Hard as Nails (A Joe Kurtz Novel)

Book Description

Ex-PI Joe Kurtz's survival is on the line when an ambush leaves him badly wounded and his parole officer Peg O'Toole barely clinging to life. Their respective professions have ensured that neither suffers from a shortage of enemies so discovering which of them was the intended target isn't easy. But Kurtz knows who's at the head of his list: Angelina Farino Ferrara, the lethal beauty who leads the Farino crime family, as well as her mob rival, ice cold Toma Gonzaga, who has his own dark history with Kurtz.The odd thing is, each wants to hire Joe Kurtz to find out who's been waging war beneath the cold gray skies of western New York. Until now, the casualties have been heroin junkies and their dealers. But now, the shootings of Kurtz and O'Toole have drawn the notice of both the newspapers and Buffalo PD Detective Rigby King, who shared Kurtz's tough childhood in a Buffalo orphanage, and who wants to put Kurtz back in prison-or back in her bed. Even Kurtz's jaded past cannot prepare him for what he's about to learn as he finds himself caught in an ever-tightening vise between the wounded and warring mob families and the cops, unaware that a maniac is waiting for his chance to strike....

Customer Reviews:

Decent mystery, interesting protagonist, lots of blood and guts.......2007-07-09

Thus far, I'm a fan of Joe Kurtz's. He's the "private investigator" in this series from Dan Simmons, and this is the third book in said series. I did not realize that I'd begun the series out of order, reading Hard Freeze (A Joe Kurtz Novel) first, when I should have read Hardcase (A Joe Kurtz Novel) first. Oh, well.

If you've never read any books from this series, here's what you need to know about Kurtz: he's recently out of prison, where he served time for a crime he DID commit; he's about as cool and distant a guy as you can find; he's wickedly smart about many things, almost unbearably stupid about others; he's smart, quick, and witty (mostly keeps that wit to himself, though); he's got a sense of morality he doesn't want to own up to, but which manages to drive him nonetheless.

In this particular book, he's been given a few days to get himself off the hook with a particularly violent crime boss, Toma Gonzaga. Gonzaga is an interesting character himself, one of very few (maybe the only one) gay crime bosses in fiction, and he wants to kill Kurtz. He'll cancel the hit on Joe, however, if Joe finds out who's slaughtering Gonzaga's dealers and runners. As you can imagine, Joe then has a really strong interest in finding the party responsible. If he doesn't, it's highly likely that he'll be dead by Halloween.

Joe's also recovering from a shooting where he and his parole officer were both injured, she more seriously than he. And he's trying to solve a mystery that same parole officer tried to get his help with. And did I mention that he's also trying to help a female crime boss locate the same individual Gonzaga's charged him with finding?

Yep. Lots on his plate in this one. And he's barely walking through most of it, dealing with the effects of a concussion and further damage inflicted on him but other nefarious characters.

The Kurtz/crime boss interactions are interesting and funny. In particular, his interactions with the female crime boss made me smile and roll my eyes a bit.

Lots of violence in this one, as in the second novel. Also, the reason I'm giving this one only 3 stars is that I knew almost immediately when a particular character was introduced that he/she would end up being the primary baddie. Bummer.

Joe's not one of those protagonists who always gets things right. He screws up--a LOT--and he's often on the very cusp of getting tossed back in prison for violations.

He loves people, but he hasn't any desire to admit that or to ever mention his feelings. He may have a daughter, but he'll be damned if he'll even let anyone else raise the possibility. He may still love a childhood sweetheart, but ditto on the "no way am I admitting that" thing.

Personally, I like him as a character. He reminds me a little of Andrew Vachss' Burke, if you've read any of his stuff. They're not similar in background, necessarily, although both of them are the product of (at the very least) irregular and damaging childhoods. It's just that professed and determined cold distance that they both share.

If you like violence, humor, and a certain coolness in your protagonists, pick this one up.

Now We Know Who Kurtz's Daddy Is...........2006-03-12

This is the third in Simmons' hard-boiled series of Joe Kurtz books, and it's another winner. It's a little more predictable than the first two (not surprising with later series entries), but still a good read-- and we now know who Kurtz's father is (or we do if we are fans of Richard Stark).

