A real fun book of the constantly depressed Toby Peters out to calm the anger of mob guys after Chico Marx, of the Marx Brothers. Much like the rest o...moreA real fun book of the constantly depressed Toby Peters out to calm the anger of mob guys after Chico Marx, of the Marx Brothers. Much like the rest of the series, Toby encounters others known of the era of the '40s.
Pretty well written, as always. However, there are a few loose ends that, I believe, may have been part of an effort to throw the reader as to who-done-it. Though, to me, it was pretty obvious from near the beginning. This was the first of the Toby Peters series I have read where the bad individual was figured out fast.
The depictions of the Marx brothers, of which I am a solid fan, is quite off from what they were off screen. Harpo was known to have, and I have heard it myself, a deep New York accented voice and Groucho was known to be far more subdued in regular life. Chico's depiction by Kaminsky is what I have read it was.
This book also shows Kaminsky's adept ability to write about Chicago and not Florida, at the time. Chicago is written in such depth, while only a glancing blow is made of an opening scene in Florida. This changes dramatically when Kaminsky writes his Lew Fonesca series based in Sarasota, Florida.
I picked up the first book off a bookshelf of a place I was visiting. Read it and now I'm amongst the very apparent many who are collecting the series...moreI picked up the first book off a bookshelf of a place I was visiting. Read it and now I'm amongst the very apparent many who are collecting the series of series. The first book drew me in as it fleshed out quite a set of characters and told a great story. I delved into number two hoping to find more of the same and did. It is a continuation of the first book and wraps the loose ends. Obviously a setup to get the reader on to number three. Though i doubt at the time William Johnstone in the mid-'80s knew of the industry he was about to spawn. Quite a set of books are coming out this year of 2013 years after his death.
I highly recommend this book, AFTER one reads the first.(less)
The best of the first three Bond books. Fleming moved forward with this far better fleshed out novel and a true threat for Bond to go after the bad gu...moreThe best of the first three Bond books. Fleming moved forward with this far better fleshed out novel and a true threat for Bond to go after the bad guy. The beginning premise is a bit flimsy as to how the bad guy and Bond get connected, but the rest of the book makes up for the contrivance.
Reading this over fifty five years since its being written makes one marvel at Flemings ability to conjure rockets so well before anyone could get very familiar with them. I urge a reader to slow down reading parts about the rockets and take in Fleming's depiction of the machinations of the rocket involved. Can't imagine what that was like reading the same parts in the '50s.
I recommend this and the previous two Bond books: casino Royale and Live and Let Die.(less)
A terrific literal mapping out of DeSoto's trek across Florida and his visit near Tallahassee. Very thorough and lots of cross referencing done within...moreA terrific literal mapping out of DeSoto's trek across Florida and his visit near Tallahassee. Very thorough and lots of cross referencing done within the volume itself. The best of this is reading the translated journals of those who chronicled the hike.
The focus is the Christmas encampment near Tallahassee. The well noted archaeological work, what is found, theories based upon mostly empirical data and the journals can ease the reader into a comfort of more historical facts than in some similar works.
In my case, i am sure to return to the journals and re-read them. Parts of it are quite something. At one point a journalist queries as to why, in that God had brought DeSoto to conquer the land for the Kingdom of Spain, the hikers couldn't get the indians to see the conquistador's superiority. Afterall, the Spanish visitors have "cut off their [the indian's] noses and their hands". Why can't they all be friends?, he wonders. I can see how this attitude would greatly perplex those with today's flowery, "reality" television laced and sugary view of the world today.
A definite book to read for better understanding of the impact of the Spanish on the indians in Florida - Despite much of what is going on this year of 2013 in Florida involving something called 'Viva 500' where much of what is written in this book is flipped for seemingly politically correct reasoning. Forgive me if I take my history with more factual accuracy than the fictional white washing today.(less)
I felt as if I had just read a short story than a book. This really goes quick. Part of the reason is the very good writing and pacing. The story itse...moreI felt as if I had just read a short story than a book. This really goes quick. Part of the reason is the very good writing and pacing. The story itself was, oddly enough, a bit like the book I read before this in which it is a kind of a novel-length chase scene. This chase involving a deck of Bicycle. Unlike the book I read before this, this has far better writing and a real development of the characters. The ending is rather overdone. But then so is the card game which is central to the story. Meaning this short story novel could have been even shorter.
