Normally, after reading a book I have many things to say about it, some of which come easily and others which I struggle to put into words. After completing A Woman of Means by Peter Taylor, I felt a whole rush of half-formed ideas and feelings bubbling just below my consciousness, but which I was unable to articulate. I beleive this is because although the story is told in a straightforward style and is easy to follow, it's presented through the eyes of a intelligent,young narrator who's struggling to find a place for himself, whether it be at his school, in the city, or in his own family.

Much of his uncertainty comes from his inability to establish a firm relationship with a mother-figure, whether it be with the grandmother he describes while recalling his earliest memories in the rural South, or with his wealthy step-mother whose home he lives in with his father in St. Louis.

A mother to him seems to represent a home, which is something he has never really had, due to his constant moving from place to place with a father who is determined to make a name for himself. When his father begins to achieve some professional success, gets married to a wealthy young widow and they move into the woman's house, there finally seems to be a chance to develop roots in a town, at a school, and most importantly within a family.

The story focuses on the boy's gradual sense of belonging and how this belonging is eventually threatened by what he perceives as the disolution of his parents's marriage. It is a very complex examination of not just what the boy needs to be happy, but his father and step-mother as well, and includes the the themes of wealth/poverty, the city/country, moderness/ tradition, and love and reputation--all of which are relevant to our own age. It also contains the same mysterious quality of all great art, in that it encapsulates things that can only be truly assimulated, not through the mind, but through the heart.

I don't know how these reviews can look so recent

"Quite simply, there is not a better writer of fiction now at work in the United States.... In A WOMAN OF MEANS...the reader is transported into a place so faithfully similar to the real world, yet so imbued with a knowledge of it that none of us can hope to possess, that one is left breathless with admiration."

Peter Maas is a good, solid writer. This is the book that was the basis of the TV movie starring Valerie Bertinelli. However, there is much more detail in the book. For example, there is more of the background of the victim and the dentist/murderer. It also seems that the victim did use cocaine, although Maas does strees that it was only "recreational." (???--what is recreational?) Also, he admits that he beat her up in Mexico. It's a page burner.

I saw the 1991 miniseries of "In A Child's Name" before I had ever read the book, and I must say that, in both cases, I was saddened and angered at the murder of a beautiful, innocent mother and also by the manipulation of an innocent child, who was ultimately the real victim, along with his mother. Ultimately, however, I was moved by the family's coming together to raise the baby boy left by his loving mother and cold-hearted father. The book does go deeper into the horror of what happened after the young mother's murder than the miniseries. However, both tell the tragic but ultimately uplifting story about abuse, murder, cold-hearted manipulation, and ultimate strength and love.

Entralling from the first page to the last. If you've seen the movie, DEFINATELY read the book. Michael Ontkean's portrayal of Ken Taylor is terrific. Being from Indina, I was especially interested due to the custody battle that came as a result of Taylor bludgeoning his wife to death. The fact that this story is true is what makes it so horrible. My heart ached, not only for the child, but for Teresa's family members who were put through not only having to deal with her murder, but the idea of her child being in the custody of Ken Taylor's parents. Louise Fletcher, who plays Ken Taylor's mother gives a chilling reference to a mother turning a ridiculously blind eye to the fact that her son was a manipulative cold blooded murderer with very strange sexual appetites (records indicated that calls were made from the scene of the murder to 900-sex lines while Teresa lay dead on the floor). A chilling account.

From page one, this book has you yearning to get outside and cast a line. The amazing photography and the author's attention to detail really captures the true beauty of each destination visited during the author's epic fly-fishing expedition across the globe. Any avid fly-fisherman or anyone interested in finding out about great places to fly-fish around the world should buy this book.

I have been fly fishing avidly for 20 years and have read several books on the subject. This work is by far the best piece I have come across. Anyone who is interested in fly fishing will find this book truly enjoyable - I consider it a must have for any enthusiast.

Everybody has a friend (a relative, a mate!) who lives to fish. This book's for her. Well, there are lots of good fishing books. This one interested me because it looked at fishing as a cross-cultural experience, as one of those things that defines us as being part of the same species. The author and some National Georgraphic-class photographers went around the world and brought back stories and images that made me feel better about being alive and liking to fish.

I have only one thing to say, and it's more of a question than anything else:

Why is such a masterpiece (this book), the best of it's kind on one of America's greatest showman, out of print?

That's too bad because this has got to be the best book ever written about P.T. Barnum. The authors have done a meticulous job of researching this man's life and work, along with providing hundreds of long-gone pictures and posters covering every inch of Barnum's career. Books of this kind are rare and don't get any better than that!

This book is one of those books that you love to look through, tons of pictures, nicely laid out. And not only is it aesthetically magnificant, but it is quite possibly the most extensive source of information on Barnum available anywhere. It also has a good index and is laid out in a way that makes all of the information easy to get to, without reading millions of pages of stuffy prose.

The publishers didn't pull a Barnum on the public with this one. They deliver what they promise -- a fascinating, detailed, and engagingly readable biography of the first true showman. Amply illustrated, often with rare photos, this is a great book for anyone, not just circus buffs.

