The Crystal City: The Tales of Alvin Maker, Volume VI (Alvin Maker)

Book Description

Using the lore and the folk-magic of the men and women who settled North America, Orson Scott Card has created an alternate world where magic works, and where that magic has colored the entire history of the colonies. Charms and beseechings, hexes and potions, all have a place in the lives of the people of this world. Dowsers find water, the second sight warns of dangers to come, and a torch can read a person's future---or their heart.In this world where "knacks" abound, Alvin, the seventh son of a seventh son, is a very special man indeed. He's a Maker; he has the knack of understanding how things are put together, how to create them, repair them, keep them whole, or tear them down. He can heal hearts as well as bones, he build a house, he can calm the waters or blow up a storm. And he can teach his knack to others, to the measure of their own talent.Alvin has been trying to avert the terrible war that his wife, Peggy, a torch of extraordinary power, has seen down the life-lines of every American. Now she has sent him down the Mizzippy to the city of New Orleans, or Nueva Barcelona as they call it under Spanish occupation. Alvin doesn't know exactly why he's there, but when he and his brother-in-law, Arthur Stuart, find lodgings with a family of abolitionists who know Peggy, he suspects he'll find out soon. But Nueva Barcelona is about to experience a plague, and Alvin's efforts to protect his friends by keeping them healthy will create more danger than he could ever have suspected. And in saving the poor people of the city, Alvin will be put to the greatest test of his life---a test that will draw on all his power. For the time has come for him to turn to his old friend Tenskwa-Tawa, the Red Prophet who controls the lands to the west of the Mizzippy. Now Alvin must take the first steps on the road to the Crystal City that was shown to him in a vision so long ago.

Customer Reviews:

OK Ending.......2007-04-05

Loved all of the books in this series and all the way up to the end it was a great journey but it sort of felt unfinished. I wish that there was more to the ending.

Excellent Adventure.......2006-07-26

I enjoyed this newest contribution as much or more than the previous works. It is a fabulous adventure, and I am awaiting the next installment very impatiently. It is not apparent as yet whether Mr. Card is actully going to produce the next installment, I hesitatingly admit, but I believe there is more to tell in this adventure. Here's hoping. At any rate, this book was a very good investment. Hope you enjoy it as much.

give it a chance!!!!.......2006-06-14

i loved this book, it was really great i could hardely put it down. it's funny how it has history in it and how they play it into the book so that it actually makes some sense. i really liked arthurs character, he was so funny and reminded me a lot of my brother. it had so much suspence in it. it's a great book that people should just read to give it a chance.

Keeping up with The Makers.......2005-12-18

This book, the sixth in the Alvin Maker series, is just as entertaining as the first five. I enjoy Card's style of writing and like the fact that he creates a historical science fiction so well. In this story many of the characters of previous books are reintroduced and the author, at times, only gives vague information as to their history in the story, so I don't suggest that anyone read this if they haven't read the other five (but of course the others were great too so there's no reason to not want to read them). I do feel that this book has less of "something," but I'm not sure what exactly it is. I do still advise people to read it, especially if they're wondering what will happen to all these folks in the next book.

A wonderful alternate history and engaging characters.......2005-10-20

Its been a long time since I read the earlier books in this series, so many of the details of the earlier events have become fuzzy. Consequently, I was concerned about picking this up and finding myself confused by jumping into the middle of the story. Happily, this book stands well enough on its own that this didn't happen. Card continues to be a terrific storyteller, with compelling characters who make you care about what happens to them. His alternate history, based on a reality in which magic is real, is also convincing and provides a thoroughly interesting backdrop to his story. However, it is the character interactions in this book that are the most enjoyable. The dialog is filled with verbal swordplay that is both biting and funny, and which also sounds true to life. The only criticism I can offer for this book is that the ending, while hopeful, is also so open ended that it practically screams that Card intends to continue writing books for this series.

