Customer Reviews (4)

An early stumble on the road to greatness.
This very early (1950) John D. MacDonald offering is a fairly run of the mill example of hardboiled crime writing.Narrated by its protagonist, Cliff Bartells, insurance adjustor extraordinare, The Brass Cupcake takes place in Flower City, a sleepy resort town on Florida's gulfcoast.
When wealthy Elizabeth Stegman is murdered in a jewel heist gone bad, it becomes Mr. Bartells' job to find the killer, retrieve the jewels and console the decedent's niece and only heir, beautiful and headstrong Melody Chance.Complicating Bartells' best efforts is a local police force that proves to be less than cooperative.

Though it wouldn't be long before he began to turn out wonderfully compelling novels like April Evil and Soft Touch, MacDonald was just beginning to find his narrative voice when he wrote The Brass Cupcake, a novel marred by too many unidimensional characters and a rather pedestrian storyline. The dialogue and descriptive prose are better than just competent but they lack the flair found in many of the author's later works.
Bottom line: Readers electing to skip The Brass Cupcake will not be missing much.

Book Review
This is my all time favorite author. This was his first novel, published in 1950. It holds up very well by today's standards. If you want to discover another good author read McDonald, especially his Travis McGee series.Excellent stuff if you are an action fan. He set the bar for other writers.

Readable start to his career
I am a Travis McGee fan so thought I would try some of MacDonald's non-McGee efforts.

This one was a 1950 book and one of his earliest novels. It has its moments when the author is trying to get a point across but I found that on the whole, the book was a little jumbled and confusing. A few too many characters and some unlikely plotting (the scene at the end was one).

Overall, one can see the possibilities of greatness in the writer but if you are starting MacDonald for the first time, go for any of his Travis McGee books first.

The Brass Cupcake
Ol' John D. did it again. His very-readable novels set a standard hard to beat. In this one, an insurance "adjuster" nearly gets whacked. Somehow, though, the end justifies the means and one cliff Bartells comes out smelling like a rose. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

THIS ONE IS DIFFERENT AND THIS ONE IS GREAT FUN!
As another reviewer put it, this is quite different from other works by McDonald.You could almost call it a SiFi story, but it does not have that complete favor.Briefly, our hero finds himself with a watch that can slow time down to almost a complete stop.No spoiler here, so I will stop.The book is funny, a page turner and one that you will no doubt want to give a reread.I first encountered this one back in the 80s and it had been published for sometime before that.Once it is started, it is was and is quite difficult to put down.I have read other McDonald books over the years and was very surprised with this one..it was so very, very different.For a fun read, one you almost cannot help but enjoy, I recommened this one highly.This is another of those books that have sort of gotten forgotten and probably did not get the attention it should have at the time of it's publication.

Having fun with supernatural powers
This book is way away from anything else John D. MacDonald wrote except for the fun, the realism mixed in with the fantasy, and it's just plain good.

Kirby worked for his eccentric uncle giving away money and now he's been left with a handful of junk and a gold watch.People left and right from financiers to gangsters are looking for the money Uncle Omar must have hidden somewhere and Kirby is getting into more and more trouble, until he hooks up with Bonny Lee and discovers the secret of the watch.The watch, you see, stops time for everything but you and you can do anything you want until you come back and rejoin the world.

His troubles are just beginning...

I have always loved this book and even though it was written in the sixties it still hits home.Even with supernatural powers there is always the problem of how to live with the rest of the world, and the bonus of having fun while you figure it out. ... Read more

Product Description
The disappearance of a custom-built yacht...the brutal murder of a Peruvian debutante...the sloppy "accidental death" of a Florida tycoon.These are the pieces Travis McGee must fit together to save his own life.

