Book Description
The candid memoir of one of the most effective, controversial figures in modern politics
Very few people are on the fence about Tom DeLay, who was nicknamed "the Hammer" for his hard-charging, take-no-prisoners style of leadership. Liberals despise him, but for conservatives he's a hero—one of the architects of the 1994 Republican revolution. For twelve years afterward, he was the driving force of the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.
In this eagerly awaited memoir, DeLay will share fascinating stories from his entire career, starting with his early, raucous days in Texas; his personal conversion to Christ and how that changed his personal and political life; his work with other rebels to sow the seeds of the shocking 1994 takeover; and his ascension to the top leadership in the House. He offers a behind-the-scenes view of the most talked-about stories of the past decade, involving George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich, and many others.
DeLay will also discuss his victories against the odds with the slimmest of margins; his passionate dedication to abused and neglected children; and his battle to fend off a ten-year barrage of malicious and frivolous allegations of wrongdoing, which ultimately led to his decision to resign from Congress.
Perhaps most importantly, DeLay will unveil a blueprint agenda for the country's next group of elected leaders, and show conservatives how to make it a reality.
Customer Reviews:
Slogan Slinging Slop.......2007-09-30
I picked this book up on a whim at my local library. I had read a couple of politically oriented books at that time, one from a moderate republican's perspective and another from a more liberal perspective, so I thought it would be interesting to get insight into the thinking of the modern conservative.
I'm sure there are good intellectual arguments for the core principles of the modern conservative movement (on a surface level I tend to agree with a good number of them), but don't look for them in this book--they aren't there. While Mr. DeLay does list the core principles of the conservative movement from his perspective, he doesn't discuss them on an intellectual level. Instead, he resorts to the type of sloganeering that infects so much of our modern political discourse (convervatives and liberals alike).
Mr. DeLay starts by sharing his experience on a layover in Havana in 1959. He attributes the nasty treatment his family endured as leftist tyranny and asserts that liberalism in the US is just a precursor to the same thing. From there DeLay states what seem to be at the core of his belief system: "There is a God and...there is absolute moral truth" followed by "Human life is not about the state but about God and his unfolding will for every individual."
In the second chapter Mr. DeLay lists his political manifesto. It starts with his religious beliefs followed with some issue-specific agendas (e.g. abortion should be illegal, we should abolish certain government agencies, Congress should be able to overule the Supreme Court, etc). There wasn't any discussion, just a list.
Like many politicians at both extremes, Mr. DeLay's actions in congress at times violated his own principles when the outcome of an issue didn't suit him. For example, on page 5 Mr. DeLay says that state and local governments that are closest to the people have the greatest authority to shape their lives. In the case of Terri Shiavo, however, Mr. DeLay was eager to usurp the authority of the state government when the court upheld, after years and years of appeals, that the feeding tube should be removed from Terri Shiavo. A look at Mr. DeLay's voting record shows many instances of him voting on legislation in ways to contradict his stated core principles. Mr. DeLay seems to be a "the end justifies the means" kind of thinker.
Mr. DeLay makes some self-assessments in his book that I think were pretty accurate. He says that he isn't particularly introspective, he says he isn't an "idea" person, he states that he isn't very articulate, and he indicates he is a slow learner. I found myself agreeing with all of those statements when I finished the book.
The best part of this book was Mr. DeLay's description of how he worked the system to get legislation passed. Unfortunately it wasn't very detailed. I followed up my reading of the book with some wikipedia reading on the subject and got much more useful information.
The rest of the book rarely rises above sloganeering: liberals are evil people who want to take away our freedoms and destroy America. I can't recommend this book to liberals who are interested in understanding the intellectual underpinnings of modern conservative thought, and I can't recommend the book for conservatives either--they've heard the slogans before just like everyone else. I can, however, recommend the book as an example of the way shallow thinking and use selective evidence has distorted our political system. While this book is an example from the Right, there are plenty of examples from the Left too.
In the end, I'm glad I didn't spend money on it, but I'm disappointed I wasted time on it.
Zero Stars is more likely!.......2007-09-23
What a piece of worthless flotsum. Those that would part with the money to read this are probably of the mindset to enjoy it but for the rest it is simplistic, mind-numbing gibberish written by a man adept in pandering to the defective. I picked it up at a local library, curious if he had any insights- he doesn't!
The side of the story you don't hear.......2007-08-27
This book is an interesting read, detailing DeLay's life and accomplishments. Naturally there are those who hate him, but very few seem willing to give him the same benefit of the doubt that Democrats regularly seem to receive. Whether you like him or not, whether you think he is guilty or not, I would at least recommend taking the time to read his side of the story. For those who are really interested in knowing the WHOLE story, this book is for you.
Delay retreated AND surrendered.......2007-08-14
This book from the guy who RESIGNED his office in disgrace, handed his leadership post to the democrats, and ran away from Texas.
No Retreat, No Surrender.......2007-08-11
Tom Delay truly explains how washington works--for better and, unfortunately, for the worst. It's really a shame that going to D.C. seems to ruin even the best people.
Book Description
Atop the rocky coast of Maine sits the Towers, a magnificent family mansion that is home to a legend of long-lost love, hidden emeralds -- and four sisters determined to save their home against all odds.
New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts brings you the Calhoun Women --
Suzanna's Surrender -- Burned-out and tired as hell, all ex-cop Holt Bradford wanted to do was relax. But when beautiful single mom Suzanna invaded his solitude to search for the missing Calhoun emeralds, he couldn't say no. Holt had changed from a bad-boy teen to a dangerously sexy man, but Suzanna couldn't risk her well-ordered life for a man who made her mouth go dry . . .
Megan's Mate -- Calhoun sister-in-law Megan O'Riley and her young son had traveled far to become the Towers' newest residents. Cool as an Atlantic breeze, Megan buried her passions and vowed never to let her heart control her life. But when boat captain Nate Fury set his course for her, the practical lady was swept away by his formidable charm.
Customer Reviews:
The Calhouns: Suzanna And Megan: Suzanna's Surrender/Megan's Mate.......2007-05-10
It was a wonderful book I never am disappointed in Nora Roberts ever. She is a terrific writer and I can't wait for her new books to come out. I would recommend every Nora Roberts fan read this and if your not please try it you may become one.
Loved it.......2007-01-11
I love this series. Great characters, and it keeps you interested the whole time!
another Roberts success.......2007-01-10
I had read the previous titles in this series, and enjoyed these two sequels. Well written, entertaining, kept my interest.
Enjoyable book.......2007-01-10
I love Nora Roberts and this book was no exception. I really enjoyed just sitting back and finishing up with the Calhoun story.
