Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future

Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future
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Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future
Committee on Prospering in the Global Economy of the 21st Century: An Agenda for American Science and Technology , National Academy of Sciences , National Academy of Engineering , and Institute of Medicine
Manufacturer: National Academies Press
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The Gathering Storm
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A unique work with a message for us in today's world

"We were to learn what total war means"

"History will be kind to me for I intend to write it."

The Tragedy

Drift to disaster

The Gathering Storm
Sir Winston S. Churchill
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0395075378

Amazon.com

Winston Churchill was not only a statesman and leader of historic proportions, he also possessed substantial literary talents. These two factors combine to make The Gathering Storm a unique work. The first volume of Churchill's memoirs, this selection is broken into two parts. The first, "From War to War," consists of Churchill's critical observations on the settlement of World War I and its place in the causes of the Second World War. The second volume contains letters and memoranda from the British government--of which Churchill was part--as the country plunged unprepared into war. This stands as the best of history: written as it was made, by the man who made it.

Book Description

The step-by-step decline into war, with Churchill becoming prime minister as "the tocsin was about to sound."

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The first volume of Churchill's Noble-Prize winning six-part chronicle of World War II. THE GATHERING STORM depicts the rise of Hitler and the indifference of the leaders of the European democracies to the clouds of the gathering storm. Churchill incorporate contemporary documentation and his own reminiscence in this opening memoir.

Customer Reviews:

A unique work with a message for us in today's world.......2006-12-20

This is the first volume of Churchill's Noble Prize winning six part chronicle of World War II. The Gathering Storm depicts the rise of Hitler and the indifference of the leaders of the European democracies to the clouds of the gathering storm. Churchill incorporates contemporary documentation and his own reminiscence in this opening memoir. Churchill was a great statesman with great literary ability - a winning combination. The Gathering Storm a unique work and has a message for us in today's world.

Read and reviewed by Jimmie A. Kepler

"We were to learn what total war means".......2006-10-05

Churchill gathered his researchers and secretaries and wrote an account of the events of World War II. These memoirs would span a work of six volumes, and added with his other literary achievements win for him the Noble Prize in Literature. The 'Gathering Storm', Volume I, starts with the end of World War I..the war to end all wars..and concludes on May 10,1940 with Germany's invasion of the Low Countries(Holland/Belgium) and France. May 10 was also the day that Neville Chamberlain resigned as Prime Minister and Churchill was asked, by the King, to form a new Government...in effect becoming the new head of Government or Prime Minister.

This is a work that is well worth reading. The contents and wisdom are just as relevant today as then. Churchill was relentless in his opinions, good and not-so-good, and did all in his power to try and stem the coming war. He had the advantage of being in the early government as First Lord of the Admiralty from 1911 to 1915. Driven into the wilderness years by forcing the Darnanelles,..a plan he still maintained would have worked if not for the 'timid observationists'..he would still keep active in governmental affairs and had enough connections to keep up-to-date with current events. Chamberlain, in 1939, would put him back into the Admiralty as First Lord..ironically going full circle back to his old office. Now with victory and hindsight, he was in the enviable position to see and write about the events that took place, and what could have happened if certain plans had or hadn't been implemented.

Churchill states that all the trials he went through prepared him for the great task of war. Had he remained in office, the position of Prime Minister would never have come his way. He would have been swept out of office with the failed administration. Those 'invisible wings' of fate were watching out for him. He was freed from party antagonisms and with six years of warning, about the oncoming events, no one could reproach him. What he had warned about was now real and the future was not certain. Churchill felt he knew a great deal about it all and was sure he could not fail. As Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, he now had the power to direct the whole scene. That was one of the areas I felt he craved more than any. The power to move the action forward on the offensive instead of always on the defensive.

