Amazon.com's Best of 2001
During Mobutu Sese Seko's 30 years as president of Zaire (now the Congo), he managed to plunder his nation's economy and live a life of excess unparalleled in modern history. A foreign correspondent in Zaire for six years, Michela Wrong has plenty of titillating stories to tell about Mobutu's excesses, such as the Versailles-like palace he built in the jungle, or his insistence that he needed $10 million a month to live on. However, these are not the stories that most interest Wrong. Her aim is to understand all of the reasons behind the economic disintegration of the most mineral-rich country on the African continent; in so doing, she turns over the mammoth rock that was Mobutu and finds a seething underworld of parasites with names like the CIA, the World Bank and the IMF, the French and Belgian governments, mercenaries, and a host of fat cats who benefited from Mobutu's largesse and even exceeded his rapaciousness.
Wrong turns first to Belgian's King Leopold II, who instituted a brutal colonial regime in the Congo in order to extract the natural and mineral wealth for his personal gain. Mobutu, with the aid of a U.S. government determined to sabotage Soviet expansion, stepped easily into Leopold's footsteps, continuing a culture built on government-sanctioned sleaze and theft. Under the circumstances, it's hard not to feel some sympathy for the people who survived in the only ways they could--teachers trading passing grades for groceries, hospitals refusing to let patients leave until they paid up, cassava patches cultivated next to the frighteningly unsafe nuclear reactor. What is less comprehensible--and rightly due for an airing--are Wrong's revelations about foreign interventions. Why, for example, did the World Bank and IMF give Mobutu $9.3 billion in aid, knowing full well that he was pocketing most of it?
In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz is a brilliantly conceived and written work, sharply observant and richly described with a necessary sense of the absurd. Wrong paints a far more nuanced picture of the wily autocrat than we've seen before, and of the blatant greed and paranoia of the many players involved in the country's self-destruction. --Lesley Reed
Book Description
Known as "the Leopard," the president of Zaire for thirty-two years, Mobutu Sese Seko, showed all the cunning of his namesake -- seducing Western powers, buying up the opposition, and dominating his people with a devastating combination of brutality and charm. While the population was pauperized, he plundered the country's copper and diamond resources, downing pink champagne in his jungle palace like some modern-day reincarnation of Joseph Conrad's crazed station manager.
Michela Wrong, a correspondent who witnessed Mobutu's last days, traces the rise and fall of the idealistic young journalist who became the stereotype of an African despot. Engrossing, highly readable, and as funny as it is tragic, In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz assesses the acts of the villains and the heroes in this fascinating story of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Customer Reviews:
A great description of Zaire under Mobutu but poor investigative reporting.......2007-07-16
Few nations have had as sad a history as Zaire, currently known as the Congo. Michela Wrong, a journalist for the New Statesman, has taken the time to write a book about the Congo's history particularly under Mobutu, and her experiences in the Congo during his kleptocratic rule.
Her stories are well-researched, and it's clear she's talked with many of those who influenced the history of the time. The sterile recounting of Congo's continuous deterioriation under Mobutu is quite well done. What I found infuriating about this book is that Wrong never seems to ask why things happened, or were allowed to happen.
When Zaire, for instance, became independent, it boasted all of 17 university graduates in a country the size of Western Europe, and years of Belgian investment. Surely the Belgians, who left, realized that the country would be dependent on Western knowhow for many years. Why did they not leave advisers behind, perhaps advisers with a brief to make the president offers he couldn't refuse, as happened in other francophone colonies? One of the cataclysms under Mobutu's rule was his expelling of many non-Zairians, who left their capital behind, but not their connections and understanding of their business. The economy duly crashed. Why did neither the Belgians nor the French nor the Americans dissuade him from a policy that all but destroyed Zaire's prosperity? One reason why the above mentioned powers were loath to antagonize Mobutu were the many services he performed for them during the Cold War. Why does Wrong only allude to them, and not mention them? One could continue in this vein, but I felt as if what could have become a fascinating book focusing on the crunch times when astoundingly disastrous decisions were made, instead focuses on the misery that these ill-begotten decisions wreaked, which is not as nearly interesting.
If you need to need a source for academic work on Zaire under Mobutu, you may enjoy this book, but I wouldn't recommend it as pleasure reading.
A good introduction but nothing more..........2006-12-03
`In the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz' is a nice introduction to the intriguing life and times of infamous dictator Mobutu, from his rise to power to his less than glorious downfall. I advise it to anyone who is unfamiliar with Zaire-Congo. Very good reading is her account of the final collapse of the Zairian army. This book was originally conceived as a radio-program on BBC. It is however just that: an introduction. The author is so kind to refer to further reading in the last pages of the book. There the interested reader can find very good resources on the history of the Belgian Congo.
Michela Wrong does suffer from some prejudice towards Belgium and the Belgians not uncommon in the UK. Apart from King Leopold II, the role of the Belgian monarchy and the Belgian governments, especially while supporting the brutal Mobutu dictatorship is hardly present and when mentioned it is downplayed. Not a word on the part that King Baudouin and Prime Minister Gaston Eyskens played in 1959-1960, especially concerning the assassination of Patrice Lumumba. I strongly suggest The Assassination of Lumumba by Belgian journalist Ludo De Witte for a good background on that period.