Very Good!.......2006-10-27
Yes this is old Nora, but it is a great story. This was a reread for me and I enjoyed it the second time around very much.
This is the last 2 stories in the 5 that involve the Calhoun family.
In Suzanna's surrender you finally get the oldest sisters story. She had a rough marriage and an even harder divorce. She is raising two kids and working hard at her own gardening business. She gets involved with ex-cop Holt Bradford, who was also the local bad boy in his teens. This is a great love story. Also in this story you have the conclusion to the mystery surrounding the Calhoun's Great Grandmother's tragic death and the missing emeralds. You also get more details of the love affair between Christian and Bianca, in Christians words.
In Megan's Mate you have the story of Calhoun sister in law. This story takes place a year after Suzanna's so you get a nice follow up on the whole family. Megan is a single mother who has closed herself off to love... But then she meets Nate Fury and all her walls come crashing down.
This is a wonderful conclusion to the Calhoun Family saga. Two great stories.
Amazon.com
Neil Postman is one of the most level-headed analysts of education, media, and technology, and in this book he spells out the increasing dependence upon technology, numerical quantification, and misappropriation of "Scientism" to all human affairs. No simple technophobe, Postman argues insightfully and writes with a stylistic flair, profound sense of humor, and love of language increasingly rare in our hastily scribbled e-mail-saturated world.
Book Description
In this witty, often terrifying work of cultural criticism, the author of Amusing Ourselves to Death chronicles our transformation into a Technopoly: a society that no longer merely uses technology as a support system but instead is shaped by it--with radical consequences for the meanings of politics, art, education, intelligence, and truth.
Customer Reviews:
basic book.......2007-08-03
its a must read - even for those who would not agree that technology destroys culture. dangers are real and it is worth following the author on what they are.but technology has changed life - and not always for the worse. like climate change we dont want the scare but the reality need to be known - and thats where the importance of the book lies.
A little too preachy, and irresolute at the same time.......2007-01-13
"Back when men were bolder, and women were prettier, etc." Every generation has probably heard various versions of this kind of "it's getting worse" story. Postman names all through this book the alternatives modern life gives us when a new technology comes along. Of course this happens. The automobile took away the chance to let neighbors chat when buggying down the dirt roads, their horses lazily nibbling the grass as the time passed. But the horse buggy took away an earlier "pleasure" at the expense of the improved technology of the buggy. All this seems very obvious, and the author uses an urbane, Time-Magazine style of prose to dance around these technology-finally-creates-Technoply talks. One wonders if the creator of fire caused the first humans to not enjoy the pleasure of shivering any more.
There is truth in what the author is saying, of course, and the reader will certainly be a little more sensitized to a deflavoring of culture because of progress. Admittedly, this "urbane writing style" makes an easily-readable work, and it is a plus not having to wade through a long, strident sermon. Also, Postman gives the Left a deserved kick in the shin regarding their forgiving memory of Joseph Stalin, and their often-observed intolerance for other views.
Maybe there were just too many topics to talk about in this book. An earlier work, Amusing Ourselves to Death, is much more focused, making the author's argument easier to see. Both books can be read quickly, though, and most readers will enjoy the many facts about the origins of things which Postman sprinkles through the book.
Dangers of the Digitized Life.......2006-12-25
Postman explains how we got to the current age, where we are surrounded by digitizing, calculating machines. Describes the consequences, making us aware of the apparent take-over of culture by the worship of numbers, statistics, and unlimited information. But the book feels long -- too many words just for the sake of a nice turn of phrase. Wastes a lot of time showing how social science is not a science (who cares -- as he points out, most people don't know what science is anyway). And his conclusion -- that the solution is some kind of secular "great books" education curriculum, is weak. His message is to be aware, and think. That's good. But if you want concise, thought-provoking criticism of "progress", read Ivan Illich instead.
To Postman's credit, he does better with a narrower focus. Try his "Amusing Ourselves to Death".
Agree with his ideas but............2006-10-03
I agreed with much of what Postman conveyed in Technopoly but i was put-off quite a bit by some of the arguements he uses to support his claims. At times he seems to be make sweeping generalizations based on very specific, very limited data, which was painful for me to read. Other times he seems to draw conclusions that just dont follow directly from his evidence. I would recommend reading The Technological Society by Ellul instead if you're interested in this kind of thing.
The Dire Consequences of Technology.......2006-03-26
Neil Postman's Technopoly stands as a prophetic look at the impact of technology on a society. From the outset it is clear that Postman is not concerned with being unbiased, but rather balancing his own biases with careful self-criticing and historical presidents for his observations. This book comes as a bit of a wake up call for a society ungulfed in technology, an ironic observation given the method of this review. Postman acknowledges that it will be difficult for many readers to accept his ideology, but that it was important that they do not simply dismiss it. Technology, for Postman, is never a simple thing, and we are never able to comprehend the far reaching impact of the technologies we introduce into society. Postman gives the example of the printing press and the decline of the written tradition. While it was not an intentional effect, the value of writing has become secondary within society to technological innovation. These innovations are seen in every facet of life, for Postman, and carry many dire consequences.
While it is difficult to deny the line of reasoning used by Postman, one can see that Postman may be a bit to pessimistic in man's ability to maintain his own identity in a world of technological innovations. Postman does not seem to take into account many of the things that make us human, i.e. emotion and reason. This leaves the reader with a bleek view of the technological future, in which mankind is stripped of its very essence in favor of a machine driven society.
Overall, Postman makes important contributions to both philosophical circles, as well as social dialogue, in Technopoly, but seems to fall short in recognizing the human element at work in a technological society. I would highly recommend this book to those that do not fully understand the impact technology has on our lives, but would caution them against fully investing their minds in Postman's theories.
Book Description
Lord Martin Langdon is renowned for his skill with women. Everyone he meets is swayed by his charm––everyone, that is, but Evelyn Wheaton, who still hasn't forgiven him for breaking her friend's heart. Martin has never turned down a challenge and is determined to win Evelyn's heart. What he didn't count on was becoming fascinated by the passionate and honorable beauty.
Evelyn has no interest in scoundrels with reputations like Lord Langdon's. She couldn't imagine spending a lifetime with a man bound to break her heart, but a more temporary arrangement is sounding better with time. When scandal threatens, Martin knows he will have to work harder than ever to prove himself to Evelyn. But will she ever realize that this reckless scoundrel is actually the man of her dreams?
