5 comments about Made From Scratch: A Memoir.

1. Sandra has a very good TV show, but the story of her life is even better. If you want the back story to fill out what you already think you know about Sandra Lee, buy this book.



2. I read the book first in our home, I wanted to tell my wife about it and each chapter. My wife put her hands over her ears, so she could not here me. She read the book.We enjoyed every aspects of each chapter.We would recommend this book to every one.Once you start reading this book you can't put it down until it is finished



3. At our local library you can request new books online. As the library has funds, books are ordered. I waited in anticipation for several months; the reviews were wonderful. I will write a check to our library for the price of the book $24.95 ,what a waste to have such a book in our public library.
   
   From her pathetic reverence to Danielle Steele & St. Tropez to her reaction to Princess Diana's death this poor woman is a star obsessed name dropper. "Sensing my discomfort Charlie Sheen walked up to where I was standing, put his arm around me, and told the drunken guy I was his girlfriend"
   
   
   The book is rampant with grammatical errors, ie; a photo caption "Me and Richie shooting the close of ..." There are many pictures, of Sandra with "famous" people, it's like a "worship me, look at me" book. Counseling will be worth it Sandra, get some help.
   
   As for the quotes throughout the book, I don't believe she would understand or know how to use any one of these. Perhaps the ghostwriter looked these up on the net and inserted them where plausible?
   
   Here are a few quotes for poor Sandra: "You Might Move Out, but You Can't Move On" and "You can take the trash out of the trailer but you can't take the trailer out of the trash".
   
   To be fair, I quit reading halfway through as I could not stomach any more, she is too into herself. I wish there was an option for a ZERO star rating.



4. This book was great! I read it ONE day and I'm not a fast reader, but I just couldn't put it down! Gratned, it's not the most well-written or gramatically correct piece of writing I've seen in a while, but who cares! The story is real and honest and so is the woman behind it! The way she tells her real-life story is engaging and inpsirational! k! While I agree that her tablescapes are not always "easy" or "inexpensive," and her food is often chemically ladden with all of the "starters," and artificial crap in it, it IS easy! I think Ms. Lee is a very savy, smart and intelligent business woman, who yes, happened to know the right people and be in the right places at the right times, but hey, she worked her butt off, literally, for years and years and obviously, still does! I can't help but admire a hard worker! I think Ms. Lee's heart is/was always in the right place and her charitable work is admirable! I also liked the fact that she so honest at the end with how this book came to be! She states she's not a writer and also shares some of the pain in re-visisiting these memories and writing this story. I also liked that she acknowledged her divorce and how painful that is, many people glide over that facet of their life, I appreicated her honesty! All and all, I have a WHOLE NEW RESPECT and admiration for Ms. Lee after having read this book; if you want a quick, fast, easy and highly inspirational, encouraging read, you've found it!



5. Reading about Sandra Lee's upbringing was very emotional and heartwrenching. Made From Scratch is a very apt title. Did not have any idea what a hardscrabble childhood she had. I was interested in learning that she lived in Sumner, just a town away from me. She worked so hard and kept a good head on her shoulders through horrors hopefully none of us have experienced. She truly deserves all the success she has enjoyed. I hope she continues to flourish. I did not know about her former Beverly Hills/jet-setting lifestyle either so it was interesting to get a peek inside that world. I recommend this book--you will have a better understanding of Sandra Lee and her semi-homemade empire.

5 comments about Straight Up and Dirty: A Memoir.

1. I feel a little miffed at all the Stephanie hate going on in these reviews. Of course it's self-absorbed, it's a memoir! Who is she supposed to write about? I read this during my own divorce and there were times when I wanted to smack all my friends in the face and lock myself in my room and read this book. I found it funny, insightful (of course there's insecurity and self-doubt in a divorce, it's not generally an uplifting thing to go through!), and motivating. It was invaluable to me to be able to read this and feel normal.



2. I have read Stephanie's entire blog prior to reading the book and found that over half the content was already included on the blog (which was a bit dissapointing). This book isn't as riske as the title suggests so do not expect to be reading anything you could not read in the confessions section of Vogue or Glamour.
   