Average customer rating:

Hood Rich...It was JUST O.K.
P.O.M.E
Reflecting......
Hood Rich or Writer Poor?
A Prince in Chains

Hood Rich
Crystal Perkins-stell
Manufacturer: Crystell Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Erotica | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0974070505

Product Description

Crystell Publications is proud to announce the unveiling of our second publication, Hood Rich. The author Mrs Crystal Perkins-Stell is on her way to becoming a Best Selling Author of a truly phenomenal novel. Hood Rich is receiving astonishing reviews. Essences best selling author Winston Chapman has endorsed her as, The Hottest New Chick in the Game. Others are comparing Hood Rich to the Coldest Winter Ever. Hood Rich is a great urban tale that exposes the reader to a taste of ghetto reality. It is a fast paced, yet compassionate story that readers will immediately be drawn into. Hood Rich is a page turning drama guaranteed to totally immerse readers into the lifestyle of the character DeMarques Prince. Please visit our site www.crystalstell.com to read the first chapter of Hood Rich and other novels author available by Crystal Stell.

Customer Reviews:

Hood Rich...It was JUST O.K........2007-08-26

I was expecting it to be better than what it really was. This story is mostly about the struggles a young man face while being wrongly convicted of a crime he did not do. So most of the storyline deals with the main character being behind bars. There were a lot of twist in the storylines which held my attention and made the book an OK read. There is a part II to this book and I will be starting it next. Hopefully it will be better than part I.

P.O.M.E.......2007-06-16

Crystal takes you on a journey through the transformation of P's life...from a boy to a man. P makes some bad choices and he pays for them. Will he learn from his mistakes?

I connected with P and actually felt his pain.

After reading Hood Rich, make sure you read Big Tymers...it's even better.

Reflecting.............2007-04-09

Wow the book had me speechless, it did start a little slow but when it starting going I could not put it down. This told a tale of a young man nicknamed Prince cause that was his last name and he had some kingpins in the family that he looked up to. He was young and ready to live the fast life too soon and with that being said he ended up going to jail for fifteen years at the tender age of seventeen and there he learn just what being loyal was, how to survive, having faith, endureing hurt and pain, dealing with the lost of loves one and most of all how to hold on. This book reflected a lot about family. This was a good story you never know whats gone go down next. And Prince is real likeable I enjoyed his personality. Barvo Crystal......

Hood Rich or Writer Poor?.......2007-03-20

I bought this book because of all of the rave reviews I saw online. I couldn't wait to crack it open and dig in! The mistakes (grammar/punctuation/spelling, etc) really turned me off to the storyline, which I thought was a really good premise overall. It gave me a sneak peek into the life of a criminal who was trapped in the gritty world of the justice system. I really felt Prince on some levels, but I felt like the story fell short on many points. The beginning of the book was hard for me to follow, with all of the lyrics thrown in - it was difficult if you weren't familiar with the songs that were quoted. The ending was better, because it was unexpected, but overall, I could have passed on this book.

One amazing thing, I will say, though - the book cover and packaging was done very well. It really made you want to buy the book. I will give another of Crystal Perkins-Stell's books a try just because this was only her second book, and I can see potential, maybe with better editing, a later book will be much better! I will review one of her later books once I read one!

A Prince in Chains.......2007-02-28

Raised by a single mother that didn't do much in the form of parenting, DeMarques Prince looked up to two males in his family as role models, his uncle, Silk, and his brother, Ant. With both father figures deep in the game, Prince can't help but follow in their footsteps; footsteps bound to lead to a cell or casket. Does being "hood rich" outweigh the consequences?

Prince, the title character, is also the narrator whose monologue depicts his joys, hardships and lessons learned. Crystal Perkins-Stell delivers Prince's story with humor, pain and sarcastic insight. Hood Rich is an emotionally gripping tale. In hearing Prince's story, you come to care for him, you come to pity him and in watching his progress, cheer for him. There were a few editing issues and despite explanations given, this reader still had questions. Overall, Hood Rich was an enjoyable read, and I look forward to continuing with the Prince family in its follow-up, Big Tymers.

Reviewed by: Toni

The Making of a Chicano Militant: Lessons from Cristal (Wisconsin Studies in Autobiography)

Average customer rating:

Hitler salute on the cover of the book
i still live in crystal
You feel the Coraje Chicanos experienced growing up in TX.

