Book Description
With his characteristic investigative eye and Menckenesque prose,
R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr. sheds new light on Bill Clinton's post-presidential emotional depression, globe trotting and international deal-making, financial ties to China and the United Arab Emirates, ongoing womanizing, vital support role in Hillary Clinton's anticipated run for the White House, and possible role as America's first "First Man."
Customer Reviews:
Tyrell: American Sphincter.......2007-09-19
Moron Tyrell is yet another wingnut who can't accept that Clinton is gone. They must all have a secret yearning for Hillary in '08 to make their pathetic lives seem worthwhile. Maybe they're all in denial after seven years of G. W. Dumbass and the weekly scandals of his crooks and cronies.
Clinton Crackup.......2007-09-19
While I hated to see Clinton move into the presidency, and, of course, hated his actions even more following Lewinsky, it's a wonder that we still have a country at all. I most certainly would not buy anything that might give him (or her, for that matter) any type of grace, and only scanned the pages at a local bookstore. That was quite enough for me, thank you very much. Now, unfortunately, it looks as though Miseries Clinton might be our next president. Hold onto your wallets, people!
Well done - Emmett needs a thesaurus though.......2007-09-07
No secret that Tyrrell does not like the Clintons. Somehow, those supporting Clinton have a big problem with a book like this and have NO problem with books claiming Bush knew about 9/11, Bush is in tight with the Saudis, etc.
If nothing else, this book is VERY thorough. There were times when I was reading it that I thought "How did the editor let THAT stay in the book?"
Tyrrell has a habit of writing to an MBA level. Which I guess is ok but there are those of us who, while having a complete control of the English language, we don't feel the need to try to impress people with it.
So many times, I read this thinking the author could have used a different word to mean the same thing and not come across as high-brow. Bill Buckley can get away with - he's about the only one.
Bottom line - the book is solid reading, powerful, and damning to Bill and Hillary.
Too Much of the Clintons is Never Enough.......2007-08-30
Sure, the title is hyperbolic, the writing has little of that flinty incisiveness of muckrakers like Tarbell and Sinclair, a good deal of the material is old news, the editing could have been better, but, oh, what fun! For political junkies like me, Our Bill and his lovely Life Partner are simply the gifts that keep on giving. As the wide diversity and vigor of reviewers' reactions demonstrate, love 'em or hate 'em, they are simply fascinating.
Now, one can't expect the shenanigans of Post-Prez Bill to be as interesting as his time in the Oval Office if only because, for instance, there has bobbed to the surface no stained women's clothing--yet. Nonetheless, the mind reels and the spirit soars as Tyrrell not only revisits the low crimes and misde-wieners of the Clintons' time in the Arkansas governor's mansion and the White House, but takes us on a poignant tour of Our Bill's meanderings in the real world, i.e., the world where his only power derives from political suasion and the relentless pursuit of greater wealth. If nothing else, Tyrrell's listing of the President's last-minute pardons and commutations, complete with the crimes committed by those receiving those astonishing absolutions, is worth the price of admission. No one, least of all Bill himself, has ever explained or rationalized how these low-lives deserved legal reclamation, justifying the inevitable conclusion of critics then and now that they were exchanged for past, present, or future consideration, much of it brokered by the Clinton and Rodham siblings.
And then there's Hillary. Just as I conclude my reading, what breaks but another campaign contribution imbroglio involving The Hill. Turns out that Norman Hsu, one of the Mrs.'s large contributors for the last several years, is a wanted fugitive from California justice and is somehow related to the Paw family of Daly City, several members of whom have made contributions coincident with those of Mr. Hsu which may or may not have been illegally funded by the latter. Mr. Paw, also Chinese, is a mail carrier, and yet the family has somehow found 45 G's to give to The Hill. The eyes tear and the throat constricts with mirth as one of the Paw family members turns out to be named Winkle. (Does the Supreme Being stay up at night devising names for those involved in Clinton scandals, you know the rich Marc Rich, et al? Does Winkle have siblings named Blinkle and Nod? But I digress.)
Astute readers will recall that Our Bill had some problems with Chinese contributors during his reign. One might have thought that those painful experiences would have convinced the Clintons they should limit their Chinese contacts to calling for take-out, but I guess not.
I'm not saying your life won't be complete if you don't read this book, but I found it a very enjoyable meander through these troubled lives. Think of it as a between-meal snack as we await The Hill's nomination for the presidency. Then it can serve as a reference point for the inevitable--and entirely justified--dredging up of the Clinton scandals by the Hillary Haters. Pray with me to the political gods that all this comes to pass: it will be a great 2008!