Churchill wrote of the events that were transpiring with Germany's disregard for the Treaty of Versailles, Locarno and the failure at Munich. The rise of Hilter and his ascension to Chancellor, the absorption of Austria, the neutralization of Czechoslovakia, and the fall of Poland. The timidity of England and France to respond to the treaties and strike a blow for freedom in retaliation. He doesn't hold back his opinions and what he felt should have been done. As First Lord of the Admiralty he pushed for taking the port at Narvik Norway and found this plan changed from a sea strike to a failed pincer attack. He watched with frustration the failed, yet fortunate, attempt to tangle and embed the war on the Norwegian front. It was fortunate because shortly the war was to break full upon the Western Front and all was needed there. Norway ended the twilight or false war and moved the events forward into an all out compaign of total war.

The face and technology of war has changed over these many years. I doubt we'll ever see countries signing peace documents on battleships again. Unfortunately the reality is that war is still very much alive and with us. These facts alone make these volumes important reading. Possibly the most important aspect is that we can learn from a great man's experiences and hopefully not repeat the past. Well worth adding to the library.

"History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.".......2006-09-04

And he did. This compulisively readable account of Europe between the wars and from 09/39 to 05/40 covers European diplomatic history, shifts in British politics, Britian's unwillingness to prepare for war, Hitler's rise to power and German re-armament. It ends with the invasion of France/the Low Countries and Chuchill's ascent to Prime Minister of a National Government. For all it's readablity and heavy use of documentation and primary sources, this is still a memior and sometimes self-serving.

The Tragedy.......2006-07-22

In his preface Churchill states that one day president Roosevelt asked him for suggestions as to what the war should be called. He replied at once " the Unnecessary War "

While hindsight is always 20-20, it is impossible to read this brilliant account without coming to the conclusion that Churchill was giving way to understatement. The absurd idiocies of the governments of the victorious Allies of The Great War from 1918 to 1939 were so blatantly appalling as to be beyond belief.

To name just one, there was strong pressure in the British Parliament and Press to have France, in the interest of fair play (?) reduce its army by half and allow Germany to double its own.-- As Hitler was rallying millions to his banner.

The chapter on Hitler is perhaps the best. To quote Churchill again: " When eventually he came to power there was no book (Mein Kempf) which deserved more careful study from the rulers, political and military , of the Allied powers. All was there . . . "

But the Allies, embroiled with their own party strifes, took little notice.

Juncture after juncture, The Second World War could have easily been avoided. Repeat, easily.

For readers only familiar with Churchill's reputation as an orator, this is a chance to get to know why so many justly regard him as one of the greatest prose writers of the 20th century.

Furthermore, neither Hitler, Roosevelt, nor Stalin had the means or inclination to give an insider's first rate account of the war. Here you will see it from the summit, blow by blow.

It is indeed a tragedy, but one superbly told.

Drift to disaster.......2006-07-03

This is the first volume in a six-part work covering World War Two. It's best looked upon as Churchill's war memoirs rather than an attempt at a definitive history of the conflict. Of course, Churchill was a major figure in the war, and therefore cannot be regarded as a dispassionate analyst: he was far too close to the events and lacked the research that subsequent years have provided. All these observations are truisms, but it's worth stating that the reader should expect a very personal and Anglo-centric account.

This first volume covers the period from 1919 to the fall of the Chamberlain Government following the disasterous campaign in Norway in 1940. A major chunk of the book is taken up by Churchill's account of the faults and consequences of the Versailles Treaty, the rise of Nazi Germany and the growing threat to peace. There is very little on events in the Far East. There's not much either to throw doubt upon Churchill's role as the unheeded herald of the menace posed by the dictators, but he does have the grace to concede that the trials of World War One and the horrendous losses suffered in that war had scarred deeply the collective psyche. The reluctance to re-militarise can be better understood in that context.

Events have since shown of course that few politicians have the courage either to act contrary to what they perceive as public sentiment, or to clear their minds of preconceptions when all the evidence does not suit them. Either of these traits on their own are problematic, but it seemed that both were working at the same time in the inter-war period, to disasterous effect. As Churchill points out, few (including those on the Left) demurred from the prevailing wisdom: this must be borne in mind when British politicians of all types during the post-war period posed as implacable pre-war anti-appeasers.

