Ford Reviews

I picked up this book because of other good recommendations. While it is a quick and easy read, I did not find enough substance to make it exciting. The stories shared are universal and will appeal to many readers, but there are no conclusions that are not obvious. I wanted to hear more about what the lessons she learned from her experiences and observations as well as applications for the future. I did not want to hear that instead of shopping I could "color in a coloring book with crayons". Instead tell me that I should figure out that I don't want the shoes because they are not recognition, support, or love, they are just shoes.

This is a lovely book with tiny treasures throughout, a great surprise. I thought it would be about shopping, but found out it was more about awareness and mindfulness. The story of her mother's healing (and shopping) following the death of her husband touched me deeply. I laughed at the chapters about shopping with men and I loved the prom dress story. Amanda transformed everyday shopping into a zen walk.

The stories in this book were helpful to me. When I'm depressed I want to go shopping and these easy to read stories gave me the support I needed to look elsewhere for satisfaction. After reading this book, I've started thinking instead of making an automatic purchase. Reading this book was fun. I liked that it wasn't preachy. The inside design is great. Makes a great gift.

This book seems to heave a big, weary sigh of regret that Nouwen failed, in some way, to benefit from his own giftedness. I would caution the biographer (and those who read this otherwise worthwhile selection) that Nouwen's ability to survive as long as he did, fighting to love, to write, to share, and to be loved--all while maintaining his vows--is proof that his message worked something akin the miraculous in his own life. Other souls with as much innate neediness and wounding as Henri could have easily gravitated into a world of hatred, cynicism, drug-use, alcoholism, promiscuity, and eventual suicide. I've seen it happen many times. We've ALL seen this scenario played out before us in millions of tragic lives. The sheer fact that Henri remained in the realm of the living, and accomplished genuine sharing and love despite his deep wounding, is stunning proof that his God have him good advice, that Henri took this advice, and that its power kept him primarily in a world of Light... against excruciating emotional odds. The glass may look half-empty, but sometimes it's merely half-full, friends. As to the question of whether or not Nouwen was gay, I don't think it matters one bit. What DOES matter is that Nouwen himself never felt the need to make a public, worldwide pronouncement about such an orientation, nor publicly debate how such an orientation may have affected his writing...one way or the other. In light of THAT reality, persons of true integrity might wish to maintain a similarly appropriate silence on that subject, at least in Henri Nouwen's personal regard. This work is yet another prime example of how impossible it is for any biographer to truly get inside the essence and soul of any subject--no matter how penetrating their research or how noble their intentions. That said, the author gives us an otherwise good pass at Henri's life and a look at some of the things that probably made him tick. But steer clear of judging the ultimate state of souls, no matter what the exterior, Michael Ford--especially those as complex as Nouwen's. THAT kind of biography can only be written by God.

I've found much inspiration from Nouwen's spiritual writings and was hesitant to read his biography, because I didn't want to separate the singer from his songs. Michael Ford did just that; he exposed the humanness of a writer that I thought to be exclusively spiritual. Ford paints a sensitive and colorful portrait of Henri Nouwen. He neither condems his frenetic, unsettling character nor canonizes the personality of an intensely gifted spiritual writer.The biography is a well-written account of a life of conflict that evokes admiration, humour, sympathy, annoyance, and irritation. Ford performs a wonderful balancing act offsetting the faults and flecks with abundant virtues.

Nouwen's personal conflicts are revealed with such spiritual intensity that would have gained approval from The Wounded Prophet. Ford describes his dependence on others for love, recognition, even praise; his restlessness and inability to remain focused, except when writing; his tumultuous anxieties, which eventually led to severe depression; and the perpetual questioning of his sexuality. Ford has introduced me to someone whose company I would not enjoy; loud and animated, always distracted, unable to make a pot of coffee or launder his own shirts. But I also met a man whose life of unbounded love and compassion exceeded anything he wote.

Michael Ford has written a truly spiritual book about a truly spiritual person.

