Heyday: A Novel

Average customer rating:

A Phenomenal Read!

Great adventure from east to west coast.

A fun ride, but lots of negatives

A slow start grows into an engrossing, richly detailed book

Appealingly impossible novel

Heyday: A Novel
Kurt Andersen
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0375504737
Release Date: 2007-03-06

Book Description

Heyday is a brilliantly imagined, wildly entertaining tale of America’s boisterous coming of age–a sweeping panorama of madcap rebellion and overnight fortunes, palaces and brothels, murder and revenge–as well as the story of a handful of unforgettable characters discovering the nature of freedom, loyalty, friendship, and true love.

In the middle of the nineteenth century, modern life is being born: the mind-boggling marvels of photography, the telegraph, and railroads; a flood of show business spectacles and newspapers; rampant sex and drugs and drink (and moral crusades against all three); Wall Street awash with money; and giddy utopian visions everywhere. Then, during a single amazing month at the beginning of 1848, history lurches: America wins its war of manifest destiny against Mexico, gold is discovered in northern California, and revolutions sweep across Europe–sending one eager English gentleman off on an epic transatlantic adventure. . . .

Amid the tumult, aristocratic Benjamin Knowles impulsively abandons the Old World to reinvent himself in New York, where he finds himself embraced by three restless young Americans: Timothy Skaggs, muckraking journalist, daguerreotypist, pleasure-seeker, stargazer; the fireman Duff Lucking, a sweet but dangerously damaged veteran of the Mexican War; and Duff’s dazzling sister Polly Lucking, a strong-minded, free thinking actress (and discreet part-time prostitute) with whom Ben falls hopelessly in love.

Beckoned by the frontier, new beginnings, and the prospects of the California Gold Rush, all four set out on a transcontinental race west–relentlessly tracked, unbeknownst to them, by a cold-blooded killer bent on revenge.

A fresh, impeccable portrait of an era startlingly reminiscent of our own times, Heyday is by turns tragic and funny and sublime, filled with bona fide heroes and lost souls, visionaries (Walt Whitman, Charles Darwin, Alexis de Tocqueville) and monsters, expanding horizons and narrow escapes. It is also an affecting story of four people passionately chasing their American dreams at a time when America herself was still being dreamed up–an enthralling, old-fashioned yarn interwoven with a bracingly modern novel of ideas.
"In this utterly engaging novel, the author of Turn of the Century brings 19th-century America vividly to life . . . While this is a long book, it moves quickly, with historical detail that's involving but never a drag on the action; the characters are beautifully drawn. A terrific book; highly recommended." –Library Journal
"Heyday is fuled by manic energy, fanatical research, and a wicked sense of humor.... It's a joyful, wild gallop through a joyful, wild time to be an American." -Vanity Fair

Customer Reviews:

A Phenomenal Read!.......2007-09-20

This novel is educational, exciting and well-written. Kurt Andersen is a talented author who has certainly done his research, and beautifully combines history with fiction. Read this book!

Great adventure from east to west coast........2007-09-03

This is a long book but worth it. Be prepared to commit yourself to this. You won't want to miss the ending. Great characters, interesting history. Books written in this era are always so fun to read. You won't be disappointed if you enjoy epic, romantic adventure filled stories.

A fun ride, but lots of negatives.......2007-08-21

I was torn between giving this book 4 stars or only 3. There are lots of negatives that distracted me from really enjoying this book, but, when I got to the end, I realized that it was worth the read.

I won't describe the plot - plenty of others have done that, and the book's summary is sufficient. Suffice it to say that the plot itself is one of the book's weaknesses: other reviewers mentioned the coincidences that forced me to suspend disbelief over and over again, but I think, as the book progresses, you get so used to these coincidences that it doesn't matter. In the end, the book is a kind of fairy tale, and coincidence is essential for such stories.

What bothered me most, however, is the author's need to flex his historical muscles at every turn. He clearly did lots of research, and wants to make sure you know it. He almost uses Tom Swifties - bits of exposition that go overboard to explain what he's presented - when tossing around "authentic" elements from the time. Inventions, clothing, food, and anything else he can present, Andersen keeps reminding us that he did his homework. Yet this ends up more distracting than if he simply mentioned these things in passing, or, rather, _didn't_ mention them all.

I read a lot of 19th century fiction, and Heyday does fit well into that style (though clearly it is contemporary, ie 21st century, 19th century fiction.) It's a fun read, full of interesting characters, and only a few tics mar its overall effect.

A slow start grows into an engrossing, richly detailed book.......2007-08-02

This is a loooong novel (640 pages), and as the editorial review from Publishers Weekly notes, one with a "slowish" beginning. The book opens in April 1948 with young Englishman Ben Knowles' arrival in America. On his first day in the new world, he encounters two of the other main characters, the beautiful actress Polly Lucking and her firefighting brother, Duff (the fourth main character, Timothy Skaggs, is introduced a bit later). However, the timeline then reverts back to six months before, when Ben has traveled to Paris to visit a friend. Although the events that occur in Paris are integral to the story that follows (including the introduction of another major character, Sergeant Drumont), I think that the author's use of a flashback here is the reason the first 100 pages or so of this novel tend to drag somewhat.

Once the book returns to the present time, however, the story begins to pick up. Author Andersen provides a fascinating glimpse of life in the mid-1800s, from dietary staples to the newspaper boom to brothels and bathroom habits. He's clearly done his research--for example, he often makes a point of incorporating more colloquial terms in describing "modern" life at that time. Andersen also uses several major historical events as vehicles for his plot, such as France's "February Revolution" and the California gold rush. Major historical figures appear as well--Charles Darwin, Walt Whitman, and others are actual characters in the book, while Abraham Lincoln and similar famous personage receive prominent mentions.

Each of the four main characters--Ben, Polly, Duff, and Skaggs--is afforded with plenty of time and a point of view voice. Early on, the focus is more on Ben's experiences in France and Polly's checkered history, but as the novel progresses, we learn more of Duff's secret past and Skaggs' aspirations; Drumont's perspective is given as well. Heyday is a book is full of both tragedy and humor, although with more of an emphasis on the latter. At the novel's conclusion, I felt that my extended stay in the nineteenth century was time well-spent, and I believe that you will too.

