Customer Reviews:
Alcohol + Drugs + Talks Too Much = Trouble.......2006-01-22
Iain Banks first novel, The Wasp Factory, was published in 1984. In the years since, he's won critical acclaim, topped best-seller lists and has even written Science Fiction books under the cunning nom-de-plume 'Iain M. Banks'. He's also seen this book, "The Crow Road", adapted for television by the BBC in 1996. "Dead Air" is his eleventh non sci-fi book and was first published in 2002.
The book's 'hero' is Ken Nott - a Scottish 'shock jock' who works in London for Capital Live. He's very much a liberal who doesn't believe in religion; having said that, he isn't about to prevent someone from going to church. Ken currently lives on the 'Temple Belle', a very cool houseboat on the Thames. His home, however, is actually owned by Sir Jamie Werthalmey, Capital Live's incredibly rich owner, and is rented by our hero at a very reasonable rate. Ken also appears to be a very prolific lover. Divorced from Jude, his current official girlfriend in Jo. A PR agent for a record label, Jo's main project appears to be pandering to the every whim of the label's current 'hot' band, Addicta. Unofficially, Ken's also been spending quite a bit of time with Celia. This is something he has to be very secretive about - not only because of Jo, but also because Celia is married to John Merrial. Merrial is not only an acquaintance of Sir Jamie's, but is also a noted 'businessman' whose imports and exports include drugs and people. Although, apparently, he isn't personally violent, crossing him will leave you - at best - VERY injured.
The story itself jumps backwards and forwards, which may put some off - for example, its established very early in the book that Ken and Celia are lovers, though the history of their relationship is told only gradually as the book progresses. The biggest factor on how much someone's going to enjoy this book is Ken himself. He holds very definite opinions about things - notably politics and religion - and won't hold back when he wants to make a point. Given that the book opens on the 11th of September, 2001, it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that part of what Ken has to say touches on America's response. I'm also pretty sure there'll be people who won't like what he has to say or how he says it - as a result, I suspect the book won't be enjoyed by the pro-war, anti-liberal community. However, this isn't a book about the Twin Towers or the 'War on Terror' : it's about Ken's ability to get himself in trouble. Despite what I felt was a slow start, I enjoyed it a great deal.
HOT AIR.......2005-09-29
Reading the other reviewers, I see that most have made their bow to the maestro before settling in to criticize Iain Banks' recent novel, Dead Air, so let me do the same: Mr Banks has written some truly compelling fiction (the Bridge) and science fiction (virtually any of the Culture stories); he has a great gift for balancing wonder and speculation against a complex but often relentless narrative pace. He is a terrific writer. You might never guess from reading Dead Air.
I would not have written this review if it were not for the glowing tributes by the press: "thrilling" (Scotland on Sunday), "hugely entertaining" (Daily Telegraph), and most astonishingly, an "exhausting, careering ride of a novel adored by speed junkies" (Independent). I certainly could have used some speed as I trudged through this book; until the very end, virtually nothing seemed to happen. Spoilers: in the Abacus paper edition, there is a short burst of activity from pages 167 to 175 (protagonist almost kidnaped), and pages 290 to 291 (protagonist biffs Holocaust denier on cheek); otherwise, wait until page 349 for anything resembling a story to make an appearance.
Then there is the protagonist, Ken Nott (McNutt in Scotland), the "doyen of the so-called Shock Jocks and - as he's described himself - unrepentant post-lefty." (p. 289). With remarkable economy, Mr Banks describes a truly reprehensible character. Run through the checklist: Cheating on his live-in girlfriend? That's a yes. Slept with the wife of his (Scottish) best friend? Yes again. Snogged the daughter of that same best friend? Certainly. Is conducting an adulterous affair, with the wife of a crime boss, no less? Of course. With magnetism like that, you expect he must really bring something to the table. It's not physical courage. By his own admission, it's apparently not looks. And where you might think to find compassion, in its place (largely) is a sort of off-the-shelf set of left-wing bromides. Thinking back, it's hard for me now to remember even a single generous act that he performs, until the very end.
So what actually happens? Hard to say. There's certainly a lot of chaffer, and more information about Mr Nott's sex life than I ever wanted to know. It reminds me of times when I have been trapped at some party or a bar by some blowhard, who for reasons I never understand needs me to like him and believes the way to ensure this is simply to explain - in detail - just how cool, witty and irresistible to the ladies he is. Occasionally, this blowhard will conclude his disquisition with a self-deprecating remark or chuckle. If this sounds like your idea of a good time, I can strongly recommend Dead Air.
Now I am fully prepared to acknowledge that Mr Banks is doubtless a much cleverer writer than I am a reader, and I suspect he has his reasons for writing this sort of story, perhaps to illustrate in numbing detail that the attack on the Twin Towers was not a world historical event, but just a criminal act - and one of far too many (pp. 402-403); that life really does go on, and is just as tedious now as it ever was before. If that was his point, I will take it as read and move briskly on to more interesting books. It will not be hard to find one.
Not his best but still good........2004-12-13
Lots of political rants, it is true, but most of them pretty accurate and extremely funny. Banks is a master of comic prose, and if neither the plot nor the characters are as well worked out as in some of his other books ("The Crow Road", "Whit", "Espedair Street") and his imagination isn't firing on all cylinders (as with "The Bridge" or "Walking on Glass"), it is still the case that he could write about the weather and still make me laugh out loud.