Ford's book about Henri was one of the most honest and open books about one of our great spritual leaders and author. I have read many of Henri's books and they have all been very life changing. They have a greater meaning now that I have a deeper understanding about the man who wrote them. As I sat down and began to read this book, I could not put it down. I read it in two evenings. I felt as if I knew Henri personally, and I even wept when I came across the chapter about his death and funeral. It was so hard to read even knowing that he had passed some time ago. I felt so sad because of Henri's struggle to know God's love intimatly and in its fullness. He truly knew how to show love but struggled with receiving it. I'm sure that this book may be too open about Henri's life and struggles, and some people may have a hard time with that. But I felt that by knowing Henri's weakness and struggles, that the messages he wrote about in his books became even more powerfull to me. Knowing that just like me, Henri is just a failable human being searching for the love, intimacy, and acceptance that we all are looking for. He knew that the path and the direction to receiveing God's fullness was through Jesus. His passion and love in following Christ at all cost to him personaly is something that we can all work on. Henri Nowen was truly given a great biography by Michael Ford who had the integrity to be honest and forthcoming in his book. Henri shall be a dear friend to me now because of this wonderful book and I hope all who have a chance to read this would make that wonderful investment in your own life. You will be moved and inspired as you read. This is a must read for all.

This story captures the grit of drug smuggling along the border. There are realistic depictions of life in a Mexican border town and the people that inhabit it. The author draws on his experience in this illicit trade to expose the corruption on both sides of the law. The reader will feel the adrenaline rush of the smugglers in this writer's auspicious debut.

THE DEVIL'S SWING
By Don Henry Ford, Jr.

The Devil's Swing is a story that takes you to hell and back amidst the nightmarish world of drug smuggling; John Kendall, Manuel Chavez, and Jesus Otono hastily sell their souls for the love of money, power, and an unending supply of ladies of the night.
The three comrades fall into chaos as they get rich while smuggling drugs and then dive deep into the bottomless pits of despair when they realize the choices they've made are a death wish beyond their control.
The settings in The Devil's Swing are vivid; the characters seem very real and the turbulence throughout the book definitely makes for great entertainment. Don Henry Ford, Jr. brings the world of drug smuggling and the misery that surrounds it to life with clarity and expertise.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Devil's Swing.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Mr Fords style of writing made me see and feel the perils and attraction of drug running.
His descriptive style of writing had me feeling the pain and hope of the characters.It also makes me want to visit Texas and Northern Mexico to see the harsh beauty of the area. It was a great read and I look forward to reading more of his works.

Engrossing, densely textured read.
Could claim greatness on the basis of the Wragges and Madame alone, but also contains one of the most original heroines in Victorian fiction,and draws a fascinating portrait of venality, social corruption and hypocrisy -- at times, it reminded me of both 'Pere Goriot' and 'Les Miserables'.
And it's full of those little concrete details that make nineteenth century fiction so deliciously materialistic. Don't miss out on the Oriental Cashmere Robe!

This is the best-plotted book I have ever read. The intricacies of the ingenious cat-and-mouse game kept me unable to put the book down (despite its length, and my general impatience as a slow reader). Unlike other books I've read by Collins, this one is also extremely funny, largely because of one character who is an incredible rascal and scoundrel. This is really one of the most enjoyable novels I've ever found.

It is to Wilkie Collins' credit that more than a century after he wrote his novels, they still engage the reader and make sense in social terms. In "No Name," two sisters by the last name of Vanstone find out that they are illegitimate. Their formerly comfortable lives are disrupted to the core as their lose their places in society, their friends, their inheritances, and even, literally, their names. Collins makes their predicament alive and vital despite the fact that today this sort of news would barely stir a social ripple.

Many years ago, John D MacDonald introduced me to the green flash. I've now seen it, if only on the cover of this book. The author's photo glows with the green light at sunset and his book echoes strongly with the convictions first aired by MacDonald. A little too much editorializing, but still a good read.

Here's the skinny on Randy Wayne White's "Everglades" (at least my version ).

First, I'm a huge fan of the Doc Ford series, and Everglades (the latest) is the tenth in the series and I've read all of 'em.

I rated this book only four stars. As far as I'm concerned, all of the Doc Ford books by author Randy Wayne White are great, but some are 5 stars (darn near perfectly entertaining stories) and some not "quite as perfect", if that makes sense.

Why is this one only worth four stars? The plot of crazed cultists, a MOSSAD trained security agent, manmade earthquakes to fulfill prophecy, all equate to a tale less riveting than other scripts in the series. I found the victim, an old childhood friend of Doc Ford who also appeared in "The Man Who Invented Florida" hard to warm up to this time round.