It is becoming very clear that someone wants to add McGee's name to the list of casualties.McGee figures the only way he can stay off that roster is to sound the alarm, to shatter the uneasy peace that reigns between opposing forces in Miami's underworld. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

A later episode, Travis McGee no longer prime time
But still great writing as Travis deals more with his mortality

In this story, McGee and Meyer even work with a DEA agent, who unlike any drug cop who ever existed in the real world, actually seems to be an sympathetic and mildly intelligent character. Then you find yourself with the three of them--and a very hot, sultry chick--somewhere in an especially hard-to-explain-why-anyone-would-be-there-much-less-them place... and you don't care some more. Their plan gets taken care of, and McGee returns to his Busted Flush, to unravel an especially poignant and personal riddle.

...

For my complete review of this book and for other book and movie
reviews, please visit my site [...]

Brian Wright
Copyright 2009

Lady Caine.
The Lonely Silver Rain is the 21st and sadly the last of John D. MacDonald's highly successful Travis McGee series.Two stories are related at the same time.The first is an interesting tale of crime wherein a yacht is stolen, drugs are smuggled and a number of murders take place.The second story is more subtle and human in nature.An aging Travis McGee uncharacteristicly expresses regret as to how he has led his life and wonders what the future holds as it becomes increasingly apparent his days as a devil may care boat bum must soon come to an end.

As in most John D. MacDonald fiction, the prose is first rate and the plotting quite captivating.My reason for awarding The Lonely Silver Rain 4 stars instead of 5 is that there's a three chapter segment midway through in which Travis visits the Yucatan peninsula disguised as a cocaine smuggling cowboy.This portion of the book comes off as unnecessarily contrived and interrupts the novel's otherwise smooth narrative flow.But all in all, The Lonely Silver Rain is a very worthwhile read and an appropriate final installment to a long running series beloved by millions.

Mysteries as they should be
John D. MacDonald's TRAVIS McGEE series doesn't just offer good reading but great reading in the thriller/mystery genre. When modern day writers disappoint I like to return to the series to once again shake my head in amazement at how MacDonald's writing transcends time with keen insight to humanity, its virtues and, of course, its darker side.
McGee is everybody's favorite friend and MacDonald made him available to all of us. While THE LONELY SILVER RAIN is good book start at the beginning of the series and work your way through the title colors. If you can't find them on-line then used bookstores usually have a few at ridiculously low prices. Enjoy!

Farewell my Dear JDM
I read JDM for his musings, his rants and his take and insight.The stories are secondary.I have learned a lot about criminals, more than I wanted to know which makes you wonder how he researched his books.The reason I sought out JDM books was from seeing him referenced in other books one of which is Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews.She "gets" MacDonald and I love the romance of remembering him so fondly.

Love all the references to the pre-Disney Florida in his earlier books.

OH yeah, I liked this book, too.Travis is more in touch with his frailty and the changes that losing your invincibility brings.If you love JDM Travis McGee series you will love this one just as much.

The End of Travis
Dragging my feet to finish this one `cause I know it is the last. I have come to know Travis McGee well, as all of us have who've read the novels. He and Meyer confide in me. I give him advice which he rarely follows. But that's OK because it seems he always comes out OK.
I have read J.D. MacDonald's Travis McGee books- all of them beginning with "The Deep Blue Good-By" over the past year and am now at the end of the line- "The Lonely Silver Rain." A truly good author sucks you in, makes you feel as though you know the characters and would like to have a Boodles on ice with them (or Plymouth in the earlier books). It's been 21 books in all and I don't know if Travis dies in this one yet (would be truly great writing if he did) but either way he will die for me and for all of us or just fade into the sunset after this final book.John D. died himself barely two years after publishing this one. Who knows if he knew the end was near?
But others have carried on. I only began reading MacDonald because an author I had been introduced to earlier, Randy Wayne White, had been referred to in reviews as "the rightful heir to John D. MacDonald." Having read all the Doc Ford books prior to embarking on Travis McGee's adventures, I can see that Randy borrowed much from Mr. MacDonald. I think he would have been honored rather than perturbed.
I could make you an ordered list of the Travis McGee books, but all you need do is buy the first, "The Deep Blue Good-By" (yes, I always thought it was "Good-Bye" too) and it has the list in the front cover for you. The only one I had difficulty getting was "The Empty Copper Sea." I speculate that this is because that book was made into a TV movie and the producers probably still own the rights.You can get it used on Amazon, or I will sell you my first edition for a nice price- nice for me, that is. But I'll only accept half of the value if I recover your lost copy for you (if you haven't read at least the first book you probably don't know what I'm talking about).
In honor of the Busted Flush, slip F-18 Bahia Mar I sail the Garden of Idun, rack 65, Home Port Marina whenever I can. She is smaller and runs a bit faster than the Flush, but my wife and I enjoy her no less. Cheers to all of you who love the sea and all she brings to our lives!
... Read more