Customer Reviews:
Tired of the *tons* London scene? Then Sail away!.......2007-09-05
What a refreshing change from the ordinary historical. A typical romance set in an untypical location. Its worth reading just for the setting which is the annual regatta in Cowes, England (Victorian period). Who ever thought sail boat racing could be so interesting? Maclean (author) manages to take a rather dry topic (for non-enthusiast IMHO anyway) and make it come completely alive. I actually felt like I was in the boat with the characters and had the salty wind in my face whipping up my hair. Its that good.
Unfortunately there were a couple of minor irritating points that kept the book from getting five stars. There is some modern language peppered about and the romance was better than average but not spectacular. I didn't particularly believe that the hero was a 'scoundrel' at all. He is such a nice and FUN guy. So the title just doesn't make any sense. And for some reason the heroine just didn't grow on me. Again these are just minor points and shouldn't keep anyone from reading the book. I recommend it even just to get away from the boring London balls, theater, routs, country parties etc. that are so prevalent in historical romance.
Surrender To This Book! (B+ Grade).......2007-08-18
This is actually a very pleasant read. The only thing I found wrong was the hero's non stop refusal about marriage and a family. So, the guy lost his first family (which is told to us out of the blue!) but he has found love and passion again with a self proclaimed ugly duckling. Another wonderful aspect found is the hero Martin, as he grows to know the real Evelyn, he finds her to be his lovely swan and anyone who tells him otherwise, he thinks is a fool. She becomes beautiful to him because he sees how special she is and not from some magical makeover.
These are two grown up people, no naive innocents here. And the setting takes place at the end of the 19th century so no Ton-ish behavior around. Everyone talks so adult and with restraint, but when Martin and Evelyn hit the sheets, it is very emotional and hot.
Evelyn is one heroine who knows her limitations, but with a man like Martin, he sets her free from the restraints she put upon herself an in return she helps him heal his internal wounds.
A lovely story and I can say one of Maclean's best. This was a nice surprise in reading this well written and subtle romance.
Katiebabs
To Marry the Duke
OK read, but not the best........2007-07-03
This was an pleasant read, but not the best historical romance I have read. This was the first I read by this author, and I will read another, but am not racing to buy another. A tad predcitable but the thrill of the romance kept me reading on.
Okay, but not a must read.......2007-04-25
Surrender to a Scoundrel is the first book I've read by Julianne MacLean, and while I liked it, I didn't love it. The story was interesting enough: a womanizing duke's son sets out to win the attention of a much-favored, and rumored to be "unflirtable" widow. The two meet up again after ten years apart and each finds that the other is much changed. The heroine, Evelyn, is no longer the shy, contemptuous girl the hero met in her youth, though she does put on a haughty air in his presence. The hero, Martin, is still the same rake he's always been, only Evelyn finds that he's still irresistable to her despite this. Over the course of the novel, the two fall in love (naturally), only to be kept apart by the hero's refusal to let go of his past. Eventually he gets over it and they live happily ever after. Not the most original plot ever, but I've read worse. Still, there was nothing spectacular about this story that would make me recommend it to a friend or want to read it again. Nothing sticks out in my mind and, doubtless, within a week I'll have forgotten about it entirely. That being said, I enjoyed it while I was reading it. I'd recommend Surrender to a Scoundrel if you're in the mood for romance and can't find anything better, but it's most certainly not a must read.
Enjoyable, But Lacked Ms. MacLean's Usual Vibrant Characters.......2007-04-09
Evelyn Foster, as a young awkward girl fell through the ice and was saved by Lord Martin Langdon. Since then, Evelyn has had a spot in her heart for the charismatic young man, though she has never confined that to another.
Ten years later that young man has grown up to be a known rakehell, as well as a noted racing champion of Britain who is much admired by both men and woman alike.
When they meet during a racing championship, the now widowed Evelyn Wheaton, a matronly woman, will find the thrilling company of Martin too much to resist. Can she overcome her tight restraints and let Martin show her the wonders of passion between a man and woman?
SURRENDER TO A SCOUNDREL is by author Julianne MacLean. Ms. MacLean is known for penning torrid historicals that tease and tempt the readers time and time again, sadly this book paled in comparison. It was a good solid novel, yet is lack that spark of originality and the characters never quite became full-fledged lively individuals in this reviewer's opinion. Still, this reader will be waiting to see what Ms. MacLean crafts next.
The wallflower that has always been Evelyn follows her into adulthood. She is a wealthy widow attending a yachting race, when the one man from your long ago past steps back into her life. Only this time, it is on the grounds of sexual attraction they collide.
Martin finds Evelyn's brittle exterior a challenge. Something about her intrigues him completely. But, will Evelyn be just another woman that passes through his life or can she be more? Can she throw off the restraints of her life to venture into the realm of a vital sexual woman?
Being a fan of Ms. MacLean's or a historical romance reader, SURRENDER TO A SCOUNDREL by Julianne MacLean might be something you will enjoy for a quiet afternoon near on the beach or to unwind after a hard day at work.
Reviewed by Janalee Ruschhaupt, 2007
Courtesy of Love Romances and More
Average customer rating:
- AVID FAN
- Her best book yet.......
- Well Written But Where's The Romance?
- One of Quick's best works despite some major flaws
- Surrender is worthy surrendering too! Enjoy!
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Surrender
Amanda Quick
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0553285947
Release Date: 1990-09-01 |
Book Description
From the dazzling ballrooms of glittering London society to magnificent, cursed estate in the distant wilds of Yorkshire, comes the deliciously wicked story of a thoroughly unconventional courtship—and a thrilling midnight rendezvous that could only lead to love... At four and twenty Victoria Huntington thought herself quite adept at fending off fortune hunters... until she came under siege from Lucas Colebrook, the darkly disturbing new Earl of Stonevale. Amidst the brightly plumed birds of the town, Lucas was a hawk. And when he held out the lure of moonlit rides and wild, reckless midnight escapades, Victoria found herself powerless to resist. But becoming Stonevale's companion in adventure was far more dangerous undertaking than Victoria could ever imagine. For the attractive Earl would use her every weakness to woo her, to win her, and ultimately to wed her. And soon the amber-eyed lady would find herself ensconced in a crumbling mansion deep in the English countryside... where the real reason for her hasty marriage becomes all too apparent...and where the ghosts of her dark-stained past are waiting to rise up in a terrifying plot that will threaten her life, her honor, and the only man she could ever love.
