Kakaku：638 saved$6.38
Oni Press
Usually ships in 24 hours 『Queen&Country, the Eisner Award-winning and critically lauded espionage series from acclaimed novelist and comic book author Greg Rucka, is back in a new series of definitive editions collecting the entire classic series in just four affordable soft covers. In this third collection, readers are sucked into the thrilling and often-times devastating world of international espionage as SIS field agent Tara Chase is sent all over the world in service to her Queen&Country all the while Director of Operations Paul Crocker walks a narrow tightrope between his loyalty to his people and the political masters that must be served!』
Kakaku：850 saved$8.50
Ballantine Books
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (From S. Krishna's Books) 『The Last Queen is one of those books I had heard a lot about from other bloggers. It received very good reviews everywhere I looked, so I went ahead and added it to my TBR list since I am a huge fan of historical fiction. However, I kept putting off reading it because of those rave reviews - I figured it would be somewhat of a disappointment. I am happy to say that I was completely wrong - The Last Queen is a captivating read that I didn't want to put down.
I loved the character of Juana. Being the daughter of Queen Isabella of Spain, you can expect her to be a strong woman; however, I was horrified at what she was forced to endure at the hands of those she loved, as well as inspired by her strength and courage. However, she wasn't perfect; for one thing, she was incredibly stubborn. She admits more than once in the book that part of her situation was of her own making. She is resolute and stands by her decisions. She also tended to trust people too much and perhaps think too well of them. As a result, she didn't know who she could put her faith in. However, these character defects are not criticisms on my part; instead, they make the character come alive and make her seem real. Like any other person, she has flaws; through them, though, her strength still shines.
I didn't know anything about Juana La Loca before reading this book. I was captured by the exquisite detail and the picture that Gortner painted. He also presents a very interesting view of her history, one that I am more than willing to accept. Was she actually mad, or was it a by-product of how she was treated? Gortner seems to stick by the view that she was a manic depressive, something I can completely believe.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Queen, as I believe any fan of historical fiction would. It is well-written, sharp, clear, and completely engrossing. I can't wait to see what C.W. Gortner writes next; I think he has won himself a fan for life.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5』
(Will the real Joan the Mad please stand up???) 『I respect a person's right to disagree with me regarding anything and everything and I never put forth an argument; however, I find it incredulous when people presume to know the real person behind the persona, as if though they were lifelong friends. No matter how erudite a person is regarding a particular historical figure, no one can be so bold as to profess knowing first hand their true psychological makeup, especially when the person in question died four and half centuries ago. Let's be honest, no one in this world really knows anyone else, and so why take on this personal familiarity with someone whom you never even met? J.N.W. Bos "Joan" states "...but this autobiography just didn't feel like the real Juana La Loca." Whom does he suppose the real Juana La Loca was? Is he in possession of her memoirs? Confessions? Firstly, it isn't an autobiography, as Juana of Castile did not write it herself and secondly, even if he meant biography (which, no doubt, he did), it isn't one either. It is a historical novel and I believe it's a well known fact that in this particular genre, writers take certain liberties especially with the protagonists' inner monologues. They simply have no choice but to do so, as no one who knew them personally is alive to offer any first hand insight and if there were, even then it's all conjecture. I found this a fun, exciting and, ultimately, very interesting novel about a historical figure who has pretty much been reduced to a caricature; that of a woman driven to madness by love, passion and power. Here we get a far more well rounded portrait a strong woman who due to her sex was born to be dominated by the men in her life yet whose unfailing love of country and sense of duty nearly tore asunder the world around her. C.W. Gortner might not be the most poetic novelist being published these days, but what he lacks in baroque narrative and philosophical meditations, he more than makes up for with a wonderful sense of time and place, great attention to detail and a story that never once lags in it's intensity and all around appeal. I thought it was a pretty great novel about a woman who deserves to be better known. Whether it's the real Juana of Castile, no one will ever know, but in Mr. Gortner's capable hands, she is a fascinating and multi-faceted person who never lacked for incredible circumstances.』
(A mesmerizing introduction to Juana la Loca) 『The Tudors of England have enjoyed surging popularity in the past year, with a hit Showtime series and Philippa Gregory's acclaimed historical novel The Other Boleyn Girl, which was adapted to the big screen last winter. But few people know about Juana of Spain, also known as Juana la Loca, sister to Henry VIII's first wife Katherine of Aragon. In The Last Queen, C.W. Gortner proves that Juana's story is just as complex and captivating as that of her more famous younger sister.