Appealingly impossible novel.......2007-07-30

"Heyday" presents the reader with a totally impossible plot, in the sense of one filled with outrageous coincidences plus main characters that somehow manage to meet almost every prominent figure and participate in every major event or historical movement on two continents in the middle of the 19th century. The resulting incredulity almost turns the story, despite the intense violence and mayhem, into a comedy.
Then there are the characters themselves, as flat and static as can be. They move around a lot, but they do not evolve, regardless of the monumental challenges with which are are constantly faced.
The book's sole strength--and it's a good one--is in the details of everyday life of the time. The author has done his homework! What luxurious descriptions of life in Paris, London, New York City, the Midwest, and California during the Gold Rush, including numerous titillating details about sexual habits and instruments!
But in the end, the book is just too long to sustain interest in detail alone

Nothing But The Truth: A Documentary Novel

Average customer rating:

How the media frenzy can interfere with the truth
A waste of time...
Disturbing the Peace
Nothing but the Truth
Track Tryouts

Nothing But The Truth: A Documentary Novel
Avi
Manufacturer: Avon Flare Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 038071907X

Book Description

Patriotism or practical joke?

Harrison, NH -- Ninth-grade student Philip Malloy was suspended from school for singing along to The Star-Spangled Banner in his homeroom, causing what his teacher, Margaret Narwin, called "a disturbance." But was he standing up for his patriotic ideals, only to be squelched by the school system? Was Ms. Narwin simply trying to be a good teacher? Or could it all be just a misunderstanding gone bad -- very bad? What is the truth here? Can it ever be known?

Heroism, hoax, or mistake, what happened at Harrison High changes everything for everyone in ways no one -- least of all Philip -- could have ever predicted.

Customer Reviews:

How the media frenzy can interfere with the truth.......2007-06-18

Nothing but the Truth provides an interesting perspective on high school and the media culture that we live in today. As a young adult novel, this book deals with issues that teens can relate to: disenchantment with school, challenging of authority, disconnection with parents, and trying to carve out an identity. Philip has three conflicts in this story: one against Mrs. Narwin, one against the school system that was caused by his behavior, and ultimately with himself. The author provides a realistic portrait of a teenage boy. However, readers are not given any true insight as to why Philip behaves as he does. Suggestions for the behavior are made, but never explored. The reader never can understand how and if Philip has changed because of this incident. The other characters are given superficial development. They are mainly used as foils to interact with the main character. The actions and events are believable given today's media culture. The readers mainly see the story through Philip's eyes although the school administration and Mrs. Narwin do have some input. From Philip's viewpoint, the story is skewed in his favor. A strength of this novel is the issues that it raises. The media culture, challenging authority, and teenage angst all are presented in a fashion that would appeal to a teenage audience. This is an excellent resource for high school teachers. The realism of the novel could provide lively discussions for high school students. The issues that the story raises might make for some lively debates.

A waste of time..........2007-06-01

Okay this book was REALLY BORING! It had an ok plot when we read the back of the book but when we started to read it it was not written in a way that was interesting to us. Avi has some good books but this was not one of his better ones. Miss. Narwin sent to many letters to her sister, and there was barely (if not no) any reason for her to write to her sister. The memos were boring and we think Avi could have told us the information in a different way. Really bad.

Disturbing the Peace.......2007-03-28

I recommend this book for kids who like books that never get boring. I think Avi is a great author and I am glad that the book won the Newbery Medal. The book was really easy to read and not hard to understand. I like imagining the real thing, like what he character looks like. I learned that you can get suspended for little things! I like how the book had the names of who is talking before the character actually talks. Almost throughout the whole book I found many interesting surprises. As one can see Nothing but the Truth by Avi is a great book to read and enjoy by the fire.

Nothing but the Truth.......2007-03-23

Nothing but the Truth is a really great book. It is buy an author named Avi. This book is about a middle school kid name Phillip. Phillip got suspended because he was singing the national anthem in the morning. So the teacher got mad at Phillip and wrote him up. The characters are: Phillip, mom, dad, Mrs.Nawrin, principal, and Phillip friend named Jake. This book was probably written for anybody. There are no certain ages. This book could be for males and females.

The whole book was good. It was also conversably. I liked this book because it had to deal with school relationship. I didn't dislike the book because the setting was great. The characters played their role great. Everything was great. Some parts took place in his home with his parents. Some parts took place at school in Mrs.Nawrin room. It also took place in the principal office.

I liked this book a lot. The reason why I liked this book because it was enjoyable. I would recommend this book to anybody who like long and awesome books

Track Tryouts.......2007-03-15

My review is about Philip Malloy who wanted to try out for the track team. He wanted to try out because he was a very fast runner, and the coach and other students thought he could help them win a championship.But it turned out that he could not try out because he was failing in his English class. He soon got in trouble for humming in the classroom. The school was doing the National Athem and philip began humming. He eventually was kick out of the classroom. Right now the Princpal is talking about suspending Philip and Jennifer is wondering why.
They all figure it was a silly rule that you can not sing when The Star Spangled Banner was playing, it's a sign of disrespect. Philip was eventually transferred to a different homeroom. He was transfered from Mrs. Narwin class to Mr. Lunser class but he was suspended for 2 days for not apologizing to Mrs.Narwin. This situation became so popular that Jennifer decide to plublish it in the newspaper. Jennifer was an Education Reporter. This situation had the whole town talking and seems that Philip was getting alot of attention.Philip was getting so much attention and the coach did not want him to try out anymore because he wasn't a team player and Philip was upset. He truly wanted to be on the track team but the coach told him maybe next year. Philip decide that he did not want to go back to that school anymore and he tansfered to Washington Academy from Harrison High. It was also time for the school budget at Harrison High and everyone was hoping it would pass. When that day came they were defeated. Philip went to his new school and when he meet his new teacher , they were preparing to sing the national athem and Philip started to cry. He was asked why and he said he did not know the words....

One Man's Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey

Average customer rating:

True to the man
A modern day "Thoreau"
Just as Good the Second Time
Homesteading in Alaska
inspiring

One Man's Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey
Sam Keith , and Richard Proenneke
Manufacturer: Alaska Northwest Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0882405136

Book Description

To live in a pristine land . . . roam the wilderness . . . build a home. . . . Thousands have had such dreams, but Richard Proenneke lived them. Here is a tribute to a man who carved his masterpiece out of the beyond.

