Incredible photographs of vernacular Mediterranean architecture by world renowned architect, Myron Goldfinger. Visually stunning and wonderfully inspiring! A classic for every student of modern architecture.

Extraordinary! Great introductory overview of a hard-to-manage subject matter. Gives a good sense of how invaluable whistleblowers are to the fundamental underpinings of democracy itself. The personal profiles will touch your heart. Regular people too often find their lives and careers turned upside down simply because they are honest enough to "commit the truth" after witnessing corruption in high levels of government or corporations. They are our last line of defense when those in power decide the rules need not apply to them. Authors did a good job selecting representative sample from among countless courageous whistleblowers to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude. From threats to our food supply to nuclear weapons scandals to health care fraud to corrupt politicians, etc., etc., whsitleblowers are the source of our learning about virtually every major scandal this country has seen. Shows how inadequate legal protections are for ehical dissenters. Must reading for anyone concerned about integrity and accountability in government and the corporate world.

To be an author is hard, one strives for originality. That's what I found in a "Writer's reality," an author who is original in his stories yet the ideas are still there. Peru, I found has a lot of problems or everyday things that any author can just grab and make a story about, the only thing there is is originality. But what is it really? The process is the original way the author strives to make the story unique and perfect, thought it made not sound real because fiction is not real,is a still his work(original work). So to any writer that wishes to understand how it worked for Mario Vargas, I advise you to read this book because you, like me might be striving for perfection and originality but if you read this book you will find that if Mario Vargaz did it, then we can do it too. Finish the story and still be original, no matter what inspire or who inspire your idea.

Harlan Coben, One False Move (Delacorte, 1998)

Harlan Coben's fourth novel, and the fourth in the Myron Bolitar series, One False Move gives Coben a new client with bad surroundings. (Surprise, surprise, eh?) Brenda Slaughter is the star player in the new Women's Professional Basketball League. WPBL head Norm Zuckerman wants Bolitar to represent Slaughter, since her father, who had managed her career up till a week before, had gone missing. Slaughter's mother had done the same twenty years before. It doesn't take long for Bolitar to realize that, somehow, the two disappearances are connected, and that both disappearances are somehow connected to Myron's old nemeses the Ache brothers. Hilarity, as they say, ensues.

Readers of the Bolitar novels will be used to Myron being a bit too much of a wiseguy. Once you get past that, this is a good, solid novel that comes slightly unwrapped at the end (Coben wraps up the main mystery nicely enough, but there are some pretty big loose ends). As usual, Coben keeps the pages turning with the best of them, and the book flies by. The characters are well-developed, and as long as you don't mind a main character who makes Spenser look like a prophet of doom, Coben's books should be right up your alley. Give them a try. *** ½

One False Move is another highly entertaining, witty, mystery from Harlan Coben that -- as usual -- keeps you guessing right to the very end. His main character, Myron Bolitar, and his other characters, particularly Win, are fun to follow as they move from adventure to adventure from one book to the next. To all those non-sports fans, don't be scared away by the fact that Bolitar is a sports agent. The sports aspects only provide the background to how Bolitar gets involved in his adventures. Coben's next book is due out soon and I can't wait!

This is the fifth book in the Myron Bolitar series. While having read only three of the other six to this point, it is not possible to say with certainty that this one is the best of all seven. But "One False Move" has more in-depth personal interactions than the others that I have read, drawing the reader a little closer to Myron than is sometimes the case. For those unfamiliar with Bolitar, he runs MB SportsRep. But his circuitous journey to this point, after his budding basketball career was abruptly ended due to a serious on-court injury, gives Myron a dimension far beyond the typical sports agent.

The book is, as usual with Coben, fast-paced with Myron and Win, his quirky, lethal, and blue-blood partner, encountering all manner of sleaze-balls and people with something to hide. Brenda Slaughter, the girl that the new WPBA basketball league is featuring, should be on top of the world. But her father has gone missing after she filed assault charges against him, not to mention the fact that her long-lost mother of twenty years has been on her mind all of that time. Enter Myron; the league needs its investment protected. But the assignment gets more complicated and riskier by the day.

Some reviewers find the Coben books humorous. And they are. But the dialogue is more edgy than funny. Of course, the new office worker Cyndi, the spikey ex-pro female wrestler, is captivating and hilarious.

