Book Description
"She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me."
So begins the timeless romance of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen's classic novel is beloved by millions, but little is revealed in the book about the mysterious and handsome hero, Mr. Darcy. And so the question has long remained: Who is Fitzwilliam Darcy?
In An Assembly Such as This, Pamela Aidan finally answers that long-standing question. In this first book of her Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman trilogy, she reintroduces us to Darcy during his visit to Hertfordshire with his friend Charles Bingley and reveals Darcy's hidden perspective on the events of Pride and Prejudice. As Darcy spends more time at Netherfield supervising Bingley and fending off Miss Bingley's persistent advances, his unwilling attraction to Elizabeth grows -- as does his concern about her relationship with his nemesis, George Wickham.
Setting the story vividly against the colorful historical and political background of the Regency, Aidan writes in a style comfortably at home with Austen but with a wit and humor very much her own. Aidan adds her own cast of fascinating characters to those in Austen's original, weaving a rich tapestry from Darcy's past and present. Austen fans and newcomers alike will love this new chapter of the most famous romance of all time.
Customer Reviews:
pleasantly surprised .......2007-09-27
I enjoyed this book but didn't realize it was one of three until about halfway through and had to wait for the next few to come out. I enjoyed the writing style and felt that the author remained true to the original story. In all, out of all the Pride and Prejudice follow-ups I have read, I enjoyed this one the most.
Fair reading.......2007-09-24
This book is ok,but it really stretches Darcy's character. Given his reserved character I cannot see him allowing himself to be so easily involved in some of the things he did. it is really a letdown. I thought it would be more on his thoughts of Miss Elizabeth.
An Assembly Such as This.......2007-09-15
Pamela Aidan is good, too wordy, but good. She takes three long books to do what Austen did in one. But we all have our own Elizabeth and Darcy and, while Aidan's Darcy is on the mark, for me her Elizabeth is quite wrong. I quote: "He knew his own desire; it was already engaged in the person of one impudent, exciting, lovely little piece of baggage by the name of Elizabeth Bennet ..." Elizabeth? Our Elizabeth? Impudent, exciting, lovely little piece of baggage? I love Elizabeth Bennet for her intelligence and humor. I don't recognize Aidan's version at all. And she keeps referring to her as "sweet." Oh, and her curls dance in the breeze? Curls?
She also badly needed an English copy-editor. A word she totally misuses is "University," "at University." This is pure American. The English say "he's up at Oxford/Cambridge." There are two or three "gottens" lying around too. Again, pure American. "Not bloody likely" is 20th Century working class English and "Good show" comes from the RAF in World War II.
Oh, while I think of it, why in heaven's name does she refer to "Mrs. Edward Bennett?" No, no, no, no. And she talks of fields enclosed by "Wall, fence or wood." What, no hedges?
But enough pickiness. I like her Georgiana very much (despite the religion) and Dyfed Brougham is a great invention. He could surely carry a whole book on his shoulders.
The whole series is well worth reading.
Good fun, although definitely skewed by 21st century romance conventions.......2007-08-29
Aidan does a good job of attempting to flesh out Darcy's side of the story. She does an especially good job of reinterpreting Darcy's interaction with Elizabeth from Darcy's point of view-- Lizzie sparkles just the way we would imagine she would in the eyes of an admirer. It does seem, however, that some of Aidan's interpretations of Austen's novel are skewed by more modern, romance novel conventions. This becomes especially apparent in the sections that Aidan does not have Austen's original work to provide plot and dialogue for her. In these instances, Austen's satire and sharpness tend to get shoved aside for devices such as the loyal and trusted (and of course, witty) valet, and Darcy's increasing fear of the husband hunting mamas (both of which are staples of historical romances, and therefore tend to fall into the category of flat, conventional, filler characters/devices). So, if you're looking for fluff, this is a good read, but if you want social satire, seek fulfillment elsewhere.
just to add my 2 cents.......2007-08-16
This book is awesome! I love how Aidan brings us Darcy's point of view, explains his reserve and family pride. Lovely how he mentally pursues Elizabeth and notices her fine points. This book really made it so clear to me why he would just pop off and ask her to marry him. This series actually fleshed out P&P in such a believable way. This is the first of three part series. 1st book and 3rd book are SO strong. You will not be unhappy you read these books.
Book Description
This sexy, epic, hilarious, poignant and romantic sequel to Pride and Prejudice goes far beyond being a Jane Austen sequel. It's Tom Jones meets Jane Austen meets Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire, with essence of Scarlett O'Hara and the Wife of Bath thrown in.