Customer Reviews:

True to the man.......2007-09-29

Ten years ago I spent a summer volunteering for the National Park Service at Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, in Alaska. My remote rangers cabin was located at Twin Lakes. Being on the lower lake, I was about 9 miles from my nearest neighbor- Dick. We spoke daily on our walkie-talkies, checking in about the weather, any visitors, or interesting wildlife viewings. I trekked up his way several times over the summer, and enjoyed a few meals with him. I can't remember if it's in his book, but his favorite sandwich was the "Twin Lakes Special": sourdough flapjaks, raw onion, and honey; don't knock it 'til ya try it! Just like his book, he was a gracious, thoughtful man, a true naturalist. Also the most spry 82-year-old I think I'd ever seen! I was saddened to hear of his death several years ago, and was grateful the NPS kept his cabin as a historical site; it is a cozy place, dark inside, smelling faintly of woodsmoke and 1948 sourdough starter, with wonderful decorative touches throughout. Dick was truly a special person, and this book captures his voice, his no-nonsense manner of talking, as well as his appreciation of the beauty of the natural world, perfectly.

A modern day "Thoreau".......2007-09-16

You cannot visit Alaska without reading this book FIRST! Just the photography alone will make you want to go. I dentify in many ways with Dick as I lived in a cabin in the White Mountains of NH for many years. He didn't intrude on nature...he simply lived in harmony with it. He appeals to all of your senses in his simple but beautifully written words, never mind the pictures. He is definitely portrayed as a "loner" but that is a good thing..for a loner has much higher self esteem and sense of character than those who can't survive in the world without people around them all the time. Dick is a true steward of the land because of his deep, abiding love and connection for this piece of God's Creation. His beautifully chronicled life in Alaska will remind you of Robert Frost's words.."We love the things we love for what they are." Enjoy!

Just as Good the Second Time.......2007-09-12

I was telling my husband about this book as I started reading it. He said, "Don't you remember, we read that many years ago when Alaska Magazine published it"? I knew that Babe, the pilot, seemed familiar. It didn't matter. I was happy to read it a second time which is unusual for me. Oh, how I would have loved to have been able to do what Mr. Proenneke did and to live where he lived. There is nothing dull about this book and I suspect the people who find it dull haven't any interest in living in the wilderness without Blackberries, i-pods, automobiles and restaurants.

Even though most of us who enjoyed the book probably don't begin to have the skills that Richard Proenneke had which made what he did possible (and a pilot friend who delivered for free) I think we all wish we could do what he did. I know I do. I didn't realize that a sequel exists. It costs big bucks, but if it's anything close to as interesting as this book, it's worth it. Maybe I'll find out if the Mission Girls ever showed-up.

Homesteading in Alaska.......2007-08-16

The year was 1968. The setting, the Alaskan bush. The mission, to live simply, deliberately, and self-sufficiently off the land, free of the trappings of contemporary society. The protagonist, clearly not what you might expect given the era. He was not some young, free spirited hippie, luddite, or draft dodger. Rather, he was a skilled hard working machinist/woodsman, who at age 51 decided to permanently leave the rat race behind.

Why this man, Dick Prenacke, suddenly left behind his conventional existence to live in a remote and unforgiving section of Alaska is never fully explored in the book. While snippets do reveal his distain for modernity, it never fully embellishes on what ultimately drove the author to do what few would ever conceive of doing. Perhaps Dick realized that at 51, the physical and physiological fortitude required to make such a transition would soon be out of his reach. More likely however, he foresaw the end of an era. No more than a few years after his departure into the wild, Alaska would enact laws prohibiting trappers and homesteaders from freely trudging off into the woods to live the quintessential "Alaskan experience." Soon Alaska would become like the rest of the lower 48, where people like Dick would be considered trespassers and evicted from any land that they did not rightfully own. Fortunately for the author, the laws were grand fathered in.

While the book is essentially a personal account of Alaskan homesteading, the author episodically weaves social commentary into his writings. He laments a society that is wasteful and superficial. The hunters that come into his Alaska, products of such a society, leave garbage and animal meat behind, unaware that the author cleans up after as well as makes use of their squander.

The author also reveals his anxiety for a society that is increasingly consumed by materialism. He feels that man is entrapped by things that he doesn't need and he seeks to avoid the superfluous at all costs. To the outsider, surviving in the wilds of Alaska would seem to require an extravagant amount of equipment and gear. One can only imagine the bill the average suburbanite would amass at the local REI in preparation for such an endeavor. Yet the author demonstrates just how little is required to not only to survive but also to prosper in such an inhospitable region.

The book closes with some thoughts on technology, and the rapidity of change that comes with it. The author's words are both haunting and prescient as he elaborates on his first year in Alaska and how his experience conflicts greatly with society at large.

inspiring.......2007-07-14

Inspiring book. Diarist was over 50 when he began this journey. Helps me look to the future for myself.

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread

Average customer rating:

Totally Enchanting!
Loved the mouse, not the story
A Kid's Review
Well written, but not light hearted
Beautiful Tale of Strength

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread
Kate Dicamillo
Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0763625299
Release Date: 2006-04-11

Amazon.com

Kate DiCamillo, author of the Newbery Honor book Because of Winn-Dixie, spins a tidy tale of mice and men where she explores the "powerful, wonderful, and ridiculous" nature of love, hope, and forgiveness. Her old-fashioned, somewhat dark story, narrated "Dear Reader"-style, begins "within the walls of a castle, with the birth of a mouse." Despereaux Tilling, the new baby mouse, is different from all other mice. Sadly, the romantic, unmouselike spirit that leads the unusually tiny, large-eared mouse to the foot of the human king and the beautiful Princess Pea ultimately causes him to be banished by his own father to the foul, rat-filled dungeon.

The first book of four tells Despereaux's sad story, where he falls deeply in love with Princess Pea and meets his cruel fate. The second book introduces another creature who differs from his peers--Chiaroscuro, a rat who instead of loving the darkness of his home in the dungeon, loves the light so much he ends up in the castle& in the queen's soup. The third book describes young Miggery Sow, a girl who has been "clouted" so many times that she has cauliflower ears. Still, all the slow-witted, hard-of-hearing Mig dreams of is wearing the crown of Princess Pea. The fourth book returns to the dungeon-bound Despereaux and connects the lives of mouse, rat, girl, and princess in a dramatic denouement.

Children whose hopes and dreams burn secretly within their hearts will relate to this cast of outsiders who desire what is said to be out of their reach and dare to break "never-to-be-broken rules of conduct." Timothy Basil Ering's pencil illustrations are stunning, reflecting DiCamillo's extensive light and darkness imagery as well as the sweet, fragile nature of the tiny mouse hero who lives happily ever after. (Ages 9 and older) --Karin Snelson

Book Description

"Forgiveness, light, love, and soup. These essential ingredients combine into a tale that is as soul-stirring as it is delicious." — BOOKLIST (starred review)

Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into each other's lives. What happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out.