The author points out that it took an American historian to dig up the facts about King Leopold II's barbarity. While the author is absolutely right in pointing out that Belgium has still not come to terms with its own colonial past, and while King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild is a must read, it is NOT the first published account of that period. That honour goes to the Belgian former diplomat Jules Marchal. But even so, in 1985 he still had to use the pseudonym of A. M. Delathuy and go to the small leftwing publisher EPO (Education Prolétarienne - Proletarische Opvoeding) to get the first ever book published of a ruthless campaign that would nowadays be labelled as genocide. All big Belgian, French and Dutch publishers flatly refused it. Unfortunately this book is only available in Dutch and French, not in English.
Michela Wrong does give credit to this book, stating that it is only available in French (and Flemish if you can read it) ...Two small remarks here, there is no such thing as a Flemish language. I know that even recently a quality newspaper like The Guardian still claims that `the Flemish Belgians speak Flemish, a language related to Dutch'. The author does not have to take my word for it, she can go check any library and ask for an Flemish-English dictionary, there is no such thing. She can also come check the curriculum in any Flemish school, where she will find that students learn mathematics, geography and `Dutch' at school. While her apparently not so well informed ears may find it odd to hear that the Flemish speak Dutch while not being Dutch, maybe it will help to point out that also the Austrians speak German, that the Brazilians speak Portuguese etc ... Do the Flemish have a different accent than the Dutch? Yes; certainly, but so do Texans, Jamaicans, Australians, yet they all speak English. I also do not understand why Michela Wrong finds it necessary to give a demeaning remark ... if you can read it ... Dutch is the native language of 16 million Dutch and 6 million Flemish, that is more than all Scandinavian languages combined. Another detail that reveals her prejudice towards Belgians and Flemish is that the only Belgian politician she mentions by name is Leo Tindemans who she misspells with a typical `German' double `nn'. Of all Belgian Prime Ministers that ever played a role in Zaire-Congo, he was the least active on Zaire. Every Belgian knows about Tindemans' personal distaste for Mobutu (the feeling was mutual).
A good introduction to Mobutu indeed, a translation into French and Dutch (I can read it!) is more than welcome.
Lode Vanoost (Belgian native Dutch speaker, 7 years old in 1960, no strings attached to Congo), Brussels, 26 November 2006
Well written,fascinating.......2006-11-10
An excellent look at what has brouoght the DRC to where it is today, extremely readable.
Somewhat interesting, but poorly written.......2006-07-17
A number of the reviewers sum this up quite adequately. The is not at all scholarly and is a jumbled mess of vignettes. I give it 3 because there are so few books written on the subject and because she tried to be balanced in her reporting. This seems to be a very long winded news article with little depth and real insight. Just a mass of reporting on insignificant experiences she encountered rather than a serious recount of the history. Dissappointed and trying to slog through for any nuggets of insight. Even the brief recount of Congo/Belgium in "The Scramble for Africa" was a much better treatment of the subject, albeit solely focused on Belium's colonial period.
not as good as King Leopold's ghost, but still worth the read..........2006-01-03
After reading King Leopold's Ghost, I was looking for a good synopsis of what happened in the post-colonial era. After a few weeks of searching, I settled on In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz. Both were fascinating books that give great insight on the problems with the Congo. Both are written in a style that is highly readable, entrhalling and at the same time informative.
Average customer rating:
- A great read for everyone who's known a Mr. Wrong
- Love Is Strange
- Did I enjoy this book?
- The ash and sputter of old flames
- Entertainment, consolation, hope for singles?
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Mr. Wrong: Real-Life Stories About the Men We Used to Love
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Love & Romance
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Release Date: 2007-01-23 |
Book Description
“Don’t date this guy, he’s crazeeeee.”
–Diana Abu-Jabar, “Of Romance And Revolution”
Mr. Wrong is the tug behind your navel, the guy who lights you up like a Roman candle, the danger you can’t resist. And just about every woman, at some point in her life, has encountered one–or many.
Women everywhere will see themselves in these witty, wise, and entertaining personal essays by some of the literary world’s most accomplished and bestselling authors, including Jane Smiley, Audrey Niffennegger, Jacquelyn Mitchard, Ntozake Shange, Roxana Robinson, Marge Piercy, and Ann Hood. Readers will delight in the array of Mr. Wrongs encountered in these pages–from harmless and charming to revolting and offensive–and ultimately relish the notion that even if we succumb to the temptation of an utterly reckless romance, we can emerge with our hearts intact.
By turns wry and heartfelt, lighthearted and redemptive, these insightful, uplifting real-life stories run the emotional gamut, from Whitney Otto’s satisfying tale of a Mr. Wrong who receives his comeuppance in an unexpected way, to Robin Westen’s steamy account of lust with a zen master, to Monika Ekk’s rueful “I Married a Wanker!” Some are hilarious, like Marion Winik’s “The Ten Most Wanted,” while others, like Catherine Texier’s “Russian Lessons,” take us to the dark side of love and longing.