I'm used to noir heroes getting beat up and abused: Philip Marlowe and the Continental Op and Travis McGee and every two-bit gumshoe gets pummelled into unconsciousness or winged by a gat or tortured unmercifully on every other case. But Simmons is REALLY cruel to Kurtz. In every book, he's so abused you just wanna tell him to sit down and have a beer and watch Oprah and recover a little. Hell, I thought he was pretty much dead at the end of the second book. Now, here he is, back again. Ten pages in, though, he's pretty much dead again. Simmons: Give Kurtz a break!

Simmons is always worth reading-- if you've read the first two Kurtzes, you'll want to read this one.

Don't quibble..........2005-05-27

the pages turn quickly, but helicopter raids? Joe is still tough, but maybe he needs to get away from the Mafia.

Kurtz is Tougher Than Tough.......2004-07-16

This is the 3rd book in Dan Simmons' ultra-hardboiled Joe Kurtz series a private investigator series that is perfect for lovers of gritty, violent and somewhat dark thrillers. An important point before moving any further into this review, I would recommend reading the first two books in the series, HARDCASE and HARD FREEZE first. Numerous references are made to characters and events from the first two books and if you haven't read them, it could become very confused. Simmons also tends to assume that the reader is aware of Kurtz's personal history throwing in references to earlier books that explain why he has taken the actions that he did. I see this as a bit of a weakness as far as the book is concerned; it doesn't cater very well for people who are new to the series.

Things don't start well for Joe Kurtz in HARD AS NAILS although when you consider that he is shot in the head, I suppose you could say that the fact that he survived suggests he was actually lucky. Anyway, the wound he receives and the resultant headache are used time and again throughout the story to emphasize just how tough he is. Joe Kurtz is the kind of character who makes you feel tired just reading about him at the best of times, but Simmons puts him through such extreme pain that by the end I was completely exhausted.

The force driving Kurtz forward is his desire to find out who shot him and why. With almost manic determination he begins his hunt, but getting in his way is not one but two mafia dons, past adversaries Angelina Farino Ferrara and Toma Gonzaga. Both of them have had reason in the past to attempt to have Kurtz killed but this time they have sought him out to ask him to help them with a problem.

Their problem is that someone is killing their junkie customers and dealers and then phoning with the details of the location as confirmation. The mafia is then stepping in and cleaning up the killer's mess, afraid that word will get out and the customers will be scared off. They want Kurtz to identify the killer for them so they can rid themselves of this threat to their profitability. It's a highly improbable premise, as is the suggestion that the best solution that 2 mafia families can come up with is a man who has been a thorn in their sides for years.

A couple of interesting minor characters are introduced in the course of the investigation. Firstly, Joe is reunited with an old flame and now a police officer, Rigby King. She provides the first glimmer of romance in the series and also evokes the first indication of some sort of human emotion out of Kurtz. She also provides him with a partner (of sorts) during his investigation - someone he can talk to and bounce ideas off of. Up until this book, he has been the ultimate loner, living by the creed of looking out for number one at all times. Secondly, we meet the killer. Known to us as The Dodger we're made privy to a few of his executions and the thoughts going through his head before, during and after he carries them out. It is clear that he's a heartless, soulless killing machine who is frighteningly efficient at his job. We know he's working for a master, but we don't know who that is, providing us with the number 1 mystery of the book.

The story charges ahead at breakneck speed building from an action-packed opening to an outrageous battle towards the end. I got the impression that Dan Simmons tried to jam every thriller plot device he could think of into the book and, while it succeeds in providing a very entertaining thriller, I thought it lost the edgy dangerous appeal that had been built so effectively in the first two books of the series.

While Dan Simmons has moved the Joe Kurtz series away from the bleak, desperate tone that shrouded the first two books and has opted for a more high-octane thriller with HARD AS NAILS, I'm a sucker for fast-paced thrillers and this book is certainly that in my opinion. It's exciting, it's suspenseful and Kurtz is still one of the meanest, toughest guys ever to have graced the pages of a hardboiled novel.

