Interesting and compelling

The subject of this biography had an outrageous and ill fortuned life. One would be forgiven for thinking that the book was a work of fiction rather than fact. It is enjoyable to read, being neither too heavy nor too trivial. The 'worst husband' as named on the cover turns out to be unimaginably cruel and hideous, and the author brings him to despicable life very well.<br /><br />I almost rated this book 5 stars, because it was compelling, interesting, and it made me reflect upon the rights of women in matrimony. At times I felt the author glossed over some aspects Mary Eleanor Bowes life that I felt should have had greater bearing upon the narrative. Her many beaux whom she discarded, for instance; was she right and justified to abandon these lovers? Did they resent her afterwards or spread malicious gossip about her? More importantly, I felt there could have been much more detail about Mary Eleanor Bowes' strained relationships with her children.<br /><br />For a biography, I found it well researched, enjoyable and entertaining.

Five star research, one star presentation

Before reading this, I'd heard it was going to be THE book against which all others on the 2008 US presidential campaign would be measured. If so, I'm afraid the bar has been set rather low. <br /><br />The problem is not content. The hype surrounding Race of a Lifetime included a claim that Heilemann and Halperin had amassed a vast and varied body of research, based on interviews with people who saw the inside of all the candidacies that really mattered in 2008. It does deliver that. There are juicy quotes by the bucket throughout the book, and plenty of glimpses at what the candidates really looked and talked like when the cameras were turned off. No, the problem is in the presentation. Most high school students probably could have produced more articulate prose. A book that uses words like"freakin'" and devices such as calling a candidate's health care plan"weak beer" simply doesn't deserve to be treated like a serious study of anything. <br /><br />Perhaps not surprisingly, Heilemann and Halperin also tend to assume prior knowledge where they shouldn't, noting ominously at one point that Obama's campaign was in danger of"ending up like McGovern or Dukakis" without explaining who they were or why that would be a bad thing. True, most readers who are likely to be attracted to this book will already know exactly what that means, but a brief explanation is warranted (and would have been extremely easy to add). Their vaunted research also has a few gaping holes in it: in discussing the vice presidential debate, they depict it as a draw with no disastrous missteps on Sarah Palin's part, even as they address and explain Palin's notorious"Can I call ya Joe?" moment. Besides failing to acknowledge that as the disrespectful swipe it was, they also do not mention at all her numerous other garbled, empty responses during the debate. <br /><br />The cynic in me wonders if this is just a book-length parody of Palin's irreverent style. That, I would give five stars.

Remarkable and humbling

A phenomenal singular individual. An extra-ordinary life. Everyone should at least hear this story even if don't have the opportunity to read it.

Dreary waffle

A rather dreary account of what purports to be the defining events and memories of a man standing on the brink of entering politics that just happened to do quite well at the whole American dream thing. To my mind it reads rather like the opening manifesto for a presidential nominee (and not a bad one acually), full of anecdotes that seem to have no other purpose than to seek to differentiate him from the next candidate. I was expecting more, he is after all an interesting character, but the events read as contrived and I can't help but think a great deal of embellishment has been allowed to creap in. Dissapointing, I'd wait a few years till he publishes his memoirs - now that should be an interesting read and a half.

A bit of a whinger

I agree with the reviewer who pointed out that"Chris Mullin's diaries add little to what I already knew. His writing is not sufficiently interesting and the points he makes not suffiently original to warrant the size of the book and the time needed to digest it."<br /><br />I was also struck by the number of times he appeared not to want to take tasks on whilst yet sounding a bit whingy about his lack of perferment. He didn't come over as particularly warm or particularly likeable or particularly committed to anything much. But I do not know Chris Mullin and I am basing this opinion on this slightly tedious book. I have sent my copy to a charity shop.<br />

Excellent read: gripping, great fun - and a true story

Extraorinary true story of WW2 agent, double agent<br /><br />Eddy Chapman was the only Englishman to win an Iron Cross from Hitler for his services to German espionage - but was working for MI5 the whole time.<br /><br />Thoroughly engrossing, a real-life romp: well-written, exciting and a whole side of war details I never imagined.<br /><br />Even if you are not a war history nut (I'm not; the recommendation came from a friend who is) this is fascinating and a good read. <br /><br />Would make an excellent holiday book: its enjoyable, you can pick it up and it doesn't need huge concentration (that is not meant as a criticism)

Excellent insight into the mind of a great person

I read this in hardback as soon as it was published and I just started looking at the book again after hearing the sad news that Mo Mowlam has died aged just 55. It is a warm insight into life as a government minister, both the good and bad. Mowlam describes the entire history of the historic Good Friday agreement in Northern Ireland with many of the inside stories around the peace process and she talks of her own government downfall at length. It's a fascinating book for anyone interested in Northern Ireland or the internal machinations of government written by a direct and no-nonsense politician who will be missed.

