Austin Reviews

It is a beautiful book and if that is what you are looking for this is a great book. However, Amazon forgot to mention this is for Canada. Page 21 displays temperate zones for (CANADA ONLY). Again Page 21 "Zones 9-12 do not occur in Canada"? Many roses in this book are zones 9 and above---what is the temperature of 9 and above????? I live in the USA. ... Its still a beautiful book. Amazon should have made it clear it is a wonderful Canadian Book.

I've only had this book for 9 months, but I've used it so much that it looks ten years old. As a fairly new rosarian, I really need a lot of advice about selecting roses, and this book gives excellent descriptions and frank opinions about just about every species, heirloom, modern and miniature rose on the market up until approximately 1999. The pictures are wonderful also. This book is a must for new and experienced rose lovers alike.

... buy this book. It was extremely helpful to us as we planned and planted a large rose garden from scratch this spring. The pictures are superior to those you will find in most catalogs. The descriptions, while maddeningly inconsistent in the information they provide, give an independent check to the glowing descriptions that catalogs use to promote rose purchases. Some roses are less desirable -- less robust, less fragrant, less orderly in their growth -- than others. This book will help you more than any other book we have found to make an initial pass through the catalogs and concentrate on roses likely to fit your needs. There is no substitute for the experience and advice of local growers and nurseries who have grown roses in your area, but this book will prepare you to inquire and process information from those sources efficiently. If we could own only one rose book, this would be the book.

The final conclusion to a very good trilogy. This book can be quite brutal, and to be honest, it is refreshing to see someone take risks with the characters they are writing about. This book will be great for all X-Men fans, as it has non-stop action, character dilemma, and numerous guest-appearances by Marauders, Tusk, Blob, Toad, Pyro, etc. Not to mention Juggernaut teams up with the X-Men, and he is written FAR better than his other book we'll get to much later. A good read for all! Here's the score:
1) X-Men: Mutant Empire (series)
2) Daredevil: Predator's Smile
3) Hulk: What Savage Beast
4) Fantastic Four: To Free Atlantis
5) Ultimate Spider-Man
6) Spider-Man: Carnage in New York

(If you'd like to know where I'm coming from, I explained my familiarity with the X-Men in my review of Siege, the first installment in this series.)

Ah. This is the novel I've been waiting for in the Mutant Empire series - the climax. Christopher Golden has been masterfully building suspense in one of the most powerful series I've ever read, detailing the X-Men's almost hopeless endeavor to prevent Magneto from taking control of New York City forever.

Just why is it hopeless? This is classic X-Men, where the team is so far overmatched that you want to cry. Not only do they have to face Magneto, who can give the team a run for its money by himself, but they also have to contend with his Acolytes, a city full of mutants, and then the Sentinels. Plus, the American government is tight-lipped about its plans, offering only a seven-hour window to solve the crisis.

The novel begins with one half of the X-Men captured, and the other half going into New York. That half splits once more, with three people trying to disable the Sentinels, while the other half rescues the X-Men.

There's relatively little time and advancement of the team that tries to disable the Sentinels. They basically traipse around New York, trying to identify the Alpha Sentinel to reprogram it (and why is it called the Alpha Sentinel if it has an Omega symbol on its back?).

The other team, however, has more than its share of the action. Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Rogue try to sneak into the Empire State Building to free the X-Men - and meet up with the Juggernaut. In a bizarre twist of events, the Juggernaut joins up with them, helping to even up a still one-sided fight. But Golden knows his X-Men history, and he does an excellent job of explaining Juggernaut's psychology and motivations so that long-time X-Men fans won't be offended by what may seem like an implausible move.

The past subplots, namely those involving Henry Gyrich/Val Cooper and Professor Xavier, slowly fade out as Salvation brings in its own subplots. This novel helps to develop Trish Tilby more, as she questions her ethics and principles. As she reports the story directly from New York City, she begins to question the morality of her actions as the X-Men are chained up. She eventually helps them escape, but not without a price.

As a minor quibble, I find that there are several scientifically implausible points in Salvation. I know, I know: it's all fiction, so there's no real science here. But still. First, I hate the idea of "disabling" mutant powers. You should no more be able to do that than to "disable" someone's motor skills with a special collar. Second, Professor Xavier fools the Sentinels by making them think that Valerie Cooper is a mutant - HOW is this possible at all? The Sentinels are robots, and can't be fooled by a simple illusion like that. And it's not even that necessary to have Valerie there, really. So these two points are momentary irritations in an otherwise excellent novel.