For every prince charming there are a million frogs. If you’ve ever trusted a man you couldn’t trust, Mr. Wrong will make you laugh, cry, and shake your head in recognition at yourself and your friends.
Customer Reviews:
A great read for everyone who's known a Mr. Wrong.......2007-08-12
This book has it all - humor, pathos, entertainment. Some excellent writers have found the courage to share the tales of love-life mistakes they have made in a way that enriches us all. Some stories made me laugh, and one or two came so close to my own history that it was like seeing myself through a different set of eyes. Joyce Maynard's touching "Your Friend Always" had the power to make me read through it three times, seeing different things in it each time. Pick this book up and read it!
Love Is Strange.......2007-05-04
I thoroughly enjoyed this diverse collection of true tales, masterfully strung together to maintain its momentum--and to keep me reading one after another. The title proved a good hook, but once inside, I found very little gender-fueled smugness.
The stories are filled with all-too-human love seekers, both male and female. Some of these real-life chapters are far different from my own experiences (or am I repressing?), yet I felt an immediate kinship with these women (and man). And tremendous empathy with some of the male partners. I was also amazed at the candor of the contributors (apart from disguising some names of their subjects, which was to be expected). Several of them are well-known writers, who clearly did not give their contributions short shrift.
To the credit of the editor, perhaps, there was a satisfying absence of lightweight sentimentality. I found the stories engaging, funny, frightening, sad, cynical, or just plain out-there, but they all had substance and ultimately were very believable.
I want to give everyone a copy of this next Christmas!
Did I enjoy this book?.......2007-03-18
I don't know if I "enjoyed" this book. The stories were funny, sad, & frightening. The authors were skilled & the book well-written. I read it right through & I liked the variety. Still, I was so empathetic with the women for the bad situations they found themselves in that this is the reason that I don't know if I "enjoyed" this book.
I would, however, share it with my best friends knowing that they would be entertained by the quality & the variety.
The ash and sputter of old flames .......2007-03-06
These essays from women writers run the gamut from Ethel Morgan-Smith's whimsical piece on mid-life personal ads, to Jane Smiley's sensitive and reflective essay on her youthful marriage, to Diana Abu-Jaber's arch and unpleasant account of an eccentric but down-market youthful dalliance.
Some are painfully revealing - of youthful indiscretion and cluelessness, most commonly - but some also illuminate critical, vulnerable moments in the writer's life. Two of these are among the most intense and unflinching in the book.
Joyce Maynard's spiraling correspondence with a convict could not have happened without her painful divorce. When, at the end, she quotes an early passage from the man's letters, it gives the reader a jolt to realize she found them comforting, and a hint of queasiness to recognize the rush of secret excitement they injected into her unhappy life.
Jacquelyn Mitchard contacts an old never-forgotten lover after her husband dies in his early 40s and attempts to resurrect a youthful fantasy. Sounds like something more than one of us (man or woman) has given a passing thought? Squash it.
Roxana Robinson's story of teenage expectation, ignorance, rebellion, and her first senior prom manages to combine complexity, character and intensity with sweetness and retrospective understanding.
Then there are the cute scoundrels, the needy ones and the really bad boys (Marion Winik gives an expert's rundown in the aptly named "The Ten Most Wanted"). There are the ones who stick like glue when you've sworn them off and disappear when you want them, and there are the good ones who got away.
Whether funny, rueful, scary or simply poignant, these essays will strike a chord of recognition in every woman and most men too.
Entertainment, consolation, hope for singles?.......2007-03-02
This book was quick and fun to read, a cross between literary anthology and _Cosmopolitan_. In it you will find a treasure-trove of love debacles ranging from the banal to the bizarre. Sometimes it definitely isn't only the Mr. who is Wrong, but the Ms. as well. You may choose to read some accounts as cautionary tales: Don't be clingy and needy, don't freak out when things don't seem perfect or that will really be the end, don't be sucked in by boys you *know* are bad, bad, bad and who you'd be embarrassed to introduce to your co-workers, and on and on. One story, which confused me at first, was by a gay man looking for romance in London. After all the feminine whining I'd come through, it somehow jarred my expectations, but I suppose it was good for contrast and comparison. The story I liked best was in fact the only other one written from the point of view of a man - this one falls in love with a handicapped e-mail correspondent, who he eventually is ready to leave his family for. Read it for the great surprise ending. The book alternately offers proof that "it could be worse", whatever situation you find yourself in; or the feeling that being single has a lot going for it; or at times simply puzzlement at how some people could be so warped and how others could actually end up stuck in a connection with them. One of the most encouraging parts of this book was learning that some of the contributors had at the time of the writing racked up over a decade in a relatively well-functioning and happy marriage with a Mr. Right. In the end, that is the positive message I personally took from this book.
Book Description
You know the man. He's the one who looks good at a glance -- but not so good once you get to know him. What kind of women fall for him, and why? What are the chances he will change? And what if you've already married him?
More than just a checklist of men to steer clear of, Avoiding Mr. Wrong is a powerful tool to help women learn more about themselves and the Mr. Wrongs to whom they often feel drawn. Those men include: The Control Freak, The Mama's Boy, The Cowardly Lion, The Ungodly Man, and Mr. Wonderful.
