Maelstrom (The Twins of Petaybee, Book 2)

Book Description

In Changelings, bestselling authors Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough returned to the sentient planet Petaybee with a story of growth and transformation in the face of deadly new threats. The telepathic, shapeshifting twins Murel and Ronan found that Petaybee had plans for them as well. Now those plans begin to bear fruit with fresh possibilities . . . and dangers.

MAELSTROM

Now that Petaybee is forming a new equatorial island, the planet has agreed to harbor a group of new refugees, workers indentured to the powerful InterGal Corporation. But the mission to collect the immigrants becomes a rescue operation when it is revealed that InterGal is doing nothing to help these survivors of a world devastated by a meteor shower. Murel and Ronan set out to persuade the frightened refugees to come out of hiding, leave their world, and bring along their sacred totem animals, the gifted sea turtles called the Honus. But the twins discover that they’ve taken on more than they expected: The Honus are not the only animals sacred to the refugees. There are also the Manos, intelligent sharks who have lost none of their predatory habits–and who cannot be left behind to die.

When the Manos are released into Petaybee’s waters, a tragic misunderstanding endangers the whole resettlement operation. At the same time, the mysterious sea otters who once rescued the twins’ father are suddenly revealed to be much more than they appear to be.

Now it is up to Ronan and Murel, with the intrepid assistance of their river otter friend Sky, to smooth the waters before a maelstrom of revenge destroys Petaybee’s harmonious way of life.

But even as the twins uncover startling new facts about Petaybee’s past that will change everything they thought they knew about the planet, the forces of InterGal are gathering, preparing to strike. . . .

Customer Reviews:

Maelstrom (The Twins of Petaybee, Book 2).......2007-07-14

It kept up the pace and the story line as book 1 left off. I really enjoyed it and very much look forward to Book 3.

Fun Read!.......2007-06-26

This is the second book following the story of the selkie twins Ronan and Murel. Though I enjoyed Changelings quite a bit more than this story, this was a good sequel that kept the story going and I am now awaiting the third installment due to the cliffhanger ending. You will fall in love with the animals on Petaybee and I believe that is why I keep reading these books about the twins. Sky (an otter) is my favorite character. This book is very well suited for Young Adult readers, but can also be a good, short read for adults. I recommend reading Changelings before you pick up this book. If you enjoy these, you should read the trilogy that started it all starting with 'Powers that Be', they are terrific and I would recommend them to all fantasy lovers!

Novel or Serial?.......2007-05-15

If you don't mind cliffhangers, run, do not walk, to your local sci-fi source and get this book. You'll enjoy it immensely. The Twins of Petaybee are back and they're lots of fun.

Like Changelings (The Twins of Petaybee, Book 1), Maelstrom is well-written, intriguing, and somewhat frustrating if, like me, you prefer stories that end when the book ends. While I enjoyed the continuing adventures of the Petaybee Twins, I strongly recommend that anyone who is considering reading this book, first find Changelings and read that, then plan on reading the next installation of this serial as soon as you can get your hands on it. Better yet, wait until the final installation of this serial comes out and read all of the story without waiting a year or so between books. Eventually, The Twins of Petaybee will make a great omnibus edition.

PTB series.......2007-05-13

Another in Ann McCaffrey's PTB series. Good reading. Good for the heart and soul. If you liked the Pern books, you'll love these PTB series books.

Newcomers on Petaybee.......2007-05-02

Maelstrom (2006) is the second SF novel in the Twins of Petaybee series, following Changelings. In the previous volume, Murel and Ronan barely saved the sacred Honu from Dr. Mabo and then immediately returned to Petaybee. Their father had gone missing and Madame Algemeine shipped a load of helicopters, small submarines and other rescue equipment to search their planet. Ke-ola and the Honu were also coming with them.

Back on Petaybee, the twins soon recovered their father, alive and well, but without any memory of his ordeal. Later, the Petaybeans took Ke-ola and the Honu into the communion cave and there they received a message from the planet. Petaybee wanted to invite Ke-ola, the Honu and their people to come live on the new landmass and the twins have been selected as planetary emissaries.

In this novel, the selkie twins and Sky Otter leave their homeworld to deliver the invitation. On the outward journey, the captain of the Piaf, Johnny Green, arranges for them to learn various ship functions. They never really have time to get bored.

After reaching the Halau system, the Piaf encounters the Intergalactic Enterprises Company Corps carrier George Armstrong Custer, Colonel Zachariah Cally commanding. The Intergal crew orders them to leave, but Marmion uses her rank and reputation -- and an outright lie -- to overrule the order and land on the planet. There they find Ke-ola's hometown deserted and full of craters from meteorites.

Although the situation looks hopeless, the Honu informs them that there are survivors underground. After the surviving villagers and Honus are found, Colonel Cally asserts that there are no more survivors. Yet the Honus guide them to another nearby village where other survivors of the bombardment have also gone underground. But the twins soon discover that this village has Manos -- sharks -- as their aumakuas instead of sea-turtles.

After considerable argument and with some rationing, the Piaf returns with these survivors to Petaybee. Since the spaceport is far from the sea, the Petaybeans make arrangements to transport the Manos -- with their able-bodied people -- to the ocean. Meanwhile, the young and elderly remain aboard the Piaf, but with better meals and other supplies.

In this story, the twins and Sky have another encounter with the sea otters. Then Sky casually mentions that the sea otters have told him that the deep sea otters are still alive, despite indications that a volcano had destroyed their city. Since nobody else knows that these otters exist, the twins decide to warn them about the sharks. Murel and Ronan head out to the new island forming in the sea where the deep sea otter city had been located.

