Useful as it explains many aspects of making successful transitions. Essentially with a theme of thriving it has interesting case studies. It list the difference between the 'old zero' and the 'new zero'. It also shows the characteristics of a coper and profiles the traits of a thriver. The book is a 'workplan' for those who wish to become thrivers. Not only does the book address the issue of careers but many other personal challenges one faces in life. I would recommend this book to mentors, coaches and cousellors.

This is a wonderful book! I read it at a time of tremendous upheaval in my life and found it to be quite insightful. It offers a positive perspective for those who find themselves in the midst of tumultuous, unsettling personal situations. I recommend it highly!

While I think this book will most likely be used as a reference book by those who pick it up, I have to admit I'm enjoying just reading it for pleasure. Each Diary listed is also annotated. It tells you who the writer was, what they wrote about, and other historically interesting facts. And the indexes are excellent - by name, by subject, and by geographical location. The scope of the project is mind boggling and I'm glad they took the time to compile this amazingly complete list!

A very readable, practical book combining metaphysics, spirituality, and effective career counseling techniques to help anyone explore career goals, and uncover one's true vocation. The book includes helpful exercizes such as visualization, skill inventories; and basic information about self and work. Inspiring and useful.

Sharon visits her flight instructor, Matty Wildress, and senses that something is bothering her. After some questioning, the private Matty discloses that her lover John has disappeared and has left her with his young son. Sharon and her lover Hy fear that Matty and the boy may be in danger and they try to protect them. Circumstances go from bad to worse, there is a murder, and Sharon and Hy begin looking for the perpetrator. From California, to Arkansas, Florida and Minnesota the two investigators hunt for John to try to find out who the murderer is, and why John disppeared so suddenly. Marcia Muller's books have come a long way since the late 70's when she first created Private Investigator Sharon McCone. This book is a winner for those who enjoy mystery and adventure stories.

"Both Ends of the Night" is one of the best of the Sharon McCone novels. McCone is hired by Matty Wildress, who was McCone's flight instructor when Sharon got her pilot's license, to find her lover, John Seabrook, who had disappeared. Matty does aerobatics and had one final meet for the year. Before that she gets a letter from John telling her not to fly in the last meet. He puts $70,000 into Matty's account and asks her to take his son, Zach, and flee California. Matty choses to fly anyway, and dies in a crash while performing a simple move for her. Since Matty is McCone's friend, McCone continues her investigation. because the murder of Matty and John Seabrook's disappearance, seem to be conected. McCone's lover, Hy Ripinsky, who is usually a minor character, plays a major role helping Sharon to find Matty's killer because of his friendship with Matty from years back. They uncover corporate corruption, government witness programs, and people who will stop at nothing to fulfill their dreams. This novel is very well written. The characters are well-drawn and Muller is one of the best at putting the reader there. I had shivers when she and Hy were in sub-zero weather in Minnesota. An excellent novel!

Three years ago, Matty Wildress taught private detective Sharon McCone how to fly an airplane. It is time for Sharon to renew her flying license, so she goes to see Matty, who she has not seen in a while. Matty does not seem like the same person as Sharon once trained under. She is nervous and upset because her lover John Seabrook has disappeared, leaving behind his pre-teen son to be watched by Matty. A week later, Matty receives a letter from John pleading with her to immediately flee town (with the lad in hand) before something terrible happens to her (or the child). Matty plans to heed the advice, but only after she does one last air show. Shockingly, the plane crashes killing Matty. .......Sharon cannot ignore the death of her friend. She begins to investigate the missing John and, with the help of her nephew, traces the vanished man to Florida. Further investigation proves that John has pulled this stunt at least once before, apparently a decade ago following the murder of his spouse. As she gets closer to the truth, Sharon, with the help of her lover, place themselves in danger, needing their best flying skills to survive. .......BOTH ENDS OF THE NIGHT is the eighteenth Sharon McCone story and surprisingly with that girth of books and the decade that has passed since the first tale, the novel and the character remain extremely fresh as if it is the first story of this classic series. The San Francisco-based McCone is a great female detective and the current story line is fast-paced and exciting. However, what makes Marcia Muller's novel a passionate one sitting reading experience is the supporting cast, who add layers of dimension and excitement. Ms. Muller continues to prove that she earned that 1993 Life Achievement Award for one of the best (if not the best) female private eye series on the market today. .....Harriet Klausner

THE BROKEN PROMISE LAND is another entry in Muller's popular Sharon McCone series. I don't know if I'd characterize myself as a fan of these tales. At least, not like somebody who joins a "fan club" or buys hardcover copies and tries to get the author's autograph on them. I do enjoy the series enough, however, to have read all of them up through this one. In general, I rate the McCone mysteries about four stars. That's above average and explains why I keep coming back.