The Clinton Crackup.......2007-08-23
I have read the book. Tyrell is a gifted writer who records the continuing docu-drama of Bill Clinton's life. Coming away from this book there is the sense of flawed personality aspects outweighing good ones. I,too, wonder why people continue to find Clinton viable, attractive and charming. He is much to be pitied. Are Bill and Hillary a sign of the times - the narcissistic epitome of anything goes?
What Bill does fascinates us all - some love him, some don't. He "is" a national security leak and the continuing saga confirms it. One thing the book makes clear - if you set your sights on a particular goal and then
work towards it you will achieve it. Bill and Hillary had been working a long time to achieve their ambition. Though he did not win by a majority, other forces helped in the achievement of Bill's amibition.
These 2 people are very focused individuals. The truth of their lives is appallingly clear. If we are a product of our times, what does that say
about the kind of people we elect to high office. And how did we get to this cultural state of affairs.
Customer Reviews:
(RAW Rating: 4.5) - What is happening to black men?.......2007-08-04
Demico Boothe has explored the reasons so many black men are indeed in prison in, WHY ARE SO MANY BLACK MEN IN PRISON? He begins with his own story of a shaky upbringing and his subsequent dabbling in drug dealing. He was caught with a few grams of crack cocaine but because it was the dreaded crack, he was given 10 years in prison. When he left prison after serving his time, he was actually railroaded back into prison by a crooked justice system. He delves deeply into our justice system and the motives behind all the new prisons that are being built. He gives succinct and reasonable views of exactly what is happening now in the United States and how the past has played a role in the present. He uses persuasive statistics regarding the number of black men in prison as compared to the number of white men who are incarcerated.
Demico Boothe has done an excellent job of researching his subject and it is a plus, if unfortunate for him, that he has actually experienced first hand what he's talking about. I knew I was hearing the real story rather than just statistics from an intellectual who had no real idea of what the prison system is really like. I would have liked for Boothe to search a little deeper into the Haiti, Aristide and USA question, maybe even reading Randall Robinson's take on the situation, and then he might see it a bit differently. Otherwise, it is a good book and one every one in America should read. We indeed, have a crisis going on.
Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Why Are So Many Black Men In Prison? A Comprehensive Account Of How And Why The Prison Industry Has Become A Predatory Entity In.......2007-06-09
The book was very interesting. I learned soooo much about the government and the prison industry. I did some searching independantly to check on the things reported in the book and they are very true. Great Read!! Buy the book.
A Must Read.......2007-05-25
Mr. Demico's book is a must-read for anyone concerned about young African American men. Although I did not agree with every conclusion he reached, Demico's main premises are convincing. As a white woman who teaches mainly students of color, I am always impressed, and often in awe, of those young men who reach college with so much going against them. Demico's books lays bare not only the horrible inequalities of our society, but also the racist attitudes of our political system - - Democrats, Republicans, and most everyone in between.
Why are so many Black Men in Prison?.......2007-05-13
I is a well put together book. He really goes into a lot of detail of how our society is really set up.
Why are so many blacks in prison?.......2007-05-12
I found this book very interesting. As a white devil myself, I had no idea that I was responsible for forcing blacks into committing crimes and then subsequently clogging up the whole "Prison Industrial Complex"(tm). I will try to stop causing this, as I am sure it is creating a LOT of trouble for everyone! Sorry!
It is probably also my fault that young black men dressed in XXXXL clothes overtly threaten me and my family members routinely. Can anyone tell me what I should do to make this not happen?
I imagine it's also my fault that black on white violent crime is WAY higher than white on black violent crime, even though blacks constitute about 12.5% of the population, and whites are about 70%. But since it is impossible for a black to commit a hate crime according to our criminal justice system (since blacks are not under any circumstances racist), statistically, there are more white on black hate crimes. Boothe notes a statistic regarding hate crimes, but he skips the one about interracial violence in general.
In sum, Boothe notes that just about everything blacks do is actually MY fault, because my skin is white. Boothe, I've got a word for you.
Introspection.
Average customer rating:
- Hurray for Marian Keyes
- Quite enjoyable
- A Wonderful Treat
- Good/Not Great
- A witty novel every woman can relate to
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Cracks in My Foundation: Bags, Trips, Make-up Tips, Charity, Glory, and the Darker Side of the Story
Marian Keyes
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ASIN: 0060787031
Release Date: 2005-09-06 |
Book Description
Go further under the covers and stay in bed a little longer with Marian Keyes in this winning follow-up to her smash essay collection, Under the Duvet. Written in the witty, forthright style that has earned her legions of devoted readers, Cracks in My Foundation offers an even deeper and more candid look into this beloved author's mind and heart, exploring such universal themes as friends and family, home, glamour and beauty, children, travel, and more. Marian's hilarious and thoughtful take on life makes her readers feel they are reading a friend, not just an author.
