What Casanova Told Me: A Novel

Book Description

“ Rich in interesting digressions into subjects as diverse as Minoan goddess worship and Western Orientalist stereotypes. Swan...has much to say about the emotional risks required to live a fulfilled life.”— Washington Post

A dazzlingly imagined novel that embraces two centuries, two young women, a long-lost journal, and the mystery behind the legendary Casanova’s last great love.

Susan Swan’s critically acclaimed fiction has been published in 20 countries. Her last novel, The Wives of Bath, was a finalist for the Guardian Award and Trillium Award and made into the feature film Lost and Delirious. Her other books include The Biggest Modern Woman of the World, Stupid Boys Are Good to Relax With, and The Last of the Golden Girls.

Customer Reviews:

Travel, the 5th faith.......2005-11-29

I was fascinated from the very 1st page of this scintilating novel. I am a reader of the Adam's family, John and Abigail. I knew very little of Casanova, so this book wetted my appitite. I want to know if these letters exist or are they pure fiction? Where did Susan get her idea for this book?? Want to know more. I thought it was cleverly written intertwining the journal and letters to tell a story of a young woman recovering from the loss of her mother and in the process finding herself while experiencing Venice, Greece, and Istanbul.

Not My Favorite..........2005-08-29

This was a very slow-moving book. I picked it up on a whim at the bookstore, and now I'm regretting spending $25 on it. The idea of the story is very interesting, but the execution of it was poorly done. Luce Adams is traveling with her dead-mothers female lover Lee, to Venice and Athens. She's there to give important family documents to the Sansovinian Museum in Venice, pertaining to her ancestors travels with the great Cassanova.

As she travels, she reads the diary of Asked For Adams. The ancestor that traveled with Cassaova on his journey to Constantinople in 1797. This part of the story was interesting, but still slow. And the story-line of Luce and Lee was strained.

Overall, this book had great potential, but I just couldn't get into it. From beginning to end, there was no real high point. I trudged on thinking someting exciting had to happen, but nothing. Not something I recommend, save your money.

Average customer rating:

What Casanova Told Me: A Novel
Susan Swan
Manufacturer: Bloomsbury
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NUJ2A6

Average customer rating:

Excellent Read!

fine action-packed romance
Certified Male (Harlequin Blaze)
Kristin Hardy
Manufacturer: Harlequin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0373791917

Book Description

It's an outrageous gamble and the stakes are high . . . Millions of dollars worth of rare stamps are gone, along with the family business unless Gwen Chastain follows the thief to a Vegas casino and steals the cancelled postage back before anyone finds out. Except that means Gwen'll have to masquerade as Nina, a poker-playing blond bombshell, and get into even deeper trouble with a sharp-eyed reporter who sees right through her bluff. Now, Gwen has no option but to trust Del Redmond - and pray that he knows how to play it close to the vest. It's a big risk and the odds are stacked against her, except he's got a few tricks of his own… starting with a truly amazing pair of hands!

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Read!.......2005-06-16

Gwen Chastain loves her grandfather's stamp store and is thrilled when he leaves on a cruise to try-out retirement. Gwen has always been the serious one in her family for as long as she can remember. While her sister, Joss always loved the attention living in Africa garnered them, Gwen just wanted to be normal. When $4.5 million in rare stamps go missing, along with a new employee, Gwen knows that she has to get them back before her grandfather's clients find out and before he returns. She tracks the thief to Las Vegas and a high stakes Texas Hold'em tournament. Gwen can't chance being recognized and becomes Nina, a sultry blonde up for anything. Meeting sports writer, Del Redmond is both distracting and exciting. But when everything is said and done, has Del fallen for the outrageous Nina or conservative Gwen?

I thoroughly enjoyed this story by Kristin Hardy. Gwen's transformation into Nina is fun, even if Gwen's pep talks to her self become tedious at times. I enjoyed the world of stamp collecting and poker playing. Ms. Hardy gives enough details to be authentic, but not too much that you feel you're studying a text book. The dialogue is snappy and at times, laugh-out-loud funny. Del and Gwen are a wonderful match and the scrapes they find themselves in is great and the bedrooms scenes are hot, hot, hot! I can't wait for Joss' story, U.S. Male, to hit the stands in August. This is a must read for the summer!

