History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

French Cats Don't Get Fat: The Secrets of La Cuisine Feline

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Cute Parody of Popular Diet Book
Henri de la Barbe est magnifique!

French Cats Don't Get Fat: The Secrets of La Cuisine Feline
Henry Beard
Manufacturer: Crown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Cats, Dogs & Animals | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0307337804
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Book Description

French cats are never fat—they are trim, slim, slender. In a word, they are svelte.

What is their secret?

The secret, mes amis, lies within your grasp, in the pages of this délicieux little book.

The sensationnel French diet that will turn even the pudgiest patate de divan (couch potato) into a chic, café kitty.

Customer Reviews:

Cute Parody of Popular Diet Book.......2005-10-09

When I saw this chic little volume in the bookstore, I admit to being attracted to the R. Nichols type illustration done in pastels on the front cover---so reminiscent of the high-strutting Parisian walking her (yikes) dog on the cover of popular diet book "French Women Don't Get Fat". At first, I thought this was yet another dieting treatise, yet another way to capitalize on America's love/hate relationship with our cheese-loving, wine-scarfing, chocolate-chomping buddies from across the ocean who somehow after all this eating manage to fit into those tight little couture pencil skirts and red and white apache tops. And then I saw the cat featured in the drawing---mais oui, it was a cat. Bien sur, I said, ce livre, ce n'est pas serieux; c'est une blague.

And then I got passed those cute little illustrations and actually read it.

Okay, I'm being a little obnoxious, but believe it or not, Henri de la Barb, in the guise of a parody, has written an even more entertaining and informative book than Mireille Guiliano. Guiliano's book, a sucre-filled memoir containing a French arsenal of vague tips detailing how she was defeated by the battle of the bulge America-style and had to retreat back to France and the methods of a certain Dr. Miracle to re-attain her Gitane-slim physique, contains anecdotes and recipes spread over 200+ pages. De La Barb, offers equally compelling information that can be utilized to actually lose weight with less than half the verbage, Veuve Clicquot-free advertising and ooh-la-las.

Okay, some of the recipes are a bit on the 'cat'astrophic side---our feline amis/amies certainly recommend mice and not mousse---but the idea of eating real food (in this case, for humans) prepared well and partaking of only a small portion seems to eptomize the best of common sense / highly nutritional dieting. Les Chats de la Barb actually eat seasonally, recommend purchasing only enough food for a day, and sum up all their tips in a shameless abbreviated mimicry of Guiliano rather arrogant much ado about nothing.

But his cats are practical too, knowing that they will not be able to run off on a whim to the local Dean & DeLuca's just to buy the best triple cream and Valrona truffle, he makes allowances for those situations where convenience is key.

Consequently, De La Barb's book is much more fun and speaks la verite; we laugh out loud at his prissy little pussies and their over-the-top antics, but we are not quite sure whether or not to laugh at Guiliano's pandering of her nationality and the odd mystique it has over many Americans.

C'est une blague, n'est-ce pas? Mais pas de blagues, buy this book instead, its funny, doesn't take itself seriously and its much faster to read, delivering the same message without the hype. Of course, its a humorous treat for cat-lovers, too.

Henri de la Barbe est magnifique!.......2005-09-20

If you are familiar with French For Cats, Advanced French for Exceptional Cats, and Poetry for Cats (as all of my feline friends have been) you know what to expect. And Beard delivers. This man truly loves his cats and French language and culture, and remains the master at spoofing recent trends. His target this time is French Women Don't Get Fat, and you will laugh out loud at the clever way in which Beard transfers this dietary wisdom to cats. As always, the cats are laughing at humans...

Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life

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YOUR CAT by Eliz. Hodgkins, DVM, ESQ
What a relief that a book like this is finally out!
Food for thought
Your Cat:Simple New Secrets
Compelling reading

Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life
Elizabeth M. Hodgkins
Manufacturer: Thomas Dunne Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0312358016
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Book Description

“Dr. Hodgkins’s discussions are provocative, and disturbing, and the problems they identify will not be easy to rectify quickly. Nonetheless, they are long overdue.”
---Alice Villalobos, president of the American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians and Director of the Animal Oncology Consultation Service, Woodland Hills (Torrance, CA) and Pawspice Care Clinic (Norwalk, CA)

In this controversial new book, dedicated veterinarian Elizabeth M. Hodgkins, D.V.M., Esq., raises the alarm regarding the serious flaws in the commercial diets we feed our cats and the nutritional diseases that result. Your Cat turns today’s conventional wisdom of cat care on its head with completely new yet remarkably easy-to-follow guidelines for every cat owner.

