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Tonya Lewis Lee and Crystal McCrary Anthony's Gotham Diaries is a savvy, witty, and intriguing expose of the upper echelons of New York's African American society. At the center of the story is Manny Marks, an ambitious native of Alabama who finds success as the realtor to elite clients including Lauren Thomas, wife of billionaire Ed Thomas, whose wandering eye makes Lauren doubt her worth as a wife and a woman. Things heat up when Tandy Brooks, a widowed socialite, finds herself broke and desperate, and calls on Manny to help cure her of her financial woes. Along the way, secondary characters like the déclassé-yet-filthy-rich Coffee and Daryl Raye add laughter and absurdity when Manny takes them on an apartment tour and finds himself kowtowing to their Feng Shui specialist Niche ("I like the elevators ... the smoky mirrors are very metaphorical...").
A welcome addition to the growing list of Gossip Lit novels that include favorites such as The Devil Wears Prada and Bling, what Gotham Diaries lacks in editorial sophistication it most certainly makes up for in authenticity. Written by the wives of two men who clearly have access to these circles (Lewis Lee is the wife of filmmaker Spike Lee and McCrary Anthony's husband is former New York Knick Greg Anthony), Gotham Diaries is nothing if not thorough in its complete exposure of the pitfalls that often accompany extreme wealth. And while no character is particularly likeable, which can make it difficult for readers to identify with anyone, it hardly seems to matter. For Gotham Diaries does exactly what its title suggests--it offers readers an insider's glance into a world few of us will ever actually experience. --Gisele Toueg
Book Description
Tonya Lewis Lee and Crystal McCrary Anthony's Gotham Diaries is a savvy, witty, and intriguing expose of the upper echelons of New York's African American society. At the center of the story is Manny Marks, an ambitious native of Alabama who finds success as the realtor to elite clients including Lauren Thomas, wife of billionaire Ed Thomas, whose wandering eye makes Lauren doubt her worth as a wife and a woman. Things heat up when Tandy Brooks, a widowed socialite, finds herself broke and desperate, and calls on Manny to help cure her of her financial woes. Along the way, secondary characters like the d+class+-yet-filthy-rich Coffee and Daryl Raye add laughter and absurdity when Manny takes them on an apartment tour and finds himself kowtowing to their Feng Shui specialist Niche ("I like the elevators ... the smoky mirrors are very metaphorical..."). A welcome addition to the growing list of Gossip Lit novels that include favorites such as The Devil Wears Prada and Bling, what Gotham Diaries lacks in editorial sophistication it most certainly makes up for in authenticity.Written by the wives of two men who clearly have access to these circles (Lewis Lee is the wife of filmmaker Spike Lee and McCrary Anthony's husband is former New York Knick Greg Anthony), Gotham Diaries is nothing if not thorough in its complete exposure of the pitfalls that often accompany extreme wealth. And while no character is particularly likeable, which can make it difficult for readers to identify with anyone, it hardly seems to matter. For Gotham Diaries does exactly what its title suggests--it offers readers an insider's glance into a world few of us will ever actually experience. --Gisele Toueg
Download Description
In the clever, absorbing novel, GOTHAM DIARIES, Tonya Lewis Lee and Crystal McCrary Anthony guide us through a world of luxury, class, style, and extravaganceâall with an incredible view of Manhattan. From the bedroom to the boardroom, the art world to the philanthropic jet set, this moving story explores seduction, scandal, excess, betrayal, desire, dreams, and deception through one-of-a-kind characters. Lauren is trying to be an independent woman, starting her own documentary film company, but it's difficult when you're married to Ed Thomas, one of the wealthiest African-American businessmen in the countryâand particularly when he seems to have a roving eye. Manny is an up-and-coming gay real estate agent who arrived in Manhattan from Alabama with only the clothes on his back. He's made his way to the top of his professionâyet he still wants more. Tandy is one of the "ladies who lunch"âbut since her husband's death and shocking revelations about his financial problems, she's desperate to reinvent herself and find a new source of cash flow.As we follow these three and other characters in this compelling first novel, we see the fascinating world of New York City's upper-crust African American society with all their scandals, foibles and skeletons in the closet revealed. We root for Lauren as she discovers her marriage isn't the perfect haven she had thought; we watch Manny try to charm his way into riches he doesn't have in order to keep his gorgeous live-in boyfriend happy; and we become involved in a very private world that few are allowed to see.
