Book Description
Solving a murder mystery is much more than the BHN bargained for!
What could Ginger the baby boomer, Kindra the college student, Suzanne the pregnant mother of three, and Mary Margret the silver-haired real-estate agent possibly have in common? Who would’ve guessed…a passion for garage sales!
This motley crew forms the Bargain Hunters Network–bonding while clipping coupons, attending half-price sales, and scouting clearance racks in their hometown of Three Horses, Montana. But when one of the four turns up missing, these shop-till-you-drop women must set their bargain hunting aside to take up an entirely new venture altogether–solving a crime.
As the three amateur sleuths retrace their friend’s fateful steps, they discover clues that lead them to suspect her murder is linked to an unusual garage sale purchase made on the morning of her death. But when their search unearths a disturbing secret that’s been carefully concealed for over twenty years, the women are drawn into a dark underworld filled with bribery, greed, and deception. With determined criminals who will stop at nothing to keep their secret safe, will these fiscally conscious females end up paying the ultimate price?
Customer Reviews:
Garage Sales Can Be Dangerous.......2007-09-27
Death of a Garage Sale Newbie
By; Sharon Dunn
Who would think a passion for garage sale bargains could be dangerous? In Death of a Garage Sale Newbie, Sharon Dunn gives yard sales and clearance shopping an entirely new perspective.
Ginger, Kindra, Suzanne and Mary Margret make up the eclectic group of shoppers called the Bargain Hunters Network. But when Mary Margret disappears after a solo shopping trip, Ginger is left with a confusing cell answering machine message. After Mary Margret's body is discovered and the police close the case as an accident, the Network takes it into their own hands to solve the mystery. Each new clue points towards an twenty-year old secret in their quaint community and a coverup that included murder. Follow the humorous and tragic escapades of these three women determined to solve their friend's murder and find the best bargains. Along the journey they also learn a bit about themselves and the bold faith God calls them to.
You will laugh, cry and be sure you know the solution only to find yourself befuddled on the next page. And as you close the book on the mystery and the story you will want to befriend these women yourself. Sharon Dunn did an excellent job crafting a mystery in the most unlikely of places. Readers will enjoy this excursion from the opening page and will eagerly await the next mystery.
Chandra Lynn Smith
Fun Read.......2007-07-17
A good book to read at the beach or pool. I enjoyed the book and the idea was new and creative. Will read more books in the series. The pace of the book was good, I didn't want to put it down, wanted to keep reading and reading to find out who-done-it! See my blog for giveaway [...].
Could have been good.......2007-07-14
I have recently discovered garage sale shopping and love cosies so I thought what's better than a combination of the two?? I knew from reviews that there was a "Christian" element to the story and I thoroughly enjoyed the first few chapters with all the references to prayer, good christian church-going people etc etc (a little sanctimonious but OK).
I even coped with the bizarre change of tack when, from the wife saying she had been followed and attacked on her way home, the husband points out she doesn't support his inventions (what!!!).
What I didn't like was snide little elements like a description of a policewoman as built "like one of those big German women who threw the shot put at the Olympics" but who "had a pretty face" though.
Yuck! Not very "Christian" either.
Oh well, I should get 20 cents at a garage sale for "Death of a garage sale newbie".
Death be not Funny.......2007-06-18
I loved the characters in this story. It's hard when someone dies in real life--we cry, we mourn, we say things we don't mean. Sharon Dunn truly handles this well in her book. These women--Ginger, Kindra, and Suzanne--lost a friend. Worse, she died in a violent manner. There's nothing funny about that. Yet life goes on. People move on, remembering their friends; sometimes with tears, sometimes with laughter.
Sharon Dunn wisely allows Ginger to grieve, even as she investigates to discover the truth about Mary Margret's death. That, to me, is the kind of detail that adds enough realism to make the story plausible. To allow that "suspension of disbelief" we all face inside a novel, that invites us to enter the world of the story, live in it for awhile, and finish it knowing it was a good journey through its pages.
Bargains and Murder.......2007-06-12
Sharon Dunn, author of the Ruby Taylor mystery series, is back and frankly better than ever. The Ruby Taylor series had a sassy, first person voice that was enjoyable, but I LOVED Death of a Garage Sale Newbie. I honestly wasn't sure when I started the book, because what could someone find at a garage sale that would be worth killing over. Little did I know...
The characters were real and fresh. By the end of the book I truly cared about them, and I cannot wait to read the sequel and spend more time with them. The plot kept me engaged. And I was challenged by the spiritual lesson that Ginger had to learn - frugality can become a prison when it prevents us from accepting the good gifts that God has for us.
And the plot had enough layers to keep me intrigued and thinking about the book in between reading it. Pick up this book for a clean mystery, and you'll enjoy it.
Book Description
A riveting behind-the-scenes look at the world of three-star French haute cuisine as revealed through the biography of one of France's most celebrated chefs, The Perfectionist is an unforgettable portrait of Bernard Loiseau, and the sophisticated, unforgiving world of French gastronomy. Loiseau was one of only twenty-five French chefs to hold Europe's highest culinary award, three stars in the Michelin Red Guide, and only the second chef to be personally awarded the Legion of Honor by a head of state. Despite such triumphs, he shocked the culinary world by taking his own life in February, 2003. One of the ratings for his restaurant had taken a disappointing drop, and rumors swirled that he was on the verge of losing a Michelin star (a prediction that proved to be inaccurate). Recounting his ascension to wealth and fame, Chelminski unravels the complex character of Loiseau while giving a fascinating, unvarnished glimpse inside an echelon filled with competition, culture wars, and impossibly high standards. BACKCOVER: “Loiseau seems likely to become a mordant icon of the eternal war between critics and cooks…[Chelminski] has a moving story to tell, with universal implications: the downfall of the artist through perfectionism and paranoia.”
—Adam Gopnick, The New Yorker
“The Perfectionist tells, in rich detail, the story of Bernard Loiseau's rapid rise and desperate efforts to stay on top, but this cautionary tale is also a deeply informed guide to the last half century of French cuisine…”
—William Grimes, The New York Times
“One of the finest and most incisive portraits of a chef ever written—and a sobering account of the real human costs of being the best. A book as strong on "who" cooks as "what" is cooking. Absolutely fascinating."
—Anthony Bourdain, author of the New York Times bestseller Kitchen Confidential
“A revealing look at the rise and fall of French chef Bernard Loiseau…”
—People Magazine's “Great Reads”
“The Perfectionist is a good book: knowledgeable, revealing, and informative. It brings back to life in very believable ways a man who much of the time was, as the cliché goes, larger than life.”
—Johnathan Yardley, The Washington Post
“…rich and finely detailed…if you're at all curious about what makes our always maddening yet intriguing allies tick, then tuck into The Perfectionist...”
—USA Today
“The Perfectionist examines Loiseau's suicide in the context of French culinary history, delving deep into the mad passion that seems to drive many master chefs… Mouthwatering descriptions abound…the behind-the-scenes look at the kitchens of some of France's finest restaurants is fascinating…”
—The Boston Globe
“…The Perfectionist effectively reveals the pressure-cooker atmosphere among a culinary elite dominated by intense rivalries, fickle reviewers, and hypercritical chefs for whom there is no such thing as second best.”