Features include:

The real problem with pet foodsParasites, vaccines, and litter-box trainingObesity and feline diabetesPreventative nutrition for the older catThe ten great myths of cat care
From kitten-rearing to the adult cat’s middle years to caring for the geriatric cat, Dr. Hodgkins explores the full spectrum of proper cat care, as well as rampant deadly feline diseases like hyperthyroidism, asthma, skin allergies, and gum disease. She provides an explanation of the origin and thorough discussion of the very latest treatments. Illuminated by brief case histories from illness to health, this indispensable manual is one book that every modern cat owner must have on their shelf.

Customer Reviews:

YOUR CAT by Eliz. Hodgkins, DVM, ESQ.......2007-09-16

YOUR CAT by Dr. Hodgkins is the best book on cat care, nutriton, health that I have ever written. The fact that Dr. Hodgkins is both a vet and an attorney who worked for the pet food industry what she has to say about nutriton is power packed. Dr. Hodgkins has an exclusive feline practice. Her book is direct, easy to read and I cannot recommend it hightly enough.

What a relief that a book like this is finally out!.......2007-08-26

For so many years, it seemed that a lot of the sanity when it came to advice on how to properly care for, and especially FEED, a small cat, was only to be found in books published by non-vets. There are many great books out there with fabulous advice, but, sadly, many of them were never taken seriously by the mainstream veterinary community because they were written by people who lacked the 'DVM' credential.

Dr. Hodgkins' book has, thankfully, changed all that. As a lay person, I've spent years now running a website on cat nutrition and steadily beating a noisy drum to draw attention to the folly of feeding the carnivores we choose to live with foods that have no relationship to what Mother Nature intended. It's been fabulous having the support of so many people, but I've longed for -- for years -- to have a book out there by a real, live veterinarian that spoke the truth about the dangers of feeding dry food to cats and articulated precisely how it is that so very many feline diseases are entirely avoidable if we simply get the diet right.

This book is a dream come true. Aside from the wonderful, easy-to-understand style with which Dr. Hodgkins writes, it's jam packed with answers to the questions that so many of us have sought for years. Personally, I'm especially thrilled with the emphasis throughout the book on nutrition, as that really is the brick and mortar of health for cats. It's been astonishing to me over the years to see veterinary clinics fill up with more and more patients and more and more oversized bags of meat-flavored cereal (i.e., prescription dry food), with no one sitting up and taking notice of the relationship. Dr. Hodgkins' book is an extraordinarily welcome breath of fresh air.

Every veterinarian ought read this book and keep a copy or two in the reception area to educate clients. It's written by someone with impeccable credentials, after all, and there's no easy way to dismiss what it has to say. This bell can't be un-rung.

The tragedies that unfolded in earl 2007 with the massive pet food recalls began to wake people up to the dangers of blindly trusting what the pet food industry offers. But the pet food recall is only the tip of the iceberg. Even without the conspicuous problems associated with poor quality control, the sad truth is that the lion's share of commercial pet foods sold today--even when they're not 'tainted'--are terribly inappropriate for our cats (and dogs!) and contribute greatly to illness.

So if you have a cat (or three), you really owe it to yourself to invest in this book.

If I could give this book more than five stars, I would!

Anne (www.catnutrition.org)

Food for thought.......2007-08-14

This is a great book for people who take their cat's health seriously. It's full of insights on to using the right diet to prevent diseases like diabetes etc. Understandably, the author doesn't name which food manufacturers that produce and market substandard food for our cats, but there is enough there to be able learn how to judge for yourself. It certainly has changed my view on commercial pet food.

Your Cat:Simple New Secrets.......2007-07-30

If you really love your cat, this is a book for you. Dr. Hodgkins' kowledge is extensive and she presents it in understandable language. My cats are now on healthful diets and my 6 and a half year old is acting more like a 6 and
half month old.
I can't reccommend this book highly enough.
Mary Kay Bailey

Compelling reading.......2007-07-30

I have read this book cover-to-cover twice. The writing is dynamic and interesting. If you take the time to read just the first 25 pages -- you will be convinced that Dr. Hodgkins approach to nutrition really can change your cat's life and health. Buy this book, your cats deserve it! My cats are fortunate enough to have Dr. Hodgkins as their vet... and I thought I knew and understood everything she had to say about cat care. But this book taught me much, much more.