Customer Reviews:
Great Past Time Read .......2007-07-13
I really enjoyed this book because of the main characters--middle and upper middle class African Americans, a segment of the American population that you would not normally know about unless they're athletes, or involved in some of other form of entertainment (you may be familiar with this echelon of society if you are a regular reader of such periodicals as Ebony, Upscale, Black Enterprise, etc.). This book was a great past time read, though. My only objection is that the characters were were not as developed as they could have been. I wanted to know MORE about these characters. I believe this book could easily been (I use the term "easily" loosely because I'm not a writer, so maybe it wasn't so easy) another 100+ pages. I would still recommend it highly. It's been a couple of years since I read it so I don't remember every detail--but I would take the time to read it again.
Almost interesting.......2007-05-15
Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Gucci. Oh my! If I wanted designers I'd go to the mall. I don't need to know who made the office furniture and I don't need to know how Tandy's private parts were held while she was being waxed. I think one big flaw of the book was that the authors assumed that the reader wants extreme details of mundane events. Lee also included gross details that were just TMI- " his thick black spit" "her lip print on the window." The book just didn't come together visually. Details are great, but save them for when it adds something to the story. I also felt that a lot of the side characters were under developed and were left overexaggerated to make up for their lack. This book is an easy, shallow, and mildly vapid read. Only read it if you're in to that. Otherwise, you can do like me and return it to the sale bin. Honestly, I expected better- as should you.
Entertaining read; soap opera view of NYC black elite.......2006-12-27
I've been reading more black fiction as of late. Gotham Diaries bring some serious brand name to the table. Spike Lee's wife is one of the authors and Henry Louis Gates is one of the positive book reviewers on the back cover. I get the sense that the fusion is this book is probably Spike's wife adding the details and storyline and the coauthor, who also cowrote Homecourt Advantage, adding some literary style. I found the writing capable and a little bit better than some other black fiction I've recently read, such as Connie Briscoe's PG county.
This book reminds me a lot of a book by Jackson called The Queen of Harlem. Both deal with the struggles of NYC elites to balance image with reality in a cutthroat culture. Having grown up in Westchester County touching but just outside of the elite circles described in this book, I felt I was reading a soap opera version of the black elite. If you take the book with that attitude, you'll probably be entertained. If you're looking for serious literary black fiction or if you're more accustomed to steamier things like E. Lynn Harris, you'll probably be disappointed. For me, this book met my needs. I found it readable and entertaining, and I liked reading a book that gave me a window into an unconventional expression of the black experience.
3.5 stars
--SD
Edit 12/27: This review should read 4 stars, not 5.
Page Turning Heaven!.......2006-06-08
This book was GREAT! I really don't know where to start. The plot was well thought out and it was simply well written. They definitely did not disappoint on this one.
Finally someone gives a left coaster a realistic understanding of the totally different world in New York! Co-ops and all that stuff we don't care about. But this book gives the motivation behind every characters actions. They [the characters] were very well thought out.
I would suggest ordering this book immediately! It was an interesting and worth while read. You certainly don't finish and feel like you just wasted hours or days on it like some other books by black authors. Loved it.
Doesn't grab ya!!.......2006-05-24
I wish I got this from the library instead of paying for it. I finished it just to see how it would end but the story line was weak. I won't go into what the book was about because you can read that elsewhere if you want and I get really ticked off when people tell the whole story in their review of a book instead of if they liked it or not....I'll just say this: Don't buy it, borrow it....it's not worth it.
Book Description
The ailing Duke of Rochester finds himself on his death bed with only illegitimate heirs. Concocting a plan to 'legitimise' them all upon his death, he instructs his butler extraordinaire, Reeves, to find the unsanctioned children and 'civilise' them.
No ordinary highwayman...
A mere whisper of the name "Gentleman James" sends chills throughout the ton (and thrills the ladies who have heard rumors of his amorous exploits). But the dashing brigand never dreamed that the passing of the father he never knew would leave him with a title, a fortune...and a mission.
No predictable lady...
Considered unmarriageable at twenty–five, Lady Elizabeth has the perfect life, happily snuggled among her beloved books while caring for her curmudgeonly grandfather. Or so she thinks until she meets Christian Llevanth, the dark and mysterious Viscount Westerville, and discovers the delicious ache of desire. Elizabeth finds herself longing for more – more romance, more excitement, and definitely more passion. But when does "more" become "too much"?
Customer Reviews:
More interesting, to me, than it's predecessor.......2007-06-16
Her Officer and Gentleman is the sequel to Her Master and Commander. I found this one to be much more engaging and interesting than the first one. I didn't love it, but it was an easier read than HMaC and had more meat to the story.