Customer Reviews:
AVID FAN.......2005-08-31
AM PUTTING IN AN ORDER FOR TWO OF MY OLD FAVORITES OF A. QUICK -- RAVISHED AND MISTRESS. SURRENDER WAS ONE OF THE FEW A. QUICK NOVELS THAT I HATED!!! IN FACT, I HATED IT SO MUCH THAT I THREW MY COPY AWAY. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT. LOUSY TYRANT, LIAR, AND OVERALL LOUSE OF A HERO. GOT TOO MANY OF THOSE IN REAL LIFE. I SURE DON'T NEED TO PAY TO READ ABOUT THEM AS AN ESCAPE. JAK & A. QUICK HAVE DONE MUCH, MUCH, MUCH BETTER.
Her best book yet..............2004-04-09
Lucas was on the hunt for an heiress.(...)Victoria was the her.(...0
Lucas intend to marry her and he takes her to brothels and gaming hells then on their first night of their affair they were caught red-handed.(...)After their marriage Victoria discovered the reason for him wanting to marry her.(...)money.(...) Pride made her refused to declare her love but then after all their grand adventure.. all was well
This has to be her best work yet.(...) when you read this book you will find it is rather different from her usual books.(...) there is just a little something that the other of her books lack.(...)
Well Written But Where's The Romance?.......2002-06-17
This book started well enough. The hero is a penniless earl, and he needs to marry an heiress to keep his estate running. He meets Victoria, and decides to court her. She is intelligent, independent, and adventuress. He uses her desire for adventure to get close to her by taking her to gaming hells and the like, and they get caught and he has to marry her.
Well the story goes downhill from here. As soon as they get married, the hero, Lucas turns into a tyrant. He dictates the money that was once hers, puts a stop to her intellectual exploration activities she loves doing, and forbids her to wear the flamboyant clothes that are her own personal style.
I hate stories like this where the hero likes the heroine because she is unconventional, marries her then tries to change her into a typical woman of society and forbids the activities that the heroine loves. In the beginning of the story, Victoria is afraid of marriage because she is afraid of ending up with a fortune hunter, and that is exactly what she gets. I saw no love between these two, only attraction and isn't the whole point of reading a romance novel to read about romance?
One of Quick's best works despite some major flaws.......2001-09-21
I am one of those readers who prefers Amanda Quick's earlier works. When I first discovered historical romances (in my mid-twenties) Quick was one of the authors I devoured. I think SCANDAL (a somewhat untypical Quick) was my first book. Somehow I missed SURRENDER. Recently I came across a copy, and because of all the positive reviews, I decided to try it.
I also have to admit that a fortune-hunting hero is quite unusual for Quick. Usually, her heroes are all very rich, mysterious, and rather intimidating. This hero, Lucas, can be intimidating - because of his status as a war hero. The mystery about him is not so much in in his past (he is a distant relative who has succeeded unexpectedly to the title), but in his financial position at least as far as the ton (society) is concerned.
The story begins with Lucas pursuing a not-so-young (in her mid-twenties) heiress named Victoria, with the aid of his former love Jessica. Unlike previous old flames in other Quick novels, Jessica is not the villain(ess). In fact, she is decidedly a prude, and rather pleased with her status as a martyr to family duty. But I digress...
Victoria is the usual Quick heroine in that she is bright, unconventional and she positively thirsts for adventure. She is unusual in that she is richer than the hero. As in most Quick plots, the heroine's desire for adventure leads her into some compromising situations and also considerable danger. Thanks to one such episode, Lucas and Victoria must get married - which suits Lucas just fine.
Well, Lucas is a fortune-hunter, but he is a bit more than that. He is fortune-hunting because he owes the people on his estates and the land the best that he can manage. [A rather nice reason to chase an heiress, compared to the usual spendthrift feckless gamble who goes fortune-hunting]. And Lucas also respects Victoria's intelligence, her unusual qualities, and even her appetite for rather unorthodox adventures. Although he is not displeased by his forced marriage, he would have preferred a more conventional courtship. Best of all, although it would have been easy for him to engineer the forced marriage, it is clear fairly soon that he was not the one who betrayed the couple.
Victoria and Lucas have their usual tiffs, including a remarkable tiff about money and her spending, in which he manages to alienate Victoria for a while. But he is always good at retrieving the situation, partly by appealing to her sense of adventure. And into this mix is thrown an old family legend about an Amber Knight and his Lady, into which Victoria plays beautifully with her penchant for amber-colored and yellow-colored outfits. The people on the estate are as thrilled by Victoria's wardrobe as her actions, and everything seems to be going nicely.
Or is it? From the outset, it is clear that Victoria is being stalked by someone regarding a Big Secret in her past. And here I have to say that Victoria exhibits remarkable stupidity (as does Lucas at one point). Does she take someone into her confidence early? No. Does she take certain precautions such as hiring a Bow Street Runner or finding out the mole among the staff? No. Do she and Lucas act rashly at a certain point? Yes. Unfortunately, this part of the story was a decided letdown as was the author's lack of knowledge about inheritance law.
For the record, if Victoria's mother had control of her own fortune at her first husband's death and she then remarried without any safeguards, her fortune would go immediately to her new husband. If she and her friends had safeguards built (basically a trust being set up), then her new husband could not inherit her fortune. The point being that the reason for a certain death in the back history of the novel made little sense - almost as little sense as the villain's desire for revenge (this person is supposed to be smart). I cannot say more without giving away secrets, but at the beginning of the book, either Victoria inherits her mother's fortune outright after her mother's death (usually in the form of a trust) or that fortune has passed into another family in the absence of such a trust. [For further enlightenment, I recommend Emily Bronte's WUTHERING HEIGHTS].
If this problem (with the disposition of Victoria's mother's fortune) had not existed, and if the hero and heroine had not acted rashly (and even stupidly at several points), I would have given this book a 5 or something close to it. As it stands, it gets a 3.9 (rounded up to a 4). Why do I penalize it so much? Because Quick makes mystery and revenge key motives in her plots - and it is disappointing when that part comes undone, especially near the end.
Surrender is worthy surrendering too! Enjoy!.......2000-10-13
Victoria Huntington and Lucas Colebrook, Earl of Stonevale, find themselves in the most unpreditable situations after agreeing to rendevous after midnight for a night on the town. Victoria Huntington considers herself 'an heiress at risk' with a deadly past to keep hidden. She refuses to consider marriage for any reason, believing that marital love within the 'ton' is impossible and refuses to submit physically, emotionally and definitely financially to any man!
Lucas Colebrook, an impoverished Earl, needs an heiress's fortune to refurbish his crumbling estate. So Lucas sets out to win Victoria's hand by agreeing to escort this 'wild child spinster' to the most undesirable after hour establishments (at Victoria's request) in London. But Victoria's thirst for adventure soon leads to a mysterious stalking and possibly haunting, murder attempts, and of course, the usual Quick wit, humor and comedy.