There are some good twists in this book. I missed the one at the end - well actually I missed all of them. See if you can get it (them). Meanwhile I'm starting another Myron Bolitar book.

Alan and Naomi is a great book. I recommend it to kids who are studying the Holocaust, because it shows you how some people were affected by the Holocaust. This book has wonderful characters and they are described in great detail. It also is a real page turner, because you are always wondering what is going to happen next. It has a very sad ending that is very dramatic. This book Alan and Naomi is a funny,sad and an exciting book, so I hope that you read it.

The story of Alan and Naomi is a heartwarming incredible story.I got hooked on it because it just was a book you must find out if Naomi is going to be ok or if she is going to be lost in her own waorld forever.It also makes you wonder if Alan is going to let his freinds in on his "secret errand" that he does everyday.This book should be read by anyone who has ever made fun of someone who is "diffrent" the people who were made fun of should read this also to let them know what goes through the mind of the people whom are making fun of them.Outstanding book!

I like this story because a Alan has to help this girl Naomi come out of her shell. In the process Alan finds out her father was beaten to death by the Nazis because he he made maps that lead Jews to freedom. This story tells about the true terrors of the holocaust. And how americans helped the Jews. I recomend this book because it is sad, exciting, and scary. Plus it is a very short book.

This is the first book by Harlan Coben I've read (it was the only one of his on the library shelf). All in all, most enjoyable! The wry humor is right on key; the characters are wonderfully drawn and empathetic; the wisdom sparse, but good old down-to-earth common sense; a fast read with great dialogue.

Mr. Coben incorporates amazing humanity into his characters -- even the 'bad guys.' As Myron learns about right and wrong, rarely is the delineation between the good guys and bad guys without a little fuzziness. They're all people doing the best they can given their particular circumstances. In the end, even Myron himself wonders if he's no longer one of the 'good guys.'

So why only 4.5 stars? The ending was a let-down. Also, there are references to past events that don't make much sense. Certainly, I don't expect the whole story. But often, just one more sentence would've satisfied me. Eh, minor complaint.

Will I read the rest of the Myron Bolitar series? You betcha!

Harlan Coben is the most gifted mystery writer to enter the literary world in quite some time. In this sixth book of the Myron Bolitar series, Coben is, again, nothing less than sensational.

Bolitar, owner of MB SportsReps, has taken a vacation in the Carribbean, without telling anyone. While relaxing on the tropical beach for three weeks, his company goes to pieces, and his partner, Esperanza, is arrested for the murder of Myron's first ever client, major league relief pitcher, Clu Haid.

Myron is rushed back into the limelight, as a potential suspect as well as an accessory. He is forced to scramble to keep his agency afloat, clear his best friend's name, and deal with his competition, which is run by the mafia. To make matters worse, Esperanza wants him to back off, something that Myron just can't do.

All of the loveable characters are back, and fans of Big Cindi will really get to know her a lot better in this novel. A few new interesting characters are introduced as Myron travels through New York's sexual underground for answers.

There are so many wicked plot twists, the book becomes a wild page-turner instantly. Coben's gifted writing talents shine through remarkably, and the character dialogue is perfectly snappy. The storyline is impressively complete and well-defined. This is simply another super effort by Coben, and one entertaining read.

Harlan Coben did it again! This is a great book in a great series.

Myron returns from an extended disappearance to find Esperanza in big trouble. With the help of Big Cindy and Win, Myron is determined to help, even though Esperanza and her attorney are just as determined that he will not even try to help.

The story continues with more twists, turns, humorous, and serious situations.

I highly recommend reading all of the books in this series. The writing is excellent, the story lines absorbing, and the best is the relationships among the characters. Coben writes as if the characters could jump out of the book and carry on a conversation with you.

There is a lot of good information in this book, but there is also a lot missing as well as some misleading information. I'd recommend this book to someone that was planning on building or remodeling with the caveat that they also read from other sources or better consult with established professionals in each and every trade on the project.

The strong points of this book include good discussion of doorway layouts, spacing in kitchen and baths, things to look out for that could be problems and good questions to ask or things to consider when planning. Pointing out problems and potential problems that a homeowner may face in the future makes this book worth the money, after all, if after reading this book an owner solves or prevents just one simple mistake, the book has paid for itself many times over.

The weak points of this book are why I suggest reading elsewhere or consulting with professionals. I am an electrician by trade so I read the chapter on electrical first. It wasn't that any of the information was really bad or mistaken, but simply that I felt it didn't mention a lot of things that could and should be brought up when planning.