Of course, few of the democracies were without these traits, and few come out of Churchill's account with total absolution - barring perhaps Czechoslovakia. Even Poland took part in the post-Munich dismemberment of that country. Churchill's account is of a tragedy, but not one which started in 1919. Rather the "peace" between the two World Wars was nothing more than a pause in the greater tragedy of twentieth-century history.

His account is passionate, lively and accessibly written. As I stated above, not one for a student wanting a definitive story, but is nonetheless gripping.

G Rodgers

The Gathering Storm (Crown of Stars, Vol. 5)

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fantasy lovers
Another great fantasy by Elliott!
Again, on the path of excellence
Radical Feminism Gone Amok
The End Is Near

The Gathering Storm (Crown of Stars, Vol. 5)
Kate Elliott
Manufacturer: DAW
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0756401321
Release Date: 2004-02-03

Book Description

Fifth in the Nebula Award-nominated series.

The time of cataclysm is almost here when the land of the Aoi-cast forth from the world long centuries ago by an unimaginably powerful spell-weaving-will at last return to its starting point with disastrous consequences...

Customer Reviews:

fantasy lovers.......2007-05-13

Out of the whole book series, this one was hard to get through.There was alot of information about the characters you already knew, but was dragged out in this book. It was almost as if she didn't need to write this or should have made this a 5 book series.

Another great fantasy by Elliott!.......2006-11-02

More about the peoples of Wendar and Varre. Great action. Loved it.

Again, on the path of excellence.......2006-08-01

The cataclysm long foretold has shaken the world. King Henry's obsession with uniting the warring kingdoms of Wendar and Varre has left his people destitute and vulnerable to attack. As earthly and supernatural forces gather to overthrow all Henry has fought for, Alain and Liath come to realise their twin destinies. Between them they hold the key to secrets which could yet save Henry's realm, but even they may be powerless should the Cursed Ones return.

It has been quite a while since I read a series and thought "damn, it's over!" at the end. The author has built a vast number of interesting characters but, despite the number, one is able to know and relate to each. Each of the characters has their own remarkable flaws and imperfections, and you actaully have opportunities to sympathize with each throughout the series (even the remarkably "evil" ones you think you would never agree with). Unlike the Robert Jordan WoT series which seems to go on and on and on without resolution, Elliot has squeezed a sweeping epic into a (mere) 7 books, and I found myself disappointed when I finished the last of the third book. Fortunately, there are enough open issues, unanswered questions and unresolved conflicts in the end that Elliot could forseeably write another series to "fill in the blanks". I, for one, sincerely hope to see more from this author in the very near future.

Radical Feminism Gone Amok.......2005-03-19

Fascinating story line, well-drawn characters, loose threads galore, but Elliott's too obvious hate for males ruins her effort.

The End Is Near.......2004-08-13

The land of the elf-like Aoi was cast out from the earth into the aether with powerful spells in the distant past. Now the time for its return is fast approaching, and a cabal of sorcerers is determined to do anything necessary to ensure that the spell is renewed to keep the Aoi away, including controlling King Henry via possession. Prince Sanglant has led his army to the far lands of the griffins and centaurs to find allies with the necessary magic to free his father and confront the cabal led by Skopos Anne. After a long absence (that seemed quite short to her), Sanglant's wife Liath returns from the aether with new knowledge about her magical heritage and a grim determination to stop Anne's disastrous plan. But time grows short, and the political chaos that has descended on Henry's kingdoms makes everything more difficult. Wendar and Varre are falling apart under bickering rivals as he is off pursuing conquests in other lands. This leaves a door open for the lizard-like Eika invasion led by Stronghand - who plans not to raid and plunder, but to rule. Stronghand has a secondary mission as well, one that just might hold the key to surviving the coming cataclysm: to find the much-persecuted Alain now that their strange psychic bond has returned.

