This is the 4th book in Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta novels. I have read two others (Cause of Death and Black Notice) before this one, but this is my favorite of the three. Cruel and Unusual contains elements found in the other Scarpetta novels (difficult conversations with her mother and sister, major neuroses revolving around her niece, Lucy, internal plots hatched to ruin Scarpetta, and expecting Pete Marino to drop dead from his excesses at any second), but not to the point where I found the repetition annoying. If anything, I want to see more of these familiar characters. The autopsy details seemed less excessive and the pace was quicker.

Cruel and Unusual begins with the execution of a rapist/murderer, and the following autopsy of the felon. Shortly thereafter, a string of seemingly unconnected murders erupt around Richmond. Scarpetta finds one common strand - all appear to be committed by the supposedly dead convict. As if this isn't bad enough, her assistant is murdered and the press indicts Scarpetta.

As always, Cornwell's knowledge of forensic medicine and the law were put to good use. If you are unfamiliar with Scarpetta and the other familiar characters, don't worry. Although she doesn't bore with long recaps, she doesn't assume you know every prior detail either.

This was my first Patricia Cornwell novel and I must say I was blown away. I never thought I'd warm up to a modern mystery writer the way I did with Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, but Ms. Cornwell has displaced them both in my heart.

C & E was by far the most fascinating book I've ever read. I sat up until the wee hours of the morning reading this wonderful novel, devouring every word, as I couldn't go to bed until I had finished it. The only disappointment was the ending. The killer came out of the blue, and there were too many loose ends.

The story and characters were first rate and I intend to read all her other books. It's been a long time since I found an author I would be willing to pay hardcover prices to read.

Somehow as I became initiated into the world of Kay Scarpetta I missed this gem. It was great to backtrack and discover what has become one of my favorite books in the series. The story is SO imaginative and original! The suspense is taut and kept me on the edge of my seat. And most of all, there is Kay, a three dimensional, refreshingly human heroine. No, she isn't perfect. As the possibility of an affair with a married man arose, I wasn't "appalled" by Kay, I was heartbroken for her. Driven by work, shattered by lost love, reaching for someone to bring her back to life emotionally ... her feelings may not be noble but they certainly seemed human to me. A powerful woman in a controversial, conventionally male field, and reviewers ask why so many people hate her? It seems very realistic that the head of a high-profile state agency would find herself with enemies. While I have no real criticism of this book, I do have a comment on the rest of the series. Part of why I enjoyed this one so much is Lucy. As the series progresses, Lucy's life gets so complicated and convulated and dangerous that it is her character, not Kay's, that strains credibility. It was refreshing to revisit a time when Lucy was a teenager whose biggest (immediate) problem was access to a car.

I was e-mailed a few years ago by Danny. Being a bit pessimistic about the way I was confronted, I decided to read about the book and read the reviews on "Ulterior Motive". Looked interesting enough so I decided to buy it. I'll tell you, I'm not sorry in the least as this is one of the best first novels I've ever read. Danny writes as though he's been writing fiction for years. Had he not e-mailed me, I may never have heard about his book.

The story tells of an employee at Megasoft who enjoys his job and co-workers totally. He and his friend, Kenny, are banging heads in a positive way in their great working relationship and close friendship. You feel their closeness as much as you fear for them when they uncover what's fishy at Megasoft. The founder, JackM, is running for president with a faithful following by his employees. You trust him. You respect him. You fear him. You ache for Jon as his wonderful world slowly slips away from him.

Ulterior Motive is a must read. You'll be very disappointed if you don't because you're missing one hell of a read and one fast paced book

Danny---we need MORE fiction from you!! Great job!

I was also e-mailed my Danny. Being a bit pessimistic about the way I was confronted, I decided to read about the book and read the reviews on "Ulterior Motive". Looked interesting enough so I decided to buy it. I'll tell you, I'm not sorry in the least as this is one of the best first novels I've ever read. Danny writes as though he's been writing for years. Had he not e-mailed me, I may never have heard about his book.