Marian continues to entertain with her reports from the trenches, and throws in some original short fiction as well. Whether it's visiting Siberia, breaking it off with an old hairdresser, shopping (of course!), turning forty, living with her beloved husband, Himself (a man beyond description), or musing on the F word (feminism), Marian shares the joys, passions, and sorrows of her world and helps us feel good about our own. So grab a latte and a pillow and get ready to laugh your slippers off!
Download Description
"
Go further under the covers and stay in bed a little longer with Marian Keyes in this winning follow-up to her smash essay collection, Under the Duvet. Written in the witty, forthright style that has earned her legions of devoted readers, Cracks in My Foundation offers an even deeper and more candid look into this beloved author's mind and heart, exploring such universal themes as friends and family, home, glamour and beauty, children, travel, and more. Marian's hilarious and thoughtful take on life makes her readers feel they are reading a friend, not just an author.
Marian continues to entertain with her reports from the trenches, and throws in some original short fiction as well. Whether it's visiting Siberia, breaking it off with an old hairdresser, shopping (of course!), turning forty, living with her beloved husband, Himself (a man beyond description), or musing on the F word (feminism), Marian shares the joys, passions, and sorrows of her world and helps us feel good about our own. So grab a latte and a pillow and get ready to laugh your slippers off!
"
Customer Reviews:
Hurray for Marian Keyes.......2007-02-06
Fantastic - fantastic - fantastic.
I am now a loyal fan of hers!!!
She writes so well - so funny. I can hear every word inside my head and even as I'm working hard at the office her words run across my mind and I find laughing to myself. I have one book at the office and during lunch hour I lock myself in an empty office and read, slowly as to savor every word, every laughter and every believable detail.
Please keep writing and I'll keep buying!!
Quite enjoyable.......2006-02-21
Having read all of Marian Keyes' other books (except "Under the Duvet") I decided to gove this a try while I wait for her newest work of fiction arrives. I didn't expect to like it. I thought that I really would not be interested in the personal essays. Turns out that I was wrong. A good writer is a good writer whether she is writing long fiction or a short story or a 4 page essay on finding a great hairstylist. If you enjoy Marian Keyes you will enjoy this book.
I admit that I haven't devoured this book like I do most other books. I just keep it around and read a little bit at a time. But, that works out quite nicely for me some days.
A Wonderful Treat.......2006-01-26
What is it about Marian Keyes that makes her so absolutely delightful to read? A good way to find out is to run, not walk, to buy (or order!) her latest collection of essays and stories (her first such collection was "Under the Duvet," an equally fabulous treat).
As in all her novels, Keyes combines Irish wit and wisdom, unbelieavable humor, pathos, romance, and, yes, dead-serious accounts of her successful battle with alcoholism (which, as terribly serious as it is, she manages to convey in a lighthearted manner), all in a perfect package. And as a special added treat: An advice column from the formidable Mammy Walsh, whom readers know from many of Keyes' previous novels. What more could one want?
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Keyes is an experience not to be missed!
Good/Not Great.......2006-01-15
I adore Marian Keyes. Her novels are among my favorites. Her writing style is just so hysterical, while at the same time heart wrenching! Sometimes I wonder, "How did this woman nail how I feel about this/that so well?" If you also adore her, read this book! It's very much a companion book to "Under the Duvet" - so if you enjoyed that, then you'll enjoy this.
However, don't let this be the FIRST Keyes you read. I think after reading some of her novels and getting a feel for her style/characters then the essays are eye opening and touching. But if you have no connection with her fictional stories, you may ask yourself, "So what?"
Read some of her other books first - all are pretty great - and then come back to her essays.
A witty novel every woman can relate to.......2005-10-21
If you are already a Marian Keyes fan, having devoured her modern and witty novels such as SUSHI FOR BEGINNERS, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY and LUCY SULLIVAN IS GETTING MARRIED, as well as her collection of essays titled UNDER THE DUVET, then you know what I know --- Marian Keyes has wit, style, verve and intelligence. If you're not familiar with her, get ready for a great read and an introduction to an author whose other books you'll want to run right out and grab from your local bookstore.
CRACKS IN MY FOUNDATION echoes thoughts shared by women everywhere --- thoughts on beauty, health, family, friends, home, and just about anything else of interest to the gentler half of the population. Keyes says out loud what a lot of us only dare to think, and it's liberating to know we're not alone.