The twins also encounter a number of other creatures in the sea, including a pod of Orcas, some sea seals, and the newly arrived Manos. Murel and the Orcas have a confrontation that isn't entirely one-sided. The sea seals are helpful, but a little domineering until they meet Sean and the Orcas. The Manos are bloodthirsty, but the patriarch is rather afraid of Murel.

This story is the middle book in a trilogy, so the ending leaves the situation hanging. The sentient planet Petaybee displays some of its powers, mostly at the end of the volume. However, one wonders whether the adult Petaybeans are ever going to be able to leave the planet without dying from their planetary induced changes.

Highly recommended for McCaffrey & Scarborough fans and anyone else who enjoys tales of sentient planets, telepathic animals and precocious selkie children.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Average customer rating:

You're Kidding Me!
Not Too Bad But Not Too Good
Where is the story I paid to read?
Great.
Captivating

I'm Telling : A Novel
Karen E. Quinones Miller
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

British | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0743214358

Book Description

Eleven-year-old Faith Freeman has a secret: She saw her stepfather molesting her twin sister, Hope. This unspoken truth clouds family relations for almost twenty years, until Faith decides she's had enough heavy weather. As if juggling her career as a New York literary agent, a loving relationship with her boyfriend, Henry, and the care of her aging (and agitated) mother weren't enough, Faith takes on the burden of her twin's wounded psyche. So damaged was Hope at the hands of incestuous "Papa" that the crackhouses of Harlem and prostitution on the boulevards of Queens beckon as an escape from an all-too-painful reality.

Just when Hope seems on the verge of turning herself around, she enacts a betrayal so unforgivable that the sisterly bond she so desperately -- yet secretly -- desires may be severed forever. With her whole family watching, Faith must call upon her gifts of language, compassion, and understanding to save her sister and herself.

For anyone who has ever chosen between speaking up and backing down, I'm Telling is the story of one family's darkest hour that lights the way toward love and redemption.

Customer Reviews:

You're Kidding Me!.......2007-05-09

For the author to pass this off as a novel is just beyond sad. The story was ok, but there was no character development, no real backstory, no plot development, nothing. It felt like the author just threw something together to meet a deadline. I think the author missed a real opportunity to explore the topic of incest and how it affects the victim and the victimizer. I will say that there was one steamy scene that's worth mentioning. I predicted what "happened" with Hope and Henry, although my outcome was wrong. I also predicted the ending and was on point. This is a lightweight, easy to read short story. Something to take to the beach or the park. Not worth a purchase at all. Oh, and by the by, y'all is spelled y'all!

Not Too Bad But Not Too Good.......2007-02-04

This was a so-so read for me. It starts off a little slow then pics up quickly in the middle....then...just when it's got your full attention..............You start predicting whats gonna happen next and the ending is rushed leaving un answered questions about things that should of had more details. Read it at your own risk.

Where is the story I paid to read?.......2006-05-31

RATING: 2.5

In "I'm Telling", Karen E. Quinones Miller writes a story of a family who deals with the aftermath of incest (or shall I say semi-incest). Miller is a clever writer. BUT here, she is not able to deliver and execute the STORY, behind the STORY; the issue of incest and betrayal in a family. The book is more about Faith's (the wholesome twin sister) relationship with her boyfriend, about her job, and about her cooking meals for her momma--and those situations are clever, slightly interesting and all BUT; "I thought I was reading a book about something else".

The issues of betrayal, a dysfunctional family, incest, a mother's decision to choose her man over her kid are not thoroughly addressed. Miller scratches the surface of these topics and then moves along... quickly. You get to the end of the story and you are left feeling empty. The book's jacket description of the book is far more interesting than the book itself.

Mrs. Miller also left me feeling like this with her other book Satin Doll; "Nice writing but where is the story I thought I was going to be reading about?"

If you want to read about a woman's relationship with her "perfect" boyfriend and about a woman's career as a literary agent and about a woman who can cook well, then "I'm Telling" is the book for you....But if you want a juicy story that the jacket of the book describes then, I advise you to pass on this.

And P.S- I think it was unnecessary for her to mention that tidbit about Terry McMillan being sued (or whatever happened) for her book Disappearing Acts. Karen was just plain ole hating there, if you ask me.

Great........2006-03-31

This book was really good. i loved hope's character.I gave it 5 stars and I think everyone should read it.

Captivating.......2005-04-12

I read this book a few years ago and was amazed at how the author was able to bring in so much drama while not letting it get out of hand. This was a well-written, well paced novel. Enough drama to keep the pages turning and not too much to make you gasp. I was captivated from beginning to end.

The Art of Parenting Twins: The Unique Joys and Challenges of Raising Twins and Other Multiples

Average customer rating:

As an expecting Mom of Twins...
A good twin book!
Too Broad
NOT AS BAD AS SOME OTHER "TWIN" GUIDES BUT....
A great help

The Art of Parenting Twins: The Unique Joys and Challenges of Raising Twins and Other Multiples
Patricia Malmstrom , and Janet Poland
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Household Hints | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Child Care | Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

General | Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

Twins & Multiples | Family Relationships | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Accessories:

philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer

ASIN: 0345422678
Release Date: 1999-06-15

Amazon.com

Over the past 20 years, the number of twin and multiple births has risen by 50 percent, yet information on caring for twins and multiples remains sparse. Most child-care books touch lightly on the subject of multiples--here's one that fills in the gaps. Authors Patricia Maxwell Malmstrom, founder of TWINLINE (providing services for parents of twins) and mother of twins, and Janet Poland, parenting writer, address the issues and concerns of parents of multiples with aplomb and reassurance. From the moment parents-to-be discover that they are having more than one child, they enter what the authors call "twinshock," a state of stunned disbelief soon followed by elation, despair, and many questions: "How will I tell my babies apart?" (Leave their hospital bracelets on, or paint one baby's toenails until there is no doubt in your mind) and "Will I ever go anywhere ever again?" (Yes. With planning.)