Satire, but I think it is a bit weak.......2004-06-02
It took me a while to figure out this one: it is set in the backdrop of 9/11, but 9/11 is not really important for the story, apart from a brilliant line: "If 9/11 was meant to be an attack on democracy, they should have rammed the planes into Al Gore's house!"
No, the satire lies in the fact that for the wast majority of people 9/11 did not change anything, life has gone on. Some banality here, a little drama there.
The protagonist, a shock-jock with similarities to Howard Stern goes on with his daily life in London, UK. Things happen to him, and he tries to set wheels rolling with political stunts, but everything just fizzles out for him. I think that's where the satire is: whatever big things that happen around is, our personal life and private dramas tend to be pretty banal.
Underrated.......2004-04-30
I'm very surprised at the low rating of this book to date on Amazon. I found it to be good entertainment from beginning to end, and found I could relate to a lot of the scenarios and dialogue arising in the book. It is not a book based around one particular strong storyline but more about getting involved with the everyday life of one man and his friendships, relationships, vices and virtues. I found myself laughing out loud (intentional on author's part) near the end of the book during what was, at the same time, one of the most tense scenes when he broke into the house of his soon-to-be tormentor.
Not my favourite Ian Banks book, but a good one as far as I'm concerned, and considerably better than the Business, the previous effort, which I did find dissappointing. I would like a return to something a bit darker though before Mr. Banks hangs up his pen for good.
Customer Reviews:
Cream of the crop.......1999-02-10
My Thoughts about this novel is that this is one of the top 5 Shadowrun books.Jak Koke is a great author and FASA knows it.
One of the best Shadowrun novels in the series!.......1998-06-29
Shadowrun novels started with some great works by Findley and Charrette, but then it started to go down hill. The writing became long winded, and the plots ... well .. lets just say they were uninteresting at best. Koke has put the Shadow back into Shadowrun. This is what Shadowrun was meant to be! Dark, gritty, and very few people alive at the end!
Writing is as great as the plot.......1998-01-10
Although the Shadowrun universe is definitely one of fantasy, I've found some of the novels to be a little far fetched, even within the liberal boundaries of Shadowrun. This one however, is pure delightful entertainment! The writing is excellent, the story is fun and exciting and there aren't any corny elements that have plagued some other Shadowrun novels. If you're a fan of Shadowrun, you'll be a fan of Dead Air.
Life is hard, but then so are you?.......1997-04-04
When Jonathan's closest friend gets greased in a combat bikematch and it becomes clear it wasn't excactly an accident things gethot. Jonathan has to run the shadows and dodge the bullets while figuring out who got who in their pockets and why. Koke makes an fluid and enjoyable novel with all the Shadowrun elements neatly in place. Hi-tech, shadowrunners and sinister megacorps all come into play making a punch-proof novel. It all gets crowned by an unexpectedly great ending. Throughoutly enjoyable book for the fans of Shadowrun and Sci-fi.
Average customer rating:
- Dead Air, Dead On
- Hang on to your cycling shorts!
- Must read...
- Another Great Read from G. Moody
- Moody Sends Us on Another Great Ride!
|
Dead Air: A Cycling Murder Mystery
Greg Moody
Manufacturer: VeloPress
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | 18th Century | 19th Century | 20th Century | African American | Asian American | Classics | Collections & Readers | Drama | General | Hispanic | History & Criticism | Humor | Jewish American | Letters & Correspondence | Native American | Poetry | Short Stories | Women Writers
General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Cycling | Individual Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
-
Derailleur: A Cycling Murder Mystery
-
Perfect Circles: A Novel
-
Deadroll: A Cycling Murder Mystery
-
Two Wheels: A Cycling Murder Mystery
-
The Rider
ASIN: 1931382034 |
Book Description
In Dead Air, a sports reporter is determined to use cyclist Will Ross’s limelight for her own career, while a killer is bent on taking care of some unfinished business. As he struggles to recover from tragedy, Will must find out whether a single ride can change his life and whether he is capable of taking the ultimate revenge. “Grisham on Gatorade” — Rocky Mountain News
Customer Reviews:
Dead Air, Dead On.......2003-09-11
This review is long over due. I read Dead Air many months ago. I'm just now coming down from the exhilaration of another fine Moody murder mystery novel. Moody once again blends the two things he knows best...cycling and TV. He has written one of the finest and most exciting fight scenes I've ever read. If you think you know how this one ends....think again.
Hang on to your cycling shorts!.......2002-08-09
Greg Moody's books are a fun habit. If you have any interest whatsoever in professional cycling (and who doesn't after Lance Armstrong's feats) read Greg's books. You'll get an inside, albeit wild and crazy look at the peloton. You definitely should read the books in the order written (this is the fifth in the series), to understand the history of Will Ross, a washed-up bike racer who has years of European pro cycling under his belt, but always manages to get in one last ride, or one last season, in each of the books. In the latest, he is on staff at a Denver TV news station, and is sent to cover a ride through the Rockies. Mayhem predictably follows, and Will must try to clear his name, find and outwit a mad-bomber, get along with his mobster in-laws, and take yet another ride-of-his-life. Hang on to your cycling shorts!