More than just a "coffee table" book, this is a fascinating journey into the world of "extreme science". The photography is outstanding and the commentary articulate, educational and approachable. A great "maiden voyage" from Peter Lane Taylor. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

Taylor has done a superb job with his first book. Each chapter is captivating and full of new information. Instead of glossing over the sometimes difficult technical material which is discussed in this book, Taylor writes in a way that shares the depth and rigor of the research that is the subject of 'Science at the Extreme'. Both the writing and the photography in this book are engaging and instructional; and in each chapter, the reader's appetite for 'extreme science' grows stronger.

It is encouraging to see a book that does such an exceptional job of bringing together the popular culture ingredients common in National Geographic and the Discovery Channel, with the rigorous components of scientific research that exist at the National Science Foundation and in academia-at-large. 'Science at the Extreme' is just the kind of work that is needed to reinvigorate student interest in science in America, although it certainly does not appear to be the objective of the book. I have no doubt that high-schools and colleges will have to start offering 'Science at the Extreme' classes after students get a hold of this book.

I'm already looking forward to Taylor's next offering, although he has a tough act to follow since the bar has been set so high with 'Science at the Extreme'.

The only thing missing in 'Science at the Extreme' is an order form for buying large-size prints of Taylor's inspiring photographs...

I was very much impressed with the chapter on cave diving and the excellent leadership of the WKPP. These guys and gals are a very select few diving to depths of 300ft with total dive time of 15 plus hours. The research of florida caves is extensive and the surface has only been scraped. The dedication and team development of the WKPP is beyond anything on the planet.

Peter Taylor is a master stylist, writing taught, compelling Southern fiction. It is surprising he's not more widely read.

This is my favorite compilation of short stories. The best are Dean of Men, At the Drugstore, Miss Leonora When Last Seen, and First Heat, which is the best fictional representation of the political mind ever written. The stories represent the many faces of the shifts in the Southern and American cultures that have troubled and consumed us for most of the century. To know thyself, know Peter Taylor.

My daughter and I love this book. The illustrations are filled with wonderful details, both intriguing and beautifully drawn. The story itself is witty and simple and moves along to draw in even the youngest reader. Highly recommended.

Enchanting, beautifully illustrated and sophisticated children's book. Enduringly popular as read-to and read by 5-7 year olds. Terribly english. An ideal present and a long term fvourite.

Mendelssohn is traced through his life as to influences, both spiritually, musically and elsewhere.

Raised in upper class surroundings, he and sister Fanny were certainly cultivated in rich musical and literary heritage. So no surprise that Mendelssohn honored his musical heritiage and was fond of Bach especially.

Climb to fame capsulated well in this biographical look with specific references given at appropriate times on musical and theological insights. This all culminates late in his life with tension over all his duties both musically and family and they take their toil.

Never happy living in Germany, persistently traveling which also for sure took its toll. Creative output continues to reverberate throughtout concert halls.

Truly a tightly written account of significant musical contributor.

With a smooth and easy-to-read style that is brimming with factual details and emotive feelings, Mr. Mercer-Taylor's writing provides a concise and highly articulate story of Felix Mendelssohn's life. Mendelssohn's many significant contributions as a composer, musician, conductor, teacher and adminstrator are presented in an interesting collage of personalities and historical events of the times. In particular, the author's description of Mendelssohn's music captures its essence perfectly. An extremely enjoyable reading experience.

"This play could stand as the most unsettling of all of Taylor's works because its display of psychological and physical violence. Yet its very power of presentation will make it unforgettable. The publication of A STAND IN THE MOUNTAINS will prove that Peter Taylor has matched the works of his beloved Checkov in more ways than one."

"This unique and admirably readable play should once and for all make it clear that what might seem to be reticence in Peter Taylor's work is instead the means he has found to explore the most desperately passionate human confrontations."

The Nature Company's Guide to sharks and rays is a well written introduction to this group of truly wonderful creatures. It is not the best book, but if you have an interest it should be in your library. It will be especially useful to the teen reader or marine naturalist/hobbyist. The photography and illustrations are beautiful and informative. The write ups on individual species, while not all inclusive to any particular group or geographic area are great. They cover some little known but fascinating animals. My only complaint is that it's a little TO visual, it tends to rely on the graphic to make points over the text and is a little short on newer science. But this may be a plus for the new student of marine biology. If you or an friend has an interest in fishes in general or elasmobranchs in particular you want this book.

What an excellent, well organized reference source for anyone interested in sharks, and especially for scuba divers looking for a good identification book.

Of all the shark books I've reviewed, this one tops my list and is recommended to readers of my web site.

We bought this book as a Christmas gift for our 12 year old daughter who is fascinated with sharks. What a gem!!! We keep it on the coffee table now as a reference book. Every time an undersea show comes on, someone grabs the book to look up whatever they discuss. This book is full of great information and incredible photographs. Anyone interested in the ocean MUST get this book. We are all certified scuba divers and it is especially valuable to us for identifications, habitats and habits of sharks and rays, and general information which we need to know when siting one of these marvelous creatures!!