Every woman wants to be Elizabeth Bennet Darcy-beautiful, gracious, universally admired, strong, daring and outspoken-a thoroughly modern woman in crinolines. And every woman will fall madly in love with Mr. Darcy-tall, dark and handsome, a nobleman and a heartthrob whose virility is matched only by his utter devotion to his wife.
Their passion is consuming and idyllic-essentially, they can't keep their hands off each other-through a sweeping tale of adventure and misadventure, human folly and numerous mysteries of parentage.
The book was self-published in 1999, with more than 10,000 copies sold. Here is what some readers are saying about Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife: "Pure pleasure...this book is so much fun I recommend it heartily." "Wow, Darcy! I could not put it down." "Tremendous-I didn't want it to end!"
Customer Reviews:
Mr. Darcy Takes A Wife.......2007-10-03
I thought it was wonderful and entertaining. I can't wait for the next one, the one after that, and so on. I loved it so much, I hope the series doesn't end!
Ugggh.......2007-10-02
I'm not a nun or a prude by any means (in fact I've been in the field of sexuality ed for a very long time) but, ugggh! Too many badly written sex scenes, very very long. My copy had 100 pages missing near the end, and I was actually grateful! An unlikable Lizzy, a flaky Darcy and lots of lust. What's the rule now? If it's bad, make a sequel; maybe we'll get even more money...
I actually threw this book away (something I have never ever done in my life; it was missing pages, after all), but I guarantee there's more than enough copies in circulation without mine. I'd suggest you borrow it--buy it if you like it. You won't be out the $$ if you don't.
Not for the prude, but definately a page turner........2007-09-27
I think those who didn't like the book are expecting Jane Austen to be turning over in her grave. We have to remember that even though from a much more refined era, she was a woman way ahead of her time. If she lived in this era she probably would have thoroughly enjoyed this sequal. We all would love to know what happens to the newly married Darcy's. I thought that MDTAW was a great read - once I got passed the shock of the forthrightness of all the sex. (I mean come on people - the book is probably quite accurate in the context that they had sex back then in and out of marriage just as much as we do now - even if it is more "accepted" now.) There is so much more to the story than sex though. Mystery, humor, emotion. The main characters are very well developed and all the new characters add much to the story. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars because I couldn't put it down. I would have given it 5 stars if we didn't have to listen to Lydia whine so much. What a pain in the A.
Big disappointment .......2007-09-27
Not a big fan of this book. I had to keep making myself continue on just to finish. The language is to convoluted and strained to sound like Jane Austen and it falls flat. The story is is full of sexual encounters that Austen would never have approved of. While this may not present a problem for readers today there is something to be said for leaving somethings to the imagination.
You either love it or you hate it.......2007-09-18
I'm not an Austin fanatic, but I enjoyed Pride and Prejudice. This book is not for traditionalists, but rather for those who wish the story didn't have to end. It's for the romantics who want to know what's next, and for the curious who want to see what goes on behind closed doors. It's funny, it's witty, and no, it's not for everyone. But those who love it can't put it down and those who hate it can't stop complaining about it. I'd say, if you're into this kind of thing, give it a chance. And if you really like it, check out her next sequel, Darcy and Elizabeth.
Book Description
³There was little danger of encountering the Bennet sisters ever again.²
Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice is beloved by millions, but little is revealed in the book about the mysterious and handsome hero, Mr. Darcy. And so the question has long remained: Who is Fitzwilliam Darcy?
Pamela Aidan's trilogy finally answers that long-standing question, creating a rich parallel story that follows Darcy as he meets and falls in love with Elizabeth Bennet. Duty and Desire, the second book in the trilogy, covers the "silent time" of Austen's novel, revealing Darcy's private struggle to overcome his attraction to Elizabeth while fulfilling his roles as landlord, master, brother, and friend.
When Darcy pays a visit to an old classmate in Oxford in an attempt to shake Elizabeth from his mind, he is set upon by husband-hunting society ladies and ne'er-do-well friends from his university days, all with designs on him -- some for good and some for ill. He and his sartorial genius of a valet, Fletcher, must match wits with them all, but especially with the curious Lady Sylvanie.
Irresistibly authentic and entertaining, Duty and Desire remains true to the spirit and events of Pride and Prejudice while incorporating fascinating new characters, and is sure to dazzle Austen fans and newcomers alike.
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful!.......2007-09-24
If you are an Austen fan - you will love this series. The author does a GREAT job of capturing Jane's voice. Enjoy!