—Entertainment Weekly
“Rudolph Chelminski is an excellent and absorbing writer who obviously understands the inner workings of the culinary world, as well as how chefs think. His empathy for the industry as a whole - and for Bernard Loiseau in particular - makes The Perfectionist a fascinating read.”
—Daniel Boulud, Chef/Owner DANIEL, author of Letters to a Young Chef and Daniel Boulud's Café Boulud Cookbook
Customer Reviews:
The rise and fall of a celebrity chef........2007-07-05
The career of French chef Bernard Loiseau (1951-2003) illustrates Seneca's statement there is no great genius without a touch of madness. On February 24, 2003, Loiseau committed suicide when his celebrated restaurant, Côte d'Or, was falsely rumoured to be in danger of losing its three-star Michelin rating. To Loiseau, taking his life was a question of honor. Parisian journalist, Rudolph Chelminski, follows Loiseau's rise to celebrity chef status in The Perfectionist: Life and Death in Haute Cuisine, from Loiseau's apprenticeship as a teenager at the famous Roanne restaurant, Troisgros, between 1968 and 1971, to working for Claude Verger at La Barrière de Clichy in 1972, to again working Verger as a chef at the Côte d'Or in Saulieu, Burgundy, in 1975, where he developed a highly personal style of nouvelle cuisine. In 1982, Verger sold La Côte d'Or to Loiseau, and in 1991 the Michelin Guide awarded its coveted 3-star rating to the restaurant. The French government then awarded Loiseau with the title of Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, Officier de l'ordre national du Mérite and Chevalier du Mérite agricole. Chelminski also chronicles Loiseau's slow descent into madness and self-doubt, resulting in his suicide, at a time when he was happily married and at the top of his profession. For Loiseau, cooking was always more than a career. It was his passion.
Chelminski writes from a unique perspective in that he was personally acquainted with his larger-than-life subject for nearly three decades. He first met Loiseau in 1974, when the chef was 23 and already winning recognition with his culinary talents. Chelminski's fascinating book not only succeeds at revealing Loiseau as a charismatic, extroverted, workaholic-media-darling with manic tendencies, obsessed with winning three Michelin stars, but also at illuminating just how influential the Michelin Guide's rating system is on European restaurants. This book will appeal to francophiles, foodies, and restaurant critics alike.
G. Merritt
Fascinating look at at the personal cost of Guide Michellan 'star' system in the life of one French 'Star' chef of Haute Cusine.......2007-05-14
Even if you are not a culinary professional, 'Francophile' or 'world traveler' this combination of biography, food and fame, will keep you turning the pages. Written by a man deeply familiar with both Chef Bernard L. and the inside workings of France's culinary inner circle, it reads almost like a detective story (see The Making of a Chef) A cautionary tale for 'obsessive-compulsives' everywhere and foodies of all ranks, this is the book for you. Professional foodies will love it.
You don't have to be a chef to enjoy this book.......2006-12-14
I enjoyed this book very much. A person does not have to be a professional chef to enjoy this book. There are many French terms in this book, so beware; however, in context, a reader can figure out what the words mean (eg: I only had 2 yrs of French in High School and I was able to figure out most of the French terms,in context. Also, the footnotes explain most of the French cooking terms).
Anyhow, THE PERFECTIONIST is a book about the rise and fall of a famous French Chef. Before he died, he was one of the most well-known French Chefs of the times. He was fascinating! The Chef was in love with cooking, but he was also in love with "making it to the top---quickly". His mental anguish (or mental disease) caused the Chef's fall and the author takes the reader ,step by step, through the ups and downs of this great Chef. A sad story in the end, but a wonderful read because it explains how truly competitive the world of cooking (or Haute Cuisine)is....especially in the world of the great Chefs of France.
Before I bought this book , I never knew how the Michelin-Star system works, but now I know........ Fascinating!
bi-polar chef.......2006-05-30
This book is worth reading if you have an interest in the culinary arts even though the author doesnt put any life into his portrait of the characters and we are left wondering why anyone did what they did. The book is a recitation of facts...nothing like Jacques Pepin's autobiography which is similar in its stove-slave beginnings. Neither chef went to culinary school. But Jacques got out of France. In France, the only way to succeed big-time is through the Guide Michelin's demands. That led Chef Bernard Loiseau to go into fantastic debt and neglect his personal life. We really don't get a feel for our hero's personal life. Chelminski doesnt like either of Bernard's wives and maybe Bernard didnt either. Maybe he was gay and couldnt come out of the closet due to Guide Michelin. Who knows? The author thinks Bernard killed himself at 53 because he was a manic depressive and didnt take enough drugs. An interesting fact Chelminsky reveals is the large number of important chefs who die of heart attacks or strokes in their 40's and 50's. The description of the changes in French cuisine was interesting. However, he doesnt say how prevalent the olde style still is and how much these meals cost. Im surprised the insurance paid off all Bernard's debts when he committed suicide. Did he have a suicide clause?
This is an important book for any artist/professional.......2006-05-15
I picked up this book after learning of the untimely passing of Bernard Loiseau. I previously read "Burgundy Stars" while I was in culinary school and considered that book to be an inspiration. I recommend reading "Burgundy Stars" before tackling this book to get a perspective of Mr. Loiseau during his rise to three stars that is not communicated in "The Perfectionist". The two work in tandem well.
Of course, the suicide of Mr. Loiseau hangs over every passage of this book, so there is a heavy feel to the text from start to finish. With the outcome known, the writer and reader are never able to relax and lightly appreciate the rise of this remarkable man. At every point both the writer and reader are looking for signs of what would lead to the demise of both the man and his image. This is one of my problems with the book. There are few if any light moments to temper the emotion of the death that we all know is on the horizon.
While the tone of the book may be dark, the story is amazing. I feel that anyone who works at high levels or overachieves can take something away from this book. Mr. Loiseau's mental problems are only one component of his personality. "The secret of success is consistency of purpose." No one ever embodied this quote more that Bernard Loiseau. Don't focus on his mental illness, focus on his passion for prefection.
Another problem that I have with the book was that the author integrated himself into the text nicely with personal accounts of his relationship with the great chef, but I wanted more of this. I think that more personal reflections by the author would have endeared me to the story a bit more, but this is just a minor criticism.
Overall, I highly recommend this book. I would give it 4.5 out of 5 if possible. If you are a chef, then this is a must-read. Remember, try to read "Burgundy Stars" first, it will make your experience with "The Perfectionist" complete.
Book Description
Two apparently accidental deaths at the Marconi telegraph station. The drowning of a local girl. Two cases that involve Charles, Lord Sheridan, and his wife, Kate, in foreign espionage, malicious intrigue, and inexplicable messages sent out of the blue.