Must read..........2002-06-23
...as a followup for Deadroll. It extends the previous book which seemed to end abruptly without proper ending. The writing style of Greg Moody is very natural, so the book reads very fast. So read the Dead Air and learn bomber's fate.
Another Great Read from G. Moody.......2002-06-10
Fans of Will Ross will not be disappointed with this much anticipated followup to Deadroll. My only problem is I read the book too fast. I guess I'll have to start over with book 1 and read the whole series. Long live Will Ross!
Moody Sends Us on Another Great Ride!.......2002-05-29
Dead Air is another challenging mystery by Greg Moody. I so enjoyed getting to know new characters as Moody peels away the layers of their personalities, but I was also glad to encounter familiar old characters from his previous novels. The book flows with glimpses into the insanity of the villain and the T.V. Station! Along with the prose are gritty descriptions of life on a bike. Reading a book by Greg Moody is like choosing between plain vanilla ice cream or a hot fudge sundae... he makes you work a little harder than a "canned formula" mystery, but the satisfaction is well worth the effort!!! This is a great read and should be added to your summer book list!
Average customer rating:
- Don't miss this one
- This is why I love reading!
- wonderfully engrossing
- This book has sharp dialogue and a fast-paced plot.
- Dead Air Dead On
|
Dead Air: A Jessie Drake Mystery (Jessie Drake Mysteries)
Rochelle Krich
Manufacturer: William Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | 18th Century | 19th Century | 20th Century | African American | Asian American | Classics | Collections & Readers | Drama | General | Hispanic | History & Criticism | Humor | Jewish American | Letters & Correspondence | Native American | Poetry | Short Stories | Women Writers
Series | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Women Sleuths | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Police Procedurals | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
-
Shadows of Sin: A Jessie Drake Mystery
-
Angel of Death
-
Speak No Evil
-
Fertile Ground
-
Till Death Do Us Part
ASIN: 0380977699 |
Amazon.com
The lead item in Dr. Renee Altman's "Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time" file probably reads, "Chuck the practice and become a call-in radio shrink, à la Dr. Laura." And no wonder. Things for Dr. Renee, which weren't so hot to begin with, have since gotten really bad. Her estranged husband, Barry, wants nothing more than full custody of their 6-year-old daughter, Molly (OK, maybe he does want more). Her ratings have tanked, ditto her finances, and she's being stalked by a psychopath who is probably the abusive, revenge-minded husband of a woman Renee advised, on the air, to take her kid and run. What could be worse than all that? She finds out when Molly's nanny is killed and Molly disappears:
She heard herself screaming and swayed for a moment, overcome with dizziness and nausea as bile rose in her throat. Then she ran to Blanca's side.
The woman's eyes were open, staring at the ceiling. Renee knelt and took her hand, warm but heavy. She couldn't detect a pulse, and when she placed her ear over Blanca's chest, she heard no heartbeat. Still she raced back into the house to phone 911. Maybe, please God, Blanca was alive after all.
Where was Molly?
A good question, and the main ingredient of Dead Air, the fourth Jessie Drake mystery (after 1999's Blood Money) by the accomplished Rochelle Krich, Anthony Award winner for her 1991 debut, Where's Mommy Now? and the author of three other well-received stand-alone mysteries. As Dr. Renee's old friend Jessie Drake and her partner enter the chase, the murderous kidnapper takes his case to the people of Los Angeles--via the airwaves of Dr. Renee's suddenly popular program--handily turning the case into a cause célèbre, a three-ring media circus, and a detective's worst nightmare all rolled into one. Through it all, and despite issues of her own--including an abusive childhood, on-again, off-again relations with her ex, and the gradual acceptance of her recently discovered Judaism--Drake knits up some awfully deft police work for a neatly finished cuff of a close. Krich has created a series with legs, and as Jessie Drake's character grows, so will the ranks of her fans. --Michael Hudson
Book Description
Hailed as one of the "top ten women who write superior crime fiction" by the Los Angeles Times, award-winning author Rochelle Krich adds another superb novel of mystery, murder, and icy suspense to her outstanding collection. Dead Air stars Krich's popular LAPD Homicide Detective Jessie Drake in a case that begins with a surprise visit from an old friend and quickly turns into a heart-wrenching, life and death drama that rocks the city.
Jessie is astonished when her closest high school confidant, who hasn't been in touch for almost two years, shows up at her door with an alarming tale of being harassed by an unseen stalker. Jessie's friend is now "Dr. Renee," a popular radio talk show therapist who doles out quick-fix no-nonsense advice to troubled callers on everything from lackluster marriages to steamy illicit affairs. Now Renee is desperately frightened and convinced Jessie can help her.
Skeptical, and with little to go on, Jessie agrees to investigate---just as a favor. But Jessie's interest quickly turns professional when Renee's six-year-old daughter Molly is kidnapped---and the child's nanny murdered. Renee and her estranged husband Barry, already in a fierce battle over custody, trade angry charges of blame and suspicion while Jessie tracks a bizarre series of events that began a few weeks earlier when a battered wife phoned Dr. Renee for help. Now the woman's crazed husband blames the radio therapist for handing out advice that has ruined his marriage. And---on the air for all to hear---he threatens revenge.
