Book Description
Chicago Stars quarterback Dean Robillard is the luckiest man in the world: a bona-fide sports superstar and the pride of the NFL with a profitable side career as a buff billboard model for End Zone underwear. But life in the glory lane has started to pale, and Dean has set off on a cross-country trip to figure out what's gone wrong. When he hits a lonely stretch of Colorado highway, he spies something that will shake up his gilded life in ways he can't imagine. A young woman . . . dressed in a beaver suit.
Blue Bailey is on a mission to murder her ex. Or at least inflict serious damage. As for the beaver suit she's wearing . . . Is it her fault that life keeps throwing her curveballs? Witness the expensive black sports car pulling up next to her on the highway and the Greek god stepping out of it.
Blue's career as a portrait painter is the perfect job for someone who refuses to stay in one place for very long. She needs a ride, and America's most famous football player has an imposing set of wheels. Now, all she has to do is keep him entertained, off guard, and fully clothed before he figures out exactly how desperate she is.
But Dean isn't the brainless jock she imagines, and Blue—despite her petite stature—is just about the toughest woman Dean has ever met. They're soon heading for his summer home where their already complicated lives and inconvenient attraction to each other will become entangled with a charismatic but aging rock star; a beautiful fifty-two-year-old woman trying to make peace with her rock and roll past; an eleven-year-old who desperately needs a family; and a bitter old woman who hates them all.
As the summer progresses, the wandering portrait artist and the charming football star play a high-stakes game, fighting themselves and each other for a chance to have it all.
Natural Born Charmer is for everyone who's ever thought about leaving their old life in the dust and never looking back. Susan Elizabeth Phillips takes us home again . . . and shows us where love truly lives.
Customer Reviews:
One of her best..........2007-08-31
I am a fan of Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and this book did not disappoint! It was funny, and the characters were, as always, well-developed. This is one of her best books, in my opinion.
Deja Vu.......2007-08-14
I felt like I was reading Heaven, Texas, one of my fav by this author, all over again while reading this. Moreover, Heaven, Texas was a better novel then this book by far. And this is why I felt this book only deserved 3 stars by me.
There was no freshness to this story, it all seemed the same. So beware SEP fans, if you've read her other novels, you'll feel like you wasted your money if you bought the hard cover edition. However, if you've never read other works by this author, you'll enjoy this witty, love story.
Natural Born Charmer.......2007-08-12
Another 10 stars!! If I could give it that rating I would. This is the last in the series *I think* about the "Chicago Stars" football team. I just discovered SEP's series about the fictional team late last year, and promptly devoured each one. They are all on my "keeper shelves"....This story is about Blue & Dean, and in my humble opinion...it was just the perfect story to end things. Blue grew up being shuffled around, due to her mother being a peace activist & her father dying before she was born. I can certainly identify w/that nomadic existence as I had somewhat of a "gypsy" childhood myself, growing up. As for Dean, he was the bastard child of a rockstar & a groupie. Not planned or wanted & basically denied a relationship to said "dad"...which made a definite impression on Dean. He grew up to be a fantastic QB for the "Chicago Stars"...and to see what his son grew up to become, humbles the now aging rock star. I even have some elements of this story in my own life...just not w/famous people. So I enjoyed this theme. Someone not being treated the way they should/yet overcoming/and becoming better for it...is such a great story to me. Underdog wins!! Only now the underdog is now on top!! I want to tell you...the potential next buyer/reader about every juicy, incredibly satisfying detail of this book. But at the same time I don't want to ruin the fun of you discovering these rich, amazing, totally genuine people. Sometimes the characters in SEP's books are so incredible, you feel like you know them. These two fractured people find each other, entertain us, and manage to fall in love at the same time. The cast of various supporting characters were great too. Riley was my mom's favorite! Did I mention she's falling in love w/all of SEP's books too? Please buy this book!! I promise you'll love it as much as I did!!
One of her best.......2007-06-01
I love all her Chicago Stars books and think this is one of the funniest. The dialogue and interaction between Blue and Boo made me laugh out loud. I hated to finish it but will listen to this one on audio and recommend it to all my friends who are avid readers.
thanks susan - keep writing and i'll keep reading.
Trying too hard to be hip.......2007-06-01
I generally enjoy this author, but I am getting tired of the Chicago Stars football team and their stories. If you have read "It Had to Be You" or "This Heart of Mine" you might as well skip this one. It is a retread of the same formula she has used before - with a few new innovations - this time Phillips sprinkles the f-word around pretty liberally. I don't really care to read that and it is not necessary to the story or to the character development. All I can think is that her editor told her she needed to do that to appeal to a younger audience. I have been reading her books for almost 20 years. Guess I'm done now.
Book Description
This book describes how understanding the structure of reality leads to the Theory of Everything Equation. The equation unifies the forces of nature and enables the merging of relativity with quantum theory. The book explains the big bang theory and everything else.