The story tells of an employee at Megasoft who enjoys his job and co-workers totally. He and his friend, Kenny, are banging heads in a positive way in their great working relationship and close friendship. You feel their closenessas much as you fear for them when they uncover what's fishy at Megasoft. The founder, JackM, is running for president with a faithful following by his employees. You trust him. You respect him. You fear him. You ache for Jon as his wonderful world slowly slips away from him.

Ulterior Motive is a must read. You'll be very disappointed if you don't because you're missing one hell of a read and one fast paced book.

Finally, here arrived a comtemporary high-tech/computer-industry/intelligence based futurist fiction. There are so many micro-plots and big plots. Each player has ambitions and weakness for money and power. Still want a job at MegaSoft to become a puppy?

Dr. Daniel Amen describes several sets of ADD symptoms, illustrating them with images of abnormal brain activity in those who suffer from the symptoms. While I'm not convinced that his six types are all really primarily ADD, or that they are the only types of ADD, still, this book provides fascinating insight into the physical basis for psychiatric difficulties. Dr. Amen's case studies are fascinating and quite compelling, and he shows both great tenderness for his clients and great insight into the needs and difficulties of people with ADD.

This book is extremely valuable for debunking the myth that ADD is not a real disability. Dr. Amen's use of brain imaging technology demonstrates the ways that some people's brains work differently and ineffectively. It's not just laziness--when people with ADD try to concentrate, the part of our brain that controls concentration just shuts down. It's genuinely a physical disability. Although I can "feel" this, to see it verified in black-and-white was extremely validating.

While Amen's treatments might be experimental, his diagnostic methods do not seem so. It is not "experimental" to use brain imaging technology to identify where the brain is working properly and not working enough. This has been done for many years. And it's not true that Amen's work is completely "out there"--his work was reviewed by research physicians in two departments (nuclear medicine and neurology, I think) at UCLA and found to be "good medicine" and worthwhile. Comparisons made in other reviews to procedures completely unsupported by any scientific evidence are really in themselves unsupportable.

I am not a doctor and can't recommend whether the treatments outlined in this book should be implemented. I can say that people with ADD, and those around them who doubt the reality of their difficulties, will learn a lot from looking at the brain images in this book and understanding the connections between the brain's impaired functioning and the associated symptoms.

Reading this book almost makes me feel that "normal" psychiatry is working in the dark without tools... Dr Amen might or might not have made as much progress in the field as this book appears to demonstrate, but nonetheless I think he must be on the right track. I wonder whether it will one day seem to us that trying to guess what's wrong with someone's brain without looking at it, is as strange as trying to diagnose strep throat over the phone.

Are you a parent confused about what doctors are saying about your child's difficulties? Are you a person having a problem finding a good fit for yourself in readings about problems in attention, anger outbursts, depression, getting stuck on things, road rage, alcohol or substance misuse, or disorganization? Are you a mental health clinician or medical doctor who wonders if ADD and ADHD exist and doesn't mind telling your patients that? Welcome to the club. Happily, after reading this book, you may drop your club membership.

Daniel G Amen MD writes and talks to you about the six major types of ADD in his newest book, "Healing ADD." Confusion turns into clarity as you learn about kids and adults with ADD and the add-on symptoms that confuse even some experts.

Using specialized SPECT brain scans, Amen shows where the parts of the brain that are having trouble functioning are and how they are detected.

This book is rich in the details of the lives of persons afflicted with ADD. It brings alive the torments endured when ADD is not properly diagnosed, subtyped, or appropriately treated. It also describes the promise, indeed the results, of well-tailored treatment based on an accurate understanding of the complexities associated with ADD.

While considered controversial, physicians and clinicians are giving Dr Amen's approach increasing acceptance. More locations and physicians are offering evaluations and treatment in part based on brain SPECT scans. More centers are making these specialized scans available.