Involving the movie series: I really like the Jame Bond character in this book better than all the film versions. More intriguing character. This first of the set should be leading me on to the next in the series.(less)
Folks have been telling me for years to read Lee Gramling and, over the years, I picked up the Pineapple Press series. I just read my first one after...moreFolks have been telling me for years to read Lee Gramling and, over the years, I picked up the Pineapple Press series. I just read my first one after starting to collect them in the 1990s. I almost wish I had not cracked open the book and just ride the praise I've heard of them.
The story starts in 1700s British St. Augustine and continues in the northern part of the state. That is, if you want to call it a story. It's a very flimsy premise that is cloaked in a novel length chase toward a common goal. The writing is almost Ok and the narrative about the outdoors is less than that. His best writing is during the many scenes of action.
What might have my opinion extra low is reading prior to this Frank Slaughter's 'Storm Haven' that is so beautifully written and well researched. This book pales in comparison. Gramling, being a fifth generation Floridian, I am sure did his best to construct the best novel he could about early Florida. He just needed direction in plotting, narrative and story telling.(less)
'De Soto Didn't Land in Tampa' is a hard book to review without balancing it with other accounts as to just where others think Hernando landed. Author...more'De Soto Didn't Land in Tampa' is a hard book to review without balancing it with other accounts as to just where others think Hernando landed. Author Schell does an outstanding job making his point in under a hundred pages and it would seem he is correct. Punta Gorda sure feels he is with all their recognition of Hernando.
I'll press on with my reading and have a few texts that have alternate ideas. I might come back and change my rating of the book and this review.
I'm giving this such a high rating because of how thorough Schell has accomplished his goal. The comparative chart of separate diaries of the explorers is very impressive. Schell's knowledge of Spanish and his translation, further adds to his credibility.
I'm very familiar with the territory of the state that Schell lays out in his narrative as Hernando's trail. Most all makes sense with the exception of the location of Ocali. Though, I think we may have spent too much time trying to interpret something that is not interpretable. We know names changed over the years and even Schell points out the trouble of multiple names for a single location.
Nevertheless, Schell's effort in this book is impressive and I recommend it for those who wish to chase this ghost of a mystery.(less)
The research author Frank Slaughter did to accomplish the ability to put the reader in the very throes of each scene must have been exhausting. This b...moreThe research author Frank Slaughter did to accomplish the ability to put the reader in the very throes of each scene must have been exhausting. This book is amazing in its narrative. Knowing quite a bit about Florida history, Slaughter went beyond even extensive knowledge of Florida in the 1860s. Today writers would be pulling internet sites to get the details he does. I’m guessing Slaughter got as close to the source of the time period. Writing this in the early 1950s, he likely went beyond books to people, grandchildren and the like, to get as close as he could to accuracy. It’s a truly amazing accomplishment. One scene well describes the Devils Millhopper near Gainesville. The name is never mentioned, but if you know the area, you know the spot by his writing. You also know the crossing of South Florida to the Withlacoochee, the setting around the living areas in the Panhandle (Being cagey here so I don’t spoil the story) and the scenes along the Ocklawaha. His descriptions of the peripheral events around the battle at Olustee are enlightening for those of us who have read of the battle. This book puts you there in the surgery area and the effects of the battle on both sides. I could go on. Now, I must write this is my first Slaughter book. I’m guessing he does this in all his books. I look forward to wading into more.