Customer Reviews:
The Real Deal.......2006-09-25
Although Mr. Wheatley is a little verbose in sections, his documentation of Zen Buddhistic Principles found throughout the disciplines of Mathematics, Physics, Theology, etc. forms a nice reference guide for anyone tuned into that wavelength. In particular, his explanation of how Godel's Theorem and Cantor's "Confusion" shed great light on the difference between GOD's Logic and Man's Logic should be a revelation to any undergraduate level math students who encounter these ideas for the first time. Curiously, Mr. Wheatley makes many misstatements about both Zen Buddhism Principles and the Bible, however. For example, by accepting the false biblical teaching of Original Sin, he misses the point that eating the proverbial apple gave Adam and Eve the ability to make Moral Discernments in fulfillment of GOD'S PERFECT PLAN. As proof, read Genesis 1 which states that Man and Woman were made in GOD's Image. Genesis 4 shows that Adam and Eve weren't the first humans on Earth at all, there were plenty of others by then. The allegorical meaning of the story of Eden, then, isn't that Adam and Eve were the first humans on Earth, but they were the first humans with the ability to make Moral Discernments (in GOD's Image). In fact, Moral Discernment is God's Unique Gift to Man, which is the basis of consciousness, not some Math Formula. But because the wages of the resulting, unavoidable sin are Death, many people foolishly try to return to Eden by: (1) living a sinless Life (2) by removing choice altogether by passing and enforcing strict Laws (3) by attempting to do away with Moral Discernment and the resulting consequences for our actions altogether by trying to remove Shame from Shameful actions. GOD is not some ethereal Man-In-Space, but is simply the Totality of all Real Things, The Set of All Real Sets. GOD's Love manifests itself from the amazing sub-atomic relationships that underly this magic Life all the way to the grandest of Macroscopic Scales, the Interconnected Totality itself. The Zen Buddhism connection can be found by simply superimposing the 0 symbol and the symbol for infinity (8 on its side) in Mr. Wheatley's supposedly "new" formulation that 1 = 0 x infinity. Superimposing them gives you the yin-yang symbol. A potential disadvantage of artificially separating the infinity from the zero, however, is that Mr. Wheatley is able to equate the entire expression to be equal to 1. This potentially might obscure the fact that the deepest meaning of the yin-yang symbol is that it is both 2 and 1 AT THE SAME TIME. His overall equation does preserve that important meaning by utilizing a single element on one side of the equation and two elements on the other side of his final TOE equation. This may be hard to see for some at first, however, which could potentially obscure the richest meaning of this beautiful symbol/equation. A much more GODLY TOE, in my opinion, comes from Euler, who discovered that e ^ (i * pi) - 1 = 0. When someone can explain that relationship, then they can say they know GOD.
A life changing experience??.......2005-06-13
This book is an easy read and does succeed in being somewhat thought-provoking. However, I am a little surprised at the awesome, "life changing" experience it apparently was for many of the readers. Wheatley's conclusions were interesting but nothing really new. All of his material should have passed through the mind of any thinking person without the aid of this book.
The reason I gave this book three stars is because he uses unneccessarily wordy ways of describing simple things. Also, the author and many other reviewers insist that Wheatley makes only one assumption. Wrong-his whole theory is one big assumption.
Overall though it was a very interesting and worthy book.
Should be Required Reading for everyone.......2004-06-26
This book will change your life. You will never think the same way you did before reading it.
I have a degree in chemistry and I think this book should be read by everyone in the sciences. Without a doubt, the best book I've ever read. Why and what are two of our best friends
A Very Important Book.......2004-01-26
I must preface my review by stating that I have never been so excited and moved by a book that I have wanted to contact the author. That is what I found myself doing upon reading this book. This book is just what its title says. The author does not "miss a beat" describing in great detail using practically every aspect of scientific knowledge from atomic structure through logic to quantum theory---we are even given a valuable explanation of Love. This text may be challenging to read for those unfamiliar with scientific terminology. And it can also be difficult for those with a science background, such as myself. However, for me it is well worth the work necessary to strive to understand the unfamiliar terminology. (I am continually learning from this book. I am presently on my third reread).
One of the author's main messages is "not" to believe anything without first verifying it with reality, as we know it. He calls it the "Personal Explanation Principle". He indicates that religions are just such belief systems that we as people "fall" victims of; because we do not verify the beliefs with the facts, as we know them, of reality. He gives a very detailed explanation of how the New Testament can be explored using his methodology.
The author methodically and meticulously walks us through his thought processes, which took 30 years to assimilate, of delineating the structure of reality and the nature of consciousness. Included in the "walk" are many of reality's phenomena made revelatory. An example of that, for me, would be the dual nature of light. It's particle/wave duality, which is explained as "functions". Also, when the author took me on the mental journey of "Setness" an exhilaration of the magnificence of life swelled up in me.
To me this is a very important book that should be read by all that are seekers of truth. It is for all those wanting to gain an understanding of the purpose for their existence, wanting to know where life is headed towards, and wanting to know who God is.
This book will enlighten and develop one's mind substantially. You will discover that this is our objective.
And yes, I contacted the author and he responded openly.
Illuminating!!!.......2002-12-30
This is a really great book. It combines philosophy and science in order to tackle a multitude of existential problems. The author's style of writing is fresh and alive, I recommend ths book to anyone interested in expanding the fronteirs of their understanding. Books I also liked are a Universe in an Nutshell by Steven Hawkings and Descent into Illusions by Paul Omeziri.
Customer Reviews:
Makes your heart and soul want to go to Ireland.......2007-04-06
Of all the books I have read by Nora Roberts it is hard for me to say which one I enjoyed the most. But I must say that Irish Born is one that I will always remember.
