Sea Change (Jesse Stone)

Book Description

After the body of a divorced Florida heiress washes ashore in Paradise, Jesse Stone discovers her kinky secrets-and a sordid past that casts suspicion on everyone she knew, from friends to family. Unfortunately no one is talking, so it's up to Stone to speak for the dead...

Customer Reviews:

Sea Change.......2007-09-30

Great. Robert B. Parker was true to his reputation as an author. Couldn't put the book down. Having seen a couple of the movies about Jessie Stone, I could picture Tom Selleck making all these moves and hear him saying the dialogue. I hope there will be more to follow.

Another day, another body in the water . . ........2007-08-17

When Race Week (well, Month, really, but it just doesn't have the same sound) comes to Paradise, things get really crazy. Lots of drunk and disorderlies - lots of new people in town. And another body floating in the water. This one is eventually discovered to be the body of one Florence Horvath. Jesse Stone sets out to try to discover what happened, how she died and whether or not it was murder.

This book is fairly short and a quick read. There are some sub-plots involving a sex ring that are loosely connected to the main murder mystery and serve as a red herring. Very well-done. A must-have in the Robert B Parker fan's library.

This book is horrible.......2007-06-27

To put it simply this book is horrible. It isn't the plot or story. It is the writing. The book is only 285 pages long and cost $10. That is half as long and twice as much as most books I read, and they are a lot better. His writing style leaves something to be desired. With dialogue, it is only "said". Can't he use other words like "respond", "reply", "asked"? Also, nothing gets any description except for alcoholic drinks and a "white bowl with a blue stripe." Who cares if the bowl has a blue stripe? I received this book as a gift and I feel bad that they wasted there money on something so worthless.

The sea may change, but don't let Jesse change. .......2007-06-11

Jesse Stone, the former LAPD robbery homicide detective, now the chief of police for Paradise Massachusetts finds himself in the middle of a case that involves a sad and sordid tale of incest and a sex ring in the midst of a murder investigation during a yachting competition in his town. It all begins when the body of a young woman is found floating in the bay near Paradise. Jesse, and his officers, Suitcase Simpson, and Molly Crane and the other inhabitants of Paradise deal with the murder as well as other events that take place in the small town. In the midst of learning about the sad life story of the victim, Jesse must still deal with the demons of his drinking problem (although by this time he has tried to go sober)and his ambiguous feelings for his ex-wife Jenn, whom has proven to be rather untrustworthy.

"Sea Change" is in fact the first Jesse Stone novel that I read, and I have to admit that I am hooked into this series by Parker. I hope that we see more of Jesse and how he deals with life in Paradise.

Good to the last drop.......2007-06-01

I recently viewed the TV movie Sea Change starring Tom Selleck. Although I enjoyed the movie, Selleck has finally found a character that suits him, the plot of the book is almost completely different. This is nothing new. Very few of the James Bond books written by Ian Fleming resemble the movies of the same name. Even so, it is a distraction. Don't feel that you need to complete the book before seeing the screen adaptation. Only the title and the character names, those not dropped, reamain the same.

This is a review of the novel and it is quite good. Jesse Stone obviously has a history. Guys who drink hard and mostly alone usually do. Unlike the movie version, he's on the wagon for this go round. The plot involves the possible murder of a floater which will leave you guessing until the end. Makes one wonder what police chiefs have to go through, even in small towns like Paradise, MA.

The Sedimentary Record of Sea-Level Change

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The Sedimentary Record of Sea-Level Change
Angela L. Coe , Dan W. J. Bosence , Kevin D. Church , Stephen S. Flint , John A. Howell , and R. Chris L. Wilson
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0521831113

Book Description

This illustrated textbook describes how past changes in sea-level can be detected through an analysis of the sedimentary record, and how sequence stratigraphy techniques can provide explanations of how the sedimentary system evolves through geological time. Designed for use in undergraduate and graduate courses, it includes detailed case studies, set-aside focus boxes, and bulleted Questions and Answers interspersed throughout. The book is also supported by a website hosting sample pages.

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NOT THE BEST BUT VREY GOOD
An Average Read
Why swimming pools are becoming so popular...
Nothing like a good biological scare-mongering!
Book that kickstarted my reading binge!!

Sea Change
James Powlik
Manufacturer: Delacorte Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0385333994
Release Date: 1999-08-17

Amazon.com

Imagine a mix of Jaws and Godzilla with a touch of Titanic thrown in, and you'll have some idea of the scope and ambition of this debut techno-thriller from Canadian oceanographer James Powlik.