Complete with a diagnostic quiz and quick reference lists, Avoiding Mr. Wrong is ideal for women whose hopes have been dashed again and again by a seemingly promising relationship. The book helps them to see more clearly, think more rationally, and act more wisely in the pursuit of Mr. Right.
Customer Reviews:
Stephen Arteburn is like the voice of reason..........2007-01-04
I really enjoyed this book! So much so, I brought additional copies and gave it to people. I enjoyed it because it did not candy coat things. It let's you know what to look for in other, as well as, what to take notice of in yourself. It is a great book to read it you really want to begin making changes in your life.
Not too helpful...Sorry.......2003-10-04
I got this book based on the description and the reviews written. I found the book to be something easy to just flip through although I tried to read page for page, it was just not too insightful. The stories were good to read, and the checklist/info at the end of each chapter was good. The only thing I did not like was the Bible/Christian perspective of the book. It does not allow all readers to relate to. Some of the suggested advice was to ACCEPT GOD? The author should have atleast indicated where some of the perspective was geared towards. Not every one is Christian, and not every can relate to the bible or a cheating minister as a husband =(
Best Book To Spot The Wrong Men!.......2001-12-04
Wonderful insightful book. It seems so simple, that you would be able to spot these men a mile away and run the other way but not true for some. This book has explained in clear language with a touch of spiritual aspect but not too much. Very real and straight to the point. I suggest this book for women of all ages. A must read.
A MAN TELLING ON HIMSELF WHILE TELLING WOMEN THE DEAL............2001-07-30
This book, writen from a frank, but Christian perspective, lists the types on men to avoid, what they look for in a partner/victim, why the women themselves are drawn to these losers and how to work through the issues to eventually create a better relationship (except if the man is violent). The 2 end chapters also give tips on how to steer clear of "Mr. Wrong" to begin with and hope on making the existing relationship a healthier one. Mr. Arterburn's disclosure of his past mistakes, dry humor and case scenarios make this book a must-read for women who want to empower themselves, gain insight into these types of "men" and start on the path to "Mr. Right", and it will help the men who are open-minded enough to want to correct their flaws. I highly, whole-heartedly recommend this important book.
Life Changing.......2001-07-17
I have shared this book with many, many friends and their daughters. I share it in the hopes that it will keep others from marrying a Mr. Wrong. I am recently divorced, however, I began to read this book while separated from my husband. It helped me to better understand the dynamics of my marriage and my relationship with my husband. The power of this book is beyond measure. RED FLAG: NEVER MARRY SOMEONE WHO IS IN A HURRY TO MARRY. He may be a deceiver who is afraid that you will find out who he really is, so he hurries you. GREAT ADVICE: INTRODUCE HIM TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY, BE OPEN TO THEIR INPUT. Mr. Wrong will try to keep away from those who will be honest with you. I now look at relationships in completely different ways, and often times find my self saying .... he is a deceiver, he is a momma's boy....etc. I will continue to read this book over time to avoid meeting a Mr. Wrong and marrying him. One critical feature of the book is identifying characteristics that are changable and those that are likely to never to change and are potentially dangerous. This is a must read.
Average customer rating:
- Two ok stories, one weak story
- BAD BOYS, BAD STORIES?
- *BORING*
- Plot? What Plot?
- Like a Romantic Porno Movie in Book Form!!!
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3 Brides for 3 Bad Boys
Lucy Monroe
Manufacturer: Kensington
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Anthologies
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ASIN: 0758208588 |
Book Description
Say "I Do"...to everything...
They're not the marrying kind-more the Do NOT Take Home to Mom kind. But these three brothers are about to meet the tempting women who have what it takes to tame their inner bad boys...
RAND
After tragedy struck six years ago, Rand buried what was left of his heart. But Phoebe Garrison isn't giving up, and she's got an enticing deal: the coveted deed to property his company needs in exchange for one hot week in her bed. It's an offer even the brooding Rand can't refuse. Now, as every hunger is explored, every secret revealed, Rand knows he'll need more than one week to indulge his fantasies with this amazing woman...
COLTON
Waking up in Vegas next to a naked showgirl named Fayre after a scorching night of passion puts a smile on Colton Denning's face-until he discovers she's his new wife. How could the stable, workaholic Colton have married such an unpredictable force of nature, a woman as likely to throw pottery as a kiss? But when it comes to tender love-and erotic war-Colton's discovering that all is Fayre...
CARTER
As marriage proposals go, Carter's offer to Daisy Jackson lacks romance: Marry me and I'll give you a half-a-million dollars. To fulfill the requirements of his father's lucrative will, he needs a wife, and Daisy needs the money. But after a wedding night of absolutely explosive sensuality, Carter wants more than an arrangement. He wants Daisy, to have, to hold, and everything else...
With these bad boys, you may kiss the bride is only the beginning...