From the master storyteller who brought us BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE comes another classic, a fairy tale full of quirky, unforgettable characters, with twenty-four stunning black-and-white illustrations by Timothy Basil Ering. This paperback edition pays tribute to the book's classicdesign, featuring a rough front and elegant gold stamping.

Customer Reviews:

Totally Enchanting!.......2007-09-17

This is an enchanting story full of magic intertwined with real world truths, evil step "uncles", hardened rats, and uncaring employers as well as a heroic mouse, and a charming princess. I think it would be an enjoyable read aloud for younger students and a fine diversion for adults and everyone in between. You can take what you want from this book, a simple light fairy tale or as a journey into a philosophy of light and dark. I disagree with the reviewers who felt that the princess was portrayed as good only because of her beauty. The author clearly lets the readers know that the princess possesses far greater attributes, such as kindness and empathy, which give her an inner light that far outshines any physical beauty she possesses. In the end, light prevails because the main characters, Princess Pea and Despereaux have exhibited both hope and love. But, as I mentioned before, you can make what you will from this captivating tale. I found it very enjoyable and hope to read more by this talented author.

Loved the mouse, not the story.......2007-09-11

Despereaux is an endearing character and the story starts out excitedly with his adventures. It goes downhill from there. There is little to endear all the other characters (besides Despereaux) in the book to anyone. They're all terribly stupid, cruel, lemmings, or simple. And there is no sympathy for anybody. I was not at all enchanted with the plotline, nor how their stories came together.

I really wanted to love this book, I savored reading it and put it off for years looking forward to it. But after reading it, I was unfortunately disappointed in the tale. I would have to alternatively recommend highly, as another reader did, the REDWALL series, and POPPY. And STUART LITTLE or CHARLOTTE'S WEB.

A Kid's Review.......2007-07-30

I really did not like this book very much because I don't like to read about people dying. It was also hard to tell sometime what was a dream in the book and what was really a part of the story. I think it was confusing to read sometimes. I liked the characters of Despereaux and Princess Pea. I also like reading about Miggery Sow when she was little, but I didn't like her when she got older.

Well written, but not light hearted.......2007-07-03

This is a well written story and very quick to read. Each chapter isonly a few pages long. Making it ideal for kids or are just graduating from their first chapter books into longer books. Desperaux is a mouse with a dream, he is in love with the Princess Pea and due to his innate ability to read and appreaciate a story about a knight, he envisions himself as Pea's knight in shining armor.

Which by the end of the book is ends up b eing, in his own mouse way.

The characters have a sweetness to them, but they all have a great sadness to them as well, it is a darker story than I was originally anticipating from just the story synopsis. While things all get resolved in the end it still isn't exactly a happily ever after.

Beautiful Tale of Strength.......2007-06-30

Every now and then I come across a story that just brings a smile across my face, a story that is heart warming and classic. Kate DiCamillo's The Tale of Despereaux is one of these stories. The complete title is The Tale of Despereaux: Being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread. It's perfectly illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering.

DiCamillo opens her story with the following beautiful passage:

"The world is dark, and light is precious.
Come closer dear reader.
You must trust me.
I am telling you a story."

And she proceeds to do so. Despereaux Tilling is the only surving member of his mothers litter. His ears are too big, his body is too small, and he is very un-mouselike. Instead of munching on books, Despereaux would rather read them. He reads a fantasy tale of a night in shining armor who rescues a princess and falls in love and then meets his own princess...and he falls in love with her. But he socializes with her when he is not supposed to and is rejected by the other mice. Meanwhile, we meet a rat who loves the light when he should only love the dark of the dungeons, and we meet a young girl named Miggery Sow who has never been asked what she wants and has been rejected and abused by everyone she has known.

What DiCamillo has given to children and adults alike is a story of overcoming boundaries. This is a powerful book. It is a book of finding strength in times of hopelessness, of finding light when there is only darkness. She doesn't sugar coat the world for her young readers. She admits that there is evil in the world and she acknowledges that open faced. But she offers a beacon of hope to youth who can relate to those characters. She teaches us what empathy is in this book, and paints that picture of seeing a situation from a certain person's viewpoint well.

This was a beautiful book and highly entertaining. I was so happy to read a book that faced issues full force and handled them appropriately. As a counselor, I can see this book being used in a therapeutic way as well, and I'm sure it has been. I look forward to reading more of DiCamillo's work. There was an excerpt from The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at the end of this book, and I think that may be the next book I read of hers.

Who's Counting? A Lean Accounting Business Novel (Winner of the Shingo Prize for Manufacturing Excellence)

Average customer rating:

Who' Counting & Practical Lean Accounting: 1+1>2
Clear for beginners
A Must Read for Leaders on a Lean Journey
Show me the Muda !
This is a must for anyone passionate about lean

Who's Counting? A Lean Accounting Business Novel (Winner of the Shingo Prize for Manufacturing Excellence)
Jerrold M. Solomon
Manufacturer: Wcm Associates
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0966290623

Book Description

"Who's Counting?", by Jerrold M. Solomon, is a business novel that, for the first time, explains how accounting and manufacturing personnel must develop a partnership to successfully achieve world class results. This novel takes readers on a successful "Lean Journey", and illustrates how to bring accounting practices into the 21st century in order to compete in today's global market. A must read for all those interested in successfully implementing lean accounting!

Customer Reviews:

Who' Counting & Practical Lean Accounting: 1+1>2.......2007-07-16

"Who's Counting" and "Practical Lean Accounting" are two great books on lean accounting. I wondered some time ago, which one to read and I am glad that I could not decide, so I bought and read them both. They complement each other extremely well and each one conveys the lessons of lean accounting from a different angle.

"Practical Lean Accounting" is a well structured textbook, approaching lean accounting in a systemized way. Starting from straight-forward shop-floor measurements, like the day-by-the-hour report, it gradually immerses the reader into more demanding topics, like value stream costing or lean performance measurement, culminating in the thorough description of the Sales, Operations and Financial Planning (SOFP) process, which is the way, how an entire lean enterprise is planned, controlled and measured. Lean practitioners looking for specific answers to particular questions will find it easy to navigate through the book. People with the luxury of time for reading it cover to cover will also like it, due to the gradual increase in the complexity of the topics and the many references to other chapters.

