Book Description
'[Rowland's] Japan is a mix of Kabuki theater-like stylized formality, palace intrigue, and physical action that would do a martial arts movie proud.' -The Times Picayune Japan, May 1695. During a horse race at Edo Castle the shogun's chief intelligence officer drops dead as his horse gallops across the finish line-the fourth in a series of sudden deaths among high-ranking officials. Sano Ichiro, now the shogun's second-in-command, is asked to investigate. A single fingerprint and an unexpected connection to Sano's wife, Reiko, puts Sano on the trail of an underground movement to overthrow the regime, and in the path of an assassin with a deadly touch.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointing.......2007-06-06
I have read all of Laura Rowlands books. I was disappointed with this one. In several of her books she has painted the wife, Reiko, as a martial arts master. In one of her novels Reiko is attacked by assassins and still manages to kill several before she is captured. In this novel a poor girl who is a murderer captures Reiko and threatens her with a knife however Reiko seems to have forgotten all of her karate skills. It does not follow the form of the other novels. Besides for that I enjoyed the novel as I have all of the others.
Serial Vendetta.......2007-02-08
One of the things that Laura Joh Rowland captures beautifully is the sudden political vagaries of late 17th Century Japan. Thus we find Sano Ichiro once one of the shogun's lesser investigators finds himself thrust into the position of chamberlain. While this high role has much to offer, Ichiro quickly notices that many men would like to hold his position and few would mind seeing him fail. Failure, in those times, almost inevitably meant disgrace and death, not just for him, but for his family as well.
When the chief of the Shogun's intelligence service becomes the latest of a string of officials killed mysteriously Sano Ichiro is assigned to remove the mystery. What little pleasure he feels from escaping his regular paperwork quickly fades when the investigation stubbornly refuses to resolve and he finds he must cross legal lines to get the information he needs. In addition, Reiko, his wife, becomes caught up in helping her father determine whether he should believe a woman's confession. This places her in the kind of company that could easily cause Ichiro to lose face. To the chamberlain is must seem that he is assailed on all sides.
This is a complicated tale that takes a hard look at Japanese social structure in during the shogunate. A period of great disparity, willful leadership, and remarkable accomplishment as well. Sano and Reiko pursue their investigation and find common threads while meeting with all classes of Edo society and the reader is the beneficiary, given equal helpings of history and mystery.
For all that this is a well written story with many twists and turns I feel that Reiko is overplayed. It's hard to imagine that she would fail to realize that she was putting her husband's standing at risk. This is a culture in which her actions could bring not just embarrassment but disaster down on her family, yet she pursues her quest while taking no security precautions, providing fodder for the chamberlains opponents. I think this could have been managed a bit better - it's one think to make it clear that Sano Ichiro's career is a risky one, but another to bring this up every fifteen pages or so.
Even with that criticism I found Assassin's Touch a pleasure to read. Rowland has a real grasp of this period of Japanese history and a knack in telling the story in a style congenial to Japanese tale telling. The result is a complex, engrossing novel.
Sabo Ichiro does it again.......2006-08-05
For nine books and six years, Sano Ichiro was Sôsakan-sama, the Shogan's Most Honorable Investigator of Events, Situations, and People. The perfect combination of brains and brawn, Sano is an honorable samurai whose pursuit of Bushido, the Way of the Warrior, continually forces him into a precarious balance between the political forces that vie to control the weak willed Shogun. In Laura Joh Rowland's tenth novel, The Assassin's Touch, Sano has assumed his new duties as Chamberlain, the second most powerful man in Japan.
The Assassin's Touch is Rowland's best novel yet. With her eye for detail and knack for political intrigue, she recreates the world of seventeenth century Japan. In this installment, Sano is commanded to find who is assassinating members of the new regime. He is assisted by Hirata, his loyal retainer who has replaced Sano as Sôsakan-sama. Reiko his wife who in the past has assisted in his investigations is doing her own detecting for her father, the Magistrate of Justice. Though Sano as Chamberlain is able to commandeer soldiers from the army to search for the invisible assassin, in the end it is his own will and wit that must defeat his enemy.
