A Bed by the Window: A Novel Of Mystery And Redemption

A Bed by the Window: A Novel Of Mystery And Redemption
Average customer rating:

A Bed by the Window is an unusual name for this book

Insightful and Wise

"We are as sick as our secrets."

Reader beware of explicit sexual content

Heard the book on an audio cassette - abridged - EXCELLENT

A Bed by the Window: A Novel Of Mystery And Redemption
M. Scott Peck
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Peck, M. Scott | ( P ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 055335387X
Release Date: 1991-10-01

Customer Reviews:

A Bed by the Window is an unusual name for this book.......2007-03-14

Because it was of little significance to the story actually--the bed by the window, I mean. The story is interesting and has several twists in the plot but is somewhat predictable and even disappointing with the results of the mystery. However, I loved the character development and liked the use of both evil characteristics and godly ones. It is definitely engaging and easy to read. I think it would be an excellent book for a book club to use.

Insightful and Wise.......2005-04-01

The characters in Scott Pecks' novel "A Bed by the Window" leapt off the pages into my life. Each character reminded me of aspects of myself and helped me understand others and myself better.
From Heather, the nurse, I learned we sometimes see the light and take great care of others but not ourselves.
From Stephen I learned we can touch the hearts and minds of others in spite of being imprisoned in a helpless body and unable to speak.
From Heather and Stephen's love for each other I learned the importance of being true to ourselves, that secrets can make us sick and the importance of seeking people who are honest with themselves.
From Mrs. Grochowski I learned the power of being aware and how when we value looking good and working hard at being nice things don't work out so nicely.
From Lieutenant Petri I learned that ambition can make us or break us and that there is power in the simplicity that is born out of complexity.
From Georgia I learned we can blame our children or hold them responsible for our problems and that being "abnormal" can be healthy.
From Rachel I learned that people who are hate filled tend to become hateful. She shows us the dark side of ourselves and forces us to confront what constitutes evil.
From Dr. Kolnietz, the psychiatrist, I learned the virtue of being patient with ambiguity, how being emotionally unconscious can hurt us and how difficult it is to let go of hate as it energizes us and feeds on itself.
Reading this book made me feel richer and wiser and in awe of life's paradoxes and the great mystery behind the material world.

"We are as sick as our secrets.".......2003-09-27

Ever increasing awareness. This is a theme that is never far from the center of what Peck is writing about, and now I can say that in his fiction, he remains as Peckish as ever. I, for one, do not mind this at all... it's an important theme, and I believe he does a wonderful job of incorporating it into this novel.
Willow Glen is a nursing home, usually quite serene and unassuming. It is a well-run (one of the finest in the state), respectable institution. Who would think that it is literally percolating just this side of murder? Late one night the grisly crime takes place, and all of a sudden everyone from resident to employee is thrust into the category of "suspect".
As Detective Petri begins his investigation, he soon finds that no-one is more "suspect" than Willow Glen's most loved and respected nurse, Heather Barsten. Not only was she one of two nurses on duty in C-Wing the night of the crime, but she also had a personal relationship with the victim that seems to incriminate her beyond any doubt in the mind of Petri.
At first, he relentlessly focuses on Heather. But his subsequent interviews with certain residents and staff begin to reveal that the net ought to be cast much wider, and soon Petri is as confused as the reader.
Really, as a "whodunnit" sort of thing, I thought the novel was excellent. My own initial hunches proved false in the end, as the possibilities were many, and Peck did well in keeping the reader (me) in suspense.
Where the novel may weigh heavy with many readers is in the fact that it is laced with a LOT of psychological theory, sometimes veering into the theological. It can be said that the book's real theme is this thing about coming to a place of awareness/wholeness... it ends up being a process that nearly every single character has to personally deal with in their life. Three of the characters (in my opinion) represent people that are already at a high level of personal awareness (or one might even use Maslow's term "self-actualization" here)... pretty much everyone else is fraught with serious problems and unresolved issues in their personal lives. (This is an accurate reflection of a concept that Peck discusses elsewhere in his non-fictional books... to paraphrase, simply that ALL people, Peck himself included, are mentally ill to a certain degree. In other words, we differ not in presence of illness, but rather in degree of incapacitation). This is a concept that I happen to agree with, and therefore I don't mind seeing it in force in this fictional account of a bunch of people.
Some people in A Bed By The Window are drawn toward these three "aware" characters (I purposely do not reveal who they are, in this review)... and others are repulsed by them.
We come to see the results of either action!
And it makes for a great book. Well worth reading. I found it to be a real page-turner. The lack of a fifth star is only due to the fact that it seems that TOO MANY things were resolved in the end. Too many people made that leap into profound soulwork... even for fiction. In a perfect world, perhaps it would be so.
Another big theme in this story may be something like "If we see only what is on the surface of life (in our own life, and in the life of others) we do not see very much." True self-awareness is all about digging, searching, and asking questions of what lies in, around, and even behind, our motives and actions.
As Dr. Kolnietz (who I see as the fictional embodiment of the author) says on p.242: "We are as sick as our secrets. The evil are the sickest of all people because everything about them is secret."