Maggie is hard hearted due to the life she had as a child but the artist in her is all she lives for until she meets Rogan. The love she finds in him is not what she wants until he shows her what life will be like with someone whose love her and will always be there.
Brianna has a soft heart and tries to mother and take care of everyone in her family and the people who come to stay at her B & B. But then the American writer Grayson comes into her life and steals her heart then tells her this is not what he wants and turns and walks away.
Shannon is the sister that Maggie and Brianna knew nothing about until the letters are found. She goes to Ireland to meet her half sisters and finds that love has a way taking hold of your heart and soul even when you don't want it to. But Murphy is not going to give up.
You will also find yourself loathing the mother to the point you want to strangle her.
If you read this book I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Wonderful Irish Nora..wonderful stories...2nd REPRINT.......2007-03-30
These are three great stories, HOWEVER...if you have lots of Nora's already, double-check to make sure that you don't have these already since this is the SECOND time these have been issued as a trilogy. Makes you really wonder about the quality of this publisher's current crop of writers, doesn't it. The grade does not reflect the author or the stories, just the publisher's tacky audaciousness at reissuing these again.
IRISH BORN.......2007-03-27
I'm a Nora Roberts fan.This book is a triology (Born in Fire, Born in Ice and Born in Shame)of tree sister in Ireland. I loved all.
My First Nora Roberts.......2006-10-27
This was my first Nora Roberts, and was given to me by my sister while I was visiting her. I had finished the book I took with me and my sister gave me this book to read.
This is actually a single book containing the three stories in the Irish Born Trilogy (Born in Fire, Born in Ice, Born in Shame). The three stories flow together wonderfully, as do all of Nora Roberts' Trilogies. I couldn't put this book down. My other sister was trying to talk to me on our plane home and I kept telling her to shut up so I could read...I'm sure it annoyed her, but what the hey...it's a good book!
I love to read and read a lot. I would say this was my second favorite Nora Roberts Trilogy, following closely behind the Key Trilogy (Key of Light, Key of Knowledge, Key of Valor), but not far behind. If you're a fan or have never read Nora, but are interested in trying something new, I would certainly recommend this book.
Exceptional Irish Romance.......2006-07-30
My absolute favorite Irish romance. This book is actually three books in one. There are three sisters and each sister has her own story that overlaps into a wonderful and fantastic book. Born in Fire is about Margaret Mary (Maggie) Concannon and Rogan Sweeney. Rogan owns Worldwide Galleries and wants Maggie's astonishing glass creations in his gallery. He sets out to acquire her artistic talent and finds her fiery personality is not something he can forget. Born in Ice is about Brianna (Brie) Concannon and Grayson Thane. Brie runs the local B & B named Blackthorne Cottage. Gray is writing a mystery novel and needs the solitude of Blackthorne to help him finish it. Brie is kind and generous and Gray wants isolation while guarding his lonely past. He finds himself drawn into Brie's family life and realizes that he wants to part of that life too. Born in Shame is Shannon Bodine and Murphy Muldoon's story. Shannon finds out that Maggie and Brie are her half-sisters and comes to Ireland to reluctantly get to know them. Like Gray she is drawn into their family life and soon finds love has been waiting for her in Ireland all along. An extraordinary book by an extraordinary author. I was drawn into the story from the first page. Nora Roberts writes with such humor and description. When I closed my eyes I could picture Maggie's workshop, Blackthorne Cottage, Murphy's farm, O'Malley's pub and the countryside of the village of Kilmihil.
Book Description
People magazine declared that "[Nora Roberts] is at the top of her game," and there's no greater evidence of that than these three novels. From the horse farms of Virginia to the rugged beauty of Montana to an island off the coast of Georgia, these novels showcase Nora Roberts's talents for intense drama, vivid characters, and fast-paced suspense.
Customer Reviews:
Love all of Nora's romance books.......2007-02-25
You can never go wrong with a Nora Roberts romance novel and this is just one more great one in the list.
beware small type.......2007-01-15
i haven't finished reading even the first of these three books, but I am struggling to read the small, serifed type. I don't usually have any problems reading normal type, but something about the font and size of the type, combined with the large book is making this read a bit of a struggle for me.
So far, really like the characters and very typical Nora Roberts writing.
Very Good Reads.......2007-01-14
If you are an avid reader as I aa and a Nora Roberts fan too, you can't beat these three great books combined in one volume.
I am certain that you will enjoy these three earlier works by Nora Roberts.
Great vendor.......2006-11-14
This book was in great condition. The delivery was fast. Thank you for your prompt attention.
True Betrayals/Montana Sky/Sanctuary.......2006-08-31
Truly a great grouping of three story lines. Each one kept me on the edge of my seat and reluctant to put down until I completed it. Descriptions of location and events put you right there. I can't wait to read more of this author.
Book Description
For more than ten years, Suzy Gershman has been leading savvy shoppers to the world's best finds. Now Born to Shop Italy is even easier to use and packed with more up-to-date listings and shopping secrets than ever before.