If you haven't read Amanda Quick before, you'll love Surrender.
Happy Reading!
Amazon.com
Stephen E. Ambrose combines history and journalism to describe how American GIs battled their way to the Rhineland. He focuses on the combat experiences of ordinary soldiers, as opposed to the generals who led them, and offers a series of compelling vignettes that read like an enterprising reporter's dispatches from the front lines. The book presents just enough contextual material to help readers understand the big picture, and includes memorable accounts of the Battle of the Bulge and other events as seen through the weary eyes of the men who fought in the foxholes. Highly recommended for fans of Ambrose, as well as all readers interested in understanding the life of a 1940s army grunt. A sort of sequel to Ambrose's bestselling 1994 book D-Day, Citizen Soldiers is more than capable of standing on its own.
Book Description
In this riveting account, historian Stephen Ambrose continues where he left off in his #1 bestseller D-Day. Ambrose again follows the individual characters of this noble, brutal, and tragic war, from the high command down to the ordinary soldier, drawing on hundreds of interviews to re-create the war experience with startling clarity and immediacy. From the hedgerows of Normandy to the overrunning of Germany, Ambrose tells the real story of World War II from the perspective of the men and women who fought it.
Customer Reviews:
My Dad's War.......2007-08-21
This was my dad's war. He was drafted. I was too young for Vietnam. The stopped drafting the year before I was eligible.
My dad doesn't talk about it much. I have a 7 year old, my dad was 80 when he was born. When a war movie comes on, I tell my son, "your granddad was a brave soldier". Once when we were at his house, my son said to my dad, "granddad, you were a brave soldier". My dad turned to me and said, "I was scared to death the whole time I was over there". I replied, "yeah, dad, but you did it. You were in those battles and fought as scared as you may have been".
This is their story. They weren't the enlisted men like today. These kids were drafted. I can't imagine to be so young and to see so much death.
This is a very good book that tells the story of the scared, but brave men who put their lives on the line because they had to. They did it and they won.
God bless all our soldiers!
I had no idea..........2007-06-13
...that the winter of 1944-1945 was so horrific for the average G.I. on the front. A truly excellent read. The fact that Ambrose really admired and respected the "Greatest Generation" is clear from this book - and highlights why we must respect and admire them as well.
I especially appreciated his defense of the 1950's "Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" towards the end of the book. The so-called conformity of the 1950's wasn't a weakness or fault. It was a societal strength. I have always suspected this, but didn't know why. Ambrose explains it.
God Bless the World War II vets - among whom was my own father.
An entertaining and highly informative read.......2007-05-13
This illuminating book covers the WWII European Theatre from the top down, from FDR, Churchill, Stalin & Hitler to Ike, Monty, Patton & the German High Command to the grunts in the foxholes on both sides of the line. Very interesting & well written with both facts and anecdodtal stories.
Ambrose: Right on The Money Again.......2007-04-07
Once again, Ambrose captures our attention on the subject of World War II. For this particular book, Ambrose doesn't focus on one unit, like Band Of Brothers, instead he focuses on all members of the United States Armed Forces that participated in the European Theater of Operations. Aptly titled, Citizen Soldiers. This book gives a very full insight to the behavior and feelings of the various people in various units as the the Allied forces pushed their way from Normandy to Germany. Vivid details of random battles, and a lot of information about the regular every day soldier who carries out orders, not the generals that give them. Nice change of pace. I recommend this book to anybody seeking more information on World War II, or any military history buff. Because of language, I would only recommend this to a mature 13-16 year old.
Thank You.......2007-03-11
This was a great transaction. There is a picture of my grandfather in this book!! Awesome product!
Average customer rating:
- Slow and Plodding
- Loved it...
- GREAT!!!!!!!!!
- Not What I Expected
- Not as good as the first two, but still entertaining
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Surrender My Love
Johanna Lindsey
Manufacturer: Avon
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Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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Hearts Aflame
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ASIN: 0380762560 |
Book Description
A Lady's Scorn
Wrongly branded a spy, the dark and handsome Viking lord Selig Haardrad suffered greatly in the dungeons of Lady Erika of Gronwood. And as he hung in chains, his magnificent body wracked with pain and fever, one thought sustained him: revenge!
A Viking's Vengence
Now Destiny's great wheel has turned--and Selig's exquisite, hone-haired tormentor has been delivered into the Norseman's hands. Now it is Selig who is the master, bound and determined to break the proud spirit of his captive "ice queen" and to conquer her with passion's sword -- never dreaming that his own heart will be vanquished by sensuous desire. . .and victorious love.
Customer Reviews:
Slow and Plodding.......2006-08-15
I was given this book at the beach by my friend and had not read the previous two. In fact didn't know there even were other stories until a few chapters into this one. Maybe if I'd read the previous two I would've cared more about Selig and Erika.
However, if you are a big J.L. fan make sure you read the previous two before this one. If you don't you may find it as I did. Sloooooooowwwww and a bit dull. I didn't care for either of the characters and although all romance fans are guarunteed a happy ending Selig and Erika's personalities made their actions and motivations in the book so foregone that it was a trial to finish it out.
Seems like Selig was a bit of a fan fav. for this trilogy and it's a shame that more wasn't made of his story.
Loved it..........2006-07-22
Well, if you read my other reviews, they're short and to the point. I love all of J.L.'s works so far, and this doesn't fail me. An excellent read.
GREAT!!!!!!!!!.......2005-08-21
I love this one! I've read the others and i think this one is my favorite. It started a little slow but other than that it was so fantastic. I stayed up until 1:30 this morning to read it! I think the other reviewers pretty much summed up the whole story, but i just wanted to say if you liked the others in the Viking triology you won't be disappointed. Great job Johanna!!!
Not What I Expected.......2005-02-16
I could not wait to read Selig's story but what a disappointment it was. The book was more of a family reunion than a story about Selig and Erika. Although I enjoyed hearing about the rest of the family his story did not stand alone. I thought a couple of chapters could have been eliminated. The first two books in the Viking series I highly recommend they are excellent reads. Find this one at your local library.
Not as good as the first two, but still entertaining.......2004-12-21
This is the story of Garrick and Brenna's first child, Selig the Blessed, who we remember as the stillborn child who was "raised" from the dead in Fires of Winter and as the brother who also came back from the dead in Hearts Aflame. Now in this book, Johanna Lindsey has decided to put his life in danger once more, when he was ambushed on the way to East Anglia on a mission for King Alfred. Although he survives this, he ends up being mistaken for a spy and taken as a prisoner by Lady Erika of Gronwood, where he was nearly lashed to death. When his sister Kristen comes to his rescue, he asks her to take Erika as a hostage in order to exact his revenge.