***Please check out www.allromancewriters.com for more reviews!

fine action-packed romance.......2005-06-14

In San Francisco, someone steals valuable stamps from her grandfather's business while Gwen Chastain was on watch. Feeling guilty that she devastated the family business and needing to make amends, Gwen follows the thief to Las Vegas. There she disguises herself as Nina, a gambler, in an effort to recover what was lost.

San Francisco sportswriter Del Redmond is in Vegas covering the World Series of Poker. When he meets Gwen, he can immediately tell she is not a cark shark. Curious over the masquerade and liking her he feels he pulled the ace of spades to complete a royal straight flush, but also wants to know what she is hiding from him.

Poker will never look the same after reading this heated contemporary romance. The story line is fun to follow as Gwen tries to stay in sexy card sharp character (when she is more a homebody) to catch a thief while Del wants her in the buff not bluffing so he raises the ante with their relationship being the stakes. Though grandpa's investment reputation being shattered and distrusted as reasons to not call the cops seems wrong (maybe that is my ignorance) CERTIFIED MALE is a fine action-packed romance.

Harriet Klausner

2 Kristin Hardy book set SEALED WITH A KISS series: CERTIFIED MALE and U.S. MALE

Average customer rating:

2 Kristin Hardy book set SEALED WITH A KISS series: CERTIFIED MALE and U.S. MALE
Kristin Hardy
Manufacturer: Harlequin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000RJ3QJQ

Eight special women in accounting: they had to make their own way in the male-dominated profession, sometimes with a 'grain bin for a desk and a salt box ... An article from: Journal of Accountancy

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Eight special women in accounting: they had to make their own way in the male-dominated profession, sometimes with a 'grain bin for a desk and a salt box ... An article from: Journal of Accountancy
Gary John Previts , Dale L. Flesher , and Andrew D. Sharp
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Journal of Accountancy, published by Thomson Gale on August 1, 2007. The length of the article is 1485 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Eight special women in accounting: they had to make their own way in the male-dominated profession, sometimes with a 'grain bin for a desk and a salt box for a chair'.
Author: Gary John Previts
Publication: Journal of Accountancy (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 1, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 204 Issue: 2 Page: 61(3)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Average customer rating:

Strong ending for a great trilogy

Fun read, but don't expect much depth

Excellent plot!

A v.good blend of science fiction and speculative theology.

The Ninety Trillion Fausts (Quintara Marathon)
Jack L. Chalker
Manufacturer: Baen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Chalker, Jack L. | ( C ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Adventure | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0671578308

Customer Reviews:

Strong ending for a great trilogy.......2006-08-22

Read "The Demons at Rainbow Bridge" and "The Run to Chaos Keep" first, or you won't understand what is going on.

The true threat and power of the Quintara are revealed, and the remnants of the teams running the Marathon must fight the devils or join them.

Chalker kept me turning pages constantly by throwing plot curveballs. If you as a reader feel weird about some of the revelations, you really identify with the characters who agree with you. Rarely I have identified as much with characters inside a science fiction novel.

Chalker spins religion into sci-fi in a way that suprised me. I hate being general, but I hate spoilers more. Unless you as a person are religiously intolerant, you'll like this book. You might even smile and say 'Wow!' at the ending, like I did.

Fun read, but don't expect much depth.......2001-07-31

As the characters spiral their way down through the depths of hell and toward the ultimate destiny of a fragmented humanity, so we as readers spiral through revelation and enjoyable action sequences in an exciting mix of horror, sci-fi, and myth. It tells the tale of three teams from rival empires. Their quest is one of discovery- to uncover the secrets of a race of Demons. Their only clues along this journey are the myths and beliefs of their own cultures that must have experienced the Demons first hand thousands of years in the past. The twist of this story is it's challenge of religious beliefs by the standards of science fiction. While Chalker strips away shrouds of biblical dogma, he quickly replaces it with sci-fi rationale. While this does have the effect of revealing the wizard as an old man behind a curtain, it validates the underpinnings of religion by giving substance to human myths. Whether you are deeply religious, anti-religious or just plain neutral on the subject like me, I think you'll enjoy the author's attempt to create a fantasy world where the tensions between science and theology can be bridged with rational observation. As we grow up in a society whose cultural beliefs are constantly challenged by the rigor of science, this book gives us a chance to look back to Sunday School and ask, "What if science could validate and explain all that bible mumbo-jumbo?" Such questions are answered with the help of characters representing three distinct viewpoints- Theological fanatics (The Mizlaplan Team), Capitalist businessmen (Exchange), and amoral opportunists (Mychol). Each viewpoint is further enhanced by each team-member who give the extreme, moderate, and even doubter's mindsets to each philosophy. This spectrum of viewpoints gives the reader a whole set of opinions to take with the plotline.

