Product Description
Chapters: Martin Harrison, Jack Trudeau, Mark Davis, Tara Kemp, Lauren Zettle, James Depaiva, Louie Aguiar, Erick Threets. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 28. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Martin Allen Harrison (born September 20, 1967 in Livermore, California) is a former American football defensive end who played ten seasons in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Seattle Seahawks. He played college football for the University of Washington. Martin attended Newport High School in Bellevue, Washington and was a multiple letter winner in both football and track and field. In 1983, at only 15 years old, he placed sixth in the national AAU junior olympics in the decathlon. 1985-1990 While with the 49ers Harrison made it to the NFC Championship game three times, in 1990, 1992 and 1993, however losing each year, twice to the Dallas Cowboys (1992, 1993) and once to the New York Giants (1990). In 1990 he made the team as a tenth round draft pick. That year the team finished the season with a 14-2 regular season record. Because of injury, he saw limited action. In 1991 Harrison was released on the final cut then resigned the next day to the practice squad where he spent the entire season. However, in the next two years, he would play in a total of 27 games, starting two of them. He finished his tenure with the 49ers with a total of 9.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 39 tackles. At age 27, Harrison switched teams in hopes of getting more playing time. In his first season with the Vikings he played mostly special teams. He played in 13 games although starting none. Harrison made a bit more of a splash the next season, getting to the quarterback 4.5 times, making 10 tackles and getting his only career interception, in which he returned ...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=12047008 ... Read more

Product Description
Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Lisa Bonet, Sammy Davis, Jr., Goapele, Lauren London, Zoe Kravitz, James Mcbride. Excerpt:Goapele Goapele (pronounced gwa-pah-lay) is an African-American soul and R ... Read more

Product Description
Set at a small, affluent liberal-arts college in New England at the height of the Reagan eighties, The Rules of Attraction is a startlingly funny, kaleidoscopic novel about three students with no plans for the future—or even the present—who become entangled in a curious romantic triangle. Bret Easton Ellis trains his incisive gaze on the kids at self-consciously bohemian Camden College and treats their sexual posturing and agonies with a mixture of acrid hilarity and compassion while exposing the moral vacuum at the center of their lives.

Lauren changes boyfriends every time she changes majors and still pines for Victor, who split for Europe months ago, and she might or might not be writing anonymous love letters to ambivalent, hard-drinking Sean, a hopeless romantic who only has eyes for Lauren, even if he ends up in bed with half the campus and with Paul, Lauren’s ex, who is forthrightly bisexual and whose passion masks a shrewd pragmatism. They waste time getting wasted and race from Thirsty Thursday Happy Hours to Dressed to Get Screwed parties to drinks at the End of the World. The Rules of Attraction is a poignant, hilarious take on the death of romance. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (142)

"Less than Zero" Goes to College
I held off reading this sequel to "Less than Zero" for quite a long time because, while the antics of a bunch of drugged Hollywoodsters had some entertainment value to me, I could not see the joy in perusing another trademark Ellis work about screwed-up rich kids at a WASPY Eastern liberal arts college (which I believe was supposed to be a thinly disguised portrayal of Bennington).Most any college is bound to be a Petri dish of teen angst, unsettled yearnings and weird sexual encounters (or lack of such encounters), so why bother to write yet another book about people pouring their hearts out over same?It's not glamorous or trashily mesmerizing like a book about LA.The main character, Sean Bateman, is not Clay from "Less than Zero" (who makes a cameo appearance in "Rules" as the hip mysterious kid in sunglasses from California) but Sean is written so that he and Clay are practically interchangeable in terms of thoughts and motivations.

When I did eventually (and out of sheer boredom) read "Rules", I had to give Ellis a little credit for at least introducing a bit of a plot structure."Rules" is about a love triangle, or possibly even a love hexagon.A frumpy girl named Mary pursues handsome Sean, with whom she's already created an entire fantasy romance in her mind.Through a mixup, Sean thinks Mary's love note to him comes from Lauren, an art student who's actually in love with an older guy named Victor and thinks about him all the time like Mary does Sean.Victor, oblivious to Lauren's affections, is off having rich-kid adventures in Europe such as getting mugged in the red-light district of Amsterdam, as he bops from country to country in search of his crush object, a girl named Jamie who he thinks is over there somewhere.Meanwhile, bisexual Paul, who is probably the closest thing Ellis has ever written to a developed character with a moral sense, has also fallen for Sean, though he senses it's hopeless.