Malmstrom and Poland cover the biology and causes of twinning; the emotional terrain of parenting multiples; the differences between twin and single pregnancy; twin development in babyhood, toddlerhood, the preschool and school-age years, and adolescence; and twins' relationships with each other from babyhood to adulthood. An excellent chapter provides help in coping with difficulties--financial problems, single parenthood, divorce, twin loss, and disability. The authors provide intensely practical details on twin care, especially for babies (yes, they stress, you can breastfeed multiples). Throughout, the authors dispel myths, provide tips, and help fill the dearth of information that, until now, parents of multiples have faced. Malmstrom writes, "My hope is that someday parents of twins will have as much information as all other parents about how to nourish their children's healthy physical and psychological development." In this book, she and her coauthor have begun to provide just that. --Ericka Lutz

Book Description

"CONGRATULATIONS--YOU'RE EXPECTING TWINS!"

Remember when you first heard the news? After regaining the power of speech, you allowed the joy and anxious anticipation to settle in. Though family and friends simply suggest buying two of everything, parents of twins (triplets, quadruplets, right on up) need more than multiple strollers. For along with equipment, they need more facts, more advice, more patience, more support. Now help is here with The Art of Parenting Twins.

Whether you have just discovered you're expecting two (or more) babies, are about to give birth, are struggling through those incredible first weeks, or are engaged in the whirlwind of child-rearing, here are the answers and resources you've been looking for. Written by the president and founder of Twin Services, Inc., this complete up-to-date guide will give you the skills you need. The Art of Parenting Twins covers such vital issues as

- Bonding with more than one baby
- Breast-feeding techniques
- Coping with multiples
- Managing sibling rivalry
- Helping your children achieve independent identities
- Understanding the special twin relationship
- Financing your children's future

And much more--including the latest research on special health concerns, mental and physical development of twins, and social behavior.

Customer Reviews:

As an expecting Mom of Twins..........2006-06-11

I have read this book since I am a first time mother expecting twins. I think the book is full of good information although I felt like I was reading the same thing over and over and over. It is the second book I have read about twins. I still haven't found a book that I absolutely love, but I have a few months until the twins come to find that book. Although it has good information, it just seems really repetitive to me.

A good twin book!.......2004-11-27

I only give this book 4 stars instead of 5 because it is the 1st book I have read about raising twins. But it is a pretty good book because it covers many important issues anyone expecting twins would be asking.

Too Broad.......2004-01-20

As an expectant mom of twins, I was disappointed in the lack of depth of this book. It offered very broad and superficial recommendations about raising multiples.

NOT AS BAD AS SOME OTHER "TWIN" GUIDES BUT...........2002-10-25

I still would not reccomend this book to anyone I know expecting twins.
My boy/girl twins are now 16 weeks old, and I still feel this book is full of mixed information... I was very happy to read all of the information on the different types of twins but felt this may have been the bright spot in the book.
After a COMPLETELY disatrous experience reading The Joy of Twins, I felt this was at least marginally better.
I am still quite disapointed in this book when it comes to how it made me feel with regards to my personal choices of bottle feeding my children as well as going back to work.
I am still searching for a realistic and honest book on the complications, elations, frustrations and pure joys of having twins....If this is what you too are looking for, don't bother spending your money here.

A great help.......2002-10-22

When you finally have time to sit down and read this book through it is full of great information on raising twins. But when you are a parent of twins you more often have time to skim the chapters that just pertain to you at this time and this book is great for that too. Almost everything that you could need to know is summed up in this great book.

Your Evil Twin: Behind the Identity Theft Epidemic

Average customer rating:

Humanizing Identity Theft
This could have been so much better
Almost Like a good mystery book, but real
The risk is very real!

Your Evil Twin: Behind the Identity Theft Epidemic
B. Sullivan
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Torts | Business | Law | Subjects | Books

Criminology | Crime & Criminals | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

True Crime | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0471648108

Book Description

The crime of the twenty-first century doesn't discriminate: ID theft has hit ordinary citizens and celebrities alike, from Oprah Winfrey to Steven Spielberg, and costs the economy $50 billion a year. Your Evil Twin covers this exploding crime from every possible angle. It includes exclusive whodunit details from mastermind identity thieves who have pilfered money from half the members of the Forbes 400, as well as exclusive interviews with a myriad of criminals in the Internet's underground, such as Russian hackers who have extorted money from U.S. banks. The book also issues a scathing indictment of the credit granting industry, from credit card issuers to the secretive credit reporting agencies, who have misunderstood the crime from the start, have been slow to respond, and bear much of the responsibility for the epidemic. Finally, Bob Sullivan, author and identity theft expert, probes the tepid solutions now being cobbled together by the industry and government.
Bob Sullivan (Snohomish, WA), senior technology writer for MSNBC.com, is the nation's leading journalist covering identity fraud. He has written more than 100 articles on the subject since 1996, and is a regular contributor to MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Nightly News, the Today show, and various local NBC affiliates. With colleague Mike Brunker, Sullivan received the prestigious 2002 Society of Professional Journalists Public Service Award for ongoing coverage of Internet fraud.