Rowland's success is built not only on her impeccable historical research and delightful writing style but her ability to build to an increasingly exciting and heart pounding climax interwoven with moral dilemma and ambiguity. Sano Ichiro is a good man in a world populated by egomaniacal backstabbers who seek only their own advancement. He risks everything--his honor, his position, his family, and his life--to do what is right and just. If only the real world were populated by such as him.
If you haven't read any of the Sano Ichiro mysteries, start at the beginning and work your way through while catching some rays on the beach. Red Chrysanthemum releases November 14th, just in time for a little Thanksgiving adventure.
The Assassin's Touch.......2006-01-30
Fantastic Item; Wonderful Condition; Very Heppy; Would do business with again; A+++++
good book!.......2006-01-03
The book was fascinating, kept my interest pretty well through the first half but the end got a little floppy and preachy. The culture, protocol, all the bits that lend the color to her book were great. The wife is a kind of Superwoman, assisting her husband in many ways, almost upstaging him, but also creating problems for him with her derring do. I did enjoy it very much. Now I have to go back and read some of her earlier stuff.
Customer Reviews:
Awesome.......2001-01-12
This book rocks. Throw in well thought-out fantasy, interpersonal politics, intrigue, magic, love and comedic jiggery-pokery and you have three quarters of this book. Throw in perfectly-described, beautifully breathaking scenery and you have it all. A truly fun romp, pushed along by great characters, who keep developing along the way. If you like mindless hack'n'slash, forget it; if you want intelligent writing, this is the book for you.
Loved both books but thought Jen and Thib need to grow up........1999-05-19
Good reading but, how can a great assasin in training be so clueless as Jen is regarding Thib? Loved the 1st book and hope the next one returns it's focus to SciFi not aristocratic bed hopping.
One of my favorites but it could have been better.......1999-04-11
I liked this book because it kept my attention. But I think that the book could have been written better. Is there going to be a third book or was this the last book in the series?
there are flaws, but this is still one of my favorite books.......1998-11-04
I admit, there are a few character flaws in this books, but it's still such an engaging novel with a great plot, that really makes up for the few flaws. I feel that I can really related to Thibualt. Haven't we all felt for someone, with out them feeling the same thing? (I may be reaching here...) Ms. Groell really amazes me, and I hope that she comes out with the next book in the Cloak and Dagger series soon.
Worse than the first book, which is pretty bad........1998-09-15
I only read this because I bought both books at the same time. What a mistake!! This novel had all the flaws of the first book and more i.e. a really boring plot. The characters are even less likeable in this book than the first. I am going to try and return these books if I can!!
Book Description
Now with more than 250 recipes-for all types of cookers!
This greatly expanded and revised edition of The Pressure Cooker Cookbook confirms the versatility and ease of using modern pressure cookers to prepare quick, healthy, and flavorful dishes.
From appetizers, soups and "cooked" salads to stews, roasts, side dishes, and desserts, Toula Patsalis offers more than 250 easy-to-prepare recipes for today's on-the-go lifestyle.
Customer Reviews:
Pressure Cooker Cookbook.......2007-06-27
With over 250 recipes it is hard to beat this one! If you have a Pressure Cooker this book has many easy to understand and use recipes!
Great cookbook for those new to pressure cooking.......2007-04-23
If you've just purchased your first modern pressure cooker, this is a great cookbook to teach you the basics of pressure cooking. The recipes are solid, easy to prepare, and don't require a lot of unusal ingredients. The Lentil Soup is one of our favorites. That said, we sometimes feel that the recipes are a little too simple -- the dishes come out tasting similar to something we could have prepared on our own (granted, the pressure cooker makes it much faster, which was the point, wasn't it?) We purchased this book with The Pressure Cooker Gourmet (by Victoria Wise) and we've found Wise's recipes to be much more, well, gourmet. Of course, with the enhanced flavor come trips to the supermarket hunting for strange ingredients and longer prep times. We end up using both books about an equal amount -- The Pressure Cooker Cookbook for something straightforward to prepare and home-cooked tasting, and The Pressure Cooker Gourmet for dishes we never could have prepared before that are well worth the extra work.