Like in Jaws, something weird is killing people along a coast--in this case, the Pacific Northwest. Like in Godzilla, something we've done to the environment has caused simple creatures--in this case, tiny marine protozoa--to go crazy and mutate into a new killer entity. The Titanic touch comes when billions of these nasty creatures gather together to form a huge floating blob the size of an iceberg, which gives off a noxious gas that not only dissolves human tissue but also stops boat and plane engines dead.

By the time marine microbiologist Brock Garner and his ex-wife, whale sonar expert Carol Harmon, figure out just what the murderous agent is, the mucky mountain is caught up in a terrific storm that is pushing it toward Seattle. And the government isn't doing a lot to stop it, because they know who's behind the monstrous mutation--a former Defense Department consultant who happens to be Carol's father.

Powlik keeps this all from falling into the dangerous waters of "high camp" by making sure his characters are as reality-based and accessible as his scientific expertise. --Dick Adler

Book Description

In the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest, two fishermen are the first to feel the heat. Then a young girl, playing innocently by the seashore--before dying an agonizing death. Now the media have a story. Reporters, scientists, and government officials are descending on the coastline, searching for a killer in the water. And renegade oceanographer Brock Garner is at the center of the storm. He wants to know why he's finding dead zones in the Pacific...and why his best friend's heart stopped after he examined ravaged sea lions on a beach.

Dr. Ellie Bridges, on duty when the little girl died, has questions of her own. Thrown together in the chaos, Brock and Ellie are about to discover some disturbing truths: about a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions that is growing. Gathering strength. And moving--unless they can stop it--south toward a new victim: Seattle.

In this riveting, brilliantly cinematic novel, real-life oceanographer James Powlik creates a chilling scenario that isn't just plausible, it already exists. Because between nature's wrath and man's worst secrets, a deadly terror has been born at sea. And now the sea will bring it home.

Customer Reviews:

NOT THE BEST BUT VREY GOOD.......2007-02-08

I really liked this book and it was hard to put down. It's not the best but it was well worth the money and it was scary about what could happen in the water. It was like Jaws but with a different twist. I really liked it.

An Average Read.......2005-03-21

James Powlik did a mediocre job in writing so that his work would appeal to a wider range of audiences. A downfall of his writing is his use a lot of scientific terminology that makes it hard for the average reader to grasp a concept that may be easy to understand. I often found my interest lost due to the amount of scientific terms and unnecessary information. I also found it hard to relate to any of the characters in the book. There were so many, most expressing little emotion, which took away from the story as a whole. I did enjoy some of the imagery Powlik used when describing victims of the Pfiesteria.

Why swimming pools are becoming so popular..........2004-08-18

Peter Benchley frightened us from the water with stories of humongous sharks. Steve Alten took it up a notch with his action-packed thrillers featuring thought-to-be-extinct megalodons. James Powlik brings the newest aquatic threat to frighten us down to microscopic proportions with no less terror or thrills. With a writing style reminiscent of Michael Crichton (but thankfully less droning with the scientific details), Mr. Powlik deserves his spot amidst the big-boys of fictional techno-thrillers. Sea Change has enough science to make it believeable, enough emotion to make it real, and enough non-stop action to make the story big-screen worthy. More intriguing than preachy, this fiction makes a great read that's hard to put down. I'd tell ya it's a great beach read, except you wouldn't want to linger near any coastlines with this title in hand! I only give it four out of five stars merely because it's Powlik's first jump out of the gate and I strongly suspect his works will only get better while Amazon will still only offer a maximum five stars. A thoughtful, exciting read. Well worth it!

Nothing like a good biological scare-mongering!.......2003-09-29

James Powlik is very obviously a biologist of the oceanic kind. It comes through all too well in this book. It's not that it is not a good read...for most people it will probably be a good read. But I got the feeling while reading this book that Powlik had a book or an outline in front of him telling him what was necessary to write a biological thriller. He has to have a current new problem that people don't know enough concerning, he has to insert a little romance here, an aggravating character there, add in lots of mayhem and an awful lot of deaths (especially of the characters we are not supposed to like). And in addition, he added an epilogue that prior to reading it I just knew what it was going to say...this particular bad strain of pfisteria (yes I've read about it in the science journals and a couple of nonfiction books) was going to 'pick' a compliant new host, and in this case, fly off into the sunset to wreck havoc another day. Just a bit too pat...like I said, I think Powlik is a smart man who wants to be a thriller novelist of the Clancy-kind. Ho-hum.

As per usual, mankind fooling around with biological entities tends to lead to disasters as well as possible good uses. I applaud Powlik for his desire to educate the public not only about this organism, but also about the fact there are military and private organizations fooling around with things that they probably should not be fooling around with. Anything to make a buck; anything to one-up other countries in biological and chemical weaponry. It's kind of hard to get away from this lately, with the fiasco in Iraq and the inability to find weapons of mass destruction.