Customer Reviews:
Good for a last book in the series!.......2007-09-14
I have been enjoying the turn-of-the-century series written by the husband and wife team of Bill and Susan Albert. I am actually sorry to see the end of this series. It was always a nice blend of fictional and historical characters, and the mysteries were always fun to figure out. Also, the time that the series is set in is when there were so many technological changes (the motor car, wireless transmitting, photography, etc) It's always informative to see how these things started and the author team always did their research. In this book we meet Marconi and are in at the ground floor of wireless transmissions. We are also in the very beginnings that set up for World War I. English people were just beginning to question what was actually going on in Germany with the Kaiser at the helm. This book also gives us a wonderful picture of the beautiful Cornwall scenery. I highly recommend this series for those who love historical mysteries. Start at Book 1 and read and enjoy right up to Book 12.
a victorian mystery.......2007-08-23
i really injoyed robin paige victorian mystery death on the lizard.i have really gotten into her characters because i have read alot of her books.i think i really know the characters in her books.charles and lady sheridan.after a while you try to put yourself in their place back in the victorian age. phyllis childres
A mystery featuring Marconi and his wireless.......2006-09-20
Death on the Lizard: An Edwardian Mystery
Robin Paige
The Lizard, a peninsula in the extreme south west of England, was the site chosen by Marconi to send the first transatlantic wireless signal early in the twentieth century. The husband and wife writing team who go under the pseudonym Robin Paige have made this the event and location for another of their British historical mysteries.
The team of Kate and Charles Sheridan are involved in investigating a couple of sudden and unexplained deaths that threaten Marconi's work. It is this focus on the very early days of wireless transmissions that lifts the book out of the ordinary. Marconi's pioneering work is well known. Less well known are the other companies and individuals who were striving to implement other similar systems, or to retain the older system of communicating via transatlantic cable. Their machinations, and the research done to uncover them, add a great deal to the book.
The plot is satisfying in its complexity and the characters are vivid. This is basically a masculine tale, but there is a large enough role for Kate and her friends - light relief, really, from the main action - that the reader does not feel overwhelmed with scientific detail. As always the pacing is excellent, the conflict mounts to an interesting series of climaxes and the stakes are naturally very high.
What spoiled the book, for me, was the accent on Lord and Lady This and Lord and Lady That. They say the English are class conscious but this pair of Texans seem more class conscious than any English person I ever met. They even throw in an upcoming visit from royalty in case all the lords and ladies mentioned were not enough. Maybe it was an attempt at satire. I also got rather tired of the glowing description of Cornwall. Yes, it's a beautiful part of the world, but azure/ceruleanskies get a bit much chapter after chapter.
I'm a big fan of Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles mysteries set in Texas. The Albert's live in Texas and have a feeling for it. It comes across in a strong and genuine fashion. I find their portrayal of England is disappointingly shallow.
#12.......2006-03-29
Kate & Charles Sheridan are back in their 12th novel, set in Cornwall in 1903. The well-known person featured in this story is Edward Marconi, who is working on his new technology, the telegraph. Charles is asked to investigate some strange happenings with Marconi's company, while Kate (separately) was asked to help a friend in the same area who is grieving for her daughter's recent death. While Kate is ferreting out the mysterious goings-on with the child's death, Charles is knee-deep in bodies and clues. The two are kept busy, but manage to solve the cases but not without some danger to themselves. Not my favorite of their (Bill & Susan Wittig Albert) stories, but another good read.
fantastic historical mystery.......2006-02-08
Two years earlier, though the competition is fierce, the Marconi Wireless Telegraphy Company successfully sent the first wireless message across the Atlantic from their Bass Point Station in Lizard Village, Cornwall. However, by 1903 much of the initial euphoria has worn off as sabotage slows down progress. More frightening, a fisherman finds the battered body of Jack Gordon who the officials declared fell off the nearby cliff to his accidental death. When a second accident leaves another employee dead, the company and the locals conjecture whether a rival is warning off the workforce; no one believes an accident occurred as two tragedies so close together seem too coincidental especially since more damaging disruption including the stealing of a key valuable piece of equipment has occurred at the wireless station.
While Lady Kate Sheridan visits her grieving friend Lady Jenna Loveday, whose daughter Harriet recently drowned, local authorities ask her husband Charles, a successful amateur sleuth, to investigate the two "accidental" deaths that they now believe are homicides. He soon connects Harriet's drowning, the deaths of the employees of the wireless company to the industrial espionage and sabotage, but that knowledge places Charles and Kate in danger from a person willing to kill to take control of the growing international communications business.
DEATH ON THE LIZARD is a fantastic historical mystery, which in spite of a wonderful who-done-it investigation, the early twentieth century communication technology takes front and center as readers cannot help but to compare it with cell phones and internet instant chat lines, etc. The story line is action-packed, but also provides a deep historical look at Cornwall and at the beginnings of the technology revolution. The key cast members, not just the sleuthing marital team, are fully developed as Team Paige is at their best with this insightful look at the late Victorian Age.
Harriet Klausner
Customer Reviews:
FIVE STARS FOR ANTHONY SUMMERS!.......2006-12-28
WOW! As an avid reader of Marilyn Monroe books I have finally stumbled across the most in-depth and personal account of this truly unique woman. I finished this book in 3 days! It's an absolute page turner and you are sure to discover many things that will shock you. By the end of the book I was emotionally attached to Marilyn. The very last chapters will leave you in desperate longing to help Marilyn, yet in utter frustration with her and everyone in her life. Why such a tragic ending for an immaculate screen goddess? The real tragedy is that she never realized the consequences of her actions. Her lifestyle- non-stop drugs & sexual promiscuity- destroyed any ounce of hope & future that was awaiting her. This book teaches many lessons and unfortunately, the most beautiful woman in the world lost her life in the process. Then there's the question of her death being a murder. - I hope that one day the truth comes out so that dignity and respect can finally be given to woman who was stripped of everything during her lifetime, but her soul. *A Hollywood drama till the very end.*
RIP NJ
Pulitzer for Research!.......2005-09-24
I bought this book after reading the 2005 LA Times story of the police medical examiner who believes Monroe did not kill herself. He believes she was administered a morphine overdose by suppository. Also, the psychiatrist who was very close to Monroe at her death and was criticized for this closeness believed the same theory. In the LA Times article, this book was mentioned as a definitive journal of her life and death. Also, it alluded that the psychiatrist's statements were shared with this author and in this book. Therefore, on that recommendation that this was the definitive Marilyn Monroe book, I felt a need to understand and investigate her life and death.
I was not disappointed. I remain absolutely amazed at the completeness of the research involved in this book. Be forewarned this is not a short read. But it is well worthwhile. He completely documents disagreements in sources and presents clearly his beliefs based upon the research. An important fact from early and mid-life that I had never seen emphasized was exactly how few movies she made at the end of her life, something like only 5 in the last 10 years. In my 52 year lifetime, Marilyn clearly had the most unique combination of sex and innocence that drew people in. It's difficult to describe her appeal. Probably closest would be Pamela Anderson who unfortunately feels the need to wear massive make-up hiding the very attractive wholesome girl she was when initially discovered. Much like Marilyn.
But where this book is at its best is describing the DiMaggio/Miller marriages, the many close friendships late in her life and what they expose about her potential suicide, the Kennedy relationships and ultimately her death. These story lines are so engrossing that it is difficult to put the book away for the night but the book is such a time commitment that it's not the type to be read in a few hours.
I cannot stress how detailed is the research on the last three years of her life including Sinatra, Lawford and the Kennedys. Based upon all the exhaustive research, I still believe this was a suicide. She had tried too many times before and sadly, was totally addicted to narcotics. What is more interesting is her relationship with the Kennedy's. But would they really have been involved in foul play when at that time the press ignored politician affairs? Marilyn's life is a great tragedy and this book does a fabulous job of summarizing. I strongly recommend this book if you have any interest in this icon. Be forewarned. This is not a quick weekend read but well worth the hours spent.