Great Recipes!!!.......2007-03-15
I bought this book for some new recipes and the recipes in this book are a nice mix of basic and different...Pretty much everything you would weant to make are in here. A great resource for anyone using a pressure cooker.
ehhh so so cook book.......2007-02-23
well Ive made a few recipees from this book and gotta say they are just ok...dont waste your $$$$....your pressure cooker should come with a recipee booklet and tips on how to use it...you can use recipees you already do or from a regular cookbook just by changing a few things like the amount of liquids you use (remember that the liquid doesnt evaperate like a regular pot so use a little less for thicker sauces or reduce uncovered after you've released the pressure)and the time.Hope this helps!
Best Cookbook Ever.......2007-01-11
Listen, whether you use a pressure cooker or not the recipes in this book are winners! I have made several with my pressure cooker and several in the regular way and they have all been 4 star. Lots of compliments...from my KIDS!!! I made the New England Clam Chowder on Christmas Eve and my seafood hating family loved it!
Book Description
Expert guidance in choosing the right dog -the first time
Written by a renowned expert in shelter adoption, Successful Dog Adoption delivers all the information you need to find the perfect dog at a shelter and make him part of your family. In easy-to-understand language, Sue Sternberg helps you decide if you're ready to adopt by evaluating your reasons and translating them into what you should look for in a particular dog. She shows you how to find a reputable shelter, prepare for the adoption process, and work with shelter personnel to make sure they have appropriately screened their dogs. You'll also learn about "rescue" dogs and why one might be right for you.
This practical guide covers all the vital issues you need to consider when adopting-choosing a male or female, a puppy or an adult; identifying fearful dogs or dogs who will bite; and seeking out a dog with the ideal temperament. Featured here are detailed tests and observations used by professionals to ascertain the temperament and compatibility of shelter dogs-now made available to the public for the first time. You'll discover how to determine risk factors in an unknown dog, gauge a dog's potential reaction to guests and strangers, and predict the compatibility level when you add another dog to your household.
This book also offers invaluable advice on training your new pet, including guidance in housebreaking, selecting a training class, and helping a dog who gets carsick or doesn't like to be home alone. And, if you still experience difficulties with your dog, Sternberg gently discusses the steps you can take.
Authoritative and friendly, Successful Dog Adoption is the one-stop guide for finding your own "superdog"-and keeping the dog-owner relationship fresh and rewarding for years to come.
Customer Reviews:
The best book written on creating ideal dog adoptions!.......2007-04-19
Dogs need our help. Thousands die every day simply because they do not have a home. If you are involved in fostering, breed rescue or simply love dogs, read this book to learn about how to evaluate dog temperament. If you are looking to adopt a dog, this book will teach a scientifically proven effective method of evaluating a dog's personality.
Wasn't worth my money.......2007-03-05
I bought two books on dog adoption, this book being one of them. I really didn't get my money's worth from this book. The tests that the author advised just are not practical. If people did what she said, no shelter dogs would ever get adopted. In general, other books on dog adoption have a lot more practical advice than this one. This book was not a total loss, I did learn a few things from it. But, all in all, it was not worth my money.
Outstanding.......2006-11-19
What a great book! It is very well written, authoritative without being condescending, easy to understand without being simplistic and sometimes downright funny. I started reading at random and just could not put it down. Recommended for anybody who wants to adopt a dog - even if you do not believe in or want to try the test described in the second part of the book, there is a wealth of information on the first 100 pages alone.