Somewhere in the midst of this melee, punctuated by numerous drunk college parties and a graphic suicide in a bathtub, Sean and Lauren manage to fall genuinely, it seems, in love for a couple of chapters, but can't sustain it.This isn't surprising since they have virtually no role models to follow in developing a long-term relationship.Plus everyone in the book is the sort of jaded hopeless romantic who is so hungry for a connection that they see a pretty face and proceed to glom all of their dreams, hopes and fears onto said person without really getting to know them.It's hard to see how Sean is that much more attractive than his peers so as to have 2-3 people fall madly in love with him.It's also hard to see what's so great about Lauren that Sean is compelled to pursue her.Then again, many college-age people have developed raging crushes on another based solely on looks or the desire/ fantasy of being "in love", so Ellis's rich kids are more relatable here than they are in some of his other books. Nevertheless, the story still ends on a bum note since Sean and Lauren don't seem to learn or grow as a result of their love affair; instead they simply behave like planets that entered each other's orbits for a brief time before zinging back on their own pointless trajectories.The whole "missed connections leading to unexpected results" plotline, such as Sean mistaking Lauren, who he really hadn't paid much attention to before, as the author of a note left for him, is interesting to follow, but a lot of the book is taken up by long tedious musings, such as Lauren's story of drunkenly losing her virginity as a freshman at a college party and Sean's tale of a failed past love affair with a "hippie".You need to read the book with a sense of humor or you'll be wishing all these brats would just grow up already well before the end.

The Rules of Attraction & the postmodern condition
After seeing the film adaption of The Rules of Attraction by Bret Easton Ellis, it was apparent that his novel had to be read to match the fascination that invoked me in the first place with the initial viewing of the film. And to my absolute joy, for lack of better words, the novel was just as great the film. The novel by Ellis, opens just as the flim does, making it more than clear that director and writer Roger Avary did a spot on job when it came to staying true to the text. I, myself, find the humor in that people are complaining about how "pages are missing". Um, yeah. There are no pages missing, that is simply how Ellis decided to commence the novel. I bet that same person complained that some ridiculous character "Betrand" had a whole chapter in French. The characters are eccentric and humorous, completely candid, and asbolutely absurd, all of which adds to momentum of wanting to know them more. All in all, the novel by Ellis is a great piece of work, completely appropriate for the time it was written (1987) and couldn't be anymore accurate to the typical scene of a small liberal arts college in New England(trust me, I would know having attended a small liberal arts college in New England myself). Certainly worth the buy, and if anything it is worth picking up to see the "missing pages" in the beginning and the "typo" in the end. Did I just spoil that for you? Sorry. Go and give it a read already.

Rules of Attraction
Reading this book was just like watching the movie. In fact, it made me desperate to watch the movie again.

Pointless, but that's the point!
Firstly, to all the people saying "the first 12 pages are missing, I got ripped off" don't understand that this is intentional and that the book is suppose to begin mid-sentance. So don't worry if you buy this book and it starts off like that, it was meant to be.

Secondly, incredible book. For anyone who enjoys painfully honest stories about life then you will love The Rules of Attraction. The novel exploits 'relationships' and their futility by showing the mixed opinions of three selfish college students in a love triangle.

Ellis narrates the characters dialogue and thoughts in an incredibly realistic way which made me individually feel as if the events were being acted out as if was reading them. The whole book is like a film playing out in your brain.

For anyone who liked 'American Psycho', this book plays out in a very similar fashion with a definite feel of nihilism and pointlessness that brings meaning.

Just read the novel, it's amazing, it's among my all time favorites.

defective product
Just received this book and a copy of Less than Zero.Discovered that "Rules" is missing several pages at the beginning....perhaps this is intentional?

First time, very first time, in hundreds of items ordered books , CDs and other stuff that I've received anything defective.

Looked over the return policy.LOL, for the ten bucks this cost I'm going to toss it in the paper recycling and buy a copy at a "bookstore".

I don't visit "bookstores" much anymore because I buy nearly all of my books from amazondotcom.Well,Isee there's an advantage after all.It's just not worth it to package this to return....and order another?Wull,, (as you younger people like to pronounce it ) Wull, da, it might be defective and missing pages too.

Note to Amazon.No, not gonna do it.....buy electronic book downloads.

... Read more

Product Description
Reminiscent of the movie Say Anything, a debut novel for all those searching for The One!

Sara and Tobey couldnÂ’t be more different. She is focused on getting into her first-choice college; he wants to win Battle of the Bands. SaraÂ’s other goal is to find true love, so when Dave, a popular jock, asks her out, sheÂ’s thrilled. But then thereÂ’s Tobey. His amazing blue eyes and quirky wit always creep into her thoughts. It just so happens that one of TobeyÂ’s goals is also to make Sara fall in love with him. Told in alternating points of view, Sara and TobeyÂ’s real connection will have everyone rooting for them from the minute they meet! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (72)

Probably an Authentic Boy Perspective
More like 2.5 stars.