This book helped me decide not to read the third book in the trilogy.......2007-08-29
This does contain some spoilers and plot details, so if you don't want to know what happens, please don't read any further.
While the first book in this trilogy has the help of Austen, who provides both plot and dialogue for Aidan to mine, this book proves that when left on her own, Aidan has a very conventional and, in my opinion, limited interpretation of _Pride and Prejudice_. This book covers the period between Darcy's departure from Hertfordshire, and his reunion with Elizabeth at Rosings. Why this period, which in Austen's novel warrants little attention, should deserve an entire book, while the events from Rosings to the story's end (a much longer stretch of time) should be crunched into the last novel in the trilogy is anybody's guess. In this interim, Darcy apparently becomes an amature sleuth, a fashion icon, a bachelor on the hunt for a wife, and the brother of a religious fanatic-- not to mention something of a social butterfly. The reserved Darcy given to us by Austen, and present in Aidan's first novel, has almost entirely disappeared. I find it very difficult to believe that Darcy would attempt to cure his infatuation with Elizabeth by trying to find a wife of higher social standing, since he was never really marriage minded in the first place. Additionally, the fashion obsessed valet may be an effort on Aidan's part to historicize and add texture and context to her story, but since Darcy isn't a dandy, I'm not sure what he adds to the story. Yes, he helps investigate the mystery at the heart of the story, but even this activity serves a more conventional purpose-- he can be both the requisite trusted servant and sidekick (and since we know Darcy's a snob, why he would choose his valet for a sidekick is beyond me). The characterization of both Colonel Fitzwilliam and his elder brother completely contradicts what we know of them from Austen's novel, and again seems an effort to add texture, but again falls into courting stereotype and modern convention (because all contemporary and historical romance novels need bickering family members and bad boys) rather than actually enhancing the story. Bingley is gone from this tale and is instead replaced by some random new best friend that we could care less about but who Aidan seems to want to set up as Georgiana's future flame-- if it weren't for the fact that Georgiana has been so destroyed by her experience with Whickam that she's inspired to become some sort of religious zealot! What Georgiana's new-found faith does for her character remains unclear by the end of the story. I could try to imagine how it could play out in the third novel, but frankly, I just don't care. These aren't the characters I know and love. Instead, they're riddled with contemporary conventions and completely lacking in depth and coherent motivation.
Frankly, if you want a more nuanced interpretation of the story from Darcy's point of view, read Janet Aylmer's _Darcy's Story_. Although it's more reserved in tone than any of Austen's work (with the possible exception of _Mansfield Park_) the interpretation of Darcy's character and his perception of events, as well as other key figures in his life (e.g. Georgiana) makes much more sense. This story enhances our enjoyment of Austen's novel and the characters in that story, which is probably why many of us are reading these books.
If you're looking for Darcy as detective, try Carrie Bebris' _Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mysteries_ series, which offers a more even attempt at reproducing Austen's style (although the supernatural plays a much bigger role in this series that it ever does in Austen, even than it does in _Northanger Abbey), while continuing Darcy and Elizabeth's story, and putting them into contact with other of Austen's characters from other books. They're entertaining and inventive, and instead of trying to add details to a story that was already well-crafted and told, they give us something new to experience.
Buy all three, and hope for a 4th with Brougham and Georgiana!.......2007-08-27
This is probably the best Jane Austen sequel published so far, and I've read nearly all of them. Yes, it might have been told without quite so much soul-searching over 3 volumes. And the story line in book 2 does seem more involved than is necessary. But the addition of a very plausible religious theme for Georgiana as a means out of her depression, and the inclusion of a fine backstory for Mrs. Annesley, all fit well with the characters that Jane Austen gave us. The absolutely best new character is Lord Dyfed Brougham. Finally Darcy has a friend other than nice but shallow Bingley - someone smarter, possibly even better looking, higher in birth and more than able to give him a set-down when it's called for. The scene in the tavern, with a drunken and forlorn Darcy and an understanding but critical Dy is excellent and something we've all wanted to see in any P&P movie. I hope that Ms. Aiden is working hard on volume 4 to make a suitable happy ending for Geogiana and Dy, give Bingley a backbone, and also give us a glimpse of Ms. Aiden's ideas about life at Pemberley. (But please, don't make us suffer through more of Wickham and Lydia - everyone seems to bring them back for plot devices, when we really all just want them to GO AWAY.)