Some fans may complain that Mutant Empire, while doing a great job of building suspense, has had little in the way of action so far. Well, no more. Christopher Golden rewards us with nearly half a novel of the biggest brawl ever, as the X-Men and Juggernaut team up to take on the new mutant population in New York City. Of course, the odds are still daunting, but Golden brings in some extra help that make it a fairer fight.

The action was great, but what made Salvation rewarding, in my opinion, was the change in the characters. It's not a change that we'll see in the comics, since this is written "out of continuity" (although Golden makes references to specific events and suggests that this took place just before the Fatal Attractions crossover). But some of the characters have evolved by the end of the novel - Senator Kelly has begun to turn, Trish Tilby's faith in mutants has been reinforced, Major Ivan Skolnick (created exclusively for this series) realizes that there's only one way to fight for equality. Even the Juggernaut's hatred for the X-Men has lessened.

Unfortunately, that leaves the X-Men struggling for growth. To be honest, there wasn't much of it. Xavier's opinions didn't change. The Acolytes still side with Magneto, and the X-Men agree with the latter. But Magneto comes to a startling revelation that impressed me greatly, although Golden sort of backpedals over that catharsis in the epilogue. So he leaves open the possibility of future conflict, but he does so by leaving the X-Men right where they started. It's not at all a problem for me, but I understand that some people want that, so I want to point out that this series won't give that to you.

But for all the other X-Men fans, invest some time to find the series and to read it. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

PS. I couldn't find a proper place to insert these quibbles, so I'll tack them on here. First, where is Colossus? He should have been with the X-Men if this is before Fatal Attractions (and it really can't be after, considering the references to X-Factor in Genosha, which occurred just prior to that crossover). And why didn't the Juggernaut help the X-Men to fight Magneto? I think Golden was trying to avoid the question of what Magneto's power could do to either character (especially Juggernaut - is his mystical armor vulnerable to magnetism?), but it seemed too transparent.

A exciting end to a wonderfully done trilogy. Golden does not leave out any facts. He includes many different mutants from the wide spread background of the X-Men. With Manhattan taken over by Magneto and half of the X-Men captured, things look bleak. Fortunately the X-Mens stuck in space are able to get back to earth and devise a plan to stop Magneto from achieving his goal. Amazingly, Juggernaut joins the X-Men in conquering Magneto. After the fierce rescue it comes down to all out brawl between the X-Men and the mutants of new Haven. In the end it is possible this leads to the Asteriod M saga.

I first started readed L'Engle's books because I saw they were making a movie on the Disney Channel based on "A Ring of Endless Light." I read that book and I fell in love with Vicky and the Austin family. When I learned that there were other books about them I immediately checked them out from the library. The first one I read was this one. I was VERY disappointed. It lacked a central message or point and seemed quite disorganized. I put it down one day, almost done with the thing and never picked it back up except to return it to the library.
"A Ring of Endless Light" was so smooth and perfect. I guess it was because L'Engle had become a much better writer by the time she wrote that one...

The story Meet The Austin's was a story about a normal family accepting a new child, Maggie, into their home after her father died. The family experiences their ups and downs while Maggie is living with them. I recommend this book because it shows how a normal family accepts a stranger into their lives and has to live with her for quite a long time. This book shows how people overcome their differences and begin to accept each other for their similarities. I think people should read this book because it can teach us all a lesson on accepting and trusting other people, even though parts of this book seem too perfect, like singing and playing instruments as a family, it still is a well written book about a likeable family.

I love all the Austin stories. I was first introduced to the family through (I think) Women's Day magazine when I was 10. It was the "24 days till Christmas" story. A few years later, I came across the "Meet the Austins" book and felt like I found an old friend. I have probably read this book over 10 times and can't help but pick it up when I need an old friend. Vicky's struggles as a 12 year old learning her place in the family and at an "awkward" age between teenager and child is wonderfully written. I plan on buying my niece, who is 11, each Austin book for Christmas over the next few years so that she can also grow up with Vicky.