Possibly the most complete that it can get.......2003-03-26
There will never be "the definitive" Marilyn Monroe biography without the intimate contributions of husbands No. 2 and 3, Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller. Even if the fabled playwright shares publicly his life with filmdom's eternal goddess, DiMaggio never did and, obviously, never will. Still, this contribution by Anthony Summers, first published in 1984, may be as close as it gets. In his acknowledgements, Summers claims a near-obsession that consumed almost two years of his life. Little wonder: he claims and minutely credits and cites more than 600 subjects who were interviewed in the course of his research. About the only criticism that can be lodged is the book's title. Implying we're about to read nothing more than the sexual conquests of the world's most famous woman of her time, we instead get a thoroughly comprehensive life history that begins even before her birth June 1, 1926, and continues well beyond her death that swelteringly hot August night in 1962. In between, thanks to Summers' prose and sources whose claims were checked and rechecked for confirmation, we get something that few other writers have achieved, much less attempted: a psycho-biograhy that explains the reasons for the legendary insecurity that Norma Jean Baker could never quite overcome even as the world's most desired woman. Even in his passages about the amazing but all-too-short film career, Summers manages to keep us focused on Norma Jean and her reality behind the facade that was Marilyn. Of course, Summers has to deal with his subject's still conroversial death, and "The Candle Burns Down," the segment of the book that centers on Monroe's final days, is so detailed that Summers' own explanation for Marilyn's death sounds as plausible as any theory posited. No, he doesn't buy into the theory that she was murdered by the mob or Kennedy operatives, but that her death was an accidental overdose of Seconals. But Summers does submit that Monroe was cruelly exploited sexually and passed sexually from one Kennedy brother to the other, one the president and the other the attorney general, and that it was Robert Kennedy who found the overdosed star in her home and arranged for the ambulance to the hospital and, after her death en route, covered up his involvement with the help of brother-in-law Peter Lawford. Summers' exhaustively researched finished product distinguishes itself from most other Monroe books in that he doesn't exploit his subject's insecurity and private demons or sexual prowess. Instead, Monroe is treated here with dignity and respect and, in the end, we are left with the feeling that we have read Norma Jean's life history, not that of a creation named Marilyn. And it is on Norma Jean's fears that prevented her alter-ego from recognizing her own worth as both a person and actress that accounts for the legend that is Marilyn Monroe. Summers' book is an important contribution to the literature that seeks to explain and understand the fragile psyche of this truly and tragically wounded soul.
Great book.......2003-01-26
Great book : reliable, serious, honest. That brilliant journalist succeeds in giving us a correct image of the Marilyn's life.
However he shouldn't have shown a photograh of her dead : she has the right to be respected in death.
Arnaud Curgy, from France
For hardcore Marilyn fans.......2002-08-28
I read this book back in high school when it first came out in hardcover (I'm really dating myself here). Back then I was a Marilyn Monroe fanatic. Every book, movie, poster, magazine, or collectable I could find, I bought.
I must say that I'm still a huge Marilyn fan and have well over 50 books written about her. To this day, Goddess is still the best written, most profound, well meant, and indepth attempt of portraying her story. If you call yourself a Marilyn fan, then there is no question about it. You must read this book.
Witnesses, documents, and photos (including her heartbreaking autopsy photo) will add to the text and leave you breathless.
Customer Reviews:
Unflinching and real.......2007-08-26
One of the hardest things for an author is to capture the essence of youth. It is nearly impossible for an adult to treat adolescent feelings and relationships as they are, without judgment or comment. Buckhanon's book does so, and masterfully.
The book shows us the progression in the lives of Antonio and Natasha. We see them go from from lovestruck teens to adult strangers. Buckhanon has accurately portrayed the distance that grows between two people as they grow and mature in starkly different environments. We see Natasha moving on and going to college and law school. We see Antonio becoming hardened and resigned to his fate in prison. As they grow, the reader sees the changes as they both mature and have new experiences. At the end of the book, the reader feels sense of loss and regret in both Antonio and Natasha, at what could have been if circumstances were different.
The frank and unflinching narration give this book a movie like quality. The letters are heartfelt and breathless in the beginning. As time passes, they grow more infrequent and distant. The reader feels the undercurrent of love that remains from the first page to last. The descriptions of jail and college are what a twenty year old would write. This book thus retains a great deal of authenticity and lets the reader see how a couple of young black kids from New York will react to the many different situations life throws at them.
This is an excellent and fast read. I recommend it to all, except those folks who find profanity to be offensive.
This should be your next book club read.......2007-06-04
This book is dynamic in that it maintains it's innocence even within such harsh circumstances. The story is heartbreaking even when it's hopeless. And hopefull even as it breaks your heart. I really suggest sharing this book in your next book club meeting.
A Great Read.......2007-05-11
This book was definitely a great read. I could not put it down and finished it in a few hours. From start to finish I was hooked. Although I wish it would have ended differently, it was most definitely a page turner. I look forward to Ms. Buckhanons next novel.
stunning vocal performances.......2007-03-22
There are books on CD, and then there are audio performances. The two performers in Upstate, reading their characters' own letters to each other, lift us up and carry us through the arc of their moving relationship. Hip hop language comes through as a third character, as it changes with the times and with the maturity of the lovers over 10 years. I still hear their voices in my head. This is the best audio book performance I have ever listened to.
compelling bittersweet realistic fiction.......2007-03-01
This book is written in ghetto-speak, recounting the lives of Natasha and Antonio, high school sweethearts forced to communicate by mail when he is found guilty of manslaughter for the death of his father, and sent to prison. Both come from disadvantaged Harlem homes, with absent or abusive fathers, mothers overwhelmed by work, poverty, and single-parenting, and surrounded by a culture of aggressive non-achievement. In spite of this, both have good hearts, common sense, honesty and genuine love for each other. Through their letters they recount their pasts, describe their friends, regret their mistakes, develop their hopes and dreams, vent their angers and frustrations, admit their fears. Each benefits from a mentor, an unexpected ally, who fuels their ambition and hope, guides their efforts in a constructive direction, which (ironically) ends their romance but not their friendship. This is a compelling story, full of contradictions; it is sad and hopeful, honest and puzzling, disturbing and mundane, educational and vulgar, but above all, thought provoking.
Book Description
As the lead singer of the Doors, Jim Morrison's searing poetic vision and voracious appetite for sexual, spiritual, and psychedelic experience inflamed the spirit and psyche of a generation. Since his mysterious death in 1971, millions more fans from a new generation have embraced his legacy, as layers of myth have gathered to enshroud the life, career, and true character of the man who was James Douglas Morrison.
In Jim Morrison, critically acclaimed journalist Stephen Davis, author of Hammer of the Gods, unmasks Morrison's constructed personas of the Lizard King and Mr. Mojo Risin' to reveal a man of fierce intelligence whose own destructive tendencies both fueled his creative ambitions and brought about his downfall. Gathered from dozens of original interviews and investigations of Morrison's personal journals, Davis has assembled a vivid portrait of a misunderstood genius, tracing the arc of Morrison's life from his troubled youth to his international stardom, when his drug and alcohol binges, tumultuous sexual affairs, and fractious personal relationships reached a frenzied peak. For the first time, Davis is able to reconstruct Morrison's last days in Paris to solve one of the greatest mysteries in music history in a shocking final chapter.
