This collection brings together the fifth, sixth, and seventh Spenser for Hire novels by Robert B. Parker, representing the early glory days when our hero was trying to figure out how to make things work with Susan Silverman and Hawk was always around to help do the good deeds. The key thing is that Parker refuses to fit into a restrictive formula at this point and that his books are perfectly suited for those who spend time reading as a way of enduring the commuter lifestyle.

"The Judas Goat" (178) offers some twists on our hero as he travels to Europe and needs the assistance of Hawk to do his good deeds as we learn that apparently Spenser cannot do everything by himself. Spenser is hired by a millionaire industrialist who was crippled in the terrorist bomb blast in a London restaurant that killed his wife and daughter. Hugh Dixon will pay Spenser $2,500 for each of the nine members of the gang, dead or alive. Spenser's plan is to go to London and find himself a "Judas goat," someone in the gang he can turn to get at the others. Of course, since this is a Spenser novel the case proves to be a lot more complicate. This is one of the fastest paced novels in the series and features a most efficient Spenser, which seems a strange comment given all the waiting he does in this novel. On the personal front his relationship with Susan is progressing nicely (apply appropriate adage involving distance). The final twist that takes our hero to Montreal is a bit over the top, but if you remember events from the summer of 1972 it is not so far-fetched.

In "Looking for Rachel Wallace" our hero is hired to protect the title character, a radical lesbian feminist who has been receiving death threats because of her latest book "Tyranny," which is about people in high places who discriminate against gay women. To no one's surprise Rachel Wallace does not take well to Spenser's sense of humor, the way he dresses, his chosen avocation--okay, she does not like ANYTHING about him. But she needs protection and he can carry on an intelligent argument, so there is some level of respect. Everybody is worried or at least wondering what Spenser thinks about lesbians and radical feminists, and there are several feisty conversations along such lines between the pair, but the actual subject under examination in this book turns out to be Spenser himself, although most of the insights come from Susan Silverman instead of the Rachel Wallace. There is a point where Spenser explains if anything happens to him, Hawk should take up the case. Susan points out she does not know how to contact him and Spenser assures her that if anything happens Hawk will show up and ask if she needs anything. Susan talks about the implicit code that binds Spenser, Hawk, Quirk, Healy, etc., and I suddenly realize that Spenser has been NETWORKING! The first half of "Looking for Rachel Wallace" deals Spenser trying to do his job until he offends the writer's political sensibilities and is dismissed. As you can tell from the title, the second half of the novel brings changes the nature of the case and even though he is no longer employed to care, of course he takes responsibility for everything that has happened. The most unique part of this novel is that Spenser makes some serious mistakes (I even spotted a key clue way before he did), so he is not as on top of his game as usual. You especially know this is true when Spenser gets beaten up in a fight and apologizes several times for what he says. More than any other novel to this point in the series, "Looking for Rachel Wallace" gets to the heart of the character, understandably knocking him off stride to reveal the true nature of the man.

With "Early Autum" we again find a new twist in a new Spenser adventure. This time our hero is hired by Patti Giacomin to find her son Paul, kidnapped by his father. Spenser finds Paul almost immediately and it quickly becomes clear that neither parent really cares about the boy, who is just a pawn in the wake of an ugly divorce. Paul needs someone to teach him, well, just about everything (except how to shrug; the kid does that really well in response to literally every question asked by Spenser throughout the entire book). "Early Autumn," a metaphor for a 15-year old kid who has to grow up really fast, finds Spenser talking more than any of the previous books, although at the end his detective skills will again come into play. A large chunk of the book is Spenser and Paul talking about a whole bunch of different topics. In doing so, Spenser explains his view of the world, a task usually left to Susan Silverman. There is also an unforgettable twist as Hawk lends a hand at a key moment.

Can you beginning with "A New Collection of Three Complete Novels" and pick up the Spenser for Hire series from there? Certainly. But there is something to be said for going back and doing this series from the beginning. Early on the point is more the cases, but as the series progresses it becomes more about the relationships. Not just the major ones with Susan, Hawk, and Paul, but also those with the growing supporting cast, which includes Rachel Wallace.

I admit, I've read and re-read Shakespeare, but never quite got the rhythm of the language - the meaning of the prose. I understood the basic plot, and with the help of teachers (whether in High School or college) I understood the basic meaning.

BUT after I discovered what a performance of Shakespeare could do...I was hooked. I've every play that comes to town - and now I'm hooked on these audiobooks.

Listening to Shakespeare (and you can listen anywhere - I recently enjoyed As You Like It as I painted my kitchen) is a fantastic experience - perfect listening for fans of the Bard - or anyone, like me, who knew they should be enjoying Shakespeare and yet struggled with the writing.