Unfortunately, this book cannot survive on ideas alone. His Empires, though intriguing, are one dimensional and thus unbelievable. Would you believe a Theocracy *completely* devoid of greed? How about a true capitalist society where everything is bought and sold, and nothing given? Governments and societies exist in a Universe filled with duality and contradiction, and thus the believable society must adapt to, and in fact embody such contradictions. This shallowness permeates the book where the characters- though varied- remain flat and predictable once their "rules" have been learned. Even the "scientific" revelations about demons and the occult are so simple and unfounded that it is hard to pick the "truth" out of the endless speculation that each character engages in throughout the three books. The lack of depth is sad, because it turns this series from an exploration to merely an appealing story. Sure, we've learned that the demons are aliens, that the arcane is really technical mastery and that the Bible is really historical text. But when there is little else revealed, it just becomes another retelling of human myths by a scientist- all that was profound about Dante's Inferno instead becomes a technical manual- much like watching a magic show with the technician whispering mirror locations in your ear. Had Chalker understood this, we'd see still more mystery behind the explanations that stimulate our imagination. If only he'd known that the incomprehensible aliens briefly mentioned in the beginning were more exciting than the demons whose simplistic goals make us wonder how they ever developed the complexity to intrigue our ancestors.

All that having been said, the series is a quick read sure to entertain you. If you go into it expecting depth, you'll be disappointed. But if you expect something to keep you turning pages while waiting for your flight to dock, it is right up your alley.

Excellent plot!.......2001-02-25

I have always been a fan of Jack L. Chalker. Most of his books have a similar theme, that of advanced alien civilisations that used to rule the universe. This trilogy though is different in that it provides a new twist to the familiar theme. Also his characters are well written, the philosophy is interesting, the plot is excellent and fast paced. Each of the three books has a unique flavour. Definitely a good read.

A v.good blend of science fiction and speculative theology........1998-06-05

The entire Quintara Marathon is one mind-bending, surreal escapade after another. The first book is devoted almost entirely to character development, the second to development of the plot... and the third is the big one. Although the climax is sometimes almost as hard to understand as the last ten minutes of the movie 2001, don't let that daunt you. This book has something for everyone. Space opera, science fiction, science occult, fantasy, and crisises of faith.... I thoroughly enjoy this sort of 'gestalt' and if you do as well, then I don't believe you will be disappointed. Some people might be squicked by some of the religious overtones (undertones?), or the Ultimate Nature of the universe (some of the characters are squicked, as well!) but taken in the light of the story, this concept adds greatly to the plotline. Besides, it's a rousing good read!

Average customer rating:

The Ninety Trillion Fausts
Jack L. Chalker
Manufacturer: Ace Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000J2NBXW

THE QUINTARA MARATHON - Book (1) One: The Demons at the Rainbow Bridge; Book (2) Two: The Run to Chaos Keep; Book (3) Three: Ninety Trillion Fausts

Average customer rating:

THE QUINTARA MARATHON - Book (1) One: The Demons at the Rainbow Bridge; Book (2) Two: The Run to Chaos Keep; Book (3) Three: Ninety Trillion Fausts
Jack L. Chalker
Manufacturer: Ace Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NRTFZQ

Average customer rating:

Ninety Trillion Fausts, The.

Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000I7ZGMC

The Quintra Marathon (Set of 3) The Demons at Rainbow Bridge, The Run to Chaos Keep, and Ninety Trillion Fausts

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The Quintra Marathon (Set of 3) The Demons at Rainbow Bridge, The Run to Chaos Keep, and Ninety Trillion Fausts
Jack L. Chalker
Manufacturer: Ace Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000K8PN04

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Challenging book from Bill Hybels

How to harness unhealthy pride. Man's worst enemy.

Not one of Bill's best

Down-to-Earth Principles on True Success

True Discipleship

Descending Into Greatness
Bill Hybels , and Mr. Rob Wilkins
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Inspirational | Protestantism | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant: Principles for Successful Living

ASIN: 0310544718

Book Description

Learning to put God's kingdom first by choosing to put self second is the secret to finding true satisfaction. This book examines how that is possible by looking at various real-world situations.