With a child as a pawn, a killer plays a chilling game where he holds all the cards---and he's chosen Jessie to be LAPD's top player. As the hours tick by, he uses the radio talk show to up the ante, sending shocking waves of horror and disbelief through the city and terror into the hearts of loved ones. And under the hot glare of media scrutiny, Jessie works feverishly against the clock to beat him at his own game.Hailed as one of the "top ten women who write superior crime fiction" by the Los Angeles Times, award-winning author Rochelle Krich adds another superb novel of mystery, murder, and icy suspense to her outstanding collection. DEAD AIR stars Krich's popular LAPD Homicide Detective Jessie Drake in a case that begins with a surprise visit from an old friend and quickly turns into a heart-wrenching, life and death drama that rocks the city.
Jessie is astonished when her closest high school confidant, who hasn't been in touch for almost two years, shows up at her door with an alarming tale of being harassed by an unseen stalker. Jessie's friend is now "Dr. Renee," a popular radio talk show therapist who doles out quick-fix no-nonsense advice to troubled callers on everything from lackluster marriages to steamy illicit affairs. Now Renee is desperately frightened and convinced Jessie can help her.
Skeptical, and with little to go on, Jessie agrees to investigate---just as a favor. But Jessie's interest quickly turns professional when Renee's six-year-old daughter Molly is kidnapped---and the child's nanny murdered. Renee and her estranged husband Barry, already in a fierce battle over custody, trade angry charges of blame and suspicion while Jessie tracks a bizarre series of events that began a few weeks earlier when a battered wife phoned Dr. Renee for help. Now the woman's crazed husband blames the radio therapist for handing out advice that has ruined his marriage. And---on the air for all to hear---he threatens revenge.
With a child as a pawn, a killer plays a chilling game where he holds all the cards---and he's chosen Jessie to be LAPD's top player. As the hours tick by, he uses the radio talk show to up the ante, sending shocking waves of horror and disbelief through the city and terror into the hearts of loved ones. And under the hot glare of media scrutiny, Jessie works feverishly against the clock to beat him at his own game. B
Customer Reviews:
Don't miss this one.......2002-12-18
Who among us hasn't struggled with the comnflicting strees of life - children, spouses, family, work - and tried to achieve a balance that will answer everyone's needs? For Dr. Renee Altman these all come crashing together when the center of her world, her daughjter Molly, is kidnapped. Det. Jessie Drake copnfronts her own individual conflicts as she races against time to find Molly and apprehend the kidnapper without endangering others who are objects of his hate.
Rochelle Krich draws her characters with such realism you feel like they are part of your life. She skillfully weaves the tension of the drama with character profiles in a way that draws you personally into the plot. As with all her books, this one is difficult to put down before the end. You'll be missing a wonderful treat if you don't read this and the other Jessie Drake books.
This is why I love reading!.......2000-05-14
This is one of the most enjoyable books I have devoured recently. I am not a reader who keeps trying to figure out "who done it" before the author reveals the ending. But I truly appreciate a finely crafted mystery with unexpected twists and turns. Krich juggles several potential culprets convincingly. Just when I thought the ending was in sight, she turned another corner in the story line.
After reading this I had to find another title by Krich to see if she was this good or if she just wrote a real "winner." Having read _Speak no Evil_, I can say, "She is a wonderful writer." I also devoured the second book by her. Now I intend to find as many of her titles as I can. I hope her publishers take notice of her "out of stock" and "out of print" titles and make them available as soon as possible.
She is an author to discover, if you haven't read anything by her yet.
wonderfully engrossing.......2000-04-29
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was so good I almost finished it the same day I began reading it. I am looking forward to reading all future books that she writes. I am hopeful that her critics will put her up there with Faye Kellerman and others of her genre.
This book has sharp dialogue and a fast-paced plot........2000-04-28
"Dead Air" is Krich's best novel since "Speak No Evil". Jesse Drake is back. She is an LAPD detective who has previously appeared in several Krich novels. This time, Jesse is investigating the kidnapping of Molly, the daughter of Dr. Renee (a radio psychologist), and the murder of Molly's nanny. Renee Altman and Jesse Drake used to be friends, but they drifted apart over the years. Now Jesse is once again involved with Renne as she delves into her friend's troubled life. Not only is Renee in torment over Molly's diappearance, but she is also upset about her separation from her husband, Barry, and the sinking ratings of her radio show. Jesse and her colleagues must find out who kidnapped Molly and where the child is being held. Could Barry, Renee's estranged husband, have had something to do with the child's disappearance? Or is the kidnapper someone with a grudge against Dr. Renee? Krich captures the atmosphere of "radio psychology" well, as Dr. Renee lambastes her callers with scathing advice and withering criticism. Dr. Renee is a thinly veiled Dr. Laura, whom the author mentions in the book several times. Krich explores the theme of how effective and therapeutic radio psychology can ever be. Do radio psychologists serve a beneficial purpose or is what they do shallow and harmful--"microwave psychology," as one character derisively labels it? Krich explores Renee's and Jesse's personal and professional problems nicely and the book is exciting and entertaining. "Dead Air" is a timely and engrossing mystery.