For instance, her love of cosmetics is shared by women the world over. "The love affair has never waned: makeup always makes me feel better. With it I am more confident, more articulate, more amusing. Without it, I'm like Samson without his hair." Truer words were never spoken. What woman doesn't feel a boost of confidence with her face on? Remember the time the plumber made it to the door before you were properly made up? It's an awful feeling!
What about the dilemma of whether to leave one's underwear on at a spa or take it off? Who among us hasn't struggled with this? Of course there are some who are not afraid, who willingly fling their panties aside and let complete strangers see their bare bum, but then there are the rest of us who debate the issue. "A vexed area, without a doubt: to leave on or take off. If you leave them on, discomfort could mar your enjoyment, but if you take them off, there's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide -- - every bit of you will be on display, in all your cellulitely glory (if you're me)."
What about cooking? While cooking used to be something every woman did and took pride in, those days are gone. Cooking is something you either love or hate. There's no in-between, and those of us who do it grudgingly are a growing majority. "See, we all have our gifts and cooking isn't one of mine. But it's not just the thought of sticking my hand up inside a turkey that I dread, it's the coordination involved in preparing a meal --- having to have everything ready at the same time gives me a knot in my stomach." Amen.
When I read this book, I wanted to be Marian Keyes: a successful writer, a world traveler, a spa patron, even Irish! While Keyes is funny in a self-deprecating way, you can tell that she basically likes herself. She knows that we all have our issues and that hers are what make her unique. I love that in a person.
My suggestion to you: Pick up this book, gather up the chocolate, potato chips, or whatever your favorite splurge is, call in sick to work, and climb into bed with this book and enjoy yourself. We all have cracks in our foundation. Why not make the most of them?
--- Reviewed by Amie Taylor
Book Description
The original Ritalin kid, Harmony Korine burst on the scene with Kids, a film so gritty and unsettling in its depiction of teen life that it was slapped with an NC-17 rating and banned in some theaters across the country. In some ways, the media frenzy over the rating overshadowed the harrowing portrait of teenagers destroying their lives and the then twenty-one-year-old screenwriter who created them. "Whether you see the movie as a masterpiece or as sensationalism," wrote Lynn Hirshberg, "the movie is relentless and brilliant and extremely disturbing. It's powerful-both steel-eyed and sexy; horrifying and captivating."
Now, in this first book of fictional set pieces, Korine captures the fragmented moments of a life observed through the demented lens of media, TV, and teen obsession. Korine reinvents the novel in this highly experimental montage of scenes that seem both real and surreal at the same time. With a filmmaker's eye and a prankster's glee, this bizarre collection of jokes, half-remembered scenes, dialogue fragments, movie ideas, and suicide notes is an episodic, epigrammatic lovesong to the world of images. Korine is the voice of his media-savvy generation and A Crack-Up at the Race Riots is the satiric lovechild of his dark imagination.
Customer Reviews:
Great filmmaker does not always equal great writer........2007-05-12
Harmony Korine, A Crack-Up at the Race Riots (Doubleday, 1998)
I'm a big, big fan of Harmony Korine as a director. As a writer, however, I was far less impressed than most with his screenplay for Kids, and now I've gotten to read his first novel, A Crack-Up at the Race Riots. My first thought upon finishing it was, "if anyone but Harmony Korine had written this, Doubleday would have laughed at it before tossing it into the fireplace."
This is a novel in only the loosest sense; plot, characterization, theme, and all the other things that comprise a novel are absent. It might have been marketed as a collection of flash fiction or poetry, but most of the time it's not even coherent enough for that. Most accurately, it's a collection of fragments. Some of those fragments are interesting, but there's not enough of that type to keep the reader's interest all the way through. About the best thing I can say is that Korine seems to have embraced the concept that if you're going to fail, you might as well fail spectacularly. **
Crack Up Redux.......2004-05-05
Great book with the repetitive urgency of an obsessive compulsive disordered patient tied to a bed just out of arms reach of the light switch. Am I the only one who has noticed that this book is just a remake of Fitzgerald's "The Crack Up"?
Jessica Tandy really should have been married to John Stamos, and the next review I write will contain the following:
1)My name 2) My feelings for the author 3) my daily exercise regime which includes sit-ups.
This book is def worth the read and as a prerequisite, I suggest picking up Korine's inspiration for this novel: see above.
eminem was in a wendy's commerical when he was 12.......2003-03-14
crack up at the race riots is part scrapbook, part videologue all in one. pieces of scripts, part conversations, fake rumors and ideas all writen by harmony korine (writer of Kids and writer director of Gummo and Julian Donkey Boy). Sometimes you don't know whether to laugh or wonder if you're the butt of a joke (who pays for half writen lines anyway? me.) but it all ends up nicely. as a peek into the head of a genius.