I have to say, I didn't love this book. However, despite that, I really appreciated that half of the story is written from Tobey's perspective, and that he actually seems like a real teenage boy (so many YA books that include the boy's perspective seem like a they're written from the perspective of a girl painting a picture of the perfect boy, and not real teenage boys).

What I LIked:
Like I mentioned, it felt like Tobey was an authentic teenage guy. He was, honestly, kind of gross at the beginning of the book--but that seems pretty accurate. He really grows as a character throughout the book, as he starts to look forward toward his future. There are multiple points throughout the book where he's faced with decisions and it's nice to see him maturing at these points.

What I Didn't Like:
I never clicked with Sara. Her self-helpy quality was irritating, with the visualization exercises, etc. I kind of understood why she did this--her mom seemed like a disaster and it was a way to try to order her world--however, the mother relationship wasn't developed enough for that to make a ton of sense. She was also awfully judgmental about Tobey's past, in a way that didn't really make sense, given how she just accepted Dave's lies about his past. That element of the story was strange to me, and didn't feel necessary. I really didn't care for so much of the book being written in "teen speak." For example, in Sara's narration, the often says "I was like," or "I go," to introduce dialog. I get that's how people would describe conversations, but as a reader it's awkward and annoying. Teens probably wouldn't mind, however.

I'd recommend this book to teens, but not adults--in fact, I'm pretty sure teens would love this one. It is, however, a realistic portrayal of a teen boy, but the girl isn't all that believable.

Anonymos Reader # 1
i absolutly loved this book. it kept my attention the entire time and never had a dull moment. and we all know how hard that is to find in a book. i would highly recomend it to the comedians and the hopeless romantics. READ THIS BOOK!

good but highly inappropriate
this book was very real. but it used a lot of profanity and the characters was highly involved in sex. i wouldnt recomend for younger readers. but a great book for older readers.

Rock Solid Read. Another amazing Susane Colasanti book.
Ok, this is one of my favorite books! I just love it, it's so cute. The plot is great, and is your typical high school setting.
Susane Colasanti adds so much more to the story by writing in alternating perspectives, it gives you insight to both characters instead of just one. The characters themselves are real, and represent all corners of the social scale in your high school. Tobey's the slacker whose character is just adorable, but at times seems a bit desparate. Then Dave the average high school jock with big head and then there's Maggie and Laila too. Personally I love Maggie. Her character is not necessarily totally unique, but just adds something to the story. Then there's Sara who is just looking for that someone who they can find true love. I'm a huge sucker for romance.

I'd definately recommend it to everyone!

Corny and Predictable
I knew from the reviews that this book was about a high school relationship so I had my doubts. I guess I just didn't expect it to be so predictable. I was irritated by how corny and one dimensional everything was.

Girl dates popular jock; realizes that he is an egotistical jerk with jerk friends; girl dumps him for misfit boy who has been trying to work his way into girl's heart; everything is wonderful and dandy; big secret comes out and crumbles the happy couple; they make up and live happily ever after.

It was an alright book but was too typical and superficial for me. Nothing different or excited happened. It wasn't a unique teen relationship story but rather a safe, ho-hum one. ... Read more

Product Description
From the creator of the Land of Elyon comes a riveting adventure set in an extraordinary satellite world?created as a refuge from a dying Earth?that begins to collapse and forever change the lives of its inhabitants. Edgar, a gifted climber, is a lonely boy scaling the perilous cliffs that separate the three realms of Atherton: a humble fig grove; a mysterious highland world of untold beauty and sinister secrets; and a vast wasteland where he must confront an unspeakable danger that could destroy the people of Atherton. When Edgar discovers a book which contains the history of Atherton's origins and ultimate apocalypse, his world?quite literally?begins to turn inside out. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Atherton
Atherton is a planet with three parts, Flatlands which is a barren, deserted land which is very difficult to reach. Then there is Tabletop a lush area with a food called figs which are a delicacy in the highlands so they trade their water for the figs. Finally the Highlands a rich area where everything is peace and it is also the home of the House of Power. But something's gone terribly wrong, the highlands are falling. On top of that, Edgar, a lonely worker in the tabletop does something extremely forbidden, he climbs up the wall that leads to the highlands. He finds something very rare in tabletop, a book which contains... well I guess you'll have to read Atherton to find out! Anyway let me introduce you to the main (some) characters: first there is Edgar, a lonely worker in the tabletop, he picks figs and does some other work and is an excellent climber. Then there's Isabel a brave, fearsome girl with a sling (stay within a safe distance). Next we have the evil Lord Phineus, a wretched king. Then there is Samuel, a book-loving guy who lives in the highlands and eventually helps Edgar out a lot. Then there is the annoying Mr. Ratikan who runs the grove of figs and constantly is aggravated by Edgar. Finally there is Sir Emerick an evil henchman of Lord Phineus. So you know the main characters now I should tell you about the settings first there is the village of sheep then there is the village of the rabbits then there is the grove of figs and the highlands. Oh yeah and the fl... oh yeah this is a secret too sorry but you'll have to read the book to find this out too.