Customer Reviews:

Challenging book from Bill Hybels.......2006-10-30

Hybel's book will challenge the average Christian, like it did me. The book focuses on Phillipians 2 (one of my favorite passages) which Hybel uses to show the journey of the downward path to greatness that Jesus followed. Hybel believes that those who choose to follow Jesus should follow the same path. He showcases his points through vignettes of everyday people.

Although the writing is not the best, the points made in the book are very important. Personally I felt challenged by every chapter. And I think the conclusions he draws are true. We must give up our life to gain it. An ageless message that still rings true today.

I highly recommend this book to anyone in Christian ministry. The message is simple, but needs to be heard, and revisited on a regular basis.

How to harness unhealthy pride. Man's worst enemy........2005-08-20

Have you ever wondered why "Pride" is the "Chief Sin"?
Ever ask yourself why It is discussed in The Holy Bible hundreds and hundreds of times? The greatest among us down through all of human history mastered "Descending Into Greatness" through the conscious development of self-less-ness over self-ish-ness. Look at Mother Teresa of Calcutta, John Paul II, and Jesus The Christ.
A great little book with solid value for everyone alive.
Deacon Rev Lawrence L. Ruehlen

Not one of Bill's best.......2003-08-01

After reading this book I have only one question: Why in the world did he write it. In it Hybels weaves a sermon based on Philippians 2 with anecdotal stories of the meaning of childlike humility. It is Hybels' thesis that only through the intentional decision to move down in the world's eyes does one achieve true greatness.

Despite a grand biblical them the book is fatally flawed and full of contradictions in its interpretation of the so-called decade of "greed and decadence" of the 1980's. Here are just a few of the problems:

When he speaks of the poor getting poorer, could not this be the result of the failed polices of 30 years of liberalism? Could not the breakdown of lifestyle he bemoans be traced back to the advent of the pill, the sexual revolution and liberal social engineering rather than Reagan's economic policies? Does he think that we would have faired better under the economic policies of Jimmy Carter with an 18% inflation rate and a failed economy? What would be the plight of the poor under those conditions? Does everybody in this book suffer from codependency? Could the miracle of Willow Creek happen without the decade of greed and decadence? Was not the church built on the tithes and offerings of all those greedy Yuppies?

During the `80's Hybels was drawing a salary of $50,000. Why didn't he cut his salary in half if he was so concerned about greed and decadence?

Do yourself a favor and your blood pressure (if you are a Ronald Reagan fan) and read some other book. It is not one of Bill's best.

Down-to-Earth Principles on True Success.......2002-08-13

Hybels presents a fine definition of true, godly success in this work. He begins by describing the downward path to Christian success as opposed to the upward path to secular success. He then addresses various principles of success or greatness: power, commitment, servanthood, humility, obedience, and joy. Following an explanation of each principle and its biblical basis, Hybels includes a current-life illustration to drive his point home. He concludes his work by sharing his own personal story of descending into greatness, appealing to the reader to follow the biblical pattern. His conclusion is the most powerful part of the entire book.

I wholehearted recommend this book to all Christians, but especially to Christian leaders who are pursuing success. As the Scriptures say, and as Hybels says, being great is found not in becoming the head of the pack, but in becoming the servant of all.

True Discipleship.......2000-06-29

In this incredible book Bill Hybels and Rob Wilkins put contemporary flesh on the biblical truth that he would lead must first make himself nothing. (Chapters are paired, one teaching a principle and its partner showing how it is playing out in the life of real people.) It's a powerful reminder that true Christianity centers on the advancing of the Kingdom of God, not in the advancement of ourselves. This book will change your life. It's a well written, soul scraping challenge that every Christian should read.

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Descending into Greatness
Bill and Wilkins, Rob Hybels
Manufacturer: New York Zondervan Publishing House 1993.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000P775BA

Average customer rating:

Descending Into Greatness.
Bill. Hybels
Manufacturer: Zondervan Publishing House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000O3S6TA

Guideposts Condensed Books: David And Bathsheba/ Second Wife, Second Life!/ The Shepherd Of The Hills/ Descending Into Greatness

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Guideposts Condensed Books: David And Bathsheba/ Second Wife, Second Life!/ The Shepherd Of The Hills/ Descending Into Greatness
Roberta Kells; Holmes, Marjorie; Wright, Harold Bell; Hybels, Bill & Wilkins Dorr
Manufacturer: Guideposts
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Book of Kells | Bible & Other Sacred Texts | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000LG54UY

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Descending into Greatness
Alvin Low
Manufacturer: Lulu.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Guideposts Condensed Books (David & Bathsheba, Descending Into Greatness, The Shepherd of the Hills, Second Wife, Second Life!)