Download Description

Customer Reviews:

Humanizing Identity Theft.......2005-09-07

Much has been written about identity theft, and what people have to go through to clear their credit reports. But what I had never given much thought to is that identity theft goes much beyond stealing identities for financial gain. In fact, what is much more difficult to deal with is when your identity is stolen and used by criminals in general. Try to clear a supposed criminal record. And if you are in the United States, try to do that if you are black or Hispanic. That is just part of the excellent discussions you will find in Bob Sullivan's Your Evil Twin: Behind the Identity Theft Epidemic (August 2004, John Wiley & Sons, 314 Pages, ISBN 0471648108).

A journalist by training, Sullivan presents an easy to read, if unsettling, narrative talking about different aspects of identity theft that do not often get discussed. Some of the material is material found in magazines and other journals, but the strength of this book is that it beings many different pieces into one place. Sullivan starts out by showing that no one is immune to identity theft, whether it be a CEO or even Eldrick "Tiger" Woods. He goes into some detail explaining who was taken advantage of and how, though he does not offer solutions for the problems.

But this does not mean he is afraid to take on the real villains in identity theft, the credit card companies and retailers who push easy credit every chance they get. Sullivan makes the excellent point that the availability of easy credit is actually better for the bad guys than those who do the right thing. He also does not shy away from calling out the credit reporting agencies and their role in this problem. Why should they be charging people for "Credit report watches", when they helped create the problem? It was fascinating from a historical perspective to read how the three major credit reporting companies came to be. It is a heck of a trivia question to ask how a railroad fits into the scheme of things.

You will, or at least should, find yourself challenged by the reality that the race factor plays in how victims are treated. Like it or not, we live in two Americas as clearly shown in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Discussions of this topic in the book really offer a time for reflection and thought in the area of identity theft.

One should not expect this book to answer every possible question about identity theft, but should be considered as part of a larger library on data privacy and identity theft. It provides a human perspective that other titles on the subject often lack.

Who Should Read This Book?

This book, while not a "must read" would be of interest to people who want to explore more of the human side of identity theft and would like some additional historical/political perspective.

The Scorecard

Birdie on an average Par 4

This could have been so much better.......2004-11-12

To begin with, I was terribly distracted by all the typographical/spelling and editing errors that ran rampant in this book. Why would anyone put a book out for sale that hasn't been proofread?

But most of all, this book covers an extremely important subject, one of potential interest to just about everyone, and yet it was so shallow. I have been better informed about identity theft, what it is, what is being done about it, and what we can do if we are targeted as victims in local newspapers and in magazine articles. There was no discussion of many very common methods of identity theft, including observation of victims as they enter their ATM or telephone pin numbers and codes, inadvertantly leaving passwords and usernames on public computers, giving credit card numbers to untrustworthy websites, using credit cards in untrustworthy restaurants and stores, writing passwords in places others can easily access, being victimized by phishing schemes, etc. Each of these and many more are methods of identity theft easily avoided yet this book doesn't mention them.

Even the anecdotes left me hanging for more detail, more of what happened and why. Instead, they rambled on disconnectedly and often had no beginnings nor conclusions. The organization of the book was sub-par, which accounted for much unnecessary repetition of minor details. This book simply screams for a better editor.

Almost Like a good mystery book, but real.......2004-09-18

This book is all about a problem that simply didn't exist only a few years ago. Now it's become the fastest growing white collar crime in America. It strikes in every community from the smallest to the largest. The crime is profitable, nearly unpreventable, and hardly ever prosecuted (by one estimate only one out of every 700 incidents). It's the down side of the information super highway. Getting a bit of information about a person is easy, and then you can get a bit more. Soon you can buy a car in his name, get credit cards in his name, like the TV commercial, you're on the beach, your credit cards are in the airplane flying by.

The book says, rightfully I believe, that you are basically on your own. The police don't seem to care, the credit card companies write off the loss and go on about their business. Just don't you try to ever use your credit again.

The author is a leading expert on the subject, as well as being a senior writer at MSNBC. He knows how to write and he knows his subject, what more can you ask.

The risk is very real!.......2004-09-16

Ignorance is not bliss - it only gives more time for identity thieves to ruin your life. I already own a shredder, to indulge my paranoia of having credit card applications and other personal information easily available to those with sinister intentions. This book confirms the need for the paranoia, but also points out how little control I have over "keeping" my own identity. This is a page-turner, flavored with stories of real people who have experienced identity theft, making it a very interesting read. This issue is huge, much more than someone trying to run up some charges on a credit card I have in my wallet. And what I found particularly shocking was how unwilling different institutions are to come up with solutions.

Changelings (The Twins of Petaybee, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

Simplistic sequel
Another great story of Petaybee!
No Dragons!
Continuing The Series
More for teens

Changelings (The Twins of Petaybee, Book 1)
Anne McCaffrey , and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0345470028
Release Date: 2005-12-27

Book Description

With three acclaimed novels–Powers That Be, Power Lines, and Power Play–bestselling authors Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough launched a vibrant new science-fiction saga that told the story of a sentient planet, Petaybee, and the humans who fought to protect it from the rapacious designs of an all-powerful interstellar corporation determined to exploit the icy world’s natural resources. Led by Yana Maddock and Sean Shongili, Petaybee’s protectors prevailed. But now Petaybee is changing in mysterious, unprecedented ways, and the return of off-world scientists threatens the amazing planet and its equally amazing inhabitants with new dangers.

CHANGELINGS

They are Ronan Born for Water Shongili and Murel Monster Slayer Shongili. Twin brother and sister. Children of Yana and Sean. Children of Petaybee. As such, theirs is a destiny deeply intertwined with the sentient planet that is their home. For Ronan and Murel are more than human. Like their father, each can transform into a seal and converse telepathically with the planet’s creatures–such as the friendly otter whose life they save one day from a pack of ravenous wolves.