Not as good as book one, but have to read anyway........2007-08-16
It seems that most people agree that this is not as strong as the other two in the series. It is still a good book, but takes Darcy into situations that I did not believe. Austen is so great because she is so believable, and this just isn't. That said, this book does a great job of giving Darcy's valet a life. So many books just gloss over servants, and this does not. This book covers the missing months between Netherfield and Rossings. You have to read it because the situations are alluded to in book 3.
Not on a par with the other two books of the trilogy.......2007-08-05
I enjoyed the trilogy, but found the second book over the top. I felt she was trying too hard to make something exciting happen in Darcy's life. I didn't find it plausible that he would be so easily duped. The main reason to read it is to connect the first and second book.
Book Description
Mr. and Mrs. Darcy have an exceedingly passionate marriage in this continuing saga of one of the most exciting, intriguing couples in the Jane Austen Literature.
As the Darcy's raise their babies, enjoy their conjugal felicity and manage the great estate of Pemberley, the beloved characters from Jane Austen's original are joined by Linda Berdoll's imaginative new creations for a compelling, sexy and epic story guaranteed to keep you turning the pages and gasping with delight.
What people are saying about Mr. Darcy Takes A Wife, the bestselling Pride and Prejudice sequel.
"A breezy, satisfying romance." -Chicago Tribune
"While there have been other Pride and Prejudice sequels, this one, with its rich character development, has been the most enjoyable." -Library Journal
"Wild, bawdy and utterly enjoyable sequel." -Booklist
Customer Reviews:
Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife.......2007-09-26
A wonderful and inspired sequel to Pride and Prejudice. The devlopment of Austen's characters and creation of new ones, along with adventure, intrigue, love and romance, makes this a marvelous read. I have read it three times already, and look forward to reading it again and again.
Sorely disappointed.......2007-09-10
I recently purchased this book, and, for the first time, actually returned a book to the bookstore. After struggling to read more that half of the book, I had to return it.
Usually, I enjoy even the smuttiest of romances, yet this one only degrades two of the most beloved characters in the English language. The text jumped all over the place. Perhaps it ended well, but after 42 chapters, I had enough.
Darcy and elizabeth, Days and Nights at Pemberley.......2007-09-01
I found this to be well written, but somewhat labored in the presentation. I enjoyed the basic story lines and salute anyone willing to take on the task of following Ms. Austin. An enjoyable if rather over long story.
So sexy, Mr. Darcy!.......2007-08-16
Wow, this book's steaming hot that it influenced me to romance my husband and love on him. This book will show a strong and masculine Mr. Darcy that you will want to read about many times over!
Nights and Days was great., Darcy is great!!.......2007-08-09
I loved the book...the passion is wonderful and easy to imagine the love they shared.
Product Description
Mr. Darcy's Diary presents the story of the unlikely courtship of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy from Darcy's point of view--sharing his innermost thoughts and feelings. This graceful imagining and sequel to Price and Prejudice explains Darcy s moodiness and the difficulties of his reluctant relationship as he struggles to avoid falling in love with Miss Bennett. Though seemingly stiff and stubborn at times, Darcy s words prove him also to be quite devoted and endearing qualities that eventually win over Miss Bennett s heart. This continuation of a classic romantic novel is charming and elegant, much like Darcy himself.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent.......2007-09-28
I absolutely loved this book. It was not particularly deep and it was very easy reading, but as I am in college, I get enough heavy stuff. It came at a perfect time and I enjoyed reading it immensely. I also gave it to my roommate to read and she loved it too, even though she does not particularly like Pride and Prejudice. The only thing I would say about it is that you had better have read the original before this book, or it won't make sense. I give it two thumbs up!
Too short..........2007-09-07
This was a very quick read and I did enjoy it, however it was a little too short. I also had quite a bit of the original dialogue as quotes and for the size of this book I thought it was too much. I did like the idea though and this gives some insight into Mr. Darcy's perspective of all the events plus a little idea of what could have happened after the P&P ends. Enjoyable read but not the best sequel out there.
Mr. Darcy's Diary.......2007-09-05
Amanda Grange really kept the same language and tone that Jane Austen used in the original story of Pride & Prejudice. She retold the same story from Darcy's point of view. I thought she did an excellent job.
I enjoyed how she added some witty examples of their married life together at the end. Even with having to deal with all the crazies from both of their families, I think they are going to make it.