If you're a fan of author Randy Wayne White, by all means buy this book! But if you've never read ANY of the Doc Ford series, I'd highly recommend you read these in the series first. My favorites in the Doc Ford series, are, (drum roll, please):

(5 stars)
Captiva
Twelve Mile Limit
Shark River
The Heat Islands
Ten Thousand Islands
Sanibal Flats (the first in the series)

The following are the 4 stars in the series--great stories, but I wouldn't recommend them as a first read of the author:

Everglades
The Man Who Invented Florida (a bit different from the rest of the series--Doc Ford isn't as prominent in the tale as his uncle, Tucker Gatrell, but this also is the funniest in the Doc Ford series)
North of Havana
The Mangrove Coast

Randy Wayne White's latest Doc Ford novel is equal parts psychological thriller, south Florida tarvelogue, and action novella. The perfect summer read. In Everglades, Doc Ford wrestles with his personal failures while finding an old friend in trouble with a New Age spiritualist. The story soon involves Ford's deep-thinking (and heavily spaced out) friend Tomlinson, who has had encounters of his own with the villian.

White is really maturing as a writer, as this book demonstrates. His characters have a greater degree of depth, and his narrative flows between sequences flawlessly. Of course, as one would expect from a RWW novel, he has much to say about his beloved south Florida and life in general as he does about the story line. A strength of this book is that these points only ehance the plot rather than detract from it. The only sticky point about the book is that the nature of the sub-plot requires readers to have read at least the previous book, Twelve Mile Limit in order to clearly understand whats going on. Nonetheless, a recommended read.

This was not one of Truman's best books. I kept waiting for some action and mystery... and then it did not come. The other Capital Crimes book I read most recently (Murder at the Smithsonian; Library of Congress) had a lot more intrigue. I did like the many DC references, but those are in all of her books... hopefully Ms. Truman will have some better books to offer in the future.

In her latest novel, Margaret Truman stages "Murder at Ford's Theatre" with a cast drawn from recent headlines and past novels in her Capital Crime Series. The murder of Senate intern Nadia Zarinski, romantically linked to her boss, outside the historic theatre now run by the senator's ex-wife and Hollywood producer, Clarisse Emerson, who is preparing for her confirmation hearing as the next chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts sets off a media frenzy all too familar in the nation's capital. The case is so sensational that Truman's favorite Washington couple, George Washington University law professor Mackensie Smith and his wife Annabelle, are compelled to play leading roles once again. Supporting cast members and Lincoln buffs, detectives Klayman and Johnson, representing the Metropolitan Police Department, and Sydney Bancroft, aging British thespian and Ford Theatre artistic director, add colorful moments to this fast paced drama.

It is impossible for me to criticise Truman's work. Her attention to detail especially about local landmarks and legends in Washington, DC provides the reader with a sense of place that locals recognize and visitors remember. I don't doubt that Truman strolled the cafes and galleries of Dupont Circle sipping latte at Kramerbooks & Afterwoods researching the details about historic Ford's Theatre that she got correct right down to the spelling.

Above all, "Murder at Ford's Theatre" is first rate suspense. Whether you live inside the infamous beltway or not, add this book to your list right away.

Nadia Zarinski, intern to Senator Lerner, is found dead in the alley out back of Ford's Theatre in DC. She volunteered time at the Theatre now and then. She was found by Johnny Wales, a stage hand at the theatre. The only eyewitness to her murder is John Partridge. He is an alcoholic and thinks he is a CIA agent. He was sleeping it off in the alley.

Detectives Rick Klayman and Mo Johnson are investigating this death. There are rumors that Nadia and Senator Lerner were involved. The Senator's ex-wife, Clarise, is the head of Ford's Theatre and was unaware that Nadia was volunteering time at the theatre. Clarise is also to be confirmed as the head of the National Endowment of Arts within the week.

The Senator and Clarise's son Jeremiah becomes a suspect in the murder when a previous boyfriend of hers mentions that Jeremiah dated Nadia. That information is confirmed by another source.

Mac Smith is now a professor of law. He is teaching a special class on Lincoln the lawyer. He was a criminal lawyer until a drunk driver hit and killed his first wife and only son. He is remarried to Annabel who was a divorce lawyer and now owns and operates a Columbia art gallery. Mac is asked by Clarise to assist Jeremiah when he is arrested. Mac and his former law partner Yale Becker represent Jeremiah.