   Stephanie writes well but sometimes she forces metaphors and tries to make links to her childhood that seem very contrived (as though she had sat around for hours thinking of what little anacdote from her childhood could she apply to her current situation). Also she is very self-involved and sometimes can seem very stuck-up. Her standards for men seem to revolve around if they take her to the correct restaurant or if they order her the right wine but all in all, she does have some useful insights. I would recommend buying this book if you need some mindless reading for the beach or if you can come accross a copy at the library but I wouldn't rush out to get a copy.



3. On one end of the chick lit spectrum you have the likes of Wendy Wasserstein and Nora Ephron - on the other end you have this drivel. If I wasn't stuck on a plane with nothing else to read, I never would have finished it. Seriously thought of leaving it behind after the flight - but wouldn't that be littering? This is the written equivalent of those tone deaf attention hungry people who are on the gag reel for any reality show. No talent and boring to boot.
   
   Avoid - or you'll be sorry. Don't say you haven't been warned. Not even do-able as a fun beach read. Blech. I was actually angry after reading this, now I just wish I had gotten a latte and some magazines instead = a waste of $$$



4. "Straight Up and Dirty" surprised me a bit. From what I'd heard, I was expecting a sex-filled kiss and tell, more Samantha than Bridget Jones. A quote on the back, "Klein found herself 'divorced... firm, fashionable and let's face it, fetching,' " seemed to suggest that the author was confident and man-hungry.
   
   That kind of vanity may make a good tagline, but it is absent from the book overall. In fact I was surprised by both the author's low self-esteem and her lack of dating experience. She doesn't really do a lot of dating in the book, but instead recovers from a divorce, dates the wrong "right" guy, and gains insights through therapy. She was once fat, and has issues about her looks, ethnicity, and body. Although her lifestyle affords her access to posh places and people, she sees herself as an outsider.
   
   The writing at times strains to be clever. Klein's wordplay could use some polish. Describing a pretentious loser at a party: "I'm sorry, since when is Nevis in the same realm as South Beach, and who says insipid? This guy was awkwords." And describing a Southern friend, "She was Austinatious: big jewelry, big breasts, big heart." At other times Klein is nonsensical, with observations like this one, "If Dulce were a scratch and sniff sticker, she'd smell like a birthday cake."
   
   Despite these reservations, I really enjoyed the book. It's a peek into someone else's psyche and has that delicious appeal of window gazing. I don't know that I'm in any rush to read this author again, but I certainly enjoyed "Straight Up and Dirty."



5. What a terrible book. Klein's writing is flighty and at times very hard to follow. She tries so hard that she loses the reader. With her stupid abbreviations for words and wandering thoughts, I just couldn't stand it. Save your money.

5 comments about Cicero: The Life and Times of Rome's Greatest Politician.

1. Extremely well written and informative. Cicero is truly brought alive with all his faults warts and all in addition to his magnificence as a Roman force in the republic. Bravo



2. I don't remember where I saw it but someone said something like "you can't spent your life without reading something about Rome", not the exact words by the way. I am not a fanactic or expert in Rome history, but I think that to read about Cicero, Caesar, Augustus or anything about this ancient empire is absolutely recommended. An it is important because you can see how was the Republic organized, how was to be a politician those days, why Caesar intended power as a sort of monarchy and so many facts that makes you think about the struggle of people to establish the best political system throughout history, a struggle that still reflects in todays politics, especially in those countries that have difficulty to learn the lessons of history.
   
   Cicero was a great statesman, orator and prolific writer and while I was reading this book, I was recalling the images of the BBC series, Rome, which helped me to focus even more in the narrative. Despite Cicero's excellent intellectual skills, were not enough to save himself to the rage of Mark Antony -- but in any case, he managed to live a long life, a life to be remembered and perhaps celebrated to these days.



3. I enjoyed this book enourmously. It is easy to read and helps readers understand more about Roman politics and history. It probably has many incorrect interpretations but regardless of this it is entertaining. I will definitely try to purchase Elizabeth Rawson's Cicero-A Portrait since one of the other reviewers say it is even better than Everitt's book.