Dead Air Dead On.......2000-04-18
I waited for this new Jesse Drake book and was not dissappionted in it. It kept me spell bound to find out who had Molly .I enjoyed learning more about Jesse,but I was hoping her relationship with her ex would go in a different direction.I am really interested in how Jesse adds her jewishness to her life as a detective.If you enjoy Kellerman than you will love Krich and her characters as they keep you turning the pages for more.
Book Description
A Basic Book/Madison Press Book
From the creators of The Discovery of the Titanic comes THE illustrated publishing event of 2001 releasing with THE movie event of 2001 Franklin Delano Roosevelt proclaimed it "A day that will live in infamy"-December 7, 1941, the one date from the Second World War that almost every American knows by heart. Pearl Harbor is the definitive illustrated account of that momentous day. No other battle of the Pacific War was better documented in photographs than was Pearl Harbor. Everyone has seen some of these images, but few are aware of just how many there are-including many that have never been published. Official government photographers were busy that morning, but so were countless service personnel and shocked civilians. Even the Japanese navy photographed their preparations and the launch of the attack fleet. The visual record of the day includes not just stunning black-and-white shots but also vivid color photos showing the American fleet under attack and burning. Pearl Harbor makes lavish use of these historical photos to vividly re-create what it felt like to be there during every key moment of the battle. A compelling narrative by noted naval historian Dan Van der Vat explains the causes and background of the attack. Moving first-person reminiscences of persons who were there-Japanese and Americans, military and civilians, adults and children-give the pictures even greater immediacy.
Customer Reviews:
Pearl Habor remembered.......2007-01-18
I bought this for my mother-in-law for Christmas because she had lent her book to someone and it was never returned. Even though the book is not a recent edition, the pictures and accounts were stirring. I also appreciate the list of the servicemen who died on all of the ships that day especially since my uncle Herman Koeppe died on the USS Arizona. His name is on the list. Thanks for the quick shipping too. The book was a hit!
A nice consequence to an awful film .......2006-07-30
So many expected Ben Affleck's Pearl Harbor movie to be a blockbuster like Titanic that quite a few decided to go for the coat tails. As a consequence, many new books were written on the subject.
This is one of the best of those books published. Nicely written. Very informative. Well illustrated both with period photographs adn original artwork.
A must have for anyone interested in this subject.
An Illustrated Look at the Day of Infamy.......2005-07-14
Author Dan Van Der Vat has done an excellent job in examining the attack on Pearl Harbor in a photographic context. This book contains numerous photos of the attack, both in black and white and color, along with informative maps and drawings. The narrative is very good and provides an authoritative, minute-by-minute account of the attack.
Oral histories from both Japanese and American personnel, as well as Hawaiian civilians are also included. These exciting testimonies give the reader a true sense of what it was like to be at Pearl Harbor during the attack. From a captured Japanese midget submarine crewman to American sailors and airmen, their stories are brought to life inside the book.
One section I found especially interesting was the list of casualties included at the back of the book. One look at the size and length of this section will make the reader realize just how tragic and costly December 7, 1941 was for the United Staes armed forces.
Finally, the photos of the USS Arizona memorial, with the "Mighty Mo" serving as a guard, bring a poignant end to the book, and lets the reader know that December 7 will never be forgotten.
I highly recommend this book. I've read numerous books on this subject, and I was very impressed with the quality of the photos as well as the accompanying text. As a stand-alone volume or companion to another book, this work of history deserves its place as one of the best books on the subject of Pearl Harbor. Look through the photographs and get a true sense of what the Day of Infamy was really like.
Great Chronicle Of "The Day Of Imfamy".......2004-02-13
From reading this book about the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 I think that this book gives great detail of both sides of what happened and its aftermath.
Much more than a coffe book, I think that this book is a great resource in which people can learn what happened.
3 reviews ain't demos..........2002-02-07
Hell, is this the way to begin a review?
Pearl Harbor is a ball, a square, a city, a village, a fool and a loop. Whatever it was, it wasn't this. The Camera doesn't lie -no, but you lie with your own eyes . You do it all the time ,you all deny what you're seeing.So how is a film like this going to make any difference? How is one to make sense of history? -To realize that the British pioneered the technique of aerial destruction of a navy in southern Italy, to feel only empathetic emotion without compassion, a sort of thrill, and feel vicariously English-speaking without the boon of truth and conscience to back it up with?
Live without fleeting flag-wavers; America folds its thoughts upon itself, and is blind. It shocks itself ,nightly, and expects sympathy, like the most selfish old man that ever lived.It cries out in the night, and is impressed with the volume.How desperately low America has become. There is scarcely one iota of sympathy or even coherence to which it appeals; why? because they can't even tell the truth.Hysteria is inflation.
Book Description
Value priced!
When Louis Gilbert turned in his detective's badge to become an Anglican priest, he thought his days of solving difficult mysteries were over. Now, as the vicar of an ancient church in a small English village, Gilbert finds himself at the center of one strange mystery after another. Recorded in London with some of England's finest actors, these original audio dramas capture the imagination. Three episodes include "A Soul in Torment," "Where the Heart Is," and "Dead Air."