The Making of a Chicano Militant: Lessons from Cristal (Wisconsin Studies in Autobiography)
Jose Angel Gutierrez
Manufacturer: University of Wisconsin Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Historical | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Mexico | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

Revolutionary | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0299159841

Book Description

Texas, for years, was a one-party state controlled by white democrats. In 1962, a young eighteen-year-old heard the first rumblings of Chicano community organization in the barrios of Cristal. The rumor in the town was that five Mexican Americans were going to run for all five seats on the city council. But first, poor citizens had to find a way to pay the $1.75 poll tax. Money had to be raised—through bake sales of tamales, cake walks, and dances. So began the political activism of José Angel Gutiérrez.
Gutiérrez's autobiography, The Making of a Chicano Militant, is the first insider's view of the important political and social events within the Mexican American communities in South Texas during the 1960s and 1970s. A controversial and dynamic political figure during the height of the Chicano movement, Gutiérrez offers an absorbing personal account of his life at the forefront of the Mexican-American civil rights movement—first as a Chicano and then as a militant.
Gutiérrez traces the racial, ethnic, economic, and social prejudices facing Chicanos with powerful scenes from his own life: his first summer job as a tortilla maker at the age of eleven, his racially motivated kidnapping as a teenager, and his coming of age in the face of discrimination as a radical organizer in college and graduate school. When Gutiérrez finally returned to Cristal, he helped form the Mexican American Youth Organization and, subsequently the Raza Unida Party to confront issues of ethnic intolerance in his community. His story is soon to be a classic in the developing literature of Mexican American leaders.

Customer Reviews:

Hitler salute on the cover of the book.......2005-02-21

We must fight all racism, including the racists like Gutierrez.

i still live in crystal.......2000-12-21

The events that took place in this book happened in my home town. The events started out as a good thing that was ment to help the hispanic comunity , in the end with poor planing it brought forth the slow death of a growing texas town.

i will be the first to admit that some thing had to change in order to help the hispanics, but after all was said done , the only major change that happened was the residence of the man that killed the town. if i sound harsh in my review , well i still live in the after shocks of the movment.

You feel the Coraje Chicanos experienced growing up in TX........1999-04-21

It's a book that tells generations born after el Movimiento that it took brave Chicanas(os) to make changes in politics, and education systems. This was done by Americans with coraje (anger) and who took this anger and put it into positive aciton. Having been part of the Movimiento Chicano this book brought back many memories. If you read "Rain of Gold" you'll like this book--it's the other story about those of us who the river crossed us, we did not cross the river. This book should be a must for every Chicano(a) in political science or Chicano studies.

Average customer rating:

Dedicated streets-reader
Street Education:101
Menace II Society!!!!!!!
The streets
Hard Knock Life

Menace II Society
Al Saadiq Banks , Mark Anthony , Crystal Lacey Winslow , Isadore Johnson , and J. M. Benjamin
Manufacturer: Melodrama Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

United States | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0971702179

Product Description

Menace II Society is a gritty work of fiction that captures the allure of sex, money, murder and power. These bestselling authors have collaborated on a page-turner. Walk with Me Al-Saadiq Banks Newark, New Jersey is eager to get rid of the infamous, Miracle. A predicate with a long list of felonious crimes. When hes arrested for the brutal murders of his two co-defendants, he realized that his life is over. Walk with Me by Al-Saadiq Banks walks you through the seemingly dark life of Miracle, capturing the ironic circumstance of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Snake Eyes Mark Anthony Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Thats the old adage in the hood. But what happens when your friend is your enemy? All hell breaks loose in Snake Eyes. Mark Anthony weaves a dramatic street tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat! Cagney & Lacey Crystal Lacey Winslow Cagney & LaceyWhen two felons growing up on opposite coasts meetthe attraction is magnetic. When Laceys past comes back to haunt herCagneys love is put to the test. Will Cagney ride or die for his lady? Just like a modern day Bonnie and Clyde, these two embark on a killing spree in their quest to leave the past behind. The Deceitful Hunted Isadore Johnson Quawi Ubatis desperation to hold on to his half billion dollar cocaine empire built by blood and fear has led him to hunt down two men responsible for the ultimate betrayal. This notorious Nigerian drug lord unleashes havoc that not even the powerful F.B.I. could withstand in order to find and kill these individuals who he once trusted before planning the ultimate escape. Keepin it Gangsta JM Benjamin Keepin it Gangsta is the only way the notorious Dicer knows how to live. Feared by many because of his murderous and infamous reputationhe still finds a soft spot in his black heart to hold down the only woman that ever truly loved him. But in true Dicer fashion he can only keep it gangsta!