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Guideposts Condensed Books (David & Bathsheba, Descending Into Greatness, The Shepherd of the Hills, Second Wife, Second Life!)

Manufacturer: Guideposts
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000G6PTSQ

Product Description

A collection of four books (David & Bathsheba, Descending Into Greatness, The Shepherd of the Hills, Second Wife, Second Life!)

Book Description

Jennifer Snyder gives us a gold mine of recipes for the preparation of this delicious and health enhancing food source.

Customer Reviews:

A Delightful mushroom cookbook.......2000-04-20

The Shiitake Way by Jennifer Snyder is a fabulous vegetarian mushroom cookbook. The recipes are easy to follow, and great care is taken that they are all low fat and healthful. I especially love the mushroom loaf. It reminds me of my mom's meatloaf, from my childhood, but without the heavy meat. If you are interested in ways to cook these delightful mushrooms, but thought it might be difficult, try this book. It is inexpensive and well thought out. Andy Weil covers information regarding the health benefits as an added plus.

Customer Reviews:

Great Learning Tool!.......2002-02-28

This book it great for learning how to recognize great finds and how to ascertain the values in collectors' circle. You may have to thumb through the pages to find the items; but, that in itself is a learning experience. The history of the industry is as valuable as the prices of the pieces. And you won't find this much experience in cast iron between any other cast iron books (if you can find any other cast iron books).

Not Informative.......2001-03-27

I was sorry that I ordered this book. Information is not organized well and incomplete. Prices do not compare accurately to internet auction prices.

Griswold Cast Iron Vol. 1: With 1998 Prices

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Griswold Cast Iron Vol. 1: With 1998 Prices
L-W Book Sales
Manufacturer: L-W Book Sales
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WMY3SQ

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Steelhead fisherman

Steelhead Jig Fishing Techniques & Tackle: Techniques & Tackle
Dave Vedder , and Drew Harthorn
Manufacturer: Frank Amato Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1571880739

Customer Reviews:

Steelhead fisherman.......2000-07-12

This book is classic Dave Vedder. He has a friend teach him a techinque and that acts like he is the pan-ultimate expert. The book goes over the basics, much as did the preceeding book written by Ray Bradbury. And in comparison to its predecessor, it is probably a little better. But there is a lot left out -- colors to be used in different conditions, and a more detailed description of holding water. The author had the right idea but the book is impatient, not well-thought out and incomplete. Dave could do a better job if he took the time and really learned how to fish this way.

Book Description

Much of the fun of owning a cabin or log home retreat involves being able to share the space with family and friends. The Cabin Companion is designed to take the guesswork out of being a guest, providing vital information and allowing visitors to relax and get comfortable, whether or not the cabin's owner is even there! < BR> Need to find the wiener roasters, emergency numbers, or phone numbers of repair people? Wonder where to find linens, how to dispose of the garbage, or keep the furry critters away? Not sure where to ski, fish, or hike? No problem- The Cabin Companion stores all this information and more in a unique and rustic package that looks great on the coffee table, but is also as useful as the cabin's kitchen sink! < BR> The Cabin Companion organizes all the important information, personalized and documented in one place, so that cabin sitters or guests enjoy a safe and worry-free visit-and leave the cabin owner with peace of mind. < BR>

Customer Reviews:

Perfect!.......2004-04-07

This is what I've been looking for and couldn't find anything else like it.
This is the perfect book for anyone who has a vacation home. Our relatives and friends who use our vacation home will be able to find things quickly without having to call us or search the house for what they need. It also provides many other interesting facts about the area and a place for people to leave a message for us when they leave.

Customer Reviews:

Terrific bargin for well made stencils.......2000-03-29

These stencils are perfectly cut from heavy flexible vinyl. The Celtic designs are lovely. All of them are straight. Two are narrow (about 2 1/4 inches wide) and two are wide (from 3 1/2 to 4 inches.) One of the wide borders is a complex interlaced bird. All of these stencils would add beauty to your walls, quilts, leather, or other projects.

Terrific bargin for well made stencils.......2000-03-29

excellent could not find any thing like it in irelsnd.......1998-07-22

I found the stencils very easy to use and clear I could not find any thing like them in Ireland

Customer Reviews:

Far from a definitive biography.....very far.......2007-06-08

Apparently, Laura Jackson has written other biographies of famous entertainers, Queen, Bono, Mick Jagger, The Eagles, etc.