Customer Reviews:
Just the Best.......2004-05-22
This is the best audio in dramatized formed I have heard. Of course, the themes are religious, but anyone can benefit from them. The quality of the production is incredible. I recommend all of the Father Gilbert 1, 2, 3 (the last one can be ordered through focus on the family [fotf.org]-it's awesome as well) I would suggest you buy ALL OF FOCUS ON THE FAMILY RADIO THEATER (most of them are classic stories). I have! You will not be disappointed.
Old Fashioned Radio Drama.......2003-10-23
My only problem with the Father Gilbert Mysteries is that there aren't more of them. I own this set on CD and think they are wonderful. The stories are involving and the characters solidly done with nice little touches throughout. My personal favorite of the three stories on this CD is Where the Heart Is followed closely by Dead Air. The stories are first rate but not particularly suspenseful or scary for that matter but they are extremely well done. The only exception might be Dead Air which did give me a little shiver when I first heard it and has my eleven year old completely terrorized (in that shivery way kids enjoy) The stories are remarkably clean and appropriate for the entire family (again Dead Air is probably not for children younger than 10) I just wish Focus on the Family would put out more of the Father Gilbert Mysteries!
Faith-based mysteries shine, and falter.......2001-07-17
'Father Gilbert Mysteries' is a three episode collection of newly-produced British radio dramas. The main focus of the series is to provide an entertainment outlet for religious expression. The show is produced by a company called 'Focus on the Family Radio Theatre', whose main goal is to showcase interesting tales with a religious message. The 'Father Gilbert Mysteries' does so. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
I am a huge fan of radio productions (both old and new), and so when I saw this new set of mysteries at the local bookstore, and read the teaser on the back, I just had to give it a whirl. Though it has its faults, it *did* leave me wanting more - surely the sign of a good production?
The genesis of the series is that Father Gilbert was once a detective for New Scotland Yard, but a particularly vile case made him reconsider things, and so he became a priest. He now resides in a cozy little English village, but trouble still seems to have no problem finding him. I will give a brief synopsis of each episode, giving you a better idea of what to expect of the series. But, be quite aware that this is a program steeped in Christian ethics, so keep that in mind. It is handled well for the most part, though it sometimes hinders the storyline.
The first episode is: 'A Soul In Torment'. A young man comes to see Father Gilbert as the priest is moving in to his new vicarage. It comes across as though the man has commited murder (or will do so in the near future). The curious priest calls upon his policeman friend to help unravel the strange situation surrounding the mysterious visitor, and the game is afoot, so to speak. This is the weakest story, as the religious aspect isn't handled well, and causes the mystery to not really be a mystery (if that makes any sense).
Program two is called: 'Where the Heart Is', and is the most solid of the lot. It involves a missing chalice that is supposedly housed on the church property where Father Gilbert resides, and the nefarious people who will do anything to get it. The story is plotted well, and some of the scenes (especially those which take place in a crypt), are pretty suspenseful.
The final show is: 'Dead Air'. It explains a lot about why Father Gilbert left the police force, as the villian from the vile crime which made him resign returns to wreak more havoc. We only hear the villian over the phone, and he calls himself "Legion", after a demon in the Bible. His voice is eerie, and it is in *this* story that the religious overtones really help make the story frightening (in a good way). The ending is especially scary, as Gilbert must finally confront Legion, and we are left wondering *what* the villian really was.
As with most British radio programs, the production is top-notch, with great acting, well-done sound effects, and (mostly good) stories. If you can make it past the mess of 'A Soul In Torment', then you'll see what an intriguing series this really is. Christianity and mysteries are no strangers to one another, and one must admire 'Father Gilbert Mysteries' for striving to blend the two in the most pleasant way possible.
Book Description
In this expanded edition of the 1972 classic, James Gallagher presents his collection of photographs of downed Japanese aircraft chronicling the final days of World War II through the lens of an American serviceman. Snapped by the author, a communications officer with the Fifth Air Force in the Pacific islands, these stunning photos cover all manner of aircraft, from the infamous "Zero" carrier fighter to the "Betty" bomber. Also listed are specifications and technical data for a number of planes, making the book a valuable addition to the air or military enthusiast's library.
Customer Reviews:
A Superb Pictorial of Late-war Japanese Warplanes.......2005-12-15
Meatballs and Dead Birds by James B. Gallagher: I missed getting a copy of this book the first time it was published in (I think) the mid-seventies. After waiting for decades, I must say that the wait was worth it. It is crammed with superb unpublished photos of WW2 Japanese warplane, plus a few Americans planes thrown in too. If you forced me to find areas needing improvement, there would be two. First, I think that the rarity and uniqueness of Mr. Gallagher's photos would have been better served if they were reproduced on glossy stock. Any comparison between the sharpness and details visible in the photos on the glossy cover stock vs. that of the body photos will illustrate this. Second (and really an adjunct to the first), additional text documenting tail codes and markings of aircraft in the background of the photos would be most welcome. This added text might be less necessary if the photos were printed on a glossy stock, which tends to show much more details. Please note that even with the above said this book is a great buy and a must-have for theWW2 historian, modeler or airplane nut.