Customer Reviews:
Two ok stories, one weak story.......2007-05-26
1st and 2nd stories: 3 stars each. Sex scenes were good. Stories were just ok. They were not long enough to get into interesting character development or plot. The major conflict in the 2nd story was that he paid her money to marry him so she could feel independent. Then he worried whether she loved him or did it for the money. It was a little odd. I did not like the 3rd story to which I give 2 stars. CAUTION SPOILER: Colton gets drunk, meets and marries a showgirl, remembers nothing and leaves the next morning. She finds him 6 weeks later and tells him they are married. Although he remembers nothing, he tells her he feels an immediate love for her and accepts it and says that he wants to stay married. This was too unrealistic and unbelievable for me. One of their arguments was her saying that he really wanted the lead showgirl, not her, but he says no he wanted her. This was not believable because he was too drunk to remember anything, much less which girl he preferred at the time. This was not a good story. Sexual content for all three stories: strong.
BAD BOYS, BAD STORIES?.......2006-10-07
The love scenes are hot but the stories are just too short. No character development.
*BORING*.......2006-07-22
I was so bored with this book I didn't finish reading it. I like Lucy Monroe but was disappointed in this book.
Plot? What Plot?.......2006-02-09
I guess I should have read the fine print - this is basically an anthology book, and I really don't like anthologies, as they lack plotting and developed storylines. Having said that... "3 Brides for 3 Bad Boys" is three sex-infused short stories about three brothers from different mothers in search of virginal brides.
In the first, big brother Rand overhears his brother's ex-fiance Phoebe admit that she would give up her fortune for a week in his bed, which is exactly where he takes her.
In the second, the only legitimate brother, Carter discovers that his father's will requires him to marry in order to maintain control of the empire. He decides to proposition Daisy, the woman he dumped his fiance for, and finds that she is more than willing.
In the final installment, youngest brother (and non-drinker) Colton wakes up in Vegas with a massive hangover and a sexy redheaded showgirl in his bed. He leaves a kiss off letter on the desk, only to be tracked down and find out that she is his wife. Some things that should have stayed in Vegas didn't... Of course he falls for his new wife.
Each story is about 90 pages, which leaves little room for a storyline, since the majority of each story is spent in some sexual situation (and will only take a couple hours to read the entire book). Each would have made a compelling fully developed novel. It was disappointing since Lucy Monroe writes some great stuff. Lucky I got this at the library - you may want to do the same. Better to get "The Real Deal" by Monroe instead.
Like a Romantic Porno Movie in Book Form!!!.......2005-11-30
I titled this review with my tongue in cheek, but the amount of sex in this book is right up there and written in great detail.
Three very dark and sexy brothers, three women who are madly in love with them (naturally exquisitely beautiful the lot of them), and their stories told one at a time with the occasional crossovers which increase towards the end.
Well written and with an interesting storyline, I enjoyed this book and it only took a few hours to read.
A good book for keeping by the bed!
Book Description
Dubbed one of the summer's hottest beach reads by People, Glamour, Cosmo, and the Weekend "Today" show, Tabloid Love introduces Bridget Harrison, an almost thirty-year-old Brit and rookie reporter for the New York Post. While her London friends begin to marry, Bridget chases her dream of becoming a hard-news journalist. But just as she perfects the art of interviewing strangers about ghoulish crimes, she discovers that finding a mate seems impossible in the ultimate singles city. Then Bridget lands her very own Post dating column, and half a million New Yorkers read about her weekly romantic disasters. Whether covering celebrity parties in the Hamptons or struggling to hide her inter-office crush, Bridget retains such humor and humility "you'll not only root for her, you'll wish she were your best friend." (Harper's Bazaar)
Customer Reviews:
A pleasant surprise..........2007-09-14
I had many reasons to feel wary of "Tabloid Love," not least of which that it is described as "Bridget Jones Meets 'Sex and the City.'" I mean, seriously? I know that's intended as an upsell, but it sounds like my idea of hell. But, since I knew this was a true story and I was in a exploratory mood, I bought a copy. Much to my surprise, I loved it. This is more than just an examination of dating in New York City. It's also a very entertaining look at the day-to-day life of a tabloid reporter and a rumination on the mysteries (and myths) of companionship. I enjoyed Bridget Harrison's escapades tremendously and appreciated her lack of egotism and smugness. She doesn't pretend to have all the answers like Amy Cohen (author of "The Late Bloomer's Revolution") and doesn't get bogged down in vanity like Jane Juska ("A Round Heeled Woman"). I wasn't hugely crazy about the last third of "Tabloid Love," which details a summer Harrison spends writing about the Hamptons, but overall this book was a delight. I will be recommending it to a lot of people.
Poignant and funny!.......2007-08-14
I hadn't been to New York in over 10 years until this summer when I was there on my book tour. While at Book Expo, I picked up Bridget Harrison's book, tucked it into my bag, and cracked it open on the airplane ride home. What a smart and funny read -- and a great way to recapture the New York I'd just visited! BH is a sharp and clever writer, and somehow manages to come off as resilient and fabulous in the midst of multiple dating disasters. What a pleasure to read!
AMAZiNGG.......2007-03-25
This book was amazingly funny. i absolutely loved it. i wish it was longer or she could make another one because this book is seriuosly the best ive read so far!U HAVE TO READ IT!!!!!