THE BROKEN PROMISE LAND is, in my opinion, one of the better stories in the series so far. Regular readers will enjoy the update on changes taking place in McCone's life and in the lives of other familiar characters that surround her. Beyond that, though, this is one of Ms. Muller's better plots. Both McCone and her current beau, Hy Ripinsky, get drawn into the action when her brother-in-law, Ricky Savage, who is a genuine country music star, becomes involved with a stalker. From there, the action is fast-paced, both in terms of the mystery and the personal turmoil it entails for McCone and some of her friends and family members.

I have just two minor problems with this story (if you don't want to know anything about what happens in the book you should skip this paragraph). First, I thought that Ricky falling out of his marriage and directly into the welcoming arms of Rae a bit too easy, too convenient. It keeps Ricky in the mix and gives Charlotte an easy entree for future stories, but it was just too pat to suit me. Second, I thought the the events in the final moments, when everything finally becomes clear and the reader is all set for the big final showdown, was a letdown. Too quick and too easy an end after all the effort to uncover the wacko stalker.

THE BROKEN PROMISE LAND is a book that will please and entertain McCone fans, but beyond that it's a good mystery that a casual reader will also find engrossing. Once you get going, it's one you won't easily put down. I've given it a strong four stars and I recommend it. Give it a try.

It took me almost a month to get through the previous book in the McCone series, "A Wild and Lonely Place." The characters were so dull, the plot so mechanical and the writing so cliched, I feared that Muller had run out of gas.

Not to worry! I read "Broken Promise Land" in less than 24 hours because the characters and situations were interesting and the writing was just fine. This is the Muller I've come to expect. One of the best in this very fine series.

P.S. If you're new to Muller, I URGE you to read her books in order. She's very careful about not giving away previous mysteries, but the characters really do grow and develop over time in these books. Additionally, there are plot developments that I would not want to have spoiled for me. Unlike authors who take a few books until they hit their stride, Muller was good from the very first Sharon McCone book, "Edwin of the Iron Shoes". Even though the series began in the 1970's, the older ones are suprisingly fresh. If you like character-driven mysteries with strong women at the center, you'll like this series.

Private Investigator Sharon McCone's brother-in-law, Ricky Savage, is a famous and successful Country Western singer. He calls on Sharon to help him uncover the source of threatening notes which he has been receiving. When Sharon begins to investigate, she finds that Ricky's marriage to her sister is in danger, as well as his life. As she digs into Ricky's past, she discovers some sordid things he has done, and finds people who might have a motive to harm him. This is a fast-paced mystery, full of interesting characters and enough twists and turns to keep things interesting. There have been many changes in Sharon's life during the course of this series, and this book is full of them. Marriages and partnerships are made and broken, and the reader gets a fascinating look at part of Sharon's family and at the backstage life of a music star. This is a very entertaining book!

I have always been a huge fan of Marcial Muller and her husband Bill Pronzini. When their books come out, I can't wait to dive into a new Sharon McCone or Nameless Detective mystery.

Unfortunately this book is a real let-down. Ms. Muller lives in the Bay Area and yet she seems to have done no research for this book. She places a trendy bar (with back room gambling) on the block that is considered the roughest, most crime-ridden and dangerous block in San Francisco. People may like grunge chic, but no way would the wealthy go to a club in this block. She places a gay bar in an area of San Francisco where there hasn't been a gay bar in over twenty-five years. When Sharon enters the bar, the male customers get upset and the bartender rushes over to tell her that she isn't welcome in a gay bar. There hasn't been a gay bar like this in SF in over two decades. Women are welcome and are regularly seen in gay bars in San Francisco. The mysteries are equally lame. Why is her office manager, Ted, acting so strangely? What a letdown when you find out. Doesn't Ms. Muller realize that threats of violence and verbal assault from homophobic people are not a rare occurence in the life of a gay person? Doesn't she know that there are organizations in SF that deal with this that Ted would certainly know about. As for her stalker, once you find out who it is, it's a long yawn to the finish. A mystery with no mystery and one that uses stereotypes that were old a quarter of a century ago. Hopefully her next book will return to the brilliance that we've all come to expect from Ms. Muller.

"While Other People Sleep" is a different type of novel for Marcia Muller. There are no murders in this novel, but there are 2 mysteries. There is a woman who is stalking and impersonating Sharon McCone, and McCone's office manager, Ted Smalley has been acting very strange. I thought that the resolution to Ted's problems was somewhat lame, but I did enjoy the suspense in McCone's tracking down the impostor who is making her life miserable. This is not Muller's strongest effort, but I found it entertaining.

Just finished Muller's latest - While Other People Sleep - and thoroughly enjoyed it. Muller continues to grow and develop her characters. Even after 19 books, Sharon McCone and her colleagues maintain this reader's attention. The book had great atmosphere. Muller's suberb touch with characterization make it an excellent book to enjoy by the pool, on the beach or curled up at home with a glass of chardonnay.