Customer Reviews:

Dedicated streets-reader .......2007-09-25

I loved every story in this piece. If you are a true fan of street fiction, this is one of MANY for ya!!

Street Education:101.......2006-04-13

The authors have conglomerated together and published well thought out stories of street life.

Author Isadore Johnson kept the excitement as you read about Ubati, a ruthless Nigerian druglord and his desperation to hold onto his multi-billion dollar cocaine empire.

Author Mark Anthony delights readers with an intense continuing story of Promise, Squeeze and Show from his previous publication, "THE STREETS OF NEW YORK", only to have you eagerly anticipation for more of the saga.

Author Crystal Lacey Winslow never fails. The true drama-author diva that she is fires it up with her love/crime story of Cagney & Lacey. EXCELLENT!!!!!

Author Al Saadiq Banks took an new approach in his writing and took you back in time of the character's dilemna. His story will break your heart. Another brutal story from the author - it was awesome!

Author J.M. Benjamin's story was another tale powerfully written about the "Dicer" (a.k.a. Derrick Johnson); a story that you can't/won't stop reading until you know all the facts.

It's a hard knock book with hard knock lessons, meticulously put together; a book that will make you think and access your situation and decisions - a book with a purpose. The foreword by Shannon Holmes assists in putting you in the correct mindframe to read this book. My only problem was 2 out of 5 stories had incomplete and questionable endings.

Star Rating:**** 4.5

Menace II Society!!!!!!!.......2006-03-23

When I saw the authors contributing to this book I knew it was destined to be a banger and none of the authors featured in the anthology disappointed.

The Deceitful; Hunted by Isadore Johnson: (4 stars) Isadore flips the script and pens a story about an Nigerian drug lord (Quawi Ubati) whose operation is being shut down by the FBI with the help of two informants who infiltrated his organization. Unfazed by the FBI attempts to apprehend him Ubati becomes the hunter instead of the hunted by going after the agents who betrayed him.

Snake Eyes by Mark Anthony: (4.5 stars) Mark reacquaints readers with Promise from Streets of NY Vol. 1. While fans are eagerly awaiting Vol. 2 Mark sneaks in a preview of what's to come with Snake Eyes. Promise is still on the run but ventures back to N.Y. to hook up with his boys who seem to have been prospering in his absence. But after the reunion someone tips the police off to Promise's new location. Is it just a coincidence or could his boys that he sacrificed so much for be that grimy????

Cagney & Lacey by Crystal Lacey Winslow: (5 stars) As the only female author featured in the anthology Crystal comes hard with her story. Her story is also the only one to contain a female character (Lacey) who totally lives up to the theme of the anthology and is a true Menace II Society in every sense of the word.

Walk with Me by Al-Saadiq Banks: (5 Stars) Al proves that he can even flip it in reverse while chronicling the life of Tyshon "Miracle" Walls. Tyshon is standing before the judge facing big numbers but is Tyshon a true Menace II Society or just misunderstood? The burden of proof lies on Tyshon while he tries to prove that even the most notorious criminal can really just be a victim of circumstance.

Keepin' it Gangsta by J.M. Benjamin: (5 stars) As the only author in the anthology whom I had never heard of I was surprised to see that Mr. Benjamin was able to hold his own against his talented peers. But J.M. truly kept it gangsta with his tale of Derrick "Dicer" Jordan. Derrick who is awaiting his death sentence to be carried out by lethal injection has no regrets as he reviews the incidents that contributed to his impending death.

Menace II Society proves that anthologies can work when the right authors bring their "A" game to the table.

The streets.......2006-03-10

WOW!!!! What a great read. Five dynamic authors with five short stories. With the end of each leaving much to the imagination-

Cagney & Lacey by: Crystal Lacey Winslow and Keepin' it Gangsta by: J.M. Benjamin; are by far my favorites, with Walk With Me by: Al-Saadiq Banks following closely behind.

Hard Knock Life.......2006-03-07

Isadore Johnson introduces us to Quawi Ubati. Quawi is a notorious Nigerian drug lord who the feds have been trying to snatch for years. Quawi will not go down without a fight and insists that he will be the last one standing.