The novel opens in 1492 when Juana is 13 years old. Her parents, Ferdinand and Isabella, have just conquered Grananda, ending 300 years of Moorish rule. Juana has never known life apart from the crusades and her parents' all-consuming dedication to uniting Spain and expelling the Moors. Ferdinand and Isabella passed their passion and fierce nationalism on to at least one of their four daughters: from childhood, Juana harbored an intense loyalty to her native land.
In 15th century Europe, royal children were betrothed in marriage not for love, but to facilitate political alliances. Juana was no exception. Her parents arranged a marriage between Juana and Philip the Fair, Hapsburg heir and archduke of Flanders.
Initially resistant to the marriage, Juana eventually fell in love with Philip and resigned herself to life in Flanders, outside her beloved Spain. But everything changed when, through a succession of family deaths, Juana became direct heir to the Spanish throne; she suddenly saw an ambitious, calculating, even cruel side of her dashing husband.
Chaos ensued. The life Juana had built in Flanders crumbled as everyone around her scrambled to exploit any and every possible political advantage. Her husband was influenced by deceitful, unscrupulous advisors. Her parents put political objectives before family. Church officials were corrupt, and often the most politically ambitious men around. The Spanish nobles who had long resented the power held by Ferdinand and Isabella were determined to wrest it from Juana as soon as the opportunity presented itself.
Juana was anguished by the mistrust she felt toward her husband and parents. She missed her children, all of whom she was separated from at various points in time. She was driven by an underlying loyalty to Spain that compelled her to accept unthinkable risk in order to claim her rightful place as its queen.
The diverse cast of characters in this novel - both heroes and villains - is well developed, sure to evoke a mixture of compassion, admiration, and ire in the reader. Historical figures come alive, and relationships and alliances between various 15th century European monarchs are illuminated.
Gortner sets his story firmly in its historical context, giving the reader a clear sense of a time when adultery was a given and wives were expected to turn their heads, political ambition was paramount, and strong independent women risked being branded as crazy (in Spanish, loca.)
The plot pacing is perfect. Gortner covers considerable territory, without rushing or overwhelming his reader, providing just the right amount of historical background, and fleshing it out with romance, family drama and political intrigue.
Outside of Spain, she might be a relatively obscure historical figure, but by the end of this novel, Juana la Loca seems incredibly real, a person full of conflicting passions and loyalties with a compelling story to tell.
』
(Engrossing Historical Novel of Spain) 『Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand of Spain spent a lifetime winning their country back from the Moors. They finally succeeded in 1492 with the fall of Granada. They would use their four daughters to cement alliances with other European countries in order to obtain peace for themselves and their people.
Juana of Castile is like any other princess of the time, bound up in duty to her family and her country. At sixteen she is married to Philip, the Archduke of Flanders. It is difficult for her to leave the land of her birth but she never gives a thought to being an heir to the Spanish throne. She has both a brother and an older sister who will come before her. As she departs for Flanders she never expects to set foot in Spain again.
At first things in Flanders go well. Philip is handsome and Juana is surprised to find herself happy in her new life. She feels pampered and loved, she gives birth to two children and grows used to the luxury of her life as an Archduchess. It is a far cry from the austerity that the royalty of Spain believes in. In her happiness she allows herself to forget the lessons of her parents and her childhood.
When tragedy strikes repeatedly in Spain, killing in quick succession Juana's brother, older sister and baby nephew, Juana is suddenly the heir to the Spanish throne. She becomes the pawn in every power scheme for the crown and is betrayed by nearly every man that she has ever known and loved. They will stop at nothing. They accuse her of madness in order to show her inability to rule in her own right. The oldest trick in the book, used to wrest power from women down through the ages. She uses all her wits to fight them, will it be enough to save her throne?
With the great number of historical novels written about British royalty lately, I was happy to immerse myself in a story whose history I knew little about. Mr. Gortner does a wonderful job bringing sixteenth century Europe to life and explaining the convoluted politics of the time. I fell in love with Juana of Castile, who was as trapped in her life as any prisoner in a cell, though she fought valiantly to escape it. It is the wrenching story of a strong woman who had to face tremendous obstacles.
』
(A queen's story as riveting and fast-paced as any thriller) 『If you're an Anglophile, or enjoy biographies of queens, you undoubtedly know the story of Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife. Catherine's sister was Juana of Castile, known in Spain as Juana la Loca. C.W. Gortner could have called his historical novel, The Last Queen, the lost queen or the forgotten queen. As he says in the outstanding commentary on his website, Juana of Castile, the last queen of Spain, is almost unknown outside of Spain.
