Mr.Eddy's bizarre and creative stories have such a unique style. Tired of the same type of reading, I was looking for something different. I'm so glad I chose this particular book. I was suddenly immersed into Mr. Eddy's writings, so much so that when I was finished with the book I wished there were more. I highly recommend

I found this book to be excellent reading! I thoroughly enjoyed the story, "Miscreant From Murania". What a clever plot...especially since the story was written almost 60 years ago! Parallel time and vampirism have always intrigued me and this story put the two together nicely. "The Vengeful Vision" was a masterful twist of plot and "The Solitary Solution" shows Mr. Eddy's versatility in writing. It's a shame he died before finishing the last story in the book. Highly reccommended!!

"Mandrake" (I use the UK title of this book.) is a couple notches better than "Flint". While that was sometimes very confusing, with all the flitting back from past to present, and all the to-ing and fro-ing of the various fraudulent monies, and lots and lots of characters who all seem to meld into one. This one is far better.

It's still confusing, at times, but not nearly as much. The writing is brilliant...its incredibly compelling and powerful, written in a tense, brutally efficient and to-the-point style. The book speeds all over the globe, from the US to Croatia and the pace never lets up.

The characters are mercifully fewer, and are slightly better developed. the plot is complex and interesting. I can certainly reccomend this book.

The Financial Strike Force is an international organization that focuses on money laundering on a global scale. Grace Flint, FSF Assistant Director is poised to bring down German crime czar Karl Groeber but it turns sour when an agent is killed. Grace takes this personally because she personally recruited the operative.

After going over the failed investigation, it becomes apparent that someone with insider knowledge sold them out. That person is Grace's husband Ben. It turns out that there is no record to prove that Grace's husband ever existed, which means he was a spy designed to get close to Flint. When Ben causes Grace's father grievous injuries she vows to hunt him down and bring him to justice even if it means going through Karl Groeber to do it.

Grace Flint is a flawed imperfect heroine who endears herself to the audience because of her willingness to take responsibility for her actions. Except for her, it's hard to tell the heroes from the villains in FLINT'S LAW because most of the players have their own agenda and alliances. The story line compulsively compels readers to finish this tale in one sitting. It will be very hard to wait for the next installment in this dynamic new series.

Harriet Klausner

I completely agree with the previous reviewer's comments. It was a blessing to read. I felt I was partaking of a feast of love while reading this book. It is definitely aimed at the student of Christian Science and reveals tremendous insights into the experiences and lessons which Mrs. Eddy went through. Much can be gained by reading these books which will help the student in his/her understanding and practice of Christian Science.

This biographical series about Mary Baker Eddy is by all means the best ever written about Mary Baker Eddy and every Christian Scientist should read this and the other two books which are part of the series. We owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to the writer. Thank you.

A highly interesting, inspired and lovingly written but sure tobe controversial three volume biography of Mary Baker Eddy, theDiscoverer, Founder and Leader of Christian Science (CS).

From the point of view of Christian Science, this is the best three volume biography of Mrs. Eddy written to date. Unlike the Peel biographies with their secular bent and attempts to paint Mrs. Eddy as no more than a very significant historical figure, Grekel starts where Rober Peel left off and thoroughly explains the spiritual identity and significance of the discover and founder of Christian Science. For Grekel, unlike Peel, Mrs. Eddy represents the human manifestation in the flesh of the the 2nd Coming of Christ found in Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy is seen by Grekel as fufilling both Old and New Testament prophecy from Isaiah to the Gospels of the promised revelator of the Comforter. To Grekel, Mrs. Eddy's spiritual identity is to be found in Revelation as the Woman of Prophecy and only those Christian Scientists that can see this are the "remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.Rev 12:17. It is clear that the authoress, Doris Grekel and co-author Morris are obviously writing wholly from the standpoint of convinced disciples of Mrs. Eddy. Doris makes no apologies for that approach.

While many from within and without the Christian Science movement will disagree with both Grekel's approach and her credentials, few readers will deny that this book is nothing short of a loving "Ode" to Mrs. Eddy. Dr. Robert Putnam, a student of Bliss Knapp, has described this book in a short review of books on Mrs. Eddy and Christian Science as a "flawless account". Others will decry it for a lack of historical objectivity and as a thinly veiled attack on the current and past management of the very church Mrs. Eddy founded, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston Mass.