Detective Klayman wonders if they haven't been hasty in arresting Jeremiah. He's not convinced that all the other suspects were sufficiently interrogated.

Mac and Annabel are surprised by the Senator's and Clarise's detachment from Jeremiah through this ordeal.

Detective Klayman is very interested in President Lincoln and attends Mac's class. They are careful to not discuss this case, just Lincoln.

I am very happy that Margaret Truman has returned to her Capital Crimes series. I like Mac and Annabel and always enjoy seeing Mac get involved in a murder investigation. They feel like very down-to-earth people to me. Like your neighbor next door.

The Senator in this book was very well written. He was very detached and always too busy to deal with the daily problems.

All of the peripheral characters were well constructed as well. In the end of the book, I found myself flip-flopping from thinking one person did it to another. I wasn't able to easily pick out the killer. A sign of a good mystery!

I highly recommend this book and all the books in this series. The fact that I know the DC/VA area that was discussed always makes it more interesting.

Fop Flop In the most elegant apparel Nothing but worm silks In the finest golden thread And superior king red velvet sashes

You'd think I would have known better? I couldn't blame them who wouldn't? cut air with scissors while sewing their needles into invisible cloth for the very low price of..... silk a loom golden thread a full bag of coins Oh those Villain Scoundrels! Now, I know not to buy such vestments with rather large investments Oh what a bratty gnatty I was For I thought I was cool but truly a fool Why emperor you look rather bare, that's quite rare! I was in such a pursuit For only a birthday suit I must admit now Me, My very own self yes indeed, your emperor himself have become a stupid and incompetent dandy All for the Imaginary Image! and now I live happily ever after, no more garb well, that is until the next apparel discovery (Now if you'll excuse me there's a clothier waiting at my door who says he's created the latest design in Pajama attire)

Generally, I do not care for audio books; many of the readers speak in a dull voice that rapidly drives me either away from the story or to sleep. However, there are a few exceptions; this is one.

Understand, that this is not the normal audio book; this edtion has a large cast of actors who collaborated to produce this item as a fund raiser for Starbright.

The result is an ensemble piece that is witty and charming. Part of the fun for me, was guessing who was reading before looking at the cast list included in the box.

Other folks feel that this isn't for children; I don't know as I don't have children, but I found that my "inner child" was highly entertained for 40 minutes with this tape.

If you are a fan of one or more of the actors in this edition or like puns (there are many here!), then you will probably like the Starbright edtion of the Emporer's New Clothes.

I had been given 2 of these books from a friend and I decided to see if there were anymore. My son loves this book. He's now working on reading the adult side. It's a great idea to have a page each, 1 for the adult and 1 for the child. We have several of these books now and I see my son sitting down and reading them on his own.

After reading the reviews on Amazon and other sources I got the impression that Mr. Probst's book was "THE BOOK" to read for modification of the EEC-IV system on my Ford Truck.

I was very disappointed. 95% of the book was nothing more than a SIMPLIFIED discription of each component in the Ford and Mazda engine control system. Mr. Probst very strongly implied that people should not modify their engine control system.

I found Mr. Jeff Hartman's book "Fuel Injection: Installation, Performance Tuning, Modification" much more informative for technical information.

This book is an excellent source of info on Ford engine control. I recommend this book for anyone who works of Ford vehicles. The only section of the book that disappointed me was the performance modification section. The chapter explains why you should or should not install certain mods. It basically tells you to put in a turbo or supercharger. It does not give any technical info or instructions to performance modify your engine. More modification info can be found in any car enthusiast magazine at your local newstand. Otherwise this book is excellent. I recommend they change the subtitle to "How to Understand and Service," not modify, your EFI engine.

This book is topps! Mr Probst uses a friendly, easy to read format. I am now plagued with two problems on my truck, and thanks to this book, I understand quite a bit more. I am a do it yourselfer, self taught, and this book brings things to light. This has given me the tecnical data I need, as where other books are unclear or leave you hanging. This is not a book by any means, it's an investment.
Raise my rent, put another shrimp on the barbie mate, and thank God for simplicity!!