Product Description
Short stories by more than twenty-five diverse authors, including John Jakes, Elmore Leonard, Evan Hunter, Loren D. Estleman, John D. MacDonald, and Marcia Muller, represent some of the best stories about the West ever written. ... Read more

Product Description
Combining select chapters from Grigsby's standard-setting The Electric Power Engineering Handbook with several chapters not found in the original work, Electric Power Substations Engineering became widely popular for its comprehensive, tutorial-style treatment of the theory, design, analysis, operation, and protection of power substations. For its second edition, this popular progeny rejoins the handbook as one in a set of five carefully focused volumes.

In addition to substantial updates in most areas, this bestselling reference brings to the Handbook its five original contributions, covering such diverse topics as communications, physical and cyber security, and gas-insulated transmission lines (GIL). This edition also includes two entirely new chapters on substation asset management and substation commissioning. Major updates appear in the highly active areas of integration, automation, substation grounding, high-voltage switching equipment, and air- and gas-insulated substations. With contributions by active leaders from around the world, the coverage reflects international standards, practices, and technologies, not limited to those found in North America. In fact, many of the contributors are involved in developing the standards in their area of expertise.

Updated to include the latest developments, trends, and technologies, Electric Power Substations Engineering, Second Edition provides a thorough and up-to-date guide for power engineers at all levels of expertise. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Alot of general info but not much specific
Book gives a broad overview of substations, but not very detailed. If you have anything more than a passing interesting how substations work this book will not be much use to you. I started a new job as a commisioner and this book was of little benefit to me. Not enough details on the inner workings of power protection and switchgear.

Electric power substations engineering
I bought this book because I found drafting job in electric company. My previous knowledge about substations was less than general, so I have to learn this stuff. This book helped me to learn everithing I need. It is detailed and easy to understad. Good thing is that author show schematicaly some segments of substation and because of that it is much easier to understand it's purpose.

Highly Recommended! Compact Yet Highly Charged with Information
This book is very concise and yet a powerhouse of very good information.This is the book to be read first to get the overall picture on power substation engineering quickly and precisely, without overwhelming yourself on the subject.I wish I had this book ten years back :)

A good book for both substation and equipment engineering
(Zhu Fang, Dr. & P.Eng., Ontario, Canada)

This book outlines the physics and logic behind the relevant IEEE standards. So it helps to understand and application of these standards in engineering work. As working on power transformer engineering, I find that this book enriches and updates my background knowledge on application of power equipments. It is ideal for electric power engineering professional and student who wishes to know more about engineering practice.

A Really Good Book!
This book is a good practical book. It helps me clearly understand some concepts and applications. It is a really good source and I use it all the time at work!
I will definitely recommend this book ! ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document, covering the life and work of John D(ennis) McDonald, is an entry from Contemporary Authors, a reference volume published by Thomson Gale. The length of the entry is 393 words. The page length listed above is based on a typical 300-word page. Although the exact content of each entry from this volume can vary, typical entries include the following information:

• Place and date of birth and death (if deceased)
• Family members
• Education
• Professional associations and honors
• Employment
• Writings, including books and periodicals
• A description of the author's work
• References to further readings about the author

Product Description
Traditional textbooks in this field have emphasized the basic sciences of pathology, biochemistry and physiology. Evidence-based Gastroenterology and Hepatology covers all the major diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver, utilizing clinical epidemiology to present the strongest and most current evidence for interventions.