An Entertaining Read, At Least For A While.......2007-02-14
I enjoyed the first half of this book. It is an entertaining look at the New York dating scene. But as I progressed in Ms. Harrison's narrations of her dating successes and failures, I found myself less and less impressed with her. She is certainly not as shallow as some of the over the top characters she describes, but she is nonetheless more shallow than I had initially hoped. Her countless descriptions of her name brand outfits and how sexy she can be (the bathroom transformation on the airplane is particularly tiresome) made her unsympathetic in the end. While I recognize that this was part of the story - her failed and contrived attempts to play the New York game - it nonetheless did not make for a satisfying book. It was hard to continue reading a book about a woman in search of love who, in the end, I didn't really think had the raw material to sustain a healthy relationship. At the end of the day, we want our heroines to be sympathetic, and this one didn't deliver.
Bridget, you ignorant slut.......2007-01-21
OK, I admit this book was entertaining. However, Bridget needs to learn not to give it up quite so easily! My goodness. She should be ashamed of herself. Having said that, the book is a bit of a guilty pleasure.
Book Description
Who better than a former matchmaker to reveal how to attract the right relationship? You are not simply ¿unlucky in love¿ and rest assured that all the good ones are not taken. So how do you find the ¿right one?¿ In her straightforward guide, relationship expert Nancy Pina illustrates how to emotionally and spiritually prepare for a lasting, loving, and fulfilling commitment. You can end the cycle of unconsciously manifesting partners who allow unconstructive relationship patterns to repeat. Exploring the psychological reasons for your controlling beliefs is a key factor in understanding how core convictions impact your choices in love. By overcoming these barriers, your heart becomes receptive to the love that God intends for you. You will also read actual stories from women and men and the relationship struggles they have fought over the years. Through their journeys, you will see how patterns develop and how to resolve those issues through the power of forgiveness. In this remarkable book, Nancy Pina offers her unique insight and extensive experience to help you attract the divine partner that God has destined especially for you. Not only will you learn how to manifest the right relationship, you will read: how to establish a healthy relationship foundation; how to resolve conflicts lovingly and communicate effectively; why marriage is the only relationship choice; and why a God-centered marriage creates a loving, lasting and fulfilling union. By reading this book, you are one day closer to freeing yourself from the bondage of self-destructive relationship cycles and attracting the love of your life. Nancy Pina is a relationship advisor with over 20 years of experience in assisting women and men define and reach their relationship goals. Her previous book, The Right Relationship Can Happen continues to help countless individuals worldwide to find lasting love in blessed relationships. She resides in Houston, Texas with her husband Blas. You can visit her website at: www.yourtruematch.com
Download Description
Who better than a former matchmaker to reveal how to attract the right relationship? You are not simply "unlucky in love" and rest assured that all the good ones are not taken. So how do you find the "right one?" In her straightforward guide, relationship expert Nancy Pina illustrates how to emotionally and spiritually prepare for a lasting, loving, and fulfilling commitment. You can end the cycle of unconsciously manifesting partners who allow unconstructive relationship patterns to repeat. By exploring the psychological reasons for your underlying controlling beliefs, you will understand how core convictions impact your choices in love. When you overcome these barriers, your heart becomes receptive to the love that God intends for you. In this remarkable book, Nancy Pina offers her unique insight and extensive experience to help you attract the divine partner that God has destined especially for you. Not only will you learn how to manifest the right relationship, you will read: How to establish a healthy relationship foundation; How to resolve conflicts lovingly and communicate effectively; Why marriage is the only relationship choice; and Why a God-centered marriage creates a loving, stable and joyful union. By reading this book, you are one day closer to freeing yourself from the bondage of self-destructive relationship cycles and attracting the love of your life. Nancy Pina is a relationship expert with over 20 years of experience in assisting women and men define and reach their relationship goals. Her previous book, "The Right Relationship Can Happen" continues to help countless individuals worldwide to find lasting love in blessed relationships. She resides in Houston, Texas with her husband Blas. You can visit her website at: www.yourtruematch.com
Customer Reviews:
Little help.......2007-06-28
There are a lot of stories used as examples, however the action items were only a couple of chapters. It is based on religion with quotes from the Bible through out. It did, however, point out that it was ourselves that we must look at and change and not others.
All in all, although some of the stories were interesting, it offered few suggestions that could be taken away and acted upon
Learn How to Attract the Right Partner.......2006-02-20
In her thought-provoking new book, "Goodbye Mr. Wrong," Nancy Pina presents a convincing case that people who haven't resolved their past issues and the hurt associated with former relationships are often drawn to those individuals who stir up their negative beliefs about themselves. She counsels the reader on how to attract the right partner and how to prepare for a "lasting, loving and blessed marriage." She is also fervent in her conviction that it is one's bond with God that will provide the strength and wisdom to stop the downward spiral of negative thoughts and end the attraction to self-destructive individuals.
The many stories of relationship struggles of men and women who have sought Nancy Pina's advice, which are included in the book, add interest and support her position that deeply-rooted ideas rule relationships. On the whole, she does a splendid job of telling how to create ideal relationships with God, your future spouse and other important people in your life.