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The Secret Life of Walter Kitty by Barbara Jean Hicks
Receives Dan Santat's fun drawings
great book!
Attention, cat lovers!

The Secret Life of Walter Kitty
Barbara Jean Hicks
Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Humorous | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0375831967
Release Date: 2007-04-10

Amazon.com

Once in a very great long while Fang, swashbuckling hero of many of his own dreams, answers to the name of Snookums, but only if there's some kibble or catnip in it for him. Whenever Fang (A.K.A. Walter Kitty) gets tired of helping his People with household chores (sweeping curio shelves with his reckless tail, doing the dishes with his tongue), he feels a nap coming on. And just like that, Walter Kitty is transformed into a superhero, an intrepid explorer, a fierce hunter.

Readers of all ages, especially those who share a household with a cat, will giggle at Barbara Jean Hicks's cat's-eye-view of humans. Walter may overestimate his talents as a housekeeper (a la Amelia Bedelia) and conqueror of "scurvy scoundrels," but his People don't mind…and neither will his reading audience. He doesn't quite have the charm of Hobbes, but Dan Santat's retro illustrations and Hicks's deadpan monologue combine for a fun, funny tale. --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

Walter Kitty is no ordinary housecat. He's Fang—a swashbuckling protector of the high seas, a tiger waiting to pounce on unsuspecting prey, and a caped superhero ready to save the day. But do his "people," Mr. and Mrs. Biddle, acknowledge his greatness? Not even!

So once in a good long while, Walter will answer to Wally or Kitten or even Snookums, but most of the time . . . he's Fang!

With a hilarious text by Barbara Jean Hicks and fabulously fun illustrations by Dan Santat, Walter Kitty is one cat readers will not soon forget!

Customer Reviews:

The Secret Life of Walter Kitty by Barbara Jean Hicks.......2007-10-02

Walter Kitty does have a secret life, but he can come around to be a normal loving and loved cat in the end. It is a fun twist of the Walter Mitty story about a cat who thinks his name is Fang and the humans around him should treat him with more respect. There is a lot of humor and the illustrations do the text great justice. They are vibrant and really cool in general. This is a fun book for children aged 4-8 even without knowing about Walter Mitty.

Receives Dan Santat's fun drawings .......2007-07-10

Barbara Jean Hicks' THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER KITTY receives Dan Santat's fun drawings and tells of Fang, a superhero tiger of a cat who is always reading to save the day - despite the fact that his quiet old owners don't seem to understand his heroic gestures. For Walter is always in trouble... and his imagination doesn't save him.

great book!.......2007-05-30

anyone who has shared part of their life with a cat will love this book!

Attention, cat lovers!.......2007-05-22

If you are a cat's "person", you really need to meet Walter Kitty. You probably will identify with his "person", and perhaps recognize some of your own cat's dreams. I predict that when you read this aloud to a child, he or she will be enchanted. What? No child to appreciate it? Do not be deterred; read it to/for yourself. Your day will be lighter and brighter.

Windows on the Hill (Summerhill Secrets #9)

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The Best Book!
Summerhill Secrets (Secret in the Willows)
Summerhill Secrets (Secret in the Willows)

Windows on the Hill (Summerhill Secrets #9)
Beverly Lewis
Manufacturer: Bethany House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Mystery | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1556618751
Release Date: 1999-03-01

Book Description

Merry Hanson hopes that her stay with Miss Ruby Spindler will be the perfect chance to learn how "Old Hawk Eyes" is able to spy on them. But she's in for a big surprise! Ages 11-14. Summerhill Secrets book 9.

Customer Reviews:

The Best Book!.......2002-12-22

This book is the best book, it finally reveals her true feelings about Jon and it finally shows how Miss Spindler spies on everyone. It is great I suggest that you read it, as well as the rest of the series!!

Summerhill Secrets (Secret in the Willows).......2001-05-07

This book was really good! I read all the others in the series and I think Merry should go with Levi not Jon! I stayed up all night reading this book to find out what happens to her and her cats! I highly recomend this book!

Summerhill Secrets (Secret in the Willows).......2001-05-07

Average customer rating:

if a cat owns you'll understand

Secret Life of Cat Owners
Fogle
Manufacturer: Penguin UK
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 014026910X

Book Description

Cats may be an enigma to us, but we are also a mystery to them. They might want to know why, for instance, we keep them in the house, feed them strange foods, scold them for scratching the furniture, and reject their proud offerings of freshly killed birds and mice. Veterinarian Bruce Fogle, who is an expert in cat and cat-owner behavior, explains in this question-and-answer guide why cat owners do what they do, why cats react in the way they do, and how humans and felines can better understand each other. He also looks at why we are so content to live with the world's most efficient small land predator, revealing the reasons to be more complicated and more interesting than we might imagine.