Compelling and harrowing, intimate and revelatory, Jim Morrison is the definitive biography of the rock idol in snakeskin and leather who defined the 1960s.
Customer Reviews:
pretty good, but..........2007-09-10
I couldn;'t put this book down. I read it in two days, which is fast for me.
I got this book because I've realized that the doors are the reason why I'm interested in literature, philosophy, hallucinogens, music, Bukowski, etc.
I'm very unoriginal.
Just for the record, I liked Ollie Stone's The Doors when it came out, but hey, I was 20 years old then. Now I think the movie plain sucks, except for Val Kilmer's resurrecting performance.
Davis's book is good in parts, but for someone who studied history and philosophy in college, I'd like to see some footnotes. It has none, giving me the impression he took some liberties like Stone did. At least Stephen Davis tells you when he's speculating.
The newest thing for me in this book is that Morrison was bisexual. It kind of fits.
Well-written. I found myself reading it with a dictionary close at hand. DAavis's vocab is stellar.
A lot of what others said in their reviews is dead-on, not a lot of new info. The part about his death is total speculation. No way anyone can know of the things that Davis wrote.
Worth the money, however.
And for the reviewer who said the Doors were "less pychedelic" that person needs some acid bad. I've always thought the Doors were the most pyschedelic band ever. Morrison's lyrics are so trippy, even for me who has not done an hallucinogen in 10 years.
One thing that Davis did do for me is he kind of, without intending to do so, showed me that Morrison's death and the death of Kurt Cobain are awfully similar. they both had crazy, heroin addicted girlfriends, and murder or suicide could have been the cause.
'til the music's over....
A legend from the 1960's!!!.......2007-07-08
This is the best book I had read about Jim Morrison,is very interesting,it talks about his entire life,and the most sad his death,but anyways if you are a Jim Morrison fan,buy it; you will like it,it takes you inside the book like if you are there with the singer by his side,I own a mini collection about The Doors,and this is a good book to add to your collection if you don't have one,start with this book!!!
A Psychedelic Experiance Through The Eyes Of Jimmy.......2007-05-29
all my life i have been facinated with the life and death of jim morrison, reading this book has given me great detials about alot of situations in his life that could have influenced the way he acted. i defenetly suggest that you read this though with a warning, do not let this book influence your life. its a great read though quite thick, but once you get started you defenetly cant stop. Thanks guys
Tawdry Cut-and-Paste Cheap-o RIPOFF.......2006-10-31
Interior-the author's head-night
Uhh...I write rock bios for a living..I need to do another one,let's see--I think I'll write a Jim Morrison book next.Yeah,Jim Morrison-he's dead,he qualifys.
Forget doing research and interviews--ahh,maybe one or two to make it look legit..but I'll just get whatever Jim Morrison books have been written already,jot down some notes--sensationalize it by amping up any potential negative angles and presto! I've written a new book about Jim Morrison that everyone will want to read.Jesus,I'm so clever!!
(fade out)
Aside from two or three photos-this depressing book is about 90% rehashed MUST TO AVOID BS--DO NOT read it,borrow it or even THINK about it.It is unfair to Morrison's memory and puts one more nail in the coffin of the Doors' legacy,standing in line right behind Oliver Stone's disgraceful 1990 theatrical assasination-THANKS GUYS
Overall a good and enlightening book.......2006-03-19
While I have to agree that Stephen Davis does seem to focus on the negative side of Jim I would have to say that Jim's negative side is what comes out the strongest when looking back into history. This book did a VERY good job explaining his childhood and how that developed him into the amazing man he would become. I am especially interested in that because I am 15 years old. I disagree with those who say this book wasn't researched, because the author gives a long list of books used while writing it. This book really clears up most of the mystery surrounding Jim and his tragic death so that now there is not very much doubt in my mind as to how Jim died. He wasnt murdered, it wasn't suicide. Overall this is a good book about Jim's amazing life and how he lived it.
Amazon.com
The spirit of D.B. Cooper--the legendary hijacking parachutist--hovers over Stephen White's latest book about Colorado psychologist Alan Gregory, and this jaunty ghost gives the outing even more stylish substance than usual. By adding elements of Cooper's crime and disappearance (with a large amount of cash) to a story of medical malpractice and resulting revenge, White--a practicing Colorado psychologist himself--pushes the envelope of what's real and what's fictional to the advantage of both.
After attending the funeral of a former colleague from his days as an intern, Gregory is accosted (and has a tempting Mexican lunch spoiled) by a pair of edgy ex-FBI agents now working for a high-ticket private security firm. They believe that the colleague's "accidental" death on a hiking trip is really part of an attempt to wipe out everyone who was part of a particular team in a psychiatric unit at the University of Colorado's Health Services Center in Denver in 1982. As members of that team, Gregory--and his former lover, Sawyer Sackett--are among the few remaining survivors and the next likely targets. Overhearing this news causes a waitress to drop two platters of green chili burritos in a messy clatter.
D.B. Cooper becomes an important part of the story as Gregory, his prosecutor wife, Lauren (whose multiple sclerosis leads to some unusual and important observations), their cop friend Sam Purdy, and the two ex-FBI agents zero in on possible suspects--one of whom has an abnormal fascination with the hijacker's life. White spends a tad too much time on Alan's past history with the mysterious Sawyer, but in general his narrative engine runs smoothly and powerfully toward its satisfying and largely unexpected conclusion. Other Gregory books include Critical Conditions, Harm's Way, Higher Authority, Private Practices, and Remote Control. --Dick Adler
Book Description
Following a former colleague's funeral, two strangers approach Alan Gregory and suggest that the death he just mourned did not occur from natural causes and is neither the first nor the last of a terrible chain in which Gregory is the crucial link. Delving into his past and examining the deaths of associates from his post-medical school days almost two decades before, Gregory quickly discovers that all have been victims of bizarre, fatal accidents except him and his old flame, Sawyer Sackett. Reuniting with Sawyer to investigate the string of possible murders, Alan finds not only his life, but his marriage endangered. Soon he is moving into the sights of a dangerously disturbed killer-- and deeper into an unsolved mystery buried in the annals of modern American crime.
Download Description
Following a former colleague's funeral, two strangers approach Alan Gregory and suggest that the death he just mourned did not occur from natural causes and is neither the first nor the last of a terrible chain in which Gregory is the crucial link. Delving into his past and examining the deaths of associates from his post-medical school days almost two decades before, Gregory quickly discovers that all have been victims of bizarre, fatal accidents except him and his old flame, Sawyer Sackett. Reuniting with Sawyer to investigate the string of possible murders, Alan finds not only his life, but his marriage endangered. Soon he is moving into the sights of a dangerously disturbed killer-- and deeper into an unsolved mystery buried in the annals of modern American crime.
Customer Reviews:
I Was Intrigued From the Very First Sentence..........2007-10-02
"Adrienne's tomatoes froze to death the same night that Arnie Dresser did..."