4. Odds are, you have heard of Cicero. Considered one of Rome's greatest orators, his writings are the main influence on how way we remember the last days of the Roman republic. The story of Cicero's life is the story of end of Republican Rome. All of the major players of the era: Caesar, Marc Antony, Cleopatra, Brutus and Octavian (soon to be Augustus) all make an appearance in his life. In his role as one of the world's first brilliant statesman and backroom player, Cicero was friends and enemies with all of them. From Everitt's book, it seems Cicero was, at times, courageous in his rhetoric and at times, he was cowardly. He always tried to see all the angels and jockeyed for a position that put him in the best place politically while betraying as few of his political convictions as possible. In the end, he wound up on the wrong side of Marc Antony and was killed.
   
   The story in getting from provincial boy to one of the most powerful men in Rome is fascinating. I am no expert on Roman history. I have read no other biography of Cicero. But to my tastes, Everitt's biography of Cicero is excellent for the reader with a casual interest in this time period in Rome. Not only does it give us insight into what a complicated person Cicero was (both arrogant and generous; brilliant in the courtroom and terrified of physical injury) but also perhaps more importantly it is an excellent primer on the death of the Roman republic. The story of Rome's decent into dictatorship, the attempt at recovering republicanism, and then the reassertion of dictatorship is the stuff that western history is made of, and Everitt's book is a good place to get a sense of who did what when and what Cicero had to say about it. Recommended.



5. Anthony Everitt does an excellent job with this introduction type book of Cicero. Gives a great account of the man as well as the people in his life. Vivid description and good amount of primary analysis.

5 comments about Love, Lucy.

1. Lucille Ball abandoned this book in 1964, out of concern that its contents would hurt Desi Arnaz. She then forgot about it (as did everyone else in her life, it seems), and it sat neglected in a box of papers until the mid-1990s. This is a phenomenal book, and easily the best I've read so far regarding Lucille Ball.
   
   Love, Lucy should be read along with other biographies in order to get a balanced perspective (Miss Ball tends to be a bit circumspect, though not as private as I expected her to be, regarding her own shortcomings and her private life), but on the whole it is a fascinating glimpse into a legendary life when it was far from over. She had only recently divorced Desi Arnaz and was in the heart of working on The Lucy Show at the time she abandoned the project, and was still terribly active in the running of Desilu.
   
   Lucille sometimes remembers things in a way that makes her seem a bit more moral than she really was. She doesn't discuss running wild and being naughty in her teen years, but since she had young children of her own at the time of the writing of Love, Lucy, I don't suppose I should have expected her to do so. Who wants to display their shortcomings to their kids and then say "don't do that!"
   
   What is most beautiful about this book is the discussion of her love of Desi Arnaz and their marriage. Even though the marriage didn't survive, they adored one another and continued to do so until the ends of their lives. The quote that made me laugh out loud, and I could HEAR Lucy saying it was "It was not love at first sight; it took five minutes."



2. I quite enjoyed this one. It is Lucy's "lost" autobiography--that is, it was only discovered and published after her death in 1989. It was found tucked away in the files of her former attorney, discovered when her children were processing her estate. Apparently, Lucy had begun an "as told to" book by dictating for two years to a talented secretary who transcribed her tapes and even traveled to her hometown to interview her childhood friends for their memories. The resulting product is the history of Lucy from her birth in 1911 to Christmas of 1962. It is written in the present tense, and many of the readers who knew her commented that it was in her "own voice." When Lucie got to listen to the tapes, she even discovered that her mother had been accurately quoted for once! A warm picture emerges of an ambitious but essentially normal comedienne who was very family-oriented and hard-working. Her father died before she had a chance to know him, but she was raised lovingly by her mother and maternal grandparents. She goes through stints of modeling and starring in movies, about which time she meets Desi Arnaz. He played the Cuban firecracker to her more low-key character, and the sparks flew. They went on together to produce the most beloved television show of all time and to rule over the empire of Desilu Productions. But they found themselves not too compatible in the end--he was working too hard and given to explosive rages, and his drinking and many infidelities didn't help matters any. He humiliated her publically on many occasions, and that was why she eventually wanted a divorce. But she remained fond of him, and put this book away because she was afraid that its revelations would hurt him. She went on to meet and marry Gary Morton and found happiness with him for many years until her death. But Gary is only a small part of this book--you walk away struck by what Lucy and Desi achieved together that neither could have achieved alone.



3. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a Lucy fan. Knowing that it is an autobiography makes it more interesting. You can almost hear her voice as you read through the lines. Her life wasn't all roses. Lots of pictures for us to enjoy. Get the book. You won't put it down.



4. Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball was an autobiography she wrote but never published. Her daughter Lucie found the manuscript and decided to publish it almost a decade after her mother's death. Lucille Ball was a comic gem, she did everything so perfectly. This book is good but some of the parts seem empty so I can't give this book 5 stars. Ball talks about her modeling days, how she met and fell in love with Desi Arnaz, her hit t.v. show and becoming a businesswoman when she was highly criticized for being too tough. Check this good summer read out sometime, enjoy!



5. I picked this book up on a recommendation from someone who used to work on the I Love Lucy Show (Dann Cahn). It was fantastic! Written by Lucy herself, it really focused on her feelings and thoughts early on. Once I started I couldn't put it down.

5 comments about Alzheimer's from the Inside Out.

1. I thought it was an excellent source for where we are at in having our mother recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's. It wasn't alot of fluff, very
   honest about what to expect now and in the future. This is one's man account of his memory loss and deficiencies acquainted with the disease. I reccommend it highly.



2. I have early dementia, fitting the criteria for Alzheimer's. Like the author, I was a psychotherapist in my 50s when my difficulties became such that I couldn't work. It's incredibly powerful to read his words, and see what I would have said if I were only so gifted. Most importantly, I want doctors to read this book, as most of them relate only to dementia as it looks in the end stage, and aren't familiar with what the early disease process looks like.



3. Reading all the books I can find on this disease. This book was suggested as a must read at a Alzheimer's seminar. I am a caregiver trying to understand and care for my mother. This is a very informative book in the eyes of the person with Alzheimer's. Very eye opening for me. God Bless all who are dealing with this disease and those who love them and want the best for them. Thank you Mr. Taylor and may God Bless you and your family.



4. Fast service, great book from a first-person perspective, insightful and thought-provoking for those who have a friend or family member with this disease..



5. Right off the author critizes the writers of the New Testament. What does faith have to do with this book??? He puts down the Bible as contradicting. His book is only his perspective!!! I really did not like it at all.

5 comments about Confessions of an Advertising Man.

1. Dubbed "the King of advertising" by Advertising Age, David Ogilvy shared his thoughts and stories on being successful in the adverting industry in this book. His ideas are often overflowing with self-confidence, but for a man who reached his level of success, he's definitely earned the right.
   
   Originally published in 1963, in part as promotion of himself and his agency, this book is broken down into ten "How to" chapters plus an opening and closing commentary on the state of advertising. No example ads or illustrations in this book, just straightforward advice and colorful anecdotes on topics ranging from managing an agency to writing potent copy.
   
   The stories are enjoyable, and Ogilvy's advice is enlightening. David Ogilvy led an amazing life, and his insights on advertising, business and human behavior are timeless. Overall, this is an inspiring book that I recommend to anyone involved in advertising.



2. This book is similar in content to Ogilvy's other masterpiece, "Ogilvy on Advertising", but with more emphasis on the sales aspects of the advertising business. "Confessions" is also more autobiographical. Ogilvy's stories about his background, building his agency, and dealing with clients are fascinating.
   
   Given Ogilvy's talent as a copywriter, the book is obviously a pleasure to read. For example--
   
   "How do you decide what kind of image to build? There is no short answer: Research cannot help you much here. You have to actually got to use judgment. (I notice increasing reluctance on the part of marketing executives to use judgment; they are coming to rely too much on research, and they use it as a drunkard uses a lamp post, for support rather than for illumination.)"
   
   Anyone engaged in any aspect of advertising, marketing, or top level management should get plenty out of this book. It's a how-to manual for total success.