Customer Reviews:

if a cat owns you'll understand.......2000-03-25

I have to first to declare, that I'm owned by a cat, who turns 20 this year, and when I first saw Bruce Fogle's "The Secret Life of Cat Owners", I knew it would bring a whole new dimension to our relationship, and it didn't disappoint, not for one page! Set out in 90 questions and answers, it's an easy and fun way to digest such a subject from a true expert and all written in a unique "cat's speak" fashion. Cat Owners is a delight from cover to cover, I felt as I read this, I was emersed into a new world - and after having cats in my life since I was a wee lad, this made me think for and as a cat! If you wish to delevelop a whole new level of appreciation of your feline companion, your fury darling, your bed pal, then this unique title is for you. I will now get another copy for my neighbours so they can realise I haven't gone as nutty as they would think when they see me greet my four legged unconditional lover every time I come up the street. Buy your copy today, but don't tell your cat!

The secret life of Walter Kitty (A Big little golden book)

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Walter Kitty

The secret life of Walter Kitty (A Big little golden book)
Joan E Goodman
Manufacturer: Western Pub. Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Customer Reviews:

Walter Kitty.......1999-12-02

The Secret Life of Walter Kitty is about a young cat who becomes a super hero, Wonder Cat. The book, though, is not wonderful at all. The pictures are boring and there is too much text for a 5 year old like me. Batman rulez.

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Humorous, entertaining, and informative

Globe mini mag
Arline Bleecker
Manufacturer: Globe Communications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Veterinary Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006QT18U

Customer Reviews:

Humorous, entertaining, and informative.......2003-06-23

I bought this little book before a long road trip, and was pleasantly surprised to find it quite entertaining as well as informative.

It covers topics ranging from the cat social ladder (actually, it's a circle..), to the reason why cats are attracted to cat-hating-people, to the mysteries of "cat space!"

All in all, a fun little read. I gave it to my friend as a host gift, and he enjoyed it as well.

And I don't even like cats!

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IDA +_BETTY + SECRET EGGS CL
Kay Sproat Chorao , and James Cross Giblin
Manufacturer: Clarion Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0395525918

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A Magnificent Story of human bondage,fraility, beauty....
Unsettling, but powerful debut.
Irresistible
King of Cats
Swingin' "King of Cats"

King of Cats: A Life in Five Novellas
Blake Fraina
Manufacturer: iUniverse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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The Brothers Bishop

ASIN: 0595307566

Book Description

What makes a person fascinating? Is it what they hide or what they reveal? Is it who they are or who they appear to be?

A struggling filmmaker believes he recognizes the face of a man in an old painting and becomes obsessed with finding him. On the cusp of his band's success, a closeted guitarist walks out on his longtime male lover to live with a woman he hardly knows. After spending one fateful night in bed together, two youthful musicians enter into a bitter and emotionally devastating power struggle for control over their band and one another. And eight years later, tragedy forces both men to confront the inescapable and bitter legacy of their fathers' influence.

Peopled with vivid characters and told in sharp dialogue, the five stories that comprise King of Cats tell the provocative, sometimes heartbreaking story of luminous, enigmatic rock star Jimmy 'Strange' Lyons. Weaving back and forth through time, from a tenement in Alphabet City to a luxury co-op overlooking Central Park to a semi-detached in North London, Jimmy's life unfolds like a mystery, gradually revealing his secrets and exposing the vast gulf that often lies between what appears to be and what is.

Download Description

What makes a person fascinating? Is it what they hide or what they reveal? Is it who they are or who they appear to be?

A struggling filmmaker believes he recognizes the face of a man in an old painting and becomes obsessed with finding him. On the cusp of his band

Customer Reviews:

A Magnificent Story of human bondage,fraility, beauty...........2007-10-10

What makes a person more fascinating? For me, it was the real truth hidden behind each of the characters. What one person perceived as opposed to what the other was really thinking,& feeling.