My major complaint as always does not have to do with plot. It's the characters. They are too many, too cardboard, and too stereotyped. Robin Cook, and Michael Crichton and Richard Preston have all successfully scared the pants of those who enjoy reading these types of book (and I usually do too)...but this one left a bit to be desired. Oh well...

Karen Sadler,
Science Education,
University of Pittsburgh

Book that kickstarted my reading binge!!.......2002-06-14

This book is great! Its not dumbed down, but not a boring hard to read book. All around great! I think it would make a good movie. Characters are great, and its all explained with actual fact. A Must Read.

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The Oceans and Climate
Grant R. Bigg
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0521016347

Book Description

The new edition of this successful textbook has been completely updated, with extensive new material on thermohaline processes in the ocean and their link to both abrupt and longer-term climate change. It will be an appropriate course and reference book for students studying earth and environmental sciences, oceanography, meteorology and climatology. The book will also be useful for students and teachers of geography, physics, chemistry and biology. First Edition Hb (1996): 0-521-45212-0 First Edition Pb (1996): 0-521-58268-7

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The oceans are an integral and important part of the climate system. The Oceans and Climate introduces the multi-disciplinary controls on air-sea interaction - physical, chemical and biological - and shows how these interact. It demonstrates how the ocean contributes to, and is affected by, climate processes on timescales from seasonal to millennial and longer. Past, present and future relationships between the ocean and climate are discussed. The new edition of this successful textbook has been completely updated throughout, with extensive new material on thermohaline processes in the ocean and their link to both abrupt climate change and longer-term climate change. It will prove an ideal course and reference book for undergraduate and graduate students studying earth and environmental sciences, oceanography, meteorology and climatology. The book will also be useful for students and teachers of geography, physics, chemistry and biology.

Average customer rating:

Mandatory Reading
Interesting but unfair
Another Sad Tale of How Humans Foul Their Nests
Cornelia Dean Deserves The Pulitzer Prize!
Beautifully written and explained.

Against the Tide
Cornelia Dean
Manufacturer: Columbia University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0231084196

Amazon.com

Castles built on sand are doomed, they say. But in our hunger for an ocean view from the living-room window, we keep building things we expect to last on beaches that never stay still. In Against the Tide, Cornelia Dean, science editor of The New York Times, outlines the global coastal management crisis and all the elaborate engineering methods developed to stave off erosion--revetments, sand-trapping devices, seawalls, groins and jetties, even artificial seaweed beds. In clear, journalistic style, she explains how all of these devices have failed to stop the inexorable march of coastal erosion. And they've failed at a staggering cost to taxpayers, despite the fact that they're usually deployed to protect private property. The world's sandy beaches continue eroding, and nowhere is this more visible than in the U.S., where oceanfront construction has been proceeding at a fast and furious pace for decades. Of course, the perfectly natural process of erosion is only considered a "problem" if it threatens buildings or property. Dean writes: "There is a kind of constituency of ignorance, people who have so much invested in coastal real estate that they do not want to hear how vulnerable it is."

Using examples from Galveston to Cape Cod, and a few places on the West Coast, Dean shows how building each "protective" structure has led to the need for more protection in a game humans are destined to lose to the ocean. "American political institutions," she writes, "are ill-suited to the indeterminacy and elasticity of nature." Part of the problem is that people are reluctant to admit that natural processes threatening our carefully planned and paid-for civilization are good and necessary parts of a dynamic ecosystem, and our efforts to prevent them will invariably buy us more trouble. Dean believes that it's time to make peace with the rising sea level and stop fighting nature. Against the Tide should be required reading for waterfront property owners, coastal zone managers, the Army Corps of Engineers, and beach lovers everywhere. --Therese Littleton

Book Description

Americans love to colonize their beaches. But when storms threaten, high-ticket beachfront construction invariably takes precedence over coastal environmental concerns -- we rescue the buildings, not the beaches. As Cornelia Dean explains in Against the Tide, this pattern is leading to the rapid destruction of our coast. But her eloquent account also offers sound advice for salvaging the stretches of pristine American shore that remain.

The story begins with the tale of the devastating hurricane that struck Galveston, Texas, in 1900 -- the deadliest natural disaster in American history, which killed some six thousand people. Misguided residents constructed a wall to prevent another tragedy, but the barrier ruined the beach and ultimately destroyed the town's booming resort business.

From harrowing accounts of natural disasters to lucid ecological explanations of natural coastal processes, from reports of human interference and construction on the shore to clear-eyed elucidation of public policy and conservation interests, this book illustrates in rich detail the conflicting interests, short-term responses, and long-range imperatives that have been the hallmarks of America's love affair with her coast.