i just don`t know

Discrace i suppose is one of those novels you either like or you hate it<br />i for one,i felt let down by the book,since i bought it ,as a result of Coetzee<br />credentials,my oh how ! i was let down.I would like to think this book is an allegory,(of male dominance/white and black/comeapence)<br />even then it fails,Take Lucy for instance ,lets say she represent white/women,even after traumatic rape,her reaction or lack of,just left me<br />fuming and raging,or just agonises me,to unredeemable level,why oh why ,does she,act that way ,she is like a willing victim,like she said `my attackers have marked me`that is there is a possibility of further attacks,<br />I also fail to see how black and white politics/issues ,they are dealt with,either completely off the mark,lucy and Petrus contractual marriage,i fail to see how she can think it is going to serve as an advantage,<br />As for Prof maybe he is a sexual predator,and as his punishment,his daughter gets raped,or he is just misguided Byron admirer and male chauvinist,<br />i just don`t get any charecters proper voices ,<br />I don`t know if reformations in south africa sent Coetzee into hyper drive,into thinking,south africa will follow zimbabwe route of redistribution of land,<br />Rape is act of violence, victims will forever be traumatized,Lucy remind me of how pimps ,bring their prostitutes into their control,by repeatedly raping them<br />till they are numb to shame,

Experience in a concentration camp.

a classic. The least sensationalised, and finest of all concentration camp memoirs. Beautifully written and agonising to read. You can feel the bitter cold and the hunger - the utter misery of the conditions. Little brutality, just wretchedness. I suggest it as a required A-level book.

A comedy of contradictions.

Am i the only person in the world who finds the use of the race card by Obama priceless? A half white man who tries to be black. Makes me think of Ali G!! And don't forget the other favourite man of america of the moment, a certain Mr Jackson..... a black man who tried to be white.<br /><br />God bless america, how did the world let them become a superpower?

lark rise to candleford

this was exactly what I wanted after watching the BBC production I wanted to know more this book is great ;if you want to know more read this book!<br />the seller sent it quickly and it was well packaged

christmas present

bought this year as a christmas present, I have no problems with the condition of the book or the despatch. Having read this book myself some years ago I wanted to share this unique and true story with others.

seven pillars of wisdom

seven pillars of wisdom throws a whole new perspective on the first world war and our general view of Laurence of Arabia.A must for anyone interested in our Middle Eastern campaigns and the Arab World.

Excellent.

What a wonderful book, very interesting and informative to younger readers who did not live through the war. Nella Last was truly an inspiration to the people around her and still is today. This book is a fascinating account of a normal housewife's everyday life during the war. Very uplifting and I am looking forward to Nella Lasts peace.

the bolterthe book

the book was in very good condition at an unbeatable price, and it arrived as quickly as one could have wished for.

The longest walk

It's an insult to Doris Pilkington and to the children's endeavour alike to race through this book. Still, circumstances dictated [the film was waiting] and the deed was done. Which merely led to a re-read. This real-life story of three young girls escaping from the looming slavery of a Christian mission to return home is another entry on the balance sheet of imperialism. With immense forces arrayed against them, the three evaded all pursuit, even expert Aborigine trackers, to cross half a continent to rejoin their families. The distance covered was likely the longest walk in Australian history.

The roots of this story lie in the opening chapters which recount the actions of European visitors and settlers against the indigenous Australian population. Women were raped, murdered or abandoned. Men were killed, imprisoned, led into slavery as they watched their traditional lands overrun by cattle, sheep or grain. The ease with which firearms overcame spears added to the European's attitude of"superiority". By the time of Molly Craig's capture, killing had been mostly abandoned in favour of"assimilation" - a mild word for indentured servitude. Molly, recognised the fallacy of being forced into an unwanted life. She took steps to avoid this fate - many steps, as it turned out. Enough to hide from pursuers, do some elusive backtracking and arrive at home. At least 1800 km of mostly barefoot walking.

There were adventures enough along the way, and some ironies. Although alerted to their escape, the wives of white selectors fed, clothed and sheltered them briefly. Then dobbed them in to the police after the trio had again gone bush. The girls lived on donated food, captured rabbits, birds' eggs or whatever else the bush provided. Each contributed as best they could. It was enough. Seven weeks after their escape, two of the three were reunited with family. Yet, nine years later, Molly Craig, this time carrying her infant daughter, had to repeat her incredible performance.

This is an Aborigine tale told in an Aborigine manner. It doesn't examine the lives and motivations of such people as A. O. Neville or Const. Rigg. It doesn't delve into the psychological foundations of Molly or Gracie or even Mrs Flanagan. The book presents the tale as it occurred without ostentation or enhancement. There are numerous works on the conquest of Australia and its"White Only" policy and its implications. This story, stark and simple, stands on its own merits. Don't read it too quickly. There is too much to learn. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

Power introspection

Defines a new term called corporatocracy - the unholy nexus of governments, banks and large companies in seducing strategic countries into a perpetual debt trap. Written by a penitent perpetrator of the insidious mechanism, the book raises some fundamental questions about the nature and motivations behind 'globalization'. And some shocking insights into the US foreign policies of Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Panama, Iran and Venezuela.

A good yarn

A good story but not all that well written and, after reading an article in the Reader's Digest I am left wondering if the right man wrote the book. It is alleged that the author did not experience the"long walk" but"stole" the story from the person that did. Either way, if it happened and they walked 4,000 miles suffering what they did, it was an incredible story.