Reader beware of explicit sexual content.......2002-12-30

To each his or her own but I found this book to be very disappointing. The author seemed obsessed with the theme of sex in a nursing home and it greatly overshadowed any later attempt to bring in a "mystery" plot. I would rate the sex scenes depicted in this book an "X" (even by today's standards), if this was made into a movie. This book is not one I'd want my children or teens to read. To be truthful I wouldn't recommend the book to any one. This is just my opinion but I found the book vulgar and the continuous theme of sex (that seemed to permeate every page) quite boring.

Heard the book on an audio cassette - abridged - EXCELLENT.......1998-11-23

M. Scott Peck is an excellent writer. I just finished listening to this book on an audio cassette. It was just great - I have to go out and buy the book because the abridged version was magnificent - - I can only imagine how rich the unabridged book must be!!! Five Stars!

A Bed By The Window - A Novel Of Mystery And Redemption

Average customer rating:

A Bed By The Window - A Novel Of Mystery And Redemption
M. Scott, M.D. Peck
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000IY5OCC

Average customer rating:

A Bed
The Window - A Novel Of Mystery And Redemption [Paperback]
Manufacturer: Charter
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000PJW11W

Average customer rating:

A Bed by the Window: A Novel of Mystery and Redemption
M. Scott Peck
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Book Description

A New York Times Bestselling Author

When chance forces Meredith Moore to seek refuge at Ward Sanderson's Mexican estate, she thinks the worst is behind her. But her host, magnetic and mysterious, is alternately cold, then kind. Winning the trust of Ward's small daughter and invalid brother, Meredith discovers the warmth that she, a foster child, never knew. Yet it is Ward's love she craves, and the passion smoldering in the depths of his amber eyes . . .

Amber-Eyed man
Average customer rating:
Amber-Eyed man
Johanna Phillips
Manufacturer: Berkley Second Chance # 30
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O9YBPW

Mechwarrior: Dark Age #17: Heretic's Faith (A BattleTech Novel) (Mech Warrior Dark Age)
Average customer rating:

Not worth it

Much better than Daughter of the Dragon

Building depth and complexity into a fictional universe

Spoiler Alert indeed

The slow decay of a once great franchise continues.

Mechwarrior: Dark Age #17: Heretic's Faith (A BattleTech Novel) (Mech Warrior Dark Age)
Randall N. Bills
Manufacturer: Roc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Mechwarrior | Strategy Guides | Games & Strategy Guides | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Sword of Sedition (Mechwarrior: Dark Age, No. 15)

Mechwarrior: Dark Age #20: Trial By Chaos (A BattleTech Novel) (Mechwarrior Dark Age)

ASIN: 0451460405

Customer Reviews:

Not worth it.......2006-12-11

This book hits bottom barrel. The writing style is totally unreadable - its excessive in descrition and not in a good way. Not only that, but twice in the book the author switched from 3rd person to 1st person!

I definatly would not recommend the book. Though it sounded pretty excited and definatly seemed to have an interested character to follow in the end you'll be dissapointed.