ACTION!!
love it. i just fineshed the whole series.a good action story.good plot and is clean.please get this book.i want to show every one this wonderful novel.........

an orphan boy who lives in a grove and seacretly climbs to a more inteligent place.this ends up fantastical.
:)

fun light enjoyable easy read
Loved the story, simple and engaging.Nothing extravagant but enjoyed it so much I took it to the gym to make the cardio seem easier and the time pass faster.Worked like a charm.

From Jimmy at J. Kaye's Book Blog
Edgar has worked in the grove for as long as he can remember. He is one of the best workers there. He is also a great climber, even though climbing is forbidden. Did I mention he wasn't one to follow the rules? I guess that's why I love the character so much.

While out climbing one day, Edgar finds a book in a hole on the mountainside. Unfortunately since the House of Power banned reading, Edgar had to find someone to read it to him.

There is also another mystery to Atherton, the rumblings. Every so often everyone would feel a little rumbling underneath their feet. It was dismissed as nothing, but one day Edgar saw that Highlands were sinking. Not good. Not good at all.

THE HOUSE OF POWER is the first book in the Atherton series. This was a great book. In my opinion, it took a few chapters for me to get into it. My sister, who is a huge fan of Patrick Carman, read this book before I did. When I gave her my opinion, she said that I was crazy and am not worthy of reading his books. Ouch! I am still sticking with my rating though.

What's all the hype about?
The story was just so-so and just when I was getting to the last chapter I thought, finally, some answers. But, nothing. It was a very abrupt ending and no loose ties are wrapped up and nothing is ever learned about what happens to any of the characters. I was really disappointed in this book and wouldn't recommend it to anyone. ... Read more

Product Description

The First Volume in ibooks' Reissues of the Fantasies by Science Fiction Writers of America Grand Master Fritz Leiber!

Swords and Deviltry introduces us to a strange world where fantastic but thoroughly flawed anti-heroes Fafhrd and Gray Mouser find the familiar in themselves and discover the icy power of female magic. Three master-magician femme-fatales and a sprightly lad illuminate the bonds between father and son, the relationship between the bravado of the imagination, and the courage of fools. A hedge wizard explains the cold war between the sexes. Mouse and Fafhrd meet again and traverse the smoke and mirrors of Lankhmar learning more and more of the foggy world in which they live, experiencing the pleasures and pains of the City of Sevenscore Thousand Smokers that will lead them to countless more adventures and misadventures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

It manages to surprise and it's good if you commit to it
This is not the easiest fantasy book to get into.Its vocabulary is very complex and antiquated as befits the setting of the story, but there are words that you'll come across that you might never see again in any other book.So, if you manage to get into the tempo and style of this author, then you'll be rewarded with a story that at times provides humor, at others most violent action and lastly, gruesome plot twists.The heroes are different and with their flaws, though it feels jarring when you've been going quite a while on the story of one to suddenly being introduced the other, but somebody mentioned these work more like recompiled tales, so I can see the book as such.

There's much of the mythology of the world left unanswered, but that's because the book is quite short and many things are mentioned, however it does give you a good description of the two main settings, the one at the beginning and the one at the end.The dialog is far from straightforward as the rest of the prose, but by following its intricate loops, you'll notice is quite witty and interesting.

Overall, when I thought this book was going a certain way and I was debating whether to read the following one right away or not, being slightly turned off by the verbosity of it all, it did surprise me at least twice, with such delectable twists and turns that it made me compelled to read the next book in the series as soon as possible.In other words, I recommend it, if you don't mind not recognizing dozens of words.

Let the magic begin
Swords & Deviltry is the first of a series books chronicling the adventures of Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser. It is not a novel, but rather three connected stories.

The first "The Snow Women" tells of what prompts Fafhrd's abrupt departure from the cold northern wastes in order to seek a new life in the believed civilized lands. His escape is aided with the help of the woman he had come to love.