These Caedmon Audios - performed by The Shakespeare Recording Society - have all exceeded expectation. I highly recommend.

Shakespeare was meant to be heard, afterall.

Great fun book which has lots of quizzes to test you. Buy it to impress your mates when the next Star Wars films come out.

All that glittes is such a cool book! At the begining Kara was such a jerk, but then she gets nicer. The unicorn jewel is so cool. And her hair was so trippy! I am collecting all the books! I recommend this book/series to anyone who loves magical books!

At first harry potter was my favorite book it was so asalm! I thought nothing could be better until I read avalon web of magic book 1. These books are the best! I dont se who couln't like it!

All that glitters is a great book for all ages. There are some large words that younger kids (9 and below) might not understand. But, if the story is read aloud to them, you can tell them what the words mean. The characters from the first book are in this book. But unlike the first book, which was about all three of the girls,(Emily, Adriane, Kara)this one was more focused on Kara. In the beginning of the book, Kara is missing her pink sweater and school starts the next day. Kara soon finds out that she is being stalked by banshees and thinks that she's being stalked by the leopard spotted cat (from the first book). Kara is very jealous of Emily and Adriane. They have magical stones and she doesn't. Later she finds her own stone and all heck breaks loose. Kara can hardley control the power of her own stone. Water fariementals contact her and try to tell her of danger. I've read the book, but for those who haven't, I won't spoil the ending for you.

You know the author of a book has succeeded when you feel like you have become a part of the family you are reading about. This is exactly what happens in the "Stanislaski Sisters," as Nora Roberts continues her tradition of excellence.
The first novel in the Stanislaski series is "Taming Natasha." Natasha, a toy-shop owner, and Spence, a college professor and famous composer, are the two main characters and their relationship is very realistically portrayed. Natasha's inner turmoil is palpable and Spence's dedication to his daughter, Freddie, makes for some touching and heart-warming scenes. It was wonderful watching these two find love and understanding with each other as they healed each other's old hurts. This is just an all-around wonderful read!
The second novel in this publication, "Falling for Rachel" is actually the third book in the Stanislaski series. This story deals with some tough subjects in a compassionate and perceptive manner. Rachel Stanislaski is a public defender and is assigned to the larceny case of 19 year old gang member, Nick LeBeck. But with Nick comes his sexy older step-brother, Zack Muldoon, and the attraction between Rachel and Zack is instant. In a strange court ruling, Nick is granted two months probation with Zack and Rachel as co-guardians. When these two are forced into close quarters they soon find their attraction hard to resist, and it makes for some very sexy scenes! Unfortunately, Nick finds himself falling for Rachel as well, due mostly to the fact that she is the first person to make him feel cared about and important in a very long time. This unusual triangle makes for some humorous situations. It also creates some very emotional and affecting scenes, as Nick once again finds himself disillusioned by the two people he was beginning to trust. This is a novel you don't want to miss!
"The Stanislaski Sisters" typifies all that is good about romance writing. It is a very fast read simply because it is tough to put down. NR really makes the reader care about the characters and what happens to them. I highly recommend this book!

I Love the Nora Roberts books. I particularly love when she takes a group of people with something in common (sisters, brothers, family, same location) and writes a series. The two stories in this book do not dissapoint.

Both stories are fairly quick reads because they are shorter than a typical Nora Roberts novel. However, that does not mean that the characters are not developed or the story line is not believable. Quite the contrary.

Natasha and Spence are both very realistic. I felt their actions were what I would do in a similar situation. I particularly like how I can place myself in the main character's (Natasha's) place and feel her emotions.

Rachel and Zack was a very interesting story. I particularly liked Zack's brother. Again, I am impressed by Nora Roberts ability to take tough subjects and treat them with respect while also writing a romance.

If you have not yet read any of the Stanislaski Series, this is a real treat and not to be missed.

I recently discovered this book and really enjoyed the unusual premise. THE STANISLASKI SISTERS is about two very different sisters and how they find love.

Natasha is the oldest child in a family of four children. She has two brothers, Alexi and Mikhail. Rachel is the baby of the family. The three oldest siblings are brought to America as children from the Ukraine and continue to carry their heritage with them. A typical younger child, Rachel is annoyed that she wasn't born until later and has no memories of life in the Old Country. The entire family is very close and shares a strong bond of love and friendship. Their charming parents, Yuri and Nadia Stanislaski are also a part of their stories.

Natasha's story is that of a dedicated ballet dancer who finds love and joy at the age of 17 and loses it very quickly. She rebuilds her life, but is afraid to commit again until she meets Spencer Kimball, a handsome and very distinguished musician. Spence is immediately attracted to Natasha when they become acquainted in a toy store, but because of a misunderstanding, she takes a strong dislike to him.