Once again, we see the closeness of the family. We are also reminded of how dangerous Kristen could be when Erika incurs the wrath of her anger. If there is one family you wouldn't want to mess with, they're one of them - if you mess with one of them, you have to face the rest of the family.
Now unlike the heroines of the first two books, Erika came across as too timid. Although I didn't expect her to be as spirited as Brenna and Kristen, I wish that she had a bit more fire in her. Sure she felt guilty, but she didn't even try her hardest to defend herself when she was chained. As for Selig, too much emphasis was given on his unbelievably good looks, his pain and recovery, yet not much depth was given to his character. And in comparison with the first two books, the romance between Erika and Selig isn't as well developed. I didn't find the interaction as exciting. The author could have fleshed out the romance part a bit more in my opinion.
But if you have read the first two books, this would still be an entertaining read. For me, the highlight of the book is not so much the romance, but the involvement of Garrick and Brenna, Royce and Kristen and their friends and family.
Book Description
A Personal Growth Finalist in the 2004 Word Guild Canadian Writing Awards!
A Formatio book. "Only God deserves absolute surrender because only God can offer absolutely dependable love."In our self-reliant era, most of us recoil from the concept of surrendering to a power or authority outside ourselves. But surrender need not be seen as threatening, especially when the One to whom we surrender is the epitome of goodness and love. God doesn't want his people to respond to him out of fear or obligation. Rather, he invites us to enter into an authentic relationship of intimacy and devotion. And so God calls us to move beyond mere obedience--by surrendering to love.In this profound book, David Benner explores the twin themes of love and surrender as the heart of Christian spirituality. Through careful examination of Scripture and reflection on the Christian tradition, Benner shows how God bids us to trust fully in his perfect love.Writing with mature wisdom gleaned from many years of integrating psychological and spiritual insight, Benner demonstrates keen perception and sensitivity to the realities of spirtitual formation. In each chapter he includes meditative exercises to guide you into a greater experience of trust and spiritual transformation. God is love, and he intends for you to live in his love. Surrender to Love will lead you to an unexpected place, where yieldedness to God frees you to become who he created you to be.
Customer Reviews:
Surrender To Love: Discovering the Heart of Christian Spirituality.......2007-10-02
This book gave me a greater understanding of a real relationship with the Lord. It is especially good for those who feel they must have control over their lives, and who have a hard time emotionally if things seem out of control. It reinforces the love God has for us, and how to love him back.
Surrender to ambiguity.......2005-10-01
Dr. Benner is obviously a gifted writer with a heart for the loving transformation of his readers. My essential difficulty with this book is in its methodology, which like other works steeped in mystical spirituality, seems to emphasize the subjective nature of surrender at the expense of the objective elements of the Christian faith and our humanity.
While there is a subjective element to spirituality, that is, to the love and life found in God, Christ and the apostles always stressed that faith is to be expressed through concrete, practical love for our neighbor.
It is worth noting that Dr. Benner works closely, and I believe, approvingly of those who have strong ties to non-Christian spirituality. It is no surprise that he sings high the praises of A.W. Tozer, a Protestant, evangelical mystic to be sure, but also a student of spirituality that is steeped in extreme ecumenicism. He fails to mention that Tozer was also a neglectful father and an unloving husband, who's "pursuit of God" came at the expense of those closer to him rather than through them.
Overall, the intent and heart of the book is good, but it lacks the objectivity that is foundational to any intelligible faith, and a reader could easily find themselves saturated with a subjective mysticism that is more akin to Eastern spirituality than the Christ-following that typified the apostles.
Biblically and Historically on Target.......2005-09-19
Benner is fast becoming known as a Christian psychologist with expertise in historical Christian spirituality. His is a rare and valuable combination.
His subtitle ("Discovering the Heart of Christian Spirituality") rightly summarizes the essence of the spiritual quest throughout church history--surrender to God's love. Others today are writing about our loving encounter with God. However, they often seem unaware of the grand history which precedes them. Benner, on the other hand, adds weight and substance to his development of our love relationship with God through his biblical, historical and psychological (biblical psychology) insights.
Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction", "Soul Physicians," and "Spiritual Friends."
A Must Read.......2004-06-29
Benner does it again. This book, along with "The Gift of Being Yourself," highlights what we most need to learn. Benner illustrates the Need to surrender and explains the connection between surrendering to love and the experience of genuine intimacy. Benner most aptly stated "There is nothing more important that learning love, because this is learning that counts for eternity.... Learning to love is therefore the core task of the human psychospiritual journey." This book facilitates such learning!
Please, Please, Please Read This Book.......2004-06-19
For anyone who desires to learn more about the unconditional love of God and how that love can be experienced daily: Please, Please, Please read this book. Dr. Benner has presented the love of God in such a straight forward way. God's love for us is what truly makes transformation possible. Apart from Christ we can do nothing. His love opens various possibilities. I will say that anyone who truly wants to mine the treasures within this work must read it more than one time. I want to thank Dr. Benner for presenting such a wonderful book on God and His love for us.
Average customer rating:
- A true American Hero
- Man of character, man of faith whose story should be proclaimed!
- Well rounded biography
- Excellent Title of an Excellent Leader
- Well Researched Look at a Major Civil War Figure
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In the Hands of Providence: Joshua L. Chamberlain and the American Civil War
Alice Rains Trulock
Manufacturer: The University of North Carolina Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0807820202 |
Book Description
This remarkable biography traces the life and times of Joshua L. Chamberlain, the professor-turned-soldier who led the Twentieth Maine Regiment to glory at Gettysburg, earned a battlefield promotion to brigadier general from Ulysses S. Grant at Petersburg, and was wounded six times during the course of the Civil War. Chosen to accept the formal Confederate surrender at Appomattox, Chamberlain endeared himself to succeeding generations with his unforgettable salutation of Robert E. Lee's vanquished army. After the war, he went on to serve four terms as governor of his home state of Maine and later became president of Bowdoin College. He wrote prolifically about the war, including The Passing of the Armies, a classic account of the final campaign of the Army of the Potomac.
Customer Reviews:
A true American Hero.......2006-03-29
In the Hands of Providence is a very well researched look of the life of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. Alice Turlock presents a definitive biography of this modest professor from Bowden College, who met challenge after challenge to become one of the greatest leaders in Civil War history. Chamberlain had extraordinary observational and superb writing skills. His persistence at recording the historic events, which included his emotional reactions, gave Trulock's wonderful historic accounts for her book.