For the appropriately skeptical physician practicing evidence-based medicine, the needed research details about the role of brain SPECT scans in evaluation and treatment of ADD and its associated disorders are yet to be done. Yet many of those physicians are not conversant with such recommendations as the National Institute of Mental Health Guidelines about ADD or other recently published large research-based studies. I found it hard to read this book and not be intrigued to want to learn even more.

For parents, teachers, and persons with ADD, this book will enlarge their understanding, if not their acceptance, of the emotional and behavioral problems inflicted by this disorder. For mental health clinicians, including physicians whose practice has persons with ADD, "Healing ADD" is close to a "must read" work.

At last! Some real guidance through the difficulties of identifying, let alone trying to correct ADD. I'm the director of a nutritional therapy clinic. We have sent several people with ADD (as well as with brain injury and stroke) to Dr. Amen's clinics.Until now, though, I never understood why his medication protocols typically worked so well. His book makes it clear, using fascinating "before and after" SPECT "photos" of the ADD brains treated, that there are several distinct kinds of ADD. It goes on to explain the special treatments suitable for each. Dr. Amen also devotes several chapters to some effective, non-drug options. Like his first great book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, this one is full of inspiring case histories, and is so readable that you can't put it down.

I was looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy, as I had loved the first one, Jewels of the Sun. The second installment, Tears of the Moon, didn't live up to Ms. Roberts' reputation for warm likeable characters. Unfortunately, for the second time in a row, we have a thoroughly unlikeable heroine. I agree with a previous reviewer who said that Darcy is the "worst sort of money grubber." It seems unrealistic to me for Trevor to believe she'd love him even if he were penniless. Trevor seems to be an okay guy but if he's such a hunk, and rich to boot, why does he feel the need to "buy" her companionship? What saves this book is the charming backdrop of a small Irish village and the rowdy, wonderful Gallagher's Pub. The best parts of the book are the ones where Aidan(the perfect hero, in my opinion) and Jude are in the forefront. Their relationship is so sweet and loving. If this is your first Nora Roberts novel, Heart of the Sea can give you a glimpse of how wonderful her stories are, but she has written far better ones than this.

"Heart of the Sea", the conclusion to Nora Roberts' Irish Trilogy, is a great read. I have to admit, I didn't like it as much as the first two ("Jewels of the Sun" and "Tears of the Moon"), but I still enjoyed it and read it in one sitting. As with the first two, the story revolves around the Gallagher family, particularly Darcy, the youngest of the three. The first two siblings, Aidan and Shawn, have been married off respectively and have started families of their own. That leaves the vivacious and flirtacious Darcy. What Darcy doesn't know is that she is the third and final key to the tragic story of Lady Gwen and her faerie prince Carrick. Gwen and Carrick must wait 300 years for 3 loves to blossom before they are reunited in love. The two eldest Gallagher's have fulfilled the first two, will headstrong Darcy allow herself to be the third?

The story also introduces us to Trevor Magee, a wealthy businessman from America who comes to Ardmore, Ireland to build a theater next to Gallagher's Pub. He has moved into the cottage on Fairy Hill, once occupied by Jude and Shawn. When he sets his sights on Darcy, he falls head over heals. Darcy herself, is also attracted to Trevor, but also to his money and power. She isn't searching for a love at first, just sex and money. But along the way she begins to feel things for Trevor that she never felt for another. Can she find it in herself to let go of material items and value the heart of a man more? Of course, you can expect Carrick and Gwen to lend their matchmaking skills on these two lovebirds.

I suggest this book for those who've already read the first two. It's a wonderful conclusion to the trilogy. If you're a first time reader of Nora Roberts, I don't suggest you read this one first. Work on the other two first.