It doesn't hurt to listen to his commentary before reading the book. It's well-done, sets the scene, and begins with the comment that history says she went made with love, but history can be wrong. Gortner's story shows a woman with method behind her madness, a tragic, yet triumphant queen who never ruled Spain.
Juana of Castile, daughter of Isabella and Fernando was an Infanta of Spain. When she was thirteen, her parents conquered Granada, seizing it from the Moors, and uniting Spain. Her mother, who was actually the more powerful of her parents, sent her to Flanders to marry Philip, heir to the Hapsburg empire. There, she was a contented wife and mother. However, when her husband became greedy for power, and sought to unite his duchy with France, she refused to be a party to a union with Spain's enemy. As tragedy after tragedy befell her family, this young woman found herself on the path of destiny. Once she was named heir to her mother's throne, she would find herself pitted against the husband she once loved.
Gortner allows Juana to tell her story, looking back at her life. Her visit to her dying grandmother, who had been imprisoned for her madness, foreshadows the last years of her own life. For Juana, in pitting herself against her husband, and other men, became a target for the powerful men who wanted her throne. Her determination to save Spain led to her own downfall, but it kept the country intact for her son.
This book would be an excellent choice for book clubs, with its exploration of a life not really known in this country. It's as fast-paced and riveting as any thriller. The Last Queen is a beautifully written, well-researched story of an unknown queen. Gortner brings her to vivid life, as a lusty, strong-willed woman. Was Juana of Castile, Juana la Loca, really mad? Gortner says history isn't always kind to women. However, he gives voice to a strong woman, and allows her to proclaim her story.
C.W. Gortner's website is www.cwgortner.com
』 『Juana of Castile, the last queen of Spanish blood to inherit her country’s throne, has been for centuries an enigmatic figure shrouded in lurid myth. Was she the bereft widow of legend who was driven mad by her loss, or has history misjudged a woman who was ahead of her time? In his stunning new novel, C. W. Gortner challenges the myths about Queen Juana, unraveling the mystery surrounding her to reveal a brave, determined woman we can only now begin to fully understand.
The third child of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand of Spain, Juana is born amid her parents’ ruthless struggle to unify their kingdom, bearing witness to the fall of Granada and Columbus’s discoveries. At the age of sixteen, she is sent to wed Philip, the archduke of Flanders, as part of her parents’ strategy to strengthen Spain, just as her youngest sister, Catherine of Aragon, issent to England to become the first wife of Henry VIII.
Juana finds unexpected love and passion with her handsome young husband, the sole heir to the Habsburg Empire. At first she is content with her children and her life in Flanders. But when tragedy strikes and she inherits the Spanish throne, Juana finds herself plunged into a battle for power against her husband that grows to involve the major monarchs of Europe. Besieged by foes on all sides, her intelligence and pride used as weapons against her, Juana vows to secure her crown and save Spain from ruin, even if it could cost her everything.
With brilliant, lyrical prose, novelist and historian C. W. Gortner conjures Juana through her own words, taking the reader from the somber majesty of Spain to the glittering and lethal courts of Flanders, France, and Tudor England. The Last Queen brings to life all the grandeur and drama of an incomparable era, and the singular humanity of this courageous, passionate princess whose fight to claim her birthright captivated the world.』
IPhone 3G used's review (Uneven advice brings this book down) 『This book does contain some helpful information. I specifically appreciate the parts on decoding what others are saying and things you are to never say (like "I don't know what you're teaching your kids, but we teach ours to be polite"). I also really enjoyed the quotes from teachers, counselors, coaches and principals.
However, some of the suggestions for dealing with conflict boggle my mind. For instance, the author says if someone else schedules a birthday party on the same day as your child's party, you should call up the other parents, and suggest a joint party or give them the chance to "do the right thing," which is apparently for those parents to cancel/reschedule their child's party. I find this to be absurd, impractical, and potentially embarrassing to your child. First of all, if you are the one with the problem with the parties, you should reschedule your child's party. Why are you trying to make your problem their problem? Perhaps you could make a joint party work, but either that child wasn't invited to your child's party in the first place, or that child WAS invited but decided to have his own party. Either way, it doesn't bode well for a joint party. I think another suggestion was for the parents of both kids to send out a joint letter stating that they expect the kids to honor their first commitment to one of the parties. Again, I find this micromanaging and awkward.