"Who's Counting" focuses more on the human side of turning the vision of lean accounting into reality. The novel format is the best way to illustrate, how strong the resistance against change will be and from how many corners of the organization it will attack back. Knowing what to do and knowing why is not enough, the issue is not capturing people's brains. The real challenge is conquering their hearts, while tearing down decades worth of wrong beliefs, bad trade-offs and political game-playing. Mike, the hero of the book teaches us through his own mistakes, that patience, tactfulness and respect for people is more helpful, then acting like a bull in a china shop. The reward is the enthusiastic desire of fellows to go his way and take ownership of the new processes. He even manages to turn Fred, a CFO who has to recognize, that most of what he built during his career was wrong, to use the 3 years until his retirement for becoming the most enthusiastic advocate of change!

Both books provide the reader with insight and incite self-reflection about "the way, we do things". There is hardly any chapter without a sacred cow being slaughtered, however this will strike the reader as plain common sense, due to the thorough description of the reasons. Deeply engrained management practices, such as approval routings, full absorption overhead allocation, standard costing or departmental budgeting will seem ridiculous, once the reader starts to open the eyes to see their fundamentally wrong assumptions.

These books will make You hate many of Your current processes!

Clear for beginners.......2006-12-02

I am a student of finance and bought the book to learn more about lean accounting. I had never heard of the subject before but Solomon does an effective job of explaining a dry and complicated subject through a bright and simple narrative. As with a lot of business novels the story starts with the hero facing serious problems at work and his job on the line. Next comes a suggested, controversial solution and lots of conflict before everything is resolved and the business becomes a world beater.

The only area of the story that put me at unease was reference to operating efficiencies of sub-units. This seemed to be a contradiction of Eli Goldratt's theory (see 'the Goal') which states that efficiencies should only be attempted of a whole production system based on the rate of the slowest step within that system; separate optimisation of sub-systems will result in higher work-in-progress inventories.

This critiscism should not detract from the overall quality of Solomon's work, but it does illustrate the value of a wider scope of reading.

A Must Read for Leaders on a Lean Journey.......2006-06-30

I work in Finance for a Fortune 200 company that is 100% committed to the Lean Journey. This book has been distributed, read and re-read throughout the company's leadership, both in Finance and in other areas, to help frame the issue of why Finance can be a barrier or an enabler to Lean. It does a great job of explaining not only the technical issues but really demonstrates the cultural obstacles and why they exist, all in an easy-to-read story. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and in particular Finance leaders who are wondering where they fit in with Lean.

Show me the Muda !.......2006-04-27

"Let's not rely on seventy year old accounting practices to compete in today's global market". - From the author's introduction.

It seems strange to be recommending a novel to normally intelligent and sensible accountants - particularly one which reads like a cheesy TV melodrama !. But it is a business novel on an accounting topic which, I believe, will be crucial for management accountants in future.

"Who's Counting" provides a simple and easily digestible introduction to lean accounting. The book focuses, particularly, on the marginal costing versus absorption costing debate; but other accounting issues and lean techniques are also covered, including stock valuation issues; the impact on earnings per share; and a tantalising glimpse of what a kaizen event might comprise in the accounts department !.

You're not expecting Jane Austen, and you certainly don't get her. The plot is virtually non-existent; the characters one-dimensional; and the writing style juvenile ("Can we take a freakin' bio break first, or isn't that allowed in Lean ?".). But I am being unfair. The book is a very easy read, and it covers the key issues in lean accounting well. It makes the language and ideas of lean understandable; and to my mind that is an achievement that forgives poor dialogue and uninteresting characters.

As a simple introduction to lean accounting this book is worthwhile. It covers all the bases and you'll whiz through it. You couldn't implement a lean accounting system from this book, but for students and accountants wishing to learn more about the field, it is a good place to start. I do recommend this for beginners in the subject. It is fun in a cheesy way, and it has spurred me on to the next stage - reading something more substantial on the topic.

As Tom Cruise almost said in one of his films "Show me the muda !". To find out what muda is, you'll need to read the book. And, as the book tells us near the end, "Accounting is beginning to operate on a different level because of some of the improvement efforts you've led. They're excited about really affecting results not just keeping score". Creaky prose aside, isn't that what management accounting should be ?.

I think lean accounting is a massively important for management accountants in the future. I want to be in there, and this book is a good place to start learning about it.

This is a must for anyone passionate about lean.......2006-03-03

I found this book a great and fast read. I am not an expert in finance but passionate about lean manufacturing and I understand the obstacles of traditional financial practices to lean.

I strongly recommend this book. Many of my work colleagues have found it very interesting and right on the money.

I recommend this to anyone working to transform their business.

Average customer rating:

Have had this book since 1997 and love it
Pat Riley would have made one heck of a military general.
Championship Inspiration
A great inspiration for any coach
Doesn't make the playoffs.

The Winner Within
Pat Riley
Manufacturer: Berkley Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0425141756

Customer Reviews:

Have had this book since 1997 and love it.......2007-07-05

I am reading this book again.. prob the 5 time and I have used about 3 different colors of hi-liter so far. I recommend it and even used the lesson and guidance to help me with my addiction issues this time around.

First time it was family issues, then 2nd time was work issues, third time was deaths in family and fourth time was post college work issues. Its been there for me everytime and this time along with Tx, I am using it again.

Pat Riley would have made one heck of a military general. .......2007-05-17

He is the ultimate strategist, always thinking ahead and planning every act of inspiration and conversation he might use to channel more out of his players than they were currently giving. In 'The Winner Within', Pat Riley shares his tactics for converting his basketball teams into units with an emphasis on the greater good. The highlights of this book came for me in the following:

* Pat Riley's acceptance of being in the right place at the right time when the Lakers needed a head coach and how preparation added to his own confidence that he could succeed at a high level.

* Riley's view on the strengthening process of one's mentality and how being thrown the wolves can be a very healthy experience.

* Making the LA Lakers a team instead a collection of self-serving, finger-pointing superstars. He mentions tactics he employed on each of his different leaders, including ways to use Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's moody eccentricities as a leadership tool.

* How embracing success hurt the Lakers in the mid-eighties and the ways Riley developed a plan to combat complacency on the team.

* How leaders in any profession must be willing to confront cancerous team members swiftly and thoroughly.

* Riley's methods of using strategic moments of temporary insanity and how this can be highly beneficial to the overall good of the team.

* When to know your time is done and move on, as he did when he left LA for New York in 1990.