If it is widely read inside the Christian Science movement, it will be sure to be highly controversial. CS folks who condemned the re-publication of Bliss Knapp's book, The Destiny of the Mother Church, will condemn all three volumes of this trilogy for the same reasons. To say that this book almost deifies Mrs. Eddy is an understatement. There is no attempt to portray her human failings as the recent Gill bio did. This and the other two books take the exact OPPOSITE of the Peel and Gill approach. Hence, while many of the "true believers" will love these three books, the historical so-called professional critics of Mrs. Eddy will decry it as "not objective and not even foot noted" and Mrs. Eddy's traditional orthodox "Christian" enemies will denounce it as Christian Science carried to both theologically and logically indefensible and absurd conclusions. Nevertheless, these books may have to wait centuries until they, like Science and health will be accepted by a wider audience. I think Grekel would agree with this assessment. That few Year 2000 readers would understand much less appreciate the import of this, the first book the Grekel's trilogy is no surprise from the standpoint of Christian Science theology. "the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." John 1:5. Also "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Cor 2:14

In short, if you love Mrs. Eddy you will probably find much "new" information in these books. The Grekels ably use early CS literature, the CS Weekly - later Sentinel and the Journal of CS, later CS Journal to trace both Mrs. Eddy's thought as well as the growth of her church. They also bring to light much correspondence between Mrs. Eddy and her students and church officers. Unfortunately the book would be more helpful if it had footnoting of the Peel works. The Grekels rely on published and unpublished memoirs and reminiscences of early students of CS to support their intrepretation.

The issue of the Mrs. Eddy's intent in the continuation of the Mother Church following her passing is explored. It is plain however, that the Grekels are NOT at all 100% subscribers of the "Mother Church, A Church Meant to Last" or the "Permanancy of the Mother Church" (Adam Dickey CSJ Article et al) view. They come down more along the lines of the Helen Wrights, the CS Research Foundation and others in their insistence that the CS Board of Directors ignored and disobeyed what they call the "Estoppel Clauses" or those clauses in the Manual of the Mother Church requiring Mrs. Eddy's express consent. The Grekels ignore that this view was the decided minority view after Mrs. Eddy's passing.

I suggest a reader withhold judgement until finishing all three books. While I found them a very interesting source of information for the advanced CS metaphysician, I would not recommend them for the general public at all.

A reader is encouraged to read the primary sources on Christian Science, the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, the Manual of the Mother Church. Other works such as Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896 and the First Church of Christ, Scientist & Miscellany which traces the building of her beloved church and selected correspondence until her passing in December 1910. All the published writings other than Science and Health were collected in what is called "Prose Works".

I own a copy of this book and think it is awesome. Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop. I like the way Johnny made jokes- I understood them. I also liked how the book took place near where I live- every one else thought it was cool too. Me and my friends have already gone looking for gnomes. Sometimes, I would read it during silent reading in class, and I would burst out laughing. Then, everyone would turn around and look at me. Some of my friends have already borrowed the book from me and say that it is way cool. Everyone should read this book because it is way funny and you will laugh for hours. This is an awesome book that I am going to read FOREVER!!! Thank You For Writing This Book- Your favorite reader

I thought Johnny And The Gnome was fabulous. It was a humorous adventure that was hard to lay down. It was superbly written. I especially liked the way it showed a "normal" family life; with sibling rivalry. I think everyone should read it.

I read this biography in college. I was able to draw several conclusions from the chapters. Chapter 1. A scandal would harm her adopted son. Chapter 2. A really good leader can attract a lot of admirers. Chapter 3. By not trying to outdo others, she created a very tolerant church. Chapter 4. A Concord newspaper owner thought Mary Baker Eddy was a fake. Political Interlude. To introduce Christian Science on Mainland China was dangerous. Chapter 5. The establishment of the Committee on Publication was greatly needed at the time of a court case that was filled with propaganda against her church. Chapter 6. Teachers and readers in the East would be better off if they had solid learning and culture. Interlude Semantic. A mistaken metaphysical concept is a topic at a meeting with Governors of the church. Chapter 7. She said much work needed to be done. Chapter 8. She decided that the Mother Church reader should become the reader at the Concord church. Chapter 9. She immediately was sure Einstein had made a great discovery. Chapter 10. She thinks it is vital for anyone to demonstrate this Science. At times while reading the biography I was reminded of the period in history when German scholars inspired Charles Briggs to question the authorship of the Bible, the biblical account of Creation, and the divinity of Jesus.

Mary Baker Eddy was a controversial woman, and biographers often either laud or vilify her depending on their personal bias. Peel's 3-volume biography is a welcome departure from this pattern. His work is carefully researched, with extensive references, and is probably the most definitive and complete biography of Mrs. Eddy on record. His impartial, objective viewpoint lets the reader make up his or her own mind regarding a noted religious and historical figure.