Intriguing observations about America's beaches, past and present, include discussions of Hurricane Andrew's assault on the Gulf Coast, the 1962 northeaster that ravaged one thousand miles of the Atlantic shore, the beleaguered beaches of New Jersey and North Carolina's rapidly vanishing Outer Banks, and the sand-starved coast of southern California. Dean provides dozens of examples of human attempts to tame the ocean -- as well as a wealth of lucid descriptions of the ocean's counterattack. Readers will appreciate Against the Tide's painless course in coastal processes and new perspective on the beach.

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The Science Editor of the New York Times issues a call to arms for beach lovers and environmentalists in a beautifully written book that covers the ecology of the coast, as well as the hubris-filled history of Americans' efforts to hold back the sea.

Customer Reviews:

Mandatory Reading.......2007-02-16

This book is mandatory reading for anyone living in a coastal community. Well written and well researched, it is helping our Beach and Dune Committtee understand what options to consider. Thank you very much for an interesting and informative book.

Interesting but unfair.......2001-04-20

Extremely biased toward a non-property owner viewpoint. Although the government is spending money to keep sand and retain structures, it is also acting in the interest of public safety. Also, many government agencies are limiting what property owners can do with their own money, on their own property, to save their investments. Both sides of the argument are not presented evenly.

Another Sad Tale of How Humans Foul Their Nests.......1999-11-08

An astounding book that will not be read by enough people. Ms. Dean provides us with a well-researched book on the physics (don't let that word throw you off; she makes it all quite understandable) of beaches, and how, in one century, we have managed to destroy them. Quite simply the ocean cannot and should not be conquered. While capable of causing intense damage to our shores, the ocean, given time, will also inevitably repair the damage it has caused. But, build houses, hotels and other structures as well as jetties, revetments, seawalls, and groins on the beaches and you will ultimately destroy them.

The truly sad part of this book is not just that we have destroyed thousands of miles of our beaches, but that we are led by ignorant, self-serving politicians and greedy commercial and private interests to build even more damaging structures on what's left of our shores. To add insult to injury the taxpayer continues to be dunned for the money to pay for continued "beach management" (read: mismanagement), and for rebuilding destroyed structures in areas where nothing should be built. I no longer have the slightest sympathy for people whose shorefront homes are destroyed by storms. Move inland where you belong.

A must read for the concerned citizen.

Cornelia Dean Deserves The Pulitzer Prize!.......1999-09-03

I don't know Cornelia Dean but I wish she was my neighbor. This daring, wonderful, woman should be given a national award for her works in "Against the Tide." She blows the whistle on widespread negligent coastal management practices that are evident everywhere. It was extremely unsettling to me to read about almost identical patterns of coastal abuse that I have observed where I live at Alligator Point, Florida. A revetment was constructed in 1994 despite the warnings of coastal experts that it would contribute further to erosion rather than preventing it. This was done at a staggering waste of taxpayers' money and with the permission of county, state, and federal governments. Today, the beach area that once provided recreation and a protective buffer is gone because of revetment-caused erosion. Turtle areas are destroyed. Dwellings are sitting dangerously in water. The road is ruined and unsafe. And, there is no required accountabilty for removing the wall. It is now a permanent monument to disaster. Cornelia Dean articulately reveals how shamefully common this is. She has superbly documented the inept practices of coastal management efforts that are prevalent all along America's coasts. Nothing was written, however, about how to undo this American tragedy. I will, therefore, offer one suggestion based on Cornelia Dean's numerous contacts and her rapport with coastal planners. She should be given a special Presidential appointment to head up a commission to consolidate all coastal management agencies and to develop and enforce a unified set of standards. Ms. Dean's outstanding book certainly qualifies her for such a step.

Beautifully written and explained........1999-08-18

This book is a must-have for anyone interested in beach erosion and overdevelopment. The author clearly lays out the arguments against such beachfront "improvements" as armoring, sandtrapping, etc. As a hydrologist, I was already well aware of the futility of most attempts to preserve beaches in their existing configurations, yet this book explains these issues in a very compelling and succinct fashion. The author also describes those rare occasions when intervention can indeed be helpful, and the special circumstances under which it is justifiable. Yet what is most compelling is the overall argument that in the majority of cases, most attempts at beach and property preservation actually hasten the destruction of the very things requiring protection. Ultimately, a particular beach structure is by its very nature a transient thing, yet it is most durable in its present form if left alone. Unfortunately, with beachfront development continuing at its currently rapid pace, it is unlikely that much of this important information will be heeded. Nevertheless, it is necessary to disseminate this knowledge. Perhaps this book can help inform the public of the need to let beaches be beaches.