"The Unholy Grail" tells of the first adventures of the Grey Mouser, his victory over his lover's evil father and the origins of his name.

A Nebula was awarded to the third story "Ill met in Lankhmar" and recounts the first meeting between the two heroes.

While the first two stories are good, it is only when our heroes meet that the magic really begins. Leiber is an excellent writer and the Swords series featuring Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser are among the best of the genre.

fast-paced adventure, male camaraderie, sword-fighting, and easy women
I must confess that I had some preconceived notions about Fritz Leiber's work. Because he's credited with coining the phrase "Sword & Sorcery," and because I never hear women talking about his stories, I imagined that they appealed mainly to men.

But, a few factors made me decide to give Fritz Leiber a try:

1. I feel the need to be "educated" in the field of fantasy, which means that I should read
novels that are out of my normal repertoire.
2. The fantasy shelves are glutted with urban and teen fantasy and I'm feeling a bit nostalgic.
3. And (this one's the clincher) [...] has recently produced audio versions of the
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser stories.

So, I downloaded Swords and Deviltry to my MP3 player and pressed play. Within two minutes, I was completely enthralled. The first part of the novel (which is really a compilation of short stories) tells the tale of Fafhrd's liberation from the taboos, close-mindedness, and "icy morality" of his mother and clan (and the girl he got pregnant) in the northern wastes. He yearns for civilization, and finally gets a chance to "escape this stupid snow world and its man-chaining women" with a beautiful showgirl.

The second section introduces us to Mouse, who is apprenticed to the white magician Glavas Rho, but who feels the pull of the black arts -- "the magic which stemmed from death and hate and pain and decay, which dealt in poisons and night-shrieks, which trickled down from the black spaces between the stars..." A murder and a betrayal force Mouse over the brink and he restyles himself as The Gray Mouser.

I was engrossed in the tales of both of these young men, so when the audiobook reader finally said "Chapter 4: Ill Met in Lankhmar," I felt a thrill of delight! Of course I'm familiar with the name of this Nebula (1970) and Hugo (1971) award-winning novella, and I knew I'd be reading it in Swords and Deviltry, but for the first time the name had real significance for me and I couldn't wait to witness the meeting of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. And it was, as promised, a lot of fun.

But most of all, even more than the adventure, I just loved Fritz Leiber's prose. It supported the story in the few places where it dragged or at times when I was annoyed that all of the female characters were odious. For me, its cleverness and beauty was the dominant feature of Leiber's writing:

"The Mouser dug into his pouch to pay, but Fafhrd protested vehemently. In the end they tossed coin for it, and Fafhrd won and with great satisfaction clinked out his silver smerduks on the stained and dented counter, also marked with an infinitude of mug circles, as if it had been once the desk of a mad geometer."

Certainly these stories will appeal most to men who particularly enjoy fast-paced adventure, male camaraderie, sword-fighting, and easy women. But I found this first set delightfully refreshing. I've already downloaded the next Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser compilation (Swords Against Death) and I'm hoping to meet some worthy women in it. But if not, I'll still enjoy Fritz Leiber's way with words.

Interesting adventure, whose heroes egos seal their fate
I noticed that the only one-star reviewer for this book, didn't finish it. Having finished it, I can tell you this is a fun adventure. While I do agree the role of the women is minimized in this story, I do keep in mind that these are the tales of Fahfrd and Gray Mouser (and he really is referred to as Gray Mouser, Mouse, and Mouser in the book). What's most interesting about the heroes, is that they are tragically flawed in that they let their testosterone get in the way of good judgement. But you'll just have to figure that out for yourself. I don't understand why the newly published DH edition costs so much, especially considering how thin each of these books are. If you really want more bang for your buck, geta decent used copy of the Three of Swords book club in hardcover. Or this fine paperback. What I really like about these stories, is that trouble doesn't find them...they walk right into it.

Lankhmar ... the city of the black toga
I guess some people just don't recognize quality. To see that someone has actually compared the award winning Ill Met in Lankhmar with a thieves world series book ... well, there you go.

Great, collossal, archetypal, characters. Dense writing that conveys more in 200 pages than an Eddings or Jordan could do in 1000. A supreme mind (Leiber) writing at the peak of his talents. ... Read more

Product Description
Barcelona, 1945—A great world city lies shrouded in secrets after the war, and a boy mourning the loss of his mother finds solace in his love for an extraordinary book called The Shadow of the Wind, by an author named Julian Carax. When the boy searches for Carax’s other books, it begins to dawn on him, to his horror, that someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book the man has ever written.Soon the boy realizes that The Shadow of the Wind is as dangerous to own as it is impossible to forget, for the mystery of its author’s identity holds the key to an epic story of murder, madness, and doomed love that someone will go to any lengths to keep secret. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (712)

Good read
This book started off really interesting, then I lost interest towards the middle, then the last 1/3 it picked up again. I enjoyed the gothic mood of it. It has just the right amount of dark.