I feel I have a much, much better chance now of finding the "Love of my life" dog we are all hoping for.
The best book I've read on the subject.......2006-10-17
As a parent of 3 who is looking into getting a dog and has seen a very strong anti-family/anti-child bias among shelter and rescue groups, I really appreciate this book. Her section on reading the internet ads was especially enlightening, since all shelters within a decent driving distance from me do most of their advertising on Petfinder. If we do decide to adopt a dog, I feel much more confident not only evaluating the dog, but evaluating the shelter.
Important book .......2006-09-09
I recieved a copy of Sues book about three months ago, I have read it four times, and thought long and hard. I have been training dogs since I was 12, and now have a small private practice training business with a high rate of client sucess.
This is a ground breaking book , and an important book addition to the field of dog training. Yes, many people do not like Sue, or her tests. Mostly people who have an agenda to place dogs, and believe " there are no bad dogs, just bad people". As a trainer I see bad dogs fobbed off on nice yuppie families, and I am tired of it.
This is not a fun, lets cuddle and play games book, it addresses a very serious problem, Dog Aggression In America.
I do not see aggressive dogs when I travel outside America, they are out of the genepool.
By the way, Positive Training does not cure aggressive behavior, at the most it can help manage it. Aggreesive dogs are a life long management issue, whether its humane or dog aggression.
Adpoting a rehomed dog is the politically correct thing to do, but don't be burned by bad breeding .Sue says it better than me,and trainers that have trained more than five years, nod their heads and agree.
Book Description
Want to give something back to the breed that you love through helping its homeless members? Find out how the most successful groups set policies, deal with conflict, screen adopters and more.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent.......2007-07-13
I hope to start a rescue of my own one day and this book has it all. Fun to read, easy to follow, its a must for anyone thinking about starting a rescue!
This Book Will Save the Lives of Many Dogs.......2002-11-02
A sincere desire to do the right thing, combined with knowledge and skill in dog care, are not enough to enable people to successfully run the nonprofit business of a dog rescue organization. In this book, Boneham leads people through the necessary decisions and policies. Her advice will help rescuers avoid myriad pitfalls that stop so many from continuing in rescue.
Boneham sets high standards for rescue, and explains the reasons for each criteria. Volunteers working within these rules will have a greatly increased chance of remaining in the work long-term, and people adopting dogs from rescues run by these principles will have good experiences. Most of all, the lives of dogs will be saved, and that's what makes it all worthwhile.
Covers every aspect including getting organized.......2001-07-06
Sheila Boneham's Breed Rescue: How To Start And Run A Successful Program is a complete and thoroughly "user friendly" guide to launching and operating a dog breed rescue. Boneham covers every aspect including getting organized; finding, training and managing volunteers; acquiring financial and community support; networking with other animal shelters and rescue groups; finding the dogs; screening dogs for medical problems; determining a dog's temperament and behavior; placing rescued dogs; and promoting/publicizing the dog rescue program. Breed Rescue also provides lists of contact names and addresses, as well as extensive collection of pertinent sample documents. If you see a need for rescuing dogs in your community but no current resources for addressing the problem, then begin with a careful reading of Sheila Boneham's Breed Rescue!
Breed Rescue.......2000-05-27
After being involved with Breed Rescue for close to a year, I then found this book on breed rescue. It is well organized, succinct and, in my opinion, complete. There is so much to consider with rescue that it is easy to get lost in the activities. I am now recommending the book to others who want to become involved. To be well informed and have each person in rescue with a sense of the same goal and way of doing things helps enormously. Many thanks to the author who took the time to put together such a wonderful reference. I still refer to it from time to time.
A great resource.......2000-01-02
Sheila has covered everything about rescue from the ground up in clearly written, easy to understand language. Even after having been involved in rescue for almost 6 years, there were new ideas in it for me.