I have been doing intermediate Pilates for about 18 months now. I saw this book in a store and was curious about it, so I picked it up and started flipping through it. I was shocked to see that in each photo, Denise has her head turned, grinning at the camera instead of actually putting her head in the proper position for the move. Head position is essential to all the moves, and I don't know very many that involve turning one's head to one side and smiling widely! LOL Anyway, to be fair once I saw that I didn't read any of the book. Maybe she makes up for it in the written descriptions. But that photo faux pas was enough to make me put down the book and not look back. I can't believe some editor let that book get published that way! It could be a great book for all I know, but just those photos were enough to make me cringe!

Hi out there. I bought this book because it offered what I was looking for. I am not the type to buy an exercise book either. In particular I liked the drawing of the muscle per exercise. I like knowing what it is I am working on. As for equipment: bands, ball, weights ... those are used in the book, though not exclusively.

I am a beginner yoga student. I wanted to try pilates as well, because I like the idea of toning my body, using my body. I bought this particular book by Denise Austin and I felt like it was very informative. However, I think it would be best if I learn from the book, but purchase a pilates DVD, as well. You an only learn so much from a book...you need to see it performed correctly.

This is a wacky book. I'm not even sure how to classify it really - fantasy/contemporary/comedy. In a nutshell it's about a guy, Jack, who is in love with a moon goddess. His friends, neighbors, and local cops all think he's a loon because he spends one night a month outside, naked as can be, awaiting his lover from the moon (it's the only way she's able to find him).

In an attempt to save him from a permanent stint in jail his friends spend each full moon with him in a cabin located way out in the boonies. It's not long before his friends begin to become affected by the presence of Jack's moon goddess and they begin to have relationship troubles. The book started out funny and the premise was wild but eventually the story turned dull as more and more time was spent on Jack's self-centered, annoying friends who were lusting after each others' wives/boyfriends/etc. etc. I really liked Jack and his moon goddess Lily - they were the only compassionate characters in the bunch - but his friends hogged up most of the book

I thought of the movie The Big Chill while I read this. I also thought of the small number of writers who write fantasy from their private slice of reality. Denton's writing is a wonder, and unlike the moon with its habit of coming and going, my interest in Lunatics never waned. Every character was unique and worth knowing. I've given this book as a gift many times. Smart, endearing writing.

Someone mentions in another review that this book is unlike Blackburn (another great book.) Which it is. Thus the wonder of Bradley Denton. I'm looking forward to his next book.

I'm only 16 years old but i picked up this book in the library, just to have something to read. I brought i over to a friend's house and read it and it was an amazing story. Every character fit in with the personality of every close friend i had. To tell the truth, the book got really creepy because it was so accurate with the characters. This is one of the few books that i could'nt put down, literally. And surprisingly enough it was a romance novel but still humorous and very very clever witha touch of fantasy in it. Very good novel.

I bought this book because I saw it reviewed on Oprah. They touched on all pertinent questions regarding why women feel 'stuck' and can't seem to move forward in their goals. Topics such as fear of success and taking risks, years of 'feminine'conditioning, lack of motivation and anxiety to name a few were some of the reasons. The way the book presents itself is that it will cover these topics and offer constructive advice as to how to overcome these issues and move forward. It never did. I found the book to be very informative if you want statistics and thorough research on the effects of years of feminism and how women are trying to overcome the need to nest-build and sacrifice their careers for family life. The book touched on a lot of eye-opening facts. Linda Austin wrote excessively about her research and included a lot of case studies of the professionals she interviewed, but with no practical advice or solutions. I read the book twice...maybe I missed something the first time. At the end of it I just felt worried for the future of working women...very daunting. I was not impressed at all. I was really hoping for some answers.

"What's Holding You Back" is the most interesting and motivating book I've read since attending college 20 years ago. Dr. Austin provides strategies for women to achieve their dreams, without undermining motherhood. As a former marketing professional and current at-home mom (the last eight years) it's given me the motivation I've needed to stop worrying about all the barriers and rather focus on taking the steps now to achieving my goals.

Dr. Austin explores the differences between men's and women's roles in the family and society and how this shapes women's self-esteem and expectations for achievement. She then offers a practical step-by-step plan for accomplishing your goals. The book is filled with inspiring and amusing stories of famous and not-so-famous women who achieved their goals despite overwhelming obstacles. Whatever your background or age, you'll know "if they can do it, I can do it!".