Funny at times...........2002-05-02
.....stale at others. Korine is a great writer of movies. He knows what he wants to see and he captures it (Gummo, Julien donkey-boy). When it comes to this book, he is hit & miss. The tasteless jokes are great and so are fictionalized stories of celebrity lives, but I'd say only half of these tales work in print. Korine needs a camera to get the images in his head across to his audience. For now, this is a funny toilet read. Give us another movie, Harmony.
What to say..............2002-03-05
This is a novel in the same way that his films are films. There is no plot, and it's basically just stuff that Harmony wants to see on film (a kid in a filthy bath eating a plate of spagetti) or that he thinks is funny (tabloid rumors about celebrities). It's just a glipmse into his mind. His thoughts aren't in order, and I don't care because he's only just begun. I can't wait to see what he's going to be making in 10, 15 years. So if you don't like his films you won't like this book, and vice-versa. Why would you read it if you didn't want to?
Average customer rating:
- Slightly Obscure Fitzgerald
- The Crack-Up
- The dark night of the soul
- A nice collection, but it could be better.
- Vintage Fitzgerald
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The Crack-Up
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Manufacturer: New Directions Publishing Corporation
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0811212475 |
Customer Reviews:
Slightly Obscure Fitzgerald.......2007-05-18
Lesser known work by FItzgerald is powerful and amazingly relevant in 2007.
The Crack-Up.......2006-03-03
"This is too real and there ain't no escape" -- Nick Lowe, "Cracking Up"
I carried F. Scott Fitzgerald's THE CRACK-UP around with me for almost ten years before I got around to reading it last month. It was one of those books that I felt I was literarily required to read, what with my affection for all things Fitzgerald -- especially Gatsby. Once I got into the book, I found parts of it fairly impenetrable, which must have been Fitzgerald's state of mind while writing some of the material, a posthumous hodgepodge of uncollected pieces, samplings of notebooks, and unpublished letters (both from and to the author).
An excellent companion piece to the book is the PBS American Masters documentary, F. SCOTT FITZGERALD: WINTER DREAMS, which draws heavily from THE CRACK-UP. The film, in its quest to simulate the elegance that its subject so desperately tried (and failed) to attain, unfortunately breezes over some key points in the writer's life; but the DVD is well worth checking out (literally, either from your local library or Netflix). (PBS's website makes up for some of these omissions with a nifty timeline that puts all of Fitzgerald's accomplishments into context with the tragic goings-on in his life. It also offers some additional footage that does not appear in the film, most notably interviews with E.L. Doctorow and Budd Schulberg, who wrote the screenplay for On the Waterfront and who, as a young screenwriter, was rewritten by Fitzgerald.)
Originally written as three essays for Esquire in 1936, "The Crack-Up" was Fitzgerald's bearing of his soul, his confession, his mea culpa to the world at large for letting them -- and himself -- down. It begins: "Of course all life is a process of breaking down, but the blows that do the dramatic side of the work -- the big sudden blows that come, or seem to come, from outside -- the ones you remember and blame things on and, in moments of weakness, tell your friends about, don't show their effect all at once. There is another sort of blow that comes from within -- that you don't feel until it's too late to do anything about it, until you realize with finality that in some regard you will never be as good a man again."
The literary world at large found such brash honesty unseemly, and Ernest Hemingway especially was disdainful of his friend's candor. But just as "The Crack-Up" essays unnecessarily confirmed that Hemingway was indeed a bastard, they also demonstrated that Fitzgerald could still write.
One of the most poignant and telling passages in THE CRACK-UP anthology appears in Fitzgerald's 1932 essay about New York, "My Lost City." Returning a couple of years after the stock market crash of 1929 ("I once thought that there were no second acts in American lives," he writes, "but there was certainly to be a second act to New York's boom days"), Fitzgerald found a new skyline awaiting him. The Empire State Building, all 103 floors and 1,454 feet, had risen out of the dust of the Big Crash. Fitzgerald "went to the roof of the last and most magnificent of towers. Then I understood -- everything was explained: I had discovered the crowning error of the city, its Pandora's box. Full of vaunting pride the New Yorker had climbed here and seen with dismay what he had never suspected, that the city was not the endless succession of canyons that he had supposed but that it had limits -- from the tallest structure he saw for the first time that it faded out into the country on all sides, into an expanse of green and blue that alone was limitless. And with the awful realization that New York was a city after all and not a universe, the whole shining edifice that he had reared in his imagination came crashing to the ground."
