Bond Reviews

I must agree with all the on-line comments so far. That Ms. Eastman has wrote a WONDERFUL book. I know that the cover isn't much to look at, but when I had the opportunity to read the book I was a Historical Interpreter and it was perfect in simplicity to hide from visitors going through my tours. I read it every chance I got, and as a pirate storyteller I KNOW for a fact that it added to my ability to portray a more appropriate female pirate. After having met and spent time with Ms. Eastman not only is her book wonderful, but so is she! Being able to talk with her one on one was a real treasure! Just as this book! Thank you for doing so much work and research! I can tell you enjoy it!

I've purchased this book used, and have to say I agree with the man from Miami (December 2001) who stated he was not impressed with the cover of the book. If I were to see this book in a store, it very likely would not pique my interest enough to bother giving it a second glance. However, this is a good case example of "never judge a book by its cover." Tamara Eastman has obviously gone to great lengths to bring the story of these women pirates into a more realistic light. Instead of repeating the countless myths that perpetuate these women, Ms. Eastman has dug below the surface, helping to lay many of these myths to rest. I've read a good number of expensive, elegantly bound books on pirates - and yet none of them impressed me quite as much as this paperback book that the publisher apparently didn't go to much length to dress up. For only a couple of bucks, I was able to purchase this book (used) and learn far more about the pirates, Bonny and Read, than I have anywhere else, prior.

I'd be very interested in reading more of Tamara Eastman's work, as I'd never heard of her, prior to reading this book, and am quite impressed with her writing.

Ashley Davis
Burrowsville, Virginia

I've held a deep interest in pirates since I was a young boy, and only over the past few years discovered that women stepped into this world. I attended a pirate convention in the Florida Keys a couple of weeks ago to learn more about pirates, in general, and treat my wife and daughters to a few days in the beautiful Keys.
While there I attended a lecture by two authors, Sandra Riley and Tamara Eastman. What a fabulous lecture it was! I learned so much more about the most infamous pirates through listening to these women discuss their research and the work they've done to help dispell various myths and lay these women's true stories open for the world to enjoy. Tamara Eastman autographed a copy of "The Pirate Trial of Anne Bonny and Mary Read" for me, and I began to read it on my drive back home. This is one of the VERY BEST books I've ever read about these particular women pirates. It's apparent that Ms. Eastman has spent a great deal of time and effort on her research, as it shows in this book. I must warn potential readers NOT to judge a book by its cover, however. This is a small paperback, with a rather plain cover. In fact, I must say I am not impressed with the cover - and I feel the publisher could have invested a lot more in it. It's a shame to have someone spend as much time as Ms. Eastman obviously has in her painstaking research, only to turn to a publisher that gives such a half assed attempt at putting a decent cover on the book. I'm here to say NOT to judge this book by its size or its outer cover. Because once you start reading it, you cannot put it down until you have finished it. This is an easy task, as Ms. Eastman is a remarkable and gifted writer, and tells these women's stories in such a manner that you easily understand where she's coming from. The forward introduction of the book was written by Ms. Constance Bond, and Ms. Eastman gave me some info about Ms. Bond, including the fact that she's written for Smithsonian. I'm impressed with how the introduction sets the stage for Ms. Eastman's book. Overall, this is a truly remarkable book and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the women pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Read. In talking with Ms. Eastman after the lecture, she informed me that she's beginning a book project with the author, Sandra Riley. Having listened to these two women lecture together, I can only imagine what a great book they'll turn out. I eagerly await this forthcoming masterpiece. I'd also like to thank Ms. Eastman for autographing and giving me the last copy she had with her in Key West. She's not only a terrific writer, but a very kind and generous person, as well. My whole family enjoyed meeting these authors. Incidentally, Ms. Eastman does a terrific job of portraying Anne Bonny, as well. Very convincing. My daughters were thrilled with the show! Mr. Edward Malloy, Miami.

Now, this isn't to say that Jack Stillman, hero of Stephanie Bond's "It Takes A Rebel" isn't an appealing character. He is. As Ms. Bond puts it, Jack is 'clodhopping his way through life' reveling in past athletic glories and having business opportunities handed to him on a silver platter because of those athletic feats. Until --- he comes up against Alexandra Tremont.