Darkly Beautiful
This instantly became my favorite book of all time. I'm reading Angel's Game right now and it is also a beautiful book. He has a way of setting scenes that is so haunting, creepy and intriguing you feel like you are there beside the character feeling and smelling and sensing everything that they do. Seriously, best book you will ever read.

Lovely.Warm.Fun.
I just loved this book.It is really a warm-hearted, touching story about a young boy, coming of age; his father; and a delusional vagrant that they hire to help out in their bookstore.The adventure begins when the boy reads a book written by a comic book villain.He and his vagrant friend are off to find this mysterious author.On the way they stumble into life's ups and downs.

If you enjoy true literature (excellent translation and prose), boyhood stories, and mystery, you'll love shadow of the wind.

The Shadow of the Wind.
Superb. We just got back from Barcelona, a very strong reason for visiting this intensely delightful city was this novel.

Loved This Book!
The Shadow of the Wind is dark and mysterious. A perfect book to read snuggled up in bed with a windstorm brewing outside. I enjoyed the inventive plot and gripping story telling. ... Read more

Product Description
In his stunning memoir, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, John Perkins detailed his former role as an "economic hit man" in the international corporate skulduggery of a de facto American Empire. Now Perkins zeroes in on hot spots around the world, drawing on interviews to examine the current geopolitical crisis, and providing a compassionate plan to reimagine our world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (74)

Frightening, but likely very true.
John Perkins describes a dark world where US corporations impose their will on other countries through the bribery, manipulation, and fear. A world too sinister for me to accept at face value. I think the truth lies somewhere between what Perkins' claims and what the rest of society is lead to believe...at least I hope. Though he doesn't make any claims I immediately dismissed as too outlandish. If corporations play as large a role as they do in US politics what's to say that in other countries who are more susceptible, more corrupt, and the stakes are higher, the same thing isn't happening.

All in all this book is a great read that draws you into Perkins' adventures. His stories have incredible detail and only occasionally does he hold back information to protect its source. This book has changed the way I examine world events by examining the motivations behind them. I would recommend this book to anyone, but it's a must read for those who have any interest whatsoever in international politics.

and only a secret to most Americans
I'm adding this to what I have already written below because I'm hoping you are looking for answers. There are plenty explanations of how and why and plenty of other books where you can read about the problems addressed in this book, but if you are hoping for inspiration and a means to act with a confidence that your efforts are worth while, this is it. As I read the final chapter I was more pleased than ever with any other book I have read. I had hoped as another review had indicated that there would be some positive aspect to what seemed so hopeless and unjust for most of the text. There was and it gave me hope, a kind of relief from all the issues that plague our world I have been learning about for the past several years and that have weighed upon me as each piled one on top of the other.

Reading it wasn't hard in that I was already aware of the sad things happening in our world. What is new is the light he sheds on how and why these things are happening and that becomes a validation of his understanding and knowledge of the subject, which also becomes a substantial pretext for that last chapter that sheds even more light on what needs to be done and how we can accomplish it. It is being done this very minute by many who understand because they know the secret, and hopefully by many more as time goes by. It is a great book that clears away the fog of confusion the corporatrocracy has created to keep us all good little sheep.

John Perkins' "The Secret History of the American Empire" is NONFICTION.
He is the author of "Confessions of an Economic Hitman" and he describes himself as a former economic hitman(EHM) who worked for large corporations who exploit third world countries for the profit they can gain by privatizing their resources. Essentially the rape and ravage of people and environments on a scale that only an empire could be capable of.

John as an EHM went to many various third world countries and in a very business like fashion gave leaders an ultimatum, work with us and get rich OR we will send in the jackals. The jackals usually meant coup or assassination, and that is what has happened over and over again, Iran, Iraq, and many nations in South America. This book isn't just about one or two, here or there, it is about a secret systematic attempt to dominate and reap profits at any cost.

The only people in our world who this secret has NOT been revealed to are the American public. Comfort dulls the senses and maybe we are too comfortable with our way of life. But if you have ever wondered why America has so many people of nations around the world that regard us in a negative light when we appear to give so freely in terms of aid or support, then maybe you are one of those who do not know the secret. This book doesn't just provide a piece of a puzzle that fits in a picture that could provide a few answers to why our world never seems to climb out of the heap of turmoil and injustice that plagues it. John Perkins lets you see the picture that the corporatocracy would prefer to remain a puzzle.