This book begins with the 911 disaster and ends with that also. Very few of Simon's celebrity friends were listed as interviewees, Lorne Michaels, Chevy Chase and Chris DeBurgh.

But several times she points out incidences and doesn't delve into futher. The reason to do a biography is to let the reader know more!! For example, the time during duo's concert in Central Park and a man jumped onstage, the author tells me what we all saw and what we all know. She fails to dish anymore than even she knows.

Much is written about the demise of the Capeman, probably because much was written about that.

Written in British style and aside from British spelling, the difficulty was in determining where a quote begins and where it ends.

#1 Very little reference is made to other sources! If you don't attribute a statement to an interviewee, then tell me where the source and reference to it came from .

#2 This biography is filled with Simon's supposedly intimate or personal "thoughts". In other words, don't put exact words and feelings into his mouth/head, unless you spoke with him or got it from a reliable source/reference.

#3 Very little was mentioned about Edie Brickell. His wife of many years now and there is not even a word on "how" they met, what happened to her CD produced by him, the children, etc. etc.

#4. If you indicate an event, concert, awards program, etc, tell us more than we have already read!!!

#5 The title chapters lacked originality or creativity.

Thanks,......MzRizz

Definitive? I don't think so.......2006-07-22

I borrowed this book from library having noticed "definitive" in the title. I reserved it as well.Being a big fan of Paul Simon I was expecting a well written and researched biography What a waste of $1 and my time. I will admit the early chapters were interesting, but when you get to Paul's solo career everything goes pear shaped. Important chapters in Paul's life seem to be squashed into one paragraph. And I wanted to learn about more about Paul's classic songs such as 'Duncan'. I am not going to learn anything in a couple of sentences. Useless. I would not recommend this to anybody.

Paul Simon would roll over in his grave (if he were dead).......2006-01-05

I submitted this review in 2004, here it is again...I bought this book out of a desire to know a lot more about this guy who writes and plays music that occupies a big part of my life. I've been attempting to learn the song 'Hearts and Bones', discovering that it was about Paul Simon's marriage to Carrie Fisher. I trawled the Internet for more information on this because I wanted to untangle the meaning of the lyrics. Eventually I discovered this biographical book. After reading the recommendations for the book I thought this is a sure bet. After I read the book I concluded the following. I really enjoyed the early chapters covering Paul Simon's life as a young man and boy. After a while I got bored of the continual references to his break-up with Art Garfunkel. I accept it was/is a big thing to a lot of folks but there has got to be more to Paul Simon's life than Art Garfunkel. I was disappointed with the short script on his marriage to Carrie Fisher; after all getting to know more about this relationship was the basis for buying the book in the first place. If you don't know too much about something then it's easy for someone to impress you about it. Unless of course you have a reference to measure it by. This was the case when just before reading the book I bought and watched the Graceland DVD. It appears that Ms Jackson has taken word for word extracts from the DVD as the basis of her contribution to a very important chapter in Simon's life. Now I have to ask was the rest of the book glossed over like this? Paul Simon is a music perfectionist, the very least one can do when writing about him is to strive for likewise quality. If Paul Simon weren't with us, by now he'd be rolling over in his grave. All in all a very watered down look at a legend's life and contribution to music.

Where's Paul?.......2003-09-27

I'll keep it short. I have only read half of this book so far, and can not adequately convey how annoyed I am that this definitive biography appears to have been written without interviewing this LIVING musical genius. When not citing the many Brits who put Paul up for the night (or the week, or the month, etc.) during his wanderings in England, there is only filler in the form of unremarkable prose; was Paul Simon interviewed for this book? I will have to trudge through the second-half of the book to find out. Very disappointing use of the word definitive in the title.

Did not meet expectations.......2003-08-26

As someone who has a lot of respect for Paul Simon's musical and lyrical ability, I was interested in reading a his biography. However, reading this book has been an exercise in frustration. It is filled with overwrought prose and speculation about what motivates his writing. I have learned some of the details of the timeline of his development as a writer, but I can't read more than about 8-10 pages without getting annoyed and putting the book down.

Simon and Garfunkel: The Definitive Biography

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Simon and Garfunkel: The Definitive Biography
Victoria Kingston
Manufacturer: Trans-Atlantic Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Entertainers | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0283062673

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