THE GATHERING STORM is the fifth volume of the Elliott's wrist-bending Crown of Stars fantasy series. It is not a stand-alone read; new readers will definitely want to start at the beginning with the first book, KING'S DRAGON. Fans of the series might want to skim through previous books before diving into this one, because there's not much in the way of a recap provided. I'm not a novice at reading long fantasy series, but it had been a year or so since I read the fourth book, CHILD OF FLAME, and I was feeling a little lost among the multitude of story lines.

This is a fascinatingly complex world, complete with religions, magic systems, and several different races of beings. Elliott could easily write other books set in this world without exhausting its possibilities. In fact, there is so much detail and such a large cast that at times it gets a little overwhelming to keep track of, especially without a character guide. It's also hard to see the significance of some of the minor plot threads and while they might make more sense in the sixth and final book, I found myself getting a little bored with some of them. Elliott has generally done very well in developing complex main characters in this series - both heroes and villains have mixed character traits and motivations. But while a couple of the characters develop and grow in this book, several of the other main characters seem to regress into shallowness.

Long series tend to get a bit bloated as they progress, and at almost a thousand pages, this is no exception. However, for the most part the plot advances steadily along without bogging down. But after such a long, patient build-up, the climax feels rushed. Still, all in all, I would recommend this imaginative and complex series to fantasy readers who aren't daunted by hefty, multi-volume series.

The Gathering Storm (Thunder Over the Ochoco Vol. 1)

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If you only read one Indian history book, Read this One!!
I read v.1 - v.4. Easy hard to put down reading.
An exciting account of early history in Western America

The Gathering Storm (Thunder Over the Ochoco Vol. 1)
Andrew Gale Ontko
Manufacturer: Maverick Publications (OR)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Thunder over the Ochoco Volume II Distant Thunder (Thunder Over the Ochoco)
Thunder Over The Ochoco: Lightning Strikes! (Thunder Over the Ochoco)
Thunder Over The Ochoco: Rain of Tears (Thunder Over the Ochoco)

ASIN: 089288245X

Customer Reviews:

If you only read one Indian history book, Read this One!!.......2002-09-25

I borrowe this book from a friend. She had never read it. It was stuck in a box. This book is Indian & American History as if written By Clancey!!! This book presents the history of Indian and uropean settlement through the 1800's. It presnts cultural clashes from a global perspective starting in the 1600's. For once, I could understanfd the conflicts and their timing between Spain, Russia, England, France and the emerging US. The clear presentation of the Spanish presence as miners and slaveers. The English, French and Russians as fur robber barons represented by greedy men and the lowly US taking up the rear. The Indian population with thier established tribes, hunting areas and culture were spelled out clearly and convincingly. It was understandble now that Europeans really didn't or couldn't have removed the Indian without the use of our deseases such as small pox and meassles. More Indians died of small pox than any US Army battle. Not that we didn't remove, push, cheat them only that their population was overwhelmed by our deseases first. The history is written like a fast moving novel, exciting, detailed , twisting and turning. It has political plots, robber barons, government plots, greedy people and bungling fools. It tells of Indians against Indians, Indians against Spanish, French, English, Russians and the US. The vast majority of the western movement was only to pass through the plains, over the Rockies for most people to Oregon and California. It is remakable that Oregon has remained as rural as it has while California is the state which has really grown. The wealth of California apparently was sverely understated while Oregon was overstated.

.You will love this book.

I read v.1 - v.4. Easy hard to put down reading........1999-03-13

These four volumes do more to explain the depth and extent of the Indian Nations that existed in the Northwest prior to the fur traders. A vast empire headquartered in present day central Oregon, near the major Indian trading centers on the Columbia River with influences extending east into present day Wyoming, south to Santa Fe, NM and Indio, CA. This series of books is perhaps the only written account of the Shoshone Indians. An Indian nation that witnessed and bore the brunt of the indiscretions of fur traders, explorers, gold hunters, religious pioneers, settlers, and others.

An exciting account of early history in Western America.......1998-03-02

I was captivated by this writing that covers the history of the Western United States from before European intrusion, up through the peak years of the fur trade. Very interesting view from the Native American perspective and the white man's greed that laid waste to the animals and Indians alike. Very easy book to read. Once I got started, it was hard to put it down. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.