Gennie Bailey-Rogers

Heart of the Sea is the final book in Nora Roberts Irish trilogy. It is a great read, and even better series. In this book Darcy Gallagher, the only Gallagher sibling yet to find love, meets Trevor Mcgee. Trevor is in Adamore, the quaint Irish village, to build a music theater, which will be part of the Gallagher Pub. Darcy has always dreamed of marrying rich, and of course Trevor is loaded. Their relationship starts as a cat and mouse game, but evolves into something neither of them expects....love. Darcy doesn't want to admit she loves Trevor for fear that he doesn't feel the same way. While Trevor doesn't want to express his feelings because he thinks Darcy just wants what his money can buy. Of course Gwen and Carrick are there to help them, as they themselves want Darcy and Trevor to unite, to break the century old spell against their love. Heart of the Sea touches base with the rest of the family: Aidan and preganant Jude, Shawn and Brenna, and of course the rest of the pub gang. I have to say that out of the three books this one was a little slower. It seemed as if Darcy wasn't portrayed the same as she was in the first two books. Not that I didn't love the book, it was still good, as it connected with the rest of the series, it just seemed to lack something between Darcy and Trevor. The whole trilogy is a definte read. All in all you gotta love those Irish!!

This is my first book from Patrica Cornwell. I would have say that this book is a must-read, if not for the following points; Firstly, the book have a very strong feminist tone. Secondly, one part I simply can't understand is how Pete Morino, the detective, actually discuss the updates of an on-going investigation in the presence of Abby, who is going to write a book about the case. Abby has absolutely no business in this case, professionally. Lastly, the biggest spoiler. Anyone who love forensic science fiction should just stay away from this book. Dr. Scarpetta, who is suppose to be a chief medical examiner, actually spend most of her time doing investigative work. She was hardly in her working place. Not to spoil the fun, i will only let you know that in this book, the murderer was capture through pure luck and a little of investigative work. Forensic science play no part in it.

It is such a waste when this book can be really enjoyable. I wish that Scarpetta is a police detective rather than a medical examiner. Just think, how often does medical examiners go out and interview eyewitness?? Readers should also ignore the feminist tone of this book which can be quite irritating at some points. All men seems to be either stupid, evil, selfish, untidy or all of the above while the women are strong, tidy, clever.

So my conlcusion is, I may read her other books if i can get it from the library but i don't think it's worth my money to buy it. As a reminder, all forensic science fans should stay away from this book!

Like all Cornwell's Scarpetta books, this is a little cracker. Well worth the admission price.

The story is, as ever, complex. There are twists and turns in Scarpetta's personal and professional life which leave the reader wondering just how strong she has to be... then the character herself breaks down in tears to let you know that even the toughest of Chief Medical Examiners has a beart.

Mind you, as these books are written in the first person, Scarpetta never fails to sieze an opportunity that she "kindly" does something. No sooner done than said, eh old girl? A picky thing, but it does irritate me.

Nonetheless, I have every Scarpetta book. And I've read them all more than once.

Patricia Cornwell is a stylish writer, her heroine is stylish, and by god she wields a Stryker saw superbly. If you like whodunnits, you'll love Scarpetta.

But don't read "Southern Cross". It's really, really awful.

All that remains is a definite page turner. Dr.Kay Scarpetta seemed to bite off more then she can chew, in her small town of Richmond, Virginiah where she is top medical examiner. In a wirlwind of conspiracy, friendship and love; Scarpetta must find the truth to a string of murders; one involving a rich, influential woman's daughter. Young couples are being murdered and found dead months later, in a secluded area with no clues as to how they died. All of their vehicles found are found at rest areas, and all that remains with them is a jack of hearts. Can Scarpetta solve these murders, while juggling: Amy her journalist friend, Marino her best friend and partner, Lucy her niece growing up to quickly, and the brief return of Mark, her one true love.

I found this book, along with most other Dan Appleman books, to be an excellent choice for learning. As he tells you, this is not for the beginner, in fact that is one of the main reasons I bought the book. Dan has a way with words and examples that explain things every step of the way. I am forever amazed at some of the findings he comes up with and the best part about them is that he shares why and how with you including examples that you can run. Another nice part about this book is that even though the title is that of VB.NET he does cover framework issues as well. It is not just another regurgitation of language syntax changes and that makes it stand out above the rest. If you really want to learn about new issues and methodologies, when to and when not to, how to and why, then this book is definitively for you. I gave this a 5-star rating because I truly felt enlightened when I was done with it. Sure, there are times when it might overwhelm you a little (given some of the IL language and assembler instructions) but when you go back and re-read them, you understand why he had to go there. It now becomes clear why he told you what he did.