Perhaps at that moment Fitzgerald discovered he had his limits, too, and that they were already in his past. One wonders how many times in the eight tortured years he had left, dealing with the insanity of Zelda and Hollywood, book sales all but evaporating, he looked back on that moment atop the Empire State Building and wished he had jumped.
(c) 2006 - Visit chidder.livejournal.com
The dark night of the soul .......2005-01-30
Fragments of Fitgerald here do not really shore up his ruin. The most romantic of American novelists tells the story of why in the lives of American writers there are no second acts. The title essay 'The Crack - Up' is a very moving one. The tale of ' the dark - night in the soul in which it is always three o'clock in the morning ' of his breakdown and loss of a real feeling for life. He struggled back, and he made his efforts, most admirably perhaps as a father in trying to educate a daughter with two very problematic parents. He was finished at forty- four and did not make it to some other better world in his work and his life. No second act for him. But these fragments show the very beauty of perception and fineness of literary line which enabled him to write his one, and one of America's great masterpieces, Gatsby.
A nice collection, but it could be better........2005-01-23
Fitzgerald and Wilson are two writers who mean a lot to me. (Tender Is the Night and To the Finland Station being among my favorite books.) I have to confess that I was expecting more from this collection of Fitzgerald essays, letters and journals. The selection is thin, and there is no clear line for why some pieces were chosen and others were not. It seems to me that there would be room on the market for a more comprehensive collection of the non-fiction prose and letters.
The Crack-Up was originally published in book form while Fitzgerald was still alive, which may explain the somewhat odd selection. The obituaries collected at the end were added after his death for the 1945 edition.
Even with the flaws, The Crack-Up is still worth taking the time to read. Particularly if you are a fan of Fitzgerald, the bitter thought-provoking autobiographical essays provide a nice counterpoint to the exuberance of the novels. Aside from the title essay, "My Lost City" is particularly nice.
Fitzgerald arranged fragments of his writing notebooks into a series of conceptual categories for publication in this volume. These fragments serve as a very nice reminder just how good of a writer he really was. The combination of skilled turn of phrase and careful eye for detail is a powerful one. The journal section could serve as a very good lesson in observation for would-be writers of today.
Wilson himself notes that the letters included represent "merely a handful that happened to be easily obtainable". The most interesting letters are those written to his daughter and some of the letters that he received after the publication of the Great Gatsby. It is fascinating to read the reactions of Stein, Wharton and Eliot.
Time for a new edition of (at least) the collected letters?
Vintage Fitzgerald.......2002-08-18
F. Scott Fitzgerald captured the dreams and aspirations of so many people when he wrote of the fabulous excesses of the 20's - a time not unlike the recent "get-rich-quick" mania of the Internet bubble, which also crashed, destroying many fortunes and lifestyles.
In The Crack-Up Fitzgerald writes equally poignantly of the agony of the aftermath of such excess and unfulfilled desires and social insecurities. He was able to capture all of this so clearly because it was the life that he and Zelda aspired to and, from time to time, lived. But they were always just on the outside, depending on the generosity of others both financially socially. He takes no prisoners.
It is no surprise that he is still being widely read. Don't miss Fitzgeral - it doesn't really matter which of his books you start with, you will find yourself moving through the collection.
Book Description
Knock, knock
Who's there?
Sherwood.
Sherwood who?
Sherwood like to be in the Easter parade.
Get ready to crack up with more than two dozen egg-citing Easter knock-knock jokes in this egg-straordinary lift-the-flap book. Hop along with a bunch of funny bunnies and enjoy an egg hunt, a parade, and more.
You'll just dye laughing!
Customer Reviews:
Perfect for age 5.......2001-08-16
I found it hard to find a joke book for my five year-old, but this is absolutely perfect, and a really cute design.
Average customer rating:
- hmmmm...