There are other instances of this but I think you can get the idea. First she says don't micromanage your child's social life and then seems to suggest you do that very thing. There is helpful information here, just don't swallow everything without a little common sense.』
(Finding the Strength to Stand Up for Our Kids (and Stepkids)) 『If you've ever tried to get involved in the PTA and wondered why you left feeling insecure about your abilities as a parent, winced at hearing a dad (or mom) comment loudly and negatively on the soccer abilities of 5-year-olds from the sidelines, or sat silently while the booster club is hijacked by a parent who's a bully, then you'll find much to appreciate in this book.
A never-ending series of power plays among parents - the dramas that all of us see every day - are dramatically affecting our children and their schools, playing fields, and life skill development. Wiseman spotlights parents who live out their own insecurities through their kids. They push their children to take a whirlwind of classes, load them up with extra-curricular activities, and fret that it's not enough to gain admittance to the Ivy League. So it goes one step further - to bullying school administrators, blackballing other kids, and swooping in to rescue our children from the lessons they desperately need to learn on their own.
It's no surprise to see her expertly slice and dice the undercurrents surrounding a Queen Bee Mom and her posse, as they turn a cold shoulder to the new parent stumbling into the book fair planning committee. Wiseman also wrote Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and Other Realities of Adolescence, the landmark New York Times bestseller on relational aggression in girls.
Several personas - from Caveman Dad to Hovercraft Mom, flit through the pages. They're not labels per se - but tools that help us understand our own roles and behaviors.
There is no prissy-footing or tip-toeing around the big issues here. The book offers solid advice with scripts to help parents stand up and build a culture of civility and respect that helps all our children. She encourages parents to challenge the often aggressive, inappropriate, and plain over-the-top behavior exhibited by many parents today.
It's a field guide in handling uncomfortable conversations between parents and adults who care about children. For example, a dad overhears a couple of women calling his daughter a slut because of how she is dressed. For most parents - the options that immediately come to mind are to start a shouting match with the women, or to slink off in silence. In reality - the dad didn't like the way his daughter was dressed, and would like for her to dress differently - and was struggling in his relationship with her. Wiseman offers a scripted conversation to guide how the dad could approach these women, state what he overheard, and ask for the situation he'd like to see happen instead.
And the reader is not off the hook, either. Wiseman encourages all of us to reflect on our own behaviors and motivations, and consider how we can be part of a community that values its members, treats people with dignity, and supports our children. The conversational and warm tone make for easy reading. Although the book talks directly to parents, there is much of value here for stepparents, educators, and others who care about children and their well-being. As a former youth worker who endured more than a few parental barrages - I found much of comfort and value in this book. As a stepmom to three, I saw some of my own experiences and observations mirrored, picked up a boatload of helpful advice, and considered my own attitudes and behavior.
I met author Rosalind Wiseman during the National Book Festival in Washington, DC last year. I was impressed with her energy and commitment to helping us all build positive communities for our children. When she inscribed her autograph in my book, she added "Stay strong!" We all need to hear that.』
(Look out, queen bee moms/kingpin dads! We're on to you!) 『Again, Rosalind Wiseman is giving us moms, and women in general, the information necessary to go up against the queen bee moms and kingpin dads out there! And I laughed when reading one of the negative reviews, because I can guarantee you that the information in this book hit a nerve with that particular reviewer...buzzzzzzzzzzz. Thanks, Ms. Wiseman! Knowledge is power.』
(A must read for every parent) 『Although, I only have a four and a two year old. I know that the time will come when I have to handle certain situations that are described in her book. Like what to do when my daughter doesnt want to invite a girl to her party, or when my son thinks that he got a grade he didnt deserve. Although some of the situations wont happen to me, because I live in a small town, but I think that this book will help every involved parent that wants the best for their kids.』
(Good encouragement about standing up for yourself and your kids) 『The author gives good examples about how to confront another parent. The best part of the book for me was where she points out that apologies are important, and suggests how to ask for an apology and to give a sincere apology yourself.』 『What happens to Queen Bees and Wannabes when they grow up?