Customer Reviews:
You can do better (and I should have known better).......2007-02-23
Since I'm planning another trip to Italy this year, I got the current edition on a whim. I had bought an old version several years ago on a discount rack when I first started traveling to Europe and I found a fair bit of the information helpful, but this one is a disappointment in several ways. As others have pointed out, much of the information is quite obviously inaccurate or out of date. Furthermore, this is not much good as a shopping guide unless you have money to burn since it is heavily skewed toward the high-end designer market. The author throws in a few snippets from her younger associates about more affordable places to shop but that's not enough. Admittedly, Italy hasn't been a bargain hunter's paradise for many years, even before the currency conversion that has almost ruined shopping in Europe for us Americans, but there really are many affordable options for the average traveler. Just take a look on Virtual Tourist or some fo the other travel forums & you'll find a wealth of advice. From that & my own searches, I've found a pile of good shopping information. Now if I can do that on my own, surely Gershman and her team could have done a better job of research, especially if they have the nerve to charge money for it.
However, my real problem is with Gershman's attitude, which has clearly worsened between the date of my old edition and the present one. The woman is a snob, plain and simple. If you don't catch this from her over-emphasis on designer goods, you'll figure it out from all of her complaining about Italy being overrun with tourists (obviously forgetting that she is one herself)and the Italian merchants taking advantage of this by offering more & more junk. When I read her review of Francesco Rogani, a handbag shop in Rome, I truly wondered if I had been to the same place: she claims that there is a discrepancy between the selling price & the actual retail, the latter of which she claims is too much for sub-standard goods, but what is even more puzzling is her complaint that the clerks have a "less than customer-oriented" attitude. I have been there several times & have never been told of this mysterious difference between prices. Also, I have always found them to be courteous and polite; in fact, on my last visit, they found out it was my birthday & offered to get me a reservation at a special restaurant that I never would have found on my own (it was wonderful and they treated me to the appetizer, dessert, and a glass of liqueur). Now if that isn't "customer-oriented" service, I don't know what is.
Anyone who's traveled abroad even a few times will tell you the same thing: if you act like a typical snotty, demanding tourist, you won't be treated well. The Golden Rule is especially important these days for us Americans, and I assure you that if you are polite, well-mannered and friendly to the Italians or anyone else, you'll have a wonderful time shopping. Talk to the concierge at the hotel and the waiters & shop owners if you want to find out the real bargains - they may not be big-name designer baubles screaming their status, but they will be special, something that a real Italian would own, and more than likely something that you wouldn't find back home.
SUZY IS THE BEST OUT THERE......BAR NONE.......2005-09-22
I have traveled to Europe and Asia with a trusty Born To Shop Guide Book many times and Suzy gives me the best overall advice. Every once in a while a new writer will come on board with no experience and forgot to warn us of the pitfalls of being a "Rich American Traveler"-Suzy has steered me clear of many problems while traveling alone. This is the reason I ADORE her and have even bought the older versions just to compare information. Time moves on and locations change.
Can't wait for the new Born To Shop San Francisco and I just received the new Asian version-try these too!
Don't bother!.......2005-07-27
Don't bother buying this book. First, none of the Born To Shop books get updated much between editions, so lots of information is out of date. Second, Suzy Gershman is totally out of touch with reality. I took a shopping tour to Italy with a company called Shop Around Tours and obviously a lot of us had this book. The tour leader warned us not to pay too much attention to it and she was right. BUT we went to Mantero, which is one of the places mentioned in the book, and it was great. Otherwise, the people that went off on their own following Suzy's wild goose chases were very disappointed. So the shopping in Italy was great, but this book was a waste of money.
Full of inaccuracies.......2005-03-31
Suzy Gershman needs to retire already. All of her books, including this one, are full of inaccuracies. Each edition is barely updated, so there's no need to buy the new version if you have an old one. It's time Frommers dropped Gershman and hired someone under the age of 70 to update these books that shops NOW and knows what they're talking about. These Born To Shop books are an amusing read but a complete waste of money if you're looking for current information.
italian cashmere.......2004-11-24
we visited a new lisitng in your book (near to siena although listed as Florence): a real cashmere goat farm run by an American woman from Long Island!
the utterly spectaclar view was on a par with the hand-woven cashmere they sell on their farm - sublime!!!
definitely top quality in every way, and their goats milk skincare products are superlative
couldn't have been better
Book Description
"Gershman may be the best guide for novice and pro shoppers alike." —The Washington Post
For nearly twenty years, Suzy Gershman has been leading savvy shoppers to the world s best finds. Now Born to Shop Hong Kong, Shanghai & Beijing is easier to use and packed with more up-to-date listings than ever before. Inside you ll find:
- What s hot in Hong Kong, from hip new fashions and designer labels to porcelain, jade, and colorful markets
- The best of Shanghai, from the Old City to the exciting new Pudong area
- Terrific buys in Beijing, from the Silk Market to the Pearl Market to the famous antiques street of Liulichang
- A completely new section on Hanoi and its unique treasures such as contemporary art, sophisticated lacquer, and funky ethnic fashions
Download Description
""Gershman may be the best guide for novice and pro shoppers alike.""The Washington Post For nearly twenty years, Suzy Gershman has been leading savvy shoppers to the world s best finds. Now Born to Shop Hong Kong, Shanghai & Beijing is easier to use and packed with more up-to-date listings than ever before. Inside you ll find: What s hot in Hong Kong, from hip new fashions and designer labels to porcelain, jade, and colorful markets The best of Shanghai, from the Old City to the exciting new Pudong area Terrific buys in Beijing, from the Silk Market to the Pearl Market to the famous antiques street of Liulichang A completely new section on Hanoi and its unique treasures such as contemporary art, sophisticated lacquer, and funky ethnic fashions
Customer Reviews:
An invaluable romp through Asia.......2007-05-30
I don't like to shop, but I loved this book. In my experience it's accurate and on-target for Beijing, HK and Hanoi (which is included). It's full of practical information (consider going to Asia via Tel Aviv on El Al -- who knew?) and points out the distinctions betweeen confusing names e.g. Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Art Museum, two different places.