I also need to add that the actual story was a bit predictable by today’s standards . I highly recommend this book (less)
Quite a build up in this third thriller by Alex Berenson. Maybe too much of a build up as, Clancy-like, Berenson explains the near intricacies of cons...moreQuite a build up in this third thriller by Alex Berenson. Maybe too much of a build up as, Clancy-like, Berenson explains the near intricacies of constructing the object that is the core of the book. Most of the book is buildup and that is very interesting, but maybe overkill considering the ending. The bottom line is that it is a very good and exciting book and a must read if the reader has already read the first two books, as this continues parts started int he other two.(less)
What a mess! This is a series of essays with illustrations strung together that have a goal, by way of the title, to depict first encounters by the Sp...moreWhat a mess! This is a series of essays with illustrations strung together that have a goal, by way of the title, to depict first encounters by the Spanish explorers. That is generally done. But it's mighty sketchy as the focus are a handful of explorers and everything is done by practically every writer to paint a picture of nice innocent Spanish explorers who are being brave and finding a new world. What is nearly completely ignored is the vicious ways of the Spanish explorers. The writers that do indicate some violent tendencies go so far as to excuse them and condemn the indians and French for being violent. What really rots in all this is that as each Spanish tale is unfolded vats of archaeological evidence is given to support the trips...that is, except the evidence that exists to tell the tale of the death spread in the name of Spain and Catholicism by the same Spanish explorers. How can a writer map out so much and leave out so much? How can one part completely brush over what Menendez did to the French...twice? The writer of Menendez spends all kinds of verbiage about the Menendez trip and the archaeological evidence of it all - except the cutting off of French heads. Did the writer find the incident to disturbing to write? Wouldn't the editors pull the writers chain and point out something was left out? Nope. Again, any indication of violence is brushed aside and pages are written about disease killing off the indians. Suddenly archaeological evidence is not needed about disease and hearsay is warmly embraced. The last section of this book is the worst. It meanders over artists depictions of the New World and motivations and reasoning behind the artwork. After the other chapters being tied to archaeology suddenly there's an aesthetic examination of artistic interpretation. There are far better histories out there and this is a waste to be avoided. If politics are the reasons for the white washing of history what else can be trusted in what is written?(less)
I love this book that covers many aspects of the industry known as piracy. It views them from both the good and bad and does a great job mapping out m...moreI love this book that covers many aspects of the industry known as piracy. It views them from both the good and bad and does a great job mapping out motivation, action and results. I also like the follow through as to the closing of the careers of these mostly bad guys. The interesting focus near the end of two of the best known of pirates and another about a few female peers were excellent in closing out the volume. The illustrations are outstanding and further underline the world in which the pirate world lived. In that it is an overview, it does what it should in enticing a reader to want to learn much more. So I shall.(less)
Berenson's second book takes off and hardly slows. It's teaming with action, well drawn out characters and a good story. The fleshing out of character...moreBerenson's second book takes off and hardly slows. It's teaming with action, well drawn out characters and a good story. The fleshing out of characters is particularly good here. Many contemporary books are go hog wild describing everything noted in their story. Berenson fleshes out what counts to make the story tie itself together. The only spot where Berenson trips up is at the end, where all the descriptions tie together, but mighty quickly considering how much detailed buildup got the reader to that point. Still a very good book and a must for the espionage reading crowd.(less)
This is a very good collection of supposedly true pirate stories that took place along the Florida coast. Jack Beater is a good writer who helps make...moreThis is a very good collection of supposedly true pirate stories that took place along the Florida coast. Jack Beater is a good writer who helps make the stories seem true, though there may be more legend than accurate history in the tales. He bases much on the legend of Jose Gaspar and tethers further tales to the legend. There are no footnotes, which doesn't help the question of what is real and not. Much is based on hear say. Not that I think Beater is trying to pull the wool over one's eyes. I believe he truly believed the stories he penned. It's just that over time, many pirate tales have come into question. One assurance is that he does know the geography of Florida and accurately describes the various locations mentioned, thus if the stories may be suspect, locating where the nefarious pirates may have plundered and lived can easily be understood.(less)
Am excellent mystery that will keep you guessing throughout. The writing is good, but for a contemporary American crowd, probably over their heads. Al...moreAm excellent mystery that will keep you guessing throughout. The writing is good, but for a contemporary American crowd, probably over their heads. Also, the contemporary American crowd are used to having a book written with someone connected to a church being the natural bad guy which will throw them as the book weaves around so many curves. Creasey crafted this well and it's smartly written for an audience who is willing to pay attention to all that goes on. Too bad writers like Patterson can't reach these heights.(less)
First of Jack Higgins I've read though I've seen his books all my life. This one a fast moving adventure in the U.K. of the good guy vs. the bad guy a...moreFirst of Jack Higgins I've read though I've seen his books all my life. This one a fast moving adventure in the U.K. of the good guy vs. the bad guy and what usually follows. Pretty standard fare in the espionage market. Though well written and fun. I recommend.(less)
This is a book assembled by the publishers of three of "Max Brand"'s stories originally published in a western magazine. The three are loosely strung...moreThis is a book assembled by the publishers of three of "Max Brand"'s stories originally published in a western magazine. The three are loosely strung together. Though there are no separators of the three stories, it is very obvious that there are three. Each is a good story. The conclusion of all three stories have a very good twist, as is often the case with a "Brand" story.