Seems like a strange way to start a book. From the previous books in the series we know who Adrienne is. But we have no idea about Arnie Dresser. Alan then narrates the story and we learn that Arnie was a psychiatric resident at the same time that Alan did his residency. I won't give any more away, but the plot starts and doesn't slow down. We also learn of a former love interest for a then young Alan Gregory, and the impact that dealing with her will have on his current marriage with Lauren. Two former FBI agents are also introduced and they will play a prominent role in the next book of the series, "Cold Case."
Yet another fine installment in the series....
Not Bad..........2006-08-08
This was my first Stephen White read and I was thoroughly entertained. Just enough clinical sophistication melded with psychological suspense kept it interesting and believable. Although the time it took White to develop the relationship between Dr. Gregory and Sawyer in the beginning of the story could have been condensed and probably would have had the same effect. All in all, I would recommend reading it.
A book that you can't stop reading...........2006-07-10
Reading a Stephen White book is the comfort of being reunited with old friends (Lauren, Sam, and, of course, Alan), falling in love with Colorado (even though you may or may not have ever been there) and getting fascinating lessons in psychology. In this book the reader is treated to a psychological glimpse into the psyche of our protagonist, Alan Gregory as well as being drawn into an intriguing mystery. The reader will also be educated on the difference between "manner of death" and "cause of death." A fascinating book that is pure heaven for fans of Stephen White and lovers of mysteries.
Interesting References to the Front Range..........2006-02-19
Other than that, I found "Manner of Death" a dull read. I found the characterization shallow, the interrelationships between the characters unbelievable, and the premise for the murders -- and who the murderer is -- hard to buy into. There is no suspense to speak of, except for a short scene involving a private plane. If it weren't for the fact it is set in Boulder, CO, I would not have finished it.
BORING.......2005-04-20
Trying to read this book was like watching a snail race. Will someone PLEEZE tell Stephen White that mysteries are supposed to be exciting! They move fast! Or, better yet, tell him to stop writng and put us all out of our misery. How on EARTH did this bomb get published?
Average customer rating:
- This book stays with you
- terrific thriller
- "My daughter, Claire, is a student of living things."
|
A Student of Living Things
Susan Richards Shreve
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ASIN: B000N3T4P6 |
Book Description
The Frayn family of Washington, D.C., is coping pretty well with twenty-first century realities of life—snipers, bomb threats, natural disasters, etc. Then, in the moment it takes Claire Frayn to dig for her umbrella, her politically outspoken brother Steven is shot down right next to her on the library steps.
Steven's murder shatters the tightly knit Frayn family, and his sister Claire becomes determined to unravel the mystery of why her brother was killed. Searching for answers, Claire meets Victor, an enigmatic stranger who claims to know who killed Steven. Claire begins an unusual correspondence with the suspected assassin, but instead of uncovering the truth of her brother's death, she finds herself drawn to this man, and increasingly apprehensive about cooperating with Victor's plans to avenge Steven's death.
A gripping family drama with an unusual love story at its center, this is an intimate portrait of grief, the futility of revenge, and the miracle of forgiveness.
Customer Reviews:
This book stays with you.......2006-06-08
Not knowing what to expect, I paged through this book a few minutes before I needed to hit the freeway. Mistake. I can't remember finding a modern novel so compelling. I could not put it down. Came back from my mtg and stay up until I finished it. The ending was a surprise, but believable and not a let down. At times the narrator seemed younger than her Ph.D. level age -- but otherwise I was completely drawn in with that wonderful experience of a book that graps you by your eyes and won't let go.
A couple of days later after I read the last page, I still find myself thinking about the world of A Student of Living Things. Recommend it full out.
terrific thriller .......2006-05-06
Claire Frayn is a post graduate student majoring in biology at George Washington University; her brother Steven is studying law at the school and enjoys writing articles criticizing the government. Claire and Steven head to the university together while their parents debate his latest condemnation, this time of the Department of Justice's use of the Freedom for Democracy Act to trample on individual rights under the guise of keeping people safe. At the school's library, an assassin shoots and kills Steven right near Claire
Claire goes through the five steps of grief, but wants revenge against the killer who conveniently escapes law enforcement; however she feels helpless as she has no idea who he or she is or how to uncover the culprit's identity. From Michigan, music composer Victor Duarte contacts Claire informing her he can help her with her need to avenge her sibling. She is enticed by his offer as her family remains devastated by the tragedy and is not there for her. However, as Claire heals she begins to ponder who charismatic Victor is, as he seems to know too much yet the second civil war in her mind began with that bullet on the library steps.
Though the introduction to the extended Frayn family takes its time, once Steven is murdered, the story line turns into a terrific thriller that never slows down until the climax. Claire is a wonderful heroine struggling with the death of her brother as much as with her feelings of hopelessness until Victor offers her an opportunity. Like Claire when she begins to regain her equilibrium and leave behind much of the fog of grief, readers will wonder if she has agreed to a Faustian deal. Readers will be a student of Susan Richards Shreve following this tense tale.
Harriet Klausner
"My daughter, Claire, is a student of living things.".......2006-05-06
The heart of the Frayn family is centered in their home, where they gather for safety in a world drastically changed and unpredictable post 9/11. The country has lapsed into unilateral paranoia, small revolutions breaking out, random violence and political unrest, the National Guard familiar figures on the streets of Washington, DC. Brother and sister, Steven and Claire, are inseparable, best friends; when Steven is shot and killed on the steps of George Washington University, Claire is only a few steps away. The family is devastated by the loss of the articulate, motivated Steven, who penned fearless op-ed articles and engaged in active debate about the post 9/11 political climate. His death is a terrible shock to the family, almost impossible to fathom, each of them struggling to acknowledge that safety exists only in the imagination. Mourning, Claire feels Steven's loss grievously, until she discovers an opportunity to set things right, perhaps even the score for the loss of her brother.
In this touching tale, tenderness is found in the midst of grief, hope surfacing unexpectedly, Claire's intuition as a scientist eventually rescuing her from the emotions that have propelled her decisions, assumptions she has accepted without question in the wake of Steven's death: "The mind... is a curious thing, the way it grips the tracks once it's on course." It is during this time of great melancholy and confusion that Claire embraces life once again with the same enthusiasm she knew when her brother was still alive, only to learn a terrible lesson: "Sadness has the weight of nothing else I know". A love story in the heart of chaos, Claire, a biologist, is thrust into unfamiliar territory in an emotional conflict she is ill-prepared to confront. Yet survive she does, thanks to the guidance and patience of eccentric parents and extended family, a desert bloom in the arid wasteland of a country that has lost its bearings, falling victim to threat and intimidation.
The author has fashioned an unusual tale of familial love, loss and betrayal, the Frayn family fracturing after Steven's murder, yet, almost subconsciously, moving closer, each in his own way to repair the damage of their loss and redefine their commitment. The characters are finely drawn, their tentative striving to reconnect indicative of the values they share, a recognition that only time and love can heal some wounds. The story is charged with undefined menace, the plot further complicated by a surprising twist, where hope surfaces in spite of imminent danger. A Student of Living Things is a reflection on modern times, where invincibility has given way to vulnerability, the human spirit indomitable and victorious in the face of fear. Luan Gaines/ 2006.
Download Description
"
We all watched Terri Schiavo die. The controversy around her case dominated the headlines and talk shows, going all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, the White House, and the Vatican.