Much better than Daughter of the Dragon.......2005-10-11

I've been waiting for more background and updates on the current activities of the Nova Cats and the Spirit Cats, and this story elaborates on these factions with a fair amount of detail. The story focuses on Kisho Nova Cat, a mystic that was introduced in "Sword of Sedition". After throwing "Daughter of the Dragon" in the trash, where it belonged, this book was a pleasant surprise to me. The author goes a little overboard on the inner turmoil content, pushing Kisho's behavior slightly beyond believable. However, the story and action provided enough of a foundation to keep my interest. Although not blatantly pornographic, like "Daughter", there is one subtle sex scene that spans chapter 7, so parents, be forewarned. The author aparently also has permission to kill off a couple well-known characters from the MechWarrior miniatures universe. I was very dissapointed in the pointless way they were eliminated. I'm worriedly holding out hope that WizKids and their authors will reveal some actual purpose for these executions, other than to just eliminate factions in their game.
This book does a nice job of illustrating the nobility and pride of the Nova and Spirit Cats, while also exposing the conflicting nature of their eugenics program; the brutally harsh system that the Nova Cats have swathed in a semi-religious belief system. Although not as good as Loren Coleman's books, or "Target of Opportunity", this is a good read, especially for those interested in the status of the Nova Cats and Spirit Cats.

Building depth and complexity into a fictional universe.......2005-09-13

I've read the book, and I've read the reviews, and I felt compelled to write a review.

I give the book four stars out of five based on the fact that it's a pulp sci-fi book, and not intended to be a great work of fiction. If you want great fiction, look elsewhere, but like I've said in other reviews, if you're wanting a good time to imagine somewhere else...this series is a good bit of fun.

That being said, it's also worth noting I've been a fan of the Battletech/Mechwarrior universe since the 1980's. While I sympathize with some of the reviewers here, I respectfully disagree. Having a long series one exciting battle after another is fun, but if you want a series of books to last beyond five or ten books, you sometimes have to build more background, which isn't always going to be done in the most exciting manner.

As one reviewer noted, members of the clans are almost alien. While much attention has been given to their reasons for fighting and their skill at doing just that, why they think and do things differently than other humans just hasn't really been well developed. This book aims to change that, by taking one individual clan member, and showing us his upbringing, his thoughts, his struggles. In fact, by showing us the "heretic," it gives us a much better view of the psyche of a clanner. One of the chief themes of the book is a universal one, "what is my role in the universe." It's one of those things that almost everyone goes through at some point, but the point of this book is that those in the clans rarely if ever doubt their role. The book not only tells us this, but shows us why by exploring the childhood of those in the clans and interactions between adult members.

In fact, looking at the series as a whole, it's surprising that there are children at all in the Battletech/Mechwarrior universe, as they are so rarely seen.

Why four stars? Well, the book was enjoyable and well written (but with the editorial errors as noted, so minus one star), but more importantly it's given me more insight into the entire universe, so after this book I'll enjoy seeing clans more, and Nova Cats in particular. As a member of the military in real life, knowing why people fight is important to me. It will be fun when they go back to their epic battles, but now I'll care just a little bit more since I have a better appreciation for why. That difference is worth four stars any day.

Spoiler Alert indeed.......2005-08-24

The back cover spoiler was QUITE annoying, as I always read the jacket/cover stuff.

I like Randall's previous works, but this one was a little too light and fluffy for me. Not enough battle is not always a problem, but since there wasn't much else going on, it definitely showed.

I was intrigued by the mystic concept, but ultimately I feel let down. This was the first time in all the Dark Age books (or any Btech book for that matter... ) I just couldn't seem to latch on to the story...

Note that the interludes were interesting, and did give some unique insights which I liked... but the "breadcrumb"ing of the past is only going to work for so long... :)

The slow decay of a once great franchise continues........2005-08-13

At one time I looked forward to the release of a new Battletech novel. The writing was, for the most part, enjoyable and the stories were, again for the most part, exciting.

Then came Mechwarrior Dark Age.

I really tried, tried hard to enjoy these books. But each one got progressively worse. The plots, such as they were, became more banal and dull.

Heretic's Faith tries very hard to break the pattern. But, it fails on almost every attempt. By the midpoint of the book, you'll have figured out the ending. By the ending you'll be wishing that you ordered something else. Surrounded by fanboiz and sycophants the current authors fail to realise one important fact:

The magic is gone, and they have no idea how to get it back.

Go buy some of the Original Battletech novels.

How You Can Be Sure That You Will Spend Eternity with God
Average customer rating:

Don't forget

Disappointing

Handbook for Christian's-New and Old

I am so glad I read this... I have a low tolerance for searing flames

One of my all-time favourite books

How You Can Be Sure That You Will Spend Eternity with God
Erwin Lutzer
Manufacturer: Moody Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0802427197

Book Description

Here is a passionate, persuasive case for the gospel that will convince the seeker and renew the faith of believers everywhere. (Also available in a two-book set...one to keep and one to give away.)