But the twins’ bravery has unforeseen results when a visiting scientist witnesses their startling metamorphosis and becomes obsessed with their capture. To protect their children, Sean and Yana send them to stay with a powerful family friend on an orbiting space station. But no one realizes that Ronan and Murel hunger to discover the origins of their shape-shifting talent–and that their search for knowledge will place them squarely in the path of peril.

Meanwhile, Petaybee is changing–and much faster than an ordinary planet’s natural evolution. It appears that portions of the sea are heating up and a landmass is suddenly rising from the depths. To investigate the startling occurrence, Sean heads out to the open water in his seal form. But the newly unstable region holds untold mysteries–and the potential for disaster.

Customer Reviews:

Simplistic sequel.......2007-07-06

I was disappointed by this book, because it seems less complex and exciting than the Power trilogy. Or maybe the novelty of Petaybee just wore off. I can only hope the boring nature of this book is because it sets the background for something exciting in its sequel.

Another great story of Petaybee!.......2007-06-21

What a great story! I love Anne Mccaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series, and so I read Powers that Be, and loved it as well! You do not need to have read the trilogy that preceded this book, but I HIGHLY recommend it. Those three books get you familiar with the planet and its inhabitants as well as give you a great understanding and love for the characters. I believe I enjoyed those books slightly more than this one, but only slightly. Looking forward to reading the next in the series, Maelstrom.

No Dragons!.......2007-05-13

Not Pern, no dragons. But the PTB (Powers That Be) series is just as good and just as soul satisfying as any of Ann McCafrey's books. If you don't read it, it's your great loss.

Continuing The Series.......2007-03-19

Although the cover of the book says it is a new series, it really is a continuation of the original Peytebee (sp?)story. I liked the original series both as one of the few fantasy stories I enjoy and as a break from the heavy-handedness of my murder mysteries, and it continues to fit that bill. The book is light and fast reading (as are all of McCaffrey's books) but is a pleasure to read. Anne McCaffrey has continued to write in an interesting way about a fantasy type subject and I will continue to read her work; I look forward to any new books she might write.

More for teens.......2007-01-22

I'm not sure how this ties in with the first Petaybee trilogy. Sure, it is about the children born in the last book but it seems to be written for a much younger audience than before. The storyline is gungho children win out over the adults who can't manage without them. Not within the same lines of the previous trilogy but acceptable with a very large grain of salt.

Dancing Naked in Front of the Fridge: And Other Lessons from Twins

Average customer rating:

Over depentent authors' offer poor views of being twins
Great guide for parents of twins
Non-twins definitely can learn a few things from twins.
It has its merits, BUT...
It'll touch every emotion - especially if you're a twin

Dancing Naked in Front of the Fridge: And Other Lessons from Twins
Nancy J. Sipes , and Janna S. Sipes
Manufacturer: Fairwinds Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Interpersonal Relations | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Developmental Psychology | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Siblings | Family Relationships | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Accessories:

ASIN: 0968214924

Book Description

What began as a four year old's joyful jig in front of a shiny refrigerator has become a unique way to look at life, as a dance in front of a mirror--each person constantly reflecting off the other. Dancing Naked in Front of the Fridge is the first book of its kind co-authored by identical twins. It takes you inside twinship and inside yourself for a new fascinating view of relationships. The twin relationship is something everyone can learn from!

Customer Reviews:

Over depentent authors' offer poor views of being twins.......2002-06-03

Being a twin myself I was looking forward to reading this book co-written by twins, however I was greatly disappointed by the time I finished. The obvious emotional growth problems the authors' had while growing up has caused them to give a skewed view of how twins react to each other and those around them. While being a twin does create a special bond for the two involved the authors forces tales of how being a twin can ruin marriages or other relationships. They lead you to believe that twins will never succeed on their own and that they remain dependent on each other forever. Their lack of research only offered one set of twins that liked being apart, thus they supported their own views. Although one of the authors has her PH.D, no real research was ever done, only surveys. I hope those who read this realize that not all twins grow up still connected by the umbilical cord and that twins can thrive on their own. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone unless they have a table with one shortened leg on it.

Great guide for parents of twins.......2000-07-17

Being the mother of twins, I am glad to read a book that lets me see what is happening inside the twin relationship. My twins are often in their own world and this book has helped me see what it's like in there! "Dancing Naked" is very informative, yet entertaining. I think all parents of twins should read it - - you'll learn some surprising things about twins.

Non-twins definitely can learn a few things from twins........1999-11-18

As a non-twin, I began reading Dancing Naked (given to me by a twin friend) with low expectations. Surprisingly, I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written book. I am now far more aware of the special bond between twins and I will never look at my twin friends in the same way again. I also thank Ms & Ms Sipes for providing me with valuable insight into relationships of all kinds. Non-twins definitely can learn a few things from twins.

It has its merits, BUT..........1999-10-22

First the good news: This book has something new and interesting to offer. It broadly addresses the question of "What is it like to be a twin?" on very human terms. You won't find much about biology ("then the egg splits...") or statistics ("twins are 300% more likely to..."), which are adequately represented in many other publications. You *will* find out how certain sets of twins *feel* about different aspects of their twinship, and the feelings these twins reveal go far beyond "we hated being dressed alike." As such, the book provides an interesting and intimate view of what it might be like to be a twin (I'm not), and definitely added to what I (thought I) knew about the subject. I think that twins might also find in the book some equally revealing facets of twinship (and perceptions of twins) that they themselves haven't personally experienced or cognized. (But what would I know?)