Mark Anthony follows with a young hustler by the name of Promise. After Squeeze is out of lock down he touches down with his partnas since childhood to get back on his money. What should have been a meeting of the minds turns into a death wish between friends.

Crystal Lacey Winslow turns the tides with Cagney and Lacey. Lacey is a roughneck from the Westside who decides to turn over a new leaf and meets Cagney, her knight and shining armor. This fairytale soon takes a different edge when you least expect it.

Al-Saadiq Banks prevails with Miracle. Miracle has dealt with the school of hard knocks for as long as he can remember. As we walk with him through the story of his life, if he didn't have bad luck he wouldn't have any luck at all.

J.M. Benjamin ends it by keeping it gangsta with "Dicer." Derrick "the Dicer" has no love for anybody but his mother. Will his slogan of "FTW" walk him right into death's door?

I thoroughly enjoyed most of the stories. The first two stories ended with such an abrupt ending that I was not too interested in reading the rest, but once I continued I felt I had reached my moneys worth.

The Alhambra Court in the Crystal Palace: With an Appendix: An Historical Notice of the Kings of Granada, from the Conquest of that City by the Arabs to ... of the Moors, by Pasqual de Gayangos

Average customer rating:

The Alhambra Court in the Crystal Palace: With an Appendix: An Historical Notice of the Kings of Granada, from the Conquest of that City by the Arabs to ... of the Moors, by Pasqual de Gayangos
Owen Jones
Manufacturer: Adamant Media Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Spain | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Home & Garden | Life & Learning | Historical Reproductions | Formats | Books
ASIN: 140217070X
Release Date: 2005-12-05

Book Description

This Elibron Classics edition is a facsimile reprint of a 1854 edition by Crystal Palace library; and Bradbury & Evans, London.

Average customer rating:

A Taste of Daylight
Crystal Thrasher
Manufacturer: Atheneum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding

The Dark Didn't Catch Me (Library of Indiana Classics)

ASIN: 068950313X

We Won't Back Down: Severita Lara's Rise from Student Leader to Mayor (Hispanic Civil Rights)

Average customer rating:

We Won't Back Down: Severita Lara's Rise from Student Leader to Mayor (Hispanic Civil Rights)
Jose Angel Gutierrez
Manufacturer: Pinata Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Hispanic & Latino | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Political | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1558854592

Book Description

An enlightening biography for young adults of a little-known female activist in the Hispanic Civil Rights Movement

On December 9, 1969, change was in the air. The small town of Crystal City, Texas would never be the same. After weeks of petitioning for a hearing with the Crystal City school board, students of Crystal City High and their parents descended on the superintendent's office. The students had been threatened with suspension and even physical violence. Powerful members of the community had insisted they would fire the parents of students if they went in front of the school board, and still, they came. Finally, the school board removed the chairs in the gallery, and the parents and students stood until members of the school board fled to avoid the confrontation. As the students and their parents stood in front of the building, a cry rose from the crowd. "Walk out. Walk out."

So began the Crystal City High student walk out. At the center of the fervor was Severita Lara. Called la cabezuda, or stubborn girl, by her mother, Lara bore the mark of a leader from an early age. She was not afraid to stand up to anyone: girls or boys, teachers or superintendents. She always followed her father's advice, "If you know it's right, do it."

José Angel Gutiérrez, the famous civil rights leader, chronicle's Lara's ascent from a willful child to the mayor of Crystal City. From her father's doting support to her mother's steel-rod discipline, Gutiérrez offers a detailed portrait of the early family life of the woman whose continuing struggle against segregation and discrimination began while she was still a high school student in Crystal City. He also follows her attempts as a single mother to achieve her dream of being a doctor and providing for her sons.

This is the story of la cabezuda, Severita Lara, who has made an indelible imprint on American history.

Average customer rating:

The Computer Dectective

Turing: the continuing search for T2 ...