3. Confessions of an advertising man contains advertising principles David Ogilvy has derived based on his experience and available research. In this book he shares what he has learned to be the optimal practices both for advertising agencies and for clients of advertising agencies. While some of these principles and practices may be considered timeless, others have changed under the influence of new advertising media and technologies. One standard timeless practice in advertising is to test everything and to choose the most appropriate action based on research. David emphasizes that the bottom line of advertising is sales, rather than the entertainment value of an ad, and that in the end numbers demonstrate the effectiveness of the ad.



4. A classic that still rings true. Relevant not just to the ad business but to the management of any professional services firm.



5. This is a classic written by one of the legends of advertising. It is well written and easy to read. It is full of great information, not just about advertising but about business and life.
   
   David Ogilvy traces the start and growth of one of the most successful advertising agencies in history. His business philosophy is striking - he did not strive for a large number of clients but was much more selective in targeting the clients that he felt would be mutually beneficial.
   
   He would refuse to spend time developing competitive proposals in bidding for business. He felt like the business should be awarded based on competency. He offers some great insights into why his agency was so successful.
   
   I would recommend this book for everyone in business - not just for ad men or copywriters. David shares a lot of principles of advertising that will help anyone spend their ad dollars better.

5 comments about The Want-Ad Killer (True Crime).

1. Harvey Carignan is a prime example of why the US Constitution so frequently works against victims while offering loopholes for perpetrators; often setting them free to repeat their crimes as is this case with Carignan. On the side of the fence, readers develop sympathy for Mary Miller, whose daughter was the first known victim of Carignan after most recent prison release.
   
   Ann Rule, despite this being one of her early works, does an outstanding job of providing an in-depth look into the childhood, teenage years and adulthood of Carignan. Much of what we learn is based on Carignan's "accusations" and Rule does a superb job of noting that, most likely, this are just what they are...only accusations.
   
   While the title is a bit deceptive (Carignan only murdered one young girl, that is known, from a classified ad), the overall content of the book is intense and intriguing; so much so that I completed the book within 24 hours.
   
   This is the last of the Ann Rule books I had not read to date. This early work is proof that Rule has a natural talent for writing about America's worst citizens....rapist and/or murderers.



2. If you like true crime at it's best you have just met the master.



3. I've read other books by Ann Rule, especially NO REGRETS and GREEN RIVER RUNNING RED, so I was intrigued by this title. I had previously heard about scams involving "help wanted" ads, where unwitting people are lured into danger by scam artists looking to take advantage of people who genuinely need work, so this book seemed worthwhile reading.
   
   THE WANT-AD KILLER describes the disappearance and murder of Kathy Sue Miller, the victim who finally was responsible for bringing Harvey Carignan, a longtime "career criminal" to justice. Carignan had hit upon the idea of luring women to his gas station on the pretext of applying for a job. He placed ads in the local paper. When the job applicants refused his sexual advances, he killed them, usually with blows to the head, in a homicidal rage.
   
   Kathy Sue Miller, aged 15, was one of those girls who applied for the job she saw in the paper. Despite her mother's warning that she should not go off in a car with an unknown man for a job interview, Kathy Sue Miller got into Harvey Carignan's car, ostensibly to go to his gas station to apply for the job, and was never seen again. She had originally called the number in the paper for a job for her boyfriend, Mark, but Carignan convinced her that she could get the job herself, and she was excited at the idea of having some money of her own. Rule points out that Carignan's idea of putting a "want ad" in the paper gave him a steady supply of victims who walked right into his hands.
   
   Rule's book is skillfully written, with good insights not only into the emotional effects of this crime on the victim's family, but also on the detectives in charge of solving the crime. It serves as a well-written cautionary tale to anyone who is looking for a job, but also wants to make sure that he or she remains safe in the process.



4. I'm a big fan of Ann Rule, so I have read a lot of her books and stories. Although the Want-Ad Killer was good, I like some of her books better. I still would recommend the book if you like her work.
   
   She did a good job illustrating this slimy, sleaze-ball, nut job, sicko from hell. No other way to describe him!