A unique and refreshing reference.......2004-11-08
Any aviation buff that reads through this book will come away with a haunted sense of loss, and a feeling of relief that someone took the time to snap these photographs. The author documents the state of Japanese warbirds immediately following the end of the war, as they were being literally shoved aside to make way for the occupation. Aircraft that would be priceless if they still existed today are shown in their last moments - battered, worn, and beautiful. Don't expect a comprehensive review of every type, but do expect some rare glimpses of these mysterious birds on the eve of their extinction.
Average customer rating:
- Dead Air
- A brilliant book
- This is a really great book!
|
Dead Air
Mike Lupica
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Movie Tie-Ins | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
-
Extra Credits
-
Jump
-
Miracle on 49th Street
-
Bump and Run
-
Heat
ASIN: 0345308131
Release Date: 1987-04-12 |
Customer Reviews:
Dead Air.......2003-11-12
I was surprised to see Mike write such a good mystery novel. I dislike other things he has written but this book is very good. I think that it is a mystery that Mike has not written more novels in this genre. It fits him....
A brilliant book.......1999-06-19
Mystery writing doesn't get any better than this. It's the sort of book you can read five times and always find something new. Thanks, Mike.
This is a really great book!.......1999-02-09
I couldn't seem to put this book down. Lupica seems to surpass himself in each book I have read that he has written.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Personal Touch.......2005-08-02
I have been researching the brief life of an uncle who as a Ball Turret Gunner on a B-17. I have enjoyed this book because it gives a new perspective on the battles in the skies over Germany. Rather than a long, dull recitation of historical facts and statistics like so many books provide, Briol's diary lets you see what day-to-day life was for a gunner on a B-17 and, especially important to me, what it was like for the ball turret gunner, specifically. Other books focus on missions and planes but this gives you insite into many details that you just don't learn in other books. Your butt and back will ache with Briol's after a day-long mission to the heart of Germany crammed into that little ball. You'll feel the freezing cold he felt even through his electrically heated clothing. And you'll get a sense of the stress that broke the spirit of many men watching nearby planes explode in flight right next to you and wondering if you're next.
This book will inform, entertain and make you ache for the pain that these men suffered for all of us.
If I could recommend only two books to learn what it was like in a B-17, I would recommend "Dead Engine Kids" and "Half A Wing, Three Engines And A Prayer" by Brian O'Neill.
Really great -- should form the basis for a movie.......2004-04-17
I've just finished reading this book; it was loaned to me by a niece of John Welch (the co-pilot, editor, and publisher of this book).
Great praise to John Welch for recognizing the value of his crew mate's (Briol's) diary when he saw it, and even more praise for his effort to make sure it was published so it could be shared with others.
And also, GREAT PRAISE for John Briol, the diarist, whose writings make up 95%+ of this book.
My iumpression is that John Briol, in large part, wrote this for you -- for US.
John had a sense that something was happening -- aerial war, conditions almost unendurable, terror, fear, courage, caring -- that needed to be captured and shared with someone both to preserve his sanity but also to pass something on to others (to US). He was not at all sure that he would survive but he hoped his diary would and he made arrangements to protect it in case he was killed.
John was obviously a perceptive man with a good facility for expressing himself. He never tried to be "literary" or to pose as an author. He simply -- and quite spontaneously and tellingly -- recorded day after day what it was like to endure combat and the threat of no return, measuring his required time against the required number of combat missions. He brought me really there. (His sentiments may be somewhat similar to those our soldiers in Iraq are feeling in April of '04).
I found his compassion (and those of other crerw members) for the civilian casualites to be somewhat affirming of the human race.
This is an EXCELLENT book. If a movie could capture the essence of this, it would be somewhere between "The Fog of War" and "Saving Private Ryan." It should be made.
Thank you, John Brion -- and John Welch -- for sharing.
Required reading..........2002-06-04
This book is right up there with Bert Stiles' excellent book. It is dangerously readable: I bought it for a long trip, but read the first page and couldn't put it down... now I need another book to bring.
Somehow books written after the war get filtered by memory, if only slightly. They seem a bit more glorious than reality. Books written about the air war while it was happening record something that the memoirs don't. This is a down and dirty B-17 book. The crew's accounts and feelings about the air war come through so clearly that it made me wonder why I was reading this book about such a difficult thing to endure.
If you're interested in B-17's, or the air war in general, you need to read this book.
Battling for life and freedom at the height of Mt. Everest........2001-04-02
This mission by mission diary account of a brave B-17 crew is a book that is very hard to put down! Flying higher than Mount Everest while battling with german flak, fighters, and frostbite, this book is proof of our "Greatest Generation" in the grips of war. We shall forever be indebted to the service of these and all other WWII veterans. God bless you all!
Realistic: "Dead Engine Kids".......2000-04-03
"Dead Engine Kids" is a book written realistically. It reveals what it really was like to fly missions over Germany, and the anxiety and fear that each of the crew members felt. This book records events written down in diary form by the ball turret gunner and other members of the crew, expressing the realities of war. Two German women also wrote to tell their memories of living in Berlin when the Dead Engine Kids bombed it. The book far surpasses other books and movies concerning the air war over Germany. This account captures your attention from the time you begin to read it, and keeps it to the end. Avoiding foul language, the words and style are very good at generating and relating the feelings and emotions of the crew members during and between missions, in this period of their lives.