* Setting reasonable goals that are both attainable and difficult. For example, his 1992 New York Knicks set the goals of being the most hated team in the league, the most conditioned team in the league, and the most professional team in the league. To a T, they succeeded in meeting all their goals.

Riley is very open and honest in this book. He admits that he knew his Knicks would have zero chance of beating the Bulls in a do-or-die game seven in 1992. He had predicted Jordan would get calls and go to the line, and that Ewing would get into foul trouble quickly. Both of his predictions became eerily true. He admits that you must know your place in the pecking order and follow this format:

#1. From nobody to upstart
#2. From upstart to contender
#3. From contender to winner
#4. From winner to champion
#5. From champion to dynasty

Riley's book is also filled with numerous quotes from histories great minds and leaders. Each quote helps highlight what Riley is trying to emphasize.

I recommend this book to anyone who is or hopes to be a manager in any avenue in life. Riley gives a clear-cut format to achieving goals as a leader.

Championship Inspiration.......2006-10-31

This is a book about how Pat Riley coaches to get out of the individual the Winner Within. There are 12 short chapters in this 271 page book with many quotes from many great individuals throughout history including this one from Sir Winston Churchill: "Success is never final."

Shaq has stated the Riley is the most motivating speaker he has ever heard and after reading this book I think you will get a feel for what he meant. Most of the book focuses on Basketball and the Lakers. But there are some good business principles scattered throughout the book that will inspire you to be the best. Riley lets you into his mind so you can see his thoughts and how he worked to get the most out of his team to bring home the championship. It's a great book that will prove a quick read.

A great inspiration for any coach.......2006-07-17

I am a first year basketball coach and found this book very inspirational. It makes me want to work even harder than I have and set higher standards for myself. Pat Riley is an excellent motivator and role model. I like any coach who is willing to write about his major losses in his career as well as greatest triumphs. A must read for any coach. However, he needs to write a sequel since he won his new title this summer. Go Heat!

Doesn't make the playoffs........2005-08-03

Of the over fifty books on leadership/coaching that I've read, this is by far the least useful. There are anecdotes for basketball fans, but as far as useful ideas on success and leadership there are few. It is the most useless book I've read in the coaching/leadership field (even worse than Coach K's or Dean Smith's).

Out Of The Dust (Apple Signature Edition)

Average customer rating:

Gritty
Jacky shares his thoughts
Not just for Children
Billie_Joe's escape
back to the prairie

Out Of The Dust (Apple Signature Edition)
Karen Hesse
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0590371258

Amazon.com

Like the Oklahoma dust bowl from which she came, 14-year-old narrator Billie Jo writes in sparse, free-floating verse. In this compelling, immediate journal, Billie Jo reveals the grim domestic realities of living during the years of constant dust storms: That hopes--like the crops--blow away in the night like skittering tumbleweeds. That trucks, tractors, even Billie Jo's beloved piano, can suddenly be buried beneath drifts of dust. Perhaps swallowing all that grit is what gives Billie Jo--our strong, endearing, rough-cut heroine--the stoic courage to face the death of her mother after a hideous accident that also leaves her piano-playing hands in pain and permanently scarred.

Meanwhile, Billie Jo's silent, windblown father is literally decaying with grief and skin cancer before her very eyes. When she decides to flee the lingering ghosts and dust of her homestead and jump a train west, she discovers a simple but profound truth about herself and her plight. There are no tight, sentimental endings here--just a steady ember of hope that brightens Karen Hesse's exquisitely written and mournful tale. Hesse won the 1998 Newbery Award for this elegantly crafted, gut-wrenching novel, and her fans won't want to miss The Music of Dolphins or Letters from Rifka. (Ages 9 and older) --Gail Hudson

Book Description

Introduce your students to a Newbery Award winning book with this engaging teaching guide. Includes an author biography, chapter summaries, creative cross-curricular activities, vocabulary builders, reproducibles, and discussion questions.

Customer Reviews:

Gritty.......2007-10-08

Wow, this powerful book left me thirsty and choking from the grit of the Oklahoma plains. A great coming of age story, Hesse gives us the feminine perspective of what is important - what is worth living for - during a time of extreme poverty and hopelessness. The drought, the dust storms, the grasshoppers, "The Path of Our Sorrow" (p. 83-84) has taken away any hopefulness for a fruitful harvest. But Billie Jo and her family are some of the more fortunate ones. They are able to keep their farm; they have a house and some food, even if they have to "chew" the milk because of the dust. (p. 22) The piano offers some comfort, too, until the accident.
In addition to the Great Depression, Billie Jo has to deal with her own depression, a result of the accidental death of her mother and the disfiguring hurt of her own injuries. Was it Billie Jo's fault? Her Father's? Will she be able to forgive him, or herself?
Billie Jo is bitter. Bitter from the dust, from her father's silence, from her mother's absence. She tries to run away from her hurt, "Out of the Dust" (p. 197-8) but she finds that the hurt follows her, and it is in this realization that she is finally able to forgive her father and herself. She is ready to begin living again.

Jacky shares his thoughts.......2007-08-30

This book has a lot of poems about the main character, Billie Jo's childhood. She has many sad stories that make me feel upset; also she has some happy stories too. Her poems are really good. I can imagine the area that she wrote about and feel the way she feels. Finally she was happy, which makes me really glad. I really love this book. I sympathize with the experience of her mother and brother dying, her friends leaving, and her hand being burned. These poems really describe Billie Jo from her outside to her inside. Her life wasn't happy most of the time, because she couldn't even play piano or forget the pain in her hands and heart. Her stories to the world make me feel very touched; when she is happy I can feel it, when she sad I share that with her. The last part is my favorite because they are finally out of the dust and they have their family back together. She described it perfectly; I can see the picture of the story. While reading the book, I looked up information on the internet and watched a movie (The Grapes Of Wrath) to learn more about the time period and understand more.

Not just for Children.......2007-08-07

Though "Out of the Dust" is marketed at a YA selection, it is no more a children's book than "The Grapes of Wrath" or "To Kill a Mockingbird." With a series of perfectly rhythmed prose poems that capture the sensations of the 1930s dust bowl, "Out of the Dust" tells the story of a young girl in Oklahoma who must overcome her own guilt when her mother is killed in a house fire. This is one of the most vivid, painful and, in the end, joyous stories I have ever had the great fortune to find.