Thanks Dan for another great book. You are, in my mind, still *the* guru!

I've always turned to Dan when I wanted to understand what's under the hood in VB. His API for VB programmers manuals and "Developing COM/ActiveX Components With Visual Basic 6" got me through several advanced projects. This book adds to the list of "best of the best."

This book gives the reader a road-map from Visual Basic to VB.Net. Dan warns about the pitfalls ahead for those who are new to the heady world of objects and free threading.

Whether you like it or not VB.net IS the future. Yeah, it might not happen overnight but it's gonna happen, and if you rely on VB for your living then you need to learn it. That's what I'm doing now. How am I doing it? By studying Dan Applemans new book 'Moving to VB.Net...'. This is a truly excellent book that EVERYONE will get benefit from. It's so intelligently and intuitively laid out which makes it a very refreshing read for a technical book.

I reckon that the marketing guys in Microsoft must have a big picture of Dan on their office wall that they throw poisoned darts at! He holds no punches and really gives it to you straight...blowing all their hype.

Other than Dan's 'guru' status in VB circles he has another gift, namely his writing sytle. He has the ability to break down complex technology and make it very simple to understand (that's pretty useful to someone like me!). And this is exactly what he's done in this book, providing supporting material around a concept that makes it very easy to fully grasp what's going on.

So if you want to protect your future income then I suggest you get a copy of .Net Beta 2 and buy this book - it'll be the best investment you've ever made!

I have written several comments for Amazon.Com. regarding novels by Ms.Steel which I have read. Each time I have admitted that her books are enjoyable to me as they offer a nice diversion from the many serious, well-written novels by other novelists. I think of Danielle Steel as a novelist I like to read in-between tackling more challenging ones - like when one wants to watch a TV movie. In "Mirror Image" I have to admit I was pleased with the ending for it wasn't wrapped up in a nicely neat fairy-tale ending. I hope Ms. Steel continues to write more realistic conclusions. However, much of "Mirror Image" was disappointing. The story of Olivia and Victoria, two identical, mirror image twins, with two very different personalities takes a long time to progress. Victoria scandalizes the family by having an affair with a married man and her father, in order to rectify the family name, forces her to marry a man she does not love, but whom her twin sister loves. Much of what follows is predictable and it is not until Victoria goes to Europe to help with the war that "Mirror Image" becomes interesting. Ms. Steel is not a great writer; therefore, it is her story-telling capabilities which sets her apart from other romance writers and which always keeps this reader enthralled. Unfortunately, "Mirror Image" did not move - it just coasts along. Not one of Ms. Steel's best efforts but, as I said before, I hope she continues writing endings like this one.

This was a fast read, as many of Danielle Steels books are. This book was about two sisters that had completly different out looks on life, but look identical "Mirror Image", as the book states numersous times. The sisters played harmless tircks on friends and family because no-one could tell them apart but a maid. But as they got older Victoria found a love that could ruin the family name and her father forced her to marry a man with a good name and forced her to forget about her trouble relation ship. Victoria tried as hard as she could to love the man her father demanded her to marry. Well Victoria asks her sister Olivia to take her place in her marriage so she can go off and support womans rights... little did Victoria know that Olivia secretly had feelings for Charles. And now I will let you learn the rest for yourself.

The book all in all was great. I didn't like the way they kept reminding you that the two girls were identical but had very, very differnt opinions on life. It was as if they didn't bring it up every chapter we might forget. I would definitally recommend this book.