Even the most well-adjusted moms and dads can experience peer pressure and conflicts with other adults that make them act like they’re back in seventh grade. InQueen Bee Moms&Kingpin Dads, Rosalind Wiseman gives us the tools to handle difficult situations involving teachers and other parents with grace. Reassuring, funny, and unfailingly honest, Wiseman reveals:
• Why PTA meetings and Back-to-School nights tap into parents’ deepest insecurities
• How to recognize the archetypal moms and dads—from Caveman Dad to Hovercraft Mom
• How and when to step in and step out of your child’s conflicts with other children, parents, teachers, or coaches
• How to interpret the code phrases other parents use to avoid (or provoke) confrontation
• Why too many well-meaning dads sit on the sidelines, and how vital it is that they step up to the plate
• What to do and say when the playing field becomes an arena for people to bully and dominate other kids and adults
• How to have respectful yet honest conversations with other parents about sex and drugs when your values are in conflict
• How the way you handle parties, risky behavior, and academic performance affects your child
• How unspoken assumptions about race, religion, and other hot-button subjects sabotage parents’ ability to work together
Queen Bee Moms&Kingpin Dadsis filled with the kind of true stories that made Wiseman’sNew York Timesbestselling bookQueen Bees&Wannabesimpossible to put down. There are tales of hardworking parents with whom any of us can identify, along with tales of outrageously bad parents—the kind we all have to reckon with. For instance, what do you do when parents donate a large sum of money to a school and their child is promptly transferred into the honors program–while your son with better grades doesn’t make the cut? What about the mother who helps her daughter compose poison-pen e-mails to yours? And what do you say to the parent-coach who screams at your child when the team is losing? Wiseman offers practical advice on avoiding the most common parenting “land mines” and useful scripts to help you navigate difficult but necessary conversations.
Queen Bee Moms&Kingpin Dadsis essential reading for parents today. It offers us the tools to become wiser, more relaxed parents–and the inspiration to speak out, act according to our values, show humility, and set the kind of example that will make a real difference in our children’s lives.
Also available as a Random House AudioBook and as an eBook
From the Hardcover edition.』 『
8 Things You'll Learn fromQueen Bee Moms&Kingpin Dads
Rosalind Wiseman was gracious enough to give us a sneak peek at the advice found in her new book, and we're kind enough to share. So, if you've ever found yourself in any of the following situations,Queen Bee Moms&Kingpin Dadsis the book for you:
1.Your kid, who attends every practice diligently, gets lots of "pine time" on the bench, while other kids who aren't nearly as good get more play time. Should you say anything to the coach?
2.Your daughter fights with her best friend, who shuts her out of the clique. The best friend's Mom says, "I really think the girls should work it out, don't you?"
3.An angry father shouts down the principal at the PTA meeting, saying, "I know I speak for all parents here when I say..." while you disagree completely. Should you speak up?
4.You walk by two women and overhear them saying about a girl nearby, "She looks like such a slut." That's your daughter they're talking about. Should you confront them?
5.Your son goes to a party where there's drinking. When the cops bust up the party, your kid gets suspended too, even though he wasn't drinking. Should you protest?
6.Your daughter doesn't get invited to "the" party of the season, which is being given by one of her good friends. Should you call the other mother?
7.They're putting the squeeze on you to join yet another school committee, but you're already stretched thin with your full-time job. How can you say no?
8.The principal busts your kid for cheating, and now his chances for getting into a good college are ruined. It was a one-time offense, and you think the principal is making too big a deal of the incident. Should you challenge the school to get it expunged from his high school transcript?
Kakaku：279 saved$2.79
Avon A
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Character dishonesty) 『I (like most other reviewers) really enjoyed the first Queen of Babble book. It was quick, silly, and fun. The characters were established pretty clearly and even if we didn't know them that well, the characters (Lizzy, Shari, and Chaz) knew each other very well. This book made me sad. The big plot twist is predictable and a huge disappointment. I'm not sure I'll read the next book since I can't trust Cabot to be honest with me. I've enjoyed other Cabot books, but in all of the ones I've read she is fairly mean to all the male characters. Why is that? Is it related to the shallowness of her characters' relationships? I can't recommend this one. Spoilerish rant in the comments.』
(Worth reading) 『Not as good as the first or third, but a must read to get to the last book in the series. A very quick read.』
(A complete disappointment) 『First, let me just say that I enjoyed the first book The Queen of Babble. I thought it was cute. I liked Lizzie, the zany main character as well as her friends Shari&Chaz. I thought Luke was dreamy and was happy at the ending as it stood.
I read the second book and am totally disappointed. It's predictable and trite. Luke becomes a shadow of the guy she fell in love with, Shari is angry (and transformed big time), and Chaz is just floating around in the background until he's not (you'll see what I mean if you choose to read this book).
The characters we came to know and love from the first book are not featured much and are really weak. I have decided to not read the third book and pretend that I've never seen the second. I liked the first story as a stand alone.