Billie_Joe's escape.......2007-06-03

I thought that this book out of 10 was a 10.It was a great book and I just hope that after reading this book review that you will want to read it, too.I hope that everyone will read this book(if they like my book review about it).Well this book was my favorite book that I've read so far and i hope that you will love it, too.

back to the prairie.......2007-06-02

Out Of The Dust (Apple Signature Edition) is the 2-year diary of an adolescent Oklahoma girl, Billie Jo. Each 1-2 page entry is a prose poem that relates the dust-bowl setting to the lives of Billie Jo, her family, and community.

Karen Hesse's free-verse prose is serviceable, reminiscent of Masters' Spoon River Anthology (Signet Classics). It serves simply to control the flow, tempo, and idiom of the narration.

Through most of the book, I feared that the story would seep away into despair and inevitability. Instead, at the end I recognized the toughened and tangled strands of Billie Jo's life rising from the dust in a perfect metaphor of the prairie sod.

For a completely different, but equally wonderful treatment of this metaphor I recommend PrairyErth (A Deep Map): An Epic History of the Tallgrass Prairie Country.

Frog and Toad Are Friends (I Can Read Book 2)

Average customer rating:

needy public school teacher
Great start to a fine series
Arthur Lobel is still one of the BEST for kids...
hilarious
Good for reading and discussion

Frog and Toad Are Friends (I Can Read Book 2)

Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0064440206

Amazon.com

Frog and Toad agreed: it was a perfect day for a swim. And Frog was kind enough not to look at Toad in his bathing suit, per Toad's request. But when the swimming was over, a crowd had gathered to see Toad in his funny-looking suit, and neither Frog nor Toad could make them leave.

The endearing pair hop along through five enchanting stories, looking for lost buttons, greeting the spring, and waiting for mail. Their genuine care for each other makes Frog and Toad two of the finest amphibious role models around. Young readers will chuckle with Frog as they watch Toad's silly efforts to make up a story. And they will applaud Toad as he finally wakes up after hibernating all winter. The fifth story will warm the hearts of any would-be pen pal--or anyone who has ever known what it's like to have a true-blue (or green) friend.

Arnold Lobel's comfortable brown and green illustrations invite and delight every reader, setting the tone for warm, funny stories about friendship. A Caldecott Honor Book and finalist for the National Book Award for Children's Literature, this installment of Lobel's classic Frog and Toad series is another essential addition to any youngster's shelf. If you need even more of Frog and Toad, don't miss Frog and Toad Together, Frog and Toad All Year, and Days with Frog and Toad. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

The best of friends

From writing letters to going swimming, telling stories to finding lost buttons, Frog and Toad are always there for each other -- just as best friends should be.

Customer Reviews:

needy public school teacher.......2007-09-08

The books were in excellent condition and arrived earlier than expected. I had checked all local used bookstores. They were not available because of the high demand in our district. Similar books were the same price as Amazon's including shipment. I will not be going to used bookstores again. Amazon saved me time, money & gas!

Great start to a fine series.......2007-04-10

The perfect book to start your beginning reader off on and a must have for amphibian lovers of all ages, these stories are beautifully illustrated and each holds the key to a simple truth. Chiefly about friendship, Frog and Toad are able to make the best of their situations by accepting and utilizing each other's differences. The simple prose flows across the artful pages, and after reading this first one your child is sure to want them all.

J. Lyon Layden
The Other Side of Yore

Arthur Lobel is still one of the BEST for kids..........2007-04-02

Great illustrations, simply written, and always teaches a good lesson.
Wonderful to read and share with your children or grandchildren.

hilarious.......2007-03-06

I just finished reading this story to my 4 year old daughter and I have to say I was crying from laughing so hard. The stories are very amusing and easy to read and follow. They will be your childs new favorite for sure! I came back online to order more from the series.

Good for reading and discussion.......2006-12-21

This easy to read book presents stories with basic truths similar to fables but there is no stated moral. It is helpful for children to be reminded of acceptance and friendship among characters who have individual differences. Frog is usually cheerful, comforting, and helpful. He is understanding of Toad who is not as creative and is a bit self-conscious and not as outgoing. Parents and teachers can use the book for insightful discussions.

Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Medal Winner, 2000)

Average customer rating:

Bud, Not Buddy
Truely Teachable
Bud, Not Buddy
Sweet book...
Bud is my Buddy

Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Medal Winner, 2000)
Christopher Paul Curtis
Manufacturer: Yearling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0440413281
Release Date: 2002-01-08

Product Description

It's 1936 Flint, Michigan. Times may be hard, and 10-year-old Bud may be a motherless boy, but Bud's got a few things going for him: 1. He has his own suitcase full of special things; 2. He's the author of 'Bud Caldwell's Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself"; 3. His momma never told him who his father was, but she left a clue: posters of Herman E. Calloway and his band of renown, the Dusky Devastators of the Depression. Bud is sure those posters will lead him to his father. Once he decides to hit the road, nothing can stop him, not hunger, not fear, not would-be vampires, not even Herman E. Calloway himself. Ages 9-12. Paperback - 256 pages.

Amazon.com

"It's funny how ideas are, in a lot of ways they're just like seeds. Both of them start real, real small and then... woop, zoop, sloop... before you can say Jack Robinson, they've gone and grown a lot bigger than you ever thought they could." So figures scrappy 10-year-old philosopher Bud--"not Buddy"--Caldwell, an orphan on the run from abusive foster homes and Hoovervilles in 1930s Michigan. And the idea that's planted itself in his head is that Herman E. Calloway, standup-bass player for the Dusky Devastators of the Depression, is his father.

Guided only by a flier for one of Calloway's shows--a small, blue poster that had mysteriously upset his mother shortly before she died--Bud sets off to track down his supposed dad, a man he's never laid eyes on. And, being 10, Bud-not-Buddy gets into all sorts of trouble along the way, barely escaping a monster-infested woodshed, stealing a vampire's car, and even getting tricked into "busting slob with a real live girl." Christopher Paul Curtis, author of The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963, once again exhibits his skill for capturing the language and feel of an era and creates an authentic, touching, often hilarious voice in little Bud. (Ages 8 to 12) --Paul Hughes

Customer Reviews:

Bud, Not Buddy.......2007-10-08

Bud Not Buddy Review
Bud Not Buddy is a great book! I would greatly recommend it to any reader. In the book, Bud Not Buddy lives in an orphanage home in Flint Michigan. The orphanage pays people to take care of him and some other people in the orphanage. Then Bud Not Buddy runs away from the orphanage and wanders around, soon meeting one of his friends from the orphanage. His friend and him get separated boarding a train and then Bud Not Buddy thinks he knows who his father is. Bud Not Buddy then sets off on a journey across Michigan to find his father. With a few extra people helping him along the way, Bud Not Buddy travels across Michigan to the Grand Rapids. If you want to know the end, read the book.