Next the bad news: The authors both have advanced degrees, and one has a Ph.D. in a hard science. And if there is one hallmark of science, it is skepticism. Yet you will find very little of it in this book. First of all, the "research" to which the authors continuously make reference is, as far as I can tell, strictly of the journalistic variety. There are no citations to published scholarly work, nor is there a bibliography. But, hey, what could be better than anecdotal evidence?

But that's not the worst. Rationality takes its leave entirely at Chapter 6, "Twincidence," where the authors rush headlong into psychic la-la land. I offer some samples:

"We challenge twins to start paying closer attention to those feelings, sensations, and intuitions that are shared with their twins--such flashes are probably signaling a connection with their twins that has yet to be harnessed and cultivated. Personally, once we started looking for twincidences in our lives, they magically appeared, practically around every corner." (p.128)

It's almost as though the authors are *encouraging* the selection bias that infects all anecdotal reports of psychic phenomena. I would expect far more from anyone who has even rudimentary training in statistics.

Here's another one:

"...we suggest that perhaps there are no real coincidences--that all events happen to us for a reason. It is merely our job to pay attention to the meaning these incidents have for us as individuals." (p.130)

Now this is really fine sermon material, and it makes me feel suitably tingly all over, but is this the kind of statement that a scientist should be making without qualification or support? When scientists feel the need to wax spiritual (which is certainly their right), I think they would do well to explicitly state that they are making these assertions based on their own intuitions, and not on the basis of scientific study.

Here's one more:

"Twins are not an accident. The power that created them is omnipotent...Each one of us has a purpose, but twins are blessed with also having a dual life purpose. Let's face it, if it didn't have unique meaning, everyone would be a twin." (p.213)

Wow, this has all the circularity of medieval theology. Impressive, but not what I would expect from a scientifically-trained mind.

In summary, if you like touchy-feely and are prepared to drop your skeptical defences, you may enjoy and benefit from this book. My copy will be in the Brookline library.

It'll touch every emotion - especially if you're a twin.......1999-09-04

After meeting the Sipes' in Twinsburg this past year, and getting to know them, I can really appreciate the thought and time that went into this project of theirs. Their book recounts wonderful tales of twins of all ages. You'll definitely laugh, and you may even cry. But, if you're a twin, you should definitely read the book because by reading these different tales, you'll soon realize that there are others just like you. Not just your other half, but other twins that know what you're dealing with day to day. Others that know how it feels to be a "side-show" just walking down the street. This is a delightful book and definitely deserves a second and a third reading.

Millie-Christine : Fearfully And Wonderfully Made

Average customer rating:

Recommended!
Pretty good-informative without being dry.
"As God Decreed, We Agreed"--two hearts, one amazing life
Fascinating True Tale
A truly fascinating biography of Siamese twins.

Millie-Christine : Fearfully And Wonderfully Made
Joanne Martell , and JOANNE MARTEL
Manufacturer: John F. Blair Publisher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

African-American & Black | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Special Needs | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0895871882

Book Description

The remarkable journey of Siamese twins from slavery to the courts of Europe

Born into slavery, joined at the lower spine, stolen from her parents in infancy, exhibited as a curiosity in North America and Europe, stripped naked and examined in every new town, freed from bondage on numerous occasions yet returned to her former circumstances nonetheless, Millie-Christine McKoy lived one of the most complex and difficult childhoods imaginable.

Even more remarkable is the way she turned out. Reunited with her family and brought under caring management, Millie-Christine became one of the most renowned performers of her day. While most African Americans were kept ignorant in slavery and destitute after the Civil War, she grew fluent in five languages and was an accomplished pianist, singer, and, yes, dancer who toured the world and entertained kings and queens.

Loved by most yet ridiculed as a monster by some, Millie-Christine was one of the most amazing people you've never heard of. Her story, told here in full for the first time, has the flavor of the side-show world in which she traveled-a world of giants, midgets, human skeletons, and bearded ladies, freaks with very human souls.

Customer Reviews:

Recommended!.......2002-09-01

I'm so glad that this book was written! I read another book years ago about the freak show circuit in which that author dismissed Millie-Christine as an obscure act about which very little was known. Wrong!

Joanne Martel has found a rich trove of information about the conjoined twins, and she presents it in an interesting way. Photographs show the twins at different stages of their development. There are exerpts from newspaper accounts,handbills from their performances, family letters, etc. This author really did her homework to produce this solid work.

While exhibiting "human oddities" is distasteful to us today, this book shows how Millie-Christine's life was not entirely horrific. The twins led a dignified life in the show business world. Born as slaves in 1851, they were lifted up from that life and were educated and taught to perform pretty songs and light amusements for the benefit of their audience. They were adept in social chatter, and were able to converse with adults and children in all walks of life. They traveled through Europe at an early age and met famous people and nobility.

They were able to contribute to their family's support immediately after th Civil War, when the entire family found themselves free. Without the income provided by his twins, their father would not have been able to buy his parcels of land in North Carolina.

Their specialness did cause unfortunate events in their lives. When young children, they were removed from their mother's care and sold to a showman who later lost custody. They passed through several hands, and ended up the wards of a kind and generous man who cared for them and their entire family.
The constant prodding and poking of physicians, especially trying to the young girls as they approached womanhood, was a source of sorrow and embarassment.

This is a good, readable account of two girls born into an interesting situation during interesting times. Recommended!

Pretty good-informative without being dry........2001-12-01

I really enjoyed learning about another set of conjoined twins. I felt the author told a story and didn't just rehash facts.
Thanks.