The information on visas, travel and shipping is sensible and matches my experiences in Asia.
The writing style is punchy and entertaining (e.g. "Rental cars: You have to be kidding, right?") so like all the best travel books, it's worth reading even if you never leave home.
Don't waste your money.......2007-01-19
I bought this book for my daughter and son in law who were going to China for 3 weeks. They discarded the book after finding the information
not accurate. They went to one of the recommended restaurants, and couldn't even eat the food. This was just one of many disappointments in this book. She was very disappointed in the book!
She also met someone else on her trip, who had the book and felt the same way. Sorry I bought it for her.
Don't Buy it!
SUZY IS A VETERAN OF ASIA & GIVES US THE BEST.......2006-10-24
Suzy is so multi-faceted and therefore is the best author on travel out there. I have been to Asia recently & traveled with her Born To Shop Guide which steered me in "All The Right Places". She is also traveling to Singapore and Australia (my other favorite trips) for a new book for 2007. Don't Miss it.....oh, by the way, Suzy also lets you travel with her. Try it..........you will like it!!!!!!!! Sherrill Kearney Creek
Much Ado About Nothing..........2006-05-14
I bought this book for a trip to Bejing and Shanghai - and was quite disappointed. There is nothing in it that is not in other guidebooks. Several of the recommendations were hyped. And the attitude - snobby, awful. I'd suggest the Luxe guides, which not only tell you where to shop but also suggest places to eat, to drink, etc.
Book Description
"Gershman's guide may be the best guide for novice and pro shoppers alike," praises The Washington Post, and you'll agree. For more than ten years, Suzy Gershman has been leading savvy shoppers to the world's best finds. Now Born to Shop Paris is easier to use and packed with more up-to-date listings than ever before. Inside you'll find:
- The best of the shopping scene, from tony designer boutiques to funky flea markets
- What's new and hot, from the revitalization of the Left Bank to the trendiest young designers
- Excellent values, from bath and body to home style
- Great gift ideas, even for the friend who has everything-plus the best gifts for less than $10
- The best airfare, hotel, and dining values—so you can maximize your shopping dollars
- Tips on customs, shipping, and tax laws
Customer Reviews:
It's ALL in the details!.......2007-01-19
I've been traveling to Paris for 35 years (lived there for one) and so, know the city fairly well.... A friend lent me this book, and I tried to use it during the 3 weeks I spent in Sept-Oct of last year (2006), and was very disappointed. I mapped out the locations of several of the shops Suzy raves about, and arrived, only to find that the store was no longer (was it ever?) at the address she gave. If you know Paris, you know that there are tons of little, hard-to-find-rues, so it was VERY frustrating to spend so much time looking....and finding nothing. I would suggest she do her homework before she publishes another guide.
Great Read - Mediocre Advice.......2006-09-02
I purchased this book a little while before going to Paris and read it cover to cover, made maps, reference marks on my maps (basically went over board) believing I had invested money in a guide that was somewhat acurate. Sadly, I was mistaken - many of the stores mentioned were either no longer in business or were at another address. Most of the advice was off the cuff and not honest enough to be taken seriously by anyone. It is a fun read, don't get me wrong, but more as fiction than fact. Paris is a living, breathing animal of a city, always changing - i realize now that advice, not military precision shopping, is what I am looking for, and this is not it.
Same Paris I go to?.......2006-08-06
I have been traveling to Paris for 20 years and even lived there for a bit. Out of habit, I checked out Suzy's latest book. I wanted to know where Christian Louboutin's store was. she doesn't mention him. not a word. He is perhaps one of the hottest shoe designers going with his famous red soles. Suzy doesn't know or doesn't care.
Onto Pierre Hardy, a shoe designer in Palais Royale who is now making coveted purses with a wait list a mile long, again Suzy doesn't seem clued into who he is either.
The list goes on. Her hotel's are ridiculous. There are many wonderful hotels that are under $200.00 a night. Hotel Brighton on rue d' Rivoli right next to the much touted Hotel Mercier is one. Hotel Relais du Louvre next the still close Samaratine Deprtment store, which as been closed for a few years, but Suzy didn't mention even though her copyright date is post closing.
with information so available right now on the internet, save your money and buy a cafe or a glass of wine. Suzy, you are past your prime.
A good starting point..........2005-06-02
It seems as though Ms. Gershman either read the reviews here, or else the sorry state of the U.S. dollar against the euro was the catalyst for changes in the 10th edition, published in November 2004.
I used the book as one of my shopping resources during a short visit to Paris in May 2005. Of course, Ms. Gershman's picks still are on the pricey (and middle-aged) side, but she seems to have added more information on less expensive shopping options. And in case you don't share Ms. Gershman's taste in clothes, there are also picks from her son Aaron (who seems to be in his late teens or early twenties) and her assistant Jenny (apparently in her twenties or thirties).
She does list pricey hotels, but I don't think she should be considered a source on lodging since she lives part-time in Paris (and she even tells you how to rent her apartment, if you are so inclined).