Rath and Storm (Magic the Gathering Anthology)

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A great collaboration between multiple authors to tell a single solid story.
Must read, because you have to
Excellent Book1
Rath and Storm
Good Book, Lacking In Some Areas

Rath and Storm (Magic the Gathering Anthology)
Peter Archer
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Magic the Gathering : Mercadian Masques ( Masquerade Cycle, Book 1 )
Magic the Gathering: Nemesis
Bloodlines (Magic: The Gathering: Artifacts Cycle)
The Brothers' War (Magic: The Gathering: Artifacts Cycle)
Magic the Gathering: Prophecy

ASIN: 0786911751
Release Date: 1998-07-01

Book Description

Gerrard's Legacy

A collection of powerful magical artifacts is the only defense against the forces of evil that are arrayed against Dominaria. Gerrard, the heir to the Legacy, together with Sisay, captain of the flying ship Weatherlight, has sought out many parts of the Legacy.

Gerrard's Quest

Sisay has been kidnapped by Volrath, ruler of the plane ofRath. Gerrard stands at a crossroads. His companion is in danger, the Legacy may be lost forever. Only he -- with the loyal crew of the Weatherlight -- can rescue Sisay and recover the Legacy.

Customer Reviews:

A great collaboration between multiple authors to tell a single solid story........2007-05-25

As far as anthologies go, this is one of the best I've ever read. That's probably because it doesn't really read like an anthology at all. All of the individual stories tie into one another to make up the complete story of Gerrard's quest to Rath, where he rescues Sisay and confounds Volrath's plans of conquest. This story is the focal point of the Weatherlight, Tempest, Stronghold, and Exodus expansion packs for MTG. Additional resources for this story include the graphic novel Magic - The Gathering: Gerrard`s Quest and the beautifully done ART OF MAGIC, THE (Magic the Gathering Artbooks). These two supplementary volumes help flesh out the characters and their mission in better detail (and in full color). I'd recommend them to gain a better understanding of the story.

Gerrard and his companions are some of the coolest characters up to this time (publication date) in the MTG novels. Complex and highly intriguing interactions between the characters and their individual motivations make for an interesting read with lots of side stories to interest the reader. While not all of these are brought to a conclusion, the overall story was wrapped up rather nicely at the end of the book. The most impressive thing to me was how all of the different authors were able to mesh their individual contributions into the whole to make a very satisfying and complete feeling novel. Peter Archer's intermission scenes, where an old librarian is relating the tale to a young student, aid in filling in many important details and are a necessity for the true story.

One of the better MTG novels I've read, and definitely the best of the anthologies.

Must read, because you have to.......2005-05-04

This book is a must read, only because you will be lost in future books if you don't. I hate anthologies and this is why. There is not enough room to go deep into each of the characters. The thing hops around so much, it is hard to follow. There should have been another trilogy of books to tell the stories properly.

Excellent Book1.......2003-02-05

This book was very good - it was a major part of the Magic Universe. This book only gets four stars for two reasons.

1) The climax was very lacking. It just seems like the authors assumed that you would piece everything together. There was no big battle or anything. And what is up with leaving Eirtay behind? And Crovax turning into a vampire? Starke's story never resolved, and many characters were never touched on at the end.

2) Errors! I was astonished at the number of grammer errors, typos, and printing mistakes that the editors should have caught. I felt that I was reading a rough draft.

Besides this though, the book was well written and I liked learning about each character from their viewpoint. A must read for any Magic fan!

Rath and Storm.......2002-08-08

I know kind of what this ones about, My friend has filled me in.
This is supposed to be the story of Rath where Gerrard and the Weatherlight go and save Sisay from Gerrards brother Volrath, Evincar of Rath. I loved this story only because Volrath was in it. Ertai [made me angry] when he helped Crovax defeat Volrath. Volrath had the upper hand he was going to kill him when Ertai moved the sword. Well when I read that I was ready to go and strangle Ertai he severly [made me angry]! IF your a fan of Volrath, DO NOT READ THIS! If you arent then read it its very good.