"As God Decreed, We Agreed"--two hearts, one amazing life.......2001-08-12

Millie-Christine is a fascinating story. She/they managed to have a happy life, full of love and faith, despite their condition. They come across MUCH more sympathetically than do Chang and Eng in the recent novel about those Siamese twin brothers. Chang and Eng's degree of conjoinment was considerably less serious than Millie-Christine's, yet the Siamese Twins led a much more unhappy and depressing life, constantly bickering with each other. Millie-Christine chose to live by the philosophy "As God Decreed, We Agreed". They seemed to really love each other, and nearly everybody around them seemed to love them. They didn't let prejudice, slavery, or the ridicule of others get them down--they chose to cherish the unique advantages of their situation (what black girls in the 19th century would EVER have gotten to meet Queen Victoria)? They come across as truly inspirational.

I give this book 4 stars because the writing, although the research is commendable, doesn't quite "grab" you, doesn't seem to really bring out their personalities or to tell enough about Millie-Christine as people, especially as children. The first part is a bit confusing--too many people kidnap Millie-Christine, the girls are being tossed around like a hot potato and it's hard to figure out who's got them, or who should have them! But of course that really did happen to slaves and "freaks of nature" in those days. The use of both singular and plural ("she" and "they") for the girl(s) is also a bit jarring, although it is explained clearly at the beginning why this is done. I wish there had been more elaboration of their thoughts and feelings--but probably that kind of stuff just didn't really get recorded beyond the innocent songs/poems and sanitized mini-biography which they wrote for their show. More from their letters and family memoirs would be interesting.

All in all, though, a well researched portrait of one (or two, if you prefer, as I do) amazing, intelligent, and lovely and loving lady/ies.

Fascinating True Tale.......2001-01-22

This amazing, fascinating true tale deserves more attention than it has gotten from the press and review sources. Author Joanne Martel does a terrific job of not only telling Millie-Christine's story, but also of detailing the world she lived in.

Much more interesting than the original Siamese twings Chang and Eng, her life crossed theirs and they even exhibited together for a time. Why their story survived in popular culture and hers is largely lost is a mystery. This is a remarkable story.

A truly fascinating biography of Siamese twins........2000-03-03

Millie-Christine deserves ongoing recommendation, providing the remarkable story of Siamese twins who were born into slavery in 1851 and who moved from slavery to the courts of Europe during their lives. Twice sold and kidnapped as a child, Millie-Christine traveled throughout Europe and earned a fortune.

The Recruiting Officer and Other Plays: The Constant Couple; The Twin Rivals; the Recruiting Officer; The Beaux' Stratagem (World's Classics)

Average customer rating:

Fun.

The Recruiting Officer and Other Plays: The Constant Couple; The Twin Rivals; the Recruiting Officer; The Beaux' Stratagem (World's Classics)
George Farquhar
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Anthologies | Drama | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Drama | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

George Farquhar (1678-1707) wrote some of the most exhilarating comedies in English, recording with great frankness the brutality and disorder of his age as well as its wit and vivacity. This modern spelling edition of four of the least formal and most actable Restoration comedies discloses
the brutal, witty, and vigorously comic world in which Farquhar lived. Complete with an intorduction and full notes, this volume includes The Constant Couple, The Twin Rivals, The Recruiting Officer, and The Beaux' stratagem. All challenge many preconceptions about class, marriage, and the sexual
politics of the early eighteenth century.

Customer Reviews:

Fun........1999-02-04

These plays are fun to read. They might seem old fashioned because they were written two hundred years ago, but actually I think they are relevant today and any day. I've read all four plays already dozens of times, and I wish more people could become acquainted with this period's marvelous literature.

Indivisible by Two: Lives of Extraordinary Twins

Average customer rating:

Critique of Twins
fascinating book about twins
Interesting stories, but badly needs editing help!!
A Superb Follow Up to Entwined Lives
Not what I expected

Indivisible by Two: Lives of Extraordinary Twins
Nancy L. Segal
Manufacturer: Harvard University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Developmental Psychology | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Mental Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Siblings | Family Relationships | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

Twins & Multiples | Family Relationships | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Accessories:

ASIN: 0674019334

Book Description

A leading expert on twins delves into the stories behind her research to reveal the profound joys and real-life traumas of twelve remarkable sets of twins, triplets, and quadruplets.

Indivisible by Two introduces us to an assortment of memorable characters, from the "Fireman Twins"--brothers who, though reared separately, are astonishingly similar in personality and behavioral traits--to the twin sisters who overcame one twin's infertility by having the other serve as her surrogate mother. We meet one of the few identical brother-sister pairs in the world after one of two sisters was surgically transformed into a man, and identical triplet brothers, only one of whom is gay while the others are straight. We see uniquely blended families--identical twin brothers marrying identical twin sisters, and Chinese twins adopted by different Canadian families yet raised as sisters.

Being a twin can also render the experience of historical tragedy uniquely painful. We meet Stepha and Annetta, survivors of Josef Mengele's heinous experiments in Auschwitz, and untangle the troubled lifelong tie between Jack and Oskar, born in the 1930s to a Jewish father and a German Gentile mother, one raised as a Jew in Trinidad and the other as a Catholic and a member of the Hitler Youth in Nazi Germany.

Segal unravels these stories and others with an eye for the challenges that life as a twin (or triplet or quadruplet) can pose to parents, friends, and spouses, as well as the twins themselves. These moving stories remind us how incompletely any theory explains real life--twin or not.