I somewhat recommend this book because it gives a solid overview of shopping in the city and gives you a good base about the various neighborhoods. Plus, she's brutally honest ... since my shopping time was limited, her comment that Colette is overrated allowed me to skip that store and go somewhere where I can actually afford to buy things. She made me aware of a great place to buy handbags. And most importantly, she demystifies the process of getting détaxe ... which these days is crucial for Americans!
Normally, I'd have given this book four stars, but I've taken off another star because even though the book was published in November 2004, many things seem to be out of date (a champagne she recommended was nowhere to be found). I had a feeling there would be some problems with the listings, so when I was planning my trip (...)
Things I would have liked:
* Phone numbers for the stores, as well as opening hours.
* More detailed maps
If I were to do my shopping planning again, I'd probably spend an afternoon at Barnes & Noble with this book, reading the first couple of chapters (which include her top picks, as well as Aaron and Jenny's choices), then leafing through the rest of the book and taking down names of stores that interest me. Then, I would supplement my list with two sources that are more appropriate for a woman in her twenties or thirties: Time Out's store listings on their Web site, and the section on Paris shopping in the June 2005 issue of Lucky (which came out just in time for my trip, though I have to advise you that those listings are no cheaper than Ms. Gershman's picks!).
Certainly not the best guide for bargain-shoppers!.......2004-10-22
"Disappointing" is the best word to apply to this book. I found so little useable advice (and so much that was out-of-date), that I would try to resell my copy of this book via Amazon, if only I would not feel guilty for ripping off a fellow bargain-hunter!
Of the other (non bargain-shopping) advice in this book, I could find lots of places on my own (online on a search engine) to spend "top dollar" in Paris. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who is truly "born to shop"! Phooey!
Book Description
- Download a free companion podcast featuring Suzy!
"Gershman's guide may be the best guide for novice and pro shoppers alike," praises The Washington Post, and you'll agree. For more than ten years, Suzy Gershman has been leading savvy shoppers to the world's best finds. Now Born to Shop New York is easier to use and packed with more up-to-date listings than ever before. Inside you'll find:
- The best of Manhattan's shopping scene, from world-renowned department stores to hip boutiques-now with even more coverage of the hottest downtown neighborhoods
- Great values on everything from bath and beauty to wedding gowns-plus insider tips on sample sales, flea markets, and factory outlets
- Terrific gift ideas, even for the friend who has everything-plus the best gifts for under $10
- Tips on finding the best hotel and dining values-so you can maximize your shopping dollars
Customer Reviews:
Book Amazon was unable to send me........2007-02-14
I would love to be able to review this book, having just read Suzy's "C'est La Vie". However after a long conversation with a non English as a first language speaker, it was decided if I wanted the rest of my order I would have to forgo Born to Shop NY. Others, let me know if you were able to purchase this book and if it was helpful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Suzy comes through.......2006-10-15
The last edition of Born to Shop disappointed me becasue Suzy Gershman's interest seemed so narrow that the stores and places she liked were too far out of my range. In this edition she's made some changes. Cheap shopping is listed and the luxe, nowhere else except NYC stores are listed as well. She must have gotten some younger helpers because much to my delight the Sean Jean store and and Triple Five Soul shop are mentioned too. One thing I've always liked about the Born to Shop series is that the advice shows you how to get around town safely, how to buy quality and how to have a good time with as few hassles as possible. And don't think this book is just for women. In our last trip to NY my husband frequently consulted it and was very pleased with the directions and commentary.
This book and Gerry Frank's guide are all you really need to take a weekend NYC trip.
A good comprehensive book - with reservations.......2006-07-05
There is a problem with travel books in that they try to cover EVERYthing in a city. I like books that just tell me the best places to go for what I want.
This book leans towards being a total reference, but offers the shopper plenty of options.
The bargain shopper needs to know one thing - Century 21 next to the world trade center site. That is about where the unbelievable bargains end. Now you can save some money on the book and spend it on shopping
One nicety about the book is that the author includes place to eat around the shopping.
Book Description
Women in positions of leadership in our society are often forced to choose between professional and personal relationships. Some men are intimidated or affronted by these women's power and accomplishments, while leading women can themselves show poor discernment, choosing male partners who insist on dominating and controlling their relationships. Author Barbara Wright Abernathy says that a new understanding of gender is the answer. Stepping away from patriarchal Old World Conventions, she draws on Native American traditions for her exciting premise: four out of five women are Earth Mothers--nurturing and others-oriented--while the remaining fifth is a Star Woman whose nature is to lead and inspire. Both types of women are valid, but neither will have happy romances or relationships if they do not find the right kind of men to compliment their distinctly different personalities and needs. "Venus On Top" will help each woman discover her own inner Earth Mother or Star Woman, teaching her how to discern, attract and keep the man who is right for her.
Customer Reviews:
New Age Dominance?.......2007-01-11
This book is interesting. The author's personal tale of her life journey is much more fascinanting than the description of the different types of women and how this affects their abilities to lead those around them. I did find some useful ideas; however there is a chapter in the book about the men's perspective that does not give the first person account but rather a generalization. I would have preferred to read what drew a man to the powerful woman (or women) in his life. Maybe the author, Barbara Wright Abernathy, will one day write a follow-up......