I'm terribly disappointed because I was looking forward to continuing the journey with Lizzie&Luke, Shari&Chaz, Luke's family, Lizzie's family and anyone new that came to be. I really feel like Meg Cabot betrayed her original characters. My theory is that her publishers saw an opportunity to sell more books and had her write two more books for a story that already had it's ending.
Boo. Hiss.』
(If you loved the Queen of Babble you will love this...) 『If you loved the queen of babble then you will love this book! Lizzie is back and full of her babbling. There are a lot of suprises that will leave your head spinning!!! LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!』
(Babble is Back) 『Our second installment in the Queen of Babble series by Meg Cabot picks up with Lizzie, our big mouthed heroine, moving to New York City to begin her life in the fashion industry and as a love interest for the sexy Luke. Rather than finding her own apartment, however, Lizzie allows herself to be talked into living with Luke in his mother's high rent abode across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While this seems to be a wonderful development, it does throw a wrench into BFF's Shari's plan for she and Lizzie to live together and keeps Lizzie from finding the independence she needs. Still, determined to be a success in NYC, Lizzie takes on a job refurbishing wedding dresses for free while also working part-time as a receptionist at a law firm and dreaming of Luke asking her to marry him.
This is a fun sequel to a light piece of chick lit that clearly fits the bill when you don't want to read anything heavy. Meg Cabot has a way of pulling you into her characters' lives with humor, and Lizzie is particularly engaging as the marriage-minded vintage fashionista whose head is in the clouds. Still, Lizzie's got a firm grip on what she wants from life and her skills in the refurbishing of wedding dresses bring success in unexpected ways. While there are moments you'd like to smack her, Lizzie is still someone you'd want as a friend, and Cabot has brought us another light bit of summer reading fun.』 『
Lizzie Nichols is back, pounding the New York City pavement and looking for a job, a place to live, and her proper place in the universe (not necessarily in that order).
"Summer Fling" Luke's use of the "L" (Living Together) word has her happily abandoning plans to share a one-room walk-up with best friend Shari in exchange for cohabitation with the love of her life in his mom's ritzy Fifth Avenuepied-à-terre. Lizzie's landed a non-paying gig in her chosen field—vintage wedding gown rehab—and a paying one as a receptionist at Shari's boyfriend's father's posh law firm. So life is good . . . for the moment.
But almost immediately her notoriously big mouth is getting her into trouble. At work she's becoming too chummy with society bride-to-be Jill Higgins, inflaming the ire of Jill's troublesome future mother-in-law. At home she's made the grievous error of bringing up the "M" (Marriage) word to commitment-shy Luke. Once again joblessness and homelessness are looming large for hapless blabbermouth Liz—unless she can figure out some way to babble her way to a happily ever after.
Kakaku：478 saved$4.78
Miramax
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (I really wanted to like this book) 『Had the book been less about her husband and more about her (who is, supposedly, the subject of the book), it might have helped. However, the book's overwhelming liability is the fact that it's obviously written by a press secretary. Try as one might, one can't curl up with a good press release. Noor is still young and her life will undoubtedly yield another memoir; let's hope that this one will be written by a voice more like hers.』
(Contrasts) 『This biography is not great literature. It's centered in the most complex and violent regions of our times but rarely scratches the surface. Noor's diplomacy in describing people and events - always the high road, even in the midst of deceit and betrayal - is maddeningly constant and obscures rather than reveals. So what's to like about the book? It's an extraordinary story of a young western woman who embraces the east: it's people, culture, religion and thought. It's the story of her love for King Hussein, who in a world of the powerful, is largeless powerless but for his integrity in the struggle for peace. Her perspective, is that of the Palestinian Arab. Their voice needs to be heard. This book is a thoughtful start.』
(I was so hoping for something better....) 『Unfortunately the autobiography is boring and somewhat distant and impersonal. Actually, overall the writing is uninspired and quite frankly, flat. Queen Noor, obviously a beautiful, intelligent, well-educated woman uses the book as a platform for spouting some pretty blatant untruths about the modern history of the Middle East. I guess I should have expected that, but it was disappointing nonetheless. I might have gritted my teeth and gotten past her politics if the love story was interesting. But it wasn't simply because the writing was so unemotional and disconnected. As I read the book, it was as if I could hear someone speaking in a monotone voice and it was almost sleep-inducing.』
(The Official View of My Life as Queen) 『Leap of Faith is interesting from the young all American becomes Queen standpoint. It really is amazing that a fairly regular young American woman gains the attention of the King of Jordan and becomes Queen.