Part of the Tremont department store 'empire', Alex strives for her father's love and attention, while Mr. Tremont prefers to lavish attention on Alex's fiancé, Heath, and Jack Stillman, whose advertising firm (which is owned by Jack's brother, Derek, with Jack dropping in once in a while) is in the running for a lucrative new account for Tremont's store. Jack doesn't exactly get off to a stellar start with Alex on her first visit to the agency's office. He decides to fall back on his well-documented charm, with Alex fighting him all the way. Lots of fireworks and heated encounters ensue, with an especially steamy scene at the store as Jack models a thong, as Jack does his level best to convince Alex and her father to go with the Stillman agency for the account. Al Tremont wants immediate blanket approval but agrees to consider Alex's opinion after giving Jack a two-week trial run. Oh, and in addition, Al wants Jack (or 'Jack the Attack', as he was know in his college football days) to be the spokesmodel for the store.

I have to say that Jack's attitude toward Alex at times left me wishing she'd been a bit more outspoken against some of the things he did and said. And for Alex, I didn't agree with her repeated "make love to me, Jack/oh now I feel like slime for what I did to Heath" attitude. In my opinion, the first time should have been categorically the last time or she should have come clean with Heath immediately and returned the engagement ring. I didn't like the 'feel' of her having sex with Jack while wearing the ring of another man. Twice.

In the end, all in resolved: Al Tremont admits that he loves his daughter deeply (just didn't show it enough) and makes her President of the company, Stillman Agency gets the account, Heath resigns and takes a great job in Cincinnati and of course, Jack gets Alex.

I'm a big fan of Ms. Bond and though I had trouble with a few elements in "It Takes a Rebel", it definitely won't prevent me from picking up her next releases. Look for Ms. Bond's single title from St. Martin's - "Our Husband" - coming in November 2000. I had the privilege of receiving an advance reading copy of this book, and anyone who passes it by will be missing out on one of the truly great books of this year. Pre-order this book as soon as possible.

So far, Stephanie Bond continues to please, with her spunky heroines and her gorgeous heros. Even her secondary characters are fun. If you don't love Tuesday, something is out of kilter in your funny bone. As for the booted automobile, that was a little too close to home. Glad my rescuer did not come on a motorcycle.

This book is the epitome of all Romance novels.
Its made me want to cry, just because of the passion the existed between Alex and Jack. I wish everyone could find their soulmate like they did. Granted its a book but a spellbounding one at that.

This book is a nice place for women travelers to start, but the book Travel Tips for the Sophisticated Woman by Lara Vestanen has far more depth and really useful tips.

While this book contains plenty of travel advice that I already know, it is quite handy for acting as a reminder to things I may forget along the way. The bulleted lists are helpful. I don't have to search paragraph after paragraph to find something I want to know. Armed with this book, I shall fearlessly begin my pan-Pacific adventure!

The author has written a book packed so full of valuable information and wisdom that every woman who travels anywhere should read it over and over again. Many of the tips are just as valid when applied to domestic travel as to travel in foreign lands.

Some of the topics are safety and security (TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS is her mantra), women traveling together, health and hygiene, keeping in touch, bargaining, tipping, packing.

I especially appreciated these tips:when to purchase plane tickets (Wednesdays) and when not to do so (Saturdays); to carry a combination lock -- you never know when it might come in handy; always carry enough money in your shoe to get you out of a tight spot----these are things I probably could have thought of but hadn't.

Bond leads the traveler-to-be through all she should do to adequately prepare: reading guidebooks, making an itinerary (and leaving a copy of it at home with family and friends), getting information from other travelers, doing research, learning a few words in the language of the countries you are visiting, and making checklists.

This book is wonderfully organized and is a MUST for every woman who wants to travel and feel both safe and well-prepared.

Having worked in the financial risk management business for more than 15 years with significant experience in bond and money markets, the book was not particularly useful to me. I don't think anyone working in the business would find much new here; certainly not a reference book.

For a much better written book, at a much better price, buy the classic: "The Money Market" by Marcia Stigum for only $69.30 instead of this later - and not as good book - for $199.

A very high quality treatment of bonds and derivatives. Cool book.

This is a truly impressive work and a great reference. Even market experts will find something of value here, it takes the reader from first principles to some very complex subjects, all explained in very acccessible fashion. Every topic connected with the debt capital markets is covered, ranging from bonds, interest-rate derivatives, money markets, credit derivatives, yield curve analysis, structured products, CDOs, everything. It is also very well written, like having your own private tutor and market expert delivering a lecture on the markets. It is well worth the money I paid for it, and I recommend it to anyone who needs to know about bonds, derivatives and market analysis. This book is streets ahead of all the competition, no author I have come across, in over 20 years of experience in the markets, comes close to writing like Choudhry does. jrasheed2000@yahoo.co.uk