A thought provoking guide to exploring your feminine power .. .......2006-07-30
Barbara, thank you for writing with those new to FLR's in mind. Having been raised around female-led relationships, "Venus On Top" reads as a common sense outline for those interested in finding out more about the rewards and possibilities a female-led relationship has to offer.
Some women fail to realize their personal power, unnecessarily resorting to manipulation or deceit to get what they want. This book can help replace these negative tendencies with mutually acceptable ways of communicating needs/desires. Most men crave to make their women happy anyway, and need nothing more than for her to start taking ownership of her desires and then sharing them with him in a healthy way. Rewarding him well as a result of his unconditional support doesn't hurt either ;). So thanks again for this entertaining, thought-provoking book.
For those of us who march to the beat of a different drummer.........2006-06-06
This book was given to me as a gift. A male friend had heard Barbara Wright Abernathy at a speaking engagement and told me "She says the same things you've been thinking". With the book in hand I also took the time to visit the authors website.
Have you ever heard someone say "She wears the pants in that family", or "She's one bossy/powerful/in control woman"? Well, that is the type of woman this book was written for. Barbara had failed relationships and didn't know why. This book details her experience and what she and her husband, Stephen, learned together. Relationships like this aren't for everyone, but there are a lot of us who needed someone to put the idea into writing.
No one talks about power levels between partners. Some partners argue all the time about finances, even though one is clearly more adept at managing money than the other. With help from this book, I can see where it's possible to have a relationship with clearly defined roles. Perhaps I get an extra vote when we're tied on a decision. Or he agrees to always check the 'Honey-Do-List' first thing on a Saturday morning. If you're a strong woman, it helps you figure out how you and your partner can simply clearly define your roles in the relationship.
It's been my experience that men love to please their women. This book just brings certain aspects to light and helps women to see and acknowledge the power we DO have..and how to use it in a healthy way for creating happiness in our relationship.
This book isn't about living with a Female Dominatrix or involving heavy 'kink' into your home life. If that's your choice, fine. But this book is more for the average folks - of which I am one - who would simply like to have their relationship be closer and more loving.
There are more of us powerful women out here than you would think! This book gives me food for thought .. and action. Thanks Barbara and Stephen!
Philosophical Ramblings of a Rodent-brained Moron .......2005-12-20
[...]
So let's get this straight. Either a man dominantes a woman and basically has her serving him at home or he then essentially runs a buisness and is the work horse while his "working" wife "runs" the buisness but proves more a show horse than anything else and then the man suddenly swtiches over from being "cooperative" (i.e. submissive) to running off with what Mitchell calls a submissive wife.
Yeah this makes lots of sense. A woman is either a bossy twit that doesn't see it coming or a guy is a boorish brute or a milquetoast.
Please this book is not a serious academic or analytical take on a supposed natural inclination of leadership--regardless of gender. Rather it is clearly a fantasia catering to the female domination fetish. Any author or idiotic reviewer with such a black and white view of human interaction is fundamentally jaded, narrow-minded, and nearsighted.
Mitchell, for example, sounds like a man with much want to have the opportunity to run off with any woman and most likely has had little interaction with the opposite sex to know anything of value to pass along to a reader.
The bottom line is that leaders are more made than born. There are an endless supply of people with raw talent. The world is overflowing with them. What it lacks is those with the discipline and not just the "drive," which is so often chimed as a great attribute. The dedication to grooming oneself and staying focus on long-term goals that can literally take many years to attain is a requirement few with all the talent in the world are ready to undertake.
In our me-me, show-me-the-results-right-now demanding, impatient, immediacy, few men--or women--have what it takes to be a leader. Men have suffered from this for decades, namely believing that they can do anything simply because they think it. It takes work though more than anything to make it. Women today, however, have caught up with male ego and vanity in that now women genuinely beleive this is "their time" and they have an inherent right to claim the future without actually doing what is required to truly make it and have earned that right. Birth and gender and all that glorious talent alone do not make it in the world.
This book only caters to the the insecure and delussional.
Serious Advice for Dominant Women Seeking Cooperative Men.......2005-04-18
In the franchising business, franchisors have long known to look for husband-and-wife teams where the wife runs the marriage and the business . . . and keeps the books while the man follows her orders ungrudgingly until he drops from fatigue. If you recruit dominant males instead, the wife stays at home . . . and you get only one person working on the business rather than two. The only downside to these hard-working couples is that when the men hit their 50s, they often run off with a submissive female employee and stop working on the business. Smart franchisors help these couples sell their franchise businesses at that point to pay for the divorce settlement.
What's that story got to do with Venus on Top? More than you would expect. Many women are born to lead in their work, their businesses and in their marriages. Pair those women with men who want to lead in the same ways . . . and you have one leader too many. Pair them with a man who wants to follow and please them, and you can have a recipe for more successful marriages.
I decided to read this book to gain more perspective on my great grandparents and parents . . . where in both generations the women led. The men followed silently in their wake . . . but not always happily. This book echoed one phrase the males all learned early in our family, "When the women are happy, the men are happy."
Ms. Abernathy describes her experiences with three failed marriages and her conclusions about how women who want to lead at work and at home can find compatible males who will enjoy that kind of relationship. She also provides advice for those who are willing to be a woman who follows her husband's lead . . . but the primary value of this book comes for those who want to know how to get what they want . . . and know what that is.