- Report fir Ms. Janzen's class
- Blue Avenger Cracks the Code
- Da Blue Avenger Cracks the Code
- Blue Avenger Strikes Again
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Blue Avenger Cracks the Code
Norma Howe
Manufacturer: HarperTempest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Action & Adventure
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Humorous
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Mysteries, Espionage, & Detectives
| Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror
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Adventure & Thrillers
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General
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Mysteries
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Howe, Norma
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Being a Teen
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Similar Items:
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The Adventures of Blue Avenger
ASIN: 0064473724
Release Date: 2002-04-16 |
Amazon.com
Who can crack complicated ciphers faster than a speeding bullet? Or leap tall gondolas in a single bound? It's a supercomputer, it's an Olympic athlete, no, it's Blue Avenger, a.k.a. David Schumacher, Norma Howe's 16-year-old self-made superhero. Blue is back for another round of everyday miracle making in Howe's deliciously clever sequel to The Adventures of Blue Avenger. This time our hero is on the hunt for the true author of Shakespeare's plays--was it really William Shakespeare? Or could it have been the obscure 17th Earl of Oxford, Edward De Vere? While he searches for clues to the history mystery, Blue also manages to score a trip to Venice, foil the foul dog-napping of his grammy's beloved Shih Tzu, and discover a sure-fire way of securing the copyright of his friend Louie's stolen video game idea. But even as he saves the world bit by bit, Blue can't help but wonder what it will take to finally win the trust and love of his friend and crush, the fair Omaha Nebraska Brown. Cracking the code of her heart may end up becoming Blue's biggest challenge.
Like its predecessor, Blue Avenger Cracks the Code is full of engaging, interlocking plot lines that Howe juggles nimbly and matches up neatly by book's end. Has learning through fiction ever been so fun? Full of facts and factoids, Code will have teens running out to research the 17th Earl of Oxford and trying their hands at Francis Bacon's Bi-Lateral Cipher. As always, the Avenger's adventures are true Blue, and very cool. Stay tuned for the next installment! (Ages 12 and older) --Jennifer Hubert
Book Description
What do an amorous Shih Tzu, a computer game, and the complete works of Shakespeare have in common?
Maybe nothing. Or maybe everything. It's a mystery...some would say a code. A code that only an adept code-cracker like Blue Avenger (aka David Schumacher), secret champion of the underdog, modest seeker of truth, and fearless innovator of the unknown, would even think about trying to decipher. And it couldn't come at a better time. Having accomplished several seemingly impossible missions, Blue is now a superhero without a cause, directionless and nearly girlfriendless. When he is offered a chance to visit Venice, it seems the forces of nature have aligned, and like all good and noble superheroes, Blue must choose to accept his mission.
Customer Reviews:
hmmmm..........2006-12-19
i think the below reviewer's writing is a fairly good reflection of his intellectual capacity.
don't trust his judgment, it's a great book-- he just wasn't able to appreciate it.
the writing is not "boring," and the writer does not use "random" words. her style is excellent, a refreshing respite from the dull writing that fills most "young adult" books these days.
Report fir Ms. Janzen's class.......2006-02-17
Blue Avenger: Cracks the Code
By: Norma Howe
This is the second book I read this trimester. The is book is about how David who changed his name to Blue Avenger is trying to figure out a lot of different codes and figure out his love life. Blue is 15 and he has a girlfriend named Omaha. In the beginning of the book he gets a chance to send Omaha to Italy to see his dad. She comes back very disappointed, her dad told the story about how they a banded her. After that Omaha and Blue weren't going steady anymore. Meanwhile Dr. Wood is getting Blue into a new mystery about Shakespeare. He said it was all written by "Edward de Vere" the 15th earl of Oxford. So later in the book he finds out that that the information is false and that Edward de Vere never really existed. And Shakespeare really was "Edward de Vere", but now Dr. Wood and Blue are going to go to Europe to investigate. Read the book to find out if Blue or Dr. Wood is right; also find out what will happen with Omaha and Blue.
This book was very boring to read because everything went very slow and book never seemed to progress. I couldn't feel like I was in the book because all of characters seemed so unreal. The main conflict did not interest me; it was about Shakesphere and love. I hate both of those kinds of books. The characters were not realistic because they have the most unreal thing happen and they act like nobody ever would. The ending to the book sucked because nothing really happened all that happened was somebody won an argument big whoop.
The author's voice was in the third person. The author used a lot of random words that I didn't understand or don't make since in the sentence. The author didn't really use many different characteristics. I think the author used too much description and not enough dialogue. The tone of the book was very monotone. Nothing really seemed to happen. I think the author should have done more dialogue in the book.
If I had to rate this book I would give it a 5/10 because it was really boring and in comparison the was really slow and had no point to it. I would definitely not recommend this book to anyone because it was horrible, boring and nothing ever really seemed to happen.
I think this qualifies and the worst book I read and if I wasn't forced to continue reading it I wouldn't have. I think the author could have made the book more interesting if he rewrote the thing with a good storyline. This was the absolute worst book EVER!!! Don't read it.
Blue Avenger Cracks the Code.......2004-07-30
In Norma Howe's first book, THE ADVENTURES OF BLUE AVENGER, her main character David Schumacher changes his name to "Blue Avenger" and becomes a self-made hero. In the sequel, BLUE AVENGER CRACKS THE CODE, the adventure continues.