Even though I didn't think HMaC was all that wonderful of a book, I was looking forward to Christian's story. His introduction in HMaC left me wanting to know more about him, and also wanting to know the resolution of what had happened to him and his brother Tristan's mother. Christian is a great character...so dark and brooding.
Story-line wise, I liked how everything worked out. The plot was so much more interesting than HMaC, which seemed to have no direction and point and bored me at times. I wasn't really bored with HOaG. Hawkins creates a nice, plausible plot that reads well. It's not full of twists and suspense, but it fits the story fairly well.
Romance wise...well, for a historical, I thought it was lacking a bit in the sex-scenes area. Which is tacky to say, probably. But usually in historicals you get more than a little of the good stuff (*G*). In this book, though, you get only one full sex scene. And I will say that I thought it was unnecessary for Hawkins to put off the intimacy for so long in the book. Strictly on a romance sense, I enjoyed Christian and Elizabeth. They were nice counterparts.
Overall, I liked HOaG much more than HMaC. It was just a much more well-rounded story with more purpose and meat. I didn't love the book, but I didn't mind reading it and mostly enjoyed it.
Interesting sidenote - from the other reviews of HOaG I read, it seems as though those who liked HMaC hated HOaG, and those who liked HOaG hated HMaC. Just an interesting contrast.
Title doesn't match the book's story.......2007-06-07
I thought the story was good, not great...I liked the two main characters, and enjoyed the story line. However it is not one that I "couldn't put down" I agree with one reviewer, there was not much "romance" more of a mystery and mild sexual scenes. I think the book had great potential from the start, and became weak at the end.
Why does she name the books what she does? Many of her titles don't have anything to do with her stories? Maybe she picks the title first and then just give it to a book...I dunno.
just plain bad..............2007-06-04
While the first book in this 2 part series was only fair-I had already purchased this book and was determined to give it a chance. Wrong!
The author took what seemed to be a "bad guy on the verge of redemption" in book one, and drops him right back to bad as book two starts.
This author shows no continuity with her characters. The H/H both start the book as seemingly OK characters, but quickly turn vengeful and mean spirited.
I quit the book in disgust 100 pages in when the hero refers publicly to the other gentlemen interested in the heroine as "fleas" and the heroine thinks it's funny:(-all the while his horse is trying to bite the other mens horses, yet he tells THEM to control their horses? This would have been unacceptable in Regency England and the hero would have been the one to control his horse or leave.
The author seems to be going for "rakish" with the hero, but it just comes off as a bully and a boar. The "revenge" storyline is always a difficult one to execute and if tried the hero had better have more going for him than Christian. Another irritating point was the rehashing every other page at how really, really good looking the Hero and Heroine are. It seemed they were all style and no substance.
This author has both characters behaving completely inappropriately for the time period. While I can overlook historical inaccuracy to a point-when it's nearly every page then it's just poorly written and researched.
The storyline is just too trite and immature. Like the previous book it just seems as if the author/publisher rushed to get this book out based of the author's past popularity. Which is the quickest way to lose faithful readers who do not like to be sold such a poor bill of goods.
Even the title "Her Officer and Gentlemen" has nothing to do with the book as the hero was never in the military in the first place!
I wholeheartedly do NOT recommend this book.
0 stars.
weak in every possible way.......2006-12-27
Actually this book doesn't merit a review, but there are so many wonderful books out there, I feel that people deserve to know where to spend their money and where not to.
The plot was slow and silly. The hero uninspiring. The heroine was okay. The long and poorly phrazed sentences would make my English teacher groan with pain. The sex comes at the last pages and belongs in a circus (the whole time I was worried the heroes would fall and break their necks.)
My advice: Abstain!
Not as exciting as I expected..........2006-09-10
Though this book wasn't exactly boring, it did little to grab my attention and keep me reading. It took me several days to finish it and by the time I had, I was ready for it to be over. The characters were developed well enough but I wasn't quite sure what the point was in making him a 'highwayman' in the beginning or why the title included 'officer' when he wasn't one, unless I mistakenly missed a section. It's not that I disliked the book. It just wasn't very captivating.
Book Description
Best known as the author of "Psycho", Robert Bloch is world-renowned for his stories of horror, mystery, fantasy, and science fiction. Many of the 25 stories in this first volume of "The Complete Stories of Robert Bloch" have been unavailable for decades. The stories are in his classic style of gripping suspense, science fiction and fantasy.