Truely Teachable.......2007-09-30

A great book to use for Middle School students in Language Arts or Social Studies Classes!!!

This was a heart wrenching story of a boy who is searching for a father he never knew. He is in a home for boys during the depression era at the beginning of the story, and you learn a lot about the culture at that time.

I found the back of the book most interesting where there is a section about the author's own family history and where the inspiration for some of the characters came from to write this wonderful story.

An enjoyable read for all!

Bud, Not Buddy.......2007-09-16

My 10 year old grandson read this book last year in school.. When Al Roker recommended it for his summer reading club, Carson was sure his cousins would enjoy it.

Sweet book..........2007-08-14

about a boy on the run to find his father. Bud brings a boyish attitude to his struggle in life after his mother dies. The book is sweet and has a great ending.

Bud is my Buddy.......2007-07-05

I liked this book because it was exciting, sad, and happy at different times. This book takes place during the Depression in Flint, Michigan with 10 year old Bud looking for his father after his mom dies. There is a happy ending, but not before Bud has many troubles.

Average customer rating:

Entertaining
So-so -- Baldacci is capable of better
Good yarn
My First Baldacci Book
Support for Religious Fundamentalists

The Winner
David Baldacci
Manufacturer: Vision
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0446606324

Book Description

She is 20, beautiful, dirt-poor, and hoping for a better life for her infant daughter when LuAnn Tyler is offered the gift of a lifetime, a $100 million lottery jackpot. All she has to do is change her identity and leave the U.S. forever. It's an offer she dares to refuse....until violence forces her hand and thrusts her into a harrowing game of high stakes, big money subterfuge. It's a price she won't fully pay....until she does the unthinkable and breaks the promise that made her rich. For if LuAnn Tyler comes home, she will be pitted against the deadliest contestant of all: the chameleon-like financial mastermind who changed her life. And who can take it away at will....The Winner

Download Description

THE DREAM . . . She is 20, beautiful, dirt-poor, and hoping for a better life for her infant daughter when LuAnn Tyler is offered the gift of a lifetime: a $100 million lottery jackpot. All she has to do is change her identity and leave the U.S. forever. THE KILLER . . . It's an offer she dares to refuse . . . until violence forces her hand and thrusts her into a harrowing game of high stakes, big money subterfuge. It's a price she won't fully pay . . . until she does the unthinkable and breaks the promise that made her rich. THE WINNER...For if LuAnn Tyler comes home, she will be pitted against the deadliest contestant of all: the chameleon-like financial mastermind who changed her life. And who can take it away at will . . .

Customer Reviews:

Entertaining.......2007-09-06

I tend to get fed up with books populated by incredibly ingenious villains overcome by a fortuitous combination of handsome, spunky men and beautiful, talented women who live more or less happily ever after (what they call in German a "Happyend"). But then, I guess, if they were ordinary folk, we'd never get to hear about it because (a) they would be too boring for words (just like all the rest of us), or (b) the baddie would inevitably triumph and we'd never be any the wiser, so perhaps I shouldn't moan. So, what we need to get us from the beginning to the inevitable end in an entertaining manner is a good plot, well told. This manages fairly well on both counts.

At the beginning of the book, I guessed the end, and got it nearly right (there were more survivors than I expected). All in all, an entertaining read, just the right thing for train and plane journeys. Sure you could read a lot better, but you could also read a lot worse.

So-so -- Baldacci is capable of better.......2007-09-03

The plot: a lottery winner is on the run from the man who fixed her win. Not a bad concept but the execution was slow and somewhat clumsy. I never really believed white trash LuAnn Tyler could become a polyglot martial arts expert. It just didn't seem logical and Baldacci pretty much just states it as a fact, rather than showing us. SPOILER ALERT. There's also an unexplained coincidence three-quarters of the way through the book, where the bad guy finds out who his sister has been dating, who just happens to be the stock Intrepid Reporter. Lame. Also, the love interest between LuAnn and the retired FBI agent could have been better done, including an explicit lovemaking scene or two to satisfy my prurient and adolescent mind. As it was, the amorous physical interpersonal action between the two was as tame as a golden retriever on Prozac.

However, the standout scene in the book is where the bad guy explains how he fixed the lottery. It makes enough sense to be so plausible that it's got *me* wondering if the lottery is fixed.

Good yarn.......2007-08-06

This was an entertaining read. Kept me guessing until the end. Interesting plot and character development.

My First Baldacci Book.......2007-07-31

I would love to meet the fictional heroine of "The Winner," Luann Tyler, but not in a dark alley. This being my first Baldacci experience, I found his writing to be very easy to read, short chapters. with wonderful character development. It was a bit boring durng the middle 2-3 chapters, but generally a real page turner with a great plot and horrifying villain. So it's off to the library tomorrow for another David Baldacci gem. I am very impressed and it takes alot to get me interested in a book. David Baldacci has another fan.

Support for Religious Fundamentalists .......2007-07-02

While searching for something to read while giving exams in my statistic course, I found a copy of THE WINNER in my office closet. I know I never read it and I don't recall buying it. However, I have read Baldacci's CAMEL CLUB and enjoyed it immensely.

THE WINNER has an original but highly improbable storyline. Baldacci has the literary skill of making the highly improbable appear to be highly probable. If I explained the plot, you probably wouldn't read it because it sounds too ridiculous. Again, that a sign of a good writer is the ability to make a ridiculous storyline appear reasonable.

Briefly, the novel involves a single parent who is on the threshold of becoming homeless. She is manipulated into winning the lottery (100 million dollars) by highly skilled and undetectable cheating. The money is invested for her and everyone profits greatly.

The end of the novel is highly predictable. However, the process of getting to that point is NOT predictable. And, of course, the twists and turns in getting to a predictable end is a sign of a good story.

The central theme of THE WINNER is corruption and the ease at which generally honest people will succumb to wrong-doing. In North Carolina, where I live, we have a state lottery which survived passage by our state house in strong lobbying from opposing religious fundamentalists. The manner in which the lottery was approved is currently facing litigation as being unconstitutional. If religious fundamentalists read this novel, huge economic resources would be collected to overturn our state lottery.

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