Fitzwilliam Darcy---humanized!.......2007-09-05
The aspect of this novel by Amanda Grange which pleases me most is that she has been successful in turning Fitzwilliam Darcy into a flesh and blood man. Since Pride and Prejudice is essentially written from Elizabeth Bennet's point of view, at times I want an explanation of what Darcy is thinking. This book managed to do that for me. Even knowing that these words, thoughts and ideas do not come from Jane Austen, I am still completely satisfied with thinking "my" Mr. Darcy would have been like this. He was arrogant, he did believe in his own self-importance, he did interfere in Bingley's life. But, he also learned from Elizabeth and Bingley and the situations he found himself in that he could change. He didn't need to stay so stiff and formal. He could actually learn to tease and be teased and the world as he knew it would still remain on its axis.
I found this book to be slow going at first. I really didn't think I was going to be able to accept this Darcy as the same one who lives in my imagination. But a strange thing happened as I continued to read. I began to really like this man. Amanda Grange had made him a true, real, loveable person for me. As most of the other reviewers have said, I also am a huge fan of the Jane Austen books. Ms Grange does not try to be Jane Austen. She tries to be herself, giving us her version of how she thinks Fitzwilliam Darcy might have responded to his situations. I applaud her effort and recommend this book as a worthwhile read.
This is just a little extra information in case you get confused (as I did). This book came out in Britain in 2005 in hardcover and was titled DARCY'S DIARY. It has a full head portrait of Darcy on the cover, quite interesting but maybe just a little too feminine for "my" Darcy. The paperback was published in 2007 and is titled MR. DARCY'S DIARY. I, of course, was not careful and managed to buy them both. The paperback has only a partial portrait, probably because the publisher discovered that each of us has our own mental picture of Fitzwilliam Darcy. Both books are identical in every way except as I have stated. Now, my advice is to just read and enjoy one copy or the other.
Great reading!.......2007-08-16
I enjoyed this book for it kept me interested to a point that I "soaked it up" and finished it in a day but I kept reviewing the best parts I enjoyed most.
Book Description
Fresh from the curious and unsettling matter of Caroline Bingley (as related in Pride and Prescience), Mr. and Mrs. Darcy have every intention of enjoying their still newlywed status at Pemberly until they are confronted with another mysterious situation, .... one ofSuspense and SensibilityElizabeth Darcy and her beloved husband Fitzwilliam are taking on the responsibility of finding a suitable suitor for Elizabeth's younger sister Kitty, thereby assuring her a proper place in society.The angels smile on the young and a perfect match is found, and wedding plans are soon under way. Suddenly a change in personality occurs in Kitty's soon to be model husband-a change so striking as to jeopardize not just the Darcys' social standing, but their lives as well.A mysterious mirror, an insidious reprobate from the past, and matters far beyond the social circles around Pemberly all come into play in a dangerous puzzle, where the consequences may be the exchange of a soul for a soul.Once again the Darcys take center stage as the Regency era's answer to The Thin Man's Nick and Nora, searching for truth between tea times, amid the social whirl of Jane Austen's England.
Customer Reviews:
First think of a story.......2007-07-23
How disappointed I was in Suspense and Sensibility, third of the Bebris continuations of Elizabeth and Darcy written by Bebris which I have read!! The first two thirds of the book seemed reasonable because I couldn't believe Bebris would take the cop-out route and choose to tie up what could have been a very rational, concrete, Austen-style story, with a horrid, implausible, supernatural, uncreative, unreasonable wrap-up! If she tries to continue with Darcy and ELizabeth in future writings I hope she first thinks through a decent story before she bothers picking up her pen.
A mystery and a sequel to Pride and Prejudice in one book!.......2007-07-07
This is a series where the newly married Mr and Mrs. Darcy stumble into these mysteries. This is the second book by Carrie Bebris, the first one is Pride and Prescience. In this book the Darcy's take Kitty to London in hopes of find her a husband. She falls for a Mr. Harry Dashwood, son on Fanny and John Dashwood from Jane Austen's Sense and Sensiblity, I love how the author entertwined the characters from these two beloved novels. However, this author also introduces Sir Frances Dashwood, a real person who lived around the time of Jane Austen and decided to make him related to the Dashwoods from Sense and Senseiblity. He was infamous for his debauchery and bad deeds. How does he become involved in this novel, you ask? Well the young Harry Dashwood, engaged to Kitty Bennet, brings a mysterious mirror and portrait of his infamous relative into his abode. Then he himself takes on a different behavior, is he idolizing his relative? Is her really a blackguard? What does this do to the Darcy's?
What a great page turner. You will be reading about your favorite characters from Pride and Prejudice as well as Sense and Sensibilty.
Sense and Sensibility.......2007-07-04
I'm a Jane Austen fan so this was a nice read and interesting as the characters ring true.