The book starts by giving us an in depth look at his obscure Christian upbringing in rural Maine, and follows his processes of becoming a great young man. He was an exceptional college student, receiving the praise of his instructors. He was also highly regarded by his neighbors and towns' folk alike. Many considered him to have the highest moral and ethical standard. He was so trusted and respected as a young man in his home town that an older business man of Maine, who was an acquaintance of Chamberlain's, entrusted him with the dealings of his estate.
While finishing his studies at Bowden, Chamberlain married his sweetheart Frances Caroline Adams. They had a very close and loving relationship. But during the war, the constant distance between them put a great deal of strain on their relationship. After graduation, he accepted a position as a professor at Bowden, and held that position for several years. Chamberlain maintained a very close relationship with his family, and he was especially close to his father in law George Adams.
When the war broke out in 1861, Chamberlain ask for a leave of absence from Bowden to enlist, but was turned down. Not to be left out of the war, he again applied for a sabbatical to study in Europe, and this time it was granted. He had no intentions on going to Europe, and instead immediately enlisted in the army as a lieutenant colonel, and never looked back. He played a huge role in the recruitment of the men for a regiment, which would later come to be known as the 20th Maine.
With no military experience, Chamberlain showed great promise in his leadership shills and military expertise. He became friends with his unit's commander, Colonial Ames, who became his tutor. According to Trulock, Chamberlain held a great deal of respect and admiration for Ames, and he gave Ames credit for his military success.
Trulock's description of Chamberlain's military life is extraordinary, and she supplies us with great details about the battles in which he was involved. At the battle of Antietam, Chamberlain was not directly involved in the fighting but was brought up in reserve the next day. Trulock gives a very vivid description of horror that Chamberlain witnessed upon arriving at the battlefield that day where 22,000 lay dead or wounded on the field. It was the bloodiest, one day battle in the Civil War.
Next, she transports us to the Fredericksburg, and the final assault by the North on Marye's Heights - the charge that involved the 20th of Maine. All the other divisions that day were either driven back, laid dead or wounded on the field. She describes tremendous courage that Chamberlain and his men showed as they made their charge on the now famous wall at Marye's Heights, the wall that was heavily guarded by Confederates. The division suffered great loses that late afternoon. They remained among the dead or wounded for 2 days and nights before the order was given to retreat.
The episode in history that Chamberlain is most remember for is the courage and heroism he displayed at the battle of Gettysburg. He was ordered to the top of a hill known as The Little Round Top where he was placed at the far left flank. There, Chamberlain was instructed to hold that position at all cost. The 20th Maine repelled assault after assault by the Confederates that day. When ammunition ran out, Chamberlain ordered a bayonet charge, an event that many historians say was the turning point of the Civil War.
Trulock also gives a very detailed account of the battle of Petersburg, where Chamberlain was horribly wounded. After hearing of his heroic actions during the battle, General Grant immediately promoted Chamberlain on the battlefield to Brigadier General. This was the only battlefield promotion ever issued by Grant. Somehow, Chamberlain survived his wound, due to the skilled surgery that was preformed on him that night and next day. Chamberlain's two close friends, Dr. Shaw and Dr. Townsend worked for hours repairing the damage inflicted by the mini ball. The wound he received that day would trouble him all of his life and required numerous surgery's to repair the damage.
His persistent heroism and outstanding leadership were the deciding factor when Grant chose Chamberlain to receive the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. He showed great respect for his fellow countrymen that day when he gave the order to his men to give a solders salute to the surrendering confederate men. His honorary actions that day were later critized by many people.
This book contains a lot of historic photos of Chamberlain's family, friends, fellow soldiers and numerous battle maps. The book also gives a great account of Chamberlain's life as Governor of Maine and President of Bowden College, but these accounts do not compare to the bravery and patriotic devotion that Chamberlain displayed during the Civil War. His actions made him a hero to his men, and the country he served.
Trulock has given us a great biography, not only one of the Civil War's greatest commanders, but one of the United States most distinguished citizens. The book flows very smoothly while covering details of battles that would interest even the most die hard Civil War enthusiast.
Finally, a book that does justice to an astonishing person. I highly recommend this book.
Man of character, man of faith whose story should be proclaimed!.......2006-01-25
Chamerlain's heroism is similar to Teddy Roosevelt, Alvin York, and Audie Murphy who came behind him, but have been better publicized.
The difference is that his act of confidence, courage and decisiveness may have been the one that changed the outcome of the Civil War, the 1864 election and the future of America.
In The Hands of Providence is the story of Chamberlain's exemplary character before, during and after that momentum changing moment. All Americans should read and learn this story.
- Richard V. Battle - Author of The Four Letter Word That Builds Character
Well rounded biography.......2005-05-10
I found Alice Trulock's biography on Joshua L. Chamberlain to be quite readable, well researched and well grounded. Considering the length of the book, Trulock's book read quite well for most readers of any level. Well, it may not be good as the one written by John Pullen but it definitely is superior to the one written by Edward Longacre. I put that in just for comparison purpose.
I think this biography may served as a good introduction to Chamberlain who's name have definitely reached near mythological level nowadays among Civil War readers thanks to Jeff Daniels and his role in that movie "Gettysburg". Of course, most readers would probably be disappointed that Jeff Daniel's portaryal of Chamberlain will not jive with Joshua Chamberlain of Trulock's book.
The biography covers all aspects of Chamberlain's life. The book does a good job covering Chamberlain's military career which proves to be the most important period of his life from which Chamberlain's life will be centered around until his death. I do wish to make a point here. He died at the age of 86, a very ripe old age and I doubt if his wounds he got from Petersburg really hasten his death, it may have cause him a lot of pain but even in modern days, most people don't live that long!
Overall, an very good biography on one of Union's more natural soldiers. A non-professional who performed better then most professional soldiers.
Excellent Title of an Excellent Leader.......2005-03-13
The Duke of Wellington supposedly stated that it is impossible for a Christian to serve in the military. Too bad he wasn't around during the American Civil War! Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson from the South and Joshua Chamberlain and Otis Howard from the North are notable exceptions to Wellington's thesis.
Trulock has written what is the best account of the hero of Little Round Top and who personally oversaw the surrender of Confederate troops at Appamattox.
Among the important events in Chamberlain's life covered include:
1. Birth and Christian upbringing in rural Maine.
2. His days as a student and adminstrator at Bowdoin College.
3. His early Civil War service including the formation of the famous 20th Maine Regiment.
4. Fascinating accounts of his involvement in major Civil War battles: Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Petersburg, and other engagements.