5. This is an early Ann Rule true crime story about Harvey Carignan who used the want ads to lure unsuspecting, young female victims.
   
   Ann Rule goes back to the cases in Alaska where Carignan beat a hanging sentence on a technicality.
   
   Carignan is a sociopath,but far from insane. He is intelligent and knows criminal law and constitutional rights well enough to have written papers on the subjects during an earlier stretch in prison.
   
   The author defines the difference between a sociopath and a psychotic.
   
   She mentions the possibility that Carignan may have been involved in the Piper kidnapping, although the evidence is weak.
   
   The maps with the interesting markings showing some known burial sites gives rise to the concern that he vented his hatred of women far more times than has been known. The numerous unexplained markings loosely match some unsolved murders with similar M.O. in areas that Carignan passed through. He may have been an earlier version of a roaming killer much like Tommy Lynn Sells. One difference between Carignan and other notorious serial killers is the physical nature of Carignan, he was large,muscular and didn't shy away from fights with men.
   
   "The Want-Ad Killer" may not be Ann Rule's best book, but it is fast-paced and an interesting choice of subject in Harvey Carignan.

5 comments about At the Center of the Storm: My Years at the CIA.

1. I started reading this book with great respect for George Tenet. I finished it somewhat disappointed with him. My overall interpretation of what he has written is that many of the "mistakes" that were made were due to his detachment from many of the details of important intelligence information handled by the CIA. Many times he infers and outright states that "such and so was handling this and I should have paid more attention to it". I don't think anything George Tenet did or didn't do was done with malice, rather he was just not competent in the position he was in. It is not uncommon for a "star" performer at lower levels to rise to their level of incompetance. This is true in business and government. I have no doubt he was doing his best, but was simply the wrong man for the job at that time. However, hindsight is always 20/20.



2. Good. Provides (unclassified) insight into the interworkings of two presidents in the areas of Foreign Policy, National Security, and Intelligence. Nice to see that a DCI can work with two adminstrations and political parties; most DCIs do not last three years due to personalities or politics. It is one of the most thankless jobs in the world: everybody hates you, they are suspicious of you, and expect you can do everything all the time. I was amazed he was involved in foreign relation negotiation: a DCI is not to be involved in politics. I see some points of contention about his track record but he was one of the better ones.



3. So much is made of Tenet, the "Slam Dunk", and his reluctancy to execute operation plans against UBL.
   Tenet takes you into the inner circle and gives you his version of Washington politics on several topics. From the Israel-Palestinian Conflict, the War in Afghanistan and Iraq, and his battle against Al Qaeda.
   For anyone interested in a real perspective, you will enjoy this book tremendously, for it is not simply a defense, it is his story. He does not attack Pres. Bush, he compliments him several times over. He does however outline the Gross Incompetence in the War in Iraq by the DOD.
   
   If you are into Poli Sci, this is a MUST.



4. Although this book is voluminuos it is very insightful and a must read for contemporary critics and pundits of the recent politics. To read the behind the scenes, day to day banter and politics from the CIA directors point of view is absolutely fascinating and compelling. If you heva ever seen George on any of his interviews he is magnetic and charismatic at the core. A very bright man that has made his mark on history and has shared his stories for all to see and hear. Cathartic or not one of the best reads in the past few years for me. I also have passed this around to a few friends and each peson has cherised the read.



5. George Tenet's autobiographical "At the Center of the Storm: My Years at the CIA" is an interesting and readable look at George Tenet's years as the Director of Central Intelligence - key years that included the 9/11 attacks the beginning of the war in Iraq. This is an extremely interesting book that gives Tenet's side of many of the contentious debates that have swirled over the past few years regarding the CIA.
   