Love this series!.......2007-06-20
Fast read. As hokey as it sounds to read Jane Austen inspired mysteries, this series is remarkably entertaining and well-written. Love the originality of the story and how true the characters are to Jane Austen's originals. Well worth the puchase. Buy one, you gotta buy them all, as you'll be hooked.
Simply wonderful.......2007-01-20
Carrie Bebris has done it again ... better. SUSPENSE & SENSIBILITY is an unputtdownable read until you've devoured the last page. Her use of history -- both the history of the times and the history of Austen's characters -- is inspired. And she keeps the focus precisely where Austen kept it -- on the characters and the fascinating world they inhabit.
Once again, Bebris has blended elements of the supernatural into the story, which only enhances the personalities she is following. The result is gripping, interesting and thoroughly in step with the original Austen.
What I like even more about this second book in the series is that unlike the first, PRIDE & PRESCIENCE, there is much less action than there is interaction. (In P&P, there was a harrowing carriage accident, among other things, much at odds with the usual drawing room comedies.) This one turns on the characters' interactions in ballrooms, teas, and other quiet pastimes of the era -- but you simply can't stop reading.
If Jane Austen is your cup of tea, then drink deeply of SUSPENSE & SENSIBILITY. And when you're done, put it down with a sigh -- and reach for Bebris's third installment, NORTH BY NORTHANGER -- which so far (I haven't finished it yet) is even better!
Book Description
After experiencing her own crisis of faith, Sage Bennet developed an eclectic spiritual life, borrowing rituals from many religions and traditions. In Wisdom Walk she outlines some of the most powerful of those practices, making them accessible to contemporary readers without diminishing or disrespecting their subtle nuances. Drawing from Hinduism, she explains how to create a home altar as a reminder of a larger spiritual presence. She explores how Buddhist meditation helps one find peace. From Islam comes surrendering to prayer, and from Christianity the practice of forgiveness. There's even Native American spirituality in the form of a chapter on letting nature be one’s teacher. A final, summarizing chapter, brings together all the traditions, demonstrates their fundamental unity, and discusses the importance of offering oneself in service to others. Wisdom Walk provides a simple, easy-to-follow guide for bringing the world’s spiritual traditions into one’s life through practical, powerful rituals.
Customer Reviews:
Amazing clarity!.......2007-05-24
I opened the book in the middle and was instantly immersed in one of the stories exemplifying Taoism's "go with the flow" of the river of life philosophy. I instantly recognized some of my own struggles as I've tried to control and even to force matters in my life only to later realize that things would have been much better if I'd let events take their own course. The story cited in the book opened a new part of my understanding and communicated very simply with my heart so I could see this lesson in a different way and learn it from a new perspective. Sage Bennet's storytelling narrative is perfectly tuned for this type of learning and I have been similarly engaged and drawn in by the other lessons and examples in the book. As a person with a strong religious life, I was very very comfortable with the ways that Ms. Bennet uses the religions of the world to teach the nine truths she defines in the book as supports and not divisors of other faiths or beliefs. I found the traditions and philosophies she describes to edify my personal beliefs rather than splintering from them and could benefit from the harmony of that experience. Reading the book made me feel more a part of the human family and strengthened and uplifted me in my own wisdom walk.
I couldn't stop reading it!.......2007-04-21
Dr. Sage Bennet's book has caught my heart and mind. She focuses on what is essential in each major religious tradition: in Christianity it's 'Forgive yourself and others', in Judaism it's 'Make time for the Sabbath', in Native American Spirituality it's, 'Let nature be your teacher', etc. The last chapter talks about what is common to all spiritual traditions, which is, 'Offer yourself in service to others'. HOW BEAUTIFUL!
I find this book so inspiring and uplifting and also very practical. The author talks about her own struggles with relationships and addiction and religion and how these practices helped her personally. It's all very real and down to earth.
This book is for anyone on the path who wants to get to know more about any of the major wisdom traditions or more about applying practical spirituality in his or her daily life.
Book Description
This is a *different* book on change management. Using commonsense and practical advice tested in their work with hundreds of organizations, the authors walk the reader through clear guidelines and checklists to implement change that works.
Readers will develop a change management strategy
that starts by diagnosing the current culture and organization, then prepares for change carefully, addresses resistance to change, develops the change strategy, measures results, builds momentum for further change, and prevents deterioration and reversion.
The authors then apply their framework to two areas that are major targets for change management: implementing new technology and systems and implementing successful e-business strategies. Included throughout are real-world examples from a number of industries and government.