I hesitate to use this term to describe an author because I read so many books by great writers, but Eddy L. Harris is brilliant. His writing is extremely accessible and also engaging. He writes like a friend while also imparting wisdom. For anyone who's ever dreamed of simply living a free life and exploring the world(and being brave enough to write about it and generous enough to share about it), Eddy writes for you. His words are gorgeous without being flowery. His writing reaches deep and touches your heart and mind. I not only recommend THIS Eddy Harris book highly, I recommend ANY Eddy L. Harris book highly.

Eddy L. Harris is the best modern-day "travel" writer there is, bar none. He has gone down the Mississippi in a canoe, trekked across Africa and even written a book about his explorations, both internal and external, of today's Harlem.
Harris is a writer who happens to be black. He doesn't want people to judge him because he's black any more than because he has a beard or is tall, but blackness is part of him, and as a writer he seems to feel an urge to connect with what it means to be black in America.
In this poetic, fascinating account, Harris tours the Southern states of the U.S. with his own peronal twist - he rides a motorcycle. This way, as is not the case with a car trip, he can connect with the land and the people as he travels; he is closer to them. Of course, this means they have no choice but to see him, too. What Harris encounters and comes to find out on his trip is surprising, at times sad and at times wonderful. The writing is skillful in the extreme: although non-fiction, Harris manages to arrange his experiences and his ruminations about them in such a way as to form a novel-like construction, with buildup, climax and denouement.
This memoir is emminently readable and ultimately revealing about race, the South and America. For anyone even remotely interested in those topics, this is without doubt a must read

Maybe it's my age, maybe it's my love of swing and jazz music, maybe it was just well written, probably a combination of all, but I found it hard to put down and felt myself involved in the story even when I wasn't reading it. Jeane Weston either did a tremendous amount of research or had some musical experiences of her own in order to create this work. I was particularly impressed with the individual billboard quotes from various sources that headlined each chapter. Although there were times I felt too much story description was being to Tonia and her light skinned boyfriend Charlie, the reason became clear towards the end of the book. References to the big bands and news events of the era were timely and accurate. The story was believable, for the most part, and the ending was one that I had hoped for. Lovey Anderson's character was particulary descriptive and memorable. Anyone who has the even the slightest interest in the music scene of the 30's or the part women played in it and the obstacles they faced would find this to be a fascinating, inviting piece of literature. In short, I loved the book.Kudos to Jeane Westin.

I was fortunate enough to find this in paperback recently and enjoyed it immensely. I popped a big band cd on the stereo for background music and found myself caught up in the story of the Swing Sisters-a band started up by ex-burlesque star Rita who'd planned to sing lead, drummer Roz, who must keep her sexual preference a secret at all costs, Sara on the piano, trying to leave her broken marriage behind her, trumpet player Tonia who becomes involved with the wrong man and last but not least Lovey, the ex-farm girl who could sing like an angel. What more could you want from this fast-paced story of an all girl band back in 1937? Read about their many struggles both personally and professionally, how they literally clawed their way to the top. Highly recommended.

The book teaches you everything you need to know from how to hard-boil an egg to stir frying broccoli. It makes are great gift of any beginning cook.

Recipes include breakfast foods, eggs, breads, soups, sandwiches, salads, main dishes, vegetables, desserts, & appetizers. There is no gourmet fare here, just the delicious uncomplicated meals for everyday people.

Some of my favorite desserts are the apple dumplings & easy lemon chiffon pie. I enjoyed the oven pot-roast, meatballs, chili, & pork chops as well. I know I will never get bored with 8 different potato recipes.

I also loved the one-step lasagna. It's great because you don't have to cook the noodles before baking, making it quick & easy to make. The never-fail cheese soufflé & salmon pate will impress dinner guests without hours of frustration.

I have been married for 45 years and consider myself a good cook;I have collected literally hundreds of various cookbooks during this time, and once I discovered this book, I have used recipes from it about 10:1 compared to my other cookbooks.For example, we enjoy Victor's Chicken almost on a weekly basis. We have also sent copies of the book to all of our five children and several nieces; perhaps this explains why it is out of print!

I purchased this handy cookbook for my daughter's 12th birthday. The author has a clever sense of humor and an ability to break cooking vocabulary down into easy to understand words for those previously uninitiated in the kitchen. Now at age 22 and married for a year, my daugther said that she can't find her copy since moving several times and wants another for some of her favorite recipes. The book is not a children's cookbook, but for anyone new at cooking. I'd love to see a repeat printing.