It is too bad she was not willing to be more real in her telling of a great story.
The book ends up preaching about Queen Noor's view of the political world and quickly becomes tiresome and boring.
It could have been a very exciting story given her exciting life but she had to go preach to us instead.』
(A woman with an admirable and valuable message to share) 『Here is a glimpse into Middle East history from someone who was there! My own family members have enjoyed reading it as much as I have; I think shall too!』 『Born in 1951 to a distinguished Arab-American family, Lisa Najeeb Halaby became the fourth wife of King Hussein at age 27. With her husband being not only Jordan's monarch but the spiritual leader of all Muslims, Lisa was unsure what her role would be. This moving memoir provides a timely look at one woman's story against a backdrop of 30 turbulent years: the displacement of over 1 million Palestinians by the creation of Israel, King Hussein's frustrated efforts for peace, and the effect of Saddam Hussein and the Gulf War on Jordan and the royal family. Queen Noor offers intimate new glimpses of King Hussein, Saddam Hussein, Queen Elizabeth, Arafat, and many other world leaders.』
Kakaku：736 saved$7.36
Shaye Areheart Books
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Loved Loved Loved It!!!!) 『This book touched my heart with its endearing, lovable, oh-so-real characters. The story was delightful and fun to read. Loved the book so much that i will be buying several more for gifts for sisters, daughters, and friends.』
(Great Story!) 『What a great story! Enjoyed reading about Catherine Grace and all her family. Gloria Jean is a fun character and someone a reader can take to heart because she isn't perfect. I sat next to the author, Susan Gregg Gilmore at a bookfair in Lexington, KY and it was fun watching how the title of her book drew people to her table. The story inside the book lived up to the draw of the title. It's fun and touching as Catherine Grace comes to term with the realities of her life and discovers that sometimes fulfilling your dreams can take you in directions you never planned on. You won't be sorry you tried this book by a new to the fiction scene, but very good writer.』
(Salvation found!) 『I greatly enjoyed this quick read. The characters are believable and sweetly naive. It is a powerful book about women and their roles in society, especially the bonds of motherhood and where in the world we find mothers besides home. I highly recommend this book!』
(Wonderful Book Club Selection) 『I really enjoyed the very real&complex characters in "Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen", especially the female characters. I related to Catherine Grace's mission to leave her small, hometown although she didn't necessarily have a grand plan of what to go to...
The central themes of finding your place in the world, family secrets and the odd effects of death on family dynamics made for interesting book club conversation. Everyone enjoyed these characters and the southern setting was not "over-done", just a great back drop for this coming of age story.
I recommend this book as a warm, fun story with some deeper moments interspersed. Loved the characters&can't wait for Susan Gregg Gilmore's next book!』
(A captivating story...) 『Growing up in a small town, I completely relate to Catherine Grace Cline's desire to leave Ringgold to see where life takes her.
This book caught my attention early on and kept me enthralled all the way to the end. I thoroughly enjoyed becoming part of Catherine Grace's story and look forward to seeing more novels by Susan Gregg Gilmore!』 『Sometimes you have to return to the place where you began, to arrive at the place where you belong.
It’s the early 1970s. The town of Ringgold, Georgia, has a population of 1,923, one traffic light, one Dairy Queen, and one Catherine Grace Cline. The daughter of Ringgold’s third-generation Baptist preacher, Catherine Grace is quick-witted, more than a little stubborn, and dying to escape her small-town life.
Every Saturday afternoon, she sits at the Dairy Queen, eating Dilly Bars and plotting her getaway to Atlanta. And when, with the help of a family friend, the dream becomes a reality, she immediately packs her bags, leaving her family and the boy she loves to claim the life she’s always imagined. But before things have even begun to get off the ground in Atlanta, tragedy brings Catherine Grace back home. As a series of extraordinary events alter her perspective–and sweeping changes come to Ringgold itself–Catherine Grace begins to wonder if her place in the world may actually be, against all odds, right where she began.
Intelligent, charming, and utterly readable,Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queenmarks the debut of a talented new literary voice.』
Kakaku：480 saved$4.80
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Horrible Book) 『Gertrude Bell is a very interesting person who lived an intriguing life and this book is DULL. IT jumps around horribly.』
(Queen of the Desert, Shaper of Nations) 『This is a very well written book about a remarkable woman. It gives a great deal of history about the middle east.』
(A remarkable biography about a remarkable women) 『Much has been said about the book's contents in previous reviews. What I would like to add is that the author did a masterful job with bringing history so alive. The historical facts were well researched before the book was written. Instead of presenting them in a rather factual manner Georgina Howell converted them in a gripping story which makes it hard to put the book aside. She stays humble in the back and let the protangonists speak for themselves. When reading books of popular history one often gets the impression that writers project their personalities into the stories. This is absolutely not the case with this book, except perhaps with respect to the author's interest for clothing matters which is not distracting however. The relations between Gertrude Bell and her environments are so well described that one gets literally the feeling to become part of them. This only happens with extraordinary books to which this one certainly belongs.