Not Simmons at his best.......2004-05-11

I am a big Dan Simmons fan - he is by far my favorite author and he has captivated me for many years. From 'Summer of Night' through 'Ilium', he masters genres like a pro.

The Joe Kurtz series is a wonderful idea, and I enjoyed the first 2 books in the series a lot.

However, with 'Hard as Nails', Simmons stumbles. I found quite a few plot holes and grammatical errors as I read the book, which I normally overlook, or (quite honestly) tend not to notice. However, when Simmons refers to the character Rigby King as "Ridley" at one point, I have to say I was a little concerned with my favorite author. Perhaps he rushed the book or perhaps he didn't have a good editor.

Nonetheless there were a couple of points where his narrative contradicted what happened previously. It dragged me back to reality, and spoiled the book for me.

Also, SPOILER ALERT, if you read the 2nd book in the Kurtz series, there is a very similar resolution at the end of the novel. Kurtz' ass is saved by the exact same character who saved him in book 2. Repetition of plot resolutions do not amuse me!

It felt forced, and even though it does not technically qualify, it felt like a Deus Ex Machina.

I love Simmons and will read everything he writes. I just wish this book were better. As it stands, though, a middling Simmons novel is still better than most anything else!

in keeping with Simmons' style, I refuse to proof-read my email, so let the typos fly, baby!

-newfers

Average customer rating:
Hard as Nails (Linford Western)
Billy Hall
Manufacturer: Ulverscroft Large Print
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Westerns | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1846177014

Average customer rating:
The High School Boys' Training Hike Or Making Themselves ''Hard as Nails''
Irving H. Hancock
Manufacturer: IndyPublish
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 143533423X

Average customer rating:
The High-School Boys' Training Hike; or, Making Themselves "Hard as Nails" (#4 in the High School Boys Vacation Series)
H. Irving Hancock
Manufacturer: Henry Altemus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NPS8CE

Average customer rating:
Practice problem in cost accounting: Hard As Nails Co
Mark E Friedman
Manufacturer: Dame Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Accounting | Accounting & Finance | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006YG284

Average customer rating:
Hard as Nails
Michael Foley
Manufacturer: Spellmount Publishers Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
General | Ireland | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
World War I | Military | History | Subjects | Books
Personal Narratives | World War II | Military | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1862274061

Average customer rating:
Kyra Sedgwick: a Golden Globe winner for her role as hard-as-nails deputy police chief Brenda Johnson on TNT's The Closer, Kyra Sedgwick can throw a fierce ... (The national gay & lesbian newsmagazine)
Brandon Voss
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000WE2ADY
Release Date: 2007-09-24

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Advocate (The national gay & lesbian newsmagazine), published by Thomson Gale on July 3, 2007. The length of the article is 988 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: Kyra Sedgwick: a Golden Globe winner for her role as hard-as-nails deputy police chief Brenda Johnson on TNT's The Closer, Kyra Sedgwick can throw a fierce lesbian vibe onscreen--we'll never forget her pairings with Helen Mirren and Julianna Margulies. Plus, she sleeps with Kevin Bacon and takes their kids to tranny shows. Yet, somehow, she still isn't sure why she's considered such a "friend of the gays".(BIG GAY FOLLOWING)(Interview)
Author: Brandon Voss
Publication: The Advocate (The national gay & lesbian newsmagazine) (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 3, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Issue: 988 Page: 24(2)

Article Type: Interview

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Practice Problem in Cost Accounting: Hard As Nails

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Practice Problem in Cost Accounting: Hard As Nails
Ira R. Weiss
Manufacturer: Dame Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0931920884

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HARD AS NAILS
Dan Simmons
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Minotaur
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTBWD6

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Hard As Nails

Manufacturer: Ulverscroft Large Print Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Product Description

Danger! Intigue! Romance! Death-Defying Dogfights! "I woke up naked and handcuffed to a bed. My jailor had beautiful legs and a face to match. Too bad I didn't remember her name..." Also includes - Game stats for the mysterious Misericorde! New Scenario: Battle Over Denver!