Customer Reviews:

Don't forget .......2006-04-10

That grace works yet we need to be converted not just think we can just believe only and that's all. Malachi 3:all- speaks about the fire needed to refine the dross SIN out of us which is mandatory. Repentence and the obvious end of the world time frame we are in is rarely talked about. It's the end of the world, repent and be filled with the fire and be converted is the most important issues and always has been. There is some information here yet it is not the main important issue that needs to be addressed. Get ready to meet Christ NOW and focus there.

Disappointing.......2006-02-21

I really enjoy Erwin Lutzer's books, but this one was a disappointment. He let his doctrine get in the way of his logic and intelligence.

Handbook for Christian's-New and Old.......2005-10-21

Erwin Lutzer does a wonderful job explaining grace. He uses the Bible to support his message. Too many religions and some Christian denominations teach how "good works" will get you to Heaven. Too many people are misguided and don't even know it. This book will let you know if you are truely saved. Jesus is the only way people.

Romans 10: 9-10 For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

Stop thinking you can do anything to save yourself. Read this book and learn how to find the truth the Bible, the true Word of God, say you need to do.

Thanks Mr. Lutzer.

I am so glad I read this... I have a low tolerance for searing flames.......2005-09-18

Wow, I am glad I read this book. I highly recommend it. I was thrilled to learn that God loves us so much, and that he has a wonderful Plan to save us from the flaming, roasting, torturous pit of Hell that He created for those who fail to believe, comprehend, or appreciate that wonderful Plan. All we have to do is believe the simple yet very important Plan set out in this book, and then we get to be in the eternal loving presence of He Who Created Everything... our loving Father who gave us wasps, chiggers, Michael W. Smith, prolapsed hemorrhoids, mosquitos, uteruses, Dr. James Dobson, prostate glands, Alzheimer's disease, Pat Robertson, syphillis, and the Old Testament. I look forward to sitting in his Big Lap of Deity for all eternity, now that I have read and obeyed this wonderful book with its amazing Plan. I also like this book because it has nice big print, doesn't use too many big words, and was easy for me to physically hold it, although I have not yet developed opposable thumbs. Glory.

One of my all-time favourite books.......2005-08-29

You should know about this book: it deserves a full 5 star. It's so inspiring, that you simply can't stop reading. I finished it in one night!

Mr. Lutzer explains in this book THE importance of grace, the free gift God gave us through Jesus. With this book, you will truly see how much God loves us, that we are assured of salvation once we believe and walk the path of the Lord. This book will make you grow spiritually, something rare to find in most books. I used to hear "Jesus washed away my sins" but never quite grasped the true meaning of it: why did he have to die for him to do so? If he was God, couldn't he simply have chosen a simpler way? With this book, the answer becomes so logical and so heart and mind touching. In trying to prove to you why yes we can be sure we will spend eternity with God, Lutzer has built one of the best and most grasping explanation of the cross and its central place in our salvation. Then you'll understand why believers can be sure of their salvation: because God paid the price instead of us...to the last cent!

Simply put, no Christian should miss reading this book: its small, exciting, biblically based, and will help you get a step closer to God.

Easy Skillet Meals Good Housekeeping Favorite Recipes: Delicious One-Dish Cooking (Favorite Good Housekeeping Recipes)
Average customer rating:
Easy Skillet Meals Good Housekeeping Favorite Recipes: Delicious One-Dish Cooking (Favorite Good Housekeeping Recipes)
The Editors of Good Housekeeping
Manufacturer: Hearst
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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Grill It! Good Housekeeping Favorite Recipes (Favorite Good Housekeeping Recipes)

ASIN: 1588162079

Book Description

What could be simpler than tossing fresh ingredients in the skillet to make a mouthwatering meal? On a busy weeknight, nothing beats it for ease of preparation and quick clean-up. Good Housekeeping presents more than 115 tantalizing and varied one-dish recipes for meat, poultry, vegetables, seafood, eggs, and cheese. And there's something for every occasion. Do the kids want comfort food? No problem: try Lasagna tossed with Spinach and Ricotta. Unexpected company dropping by? Impress them with Couscous Paella or Tuscan Steak and Beans. And to help you choose just the right equipment, Susan Westmoreland, Good Housekeeping's Food Director and a trained chef, offers advice on her favorite skillets.