Regarding her appearance on "Oprah" last week, Dr. Austin was the most intelligent and charismatic psychiatrist Oprah has had. It was fascinating to see how Dr. Austin "zeroed-in" on the conflicts of each guest and provided an insightful and meaningful solution that each woman could use to improve her life. Unfortunately, in one hour they only touched the surface of her book. I hope Dr. Austin will return for a more comprehensive interview.

According to Austin, "Making correct choices will enable women to overcome the obstacles to professional and personal success which they now face." These choices are heavily influenced by "a powerful motivation driven by a sense of meaning" and involve "the capacity for risk-taking; the ability to focus intelligence; the ability to find and define great problems to work on; a willingness to compete in hierarchies as well as individually; the ability to tolerate and learn from failure; significant skill with difficult people; and the development of autonomy and power." Frankly, I continue to wonder why so many (most?) women still have to put up with all the illegal or at least unethical obstacles. Of course, they do. For Austin, there is one force which united all eight issues for variopus women cited, and powerfully shaped their careers: "That force was the feminine drive to affiliate with others, a drive scholars have described as the most gender-specific aspect of women's psychology." When addressing the eight critical choices for women's success, Austin organizes a wealth of information and insight within eight highly informative chapters.

Austin concludes her final chapter with this observation: "Our commonality of values and ambitions may well make it easier to build lives of accomplishment as well as loving relationships, with deeper appreciation of our shared humanity." I agree. One final point: Although Austin's perspectives are gender-specific, just about all of her advice would be of substantial value to males as well as to females. I am convinced that most human limitations are self-imposed. We hold ourselves back, perhaps convinced by others that we must do so. But obviously there are other limits such as those which result from gender discrimination. They are an obscene violation of our "shared humanity" and must be eliminated immediately.

Exhibiting all the traits of a "good girl" and fuming from my last job review, I thought this book would be a perfect weekend read. By the end, I was bored and this book has been tossed into my pile of rejected paperbacks.

This book is more successful in listing personality traits of a "good girl" rather than giving effective strategies that are sure to lead to bargain table success. There are some negotiating tactics, but they aren't anything new (listen, know how to say no, get things in writing, shop around, think before you sign, etc). Once I finished the book, I knew what made me a "good girl," I knew there were a lot of women like me, and I knew in what situations "good girls" failed, but I still didn't have an applicable strategy for remedying these issues.

For instance, the authors recommend researching your expected salary before negotiating your next job contract. This isn't new advice, and I still didn't know where to turn for this information -- coworkers, online, library? There are a few cases where the authors give resources -- but they are ones I am already familiar with or are too obscure to be useful (what numbers to call when barganing for a casket, find out what your car is worth with the kelly blue book).

And be forewarned, the entire book consists of hundreds and hundreds of anecdotes. It is the reader's responsibility to figure out how to apply other women's successes and pitfalls to herself. While sometimes entertaining, this approach is not going to transform a "good girl" into a negotiating shark.

There are few good points in this book but most of it is just common good sense.

Kudos and thanks to the talented and tough team of Elizabeth Austin and Leslie Whitaker for writing a superb, well-reported and well-written business book not filled with silly metaphors, juvenile imagery and psychobabble. "The Good Girls' Guide to Negotiating" is well-documented and practical with insight, advice and tips for use in many different arenas and life trials. There are success stories and lessons, all written with candor and aplumb, in a style that is readable and understandable.

Perhaps because both women are trained journalists, this book has substance and solid information for application on a variety of fronts, from home to work, volunteer office and even to the funeral parlor. I recommend this book as a graduation gift to any young woman from high school, college or graduate school. It's also perfect as an engagement gift, birthday, guide to someone newly divorced or someone swtiching careers or life paths. This is advice all women can heed, from how to approach a deal to how to feel confident about fees.

So many business books I have read over the years-- particuarly those aimed at women-- appear to be condescending or just plain foolish. They state the obvious in metaphors that may attempt to be mythical but come off as cartoonish. Not so with this welcome book. It is a proud addition to my bookshelf and I suggest the good old boys get a good look at it too.

Way to go, girls, you did good.

I read this book upon the recommendation of a friend. At first, I was skeptical since I prefer fiction to non-fiction or self-help books. Still, I trust my friend and the concept sounded intriguing so I went for it. Boy, I wasn't disappointed. I had no IDEA how poor a negotiator I really was in the long run. Here, I thought as a freelance writer and entrepreneur I had mastered the art. Suffice to say, I couldn't put the book down. It grabbed me from page one, with it's candid prose, terrific humor, and dead-on descriptions of how "good girls" (okay, like me) aren't getting what they really deserve.