Rachel's life is that of an overachiever who wants to succeed in her chosen profession as an attorney. Her ultimate goal is to be a judge. Her life is changed forever when she defends Nick, a hostile young man who is on the verge of ending up in the prison system. His older brother, rugged Zack Muldoon is mucho and aggressive and difficult to deal with. In spite of all his bravado, Zack loves his brother very much and will do anything to help him. Rachel's court room defense, and the judge's decision to make Rachel and Zack co-guardians of Nick, put her on the defensive as she fights to keep from falling in love with Zack.

The love stories are good, but more importantly they show the backbone of family life that shapes all of us.

As a lawyer, when I am asked about proper procedure at a meeting, my first question is: What rules do you use? Is there an applicable statute, or bylaws or rules that the organization has adopted? Nine times out of ten, the answer is: "Robert's Rules of Order." Robert's is the most widely used parliamentary manual in the United States.

General Henry M. Robert published the original "Robert's Rules" in 1875 and 1876 and, since the copyright on that edition (and the next few editions) has long since expired, there are numerous unofficial editions on the market. The third edition, published in 1893, is still marketed in paperback by more than one publisher as the "original" Robert's Rules. With the copyright expired, even the name "Robert's" has passed into the public domain, and many imitators have slapped the name "Robert's" on books of parliamentary procedure that bear minimal relation to General Robert's work (much as many dictionaries claim the name "Webster's" without any connection to Noah Webster or the Merriam-Webster brand that carries on his work). This book is the real Robert's, composed by an editorial board appointed by General Robert's heirs (including his descendants Sarah and Henry III, both eminent parliamentarians). Now in its tenth edition, published in 2000, this book "supersedes all previous editions and is intended automatically become the parliamentary authority in organizations whose bylaws prescribe 'Robert's Rules of Order' . . . or the like, without specifying a particular edition."

Robert's is not necessarily the best parliamentary manual on the market: "Modern Parliamentary Procedure" by Ray Keesey is far more logical and user-friendly, and "The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure" by Alice Sturgis (commissioned by the American Institute of Parliamentarians as a contemporary alternative to Robert's) is more readable and more rooted in modern practice. But no other book has gained as much as a toehold in Robert's dominance in the market. If you are interested in parliamentary procedure, or figuring out how most organizations work in the twenty-first-century United States, this Robert's is indispensable.

Question: Which edition of Robert's Rules is official? Aren't they all the same? Which one do professional parliamentarians refer to? Answer: The National Association of Parliamentarians, and the American Institute of Parliamentarians, only recognize one book as the current official parliamentary authority: Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised [1990 edition, Scott, Foresman] Everything else is old, or a variation. The bible of parliamentary law, it is this edition that your bylaws probably mentions, not the 1876 original text, like some publishers are selling. Be forewarned, it is literally a book of rules, and not easily absorbed. -- You may have to learn what's practical for your average meeting by a simpler beginners book. If you want simple, go elsewhere; if you want complete, this is it. No other book is ADDING things to Henry M. Robert's original classifications & rankings (it's 700+ pages!), only shortening & simplifying & rephrasing.

While there certainly are other options to understanding parliamentary procedure, "Robert's Rules of Order (Newly Revised, 10th Edition)" is a traditional key to knowing the ways things are done.

True, true... this isn't exactly the sort of book you bring to a coffeehouse on a Saturday. However, it is also true that if you are part of an organization that has organized meetings, 'Robert's Rules' is a great place to start. The liturgy of meeting procedure starts and finishes with the rules set forth in 'Robert's Rules.'

Get this book, but consider getting one of the plain English versions as well. If you are new to parliamentary procedure, you'll find both books in tandem quite helpful.

I fully recommend, "Robert's Rules of Order (Newly Revised, 10th Edition)" by Henry M. Robert III.

Anthony Trendl

"Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes" is the only title I have seen specifically looking at the process of how one goes about collecting and writing ethnograhpic data. The book begins with theoretical issues, then moves into jotting, full fieldnotes, and finally discusses how to analyze fieldnotes and write a full ethnography. In general it is an excellent treatment of the subject and provides very practical advice which is well-illustrated by samples collected by the authors and their students. The authros show a marked preferrence for interpretive and processual anthropology (there are frequent referrences to Clifford Geertz among others) so researchers and students with strong comittments to other approaches might not find it as useful as I did. If the book suffers from any shortcoming it is that at points the explanations become too wordy bogging the reader down somewhat. While this book would not be of much interest to the non-professional reader, I highly recommend it to anyone who is studying, practicing, or teaching ethnographic method. I found it very useful and practical.

Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes was written to fill a gap in ethnographic methods training - students are seldom guided through the process of turning notes jotted down as they do observation into publishable ethnographic documents. Not laden with academic jargon, the easy flowing text makes this book readily accessible to the undergraduate student - but the content is such that even an experienced ethnographer can benefit.