This second edition is edited and written by leading gastroenterologists from around the world, each chapter summarizes the evidence so that better informed decisions will be made about which treatments to offer to patients.

It provides practising Gastroenterologists and Surgeons with clear information regarding the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic diseases, giving clear evidence and experience-based material that is immediately relevant to clinical practice.

Also contains a list of recommended reading at the end of each chapter.

Take a look at up to date information at www.evidbasedgastro.com ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Fascinated by MacDonald
I have now read a number of MacDonald's books and have noticed that as the years go by his later writing is much darker and violent with more musings about the human condition.He seems to be feeling more hopeless and maybe even a little bitter about the character of man and woman for that matter.He seems to give women a pass as I believe a man of his era didn't really see women as anything more than either a victim or conniver.It's fascinating to read his books for this reason.The pure thought of one not jaded by the thought police give a lot of insight to how things were then and how thoroughly things have derailed all in the hope of making things "better" for the downtrodden.I would love to find more fans to discuss his thinking as the best thing about MacDonald's books are his long introspective musings. I find that is what addicts me to his books.It's uncanny how he had his finger on the pulse of what makes people do the things they do and especially how women think.As a woman, I'm not offended just fascinated.I do not like his later writings as they really went into the "sick" meanness of man and not just the con part of man's nature.Kind of like watching some of the CSI shows on TV that go too far.It's entertaining and interesting when it's not so disgusting and disturbing but when it goes too far, it's depressing, repulsive and not a good read.I would recommend his early writings which remind me of a good Bogie and Bacall movie.Brass Cupcake written before the Travis series and my favorite of the Travis booksThe Deep Blue Good-bye for sure.If you like this type of South Florida caper I would like to suggest Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews.A fun romp where con men abound and get their comeuppance .It was because of her mentioning him in her books that I became interested in reading the MacDonald books. BTW it's MacDonald not McDonald.

The first -- and one of the best -- of the Travis McGee series.
Travis McGee, for the uninitiated, is a fellow who bears a certain resemblance to Ken Kesey's McMurphy; someone who resists all of the pulls to conform, to fit in, to get a nine to five job, get married, and settle down to a steady and dependable life. Like McMurphy, he's good in the rough and tumble when he needs to be, but he makes a bit more effort than McMurphy does to avoid needing to. He lives on a houseboat that he won in a card game, "works", when absolutely necessary, as something of a con-artist for hire, working for people who've been taken by con artists in an attempt to take at least some of their money back from those who've taken it. For a 50% commission, of course. And takes his retirement in between jobs now, while he can afford it. Like McMurphy, he's a very likeable character, and like McMurphy, he's a good deal more honorable and decent than a quick factual description of him makes him sound. Unlike McMurphy, he actually tends to spend a fair amount of time being introspective and self-aware. A fascinating character, in a delightful series. This book is the first of the series, and is a wonderful introduction to the character and the concept. Don't miss it. ... Read more

Product Description
Evidence based medicine applied in the clinical contextis the thrust of this important new book in gastroenterology andhepatology.Edited by leading gastroenterologists working in evidencebased medicine it recommends best practice for treating the individualpatient based on the randomised controlled trials and systematicreviews conducted in the major gastrointestinal and hepatobiliarysubspecialties.Regular updates are planned to keep the text current. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good evidence in Digestive diseases
This is by far the best reference if you are looking for evidence in Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Objectives very clear and useful for attendings, residents and medical students not only in a G.I. service but also in a medicine rotation. It helps me a lot when we are discussing a controversial topic like treatment in functional dyspepsia, treatment of ulcerative colitis or the screening in colorectal cancer on rounds or even in a conference. I especially like chapters 1 (evidence based gastroenterology), 3 (ulcer disease and helicobacter pylori infection) and 25 (ascites and hepatorenal syndrome) . Highly recommended because is different from traditional old books. ... Read more