For me it was what was hiding, lurking and tormenting one of the main characters..Jimmy Strange or Jimmy Lyons. An emotionally, sexually & physically abused young man whose beautiful face left men and women desiring him and his body. What people perceived as brooding, sexy, cool was hiding his gayness,his torment,his self-doubt,his anger, his shyness, his scars. They loved his 'look' and he thought they loved him. He didn't know how beautiful he was until he discovered he could use it as a weapon.
Eamonn, his cousin, was obsessed with Jimmy's body.
Adam was a man who was given everything money could buy except love from his father. He was obsessed with Jimmy.
Elliott an enigmatic man/child who was a manipulative sub. Got whatever his wanted. He got and wanted Jimmy.
Cass, Amey, Lisa all were mesmerized by Jimmy's looks and his perceived sensitivity. They all 'wanted' Jimmy. He wanted their love.
Sometimes it felt like they hated Jimmy for creating the lust and desire for him that no on could quench!
The relentless story of the love/hate relationships that became Jimmy's life. Each chapter captured the feelings of this closeted beautiful gay man, looking for love...always looking and hoping for a true love.
A wonderful novel of subtle eroticsm, sensual desires, gripping lust,angry love, sad realizations, shattered lives...Of course, I am wondering is Jimmy Lyons the king of cats? I can't stop thinking about this story. What a rush reading this book! Thank you Blake, so much!

Unsettling, but powerful debut........2007-10-03

If you're looking for a heart and flowers gay romance, you're barking up the wrong tree with "The King of Cats." If you want a well written, disquieting, ugly, beautiful life story, then Jimmy Strange is your man. Only, it won't be easy to get to know him. It will be a painful struggle, much like his life. He's charming, he's gifted, he's elusive. All part of the author's devious plan to unravel a life.

The structure of this novel is very unique, and can be difficult to adapt to at first. Five novellas is a trifle misleading. Each is a chapter in the life of Jimmy Strange, but they are not chronological, nor are they always directly about him. Often, we learn more about a person through the people they know and Fraina makes good use of this. The first novella takes place in 2002, where we meet a not very likeable British chap who starts a liaison with a young man named Elliott. Elliott is not all he appears to be and I quickly felt like I had fallen down the rabbit hole. To top it off, Jimmy doesn't even appear until the last couple of paragraphs. But, what we learn about Elliot is integral to understanding Jimmy. Each novella does the same in a different way; introducing first Elliot, then Lisa, then Adam, in a weaving path to get to Jimmy. It begins in 2002, jumps to back to 2001, then further back to 1995 before ending in the "present" of 2003. But, we are not left there. The last novella gives readers what most biographies give us in the beginning - the beginning. In 1987, we finally learn the uncomfortable story of Jimmy's childhood and how it shaped him. And, the impact will leave readers stunned. Sure, this book could have been put in chronological order, but that is not how we meet people in real life. We learn about them from themselves, we learn about them from others, and rarely in sequence. So, the style is ideal and implemented flawlessly.

There is sex in the story. How could there not be? Sex, drugs and Rock n' Roll. Jimmy is a musician and he has the stereotypical musician's life, at least on the surface. But, the sex is not gratuitous. It has an influence on this story, on this life, and it is often not the least bit erotic. It can be hot, but more often leaves the reader feeling unsettled. As happens to people who aren't certain about the sexual choices they've made, like Jimmy.

The writing in the book deserves five stars, hands down. It was obviously edited with care, and the writing was smooth. I continued to think about the book long after I finished the last page. But I gave it four stars for a reason, albeit a personal one. Jimmy Strange's life is almost too real. This is not a feel good book. There is no happily ever after, there is only living. So, while the book was incredibly engaging and undeniably genuine, I was not satisfied at the end. I was left sad, because this life may very well exist for someone out there, and I want them, wanted Jimmy, to be happy. I highly recommend "The King of Cats" to those looking for a thought-provoking, sometimes harsh, sometimes disjointed, but always honest look at life. I'm glad I read it. But, those that need a happily every after will be quickly disillusioned.

Irresistible.......2007-02-02

Fraina, Blake. "King of Cats: A Life in Five Novellas". iUniverse, 2004.