How to Read a North Carolina Beach: Bubble Holes, Barking Sands, and Rippled Runnels

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The Beach as a Book
A bit of propaganda
An Ideal Beach Read

How to Read a North Carolina Beach: Bubble Holes, Barking Sands, and Rippled Runnels
Orrin H. Pilkey , Tracy Monegan Rice , and William J. Neal
Manufacturer: The University of North Carolina Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Ecology | Environment | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0807855103
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Book Description

Take a walk on the beach with three coastal experts who reveal the secrets and the science of the North Carolina shoreline. What makes sea foam? What are those tiny sand volcanoes along the waterline? You'll find the answers to these questions and dozens more in this comprehensive field guide to the state's beaches, which shows visitors how to decipher the mysteries of the beach and interpret clues to an ever-changing geological story.

Orrin Pilkey, Tracy Monegan Rice, and William Neal explore large-scale processes, such as the composition and interaction of wind, waves, and sand, as well as smaller features, such as bubble holes, drift lines, and black sands. In addition, coastal life forms large and small--from crabs and turtles to microscopic animals--are all discussed here. The concluding chapter contemplates the future of North Carolina beaches, considering the threats to their survival and assessing strategies for conservation. This indispensable beach book offers vacationers and naturalists a single source for learning to appreciate and preserve the natural features of a genuine state treasure.

Customer Reviews:

The Beach as a Book.......2005-08-05

This slim volume should be packed by any reader heading off to the
beach in North Carolina. The underlying theme is vintage Pilkey, the prophetic gadfly of beach development. He and his co-authors want us to understand that we are loving the beaches to death, like children who capture wild things. Beaches are dynamic, explains Pilkey, and all our efforts to stabiize them in some permanent state for our perpetual enjoyment are ultimately doomed. Thanks to the clear diagrams and excellent pictures, beach walkers and vicarious lovers of golden sands will better understand how this fragile system works. We need to read what Pilkey says, even if we don't want him to be right.

A bit of propaganda.......2005-07-20

The author has included information on the topics shown in the title which were interesting and informative however, it is clear that the author is anti-development at the beach and this message comes though time and time again. With this much propaganda against building on the coastline I think the book should have been free.

An Ideal Beach Read.......2004-09-13

This is beach geology 101 rendered in a pleasant and most fluent voice like the best of classic nature writing. The considerable information is meted out in a way that is easily absorbed. Before you reach the end, you are walking on the beach identifying runnels, plunging breakers, nail holes, swash and wrack lines and other exotica without running back to the book for help. You are no longer alarmed at black sand (it's sand of a different mineral base), you have new respect for the heaps of broken shells in your path. You understand how beaches are formed and where sand came from. You now know why a beach never looks the same from one day to the next. You can identify evidence of the mess caused by human intervention. This book will enhance your stay at the beach in ways that whiffle-light detective fiction never will.

Sea Change: Alone Across the Atlantic in a Wooden Boat

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A book about love
Excellent Read
A good sailing or break-up book
Moving, Accomplished
Good but not great.

Sea Change: Alone Across the Atlantic in a Wooden Boat
Peter Nichols
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140264132

Amazon.com

When your marriage fails and life in England gives no solace, the solution, thought Peter Nichols, is to take his beloved boat Toad and sail across the Atlantic to Maine. Nichols, who has spent years sailing small boats but who is far from a wealthy yachtsman, had lovingly restored his 27-foot boat with his former wife. At sea, he reflects upon the busted marriage and upon the odd turns his life has taken. He also engages in some fascinating thoughts detailing the rigors of sailing single-handedly across an ocean. This book is very well written, and as Nichols slowly realizes that Toad has a flaw below the waterline making her less than seaworthy, it turns into a poignant battle for survival on the open ocean.

Book Description

Many people go to the sea in boats, but few of them write as movingly about the experience as Peter Nichols does in this enthralling meditation on the wonders of sailing, the mystery of the sea, and the ebbs and flows of love. With only a sextant, his own instincts as a seasoned sailor, and a boat full of memories of his foundering marriage, Nichols sets out alone from England for Maine, where he plans to sell his beloved twenty-seven-foot sailboat, Toad. Combining the adventure of Into Thin Air, the nautical lore of The Perfect Storm, and the spiritual self-discovery of The Snow Leopard, this thrilling adventure is a classic tale of a man struggling to come to terms with his reckless spirit, his highest hopes, and his broken dreams.

Customer Reviews:

A book about love.......2005-08-10

Peter writes about his love for boats that he developed early in life from his teacher Mr. Earl; his love for his wife J; for Toad, his little wooden boat that he rebuilt and sailed for so many miles, often alone; his love for the sea; the Hiscocks; even for the Captain that rescues him (without telling the end of the story). His is a very entertaining and inspiring story, which also teaches a whole lot about sailing offshore. This is a true story with all the elements of an intense life, as real as it gets. I definitively recommend reading this book. At one point Peter is thousands of miles offshore, alone in his small boat, and taking on water at an increasing rate. Hard to put down.