Customer Reviews:

Too small for such a big price tag!.......2006-07-05

An enjoyable, little read from the Crimson Skies Universe, but no where near worth the price.

Book Description

Discipline: The Brazelton Way shows how the normal growth spurts--physical, emotional, and intellectual--can lead to conflicts and testing behavior. For each problem--defiance, lying, stealing, fighting and biting, and foul language--Drs. Brazelton and Sparrow offer both understanding and practical solutions.

Sleepless nights, wailing babies, defiant toddlers--these are universal issues for new parents. Now beloved pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton and his esteemed colleague the child psychiatrist Joshua Sparrow come to the rescue with these highly effective and affordable guides. Full of empathy, warmth, and wisdom, each book in the Brazelton Way series leads parents step-by-step through these trying struggles. Courtesy of Dr. Brazelton's unparalleled understanding and experience, parents will emerge from the turmoil relieved, empowered, and full of new pleasure in the strength and progress of their individual child.

Customer Reviews:

Great when hitting a discipline rut!.......2004-09-23

I read the book as soon as I got it home. We were having discipline problems with out almost 4 year old and with a new sibling in the mix we didn't want to make drastic changes again in his life. I often read the book when I'm frustrated by my childrens actions and it helps me to understand their way of thinking and how to make the correct discipline choices to fit the exact situation. Thanks Berry Brazelton!

Raising children in an uncivilized world.......2004-07-01

Discipline teaches our children right from wrong and to care about doing right, to think of others before themselves. Too bad we can't raise the current generation of adults all over again. Hopefully today's parents, with the help of this book, will do better.

A gem.......2004-06-24

This is the most useful book on parenting I've ever read. It is clear, straightforward, practical, and respectful of children and parents. Thank you.

Not written for the real world..........2004-04-07

The advice in this book sounds very nice and gentle and compassionate but the problem is that it works only on children who are obedient and fairly submissive by nature. Lots of kids figure out the game after a while. What if your child refuses to stay in "time out"? What happens when you have taken away all the privileges? (and little kids just don't have that many). What about older kids who just laugh at this kind of approach?You'd better go buy another book because Dr. Brazelton doesn't address real discipline problems.

A short book...long on wisdom.......2003-05-15

I was not sure what age span was addressed in this new little book on discipline, but because I am an avid Brazelton fan, I bought it anyway. Although, there is quite a bit of general discipline philosophy and information in the book, I feel the majority of it is geared to parents and teachers of 1-6 year olds. Sometimes the text refers to "older children"; but, from the advice that is given on topics like stealing and lying, I would say older children means ages 7-10. I do think all the information makes good sense and is in keeping with the many other Brazelton books. I particularly like the section of the book that explains a variety of discipline techniques...one by one. The authors include pros and cons on each one-- which I found unique and helpful. The last part of the book gives solutions to some common misbehaviors like biting, tantrums, sibling fights, foul language, and lying. I found this section convenient to quickly look up a particular problem--where the authors offer concise, easy to understand information on the why's and what to do's with a number of troublesome behaviors. If you have a 2, 3, 4, or 5 year old, I would like to also highly recommend another "little book" with a similar philosophy for parents and teachers of preschoolers called "The Pocket Parent" --It's an A-Z quick-read compendium addressing many more hot-button issues (such as morning crazies, the gimmes, "I hate you's", not listening, and interrupting.) This book is a practical "hands-on" companion to "Discipline: The Brazelton Way". Additionally, "The Pocket Parent" offers a good dose of comforting humor as well as helpful, short, real-life anecdotes that clearly demonstrate many of the suggested positive discipline techniques in both books. Both books are reasonably priced and a worthwhile addition to your personal or school reference library...always ready to restore your sanity at a moment's notice--especi! ally whe n you feel you're just about to lose your mind!

Average customer rating:

DISH UP SOME DISNEY

A must own for Park lovers!