This book is a "must read" for anyone who is thinking about starting a purebred rescue program. I believe that it would also benefit any rescue volunteer who reads it, from seasoned veteran to brand new recruit.
Average customer rating:
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The Medici Aesop: From the Spencer Collection of the New York Public Library
Aesop , and
Everett Fahy
Manufacturer: Harry N Abrams
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0810915421 |
Product Description
One of the treasures of The New York Public Librarys Spencer Collection, The Medici Aesop is a fifteenth-century Florentine manuscript of Aesops fables, traced to the library of Lorenzo de Medicis son Piero and illustrated with exquisite miniature paintingsamong the loveliest in any Renaissance work. Its magnificently illustrated pages feature a rainbow of brilliant colors and elaborate decorations that will dazzle todays reader as they once did the Medicis. With their conversations between animals, people, and gods and their sharp-edged moral lessons, these fables have been favorites for generations. This new softcover edition contains 139 classic tales, both familiar "The Dog and the Butcher," "The Old Woman and the Doctor," and "The Lion, the Bear, and the Fox"and less so: for example, "Hermes and the Sculptor," in which the god learns the precise value of a statue portraying him. Each of these delightful fables appears elegantly handwritten in the Greek, alongside an English translation by Bernard McTigue, former Curator of the George Arents Collection and Keeper of Rare Books at The New York Public Library. An introduction by Everett Fahy, Chairman of the Department of European Paintings at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, provides historical background on the development and popularity of Aesops fables, from their earliest known Greek sources to more recent versions, and on the artistry of the illuminations. An afterword by H. George Fletcher, Brooke Russell Astor Director for Special Collections at The New York Public Library, summarizes recent research on the manuscripts missing folios, its provenance, and the identity of the artist.
Book Description
This guide presents home decorators with an innovative collection of 15 projects for stylish and contemporary floor treatments. Using techniques such as decoupage, stenciling, crackling and distressing, decorators can achieve all kinds of creative projects, from bright floral-patterned floor coverings to dramatic Greek-inspired borders. Also includes techniques for decorating old tile, refurbishing wood floors, and laying a simple mosaic floor.
Designed for today's busy do-it-yourselfers, this book offers: attractive, easy-to-complete home decorating projects; full-color, step-by-step instructions; • inexpensive materials lists; affordable pricing.
Home decorators of all skill levels will delight in the inspiration this guide brings. It provides specialized instruction for planning, executing and completing every project in two days' time. Each project features a timeline, materials list, detailed instructions, and an inspirational, full-bleed image of the completed work. Best of all, crafters can easily tailor each project to suit their own room configurations and color schemes. Easy-to-copy templates included.
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Little Nemo Lunch Box (Little Nemo)
Manufacturer: Dark Horse Comics
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 1569717265 |
Book Description
Little Nemo in Slumberland is a masterpiece of fantastical cartooning from the turn of last century. Artist Windsor McCay created dozens of dreamy worlds for denizens Little Nemo, his playmate the Princess, her father King Morpheus, and Nemo's pal Flip to roam through each Sunday. McKay's delicate, detailed drawings and subtle, expressive watercolors lend a graceful charm to our latest full-size, classically styled metal lunch box. Little Nemo is considered by many to be McKay's masterpiece!
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- The Body in the Snowdrift: A Faith Fairchild Mystery (Faith Fairchild Mysteries)
- The Crimson Code
- The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
- The Haunted Abbot: A Mystery of Ancient Ireland (Sister Fidelma Mysteries)
- The Heretic's Apprentice: The Sixteenth Chronicle of Brother Cadfael
- The Listerdale Mystery and Eleven Other Stories (Mystery Masters)
- The Man in My Basement: A Novel
- The Mephisto Club: A Novel
- The Night Visitor:: A Shaman Mystery (Shaman Mysteries)
- The Stiff and the Dead: A Pauline Sokol Mystery (Pauline Sokol Mysteries)
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The Dragon Scroll