A fun read

Fun, good questions, but middle book feel

Do Not Deny Yourself the Pleasure of This Book
Access Denied
Donna Andrews
Manufacturer: Berkley Hardcover
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Women Sleuths | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Click Here for Murder (A Turing Hopper Mystery)

Delete All Suspects (A Turing Hopper Mystery)

You've Got Murder (A Turing Hopper Mystery)

Owls Well That Ends Well (A Meg Lanslow Mystery)

We'll Always Have Parrots (A Meg Lanslow Mystery)

ASIN: 0425198383
Release Date: 2004-12-07

Book Description

When Turing Hopper, Artificial Intelligence Personality extraordinaire, learns that criminal Nestor Garcia's once-dormant credit card has been doing a lot of shopping lately, she begins to do some sleuthing-and finds out the loot's shown up at an empty bungalow. So Turing gets her human friends to stake out the vicinity. But when one of them sees something he wishes he hadn't-and gets charged with murder-everyone will have to pull together to clear his name. The only way to do it is to find the guilty party-by luring him to attack them. But doing so might very well get them "accidentally" deleted...

Customer Reviews:

The Computer Dectective .......2007-03-26

Donna Andrews has created a facinating and original amateur dectective. Turing Hopper is an "Artificial Intelligence Personality", a super computer who has achieved sentience and who belongs to The Universal Library. Only her two friends Maud and Tim know her secret, and they are very careful to keep her secret for fear that her program will be altered or deleted. In this their third adventure, Turing has been monitoring the credit card of notorious criminal Nestor Garcia, when she becomes aware of suspicious activity on his card. Turing has Tim stake out the address in Virginia where items bought with Garcia's card are shipped to, but unfortunately, Tim is so tired that he falls asleep at the stakeout. A murder takes place on the property and Tim becomes the prime suspect. Turing and Maud team up and use their respective talents to find clues to the real murderer. Turing uses her database and Maude deals with an FBI agent who is developing a romantic interest in her. Andrews focuses on the growth of Turing's personality and her struggles to understand humans while at the same time advancing the plot as Turing and Maud race against time to find the real murderer. It's worth while to begin this series with the first book, "You've Got Murder" so the reader can go back to Turing's "creation" and her subsequent personality development. A very important premise in these books is the nature of Turing's existence. Would she be considered 'property,' or would she be recognized as a 'real person?' This ethical question is ongoing in the books.
There are a couple of weakness in this book which prevented me from giving it 5 stars. Nestor Garcia's motivation was difficult for me to understand. Also the resolution of the mystery was a little ambiguous. However, the whole was greater than the sum of it's parts, so I highly recommend this book and series.

Turing: the continuing search for T2 ..........2006-04-05

Turing Hopper, an artificial intelligence that has achieved sentience, has been monitoring the credit cards of Nestor Garcia hoping to get a chance to retrieve T2. T2 is Turing's younger 'sister' who was taken by Garcia in the last book. One of the cards is used and that drops all our characters, Turning, Maude, Tim, Samantha Jordan, Claudia Diaz, KingFisher, and Casey into mystery and mayhem. It seems that while one of the credit cards used belonged to Garcia it was only the tip of the iceberg in a larger credit card scam ring. Things turn really nasty when Tim is found asleep in his car at the scene of a murder and that brings back FBI investigator Norris, who has unfinished personal business with Maude.

I think, for me, the most interesting part of the mysteries is Turing trying to figure out humans and humanity. If you work in the hi-tech field you won't find this book off-putting with dated material because it keeps the technology out of the story and only refers to it in passing so you don't get hit over the head with errors or impossibilities all you have to accept is that maybe an AI can someday achieve sentience and the rest is a rollicking good mystery tied up with great characters and seamless writing.

A fun read.......2006-03-15

It's a fun ride, very similar to her two others in this series. She does a good job of creating a personality for a program that's gained sentience.

Fun, good questions, but middle book feel.......2005-02-04

Artificial Intelligence Turing Hopper has spent trillions of nanoseconds searching for the man who stole her clone. A credit card owned by one of the thief's identities proves to be the first clue in months (of human time) and Turing sends her human allies, Detective Tim and Maude, to investigate. What they find is a clever credit card theft scheme--someone is using multiple dead-drops to charge high-value and pawnable items. Could the thief, Nestor Garcia--an archdemon of crime along the lines of Moriarty in the Sherlock Holmes tales--have been himself scammed? Or might Garcia be planting evidence that will implicate Turing and draw publicity to her secret?

Things take a turn for the worse when Tim becomes a suspect in a murder case.