I just wish "Brand" had done a better job writing them. The dialogue and narrative is very stilted even for the 1920s, when the three stories were originally published. Some of the stilted writing, I realize, is based on two of the characters. But did so much have to be written this way, too?
There is also an issue of what seem to be missing stories that fell in between the ones presented. They are referred to, but make the stories more confusing.
I'm just glad this was not my first "brand" novel, or I might have given up on him. I almost wonder if he had ghost writers produces the stories, in that the writing is often so irregular. (less)
Ray Hogan sure knows how to fill a few pages. Not with the ability of his colleague Louis L'Amour, but still done with great skill. This story today w...moreRay Hogan sure knows how to fill a few pages. Not with the ability of his colleague Louis L'Amour, but still done with great skill. This story today would have been split into a 4 part series of 500 pages each. Hogan accomplishes the same feat in 126 pages. Sure it could all be better flushed out. Hogan assembles a great western novel better without the excess.(less)
Florida historian, Hampton Dunn, tags a series of Florida historic locations with one page reviews and history. The state is well covered by being bro...moreFlorida historian, Hampton Dunn, tags a series of Florida historic locations with one page reviews and history. The state is well covered by being broken up in three parts, Central, East and West Coasts. The volume is dated and a number of the locations are either gone in inaccessible at this time. Still, all are well written and worth the view of Florida history in 1969.(less)
I'm hooked. This rolls off the blocks at a steady speed and then charges to the end...which is more of a beginning as this series is still coming out...moreI'm hooked. This rolls off the blocks at a steady speed and then charges to the end...which is more of a beginning as this series is still coming out after this initial book from 1984. Johnstone does an excellent job of portraying the area and time of the mid-west and west in the late 1800s. The characters are well drawn to the point of leaving you wanting more and thus wanting to buy more of the series. I will purchase more and I'm not even a fan of the western genre.
As I read, it struck me how the current PC generation would be offended by some in the book. The thing is that what happens in this book happens to us today, we just let it go, expect others (government) to protect us than actually attacking the problems. Johnstone in 1984 reflected how much of humanity has solved problems during the late 1800s and throughout the history of man. Most countries still solve such troubles the same way today.
Interesting to me are a few recent reviews of the book have that PC tinge. The idea that good and bad guys are old fashioned is a recent viewpoint by fellow Americans and certainly a new idea in the history of mankind. Johnstone's book brings one back to reality and that's something many Americans could use a good dose of.(less)
For a book from 50 odd years ago, this one sure does cover it's intended territory as a guidebook of a portion of interior Florida in a rather complet...moreFor a book from 50 odd years ago, this one sure does cover it's intended territory as a guidebook of a portion of interior Florida in a rather complete and creative way. Graphically it reflects it's time period, but in ways that would be over done in today's digital onslaught. A ton of information is scattered in nooks and crannys of the graphics, thus providing more than the narrative provides. It's a terrific piece for it's time, but also an example to take note of in today's guidebook design.(less)
A fluffy cushion of a book with zero violence. After recently reading a Vince Flynn Mitch Rapp novel, I was imagining Rapp entering this story and fix...moreA fluffy cushion of a book with zero violence. After recently reading a Vince Flynn Mitch Rapp novel, I was imagining Rapp entering this story and fixing the problems. That may have also been as realistic. This book uses more bad plot devices and name dropping than a Steve Allen novel (and I like Allen's much better). I would expect it from Allen but TWO writers outside the entertainment world should know better.
The story is also a bad redressing of the authors themselves. You can almost feel them writing themselves into the novel and discussing what each would do in each scene. I felt like I was reading about some over rich gals conjuring up a mediocre story over high tea. Pretentious is a good word.(less)
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