This book remains my favorite of all time. I have read, studied, & treasured countless books about the Divine Feminine, but none compare to this woman's spiritual courage and sensitivity. It made me enraged & it broke me down to tears- Never have I been more proud to be a woman on this journey. A reviewer below criticized the author for finding enlightenment in forgiveness and resolution in righteous action. We are NOT here on this earth to deliver retribution, but to evolve and come into full SPIRITUAL POWER. Anyone can pursue revenge and remain in a self-righteous, angry abyss, but it takes a very refined soul, courageous heart, and deep spiritual intelligence to accomplish what this author has. I feel pity for those who missed the revolutionary purpose of this book. Goddess bless you, China Galland for taking me into your hell and your heaven- the journey was unforgettable and will live in my own life and actions forever.

The first time I read this book it made me cry, I never had experienced so much emotion for a author before. China Galland is open and honest, she shares her very personal experience with the reader and bridges the gap between western society and buddist cultures fabulosly. The book moved me so much I have given it to another 5 people including some men to read and only wish everybody could realise that this book is truely unique.

In "The Bond Between Women", author China Galland embarks on yet another spiritual odyssey, this time attending various festivals celebrating the Divine Feminine. Whether she is learning about child prostitution in Nepal, serving salad on the streets of San Francisco, or discussing the Vietnam War with Sister Chan Khong, Galland illustrates both the horrendous difficulties, pain and trauma these women face; and their remarkable courage in rising above them. Especially moving was the chapter on the Disappeared in Argentina.

This book highlights little-known or discussed issues facing women worldwide, and would be valued enough for that alone. It also realistically grapples with the complicated structures of forgiveness, setting boundaries, and healing. A superb spiritual work that crosses denominational lines.

The book is very good, unquestionably. It provides you with a deep understanding of interest rate models and risk management. Mind you, you need to know the basics of bonds and fixed income contongent claims, before you try this book. The examples are apt, and explanations are succint, and easily understood. The mathematics involved can be mastered easily, and no arcane stuff (like measure-theoretic probability etc.) are used. So, the book will be accessible to MBA students too. This book has helped me understand the subject very well.

I head an interest rate swap desk after several years trading interest rate swaps. I refer to this excellent book when I need a quantitative brush up. Most of our challenges are on the fundamental principles, and Jarrow covers them very well. I'm a fan of Jarrow, and have several of his other works as well. Since I soon will also have responsibility for credit derivatives, I bought and recommend "Credit Derivatives" by Tavakoli. This book brought me up to speed on exotic options in this market as well as total return swaps and the various types of credit derivatives products. Many of my customers use interest rate exotics as well as these products.

Excellent job on the detail analysis of fixed income models, accessible to non-mathematician, no stochastic calculus involved. this book is more focused than Tuckman's book. this is absolutely more easy reading than all other fixed income model books out there. read this one, you will be on the way to "martingale methods in financial modelling". also recommend "fixed income analytics".

A good start, but not enough detail or complexity. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like there is anything better.

Connolly has written a useful, practical book for those who are attempting to price these (increasingly) complex instruments. For more abstract or academic treatments of the topic, seek other sources and the innumerable academic journals of quant finance. But for a nut-work 'gotta-price-this-bugger-'cause-my-boss-asked-me-to-and-I'm-the-quant-guy-in-the-shop' this guide, while not strictly a 'cookbook,' is indispensable. Although it begins at a relatively basic level, it clearly and concisely explains every technique from the simple (y = mx + b) and then step-by-step ratchets up to the Excel-samuri level (MIN and MAX tests after multiple operations of option pricing trees (bi-nomial and tri-nomial)).

I limited my rating to four stars, however, because Connolly only mentions in passing the available (expensive) software-house products that do many of the same things his example spreadsheets do. Fin software needs critics, and I can think of no one better placed than the author to examine them and give front-line quant analysts his views.

In addition, like most worker bees, I try never to reinvent the wheel (programming in C++ and VB or anything else for this kinda thing is undiluted soul-destroying tedium), but at the same time want to thoroughly check out the foundational theory and techniques someone applied before I risk my career on someone else's work. In this case, a good list of the academic sources and current financial literature on the topic would have been a useful and welcome addition to this slender volume.

I suppose a final criticism is that we have all seen the exponential growth of credit derivatives in the past few years. Connolly's next edition will need to address the topic of credit derivatives in relation to convertible bonds, as their use in combination with CBs provides alternate hedging, investment, and speculative strategies not explicitly considered in this book.