* This method has been used successfully in over 70 organizations in over 20 countries.
* Commonsense and jargon-free approach focuses on the realities of implementing change in real world
* Most of the book deals with getting the change established, measurement, and practical ways to sustain the change long-term
Customer Reviews:
Solid path through a political minefield.......2004-06-20
Changing IT is akin to herding cats because as a whole there is a legacy mindset at one end of the spectrum, and lack of discipline at the other. This book provides a workable approach to changing the culture and effecting real change.
As in their other books the authors take a project-oriented approach to the goals and objectives. Where other books that attempt to address this subject are focused on solely human factors and considerations, this one does that, but gives a structured approach as well. The set milestones and wealth of associated checklists are what set this book apart from others, and are the means of systematically changing IT in an effective manner.
To be sure, human factors are taken into consideration - the authors show a keen understanding of, and give advice for dealing with, organizational dynamics, politics and resistance to change. This is an essential set of knowledge and skill factors without which change cannot be accomplished.
The keys to the approach given in this book, though, are in the chapters dealing with defining your goals and developing an overall strategy, then selecting the approach that is most suitable for your organization. The project-oriented aspects are covered in chapters dealing with characterizing "as-is" tasks, planning, and working towards the long-term objectives. The approach also includes a viable measurement strategy with which to ascertain results, and advice on how to build enthusiasm and support - instead of resistance - as the change initiative is being implemented. A key chapter is "Prevent Reversion and Fallback", which all too frequently happens in the real world. By recognizing this particular risk in change and addressing how to prevent it the authors provide sound advice to avoid a major pitfall.
Overall this is an excellent book by two authors who I hold in high regard. I also recommend reading "RoadMap: How to understand, diagnose, and fix your organization" (ISBN 0964163527) in conjunction with this book because it contains information that will help you select and develop an optimum overall strategy for an IT organization that is customer-focused and efficiently run.
Average customer rating:
- Grab your hat and go visit
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The Garden Lover's Guide to the Midwest
Paul Bennett , and
Paul Bennet
Manufacturer: Princeton Architectural Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1568981651 |
Book Description
Our Garden Lover's Guide series has been hailed by Garden Design as "eminently practical" and by Home as "authoritative" and "indispensible." These three new volumes complete our survey of American gardens; together, the four books feature over 500 public gardens across the country.?
Each book is designed for readers to use as they travel through a state or region. Similar to our highly successful European garden guides, the U. S. guides are illustrated in full color with numerous photographic images and watercolor drawings of the most significant gardens, all specially commissioned for these books. In addition to insightful texts, contact data, opening hours, admission fees, and directions are provided. The perfect companion for any garden enthusiast, whether tourist or armchair traveler.
Customer Reviews:
Grab your hat and go visit.......2001-01-06
This easy to use book is graphically attractive with a good layout, photography, and maps. The text is easy to read and informative. It gives you the information you need to visit these gardens and helps you choose which ones are best. A definite "buy" for anyone interested in visiting gardens in the Midwest.
Book Description
Picking up twenty years after Pride and Prejudice left off, Mr. Darcy's Daughters begins in the year 1818. Elizabeth and Darcy have gone to Constantinople, giving us an opportunity to get to know their five daughters, who have left the sheltered surroundings of Pemberley for a few months in London. While the eldest, Letitia, frets and the youngest, Alethea, practices her music, twins Georgina and Belle flirt and frolic their way through parties and balls and Camilla -- levelheaded and independent -- discovers what joys and sorrows the city has to offer an intelligent young woman. Readers will delight in the return of such beloved Austen creations as Elizabeth's old nemesis Caroline Bingley (now Lady Warren), the ever-reliable Gardiners and wayward Aunt Lydia.
Charming, beautifully written and full of societal intrigue and romantic high jinks, Mr. Darcy's Daughters is a tale that would please Austen herself.
Customer Reviews:
Awful sequel.......2007-10-05
Mr.Darcy's Daughters is an awful sequel. It's main idea, that Elizabeth and Darcy have 5 daughters is okay, but the author has created each of those 5 daughters as the same as the Bennett sisters, in gross caricature. If Jane, as the oldest Bennett daughter, is sensible and soft spoken, Letty, as the oldest Darcy, is moralistic, boring and whining. If Elizabeth as the second daughter is the heroine of P&P, then Camilla, as the second daughter has to be the herione of MDD, except that she has none of her mother's wit or intellect. Letty and Camila are followed by twins, Georgia and Belle, as exagerrated versions of Kitty and Lydia- flirtatious, hedonistic and recklessly impulsive. Aston makes one of them run away, live with and get married to a man who's "no-good".