And it's not over yet. Despite her death, the controversy lingers. In
Silent Witness, former LAPD detective and
New York Times bestselling author
Mark Fuhrman applies his highly respected investigative skills to examine the medical evidence, legal case files, and police records. With the complete cooperation of Terri Schiavo's parents and siblings, as well as their medical and legal advisers, he conducts exclusive interviews with forensics experts and crucial witnesses, including friends, family members, and caregivers.
Fuhrman's findings will answer these questions:
- What was Terri and Michael Schiavo's marriage really like?
- What happened the day Terri collapsed?
- What did Michael Schiavo do when he discovered Terri unconscious? How long did he wait before calling 911?
- What do medical records show about her condition when she was first admitted to the hospital?
- What will the autopsy say?
The legal issues and ethical questions provoked by Terri Schiavo's extraordinary case may never be resolved. But the facts about her marriage, her condition when she collapsed, and her eventual death fifteen years later can be determined.
With
Silent Witness, Fuhrman goes beyond the legal aspects of the case and delves into the broader, human background of Terri Schiavo's short, sad life.
"
Customer Reviews:
Day Late and a Dollar Short Mark Fuhrman!.......2007-07-21
Regretfully, "Silent Witness" depicts how someone with Mark Fuhrman's reputation comes to a tragic scene after the FACT....just to make a BUCK!
If you sincerely want to learn more about the Terri Schiavo case..save your money on this one....and....read some of the other books published that show the indisputable documentation and facts.
blah blah blah.......2007-07-08
This was perhaps one of the most poorly written books that I have ever read. The author notes that he published the book before the autopsy was done and even makes a pseudo attempt at being unbiased... all in the end to seal the deal and Call Mike Schiavo a liar and a murderer in a very convoluted and indirect way..
Fact mark Furhman is a detective not a forensics expert
Fact she had lab values not consistent with life. Fact Mark Furhman is not a medical doctor. Fact this book was poorly written repetitive and took three hours of my life that I cannot get back to read...
A Very Good Book.......2007-06-22
Mark Fuhrman's book is very good. He does a very good investigation into Terri's collapse; an investigation that should have done on the night of her collapse and later when the Schindler's filed numerous police investigation inquires.
While the book came out before the autopsy results of Terri Schiavo, the book still provides some distrubing questions.
The autopsy did little to give clout on Fuhrman's conclusions and suspicions.
Regarding, Terri Schiavo autopsy:
In reading Furhman's book please bare in mind that autopsy results come with several caveats that bear noticing:
1. Terri's collapse remains a mystery to this day. Terri did not have a heart attack.
2. Michael Schiavo was the only one there.
3. It is highly unlikely that Terri had Bulima.
4. The issue of the potassium inbalance is also highly suspect.
5. Michael Schiavo is on the record of giving at least 3 different conflicting accounts of Terri's collapse. The following things remain in conflict to this day:
Did Michael have argument the day before she collapsed? - Conflicted.
What time Michael came home that night is conflicted.
Was Terri awake when Michael arrived home? Conflicted.
What made Michael wake up and why did he wake up? Conflicted.
What position did Michael find Terri in? Conflicted.
Who did Michael call? Conflicted.
Did Michael hold Terri? Conflicted.
Was Terri breathing? Conflicted.
All of these things are conflicted from the various depos, testimonies, and accounts given by Michael Schiavo.
There are also still unanswered quesitons:
What was significance of the vomit found near Terri. (It was later determined to be from the cats; Who determined that?)
6. Experts have stated that it possible for Terri to been inflicted trauma without leaving any detectable evidence. And if such evidence did in fact exist, it is possible the EMTs life saving measures done to Terri could have compromised that evidence.
7. Perhaps that most important caveat of the autopsy is the ME's final statment:
That most of medical records regarding Terri Schiavo are missing and have been lost.
For this reason, the case remains open to this day waiting additional medical information that could shed some light on Terri's collapse.
The issue of missing medical records was key question of concern during the litigation of Terri's Law that was never really answered.
Flawed, but it did succeed in making me think!.......2007-04-02
To paraphrase this book's author, "This case isn't about the right to die peacefully, or about euthanasia." Retired detective Fuhrman takes the position that this case is about a man wanting to free himself from a marriage, and doing so at any cost as long as someone else is making payment.
I have two criticisms of Mr. Fuhrman's work. First, it should not have been written before the autopsy results for Terri Schiavo became available. They would, I believe, have altered some of his assumptions and therefore some of his conclusions. Second, he repeats material not once but several times; not for emphasis, but (in my opinion) to extend the word count sufficiently to make it book length, and publishable as such. With those things said, though, I found myself thinking about the Schiavo tragedy from different angles than before I read Mr. Fuhrman's book. Like a good detective, he accepts nothing at face value; and his understanding of human nature, at its best as well as at its worst, illuminates much that never made sense to me before.
Worth reading, although the repetition makes even this sad yet riveting story bog down at times.
What Actually Caused Terri Schiavo's 1990 Collapse?.......2007-03-27
As public interest in Terri Schiavo largely seemed to fade after the release of the 2005 autopsy report, I was able to pick this book up for a mere dollar. After reading it, I still do not know why Terri Schiavo collapsed in 1990. After that collapse and a 1992 medical malpractice judgment, however, I remain convinced that she was treated in a morally repugnant manner by her husband.
Amazon.com
Author Jeff MacGregor was committed to understanding NASCAR, so instead of merely dropping in on a race or two, he traveled the nearly yearlong season in an RV with his wife, photographer Olya Evanitsky. The result is many books in one. It's a vivid history of the sport's roots, as it grows from a rowdy way for Florida good ol' boys to blow off steam to being a titan of American culture with a fan base of 75 million. It also covers a broad swath of personalities within NASCAR--from the widely loved and even more widely loathed driver Jeff Gordon to the iconic Richard Petty to Dale Earnhardt, whose mythic power grew exponentially after his death at Daytona (death is never far from anyone's mind in NASCAR). Finally, Sunday Money is a memoir--MacGregor chronicles exactly what life is like when a married couple blows their savings on a massive RV and logs 48,000 miles within the blasting radius of race after race after race.
MacGregor is funny, and it's interesting to watch how a man skeptical of the sport's allure at the beginning of the adventure is sucked in as the story goes along. As a writer, he's in no hurry, knocking off several paragraphs in the interest of a single whimsical analogy if he sees fit. Much of the time the diversions hit the mark, (sometimes they don't) and it's nice to see an editor let a talented writer like MacGregor run loose. NASCAR loyalists may enjoy the behind-the-scenes scoop even if they don't necessarily need to be introduced to who the drivers are. But non-fans who have been wondering why racing has become so huge so fast, may understand a little better after reading Sunday Money. It's a huge book, a massive sprawling narrative, but for a sport that is active nearly every weekend of the year and is growing ever larger and more successful, the length seems perfect. --John Moe
|
Photos from the Sunday Money 2002 NASCAR Tour |
NASCAR star Jeff Gordon autographs for fans |
Tony Stewart wins the NASCAR Winston Cup |
Fans pack the stands for the Pepsi 400 |
NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. |
Ward Burton's car pits mid-race during the NAPA 500 |
Cars race around the track in Charlotte |
|
Jeff MacGregor's Top Ten Tips for Your First NASCAR Race |
10. Day race? Bring ear plugs, hat, binoculars.
9. Night race? Bring ear plugs, hat, beer goggles.
8. At Daytona and Talladega, there's no such thing as too much sunblock. SPF 45. Apply liberally. Repeat, as needed, until you slip from your seat like a watermelon seed.