The author makes a point (several times) about having three conductor wire run to any potential ceiling fan location. While this isn't bad advice, it's incomplete. Many of the top of the line fans use remote control switching and don't require an extra wire. The best fans I have installed use a remote that is battery operated and the ceiling fan itself is wired to a two conductor wire that isn't even switched. If an owner picked up one of this fans they would now have a switch on the wall that did nothing or worse a switch that if turned off would cancel out the auto temperature function of the remote.

While pointing out the importance of having an extra outlet outside for things like Christmas lights, he fails to mention the nice addition of eve high outlets wired to a timer.

There are many reasons to consider timer switches, especially for outside wall and path lights. The best is a 7 day 24 hour electronic timer that fits in the space of a regular switch. These can be programed to go off at various times through out the night, a nice feature when on vacation or simply for added security.

The use of lighting controls, dimmers, timers, etc. is barely touched on or not discussed at all. While these systems can run into the tens of thousands of dollars, all but very meager budgets such at least consider the options available because for some applications the extra money can be justified.

The use of dimming xenon lighting for undercabinet use instead of fluorescent is not discussed. I believe it is a much better option.

I also noticed some problems in other trades. The use of insta hot water heaters is mentioned as a good way to save energy in the kitchen because the hot water doesn't have to travel to get there. I am not sure what the author was basing this information on, but it isn't correct. First off he implies that an insta hot can supply water at the sink but he doesn't mention that there are two kinds of systems. One is the insta hot that keeps about a gallon of near boiling water for use in making coffee, tea and instant soups and oatmeal. While this is great for people on the go or someone that doesn't want an elderly member of the family turning on the tea kettle and perhaps forgetting it; it is not an energy saving device. The second kind of insta hot is a small unit that doesn't store any water, it just heats up the water as it passes through the unit. It is really only designed for one purpose only hand washing. In the discussion on supplying extra or insta hot water for bathrooms, the author mentions that planning for the space and supplying electrical or gas are the considerations. But what about venting the unit if it is gas? This is a big consideration and would make adding a second unit not very cost effective. The best solution would simply be to add a circ pump and if necessary increase the size of the water heater. The way the information is laid out in the book would probably just confuse the non-professional.

The biggest problem I had in my reading of this book was when I read the author describe linoleum as the floor of choice in the kitchen. I nearly quit reading right there and then and threw the book in the trash. To his credit he does mention that in certain parts of the country tile is the way to go and if you live in those parts it's ok to go with tile. I happen to live in Southern California where linoleum is the flooring used in apartments and condos and cheap o tract homes. I can't believe anyone would recommend linoleum over tile. Tile stands up for years and if one breaks, which is unlikely, it can be replaced with another tile. If linoleum rips, which it's easy to do when moving appliances around, it is not as easy to fix as replacing a tile and regrouting, it will have to have a seam and seams tend to come apart after time. Plus linoleum over the years tends to get dull with wear while tile can be cleaned and resealed, linoleum is a print on paper and once it wears out or is ripped or scratched it can't be taken back to it's pristine state. While I personally hate the current trend in fake wood floors (laminates) because I think they look fake, I think a compelling argument could be made to use them over linoleum. The author of this book obviously doesn't mind linoleum, which is fine, but he fails to make a case for the other options as well as he could have and should have so that the reader could make informed choices.

Finally I would like to say that despite my misgivings and the problems I found, I'd like to reiterate that anyone going into building or buying a new home wouldn't be hurt by reading this book and even a simple suggestion or solution to a problem would pay for the cost of the book, but don't stop with just this book. It leaves too much out.

Not only was this book easy to ready, but it was extremely informative. I bought several books after my husband and I decided to build a new home and this was the best. Whether you're doing your own contracting or hiring one, this book explains, in detail, what makes a good home and what is sloppy or poorly designed construction. It makes you think of things you might not have -- such as leaving enough clearance when building cabinets so you can walk around the open diswasher, or checking to make sure the interior doors all swing the right way so they don't open into each other. It talks about insulation, cabinets, heating and air vents, placement and number of electrical outlets you should have, etc. Truly, a wonderful book. I followed almost every suggestion that applied to our construction.