Good Book, Lacking In Some Areas.......2002-05-04

First, let me state that I've been playing M:TG for about 6 years, am a huge fan, and have read all the books in the Artifact Cycle plus the Mercadian Masques book. I'm reviewing this book in comparison to the other books I've read as well as the knowledge I've gained about the characters through playing M:TG.

Each chapter is written by a different author and is from a single character's vantage point. The chapters are tied together by a series of "Dark Room" chapters where a librarian tells the story to a youth. The book is, for the most part, very well written. However, each author has a different style so it lacks some consistency in a few parts. It becomes frustrating when all you can read is one character's account of what happened. This effect is magnified when you realize the book spans the Weatherlight, Tempest, Stronghold, and Exodus expansions. Many times I found myself wondering what the other characters felt during any given situation. Authors also seem to have left out many minor details which can add up quickly.

I am very critical of this book because it is such an important chapter to a much larger book in the Magic Universe. My one major gripe is that each chapter focuses on only one character, instead of attempting to portray what everyone else sees and feels during each situation. Overall, I give this book 3 1/2 stars (7.0 on a scale from 1-10). It really is a good read, but to me it just wasn't in-depth enough. It's more of a general overview of the events that transpired in each of the 4 expansions mentioned earlier.

Book Description

Henry--a Canadian Mountie like his father--struggles between the call of duty and the call of his heart. When he informs a young logger's wife of her husband's death, the memory of that loss haunts him for years. Assigned to a new beat five years later, he rediscovers Amber and gains her trust...and eventually her heart.

Customer Reviews:

Great Plot.......2005-07-13

I really liked the way the book went back and forth between chapters about Henry and ones about Christine; you are never bored. I would recommend it! Janette Oke is my favorite author and this is one of her better books.

A great novel!.......2001-11-18

I rally enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it for
anyone who enjoys Christian fiction novels.

a 13 year old reader.......2001-08-01

I HAVE BEN READING JANETTE OKE'S BOOKS SINCE I WAS 11.I LOVE ALL OF HER BOOKS,BUT MY FAVORITE SERIES WAS THE "CANADIAN WEST" SERIES. I'M SO GLAD THAT SHE WROTE ANOTHER BOOK TO GO IN THIS SET. I LOVED READING ABOUT ELIZABETH'S CHILDREN,AND I HOPE THAT SHE ADDS ANOTHER BOOK TO THE SERIES.

Realism meets fantasy.......2001-07-12

I was so excited when I saw this 5th book added to her Canadian West series! The children really go through a lot. It was suspenseful waiting for things to happen sometimes, but isn't that real life? :-) Janette Oke has produced yet another wonderful story that I couldn't put down until the end. Even then, her characters are so well written that it left me wondering if she would write one more for this series!

Good book, but.......2000-12-16

To begin with, this is a good book if you enjoy reading fiction. It was wonderful to be reunited with old characters, and I liked how this book was slightly different from many of Janette Oke's other books in time period and style. Reading this book without the intent of being critical, this was a good book, and a must read for anyone who values Janette Oke's books.

However, to be perfectly fair and honest in my review, this book does have its flaws. I felt as though I grew somewhat attached to Christine and Henry, but this book lacked some of the necessary material and substance that causes the reader to truly bond with the characters. Furthermore, as much as I would love to say I enjoyed every aspect of this book, I was disappointed with Christine for her refusal to see sooner that Boyd wouldn't change. Christine seemed to be a smart, bright girl, but why did the matter of Boyd's attitude seem to be slightly glossed over? There was just something missing to make this a great book. Finally, the book ended very abruptly, in my opinion. Perhaps a sequal is in the making, but if not, Christine's story seemed to vanish near the end, leaving me feeling that her future, or even present, was unsolved. Then with Henry and Sam, I felt totally lost in the abruptness of the ending. Sure, I know what happened with them, but what about the void that gets them to where they are?