Excellent Read.......2004-11-23

A story that weaves the threads of life is found in this book. I first read it when it came out, and recently re-read it. I found it more enjoyable the second-time around. The stories within the story are filled with great tales, danger, introspection, teak, and global adventures. The reward of getting through this book will stay with you long after it has been put away. It is true that this is a story of sailing, but it is really so much more. It contains much more than other books in the same genre.

A good sailing or break-up book.......2003-06-25

Peter Nichols book interweaves two stories quite well- his emotions as his marriage declines, and the story of trying to get a wooden boat across the Atlantic. Both stories are told in a very honest manner, reminding the reader that even the best sailors and partners can hit troubled waters. The sailing lore is impressive, and will give a day-sailor a new respect for long distance sailing.

Moving, Accomplished.......2002-08-01

As a memoir of love and loss, Peter Nichols' book is as moving and accomplished as any I've read, including such recognized classics as Siegfried Sassoon's "Memoirs of an Infantry Officer." I highly recommend it for the sailor and landlubber alike.

Good but not great........2001-09-29

Nice book about crossing the Atlantic mixxed with reflections on the writer's failed marriage. Nothing new or real exciting about the book. I thought his reflections on his marriage over indulgent and sometimes boring. I kept wanting to tell him to get a girlfriend so that he could forget his depressing wife.

The sailing part is fun but there are much better naratives.

Average customer rating:

The never ending race

Perfect adventure story

For history buffs.

Sea Change
Robert Goddard
Manufacturer: Corgi Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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Legend Legend

Never Go Back

Closed Circle

Painting the Darkness: A Novel

Take No Farewell

ASIN: 0552146021

Book Description

A master of suspense in a league of his own…

It is January 1721. London is reeling from the effects of the greatest financial scandal of the age, the collapse of the South Sea Bubble. William Spandrel, a penniless mapmaker, is offered a discharge of his debts by Sir Theodore Janssen, a director of the South Sea Company, on one condition: he must secretly convey an important package to a friend of Janssen’s, Ysbrand de Vries, in Amsterdam.

The package safely delivered, Spandrel barely survives an attempt on his life, only to be blamed for the murder of de Vries himself. When de Vries’s secretary, his English wife and the package go missing shortly afterwards, Spandrel realises that he has become a pawn in several people’s games. British Government agents, and others, are on his trail, believing that the mysterious package contains secrets that could spark a revolution in England.

Spandrel’s only chance of survival is to recover the package and place its contents in the right hands. But whose are the right hands? And what exactly are the contents?

Once again ‘the master of suspense’ draws the reader into a web of irresistible narrative, this time set in an age remote from our own, yet in some respects strangely familiar.

Customer Reviews:

The never ending race.......2004-12-30

this book is a never ending race after a "Green Book" that can reveal some of the most darken secrets of the South Sea Company...

i was a bit dissaponting from reading it and was expecting another of Goddard's master pieces, but unfortunatly this book was very tiring and exhausting.

Perfect adventure story.......2004-04-26

Mr Goddard's novel begins in January 1721. Sir Theodore Janssen, once a financier of legendary acumen, stands on the brink of ruin after the bankruptcy of the South Sea Company.
William Spandrel is also a financial victim of the commercial disaster of the South Sea Company, though on a smaller scale than Sir Theodore. Still, Spandrel owes Sir Theodore a fair amount of money. One day, Spandrel is summoned to go and see Sir Theodore. He offers Spandrel to pay back his debts by acting as his personal courier in a confidential transaction. Spandrel is to deliver a box to Mijnheer Ysbrand de Vried at his home in Amsterdam. As Spandrel departs from Deptford for Holvoetsluys on the "Vixen", he can't possibly foresee on what a roller coaster journey he has embarked.
As always, Mr Goddard's novel provides first class entertainment with a very well documented historical adventure story. And Paul Shelly reading "Sea Change" is quite an experience to listen to!

For history buffs........2004-02-04

This is really one for the history buffs. In 1721 in the reign of George 1, the infamous South Sea Bubble scandal rocked England and some of Europe, proving that greed and corruption, in the form of speculative share market swindling, is not a new thing. A penniless map maker is drawn into a web of intrigue by reason of having his debts paid out and being forced to travel to Holland as the unwitting dupe of one of the main players in the South Sea Bubble scandal. He is falsely accused of murder and is forced to search for and to produce to his English masters, a green book, listing the names of VERY prominent people, from the King down to cabinet ministers, who were paid enormous bribes to take part in the hoax which robbed thousands of small investors, but made the rich men richer (sound familiar?) This book was very reminiscent of the works of Dennis Wheatley who wrote books involving the aristocracy, political intrigues, murder and travel through Europe.