Much of the book is based on Jung, studies of ancient goddess-based religions, positive thinking and self-help methods. If you are familiar with those subjects, you won't find anything new in those sections. If you would like to learn a little in those areas, the material is accessible.
Most women I know would call this a five-star book just for chapter 10, Training Your Man or Why Real Women Don't Do Housework. That section provides the best explanation I've ever seen of how to help men take on household chores in ways that will be pleasing to women. The essence of the advice is to provide hands-on demonstrations, answer questions, observe, correct and provide encouragement. Now, was that so hard? Men can learn. Every household chore that I do now was learned through that process.
The book veers off in a few places that can be misunderstood by being too literal about what she says. Ms. Abernathy, like a large percentage of women, has a thing about men leaving the toilet seat up. She does go on in addressing that problem which really bugs her. This is a litmus test of a man's devotion to her. She also makes it sound like giving or withholding sexual favors in some random fashion is great for a marriage. On closer reading, I think her message is a little different from her words. The real message, I think, is to create a positive relationship through personal warmth and mutual sexual gratification that relies as much on flirting and surprise as it does on accommodating men's desire for sex.
Overall, I found the tone of the book to be refreshing coming from a woman in her 50s. If something's important to a woman in a relationship . . . why shouldn't she be on top (which Ms. Abernathy means both literally and psychologically) in the relationship?
I suspect that many younger women will wonder what all the fuss is about.
Ms. Abernathy describes her philosophy with enthusiasm. I suspect she would be an entertaining speaker on this subject.
Average customer rating:
- The least useful travel book I've bought
- This book was indispensible
- My Shopping Bible
- Suzy does her homework .
- VERY INFORMATIVE AND WAS ABLE TO SAVE LOTS OF MONEY
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Frommers Born to Shop Italy: The Ultimate Guide for Travelers Who Love to Shop (Frommers Born to Shop)
Suzy Gershman
Manufacturer: MacMillan Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Retailing | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Shopping & Commerce | Reference | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Consumer Guides | Reference | Subjects | Books
Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books
Frommer's | Guidebook Series | Travel | Subjects | Books
General | Italy | Europe | Travel | Subjects | Books
General | Travel | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0028631420 |
Book Description
For more than ten years, Suzy Gershman has been leading savvy shoppers to the world's best finds. Now Born to Shop: Italy is easier to use and packed with more up-yo date listings and shopping secrets than ever before.
Customer Reviews:
The least useful travel book I've bought.......2000-04-18
I bought this book because I had a positive experience with the Hong Kong version (which is substantially better) during a trip 5 years ago. I did not expect much from this book, but it managed to disappoint anyway. The writing style is so conversational and unstructured that it quickly becomes annoying.
I could put up with the writing style if it was not so obvious that the author was filling space to make up for the lack of content. Basically, if you plan to shop for designer clothes and purses in the big cities and want to know where the designer stores are, then you might get some use out of this. Beyond that, the content is severely limited. Probably the worst example I can think of involves an outlet store. The author admits that she could not even find the place, yet she still included it in her book!
This book was indispensible.......2000-01-16
I just returned from Italy and used this book almost every day. We loved the directions for finding great bathrooms. This book is not just about shopping but tells you all the hints you wish other guide books would tell you. It's very practical and best of all small and light. Her suggestion about how to reach your hotel from the train station in Venice was the best. Thanks for such a great little helper.
My Shopping Bible.......2000-01-06
A must-have for serious shoppers! I was so engrossed in this book I did not notice my plane was delayed on the runway 1 1/2 hours. The attention to detail was impeccable; I used the maps to plan a different shopping trip every day, making the best use of time. Thanks to the tips, I was able to shop on Via della Spiga without maxing out my Visa. Advice like this is indispensable; I was able to bring home the perfect souvenir for everyone and stock up on leather goods during July sales for Xmas gifts. The Born to Shop series allows me to look forward to business trips and constructively deal with jet lag. I earned a Ph.D. in Italian designers, and Peck and Frette linens are among my passions all thanks to this book!
Suzy does her homework ........1999-09-12
Suzy Gershman is one of the only writers of series travel guides who actually earns her percentage of each book, in my opinion. Her shopping series is actually significantly updated from year to year, and therefore, is one of the only ones worth buying repeatedly. I have frequently been astonished that many other brandname guides are essentially reprints of the version for the previous year with little to no update. Why buy them? I've always gotten great tips from Suzy and I appreciate her hard work and wonderful sense of humor. When travel time is limited, it's nice to have Suzy to have done the advance footwork. Keep it up, Suzy! You keep researching and your readers will try to continue to create opportunities to use your shopping advice!
VERY INFORMATIVE AND WAS ABLE TO SAVE LOTS OF MONEY.......1998-04-24
ALTHOUGH QUITE INFORMATIVE WHILE I WAS IN ITALY, I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO FIND THAT THE INFORMATION GIVEN IN YOUR BOOK ABOUT THE SHROUD OF TURIN WAS NOT UP TO DATE. AFTER TRAVELLING TO TURIN FROM MILAN ONLY TO FIND OUT THE CATHEDRAL WAS CLOSED AND THE SHROUD HAS NOT BEEN ON DISPLAY FOR THE PAST 28 YEARS. IT WILL BE OPENED IN LATE APRIL, WISH I HAD KNOWN BEFORE.
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