Despite my opinions (which provoked me to lower my rating to 3 stars), I still would recommend "Beyone the Gathering Storm" just because it was fun to read.

Storm Gathering (The Storm Series #2)
Average customer rating:

Storm Gathering

A fun book with a twist ending

Window to the soul!

A Rene Gutteridge Masterpiece

Suspenseful and intriguing

Storm Gathering (The Storm Series #2)
Rene Gutteridge
Manufacturer: Tyndale House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 084238765X

Book Description

In this exciting prequel to The Splitting Storm, we meet Mick Kline at a time when his life is spiraling out of control. Mick finds himself accused of the kidnapping of a woman he hardly knows, and he refuses to turn to his estranged brother for help.

Customer Reviews:

Storm Gathering.......2007-10-04

Great book. Real page turner. I would recommend reading this one before reading Splitting Storm. It will help you understand Mick who is the lead character better.

A fun book with a twist ending.......2006-02-15

Storm Gathering is the second in a series that began with Splitting Storm. This book however is a prequel and you know a few things from reading the first novel, mainly that Mick Kline is an FBI agent. However, in this novel, set 10 years earlier, Mick is a royal failure. He has quit his accounting job and is a part time coach at the local high school. He spends the rest of his time being bitter about life and drinking in bars.

After another of many fights with his brother Aaron, Mick goes to a bar and meets a woman named Taylor. He goes home with her, then wakes up the next day unable to remember anything. Awake, he sees that Taylor is gone and soon he is suspected in her disappearance. Mick is overcome with guilt thinking he may have led to or been able to prevent Taylor's disappearance, so he sets out to find out what happened. While on the run, Aaron, a cop, also looks into what could have happened to Taylor. Was Sammy Earle, the lawyer and ex-boyfriend, involved? Aaron comes up on several leads and is aided by Detective Shep Crawford, a man who also believes in Mick's innocence.

Will the truth be discovered before Mick is charged with murder. This is a fun book to read with strong relationships at its core. The ending through me for a loop with its unexpected darkness and sets up the final book in the series perfectly.

Window to the soul! .......2006-02-15

Ok, there are 3 books in this series by Rene Gutteridge. The question is, which to read first. I chose the prequel, figured that was a good place to start. I guess no matter where I've started, I have yet to read something by Rene that I didn't love. This was no exception! What makes Rene Gutteridge great is to the effect of this; In one book she can be hilarious, like in the "BOO" books. Those had me rolling in my seat, and literally laughing out loud! And then this was dead serious for the most part, and made quite the mystery, very thrilling throughout the whole thing.

A young lady disappears, and Mick Kline is the prime suspect. But his brother, Aaron, who happens to be on the police force, believes his story. What to do? right? WELL, hey this just really gets interesting. Keep in mind that there may be a few corrupt forces lurking about. This also has a few good chase scenes in it. But it also gives the big picture of who is in charge. You don't see a whole lot of reference to God in this, but to get the message across, it isn't necessary. Another small clue, but not a give away: You don't have to read "The Count of Monte Cristo" to know there will be an unexpected twist or two in this.

This was original in it's own way, yet it reminded me a lot of Ted Dekker's debut, "Heaven's Wager". Mick Kline vaguely reminded me of Kent Anthony, so the ending was a little palpable. But that's ok. Rene Gutteridge offers a window to the soul. She's a witness for Christ, and a vessel that He can use. That's what keeps me coming back!

A Rene Gutteridge Masterpiece.......2005-09-12

I never know what to expect when I open a Rene Gutteridge book. Her versatility spans from romantic comedy to nail-biting suspense. It's a good job I kicked my nail-biting habit years ago, or my fingers would be bleeding right now.

STORM GATHERING is the prequel to Gutteridge's THE SPLITTING STORM, and takes us back in time to learn about FBI special agent Mick Kline's turbulent past.