5. The horrible wound suffered at Petersburg that eventually killed him some 50 years later.
6. His loving yet strained marriage to Frances Caroline Adams.
7. Postwar public service as President of Bowdoin College and Governor of Maine.
Reading the book was a joy - the narrative flowed smoothly while covering several details of a fascinating character. The author managed to keep the story from becoming too bogged down in dry detail without insulting the reader's intelligence. Oh, how I wish more biographies were written like this!
The book also contains excellent battle maps and numerous photographs of the main characters: Chamberlain, his wife, parents, sister and brothers, many Civil War officers, and other important people in Joshua Chamberlain's life.
All in all, an excellent and highly recommended read. Read and enjoy!
Well Researched Look at a Major Civil War Figure.......2004-10-02
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was the epitome of the American citizen-soldier. Since the birth of the republic, American soldiers have left home and hearth to serve the nation and many of them have come home physically shattered and haunted by what they have seen while still others have not come home at all. Thrown into the breech, some of the citizen solders found they did not have the fortitude for what was asked of them while many others have excelled, performing better than graduates of West Point or Annapolis, America's most prestigious military academies. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was a citizen soldier who became a great hero of the Civil War, a man who met challenge after challenge and became a great leader of men and afterward, the course of his life was forever altered. An academically inclined young man, Chamberlain left Bowdin College and his studies and teaching in theology to accept a lieutenant colonel's commission in the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The modest young professor took part in most of the important battles of the North's Army of the Potomac. He was a participant in the Battle of Antietam, still the bloodiest single day in American history. Today, we can walk the battlefield off Sharpsburg Pike, in rural Maryland and see "Burnside's Bridge and the cornfields where so many men fell and get some small measure of what men like Chamberlain went through. We can also visit the battlefield at Fredericksburg and see the heights that he and his 20th Maine and the Union Army tried to take in bloody frontal assaults into the teeth of Confederate guns and under the pounding of their artillery on the hills. Today Chamberlain's comrades - as well as the fallen Confederate troops - are buried on the commanding heights they failed to take, one of the Civil War's bitter ironies. Colonel Chamberlain then immortalized himself at Gettysburg's Little Round Top where he anchored the Union left, repelling assault after assault and winning the day by leading a charge down the slope that broke the Rebel troops. He was given a general's star by General Grant at Petersburg and was honored to receive the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. His heroism and leadership qualities helped him win the Governorship of Maine no less than four times, after which he retired to the Presidency of Bowdin College, his alma mater. Alice Trulock who wrote this book, was not a professional writer and after her retirement from civic affairs, this book took her ten years of careful research, writing and rewriting to complete. She based her work on a great deal of new research and handles the account of infantry combat beautifully. Unfortunately, Trulock died before the book was released and so she wasn't able to accept the accolades that were due to her for such a well-written and moving biography of an emblematic Civil War figure.
Book Description
In this one-of-a-kind book, Mermer Blakeslee shares the proven techniques that have earned her international recognition as an expert on fear management.
As Mermer Blakeslee points out in her introduction, fear "resonates far, spreads widely across many boundaries, sinks to the lowest levels, and grows big very quickly." In this compelling meditation on fear, Blakeslee uses skiing as a metaphor to introduce us to what she calls our "nags and guides." Knowing when and why we should heed-or silence-these competing inner voices, can help us expand our areas of comfort as we strategically move into and out of our personal YIKES! Zone. And she encourages us fearlessly engage our fear in dialogue, demonstrating how we can make the subtle and not so subtle adjustments necessary to lead the life we desire.
With her reassuring, non-confrontational approach, Blakeslee shows how the mind, body, and spirit can work together to foster trust and positive action. Much more than a self-help manual or a guide to skiing, In the Yikes Zone is a provocative, accessible book that will help us to revitalize our lives and use the power of surrender to exist fully in the moment. In the Yikes Zone is for anyone who has ever stood at the top of a literal or figurative slope and contemplated taking the big plunge.
Customer Reviews:
Face to Face with Fear.......2007-05-07
As this book is out of print, I paid much more than I normally would for a ski book. As it turns out, I feel this is one of the best books I have ever read. It struck a very strong chord with me. I found the suggestions extremely helpful. But more than that, I found sharing the experiences that Mermer had gone through with the people she has coached to be cathartic. I have felt the feelings that were being described (frozen in place, unable to move or to breathe) and I have also experienced the transition to surrendering to gravity and the joy of being able to flow down a trail that had at one point terrified me. To be able to help people (especially women) to understand what this is like and to share in Mermer's descriptions of these experiences and skiing in general (the emotions involved, the fact that skiing is a metaphor for life and the things one can learn about oneself, the love of the sport, the feeling of being in harmony with the world and of being a completely free spirit) is transcendant.
strange name...great book.......2002-05-16
More than a skiers book on fear. Mermer demonstrates how to tackle fear head on. If you need a book to get you over the edge....this is the one.
More Than skiing.......2002-04-16
Ms. Blakeslee's writing captures the reader with thrills and laughter; she takes the experiences of skiing way beyond the realm of skiing. This book helps the reader to use ANY fearful experience as a learning tool to move forward.
Performance Success.......2002-04-11
"In the Yikes Zone" provided me with the tools to manage my performance anxiety for a recent Professional Ski Instructor Association (PSIA) exam. Mermer's book is filled with real-life anecdotes that the reader can relate to and transfer to their own experiences. "In the Yikes! Zone" lets you know when to push it and when to back-off, and how to manage your fears and emotions through-out. A definite read for athletes and non-athletes, this book is filled with important strategies to handle the many fears we face in all aspects of life.
Much more than I bargained for!.......2002-03-25
Mermer's book gave me much more than I bargained for! As a Professional Ski Instructor for Women's Clinics, I found her perspective on fear invaluable. Fear is real - it's not always rational, but it's real and we learn to deal with it. Males and females will both recognize themselves in this book. It was a big help to me not only as a teaching tool, but also in my personal skiing and most recently in a PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) ski exam. Thanks to Mermer, I was relaxed and comfortable. Whether preparing to audition for a Broadway Play or to ski a steep, icy mogul field - this book helps.
Books:
- Once a Princess
- Paradise Lost (Penguin Classics)
- Party of One: The Loners' Manifesto
- Physik (Septimus Heap, Book 3)
- Prince of Dreams (Avon Romance)
- Promises Keep
- Quantum Enigma: Physics Encounters Consciousness
- Reckless (The It Girl, No. 3)
- Science in Seconds for Kids: Over 100 Experiments You Can Do in Ten Minutes or Less
- Sex and the Perfect Lover: Tao, Tantra, and the Kama Sutra
Books Index
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