I saw myself in every case study and practical example of how other women are doing better than I am in this area. I really connected to their stories. In doing so, I learned a ton about myself--including when and where I can improve my negotiation skills. I am excited about applying this information to my own experiences (in fact, I've already started at both work and in my family relationships).

I highly recommend this book to anybody who thinks they deserve more from their interactions with other people but don't know how to go about getting it. I've already bought 15 copies to give as holiday gifts to my girlfriends. (Yes, I'm a planner!) Thanks and kudos to the authors!

Well, it's like I bought this book called On Bethel someplace or other, right. And its got like this like family and their all kind of screwed up and lonely and dysfunctional and stuff over Christmas. But that's cool, I mean who isn't man? So I starts reading this book and I sees that there's this Indian Chief in it, so I go "Cool, an Indian Chief!" And like he goes into the hospital where there's like this old Russian dude whose like sick or something. And they like start having social intercourse. And I really thought like they would assault each other, or over-run each others' borders or interfere with each other, but instead they have like this beautiful cultural understanding of each other. And there's like these implications of all this mystical stuff and then the family like lives happily ever at least for that moment. And I really like it, because reality is so hard that like the mystical stuff is way cool. I went out and bought a cat and I named it "hello angel" which is totally cool.

It was great. A truly good read. That's all I can say right now. That's all for today. No more questions, Please!

I liked it. It was good. Intensely liberating and soulful. My old woman is reading it now.

I discovered this series quite by accident when browsing through the bookstore, and I'm so glad I did! What a novel (no pun intended!) idea, to take Jane Austen and place her in the role of sleuth, complete with wonderful Regency England settings and history. Footnotes at the bottom of almost every other page educate the reader on items that might be unfamiliar, such as the name of a popular dance or the reason behind a particular social custom, and these little tidbits are almost as enjoyable as the story itself. I was a little wary at first before I read the first installment (Scargrave Manor), but was soon swept away. I didn't find this second book boring in any way, though I noticed some others did. I enjoyed the setting - a seaside town where the Austens are vacationing, the characters - including Jane's sister Cassandra and scandalous sister-in-law Eliza, and Barron's writing is wonderful. She does a fantastic job of echoing Austen's style, as well as the times, while modernizing it enough for the contemporary reader to thoroughly enjoy. Now, I'm just waiting for the series to come out in Audiobook format! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Jane and the Man of the Cloth is the second in the series of Jane Austen mysteries by Stephanie Barron. In this tale Jane and her family visit Lyme for a restful time by the sea. Before they reach the town, however, the Austens are beset by storms and forced to take refuge in the house of the secretive but arresting Mr. Sidmouth. After reaching Lyme, Jane is soon woken to the sight of a gibbet erected on Lyme's Cobb (think of the French Lieutenant's Woman!). Rest Jane does not get, but there are hints of romance, smuggling, and the aftermath of the French Revolution to keep the reader entertained.

I personally found the mystery slightly more engaging than that in Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor, which I found completely predictable. This plot did not surprise, but it did go down some surprising blind alleys on the way to its conclusion.

I would recommend this book to anyone travelling to England on a plane, to someone vacationing by the sea for good recreational reading, and to people fond of Jane Austen. (I just wish the author would stop footnoting her novels! )

I very much enjoyed reading this novel and thought that it was better than the first in the series. Some of Jane's actions are perhaps not realistic for an unmarried woman in the early 19th century, but remember this is fiction and as such meant to entertain, which this book definitely does! Lord Trowbridge's presence is delightful as always, and he and Jane make a good detective pair.

I like the fact that this book is short. It leaves out all of the nonsense and gets right to it by delivering a new idea to win the war at the point-of-sale, which is what the title promises. This book is NOT about fixing tactical retailing problems - it's about a forward thinking strategic vision.

I like the fact that this book is short. It leaves out all of the nonsense and gets right to it by delivering a new idea to win the war at the point-of-sale, which is what the title promises. This book is NOT about fixing tactical retailing problems - it's about a forward thinking strategic vision.

Your view of the retail customer's point of sale experience today and in the very near future is 100% on track. The technology exists today to implement what the book predicts. It is a clear definition of what it will take to win in the new "clicks-and-mortar" retail world. Well done Tom!