Mike's life has hit rock bottom. He's been fired from his accounting job, barely hanging onto his part-time job as a football coach at the local high school, and now he learns his brother, Aaron, has proposed to the girl of Mick's dreams ... and she said yes.

For Mick, it seems life couldn't get any worse. But it does.

Mick wakes to find himself in an empty apartment. He remembers the woman he met at the bar the previous night and going home with her. But now she is missing. Everything points to foul play, and fingers soon turn in Mick's direction.

When the noose around Mick tightens, he runs. With the police in pursuit of Mick, Aaron is left to prove his brother innocent.

Once more Gutteridge proves she is a master at suspense and creating interesting characters that will keep the reader hooked. In STORM GATHERING we met Shep Crawford, a man obsessed with neatness, sharp pencils, and who is rumoured to mark everything he owns with blood. We also learn the reason behind Mick's fanatical approach in THE SPLITTING STORM to perishable food.

STORM GATHERING fills in many blanks for those that read THE SPLITTING STORM, but it also creates more questions that beg to be answered in STORM SURGE, the final instalment to this intriguing series.

Suspenseful and intriguing.......2005-08-24

When airline ticket counter attendant Taylor Franks considered the mayhem that would momentarily ensue once the "delayed" sign above her head was activated, she felt sick inside. Anticipating the mad rush of the crowd, the angry responses, the irritated passengers, and the subsequent reassignment nightmare to follow, it was no wonder Taylor hesitated to make the announcement. It wasn't long before her inner misgivings were proven correct.

An angry displaced passenger began berating Taylor for his delayed flight; as the altercation rose, airport police arrived to handcuff the man but not before Taylor faces him off. On this dismal note, Taylor is asked to leave her post --- but what no one knew was that this single standoff would catapult a series of events that would forever change Taylor and those who lay within her path.

Enter perpetually dueling brothers Aaron and Mick Kline. The former is a police officer, a Christian, and the good boy of the pair; the latter is the handsome black sheep and rebellious brother. After a physical battle of both the will and the body, the brothers retreat per usual and go their separate ways, each licking his own particular wounds. What neither realizes is that a single choice will force both of them to face up to their past, their present, and their future as brothers and as men.

Of course, this duo must be battling over something significant --- and that something has a name: Jenny, the now fiancée of Aaron and former girlfriend of Mick. Despite their ongoing terse and tense interactions, both Aaron and Mick understand that it isn't only Jenny who's been the dividing wall between them. It's God --- Aaron's God --- and Mick's resistance to anything pertaining to matters of faith.

With this foundation of exploited emotions and scarred psyches in place, author Rene Gutteridge sets the scene for a tale of suspense and intrigue. She skillfully employs both realistic dialogue and believably sympathetic characters to assist her as she weaves a story about loss of hope --- in God and in people --- and a revisiting of this faith amidst horrific and terrifying circumstances.

Within a carefully constructed framework, Mick and Taylor meet and find some tenuous common bond of suffering between them. After an evening together, Mike awakens in Taylor's apartment only to find Taylor missing. It doesn't take long before the absent Taylor brings about some suspicions and Mick is the obvious suspect. Though this plot isn't necessarily fresh, Gutteridge does a nice job keeping the action moving with interesting twists between the characters. She has readers guessing as to who is responsible for Taylor's disappearance and does a particularly fine job of not giving away too much information...just enough to have readers contemplating what may have occurred.

By bringing in some oddball characters in the guise of an eccentric police officer, a lawyer who has his obvious life issues, and other assorted dysfunctional supporting roles, Gutteridge makes the journey lively and sets the stage for a continued storyline. By the book's close, readers will have their most glaring questions answered and will be awaiting the next installment of the brothers Kline.

--- Reviewed by Michele Howe

THE SECOND WORLD WAR: VOLUME I, THE GATHERING STORM.

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THE SECOND WORLD WAR: VOLUME I, THE GATHERING STORM.

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The Gathering Storm - The Second World War

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The Gathering Storm - The Second World War
Winston Churchill
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Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing And Employing America for a Brighter Economic Furure

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