Based on other reviews I chose this as my 1st official book to research building a custom home. Until reading this I never realized how much planning is actually involved in the process. Let's say I was under the illusion that an architect/designer would know what I mean by "fantastic home". This book has provided me with a more knowledgeable perception in an organized and easy to understand style. This book won't answer ALL your questions but will give you an idea of what to look for elsewhere. As I begin to purchase other books - Build It Right! -will remain a guide for creating a more functional yet attractive layout for my home. The sections I found to be the most informative are related to kitchen exhaust systems and finding a suitable lot. And I personally would've appreciated more pictures.

Some of the past reviewers went to take an aspirin and swallowed the whole bottle. Myra was but an amusing story that posed the deep question of what part one's sexuality plays in defining one's ultimate identity. If a guy should discover half way through life that he wanted to be a she-read this book before whacking it off. The amputation solved nothing for Myron. Myra had hoped she'd evolve into a new, superior species but discovered that a lovely woman's body didn't erase her loneliness. Myra did claim a temporary uniqueness but Vidal's heavy handed ending decapitated that idea.

The sequel Myron was a totally different cup of tea. Since by then there were no characters the reader could identify or sympathize with, a comic book quality emerged which did very little beyond illustrating the amusing war of the sexes. You needn't be a sadist to enjoy this book but it wouldn't hurt. I suppose some of Neal Gabler's (LIFE THE MOVIE) questions regarding psuedo reality and life imitating art were also illustrated here-but don't expect any clarification.

Vidal's Myra Breckinridge is one of the most insightful books I have come across in all of my extensive reading. Through outrageous humor and wit, Gore Vidal communicates powerful messages about sexuality, psychology, and the human condition. The reader follows Myra Breckinridge from her arrogant and obnoxious narcissism to a complete transformation which has such an impact, I don't dare try to describe it. This book is wonderfully one-dimensional on the surface, but a bit of thought reveals it's depth and perceptiveness; so cleverly hidden it seems to jump out and bite in a few incredible sentences! I am recommending this book for anyone who is questioning traditional and orthodox views of the world, or their own sexuality.

This book is hysterical and Myra is the greatest "woman" who ever lived! Every woman should have her style and confidence! Vidal's simplistic but stylish writing is so easy to read that the words just flow off the page. I recommend it to everyone I know (except my poor, misguided, conservative friends)! Myron is excellent too-- and it's a must read if you liked Myra. It's very different in tone, but still incredibly funny and engrossing!

Darkest Fear continues the long line of exciting mysteries from Harlan Coben. You can't want much more than Darkest Fear provides its readers -- great characters (featuring Myron Bolitar, Win, et al), strong dialogue (combining the right balance of humor and emotion), lots of action anf plenty of plot twists. You definitely won't want to stop reading this once you start! The only reason I didn't rate it a "5" is that it has SO MANY plot twists I, at times, felt I needed a score card to keep track of all the events that occur. This, though, really isn't a problem. Actually, I would have rated Darkest Fear "4 1/2" stars if I could have. Enjoy this book because it will be the last one in the series for a while.

Fans of this outstanding series may be a little surprised at how different this novel is from its predecessors. Harlan Coben has given us some of the best characters in modern suspense fiction: sports agent Myron Bolitar, a very human, fallible, and sensitive creature; the cold, calculating but extremely loyal (to Myron and Esperanza) sidekick who doesn't mind breaking a few legs to send a message; Esperanza and Big Cyndi, the ladies who are there to support Myron; and of course, Myron's parents, who are a refreshing addition to this genre.

In this novel, what is different is that it is the most "cerebral" of Coben's books; there's not a whole lot of action or fisticuffs or violence in this one. The story is unique and heartwrenching. Myron finds out he is a father, finds out that his own father had a massive heart attack, and has to deal with his nemesis Greg Downing and his wife. Their secrets from the past rise like a phoenix in this novel, threatening to destroy everyone, including Myron's son, who is a product of his affair with Emily on the night before her wedding to Greg. I don't want to rehash the plot; you can get that in the overall review.

What is so refreshing about Coben is his ability to stage not only remarkable action and suspense scenes, but such dynamic interpersonal scenes as well. This novel has several: Myron trying to talk to his dad about his heart attack--their awkwardness in what appears to be a shifting of roles; Myron and Greg have a short but powerful scene where Greg tries to apologize for what he did to Myron, and Myron's reaction to that apology; Myron's meeting with his son, Jeremy, and how he tries to tell him the truth; there are many, many of this types of scenes in this book.