Couldn't be Better

Taste Disney at home!

worth the purchase

MICKEY'S GOURMET COOKBOOK: THE MOST POPULAR RECIPES FROM WALT DISNEY WORLD AND DISNEYLAND
DISNEY
Manufacturer: Disney Editions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Cooking | Sports & Activities | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Mickey & Minnie Mouse | Disney | Popular Characters | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Gourmet | Special Occasions | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Cooking with Mickey - Gourmet Mickey-Volume II (The most requested recipes from Walt Disney World and Disneyland)

The Disney Bakery : 30 Magical Recipes

Disney Recipes: From Animation to Inspiration

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The Disney Party Handbook: 14 Fun Filled Parties 98

ASIN: 0786880163

Customer Reviews:

DISH UP SOME DISNEY.......2005-07-15

Okay, so "gourmet" may be a bit of a stretch but `Mickey's Gourmet Cookbook" does hold some very, very good recipes, and it's a must for Disneyana collectors and fans of Disney period.

The over 350 recipes include beverages, breads, appetizers, salads, entrees, desserts and sauces. There's a Shogun dinner from EPCOT Center sparked with ginger and mustard sauces.

Chocaholics will relish the Chocolate Amaretto Mousse from the Disneyland Hotel. Apropos from Disney's Caribbean Resort are crunchy Caribbean Sand Bars filled with nuts and chocolate chips.

If your kids are picky eaters - try dishing up some Disney and see what happens.

- Gail Cooke

A must own for Park lovers!.......2004-04-20

If you are as big a disney park freak as I am, you love to eat your way through them! This fantastic book may be a few years old, but all the recipies are fantastic! Make sure and try the Chichen & Leek Pie from Great Britain in EPCOT!!!

Couldn't be Better.......2004-01-23

Although I have visited both Disney Theme areas on both sides of the country I have never eaten at the many restaurants, my food experience has been like many of us who just grabbed a quick hamburger and fries while on our way to the next ride. However, when I recieved this book as a gift I was pleasantly surprised. The recipes were easy to follow and came out tasting great. Now I only wish that I could go back the parks and the resorts to taste the food first hand, so I know what else I could make out of the book. Whomever gets this book I am sure they will enjoy it just as much as my family and I have.

Taste Disney at home!.......2000-08-11

I have often heard that Disney served up some of the best cuisine around. This book proves that it is true. This book has a wide variety of recipes anything from simple to complex, and american to a vast amount of ethnic dishes. Recipes are easy to follow, and turn out well. If you want to bring the taste of Disney home, or impress your family this is the way to go.

worth the purchase.......1999-05-18

Been to almost every restaurante in Disney resorts, and the recipes I have prepared are identical in taste.

Mickey's Gourmet Cookbook: The Most Popular Recipes from Walt Disney World and Disneyland

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Mickey's Gourmet Cookbook: The Most Popular Recipes from Walt Disney World and Disneyland
Walt Disney Company
Manufacturer: Hyperion Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000SBXEZE

Average customer rating:

Update of the first book

Have I seen this before??

Great Book

Benoit Bucks: The Second Generation
Bryce M. Towsley
Manufacturer: Krause Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Hunting | Hunting & Fishing | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Big Bucks the Benoit Way: Secrets from America's First Family of Whitetail Hunting

How to Bag the Biggest Buck of Your Life

Hunting Big-Woods Bucks (Outdoorsman's Edge)

Secrets for Hunting Big Bucks: How to Take Whitetails in Heavily Hunted Areas

Mapping Trophy Bucks

ASIN: 0873495977

Book Description

Big Bucks the Benoit Way exhilarated readers with numerous true-to-life accounts of legendary hunting expert Larry Benoit. This highly anticipated follow-up volume details the "second generation" of the Benoit family, brothers Shane, Lenny, and Lane, established trophy deer hunters who are every bit as capable as their legendary father.

Adventure stories recount the excitement of the chase, sharing the secret strategies that led to success (or sometimes failure)and most importantly, what was learned from those hunting experiences. Detailed accounts tie humor with solid teaching on the fundamentals of whitetail hunting. Readers will find a generous dose of humor and inside stories from the deer camps of New England's first family of hunting.