Irresistible

Amos Lassen and Literary Pride

Have you ever thought about what makes a person interesting or fascinating? After reading "King of Cats", you will probably change the way you evaluate people. Too often we don't know what it is that draws us to someone. Is it what they say or don't say? Is it who they are as they appear or is it what we want them to be?
Blake Fraina has written a thought provoking novel that deals with attraction and the struggle for dominance in a relationship. The book is subtitled "a life in five novellas" and contains three separate stories that all weave in and out of each other. Two band members of a rock band---Jim and Adam--and a younger "groupie" are our main characters. Jim is that kind of guy we all dream about--beautiful and elusive; the kind of guy that everyone wants. However he suffers from his own inner demons. Adam was raised in a different type of environment. His parents never bothered to take any interest in him. And Elliot is an enigma--we know little about him and he is totally unpredictable. This well-written book is a story which is related in five different versions each in a different period in the life of Jimmy. What is at the core of all five stories is the idea that we are defined by the aura of secrecy that we give off. The five stories are set primarily in New York but they do not appear in chronological order. We learn about Jimmy from the people that he comes into contact with and we have a glimpse of the drugs, alcohol and sex as they are part of the lives of the characters. As we learn about relationships, we also learn about loss and self-discovery and self-acceptance.
The book begins in 2002 where there is little about Jimmy. We instead meet Elliot with his boyish charm and his elfin characteristics. We learn that Elliot s not exactly what he claims. But then the second novella goes back to 2001 and Jimmy enters and becomes the central character. He is a member of a band called "the Mogs". We read about his first meeting with Elliot and their early sexual tryst but Jimmy becomes involved with a woman and leaves his boy toy. Book three takes us back to 1995 and we see how Jimmy met Adam and Adam asks
him to join his band. It is here that Jimmy and Adam become sexually involved but Adam's nature hinders the chance of a relationship succeeding. Book four moves us forward to 2003 when the band becomes successful and after a tour when the band returns to New York and Elliot returns to the story. Finally in part five we go backwards again in 1987 and to London to read about how Jimmy grew up. He had been abused by a cousin and was physically abused by his father. Through this we get insight into his character.
Fraina's character development is simply amazing. Each character has his own special charm. Jimmy, with all of his problems, comes across as irresistible, regardless of all of his faults.
I must say that I am not a rock and roll fan but I absolutely loved this book. It read so smoothly that I did not want to stop reading once I began. I particularly like the episodic construction of the book and was amazed how fluid it was. The honesty of the book, while at times quite explicit and brutal is what made it so real to me, I am still wondering about Elliot and what is the bond that both draws him to and repels him from Jim and I wonder what Adam really wants of both of them. Where does the attraction come from? Does the attraction for each other they all share ever become fulfilled? These are questions that the reader is left to deal with. How can we, as people, deal with our desires? The resolution is left up to us and I think that is makes the book endearing.
This is not the average gay novel by any means. The real characters, the wonderful plot and the way the story is told is what makes this book such a good read. Have a look at it--and then sit back, relax and have a wonderful read.

King of Cats.......2007-01-31

King of Cats: A Life in Five Novellas
by Blake Fraina

An interesting, well-written story told through five different stories, each set in a different period of life of the musician Jimmy "Strange" Lyons. The basic question Fraina asks is, what makes anyone interesting. Is it what is revealed, or what is hidden? In truth, both add to the complexity of the human being so one without the other would be like a turtle without a shell. What we reveal shelters us from what we would prefer to hide.

I wasn't sure if I would get into this tale (I'm not big on rock n'roll stories), but this one grabbed me. Fraina has a very easy style. It sweeps the reader along at a good pace. The dialogue is used sparingly; only when needed. Otherwise, it's as if we are watching the characters like subjects. Which goes well because we are first introduced to Jimmy in the first novella through the discussion of a two-dimensional painting.

I can see this book gathering a cult following if it got enough attention. It's a bit off-putting at parts (the characters seem to switch from like-able to hateful to absolute pricks in the course of a few pages, and then back again), but that makes perfect sense in this instance. These are damaged folk, and damaged folk can fall to pieces at any momnt. One can only understand the subject in front of them if they study the trail behind.

Swingin' "King of Cats".......2007-01-03

Don't let the structure of this story, in "five novellas," affect your judgment before you pick up this excellent book.

The five interconnected stories center on Jimmy Lyons, an English rock guitarist. A la Tarentino, these stories are out of chronological order on purpose. The sequence ties the stories together with their organic emotional progression.

Based on the idea that "our secrets define us," this story of relationships and self-discovery starts with others peripheral to Jimmy. Subsequent sections reveal when Jimmy joins a band, the Bogs, is bedded by band leader Adam, then finds musical success with the group.

The last section is the most disturbing and perhaps the most revealing, as it covers the rough terrain of Jimmy's childhood.

The author, Blake Fraina, has crafted a tale of of what drives attraction and the back-and-forth of power in a relationship. It's a gem that deserves a larger audience, and I suspect the name Blake Fraina will loom much larger in the future.

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