7. Yes, NASCAR is expanding everywhere and very fast, but effortful puns on the word Madagascar will only lead to embarrassment.
6. Your copy of Sunday Money is an excellent conversation starter for making new friends at the track. Thanks to its quilted cover, it also doubles as a comfy seat-cushion and a stylish windshield sun-screen.
5. Drivers cannot hear you yelling encouragement from the 58th row when they're actually lapping the track. This will not stop the high school kid behind you from doing so.
4. Like room service Eggs Benedict, the Jumbo Grilled Turkey Legs at any racetrack always sound far better than they are. Avoid them. Let them thrive in the happy hunger of your imagination, rather than deliver their sad reality to your somersaulting innards. Life bears enough disappointments.
3. Women, despite the signs you'll see in the third turn campground, there's no such thing as a "Free Trackside Mammogram." Don't let the Mardi Gras beads fool you; there are shockingly few accredited radiologists working the infield on race weekend.
2. All-purpose, all-context catch phrase guaranteed to make a NASCAR newbie sound like an old hand? "Go, Junior!" Appropriate any time!
1. If your tailgate margarita machine doesn't make at least ten horsepower on the blender-drink dyno, don't bother. Go big, baby, or don't go. |
Book Description
NASCAR racing, once considered no more than a regional circuit of moonshiners pounding around low-country dirt tracks in a cloud of red dust and cliché, has somehow become the fastest-growing spectator sport in America -- and the buxom, bumpkin darling of Madison Avenue. With 75 million fans and its popularity soaring in every corner of the country, NASCAR is a 200-mile-an-hour traveling tent-and-revival show, a platinum-plated, multibillion-dollar V-8 hero machine -- a sports entertainment empire built at the very crossroads of pop culture, corporate commerce, and American mythology.
Smart, funny, and profane, Sunday Money is the kaleidoscopic account of an entire season on the NASCAR circuit. Driving 48,000 miles in a tiny motorhome, writer Jeff MacGregor and his wife, an award-winning photographer, covered 36 races at 23 tracks in 18 states, from Daytona to Darlington, New Hampshire to California, from the Wal-Mart to the Waldorf, profiling the lives of superstar drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart, their crews, and their fans, across the grinding reach of a 40-week season.
But this is not just a behind-the-scenes chronicle of America's loudest pastime. It is the story of a hundred stories; of red states and blue, of splendid Rebel lizards and golden Yankee hotshoes, of mystic true believers and their holy roll of honored ghosts. In the tradition of On the Road, Travels with Charley, and The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, Sunday Money is a snapshot of American culture -- of race, religion, class, sex, money, politics, and fame -- taken from the window of a moving car, a brilliantly observed, keenly rendered, and darkly comic portrait of America.
Customer Reviews:
Great Race stories you can share.......2007-10-06
This is one of the funniest stories I have ever read about NASCAR fans. If you enjoy racing as I have the last 40 years..this book will be one of your top books to read and share with your racing buddies.The next best thing would have been with those folks on their great American NASCAR adventure.I must say though, when you are reading through the chapter's you will feel like been there done that..and by golly, I brought home one of those tee shirts, plus make sure I it was washed for the next Sunday's race.Gentlemen...START YOUR ENGINE'S
Uninsightful and tedious.......2007-09-09
I like (and participate in) road racing, and think that NASCAR is the pro wrestling of the motor sports world.
I'm vastly disappointed in this book. Reading it is something like watching a movie based on your favorite Saturday Night Live skit. What's funny and workable in a four- or six-minute skit just doesn't scale well to a ninety-minute movie. MacGregor's writing style is choppy, abbreviated, and awkward. While his talent might be in writing pieces of a few thousand words for a magazine, he just can't put it together for a full-length book.
MacGregor tours the country in a motorhome with his wife to see a whole season of NASCAR races. He calls his wife "The Beep", but never explains why. While retracts the opinion late in the book, early on he says that driving fast is easy -- something that certainly kills his credibility and demonstrates his lack of insight into the subject of his tour. His dismissive treatment of the sport, its participants, and its fans permeates the book, and is very tedious and disappointing.
Failing to understand the talent and stamina required to drive a race car at a professional, competitive level is not the only point where MacGregor's insight is lacking. The book includes no interviews between MacGregor and any fan, NASCAR official, or driver. The point of traveling is to see new places and meet new people. Particularly for a travelogue, as it brings the flavor of the events Jeff witnessed to the reader using a different point of view. The reader sees only Jeff's reactions to the events at that track, and learns nothing of his understanding of the fan base, or the experience that is a NASCAR race weekend.
Because of the lack of any investigation, the controversies and traditions that are NASCAR are lost on Jeff. And, by extension, his readers.
The last two or three chapters of the book have little to with racing at all. They're just a cathartic rambling of Jeff's on opinions on subjects related to The United States and what he believes most NASCAR fans hold as core values.
The book is a tedious read, and doesn't better the reader for the effort.
Reads like a boring blog.......2007-07-09
After attending my first NASCAR race (Talladega), I wanted to learn more about the entire NASCAR experience -- the race and RV'ing extravaganza. However, this book drags on forever.
If you've never been to a NASCAR race, go. If you've been to one, you certainly do not need to read this book.
Wonderful adventure ruined by poor writing and lack of depth.......2007-03-31
I am in shock that so many rated this book so highly. I'm well educated, love competitive sports and like to work on cars so my affinity for NASCAR is natural. But I have no idea who this guy is writing to. The history was OK, and I thought the epilogue about the future of NASCAR was the best part of the book, but taking 4 pages to describe a "pit lizard" and 4 more pages to describe a pretty woman as she waits for her boyfriend, with the big payoff being the fact that she has a tattoo, and if you're getting sick of this long run-on sentence maybe you can get a job a Sports Illustrated like this guy did because he is quite fond of them.
Smart and funny romp.......2007-01-26
I am already a NASCAR fan so I was eager to read this book. Jeff MacGregor's
writing is smart and funny. The behind the scenes stories of the people,the
drivers and the search for a motorhome are engaging and hilarious!
I definitely recommend this book to racing fans or fans to be. It's a fun
read!
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- Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire: What Happens When God's Spirit Invades the Hearts of His People
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians
- Night Whispers
- European Isolation and Confinement Study
- Handbook of Adhesives and Sealants in Construction
- History: Fiction or Science
- Pattern Classification
- Mrs. Jeffries Sweeps the Chimney
- Frank Lloyd Wright: The Phoenix Papers
- Delta Sugar: Louisiana's Vanishing Plantation Landscape
- Escherichia Coli & Salmonella Typhimurium: Cellular & Molecular Biology
Organize Your Corpses (Berkley Prime Crime Mysteries)
Murder Off the Books (Sullivan Investigations Mystery)
Tutu Deadly (Jenny T. Partridge Dance Mysteries)
Fit To Die: A Supper Club Mystery
Brigadoom: A Kate London Mystery