* Considered the next best thing to having an expert take you hunting * Humor ties together with solid teaching on the fundamentals of whitetail hunting * Learn the secrets of the Benoits' hunting success with narratives, techniques, and photographs

Customer Reviews:

Update of the first book.......2007-03-24

This book is a update of " Big Bucks the Benoit way" It rehashes some of the other book and adds a little more. Each of the boys has a chapter on there favorite hunts and techniques. I like the first book a little better. Of the 60+ books I have on whitetail hunting the Benoit books are among my my favorite and also the ones I learned the most about "mature bucks" from. Hal Blood has a very good book too. If you buy just one book on tracking I'd get "Big Bucks the Benoit way" or Hal's book. I like the Benoits a little better because theres info from Larry, Lane, Shane, and Lanny in one book.

Have I seen this before??.......2004-09-15

If you dont have the 1st book, this is a great book!!! Without question, but all this book is, is a repeat with new pictures and littles bios of each of the Benoits. If you have the Big Bucks: The Benoit way and you are looking for new information out of this book, dont bother, you will be disappointed.

Great Book.......2004-02-11

This book is a must for any deer hunter. The primary focus is on tracking bucks, but this book would also do well for any hunter whether they are a stand, still hunter or a tracker. It is a great read and gives one practical advice on tracking down the buck of your dreams and bagging it. This books follows in the footsteps of the other quality Benoit books ( Big Bucks the Benoit Way and How to Bag The Biggest Buck of Your Life ). The Benoits also have videos out showing their technique, and these are also well worth your money.

Average customer rating:
The Big Book of Fenton Milk Glass, 1940-1985
John Walk
Manufacturer: Not Avail
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Glass & Glassware | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Glass & Glassware | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0764320378

Average customer rating:
The Big Book of Fenton Milk Glass: 1940-1985 (Schiffer Book for Collectors Series)

Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000FCFQJ8

Average customer rating:

A Must have for a Florida Transplant

FABULOUS BOOK

Excellent Reference

The Only Books You Need for Florida Gardening

An Excellent Resource for (South) Florida Gardeners

Easy Gardens for South Florida
Pamela Crawford
Manufacturer: Color Garden Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
South | Regional | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Best Garden Color for Florida (Florida Gardening Series)

Container Gardens for Florida

Stormscaping (Florida Gardening Series, Vol. 3)

Native Florida Plants, Revised Edition: Low Maintenance Landscaping and Gardening, Revised

Florida Gardener's Guide, 2nd Edition

ASIN: 0971222002

Book Description

A comprehensive garden guide for south Florida, this book features detailed information on 100 easy plants and 65 easy gardens. The focus is on beautiful plant material and gardens that require little water and simple care. Perennials that provide constant color are also featured. Garden design chapters cover small gardens, shade gardens, sun gardens, and garden style. With 371 great color photos, the book is designed to simplify and beautify south Florida gardens.

Customer Reviews:

A Must have for a Florida Transplant.......2007-09-15

If you are new to South Florida and would like to start a garden for your new home, this book is a must. South Florida's unique climate and soil can impede your garden from growing or even beginning. The money I saved on flowers that will not work in this climate easily paid for this book. The garden centers may sell the same plants you may have had up north, but unfortunately they will die quickly. After a year of trying different plants and being unsuccessful, I now have a beautiful garden filled with flowers I learned about in this book.

FABULOUS BOOK.......2007-07-24

THE PICTURES ARE SPECTACULAR AND THE DESCRIPTIONS AND HINTS ARE THE BEST I'VE COME ACROSS - THANK YOU SO MUCH

Excellent Reference.......2007-05-05

Great photos, well written, invaluable source of botonical info for serious South Florida gardeners, and the rest of us that just like to tinker in our gardens.

The Only Books You Need for Florida Gardening.......2006-03-10

I have purchased all of Pamela's books because they tell you everything you need to know about Florida gardening, with pictures! But most importantly, Pamela has experimented with every plant described in the books and knows what works and what doesn't. She also discusses the maintenance and light conditions required for each plant to keep it looking healthy. Follow her advice and enjoy you garden. It will be beautiful!