There will be no doubt after reading this book that Perkins has put his life on the line to expose an empire of maniacs who exploit nations and the environment, overthrowing or assassinating democratically elected leaders of third world nations who refuse to except the temptations of instant wealth instead of serving their people. It is about wealth and greed, the kind of wealth that is beyond materialism, the kind of wealth that is power, the kind of power that not only an empire is capable of, but the kind of power that can keep the secret from us as their empire dominates our world in a quest for more wealth and power. The kind of greed that is sick, sick enough to allow millions to suffer the deprivation of hunger, loss of life, and loss of the kind of true democracy that our Declaration of Independence represents. See for yourself, the secret is written on these pages for all to see.

Perkins exposes practices that are the equivalent of a psychopath who tempts a child with candy in order to lure the child into his car, except that instead of one child at a time, these psychopaths rape and ravage whole nations of people, millions suffer because of a greedy few. They have almost ruined America's reputation beyond repair, maybe so that no argument or act of good faith can ever redeem us. Although this book sheds light on a number of events, the truth can appear very dark. When whole nations suffer, indigenous people lose their livelihoods or environments that once allowed at least a subsistent existence, the truth is not only very sad, but revolting if the only reason is that it was done solely for the profits of a few self-serving monsters.

Perkins writes in a fashion that is easy to read. He is a very reflective person who let's us in his head and shares himself in a very personal way. The book flows easily, at times in a very suspenseful fashion. This book would be a great addition to any school curriculum, especially in a social studies class where our kids might wonder why our world can't find an equitable peace among nations. But even when the empire's coercive efforts result in war, the wealthy still reap big profits and education of the masses just might hurt the bottom line. Perkins has some good answers to turn this around. Surely his courage alone gives us hope, but the rest is up to us and reading this book and sharing it can go a long way by removing the veil of secrecy so that Americans once again embody the ideals and values other nations strive for.

Impressed with the knowledge and views of the author
Actually, I haven't read the book, just heard an interview with the author.I'm interested in what he has to sayand would love to read it. However, reading is difficult for me.
I hope this book sells enough copies so that it will be recorded.Please read this book so that I can listen to it soon.

Amazing Insight to the World of Politics
This book will really open your eyes as well as be a page turner. Great book love the way it was written. All I can ask for is more stories from more people in similar positions/

What is to be Done?
The great value of this book by John Perkins as well as of his Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, is that, through a series of concrete and dramatic anecdotes, he gives us a feel for how our corporations (quite aptly called the "corporatocracy"), aided by "economic hit men" (IMF, World Bank, etc.),"jackals" (CIA), and the military, work to plunder the third world and working people in the first world to our material, cultural, and moral detriment.

The part of this book I must question is the last section in which Perkins deals with what we can do to make things better.He evidently believes that capitalism is reformable without losing its character as capitalism.It is true that under capitalism some good reforms do take place, perhaps attenuated or watered down over time, and generally restricted in scope, and it is equally true that in spite of the usual insufficiency of many of these reforms, earnest pursuit of reform by our citizens is generally worthwhile, in fact essential if we are not to lapse into an unhappy impoverished brain-dead police state, for in the course of participating in a reform movement we gain much of the experience, knowledge, and skill we need to work collectively for the genuinely radical political, economic, cultural, moral, and spiritual change we must bring about if we are to save ourselves and the planet we live and have our being on..

Many of the reform movements now under way are often subverted or derailed by agents of the corporatocracy in all three branches of our government as well as in our principal media, in our churches and fraternal organizations, and in our educational systems.Agents of the corporatocracy spend many millions in a form of lobbying that amounts to bribing, more millions in propaganda, propaganda usually quite effective, stoking and playing on fear or anger, increasing the ability of the corporatocracy to manipulate public opinion. The corporatocracy and their agents are good at giving the impression of supporting a reform with only some "minor" modifications, going so far at times as to advocate "red herring" reforms to distract us from what is really needed, and to make sure that whatever executive agencies are involved in instituting or managing a good reform shall be understaffed, incompetent, untransparent, and/or underfunded.

While competition among individual capitalists for markets often leads to efficiency and publicly beneficial outcomes, the long-term result of unfettered competition is the formation of monopolies and combinations of monopolies that lead to the ruthless and destructive exploitation of people, resources, and environments.On an international level, acting as more or less national blocs through their governments, these combinations form the economic bases of their respective governments.A ruthless competition among these governments, now imperial powers, develops in competition for markets, for cheap labor, and for cheap raw materials that leads inevitably to fascism and world war, a massive destruction of capital values, and a repeat of the same dreary boom-and-bust cycle-- or, if the masses are properly won over and organized, leads to revolution.Both scenarios are frightful, but one, if acted out in history, promises a better future for humanity and the earth.Still, one may ask:Is there another choice?

