Bill

Eco masterfully paints the culture and the ethos of the 14th century monastery, but I believe that the motivation behind this murder mystery is weak at best. That so many deaths might result from a desire to keep the world from laughing is laughable. When confronted with his evil in the final 'pages' of the book, the antagonist expands the evil by burning down his beloved library.

I've loved everything I've read of Eco's including this, but I don't buy the motivation.

This is a vivid, intimate and compelling account of the 2008 Presidential campaign on both sides of the aisle. The players in the campaign become more real and understandable. This is not for the faint of heart. None of these players are saints, all of them have very positive aspects. They are people and this is the story of the incomprehsible drive it takes to become President. Read this only if you are not afraid to get to know the real people who embody the office of President.

I found such value in Anderson's observations that I developed an honors college course around it. This book details the transforming power of the internet and its use of minimal incremental cost to change the marketplace. Those who understand "FREE" will rule the future. Those who don't will fail.

The only fault in this book is that it follows "The Kite Runner". Without the expectations I had after reading TKR I would have loved this book. I still 'love' it, but it leaves me wanting more. The story reveals a great deal more about the Afghani people and their culture. At the end of a Hosseini book I'm left loving the characters. They are so real and so Afghan. This is a great read, but beware of heightened expectations.

I love everything Dean Koontz ever did. (Even the early days.) But this is one of his best. Great characters, great development, wonderful plot, and the good guys win in the end. What's not to like?

This book is fascinating for someone interested in the Philosophy of "knowing". Scientist are regularly trying to capture magnificently complex systems in mathematical models that are, at best, applicable within a small range of parameters. No big deal...scientists do that. What is a big deal is that politicians and regulators then use those mathematical models to make decisions in the real world. Some of those decisions have had tragic results. If that interests you (as it did me), please read this book. If not you'll be bored to death.

The development of the characters in this book is unexcelled anywhere. The plot takes us on a surprising, yet inexorable, march through decades in the lives of the characters. It is both cynical and stirring. It exposes the love affair between (some) politicians and the people. After reading this book I felt drained and hopeful.

Fitzgerald wrote this just to see if he could. He couldn't. The entire book rides on a single notion; life in reverse. It makes for an interesting convesation over cocktails, but it can't carry a novel.

This was a decent read, but it didn't really excite me. Gerritsen has a good plot with interesting and unique events and relationships, but the characters are not deeply developed and the coincidences necessary to complete the plot line were a little bizarre.

For what it is this book is functional, but it's certainly not great literature.

This is an outstanding novel. Marlantes' development of his characters is excellent and in many cases they are developed to die in a war that was at the same time senseless and important, inane and necessary. The flow of the story takes you through the fears and hopes of diverse people thrown into a desperate situation. At times the tension is so thick you can cut it with a K-bar. At other times the release is blinding and passionate.

This is the story of war in all of its manifestations. It exposes the senseless suffering of soldiers who go without food and supplies for days on end due to the incompetence of their superiors. And then it reveals how the soldiers get blamed. It highlights the commitment of fighting men to each other...it exceeds the will to live. It describes the simple pleasures of life in a combat zone.

This is a great book!

This book charts the life work of a fascinating, complex man in his effort to understand the mechanics of of memory. The biographical approach and the brilliant treatment of complex information make the science accessible to everyone with an interest. And the nature of the scientist keeps the 'read' very interesting.

I really enjoyed this book.