Don Meder
Delray Beach, FL

An Excellent Resource for (South) Florida Gardeners.......2005-03-30

My husband got this book for me when he saw all the positive reviews. I was initially reluctant because I thought it was going to be just silly and repetitive. I was WRONG.

This book is never on the shelf, but always on my desk. Ms. Crawford does an excellent job of organizing the material, and particularly excels in giving you the information you need for each particular plant (light, shade, water, companions, etc.). She has tested each and every plant in the book, and therefore her comments are insightful. I particularly like the thumbnail section for types of gardens (bright, medium, shade and variations thereof).

My only criticism would be that she can be repetitive in her plant selections (lots of recommendations for ruellia katie and golden shrimp plant). However, I can't think of a better "plain-english" guide to gardening in this difficult climate.

Average customer rating:

Easy Gardens for South Florida
Crawford Pamela
Manufacturer: Color Garden, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UFBCM0

Book Description

Superb reproduction of 1797 publication of four sections of Edward Young’s popular poem Night Thoughts, illustrated with 43 designs by William Blake. Images of angels, spirits, poets, sensuous women, Life, Death, Reason and Truth swirl about Young’s text, adding to its meaning and revealing much of Blake’s own vision. Plate-by-plate commentaries by Professors Robert Essick and Jenijoy La Belle. Introduction. Bibliography. 43 illus.

Customer Reviews:

Unjustly forgotten.......2002-02-10

This is the reprint of the edition published in 1797, with engravings of William Blake. The poem itself, enormously popular in the 18th century, is now shrouded in obscurity, and it stays in print only due to Blake's illustrations. But despite of its unpopularity, I found it quite enjoyable. It is best read in one sitting, without interrupting the constant flow of ideas and thoughts. It is a meditation, at once introspective and all-encompassing, a contemplation of Death, Time, Friendship, and Immortality of man. Granted, it does tend to drag on too much in the last chapter, but the first ones are so good they're worthy of being memorized. Blake's engravings, surrounding the text as a frame, capture the essense of the poem and at the same time enhance it, adding to it even more depth. The poem's abstract concepts take shape, making some passages more memorable. (This edition includes a commentary on the pictures' symbolism.) The book is worth getting for the engravings alone; it is a work of art in every sense of the word.

The Complaint, and the Consolation; or, Night Thoughts

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The Complaint, and the Consolation; or, Night Thoughts
Edward Young
Manufacturer: Octavo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM

General | Artists, A-Z | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Anthologies | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

Long after his reputation has faded, Edward Young (1683-1765) lives on in unattributed quotations ("Procrastination is the Thief of Time"). If his name is known today, it is largely because William Blake created a series of engraved images to frame his most famous poem, Night Thoughts, a nocturnal meditation on death and immortality. Blake designed the illustrations on enormous half-sheets of paper with a small block of text. In this abundant space Young's metaphors became literal Blakean forms, echoing illustrations in Blake's America (1793) and Europe (1794). Copies of Night Thoughts were hand-colored in two styles, which scholars have dated to 1797 and 1805. This Octavo Edition reproduces an example of each (one colored by Blake himself), a side-by-side comparison of the engravings, and a searchable transcription. Commentary by Nicolas Barker.

The Complaint and Consolation or Night Thoughts on Life, Death and Immortality. To Which Is Added, the Force of Religion. New Edition (1848)

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The Complaint and Consolation or Night Thoughts on Life, Death and Immortality. To Which Is Added, the Force of Religion. New Edition (1848)

Manufacturer: Phillips & Sampson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GLNCEY

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The Complaint and Consolation, Or, Night Thoughts on Life, Death, and Immortality: to Which is Added, the Force of Religion

Manufacturer: Phillips
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000FMP0IU

Book Description

Memoir of an overseas Chinese family in South Vietnam.
Life during the French colonial times and the Japanese occupation, during the American war and after the war.

The story of a family, one amongst the very few who had suffered TWO Communist regimes: first in China in 1949, then in South Vietnam in 1975.

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