An oft-repeated theme in the book is how the 5 daughters of one of the richest men in England have learnt, from their cradles, propriety, good manners and a great deal of self respect. Yet, in actual behaviour, nearly all 5 of them get into the same kinds of messes and behave in the same, if not much worse, ways that their predecessors in PP did. A new character in the book is a governess whose sole job appears to be to write romances and aid her youngest charge in dressing up as a boy. The girls live with Col. Fitzwilliam, first introduced in PP, and his wife. Fitzwilliam's avatar in this book is a petty, narrowminded, sanctimonious politician who is only interested in votes.
To conclude, Aston appears to think that a sequel means that the characters in it have to get into the same kind of mishaps that the original ones did- despite circumstances being entirely different. This book is full of annoying historical inaccuracies and would have been far better suited for some kind of contemporary romance set in America, rather than Victorian England. All in all, a thoroughly exasperating book.
Disappointing.......2007-06-08
I found it very hard to believe these were Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy's daughters. The storyline is entertaining, but I could not help but be disappointed that someone would come up with a story of them leaving their five daughters in London for over a year without their supervision. After all that Elizabeth went through with her own family and Darcy with his own sister, it's just unrealistic.
Here's one Austin fan who was VERY disappointed!.......2007-05-30
I fully suspected this sequel writer to be bad...my experience of "Scarlett" as a follow-up to "Gone With The Wind" has told me that generally, the people with the least ability to mimic someone elses' style in order to believably carry-off writing a sequel are the ones who actually end up attempting it.
Having spent two delightful days reading "Pride and Prejudice" before launching into this (so as to refresh myself on characters and plotlines), this story was an incredible disappointment that fell seriously short of any of the charm and wit of Austin. The writing style is weak and juvenile. The characters are flimsy and contrived. The author hasn't even the courage to take on Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth...she sends them to Constantinople, for a year, leaving seven kids behind. Do they leave the children with Mr. and Mrs. Bingley, the best friend and sister of the couple in question, respectively? No. Because then the author would have to write dialog for a well defined character.
The children are left with Colonel Fitzwilliam who, like the rest of the characters in the book, is now rich beyond imagining and who throws money around as if it were toilet paper. The author tries to imitate Austin's concern for social propriety and careful attention to clothing, but pays no attention to the subtletly of feeling, expression and observation in an Austin book, and comes off closer to a badly written romance novel about the South before the civil war. In fact, I've bought better written romance novels in a drug store for $4.99.
Yes, this book really was THAT disappointing.
The whole book is repetitive and insipid. I finished it simply because I had it in my posession, and because it was a bit like a tragic train wreck from which I absolutely could not look away. But I will not be getting the next two books when I next return to the library.
I just can't understand it. If I was going to try to pass a book off as an homage to a classic author, I would be beside myself the entire time I was writing it to make it as true to the original style and characters as possible. I'd research the times I was writing about, read other books written then, study the styles, and basically immerse myself as much as is physically possibly in authentic pieces of it so my story would be respectful of and faithful to the original. The last thing I'd want is a cheap, flimsy rip-off, dishonoring the original author and my own abilities as well. I can't imagine why the author of this book didn't find that important, or why at least the publisher didn't.
Like a movie makeover.......2007-05-26
After reading the Fitzwilliam Darcy series from Aiden, I had high hopes of continuing my Pride and Prejudice passion. Instead, this was a poorly written remake of Pride and Prejudice with cardboard characters for the five sisters in the time period that is supposed to be the children although it is in the same time that Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy first met. Find Aiden, it is a much better read.
Poor imitation .......2007-05-24
Its a risky thing to write a sequel to a classic novel...the author shouldn't have attempted it. The novel has Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth out of the country while their 5 daughters (what a coincidence?) run amok in London. The fact that the Darcy's have 5 daughters, whose personalities match the 5 original Bennett girls is irritating (2 stupid/silly girls, one pious girl, one pretty girl etc...). Really, since Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were both appalled at her own family's manners and upbringing, I find it highly unlikely that they would let their unmarried girls loose on London without their supervision. The fact that the author created an elopment scandal as in the original book was lame. Skip this book.
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These Three Remain: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman
Duty and Desire: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman (Fitzwilliam Darcy Gentleman)
Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife: Pride and Prejudice Continues
Darcy & Elizabeth: Nights and Days at Pemberley (Pride & Prejudice Continues)
Mr. Darcy's Diary