Classic Crafts and Recipes Inspired by the Songs of Christmas
Average customer rating:

decking the halls, Martha style

Pass On This One. There are better books.

Too Hard To Make The Crafts

You'll never fake your way through carols again!!!

Great Christmas Book

Classic Crafts and Recipes Inspired by the Songs of Christmas
Martha Stewart Living Magazine
Manufacturer: Clarkson Potter
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Decorative Arts | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Christmas & Hanukkah | Special Occasions | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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Classic Crafts and Recipes for the Holidays: Christmas with Martha Stewart Living

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Decorating for the Holidays

ASIN: 0609809377
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Book Description

Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the words and tunes of Christmas carols run through our heads, cheering us on and reminding us of the joys of celebrating with friends and family. These beloved songs are the theme for this book, a wonderful collection of craft, cooking, and decorating ideas. The fun starts with “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” a project based on the memorable gifts presented in the song. “Deck the Halls” focuses on using holly in unusual centerpieces and decorations. And whether they listen to Bing Crosby crooning in the background or create their own chorus, families will enjoy preparing a classic “White Christmas” aglow with white decorations and featuring white foods. As always, color photographs and clear directions make every project a joy to create.

Customer Reviews:

decking the halls, Martha style.......2003-08-24

The beauty of this book is in the colors; celebrating the Christmas spirit with exquisite combinations of creamy winter whites, blues, and golden yellows.
The ideas for ornaments, wreaths, and ingenuous ways to wrap money as a gift, are not slap-dash "quickies", but designs for objects that would be kept and enjoyed for many seasons to come. Standouts include the gorgeous Damask stockings, made from vintage fabrics, the wonderful fruit wreath in warm pastels, and my favorite, the "Ladies dancing and lords a-leaping" strung across the fireplace.

The recipes are sumptuous and shown in elegant settings, and very special is the sheet music that has the look of antique reproductions, of many familiar carols.
In the back of the volume there are templates for the many craft objects in the book, making the construction of them simpler, though you will obviously need a scanner and printer if you want to vary the size of the items, and many look like one would want to enlarge them.
As one would expect from Martha, the photography and layout is excellent, with thick, glossy pages. Even if one does not follow the patterns or recipes to the letter, it is a good "idea" book, and it's strength is its subtle color palette, used to great effect.

Pass On This One. There are better books........2003-01-10

Try Carolyn Bell's book, Gooseberry Patch Old-Fashioned Country Christmas: A Holiday Keepsake of Recipes, Traditions, Homemade Gifts, Decorating Ideas & Favorite Childhood by Vickie Hutchins or the wonderful Gooseberry Patch series of books which are delightful. I always love the Gooseberry books.

Too Hard To Make The Crafts.......2003-01-08

I tried a few and it took hours to do. I guess I need the staff she has on her show. I think you can do better.

You'll never fake your way through carols again!!!.......2002-10-30

Though the piano music is not useful for me (don't have a piano), I like seeing the acutal words to the Christmas songs, and believe their presentation in the book, with burnished corners and pretty fonts, greatly enhances the product. As for the crafts that go with these traditional songs, they are a joy to behold, and not all that difficult or time consuming to make.

Martha's books are by far better a product than her "By Mail" or "Catalogue for Living" kits, so if you're interested in putting out some money to have beautifully elegant Christmas decorations like her own, go with the book and assemble your own materials.

Great Christmas Book.......2002-10-23

I think this is such a great book if you're trying to decorate your home for Christmas without spending a fortune, which is important, especially when you're a young wife like me! (It takes a little more time to make stuff, but who really wants store-bought decorations anyway? It seems to mean more when you make it yourself.) Some of the recipes are a little tricky, but they look beautiful when their done and are great for entertaining. The crafts are mostly very simple and fun. Fabulous book!

Book Description

Excellent work by noted authority examines the unique quality of Shaker craftsmanship. Fascinating discussions of sect's origins, their communal villages, deeply religious faith,and other aspects of Shaker life accompany 83 photographs revealing the quiet refinement and functional perfection of Shaker chairs, rockers, candle holders, and many other examples of the sect's handiwork.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic example of Japanese prints for all artistic uses.......1999-07-20

This book has helped myself, an interior designer with an interest in fiber arts, learn the fine art of the Japanese Textile. For the price you cannot find a better, crisper book in print!

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