As Bloch writes, "These stories in this collection have a common theme; they deal with monsters. Some of the monsters are human, some are not-- but all of them embody, in one way or another, the fears common to us in our dreams. We call these monsters by many names-- ghosts, vampires, extraterrestrials, changelings. But we recognize them for what they are; manifestations of the secret dreads and desires which lurk beneath the surface of consciousness."
"Bloch has become a virtual fixture on the popular culture landscape." --Publishers Weekly
"If you're not familiar with Bloch's short fiction, find someone to borrow this from; if you already are familiar, you know that you want to own these volumes." --Locus
Customer Reviews:
A Bloch Party.......2004-10-22
Robert Bloch's first volume of complete stories is gruesome fun. Some of his most famous and chilling short stories can be found in this collection. Many of these stories were translated into either film by Amicus productions (The House That Dripped Blood, Asylum, Torture Garden, Tales from the Crypt, etc.) or made into a radio play. Among the great stories contained are "Mannikins of Horror" where an insane nueroscientist plays god and breathes life into clay; "Frozen Fear" tells of a Cajun curse that will chill you to the bone; "The Man Who Collected Poe" is a fantastic tale of a man's obsession going beyond the mortal realm; and "I Like Blondes" deals with an individual's taste in women. This collection contains 27 stories, all of which are a blast to read. If you enjoy horror short stories without all the ambiguous endings that seem to plague the current market, this is the collection for you.
Bloch's brilliant stories are required reading........2001-10-16
Despite being famous for a novel, Robert Bloch's greatest contributions to genre literature were arguably in the short story format. Whether writing for the pulps or the slick professional magazines, Bloch could be counted on delivering a unique and addictive blend of twisted shock and sarcastic black humor. These volumes are pretty much required in any genre fans library. Highly recommended.
Very Interesting Book.......2000-12-28
This book is very interesting. Robert Bloch is able to write a suspensful story. When you read this book, you will be in for a surprise. There are many shock endings to the stories. Most of them are horror, sci-fi, and fantasy. Sometimes he weaves two of them together. Overall, I thought that this was an excellent book.
Book Description
This flexable study tool was designed to amplify to godly wisdom of the Christian classic.
Customer Reviews:
A Challenge for Mother and Daughter.......2004-04-29
"Every time my daughter and I go through a chapter of The Companion Guide to Beautiful Girlhood after reading Beautiful Girlhood, I come away with the desire to be a better wife, mother and woman. Camille and I enjoy reading the chapters together and going for the challenge. There have been times where Camille and I would groan because we knew we had been the opposite of what God would have us be. This book teaches, rebukes, corrects and encourages us." C.A.
A wonderful guide to a great book.......2000-11-29
I went through this book with my mother and I was amazed at how much I learned about her and also vice versa! It was a wonderful tool in our relationship. This guide gave me a more in-depth look at the topics presented in the book Beautiful Girlhood. We had an oppertunity to discuss things we may have never talked about before. I would highly recommed this guide to any one who is interested in gaining a closer mother/dauther relationship or just a better understanding of "girlhood" and its difficulties.
A wonderful guide to a great book.......2000-11-29
I went through this book with my mother and I was amazed at how much I learned about her and also vice versa! It was a wonderful tool in our relationship. This guide gave me a more in-depth look at the topics presented in the book Beautiful Girlhood. We had an oppertunity to discuss things we may have never talked about before. I would highly recommed this guide to any one who is interested in gaining a closer mother/dauther relationship or just a better understanding of "girlhood" and its difficulties.
Customer Reviews:
An authoritative text on edible plants........2001-01-29
This was an excellent text in its time, and it was worthy of a five star rating when published. However, this out of print book is also somewhat out of date. That's not to say it has no value, but there are newer books available which are far superior in content and coverage, not to mention being more up to date in their vernacular. (The Latin names and names of Families are often changes as more knowledge is gained to better classify plants.) One book which should be in print for some time and is far superior in many many ways is "Cornucopia II: A source Book of Edible Plants." Be sure to get the newest edition, which is truly a five STAR text. A final note. These books are not pictoral. If you want to ID a plant in your backyard, then you need a different type of book.
Customer Reviews:
Design of the ages.......2000-10-07
this books contains a huge amount of objects that are familiar to us in our daily lives and rituals. These objects are a greater part of our lives than we may think, and this book tells us how these objects shape us. A great addition to my collection strongly reccomend it to students of the design fields or anyone interested in making.