The immediate future, if the two scenarios I describe are the only realistic options, is not pretty.One must think through these matters.Perkins' books should definitely be included among your study materials.
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Two mathematicians must join forces to stop a serial killer in this spellbinding international bestseller

A paperback sensation in Argentina, Spain, and the United Kingdom, The Oxford Murders has been hailed as "a remarkable feat" (Time Out London) and its author as "one of Argentina’s most distinctive voices" (The Times Literary Supplement). It begins on a summer day in Oxford, when a young Argentine graduate student finds his landlady—an elderly woman who helped crack the EnigmaCode during World War II —murdered in cold blood. Meanwhile, a renowned Oxford logician receives an anonymous note bearing a circle and the words "the first of a series." As the murders begin to pile up and more symbols are revealed, it is up to this unlikely pair to decipher the pattern before the killer strikes again. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (38)

More literary than thrilling
A well written mystery relies as much on the language as it does the clues.That's why it's tricky to translate one and why it's necessary to read such a translation with a generous heart.The Oxford Murders is a five star read but the mystery rates about a three.

The Oxford of Martinez' unnamed protagonist is an interesting place and the suspense created by a serial killer who announces each murder with a note containing a puzzle is nice. Snippets of information about the history of mathematics add some meat to the plot, and though I figured out whodunnit pretty early on, the book is so beautifully written finishing it was a pleasure.

Well-developed characters with a variety of secrets, a first person POV that is unusually perceptive, and a leisurely pace make this book stand out from the usual murder-in-an-academic-setting of say, Amanda Cross or Joan Hess.

Christmas gift
I ordered this book shortly before Christmas for my grandma. It arrived fast and was in great condition. It made a great and easy gift.

Interesting
Though some of the explanations of mathematical problems were well over my head, I found the book quite readable and interesting.I also enjoyed a pleasant feeling of competence when I figured out the principle behind the series that is shown on the cover all by myself; probably laughably easy to some, but everything is relative, yes?The identity of the murderer was not at all obvious to me; nor were the other surprises along the way.I found the entire thing intriguing and was entertained throughout.

Pages missing
There were a couple of pages missing. I dont know why people would want to get pages from this book. The story wasnt very thrilling. Kind of a kids' book of puzzle with a little sex thrown in.

schizoid mystery
This is a schizoid mystery. If youl;ike feeling claustrophobic, go for it. Other wise, skip it. ... Read more

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In the year that he becomes eight, Christopher gets his first pair of glasses, loses a tooth, gets a baby brother, takes piano lessons and learns to play baseball. ... Read more

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This test preparation book includes seven full-lengthexams with detailed explanations, modeled after the actual Test ofEnglish for International Communication (TOEIC).Readingcomprehension, verbal ability, structure and written expression, andlistening comprehension are tested.A comprehensive review of all thematerial found on the exam is included.For individuals who wish toassess their English proficiency in a business related environment. ... Read more

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Chapters: Nathan Bedford Forrest, Henry Laurens, James Bowie, Juan Davis Bradburn, Zephaniah Kingsley, Patty Cannon, Aaron Lopez, Peter Faneuil, Isaac Franklin, John Brown, Nathaniel Gordon, Felix Huston, William Ellison, Bully Hayes. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 107. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt:Nathan Bedford Forrest (July 13, 1821 October 29, 1877) was a lieutenant general in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. He is remembered both as a self-educated, innovative cavalry leader during the war and as a leading southern advocate in the postwar years. He served as the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, a secret vigilante organization which launched a reign of terror against blacks and Republicans during Reconstruction in the South. A cavalry and military commander in the war, Forrest is one of the war's most unusual figures. Less educated than many of his fellow officers, Forrest had amassed a fortune prior to the war as a planter, real estate investor, and slave trader. He was one of the few officers in either army to enlist as a private and be promoted to general officer and division commander by the end of the war. Although Forrest lacked formal military education, he had a gift for strategy and tactics. He created and established new doctrines for mobile forces, earning the nickname The Wizard of the Saddle. He was accused of war crimes at the Battle of Fort Pillow for allowing forces under his command to conduct a massacre upon hundreds of black Union Army and white Southern Unionists prisoners. In their postwar writings, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and General Robert E. Lee both expressed their belief that the Confederate high command had failed to fully utilize Forrest's talents. Memphis City Directory entry for Forrest's slave-trading ...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=49597 ... Read more