A Sea Change: The Exclusive Economic Zone and Governance Institutions for Living Marine Resources

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A Sea Change: The Exclusive Economic Zone and Governance Institutions for Living Marine Resources

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1402031327

Book Description

With growing concern about the oceans and the resources of this realm has come a proliferation of international and national efforts aimed at protecting this environment. This volume constitutes the initial effort to reflect on the outcomes associated with the third Law of the Sea Conference and to assess how the reforms and changes brought on by this conference have performed.

The establishment of 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ’s) constitutes one of the most far-reaching distributional and institutional changes in the history of the world. They brought over 20 % of the world’s oceans, a substantial proportion of its productivity, and 90 to 95 % of world fisheries under the national jurisdiction of coastal states. At this time, 145 states have ratified the Law of the Sea Convention and most have established EEZs. Some have established only a legal framework, while other countries have elaborated EEZ regimes. This volume focuses on the specific nature of the EEZ and the construction and evolution of institutions stemming from its introduction, specifically examining developments at local, national and international levels.

The analytical core of the volume focuses on the development of institutional arrangements for the management of living marine resources, occurring at different levels of social organization, that have developed from the introduction of the EEZs. The chapters cover case studies from both the north and south, in the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans. The case studies critically examine the impact of the EEZ regime on institutions at local, national, regional and international levels of social organization. The broad range of contributions by the authors highlights the diversity of institutions and outcomes that have emerged from the implementation of the EEZs, providing a rich opportunity for comparative analysis. By doing so, we seek to address three broad questions:

-What is the nature of the institutions that coastal states have created within the framework provided by the EEZs?
-How has the creation of the EEZs affected the vertical interplay among institutions at different levels of social organisation (i.e., international, national, traditional and co-management regimes) and the horizontal interplay among institutions focused on different functional arenas (i.e., trade, environment and fisheries)?
-How has the development of EEZ-based regimes affected the fit of marine resource management institutions with biophysical systems?

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Enthralling Fantasy
A very good continuation of Josan' story
A series instalment that felt rather uneven and light-weight
Improvement on the first book
Fantastic fantasy

The Sea Change (Bantam Fantasy)
Patricia Bray
Manufacturer: Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 055358877X
Release Date: 2007-07-31

Book Description

Between a mysterious past and a treacherous future lies one lost man–and a magic that has changed the world forever….

After years of exile, shattered dreams, and confusion, Josan has finally discovered he is not the simple monk he appeared to be. Nor is he the victim of a mysterious fever, as he was led to believe. Instead his soul had been magically shifted into the body of the condemned Prince Lucius, leader of a failed rebellion against the rightful monarchs of the kingdom of Ikaria. And though Josan is the dominant personality in that body, the remnants of Lucius’s mind grow stronger each day.

When the Ikarian royal family is slaughtered in a bloody assassination, Josan/Lucius is not only the prime suspect but the sole remaining legitimate heir to the throne. With Ikaria in chaos, can Josan clear himself from suspicion in time to keep the wolves from the door? And can he ever integrate the two souls that now inhabit a single body?

Customer Reviews:

Enthralling Fantasy.......2007-09-04

The Sea Change is Patricia Bray's exciting follow-up to her The First Betrayal, and it's better by far than "middle" books of trilogies tend to be. Everything good about the first book continues on, from the political intrigue to her depiction of a protagonist at war with himself. Intrigue, betrayal, magic, and politics are here in plenty! One of the greatest thrills of the book is the even deeper characterization throughout. Bray's characters face sometimes impossible choices and come through their trials with flare and luck, even as they sometimes end up damaged. They suffer and succeed as humans do, and you will find yourself thinking about what you would do in their places.

Contrary to the book description on this page, the story follows three major characters -- Josan, Lucius, and Ysobel. The viewpoint switches back and forth between these three characters, accounting for two storylines. Josan and Lucius carefully navigate the treacherous shoals of politics in Ikaria, finding out in the process just how rough a game politics can be. Ysobel's story if that of a trader caught up in Seddonian politics and forced to make choices that affect herself, her country, and her family. Through this dual storyline, the reader gets multiple perspectives on the interaction between nations, and the effects on one character from events in the other's world. If you've read Big Fantasy Books -- the giant bricks that would break your foot if you dropped one -- and wished for fewer viewpoints and more depth, this is the book for you.

A very good continuation of Josan' story.......2007-08-21

The Sea Change by Patricia Bray is the second book in the Josan Chronicles. The first book is called The First Betrayal and the third book (scheduled for release in the summer of 2008), will be called The Final Sacrifice. I came upon this series purely by accident last year, and I must say, I am very pleased to discover these books. This series will be enjoyed by most fantasy fans, particularly fans that enjoy political intrigue and character development.