REVIEWER: Cassandra Lynne, Author of "LoveSpeak: The Married Woman's Guide to Love and Romance"
Average customer rating:
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Mr. Wrong
Roger Hargreaves
Manufacturer: EGMONT CHILDREN'S
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Mr. Quiet
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Mr. Worry
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ASIN: 0749852151 |
Customer Reviews:
Dial "M" for Marvelous.......2007-03-15
Jack and Lucky, his wife, are separated and can't seem to find much common ground outside the bedroom. And then the unthinkable happens: Lucky's luck changes and she's pregnant!
Fay Robinson just gets better and better. I loved her book, "A Man Like Mac" and urge you to order that from Amazon or your local bookstore. Can't imagine anyone not loving that book.
But back to Mr. and Mrs. Wrong, Jack won't open up to Lucky so she feels uncertain of him and won't compromise on moving away from her little shack along the river. His family history provides an interesting facet to this gem of a story.
I wonder how many other readers noticed a strong resemblance to "To Kill a Mockingbird,' Harper Lee's awesome book that Gregory Peck made a blockbuster with his folksy, wise portrayal of lawyer Atticus Finch? This isn't a law and order story as far as courtroom drama or about prejudice exactly, but Lucky seems, to me, to be how Scout would have turned out. And Terrell bears a slight resemblance to Boo Radley.
This book will have you laughing out loud at times and wondering how this couple will make it when they're so very different. The mystery aspect of it is good too. But above and beyond her strong plotting and great characterization is Ms. Robinson's perfectly rendered prose.
Check out this small portion of how she describes the temporal nature of the river life when Lucky remembers a part of her childhood at the Baptist church which has suffered flood after flood and the resulting loss of a kitchen as well as the new piano: "Each time the water rose, another little piece of the building floated off down the river. Soon, Lucky predicted, they'd have to give up the church and all become Methodists."
Now that prompted some laughter from me and might garner a chuckle or a smile from you as well when you come across it. There's no bitter aftertaste once you finish a Fay Robinson book; just a satisfied sigh, knowing you just enjoyed a full-course meal. Food for thought, eh? Can't wait to start reading "The Notorious Mrs. Wright," Jack's sister Emma's story.
How can something so wrong be so right?.......2001-10-04
Lucky and Jack love each other. They just can't live with each other. And it doesn't look like the situation is about to get any better. In fact, it's getting worse. Lucky's pregnant.
Erin "Lucky" Cahill (photographer for small town paper) and her police captain husband, Jack, have been married less than a year and separated for most of the time. Except in bed, they have to be the most mis-matched pair I've ever seen and no wonder they're constantly on opposite sides of the discussion. They are trying to work things out except lust and Jack's secret past life always seem to get in the way. As soon as Jack finds out Lucky is pregnant he insists on moving back in with her. But is it because he loves her or is it only because of responsibility?
The story deals with the two of them coming to grips with Jack's past, Lucky's part in sending a man to prison for a murder he may not have committed, their impending parenthood and their love for each other as they work out their differences. The only thing that kept this from being a 5-star for me was the [in my opinion] unfair treatment Lucky gave Jack when she learned about his past, a minor point that many readers may not share. I am looking forward to reading Jack's sister's story, coming in Spring 2002.
strong romantic mystery.......2001-09-23
Married less than a year, police captain Jack Cahill takes an apartment in town, separating from his photographer wife Erin. Better known as "Lucky", Erin and Jack obviously love each other, but cannot seem to live together as all they do is argue or make love.
However, their inability to keep a healthy distance leads to a slight complication, as Lucky is now pregnant. On top of that, Jack is embroiled in a homicide investigation that Lucky cannot seem to avoid staying out of the way. As they get closer to the truth about the who-done-it, the duo also begins to learn life's critical lesson that compromise and consensus enable love to guide the most bickering couple into forging a permanent relationship. Now if they can only live long enough to enjoy one another.
MR. AND MRS. WRONG is the right book for those readers who enjoy a strong romantic mystery that in many ways will remind readers of the Thin Man series. The story line contains sexual tension and a fabulous who-done-it, but belongs to the lead pair whose double entendres, sexual retorts, and witty comebacks add humor to a strong suspenseful thriller. Here's to you Ms. Robinson for cleverly mixing elements from two genres into quite an pleasurable happening for readers.
Harriet Klausner
Spontaneous combustion - Very highly recommended.......2001-09-12
Erin Cahill, nicknamed Lucky, and her husband of eleven months Jack just can't seem to work things out. They are crazy about each other, but with intensely different goals and values, they can't seem to resolve their differences. Nevertheless, they also can't seem to stay away from one another. When Jack returns yet again to the cabin along Alabama's Black Warrior River to supposedly look for something he'd left behind, the author remarks: "The only thing they found were the zippers to each other's pants." That single comment hooked this reviewer!