So many people on Amazon gave this book a bad rating, so when I picked this book up I was almost afraid to read it. But I am so glad I did. This book starts out only one year after the Titanic tragically sinks. We meet Olivia and Victoria Henderson, two strikenly beautiful mirror image twins. One could not tell one from the other. Olivia is the calm and surreen one where as Victoria is the wild feminist. After a visit to New York, Victoria disgraces her good name. Her father becomes so horribly enraged and forces her to marry a man she didn't love. A man meant for her sister Olivia. His wife had died on the Titanis and he was left taking care of his little boy. This book will take you to New York all the way to war ravaged France. You will laugh and cry and look at life in a whole new beautiful day. This novel will make you love yourself and love the simple blessings you are granted. Don't let yourself pass this book up. Embrace it and love it like a beautiful child. Let the words speak to your heart and soul. And along the way LEARN! You will love this book.

This books gives us a first person account of what happened the day the North Tower came to ground. Richard Picciotto is a high ranking fireman in the NYFD and he becomes trapped in the stairwell while rescuing civilians. He is a man used to being in charge and having to wait to be rescued caused him much
turmoil. Even though he was trapped and helpless he was still giving orders to his rescuers on how to find him and save him. Once he is rescued, he goes back to his job. He doesn't thank his rescuers for finding him nor do we hear about the civilians that were trapped in the rubble. This book left me wanting more, not
necessary the graphic details which the book does portray in a vivid manner but more feeling. He told his tale in a dry clinical manner. At times I found myself calling him selfish and just wanting to be a hero. I have read Firehouse which gave you the life behind the men and am currently reading Report from Ground
Zero. The latter book has already given Sept 11 an outlet for showing all sides of that day, which this book failed.

Richard Picciotto's story is so horrific that I found it in places almost unbearable and almost put the book down. However, I decided if this man could live through this awful day and write about it, I could finish his story. This is the account of Chief Picciotto and other New York Firefigters' heroic rescue of many people in the north tower of the World Trade Center, then the tower falling around them, their being trapped for 3 or 4 hours in a tiny space, not knowing if they would ever get out, and thank God, their ultimate escape to safety.

The book is very well done and is full of painstaking details. For example, we learn that the sky was totally clear that awful day; otherwise the misguided monsters would not have been able to fly into the tower. As Picciotto and other firefighters are clearing the tower, he comes across on a twenty-seventh floor "a well-dressed broker-type hunched over at his desk, typing crazily on his keyboard. . . at first I thought I was seeing things." (Can you believe this?) There is also the account of the rescue of a group of disabled people who had somehow gathered on the same floor. When Chief Piccioto first sees them, he doesn't realize that they are disabled. "And as they moved toward me, I thought I was seeing things. There were people in wheelchairs, people on crutches, people moving with the aid of walkers and canes, people hardly moving at all. There were people old enough to have been my grandparents--and they moved with the kind of hurry you usually find in tortoises." When the tower falls and Chief Piccioto stops moving, he is in a small space in total darkness. "I thought I was dead. Really, I actually wondered if this was what it felt like to be dead. Think about it: It was pitch dark. There was no sound, no movement, no nothing." For me this is one of the most touching passages in the entire book.

So we have yet another account of one decent man of many responding with valor and courage in an impossible situation. This is as good as anything I've read about the awful events of September 11.

I picked up this book to read on the plane. I can't explain the range of emotions that I encountered over the three hours it took me to read it. This man is a hero beyond words. He was in a amazing situation and it seems to me was able to still put thought into the big picture. Another reviewer wrote that he did not care about joesphine, i got the impression that he knew she was being cared for and wanted to look at what he could do to get everyone out of there. Also about his family, to be perfectly honest i'm not sure if i would call my family until my feet were on solid ground, just a thought, i wouldn't want them to have imagine where i was trapped.
This book is an amazing historic account of a truly horrible day and one of the individuals that was able to rise above the horror. i hope that the commander gets to enjoy the rest of his life in a relaxing way. And if he ever doubts any of his actions, i hope he remembers the millions of people around the world that are telling there children all about him, in hopes they grow up to be the type of person that risks his life for anothers.
"There is no greater love then to lay down your life for your fellow man"