This is a very good book. Connolly starts from the beginning, assuming you know nothing, but accelerates at just the right rate to hang on to beginners and not to annoy people who already know the basics. Admittedly, if you're a quant you'll know all this stuff (anyway, if you're already a quant you shouldn't need to buy a book on the subject in the first place). If you're not a quant, it's a fine introduction to how to model convertibles. In fact, there's enough information here for you to have a go at writing your own toy model that takes into account most of the complexities of CBs (including puts and resets), although you'd be a trifle crazy - or extremely confident - to start trading off a model you implemented *only* having read this book.

This is an excellent book for anyone who is a user of CB models, who understands the inputs and outputs, and who wants to know more about what's going on inside the model "black box".

I did buy this book thinking it was going to be like the other books in the series. My 2 year old and I were both disappointed. It is a cute book, but considering my daughter was already enjoying the longer books in the series, this one was just not as entertaining.

Do not buy this book expecting the same hilarious adventures of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie". The same little rodent is featured, and the illustrations are excellent, but the action almost exclusively concerns the mouse's solitary baking. It is a short board book meant for the younger crowd and is entertaining, but it is strangely disjointed, particularly when one considers the fluid antics of the earlier books -- a fine introduction to the Numeroff-Bond books, but this one will not have the same staying power.

My youngest is 2 years old and has this book memorized. He pretends to "read" it word for word including "written by Laura Numeroff, Illustrated by Felicia Bond." Excellent introduction for young children to get involved/interested in reading.

After enjoying Mabel Maney's previous books (Nancy Clue, Hardly Boys), I was excited to see a spy parody novel and looked forward to my weekend alone with the book. Unfortunately, the book didn't live up to my expectations. Partly this is because I love spy movies, and so while I wanted humor and parody, I also wanted Jane Bond to be at least somewhat competent and interesting (she was not). I wanted some cleverness to the storyline. I wanted the characters to speak with different voices, not all sound like an aspect of the same person. It comes off as rather smug humor after a while. I sort of felt as though Maney was doing her imitation of Armistead Maupin (author of Tales of the City).

Check out the Nancy Clue books before picking up Kiss the Girls and Make Them Spy -- because I want you to see that Maney does have a fun sense of humor. I just don't find it in this book.

What I expected out of this book was "In this book, the part of James Bond will be played by a tall, dark, handsome lesbian."

What I got was "In this book, the part of the normal person pressed into service trying to impersonate James Bond will be played by a tall, dark, handsome lesbian."

A good concept, but I'd rather have seen the other. Still, I must say that this book does a marvellous job of parodying the James Bond novels, something that's hard to do considering that the originals are so close to self-parody. How often can one claim, in all honesty, that the characters in a parody are better-developed and less cardboard than those in the original? One can here; granted, the peripheral characters, like Agents Pumpernickel and 008 and Chief "N" are two-dimensional, but not really any more so than typical characters in a James Bond novel, while Jane and her friend Simon are significantly better-rounded than anyone likely to appear in those books. And while names like "Pumpernickel" and "Tupenny" seem like sufficiently silly names to qualify for parody, are they really any sillier than "Moneypenny"? (To say nothing of names from the movies, like "Pussy Galore"; I don't know whether that one made it into the book, since I've never read the book version of "Goldfinger".) Still, the plot was silly enough to be clearly a parody, and I suppose that that is why the book succeeds.

I picked the book up at the library and started to read it and could not put it down. I loved the whole thing It starts out a bit confusing but things fit together later on. I have now ordered her complete set of Nancy Clue books I can not wait!!!

My mother always told me not to say a word if I didn't have anything nice to say. I was going to take that advice but felt compelled to speak up when I saw all the rave reviews appearing.

This book was very disappointing and painful to read for a number of reasons: 1) The font size was too small; 2) It was poorly written; 3) It lacked logical structure.

My eyes hurt from straining to read the text. I believe it was an Arial font size 8. It is my belief that this approach was a misguided intent to save paper (and printing expenses) at the cost of your eyes.

I'm no English major but this book was written as if some country farmer had taken dictation word-for-word -- complete with run-on sentences, grammatical errors, and misused clichés. My favorite was the use of "spending your wheels" instead of "spinning your wheels."

I am confident that the author has the functional knowledge to be a bail bondsman. However, I question his ability to clearly and coherently convey that knowledge to the written form of the English language. I recommend that the author contract to have future editions proofread.

Reading the other reviews...left me with one question: Did we read the same book?

I found the book to have valuable information I couldn't find in the local libraries. It's a good read. It thoroughly covers the
subject matter. Good job.

The real life situations in the book gave me a better understanding of what really goes on behind the scenes in the life of an actual bail bondsman. A great book.