I got interested in this book through a similar well written book by Ronald Florence on the relation between Aaron Aarohnsohn and T.E. Lawrence. Reading both books gives a good impression of the Arabist and Zionist views after the fall of the Ottoman empire. Both also demystify the role of T.E. Lawrence in shapening the Middle-East whose epic book "Seven pillars of wisdom" I find a rather boring read.』
(A Fascinating Biography of an Unbelievable Life) 『One measure of a fine book is if it captures and holds the reader's attention even if the subject is outside the reader's background and interests. This is such a book. Gertrude Bell (1868-1926)led an extraordinary life, whose many facets are captured in this superior biography. Born to a wealthy Yorkshire family, she was the first woman to receive a First Class degree in modern history from Oxford. She next took up challenging mountain climbing (my only criticism of the book is too much space is devoted to this topic). But the book's core is the period when she becomes interested in the Middle East, which the British designated as Mesopotamia and TransJordan, but which we know today as Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
She mastered the pertinent languages (Turkish and of course Arabic among others), traveled all over the region between 1900 and 1914 conducting archeology research and photographing sites (many of which photos are available on the web in the Gertrude Bell Photographic Archive of Newcastle University), authored a number of books, and became well acquainted with the Bedouin tribes that roamed the area. Later she joined the British colonial administration in Baghdad, and helped (along with her friend T.E. Lawrence) foment the Arab uprising against the Turks during WWI that is the central element of the "Lawrence of Arabia" film. She argued for self-determination for this area at the Versailles Peace Conference, and even confronted Churchill on the issue when he had responsibility for colonial administration. She helped map the boundaries of what we now know as Iraq, was instrumental in selecting Faisal as its first King, and played a prominent role in the governance of the new nation. As if this was not enough, toward the end of her life (she committed suicide in 1926, probably due to advanced lung cancer) she founded the National Museum of Iraq, the same museum that the American military allowed to be ransacked during the Iraq War. She is buried in Baghdad.
The book is over 400 pages in this paperback edition, but it moves along quickly as it is quite a fascinating tale. The author has included extensive notes, some excellent Bell photographs, a chronology, and a fine bibliography. A major side benefit to reading the book is that the reader learns quite a lot about the background of Iraq and Saudi Arabia, obviously topics greatly on our minds at the present. To have led such a life is amazing; to have contributed in so many ways during that life is even more so. The book Ms. Bell deserved.』
(Boring as can be due to boring author) 『The author gives absolutely no insight into Gertrude Bell and just recites the itinerary of one trip after another. Bell is made out to be an obsessive cartoon character running around the map like Bugs Bunny. After climbing the Matterhorn, she mysteriously decides to expensively explore the desert -- alone. I'd really like to know more about her. Someone suggested Desert Queen" by Janet Wallach.』 『
A marvelous tale of an adventurous life of great historical import She has been called the female Lawrence of Arabia, which, while not inaccurate, fails to give Gertrude Bell her due. She was at one time the most powerful woman in the British Empire: a nation builder, the driving force behind the creation of modern-day Iraq. Born in 1868 into a world of privilege, Bell turned her back on Victorian society, choosing to read history at Oxford and going on to become an archaeologist, spy, Arabist, linguist, author (ofPersian Pictures,The Desert and the Sown, and many other collections), poet, photographer, and legendary mountaineer (she took off her skirt and climbed the Alps in her underclothes).
She traveled the globe several times, but her passion was the desert, where she traveled with only her guns and her servants. Her vast knowledge of the region made her indispensable to the Cairo Intelligence Office of the British government during World War I. She advised the Viceroy of India; then, as an army major, she traveled to the front lines in Mesopotamia. There, she supported the creation of an autonomous Arab nation for Iraq, promoting and manipulating the election of King Faisal to the throne and helping to draw the borders of the fledgling state.Gertrude Bell, vividly told and impeccably researched by Georgina Howell, is a richly compelling portrait of a woman who transcended the restrictions of her class and times, and in so doing, created a remarkable and enduring legacy.