To sit in freezing water with even colder air temperatures for hours waiting for a good wave is an exercise in discipline, although a lot of people would say that discipline is precisely what the quintessential surfer lacks. Author Dan Duane exhibits discipline and several other honorable traits in "Caught Inside," his thoughtful memoir of a year spent following a dream and accomplishing a goal. While some may scoff at what can be called the "surfer mentality," Duane goes deep beneath the surface and dredges up a lot of emotion and introspective philosophical sentiments about why he surfs (and why he does anything worth doing). Duane is well-read, intelligent and expressive, and the book is interesting, beautifully written and thought provoking. I would imagine that Duane's musings would be valuable, meaningful and applicable even to those who have never even seen the ocean, much less ridden a wave.

PS to reviewer Christopher Seal - women surf too!

Have you ever wondered what surfing and spirituality have in common? Have you ever wondered about the devotion or passion someone you know has devoted to this apparently pointless sport? If so, you absolutely must read this book. Its lyrical prose brilliantly evokes the sheer contentment of bobbing up and down in the lineup waiting for the next wave. Not since "Endless Summer" has anyone managed to get across the peace, beauty, and mindless fun of surfing. In addition to being a paean to surfing, it's about a place. A specific spot on the pacific coast south of San Francisco off CA 1.Some waves, a bit of coral, artichoke farms. A place that Duane invests with beauty, character, and meaning. Will it be of any interest to people who don't give two toots about surfing? I suspect so, but can't say for sure. Most of the other reviewers seem to think so (but they might be surfers too). Read it and find out..it's a short book anyway. For what it's worth, I didn't surf when I first read it, but I loved it so much that I soon took up the sport.

Let's get this straight. It does not matter that this book is about surfing. It is so well written and picks its scenes and themes so well that it is a pure joy to read. Duane is the classic American writer in that he DOES something interesting and THEN writes about it well. Twain, Hemingway, London, get it? Ok, I surf and the fact that it was (mostly) about surfing made it that much better. Duane strikes such a good balance between the athete's "zone" of confidence and a writer's angst that you can't help but like him. He thinks well, then shuts off his brain and goes for it. Well, you can see I liked this one. By the way, his new book, "Looking for Mo" is excellent too. And I don't, nor would I ever, "go climb a rock".

This is a very readable book. I find it helpful at times when my dating life is not up the high standards I have set. The authors make you feel as it they are talking directly to you, which is a big plus. Probably the biggest lesson I got out of the book is to expect flakiness from women, and not take it too personally or seriously. Of course there comes a time when you have to move on if a woman is not giving some reasonably positive vibes, but The Rules teaches a bit more patience than is natural for a lot of guys (such as when you don't get return phone calls).

In my opinion the principals set down in this book are golden. The authors clearly have a clue about what they are talking about and offer useful and practical advice to us guys who are shy and don't feel comfortable approaching women. I was very impressed with the amount of information that was packed into this book. I have started to apply the information in the book and started to have success with women.

I have highly recommended this book to my friends and we've all enjoyed it. Yes, the book is not very long (120 pages), but the information that is contained is very useful. The authors offer principals, rather than dull information. I personally really approach both the tone of this book and the information.

I loved this book. I've read many dating guides and been studying seduction for the past few years. This is one of the most practical books out there. Trust me, if you read all the others they will take ideas from this book and greatly expand the ideas.

Graff and Schwartz come up with fun and memorable rules for dating that I use every day when approaching women. This book has been worth it's weight in gold.

Some people complain that this book is too short. Well, I will tell you that for me I am not interested in wading through pages and pages of information. If there is a bottom line approach to picking up chicks, that's what I want. The Rules for Getting Laid provides the basic rules than then leaves room to use them in your own manner.

I consider this information to be the foundation of dating success with women. I've used it to pick up lots of hot babes.