Book Description
Probably the greatest test of the modeller is achieving the perfectly posed figure. This title explains how best to set up the figure, and goes on to deal with the niceties of painting, facial expressions, clothing etc. With no detail unexplored, everything is clearly explained with step by step photos.
Customer Reviews:
not what I thought it would be.......2006-02-01
This book focused on building figures from scatch, adjusting poses on existing kit figures, assembly, and painting. I was most interested in the subject of painting but I found that the information was too little and of insufficient detail to be of any real help. Much better books on the subject include: How to Paint Realistic Military Figures by Lynn Kessler, and How to Build Dioramas by Sheperd Paine.
Lee
A Little Too General.......2004-05-29
I found this book a little too general, for my taste. The most useful part are the scale diagrams of human proportions towards the front of the book. I like the pictures of other people's work--that's where the figure modeler can learn the most. I wish they had a few more close-up photos of how to sculpt different materials: cotton, skin, wool, leather, wood, metal. I don't know about every book out there, but my copy is printed rather off-register and that seriously limits the photographic fidelity.
A very good read for figure modellers and painters.......2001-02-12
This book is a very good read for both figure modellers and painters.The writer writes in a clear style and lays out the subject matter in an easy to follow manner. The topics include commonly used scales and proportionality of the human body, modelling human figures up to and including painting the finished figure. I especially liked the-all colour picture format and the inclusion of works by the likes of Julian Hullis and the Andreas brothers. All in all an enjoyable read and a worthy addition to any modeller's library
Book Description
This book is designed to impart the techniques of using this effective tool quickly and easily. All three types of airbrush are examined and explained in simple terms. The title also boasts an excellent section on actually using the airbrush, and studies in depth the painting of four different miniatures. Clear photographs are taken of the painting process on each different model, showing all sorts of exciting techniques. Methods of lightening and darkening, representing camouflage and weathering and mixing exactly the right colour are all explained. A book that will suit both complete beginners and those wanting to get more out of their airbrush.
Book Description
The first in a new series, The Art of Painting Miniatures: Faces and Figures provides a fresh look at the art of figure painting. The content is this book is a result of 30 years hands-on experience, critical observation, experimentation and enhancement of what works. The step-by-step painting process will elevate your level of figure painting from a?poorly painted face to a realistic one. The goal is to give the figure, in particular the head and face, serious and artistic treatment, emphasizing skin tones, character development and realism.
This book is dedicated to the beginner as well as the experienced modelers, who feel a need to tell a story using figures in their vignettes and dioramas; to the textile painters who paint uniforms, banners, flags and other accessories with great detail and but need the concept and techniques to improve their face and figure work; to the advance modeler who understands his level of expertise and depends on another at his level to paint the figures for his dioramas; for the experienced modelers who want to elevate the level of their figures, and learn how to critically look and improve their face and figure work; and lastly, for the masters, these concepts will deepen and drive their techniques to a more profound level of realism.
Average customer rating:
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Figure Work: The Nude and Life Modelling in New Zealand Art
Sandra Chesterman
Manufacturer: Univ of Otago Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 History & Criticism
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ASIN: 1877276375 |
Customer Reviews:
Bring Color to Your Home!.......2005-12-22
If all your walls are a basic white, look through Alexandra Stoddard's Book of Color for ideas. Learn what tints compensate for rooms on the north side of the house. Find out about color sequence and what colors create a calm, peaceful feeling.
Average customer rating:
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Exploring Flash MX 2004 (Design Exploration)
James L. Mohler
Manufacturer: Thomson Delmar Learning
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Graphic Arts
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Exploring Dreamweaver MX 2004 (Macromedia Dreamweaver)
ASIN: 1401843913 |
Book Description
At last, a software book about design! Exploring Flash? MX 2004 is the designer?s answer to the age-old question: ?Great tool, but how do I use it to create design?? Written by the best selling Flash author and SIGGRAPH 2005 Conference Chair James Mohler, Exploring Flash MX 2004 teaches the must have software skills needed to create exceptional Web graphics. The book examines the tools and features of Macromedia® Flash?s newest release and shows how to create vector graphics for the Web. Art work is expertly woven throughout the information-packed format to drive home key design concepts and show the way to great Web design.
Average customer rating:
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Knight Errant: Memoirs of a Vagabond Actor
Robert Stephens
Manufacturer: Hodder & Stoughton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Actors & Actresses
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ASIN: 0340654600 |
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- If Morning Ever Comes: A Novel
- If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things
- In the Name of Salome
- Karma Incarnate: The Best of Foolkiller
- Killer Diller
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