Customer Reviews:

Critique of Twins.......2007-01-09

This is a fascinating study of many types of twins - the most interesting of which are identical twins who were separated at birth and reunited later in life! Being a Gemini, I have always been entranced by twins and this book is excellent in fulfilling that fascination. The author writes with skill, empathy and obvious love of and painstaking research of her subject! 4 Thumbs up!

fascinating book about twins.......2005-11-11

Twin expert Nancy Segal has managed to track down and interview various sets of interesting twins -- those who survived Mengele's horrific experiments during the Holocaust, "the firemen twins," who were separated at birth and twins who married other twins. I found the resulting book so fascinating, I devoured it in one weekend.

Congratulations on a job well done, Nancy.

Interesting stories, but badly needs editing help!!.......2005-11-10

The twins, triplets and quadruplets profiled here are fascinating. There are all kinds of interesting situations written about---twins seperated at birth, quadruplets that are actually double sets of identical twins, selectively mute twins, identical twins knowingly adopted by two different families and many more. I wish I could say I loved this book, but as with the author's other book on twins, and even more here, there is a terrible need of better editing!

The author has several quirks to her writing. She throws as many details as she can into each paragraph, often with a pretty much unrelated idea at the end of one! She loves to quote people, which is nice, but she quotes them with abandon, whether the quotes really have much to do with what is being written about. She describes people's looks and what they are wearing to an odd extent, and she often analyses people's feelings based on single statements. I think she's a remarkable researcher and that she truly cares about the people she writes about, but she is not a writer at heart, and she needs a little more help making her writing as good as her topics.

A Superb Follow Up to Entwined Lives.......2005-09-21

Dr. Segal has given us yet another delightful chance to learn more about who we are through the study of twins, this time using their unique stories. This book is a smooth read about different sets of multiples. Each story is compelling in its presentation of a different aspect of twins or other multiples. As an example, the story of triplets, two of which were stricken with multiple sclerosis, tells us so much about how nature (genetics) and nurture (environment) mix their influences on us. Just when you start to think one aspect starts to dominate the other one nudges itself into the human swirl that we are.

This book is a superb follow up to her more technical work shown in her first book, Entwined Lives. In contrast to that book, which was loaded with scientific facts and academic studies, she continues to tell us of the importance of twin studies through the lives of twins with unusual stories. Found in these stories are many of the conclusions and observations made in the first book.

Dr. Segal has a knack of packing a lot into a few words. I stopped marking the important sentences because every paragraph seemed to be a highlight. Also in this effort she reveals more about herself and her own twinship. It is obvious in this book her important research has resulted from both the outside and inside perspectives of twins.

This is a must read for any twin or anyone desiring to learn more about how we become who we are. It blasts past the typical twin anecdotes with new meaning as well as depth. Being an identical twin myself, I found both of Dr. Segal's books have helped me immensely in understanding my own twinship, and perhaps more importantly, the loss of my twin some years ago. I have found much comfort in knowing how and why natural clones are not perfect copies of each other.

Not what I expected.......2005-09-19

This is a chit-chat book. There is little, if any data and not much delving into the details of theories about why twins are similar or different. A lot of anecdotes. It's OK for bedtime reading.

The Multiples Manual: Preparing and Caring for Twins or Triplets

Average customer rating:

shallow and unprofessional
Great book!
Entertaining and practical.
Borrow it
Lacks Depth, Borrow - don't buy

The Multiples Manual: Preparing and Caring for Twins or Triplets
Lynn Lorenz
Manufacturer: Just Multiples.Com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Motherhood | Family Relationships | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

Child Care | Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

General | Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

Reference | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Accessories:

philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer

ASIN: 0972467602

Book Description

The Multiples Manual is a perfect "need-to-know" resource written with the expectant mother of multiples in mind. It includes 1002 tips that are guaranteed to simplify your life, save you time, and even save you money. A must have for those expecting twins or triplets.

Customer Reviews:

shallow and unprofessional.......2007-05-12

We bought this at week 28 and we were very disappointed. the book is shallow and very unprofessional. there are even contrdictions within the book itself. It was written by a monther of twins with no professional background and or education related to raising twins, medicine, or psychology and it can be felt as you read through the book!
Sorry - for us this book got a very clear "F"

Great book!.......2006-08-06

Very helpful, without all the added fluff of other books. Gives many useful tips on making life with multiples easier.

Entertaining and practical........2006-03-11

Got this book as a gift....great fun! I found time to read it while on bedrest and got a lot of good and useful information out of it while at the same time, got a bunch of belly laughs out of it. Great practical points, money saving tips and just downright entertaining! The best part about it is that you can read it in tid bits and can pick up again at any time. No need to study and really think....bedrest wasn't so bad thanks to this amusing book!

Borrow it.......2006-03-07

Maybe I'm expecting too much out of the books I've been reading to prepare for our twin girls due in June, but I haven't found one that appears to be something I'll refer to often. This book is a very quick read and somewhat informative. I'm looking forward to receiving my copy of "Ready or Not, Here We Come" by Elizabeth Lyons - that book has been recommended to me by several twin moms I've talked to. If you are pregnant with twins or more, I really recommend the book "When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets or Quads." This is a book I have referred to throughout my pregnancy and it is another book that was recommended to me by several twin moms.

Lacks Depth, Borrow - don't buy.......2005-02-09

From the reviews and excerpt, I was expecting more insight into the specific challenges of multiples. Either there truly aren't that many differences, or this author was just too busy to go into any depth (understandable). This is basically a collection of two-sentence blurbs on everything under the sun. You will not find much that you have not seen in other books, on-line chatrooms, or from talking to 1 or 2 moms of multiples. Save money and borrow a copy if you have an hour or so to kill. That's about how long it will take to read.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books