Book Description
Popular Clarion, Indiana radio talk show host Wes Bryan is alarmed when nine-year-old Jennifer calls into his show, "Talk About Town." She can't tell him where she is, she can't tell him who is hurting her, but the fear in Jennifer's voice is unmistakable, and Wes is compelled by nearly forgotten convictions to discover who is abusing this child…and
why.
Customer Reviews:
The SECOND worst book I ever finished........2006-03-19
I read it years ago, when it first came out, and was grateful I got it at the library.
This book was the beginning of the end for this flamboyant, colorful talk show host.
Interesting Read.......2006-02-04
I recommend reading this book if one wants to learn how satanic worshipers operate. It was a fascinating read, very difficult to put down. It's a compelling story of overcoming evil with good.
The main character, Wes Bryant, is a radio talk show host who receives a call from a terrified little girl while on the air. The story unfolds as he attempts to find out who this girl is and what has happened to her.
Some parts are pretty graphic, and I wondered whether it was really necessary to include some of the past experiences in such detail of this 9 year old girl (Jennifer), who was part of the ritualistic abuse.
Clearly this book is not for everyone. If someone you know was/is a victim of an occult crime or ritual abuse it would be very helpful to read in order to gain an understanding of the pain involved. In the middle of the book (page 222) there is a scene where Jennifer's mom (Annette) attends a support group of mothers who either have been abused or whose children have been abused. This portion of the book provides helpful insight on the recovery process.
It is amazing to me that this is based on a true story. I can't imagine how anyone could abuse a child or animal in the ways mentioned. The depth of evil described is profound.
Why would anyone want to worship Satan (who lies, destroys, and deceives) when they can worship Jesus Christ (who loves us enough to die for us in order to save us from our sins and reconcile us to God)? It's beyond reason.
For anyone who has been a victim of abuse, there is a phone number and address on the last page to contact for help. Compassion Connection; Box 36 C; Denver, Colorado 80236 (303.985.HOPE).
Good book I wish she would write more.......2005-11-07
I really enjoyed this book and the real credit for this goes to ghost-writer Lori Boespflug. Yes Bob Larson put it in his own words; however most of the outline and work should go to Lori who spent countless hours working on this novel and Abaddon. I am hoping that Lori will come out with additional books under her name. She has a good talent and hope that the legal battle has not kept her from continuing her work. Bob Larson never gave her the credit and ended up sacking her before Abaddon was finished (according to World and Cornerstone).
It is a good read and you will not want to put it down. I don't recommend anyone under 18 reading this. The novel gets quite graphic when speaking of the satanic rituals. Some have said that it borderlines pornography. I could not see it being written different. It approaches the subject of satanic ritual abuse. Abuse is abuse and to water it down would not do any of the victims of this crime any justice
Christian Pornography.......2005-04-03
It doesn't surprise me that so many of the Christians who reviewed this book found it "difficult to put down." This book is pure pornography, of the most vile sort, wrapped in a Christian theme.
In Dead Air Bob Larson graphically describes, with salivating relish, the sexual exploitation of a little girl by a group of men. It's too disgusting to go into in this venue, but if this were not a "Christian" book it would be rated X. Later in the book Larson concocts a sexual fantasy that would make Larry Flynt blush, involving a dead horse and the same little girl. He justifies this exploitation by having the little girl beg for it.
It's naive to justify this type of pornography by saying it might be true. First, it's not. It comes from Larson's twisted imagination. Second, literary pornography in the 50's and 60's was justified as "true" - pure pulp disguised as psychological profiles, historical research, cautionary tales, and conversion scenarios. Tacking a "Christian" ending onto Larson's book doesn't make it anything other than what it is - Christian porn.
Best Novel.......2005-01-17
I read this book in 1998. I hate reading books, but I could not stop reading this one. Larson did a good job researching how cults operate, and how difficult it is to get out of one. Amazing read, I would recommend it to anybody.
Books:
- Death in Winter (Star Trek: the Next Generation)
- Depression: A Stubborn Darkness--Light for the Path (VantagePoint Books)
- Distant Shores: A Tenth-Anniversary Celebration (Star Trek: Voyager)
- Dragon's Keep
- Dragonfly in Amber
- Dragons and Tigers: A Geography of South, East and Southeast Asia
- Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke
- Elemental Geosystems, Fourth Edition
- Estimator's Piping Man-Hour Manual, Fifth Edition (Estimator's Man-Hour Library)
- Exquisite Corpse
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- BARBRA STREISAND IN NEW YORK CITY: A Self Guided Tour of Landmark Locations in The Career of Barbra
- The Eye of the World: Book One of 'The Wheel of Time'
- Hawaiian Shirt Designs
- One Last Look
- Sclerotherapy: Treatment of Varicose and Telangiectatic Leg Veins, Text with DVD
- Perspectives on Integrated Coastal Zone Management
- Sylvia Beach and the Lost Generation: A History of Literary Paris in the Twenties and Thirties
- Made in Japan: The Postwar Creative Print Movement
- Potato City: Nature, History, and Community in the Age of Sprawl
- Long Way Back to the River Kwai: Memories of World War II