Much like the first book, if you are looking for a fantasy book with a variety of monsters, large scale battles, wizards hurling fireballs and gallant knight on a quest, you may want to look for a different novel. This book, and series, are very much fantasy novels. However, this book focuses more on character development, internal struggles, and a large scale plot. Sure, there are battles and deaths, but at no time are those battles the prime focus of the book.

The plot of this book picks up after the events of the first book. Josan is a `guest' of the emperor, though just what being a guest means is different from what most guests would expect. Events quickly occur that throw not only Josan's life into disarray, but the lives of everyone in the empire as well. There are actually two large plots that are covered in this book and a slew of sub-plots. The two plots involve Josan and how the events impact his life, as well as the plot of Lady Ysobel as part of the Federation and decisions she is forced to make based on the events from the first book. The sub-plots of this book mostly involve political in-fighting and people looking out for their own interests. Overall, the plot(s) of this book is well written and well thought out. This novel also does a very good job of following up on the events of the first book and adding more to the story.

Several of the characters in this book are also present in the first novel. This familiarity allows the reader to immediately jump into the story without having to establish new characters. Of course, there are several new characters as well as quite a few characters that were introduced in the first novel, but are much more fleshed out in this book. Josan, as expected, continues to be the focus of the story and his character development is very well written. His interactions with Lucius are well done and convey the appropriate internal struggles. Ysobel's development is also well done. It is fairly evident that she will be a major player in the next novel. The secondary characters are also just as well written, and are developed just as much as the main characters. Ms. Bray has a gift of writing believable, interesting, and engaging characters. They are no where near the clichéd characters present in many fantasy novels being released in today's market.

As a whole I enjoyed this novel very much. It was exactly what I expected it to be. A solid, entertaining read. Ms. Bray's prose has a flow to it that allows the reader to breeze through several pages with no account of the time. There are a few scenes that were rather disturbing, these involve Josan and Nizam. Be prepared for a couple graphic torture scenes is all I will say. The pacing of this novel is also spot on, there is a constant pace with little to no slow down.

Overall, as with the first novel, I will continue to recommend this book to fantasy fans. Again, I am very happy to have stumbled across this series and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment. Definitely a very solid addition to the fantasy genre.

A series instalment that felt rather uneven and light-weight.......2007-08-20

When Josan/Lucius finds himself unexpectedly Emperor - but one with extremely curtailed powers he must find a way to survive without revealing the soul sorcery that has been cast on him. While this book continues to develop the story to some extent for me, overall, I didn't enjoy it as much as I did the first book. It didn't seem as meatier in content as the first book and the secondary characters in the story didn't seem to be developing particularly well in this instalment with the exception of one character. Overall, this seems to be developing into a rather average fantasy series that doesn't incline me to pick up book 3 in a hurry.

Improvement on the first book.......2007-08-16

Brother Jonas is sharing the body of Prince Lucian. The two men are still attempting to work together as they share the body of the prince. As their struggle continues, the empress and her family have been murdered and suspicion falls on the Prince.

I found the first book in the series to be mediocre at best, but this second book was much improved, in both description and action. The struggle between both Jonas and Lucian is wonderfully described.

I look forward to reading the conclusion of this series.

Fantastic fantasy.......2007-08-11

Brother Nikos, chief advisor to the Empress Nerissa, had performed forbidden magic placing the soul of the dying monk Josan into the body of Prince Luscius hoping to make the recalcitrant royal more compliant. He hoped to gain influence over the man who led an uprising to topple the empress and put himself on the throne. Now he is a royal prisoner confined to his rooms unable to see anyone until the day the empress and her two sons were assassinated.

Proconsul Zuberi believes Lucius /Josan was behind the killings and gives him to the royal torturer who can't break his protests of innocence. When the real traitor is revealed, the council led by Zuberi name him emperor but he is a puppet and the Proconsul is the real power in Ikaria. Lucius and Josan work together to gain allies and their chance comes when Sendat the rival empire seizes some Ikarian colonies and tries to blockade the empire with its superior naval power.

This is a fascinating fantasy in which the Ikarian Empire is based on the ancient Rome and Sendat is based on Ancient Japan. Ikaria is descending into civil war following the death of the strong willed empress and readers see how the once innocent monk makes Machiavellian political decisions to stop the Sendatians from taking advantage of the internal unrest. It is fun watching Josan maneuver his enemies, gain allies and use the information he had as a monk to further consolidate his position. It remains to be seen how Lucius and Josan will deal with having to share one body with two minds and souls. Patricia Bray has written another exciting fantasy filled with complex, interesting, and believable characters.

Harriet Klausner

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