True teachers, Emerson, Shaw and Fretz (UCLA faculty) show just as much of the process as they tell. Step by step, readers are walked through the process of turning initial chicken scratches jotted down on scrap paper to publishable ethnographic documents. Rarely will you find more than a page between excerpts from real fieldnotes.

The authors recognize that every field situation is different and ethnographers rarely, if ever, find themselves in ideal situations for writing. Thus, they explain the tensions that constantly pull at ethnographers and also what things will become much easier as ethnographers gain experience. They discuss how to balance observing with writing, and demonstrate that how you write fieldnotes (what you emphasize, point-of-view used, quality of description, representing community members' voices) is just as important as what you write.

Redundancy might be a weak point, but overall the re-explaining of things in two or three different ways serves only to make the reader experience and assimilate the process of writing fieldnotes. Readers can then naturally employ the procedures rather than constantly referring to the book as a "checklist" when doing fieldwork.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone seeking to understand the worldview and customs of another culture, or doing social research within their own culture. Even if your goal is not to do anthropology or to publish ethnographic documents, turning your experiences and observations into written text helps you to process things. Writing also helps you gain insights about the community you are working with by increasing your observational skills. You will not regret taking time to read Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes.

In this book, Spenser gets distracted, overlooks clues, even loses a fistfight. And I enjoyed it. Seldom in the series does our hero behave less than heroically (Spenser even makes reference to his outfit with the cape and the "S" on his chest). I liked this more humble, more human, more fallible Spenser. The character of Rachel is hard to warm up to at first (and I consider myself a feminist), yet I like that, too. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, even humorless feminist authors. And Susan actually adds something to this story. Her insights are valuable and move the action along. It helps to remind us every now and again why Spenser puts up with the often exasperating Dr. Silverman. In all, a wonderful read.

Aside from EARLY AUTUMN, there is no question that this is Parkers best novel. It's funny, fast, lots of action, and a big ending. I read all of Parkers Spenser novels in a row, twice, about six years ago, and I've gone back and re-read this one a few more times.
Parkers short 200 page books are like movies, as you can have a bad day, come home, have a few beers and plow through a book in one evening. This is the one that always lifts my spirits.

LOOKING FOR RACHEL WALLACE is a fantastic book, and I'm not just saying that because I'm a fan of the series. Spenser is his usual funny, witty, tough self, but here, more than any other book before this, his sensitive side is exposed. The book is basically broken into two parts. Part one is Spenser being hired to protect Rachel Wallace, a feminist lesbian author. The two clash beautifuly and the pages are full of humorous dialogue between Spenser and Rachel. The two are like oil and water; Spenser standing for everything that Rachel speaks out against. Basically, he's not PC enough for her. Although there is mutual respect there, Rachel eventually fires Spenser.

Part two is the "looking" part. Spenser finds out that Rachel has been kidnapped and he is rehired by the publisher to find her. Without Rachel there, Spenser is able to do his job his way. The Of course our hero finds her in the end. The poignant part of the story is that they both learn from each other. Spenser realizes that his machismo isn't always the answer, and Rachel learns that without a little muscle, she would've probably died.

It's a quick, fun read. Like always, Parker writes with a poetic beauty, realistic dialogue and action-packed adventure. I not only recommend this as a fan of mystery novels, but as someone who loves to read and can appreciate good writing. If you hven't read Spenser, pick up this book. Or better yet, start from the beginning and start the adventure.

The three girls are once again trying to save Avalon. They have all been working together when Kara becomes a total loser and cuts classes, lies, and only cares about Johny Conrad, and is forgetting about Avalon, but Johny is really an evil skultum, and is faking the girls out. This is one of the best ones yet. But I give it 3 stars for some little kiddy content. Let's say when they sing at the end, it's supposed to be, you knoe, hip teens rocking out, but No. La, la, la, Avalon is cool. First of all, the other people out there really don't care about Avalon, and Be*Tween... if they know about Avalon, why don't you get them to help?

I loved this book. I read it 3 times. I loved all the songs near the end of the book. The plot is also cool. At the begining it's kinda boring, but after awhile it's great, so don't put it down till the very end! I recomend you read it and the rest of the series. I can't wait for #6!

This was a great book! Kara is my favorite and you learn more about her magic! A hot singer Jhonny Conrad comes to Stonehill for the benifit concert and Kara is lured in. But it turns out it is not Jhonny, but an evil shapeshifter! Emily and Adrienne find that out, but before they can warn Kara, the concert starts! Kara doesn't know it, but she is opening the portal to Avalon when she sings! This was a wonderful and exciting book. It makes you wonder if Kara is really talking to her friend, or the shapeshifter.