On one hand, Jack's reticence about revealing his past initially adds an element of danger and mystery. Eventually his silence simple irritates her. On the other hand, Jack doesn't like her job, her home and her lifestyle. It's always the same. He comes back, they sleep together, she cries, and he leaves for his apartment where he feels guilty for her tears. The only thing they have in common in overpowering passion for each other...soon a baby. Lucky fears that this pregnancy will destroy any chance they had of saving their marriage. When MR AND MRS WRONG seem at impasse, however, circumstances conspire to force Lucky and Jack to reevaluate their priorities. As an old mystery resurfaces, they are thrust into danger and intrigue.
These multifaceted characters meet their challenges with grace, demonstrating the transformational power of love. Indeed, Lucky's one of the most eccentric, powerful women I've met in romantic fiction. Her inability to complete a task because she's interrupted by watching a spider weave a web, for example, gives her a refreshing spontaneity, yet she never crosses the line into immature nor irresponsible. Further, the multi layered plot keeps the pages turning quickly, as does the witty dialogue and author's flair for the dramatic. A lovely, fun read, this one goes on the keeper shelf.
Average customer rating:
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Mr. Topsy-Turvy the Round Way Wrong (Mr. Men New Story Library)
Roger Hargreaves
Manufacturer: Egmont Books Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Literature
| Children's Books
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ASIN: 0749837152 |
Average customer rating:
- Cleverly-written and illustrated insights for both sexes!
- They're on to us
- my pulse was racing
- Had me laughing out loud!
- A Fun Read
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Vital Signs: A Woman's Guide to Recognizing Mr. Wrong
Lisa Crugnola
Manufacturer: Flossy Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Love, Sex & Marriage
| Humor
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 097166840X |
Book Description
Not only a humorous dating guidebook, Vital Signs is a commentary on classic "bad male behavior", and the everyday conflicts women encounter while involved with the opposite sex. From seemingly insignificant habits to relationship-busting character flaws, Vital Signs is a blend of humor and ironic truth.
Based on twenty years of research, author Lisa Crugnola has combined true life experiences of friends and acquaintances, along with her own observations and personal misadventures.
A must read for all women, from the happily married to the frequently unattached. Women from all walks of life will recognize a man she loves or one she regrettably remembers.
Customer Reviews:
Cleverly-written and illustrated insights for both sexes!.......2003-07-08
The author's clearly had an array of good -- and bad -- dating experiences. The book zeroes in on some universal truths, but her appreciation of men comes through. Let's hope there's a companion book ("Vital Signs: A Man's Guide...") in the works!
They're on to us.......2003-05-05
I first read "Vital Signs" while doing something that many men spend much time doing...waiting for a woman to get ready, despite the fact that I showed up right on time. I was met with a half-prepared date, who showed me to her TV, gave me the clicker, and expected me to be transfixed for the obligatory half-hour or so of waiting.
However, this Tuesday night there were no good games on, so I picked up "Vital Signs" in order to get an insight into the mind of this woman that entrusted me with her clicker.
My initial reaction was that this would be one of those "Men always let us down, so let's write a book to bond with whom we are, and to bash them for being whom they are". It turned out to be anything but. The author seemed to genuinely like men, for all of our faults, but managed to provide her readers with "age-old" wisdom wrapped in non-preachy witticisms. I decided to get myself a copy the next day.
I found that while I walked dangerously like some of the "trouble" guys mentioned in the book, I admired the writer for telling women like it is in some respects, "if the signs of trouble are there, deal with them head on, and get out if the going looks rocky". I can't tell you how many of my "chick-buddies" I've preached this to, only to have them shut me out, and do what they want anyway. The author avoids my first inclination to preach, and just reminds the reader of the pitfalls of ignoring "vital signs", whether good or bad. I've recommended the book to a number of friends, one of whom immediately left a voicemail to thank me for being so "enlightened".
I don't know what electricity has to do with any of this, but I recommend taking a look at Vital Signs, for a laugh, and friendly advice.
my pulse was racing.......2003-04-30
hey wait a minute. i think i know some of those guys! ms. crugnola seems to have her finger on the pulse of the dating world.
this is a look at the hilarious realities of dating and relationships. funny yet not so far fetched...
i laughed til my pulse was racing.
Had me laughing out loud!.......2003-04-28
Lisa Crugnola's Vital Signs, is not only hysterically funny, it is also incredibly insightful to the realities of dating in today's world. The book covers everything from what physical postures and gestures can indicate to the everday concerns we encounter. Lisa's illustrations are expressive and comical. This book is a delightful little treasure every woman should have!
A Fun Read.......2003-04-03
A mix of humorous commentary with observations that ring a bell with your own experiences.
Books:
- Innocent in Death
- It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life
- Juvenile Delinquency: Theory, Practice, and Law (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac®)
- Kiss Theory Good Bye: Five Proven Ways to Get Extraordinary Results in Any Company
- Knuffle Bunny (Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Awards (Awards))
- Lady on the Hill: How Biltmore Became an American Icon
- Magic Item Compendium (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying)
- Making a Real Killing: Rocky Flats and the Nuclear West
- MCPD Self-Paced Training Kit (Exams 70-536, 70-528, 70-547): Microsoft .NET Framework Web Developer Core Requirements
- Messenger of Truth: A Maisie Dobbs Novel (Maisie Dobbs Novels)
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