My only "complaint" is that I don't know whether the identity of the real murderer is revealed or not; it's a labyrinthine story, and by the time it's over, you don't know who did what to who. This could be a ploy of Coben's to follow-up in a sequel, or maybe he wants everyone to make their own decision. I also find the character of Therese Collins, Myron's new love interest, to be tedious and boring; we know very little about her, which I'm sure Harlen plans on addressing in future Bolitar novels.

But, hey, what a great book in an excellent series. We'll miss Myron for a couple of years, but this reviewer would probably read anything Mr. Coben writes---he's that good!

DARKEST FEAR by Harlan Coben is not only the newest "Myron Bolitar" novel, but also the first in the series that I've read. I got hooked on Mr. Coben's writing when I read his newest hardcover, TELL NO ONE, which knocked me right out of my little white bobby socks. It was so good that I decided to go back and read his previous novels, all of which center around ex-basketball player, now sports agent and sometimes private detective, Myron Bolitar. Since I tend to start backwards when beginning a new series, I naturally picked DARKEST FEAR to read first. So, go figure. Anyway, in this novel Myron discovers that he's a father. It seems that on the night before his ex-girlfriend, Emily Browning, was to marry his college basketball rival, he and she did the two-bear mambo (uh, sorry, Joe!), and the son she produced was a product of his genes, rather than that of her new husband's. Though a little shocked and surprised, Myron finds that he can deal with it. The problem, however, is that Emily's son, Jeremy, is slowly dying from a disease called Fanconi anemia and desperately needs a bone marrow transplant to live. A donor, who was a perfect match for the transplant was found, but then suddenly disappeared. Emily wants Myron to track down the missing donor. Enlisting the aid of his closest buddy, Windsor Horne Lockwood ("Win" for short), plus long-time friends Esperanza Diaz, Big Cyndi, and Zorra, Myron begins the hunt for the man who could save his son's life. What should be a relative breeze in the park for this gang of amateur sleuths turns into something deadly serious when the "Sow the Seeds" serial killer comes out of hiding to warn Myron off. Exactly what a serial killer has to do with a bone marrow donor is a question Myron intends on answering. If that isn't enough, he's also being stonewalled by the Lex family (billionaires who guard their privacy with extreme measures) and warned to desist in his attempt to locate a missing family member. Myron certainly has his work cut out for him, but with Jeremy's life hanging in the balance, he's not about to let anybody get in his way or prevent him from finding the donor. He'll do whatever it takes to save his son. I have to admit that DARKEST FEAR really surprised me. I wasn't the least bit sure that I'd enjoy it. Instead, I found myself hooked in the first chapter or two, curious as to where the story was leading, enjoying the character of Myron Bolitar, along with his wild bunch of cohorts. Mr. Coben kept me guessing right up till the end with his meandering twists and turns-first going in one direction, then switching gears and heading in an entirely different direction. I have to say that the character of Win came pretty close to stealing the show. He's definitely someone I want to find out more about. Maybe it has to do with his martial arts ability, or possibly his inability to take anything seriously. Whatever it is, I'm drawn to this rather unusual character. I'm also happy to say that sports has very little to do with the story. If your lack of interest in sports has been the only thing holding you back from reading a "Myron Bolitar" novel, then forget about it and pick up this book or one of the others in the series. The writing is excellent, the plot holds you in its vice-like grip till the last page, and the characters are some of the most unusual ones that I've ever encountered in the "mystery" genre. I'm already trying to decide whether to read THE FINAL DETAIL or ONE FALSE MOVE next.

This is not just a how-to book. Or strategy book. But a complete description of what you are dealing with book. This has all the technical descriptions and examples. This book also has, " Did you know this", gray boxes. For example:" Bet you didn't know. More certificates of deposit mature in April and October any other time of year."

First of all i recomend that you read the Complete idiot's guide to investing like a pro before progessing to this book. You could get by without it since some material is very similar. The only part of this book that is diffucult to understand is the section on options and futures, but this is the best attempt to explain that very difficult investment play. I am writing this on 7/23/2002 when the market is doing horrible, but since reading the book, even though like most investors i am losing some money i am beating the market averages.

This book was fantastic! It was simple reading on a very confusing subject. This book combined very informative straight talk with just the right amount of humor. It held my attention. I can now watch financial review shows on TV and know what they are talking about.