This was the first novel in G.M. Ford's Leo Watterman private detective series that I have read. I found Ford to be a decent writer and Waterman to be a moderately interesting character. But neither can hold a candle to such greats as, say, Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder or the master Chandler's Phillip Marlowe. The back cover says that Ford is a former creative writing teacher and that figures because his writing is at time a bit too cute in its effort to be entertaining. The biggest drawback of Waterman's charcater, son of a now deceased prominent politician, is that he's far too happy with his domestic life and too well known in the community to be the classic alienated cynical private eye. Ford gives a good feel for life in Seattle as a backdrop for Waterman's antics. Waterman is also properly quick with both his wit and his weapons when need be. But his continuous run ins with the cops get tiresome after awhile and the story is bloated by about an extra fifty pages or so.

Overall, I rank Ford squarely in the middle of P.I. fiction writers. Though I enjoyed spending time with Waterman on this one occasion, I will not be going out of my way to seek him out again.

This is definitely a quality book. It is a very well developed story with interesting characters. The story builds very well and the conclusion is satisfying. I would recommend this book to any avid mystery reader. I am a big fan of Robert Parker, Robert Crais, and Harlan Coben. While Leo Waterman doesn't have the sidekick that the hero in those books does, he has much the same demeanor as Spenser, Elvis Cole, and Myron Bolitar. The wit isn't quite as snappy, but still enjoyable. These are only minor comments and what prevents me from giving the book 5 stars, don't let it prevent you from reading this book. I have a ton of books, but I am sure that I will pick up another one of Ford's novels sometime in the near future.

I've been looking for new authors recently, and decided to give Ford a try. I am happy that I did. His main character Leo Waterman is in the same vein as Robert Crais' Elvis Cole, only perhaps not quite as funny. In Last Ditch, Leo, in the course of doing some renovations to his property, comes across a buried body. The body turns out to be that of his late politician fathers biggest enemy, and has been missing for some 30 years. Obviously Leo's father is the number one suspect, so Leo sets out to find the truth. Leo is a great character in the genre, tough, but not unbelievably so, very human, and of course wisecracking. There are lots of twists and turns and misdirections in this well plotted novel. The writing is also above the quality often found in the genre, Ford really puts the reader into the scene. If you like a good mystery, Last Ditch is a good place to look.

Douglas Brinkley was given access to the Ford Motor Co. archives, and he seems bent on including everything he found there. This book is 764 pages long and it took me three weeks to read. Yet, I can't say it was a wasted effort.
Henry Ford is the undisputed star. Brinkley spends pages trying to decide whether old Henry was a genius or just a excellent judge of character. He finally arrives at a compromise of sorts: Ford would not have succeeded without James Couzens, his business manager; Charles Sorenson, production manager, or C. Harold Wills, his chief designer. But it was Henry Ford's vision and will power that held everything together. He was also a genius at promotion (sometimes self promotion).
Brinkley does not shirk in his criticism of Ford's warts. Much of the book is devoted to Ford's anti-Semitism. On the other hand, he's quick to tell us of Ford's devotion to African American workers and his financing of Ford Hospital and social programs for his immigrant workers.
Although he's ambivalent about Henry Ford, Brinkley loves Edsel and Henry II. Brinkley's Edsel is an urbane and sophisticated man whom the author gives credit for the development of the Lincoln Continental and other styling at Ford. He also debunks the notion that Henry Ford contributed to Edsel's early death. Henry II is shown as an empathetic man who worked hand-in-hand with Walter Reuther's UAW to improve employee/employer relations.
Up until reading this book, I couldn't tell a Ford Taurus from a Ford Tempo, but I have to say that lately I've been paying more attention and, yes, the Tempo does look rather like a jellybean.

As the author notes the history of corporations is often neglected. This account of the primordial emergence of Ford and his 'jalopy', man and corporation, tells the history of an age, and is worth following in slow motion even if we know the gist already. Ford himself is a puzzle, and the contradictions seen in the later shadowy side visible in the cockeyed stupidity of his antisemitism leave a mystery figure for the record. The younger Ford with his audacious $5/day seems a man of uncommon sense and this belies the image of the cliched capitalist and it is sad to see how the System closes in on him in the end. A classic saga well told.

I have always been a history buff. However, I bought this book on a hunch that I might like it. I have never really had any interest in the automobile industry. This book has changed that...the book is a great review of the last century in general. The book has been a super read for me!