   Tenet seems to have written this book in response to the criticism leveled against the CIA and him personally. He gives a detailed play-by-play of the Valeria Plame/Joe Wilson story (one of those stories that shocked the "Inside the Beltway" crowd but seems to have been of little interest to the rest of America) and the attendant debate over the inclusion of yellowcake in the President's State of the Union Address; he steadfastly denies the "slam-dunk" story as portrayed by Bob Woodward; and he is adamant that the CIA's National Intelligence Estimate of the Iraqi WMD was sound and not influenced by any political pressure, just based on flawed and unverifiable data (and the lack of WMDs was hidden by a madman who wanted everyone to believe that he had them). However, Tenet's entire perspective is blemished by his early telling of a meeting with Richard Perle on September 12, 2001, when Richard Perle told him, "Iraq has to pay a price." This account, in the introductory pages of the book and soon partly-debunked by verified reports that Perle was stranded in France after 9/11 (he may have told Tenet that, but it wasn't the day after 9/11 as Tenet claims), made me believe that some of Tenet's more sensational criticisms were made to sell books, grind some axes, or both.
   
   Still, Tenet writes his story in an easy-to-read, entertaining, and matter-of-fact manner. It's fascinating to read about the daily lives of his government officials - about their security details, the meetings, the frantic pace, the nonstop work, the amusing anecdotes, and the personal relationships they build with those around them.
   
   I'll leave out any discussion of Tenet's performance during his tenure as DCI because Tenet rarely focuses on the big picture of his time at DCI. He does freely discuss and criticize others around him: he is harshly critical of Cheney and his staff; he blames Douglas Feith for many of the Iraq-al Qaeda problems; he criticizes the Administration's faith and reliance on Ahmed Chalabi; he says that the National Security Council failed to take any steps to strategically counter the rising insurgency in Iraq; and he writes about some tension with Condoleezza Rice. Although he left his job as DCI seemingly at war with the Administration, Tenet never criticizes President Bush in his book, and when he talked about or criticized "the White House," I got the impression he was criticizing Cheney.
   
   This is a very interesting inside account of our government during the last 10 years. However, it gives one man's view - one man who was truly at the center of the storm - and his perspectives should be put in the context of the bigger events swirling around him. Although I found this book interesting, its personal biases (natural in any autobiographical account) and perspective prevent it from being a definitive account: instead, it would be of most interest to intelligence wonks and Inside-the-Beltway readers.

5 comments about Drawing Scenery: Landscapes and Seascapes.

1. Hamm's How To books are really good. They dissect the shapes of things and show clear ways to draw them.



2. Hamm's Drawing Scenery book was published in 1972, yet it is still full of useful advice to the artist today. As an author, he makes no assumptions about the reader's drawing skills, and gets right down to basics. This book is broad enough to be written for the general artist, whether you are an illustrator, commercial artist, or fine artists. While it has a slight comic book artist feel about it, the tips and advice are not limited to just comic book art. I've only taken one star off for its unusual layout - but then it was written BC (before computers).



3. Yes Congratulations if you buy this book! It is by far the best book on landscape drawing EVER! Ten books by other authors does not cover the volume or quality of information here! I got a copy when I was twelve as a gift. I already drew quite a lot could copy drawings, photos ,do self portraits and such but this volume turned the lights on drawing the landscape (still my subject specialty!) In over twenty years since, I have never found any book on drawing ANYTHING that is more useful than this one folks! If you paint you should get this too! I have never seen a competent painter that could not draw also! So if you do or do not already paint work through this gem of a book ! Give it the time and effort it deserves , do what he says, then find your own subjects to draw as well (preferably from life in the field) and APPLY what you learn in here .It will pay big dividends for you and your artwork!I do not understand complaints about format or lack of color in the previous reviews.You can complain about this masterpiece of B&W drawing instruction??? Jack Hamm is one of the most talented artist-teachers ever!I wish to send him a great thank you ! for this book and his others too. He left us a great gift.It is smart to take advantage of it. What else can I say but if you find a better book on landscape drawing I'd sure like to know about it ! It dosen't yet exist to my knowledge! So get it and have fun !



4. What can I say - I would love to have the talent of Jack Hamm. I really enjoy this type of art toward character. I'm sure there are many others who I would admire too, but for now I at least know about Jack Hamm... So I went ahead and collected as many books about his style as I could.



5. I'v been using this book for about 30 years. I needed to get a new one to use in my art classes. This is an excellent book for painting and drawing with all different media.

No comments about The Wordy Shipmates.