The book opens as Blue is reading through his father's old books, which have remained untouched since his death three years before. The last book on his list is THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, and Blue begins to wonder who the real Bard was. Could it have actually been Shakespeare or was it Edward De Vere, the relatively unknown 17th Earl of Oxford? Blue, his best friend Louis DeSoto, and Louis's sister Drusie all travel to Venice in order to solve this enigma.
The three friends navigate through many mysteries on this fateful trip. When the time comes for them to board the plane for their long journey home, you wonder if they will be able to resume their normal lives --- or will author extraordinaire Howe treat us to yet another installment? One can only hope that Blue will have more codes to crack in the near future.
--- Reviewed by Audrey Marie Danielson
Da Blue Avenger Cracks the Code.......2001-03-09
In this book, the sequel to The Adventures of Blue Avenger, Blue continues his journey to stop crime and corruption. His adventures take him from Oakland, California to Venice, Italy, and along the way he meets many new friends. The entire plot is tangled with the mystery of weather William Shakespeare famous shakespearian plays. Many think that Edward De Vere, an english Earl, was the actual author. So can Blue find enough evidense to prove that Edward De Vere really did write the Shakespearian plays? Or while trying to prove that Edward De Vere wrote them, will he prove that William Shakespeare Reallyh wrote the Shakespearian plays? Read this great book to find out! Hope you like the book!
Blue Avenger Strikes Again.......2000-09-02
In this book, the sequel to The Adventures of Blue Avenger, Blue continues his exploits to save humanity from crime and corruption. His adventures take him from Oakland, California, to Venice, Italy, and along the way he meets many new friends. This book has many more characters than the first, which makes it even more interesting. The entire plot is intertwined with the mystery of whether or not William Shakespeare really wrote the famed Shakespearean plays. Many conjecture that Edward De Vere, an English earl, was actually the author of Shakespeare's plays. Although this book wasn't as funny as the first, the mystery makes it an even better book. Both books in the series are quick reads, but well worth the time for anyone, especially teenage readers.
Book Description
Five favorite James Marshall titles featuring the antics of irrepressible Spud and Joe are once again available in hardcover, ready for a new generation of fans.
"Pure un-adulterated silliness." (Parents Choice for The Cut-Ups)
Customer Reviews:
The Cut-Ups.......2005-04-06
There are two boys always geting into trouble,but their parnts can't seperate the boys ones they get together.Every one who knew the boys they called them The Cut-Ups.The Cut-Ups got into trouble all the time,they destroyd every thing.Then a girl came where the Cut-Ups were and she had a sports car about hre size and the Cut-Ups wanted to take ride then thegot on ,then they stoped in front of a house it had lots of sins like"KEEP OF",that was the girl's neighbor,the girl told the Cut-Ups that hre neighbor loved children but he neighbor did not like children,her neighbor has lots of toys because evry thing that comes to his yard he does not gives it back.Then after the girl said that she a rocket,they went to see the rocket then the CUt-Ups wnted to get on it,so they got on it and the girl lnced the rocket and the Cut-Ups flew and crashed through the window and the man got mad and chased the Cut-Ups and he almost got them,and the girl went inside her neighbor's house and got as much toys as she could.
Average customer rating:
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Easter Yolks: Egg-Cellent Riddles to Crack You Up (Lift-the-Flap)
Katy Hall , and
Lisa Eisenberg
Manufacturer: HarperFestival
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| History & Criticism
| United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
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General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
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General
| Multilingual
| People & Places
| Children's Books
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General
| Literature
| Children's Books
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ASIN: 0694006904 |
Book Description
What is the best game to play on Easter?
Basketball!
What is an Easter egg's favorite kind of book?
A yolk book like this one!
These egg-cellent Easter riddles are sure to make readers crack up. Inside, lift the flaps to find out the answers to more yolks about funny bunnies, cheeping chicks, and egg-citing eggs, all collected hare for the perfect Easter treat.Hoppy Easter! Follow the Easter bunny through this yolk book of funny bunny riddles as he hops on down the bunny trail hiding eggs.But this Easter bunny's trip is a little hare-y—will he be able to deliver all the eggs egg-zactly on time? As you follow his hare-raising adventure, lift the flaps to find the eggs, and the answers to these egg-cellent riddles.
Books:
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- The Complete Works (Everyman's Library)
- The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror
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- The Food of France
- The Grapes of Wrath (Centennial Edition)
- The Greatest Story Ever Sold: The Decline and Fall of Truth from 9/11 to Katrina
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