Author Donna Andrews provides an engaging look at the fast-growing crime of credit card theft, and offers some interesting thoughts on the future of crime. Turing has become a sentient being, despite her programming origin, but she is forced to keep her identity secret. If she were 'outed,' would she become 'property,' or might she become recognized as a 'person?' Turing is a person-loving sort, but not all of the artificial intelligences of her acquaintance have much use for humans. What might be the result if some of them were set free?

ACCESS DENIED has a bit of a 'middle book' feel. Garcia's motivation was hard to figure--and even at the end, I wondered if maybe his motivations just didn't make a lot of sense. Perhaps this will be resolved in the next book in the series. In the end, I enjoyed this novel and the questions Andrews asks. It just seemed that the humans and the artificial intelligence spent a lot of time running around and not a lot of time thinking things through.

Do Not Deny Yourself the Pleasure of This Book.......2004-12-19

For the last six months, artificial intelligence personality (AIP) Turing Hopper has been monitoring the credit card account of Nestor Garcia, hoping to gain a clue on the were abouts of this criminal. Still, she's shocked when she finds a charge on the account. When she finds the order is going to an empty house, she sends Tim out to see who shows up. Unfortunately, Tim falls asleep on his stake out and wakes up to find the police accusing him of a murder that occurred while he was out. With the stakes raised, Turing, Maude, and Tim spring into action. But can they solve the puzzle? Is there more here then simple credit card fraud? Was Garcia a victim even though he doesn't fit the pattern? And will they give away Turing's secret with all their on-line snooping?

I loved this book! It drew me in from page one and I had a hard time putting it down until I was finished. Turing, though an AIP, is a very real character. The sub-plot dealing with her relationships with her human friends is very well done. The mystery plot is deftly handled as well, and I couldn't wait to see where things were going. The ending left me intrigued and I'm already impatient for the next in the series.

This is not your normal cozy series because it includes a strong hi tech/sci-fi element. But for anyone looking for something different, this is a great place to start. Just be sure you read them in order starting with YOU'VE GOT MURDER because this series builds on each other big time, both in character interaction and plot. This book will spoil the first two for you by necessity.

The Crystal Skull: The story of the mystery, myth, and magic of the Mitchell-Hedges crystal skull discovered in a lost Mayan city during a search for Atlantis

Average customer rating:

The Crystal Skull: The story of the mystery, myth, and magic of the Mitchell-Hedges crystal skull discovered in a lost Mayan city during a search for Atlantis
Richard M Garvin
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Mayan | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books

North America | Travel | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0385094566

The Making Of A Civil Rights Leader (Hispanic Civil Rights)

Average customer rating:

The Making Of A Civil Rights Leader (Hispanic Civil Rights)
Jose Angel Gutierrez
Manufacturer: Arte Publico Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Hispanic & Latino | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Civil Rights & Liberties | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
ASIN: 1558854517

Book Description

Born in 1944, José Angel Gutiérrez grew up in a time when Mexicans and Mexican Americans in Texas and the Southwest attended separate schools and avoided public facilities and restaurants that were designated "Whites Only." Despite the limits of segregation and rural culture in Texas, the passion to learn and to educate others, as well as to undo injustice, burned in his belly from an early age. Gutiérrez offers portraits of his early influences, from his father's own pursuit of knowledge and political involvement, to his Mexican pre-school teacher's dedication to bilingual-bicultural education which did not exist in public schools at that time, and to his mother's courage and persistence, taking up migrant field work to provide for her family after the death of young Gutiérrez's father.

In this intensely narrated memoir, Gutiérrez details his rise from being beaten down by racist political and agricultural interests in South Texas to his leadership role in the Chicano civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Complemented by photos from his personal archives, Gutiérrez recalls his struggle for education, his early baptism in grass-roots political organizing, and his success in creating one of history's most successful third party movements, La Raza Unida Party.

Along the way, Gutiérrez earned college and law degrees, as well as a Ph. D. in Political Science. He was elected or appointed to school boards, commissions, judgeships and party chairmanships, all with the single-minded purpose of extending equality to Mexican Americans and other minorities in the United States. Through his tireless efforts, he crossed paths with African American and Native American civil rights leaders, Mexican presidents, and other international figures.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books