and follow. I would recommend this even to a non biologist. Naz Bradford